a true translation of a paper written in french, delivered by margaret martell to the under-sheriff at the time and place of her execution, at suffolk-street end, july 16, 1697, for the barbarous murther of elizabeth pullen, wife of paul pullen, esq. martel, margaret, d. 1697. 1640 approx. 4 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 1 1-bit group-iv tiff page image. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2008-09 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a89602 wing m817b estc r43703 42475114 ocm 42475114 151247 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a89602) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 151247) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 2251:24) a true translation of a paper written in french, delivered by margaret martell to the under-sheriff at the time and place of her execution, at suffolk-street end, july 16, 1697, for the barbarous murther of elizabeth pullen, wife of paul pullen, esq. martel, margaret, d. 1697. 1 sheet ([1] p.). printed for e. mallet ..., london : 1697. imperfect: tightly bound with loss of print. reproduction of original in: newberry library. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng last words. women murderers -england -early works to 1800. broadsides -london (england) -17th century. 2007-07 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2007-08 apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images 2007-09 pip willcox sampled and proofread 2007-09 pip willcox text and markup reviewed and edited 2008-02 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a true translation of a paper written in french , delivered by margaret martell to the vnder-sheriff at the time and place of her execution , at suffolk-street end , july 16. 1697 , for the barbarous murther of elizabeth pullen wife of paul pullen , esq published by authority . almighty god , eternal father , in obedience to the ignominious penalty which thou hast inflicted upon me , i most willingly submit to the decree of my death for the punishment of my crime ; to the committing of which , in the justice of thy judgments , thou didst abandon me , for having as i believe abandon'd my religion , which i renounced some years ago to profess another religion , ●n the profession of which i have always been a bad liver , as having no obligation upon me to declare my self to any person who could hinder me from following my irregular inclinations . o god of goodness , cause me to feel the effects of thy mercy ; and ●udg me not according to the rigour of thy divine justice , because i cannot expect any thing from it but severe and rigorous punishments , by reason of the greatness of my crimes , which are most enormous : nevertheless , hoping in thy infinite goodness and mercy , i take the boldness to beseech thee that thou wouldest be pleased to grant me a sincere and real repentance . to this purpose i implore thee , by thy holy name , and for the sake of the love which thou bearest thy self ; i implore thee also , o god , for the sake of my lord and redeemer jesus christ , who redeemed me , by his life and sufferings , by all the opprobrious injuries and pains which he endur'd , by his death , and by his blood spilt for me upon the cross . o divine jesus , be pleased to call to mind that thou hast assured us , that thou didst not come to save the righteous , but sinners ; and that ●hou dost not desire the death of a sinner , but that he should turn ●rom his wickedness , turn me therefore from my wickedness ; o my most adorable saviour ; i beg it of thee through the infinite greatness of ●hy mercy , for it is by that alone by which i hope to obtain the pardon ●nd remission of all my sins . my god , i declare , before god and the world that i now dye in the ●aith , and in the communion , of the holy roman catholick and apo●tolick church , and that i stedfastly believe whatever she believes and ●eaches . o holy virgin , mother of grace and mercy , pray for me , and defend me from the malice of the devils . most faithful guardian angel of my ●oul , preserve me at this moment , and forsake me not till thou hast conducted me before the throne of god. o my adorable saviour jesus christ , put thy cross , and the infinite merit of thy blood , between thy judgments and my soul. save me , my god , for my destiny and my salvation are in thy hands . into thy hands , my god , i resign my soul. jesus , maria ; jesus , maria ; jesus , maria ; jesus , maria ; jesus . london , printed for e. mallet in nevil's court in fetter-lane , 1697. poor robin's true character of a scold, or, the shrews looking-glass dedicated to all domineering dames, wives rampant, cuckolds couohant, and hen-peckt sneaks, in city or country. poor robin. 1678 approx. 9 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 5 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2006-02 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a66710 wing w3077 estc r11577 12930252 ocm 12930252 95637 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a66710) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 95637) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 993:6) poor robin's true character of a scold, or, the shrews looking-glass dedicated to all domineering dames, wives rampant, cuckolds couohant, and hen-peckt sneaks, in city or country. poor robin. winstanley, william, 1628?-1698. 8 p. printed for l.c., london : 1678. william winstanley is usually credited with authorship of the "poor robin" pamphlets, although imitators undoubtedly wrote some of them. cf. nuc pre-1956. reproduction of original in huntington library. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng women -anecdotes scolds -early works to 1800. 2005-08 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2005-09 aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images 2005-11 judith siefring sampled and proofread 2005-11 judith siefring text and markup reviewed and edited 2006-01 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion poor robin's true character of a scold : or , the shrews looking-glass . dedicated to all domineering dames , wives rampant , cuckolds couchant , and hen-peckt sneaks , in city or country . with allowance . london : printed for l. c. 1678. poor robin's true character of a scold . a rank scold is a devil of the feminine gender ; a serpent , perpetually hissing , and spitting of venom ; a composition of ill-nature and clamour . you may call her animated gun-powder , a walking mount aetna that is always belching forth flames of sulphur , or a real purgatory , more to be dreaded in this world , than the popes imaginary hot-house in the next . a burr about the moon , is not half so certain a presage of a tempest at sea , as her brow is of a storm on land. and though laurel , haw-thorn , and seal-skin are held preservatives against thunder , magick has not yet been able to finde any amulet so sovereign as to still her ravings : for , like oyl pour'd on flames , good words do but make her rage the faster ; and when once her flag of defiance , the tippet , is unfurl'd , she cares not a straw for constable nor cucking-stool . her tongue is the clapper of the devil's saints-bell , that rings all-in to confusion : it runs round-like a wheel , one spoak after another , and makes more noise and jangling , than country-steeples on the fifth of november . she is never less at ease , than when she is quiet ; never quiet , but when she is sleeping ; nor then neither : for either she talks in her dream , or awakes the whole house with a terrible fit of snoring . she makes such a pattering with her lips when she walks the streets , as if she were possest ; so indeed she is , with the spirit of contention . the dog-days , with her , continue all the year round ; nor can she possibly take cold : for she is ever in an heat , and holds neither pox nor plague so grievous a disease , as being tongue-ty'd . she makes an ass of aristotle , and demonstrates , that though every man be , yet many a woman is not , a sociable creature : for there is no good humour can charm her to be civil or agreeable ; no company , how affable or compaisant soever , that can long content her . she seeks occasions for railing , as eagerly as a common barretor does to go to law. if you will not anger her , she will be angry with you for thus neglecting her : and you cannot vex her worse , than to be silent , unless you sing or whistle at her folly. she interprets all she hears in the worst sense , and supplies the defect of real affronts with jealous suspitions . she is more captious , than capable of offence ; and all her neighbours bless themselves from her , wishing this quotidian feaver of her tongue cur'd with a razor . yet is not that her onely weapon ; for she has hands to clap with , and nails to scratch with , and teeth to bite with , and much more furniture for war ; so that being lookt upon as invincible , her bad humour gets her a priviledge : for where-ever she comes , she may be sure to have the room to her self ; nor needs long contest for priority of walk , or precedency at table , or opinion in argument : for the proudest gossip will quit pretensions , rather than stand the shock of her well-known rhetorick . if she be of the preciser cast , she abuses sacred language in her railing , as conjurers do in their charms ; calls her neighbours heathen edomites , her husband , reprobate , or son of belial , and will not cudgel her maid without a text for 't . but now i speak of husband , methinks i see the creeping snail shivering in an ague fit when he comes in her presence . she is worse than cow-itch in his bed , and as good as a chafing-dish at board : but has either quite forgot his name , or else she likes it not ; which makes her rebaptize him with more noble titles , as white-liver'd raskal , drunken sot , sneaking ninkompoop , or pitiful lowsy tom farthing , thus she worries him out of his senses at home , and then ferrets his haunts abroad worse than a needy bawd does a decay'd bully's . taverns and ale-houses dread her single alarm , more than the joynt attaques of the constable and watch ; and his companions are content to pay his club and dismiss him , on news of her approach , rather than be at the charge of so many glasses and bottles as she will quickly salute his coxcomb with . a full glass seasonably offered , may sometimes pacifie her for a moment ; but immediately the ill spirit returns , and she can be quiet onely just so long as she is drinking . thus she clamours at him so long without occasion , that at last he gives her enough ; and rails at him for keeping ill company , till she forces him to it ; being asham'd to go into any good society , or they asham'd of him ; which makes him seek blinde bubbing-schools to hide himself in from her fury , and resolve to stay out all night , rather than endure a double rally . in a word , ( for i perceive our character begins to be infected with the contagious talkativeness of its subject ) a virulent scold is her neighbours perpetual disquiet , her families evil genius , her husbands ruine , and her own dayly tormentor : and that you may the better know her pedigree , i 'll give you a serious account of the receipt or method made use of for her production into the world , lately found in a long-concealed manuscript of theophrastus bombastus paracelsus , as follows : viz. that nature long since finding many of her sons oft-times bewitcht to their own ruine by the charms of women , for their punishment contriv'd this monster call'd a scold : to form which , she first took of the tongues and galls of bulls , bears , wolves , magpies , parrets , cuckows , and nightingales , of each a like number : the tongues and tails of vipers , adders , snakes and lizards , seven apiece : aurum fulminans , aqua fortis and gun-powder , of each one pound : the clappers of nineteen bells , and the pestles of a dozen apothecaries mortars . which being all mixt , she calcin'd in mount strombelo , and dissolv'd the ashes in a water distill'd just under london-bridge at three quarters flood , and filtrated it through the leaves of calepines dictionary , to render the operation more verbal . after which , she distill'd it again through a speaking-trumpet , and closed up the remaining spirits in the mouth of a cannon . then she open'd the graves of all new-deceased pettifoggers , mountebanks , barbers , coffee-news-mongers , and fish-wives ; and with the skin of their tongues , made a bladder cover'd o're with drum-heads , and fill'd with storms , tempests , whirlwinds , thunders , lightnings , &c. these , for better incorporation , she set seven years in a rough sea to ferment , and then mixing them with the rest , rectified the whole three times a day for a twelve month in a balneo of quick-silver . lastly , to irrabiate the whole elixir , and make it more churlish , she cut a vein under the tongue of the dog-star , drawing thence a pound of the most cholerick blood ; from which sublimating the spirits , she mixt them with the foam of a mad dog : and then putting all together in the forementioned bladder , stitcht it up with the nerves of socrates's wife . out of this noble preparation , and a crooked rib ( emblem of future crosness ) dame nature first composed a shrew , whose posterity ( as is frequent with noxious animals ) has since so over-spread the world , that scarce an alley or village is free from some of her lineage . but that you may see her end as well as beginning , be pleased to peruse this epitaph . after some threescore years of catterwauling , here lies a scold , stopt from above-ground bawling . though ill she liv'd , i dare not read her doom ; but fure , go where she will , she 's troublesome . i wish her , in revenge , amongst he blest : for she 'd as lief be damn'd , as be at rest . finis . an academy or colledge, wherein young ladies and gentlewomen may at a very moderate expence be duly instructed in the true protestant religion, and in all vertuous qualities that may adorn that sex also be carefully preserved and secured till the day of their marriage ... chamberlayne, edward, 1616-1703. 1671 approx. 12 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 7 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2007-10 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a31569 wing c1818 estc r20294 11770260 ocm 11770260 48843 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a31569) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 48843) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 20:5) an academy or colledge, wherein young ladies and gentlewomen may at a very moderate expence be duly instructed in the true protestant religion, and in all vertuous qualities that may adorn that sex also be carefully preserved and secured till the day of their marriage ... chamberlayne, edward, 1616-1703. [2], 10 p. printed by tho. newcomb, in the savoy : 1671. attributed to edward chamberlayne. cf. bm. reproduction of original in british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng women -education -england. religious education of girls. 2005-11 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2005-12 apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images 2006-10 taryn hakala sampled and proofread 2006-10 taryn hakala text and markup reviewed and edited 2007-02 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion an academy or colledge : wherein young ladies and gentlewomen may at a very moderate expence be duly instructed in the true protestant religion , and in all vertuous qualities that may adorn that sex : also be carefully preserved , and secured , till the day of their marriage , under the tuition of a lady governess , and grave society of widdows and virgins , who have resolved to lead the rest of their lives in a single retir'd religious way , according to the pattern of some protestant colledges in germany . in the savoy , printed by tho. newcomb . 1671. an academy or colledge ; wherein young ladies and gentlewomen , may at a very moderate expence be duly instructed in the true protestant religion , &c. before the late unhappy troubles in england , it was the usual observation of forreigners , who had been acquainted with this and other nations , that the english lady was the most modest , chast , and pious woman in europe ; that she was eminent for reverence , obedience , faithfulness , and affectionateness to her husband , for discreet , frugal management of her house and family , for sobriety , retiredness , taciturnity , humility , patience , and all other graces and vertues , wherewith the holy women of old were endowed : since which , by a general licentiousness , during our late unnatural war , not only all kind of sects , and with them irreligion , atheism , and debauchery , were introduced amongst the men of this nation ; but also most of those fore-mentioned excellent qualifications are now at length ( to the great grief of all sober persons ) become more rare amongst women , then perhaps in any of our neighbouring countreys : which having been seriously and sadly considered , it is by many godly prudent men judged very expedient , that most earnest endeavors should speedily be used by some extraordinary way of education to reduce ( if possible ) the female sex of england to their pristine vertues ; that so by their godly conversation , and good examples , their husbands , children , and servants may in time be won , and at length a general reformation wrought in this kingdom . some have thought best to set their daughters to be educated in the maiden schools in and about london , where either through the unskilfulness , or negligence ; through the unfaithfulness , or covetousness of the mistresses , too much minding their private profit , the success oft times hath not answered the expectation of their parents and friends ; whereof there are divers lamentable examples , and grievous complainings . others therefore ( though of the protestant religion ) have chosen rather to be at the great charges , and hazard of sending their daughters to be bred up ( till the time of their marriage ) in some popish monasteries of our next neighbouring countreys : whence they have return'd otherwise very vertuous , but generally tainted with , and enclined to romish superstitions , and errours . some have assayed to educate their daughters alwayes at home , but thereby have found them apt to be corrupted , or betrayed by servants , ( of whose unfaithfulness and viciousness there is now a more general complaint than ever ; ) or else in continual danger to be stoln away by some debauched indigent neighbours ; or if they are rich orphans , to be sold by the trustees ; whereof there are also divers examples ; or to be wholly ignorant and unacquainted with the world ; or at least to want that handsome becoming deportment , which usually sets off , and recommends young ladies to good husbands , and is to be acquired onely abroad in a vertuous converse with others . lastly , divers gentlemen of this kingdom have , of late for the education of their daughters , had recourse to the families of some non-conformists , where perhaps a stricter education may sometimes be found , but then if any advantage be there had , it is usually attended with this great mischief , that thereby schismatical and rebellious principles are insensibly instilled into them , which may one day occasion ( if not timely prevented ) the final overthrow of the present established church and state. now the premisses considered , and also , that for the education of sons in all vertue and piety , no way hath been found to succeed better generally , then to let them pass their youth in a collegiate life , under the eye and care of a discreet , learned , pious tutor , and under the regular government of the head and fellows of a colledge : it is not to be doubted but that some such collegiate life ( if rightly instituted ) may prove as successful , and perhaps much more , for the education of daughters ; and that thereby may be founded not onely excellent seminaries and nurseries , out of which , persons of honour and worth may at all times make choice of vertuous wives ; but also provision ( whereof there is great want in england ) may be made for sober , pious , elder virgins and widdows , who desire to separate themselves from the vanities of the world , and yet employ their talents to the benefit of the publick . these are therefore to give notice , to all whom it may any way concern , that near london , in a pleasant healthy soil and air , there is for both the purposes above-mentioned , proposed a large house , with a chappel , fair hall , many commodious lodgings , and rooms for all sorts of necessary offices ; together with pleasant gardens , orchards , and courts , all encompassed and well secured with strong high walls : also there is a reverend , learned , and pious divine in the same parish , ready to officiate daily morning and evening as chaplain ; a grave discreet lady to be governess , with divers other matrons , who having taken up a resolution to live a retired , single , and religious life , are to assist in the government of the colledge , without expecting any gain , profit , or emolument for themselves ; but to bestow gratis all their care and pains in governing the colledge and the young ladies in their education . moreover , there will come at due times the best and ablest teachers in london for singing , dancing , musical instruments , writing , french tongue , fashionable dresses , all sorts of needle works ; for confectionary , cookery , pastery ; for distilling of waters , making perfumes , making of some sort of physical and chyrurgical medecins and salves for the poor , &c. there are also prepared a body of statutes and rules , whereunto all upon their admission are to submit themselves ; until the whole society , with the consent of the visitor , who is a person of great eminency and worth , shall think fit to alter , or repeal any of them , for the better promoting this pious design . if therefore any honourable and worthy persons desire that their daughters , or any trustees , that their orphans , should be admitted commoners or pensioners of this colledge ; or any devout widdows or elder virgins , who intend not to marry , desire to be admitted fellows and assistants in this government , and to lead the rest of their dayes without cares and troubles of the world , to live with honour and reputation , to devote themselves to the service of god and the good of their countrey , by contributing their advice and assistance in the training up of young ladies and gentlewomen , and securing their persons and fortunes , till the time of their marriage : let them repair either to mr. horn a stationer at the south-side of the royal exchange , to mr. martyn a stationer at the bell in st. pauls churchyard , to mr. thomas collins stationer , at the middle temple gate , to mr. herringman stationer in the new exchange , to mr. mortlack stationer in westminster-hall , or to mr. tayler a stationer on london-bridge , and they shall be farther informed . the reader may also take notice , that near london in a good air , there is a like design for a colledge for oldmen , either batchelors or widdowers , who may for a reasonable sum of money be accommodated during life with diet , lodging , and all other necessaries ; where they may pass the rest of their dayes without trouble or care in a comfortable society and converse with men of the like age and condition , according to the pattern of a colledge in holland . for the perfecting of these designs there are divers persons of eminency and worth , who have expressed not onely their approbation , but also their readiness to contribute thereunto ; and it is to be hoped that many others who are lovers and encouragers of vertue and piety , will upon right information afford their assistance to a work so much tending to a general reformation of manners . therefore for the better securing all persons that their moneys shall be emploied to those ends and uses for which they lay it down , these following proposals are offered , which by gods assistance will be faithfully and carefully performed . first , whatsoever money shall be subscribed , shall be paid in to the mercers company in london , which is of unspotted reputation and clear credit , and will be accountable for the moneys received , and give receipts or acquittances to every one that shall pay in any money . secondly , that the same money may be emploied no otherwise than for the use intended , it is proposed that it may not be issued out but by warrant from such persons as shall be nominated trustees , whereof there are divers persons of worth ready to take upon them that trust . thirdly , it is proposed and desired , that all who are resolved to promote this design , would send in their subscriptions and take effectual order for paying in their money so soon as conveniently they can , and at farthest before the end of next trinity term. fourthly , it is desired , that every subscriber would set down the place of his usual abode , with his name , quality , and title , and the name of every subscriber which he shall procure , to the end that they may be all registred and recorded in a fair velome book , to be carefully preserved in the colledge to all posterity , and if occasion require , that thereby notice may be given to him of any concernment of this undertaking . fifthly , that in case of want of necessary provision and contribution , this laudable design should not go on ( which god forbid ) then the several sums of money to be repay'd to each contributor respectively with interest at 5 per cent. if it be demanded within two years . the form of the subscription to be as followeth : we whose names are subscribed , do hereby solemnly promise to pay the several sums by us under-written , into the hands of the company of mercers , or in the chamber of london , to be disbursed in due time for the purchasing of a fair house near london , to be made a colledge , according to the proposal above-mentioned , and to give order from time to time to the trustees to take thence such sum or sums as they shall judge expedient for the purpose aforesaid . finis . a catalogue of virtuous women recorded in the old & new testament barton, william, 1598?-1678. 1671 approx. 26 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 13 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2008-09 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a78225 wing b999a estc r232424 99897986 99897986 137595 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a78225) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 137595) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 2543:2) a catalogue of virtuous women recorded in the old & new testament barton, william, 1598?-1678. [6], 13, [5] p. printed by w. godbid, for william cooper at the pellican in little-britain, london : 1671. dedication signed: william barton. in verse. reproduction of original in the bodleian library, oxford, england. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng bible -history of biblical events -poetry -early works to 1800. women -conduct of life -early works to 1800. 2007-05 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2007-05 apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images 2007-07 angela berkley sampled and proofread 2007-07 angela berkley text and markup reviewed and edited 2008-02 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a catalogue of virtvovs women recorded in the old & new testament . 1 cor. 7. 16. what knowest thou o wife , whether thou shalt save thy husband ? or how knowest thou o man , whether thou shalt save thy wife ? london , printed by w. godbid , for william cooper at the pellican in little-britain , 1671. to the right honourable the lady grace , vicountess chaworth ; the lady margaret , countess of salisbury ; the lady dorothy , wife to anthony , son and heir to the right honourable the lord ashley-cooper ; the lady elizabeth , wife to the right honourable the lord annesley ; the lady anne mannors , daughters to the right honourable john earl of rutland , and the lady frances his worthy countess lately deceased . right honourable and renowned ladies , the favourable acceptation which this small present found with your virtuous and honourable mother , incouraged me to communicate it to other virt uous ladies and gentlewomen , who were very desirous of a coppy of it ; which desires growing ample and importunate , made me weary of writing , and willing ( though not ambitious ) to impart it to the press : partly to commemorate the honourable acceptation and partly to congratulate and gratifie the respects it found . moreover , by much perusal , i perceived that i had left out many memorable persons of high account in holy scriptures , wherefore to make all compleat , and to leave a living monument of those resplendent virtues that are recorded of the female sex , which will undoubtedly excite good women to godly imitation , i have presumed to make this paper publick for the honour of that sex which god hath so highly honoured , as the most acute aretius observes upon the pious womens coming first to the sepulchre of our saviour , luk. 24. 1. totum hoc ad gloriam muliebris sexus pertinere , that it did all belong to the glory of the female sex ; and learned polanus saith on the same occasion , syntag. theol christ . page 149 at the letter c column 1. resurrectio christi primum ab angelo annunciata est mulieribus quia ●o●●it deus sic ornare pietatem illarum quarum zelus pro gloria christi fervidior erat quam virorum . the resurrection of christ ( saith he ) was first told by the angel to the women because their zeal for the glory of christ was hotter then the mens . confiding therefore , that it cannot be condemned for flattery ; ( for none can inherit such glory but they that imitate them ) nor can it provoke envy o● disdain ( which is so cleer a record of the holy scriptures , ) neither doth it derogate from the man , but dignifie him . ( for as he is her head , so she is his glory , 1. cor. 11. 3 , 7. and a virtuous woman is a crown to her husband , prov. 12. 4. ) i humbly crave your honours allowance and acceptation of the publication , in your noble and religious mothers stead , to whom the dedication was designed : and so with supplications for your honours long health and happiness , i rest your honours duly devoted and most humble servant , william barton . a catalogue of virtvovs women recorded in the old & new testament . t is a famous character which i oft have heard of her , corresponding to the fame of her noble father's name . thus religion understood , often runneth in a blood : and , for multitude we find most-what of the woman ▪ kind . this is still the true renown , virtue ! which puts envy down : so the sacred book defines all the ancient heroines . 1 pet. 3. 6. gen ▪ 17. 15. sarah that obey'd the word of her dear , and call'd him lord , though her own name mounts so high , and a like doth signify . gen. 27. 46. & vers . 12. good rebeckah griev'd to death with the heathenish dames of heth : wishing him the princely place that was principal in grace . mat. 2. 18. gen. 35. 19. jer. 31. 15. beauteous rachel , whose sad cross , lack of children , seem'd as loss : for as loss it wass resented , and as mournfully lamented . see diod. on mat. 2. 16. &c. and jer 31. 15. thus by faith she propheci'd of the bethlehem babes that dy'd : mothers tears , and childrens blood made a lamentable blood. gen. 30. 22. ch. 41. 28 , 36. ch. 47. 25. yet at length her prayers obtain'd , such a seed as rul'd and reign'd : joseph , egypts foster father , who did large provisions gather . 1 sam. 10. 21 , 24. gen. 48. 16. ch. 49. 22. benjamin , from whom did spring israel's first exalted king : and from joseph soon ensu'd ephraims populous multitude . exod. 6. 20. ch . 2. 2. &c. 1. 21. next is to be registred resolute good jochebed , for , three months she hid her son th' inquisition so to shun . exod. 2. 4 , 9. heb. 11. 23. miriam next , that lent her hand ( fearing not the kings command , ) to secure the babe from slaughter , kindly sav'd by pharoahs daughter . exod. 2. 9. &c. whom the beautious babe did please ▪ weeping in the bull-rushes . and her pity and her purse ▪ hir'd for him an hebrew nurse . ibidem . witty miriam call's her mother to be nurse unto her brother : so the serpent and the dove met alike in miriam's love. micah . 6. 2. numb . 36. 59. so was she recorded one with her brethren so well known : one in their levitick stock , one in conduct of the flock . numb . 27. 3. ch . 36. 10. and the daughters we must add of the good zelopehad : that were free from all defection ▪ and still follow'd god's direction . ch. 27. 4 , 7 — that could plead their own just right , well approv'd in gods own sight : and a president became for the females rightful claim . vers 8. see the postscr . note ● . and did prove estates to fix with the true inheretrix : which by reason should withdraw , th' error of the salique law. isa . 49. 23. for we find by scripture search nursing mothers to the church : and that queens as well as kings ▪ are ord ain d to such high things . josh . 15. 19. psal . 87. 7. acsah too that ask'd a blessing , granted at her first addressing : th' upper and the neither springs , which import far higher things . ruth . 1. &c. naomi for faith excelling , whiles with hateful heathens dwelling : and when plung'd in deep distress was upheld by humbleness . josh . 6. 17. ruth ▪ 1. 17. mat 1. 8. rahab too , and virtuous ruth , converts that embrac'd the truth ▪ both enroll'd by grace divine in our blessed saviours line . judg. 4. 4. &c. deb'rah wife of lapidoth , prophetess and princess both : that arose by gods command as a mother in the land ▪ vers . 14 , — that did call a war , and carry it spite of siseras iron charet : and did startle ( to the best ) brave resolves in barach's brest . jndg. 4. 21. ch. 5. 14. jael too for courage crown'd nayling sisera to the ground : whose blest honour did augment , past all womens in the tent. judg. 13. 23. heb. 11. 33. and the wife of manoah , her good husbands prop and stay : mother of the nazarite magnifi'd for faith and fight . 1 sam. 1. 18 , 27. ch. 2. 22. hannah that reviv'd by prayer , and obtain'd a son and heir : vow'd him freely to the lord , with her husbands joynt accord . chap. 2. 1 , 22. luk. 1 46 ▪ and presents him most compleat with her gratulation great : whose inspired heart and tongue hint the holy virgins song . 1. sam. 4. 19. and the wife of phinehas , for a zealous saint she was , more lamenting israels fall , than her own loss , life and all . 1. sam. 4. 20. troubled that the ark was taken ▪ israels glory so forsaken : calls her dear child ichabod , grieving for the ark of god. 1 sam. 25. 18 , 31. abigail that durst ingage to subdue a souldiers rage , courted david , sought and serv'd him , from a rash revenge preserv'd him . vers ▪ 23. wins him with civility , wisdom and humility : of his greatness prophecy'd ▪ and e're long became his bride . 2 sam. 20. 16. and that peaceable good spirit ▪ of immortal fame and merit : she that at the seige of abel carri'd all so amicable . ibidem . talking with the royal captain , of the fears the town was wrapt in ▪ how , said she , canst thou take joy god's inheritance to destroy ? ibidem . far from me be such a fury , said the captain , i ▪ le assure ye : onely sheba's body bring , that hath clasht against the king. ibidem . then she treats with all the town ▪ cryes the trayterous rebel down , get's his head cast o're the wall , and forthwith appeaseth all . pro. 31. 1. mat. 1. 6. and the queen we count upon . that instructed solomon : princess in the royal line , prompting oracles divine . 1 king 10. 1. mat. 12. 42. and the queen of famous note , that did come from parts remote in her zeal to seek the lord ; as both testaments record . ibidem . that with solomon did consult , asking questions difficult : and the heaven-inspired king answered her to every thing . ibidem . that admir'd the works she saw , and his oeconomick law : most of all his rare ascent as he to the temple went. ibidem . 't is a true report said she which at home i heard of thee ▪ but by what i now behold , lo ! the one half was not told . ibidem . verse 9. blessed be the lord thy god , and thy people i applaud , that such oracles may hear , from a prince to them so near . 1 kings 17. 13. she that first elijah fed with the last bit of her bread : but by faith which she embrac'd , neither meal nor oyl did waste . 2 kings 4. 6. and that faithful widdow too that had vessels not enough to contain the liquor fill'd , which by miracle distill'd . 2 kings 4 36. heb. 11. 35. and the shunamites good wife who receiv'd her dead to life : whom elisha did requite that did such a guest invite . 2 kings 5. 1. and the little captive maid from her native land convey'd , that did wait on naamans wife , and put fair to end the strife . vers . 3 , 24. would to god ( said she ) my master were ( in spite of all disaster ) with the prophet , that doth dwell in samarias cittadel . vers . 3. 14 , 15. for he would undoubtedly cure him of his leprosy : so he went and was made whole both in body and in soul. 2 chr. 34. 22 , 26. mat. 1. 10. hulldah dwelling in the college , perfect in prophetick knowledge : that did comfort king josiah , ( grand-child to king hezekiah ▪ ) vers . 28. 24. and assur'd his peaceful end , for even death must stand his friend : though gods wrathful indignation scorcht the following generation . vers . 25. and the prophetess was bold to denounce the wrath foretold : for their sin so far incens'd , that the wrath could not be quench'd . ester 4. 14. royal ester , most religious , born as for a time prodigious : with her maidens mourn'd and pray'd , stak'd her life for israels aid . chap. 7. 6. cop'd with haman , got the day , which advanced mordecay : and if any women be types of christ , 't is such as she . thus the testament hath told worthy women of the old : now great ladies take a view of the worthies of the new. luk. 1. 6. vers . 44. first elizabeth admire , whose obedience was entire : whose sweet babe within her womb leap'd for joy that christ was come . luk. 2. 37. chap. 7. 38. aged anna that did pray instantly both night and day : mary that did weep as fast , till her tears all price surpast . luk. 10. 39. th' other mary we must mention , who to christ gave great attention : for the better part she chose , that which she could never lose . john 11. 2. mat. 26 13. this was also she that shed precious spikenard on his head ▪ which to such account did come as must pass through christendome . luk. 11. 38. john 11. 5. and good martha must be number'd , though with two much care encumber'd : one expresly said to be lov'd of christ among the three . john 11. 22. for she was a sound believer , though her brothers death did grieve her : and ( confiding ) told our lord he could raise him at a word . mark. 12 44. 2 cor. 9. 7. and the widdow whose gratuity pass'd the rich mens superfluity : though two mites was all her living , so much priz'd is cheerful giving . mark 7. 26. mat. 15. 20. and the greek syro-phoenician who so press'd her bold petition : term of dog she overcomes , dogs ( said she ) may eat the crums . ibidem . so she stoutl ▪ stood the tryal , and misdoubted no denyal : for she knew she should prevail , and her faith did never fail . matt 9. 20. such a faith did christ avouch hers to be that stole a touch : for , said that beleeving soul , if i touch i shall be whole . john 4. 26. she of sychar made acquainted with messias , ( gods annointed ) she made all the town to know , they believ'd and found it so . john 19. 25. luk. 2. 35. and of them that so surpass was the wife of cleophas , sympathizing in the smart , that did pierce the virgins heart ▪ ibidem . see postcript note the third . and the virgins sister there , that did like affection bear : and salome , who likewise did so strongly sympathize . luk. 8. 2. mat. 27. 46. and that godly convert then called mary magdalen : who last serv'd our saviour stain , and first saw him rais'd again . acts 9. 39. ch . 17. 34. tabitha that did prepare garments for the poor to wear : damaris that clave to paul when the learn'd neglected all . acts 12. 14. rhoda that knew peters voice , and thereat did so rejoyce , that she straight ran in , and said , here 's the man for whom we pray'd . acts 16. 14. &c. she whose heart the lord did open to attend to what was spoken : and her heart set ope ( to teach her , ) sets her house so to the preacher . rom. 16. 8. phoebe that did service pay to the church of cenchrea : and priscilla that did purchase thanks of all the gentile-churches . ver. 6 , 12. mary too , a saint illustrious , and for saints dear sakes ▪ industrious : so tryphaena's works import , and triphosa's came not short . 2 tim. 1. 5. ch . 3. 15. lois , next ( as scripture saith ) in whom dwell'd unfeigned faith : and eunice prais'd as high , which two train'd up timothy . 2 john 1. &c. and the lady call'd elect with the robes of virtue deckt : and her children from their youth walking stedfast in the truth . rom. 16. 15. phil. 4. 3. 2 john 13. some but named are set down , and a name is some renown : here a sister , there a wife , owned in the book of life . phil. 4. 3. luk. 8. 3. women then as well as men have their praise by scripture pen : women of their substance lent to our lord with one assent . luk. 8. 3. one of these was good susanna , and the noble dame joanna ( herods stewards wife ) was one , and a many more unknown . luk. 23. 27. vers . 4● . 55. women did with mournful breath , most of all lament his death : women at his grave did grieve on the sacred sabboths eve. luk. 23. 50. chap. 24. 1. and that past , they did not fear to embalm his body there : and had there the best inspection , first , into his resurrection . acts 17. 4 , 12. lastly , to give all their due , famous women , and not few , were converted , and strait way at the gospels spring of day . wherefore to conclude the story of this faithful female glory , one thing more i must annex in the honour of your sex. mat. 1. 27. luk. 1. 44 , 48. one of yours excell'd all other , that was both a maid and mother ▪ whom all generations shall blessed virgin-mother call . luk. 1. 32. vers . 46. mother of almighty god , celebrated all abroad : yet was she of meek behaviour magnifying christ our saviour . heb. 1. 6. luk. 2. 10. whom all angels evermore are commanded to adore , and with joy they all obey , witness this triumphant day . finis . the post-script . note 1. for the distick in italian character page 2. take this following if you think it fit , infants ( of both sexes some ) suffered bloody martydom . though some interpreters say , that the male children onely suffered ; but that could hardly be : see the text in jer. 31. 18. and reverend bishop hall , in his contemplations of herod and the infants , saith thus : all the infants of bethlehem shall suffer for this one . note 2. the salique law is a law of france , whereby the crown of france cannot fall to a woman ; the original and injustice of it , and how confuted and condemned from this president of zelopohads daughters , num. 27. and 36 chap. see in dr. heylins description of the world , edition 8. in quarto , pag. 80. and in the edition in folio , pag. 177. note 3. some take the virgin mary's sister , spoken of john 19. 25. to be the same with the wife of cleophas ; for thus the text expresseth it , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . his mother , and his mothers sister , mary the wife of cleophas , and mary magdalene . and calvin construes it , that this mary ( call'd her sister ) was her cousin , and might be the daughter of cleophas , for any thing said in the text , and the translators put it in a different character ; but aretius distinguisheth them , adest mater christi , adest soror ejus , adsunt aliae duae mariae , uxor cleophae & magdalenae . there was present ( saith he ) the mother of christ , there was present her sister , there were present two other maries , the wife of cleophas , and magdalene . the printer to the reader . the author was more willing to the publication of this epigram that he might give notice of the publication of two centuries of select hymns collected out of several chapters of the holy bible . and said to be printed for the author ( for this turn ) because they had been printed without his consent by an imperfect copy , which wanted above fifty of the choise chapter hymns , and the psalm ▪ hymns printed in that book are far more estranged from the true copy , as will shortly appear . the books put out by the author are sold for 1 s. a piece plain , at the three daggers in fleetstreet , and at the pellican in little-britain ; and are printed without any fault but what the reader may amend by his own discretion , save that the first of the errata hath 63 for 68. and the last greek word in the title page hath the aspiration ( in some copies ) turned the wrong way . finis . a satyrical epistle to the female author of a poem, call'd silvia's revenge, &c. by the author of the satyr against woman. gould, robert, d. 1709? 1691 approx. 23 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 13 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2003-09 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a41702 wing g1436 estc r2756 12781584 ocm 12781584 93821 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a41702) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 93821) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 983:15) a satyrical epistle to the female author of a poem, call'd silvia's revenge, &c. by the author of the satyr against woman. gould, robert, d. 1709? 24 p. printed for r. bentley ..., london : 1691. reproduction of original in huntington library. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng women -poetry. women -early works to 1800. 2003-03 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2003-04 aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images 2003-06 john latta sampled and proofread 2003-06 john latta text and markup reviewed and edited 2003-08 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a satyrical epistle to the female author of a poem , call'd silvia's revenge , &c. by the author of the satyr against woman . mil. par. lost. — revenge at first , tho' sweet , bitter , e're long , back on it self recoils . london : printed for r. bentley , at the post-house in russel street in covent-garden , near the piazza's . mdcxci . a satyrical epistle to the female author of a poem call'd silvia's revenge , &c. yes , dame , 't is so ; satyr shall scourge the age , while there is subject to maintain her rage , and that , no doubt , there will for ever be ; at least , as long as we are plagu'd with thee . thou ill defendress of a cause as ill , rashly led on by that blind guide , thy will ; in ink thy fulsom pen why didst thou foul , unless to show the blackness of thy soul ? which thou hast prov'd ( so well y 'ave ply'd the task ) of the same fiend-complexion , as thy mask : markt for the stygian colloney below , it here does practise what 't is there to do : all you have writ does shew y' are thence inspir'd , and only there can hope to be admir'd ; for men detest thee ; nay , so far y 'ave gone , y 'ave pull'd the womens indignation on , and reason too — as we will shew anon . of all thy sex thou art the most unfit to vindicate their virtues , or their wit , for in the rest , some sparks of worth may shine , and from their breasts put forth a gleam divine , but they for ever are extinct in thine ; in thee the sun of virtue 's set , and lies eclips'd in loose desires , no more to rise , and with its maiden glories , gild the blushing skies . ephelia , poor ephelia , ragged jilt , and sapho , famous for her gout and guilt , either of these , tho' both debaucht and vile , had answer'd me in a more decent style ; yet hackny writers ; when their verse did fail to get 'em brandy , bread and cheese , and ale , their wants by prostitution were supply'd , shew but a tester , you might up and ride ; for punk and poesie agree so pat , you cannot well be this , and not be that : than thou , even these had better conduct shown , preserv'd their sexes fame , and half retriev'd their own . shew me one page , of all the goodly store , that 's free from words like these ; iilt , strumpet , whore , hag , hot-house , fluxing , leach'ry , emp'ricks bills , claps , cully , keeper , pox and pocky pills ; things that wou'd shock the modest matron's ear , and make her blush to think a female fixt 'em there . but what are those you hag and harlot name ? women ! what the destructive bawd ? the same ; what drabs and guzzeling gossips ? women still ! why dost thou tell us they cou'd be so ill ? methinks i hear the hebrew nymphs again , when two great hero's deeds employ'd their strain , thy thousands thou , thou hast ten thousands slain ! a thousand crimes i nam'd ( and more conceal'd ) but by ten thousands they 're by thee reveal'd ! but say it all were true ( truth 't is we know ) 't was , sure , unkind in you to blaze it so ; you on such failings shou'd have drawn their vails , and not obscenely shew'd their cloven-feet and tails : vices enow in mankind there appears , enough to exercise thy rage for years , what need , so lavishly , exposing theirs ? compar'd to thee , i 'me careful of their fame : — but sure thou only scribblest for a name ; and , since thou art fond of it , thy name shall live , what you can't give yourself , my pointed lines shall give : above all things call'd shame , thou shalt be sham'd , for thy loose life so infamously fam'd , ev'n bawds , thro' all their brass , shall blush to hear thee nam'd . wretched is she that dares to be thy friend , but far more wretched she that you commend ; for though she might for modest pass before , thy praise wou'd transubstantiate her to whore : thus , tho' thou shou'd'st mean well , 't wou'd never take , virtue it self wou'd suffer for thy sake ; to be her votary thought , thou art so evil , wou'd , tho' a goddess , make her look like devil . silvia's revenge , d' ye say ? indeed 't is like , revenge will strike our own fame , rather than not strike : for take this sharp-nail'd truth , to scratch thy itch , the silvia you extol so , was a b — a coquet airy , impudent and vain , made up of too much love , or over-much disdain ; restless her temper , frantick her desire , either all ice , or all o'er flaming fire , either she 'd freeze , or burn , no mean betwixt , but all extreme ; to no one point e're fixt , this hour was heav'n , and worse than hell the next ; perjur'd from head to foot , one blot all o'er of sin , and quite round rotten to the core : she , and all such , i justly reprehend , thee , and all such unjustly you defend : how dar'st thou to appear thus in a cause so opposite to heav'n and humane laws ? it speaks thee plainly her lewd sister twin , in sense as shallow , and as deep in sin , and perhaps deeper ; as the world may find , in that part of iambick yet behind . in all my rage and most inveterate fit , when spleen had got the mastery of wit , i ne're said maidenheads were nothing yet ; tho' , without blush , thus far with thee we joyn , they are meer nothings all , if all like thine ; in thee alone the bold assertion's good ; lust was so soon incorporate with thy blood , at ten years age the tingling itch began , in streams away thy liquid virgin ran , dissolv'd ev'n but by thinking upon man ; and if the thougt cou'd so much guilt contract , what wer 't thou when that thought was put in act ? insatiate , ev'n messalina cou'd sooner have laid the devil in her blood. but is not the fair sex beholden much to thee , on that nice point , their fame to touch ? virginity , that angel-state , wherein to live , almost is to live free from sin ; if we can be contented with the state , nor , gudgeon-like , bite at the specious bait : but for that charm who is it that wou'd care , meer lust excepted , to approach the fair ? why are we fond , why languish and adore , but to have something none e'er had before ? to be the first that crops the virgin flower , just in the critical and blissful hour , when the strong watchful guard resign their power ; no longer by strict honour kept in awe , but side with nature's more seraphick law ; when in the blushing virgins kindling eyes we see a lovely care , and guilty sweetness rise , while every touch does raise her ardour higher , till she 's all over nothing but desire ; when , pregnant with a thousand nameless charms , she dies away , and sinks into your arms , then graps , breaths short , her glowing eve-balls rowl , and a convulsive rapture seizes on her soul ! the youth , by this , to the same pitch enflam'd , here throws — but what succeeds need not be nam'd . o transport ! killing transport ! racking bliss ! and is it nothing that can cause all this ? then , sacred nothing , let me cease to be that something that i am , rather than banishe thee , rather than not , sometimes , have the delight to dive for thee into thy realm of night , to break thy shell , and bid thee take thy everlasting flight ! the very thought w'have had thee gives us rest , and builds a halcyon calm in the kind husbands breast ; it gives ev'n marriage a delicious tast , and is the oyl that makes those colours last : who e're does tye that miserable knot , and thinking sure to find thee , finds thee not , words are too poor to paint his more than cursed lot ! for she that let her tail to hire before , has now a specious mask to gild the whore ; who does ill things unvail'd , will with a vail do more : but she that brings it to the nuptial bower , she that preserves it sacred to that hour , to keep it so preserv'd has double power : and what in maids virginity we name , in chast and faithful wives does ripen into fame . while thou , accurst , created for our harm , cou'd'st never find this lucky hour to charm ; thou ne're wer't capable to give delight , thy love was lust , as now thy anger 's spite : when thou wert young , and for a change , might please some fop that did not fear the foul disease , we never heard of thee in lines like these ; then 't was amintor , strephon , gentle swain , and songs , writ in a melancholy strain , made known thy want of stallion thro' the plain : the brawny porter that best pitcht the bar , was form'd , thou said'st , by heav'n to ease thy care : in truth , nor youth , nor wit , no charm you thought , but strength of back was all , and that you bought : ( curst , the mean while , be he ( lewd , to be fed ) that by that slimy drudgery gets his bread ) thus with a lumpish airyness , too dull to move good men , you prey'd on knave and fool : now ball-brow'd time has hagg'd thee into age , thy swains have left to pipe , and thou , in rage , has brought the broad-backt brutes upon the stage ; telling the world , what thou need'st not have told , that they are very false , and thou a very scold . false , said i ? but that no ill thing , can be , perjury's no fault when it relates to thee : ev'n in thy youth , in all thy gloting prime , thou cou'd'st not be caress'd without a crime ; who e're did gaze on thee , his mistress , straight , did brand him with the name of profligate ; the man that stoopt to thee , cou'd never rise gracious in any other female's eyes : what now then , when those borrow'd charms are fail'd , which but with fops and monkeys e're prevail'd , and all the paint's washt off , and all is fiend unvail'd ? nor hast a refuge left to drudge for life , but turning bawd , or that worse thing , a wife ; a wife ! if any man so wild will be , to leap that horrid precipice for thee ; that husband 's fate in wedlock's hard to tell ; others might bring him care , but thou wou'd'st bring him hell. yet man you curse ; and woman , his delight , he must not see by day , nor touch by night ; why , cou'd you do your sex a plaguier spite ? but most thy self ; all that have eyes may see that curse wou'd fall most heavy upon thee : almost from five to fifty thou hast known what man was carnally , nor lain alone without one , two , or more , but with regret and moan : purse without money is a burning shame , bed and no man in 't , thou dost think the same : ev'n posture-moll her self , when thou art by , obscene ! has some pretence to modesty . but mark th' inconstancy of womankind , and the wild variations of their mind : she who but now ( in this her temper scan ) did toil to make her sex abandon man , now blames those husbands that so dull can prove , drunk , to neglect the great affair of love : i find her fulsom itch is not yet gone , she loves by drunkards to be belcht upon : what modest dame , that had a spouse so ill , wou'd not much rather have him then be still ? a drunkard is a brute beneath our curse , but she , who then can fondle him , is worse ; swine as he is , cou'd he but mount and ride , thy poem with his praise had been supply'd : as wine 's provocative , you like it well , but as it spoils performance , hate it more than hell ; so not meer drink it self caus'd thy disgust , but that it does unnerve desire , and baulk expecting lust. o female innocence ! — but since i 'm in , what is 't by female innocence you mean ? a wife , it seems — who 'd think it cou'd have been ? if ( as it oft haps in the space of life ) we of sir spouse shou'd ask for dame his wife , how comical 't wou'd look , thus to begin ? pray — is your female innocence within ? who 's that , he crys ? — your wife — the devil , says he , shall as soon pass for innocent with me ; a wife an innocent — then bawds are chast , hags , grim as death , are with all beauty grac't , coquets not vain , a thrice flux'd actress just , and monarchs shining strumpets free from pride and lust. but thou , who , in a loose and frontless strain , virtue and virtuous women dost prophane , blush first , then hear thy injur'd sex complain ; for one , for all , i see come from the throng , in shape an angel , and her heav'nly tongue , her speech to thee directed , thus redeems her wrong . shame of our sex , what rage cou'd thee inspire with such wild flames , instead of lambent fire ? in maiden breasts no lamp so fiercely burns , but mild as those enclos'd in vestal virgins urns. of things ridiculous , i dare maintain nothing 's more sottish , frivolous , and vain , than to take satyr ill , and think w' are gaul'd , when we are not the obscene things w' are call'd . if of ill wives he talks , what is 't to me , while i walk hand in hand with modesty ? but she that does resent it , that ill wife is she : and this may be laid down a standard rule , to whom e're it relates , punk , pimp , or fool : what fame to thy defence then can accrue , but that his satyr sat too close on you , and like strait stays , made you unlace for air ? who sees a pounded beast , does know why it came there ; sated with lawful grass he leapt the bound : o let us never quit that fertile ground , where virtuous herbage springs and honor rais'd the mound . up from the slave to those that wait on kings , his satyr took her course with steady wings , and from the womb of vice deliver'd monstrous things ; such as for many ages there lay hid , and all , but the like piercing eye , forbid to see the secrets of that dark divan , and quite unvail the inmost mind of man ; his pride , ambition , rage , intemperance , lust , and the hard fate of him that dares be just ; now in an age that does such guilt reveal , he 's not reliev'd though he to gods appeal , thou see'st 't was hate of vice , not love to spite , that sharpt his pointed spleen and bid him write : a perjur'd nymph abus'd him , broke his rest , when her , and all like her , he banisht from his breast : who dare accuse him for so just a deed ? or with such senseless rigour can proceed to blame him that preserves the corn , by rooting out the weed ? that virtue he respects is understood , for who pulls down the ill , in that does raise the good. yet if thou wer 't resolv'd to write , to show thy parts , which don't distinguish friend from foe , why was 't in rhime ? ( but rage all sense devours ) that scandal to their sex , and worse to ours : 't is not as formerly , when 't was the use for verse t' instruct , as now 't is to traduce ; as from thy own example can'st thou plead excuse ? hast thou not heard what rochester declares ? that man of men , for who with him compares , must be what e're the graces can bestow upon their chiefest favourite below : he tells thee , whore's the like reproachful name , as poetress — the luckless twins of shame . fly then those seas , or look to be undone ; the rock on which the argosie does run and find its fate , our weak-built skiffs shou'd shun . 't is not , i say , as when orinda wrote , with all the grace and majesty of thought ; so well proportion'd her soft strain appears , she pleas'd our eyes , not more than that our ears ; rapt we all stood , nor knew which to prefer , whether to read her verse , or gaze on her ! she reapt the harvest of immortal fame , and who comes after can but have the gleanings of a name . our poesies chang'd from what , in her , 't was then , for songs obscene fit not a womans pen , let 's leave that guilty glory to the men ; nor satyr is our province , let 'em throw their darts , while we are chaste we ward the blow : o let us not be snakes beneath the flower , nor ill , because we know 't is in our power , but keep in thought , the last the scrutinizing hour ; for after death a strict account succeeds ; our idle thoughts are punisht with our evil deeds . in virtuous authors , virtuous thoughts we find , for what is written paints the writer's mind , and partly points how all his passions are enclin'd : thus thro' orinda's works does brightly shine , a spark that shows her nature was divine , and alwaies on sublime idea's fixt , her heav'nly thoughts with grosser things unmixt : and thus what thou hast writ , in every page , does shew a wild , fantastick , groundless rage . a mean revenge , beneath a woman's pen , how much then to be slighted by the men ? then thou dost talk of love at such a rate , as thou hast shew'd it , 't is what we shou'd hate , a freakish , hair-brain'd , bess of a bedlam state. love , the soft seal , by which alone we find something of angel stampt on humankind ! while we , like wax , to its impression bow , and find our souls are mixt , we know not how ! while lifted high , above all sordid fears , w' are disencumber'd of our clog of cares ; agreeing minds does make more musick than the spheres : thus like translated saints to bliss we flee , rapt up to the third heav'n of extasie ! this is the fate that constancy does prove , and such , in its true nature , is a guiltless love : but in thy numbers 't is a lapland witch , sailing thro' air , astride , upon a switch , mumbling of wicked , but successless charms ; in vain , the dart recoils , and she that threw it harms . how like a fiend does ariadne speak ? or how like thee ? ( no fitter parallel we 'll seek ) in such extravagant and pettish starts , she 'd sooner make our sides ake than our hearts . leave , leave thy scribling itch , and write no more , when you began 't was time to give it o're : what has this age produc'd from female pens , but a wide boldness that outstrides the mens ? succeeding times will see the difference plain , and wonder at a style so loose and vain , and what shou'd make the women rise so high in love of vice , and scorn of modesty : for why art thou concern'd a common whore shou'd be turn'd off , and cully-kept no more ? if by kept jilts men lose their cash and time , and oft , alas ! what is much more sublime , to leave 'em is one step t' attone the crime : of cashier'd punks , so feelingly you speak , you have been serv'd , sure , some such slippery trick , and so by sad experience ( as you sing ) know but too much of it — a barbarous thing ! it seems a keeper's not dislik'd by thee , that he is faulty , but that he 'll be free from faults , his strumpets insolence and pride , and lust , perhaps the foul disease beside . thy language all along is mena and vile ; we see thy want of manners in thy style . thy words are boist'rous , but their sense is weak , thou writ'st with the same boldness bullies speak ; coherence there is none ; thy genius warms no more than now thy face , at fifty , charms : to all a nusance , to thy self a plague , and five year more makes thee a toothless hag ; but i forbear thee ; and may he forbear you write against , and not be too severe : if such scurrillity you long pursue , no creatures e're will be so maul'd as you ; thy faults and follies he 'll to all make plain , and in his angry , bold , satyrick vein , set a worse mark on thee than god on cain . but may he spare thee — here she wou'd give o're : and i will spare thee — for i 'le say no more . finis . a true copy of the paper delivered by margaert [sic] martels own hand, before she went to the place of execution, july the 16th, 1697 martel, margaret, d. 1697. 1697 approx. 3 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 1 1-bit group-iv tiff page image. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2008-09 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a89601 wing m817a estc r43702 42475113 ocm 42475113 151246 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a89601) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 151246) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 2251:23) a true copy of the paper delivered by margaert [sic] martels own hand, before she went to the place of execution, july the 16th, 1697 martel, margaret, d. 1697. 1 sheet ([1] p.). printed by mary edwards ..., london : [1697] reproduction of original in: newberry library. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng last words. women murderers -england -early works to 1800. broadsides -london (england) -17th century. 2007-07 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2007-07 apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images 2007-08 pip willcox sampled and proofread 2007-08 pip willcox text and markup reviewed and edited 2008-02 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a true copy of the paper delivered by margaert martels own hand , before she went to the place of execution . july the 16th . 1697. o god most powerful , eternal father , for to make you an honourable restitution , i accept most freely the sentence of my death , in punishment of my crimes , for the which you had abandoned me by a just judgment , for having left my religion these many years , and professed another , in the which i always lived ill , being not obliged to declare my self to any one , who might have hindred me from following my unruly inclination . o god of goodness , make me sensible of the works of your mercies , and do not judge me in the rigour of your divine justice , because i ought not to expect nothing from you , but severe punishments , by reason of the multitude of my offences , which were very enormous ; nevertheless hoping in your goodness , and in your infinite charity , i presume to beg of you that you , will be plesaed to give me a sincere and sure repentance ; i beg of you by your most holy name and the love that is born for you , i beg of you again ( o my god ) by my saviour and redeemer jesus christ : by his life and miseries , by all his injuries , disgraces , and torments that he endured by his death , and by his blood that was spilt for me on the cross . o divine jesu , remember that you have assured us , that you did not come for the just but for sinners ; and that you did not seek their death , but rather repentance ; convert me then , o my adoteable saviour , i beg it of you by the infinite greatness of your mercy , for 't is by that alone , which i hope to obtain pardon and remission of my sins . my god , i declare before heaven and earth , that now i die in the faith and union of the holy catholick , apostolick and roman church , and i firmly believe , what it believes and teaches . o holy virgin mother of mercy , pray for me , and defend me from the malice of devils ; o angel , guardian of my soul , defend me at this hour , and do not abandon me till you have conducted me to the throne of god. o my adorable saviour jesus christ , put your cross , and the infinite merits of your precious blood , between your judgment , and my soul : save me , my god , for my death and my salvation are in your hands . into your hands my god , i recommend my soul. jesu maria , jesu maria , jesu maria , jesu maria , jesu . london , printed by mary edwards in nevils-court in fetter-lane . love given o're, or, a satyr against the pride, lust, and inconstancy &c. of woman 1682 approx. 27 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 9 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2005-10 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a41691 wing g1422 estc r28042 10334239 ocm 10334239 44897 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a41691) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 44897) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 1385:5) love given o're, or, a satyr against the pride, lust, and inconstancy &c. of woman brown, thomas, 1663-1704. gould, robert, d. 1709? [2], 12 p. printed for andrew green, london : 1682. variously attributed to robert gould and thomas brown--nuc pre-1956 imprints. reproduction of original in the harvard university library. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng women -poetry. 2003-03 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2003-04 apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images 2005-03 andrew kuster sampled and proofread 2005-03 andrew kuster text and markup reviewed and edited 2005-04 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion love given o're : or , a satyr against the pride , lust , and inconstancy , &c. of woman . london , printed for andrew green. m. dc . lxxxii . to the reader . the pious endeavours of the gown , has not prov'd more ineffectual in the reclaiming the errors of a vitious age , than satyr ( the better way , tho' less practis'd ) the amendment of honesty , and good manners amongst us . nor is it a wonder , when we consider that women , ( as if they had the ingredient of fallen-angel in their composition ) the more they are lash'd , are but the more hardned in impenitence : and as children in some violent distemper , commonly spit out those cherishing cordials , which if taken , might chace away the malady : so they ( inspir'd as 't were with a natural aversness to vertue ) despise that wholsom counsel , which is religiously design'd for their future good , and happiness . judge then , if satyr ever had more need of a sharper sting than now ; when he can look out of his cell on no side , but sees so many objects beyond the reach of indignation . nor is it altogether unreasonable for me ( while others are lashing the rebellious times into obedience ) to have one fling at woman , the original of mischief . altho' i 'me sensible i might as well expect to see truth and honesty uppermost in the world , as think to be free from the bitterness of their resentments : but i have no reason to be concern'd at that ; since i 'me certain my design 's as far from offending the good , ( if there are any amongst 'em that can be said to be so ) as those few that are good , would be offended at their reception into the eternal inhabitations of peace , to be crown'd there with the sacred reward of their labours . as for those that are ill , if it reflect on them it succeeds according to my wish ; for i have no other design but the amendment of vice , which if i could but in the least accomplish , i should be well pleas'd ; and not without reason too ; for it must needs be a satisfaction to a young unskilful archer , to hit the first mark he ever aim'd at . farewell . love given o're : or , a satyr against woman . at length from love's vile slav'ry i am free , and have regain'd my ancient liberty : i 've shook those chains off which my bondage wrought , am free as ayr , and unconfin'd as thought ; for faithless silvia i no more adore , kneel at her feet , and pray in vain no more : no more my verse shall her fled worth proclaim , and with soft praises celebrate her name : her frowns do now no awful terrours bear ; her smiles no more can cure or cause despair . i 've banish'd her for ever from my breast , banish'd the proud invader of my rest , banish'd the tyrant author of my woes , that robb'd my soul of all its sweet repose : not all her treach'rous arts , bewitching wiles , her sighs , her tears , nor her deluding smiles , shall my eternal resolution move , or make me talk , or think , or dream of love : the whining curse i 've banish'd from my mind , and with it , all the thoughts of womankind . come then my muse , and since th' occasion 's fair , 'gainst the lewd sex proclaim an endless war ; which may renew as still my verse is read , and live , when i am mingl'd with the dead : discover all their various sorts of vice , the rules by which they ruine and intice , their folly , falshood , lux'ry , lust , and pride , with all their num'rous race of crimes beside : unvail 'em quite to ev'ry vulgar eye , and in that shameful posture let 'em lie , till they ( as they deserve ) become to be abhorr'd by all mankind , as they 're abhorr'd by me . woman ! by heav'ns the very name 's a crime , enough to blast , and to debauch my rhime . sure heav'n it self ( intranc't ) like adam lay , or else some banish'd fiend usurp't the sway when eve was form'd ; and with her , usher'd in plagues , woes , and death , and a new world of sin. the fatal rib was crooked and unev'n , from whence they have their crab-like nature giv'n ; averse to all the laws of man , and heav'n . o lucifer , thy regions had been thin , were 't not for womans propagating sin : 't is they alone that all true vices know ; and send such throngs down to thy courts below : more souls they 've made obedient to thy raign , than heav'n , and earth , and seas beside , contain . true , the first woman gave the first bold blow , and bravely sail'd down to th' abyss below ; but had the great deed still been left undone , none of the daring sex , no , hardly one , but in the very self-same path would go , tho' sure 't wou'd lead 'em to eternal woe : find me ye pow'rs , find one amongst 'em all , that does not envy eve the glory of the fall : be cautious then , and guard your empire well ; for shou'd they once get power to rebel , they 'd surely raise a civil-war in hell , add to the pains you feel ; and make you know , w' are here above , as curst as you below . how happy had we been , had heav'n design'd some other way to propagate our kind ? for whatso'ere those all-discerning pow'rs created sweet , wife ! nauseous wife ! turn'd sow'r ; debauch'd th' innocent , ambrosial mea and ( like eves apple ) made it death to eat : but curst be the vile name , and curst be they , who are so tamely dull as to obey . the slaves they may command ; is there a dog , who , when he may have freedom , wears a clog ? but man , base man , the more imprudent beast , drags the dull weight when he may be releas't : may such ye gods ( too many such we see ) while they live here , just only live , to be the marks of scorn , contempt , and infamy . but if the tyde of nature boist'rous grow , and would rebelliously its banks o'reflow , then chuse a wench , who ( full of lewd desires ) can meet your flouds of love with equal fires ; and will , when e're you let the deluge flie , through an extended sluce strait drain it dry ; that whirl-pool sluce which never knows a shore , ne're can be fill'd so full as to run ore , for still it gapes , and still cries — room for more ! such only damn the soul ; but a damn'd wife , damns that , and with it all the joys of life : and what vain blockhead is so dull , but knows , that of two ills the least is to be chose . but now , since womans boundless lust i name , womans unbounded lust i 'le first proclaim : trace it through all the secret various ways , where it still runs in an eternal maze : and show that our lewd age has brought to view , what impious sodom , and gomorrah too , were they what once they were , would blush to do . true , i confess that rome's emperial whore , ( more fam'd for lust , than for the crown she wore ) aspir'd to deeds so impiously high , that their immortal fame will never die : into the publick stews ( disguis'd ) she thrust , to quench the raging fury of her lust : her part against th' assembly she made good , and all the sallies of their lust withstood , and drain'd 'em dry ; exhausted all their store ; yet all could not content th' insatiate whore , her c — — like the dull grave , still gap't for more . this , this she did , and bravely got her name born up for ever on the wings of fame : yet this is poor , to what our modern age has hatch'd , brought forth , and acted on the stage : which for the sex's glory i 'le reherse ; and make that deathless , as that makes my verse . who knew not ( for to whom was she unknown ) our late illustrious bewley ? ( true , she 's gone to answer for the num'rous ills sh 'as done ; who , tho' in hell ( in hell , if any where ) hemm'd round with all the flames and tortures there , finds 'em not fiercer , tho' she feels the worst , then when she liv'd , her own wild flames of lust. ) as albions isle fast rooted in the main , does the rough billows raging force disdain , which tho' they foam , and with loud terrors rore , yet they can never reach beyond their shore . so she with lusts enthusiastick rage , sustain'd all the salt stallions of the age. whole legions she encounter'd , legions tir'd ; insatiate yet , still fresh supplies desir'd . illustrious bawd ! whose fame shall be display'd , when heroes glories are in silence laid , in as profound a silence , as the slaves their conqu'ring swords dispatch'd into their graves . but bodies must decay ; for 't is too sure , there 's nothing from the jaws of time secure . yet , when she found that she could do no more , when all her body was one putrid sore , studded with pox , and ulcers quite all o're ; ev'n then , by her delusive treach'rous wiles , ( which show'd most specious when they most beguil'd ) sh' enroll'd more females in the list of whore , than all the arts of man e're did before . prest with the pond'rous guilt , at length she fell ; and through the solid centre sunk to hell : the murm'ring fiends all hover'd round about , and in hoarse howls did the great bawd salute ; amaz'd to see a sordid lump of clay , stain'd with more various bolder crimes than they : nor were her torments less ; for the dire train , soon sent her howling through the rowling flames , to the sad seat of everlasting pain . cresswold , and stratford , the same path do tread ; in lust's black volumes so profoundly read , that wheresoe're they die , we well may fear , the very tincture of the crimes they bear , with strange infusion may inspire the dust , and in the grave commit true acts of lust. and now , if so much to the world 's reveal'd , reflect on the vast stores that lie conceal'd : how , when into their closets they retire , where flaming dil — s does inflame desire , and gentle lap-d — s feed the am'rous fire : lap-d — s ! to whom they are more kind and free , than they themselves to their own husbands be . how curst is man ! when bruits his rivals prove , ev'n in the sacred bus'ness of his love. great was the wise man's saying , great , as true ; and we well know , than he none better knew ; ev'n he himself acknowledges the womb to be as greedy as the gaping tomb : take men , dogs , lions , bears , all sorts of stuff , yet it will never cry — there is enough . nor are their consciences ( which can betray where e're they 're sworn to love ) less large than they ; consciences , so lewdly unconfin'd ! that ev'ry one wou'd , cou'd they act their mind , to their own single share engross ev'n all mankind . and when the mind 's corrupt , we all well know , the actions that proceed from 't must be so . their guilt 's as great who any ills wou'd do , as their's who freely do those ills pursue : that they would have it so their crime assures ; thus if they durst , all women wou'd be whores . forgive me modesty , if i have been in any thing i 've mention'd here , obscene ; since my design is to detect their crimes , which ( like a deluge ) overflow the times : but hold — why shou'd i ask that boon of thee , when 't is a doubt if such a thing there be ? for woman , in whose breasts thou' rt said to raign , and show the glorious conquests thou dost gain , despises thee , and only courts the name : ( sounds tho' we cannot see , yet we may hear ; and wonder at their ecchoing through the air. ) thus led by what delusive fame imparts , we think thy throne 's erected in their hearts ; but we' are deceiv'd ; as faith we ever were , for if thou art , i ▪ me sure thou art not there : nothing in those vile mansions does reside , but rank ambition , luxury , and pride . pride is the deity they most adore ; hardly their own dear selves they cherish more : when she commands , her dictates they obey as freely , as the lamp that guides the day rowls round the globe to its great maker's will ; vain sensless sex ! how swift they flie to ill ? 't is true , pride revels chiefly in the heart , from whence she does diffuse with impious art , her nauseous poysons into ev'ry part : survey their very looks , you 'l find it there ; how can you miss it when 't is ev'ry where ? some , through all hunted nature's secrets trace , to fill the furrows of a wrinkl'd face ; and after all their toyl ( pray , mark the curse ) they 've only made that which was bad , much worse . as some in striving to make ill coin pass , have but the more discover'd that 't was brass . nay those that are reputed to be fair , and know how courted , and admir'd they are , who one would think , god had made so compleat , they had no need to make his gifts a cheat ; yet they too in adulteration share , and wou'd in spight of nature be more fair . deluded woman ! tell me , where 's the gain , in spending time upon a thing so vain ? your precious time , ( o to your selves unkind ! ) when 't is uncertain you 've an hour behind which you can call your own : for tho' y' are fair , and beautiful as guardian angels are ; adorn'd by nature , fitted out by art , in all the glories that delude the heart : yet tell me , tell ; have they the pow'r to save ? or can they priviledge you from the grave ? the grave which favors not the rich or fair ; beauty with beast lies undistinguish'd there . but hold — methinks i 'me interrupted here , by some gay-fop i neither love nor fear ; who in these words his weakness does reveal , and hurts that wound which he shou'd strive to heal . " soft sir , methinks you too inveterate grow ; " y' are so much theirs , y' are to your self a foe , " and more your envy , than discretion show . " who 'd blame the sun because he shines so bright , " that we can't gaze upon his daz'ling light ? " when at the self-same time he cheers the earth , " and gives the various plants , and blossoms birth . " how does the winter look , that naked thing , " compar'd with the fresh glories of the spring ? " rivers , adorn the earth ; the fish , the seas ; " flow'rs , and grass , the meadows ; fruit , the trees ; " the stars , the fields of air through which they ride ; " and woman , all the works of god beside : " yet base detracting envy wont allow " they should adorn themselves ; then pray sir , now " produce some reason's why y' are so severe ; " for envious as you are , you know they 're fair. true sir say i — so were those apples too , which in the midst of the first garden grew ; but when they were examin'd , all within , wrapt in a specious and alluring skin , lay the rank baits of never-dying sin. nature made all things fair ; 't is not deny'd ; and dress'd 'em in an unaffected pride : the earth , the meadows , rivers , woods , and flow'rs , proclaim the skill of their great maker's pow'r ; and as they first were made , do yet remain , and all their prim'tive beauties still retain . nothing but vain fantastick woman 's chang'd ; and through all mischief 's various mazes rang'd : and with strange frantick folly they have shown , ( folly peculiar to themselves alone ) more ways to pride , sloth , and all sorts of sin , than there are fires in hell to plunge 'em in . thus , that they 're fair , you see is not deny'd ; but tell me , are th' unhansom free from pride ? no , no ; the strait , the crooked , ugly , fair , have all , promiscuously , an equal share . thus sir , you see how they 're estrang'd , and stray'd , from what by nature they at first were made . yet , tho' so many of their crimes i 've nam'd , that 's still untold for which they most are fam'd : a sin ! ( tall as the pyramids of old ) from whose aspiring top we may behold enough to damn a world — what shou'd it be , but ( curse upon the name ! ) inconstancy ? o tell me , does the world those men contain ( for i have look't for such , but look't in vain ) who ne're were drawn into their fatal snares ? fatal call 'em , for he 's damn'd that 's there . inspir'd then by your wrongs , and my just spight , i 'le bring the fiend unmask't to humane sight , tho hid in the black womb of deepest night . no more the wind , the faithless wind , shall be a simile for their inconstancy , for that sometimes is fixt ; but woman's mind , is never fixt , or to one point inclin'd : less fixt than in a storm the billows be ; or trembling leaves upon an apsen tree , which ne're stand still , but ( ev'ry way inclin'd ) turn twenty times with the least breath of wind. less fixt than wanton swallows while they play in the sun-beams , to welcome in the day : now yonder , now they 're here , as soon are there , in no place long , and yet are ev'ry where . like a toss'd ship their passions fall and rise , one while you 'd think it touch'd the very skies , when strait upon the sand it grov'ling lies . ev'n she her self , silvia th' lov'd , and fair , whose one kind look cou'd save me from despair ; she , she whose smiles i valu'd at that rate , to enjoy them i scorn'd the frowns of fate ; ev'n she her self ( but ah! i 'me loth to tell , or blame the crimes of one i lov'd so well ; but it must out ) ev'n she , swift as the wind , swift as the airy motions of the mind , at once prov'd false and perjur'd , and unkind . here they to day invoke the pow'rs above , as witnesses to their immortal love ; when ( lo ! ) away the airy fantom flies , and e're it can be said to live it dies : thus all religious vows , and oaths they break , with the same ease and freedom as they speak . nor is that sacred idol , marriage free , ( marriage ! which musty drones affirm to be the tye of souls , as well as bodies ! nay , the spring that does through unseen pipes convey fresh sweets to life , and drives the bitter dregs away ! the sacred flame , the guardian pile of fire , that guides our steps to peace ! nor does expire , till it has left us nothing to desire ! ) ev'n thus adorn'd , the idol is not free from the swift turns of their inconstancy . witness th' ephesian matron ; whose lewd act , has made her name immortal as the fact : who to the grave with her dead husband went , and clos'd her self up in his monument ; where on cold marble she lamenting lay , in sighs , she spent the night ; in tears , the day . the wond'ring world extoll'd her faithful mind , extoll'd her as the best of womankind : but see the world's mistake ; and with it , see the strange effects of wild inconstancy ! for she her self , ev'n in that sacred room , with one brisk , vig'rous on-set was o'recome , and made a brothel of her husband's tomb : whose pale ghost trembl'd in its sacred shrowd , wond'ring that heav'n th' impious act allow'd : horror in robes of darkness stalk't around ; and through the frighted tomb did groans resound . the very marbles wept ; the furies howl'd , and in hoarse murmurs their amazement told . all this shook not the dictates of her mind , but with a boldness , bold as was her crime , she made her husband's ghost ( in death , a slave ! ) her necessary pimp , ev'n in his grave ! are these ( ye gods ) the virtues of a wife ? the peace that crowns a matrimonial life ? is this the sacred prize for which man fights ? bliss , of his days ? and rapture , of his nights ? the rains , that guides him in his wild careers ? and the supporter of his feeble years ? his freedom , in his chains ? in want , his store ? his health , in sickness ? and his wealth , when poor ? no , no , 't is contradiction ; opposite , as much as heav'n 's to hell , or day 's to night . they crown man's life with peace ? no , rather far , they are the cause of all his bosom-war ; the very sourse , and fountain of his woes , from whence despair , and doubt for ever flows : the gall , that mingles with his best delight ; rank , to the taste ; and nauseous , to the sight : a days , the weight of care that clogs his breast , at night the hagg that does disturb his rest : his mortal sickness , in the midst of health ; chains , in his freedom ; poverty , in wealth : th' eternal pestilence , and plague of life ; th' original , and spring of all his strife ; these rather are the virtues of a wife ! yet if all these should not sufficient be , to make us understand our misery , see it summ'd up in their inconstancy : in which , so many various ways they move , they now inconstant in their follies prove , ev'n as inconstant as they do in love : nor is 't alone confin'd in those to range , their vices too themselves admit of change , their dearest darling vices , lust , and pride , with all they promise , think , or dream beside : o how inconstant then must woman be , when constant onely in inconstancy ? o why , ye awful pow'rs , why was 't your will to mix our solid good with so much ill ? unless 't were when you found rebellious man , ( for ' ere time was you cou'd their actions scan ) would commit crimes so impious , and high , that they were made your veng'ance to supply : for not the wild destructive waste of war , nor all the endless lab'rinths of the bar , famine , revenge , perpetual loss of health , no nor that grinning friend despair it self , when it insults with most tyranick sway , can plague or torture mankind more than they . but hold — don't let me blame the pow'rs divine ; or at the wond'rous works they made , repine . all first was good , form'd by th' eternal will , tho' some has since degenerated to ill : ev'n woman was ( they say ) made chaste , and good ; but ah! not long in that blest state she stood : she fell , she fell , and sow'd the poys'nous seeds of murder , rapine , all inhumane deeds ; which now so very firm have taken root , that heav'n in vain wou'd strive to raze 'em out . but stop my pen ; for who can comprehend , or trace those crimes which ne're can have an end ? the sun , the moon , the stars that guild the sky , the world , and all its glories too must dy , and in one universal ruine ly : but they ev'n immortality will gain , and live — but must for ever live in pain ; for ever live , damn'd to eternal night , and never more review the sacred light. beware then , dull deluded man , beware ; and let not treach'rous woman be the snare , to make you the companions with 'em there : scorn their vain smiles , and all their arts despise , and your content at that just value prize , as not to let those rav'nous thieves of prey , rifle , and bear the sacred prize away : 't is they , 't is they that robs us of that gem ; how cou'd we lose it were it not for them ? avoid 'em then , with all the gawdy arts , which they still practise to amuse our hearts ; avoid 'em , as you wou'd avoid their crimes , or the mad follies that infest the times ; avoid 'em , as you wou'd the pains of hell , for in them , as in that , damnation dwells . but now , shou'd some ( for doubtless we may find many a true bred beast amongst mankind ) shou'd such contemn the wholsom rules i give , and in contempt of what i 've spoke , still live like base soul'd slaves , still those vile fetters wear , when they may be as unconfin'd as air , or the wing'd race that does inhabit there ; may all the plagues that woman can invent , pursue 'em with eternal punishment : may they — but stay , my curses i forestall ; for in one curse i 've comprehended all . — but say sir ; if some pilot on the main , shou'd be so mad , so resolutely vain , to steer his bark upon that fatal shore , where he has seen ten thousand wrack't before , tho' he shou'd perish there ; say , wou'd you not bestow a curse on the notorious sot ? trust me , the man 's as frenzical as he , who ventures his frail bark out wilfully , on the wild , rocky , matrimonial sea ; when round about , and just before his eyes , such a destructive waste of fatal ruine lies finis . mundus muliebris: or, the ladies dressing-room unlock'd, and her toilette spread in burlesque. together with the fop-dictionary, compiled for the use of the fair sex. evelyn, mary, 1665-1685. 1690 approx. 33 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 16 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2003-01 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a38815 wing e3522 estc r483325 99833802 99833802 38280 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a38815) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 38280) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 2206:05) mundus muliebris: or, the ladies dressing-room unlock'd, and her toilette spread in burlesque. together with the fop-dictionary, compiled for the use of the fair sex. evelyn, mary, 1665-1685. evelyn, john, 1620-1706. aut the second edition. to which is added a most rare and incomparable receipt, to make pig, or puppidog-water for the face. [8], 23, [1] p. printed for r. bentley, in russel-street in covent-garden, london : 1690. by mary evelyn. the preface was probably written by john evelyn, the author's father. partly in verse. "the fop-dictionary" has separate dated title page; pagination and register are continuous. apparently there are two editions with "second edition" on the title page. in each edition quire a is in the same setting of type, but quires b-d have been reset. in this edition the separate dated title page line 2 has a semi-colon following "fop-dictionary" and the "c" of signature-mark "c2" is partly under the "n" and "d" of "understood". reproduction of the original in the william andrews clark memorial library. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng women -humor -early works to 1800. women -conduct of life -early works to 1800. 2002-05 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2002-06 spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images 2002-07 mona logarbo sampled and proofread 2002-07 mona logarbo text and markup reviewed and edited 2002-08 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion mundus muliebris : or , the ladies dressing-room unlock'd , and her toilette spread . in burlesque . together with the fop-dictionary , compiled for the use of the fair sex . the second edition . to which is added a most rare and incomparable receipt , to make pig , or puppidog-water for the face . — tanquam famae discrimen agatur , aut animae : tanta est quaerendi cura decoris . juvenal . sat. 6. such care for a becoming dress they take , as if their life and honour were at stake . london : printed for r. bentley , in russel-street in covent-garden . 1690. preface . this paper was not to come abroad without a preface , as well as comment , for instruction of our young master , who newly launch'd from the vniversity ( where he has lost a year or two ) is not yet travell'd , or if happily he has made le petit tour ( with the formal thing his governour * ) having never yet read tully's offices through , since he came from school , sets up for a bean , and equipp'd for the town at his return , comes to seek adventures in an ocean full of rocks , and shelves , and wants a skilful pilot to steer him , as much as any vessel that goes to the indies ; and oftentimes returns home leaky , and as poorly freighted , as those who have been near shipwrack'd , or lost their voyage . it is for direction of such as are setting out towards this great and famous emporium ( whether the design be for miss or marriage ) what cargo he must provide ; not as merchants do for america , glass-beads , and baubles , in exchange for gold and pearl ; but gold and pearl , and all that 's precious , for that which is of less value than knives and childrens rattles . you see , squires , what you are to prepare for as adventurers , or by way of barter , if you think to traffick here , and to carry the fair one , especially if she be at her own disposal ( or being come some considerable time out of the country ) has been initiated into the conversation of the town ▪ the refined lady expects her servants and humble admirers should court her in the forms and d●●encies of making love in fashion : in order to this , you must often treat her at the play , the park , and the musick ; present her at the raffle , follow her to tunbridge at the season of drinking of waters , though you ●ave no need of them your self : you must improve ●●l occasions of celebrating her shape , and how ●●ll the mode becomes her , though it be never so fantastical and ridiculous ; that she sings like an angel , dances like a goddess ; and that you are charm'd with her wit and beauty : above all , you must be sure to find some fault or imperfection in all other ladies of the town , and to laugh at the fopps like your self : with this , a little practice will qualifie you for the conversation and mystery of the ruelle ; and if the whole morning be spent between the glass and the comb , that your perruque sit well , and cravat-strings be adjusted as things of importance ; with these and the like accomplishments you 'll emerge a consummate beau , angl●ce , a co — but the dancing-master will still be necessary to preserve your good meen , and fit you for the winter-ball . thus you see , young sparks , how the stile and method of wooing is quite changed , as well as the language , since the days of our fore-fathers ( of unhappy memory , simple and plain men as they were ) who courted and chose their wives for their modesty , frugality , keeping at home , good-housewifery , and other oeconomical virtues then in reputation : and when the young damsels were taught all these in the country , and their parents houses , the portion they brought was more in virtue than money , and she was a richer match than one who could have brought a million , and nothing else to commend her . the presents which were made when all was concluded , were a ring , a necklace of pearl , and perhaps another fair iewel , the bona paraphernalia of her prudent mother , whose nuptial kirtle , gown and petticoat lasted as many anniversaries as the happy couple liv'd together , and were at last bequeathed with a purse of old gold , rose-nobles , spur-royals , and spankers , as an house-loom to her grand-daughter ▪ they had cupboards of ancient , useful plate , whole chests of damask for the table , and store of fine holland sheets ( white as the driven snow ) and fragrant of rose and lavender for the bed ; and the sturdy oaken bedstead , and furniture of the house , lasted a whole century ; the shovel-board , and other long tables both in hall and parlour were as fixed as the freehold ; nothing was moveable save ioynt-stools , black iacks , silver tankards , and bowls : and though many things fell out between the cup and the lip , when nappy ale , march beer , metheglin , malmesey , and old sherry got the ascendant amongst the blew-coats , and badges , they sung old symon , and chevi chase , and danc'd brave arthur , and were able to draw a bow that made the proud monsieur tremble at the whizze of the grey-goose-feather : 't was then ancient hospitality was kept up in town and country , by which the tenants were enabled to pay their landlords at punctual day : the poor were relieved bountifully , and charity was as warm as the kitchin , where the fire was perpetual . in those happy days , sure-foot , the grave and steady mare , carried the good knight and his courteous lady behind him to church , and to visit the neighbourhood , without so many hell-carts , ratling coaches , and a crue of damme lacqueys , which a grave livery servant or two supply'd , who rid before and made way for his worship . things of vse were natural , plain , and wholesome , nothing was superfluous , nothing necessary wanting ; and men of estate studied the publick good , and gave example of true piety , loyalty , iustice , sobriety , charity , and the good neighbourhood compos'd most differences : perjury , suborning witnesses , alimony , avowed adulteries , and misses ( publickly own'd ) were prodigies in those days , and laws were reason , not craft , when mens titles were secure , and they served their generation with honour ; left their patrimonial estates improv'd to an hopeful heir , who passing from the free school to the colledge , and thence to the inns of court , acquainting himself with a competent tincture of the laws of his country , followed the example of his worthy ancestors ; and if he travell'd abroad , it was not to count steeples , and bring home feather and ribbon , and the sins of other nations ; but to gain such experience as rendred him useful to his prince and country upon occasion , and confirm'd him in the love of both of 'em above any other . the virgins and young ladies of that golden age , quaesierunt lanam & linum ; put their hands to the spindle , nor disdain'd they the needle ; were obsequious , and helpful to their parents ; instructed in the managery of the family , and gave presages of making excellent wives ; nor then did they read so many romances , see so many plays , and smutty farces ; set up for visits , and have their days of audience , and idle pass-time . honest gleek , ruff and honours , diverted the ladies at christmas , and they knew not so much as the names of ombre , comet , and basset . their retirements were devout and religious books , and their recreations in the distillatory , the knowledge of plants and their virtues , for the comfort of their poor neighbours , and use of the family , which wholsome plain dyet , and kitching physick preserved in perfect health : in those days , the scurvy , spleen , &c. were scarce heard of , till foreign drinks and mixtures were wantonly introduc'd . nor were the young gentlewomen so universally afflicted with hysterical fits ; nor , though extreamly modest , at all melancholy , or less gay , and in good humour ; they could touch the lute , and virginal , sing like to the damask rose — and their breath was as sweet as their voices : they danc'd the canarys , spanish pavan , and selengers round upon sippets , with as much grace and loveliness , as any monsieur , or italian of them all , can teach with his fop-call , and apish postures . to shew you then , how the world is alter'd among us , since foreign manners , the luxury ( more than asiatick , which was the final ruine of the greatest , wisest , and most noble monarchy upon earth ) has universally obtain'd among us , corrupting ancient simplicity ; and in what extravagant form the young gallant we describ'd , is to court the sex , and make his addresses , ( whether his expedition be for marriage or mistress ) it has been thought good by some charitable hands , that have contributed to this catalogue , to present him with an enumeration of particulars , and computation of the charges of the adventurer , as follows . a voyage to marryland ; or , the ladies dressing-room . negotii sibi volet qui vim parare , navim , & mulierem , haec duo comparato . nam nullae magis res duae plus negotii habent , forte si occeperis exornare . neque unquam satis hae duae res ornantur , neque eis ulla ornandi satis satietas est . plaut . poenelus . act. 1. scen. 2. whoever has a mind to abundance of trouble , let him furnish himself with a ship and a woman , for no two things will find you more employment , if once you begin to rig them out with all their streamers . nor are they ever sufficiently adorned , or satisfy'd , that you have done enough to set them forth . he that will needs to marry-land adventure , first must understand for 's bark , what tackle to prepare , 'gainst wind and weather , wear and tare : of point d'espagne , a rich cornet , two night-rails , and a scarf beset with a great lace , a colleret . one black gown of rich silk , which odd is without one colour'd , embroider'd bodice : four petticoats for page to hold up , four short ones nearer to the crup : three manteaus , nor can madam less provision have for due undress ; nor demy sultane , spagnolet , nor fringe to sweep the mall forget , of under bodice three neat pair embroider'd , and of shoos as fair : short under petticoats pure fine , some of iapan stuff , some of chine , with knee-high galoon bottomed , another quilted white and red ; with a broad flanders lace below : four pair of bas de soy shot through with silver , diamond buckles too , for garters , and as rich for shoo. twice twelve day smocks of holland fine , with cambric sleeves , rich point to joyn , ( for she despises colbertine . ) twelve more for night , all flanders lac'd , or else she 'll think her self disgrac'd : the same her night-gown must adorn , with two point wastcoats for the morn : of pocket mouchoirs nose to drain , a dozen lac'd , a dozen plain : three night-gowns of rich indian stuff , four cushion cloths are scarce enough , of point , and flanders , not forget slippers embroidered on velvet : a manteau girdle , ruby buckle , and brillant diamond rings for knuckle : fans painted , and perfumed three ; three muffs of sable , ermine , grey ; nor reckon it among the baubles , a palatine also of sables . a saphire bodkin for the hair , or sparkling facet diamond there : then turquois , ruby , emrauld rings for fingers , and such petty things ; as diamond pendants for the ears , musts needs be had , or two pearl pears , pearl neck-lace , large and oriental , and diamond , and of amber pale ; for oranges bears every bush , nor values she cheap things a rush . then bracelets for her wrists bespeak , ( unless her heart-strings you will break ) with diamond croche for breast and bum , till to hang more on there 's no room . besides these jewels you must get cuff buckles , and an handsom set of tags for palatine , a curious hasp the manteau 'bout her neck to clasp : nor may she want a ruby locket , nor the fine sweet quilted pocket ; to play at ombre , or basset , she a rich pulvil purse must get , with guineas fill'd , on cards to lay , with which she fancies most to play : nor is she troubled at ill fortune , for should the bank be so importune , to rob her of her glittering store , the amorous fop will furnish more . pensive and mute , behind her shoulder he stands , till by her loss grown bolder , into her lap rouleau conveys , the softest thing a lover says : she grasps it in her greedy hands , then best his passion understands ; when tedious languishing has fail'd , rouleau has constantly prevail'd . but to go on where we left off , though you may think what 's said enough ; this is not half that does belong to the fantastick female throng : in pin-up ruffles now she flaunts , about her sleeves are engageants : of ribbon , various echelles , gloves trimm'd , and lac'd as fine as nell's . twelve dozen martial , whole , and half , of ionquil , tuberose , ( don 't laugh ) frangipan , orange , violett , narcissus , iassemin , ambrett : and some of chicken skin for night , to keep her hands , plump , soft , and white , mouches for pushes , to be sure , from paris the tré-fine procure , and spanish paper , lip , and cheek , with spittle sweetly to belick : nor therefore spare in the next place , the pocket sprunking looking-glass ; calembuc combs in pulvil cafe , to set , and trim the hair and face : and that the cheeks may both agree , plumpers to fill the cavity . the settée , cupée , place aright , f●elange , fontange , favorite ; monté la haut , and palisade , sorti , flandan , ( great helps to trade ) burgoine , iardiné , cornett , frilal next upper pinner set , round which it does our ladies please to spread the hood call'd rayonnés : behind the noddle every baggage wears bundle choux in english , cabbage : nor cruches she , nor confidents , nor passagers , nor bergers wants , and when this grace nature denies , an artificial tour supplies ; all which with meurtriers unite , and creve-coeurs silly fops to smite , or take in toil at park or play , nor holy church is safe , they say , where decent veil was wont to hide the modest sex religious pride : lest these yet prove too great a load , 't is all compris'd in the commode ; pins tipt with diamond point , and head , by which the curls are fastned , in radiant firmament set out , and over all the hood sur-tout : thus face that e'rst near head was plac'd imagine now about the wast , for tour on tour , and tire on tire , like steeple bow , or grantham spire , or septizonium once at rome , ( but does not half so well become fair ladies head ) you here behold beauty by tyrant mode controll'd . the graceful oval , and the round , this horse tire does quite confound ; and ears like satyr , large and raw , and bony face , and hollow jaw ; this monstrous dress does now reveal which well plac'd curls did once conceal . besides all these , 't is always meant you furnish her appartiment , with moreclack tapestry , damask bed , or velvet richly embroidered : branches , brasero , cassolets , a cofre-fort , and cabinets , vasas of silver , porcelan , store to set , and range about the floor : the chimney furniture of plate , ( for iron 's now quite out of date : ) tea-table , skreens , trunks , and stand , large looking-glass richly iapan'd , and hanging shelf , to which belongs romances , plays , and amorous songs ; repeating clocks , the hour to snow when to the play 't is time to go , in pompous coach , or else sedan'd with equipage along the strand , and with her new beau fopling mann'd . a new scene to us next presents , the dressing-room , and implements , of toilet plate gilt , and emboss'd , and several other things of cost : the table miroir , one glue pot , one for pomatum , and what not ? of washes , vnguents , and cosmeticks , a pair of silver candlesticks ; snuffers , and snuff-dish , boxes more , for powders , patches , waters store , in silver flasks , or bottles , cups cover'd , or open to wash chaps ; nor may hungarian queen's be wanting ▪ nor store of spirits against fainting : of other waters rich , and sweet , to sprinkle handkerchief is meet ; d'ange , orange , mill-fleur , myrtle , whole quarts the chamber to bespertle : of essence rare , & le meillure from rome , from florence , montpellier , in filgran casset to repel , when scent of gousset does rebel , though powder'd allom be as good , well strew'd on , and well understood ; for vapours that offend the lass , of sal-armoniack a glass : nor brush for gown , nor oval salver , nor pincushion , nor box of silver , baskets of fil'gran , long and round , or if iaponian to be found , and the whole town so many yield , calembuc combs by dozens fill'd you must present , and a world more , she 's a poor miss can count her store . the working apron too from france , with all its trim apurtenance ; loo masks , and whole , as wind does blow , and miss abroad's dispos'd to go : hoods by whole dozens , white and black , and store of coiffs she must not lack , nor velvet scarfs about her back , to keep her warm ; all these at least in amber'd skins , or quilted chest richly perfum'd , she lays , and rare powders for garments , some for hair of cyprus , and of corduba , and the rich polvil of goa , nor here omit the bob of gold which a pomander ball does hold , this to her side she does attach with gold crochet , or french pennache , more useful far than ferula , for any saucy coxcombs jaw ▪ a graceful swing to this belongs , which he returns in cringe , and songs , and languishing to kiss the hand , that can perfumed blows command . all these , and more in order set , a large rich cloth of gold toilet does cover , and to put up rags , two high embroider'd sweet bags , or a large perfum'd spanish skin , to wrap up all these trinkets in . but i had almost quite forgot , a tea and chocolate pot , with molionet , and caudle cup , restoring breakfast to sup up : porcelan saucers , spoons of gold , dishes that refin'd sugars hold ; pastillios de bocca we in box of beaten gold do see , inchas'd with diamonds , and tweeze as rich and costly as all these , to which a bunch of onyxes , and many a golden seal there dangles , mysterious cyphers , and new fangles . gold is her toothpick , gold her watch is , and gold is every thing she touches : but tir'd with numbers i give o're , arithmetick can add no more , thus rigg'd the vessel , and equipp'd , she is for all adventures shipp'd , and portion e're the year goes round , does with her vanity confound . the fop-dictionary ; or , an alphabetical catalogue of the hard and foreign names , and terms of the art cosmetick , &c. together with their interpretations , for instruction of the unlearned . london : printed for r. bentley , in russel-street in covent-garden . 1690. the fop-dictionary . or ; an alphabetical catalogue of the hard and foreign names , and terms of the art cosmetick , &c. together with their interpretations , for instruction of the unlearned . attache . any thing which fastens to another , &c. bas de soye shot through . silk●stockings with gold , or silver thread wove int● the clock . berger . a pla 〈…〉 lock ( a la shepherdesse ) turn'd up with a ●uff . bourgoigne . the first part of the dress for the head next the hair. branches . hanging candlesticks , like those used 〈◊〉 c●●rches . brasiere . a large vessel , or moving-hearth of 〈◊〉 for coals , transportable into any room 〈◊〉 used in spain . calumbuc . a certain precious wood , of an agreeable scent , brought from the indies . campaine . a kind of narrow picked lace . casset . a dressing box. cassolet . perfuming pot or censer . choux . the great round boss or bundle , resembling a cabbage , from whence the french give it that name . cofre-fort . a strong box of some precious or hard wood , &c. bound with gilded ribs . colbertine . a lace resembling net-work , of the fabrick of monsieur colbert , superintendent of the french kings manufactures . collaret . a sort of gorget . commode . a frame of wire , cover'd with silk , on which the whole head-attire is adjusted at once upon a bust , or property of wood carved to the breasts , like that which perruque-makers set upon their stalls . confidants . smaller curles near the ears . cornet . the upper pinner , dangling about the cheeks , like hounds ears . cosmeticks . here used for any effeminate ornament , also artificial complections and perfumes . creve-coeur . heart-breakers , the two small curl'd locks at the nape of the neck . crochet . the hook to which are chain'd the ladies watch , seals , and other intaglias , &c. cruches . certain smaller curles , placed on the forehead . cuppée . a kind of pinner . echelles . a pectoral , or stomacher lac'd with ribbon , like the rounds of a ladder . engageants . deep double ruffles , hanging down to the wrists . favorites . locks dangling on the temples . ferula . an instrument of wood us'd for correction of lighter faults , more sensibly known ot school-boys than to ladies . fil-grain'd . dressing-boxes , baskets , or whatever else is made of silver wire-work . flandan . a kind of pinner joyning with the bonnet . firmament . diamonds , or other precious stones heading the pins which they stick in the tour , and hair , like stars . frelan . bonnet and pinner together . font-ange . the top-knot , so call'd from mademoiselle de fontange , one of the french king's mistresses , who first wore it . gris. the grey furr of squirrels bellies . iaponian . any thing varnish'd with laccar , or china polishing , or that is odd or fantastical . iardinée . that single pinner next the bourgogne . loo mask . an half mask . martial . the name of a famous french perfumer , emulateing the frangipani of rome . miroir . in general , any looking-glass ; but here , for the table , toilet , or pocket sprunking-glass . molionet . the instrument us'd to mingle chocolate with the water . monte la haut . certain degrees of wire to raise the dress . mouchoir . it were rude , vulgar , and uncourtly , to call it handkerchief . mouches . flies , or , black patches , by the vulgar . meurtrieres . murderers ; a certain knot in the hair , which ties and unites the curls . palatine . formerly call'd sables , or tippet , because made of the tails of that animal . palisade . a wire sustaining the hair next to the dutchess , or first knot . passagere . a curl'd lock next the temples . pastillo di bocca . perfum'd lozenges to improve the breath . pennache . any bunch or tassel of small ribbon . plumpers . certain very thin , round , and light balls , to plump out , and fill up the cavities of the cheeks , much us'd by old court-countises . polvil . the portugal term for the most exquisite powders and perfumes . raggs . a compendious name generally us'd for all sorts of point , lace , &c. whence the women who bring them to ladies chambers are call'd ragg-women ; but whilst in their shops , exchange-women . rare , le meilleures . best , and most excellent ; but in language de beau , rare & le meilleure , happily rhyming with mont pellier . rayonné . upper hood , pinn'd in circle , like the sun-beams . rouleau . is forty nine guineas , made up in a paper roll , which monsieur f — sir i — and father b — lend to losing gamesters , that are good men , and have fifty in return . ruffles . by our fore-fathers call'd cuffs . settée . the double pinner . sorti . a little knot of small ribbon , peeping out between the pinner and bonnet . septizonium . a very high tower in rome , built by the emperour severus , of seven ranks of pillars , set one upon the other , and diminishing to the top , like the ladies new dress for their heads , which was the mode among the roman dames , and is exactly describ'd by iuvenal in his 6 th satyr . tot premit ordinibus , tot adhuc compagibus altum aedificat caput ; andromachen a fronte videbis post minor est — such rows of curles press'd on each other lye , she builds her head so many stories high , that look on her before , and you would swear hector's tall wife andromache she were , behind a pigmy — spanish paper . a beautiful red colour , which the ladies , &c. in spain paint their faces withal . spagnolet . a kind of narrow-sleev'd gown , a la spagnole . sprunking . a dutch term for pruning , tiffing , trimming , and setting out , by the glass or pocket miroir . sultane . a gown trimm'd with buttons and loops . surtout . a night hood covering the entire dress . toilet . corruptly call'd the twilight , but originally signifying a little cloth. tour. an artificial dress of hair on the forehead , &c. tré fine . langage de beau. extreamly fine , and delicate , cum multis aliis . for besides these , there are a world more , as assasin , or venez à moy , a certain breast-knot , as much as to say , come to me , sir , &c. dutchesse . a knot next the hair , immediately above the tour , &c. with innumerable others now obsolete , and for the present out of use ; but we confine our selves to those in vogue . to conclude , those who have the curiosity , by comparing these terms with the ancients , thereby to inform themselves , how this elegant science is improv'd , especially since we have submitted to , and still continue under the empire of the french , ( for want of some royal or illustrious ladies invention and courage , to give the law of the mode to her own country , and to vindicate it from foreign tyranny ) may for divine history consult isaiah 3 d. ch . ver . 16 , &c. and for prophane , read plautus his poenulus , act. 1. scen. 2. and his aulularia , act. 3. scen. 5. to make pig , or puppidog , water for the face . take a fat pig , or a fat puppidog , of nine days old , and kill it , order it as to roast ; save the blood , and fling away nothing but the guts ; then take the blood , and pig , or the puppidog , and break the legs and head , with all the liver and the rest of the inwards , of either of them , put all into the still if it will hold it , to that , take two quarts of old canary , a pound of unwash'd butter not salted ; a quart of snails-shells , and also two lemmons , only the outside pared away ; still all these together in a rose water still , either at once or twice ; let it drop slowly into a glass-bottle , in which let there be a lump of loaf-sugar , and a little leaf-gold . finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a38815-e220 * whom the french call maître des ours , a bearward . prov. 31.13.19 . a satyr against wooing with a view of the ill consequences that attend it / written by the author of the satyr against woman. gould, robert, d. 1709? 1698 approx. 36 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 15 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2005-10 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a41701 wing g1435 estc r28043 10334249 ocm 10334249 44898 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a41701) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 44898) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 1385:6) a satyr against wooing with a view of the ill consequences that attend it / written by the author of the satyr against woman. gould, robert, d. 1709? [2], 23, [1] p. [s.n.], london : 1698. attributed to robert gould by wing. reproduction of original in the harvard university library. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng women -poetry. 2003-03 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2003-04 aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images 2005-03 john latta sampled and proofread 2005-03 john latta text and markup reviewed and edited 2005-04 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a satyr against wooing : with a view of the ill consequences that attend it . written by the author of the satyr against woman . si tibi simplicitas uxoria , deditus uni est animus , summitte caput , cervice parata ferre jugum : nullam invenies quae pareat amanti . juv. sat. 6. london , printed in the year , 1698. to sir fleetwood sheppard , &c. while the vain fop his vainer mistress sues , growing more slavish as he longer woo's , ( for she but flies because the sot pursues ) you , sir , a safer , nobler way have ran , for an ill age a general good began , and shewn the ways of liberty to man. vnpitied let the husband mourn his strife , that woo's , and lies , and labours for a wife . mean while to you our praise we justly pay , whom woman's utmost art cou'd ne'er betray , or all her charms seduce to quit your native sway. learning and prudence rais'd you safe , above the snares of wedlock , and the smiles of love ; in their embrace a nobler prize you sought , and to their empire lasting conquests brought . 't was strange to be the foe of love so young. but stranger to retain the bent so long . nor heat of youth , nor yet your elder years ( for many a man is fonder as he wears ) cou'd ever plunge you in that sea of cares . constant to peace , you still avoided strife , the rocks , the shelves , and quick-sands of a wife , that wak'ner of despair , and scourge of life ! 't was not because you never saw the flame ; in crouds of beauties you were still the same , and , looking back , despis'd the following game : thus , flying , you the beauteous victors beat , and parthian like , secur'd the conquest by retreat : disarm'd of all their darts , the fantoms fled , by your persisting sense their pow'r struck dead , and wit and friendship govern'd in their stead . friendship ! heav'ns holiest tye and balm of life ! and wit ! that never cou'd consist with strife . how are we pleas'd at ev'ry word you speak ! how do we glow to see the light'ning break ! inevitable mirth our grief controuls , shines thrô the sullen gloom , and warms our souls ! sadness it self does in thy presenc● wear a pleasing look , and poets lose their care. there 's not a soul can stir while thou dost stay ! to ev'ry mind you life and light convey , just as where e'er the sun arrives 't is day ! why shou'd not wit , a blessing so sublime . as it from love , secure thee too from time ? it will not be ! — the body falls of course ; but thy immortal name 's above his force . r. g. a satyr against wooing , &c. true love ( if yet there such a thing can be ) is where two persons mutually agree ; and marry next ( to root out all debate ) vvithout ● thought of portion , or estate : then both alike , with cheerful labour , strive by honesty and industry to live , alike contented , if they ' re poor , or thrive . thus , living happily and dying late , they scarce find heav'n a more exalted state. but o! th' arabian phaenix is less rare than such a happy , such a wond'rous pair ! not in an age a mutual couple shown ; and 't is as certain that the fault 's our own . we sigh and weep , with hopes and fears perplex our selves , and deify a faithless sex. as butchers blow their veal and taint their ware , praise does to woman what a stinking breath does there . scarce has the foppling sixteen summers seen , the down scarce yet appearing on his chin , but he a tingling in his blood does find , and thinks he 's fit to propagate his kind ; and were that all , he shou'd not have our blame , since every other brute pursues the same : enjoy'd , at once they lose their lust and strife ; but he more thoughtless , pushes at a wife , and thinks desire will only end with life . but e'er he can effect his mad design , and in th' unquiet clam'rous union joyn , the two old fathers , very gravely , meet 't adjust the young ones shaking of the sheet : th' hereditary mannor house and grounds the joynture , and in lieu five thousand pounds . what 's this but just like tradesmen bart'ting ware ? or cheating jockeys in a smith-field fair , an even chop between the horse and mare ? the match thus made up , ( thoughtless of th' event , ) the noddy's next to get the nymph's consent in order to 't he powders and perfumes , and , three long hours in dressing spent ; presumes at last before the idol to appear , bowing , as if the deity were there : not more cou'd be the rapture had she been a bright , and just descended cherubin . but now the speaking faculty does seize the ass , that breaks out smooth in wo●ds like these . madam — what shall i suy ? or how impart in language that may make you feel the smart , the mighty anguish of my bleeding heart ? wounded by you , nor able to endure the raging pain , i humbly kneel for cure. o let thy looks thy future love declare ; as bright aurora does a day that 's fair. do not , ah! do not , in a dismal cloud of gloomy scorn thy smiling mercy shroud . but let those eyes , that can the sun controul , shine with enliv'ning warmth upon my soul , and an undone , despairing lover save , whose ●tmost glory is to dye your slave . o sot ! that knows not wedlock is a more incessant toyl than tugging at the ore , the joy of which he dreams to stand possest a bed-fellow that ne'er will let him rest ; in fatal kindness draining of his strength , or curtain lectures , fatal for their length ; knows all his secret crimes , his folly hears , lessens his hopes , and does encrease his fears , and studies how to plague him forty years . had not a blunt address been much more fit ? and , at that juncture , better shew'd his wit ? madam ( tho' 't is a truth that 's something ' bold ) we here are by our parents bought and sold : tho' they are 〈◊〉 , pray let not us be mad , but make the best of what will else be bad : they 've yoak't us , let us go an equal pace , 't is walking hand in hand that wins this race . tho' yet of love we may but little know , if after marriage we can loving grow , we shall be the first pair that e'er did so . but to return — the fop's oration 'ore ( to many a meaner drab addrest before ) he little thinks what torment will succeed ; that he so soon shall be a slave indeed : that all the joys and innocence of life fly their invet'rate opposite — a wife : that friendship , wine and wit , like truth to sin , all hurry out as marriage enters in . well , but the lady proud of the applause , her mouth into a squeamish posture draws , and cries , ah sir ! y 'ave learnt the courtier 's art to speak fine words , but distant from your heart : these compliments were better said before some fairer object ; that cou'd charm you more . o madam ! he replies , you are unjust , can you inevitable charms distrust ? with eyes that languish and with conquer'd hearts we own your pow'r , your raptures flames and darts : charm more than you ? o touch not that extreme ! what goddess does her own divinity blaspheme ? thus does the coxcomb entertain the fair ; who , at the same time , is so pleas'd to hear , that she fogets she is to be a bride , and loses all her leach'ry in her pride . impossible a man shou'd keep up to that warm discourse in which he first did woo : it can't be always angel , love and dear ! celestial ! orient eyes ! and matchless fair ! nor can the first embrace , the warm delight , find a like repetition every night : these failing , wedlock grows a thing accurst ; a vvife expects it still as 't was at first . here sinks our florid fop — and in his train , to the same snare , comes on the rhiming swain ; the sot that writes , and is an ass by rule , the caelia , silvia , chloris , phillis fool : song is his meat , his drink , his mistress too , for 't is to shew his wit that maks him woo ; tho' there are better ways that gift to prove , than wasting time in courtship , noise and love. no new collection can of verse appear , no farce , no comedy thro'all the year , but you 'l be sure to meet our coxcomb there : proud to his senseless songs to print his name , and thinks his whining , love ; and scribling , fame . this bad , and yet that other songster's worse , whose madrigals flow only from his purse , so much for making he at first bestows , for setting next the second guinea goes ; the singing master sharps another spill ; ah! sir , he gargling cries , — that note must kill ! at midnight he for serenade prepares , as if ( alike disturbing sickly ears ) he must ring his chimes when the bells go theirs . in vain this cost and toil ; for still 't is found there 's nearer ways to vvood than going round : some brawny groom , as thus the fop hums on , cries ough , and mounts , and the love-suit is done . thus to the fool the filly's ready broke , the clown her pleasure , and the fop her cloak . but granting that there were a nymph so choice , that lik't her lover purely for his voice ; ev'n granting that , 't will not be very long e'er she 'l like something better than a song . a common singer on the stage has there vvhere voice will do , th' advantage of a peer : or tho' , by chance , his lordship led the way , vvhat one fool has possest , all others may . next to this , wooer we the slave may place with the sad watry eyes , and rusul face , that sighs out all his hours , and in the groves , carves on the beeches his unprosp'rous loves . sot ! only fit to make his court to trees , that hopes a cure , yet tells not his disease . if she appears he shakes , a deathlike pale sits on his visage — but the mournful tale some friend , at last , to the lov'd lady bears , and with the tender accents wounds her ears : she melts , and now the joy he wish't is come ; vvon without vvords , she 's born in triumph home — happy ! if he wou'd still continue dumb , and pray the pow'rs to take his hearing too , and save him from the clamour to ensue . if by his cowardice this gets success , the bully , you may judge , expects no less : mad to enjoy , he ventures life and limb , as if the nymph were only made for him ; and marriage were not binding , just , or good , unless he cut his way to it thro' blood. thus the first hour we loving fops commence , away goes christianity and sense . a father's precepts lose their pious force , for counsel makes a hardn'd blockhead worse . still he fights on , and the most common drab he meets with , courts with duel and with stab : so that at last ( from justice fled for fear ) his lot does with this double choice appear , to starve abroad , or to be truss'd up here . vain man ! is this our boast of being brave ? is this the prudence above beasts we have ? they tear and gore , and will no rival bear in rutting time , — our rutt holds all the year ; condemn'd to drudge in those unfathom'd mines , and fonder grow the swifter life declines . this brings me to the stale gray fop in years , that daily at the park and play appears , the scandal and disgrace of silver hairs : the ladies hearts with perfumes t' engage aping in vain the youthful lover's rage , for vvomen know too well the wants of sapless age. 't is true , some men t' a vig'rous age arrive , but it is then too late to woo and wive . who 'd shake the sands when there 's so few to run ? and clap on leeches when the blood is gone ? yet e'en in impotence they 're still the same , and hold the cards tho' they can't play the game ; when nature does in opposition strive , and the last rak't up ember's scarce alive . with this weak wretch we may the lean one joyn who ( choosing food that steels him in the chine ) feeds for a mistress like a fatting swine a starv'ling just before of meagre face , but he crams on and will be brought in case . wisely he lays his fund for pleasure in , he need not fear the being drain'd again . this fop of all fops ladies most shou'd prize , light of their steps , and jewel of their eyes ! famous as spouse that all the gravy sips , and like laborious bees he lades his hips ; tho' he that eats that way t' encrease his gust , is but a limbeck for a woman's lust. but what can that notorious coxcomb say that , for a wife , dissolves his fat away ? if he so pank't to strike a heat before , the loss of spirits will unbreath him more . the first has some pretence for feeding high ; the more this wasts the less he 'll satisfie : or with his strength shou'd he not lose desire , yet weakness will not do what she 'll require . fool ! at her lover's corpulence to frown , when she her self so soon cou'd melt him down , and all the pleasure of the change her own . but to please her , tho' he was horse-man's weight full fifteen stone , he brings himself to eight ; and thinking this way to get more in breath , gets a consumption first , and next his death : happier in that , how e'er , than longest life , with all his former garbage and a wife . but the proud lover now 't is time to name , he that beyond his fortune takes his aim ; scorns with two thousand pound the country girl , and all less than the daughter of an earl : there he addresses , masks and balls are made , but finds 'em all too little to perswade . slighting his love , and haughty as she 's fair , what can the coxcomb do but next despair ? and where that is the cause , we know th' effect is madness — pride cou'd never bear neglect . hanging , or poys'ning he does now intend , nor does indeed deserve a better end . in quality what was there ever seen beside rich cloaths , and an affected mein , expensive living , and a fame decay'd , we might not find in any meaner maid ? if a rich consort was so much his care , why must she be descended from a p — r ? the greatest fortunes are not met with there : why rak't he not among the city heirs ? whence most of our nobility have theirs ; and by the ill got portions spend-thrifts made , down to the same degree their line degrade , from trades-men sprung , and prentic'd to a trade . as mad as this is he to learning bred , that thinks to gain a mistress by his head ; when any block-head sooner shall prevail that scorns that aid , and courts her with his tail. what need of using all the liberal arts , so well receiv'd with our own natural parts ? the fools in verse enough themselves expose , yet are exceeded by this fool in prose . his love 's the very bird-lime of his brain , and pulls some part away with every strain . wou'd but my lady's tawdry woman show the billets sh' has receiv'd from chaplain beau ; ( who , with his fair wig , and fine cambrick band , thinks all the ladies are at his command , ) wou'd she , i say , but design to let you see this rhetorician in his gaiety , in all his tropes and figures , and the rest of those hard terms in which his passion 's drest ; you 'd swear a woman by such courtship won , wou'd not deny th' address of a baboon , vvhose chatt'ring she wou'd understand as soon . beyond her knowledge all his stile does run , and if he wins her he 's beyond his own ; more dull the deeper in her books he gets , that study where the wisest lose their vvits . but now comes one who ( disregarded here ) flies to the sea to quench his passion there ; and does expect from the more faithful main a milder fate than from her cold disdain : farewel , he cries ; when of my death you hear , in kindness let there fall one pitying tear ; my ghost will then to the elizian . grove fly pleas'd , else haunt you for neglected love ; away he goes ; the vvinds , the rocks , the sand less cruel thinks than her he left at land : so far he 's well : — but e'er his travail ends , to vex her , he his patrimony spends . in france , or rome , at last his heart he frees , his passion loses , and gets their disease , the main commodity of either nation , here a false , faith , and there a salivation . vain fool ! for such relief so far to roam ! he might as well have met that cure at home : here quacks in surgery and religion too abound , which elder britain never knew ; produc'd in ev'ry corner of our isle , as heat does monsters from the slime of nile . return'd , some second fair does now delight ; proud of the chance , to his old mistress sight he brings the new , and marries then in spight . exults , and triumphs in his happy fate : — — a vvife , the pox , and not a groat estate . this slave 's attended by a wretch as bad , who by his 〈◊〉 of pleasure is betray'd : wo●● for enjoyment only , and succeeds ; ( for little courtship that intention needs ) and , 〈…〉 mark is what all coxcombs hit , he from that minute dates himself a wit : glories that he the subtle bait has took without the fate of hanging on the hook. not dreaming , ideot , tho' one danger 's o'er , he yet is nearer ruine than before . for from enjoyment she has took her cue , does kneel , and pray , and swoon , and weep and ( wooe ; ) since y 'ave the jewel take the casket too , she cries , ah! can you throw her from your arms whose only crime was yielding to your charms ? so sweet you look't , so passionately swore , i lost my breath and could resist no more ! if by such words he 's not prevail'd to stay , again she kneels , again she dies away . thus night and day his privacies she 'll haunt , and make him swear anew to every grant : plies him so hard he 's forc'd at last to yield , for if he pities her h' has lost the field . whose drab a man may marry is unknown , the fatal proofs of that are daily shown ; but of all whores i least should wed my own . in this loose train the widower to behold , will scarce obtain belief , when it is told : by his good fate ; and providence's care free'd from the yoke , who wou'd not now beware ? sav'd from a wrack and safely put on shore , a thinking man wou'd trust the rocks no more . but mariners , you 'll say must go to sea , and there 's for wedlock more necessity : posterity must last , and bread be had — and can't this be without my being mad ? if trades-men for the meer support of life , willing to suffer discontent and strife , let ( as their consorts are cut off and die ) another hydra's head the place supply , what then ? must he that has a large estate , and children too that for advancement wait , adore and be at the same amarous pass as when , at twenty , he commenc'd an ass ? bring a step-mother to his elder brood ( a sort of creature always poor and lewd ) and , gratifying her , no right preserve ? her 's have th' estate , his former children starve ? whoring is bad , it's consequences worse , but such a marriage is the heavier curse . but these not all , there 's yet one fool t' appear , strutting like a lieutenant in the rear : the witty fop , i mean , that wooes in jest , conceives he 's safe , and laughs at all the rest : courts all , and all alike ; and who believes , born to be false , he certainly deceives . no marriage comes within his lewd intent , yet talks as if he only marriage meant . a thousand oaths of constancy does swear , and will be ever tampering with the snate . playing with love , but makes the snake grow warm , and there 's a time we can't avoid the charm. his weakness , or neglect he 'll surely show , that always will be parlying with the foe . examine all the annals ever writ , you 'll still find woman was too hard for wit. as when on ship-board ( as the tale does run ) the famous monkey , playing with the gun , upon , now under , and now in wou'd go ; and this so oft repeated by the beau , that off went wisdom , and the bullet too . or as a moth that round the taper plays , now here , now there it 's mealy wings displays , till bold at length , mistaking fire for light , he meets with ruine where he sought delight . just so our crafty coxcomb round the edge of wedlock wantons , till the slippery sedge upon the bank gives way , and lets him in — laugh ! hymen laugh ! and let the satyr grin ! by this time i foresee objections rise ; a thankless task the bidding fools be wise . what man , they 'll say , can stand upon his guard for ever ? such a watchfulness were hard . beside 't is nature's powerful call ; nor can that sex be seen without desire by man. not all our courage , wisdom , pow'r , or art , can bring relief where love has fixt his dart. ev'n mighty jove that cou'd the lightning tame , melted himself before this brighter flame . look but on woman ( for w' are bid increase ) and what hard heart wou'd have coition cease ? angels at first , then man was form'd by heaven , and to 'em both transcendent graces giv'n : the first created pure to wing the skies , where beatifick visions feed their eyes . the last , the lord of this creation made , with such a look as all the creatures aw'd , but in that sex we man and angel find , in one compendium both their graces joyn'd , of human half , half of celestial kind . in them both heav'n and earth at once unite ; fram'd fit for love , and molded for delight ! delights that cannot ! shou'd not be exprest ! — o let us pause a while — and wish the rest ! hold ! hold i cry ! or else 't is mortal war , stretch not your bold hyperbole's too far : tho' all in heav'ns design at first was good , it must be with restriction understood . believe not we'd have propagation cease , but carry'd on with innocence and peace . and men of sense exempted from the rules of wedding misery , and begetting fools . paul's wishing all like him does make it plain those men that please may single life retain : his words no other sense but this can bear , be free from woman and y' are free from care. 't is true , we own they were by nature meant , a blessing to us , form'd for our content ; made in prosperity our joys to share , and in our wants to mollifie our care : not order'd to command us , but obey , and are to follow , not to lead the way ; but we pervert that end , and , born to rule , meanly degenerate into slave and fool ; wast on their gawdy trappings all our store , then fall down to the idol and adore . hence to so vast a pitch her pride does rise , all that deny her homage she 'll despise : kind neither to desert , or wit , or vvealth ; but hugs the fool where she can see her self . the mirrour that returns her image true , vvhere , by reflection , she may have a view of something always vain , and always new . with empty sound and outward gesture won , but bait the hook with fool the work is done . fool is their food , their only dear delight , their daily longing , and their drudge at night . the man of sense ( tho' marriage he may hate ) wou'd in his line continue his estate ; ev'n he , too , if he wou'd successful prove , must ape the fool , and seem the thing they love : tho' h' has enjoy'd her he must still adore , tho' master be as servile as before , or , chast as ice , she 'll marry'd turn a whore. well then , you 'll say , why all this discontent ? you do but rail at what you can't prevent . 't was never known but fools were num'rous still , wedlock a snare , and wives perversly ill . what remedy can you to man propose that he may not by love , or marriage lose ? cou'd that be done in vain you wou'd not write , nor envy say 't was prejudice and spite . i answer , if men will their vice retain , and , when convicted , let their follies reign ; ev'n juvenal himself had writ in vain : in vain as far as it relates to them that will not mend , but not in vain to him . for tho' we can't of reformation boast our well meant labours are not wholly lost , virtue rewards its self ; and he that wou'd convert the vitious , then confirms the good. but to come closer to you : — wou'd we use that aid we have , and not our wills abuse , a thousand ready helps before us stand , which the most stupid idiot might command . what man is there that can't forbear to cringe ? and hang his hope upon that slender hinge ? who need protest a painted drab's divine , vvhen she is daub'd more coursly then a sign ? vvho need at vvomens scorn or coldness pine , that may relieve himself with friends and wine . vvho'd tear and rave , and think his fortune ill because one won't , when there 's so many will ? why are rich presents squander'd every day ? w' are not oblig'd to throw estates away . why swearing ? and of lies a num'rous rout ? virtue wou'd think as well of us without . superiour we ; suppose we equal were , why all that adoration ? standing bare ? watching their eyes ? and placing ( to our cost ) that heav'n in them by whom our heav'n was lost ? may not all these , and num'rous follies more ( too shamefull here to mention ) be forbore ? convicted thus , ev'n you must give your voice . that all our coxcombs miseries are his choice . then the adventurer who wou'd happy be in wedlock , must these precepts learn of me . first , where he likes he must for marriage sue , be true himself , and always think her so . no jealousy of rivals must appear , for she 'll be false if you her falshood fear . nor while you woo be still protesting love ; large promisers the worst performers prove . then , after wedlock , ne'er be heard contend , happy ! if you can make your wife your friend ! devour her not at once ; but so enjoy as not to feed too sparingly , or cloy . by dext'rous management , you still must shew her good results from her delight in you . give her full freedom ; too severe restraint estranges love , and makes affection faint . let her wear whet she will ; your happiness lies in your being easy , not her dress . no sullenness must in your looks be worn , and all her pets must patiently be born , for y' are her cuckold if y' are once her scorn . if all this keeps her not to virtue fast , conclude no woman ever yet was chast : but if this usage does her soul encline to truth , she 's happy , and her joy is thine , and only so the marriage knot 's divine : for as it stands among the vulgar fry , or gentry either , where there 's jealousy , jack ketch , s noose is far the holier tye. all this is hard , you 'l cry , extreamly hard ! and if such doctrine met the world's regard , the trade of lisences wou'd soon be marr'd . t is what one of ten thousand ne'er cou'd do . — faith , sir , i am of your opinion too . 't is therefore i 'm so earnest with the men , before they noose to think — and think agen . if with a wife he happiness wou'd see , just such a creature must a husband be : nay often too with all this kindness shewn , his heir shall be her bantling , not his own . thus , sir , i 've freely answer'd your request , marry , or marry not , as like 's you best . but now t is time some counsel to bestow upon sir passionate , the am'rous beau , that he at need may scape a scowring too . if in his breast he finds the poison strong , h' has then this comfort 't will not rack him long , the warmer love the sooner 't will be cold , for no extreme in nature long can hold . but if the venom yet more dang'rous prove , take what i here prescribe — and laugh at love. first set before your eyes as fair a piece as ever ancient rome produc'd , or greece ; brighter than hellen that set troy on fire , and chast as infants that ne'er knew desire : that icy virtue keeps the lover warm , ( for nothing that 's immodest long can charm ) strip but this puppet of it's gay attire , it's — gauzes , ribbons , lace , commode and wire , and tell me then what 't is thou dost admire ? first 't is her pretty shoe that so prevails ; the charm can ne'erly in her toes and nails . her leg , long , little , wretchedly compos'd , shall hinder what is worse to be disclos'd , only her breasts there is no passing by , because made bare to court th' admiring eye : these , when they lace , up to their chins they buoy , and in short heavings artfully employ : there they look well ; but when the night is come they 'r down agen just even with the bum. next , let her nat'ral sett of teeth be shown , if she 's not thirty , for she then has none ; with eating sweet-meats rotted from the gum ; so that her breath is not the best perfume . her face , indeed , we own were wond'rous fair , if there a head belong'd to 't that had hair. upon old time you may a forelock find , but theirs are false , or brought round from behind . thus woman , tho by fools and flatt'rers fam'd , let her defects from head to foot be nam'd , is the most vain unfinish't peice that nature ever fram'd this nice inspection of her person done , let all her little implements be shown : open her secret boxes ; patches here you 'l hoarded find , her paints and washes there : loves artfull lime twigs , where the chatt'ring ape sits perch'd , and han't the judgment to escape ; pleas'd with his station there the buzzard sings , but finds his shackles when he 'd use his wings . if in her bed you e'er perceive her fast , mind how her face is crusted o'er with past , or nasty oils us'd nightly to repair her skin , quite spoil'd — with taking of the air. the scatter'd pieces of her artfull frame ( more than wou'd take up a whole day to name ) lie strew'd around , and such a prospect yield , as spoils when routed armies leave the field . hip-cushions , plumpers , massy pads for stays — and thousand other things , dispers'd a thousand ways . so that the fair ( like bone lace when 't is wrought ) can't altogether in one piece be brought ( her toils in order and her am'rous gins ) without five hundred pound a year in pins . a thoughtfull creature must conclude from hence the best of 'em not worth that vast expence ; that the short snatches of delight we court , we pay so dear for that it palls the sport. then , what a perfume where she comes is lent ? all over strew'd to hide her nat'ral scent . so they that stink of onions , if they eat garlick , t will make the fainter smell retreat ; but then a stronger scent supplies the room : and so she cures her rankness by perfume . thus wooing different we from hunting find for there w' are pleas'd when puss is in the wind. if o're the fop his passion yet prevails , and he 'l weigh reason only in his scales , neither to be perswaded , forc'd or sham'd , but , proud of bondage , scorns to be reclaim'd ; let him woo on — a little time will shew he is an ass , and all our doctrine true . finis . advertisement . upon information , that there is a design of publishing of something upon this subject , under the name of the author the satyr against woman , this is to acquaint the world , that the author knows nothing of it , and thare will be no other than this satyr writ by him upon this subiect . female policy detected. or, the arts of a designing woman laid open in maxims proper to be observ'd by all, especially the youth of this nation, to arm themselves against the subtilties and devices of intreiguing women. divided into six chapters. i. of their allurements. ii. of their inconstancy. iii. of their love. iv. of their revenge. v. of their pride. vi. of their ingratitude. to which is added, two poems, one in commendation of vertue, the other in dispraise of vice. dedicated to the apprentices of london. ward, edward, 1667-1731. 1695 approx. 43 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 26 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2003-07 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a67503 wing w734 estc r219388 99830866 99830866 35327 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a67503) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 35327) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 1879:06) female policy detected. or, the arts of a designing woman laid open in maxims proper to be observ'd by all, especially the youth of this nation, to arm themselves against the subtilties and devices of intreiguing women. divided into six chapters. i. of their allurements. ii. of their inconstancy. iii. of their love. iv. of their revenge. v. of their pride. vi. of their ingratitude. to which is added, two poems, one in commendation of vertue, the other in dispraise of vice. dedicated to the apprentices of london. ward, edward, 1667-1731. [10], 38 p. printed for benj. harris, at the lower end of bartholomew-lane, near the royal-exchange, london : 1695. dedication signed e.w., i.e. edward ward. gathered in 4's. copy has print show-through. reproduction of the original in the british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng women -conduct of life -early works to 1800. 2003-02 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2003-03 aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images 2003-05 jonathan blaney sampled and proofread 2003-05 jonathan blaney text and markup reviewed and edited 2003-06 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion female policy detected . or , the arts of a designing woman laid open . in maxims proper to be observ'd by all , especially the youth of this nation , to arm themselves against the subtilties and devices of intreiguing women . divided into six chapters . i. of their allurements . ii. of their inconstancy . iii. of their love. iv. of their revenge . v. of their pride . vi. of their ingratitude . to which is add●d , two poems , one in commendation of vertue , the other in dispraise of vice. dedicated to the apprentices of london . london , printed for benj. harris , at the lower end of bartholomew 〈◊〉 , near the royal-exchange , 1695. the epistle dedicatory to the apprentices of london . we may observe the happiness or unhappiness that waits upon this life , are most commonly owing to the vigilent and industrious , or the careless and ungovern'd actions of our youth ; and as the former lays a probable foundation , upon which ( by a continued care ) we may build our succeeding fortunes to a comfortable height , so the latter robs us of that substance upon which we ought ( for our security ) to place the pedestal of our future prosperity : and as there is nothing tends more to the destruction of youth , or renders them more incapable of considering their own welfare , than the conversation of intrieguing women : i thought , young men , i could not do you a greater service in this age , where to tempt cunningly , and deceive slily , are the study of the female sex , than present you with a small pocket-piece , which shall serve as armour to defend you from the darts thrown from wanton and designing women , whose evil communication corrupts good manners , and will make you ( if deluded by them ) disobedient to the laws of god , undutiful children to your parents , unjust servants to your masters , ill husbands ( when you marry ) to your wives , ba● fathers to your children , enemies to your countrey , and slaves to others , as well as to your own vices . there is nothing more evident , than that several young men in this city of london have been drawn aside , to their ruin , by the attractive sorcery of these bewitching load-stones , which having been observ'd of late by the right honourable the mayors , and other the iustices of london , that they have been so commendably industrious in suppressing this vice , within the bounds of their jurisdiction , that it is a hard matter for a night-walking strumpet to strole through the city unpunish'd . the magistrates have done their parts , and nothing is requir'd further , ( for the more effectual promotion of the city's glory ) but your care to avoid the lust and subtilty of those private madams , whose gay apparel , and false pretence to modesty , gives them covert in reputable families , where they heard with the vertuous , declaim against the vices of the age , and seem to wonder at that wickedness in others , which themselves do practice daily , to maintain their pride . i have therefore taught you how to know these vultures in peacocks plumes , and how to avoid them , and how to converse with them without prejudice in the following treatise , which i dedicate to your view , and commend to your practice , as you are the flower of our nation , and glory of the metropolis ; to whom i subscribe my self your most humble servant , e. w. the preface . the study of designing women in all ages having been to improve , and set off nature with such artificial charms , alluring dresses , and resistless glances , that most of our youth , before they have shifted of the tender years of their infancy , are subdued by their pollitick inducements , to their ruinous embraces , which are frequently succeeded by irrecoverable injuries , either to estate or person , if not both , except withdrawn timely , ( by prudence ) from this epidemical folly. i have therefore thought it necessary , to present the age ( in this following treatise ) with a fair prospect of the dangers that wait on the conversation of intreiguing women : with a scheme of their allurements , subtile stratagems and devices , by which they oft trepan unwary youth , into a state of misery . i have not only ( in brief sentences ) laid open the studied policies , and cunning delusions of the female sex , but have given such maxims of prudence , that shall arm you against their subtilties , and teach you to act counter to all their designs , though laid and carried on with the greatest cunning and industry . as vertue is better understood by expeperience than precept , so the knowledge of vice is better gain'd by precept than experience ; and as all things are distinguished by their contraries , so it is necessary to be acquainted with the latter , to compare it as a foyl , to set off the true lustre and beauty of the former . in the performance of my task , i have been as compendious as possible ; so that i hope i shall neither offend the judgment , or trespass much upon the patience of the reader , but rather furnish him with such rules and maxims , ( against designing women ) that shall be delightful to read , easie to remember , and very proper to practice . there are few persons , who have been reduced from a plentiful fortune , into a state of necessity , but the world may observe , women have always had the greatest share in their ruin ; therefore , to be fortified against female policy , is a matter of no small moment ; and he that is without these prudentials , is not a day secure of either his estate or person , from the gripes of a female vulture , but is lyable to be trick'd into such labyrinths of misfortune , where you will find no clue to return by to his former liberty . all that i entreat of the youthful reader , is , to peruse it without prejudice , and make it useful to himself , and i will engage , he may at eighteen or twenty years of age , evade the designs , resist the temptations , and withstand the sorcery of those crafty witches , better than most men ( without it ) shall be able to do at forty . i do not intend any affront to the chast or vertuous , nor would i have them offended at my vndertaking , for may design is rather to raise them to such an esteem , that n●ne should have title to love or admiration , but such women , whose affection to vertue , and resolutions against vice , shall oblige them to be faithful . and if the reader will observe the rules i have laid down , he shall know how to judge , and how to choose ; to instruct him in which , is the end of the following treatise . female policy detected &c. chap. i. of the allurements of women . of all vices , an unlawful fredom with the female sex is the most predominant , and , of all sins , hath the most powerful temptations and allurements to betray and draw men into this folly. the inducements of the fair sex are so prevailing , a propensity in nature so forcible , it is hard to stand unmov'd , when tempted forward by the charms of a subtle woman , and drove by the frail desires of an unbounded lust. but as there is not passion too strong to be conquer'd , or temptation too great to be resisted ; so if you will observe the maxims i shall give you in this little treatise , you will be arm'd against beauty ; make love your subject , and all the subtilties of the fair sex shall truckle , and become instruments of your direction , instead of your ruin. be careful how you conceive too good an opinion of a woman at first sight , for you see not the woman truly , but her ornaments . paint , patches , and fine dresses , are to hide defects ; for beauty , like truth , is always best when plainest . many in rich ornaments look inviting , whose beauty , when they undress , flies away with their apparel , and leaves you ( as iuno did ixion ) nothing but a cloudy mistress to embrace . if you like a woman , and would discover if she be in nature , what perhaps she may seem by art , surprize her in a morning undrest , and it is ten to one , but you will find your goddess hath shifted off her divinity , and the angel you so much admired turn'd into a magmallion . be always jealous of a maid , who extols her own vertue ; a wife , who exclaims against her husband in his absence ; and a widow , that courts your company ; for when a woman praises her vertues , 't is as a shop-keeper does a commodity , with a desire to be rid of it ; and she that will lay open the failings of her husband to another , will , to the same man , lay open her self whenever he shall require it of her ; and when a widow seems fond of your conversation , be sure 't is through design ; and if you are not careful , she will bury you alive . be not tempted to pick up any woman in the street ; but if you should , be sure you have one eye before you , and another behind you ; for wheresoever lust leads , danger follows . covet not the presents of a fond woman , for they are baits left to insnare you , and while you think you are a gainer by her gifts , you are loosing your self . whoever is trepann'd by a woman's smiles , is as a fly hampered in a cobweb , who waits the leasure of the spider when he shall be devoured . he that serves the lust of a woman , makes himself her monkey ; for she admires him no longer than while he is playing with his tail. be careful how you live upon a whore , as how you keep one ; for by the former you will get nothing , and by the latter loose every thing you have got . mistrust a woman that seems rich by her own discourse ; for she that talks much of her fortune , hath generally but little . think not every woman rich that wears gay apparel ; for many forfeit their vertue , to maintain their pride . build not too great a faith upon the sight of a few guineas , or a gold watch , these may be but shooing horns , to draw you on to your ruin. believe no man's affirmation of a woman's fortune , unless you know him ; for designs are never carry'd on without abettors . be sure of her portion , though you take her vertue upon credit ; but he that takes both upon trust , may find , when too late , he hath neither to trust to . endeavour not to continue a woman's love by gifts , for every present you make her may be the purchase of a rival : besides , they love gifts , and if you use them to it , they will love you no longer than you are giving . believe not hte trivial favours of a woman a demonstration of her love ; for they pride to be belov'd , though it be by those they scorn . raise not an opinion of your self upon the flatteries of a woman , nor think her praises any sign of love , but of her cunning ; for designing women , like great polititians , flatter them most they design to ruin. 〈◊〉 no woman charm you with the musick of a smo●●h tongue ; for many can talk well , that act ill . believe no woman the more virtuous for resisting the first attempt ; for , like besieged towns , they will withstand several efforts , and , at last , surrender upon capitulartion . some women ( like strong holds ) are to be taken but one way , which if you cannot readily discover , be content , she her self will find ways to direct you , if she likes you . when a lewd woman serves your necessity , 't is with a certain expectancy you should serve her lust : her kindnesses are measured by your capacity , and a continuance of her favours dwell upon the repetition of your performances ; she will stretch her purse-strings to support you in extravagancy , if you strain as hard to supply her unbounded leachery ; but be sure she will be your servant no longer than you will remain her drudge . who is stallion to a whore , is a slave to iniquity , and a champion to anothers vices , a coward in a good cause , and a curse to himself . let no woman tempt you by her wit to love her ; for she who hath wit enough to tempt you , hath enough to deceive you . suffer not your self to be ensnared by a woman over free in her gestures , or conversation ; for whosoever is much active in behaviour , behaves her self like a lover of much action ; and whoever is free in much company , will be much freer when but two together . think not the amorous glances of a woman towards you , gives you title to her affection ; for they can look one way , when their hearts are another . expect no good quality in a woman more than what she shows ; for it is a maxim in their politicks , to put the best side outward . if you love a woman , be careful how you show it ; for your nibbling at the bait , may too early discover a willingness to be caught . wast not your strength in the enjoyments of beauty , neither your time or money in corrupting vertue ; but marry a chast wife , of a good family , with a moderate fortune , and you need not question being happy . chap. ii. of the inconstancy of women . whosoever resigns her vertue , to gratify anothers lust , will not scruple the same freedom with another , to pleasure her own ; for few women love so well , as to love a gallant better than themselves . she who will lose her reputation to oblige you , will hazard your love to gratify her self ; and she that will do both , can never be constant. put no confidence in a woman that hath lost her honour ; for she who is without reputation , hath nothing to engage her to be faithful . constancy is maintain'd by vertue , and she who hath lost her vertue , hath nothing left to oblige her to be constant . she that preferrs pleasure before vertue , will be constant to her lust , but not to you . nothing engages a mans affection so much to a woman , as a belief of her constancy ; but 't is better to believe her otherways , for then she can never deceive you . women are sensible that constancy is more priz'd than beauty ; but it is a maxim among their sex , to deceive us most in what we most value . nothing is more ridiculous than to keep a miss ; for the that you keep , will keep another if she can ; there being the same ambition in her to be mistriss of another , as there is in you to be master of her : and he that thinks a woman constant , because he keeps her , proves a knave to himself , and a fool to his madam . put no faith in a woman that is wife to another ; for she who is not constant to her husband , will never be so to you . a woman who hath a husband , and will admit of a gallant , let him look upon her as faithful as monsieur raggou's mistriss , who was constant to the whole troop . a married woman , if lewd , is subtle by experience ; for she who hath her husband to deceive every day , can deceive a gallant at leisure . a durable love is the supporter of constancy ; but that love can never be lasting which stands on a false bottom . be constant to no woman but a wife , if you be , you deceive your self ; expect no constancy in a whore , for she 'll deceive you . credit no womans words who hath lost her vertue , but believe the contrary , for she talks counter . if you have contracted any friendship with a woman , let all she can do for you be no more than you deserve ; but if she prove constant , let it be more than you expect . think not a woman is most faithful to him she is most fond off ; for to him the deceives most , she seems always most obliging . believe not all to be virgins that talk much of their virginity ; for all would seem maids that have been made otherwise . to one , a woman may be constant ; but if she divides her affections between two , she can be constant to neither . if you are familiar with anothers wife , believe her not , when she says she knows none but her husband and you ; for she will swear to her husband , she knoweth none but himself . credit nothing a woman says , as to her constancy or vertue ; for she will judify her innocence before him , with whom she hath been guilty . love no woman in the absence of her husband ; you only stop a gap for another , who will return you no thanks for your labour ; and remember , his approach , will be your distance . if you love a woman , conceal it , oblige her with common courtesies , but show no passion ; for by your prudence you may master her , to whom a discovery of your love will make you become a servant . measure a womans love by her jealousy ; for she loves him best of whom she is most jealous , and of whom she is most jealous , to him she is most constant. be jealous of a woman that wo'nt be jealous of you ; for she that won't be jealous , loves you not ; and she that loves you not , will never be constant to you . answer all the expectations of a woman you would keep constant ; for one single neglect hazards the loss of her affections . keep a watchful eye over the woman which you love , seem not to be over credulous of her vertue , if you do , she will make tryals of your faith. she who kisses her husband in publick , hath generally her eyes upon him she would kiss in private ; and she that will kiss both in publick and private , values not where she kisses . be constant to your wife , that she may be constant to you ; for gratitude may constrain a woman to preserve those bonds which revenge may make her violate . chuse for your wife a prudent woman ; for prudence preserves vertue , vertue love , and love constancy . inconstancy in a wife makes wedlock a bramble , which bears abundance of thorns . inconstancy in a husband makes inconstancy in a wife ; and an inconstant wife makes a husband a constant cuckold . trust no man with your wife abroad , nor court your friend to bear her company at home in your absence ; for opportunity and importunity may conquer the most heroick vertue . carry no man to your mistress if you prize her ; for if she loves you , she will be civil to your friend for your sake . 't is the policy of a designing woman to oblige the friend of him that loves her , to acquaint her self , by that means , with his affairs , that she may manage him the better . most women are of cold constitutions , and under the dominion of the moon ; and , remember , 't is an approved maxim , that all sublunary things are subject to mutation . constancy is a great vertue , and its opposite is a dangerous vice ; whoever neglects the former , to practice the latter , is neither to be belov'd or trusted . 't is good to be wise , 't is wisdom to be just , and just to be constant. chap. iii. of the love of women . the love of a woman is easie to be gain'd , but difficult to be preserv'd ; you may with more facility subdue vertue , and bring a chast woman to your embraces , than engage her to be constant , after she hath resign'd her honour . 't is a receiv'd opinion among their whole sex , that the passion of love ceases in a man after enjoyment , and the esteem he had before of her person is much lessen'd by her condescention to his desires , which conception occasions her to withdraw her affections from you , ( unless every hour you confirm her in a different faith by fresh assurances ) coveting to be belov'd by some body who hath a good opinion of her vertues ; for there is nothing more certain , that women who have been deceiv'd themselves , take a secret delight in deceiving others ; therefore , you that are the deceivers , be careful you are not deceiv'd . the love of a virgin is innocent and lasting , as her vertue . the love of a just wife friendly and delightful . the love of a widow politick and deceitful . the love of a lewd woman lustful and revengeful . if you are the favourite of a lady , and depend upon her courtesies , you must be industrious to oblige her , and as watchful to preserve her from the efforts of rivals , or you will soon find your mistress like a pot-gun , the last pellet she receives will drive out the former . simpathize not with a woman who loves you passionately ; for as she finds your love encreases , she will cool her own with the assurance of yours . if you have gain'd a woman's love , and would preserve it , be sure be constant in your visits , or you will find most women have so bad memories , that a weeks absence will make them quite forget you . the love of a woman hath its seasons , like the year , its spring , summer , autumn and winter . it begins with a warm desire , and is nourished to a grearer heat , by the kind influence of the object , till the harvest of her joys are full ripe ; but when the fruits of her affections are reap'd and gather'd , you will soon perceive some sharp breezes , as signs of an approaching winter . the love of a chast woman will be continued towards you as long as you behave your self well ; but the love of a woman who hath lost her vertue , is but during pleasure . love a woman with moderation that loves you to an excess ; her passion will naturally reduce it self to the same equality , for no extreams are lasting , and then you have the advantage , for the continuance of a little love shews a constant temper , and looks friendly and obliging , when a passion cooled to the same indifferency will look slighting and neglective ; besides , he that loves a woman too much , is apt to love himself too little . depend not on the love of a lewd woman , 't is a reed will soon deceive you , her love is intangled with her lust ; to continue the one , is to be a slave to the other ; and rather than be that , i would share the punishment of cesaphus . secure not your love to a woman by oaths or protestations ; for she will then think you have bound your self to continue that respect which would be otherwise her care and study to merit and preserve . let not the protestations of a woman's love to you be a president for you to follow , though you love her , for she does it purely to tempt you to give in the same security , that she may have the more to upbraid you with whenever you shall prove false . if you are belov'd by a person you cannot marry , whom you are willing to secure to your own embraces , draw what you can from her by insinuations ; the more you get , the faster you bind her ; she will not part with that easily , she hath purchas'd dearly ; and the more you cost her , the more she 'll prize you . the love of a virgin is much to be pitied ; the love of a wife highly to be valued ; but the love of a vitious woman deserves neither ; for she will love any that will serve her lust. give no encouragement to the love of anothers wife ; for it is lustful in the beginning , treacherous all along , and dangerous in the end . love is a distemper will wade through the greatest difficulties to obtain a cure ; he that is the phisician may exact what fees he pleases ; therefore , do you be careful how you become the patient . seraphick love , is the bliss of angels ; mutual love , the comfort of mankind ; natural love , the chain of the world ; but lustful love , the mother of misfortune . to love a wife , is our duty ; to love a friend , our interest ; but to love a curtizan , is a dangerous venture . chap. iv. of the malice and revenge of women . of all passions , that of revenge is the most opposite to reason and good humour ; it will so far blind and deceive the judgment , that persons under this madness value not what injuries they do themselves , in rashly attempting some trifling prejudice to an adversary . this passion in women springs frequently from the envenom'd seeds of corrupted love , ( as the best wines once turn'd become the sharpest vinegar ) and is so predominant in this sex , that they value nothing they do to accomplish those ends in which the sweetness of their revenge is center'd ; and as they love to extreams , every little neglect they construe a great slight , and through their weakness , mistake accident often for design , and fling themselves , by their own whimsies and conceits , into an evil opinion of persons which they love. thus , oftentimes , they let their own jealousies pass for realities , and sowre their affections into a sharp revenge , without a just occasion , turning furies to those they lov'd , through a fanciful ingratitude , which i conceive to be the chief reason why women are much more subject to this passion than men ; therefore , covet no woman's love , but whom you will be diligent to oblige ; for a small neglect is taken by them as a great ingratitude . deal with a revengeful woman , as with a hand-granado , which you cast from you as soon as the fuse is lighted , lest it burst , to the prejudice of him that fir'd it . have no familiarity with her you have highly disoblig'd , least ( bee-like she stings you with her tail. she who once lov'd you , and is turn'd your enemy , look upon her always to be so ; be not deluded by her flatteries , to give it into her power to hurt you ; for women , though they seem to forget a wrong they have been forced to suffer , yet you will find they have good memories when they have power to revenge it . trespass not on the affections of a woman who loves you to excess ; for women , ( like ale ) if over sweet , will turn sowre the sooner . take not always a womans frowns as slights , nor her smiles as a sure argument of her love ; for every time the sun is clouded , it does not predict soul weather , and when it shines out a storm may be near at hand : women can dissemble their passions , and change their looks , as a scorpion can its colour . a woman's love turn'd into revenge , is like wine turn'd to vinegar , which can never be reduced to its primitive goodness , but will always remain sowre till its dead . nothing is so revengeful as an injured woman ; for which reason , the poets have ordered the furies to be put up in the feminine gender . the love of a vertuous woman is a great blessing ; but if once lost by ingratitude , you will find she will turn her love that could not last , into a revenge that will. shun a woman that 's your enemy ; for every time she sees you it puts her upon fresh mischiefs . if you have dealt ingratefully by a woman , converse with none that respect her , lest at some time or other it should happen to your prejudice . the passion of an envious woman is virulent , and flattery the only antidote to expell the poyson : to dissemble , shows more prudence than to aggravate ; by the one , you may pacifie the fury of fermented spirits , when the other will beget in your enemy fresh resolutions of further mischiefs . be merciful to those you can over-power ; but flatter such enemies you cannot conquer ; for revenge ( though sweet to those who seek it ) is always bitter to the sufferers . some women are so politickly penitent after a revenge compleated , they will palliate the injury with succeeding pity ; but think the sorrow of such a person as great as hers , who ( weeping ) follows a dead husband to the grave , whom she hath wish'd out of the world a thousand times whilst he was living . changes in inconstant tempers are never to be minded ; she who does you a wilful injury , and seems sorry for it , it is your prudence to believe she only grieves , that the mischief she hath done you is no greater . trust an enemy who hath once hurt you , upon a reconciliation , no further than you would the fawning of a mastiff dog who hath attempted to worry you . most women are politick in their love , but much more subtle in their revenge ; therefore , be careful how you affront them or deceive them to deserve it : besides , 't is ignoble to offend the pevish , or to hurt the weak . make not her that loves you , by ingratitude , your enemy ; nor let not the ingratitude of whom you love excite you to be hers ; for revenge ( like a crab-tree ) produces a sweet blossom , but a sowre fruit. chap. v. of the pride of women . stateliness in a woman may become her as she walks ; but pride in conversation is hateful and ridiculous , and exposes the persons affected with it to the censures of the company in such awker'd gestures , and uncouth behaviours , such peremptory sentences , and impertinent loquacities , that offends both the eyes and ears of all that have either modesty or prudence . nothing shows the want of judgment more than female pride , which is ( doubtless ) nourish'd by the vain conceits of their own perfections , and begets such a self-love , grounded upon self-opinion , that they look upon their whole sex beside with envy and contempt , and like narcissas , daily dote on the reflection of their own imaginary excellencies . cast not your eyes too often upon such women , for they are chargable mistresses , implacable wives , and ill mothers to your children . a proud woman , like an imprudent prince , always love him best by whom she is most slatter'd . if you aim at the favours of a lofty dame , you must highly extol her person and her parts , and conceed with her opinion in all things , though ne'er so opposite to reason ; for flattery and humility must be the supporters of your interest . let pride in a fine woman anticipate your admiration ; for never admire her who admires her self too much ; conceive her as a large looking-glass crack'd , by which single defect is rendred of small value , by reason it can ne'er be mended . pride in a witty woman , is like a whet-stone to a scyth , it only serves to sharpen her reflections , and makes her a more dangerous weapon for a man to meddle with . a proud woman , like a stately horse , must be rid with a curb , and manag'd with a streight rein , or she will soon be the bane of her rider . if you marry a haughty woman , you ought to have a good estate ; for you will find , a proud wife , in a low station , will be an uncomfortable companion , and the first in adversity that shall lend a h●lping hand to your ruin. pride in a friend is dangerous , in a mistress chargable , but in a wife an implacable torment . many women have forfeited their vertue , to gratifie their lust , but more to maintain their pride ; and lust , though it will make a woman a whore , yet 't is pride that makes her mercenary . many women have vertue enough to resist the bare attempts of familiarity ; but few that can stand against the powerful charms of gold , fine dresses , coach and horses , and attendance . it is grandeur influences pride , and leads ambition by the nose through the worst of vices ; for there are many who are honestly poor by constraint , who would willingly commit any evil to be rich. that vertue is never safe which is under the guardian-ship of pride ; the latter will be maintain'd , though the former is sacrifie'd to support it . he that hath a proud woman to his wife is like an oak begirt with ivy , he suffers himself to be embraced by that which will bring him to his ruin. when ambition leads the van , the whole body of vice follows ; and where-ever you see pride in the front , be sure lust marches in the rear . pride in a beautiful woman is like a flaw in a diamond , it lessens the value , spoils the lustre , and remains incurable . he that marries a proud wife is as unhappy as a prince who hath a rebellious nation to govern , as the latter must grant every petition of the people to secure peace in his kingdom , so must the former every request of his wife to preserve the same in his family . of all imperfections in a woman , pride is the most intollerable , for that is hardest to be excused , which is never to be mended . pride in a wife , makes a husband appear little ; it oft-times compels him to submit , where he hath right to govern . he that hath a prudent wife , hath a guardian angel by his side , but he that hath a proud wife , hath the devil at his elbow . a proud woman is an imperious wife , an undutiful daughter , an implacable mistriss , a harsh mother , and a sawcy servant . pride is the parent of iniquity , the innovator of vice , the seed of rebellion , and the rise of faction . pride lost mankind their paradice , the world its peace , and made a devil of an angel. chap. vi. of the ingratitude of women . let no man deceive himself with the expectancy of gratitude in a mercenary woman ; for she , who for suks and satins , or a splendid maintenance , will submit to your pleasure , and swear constancy to her keeper , shall be first that forsakes you in a declining condition ; and though she hath built a provision for her self out of the ruins of your fortune , yet she shall be the last person that shall lend you the least assistance when your occasions shall most require it ; therefore , look upon whatsoever you give such a woman to he buried , as in a deep sea , from whence no returns can be expected . if you love a woman , be not deluded by her trifling presents to make chargable returns , for that 's the aim of her policy . let not a point cravat , because 't is her own working , give her title to a settlement out of your estate , lest while your mistriss extols your gratitude , the world laughs at your folly. giving presents to a woman to secure her love , is as vain as the endeavouring to fill a ceive with water ; for you may continue giving the one , and pouring into the other , till the last trump sounds , e're you find the one the faster , or the other the fuller . the gratitude of a mercinary woman lies only in her tayl , with it she dissolves all obligations , and will still be a gainer even when the debt's paid . whoever blames a woman for her ingratitude , is equally culpable for trusting her with the power to prove so ; for love with moderation , keeps a close heart and a wary hand , and her ingratitude can never hurt you . debauch no virgin to maintain her after , lest you are serv'd as a gentleman , who having wasted his fortune in the extravagant support of a young gentlewoman whom he had first desil'd , sent his man to her upon a particular exigence , to desire her to lend him ten guinea's ; to which she answer'd , pray present my service to your master , and tell him when he hath made me amends for the vertue he hath forc'd from me , i shall be glad to oblige him ; but i wonder he should think i would lend money to him who hath rob'd me already of that which admits of no restitution , but for ever continues him my debtor . therefore , corrupt no virgin , or the surrender of her vertue to your ●mbraces , will remain upon you as a perpertual obligation , and serve her at all times to excuse the highest ingratitude , or the greatest injury she shall act against you : besides , the world shall condemn you under all the mischiefs you shall suffer by her means , crying , you were first her ruin , and all the evils she can do you is no more than you deserve . love is the legature that binds a woman to gratitude ; she that loves you , will gratefully accept , and generously return the lest favour that shall signalize the affection of the giver ; but a designing woman esteems the donor by his presents , and not the presents by the donor . she that hath a design upon you , will first oblige you with some engaging courtesie to become her debter ; but be careful of those women who are generous in the beginning , lest you pay , with your ruin , for their kindness in the end. ingratitude is said to be worse than the sin of witchcraft , and he that trusteth a woman he hath once found ingrateful , is worse than bewitch'd . court not a reconciliation with a woman who hath once deciv'd you , lest she triumphs over your submission , and makes von become an ass to bear the luggage of her infirmities . to a woman you love , behave your self boldly , and with freedom , tho' justly and respectful , for a manly carriage will awe her to be grateful , when a cringing fondness may occasion her to presume on your good nature . in commendation of vertue . vertue , thou ornament of humane life , that crowns the virgin , and adorns the wife , from thy blest treasure of contentments flow all the true blessings we enjoy below . those sweet delights , which in thy bosom dwell , rise up in springs , and into rivers swell , which know no ebb , or storm , but free from noise , flow calmly in a constant tide of joys : thou bring'st contentment to the meanest birth , and gives us taste of heaven here on earth : from whence , thro' christal innocence , we see a pleasing prospect of eternity ; where angels , to receive the vertuous , wait , and bid them welcome to a happier state. when vice hath drest her wanton daughters head , with tresses loose , in airy modes displaid . complection heighten'd , and improv'd by paint , and all the arts that pride could e're invent : yet vertue in plain coif , adorn'd no way by nature , looks so innocently gay : she in her home spun garbshines brighter far than they . as precious gems , of which the india's boast , the plainer set , the greater lustre cast . vertue , like beauty , wants no study'd smile , but of it self shines bright without a foil . could the corrupted world but truly tast the sweet delights which vicious actions blast , their lewd excesses they 'd repeat no more , their counterfeit enjoyments soon give o'er to gaze at vertues beams , and the chast dame adore . 't is she emboldens us to fear no fate , and gives contentment to the meanest state. closely embrac'd , she blesses each degree with a calm mind , from perturbations free , and , by content , improves felicity . would all mankind her pleasing foot-steps tread , which do to truth , and all perfections lead , sexes would join , as angels do above , not to fulfil their lust , but seal their love. in dispraise of vice. with what reproachful blushes do the wise , those follies , which the age embrace , despise , with wonder and contempt they gaze to see vertue thus sacrific'd to leachery , by the sly snares of female policy . what strange temptations draw the world aside , to embrace vice , and vertues charms deride : as thieves and ruffians , who abhor the light , shun the bright day , and seek the gloomy night , tell me , mistaken souls , what baits allure from vertues paths , so pleasing and so sure , where no deep sloughs , or dangerous bogs are found , but sundry prospects of delight all round ; who 'd quit so happy , so secure a road , to wade along in filthiness and mud. where paths so rugged are , friend jossels friend , each for precedency in vice contend , but sorrow is ( alas ) their journeys end . so is the unweary traveller betray'd , when by an ignis fatnus misled 'mong brakes and pools , from whence the treach'rous guide flies undiscern'd , and doth his tapor hide , leaving the wand'ring wretch quite void of light , expos'd to all the accidents of night . thus fare the unhappy mortals , who receed from vertues paths , the tracts of vice to tread , where fears and cares each wanton step succeed . look at the monster vice with steddy eye , who thus devours the worlds tranquility , you may discern the beast in ev'ry part , by nature black , tho' whiten'd o're by art ; as strumpets , when distemper'd and unclean , paint fair their outsides when most foul within , vice , thou black parent of revenge and strife , thou shame of humane race , and sting of life , by thy rank bowels every ill is fed , from thee all rapes and villanies proceed ; ambition , envy , lust adultery , murder , rebellion , every infamy , have all their birth and nourishment from thee . shun the dark fiend , and its alluring toys , reject its trifles and embrace true joys ; which if you 'll find , choose vertue for your guide , woo the kind dame , and keep her by your side , kiss her soft lips , and wed her for your bride . finis . imitation and caution for christian woman: or, the life and death of that excellent gentlewoman, mrs. mary bewley; who departed this life (her only son having finished his course the 9th. of december before) on the first of febr. 1652/3. recommended to the reader, by the reverend and eminently learned doctor reynolds. this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a87320 of text r207701 in the english short title catalog (thomason e968_10). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread approx. 54 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 12 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo 2017 a87320 wing i55 thomason e968_10 estc r207701 99866737 99866737 119022 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a87320) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 119022) images scanned from microfilm: (thomason tracts ; 144:e968[10]) imitation and caution for christian woman: or, the life and death of that excellent gentlewoman, mrs. mary bewley; who departed this life (her only son having finished his course the 9th. of december before) on the first of febr. 1652/3. recommended to the reader, by the reverend and eminently learned doctor reynolds. reynolds, edward, 1599-1676. [4], 18 p. printed by e.m. for george calvert, at the half moon in pauls church-yard, neer the little north-door, london : 1659. "the epistle to the reader" signed: edward reynolds. annotation on thomason copy: "1658. feb. 28."; the 9 in the imprint date has been crossed out. reproduction of the original in the british library. eng bewley, mary, d. 1653 -early works to 1800. women -conduct of life -early works to 1800. women -religious life -early works to 1800. a87320 r207701 (thomason e968_10). civilwar no imitation and caution for christian woman: or, the life and death of that excellent gentlewoman, mrs. mary bewley;: who departed this life reynolds, edward 1659 9775 12 0 0 0 0 0 12 c the rate of 12 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the c category of texts with between 10 and 35 defects per 10,000 words. 2007-04 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2007-05 apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images 2007-06 jonathan blaney sampled and proofread 2007-06 jonathan blaney text and markup reviewed and edited 2008-02 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion imitation and caution for christian women : or , the life and death of that excellent gentlewoman , mrs. mary bewley ; who departed this life ( her only son having finished his course the 9th . of december before ) on the first of febr. 1658 / 9. recommended to the reader , by the reverend and eminently learned doctor reynolds . but a woman that feareth the lord , she shall be praised , prov. 31. 30. but he ( jacob ) refused to be comforted , and he said , for i will go down into the grave unto my son mourning , gen. 37. 35. o my sonne absalom , my sonne , my sonne absalom , would god i had died for thee , o absalom , my sonne , my sonne , 2 sam. 18. 33. london , printed by e. m. for george calvert , at the half moon in pauls church-yard , neer the little north-door , 1659. the epistle to the reader . though i had not the happinesse to be acquainted with that excellent woman , whose character is here published for an example unto others ; yet having been desired to peruse this breviate of her life and death , i could not but judge it fit for publick view , in regard of the great benefit which many may reap by reading of it ; for examples have a special efficacy to provoke and extimulate others to be followers of those who through faith and patience do inherit the promises . the apostle amongst that cloud of witnesses by whose faith he doth perswade others to run with patience unto the race which is set before them , hath recorded the examples of sarah , rahab , moses his mother , and other women , as an encouragement unto unweariednesse in that race . and maketh honourable mention of phebe , priscilla , mary , persis , and other holy women , whose graces are not only crowned in heaven , but are left as a sweet perfume in the church on earth , to quicken the imitation of all good women in all after-ages : nor was this way of celebrating the memory of gracious women out of use afterwards . gregory nazianzen hath a panegyrical oration on his sister gorgonia ; basil upon the martyr julitta ; nyssen upon pulcheria and placilla ; chrysostom upon bernice , prosdole , pelagia ; hierom is copious in the praises of lea , marcella , asella , blesilla , paula , fabiola , &c. nor do women of eminent graces now lesse deserve honour , nor others of inferiour note lesse need helps for their encouragement , than they did in former ages . i commend both the work and the readers to gods blessing . edward reynolds . imitation and cavtion for christian women ; or the life and death of that eminent gentlewoman , mrs. mary bewley . who a can finde a vertuous woman ? said the wise solomon ( who to his own proper share had no fewer than b a thousand of them to make c tryal of ) being so d taught by his mother , who by her communion with the sex , might have larger acquaintance with , and by reflecting on her self , deeper experience of the weaknesse and vanity of the generality of the female world : but when e that good thing , that fav●ur , that f crown is found and obtained of the lord , then is her price above rubies , and she to be g blessed and praised by her relations , and the chief of the people meeting in the gates while alive , lamented over when h dead , and kept in memory after i death : and it is by reason of the scarcity of such vertuous women , that in scripture such special notice is taken of an k obedient sarah , a prudent , discreet l abigal , a m wise woman of abel , a n publick-spirited hester , a o devout hannah and elizabeth ; p the humble , yet most high woman , the mother of our lord , q and that excellent gospel-news publisher anna ; r the tender-hearted lydia , s that liberal shunamite , and those other charitable t women in the new testament : phebe rom. 16. 12. mary , ver. 6. and dorcas , acts 9. 36. of the u modestly adorned holy women of old ; of that private instructrix , w priscilla the tent-maker , together with tryphena and tryphosa , rom. 16. 12. lois and eunice , 2 tim. 1. 5. with 3. 15. of that repentant sinner , luke 7. 37. that importunately bold believing syrophoenician , mark 7. 24 , 25 , &c. and of the x loving and beloved martha and mary . and for the same reason did the ancients and others record and celebrate women of special note in all ages ; as may be seen in the writings of y those who have thought it worth the while to draw them together under one view : yea , and in this nation , z reverend divines have judged it expedient and useful to propose some women as patterns to others ; not as if they were the only eminent , ( for many dye , and their excellency goes away without any regarding it ) but that in such a scarcity all may not be lost ; for though holy women in educating their children , and governing their family , may yield a sweet favour to those about them ; yet the lives ( as mr. * manton hath well observed ) of gods precious saints ( how private soever their station be ) are very well worthy of record and publick notice , exhibiting not only a pattern and lively transcript of religion , ( and truly now and then 't is good to look upon christs living epistles ) but also of much provocation and encouragement to holinesse . therefore it is also judged convenient to represent briefly , plainly and truly , the latter part of the life , and the deservedly lamented death of this , though not generally known , yet eminent gentlewoman , mrs. mary bewley ; and that not so much out of private affection to her , ( an object of purest and choicest love ) or to preserve her memory , together with her sons among us , ( for to whom of their relations , will they not a always smell fragrantly ? ) but chiefly to illustrate the glory of god , and to edifie the living ; especially her kindred , friends and acquaintance , yea , so many of her sex as shall find leisure to read his short narrative , in which they may finde some things worthy of imitation , observation and caution , and that both in her life , prosperous and afflicted , and in her sicknesse and death . her life , not to insist on her modest and holy deportment while a b virgin ; it sufficeth for a proof hereof , that she was much esteemed by doctor stoughton , and by him c recommended to her now desolate husband , as a godly and meet consort for him : and that in her latter years it was a ground of fear to her , that she could not remember the time and manner of her conversion ; though she had the testimony of her conscience , that through the whole course of her pilgrimage she had loved and feared god , and had walked in all holy duties before him ; a scruple sufficient to trouble a tender soul , but abundantly answered d from the holy scriptures in the writings and sermons of our english divines : take therefore a prospect and view of her as a woman ; in all her relations , in her holinesse , and in her behaviour under her late affliction ; she was then , a gentlewoman docile , of quick apprehension , not like those silly women , who are ever learning , and still ignorant ; she hath been observed to dispute with her son syllogistically , and to enlarge her discourse with him by the help of the predicaments , and to reply upon him in witty extemporary verse ; she had a good understanding , and solid judgment , could both give ( as sundry have experimented ) and take counsel ; she was prudent in her behaviour , far from lightnesse or morosity , but stately affable ; e she was no tatler , no continual dropping , but opened her mouth with wisdome , and shut it with discretion , both when and where her judgment prompted her ; she delighted not to tyre her hearers with an impertinent flux of words , or to f reveal those secrets which were committed to her , but had a faithful spirit ; and needed no seal for her lips to keep her self from shaeme , and others from trouble ; and yet to give her her due , as a woman she was too much over-ruled with love and sorrow , care and fear about her near relations . in all her relations ; as , a childe . g her fathers darling while he lived , and her mothers delight since his death , alwayes loving and * dutiful to her , both in her behaviour , words and actions ; who though she was eldest of all her mothers children , yet was most h obedient to her ; comforting , cherishing and entertaining her , with her self , in her own home ; and when she died , i recommended her in a special manner to her husband ; so that now the reverend good mother , laments for her daughter as her eminently gracious childe , and one that never offended her , but fought god betimes . a wife . known to be surpassing kind and loving to her husband , solicitous for k his health , neglecting her own for to take care of his ; l a wise manager of what part of his estate he committed to her : so that his heart trusted safely in her ; for she did him good , and not evil , all the dayes of her life ; counselling and assisting him both by pen and tongue ; yea , with abigail , sometimes m seasonably and discreetly admonishing him ; comforting and chearing him up , for the law of kindnesse was in her mouth ; keeping in her grief before him , though to her own prejudice , lest he should be grieved ; wisely compliant with his will , and that in some things wherein many wives will have their will ; loyal to him , n delighting most in his company , and never taking pleasure to walk abroad without him ; being to him as the loving hinde and pleasant roe ; for all which her husband praised her , all commended her , and some imitate her . a mother . who her own self o instructed her only son to read even his accidents , and like another p eunice , to know the scriptures from a childe ; framing and propounding such questions to him , as made him give a good account of the chief histories in the bible , she was in pain till she saw christ formed in him ; prayed daily for him , followed him with her wholesome counsel and wise reproofs , not conniving at the least imperfection or appearance of evil in him ; ambitious to have him eminent and useful in that employment which he intended , often perswading him to be diligent , and therefore setting before him the deteltablenesse of the life of an idle gentleman . what her true love to him was , and that though it was great , yet not foolish and sinful , may appear by this following letter , written to him foure months before his death . dearly beloved childe , i rejoyce exceedingly to hear of the welfare of thy body , and that thy outward man prospers ; but the q flourishing of thy inward man , and the prosperity of thy soul , thy thriving in grace , how much this will adde both to the inward joy and outward contentment of her that bare thee , i want both time and words to expresse ? and as god in his wise providence hath seen it good to give me but one to build my hopes upon , i hope the lord jesus hath both purchased and pray'd that this one r may be one with himself , which ever hath been , and i hope shall be the prayer of thy most affectionate and endeared mother . as also this passage in a letter of hers to his friend . sir , one request more in the behalf of my childe , to beg your earnest prayers that what you have endeavoured s to plant , god would water with the heavenly dew of his spirit , that his soul may flourish , and you see of the travel of yours and be satisfied . and for this , her son most ardently loved her , most dutifully obeyed her , and arose up and blessed her : yet herein was she to be blamed , that she was over-careful about him while he liv'd , and over-sorrowful when he dyed . a sister , ] who as she had got the first-borns portion of parts , ( as her son used to speak ) so she did faithfully improve them for the good of her brethren and sisters , being a stay and support to them all , advising them by word and letter , admonishing , and mildly reproving when need required ; keeping them in the house with her , while unmarried , and together with her husband , ( who is and hath engaged himself still to be kinde to all her relations ) disposing of them in marriage ; setting them a copy of obedience to their mother , love to their husbands , and of piety toward god , so that every one of them in particular are sensible of her death , before which also she expressed her love to them , in recommending them to her husband . a governess of family ] t that look't well to the wayes of her house , and that chiefly out of conscience , often complaining that her houshold encumbrances required so many of her thoughts , and so much of her time ; her delight was to abide at home , not spending her time on needlesse and complemental visits , or in going about from house to house , being modest and reserved ; the most of her converse being with her relations , and some few friends ; which made her liable to be censured by some as proud , and loving to keep at distance , from which she was free in a good measure . a friend that w stuck closer than a brother , that lov'd at all times , especially when most need of her help , that loved not in word and in tongue only , but in deed and in truth ; a friend courteous , sincere , affable , grateful , intimate , and another jonathan to a david in her life and death ; and therefore may her friend weep over her as david did for jonathan , 2 sam. 1. 25. her holinesse did appear in her x conversation ] which was blamelesse and harmlesse , she being of a meek and quiet spirit , adorning her self as a woman professing godliness , not exceeding her husbands ranck , and professing that if it had not been for her husbands credit , ( men now adayes being judged penurious if their dames go not fine ) she would not have put on some of her apparel ; and was so far from y priding her self in her cloaths , that she was often heard to say , what a burden and expence of time is this dressing and undressing ? how hard is it to distinguish women professing godlinesse , from the profane , by their outward garb ! the fault is acknowledged , but how few reforme it ? in her delight in the word preached ] for she had an high esteem of , and special love to scriptural preaching , and to those sermons which by clear , full and pertinent scripture-light , not only moved her affections , ( wherewith most women are satisfied ) but solidly setled her judgment , increased her knowledge , and raised her soul . she heard with a z berean spirit , and lydias heart ; did faithfully retain , and promptly repeat what she thus heard , and conscionably practise what she thus embraced . sometime she refrained from writing in the church , that she might exercise her memory , and be the more affected with what she heard , which after she came home she committed to writing . in her great reverence and due respect to that great ordinance of the lords supper , through godly jealousie a fearing to approach it , and solemnly preparing for it ; and was hardly perswaded to go to it , the sabbath day before she sickned , for fear lest her sorrow had indisposed , and made her actually for the present unfit to partake of it ; and yet said she , why should i not go and remember the death of the sonne of god , seeing i so sadly remember the death of my own sonne ? and this it may be shall be the last i go to . and such was her esteem of this ordinance , and such her tendernesse of spirit , that it troubled her in her sicknesse that she had been prevailed with to receive , though at length by the discourse of a reverend divine she was satisfied ; and this may be a warning to all rash intruder 's on , and undue preparers for that ordinance . in her care to sanctifie the lords day , which she b remembred the night before it came , and accordingly prepared for it ; and when it came she sanctified it throughout ; for besides publick and family duties , she used to retire oftner that day than on any other day ; sometimes neglecting to eat that she might gain the more time to be private , either repeating what she heard that day , or questioning with her son about what he had read and heard ; choosing rather to keep silence at table , than speak what was not c sutable to the day ; and did not curtilate the day by lying too long in the morning , or going too soon to bed at night ; d or being wearied with it . in the joy she took in spiritual conference , and the e communion of saints ; delighting to hear of the experiences of others , and f freely communicating her own to those in whom she confided , often g asking direction how to read the scripture with most advantage , and how to walk comfortably with god ; often speaking of the love of god and christ with tears in her eyes , and joy in her countenance ; bewailing her not walking up to her knowledge , and the wandring of her thoughts in duty ; talking with an holy disdain of the vanities of this life , and of the excellency of that to come ; evidencing in her christian conferences , knowledge of divine things in a scritural straine , with holy affections . in her valuing much christians h watching one over another , and therefore she could receive i an admonition ( even for that in which she was most faulty , her distrustful fears and over-much passion ) with meeknesse , thankfulnesse and reformation , evident to beholders ; and professed often that free and faithful admonition , was a most real k token and endearment of love : and she also manifested her love to others in this kinde , yet with much wisdome , as suting her words , and timing the admonition so , that the offender without shame hath known his fault , and admired her masculine prudence ; and yet even in this she hath bewailed her sinful bashfulnesse , that when in the company of other gentlewomen , she hath not had the confidence to interrupt their poor , low discourse , and bring in more profitable and edifying . and indeed women professing godlinesse should spend their time better when they meet , rather discoursing of jesus christ , and the robe of his righteousnesse , than censuring , praising or dispraising such a person , or such a garb ; and should study how to remedy their own folly , than fo●lishly talk of the folly of others . and as thus she manifested her piety and walking with god in these publick ordinances , and private duties , so also in secret ( where there is lesse temptation to hypocrisie ) she kept up communion with god . in her closet duties . ] she was observed to be l frequent ( not satisfying her self with morning and evening ) every day in her closet , and hath professed that she found greatest satisfaction when most there ; and therefore was thought to neglect that sometime , which busie m house-wives keep a stir about ; her weeping red eyes have manifested her ardent holy prayers : n she was careful to know to whom to direct her prayers , that she might not worship an unknown god ; and after prayer she look't up for an answer , and with joy hath taken special notice of the return of her prayers , looking on that duty not as a task , but as her priviledge , and the way of keeping up intercourse with heaven : and so much and earnest was she in this duty , that she hath not hudled up or abbreviated her requests to god , upon the pretence of other businesses : hence it was no small trouble to her in her sicknesse , ( for the divel can molest us with small matters ) that in her health , one day begging hard something from god , one knocking at her closet door , she ( to avoid ostentation , and supposing earnest businesse ) broke off her discourse with the god of heaven , to speak with a fellow-creature ; ( for so she charg'd her self ) how may this shame the short superficial prayers of many , who are glad of distractions to satisfie their consciences in dispensing with closet-duties ! and as she thus poured out her soul before god , so she greatly delighted to read search , understand and meditate on the holy scriptures , in which ( for a woman ) she was mighty ; for she daily read , them , could not endure to read and not understand , and therefore often o propounded the difficult passages she understood not , and craved others judgments to assist her ; not neglecting her own p pondering and meditation , which she begun the last half year of her life to commit to writing , and which after much importunity she hath read to her husband and friend , to their great satisfaction ; for therein she discovered her gifts and graces , knowledge and affection , excellent matter , handsomely composed , and all in scripture-language , which being in short-hand writing can hardly be read , some of the characters being of her own invention ; but some of the scriptures which were the subject of her meditation , are these , psal. 73. 25 , 26. psal. 42. 11. ephes. 5. 14. heb. 9. 27. gal. 2. 20. psal. 77. 3. james 4. 6. she hath also left in writing a collection out of the psalmes . 1. of the troubles inward and outward of the righteous . 2. their good or bad deportment under them . 3. their present support by faith and experience . 4. and the issue , and their happy deliverance out of them . she begun also to draw forth all the commendable vertues and noted vices of the women recorded in scripture , that she might have the one for a pattern , the other for a beacon . also she intended , and did begin to read over the whole bible , that thence she might finde some mitigation of her sorrow by collecting all the presidents and promises which were sutable to her condition ; and sundry other manuscripts she hath left , which could they be read , might be proposed as a spurre to gentlewomen , how to improve their much spare time . in her inward graces ] for the kings daughter is chiefly glorious within . she had not only leafes and blossomes , but had the seed of god abiding in her , and was filled with the fruits of the spirit . she had a godly fear and solicitude concerning the state of her soul , working out her salvation with fear and trembling , and giving all diligence to make her calling and election sure . she was blessed with a large measure of spiritual knowledge of god and christ , and the covenant of grace , and had good insight in the wayes of her own heart , and the vanity of the world . she had melting affections , sorrowing for sinne , and that she was not more heavenly and fruitful , fearing to sinne against god , serving him with reverence and godly fear : had an intense and prevailing love to the lord jesus christ , her heart leaping within her , to think on his love and undertaking , and to speak of his praises ; and of this love of god in christ , ( which is wonderful ) she hath left a meditation , as by some words may be conjectured , but cannot all be read : and hence her love flowed out to the saints , ( those excellent in the earth , in whom was her delight ) without respect of persons , doing very mean offices to some of them : and of this love of the saints , she hath left in italian hand , this meditation following ; this christian and well-grounded love , as it is a fruit of the spirtt , for love is of god ; and as it proceeds from him , so is it injoyned by him ; this is my commandment that ye love one another ; nay , he stiles it a new commandment : it is not so much a legal , as evangelical commandment , backed with a most transcendent pattern , i have given you an example ; and hereby perceive we the love of god , that he laid down his life for us ; yea , it bears the similitude of god , for god is love ; and though its residence be in heaven , yet it hath an habitation in and with the sonnes of men ; for he that dwells in love , dwells in god , and god in him ; and when christians walk in this praise-worthy palace , then do they behold most of god . this love then is sincere , fervent , pure , serviceable , constant ; and under the mantle thereof lie , teaching , free admonition , meekness , kindnesse , faith , and with this garment a multitude of sinnes are covered . she had zeal for god , witnesse her not sparing her dear sonne , but reproving him for the least arising of the least evil in him ; and hath been heard to say , that she would not care for the enjoyment of him , if she had not seen something of god , and a tender conscience in him . she was humble , though naturally of a high spirit ; often concealed her parts , and preferred others in love , neither provoking nor envying others , nor thinking her self to be something when she was nothing ; and of this grace of humility , take this her own meditation written at large ; humility is a rare and singular grace , doth admirably adorn a christian ; for if wisdome make the face to shine , then with the lowly there is wisdome ; it is like the gold and enamel about the precious diamond , sets it off with a magnificent lustre ; it hath the promise of addition ; an humble soul is an habitation for a holy god ; and the creator delights to dwell with the humble creature , and the redeemer will save the humble person ; for he humbled himself that sinners may be exalted ; and if they humble themselves , he hath promised to exalt them ; for honour shall uphold the humble in spirit ; as pride is an harbinger to destruction , so humility is a conduct to honour ; great are the in-comes of an humble soul , riches , honour and life ; and excellent their priviledges ; for the lord hears the desire of the humble , and forgets not their cry ; they shall be taught the way of god , and guided by him in judgment ; for the lord hath respect to the lowly , and he lifteth up the meek , and they shall inherit the earth ; good tydings shall be preached to them , and they shall increase their joy among men ; for the lord will beautifie them with salvation ; therefore who would not be cloathed with that shining garment of humility ? according to the ability of a wife , she was not wanting in almes-deeds , * prompting and encouraging her husband to lay out some of his estate on pious uses , ( especially since the death of her sonne ) and perswading him not so much to look after an heir to keep up his name , as to do something that might cause the blessing of the poor to come upon him . she often professed that if she had more children , she would never be so saving and sparing to lay up for them , but would liberally do good ; for god ( said she ) hath taught us the vanity of disquieting our selves in laying up riches , now not knowing whether he shall be a wise man or a fool that shall enjoy them . let good women remember that all this is for their imitation . now to proceed to the last thing in her life . her behaviour under her late tryal and affliction ] her sharp tryal and stinging affliction indeed , was the death of her only sonne , eighteen years old , who on the ninth of december last , after eight dayes sicknesse dyed of the small pox ; suddenly unlook't for by her , ( being put in hopes by those who had more skill in that disease than her self , that there was no apparent danger ) and she a spectator of the assaults of death . what parent is not filled with sorrow for the losse of one son ? even a prince that prevailed with god , yet cannot overcome his sorrow , for the absence of one joseph , though more than ten sons rose up to comfort him ; did not christs bowels yearn toward that weeping mother who had lost her only childe ? luke 7. 12. and doth not the scripture hold it forth to be the greatest of sorrows , jer. 6. 26. amos 8. 10. zech. 12. 10. if naomi change her name into marah , ruth 1. 20. for such a losse ; if that noble and good shunamites soul be vexed in her , 2 kings 4. 20 , 27. for her lads death ; and if rachel weep for her children , and won't be comforted , because they are not , matth. 2. 18. if a gallant king david lie in the dust for a new-born childe , 2 sam. 12. 16. and womanishly lament for his rebellious sonne , 2 sam. 18. 33. what indulgence , pity and compassion must be shewed to this gentlewoman , who lost her childe , her only childe , her sonne , her only sonne , at such an age in such a way , the sonne of her vowes , of her prayers , of her cares , the object of her love , her hope and expectation ; a loving , obedient , industrious , ingenious , holy son ; ( as was in the w●rds of truth and soberness represented in his funeral sermon by the reverend mr. clarke ) not any more to converse with him in the land of the living , or see his face any more ; put but your soul in her souls stead , ( as she used to say ) and then blame her if you can . this losse indeed struck her to the heart , so that she wanted tears to express her grief ; and though her passion rose high , yet had she no such impatient expressions as even good men and women have let go from them ; for these following were her sharpest , the day and night after her sons death ; o is he gone ! shall i see him no more ! a pleasant childe , o my sonne , my sonne , of whom i was not worthy , whom i have sinned away with my cares and fears ! a bitter potion , a a bitter potion ; but it s my god , my father that hath done it ! o what have i done that hath procured this ? i must be some great sinner , ( but here she stop't , when she remembred dr. spurstowe and mr. ash , who had lost their only sons ) o god , tell me why thou hast thus smitten me ? could no other rod but this do me good ? not my will , but thine be done , wise and just god ? would you have thought ( said she to standers by ) that i had lov'd a creature so much ? i have had a deceitful heart , i am sure i did not love him better than christ ; for i have abhorred the least sin in him , and would not commit the least sin to have him alive again . oh that i had been worthy to have known this his so sudden departure ; how should i have conversed with him these months past ; what spiritual and heavenly discourses should we have had : and how should i have ripened him for heaven ! but now he is gone ; and must it be so ? o god make me submissive to thy will : o stubborn heart yield , yield , o god bring down this stubborn heart ; pray tell me ( said she to a friend ) if i speak unadvisedly with my lips ; my grief is great , lord keep me from dishonouring him . and as thus she entertained the affliction at the first , so her heavinesse till the seventeenth of january ( the night of her sicknesse ) was continual , seldome did abate , except when she had been at prayer alone , or reading the scripture , or hearing some comforts administred to her , which in her judgment she closed with , but could not becalme her passions by them . some scriptures brought her ease by holding forth her condition , as psalmes 38. 102. 77. 88. job 1. 2. and 3. chapt. job 6. 2 , 3. 7. 3 , 4. job 10. 15. 19. 21. the consideration of holy men , their sad afflictions , and distemper of spirit under them , did keep her from thinking too badly of her self . other scriptures quieted her spirit sometimes , as holding forth arguments for submission and patience , as rom. 9. 20. job 11. 6 , 7. 12. 14. 13. 15 , 16. 33. 13. 34. 13 , 14 , 15 , 29 , 33. psal. 46. 10. dan. 4. 35. psal. 55. 22. nahum from ver. 1. to 10. rom. 11. 34. isa. 40. 13 , 14. matth. 26. 42. jer. 44. 28. lev. 26. 41 , 42. lam. 3. 29. 30. jer. 18. 1 , 6. job 23. 13. 9. 4. 38. 2. nehem. 9. 33. ezek. 18. 25. exod. 3. 17. judg. 10. 16. and these examples in lev. 10. 3. 1 sam. 3. 17. 2 sam. 12. 26. gen. 23. 2 , 3. isa. 39. 7 , 8. and other scriptures diverted her thoughts for the time , as col. 1. heb. 12. john 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. chapt. 1 pet. 1. rom. 5. 1 , 12. rom. 8. chap. mat. 11. 25. to the end . rev. 1. 4 , 9. the 2. and 3. chapters of the revelations , and chap. 5. from 9. to the end ; and chap. 7. from the 13. to the end ; and the 22. 17 , 20. 1 joh. 1. & 2. and the history of christs passion recorded in the foure evangelists ; ( which also she usually read and meditated on before she went to the sacrament ) and truly , a lively discourse of jesus christ did more quiet her , than direct storming her passion ; for then she could shed tears , and then she could chide her self for so much grieving for a creature , and then forbear to speak of her son : for either god or her son was the subject of her talk and thoughts . that wherein this holy woman failed , and for which her friends blamed her , ( which may be a warning to christian mothers ) was , she did not speedily and chearfully submit to the will of god , and acquiesce in his declared good pleasure ; bur pored too much on her sons death , and the small circumstances thereof , imputing his death one while to this , another while to that omission , and so did create more trouble to her self , by putting her thoughts on the rack ; and though in her judgment she condemned these her thoughts , and called them her burden , and wish't to be gone from them ; yet could she not withstand them : the subtle and cruel adversary no doubt play'd his game by his injections and phantasmes , which she suspected and bemoaned ; and indeed otherwise such an understanding woman could not have been pestered with such petty trivial thoughts . she lost appetite to her food , and sleep departed from her eyes , and by day she neither could nor would use any diversions , and took but too little comfort in the mercies god had left her ; was full of thoughts , and had few words , * all which made way for her sicknesse and death , which was a malignant feaver , and vapours of the mother , followed with convulsion fits : the last thing then to be spoken to , is , her sicknesse and death ; on the first assault of her sicknesse she apprehended death would follow , and that which she had more than once ( too hastily ) desired , would now in earnest make speed : therefore her first and greatest care was ( setting now aside all thoughts of her son ; for god will whip his own out of their sins ) to settle the affairs of her everlasting peace , and to secure all things 'twixt god and her soul : her nexr work was to review her five weeks carriage under her affliction , upon which she sorrowed most of all that she had not glorified god more in her suffering , that she , wearied of life , had been so thoughtful about her sons death , and that the consolations which were administred to her , had done her no more good , and that by neglect of her body and lawful diversions , she had made way for this her painful sickness : wherein she saw the vanity of her former anxiety concerning her sons death ; for those medicines which ( prudently ) were omitted to him , were administred to her self ; and did only help her to dye the more sensibly , and with the more pain : she exhorted others to learn by her example , to beware of setting their hearts on any creature , and that they would strive to glorifie god while they live , that they would redeem their time , and make their acquaintance and peace with god before they lye down on their death-bed . during her sicknesse , she had great bodily pain , ( so that she seldome slept ) and no small trouble of mind concerning her future estate , being assaulted in her weaknesse by that slie , roaring and cowardly divel , whom she overcame by the lamb of god ( in which expression she delighted ) that taketh away the sins of the world ; and though she complained for want of assurance , and the comfort that doth attend it , yet she did receive , look to , embrace and anchor her hope on christ , and durst appeal from satan unto god , that she had lov'd him with all her heart , and had endeavoured ( through much weaknesse said she ) to walk before him in righteousness and holiness , and that she had prized his favour before life , and would not adventure on the least sinne for all imaginable contentment ; she satisfied her self in the satisfaction of christ , and in that he was a merciful and faithful high priest , that came to destroy the works of the divel . and if in the height of her bodily distemper , ( the vapours fuming up to her head ) she spake any thing amisse of her self ( which is no * new thing , and its better to go out of the world , troubled , than lulled by satan ; in a holy sollicitude , than in a carnal security ) she afterward remembred and bemoaned it ; and acknowledged that god was a holy and just soveraign , in letting her finde he had sharper rods for his people than the death of a sonne , and that it is folly to stand it out against god . all sabbath night she put away sleep , and prepared to launch into that boundlesse ocean , eternity ; and therefore proposed all her objections , fears and doubts , that she might have resolution ; laid open the temptations of the divel , that she might know how to repel them ; and freely confessed all her sinnes , ( in some of which most live without taking much notice of them ) which her tender conscience aggravated to the full ; and when she could not remember any moe , she begg'd a friend to help her in this her search , and when he could not , then she turned her speech to god , saying , o thou god search me , and try me , and let me not dye in one unrepented for sin , let me not deceive my self , o gracious god what shall i do ? i will anchor my faith on jesus , who hath been favourable to others , and why not to me ? she prayed earnestly for pardon of sinne , and that she might have her soul for a prey : and of this she expressed her hope , hoping that she had all her hell in this life , ( meaning that nights agony ) and that notwithstanding all her fears , she should go to heaven , comforting her self in the remembrance of a most holy upright old disciple , who had gone to heaven without assurance ; ( what a joy doth she now finde in being delivered from all her fears , and how greatly doth it set off heaven , to travel to it through the suburbs of hell ! ) and now all her doubts and temptations being answered , and she silenc't , she did rest all monday satisfied in great calmnesse of minde , giving directions concerning her body after death , and other affairs , and was not heard after that nights conflict , to speak doubtfully or fearfully of her eternal salvation . about seven of the clock at night , finding her convulsion fit to seize on her , she desired one to pray with her , and after being asked if she heard , and had joyned in spirit ? answered yea ; and i thank god i have delighted in prayer . one desiring her to speak something of jesus christ , she knowingly and affectionately spake of his natures and offices ; and afterward taking a draught of cordial jullep , she paused , and shut her eyes , ( as she was wont to do ) to beg a blessing on it , and being asked her thoughts , answered feelingly , giving thanks unto the father who hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light . and so the convulsion fit encreasing , and the pangs of death catching hold of her , and she talking a little of her dear sonne and husband , betwixt one and two of the clock became speechlesse , and then one asking her whether her thoughts were not now on god and christ , she lifted up her eyes and hands , and offered to speak , but could not , and so slept quietly in the lord , the first of february , 1658 / 9. and the thirty sixth year of her age ; the seventh week after her sons death , and was with honour laid in the same grave with him : mr. ley preaching her funeral sermon . and thus this true relation is left to the application of every tender-hearted mother , and wise woman . may it prove serviceable to those ends , for which this precious gentlewoman only desired life , even to publish the sovereignty , wisdome , equity , power and love of her god : who though when she died , desired that nothing might be spoken at her funeral , ( such was her self-denial ) and though now she be incessantly night and day praising , adoring , and admiring god without imperfection ; yet if she have any leisure to look off jesus christ , and have any knowledge of what is done here below ; it will satisfie her greatly that god is glorified by her memory on earth , in stirring up women to imitate what was praise-worthy in her , and in warning them to moderate their love , fear and sorrow , and to pitch their affections on never fading objects . he that testifyeth these things , knoweth that he saith true , and would not willingly ( through grace ) make a lye , to uphold the reputation , or preserve the lives of the best , and most deserving women in the world . on her tomb-stone . inclosed here , in love do lie together ; benoni , marah ; th' only son and mother : who in their lives , lovely and pleasant were ; in death and grave they undivided are . errata . page 2. marg. for institutionae and institutione . for bezerliuck . r. beyerlinck . mr. clarkes sermon at the funeral of the only son of this gentlewoman , ( wherein is a short narrative of his life ) is sold by george calvert at the half-moon in pauls church-yard , near the little north-door . finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a87320e-430 a prov. 31. 10. b 1 king. 11. 3. c eccl. 7. 27 , 28 d prov. 31. 1. e prov. 18. 22. f prov. 12. 4. g prov. 31. 28 , 29 , 30 , 31. h act. 9. 36 , 39. gen. 23 ▪ 2. i gen. 35. 20 , 48 , 7. mat. 26. 12 , 13. luke 1. 48. k 1 pet. 3. 6. . l 1 sam. 25. m 2 sam. 20. ●2 n esther 4. 10. o 1 sam 1 , ch. 2. luke 1. p luk. 1 , ch. 2. q luke 2. 38. r acts 16. 14. s 2 kings 4. 10 t luke 8. 2 , 3. 21. 2. u 1 pet. 3. 5. gen. 24. 65. w act. 18. 23 , 26 rom. 16 3. x luk. 10. 38. john 11. 5. y ludovicus vides de institutionae christiana foeminae . englished anno 1547. cornelius agrippa ▪ de nobilitate & praecellentia foeminei sexus : in english also theatrum vita humanae ▪ bezerliuck . vol. 8 lib m. zwingeri . theatrum vitae humana . the general history of women , by heywod . mr. clarks examples , and second vol. of lives . the womans glory by mr. torshel . the english gentlewoman by mr. braithwait . opera annae mariae aschurman . and who list may see more in draudii bibliotheca tit. mulierum commendationes historic●● ; & t●t . vita heroinarum . the ladies vindication by mr. gerbier . z mrs. br●●●●rghs life and death subjoyned to the two funeral sermons preached at her burial , by mr. harrison , and mr. leigh . the holy life and christian death of mrs. stubs : two funeral sermons of mr gataker ; the one at the funeral of mrs. rebecca crisp ; the other at the funeral of dr. featlies wife . mr. nicholas guy , his narration of the life and death of dr. gouges wife . dr. doune , d. of saint pauls , sermon of commemoration of the lady danvers . mrs. drake revived , shewing her strange case and cure ; printed , 1647. mr. josselin at the funeral of mrs. harlakendin . the life and death of mrs ratcliffe of chester , by mr. ley one of the assembly . mr. robinsons sermon at mrs. barnidistons funeral . mr. mantons , at mrs. blackwels . dr. spurstows at the lady honor viners . mr. calamies at mrs. moors . mr. roberts at mrs. jacksons of bristol . mr. shawes narrative of his wifes life and death , recommended to the reader by the epistles of mr. manton , mr. heath-coat , mr. pool , and the consolatory verses of mr jenkin . mr. thomas goodwins sermon at the funeral of the lady barrington ; mr greenhill on ezekiel vol. first , his epistle dedicatory to the late princesse elizabeth . and the many epistles dedicatory to ladies and gentlewomen : * in his epistle before mrs. shawes l●●e . a prov. 10. 7. psal. 112 6. b 1 cor. 7. 34. 2 cor. 11. 2. gen. 24. 65. c rom. 16. 1. d eccl. 11. 5. & ps. 139. 15 , 16. with john 3. 8. mark 4. 26 , 27. luk. 15. 13. 17. with v. 31. e 1 tim. 5. 13. prov. 19. 3. 27. 15. prov. 31 26. eccles. 3. 7. f prov. 11. 13. 20. 19. 25. 9 , 10. g prov. 4. 3. * prov. 23. 22. ezek. 22. 7. h luke 2. 51. i john 19. 27. k job 19. 17. l 1 sam. 25. prov. 31. m 1 sam 25. 36 , 37. n see examples in lewis vives in english , gen. 20. 16. prov. 5. 19. o other examples see in the authours already cited . p 2 tim. 1. 5. with 3. 15. prov. 1. 8 , 31 , 1 , 2 , &c. q 2 cor. 4. 16. epist. 3. of joh. ver. 2. r joh. 17. 21. s 1 cor. 3. 7. isa. 53. 11. t prov. 31. 27. 1 tim. 5. 14. 1 cor. 7. 34. titus 2. 5. 1 tim. 5. 13. w pov. 18. 24. 17. 17. 1 joh. 3. 18. 1 sam. 18. 1. x phil. 2. 15. 1 pet. 3. 4. 1 tim. 2. 9 , 10. y jer. 2. 32. isa. 3. 18 , 19 , &c. z acts 17. 11 16. 14. luke 8. 15. jam. 1. 23 , 24 , 25. heb. 2. 1. a 1 cor. 11. 29. b exod. 20. 8. nehem. 12. 19 isa. 56. 4 , 5 , 6. c isa. 58. 13. d amos 8. 5. e rom. 1. 11 , 12 col. 3. 16. f psal. 66. 16. g acts 8. 34. h rom. 15. 14. gal. 6. 1. gen. 4. 9. i psal. 141. 5. prov. 27. 6. prov. 25. 12. 1 sam. 25. 32 , 33. k rev. 3. 19. read the conference betwixt elizabeth and the virgin mary . luke 1. l mat. 6. 6. dan. 6. 10. mark 1. 35. acts 10. 9. zach. 12. 12 , 13 1 cor. 7. 5. m luk. 10. 41 , 42. n ephes. 3. 14. psal. 5. 3. psal. 34. 3 , 4. o acts 8. 28 , 29 , &c. p ps. 1. & 119. psal. 45. 13. rom. 2 , 28 , 29 1 john 3. 9. gal. 5. 22. acts 16. 30. phil. 2. 12. 2 cor. 7. 10. heb. 12. 28. luke 7. 47. psal. 16. 3. 1 tim. 5. 10. gal. 5. 22. 1 john 4. 17. john 15. 12. john 13. 34. john 13. 15. 1 john 4. 16. 1 john 4 8 , 16 acts 2. 42 , 46. rom. 12. 9. 1 pet. 1. 22. heb. 6. 10. gal. 5. 13. heb. 13. 1. 1 pet. 3. 8. philem. 9. heb. 10. 24. 1 cor. 13. 1 pet. 4. 8. phil , 2. 3. gal. 5. 26. gal. 6 3. 1 pet. 3 4. eccles. 8. 1. with prov. 11. 2. 1 pet ▪ 5. 5. isa. 57. 15. job 22. 29. luke 23. 27. 14. 11. prov. 29. 23. prov. 16. 18. 15. 33. 18. 12. psal. 10. 17. 9. 12. 25. 9. psal. 138. 6. 147. 6. psal. 37. 11. isa. 61. 1. isa. 29. 19. psal. 149. 4. 1 pet. 5. 5. * 2 kings 4. 9 , 10. psal. 49. 11 , 12. job 29. 13. luke 16. 9. psal. 39. 6. eccles. 2. 18 , 19 hosea 12. 3. gen. 32. 28. with gen. 37. 34 , 35. let us in time improve one anothers society ; for here we have no abiding , joh. 9..4 . * dr. reynolds treatise of the passions , chap. 22. of sorrow . charron of wisdome chap. 31. of heavinesse of heart . john 1. 29. john 1. 12. 3. 14. heb. 11. 13. heb. 6. 19 , 20. mat. 22. 37. acts 11. 23. luke 1. 75. psal. 63. 3. phil. 33. heb. 2. 17. 1 john 3. 8. * see psal. 22. 38. 77. 88. job . isa. 49. 14. mat. 27. 46. perkins vol. 1. page 290. 491. 492. vol. 3. pag. 407. greenham , page 9. 81. mrs. bretterghs life , and her funeral sermons , in 8. mr. boltons instructions for troubled consetences . p. 232. 236 , &c. dr. spurstowe on the promises , chap. 15. mr. trench . col. 1. 12. gen. 35. 18. ruth 1. 20 , 21. 2 sam. 1. 23. healths grand preservative: or the womens best doctor a treatise, shewing the nature and operation of brandy, rumm, rack, and other distilled spirits, and the ill consequences of mens, but especially of womens drinking such pernicious liquors and smoaking tobacco. as likewise, of the immoderate eating of flesh without a due observation of time, or nature of the creature which hath proved very destructive to the health of many. together, with a rational discourse of the excellency of herbs, highly approved of by our ancestors in former times. and the reasons why men now so much desire the flesh more than other food. a work highly fit to be persued and observed by all that love their health, and particularly necessary to the female sex, on whose good or ill constitution the health and strength, or sickness and weakness of all [cropped]sterity does in a more especial manner depend. by tho. tryon. tryon, thomas, 1634-1703. 1682 approx. 58 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 13 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2003-07 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a63797 wing t3182 estc r219417 99830891 99830891 35353 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a63797) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 35353) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 2083:32) healths grand preservative: or the womens best doctor a treatise, shewing the nature and operation of brandy, rumm, rack, and other distilled spirits, and the ill consequences of mens, but especially of womens drinking such pernicious liquors and smoaking tobacco. as likewise, of the immoderate eating of flesh without a due observation of time, or nature of the creature which hath proved very destructive to the health of many. together, with a rational discourse of the excellency of herbs, highly approved of by our ancestors in former times. and the reasons why men now so much desire the flesh more than other food. a work highly fit to be persued and observed by all that love their health, and particularly necessary to the female sex, on whose good or ill constitution the health and strength, or sickness and weakness of all [cropped]sterity does in a more especial manner depend. by tho. tryon. tryon, thomas, 1634-1703. [2], 26, [2] p. printed for the author, and are to be sold by lang[ley] curtis near fleet-bridge, london : 1682. copy cropped at head, fore-edge, and tightly bound, affecting text. reproduction of the original in the british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng health promotion -early works to 1800. women -health -early works to 1800. alcohol -physiological effect -early works to 1800. 2003-02 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2003-03 aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images 2003-04 jennifer kietzman sampled and proofread 2003-04 jennifer kietzman text and markup reviewed and edited 2003-06 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion healths grand preservative : or the womens best doctor . a treatise , shewing the nature and operation of brandy , rumm , rack , and other distilled spirits , and the ill consequences of mens , but especially of womens drinking such pernicious liquors and smoaking tobacco . as likewise , of the immoderate eating of flesh without a due observation of time , or nature of the creature which hath proved very destructive to the health of many . together , with a rational discourse of the excellency of herbs , highly approved of by our ancestors 〈◊〉 former times . and the reasons why men now so much desire flesh more than other food . a work highly fit to be perused and observed by all that love their health , and particularly necessary to the female sex , on whose good or ill constitution the health and strength , or sickness and weakness of all posterity does in a more especial manner depend . by tho. tryon . london , printed for the author , and are to be sold by lang curtis near fleet-bridge , 1682. healths grand preservative : or the womens best doctor , &c. chap. i. of the nature and operation of brandy , rumm , and rack , which of late years are become as common drinks amongst many as beer and ale , not only in england , but also in all the west-indies where the english inhabit , and of the evil consequences that do attend the drinkers thereof . brandy , r●mm , rack , and other distilled spirits , are all very per●icious and hurtful to the health of the body , if not sparingly taken on extraordinary occasions in a physi●●● way ; for the intention of all such chymical preparations , when first inr●●ted , was for medicinal uses , and not to be used as common drink , as of late years indiscre●tly they are , to the destruction of many thousands , the frequent use of them contracting such 〈◊〉 and stubbo●n d●seases , as for the most part are incurable . 1. all such spirits as are drawn by common distilla●●● , through those cruel sulphuro●s fires , where the air hath not its free egress and regress , their 〈…〉 har●h fiery spirit or brandy . the same you shall have if you distil sugar , only it yields a stronger spirit , for the more bal●amick the body of any thing is , the stronger and fiercer is its spirit , when that balsamick body and the pure volatile spirits are destroyed or seperated from it . now here you will see , that the volatile spirit and 〈◊〉 cordial 〈◊〉 or body , both in the sack and also in the sugar , are destroyed , and there doth remain , as is said before , only a fierce harsh brimstony spirit , void of all the wholesome qualities sack and sugar did contain ; for the volatile spirit or tincture is the essential life of every thing , and its the maintainer of its colour , smell , and t●st . now these pure spirits will not endure any violent heat or harsh fire , but through the fiery heat , and want of the free egress and regress of the air , they presently become suff●cated , and then the sweet balsamick body is turned sour ; for this sweet balsamick body is the pleasant habitation of the volatile spirit , and this pure spirit is the true life of that balsamick body ; they are inseperable companions , the one cannot subsist without the other ; destroy either , and both dye . therefore all such spirits so drawn , do loose their balsamick body with all their cordial vertues and tinctures , put what herbs or li●u●rs you will into such furnaces , they are presently p●●ndeted of their natural colour , and run off white , whereby it appears , that this common way of distillation destroys the pure natural vertues and tincture , for from the tincture proceeds all the variety of colours , both in vegetables , minerals , and annimals , so that such spirits do only contain a harsh fier●e fiery nature , and for that reason , if they be frequently drink , do ●rey upon the natural heat , and by degrees weaken it , destroying the very life of nature , by way of simile ; for every like works upon its likeness , whence it comes to pass , that in those who addict themselves to the drinking of these high fiery or brimstony spirits , their natural heat grows cold and feeble , and their appetites are weakened , they destroying the power of the digestive faculty of the stomach , so that many such people after eating are forced to drink a dram to help concoction ; all other drinks proving too cold for them , which constrains them to continue ●ooping of such liquor ; a sad remedy , when we go about to help a mischief by encreasing the application of the same ill means which first occasioned it● for these wrathful spirits have awakened the central heat , which is the root of nature , that ought not to have been awakened or kindled , for if the central heat be stired up by any unnatural meats or drinks , or other violence done to nature , then presently follows the consumption of the radical moisture , and the pure spirits and lively tinctures become suffocated , wherein consists the essential life of nature . and as in the before mentioned example , the pure spirit and balsamick body in sack will not indure those cruel harsh sulphurous fires , where the air hath not its free influence , but presently becomes suffocated or destroyed , and the most pleasant sweetness thereof turned into a stink , so neither will the radical spirits and pure oyl in the body , endure those sulphurous flames , and fierce spirits , without sustaining the like prejudice ; for that pure vertue or essential principal , which the lord in the creation endued every thing with , ( which is the true life thereof , ) will not endure any violent motion or harsh fire to touch them ; especially if the circulation of the air be wanting , as it is in all such distillations , for these spirits are so pure and subtle , that when any injury is offered to them , they either evaporate or become suffocated ; for this essential powder or pure life , is the moderator or friendly quality in all minerals , vegetables and animals , which doth mix and qualify the harsh fiery dark principal , and does allay and moderate the cruel harsh nature of the dark-fire , as does plainly appear in all the forementioned liquors , and also in charcoal , for before the sack or any balsamick liquor , was put into the still and drawn off , those very same fiery harsh sulphurous spirits were essentially in the wine , or whatever else it be , for it is the root of nature , and the original to every life , but being mixed or incorporated with the balsamick body and pure spirit , the fiery fierce sulphurous spirit is thereby swallowed up , and as it were hid and moderated ; for in what thing soever the pure balsamick body is predominant , there this dark furious spirit is hid or captivated ; an example whereof we have in sugar , where when the sweet balsamick body is potent , there also this fiery sulphurous spirit is strong , but not manifest ; but as soon as this essential spirit and balsamick body are seperated or destroyed , this dark fiery brimstonie spirit appears in its own form , and becomes like a mad furious devil in nature , its cloathing being the dark-fire ; for this spirit hath lost its sweat water or friendly life in its seperation , which before did qualifie its harsh fierce fire , it also looseth its pure colour , or bright native shine , because the essential oyl is consumed , in that seperation , so that there doth remain no true life nor light in it , but being set on fire , its flame ●s of a 〈…〉 that the dark wrathful properties of sat●●● and mars , and their fierce fires are predominant in all such 〈◊〉 or spirits . this is further 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 , ( as was hinted before ) which is made of wood , but in the making thereof the pure oyl or sweet wat●r , which is the essential life of the wood , is suffocated or destroyed , for from that friendly quality , the wood had its bright shine or fl●●e , which is of a benevolent refreshing opperation● now this pure oyl or balsamick body , is the essential life and moderator of all harsh fiery dark fumes or qualitys in the wood , which being suffocated or totally destroyed in the making it , whereby the original dark sulphurous fire becomes strong and raging , giving greater and stronger heat than the fire of wood , but its flame is not bright , clear , and refreshing as that of wood , but it is of a dimn b●●●●ony colour , sending 〈◊〉 strong fulsome fumes and vapours very offesive to the pure spirits and health of those that are near it ; for having lo●t its pure spirits and oyl of life , in its making into charcoal , there does only remain in it , the fierce dark original fire , an untameable devou●ing spirit in nature ; for every quality in nature hath power only to kindle and awaken its likeness ; therefore all such things as have lost their pure spirits and balsamick body in the seperation or preparation ▪ must needs indanger the health , because they do awaken by simile their own , or like poysonous properties in the body ; and if it were not so , a little poyson taken into the body , would not destroy the life ; but poysons taken in , do by simile joyn or incorporate themselves with the internal poyson or destructive principal in the body , which before laid hid , or as a man may say , was moderated or captivated by the sweet body and pure spirits , even as the fiery spirits of brandy are in sack or sugar ; but so soon as the ou●ward poyson that is taken in , incorporates it self with the inward poyson in the body , it does so pow●●fully strengthen and awaken it , that in a moment it overcomes the pure oyl of l●fe , and the pure spirits become suffocated , and then the natural life is a● an end , for every property in nature ( both in the evil and also in the good ) does with highest dilligence see●● out its likeness , and wheresoever it findeth its simile , there it joy●s forces and 〈…〉 wel●are of the body . nor is it otherwise in all sorts of food and other drinks , if the pure vertue thereof be seperated or any way destroyed , for then forthwith the dark brimstony-spirit is set at liberty , which before the seperation , the ba●●amick body and pure spir●ts did qualify and hold captive , that it could not mannifest its-self in its own nature , but being seperated from the good properties and friendly principal , this dark fiery sulphurous spirit , becomes of a furious nature and operation , endeavouring to bring all in subjection to it self ; therefore such liquors or spirits frequently taken , b●●h up the radical moisture and natural heat , and are greedy devourers of the sweet oyl in the body , whence proceeds general obstructions , crude windy humours , consumptions , unna●ural heats and flushings , loss of appetite , retchings to vo●●it , and many other disorders ; and if those of the female sex take to drink such spirits , as of late years they do too frequently , the evils are doubled ●nto them . 2. in all the before mentioned spirits that have passed through those cruel harsh fires where the air hath not its free egress and regress , the pure spirit and sweet body is totally destroyed , which is the●root of motion and fermentation ; therefore such spirits will not work or ferment as all other drinks and liquors will , even water it self ; but you may put what quantity of sugar you will to brandy , rumm , or any other distilled spirits , they will continue a strong fire , void of motion or fermentation ; this doth further declare that all the good principals and ver●●es are destroyed by the preparation , and that there remains only a strong fixed fire , which has its uses in physick , as is mentioned before , but not otherwise . 3. such spirits being frequently drunk do generate various diseases , according to each mans nature and constitution , and the climate whether hot or cold , for they do powerfully prey upon the natural heat , consuming the sweet oyl and pur● spirits ; for the balsamick body and pure spirits of all such liquors being destroyed , in the preparation , they become an extre●● , which nature in its simplicity hates , and for this cause such liquors cannot administer any propper or agreeable nourishment to the body , or to the pure spirits , it cannot give that which it hath not , it hath only power to awaken the central heat o● fire , which ought not to have been kindled ; and this it doth by a simpathetical opperation , for all meats and drinks have power in the body to awaken and strengthen their likeness ; for this reason all wisemen skilled in the mysteries of nature have commended simple meats and drinks , because most such things are as it were equal in their parts , having no mannifest quality that does predominate violently over the other , but yet contains a sufficient nourishment for the body , and also for the spirit● for meats and drinks ought to be equal in their parts , the spirit ought not to be seperated from the body , nor the body from the spirit , but both ought to be administered together ; for the body without the spirit is of a gross heavy dull or dead nature , and the spirit without the body is too violent and fiery , but the health of mans body and mind , doth chiefly consist in the equal●ity of both ; do not all meats and drinks wherein any quality or property of nature is extream ( whether it be in vertue , or harmfulness ) if not sparingly taken , certainly discompose the harmony both of the body and mind ? for every quality bege●s its likeness , and so on the contrary , concord and harmony are maintain●d by their likenesses ; if there be not a sympathetical agreement between the stomach and the meats and drinks , both in quality and quantity , the unity and concord of the properties of nature are immediately broken , whence proceeds various diseases according to the degrees of the disorder . this every one ought to understand , or else they may unadvisedly lay heavier burdens than nature can bear ; for most diseases are generated through surplusage of nourishment . for unto weak heats there ought to be administred a proportionable food , but stronger heats will admit of stronger foods and greater quantity , which all persons might know , if they would but observe the opperation of their own natures ; for no health nor harmony can be continued where the parts do disagree amongst themselves . what harmony can the most skilful master of musick make , if the strings of his instrument be some too sharp , and others too flat ; even so it is in the elements of the body , and also in the mind . 4. for man is the most beautiful and perfectest of all gods creation , and his image , called by the antients , the lesser world ; for in him is contained the true nature and properties of all elements , numbers , weights , and measures , therefore man is both capable of , and liable to receive all impressions , and to be influ●nced by all things he communicates with , or joyns himself unto , as all sorts of meats , drinks , imployments , communications , and what ever else he suffers his will or desires to enter into , the same things have power r●●pectively to awaken their similes , therefore all 〈◊〉 are perilous to the health : if men and women were but sensible of the danger , and terrible diseases that are contracted by the frequent eating and drinking of those things that are unequal in themselves , as brandy , rumm and other spirituous drinks and high prepared foods , they would not so eagerly desire them . do not all or most that do accustome themselves to such things quickly spoil their healths ? nature is simple and innocent , and the simplicity thereof cannot be continued , but by sobriety and temperance in meats and drinks that are simple and harmless , which will not only gratify nature , but contribute both due and moyst nourishment , far beyond all lushions fat , compounded dishes of the richest food , and spirituous drinks , as it appears by many hundreds of poor people who are constrained by pure necessity , not by wisdome , to live for the most part on simple food and mean drinks , their labour hard , cloathing thin , open air , cold houses , small fires , hard beds , standing on earthen floors ; by all which means , they are not only preserv'd in better health , but also enabled to endure labour with more ease and pleasure , then the intemperately superfluous can lye a bed or sit by the fire . o then how excellent are the ways of temperance and sobriety ! they free the body from pain , and the mind from perturbations , sweetning all gods blessings , and giving the opportunity of time , which being well imployed , affords many benefits both to the body and mind ; for what advantage is it if a man possess the whole world , if his body be full of pain through intemperance , which for the most part no less affecteth and indisposeth the mind . 5. brandy , rumm and all strong spirituous drinks are far more dangerous in hot climates and countries then they are in cold , and do sooner there destroy the health , tho they be bad in both , except taken in a physical way ; i know this is contrary to the vulgar notion , but it is agreeable to truth , experience and reason ; for in hot climates the natural heat is not so strong by reason of the forcible influences of the sun , which do powerfully exhale the radical moisture , open the pores , and too violently evaporate the spirits by continual sweatings , which dulls the edge of the appetite , weakening the digestive faculty of the stomach , whereby the inclination to drink is encreased , for which reason many desire hot spiritual drinks , because they find a present refreshment , for all such drinks do powerfully awaken the internal spirits by simile , and make men quick , lively and brisk , during the ●●me of their opperation , which is but for a moment , afterwards they find themselves heavy , dull , and indisposed , and their stomach feeble , cold , and raw , which does intice all that do a●custome themselves to such drinks , to take a hair of the same dogg ( as their phrase is ) and so they drink more , and are conti●ually the more weakened , for all such fiery strong drinks do not only prey on the natural spirits , but also too violently do evaporate them . the very same opperation have all strong drinks , as wine and the like , if temperance be wanting , but not so violently as the former . therefore in hot climates there ought to be double the care and temperance in meats , drinks and exercises , as in cold ; of which the natives of most hot countrys might be our examples ; for they do for the most part live very temperately , their drink being generally water , or wine allay'd with water , their food mean , or more simple then ours , whereby they are better preserv'd in health ; for the constitutions of all people in hot climates are weaker , or at leastwise not so able to endure great meals of food , and superfluous drinking of strong drinks , as they are in cold . for cold countries make men hardy , strong , and able to endure intemperance , for which cause it is observed that most of the north●rn climates are very intemperate in drinking and eating , and in hott , they are the contrary . and therefore our english are much distemper'd and many dye when they travel into the west and east-indies , because they take wrong measures , continuing the same disorder and intemperance as they did in their own country , or rather encreasing it , which nature cannot bear without manifest prejudice . 6. it is to be noted that those that do acoustome themselves to the frequent drinking of the forementioned fiery spiritual drinks in all the plantations in the west-indies , and also the common eating of salt-fish and flesh , which are all great extreams , do thereby become very obnoxious to the dry belly-ache , or griping of the guts , dropsies and the gout , for all such food and drink does violently stir up and consume the natural heat and moisture , whereby the digestive faculty of the stomach is rendered unable to concoct or make any perfect seperation , either of the food or drink , which oppresses the whole body , whence are generated evil iuices that fall into the joynts , infeebling and torturing them , and this is the original of the gout in other comp●●●●ons , these disorders consumed the a●ry flesh of the bones , taking away their natural strength and vigour , so that they languish away by degrees , and these you call co●sumptions , in others for want of heat and moisture , the excrement in the bowels is contracted into so hard a substance , that it cannot pass , and there is hadly a medicine found that will cure it , this is that which the learned call the iliacal passion , and the vulgar , the plague in the guts , being one of the most tormenting diseases in the world. and in other bodies the central heat being wasted by such unfit meats and drinks , so that great part of the food turns into a flux of humours , both windy and watry , which swell the lower parts of the body , and this is the generation of your dropsies ; but as god is always good , and his hand-maid nature an indulgent mother , so they have as it were chalk'd out the means , and prescribed a diet whereby these diseases may be prevented , would men but be so wise as to observe and follow it ; for all hot climates do furnish the natives with wonderful variety and plenty of herbs and fruits , far exceeding cold countries therein , both in quantity and quality ; for in those hot regions , the sun hath greater power to prepare all such things : and if our english would but accustome their selves to such harmless natural simple foods and moderate drinks , the forementioned distempers would hardly be known . 7. it is also to be noted , and much to be pittied , that of late years many english women have betaken themselves to the drinking of brandy and other spirits , and have invented the black-cherry brandy which is in great esteem , so that she is no body that hath not a bottle of it stand at her ●lbow , or if ever so little qualm or disorder be on the stomack , or perhaps meerly fancied , then away to the brandy bottle ; so that when such people come to be sick , which most of them are very sub●●ct unto , the phisitians do not know what to administer , they having in their health used themselves to such high ●●ery drinks , that their cordials seem like water to them : besides , there are many fatal inconveniencies attend the female sex more than the male in drinking such drinks , most of which are not so proper to be publickly mentioned in this place , and therefore i shall forbear , but some i cannot but instance in ; and though perhaps some women too much addicted to the d●lights of the bottle , may be offended with me for telling them the truth , and endeavouring to wean them from the beloved dra●● , yet to do them good , i shall venture the hail-shot of their tongues , and hope they will in t●me grow so wise , as not to indulge a foolish so●tish humour , when it ●ends apparently to destroy , not only their own healths , and shortning of their lives , but likewise in●alls diseases and destruction on their poor innocent children ; for it is not only against the feminine nature to drink strong drinks , but also destructive to the generation of mankind ; it makes them masculine and robustick , filling them with fury and madness , and many other indecencies , which are no less pernicious then shameful in a woman . it also distempers them by causing fumes and vapours to fly into the head , generating wind in abundance . therefore the wise antients did account it a crime for women to drink strong drink or wine , tho their countrys did afford wine in abundance ; and good reason they had , for the whole preservation of mankind resides chiefly in the temperance and government of the women ; if they are intemperate , the radix of men is corrupted ; are we not like to have very fine , hopeful , healthy children , when the mother by excessive pampering her unweildy car●ass , has contracted more diseases then an hospital ? or when they are put out to some drunken nurse , that instead of affording them wholsome natural milk , suckles them up with the unconcocted dreggs of that brandy with which she daily overcharges her filthy stomach ? the nature of women will not bear excess in meats and drinks , as mens will , without mannifest danger to their healths , and also to the health of their children ; most windy diseases both in women and children , being caused by their intemperance both in quantity and quallity . they overcharging their nature with food containing too much nourishment , and drinks that are too strong . this is chiefly observable amongst wanton citizens and the richer sort of people , who pay dearly for the lickerishness of their pallats , by the diseases that thence arise , they being much more distempered then the ordinary pains-taking people . i confess there are hardly any women in the world so intemperate and such great lovers of their bellys as the english , no● is there any nation more subject to variety of diseases ; and therefore they are afflicted with divers distempers , which women in other countrys know nothing of . and as our children are generally weak , puling , rickety , and sickly , so the occasion thereof is too evident , since they are almost made gluttons from the very cradle , their mothers gorging and feeding them till they loath their victuals , and often cast it up again ; and when they have been cramming all day , the good woman entertains her gossips with stories , what a little stomach her child has , and that she can get it to eat nothing , and she wonders how it lives , and indeed so she may , but for a quite contrary reason , for this oppressing nature with excess in ●●●uth , is not only the cause of the death of many , but in others ●●●ows such seeds , and lays foundations for distempers , that they 〈◊〉 scarce ever out-grow them , also many women out of the like ●●olish fondness give their children strong drink which is very ●●structive to their health . nor is it become unfrequent , for women not only to drink ●●andy but also to smoak tobacco , which two things have a great ●●finity , tobacco being an herb of mars and saturn , it hath its ●●ery quality from mars , and its poysonous fulsome attractive ●●ature from saturn ; the common use of it in pipes is very inju●●ous to all sorts of people , but more especially to the female sex , ●xcept it be taken very sparingly in a physical way , for some ●atery and windy diseases , but the usual taking of it destroys the ●hysical vertues and opperation thereof ; only the daily smoaking 〈◊〉 may be profitable to gluttons , and those that eat and drink to ●uperfluity of rich food and strong drink , and live idle lives , 〈◊〉 such want evacuations , but exercise and temperance were ●uch better for their health . tobacco and brandy are certainly utter enemies to women ●nd also to their children , for their spirits and balsamick body , 〈◊〉 hence their true life shines , is more volatile and tender then mens , and their natural heat is not so strong , for this cause women cannot bear or endure any extreams , either in meats , drinks , or exercises , without mannifest danger to their healths , they be●ng generally more sanguine then men , and their central heat ●eaker , therefore all kind of inequality makes deeper impression ●n them , and they are sooner moved to all kinds of passions : ●or women in their radix are compounded more of the sweet ●riendly sanguine nature , their dignification being chiefly from ●he element of water , but the root of mens nature is from the ●trong might of the fire . and for the same cause women are more chast then men , and of colder natures , tho many men do believe the contrary , but they are greatly mistaken in this particular , having no true understanding of nature ; they have ●udged thus hardly of women , because many of them are so easily drawn into inconveniencies by the pretended friendship of men , but i do affirm , that their being so easily overcome , is not from their unchast desires , but chiefly from their friendly courteous effeminate natures , being of a yielding temper , which is essentially in the root of their lives , and when a man has once awakened in them the love-string , which is quickly done , he may comm●● them as he pleases ; now finding them comply , they imagine th● of them which they find in themselves : not but that some w●● men are as unchast as men , but then such , through the power●● their depraved free-wills and wanton imaginations , have forc●● nature out of her simple innocent ways , compelling her often 〈◊〉 do that which she perfectly loath● . the wise antients understanding this nature and constitution 〈◊〉 women , and considering that the whole welfare and health of man kind depended chiefly on their temperance and discreet conduc● did therefore direct them to an higher degree of temperance , an● thought it requisite , and so absolutely necessary , that both the drin● alotted for women in most countries , was , and is to this day 〈◊〉 water , and their food as innocent and natural ; they eat fle●● sparingly , living much on raw and boiled herbs , fruits and grai● which is a most sublime diet. and by this means their women an● children are not afflicted with such a number of cruel diseas● there is no country in the world where there children and you●● people are so generally subject to the small pox , kings-evil , join● aches , and many leperous and languishing diseases ; how many 〈◊〉 them yearly die with convulsions and windy d●●stempers , which ge● nerally they receive from their mothers ? how many miseries an● aking hearts do women endure with their sickly children ? an● what woman is free from vapours and windy diseases , fainting fits , weak joints and backs , their blood corrupted , breaking out 〈◊〉 small spots in the flesh of several colours , their stomach cold , and their natural heat not able to digest their food without a dram● &c. for all which evils , there is no remedy so long as our wome● do continue the frequent eating of fat gross flesh ( without herbs and other sweet high prepared food , and drinking strong liquo●s as brandy , &c. and taking tobacco , for these things do continually heat the whole body , thereby awakening the central heat , which is very injurious to women , for it presently sends sumes and vapours into the head , and the fierce fires with venemous particles do penetrate the whole body , drying up , and consuming the pleasant moist cool airy vapours , suffocating the pure spirits , which otherwise would replenish the whole body and sharpen the appetite ; it also dulls the senses , and possesses the blood with a sharp fretting humour , and hinders its free circulation , causing the pure natural spirits , whose habitation is in the blood , to become impure , whence ar●ses a general indisposition over the whole body . therefore all that love their own health , or the good of their children , ought to ●e●rain such hurtful food , and learn to know , that brandy , tobacco , and all such things , are to be taken sparingly and no otherwise than as people take physick . chap. ii. of flesh , and its operation in the body , and also on the senses . that the continual eating thereof without due distinction of proper times and seasons , does darken the spirits , and distempers nature . likewise of the excellency of herbs , fruits , and their inward operation on the body and mind . the eating of flesh was not allowed or practised in the first and purer ages , when men gave themselves to the study of wisdom , viz. to the knowledge of themselves , and were partakers of gods secrets in divine and humane things , and injoy'd health and long life drawn out to the age of many hundred years . for thus the holy scripture tells us , gen. 1. the lord said , behold ! i have given to you every herb bearing seed , which is upon the face of all the earth , and every tree in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed , to you it shall be for meat . and in another place it is said , flesh with the blood thereof , you shall not eat . it is not said , that the lord made all creatures for man to eat , as i have heard many affirm , but he made them for his own glory and eternal honour , and for the manifestation of his wonders , and that men should have dominion over all creatures and created things , which man hath lost by suffering his desires and imaginations to enter into the bestial nature , which do by degrees captivate the noble parts in men. but the wise antients for divers ages of the world , did know but little of the variety of flesh and strong drinks , or of compounded dishes of 20 sorts of things , most of them of disagreeing natures : no , their food was simple and natural , easie to be procured without oppression to themselves or to any of gods creatures , as herbs , fruits and grains , and pure water for drink , which things are endued with a most simple nature and operation , which neither du●leth the head by fumes , nor stup●●●s the senses by surplusage of nourishment , but being well prepared and eaten moderately , do nourish by way of simile its like qualities in the body , being of lighter digestion , and of a more a●ery operation than flesh , being also void of all inclinations , senses , or passions of love or ha●e , whose original is more clean and nearer the unity in nature ; therefore the philosophical ancients in former ages incouraged the eating of herbs , fruits and grains , but on the contrary , made laws against the common eating of flesh without distinction , the great and most illuminated prophet moses did not admit the children of israel to eat any flesh during their forty years march through the wilderness : 't is true , when the people did murm●● , the lord being provoked , gave them flesh in his wrath , and aft●rwards when they were admitted to eat flesh , it was with such distinctions , and with so many circumstances as could not be performed but by abundance of labour and trouble , and other inconveniencies , by which laws and observations many of gods creatures became of little or no use in the creation , as swine and the like , if indeed they had onely been made for men to eat . but the lord never commanded his people in any age to abstain from any thing , but it was always for their preservation ; for abstinence● cleanness , and sobriety in meats , d●inks , exercises , and communications , do work wonderful effects , and have a sympathetical operation both on the body and senses , rendring the observers thereof healthful , with brisk powerful spirits , watchful , prudent , of good forecast , able to give council , and for matters of learning , they do easily grow to an excellency in the knowledge of themselves , and in all other things whereunto they do apply themselves● and as for prayers , medi●ations and contemplations , they do perform them with great facility , pleasure and spiritual delight , being always fresh in their minds , and free from diseases in their bodies . by this way of sobriety , cleanness and temperance many of the antients became admirable both in divine and humane wisdome ; 't is well known how scrupulously the pythagoreans ( one of the most learned and mysterious of all the sects of gentile philosophers ) abstained from flesh. the divine writer and great prophet moses , testifies that god made man in his own image● and that he should have dominion over all things or creatures , not that he should eat all things , or hurt himself by devouring them , nor suffer his desires to enter into them , nor theirs into him , for man is a prince in this world , and in him is contained the true nature of all the inferiour creatures ; for if it were not so , 〈◊〉 could not be their prince , nor be sustained by them . and th● man was made greater then any other creature that is visible● and to be lord over all , yet nevetheless he having a simile with the nature of all things , is thereby rendered capable to be wrought on by every inferior thing he shall suffer his desires to enter into , and by degrees he is liable to become captivated unto that thing , be it either good or evil ; for every like ( as i told you before ) works on and awakens its likeness ; this was the reason why moses commanded that unclean beasts should not be eaten , that the human nature might not mix or incorporate in its self the beastial qualities ; for every individual man has essentially in him the true natures and essences of all the beasts of the field , and fishes of the sea , as also of all herbs and fruits , stones and minerals , and whatsoever else can be thought of ; for if this were not so , then man would not be subject to be wrought on by all , neither would the various sorts of food agree with him or nourish him . the wise antients understanding this , and that every thing had power to attract unto it self such matter out of all things , as is capable to nourish its own body , therefore in those days the eating of flesh was not in such reputation as of late years it hath been ; especially as it is in england , who do make it their chief food , all vegetables and fruits being in themselves of a clean simple nature and opperation , which being well prepared and temperately eaten , have onely power to waken their similes in the body and senses as aforesaid . but on the contrary , all beasts , especially unclean beasts , are endued with all kind of beastial passions , as anger , revenge , covetuousness , love and hate , which dispositions and passions of the flesh , but especially the blood , doth retain after such animals are killed ; and for that reason it was , that the blood of all sorts of beasts was so strictly forbidden , for the essential spirits dwell in the blood , and in the blood and spirits lye hid all the dispositions and inclinations the creature was endued withal , and therefore all sorts of flesh that were permitted to be eaten were to be well purged from the blood. and also this same blood was either to be consumed by fire , or an hole made in the earth and the blood cast into it and covered , that the wrathful spirits and vapours thereof might not defile the air , which is continually breathed into our bodies ; for when any creature is killed , the great pain and agony they endure does so powerfully awaken the center of the wrathful fire , and also the internal poysons which are the root of every life , that the said fierce poysonous spirits seize the blood on their right fountain of pre●rvation , so that the blood does not only contain all the natural ●ispositions , passions and inclinations , but also the awakened poysons and irritated spirits which were violently stirred up by deaths stroke . for when the natural life is in danger ( the continuation of which is so sweet unto all creatures , and they do so unwillingly part with it , especially when the creature is in perfect health and strength ) what a strange fear and dread must needs attend the creature in this condition ? and how strongly and violently are all the centers and powers of nature stirred up ? and then are awakened the revengeful spirits , which do contain the blood , for that is their habitation , which in this agonous condition does often spread it self through the whole body , and makes the flesh look red , but this is generally drawn back again by the drawing away of the blood where the wound is made . now if this blood be exposed to the open air , these fiery dark wrathful spirits do by degrees evaporate , and incorporate themselves with the air , and so de●●les it , and renders it pernicious . the very same is to be understood in all other uncleannesses , and these are the chief reasons why the prophet moses commanded the blood either to be burnt on the altar , or buried in the earth , tho there doth remain somewhat more to be said why he commanded the blood to be consumed on the altar by fire , which i shall forbear , and speak of it in its proper place ; for those fiery wrathful spirits that do evaporate themselves into the air , being continually breathed into the body by such people as do communicate near such places , as slaughter-houses , and the like , and more especially those that are of killing imployments , those awakened wratchful spirits do enter them , and powerfully incorporate themselves with their similes ; for this cause all butchers and others , that do use such trades , are more fierce and cruel , sooner moved to wrath than others ; killing is as easie and familiar to them as plowing the land is to the husbandman ; and in a word , they are far more inclined to violence than men of other imployments are . the same is to be understood in all other trades , and also 〈◊〉 communications● as those that are brought up and have their 〈◊〉 versations amongst horses , are not most of them robustick , pro●● bold and surly , like the creatures they communicate with ; th● same is likewise to be understood in many other other hard work●in● rough trades and imployments ; are not most of them rash , head strong , scarce endued with common humanity . there is nothin● so good , or so bad , but man is capable of being captivated to it from this ground it is that weak inclinations , that a man in him self is hardly sensible of , may either by imployments or commu●●cations be made strong , which is one reason why mens inclinations and their love and hate alters and changes , according to time , place , business , and communication , as some men have declared , that they did not fear being overcome with drink , women , or th● like evils , because at that time they found no inclinations to such things , nevertheless , time , opportunity , communications , and other circumstances concurring , many of them have been overcome by those vices they so little stood in fear of , though also astrologick configurations and influences have a share in altering and changing mens inclinations , and more especially when other causes concur : for this cause the most prudent in all ages have advised all men to avoid evil occasions , and the apostle paul saith , that evil communication corrupts good manners , the truth of which no man will or can deny . now if imployments , communications , labours , words , and all kind of outward business , have so great power of changing and altering dispositions and inclinations , increasing them , and the contrary , how can we imagine but mea●● and drinks received into the body , will have the same or greater power and operation , as those that feed much on unclean flesh , as on swine , and that have their conversation amongst animals , are not many of them much like those creatures , of so●●ish , dull , heavy , sordid dispositions , yet subtle and cunning in a beastial way ? and on the contrary , those that drink wine , and feed on the highest food , have not they spirits accordingly ? also those whose conversation is amongst men , as citizens and merchants ; have they not higher and greater spirits , being more tractable and humane , fair and ingenious in all their dealings and conversations : for all things have a sympathetical operation , whether it be imployments , meats , drinks , or communications , every thing does secretly awaken its like property , which do often captivate the spirit of a man before he is sensible of it , being ignorant of the nature and sympathetical operation all things have with his own nature . 't is true , most men believe that evil company corrupts manners , and will acknowledge that some sorts of imployments do by degrees dispose people to inhumanity , violence and cruelty ; but if you tell them there is the same possibility and greater in meats , to vary not onely mens bodies , but also their inclinations and minds , they shall laugh at it as a ridiculous dream , though in truth it is a most certain truth , and daily experience ( if we would but hear her voice ) bears witness unto it . why did moses prohibit his people the eating of swines flesh , seeing swine are not serviceable unto mankind any other way , but by being killed and eaten ; and besides , a swine is a creature , that being well ordered , becomes as wholesome nourishment , as some other animals that are counted clean , though there is somewhat to be said against the grossness of that sort of flesh ; but the cheif thing the spirit of god in that great prophet reguarded , was , no doubt , the spirit of that ●reature whose original and predominant quality stands in the dark wrath of nature , which is manifested by their shapes , cries , and tones , which spirit the h●man nature ought not to joyn it self unto , lest it partake of its nature . every thing having power to joyn it self with its likeness , and to strengthen its own property . doth not wine and strong drink precipitate men into fury and madness by simile ; that is , the spirits in wine do incorporate themselves with the natural spirits , and violently awaken them , making them burn too fierce , which sets nature into a rage , awakening the central spirits till all parts of the body burn like fire till the oyl be consumed , and nature begins to languish , becoming dull , heavy , and stupid . the very same operation have all food in the body , and on the spirits and senses , but more slowly and hidden ; for great meals of food makes dull when first eaten , for all the time nature is a digesting , and making seperation , ( which is 4 , 5 , or 6 hours a doing ) and then nature begins to be brisk and lightsome ; for what the stomach and natural heat do perform , as to fermentation and seperation with the food , is done to natures hand by art in all sorts of strong drinks , therefore all such fermented strong drinks have a present operation , but let drink be ever so strong , if it have not passed through fermentation and seperation● it will lie heavy on the stomach , and send dark and dulling fumes into the head if a quantity be drunk : therefore great meals of strong rich food do endanger the health more than proportionable drinking of strong drinks , especially in hot countries , and in summer time in colder climates . that dispositions and inolinations are chang'd and altered by food , may further appear in all or most unclean creatures , are they not made much fiercer if raw flesh and blood be given them , their wrathful unclean nature being thereby enraged and made stronger ? and is not the very flesh of those creatures men feed on , altered either for the better or worse , according to the nature of their food ; what a vast difference shall there be as to the goodness or badness , wholsomness or unwholsomness of the milk of the very same cow , when she feeds upon fresh delicate grass , herbs , and flowers , and when she is kept on course brewers grains or the like ? the elements of mans body and natural spirits are compounded of the same matter as other creatures are , and in respects subject to the same or like alterations ; only the holy light and grace of god , which enlightneth every man that cometh into the world , if obeyed , is sufficient to subdue most natural inclinations , and to keep them within the bounds of temperance ; indeed this gift is the only power by which a man may overcome the evil and deny himself . 2. flesh is not so clean a food as herbs , seeds and fruits , for all sorts of animals are subject to various passions , but on the contrary all or most vegetables have a more simple and innocent original , therefore their opperation on the body and senses is as simple having no power to awaken any property in the body but what is like themselves . furthermore we see that no creatures that are clean will eat flesh , except they be taught it , and brought to it by degrees ; on the other side , all such animals as naturally will eat flesh , are by all means counted unclean , as dogs , cats , bears , wolves , foxes and many others both in the sea and land , and most men will avoid the eat●ng of such creatures , as being unclean in the root of their natures . therefore they desire such food as hath affinity with them , for every creature rejoyceth in its likeness . the prophet moses well understood this when he commanded that unclean creatures and blood should not be eaten , because the blood ( as is mentioned before ) doth not only contain the spirits , but the very humour , dispositions and inclinations of the creature , therefore it was to be killed and dressed after such a manner by which the blood and superfluous matter was extinguished , and if flesh should now be prepared after their way , we should not account it to have half the vertue as it hath in our way of preparation . indeed the way of killing and preparing of flesh and fish , that the law-giver prescribed to his people , was to cleanse the flesh from all blood in which stand the spirits , and all the dispositions and inclinations of the creature lye hid . by this means the uniting of the bestial nature with the humane was in a great measure prevented ; and for no other reason all unclean beasts , fouls and fishes were so severely forbidden . all created things have but only ground and original . every particular creature contains the true nature and properties of the whole , only the qualities are in several degrees , one having one quality strong , and another the center . for in every creature one of the forms or properties do carry the upward dominion , and the other quallities lye as it were hid , but some times do manifest themselves , but that property which is weakest may be awakened and made strong by its simile , as often comes to pass . from this very ground proceeds all sympathy and antipathy , concord and discord in this world. for all those whose predominate qualities stand nearest and have affinity each to other , such are friendly one to another , but those whose predominate properties have antipathy each to other , such slight one another , and if the grace and holy light of god do not restrain them , they are very apt to speak evil and backbite one another . the same is to be understood in the divine principal of gods love , those that through the blessing and favour of the lord , have obtained the holy gifts of the spirit , be it more or less , all such people have affinity and bear good will each to other ; except the false prophet opinion gets in amongst them , which is a ravening woolf ? every thing rejoyceth in its likeness , and the contrary in its death , therefore it is highly convenient , for every man to consider the variety and the possibility of his own nature , and that in himself is contained the true nature of every thing in the visible and invisible world , and that he bears a simile with all things , and is both capable and liable to be drawn either to vice or vertue by every thing he joyns himself to , whether meats , drinks , communications , or whatever else a man suffers his will or desires to run out after or enter into , the same thing hath power to awaken its likeness , and for this cause all the wisemen and prophets have advised to cleanness and sobriety , and to the reading of good mens books , which do stirr up the good faculties in the soul , for all books do bear the image and spirits of him that wrote them , and so by simile do awaken the like spirit and desire ; and so on the contrary , if young or old give themselves to the reading of plays or books of romances , they will powerfully awaken by simile the vain wanton nature , which before lay as it were hid , therefore it was said in the revelations , come out from amongst them , and be ye seperated , lest you partake of their evils . 3. the reason why most people love and so much desire flesh more than either herbs , fruits , or grains , is not because it doth afford either better nourishment , or is pleasanter to the pallate or stomach , but it chiefly is because man is departed in his mind and desires from the innocent ways of god and nature , and through his free-will hath awakened the dark wrathful powers in himself , which have more affinity with the bestial nature , than with herbs or fruits : for the beasts are endued with the very same passions in all respects as men , if it had not been so , the commandment had not been so strict against eating of flesh , for the radix of beasts and men have a greater affinity , and the more ignorant and sottish people are , the more they desire to eat flesh , and the more flesh they eat , the more sottish , ignorant , and bruitish they become . also , the more the dark poysonous wrath of god and nature is stirred up , and the more it does predominate in man , the more doth man desire food that hath a proportionable nature . from this very ground it is that some sorts of creatures esteem'd unclean , ( whose predominent quality stands in the wrath of nature ) do so much desire unclean food , because it hath unity with their natures ; the very same is to be understood of those creatures which we call clean , they do as much on the contrary desire clean food , viz. fruits and herbs , because such things have the nearest affinity with their natures ; and if men had not departed from the innocent ways of god and nature , and suffer their wills to enter into the wrath and beastial nature , they would not so much desire flesh ; for flesh cannot be eaten without violence done to nature , for the lives of all beasts are as sweet to them , and they as much desire to continue them as men do , and as unwillingly part with them . and the groanings of these creatures that suffer oppression and pain , do awaken the wrath in them that do it , which is a certain retaliation or reward ; for all kind of cruelty does stir up and awaken the wrath of god in nature . and so on the contrary , all love and concord does powerfully beget its likeness . doth not every evil word , which does proceed and is formed from the principal of wrath and passion , carry the power of its principal with it , and awaken its simile in those to whom such words are directed ? on the contrary , do not soft and pleasant words pacifie wrath by awakening their simile ? every principal and property in nature must have its own food , or else it looseth its power and strength . mens coveting to eat so much flesh is too plain a sign , that they are departed from that innocent and simple life for which they were made , and en●red into the contrary ; for if the wrath of god in nature were not awakened beyond its proper degree , and did not predominate over the simple innocent life , then people would no more desire flesh then our holy ancestors in the first ages of the world. it is a token we are in egypt , when we hanker so much after the flesh-pots ▪ as long as men were partakers of and followers of the true knowledge of gods works , and lived in the simple path of nature , which led to health and long life , herbs and fruits were in as great esteem as flesh is now ; it was a shame in former ages for a man to be seen to buy flesh , or to have carried it openly in the streets of cities , but now the best citizens count it the contrary , and make nothing to go openly to the elesh-markets in their plush coats , and load a porter two or three times a week , with the spoils of their slaughtered fellow-creatures ; and if a man comes to their honses after dinner , there he may behold a very unpleasant sight , viz. greasy-platters , bloody-bones , and pieces of fat flesh lye up and down the kitchin , thereby rendered next door to a slaughter house . and this trade is drove every day in the week , but more especially on the day they call their sabbath , tho in truth they do not make it so , but rather a day of feasting , a day wherein they bury the dead bodies of slaughtered beasts , and a day on which our english belly-slaves and gluttons make their servants do more work then any other day of the week , as to dressing of food . a day likewise whereon most people cloath themselves in all their bravery , and the women go to church to take notice who has the finest cloaths and the newest fashions , &c. but why do i blame the women , the men have been the occasion of all this and much more . if those of each sex did hearken to the voice of god and nature , they would forsake such sinful vanities , and not thus seek death in the error of their lives ▪ i have drawn the curtain , and given them a brief view of natures school , wherein the sons of● wisdom learn to obey her dictates , and by their prudent conduct and temperance , avoid those many torturing diseases of body , and distracting pertu●bations of mind , to which the rest of the world necessarily enslave themselves by their perverse ●olly . what i have delivered , is the very doctrine of nature , approved by religion , justified by reason , and confirmed by experience ; those that wilfully slight so many monitors , will scarce deserve pity in their misery . finis the excellency of good women the honour and estimation that belongeth vnto them. the infallible markes whereby to know them. by barnabe rych souldier seruant to the kings most excellent maiestie. rich, barnabe, 1540?-1617. 1613 approx. 66 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 21 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2007-01 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a10700 stc 20982 estc s115902 99851119 99851119 16377 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a10700) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 16377) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1475-1640 ; 858:2) the excellency of good women the honour and estimation that belongeth vnto them. the infallible markes whereby to know them. by barnabe rych souldier seruant to the kings most excellent maiestie. rich, barnabe, 1540?-1617. [6], 21, 21-32, [1] p. printed by thomas dawson, dwelling neere the three cranes in the vinetree, and are there to be solde, london : 1613. running title reads: the excellencie of good women. reproduction of the original in the henry e. huntington library and art gallery. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic 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2006-04 emma (leeson) huber text and markup reviewed and edited 2006-09 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the excellency of good women . the honour and estimation that belongeth vnto them . the infallible markes whereby to know them . by barnabe rych souldier seruant to the kings most excellent maiestie . malui me diuitem esse , quam vocari . london printed by thomas dawson , dwelling neere the three cranes in the vinetree , and are there to be solde . 1613. to the great and gratiovs la the lady elyzabeth , the renowmed daughter of iames , the mighty king of great brittaine . great and gracious lady , let it not seeme strange ( with all humblenes i beseech it ) that an vnworthy souldier shoulde offer lines to so worthy a lady : the dignity of the subiect is it , that armeth with boldnes , for to whom doth more properly belong the patronizing of those things that are inciting to feminine vertue , then to your highnesse , in whom modesty is seene to march with maiesty , mildnes with magnificence , gratiousnes with greatnes , and where bright shining vertue , is an attendant to waite vpon dignity . of whom might i then make better choyce to protect the worthines of women , then of her that is the most worthy amongst women . i assure my selfe that all vertuous women will priuiledge mine indeuours , if any bee offended , they are but such as are vnworthy to be pleased . the warrant that i haue of your gracious disposition doth more imbolden me , then the hope that i haue of mine owne vntutered penne , yet with all humblenes and duty , bequeathing my worthlesse lynes to your worthy protection will rest alwayes to your highnesse most humbly deuoted barnabe rych to the nvmberles nvmber of honorable ladies , vertuous gentlewomen , and to all the rest of the mild , modest , and worthy sexe of womankinde . honorable and worthy dames , aswell wiues widowes maides , of all estates & degrees , whosoeeuer or wheresoeuer with all humblenes and knees bēded & bowed to the ground let me beseech your patience , that haue vndertaken a subiect of that excellency as would haue required a more pregnant & excellent wit then i doe acknowledge to be in my selfe the , brightnes of the sunne is best discerned by her own beames , and the excellency of women is not to bee expressed , but by their owne merittes if i haue therefore set vp too dimne a light to blazon your perfections , let your owne vertues shine in that wonted oryentall brightnesse , as from your first creation ( at all times and in all ages ) hath so illumined the worlde , with those high and rare perfections , as men may well admire but neuer bee able to extinguish . thus desiring still to liue in your gracefull loue and fauour will rest the most assured at your comandements . barnabe rich the excellencie of good women . when the deuil at the first began his temptation in paradise he attempted the woman , telling her she wanted but one thing to make her self like god : i would be loath therefore , either vaine ly to magnifie or vily to imbase the dignitie of women . that i might then speake of this subiect without partiallity , and but according to a truth , i will not implore the assistance neither of apollo neither of pallas , nor yet of the muses , but will humbly beseech the help of the euer liuing god. for the woman of honest life , glory and admiration attends on her , it is therefore euery mans part not onely to reuerence her , but also to defend her honour and estimation . but the better to make tryal of womens perfection in generall , let vs examine their first creation , wherein is to be noted the substāce whereof they were formed which was of the purified mettall of man. the place where they were created , which was in paradise . the time of the creation which was the last and therfore the perfectest handy worke of the creator . the cause why they were created , which was to be a comfortable assistant to man , that a man by marryage of a good woman might passe through the laborsome toyles & turmoyles of this life with the more ease , hauing so good an assisāt to the which doubtles god had respect when he said it is not good for man to liue alone , let vs make him a helper . to this the prophet malachy doth likewise witnesse when he saith . though god at the first had abundāce of spirit yet hee made but one woman of one ribbe for the helpe and comfort of one man. why then a man that wanteth a friend for pleasure a seruant for profit , a counsellour to aduise him , a cōforter to cherish him , a companion to solace him , a helper to assist him , or a spirituall instructer to informe him , a good & a vertuous wife doth supply all these occasions and therefore i thinke there is neither religion nor goodnes in that man , that loueth not an honest and a loyall wife . here we see there first institution , & where vnto they were made , but if i should now take vpon me to speake of the excellencie of those women that haue from time to time aspired in the deepe capacity of arts and sciences and haue so sarr exceeded in all manner of knowledge ( that men haue not onely had cause to praise , but also to woonder at them ) i might heape together a greater volume then euery mans leasure would serue to peruse . but leauing the multitude and to speake but of some very fewe that are regestred in histories to their perpetual praise we do reade of nicostrata called also carmenta , for the eloquence she had in versifying , of lasterna & axi●thea two worthy dames most highly renowned amongst the schollers of plato . of arath●a that wrot forty seuerall bookes , who read openly in the schooles and ( as it is written in hystories ) had 150. phylosophers that were her schollers . ●her is yet mention made of aspasia that instructed pericles of lelia sabina , so renowned in rome for her letters of amatasnuta , & others like learned in the latine , but wherein haue women beene inferior euen to the best men , if we should looke into a vertuous life who more famed then aemelia , claudia , tusia , nicaulia ? for gouerne ment , who more prouident then zenobia ; for wisdome saba , that opposed solomon ; for actiuitie in warr pentasilea , for poesie sapho , for policie zoe : for poetry , thalia , for rethoricke hilerna ; for oratory cornelia , for eloquence hortensia . let vs now see amongst the elymentall goddes is there not for matter of warre aswell the goddesse bellona , as the god mars ? for science and wisdome , is there not a pallas aswell as apollo ? for poesie or versifying are not the nine muses as famous as phebus ? further more these vertues of iustice temperance fortitude , patience , pitty , mercy , charitie , humilitie , and many other like , are all of the feminine gender , yea the church of god is compared to a woman and figured forth in femall shape . but leauing hystories that are infinit in example of womens worthines , if we did but looke into euery ordinary kalender , we should finde out as many vigils of holy women , as feastes of deuout men . by this we may see the excellencie of good women ; that were neuer yet so scarce to be found as in the time of elias , that thought him selfe to be left alone to serue the liuing god. but let vs yet draw nearer to this confirmation : when our sauiour himselfe had his abode here vpon the earth who conspired against him , who sought to persecute him , who tempted him , who condemned his doctrine , who would haue stoned him , who sayd he had a deuill with in him , who would haue intrapped him , who practised his death ? none but men herod annas chaiphas , scribes pharisees vnbeleeuing iewes , yea iudas himselfe that was one of his owne apostles . now contrary wise , who loued him most intirely who imbraced his doctrine , who confessed him to be a prophet , who enterteyned him into their houses , who ministred vnto him euen of there owne substance ? onely women , mary , martha , the woman of samaria , ionna susanna , and many others . it was a woman that poured a box of precious oyntment on his head , they were men that murmured against it and were offended that so great cost was bestowed vppon him . it was pilate a man that condemned christ , and deliuered him to the iewes to be crucified : it was his wife a woman , that willed her husband to haue nothing to doe with that iust man. they were men that caried him to be crucified compelling him to beare his owne crosse , they were women that followed to the place where he was crucified bitterly weeping and lamenting his death . what would you more they were women that still visited his sepulcher after his buryall , and it was a woman to whom he first appeared after his resurrection . it were needles to in large any further how many worthy women haue constantly suffered death vnder tyrantes for the name of christ . i doe not inserte these presidentes with any pretence to impeach men , or to doe them wronge , but according to a testified truth , to do women right . and yet to speake truly women are commonly more abstinent from all manner of vncleanesse then men either are the most of them curbed in with any other bridle then what they willingly put vppon them selues . and that is the zeale of vertue and the desire of good name which to euery honest woman is more precious then gold or siluer or any other gemme . it grieueth me now to thinke that there should be a woman found , to be accounted dishonest , or that any of them should so farre stray from that excellencie where vnto she was created , to be reputed ill . and yet in the holy scriptures there is mention made aswell of a dalila as of a debora , of a iesabel as of a iudith . and it is impossible indeed , that any good should be without the cōmixture of ill , because there is no contrarie without his contrary , there could be no right if there were no wronge . and what were health if there were no sicknesse , what happines , if no misaduenture , what were loue if there were no hate , and so of good if there were no ill . and as a discorde many times maketh the musicke to be the more sweete , so the woman of lewde life maketh her that is good to shine the more glorious . there be a number of women in these dayes that of my conscience are both good and honest , and i am sure that they themselues are desirous so to be acounted , and yet if we should iudge of them by their outward show , as they vse to pranck vp them selues in their light and gaudy attire we shuld iudge them to be more curtizan like then euer was lays of corynth or flora of rome . it is a hard matter therefore in this age to distinguish betweene the good woman and the bad but now as there belonges no shame to him that in wreathing a glorious garland , is sometimes inforced to borowe a handfull of flowers from a neighbours garden : euen so , to adorne the subiect that i haue taken in hand and the rather to beautifie so worthy a matter , i haue borrowed the helpe of a learned diuine , who in a sermon by him preached in the praise of good women , first borrowed his text out of the booke of prouerbs the 3. chap. and the 14. verse where solomon speaking of a vertuous woman , saith she is like a marchantes ship &c. if their be any therefore that will presume to find fault with this description now ensuinge , or that will thinke the prayses that are giuen to those women that are good , are ouer exceedinge , or the dispraises of the ill are too reprehending , let them vnderstand that although it were set downe by the hand of solomon , a man ( yet such a man as god himselfe had approued to be the wisest amongst men ) yet it was the finger of god that first directed it ; who by the hand of solomon hath set downe the true notes and markes whereby to distinguish the good women from the bad , the vertuous from the vicious , the godly from the vngodly . the first in the 10 verse of the foresaid chap. of a vertuous woman he saith her price is farrnemore precious then pearles : and proceeding still in her praise and commendations in the 14. verse he saith she is like a marchants shippe . he first prizeth her what shee is worth esteeming her to be more precious then pearle , then he likeneth her to what she doth resemble and that is to a marchants ship . and as he setteth downe her value what she is worth and her resemblance where vnto she is like , so he giueth certaine notes and knowledge of all her qualities how she behaueth her selfe aswell within doore as without , and first towardes her husband she will doe him good and not euill all the dayes of her life . then he giueth other notes , what be her exercises & how she spendes her time she seeketh wooll and flax and laboureth cheerefully with her hands : he forgetteth not to giue vs speciall markes of her speaches , whereunto they tend and how she behaueth her selfe in her owne house amongst her family . she openeth her mouth with wisdome , the law of grace is in her tongue . she ouerseeth the wayes of her houshoulde and eateth not of the breade of idlenes . this description of a good woman thus set downeby solomon , was not done without great consideration for he thought it not onely necessary to shewe what she is but also where vnto she is like , that we might the rather finde her out by some sensible resemblance our sauiour christ vsed the like when he resembled his disciples to salt and sometimes likeneth himselfe to a vyne , to a cornerstone and figureth his blessed body to breade . he likeneth the kingdome of heauen to a husbandeman , to a graine of mustardseed , to leauen , to a nett , to a marchant , to a king and all these with many other like , thus resembled for certeine properties and similitudes , wherein the one is like vnto the other . now a good woman saith solomon , is like vnto a ship : but what shipp ? like vnto a merchantes ship that bringeth in . the harlot is like to a ship too , but not like a marchantes ship , but in truth like a pyrat a rouer , a frebuter and like such a ship as lieth still in waite for rapine and for spoyle . an honest tradinge marchants ship is farre different : and it was well noted by him that hath formerly set downe the wife to be the ship , and the husband to bee the marchant , and the husbands word to be the routher to the shipp , by the which she must be turned , guided and directed , she must be a stirringe ship quicke of stirrige , ready at a word of her husband , she must not be immoueable like some womenne that a man were as good to remoue a house , as to remoue them from their willes , but a good woman is like a shipp but not like a house . she must be directed by discretion , and still shape her couse both by compasse and by carde . i doe not meane at a paire of playinge cardes : for she that directes her course that way is but an vnprofitable ship for an honest trading marchante . the compasse and the carde that an honest woman is to vse , is her countenance and her consideration , which must be modest and vertuous . she must be balanced with sobrietie and grauity that she be not ouer set with euery light puffe of winde , she must not set sayle to euery gale that bloweth , but to the winde of wisdome , the winde of her husbandes breath , for that is it that must direct her in her right course ; shee must not be too high cargde , nor to tant masted for the surest safety is to beare a lowe sayle . she must not sayle but by leade and by line still sounding the deapth and foreseeinge the danger , she must looke out for rockes , flattes , shelfes and sandes : and discouering any perill within her kenning to giue her husband warning , and ( asmuch as in her lieth ) to helpe him to avoyde it . a further note is here left vnto me , that as a woman is thus like a ship considered in her proper vertues , so she is likewise compared with her owner and there she is like a ship indeed , for who so euer marries a wife may well be called a merchant venturer , for he makes a great aduenture that adventures his credit , his reputation , his estate , his quiet , his libertye , yea many men by marriage do not onely aduenture there bodyes but many times their soules . as the ship her selfe therefore must be very deliberatiue , and neuer sayle but by sounding , lest by her vnheedines she runs her selfe a ground : so he that goes about a wife had neede to looke aswell about him , least hee make such a choice that for one daies pleasure , he doth purchase repentance all the dayes of his life after . they say a man should rather chuse a wife by his eares then by his eyes , but for those that will needes aduenture of such women as haue bene notoriously knowne to be infamed , and being truly informed of them afore hand , will yet needes marry them , they are like the foolish mariners act. 27. who because they tooke not counsayl in the hauen which paule had aduised , were inforced after they put to sea to resolue vppon a wracke . a marchantes ship to be acounted well conditioned must haue many qualities : but i say he is but a desperate marchant that will aduenture of a ship that is not stauch shee is not a good marchants ship that is too tender sided that will stoupe to euery puffe , that doth but beate vppon her quarter , and is so leward , if she doe but bite a little at a bouline , that she will hould no course but with the winde in her poope . all these be ill conditions in a ship but especially in her that longes to a marchant . it is the property of a good ship to answere her helme readily and not to bee heard of stirreage but to feele the routher quickly and thereby to be turned , ruled and directed in the course that she should hould , for that ship that is not yeare of stirrage is apt to run into many perils euen so that woman that is not ruled by her husbandes word but is crosse and contrary to his directions is a dangerous wife and runneth her selfe many times into shame and infamy . but a good woman saith soloman is like a marchants ship a worthy comēndation : and although the wordes haue beene many times repeated yet they cannot be too often itterated for amongst all other shippes that crosseth the seas the marchant is most profitable both for himselfe and his country , for she is a ship onely for trade and traffique to inrich him , by which example a good woman is taught in all her endeuours to respect her husbandes profite . and as the marchants ship is thus cōmodious , so of all other she is most peaceable vppon the sea , for she was built for peace and not for warre , for marchantes are in nothing more sory then to heare of warres but amongst all other things an honest true trading marchant cannot indure to heare of a pirate , that liues not by honest traffique but by common spoile , and as the ship of a pirate , ( which is the true resemblance to an adultrous woman ) is both loathed and shunned by the honest trading marchant , so the time hath beene that a wicked woman wel knowne to be infamed , was no lesse abhorred by those that were honest but here good women are to learne , that a marchant will in no wise consort nor haue to doe with a pirate , but as he doth detest and abhorre her so he seeketh by all possible meanes both to avoide & shunne her , it should be so amongst good women , if it be not so the greater is her blame that will admit of a c●rtizans company . againe the marchantes ship is a painefull shippe shee must not be still ridinge at ancker , or ready to runne into euery porte or hauer , but as she must be obseruatiue to watch both wind and tide so to winn her voiage with the more expedition , she must some times be content to beat it out at the sea it self although but with a bare and a very scant gale . and a good woman is laborious , like the marchantes ship that seekes to bring in , shee bringeth in by her good foresight , by her care , by her diligence , and by the wisdome of her gouernement . shee seeth that her marchandize are good , her candle is not put out by night . shee riseth while it is yet night and giueth the portion to her houshould and the ordinary to her maydes . she putteth her fingers to the wheele and her handes handle the spindle . pro. 3. now a good sauer is not onely a good getter but like wise a good bringer in . the adultrous woman , shee bringeth in too , but by so many filthy meanes , as were shamefull to be set downe . and as shee bringeth in by cosening , by cheating , by gaming , and by shiftinge , not by painefullnes but by idlenes , not by godlines , but by deuillishnes , so shee spendes it againe as shamfully in dyssolution , in prodigalitie , in pride , in vanitie iust like the pirate , that when she hath scoured the coast , and committed a number of spoiles with as many passengers as she meetes she consumes it againe in the next harbour , in ryot , in drunkennes , in voluptuousnes , & in al manner of extraordinary beastlines : heere is yet againe to bee remembred , what hath beene already learnedly taught vs out of this text of scripture , for heere is nowe to bee considered , that although a vertuous woman , in many thinges may bee resembled to a ship , yet there be some particular qualities belonging to a ship , that a good woman must not haue and that is , one shippe may belong to many marchants and one marchant may be owner in many ships but this is a speciall note of the vnchast woman , for she cries still the more the merrier : a marchant , neuer sayleth but with a conuenient company no more then will suffice to handle her sayles and to tackle the ship as necessitied requireth . but the pirat , is still double and treble manned , yea & so ouer pestred with men , that she hath more then she is well able to stowe : and all this she vseth as well for offence as for defence and against none so much as against the most honest trading marchant . so the adultrous woman doth still play of the aduantage , and she shall haue tenne for one to take her part against any woman that is honest . let me but craue pardon to set downe what i my selfe haue obserued in this case . i haue seldome seene an honest woman ( which is here resembled to a marchantes ship ) to haue many friendes to 〈◊〉 for her , that will quarrell for her , that will fight for her , or that will be at any great costes & charge by any meanes to support her vnles it be a father , a brother , a kinsman a husbande or some such like . but thucidides will needes approue that woman to be most honest , that is least knowne & i thinke indeed that the most honest woman is least spoken of , for they doe please the least in number , and vertue was neuer graced by the multitude , now to speake mine owne knowledge i haue not heard of those womē to be ouer much cloied with honesty , that are continually frequented with comers of all sortes and to haue adopted fathers adopted brothers , adopted sonnes , adopted partners , adopted seruantes , adopted friendes , and such a number of other adopted companions as those women of approued honesty are seldome seen to be acquainted with : doe you aske me how a dishonest woman shuld induce this large acquaintance . the lippes of a harlot ( saith salomon ) drop like the honny combe her mouth is more soft then oyle but her ende more bitter then wormwoode and sharper then a two edged sword , her feete goe downe to deathe and her steppes do lead to hell pro. 5. i say with salomon , beware of the slightes of a harlot , she hath a tongue to traine , eyes to allure , lookes to atract , teares to excuse smiles to flatter , inticements to prouoke , frownes to delay , beckes , to recall , lippes , to inchant , kisses to inflame , a body to performe , and all these to poison . and as shee inticeth them thus by her slightes so shee disperseth them againe at her pleasure , for some shee sends to the phisition to seeke for helpe , some to the spittle that are past cure , some to weeping crosse to bewaile there expences , some to the prison there to lie and languish , some to the gallowes to ende a wretched life , and all to the deuill if they haue not grace to repent in time . these wanton countenances , these immodest behauiours these impudent domeanures be they not allurements to make themselues knowne , if in steede of these amarous glances , these yeelding gestures and these inticing trickes , they would but show a sober demeanure a modest regard , and a vertuous disposition these lecherous pigions , that doe so much followe the haunte would forsake the douehouse . o how many worthy women are their now in this age , that might giue example , that can so temper themselues in all their enterteinementes that they cut of all hope from the vicious minded . the vertuous woman girdeth her loynes with strength ( saith salomon ) that is , she setleth her mind with staiednes and continency , strength and honour are her clothinge and in the latter day she shall reioice but for the harlot she wayteth not the way of life pro. 5. we may see here the difference between the good woman and the bad , the one salomon cloatheth with honor and estimation the other he confineth in the highe way of death . there is now one other qualitie that a good woman must in no wise borrow from a ship and that is too much rigginge , and it is a great deale of charge and to very little purpose that is bestowed on some ships in superfluities in the paintinge of caage workes like the painting of womens faces that being worne of with wind and weather leaues loathsomnes behind to those that do behold it and then what flags what ensignes what streamers , and what pendants that serueth for no vse but for pride and brauery . but if i shuld speak of the vanities that are vsed amongst a great many of women now a dayes perhaps i might offend some and i would be glad to please all : but how many gentlemen haue consumed them selues by vphoulding their wiues pride ? how many lordships are sould to vphould ladyships ? and what is it that doth make so many cittizens and trades men , so commonly to play banckrout , but the excessive pride that is vsed by their wiues . by this pride of women hospitalitie is eaten vp and good houskeeping is banished out of the country and how many items are still brought in for the bodyes excesse without any consideration of the poore soules nakednes . but me thinkes it could not be ill taken for me to set downe how the prophet esay dallies with the wanton gestures of the vaine womē that were in his daies at their stretched out neckes their wandering eyes , their walkinge and their mincinge as they goe in the streetes . then he setteth downe a whole royall exchange ful of vanities , so many to be rehearsed as i will forbeare at this time to deliuer , they that are desirous to knowe thē , let thē looke into the 3. of esay from the 16. to the 24 verse where they shall finde that the wanton disposed women that were in that age hath left presidents to those that are inclined to lightnes now . it hath been a question , whether chastity ioyned with vanity , doth deserue any commendations , but i will not dispute , because i will not offend : yet i doe thinke that this ouermuch affected folly doth liue with no lesse susspected honesty . shee is an ill huswife therefore of her credite and reputation , that will doe any thing , to bring it into construction , that will giue any signes or shewes of lightnes , whereby shee may be suspected , because a woman that is once tainted in her honour , must be driuen to a harde course of recouery she must rubbe of the skinne to wipe out the spot . novv besides this garishnes in apparell what are these paintinge of shameles faces , this audacious bouldnes in company , these impudent gestures without modesty these wanton lookes , these inticing showes , what are these and many other thinges that might be yet spoken of but the vauntcurrers of adultry . there is mention made of a cannon in the ciuill lawe where it was ordeyned that if a man did offer violence to any woman were she neuer so vertuous or honest , yet atired like a strumpet , she had no remedie against him by lawe . but this excesse that is now vsed in apparell doth certainly bring three thinges with it the first , offence to god the second , it giueth hope to the vycious , and thirdly it bringeth destruction to the husbande . but the vertuous woman houldeth it a matter of conscience , to attyre her selfe no more costly then may well stand with her husbandes estate and abilitie , she is loath to bring him into debt or to set him on the score for her pride and brauery . she doth her husband good , and not euill , all the dayes of her life , sayth salomon . but she doth her husband little good that maketh him to hange on the score , aswell to his owne hinderance as to the vndoinge of other men , and but to maintaine and vphould her pride . but as the sinne of adam beganne at eue , so the ruine the confusion the extortion the oppression yea and the sacriledge of many a man begins at the pride of his wife . euery lady of the lake , if her husband haue no tennantes of his owne to gripe and wringe yet if he can but creepe into an office , or haue any thing to do in the commō wealth he must prigge , he must proule , he must catch , scrape and scratch ( by all shifting meanes ) to maintaine his wiues pride and licentious manner of life . cornelius tacitus in his annals maketh mention how the romans , when they vsed to send any officers , or other ministers with authority into any of their prouinces , they would not suffer them to carry their wiues with them ; a reason is rendred , because in the time of peace , women doe allure and corrupt the manners of men , by their pride and vanity , & many times by their inticing prouocations the course of iustice is checked and peruerted , and most iniurious wrongs committed : and in the time of warre , they do hinder the seruice by their temerity and feare . and it hath many times fallen out , that whe● after accountes haue beene taken of those that haue bin thus authorised , there hath more shamefull matter appeared against those that haue extorted , bribed , and exacted , by the instigation of women to maintaine their pompe & pride , then could be approued to proceed by any other occasion . it is written of epaminundas , the great commander in the athenyan warres , who hauing cōmitted to prison a base fellow , euicted for his loose and lasciuious manner of life , was solicited by polip●●ia● a captaine that ●●dd longe time beene a seruitour vnder epaminundas for his inlargement , but epaminundas that was highly displeased with this base conditioned fellow , would in no wise be wone to set him at liberty , till in the ende a wom●n that was openly knowne to be a common curtizan , vnder tooke the suite who comming to epaminundas she obtained his liberty , and had the prisoner presently deliuered vnto her , which being vnderstood by polipodias , in an angry fit hee chalenged epaminundas of great vnkindnes that would deny him so slender a suite , and would surrender to a woman so generally infamed ; to whom epaminundas said . content thy selfe polipodias , for if thou couldest aduisedly consider of the matter , thou wouldest not let to confesse that the suite was fitter to be granted to a curtizan then to a captaine . by this i do note the impudency of these common creatures , that dare insinuate themselues into any presence , be they neuer so great nor neuer so good and dare aduenture to vndertake any suite be it neuer so base or neuer so shamefull , and by this againe i doe further gather , that this kind of cattle shall preuaile , when those that be honest shall haue a deniall , i am afraid there be too māy of these women suiters in these dayes if all were knowne . but to speake yet a little of the pride of these times i might bouldly avouch , there is more treasure spent and consumed in that onely sinne then would serue to support an army in the field . the summes were infinite to be set downe that are spent in vanities , but if i shoulde speake of the vanities in a particular manner , it were out of mine eliment , my wits would not serue me . but alas for pitty , how woe begone is that poore woman , that is out of the taylers trim , that is out of the imbroiderers trim , that is out of the haberdashers trim : but shee that is out of the atiremakers trim , shee is ashamed to shew her face , shee thinkes her selfe vnfitt to conuerse with honest company . and there is no remedy , but my lady must be coacht she can not go to church to serue god without a coach : shee that her selfe and her mother before her , haue trauailed many a myle a foote , can not nowe crosse the breadth of a streete , but shee must haue a coach : i would not debarre those ladies or gentlewomen , of any thing that might eyther ease or please them : those ( i meane ) that from there infancy haue beene trained vp by there able and worthy parentes , in a more dainty and delicate manner , then those other againe that neuer knewe what gentilitie ment , for i make great difference betweene her that hath beene nurtured vp in vertue , in sobrietie , in modesty , and in the feare of god , from her that had no better tuteringe then in seruitude , and in those base functions , that they do but be durty a dignitie that is bestowed vppon them who knowinge themselues to be but home spunne cloath would yet be reputed to be of scarlet die . it is truth , nature is sometimes holpen by arte but those creatures are made vnperfect aswell by nature as by traininge vp : and how education is able to alter , wee haue beene taught long sithens by licurgus whelpes . those women that be of highe parentage , and honorable education , being from there infancy trained vp in a discipline more noble and excellent , they cannot in common iudgement , but proue more admirable aswell in the beauty of the body , as in the giftes of the minde . where the other againe of base education that haue not ●ad there mindes manured with discipline nor thēselues trained vp in the studye of knowledge they must be therefore the more imperfect , but especially in those thinges that should beautifie the mind . a further note is yet left vnto me , that as hee is not to be accounted the best marchant to the common wealth which bringeth in toyes and trifles , and such other fantasies as are both vaine and needles , but that bringeth in such commodities as may best serue necessitie , neither is she alwayes the best wife that is must adorned with new fangled vanities , but she that indeuoureth most to doe that which is most needfull . and as those shippes that are sometimes the fairest to showe , are not alwayes the fittest for vse , neither are those women the more to be esteemed , but much the rather to be suspected that do prank vp themselues with too many murlimues . yet in great and worthy persons , such as are of abilitie and estate , the vse of ornamentes are not condemned for silke and siluer and gold it selfe were created by the liuinge god and not onely for his owne glory but likewise for necessities sake , and may well be vsed by good and godly persons . it is written of the daughter of augustus when on a day being attired aboue her accustomed modesty , whereat her father taking no great pleasure , yet for the present gouerninge his iudgement with silence till the next day when finding her in habit more cōuenient to his liking o ( said he ) how farre more seemely is this attyre for the daughter of augustus , then that which shee ware but yesterday , somuch to the disguising of nature : to whom shee aunswered ( and that with reuerence ) then sir , i vsed my time to please my husband , and now i stand to satisfie my duty towardes my father . the like example was vsed by that vertuous woman hester , when shee protested to god that the sumptuous attyre which sometimes she vsed , carryed no other purpose then to feede the likinge of that great kinge assuerus , that had chosen her for his owne . and iudeth , when shee stripped her selfe out of her sackcloath , into more glorious garmentes , and decked herselfe with so many rich ornamentes , was it for any other cause then to performe a seruice to the glory of god. it is not the frocke , therefore that maketh the frier the more deuout , nor the garmentes of euery woman a true confirmation of incontinency of life . this therefore may well be avowed by the rules of christian sobrietie , that a woman , neither exceeding the decency of fashion , nor going beyond the limites of her owne estate , nor surpassing the boundes of her husbands calling , i do not thinke but such a woman may weare any thinge . prouided alwayes , that shee braues it not out with other mens goodes , that shee hanges not in the mercers bookes , in the goldsmithes bookes , in the taylers booke , maintaininge her pride with other mens purses like aesops iay , that deckt her selfe with other birdes feathers this beauty which is so much esteemed amongst women should be a looking glasse , whereby we might a farre off , display the maiesty of the creator , and from thence should passe with the winges of our cogitations to the contemplation of the highest fayre , which is the inuisible beautie of the almightie god , from whence as from a fountaine all smaller riuers deriue their beauties . and as beauty is a blessing to a woman , so shee should learne of her mother nature to hide it , who couereth euery faire & precious thing vnder shelles barkes rockes yea and in bottomles deapthes , and not to lay it open as a thing common . precious thinges are not euery day set to open sale , and beautie layeth open her riches , not onely in the eliments , but likewise in the compounds , not only on the superficiall partes of the earth , but euen within the bowels thereof where shee hordeth them vp as in a safe treasury : the beautie of the minde is much more worth then the beauty of the body , the inuisible of better esteeme then the visible . a beautifull woman knowinge her owne perfection ▪ should so much the rather guide her selfe by the zeale of honour and the bridle of shamefastnes , and not to violate so vnspeakable a treasure with any signes or showes of immodestie . a beautifull woman being robbed and spoyled of those excellent ornamentes of modestie , and bashfullnes , shee remaines naked both in price and honour and is so much the more to be hated and detested . the beautie of the body , is but a sliding shadow that quickly vanisheth away , wee should therefore turne our eyes to the beautie of the minde which is indeed , the soueraigne light that is free from all chaunge . if beautie it selfe be thus vaine and brittle , what is then this borrowed beautie . and first how many vices are hidden vnder these pai●ted faces , what deformitie couered with vailes & masks , what crooked minds vnder streightned bodyes , what violating of honour vnder counterfeit sh●wes of comlines neither can it bee called , a naturall or bodyly beautie in them , who hauing torne the sanctified vailes of shamefastnes haue offered the vse of their intemperate bodies to cōmon prostitutiō ( though not verbally in wordes ) yet vnder the showes of their gaudy and garish attyres . for this painting of faces , i thinke it exceedes so much the more in many women to please the eyes of men which they thinke are the sooner drawne to a liking by some appearing beauty wherein they somtimes exceede so farre , that in steade of making themselues louely , they many times become loathsome and odious , not onely in the conceiptes of all honest men , but euen to those to whom they be most desirous to please and content . but shee that is not ashamed to falsisie those exterior partes of the body is much to be suspected that shee will make little conscience to adulterate the inward beauty of the mind ▪ how many women are there in these dayes that do imploy all there studdies and bend their whole indeuours , but onely to the adorninge of there bodyly beautie , as if they had beene created by god , but onely to make themselues appeare to be gaye and beautifull . and how many worthy women be there againe in these dayes in whom the outward beauties of ther bodies do but expresse the inward beautie of the mindes . nature hath ordained in all good and vertuous women this affection of shame fastnes , which serueth as a restraint to withhould them from those artificiall abillimentes that doe either smell of vanitie , or breed suspect of honesty : for bashfulnes is it that moderates there thoughtes , makes them modest in their speaches , temperate in their actions , and warie in all their deliberations . the blush of a womans face is an approbation of achast and honorable minde , and a manifest signe , that shee doth not approoue any intemperate actions , or any other lasciuious speeches , and demeanours that are either offered to herselfe , or to any in her presence . the woman that hath forgotten to blush , it is an argument , shee is past grace , for shamefastnes is not onely a bridle to sinne , but it is likewise the common treasury of feminine vertue . we haue hitherto heard , that a woman is likened to a ship , the veruous to a ship of marchāts : the vicious to a pirate or a robber : & there are many things that are like the one the other , but euery similitude is not the thing it self that it resembleth the deuill is like an angell of light , and copper is like gold , yet all is not gold that glistereth , and if euill women were not sometimes like to good , which indeed they be not , they could not deceiue so many men as they doe . let vs now see likewise what the vertuous woman doth , for being , is knowne by doing as the tree is knowne by his fruite . shee seeketh woolle and flaxe , and laboureth , shee putteth her handes to the wheell &c , solomon pointed her a house-worke it should seeme , shee must not be a gadder about the streetes but a home huswife : & although her degree be such , that shee putteth not her selfe to bodily labour , yet shee ouer seeth the wayes of her houshould , she must see to her children her seruantes and her family . and a vertuous woman though shee bringe in nothinge that is of her owne earning , gotten with her owne handes , yet ( as it hath beene worthily noted ) great thinges comes in by her : shee bringeth in by her diligence , by her wisdome by her gouernement and by her good foresight shee bringeth in with her eye . the harlot is of an other condition , for shee rather seeketh to spend in vanity , then to bring in honestly , and what is lewdly gotten is commonly as lewdly spent . as the certaine markes of a vertuous woman , is to be a good huswife , and to keepe her owne house , so one other especiall note of the adulterous woman is : her feete cannot abide in her house , but now shee is without now in the streete , and lies in waite at euery corner : pro. 7. a dishonest woman is hardly kept within her owne house , but shee must be a ramping , and a roysting about to make herselfe knowne : but it shoulde seeme by the processe of the text , gen. 31. that iacobs wiues , rahell and leah , were none of these fisking dames , that did vse to runne about to seeke out acquaintance : for although iacob himselfe kept the fieldes amongst the cattle , yet his wiues were still abiding in their fathers house , for when iacob was warned by god , to make his returne amongst his owne kinred : he sent and called rahell and leah to the fieldes vnto his flocke : he sent , and the messenger founde them , for they were not to seeke , but the pathes of a harlot are moueable , they are hard to be found ( sayth solomon ) it was not so with them , for they were not so sodainely sent for , but they were as readily found , and came away with as great speede : and such expedition was made by their willing readines , that laban followed seuen dayes iourny , before he could ouertake them . by this it might appeare , that iacobs two wiues rahell and leah , were no gadders amongst their gossips : onely iacobs daughter dinah , in a gadding iourny to take the gaze , made an ill voyage and came home with shame enough . and iacob himselfe , though he were a good man , yet hee had his infirmities , for as hee loued one wife better then an other : so he loued one sonne more dearely then an other , which amongst the rest of his children caused that malice and despite , as might haue cost the life of ioseph . and as iacob was not free from these infirmities , so he was subiect to other seuerall crosses : first laban beguileth him : then his most dearly beloued wife , was a long time barren : his sonne ruben defileth his bed , & committeth incest with bilhah , his daughter dinah was rauished in the idle iourny shee made to visite the daughters of a strange people . but if i should speake of the disorders of his children in generall , i might amplifie much more then properly belongeth to the subiect that i haue taken in hand : but these are examples for our learning , to teach vs to walke warily , and to be very circumspect how we gouerne our selues in the affayres of this vncertaine world , where our affections are apt and ready to leade vs astray . the matter that i would make euident is , that the holiest men may sometimes be wronged by a disloyal wife : and heere is yet a further note to be obserued : for rahel and leah that had beene trayned vp in a generous manner by laban their father , ( and were both of them aswel perfected by nature as by nurture ) continued the honor and dignity of their sexe to their dying day ; but bilhah that was a woman of a more seruile estate and condition , shee wronged iacob , defiling his bedde with one of his owne sonnes : the hystory is very well knowne , and by the circumstances wee may boldly conclude , that whatsoeuer hee bee , that will take such a wife as hath beene trayned vp in a base education , let him be sure shee will shew her selfe no lesse base in condition . but to returne to our former purpose , we haue heard that the woman of honest life , keepeth her owne house : shee ouer seeth the wayes of her houshold , but the other , her feete can not abide in her house : but shee sitteth in her doores , inticing the passers by , to enter , but her guests that goe in are in the depth of hell . pro. 9. depart from her therefore , thou that are wise , keepe thy selfe aloofe from her , and come not neare the doores of her house amongst these instructions thus left vnto vs , there is yet one other note set downe by solomon , what the vertuous woman doth : she eateth not the bread of idlenes . to speake truly , shee that is so negligent to looke into her houshold affaires , that her diligence doth not counteruaile her meate , shee is vnworthy to eate at all , but our women now are growne to bee so dainty mouthed , that the ordinary foode that their mothers were brought vpp withall , is nowe become too base for the daughters . all must bee dainty , though sometimes creditors do wring for it , yea , and their owne husbands sometimes for company : like eue the wife of adam , who amongst all the trees in paradise , none woulde serue , but that which was her husbands bane . i do not speake against hospitality , or good housekeeping : for bounty is neuer repugnant to honesty , but doth alwayes rather accompany it . the matter that i reprehend , is this prodigall nicity , that is good for nothing , vnlesse to verifie the prouerbe , farre fetcht and dear● bought is good for ladies . these womens mindes that are not ruled by the bridle of shamefastnes , they doe set their whole desires of those things which doe best befit their owne pleasures and delightes , and doe hunt after nothing else , but after such things as doe giue way to their owne contents , and that is , to loue variety aswell in meates , as in all other things , to desire nouelties , to follow delicacies , and are common guestes at banquets , and are apt and ready to frequent tables , that be furnished and pestred with too many superfluities : the which doe naturally incline to concupiscence , for this diuersity of nourishing meates ( being so much the more increased by sweet and pleasing odours and perfumes ) it carries them headlong to the highest degree of intemperance : for where sense beareth sway , and without the curbe or bridle of vertue , is made predominant : there reason is made a slaue , and is ledd into a delight some kinde of lethargie , to the end it should not be able to discerne that error . such is the way of an adulterous woman ( sayth solomon ) shee eateth and wipeth her mouth , and sayth , i haue committed no iniquity . me thinkes solomon in these words , hath painted out the perfect picture of a harlot , as shee sitteth at her table . shee eateth and wipeth her mouth , and sayth , i haue committed no iniquitie . shee eateth , but not of the labour of her handes , or of her owne honest indeuours : but shee eateth the bread of idlenes , and not of idlenes alone , but of that which is brought in by sinne , by wickednes , by deceipt , and many times , by filthy abhomination . yet shee sitteth and simpereth amongst the infortunate fooles that frequent her , and ( alas sayth shee ) i am innocent , free from ill thought , i am not vengable , i am not malicious : i am loath to offend any , i neuer did wronge , alas i am harmeles , and thus shee wipeth her mouth & sayeth , i haue committed no iniquitie : when in truth there is nothing in her but malice , there is nothing in her but mischeife , there is nothing in her but dissention , but lying , but slandering , but stirring of strife , but drawing of quarrels , but setting of men together by the eares , but cosening and cheating to maintaine pompe and prodigalitie : and pompe and prodigallity vphoulden againe thereby to draw in fools to be cosened and cheated . o beware therefore , of the subtleties of a harlot , beware of her hypocrisie , beware of her dissimulation , beware of her when she once beginneth to counterfeit holines . salomon scoffeth at those holy harlotes , and shee that offered her selfe to euery mans lust , he setteth out for ademy-saint with peace offeringes to god. pro. 7 , take heede ( saith he ) of the woman that is smooth of tongue for looking out of my window in an euening , i saw a yong man passing through the streetes , and behould a woman met with him , that was of a harlotes behauiour , smooth of her tongue and subtill in her heart : so shee caught him and shee kissed him with an impudent face , and said vnto him : i haue peace offeringes : this day i haue paide my vowes , and i am come out to seeke thee , and now i haue founde thee , come let vs take our fill of pleasure , i haue decked my chamber with rich ornamentes : i haue perfumed my bed , all things are prepared : let vs therefore spende the time in loue and daliance . this description is made by salomon in his booke of pro , cap. 7. from the 10. to the 24 verse . one other note of the vertuous woman : shee openeth her mouth with wisedome , and the law of grace is in her tongue the woman of modesty openeth not her mouth but with discretion , neither is there any bitternes in her tongue : shee seemeth in speaking , to hould her peace , and in her silence shee seemeth to speake . her very countenance doth preach modesty , sobrietie bashfullnes , continency , temperance , stayednes humilitie grace and goodnes : a harlot is full of words shee is babling and lowde ( saith salomon ) pro. 7. she is bould , she is impudent , shee is shameles shee is immodest , shee will blush at nothing , shee is presumptuous , shee is a disgrace to womanhood and fit for no company but for the lasciuious , yet againe the vertuous woman will doe her husband good and not ill all the dayes of her life . but the wicked woman is a reproch to her husband , and shee doth him more iniury , then all her good is able to counteruaile , he shall find it in his purse by her prodigalitie , by her pride , by her vanitie : for shee maketh him still fitter to craue new credite , then to pay old debtes he shall find it in his credite and reputation , for he is mocked scorned and derided , by as many as knowe him and is pointed at as he passeth through the streetes . to conclude a vertuous woman is a crowne to her husband : but shee that maketh him ashamed is as corruption in his bones . pro. 12. we do see that a vertuous woman is compared in the scriptures to be like vnto many thinges : for sometimes shee is likened to a marchantes ship , sometimes to a lilie sometimes to a garden of pleasant flowers , sometimes to a spring of sweete water : dauid likeueth her to a fruitfull vine and here shee is compared to a crowne . we may see , a vertuous woman is like vnto many thinges : but as salomon hath said pearles and precious stones are not like vnto her : shee is inestimable . these notes of women thus formerly spoken of , are giuen vs by salomon , whereby to distinguish the good from the bad , for as i haue already said there hath beene both good and bad and that from the beginning . and as saint paule , writing to the corinthians , saith there must be herisies that they that are proued may be known so say i : amongst women there must be bad amongst the good that those that are good may be the more glorious . as vertues then had their beinge in the world : so vices did necessaryly accompany them and haue the like increasing or decreasing the one as the other . it cannot therefore be said : that vices do more abound at this present then in former ages , but we must confesse the like of vertues , that are more exceeding now then in times past they haue beene for what is there remaininge vnder the heauens that is not perfected . i dare bouldly avouch , there is no arte no science no occupatiō , nor handicraft , nor any other profession what so euer , but there is innouation , and from age to age , all thinges are perfected bettered and drawne to a forme of greater excellency then euer our preadecessours vnderstood of . and as by this continuance of time , goodnes is made better , so ill is made worse : & as good women are more vertuous , so ill women are more vicious . from hence i would conclude , that as the world was yet neuer destitute of good women , but that from age to age it was still replenished , and that in most aboundant manner : so i am perswaded , that at this present howre , good women are not onely as plentifull as they haue beene in times past , but that they are nowe more superexcellent , then euer they were before , not for that the good women of former ages , did omitte any goodnes that then was known , but because our predecessors were ignorant ( indeede ) of many things appertaining both to good and ill , that is now frequent and conuersant almost to euery vnderstanding . wee haue now learned from salomon , the true notes and markes of a good woman , both what shee is , and whereby we may both know and finde her . and wee see it is not shee , that can show the most impudent face , it is not shee that can dance the most loftiest sinquapace , it is not shee that is too lauish of her lips , or to loose of her tongue , it is not shee that hath forgotten to blush , nor to be ashamed at any thing , it is not she that is either too coy , or yet too curteous : why then ? modestie is it , that is the true marke of euery good womā , & shee that hath once lost that vertue , she hath lost her euidence , she hath nothing to show that she is a woman , but rather a mōster in the habit or shape of a woman , odible in the sight of god and hatefull and detestable before all good men : if there be any that will impugne these testimonies thus set downe by salomon , they can be none but such as wil impugne the verity of the holy scriptures : for if the scriptures be true salomon was the wisest that euer was amongst men : and out of the depth of this wisdome hee hath giuen vs these notes which he hath left vnto vs in his bookes of prouerbes , a booke first inspired by the spirit of god , a booke cannonized allowed and receiued by the church . the infallible markes of a vertuous woman then , as they are set downe by salomon are these , shee must haue modesty , hashfullnes , silence , abstinence , sobrietie : shee must be tractable to her husband , shee doth her husband good &c. shee must not bee a vaine talker she openeth her mouth with wisdome . shee must be carefull of her family shee ouerseeth the wayes of her houshould , shee must be full of exercises : shee eateth not the bread of idlenes . now the woman that is impudent , immodest , shameles , insolent , audacious , a night walker , a company keeper , a gadder about the streets , if such a womā may be nūbred amongst those women that be good , then salomon was a foole , that hath avowed the contrary , and then the scriptures are vntrue that hath testified of his wisdome , & god him selfe is a promise breaker , and was not true of his word when he sayd vnto salomon . i haue giuen thee a wise and an vnderstanding heart so that ther hath been none like thee before thee , neither after thee shall arise the like vnto thee . 1. kin. cap. 3. if there be any therfore that will yet make cauels , to the contrary , they doe but bewray themselues and such vaine contenders , are not worthy to bee aunswered , i will therefore here make an ende and rest my selfe with silence . finis . epilogus . these harmelesse lynes , that neuer did conspire , in any sort , to slaunder or detect : i hope shall not be tortured on the racke , nor wrested to a misconceiued sense . i strike at sinne , yet sing bright vertues prayse , if gauld backe iade , with selfe misdeeming eye , will search so neare , to rubbe his festred sore : the faultes not mine , his errour is the more . what songe so sweete , if saintes themselues woulde sing , but currs would barke , and snakes are apt to sting . the summe is this , i little force the spight , that scrues awry , what i haue forged right . finis . womens speaking justified, proved and allowed of by the scriptures, all such as speak by the spirit and power of the lord jesus and how women were the first that preached the tidings of the resurrection of jesus, and were sent by christ's own command, before he ascended to the father, john 20:17. fox, margaret askew fell, 1614-1702. 1666 approx. 45 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 9 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2008-09 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a41072 wing f642 estc r31506 12028140 ocm 12028140 52695 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a41072) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 52695) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 1010:7) womens speaking justified, proved and allowed of by the scriptures, all such as speak by the spirit and power of the lord jesus and how women were the first that preached the tidings of the resurrection of jesus, and were sent by christ's own command, before he ascended to the father, john 20:17. fox, margaret askew fell, 1614-1702. fox, margaret askew fell, 1614-1702. a touch-stone. 16 p. [s.n.], london printed : 1666. attributed to fox by wing and nuc pre-1956 imprints. part 2 of her a touch-stone. imperfect: pages stained with print show-through. reproduction of original in the huntington library. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng women in christianity. women -religious aspects -christianity. society of friends -controversial literature. 2006-12 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2006-12 aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images 2008-01 john pas sampled and proofread 2008-01 john pas text and markup reviewed and edited 2008-02 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion womens speaking justified , proved and allowed of by the scriptures , all such as speak by the spirit and power of the lord jesus . and how women were the first that preached the tidings of the resurrection of jesus , and were sent by christ's own command , before he ascended to the father , john 20. 17. and it shall come to pass , in the last dayes , saith the lord , i will pour out of my spirit upon all flesh ; your sons and daughters shall prophesie . acts 2. 27. joel 2. 28. it is written in the prophets , they shall be all taught of god , saith christ , john 6. 45. and all thy children shall be taught of the lord , and great shall be the peace of thy children . isa . 54. 13. and they shall teach no more every man his neighbour , and every man his brother , saying , know the lord ; for they shall all know me , from the least to the greatest of them , saith the lord. jer. 31. 34. london , printed in the year , 1666. womens speaking justified , proved , and allowed by the scriptures . whereas it hath been an objection in the minds of many , and several times hath been objected by the clergy , or ministers , and others , against womens speaking in the church ; and so consequently may be taken , that they are condemned for medling in the things of god ; the ground of which objection , is taken from the apostles words , which he writ in his first epistle to the corinthians , chap. 14. vers . 34 , 35. and also what he writ to timothy in the first epistle , chap. 2. vers . 11 , 12. but how far they wrong the apostle's intentions in these scriptures , we shall shew clearly when we come to them in their course and order . but first let me lay down how god himself hath manifested his will and mind concerning women , and unto women . and first , when god created man in his own image ; in the image of god created he them , male and female ; and god blessed them ; and god said unto them , be fruitful , and multiply : and god said , behold , i have given you of every herb , &c. gen. 1. here god joyns them together in his own image , and makes no such distinctions and differences as men do ; for though they be weak , he is strong ; and as he said to the apostle , his grace is sufficient , and his strength is made manifest in weakness , 2 cor. 12. 9. and such hath the lord chosen , even the weak things of the world , to confound the things which are mighty ; and things which are despised , hath god chosen , to bring to nought things that are , 1 cor. 1. and god hath put no such difference between the male and female as men would make . it is true , the serpent that was more subtile then any other beast of the field , came unto the woman , with his temptations , and with a lie ; his subtilty discerning her to be more enclinable to hearken to him , when he said , if ye eat , your eyes shall be opened ; and the woman saw that the fruit was good to make one wise ; there the temptation got into her , and she did eat , and gave to her husband , and he did eat also , and so they were both tempted into the transgression and disobedience ; and therefore god said unto adam , when that he hid himself when he heard his voice , hast thou eaten of the tree which i commanded thee that thou shouldst not eat ? and adam said , the woman which thou gavest me , she gave me of the tree , and i did eat . and the lord said unto the woman , what is this that thou hast done ? and the woman said , the serpent beguiled me , and i did eat . here the woman spoke the truth unto the lord : see what the lord saith , vers . 15. after he had pronounced sentence on the serpent ; i will put enmity between thee and the woman , and between thy seed and her seed ; it shall bruise thy head , and thou shalt bruise his heel , gen. 3. let this word of the lord , which was from the beginning , stop the mouths of all that oppose womens speaking in the power of the lord ; for he hath put enmity between the woman and the serpent ; and if the seed of the woman speak not , the seed of the serpent speaks ; for god hath put enmity between the two seeds , and it is manifest , that those that speak against the woman and her seeds speaking , speak out of the enmity of the old serpents seed ; and god hath fulfilled his word and his promise , when the fulness of time was come , he hath sent forth his son , made of a woman , made under the law , that we might receive the adoption of sons , gal. 4. 4 , 5. moreover , the lord is pleased , when he mentions his church , to call her by the name of woman , by his prophets , saying , i have called thee as a woman forsaken , and grieved in spirit , and as a wife of youth , isa . 54. again , how long wilt thou go about , thou back-sliding daughter ? for the lord hath created a new thing in the earth , a woman shall compass a man , jer. 31. 22. and david , when he was speaking of christ and his church , he saith , the kings daughter is all glorious within , her cloathing is of wrought gold ; she shall be brought unto the king : with gladness and rejoycing shall they be brought ; they shall enter into the kings pallace , psal . 45. and also king solomon in his song , where he speaks of christ and his church , where she is complaining and calling for christ , he saith , if thou knowest not , o thou fairest among women , go thy way by the footsteps of the flock , cant. 1. 8. c. 5. 9. and john , when he saw the wonder that was in heaven , he saw a woman clothed with the sun , and the moon under her feet , and upon her head a crown of twelve stars ; and there appeared another wonder in heaven , a great red dragon stood ready to devour her child : here the enmity appears that god put between the woman and the dragon , revelations 12. thus much may prove that the church of christ is a woman , and those that speak against the womans speaking , speak against the church of christ , and the seed of the woman , which seed is christ ; that is to say , those that speak against the power of the lord , and the spirit of the lord speaking in a woman , simply , by reason of her sex , or because she is a woman , not regarding the seed , and spirit , and power that speaks in her ; such speak against christ , and his church , and are of the seed of the serpent , wherein lodgeth the enmity . and as god the father made no such difference in the first creation , nor never since between the male and the female , but alwayes out of his mercy and loving kindness , had regard unto the weak . so also , his son , christ jesus , confirms the same thing ; when the pharisees came to him , and asked him , if it were lawful for a man to put away his wife ? he answered and said unto them , have you not read , that he that made them in the beginning , made them male and female , and said , for this cause shall a man leave father and mother , and shall cleave unto his wife , and they twain shall be one flesh , wherefore they are no more twain but one flesh ; what therefore god hath joyned together , let no man put asunder , mat. 19. again , christ jesus , when he came to the city of samaria , where jacobs well was , where the woman of samaria was ; you may read , in john 4. how he was pleased to preach the everlasting gospel to her ; and when the woman said unto him , i know that when the messiah cometh , ( which is called christ ) when he cometh , he will tell us all things ; jesus saith unto her , i that speak unto thee am he ; this is more than ever he said in plain words to man or woman ( that we read of ) before he suffered . also he said unto martha , when she said , she knew that her brother should rise again in the last day , jesus said unto her , i am the resurrection and the life : he that believeth on me , though he were dead , yet shall he live ; and whosoever liveth and believeth shall never die . believest thou this ? she answered , yea lord , i believe thou art the christ , the son of god. here she manifested her true and saving faith , which few at that day believed so on him , john 11. 25 , 26. also that woman that came unto jesus with an alabaster box of very precious oyntment , and poured it on his head as he sat at meat ; it 's manifested that this woman knew more of the secret power and wisdom of god , then his disciples did , that were filled with indignation against her ; and therefore jesus saith , why do ye trouble the woman ? for she hath wrought a good work upon me ; verily , i say unto you , wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world , there shall also this that this woman hath done , be told for a memorial of her , matt. 26. mark 14. 3. luke saith further , she was a sinner , and that she stood at his feet behind him weeping , and began to wash his feet with her tears , and did wipe them with the hair of her head , and kissed his feet , and annointed them with oyntment . and when jesus saw the heart of the pharaisee that had bidden him to his house , he took occasion to speak unto simon , as you may read in luke 7. and he turned to the woman , and said , simon , seest thou this woman ? thou gavest me no water to my feet ; but she hath washed my feet with tears , and wiped them with the hair of her head : thou gavest me no kiss ; but this woman , since i came in , hath not ceased to kiss my feet : my head with oyl thou didst not annoint ; but this woman hath annointed my feet with oyntment : wherefore i say unto thee , her sins , which are many , are forgiven her , for she hath loved much , luke 7. 37 , to the end . also there was many women which followed jesus from galilee , ministring unto him , and stood afar off when he was crucified , mat. 28. 55. mark 15. yea even the women of jerusalem wept for him , insomuch that he said unto them , weep not for me , ye daughters of jerusalem , but weep for your selves , and for your children , luke 23. 28. and certain women which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities , mary magdalen ; and joanna the wife of chuza , herods stewards wife ; and many others which ministred unto him of their substance , luke 8. 2 , 3. thus we see that jesus owned the love and grace that appeared in women , and did not despise it ; and by what is recorded in the scriptures , he received as much love , kindness , compassion , and tender dealing towards him from women , as he did from any others , both in his life time , and also after they had exercised their cruelty upon him ; for mary magdalene , and mary the mother of joses , beheld where he was said ; and when the sabbath was past , mary magdalene , and mary the mother of james , and salom , had brought sweet spices that they might annoint him : and very early in the morning , the first day of the week , they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun ; and they said among themselves , who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre ? and when they looked , the stone was rolled away , for it was very great ; mark 16. 1 , 2 , 3 , 4. luke 24. 1 , 2. and they went down into the sepulchre ; and as matthew saith , the angel rolled away the stone ; and he said unto the women , fear not , i know whom ye seek , jesus which was crucified : he is not here , he is risen , mat. 28. now luke saith thus , that there stood two men by them in shining apparel , and as they were perplexed and afraid , the men said unto them , he is not here ; remember how he said unto you when he was in galilee , that the son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men , and be crucified , and the third day rise again ; and they remembred his words , and returned from the sepulchre , and told all these things to the eleven , and to all the rest . it was mary magdalene , and joanna , and mary the mother of james , and the other women that were with them , which told these things to the apostles , and their words seemed unto them as idle tales , and they believed them not . mark this , ye despisers of the weakness of women , and look upon your selves to be so wise ; but christ jesus doth not so , for he makes use of the weak : for when he met the women after he was risen , he said unto them , all hail , and they came and held him by the feet , and worshipped him ; then said jesus unto them , be not afraid ; go tell my brethren that they go into gallilee , and there they shall see me , mat. 28. 10. mark 16. 9. and john saith , when mary was weeping at the sepulchre , that jesus said unto her , woman , why weepest thou ? what seekest thou ? and when she supposed him to be the gardiner , jesus saith unto her , mary ; she turned her self , and saith unto him , rabboni , which is to say master ; jesus saith unto her , touch me not , for i am not yet ascended to my father , but go to my brethren , and say unto them , i ascend unto my father , and your father , and to my god , and your god , john 20. 16 , 17. mark this , you that despise and oppose the message of the lord god that he sends by women ; what had become of the redemption of the whole body of man-kind , if they had not believed the message that the lord jesus sent by these women , of and concerning his resurrection ? and if these women had not thus , out of their tenderness and bowels of love , who had received mercy , and grace , and forgiveness of sins , and virtue , and healing from him ; which many men also had received the like , if their hearts had not been so united and knit unto him in love , that they could not depart as the men did , but sat watching , and waiting , and weeping about the sepulchre until the time of his resurrection , and so were ready to carry his message , as is manifested ; else how should his disciples have known , who were not there ? oh! blessed and glorified be the glorious lord ; for this may all the whole body of man-kind say , though the wisdom of man , that never knew god , is alwayes ready to except against the weak ; but the weakness of god is stronger then men , and the foolishness of god is wiser then men . and in act. 18. you may read how aquila and priscilla took unto them apollos , and expounded unto him the way of god more perfectly ; who was an elloquent man , and mighty in the scriptures ; yet we do not read that he despised what priscilla said , because she was a woman , as many now do . and now to the apostles words , which is the ground of the great objection against womens speaking ; and first , 1 cor. 14. let the reader seriously read that chapter , and see the end and drift of the apostle in speaking these words : for the apostle is there exhorting the corinthians unto charity , and to desire spiritual gifts , and not to speak in an unknown tongue ; and not to be children in understanding , but to be children in malice , but in understanding to be men ; and that the spirits of the prophets should be subject to the prophets ; for god is not the author of confusion , but of peace : and then he saith , let your women keep silence in the church , &c. where it doth plainly appear that the women , as well as others , that were among them , were in confusion ; for he saith , how is it brethren ? when ye come together , every one of you hath a psalm , hath a doctrine , hath a tongue , hath a revelation , hath an interpretation ? let all things be done to edifying . here was no edifying , but all was in confusion speaking together ; therefore he saith , if any man speak in an unknown tongue , let it be by two , or at most by three , and that by course ; and let one interpret ; but if there be no interpreter , let him keep silence in the church . here the man is commanded to keep silence as well as the woman , when they are in cofusion and out of order . but the apostle saith further , they are commanded to be in obedience , as also saith the law ; and if they will learn any thing , let them ask their husbands at home ; for it is a shame for a woman to speak in the church . here the apostle clearly manifests his intent ; for he speaks of women that were under the law , and in that transgression as eve was , and such as were to learn , and not to speak publickly , but they must first ask their husbands at home ; and it was a shame for such to speak in the church : and it appears clearly , that such women were speaking among the corinthians , by the apostles exhorting them from malice and strife , and confusion , and he preacheth the law unto them , and he saith , in the law it is written , with men of other tongues , and other lips , will i speak unto this people , vers . 2. and what is all this to womens speaking ? that have the everlasting gospel to preach , and upon whom the promise of the lord is fulfilled , and his spirit poured upon them according to his word , acts 2. 16 , 17 , 18. and if the apostle would have stopped such as had the spirit of the lord poured upon them , why did he say just before , if any thing be revealed to another that suteth by , let the first hold his peace ? and you may all prophesie one by one . here he did not say that such women should not prophecsie as had the revelation and spirit of god poured upon them ; but their women that were under the law , and in the transgression , and were in strife , confusion & malice in their speaking ; for if he had stopt womens praying or prophesying , why doth he say , every man praying or prophesying , having his head covered , dishonoureth his head ; but every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered , dishonoureth her head ? judge in your selves , is it comely that a woman pray or prophesie uncovered ? for the woman is not without the man , neither is the man without the woman , in the lord , 1 cor. 11. 3 , 4 , 13. also that other scripture , in 1 tim. 2. where he is exhorting that prayer and supplication be made every where , lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting ▪ he saith in the like manner also , that women must adorn themselves in modest apparel , with shamefastness and sobriety , not with broidered hair , or gold , or pearl , or costly array ; he saith , let women learn in silence with all subjection , but i suffer not a woman to teach , nor to usurp authority over the man , but to be in silence ; for adam was first formed , then eve ; and adam was not deceived , but the woman being deceived was in the transgression . here the apostle speaks particularly to a woman in relation to her husband , to be in subjection to him , and not to teach , nor usurp authority over him , and therefore he mentions adam and eve ; but let it be strained to the utmost , as the opposers of womens speaking would have it , that is , that they should not preach nor speak in the church , of which there is nothing here ; yet the apostle is speaking to such as he is teaching to wear their apparel , what to wear , and what not to wear ; such as were not come to wear modest apparel , and such as were not come to shamefastness and sobriety , but he was exhorting them from broidered hair , gold , and pearls , and costly array ; and such are not to usurp authority over the man , but to learn in silence with all subjection , as it becometh women professing godliness with good works . and what is all this to such as have the power and spirit of the lord jesus poured upon them , and have the message of the lord jesus given unto them ? must not they speak the word of the lord because of these undecent and unreverent women that the apostle speaks of , and to , in these two scriptures ? and how are the men of this generation blinded , that bring these scriptures , and pervert the apostles words , and corrupt his intent in speaking of them ? and by these scriptures , endeavour to stop the message and word of the lord god in women , by contemning and despising of them . if the apostle would have had womens speaking stopt , and did not allow of them , why did he entreat his true yoak-fellow to help those women who laboured with him in the gospel ? phil. 4. 3. and why did the apostles joyn together in prayer and supplication with the women , and mary the mother of jesus , and with his brethren , acts 1. 14. if they had not allowed , and had union and fellowship with the spirit of god , wherever it was ▪ revealed in women as well as others ? but all this opposing and gainsaying of womens speaking , hath risen out of the bottomless pit , and spirit of darkness that hath spoken for these many hundred years together in this night of apostacy , since the revelations have ceased and been hid ; and so that spirit hath limited and bound all up within its bond and compass , and so would suffer none to speak , but such as that spirit of darkness , approved of , man or woman . and so here hath been the misery of these last ages past , in the time of the reign of the beast , that john saw when he stood upon the sand of the sea , rising out of the sea , and out of the earth , having seven heads and ten horns , rev. 13. in this great city of babylon , which is the woman that hath sitten so long upon the scarlet-coloured beast , full of names of blasphemy , having seven heads and ten horns ; and this woman hath been arrayed and decked with gold , and pearls , and precious stones ; and she hath had a golden cup in her hand , full of abominations , and hath made all nations drunk with the cup of her fornication ; and all the world hath wondred after the beast , and hath worshiped the dragon that gave power to the beast ; and this woman hath been drunk with the blood of the saints , and with the blood of the martyrs of jesus ; and this hath been the woman that hath been speaking and usurping authority for many hundred years together : and let the times and ages past testifie how many have been murdered and slain , in ages and generations past ; every religion and profession ( as it hath been called ) killing and murdering one another , that would not joyn one with another : and thus the spirit of truth , and the power of the lord jesus christ hath been quite lost among them that have done this ; and this mother of harlots hath sitten as a queen , and said , she should see no sorrow ; but though her dayes have been long , even many hundred of years , for there was power given unto the beast , to continue forty and two months , and to make war with the saints , and to overcome them ; and all that have dwelt upon the earth have worshiped him , whose names are not written in the book of the life of the lamb , slain from the foundation of the world . but blessed be the lord , his time is over , which was above twelve hundred years , and the darkness is past , and the night of apostacy draws to an end , and the true light now shines , the morning-light , the bright morning-star , the root and off-spring of david , he is risen , he is risen , glory to the highest for evermore ; and the joy of the morning is come , and the bride , the lambs wife , is making her self ready , as a bride that is adorning for her husband , and to her is granted that she shall be arrayed in fine linnen , clean and white , and the fine linnen is the righteousness of the saints ; the holy jerusalem is descending out of heaven from god , having the glory of god , and her light is like a jasper stone , clear as christal . and this is that free woman that all the children of the promise are born of : not the children of the bond-woman , which is hagar , which genders to strife and to bondage , and which answers to jerusalem which is in bondage with her children ; but this is the jerusalem which is free , which is the mother of us all ; and so this bond-woman and her children , that are born after the flesh , have persecuted them that are born after the spirit , even until now ; but now the bond-woman and her seed is to be cast out , that hath kept so long in bondage and in slavery , and under limits ; this bond-woman and her brood is to be cast out , and our holy city , the new jerusalem , is coming down from heaven , and her light will shine throughout the whole earth , even as a jasper stone , clear as christal , which brings freedom and liberty , and perfect redemption to her whole seed ; and this is that woman and image of the eternal god , that god hath owned , and doth own , and will own for evermore . more might be added to this purpose , both out of the old testament and new , where it is evident that god made no difference , but gave his good spirit , as it pleased him , both to man and woman , as deborah , huldah , & sarah . the lord calls by his prophet isaiah , hearken unto me , ye that follow after righteousness , ye that seek the lord , look unto the rock from whence ye were hewen , and to the hole of the pit from whence ye were digged ; look unto abraham your father , and to sarah that bare you ; for the lord will comfort sion , &c. isa . 5. and anna the prophetess , who was a widow of fourscore and four years of age , which departed not from the temple , but served god with fastings and prayers night and day , she coming in at that instant , ( when old simeon took the child jesus in his arms , and ) she gave thanks unto the lord , and spake of him to all them who looked for redemption in jerusalem , luke 2. 36 , 37 , 38. and philip the evangelist , into whose house the apostle paul entered , who was one of the seven , acts. 6. 3. he had four daughters which were virgins , that did prophesie , acts 21. and so let this serve to stop that opposing spirit that would limit the power and spirit of the lord jesus , whose spirit is poured upon all flesh , both sons and daughters , now in his resurrection ; and since that the lord god in the creation , when he made man in his own image , he made them male and female ; and since that christ jesus , as the apostle saith , was made of a woman , and the power of the highest overshadowed her , and the holy ghost came upon her , and the holy thing that was born of her , was called the son of god , and when he was upon the earth , he manifested his love , and his will , and his mind , both to the woman of samaria , and marcha , and mary her sister , and several others , as hath been shewed and after his resurrection also manifested himself unto them first of all , even before he ascended unto his father . now when jesus was risen , the first day of the week , he appeared first unto mary magdalene , mark 16. 9. and thus the lord jesus hath manifested himself and his power , without respect of persons ; and so let all mouths be stopt that would limit him , whose power and spirit is infinite , that is pouring it upon all slesh . and thus much in answer to these two scriptures , which have been such a stumbling block , that the ministers of darkness have made such a mountain of ; but the lord is removing all this , and taking it out of the way . m. f. a further addition in answer to the objection concerning women keeping silent in the church ; for it is not permitted for them to speak , but to be under obedience ; as also saith the law , if they will learn any thing , let them ask their husbands at home , for it is a shame for a woman to speak in the church ; now this as paul writeth in 1 cor. 14. 34. is one with that of 1 tim. 2. 11. let women learn in silence with all subjection . to which i say , if you tie this to all outward women , then there were many women that were widows which had no husbands to learn of , and many were virgins which had no husbands ; and philip had four daughters that were prophets ; such would be despised , which the apostle did not forbid : and if it were to all women , that no woman might speak , then paul would have contradicted himself ; but they were such women that the apostle mentions in timothy , that grew wanton , and were busie-bodies , and ●atlers , and kicked against christ : for christ in the male and in the female is one , and he is the husband , and his wife is the church ; and god hath said , that his daughters should prophesie as well as his sons : and where he hath poured forth his spirit upon them , they must prophesie , though blind priests say to the contrary , and will not permit holy women to speak . 2. and whereas it is said , i permit not a woman to speak , as saith the law : but where women are led by the spirit of god , they are not under the law , for christ in the male and in the female is one ▪ and where he is made manifest in male and female , he may speak , for he is the end of the law for righteousness to all them that believe . so here you ought to make a distinction what sort of women are forbidden to speak , such as were under the law , who were not come to christ , nor to the spirit of prophesie : for hulda , miriam , and hanna , were prophets , who were not forbidden in the time of the law , for hey all prophesied in the time of the law ; as you may read , in 2 kings 22. what hulda said unto the priest , and to the ambassadors that were sent to her from the king , go , saith she , and tell the man that sent you to me , thus saith the lord god of israel , behold , i will bring evil upon this place , and on the inhabitants thereof , even all the words of the book which the king of judah hath read ; because they have forsaken me , and have burnt incense to other gods , to anger me with all the works of their hands : therefore my wrath shall be kindled against this place , and shall not be quenched . but to the king of judah , that sent you to me to ask counsel of the lord , so shall you say to him , thus saith the lord god of israel , because thy heart did melt , and thou humbledst thy self before the lord , when thou heardst what i spake against this place , and against the inhabitants of the same , how they should be destroyed ; behold i will receive thee to thy father , and thou shalt be put into thy grave in peace , and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which i will bring upon this place . now let us see if any of you blind priests can speak after this manner , and see if it be not a better sermon then any of you can make , who are against womens speaking ? and isaiah , that went to the prophetess , did not forbid her speaking or prophesying , isa . 8. and was it not prophesied in joel 2. that hand-maids should prophesie ? and are not hand-maids women ? consider this , ye that are against womens speaking , how in the acts the spirit of the lord was poured forth upon daughters as well as sons . in the time of the gospel , when mary came to salute elizabeth in the hill countrey in judea , and when elizabeth heard the salutation of mary , the babe leaped in her womb , and she was filled with the holy spirit ; and elizabeth spoke with a loud voice , blessed art thou amongst women , blessed is the fruit of thy womb ; whence is this to me , that the mother of my lord should come to me ? for lo , as soon as thy salutation came to my ear , the babe leaped in my womb for joy ; for blessed is she that believes , for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the lord. and this was elizabeths sermon concerning christ , which at this day stands upon record : and then mary said , my soul doth magnifie the lord , and my spirit rejoyceth in god my saviour , for he hath regarded the low estate of his hand-maid : for behold , from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed ; for he that is mighty hath done to me great things , and holy is his name ; and his mercy is on them that fear him , from generation to generation ; he hath shewed strength with his arm ; he hath scattered the proud in the imaginations of their own hearts ; he hath put down the mighty from their seats , and exalted them of low degree ; he hath filled the hungry with good things , and the rich he hath sent empty away ; he hath helpen his servant israel , in remembrance of his mercy , as he spake to his father , to abraham , and to his seed for ever . are you not here beholding to the woman for her sermon , to use her words to put into your common prayer ? and yet you forbid womens speaking . now here you may see how these two women prophesied of christ , and preached better then all the blind priests did in that age , and better then this age also , who are beholding to women to make use of their words . and see in the book of ruth , how the women blessed her in the gate of the city , of whose stock came christ . the lord make the woman that is come into thy house like rachel and leah , which built the house of israel ; and that thou mayest do worthily in ephrata , and be famous in bethlehem ; let thy house be like the house of pharez , whom tamer ●●re unto judah , of the seed which the lord shall give thee of this young woman . and blessed be the lord , which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman , and his name shall be continued in israel . and also see in the first chapter of samuel , how hannah prayed and spake in the temple of the lord , oh lord of hosts , if thou wilt look on the trouble of thy hand-maid , and remember me , and not forget thy hand-maid . and read in the second chapter of samuel , how she rejoyced in god , and said , my heart rejoyceth in the lord ; my horn is exalted in the lord , and my mouth is enlarged over my enemies , because i rejoyce in thy salvation ; there is none holy as the lord , yea , there is none besides thee ; and there is no god like our god : speak no more presumptuously , let not arrogancy come out of your months , for the lord is a god of knowledge , and by him enterprises are established ; the bow , and the mighty men are broken , and the weak hath girded to themselves strength ; they that were full , are hired forth for bread , and the hungry are no more hired ; so that the barren hath born seven , and she that had many children , is feeble ; the lord killeth , and maketh alive ; bringeth down to the grave , and raiseth up ; the lord maketh poor , and maketh rich , bringeth low and exalteth ; he raiseth up the poor out of the dust , and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghil to set them among princes , to make them inherit the seat of glory ; for the pillars of the 〈◊〉 are the lords , & he hath set the world upon them ; he will keep the feet 〈…〉 and the wicked shall keep silence in darkness , for in his own 〈…〉 man be strong ; the lords adversaries shall be destroyed , and out of heaven shall he thunder upon them ; the lord shall judge the ends of the world , and shall give power to his king , and exalt the horn of his anointed . thus you may see what a woman hath said , when old ely the priest thought she had been drunk : and see if any of you blind priests that speak against womens speaking , can preach after this manner ? who cannot make such a sermon as this woman did , & yet will make a trade of this woman and other womens words . and did not the queen of sheba speak , that came to solomon , and received the law of god , & preached it in her own kingdom , and blessed the lord god that loved solomon , and set him on the throne of israel , because the lord loved israel for ever ; and made the king to do equity and righteousness ? and this was the language of the queen of sheba . and see what glorious expressions queen hester used to comfort the people of god , which was the church of god , as you may read in the book of hester , which caused joy and gladness of heart among all the jews , who prayed and worshiped the lord in all places , who jeoparded her life contrary to the kings command , went and spoke to the king , in the wisdom and fear of the lord , by which means she saved the lives of the people of god ; and righteous mordecai did not forbid her speaking , but said , if she held her peace , her and her fathers house should be destroyed ; and herein you blind priests are contrary to righteous mordecai . likewise you may read how judith spoke , and what noble acts she did , and how she spoke to the elders of israel , and said , dear brethren , seeing ye are the honorable & elders of the people of god , call to remembrance how our fathers in time past were tempted , that they might be proved if they would worship god aright ; they ought also to remember how our father abraham , being tryed through manifold tribulations , was found a friend of god ; so was isaac , jacob , and moses , and all they pleased god , and were stedfast in faith through manifold troubles . and read also her prayer in the book of judith , and how the elders commended her , and said , all that thou speakest is true , and no man can reprove thy words , pray therefore for us , for thou art an holy woman , and fearest god. so these elders of israel did not forbid her speaking , as you blind priests do ; yet you will make a trade of womens words to get money by , and take texts , and preach sermons upon womens words ; and still cry out , women must not speak , women must be silent ; so you are far from the minds of the elders of israel , who praised god for a womans speaking . but the jezebel , and the woman , the false church , the great whore , and tatling women , and busie-bodies , which are forbiden to preach , which have a long time spo●●n●●tled , which are forbidden to speak by the true church , which ●●●st is the head of ; such vvomen as were in transgression under the law , which are called a vvoman in the revelations . and see further how the wise vvoman cryed to joah over the vvall , and saved the city of abel , as you may read , 2 sam. 20. how in her wisdom ▪ she spoke to joab , saying , i am one of them that are peaceable and faithful in israel , and thou goest about to destroy a city and mother in israel ; why wilt thou destroy the inheritance of the lord ? then went the woman to the people in her wisdom , and smote off the head of sheba , that rose up against david , the lords anointed : then joab blew the trumpet , and all the people departed in peace . and this deliverance was by the means of a womans speaking ; but ta●lers , and busie-bodies , are forbidden to preach by the true woman , whom christ is the husband , to the woman as well as 〈◊〉 man , all being comprehended to be the church ; and so in this true churc● sons and daughters do prophesie , women labour in the gospel ; but the apostle permits not tatlers , busie-bodies , and such as usurp authority over the man , would not have christ reign , nor speak neither in the male nor female ; such the law permits not to speak , such must learn of their husbands : but what husbands have widows to learn of , but christ ? and was not christ the husband of philips four daughters ? and may not they that learn of their husbands spe●● then ? but jezebel , and tatlers , and the whore that denies revelation and prophesie , are not permitted , which will nor learn of christ ; and they that be out of the spirit and power of christ , that the prophets were in , who are in the transgression , are ignorant of the scriptures ; and such are against womens speaking , and mens too , who preach that which they have received of the lord god ; but that which they have preached , and do preach , will come over all your heads , yea , over the head of the false church , the pope ; for the pope is the head of the false church , and the false church is the popes wife : and so he and they that be of him , and come from him , are against womens speaking in the true church , when both he and the false church are called woman , in revel . 17. and so are in the transgression that would usurp authority over the man christ jesus , and his wife too , and would not have him to reign ; but the judgement of the great whore is come . but christ , who is the head of the church , the true woman which is his wife , in it do daughters prophesie ; who are above the pope and his wife , and a top of them ; and here christ is the head of the male and female , who may speak ; and the church is called a royal priesthood ; so the woman must offer as well as the man , rev. 22. 17. the spirit saith , come , and the bride saith , come ; and so is not the bride the church ? and doth the church only consist of men ? you that deny womens speaking , answer ; doth it not consist of women as well as men ? is not the bride compared to the whole church ? and doth not t●e bride say , come ? doth not the woman speak then ? the husband , christ jesus , the amen ; and doth not the false church go about to stop the brides mouth ? but it is not possible for the bridegroom is with his bride , and he opens her mouth . christ jesus , who goes on conquering , and to conquer ; who kills and slayes with the sword , which is the words of his mouth ; the lamb and the saints shall have the victory , the true speakers of men and women over the false speaker . the end . the woman-preacher of samaria a better preacher, and more sufficiently qualified to preach than any of the men-preachers of the man-made-ministry in these three nations / by george keith. keith, george, 1639?-1716. 1674 approx. 74 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 20 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2003-09 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a47200 wing k236 estc r218789 23813445 ocm 23813445 109573 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a47200) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 109573) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 1703:11) the woman-preacher of samaria a better preacher, and more sufficiently qualified to preach than any of the men-preachers of the man-made-ministry in these three nations / by george keith. keith, george, 1639?-1716. [2], 25 p. s.n.], [london : 1674. place of publication suggested by wing. imperfect: cropped, with loss of print. reproduction of original in the harvard university library. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng society of friends -ministry of women. women clergy. theology, doctrinal. 2003-01 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2003-02 spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images 2003-06 judith siefring sampled and proofread 2003-06 judith siefring text and markup reviewed and edited 2003-08 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the woman-preacher of samaria ; a better preacher , and more sufficiently qualified to preach than any of the men-preachers of the man-made-ministry in these three nations . quia non cognovi literaturam , introibo in potentias domini , psal 71. v. 15. ( so the ancient latine , and so the septuagint , in some copies , and so the hebrew it self , being rightly translated ) in english thus . because i know not letters i will enter into the powers of the lord. by george keith . printed in the year 1674. the woman-preacher of samaria . come hither all you men-preachers , of a man-made-ministry , in the three nations ; whether conformists , or nonconformists unto the present way of the ministry , and worship in these nations established by an humane law , who cry out against womens preaching , and speaking , and say , women ought not to preach , there should not be women preachers , they should keep them to the affairs within the house , and not meddle with our holy function . behold , a woman-preacher ! the woman of samaria ( iohn 4. ) who may be an example unto you all ; and the best of you , and most learned and qualified of you all , have need to learn of her how to preach . this woman of samaria may be your school-mistress to teach you to preach ; and it were good for you to learn of her , who though being dead , yet speaketh unto you . verily , she is a witness for god , unto the true way of ministry , and preaching , against you all , and against all your false and invented ways . oh for shame let alone your crying out against women-preachers ; while you are short , exceedingly short of this woman-preacher of samaria : and , first of all , learn the true silence , and to have that mouth in you stopped , which god hath never opened ; that the true mouth which is of his opening , you may come to witness , or else for ever to be silent : that him you may know to open your mouths , who hath the key of david , who shutteth , and no man openeth ; and openeth , and no man shutteth . the woman then left her water-pot , and went her way into the city , and saith unto the men , come , see a man which told me all things that ever i did , is not this the christ ? then they went out of the city , and came unto him , &c. iohn 4.28 , 29 , 30. here she preached christ in few words , but very effectually , and with good success . come , see a man that told me all things that ever i did , is not this the christ ? these were her words , few and short , but very material , and pertinent ; and very powerful and effectual , as appeared by the good success her words had upon the men of the city : for it is said , then ( to wit , after her speaking to them ) they went out of the city , and came unto him : and v. 39. it is said , and many of the samaritans of that city believed on him , for the saying of the woman , which testified , he told me all things that ever i did : but v. 41. it is said , and many more believed , because of his own word . but , how came this woman to be a preacher of christ ? first , who taught her ? secondly , who called her ? verily she was not taught by men , nor by men was she called , but by christ. she had not been learned at the university , neither got she her ordination , either by the laying on of hands , of a bishop , or company of men , called a presbytery : yea we find no hands that christ laid upon her in the outward , but spoke unto her , and talked with her , and she with him . so then she was taught of christ himself , that he was the messiah , or the christ. she had heard of the messiah that was to come , but she knew not that he was come , or who he was : yea for some time , though he was speaking unto her , she did not know him to be the christ ; but when he said unto her , i that speak unto thee am he , then she believed , and went her way into the city , and preached him unto the men of the city . so first of all , she was taught christ , by christ himself ; she was taught immediately , and being thus taught , she believed on him , and then she went and preached him . this is an excellent pattern , and example unto all true ministers , and preachers of christ ▪ first to be taught by himself , before they go preach him unto others . secondly to believe on him ; and having both heard himself , and from his own word , and testimony , believed on him , then to preach him unto others . and this same method paul followed ; who , of a persecutor of christ , became a preacher of him . first , he was taught christ , by christ himself , and that inwardly christ was revealed in him ; when it pleased god , said he , to reveal his son in me , that i should preach him to the gentiles . and secondly , he was a believer in him , as he said himself , we having received the same spirit of faith , we believe , therefore we speak ; and , said david , i believe , therefore have i spoken . and what sort of faith was this ? was it onely an historical faith , which hypocrites , and ungodly men have , whereof paul and david spake ? nay surely , it was the true , saving , renewing , and sanctifying faith , and according unto this , none ought to preach , who have not a measure of true and saving faith , and who are not truly in some measure sanctified and renewed , and by being sanctified and renewed through faith by the operation of the holy spirit , are fitted and prepared for the work of the ministry . now , by these two qualifications of a true and right preacher of christ , let us try the ministers and ministry of those called preachers in these nations ; both conformists , and non-conformists , both of them affirm , and hold it as their principle , that true and saving faith is not necessary unto a mans being a preacher : it 's true they say , if he be a true believer , and godly man , he will be the better preacher , but a true and lawful preacher he is , and ought to be followed , and heard , and maintained , though he be not in the least a godly man , or true believer , if he be a scholar , and can preach in a form of sound words , if he have latine , greek , and a little hebrew and logick , and such like natural arts and sciences , it is enough to qualifie him to be a preacher ; and this principle iames durham , a great presbyterian , expresly holds in his book , called , an exposition upon the revelation , in his digression concerning the ministry , and i my self have had sundry debates , with both conformists , and non-conformists so called , touching this same thing ; both affirming that true faith and piety was not needful to a mans being a preacher , but that letter learning was needful ; so that he could not be a preacher without letters , but he could be a preacher without faith and piety . oh abominable doctrine ! and this same rule both follow , in their trying of mens qualifications unto the ministry ; they try what knowledge they have in strange languages , and arts and sciences natural , and what they can say upon pla●es of scripture , but never one word they question them concerning the work of god in their hearts , or concerning their faith and piety . but alas ! how can they try them concerning the work of grace in their hearts , seeing they acknowledge th●● have not a discerning themselves , whereby to know them surely and infallibly ; yea , they affirm there is no such discerning in these dayes , as whereby men can be known to be truly gracious . and doth not sad experience shew it , that the generality of those preachers have not true faith and piety , their lives and conversations are so gross and carnal ? yea , do not many of themselves see it , and have they not complained of it ? and yet doth not this principle of theirs , that wicked men may be preachers , and ought to be received , lay a foundation for a wicked 〈◊〉 ? and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 being laid with their own hands , will not wicked men come in thick and throng ? and will not th●se 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to have all like themselves ? if they can have a wicked man ▪ will not the wicked prefer him to another that but seems to be a godly , and may , or may not be , and thus in process of time the whole ministry will consist of ungodly men , the wicked being still preferred by the wicked ; and carrying it by most votes , as among them called presbyterians , or by the authority of the bishop , as among the episcopal . oh! for shame never say , that you are for a godly ministry , while you both lay such a foundation for the ungodly . and secondly , as both sorts hold that true faith and piety is not necessary to a mans being a preacher , so they hold that immediate revelation , and to be immediately taught by christ himself , is not necessary , either to his being , or better being , yea , they wholly exclude it , and affirm that all immediate revelation and teaching by christ himself , so as to teach men the truths of the gospel , is ceased since the apostles dayes , and is no more to be expected while the world lasts ; so iames durham , concerning prophecying in his afore said book , and in the first page of that book , he saith , god hath spoke his last words to his church , by iohn , in the revelation ; and so the church nor any in the church is not to hear any word from god , or christ himself ; nay , he hath spoken his last words sixteen hundred years ago . oh gross blindness and darkness ! is the lord wholly absent from his church ? or if he be present with her , and in her , doth he never speak himself ? hath he lost the power of his speech , or his willingness to speak , that he hath been so long silent ? surely , nay , as it is written , our god will speak , and not keep silence , he is not so unkind , nor hard-hearted , as those men would make him , so as not to speak himself . and as concerning the immediate teachings of christ , who is such a stranger unto them , and their principles , who know not that they deny them , and are enemies unto them , and that one of the main things of controversie betwixt them and us lyeth here ; they say , the immediate teachings of christ are all ceased , since the apostles dayes ; we say , not , and we are witnesses of the contrary in our experience , who witness the new covenant fulfilled , they shall be all taught of the lord , that is , immediately , else what doth the new excel the old , and first covenant in ? for under the old they were taught of the lord mediately , as by moses and the prophets ; but under the new , they are taught of god himself , who dwelleth in them , and walketh in them , and is their teacher , shepheard , and husband . and now , how can these men be taught of the lord himself , or immediately to preach christ , who deny the thing it self ? how can we have charity unto them to believe they are so taught , while they deny that any are so taught in those days ? and then what is their preaching of him ? it is but by hearsay , and report ; they are all short of this woman , she both heard christ himself , and saw himself , which none of them , ( as they confess , ) have ever done : they say they have never seen him , nor heard him , nor spoken with him , and yet they preach ; whereas she both heard him , and saw him before she preached him ; and thus did john , and the apostles preach him : that which was in the beginning , which we have seen with our eyes , and heard with our ears , and our hands have handled of that word of life we declare unto you ; for the life was manifested , and we have seen it , and delare it unto you , that you may have fellowship with us , &c. now which of the two ways of preaching are the best ; to preach only from a hearsay by others , or from a fight , and hearing of christ himself ? surely this was the best , and therefore this woman is a better preacher , than all your university men , and doctors , amd batchelors : she learned more of christ from himself , in that small time , ( perhaps not one hours length ) than your doctors , and university men have yet learned , for all their many years studying ▪ labouring , reading , and hearing : as christ , upbraided the jews , that they had neither heard his fathers voice , nor seen his shape ; so it may be said of them ; yea , they say it themselves , they have neither heard him , nor seen him . alas for such teachers ! what should men hear them for ? they can tell us no more of him , but as they have heard it from men , or read it in the seripture ; and all their knowledge is fron the scripture , and all have the scripture as well as they , and so without them , by the scripture , may know as much of christ as they , and save both their pains , and their money . and as concerning this woman , it is manifest , that as she heard him , and saw him outwardly , so she both heard him , and saw him inwardly , and was taught by his spirit in her heart ; for had she not been inwardly taught , and heard inwardly , she could not have believed on him , which she did : neither had the outward hearing and seeing made her blessed ; for many heard and saw him outwardly , and yet were not blessed : but , said christ to his disciples , blessed are your eyes , for they see , and blessed are your ears , for they hear ; this was inwardly , they both heard and saw inwardly , and this made them blessed , whereas others heard and saw outwardly , and therefore were not blessed , as the disciples , and this woman was . yea that she was taught inwardly , and that more largely , and fully , than by what she heard outwardly it doth manifestly appear from her words , in that she said , he hath told me all things that ever i did : now this could not be outwardly , for he told her but some things outwardly , as concerning her husbands that were dead , and how the man she had , was not her husband ; and certainly , in so small a time as they had together , words outwardly could not have told her the half , yea , not the hundred part of all that ever she did ; she was therefore inwardly taught by him , and told all these things . christ jesus the word , the life , the light in her heart told her , as he well could , even in a moment ▪ or the twinkling of an eye bring all things before her , and tell her all things in her whole life ; and certainly this was it that made her to believe him , to be not onely a prophet , but more than a prophet , even the true messiah , or christ. he who hath told me all that ever i did , this must be christ , this cannot but be more than any of the prophets , who told me some things , but no prophet could tell me all but christ onely , who is the true god , and knoweth all things , and searcheth all my my inward parts and thoughts . 3. as concerning her call , ( as was said ) she had it not from men , and indeed we read not of any outward call she had from christ ; but certainly he who taught her inwardly , called her also inwardly , by his holy spirit ; yea , so powerful was her inward call , and the motion of the spirit of christ within her , that it caused her to make hast , she tarried not to carry home her water pot , for it is said expresly , she left here water-pot , and went into the city , and said unto the men , come , see a man , &c. but as for their call , it is wholly from men , and by men ; for as they deny all immediate teaching , so they deny immediate calling unto the ministry ; yea , their principle that immediate revelation is ceased , and that the scripture is the onely rule , obligeth them to deny all immediate calling , as well as immediate teaching . behold then how she hath this third qualification of a true preacher which they want ; she was called immediately by the spirit of christ in her heart ; she ran not unsent , it appears the lord sent her , and was with her by his spirit , by the good effect her testimony had ; for , as it is said , many of the samaritans of that city believed on him , &c. and this was through her preaching . they did not despise her because she was a woman , they did not say unto her ( as many now say ) thou art a woman , thou should not preach ; neither did they say unto her , thou art but ignorant and unlearned , as men commonly say now unto our friends whom god hath taught , by his holy spirit , though they have not the tongues , nor the natural arts , and university learning ; why do ye preach who are unlearned , and have not been at the university ? i say , these men , they neither upbraided her with her being a woman , nor secondly , with her being unlearned ; nor thirdly , that she wanted her call , and was idle , or medled with a business that did not concern her ; they did not say unto her , go home to your wheel , and your spinning , and such like words , as men commodly now say to women friends , whom the lord hath taught and called by his spirit to testifie of him , as he did this woman of samaria . nor fourthly , did they upbraid her with the place , as men commonly also now do , who wonder , and gaze , and mock , and scorn , if they see or hear any speak any thing of christ in the streets ; o , say they , this is not the church , go to church , if ye would preach , this is not a fit place to preach in . these men of the city did not so unto this woman , though she came unto them , and spake unto them , where she first found them , which might be in the streets or any where else . 4. also , this woman , no doubt very unexpectedly , and far from any design she had before had unto this work , became a preacher , little knew she , or little did she think , before she met with christ , and heard him , that she should preach him , nay verily , she knew nothing of it at all , nor had she any such design before hand ; far contrary unto these preachers of the man-made-ministry , who have designed it long before hand , and it was a design of their parents and relations even from their child-hood : yea , this was the end , and final moving cause , of their being sent first to the grammar-school , and then to the university ; a design they should be preachers : quod est ultimum in executione , est primum in intentione : i. e. what is last in execution is first in intention , so it was first of all intended . a father hath three sons , one of them he thinks may be fit to be made a lawyer , another to be a doctor of physick , a third ( and that commonly the greatest dunce or dolt of the three , finding him not so fit for other things ) he resolves he will have him a minister , or preacher , that it may be a living to him ; and so away be send● them all to the grammar school , and from that to the university ; and thus one becomes a preacher only by that which is natural and artificial , as the other two becomes the lawyer and physitian , here is nothing of god or christ seen more in the one than in the other : is it not so generally among them ? they are become preachers by a design or contrivance of their parents , or themselves . as soon as they become but so old , as to have so much natural wit as to see they must make some shift how to live , and looking about the many trades , they readily see it is the far easiest of many , or most trades to be a preacher , to get money , for it is little labour in respect of many other labours , and much gain , and also brings honour , for if he had been of never so mean a degree , and of the most abject and mean parents in all the countrey , yet to become a preacher , maketh him to be esteemed a gentleman , and be called sir ; and perhaps , to be advanced to be a bishop , and then he will be called , my lord. but how many either of one sort or another of them , whether episcopal or presbiterian , are to be found , who have been called from some other calling or occupation they were in before , to leave it , and go to preach christ , as this woman was called from her water pot immediately to go preach him , in a city of samaria , called sychar ? and yet thus were the true servants of the lord called , who were mechanick men , and tradesmen , both prophets , and apostles ; elisha was called from the plough , amos from the heard , who was an herd-man , and a gather of sycomore fruit ; and the apostles , many , or most of them from their fish-nets , who were fishers ; matthew from the receipt of custom , who was a publican , and luke was a physitian , and paul a tent-maker : and so most part of all whom god ever sent to preach had their employments before , and not one ever became a preacher by an humane design or intention before hand in order unto a living , and to get money as they do : and so this is a fourth difference betwixt this woman-preacher of samaria and them , wherein she excelleth them . her preaching was not any humane design , either of her , or any man , or men else , but it was wholly divine , it was of the lord alone , he designed it , and not man ; whereas their preaching commonly and generally is a humane design , and contrivance from first to last , to get money , and worldly honour and preferment with much ease and idleness . 5. she preached christ freely , as she had freely received , so she freely gave ; she did not begin to contract , or covenant , or bargain with them before hand , for monie , or for any worlds good ; she said not unto them , what money or hire will ye give me , and i will preach christ unto you ? nay , nay , she was not of such a mercinary spirit , she was more noble ; far unlike the preachers of the man-made-ministry in these daies , whether episcopal , or presbiterian , as well as popish , where all is done for money , no money , no preaching , as the old proverb is , no penny , no pater noster ; and was it not so generally among the presbiterians , while they had the publick places , and the law of the nation to stand by them , and for them , who of them all preached without a stipend ? which is in plain english , wages or hire ; for stipend being a latine word , signifieth properly wages or hire , but they will not have it called wages or hire , lest they should seem to be hirelings ; they will take the hire , they will seek it , yea , exact it , yea , strain and distrain , and poind , and cast into prison for it , and take away a poor mans pot or pan , or platter for it , as was done to some of our friends in the presbiterian time , and this to pay those mens stipend , who were called godly men of the finest sort of the presbiterians : a strange thing of exacting wages of them , and forcing them to give them money , who never hired them , nor heard them , and so took none of their merchandise , and yet thus it was , as they are living at this day , who can witness it done thus unto them , so ( as is said ) they would take the hire , and force it , but they will not have it called hire , but stipend ; they must put a latine face upon it , that it may not appear in it's own deformed and ugly shape , it must be called stipend , and not hire , whereas the proper english of stipend , is hire ; and now that they are out of their publick places , having gone out through fear , if any of them preach now and then in private places , without a set stipend , that is but in order to propagate , and carry on the presbiterian design , that they may be set up again , and recover their places , and hires again . but which of them can say in the sight of god , at this day , they preach freely without an eye to money or outward reward ? so that if they got nothing by it yet preach they must : who of them all can say , woe unto us if we preach not the gospel , for a necessity is laid upon us to preach ; who of them have got their mouth opened by him to preach , who openeth and no man shutteth , and shutteth and no man openeth ? has not man , and the power and dread of man , oft shut their mouths , and man , with a little of his forbearance , or winking at them , opened them again ? how much of this has been seen these years by past among these called , or accounted the best sort of them ? where were they to be found in times of hazard , when the power and dread of man threatned them to suffer imprisonment , or fining , or the like ; so that it was likely they would be apprehended , and haled to prison , to ly there they knew not how long , or have a fine taken of them . did they preach then openly and in view ? could their voice be heard in the streets ? no surely . but if an indulgence come , or that the magistrates wink a little at them , and they observe it , then they will come out of their holes , and creep forth a little into common view or observation . and thus man shutteth them , and man openeth them ; for they know not him nor his opening , who openeth and no man shutteth , and shutteth and no man openeth . and doth not all this exceedingly bewray and discover them to be of a covetous , and mercinary spirit , hirelings indeed , who flee from the sheep in a time of hazard , whereas the good shepherd layeth down his life for the sheep . surely this woman of samaria was of a more noble spirit , who preached both freely , and boldly . 6. though she was a woman , yet she was not afraid to bear testimony of christ , she did not call them , to whom she preached into a cellar , or vault under the ground , or some private place , but openly , and publickly she preached him to a great company , so many heard and believed because of her saying , and yet no doubt there was a hazard so publickly to confess him , and own him in that day ; and though some believed in him , yet others were enemies to him , who were samaritans . 7. the manner how she preached christ , is observable , she preached him from her own experience , as what she found done by him in relation to her own condition . come , said she , see a man who hath told me all that ever i did , is not this the christ ? who , among them all , thus preach him from their own experience ? or who preach him as the psalmist did , who said come , and i will tell you what god hath done for my soul ? who of them can say , i have met with the lord , and he hath convinced me of all my sins , and told me all that ever i did , and has set all things before me , and made me hate all my sins , and loath both them and my self because of them , is not this the christ ? also it is observable , the pithy and effectual way of hear reasoning , by question , or interrogation , which implyeth both a strong affirmation , and a clear inference or induction from the premises , leaving it as it were unto themselves to judge , or conclude , is not this the christ , who has told me all that ever i did ? this cannot be a meer man , this cannot be only a prophet , this must be the christ , seeing he hath told me all that ever i did . how effectually doth she reason , as she was taught by the spirit of christ in her , though she never learned the art of logick , yet surely she reasoned most effectually , and saw more into the reason of the thing , than all the university men have done unto this day , by all their artificial logick . and her reason , or argument runs thus . he who telleth a man or woman all that ever they have done , must be christ : but this man has told all that ever i have done , therefore this is the christ , or is not this the christ ? the first proposition is clear unto all men , because it is he only who is god , that knoweth all the doings of a man , so it is he only who can tell them all unto them , and so this he , who hath told me all that ever i did , must be more than any man , or prophet , who may know some things , but know not all , he must be christ , who is god. and as i said before this was inwardly , and not outwardly , he could not tell her outwardly all that ever she did in so short a time , but inwardly he could in a moment ; even as the outward light of the sun in a moment representeth things unto our eye in the outward , and letteth us see in a moment , all at once , as it were a thousand things ; and thus she was taught , and thus she reasoned concerning him : and thus also hath the lord taught us to reason concerning him. he who hath in wardly conuinced us of our sins , and told us all the sins that ever we did , and brought them to remembrance before us , when we had forgotten them , or cast them behind our backs , this is the christ , this light in us must be the light of christ ; or this he in us must be the christ , and not any meer humane , or natural light , this must be divine , spiritual , and saving , yea , the saviour , the christ : so she preached him , and so the lord hath taught us to preach him . but so do not these men of the man-made-ministry preach him ; nay , but the contrary : for , say they , that is not christ which convinceth every man of his sins , and tells him all that ever he did , it is but a humane principle , not divine ; it is but natural , not spiritual ; a natural light , and so instead of preaching him thus , as he is in the hearts of people convincing them of sin , and shewing them their sins , they plainly deny him , they confess them without , but deny him within ; and so deny his divinity , and divine power and godhead : for if he be god , is he not within ? and that both in believers , and unbelievers , doth he not by his spirit convince the world of sin ? is he not the light of the world , who lighteth every man that cometh into the world , that all men through him might believe ? as iohn declared , chap. 1. yea , so contrary are they unto the being of christ within , that they plainly , and openly deny him , to be really and properly , and immediately , or essentially within his saints ; yea , to say , that he is , they call it blasphemy : o , say they , he is in us by his graces , and by his operations , or virtue , but not immediately , or essentially : he is in us , say they , immediatione virtutis , but not immediatione suppositi : i. e. he is in us immediately by his virtue , but not by himself ; as the sun appeareth in us by his virtue or heat : yea , the real in-being of the spirit of god by himself , they have generally denyed , and judged some among themselves who have affirmed it : and yet how clear and full is the scripture unto this truth ; that christ is not only in all men by his light , but also upholdeth all things by his word and power , which canot be separated from him ; and if he were not every where , he could not be infinite ; and as he is in all , so he hath his several ways of operation , and manifestation in all , in unbelievers after one manner , and in believers in another , according unto their several capacities , and conditions . 8. she preached him as one they could both come unto , and see immediately , as she had heard him , and seen him her self , so she had a great desire that they also might see him , come and see , ( said she ) she did not thus preach unto them , it is enough for your faith , o ye men of samaria , that others have heard of christ , and seen him , and from what they have heard and seen , to have reported of him unto you ; oh! nay , but come and see , and after this manner did all the true servants of god , preach unto peopole , o tast and see , said david ▪ that which we have heard and seen , we declare unto you ( saith john in the name of all his brethren ) that you may have fellowship with us ; that ye may hear with us , and see with us , and handle with us , of that word of life : but so do not these men of the man-made-ministry ; neither episcopal , presbyterian , nor independent , so called ; none of them all say or preach , come and see christ himself , or hear himself ; nay , nay , that is all ceased ( say they ) christ is gone into heaven , and will not come again till the last day , he has left us the scriptures , and the sacraments in his room ▪ we cannot know him otherwise , but by these visible things , we cannot see himself , nor hear himself , all immediate revelation is ceased , there is no vision of god or christ to be expected in this life nor immediate teaching , or hearing of christ himself o sad , and comfortless doctrine ! but this is their doctrine , nor christ's . i will rather hear this woman of samaria , than hear them , she bids come and see christ himself ; they say there is no seeing of him , nor hearing of himself , so long as we live upon earth : oh blind and deaf men , who because they have neither heard him , nor seen him , therefore deny this blessed priviledge ! oh that people should follow after them , and not see these blind men ! what great matter can they tell of christ ? what great or excellent thing can they attain by their preaching , who deny that they can either hear him , or see him while they are upon earth ? but who , in some measure hear him not , nor see him while on earth , be this told unto you as from the lord , it will be in vain for you to think to hear him , or see him to your comfort and joy hereafter . 9. again , the method of this womans preaching was not like their school method , who make a tale of an hours length , and yet never come to the matter it self ; who take a text from some place of scripture , and raise from it so many points of doctrine , which they have studied so long before hand ; and must study a day , ( and some perhaps two or three days ) to preach one hour , and then to deliver off unto the people that dry , dead and barren stuff , that they have scraped and gathered together out of so many old and worm eaten authors , which they cannot say is their experience , and have not received it from the lord. but they are theeves , and have stolen it , yea perhaps it is an hundred times stolen , having come through so many hands ; who have stollen the words of god concerning the conditions , and experiences of the saints , as the false teachers , and prophets of old , of whom the lord said jer. 23. behold i am against these prophets who steal my words , &c. they shall not profit the people at all . and is not this fulfilled abundantly ? where is the profitting of the people ? doe they not remain still in their sins and wickedness ? and as for these made , and composed sermons ; by art and cunning of mans wisdom and spirit , it is plain deceit , and is expressly so called in scripture , where the apostle said , that with feigned words the false teachers should make merchandize of the people . according unto the greek properly and truly it is thus : with made , or composed speeches , or discourses , they shall make merchandise of you . and so it is seen at this day : for as they make their sermons by art , and take great pains ( as they say ) to compose , and frame them , so they make merchandise of them , and sell them unto the people for money ; yea , cause people to give them money , over , and over again for the same ; and thus they they beguile them , and make merchandise of them also : so did not this woman ; she did not go home and study what she should say , but she spoke what freely rose in her heart , as the lord taught her ; and though her words were but few , yet they are very material and weighty , and came no doubt from the wisdom of god revealed in her , for her own wisdome could never have taught her such excellent words , and so excellently to prove that he was the christ from her own experience . he hath told me all that ever i did , is not this the christ ? 10. her preaching had this good effect , they came unto him saw himself , and heard him ; and as some believed because of the womans saying , so it is said , many more believed because of his own word , and then their faith had sure footing , and found the right foundation , to wit , his own word : then they generrally came to hear himself , and so believed , because they heard himself , as they declared themselves ; yet she was an occasion unto them by her speaking : but whom hath these of the man-made-ministry brought this length , that they are come unto christ himself , and heard him , and seen him ? nay , both teachers and people cry out generally , this is not to be expected in this life , all vision , and revelation is ceased : and no doubt as they came unto him outwardly , and heard him , and saw him outwardly ; so they came unto him , and heard , and saw him inwardly , otherwise they could not have believed in him , nor loved him as they did , nor been blessed by him , if they had not seen him , and heard him with another eye than the outward , which many heard him , and saw him him with , who remained unbelievers , and were not blessed . and so now by these ten instances , it is manifest , how this woman-preacher of samaria , was a better preacher than any of the men-preachers of the man-made-ministry , who called the men of sychar out of the city unto iacob's well to see christ : now sychar signifieth drunkenness , and doth fitly answer unto the natural , and unconverted state , and now iacob's well typefieth the spirit of christ , which is the well of living-water in true believers , and so out of the natural state , and spirit of this world , she called them unto the spirit of christ , there to come unto him , and to see him . the 29th of the first month , 1673. post-script . but say , the men-preachers of the man made-ministry , women ought not to preach , because the apostle expresly saith , but i suffer not a woman to teach , nor to vsurp authority over the man , but to be in silence . to which i say , first , what if i should understand by the woman in this place , the flesh , as bernard , an ancient father in the church , ( who is of great account both among them called papists and protestants ) doth understand it ; for thus he writeth about five hundred years ago , in sermone de septem spiritibu● , fol. 87. edit . paris . ad spiritum enim debet fieri conversio carnis , ut serviat ipsa , & non serviatur ei , ut dicat spiritus servo sno , veni , & veniat , fac hoc & faciat illud , sic enim erit uxor nostra , sicut vitis abundans , & salvabitur per geuerationem filiorum ▪ qui sunt opera bona , si fuerit ipsa quidem in lateribus domus nostrae i. e. in abscondito , & humili loco , anima vero resideat in medio tanquam domina , tanquam pater familias , tanquam iudex . that is , in english ; for the flesh ought to be converted unto the spirit , that she may serve , and not be served ; that the spirit may say unto his servant , come , and it cometh ; do this , and it doth it ; for so our wife shall be , as a fruitful vine , and shall be saved by bearing of children , which are good works , if she be indeed in the sides of our house , that is , in a secret , and low place ; but let the soul remain in the midst , as a mistress , as a master of the family , as a judge . behold , how bernard understandeth by the woman ( which paul suffereth not to teach ) our flesh , and paul speaking of this woman , that she shall be saved in child-bearing ; bernard expoundeth these children to be good works , notwithstanding she shall be saved ( saith paul ) in child-bearing , or in bearing of children , if they continue in faith and charity , and holiness , with sobriety , 1 tim. 2.12 , 13 , 14 , 15. and that the apostle saith , if they continue what is to be understood by these words ? whether outward and natural children ; or such children as bernard expoundeth to be good works ? or is a woman saved by bearing outward , and natural children , to wit , male , or female children , or can the faith and holiness of these children save the woman ? i have made use of the authority of bernard , in this place , not as if i would have people believe this exposition simply or mainly because bernard hath said so ; but indeed , because the men of the schools , and those called clergy-men , lay such weight upon the authority of the fathers , who commonly say , we are to receive the exposition of the scripture from the fathers , and ( if the expoposition of a scripture be called in question ) we are to hear , what such an ancient father , as bernard , or agustine ▪ or ierome saith upon it , and that is to determine the case , if especially the scripture it s●lf say nothing to the contrary ; let them hear therefore bernard in the case ▪ and leave off their proud and insolent words against the people called in derision quakers , as if they understood the scriptures all contrary to the mind of the ancient fathers , ( for let this be told them , that not onely in this particular , but in most of all the things of weight , wherein we differ from the present clergy-men so called , we have the ancient fathers more on our side , than they have , as it may be made appear ( if god permit ) in due season ) and also let those weak and illiterate man made-ministers , who pretend so much to learning , and reading ( and yet have so little of it ) forbear their frothy jearings , and mockings of our friends as touching the meaning of the scriptures , lest in so doing they be found mockers of them whom they call their fathers , of whom either mediately or immediately they borrow , or rather steal any thing they have to say , though oft knowing neither what they say , nor whereof they affirm , i have had an occasion given me , not long ago by some of these men to return them this advice : some of them going about to represent it , as a most ridiculous , and inconsistent exposition to expound , by the woman ( which paul permitted not to speak ) the flesh ; for , say they , if the woman be the flesh , then , who is the fleshes husband ? now , let them hear bernard ( a man i am verily perswaded far excelling them both in piety and learning ) who saith , the flesh is to be subject to the spirit ( or spiritual part in us ) and so she shall be our wife , a fruitful vine in the sides of our house : by which flesh , is not to be understood sin , or sinfull concupiscence , but the animal or inferior part of a man , which is the creature of god , and is of good use unto them who are sanctified and renewed . and as concerning the woman mentioned by paul , in his first epistle to timothy , chap. 2. v. 12 , 13 , &c. not onely bernard , as i have shewed , but augustine ( who lived twelve hundred years ago , and one of the most renowned fathers in the church in those dayes , and who is of great account at this day both among papists and protestants ) doth by the woman understand the flesh , and by her children , he doth understand good works ; for thus he writeth , libro de trinitate . 12. upon the words of the apostle to timothy ; she shall be saved by bearing of children : in that sex of male and female ( saith he ) the apostle paul from this may be understood to have figured the mystery of something more secret ; his words in latine run thus : in isto sexu masculi & faeminae apostolus paulus occultioris cujusdam rei figurasse mysterium , vel hinc intelligi potest . and again , the same augustine writeth thus , tractatu in psal ▪ 83. salva ergo erit mulier quae in typo carnis accipitur , per filiorum generationem , id est , si faciat opera bona . that is , in english , the woman therefore shall be saved , which is taken in the type of the flesh , by the generation of children , that is , if she do good works . i answer , secondly , if i should so far condes●end , or agree unto them , as to take the words of paul , for women , in the common sense of speech , what will they gain by it ? that no women are to speak in the church ; or that women in no case are to speak in the church ? if so , why then are they sound so great and palpable transgressors themselves , who not onely permit , but command women frequently to speak in their own churches , even in their most publick assemblies . and verily , if the thing were not so publickly and ordinarily practised in this land. i should almost be ashamed to mention it , the matter it self is so shameful a thing . how is it , i say ( to you i speak who are called ministers of the kirk of scotland ) that ye not onely permit , but command , yea , and force women , and that of the worst sort , to wit , whores , and adulterous women , and who have committed fornication again , and again , and that without any real signs of true repentance , to come in before the face of the whole congregation , to speak . and the place wherein they are appointed to stand , is not much unlike to your pulpits , but that it is larger , that it may hold three or four ; and i my self , as many with me , have seen it filled , with as many as it could well hold , and these unhonest women are commanded to speak publickly in the church ; yea , the preacher , ( after he himself hath made an end , ) calleth them by their particular names one by one , and bids them speak to the edification of the congregation ; and so they must all speak one by one , to the edification of all ; and those who are most impudent , and least sensible either of their sin , or their shame , will readily speak most , but in great hipocrisie and deceit , for you your selves know , that a true penitent is rarely to be found among them . if you say , this is not preaching or teaching , but only a confessing of their sins , and asking god mercy , and the like ; i answer , is not confessing their sins , speaking , and asking mercy of god ( so that the congregation may hear ) is not this speaking ? now , the apostle saith , 1 cor. 14.34 . let your women keep silence in the churches , for it is not permitted unto them to speak . so the apostle useth this general word ( to speak ) and yet surely confessing of sin , and praying for forgiveness , so that the congregation may hear , is speaking ; yet it is permitted unto these ▪ whorish and dishonest women at that time to exhort the people , and warn them to beware of the snares of the enemy , and the like words ; and this i● a sort of teaching : and i my self have heard some of them , who had learned the knack of it , more than others , spake by way of exhortation , and instruction , that she seemed to speak almost as well , and to as good purpose , as the preacher himself . now , let all sober , and impartial people judge in this case , betwixt those men , and us ; they not onely permit , but command dishonest women , ( who have been whores , ) to speak in the church , whereas we command no woman at all to speak in the church ; but this we say , if god by his spirit move or command a godly , sober , religious woman to speak in the church , we are not to forbid her , yea , we are to hear her , and we may be both edified , and refreshed by her testimony , it being the spirit of god which speaketh unto us , in her , and by her . yea , that the apostle did not forbid all women in all cases to to speak , is plain , for in the same epistle , chap. 11. v. 5. he sheweth , how the woman is to be covered , that prayeth , or prophecyeth , which plainly holdeth forth , that some women at least , did both pray , and prophecy in the church , in his day , ( yea , and ye your selves allow women to sing in the church , which is a sort of speaking , and if they sing publickly in the outward hearing , why may they not pray publickly in the outward hearing , for both is a sort of speaking , seeing in both they utter words . ) what sort of women then is it , whom paul doth not permit to speak in the church ? in these two places above-mentioned , 1 cor. 14.34 . and 1 tim. 2.12 , 13. &c. taking them for women in the common litteral sence ) verily , let us but look into the context , or words going before , in both places , and that will clear it : for they are such women , as need to be taught themselves ; even , first , unlearned women , secondly , tatling women , that were not yet come to the true silence . thirdly , unruly , proud women , that were not come to the true subjection , all which is implyed in these words , let the women learn in silence , with all subjection ; for no doubt there were such women among them of ephesus ( where timothie then was ) who had need of these instructions : and fourthly , vain women , who were given to vain and gaudy apparel , such as gold , or pearls , or costly array , and were not yet come to be covered with the spirit of the lord. fifthly , such as usurped authority over the man. sixthly , such as were in the transgression , and deceived as the first woman was . seventhly , such women as transgress the law , and not come to be under grace , as said paul , they are to be under obedience , as also saith the law : so read the words going before , and behind , in both places , and you may observe , that a seven fold sort of women are not permitted by paul to speak in the church , and as is said , no doubt there were of all these sorts of women among them of corinth , and ephesus , who were not permitted to speak , who had need of these instructions , for commonly such particular instructions are not given , concerning such things , where there is not need , or where none are guilty . but what if paul had said so concerning all the women at corinth , and ephesus , ( where timothy at this time was when he wrote to him , concerning women ) that he did not permit them to speak , will it therefore follow that no women are to speak in any case in the church ? i will put you in mind of one of your school rules , which is this , a particularibus ad universale non val●t consequentia , i. e. from particulars unto universal the consequence is not valid : therefore , though it had not been permitted either unto some or all of these two particular churches of corinth , or ephesus , to speak ( because they might at that time , being but young , not have the requisite qualifications ) it will not follow , that universally all women every where else ought not to speak ; yea , these called presbyterians may remember , how they have both allowed , and countenanced women both to pray , and speak of their experiences ▪ in their private meetings , and yet they cannot deny , but their private meetings are a church ; for inded a church , according to the greek , and latin word , is nothing else but a convention , or gathering of the people , whether few , or many ; so that three , six , or twelve , is as really a church , as 300 , 600 , or 1200. and further , let us once more take notice of the apostles words , and we shall find , that they do not signifie , an absolute forbidding of women in any case to speak , teach , or preach in the church ; i permit or suffer not a woman ( said he ) to teach in the church , but if they will learn any thing , let them ask their hu●bands at home ; for the better understanding of which , i am to remember you , that even according unto pauls own words , there was in that day a two-fold manner of speaking in the church : one by commandment , another by permission , and this distinction paul himself useth , writing unto the corinthians , when he said , as touching some particular things , 1 cor. 7.6 . but i speak this by permission ( said he ) and not of commandment ; also in divers other places , he writeth thus , i say , not the lord , now this sort of speaking was used in the church , in two particular cases ; 1. in the propounding , or asking of a question , for there were in the church , some who asked questions , and some who answered , the unlearned asked , and the learned answered , which is the most proper way of catechising . 2. this sort of speaking , to wit , by permission , was used in the church in matter of advice , and counsel , relating to the affairs of the church , where men ( according to the wisdome given them of god ) finding the spirit of the lord present with them , enlightning them , and directing them , might speak their mind , in cases , by way of counsel and advice , as seeing the expediency and use of it , for a certain time , though they were not to enjoyn it as a command . and paul himself useth this same distinction , destinguishing betwixt things lawful , and things expedient ; so that some things may be lawful which are not expedient , and some things may be both lawful and expedient , and yet not commanded of god ; and a man ( as immediately taught by the spirit of the lord in his heart ) may see , both the lawfulness , and expediency of a thing , and may speak by the spirit of the lord moving him , in the church , concerning both the lawfulness and expediency of that thing , and yet he may say , i speak not this by commandment , as if what he said were a commandment unto them ; yea the spirit of the lord may command and move him to declare unto them , that the thing in hand before them , is not a command , but an expedient thing , and fit to be done at that time . now in these two cases of speaking by permission in the church , as first in that of asking questions ; and , secondly , in that of giving advice or cousel simply , by a permission : if they would contend , that women ought not to speak in the church , all that they can pretend with any shew , or colour of reason , at most is , that women are not to speak in the church by permission : if they speak , they are not to do it by permission , but by commandment , whereas it is permitted unto men , at times to speak in the church by permission , when not by commandment : an unlearned man may be permitted to ask a question in the church , which is not permitted unto a woman , nor is it needful , for she may ask her husband at home . but if the spirit of the lord command or move a godly and spiritually learned woman to speak , in this case she is the lords , more than her husbands , and she is to speak , yea , though the husband should forbid her , for she ought rather to obey god than man. and in christ iesus there is neither male nor femal● but all are one in him ▪ as the apostle said . so both these cases are in a matter of freedom or permission , not in a matter of necessity or command : therefore though women may not speak by permission , which men may do , yet they may speak by command , as when the lord commandeth or moveth them by his spirit . and that women spake in the church , is most evident , from the second chapter of acts , which was a very solemn time , and also a very solemn convention , for the scripture saith expresly , acts 1.14 . that among the apostles , mary with other women were present , and it is said , acts 2.4 . and they were filled with the holy ghost , and began to speak with other tongues , as the spirit gave them utterance . so here the women were filled with the holy ghost , and spake , as the apostles did ; for it is said so of them all universally : and it appeareth further , that the women spoke , in this solemn assembly from the apology of peter , which he made in the defence of the womens prophecying or speaking , out of ioels prophecy , where it was prophecyed by ioel , that the lord would pour out his spirit upon all flesh , both male and female sons and daughters , men servants and maid-servants , and they shall prophecy ; and so that prophecy was eminently fulfilled at that time as at other times afterwards . and also before this time , the lord made use of women , to witness , speak , or declare , and that unto the eleven apostles , that christ was risen from the dead , luke 24.9 , 10. and was not this convention a church ? and did not the lord after his resurrection first of all appear unto a woman , to wit , mary magdalene ? and did not he command her to speak unto the apostles , and instruct them concerning his resurrection ? go ( said he ) unto my brethren , and say unto them , i ascend to my father , and your father , and to my god , and your god. yea , and not onely the scripture , but also the church history telleth us of women , who taught and instructed men , as particularly that woman , who converted the nation of the iberians unto the christian faith , as eusebius relateth . finis . the choyce of ievvels. by lodowik lloid esquier lloyd, lodowick, fl. 1573-1610. 1607 approx. 72 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 24 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2003-11 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a06133 stc 16618 estc s108763 99844419 99844419 9230 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a06133) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 9230) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1475-1640 ; 809:07) the choyce of ievvels. by lodowik lloid esquier lloyd, lodowick, fl. 1573-1610. [8], 39, [1] p. printed by thomas purfoot, london : 1607. running title reads: the choyse of iewels. reproduction of the original in the british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual 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remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng women -history -to 500 -early works to 1800. 2002-12 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2003-01 aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images 2003-02 emma (leeson) huber sampled and proofread 2003-06 aptara rekeyed and resubmitted 2003-08 emma (leeson) huber sampled and proofread 2003-08 emma (leeson) huber text and markup reviewed and edited 2003-10 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the choyce of ievvels . by lodowik lloid esquier . london printed by thomas purfoot . 1607. t te●psichore comes with clio in hand , to iudge with graces three , o of one such like lucina sayd , the sunne did seldome see . a as she that suckt mellissaes milke , fed on sibillas brest , n nurst with sweet ambrosias meat , with heuenly nectar drest . n now comes vrania on message sent , from states of greatest fame , a aurora like descends from skie to enrowle on earth her name . q queene pallas sayd , her name in court should be pan●●ophia stal'd , v venus smiling wisht her name , might be panphila cal'd . e euer iuno sadly sayd , her name must pandora be , e each nymph , each muse , each grace agreed , pandora should be she . n now sits shee on mynerua seat , where all cytherides gree , e euterpe shold to cynthia say , crowne this queen with crownes three . o on forth eudora said , and send medeas golden fleece , f fates all agreed palladium should , to britane come from greece . g great thrice gracious grac't shee is , where graces three do tend , r right happie thrice & thrice queen , where kingdom● three do bend . e erato charged iris streight ▪ on knee to euri●ia bend , t that soone euribia from samos should , her crowne and scepter send . b bellona arm'd with sword and shield : eumenides stands in place , r rhamnusia shall reuenge on those , that seeks this queenes disgrace ▪ i in strength from delos diana comes with bowe and quiuer bend . t the troiane ladies from ida did , the goulden apple send . a amarusia comes with peplon on , her chore calliope ●als , n now daphnes comes with lawrell crownes to crowne her ladies all . h her bowers the dryads build vp braue , and these the oreads decke , e each nymph with flowers & poesies sweet attend pandoras check . a arabi●n ladies with saba came , with myrth and cassia sweet , l like libanon all these ladies smell , which comes our queen to greet . t triton sound the trumpet out , make worlds her fam● to know , h heauens haue their starres of states , some such on earth be so . to the most noble and vertuous queene anne , by the grace of god , queene of great britaine , fraunce , and ireland , &c. lea and rachel , ( most noble queene ) left and forsooke their countrey mesopotamia , to come to israell , to bee the mother of the twelue tribes of israell ▪ ruth the moabite , came from moab to iudah , to be the mother of many great and godly kings in iudah . your maiestie descending from many kings and princes , came from denmarke to scotland , from scotland to england , to be the mother of many kings and princes , in great britane . thus wee are bound to the prouidence of god , by whom kings do raigne , and kingdomes are supported , and that by gods good and gracious means in women , as by thermu●●s pharoes daughter to saue moses in nylus ; to bring the children of israell out of egipt , by king tharbus daughter of ethiop ; to yeild the citie saba , and thereby the victorie to the hebrew armie ; thus heathen women by god are appointed to serue israell at neede . how much more is es●her famous for her great victory ouer the persians . iudith by cutting off holofernus head was in bethulia both for euer famous : noble stratagems of women . but your maiestie by putting your highnes helping hand to pare their feet lesser , their eares shorter , their eyes out , and their monstrous heads off , that can come and goe , that can see and heare from rome , from rhemes , from spaine to great britaine , such victories shold haue double tryumphes , the one in earth , the other in heauen . whē rachels image was buried by sychē , israel began to flourish ; then debora a woman within a while after became a iudge in israel for 40 yeres in mount ephraim : when maachas idoll priapus , was buried and ashes throwne to caedron , then iudah prospered , and hulda a woman dwelling in hierusalem , to whome iosias sent to know how to serue the lord , and to be instructed by a woman , to purifie iudah from images and idols . god raised wise , godly ▪ and vertuous women in all countreys to feare him , & to feed his seruants ; a woman in sarepta to feed elias , a sanamite woman to lodge elizeus , to a woman of samaria christ asked drinke , & confessed himselfe to be the messias . since christ was so conuersant with womē , that to women christ spake his last speach before his death , & after his death he first appeared to women , i wish some women should haue christ in their hearts in great britane , as anna had in her armes in hierusalem , to pray to him and not to saints , to worship christ in the church , and not idols and images in closets and galleries : then did iudah prosper , then did israell florish , and then shall great britane bee happie . your maiesties most bounden and dutifull seruant . lodovvik lloid . to the most noble and vertuous prince christianus king of denmarke , &c. lodowik lloids most humble gratulation at his comming to great britane . who can passe in silence ( most noble prince ) the ioyes and triumphes of these halcyons dayes , wherein christianus king of denmarke , leauing his kingdome , his queen , his court , forsaking his imperiall sceptor and his subiects , renouncing all princely dignities , as a prince that had his soule diuided betweene great britane and denmarke , esteeming more the one halfe in britane , than the whole in denmarke . o loue ! excelling all loue , and that in a king , which the heauens cannot subdue , the earth forget , nor fortune ouerthrowe ; of whose eternall fame , fame dare not lye . let maro cease to commend his troiane aeneas : let homer blush to aduance the greatnesse of achilles , which disguised himselfe like a woman , lest hee should goe from greece to phrygia . let greece not name vlisses to faine madnesse , lest he should depart from ithaca , and his wife penelope to ilion . but christianus king of denmarke , whom neither mother , queen , crownes , or kingdome , could keepe him from great britan : where his maiestie may of right more reioyce of his princely progenie , than king philip of hercules stocke in macedonia , or augustus caesar of gens iulia in rome , sith the line of hercules expired in alexander , and the stemme of aeneas in the emperour nero , so that romanes now may say , fuimus troes ; and macedonians say , fuimus herculani . but great britane was then neuer so great vnder brutus the first king , as nowe vnder iames the second king , whose continuance well nye three thousand yeres , is now againe like the eagle renewed and reuiued , to be by gods goodnesse continued as long by the second brutus , that babes in cradles may say , iubilate britanni . much beholden we are to god , if we forget not god , and great cause haue we to loue , and to honour his highnesse in great britane : if we looke but vnto the greatnesse of his loue to england in queen elizabeths time , and now with greater at this present to king iames , if we shuld be deafe , and not heare of it , or be dumbe , and not speak of it , heauen and earth would accuse vs of too much ingratitude , wood and stones should condemne vs of too much forgetfulnesse . sith neither syracusa , with their conuoyes and prouision to the romanes at thrasymenum , neither tyre nor sydon , with their caedars of lybanon to ierusalem , were so forward as denmark was of late to england ; but as masinissa sayd of the romanes , that there was one kind of people vpon the earth , the people of rome , and among that one people one scipio , to whom he fully deuoted himselfe , as one whose soule rested in scipioes bodie : the like sayd hyra king of tyre , of salomon king of israel . but neither hyra with his sydonians , was more grateful to salomon king of israel , nor masinissa with his numidians more louing to scipio the romane consul , than christianus king of denmarke , was to iames king of great britane , whom neither heauens , earth , nor seas , neither kingdomes nor court , could keepe that louing king from his loue , to come from denmark as a crowned starre of the north , to shine in england , and to come to celebrate and to renew the name of great britane , to see the queene his sister , his nephew , and the rest of the kings children , the sound and sacred anchor of three kingdomes . o loue immortall ! not to be wayed in ballance , not with measure to be measured , not knitted with gordius knot to be cut by alexanders sword , neither with hercules knot to be vnknitted by phoebus , sith all prophane histories cannot allow but eight onely of the like loue , but not eight kings , most seldome two . for to see a king out of his kingdome , is as strange , as to see the sunne out of the skie . let england bee of equall loue with denmarke , sith loue is recompensed with loue , iustly weyed in equall ballance , not with philips siluer swords in greece , not with artaxerxes golden archers in persia , but with pythagoras weapons , one minde , one heart , and one soule , perpetuall weapons , the triumphes thereof haue their euerlasting tropheis . among such , what needs such leagues , and couenants to dippe our weapons in blood , as the scythians did ? or die our clothes in blood , as the armenians did ? or to drinke blood out of our armes , as the medians and lydians did ? sith the league between great britane and denmarke is consecrated with inward blood of mutuall hearts , and confirmed with the entrals and bowels of naturall parents , that two sunnes may be sooner found to agree in the skie , than these two kings to disagree on earth . this god hath appointed , nature confirmed , fates allowed , and fortune thereto agreed . hence grow the cause of our publicke iubilies , and crowned feasts , our dayly tropheis , and perpetuall triumphes ; that as the romans loued and agreed with the sabins , yeelding thanks to their god in the feast consualia : so the britanes with the danes , yeelding thanks to their god iehouah in their feasts scaenopegia . the choyse of iewels . the empire of women , and courts of queenes , euen frō semiramis time , haue gouerned countries and kingdomes , subdued realmes ruled states , and brought vnder their obeysance both kings and kingdomes ; as also before semiramis time it may ●ee●e probable , for that asia the greatest part of the world was named asia by a queene of that name which then dwelt in asi● , whose fame continued vntill semiramis the second empresse , whose martiall exploytes and gouernment ▪ hath been such ( if authorities may serue ) as neither alexander the great could exceede in magnanimitie , nor cyrus in victories , nor xerxes in multitude of souldiers . wee leaue the court of sardanapalus king of assiria , who during his life , exceeded in all effeminate wantōnesse , hauing his court full of such iewels , as he was wont to ●it amongst them in womans apparell , among such light and shamelesse women where women were in mens apparell , and men in womens apparell , of which i will omit to speake ; but i will begin with those women that were speciall iewels appointed not only to saue his people , but to saue kingdomes and countryes , not only among christi●ns , but among heathens and pagans . debora , a woman which dwelt in mount ephraim , and iudged israel fourty yeares , vanquished the chananites , and slue sisera . hvldah , a prophetesse which dwelt in ierusalem , to whome king i●sia● after the law booke was found , sent for councell to know how and what way god might be pleased with israell . who knoweth not , but rebecca by god appoynted , councelled her sonne iacob to flee from his brother esau to m●sopotamia , where god appoynted such two iewels for him , as made him the father of the 12 tribes of israell , in whome he and his posteritie was blessed by the seede of lea , a woman ? ioseph , a man sent by god to egipt , ( though sold by his brethren ) where the like iewell was appoynted him , to weete assanetha an egiptian , the mother of manasses and ephraim , two adopted tribes in israell , by whome ( during iosephs life ) the hebrews were lords of the land of goshen , and free from their bondage in egipt . was not thermvtis the kings daughter of egipt , a iewell appointed to saue moses from drowning in nilus , to name him moses , to bring him vpp as her sonne adoptiue to possesse the crowne in spight of their priests of memphis ? esther an hebrew maide , maried to a●ashuerosh the great king of persia , a iewell of god not only appointed to saue m●rdocheus her vnckle , but all the iewes her country-men within an hundred seauen and twenty prouinces , with the daunger of her owne life , and the destruction of seauenty and fiue thousand persi●ns , and the hanging of h●man , and his ten sonnes . in bethulia a woman widdow ventured more then any man , either cyrus , alexander , or caesar in their owne persons , as shee did ▪ who brought holofer●●● head in a bagge through the assirian campe to 〈◊〉 , whereby the whole assirian army was ouerthrowne . a famous victorie for a woman to be recorded for the fame of women . obserue therefore , how god chiefly by women , in all countries saued and defended his people : in mesopotamia , by labans daughters , lea & rachell . in egipt , by thermvtis king pharoes daughter . in ethiopia , by tharbis the king of ethiops daughter , whom moses maried and made her a christian , whome pharaoh and the priests of egipt gaue him to th' end to slay him ; as saul sent dauid to the philistians for the like purpose . in persia by esther king ahashuerosh wife . in bethulia by iudith a widdow , these were peculier women by god appoynted . what should wee seeke proofes far off , when we haue examples at home . had we not in england , such a iewell as combined fraunce vnto england ? and another iewell that brought scotland vnto england , being two women ? had we not such a iewell of a woman in england , after tenne terrible battels wherein there were a hundred knights and barons slayne , tenne princes and dukes destroyed , and one hundred thousand englishmen slayne in the field between the houses of lancaster and yorke , a woman being the onely cause of a perpetuall league betweene both houses ? and euen at this present wee enioye such a iewell , that will blesse brittane , both with tribes and kings , as lea and ruth did israell . this onely shall suffice , that kingdomes and realmes are combined and ioyned together in perpetuall league of amity by women generally . and sithence in the seed of a woman all the people of god are blessed , i neede not to name the virgin mary , whose wombe was blessed that bare him , and her paps that gaue him sucke ; nor make mencion of such women long before mary , of whome lineally christ descended . as lea , and racheli the wiues of iacob , the mother of the tribes of israell , of whome the lyon of ludah , and the starre of iacob descended , ruth the moabite the wife of booz , the mother of obed , the father of ●sai , the father of dauid , of whome came the kng of kings . how much more then were godly and vertuous women blessed by angells , by prophets magnified , and by kings and princes reuerēced ? iae●● the wife of aber the kenite shal be blessed sayd the angell , for shee slue sisera king iabins generall ; and the victory of israell was obtained by a woman , as debora sayd to the fame of women : did not osias the gouernor of bethulia and of the army of israell , blesse iudith ? and so achior blessed her , saying blessed art thou of thy god in all the tabernacles of iacob . tugloria lerusalem , tulaetitia israell . asmuch and more might be spoken of queene est●er . but to speake in particular of women , it were infinite . i shoud but weary the reader to runne throughout the old and new testament , with the due prayse and commendacions of such iewels as are fit to attend in courts of princes : as of the woman of bahurim by hiding dauids seruants , shee saued their liues from absalon , who made search to destroy the king his father ; shee onely thereby saued her selfe , the citie , and all the citizens . so rahab in iericho hid the messengers of ioshua , whereby she saued not onely them , but also her selfe , her family , and all the friends that s●● called to her house , at the destruction of iericho . the sunamites wife for her pitie & compassi●● of the prophet elizeus , to make him a cham●● in the house , to feed him being the man of go● the widdow of sarepta entertained 〈◊〉 with all the wealth she had , which was a handfull of flowre , a little cruise full of oyle . see a woman was appointed to feed elias ; & a woman to make a chamber to welcome elizeus in . such iewels are to be entertained in courts of kings who are alwaies readie for good and godly suits ; and not with moloch his reaching hand , and his caemorims priests ; nor with iudas with open hands to take what they will. againe to speake of wise and discreet women , who could be wiser than abigail nabals wife , who by her wisedome so intreated dauid , that she saued her husbands life , and after became queene in israell , euen king dauids wife ? the woman of abella , who with her wisedome councelled with the chiefe magistrates of abella , and brought sebaes head the traitor , and threw it ouer the wall to ioab ; when neither ioab offered peace , nor the magistrates of abella sought peace , yet she saued the towne , and the armie of israel from much slaughter . i will therefore conclude with an epilogue of the new testament , of women that farre excelled men in faith , in constancie , and in seruice of the lord. i will omit to speake of marie magdalen , ioanna the wife of chusa , herods steward , of susanna , with many other such women , which ministred to the lord , as he trauailed to preach . i need not make mention of anna , who prophesied of christ to the people , receiuing christ in her armes at ierusalem , confessed ( as simeon did ) the redemption of israel ; but euen of pilates wife , whē all men cried , crucifige , to crucifie christ , yet this only womā endeuored to perswade her husband pilate , to wash his hands frō such a wicked fact , affirming he was a just and a godly man. i sieldome read of such faith in a man , as of the woman , who desired but to touch the hem of christs garment , and to be healed thereby , as she confessed , to whom christ said , her faith had made her whole . now hauing heard , that as women ministred vnto christ in his preaching , so women followed him to his death , and also attended him to his graue ; and more women were at christs death , than men ; and as it seemed wept more bitterly , than those fewe men that were there . no doubt iohn the euangelist wept , ioseph of arymathia , and nichodemus wept and a few others wept , of whose weeping christ took no notice ; but to the women who were many & wept much , the lord spake , saying , why weepe ye for me , yee daughters of syon ? with much compassion he pittied the women , who much lamented his death ; and after his death , christ first appeared to women , when the apostles fled , forsooke , and denyed him . i know most men doubted of christ his resurrection , yea the apostles , whome the lord reprehended for their incredulity , because they would not beleeue mary magdalen to whome the lord first appeared ; neither would the apostles beleeue the other women , whome the angell sent to tell them that the lord was risen , and went before them into gal●lie . marke how the lord spake to women his last words at his death , and likewise appeared twice to women after his death , before he appeared to his apostles . if you reade prophane histories , you shall find asia first christened by a woman so named . and europe by the name of a woman called europe agenors daughter king of phaenicia . scithia of a woman that sprang out of the earth , and named her sonne scytha . the romans might better brag of rhea a woman , a vestall virgin well knowen , ( the mother of romulus ) than of rom●●●● whose father was not knowen ; or of a farr●● more ancient woman named roma . the greeks might better bragge of helena 〈◊〉 woman , and not as they would haue it of hellas 〈◊〉 man ; helena made greeks then vnknowen , to be knowne ; she was the woman that was the whetstone of greece , by this woman the greekes became first famous . but we leaue asia , europe , phrygia , greece , scythia , and rome ; if we omit the fame of women in these , what should i recite prouinces and isles , cities and townes named after the name of women ? as rhodes , corcyra , salamina , aegina , & of many more which diodorus writes of , to whome i referre you . and as the most part of the earth is christened and named by women , so also the most part of the starres are constellated with women , not onely with the names of women , but with the forme , shape , and figure of women , of which i wish you conferre with that astronomer astratus , who filled the starres of women : considering there be but a thousand and twenty starres names knowne , i thinke the most part are figured and named after the names of women . i would haue a good scholler to answere me , that neuer loued a woman , that is not true , sith the forme and jmage of iustice is formed like a woman with a sword in her hand ; prudence with a glasse in her hand ; temperance with a dyall in her hand ; fortitude with a great huge colossus on her shoulder , that hercules could not stirre her . and all these are wrought in gold , in siluer , in arras , and in all kinde of tapestrie . the queens of the amazones courts were onely of women , without men , where men by law and decrees made , might not gouerne or beare rule , but were exercised in seruile works , hauing their legges and armes made so weake by their nurces , that they could not beare armor , as diodorus writes , quoinutiles fierent bello . this was a pollicy of the amazones , to be carefull to keepe the anncient lawe of scithia , that men should not gouerne them ; who vsed to cut off the right pappe of euery female kinde , because it should not hinder them in their shot and military seruice . an example of two or three ; myrina one of their queens with thirty thousand foot women , and two thousand horse , being armed with skins of great serpents , after that shee had subdued many regions and confines , euen vnto libia , marched vnto egipt , at what time orus , isis sonne reigned king there ( so auncient a history it is ) with whom shee cōsented to a ●eague of peace . thence she marched into 〈◊〉 , whome she much was●ed and spoyled ; from thence to syria , whome shee conquered with much slaughter . thence shee marched to mount 〈◊〉 and ouer came the nations there about , so that queen myr●●a was as famous in s●ythia , as was semiranus in asia ; and both were as famous as alexander or cyrus . in like sort may it be spoken of queene medusa , and of her court , as we did of queene myrina , that shee likewise gouerned a nation of warlike women named gorgons , who feared not to encounter with great king perseus , the most famous and warlike king of his time amongst the graecians , and kept him long and hard in twoo great battles . the fame of these queens grew so great , that hercules hearing the fame of them , and of their courts , & of their womē , was much abashed , that so many nations should be subdued by womē . hercules , after perseus , in great furie began his warre against these queenes , ( after myrina and medusaes time , with whome perseus fought ) and slue so many ( i meane of the gorgans and amazones ) that queene myrina buried so many of her ladies , that to this day their graue is called tumuli amazonum : which is in greece , and not in scythia . among other nations and kingdomes the court of the queenes of saca , ought iustly for their misitary discipline , their victories and gouernment to bee remembred . among many queenes that ruled there , i will onely speake of one queene , named tarina , who after shee had subdued the nations about her , and brought in subiection many countries vnder the saceans , after peace and quietnesse , had made such lawes to her subiects that the queenes which succeeded her , altered nothing therof , but one queene after another confirmed tarinas lawes in saca . such was the loue & commendations of this queene , of her subiects in her court , for her pollicy , wisedome , counsell , and benefits done to her countrey , that such a sepulcher was made for her after her death , that the pyramides of egipt , and the labyrinth of creete might well giue place vnto it . neither might mauseolum it selfe , which queene artimesia made for king mausolus her husbands tombe , be preferred , though that tombe was numbred one of the seauen wonders of the world . the queenes of scythia their court , a known history ; whose antiquitie is such that diodorus , cetesi●s and others 〈◊〉 of . but the queenes of scythia , howsoeuer they were first named , enlarged their kingdomes so greatly , that some were called 〈…〉 , and some arimaspi ; all warlike queenes , which subdued much of asia , and of europe , so that many of the queenes of the amazones are most renowned for the watres which they had with the greatest conquerors of the world . as queen 〈◊〉 with hercules , queen tarina with pers●●● , queene 〈◊〉 with achilles , queen 〈◊〉 with cyrus , whom she slue in battell , with 200000. persians with him . and after cyrus was slayne in scythia , king darius thought to reueng that shame , that the great king of persea with his army should be slayne by a woman , but darius was glad to leaue scythia vnto womē , and to returne vnto persia. and also of camilla , who came armed against aeneas and his troian army ; with so many kings as well of asia , as of europe , who felt the courage of the queenes of scythia , that kings payde tribute to queenes in asia . the women laxamathae were marshall women on horse backe , the men of that country on ●oote ; in the field the woman fought on horsebacke with halters and short strong ropes , and the men with speares and ●argats . the women of sparta , are preferred before men . all care and busines of sparta are layde vpon the women . for they sit in councell , they iudge in causes , and make such lawes and decrees as to them seemed good ; which being obiected against by a certaine gentleman , that only the women of sparta ruled ouer men ; and well worthy , answered leonidas wife , wee women only of sparta beare men only . true it is , as women bring their infants vp in their youth , so are they found in their age . the women in persia , were so much honored , that they might not be seene , but couered secret in coaches ▪ so themis●ocles being sought for by the 〈◊〉 and lu●d●monians , escaped by fauoure , and was caried among the persian ladies secretly . for none but the persian ladies might haue accesse to their coaches , or presume to speake to them . so much in persia were women esteemed , that in all secret councells of states they were sent for . moreouer the persians would haue their wiues present in place to see them fight in battells , that they might at the sight of their wiues ▪ be made more couragious to fight . what can be sayd of men , but as much may bet sayd of women , or rather more ? might hercul●s any way haue subdued cerberus or led him in triumph , but by the helpe and councell of proserp●na a woman ? neither iason could possibly winne the golden fleece , and carry it away from 〈◊〉 vnto greece , without the helpe of medea a woman . who taught theseus the way to the laby●●●● at creete to kill the monster mino-taurus , but 〈◊〉 a woman ? who taught the way to wer● ouer so many daungerous gulfes , fiery 〈◊〉 frosty riuers , vnto hell it selfe ? but 〈…〉 woman . therefore the lawe was , that they that 〈◊〉 to carras into the temple of luna , and offered sacrifice to the moone , such women should haue the rule & gouernment of their husbands with good reason , and their husbands should be ruled by them . and they which made supplycation & offered sacrifice to god lunus , such men had the dominion and gouernm●t ouer their wiues . the people called sauromatae in sarmatia , a very large country in scythia , reaching from the riuer vistul● vnto the end of germanie , euen vnto the confines of hyrcania in scythia , and yet as large as sarmatia was , women ruled their coun●rey ; for when all women rule their husbands , they must needs rule the countreys . these be the scoffes of cato against the roman women , that the valiant romanes , that conquered all nations abroad , were conquered at home by women . it is most strange , that women should so loue men for children sake , and yet the male-kinde should neither beare rule nor gouerne amongst them . thalestres queene of scythia , hearing of the fame and report of alexander to be such for his martiall prowesse and great conquest , she came with three hundred scythian ladies , not onely for the sight of alexander , but also to get children by him and his macedonian lords , that should be like their parents . and though alexander had not so many queens as salomon , yet had he ( after the persian manner ) as many queenes as there be dayes in the yeare ; notwithstanding his sonnes should beare no rule in scythia , though they were gotten of the queen thalestres , and of alexander the great . so it is historied of ne●aule queene of ethiopia , that she came to ierusalem to heare salomons wisdome , and to propose vnto him hard questions , and darke problemes , being as willing to haue as many wise salomons in ethiopia , as thalestres was to haue valiant alexanders in scythia . the romane women , hearing such repor● and fame of the women of sparta , of the saceans , sarmatians , scythians , and of sundry other countreys , ( hauing no men to fight with for tha● the romans had conquered al nations ) came armed vpon the theators to fight with diuers and sundrie wilde beasts , as lions , elephants , beares and such like : and when they were not permitted to fight vpon the theators with beasts ; yet would they ouercome ( as cato sayd ) the conquerour● and champions at home , which ouercame tygers and lions vpon the theators . the ladies of roome perceiuing tha● all the gold and siluer which was in the treasurie of rome , to be consumed and spent in the warres against the gaules , in the time of that noble captaine camillus ▪ the women brought all their gold , siluer , chaines , earings , and all their iewels vnto the senators , whereby the gaules were satisfied , and rome againe deliuered ▪ at which time the matrons of rome were so advanced and honoured by carrying in coaches to their temples , and to their theators . so that now it was also decreed in the senate house , that women being dead , their commendations and prayses should bee recited in the pulpits at their funerals , in as large manner as men . so was popilia by her sonne crassus . so iulius caesar did commend his wife pomp●ia , and ner● his friend poppea . againe in the second affrican warres , when rome was so afflicted by hanniball , that both men and money were s●ant , but chiefly all the money in the treasurie was spent , the chiefe roman matrons ( as before ) brought all their rich treasures , ( which of long time they had kept ) vnto the senate house , being ready to be armed , whereby the romanes were so animated against hanniball again , that he was inforced after his great victories in italy , to forsake italy , and flye to affrica . true it is , that rome by women was twise recouered , and deliuered from the enemies , that the gaules fledde from rome , and haniball from italy . what praise had veturia and volumnia , two roman ladies worthy their commendations in the pulpit ; the one intreating her husband , the other her sonne , at that time that rome was in corolianus hand , either to spill , or to spare ? how should i passe in 〈◊〉 cloaelia , that scaped king 〈…〉 , and swimmed ouer the riuer tiber , and opened the secrets of porsenna to the roman senators ? what great benefites had the hebrewes by the midwiues of egipt , being by pharoh the king commaunded to 〈◊〉 the male-children , and to drowne them in 〈◊〉 yet did they rather hazard their liues in breaking the kings commaundement , than to offend god in so foule a fact ; whereby they are had in perpetuall remēbrance in the booke of god , to saue so many thousand mens liues , with the hazard of their owne , as it is recorded in exodus . these examples should mooue our englishwomen to do good to their country , & not seeke the ouerthrow thereof . the sabine virgins , after they were rauished by the romans at the feast cons●alia , and married vnto the romans , so that warres grew thereby , they came in their smocks betweene the two armies , the one part their husbands , the other their fathers ; so by the meanes of the sabin virgins , peace grew between the romans & the sabees . when the cartha●●n●●● in their warres against the romans wanted for their matches , the matrons of cartha●e cause themselves & all the women to shaue the hayres of their heads . so did the women of rhodes . many graue and wise women , haue stood much in stead aswell in publike councell , as al●o in priuate pollicies , to their countryes , who●e deuises and sentences being set downe , were imitated and found ●it to be followed and therefore in diuerse great kingdomes and countryes , women beare such rule , that they had the whole gouernment of the common weale . it neuer repented august●us , to follow the councell of liuia . it much profited ferdinandus , to heare what isabella sayd , and to effect only what shee sayd . xerxes the great king , among all his wise coūcellors in persia , would not sit in councell without artimesias aduice . ninus king of the assirians , would effect nothing without semiramis councell ; and after his death you may reade how shee gouerned the assirians for fortie two yeares together , as stout as alexander ruled the macedonians . therefore the lacedemonians admitted their wise-women , not only to come to heare councell , but also to be hearde and to set downe their opinions , touching aswell ciuill as marshall causes . among the old germans , vpon any great affairs , touching the state of their country , the women which were wise and discreete , did sit in councell and giue their sentence and aduice , & among the germans were cheifly accepted , and at this time more trust and confidence is giuen to women in germany , than to men . for women bee there sober when men are drunken the selfe same authoritie and credit had the women aswell in that part of spaine called celtiberia , as also in fraunce ; in which countries women were not only accepted in counsell , but in any strife or controuersy it was determyned and adiuged by verdit and arbitrement of women . in the time of hanibal , in certaine debates betweene 〈…〉 〈…〉 , and other countreys , where queenes gouerned and ruled as kings , were admitted as iudges , and fat as councellors , to determine of right and wronge , as you have heard betweene the gaules , and the carthag●mans . yea among the inuincible romans , by degrees were wise women admitted to haue accesse to the senate , and their counsell heard by ●he senators . so was m●tia , agrippina , cornelia , and others , that it came to passe in rome , that the women amonge the romans were as much authorized as the women of sparta . so candaces queene of et●iopia , was so singu●er●● wi●e , that she ruled and gouerned her sub●ects in such sort , that she was so much honoured and beloued amonge the ethiopians ( as asarces among the parthians ) that all the queenes that succeeded her in ethiopia , were called candac●s after her name . amonge the li●ian people that dwelt in asia the lesse , the women children were named after their mothers names , and not after their fathers , and they by the lawe and custome of that countrey , are heires to their mothers , and not to their fathers . as amonge the hebrew women , who gaue such names to their children as pleased the mothers , without the consent of their fathers . sitones , people not far from the sucu●●ns , had a law that none might gouerne ouer them , but a woman . the name of a king was to them odious , as it was of long time odious both to the romans and the graecians . among the old danes , if any soldier should not follow his captaine , and fight valiantly for his country , the law was their wiues should master● and gouerne them as their seruants , and their husbands should lye with their heads downward toward their wiues feete , as a marke fo infamy , to be knowen cowards . the woman in sparta , did meete their husbands & sonnes , using scoffing & flouting words saying ; whether creepe yee , yee cowards into your mothers and wiues bellies againe ? that made the 〈◊〉 ▪ that theiy would haue their wiues and concubines to see them how● manfully they ●ought , to auoyd the name of cowards . for in persia to be called a coward , an● acion might be had against him in law. if you read phylo●ophy , you shall find aristipp● daughter 〈◊〉 , in the schoole of athens , a reade● and a teacher of phylosophy in her fathers place . corynna was set forth and garnished with 〈◊〉 seuerall garlands of laurell , which shee wanne o● pyndarus ( the only poet of his time ) for that she● excelled him in verses and poems . eustochium and blessilla , for hebrew , greeke and latine , were equall to a great number of the best learned in those times , in zeale of true religion , and in following of saint hyerom , for th● further i●structions of their faith . of these 〈◊〉 hyerom made mention in his prologues of ioshua , of esay , and of daniell . aspasia , a greeke woman , red rhetorick in miletum , is to be praysed . sappho red poetry in lesbos ; both taught schollers with much commendations . leontinum a graecian woman , wrote a whole volume against theophrastus , the great philosopher , and as cicero saith , aiticosermone . hortensia in rome , nothing inferior to her father , was as eloquent as her father ; for as many came to see hortensias comely gesture and sweet pronunciacion , as came to heare her eloquence . amesia pleaded her owne causes before q. titu● the roman pretor , with such manly courage , that shee was called androgune . and sara , raguels daughter , to●ies wife , for her zeale and earnest prayers was deliuered from the spirit asmod●us . and mary magdalen for her inward loue and faith to the lord was deliuered from seauen asmod●u● seauen diuells . and many such women , which to speake of in perticuler it were infinite , as before is said . the romans made lawes demaritandis ordinibus first by q. metellus , after by iulius caesar , and after him by augustus , with giftes and rewards to intice young men and maides to mariage , and to make choyse of such as should alwaies continue . so much was mariage esteemed for multiplication , that licurgus made lawes in sparta , and solon in athens , that men might chaunge their wiues that were barren for others , to make triall in whome the cause of sterility was , whether in the maner wom●n . and this was so common a cou●●e among the romans and the graecians ▪ that ca●o himselfe 〈…〉 marcia in rome 〈…〉 his 〈…〉 . it was the opinion● 〈◊〉 philosophers , yea● the 〈◊〉 that men might marry for childrens 〈◊〉 ▪ as many wiues as they would . other for religion ●●rried where they lift , for ●o was the law of 〈◊〉 , whose writing was full of oracles . among the hebrewes the wiues would bring their 〈◊〉 vnto their husbands . among the graecians , the custome was the mothers of the married persons should haue 〈◊〉 torches ready to light , and their friends 〈◊〉 hymnes and longs called 〈…〉 foure presidents of marriages , 〈…〉 diana , and suad●la , that these goddesses and queenes would vouchsafe to blesse these 〈…〉 , that 〈◊〉 would make them parents of children ; that venus would encrease their loue ; diana their courage and chastity ; and that suadela would make them delectable and louing to her husbands . and the next day after their marriage , the father of the bride should bring her 〈◊〉 munus , a faire cloured boy in a white coloured gowne , carying a burning torch in his hand , after him a fellow that brings the new bride her attires and then they which bringe a summe of gold and siluer , and after them they which bring houshold vessels & houshold stuffe , against whose comming the gates & dores of the house wherein these new married couples are come to dwell , are opened . in sparta , they were appointed by licurgus law , that the young mayds which should be maried , should shaue off their haire , & be clothed in mans apparell , and bee brought at night into a darke chamber without light , and the bridegrome then should loose the brides girdle , which betokened that both were but one . yet in the isle of coos , the men must bee clothed in womens garments contrarie to thē of sparta , & yet signified but one . the lacedemonian maydes that should be married , do trusse their haires vp with a kind of speare called celibaris , to signifie that they should bring forth such martiall children , as would vse both speares and swords . the athenians also vsed to dresse the head of the bridegrome with palmes and oliues , to signifie victorie and conquest . these ceremonies were onely to all●re and to entice young people to mariage , for multiplication ▪ and therefore the old germans had his custome that the young men should send to their loues that should be their wiues , 〈…〉 , a sword , a shield and armour , in & pledges of loue , with a garland 〈…〉 veruine called verb●na . in booetia , they vsed to put a garland of sparage vpon the head of the new married mayd . in other parts of greece made of balsamet , called sysimbrium . the locrians made crownes of diuers flowers gathered by the matrons , and brought the day of marriage to the married mayd . the macedonians vsed to cut a loafe of bread with a sword , and both parties to eat of the same , was a full consent and decree of marriage . the latines in their mariage ware white garments , and their ceremonie was , that the newe married couple should stand together vnder a yoake of oxen , in token they should liue and loue one with another , without offending the lawe of marriage . so the other goddesse of mariage is called iuno iugalis , signifying concord and agreement , and be yoaked together during life . the lusitanians , which are portugales ; the women must be drawne and forced out of dores before they came to be married , to shew how vnwilling they were to forsake their parents , their friends , and their countreys , and now must follow a stranger , hauing before her a musitian , and one that ●inges a songe of hymaeneus , carrying with her a distaffe , a spindle , and flaxe . the people about mount taurus had this custome , that the women should gird them before they were maried , with a woollen girdle full of hercules knots vppon it , which should bee loosed by the bridegroome the first night , in token hee should be the father of so many children as hercules had , who left behind him when he died 70. sonnes ; and yet not so many as herotinus king of arabia , who had 600 sonnes . solon made a law , that the man might not come vnto his newe married wiues companie before hee had eaten ex malo cydonio , which was a notable towne in candie . and so the custome among the babilonians was , that the young married folkes might not lye together , before both had tasted of a secret gum called storiae . such customes of these countreys were carefully obserued and kept . in greece they had these ceremonies ( as pausanius affirmeth ) that the bride should bee carried from her parents and friends in a coach , and the axeltree of this coach should bee burned at the dore of the house , before the bride would enter into the house , signifying that there shee should stay and tarrie , and thence neuer to depart . but if they were not carried in a coach , but went on foot , her husband should euer be called chamoepus , being a word of great reproach , for that he made mariage honorable of no account , considering that the first miracle that christ did , was at a mariage in chanaan , and so honored mariage with his owne presence . it was lawfull in persia for the young married man to lye with his newe married wife before he had eaten 〈…〉 , the marrow of a camell : neither any thing else , but an apple , and the marrow of a camell . the ●ewes at their marriages , the glasse that they drink in that day they are maried , the bride and bridegrome both ioyntly at night , breake that glasse , to sign●fie the frailtie of life . a young woman not married , might neither amonge the lacedemonions , or amonge the romanes come amonge married women , or to the sacrifice and feasts of c●rus & venus , but the ●●rier should openly charge and command all vncleane women ▪ ●uch as had the leprosie , or any breaking out of their bodies , or ●ens●rium , should avoide the ●acred and secret s●ruice , and after all this hee commaunded , & sayd to the woman vnmarried ▪ 〈…〉 , that the maides vnmarried should goe out of the ●emple , as an enemie to mankinde . and therefore the ●awe of moses , was , that if a man should strike a woman with child , the child being quicke and thereby borne abortiue , the man should die for it . the law was that he should yeeld , animam pro anima . and if the childe had life , the man should bee punished , pecunia mulctetur , as much as the womans husband would . this condemneth the absurd opinion of the pithagorians , of their transanimation which they call metempsuchosis , that the soule should passe from one body to another , and withall so grosse , that it should bee transported from a man to a beast . hence grew the forbidding of eating of flesh among many , of whome tertullian spake merri●● ▪ ne quisp●am bubulam de aliquo proauo obsonet ; l●ast some should eate of their old parents flesh . mose● law was , that the young men should be married to maides , and such as was of honest parentage , vertuous and godly education . moses thought it not fit that young women of ripe yeares , should be vnmarried . that was the cause why lycurgus made such sharpe laws in sparta , that the yong men which were not , not would not be married in sparta , they should goe naked in the winter time round-about the market place , vpon the market day ▪ neither might these vnmarried ba●che●lors come to see the games and playes among the 〈…〉 . the like lawe made plato , that if any young man in greece should be vnmarried at 35 , yeares , he should be so little esteemed , that he should not be preferred before any man ▪ but be last man either going into any company , or cōming from them , without any countenance or credit giuen him . this was the cause that the lacedemonians had such laws and customes , that the parents which had three children , should be freed from watch and warde ; but those parents which had foure , ab omni onere immunis foret , he should be discharged from all taskes and subsidies . and this was the cause why the persians preferred the parents of children before others , and that the king of persia by the persian law , was bound to giue a peece of gold to euery woman with childe in any town the king came through , and this was the only cause why those hebrew womē which were barren , brought their maids vnto their own husbands chambers for childrēs ●ake . as you heard of abrahams wife , and of iacobs wiues . such was the affection and loue in martiall countries , to haue young men married to young women . the warlike romans would hardly suffer any patrician that was not father of many children , to be any magistrate in rome , either questor , praetor , or consull . and if any should faine to be parents of children , & not so found , he should be depriued from his office and place per senatus consultum . and therefore furius camillus , and after him posthumius , at what time they were made censors in rome , made such decrees , that old bachelers which were found vnmarried in rome , should pay such fine to the treasury as were imposed vpon them by their censors . sectio . 2. see how much all heathen lawes doe esteeme honour , and make much of marriage : and how much we owe to our mothers that nourish vs in their wombes , and our wiues that bring vs children . and therfore the mothers are ( as the philosopher saith ) philosturge , of the great loue and affection shee beareth more then the father , and wee are or ought to be more affected to our mothers . plus paulo à matre , quam à patre suscipit faetus . for nothing can be more repugnant to nature , then a mother to hate and forget her owne children , which is brought for an example by the euangelist of rachell , whose complaint , wailing and weeping was such for her children , that shee would not , nor could not be comforted , which is easily to bee beleeued , sithence women feede vs and nourish vs with the substance of their own bodies , as both hippocrates and gallen sayd , ex sanguine materno faetum ali . first for ninetie dayes women beare vs dead in their bellies , the other ninetie dayes women beare vs quicke in their bodies with greater care and feare for our liues , then for their owne ; so that from the very day of conception vnto the very houre of our birth , they liue in great danger ▪ that made alexander the great to answere antipaters letter , in the which hee much complained of his mother olympias , charging her with great crimes ; to the which complainte , alexander smiling , sayd , vna materna lachryma , multas hujusmodi d●●ebi●l●●era . doth not antipater ( sayd alexander ) know that one small teare of a mother ▪ will blot out many such complaints ? and therefore the matrons of rome , were so much reuerenced , that it was decreed by the law senatus-consultum , ●et down by the senators and consulls , that if any man should meete with any matron of rome vpon any path-way , they should as it were of a duty to be done , discedered semitis , stand off and giue the path-way . neither might any officer or magistrate call a matron of rome into law. among the very heathen , young vertuous virgins and young maids well brought vp , both by the law of licurgus in sparta , and the law of solon in athens , were prouided for , and carefully looked vnto for their marriages , out of their common treasure . so were aristides daughte●s in athens , and lysanders daughters in sparta . among the romans with no lesse care were the daughters of 〈◊〉 fabri●ius , & man : curius prouided for ; which was the only cause that many noble women and matrons in diuers countries bestowed dowries , for the marriage of poore virgins . sampsons mother was taught by the angel how her son should bee brought vp , after the angell had appeared twice vnto her , saying : behold thou art barren , thou shalt conceaue and beare a son , and thou shalt bring him vp and be his nurse . here the mother was charged to bee the nurse to her son , and to bring him vp , and not the father . the hebrew women not only nourished their children , but also named their children without consent of their father . so did iochabed nurse moses her sonne . among the lacedemonians , the mothers were nurses to their children , least by education and sucking of strange nurses , the infants should degenerate from the nature of their parents . the old germans thought it not fit nor lawfull to haue their children brought vp or nourished by any woman , but by the mother . the romans were warned and had councell , that their children should be lulled vpon their mothers laps , & suck vpon their mothers breasts . so the blessed virgin mary nourished her only son with her milk : and so sarah nourished isaack her sonne . the angell of the lord appeared vnto agar the mother of ismaell , and spake vnto her in the wildernes o● berseba , and comforted her & said , arise and take ●e lad by the hand , for i will make of him a great people . hannah the wife of elcanah , made continuall ●ute vnto the lord for a sonne , and neuer went out of the temple , but still prayed vntill the angell of the lord ●old ▪ her that shee should haue a sonne which was samuell . the woman of chanaan neuer left christ vntill uhee had obtained her sute of the lord , to heale her daughter beeing sicke . and the lord would haue vs earnest for our sinnes , as sampsons mother was for her son , and as the woman of chana●n was for her daughter , continually praying vnto god for his goodnesse , and blessing towards vs. sara , at 80. yeares was desirous to haue a son , and had isaac . anna ▪ solicited god vntill she had samuel . and so elizabeth by praying got iohn baptist in her latter yeares . these godly women sought children at gods hands . though rachell made much means to her husband for children , saying ▪ vnlesse she might haue children , shee should die ; yet farre better then such women are , that goe to bal-phaegor to the image of priapus to seeke children by vnlawfull meanes ( as the prophet saith , ) auolabit gloria eorum à conceptu , & à partu . they shall not be mothers of children , they shall haue barren wombs , et arentia vbera , and drie brests . so god did threaten superstitious women , plangentes adonidem . now that women are so set forth for their wisedome , learning , ver●ue , and for their magnanimitie , courage and gouernment , and after their marriages had as great care to bring vp their children , as they had to please their husbands , i thought good with some examples of diuers countries to confirme the same . the iacobites people in the east baptised , and vsed moses lawe of circumsiciō , they burne their infants vpon the forehead , or the brest , with the signe of the crosse . the custome among the old romans was this , first the midwife would lay the childe new borne vpon the ground , and after sa●crifice done to e●d●sa , it should be presented to nundina , by whom the romans were warned , that their infants should be carefully brought vp by their mothers . among the graecians it was brought by the midwife , and the women him associate at the birth before la●es their houshold gods , where the neighbors sacrificed for the health of their infants , and after deliuered them to the mother . the ethiopians ab ipso natali die , the first day of their infants birth , haue such care of their children , that they do murere frontes in fantium , that they should ●uffer paine , & be knowne euer after by that marke as the iacobites were : so that the ethiopians would pro●e what spirit their children were of , by ryding vpon elephants and by fl●ing on fowles backs , wherby they might know & see whether they were coragious and bold , or timorous & fearfull . but wee haue children brought vp from their cradle , taught to ride vpon lyons & vnicornes , and to fly ouer seas vpon eagles , the cheifest roman ensignes of the papists . it is sayd , that the women of the two isles named baleares in spaine , neuer minister any meate to their yong infants , nisia baculo & funda , but frō a sling or from a staffe , to signify they should auoide idlenes and get their liuing by laboure and paine . the women of sparta according to licurgus law , vsed to wash their yonge infants with cold water mingled with salt , to make them acquainted euen from their cradle with paine and travell . insomuch that it came to a prouerbe , solas lacenas vtros parere , that the lacedemonian women only brought vp children to be men so it is written by the same author , that the women of creet , and the old germans would bring vp their children from their birth day , to endure paine of cold and heat , and to suffer hunger and thirst . and so it is written , that the ancient women in iberia , being brought vp euer to see such slaughter in their countrey of their husbands and children , that the infants being new borne , haue their first feeding from the point of a sword , or of a dart. in india their philosophers called gymnosophystoe within 2. or 3. yeeres after they were borne , would examine what kind of trade they should professe . and the same gymnosophists thought diem mortis esse diem natalem ; for the same nation in thracia weepe and lament the birth of their children , and at their death , reioyce and triumph . the persians had such care of their infants , that they prouided such nurses as should bring them vnder in such seuere discipline , that they might not spit nor clense their noses in publicke presence , neither might they sit in sight of their elders , they might drinke no wine , they might see no naked persons ; for such faults by the law of persia , were capitall crimes : which was as strict a lawe as the nazarites had . saba in iosephus , called nicaule , for her wise propositions to salomon , called arabica sybilla , and of whome christ maketh mention in the gospell . hydra also , whome plato much commends for her probleame and darke questions , that it grew to a prouerbe , capita hydrae conficere . and dama pythagoras daughter in expounding her fathers darke and obscure questions , might worthily claime to be pythagoras daughter . caelius writes of some women named mantinea , lasthenia , and axiothea , which came in apparell like men , to heare plato reade philosophy in schooles . were not the fathers happy to bring vp such daughters , and were not their husbands more happy to marry such wiues ? to be short and to verify a french prouerbe , non est faelix natus , qui non est faelix maritatus , so aristotle saith , that he which is not well married , hath lost the one halfe of his ioyes in this life : and so pharoneus a wise man and a law maker in his country told his brother at his death , that he had wanted no felicity in this world , if he had not maried such a wife . yet such sharpe dames are sometimes necessarie to philosophers , to phisitions , and to preachers , to reprehend them of their faultes and to cure them of their maladyes at home , as they reprehend and find faultes in others abrode . socrates so confest , that zantippe his wife did him as much good at home by chiding , to learne him patience ; as he did in schoole to learne his schollers phylosophy . i wanted more time , than matter to write of such iewels as our mothers , our wiues , our sisters , our kinswomen ; and finally , of such iewels as the world would be no world , without women the mothers of the world . but to be briefe , let semiramis be commend●● in babylon ; let atlanta with her marshall women in feats of armes bee praysed in ar●●dia ; let camilla be spoken of among the volskans ; tomyris amonge the scythians ; queen 〈◊〉 in aethyopia ; and all other renowned ladies , & of worthy women , that with foeminine feats merited manly fame , be eternized ; and let them worthily sit in the triumphant chaires of fame crowned with garlands of lawrell , with braunches of palmes in their hands , as victors ouer conquerours , and conquerours of kings and kingdomes . to these valiant exploits of women , hercules must yeeld ; or else omphale queene of lydia will make hercules to yeeld . to these ex-exployts of women , wise salomon must yeeld ; or else pharaohs daughter will make salomon to yeeld : so must achilles to polyxena : so must caesar to cleopatra : and so in fine , all men must yeeld to women . finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a06133-e2660 asia builded by a woman of that name . semira●is the second empresse of asia . debora a iudge in isarell . hvldah a prophetesse in ierusalem , ioseph 〈◊〉 to egipt by his brethren . thermvtis the daughter of pharo k. of egipt . ester rare and zeale for the iewes . the bold and rare attempt of iudith a woman . england , scotland , & fraunce , combined by women . kingdomes & realmes , combined in a league by women . ruth the moabite . ia●l that slue sisera . the prayse of iudith . the woman of bahurim cōmended . rahab the like woman in iericho . the widdow of sarepta . moloch . the praise of wise women . sebaes head the traytor . women more zealous than men . pilates wife more women followed christ , than men . christ first appeared to women after his resurrect on . the apostles ●●redulous of the resurrection of christ. christ appeared twise to women after his death , before he appeared to his apostles . the romans brag of rhea . the greeks named of helena a woman , ra-rather than of hellas a man ▪ many isles named after the name women . the most part of the starres are figured by the names of women . the queens of amazons , and their exployts . myrinaes marshall acts & vic●●ries . queene medusaes warlike acts hercules was amazed at the fame of those queenes . the queene of saca . queene tarinaes victory . the queens of scythia . the queens of amazones 〈◊〉 with the most famous conquerors of the world . camilla . the women laxamathae marshallwomen . the women of sparta pr●ferred for councell and courage before men . the women of persia. the women would be pres●●t in eue●y battell where their husbands fought as whe●stones . the lawe in courts of women . women ruled all sarmatia . scoffes of cato in rome against women . thalestres queene of scythia went to see alexander the great . queene saba went to heare salomon . the roman courage to fight with wilde beasts on theaters . due commendacions of the roman ladies . veturia & volumnia two women much commended . the midwiues of egipt 〈◊〉 many thousands of the hebrewes children from nilus . the sab●ne virgins saued both the roman and sabine army . the women of rome & of rhod. liuia . isabella . artimesia● queene of caria . the women of lacedemonia admitted to ●it in councell . women in celtiberia . wise women in rome had accesse to the senate . the praise of queene candaces . the hebrew women gaue names to their children without the consent of husbands . the law among the old 〈◊〉 . 〈…〉 〈…〉 a catalogue of rare women . aspasia . sappho . leontinū hortensia . amesia . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sara . mary magdalen . licurgus lawes in sparta . solon laws in athens ▪ chrysippus lawes . the custom in greece at mariages . the ceremonies in greece vppon the next day after the mariage . licurgus law of the orders and ma●ners in any mariage in sparta . the manner of the lacedemonians in their mariages . of the order of the athenians in marriage . 〈…〉 of boaetia . of the locrians . of the macedonians . of the order of the latins . of the marriage in lusitania . the people about mount taurus . herotinu● had 600. sonnes . the babilonians rule and order in marriage . certaine ceremonies in greece . the first miracle of christ in a marriage . the lawes of the persians for mariage . the l●w of the lacedemonians , & of the romanes . the lawe of moses . the absurd opinions of the pythagorians . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . moses law of marriage . licurgus lawe . plafoes●●● patricians that were not parents of children , not esteemed in rome . furius , camillus lawe of bachelors vnmaried . the loue of the mother more then the loue of the father . the loue of the mother prooued by gallen and hippocrates . examples of alexander the great . the matrons of rome much reuerenced . poore yong ●●gins sin athens and in sparta , prouided for their marriage . samsons mother wa● taught how ●o bring her sonne vp . the hebrew women . the lacedemonians . the old germans . the virgin mary nursed her own sonne . hannah the wife of elcanah ▪ the woman of chana●n . sampsons mother . sara . elizabeth . rachell . balphaegor p●iapus . the iacobites . the custome of the romans at the birth of infants . of the graecians . of the ethiopians . the isl●s baleares . the women of sparta . the women of creet and of germany . in iberia . gymnosophistae . the persians . saba . hydra . dama . caelius . phoroneus sharpe dames necessary . socrates saying . the way to true honour and happiness a friendly address to all parents, masters of families, and landlords, the persons most capable to honour ... , and to gain honour to themselves, by beginning and carrying on a rational reformation. to which is added, [a] memorandum for mothers. by john mitchell, m.a. mitchell, john, fl. 1697. 1697 approx. 68 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 25 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2003-01 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a51033 wing m2287b estc r221889 99833134 99833134 37609 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a51033) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 37609) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 2191:15) the way to true honour and happiness a friendly address to all parents, masters of families, and landlords, the persons most capable to honour ... , and to gain honour to themselves, by beginning and carrying on a rational reformation. to which is added, [a] memorandum for mothers. by john mitchell, m.a. mitchell, john, fl. 1697. 48 p. printed by i. dawks, for b. barker by the fountain-ta... at the foot of the hay-market, near pell-mell; sold by r. baldwin in warwick-lane, london : 1697. gathered in 4's. copy tightly bound with loss of title and text. reproduction of the original in the lambeth palace library, london. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng repentance -early works to 1800. christian life -early works to 1800. family -religious life -early works to 1800. women -conduct of life -early works to 1800. mother and child -religious aspects -early works to 1800. 2000-00 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2001-11 aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images 2002-02 tcp staff (oxford) sampled and proofread 2002-02 tcp staff (oxford) text and markup reviewed and edited 2002-03 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the way to true honour and happiness . a friendly ●ddress to all ●arents , 〈…〉 ters of families , and ●andlords , 〈◊〉 persons most capable to honour 〈◊〉 and to gain honour to them 〈…〉 by beginning and carrying on a 〈…〉 ional reformation . to which is added , 〈…〉 emorandum for mothers , 〈◊〉 iohn mitchell , m. a. london , 〈◊〉 i. dawks , for b. barker by the fountain-ta 〈…〉 the foot of the hay-market , near pell-mell ; 〈…〉 d by r. baldwin in warwick-lane , 1697. price stitch't , 4 d , it is earnestly desired , that magistrates , landlords , and other rich people , would distribute some copies of this little book , among their tenants and servants , and among poor people , that many may be awakened to a sense of their duty , and may concur and unite their endeavours for carrying on that glorious reformation , which all sober persons are longing and praying for . dan. 12. 3. they that turn many to righteousness shall shine . a friendly address to all parents , ●asters of families , and land lords , &c. dear friends , ●n reading the new testament , you may 〈◊〉 see , that the practice of christianity is 〈◊〉 degenerated ; and in observing the ways 〈◊〉 of men , you do see , that the nation is 〈…〉 rupted . vice abounds , and wickedness 〈…〉 ails . almost none walking in the ways 〈…〉 ety and vertue , and very few walking in 〈◊〉 ways of civility or honesty . all fami●● all persons have corrupted their ways ; most are vitious and all are negligent ; there is none righteous , no not one . the justice of the eternal majesty is provoked , his laws contemned , his mercy despised , his grace abused , his promises and threatnings disregarded , and all the methods of his p●●vidence neglected . and what shall be the end thereof ? the word of god gives us ground to hope , that a real and speedy re●ormation may be a mean to prevent deserved condemnation , isa. 55. 6 , 7. but without this , let none presumptuously expect mercy . for the righteous judge of the world is unchangeably just and holy , and will not , yea , cannot pardon impenitent sinners : for it were against the declarations of his eternal truth , which is firmer than the pillars of heaven and earth . for tho' the mercies of god and the merits of christ ar● infinite , yet neither of these can save one impenitent sinner ; for he who cannot lye , hath said , luke 13. 3 , 5. except ye repent , ye shall likewise perish , mat. 18. 3. so that true repentance and a thorow re●ormation is the only door of hope , and way to escape . quest. but how shall this reformation be done ? who shall begin and promote it ? answ. some person must beg●n it , otherwise it cannot be done ; and who is so capable ●s you , my friends ? indeed magistrates and 〈…〉 s●ers may do much , but they cannot do all . 〈◊〉 so ●it as you ( masters of families and 〈…〉 lords ) to reform the nation , and to reap 〈◊〉 honour and reward of so noble and glo 〈…〉 a work. the whole nation depends 〈◊〉 you , and lodges within your doors ; and 〈◊〉 can say with good resolution , courage 〈◊〉 zeal , as that good man said , ios. 24. 15. 〈◊〉 for me and my house , we will serve the lord : 〈◊〉 may you signalize your selves for men of 〈…〉 our , and gain the honour due to conque 〈…〉 , over the power of darkness . and tho' 〈◊〉 meet with opposition and discouragement 〈◊〉 , yet after wards , when men are inlight 〈…〉 and made sensible of their own good , the 〈…〉 ole nation will respect and honour you , yea 〈…〉 ren and earth will smile upon you , and join 〈◊〉 you in songs of everlasting joy and 〈…〉 mph . object . alas ! what can we do ? we need 〈…〉 ormation as well as others . most of us are 〈…〉 orant , and all of us are guilty : we know 〈◊〉 what to do ; we cannot re●orm our selves , 〈◊〉 less others . answ. it is true , you have neither skill , 〈…〉 ll nor power , to reform others , until your 〈…〉 res be new creatures ; you cannot direct o 〈…〉 rs in the way which you know not , and you 〈◊〉 not assist others in the work which you 〈◊〉 not ; you cannot lead others , while your 〈◊〉 are blind , nor strengthen others , while 〈◊〉 selves are weak in grace . therefore self-reformation must go before family-reformation ; you must first learn before you can teach . and for your assistance , this method is humbly offered to each of you . 1. retire from the world for some time , and remove from thy mind all thoughts of it , and all concerns about it , that there may be room for spiritual meditation . 2. consider that thou hast a faculty or power of thinking , whereby thou art capable to know spiritual things , and to converse with spiritual beings : and that this spiritual part of thee , is out of its element , and acting contrary to its nature , when it is employed about earthly things . 3. consider that thou gavest not being to thy self ; for thou canst not make thy self wiser nor taller ; thou canst not give to thy self the things which thou wantest ; thou canst not add one finger to thy hand , nor one joint to thy body ; neither can any other creature give them to thee . and this will oblige thee to believe , that there is a supream being , which made all things , and upon whom all do depend . 4. being convinced that there is a god , or a supream being , who made and maintains all things , and to whom all are accountable ; surely there must be some acknowledgments of dependance upon him , and of duty towards him ; and this will oblige thee to enquire after his will , laws and commands . 5. and since his will and laws are to be 〈◊〉 no where so likely , as in that book which 〈…〉 lled the bible , and which is commonly 〈…〉 ed for his word , thou wilt think it thy 〈◊〉 to enquire diligently and seriously into 〈◊〉 book , and remark every thing contained 〈…〉 ein , which will wonderfully inform thy 〈◊〉 and direct thy judgment , and shew thee 〈◊〉 his will and ways , and thy state and duty . 〈…〉 particularly , this holy book will teach thee 〈◊〉 six things ; without the knowledge 〈…〉 ereof thou art not safe , and canst not be 〈…〉 ppy . 1. that man was created innocent and ho 〈…〉 endued with the image of god , whereby 〈…〉 was admirably furnished and fitly qualifyed 〈…〉 glorify and enjoy god. 2. that god the creator made a covenant 〈…〉 man , including all his posterity , promi 〈…〉 g them life and happiness upon their obe 〈…〉 ence ; and threatning them with death and 〈…〉 isery , upon their disobedience . 3. that man did disobey , and rebelled a●●inst his maker , and turned away from him , 〈…〉 made himself and all his posterity , 〈◊〉 〈…〉 miserable ; so that the holy nature of god 〈…〉 orred him , the righteous law of god con 〈…〉 ned him , and the honour and justice of 〈…〉 , required , that the curse of the law should 〈…〉 inflicted upon him . 4. man being thus become abominable and 〈…〉 serable , he was altogether unable to restore himself to his former state ; he had no power to satisfy the justice of god , no skill to intreat his mercy , and no merit to procure his favour . yea , he had no creature in heaven not earth to befriend him , nor to interceed for him . 5. in this extremity of misery , the infinitely wise and gracious god , was pleased to pity mankind , and did promise , and in due time sent a saviour to redeem him , and to restore him to favour , and that without any necessity , merit or motive , but only of his own free love and abundant grace , gen. 3. 15. io. 3. 16. 6. that in and through this saviour , god was graciously pleased to enter into new terms with man , to make a covenant o● grace with him , promising life and salvation to those who believe , and receive him upon the terms that he is offered ; and denouncing death and damnation to those who believe not , but despise and reject this saviour , io. 3. 18 , 36. quest. what needs all this ? is sin so great an evil as to offend god , and make man so miserable ? answ. sin is the greatest evil in the world 〈…〉 and the only cause of all other evil , because i 〈…〉 is contrary to the nature and will of the● greatest good. it is the only thing in the world that god hates , yea , he must abhor and● spunish it , because it is contrary to his purity and holiness , and the violation of his laws● which are holy , just and good , hab. 1. 23. so that as the law of god is violated by 〈…〉 , it must be repaired by suffering , either in 〈…〉 sinner or his surety . for the honour of 〈…〉 d is concerned to vindicate his justice , and 〈…〉 justice is concerned to maintain his law. quest. adam sinned , and must i suffer ? what ●th his sin affect me ? answ. adam being the natural and federal 〈…〉 ent to all mankind , his guilt is reckoned 〈…〉 e , his punishment is due to thee , his cor 〈…〉 ted nature is inherent in thee , and many 〈…〉 of rebellion and transgression like unto 〈…〉 ● have been committed by thee . and if 〈◊〉 did most justly condemn the whole world 〈…〉 one sin , he may likewise most justly con 〈…〉 n thee for many sins . quest. what way then can i be saved ? answ. there is salvation to be obtained . 〈…〉 d if thou diligently studiest two books , thou 〈…〉 be thereby disposed to look and long for 〈…〉 saviour , and gladly accept of him , being of 〈…〉 d unto thee . ● . seriously study the book of god's law , 〈…〉 be firmly persuaded , that all the precepts 〈…〉 eof are holy , just and good , and do oblige 〈…〉 inward as well as the outward man , the 〈…〉 rt and affections as well as words and 〈…〉 ions ; and declareth every one accursed 〈…〉 o continueth not in every thing written in 〈…〉 law to do the same , deut. 27. 26. gal. 3. 10 , the law cannot pass by a transgression , nor 〈…〉 give a sin. ● diligently acquaint thy self with the book of thine own conscience , that thou may 〈◊〉 know thy self ; and thou wilt find , that thou ● art a sinner , and a transgressor of the holy ● laws of god , both in thoughts , words and ● actions . yea , thou wilt find , that in thy natural and unregenerate state , thou dost nothing● but sin , heb. 11. 6. rom. 8. 7 , 8. and in thy renewed state , thou dost nothing without 〈◊〉 eccles. 7. 20. 1 io. 1. 8. thou wilt find , that naturally thou art destitute of the image of god ; that thou a● dead in trespasses and sins , and art by natu●● a child of wrath , and lyable to the just judgments of god , rom. 5. 18. ephes. 2. 1 , 3. that thy whole man is corrupted , and treasures of wickedness in every faculty of thy sou● 1. thy understanding is full of darkne● and error , great ignorance of god and of sp●ritual things , and yet thou would be accounte● wise , but art negligent in seeking after use●● knowledge , eph. 4. 18. 2. thy will is obstinate , perverse and co●●trary to good , rebelling and fighting again●● god and his law , and wholly inclined to ev●● and vanity , io. 5. 40. 3. the conscience is perverted , corrupted an● de●iled , full of treachery , deceit and lies , apt 〈…〉 call evil good , and good evil , and to flatter t 〈…〉 soul with formal pretences and shadows , wit● out sincerity or reality , 1 tim. 4. 2. tit. 1. 1● 4. the memory is corrupted and vain , a 〈…〉 to forget god , dependance upon him , and eve● ●●ty towards him , both as to matter and 〈…〉 er , substance and quality . it is apt to re 〈…〉 wickedness , vanity and trifles , but to let 〈…〉 seful and necessary truths . 5. the affections and passions are all cor 〈…〉 ed and abused ; our admiration , our love , 〈…〉 anger , our hatred , our desire , our fear , our 〈…〉 , our grief , our anger , &c. are often em 〈…〉 ed and exercised about things quite con 〈…〉 y to the appointment of god's law. 〈◊〉 that the heart of man is become a very 〈◊〉 generate thing , a sink of sin and mass of cor 〈…〉 ion , full of malice , impiety and impurity , 〈…〉 ereby the spiritual and heaven-born soul is 〈…〉 ome despicable , base and miserable , a slave 〈◊〉 own servants , yea even to its greatest 〈…〉 mies , under the dominion of sin , satan , the 〈…〉 rld and the flesh. and yet the greatest misery of all is , that 〈◊〉 is not sensible of this his miserable condi 〈…〉 , he knows it not , he is not affected with it ; 〈…〉 goes light under his load , and is chearful 〈…〉 is chains , fancying himself safe , happy and 〈◊〉 rev. 3. 17. and why ? because his mind 〈…〉 nded , and his heart hardned . for it is of 〈◊〉 nature of sin to blind the mind and harden 〈◊〉 heart , as well as to de●ile the conscience 〈◊〉 pollute the soul. that very sin which 〈…〉 es the man guilty , makes him likewise past 〈…〉 ng , eph. 4. 18 , 19. ●oe is me ! is this my condition ? am i one 〈…〉 hese miserable creatures ? am i yet in a natural and unregenerate state ? i am not safe . what shall i do ? if thou art truly awakened from thy lethargy , and convinced of thy sin and misery ; if thou art deeply humbled under a sense of the same ; if thou art perswaded , that thou canst not be saved by thy own power , thy skill , thy duties , nor thy merits ; if thou art so humble , that thou art willing to be beholden to another for help and safety ; yea , if thou hast hungring and thirsting desires after salvation , and art glad to submit to any terms to escape sin and misery , and to obtain happiness and glory : then ( and not till then ) art thou fit to hear of christ the saviour , and to receive that comfortable invitation , mat. 11. 28. come unto me , &c. isaiah 55. 1 , 2. christ came to seek and to save such lost sinners , as despair of salvation any other way ; he will be a physitian to such sick souls . behold the terms of the gospel-covenant . if thou truly and sincerely repentest of sin , so that thou inwardly loathest and abhorrest it , and thy self , for being guilty of it . if thou truly and sincerely believest in christ , so as to prize him above all things ; if thou receivest and acceptest of him upon the terms of the covenant of grace , as he is offered in the gospel , for thy prophet and teacher , for thy priest and peace-maker , for thy king and ruler , for thy lord , and law-giver , as well as thy saviour and redeemer ; if thou submittest 〈◊〉 committest thy self unto him , and art as 〈…〉 ing to give obedience to him as to receive 〈…〉 ation from him , to be sanctified by his spi●●s well as to be saved by his merits , and 〈…〉 ly resolvest to continue stedfast in this hap 〈…〉 〈…〉 emper of mind to the end of thy life ; then 〈…〉 sin is pardoned , thy soul regenerated , thy 〈…〉 re sanctified , and thy salvation infallible , 〈…〉 8. 1. io. 6. 35 , 37. io. 5. 24. io. 3. 18 , 36. 〈◊〉 after thou hast laid the firm foundation of 〈◊〉 faith in the lord jesus christ , thou dili●●ly addest to thy faith , vertue , knowledge , 〈…〉 perance , patience , godliness , brotherly 〈…〉 dness , charity , and the rest of those heaven●● graces and holy vertues , which are fruits 〈◊〉 effects of faith ; and dost abound in all 〈…〉 se , acting all graces , practising all ver●ues , 〈◊〉 performing all duties ; and yet 〈…〉 ting in 〈…〉 ce of them , but only in jesus christ for sal●●ion ; then art thou as sure to be eternally 〈◊〉 , as thou art sure that thy repentance is 〈◊〉 , thy faith true , and thy obedience sincere , 〈◊〉 . 5. 4. act. 3. 19. mark 16. 16. act. 16. 〈…〉 heb. 5. 9. 2 pet. 1. 5 , 10 , 11. be carefull still , to use humble and hearty 〈…〉 yers , as the mean to procure all this , mat. 〈…〉 . and still apply unto , and depend upon 〈◊〉 holy spirit , as the effectual worker of all 〈◊〉 , rom. 8. 26. io. 15. 5. 2 cor. 3. 5. now , my friends , this is the way , walk ye 〈◊〉 . if ye know these things , happy are ye , if 〈…〉 o , and teach them . be not content to go to heaven alone , but take compassion upon other● and help them forward in this good way . per●swade your selves , that christ's command ob●liges you , luke 22. 32. when you are converted , strengthen you brethren , especially your children , servant and all within your gates , and under you● charge . god's command is your duty , and bin● you to obedience in this particular , mat. 22. 39● thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self . quest. what method shall we use in reform●ing our families ? answ. having brought your mind to a ser●●ous frame , and being perswaded of the nece●sity and excellency of holiness , and havin● learned the duties of humility and self-d●●nyal ; then follow this method . 1. presently set ●p , and zealously keep up th● worship of god in your families , use prayer● praises , and reading of the scriptures twice ●●very day at least , in presence of all the family ●let nothing be an ordinary hindrance of thes● daily sacrifices each day ; and on the lord day , let these duties be doubled , as the ol● sacrifices were , numb . 28. 9 , 10. 2. spend one hour at least , in instructin● and examining your children and servants , i● explaining difficulties , and opening the mean●ing of the scriptures to them . at first you ma● set them tasks in some fit books of question● and answers , till their capacity be enlarged . 〈…〉 ecially be careful to teach them to know 〈…〉 selves , what they are in their natural and 〈…〉 state , and what the effects , consequents 〈…〉 wages of sin are ; and this will make your 〈…〉 er-work more easy . for if you can tho●ly convince them , that they are sinners , 〈…〉 that the wages of every sin is death and 〈…〉 ation , and that there is no safety but in 〈…〉 christ , and that in him is perfect righ 〈…〉 sness and plenteous redemption to all that 〈…〉 receive him as he is offered ; then it will 〈…〉 asy to perswade them to learn to know 〈…〉 st and the method of salvation by him . 〈…〉 ey will be glad to be directed to the city 〈…〉 refuge , when they see themselves pursued 〈…〉 the justice of the sin-revenging god , and 〈…〉 ble to all the curses of his law. whereas without the knowledge of them●●es and their own state , they will not desire 〈…〉 knowledge of christ , nor submit to chri 〈…〉 duties . what are all the physitians in 〈…〉 wn to a man in health and vigour , or all 〈…〉 places of refuge to a man that thinks 〈…〉 self honest and innocent . 3. allow them time , and exhort them to 〈…〉 prove it in secret prayer , reading the scrip●●es , meditation , and examining their own 〈…〉 rts ; and give them directions how to do 〈…〉 se things to good purpose . 4. let your holy example be their constant 〈…〉 ern , and your watchful eye their constant 〈…〉 itor , and your frequent and familiar conferences with them , be their constant encouragement . occasional advices and pious directions insinuated and dropt into them a● vvork , or at meals , will wonderfully advanc● and set forward your solemn teachings . 5. neglect not to use meekness and patience , love and kindness in all your dealing with them , in matters of religion , that the● may be convinced , that you chiefly intend th● good of their souls . 6. let no stubborn despisers of piety remain within your doors , lest they poison th● rest , and render your labours fruitless . 7. encourage the tractable and diligent , a● first , with little rewards , till they come t● feel the sweetness of holiness , the power o● grace , and the habits of vertue ; till they b● acquainted with the teachings of the holy spirit , and then your work will be pleasant and delightful , your scholars will then become teachers . if you doubt of your duty , and think that this is more than is required of you , then consider these arguments to prove your obligation . 1. it is the express command , and positive● law of the great king of heaven , the loving and gracious god , that you should teach and instruct your families ; and therefore it is your indispensible duty : and you cannot neglect it without rebellion against your creator , your father and soveraign . take your bible , read 〈◊〉 consider these texts , deut. 6. 4. deut. 〈…〉 .19 . deut. 4. 10 eph. 6. 4. 〈…〉 god 's faithful children and servants 〈…〉 carefully performed this duty . christ 〈…〉 ed with and instructed his family , luke 〈…〉 mark 4. 10 , 14. cornelius feared god 〈…〉 all his house , act. 10. 2. abraham's pur 〈…〉 s approved of the lord , gen. 18. 19. and 〈…〉 lord tells you , io. 8. 39. if ye were abra 〈…〉 children , ye would do the works of abra 〈…〉 ; that is , if ye had faith , ye would imi 〈…〉 his example . 〈…〉 holy david's practice be your daily 〈…〉 ern , psal. 101. 2 sam. 6. 20. 〈…〉 the law of nature obligeth you to this 〈◊〉 ; your children are pieces of your selves , your servants stand in a near relation to 〈◊〉 you feed and cloath their bodies , and 〈…〉 it your duty to do so , it is unnatural 〈…〉 ty to neglect and starve the soul , and suf 〈…〉 to perish for want of knowledge and good 〈…〉 ation . they cannot serve you without 〈◊〉 , but with the whole man ; therefore 〈…〉 ght to take care of the whole man , and 〈…〉 t your greatest care upon the better 〈◊〉 ; otherwise many birds and beasts are 〈…〉 ng behind with you . let your religion reason appear , in taking more care of the 〈…〉 t s of the most high god , than of your 〈…〉 and horses . 〈…〉 the oath of god is upon you by your 〈…〉 smal engagements , that you will keep god's holy vvill and commandments all the days of your life ; and you daily pray , that the vvill of god may be done on earth as it is in heaven . and since it is the command and will o● god , that you worship him in your families and oblige all that are under your charge to d● the sam● , you mock god , if you act not according to your promise and prayers , and yo● give your selves the lye , when you do not a● you s●y . 5. god hath intrusted you with the charg● of your f●milies , as his vicegerent and deputy and hath invested you with christ's three o●●fices , to enable you to discharge that trust. 1. of a prophet , to instruct and teach all u●●der your charge , to make known to them t●● mind of god. 2. of a priest , to offer up to god the sacr●●fices of prayer and praises , with and for the●● 3. of a king , to rule , govern , and keep goo● order in your family ; to rebuke and puni 〈…〉 error and vice , and to encourage and rewa 〈…〉 piety and vertue . and since you must give account of this yo● charge and stewardship to the righteo 〈…〉 judge , be careful so to manage and dischar 〈…〉 it , that neither the law of god , the gospel 〈◊〉 christ , your own conscience , nor any in yo 〈…〉 family , may accuse or condemn you at that da 〈…〉 6. seriously consider the bad and dread 〈…〉 effects of the neglect of family-piety , solom 〈…〉 〈…〉 you , prov. 22. 6. train up a child in the 〈◊〉 where in he should go , and when he is old , he 〈◊〉 not depart from it . so that all the enor 〈…〉 es and impieties that every where abound , 〈◊〉 the miserable and unhappy consequences 〈◊〉 your neglect and carelesness . and when all 〈…〉 ese iniquities are charged upon your score , 〈…〉 at a dreadful r●ckoning will it make ? no 〈…〉 nks to you , that england is yet 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 doth not suffer like sodom . 7. consider the glorious and com●ortable ●ffects that will attend your diligent and faith 〈…〉 ● discharge of family-duties , and that in a 〈…〉 reesold respect . 1. in respect of the publick . your fami 〈…〉 are the nurseries and se●inaries both of ●hurch and state. parishes , towns , cities ●nd societies are made up of them , and all ●e 〈…〉 ions flow from them . therefore to make families good and reli●ious , is the most ready way to make good ●●gistrates , good subjects , good 〈◊〉 , ●ood church members , good husbands , good ●ives , good masters , good servants , good ●iends and good neighbours . so that if your families be schools of piety 〈◊〉 vertue , both church and commonwealth ●ill reap the fruits of your labours , and ●weetly commemorate your commendation . neither magistrates nor ministers are ●o ●a●●ble to do this as you are , because your 〈◊〉 are contin●ally under your ●ye , and do more immediately depend upon you , and ar● more awed by you . b● this your religious care and diligence● ye mi●ht be very helpful both to magistrate● and ministers , and make their offices pleasant and delightful , which now are comfortl●ss and toilsom . particularly you would greatly assist and encourage ministers , by preparing ●he ground wherein they might sow 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , by laying a good foundation o● 〈◊〉 and solid principles , whereupon they 〈◊〉 ●uild by preaching ; whereas now by 〈◊〉 neg●●ct , their labour is lost , and their p●ins unprofitable . mo●eover , were your families reformed a●d made sanctuaries for the vvorship and service of god , good ministers would take pleasure to visit you , to assist and encourage you : vvhereas now they are afraid to come near you , lest they be flattered , ●louted or vainly diverted by your carnal conversation . for i verily suppose , that much of the fault lyes in you , that they do not practice that ant●●nt and laudable custom of teaching from house to house , whereby they might do more good ●o souls in one year , than perhaps they can do by publick preaching in seven . 2. in respect of your selves , the effects of your religious care of your families will be g●●at . vvhen the inhabitants of your house become the children and servants of the great king of h●aven , your families will be happy 〈…〉 ourable ; the rich blessings of the boun 〈…〉 god will be multiplyed unto them , as la 〈…〉 as blest for iacob's sake , and potiphar 〈…〉 sephs . moreover , they will be more active , 〈◊〉 and faithful in serving you , when they 〈…〉 m their duties in the fear of the lord , 〈…〉 om a principle of good conscience . piety 〈…〉 ays the best policy . the fruits of your religious care will be 〈◊〉 , with respect to your children and ser 〈…〉 themselves , both as to time and eter 〈…〉 your holy care may be a mean to make 〈…〉 happy , both here and hereafter . you may 〈…〉 r●ments of preventing and preserving 〈◊〉 from many miscarriages , misfortunes and 〈…〉 ies , which the want of good education , 〈◊〉 vitious course exposes them to , and of 〈…〉 ying them from eternal damnation . 〈…〉 now , my friends , what greater honour , 〈…〉 ess and comfort can you desire , than 〈◊〉 employ and signalize your selves , in 〈…〉 e honourable and happy instruments 〈…〉 orifying god , and of reforming both 〈…〉 h and kingdom , of promoting religio● , 〈…〉 eating the designs of satan , of prevent 〈…〉 〈…〉 d removing much wickedness , and 〈…〉 g many souls to eternal happiness . 〈…〉 efore zealously ply your work , and 〈…〉 ntly expect your reward , from him 〈…〉 at h promised , 1 sam. 2. 30. them that 〈◊〉 ●e , will i honour , &c. dan. 12. 3. they 〈◊〉 many to righteousness , shall shine as the stars , for ever and ever , james 5. 20. he th●● converteth a sinner from the evil of his way , sh●● save a soul from death , and shall hide a mult●tude of sins , psal. 112. 6. the righteous shall in everlasting remembrance , mat. 25. 46. t●● righteous shall go into life eternal . let this encourage your diligence , that yo●● satisfaction and comfort will be great in th●● life , your memory will be sweet to posteri●● and your reward will be everlasting glory . not withstanding all that hath been sa●● wicked men and hypocrites will be apt 〈◊〉 make several objections , to excuse themselv●● from this noble and excellent work ; un●● which i shall subjoin proper answers , as 〈◊〉 many arguments and motives , to encoura●● your labour and excite your diligence . 1 object . if we should instruct our famili●● we may make them hypocrites , we cann●● make them christians ; it 's god alone th●● can change the heart . answ. god ordinarily worketh by mea● and bestoweth his grace in the use of the o●●dinances which he hath appointed . vvhatev●● god worketh in us or , for us , he ordinar● doth by us , and with us ; and what he promiseth to us as blessings , he requireth of us as d●ties , ezek. 36. 26. ezek. 18. 31. 2 object . the work is impossible , the case 〈◊〉 desperate ; wickedness is become so univers●● that it is folly to attempt a reformation . answ. god and his servants can do ●● 〈◊〉 phil. 4. 13. god hath promised his ho 〈…〉 it to all those who ask him , luke 11. 13. 〈…〉 a spirit of wisdom , couns●l and power , 〈…〉 if you sincerely use the means of his ap 〈…〉 ment , he will guide you into all truth , 〈…〉 ill help your infirmities , he will encourage 〈◊〉 hearts , direct your judgments , and as 〈…〉 your endeavours . ● object . we have not time nor leasure to 〈…〉 ct our families every day , and to call 〈…〉 to account , to pray with them , and read ●hem , &c. answ. you will ●ind time to eat , drink , 〈◊〉 , and to enjoy your sensual pleasures , and 〈◊〉 not to mind spiritual pleasures , which are 〈…〉 e noble ? you will ●ind time to die , and 〈◊〉 be judged , and why not to prepare for the 〈…〉 e ? your only business in the world is to honour 〈◊〉 glorify god , and to work out your salva 〈…〉 ; this is the one thing needful : ●f this be 〈…〉 glected , all other business is to no purpose . be careful to redeem your time from these 〈◊〉 great robbers , and you will have leasure 〈…〉 ough for spiritual concerns : to wit , from , 〈◊〉 vain recreations , 2. vain discou●ses , 3. vain 〈…〉 houghts , 4. immoderate sleepi●g , eating 〈…〉 d drinking ; and 5. immoderate care about 〈…〉 orldly business . there is nothing can hinder your minding 〈…〉 spiritual concerns of your selves and fami 〈…〉 , but the vanities of the vvorld , or the lusts of the flesh ; and these ye have renounced in your baptism , and vowed a perpetual vvar against them ; so that you are perjured if you suffer your selves to be entangled an● hindred by them , mat. 16. 26. 1 io. 2. 15 , 16. 4 object . it is below us to stoop to so mea● an office , as to teach children and servant● the first principles of religion ; we can employ our selves more nobly in the tavern or alehouse , in playing at cards , or conversing with our friends . answ. this is rather the language of practice , than of the tongue . christ our lord was of another mind , who went about doing good , and hath left us an example that we should follow his steps . he took delight , and counted it his meat and his drink , to do the vvill of his heavenly father ; and so should we , prov. 11. 30. he that winneth souls , is wise . lewis ix . king of france , was found teaching a kitchen-boy : and being asked why he stoopt to so mean an office ? he said , the meanest child of adam has as pretious a soul as mine , and bought with the same pretious blood of christ , and must shine in heaven , or fry in hell for ever . the ●irst step to christianity , is a profound humility . a proud christian is a painted devil . 5 object . vve are ashamed to begin that exercise , which we have often intermitted , or long neglected . answ. if thou art ashamed to repent and 〈…〉 d , and to own christ and his service , pre 〈…〉 thee to receive that sentence , depart from 〈…〉 ye workers of iniquity , luke 13. ●7 . mark 〈…〉 8. christ rejoiced to take our nature● that 〈◊〉 night die , to redeem us . vve should re 〈…〉 to have our nature renewed , that we 〈…〉 become like him , and be made partakers 〈◊〉 salvation , 2 cor. 5. 17. rom. 8. 9. ● object . vve are wllling to set up the wor 〈…〉 of god , and to reform our families , but 〈…〉 e loath to begin yet ; we would have 〈◊〉 to shew us the way , and bring this exer 〈…〉 into custom . 〈…〉 sw . all delays are dangerous , but here 〈◊〉 are damnable , because contrary to god's 〈…〉 mands , heb. 3. 7 , 8. 2 cor. 6. 2. if you 〈…〉 se your selves , and postpone , decline and 〈◊〉 this great and necessary work , god may 〈◊〉 remove you out of the way , and raise up 〈…〉 rs , who may be instruments of a great and 〈…〉 ious reformation , which you may never 〈◊〉 the happiness to see . for the glorious 〈◊〉 will be glorified , and his holy name shall 〈…〉 llowed ; and happy they who shall be in 〈…〉 ents of it . let a holy ambition always 〈…〉 s your souls , and covet that honour 〈◊〉 cometh from god. if you desire the 〈…〉 est honour and reward , do not decline 〈…〉 rdest vvork . ● object . vve shall be jeered and laughed 〈◊〉 i● we be singular , and differ from our 〈…〉 ghbours . answ. sober singularity , is safer than joint ●●mpiety . it is better to walk alone in god'●● way , than with company in the devils . as th●● world goes now , none can get to heaven , wh 〈…〉 go not contrary to its course . let ioshuah'● resolution be your example , ios. 24. 15. a● for me and my house , we will serve the lord 〈◊〉 yea , the great god commands you to be singu●lar , exod. 23. 2. thou shalt not follow a multi●tude to do evil , rom. 12. 2. be not conformed t● this world . yea , you need not be altogether● singular ; join counsels with some hones● neighbours , and encourage and assist one ano●ther . 8 object . if we shall spend so much time a●bout religio●s matters as is requisite to ac●complish these ends , we shall neglect our em●ployments , lose our custom , and so becom● poor . answ. that is the suggestion of satan , an● the distrustfulness of thy corrupt heart . god'● promises are a sure portion , mat. 6. 33. luk● 12. 31 , 32. psal. 84. 11. psal. 37. 3. moderate your worldly desires and sensu●● appeti●es ; deny the extravagant cravings o● your corrupt nature , and be contented , if yo 〈…〉 have food and rayment ; then you are as ric 〈…〉 as you desire to be , and no man is more . if your greatest care be for the better part● you will find by experience , that a few thought● of holy faith , hope and trust , will save you 〈◊〉 great many thoughts , cares and fears for you ●emporal life . notice these texts , prov. 〈…〉 . 2 , 3 , 4 , 22. psal. 34. 10 , 22. ● object . if we sh●ll addict our selves to a 〈…〉 ligious life , then we shall be dull , mopish 〈…〉 melancholy , and never have a joyful day 〈…〉 pleasant hour . answ. mistake not the shadow for the sub 〈…〉 ce ; carnal pleasures are transient and vain , 〈◊〉 spiritual pleasures are satisfying and dura 〈…〉 , iob 20. 5. the triumphing of the wicked is 〈◊〉 , and the joy of the hypocrite is but for a 〈…〉 nt , psal. 37. 35 , 36. you may read , iob 〈…〉 iob 20 , iob 21. prov. 24. 20. how unsa 〈…〉 ing and uncertain the pleasures of the 〈…〉 ed are . ●arthly pleasures may for a season gratify 〈◊〉 earthly part of us , the bodily appetites , 〈◊〉 they can never fill the unlimited d●sires of 〈◊〉 spiritual substance the soul , which those 〈◊〉 have been under trouble of mind , do 〈◊〉 by experience . 〈…〉 deed , sensual and ●arthly-minded persons , 〈…〉 se souls are dead , and consciences asleep , 〈…〉 seem to rejoice and be merry , when they 〈◊〉 the objects of their desires ; but their 〈◊〉 is both shallow and short , prov. 14. 13. even ●ughter the heart is sorrowful , and the end 〈…〉 t mirth is heaviness . 〈◊〉 is true , the children of god may ●ave 〈◊〉 sad and sorrowful hours , before they be 〈…〉 ed of their reconciliation with god ; the 〈◊〉 and sense of their corrupt nature , their sinful state and sinful practices , their estrangement from god , and the sense of his displeasure against sin , their daily rebelling corruptions , and restless enemies , do cost them many groans , sighs and tears , much sorrow and lamentation ; yet the end of that heaviness is joy , psal. 30. 5. weeping may endure for a night , but joy cometh in the morning . in the midst of all their sorrows and sufferings , the faithful servants of god can draw present comfort , solid joy , and spiritual rejoycing , from these five springs which never fail . 1. from the fountain of god's bounty and goodness , who gives to all men liberally . they recounting the great mercies and many blessings which they enjoy , and finding that they far exceed the troubles they undergo , their hearts are filled with praise and thanksgiving , whereby their minds are eased , and their souls comforted , so that they can joyfully serve the god of their mercies , even when he seems to frown upon them , iob 1. 21. and 2. 10. and 13. 15. 2. they find the spirit of god carrying on the work of sanctification in their souls , in his ordinary method , first humbling the soul , and breaking the heart , exciting to mourning , contrition and repentance , before he intimate pardon and forgiveness . and they know , that he who is now a sancti●ier and worker of grace , will e're long , appear to be a comforter and 〈…〉 ne●s of grace , mat. 5. 4. psal. 126. 5 , 6. rom. 〈…〉 16. they know that the penitent have 〈…〉 omise of pardon ; and finding repentance 〈…〉 rking in their hearts , by their hatred and 〈…〉 hing of sin ; in hope of pardon of sin , 〈…〉 ce with god , and inheritance among them 〈…〉 t are sanctified , they joy in the lord , and 〈…〉 oice in the god of their salvation . 3. the vvord of god assures them , that 〈◊〉 are spiritual pleasures sufficient to fill the 〈…〉 res of the soul , io. 16. 24. 1 io. 1. 4. ps 〈…〉 11. and their spirits do experimentally 〈…〉 est this truth ; so that they are filled with 〈…〉 oy and peace in believin● rom. 15. 13. and 〈…〉 glory even in tribul 〈…〉 n , rom. 5. 2 , 3. 4. the promises of god are an overflowing 〈…〉 ntain of joy , peace and comfort to all the 〈…〉 ithful . the child of god esteems them 〈…〉 etious , and would not part with them for 〈◊〉 whole world , 2 pet. 1. 4. psal. 110. 72. these promises do fully assure us , that sor 〈…〉 and mourning shall come to an end , and 〈…〉 joy , peace and com●ort , shall succeed , and 〈…〉 ure for ever , io. 16. 20. isaiah 51. 11. 〈…〉 . 21. 4. 5. the children of god do rejoice , and 〈…〉 re inward comfort in their union with 〈…〉 i st , and conformity to him . since he who their head , did live here a life of sorrows 〈◊〉 sufferings , and then entred into his glo 〈…〉 they rejoice to suffer with him , that they 〈…〉 be glorified together with him , 1 pet. 4. 〈…〉 . rom. 8. 17. so you see , and you ought to believe , that if you sincerely love and serve god , you may have solid joy and continual comfort from these five grounds : 1. from god's love and goodness . 2. from the workings and witness of the glorious spirit . 3. from the truth of god. 4. from his gracious promises . and , 5. from your interest in christ , and likeness to him . yea , prayer and meditation will never fail to refresh the soul , and chear the heart . so that it is your great mistake to think , that religion yields no pleasure , but is a dull and melancholy state ; ●it is great ignorance and delusion , that makes ●s ●en to think or speak so , contrary to god's word , and his childrens experience , prov. 3. 17. all her ways are ways of pleasantness , and all his paths are peace , psal. 34. 8. o taste , and see that god is good ; blessed is the man that trusteth in him , psal. 63. 5. my soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness , and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips. yea , there is no true pleasure in the world but in the ways of religion , because none else can satisfy the soul. all earthly pleasures are brutish and ●it for the body , that earthly part of us , and are common to us with the brutes , and which some of them enjoy in a larger measure than we do . only spiritual pleasures are fit for spiritual beings . if this be your temper , that you take more pleasure in earthly things and bodily concerns , than in religious exercises and the divine promises : besure , you are yet in your ●atural and sinful state , and cannot be sa●ed , till you be renewed , regenerated and ●orn again , rom. 8. 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 13. io. 3. 3. 10 object . our consciences tell us , and we confess ingenuously , that the chief cause o● our neglect of these duties , is our sloth and lazi●ess , prov. 15. 19. answ. this is as dangerous , deadly and ●mning a sin as you can be guilty of , and will ●ore slily and as effectually undo you , as the ●ost heinous crimes , mat. 25. 26 , 30. the ●thful and unprofitable servant is condemned as ●ll as the wicked , prov. 18. 9. every omission of a duty , is the commission ●f a sin , iam. 4. 17. rom. 12. 11. now , my friends , i am perswaded , that ●●st of you will approve of , and assent unto , ●hat is here proposed ; and you will own , that ●is every ones duty and interest to help for●ard a reformation . you do faintly wish , o ●at the world were better ! o that people ●ere more honest and faithful ! o that my ●hildren were good and tractable ! o that my 〈…〉 vants were more honest and trusty ! o that ●eighbours were more kind and friendly ! ●c . but wishes are vain , where e●deavour●●e wanting , prov. 13. 4. prov. 21. 25. therefore since your judgment approves , and your conscience consents , let not your will gainsay , and your practice contradict . but agree with your self , be all of one piece ; let all the faculties of your soul and powers of your body , be employed in carrying on one design , to wit , the glory and honour of god , and the eternal happiness of souls , 1 cor. 10. 31. phil. 2. 4. let not not this paper be a witness against you , nor a mean to condemn you , but rather a motive to excite you , and an instrument to perswade you . let your conscience be so informed and exercised now , that you may not be afraid nor asham'd of its testimony at the day of judgment . take heed to your selves , what conscience you have , for conscience will damn , and conscience will save . a memorandum for mothers , and those who expect to be so . honoured and loving friends , you being reasonable creatures , and called by the noble name of christians , 〈…〉 supposed and taken for granted , that you 〈◊〉 well informed in your judgment , and firm 〈…〉 persuaded in your conscience , that the glo 〈…〉 os and wise creator of all things , hath 〈…〉 ed and appointed you to bring forth , and 〈…〉 g up children for his honour and service , prepare members of his church on earth , 〈…〉 partakers of his glory in heaven . and it 〈◊〉 be thought , that all of you are ambitious ● this honour , to be instrumental causes of a 〈…〉 oly seed and blessed off-spring , which may ●ake up the church of christ in the world , and replenish heaven with saints , to shine in glory , and celebrate the praises of the eternal king. i believe all of you are desirous of dignity , and ambitious of honour , and here is honour indeed , to be the mothers and nurses of little angels , children of the most high , that may reign in glory , and shin● in heaven for ever . i believe none of you will say , that you are willing to gratify satan to bring forth and educate children to be his slaves , and subjects of hi● kingdom ; who being enemies to god and his ways , may carry on the devil's work in the world , and then 〈◊〉 tormented with him , and howl in hell for ever . surely , you will not affirm , that you are willing to go to that place of torment your selves , nor to have any of your children so unhappy and miserable , as to remain in the burning bottomless pit to all eternity . and yet woful experience doth plainly shew , that many imprudent and fond parents ( especially mothers ) are the greatest enemies to their own children , and do further their ruine and misery more than the devil , or any other enemy can do , by gratifying their sens●al appetites , pleasing their foolish fancies , satisfying their unreasonable desires , pampering their corrupt nature , encouraging them in vanity and folly , and perhaps by shewing them bad examples ; in a word , by giving them their own will , and with-holding from them that ●ecessary instruction and seasonable correction , ●hich is requisite to the renewing of their co●rup●ed nature , and bringing them out of a 〈…〉 ate of sin and vice , into a state of holiness ●d vertue . and by this means , they are fit●ed for satan's service , and prepared to com●ly with most of his temptations . it is most certain , that neither the devil nor ●e world , can tempt children , until they be ●apable of yielding and giving their consent . now if the fi●st buddings of vice and wicked●ess springing from the root of corrupt na●●re , were timely suppressed and removed , the root would languish and decay , and satan ●ould find nothing in them whereupon to fa●en his temptations , io. 14. 30. and if the seeds of true knowledge , piety and vertue , ●ere timely and carefully sown , and duly and diligently watered , the● would be sufficiently ●●rnished against his assaults , and quali●ied to resist his greatest temptations , eph. 6. 11 , 13. now since children are born ignorant ( tho' ●ot innocent ) they must be taught and in●●ructed , they must know their duty before they can do it ; and who can so properly do this as parents , especially you mothers , who have the immediate management of them i● their tender age , who are oftenest with them , have greatest influence upon them , and are most capable to oblige and prevail with them . you who are the causes of their being , are most obliged to contribute to their well-being . quest. what means shall we use ? what method shall we take ? answ. 1. being entred into a married state , and having diligently and faithfully acquainted your selves with the duties incumbent upon you in that state ( which god's word and other good books do teach ; ) let your chief design be to honour and glorify god in that holy state which he hath ordained . and by humble supplication beg his blessing on the means of his own appointment , that your seed and off-spring may be instruments of his glory , and subjects of his kingdom ; and imitate holy hannah , 1 sam. 1. 11. dedicate unto the lord what he lends unto you ; and pray that his grace may sanctifie and prepare it for his service . 2. when your child is born , renew your oblation , dedicate and offer it up to god as a living holy-sacrifice , to be employed in his service , to live to his honour , and to be under his protection all the days of its life , exod. 34. 19. 3. at the time of the child 's solemn and publick dedication or christning , instead of foolish feasting , flattering and pratling , call together some christian friends , who may join with you in praising god , for adding a new member to his church , and for making you the happy instrument of it ; and in praying to god for the preservation , sanctification and salvation of the child . 4. if it be possible , carefully nurse the child ●our self , and let it take its nourishment ●hence it derived its substance , that it may be ●holly yours . you may read your duty in ●his particular , in ier. taylor 's doctrine con●●rning the virgin mary's nursing the holy child jesus , in his book called , the great examplar . and in the section concerning wives , in the book called , the ladies calling . 5. when the dawnings of reason appears , ●●d nature begins to shew it self in the child , ●●en bestir your self , and apply great care and ●iligence in prayer and pains , to have the cor●apt nature rectified , the image of satan re●oved , and the divine nature and image of god renewed in it . quest. are children destitute of god's 〈…〉 age , and a new nature ? answ. yes ; all the posterity of rebelliou● adam , are guilty a●d polluted , void of good , 〈…〉 d full of evil , psal. 51. 5. they are shapen in ●quity and conceived in sin , job . 14. 4. they are 〈…〉 clean branches of a corrupt root , jo. 3. 6. that ●●ich is born of the flesh , is flesh ; that is , unholy ●●d corrupt , rom. 8. 8. they that are in the ●lesh , cannot please god , because they are not 〈…〉 ke him , they are not pure and holy . you find , col. 3. 10. eph. 4. 24. that th●●●age of god consists in knowledge , righte●sness and true holiness . now you see , that children are altogether ●estitute of these qualifications , and are very averse and backward to learn or acquire them , which teachers of youth find by experience . quest. have children the image of satan , and a corrupt nature ? answ. yes ; all adam's posterity are not only destitute of righteousness , but inclined to all iniquity , gen. 6. 5. a subject capable of two contrary qualities , must have one of them ; the air must be either dark or light , wax must be either hard or soft . the heart of mankind must be either good and holy , or else bad and wicked , it must be ei●her for god or against him . now god's word tells us , rom. 8. 7. the carnal mind is enmity against god , and is no● subject to his law. and indeed no worse can● be in the devil , than enmity against god , and rebellion against his laws . we are not only strangers , but enemies to god , psal. 58. 3. rom. 5. 10. but the depraved and corrupted nature in children , appears in several particulars . 1. they are altogether ignorant and destitute of knowledge , a thick cloud of darkness overspreads their understanding , eph. 4. 18. they are wholly unacquainted with the natural as well as the positive law of god , and unwilling to use means , or take pains to know the same . 2. pride and self-conceit appears very early in them ; they love to be flattered , to be called good and pretty ; they are apt to value 〈…〉 emselves upon account of their great or rich 〈…〉 ents , their fine ornaments or gay cloath● &c. now pride is said to be the first sin 〈…〉 he devil , and is most contrary to the na 〈…〉 e of god , and abominable in his sight , 〈…〉 pet. 5. 5. 3. all know how children are generally in●ined to lying , dissimulation and falshood , 〈…〉 ich plainly shews , that they have too much 〈…〉 the nature and image of him who is the 〈…〉 ther of lyes , io. 8. 44. 4. all their passions and affections are cor●pted and distempered , and far from that 〈…〉 nd , which was in the lord jesus , and must 〈…〉 in every disciple of his , before they can 〈◊〉 saved , phil. 2. 5. io. 3. 3. mat. 18. how 〈…〉 ward are children to anger , hatred , ma●e , envy , revenge , quarreling , fighting , 〈…〉 enging themselves on those that wrong 〈…〉 m , domineering over those they can con●er ? how much are they inclined to sensual 〈…〉 tish pleasures , vanity , folly and trifling ? 〈…〉 w prone are they to fretting , murmuring , 〈…〉 ishness and discontent , if their humours 〈◊〉 not pleased , and their appetites satisfied ? 〈◊〉 these are plain indications , that their na●e is wholly evil , and directly contrary to 〈◊〉 innocent , patient , meek , humble and holy 〈…〉 ure , which appeared in our lord jesus 〈…〉 rist , mat. 11. 29. 1 pet. 2. 21 , 22 , 23. 5. that faculty the will , is basely 〈…〉 rupted and and depraved , which plainly appears in children , by their stubbornness , perverseness , wilfulness , untractableness , unplyableness and disobedience . if childrens will were not restrained by something without them , they would soon run into ruine . 6. their memory ( that treasury of the soul , ) is corrupted and vitiated . how soon do they forget good instructions , admonitions and advices ; yea , their own promises and resolutions ? how apt are they to remember trifles , folly , play and vanity ? 7. their continuing in this black and miserable state , when they come to years , their willingness to squander away time in idleness , play or wickedness , and their backwardness to go to school , to yield or hearken to the instructions of parents and teachers ; their unwillingness to go to church , and their unattentiveness there , doth plainly declare , that they are not only under the dominion of sin and satan , but that they are willing slaves to that ●oul spirit ; and delight to do the devil's drudgery , rather than to serve the high and holy god in spirit and truth . doth not all this shew , that children have need of early care and diligent education ? now if you , parents , patiently permit them to run on in their natural course , and do not timely and diligently use means to convert and reclaim them , you consent to their sin and wickedness , and declare your willingness , tha● they be miserable for ever . but if you en●ourage them in their vices , and smile upon 〈…〉 eir follies ; if you feed their lusts and please 〈…〉 eir humours , if you give them their will 〈…〉 nd approve their cunning , if you pamper and 〈…〉 eck their bodies , put mony in their pockets , & 〈…〉 ovide portions for them , to feed their sensual 〈…〉 esires ; then you forward their damnation , 〈…〉 ou side with satan to make them miserable , 〈…〉 d you put weapons in their hands , whereby 〈…〉 ey may rebel against the king of heaven . tho' you do not think this , nor believe it 〈…〉 hen it is told you , yet your practice speaks it , 〈…〉 d the event often declares it . and it is not 〈…〉 obable , that you can be acquitted , when you 〈…〉 tribute so much to the condemnation of 〈…〉 ur children . many of you complain much of your chil●ens ignorance , negligence , idleness , diso 〈…〉 dience and extravangancy . truly , when i 〈…〉 sider their education , i nothing wonder 〈…〉 t they walk in the way which they have 〈…〉 en accustomed to , and obey that master whose 〈…〉 ice they love best , ier. 13. 23. io. 8. 44. if your children prove your cross and af 〈…〉 tion , blame your selves , who are the prin 〈…〉 al causes , by neglecting timely instruction 〈…〉 prudent correction , and perhaps by gi 〈…〉 g them bad example . and if you smart 〈…〉 der the rod of your own preparing and 〈…〉 serving , do not complain , but seriously re 〈…〉 t and speedily amend . for as you are the causes of your childrens being , so should you be of their well-being ; as you contribute to their natural life , so should you to their spiritual : as god has made them yours by natural generation , so should you endeavour to make them his by vertuous and religious education . they are a trust committed to your charge by our heavenly father , who will surely call you to account . as for you , whose children have more years than vertue , and do follow their own will more than the will of god , i leave you to the advice of spiritual guides , or civil magistrates , according to the command , deut. 21. 18. but as for you who have , or may have young children , be careful to observe these rules , and you may easily rule them , and reap good fruit and comfort for your labour . 1. speak truth and no lies to your children ; that is , whatever you teach them , see that you practice it your selves ; otherwise they will not believe that you are in earnest , nor listen to your dictates . few words will suffice , where there is a continual good example . therefore let every christian duty as well as moral vertue , be your daily practice . 2. love your children prudently , and do not hate them effectually . fond and foolish love , proves to be the greatest hatred , prov. 13. 24. away with that fond and foolish , hurtful and childish flattering , hugging , caressing and dandling of children , that is usual , which lessens your authority , tickles their fancy , and feeds their folly. make not idols of your children ; they are god's gifts , make them not his rivals ; set them not up in his throne , lest he pull them down , and punish you , either by taking them from you , or making them your cross and scourge . therefore love your children piously , and let the fruits and effects of it , appear in promoting their spiritual good. 3. feed , but do not poison your children . god has given them sive senses , but has left it to you to regulate the objects . let them neither see nor hear any thing , that may corrupt their mind or fancy . do not poison their eyes with seeing any base , wicked or foolish action , till they be fortified against it , and capable to reprove and abhor it . do not poison their ears with hearing any wicked , vain or idle words , till they be able to tes●i●ie against them , and r●buke the tongue that speaks them . for children are capable to think as soon as to see , and to form idea's as soon as to hearken . they are capable to remember , before they can judge or determine . therefore let them hear none speak , who have not learned the language of canaan ; and let them converse with none , but those who are acquainted with the lord jesus , and can help to make them so . let the streets and publick places be an abomination unto them , until holiness to the lord be written on the foreheads of all who walk there . 4. seasonably and gently bow their ironsinew , before it become too strong ; that is , make their will plyable . teach them to be denyed , and to deny themselves : let them not know , that you give them their will in any thing : humour them not in any thing they cry for : and let them have what is fit at another time , rather than when they call for it . if you let them have their own will , they will soon torment you , and ruine themselves . an unbridled will , makes an ungovernable person . but when you have effectually and prudently brought the will into good subjection and order , more than the half of your work is done . 5. throw water on their wild fire , that is , let not passions prevail : let frowns , rebukes and rods , curb , restrain and suppress their immoderate passions and irregular desires : let discipline chastise and keep in order these wild beasts , till reason be able to tame them : let them know by your countenance and behaviour , that patience , meekness and sobriety , are lovely and commendable vertues . beware of giving bad example here . 6. regulate their diet ; nourish their bodies , but do not pamper them : let them know that temperance is a vertue , and that fasting is physick : let their food be course and plain , for strength and nourishment , not for pleasing the sensual appetite : and as soon as possible , let them gain their bread by the sweat of their brow , according the command , gen. 3. 19. 2 thes. 3. 10. 7. moderate their apparel , and do not feed their ●ide : adorn their minds before you deck their bodies : ●●ch them the use of ●loaching , and let gaudiness be 〈◊〉 abomination to them : suffer them not to be proud 〈◊〉 that which covers their shame . 8. moderate their recreations ; let them never be ●e , and let every thing they do be useful and instructive , ●●pen their reason and inform their judgment . 9. when they are capable of being instructed , then ●ch them first by the ear , before you make a book ●ir burden : let them have a good treasure of sound 〈◊〉 useful truths in their memory , and be able to answer ●any questions , before you ●ix their eyes upon a let● 〈◊〉 and that ye may build them high in faith and ho●●ss , be careful to lay a sure and solid foundation : 〈◊〉 therefore , let humility be the first vertue that you ●●t in them . and for this end , make them acquaint●●ith themselves : let them know , that they are 〈◊〉 degenerate off-spring o● sinful adam ; shew them the ●●ption of their nature in all the parts of it ; what 〈◊〉 ought to have been , and what they are in their cor●ed state. make known to them the purity and ho●●ss of god's nature and law , and that every sin is an ●ence against god , and a transgression of his law : 〈◊〉 them the evil of sin , and the dreadful consequents 〈◊〉 , that every sin deserves death and damnation , and 〈◊〉 this is due to them , because they are sinners , guilty 〈◊〉 unclean creatures , enemies to god by nature , and ●●els against his just and holy laws : let them know , ●t whatever good they receive and enjoy , is purely 〈◊〉 god's free grace and bounty , and not of their own ●●●ving ; and that it is of god's great mercy , patience 〈◊〉 long-suffering , that they are not thrown into hell ●ady . 10. when you have thus awakened their minds , con●●ed their judgments , humbled their hearts , and sof●● their spirits , then ●ou may make known to them , 〈◊〉 lord jesus christ , the only saviour , his person , his ●●ures , mediation and offices , and what way he is given for mankind , offered unto them , and must be received by them , in order to their reconciliation with god : shew them the doctrine of the covenant of grace , and the method and terms of salvation , and what is the nature and extent of that holiness , which is absolutely necessary to fit them for glory and happiness , heb. 12. 14. teach them to understand the person , the offices , the dictates , motions and operations of the holy ghost the sanctifier and comforter . teach them to understand the nature and manner of the temptations of their spiritual enemies , and how to resist and overcome them . make them acquainted with the doctrine and duty of prayer ; and oblige them to pray by themselves , not by a formal repeating of words , but expressing the humble and hearty desires of their souls , from a sense of their own wants of god's goodness and gracious promises , of christ's merits and mediation , and of the holy spirit 's assistance and intercession ; and teach them to trust in god , and wait for a return of their prayers ; and in every thing to be thankful to him . particularly teach them to believe in , to prize , esteem and love the lord jesus christ , as the fountain and foundation of all the blessings and benefits which they enjoy and expect , io. 14. 6. and that they are bound in covenant with him by their baptism . 11. being thus instructed and prepared , it will be easy for you to teach them to read ; and to understand the word preached , for their further edification , and to inform their judgment , and excite their practice in all the parts of publick worship . and when they are examined and approved by the governours of the church , they may be admitted to renew their covenant with god publickly and solemnly at the lord's table . 12. when they are thus prepared , fenced and fortified , by the pious care and faithful diligence of parents , and especially of you mothers , then may they go abroad , and be sent to school to learn languages , arts and sciences , and such accomplishments as are requisite and useful for them ; which they will easily attain to , 〈◊〉 the mind is so enlightned in the knowledge of 〈◊〉 ● there i shall leave them to the conduct of faith●●chers : but do not you leave them , while life lasts . 〈◊〉 however you may be pleased with your childrens ●●●●dings , yet never flatter them ; never commend 〈◊〉 , till they really deserve it : never call them good , 〈◊〉 be effectually so ; tell them that perfection is 〈◊〉 duty , and that yet they are far from it , but must ●●rance to higher degrees of grace and holiness . now , mothers , these are some hints of that 〈◊〉 you ought to do for the sanctification and salva● of your children . this is no matter of indifferency , 〈◊〉 your indispensable duty , ( prov. 1. 8. and 6. 20. ) ●●●ore neglect it not ; it cannot be done in a short time , 〈◊〉 little pains , therefore delay it not ; but begin 〈◊〉 , and proceed diligently ; and endeavour to obtain 〈◊〉 honour of being the happy instruments of a glori●●● reformation in england ; and may all your endea●●●● be crowned with happy success . 〈◊〉 it is not good to burthen children , and break 〈◊〉 spirits with too much religion ; it raises prejudi●●● in them , and gives them false notions and apprehen●● of god and religion . 〈◊〉 surely , this language proceeds from the devil this greatest instruments , because it is so directly con●y to the dictates of god's holy spirit , prov. 22. 6. 〈◊〉 a child in the way he should go , and when he is old , 〈◊〉 depart from it , eccl. 12. 1. remember thy grea●● the days of thy youth , &c. 2 tim. 3. 15. timothy i●●●mended for knowing the holy scriptures from a 〈◊〉 , whereby he was made wise unto salvation . 〈◊〉 . we have not leisure to take all this care and 〈◊〉 upon our children . 〈◊〉 . you find leisure to beger , nurse , feed and cloath 〈◊〉 ; to take care of the body ; and will you neglect 〈◊〉 soul ? he who gives you time , and all that you en 〈…〉 appoints you this work , and will reward you ac●●ing to your management of it . therefore let nothing be a hindrance now , which cannot excuse you at that ● of account . yea , let compassion to the fruit of your ● dies , be a forcible motive to excite your diligent ● zealous endeavour , for its sanctification and salvat ● and when you have done your utmost , still acknowle●●● your selves unprofitabls servants , and that all you'● done , is to no purpose , without the sanctifying grac● 〈◊〉 the holyspirit . therefore continue your earnest sup●cations to the good and gracious god , the giver of ev● good gift , that he would give his holy spirit , to m● your labours successful and effectual ; and the rig●ousness of his beloved son , to make your endeavour● 〈◊〉 ceptable with him . therefore , tho' you ought , and 〈◊〉 obliged to use every mean of his appointment , yet 〈◊〉 to no mean , rely upon none of your performances , 〈◊〉 all your dependance be upon the lord jesus christ ; beg the spirit of christ for your assistance , and the 〈◊〉 rits of christ for your acceptance : and in every th● give thanks and praise to god the father , son 〈◊〉 holy ghost . finis . the dutch-miller, and new invented wind-miller, or, an exact description of a rare artist newly come into england who undertake[illegible] to grind all sorts of women; whether old, decriped, wrinckled, blear-eyed, long nosed, blind, lame, scold [illegible]alous, angry, poor, or all others whatsoever: he'l ingage they shall come out of his mill, young, active, ple[ea]nt, handsome, wise, modest, loving, kind and rich, without any defect, or deformity, and just suitable to th[ei]r husbands humours, and dispositions, as he hath often experienced in other countries where he hath m[a]de practice of his art. the rich for money, and the poor for nothing. tune of, cook la[illegible]rel, &c. then bring your wives unto my mill, and young for old you shall have still. dean, j. (john), fl. 1679-1685. 1679 approx. 6 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 1 1-bit group-iv tiff page image. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2007-10 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a37304 wing d492aa estc r215382 99827276 99827276 31693 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a37304) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 31693) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 1846:26) the dutch-miller, and new invented wind-miller, or, an exact description of a rare artist newly come into england who undertake[illegible] to grind all sorts of women; whether old, decriped, wrinckled, blear-eyed, long nosed, blind, lame, scold [illegible]alous, angry, poor, or all others whatsoever: he'l ingage they shall come out of his mill, young, active, ple[ea]nt, handsome, wise, modest, loving, kind and rich, without any defect, or deformity, and just suitable to th[ei]r husbands humours, and dispositions, as he hath often experienced in other countries where he hath m[a]de practice of his art. the rich for money, and the poor for nothing. tune of, cook la[illegible]rel, &c. then bring your wives unto my mill, and young for old you shall have still. dean, j. (john), fl. 1679-1685. 1 sheet ([1] p.) : ill. (woodcut) printed for f. coles, t. vere, j. wright, and j. clarke, [london] : [1679] by john dean. imprint place and suggested imprint date from wing, which gives publication date as 1674-1679. verse "i am a brave miller but newly come o'er". identified as wing d2902 (entry cancelled in wing 2nd ed.) on umi microfilm "early english books, 1641-1700". reproduction of the original in the bodleian library. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng ballads, english -17th century. husband and wife -songs and music -early works to 1800. women -humor -early works to 1800. 2006-09 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2006-09 aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images 2006-10 jason colman sampled and proofread 2006-10 jason colman text and markup reviewed and edited 2007-02 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the dutch-miller , and new invented wind-miller , or , an exact description of a rare artist newly come into england , who undertake● to grind all sorts of women ; whether old , decriped , wrinckled , blear-eyed , long nosed , blind , lame , dcold●●alous , angry , poor , or all others whatsoever : he 'l ingage they shall come out his mill , young , active , plea●●nt , handsome , wise , modest , loving , kind and rich , without any defect , or deformity , and just suitable to their husbands humours , and dispositions , as he hath often experienced in other countries where he hath m●de practice of his art. the rich for money , and the poor for nothing . tune of , cook la●rel , &c. then bring your wives unto my mill , and young for old you shall have still . depiction of men bringing their wives to the wind-mill for grinding. i am a brave miller but newly come o're , of such a rare artist you ne'r heard before , for with my new mill such rare feats i have done , i le grind your old women , and make them all young . then stay a while gallants , and make not such hast , till you of my office have taken a taste ; 't is worth your attention , if that you will be , made free from all troubles , and live happily . there 's many a married man i dare to say , could wish that i sooner had come this way : for never a doctor in the whole land , can do such rare cures as you shall understand . for he that is married unto a cross scold , or to an old granny of ninety years old : they needs must commend me or else do me wrong , if i grind them bath till they 'r patient and young . the old , the decriped , the blind , and the lame , i 'le make them all active and fit for the game : nay , she that 's so old , that she 's bed-rid with age , i le make her young again , i will engage . he that hath a mind to a widdow that 's old , and fain would be married to finger her gold , bring her to my mill , and i 'le grind her so small , that she may be young again , handsome and all . the man that is troubled with a jealous wise , that 's cross and untoward , and weary of 's life : if once in my hopper i have her to grind , be sure she 'l come out in a far better mind . and she that 's deformed and hath a long nose , though crooked like mother shipton she goes , i le grind her until she be handsom and right , and fit for a gallant to play with all night . view here but my picture , and mark well my mill , and see how my customers flocketh in still : you may be assured i please them to 'th life , eaeh man is so ready to bring in his wife . here is an old woman i have on my back , i bear her up stairs , you may see , a pick pack ; when once i have ground her , i 'le pass you my word , that she shall be young 〈◊〉 and a bit for a lord. the second part , to the same tune . there 's honest jack doe-little to ease his sorrow , takes pains to put his wife in a wheel-barow , but yet he labours all for his own ends , because when she 's ground she will make him amends . the water-man hath got three in his boat , and each one hath promis'd to give him a groat , for they are resolved no money to spare , so they may but once again be market-ware . there is an old woman that sits by my stone , she is at her prayers and making her moan , let any one heave her but up to my mill , i le make her as young as the best of them still . there 's will he is hugging his wife by the middle , and he is resolved to find out the riddle , so she may be young again , for his own part , he cares not if she be ground until she fart . a coach full of ladies you here may behold , that now are deformed and grown very old , if i have but wind , i will miss of my aim , if they may not live to be fit for the game . you see there is monsieur hath got his new wife , she past from the mill , and is now come to life ; before she was crooked , and peevish and blind , but now she is beautiful , pleasant and kind . so taffie likewise doth bow to the ground , to see that a young for an old he hath found , kind complements he now to heo doth afford , who formerly never gave him a good word . by this you may see what an artist i am , to make an old scold be as meek as a lamb : you that have bad wives and do hear of my mill , if you will not come you may stay away still . and he that is poor , and hath got a bad wife , let him take my counsel to rid him of strife , bring her to my hopper , i 'le shake her about , and she shall be rich euough when she comes out . all this i 'le perform at a very small rate , the rich shall pay little , the poor not a groat : then say such a miller is now come ashore , that can do such feats as was ne'r done before . the come along customers , pray come away , make hast , for i have but a while for to stay : when once i am gone , 't is too late to repent , then lay out yonr money before 't is all spent . printed for f. coles , t. vere , j. wright , and j. clarke . joanereidos, or, feminine valour eminently discovered in western women, at the seige of lyme, as well by defying the merciless enemy at the face abroad, as by fighting against them in garrison towns, sometimes carrying stones, anon tumbling of stones over the works on the enemy, when they have been scaling them, some carrying powder, other charging of pieces to ease the souldiers, constantly resolved for generality, not to think any ones life dear, to maintain that christian quarrel for the long parliament : whereby, as they deserve commendations in themselves so they are proposed as example unto others : with marginal notes on the work, and several copies of verses by a club of gentlemen on this authors year and half work / by james strong ... strong, james, 1618 or 19-1694. 1674 approx. 87 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 28 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2004-03 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a61840 wing s5991 estc r20044 12443426 ocm 12443426 62158 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a61840) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 62158) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 948:19) joanereidos, or, feminine valour eminently discovered in western women, at the seige of lyme, as well by defying the merciless enemy at the face abroad, as by fighting against them in garrison towns, sometimes carrying stones, anon tumbling of stones over the works on the enemy, when they have been scaling them, some carrying powder, other charging of pieces to ease the souldiers, constantly resolved for generality, not to think any ones life dear, to maintain that christian quarrel for the long parliament : whereby, as they deserve commendations in themselves so they are proposed as example unto others : with marginal notes on the work, and several copies of verses by a club of gentlemen on this authors year and half work / by james strong ... strong, james, 1618 or 19-1694. [20], 9-16, [26] p. re-printed (with additions) for the satisfaction of his friends, [s.l.] : 1674. reproduction of original in huntington library. in verse. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng women -poetry. 2003-04 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2003-05 spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images 2004-01 emma (leeson) huber sampled and proofread 2004-01 emma (leeson) huber text and markup reviewed and edited 2004-02 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion joanereidos : or , feminine valour ; eminently discovered in western women , at the siege of lyme . as well by defying the merciless enemy at the face abroad , as by fighting against them in garrison towns ; sometimes carrying stones , anon tumbling of stones over the works on the enemy , when they have been scaling them , some carrying powder , other charging of pieces to ease the souldiers , constantly resolved for generality , not to think any ones life dear , to maintain that christian quarrel for the long parliament . whereby , as they deserve commendations in themselves , so they are proposed as example unto others . with marginal notes on the work , and several copies of verses by a club of gentlemen on this authors year and half work . languet virtus sine adversario . horace , scribimus indocti , doctique &c. by iames strong batchelor , &c. re-printed anno dom. 1674. ( with additions ) for the satisfaction of his friends . a ballad on the famous author of joanereidos , or feminine valour ( that incomparable piece , drawn some years since by his most unimitatable pencil . ) to the tune of * chivy chace . i sing the man whose lofty muse , with zeal and wit inspir'd , did western womens valour chuse to chant with art acquir'd . strang is his name , though strong he writes , forgetting's father 's house , whom he neglecteth and thus slights because a poor (a) prick-louse . for ought he met him on the road , and in the market-town , but would swell on him like a toad , and not his parent own ; though he had bred him up at school , by 'th help of (b) doctor pitts , yet hath he prov'd both knave and fool , at least one not in 's wits . at length to oxford (c) iames was sent , and was there a poor scholar a year or two , and from thence went as he (d) came . but when choler and heat of zeal had prompted him to be a holder-forth , he then became as spruce and trim as any in south or north. the sacred (e) function he invades without a lawful call , ( as now adaies do men of trades , though learned not at all . ) and soon became a teacher queint , zealous of reformation , presently falling on the point of dire predestination . bishops and deans he much decri'd as things intolerable , the surplice and the cross beside were most abominable . the (f) doctor he turn'd out of door , and took into possession his lands , his goods , and , which is more , his books by sequestration . these he remov'd to bettescombe , which was his benefice , that did by smock-simony come and with a belly-piece . his wife he often did chastise , who was a (g) gentlewoman , and would her beat and kick , though niece to 's patron , (h) the old roman . she hap'ning on a day to wipe her shooes with wash-dish clout , he therefore gave her many a stripe , and at door turn'd her out : but takes the clout and buries it in holy turf hard by , causing its knell in angry fit to be rung solemnly . the holy (i) font that raised was for the administration of infant-baptisme , he ( alas ) fed pigs , and put his wash in . when (k) raw the sequestrator had himself hang'd , through despair , our authour ( as his chaplain ) made a sermon to repair the credit of this fallen saint , and did him much applaud , as one impatient of restraint , from being with his god. this corps which should have buried been in some cross-way and (l) stak'd , in holy ground interr'd was seen by our author , and up rak'd . for being a brother of the (m) cause , his corps the temple was o' th holy ghost , though judg'd by th' laws the carcass of an ass. but iames at length so pettish grew , and eke so cholerick , that his good-natur'd consort knew not how to find the trick of pleasing him ; and therefore left his bed , board , house and all , and to her tender parents cleft , to shun her husband's brawl . for iimmy is an eager man , most froward all his life , no body near him quiet can be , he 's so full of strife . and 't is because he is so eager and spightful too withal , that he is grown so thin and meagre by trouble and by thrall . his tender-hearted wife he did heart-break , as most men think , though some there be have boldly said they know 't was his breath's stink . for iames doth breath so ill an air , that he can spiders slay at three yards distance , and few dare i' th room , where he is , stay . this is the cause that near his house no rose or flower blows , nor on his body will a louse come , nor within his clothes . his feet have eke so strong a scent that this our fragrant brother is often sent for with intent to cure the womens (n) mother . for feathers burnt are not so strong in stinking , as his toes , therefore they follow him in throng where ever iimmy goes . the second part to the same tune . but being at length ambitious grown , he could not be content with that (o) small lot which was his own , to ilmister he went , a market-town in somerset , and though a (p) sequestration , yet iimmy's throat could swallow it glibber than ordination . our author here increas'd in wealth , as well as in renown , though what he got was all by stealth , and was none of his own. a purchaser he then became of house , and eke of lands , and rose to be a man of fame ; but he built on the sands . for moving from the vicaridge-house the porch , unto his own , the fact , so sacrilegious , did throw his own house down . and being now a widower , he would a wooing ride , to get a rich wife , far or near , his palfrie he 'd bestride . in order whereunto , on goes the rich black velvet coat , ( which worn is , every body knows , onely by men of note . ) in this he swagger'd up and down ilmister , taunton , chard , on market-daies ; scarce any town near him , but saw , or heard how brave a gallant iimmy was become . but though the skin without was lion , yet the ass enclosed was within . thus habited , our author did accost with complement his widow , and as fairly bid with 's coat , and 's implement ; as any could at one congress , which prov'd so fortunate , she thought it her great happiness to make him her bed-mate . but not her belly is 't alone that he hath so well ply'd , she often since hath made great moan , he beats her back and side . for iames can cuff , kick , scratch , and scold like any butter-quean , he 'l not be thwarted or control'd by ioan , mall , bess , or iane. and though he female valour rais'd in rich heroick verse , yet is our author to be prais'd in that he 'l not turn arse to th' weaker sex. what ere the song sayes , iimmy , put up thy dagger ; he will unsheath it , and among his country lasses swagger . for iimmy's good at poniard point ( the western women know it ) he 'l pierce the bone , and strike the joynt ( where 's such another poet ? ) his children very many are , but tatter'd so , and torn , that , should you see them , you would swear that they are quite forlorn . on carrion commonly he feeds , ( for his appetite 's canine ) and therewith satisfies his needs be 't bullock , sheep , or swine . his servants frequently complain that he is so unjust , as their due wages to detain ; then summon him they must , by justice warrant to appear ; but iames , this man of strife , to save his coin will boldly swear he stands in fear of 's life : and so doth cause them to be bound unto the good behaviour , but if his debt shall be disown'd he himself will be their saviour . and yet will iimmy pule and whine , and make devout-bad faces i' th pulpit , and look so divine , you 'd think he 'd all the graces . did you but see him rhank his nose and hear its zealous twang , this instrument you 'd swear , i' th close , at (q) new-inne hall was strang . on the masculine-feminine poem of mr. iames strong , poet hermophrodite . poet of mars and venus ! sweetly met , and as before embracing in a net. a net so thin and wonderfully small , you cannot but conclude it cobweb all . only the postures chang'd , for by thy knack venus is uppermost , and mars on 's back . cow'd hercules must at the distaff spin . and madam omphale wears lions skin . the female glory melted down thy head as flints are broken on a feather-bed . pity it is for so much service done thy pate's not washt from secret helicon . and with that linnen to dear flesh so nigh thy sacred brows and lips were not wipt dry . sure they would do 't ; and it would soon come from ' em thou hast so meltingly quite overcom ' em . orpheus was once with furious froes assail'd but unto thee they 've all their kerchiefs vail'd , thou canst not stir abroad a gossipping but they their caudles , kisses , amours bring . they love thee for thy name , and thy strong charms , and all are ready captives for thine arms . freely thou maist ( if thou wilt not be shy ) with hercules his thirteenth labour vye . go on brave man , and do not think it much ( as times shall serve ) to give us tother touch . some plagiary poets steal their bayes , and from what others writ their trophyes raise . from homer , virgil , much of glory drew , and much of matter from old ennius too . but thou this honour hast ( and be it known ) that what thou writest , purely is thine own . nor can we call thine dogg'rel-poetry great laureat of dear pres-bitchery . thy name 's immortal then , and shall still ring , whil'st wives wear breeches , and whilst milk-maids sing . on strong , and his more stronger poem . strong is the name , strong is the fame of this our poet iames , strong his fancy's which out-prances valorous western dames . strong is his skull , like that of bull , strong is his riming brain , strong is his sconse as parnass mons and forked too some fain . strong are his eyne , which by their shine pure sistren comfort , oh! strong his eye-brow , like brisled sow , her arched back i trow . strong is his snout , which high doth strout , strong both his breath and weazon , strong is the dinn , when from within bag-pipe lungs he plays-on . strong is his lip , whose muscles skip more quick than nimble hart. which tear and beat like puss in seat , before his words do start . strong is his mouth , and firm of growth , and also heav'nly wide , the many mops of 's monkey chops shews pug hast edified . strong is his tongue , which sounds among the precious , alarm's , ev'n to prevail unto battail 'gainst antichrist his arms. strongly he strives , by his motives , the saints to set a-gog ; strongly to fight with all their might , against god and magog . strong is his chin , where jaws do twin , thence forking back to ear , strong is their mass , like that of ass made philistine to fear . strong teeth are set in jaw's socket , which meat doth grind , and wrack , both great and small serve like iackall to lion-like stomack . when prey is got , they slow it not ne finee nor nibble , he eateth so , you would cry , oh th'stroak of his mandible ! strong are the wrist's , strong are the twist's of face so scru'd with tricks , that 't is hard bout , for to squeese out his costive rhetorick's . forehead 's drawn back , when ginns to speak , back nose strong fibres draw , you 'd swear like vile , monster of nile he 'd ope his upper jaw . strong is his arm , which does much harm to feathers and to wood , when he did gin to beat down sin 't is marle the pulpit stood . strong heart of oak , rends ev'ry stroak laid on by furious skill when he doth pump , then fist doth thump like mall of tucking-mill . strong though and fierce , yet neretheless cunning grew hand , and meek , when to advance in wise semblance it stroak'd his mistress cheek . but when all woo'd our iamsee stood rectus in curia , he did embrace , and wife solace after the russian way . strong were her tears , he perseveres in soul-correcting sense , bangs hip and thigh , leav's place hard by undue benevolence . strong since he grows , but weak his spouse , no otherwise we deem , but iames at length by tryed strength , confutes his own poem . rog. rimer of doggrill-hall . the book-seller to the reader . this matchless piece of poetry falling into my hands , whether directed by providence or by accident , i shall not distinguish ; but conceiving it to be of so much importance , in regard of the times , for comfort to those famous western women , whose piety and valour deserve to be recorded amongst the worthiest of their sex in this declining age , and may well serve as presidents to others . and fearing lest some malignant spirits should have injured the author , in exposing an imperfect copy , by reason the sundry transcriptions which this elaborate poem hath much suffered in , the author in this is rendered according to the original . and whereas many obscure places would have admitted a double construction different from the authors true meaning , you shall find the literal sense of those places explain'd by one that had a great insight into the authors fancy . and for the better encouragement for a further progress , many wits have presumed to lend their willing fancies , as servants to usher into the world these elaborate poems ; and though they appear to the eye but small lights to thy sun , yet the reflexion from thee may in time make them worthy to be accounted thy schollers ; what literal errata's thou meetest with in the printing , let thy candid disposition pass by , and let not any fault lessen the worth of the author , and him that is most ambitious how he may be accounted yours in all service , thomas harrison . to my most esteemed friend mr. james strong , cause these to be delivered . worthy sir : having had the unexpected happiness of seeing you at this book-sellers shop , i was so surprized with your reverend aspect , grave habit , and schollar-like comportment , that i wanted confidence to address my self to you , being conscious of mine own unworthiness to deserve your knowledge : but returning to the shop the next morning , the book-seller was pleased to shew me the incomparable poem , which assured me that sage out-side had a lining suitable ; then was i enflamed with an affection too strong to be supprest , which hath now broke out in this address , humbly begging the happiness of your acquaintance , and the honour to prefix a copy of commendatory verses , when you oblige the world by making it publick : truly sir , the little needle of my soul wrought so strongly after the great load stone of yours , that i had designed the same gallant subject to my thoughts long since , and intended what you have beyond imitation performed , in so sweet a chyme of words and sense , so rare a contexture of stories , and so exquisite embellishments throughout the whole piece , that i must for ever be the great admirer of your unparallel'd abilities , tho. allen . honour'd sir : to accept your courtesie might seem to argue vain glory , to deny it stupidity ; whatever i am to others , i shall acquit my self of both , and deem my self unworthy to be so honoured , as to have either countenance or commendation from a man so drest with ingenuity : herein indeed will be my grief , that it smels of no more than ( believe me ) a year and halfs labour , whereby i may seem to undervalue your respects for so easily acquiring it ; deal with it as you please , and to morrow if you please to give me a meeting at the three daggers at nine of the clock , i shall not fail of attending you . your undeserving friend , i a. strong . to my most ingenuous friend , mr. james strong , on his excellently well-pen'd poem . inimitable sir , your lofty strain so far transcends the lazy low-strung vein of those faint rhimers which the world admir'd for buskin'd raptures , that thou seemest fir'd from the same flame , which whilom shone so bright , it seem'd meridian after the star-light of meaner poets , when great gascoyn liv'd , and alexander barklayes muse contriv'd that rare translation of brants stately * ship , fraught with those fools deserv'd his satyrs whip : i 'de think their charming souls reviv'd in thee , but that i find a vast disparity : their lines are easie , and their phrases common , thine are heroick , thy words us'd by no man ; and here the sun sets brighter in the west , then earst it rose in the refulgent east ; thou hast the disadvantage , but in time thy admirable subject , and thy rhyme will render thee more famous to the age ensuing , then the high poetick rage of heathen wits , whose brows deserv'd but bays , whilst on thy reverent head these lines do raise king midas ornament , a guerdon due unto no mortal juster then to you : withers a man of arms and arts hath wrote in gallant rhyme , but thy immortal throat hath far out-voic'd him , and thy active muse out-does his lance , and pen ; all pedlars use next unto almanacks with care to buy their dear delight tho. pru's sweet poetry , which spread in wickar scive , hath oft invited the chamber-maids with itch of verse delighted , unto their moving shops , where they do sell nothing but tape and needles half so well , thy stately poem will usurp their place , and bring them to the fatal sad disgrace of chandlers shops , whilst thine alone are sung with tuneful noise unto the long-ear'd throng ; whose well-weigh'd praises will advance thy name 'bove heywood , viccars , or iohn taylors fame as far as e're the bard past aristarchus , or foolish bavius was excell'd by marcus. tho. allen. on this reverent poem , and the more reverent author . arms , and the man i sing , whose lines rehearse the western wenches doughty deeds , in verse ; more high , then ( earst ) the acts of guy of warwicke , southamptons beavoys , or the knight of barwicke . assist mol cut-purse , and ye warlike bands , that march towards billings-gate with eager hands , and tongues more loud then bellowing drums , to scale oyster or herring ships , when they strike sail in that creeks bosome ; you the muses are most fit to be invok'd to aid this war , and the couragious poet , that dares write the rare adventures of this doughty knight , who in a village belfrey rul'd of late the awing rod , and in that happy state each hour survey'd pernassus double hill , when lillys rules , being pars'd or conster'd ill , the weeping lads mount woodden pegasus ; how could the pedant chuse being furnisht thus but write this poem in a motley stile , which first in bumbast prose he did compile ? with toyl and sweat out of a dictionary , mixing some stories of the virgin mary , and other saints , whose names his babling tongue ( fitter for ballads ) doth prophanely wrong . then buffeting his patient desk he bites his nails , inspired with new fancy , writes , breaks off abruptly , knocks his empty scull , falls to 't again , and with a mouth brim-full of spumy froth spits praises on that sex , tells inconsistent stories , which perplex the sense , and his dull noddle , now at length his hackney muse is tir'd , and wanting strength to trot on farther , ends his stately song , with which his teeming brain travail'd as long as breeding elephants ; but by the help of midwives this his self resembling whelp is like the moon-calf born , and as men carry their monster-children , satyr-like all hairy , distorted in their limbs , dwarfish in stature , or unlike men in any brutish feature , from villages to cities where they show by painted clothes hung out , the throng that go thorow those streets , that their admiring eyes for two pence may behold those prodigies . so learned strong full sixty miles did travel , maugre all danger of the dirt and gravel , from village belfrey unto london city with many a weary step , to shew this pretty spawn of his ignorance , so like him in shape , owl was ne're liker owl , nor ape like ape ; i th' crooked lines of 's face and hands you may each line within his book fully survey , and more exactly view wonder in both , then in the picture on the painted cloth : were he and his brat mine , i would out-vy thredesken , gill , and all the frippery in the tower-wardrop , but in this i wrong the bookseller , unto whose shop the throng will hourly flock , amazed at the post , where this rare frontispiece shall proudly boast a sight so strange and pleasant , that his gain will equal thy expence in purse and brain . pedantick wretch , whilst thy much hop'd reward ( ten shillings ) is unpaid , without regard of thy necessity ; but thou art sure of happiness above a country cure in gotham colledge ; where the cap and bable , the reverent hood , and tippet , shall enable the learned bible clark to instal thee vice-president of their society . allen . thomas . verses made into meeter , whereby they might more illustriously give praise unto this author , who whilom was a student of the seventeen liberal sciences of new-inn-hall in oxenford . this may be either said , or sung , to the tune of when sculls . o oxenford ! old oxenford ! how many clerks i wis , learned in deed , and eke in word , hast thou yspawn'd like this ? o new-inn-hall ! new-inn-hall high ! how hast thou doctrinated his plumbeous cer●brosity , he is so subtil pated ? some segregated are , i ween , fro midst the ruder throng , by providence , so hath he been , and plac'd schollards among : where comptly nurtur'd up in good , and savoury literature , sage words of wise he understood , and put all eke in ure . to argumentate he was taught syllogistically , first to divisionating brought , to define by and by : but why alas ? nay why alas ? should i by a gradation think to declare how he did pass all men in disputation , or in mysterious sciences , as in m●ll-stones pellucid , saw quiddities , and entities , and all that art produced . much less how he , with sweat and pain , drudged in poetry , and mid-wiv'd gravitated brain swoln big with rapsody ; taking occasions fore-top then , eft soons his mind he bent , to write with paper , ink , and pen , wars most sanguinolent . with pulchritude of sense , and rhyme , he strait charactered west womens valour stout , what time in towns they were besieged . and eke also what time in field , at face of foe they vaunted , whilst monstrous stones they nimbly wield , and the fierce souldiers daunted ▪ o man of worth , memento now , in height of glory , whence , by dotes transfunded your scull through , your learnt skilful-loquence : and in requital of the same on bodley's library , bestow this book of greater fame , than ever groat did buy . this was composed by a.b. quondam student of oxenford . to the author on this never-enough praised poem . even as the sun , and eke the wind , with laughter fils the elephant : so do i thus to please my mind , thy praise , o author , loudly chaunt . and as the moon , and eke the sky , are nearer unto heaven than earth : so also do i versifie , being far from grief , and full of mirth . or as a man , and eke a woman , is neither horse , nor dog , nor cat : so do i write , enforc'd by no man , i know not , nor i care not what . or lastly , as a harry groat , ( being gray ) is worth four single pence : so is he worthy a fools coat , that writes to thee in rhyme or sense . on the lurned labour of this vvorshipful good power . ich pray you readers , have you no dizdain , 'cause i an ing-rant , and unletterd zwayn , ' mungst lurned glarks do zomething notivy : good will unto the thang cleppt powetry ; cham zore abasht with this rudeness to haundle the point , or zhow forth with an hauf-penny caundle , his worth to the world varr off and at haund , 'mongst those houge bon-vires which before this book staund , and make zike a cracklin blaze that ich ween , my greazed bul-rush will scauntly be zeen ; yet ich do well ken that moany a mon , will pook out my intendiments better thon moony tales and names , in thuck lurned powet , who ich do believe himselve did not know it , but writ it , that we with wonderment mought think him in schollardzhip , marlous ztout ; c ham not zo well liked with his cunning wit , as c ham with the wonches he talks of in it , zike bounsing lasses would hould a mon tack , though he had my tough gray vour horses back ; my teeth do water to wrestle a vall , though it were with the zdurdiest wench an um all : chave known the time when maudlin and joan , and two ztouter girls the west hath not known , have vallen down vlat , and not stood upright , when i gan ta buckle my tools to the vight , and with my implement , and but twa stones , have clawd um zoundly both twice and once : but vor thy meed , sir john , if thou comst ere toward my zimple cottage ich'le make thee good cheer , of uurmenty , white-pot , vat bacon , and cale , and vill thy skin with march beer , and ale , uor the zweet sport chave had and tickling lafter , that ich shall be merry vor ever hereafter , when i think in my mind , that moony a parson , poor uicar , and reader , and bell-fray whorson , durst never in verson zo doughty and bold , zince the cunning bards , and the monks of old , zet vorth the valourous deeds of women , that have gen the voyl to moony ztout yeomen , and dare in their zmocks without coat of mayl incounter the ztrongest hind with his vlayl . go vorward , sir john , and tell of the boys , that are got on these girls in this time of noyse , will not do exbloyts vit vor thy high verze , with bellowing zound zweetly to reherze , uor wich hereafter 't will of thee be zeed , sir john , the powet , had a harey head . b. a. a sang made to gang to the balliballeer , to the tune of the authors praise , by b. a. of aberdeen . o doughty sankster , thy luggs sa lang , thy loins sa stark , thy wit sa strang , makes me agast with brussels upright , as if i kend some uncouth wight , how mought i than with dread beheld thy gude-wives drill in martial fleld ? and heave sike miccle stanes as i ween in albion clyffs man never did ken , but what recks that these willy coats gay , those fause lowns did well beat by my say , mare sare then unwhile in muscleborough-field , when the stern so pour scots-men queld ; ide lever have a gripp of anes crage , and with twa stanes her bonny wem invade , then fra their weildy fists ha ane at the fair mark of my noddle thrane . thus ta conclude my trim scotch-hops now , mare prayses to thee i must allow , then to rhymer lord sterline , and mis-davee linfy , and all they leave an um in poyets frensy . an hymn , for to declare the authors praise withal . when sculs of men are sorely bent to learned poetry , then deeds of arms are sung in tent full lofty-loftily . lo , in tall verse the authors self , with pen in ear so thick , doth brandish rhyme from western clime , of dead and eke of quick . of gyants thumbs and saracens ears , he nill no care to take , of ladies fell and damsels keen , his poem is y make : whose brawny arms , full delicate , distilling amber sweat , through trusty nose of poet good inspire no vulgar heat . tough quil in hand is hent most sure , which goose so gray did bear , in wrathful wise , he to the skyes stern chivalry doth — clare . with — phane and sacred history y granished all o're , the maiden fame is stretched out from west , all eke to nor'e . no more in dirty socks , no more shall poet stride the plains : nor under fustian cap shall work those bay-deserving brains . on sconce of hill bold squire of art hath shook the laurel tree , his gols been washt in pegase fount by ladies three times three . moreo're , his face is mouse-trap true , o're done with bacon rinde , to snap your critick black or blue where ere so them he find . o soul of man , to glory bent ! may that day never come , when custard fond , or tart more gay , thy leaves to pavement doom . performed by one of the wisdoms . to the renowned author , master iames strong . when first thy parts and person i did view , i mean thy outward lineaments and hue , thy vaster bulk , thy grave and wise aspect , and all with equal guise and beauty deckt , i much admir'd , and to my self concluded , ( and well i ween'd , i could not be deluded ) within that cask ( and right it was defined ) some nobler spirit sure must be inshrined : thus wondring as i stood , straight to mine eye were brought thy rarest rhymes and poesie . poor mortal , how agast ! i read 'hem with wit so fraught , that like to one who was of wits bestraught . i stood amaz'd , astonisht let it be , for much i fear'd the fate of niobe ; only this difference 'twixt us there had bin , ( which to forget , i fear had been a sin . ) she , she , poor soul , through grief was petrify'd , but i through admiration stupify'd , but well ; these pangs , and pantings being over , after my self , i'gan for to recover . oh how i kist , embrac't , and hugg'd thy verse ? and now nought else but strong i could rehearse . nay , which is more , i'gan to love the times that had occasion'd these thy happy rhymes : and blam'd those peevish wits , who oft had cry'd , since abraham frauner , and haughty church-yard dy'd . all poesie is left , ( indeed i know it , since they were gone till now , we scarce had poet ) for now like sun with clouds of sable hue , bedeckt , and cover'd , all 's return'd in you . no more let 's now the much renowned trade of ballading , too much of late decay'd , as lost bewail , for from thy clearest spring , poets inspir'd each market day shall sing ; and stories now bedight in homely prose , each morn in rhyme and meeter we 'l expose vnto the greedy view of mortals , who shall own restored poetry to you . i must confess , when first i did but glance vpon thy huger bulk , and that by chance , i deem'd sure now a well proportion'd birth from teeming mount : to mortals greatest mirth shall issue forth , 't was even as i did guess it , and now my muse desires an acquiescit . this only needs she i must for to rehearse , strong is thy name , but stronger is thy verse . peter jeffrey . a gratulatory poem to the western amazons , and to their learned bard. which i should most admire , i know not yet , the womens valour , or the poets wit. he made the verses , and they threw the stones ( verses you 'ld swear were all made for the nonce ) o happy stones which those fair fingers grip'd ! but happier muse , which their loud praises pip'd through nostrils oaten-reed , and sung so shril that the whole earth's horizon ' broad they fill . miracles are not ceast , we see ; for here the weaker sex , whom nature taught to fear the face of death and danger , now out-dare ev'n valiant men in fight ; nor do they spare their willing flesh . here comes an amazon , and fearless treads th' assaulted works upon : with coats tuckt up , and tippet bolt upright , lap full of stone● , she fits her for the fight . two might have serv'd you 'l think , but more she brings which 'mongst the enemies heathen troops she flings ; and after them words , harder then the pebbles , she thunders 'gainst those antichristian rebbels . so do the rest , for planted all a-row fast as they can they joyntly curse and throw . o had you seen them toyl , and swink , and sweat with the same ardor they their husbands beat when they came home at night , you 'd then confess these western saints had well deserv'd the press . they 've wrought a wonder too , and you shall know it , they chang'd this western pug into a poet. else had his mouldy brains ne'r been inspir'd with rage poetick , nor this all-admir'd and sacred work ere seen the gladsom light . for who 'ld expect a poem from a wight nurs'd up with beans and butter-milk , or on festival days , stale bisket and poor iohn ? strange dyet to train up a muse , you 'le say ; yet see the luck on 't ; having view'd one day a skirmish 'twixt those brave virago's , and their foes , a gray goose quil he takes in hand the omen pleas'd him well : ( quoth he ) of old strange stories have of these poor birds been told . the roman capitol by geese was kept , they wak't , poor souls , when the dul souldiers slept . alas ! who now keeps lime ? poor female cattel , who wake all night , labour all day in battel , geese , as a man may call them , who do hiss against the opposers of our countries bliss . and by their seasonable noyse discover our foes , when they the works are climing over . and shall such acts as these forgotten die unrecommended to posterity ? no , whilst i have a muse that can afford one verse , their names shall stand upon record . nor shall the cankred teeth of envious time devour the story of besieged lime . thus having spoke : he drencht his virgin quill i th' sable flood , and did his paper fill with rich invention , which if thou wouldst see , reader , disburse thy groat and happy be . toby trundle . certain fit similitudes , whereby for to set forth the worth of this poem . as little bee in broyling heat doth search the fields about , so authors best are drained quite , and suck't by this learn'd lout : as precious pearl in little room shrouds vertues more then many , so secret knowledge much is shew'd in this book , as in any . as little sphear by tumbling round doth heavens high unfold , so maist thou in this rumbling book things heavenly behold . as load-stone doth the iron hard by secret force hold fast , so little volume in despight will envy make agast . as glittering sun with his bright hue , doth other stars make slink , so where this book doth once appear , of others ne're you 'll think . as crab-tree fair , both flower and fruit doth bring forth without stay ; so fruitful is the book to all in time , and place alway : then honey taste , buy precious pearl , view sphear that turneth fast , fear load-stones force , walk by suns light , eat fruit that aye doth last . by the same author . coriato juniori . enter the ring , all fear discard , the womans grand olympique bard , th' ast foyl'd apollo , and giv'n all the weaker muses a fair fall : this trophy of thy female verse shews how they did themselves disperse , some ran away on badgers feet , and some on scotch-hops , not so fleet ; ( their airy motion quite forgot ) need makes them in thy verses trot ; coriat had once each eastern lip vpon his propatetique hip : but thy pug poem has in hug each western tongues virago dug , wits compass hath but two points blest , tom's lines ran east , and yours to west . d. vv. al autor . lisonjas introdu zidas ( por error de las edades ) vsurpan a las verdades , el traje de ser creidas . yfrases encarecidas ( lo mas incierto y lo mas vano ) que yo en tu alaban ç a ufano , sin adornos de tal tira , iuzgo , milagro a tu lyra , ya ti , divino , en lo humano . j. d. flattery the greatest crime was ever introduc'd by time ; usurps some truth , a whoreson thief the more to cunny-catch belief with heightned language of a strain , ambiguous ever , yea and vain : and therefore my plain-dealing muse abhorrs that vices arts to use . now this premis'd , thrice happy i , for zoylous none can say i lye in saying thou' rt to be preferr'd before the blind or wanton bard , or the best master of that trade that ever ode or eglogue made . ( phoebus his rays alas with thine appearing once , would lose their shine . ) their muses pyes were and their songs ballads compar'd with those of strongs : their musick reeds , their harps of wyre ; but to speak truth 't is thine 's the lyre . to the deserved commendations of that well meaning poem of the western , but most christian amazons ioanizareidos . no ravish'd brain was e're since homer spude heroique models , with a vein endude of such high consequence , to raise a stile out of the medley of the lyre and file . how strangely are thy thoughts and numbers met ! while in each line the fancies rise and set . this is ( indeed ) t' indite unto a mint , and to coyn current rithms that run in print . thy epique white-pot is not like the prose are scand upon a snorting six foot nose : thy valiant muse , that is so highly born , fears not the wrinkles of their nasal horn , who under a bent brow 's prophaner bay men in their nostrils rugged ballance weigh ; like nosewise critiques striving to suspend by judgement , what their wits can never mend . injoy thy issues attributes , well known by pallas voted for the muses hone. rich pen ! to light upon a blessed nest of amazonian worthies in the west : that where the wisemans adage says a shrew should be sought ought to drive away the foe : thy she's , like silent men themselves behave not ( capitolian geese ) by kackling save ; and whereas female valour ( apt to quail ) is seldom seen to rise above the nail : here with the phalanx of each hand array'd in natures files , they men at arms invade . take heed henceforth you she-beat royal bands , who wave their mouths loud weapon in their hands , will be ( when all your feeble valours spent ) most oriental in their occident . aesculapius menecraticus . ignoto novarum cruditatum authori scribendi cacoethe laboranti s. carmina ronchissas balba de nare poeta , ad rhombum resonans maevius alter eris . sic glacit as mollem calamo crepitante triumphum , scilicet ut fuso palladis hasta fuit : exitus acta probat : si nunc cacophonia grata est sphyncteris occidui sibilus , omen erit . lectori . long as oscitationes trahenti , et vix sibi lecta paginâ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 severè spectanti , haec mora epigrammatis morigeri : in morosas , hujus morologiae cruditates , per authorem , virum moratum et summoperè morandum nuper editas ; ac ( o mores ! ) ex improviso excussas , etiam dum remores auspicium vaticum moretis incusabat . attica qui moriens obitér dicteria lusit , ille morus , vibrans , vtopiensis olor ; plebicolusque nigro chiliadis indice vultu , sacrans moríae pegmata pulchra moro : arrident nostro , morum diplomate vati , quem tu morari dixeris encomio . morion colax minor cognomento remora . custos morii poetici . helleboratus . cum cicerone ad atticum . vultum tuum videre cuperem quùm haec legeres . authori oscedinis & orthopnoneae poeticeae gravidine deplorato alexipharmaca hygiaeque litatio . mandibulis prodest succis oleaster amaris hinc oscedo volans & satagentis opus . res. iradices persilidis , optime succo , perdulcis calami conde , superque sapis . os. pennae ( scripturo ) acri stet semper aceto n●m musam ronchos ducere saepe , vet at . poets ( that have one ) with a waking nose may make a scurvy shift to snort in prose : but here 's the secret cunning of thy art ! to snore so well in tune , and sing thy part . the greek , whose vomits dregs thou seems to lap , vvas wont sometimes in verse to take a nap : but herein your errata's are at odds , his were short slips , and yours are thorow nods . he cepius-like , to his male friends did keep ; and thou dost only unto women sleep , so loud ; as if th'adst hir'd menippus cave to be thy muses long poetique grave . vvere tart lucilius but alive agen to set a wiping nose upon his pen ! he would his own smart accent let alone , drive hogs to rumford in thy muses tone . the sneezings of thy genius we wou'd call ( vvere there familiars now ) socratical ; and though thou hast such rites in smal repute , vv' are bound those sacred omens to salute : and do ( as sympathetically drawn ) grow nauseous , for to see thy fancy yawn . larus lucianus . cognomento implumis . alias ionathan . rumford . physiognomical conjectures at the unseen author . nature hath seem'd to make our faces terse , in manner of a well-composed verse ; but sure , there 's something in the ayr of thine remarkable above the native line : thou 'dst be by him could copy out thy look by pencil , for a crisp abderite took . a prophet of the true pierian race , bred on parnassus forked top ; his face should have the jiggs and fancies of his mind prickt down in crotchets , and so interlin'd with clifts and moods ; it might be , for a book of physiognomy , or musick took ; not look like those , whose thoughts do suck their dam through the close hurdle of an anagram . the wits idea in thy visage seen , works like platonique capers on the spleen ; and brings sardonian laughter into scorn ! vvere man's dull fivers made of stoique horn , the spruce aspect , could not introduce a gleek of cynique spasms into his dimpled cheek . such in his visages dramatique map vvas rowley , when his look d●serv'd a clap : vvho from the thuscan stem derive their stile , oft by arts magique , raise a humming smile : but thine ( a vertue of a higher bi●th ) moves , so , an interjections shaking mirth , ( had he seen thee ) democritus had dy'd , and heraclitus eyes had soon been dry'd ; sure mine ( had i once enter'd at this door into thy mind ) would never pain me more . since thy description made my midriff sprout , and through my liver thrust these wilde figs out . had thy rich countenance e're blest the eye of my judicial astrology ; i could have then , by vertue of a beam , have drawn thy horoscope into a scheam . but fate has laid on me a harder task to physiognomize , as through a mask . by the long stroaks and scratches of thy pen , thou shouldst be the seventh son of a white hen. ianus de indagine . pam mai garw blaen blewyn baf garfr yn pori kelyn kaled dan dy nhâd ei . lythyr wyfi yn myned nid oes ond un dyn am gwyr na egored neb honof fam selieda chwyr . nis gwyr ond un dyn y chwaith ibleu traf os dywed ynte i un dyn nid ydiw fo ond knaf . gwalcchmai fab gwenllian ferch gwenhwyfar ferch edynyfed fab gronw ab tudor fab angharad ferch rhydderchap rhirid ben blaid . ai kunt . to her much honoured , though unknown friend , the author on his spinning poem . fancy cut out of a block , first , hung spindle at a rock ; and so plodding wit brought in the peripatetique sin . wine set poets to the wheel , made their warmed verses reel ; sent them strong into the loom , thence , they scorn'd the peoples doom ; women , here set up thy gigg , make it spin into a jigg of as high and great regard , as the pyrrhique gallyard : but ceasing to let it feel the scourge of thy brains flead eel ; thinking it had power to keep ( town-top like ) it self asleep ; whirling put thee in a swoon , so ( alas ) thy gigg went down : and we doubt 't will be in vain e're to set it up again . eve spinster . rhodomontado qackesalvo bobadill de montebanko the hispanolized emperique : on the great don deigo of parnassus , master operator to the muses , thus danceth his attendance by way of preamble , in the measures of the spanish pavin old erasistratus who thought ! that nature did commit a fault to give us spleens were good for nought , as he imagined . he would have , sure , retriev'd his wit , and found some pleasant use of it had he felt in thy muses fit thy pulses . for there he mought have found the strain of sweet herophilus his vein , who unto musicks living gain the shygmick moods did add . his systol ' and diastole so with thy verses do agree , that i must dance for company morisko . each line doth run so smooth away they nor for sense nor reason stay , and yet the rhymes are very gay and well breath'd for a course . sure phoebus cut thy spleen from thee thou mights the muses footman be , and ( insect like ) in poetry be flying . hermophroditus proselyta foeminili poetae . androgynus nutans nec mas nec foemina , steti ambos sic sexus singere , neuter eram ; donec in encomii requiescens auspice vatem hoc muliere virum vincere posse , tuli . demitto auriculas epicoeni facta virago tiresiae venerem martis alumna probo . some sprinklings of commendations on the fragrant and most aromatick poem of ja. strong . stow talks of albions amazons , i swear , mandeviles pigmies to thy haeroines hear : how they mow down their mighty foes ; protest meer clippings , to thy hacksters in the west . thy mu●e ( young ovid ) trumpets these viragoes to the utmost bounds of indies , or barbadoes : that sidneyes zelman when she 'l hear of you , will w●sh her counterfeiting gender true : and tomyris , ( were she alive ) not dead , had rather hold their trains then cyrus head . what miracle is this in sight of men , when other folk did cry , nay howl and scream , put finger in the eye , and made great moans , these should be pulling up , now throwing down stones . they willingly imbrace the cornish hug , at which the boldest hectors shoulders shrug , like to light corks they beoy up gainst the tide , like water-men , ne're work before they are ply'd : or as indeed ( young ovid ) thou hast it best , like grapes ne're fallen till they were prest . let them wear buskings ever to their knees , or higher it , for ( friend ) thy verse all sees that is in them , of vertuousness i mean , pray take my rime as i suppost , that 's clean , let them have statutes made ( like men ) of stone , another wonder , which may be daily sh●wn , and let thy pen contrive it , which must stand immovable , when stiffened by thy hand . bu●ly ioans . ascunes motts ou verses sur les marveilous gests del tresnoble puzeles en le west . provant auxi que le entrie de ses dits puzeles sur les cavalieres fuit bone per le ley. vous avez icy ( mastres ) verses scaches de tresgrand faits de nostre western lasses et ceo suppuose que il serra come treason ou al pluis meindre il serra misprision si nostre ley voile riens de ceo escrie ne voile reporter cielx femes chivalry est en nous pris un count nosme devon-shire le scite & sinke de plusars cavalire mes ceux bones houswives vice le broom le weapon ad scoure ceo cleane & done al eux disseison et s' bone ley que quant home per tort enter le feme avera un briefe de inspiciend ' venter . john perkins un sage mastre de ley. reg. ed. 6. ac rotulo 1645. to his honoured friend mr. james strong , on his excellent poem . how dost thou strain thy wits ! thy thoughts perplex with stronger lines to court the weaker sex ! he who in time to come shall read their story beyond haec homo , or the female glory , will ( if no wiser than thy self ) admire both them and thee : and think you did conspire t' amaze the minds of men , more than to teach the zeal you here present : for who can reach the top of that gay garland , wherewith thou , like whitson-ladies hast bedeckt their brow . s. w. in ipsissimum musarum melliculum , phoebi germanum , & maxime familiarem dominum presbyterum iacobvm cognomento strong , & pium ejus subuculare carmen . saxa , virumque cano , gressus removete prophani ; haec ne , quisquis ades , tela lacesse volens . si sapis his credas , rapiat ne fide carentem turba loquax , captum at redime quam minim● . certè author caveat , novum ne augendo furorem , castratus miser , hinc audiat ipse male . io triumphe canunt petientes penthea bacchae . multae unum , minor est gloria naso tuis . molle genus nobis pugnando restituit rem , saxa dabat testes nam retinere cupit . quam benè scripsisses novam batromuomachyam ? carmine avent repeti nuxque culexque tuo . dignaque quae melius describi , à pollice dicti facta equitis : faciunt quaeque stupenda grues . o tibi si dominae reserasset scrinia fotis , bubonem benè vix unctum abtisse puto . dicitur , ut memini , faecundis ●latibus olim , lascivus celeres gignere ventus equos . quisve neget zephyro nostrum praegnasse poetam , talibus hic videas quem properare modis . ast animal quodcunque , asinus , fuit , anne caballus , nil moror , at mulum parturit egregium , cardo quod occiduus trahat hunc , sympathia quaedam ast ; nasum heliconiadis forte lavavit aquis . ridiculum caput est , vultuque , habituque perennis , risus sacra ferens , quemque vidisse sat est . nil prohibet sed si ridentem dicere verum , musarum huic crepitus aura jocosa tulit . d. g. sonnet . when first thy doughty verse i read , o verse ! no verse ! but stranger thing ; and saw what wondrous mirth it bred , i marvell'd how the queen and king had mist this while thy high-strain'd note , and thou the privileged coat . for as the moon with crisped beams produceth flowers which please the sight ; and as the sun amidst the streams doth make the waves stand bolt upright ; so thou , though by no star allow'd , nor planet lov'd , shin'st in the crowd . i le not believe those tales , which say , apollo fed admetus sheep , his cow , or oxe , for by my say , since thou the number up dost keep , the herd was of , i dare protest , arcadia's more peculiar beasts . and since the lamiae all are pleas'd , their gods should all be born by thee , thou of thy load shalt not be eas'd by roses , though here plenty be ; one apuleius was , they say , but he i think did never bray . wherefore be thou secure , and now to you whose blessed hap't shall be this syrian goddess to to bow , and dream some fane , or great city ; i tell you plain , o mortals , mortals , this myndus is , look you secure the portals , for there the jest lyes , but to thee again , my meta virgil , terse thought of my end now driveth me ; for since thou wouldst live by thy verse , how dare i hope a death in mine , aim'd for so just , so jump , like thine . richard ionson , salamanca . a character of the author . me thynk it , sirs , accordaunt to reason , to tell you now all the condycion of thilke on , so as it semed me , and what hem were , and of what degre , and eke in what aray that he were in , and all for forward by saint runnyon . a clerke of oxenford he was tho , that unto logicke h●d long ygoe , of his complexion nothing sangyne he is , but all swa sw●rt ; and of latyne a few termes hath he , two , or thre , that he han learned out of som degre : his face is bald , and shines as any glas , his mouth as great as is a furnas , with scaled browes , blacke and pylled berde , of his visage children are sore afferde ; his voyce as smale as is a gotes fare , i trow he be a geldyng or a mare ; his here is by his eeres round yshorne , his top is docked like a priest beforne ; he is short sholdered , a thicke gnarre , there nis no doore but he wol hede the bar , or breke it at a renning with his heed , dares none ones wyle him but he wol be deed , aye by his belt he bares a longe pavade , and , of a sword full trenchaunt is the blade , to rage as t were a whelpe he is sayde , yet of his porte , as meke as is a mayde : full longe he lokes , and thereto soberly , full thred-bare is his over court py ; for he han yet getten him no benefice , ne is nought worthy to have none office , and yet saynt iulyan is in 's countre , and the best begger of his house truly : full longe are his legges and full l●ne , i lyke a staffe , there is no calfe ysene , of yedding he bares utterly the price , well loveth he garlike , onyons , and eke likes , he holden a syde wemme for the none , full oft tyme he han the bourde begon , no crysten man soe oft in his degree , and in lyme at the siege had he be . but soth to say he is somwhat squaimus of far●yng , and of speche dangerous . now is it not of god a sul fayre grace , that such a lewde mans wit shal pace the wisdome of an heape of lerned men ? but i must sayne , as that i farther twyn , i weene he fares as doth an open●●rs , that ylke frute is ever lenger the w●rs , til it be rotten in molloke or in ●●re , and so god save us al that here be . j. chaucer junior . prologue . gentlemen , ( in the authors phrase ) i come to chatter my mind unto you , and think not i should flatter at all our penman ; for , believe me , he will hardly read or hear me , willingly : but some there be , i know , will ask why here in satans name a prologue should appear ? since they drammatike ushers still were known , and this the world will for an epic own . i answer , sure our author meant to raise the first best instituted form of plays , to its prime height : were one narration took the fore-top , and the toe of the whole book . one more objection there will be , which is , why to so scarrifi'd a piece as this , a merry prologue , and a laughing name , are tender'd ? ye , fine coxcombs , fye for shame , know ye not yet t' what sage mimnermus stood ? that but what pleasant was nothing was good . our authors of his mind and no man grieves so far , but that he may laugh in his sleeves . think then you hear him now , and think anon , how that you hear the swelling lycophron chaunt , how the trojan women stirr'd their bones , to tumble down their walls huge massie stones ; for ours did so , yet wiser far then those , these to repel , those to let in their foes , oh would himself now but his face make shine , with daubing plaister , and the lees of wine ! ascend a cart ( as was the mode of old ) and through the streets himself this poem trol'd . youl l think if not apollo fresh and young , because his hair is short , his ears are long . because don phoebus robes do loosly float , and he alas has but a petti-coat : yet since he had paper got , by teaching school , he had been sworn ( you 'd swear ) groom of his stool . and this same poem here which now you view , part of the excrements from thence which flew . a year and half box'd up , ( this is sad mirth ) from whence ( like to an elephantine birth ) is dropt this wonder ; sirs , pray hold your noses , or hold some of my friends wits here for poses : i doubt you 'l snuff else , and like him , to whom admetus shew'd the verse for his own tomb , admire the strangeness of it , but yet say , you wish that you had seen it yesterday . richard ionson . si non dant proceres , dabit histrio . feminine valour : or the western women . come reader wilt thou see how grace through sable veil shews comeliest face : womens vertues in the west like grapes ne'r drop till they were (a) prest : one rib of adam there is grown like (b) cadmus teeth when they were sown ; almost an army , they have spent prayers and praise for parliament . could'st thou the parts of devon trace no * via lactea , but thy race of blood would be , there see the field maintain'd by women tho men yield : look round about and see , who can but wonder if he see a man , but stand and wonder more at this , to see a (c) metampsukesis . mens (d) spirits lost have reinformed womens bodies , both's reformed : who could see the sword not daunting a womans heart , but stand still vaunting ? a garrison in part defended by women , till the quarrels ended , and worn out men to be supply'd by second strength of women (e) try'd , and not acknowledge that 't is true , i give west women what is (f) due . ia. st. what former age did ever want a quill drencht with the dew of high parnassus hill ? those bastard gifts of nature to record , but ah ! cannot our ill taught times afford one to give vertue juster praise ? (a) ye nine , have ye no quicker fancy now then mine to limn the praises of that weaker sex exactly as beseems an (b) artisex where 's now that nimble tongue , apollos vein , or had we one could match blind homers strein , or but that (c) wanton poet who to flatter , one (d) lalage sweet poems once did (e) chatter . here 's now a subject worth his pains , who sings had need carouse of all the (f) muses springs : a saint-like sort of females as before , earths broad horrison till now ne're bore . (g) from heaven are fallen , o let 's not be dull to write their worth whereof the west is full . new natur'd are they and their grace divine , come let 's embalm their faces , and eke enshrine their worth with honour , which doth claim the bays and round their heads , let 's deck the daphnean bays . if constancy that golden garland wreath'd which mortals none yet wore that ever breath'd , in (h) sun-burnt times of danger , but he lost this sacred jem , wherewith this crown 's imbost sometime or other : o what cause had we to spread the praise of female constancy ? yet such a train of vertues do attend this (i) lady leader , as i should not spend some pain of speaking of her retinue , i should deny her what i know is due : not one but hand in hand me thinks she goes linkt to all vertues following her in rows : an injury it were should i describe the mistress by her self which it doth ride , born not by few but such a train of graces as did the (k) three , but see they 'd hide their faces : cease now (l) agathocles to speak the praise of thy (m) theogina , for our late dayes have overmatcht thy mate for constancy ; yea constant (n) camnia or (o) antiope : i must search further for a parable , or else our all past females will excel : vertue in those was single , shew me one like ours hold vertue all and i have done . if here corvina , sapho , or that queen , zenobia for their learning would be seen so far as ere the bard past (p) aristarchus , or foolish bavius was outstript by marcus : our (q) christal wits be (r) pearl'd with gifts divine those ruder rugged spirits do out-shine . if great gorgonia or evanders mother endowments now would shew beyond all other , trasilla and prove their eminence in pious zeal , o let our matrons only but appeal to heavens high chancellor ▪ where they may not boast if ere himself were conquer'd by an hoast of praying females , where every hour heaven be not forc't his mercy down to showr : no strangers are they at the throne of grace , but vow to pray until they see his face ; which being hidden hath eclipst this ile , as when the glorious sun 's withdrawn a while : doth noble portia or (s) lucretia strive for chastity this praise us to deprive . modesty forbids you vaunt , hark how diana prefers our females far beyond (t) susanna : who though the (u) crimson whore seek to deflowr , and spoyl this virgin vertue every hour . let each day testifie how they refuse her whorlsh proffers , and do rather choose to sacrifice their blood to christ their bride , then with romes idols to be (u) stuprifide . this makes romes beasts to foam with rage 'cause we hold fast that knot of marriage with christ our husband , and will not defile our milk-white garments with his whoredoms vile . dost thou (x) sulpitia fret for this their glory , and for thy verity relat'st a story which needs must lay a claim unto that rose that joys our females temples to inclose ? their persons yet their hearts do bend as circle lines do to one center tend . religion reformed is all their scope which not one few or most but all do hope : ones griefs not anothers joy , but all do live and die together , rise and fall , so closely are they joyn'd by union● tie , that all resolve to live , and all to die . 'mongst them not one (y) tarpeia ere betray'd their strength through bribes or else with fear dismay'd . blush then to see our (z) corus so combin'd that all seem better one , then more defin'd . how strangely frugal still dame nature seem'd pinching her gifts till now , these may be deem'd her darling unto others being bereaved of those choice * dowries to our sex bequeath'd , but flesh and blood ne'r gave a legacy to match the graces we in them descry : none but that sacred story must produce a saint to challenge my undaunted muse. 'mongst mary's three 't was chiefly given in charge vvith ne'r forgotten praises to enlarge , the sacred bible with her praise that cast perfuming nard on christ , 't was called wast : not one but many matrons there we see vvho rather then to baal they 'l (a) bend a knee , a set of martyred matrons chose to be , as earths contemners joyntly do contend who most in oyntment shall on christ expend whole mannors , large possessions lost , are gain in their account , christs honour to maintain . did mary wash with tears ? 't was much with blood , these steep the parched earth as doth (b) a flood . o precious balm sweat from a soul perfum'd with grace till body be again resum'd . this like an (c) ordure shall the world fill and keep your glory pure and spotless still : but jael thinks at last this palm to win by valour greater far then feminin : ours truly warlike are , she took the odds vvhen sisera lay sleeping , ours with clodds , (d) stones , swords or fists , can fight on equal terms , a handful scorns to fly from (e) summer swarms . this amazon-like train vows ne'r to stoop being fled from venus unto mars his troop , vvhere they with tumors , tost , truths (f) standard bear , and sions downfaln breaches strive to rear : they stop the gap themselves , where judgement flies praying in moses turn with tear-swoln eyes , nor fancy , frenzy , or blind passion , or ought but pious resolution moves them with constant courage thus to hold , right tutoring reason makes them bold . vvhy speak i more then this , to most 't is known (g) the weaker vessels are the stronger grown . the vine which on the pole still lean'd his arms , must now bear up and save the pole from harms . how many man-like spirits have been steel'd by these she helpers being like to yeeld . how have some to courage been exhorted , how often others by them been supported ? i this deblason coat that makes the crest is (h) constancy of vertues all the best : a vertue which till now was never known in womens breasts , till now was never shewn : their choice was mary's ( christ ) then 't is not strange their motto's this ( our choice admits no change . ) worlds wanton wooers may rend josephs coat from him , but him from christs , hell cannot doo 't : a sweeting solace have they in their crosses , we keep our christ , what matter is 't for losses ? go on , heavens saints , like to those roman dames (i) cornelia , (k) portia , and the rest whose names shall wear out time , who first began to make a pagan state a christian one : your praise is great who cannot abide that babels (l) tired whore her self should hide under christs garments , or be fostered longer within the kingdom to some now grown stronger by opposition fill'd with detestation of (m) romish locusts near to deaths damnation ▪ rejoyce then travelling women thy time near grows to be delivered from the painful throws of twice two tiring summers that do make our bowels yearn to (n) see our hearts to ake : the judge already set on bloody room and murdered saints cry lowdly for her doom , how long lord , how long shall this whore wallow in guiltless blood , and threaten still to swallow each day a deeper draught ; o make her drunk with vials of thy plagues ; let her be sunk as low as hell with vengeance from above judg'd to the persecutors of thy dove ; mean while continue pure , the lilly scorns to be defiled tho behedg'd with thorns . the husbandman's at hand and he must needs gather the rose or else destroy the weeds . come lord to thy garden and do pity the wilde bore routs thy plants in every city : hedge us within the pales of thy defence so shall thy plants be safe from violence . farewel rare paramours , i must confess vertues perfection claims a purer dress , stand fast a while , the nuptial chambers sweeping to welcome those to joy that now stand weeping . the epilogue . sirs , if you are set on edge , you must excuse our author says , the sharpness of his muse. because he vows , and stands to 't , that no wines do grow in th' west , he thought for lack of vines . next to ground apples , be loves nought before the milk-maids courtesie behind the door , when for a tale of love , or last nights dream , she pays him with two kisses , and sowr cream . besides as he remembred , 'a did think , that 'a put verguice into once his ink , but wonder't should be stale , for by the sun , he swore 't was scarce two years since he begun . truth 't was the stati'ners fault , that was too nice , to bate at first ten shillings in the price ! if y' are displeas'd he vows to write no more , but satyrs ( i 'ad forgot ) against the whore , and you his friends howere he does not fear but to prefer'em to a judges ear , and reason ; for to me , he did protest they'd make as good neck verses as the best . pray don't provoke him , for you know not what an inrag'd fancy may attempt ; that 's flat he 'll write iambicks , and then if that you do hang your selves , mechance he 'll do so too . faith , do not trust him ; for who justly can value the loss , that such a worthy man , would bring upon the commonweal of wit should he but undergo a fate unfit ? wer 't not for him apollo would be sad , and th' muses want of mirth , poor girls , run mad . but 'gainst the proverb , while he lives i 'le swear , the god will laugh more then bare once a year : now much good do 't ye , 't is th● authors will ; beshrew you if you did not laugh your fill . but lest this mirth should cease , pray write ye too , and then perchance we 'll laugh as much at you . lusimus octavi 8 sive g. d. finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a61840-e140 * or may indifferently suit with one of tho. sternhold 's airs , and be sung as a hymn at a conventicle . (a) his father was a poor tayler at church-stoak in dorsetshire ▪ and wrought for a groat a day , his pottage , and bread and cheese . (b) the wor●hy parson of church-stoak and afterward warden of wadham-colledge in oxford . (c) james strang our learned author . (d) a poo● scholar still . (e) having no episcopal ordination . (f) that had so charitably contributed both toward his education and instruction . (g) mr. mintern's daughter in dorset-shire . (h) old brown of brampton in dorset was so called by n●l , for giving his voice for bringing king charles the first to his tryal . (i) he took the font out of the church , and made it his pigs-trough . (k) his father was a committee-man in dorset-shire . (l) it should have had a stake driven through it . (m) the good-old cause of the long parliament . (n) a disease incident to women , proceeding from an obstruction in the matrix , which our author is well known to be experimentally skill'd in removing . (o) his parsonage of bettescombe . (p) mr. tarlton's vicaridge . (q) formerly the famous seminary of schismaticks . notes for div a61840-e5190 * navis stultifera . notes for div a61840-e16610 (a) the author writes to chast ears . (b) the history is thus . a tooth-drawer having drawn cadmus his teeth . sowed them on his belt , where they got him so much credit , and consequently practice , that in a short space he had adorned it all over with the frequent atchievements of his art and pincers . see ovids metam . translated by gawen duglas bishop of dunkelly , and unkle to the earl of angus . * milkstreet . (c) the word in the original welch signifies the succession of women into mens breeches . (d) he means women turned to men ; pliny in his natural history , lib. 7. affirms the like of ha●es and conies , our author alludes to him . (e) whose mettal has endured the test. (f) benevolence . notes for div a61840-e17070 (a) not the nine worthies , but the nine women worthies . see haywood . (b) read the english ●●positer . (c) q horatius . (d) an handmaid of rome . (e) he sung them to the gittar under her window in a cold frosty night . (f) both before and behind the forked hill. (g) he does not mean as lucifer fell , not vulcan when he broke his ships , but as woman should do . (h) see sir john mandevil , where he speaks of a people in africa that use to rost geese in the sun : and the author , could not fancy a place of greater danger . (i) alluding to vicars in his translation of virgils aeneids , where he makes turnus call i●●urna , sister coachman , &c. (k) charites , or the adamites that go naked . (l) a s●cilian much celebrated for his constancy to pi●kins . (m) his wife mrs. agathocles . (n) who this camnia should be i cannot justly say , i guess her to be the lady mentioned in the first edition of some years travels , sister to the persian emperor whose head was cut off , and sent to her brother upon a spears point with her hair about her shoulders . (o) a gentlewoman of thebes in the county of bonia . (p) a poet , godfather to the author . (q) for the right understanding of this . see the mirror of knight . (r) see mrs. susan brotus de margar. (s) a popish roman dame that stabd her self for one raph. see the knight of the burning pest. (t) she whom the two wicked elders would grope while she sent out her maids to fetch her some sope . (u) it seems this whore is an hermophrodite else the feat could not be done . (u) to stuprifie is not found in the english expositers , but familiarly used by this author . (x) a poetess that whipt and stript domitian the emperour , because he sent the philosophers from constable to constable . (y) tarpeia was a nun that dealt between the sabines and the geese , about delivering up the capitol . she was the first woman that ever was prest to death (z) not the popish cathedral , nor the prophane dramatique . but that western c●rus the poet mentions in corum solitus savive ●●agellis . meaning the beadle . * some copies have it doweets . (a) make a curtsey or a leg . (b) he means the floud of deucalion and pyrrha who also threw stones in imitation of these matrons . (c) that is to say the smell of a perfum'd soul is an excellent preservative against black patches . (d) so diomedes and aeneas in homer , entellus and dares in virgil of whom mr. vicars sings . they bang'd each others hides and made redoubled thwak● sound on their sides . (e) see coriats trophy in his crudities , where he describes these bloud-thirsty myrmidons whom no mortal could ere subdue on equal terms , but by some shift or other . (f) lasciva est pagina vita proba est (g) the gray mare is the better horse . (h) inconstancies a vice . she that loves more then once , loves twice . (i) a school-mistris in rome that taught children the horn-book . (k) he does not mean that they should eat fi●e as portia did , but rather fight . (l) so juvenal says of her , lassata viris nondum satiata , sat. 6. (m) these locusts are a kind of cantharides which the whore of babylon uses to take for proneness . (n) though the belly have no ears yet it should seem it hath eyes the female advocate, or, an ansvver to a late satyr against the pride, lust and inconstancy, &c. of woman written by a lady in vindication of her sex. 1686 approx. 37 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 14 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2003-01 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a40992 wing f56 estc r16722 12010267 ocm 12010267 52386 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a40992) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 52386) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 867:21) the female advocate, or, an ansvver to a late satyr against the pride, lust and inconstancy, &c. of woman written by a lady in vindication of her sex. s. f. egerton, sarah fyge. [4], 24 p. printed by h.c. for john taylor ..., london : 1686. reproduction of original in huntington library. an answer, in verse, to robert gould's love given o're. "to the reader" signed: s.f. attributed to sarah fige only by clark memorial library. attributed to s.f. cf. huntington library and others. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng gould, robert, d. 1709? -love given o're. women -early works to 1800. 2002-05 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2002-06 spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images 2002-07 emma (leeson) huber sampled and proofread 2002-07 emma (leeson) huber text and markup reviewed and edited 2002-08 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion female advocate : or , an answer to a late satyr against the pride , lust and inconstancy , &c. of woman . written by a lady in vindication of her sex. licens'd , june 2. 1686. r. p. london : printed by h. c. for iohn taylor , at the globe in st. paul's-church-yard . 1686. all goodness out of them ; but that will be an impossible thing , so long as we ( the most essentially good ) do subsist : for 't is observed in all religions , that women are the truest devotionists , and the most pious , and more heavenly than those who pretend to be the most perfect and rational creatures ; for many men with the conceit of their own perfections , neglect that which should make them so ; as some mistaken persons , who think if they are of the right church they shall be infallibly saved , when they never follow the rules which lead to salvation ; and when persons with this inscription pass currant in heaven , then it will be according to my antagonist's fancy , that all men are good , and fitting for heaven because they are men ; and women irreversibly damn'd , because they are women : but that heaven should make a male and female , both of the same species , and both indued with the like rational souls , for two such differing ends , is the most notorious principle , and the most unlikely of any that ever was maintained by any rational man , and i shall never take it for an article of my faith , being assured that heaven is for all those whose purity and obedience to its law , qualifies them for it , whether male or female ; to which place the latter seem to have the claim , is the opinion of one of its votaries , s. f. the female advocate , or , an answer to a late satyr against the pride , lust and inconstancy , &c. of woman . blasphemous wretch , who canst think or say some curst or banisht fiend usurp't the way when eve was form'd ; for then 's deny'd by you gods omniscience and omnipresence too : without which attributes he could not be , the greatest and supreamest deity : nor can heaven sleep , tho' it may mourn to see degenerate man utter blasphemy . when from dark chaos heav'n the world did make , made all things glorious it did undertake ; then it in eden's garden freely plac'd all things pleasant to the sight or taste , fill'd it with beasts & birds , trees hung with fruit , that might with man's celestial nature suit : the world being made thus spacious and compleat , then man was form'd , who seemed nobly great . when heaven survey'd the works that it had done , saw male and female , but found man alone , a barren sex , and insignificant ; so heaven made woman to supply the want , and to make perfect what before was scant : then surely she a noble creature is , whom heaven thus made to consummate all bliss . though man had being first , yet methinks she in nature should have the supremacy ; for man was form'd out of dull senceless earth ; but woman she had a far nobler birth : for when the dust was purify'd by heaven , made into man , and life unto it given , then the almighty and all-wise god said , that woman of that species should be made : which was no sooner said , but it was done , 'cause 't was not fit for man to be alone . thus have i prov'd womans creation good , and not inferior , when right understood : to that of man's ; for both one maker had , which made all good ; then how could eve be bad ? but then you 'l say , though she at first was pure , yet in that state she did not long endure . 't is true ; but if her fall's examin'd right , we find most men have banish'd truth for spight : nor is she quite so guilty as some make ; for adam did most of the guilt partake : for he from god's own mouth had the command ; but woman she had it at second hand : the devil's strength weak woman might deceive , but adam tempted only was by eve. eve had the strongest tempter , and least charge ; man's knowing most , doth his sin make most large . but though woman man to sin did lead ? yet since her seed hath bruis'd the serpent's head : why should she be made a publick scorn , of whom the great almighty god was born ? surely to speak one slighting word , must be a kind of murmuring impiety : but still their greatest haters do prove such who formerly have loved them too much : and from the proverb they are not exempt ; too much familiarity has bred contempt ; for they associate themselves with none , but such whose virtues like their own , are gone ; and with all those , and only those who be most boldly vers'd in their debauchery : and as in adam all mankind did die , they make all base for ones immodesty ; nay , make the name a kind of magick spell , as if 't would censure married men to hell. woman , ye powers ! the very name 's a charm , and will my verse against all criticks arm . the muses or apollo doth inspire heroick poets ; but your's is a fire , pluto from hell did send by incubus , because we make their hell less populous ; or else you ne'er had damn'd the females thus : but if so universally they are dispos'd to mischief , what need you declare peculiar faults , when all the world might see with each approaching morn a prodigy : man curse dead woman ; i could hear as well the black infernal devils curse their hell : vvhen there had been no such place we know , if they themselves had not first made it so . in lust perhaps you others have excell'd , and made all vvhores that possibly would yield ; and courted all the females in your way , then did design at last to make a prey of some pure virgins ; or what 's almost worse , make some chaste vvives to merit a divorce . but 'cause they hated your insatiate mind , therefore you call what 's virtuous , unkind : and disappointments did your soul perplex ; so in meer spight you curse the female sex. i would not judge you thus , only i find you would adulterate all womankind , not only with your pen ; you higher soar ; you 'd exclude marriage , make the vvorld a vvhore . but if all men should of your humor be and should rob hymen of his deity , they soon would find the inconveniency . then hostile spirits would be forc'd to peace , because the vvorld so slowly would increase . they would be glad to keep their men at home , and each vvant more to attend his throne : nay , should an english prince resolve that he would keep the number of of 's nobility : and this dull custom some few years maintain'd , there would be none less than a peer o th' land . and i do fancy 't would be pretty sport to see a kingdom cramb'd into a court. sure a strange world , when one should nothing see , unless a baudy house or nunnery . or should this act ere pass , woman would fly with unthought swiftness , to each monastry and in dark caves secure her chastity . she only in a marriage-bed delights ; the very name of whore her soul affrights . and when that sacred ceremony's gone , vvoman i am sure will chuse to live alone . there 's none can number all those vertuous dames vvhich chose cold death before their lovers flames . the chast lucretia whom proud tarquin lov'd , her he slew , her chastity she prov'd . but i 've gone further than i need have done , since we have got examples nearer home . vvitness those saxon ladies who did fear the loss of honour when the danes were here : and cut their lips and noses that they might not pleasing seem , or give the danes delight . thus having done what they could justly do , at last they fell their sacrifices too . thus when curst osbright courted beon's wife , she him refus'd with hazard of her life . and some which i do know but will not name , have thus refus'd and hazarded the same . i could say more , but history will tell many more things that do these excel . in constancy they men excell as far a heavens bright lamp doth a dull twinckling star . tho' man is alwaies altering of his mind , inconstancy is only in womankind . 't is something strange , no hold , it isn't because the men have had the power of making laws ; for where is there that man that ever dy'd , or ere expired with his loving bride . but numerous trains of chast wives expire with their dear husbands , tho in flames of fire : we'd do the same if custom did require . but this is done by indian women , who do make their constancy immortal too , as is their fame : we find india yeilds more glorious phoenix than the arabian fields . the german women constancy did shew when wensberg was besieg'd , beg'd they might go out of the city , with no bigger packs than each of them could carry on their backs . the wond'ring world expected they 'd have gone laded with treasures from their native home , but crossing expectation each did take her husband as her burden on her back . so saved him from intended death , and she at once gave him both life and liberty . how many loving wives have often dy'd : drownded in tears by their cold husbands side . and when a sword was executioner , the very same hath executed her , with her own hands ; eagerly meeting death , and scorn'd to live when he was void of breath . if this isn't constancy , why then the sun with constant motion don 't his progress run . there 's thousands of examples that will prove , woman is alwayes constant in chast love. but when she 's courted only to some lust , she well may change , i think the reason's just . change did i say , that word i must forbear , no , she bright star wont wander from her sphere of virtue ( in which female souls do move ) nor will she joyn with an insatiate love . for she whose first espoused to vertue must be most inconstant , when she yields to lust . but now the scene is alter'd , and those who were esteemed modest by a blush or two , are represented quite another way , worse than mock-verse doth the most solid play. she that takes pious precepts for her rule , is thought by some a kind of ill-bred fool ; they would have all bred up in venus school . and when that by her speech or carriage , she doth seem to have sence of a deity , she straight is taxt with ungentility . unless it be the little blinded boy , that childish god , cupid , that trifling toy , that certain nothing , whom they feign to be the son of venus daughter to the sea. but were he true , none serve him as they shoud , for commonly those who adore this god , do 't only in a melancholy mood ; or else a sort of hypocrites they are , who do invocate him only as a snare . and by him they do sacred love pretend , when as heaven knows , they have a baser end . nor is he god of love ; but if i must give him a title , then he is god of lust . and surely woman impious must be when e're she doth become his votary , unless she will believe without controul , those that did hold a woman had no soul : and then doth think no obligation lyes on her to act what may be just or wise . and only strive to please her appetite , and to embrace that which doth most delight . and when she doth this paradox believe , whatever faith doth please she may receive . she may be turk , jew , atheist , infidel , or any thing , cause she need ne'er fear hell , for if she hath no soul what need she fear something she knows not what or vvhen or vvhere . but hold i think i should be silent novv , because a womans soul you do allovv . but had vve none you 'd say vve had , else you could never damn us at the rate you do . what dost thou think thou hast priviledge given , that those whom thou dost bless shall mount to heaven , and those thou cursest unto hell must go . and so dost think to fill the abiss below quite full of females , hoping there may be no room for souls big with vice as thee . but if that thou with such vain hopes should'st dye i' th fluid air , thou must not think to fly , or enter into heaven , thy weight of sin would crush the damn'd , and so thou d'st enter in . but hold , i am uncharitable here , thou may'st repent , tho' that 's a thing i fear . but if thou should'st repent , why then again it would at best but mitigate thy pain , because thou hast been vile to that degree , that thy repentance must eternal be . for wert thou guilty of no other crime than what thou lately puttest into rhime , why that without other offences given , were enough to shut the gate of heaven . but when together's put all thou do , it will not only shut but bar it too . for when heaven made woman it design'd her for the charming object of mankind . nor is alter'd only with those who set bewly , stratford , nay and chreswell too , or other bawds , chase their acquaintance out , and then what they must be we make no doubt . 't is to make heaven mistaken when you say it meant one and it proves another way . for when heaven with its last and greatest care , had form'd a female charming bright and fair , why then immediately it did decree , that unto man she should a blessing be , and so should prove to all posterity . and surely there is nothing can be worse than for to turn a blessing to a curse . and when the greatest blessing heaven ere gave , and certainly the best that man could have . when that 's scorn'd and contemn'd sure it must be a great affront unto heaven's majesty . but i hope heaven will punish the offence , and with it justifie our innocence . i must confess there are some bad , and they lead by an ignis fatus , go astray : all are not forc'd to wander in false way . only some few whose dark benighted sence , for want of light han't power to make defence against those many tempting pleasures , which not only theirs but masculine souls bewitch . but you 'd persuade us , that 't is we alone are gu●lty of all crimes and you have none , unless some few , which you call fools , ( who be espous'd to wives , and live in chastity . ) but the most rational , without which we doubtless shou'd question your humanity . and i would praise them more only i fear if i should do 't it would make me appear unto the world much fonder than i be of that same state , for i love liberty , nor do i think there 's a necessity for all to enter beds , like noah's beast into his ark ; i would have some releast from the dear cares of that lawful state : hold i 'll not dictate , i 'll leave all fate . nor would i have the world to think that i through a despair do nuptial ioys defy . for in the world so little i have been that i've but half a revolution seen of saturn , only i do think it best for those who love to contemplate at rest , for to live single too , and then they may uninterupted , natures work survey . and had my antagonist spent his time making true verse instead of spiteful rhime , as a female poet , he had gain'd some praise , but now his malice blasts his twig of bays . i do not wish you had , for i believe it is impossible for to deceive any with what you write , because that you may insert things supposed true . and if by supposition i may go , then i 'll suppose all men are wicked too , because i 'm sure there 's many that are so . and 'cause you have made whores of all you could , so if you durst , you 'd say all women would . which words do only argue guilt and spite : all makes you cheap in ev'ry mortals sight . and it doth shew that you have alwaies been only with women guilty of that sin. you nere desired nor were you fit for those whose modest carriage doth their minds disclose . and sir , methinks you do describe so well the way and manner bewley enter'd hell , as if your love for her had made you go down to the black infernal shades below . but i suppose you never was so near , for if you had , you scarce would have been here , for had they seen , they 'd kept you there . unless they thought when ere it was you came , your hot entrance might encrease the flame . if burning hell add to their extreme pain , and so were glad to turn you off again . and likewise , also i believe beside , that one thing more might be their haughty pride . they knew you rival'd them in all their crimes , wherewith they could debauch the willing times . and as fond mortals hate a rival , they loving through pride , were loath to let you stay , for fear that you might their black deeds excel , usurp their seat and be the prince of hell. but i believe that you will ●●t your hate ore rule your bride , and yo●●●l not vvish the state of coverning , because your deceived mind , persuades your subjects vvill be women kind . but i believe vvhen it comes the tryal , ask but for ten and you 'll have the denial . you 'd think your self far happier than you be , were you but half so sure of heaven as we . but when you are in hell if you should find more then i speak of , think heaven design'd them for a part of your eternal fate , because they 're things which you so much do hate . but why you should do so i cannot tell , unless 't is what makes you in love with hell : and having fallen-out with goodness , you must have antipathy 'gainst woman too . for virtue and they are so near ally'd that none can their mutual tyes divide . like light and heat , incorporate they are , and interwove with providential care , but i 'm too dull to give my sex due praise , the task befits a laureat crown'd with bays : and yet all he can say , will be but small , a copy differs from the original . for should he sleep under parnassus hill , implore the muses for to guide his quill . and shou'd they help him , yet his praise would seem at best but undervalluing disesteem . for he would come so short of what they are his lines won't with one single act compare . but to say truest , is to say that she is good and virtuous unto that degree as you pretend she 's bad , and that 's beyond imagination , 'cause you set no bound , and then one certain definition is to say that she doth comprehend all bliss . and that she 's all that 's pious , chaft and true , heroick , constant , nay , and modest too : the later virtue is a thing you doubt , but 't is 'cause you nere sought to find it out . you question where there 's such a thing or no , 't is only 'cause you hope you 've lost a foe , a hated object , yet a stranger too . i 'll speak like you , if such a thing there be , i 'm certain that she doth not dwell with thee . thou art antipodes to that and unto all that 's good , or that we simply civil call . from yokes of goodness , thou 'st thy self releast , turn'd bully hector , and a humane beast . that beasts do speak it rarely comes to pass , yet you may paralell with balaam's ass. you do describe a woman so that one would almost think she had the fiends outdone : as if at her strange birth did shine no star , or planet , but furies in conjunction were ; and did conspire what mischief they should do , each act his part and her with plagues pursue , 't is false in her , yet 't is sum'd up in you . you almost would perswade one that you thought that providence to a low ebb was brought ; and that to eve and iezabell was given souls of so great extent that heaven was driven into a straight , and liberality had made her void of wanting , to supply these later bodies , she was forc'd to take their souls asunder , and so numbers make , and transmigrate them into others , and still shift them as she finds the matters stand . 't is 'cause they are the worst makes me believe you must imagine iezabel and eve. but i 'm no pythagorean to conclude one soul could serve for abraham and iude. or think that heaven so bankrupt or so poor , but that each body has one soul or more . i do not find our sex so near ally'd , either in disobedience or in pride , unto the ' bovenamed females ( for i 'm sure they are refin'd , or else were alwaies pure ) that i must needs conceit their souls the same , tho' i confess there 's some that merit blame : but yet their faults only thus much infer , that we 're not made so perfect but may err ; which adds much lustre to a virtuous mind , and 't is her prudence makes her soul confin'd within the bounds of goodness , for if she was all perfection , unto that degree that 't was impossible to do amiss , why heaven not she must have the praise of this . but she 's in such a state as she may fall , and without care her freedom may enthrall . but to keep pure and free in such a case , argues each virtue with its proper grace . and as a womans composition is most soft and gentle , she has happiness in that her soul is of that nature too , and yeilds to any thing that heaven will do , takes an impression when 't is seal'd in heaven , turns to a cold refusal , when 't is given by any other hand : she 's all divine , and by a splendid lustre doth outshine all masculine souls , who only seem to be made up of pride and their lov'd luxury . so great 's mans ambition that he would have all the wealth and power if he could , that is bestowed on the several thrones of the worlds monarchs , covets all their crowns . and by experience it hath been found the word ambition's not an empty sound . there 's not an history which doth not shew man's pride , ambition and his falshood too . for if at any time th' ambitious have least shew of honour , then their souls grow brave , grow big and restless , they are not at ease , 'till they have a more fatal way to please , look fair and true , when falsely they intend ; so from low subject , grow a monarch's friend . and by grave councels they their good pretend , when 't is guilt poyson and oft works their end . the son who must succeed , is too much loved , must be pull'd down ( his councel is approved ) for fear he willingly should grow too great , desire to rule , should mount his father's seat. so he 's dispatch'd , and then all those that be next in the way are his adherency . and then the better to secure the state , it is but just they should receive his fate . so by degrees he for himself makes room , his prince is straightway shut up in his tomb , and then the false usurper mounts the throne . or would do so at least but commonly he nere sits firm , but with revenge doth dy , but thank heaven there 's but few that reach so high , for the known crimes makes a wise prince take care . thus what i 've said doth plainly shew there are men more impious than a woman far . so those who by their abject fortune are remote from courts no less their pride declare , in being uneasie and envying all who be above them , in state , or priority . but 't is impossible for to relate their boundless pride , or their prodigious hate , to all that fortune hath but smil'd upon , in a degree that is above their own . and thou proud fool , that virtue would'st subdue , envying all good , dost towre ore woman too , which doth betray a base ignoble mind , speaks thee nothing but a blustring wind . but in so great a lab'rinth as man's pride , i should not enter , nor won't be imply'd , for to search out their strange and unknown crimes , there 's so many apparent in these times , that my dull arithmetick cannot tell half the sins that commonly do dwell in one sordid rustick , then how can i define the courts or towns debauchery . their pride in some small measure i have shown . but theirs is running over and prest down ; and 't is impossible i should repeat the crimes of men extravagantly great , i would not name them , but to let them see i know they 'r bad and odious unto me : 't is true , pride makes men great in their own eyes , but them proportionable i despise ; and tho' ambition still aims to be high , yet lust at best is but beastiality ; a sin with which there 's none can compare , not pride nor envy , &c. for this doth insnare , not only those whom it at first inflam'd , this sin must have a partner to be sham'd , and punish'd like himself . hold , one wont do , he must have more , for he doth still pursue the agents of his passion ; 't is not wife , that mutual name can regulate his life : and tho' he for his lust might have a shrowd , and there might be poligamy allow'd , yet all his wives would surely be abhorr'd , and some common lais be ador'd . most mortally the name of wife they hate , yet they will take one as their proper fate , that they may have a child legitimate , to be their heir , if they have an estate , or else to bear their names : so , for by ends , they take a wife , and satisfie their friends , who are desirous that it should be so , and for that end , perhaps , estates bestow ; which , when possess'd , is spent another way ; the spurious issue do the right betray , and with their mother-strumpets are maintain'd ; the wife and children by neglect disdain'd , wretched and poor unto their friends return , having got nothing , unless cause to mourn . the dire effects of lust i cannot tell , for i suppose its catalogue's in hell ; and he perhaps at last may read it there , written in flames , fierce as his own whilst here . i could say more , but yet not half that 's done by these strange creatures , nor is there scarce one of these inhumane beasts that do not die as bad as bewley's pox turns leprosie , and men do catch it by meer phantasie . tho' they are chast and honest , yet it doth pursue them , and some company on oath they have been in , and their infected breath gave them that plague , which hast'neth their death , or else 't is scurvy , or some new disease , as the base wretch or vain physician please , and then a sum of money must be gave for to keep corruption from the grave ; and then 't is doubled , for to hide the cheat : ( o the sad horrour of debaucht deceit ! ) the body and estate together go . and then the only objects here below , on which he doth his charity bestow , are whores and quacks , and perhaps pages too must have a share , or else they will reveal that which money doth make them conceal . sure trusty stewards of extensive heaven , when what 's for common good is only given unto peculiar friends of theirs , who be slaves to their lust , friending debauchery ; these are partakers of as great a fate as those whose boldness turns them reprobate , and tho' a hypocrite doth seem to be a greater sharer of morality , yet methinks they almost seem all one , one hides , and t'other tells what he hath done ; but if one devil's better than another , than one of these is better than the t'other : hypocrisie preheminence should have , ( tho' it ha'nt got the priviledge to save ) because the reprobate's example may , by open custom , make the rugged way seem more smooth , and a common sin look more pardonable , and so by him more take example , 't is he strives to win . mad souls , to fill up hell ! but should there be nothing e're acted but hypocrisie , yet man would be as wicked as he is , and be no nearer to eternal bliss ; for he who 's so unsteady , as to take example by such men , should never make me to believe , that he was really chast , and , without pattern , never had imbrac't : such kind of sins at best such virtues weak , that with such a slender stress will break , and that 's no virtue which cannot withstand a slight temptation at the second hand : but i believe one might as narrowly pry for 't , as the grecian did for honesty , and yet find none ; and then if women be averse to 't too , sure all 's iniquity on this side heaven , and it with justice went up thither , 'cause here is found no content , but did regardless and neglected ly , and with an awful distance was past by . instead of hiding their prodigious acts , they do reveal , brag of their horrid facts ; unless it be some few who hide them , 'cause they would not seem to violate those laws which with their tongues they 'r forc'd for to maintain , being grave counsellers or aldermen , or else the wives relations are alive , and then , if known , some other way they 'l drive their golden wheels , that way doth seem uneven , then the estate most certainly is given some other way , or else 't is setled so as he may never have it to bestow , upon his lusts , therefore he doth seem for to have a very great esteem for his pretended joy ; but when her friends are dead , then he his cursed life defends , with what they leave ; then the unhappy wife , with her dear children , lead an horrid life , and the estate 's put to another use , and their great kindness turn'd an abuse ; and should i strive their falshood to relate , then i should have but sisiphus his fate , for man is so inconstant and untrue , he 's like a shadow which one doth pursue , still flies from 's word , nay and perfidious too . an instance too of infidelity we have in egypt's false king ptolomy , who , tho' he under obligations were , for to protect pompey from the snare , who fled to him for succour , yet base he did command his death most treacherously ; he was inconstant too , or else design'd the same at first , so alter'd words not mind , which is much worse , for when that one doth speak with a full resolution , for to break one's word and oath , surely it must be a greater crime than an inconstancy , which is as great failing in the soul as any sin that reason doth controul , but i designed for to be short , so must be sure for to keep firm unto the first that i resolved , or else should reprove these faults which first i ought for to remove ; therefore , with brutus , i this point will end , who , tho' he ought to have been caesar's friend , by being declared his heir , yet it was he was the first actor in his tragedy : perfidious and ungrateful and untrue he was at once , nay and disloyal too : a thousand instances there might be brought , ( not far fetch'd , tho' they were dearly bought ) to prove that man more false than woman is , more unconstant , nay and more perfidious : but these are crimes which hell , ( i 'm sure not heaven ) as they pretend , hath peculiar given unto our sex , but 't is as false as they , and that 's more false than any one can say . all pride and lust too to our charge they lay , as if in sin we all were so sublime as to monopolize each hainous crime ; nay , woman now is made the scape-goat , and 't is she must bear sins of all the land : but i believe there 's not a priest that can make an atonement for one single man , nay , it is well if he himself can bring an humble , pious heart for th' offering ; a thing which ought to be inseparable to men o' th' gown and of the sacred table ; yet it is sometimes wanting , and they be too often sharers of impiety : but howsoever the strange world now thrives , i must not look in my teachers lives , but methinks the world doth seem to be nought but confusion and degeneracy , each man 's so eager of each fatal sin , as if he fear'd he should not do 't again ; yet still his soul is black , he is the same at all times , tho' he doth not act all flame , because he opportunity doth want , and to him always there 's not a grant of objects for to exercise his will , and for to shew his great and mighty skill in all sciences diabolical , but when he meets with those which we do call base and unjust , why then his part he acts most willingly , and then with hell contracts to do the next thing that they should require ; and being thus inflamed with hellish fire , he doth to any thing it doth desire , unless 't were possible for hell to say , they should be good , for then they 'd disobey . i am not sorry you do females hate , but rather reckon we 're more fortunate , because i find , when you 'r right understood , you are at enmity with all that 's good , and should you love them , i should think they were a growing bad , but still keep as you are : i need not bid you , for you must i 'm sure , and in your present wretched state indure ; 't is an impossible you should be true , as for a woman to act like to you , which i am sure will not accomplish'd be , till heaven's turn'd hell , and that 's repugnancy ; and when vice is virtue you shall have a share of that which makes most females brave , which transmutations i am sure can't be ; so thou must lie in vast eternity , with prospect of thy endless misery , when woman , your imagin'd fiend , shall live bless'd with the joys that heaven can always give . finis . a friendly apology, in the behalf of the womans excellency together with some examples of women-worthies : as also the character of a virtuous and accomplished woman : wherein ladies of pleasure are taxed and admonished / written in verse by j. golborne ... golborne, john. 1674 approx. 120 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 36 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2008-09 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a41370 wing g1009 estc r6976 12143982 ocm 12143982 54895 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a41370) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 54895) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 597:13) a friendly apology, in the behalf of the womans excellency together with some examples of women-worthies : as also the character of a virtuous and accomplished woman : wherein ladies of pleasure are taxed and admonished / written in verse by j. golborne ... golborne, john. [2], 68 p. printed for henry mortlock ..., london : 1674. reproduction of original in huntington library. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng women -poetry. 2007-08 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2007-08 aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images 2007-10 pip willcox sampled and proofread 2007-10 pip willcox text and markup reviewed and edited 2008-02 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a friendly apology , in the behalf of the womans excellency : together with some examples of women-worthies . as also the character of a virtuous and accomplished woman : wherein ladies of pleasure are taxed and admonished . written in verse by j. golborne , sometime fellow of trinity colledge near dvblin . si natura negat , facit admiratio versum qualemcunque potest . — london , printed , for henry mortlock , and are to be sold at the sign of the phoenix in st. pauls church-yard , and at the white hart in westminster hall. 1674. to the most virtuous and pious lady m rs . katharine booth . madam , since famed laureates never durst adventure on the noblest themes at first , but were so modest doubtfully to peep out of their private cells , and then to creep in arguments much lower , till well how to trust their wings they knew , from bough to bough of various subjects flutter'd , judging best so to attempt that danger might be least , till arts had been more lib'ral thought , they might not safely venture an heroick flight . pardon this boldness , that presumes to try first hand on piece of curiosity ; which better would deserve the richest vein of smooth conceipt , out of the pregnant brain of one , to whom kind nature first had been of much more virtue than the hippocrene . my fancy ( not well vers'd when first put to 't ) would not perswaded be to stir a foot on other subjects ; yet did freely run , that her due service might in part be done unto your sex ; and if she limps , the fault she calls her own : lameness doth make her halt , you cause her move ; and what is to express her gratitude , will make crime somewhat less . in this essay , i have sought to no fairy , call'd muse , that keeps her wild haunts at canary . your mind is sober ; nor durst i think fit to offer you poor gathering of wit. you need not such collection , which is more fit for those persons , that in worth are poor . grant very small allowance : bate the verse that waited on your pious s●sters horse : and charge not some choice sentences which you know well , to whom their service best is due ; and what is stoln will not amount to be fit to be charg'd with pettit-larceny . should i call women deities , you 'd be displeased ( madam ) with the blasphemy : or phrase them nobler creatures than men are , you likewise might , condemn the flatterer . should i pass bounting lasses and the jigs uncivil , of the city-whirligigs ; their pride , their luxury , their antick dresses , their bare necks , painted faces , and their tresses , whereby they would ensnare their wanton tongues in lovesome catches and lascivious songs ; their going unto church , bringing no more from thence , than what new dresses gallants wore ; frequenting playes , lest therein they should do too little , there becoming actors too . i should unworthily at least suggest that you so little baseness do detest of shameless hippia's , as not to admit they should be lash'd by scorpions of wit. whereas i know you loath that hateful crew that brag of breeding , brave , and fruitful too , use broad words , and large liberties as seat of gallantry , the way to become great belly'd , that they may bear their shameful sin , and suffer plague of birth and lying in . should i forget my gossip , that can tell how to turn over tongue a spic'd-cup well , with whose loud tittle tattle those folks are troubled , that deal not in such peddling ware ; but mind their own concerns , and do not pry into concerns of the next family : should i pass her , whose spungy lungs , as sayls are swoln , but not when dry , with telling tales of private merriments , scarce civil jars familiar talk , and of domestick wars ; where will be next , and where was the last wedding , and all the pretty passages at bedding ; how madam hasty gave to little grace her chamber-maid , a blew and broken face , because she came not at first call ; how ill her master took it , that shew'd his good will ; how nell came to mischance by knavery of will ; how joan beat silly ralph , and why : not to chastise such gross defectives must shew me more civil to the sex , than just unto the virtuous , who bear others shame , b●ushing at boldness of the wan●on dame , and their impertinence vain , that are grown knowing in all concernments , but their own . to set off virtues of your sex , a whole venus if painted , will but make a mole . apolles when he drew his master-piece , and summon'd in the paragoas of greece for beauty , as their excellence did very unto his pencil to be tributary , venus her mole forgate not ; but did place , and make , her comely with it in her face . praise of a sex , without exception , may fit only people of utopia ; cannot sincerely be adapted to the state of sinful mortals here below , where those few persons do appear most rare and excellent , in whom least vices are . they cannot be from adam of th' whole blood , that are without all humane faileurs good . let idle brains make silly sport to vex , and force their fancies to disgrace your sex with all the virtuous ; vainly they do try to level at the stars which are too high . this most will fret them , and stir up their gall , that they provoke , and move you not at all : when unconcern'd you gain the victory , and overcome them by your passing by . the rustick that all day hath toyl'd at plough , puts off his clogs at night , begins to woo at a strange rate ; in complementing amy he takes up phrase befitting academy . not single flow'rs of tropes will do , but cluster'd , that with conceit do make him fouly fluster'd , and strangely elevated : he scorn now to term her pigsney , darling , ladicow . his heighten'd fancy longer will not truckle , in pleasing her his primrose , honeysuckle . the gardens fair sweet ; serve him not in prose ; talip , clovegilliflower , lilly , rose . out of the sun , stars , and the brightest rosie blushes of morn he gathers her a posie . and if he gets some little scribe to write , he makes small matter , matter to endite . hearing of po'sie , she thinks to disclose meaning , by holding letter to her nose ; or sticking it in bosome , knows not well , that paper flow'rs are for the sight , not smell . the frantick gallant eyes his ladies look , more than young chanter doth his singing-book : dancing attendance most officiously after the lessons of her fidling eye : like statue stands in admiration of each syllable , st●p , frown , smile , glance , and coff . the sacred laurell he will need invoke , that never learnt so far as holioke ; to celebrate grace that was never in her , and yet condemn himself a mortal sinner for his omission : but that is not it makes him so bad : but what he could commit . how like a malefactor doth he sta●d , expecting sentence ? what is her command ? shall he or live or dye ? upon one breath depends his happy life , or woful death . great empress she , that with a pleasant i ? can make him live ; and with a no to dye ; though much dejected , and cast down erewhile , yet she can set him up with a kind smile . when his brains thin'd are almost into ayr turned by sun-beams of her face , he 'l swear he plainly sees the tippling graces sip nectar distilling from her ruby-lip : though dazzled , angels yet that he espyes sporting within those crystal spheres her eyes . there 's no such musick in the heavenly spheres as in her voyce , which alwayes charms his ears . she 's in each sound , he hears no ring of bells , but what of her some pretty story tells . the little chirping s●ngsters in his thought speak her so plain , as if they had been taught to sing their sapp●●i●ks ; and her praise in rhyme his head well stuft with fumes doth learn to chyme ; all this is nought , he is below his theme unless he be right artist to blaspheme . what is his heaven here on earth ? her love ; and there 's no heaven that he seeks above . were not his admiration without true object , you would think him saint devout . he cringes , and with superstitious fear standeth , as her divinity draws near . good cause , if you believe his precious stories of the strange brightness , and celestial glories he sees incircling her , these witness'd by those that are sick of his love lunacy . the man thus planet-stricken , gives full rein unto his fancy , th' utmost he can feign of complements bestows , runs on the score , until his worship can take up no more . if she contract her countenance , and frown upon him , that is death , he 's tumbled down from all his hopes , and happiness , which now he did enjoy in smoothness of her brow . how wretched is the man , since faln from grace , and excommunicated from her face ? he hates the light , his life , you cannot give greater affront , than wishing him to live . what can you love him , and be so unkind to wish him bear such torments in his mind , as while he lives he must ? then snatches sword kisses it as dear friend , that will afford deliverance : but stay , before good night pray give him leave to take up pen and write some doleful verses of his faithful love in his brave death for phillis , which may move her to relent , and to vouchsafe a tear , or shew her more unkind than marbles are . he orders ceremonies to attend , and lively to set out a lovers end in his last will and testament ; forgets his soul to god to bequeath . and what lets ? she was his only deity , alone to her he payed his devotion . what hence will follow , reason must not tell , his madness doth suppose a milder hell than her displeasure : this this makes him snatch his sword again , resolved to dispatch himself : but that he wisely thinks withal he shall not have a christian burial as felo de se , and he scorns to be guilty of any act of felony . is he content to live ? fye on 't : he 'l go unto some forreign broyls , and force his fo to do , what friends would not , though beg'd , and ten to one time , wars do make him wise again . but if quite desperate he seeks relief , and with his rapier makes a vent for grief what hazard runs he ? leaving friends this sad ground for their charity that he was mad . phrenetick passions of such men may serve those that do not know what it 's to deserve sober affections , would not well resent any thing , that were truly excellent . let the inamoured ●ress painted jayes , address them to the idol of their praise ▪ here the design is honest , to give due honour to ladies , that be such as you are , and would be ; not living just by sense of some folk good esteem ; but conscience . not pleasing humour of that sort who have great fear lest that they should be thought too grave . discretion you make not to withstand civility , but give it more command ; obligingly that it may entertain the civile person , and ●ongue-tye the vain . such was deportment of the english dame of old , which gave a lustre to her name over the world : but with disdainful brow is look'd upon as out of fashion now . amongst vain gallants strait lac'd modesty is ill b●ed , rustick ; too precise , too shye . amongst parts of philosophy we range ethicks , and with the rest they bear a change . as some young empiri●ks their skill must try body to pu●ge of physiologie , which they say physick wants , and principles her bodies head , are head of her disease . though purged soundly , her they think not sound enough , until with her the world turn round . it may be visit mistris dialectick , feel her pulse , find her in a fearful hectick : her terms are naught ; her syllogisms all obstruct her , they must out both great , and small . sorites fears he shall be laid in chains ; and violent●m looks for horrid pains : exemplum to be made example : scorns cause poor dilemma to pull in her horns . celarent wishes she were safely hid . festino runs in danger to be chid . and barbara the best of all abus'd , fears to bocardo she shall be reduc'd . but f●rio will not be baffled so , if he must out , he 'l leave a parting blow . thus physicking of her , they 'r find no season to end , until they leave her void of reason . so have some wantons quite rejected old moral philosophy , as dry , and cold : question'd all principles , and practice too of antient● virtue , and set up a new model of modesty , which you presents with much more strange , than safe experiments . they say , a place that 's fortified doth s●eak the outward strength , but city to be weak . that city's strong , that hath not its defence from walls ; but valour of the citizens . strength of their virtues only way to try , is to expose it to the enemy . if you 'l believe , their honour by the tryal is brighter ; for they ●empt to m●ke denyal . their husbands living they contract and call it innocence ; may pass the ordeal , run through hat coulters blindfold , safe and sound ; and yet not fear the danger of a wound . these can mistake their husbands beds , and be not to be charged with disloyalty . such resolution , that can make defence at disadvantage , is the quintessence of virtue : if you can , you may believe ( like tutia's on tryal ) in a ●ieve , that they can water carry , lead and bring a ship b●sanded by their ap●on-string , as claudia , have heaven standing by and witnessing unto their chastity . they must give leave to fo●k to be more wise , to judge by charity of sober size , and then their virtue in heroick sense elixar is of highest impudence . your virtue ( madam ) taketh it all one to forfeit , and to give occasion to folly ; and for med'cine doth not lye at the bethesda of worlds charity . a most heroick , and approv'd repute , neither makes way for baseness , or dispute . the libertine , before that knew no law to curb him , must confess your power to awe into civility feign'd ; what he hates , charm'd by your presence , yet he personates . asham'd you are not piety to own amongst so many , when a scorn it 's grown : and for religion publickly appear , to practise which , in private some do fear . may i presume , here to present to view beauties , such as apelles never drew : may i adventure to defend their rights of old , that try'd the chivalry of knights , to plead their cause , since they are made unfit for want of learning , not for want of wit. may this my pencil venture on a face , where ev'ry taking feature is a grace . may this not seem in vain , which seldom done , yet is the duty of each mothers son . may these few rhymes ( madam ) accepted be , and gain your licence , but to publish me , your humble servant , john golborne . the womans excellence . when man against unclean concupiscence had a pure mind an adamantine fence , and heart more cleanly , than which doth possess the breast of most religious votaress , without so much as thought of vain desire , and spark of that base culinary fire : alone , it was not good that he should be without a woman , and good company . when sophy , prester , and imperial highness , with monarch oecumenical , were summed up in adam ; yet a she is made to peer him in his dignity . the glorious angels , those bright morning stars too high were , to be his familiars . the plants , and sensitives were not thought meet for him , as being set below his feet . but eve created is , and made his bride , first taken out of , then unto his fide , to be one with himself , that he may see in her a rational imagery . pictures are dark resemblances , they can give outward form , and figure of the man. glasses afford obscurely ( save the shape of man ) scarce any thing but antick ape . she is the lovely glass , where he may find the lively picture of his noble mind . likeness of outward frame , and inward too creates affection , makes the wise man woo . not without likeness of the same soul can the outward feature make help meet for man. who can then think , that any man should be besot●ed with a piece of masonry , or marble ? that lot's wife petrify'd , should chance to have been courted for a bride ? that man so monstrously should play the ape , upon a cloud , as to commit a rape ? yet is it certain , flesh , blood , shape affects the most , much more than reason of the sex . men gaze at colou●s , and neglect the coal from heaven that is sent , a prudent soul that suffers not by time ; but pure doth last , when feature and complexion are defac'd . he sheweth not least part of man , to whom a marble madam is companion . and with incestuous pygmalion carveth the statue that he dotes upon . though what her husband did command to be done , or undone , he found her alwayes free : and silent she could bear , what heart of stone would mo●e , to be call'd slut , foul carrion ; though this rare property were in his bride , in all her time she ne're was heard to chide ; nor with some costly dames was at vast charge , that she might follow each new mode at large ; nor with new fashions keep an equal pace ; nor had brave flanders prancing on her face ; for back or belly though she rais'd no score , and like good huswife , ne're stir'd out of door : yet since she wanted reason , sense , and life , she could not make a comfortable wife . that gallant is not half so wise as nice , that is afraid of wisdom in his choice . is she a wise woman ? that makes him start , as if she were a mistris of black art. he fears she will be proud , and learn the foul practice of some wives , husbands to controul with sweet advice , which makes the bedlam roar , fret , fume , swear , ban , and so much rage the more . for to his great disparagement she 'l be not without cause esteem'd more wise , than he . give him a wench that knows no more than how her cloaths to put on , when he speaks to bow with reverence ; and not without a sir before his worship suffers tongue to stir ; and as well disciplin'd doth understand how to obey what he 's pleas'd to command ; that 's troubled with the softs , and while he tires his wiser hearers , stare● , gapes , and admires at every sentence ; this , this is a lass , that for a most obedient wife may pass : she stirs not , though he have her not in string : at a proud word hath learnt to fetch and bring : a creature tame ; and therefore thought more meet , because she lyeth couchant at his feet . who , though all manhood he hath qui●e withdrawn , and spit●eth in her face , begins to fawn , they that say women have no humane souls if true ; they are not men , but may be foals of some wild ass , and should they be ally'd as husbands , they would be quite brutifi'd . and more like beasts than centaurs were , and then they might beget a monstrous race of men , much worse , than where the pye-bald issues sight presents with negro's black , europa's white . these from themselves do only differ in the outward colour , in a spotted skin . but they are preternaturals , at best a sort of mongr●lls strange , half man , half beast . they may deny them souls , and judgement too , if that they think those men are ●it to woo , and make their applications with success in complements , and humours that profess by all their carriage in their lovesome fits that they are mad , and quite beside their wits . else certainly they could not be so base in face so foully virtues to misplace , where beauty playster'd wantons to invite , is but a pict , and odious hypocrite . she 's odly self-conceited , that thinks praise he throws at randome on her , what he brayes , rather than speaks of virtue , to be due ; or ( if perchance it should ) that he speaks true , that keeps no measure in his passions heat , nor aims to speak what 's suitable , but great , nothing doth limit whose invention vain ; but that he cannot reach an higher strain . she that hath real worth , and sober thought of it , must needs disdain the fancie brought , upon pretence ( forsooth ) to make her more admired ; some think upon another score . whereas blew envy could not have spit forth venome that 's more malignant to her worth . enough amongst most to have this effect to make them real goodness to suspect . as drones do very much i fest the hive , eat what by labour of the bees would thrive . so , though these humble-be●s devour , and bring nothing ; yet what is strange , they have their sting . what thinks , the wild phantastick ornament of virtue , needs a flatterer to invent ? cannot she be with virtues ●ully stor'd , unless made object fit to be ador'd ? true honour strictly looks for this its due , that all its praises ( if not great ) be true . is not beholding as a popish saint for glories , not to vertue , but the paint . would he be credited ? that cannot be , unless she forfeit all sobriety . if not , he doth his folly but proclaim , and maketh it not hard to know his name . alas , ( good madam ) be not too severe , to call him knave , or fool , and domineer over his weakness ; for desire to have your love , doth make him in such fashiors rave from the first sight of you , some influence hath quite bereft him of all sober sense . do you not see in yonder secret grove , him courting the idea of his love ? how one while he creeps poorly , proudly stalks as antick straight , stands silent now , then talks unto himself in a low voice : see how he doth his honour in a civil bow , since he hath mist it in some point , he 'l try do it with much more curiosity , to please himself and ●●ncy : then accosts the shrub , where he can find no painted post , and to it speaks words in an humble mutter , more sweet than honey , and more soft than butter . what is it thus transports , dejects him too ? it s fancy ( madam ) which is type of you . he cons how civilly he may address into your presence , and with life express the passions of a lover , what will be your answer ? how to make a safe reply , and those odd postures which you so admire , are but the strange fruit of that frantick fire you kind'ed in him : for you speak no word but what he treasures up , and doth afford matter of thousand thoughts : with what a grace you did oblige ; what majesty took plac : in your commands ; how with your looks you read lectures at once , to make him hope and dread ; how sweet was such a smile corrected by too harsh a mistris your severity ; how killing were your frowns : and thus in pain he 's toss'd with thoughts of favour , and disdain . he clasps the air contain'd you : not to look on your track serveth him , unless he snook on saucy servant , when you do bestow flap on the lips for talk , to make her know her distance ; wonders that she takes it ill , to be so dealt with : if she had his skill she would deserve more ; he doth understand it no unpleasant kissing of your hand would you not ( madam ) bring him to despair ? then you must be more kind , or else less fair . let pity move , wherelove will not , t' impart a smile , or sorrow soon will break his heart . and can you think your triumph glorious , if you destroy a vassal-lover thus ? how cruel , and hard-hearted need must you appear to all the world , if it be true , that you wou'd not be at small cost , and pains of one good word , to keep him out of chains , and bedlam ? for some hink could he obtain , no doubt he would be his own man again . you may command his reason ; for he 's bent not to be cur'd , unless you do consent . your harmony will set him right , they say thus of the man stung by tarantula , that would to death dance , were he not cur'd by the vertue of harmonious melody . if you resolve to be wise , and to laugh at all his follies , are not catch'd with chaff of vain pretences ; if you think it true , when cur'd , he will revenge himself on you for all his folly past , and will not pause upon his bondage base , but hate the cause . yet let me beg one kindness , to advise the gentleman , to let you be more wise : if he will not himself , then think it fit to entertain that love , which spoils his wit : and to condemn the incivility that wishes you may be as mad as he . the horrid courtships that did pass between nero , and sporus his he-concubine . the t●umpetter , and gracchus as they break natures chaste tye , so they forbid to speak their shame ; for nothing can be worse than thus , unless the wedding of an incubus . he truly doth deserve the term of wise , whom no perfections outward do surprize , to make him forfeit ; since they may adorn a shameless messaline , and be a scorn to time , like flower fading , which doth last small time , and at its prime is almost past its glory ; yet when wither'd quite , and gone , gives hope of budding resurrection . but beauty is a superficial thing , that , when by age decayed , knows no spring . what folly many men so far bewitches , to make them fondly court an heap of riches ; and vainly wish , that they were bless'd with such a faculty as midas in his touch ? and then be sure , they soon would change the mold of their dear dames , and turn them into gold , that those whom they look'd not upon to prize , but with disgust , might be lust of their eyes . how do they court you ladies ? is your faith so easie to what this , or that man saith ? can you believe , what their pretences vain make shew of ? when they truly do but feign love to your persons fair , and virtues : money ! o that that is their dear ; and that 's the honey that may be help meet for them if they speed . that 's double help , which is an help at need . and their estates in deep consumption call for present help , and the best cordial aurum potabile is , all agree , for weak estates not past recovery . your lands their chymistry can soon dissolve into some ready cash ; or else involve in deep incumbrances with your consent : nor will their servile kindness quite be spent , till all is gone ; and then , however large your portions were , you will be thought a charge . he that with vile submission did approach as humble orator erewhile , did crouch and bend like any willow , will revoke his kindness , and be stiff , as any oak , to your requests , when he hath in his hands your thousand pounds of portion , or your lands . now you are costly , now the man begins to grudge you money , but to buy you pins . and if more kind , yet what he doth , must be reputed as an act of charity . so by your soft belief , you 'l soon be grown at his command , and beggars of your own . with silly easiness thus you contrive to give the loaf , and after beg the shive . yet him , if covetous , you shall not stir , although you come with i beseech you sir. it may be , what less tolerable is he can the charge bear of a costly miss . nor is it rare to find these two agree , one paltry hard , and prodigally free . there are accomplishments of higher kind such as do give a lustre to the mind , are not less pretious , though they latent are , contribute much to make the person rare . a quiet frame of temper , and a meek demeanour , which occasions still doth seek to please , and keep all calm ; and modesty not too adventurous , nor weakly shye , more than meer bashfulness , that blossoms cast , if once saluted by unwholsome blast . an holy temperance , which taketh place of nature in its strength , and is a grace a prudent soul to comfort , counsel , prove reproof may be an argument of love : where through a waspish , and weak rage are bred no words so hard to break her husbands head , but soft as oyle ; and if the oyle be warm , it may do much good ; but if scalding , harm . and her discretion understands the art to dress the wound , and yet prevent the smart . romes triple-headed cerberus , so fell against a marry'd li●e doth loudly yell , with resolution never to dispense with state so well befitting innocence , in any of his clergy : yet these masters , or fathers rather , are but demicasters of chastity : but read you some popes lives , you 'l find it safer to keep whores , than wives . this chaste divinity ( long since foretold the devils doctrine ) is not grown so old , but it can yield a nephew now , and then the bastards of the romish arch-flamen . it is mysterious that one should be his holiness , and yet want honesty . pope joan is wonder stranger than the other , an holy father , and dishonest mother . thus cretan town-bull in the fable odd bore bacchus in his thigh , was feign'd a god . tom dove the traveller will tell you news . what 's that ? at rome the pope admits of stews , some hundreds of foul bawdy-houses . how ? such places can his sanctity allow ? what else , when they their annual rents disburse , and only do their pennance to his purse ? the man of miracles beyond his strain of skill must stretch , to make this honest gain . are women by his highness here below , taken to be no higher than his toe ? great toe indeed ! would it disgrace his pride if women were advanced to his side in matrimony ? without charge of trope adam we call much greater than the pope ; whose holiness with baseness tax't hath been , and to be perfect is not such a sin . what though he pleads infallibility , that when set in the chair he cannot lye ? he lyes in that , or else pretence must go for quibble good sensu composito . so merchant brought to very hard condition , payes off his debts by broken composition . we say for adam thus with reason good , that then he could not fall , just when he stood . by the popes holiness we safely mean with mental reservation what is clean ( contrary . ) i would not have eve plead her nobler birth , sith she was made of man , and man of earth . nor ( as from bodies politick is bred ) argue that she sprang from him as an head ; that she may rule , a stranger title bring , his mother was a subject , hers a king ; nor have her daughters to press instance , since xerxes of old that was the persian prince , because his brother to a private man was born , he to the same as soveraign . nor would i have them due subjection call forbidden bowing of the knee to baal : since that in paradise the social state did stand with reason of subordinate . there 's no pretence to say , that god did give to male , and female , power alternative . profanely think not , that to work his bane , god did create the woman for the man : that the wise , just , good , orderer of all made her an help meet , but to cause his fall : that man himself had never fal'n so low without her , since the word tells us not so . contemn her not , that was since man , but rather consider , who was mother to the father eternal : she was from the man her brother , of the same father , grant that he , as mother , had such a daughter , what else do we find but him to bear the praise of womankind ? blush then to urge that pitiful pretence , a crooked , cross-grain'd piece of innocence . since she was ta'ne out of his side , that he hath been stitch't by an irksome pl●urisie . by such little conceits play not with wit , lest that it chance thereby thou forfeit it , and fall to cry out with a gotham-brother , that thou art troubled with fits of the mother . why may it not be likely ? to say true , toy wit is ill of the greensickness too . her , whom thou ought'st to pity , cease to call dam of damnation in the dreadful fall , the woe of man , the ever cursed eve to all the black dayes of our saddest grief . 't is true , she did procure the fall of men : the womans seed doth raise us up agen . some are elaborate , and mighty pains take needlesly , to shew that they want brains . this is the most they bring from learned schools : with reason they can act ingenious fools , and argue stifly : eve was kept alive , her native reason only to survive : that it is lawful , in the logick tree , man should have one side , and the other she , as 't is in eden pictur'd . did the men impropriate all wisdom : surely then children half-witted are ; yet will they call their mothers fools , for fear lest naturals they should be thought ; when they that are most fit to be thought fools , do want their mother-wit . the pagans were more humane far than these , of famed ladies that made goddesses , would have three graces female , and did feign the wise minerva sprang out of joves brain . invoke no more the muses : none will side with thee , to mother thy foul matricide in wronging of this s●x ; make haste , and run : timon may chance t' adopt thee for his son ; for sweetness of thy nature , thou maist be made to inherit his humanity . thy slender wit true wisdom ne're begate , no learned school will it matriculate , if it be alma-mater . learn agen what petty scholar means by epicene , or fall out with haec homo ( if you can ) to save the head of mr. priscian . correct you lilly's candour , that doth render ? dux , praesul , pugil in the common-gender . were women all ( leaena-like ) among grateful athenians without a tongue , that chose to be ador'd , for being mutes , they justly might be pictured as brutes , as she was , for her praise . debasing thought of their discourse , though sober , solid brought reproach that they are wordy , if they go beyond the narrow bounds of i , and no. the want of learned rules , their misery is call'd their fault , and great infirmity of nature . had their fit endowments been favour'd by men , as nature , we had seen scholars divided into sexes , and some females challenging the better hand of them for wit , that do vouchsafe to call them creatures but made up of tedious braul , and empty noise ; with fury ( when they dye ) in vulcan's quiet anvill choose to lye , for fear of clamour ; lest their oratory should vex them in that silent dormitory . some such wise rabbies surely did invent , that on a time the bounteous heavens sent ten quarts of speech into the world , and men got to their share but one poor part of ten : women the rest . if that the case were thus , they cannot but be thought too gluttonous , to take nine cabs of pra●t●e , when a quart is not scarce half enough to make a part for the good men , that lavishly estate spend in good fellowship , and endless prate . gownmen are not all speechless , nor the hall of justice freed from their litigious braul . had it been so : then the loud wranglers had for all their joyful hilaries been sad . that ens of reason sophomore not able had been to make a tedious empty squabble about some logick nicety , nor sp●nt so many hours in eager battlement with strange chimaera . then what should the men have done , that are stout champions at the pen ; whose worthy parts must not be sized by the childish seventeens , but seventy ; whose skulls are so well futur'd , that not any air can offend them through the smallest crany to make them vain ; yet fight antagonists with rayling rh●torick to save their fists . their mighty reason scarce presents a for , but such as drops from the posterior , scornful disdain . the dealing is not square that men should be advanced to the chair , and women not such scolds by far to rule their lavish tongues presented to the stool . women have got no priviledge to write books stuft with slander , base contempt and spite , which purged of their choler might be meet as skeletons bare for a winding-sheet . although their words are spightful , keen men can yet get them reckon'd as patritian sobriety : so well have some men sped to have their malice meekness christened . brag'd of tame tempers : such tame creatures be safely presented through a grate to see : on sweetness of their temper true comment is pius , clement , urbane , innocent . the privacy of womens narrow sphere domestick , makes their virtue less appear . wa●ing occasion their parts buryed lye in the dark vault of base obscurity , that have not only unconquered charms of winning beauty , but affrighting arms . it therefore is unhappiness of state so much embases word effeminate , and keeps their spirits under : had they wayes and opportunities to get them praise : were they inur'd to hardships , they 'd outvye those that do hold estates in chivalry : or have done brave knights-service , and afford more gallantry than those that were ador'd . though mention of their due praise envy call a tattle more than hyper-prodigal , and the surmise of feats that might be done in arms by them , an idle fiction : for what they have atchieved nobly , fame will ever stand indebted to their name . and if they do not sue the jangling lass , it is because amongst them she doth pass not worthy of regards , too base to be sought unto by their true nobility . yet famous men have courted much her honour , of fawning titles cast whole leads upon her , were humble suitors they might be among those , who had interest in her idle tongue , promising they would be her champions bold to do great feats : but only to be told . when slattering fame commended did not cry out with this womanish loquacity , let her be packt out of the way , and go seek place in psittacorum r●gio . amongst the vegetables , nobler trees fruitless have been , we read , without their shee s : so on the erythrean barks , for wa●t of other dwellers , noble palms do plant and grow in couples ; shewing that th' entail of honour runs not to the issue male in special ; he would have a barren root , but that the gen'rous female bears the fruit . it 's reasonable women have as well the pra●se , as they have power to excell . they that deny them honour , must profess , and likewise seem to prove their worth is less . would they attempt it , they 'd desire no more to make them see their heresie before ; and shew them that a volume should be spent , and not a single sheet when they repent . are faults and blemishes in them so thin scatter'd , that works of god must be clapt in to make crimes more : that his works are so large to them , is full enough to ground a charge against them ; whereas had he but less spent on them , they had been judged innocent . since their great beauties to some become snares ; fault ( tarbox ) straight must be concluded theirs . if this be logick , let us borrow tools from crafts-men of the chair to make us fools , condemn the light , because some over-wise by staring at it chance to hurt their eyes . we 'l strain our fancies , and conceipts to think aqua coelestis , which the stars do drink too lib'rally , makes them to blink , and keep their heavy eyes scarce ope for want of sleep . dark●n the lustre of those radiant lights , that we may favour weakness of our sights . if in the womens feature crime be known , the fault of right should not be call'd their own : this noble fabricks beauty must reflect upon the goodness of the architect , that made the work so rare , as to entice to folly curious spectators eyes . good form by wise men hath been made to go for that , which is dignum imperio , teaching in outward features how to find a correspondent beauty in the mind . let them smart under cens●res , that delight to walk , in habits like hermaphrodite ; that by their manlike looks , garbs , fashions rare , make it a question of what sex they are ; debasing thus virago's nobler sence , and making it to hide their impudence . may they be hateful to all modest sights , that turn into almost half adamites , whose visage must not natures power express , but their pride , and affected wickedness ; despising nature of their sex they call a meal-mouth'd-modesty , base , rustical . talk what the ears of wantonest might load to make their wanton tongues too alamode . may those slye cheats ( that modesty do own for nought , but base immodest ends ) be known : who baiting with a pretty sober look , make the young fool to swallow down the hook . in men and women when the fault is same , how cometh it to pass they share not blame by equal moieties ? in men a beam is call'd a mote ; a mote , a beam in them . upon what ground taketh the saying place ? this fault is bad in man , in woman base . shall we thus aggravate ? they 've wisdom more : but very few will charge them on that score . precedence by none will be granted in knowledge , although it were to lessen sin . is it their inclination less to vice at first unto the scandal that gave rise ? they that to wickedness are less inclin'd must be acknowledg'd to have purer mind , which makes spots more conspicuous : oftentimes better the persons are , the fouller crimes appear in them . deformities are not observ'd in darker bodies ; when each spot shews it self in the brighter ; thus we soon espye the spots , that do obscure the moon . so authors venus mole do memorize , so least pearl blemisheth the brightest eyes . if this will not be granted , all must say , that men in somethings , and in others they , plead excellence . let guilt , as equal then be charg'd upon the women , as the men . yet women , knowing freedom doth not lye in what is but licentious liberty , are well content with honour of their state , that doth their crimes so highly aggravate . hath brittain suffer'd any prejudice , by being called womens paradise , giving them thirds , the highest seats , and wall so civilly , with so great share of all their husbands lands ? this they return agen , their free-born children make the bravest men . they cannot have their souls scarce half so brave where father is a tyrant , mother slave . in vain italian women are kept fast by husbands jaylorship to make them chaste . how many vex'd , and tempted by the thought of jealous-pated-men have been made naught ? thinking disloyalty would nothing cost more than what had been quite already lost in his esteem : setting more vainly by a good repute , than real honesty . security for virtue , if undone by wrongful , and but bare suspicion , is small ; if what the husband doth invent , is cause enough for wives imprisonment . on as good ground the poor might be bereft of all their liberty for fear of theft . here by lucretian chastity might fall under the black rod of foul criminal ; that cannot testimony give confin'd , before the fact , to honesty of mind . the felons prison , shackles , bolts impart what is according to the mens desert ; it 's not enough against him to alledge , by witness , that he looked o're the hedge ▪ in goal , when he is laid , we make no doubt , but as he stole in , so he would steal out . these dames for nothing else , but being wives , are made the closest prisoners for lives , never but in the husbands death to see , or their own death , a goal-delivery . barbarian x●●ifs-concubines , escape , 't is said , if they but see a man , a rape ; before their count begins they must cry out , for what ? to bring their honesty in doubt , rather than shield it . he who them espyes by chance , is not beholding to his eyes : whose case ▪ ( actaeon-like ) presents strange kind of misery , which is not to be blind . proud masters think their rule entrenched on , if the good wives their reasons dare to own . when they make question whether musty must of canker'd spirits should be born as just , or with due reverence beseech , and pray , they may not be expos'd as f●ols in play . this boldness makes the sottish soul invent a plot , and wish an act of parliament , that each man in his house may rule , and be invested with a full authority to domineer , command , controul , make laws void of all reason ; but a proud because . scripture without a word of god they bring to justifie their tyranny . the king a●a●●erus cited is : the queen vasthi arraign'd , as grosly overseen , that would not shew her self ; make majesty , she did partake of with the king , to be as picture shew'd to subjects ; and moreover in this command they think the king was sober : that a decree so necessary was fit to be made a monument in brass . i leave them with memucan to prevent imperiousness , the woman never meant , and to sue out the formallest decree against what never was , will never be . the thing call'd matrimony thus beguiles , and makes a john a nokes , a john a stiles , to swell with mighty titles : for his cur-ship to his proud hasty humours pleads for worship , with prayers , tears , she our john may not assault , when dub'd sr. walter walter knight of malt. sarah call'd abraham lord ; his wife must do so to his honour , he 'l be baron too . if she thinks , all her livelihood too much is to be exposed to his greedy clutches , since he reels all away , that she can spin , spends faster than hard labour can bring in : her chests , and coffers , boxes straight he breaks open , to shew his licence to play rex . if caj●tanes vote carry , he may hope to be elected as donestick pope ; that , sith the womans head is man , doth call his power by title that is mystical , hard to be understood : what doth infer as mystick something , that he 's mystick sir. the toyling wife may give her self the case , and judge it fit that peter keep the keyes in his power o're her , children , servants see mark of the beast a triple● soveraignty , and be forbidden ever for to own that she believes the story of pope joan. if he do tyrannize , and reason fail for what he doth , he puts on coat of male , pleads he 's an husband : so right , or behoof , or promise shall not pierce him : this is proof . if layship cannot well absolve the man , nor give indulgence , mystick headship can . this speckled creature , without charge of pelf , may do wrong , give a pardon to himself . we need no antient histories to tell us , that meaner sort of dames may grow good fellows , follow the trade of gossippings ; they can toss jovially their pots like any man : if the poor gaffer have weak jacks , their wills may not be serv'd without their lustier gills ; whose spirits make them keep most woful rackets it may be fall hard on their husbands jackets if so viraginous , that must allow what such wives say , or do ; cannot tell how to help it ; scarce may think that expence sad , which beggars families , and makes them mad . for me , xantippe ne're shall be too old , to bear the stigma of an odious scold . as punishment just let her alwayes be under the tongue-strappado railery . yet this may sober civil women vex , that faults , not general , upon the sex are cast . what made philosopher to load us with silly p●ssinus habendi modus ? was there no matter for the wise to write upon , but womens eager appetite to men ? by slender matter first begot to serve , they say themselves , they know not what ; the most for which this poor conceipt can bid , is little something called nescio quid . what means unkind dilemma , that sayes women if beautiful , must therefore needs be common ? such base dilemma's alwayes in dispute deserve to bear the odium of cornute . leave off your tyranny , you pievish elves , whilst you do harm your wives , you wrong your selves . making their grieving hearts through eyes express , what tongues would not , the great unhappiness not to be suffer'd , that they are brought to , endeavouring most vainly to please you . what can you swagger , storm at , and confine them wrongfully , and call it masculine thus to insult ? it is but foolish mind , seeks to advance the sex , debase the kind . is 't mercy to thy family to make subsistence of wife , children lye at stake , and run a sad adventure ; when they all must be exposed by a doubtful fall , and but uncertain cast at dice ? wherein she suffers much , although thou chance to win . but ( if some unexpected hap do cross thy greedy aims ) she must sit down with loss . when all is cast away , may she not gain the liberty of losers to complain ? canst thou think to run through all in thy sport , and not endure thou shouldst be blamed for 't ? or make it run through thee by drunken fit , and yet not suffer her to grieve for it ? women-worthies . examples croud upon us , lest the flaws of some irregulars should wrong their cause , the innocence of others blemish , and the blame of envy should be charg'd , i 'le further name out of those many , thought to equal best of men , some few , that did outshine the rest . since the great amazonian ladies seats are mention'd by good authors , and their feats of war , successes , progress , and the dates of these related with confederates , their government , declensions , and last queen , but to suppose they have not been , is spleen in them , in questioning that make us know , they are ashamed much that it should be so . the greatness of the things they did atchieve , puts the world so much to it to believe . others do talk at a prodigious rate , and that which noble was , call desperate . as though their valour in first gallant fight were to be thought a better sort of flight . were we dispos'd this reason to allow as likely , possibly who could tell how to vindicate great warriors ; for men , when desperate , fight their way back agen . in dangers vilest recreants are made stout only to make way to creep poorly out . but they consult not safety to make peace , which soon might have been done ; since cause did cease ▪ for their exile , and sufferings : but go on , leaving their names to fame thermodoon . revenge was not the main cause ; for that lamp when flash is over , soon is quench'd by damp of fear . their courage in the proof was clear , if not from wild-fire-rashness , yet from fear . not a few ages puts this out of doubt , wherein their valour through defeats held out . many commanders courage did commence famous , at the acts of experience , that need not be ashamed to confess , they owed almost all unto success : or yield they have deriv'd their famous spirit from ancestors success , which they inherit . successes caus'd not valour , but from hence , their native courage , sprang experience . their mothers victories , got in late fight , they could not look upon as their own right . or sith their husbands prospered in deed of arms , think therefore they must need succeed . had success only rais'd their spirits , then some few defeats had beaten down agen . they that are bred under the tyranny of long , and hard oppression , will be shye to own their native-freedom , have no thought higher , than to do what they have been taught : in time are brought to this degenerate sense to think their reason piece of impudence . they have heroick spirits , truly great , whose mettle loseth little by defeat . if over-powr'd by force , yet can maintain their minds so high , that victors scarce shall gain . thus may we find the valiant amazon , conquer'd , and conquering , to seem all one . not that subjection , since first sin began , adjudg'd a curse of woman unto man ; not weakness of her sex , made weaker by her liberty to rule but infantry ; not banishment from friends , and native s●oil , not murder of her husband ; not her spoil ; not inexperience in war that can daunt courage of the amazonian . these in their first engagement bravely know the way to fight , and how to overthrow , turning the distaff into lance : the wheel they cast away ; get gorgets made of steel , having their minds most stout ( as bows were ) bent to make a strange unheard experiment . whether their nature , or condition brought them to subjection , and so dreadful thought of wars ; when they assault the enemy think it securest way for life to fly not in a complement ; but forc'd give place , as if the asian bounds were but a chase , where they do follow pleasant warlike sport , and each one carries in her heart a fort . all other forts they leave , and champion by them is fittest to be trod upon . by providence they seem to have a charter to rule o're men . the strongest spirit of tartar , was weak to theirs . now we read of a quarum . to put in maps insulam foeminarum is no great courtesie . it seems they meant to prove the world but narrow continent to their desires . maragnon banks do pay honour to their names in america . and the supposed head of nile will dare to challenge that they once were seated there . euxine looks black at that , supposing thanks for them , was chiefly due unto his banks . where ere they came they made crowns use another phrase ; and great kingdom to obey their mother . of menalippe . great hercules for ever famous is for all his labours , and not less for this with menalippe that engag'd to fight , who could not be match'd but by such a knight . the victory with hardship she let go at last , and glad was he he go it so , not by pure valour ; then my author lyes , that gives the greatest part unto surprize . if most renowned of the greeks comes here as chapmen , she will sell them conquest dear . the conquerors by chariot that lead their vassal-kings might be thus vanquished with honour too : 't is credit more by some to get a foyle , than elsewhere overcome . of penthesile . penthesile brought ( with a kind intent of helping priam ) her maid-regiment as some affirm , and had she sooner come , despairing greeks with shame had ridden home on wooden horse . they now that dare to tax troyes folly , yet do dread the battle-ax , which she invented : heart was fully try'd of great achilles son before she dy'd . such brave virago's not by smoother words of complements , were overcome , but swords . the gallant grecian yonkers , that did court , before they wan their love , fought stoutly for 't . of artemisia . halicarnassus queen her self did shew fit to command the archipelago . while persians stand at gaze , the grecians are forc'd to make way for more than men of war , which she conducted ; as though she would glory , and make the sea part of her territory . the persian-carpet-knights with courage cold run , to secure themselves , into the hold : giving achaians leave to understand , ships overcharg'd with such , were poorly man'd . the ink may blush , and scribes , that are to write at her stout heart of oak , their wings for flight . xerxes spectator is asham'd to see the queens top , and top-gallant-gallantry . more are the greeks enrag'd , that overcome , and scarce can carry half the honour home . her most renown'd mausoleum could not be for braveness half such wonder as was she . what was for honour of her husband meant of her great praise is made the monument . of zenobia . we 'l boast zenobia in triumph led , yet by aurelian not conquered . not having life ; nor begging pitteously , to live not blushing , nor asham'd to dye ; for when her army 's broken and command , she more undaunted , than the victor stands : though outward splendour must be left behind , she will reserve the greatness of her mind . of the queen of sheba . arabia the happy boasts of her , that by her wisdom made it happier ; and from saboean-land did come upon errand , of proving wisest solomon with questions hard , she questionless gave much assurance , that she was another such . the greatest warriers were prov'd , we see , by women in the feats of chivalry . the wisest meer man in the holy writ is said to be try'd by a womans wit. with men in noblest exploits they 'l compare , that in the wonders of the world had share . are they so equal ? we may therefore render acts , that are glorious , in the doubtful gender . of deborah . when oppress'd israel did sadly moan under their losses , which they might not own : when government was needful to ●ppease those , who in restlesness take greatest ease : when by what laws command , and rulers say people take pattern how to disobey : when malefactors need make no defence for their outrages , but more violence : then deborah is rais'd ; for none so free from fear , so wise , so stout , so good as she . here widows , orphans , strangers freely might have their cause pleaded , and receive their right assoon as richest ; for she knew right well how to give judgement ; but had none to sell . no tedious demu●rers here ; no witty cobweb-exceptions , courts of foolish pitty . for chancery , no argument she draws from topick of the person , but the cause . they that stood by her could not but invoke god , when they heard the oracles she spoke . nay bifront ja●us could not put a face upon 't , if there to deny her the place . barak gives her right hand , is glad to be beholding for his branch to her palm-tree . she gave first blow in the attempt , and lead the host , and jacl knock'd nail to the head . of esther . the proud amalekite fate daily at his pur pur , like a melancholly cat , blood●mad and rageful that straight at his call the lucky lot did not prepare to fall . since mord●cai to bow refused , he seeks by jews downfall to revenged be . thirst of his malice cannot be by blood of one man quenched , he can drink a flood of tears and go●e : therefore esther adventures though with the hazard of her life , and enters into the presence against law : the queen redeems lives that were purchas'd for his spleen . since he 's not tall enough , doth still aspire , ●he will advance him forty cubits higher . haman will not be a man , yet his fate with twist doth take away the aspirate . thus under god the feast of purim may be ●eckon'd as the jewish esther day . of judith . what to distress'd , despairing , israel was too much to think ; judith doth bring to pass . proud holofernes thought his words so stout , enough among the jews to make a rout . wishing them heart to make resistance great to heighten his courage , and their defeat to aggravate , she silenceth those boasts , and at two blows , stoutly beheads an host . no petty forts assails , but chief of all , their main strength , and soon takes the capitoll . when to bethulia she returns , and calls , there straight arise some statues on the walls . so great amazing joy in every one made them seem part of th' wall turn'd into stone . so once medusa's beauty left no vigour of men to the beholders , but a figure . she fear'd not living monster , some do doubt from the fierce head lest body should grow out as heads of hydra from the body ; seeing dead tyrant them she scarce can keep from flying . bago's with shame doth find his master dead , and proves a trusty keeper of his head . assyrian camp in great confusion stands . they that want head , have little use of hands . women in triumph walk that day like host , and they have greatest right to rule the roast . judith led van , and she the olive bore the other branches as the dove before . of queen elizabeth . wonder of women , and of queens , the breath of englands glory , was elizabeth . that quenched bonefires , which loud did proclaim the popish cruelty with tongues of flame . to protestants when she brought liberty the friar-bacons in their grease did fry . that she deceiv'd their wicked art , and fell not within power of their magick spell , and romish bats afraid of gospel light , as much asham'd , pull out their eyes for spight . they to their private masses run , one reads he knows not what , yet stifly plyes his beads , sayes what he mindeth not ; but makes a patter when he poor soul knows nothing of the matter . by delver now are english bibles found , and brought to light , that were hid under ground . now are the clouds dispel'd of that dark night , wherein the word must not be brought to light . from bondage protestants are brought , before they did lye under , promise have of more . the pope grows horn-mad , he will disannull all by ( like wicked holiness ) a bull. spain ( as most dutiful ) the office bore to be accounted best son of the whore , and did appear with stout rodomontado a sudden , great , invincible armado : close link'd together : but the powe'rful one design'd to break them by their union . the winds do blow till they are out of breath , the seas are troubled threatning their death that cross'd them , and with proud intent durst come of joyning narrow seas to sea of rome . by envying command in them they gain this fort , she will be lady of the main . their intercepted , laden , ships amount to their fear , loss , shame , and to her account . denmarkian name was not a little bound to her for riches , glory of its sound . through her sincerity batavian , when others lose by forreign aids , did gain . this was rare instance , for no o●her end , to help distressed , but them to befriend : when we are taught in machiavellian school , first give assistance , after take the rule . french protestants the bounteous god do bless with seasonable succours , and success . no more ingrate , than miserable they , first disoblige her , then become a prey . merchants , that convoys slight , to pyracies become an easier , and so richer prize : so silly sheep , when once the shepherd's gone , by lurking wo●ves may soon be fed upon . when 't is too late they know to be more wise , and learn the treach'rous leaguers cruel gu●se . the forreign lands , that bosomes had , have been most joyful there to lay our merchants in : that making their discoveries , did pass through dreadful lands of ice , and s●as of glass , and what is strange scarce suffered terra australis to remain in●ognita . of navigation in each point did try to make a perfect encyclopedye . of mary magdalen . our saviour hath foretold , the lu●gs of fame should still indebted be to ma●ies name ; that mirror of gods mercy , once possest by many evil spirits , made a blest house for the holy ghost . the blackest night of sinful state turn'd into glorious light . do not upbraid her that her crimes were such : all was forgiven , and she loved much . the costly spicknard which she poured forth upon his head , did not come near the worth of her great love . to those , who grudged there at needless waste , christ was not half so dear . this humble handmaid judged it most meet to sit , as a disciple , at his feet , and gather up the precious words , that fell from the mouth of rabbi immanuel . his feet she bathes in fountain of her eyes , them with the flaxen of her hairs she dryes . her sober sadness he blasphemes that jeers , from her derives the cheat of maudlin-tears . and she as holy women did supply with purse the humbled alsufficiency . and follows him at last , with drowned eyes and broken heart , beholds him as he dyes ; who at his death , and after was most dear , his last care first appearance makes appear● venus a female planet so doth run her course , to wait upon the setting sun ; and she again gives notice by her bright rayes , of the coming of the monarch light . of the blessed virgin mary . females the holy virgin did advance , in bringing forth the worlds deliverance , the blessed child , of whom it's only said , because he could not lye , not credited ; whose innocence , works , miracles and all made him esteem'd a greater criminal ; whose ho●test service , and souls anguish great , we read in rubrick of a bloody sweat ; more deep concerns for man , than those that rise , and freely spout out of the blood-shot-eyes ; whose sufferings ineffable impart , through pierced side , view of a weeping heart ; who tasted bitter sowre , that we might meet in greatest troubles , but with bitter sweet . methinks at the report of thy child's fame , i see worlds wonders wonder , and to blame their builders proud , and costly folly , which when he was made so poor , would make them rich . when lum●narie of the day draws near , the lesser lights cannot for shame appear . so greatest wonders at his coming fall , own him as wonder greater much than all . the stately pyramids , the memphian pride , 〈…〉 abashed seek to hide , 〈…〉 of sight and mind ; for shame 〈…〉 blusheth into flame . 〈…〉 pi●my seems to be , 〈…〉 him that is immensity . aegyptian pha●os wou'd officiously hold candle to this wonder passing by : but that poor watch-light nothing could confer , to help the brightness of the morning star. olympick jupiter like statue stands , for empty shew , with eyes , ears , mouth and hands . in thee was master-piece of heaven aid ; most curious work that ever heaven made . had there gone out tax on the wit of all men on this globe , wisdom angelica● , they could have carv'd with curiosity , but better shap'd piece for idolatry . the father hath express'd his image on pure virgin-wax , and ta'n to union with god the second person ; hence our true service , and adoration are due . the carian boast ma●soleum dare not call for any rights , but silent burial in rubbish ; for its greatest pride can go for nothing more than worms s●raglio . much greater wonder is the virgin tomb , where never man was laid before . the womb that bore him is more glorious ; when the ●right sun for nine m●ne●hs in virgo lodg'd h●s light . the strong , and stately 〈…〉 compar'd to him ●s no defence at all . he 's wa● , much stronger than one made of st●●e , or brass , impregnable salvation . to take the height of which , requ●res much rather than a poor jacobs staff , a jacobs 〈◊〉 . the character of an accomplished and virtuous woman . thy mind is happy , being seat of wit , more happy since discretion governs it : the former is the pretty fable , this discretion grave the useful moral is . as there irrationals do speak what suites with solid reason , that men turn not brutes : so here child 's taught the riddles to unfold of gravity , a stripling to grow old . it stains not freshness of thy youth to have , and to deserve the epithete of grave , hated by them , whose bodies now grown cold , make them in all respects , but prudence , old : but much concerns thee , time runs on so fast with winged feet , and thou no better haste canst make in judgement , that thy tender age by antedate of prudence may be sage . leavest them to blush at their idle fears , that reckon it as int'rest in their years , to seem discreet , but yielding viler rate to ladies , that are worn quite out of date . thou think'st not gravity doth then look best , exposed when to laughter in a jest , or that becoming wit , which doth afford to make the author of it more absurd . thou seek'st with grandam-virtues to adorn thy self , when youthful vanities are worn by persons much more aged , to yield strong presumption to the world that they are young : that seem to reckon it as an excess either to practise virtue or profess : admit into their ethicks modesty apocope'd , without a civil tye : serving all wanton modes : thus pievish wag spoileth the lace by pulling off the ta● . those , that in too great freedom draw not near occasions foul , are judged too severe : as though plain modesty deserv'd no thanks , careful , how it approaches nigh the banks of foulest baseness : their presumption thinks , it 's want of resolution fears the brinks . a vulgar unapproved innocence deserving not at all heroick sence . they 'l have you think , if you have faith enough , they 're innocent as child new born , although they tempt the wanton reveller to try what guard is kept upon their honesty . strength of thy resolution is bely'd , if it be thought to be less fortifi'd because of caution : rather might it tell , against wild storms it is impregnable . if any , in repute grown outlaw'd , comes , assaults with levity , and beats the drums of thy chaste ears , he finds there is no charm to win thy heart , but make thy virtues arm , vileness of his attempts exposed lye set out in colours of vermilion-dye . that he may see his rudeness , take the shame , thou lend'st the taper of thy modest slame . when exhalations thick the air do muddy , so the bright ruler of the morn looks ruddy . if highness to debase upon the stage , and folly mask with an abstemious rage ; if to feed corrupt fancy with the veins of ●evity in some romantick strains ; if lo●ty traversing must be alone accounted gallant education ; thou wilt take up with grave , and antient sort of b●eeding , and not be less nobler for 't . the lillyes candour , and the blushing rose , a temper neither frolick , nor moiose , pleasantness mixed well with gravity , a grace deportment , ma●ron-like , and free ; the sweetest condescension , not abject , or sordid to command , and to affect obliging carriage , which admired makes rather than feared , as it was it takes , not too high , nor familiar , to prevent both the extreams of hatred , and contempt are thy true glories , not for shew , but use , need not bear judgement true , or beg excuse . let losty mounters proudly scale the ●kye with fr●zled , sparkling bravery , and dye . let m●t vis with exhalations fed , glutted with vapour , be soon famished . let potentares be swoln up big with titles in honours volumes but the smallest tittles . let proud phantastes much admire his minion a ragged , ba●e , and beggarly opinion . thy praise is in thy self , not put to death by spiteful stopping of anothers breath . to thee , without true excellence , 't is naught , great , and right honourable , to be thought : since it is more to be , than only seem ; to merit glory , than to have esteem . to appear great to world dost not aspire , but ( if to vulgar sight less ) to be higher , whil'st haughtiness fo●dly advancing crest th●'eth her own fools-coat the noblest , because it 's gaudy : scripture he aldry gives the much better plain humility . thy self-denyal is a noble feat , for greatest alexander far too great ; too high for them whose soaring aims were bent to gain the title of magnificent . it 's truly honourable to despise that which the greatest monarcl●s idolize . ambition lawful is , and the intent blessed , in goodness to be excellent ; after good facts performing to commerce , and take the high degrees of eminence . the touring thoughts of pride , that do advance their lofty heads by gospel ordinance , thou batter'st down . pray'r , fastings do confer to make thee humble , a self leveller . before thou wast since that thy power to be depended on gods alsufficiency ; that could produce . thy futurition stated was from the will , and virtue that created . beauty , wit , greatness , honour thou'lt confess , but as they are deriv'd from god , are less than nothing in act safely canst maintain them less than less than nothing told again : nor are nor can be real , but hang on the judgements greatest contradiction . these realliz'd thou thankfully dost own , because that they are thine , and not thy own ; thine , as to payment of a grateful mind ; thine , not to free from duty , but to bind ; so not thine own a worthiness to raise in self , but what redoundeth to his praise . in this god must be sole without compare , since it is granted , nothing hath no share . beauty so many envy , and admire ; honour few seek to merit , but acquire . riches that suffer not the owner sleep ; health many seek to court , but few to keep . thousand degrees are short of parallel to grace , wherein thou strivest to excell transcendently becoming humble , so what most advanceth thee , still makes thee low , thy native vileness truly to confess ; and real greatness makes thee so much less in the esteem of self , yet on this score thy worth and modesty deserve the more . thy speeches pithy , solid , give a light composed to instruct , and to delight , serious , and pleasant , witty , pertinent , grave , pat , and proper , fit for each intent , with pleasure hearer , that may entertain and recompence with profitable gain . much unlike theirs , who troubled with the lask or loosness of the tongue relate , and ask , not with desire to be inform'd , or break somewhat material to be known , but speak what savours ill . let men pretend their fears how to such lavish tongues they lend their ears , pleasant their fancies too in laying ten to one they never have them back agen , or not without the wrong of foul abuse . thou payest precious ear-rings for the use of some few short-liv'd minutes , what is heard from thee , shall be their pleasure , and reward . thy words as they imploy so do they whet , both exercise attention , and beget , they satisfie , not cloy . by what is said hearer indebted it , as well as paid . thy counsels are resolving medicines , swasions , attractives , reproofs , anodynes , where the discreet , and tender management make not the smallest part of argument . whilst vain talk melancholy doth increase ; instead of helping , adds to the disease , lifts up the spirits in transports , withall by their depression gives the sadder fall . good cordials skilfully compounded hit the cause , and so alleviate the fit : so thy well temper'd speeches are more sure way to give ease , and to effect the cure . thy prudent humble meekness best can tame anger , when fury would the more inflame . when over-hasty romans do oppose the stronger cunning carthaginian grows , and more successful , but soon melts away by greater force of fabian-delay . quitting is stratagem to win the field , the way at once to overcome , and yield ; never the base regarding , petty harms shall cast disgrace upon thy coat of arms. thy victories are not dishonoured , as where the conquerour is vanquished . they of true triumph want the greater half , that conquer other monarchs , but not self . you that will have your nature judged by laughter at good ( some ladies property ) come see the ugly face of your offence , in mirror of unmoved patience . by wrong would you provoke her ? that doth move her to provoke you so much more to love . or will you calumn●es cast ? her defence is not the like reproach ; but innocence . in vain contend you with her , whose contest is ( not to get the better ) to be best . she knows , they who by passion most have won , will so much sooner prove to be undone . they run in debt , that sltrive to give offence to others , owe the greater recompence , an undeserved taunt or wicked curse can make her virtue not a jot the worse , what malice casts upon , whilst not within , is the reproach of others , not her sin . were talk true judge , the good then only might be good by favour , and be bad by spight : whilst some do in their needless visits rome , till they be greatest strangers to their home ; gadding as though they to the world were sent to be imploy'd in what 's impertinent ; as if their birth did priviledge by right them to cast off the care , and oversight of house-concerns : thou keep'st thy wonted ●rack through each task of thy painful zodiack . like the bright champion of the day , that rowls his flaming eye toward the distant poles arctick antarctick , vieweth both the tropicks , the seas tartarian , and aethiopicks . thou art accomplished with quickest sense in wise forecast , and careful providence , with memory fitly to recollect , and care in all things makes thee circumspect . not suff'ring medler in thy house to grow that 's open-headed , nor unuseful slow : for slothful servants should there be no blame when idle , lazy thou wouldst force for shame by thy example them , that wait on thee , to be affected to good huswifry . they in their orbs must take their light from thine , so they are made to serve , as well as shine . by friends perswasions , or thy fancy catch'd , to some prodigious temper art thou match'd , or marry'd rather , to draw out in care thy vexed life with a familiar ; one that proves most unsuitable , whose gall o'reflowing fills the house with hateful braul . thy physick is not usual by keen reproofs , ill-savouring to mend his spleen , repress his choler , sweetly to endure thy ethicks tell thee is the way to cure . where bombards cannot any breaches make , a milder fiege is found the way , to take . assoon the shackles of the persian king , or idle ceremony of a ring presented by pope to his zani , may bind hellespout , oblige rough adria to calmness , as sharp quips , loud blust'ring can correct the madness of the chur●●h man. this piece of rigour , nabalisme , rage , if curable , thou'●t break by saxifrage of patience , and discretion . when dint of reason cannot , meekness breaks the flin● . but , if some passion break forth , 't is thy strong desire , endeavour that it dye when young . thou wilt not be at fruitless pains to nurse that , which as it grows elder groweth w●rse . is he with fury charcoal'd , of desire that softest breath makes him spit sparks of fire . thy silence from his rage shall take supply . anger , as fire , if 't have no air will dye . if glitt'ring pretences do'nt abuse the can dour of thy judgement ; but thou choose with love that is not blind associate , that may yield double comfort to thy state . not cynical , nor worthless passions sl●ve , but with a sweet complaysance that is grave , whose gentle nature more designs to draw with most obliging carriage , than to a●e with stern looks , insolent commands : then you cannot but hit the golden rule of two in matrimonial fellowship , where one heart , joy , concern , care , tongue make u●ison . no emulation , who shall be above to govern , rule , command , controul ; but love . strive who shall please most , and contention is strong on both sides that there may be none . thy snares are harmlesly to gain . each gin discreetly by thee laid is but to win . in joy , success , his sorrows , losses too thou challengest for joynture half as due . with his content thy cheerfulness will mingle ; thy person is not , nor are crosses single . by catechizing , good instruction to help fault of the first transgression , and sad fruit thence arising to redress to most things steril : but to barrenness thou dost endeavour , that those of the earth may be made happy by a second birth to holiness ; and thus thy pray'rs , and toyl may be rewarded by a fruitful soyl : with the sincere milk of the word dost nurse to make them blessings , and take off the curse , whereby they growing up afford the gain of joy much greater than thy former pain . so toyling husband-man beholding fate and curse upon the earth degenerate grubs up the shrubs , thorns , bryars , and then ploughs , harrows , and sowes his seed with sweating brows ; and thus by manifold encrease obtains against the curse , what will reward his pains . midas may wish for golden showres and mountains , atla●tick hortyards and true crystal fountains , that all his roms might bear as precious fleece , as that which was fetch'd by the youths of greece . his fields were or , and argent , nought to breed but precious money-wort , and silver-weed ; or pray that all his cockle oyster-shells with precious pearls were fil'd , and nothing else ; that he may keep his lent upon each fish , as rich as that in polycrates dish . thy earnest prayer is a great deal wiser , than what obtain'd would alwayes make a miser . therefore dost thou implore the power above , thy heart may be good soil for johns-wort-love , contentment which yields hearts ease , and true hope directed unto christ as heliotrope ; with resolution which still groweth best , as famous palm the more it is oppress'd , and sober temper , wherein doth consist more virtue than in precious amethyst . as corals colour's said to sympathize with the distemper'd wearer , that thine eyes may weather-glasses be , whereby to shew , whether with gods church it be high or low . thy alms are stirring , not to get a name , as other people do to do the same ; turning what is by bounteous heaven sent , not into pity by a complement . but thy compassion joyn'd to gods command enlarge thy tender heart , make lib'ral hand . an heart without good works , is in true sense , no part of charity , but a pretence . where is ability , the poor have part , and a large share both in thy goods , and heart . many do pamper up themselves in lust , with dishes , which apician fancy must be tortur'd for , the appetite to fill , whilst they make reason basest manciple . yet when the poor are almost famished , can nothing more afford than be ye sed have guts , no bowels to receive the cry and moans of pining hard necessity . but what is debt , thy wisdom makes a loan , which layeth out for him what is thine own ; knowing for his that be dispos'd is just , which no way's thine , but only upon trust . when wanton venusses do plait their hairs , with frizled tresses make pernicious snares , whilest these ara●●nes weave their cobweb thin better to catch unwary gallants in ; disfigure nature , and deform themselves , by patching , painting to take lovesome elves ; with heliogabalus monopolize adventures of the strangest rarities ; torment phantastes brain , till he can find out modes , and fashions changing with their mind ; put the cameleon to 't , and proteus too to put on shapes , and colours that are new ; take adders hearts to raise their jolly strains ; drink viper-wine , till it drink up their brain , to keep them fresh : by cleopatra taught , swallow ten thousand drachmas at a draught ; thus vainly giving up into the hand of viler corporal the chief command , about the body taking chiefest care , make it appear , how idle souls they are , no pains , no cost is thought too much , that can contribute to enrich the inner man with glorious excellencies , and impart a● greater gracefulness unto thy heart . thy wise concern is deeper than the skin , truly to be all beautiful within . thy ornaments are such , as we are told , were made the matrons bravery of old . if things be duly prized , when they are the farthest fetch'd , and dearest bought ; how rare are they , which from the throne of heaven sought , by no less than the blood of god were bought ? if things have value , which do so much please the eyes of men ; how precious then are these , that take gods heart , whose approbation gives worth unto the things which else have none ? eastern , and western indies , that entomb so much admired riches in their womb ; the great adventures which were purchas'd by the romish catholick humanity , and fill'd the spanish coffers , are much less than what from heavens gift thou dost possess . ten thousand millions , if sum'd up , are small and nothing , when compared to thine all. most precious diamonds to fight can bring but dazled lustre , or weak glimmering . the queen of heaven , constellations bright make not the day , but mend the dismal night . when heavens champion doth but shew his face , affrighted darkness soon resigns its place . thou art thrice happy , that receivest ray of christ the glorious sun , that makes thy day . what did the learned heathens once advance but subtle piece of splendid ignorance ? led by the taper of their reasons light , that farthing-candle mended but their night , that had no saving knowledge . argus's eyes less power have , than this one to be wise . the pleasant picture seems to sport , and play with wanton glance converted ev'ry way , or stand before , or turn to either side , look at it , and you seem to be espy'd : so carnal minds seem great things to espy , yet all but with a dead , and painted eye , compar'd to thine , where the most real sight proceedeth from a clear celestial light . dives with delicates was daily fed yet he poor soul did want thy daily bread , who set at wisdoms table dost enjoy dainties , that do refresh , feed , fill , not cloy . worldlings like serpents , or cameleons , are nourish'd with clogging dust or empty air : desire insatiate hath painted dishes , that more inflame the heart with idle wishes . as riches multiply upon men ; so the dropsie of their greediness doth grow , and vastness of estate doth make them scant , greater the fulness is , the greater want . thy lowliness of mind , doth make thee higher ; by want thou art enrich'd with good desire ; which makes thee after living god to pant , to gain more plentiful estate by want . the greatest monarchs would much richer be , were they enriched by thy poverty . the baser sons of earth do fall upon ignoble game , and feed on carrion . thy nobler mind aspireth to attain , though at expence of losses , more to gain of the angelical , and pleasant food most satisfying , and eternal good . nor will thy strong desires cease to ascend , until enjoyment to hope put an end . circumvolution of few sliding hours in season less benign fade sweetest flowres ; the mighty works of architecture pay at length their debt to nature in decay , and hieroglyphick serpent that sets bounds to mortals beings with its numerous rounds , that will have gnaw'd to pieces in some while the world , though it were mettal hard as file , hath bury'd tombs , and monuments shall be the spoil and triumph of eternity . thy ornaments are of celestial mould by longest tract of time that grow not old , not subject to the thief , moth , rust , or waste , or to be lessen'd by the time that 's past ; still shall be fresh , have no relation to the vile worm or base corruption . to thee that makest it thy care to look for happiest estate in doomesday book , and waitest for the everlasting bliss , a term too short fee-simple ever is . each gate of th' heavenly jerusalem is represented by a precious gem. how glorious then shall daughter of the king appear ? whose grace will have eternal spring and perfect growth ; who treading on the moon , shall be compleatly clothed with the sun of righteousness ; to whom don phoebus bright that rules the day , affords but gloworm light : when there shall be no shadow , nor decay , no showres , no clouds , to stain the perfect day . here learn you to be wise , whose careless care is to sleep , dress , feast , chat , and take the air ; whose idle work when rarely set upon , and to do nothing almost are all one ; whose planetary lives are chiefly spent in the exchange of frothy complement . with you the antient virtues are much more grown out of fashion than the clothes they wore : your shame is to be fix'd amongst the stars , by vanity of your lewd jupiters , that much admire you , to ensnare their eyes , as do the painted , powd'red butterflyes some little children , and for nothing else to be admir'd by merchants ; but your shells like scented panthers that destroy , and please and poyson , as the bright cantharides . why so high born brave dames ? none of you can draw out your lives inch longer than the span design'd . why swell you big with thoughts of birth ? the worm 's your sister , and your mother earth . are you with travel of your mother grown noble ? the labour then was not your own or doth your honour come by being march'd ? that light is borrow'd from the fool you catch'd . do you your selves by fame , that 's common , prize ? that , when the giddy humour 's over , dyes . as bubble swoln with empty ' air doth last ●●me thoughts , not many , longer than the blast . one breath blows up , and breaks this wat'ry bail , and half a minute is its spring and fall. what , is it not enough , some to imploy to indies most remote , to fetch a toy , or precious tr●fle , yet all this to dress , and to equip your rotten carkasses ? but that the artist black must run to hell to fetch your fortunes , and return to tell ? shall wandr'ing gipsies , and that wicked crew of vagrants , that pretend as if they knew future contingents , have your charity , and be rewarded for the●r cheating lye ? whereas the godly ministers that bear affection to your souls scarce gain your ear ? when they declare the woful state of sin , and misery you are involved in by nature , shew restor'd you cannot be to sight , unless you know you do not see ; and send you to the son of god , whose bright rayes to the saints in heaven give a light . they tell you you are dead in sin , and give this token of their love , to wish you live . direct you unto christ , your life , whereby you may have health , wealth , and true liberty . since you will know the things that are to come , out of the word they read the dreadful doom of all that have no interest in him , if they continue in their death and sin . shall yet a costly patch amount to more than what ye ever gave unto the poor ? shall they that sighing do reprove you , have no better thanks than clown , or saw●y knave ? may your faults acted be , and not be told ? will you not be perswaded you are old ? or so shall be e'relong ? why bring you down the rate of a●e which is a glorious crown in righteousness ? would you have death to come and complement your honours to the tomb ? or will you bid him stay below ? for why , you are not yet in humour brought to dye . and to prevent his visit , send to tell , that you are busie , or not very well . death is a doctor , such you 'l scarce endure , that killeth all ; yet not a few doth cure . will you like jezabels your faces paint , and think withal , that serjeant grim to daunt with your imperious looks ? in vain ye do'● ; he 'l not be scar'd , but tread you under foot . thy body to neglect , thou 'lt not endure ; and must thy soul be then a sine cure ? o foolish thoughts , pains , wishes vain , which are not to be holy , humble , meek , but fair ! for shame let not such golden seasons pass upon your boards , beds , sports , or looking-glass . cut off some minutes toward the concern of what the world despiseth sempitern . why look you on religion as a dame , that is too homely , beareth not a name amongst vain ranters ; with severities of mortifying zeal doth blear her eyes ; deforms her visage , and forbids all airs of merriment to pine her self with cares , and dreadful thoughts in a tormented life , that none but fools would choose her for a wife , gallants will scarce afford civility , to serve the custome of a cap , and knee . her noble quality well understood , would shew her great , and of the royal blood . it 's not below best of most princely house , to court her ladyship , and to espouse . so excellent is beauty of this saint , it cannot be worse injur'd than by paint . her vast estate is not confined by the bounds too narrow of geography . all the gold , silver , pearls , fruits this globe bears to one of many jewels that she wears , bear no compare in value ; if not you , yet this the wisest merchants have found true , the testimony of good conscience , that there hath been a thorough sight , and sense of odious sin , so pow'rful as to make the soul , with hatred , sin and self forsake , and cleave to christ , resting on him alone , with constant holy life reflected on through gods great mercy do afford more true , lasting , great , cordial joy than that which you conceive to be had by the loosing reins of civil temper , to run into strains of jollity , screw'd up to highest pin of madness , that you may not feel your sin : yours is but heartless laughter ; for your sinning , maketh a foul , and but convulsive grinning ; not unlike the sardinian herb , whereby men only seem to laugh ; but surely dye . you say gods mercy you rely upon : is it good hope , or bold presumption ? speak out your meaning ; and be understood : will you be wicked , because god is good ? and is it gratitude , so to abuse the mercy , which you thankfully should use ? to serve the perfect being with decayes , and him that 's alwayes present , with delayes ? at distance pleasures of the earth appear greater ; grow lesser much , as they draw near . their promises shifting delayes you find , why do you not then serve them in their kind ? say , this were granted , you might on still run in vanity to your declining sun , and meet with no arrest to stop career of mirth , or cause the sadness of a tear . what will the end be ? will dry bones , dim eyes , decrepit acts , be fit for sacrifice ? is it meet , sin , world , devil have the prime of vigour , beauty , action , strength , and time ? and he that for all mind , heart , might doth call have most deformed , weakest part of all ? will you present the first fruits unto sin ? leave the poor share , and gleanings unto him ? and what , i pray , are offers like to get , when you are old , but a prolong'd not yet ? although to act your follies , nought can move with so much pleasure ; will you cease to love the vanities you cannot act ? what force must be requir'd to make a full divorce ? is it too much , to be at small expence of some few minutes cost in reference to soul-concerns ? when frightful death draws near to do its work repentance will be dear . a true repentance never is too late : but true repentance seldom bears that date . what person in her wits , if once begun , would prosecute the thing must be undone ; make work for sorrow , run upon the score ; strive to have less to pay with , owe the more ? did the oppressor , or the filcher own necessity of restitution in his repent●nce , 't would do more than brand , to cure him of the felons in his hand . real belief would cause you to prevent what being done , doth call you to repent . when pious women ready are to give account of life , then you 'l begin to live . amendment you resolve on , make that good , and that you are reformed i 'le conclude . what thou dost purpose from a sincere heart , not what thou wilt be shews , but what thou art . thus to design , will make thee god advance above the world in brightest circumstance , and dost thou thus the world despise , when it advantage hath , to gain thy appetite ? if not , to pleasure thou art but in thrall ; for all pretence , thou lov'st not god at all . two wayes , that come to one , of saying nay to the words now i 'le never , or delay . suppose thy mind still same to heavens call , not yet will prove the same , as not at all . to promise then is gross impertinence , forsake thy wicked life , or this pretence . behold one , that hath swagger'd in the world with riches , honour ; great retinue buri'd into a loathsome prison , there to see his folly past , and present misery ; and view thy destiny . his higher rate of living , makes the sadness of his state : his former plenty makes his want the more : if not so rich , he had not been so poor . his titles that gave splendour to his name , remembred now , do but augment his shame . thy matchless beauty , whileome which espy'd begat the lovers do●age , and thy pride ; ( when nothing thou canst find consulting glass , but ruines only of one form that was ) will render thee far more despis'd , and be the aggravation of deformity . affected blemishes , and spottings were the wicked artifice to make thee fair : now wrinkled age will glory in her spoil to rising beauties making thee a foil . wisdom hath more trust , and esteem when sage : and reliques too gain credit by their age : but thou must be con●emned and forlorn ; deserving subject for the gallants scorn ; not able to bear up against disdain ; or to redress by turning young again . shall i black mantle borrow of the night , to wrap thy dismal case in ? 't is too slight . or midnight-sable-robe , although without moon , stars ? 't would not be sad enough . nothing mans mind affords so black to tell the blackest darkness of thy state , but hell. thy soul is solitary wilderness , a fearful shade of saddest wretchedness . thy thoughts are vultures . conscience with her sting torments thee : sa●yrs dance , as scriech-owls sing . the pleasant fancies , that refresh thy mind , are fairy devils , each sad thought black fiend : enjoyment 〈◊〉 of honour , pleasure , pelf , cannot 〈…〉 from the dread of self . how wilt thou bear gods wra●h ? men paint not fire so fai●tly as that fierceness of his ire . to slight that mercy , do not then presume ; which , if it may not win thee , will consume . let trust in mercy this at least impart unto thy conscience , that thou serious art . the satyrist condemns thy vain ( i will to morrow ) that will be to morrow still . to morrow which thou beggedst yesterday , is lost , yet without blushing thou canst say to morrow yet : but were it lent , thou 'dst pray to have the leisure of another day . as hastening hinder-wheel , doth seem in coach to promise it will make more near approach unto the former ; when rowl'd o're and o're , yet keeps same distance that it did before : so thou , although thou talkest of to morrow , that gain'd , would'st be at no less need to borrow a further day : purpose and to amend , would keep an equal distance to the end. the heroinæ: or, the lives of arria, paulina, lucrecia, dido, theutilla, cypriana, aretaphila heroinæ. rivers, george. 1639 approx. 106 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 93 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2004-08 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a10790 stc 21063 estc s101215 99837032 99837032 1336 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a10790) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 1336) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1475-1640 ; 974:14) the heroinæ: or, the lives of arria, paulina, lucrecia, dido, theutilla, cypriana, aretaphila heroinæ. rivers, george. [8], 174 p. printed by r. bishop, for john colby, and are to be sold at his shop under the kings head tavern, at chancery-lane end in fleet-street, london : 1639. by george rivers. reproduction of original in the newberry library. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng women -biography -early works to 1800. 2004-03 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2004-03 aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images 2004-04 emma (leeson) huber sampled and proofread 2004-04 emma (leeson) huber text and markup reviewed and edited 2004-07 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the heroinae : or the lives of arria , paulina , lucrecia , dido , theutilla , cypriana , aretaphila . london , printed by r. bishop , for iohn colby , and are to be sold at his shop under the kings head tavern , at chancery-lane end in fleet-street . 1639. to the true heroine lady , the lady dorothy sydney , the heroinae are humbly p●●sented by g. rivers , to receive fame from her favour . madam , that i approach so faire a shrine with so course an offering ; accuse not my unworthinesse , but your owne worth ; which like a load-star is pleas'd to attract the coursest mettle , to make knowne her power . were it not a prophanation to sunder that symmetrie of vertue and beautie , ( pieces , of which you are the whole , and which worthily beget wonder and love ▪ i might aspire to levell prayses to some few particulars : but since such a disunion cannot bee made by a weake pen without cracking or disordering th● goodliest frame of nature ; madam you must give mee leave onely to admire you in great , as the great subject of all admiration . if in writing you , i fall short of sense ; it is love : if i overreach it ; it is wonder : so is sense and language oppress'd ▪ or heightned by the subject that admits no meane . madam , if this pamphlet of you rise in the opinion of the world , it is you ; if it fall , it is i ; i , that have batter'd my braines against as great a miracle as the philosophers stone . if you please to receive it with a favour answerable to the ambition it is offered , i shall account it the greatest honour that can bee done to him , in whose esteem ( madam ) you are the first and last of these stories ; the unparallel'd lady dorothy sydney , the incōparable aretaphila . arria . whilest the roman state was govern'd , or rather mangled between the fencer , the fidler , the jugler , and the player , liv'd cecinna paetus , sometimes consull , a man every way worthy that high title , of a spirit moulded for great designes , that would breake through all interruptions to advance his honour : hee , a faithfull friend to scribonianus , in whose faction he had engaged his life and fortunes ; after his overthrow was taken prisoner by the souldiers of claudius nero. when hee was taking ship , ( a triumph for rome ) he desired the officers that arria his wife might accompanie him ; holding it a grand discourtesie , since shee had shared his prosperous fortunes , to deny her his miseries : but the souldiers , of men the best studied in crueltie , were more ambitious to tyrannize over his mind ( the greater triumph ) than his body ; and well advised how sorrowes are substracted by being divided , denyed his most passionate prayers , and hoised saile . many of them were flies engendred from his heat , who now fled him as an inhospitable clyme , too cold to nourish flattery . they beheld him as one whose misfortunes were infectious , not to bee sympathiz'd ; or as a rock that stands the shock of the impetuous wind , to ruine those that touch it . adversity is the true touchstone of vertue and friendship ; friendship followes the good fortune , but vertue the bad . that calmenesse of mind which attends some high fortunes , is grounded rather upon policie than vertue : hee that swels when he is full , intends to break himselfe ; who then will be proud when he is prosperous ? as it is an argument of basenesse to bee elated ; so it is true magnanimity , not to bee dejected . friendly offices , like rivulets to the ocean , are tributes reflecting to the fortunes , not the men : let these once decline , the other like frie will swimme against the sinking streame : or like mice , shelter themselves from the approaching storme . so paetus out liv'd his happinesse , and his friends : onely his deare arria , having hired a fish-boat , followed along by the shore of sclavonia ; so noble was her piety ; as if shee did congratulate those extremities , as the tryall of that unshaken faith , that well-knit affection , not to bee ravel'd from her paetus by the strongest battery of fortune . with so meane advantage as one small bark , so small attendance as one mean fisherman , no saile but resolution , no pilot but that high spirit that threatned destinie , and dar'd the utmost power of fate , shee imbarqu'd her selfe into the dangers of the seas . when shee was arriv'd at rome , and in the emperours presence , iunia the widow of scribonianus , chiefe partner in her captivity , did familiarly accost her : to whom with words made for disdaine , shee made reply ; doest thou live , ( said shee ) shame of our sexe , and monument of our shame ! thou , in whose armes scribonianus thy husband was slaine ! what stands between thee and death , now hee is removed that hindred thy prospect ? unworthy woman , that prizest loathed life above thine honour , and lovest thy selfe above thy lord ! arria , thy courage ( said iunia ) is ill plac'd : the gods that sent us hither , gave us life as their greatest blessing , not to be appropriated to our selves , but communicated to our friends and countrey ; if wee should live onely to our selves , wee should live onely to undoe all ; since this great all subsists by each particular : is then the whole of us our owne , when the least part of us is not only ours ? grant our lives were intirely ours ; yet are they not of that small consequence , that like our clothes wee may devest us of them when our mis-guided fancies tell us they are out of fashion . then if scribonianus ( to whose departed soule thou slanderest my affection ) had held an end like this , an end of misery , or a way to happinesse and honour ; hee had counsel'd mee to die , and had not liv'd himselfe to have been slaine . fond woman ( replyed arria ) how thine owne arguments condemn thee ! if the gods give us life as their greatest blessing , then surely blessednesse is the quality and vertue of life : when they withdraw this , they call us ( if our faint soules could heare them ) nay , even nature her selfe whispers to us to bee gone to some better place . if our friends and countrey have part , or all of us , to whom do we belong , if they discard us ? must wee live wretched till the decay of nature doth remove us ? so patiently the poor silly cottager awaites the good houre his house shall fall upon his head . if scribonianus thy husband had not dyed honourably in the camp , ( so great an opinion have i of his vertue ) hee had dyed as honourably in his tent : but when thou leav'st the world , the world shall not leave to say of thee , that iunia outliv'd her vertue , and her love died sooner then her selfe . the emperour by these passages perceiv'd whereto shee tended , that shee would live no longer then till shee had a power to die ; commanded her to be streightly guarded : but this restraint was rather a spur then a bridle to her actions travelling to fame : for shee enraged that her death was denyed her , flung out of the chaire where shee sate , and violently ranne her head against the wall , with which blow , shee much wounded , fell into a deadly swoone : but as soon as her keepers had recall'd the unwelcom'd life to her , the life that griev'd her , not that it was gone , but returned ; she thus bespake them : you see how vainly you imploy your care to keep a prisoner that will be free ; you may make mee die with more paine , and lesse honour ; but not to die at all , this is beyond your power : whilst i wear a hand commanded by a heart that knowes no feare , i shall not despaire of death , nor shall i long protract a loathed breath in such wretched times that make life but the nursery of sorrowes , and seminary of misfortunes . some few dayes she wasted in comforting , and condoling with her friends the generall calamities wherein the most vertuous were involv'd , under that monster of men , nero , then tyrannizing . then she retired into paetus lodging , and there thus spake her last : the soule imprison'd in a necessity of being miserable , must break through all fence of nature into an honourable end . this very precept nature her selfe imprinteth in us ; shee denyeth not the iron-bound slave a death to free him from the toylsome oare ; doth she deny the sun-scorch'd pilgrim his nights sleep ? no , nor the world-beaten man his eternall rest . surely then , shee allowes us to shake off her interest , when we are sunke below her succour . paetus , thy life is not link'd to nature , but to fame : fall then by thine owne sword , and thy spirit wound up in thine honour , mounts to the palaces of the immortall gods : if thou faintest under so brave a resolution , or enviest thy selfe the glory of thy end ; know , that ere two dayes expire , thou thy selfe expirest : but how ? by whose hands ? beheaded by a base hangman , offered up a tame sacrifice to insated tyranny . awake the roman in thee ; shall high paetus ( whom when the world unworthy of his vertue , ingratefully flung off ) claspe broken hopes and fortunes , to save himselfe with the shipwrack of his fame ? shall hee , to whom thousand servile necks did bow , stoop to the basenesse to beg life , while his death is in his hands ? cato and scipio ( whom this age is more prone to adore then admire ) held it not honourable to begg life , though they might expect more from caesars vertue . but what canst thou hope for from a tyrant abjur'd by all the vertues , one that approves nothing in soveraigntie but power , and that guided by passion to insatiate revenge ? then ( as if shee had distrusted her husbands spirit ) shee drew out the poyniard from his side : paetus , ( said shee ) how i have not entertain'd life , nor death but for thy sake , this last act of honour be my witnesse . doe this paetus : then she plung'd the dagger into her heart , and having drawne it out , shee delivered it to him againe ; trust my departing breath , paetus , ( said shee ) not the wound it gives mee , but thee , afflicts mee . there died the noble arria , there did that soule flie to eternity ; that soule that was too great to owe her liberty to any power but to her owne . paetus blushing to be indebted to a president for his death , especially his wife ; took to him the dagger that was so lately guilded in his arria's bloud , and with these words hastned to his end . had fortune answered my resolution , and crown'd my enterprize with happinesse ; i had entered rome , envied by the most noble , not pitied by the basest . i now see how the successe of humane affaires depends not upon valour , but uncertain fates ; and our actions elevated by the height of spirit , do but intrench us deeper into misery . but though i am bereft of all the advantages of fortune , and of honour : yet am i master of a mind unconquered ; over which nor tyrannie nor fate shall triumph . then embracing her dead , hee sigh'd , and said ; pardon , blest spirit , my too long absence from thee ; i have borrowed this little leave of life but to admire thy vertue , which being above my wonder , i must soare unto that height where it is ascended , to search out her true perfection : pardon my soule that she ascends not to thee in an extasie ; faine would shee : but this dagger claimes her liberty that gave thee thine . then he thrust it into his heart , and there the dagger acted his last and most faithfull service ; slew his master . pro arria . the first being tyed the first two into one , and formed two different sexes into one body , and one soule ; the bodies by alternate use so proprietated , not to one , but both : the soules so sympathizing in affections and in passions , as both became one to both . they that keep this mystery inviolable , know no outward respects of power to divide them into two : if paetus be unhappy , arria is unfortunate : paetus is doom'd to die ; and shall arria live to see him slaine ? hath hee outliv'd his hopes , and can shee hope to outlive him ? but why would she die ? was the feare of the emperours cruelty mingled in her cause ? what feares she that feares not death ? what emperour is cruell to her that dares die ? what cruelty is to be parallel'd to that which bereft her of her life ? it was paetus slew her ; paetus ? had arria liv'd , paetus had not slaine himselfe ; therefore arria died : died because paetus should die : oh unheard of cruelty ! oh unparallel'd affection ! arria died because paetus could not live . paetus by death redeem'd himself from what was worse than death ; from torture : arria redeem'd her honour , and her paetus from torture , and dishonour . fortune made her miserable , that vertue might make her happie : her faith so firmly tyed her love , that death could not undo it with her life . her fortunes were so ingrafted in her paetus , that with his they did bud , flourish and wither ▪ her life was fastned to his strings of life : with him she liv'd , with him she died . contra arriam . through what forbidden pathes doth passion hurrie us , when once our reason is unseated ! arria would die rather then bee led in triumph : did death redeem her ? no ; death was but fortunes headsman to execute her she had condemn'd . the emperors power extended no faerther then to afflict her withred body : not able to endure this weak revenge , shee yeelded up her mind a triumph to her fortune , and her selfe unto her sorrow . if fear did not surprize her , then engag'd in paetus treason , she was her own wrack and torture , scorning all executioners but her self who then condemns her death , when it was due to justice ? but what law exacts of her this justice ? the gods forbid her to kill another , much more her self , being nearer to her selfe than any other . nature by her law claims life , as her due debt , payable when shee demands it . if she died because paetus should die ; shee did but invite him to her rage , not to her vertue . but i think fear , the common defect of nature in women , depriv'd her of her life : for death appeard so accoutred in the terrours of wrack and hangman ; that she died for fear of death . pavlina . lvcius annaeus seneca the philosopher , and tutor to nero the emperour , was lord of great revenues , to which his vertue , not his fortune was his title ; his mind was richly embroydered with all the studied ornaments of learning ; a good part of his life hee exercised in the court , where while the princes ears were open to philosophy , his heart and hand were both unbent to him ; his favour and his noblenesse , like rivalls , striv'd which should with most devotion serve their soveraigne : but when debauchery usurp'd upon the emperour , the tutor was devanced and disgraced . in all these extremities seneca in himself was so well poiz'd , that neither the greatnesse of fortune could bribe him into riot , the height of knowledge into pride , nor the courtier into flattery : nor did he know any man great enough to make him lesse ; nor could his mind , which philosophie had plac'd above the world , decline with fortune . in his old age hee married pompea paulina a young , faire , and nobly descended roman lady , a lady of that worth , that no roman but hee that did enjoy her , did deserve her . nero having let loose the reines of reason , and himselfe to all licenciousnesse , so tyranniz'd , as if he did perswade himselfe that an emperour was above the law , and must also bee without it : what his will prescrib'd , his tyranny did execute , and so , as if his actions were accountable to no power but his owne . among his chiefe and most remarked cruelties , it is not the least hee exprest against his tutor seneca ; to him hee sends his satellites to denounce his death : the fashion of those times was , when a person of qualitie was condemn'd to die ; hee was allowed the liberty to chuse his death , and a time proportion'd according to the emperours rage , to dispose of his affaires : but if his revenge flowed so high , that it would brook no delay : then hee enjoyd no time to doe any thing but die : if the condemned resisted his decrees ; then he commonly appointed , that by some slave hee should bee barbarously murdered : but the nobler romans held it nearer way to honour with their owne hands to anticipate their fates , and in unhappinesse staid not the enforcement of tyranny or nature . seneca , with an undaunted looke receiving the sentence of his death , called for inke and paper to write his last will and testament ; which the captaine denying him , he turn'd about , and then bespake his friends : you see , my loving friends , ( said hee ) i cannot gratifie your affections with my fortunes : i must therefore leave you my life , and my philosophy , to enrich your minds with the invaluable and nere-to-be-depriv'd-of treasure of precept and example . i shall desire you by all the tyes of friendship , and by the glory you shall purchase by it , to endeare my life and death ( which shall not staine the honour of my life ) unto your memory : then gently reproving them who seem'd too sorrowfull , hee said ; to what other purpose have i furnished you with precepts of philosophie , then to arme your minds against the assaults of fortune ? is nero's tyrannie unknowne to you ? what man is master of his owne life under him that massacred his brother , that us'd upon his mother that cruelty which never yet knew name ? then hee turn'd him to paulina , in whom sorrow had sweld it selfe so high , that rather then break out , it threatned to break her heart : my deare , ( said hee ) i am now going to act what i have long taught ; my houre is come , and nothing so welcome to me as my death ; now i am unloaded of this flesh that clogs my soule , i shall with more ease ascend unto eternity , to enjoy a condition without a change , an happinesse without a period : wherefore , my dearest paulina , forbeare thy too immoderate passion , lest thy grief disgrace my end , and thou seem to value my death above mine honour : enjoy thy youth , but still retaine those seeds of vertue , ●herewith thy mind is ●●chly stored : i confesse , for thy sake i could bee content to live , when i consider that in my breast lives a young lady , to whom my life may bee advantage . paulina's love now raising up her courage , and her courage her dejected spirit ; think not seneca , ( said she ) that like your physitian , i will leave you when the hope of life forsakes you ; but i will follow like your wife , your fortune . this resolve shall tell you how much your life and doctrine hath availed your paulina . when can i die well , but then when i cannot live well ? when i am bereft of thee , in whom all my joyes are so wealthily summ'd up , that thy losse will make my life my greatest curse ; then will i die in honour , and think it fitter for my fame , then linger out my life in sorrow . trust mee , my paulina ( said seneca ) i cannot but admire thy love , knowing from what height of vertue it proceeds : as i will not envie thee thy death ; so i wish a glory may await thy end , great as the constancie that advanc'd thee to it . then he commanded his surgeon to cut the veins of both their armes , that they might bleed to death : but seneca's veines , shrunk up through age and abstinence , denyed his bloud a speedy course ; therefore his thighs were also launced : but lest his pains might insinuate too farre into paulina's torments , and a new addition of sorrow meeting with her losse of bloud , might make her faint , hee sought to mitigate her feares by the discourse of death . why should ( said he ) this monster nothing so affright us ? while we are living , wee are dying , for life is but a dying being ; when we are dead , wee are after death : where then , or what is death ? it is that inconsiderable atome of time that divides the body from the soule : what is it then in this afflicts us ? not the rarity , for all the world that is not gone before , will follow us : is it the separation , and tyed to that the jealousie how we shall bee dealt with ? upon this hinge , i confesse , turnes the wickeds fear : but the stoick , whom philosophy hath taught the art of living well , death frees from misery , and wafts him to the haven of his happinesse . for this necessity of death , wee are bound to thank the gods ; for it redeems from a worse of being eternally miserable . the separation , as it is naturall , so it is the only meanes conducing to our better being . the body being the corruptible and ponderous part , falls naturally to the earth whence it was first elemented : the soul etheriall gaines by this losse ; for being purg'd from the drosse of weight , and of corruption , is made heavens richest ore ; so refin'd , that the great gods image may bee stamp'd upon it , and ascends unto the skies from whence it first descended . nor doe i hold this dis-junction to be eternal ; for when the world by the revolution of times and ages , whirls about into her first chaos , then shall they meet again never to bee sundred . the soul shal be so purified by the immortall gods : that it shall neither hope , nor feare , nor grieve ; that it shall bee freed from all those discording passions , and affections , that here transport it from it selfe . the body so spirited that it shall know no necessity of nourishment , and therefore no weight , alteration , or mortality . of great consequence then is death to our wel-being ; since before it wee can account none happy ; we see it end all miseries ; we see it make none miserable ; why then should we feare it , or condemne it ? what have the wisest thought it , but the port wee all must touch ? he that scarce arrives at half a man hath as little to quarrell at his fate , as hee that in a weeke reacheth his haven , whereas by the troubled winds he might bee bound up in the more troubled seas a year . nor is hee that is his owne death , being condemn'd to die , shipwrack'd even at the very shoare : for honour and the emperour allow the liberty , and to die by the most abject of men , an hangman , is to die dishonourable . for this boone i gratulate the gods : but more that they are pleas'd to call the perfect seneca unto their joyes , the seneca that hath not yet outliv'd himselfe , nor return'd into his infancy . there paulina , not through feare ( knowing none but what proceeded from her love ) but through decaying nature fainted ; therefore seneca taking his leave caus'd her to be remov'd into the next chamber . in seneca all these incisions were not of force to force out life ; he therefore commanded his physitian to poyson him ; but wanting naturall heat to convey it to his heart , the poyson was rather a nourishment then a destruction to his nature : then he was laid in warme bathes , by this forc'd heat the poyson in his full source , and violence raged in his witherd body . while he had life he discours'd freely of life and death ; his end approaching , all bloudy in his bath hee bath'd his head , and said , i vow this to iupiter the deliverer ; nature at the last conquerd by those strong assaults , yeelded up her fort ( which weaknesse had so song fortified ) to death her common enemy . so liv'd the famous seneca , and so hee died that with the gods his soul 's immortaliz'd , with the world his fame . nero informed of paulina for whom hee seem'd much troubled : for though pitie had no entrance at his yron breast : yet feare the tyrants tyrant ●old him that her death ( being one of the most nobly allyed in rome ) would make his tyranny and hate the greater : hee therefore sent with all possible speed to recall her life now posting to her stage , and entring the dark confines of death . her servants receiving the command unbound her , and clos'd up her incisions , she more than halfe dead , devoyd of sense , thus against her will return'd unto her life , and very honourably : for that of life shee lost , did witnesse to the world , that nothing but want of power restrain'd her from her death . pro paulina . paulina , when seneca was condemn'd to die , would die her selfe . was ever constancie raisd higher in a womans breast ? she did not die , there shee exprest the true valour that derives it selfe from vertue , and that spirit that issues from the truest honour . that shee would , but could not die , are both nero's act ; that shee could live , or die , her owne . that she was mistris of her fortune , witnesse that shee did live ; how she valued her husbands death , that shee would die . fame and vertue did both attend her in the progresse of her actions : had she died , it had been thought the wretched times had interest in her end : but in her life shee conquer'd the extremities of life and death . the rule of vertue ties us to live so long as we ought , not as we list : then is the fittest time to die , when we can live no longer . to die , is at the height but like a roman : but to dare to live when life is tedious , this is as much above the roman , as the true substance of vertue , that false shade of honour . had shee then died , she had acted but the roman : but she liv'd to exceed the noblest of all romans , but her selfe . contra paulinam . vvhy revolted shee from her resolve , when seneca himself allowed it ? did hee teach her so to live that shee durst not die ? or did shee distrust his happinesse that shee would not follow him ? shee had too much of death to have more , and those pangs so much endeared her to her life , that she would live at any rate , rather then break through fleeting torments into honour . while seneca was yet alive , she was dying ; he dead , she return'd to life : was her life vowed to him , when his death reviv'd her ? nero call'd her back ; the greater was her shame to take sanctuary in her husbands murtherer . sure death was far more terrible then seneca did speak it : she fled to a most inhumane tyrant for protection . seneca did not force her to die , nor nero to live ; one day gave her her liberty : she had as much strength , as life ; and that little power she could use , was able to force out that little life she did detain . she would dy , in the extremity of sorrow for her husbands fate : but she did live to repent her both of her sorrow , and her death . lvcrecia . when rome , in the glory of her active spirits , had prest out her youth more ambitious of honour then life ; for the common exployt , the siege of ardea : sextus tarquinius entertain'd the night with the roman nobility in the pride of luxury and riot : the ruines of kingdomes were sacrificed to bacchus , the sea and land plow'd up to appease ingenuous gluttony . they , as frolick as youth , and wine that made them so ; unlock the treasures of their hearts , their wives , and their beauties , to the admiration of unsound eares : but collatine the most justly prodigall of his wives fame , tels them ; nor italy , nor the world holds her , that stands in parallell of wonder with the faire and vertuous lucrecia . tarquin divided between astonishment and rage , that collatine his servant , should be his soveraigne in happinesse : mounted upon the wings of lust and fury , flies to rome , where his eyes having encountred the idoll of his heart , and he the noone of night to enjoy it ; with his sword and taper breaks into her chamber , into her presence : shee affrighted at the sword , and blasted by the light that lust gave life to , trembling like a prey with more horrour then attention , hears him thus bespeak her . madam , wonder not at my unlookt for arrivall at collatium , or at this visit so unseasonable : but applaud the wonder of your beauty ; the silent night will speak my purpose , when in my restlesse bed a flame kindled from your fair eyes burn'd through my soule , consum'd my countries service , my hopes of honour , then which nothing but your faire selfe is so near unto my thoughts . let not the slave fear intrude upon your princely breast , nor this steele divorce those roses from the lilies , drawne to hew out a way through all obstacles , to encounter paradise . the same love that arm'd those eyes with lightning , armes these hands with thunder ; bids them grapple with great iove , were hee rivall in my affection . this night i must enjoy thee lucrecia , or on thy name engrave an infamy , that time , nor times heire , eternity , shal ne're devoure : if thou move or hand , or voice for ayd ; thy groome i 'le slay with thee ; then fling his loathed trunk on thine , and sweare i found him fast manacled in thy embraces : cease then to bee faire , or to bee cruell , and returne me the prince ravish'd from mee , by the all commanding beauties that attend thee . the sin unknown is unacted , nor shall the sowrest vertue mis-read those blushes the liveliest pieces of innocence . accuse not nature of tyranny , she made not so delicate an object to tempt , but satisfie the appetite : yeeld then ; or this sword must enter that adamant , from whence all pitie is barakado'd . she conjur'd with this tyranny of complement , with as undistracted words as could bee pump'd from the deepest confusion of thoughts , makes her reply . renowned sir , let true pitie as really enter your eares , as false is banished mine . in tarquines shape i entertain'd you ; wrong not the prince so farre , as to prostrate his fame to so inglorious an action ; hee that hath the eyes of all rome fix'd on his vertues , and must hereafter look like a prince in story , shall hee have all his glories sullied by the conquest of a woman ? shall he bee read king of all the romans but himselfe ? wanting this soveraignty , all his honours shall be buried in his infamy : then punish great sir , the traitor to your vertue , this face ; teare it to a loathing ; so shall you appease the lewd rebellion of your bloud , and make your victories , still ending in your selfe , discourse for all posterity . but if you are conquer'd by your lust , you shall revenge your worth in her dishonour , who shall not be unpitied of men , or unrevenged of the gods. this said , shee wept the rest . but he not daunted at that majesty of sorrow that sate inthron'd in cry ▪ stall , nor at her words that would charme the most inhumane : but rather whet , then refin'd in passion , unloads his lust , and with the night posts undiscover'd to ardea . no sooner had the morne unchain'd the prisoners of the night , and spread his light ( welcome both to miserable and happie ) through the vast regions of the skies ; that light that was so lovely to her , because it came to light her to her end : but shee sends to ardea for collatine and brutus , her husband and uncle . long before the day was fled into the other world , they at collatium did arrive . first they saw her face stand in that amazed silence , that they could read , not heare the full contents of sorrow ; they in that expected some great cruelty had been us'd upon her , which had depriv'd her of the tongue to rell it . but this silence was but a pause in her great soule , whether shee might stoop to that wretched body , as to borrow those organs which commonly conveigh our friends calamities into our eares : but lest shee should detaine them too long lock'd up in wonder , hasting to her ease , shee unbent her soule , and gave vent unto her sorrow . fortune , ( said shee ) hast thou now hit the marke thou hast long aym'd at , my poor heart ; take to thee now thy triumph , and leave mee to my injur'd vertue . brutus and collatine , you are come from ardea to hear the storie that will break my heart ere i am delivered of it ; should i truly tell you how low i am ramm●d in miserie , if should bee farre too low for you to pitie mee , unlesse your love should lead you to dishonour . in what court shall i appeale to justice ? the grand gods act , and licence what i suffer : the houshold powers are not of power to keep their lawes inviolate . shall i addresse , mee to the king ? his owne sonne hath dishonourd mee : to him i would appeale , would hee revenge his guilt , as i mine innocence ; then would i speak him a true prince ; when to advance his justice higher then his sinne ; he made her way through patricide and treason to her power . but hee loves his lust too well to loath his life ; of him i cannot expect justice who hath injur'd mee , nor of you mercie whom i have injur'd : i have tainted your bloud with mine owne . tarquin hath conquer'd this body , lucrecia this mind . you true romans brutus and collatine , in whom my life was truely happy , i conjure you by all the tyes of bloud , love , and religion , bee as cruell to tarquin , as hee to lucrece , shee to her selfe , who with bold steele carves on her breast the tragedie that shall stagger the piety , or awake the pitie of all posteritie . her life and language had both this period ; for having tyed their vowes to her revenge , her soule too pure for her bodie , disclogg'd it selfe of clay , and broke the vault of mortalitie . so riseth day disrob'd of night : so did her soule ascend to immortality . it is beyond the art of words to expresse what valiant sorrow , what noble rage , this cruelty of hers had stamp'd upon these two princely brests . silence at the instant had tongue-tied all language , wonder had pent up all teares , immensitie of furie had transcended all bounds of passion : so much had they to speak , they could not speak ; so great was their sorrow they could not sorrow ; so were all the powers of the soule knit and contracted into the project of revenge , that till they were scattered into their offices , passion was not discernable ; then the object lessened , wonder descended to passion , passion to expression ; then discolouring the crimson floud , and with their teares washing her body white as her innocence , they took it on their shoulders , set it in the forum , where collatine , when the auditory was ripe for his oratorie , bespake the roman cofluxe . romans , and countrimen , this day presents to your wonder a fact of that height of impietie , so degenerating from all humanitie ; that in it hell hath plotted the dishonour of this whole nation , this whole age . were not your affection stronger tied to the oratour , then the oratory : i should not hope to perswade you that the breast of man could travell in such a prodigie of exact villany . you see a monument of that miserie that vindicates the pitie of tygers , or tyrants : much more of minds ennobled with vertuous actions . the tragedie ( not long to wrack your expectation ) i will briefely declare . sextus tarquinius ( i know not with what colourable excuses hee painted his designes ) left ardea for rome ; honour could not bridle his false furie of affection , nor the publick interest in the state overpoize his private passion ; i say , hee posted to rome . rome ! where the gods have their temples , the vertues their sanctuaries , that thou shouldst breed a monster to prophane thee ! no sooner had hee entred rome , but hee entred my house ; where like a prince , a kinsman , like the happie messenger of collatines happinesse , ( oh , that vice should bee so bravely disguis'd ! ) hee was receiv'd by lucrecia , receiv'd in a bravery of affection too high for the apostate from vertue ; his face did not discover the false heart that lay in ambush to surprize her honour , nor his vertue shew it selfe , as it was , the staulking horse to his covert . the ceremonies of hospitality finished , hee retires to his lodging , though not to himselfe ; now when the brother of death had summon'd to still musick all but foule ravishers , theeves , and cares ; with his drawne sword hee leaps from his owne , enters lucrecia's bed , her hee ravisheth . shee having possess'd us with a full relation of her mis-fortunes : shee empresse of a mind unconquer'd of sinne or sorrow , with this poniard let out the life tarquin had made loathed ; and now o countrimen awake your roman vertue , flesh your swords and valours upon the revenge of the proud usurper of publick liberty , the cruell murderer of private innocence : you cannot offer to the gods a more gratefull sacrifice ; nor will they ever in requitall , forsake that state that forsakes not the defence of vertue . such impression strikes thunder upon oakes , earthquakes on mountaines , as collatine on the roman hearts . their thoughts were torne , and divided from themselves , anger boyled into malice the policie of passion , both flowed into resolution : then like an unpent torrent from some high precipice , the multitude violently ran to precipitate him made high for a precipice ; which in the perpetuall exile of the tarquins was accomplish'd . pro lucrecia . the roman story big with varietie of wonder , writes lucrecia the female glory : shee forcibly abus'd by tarquin , declares her innocence to the world , and confirmes it by her death . there were two in the act , one in the sinne ; one adulterer , and one chast ; her body conquer'd , her mind truely heroicall , not stooping to the lure of false pleasure ; that remained as untainted , as unforced . why dyed shee being innocent ? to bee innocent . why received shee her death from her owne hands ? haply to prevent it from anothers ; then had shee subscribed to guilt , and not left life without staine . for a roman to outlive honour was dishonourable , for her to survive her infamie , was to act it . curtius spur'd on by honour , did ride into the gulfe . regulus , rather then his faith , would prostitute himselfe to the witty cruelty of the carthaginians . to honour did the three hundred fabii sacrifice their lives . honour chased the tarquins out of rome ; but lucrece out of life . to wipe off all thought of guilt which maligne censure might imprint upon the act , she slew her selfe . hee that condemnes her for the murder , accuseth her of the adultery ; life had been her guilt , whereas death was her innocence ; through her life shee made way to her fame , to which life and fortune are slaves , not to be entertained farther then they tend to her advancement . i confesse , torne haire and face , and eyes bankrupt of teares , and her owne vertue was of force to possesse the world shee had been ravished without the witnesse of her death : why then died shee ? her shame was too great to bee supported by her life ; nor any thing but her death revenged her and all rome , of the insulting tarquins . then lucrece in the hight of glory sacrificed her selfe , as well to the state , as to her innocence . contra lucreciam . why dyed shee if shee were innocent ? why if an adulteresse ? is death due to innocence , or to adulterie ? was it that her crime was greater then tarquins , that shee was slain and hee banished ? the roman law puts not to death the adulteresse : but what law screwd to tyranny destroyes the innocent ? the body might be purg'd by the adultery : not soule of the adultery by murder . this revenge may argue chastitie before and after : but not in the nick of the act , which yeelding to some secret enticement , might staine her thought ; then loathing her selfe for the act , held death a more satisfactory revenge then repentance . but , it was tarquins lust staind her : no , it was lucrece ; if tarquins lust slained her , it was not tarquins , but her own . the will left free by divine providence , is not constraind by humane power . if her will was ravished , why doe wee extoll her for murder who died for adultery ? had she slaine tarquin , her act had been no way to be justified ; but how is this aggravated ? lucrece is her chast and innocent self ; tarquin her foul ravisher , and greatest enemy . she then did sacrifice her life to her honour : could not her insatiate thirst of glory bee slak'd but by her bloud ? was it not unworthy tarquin to bee her conquerour against her wil ? and was it not more unworthy lucrece , not to endure the conquerour against her honour ? her vertue was more debased by being enslav'd to common praise , then her selfe to carnall delight . had shee kept her mind unconquered she had liv'd the mirrour of women : but her weaknesse press'd her downe to die in her despaire , rather then live after shee was dishonoured . dido . belus king of tyre left pigmalion & dido heires to his kingdome : but the tyrians as impatient of of a duarchie , as pigmalion of a rivall : yeelded allegeance solely to him not of years to write man. dido was married to her uncle sichaeus , hercules priest : this sichaeus the sponge of fortune , filled only to be squeesed ; was slaine by his nephew and brother pigmalion . hee a man of treasure vast enough to betray his life , jealous of the security of his greatnesse , trusted it to the earth : but fame ( the most injurious hyperbole ) drew it up ( perhaps greater then it was ) the many fathomes of earth , where it lay ramm'd from the eye , not the envie of the prince . unkind fortune , that deal'st with us as the persian with their slaves , crownest us for a sacrifice ! dido a dowager by her brothers tyranny , begins to feele a tyranny of sorrow ; that ( had not nature resolved to keep perfect as much of her as was hers ) had made her a widdow also to her beauty ; her faire face clouded with discontent : but her fairer soule with no more passion , then betraid mortality ; shee betakes her to the male contented of the tyrian lords . since brothers ( said shee ) are enemies , let us seeke to our enemies for brothers ; since pitie is fled humane brests , let us seeke it ( for such a creature there is , nature tels mee ) among salvages . though we cannot expect it from his nature ; yet his youth might enfeeble him to it : but his very infancy is a monster ; what then will his riper yeares produce but the exile of all humanity ? what distant respects will hee know that wades through his owne bloud to his ends ? if an innocent uncle and brother be slaine ; if a sister be not , where is a subject secure ? miserable strato , thou wert a prince by thy slave , to beget a prince to make slaves of princes ! miserable tyre , now more oppress'd by one tyrant , then before by a thousand slaves ! wretched wealth , to thee quiet poverty is a prince ; thou hast divorced mee from my sichaeus , thou hast made mee the foot-ball of a tyrant brother , toss'd from his kingdome , into what unhappy shore is not yet knowne unto my thoughts . my lords , i speake to minds too noble to be stifled in the narrow confines of fear : follow your princesse , whose vertue the spite of fortune shall not wrack into despaire . her words proceeding from the height and sweetnes of her mind , were as great a spur as the hope of liberty to advance them into action : then as in a thoughtfull mind refresh'd with wine , care it selfe keeps her revels : so were their thoughts ( before dejected ) now lifted to that pitch , that valiantly affronts the hard affronts of fortune ; then with all speed they rig'd a fleet , and dido with her treasure , and the tyrian lords in the advantage of night hoised saile . the cyprian was the first shore they touched ; where ( as the fashion of the countrey was ) their virgins were assembled , to sacrifice for their chastities to venus , before their marriage . fourscore of these untouch'd dido ravisheth from the barbarous sacrifice , and sailes with them into affrica ; where when she was arriv'd , shee purchased as much land of the inhabitants as might bee covered by an oxes hide , which cut in thin pieces , made a great extent of ground : but scarce to containe a city two and twenty miles in compasse . there was the famous carthage built by dido , which after times dilated into a great empire . by the consent of all there was a yearly rent paid for the land on which the city was founded . the concourse of affricans ( which hope of gaine brought thither ) was great as their gaine they received by traffick , which invited them to settle themselves there . the many conspiring hands in no great space of time wrought it to a perfect citie : but in the interim , their wealth that flowed thither in high tide , made carthage the envie of hiarbus king of the mauritanians . hee summons ten of the carthaginian princes , and with them treats of marriage with their queen ; which if fairely may not bee obtain'd , hee resolves to try the force of armes . dido hearing this unwelcome message , desires respite of resolution till the city was finished : which accomplished , shee in no wise would yeeld unto hiarbus , whom lust linkt to rage and avarice , had arm'd against her and his honour . dido now the creature which melancholly divorceth from society ; desires three months absence from her friends , whom shee tels she must goe whither her owne and the cities fate did drive her : in which time a little remote from the citie , shee erected a stately pyre , which having kindled , and invok'd sichaeus ghost ; shee a little eased her selfe against her fortune . what a monster of misery ( said shee ) received life with dido ? the world hath dealt with mee , as love with those it hath distracted ; allowed mee happinesse but by some short intervals . first i was borne princesse of tyre , then by my brothers tyranny i was exil'd ; after long conflicts with the winds and seas , i arrived here in affrica ; here i built this great carthage , of which i am intitled queene ; then i thought me plac'd above my envie , or my fate : but as those wretched creatures that are drawne higher , the more to bee strapado'd : so was i made great , great for hiarbus envie ; so was i wound up to the height of happinesse and honour , only to fall never to rise againe . prosperity and adversity might bee termed the fever of life , did not our best dayes aflict us more then our worst . in our happinesse , the feares that doe attend it make us miserable ; the hopes that await our unhappinesse , make us happy in our lowest unhappinesse ; which estate would a wise man chuse , that which will be better , or that which will bee worse ? then to be happy , is to bee miserable . as the pain of the soule transcends the paine of sense : so is misery to be valued above happinesse . for as what shall be is the greatest wrack of thought ; so what is , is the clearest reliefe , the clearest satisfaction . in our height of happinesse we know wee shall bee , in our lowest misery wee know wee cannot bee worse ; then to bee miserable is to bee happy . if i desire felicitie , i desire misery ; for i rise onely to fall . if misery , then happinesse ; this makes me fortune's , that makes fortune my triumph . where is then content , since banished the height of state ? if in the low estate , then must i seek it in the wildernesse , and in some un-sun-seen cave waste out the remnant of my dayes ; there pigmalion and hiarbus follow mee ; there reignes as great a confusion of thoughts as at the court : then welcome death , thou didst divorce mee , thou shalt unite mee to my love. purged from earth , to the skies i flie , and intwine my soule forever to my lov'd sichaeus . then she leap'd into the pyre , and there consum'd . the meeting of dido and aeneas ( in which virgils muse hath sweat to the dishonour of them both ; her for love , him for ingratitude ) is so meerly fabulous , that it is scarce worth the expence of paper to disprove it , onely i am bound to vindicate her honour . rome ( as eutropius writes ) was built three hundred ninetie foure yeares after the destruction of troy , none computes the time lesse . carthage was built seventie two years before rome , so iustine writes . so there must bee of necessity two hundred yeares betweene the trojan prince and the carthaginian queen . seven hundred yeares this citie stood unconquered ; so long they sacrificed to dido as their tutelar goddesse ; at last by scipio , thence called affricanus , it was burnt , there their devotion ended with their fortune , and themselves . pro dido . was it the queen of carthage , or the queen of beauty that hiarbus coveted ? if carthage was his end , money was his matrimony ; if beauty , hee sought a woman , not a wife ; if a wife , to make his lust warrantable . dido in sichaeus buried all husband , in hiarbus all man. love is the good which by being diffused , is corrupted ; shee that loves one , another , and a third , takes men in at the coile , and loves only for her pleasure . the object of true love is but one ; from the infancy of time to her decrepitude the love between two hath been held most honourable . hee that tooke from the first man his wife , did not make every rib a wife ; not onely to shew us how out of the least of numbers he could draw infinites upon infinites : but especially that our desires might move within the narrow compasse of love , not expatiate themselves to lust ; that as the first man was all the men in the world to his wife : so now the husband should bee the wives horizon , that where ere shee is plac'd , hee may bee all shee sees . the objects of lust are as various as numerous : as there are lovely beauties , and to attend them , fond desires . the wanton woman darts forth her unruly heats more freely then the lesse-offending sun his beams ; he with the day , in courtesie to nature , withdrawes his fires : shee day and night carries the rage of dog-dayes in her breast , and never sets but then when shee can rise no more . dido would not wed hiarbus , because she thought all nuptiall rites had not their period in sichaeus . death is the divorce of man and woman , not of husband and wife ; that contract flesh ties and unties : but this is that of soules , which eternity cannot undoe ; it is as immortall as themselves , not deaded in being singled from earth , but reviv'd to a greater perfection : if then her soule did intirely love , the soule of her soule must be her only love . but hiarbus sought lawfull marriage . why did he force it ? dido refused marriage , shee could not love . marriage to her had been a rape , another had enjoy'd her against her will : if a rape must bee avoyded with the losse of life ; through how many death must she flie a loathed bed , where every night she shall be ravished ? did her vertue attract hiarbus ? why did he not covet her vertue in her prosperity , as in her misery ? he that hath lost the effect and quality of vertue in himselfe , will not value it in another , and with reason ; for her vertue was his greatest enemy ; forc'd her chastity so to whom she had been married , that like the phoenix shee would marry to nothing but her ashes . contra dido . why refus'd she marriage ? because it was lawfull , it was not incestuous ; was it a crime because it was no sin ? religion and honour allow her to marry hiarbus ; neither sichaeus : hee was a king , a stranger ; this a subject , an vncle. marriage is the tie of strange blouds , not of the same . nature bids us affect , not love our kindred ; in this , affection screwd to love , is unnaturall : could she then marry sichaeus , and not hiarbus ? did she think the priest in sichaeus a warrant for her incest , and not the king in hiarbus for a lawfull contract ? hath the king the liberty to make the law , and the priest to transgresse it ? hiarbus desires the establishment of the law of nations ; but sichaeus violates the law which nature wrote within him . the gods suffer her to outlive her incest : she will murther her selfe rather then entertain a vertuous love. hiarbus us'd force . why should shee refuse it ? the safety of carthage depended on the marriage : she liv●d to build it , and would die to ruine it . had shee burnt a martyr to her countrey , her act had been too great for chronicle : but she would die to satisfie her passion , rather then live to preserve the citie . her love to sichaeus was that she valued above hiarbus . shee would vexe a living king to appease a livelesse trunke , and rather obey a block then a storke . but sichaeus stands in competition with carthage . oh unequall ballance ! a womanish fancy poiz'd against a publick good . what other reason then had she to burn , but because shee would not marry ? thevtilla . france the richest embroydery of beauties , bred a maid from heaven inspir'd with all those excellencies which first made the virtues of her sexe . history writes her birth ignoble : but as it is the greatest sol●cisme in honour for high blouds not to flow into high attempts : so it is a reall ennobling of meannesse of birth to be guilty of more then noble actions . nobility and beautie are a fair varnish of vertue , the lively shadowes of that unseen substance , which were it visible , nothing so lovely : but being the true idaea of the mind , cannot bee discern'd with the eyes of the body . without this ( so much of nothing hath the unworthy honourable ) they are but the complements of man , serve onely to fill up this vast vacuum of honour . she basely noble , not nobly base , born under a smoak-dried roof ; which though of it selfe it receiv'd no more of heavens influence then through the loope-holes made by the rage thereof ; yet her presence made perpetuall day . but let her birth bee strangled in the wombe of history . shee was natures fairest paper , not compounded of the rags of common mortality : but so searsed and refined , that it could receive no impression but that of spotlesse innocence . how unfortunate had her beauty been , had shee had no other championesse then her selfe , the sequell of theutilla will declare . amalius , dynasta of france , rich in treasure , magnificent in retinue , lord of all the world admires , but himselfe , which hee most admires ; there was no deity to whom hee should owe his fortune , but his unworthinesse : for he was more hospitable to himselfe then to others , and freelyer feasted his senses then strangers . in summe , hee was what a vertuous man is not , what a voluptuous man should be . it hapned one time , the time pointed at in chronicle ; when his soul ( the slave of his sense ) dancing and floating like a toast in his wine , was seiz'd on by sleepe ; the wine it selfe had paid the drawer of his wine his appetite . then was he quiet , when hee was dead drunk . how fruitlesly were spent those thousand lamps of oyl ? those thousand pen-plowed reams of paper about the immortality of the soule ? who hath a soule that will not here question it ? what is become of it ? is it onely for this interim metamorphized into a beast ? or doth it die ? if into a beast , since the prince of man , let it bee transmigrated into the prince of beasts , the prince's beast . who so sottish , so grosse of conceit , to think the lyon , a creature of that invincible valour , and now commanded by reason ; having rescued so faire a lady from so foul tyranny , will transgresse the lawes of honour , let her loose to her losse of liberty , her loath some dungeon ? or doth she die ? or will you mince it into an intervallum of life , a three hours death ? it then followes , the soule thus dying will dye eternally . but to returne to theutilla . amalius servants have made the neighbouring villages their rendevouz ; where having discovered theutilla , and in her as much as the world could boast of ; they ra vish'd her from the weak resistance of her parents , and laden with the rich triumph of nature , returne unto their lord , and lock her up in his lodging , whose sense and fancy was so strongly lock'd up in yron-sleep , hee had not power to dreame of what he would have acted . she thus forfeited to dishonour , and night the friend of dishonour , enjoying no more of light then the courteous candle , which betraid to her eye and hand a sword , which shee taking to her , revolves her present condition . if the soule straightned ( said shee ) in a necessitie of ill-doing , must trie all her power to gain her libertie : surely shee must not refuse any opportunity conduceable to the preservation of her purity . death is then an honourable freedome , when it takes us from the danger of living ill . as we came into the world with nature ; so wee must goe out with honour ; wee must not rest on nature for our ends , since before her summons , thousands of extremities doe beset our lives . there shee paus'd . welcome ( said shee ) my deare , deare preserver ; to thee i owe this last , this most glorious act of my well-spent life ; to thee posterity shall be as much beholding as theutilla ; thou shalt redeem the errours of after times in women . then shee , borne for what shee did , drew the sword , anvil'd and filed for her sexes glory : no sooner ( said she ) have i unsheath'd thee , but i must sheath thee againe , where ? in this guiltlesse breast of mine . call up thy too degenerous spirit . of what bravery can it accuse the act ? thou murdrest a poor innocent maid . shall posteritie brand mee with that weaknesse ? shall it say , that not able to stand under the miseries of life , i was press'd down by the hard extremity of fortune to despaire to death ? no , my tide of furie flowes into another channell ; here is a revenge fit for thy spirit , fit for thine arme ; thine honour shall bee proud to riot in his bloud , whose bloud would riot in thine honour . thus then i shake off woman , and her frailtie ; thus doe i strangle the monster lust that revels in thy veines ; and to complete my vengeance , send thy sin-surfetted soule into the land of endlesse night , where it hath already tane sure footing , with that , her spirit restlesse in the revenge of words , eager of action , directed her arme , which gave amalius so fatall a wound , that it seem'd her hot-metled fury was bridled with exactest discretion , and nothing wanted the attempt but passion . bravest theutilla , sooner shall the fathers bowels bee silent at the sight of his long unseen sonne , then posterity forget thy name . amalius now miserably groaning , now miserably opening his eyes to shut them againe more miserably , had little more of life then what could give her life , in appeasing the fury of his servants that rushed in to her destruction . what means ( said he ) is chaos of confounding noise ; this unwelcome traine , to the more unwelcome pomp of death ? whither rush yee , yee betrayers of innocence , yee servants of nothing but my lust ? oh may mine infamie find a grave as soone as life ; and you sooner : that the world may want a witnesse of it . i conjure you by the relation that ties you to my commands , and this last ; spare her life , whose chastitie the gods are pleas'd to spare . then , to make a minute of his life famous , hee contemplated on mortality . nature ( said hee ) that first digested this all into an exact method of parts , preserves it likewise by a constant concordance of the same , without the which it would soone resolve into the first nothing : onely man , ungovern'd man , natures master-peece , revolting from her allegeance , deposes her lieutenant reason , le ts in the usurper , passion , to untune the harmony that preserves the soul. hence is it that death , the privation of being , in this disorder seizes the fort , hurries the governesse captive to an eternall , a never redeem'd imprisonment . the sunne , the sea , have both their bounds , and man his stage from life to death , of equall length to all , though one runs faster then another . the world whirles about continually till it be dissolv'd ; and mans brain not satisfied in the bare necessaries of life , moves in an unbounded motion , till stil'd by the period of action , the undoer of nature , death . there is but one doore at which wee enter this labyrinth of life : but infinite are the waies wee turne and wind out of it . the infant no sooner with much difficulty rak'd out of the wombe , ( punishing the mothers guilt of his short-liv'd misery ) enters the tombe , flashing through the world , being but a lightning of life . pleasure or businesse wears out the riper mans vitals , and forceth out life , let nature block it up never so strongly . the aged man , because a burden to himselfe , sinks under his own weight . these are ordinary waies out of this world into the next : but to bee hurld out by violence of fate , this is the doom of strictest justice that makes eternity our curse . this is the hard fate my just merit hath encountred , to be punish'd by the sex i have so much abus'd . this was his last : for nature , though shee could not tell him he had liv'd long enough ; told him hee had been long enough dying . there she withdrew her selfe from him , and seal'd up his eyes to the eternall sleep of eternall night . pro theutilla . reason is the only , and noble difference between the free and servile creature , and they whose actions are not moderated and well poyzed by her power , deviate from themselves into the slavery of sense . theutilla , if shee could obtaine of her selfe to yeeld to sense , why should not amalius obtaine it ? if to reason ; why should shee not kill amalius ? or why should she be ravished ? her selfe then was victor of her sense , and to conquer reason she conquer'd amalius . never had her vertue a fairer tryall , then when her honour was a martyr stak'd to unlawfull flames ; never could her honour bee more honourably releived , then by her vertue ; nor both , then by this act . though vertue being within her , honour being above her , was not to be really violated without the theutilla that was below her : yet must amalius be sacrificed , as well to deprive her of the interest he might have in her dishonour , as to make opinion cleare as her actions . it was that mind that stoop'd not to her body , that made her of consequence ; not her beauty : the other sullied , who but amalius would value this ? or one whose sense is so scattered in the admiration of the outward forme , that hee discernes not even those deformities of soule which are detected ? it was necessary for her fame not onely to resolve not to yeeld : but to prevent occasions that might prejudice her vertue , or her honour . but why was amalius slaine , not master of the opportunity hee knew not ? why was she forc'd thither ? because shee would not yeeld ; because she should bee ravished . but haply her handsome prayers had wrought him to an handsome repentance . is beauty , the loadstar that attracts hearts of steel to it , the orator that pleads against it selfe ? amalius , had his eyes been open , had not read contradictions in her face , nor made so obscure a comment upon so cleare a text. hee had seene her but as hee had seene her ; her eyes inviting all eyes , her lippes all lippes , her face loves banquet , where shee ryots in the most luxuriant feast of sense : not as shee was the modell of divine perfection , so innocent shee knew not the meaning of a mistris . theutilla , had she had no other sword but her innocence , might satisfie her selfe in that defence : but conscience is but one witnesse to one , and her actions must endure the triall of another touch-stone beside her owne . amalius would easily confront her meanenesse . then allow her this great revenge of little innocence . contra theutillam . a mind well habited to vertue , enjoyes all true content within it self , knowing nothing without it to transport it from it selfe . why should she then strain her vertue to a vice ; in the too nice satisfaction of others , unsatisfie her selfe ? why should shee , to prevent unlawfull love , act a more unlawfull revenge ? why should shee revenge an unacted injury ; commit a certain murder , to avoid an uncertain rape ? had she been absolutely tyed either to die , kill , or be ravished ; she had shewed a greater height of spirit in enduring , then revenging her dishonour . for the passive valour is more laudable then the active : this being often the fruit of a desperate , dejected ; that ever of a well-settled mind . her valour was her crime , her cowardize : for as shee had the false spirit of a man , unjustly to kill a man : so had shee the true false spirit of a woman , to act a greater , lest she should sinke under a lesser evill . perhaps glorie transported her to an attempt ( as shee flattered her self ) above a man : did shee not also descend into the cruell weaknesse of her sexe , slay a man that had already paid earnest to a sleep never to awake , that had already pawn'd himselfe to death ? did she not goe lower , sacrifice his soule to the furie of furies , her selfe ? whither did her blind rage lead her , to punish innocence , to salve her honour that was not wounded ? this act carries little valour in it , lesse vertue . cypriana . the iland cyprus , natures choycest storehouse , where she had reposed the chiefest blessings of the earth , flowing in wealth , the wantonizer of the mind , and by it once dedicated to the queen of love , courted and feared of the neighbouring nations : while secure in her owne height ; the othomannick army , infinite in number , invincible in valour , unappeas'd by cruelty , breaks in like a sea , that threatens to eat her into another iland , if not devoure her . christianity was their crime , a wrong proud enough to unsheath a turkish blade ; life was their greatest guilt , which must bee wip'd off by cruell death . that which to nature was preposterous , the souldier made methodicall ; the infant torn from the mothers brest , was mangled into as many atomes as it had lived minutes , and hewed out into more sacrifices then it had sins : if sorrow was too weak to conquer the surviving distressed mother ; the sword ( therein courteous ) supplyed it , and intomb'd both in the wombe from whence they did unfortunately spring . wives and maids were first ravish'd , then slaine for adultery . father and daughter , mother and sonne , brother and sister were all incestuously piled up ; there was nothing wanting but new lives to satisfie the guilt of death . the iland was an heape of carkasses in despaire of being repeopled but by cannibals or crows . was ever cruelty so barbarously express'd ? was ever steel refin'd for such cruelty ? mustapha having almost dislimb'd the iland , bends his fury to the head ; besiegeth salamina , renowned for rich citizens , brave buildings , and stately temples ; erected by the telamonian teucer , during the trojan sieige . dandalus the governour , forc'd to submit himselfe to the turkish yoke , after exquisite tortures , is beheaded ; and to strike a greater terrour in the survivors , his head is carryed upon the point of a sword through the razed citie . nero had here seene his cruell wish accomplish'd , the head of thousands of heads strooke off at one blow . the highest rate the citizen could amount to , was too cheap for the securitie of life , where innocence was punish'd in stead of treason . mustapha , his sword now surfetted in humane bloud , spurs on his sacrilegious furie to revenge him of the gods : he razeth the temples , whither the wretched salaminians were fled for refuge ; the altars are profan'd ; hymens holy tapers are lighted to rapes and adulteries at the very altars . murders are their sacrifices ; innocent lives drop like beades from their bloudy hands , their more bloudy devotions . good heaven ! where is your thunder ? awake your sleeping armory : is not your whole hoast blasphem'd ? good earth ! where is thy earthquake ? cannot these monsters move thee ? the consecrated vessels are prophan'd to servile uses . the shrines of saints that call'd the adoration of farthest pilgrims , are demolish'd ; all , holy , and prophane , a e miscellaniously sacrific'd to fire and sword . mustapha , his rage and avarice appeas'd , bethinks him of a present to appease selimus his masters lusts ; he sends captive the choicest beauties of both sexes ( doom'd to another destinie ) to the distain'd carpathian sea , where his fleet lay at anchor . the captives ship'd , and ready to be wafted in their owne bloud to byzantium ; when the divinely inspired cypriana wrought the miracle , worthy the memory of all time . shee , servilly imployed in the powder-office , with a countenance that gave a majesty to her miserie , and scorn'd the subjection of sorrow ; resolves a powder-treason : a candle shee had flaming in her hand ; but a purer flame shot from heaven into her breast : from no other place could so generous a mind be fired . this fire ( said shee ) purer then the element of fire , shall both burne and cure , shall extinguish the lurking inflammations of lust . nothing of cyprus shall bee transported to byzantium but my fame , powerfull to perfume the contagion of their sin . o heaven ! to thee , the sanctuary of innocence , flies my untainted soule : if my spirit enlightned by thine , act thy vengeance , thy mercy reward mee ; if i transgresse thy commission , if i let out my life before thou requirest it : pardon the weaknesse of my vertue , pardon her that sacrificeth her self a spotlesse creature to thy most sacred throne . if thy justice exclude mee thy pitie , oh pitie these innocents ; rain all thy revenge on mee , burie my name from the discovery of posterity ; let not them , because they feel my fate , feel thy vengeance . then gave shee fire to the powder , that knew as little mercie as the turke . the masts and sailes were hoysed nearer the skies , then when the boysterous element conspires a shipwrack ; the ribs torn from the body , flew like murdering shot through the next ship ; where the unquench'd pitch seized the powder , so that both were swallowed by the same fate . into these two ships were congested the prime of the turkish souldiery , the cyprian captivitie dispatch'd by mustapha to selimus at byzantium . the miserable salaminians now upon the shore , paying the last office of affection , to see the last of their wives and children , were more delighted then terrified at the spectacle ; they look'd on death not as a punishment ; but as the most honourable divorce , and last refuge of honour . death had in it more courtesie then horrour : for as it was the last , so it was the least of their evils . did they weepe at their misfortunes ? so did the sea : with a generall acclamation they thank'd the gods that had heard their prayers , desiring their friends should bee rather a prey to the mercilesse waves , then selimus lusts , for which , by the misfortune of beauty , they were reserv'd untouch'd . mustapha now again whets his sword , which before revenge had dull'd ; there was not a life that was not his prey , till hee had left the iland breathlesse ; then , like a tyger besmeard in the bloud of tamer beasts , hee returnes to his fleet ; and laden with the spoiles of the countrey , but most with infamie , hoyseth sailes to bzyantium . now is he in the carpathian sea ; where may hee see nothing but monsters ugly as himself ; may wind and water roar to him the name of bloud . if sleepe — charming-care steal on his restlesse mind ; may the cyprian ghosts awake him : may every minute bee feare of endlesse death , and may his sinne fright away his repentance : then in view of the byzantium towers , the great seraglio , and his own pallace ; may he bee betrayd by his nearest friend to a rock that splits him ; from thence let him sink into the lowest dungeon of avernus . pro cypriana . the countrey is wasted and spoyled of her riches : but honour is shipp'd up a prisoner to byzantium . is there no refuge ; no redemption ? sword and fire can preserve this , as well as sword and fire consume the other . policie allowes not captivitie a sword : but crueltie allowes her a candle , the clearer to see her slavery . ignorance is the happinesse of misery which is not felt before it bee understood . had cypriana a slavish mind in a slavish body , shee had owed her attempt to fortune , not to vertue ; and merited more scorn then praise : but nature that gave her a soule above her sexe , studied a discretion proportionable to manage it . had shee well weighed , alwaies to redeem her honour with honour ; she could not better informe , or in a more ingenuous way relieve her selfe , then to make the embleme of her slavery the instrument of her freedome ; her justice was wittie , to punish the turke by the same means he had punish'd them . was it their misery , or their cruelty to which she owed her life ? shee was halde from a glorious death , to an ignominious life , to an inglorious death . shee was captivated by her owne beauty , and felt the greatest tyranny of it her selfe , why then also should her greatest offender bee unpunish'd ? shee did not kill her selfe for feare of the turke : for her brest was arm'd to meet death in any shape of horrour , shee had before beheld him unaffrighted in all his ghastly formes . life was below her honour ; her honour not above her friends , which nor life , nor death shall divorce from her affection . as they had accompanied her to her slavery : so it was equall to her libertie . vnworthy is she of life , that lives by unworthinesse ; unworthy is she of an handsome death , that seeks it by an ignominious life : but shee soared to the height of glory : for shee would not goe a voluntary slave to her dishonour , when death might releeve her : but shee died , and in her selfe bequeath'd three wonders to the world ; a free slave , a vertuous prostitute , and an innocent murderesse . contra cyprianam . vvhether was the turk or shee more cruell ? he slew his enemies , and strangers : shee , her friends , kindred , and her self . had she life to revenge it with self-murder ? or were she wronged by another , must she therefore be reveng'd on her selfe ? was a life freely given bought at too dear a rate ? or because shee might feel their power , must she use her owne ? what was it that look'd on her more terrible then death , or that she look'd on through a multiplying glasse ? was it slavery ? that is the common fate of vertue , that stands unmov'd by misery , unshaken by despair . had the turk slaine her , he had not depriv'd the world of the opinion of her vertue : but the very substance is shipwrack'd by her selfe . the turks cruelty was her courtesie : for though hee triumph'd over her ; yet hee gave her the opportunity to triumph over misery , and shew that height of spirit that scornes any thing without her should afflict her : but shee disdain'd to bee beholding to their courtesie , or her owne vertue . was dishonour the thing beyond death or captivity ? had she asmuch of woman as not to feare a death from her selfe , and not asmuch , as not to feare a dishonour from another ? could shee hate her vertue , and her sin ? could she better revenge her of her vertue , then by her dishonour ? why should she feare what might befall her in life , who was regardlesse what might befall her after death . then was slavery the terrible , joyn'd with dishonour her twin sister . had she been transported to a nunnery , where vertue is necessitated , had not that been a slavery ? would not her will break into a thousand sins , who broke through life into a false liberty ? but lesse then death , slavery , or dishonour , onely sense of her dishonour depriv'd her of her sense ; why should she be affrighted by a shadow , when her sense could bee wrong'd by none but her selfe ? aretaphila . aretaphila , a cyrenaean , the last rank'd in these stories , but first in my thoughts , which by the order of birth may claim the priviledge to do wonders . as some things are lesse curiously perform'd which are ordain'd for common use , not for the ornament or wonder of the world : so have i , like a french volunteir on a lute , all this while scatter'd slight aires , which may perchance surprize an indifferent eye : but now like the glasse that twists the sun-beames to steale fire from heaven , i must in writing her , so lessen and contract so much of her as may sinke into our narrow faith , or narrower reason . if our poets prophanely rake heaven for comparisons , for each part of a rotten mistris that shall nere bee part of it ; one whom sinne , to prevent age , hath carcass'd in her cradle : to what heights must i ascend to reach a subject fit for all fancy to work , not play upon ; one that is above all heights ? sometimes she is pleas'd to stoop to bee admir'd , ador'd ; not that shee falls lower to rebound higher : but that wee are admir'd for admiring her , and we her prisoners feast our selves with the fragmentarie offalls of her fame . thus doe i admire her , till i admire my selfe out of breath ; then shee beckens to my soule ( the reason i cannot reach ; but i obey ) to come , whither i will not tell you : but now i am return'd a re-transmigrated-mountebank-pedler , i will open to your opticks that which shall purblind the whole art ; at your two nostrils you shal snuffe in both the indies ; for your pallats , ( because the cleanest feeders are the cleanest meat ) you shall have the whole sect of epicures ; if their opinions stick in your stomacks , you shall take all the sumes of arabia in a tobacco-pipe to concoct them : here is that will chaine your care to the perpetuall sound of aretaphila : for your touch , are you a midas ? here is a diamond set in gold , within two dayes it will bee a rhodian colosse ; then will it magnifie to an escuriall ; then to a world ; then to tenne worlds ; then to aretaphila : thus fortune blows dust up to a lady , then to a countesse , then to a queen : thus gold and diamonds at length come to be aretaphila , in whose name they have been valued . please you to look into this inward drawer , you shall see all the secrets of nature , that have befool'd the grand clarks of all the world. here shall you see reason for the ebb and flow of seas , and of an ague that resembles it ; here shall you see the wrack of your bodies wracks , how he is the onely physician of himselfe . the wounded roman state , like a broken tobacco-pipe , was cured by bloud . warre cures the turkish lethargie . the aegyptian dropsie is cured by drinking ; one month in a year the whole countrey is drunk . the plague cures grand-cairo of her diseases of repletion : but the ague onely an ague . it is an opinion of some , that every particular person hath two angels , one waits at his right hand , the other at his left ; this left-handed devill is the thing we speake of ; if wee bee fairely dispossest of him , we may say , the better angell hath got the victory : but if by the holiogopheron hotontiperistaton , one devill drives out another . here you see this little little pepper-corn ; princes are captives , emperours are subjects to this pymee-tyrant , this is love. let him be pitied , he swells higher then atlas ; heaven and earth is not a load for his little finger . let him be scorn'd , then ( like a prince's casheir'd favourite ) hee is frown'd from a duke to a male contented gentleman ; then hee crosseth his crossed armes , and looks upon his fate with that regreet a younger brother in the low-countries doth his followers , who make his misery their food , and are the onely flatterers of low fortunes ; the little winke rereares the other ; four stivers in hot water defends this from the world , and which is worse , himselfe . love hath been a tenant to this heart for many years , and hath now left it like a farme in the eighteenth yeare , plowed up and harrowed out of heart ; under three years sleep it wil not again be tenantable . here you may see the braine working like a powder-mill , let the brasse be over-wrought , he is blown up ; and the rest of man is as confused as a beleagured towne : screw him not up like a treble lute-string , in a storme , to a french tune , and he will shew you the wonders of heaven so distinctly , that you shall confute a whole kennell of almanacks . but oh ! whilst i am quacking , my aretaphila is fled ; fled like the last age ; or faster , like yesterday ; and my soul , like a skie-climbing falcon , sprited as the ayre shee flies in , hath gotten height , and wind , and thinkes to seize her : but oh ! shee is heightned into the incomprehensible ; shee is lessened into the invisible ; shee is greatned to the un-by-any — fancie — fathomable . shall we aske sense what she is ? sense will tell us ; her face is the unclouded welkin in the infancy of day : her eyes the sunne and moon that sleepe by turnes , lest they should leave the world in darknesse : her tongue the harmony of sphears and nature : her brests heavens milkie way , spangled with azure starres : her armes castor and pollux : her other parts , because of lower function , are but the symmetry of all the beauties of her sexe : shee is too much first to have any second ; from the third , fourth , and fifth forme of women , from a million , or all of them you may take some piece of her , not all , for she herself is the all. aske reason what shee is ; reason will tell you , shee is her directresse , that shee keeps the elements at peace within us : our fire she confines to religious zeale , and suffers it not to inflame either to lust or superstition : our watry element shee hath design'd to quench unlawfull flames : our sighs to drie our blubbred eyes , when teares have tyred them : our earth like the earth to tread upon , or make no other account of it then of a skin-purse that holds ten thousand pound : the money outed , the purse is laid aside till it bee refill'd by the same treasure . aske faith what shee is : faith that ties us morally to riddles , religiouslly to mysteries ; and faith will tell you , shee hath yours , and mine , & an hundred other souls in one soule : nor doth her soule receive extension : for a soule fils no roome , though shee bee all over the body , and she all over ours ; yet none knowes where , nor how . if with some philosophers wee will give them but such dimensions , that twenty of them cannot stand upon the point of a needle ; then may it follow that two or three thousand of them may bee circumscrib'd ( in which compasse i think so many misers soules may ) in a locall inch : if they have any dimensions , they may bee circumscrib'd ; if circumscrib'd , then followes the unheard-of absurdity ' that they are bodies . we are circumscriptive ; other angels definitive : but her , immortall fame hath made ubiquitive , and repletive . there are orders of angels , the first of higher knowledge , because of nobler function ; the knowledge of the second but derived from the first : yet those and these angels know no more of each other then they are pleas'd to reveale to one another : but shee , first of the first ranke , knowes all of them and us , and wee weakely enlightned , have so much of her , as the watry elements of the sun , but bare reflection . some angels protect cities , others countries ; but the noblest are guardians to us frail and mortall men ; all these offices were by her undergone on earth ; to what high flights of exercise is shee now soared ? but i must stoop , and draw neer her into her low estate . faith tels us she stands one contrary without another : were there , or were there no night : yet were shee an everlasting day . were there none bad : yet were shee unparalleldly good . were there any or none to be compar'd to her : yet were she superlative . all of her is an even proportion of extremes . faith tels us , now she is beyond our apprehension , that shee is nothing , yet all of every thing . but now since she is , let us see what made her this all ; she was wife to phedimus , a cyrenaean citizen . as when we see the eastern morn shoot his fiery-pointed darts , we say they are the tipstaves to usher into the world the approaching snnne ; presently we see himselfe attended by his page , the day ; anon he goes to bed , then it is night : so shall you see the aretaphila in her glimmering , wife to phedimus ; then in the bright of day , queen and protectresse of the cyrenaeans ; after that her returne to the solitary distaffe : then like a man that hath lost the other eye , i 'le bid good night to all the world. nicocrates the tyrant having made the sword his oratour to plead his title , usurp'd dominion over the cyrenaeans ; among other his bloudy butcheries , hee put to death the innocent phedimus ; and then forc'd the incomparable aretaphila to be his queen . she resenting the publick calamities more then her private injuries , meditates a remedy for both , and by advise of her nearest friends , attempts the poysoning of the king. the tyrant had an old woman to his mother , named calbia ; this carcasse , a better name i can hardly afford her outside , was the inside of a sepulchre ; her head was unthatch'd as an old parsonage ; her eyes ( like lights at the last snuffe , when the extinguisher is readie to make their epitaphs ) sunk low into their candlesticks ; her eares now deaf , now happy ( such was her tongue ) they have lost their sense ; her nose worm'd like a peice of homer of the first bind , offended with her breath , bowed to her chinne to damme it up ; her cheeks hol'd as the earth in dog-dayes drouth ; her lips fit to bee kiss'd by none but by themselves ; her teeth rotten as her soul , hollow as her heart , loose as the shingles of an old silenc'd steeple , scragged as a disparked pale , stood at that distance one could not bite another ; her tongue so weakly guarded , scolds like the alarm of a clock ; her chin was down'd with a china beard of twenty haires ; her brest lanke as a quicksand , wasted as an hour-glasse at the eleventh use ; one arme , one legge , one foot shee doff'd with day , and as a resurrection , dond with the morrow ; her bones ( pithlesse as a stallion for seven posterities ) the slightest feares might now make rattle in her skinne ; her body ( wasted to no waste , blasted with lust as an oak with lightning ) was as familiar with diseases , as a physician : to conclude ; she is odious beyond all comparison : one sight of her would make the heat of youth recoile into an infant continence . yet she maintaines two painters & three apothecaries to maintain this old-old uglinesse , as the rare thing shee hath been these fourscore yeares in getting . but i have too long , like a sexton , convers'd with rottennesse . she was calbia , and in that , her soule was a wel acquainted with sin as a confessor : shee was nicocrates mother , and in that name she carried to the faire and vertuous aretaphila , the envy of age , the wormwood of a mother-in-law ; a word that is the originall that signifies all that is ill in the sexe : yet for the reliefe of some few particulars , read it like hebrew , and it yeelds something that is good . this calbia discovers the poison-plot . then , as eagerly as my young master in the countrey fastens on the red-deere-pie ( tougher then drakes biskets that went round the world , hoary as methusalem ) entaild by his grandsire to the house for ever ; shee seizes the faire aretaphila into her tallons , more griping then poverty it selfe ; nails that scratch like the law , and are as good a cure for the itch as the goale for theeves ; her she brings to the rack , there intending , after confession , with most subtle tortures to let out her life . oh , that love in his olympiads should bee drown'd in those faire eyes ! those eyes , more eloquent then all rhetorick , that would raise an anchoret from his grave , and turne the fiend fury into the cherubin pity , that those eyes should be of no other use then to vent sorrow to inexorable ears ! that those white and red roses ( which no rain but what fell from those heavenly eies ) could colour or sweeten , should wither in their prime ! those lips that staine the rubies , and make the roses blush ! those lips that command the scarlet-coloured morn into a cloud to hide his shame , should kisse a mercilesse and sinew-sundring rack ! that breath which makes us all chamaelions should bee wasted into unregarded sighs ! that those brests eternally chast , and white as the alps ; those legs , columnes of the fairest parian marble , columnes that support this monument of all pens , should bee stretch'd into anatomies ! that her body that would call a soule from heaven into it , should bee mangled like one that hath hang'd in chaines these three years ! that her skin , smooth as the face of youth , soft as a bed of violets , white as the queen of innocence , sweet as the bean-blossomes after raine ; that that skin , the casket of that body , the karkanet of that soul , should be jag'd and torne with that remorselesse pitie we commonly bestow upon a scare-crow ! after long racking , when calbia saw shee could rack no confession ; then when more torment would have been a reliefe ; she was taken down from the rack , and her body was pinn'd , as an unwelcome courtesie , upon her soule . thus noble and pious guilt is twin-brother , and carries the same face with innocence : so was she spirited , that those tortures could scarce trie her patience , lesse her truth ; and though calbia was not fully possess'd of any course to put her to death ; yet had shee cruelty enough to doe worse then kill her to make a cause . but , aretaphila , though her countries liberty , and her owne honour lifted higher then the flatteries of life , or feare of death ; resolv'd in spite of cruelty or fate , to live whilst shee had offred nicocrates and calbia to her oppress'd countries rage : therefore the second time she was brought to the rack , when fearing she should be sacrific'd to calbia , not calbia to cyrenaea , to calm nicocrates , shee thus bespake him : great sir , when you were pleas'd to lift my humble fortunes up to those glories that willingly engage a womans pride ; when by kind fate , and kinder nicocrates , i was snatch'd from base private arms , to the embraces of a prince : were these cheeks dy'd into ingratitude and crueltie to make them lovely ? can your brest harbour such a thought ; that this brest which you were pleas'd to think worthy to harbour yours , can swell with those two monsters abandon'd by the most infamous of our sexe ? but since ( such is my hard fortune ) i am reduc'd to that misery as to defend mine innocence ; hear me nicocrates ; not that i beg life ; for i scorne to stoop ( now i am suspected ) so low as to take it honourably . this potion ( which the comments of envie interpreted a poyson ) is a confection , not of cantharides for thy lust : but of all those ingredients that may strengthen vertuous love . this ture innocence had no designe upon thy life , which ( oh thou all-seeing skie witnesse ) i value as much above mine owne , as mine honour above mine enemy : but fearing lest like a needle betweene two loadstarres , the stronger might attract thee ; and my unworthinesse ( how happy am i in it since it pleads mine innocence ! ) might betray me to a worthyer love ; i devis'd this potion to make thy love lasting as mine , which else would soon consume , fed with such withred fewell as this poore declining face ; this face that can boast nothing but her sorrow , which ( since deriv'd from you ) is most welcome to these eyes , and is receiv'd as your embassadour , into this heartlesse heart . oh let these tears for ever drown these eyes ! oh let this sorrow sacrifice this innocent heart in all her glory to the great nicocrates ! oh let aretaphila , the aretaphila that is ( since she ) — there ( though no tongue could praise her but her owne ) the tyrant impatient ( such oratory have teares in a faire face ) to heare more , tearing his haire , his rage too hastie to be silent ; hee express'd as much spleen to calbia , as shee to aretaphila . what furies ( said hee ) fled from their black region have possest thy blacker soule ( fir to lend rage to all the horrid haggs of tartarie ) to act a deed , which , oh you heavens ! can you behold without raine and thunder , your combin'd sorrow & rage ? can you rend the clouds which are but the suck'd up vapours of the earth ; and not her that takes in all the poysonous sin of hell to fortifie her wickednesse ? accurs'd fury ! curs'd from the cradle to the tombe , curs'd above all that ever heaven and earth yet curs'd ! may all the sins of me , my name , and house returne into thy venom'd soule , till they have press'd it into the low despaire of nere-below-repenting sinners . then in his fury , too great for more words ; he had rack'd his mother calbia ; had not the vertuous aretaphila stepp'd in betweene him and his revenge . nicocrates now gladly possest of her innocence , endeavours by studied favours to raze out all the injuries imprinted on her body and her soule : but shee like an anvile , too much heated by the last blowes to coole suddenly ; meditates upon another , and more safe way for the tyrants death . she had a daughter , every way exactly perfect , for she was daughter to aretaphila . the tyrant had a brother called leander ; you have already all that commends him ; hee was an haire-braind , wild-headed , unrein'd young man ; one whom lust or ambition might flatter into the most desperate attempts . aretaphila wrought so far with the king , that a match between her hero-daughter and the young leander was by his consent concluded ; her shee counsels to insinuate into her husbands rashnesse , and perswade him ( and oh what will not this pestiferous night-geare doe ! ) to besiege his brothers crown . leander not contented with the kingdome hee enjoyd in her ; thought now nothing lesse then to raise himselfe as high as his ambition , brib'd his swiz — servant diapheries , who in the first nick of opportunitie murthred nicocrates . whither do these crowns and scepters , the worlds magnalia , but indeed the balls of fortune , hurrie thee , fond leander ? thou hast not kill'd the tyrant for the countrey : but slaine thy brother for the crowne . through how many restlesse nights , and lesse restlesse thoughts do we encounter these sweet-bitter joyes : and as the more we graspe the water into our hands , the lesse wee hold : so is content the farther from us , the more we seeke it in these fading glories of the world ; which like an ignis fatuus , first lights us through wild untrodden pathes unto themselves ; then through vaste ayrie thoughts they lead us up to that precipice , from whence we fall , and there they leave us . aretaphila could not appease her revenge till she had pluck'd up the tyrant by the roots . first shee incenc'd the citizens against leander , the traitour to his prince , the parricide of his countrey , the fratricide , and lastly the muderer of her husband . they with one consent adjudged him to bee sowed up into a sack , and cast into the sea . then judgement proceeded to calbia , whom they condemned to the fire , and shee was burnt alive . diapheries not worth naming , and therefore i think not worth hanging , the storie mentions not his punishment . the cyrenaeans now prostrate their lives and fortunes to the devotion of aretaphila , that was owner of them both ; they offer her divine honours , and beseech her to take further protection of the countrey . but she who to doe her countrey service , could subdue her thoughts to be a queen ; can fall from that height , to rise above all crowns , into her owne content ; she shaking off those glorious loades of state , retired from all the crowding tumults of the court , into a solitary and truely happy countrey-condition ; there to spinne out her thread of life at her homely distaffe : where we will leave her a veryer wonder then the phoenix in the desart , the alone paragon of all peerlesse perfections . her actions ( so above the criticisme of my purblind judgement ) i am not able to comprehend , much lesse contradict , or controvert . i am silent , lest you should passe that censure upon me for her ; which famianus strada did upon horace for plautus ; that my judgement is judicium sine judicio . finis . the heroina hath nothing of woman in her but her sex , nothing of sex but her body , and that dispos'd to serve , not rule her better part . it is as nature left it , neglectfull , not negligent ; neat , not stretch'd upon the tenter-hookes of quaintnesse of dresse or garbe ; with nature it decaies , with mechanick art the ruines are not repaired . her soule is her heaven in which she enjoyes aeternall harmony : her conscience is her sanctuary , whither , when shee is wounded she flies for refuge . her affections and passions , in constant calme , neither flow nor ebb with fortune ; her hope is not screwd up to ambition , nor her fear dejected to despaire . her joy is confin'd to smiles , her sorrow to teares . prosperity is the type of what shee shall bee ; adversity , her rowling yron that smoothes her way to paradise . outward happinesse she owes not ●o her starres , but her vertue that rules her stars . if shee bee lash'd by fortune , it is but like a toppe , not to bee set up , but kept upright . religion , not pride or weaknesse makes her chast . she understands not the common conceit of love , nor entertaines that familiarity with man that hee may hope it . flattery , the inseparable companion of love , she scorns , though she cannot flatter her selfe . if love enter her breast , it is in the most noble way directed to the beauty , neerest the most perfect beauty . if shee marry , it is onely to propagate ; the very act tending thereto shee singles from the thought of sinne . vertue is the reward of her vertue ; her soule is not so servile , as to be tyed by the hope of happinesse , or fear of miserie to bee what she is : but is cleerly satisfied for doing well , that she doth well . shee is temperate , that her soule may still be soveraigne of her sense . shee entertains pitie as an attribute of the divinitie , not of her sex . shee is wise , because vertuous . she is valiant : for her conscience is ungall'd , and can endure the sharpest touch of tongue . if shee bee inwrapped in the straight that shee may sinne , shee relies upon the highest providence , which forbids her to use a remedie worse then the evill . finis . a serious proposal to the ladies, for the advancement of their true and greatest interest by a lover of her sex. astell, mary, 1668-1731. 1694 approx. 118 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 89 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2007-01 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a26092 wing a4062 estc r9521 11665663 ocm 11665663 48021 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a26092) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 48021) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 9:6) a serious proposal to the ladies, for the advancement of their true and greatest interest by a lover of her sex. astell, mary, 1668-1731. [4], 172, [3] p. printed for r. wilkin ..., london : 1694. errata: p. 172. reproduction of original in yale university library. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng women -education -early works to 1800. conduct of life -early works to 1800. feminism -early works to 1800. 2006-02 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2006-03 apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images 2006-04 judith siefring sampled and proofread 2006-04 judith siefring text and markup reviewed and edited 2006-09 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion licens'd , july 16th . 1694. d. poplar . a serious proposal to the ladies , for the advancement of their true and greatest interest . by a lover of her sex . london , printed for r. wilkin at the king's head in st. paul's church-yard , 1694. a serious proposal to the ladies , for the advancement of their true and greatest interest . ladies , since the profitable adventures that have gone abroad in the world , have met with so great encouragement , tho' the highest advantage they can propose , is an uncertain lot for such matters as opinion ( not real worth ) gives a value to ; things which if obtain'd , are as flitting and fickle , as that chance which is to dispose of them . i therefore persuade my self , you will not be less kind to a proposition that comes attended with more certain and substantial gain ; whose only design is to improve your charms and heighten your value , by suffering you no longer to be cheap and contemptible . it 's aim is to fix that beauty , to make it lasting and permanent , which nature with all the helps of art , cannot secure : and to place it out of the reach of sickness and old age , by transferring it from a corruptible body to an immortal mind . an obliging design , which wou'd procure them inward beauty , to whom nature has unkindly denied the outward ; and not permit those ladies who have comely bodies , to tarnish their glory with deformed souls . wou'd have you all be wits , or what is better wise . raise you above the vulgar by something more truely illustrious , than a founding title , or a great estate . wou'd excite in you a generous emulation to excel in the best things , and not in such trifles as every mean person who has but mony enough , may purchase as well as you . not suffer you to take up with the low thought of distinguishing your selves by any thing that is not truly valuable ; and procure you such ornaments as all the treasures of the indies are not able to purchase . wou'd help you to surpass the men as much in vertue and ingenuity , as you do in beauty ; that you may not only be as lovely , but as wise as angels . exalt and establish your fame , more than the b●st wrought poems , and loudest panegyricks , by ennobling your minds with such graces as really deserve it . and instead of the fustian complements and fulsome flatteries of your admirers , obtain for you the plaudit of good men and angels , and the approbation of him who cannot err . in a word , render you the glory and blessing of the present age , and the admiration and pattern of the next . and sure , i shall not need many words to persuade you to close with this proposal . the very offer is a sufficient inducement ; nor does it need the set-off's of rhetorick to recommend it , were i capable , which yet i am not , of applying them with the greatest force . since you cannot be so unkind to your selves , as to refuse your real interest ; i only entreat you to be so wise as to examine wherein it consists ; for nothing is of worser consequence than to be deceiv'd in a matter of so great concern . 't is as little beneath your grandeur as your prudence , to examine curiously what is in this case offer'd you ; and to take care that cheating hucksters don't impose upon you with deceitful ware. this is a matter infinitely more worthy your debates , than what colours are most agreeable , or what 's the dress becomes you best ? your glass will not do you half so much service as a serious reflection on your own minds ; which will discover irregularities more worthy your correction , and keep you from being either too much elated or depress'd by the representations of the other . 't will not be near so advantagious to consult with your dancing-master as with your own thoughts , how you may with greatest exactness tread in the paths of vertue , which has certainly the most attractive air , and wisdom the most graceful and becoming meen : let these attend you , and your carriage will be always well compos'd , and ev'ry thing you do will carry its charm with it . no solicitude in the adornation of your selves is discommended , provided you employ your care about that which is really your self ; and do not neglect that particle of divinity within you , which must survive , and may ( if you please ) be happy and perfect when it 's unsuitable and much inferiour companion is mouldring into dust . neither will any pleasure be denied you , who are only desir'd not to catch at the shadow and let the substance go . you may be as ambitious as you please , so you aspire to the best things ; and contend with your neighbours as much as you can , that they may not out-do you in any commendable quality . let it never be said , that they to whom preeminence is so very agreeable , can be tamely content that others shou'd surpass them in this , and precede them in a better world ! remember , i pray you , the famous women of former ages , the orinda's of late , and the more modern d'acier and others , and blush to think how much is now , and will hereafter be said of them , when you your selves ( as great a figure as you make ) must be buried in silence and forgetfulness ! shall your emulation fail there only , where it is commendable ? why are you so preposterously humble , as not to contend for one of the highest mansions in the court of heav'n ? believe me ladies , this is the only place worth contending for ; you are neither better nor worse in your selves for going before , or coming after now ; but you are really so much the better , by how much the higher your station is in an orb of glory . how can you be content to be in the world like tulips in a garden , to make a fine shew and be good for nothing ; have all your glories set in the grave , or perhaps much sooner ? what your own sentiments are , i know not , but i cannot without pity and resentment reflect , that those glorious temples on which your kind creator has bestow'd such exquisite workmanship , shou'd enshrine no better than egyptian deities ; be like a garnish'd sepulchre , which for all it's glittering , has nothing within but emptiness or putrifaction ! what a pity it is , that whilst your beauty casts a lustre round about , your souls which are infinitely more bright and radiant ( of which if you had but a clear idea , as lovely as it is , and as much as you now value it , you wou'd then despise and neglect the mean case that encloses it ) shou'd be suffer'd to over-run with weeds , lye fallow and neglected , unadorn'd with any grace ! altho the beauty of the mind is necessary to secure those conquests which your eyes have gain'd ; and time that mortal enemy to handsome faces , has no influence on a lovely soul , but to better and improve it . for shame , let us abandon that old , and therefore one wou'd think , unfashionable employment of pursuing butterflies and trifles ! no longer drudge on in the dull beaten road of vanity and folly , which so many have gone , before us ; but dare to break the enchanted circle that custom has plac'd us in , and scorn the vulgar way of imitating all the impertinencies of our neighbours . let us learn to pride our selves in something more excellent than the invention of a fashion : and not entertain such a degrading thought of our own worth , as to imagin that our souls were given us only for the service of our bodies , and that the best improvement we can make of these , is to attract the eyes of men . we value them too much , and our selves too little , if we place any part of our worth in their opinion ; and do not think our selves capable of nobler things than the pitiful conquest of some worthless heart . she who has opportunities of making an interest in heav'n , of obtaining the love and admiration of god and angels , is too prodigal of her time , and injurious to her charms , to throw them away on vain insignificant men . she need not make her self so cheap , as to descend to court their applauses ; for at the greater distance she keeps , and the more she is above them , the more effectually she secures their esteem and wonder . be so generous then ladies , as to do nothing unworthy of you ; so true to your interest as not to lessen your empire , and depreciate your charms . let not your thoughts be wholly busied in observing what respect is paid you , but a part of them at least , in studying to deserve it . and after all , remember , that goodness is the truest greatness , to be wise for your selves , the greatest wit , and that beauty the most desirable , which will endure to eternity . pardon me the seeming rudeness of this proposal , which goes upon a supposition that there is something amiss in you , which it is intended to amend . my design is not to expose , but to rectify your failures . to be exempt from mistake , is a priviledge few can pretend to , the greatest is to be past conviction , and too obstinate to reform . even the men , as exact as they wou'd seem , and as much as they divert themselves with our miscarriages , are very often guilty of greater faults ; and such as considering the advantages they enjoy , are much more inexcusable . but i will not pretend to correct their errors , who either are or at least think themselves too wise to receive instruction from a womans pen. my earnest desire is , that you ladies , would be as perfect and happy as 't is possible to be in this imperfect state ; for i love you too well to endure a spot upon your beauties , if i can by any means remove and wipe it off . i would have you live up to the dignity of your nature , and express your thankfulness to god for the benefits you enjoy by a due improvement of them : as i know very many of you do , who countenance that piety which the men decry , and are the brightest patterns of religion that the age affords ; 't is my grief that all the rest of our sex do not imitate such illustrious patterns , and therefore i would have them encreas'd and render'd more conspicuous , that vice being put out of countenance , ( because vertue is the only thing in fashion ) may sneak out of the world , and it's darkness be dispell'd by the confluence of so many shining graces . some perhaps will cry out that i teach you false doctrine ; for because by their seductions , some amongst us are become very mean and contemptible , they would fain persuade the rest to be as despicable and forlorn as they . we are indeed oblig'd to them for their management , in endeavouring ●o make us so ; who use all 〈◊〉 artifice they can to spoil , ●nd deny us the means of improvement . so that instead of inquiring why all women are not wise and good , we have reason to wonder that there are any so . were the men as much neglected , and as little care taken to cultivate and improve them , perhaps they wou'd be so far from surpassing those whom they now despise , that they themselves wou'd sink into the greatest stupidity and brutality . the preposterous returns that the most of them make , to all the care and pains that is bestow'd on them , renders this no uncharitable , nor improbable conjecture . one wou'd therefore almost think , that the wise disposer of all things , foreseeing how unjustly women are denied opportunities of improvement from without , has therefore by way of compensation endow'd them with greater propensions to vertue , and a natural goodness of temper within , which if duly manag'd , would raise them to the most eminent pitch of heroick vertue . hither ladies , i desire you wou'd aspire , 't is a noble and becoming ambition ; and to remove such obstacles as lye in your way , is the design of this paper . we will therefore enquire what it is that stops your flight , that keeps you groveling here below , like domitian catching flies , when you should be busied in obtaining empires ? whatever has been said by men of more wit than wisdom , and perhaps of more malice than either , that women are naturally incapable of acting prudently , or that they are necessarily determined to folly , i must by no means grant it ; that hypothesis would render my endeavours impertinent , for then it would be in vain to advise the one , or endeavour the reformation of the other . besides , there are examples in all ages , which sufficiently confute the ignorance and malice of this assertion . the incapacity , if there be any , is acquired not natural ; and none of their follies are so necessary , but that they might avoid them if they pleased themselves . some disadvantages indeed they labour under , & what these are we shall see by and by , and endeavour to surmount ; but women need not take up with mean things , since ( if they are not wanting to themselves ) they are capable of the best . neither god nor nature have excluded them from being ornaments to their families , and useful in their generation ; there is therefore no reason they should be content to be cyphers in the world , useless at the best , and in a little time a burden and nuisance to all about them . and 't is very great pity that they who are so apt to over-rate themselves in smaller matters , shou'd , where it most concerns them to know , and stand upon their value , be so insensible of their own worth . the cause therefore of the defects we labour under , is , if not wholly , yet at least in the first place , to be ascribed to the mistakes of our education ; which like an error in the first concoction , spreads its ill influence thro' all our lives . the soil is rich and would , if well cultivated , produce a noble harvest , if then the unskilful managers not only permit , but incourage noxious weeds , tho' we shall suffer by their neglect , yet they ought not in justice to blame any but themselves , if they reap the fruit of their own folly. women are from their very infancy debar'd those advantages , with the want of which , they are afterwards reproached , and nursed up in those vices which will hereafter be upbraided to them . so partial are men as to expect brick where they afford no straw ; and so abundantly civil as to take care we shou'd make good that obliging epithet of ignorant , which out of an excess of good manners , they are pleas'd to bestow on us ! one wou'd be apt to think indeed , that parents shou'd take all possible care of their childrens education , not only for their sakes , but even for their own . and tho the son convey the name to posterity , yet certainly a great part of the honour of their families depends on their daughters . 't is the kindness of education that binds our duty fastest on us : for the being instrumental to the bringing us into the world , is no matter of choice , and therefore the less obliging : but to procure that we may live wisely and happily in it , and be capable of endless joys hereafter , is a benefit we can never sufficiently acknowledge . to introduce poor children into the world , and neglect to fence them against the temptations of it , and so leave them expos'd to temporal and eternal miseries , is a wickedness , for which i want a name ; 't is beneath brutality , the beasts are better natur'd , for they take care of their off-spring , till they are capable of caring for themselves . and , if mothers had a due regard to their posterity , how great soever they are , they wou'd not think themselves too good to perform what nature requires , nor thro' pride and delicacy remit the poor little one to the care of a foster parent . or , if necessity inforce them to depute another to perform their duty , they wou'd be as choice at least in the manners and inclinations , as they are in the complections of their nurses , least with their milk they transfuse their vices , and form in the child such evil habits as will not easily be eradicated . nature as bad as it is , and as much as it is complain'd of , is so far improveable by the grace of god , upon our honest and hearty endeavours , that if we are not wanting to our selves , we may all in some , tho not in an equal measure , be instruments of his glory , blessings to this world , and capable of eternal blessedness in that to come . but if our nature is spoil'd , instead of being improv'd at first ; if from our infancy , we are nurs'd up in ignorance and vanity ; are taught to be proud and petulent , delicate and fantastick , humorous and inconstant , 't is not strange that the ill effects of this conduct appears in all the future actions of our lives . and seeing it is ignorance , either habitual or actual , which is the cause of all sin , how are they like to escape this , who are bred up in that ? that therefore women are unprofitable to most , and a plague and dishonour to some men is not much to be regretted on account of the men , because 't is the product of their own folly , in denying them the benefits of an ingenuous and liberal educaion , the most effectual means to direct them into , and to secure their progress in the ways of vertue . for that ignorance is the cause of most feminine vices may be instanc'd in that pride and vanity which is usually imputed to us , and which , i suppose , if throughly sifted , will appear to be some way or other , the rise and original of all the rest . these , tho very bad weeds , are the product of a good soil ; they are nothing else but generosity degenerated and corrupted . a desire to advance and perfect its being , is planted by god in all rational natures , to excite them hereby to every worthy and becoming action ; for certainly , next to the grace of god , nothing does so powerfully restrain people from evil , and stir them up to good , as a generous temper . and therefore to be ambitious of perfections is no fault ; tho to assume the glory of our excellencies to our selves , or to glory in such as we really have not , are . and were womens haughtiness express'd in disdaining to do a mean and evil thing ; wou'd they pride themselves in somewhat truly perfective of a rational nature , there were no hurt in it . but then they ought not to be denied the means of examining and judging what is so ; they should not be impos'd on with tinsel ware . if by reason of a false light , or undue medium , they chuse amiss ; theirs is the loss , but the crime is the deceivers . she who rightly understands wherein the perfection of her nature consists , will lay out her thoughts and industry in the acquisition of such perfections . but she who is kept ignorant of the matter , will take up with such objects as first offer themselves , and bear any plausible resemblance to what she desires ; a shew of advantage is sufficient to render them agreeable baits to her , who wants judgment and skill to discern between reality and pretence . from whence it easily follows , that she who has nothing else to value her self upon , will be proud of her beauty , or money , and what that can purchase ; and think her self mightily oblig'd to him , who tells her she has those perfections which she naturally longs for . her imbred self-esteem , and desire of good , which are degenerated into pride , and mistaken self-love , will easily open her ears to whatever goes about to nourish and delight them ; and when a cunning designing enemy from without , has drawn over to his party these traytors within , he has the poor unhappy person at his mercy , who now very glibly swallows down his poyson , because 't is presented in a golden cup ; and credulously hearkens to the most disadvantagious proposals , because they come attended with a seeming esteem . she whose vanity makes her swallow praises by the whole sale , without examining whether she deserves them , or from what hand they come , will reckon it but gratitude to think well of him who values her so much ; and think she must needs be merciful to the poor dispairing lover whom her charms have reduc'd to die at her feet . love and honour are what every one of us naturally esteem ; they are excellent things in themselves , and very worthy our regard ; and by how much the readier we are to embrace what ever resembles them , by so much the more dangerous , it is that these venerable names should be wretchedly abus'd , and affixt to their direct contraries , yet this is the custom of the world : and how can she possibly detect the fallacy , who has no better notion of either , but what she derives from plays and romances ? how can she be furnished with any solid principles whose very instructors are froth and emptiness ? whereas women were they rightly educated , had they obtain'd a well inform'd and discerning mind , they would be proof against all these batteries , see through and scorn those little silly artifices which are us'd to ensnare and deceive them . such an one would value her self only on her vertue , and consequently be most chary of what she esteems so much . she would know , that not what others say , but what she her self does , is the true commendation , and the only thing that exalts her ; the loudest encomiums being not half so satisfactory as the calm and secret plaudit of her own mind ; which moving on true principles of honour and vertue , wou'd not fail on a review of it self to anticipate that delightful eulogy she shall one day hear . whence is it but from ignorance , from a want of understanding to compare and judge of things , to chuse a right end , to proportion the means to the end , and to rate ev'ry thing according to its proper value ; that we quit the substance for the shadow , reality for appearance , and embrace those very things , which if we understood , we shou'd hate and fly , but now are reconcil'd to , merely because they usurp the name , tho they have nothing of the nature of those venerable objects we desire and seek ? were it not for this delusion , is it probable a lady who passionately desires to be admir'd , shou'd ever consent to such actions as render her base and contemptible ? wou'd she be so absurd as to think either to get love , or to keep it , by those methods which occasion loathing , and consequently end in hatred ? wou'd she reckon it a piece of her grandeur , or hope to gain esteem by such excesses as really lessen her in the eyes of all considerate and judicious persons ? wou'd she be so silly as to look big , and think her self the better person , because she has more mony to bestow profusely , or the good luck to have a more ingenious taylor or milliner than her neighbour ? wou'd she who by the regard she pays to wit , seems to make some pretences to it , undervalue her judgment so much as to admit the scurrility and profane noisy nonsense of men , whose fore-heads are better than their brains to pass under that character ? wou'd she be so weak as to imagine that a few airy fancies , joyn'd with a great deal of impudence ( the right definition of modern wit ) can be speak him a man of sense , who runs counter to all the sense and reason that ever appear'd in the world ? than which nothing can be an argument of greater shallowness , unless it be to regard and esteem him for it . wou'd a woman , if she truly understood her self , be affected either with the praises or calumnies of those worthless persons , whose lives are a direct contradiction to reason , a very sink of corruption ; by whom one wou'd blush to be commended , lest they shou'd be mistaken for partners or connivers at their crimes ? will she who has a jot of discernment think to satisfy her greedy desire of pleasure , with those promising nothings that have again & again deluded her ? or , will she to obtain such bubbles , run the risque of forfeiting joys , infinitely satisfying and eternal ? in sum , did not ignorance impose on us , we would never lavish out the greatest part of our time and care , on the decoration of a tenement , in which our lease is so very short , and which for all our industry , may lose it's beauty e're that lease be out , and in the mean while neglect a more glorious and durable mansion ! we wou'd never be so curious of the house , and so careless of the inhabitant , whose beauty is capable of great improvement , and will endure for ever without diminution or decay ! thus ignorance and a narrow education , lay the foundation of vice , and imitation and custom rear it up . custom , that merciless torrent that carries all before . and which indeed can be stem'd by none but such as have a great deal of prudence and a rooted vertue . for 't is but decorous that she who is not capable of giving better rules , shou'd follow those she sees before her , lest she only change the instance , and retain the absurdity . 't wou'd puzzle a considerate person to account for all that sin and folly that is in the world , ( whcih certainly has nothing in it self to recommend it , ) did not custom help to solve the difficulty . for vertue without question has on all accounts the preeminence of vice 't is abundantly more pleasant in the act , as well as more advantagious in the consequences , as any one who will but rightly use her reason , in a serious reflection on her self , and the nature of things , may easily perceive . 't is custom therefore , that tyrant custom , which is the grand motive to all those irrational choices which we daily see made in the world , so very contrary to our present interest and pleasure , as well as to our future . we think it an unpardonable mistake , not to do what others do round about us , and part with our peace and pleasure as well as our innocence & vertue , meerly in complyance with an unreasonable fashion . and having inur'd our selves to folly , we know not how to quit it ; we go on in vice , not because we find satisfaction in it , but because we are unacquainted with the joys of vertue . add to this the hurry and noise of the world , which does generally so busy and pre-ingage us , that we have little time , and less inclination to stand still and reflect on our own minds . those impertinent amusements which have seiz'd us , keep their hold so well , and so constantly buz about our ears , that we cannot attend to the dictates of our reason , nor to the soft whispers and winning persuasives of the divine spirit , by whose assistance were we dispos'd to make use of it , we might shake off these follies , and regain our freedom . but alas ! to complete our misfortunes , by a continual application to vanity and folly , we quite spoil the contexture and frame of our minds ; so loosen and dissipate , that nothing solid and substantial will stay in it . by an habitual inadvertency we render our selves incapable of any serious & improving thought , till our minds themselves become as light and frothy as those things they are conversant about . to all which , if we further add the great industry that bad people use to corrupt the good , and that unaccountable backwardness that appears in too many good persons , to stand up for , and propagate the piety they profess ; ( so strangely are things transposed , that vertue puts on the blushes , which belong to vice , and vice insults with the authority of vertue ! ) and we have a pretty fair account of the causes of our non-improvement . when a poor young lady is taught to value her self on nothing but her cloaths , and to think she 's very fine when well accoutred . when she hears say , that 't is wisdom enough for her to know how to dress her self , that she may become amiable in his eyes , to whom it appertains to be knowing and learned ; who can blame her if she lay out her industry and money on such accomplishments , and sometimes extends it farther than her misinformer desires she should ? when she sees the vain and the gay , making parade in the world , and attended with the courtship and admiration of all about them , no wonder that her tender eyes are dazled with the pageantry ; and wanting judgment to pass a due estimate on them and their admirers , longs to be such a fine and celebrated thing as they ! what tho' she be sometimes told of another world , she has however a more lively perception of this , and may well think , that if her instructors were in earnest , when they tell her of hereafter , they would not be so busied and concerned about what happens here . she is , it may be , taught the principles and duties of religion , but not acquainted with the reasons and grounds of them ; being told , 't is enough for her to believe , to examin why , and wherefore belongs not to her . and therefore , though her piety may be tall and spreading , yet because it wants foundation and root , the first rude temptation overthrows and blasts it ; or perhaps the short liv'd gourd decays and withers of its own accord . but why should she be blamed for setting no great value on her soul , whose noblest faculty , her understanding is render'd useless to her ? or censur'd for relinquishing a course of life , whose prerogatives she was never acquainted with , and tho highly reasonable in it self , was put upon the embracing it , with as little reason as she now forsakes it ? for if her religion it self , be taken up as the mode of the country , 't is no strange thing that she lays it down again , in conformity to the fashion . whereas she whose reason is suffer'd to display it self , to inquire into the grounds and motives of religion , to make a disquisition of its graces , and search out its hidden beauties ; who is a christian out of choice , not in conformity to those about her ; and cleaves to piety , because 't is her wisdom , her interest , her joy , not because she has been accustom'd to it ; she who is not only eminently and unmoveably good , but able to give a reason why she is so ; is too firm and stable to be mov'd by the pitiful allurements of sin , too wise and too well bottom'd to be undermin'd and supplanted by the strongest efforts of temptation . doubtless a truly christian life requires a clear understanding , as well as regular affections , that both together may move the will to a direct choice of good , and a stedfast adherence to it . for tho the heart may be honest , it is but by chance that the will is right , if the understanding be ignorant and cloudy . and what 's the reason that we sometimes unhappily see persons falling off from their piety , but because 't was their affections , not their judgment , that inclin'd them to be religious ? reason and truth are firm and immutable , she who bottoms on them is on sure ground : humour and inclination are sandy foundations ; and she who is sway'd by her affections more than by her judgment , owes the happiness of her soul in a great measure to the temper of her body ; her piety may perhaps blaze higher , but will not last so long . for the affections are various and changeable , mov'd by every object , and the last comer easily undoes whatever its predecessor had done before it . such persons are always in extreams ; they are either violently good , or quite cold and indifferent , a perpetual trouble to themselves & others , by indecent raptures , or unnecessary scruples ; there is no beauty and order in their lives , all is rapid and unaccountable ; they are now very furious in such a course , but they cannot well tell why , & anon as violent in the other extream . having more heat than light , their zeal out runs their knowledge and instead of representing piety as it is in it self , the most lovely and inviting thing imaginable , they expose it to the contempt and ridicule of the censorious world. their devotion being ricketed , starv'd and contracted in some of it's vital parts , and disproportioned and over grown in less material instances ; whilst one duty is over done , to commute for the neglect of another , and the mistaken person thinks the being often on her knees , attones for all the miscarriages of her conversation : not considering that 't is in vain to petition for those graces which we take no care to practice , and a mockery to adore those perfections we run counter to : and that the true end of all our prayers and external observances , is to work our minds into a truly christian temper , to obtain for us the empire of our passions , and to reduce all irregular inclinations , that so we may be as like god in purity , charity , and all his imitable excellencies , as is consistent with the imperfection of a creature . and now having discovered the disease and its cause , 't is proper to apply a remedy ; single medicines are too weak to cure such complicated distempers , they require a full dispensatory ; and what wou'd a good woman refuse to do , could she hope by that to advantage the greatest part of the world , and improve her sex in knowledge and true religion ? i doubt not ladies , but that the age , as bad as it is , affords very many of you who will readily embrace whatever has a true tendency to the glory of god , and your mutual edification , to revive the antient spirit of piety in the world , and to transmit it to succeeding generations . i know there are many of you who so ardently love god , as to think no time too much to spend in his service , nor any thing too difficult to do for his sake ; and bear such a hearty good-will to your neighbours , as to grudge no prayers or pains to reclaim and improve them . i have therefore no more to do , but to make the proposal , to prove that it will answer these great and good ends , and then 't will be easy to obviate the objections that persons of more wit than vertue may happen to raise against it . now as to the proposal , it is to erect a monastry , or if you will ( to avoid giving offence to the scrupulous and injudicious , by names which tho innocent in themselves , have been abus'd by superstitious practices . ) we will call it a religious retirement , and such as shall have a double aspect , being not only a retreat from the world for those who desire that advantage ; but likewise , an institution and previous discipline , to fit us to do the greatest good in it ; such an institution as this ( if i do not mightily deceive my self , ) would be the most probable method to amend the present , and improve the future age. for here , those who are convinc'd of the emptiness of earthly enjoyments , who are sick of the vanity of the world , and its impertinencies , may find more substantial and satisfyingentertainments , and need not be confin'd to what they justly loath . those who are desirous to know and fortify their weak side , first do good to themselves , that hereafter they may be capable of doing more good to others ; or for their greater security are willing to avoid temptation , may get out of that danger which a continual stay in view of the enemy , and the familiarity and unwearied application of the temptation may expose them to ; and gain an opportunity to look into themselves , to be acquainted at home , and no longer the greatest strangers to their own hearts . such as are willing in a more peculiar and undisturb'd manner , to attend the great business they came into the world about , the service of god , and improvement of their own minds , may find a convenient and blissful recess from the noise and hurry of the world . a world so cumbersom , so infectious , that altho' thro' the grace of god , and their own strict watchfulness , they are kept from sinking down into its corruptions , 't will however damp their flight to heav'n , hinder them from attaining any eminent pitch of vertue . you are therefore ladies , invited into a place , where you shall suffer no other confinement , but to be kept out of the road of sin : you shall not be depriv'd of your grandeur , but only exchange the vain pomps and pageantry of the world , empty titles and forms of state , for the true and solid greatness of being able to dispise them . you will only quit the chat of insignificant people , for an ingenious conversation ; the froth of flashy wit for real wisdom ; idle tales for instructive discourses . the deceitful flatteries of those who under pretence of loving and admiring you , really served their own base ends , for the seasonable reproofs and wholsom counsels of your hearty well-wishers and affectionate friends ; which will procure you those perfections your feigned lovers pretended you had , and kept you from obtaining . no uneasy task will be enjoyn'd you , all your labour being only to prepare for the highest degrees of that glory , the very lowest of which , is more than at present you are able to conceive , and the prospect of it sufficient to out-weigh all the pains of religion , were there any in it , as really there is none . all that is requir'd of you , is only to be as happy as possibly you can , and to make sure of a felicity that will fill all the capacities of your souls ! a happiness , which when once you have tasted , you 'l be fully convinc'd , you cou'd never do too much to obtain it ; nor be too solicitous to adorn your souls , with such tempers and dispositions , as will at present make you in some measure such holy and heavenly creatures , as you one day hope to be in a more perfect manner ; without which qualifications you can neither reasonably expect , nor are capable of enjoying the happiness of the life to come . happy retreat ! which will be the introducing you into such a paradise as your mother eve forfeited , where you shall feast on pleasures , that do not , like those of the world , disappoint your expectations , pall your appetites , and by the disgust they give you , put you on the fruitless search after new delights , which when obtain'd are as empty as the former ; but such as will make you truly happy now , and prepare you to be perfectly so hereafter . here are no serpents to deceive you , whilst you entertain your selves in these delicious gardens . no provocations are given in this amicable society , but to love and to good works , which will afford such an entertaining employment , that you 'l have as little inclination as leisure to pursue those follies which in the time of your ignorance pass'd with you under the name of love ; altho ' there is not in nature two more different things , than true love , and that brutish passion which pretends to ape it . here will be no rivalling but for the love of god , no ambition but to procure his favour , to which nothing will more effectually recommend you , than a great and dear affection to each other . envy , that canker , will not here disturb your breasts ; for how can she repine at anothers wel-fare , who reckons it the greatest part of her own ? no covetousness will gain admittance in this blest abode , but to amass huge treasures of good works , and to procure one of the brightest crowns of glory . you will not be solicitous to encrease your fortunes , but enlarge your minds ; esteeming no grandeur like being conformable to the meek and humble jesus . so that you only withdraw from the noise and trouble , the folly and temptation of the world , that you may more peaceably enjoy your selves , and all the innocent pleasures it is able to afford you , and particularly that which is worth all the rest , a noble , vertuous and disinteress'd friendship . and to compleat all that acme of delight which the devout seraphic soul enjoys , when dead to the world , she devotes her self entirely to the contemplation and fruition of her beloved ; when having disengag'd her felf from all those lets which hindred her from without , she moves in a direct and vigorous motion towards her true and only good , whom now she embraces and acquiesces in , with such an unspeakable pleasure , as is only intelligible to them who have tried and felt it , which we can no more describe to the dark and sensual part of mankind , than we can the beauty of colours , and harmony of sounds , to the blind and deaf . in fine , the place to which you are invited will be a type and antipast of heav'n , where your employment will be as there , to magnify god , and to love one another , and to communicate that useful knowledge , which by the due improvement of your time in study and contemplation you will obtain ; and which when obtain'd , will afford you a much sweeter and durable delight , than all those pitiful diversions , those revellings and amusements , which now thro your ignorance of better , appear the only grateful and relishing entertainments . but because we were not made for our selves , nor can by any means so effectually glorify god , and do good to our own souls , as by doing offices of charity and beneficence to others ; and to the intent , that every vertue , and the highest degrees of every vertue , may be exercis'd & promoted the most that may be ; your retreat shall be so manag'd as not to exclude the good works of an active , from the pleasure and serenity of a contemplative life , but by a due mixture of both , retain all the advantages , and avoid the inconveniencies that attend either . it shall not so cut you off from the world , as to hinder you from bettering and improving it ; but rather qualify you to do it the greatest good , and be a seminary to stock the kingdom with pious and prudent ladies ; whose good example it is to be hop'd , will so influence the rest of their sex , that women may no longer pass for those little useless and impertinent animals , which the ill conduct of too many , has caus'd them to be mistaken for . we have hitherto consider'd our retirement only in relation to religion , which is indeed its main , i may say , its only design ; nor can this be thought too contracting a word , since religion is the adequate business of our lives ; and largely consider'd , takes in all we have to do ; nothing being a fit employment for a rational creature , which has not either a direct or remote tendency to this great and only end . but because , as we have all along observ'd , religion never appears in it's true beauty , but when it is accompanied with wisdom and discretion ; and that without a good understanding , we can scarce be truly , but never eminently good ; being liable to a thousand seductions and mistakes ; for even the men themselves , if they have not a competent degree of knowledge , they are carried about with every wind of doctrine . therefore , one great end of this institution , shall be to expel that cloud of ignorance , which custom has involv'd us in , to furnish our minds with a stock of solid and useful knowledge , that the souls of women may no longer be the only unadorn'd and neglected things . it is not intended that our religious shou'd waste their time , and trouble their heads about such unconcerning matters , as the vogue of the world has turn'd up for learning ; the impertinency of which has been excellently expos'd by an ingenious pen , but busy themselves in a serious enquiry after necessary and perfective truths ; something which it concerns them to know , and which tends to their real interest and perfection , and what that is , the excellent author just now mention'd , will sufficiently inform them , such a course of study will neither be too troublesome nor out of the reach of a female virtuoso ; for it is not intended she shou'd spend her hours in learning words but things , and therefore no more languages than are necessary to acquaint her with useful authors nor need she trouble her self in turning over a huge number of books , but take care to understand and digest a few well-chosen and good ones . let her but obtain right ideas , and be truly acquainted with the nature of those objects that present themselves to her mind , and then no matter whether or no she be able to tell what fanciful people have said about them : and throughly to understand christianity as profess'd by the church of england , will be sufficient to confirm her in the truth , tho she have not a catalogue of those particular errors which oppose it . indeed a learned education of the women will appear so unfashionable , that i began to startle at the singularity of the proposition , but was extreamly pleas'd when i found a late ingenious author ( whose book i met with since the writing of this ) agree with me in my opinion . for speaking of the repute that learning was in about 150 years ago : it was so very modish ( says he ) that the fair sex seem'd to believe that greek and latin added to their charms ; and plato and aristotle untranslated , were frequent ornaments of their closets . one wou'd think by the effects , that it was a proper way of educating them , since there are no accounts in history of so many great women in any one age , as are to be found between the years 15 and 1600. for , since god has given women as well as men intelligent souls , why should they be forbidden to improve them ? since he has not denied us the faculty of thinking , why shou'd we not ( at least in gratitude to him ) employ our thoughts on himself , their noblest object , and not unworthily bestow them on trifles and gaities and secular affairs ? being the soul was created for the contemplation of truth , as well as for the fruition of good , is it not as cruel and unjust to preclude women from the knowledge of the one , as well as from the enjoyment of the other ? especially since the will is blind , and cannot chuse but by the direction of the understanding ; or to speak more properly , since the soul always wills according as she vnderstands , so that , if she vnderstands amiss she wills amiss : and as exercise enlarges and exalts any faculty , so thro' want of using , it becomes crampt and lessened ; if we make little or no use of our understandings we shall shortly have none to use ; and the more contracted , and unemploy'd the deliberating and directive power is , the more liable is the elective to unworthy and mischievous options . what is it but the want of an ingenious education that renders the generality of feminine conversations so insipid and foolish , and their solitude so insupportable ? learning is therefore necessary to render them more agreeable and useful in company , and to furnish them with becoming entertainments when alone , that so they may not be driven to those miserable shifts , which too many make use of to put off their time , that precious talent that never lies on the hands of a judicious person . and since our happiness in the next world depends so far on those dispositions which we carry along with us out of this , that without a right habitude and temper of mind , we are not capable of felicity ; and seeing our beatitude consists in the contemplation of the divine truth and beauty , as well as in the fruition of his goodness , can ignorance be a fit preparative for heaven ? is 't likely that she whose understanding has been busied about nothing but froth and trifles , shou'd be capable of delighting her self in noble and sublime truths ? let such therefore as deny us the improvement of our intellectuals , either take up his paradox , who said , that women have no souls ; which at this time a day , when they are allow'd to brutes , wou'd be as unphilosophical as it is unmannerly ; or else let them permit us to cultivate and improve them . there is a sort of learning indeed which is worse than the greatest ignorance : a woman may study plays and romances all her days , & be a great deal more knowing , but never a jot the wiser . such a knowledge as this serves only to instruct and put her forward in the practice of the greatest follies ; yet how can they justly blame her , who forbid , or at least , won't afford opportunity of better ? a rational mind will be employ'd , it will never be satisfy'd in doing nothing ; and if you neglect to furnish it with good materials , 't is like to take up with such as come to hand . we pretend not that women shou'd teach in the church , or usurp authority where it is not allow'd them ; permit us only to understand our own duty , and not be forc'd to take it upon trust from others ; to be at least so far learned , as to be able to form in our minds a true idea of christianity , it being so very necessary to fence us against the danger of these last and perilous days , in which deceivers , a part of whose character is , to lead captive silly women , need not creep into houses , since they have authority to proclaim their errors on the house top . and let us also acquire a true practical knowledge , such as will convince us of the absolute necessity of holy living , as well as of right believing , and that no heresy is more dangerous , than that of an ungodly and wicked life . and since the french tongue is understood by most ladies , methinks they may much better improve it by the study of philosophy ( as i hear the french ladies do , ) des cartes , malebranch , and others , than by reading idle novels and romances . 't is strange we shou'd be so forward to imitate their fashions and fopperies , and have no regard to what is truly imitable in them ! and why shall it not be thought as genteel , to understand french philosophy , as to be accoutred in a french mode ? let therefore the famous madam d'acier , &c. and our own incomparable orinda , excite the emulation of the english ladies . the ladies , i 'm sure , have no reason to dislike this proposal , but i know not how the men will resent it , to have their enclosure broke down , and women invited to tast of that tree of knowledge they have so long unjustly monopoliz'd . but they must excuse me , if i be as partial to my own sex as they are to theirs , and think women as capable of learning as men are , and that it becomes them as well . for i cannot imagine wherein the hurt lyes , if instead of doing mischief to one another , by an uncharitable and vain conversation , women be enabled to inform and instruct those of their own sex at least ; the holy ghost having left it on record , that priscilla as well as her husband catechis'd the eloquent apollos , and the great apostle found no fault with her . it will therefore be very proper for our ladies to spend part of their time in this retirement , in adorning their minds with useful knowledge . to enter into the detail of the particulars concerning the government of the religious , their offices of devotion , employments , work , &c. is not now necessary . suffice it at present to signify , that they will be more than ordinarily careful to redeem their time , spending no more of it on the body than the necessities of nature require , but by a judicious choice of their employment , and a constant industry about it , so improve this invaluable treasure , that it may neither be buried in idleness , nor lavish'd out in unprofitable concerns . for a stated portion of it being daily paid to god in prayers and praises , the rest shall be employ'd in innocent , charitable , and useful business ; either in study ( in learning themselves , or instructing others ; for it is design'd that part of their employment be the education of those of their own sex ) or else in spiritual and corporal works of mercy , relieving the poor , healing the sick , mingling charity to the soul with that they express to the body , instructing the ignorant , counselling the doubtful , comforting the afflicted , and correcting those that err and do amiss . and as it will be the business of their lives , their meat and drink to know and do the will of their heavenly father , so will they pay a strict conformity to all the precepts of their holy mother the church , whose sacred injunctions are too much neglected , even by those who pretend the greatest zeal for her . for , besides the daily performance of the publick offices after the cathedral manner , in the most affecting and elevating way , the celebration of the holy eucharist every lords day and holyday , and a course of solid instructive preaching and catechizing ; our religious , considering that the holy jesus punctually observ'd the innocent usages of the jewish church ; and tho in many instances the reason of the command ceas'd as to him , yet he wou'd obey the letter to avoid giving offence , and to set us an admirable pattern of obedience ; therefore , tho' it may be thought such pious souls have little occasion for the severities of fasting and mortification ; yet , they will consider it as a special part of their duty , carefully to observe all the fasts of the church , viz. lent , ember , and rogation-days , fridays and vigils ; times so little heeded by the most , that one wou'd scarce believe them set apart for religious purposes , did we not find them in the antiquated rubricks . and 〈◊〉 their devotion will be regular , so shall it likewise be solid and substantial . they will not rest in the mere out-side of duty , nor fancy the performance of their fasts and offices will procure them license to indulge a darling vice. but having long since laid the ax to the root of sin , and destroy'd the whole body of it , they will look upon these holy times of recollection and extraordinary devotion ( without which fasting signifies little ) as excellent means to keep it down , and to pluck up every the least fibre that may happen to remain in them . but we intend not by this to impose any intolerable burden on tender constitutions , knowing that our lord has taught us , that mercy is to be prefer'd before sacrifice ; and that bodily exercise profiteth but a little , the chief business being to obtain a divine and god-like temper of mind . and as this institution will strictly enjoyn all pious and profitable employments , so does it not only permit but recommend harmless and ingenious diversions , musick particularly , and such as may refresh the body , without enervating the mind . they do a disservice to religion who make it an enemy to innocent nature , and injure the almighty when they represent him as imposing burdens that are not to be born . neither god nor wise men will like us the better , for an affected severity and waspish sourness . nature and grace will never disagree , provided we mistake not the one , nor indulge the petulency of the other ; there being no displacencies in religon , but what we our selves have unhappily made . for true piety is the most sweet and engaging thing imaginable , as it is most obliging to others , so most easie to our selves . 't is in truth the highest epicurism , exalting our pleasures by resining them ; keeping our appetites in that due regularty which not only grace , but 〈◊〉 nature and reason require , in the breach of which , tho' there may be a transport , there can be no true and substantial delight . as to lodging , habit and diet , they may be quickly resolv'd on by the ladies who shall subscribe ; who i doubt not will make choice of what is most plain and decent , what nature , not luxury requires . and since neither meat nor cloaths commend us unto god , they 'l content themselves with such things as are fit and convenient , without occasioning scruple to themselves , or giving any trouble or offence to others . she who considers to how much better account that money will turn , which is bestow'd on the poor , then that which is laid out in unnecessary expences on her self , needs no admonitions against superfluities : she who truly loves her self , will never waste that money on a decaying carkass , which if prudently disburs'd , wou'd procure her an eternal mansion . she will never think her self so fine , as when the backs of the poor do bless her ; and never feast so luxuriously as when she treats an hungry person . no perfume will be thought so grateful as the odour of good works ; nor any wash so beautifying as her own tears . for her heroic soul is too great to ambition any empire but that of her own breast ; or to regard any other conquest than the rescuing poor unhappy-souls from the slavery of sin and satan , those only unsupportable tyrants ; and therefore what decays she observes in her face will be very unconcerning , but she will with greatest speed and accuracy rectify the least spot that may prejudice the beauty of her lovely soul. in a word , this happy society will be but one body , whose soul is love , animating and informing it , and perpetually breathing forth it self in flames of holy desires after god , and acts of benevolence to each other . envy and uncharitableness are the vices only of little and narrow hearts , and therefore 't is suppos'd , they will not enter here amongst persons whose dispositions as well as their births are to be generous . censure will refine into friendly admonition , all scoffing and offensive railleries will be abominated and banish'd hence ; where not only the words and actions , but even the very thoughts and desires of the religious , tend to promote the most endearing love , and universal good will ; for tho' there may be particular friendships , they must by no means prejudice the general amity . thus these innocent and holy souls shou'd run their race , measuring their hours by their devotions , and their days by the charitable works they do . thus wou'd they live the life of heaven whilst on earth , and receive an earnest of its joys in their hearts . and now , what remains for them to do at night , but to review the actions of the day ? to examine what passions have been stirring ? how their devotions were perform'd ? in what temper their hearts are ? what good they have done ? and what progress made towards heaven ? and with the plaudit of a satisfied conscience sweetly to sleep in peace and safety , angels pitching their tents round about them , and he that neither slumbers nor sleeps , rejoycing over them to do them good ! and to the end , that these great designs may be the better pursu'd , and effectually obtain'd , care shall be taken that our religious be under the tuition of persons of irreproachable lives , of a consummate prudence , sincere piety , and unaffected gravity . no novices in religion , but such as have spent the greatest part of their lives in the study and practice of christianity ; who have lived much , whatever the time of their abode in the world has been . whose understandings are clear and comprehensive , as well as their passions at command , and affections regular ; and their knowledge able to govern their zeal . whose scrutiny into their own hearts has been so exact , that they fully understand the weaknesses of human nature , are able to bear with its defects , and by the most prudent methods procure its amendment . plentifully furnish'd with instructions for the ignorant , and comfort for the disconsolate . who know how to quicken the slothful , to awaken the secure , and to dispel the doubts of the scrupulous . who are not ignorant when to use the spur , and when the rein , but duly qualified to minister to all the spiritual wants of their charge . watching over their souls with tenderness and prudence ; applying fitting medicines with sweetness & affability . sagacious in discovering the very approaches of a fault , wise in preventing , and charitable in bearing with all pityable infirmities . the sweetness of whose nature is commensurate to all the rest of their good qualities , and all conspire together to make them lov'd and reverenc'd . who have the perfect government of themselves , and therefore rule according to reason , not humour , consulting the good of the society , not their own arbitrary sway . yet know how to assert their authority when there is just occasion for it , and will not prejudice their charge , by an indiscreet remissness and loosning the reins of discipline . yet what occasion will there be for rigour , when the design is to represent vertue in all her charms and native loveliness , which must needs attract the eyes , and enamour the hearts of all who behold her ? to joyn the sweetness of humanity to the strictness of philosophy , that both together being improv'd and heighten'd by grace , may make up an accomplish'd christian ; who ( if truly so ) is certainly the best-bred and best-natur'd person in the world , adorn'd with a thousand charms , most happy in her self , and most agreeable and beneficial to all about her . and that every one who comes under this holy roof , may be such an amiable , such a charming creature , what faults they bring with them shall be corrected by sweetness , not severity ; by friendly admonitions , not magisterial reproofs ; piety shall not be roughly impos'd , but wisely insinuated by a perpetual display of the beauties of religion in an exemplary conversation , the continual and most powerful sermon of an holy life . and since inclination can't be forc'd , ( and nothing makes people more uneasy than the fettering themselves with unnecessary bonds ) there shall be no vows or irrevocable obligations , not so much as the fear of reproach to keep our ladies here any longer than they desire . no : ev'ry act of our religious votary shall be voluntary and free , and no other tye but the pleasure , the glory and advantage of this blessed retirement , to confine her to it . and now , i suppose , you will save me the labour of proving , that this institution will very much serve the ends of piety and charity ; it is methinks self-evident , and the very proposal sufficient proof . but if it will not promote these great ends , i shall think my self mightily oblig'd to him that will shew me what will ; for provided the good of my neighbour be advanc'd , 't is very indifferent to me , whether it be by my method or by anothers . here will be no impertinent visits , no foolish amours , no idle amusements to distract our thoughts , and waste our precious time ; a very little of which is spent in dressing , that grand devourer , and its concomitants ; and no more than necessity requires in sleep and eating ; so that here 's an huge treasure gain'd , which for ought i know , may purchase an happy eternity . but we need not rest in generals , a cursory view of some particulars will sufficiently demonstrate the great usefulness of such a retirement ; which will appear by observing first , a few of those inconveniences to which ladies are expos'd , by living in the world , and in the next place the positive advantages of a retreat . and first , as to the inconveniences of living in the world ; no very small one is that strong idea and warm perception it gives us of its vanities ; since these are ever at hand , constantly thronging about us , they must necessarily push aside all other objects , and the mind being prepossess'd and gratefully entertain'd with those pleasing perceptions which external objects occasion , takes up with them as its only good , is not at leisure to taste those delights which arise from a reflection on it self , nor to receive the ideas which such a reflection conveys , and consequently forms all its notions by such ideas only as sensation has furnish'd it with , being unacquainted with those more excellent ones which arisefrom its own operations and a serious reflection on them , and which are necessary to correct the mistakes , and supply the defects of the other . from whence arises a very partial knowledge of things , nay , almost a perfect ignorance in things of the greatest moment . for tho we are acquainted with the sound of some certain words , v. g. god , religion , pleasure and pain , honour and dishonour , and the like ; yet having no other ideas but what are convey'd to us by those trifles we converse with , we frame to our selves strange & awkard notions of them , conformable only to those ideas sensation has furnish'd us with , which sometimes grow so strong and fixt , that 't is scarce possible to introduce a new scheme of thoughts , and so to disabuse us , especially whilst these objects are thick about us . thus she who sees her self and others respected in proportion to that pomp and bustle they make in the world , will form her idea of honour accordingly . she who has relish'd no pleasures but such as arise at the presence of outward objects , will seek no higher than her senses for her gratification . and thus we may account for that strange insensibility that appears in some people when you speak to them of any serious religious matter . they are then so dull you 'l have much ado to make them understand the clearest truth : wheras if you rally the same persons , or chat with them of some mode or foppery , they 'll appear very quick , expert , and ingenious . i have sometimes smil'd to hear women talk as gravely and concernedly about some trifling disappointment from their milliner or taylor , as if it had related to the weightiest concerns of their soul , nay , perhaps more seriously than others who wou'd pass for good , do about their eternal interest ; but turn the talk that way , and they grow as heavy and cold as they were warm and sensible before . and whence is this , but because their heads are full of the one , and quite destitute of such ideas as might give them a competent notion of the other ; and therefore to discourse of such matters , is as little to the purpose as to make mathematical demonstrations to one who knows not what an angle or triangle means . ( hence by the way , will appear the great usefulness of judicious catechizing , which is necessary to stir up clear idea's in the mind , without which it can receive but little benefit from the discourses of the pulpit , and perhaps the neglect of the former is the reason that the great plenty of the latter has no better effect . ) by all which it appears , that if we wou'd not be impos'd on by false reprefentations and impostures , if we wou'd obtain a due knowledge of the most important things , we must remove the little toys and vanities of the world from us , or our selves from them ; enlarge our ideas , seek out new fields of knowledge , whereby to rectify our first mistakes . from the same original , viz. the constant flattery of external objects , arises that querulousness and delicacy observable in most persons of fortune , and which betrays them to many inconveniencies . for besides that , it renders them altogether unfit to bear a change , which considering the great uncertainty , the swift vicissitudes of worldly things , the greatest and most established , ought not to be unprepar'd for ; besides this , it makes them perpetually uneasy , abates the delight of their enjoyments , for such persons will very rarely find all things to their mind , and then some little disorder which others wou'd take no notice of , like an aching tooth or toe , spoils the relish of their joys . and tho many great ladies affect this temper , mistaking it for a piece of grandeur , 't is so far from that , that it gives evidence of a poor weak mind ; a very childish humour , that must be cocker'd and fed with toys and baubles to still its frowardness ; & is like the crazy stomach of a sick person , which no body has reason to be fond of or desire . this also disposes them to inconstancy , ( for she who is continually supply'd with variety , knows not where to fix , ) a vice which some women seem to be proud of , and yet nothing in the world so reproachsul and degrading , because nothing is a stronger evidence of a weak and injudicious mind . for it supposes us either so ignorant as to make a wrong choice at first , or else so silly as not to know and stick to it , when we have made a right one . it bespeaks an unthinking inconsiderate mind , one that lives at random , without any design or end ; who wanting judgment to discern where to fix , or to know when she 's well , is ever fluctuating and uncertain , undoing to day what she had done yesterday , which is the worst character that can be given of ones understanding . a constant scene of temptations , and the infection of ill company , is another great danger , which conversing in the world exposes to . 't is a dangerous thing to have all the opportunities of sinning in our power , and the danger is increas'd by the ill precedents we daily see of those who take them . liberty ( as some body says ) will corrupt an angel. and tho it is indeed more glorious to conquer than to fly , yet since our vertue is so visibly weakned in other instances , we have no reason to presume on 't in this . 't is become no easy matter to secure our innocence in our necessary civilities and daily conversations ; in which , if we have the good luck to avoid such as bring a necessity on us , either of seeming rude to them , or of being really so to god almighty , whilst we tamely hear him , our best friend and benefactor affronted , and swallow'd it , at the same time , that we wou'd reckon 't a very pitiful spirit to hear an acquaintance traduc'd and hold our tongue ; yet , if we avoid this trial , our charity is however in continual danger , censoriousness being grown so modish , that we can scarce avoid being active or passive in it ; so that she who has not her pert jest ready to pass upon others , shall as soon as her back is turn'd , become a jest her self for want of wit. in consequence of all this , we are insensibly betray'd to a great loss of time , a treasure whose value we are too often quite ignorant of , till it be lost past redemption . and yet , considering the shortness and uncertainty of life , the great work we have to do , and what advantages accrew to us by a due management of our time , we cannot reconcile it with prudence to suffer the least minute to escape us . but besides our own lavish expences ( concerning which one may ask as solomon does of labour , what fruit have we of all that sport and pastime we have taken under the sun ? ) so unreasonable is the humour of the world , that those who wou'd reckon it a rudeness to make so bold with our mony , never scruple to waste , and rob us of this infinitely more precious treasure . in the last place , by reason of this loss of time and the continual hurry we are in , we can find no opportunities for thoughtfulness and recollection ; we are so busied with what passes abroad , that we have no leisure to look at home , nor to rectify the disorders there . and such an unthinking mechanical way of living , when like machins we are condemn'd every day to repent the impertinencies of the day before ; shortens our views , contracts our minds , exposes to a thousand practical errors , and renders improvement impossible , because it will not permit us to consider and recollect , which is the only means to attain it . so much for the inconveniences of living in the world ; if we enquire about retirement , we shall find it does not only remove all these , but brings considerable advantages of its own . for first , it helps us to mate custom , and delivers us from its tyranny , which is the most considerable thing we have to do , it being nothing else but the habituating our selves to folly that can reconcile us to it . but how hard is it to quit an old road ? what courage as well as prudence does it require ? how clear a judgment to overlook the prejudices of education and example , and to discern what is best , and how strong a resolution , notwithstanding all the scoffs and noises of the world to adhere to it ! for custom has usurpt such an unaccountable authority , that she who wou'd endeavour to put a stop to its arbitrary sway , and reduce it to reason , is in a fair way to render her self the butt for all the fops in town to shoot their impertinent censures at . and tho a wise woman will not value their censure , yet she cares not to be the subject of their discourse . the only way then is to retire from the world , as the israelites did out of egypt , lest the sacrifice we must make of its follies , shou'd provoke its spleen . this also puts us out of the road of temptation , and very much redeems our time , cutting off those extravagancies on which so much of it was squandred away before . and furnishing us constantly with good employment , secures us from being seduc'd into bad . great are the benefits of holy conversation which will be here enjoy'd : as vice is , so vertue may be catching ; and to what heights of piety will not she advance , who is plac'd where the sole business is to be good , where there is no pleasure but in religion , no contention but to excel in what is truly commendable ; where her soul is not defil'd nor her zeal provok'd , by the sight or relation of those villanies the world abounds with ? and by that learning which will be here afforded , and that leisure we have , to enquire after it , and to know and reflect on our own minds , we shall rescue our selves out of that woful incogitancy we have slipt into , awaken our sleeping powers , and make use of that reason which god has given us . we shall then begin to wonder at our folly , that amongst all the pleasures we formerly pursued , we never attended to that most noble and delicious one which the chase of truth affords us ; and bless our selves at last , that our eyes are open'd to discern how much more pleasantly we may be entertain'd by our own thoughts , than by all the diversions which the world affords us . by this means we are fitted to receive the influences of the holy spirit , and are put in a due frame of devotion . no doubt but he has often knock'd at the door of our hearts , when the croud and noise of our vanities would not suffer us to regard or hear him ; and could find no admittance when our house was so fill'd with other company . here therefore is the fittest place for his entertainment , when we are freed from outward disturbances , and entirely at leisure to attend so divine a guest . our devotions will be perform'd with due attention , those objects that used to distract being now remov'd from us ; simplicity of desire will beget simplicity of thought , and that will make our minds most intense and elevated , when we come to address our selves to the throne of grace . being dead to the things of this world , we shall with greater fervour petition for those of another ; and living always in a lively and awful sense of the divine majesty , our hearts will ever be dispos'd to approach him in the most solemn , serious and reverent manner . 't is a very unseemly thing to jump from our diversions to our prayers ; as if when we have been entertaining our selves and others with vanity , we were instantly prepar'd to appear in the sacred presence of god. but a religious retirement and holy conversation , will procure us a more serious temper , a graver spirit , and so both make us constantly sit to approach , and likewise stir us up to be more careful in our preparations when we do . for besides all other improvements of knowledge , we shall hereby obtain truer notions of god than we were capable of before , which is of very great consequence , since the want of right apprehensions concerning him , is the general cause of mistakes in religion , and errors in practice ; for as he is the noblest object of our understanding , so nothing is more necessary or of such consequence to us as to busy our thoughts about him . and did we rightly consider his nature , we shou'd neither dare to forget him , nor draw near to him with unclean hands , and unholy hearts . from this sacred mountain where the world will be plac'd at our feet , at such a distance from us , that the steams of its corruptions shall not obscure our eye-sight ; we shall have a right prospect of it , and clearly discern that all its allurements , all those gaities and pageantries which at present we admire so much , are no better than insignificant toys , which have no value but what our perverse opinion imposes on them . things which contribute so very little to our real good , that even at present , which is their only season , we may live much happier without than with them ; and which are so far from being necessary to true felicity , that they shall vanish and be no more when that is consummate and perfect . many are the topic's from whence we might declaim against the vanity of the world , but methinks experience is so convincing , that it supersedes all the rest , and wou'd certainly reclaim us from the immoderate love of earthly enjoyments , did we but seriously hearken to it . for tell me ladies , if your greatest pleasures are not attended with a greater sting ; when you think to grasp them , do they not either vanish into froth , or gall your fingers ? to want , or to enjoy them , is equally tormenting ; the one produces in you the pain of hunger , the other of loathing . for in reality , there is no good in them , nothing but the shadow and appearance ; if there were , you cou'd not so easily loath your old delights , and be so fond of variety , what is truly desirable never ending in disgust . they are not therefore pleasures but amusements which you now pursue , and which , through your ignorance of better joys , pretend to fill their place ; toll you on with fair pretences , and repay your labour with defeated hopes . joys , not near so lasting as the slightest toy you wear ; the most capricious humorist among you is more constant far than they . come hither therefore and take a true view of 'em , that you may no longer deceive your selves with that which profits not ; but spurning away these empty nothings , secure a portion in such a bliss as will not fail , as cannot disappoint you ! a felicity which depending on god only and your own minds , is out of fortunes reach , will place you above the batteries of the world , above its terrors and allurements , and enable you at once to triumph over , and despise it . and what can be more glorious , than to have a mind unshaken by the blandishments of prosperity , or the rough shocks of adversity ; that passes thro both with the same indifferency and integrity , is not to be tempted by either to a mean unworthy and indecent action ? farther yet , besides that holy emulation which a continual view of the brightest and most exemplary lives will excite in us ; we shall have opportunity of contracting the purest and noblest friendship ; a blessing , the purchase of which were richly worth all the world besides ! for she who possesses a worthy person , has certainly obtain'd the richest treasure ! a blessing that monarchs may envy , and she who enjoys is happier than she who fills a throne ! a blessing , which next to the love of god , is the choicest jewel in our caelestial diadem , which , were it duly practic'd , wou'd both fit us for heav'n , and bring it down into our hearts whilst we tarry here . for friendship is a vertue which comprehends all the rest ; none being fit for this , who is not adorn'd with every other vertue . probably one considerable cause of the degeneracy of the present age , is the little true friendship that is to be found in it ; or perhaps you will rather say , that this is the effect of our corruption . the cause and the effect are indeed reciprocal ; for were the world better , there wou'd be more friendship , and were there more friendship we shou'd have a better world . but because iniquity abounds , therefore the love of many is not only waxen cold , but quite benum'd and perish'd . but if we have such narrow hearts , be so full of mistaken self-love , so unreasonably fond of our selves , that we cannot spare a hearty good-will to one or two choice persons , how can it ever be thought , that we shou'd well acquit our selves of that charity which is due to all mankind ? for friendship is nothing else but charity contracted ; it is ( in the words of an admired author ) a kind of revenging our selves on the narrowness of our faculties , by exemplyfying that extraordinary charity on one or two , which we are willing , but not able to exercise towards all . and therefore 't is without doubt , the best instructor to teach us our duty to our neighbour , and a most excellent monitor to excite us to make payment as far as our power will reach . it has a special force to dilate our hearts , to deliver them from that vicious selfishness and the rest of those sordid passions , which express a narrow illiberal temper , and are of such pernitious consequence to mankind . that institution therefore , must needs be highly beneficial , which both disposes us to be friends our selves , and helps to find them . but by friendship i do not mean any thing like those intimacies that are about in the world , which are often combinations in evil , and at best but insignificant dearnesses ; as little resembling true friendship , as modern practice does primitive christianity . but i intend by it the greatest usefulness , the most refin'd and disinteress'd benevolence , a love that thinks nothing within the bounds of power and duty , too much to do or suffer for its beloved : and makes no distinction betwixt its friend and its self , except that in temporals it prefers her interest . but tho it be very desirable to obtain such a treasure , such a medicine of life , ( as the wise man speaks ) yet the danger is great , least being deceiv'd in our choice , we suck in poyson where we expected health . and considering how apt we are to disguise our selves , how hard it is to know our own hearts , much less anothers , it is not advisable to be too hasty in contracting so important a relation ; before that be done , it were well if we could look into the very soul of the beloved person , to discover what resemblance it bears to our own , and in this society we shall have the best opportunities of doing so . there are no interests here to serve , no contrivances for another to be a stale to ; the souls of all the religious will be open and free , and those particular friendships must be no prejudice to the general amity . but yet , as in heav'n , that region of perfect love , the happy souls ( as some are of opinion ) now and then step aside from more general conversations , to entertain themselves with a peculiar friend ; so , in this little emblem of this blessed place , what shoud hinder , but that two persons of a sympathizing disposition the make and frame of whose souls bears an exact conformity to each other , and therefore one wou'd think , were purposely design'd by heaven to unite and mix ; what shou'd hinder them from entring into an holy combination to watch over each other for good , to advise , encourage and direct , and to observe the minutest fault in order to its amendment . the truest effect of love being to endeavour the bettering the beloved person . and therefore nothing is more likely to improve us in vertue , and advance us to the very highest pitch of goodness , than unfeigned friendship , which is the most beneficial , as well as the most pleasant thing in the world . but to hasten ; such an institution will much confirm us in vertue , and help us to persevere to the end , and by that substantial piety and solid knowledge , we shall here acquire , fit us to propagate it when we return into the world. an habitual practice of piety for some years will so root and establish us in it , that religion will become a second nature , and we must do strange violences to our selves , if after that we dare venture to oppose it . for besides all the other advantages that vertue has over vice , this will disarm it of custom , the only thing that recommends it , bravely win its strongest fort , and turn its own cannon against it self . how almost impossible wou'd it be for her to sin , whose understanding being clearly illuminated with the knowledge of the truth , is too wise to be impos'd on by those false representations that sin wou'd deceive it with ; whose will has found out and united it self to its true centie ; and having been long habituated to move in a right line , has no temptation to decline to an oblique . whose affections have daily regaled on those delicious fruits of paradice , which religion presents them with , and are therefore too sublime and refin'd to relish the muddy pleasures of sensual delights . it must certainly be a miracle if such an one relinquish her glory and joy ; she must be as bad as lucifer himself who after such enjoyments can forsake her heaven . 't is too unreasonable to imagine such an apostacy , the supposition is monstrous , & therefore we may conclude will never , or very rarely happen . and then what a blessed world shou'd we have , shining with so many stars of vertue ! who , not content to be happy themselves , for that 's a narrowness of mind too much beneath their god-like temper , would like the glorious lights of heav'n , or rather like him who made them , diffuse their benign influences round about . having gain'd an entrance into paradise themselves , they wou'd both shew the way and invite all others to partake of their felicity . instead of that froth and impertinence , that censure and pragmaticalness , with which feminine conversations so much abound , we should hear their tongues employ'd in making proselytes to heaven , in running down vice , in establishing vertue , and proclaiming their makers glory . ' twou'd be more genteel to give and take instructions about the ornaments of the mind , than to enquire after the mode ; and a lecture on the fashions wou'd become as disagreeable as at present any serious discourse is . not the follies of the town , but the beauties and the love of jesus wou'd be the most polite and delicious entertainment . 't would be thought as rude and barbarous to send our visitors away uninstructed , as our foolishness at present reckons it to introduce a pertinent and useful conversation . ladies of quality wou'd be able to distinguish themselves from their inferiors by the blessings they communicated , and the good they did . for this is their grand prerogative , their distinguishing character , that they are plac'd in a condition which makes that which is every ones chief business , to be their only employ . they have nothing to do but to glorify god , and to benefit their neighbours , and she who does not thus improve her talent , is more vile and despicable than the meanest creature about her . and if after so many spiritual advantages , it be convenient to mention temporals , here heiresses and persons of fortune may be kept secure , from the rude attempts of designing men ; and she who has more mony than discretion , need not curse her stars , for being expos'd a prey to bold importunate and rapacious vultures . she will not here be inveigled and impos'd on , will neither be bought nor sold , nor be forc'd to marry for her own quiet , when she has no inclination to it , but what the being tir'd out with a restless importunity occasions . or if she be dispos'd to marry , here she may remain in safety till a convenient match be offer'd by her friends , and be freed from the danger of a dishonourable one . modesty requiring that a woman should not love before marriage , but only make choice of one whom she can love hereafter : she who has none but innocent affections , being easily able to fix them where duty requires . and tho at first i propos'd to my self to speak nothing in particular of the employment of the religious , yet to give a specimen how useful they will be to the world , i am now inclin'd to declare , that it is design'd a part of their business shall be to give the best education to the children of persons of quality , who shall be attended and instructed in lesser matters by meaner persons deputed to that office , but the forming of their minds shall be the particular care of those of their own rank ; who cannot have a more pleasant and useful employment than to exercise and encrease their own knowledge , by instilling it into these young ones , who are most like to profit under such tutors . for how can their little pupils forbear to credit them , since they do not decry the world ( as others may be thought to do ) because they cou'd not enjoy it ; but when they had it in their power , were courted and caress'd by it , for very good reasons , and on mature deliberation , thought fit to relinquish and despise its offers for a better choice ? nor are mercenary people on other accounts capable of doing so much good to young persons , because , having often but short views of things themselves , sordid and low spirits , they are not like to form a generous temper in the minds of the educated . doubtless 't was well consider'd of him , who wou'd not trust the breeding of his son to a slave , because nothing great or excellent could be expected from a person of that condition . and when by the increase of their revenue , the religious are enabled to do such a work of charity , the education they design to bestow on the daughters of gentlemen who are fallen into decay , will be no inconsiderable advantage to the nation . for hereby many souls will be preserv'd from great dishonours , and put in a comfortable way of subsisting , being either receiv'd into the house , if they incline to it , or otherwise dispos'd of . it being suppos'd that prudent men will reckon the endowments they here acquire a sufficient dowry ; and that a disereet and vertuous gentlewoman will make a better wife than she whose mind is empty , tho her purse be full . but some will say , may not people be good without this confinement ? may they not live at large in the world , and yet serve god as acceptably as here ? 't is allow'd they may ; truly wise and vertuous souls will do it by the assistance of gods grace , in despite of all temptations ; and i heartily wish , that all women were of this temper . but it is to be consider'd , that there are tender vertues , who need to be screened from the ill airs of the world : many persons who had begun well might have gone to the grave in peace and innocence , had it not been their misfortune to be violently tempted . for those who have honest hearts have not always the strongest heads ; and sometimes the enticements of the world , and the subtil insinuations of such as lye in wait to deceive , may make their heads giddy , stagger their resolutions , and overthrow all the fine hopes of a promising beginning . 't is fit therefore , such tender cyons shou'd be transplanted , that they may be supported by the prop of vertuous friendship , and confirm'd in goodness by holy examples , which alas ! they will not often meet with in the world . and , such is the weakness of human nature , that bad people are not so apt to be better'd by the society of the good , as the good are to be corrupted by theirs . since therefore we daily pray against temptation , it cannot be amiss if we take all prudent care to avoid it , and not out of a vain presumption face the danger , which god may justly permit to overcome us for a due correction of our pride . it is not impossible for a man to live in an infected house or town , and escape with life and health ; yet if he have a place in the country to retire to , he will not make slight of that advantage ; and surely the health of our souls is of greater consideration than the health of our bodies . besides , she has need of an establish'd vertue and consummated prudence , who so well understands the great end she was sent into the world about , and so faithfully pursues it , that not content to be wise and good her self alone , she endeavours to propagate wisdom and piety to all about her . but neither this prudence nor heroic goodness are easily attainable amidst the noise and hurry of the world , we must therefore retire a while from its clamour and importunity , if we generously design to do it good ; and having calmly and sedately observ'd and rectify'd what is amiss in our selves , we shall be fitter to promote a reformation in others . a devout retirement will not only strengthen and confirm our souls , that they be not insected by the worlds corruptions , but likewise so purity and resite them , that they will become antidotes to expel the poyson in others , and spread a salutary air round about them . if any object against a learned education , that it will make women vain and assuming , and instead of correcting , encrease their pride : i grant , that a smattering in learning may ; for it has this effect on the men , none so dogmatical , and so forward to shew their parts as your little pretenders to science . but i wou'd not have the ladies content themselves with the shew , my desire is , that they shou'd not rest till they obtain the substance . and then she who is most knowing , will be forward to own with the wise socrates , that she knows nothing : nothing that is matter of pride and ostentation ; nothing but what is attended with so much ignorance and imperfection , that it cannot reasonably elate and puff her up . the more she knows , she will be the less subject to talkativeness and its sister vices , because she discerns , that the most difficult piece of learning is , to know when to use and when to hold ones tongue , and never to speak but to the purpose . but the men if they rightly understand their own interest , have no reason to oppose the ingenious education of the women , since 't wou'd go a great way towards reclaming the men ; great is the influence we have over them in their childhood , in which time , if a mother be discreet and knowing as well as devout , she has many opportunities of giving such a form and season to the tender mind of the child , as will shew its good effects thro' all the stages of his life . but tho' you should not allow her capable of doing good , 't is certain , she may do hurt : if she do not make the child , she has power to marr him , by suffering her fondness to get the better of discreet affection . but besides this , a good and prudent wife , wou'd wonderfully work on an ill man ; he must be a brute indeed , who cou'd hold out against all those innocent arts , those gentle persuasives , and obliging methods she wou'd use to reclaim him . piety is often offensive , when it is accompanied with indiscretion : but she who is as wise as good , possesles such charms as can hardly fail of prevailing . doubtless , her husband is a much happier man , and more likely to abandon all his ill courses , than he who has none to come home to , but an ignorant , froward and fantastick creature . an ingenious conversation will make his life comfortable , and he who can be so well entertain'd at home , needs not run into temptations in search of diversions abroad . the only danger is , that the wife be more knowing than the husband ; but if she be , 't is his own fault , since he wants no opportunities of improvement ; unless he be a natural blockhead , and then such an one will need a wise woman to govern him , whose prudence will conceal it from publick observation , and at once both cover and supply his defects . give me leave therefore to hope , that no gentleman who has honourable designs , will henceforward decry knowledge and ingenuity in her he wou'd pretend to honour : or if he does , it may serve for a test to distinguish the feigned and unworthy from the real lover . now , who that has a spark of of piety , will go about to oppose so religious a design ? what generous spirit that has a due regard to the good of mankind , will not be forward to advance and perfect it ? who will think 500 pounds too much to lay out for the purchase of so much wisdom and happiness ? certainly , we shou'd not think them too dearly paid for by a much greater sum , did not our pitiful and sordid spirits set a much higher value on money than it deserves . but granting so much of that dear idol is given away , a person thus bred , will easily make it up by her frugality and other vertues : if she bring less , she will not waste so much , as others do in superfluous and vain expences . nor can i think of any expedient so useful as this to persons of quality , who are over-stock'd with children ; for thus they may honourably dispose of them without impairing their estates . five or six hundred pounds may be easily spar'd with a daughter , when so many thousand would go deep ; and yet as the world goes be a very inconsiderable fortune for ladies of their birth ; neither maintain them in that port which custom makes almost necessary , nor procure them an equal match ; those of their own rank ( contrary to the generous custom of the germans ) chusing rather to fill their coffers than to preserve the purity of their blood , and therefore think a weighty bag the best gentility , preferring a wealthy upstart before the best descended and best qualifyed lady : their own extravagancies perhaps having made it necessary , that they may keep up an empty shadow of greatness , which is all that remains to shew what their ancestors have been . does any think their money lost to their families , when 't is put in here ? i will only ask what course they can take to save it , and at once to preserve their money , their honour and their daughters too ? were they sure the ladies wou'd die unmarried , i shou'd commend their thrift ; but experience has too often shewn us the vanity of this expectation . for the poor lady having past the prime of her years in gaity and company , in running the circle of all the vanities of the town , having spread all her nets and us'd all her arts for conquest , and finding that the bait fails where she wou'd have it take , and having all this while been so over-careful of her body , that she had no time to improve her mind , which therefore affords her no safe retreat now she meets with disappointments abroad , and growing every day more and more sensible that the respect which us'd to be paid her , decays as fast as her beauty ; quite terrified with the dreadful name of old maid , which yet none but fools will reproach her with , nor any wise woman be afraid of ; to avoid this terrible m●rmo , and the scoffs that are thrown on superannuated virgins , she f●●es to some dishonourable match as her last , tho much mistaken refuge , to the disgrace of her family , and her own irreparable ruin. and now let any person of honour tell me , if it were not richly worth some thousand pounds , to prevent all this mismischief , and the having an idle fellow , and perhaps a race of beggarly children to hang on him , and to provide for ? cou'd i think of any other objection , i wou'd consider it ; there 's nothing indeed which witty persons may not argue for & against , but they who duly weigh the arguments on both sides , unless they be extreamly prejudiced , will casily discern the great usefulness of this institution . the beaux perhaps , and topping sparks of the town , will ridicule and laugh at it . for vertue her self as bright as she is , can't escape the lash of scurrilous tongues ; the comfort is , whilst they impotently endeavour to throw dirt on her , they are unable to soil her beauty , and only render themselves the more contemptible . they may therefore if they please , hug themselves in their own dear folly , and enjoy the diversion of their own insipid jests . she has but little wisdom and less vertue , who is to be frighted from what she judges reasonable by the scoffs and insignificant noises of ludicrous wits , and pert buffoons . and no wonder that such as they , ( who have nothing to shew for their pretences to wit , but some scraps of plays , and blustring non-sence ; who fancy a well adjusted peruke is able to supply their want of brains , and that to talk much is a sign of ingenuity , tho 't be never so little to the purpose , ) object against our proposal ; ' twou●d indeed spoil the trade of the gay fluttering fops , who wou'd be at a loss , had they no body as impertinent as themselves to talk with . the criticism of their dress wou'd be useless , and the labour of their valet de chambre lost , unless they cou'd peaceably lay aside their rivalling , and one ass be content to complement and admire another . for the ladies wou'd have more discernment than to esteem a man for such follies as shou'd rather incline them to scorn and despise him . they wou'd never be so sottish as to imagine , that he who regards nothing but his own brutish appetite , shou'd have any real affection for them , nor ever expect fidelity from one who is unfaithful to god and his own soul. they wou'd not be so absurd as to suppose , that man can esteem them who neglects his maker ; for what are all those fine idolatries , by which he wou'd recommend himself to his pretended goddess ; but mockery and delusion from him who forgets and affronts the true deity ? they wou'd not value themselves on account of the admiration of such incompetent judges , nor consequently make use of those little trifling arts that are necessary to recommend them to such admirers : neither wou'd they give opportunity to profess themselves their slaves so long , till at last they become their masters . what now remains , but to reduce to practice that which tends so very much to our advantage . is charity so dead in the world that none will contribute to the saving their own and their neighbours souls ? shall we freely expend our money to purchase vanity , and often times both present and future ruin , and find none for such an eminent good work , which will make the ages to come arise and call us blessed ? i wou'd fain persuade my self better things , and that i shall one day see this religious retirement happily setled , and its great designs wisely and vigorously pursu'd ; and methinks i have already a vision of that lustre and glory our ladies cast round about them ! let me therefore intreat the rest of our sex , who tho at liberty in the world , are the miserable slaves of their own vile affections ; let me entreat them to lay aside their prejudices , and whatever borders on envy and malice , and with impartial eyes to behold the beauties of our religious . the native innocency and unaffectedness of whose charms , and the unblameable integrity of their lives , are abundantly more taking than all the curious artifices and studied arts the other can invent to recommend them , even bad men themselves being judges , who often betray a secret veneration for that vertue they wou'd seem to despise and endeavour to corrupt . as there is not any thing , no not the least shadow of a motive to recommend vice , but its fashionableness , and the being accustom'd to it ; so there is nothing at all forbidding in vertue but her uncouthness . acquaint your selves with her a little , and you 'l wonder how you cou'd be so foolish as to delight in any thing besides ! for you 'l find her conversation most sweet and obliging ; her precepts most easy and beneficial ; her very tasks joys , and her injunctions the highest pleasures . she will not rob you of any innocent delight , not engage you to any thing beneath your birth and breeding : but will put a new and more grateful relish into all your enjoyments , and make them more delicious with her sweetness she 'll preserve and augment your honour , by allying you to the king of heaven ; secure your grandeur by fixing it on a firm bottom , such as the caprice of fortune cannot shake or overthrow ; she 'll enlarge your souls , raise them above the common level , and encourage that allowable pride of scorning to do a base unworthy action . make you truly amiable in the eyes of god and man , preserve even the beauty of your bodies as long as 't is possible for such a brittle thing to last ; and when it must of necessity decay , impress such a loveliness on your minds , as will shine thro' and brighten your very countenances ; enriching you with such a stock of charms , that time which devours every other thing , shall never be able to decay . in a word , 't is vertue only which can make you truly happy in this world as well as in the next . there is a sort of bravery and greatness of soul , which does more truly ennoble us than the highest title , and it consists in the living up to the dignity of our natures , scorning to do a mean unbecoming thing ; in passing differently thro' good and evil fortune , without being corrupted by the one or deprest by the other . for she that can do so , gives evidence that her happiness depends not on so mutable a thing as this world ; but , in a due subserviency to the almighty , is bottom'd only on her own great mind . this is the richest ornament , and renders a woman glorious in the lowest fortune : so shining is real worth , that like a diamond it loses not its lustre , tho cast on a dunghill . whereas , she who is advanc'd to some eminent station , and wants this natural and solid greatness , is no better than fortunes may-game , rendered more conspicuous , that she may appear the more contemptible . let those therefore who value themselves only on external accomplishments , consider how liable they are to decay , and how soon they may be depriv'd of them , and that supposing they shou'd continue , they are but sandy foundations to build esteem upon . what a disappointment will it be to a ladies admirer as well as to her self , that her conversation shou'd lose and endanger the victory her eyes had gain'd ! for when the passion of a lover is evaporated into the cool temper of a husband , and a frequent review has lessen'd the wonder which her charms at first had rais'd , she 'll retain no more than such a formal respect as decency and good breeding will require , and perhaps hardly that ; but unless he be a very good man ( and indeed the world is not over full of 'em ) her worthlesness has made a forfeit of his affections , which are seldom fixt by any other thing than veneration and esteem . whereas , a wise and good woman is useful and valuable in all ages and conditions ; she who chiefly attends the one thing needful , the good part which shall not be taken from her , lives a cheerful and pleasant life , innocent and sedate , calm and tranquile , and makes a glorious exit ; being translated from the most happy life on earth , to unspeakable happiness in heaven ; a fresh and fragrant name , embalming her dust , and extending its perfume to succeeding ages . whilst the fools , and the worst sort of them the wicked , live as well as die in misery , go out in a snuff , leaving nothing but stench and putrefaction behind them . to close all , if this proposal which is but a rough draught and rude essay , and which might be made much more beautiful by a better pen , give occasion to wiser heads to improve and perfect it , i have my end . for imperfect as it is , it seems so desirable , that she who drew the scheme is full of hopes , it will not want kind hands to perform and compleat it . but if it miss of that , it is but a few hours thrown away , and a little labour in vain , which yet will not be lost , if what is here offer'd may serve to express her hearty good-will , and how much she desires your improvement , who is ladies , your very humble servant . errata . p. 2. l. 6. dele ( ) p. 19. l. 4. f. patterns r. examples . p. 37. l 8 del . , . l. 17. f. but r. than p. 44. l. 15 after before add it p. 48. l. 10. f. it r. them . p. 49. l. 7. d. , p. 56. l. 11. r. unaccountable . p. 69. l. 16. aft . but add to p. 80. l 8. d. as well , p. 103. l 13. f. pet , r. but. p. 107. l. 12. d. , . p. 111. l. 10. ast . smil'd , add betwixt scorn and pity . p. 118. l. 3. r. swallow . p. 125. l. 4. aft . which , add , is to be found in , l. 5. del . affords us , p. 130 l. 19. f. froth , r. air . p. 139. antep . f. this , r. that . books printed and sold by richard wilkin at the king's head in st. paul's church yard . avindication of the truth of christian religion against the objections of all modern opposers . by james abbadie . d. d. oct . a second part of the enquiry into several remarkable texts of the old and new testament , which contain some difficulty in them ; with a probable resolution of them . the second edit . 8 vo . a discourse concerning the authority , stile , and perfection of the books of the old and new testament ; with a continued illustration of several difficult texts of scripture throughout the whole work . both by john edwards , b. d. sometime fellow of st john's colledge in cambridge , octavo . the glorious epiphany , with the devout christians love to it . the second edition . octavo . search the scriptures . a treatise shewing that all christians ought to read the holy books ; with directions to them therein . a discourse concerning prayer , especially of frequenting the daily publick prayers . all three by the reverend sym. patrick , d. d. the old religion demonstrated in the principles , and described in the life and practice thereof . by j. goodman , d. d. the second edition . twelves . finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a26092-e190 mr nor. conduct of hum. life . mr. woltons reflect . on ant. and mod. learn . p. 349 , 350. female pre-eminence, or, the dignity and excellency of that sex above the male an ingenious discourse / written orignally in latine by henry cornelius agrippa ... ; done into english with additional advantages by h. c. declamation de nobilitate et praecellentia foeminei sexus. english agrippa von nettesheim, heinrich cornelius, 1486?-1535. 1670 approx. 130 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 55 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2006-06 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a26561 wing a784 estc r14394 13337383 ocm 13337383 99114 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a26561) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 99114) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 444:4) female pre-eminence, or, the dignity and excellency of that sex above the male an ingenious discourse / written orignally in latine by henry cornelius agrippa ... ; done into english with additional advantages by h. c. declamation de nobilitate et praecellentia foeminei sexus. english agrippa von nettesheim, heinrich cornelius, 1486?-1535. care, henry, 1646-1688. [22], 83 p. printed by t. r. and m. d. and are to be sold by henry million ..., london : 1670. reproduction of original in huntington library. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng women -controversial literature -early works to 1800. 2005-06 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2005-08 spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images 2006-01 judith siefring sampled and proofread 2006-01 judith siefring text and markup reviewed and edited 2006-04 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion female pre-eminence : or the dignity and excellency of that sex , above the male. an ingenious discourse : written originally in latine , by henry cornelius agrippa , knight , doctor of physick , doctor of both laws , and privy-counsellor to the emperour charles the fifth . done into english , with additional advantages . by h. c. 1 esdr . 3.12 . women are strongest . london , printed by t. r. and m. d. and are to be sold by henry million , at the sign of the bible in fleet-street . 1670. to her most excellent majesty , katherine , by the grace of god , queen of great britain , france , and ireland , &c. madam , this little champion , who long hath brav'd the world in your noble sexes defence , being arriv'd in your majesties dominions , and taught to speak the english dialect , is with all humility prostrated at your royal feet . the original treatise was grac'd with the propitious regards of a great princess , the illustrious margaret of austria , afterwards empress ; whence this mean translation derives an ambition , not to take shelter under any less than soveraign patronage . yet is not your majesties greatness , so much as goodness , respected in this humble address ; that serious primitive devotion , exemplary virtue , and other excellent endowments , that render you more truely glorious , than all the magnificent advantages of your most illustrious birth and fortune . to your majesty this discourse is necessitated to appeal ; for 't is your bright name alone , that can , being stampt thereon , ( like your royal consort 's effigies on coyn ) make it pass currant in the opinion of the world ; who no longer will be scandaliz'd at the title , nor think the author too lavish in womens praise , when they reflect on your majesty , that great example of female pre-eminence , and excellency , that have out-done the most daring hyperbolies , and not only justified , but surpass'd in life and merit , whatever can be said in the behalf of your most glorious sex. that your majesty , encircled with all happiness , may long remain a president of piety to this degenerous age , and find as many to imitate as admire your royal virtues , is the prayer of your majesties most humble , loyal , and obedient subject , h. care. the translators preface . in this giddy age wherein each extravagant opinion finds a welcome , and conceits more wilde than any bedlam-phrensie , have been entertain'd with zeal , and promoted with passion , an innocent paradox may fairly hope for pardon at least , if not applause . since (1.) tyranny , (2.) injustice , (3.) vgliness , and (4.) folly it self , have not wanted their respective advocates amongst the learned , i see small reason why asserting the pre-eminence of the female sex , should too severely be censured . but 't is unjust to debar readers of that tickling delight they take in finding faults , it being oftentimes all the consideration they have for laying out their money . the stationers humour and mine agree , let them but buy the book , and then ( being their own ) use it as they please . i shall not therefore waste time , either in courting or huffing the reader , ( for both wayes are now commonly used to surprize his good opinion , ) but only endeavour to give an impartial account of the author , and design of the ensuing discourse . to say much of the noble agrippa , were to put an affront on the reader , ( if he pretend at all to traffick in the commonwealth of learning ) by supposing him a stranger to that man , who was justly admir'd as the prodigy of his age , for all kind of science . that vast progress he made , tam marte quam mercurio , in arms no less than arts ; the titles and honours he acquir'd ; the respect paid him by most of the grandees , and famous men , his contemporaries ; and those monuments of learning , wherewith he hath oblig'd posterity ; all speak him a person above the ordinary level of mankind ; to be rankt only amongst those few noble heroes ; que's meliore luto finxit praecordia titan. whom titan with a gentle ray , hath moulded of a purer clay . 't is true , ( like all great wits ) he took no little pleasure in stemming the impetuous tide of popular opinion , as if nothing had been impregnable against the puissance of his parts . hence he made that desperate (5.) onset , to prove in particular , what solomon was content to affirm in the lump , that all things are vanity ; and with an excess of gallantry undertook singly to duel all arts and sciences . nor was this present essay any other than a sally of the same generosity , that delights to engage on disadvantages , and bravely to assist the weaker party . after so many slanderers ( like ungratefull mules , turning their brutish heels to kick those paps whence they receiv'd their first nutriment ) had dipt their keen pens in gall , and fill'd their black mouthes with calumnies , to sully the repute of this fair sex , our author was too noble , not to think himself concern'd in its vindication ; common justice , no less than point of honour , obliging all to succour oppressed innocency . hereupon the generous agrippa enters the lists , to assert the honour of the female party , against the immerited obloquies of the male , which he chooses to attempt , not after the low , timerous method of an apology , the shallow invectives of the adversaries being unworthy the refute of his pen ; but like a politick general , carrying the war into the enemies countrey , startles them with an expected invasion , and lets them know this noble sex ought to be the object of their veneration , not contempt , being in all respects their superiour . how prudently this design was undertaken , or how well perform'd , i shall not fore-stall the readers opinion , so far as to determine ; but must confess my self pleas'd with that diversion i met with in reading the original ; and thereupon to have attempted the translation , not without some additions , and variation , to render it more smooth and gratefull to the present age , thinking i could scarce better devote my vacant hours , than to the service of that sweet sex , which every one deserving the name of man , cannot but love ; and to whom , whoever hath not forgot he had a mother , is oblig'd to pay a reverential esteem . yet is it no part of our design to flatter women , but to put some check to the rude , undeserv'd reproaches , cast on them by the men : to acquaint the fair sex with its natural dignity , that they may scorn to act any thing unworthy of themselves : to treat them with variety of real ( not romantick ) examples of true piety , exact chastity , sincere , unalterable affection , and other rare , sublime qualities ; whence inspir'd with a generous emulation , they may strive to out-vye these ancient heroinaes , and transcend the excellent patterns here recommended ; finding , that it is virtue alone that can embalm their memories , and render them still fresh and amiable , even then when age or sickness have plow'd their faces with wrinckled furrows , and swept away the sparkling glories , of their eyes . to conclude : if the captious world shall a while ●ay aside its usual severities , and vouchsafe any acceptance of these our inconsiderable pains , ( now confusedly huddled up in hast , ) we shall use our utmost endeavours in the second edition to deserve that favour , by some further additions and embellishments . h. c. to his ingenious friend mr. h. care : on his pains in translating , and refining this quaint discourse of female pre-eminence . ' ti● bravely done , dear friend ! thus to engage for the fair sex , in this detracting age , when vip'rous tongues so virulently throwe venome at those to whom their lives they owe , and each base fopp poor womens judge doth sit , who thinks railing at them proves him a wit , and therefore dams 'um , they 'r all whores , hee 'l cry , though 's mother and his sister both stand by : nor want there squires o' th' quill to wound their name , and with foul ink bespatter their bright fame . but as when royal phaebus shews his face , those sporads vanish which usurpt his place ; so all these black-mouth'd screeching birds of night , are by your book put to eternal flight : your book ; for what you modestly do call translation , if with the original it be compar'd , 't will easily be known , that the far better part on 't is your own . you adde , correct , and so the whole refine , that 't is no more agrippa's now , but thine ; he laid the plot , but you the language bring , and giv 't a dress as glorious as the spring : choice words compos'd in periods , that surprize the ear with most harmonious cadencies . such charming stile , which france it self admir'd , was thought t' have vanisht when love-day expir'd ; our english prose seem'd sunk ever since then , but now there 's hopes you 'l buoy it up agen : for such fair blossomes in your youth , presage no common fruit from your maturer age. but what dost aim at ? ( for i must profess , in this attempt , 't will puzzle one to guess ) weary of retail-love , by this design , dost thou intend to court all womankind ? t' ingross their favour , and ambitiously affect loves universal monarchy ? or do thy flames which to some one ●spire , transport thee , the whole sex thus to admire ? what e're it be , unto thy pains and wit , all ladies must confess themselves in debt ; and to thee , whence such ornament they find , they 'r most ungratefull if they prove not kind . their snow-white hands thy welcome book shall hold , and sometimes wrap●t up in some silken fold , in their sweet bosomes suffer it to rest , ( ah! who 'l not envy it when 't is so blest ? ) at other times it fairly shall be spread i' th sun shine of their eyes , and whilst 't is read , their amber-breath and rosie-lips will lend perfumes unto its le●ves , shall never spend . henceforth no lawyer they 'l retain but thee , who plead'st their cause so well without a fee. philogynes . to his worthy friend mr. henry care : on his ingenious treatise , entituled , female pre-eminence , &c. oh ! for some female-wit ! only a she can write to the full height , your eulogy . what though sappho , and brave phillips be gone , th' muses themselves are bound to see it done . methinks i see our english ladies throng to view your name , that vindicate from wrong their male-transcending virtues , which of late have suffer'd , by a sharp , censorious fate of foul aspersions , whilst some parricide ( to his own mothers name ) in a full tide of misplac't epethites , has rudely sought to wound cause one an injury on him brought ) th' whole sexes honour , whose innocence may think the milk from 's mother suckt too like his ink ; had too much in it of the bitter gall , or for one womans cri●●e he 'd ne're curse all . but let that person ( with impartial eye ) peruse your book , he 'l alphabetic'ly write's recantation , and a convert die . when i peruse your book , i know not justly who deserves pre-eminence , the female sex , or you : for whilst i weigh their worth , i 'm forc't t' admire your weighty wit. as by a well tun'd lyre my ear being ravish't , dubiously i stand , whether to praise the lute , or artist's hand . so whilst you their pre-eminence defend , your wit i' th' proof makes me my faith suspend , whether to give it to the feminine , when you that writ it are o th' masculine ; not knowing which deserves the greatest praise , or you that give , or they that wear the bayes : both seem to me to claim priority , their virtues , and your ingenuity . then this i 'le do , i will resolve henceforth t' admire their virtues , and extoll your worth. t. martinne . to the ladies , on this ingenious discourse of female pre-eminence . ladies , at length your vindicated fames appear , like bright , but long concealed flames , which under some rubbish were plac't , to show that fire , by fuel hid , does stronger grow . 't was fit your brightness should some stains endure , for virtue 's greatest when 't is most obscure . princes though cloth'd with rags , are princes still ▪ nor yet decreases good beset with ill . the stately palm does by depression thrive ; your virtues dy'd , more nobly to revive . what said i ? they dy'd ? no , they ne're could dye , but only fell , prest down by calumny ; from whence they do with double force arise , just like recoyling rams in batteri●● . something to this brave authors care is due , but he the greater laurel yields to you . conqu'ring souldiers , as worthy men , we own , yet the prince that commanded wears the crown . thanks come from all , as debts to th' author's wil ▪ what 's their desert then , that thus inspired it . ladies , defending you , success he never fears ; that ship no sinking dreads , that c●sar bears . t. p. to the ladies and gentlewomen of england , on that ingenious treatise , translated , and augmented , in defence of their sex ; by mr. henry care , entituled , female pre-eminence , &c. lay by your needles , ladies , take the bayes ; express your gratitude , i' th authors praise . come , shew the world , your wit hath found a flaw , in great apolloes male-made salique law. if you peruse the book , you 'l quickly find , the authors care , as well as willing mind , hath been imploy'd to serve your sex ; and now with your own hands you ought to crown his brow. i 'le call him author , or a name he 'l want to be known by , translator is too scant . though he translator-like new souls does give to th' virtues of your sex , whereby they live ; yet he 's no cobler , does not cap , but crown those virtues , which by dirt were trodden th' invention of 't , i know his modesty does give to learn'd cornelius : ●ut when i down . peruse agrippa , he i find does move , excited by his wit , not by his love ; whilst the translator , from his gen'rous soul , ( making your virtues his antartick pole ) revives agrippa's dormant work , and thence , by 's love and care proves your pre-eminence ; wherein by 's wit , and fluent style , his worth extols its self , in setting yours forth . that then the thanks you owe him , may be seen , come crown his head , not with a willow green , but ) with such lasting bayes the world may see , you ne're are backward in gratuity . or if your modesty will not permit to praise them , that prize you , lend me your wit , i 'le tell the world , ( though now the author knows ▪ i steal my rhymes from his transcending prose ) the female virtues do the males excell , their worth , our weakness , find no parallel . what is 't that's good our sex can claim , but thence the female sex plead their pre-eminence ? do we lay claim to wisdome , learning , art ? therein learn'd pallas pleads a greater part . say we , our sex are valianter in war ; in this bellona does deserve a share . if we dare challenge skill in poetry , the learned sisters will our rivals be . whoever says , in beauty we out-vye , to them i 'm sure dame venus gives the lye . when all has fail'd , come we to abstinence , in that chast vesta claims pre-eminence : their birth 's more noble far , for they from man refin'd were form'd , man was from clay ; so that there dwelleth in their heart and face , more outward beauty , more internal grace : their beauty's greater , all confess , whence judge we then their inward vertues less . do we imagine virtue is so blind , to dwell i' th male , when th' female's more refin'd ? wit , beauty , virtue , can meet and agree at once in them , whilst , self-enamour'd , we are too too apt , if th' female sex but prize us , for one good , that good to idolize ; * narcissus-like , that fair and foolish boy , we 'l dye , because we can't our selves enjoy . beasts homage do to both , and most men do give honour unto women , as their due . man conquers by his sword , whilst women can sooner by words o'recome sword-conqu'ring man ; such reth'ricks in their tongue , none dare withstand , or in the least dispute what they command . where is that * hercules that dare resist , to turn a spinster with his clumsie fist ? if woman require 't , he must come twist a thread , or with her ●rowns she 'l strike the warriour dead . imagin●d cupid hath no other bow , than that half circle on a females brow ; his string 's the hair that cleaves unto this dart , a glance is from that ●ye that wounds mans heart . but stay , i cann't persist , desist i scarcely dare , i fear the one , the other is not fair ; i 've stole so much already , that my crime my clergyes benefit exceeds . in time i 'le beg the author's mercy , and then i will ne're again steal wit , if ●s felony . nor dare i to desist ; for th' ladies then too soon will find , from whence i stole my pen. but though my wit 's not so legitimate , and pure as his , yet is my love as great , and natural ; for , from my mothers brest i suck't it in her milk. now pen take rest , when to this better sex th' ast made this pray'r , t' accept thy love , whilst they admire his care. t. m. female pre-eminence , or the excellency of that sex above the male. almighty god , to whose eff●●●cious ●ord all things owe their original , abounding in his own glorious essence with infinite goodness and fecundity , did in the beginning 〈◊〉 man after his own likeness , male and female , created he them ; the true distinction of which sexes , consists meerly in the different site of those parts of the body , wherein generation necessarily requires a diversity : for both male and female he impartially endued with the same , and altogether indifferent form of soul , the woman being possess'd of no less excellent faculties of mind , reason , and speech , than the man , and equally with him aspiring to those regions of bliss and glory , where there shall be no exception of sex. for though at the last trumpets universal alarm , when our recollected bodies shall start up amazed , to find themselves releas'd from their prisons of darkness , we may perhaps appear in our resp●ctive proper sexes , yet shall we not then either ne●d or 〈…〉 use of sex , but are promise● by him who is truth it self , a conversation resembling that of blessed angel● in heaven . hence 't is evident , that as to the essence of the soul between man and woman , there can no pre-eminence at all be challenged on either side , but the 〈◊〉 innate worth and dignity of both , the image of their creator being stampt as fairly , and shining as brightly in one , as t'other ; whereas in all other respects the noble and delicate feminine race , doth almost to infinity excell that rough-hew● , boisterous kind , the male. this may at first perhaps seem an odd assertion , and extravagantly paradoxical , but will appear a certain truth , when we have prov'd it ( which is our present undertaking ) not with empty flourishes of words , or gawdy paint of rhetorick , nor with those vain logical devices , wherewith sophisters too frequently inveigle unwary understandings , but by the authority of the most approved authors , unquestioned histories , and evident reasons , as likewise with testimonies of holy writ , and sanctions of both civil and canon laws . since names are signs of things , and that all matter presents it self to us cloathed in words , the learned have advis'd us in all discourses , first , to consider diligently the notations or appellations of those things whereof we intend to treat , which if we reduce to practice in our present subject , we may observe , that woman was made at first so much more excellent than man , by how much she had given her a name more worthy than he ; the word adam , signifying but earth , whereas eve , is interpreted life ; whence it seems , woman is no less to be preferr'd before man , than life it self before sordid and contemptible earth . nor let any weak heads fancy this argument lame or invalid , because from names it passes judgement on things , since it must be acknowledged , that the all-wise contriver both of names and things , well knew the things before he imposed names on them ; and therefore ( it being impossible he should be deceived ) did undoubtedly bestow on them such fit and apposite names , as might best express their intrinsick natures and dignity . nor is it only the holy tongue that intimates this sexes pre-eminence , the latines too seem very express in asserting it , amongst whom woman is named mulier , quasi melior , as much as to say , better or more worthy than man. and in our english language , although some little wits at woman rail and ban , swearing she 's call'd so , quasi woe to man ; yet such vain derivations are to blame , since god himself did her mans help-meet name . women promote our joyes , partake our woes , but we men work our own , and their o●rethrowes . t is too great a derogation from the known prudence and piety of our ancestors , to imagine them at once so injurious and impious , as to brand this noble sex with a name , diametrically thwarting that character which heaven it self had given of its nature . we may with much more probability , ( the only compass to sail by in an ocean of etymologies ) suppose the word , woman , to be derived , quasi woe man , she being the loadstone of mans desires , and the sole adequate object of his affections , whom he is to woe , court , and settle his love on ; or else from with man , abbreviated in the pronunciation , intimating the need man hath of her presence and company , and his dull heartless condition without her . society is the life of life , and women the life of society , compar'd with whom all other pleasures and diversions are but flat and melancholy ; whereof the protoplast , even whilest he was in his state of innocency , and had a garden of pleasure for his habitation , was not insensible ; of whom thus a minor poet , adam alone in paradise did grieve , and thought eden a desert without eve , untill god pittying his lonesome state , crown'd all his wishes with a lovely mate . no reason then hath man to slight or flout her , who could not live in paradise without her . however if we shall not be allow'd the priviledge of contriving for the honour of the female sex , such advantageous etymologies , yet let us at least affirm from the mysterious learning of the cabalists ; that the womans name in the original language , hath a much nearer affinity with the ineffable te●ragrammaton , or sacred name of the divine essence , than the mans , which hear● no resemblance thereto either in characters , figure , or number . but waving ( at present ) this abstruser mode of proof , as a matter read by few , understood by fewer , and requiring a more ample explication , than our leisure , no less than the readers patience , can here allow of , we proceed from words to things , and come to investigate and display female excellency , not barely from the name , but in reality from its intrinsick worth and proper endowments ; for long jangling about nominals , whilest substances fleet by unregarded , may argue some smattering in grammar , or sophistry , but no great stock of solid or usefull learning . l●● us then ( as we are commanded ) search the scriptures , and dating our discourse with the worlds original , examine what dignity was alotted to woman above man , by order of creation . we know that all things made by the almighty architect , may not unfitly be branched into these two ranks , some remaining ever incorruptible , others subject to corruption and mutation ; in the creation of both which , divine wisdome proceeded in a method of descension and ascension , beginning with the more noble of the one , and concluding with the most noble of the other . hence he first created those purer essences , immaterial angels and souls , ( for so the great st. augustine contends , that the soul of our first parent was created together with the angels , before the production of his body ) then the incorruptible bodies , as the heavens , and those vast numbers of glorious stars , wherewith the same are embroidered ; as also the elements , incorruptible too , but obnoxious to various mutations , of which last he composed all other things liable to corruptio● , beginning with the meanest , and so proceeding upwards again by several degrees of dignity , to the perfection of the universe ; so as first minerals were brought forth , then sprouted up vegetables , plants , herbs and trees , afterwards plant-animals , then living creatures in order , creeping , swimming , flying , and four-footed ; and last of all he formed our first parents , after his own similitude , first the man , and then the woman , in whom was compleated the heavens and the earth , and all the glory of them , for after her creation the great creator rested , as having nothing more honourable to frame ; and so well resented the pleasure of having finisht this glorious work so happily , that he instituted a day of each seven to celebrate its festival . woman then being the last of creatures , the end , complement , and consummation of all the works of god , what ignorance is there so stupid , or what impudence can there be so effronted , as to deny her a prerogative above all other creatures , without whom the world it self had been imperfect ; it being impossible the same should be compleated , but in some creature most perfect ; and absurd to dream , that infinite wisdome would conclude so noble a fabrick , with a thing any way trivial or defective : for the whole universe being created by god , as an entire and perfect circle , it was requisite the same should be made up , and finisht in such an exact and absolute particle , as might with a most strict tye unite and glew together the first of all things with the last . thus the woman in relation to time indeed was formed last , but in respect of dignity , first of all conceived in the divine idaea , ( as 't is written , before the heavens were created i chose her ; ) the end , according to the catholick creed of philosophers , being ever first in intention , though last in execution : but woman was the end , and last work of god , and introduced into the world , not unlike a queen into her royal palace , paradise her metropolitan residence , being fitted and prepared before-hand for her reception and entertainment , where the man seem'd only her harbinger or attendant . deservedly therefore doth every creature love , and pay respect and homage to her , who is of all creatures the queen , perfection and glory ; for which cause the wise man saith , he glorifies the generosity of the woman , having 〈◊〉 with god , the lord of all hath loved her . but further , in reference to the place of her creation , how much woman doth surpass man in dignity , sacred oracles liberally inform us , witnessing her to be created in paradise , a place no less noble , than pleasant and delightfull ; but the man out of prradise , in a rural field , with irrational brutes . and therefore as great personages , of noble extraction , though by the malice of fortune reduc'd to extremities , retain still some marks of grandeur , and a mean different from the vulgar , so woman carries yet an air of paradise , something that speaks her sublime discent , her inclinations being generally more pious and devout , and her countenance angelical , and ( as accustomed to that sublime place of her first birth ) she enjoys this peculiar priviledge , that looking downwards , though from never so high a precepice , she is not seiz'd with that dizziness or dimness of sight , which frequently in such accidents happens to men. as also if a man and woman together chance to be exposed to danger by water , ( deprived of all external aid or assistance ) you may behold her a long time floating o● the chrystal superficies , the compassionate element seeming unwilling to contract the guilt of destroying so much excellency ; whilest the man streight ●inks , and ( like other gross bodies ) tends to the bottome , as his proper center . now that the dignity of the place of nativity conduces not a little to the enobling a person , both the civil laws , and sacred canons plainly intimate , and the custome of all nations confirms ; and that not only in men , but in all other animals , yea inanimate creatures , esteeming each so much more generous and noble , as they come from a more wo●thy place . thus isaac commands his jacob not to take a wife of the land of canaan , but of the then more renowned countrey , mesopotamia of syria : not unlike which is that in john , where philip relating , that he had found jesus of nazareth , nathanael ( that true israelite ) nimbly queries , if any thing good could come thence ? but to proceed ; as in order and place , so also in matter of her creation , woman far excells man. things receive their value from the matter they are made of , and the excellent skill of their maker : pots of common clay must not contend with china-dishes , nor pewter utensils vye dignity with those of silver . one line drawn by appelles his exquisite pencil , is more to be esteemed , than whole portraitures perform'd by the slubbering hands of vulgar artists . woman was not composed of any inanimate or vile dirt , but of a more refined and purified substance , enlivened and actuated by a rational soul , whose operations speak it a beam , or bright ray of divinity . man was taken out of the earth , which of its own nature , with the co-operation of celestial influxes , is wont to bring forth living creatures : but woman , above all influence of the heavens , or aptitude of nature , without any assisting virtue , or co-operating power , was formed miraculously by god himself , out of that ribb taken from dormant adam's side , whereby man became maim'd and imperfect ; and thence ever since , as a needle that hath suffered the magnetick touch , stands alwayes trembling till it looks full on its beloved north ; so he can never rest , till by taking a woman , and incorporating her with himself , he retreive that loss , and render himself again intire and perfect . the rare art exercised in rea●ing this female-fabrick , is not obscurely intimated by the divine historian , in his original language , where god is said to make man , but to have built woman ; that implying but common work , this , much curiosity , and contrivance : insomuch that man seems little more than the production of nature ; woman , the more immediate handywork of the god of nature . and therefore for the most part woman is more susceptible of , and replenisht with divine splendor and irradiations , than man , of which her incomparable neatness , and charming beauty , may be a pregnant evidence ; for beauty is nothing but the brightness or radiancy of divine light , s●●●ing in created essences , and casting on us its glorious reflections from fair bodies , as illustriously as our weak eyes are capable without dazleing to behold it . and this most frequently chooseth to reside in woman , rather than man ; whence she becomes beyond all expression amiable and delightfull , her flesh ●ender and delicate , her colour bright and clear , her hair most becoming , her locks ( cupids fetters , and the only threads wherewith he strings his bow ) soft , long , and glittering , her countenance more august and majestical , her looks more sprightly , vivid and joc●●● ; a snow-white neck , and large smooth high fore-head ; sparkling eyes , armed with irresistable glances , and yet tempered with a lovely grace and chearfulness , arched over with stately eye-browes , ( half moons , that boast more conquests , than the proud turkish ensigns ) which being divided with a beseeming , plain , and equal distance , her well proportioned nose leads to her pretty mouth , and that displaying with an amorous smile , the rosie portals of its soft ruddy lips , discovers a row of inestimable pearl , her fine small teeth , even , and out-vying ivory for whiteness , yet fewer in number than mans , as having less occasion to use them , being neither great eater , nor biter . then her modest cheeks , whose colours are so purely mixt , that lillies and roses seem there to contend for superiority , and her pretty round chin , beautified with a love-dimple ; a voice she hath most sweet and inchanting ; breasts which seem two sphears of snow , or swelling mountainets of delight ; long arms , little hands , interwoven with a curious la●●● y●●th of azure veins ; long slender fingers , nimble joynts , and all parts of her body plump , juicy , and attractive . besides , her gate is so modest , her motions decent and natural , her gesture more free and noble , her air more taking and complacent , and the whole form , habit , and symmetry of her person , grace● with such innumerable charms , as without injuring truth , we may affirm , that in the whole series of creatures , there is nothing so much to be admir'd , or miracle so deserving to be seen , since in her alone all that have not their eyes blear'd with prejudice , or envy , may clearly see , the great creator ( who is the fountain of all that is good and amiable ) hath epitomized the beauty of all his other works ; for those perfections which sparkle here and there in them , are collected and constellated in her , whom we may call , a draught of the whole creation in miniature , or a copy of that vast volume done in exquisite short-hand . hence all creatures admire , love , and almost adore her ; for so (*) pliny ( that great clark of natures closet ) relates , that the lion which spareth no other creature , trembles at a woman , and hardly proffereth her that violence which usually he doth to man ; as if nature had taught that savage animal the respects due to so fair a presence . nor is it only the conceit of fond opinion , but a very credible truth , that even spiritual natures , incorporeal essences , and daemons , have many times been enamoured on women with wonderfull passion ; for omitting those stories poets tell us , of the amours of their fabulous deities , as apollo and daphne , neptune and salmonea , or rampant hercules with his three wenches , hebe , jole , and omphale , &c. the holy scripture seems to intimate no less ; as in genesis we find , that the sons of god seeing the daughters of men were fair , took of them for their wives : to which we might adde , ( if it be not thought too apochryphal ) the ill spirit asmodeus , who so jealously courted the lady , that he destroy'd all his rivals , in the history of tebit . indeed these sacred rolls are frequent in recommending this divine ornament , beauty , and furnish us with various examples of its power and excellency . thereby it was abigail preserved her churlish husbands life and fortune , from the fury of incensed david ; for thus the royal captain accosts her , return in peace , i have heard thy voice , and honoured thy face , ( or as other versions render it , accepted thy person . ) all beauty is either intellectual , vocal , or corporeal ; in each of which this lady is recorded to have been eminently accomplisht , being both prudent in mind , eloquent of speech , and beautifull in person ; for which excellent perfections ▪ david after nabal's decease accepted her for one of his wives . hesters beauty was a means to deliver her people out of the jaws of destruction , to which proud haman had devoted them . and fair judiths charms infatuating the besotted general , preserved her nation from a ruine which seem'd inevitable . after those various temptations and tedious afflictions of holy job , heaven ( as if it could not bestow a better earthly reward on such a stupendious and inimitable patience ) blest him with three daughters so sweet , fair and attractive , that they surpast those graces poets fable of , and the whole world ( bankrupt of such other excellency ) could not produce their parallels . who reading the legends of the sacred virgins , can but admire in them that transcendent beauty , which the church vouchsafes to celebrate with such solemn eulogies of honour ? especially that immaculate virgin , the blessed mary , whose beauty is said to be so exactly temper'd with chastity and holiness , that though it captivated all hearts , yet it never tempted any to folly , so much as in thought . nor is beauty only esteemed amongst men , but seems also to be particularly regarded even by god himself , ( as indeed how can he but respect his own reflection . ) thus we sometimes read him commanding all the males ( even children ) should be slain , but the women that were fair to be saved alive . and in deuteronomy , liberty is indulged to the israelites , to take one of their captives to wife , if she were beautifull , which otherwise was unlawfull . but besides this charming excellency , which not only invites , but commands our admiration ; woman is endowed with another natural ornament , not vouchsaft to men ; her hair growing to that becoming length , as to veil those more reserved parts , whereof modesty commands concealment ; and indeed of that blushing virtue this sweet sex may justly challenge the far greatest share , it having been o●t experienced , (*) that in desperate diseases , they have chosen to expose themselves to deaths imbraces , rather than to the view and handling of chyr●●gions for cure . nor can death it self rifle them of this modest bashfulness ; for when drowned , ( as pliny relates , and experience proves ) they lye in the water with their faces downwards , nature sparing their modesty ; whereas a man in such case swims on his back , exposing all his shame and nakedness to publick view . further , the most worthy part of us , whereby we chiefly differ from brutes , is the head , and of that , especially the face . now in men , that noble member the head , is often by age or other infirmity plundered of hair , its native ornament , and grows deformed with a despicable baldness ; from which misfortune women by an extraordinary priviledge of nature are exempt . as likewise their faces remain alwayes smooth and comely ; whereas mens are frequently so beset with over-grown beards , and sordid hair , that 't is difficult to distinguish them from beasts ; whence by the law of the twelve tables , it was provided , women should not shave their ●heeks , lest it might occasion the growth of beards , and destroy their native pudor and comeliness . now of the cleanness and purity of this sex , this oft-try'd experiment cannot but be a proof beyond exception ; for when a woman hath once washt her self clean , let her wash again in fresh water , and it shall receive no spot or tincture of foulness ; but a man never so well washt , as oft as he washes again , will still leave behind some filth and sordities ▪ nor may we omit , that nature hath given women the greatest share in the procreation of mankind ; for according to the opinion of those great pillars of the art of healing , g●len and avicenna , she contributes most to the matter and nutriment of the birth , which may be the reason that most children resemble their mothers many times in external features , but almost alwayes in genius and inclinations ; for where mothers be simple , the children generally prove fools , and where they are wise , these are witty : but on the contrary , the wisest fathers have most times idiots to their sons , and foolish fathers frequently get wise children , provided the mother be but possest of a competent stock of discretion . and hence it should seem , mothers become more fond and indulgent to children , as being sensible of having a greater share and interest in them ; in requital whereof for the same cause , we are naturally more affected towards our mothers than to our fathers , so as we seem but to respect our father , and to love only our mother . and this leads us to make some reflection on that which is our first commons in this world , our mothers milk , a thing of that catholick virtue , that it not only nourishes infants , cherishes the sick , and restores consumptive and languishing nature , but may in case of necessity suffice for the preservation of life to persons of any age ; a notable instance whereof we read in valerius , of a poor young woman , who therewith preserved her aged mother in prison , that otherwise had inevitably been swallowed up by the devouring jaws of famine , whereby she sav'd her life , who gave her life before , and kindly did in kind her milk restore ; which signal love and tenderness not only procured the old womans release , and a competent maintenance for her and her daughter , but for a monument thereof the goal was converted into the temple of piety , a virtue to which women are almost ever more prone than men ; so that aristotle recounts piety , mercy and compassion , as virtues peculiar to this sex. nor is it unusual for physitians to relate , that the heat of young womens paps , applyed to the breasts of persons worn out with age , doth stir up , augment , and serve the vital heat ; of which david not ignorant , when age had snow'd her silver hairs on his head , and robb'd him of his youthfull vigour ▪ procured the fair young shunamite for his bed-fellow , that he might receive warmth from her sweet caresses , and cherishing imbraces . furthermore , to omit that women are more early ready to accomplish that great end of our being , generation , and the propagation of posterity , than men ; and that stupendious miracle of nature , their longing , when many times without danger they greedily feed on raw flesh or fish , and not seldome on coals , dirts , stones , and other trash ▪ which without damage they concoct ▪ and convert into healthfull nutriment : we only at present adde , that according to the traditions of philosophers and physitians , ratified by experience ▪ women have obtained this excellent boon from the indulgence and bounty of nature , that in all dise●ses whatever ▪ they of themselves , from their own proper stock , are furnisht with remedies ▪ and can cure themselves , without praying maid of any forreign help , or 〈…〉 . but that which transcends all wonder , is , that woman alone , without man , should be able to produce humane nature , which man alone never could pretend to ; and yet this is commonly affirmed by the turks and other mahumetans , to be feazible ; amongst whom many are believed to be conceiv'd without fathers , whom in their own tongue they call nef●fogli . stories likewise go of islands , where the women are conceived to conceive by the wind ; but this we dare not admit into our creed , for thereby we should injuriously rob the blessed mary of her honour , whose alone prerogative it was to conceive without the knowledge of man , when she brought forth her natural son , our saviour , of her proper substance , being impregnated by the holy spirit , and remaining still a pure and immaculate virgin , such fruitfulness attending the precedent benediction , that she needed not mans help in reference to conception . but of brute animals●is ●is more confidently affirmed , some females conceive without the ●●●pany of the male ; as origen against faustus , delivers on the credit of history , concerning she-vultures ; and antiquity of certain mares , which went to foal by the fruitfull gales of zephyrus ; of which the poet , ore omnes versae in zephyrum stant rupibus alti● , excipiuntque leves aura● , & saepe siue ullis conjugtis vento gravidae . standing on tops of rocks , the wanton beast sucks in the gentle breises of the west ; whence she grows pregnant ; and such colts you 'l find as fleet and nimble , as their sire , the wind. what shall we say of speech , that divine faculty differencing us from brutes , whereby the soul puts conceptions into words , and makes her apprehensions audible , which the profound tresmigistus prizes at no lower rate than immortality ; and the poet hesiad deservedly stiles our best treasure . i appeal to each man 's own experience , ( and some i know have had cause to observe it ) whether women are not naturally more eloquent of speech , than men and their tongues more apt and volub● to cloath their thoughts in language and express their sentiments on any occasion . how sweet and insinuating ar● their complements ? how close an● home their objurgations ? how sudden their answers ? how ingenious their retorts ? how ready their excuses ? how neat their evasions ? how irresistable their intreaties ? did not every one of us first learn to speak from no other tutors than our mothers or nurses ? and in this behalf nature ( like a carefull governess ) so wisely provides for humanity , that scarce ever any of that sex are found dumb . nor is this sure any mean or vulgar honour , but meriting the greatest regard , to surpass men in that , wherein man himself chiefly excells other creatures . but pretermitting these more vulgar and prophane instances of feminine superiority , let us return to sacred letters , deducing the rivulets of our discourse from the very fountains of religion ; where we may observe , that man was first blest for the womans sake , god vouchsafing no benediction on him till after her creation , as if before he had been unworthy that celestial favour . consonant whereunto is that proverb of solomon , he that finds a good woman , finds a good thing , and shall receive a blessing from the lord. and that in ecclesiasticus , blessed is the husband of a good woman , the number of his years shall be doubled . nor indeed can any vye dignity with him whose good fortune 't is to enjoy a good wife ; for ( as the same siracides saith ) she is a grace above all graces : and therefore the wisest of kings calls her , the crown ; and the great apostle , the glory of the man : now glory is defined to be the consummation and perfection of a thing acquiescing and delighting in its end , viz. when nothing more can be thereto added to augment its perfection . therefore woman being the complement , felicity , blessing , and glory of man , 't is but requisite every man should love and respect her accordingly ; and he that doth not do so , or shall be so barbarous as to hate or dis-esteem her , is not only a stranger to all virtues and graces , but a very rebel against humanity . hereto we might , perhaps not improperly , refer those cabalistical mysteries , how that abraham was blessed of god in some respect through means of his wife sarah ; for by taking the letter h from her name , and adding it to his , he came to be called abraham . as also that jacobs blessing was acquired by a woman , his mother : of which sort there are in scripture several other passages , not requisite here to be unfolded . this may suffice to let us see , that the blessing was bestow'd for the womans sake , but the law given to the man : to him was forbidden the fruit of that unhappy tree , which set all posterities teeth on edge ; not to the woman , who was not then so much as created . for although st. gregory (*) read the prohibition , you shall not eat , as though it were spoken to both man and woman , yet the original delivers it in the singular number . and st. a●stin (*) taketh away the doubt , and telleth us , that by tradition the woman received this commandment from the man , not by immediate delivery from god ; which if so , we thence conclude , that by reason thereof the woman might chance more easily to break this law , than the man ; since the all-glorious majesty of god that commanded , should take deeper impression in man , than the equality of person that related , could in the woman ; the roaring of a lion being more trembled at , than the braying of an ass ; the commands of a king more powerfull , than the words of ones companion . at most , when woman fin'd , she did it , poor soul , unwittingly , being deluded by the insinuating serpent : so that it appears the man sinned against perfect knowledge , and the positive command of his maker ; the woman out of ignorance , seduced by the crafty wiles of the tempter , with whom for a considerable time she disputed the matter , and lost not the glory of the day without a fair com●ate , though at last she fell an unhappy trophy to his stratagems : whereas no sooner was that too-pleasing apple proffered to the man , but without scruple he greedily falls on , and , rebel as he was , would needs tast its fancied sweetness , whose bitter rellish remains to this day , and hath left on us those original stains , which nothing but divine blood can fetch out . that woman was first set upon by the adversary , may be an argument of her excellency ; for we know , that the sharpest points are soonest blunted , and the perfectest white most easily soil'd . envy strikes at the best ; who stand on high , are fairest marks for foulest obl●quy . the black prince of the air , that subtle degraded seraphin , well knew woman to be the most accomplisht of all creatures ; and seeing ( as st. bernard observes ) her amazing beauty to be such , as before his lapse he had beheld in the divine light , and which above the sublimest hierarchies enjoys communion with god , did thereupon meerly out of envy , plot how he might dismount her from that throne of perfection , and endeavoured by his malitious darts first of all to wound her innocency , and sully her glory , whose transcendent lustre above others , his hellish nature could not but most of all repine at . nor want we further intimation of the fair sexes dignity and pre-eminence , if we reflect , that when the promised seed of woman , that bruised this cursed serpents head , i mean our blessed saviour , left the bosome of his eternal father , and the splendo●s of inaccessible light , to become visible in these lower regions , and veiling the majesty of his glorious presence , cloath'd himself with humane flesh , coming into the world in the lowliest manner imaginable , that by his humility he might expiate the pride of our first parents sin ; we may with all humble reverence conjecture , that he was therefore pleas●d to assume the male , as the meanest and inferior sex ; contriving by his infinite wisdom , that since mans offence had reduced us all into this forlorn condition , ( for had the woman only sin'd , we never had had such cause to cry out , oh adam ! what hast thou done ? nor the apostle to say , in adam we all dyed ) satisfaction for sin should be made in that sex , from whom that ocean of impiety which hath overwhelm'd the world , had its first source and origine . but although this blessed immanuel took not on him the female sex , yet he so far honoured it , as to assume his flesh only from the woman ; and is therefore entituled , filius hominis , in respect of her , not of man , ( which our vulgar translations seem to have forgot . ) this was that stupendious miracle , the contemplating whereof put the admiring prophet into an extasie , that a woman should encompass a man ; that is , christ be conceiv'd in a pure virgins womb , impregnated without the contact of two prolifick sexes ; that divinity should be embodied in an earthly tabernacle , and have its glories shut up in a cloud of flesh , like sun-beams in curtains of chrystal . nor did our lord afterwards when he had dissolv'd the powers of the grave , and destroy'd deaths empire by his miraculous resurrection , vouchsafe his first appearance to men , but women , who are not known at any time to have quitted the faith , or turn'd their backs on true religion ; whereas men immediately after his ascension began to apostatize . nor can it be proved , that ever any persecution , heresie , schism , or error in the church , had women for its first authors , but alwayes men. by that perfidious and cruell sex was our blessed jesus the lord of life , and king of glory , betray'd , sold , bought , accused , condemned , crucified , and slain : yea when he was denied by his own great confident , peter , and abandon'd by all the rest of his male disciples , even then the women left him not , but accompanied him still to the cross and sepulchre ; and pilate's heathen wife endeavoured more his preservation , than any of the men which profess'd belief in him . whereto we may adde , that almost all school-divines concur in opinion , that the church at that instant remained wholly and solely in a woman , viz. the virgin mary ; and therefore this sex is deservedly by them stiled sacred and religious . but if any object with aristotle , that the male is generally much the strongest , and therefore to be more valued ; we desire such to consider , how contemptible a glory 't is to boast of big bones , or brawny arms , and what mean trophies they can hope to raise to themselves by excelling women , by those advantages wherein they must confess themselves inferior to hundreds of beasts . if strength alone must give the pre-eminence , let men give place to their horses , confess their oxen their masters , and pay homage to elephants . but in truth they have little reason to vaunt of the strength or prudence , the valour or subtilty of their sex , having been alwayes shamefully baffled by those whom they vainly call the weaker vessels . what man was ever able to vye strength with sampson , whose single arm no better weapon'd than with an asses jaw-bone , could at once sacrifice a thousand lives to his fury ? yet did this prodigious hero ( like hercules ) truckle to a distaff , and was ridiculously captivated by a woman . who could boast a more severe chastity than just lot , whose righteous soul did daily suffer pangs of grief and indignation , seeing the sodomites debaucheries ? yet women easily inticed him to ebriety and incest . who more religious than david ? yet a bathing beersheba caused him at once to sully the pure robes of his sanctity , with the black stains both of adultery and murder . who so wise as solomon , who seems to have been natures privy-counsellor , and to have had the honour to behold her undrest ? yet was not all his wisdome amulet sufficient to guard him against womens charms , but that he still placed more felicity in their enjoyment , than in all the curious contemplations and researches of philosophy ; and even abandon'd the worship of that god , who had bestowed those stupendious parts on him , to wantonnize in their imbraces . who more fervent and resolv'd in the faith , than peter , the chief of the apostles ? yet a silly damsel caused that great pastor of the church thrice to deny his master . but methinks i hear some whispering , that all this makes more against than for women , and tends rather to their infamy , than praise . to whom we answer , that the evil of the before-recounted actions redounds chiefly to men the actors , rather than to the women , who were only accidentally the occasion of them . and if the suns lustre by dazling our weaker eyes , bring on us any inconvenience , shall we accuse his glorious brightness ; or rather ought we not to bewail the imbecillity of our own opticks , unable to cope with so much ●plendor ? besides , admitting women to be in some of these cases criminal , we could ( if we delighted to be paradoxical ) alledge , that even the holy scripture seems to put a more favourable construction on their lapses and failings , than on mens . is not rachel commended , who with a neat invention deluded her father , in his search for her idols ? and rebecca , who by fraud procured jacob his fathers blessing ? rahab with a lye deceived those that sought for joshuah's spies , and 't is accounted to her for righteousness . jahel most perfidiously destroy'd sisera , as he lay innocently sleeping in her tent , whither with an entire confidence he had committed himself for preservation ; which signal treachery notwithstanding , 't is said , blessed amongst women shall jahel be , &c. read the story of judith ; observe well her dissembling insinuations to holofernes , and those flatteries wherewith she having lull'd him to sleep , cut off his head , for which she is applauded and extolled to the lot's daughters pass uncondemn'd for their incest ; and yet their father is not excused , but hath his succession excluded from the church of god. lascivious thamar is defended , and said to be more just than the patriarch judah ; and by that fraudulent incest obtains the honour to be named in our saviours genealogy . but 't is time we dis-entangle our self from this odd digression and return to the prosecution of our subject . there needs not any more evident argument of this happy sexes pre-eminence , than to reflect , that the most worthy of all creatures that ever was or will be , was a woman , viz. the blessed virgin. nor is this any other than one of aristotle's own arguments , that kind of which the best is more noble than the best of another kind , is it self more noble than that other kind : now of the female kind the virgin mary is the best . in the male there arose not a greater than john baptist ; and how much that sacred virgin , who is exalted above all the quires of angels , doth surpass him , there is no catholick so ignorant but understands . in like sort we may argue , that kind whose worst is worse than the worst of another kind , is it self inferior to that other kind : but we know , that the worst and vilest of all creatures is man ; whether we understand it of that wretched judas , who committed high treason against the king of kings , and of whom 't is said , it had been good for him not to have been born ; or whether there shall hereafter arise an antichrist worse than he , in whom shall dwell all the power of satan . and here by the way give us leave to remark , that the scriptures mention divers men banisht to eternal torments ; whereas we no where read of any woman damn'd . but to proceed ; nature her self gives a suffrage to our assertion ; for in all her productions , when any thing is to be framed more excellent than ordinary , she makes it a female . thus the eagle , the noblest of birds , and queen of all the winged troops , is never found a male. and the wondrous ph●nix ( to which the world is too poor to yield a mate ) is related by the egyptians to be 〈◊〉 of the female sex. but on the 〈◊〉 , the king of serpents , whom they call the basilisk , the most mortal of all poisons , is alwayes , and cannot but be a male , as the more proper receptacle of venome and destructive qualities . whereas the excellency and innocency of this other sweet-natur'd sex , which we here recommend , is hence abundantly manifest , in that all those black crimes and crying enormities which incense heaven , and infest earth , derive their pedigree from men. adam the first man , first lockt up the gates of paradise , and by presuming to transgress the law of his maker , rendred all us his unhappy posterity obnoxious to sin , and consequently entituled to the wages thereof , death . and his first-born son unlockt the gates of hell ; first of all introducing that infernal train , envy , murder , paracide and despair into the world. the first that ventured on polygamy was lamech ; the first drunkard , noah ; the first setter up both of tyran●● and idolatry , nimrod , that mig●●● hunter , who thereby at once 〈◊〉 his cruelty both on body and so●● ▪ men they were that first establisht a commerce with the regions of darkness , by treating and making compacts with infernal spirits , and inventing prophane arts. men they were whose raging lusts first transported them to offer violence to nature , whereof the ruines of sodom and gomorrah ( once famous cities ) calcin'd by that unnatural heat , remain to this day a dreadfull monument . to read of men that have abandon'd themselves to all kind of brutish sensualities ; had two or more wives ; or been adulterers , or whoremongers , is not at all rare or unfrequent . how many wives had abraham , jacob , esau , joseph , moses , sampson , saul , david , solomon , r●boam , ahashuerus , and a numberless number more , who besides their wives , had concubines ; and yet not satisfied , could not refrain tampering with their servants and handmaids . but we find not one woman ( except beersheba ) mentioned , but was content with one man ; nor any that made a second choice , if she had issue by the first : for women are naturally far more chast and continent than men ; insomuch that perceiving themselves unfruitfull , they have oft abstained from their husbands bed , and brought in others to supply their places , as sarah , rachel , leah ; and others voluntarily offered their maids to their husbands embraces , to raise them up posterity . but what man pray ever was there , though never so old , cold , impotent , or unfit for chamber-practice , that had either so much piety or pity , as to substitute any in his place , that might impregnate his wives fruitfull womb with a generous off-spring . we read indeed , that lycurgus and solon ( persons rankt by antiquity amongst the wisest of legislators ) establisht laws to this effect , that if any man weakned with age , or otherwise uncapable of sacrificing to venus , and performing the rights of the nuptial bed , had taken a young wife , she should not be confin'd wholly to his fumbling courtship , but might make choice of some sprightly young friend , to pay her those arrears of benevolence , due from her insolvent husband , whose issue should be deemed the husbands to all intents , and not at all illegitimate . but we find not these ordinances put in practice ; not so much by reason of the mens obstinacy in obstructing , as the womens modesty and continency , refusing the liberty thereby indulged . nor are examples wanting of divers illustrious ladies , surpassing the best of men , not only in an exact and rigid chastity , but also for entire conjugal affection . some out of a passionate tenderness , not enduring to survive their husbands , have violently cast themselves into the graves or funeral piles , together with the beloved corps . others have thought no tomb but their own bodies , worthy to inshrine the ashes of their dearest mates . how religiously have they preserved their loves flames , as pure and undecaying as vestal fires ? what means have they left unattempted ? what hazards have they not embraced , to serve those to whom hymens sacred band hath united them ? witness cornelia , who so dearly affected her pompey , that she would not suffer him to go into the wars , ( though he were the worlds terror ) unless her self in person might wait on him . witness demotia , who having lost her leosthenes , could not find her self , and therefore through solitariness made a speedy voyage to death after him . witness sulpitia , who being adjudged to stay , and watched that she should stay at rome , when her husband lentulus was banisht thence , did yet ( notwithstanding the senates command , her princely fathers charge , the love of her city and countrey , the loss of friends and family ) alone expose her self unto the danger of the night , beguiled the watchfull eyes of her strict guard , brake forth of the city , and lacquied after him along the fields , until she became the joyfull companion of his wofull banishment , so little she esteem'd all the worlds felicity in regard of her dear lentulus ; and for her lentulus so willingy she incurr'd whatsoever misery . witness panthaea , rhodogune , laodemia , martia , valeria , portia , lucretia , penelope , alcinoe , and millions more , whose singular fame herein as it hath caused antiquity to invest them in eternal shrines of honour , so may their rehearsal enforce posterity to receive them as the fruitfull patterns of imitation , and so far proselyte the bitterest woman-hater , as to convert his aversion into an admiration of this sexes heroick vertues ; especially if in his thoughts to these miracles of affection , he adde those mirrours of chastity , who have bravely slighted all both temptations and torments to preserve their honour , which they not only scorn'd to prostitute for sordid gain , or aiery titles , for a flattering complement , or prodigal treat , but also withstood the importunities of grandees , and defi'd the menaces of tyrants , valuing their virgin-purity more than crowns , or kingdomes , or life it self ; as the calidonian atlanta , the volcian camilla , the grecian iphigenia , cassandra and crise , and divers lacedemonian , spartan , theban , and other virgins , whose names are embalm'd in history , for the wonder and imitation of posterity . but here perhaps some barking zoilus may interrupt us , by objecting the fatal matches of sampson , jason , deiphobus , agamemnon , &c. and those tragedies thence ensuing : in most , if not all which , if we narrowly inspect all circumstances , we may easily find the women to be wrongfully accused ; for scarce ever do ill wives happen to any but bad husbands , and such as by their own vitious examples debauch them , and teach them to be wicked by a president . we are more easily sway'd by patterns , than by precepts : every example is a most pleasing invitation , where the eye is guided unto present action , not the ear fed with fained speculation . a lascivious husband will make a wanton wife ; a spend-thrift husband an extravagant wife ; and a modest , honest , carefull husband , a modest , honest , carefull wife . we should therefore take st. austin's counsel , and such as we would have our wives appear unto us , the same should we first approve our selves to them . 't is an impudent and impious fellow ( saith seneca (*) ) that requires of his wife an undefiled bed , yet he himself defiles it . for this reason ( as diogenes struck the father , when the boy swore , because he had taught him no better ) so in some places the husbands are punisht only for the faults of their wives ; as in catalonia , whoever is cuckolded , payeth a summe of money ; and in paris ; he rides in disgrace through the city , the cryer proclaiming these words before him , so do , so have ; from which our english custome of ridings is not much different . nor do these deplorable consequences alwayes arise from any extream ill habit or disposition of either of the parties , but from their indiscreet conjuncture ; their tempers disagreeing cause their discord , and their humours being contrary , are unfit for so close an union ; such jarring notes can produce no harmony , but rather dismal effects : as a fiery vapour inveloped in the arms of a cold cloud , breaks forth with amazing flashes , and terrible thunderclaps . a mature deliberation is requisite before such an eternal bond be entred into : the mutual affection of each party ; the consent of parents ; the approbation of friends ; the tryal of acquaintance ; the special observation of disposition , genius , kindred , education , and behaviour , ought seriously to be weigh'd , before one conclude for better , for worse , and tye that gordian knot , which cannot be loosed till death cuts it . now then if a man make his choice with these due respects , his marriage cannot but prove a merry age , and be crown'd with joy and felicity , because he is guided by prudence , which never faileth her followers . but if not , he may well be stiled a fool , since he is hurried on with passion , and a giddy fancy , which easily impoison the best designs . he therefore that is truely wise , cannot but choose a vertuous wife , and by consequence live happily with her ; and if any take one that proves vitious , it argues his own folly , and so by good reason he ought patiently and without repining to endure her , as the effect of his own inconsiderateness , and not to aggrandize his misfortune , by quarrelling with his own choice . besides , as the lion in the fable reply'd to the fellow upbraiding him with a picture , wherein was drawn a man killing a lion ; were we lions painters , you should see one lion tearing a thousand men. so had women but the power of making laws , and writing histories , what tragedies might they not justly have published of mens unparalleld villany ? amongst whom are daily found so many murderers , theev●s , ravishers , forgers , fi●rers of cities , and traytors , who in the time of joshua and king david , robb'd in such vast multitudes , that they march'd in a posture of war , and made them captains of their padding bands , ( a trick they have scarce forgot at this very day ) whence so many prisons become crowded , and so many gibbets loaded with their carkasses . whereas on the contrary , to women we owe the invention of all things usefull or beneficial to mankind , which may either adorn and enlighten our dark minds , or relieve and accommodate the necessities of our frail bodies . hence both the muses and the graces are said to be shee s ; and the names of all arts , sciences and vertues , are feminine , and drawn by painters in the habit of women . nor was there amongst all kinds of idolaters , ●●y so much celebrated for learning and prudence , as those who paid their adorations at the altars of female-deities ; such being the veneration and esteem of this sex of old , that those three principal parts ( which antiquity conceited to be all the world ) were christned after the names of women ; one taking its denomination from asia the nymph ; the other from europa , the daughter of agenor ; and the third from lybia , the daughter of epaphus , which is also called africa . if we particularly take an impartial survey of all kinds of virtues and excellencies , we shall find that women may in each without usurpation challenge the principal place . if we look on chastity , 't was a woman first vow'd virginity to god. if the gift of prophesie be required , lactantius , eusebius , and st. austin , can tell us with what a divine spirit the sybils were inspired : and holy writ records miriam the sister of moses , and jeremiah's unkles wife ; and no less than four sisters , daughters of philip , all eminent prophetesses . if constancy and perseverance in virtue be regarded , you will find judith , ruth , and hester , so gloriously celebrated by the holy spirit , indirer of those sacred volumes , that the books themselves retain their names . if a lively , vigorous , and stable faith be expected , we shall see men generally come short of women . the poor widdow of sarepta believed the prophet elias , though the things he told her could not but to carnal reason appear in the shape of impossibilities . zacharias was reprehended for his infidelity by the angel , and struck dumb ; but his wife elizabeth prophesies both with her womb and her voice , and loudly celebrates the praises of the blessed virgin-mother , saying , blessed ar● thou who hast believed the things which are said unto thee by the lord. to omit the samaritan woman , with whom christ entertain'd discourse at the well , and being satisfied with the more acceptable dainties of her stedfast faith , refused the apostles provision . and that irresistable belief of the woman of cananaa ; and her who had the issue of blood , who seem'd to storm heaven , and offer a welcome violence to their saviour , not to be put off with any denial . was not the faith and confession of martha equal to that of peter ? what a noble constancy of faith and resolution do we find in mary magdalen , verifying that saying , she to whom much was forgiven , loved much . for when the priests and jewes , blinded with rage and ignorance , crucified that messias , whom they had so long passionately expected , she stands weeping by the cross , a floud of tears flowing from her fair eyes , to see those streams of blood and water trickle from his precious side . afterwards she brings spices and precious oyntments to embalm his body , but missing it in the tomb , enquires of the supposed gardiner , and soon acknowledgeth him to be god ; goes with as much speed as 〈◊〉 to the apostles , and tells them her lord is risen : they all doubt the miracle , or rather deride her narration , as if 't were only some dream of her melancholly fancy ; but still her confidence continues , and her faith remains unshaken , even when all those pillars of the church seem'd weak and tottering . what shall we say of holy priscilla , who instructed apollo , a person learned in law , and ( as ecclesiastical histories inform us ) bishop of corinth , which great apostolical man was so much a stranger to the pride and conceited humour of our giddy age ▪ that he thought it no shame to learn of a woman what he might teach in the church . if we consult primitive histories ▪ and turn over martyrologies , we shall find , those women who have testified their faith in the flames of martyrdome , and embraced death and torments , rather than renounce true religion , not to have been out-numbred by the men ; all which particularly to enumerate we should be infinite : only give us leave not to forget that wonderfull matron , deserving a place in all good mens memories , who not only with a divine and incredible patience , beheld her seven sons perishing in her fight by cruel martyrdome , but also couragiously exhorted them to death ; and putting her entire confidence in god , was afterwards her self destroyed for the laws of her countrey . to this good-natur'd sex , ( as instruments of providence ) whole nations stand indebted for their faith , and owe their conversion . did not theodilina , the daughter of the king of bavaria , convert the lombards ? greisil , the sister of the emperour henry the first , the hungarians ? clotidis , the daughter of the king of burgundy , the francks ? and a poor she-apostle of very mean extraction , the hiberti ? each of them illuminating with the bright beams of the christian faith , many thousand souls which before lay groping in the hellish darkness of pagan superstiti●n and idolatry . by this method of beneficence , doing good to the better part of those we converse with , and promoting the eternal concerns of mankind , is true honour only acquir'd . this alone is the royal road to that immense glory , which will still remain fresh and sparkling , when pyramids shall lye buried in rubbish , and the noise of victories be forgot ; for so divinity assures us , they that turn many to righteousness , shall shine as the stars in the firmament for ever and ever . but lest any scrupulous heads should doubt of womens abilities , to dispatch all those affairs which are usually transacted by men , let us joyn issue , and try the matter by examples , and we shall find , that never any difficult office was manag'd , hazardous undertaking attempted , or brave , generous exploit atchieved by men , but the same hath been perform'd as famously , and with as much dexterity and success in every respect by women . that of old they were priests , is evident ; for melissa amongst the gentiles was so eminent in the priesthood of the goddess cybele , that all that succeeded her were called melissa . and to pass by hype●a●stria , the priestess of minerva ; mera of venus ; iphigenia of diana , &c. it may be nothing unpleasant to repeat those various names , wherewith bacchuse's she-priests were honoured ; as thyades , bacchae , menades , eliades , mimallonides , aedonides , eubyades , bassarides , triaterides , &c. amongst gods own people too , the jewes , moses's sister , used to accompany aaron into the sanctuary , and was by all reverenced as a priest . nor are there wanting at this day many holy recluses , whom antiquity scrupled not to call ( sacerdotes ) priests . famous for prophesie hath this sex been amongst all nations ; witness cassandra ; all the sybils ; moses his sister , mentioned but now ; deborah , hulda , anna , and others of old ; besides divers more modern , as bridget , hildegard , &c. in magick , or the inexpugnable discipline of good or ill spirits , ( which many talk of , most condemn , and few understand , ) circe and medaea wrought more wonders than zoroastes himself , though most believe him the first inventer of these black arts. for profound knowledge in the abstrusest parts of philosophy , were eminent , thaeana , pythagoras his wife , and his daughter dama , excellent at explaining her fathers mysterious sentences ; aspasia and diotima , scholars of socrates ; philesia and axiochia , both disciples of plato ; pl●tinus extolls gemina and amphiclea ; lactantius applauds themiste ; the christian church glories in st. katherine , a lady that alone for learning surpast all the wisest men of that age. nor may our memory here without an impardonable crime , let slip the mention of longinus ; the philosopher's excellent pupil queen zeno●ia , for her vast knowledge in letters , and clear understanding , called ephinissa , whose devout works nichomachus rendred into greek . if we proceed to those soul-charming faculties , oratory and poesie , behold a whole troop crowd about us ; as armesia , sirnamed androgenia , hortensia , lucretia , valeria , copiola , sappho , cor●●na , erimua , telia , or tesbia , sirnam'd the epigrammatist ; semprania in salust ; and amongst the lawyers , calphurnia . 't is a proud self-flattering conceit of the bearded-tribe , to arrogate all learning to themselves , or think the noble female sex incapable of making as generous flights towards the top of par●assus , as they . womens phantasies are much more quick and searching ; their memories as tenacious and faithfull ; their judgements as solid ; all their faculties as ready ; and their thirst after knowledge and fame no less intentive , than mens . why then should they not with the same advantages , make at least an equal progress in literature ? 't is true , our male dictators strive to monopolize learning , and having by a brutish custome barr'd the doors of the muses temple against women , do now pretend they are unable and unfit to enter : yet vain are these their envious designs , to depress or cloud the glories of this sex : for indeed women by nature alone do excell the professors of arts , even in those particular arts which they pretend to ; those sciences and accomplishments which men acquire not without a vast expence of time , waste of spirits , and other inconveniencies , being all in women as it were innate and con-natural . that this may not seem a naked affirmative , or inconsiderate rant , be pleas'd to consider , that although grammarians proudly boast themselves masters of the art of well-speaking , as if all must be dumb , or at least barbarou● , that have not submitted to the tyranny of their ferula ; yet we learn far better to speak from our mothers and nurses , who are continually engaging us to prattle , and correcting the errors of our lisping tongues , than from the crabbed instructions of those supercilious pedagogues . 't was corneliaes industry that form'd her sons the gracchi's tongues , to such an admired height of eloquence ; nor had the king of scythia's son siles any other tutor to teach him the greek tongue , but his mother istrinea . when colonies are planted , and several nations mingled , do not the children alwayes retain their mothers languages ? for which reason , both plato and quintilian have been so exact in giving precepts for the choice of a fit nurse , that childrens speech may rightly be ordered , and discreetly moulded from their infancy . are not the poets in their trifling fables surpast by hundreds of old women ? and logitians in their contentious brawlings out-done by each billingsgate-fish-wife ? your smooth-tongu'd orators seem almost almighty in words , and able at pleasure to raise or calm the passions , by the magick of their rhetorick ; yet where was there ever any of them so happy , but that a pretty obliging wench would out-go him in the art of perswasion ? what subtle arithmetician is able to mis-reckon a woman when he goes to pay her a debt ; or cheat her of a penny by all his rules of practice or falshood ? what musitian can equal her for singing ; or dare compare the squeeking of his crowd to the melody of her ravishing voice ? a silly gammars predictions have often been answered with suitable events ; whilest the prognostications of great mathematicians , and famous star-readers , ( that boast themselves of heavens cabinet-councel ) serve only to prove their authors either lying fools , or flattering knaves . how frequently is the art of the most eminent physitians forc'd to veil to the skill of a countrey-matron ? who with an ordinary receipt chases away those sullen distempers , which bid defiance to all the slops and hard words levied against them by master doctor . nor need any of these artists resent this ill , since socrates , the wisest of men ( if you 'l credit an oracle ) thought it no shame in his wisest age to learn of aspasia : nor did apollo the divine blush to receive instruction from good priscilla . having thus briefly vindicated the fair sexes reputation in the schools , we next proceed to the court and camp , and find them there not at all deficient in policy of state , or that civil prudence requisite for the conduct of humane affairs : not so ignorant as many imagine , in state-craft ; that refined skill which dis-imbroils the intrigues of the court ; which teacheth the science of war , and the dexterity of treating for peace ; womens wi●s having generally been esteemed more quick and ready in sudden exigents , and most fertile and dexterous for the plotting and carrying on any politick design , or subtle contrivance . no stratagem did warriour e're devise , which first he learn●t not from their catching eyes . of these she-machiavils and feminine hectors , history copiously affords us examples ; as opis , reverenced by the aegyptians as a deity ; plotina , the wife of trajan ; amalasmutha , the queen of the ostrogothi ; deborah , to whom in all cases of difference the israelites repair'd for judgement , and rescu'd themselves from slavery , by a memorable victory under her conduct . semiramis , who for forty years with much honour and renown governed the assyrians ; and candaces , queen of ethiopia , no less eminent for prudence , than power and magnificence , of who● some mention is made in the acts : but wonders are related by that worthy register of antiquity , josephus , for laying the foundations of empires , and building cities ; semiramis , dido , and the amazons , for both skil and success in war ; thomiris , queen of the massagetae , who conquer'd cyrus , that great monarch of the persians ; as also camilla , of the nation of the volci ; and valisca , of bohemia , both potent queens . to whom might be added the indian pande , and the women of phocia , chios , and persia ; with many other illustrious viragoes , who in the greatest exigencies , and most desperate shocks of fortune , have preserv'd their gasping countreys ; of whom the noble judith and fair hester deserve to lead the van , as the glory of their own , and shame of the other sex. whilst rome stands , the name of that grave matron vetr●ria , will be famous ; who by checking the inordinate rage of her son cori●lanus , preserv'd that emperial city , the young captain at his mothers perswasions desisting from his unnatural hostility against his mother-countrey . nor can the brave art●emisia want her due applauses , who destroy'd the rhodian navy that invaded her , and to return the civility of their intended visit , subdued their island , erecting an ignominious statue in the midst of their chief city , to remain there as a perpetual brand of infamy and reproach . the english nation were most ungratefull , should they ever forget their obligations to this sex , to whose couragious resolution alone , they owe their deliverance from the insufferable tyranny of the danes . nor is the most christian king less engaged , whose tottering crown was once refixt on his ancestors head by a female hand . that strange ridling prodigy of valour , joan of arc , ( celebrated by some as a saint , and branded by others for a witch , ) when the english had almost spred their victorious ensigns over the whole kingdome of france , and wanted little to compleat its total conquest , taking arms like an amazon , arrested their fortune , put a stop to the torrent of their victories , and by degrees restor'd the withering de luce● to their former lustre ; in honour of which gallant enterprise , a statue sacred to her memory stands erected on the bridge at orleans . an innumerable catalogue could we here produce of most excellent women , out of both ancient and modern histories of the graecians , romans , and other nations ; plutarch , valerius , boccace , and many others , having written largely of them : but we study brevity , that our work may not overflow its intended limits ; for we fancy not those over-grown treatises which are divided into tomes and volumes ; so that we shall not here say so much in womens praise , but that we shall conceal much more that might , and deserves to be said ; being not so extravagantly ambitious , as to undertake to comprehend or display the infinite excellencies and virtues of that sex , in so curt a discourse . what mortals pen , or angels tongue , is sufficient to enumerate and proclaim their praises , on whom depends our very being , and the preservation not only of particular families , and republicks , but of all humane kind , which without them would soon decay , and the world in one century droop into a solitary desart . this rome's first founder well understood ; and rather than want women , chose to incur a sharp hazardous war with the sabines , for stealing away their daughters , without whom his intended empire had quickly mouldred away , and never arriv'd at that proud grandeur , to give laws to all the world. upon which quarrel , when afterwards the sabines intending a rescue , had taken the capitol , and a bloody fight was begun in the midst of romes market-place , the good-natur'd women rushing in between both armies , their husbands on the one side , their fathers on the other , procured by their entreaties a cessation from that unnatural conflict , which ended in an indissoluble peace , both nations being glew'd together in perpetual amity . whereupon romulus caused the womens names to be inrolled in the courts ; and by common consent it was enacted , that none of them should be put to grynde , or do kitchin-drudgery , or any such servile employment ; nor should receive any thing as a gift from her husband , nor he from her ; that they might not dream of any particular propriety , but know , that whatever either of them enjoy'd , was common to both : ●or he that makes a present to his wife , offers an injury in a complement , pretending to entitle her to that by his donation , which is hers before in her own right . this gave birth to that custome , when the bride was brought home , to use these solemn words ; ubi tu , ego ; ( that is ) where you are jack , i 'le be jill ; where you are master , i will be dame. after the expulsion of kings , when the forces of the volsci , who had espoused the tarquins quarrel , were advanc'd within five miles of rome , they were beat back by the sole courage of the women ; for which gallant service a famous temple was built , dedicated to female-fortune ; and many notable marks of dignity and honour conferr'd on them by decrees of the senate : as to have the upper hand in walking , the men standing up , and giving place when they pass by ; as likewise leave to wear purple with gold-fringe , ear-rings , jewels , gold chains , and other ornaments . and by a law of later emperou●s , women were enabled to succeed in inheritances , and take administrations ; and suffered to have their funerals publickly celebrated with encomiastick o●ations , as well as the most illustrious men. and t was provided , that in all edicts prohibiting the wearing of any apparel , women should not be included : an indulgence they well deserv●d , since they knew so well how to part with their ornaments on a good occasion . for when camillus had vow'd a present to apollo of delphos , and the whole city could not yield gold enough to make up the summe , the women freely open'd their cabinets , and brought in their rings , bracelets ; &c. so ready were they to support the honour of their countrey , though with the loss of what their sex is said most to delight in . in the war which cyrus waged against his grandfather astiages , the persian army being put to flight by the prowess of the medes , was reinforc'd by the seasonable reproof and exprobration of the women ; for thereupon shame and indignation infusing fresh courage , they fac'd about again , routed their pursuers , and came off , crowned with the lawrels of victory ; for which good service cyrus ordain'd , that as oft as the kings of persia entred the city , they should bestow on each woman a medal , or piece of gold ; which was frequently performed accordingly ; yea , and doubled to such as were with child . thus were women , by those ancient princes of persia , and the valiant romans , from the very infancy of their empire , treated with all kind of respect and honour ; and to this day , by how much each nation is more civiliz'd , and refin'd from barbarism , so much greater liberty and honour do women there enjoy . nor is there a surer character of a noble birth , or any thing that sooner discovers a generous education , than a respective carriage , and complacent deportment towards ladies . that the renowned justinian had a particular veneration for this sex , is evident ; for that he thought fit to consult his wife in the modelling of his laws , and framing those institutes , whose excellent prudence all succeeding generations have admir'd : and no wonder , since the law it self affirms , that the wife shines in an equal sphear of honour with the husband ; so as how much soever he is preferr'd in dignity , so much she too , is advanc'd . thus an emperours wife is stiled empress , and a kings , queen , and a prince's , the princess , and illustrious , though they are never so meanly descended . so vlpian , the prince ( he means the emperour ) is absolv'd and free from the coercive power of the laws , but the empress his wife , though of her self she be not freed therefrom , yet her husband conferrs on her the same priviledges which he hath himself . hence by the civil law 't is permitted to noble women to judge , arbitrate , purchase , sell , and decide controversies between their tenants , or vassals , and sometimes to retain peculiar servants , and give name to a family , so as the children shall be called by the mothers name , not the fathers , with several other priviledges , in relation to their dowers , exprest in divers places throughout the whole body of the law : which also provides , that a woman of honest fame shall not be imprisoned for debt ; and that the judge who shall commit her , shall in such case be liable to capital punishment : and if she be apprehended on suspition of any crime , she shall be put into a monastery , or delivered to the custody of persons of her own sex. moreover , a woman in the eye of the law is of a better condition than a man , so that in the very same kind and degree of crime , he is esteemed a greater offender , and worthy of severer punishment than she . hence a man found in adultery is punisht with death , the woman only shut up in a monastery . many other priviledges of women you may read , collected by az● , in his ●●mme on the title , senatusconsultum velleianum , and speculator of renunciations , and others . no wonder then if those ancient legislators , men grave for their wisdome , and prudent for science , lycurgus , i 〈◊〉 , and plato , understanding by their diligent researches into the most profound parts of philosophy , that women were not a whit either for excellency of wit , strength of body , or dignity of nature , inferiour to men , but equally able in all respects whatever ; did thereupon ordain , that women should exercise together with men in wrestling , and other publick games and pastimes ; and as well as men , make an inspection into all things appertaining to martial discipline , as shooting , slinging , casting stones , darting , handling of arms , both on foot and horseback , pitching of tents , leading up , marshalling , and setting armies in array , &c. let us peruse the volumes of credible historians , and they will assure us , that by the custome in getulia , ●●●tria , and galletia , the men devoted wholly to ea●e● made much of themselves at home , whilst the women tilled the ground , built , negotiated , rid up and down , went to the wars , and transacted all those affairs which amongst us are manag'd by men. that amongst the cantabrians , the men brought the women portions ; the brothers were dispos'd of in marriage by the sisters ; and the daughters were the heirs . that amongst the scythians , thracians , and other nations , all offices were undertaken by women , as well as men. and in their treaties women were concern'd ; as appears by the league made between hannibal and the celtae , in these words : if any of the celtae complain that he is injured by any of the carthaginians , let the magistrates or commanders of the carthaginians who shall be in spain , judge thereof . if any carthaginian shall receive damage from any of the celtae , let the women be judges of the same . nor did the ancient brittains and picts regard any difference of sex , for the soveraign command , but usually went to war under the conduct of women , as both tacitus and beda witness . from what hath been said , appears conspicuously , as if written with sun-beams on a wall of chrystal , that this sex are not incapable of , nor were in the primitive and more innocent ages of the world , debarr'd from managing the most arduous or difficult affairs , till the tyranny of men usurpt the dispose of all business , and unjust laws , foolish customes , and an ill mode of education , retrencht their liberties . for now a woman ( as if she were only the pass-time of mens idle hours , or a thing made meerly for trifling courtiers to throw away their non-sensical complements on ) is from her cradle kept at home ; and as incapable of any nobler imployment , suffered only to knit , spin , or practise the little curiosities of the needle . and when she arrives at riper years , is delivered to the tyranny of a jealous-pated husband , or cloistered up in a nunnery ; all publick offices are denied them ; implead , or sue at law in their own names , though never so prudent , they must not ; no jurisdiction they can exercise ; nor make any contract that is valid without their husbands license ; and several other hard impositions they have laid on them . by which unworthy , partial means , they are forc'd to give place to men , and like wretched captives overcome in war , submit to their insulting conquerors , not out of any natural or divine reason , or necessity , but only by the prevalency of custome , education , chance , or some tyrannical occasion : yet might womens excellent good natures possibly perswade them calmly to undergo this servitude , did not the male-usurpers adde shame and reproach to their tyranny . but as all slavery is miserable in the account of generous minds , so that which comes accompanied with scorn and contempt , stirs every ones indignation , and can be endur'd by none whom nature does not intend for slaves , as well as fortune . although 't is evident , that unto woman-kind the world oweth half of its life , and man is indebted the whole of his love , she being the only adequate object of his affections on earth ; yet custome spreading like some epidemick contagion , hath made it common to undervalue this sex , and bespatter their reputation with all kind of opprobrious language , and slanderous epethites . each idle poetaster hath a rhime to reproach them ; and every phantastick gull a scandalous sonnet or musty proverb to impeach their honour ; particular reasons whereof , many may be gather'd from the divers humours of their accusers . some will dispraise that woman , whom before they ador'd , because her modesty hath repell'd their unchast desires . some turn their amorous complements of wooing , into a barbarous stile of railing , because for want of desert they obtain not love. many love not women , because they know not how to love them ; and most of all men being evil themselves , love but few things that are good , and thence entertain women with hatred . some to make ostentation of their parts , and acquire the title of wits , few with any shew of reason , and none on any just cause , have yet filled the world with pamphlets , things no less idle in themselves , than disgracefull to women . but oh unmanly men , and stain of your sex ! is this a point of manhood , or any ornament of your valour , to busie your selves for disgrace of women ? is this the thankfull tribute you return to the authors of your being ? is this the recompence you afford them for their sorrow and pains at your birth , for their care and diligence in your infancy , for their love and tenderness , their assistance and endearments throughout your life ? such and so many obligations should not ( methinks ) be so easily cancelled , nor such courtesies forgotten , much less so injuriously remembred , as to be repaid with causeless detraction , and immerited invectives . but why speak we to these men of gratitude , the greatest of virtues , who never were acquainted with any virtue at all ? it can be no great dishonour to be evil spoken of by them , who never learn'd to speak well of any . we shall not therefore so vainly spend our own or the readers time , as to take notice of all those black scandals by them cast on this fair sex , they being only fl●xes of gall , or the purgings of idle brains : only one we must briefly examine , which seems more plausible and passes for currant in the vogue of the world ; and that is , their terming women , necessary evils . this is indeed the common tenure , and the comical wits think they have very judiciously spoken , when thus they have defined them ; which yet in truth is no other than an egregious solecism ; an errour almost blasphemous . that they are necessary , we needs must grant ; since he that made man , saw it was not good that man should be without them . that they are evils , we utterly deny ; since he that made woman , saw that all he made was good . is woman good then in the judgement of god , and in your conceit also necessary ? then change your phrase , and henceforth stile her , a necessary good . those very terms , necessary , and evil , are inconsistent : all things that are necessary for man , are good ; food is necessary , it is good ; apparel necessary , it is good ; the fire , the air , the earth , the water necessary , they are good ; women necessary , therefore good . for else if we suppose god hath bound man in so hard a condition , that some things are necessary for him , yet evil , we both impair the wisdome of god , and detract from his goodness . to conclude : if woman be so necessary for man , and he of himself so weak and impotent , that he could not even in paradise live without her ; if abraham the friend of god be commanded , by no less authority than the voice of heaven , to hear his wife sarah whatsoever she should say to him ; if nature have so illustriously markt out women for the most excellent of all creatures , and crown'd them most prodigally with the choicest of her ornaments ; since they in no respect come short of the most celebrated heroes , and that their names and gallant actions have swell'd the records of fame , and stand registred there with such obliging eulogies ; what remains but that without delay we render them those homages which such extraordinary merits challenge ? let us no longer dis-esteem this noble sex , or abuse its goodness , or usurp on its prerogative . let us allow them those priviledges which god and nature have invested them with . let us re-inthrone them in their seats of honour and pre-eminence . let us regard them with that reverence that is due ; pay them that devotion that becomes us ; and treat them with all that respect and veneration which belongs to such terrestial angels . thus have we endeavoured to shew the pre-eminence of the female sex , from the name , order , place , and matter of creation ; and what dignity bounteous heaven hath vouchsaft thereto above the male. we have also promiscuously , yet plainly , demonstrated the same from divinity , nature , humane laws , various authority , reason and examples ; yet have we not said so much , but that we have left much more unsaid ; for we took not up our pen in this cause out of ambition , or design to purchase applause by ostentation of wit , or reading ; but meerly as conscious of our duty , and out of loyalty to truth , that we might not seem sacrilegiously to rob this worthy sex of its due praises , by an envious silence . but if some more curious head shall find ( as easily he may ) any argument by us omitted , which he shall judge proper to be here inserted , we shall be ready to acknowledge our obligations to him ; esteeming it a courtesie , not an injury , if by his wit and learning he render this well-intended work of ours better ; to which , lest it swell to too great a volume , we here affix a final period . finis . books sold by henry million , at the bible in fleet-street . bishop andrews sermons , folio . 18 s. heylin's cosmography , in four books , containing the chorography and history of the world ; in folio . 1 l. burges spiritual refining ; or a treatise of grace and assurance ; wherein are handled the doctrine of assurance ; in folio . 18 s. burges of original sin ; asserted and vindicated against the old and new adversaries thereof , both socinians , arminians , and anabaptists ; in four parts : folio . 12 s. a general martyrology ; containing a collection of the greatest persecutions which have befallen the church of christ , from the creation to our present times , both in england , and all other nations : whereunto are added , two and twenty lives of english modern divines . by samuel clerke ; in folio . 1 l. 6 s. pious annotations upon the holy bible , expounding the difficultest places thereof learnedly and plainly . by the learned and godly divine mr. john diodati , minister of the gospel ; in folio . 18 s. memoires of the lives , actions , sufferings , and deaths of those noble , reverend , and excellent persons , that suffered for their allegiance to his late majesty , in our late civil wars , and continued till 1666. with the life and martyrdome of king charles the first ; in folio . 12 s. the saints everlasting rest . by mr. richard baxter , teacher of gods word ; in large 4 o. 8 s. the life of faith ; in 4 to . 5 s. the reasons of the christian religion . the first part of godliness : the second part of christianity . by richard baxter . 7 s. the young clerks guide : or an exact collection of choice english presidents , according to the best forms now used , for all sorts of indentures , letters of atturney , releases , conditions : very usefull and necessary for all , but chiefly for those that intend to follow the atturneys practice . 8o. 4 s. memorials of godliness and christianity ; in three parts : part the first , containing meditations . 1. making religion ones business . 2. an appendix , applied to the calling of a minister : with a full account of the authors life . the tenth edition ; corrected and enlarged . in 12o. 1 s. the rule and exercise of holy living and dying . by jer. taylor , d. d. in 8o. 5 s. the english rogue , described in the life of meriton latroon ; a witty extravagant , comprehending the most eminent cheats of both sexes . first part , 2 s. 6 d. second part , 2 s. 6 d. ready for the press . the female secretary : or choice letters , fitted and wholly designed for the capacity and occasions of women ; with plain , yet more full and exact rules and directions , for the inditing , composing , and writing of letters , than any extant . devoted to the service of the fair sex , by the translator of female pre-eminence . this water cures the gout in old or young . take of this anti-scorbattical water , two ounces , heat it as hot as possibly you can , and with a linnen rag dipped therein , foment the place grieved ; repeat the application often , be it never so hot , it will not produce a blister , but through gods great blessing works a perfect cure. it is to be had at mr. henry millions , a book-seller , at the bible in fleet-street . by the quart , 5 s. or pint , 2 s. 6 d. in glass bottles , sealed up . this excellent water cures the scurvey in the mouth , in old or young ; fastens the teeth ; killeth the worms in the teeth ; maketh the teeth white ; thus to be applied : take a small quantity in a galley-pot , and with a linnen rag dipped therein , gently rub the teeth morning and evening . it is sold at mr. henry millions , a book-seller , at the bible in fleet-street . a glass bottle containing a quart , 3 s. and a pint , 1 s. 6 d. notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a26561-e770 (1.) praised by po●●crates , and isocrates . (2.) by glauco . (3.) by ●a●o●mus . (4.) by era●mus . (5.) his book of the vanity of all arts and sciences . notes for div a26561-e2610 by a book , entituled , a discourse of women , shewing their imperfections alphabetically . his books so written . notes for div a26561-e3950 homo , ab humo . co●nelius agrippa writ it in latine . * ovid. met. lib. 3 lin . 415. * ovid. ep. d●iaa●ra to hercules . notes for div a26561-e6300 (*) lib. 8. nat. hist . (*) thi● di●course in the original was ●ed●cated by the author agrippa , to the princess margaret , afterwards wife to maximilian the emperor , who was her self a fatal instance hereof ; for breaking her thigh by a fa●l ●rom a horse as ●he was hunting , she would ●ot permit any chyru●gi●●● to set it , but chose rather to die thereof , than prostitute her molesty . see spee●● chronicl●● ▪ (*) greg. l. 35. moral . c. 16. (*) gen. ad lit. lib. 8. cap. 17. (*) ad lu● epist . 94. some reflections upon marriage occasion'd by the duke & dutchess of mazarine's case, which is also considered. astell, mary, 1668-1731. 1700 approx. 124 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 53 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2008-09 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a26097 wing a4067 estc r32824 12770685 ocm 12770685 93658 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a26097) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 93658) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 1029:10) some reflections upon marriage occasion'd by the duke & dutchess of mazarine's case, which is also considered. astell, mary, 1668-1731. [4], 98 p. printed for john nutt, london : 1700. imperfect: pages tightly bound with loss of text. reproduction of original in the huntington library. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng mazarin, armand charles de la porte, -duc de, 1632-1713. mazarin, hortense mancini, -duchesse de, 1646-1699. marriage. wives. women -social conditions. 2006-02 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2006-02 aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images 2007-02 ali jakobson sampled and proofread 2007-02 ali jakobson text and markup reviewed and edited 2008-02 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion some reflections upon marriage , occasion'd by the duke & dutchess of mazarine's case ; which is also consider'd . london : printed for john nutt near stationers-hall , 1700. advertisement . these reflections being made in the country , where the book that occasion'd them came but late to hand , the reader is desir'd to excuse their vnseasonableness as well as other faults ; and to believe that they have no other design than to correct some abuses , which are not the less because power and prescription seem to authorize them . if any is so needlesly curious as to enquire from what hand they come , they may please to know , that it is not good manners to ask , since the title-page does not tell them : we are all of us sufficiently vain , and without doubt the celebrated name of author , which most are so fond of , had not been avoided but for very good reasons : to name but one ; who will care to pull upon themselves an hornet's nest ? 't is a very great fault to regard rather who it is that speaks , than what is spoken ; and either to submit to authority , when we should only yield to reason ; or if reason press too hard , to think to ward it off by personal objections and reflections . bold truths may pass while the speaker is incognito , but are seldom endur'd when he is known ; few minds being strong enough to bear what contradicts their principles and practices without recriminating when they can . and tho' to tell the truth be the most friendly office , yet whosoever is so hardy as to venture at it , shall be counted an enemy for so doing . some reflections upon marriage , occasion'd by the duke and dutchess of mazarine's case ; which is also consider'd . curiosity , which is sometimes an occasion of good , and too frequently of mischief , by disturbing either our own , or our neighbour's repose , having put me upon reading the duke and dutchess of mazarine 's case ; i thought an afternoon wou'd not be quite thrown away in pursuing some reflections that it occasion'd . the name of mazarine is considerable enough to draw the eyes of the curious , and when one remembers what a noise it had made in europe , what politick schemes have been laid , what vast designs brought about by the cardinal that bore it ; how well his measures were concerted for the grandeur of that nation , into which he was transplanted , and that he wanted neither power nor inclination to establish his own family and make it as considerable as any subjects could possible be , and what honours and riches he had heap'd together in order to this , one cannot but enquire how it comes about that he should be so defeated in this last design ; and that those to whom he intrusted his name and treasure , should make a figure so very different from what might have been expected from them . and tho' one had not piety enough to make a religious reflection , yet civil prudence woul'd almost enforce them to say , that man being in honour has no vnderstanding , but is compar'd unto the beasts that perish . he blesseth his soul , and thinks himself a happy man , imagining his house will endure for ever , and that he has establish'd his name and family . but how wise soever he may be in other respects , in this he acts no better than the ignorant and foolish . for as he carries nothing away with him when he dies , so neither will his pomp and glory descend as he intended . generous and worthy actions only can secure him from oblivion , or what is worse , being remembred with contempt ; so little reason have we to envy any man's wealth and greatness , but much to emulate his wisdom and vertue . the dutchess of mazarine's name has spread perhaps as far as her uncle's , and one can't help wishing that so much wit and beauty , so much politeness and address , had been accompany'd and supported by more valuable and lasting qualities ; one cannot but desire that her advocate instead of recriminating had clear'd the imputations laid on her , and that she her self , who says enough in her memoirs , to shew she was unfortunate , had said more to prove her self discreet . they must be highly ill-natur'd who do not pity her ill fortune at the same time that they must blame her conduct , and regret that such a treasure should fall into his hands who was not worthy of it , nor knew how to value and improve it ; that she who was capable of being a great ornament to her family and blessing to the age she liv'd in , should only serve ( to say no worse ) as an unhappy shipwrack to point out the dangers of an ill education and unequal marriage . monsieur mazarine is not to be justified , nor madam his spouse excus'd . it is no question which is most criminal , the having no sense , or the abuse of a liberal portion , nor any hard matter to determine who is most to be pity'd , he whom nature never qualify'd for great things , who therefore can't be very sensible of great misfortunes ; or she , who being capable of every thing , must therefore suffer more and be the more lamented . to be yoak'd for life to a disagreeable person and temper , to have folly and ignorance tyrannize over wit and sense ; to be contradicted in every thing one does or says , and bore down not by reason but authority ; to be denied ones most innocent desires for no other cause , but the will and pleasure of an absolute lord and master , whose follies a woman with all her prudence cannot hide , and whose commands she cannot but despise at the same time she obeys them , is a misery none can have a just idea of , but those who have felt it . these are great provocations , but nothing can justify the revenging the injuries we receive from others , upon our selves : the italian proverb shews much better way vuoi far vendetta del tuo nemico governati bene . if you would be reveng'd of your enemies , live well . had madam mazarine's education made a right improvement of her wit and sense , we should not have found her seeking relief by such imprudent , not to say scandalous methods , as the running away in disguise with a spruce cavalier , and rambling to so many courts and places , nor diverting her self with such childish , ridiculous or ill-natur'd amusements , as the greatest part of the adventures in her memoirs are made up of . true wit consists not meerly in doing or saying what is out of the way , but in such surprizing things as are fit and becoming the person from whom they come . that which stirs us up to laughter most commonly excites our contempt : to please , and to make merry are two very different talents . but what remedies can be administred , what relief expected , when devotion , the only true support in distress , is turn'd into ridicule ? unhappy is that grandeur which makes us too great to be good ; and that wit which sets us at a distance from true wisdom . even bigotry it self , as contemptible as it is , is preferable to prophane wit ; for that only requires our pity , but this deserves our abhorrence . a woman who seeks consolation under domestick troubles from the gaieties of a court , from gaming and courtship , from rambling and odd adventures , and the amusements mixt company affords , may plaister up the sore , but will never heal it ; nay , which is worse , she makes it fester beyond a possibility of cure. she justifies the injury her husband has done her , by shewing that whatever other good qualities she may have , discretion , one of the principal , is wanting . she may be innocent , but she can never prove she is so ; all that charity can do for her when she 's censur'd is only to be silent ; it can make no apologies for suspicious actions . an ill husband may deprive a wife of the comfort and quiet of her life ; may give her occasion of exercising her virtue , may try her patience and fortitude to the utmost , but that 's all he can do : 't is her self only can accomplish her ruin. had madam mazarin's reserve been what it ought to be , monsieur herard needed not to have warded off so carefully , the nice subject of the lady's honour , nor her advocate have strain'd so hard for colours to excuse such actions as will hardly bear 'em ; but a man indeed shews the best side of his wit , tho' the worst of his integrity , when he has an ill cause to manage . truth is bold and vehement ; she depends upon her own strength , and so she be plac'd in a true light , thinks it not necessary to use artifice and address as a recommendation ; but the prejudices of men have made them necessary : their imagination gets the better of their understanding , and more judge according to appearances , than search after the truth of things . what an ill figure does a woman make with all the charms of her beauty and sprightliness of her wit , with all her good humour and insinuating address ; tho' she be the best oeconomist in the world , the most entertaining conversation ; if she remit her guard , abate in the severity of her caution and strictness of her virtue , and neglect those methods which are necessary to keep her not only from a crime , but from the very suspicion of one ! are the being forbid having comedies in her house , an ill natur'd jest , dismissing of a servant , imposing domesticks , or frequent changing them , sufficient reasons to authorize a woman's leaving her husband and breaking from the strongest bands , exposing her self to temptations and injuries from the bad , to the contempt , or at the best to the pity of the good , and the just censure of all ? a woman of sense one would think should take little satisfaction in the cringes and courtship of her adorers , even when she is single ; but it is criminal in a wife to admit them , interested persons may call it gallantry , but with the modest and discreet it is like to have a harder name , or else gallantry will pass for a scandalous thing , not to be allow'd among vertuous persons . but madam mazarine is dead , may her faults die with her ; may there be no more occasion given for the like adventures , or if there is , may the ladies be more wise and good than to take it ! let us see then from whence the mischief proceeds , and try if it can be prevented ; certainly man may be very happy in a married state ; 't is his own fault if he is at any time otherwise . the wise institutor of matrimony never did any thing in vain ; we are the sots and fools if what he design'd for our good , be to us an occasion of falling . for marriage , notwithstanding all the loose talk of the town , the satyrs of ancient or modern pretenders to wit , will never lose its due praise from judicious persons . tho' much may be said against this or that match , tho' the ridiculousness of some , the wickedness , of others and imprudence of too many , too often provoke our wonder or scorn , our indignation or pity , yet marriage in general is too sacred to be treated with disrespect , too venerable to be the subject of raillery and buffonery . it is the institution of heaven , the only honourable way of continuing mankind , and far be it from us to think there could have been a better than infinite wisdom has found out for us . but upon what are the saytrs against marriage grounded ? not upon the state it self , if they are just , but upon the ill choice , or foolish conduct of those who are in it , and what has marriage , considered in its self , to do with that ? let every man bear his own burden : if through inordinate passion , rashness , humour , pride , coveteousness , or any the like folly , a man makes an imprudent choice , why should marriage be exclaim'd against ? let him blame himself for entering into an unequal yoke , and making choice of one who perhaps may prove a burthen , a disgrace and plague , instead of a help and comfort to him . could there be no such thing as an happy marriage , arguments against marriage would hold good , but since the thing is not only possible , but even very probable , provided we take but competent care , act like wise men and christians , and acquit our selves as we ought , all we have to say against it serves only to shew the levity or impiety of our own minds , we can only make some flourishes of wit , tho' scarce without injustice , and tho' we talk prettily it is but very little to the purpose . is it the being ty'd to one that offends us ? why this ought rather to recommend it to us , and would really do so , were we guided by reason , and not by humour or brutish passion . he who does not make friendship the chief inducement to his choice , and prefer it before any other consideration , does not deserve a good wife , and therefore should not complain if he goes without one . now we can never grow weary of our friends ; the longer we have had them the more they are endear'd to us ; and if we have one well assur'd , we need seek no farther , but are sufficiently happy in her. the love of variety in this and in other cases , shews only the ill temper of our own mind , we seek for settled happiness in this present world ; where it is not to be found , instead of being content with a competent share , chearfully enjoying and being thankful for the good that is afforded us , and patiently bearing with the inconveniences that attend it . the christian institution of marriage provides the best that may be for domestick quiet and content , and for the education of children ; so that if we were not under the tye of religion , even the good of society and civil duty would oblige us to what that requires at our hands . and since the very best of us are but poor frail creatures , full of ignorance and infirmity , so that in justice we ought to tolerate each other , and exercise that patience towards our companions to day , which we give them occasion to shew towards us to morrow , the more we are accustom'd to any one's conversation , the better shall we understand their humour , be more able to comply with their weakness and less offended at it : for he who would have every one submit to his humours and will not in his turn comply with them , tho' we should suppose him always in the right , whereas a man of this temper very seldom is so , he 's not fit for a husband , scarce fit for society , but ought to be turn'd out of the herd to live by himself . there may indeed be inconveniencies in a married life ; but is there any condition without them ? and he who lives single , that he may indulge licentiousness and give up himself to the conduct of wild and ungovern'd desires , or indeed out of any other inducement , than the glory of god and the good of his soul , through the prospect he has of doing more good , or because his frame and disposition of mind are fitted for it , may rail as he pleases against matrimony , but can never justifie his own conduct , nor clear it from the imputation of wickedness and folly. but if marriage be such a blessed state , how comes it , may you say , that there are so few happy marriages ? now in answer to this , it is not to be wonder'd that so few succeed , we should rather be surpriz'd to find so many do , considering how imprudently men engage , the motives they act by , and the very strange conduct they observe throughout . for pray , what do men propose to themselves in marriage ? what qualifications do they look after in a spouse ? what will she bring is the first enquiry ? how many acres ? or how much ready coin ? not that this is altogether an unnecessary question , for marriage without a competency , that is not only a bare subsistence , but even a handsome and plentiful provision , according to the quality and circumstances of the parties , is no very comfortable condition . they who marry for love as they call it , find time enough to repent their rash folly , and are not long in being convinc'd , that whatever fine speeches might be made in the heat of passion , there could be no real kindness between those who can agree to make each other miserable . but as an estate is to be consider'd , so it should not be the main , much less the only consideration , for happiness does not depend on wealth , that may be wanting , and too often is , where this abounds . he who marries himself to a fortune only , must expect no other satisfaction than that can bring him , but let him not say that marriage , but his own covetous or prodigal temper , has made him unhappy . what joy has that man in all his plenty , who must either run from home to possess it , contrary to all the rules of justice , to the laws of god and man ; nay , even in opposition to good nature , and good breeding too , which some men make more account of than all the rest ; or else be forc'd to share it with a woman whose person or temper is disagreeable , whose presence is sufficient to four all his enjoyments , and if he have any remains of religion , or good manners , he must suffer the uneasiness of a continual watch , to force himself to a constrain'd civility ! few men have so much goodness as to bring themselves to a liking of what they loath'd , meerly because it is their duty to like ; on the contrary , when they marry with an indifferency , to please their friends or encrease their fortune , the indifferency proceeds to an aversion , and perhaps even the kindness and complaisance of the poor abus'd wife shall only serve to encrease it . what follows then ? there is no content at home , so it is sought elsewhere , and the fortune so unjustly got , is as carelessly squander'd . the man takes a loose , what shou'd hinder him ? he has all in his hands , and custom has almost taken off that small restraint reputation us'd to lay . the wife finds too late what was the idol the man adored , which her vanity perhaps , or it may be the commands and importunities of relations , wou'd not let her see before ; and now he has got that into his possession , she must make court to him for a little sorry alimony out of her own estate . if discretion and piety prevails upon her passions she sits down quietly , contented with her lot , seeks no consolation in the multitude of adorers , since he whom only she desir'd to please , because it was her duty to do so , will take no delight in her wit or beauty : she follows no diversion to allay her grief , uses no cordials to support her spirit , that may sully her vertue or bring a cloud upon her reputation , she makes no appeals to the mis-judging croud , hardly mentions her misfortunes to her most intimate acquaintance , nor lays a load on her husband to ease her self , but wou'd if it were possible conceal his crimes , tho' her prudence and vertue give him a thousand reproaches without her intention or knowledge ; and retiring from the world , she seeks a more solid comfort than that can give her , taking care to do nothing that censoriousness or even malice it self can misconstrue to her prejudice . now she puts on all her reserves , and thinks even innocent liberties scarce allowable in her disconsolate state ; she has other business to mind : nor does she in her retirements reflect so much upon the hand that administers this bitter cup , as consider what is the best use she can make of it . and thus indeed marriage , however unfortunate in other respects , becomes a very great blessing to her : she might have been exposed to all the temptations of a plentiful fortune , have given up her self to sloth and luxury , and gone on at the common rate , even of the better sort , in doing no hurt , and as little good . but now her kind husband obliges her to consider , and gives opportunity to exercise her vertue ; he makes it necessary to withdraw from those gaities and pleasures of life , which do more mischief under the shew of innocency , than they cou'd if they appear'd attended with a crime ; discomposing and dissolving the mind , and making it uncapable of any manner of good ; to be sure of any thing great and excellent . silence and solitude , the being forc'd from the ordinary entertainments of her station , may perhaps seem a desolate condition at first , and we may allow her , poor weak woman ! to be somewhat shock'd at it , since even a wise and courageous man perhaps would not keep his ground ; we would conceal if we could for the honour of the sex , men's being baffled and dispirited by a smaller matter , were not the instances too frequent and too notorious . but a little time wears off all the uneasiness , and puts her in possession of pleasures , which till now she has unkindly been kept a stranger to . affliction , the sincerest friend , the frankest monitor , the best instructer and indeed the only useful school that women are ever put to , rouses her understanding , opens her eyes , fixes her attention , and diffuses such a light , such a joy into her mind , as not only informs her better , but entertains her more than ever her ruel did , tho' crouded by the men of wit. she now distinguishes between truth and appearances , between solid and apparent good ; has found out the instability of all earthly things , and won't any more be deceiv'd by relying on them ; can discern who are the flatterers of her fortune , and who the admirers and encouragers of her vertue ; accounting it no little blessing to be rid of those leeches , who only hung upon her for their own advantage . now sober thoughts succeed to hurry and impertinence , to forms and ceremony , she can secure her time , and knows how to improve it ; never truly a happy woman till she came in the eye of the world to be reckon'd miserable . thus the husband's vices may become an occasion of the wife's vertues , and his neglect do her a more real good than his kindness could . but all injur'd wives don't behave themselves after this fashion , nor can their husbands justly expect it . with what face can he blame her for following his example , and being as extravagant on the one hand , as he is on the other ? tho' she cannot justifie her excesses to god , to the world , nor to her self , yet surely in respect of him they may admit of an excuse . for to all the rest of his absurdities , ( for vice is always unreasonable , ) he adds one more , who expects that vertue from another which he won't practise himself . but suppose a man does not marry for money , tho' for one that does not , perhaps there are thousands that do ; let him marry for love , and heroick action , which makes a mighty noise in the world , partly because of its rarity , and partly in regard of its extravagancy , and what does his marrying for love amount to ? there 's no great odds between his marrying for the love of money , or for the love of beauty , the man does not act according to reason in either case ; but is govern'd by irregular appetites . but he loves her wit perhaps , and this you 'l say is more spiritual , more refin'd ; not at all if you examine it to the bottom . for what is that which now adays passes under the name of wit ? a bitter and ill-natur'd raillery , a pert repartée , or a confident talking at all , and in such a multitude of words , it's odds if something or other does not pass that is surprizing , tho' every thing that surprizes does not please ; some things are wonder'd at for their ugliness , as well as others for their beauty . true wit , durst one venture to describe it , is quite another thing , it consists in such a sprightliness of imagination , such a reach and turn of thought , so properly exprest , as strikes and pleases a judicious tast . for tho' as one says of beauty , 't is in no face but in the lover's mind , so it may be said of some sorts of wit , it is not in him that speaks , but in the imagination of his hearer , yet doubtless there is a true standard-wit , which must be allow'd for such by every one who understands the terms . i don't say that they shall all equally like it ; and it is this standard-wit that always pleases , the spurious does so only for a season . now what is it that strikes a judicious tast ? not that to be sure , which injures the absent , or provokes the company , which poisons the mind under pretence of entertaining it , proceeding from or giving countenance to false ideas , to dangerous and immoral principles . wit indeed is distinct from judgment , but it is not contrary to it ; 't is rather its handmaid , serving to awaken and fix the attention , that so we may judge rightly . whatever charms , does so because of its regularity and proportion ; otherwise , tho' it is extraordinary and out of the way , it will only be star'd on like a monster , but can never be lik'd . and tho' a thought is ever so fine and new , ever so well exprest , if it suits not with decorum and good manners , it is not just and fit , and therefore offends our reason , and consequently has no charms , nor should afford us any entertainment . but it must not be suppos'd that women's wit approaches those heights which men arrive at , or that they indulge those liberties the other take . decency lays greater restraints on them , their timorousness does them this one , and perhaps this only piece of service , it keeps them from breaking thro' these restraints and following their masters and guides in many of their daring and masculine crimes . as the world goes , your witty men are usually distinguish'd by the liberty they take with religion , good manners , or their neighbour's reputation : but , god be thank'd , it is not yet so bad , as that women should form cabals to propagate atheism and irreligion . a man then cannot hope to find a woman whose wit is of a size with his , but when he doats on wit it is to be imagin'd he makes choice of that which comes the nearest to his own . thus , whether it be wit or beauty that a man 's in love with , there 's no great hopes of a lasting happiness ; beauty with all the helps of art is of no very lasting date , the more it is help'd the sooner it decays , and he who only or chiefly chose for beauty , will in a little time find the same reason for another choice . nor is that sort of wit which he prefers of a more sure tenure , or allowing it to last , it will not always please . for that which has not a real excellency and value in it self , entertains no longer than that giddy humour which recommended it to us holds ; and when we can like on no just , or on very little ground , 't is certain a dislike will arise , as lightly and as unaccountably . and it is not improbable that such a husband may in a little time by ill usage provoke such a wife to exercise her wit , that is , her spleen on him , and then it is not hard to guess how very agreeable it will be to him . in a word , when we have reckon'd up how many look no further than the making of their fortune , as they call it ; who don 't so much as propose to themselves any satisfaction in the woman to whom they plight their faith , seeking only to be masters of her fortune , that so they may have money enough to indulge all their irregular appetites ; who think they are as good as can be expected , if they are but according to the fashionable term , civil husbands : when we have taken the number of your giddy lovers , who are not more violent in their passion than they are certain to repent of it : when to these you have added such as marry without any thought at all , further than that it is the custom of the world ; what others have done before them ; that the family must be kept up , the ancient race preserv'd , and therefore their kind parents and guardians chuse as they think convenient , without ever consulting the young ones inclinations , who must be satisfied or pretend so at least , upon pain of their displeasure , and that heavy consequence of it , forfeiture of their estate : these set aside , i fear there will be but a small remainder to marry out of better considerations , and even amongst the few that do , not one in a hundred takes care to deserve his choice . but do the women never choose amiss ? are the men only in fault ? that is not pretended ; for he who will be just , must be forc'd to acknowledge , that neither sex is always in the right . a woman indeed can't properly be said to choose , all that is allow'd her , is to refuse or accept what is offer'd . and when we have made such reasonable allowances as are due to the sex , perhaps they may not appear so much in fault as one would at first imagine , and a generous spirit will find more occasion to pity , than to reprove . but sure i transgress — it must not be suppos'd that the ladies can do amiss , he is but an ill-bred fellow who pretends that they need amendment ! they are no doubt on 't always in the right , and most of all when they take pity on distressed lovers ; whatever they say carries an authority that no reason can resist , and all that they do must needs be exemplary ! this is the modish language , nor is there a man of honour amongst the whole tribe that would not venture his life , nay and his salvation too in their defence , if any but himself attempts to injure them . but i must ask pardon if i can't come up to these heights , nor flatter them with the having no faults , which is only a malicious way of continuing and encreasing their mistakes . women , it 's true , ought to be treated with civility ; for since a little ceremony and out-side respect is all their guard , all the privilege that 's allow'd them , it were barbarous to deprive them of it ; and because i would treat them civilly , i would not express my civility at the usual rate . i would not under pretence of honouring and paying a mighty deference to the ladies , call them fools to their faces ; for what are all the fine speeches and submissions that are made , but an abusing them in a well-bred way ? she must be a fool with a witness , who can believe a man , proud and vain as he is , will lay his boasted authority , the dignity and prerogative of his sex , one moment at her feet , but in prospect of taking it up again to more advantage ; he may call himself her slave a few days , but it is only in order to make her his all the rest of his life . indeed that mistaken self-love that reigns in the most of us , both men and women , that over-good opinion we have of our selves , and desire that others should have of us , makes us swallow every thing that looks like respect , without examining how wide it is from what it appears to be . for nothing is in truth a greater outrage than flattery and feign'd submissions , the plain english of which is this ; i have a very mean opinion both of your understanding and vertue , you are weak enough to be impos'd on , and vain enough to snatch at the bait i throw ; there 's no danger of your finding out my meaning , or disappointing me of my ends. i offer you incense 't is true , but you are like to pay for 't , and to make me a recompence for your folly in imagining i would give my self this trouble , did i not hope , nay were i not sure , to find my own account in it . if for nothing else , you 'll serve at least as an exercise of my wit , and how much soever you swell with my breath , 't is i deserve the praise for talking so well on so poor a subject . we who make the idols , are the greater deities ; and as we set you up , so it is in our power to reduce you to your first obscurity , or to somewhat worse , to contempt ; you are therefore only on your good behaviour , and are like to be no more than what we please to make you . this is the flatterer's language aside , this is the true sense of his heart , whatever his grimace may be before the company . not but that 't is possible , and sometimes matter of fact , to express our selves beyond the truth in praise of a person , and yet not be guilty of flattery ; but then we must think what we say , and mean what we profess . we may be so blinded by some passion or other , especially love , which in civil and good-natur'd persons is apt to exceed , as to believe some persons more deserving than really they are , and to pay them greater respect and kindness than is in strictness due to them . but this is not the present case ; for our fine speech-makers doat too much on themselves to have any great passion for another , their eyes are too much fixt on their own excellencies , to view another's good qualities through a magnifying-glass , at least if ever they turn that end of the perspective towards their neighbours , 't is only in respect and reference to themselves . they are their own centres , they find a disproportion in every line that does not tend thither , and in the next visit they make you shall hear all the fine things they said repeated to the new object , and nothing remembred of the former but her vanity , or something else as ridiculous , which serves for a foil , or a whet to discourse . for let there be ever so many wits in the company , conversation would languish , and they would be at a loss , did not a little censoriousness come in at a need to help them . let us then treat the ladies as civilly as may be , but let us not do it by flattering them , but by endeavouring to make them such as may truly deserve our hearty esteem and kindness . men ought really for their own sakes to do what in them lies to make women wise and good , and then it might be hoped they themselves would effectually study and practice that wisdom and vertue they recommend to others . but so long as men have base and unworthy ends to serve , it is not to be expected that they should consent to such methods as would certainly disappoint them . they would have their own relations do well , that 's their interest ; but it sometimes happens to be for their turn that another man's should not , and then their generosity fails them , and no man is apter to find fault with another's dishonourable actions , than he who is ready to do , or perhaps has done the same himself . and as men have little reason to expect happiness when they marry only for the love of money , wit or beauty , as has been already shewn , so much less can a woman expect a tolerable life , when she goes upon these considerations . let the business be carried as prudently as it can be on the womans side , a reasonable man can't deny that she has by much the harder bargain . because she puts her self entirely into her husband's power , and if the matrimonial yoke be grievous , neither law nor custom affords her that redress which a man obtains . he who has sovereign power does not value the provocations of a rebellious subject , but knows how to subdue him with ease , and will make himself obey'd ; but patience and submission are the only comforts that are left to a poor people , who groan under tyranny , unless they are strong enough to break the yoke , to depose and abdicate , which i doubt wou'd not be allow'd of here . for whatever may be said against passive-obedience in another case , i suppose there 's no man but likes it very well in this ; how much soever arbitrary power may be dislik'd on a throne , not milton himself wou'd cry up liberty to poor female slaves , or plead for the lawfulness of resisting a private tyranny . if there be a disagreableness of humours , which in my mind is harder to be born than greater faults , as being a continual plague , and for the most part incurable ; other vices a man may grow weary of , or may be convinced of the evil of them ; he may forsake them , or they him , but his humour and temper are seldom , if ever put off , ill-nature sticks to him from his youth to his grey heirs , and a boy ●hat's humorous and proud , makes a pee●ish , positive and insolent old man. now ●f this be the case , and the husband be ●ull of himself , obstinately bent on his own way with or without reason , if he be ●ne who must be always admir'd , always humour'd , and yet scarce knows what will please him ; if he has prosperity e●ough to keep him from considering , and to furnish him with a train of flatterers and obsequious admirers ; and learning and sense enough to make him a fop in perfection ; for a man can never be a complete coxcomb , unless he has a considerable share of these to value himself upon ; what can the poor woman do ? the husband is too wise to be advis'd , too good to be reform'd , she must follow all his paces , and tread in all his unreasonable steps , or there is no peace , no quiet for her , she must obey with the greatest exactness , 't is in vain to expect any manner of compliance on his side , and the more she complies the more she may ; his fantastical humours grow with her desire to gratifie them , for age encreases opiniatry in some , as well as it does experience in others . of such sort of folks as these it was that solomon spake , when he said , seest thou a man wise in his own conceit , there is more hope of a fool than of him ; that is , the profligate sinner , such a one being always a fool in solomon's language , is in a fairer way of being convinc'd of his folly , and brought to reason , than the proud conceited man. that man indeed can never be good at heart , who is full of himself and his own endowments . not that it is necessary , because it is not possible for one to be totally ignorant of his own good qualities , i had almost said he ought to have a modest sense of 'em , otherwise he can't be duly thankful , nor make the use of them that is required , to the glory of god , and the good of mankind ; but he views them in a wrong light , if he discerns any thing that may exalt him above his neighbours , make him over-look their merit , or treat them with neglect or contempt . he ought to behold them with fear and trembling , as talents which he has freely receiv'd , and for which he is highly accountable , and therefore they shou'd not excite his pride , but his care and industry . and if pride and self-conceit keep a man who has some good qualities , and is not so bad as the most of his neighbours from growing better , it for certain confirms and hardens the wicked in his crimes , it sets him up for a wit , that is , according to modern acceptation , one who rallies at all that is serious , a contemner of the priests first , and then of the deity himself . for penitence and self-condemnation are what his haughtiness cannot bear , and since the crimes he has been guilty of have brought on him the reproaches of his own mind , since he will not take the regular way to be rid of them , which is by humbling himself and making his peace with heaven , he bids defiance to it , and wou'd if he could believe there is no future state , no after retribution , because he knows that a heavy lot is in justice due to him . if therefore it be a woman 's hard fate to meet with a disagreeable temper , and of all others the haughty , imperious and self-conceited are the most so , she is as unhappy as any thing in the world can make her . when a wife's temper does not please , if she makes her husband uneasie , he can find entertainments abroad , he has a hundred ways of relieving himself , but neither prudence nor duty will allow a woman to fly out , her business and entertainment are at home , and tho' he make it ever so uneasie to her she must be content and make her best on 't . she who elects a monarch for life , who gives him an authority she cannot recall however he misapply it , who puts her fortune and person entirely in his power ; nay even the very desires of her heart according to some learned casuists , so as that it is not lawful to will or desire any thing but what he approves and allows , had need be very sure that she does not make a fool her head , nor a vicious man her guide and pattern , she had best stay till she can meet with one who has the government of his own passions and has duly regulated his own desires , since he is to have such an absolute power over hers . but he who doats on a face , he who makes money his idol , he who is charm'd with vain and empty wit , gives no such evidence , either of wisdom or goodness , that a woman of any tolerable sense shou'd care to venture her self to his conduct . indeed , your fine gentleman's actions are now a days such , that did not custom and the dignity of his sex give weight and authority to them , a woman that thinks twice might bless her self , and say , is this the lord and master to whom i am to promise love , honour and obedience ? what can be the object of love but amiable qualities , the image of the deity impress'd upon a generous and god-like mind , a mind that is above this world , to be sure above all the vices , the tricks and baseness of it ; a mind that is not full of it self , not contracted to little private interests , but in imitation of that glorious pattern it endeavours to copy after , expands and diffuses it self to its utmost capacity in doing good. but this fine gentleman is quite of another strain , he is the reverse of this in every instance . he is i confess very fond of his own dear person , he sees very much in it to admire ; his air and mien , his words and actions , every motion he makes declares it ; but they must have a judgment of his size , every whit as shallow , and a partiality as great as his own , who can be of his mind . how then can i love ? and if not love , much less honour . love may arise from pity or a generous desire to make that lovely which as yet is not so , when we see any hopes of success in our endeavours of improving it ; but honour supposes some excellent qualities already , something worth our esteem , but alas there is nothing more contemptible then this trifle of a man , this meer out-side , whose mind is as base and mean as his external pomp is glittering . his office or title apart , to which some ceremonious observance must be paid for order's sake , there 's nothing in him that can command our respect . strip him of equipage and fortune , and such things as only dazle our eyes and imaginations , but don't in any measure affect our reason , or cause a reverence in our hearts , and the poor creature sinks beneath our notice , because not supported by real worth. and if a woman can neither love nor honour , she does ill in promising to obey , since she is like to have a crooked rule to regulate her actions . a meer obedience , such as is paid only to authority , and not out of love and a sense of the justice and reasonableness of the command , will be of an uncertain tenure . as it can't but be uneasie to the person who pays it , so he who receives it will be sometimes disappointed when he expects to find it , for that woman must be endow'd with a wisdom and goodness much above what we suppose the sex capable of , i fear much greater than e're a man can pretend to , who can so constantly conquer her passions , and divest her self even of innocent self-love , as to give up the cause when she is in the right , and to submit her enlightned reason , to the imperious dictates of a blind will , and wild imagination , even when she clearly perceives the ill consequences of it , the imprudence , nay folly and madness of such a conduct . and if a woman runs such a risque when she marrys prudently , according to the opinion of the world , that is , when she permits her self to be dispos'd of to a man equal to her in birth , education and fortune , and as good as the most of his neighbours , ( for if none were to marry , but men of strict vertue and honour , i doubt the world would be but thinly peopled ) if at the very best her lot is hard , what can she expect who is sold , or any otherwise betray'd into mercenary hands , to one who is in all , or most respects unequal to her ? a lover who comes upon what is call'd equal terms , makes no very advantageous proposal to the lady he courts , and to whom he seems to be an humble servant , for under many sounding complements , words that have nothing in them , this is his true meaning , he wants one to manage his family , an house-keeper , an upper servant , one whose interest it will be not to wrong him , and in whom therefore he can put greater confidence than in any he can hire for money . one who may breed his children , taking all the care and trouble of their education , to preserve his name and family . one whose beauty , wit or good humour and agreeable conversation will entertain him at home when he has been contradicted and disappointed abroad ; who will do him that justice the ill-natur'd world denys him , that is , in any one's language but his own , sooth his pride and flatter his vanity , by having always so much good sense as to be on his side , to conclude him in the right , when others are so ignorant , or so rude as to deny it . who will not be blind to his merit nor contradict his will and pleasure , but make it her business , her very ambition to content him : whose softness and gentle compliance will calm his passions , to whom he may safely disclose his troublesome thoughts , and in her breast discharge his cares ; whose duty , submission and observance will heal those wounds other peoples opposition or neglect have given him . in a word , one whom he can intirely govern and consequently may form her to his will and liking , who must be his for life , and therefore cannot quit his service let him treat her how he will. and if this be what every man expects , the sum of his violent love and courtship , when it is put into sense and rendred intelligible , to what a fine pass does she bring her self who purchases a lord and master , not only with her money , but with what is of greater value , at the price of her discretion ? who has not so much as that poor excuse , precedent and example ; or if she has , they are only such as all the world condemns ? she will not find him less a governor because she was once his superior , on the contrary the scum of the people are most tyranical when they get the power , and treat their betters with the greatest insolence . for as the wise man long since observ'd , a servant when he reigns is one of those things for which the earth is disquieted , and which no body is able to bear . it is the hardest thing in the world for a woman to know that a man is not mercenary , that he does not act on base and ungenerous principles , even when he is her equal , because being absolute master , she and all the grants he makes her are in his power , and there have been but too many instances of husbands that by wheedling or threatning their wives , by seeming kindness or cruel usage , have perswaded or forc'd them out of what has been settled on them . so that the woman has in truth no security but the man's honour and good-nature , a security that in this present age no wise person would venture much upon . a man enters into articles very readily before marriage , and so he may , for he performs no more of them afterwards than he thinks fit . a wife must never dispute with her husband , his reasons are now no doubt on 't better than hers , whatever they were before ; he is sure to perswade her out of her agreement , and bring her , it must be suppos'd , willingly , to give up what she did vainly hope to obtain , and what she thought had been made sure to her . and if she shew any refractoriness , there are ways enough to humble her ; so that by right or wrong the husband gains his will. for covenants between husband and wife , like laws in an arbitrary government , are of little force , the will of the sovereign is all in all . thus it is in matter of fact , i will not answer for the right of it ; for if the woman's reasons upon which those agreements are grounded are not just and good , why did he consent to them ? was it because there was no other way to obtain his suit , and with an intention to annul them when it shall be in his power ? where then is his sincerity ? but if her reasons are good , where is his justice in obliging her to quit them ? he neither way acts like an equitable or honest man. but when a woman marrys unequally and beneath her self , there is almost demonstration that the man is sordid and unfair , that instead of loving her he only loves himself , trapans and ruines her to serve his own ends. for if he had not a mighty opinion of himself , ( which temper is like to make an admirable husband , ) he cou'd never imagine that his person and good qualities cou'd make compensation for all the advantages she quits on his account . if he had a real esteem for her or valu'd her reputation , he wou'd not expose it , nor have her discretion call'd in question for his sake ; and if he truly lov'd her he wou'd not reduce her to straits and a narrow fortune , nor so much as lessen her way of living to better his own . for since god has plac'd different ranks in the world , put some in a higher and some in a lower station , for order and beauty's sake , and for many good reasons ; tho' it is both our wisdom and duty not only to submit with patience , but to be thankful and well-satisfied when by his providence we are brought low , yet there is no manner of reason for us to degrade our selves ; on the contrary , much why we ought not . the better our lot is in this world and the more we have of it , the greater is our leisure to prepare for the next ; we have the more opportunity to exercise that god-like quality , to tast that divine pleasure , doing good to the bodies and souls of those beneath us . is it not then ill manners to heaven , and an irreligious contempt of its favours , for a woman to slight that nobler employment , to which it has assign'd her , and thrust her self down to a meaner drudgery ▪ to what is in a very literal sense a caring for the things of the world , a caring not only to please , but to maintain a husband ? and a husband so chosen will not at all abate of his authority and right to govern , whatever fair promises he might make before . she has made him her head , and he thinks himself as well qualify'd as the best to act accordingly , nor has she given him any such evidence of her prudence as may dispose him to make an act of grace in her favour . besides , great obligations are what superiors cannot bear , they are more than can be return'd ; to acknowledge were only to reproach themselves with ingratitude , and therefore the readiest way is not to own but overlook them , or rather , as too many do , to repay them with affronts and injuries . what then is to be done ? how must a man chuse , and what qualities must encline a woman to accept , that so our marry'd couple may be as happy as that state can make them ? this is no hard question ▪ let the soul be principally consider'd , and regard had in the first place to a good understanding , a vertuous mind , and in all other respects let there be as much equality as may be . if they are good christians and of suitable tempers all will be well , but i should be shrewdly tempted to suspect their christianity who marry after any of those ways we have been speaking of . i dare venture to say , that they don't act according to the precepts of the gospel , they neither shew the wisdom of the serpent , nor the innocency of the dove , they have neither so much government of themselves , nor so much charity for their neighbours , they neither take such care not to scandalize others , nor to avoid temptations themselves , are neither so much above this world , nor so affected with the next , as they wou'd certainly be did the christian religion operate in their hearts , did they rightly understand and sincerely practise it , or acted indeed according to the spirit of the gospel . but it is not enough to enter wisely into this state , care must be taken of our conduct afterwards . a woman will not want being admonish'd of her duty , the custom of the world , oeconomy , every thing almost reminds her of it . governors do not often suffer their subjects to forget obedience through their want of demanding it , perhaps husbands are but too forward on this occasion , and claim their right oftner and more imperiously than either discretion or good manners will justifie , and might have both a more chearful and constant obedience paid them if they were not so rigorous in exacting it . for there is a mutual stipulation , and love , honour and worship , by which certainly civility and respect at least are meant , is as much the woman 's due , as love , honour and obedience is the man's , and being the woman is said to be the weaker vessel the man shou'd be more careful not to grieve or offend her . since her reason is suppos'd to be less , and her passions stronger than his , he shou'd not give occasion to call that supposition in question by his pettish carriage and needless provocations . since he is the man , by which very word custom wou'd have us understand not only greatest strength of body , but even greatest firmness and force of mind , he shou'd not play the little master so much as to expect to be cocker'd , nor run over to that side which the woman us'd to be rank'd in ; for according to the wisdom of the italians , volete ? si dice a gli ammalati : will you ? is spoken to sick folks . indeed subjection , according to the common notion of it , is not over easie , none of us whether men or women but have so good an opinion of our own conduct as to believe we are fit , if not to direct others , at least to govern our selves . nothing but a sound understanding , and grace the best improver of natural reason , can correct this opinion , truly humble us , and heartily reconcile us to obedience . this bitter cup therefore ought to be sweetned as much as may be ; for authority may be preserv'd and government kept inviolable , without that nauseous ostentation of power which serves to no end or purpose , but to blow up the pride and vanity of those who have it , and to exasperate the spirits of such as must truckle under it . insolence 't is true is never the effect of power but in weak and cowardly spirits , who wanting true merit and judgment to support themselves in that advantage ground on which they stand , are ever appealing to their authority , and making a shew of it to maintain their vanity and pride . a truly great mind and such as is fit to govern , tho' it may stand on its right with its equals , and modestly expect what is due to it even from its superiors , yet it never contends with its inferiors , nor makes use of its superiority but to do them good. so that considering the just dignity of man , his great wisdom so conspicuous on all occasions , the goodness of his temper and reasonableness of all his commands , which makes it a woman's interest as well as duty to be observant and obedient in all things , that his prerogative is settled by an undoubled right and the prescription of many ages , it cannot be suppos'd that he should make frequent and insolent claims of an authority so well establish'd and us'd with such moderation , nor give an impartial by-stander ( cou'd such an one be found ) any occasion from thence to suspect that he is inwardly conscious of the badness of his title ; usurpers being always most desirous of recognitions and busie in imposing oaths , whereas a lawful prince contents himself with the usual methods and securities . and since power does naturally puff up , and he who finds himself exalted , seldom fails to think he ought to be so , it is more suitable to a man's wisdom and generosity to be mindful of his great obligations than to insist on his rights and prerogatives . sweetness of temper and an obliging carriage are so justly due to a wife , that a husband who must not be thought to want either understanding to know what is fit , nor goodness to perform it , can't be suppos'd not to shew them . for setting aside the hazards of her person to keep up his name and family , with all the pains and trouble that attend it , which may well be thought great enough to deserve all the respect and kindness that may be , setting this aside , tho' 't is very considerable , a woman has so much the disadvantage in most , i was about to say in all things , that she makes a man the greatest complement in the world when she condescends to take him for better for worse . she puts her self intirely in his power , leaves all that is dear to her , her friends and family , to espouse his interests and follow his fortune , and makes it her business and duty to please him ! what acknowledgments , what returns can he make ? what gratitude can be sufficient for such obligations ? she shews her good opinion of him by the great trust she reposes in him , and what a brute must he be who betrays that trust , or acts any way unworthy of it ? ingratitude is one of the basest vices , and if a man's soul is sunk so low as to be guilty of it towards her who has so generously oblig'd him , and who so intirely depends on him , if he can treat her disrespectfully , who has so fully testify'd her esteem of him , she must have a stock of vertue which he shou'd blush to discern , if she can pay him that obedience of which he is so unworthy . superiors indeed are too apt to forget the common priviledges of mankind , that their inferiors share with them the greatest benefits , and are as capable as themselves of enjoying the supreme good ; that tho' the order of the world requires an outward respect and obedience from some to others , yet the mind is free , nothing but reason can oblige it , 't is out of the reach of the most absolute tyrant . nor will it ever be well either with those who rule or those in subjection , even from the throne to every private family , till those in authority look on themselves as plac'd in that station for the good and improvement of their subjects , and not for their own sakes ; not as the reward of their merit or that they may prosecute their own desires and fulfil all their pleasure , but as the representatives of god whom they ought to imitate in the justice and equity of their laws , in doing good and communicating blessings to all beneath them : by which , and not by following the imperious dictates of their own will , they become truly great and illustrious and worthily fill their place . and the governed for their part ceasing to envy the pomp and name of authority , shou'd respect their governours as plac'd in god's stead and contribute what they can to ease them of their real cares , by a chearful and ready compliance with those their endeavours , and by affording them the pleasure of success in such noble and generous designs . for upon a due estimate things are pretty equally divided ; those in subjection as they have a less glorious , so they have an easier task and a less account to give , whereas he who commands has in a great measure the faults of others to answer for as well as his own . t is true he has the pleasure of doing more good than a private person can , and shall receive the reward of it when time shall be no more , in compensation for the hazards he runs , the difficulties he at present encounters , and the large account he is to make hereafter , which pleasure and reward are highly desirable and most worthy our pursuit ; but they are motives which such as usurp on their governors , and make them uneasie in the due discharge of their duty , never propose . and for those other little things that move their envy and ambition , they are of no esteem with a just considerer , nor will such as violently pursue , find their account in them . but how can a man respect his wife when he has a contemptible opinion of her and her sex ? when from his own elevation he looks down on them as void of understanding , and full of ignorance and passion , so that folly and a woman are equivalent terms with him ? can he think there is any gratitude due to her whose utmost services he exacts as strict duty ? because she was made to be a slave to his will , and has no higher end than to serve and obey him ? perhaps we arrogate too much to our selves when we say this material world was made for our sakes ; that its glorious maker has given us the use of it is certain , but when we suppose that over which we have dominion to be made purely for our sakes , we draw a false conclusion , as he who shou'd say the people were made for the prince who is set over them , wou'd be thought to be out of his senses as well as his politicks . yet even allowing that he who made every thing in number , weight and measure , who never acts but for some great and glorious end , an end agreeable to his majesty , allowing that he created such a number of rational spirits merely to serve their fellow creatures , yet how are these lords and masters helpt by the contempt they shew of their poor humble vassals ? is it not rather an hindrance to that service they expect , as being an undeniable and constant proof how unworthy they are to receive it ? none of god's creatures absolutely consider'd are in their own nature contemptible ; the meanest fly , the poorest insect has its use and vertue . contempt is scarce a human passion , one may venture to say it was not in innocent man , for till sin came into the world , there was nothing in it to be contemn'd . but pride which makes every thing serve its purposes , wrested this passion from its only use , so that instead of being an antidote against sin , it is become a grand promoter of it , nothing making us more worthy of that contempt we shew , than when poor , weak , dependent creatures as we are ! we look down with scorn and disdain on others . there is not a surer sign of a noble mind , a mind very far advanc'd towards perfection , than the being able to bear contempt and an unjust treatment from ones superiors evenly and patiently . for inward worth and real excellency are the true ground of superiority , and one person is not in reality better than another , but as he is more wise and good. but this world being a place of tryal and govern'd by general laws , just retributions being reserv'd for hereafter , respect and obedience many times become due for order's sake to those who don 't otherwise deserve them . now tho' humility keeps us from over-valuing our selves or viewing our merit thro' a false and magnifying medium , yet it does not put out our eyes , it does not , it ought not to deprive us of that pleasing sentiment which attends our acting as we ought to act , which is as it were a foretast of heaven , our present reward for doing what is just and fit. and when a superior does a mean and unjust thing , as all contempt of one's neighbour is , and yet this does not provoke his inferiors to refuse that observance which their stations in the world require , they cannot but have an inward sense of their own real superiority , the other having no pretence to it , at the same time that they pay him an outward respect and deference , which is such a flagrant testimony of the sincerest love of order as proves their souls to be of the highest and noblest rank . a man therefore for his own sake , and to give evidence that he has a right to those prerogatives he assumes , shou'd treat women with a little more humanity and regard than is usually paid them . your whifling wits may scoff at them , and what then ? it matters not , for they rally every thing tho' ever so sacred , and rail at the women commonly in very good company . religion , its priests , and these its most constant and regular professors , are the usual subjects of their manly , mannerly and surprizing jests . surprizing indeed ! not for the newness of the thought , the brightness of the fancy , or nobleness of expression , but for the good assurance with which such thread-bare jests are again and again repeated . but that your grave dons , your learned men , and which is more your men of sense as they wou'd be thought , should stoop so low as to make invectives against the women , forget themselves so much as to jest with their slaves , who have neither liberty nor ingenuity to make reprizals ! that they shou'd waste their time and debase their good sense which fits them for the most weighty affairs , such as are suitable to their profound wisdoms and exalted understandings ! to render those poor wretches more ridiculous and odious who are already in their opinion sufficiently contemptible , and find no better exercise of their wit and satyr than such as are not worth their pains , tho' it were possible to reform them , this , this indeed may justly be wondred at ! i know not whether or no women are allow'd to have souls , if they have , perhaps it is not prudent to provoke them too much , least silly as they are , they at last recriminate , and then what polite and well-bred gentleman , tho' himself is concern'd , can forbear taking that lawful pleasure which all who understand raillery must tast , when they find his jests who insolently began to peck at his neighbour , return'd with interest upon his own head ? and indeed men are too humane , too wise to venture at it did they not hope for this effect , and expect the pleasure of finding their wit turn to such account ; for if it be lawful to reveal a secret , this is without doubt the whole design of those fine discourses which have been made against the women from our great fore-fathers to this present time. generous man has too much bravery , he is too just and too good to assault a defenceless enemy , and if he did inveigh against the women it was only to do them service . for since neither his care of their education , his hearty endeavours to improve their minds , his wholesome precepts , nor great example cou'd do them good , as his last and kindest essay he resolv'd to try what contempt wou'd do , and chose rather to expose himself by a seeming want of justice , equity , ingenuity and good-nature , than suffer women to remain such vain and insignificant creatures as they have hitherto been reckon'd . and truly women are some degrees beneath what i have thus far thought them , if they do not make the best use of his kindness , improve themselves , and like christians return it . let us see then what is their part , what must they do to make the matrimonial yoke tolerable to themselves as well as pleasing to their lords and masters ? that the world is an empty and deceitful thing , that those enjoyments which appear so desirable at a distance , which rais'd our hopes and expectations to such a mighty pitch , which we so passionately coveted and so eagerly pursued , vanish at our first approach , leaving nothing behind them but the folly of delusion , and the pain of disappointed hopes , is a common out-cry ; and yet as common as it is , tho' we complain of being deceiv'd this instant , we do not fail of contributing to the cheat the very next . tho in reality it is not the world that abuses us , t is we abuse our selves , it is not the emptiness of that , but our own false judgments , our unreasonable desires and expectations that torment us ; for he who exerts his whole strength to lift a straw , ought not to complain of the burden but of his own disproportionate endeavour which gives him the pain he feels . the world affords us all that pleasure a sound judgment can expect from it , and answers all those ends and purposes for which it was design'd , let us expect no more than is reasonable , and then we shall not fail of our expectations . it is even so in the case before us ; a woman who has been taught to think marriage her only preferment , the sum-total of her endeavours , the completion of all her hopes , that which must settle and make her happy in this world , and very few , in their youth especially , carry a thought steddily to a greater distance ; she who has seen a lover dying at her feet , and can't therefore imagine that he who professes to receive all his happiness from her can have any other design or desire than to please her ; whose eyes have been dazled with all the glitter and pomp of a wedding , and who hears of nothing but joy and congratulation ; who is transported with the pleasure of being out of pupillage , and mistress not only of her self but of a family too : she who is either so simple or so vain , as to take her lover at his word either as to the praises he gave her , or the promises he made for himself : in sum , she whose expectation has been rais'd by court-ship , by all the fine things that her lover , her governess and domestick flatterers say , will find a terrible disappointment when the hurry is over , and when she comes calmly to consider her condition , and views it no more under a false appearance , but as it truly is . i doubt in such a view it will not appear over-desirable if she regards only the present state of things . hereafter may make amends for what she must be prepar'd to suffer here , then will be her reward , this is her time of tryal , the season of exercising and improving her vertues . a woman that is not mistress of her passions , that cannot patiently submit even when reason suffers with her , who does not practice passive obedience to the utmost , will never be acceptable to such an absolute sovereign as a husband . wisdom ought to govern without contradiction , but strength however will be obey'd . there are but few of those wise persons who can be content to be made yet wiser by contradiction , the most will have their will , and it is right because it is their's . such is the vanity of humane nature that nothing pleases like an intire subjection ; what imperfections won't a man overlook where this is not wanting ! tho' we live like brutes we wou'd have incense offer'd us , that is only due to heaven it self , wou'd have an absolute and blind obedience paid us by all over whom we pretend authority . we were not made to idolize one another , yet the whole strain of courtship is little less than rank idolatry : but does a man intend to give , and not receive his share in this religious worship ? no such matter ; pride and vanity and self-love have their designs , and if the lover is so condescending as to set a pattern in the time of his addresses , he is so just as to expect his wife shou'd strictly copy after it all the rest of her life . but how can a woman scruple intire subjection , how can she forbear to admire the worth and excellency of the superior sex , if she at all considers it ? have not all the great actions that have been perform'd in the world been done by them ? have not they founded empires and over-turn'd them ? do not they make laws and continually repeal and amend them ? their vast minds lay kingdoms wast , no bounds or measures can be prescrib'd to their desires . war and peace depend on them , they form cabals and have the wisdom and courage to get over all these rubs which may lie in the way of their desired grandeur . what is it they cannot do ? they make worlds and ruin them , form systems of universal nature and dispute eternally about them , their pen gives worth to the most trifling controversie , nor can a fray be inconsiderable if they have drawn their swords in 't . all that the wise man pronounces is an oracle , and every word the witty speaks a jest . it is a woman's happiness to hear , admire and praise them , especially if a little ill-nature keeps them at any time from bestowing due applauses on each other . and if she aspires no further she is thought to be in her proper sphere of action , she is as wise and as good as can be expected from her . she then who marrys ought to lay it down for an indisputable maxim , that her husband must govern absolutely and intirely , and that she has nothing else to do but to please and obey . she must not attempt to divide his authority , or so much as dispute it , to struggle with her yoke will only make it gall the more , but must believe him wise and good and in all respects the best , at least he must be so to her . she who can't do this is no way fit to be a wife , she may set up for that peculiar coronet the ancient fathers talk'd of , but is not qualify'd to receive that great reward , which attends the eminent exercise of humility and self-denial , patience and resignation the duties that a wife is call'd to . but some refractory woman perhaps will say how can this be ? is it possible for her to believe him wise and good who by a thousand demonstrations convinces her and all the world of the contrary ? did the bare name of husband confer sense on a man , and the mere being in authority infallibly qualifie him for government , much might be done . but since a wise man and a husband are not terms convertible , and how loath soever one is to own it , matter of fact won't allow us to deny that the head many times stands in need of the inferior's brains to manage it , she must beg leave to be excus'd from such high thoughts of her sovereign , and if she submits to his power , it is not so much reason as necessity that compells her . now of how little force soever this objection may be in other respects , methinks it is strong enough to prove the necessity of a good education , and that men never mistake their true interest more than when they endeavour to keep women in ignorance . cou'd they indeed deprive them of their natural good sense at the same time they deny them the due improvement of it , they might compass their end ; otherwise natural sense unassisted may run into a false track , and serve only to punish him justly , who wou'd not allow it to be useful to himself or others . if man's authority be justly establish'd , the more sense a woman has the more reason she will find to submit to it ; if according to the tradition of our fathers , ( who having had possession of the pen , thought they had also the best right to it , ) women's understanding is but small , and men's partiality adds no weight to the observation , ought not the more care to be taken to improve them ? how it agrees with the justice of men we enquire not , but certainly heaven is abundantly more equitable than to enjoyn women the hardest task and give them the least strength to perform it . and if men learned , wise and discreet as they are , who have as is said all the advantages of nature , and without controversie have , or may have all the assistance of art , are so far from acquitting themselves as they ought , from living according to that reason and excellent understanding they so much boast of , can it be expected that a woman who is reckon'd silly enough in her self , at least comparatively , and whom men take care to make yet more so , can it be expected that she shou'd constantly perform so difficult a duty as intire subjection , to which corrupt nature is so averse ? if the great and wise cato , a man , a man of no ordinary firmness and strength of mind , a man who was esteem'd as an oracle , and by the philosophers and great men of his nation equal'd even to the gods themselves ; if he with all his stoical principles was not able to bear the sight of a triumphant conqueror , ( who perhaps wou'd have insulted and perhaps wou'd not , ) but out of a cowardly fear of an insult , ran to death to secure him from it ; can it be thought that an ignorant weak woman shou'd have patience to bear a continual outrage and insolence all the days of her life ? unless you will suppose her a very ass , but then remember what the italians say , to quote them once more , since being very husbands they may be presum'd to have some authority in this case , l' asino pur pigro , stimulato tira quelche calcio ; an ass tho' slow if provok'd will kick . we never see or perhaps make sport with the ill effects of a bad education , till it come to touch us home in the ill conduct of a sister , a daughter , or wife . then the women must be blam'd , their folly is exclaim'd against , when all this while it was the wise man's fault who did not set a better guard on those who according to him stand in so much need of one . a young gentleman , as a celebrated author tells us , ought above all things to be acquainted with the state of the world , the ways and humours , the follies , the cheats , the faults of the age he is fallen into , he should by degrees be inform'd of the vice in fashion , and warn'd of the application and design of those who will make it their business to corrupt him , shou'd be told the arts they use and the trains they lay , be prepar'd to be shock'd by some and caress'd by others ; warn'd who are like to oppose , who to mislead ; who to undermine , and who to serve him . he shou'd be instructed how to know and distinguish them , where he shou'd let them see , and when dissemble the knowledge of them and their aims and workings . our author is much in the right , and not to disparage any other accomplishments which are useful in their kind , this will turn to more account than any language or philosophy , art or science , or any other piece of good-breeding and fine education that can be taught him , which are no otherwise excellent than as they contribute to this , as this does above all things to the making him a wise , a vertuous and useful man. and it is not less necessary that a young lady shou'd receive the like instructions , whether or no her temptations be fewer , her reputation and honour however are to be more nicely preserv'd ; they may be ruin'd by a little ignorance or indiscretion , and then tho' she has kept her innocence , and so is secur'd as to the next world , yet she is in a great measure lost to this . a woman cannot be too watchful , too apprehensive of her danger , nor keep at too great a distance from it , since man whose wisdom and ingenuity is so much superior to hers , condescends for his interest sometimes , and sometimes by way of diversion , to lay snares for her . for tho' all men are virtuosi , philosophers and politicians in comparison of the ignorant and illiterare women , yet they don't all pretend to be saints , and 't is no great matter to them if women who were born to be their slaves , be now and then ruin'd for their entertainment . but according to the rate that young women are educated ; according to the way their time is spent , they are destin'd to folly and impertinence , to say no worse , and which is yet more inhuman , they are blam'd for that ill conduct they are not suffer'd to avoid , and reproach'd for those faults they are in a manner forc'd into ; so that if heaven has bestowed any sense on them , no other use is made of it , than to leave them without excuse . so much and no more of the world is shewn them , as serves to weaken and corrupt their minds , to give them wrong notions , and busie them in mean pursuits ; to disturb , not to regulate their passions , to make them timorous and dependant , and in a word , fit for nothing else but to act a farce for the diversion of their governours . even men themselves improve no otherwise than according to the aim they take , and the end they propose ; and he whose designs are but little and mean , will be the same himself . tho' ambition , as 't is usually understood , is a foolish , not to say a base and pitiful vice , yet the aspirings of the soul after true glory are so much its nature , that it seems to have forgot it self and to degenerate , if it can forbear ; and perhaps the great secret of education lies in affecting the soul with a lively sense of what is truly its perfection , and exciting the most ardent desires after it . but , alas ! what poor woman is ever taught that she should have a higher design than to get her a husband ? heaven will fall in of course ; and if she make but an obedient and dutiful wife , she cannot miss of it . a husband indeed is thought by both sexes so very valuable , that scarce a man who can keep himself clean and make a bow , but thinks he is good enough to pretend to any woman , no matter for the difference of birth or fortune , a husband is such a wonder-working name as to make an equality , or something more , whenever it is pronounc'd . and indeed were there no other proof of masculine wisdom , and what a much greater portion of ingenuity falls to the men than to the women's share , the address , the artifice , and management of an humble servant were a sufficient proof it . what good conduct does he shew ! what patience exercise ! what subtilty leave untry'd ! what concealment of his faults ! what parade of his vertues ! what government of his passions ! how deep is his policy in laying his designs at so great a distance , and working them up by such little accidents ! how indefatigable is his industry , and how constant his watchfulness , not to slip any opportunity that may in the least contribute to his design ! what a handsome set of disguises and pretences is he always furnish'd with ! how conceal'd does he lie ! how little pretend , till he is sure that his plot will take ! and at the same time that he nourishes the hope of being lord and master , appears with all the modesty and submission of an humble and unpretending admirer ! can a woman then be too much upon her guard ? can her prudence and foresight , her early caution be reckon'd unnecessary suspicion , or ill-bred reserve by any but those whose designs they prevent , and whose interest it is to declaim against them ? it being a certain maxim with the men , tho' policy or good breeding allow them not to avow it always , that the women were made for their sakes and service , and are in all respects their inferiors , especially in understanding ; so that all the compliments they make , all the address and complaisance they use , all the kindness they profess , all the service they pretend to pay , has no other meaning , no other end , than to get the poor woman into their power , to govern her according to their discretion . this is all pure kindness indeed , and therefore no woman has reason to be offended with it ; for considering how much she is expos'd in her own , and how safe in their keeping , 't is the wisest thing she can do to put her self under protection . and then if they have a tolerable opinion of her sense , and not their vanity but some better principle disposes them to do something out of the way , and to appear more generous than the rest of their sex , they 'll condescend to dictate to her , and impart some of their prerogative books and learning . 't is fit indeed that she should entirely depend on their choice , and walk with the crutches they are pleas'd to lend her ; and if she is furnished out with some notions to set her a prating , i should have said to make her entertaining and the fiddle of the company , her tutor's time was not ill bestowed : and it were a diverting scene to see her stript like the jay of her borrowed feathers , tho' he good man has not ill nature enough to take pleasure in it . you may accuse him perhaps for giving so much encouragement to a woman's vanity , but your accusation is groundless , vanity being a disease the sex will always be guilty of ; nor is it a reproach to them , since men of learning and sense are over-run with it . but there are few women whose understandings are worth the management , their estates are much more capable of improvement , no woman , much less a woman of fortune , is ever fit to be her own mistress , and he who has not the vanity to think what much finer things he could perform had he the management of her fortune ; or so much partiality and self-love , as to fansie it can't be better bestow'd than in making his ; will yet be so honest and humble as to think that 't is fit she should take his assistance , as steward at least . for the good man aspires no further , he would only take the trouble of her affairs off her hand ; and the sense of her condescension and his great obligations will for ever secure him against acting like a lord and master . the steps to folly as well as sin are gradual , and almost imperceptible , and when we are once on the decline , we go down without taking notice on 't ; were it not for this one cou'd not account for those strange unequal matches we too often see . for there was a time no doubt , when a woman could not have bore the very thought of what she has been afterwards betray'd into , it would have appear'd as shocking to her as it always does to other people ; and had a man been so impolitic as to discover the least intimation of such a design , he had given her a sufficient antidote against it . this your wise men are well satisfy'd of , and understand their own interest too well to let their design go bare-fac'd , for that would effectually put a barr to their success . so innocent are they that they had not the least thought at first of what their good fortune afterwards leads them to ! they would draw upon him , ( if they wear a sword ) or fly in her face who should let fall the least hint that they had such intentions ; and this very eagerness to avoid the suspicion , is a shrewd sign that there is occasion for 't . but who shall dare to shew the lady her danger , when will it be seasonable to give her friendly notice ? if you do it e're she is resolv'd , tho' with all the friendship and tenderness imaginable , she will hardly forgive the affront , or bear the provocation ; you offer her an outrage , by entertaining such a thought , and 't is ten to one if you are not afterwards accus'd for putting in her head what otherwise she could ne'er have dream'd of . and when no direct proof can be offer'd , when matter of prudence is the only thing in question , every body has so good an opinion of their own understanding as to think their own way the best . and when she has her innocence and fair intentions to oppose to your fears and surmises , and you cannot pretend to wish her better than she does her self , to be more disinteress'd and diligent in your watchfulness , or to see farther in what so nearly concerns her , what can be done ? her ruin is commonly too far advanc'd to be prevented , e're you can in good-breeding reach out a hand to help her . for if the train has took , if she is entangled in the snare , if love , or rather a blind unreasonable fondness , which usurps the name of that noble passion , has gain'd on her , reason and perswasion may as properly be urg'd to the folks in bethlem as to her . tell her of this world , she is got above it , and has no regard to its impertinent censures ; tell her of the next she laughs at you , and will never be convinc'd that actions which are not expresly forbid can be criminal , tho' they proceed from , and must necessarily be reduc'd to ill principles , tho' they give offence , are of ill example , injure our reputation , which next to our innocence we are obliged as christians to take the greatest care of , and in a word do more mischief than we readily imagine . tell her of her own good , you appear yet more ridiculous , for who can judge of her happiness but her self ? and whilst our hearts are violently set upon any thing , there is no convincing us that we shall ever be of another mind . our passions want no advocates , they are always furnish'd with plausible pretences , and those very prejudices , which gave rise to this unreasonable passion , will for certain give her obstinacy enough to justifie and continue in it . besides , some are so ill advis'd as to think to support one indiscretion with another , they wou'd not have it thought they have made a false step , in once giving countenance to that which is not fit to be continued . or perhaps the lady might be willing enough to throw off the intruder at first , but wanted courage to get above the fear of his calumnies , and the longer she suffers him to buz about her , she will find it the harder to get rid of his importunities . by all which it appears that she who really intends to be secure , must keep at the greatest distance from danger , she must not grant the least indulgence , where such ill uses will be made of it . and since the case is so , that woman can never be in safety who allows a man opportunity to betray her . frequent conversation does for certain produce either aversion or liking , and when 't is once come to liking , it depends on the man's generosity not to improve it farther , and where can one find an instance that this is any security ? there are very many indeed which shew it is none . how sensible soever a woman may appear of anothers indiscretion , if she will tread in the same steps , tho' but for a little way , she gives us no assurance that she will not fall into the same folly , she may perhaps intend very well , but she puts it past her power to fullfil her good intentions . even those who have forfeited their discretion , the most valuable thing next to their vertue , and without which vertue it self is but very weak and faint , 't is like were once as well resolv'd as she , they had the very same thoughts , they made the same apologies , and their resentment wou'd have been every whit as great against those who cou'd have imagin'd they shou'd so far forget themselves . it were endless to reckon up the divers stratagems men use to catch their prey , their different ways of insinuating which vary with circumstances , and the ladies temper , but how unfairly , how basely soever they proceed , when the prey is once caught it passes for lawful prize , and other men having the same hopes and projects see nothing to find fault with , but that it was not their own good fortune . they may exclaim against it perhaps in a ladie 's hearing , but it is only to keep themselves from being suspected , and to give the better colour to their own designs . sometimes a woman is cajol'd , and sometimes hector'd , she is seduc'd to love a man , or aw'd into a fear of him : he defends her honour against another , or assumes the power of blasting it himself ; was willing to pass for one of no consequence till he cou'd make himself considerable at her cost : he might be admitted at first to be her jest , but he carries on the humor so far till he makes her his ; he will either entertain or serve her as occasion offers , and some way or other gets himself intrusted with her fortune , her fame or her soul. allow him but a frequent and free conversation , and there 's no manner of question but that his ingenuity and application will at one time or other get the ascendant over her . and generally the more humble and undesigning a man appears , the more improbable it looks that he should dare to pretend , the greater caution shou'd be us'd against him . a bold address and good assurance may sometimes , but does not always take . to a woman of sense an artificial modesty and humility is a thousand times more dangerous , he only draws back to receive the more encouragement , and she regards not what advances she makes towards him , who seems to understand himself and the world so well as to be incapable of making an ill use of them . wou'd it not be unreasonable and a piece of ill-breeding to be shy of him who has no pretentions , or only such as are just and modest ? what hurt in a visit ? or what if visits grow a little more frequent ? the man has so much discernment , as to relish her wit and humour , and can she do less than be partial to him who is so just to her ? he strives to please and to render himself agreeable , or necessary perhaps , and whoever will make it his business may find ways enough to do it . for they know but little of human nature , they never consulted their own hearts , who are not sensible what advances a well-manag'd flattery makes , especially from a person of whose wit and sense one has a good opinion . his wit at first recommends his flatteries , and these in requital set off his wit ; and she who has been us'd to this high-season'd diet , will scarce ever relish another conversation . having got thus far to be sure he is not wanting to his good fortune , but drives on to an intimacy , or what they are pleas'd now a-days , tho' very unjustly , to call a friendship ; all is safe under this sacred character , which sets them above little aims and mean designs . a character that must be conducted with the nicest honor , allows the greatest trusts , leads to the highest improvements , is attended with the purest pleasures and most rational satisfaction . and what if the malicious world , envious of his happiness , shou'd take offence at it , since he has taken all due precautions , such unjust and ill-natur'd censures are not to be regarded ; for his part the distance that is between them checks all aspiring desires , but her conversation is what he must not , cannot want , life is insipid and not to be endur'd without it ; and he is too much the ladie 's friend , has too just a value for her to entertain a thought to her disadvantage . now if once it is come to this , god help the poor woman , for not much service can be done her by any of her friends on earth . that pretender to be sure will be the darling , he will worm out every other person , tho' ever so kind and disinterested . for tho' true friends will endeavour to please in order to serve , their complaisance never goes so far as to prove injurious ; the beloved fault is what they chiefly strike at , and this the flatterer always sooths ; so that at last he becomes the most acceptable company , and they who are conscious of their own integrity are not apt to bear such an unjust distinction , nor is it by this time to any purpose to remonstrate the danger of such an intimacy . when a man , and for certain much more , when a woman is fallen into this toyl , that is , when either have been so unwary and indiscreet as to let another find out by what artifices he may manage their self-love , and draw it over to his party , 't is too late for any one who is really their friend to break the snare and disabuse them . neither sex cares to deny themselves that which pleases , especially when they think they may innocently indulge it ; and nothing pleases more than the being admir'd and humour'd . we may be told of the danger , and shown the fall of others , but tho' their misfortunes are ever so often or so lively represented to us , we are all so well assur'd of our own good conduct , as to believe it will bring us safe off those rocks on which others have been shipwrackt . we suppose it in our power to shorten the line of our liberty when ever we think fit , not considering that the farther we run , we shall be the more unwilling to retreat and unable to judge when a retreat is necessary . a woman does not know that she is more than half lost when she admits of these suggestions ; that those arguments she brings for continuing a man's conversation , prove only that she ought to have quitted it sooner ; that liking insensibly converts to love , and that when she admits a man to be her friend , 't is his fault if he does not make himself her husband . and if men even the modestest and the best , are only in pursuit of their own designs , when they pretend to do the lady service ; if the honour they wou'd seem to do her , tends only to lead her into an imprudent and therefore a dishonourable action ; and they have all that good opinion of themselves as to take every thing for encouragment , so that she who goes beyond a bare civility tho' she meant no more than respect , will find it interpreted a favour and made ill use of , ( for favours how innocent soever , never turn to a ladies advantage ; ) what shadow of a pretence can a woman have for admitting an intimacy with a man whose principles are known to be loose and his practices licentious ? can she expect to be safe with him who has ruin'd others , and by the very same methods he takes with her ? if an intimacy with a man of a fair character gives offence , with a man of an ill one , 't is doubly and trebly scandalous . and suppose neither her fortune nor beauty can tempt him , he has his ill-natur'd pleasure in destroying that vertue he will not practise , or if that can't be done , in blasting the reputation of it at least , and in making the world believe he has made a conquest tho' he has found a foil . if the man be the woman 's inferior , besides all the dangers formerly mention'd , and those just now taken notice of , she gives such a countenance to his vices as renders her in great measure partaker in them , and it can scarce be thought in such circumstances a woman cou'd like the man if she were not reconcil'd to his faults . is he her equal and no unsuitable match , if his designs are fair , why don't they marry , since they are so well pleas'd with each other's conversation , which only in this state can be frequently and safely allow'd ? is he her better , and she hopes by catching him to make her fortune , alas ! the poor woman is neither acquainted with the world nor her self , she neither knows her own weakness nor his treachery , and tho' he gives ever so much encouragement to this vain hope 't is only in order to accomplish her ruin . to be sure the more freedom she allows , the more she lessens his esteem , and that 's not likely to encrease a real , tho' it may a pretended kindness ; she ought to fly , if she wou'd have him pursue ; the strictest vertue and reserve being the only way to secure him . religion and reputation are so sure a guard , such a security to poor defenceless woman , that whenever a man has ill designs on her , he is sure to make a breach into one or both of these , by either endeavouring to corrupt her principles to make her less strict in devotion , or to lessen her value of a fair reputation , and wou'd perswade her that less than she imagines will secure her as to the next world , and that not much regard is to be given to the censures of this : or if this be too bold at first , and will not pass with her , he has another way to make even her love to vertue contribute to it's ruin , by perswading her it never shines as it ought unless it is expos'd , and that she has no reason to boast of her vertue unless she has try'd it . an opinion of the worst consequence that may be , and the most mischievous , which seems calculated to feed her vanity , but tends indeed to her utter ruin. for can it be fit to rush into temptations when we are taught every day to pray against them ? if the trials of our vertue render it illustrious , 't is such trials as heaven is pleas'd to send us , not those of our own seeking . it holds true of both sexes , that next to the divine grace a modest distrust of themselves is their best security , none being so often and so shamefully foil'd , as those who depend most on their own strength and resolution . as to the opinion of the world , tho' one cannot say it is always just , yet generally it has a foundation , great regard is to be paid to it , and very good use to be made of it . others may be in fault for passing their censures , but we certainly are so if we give them any the least just occasion . and since reputation is not only one of the rewards of vertue , that which always ought , and generally does attend it , but also a guard against evil , an inducement to good , and a great instrument in the hand of the wise to promote the common cause of vertue , the being prodigal of the one looks as if we set no great value on the other , and she who abandons her good name is not like to preserve her innocence . a woman therefore can never have too nice a sense of honor ; provided she does not prefer it before her duty ; she can never be too careful to secure her character not only from the suspicion of a crime , but even from the shadow of an indiscretion . 't is well worth her while to renounce the most entertaining , and what some perhaps will call the most improving company , rather than give the world a just occasion of suspicion or censure . for besides the injury that is done religion , which enjoyns us to avoid the very appearance of evil , and to do nothing but what is of good report , she puts her self too much in a man's power who will run such a risque for his conversation , and expresses such a value for him , as cannot fail of being made use of to do her a mischief . preserve your distance then , keep out of the reach of danger , fly if you wou'd be safe , be sure to be always on the reserve , not such as is morose and affected , but modest and discreet , your caution cannot be too great , nor your foresight reach too far ; there 's nothing , or what is next to nothing , a little amusement and entertaining conversation lost by this , but all is hazarded by the other . a man understands his own merit too well to lose his time in a woman's company were it not to divert himself at her cost , to turn her into a jest or something worse . and wherever you see great assiduities , when a man insinuates into the diversions and humors of the lady , liking and admiring whatever she does , tho' at the same time he seems to keep a due distance , or rather exceeds in the profoundest respect , respect being all he dare at present pretend to , when a more than ordinary deference is paid , when something particular appears in the look and address , and such an obsequiousness in every action , as nothing cou'd engage a man to , who never forgets the superiority of his sex , but a hope to be observ'd in his turn : then , whatever the inequality be , and how sensible soever he seems to be of it , the man has for certain his engines a work , the mine is ready to spring on the first opportunity , and 't is well if it be not too late to prevent the poor ladie 's ruin. to wind up this matter , if a woman were duly principled and taught to know the world , especially the true sentiments that men have of her , and the traps they lay for her under so many gilded complements , and such a seemingly great respect , that disgrace wou'd be prevented which is brought upon too many families , women wou'd marry more discreetly , and demean themselves better in a married state than some people say they do . the foundation indeed ought to be laid deep and strong , she shou'd be made a good christian , and understand why she is so , and then she will be every thing else that is good. men need keep no spies on a woman's conduct , need have no fear of her vertue , or so much as of her prudence and caution , were but a due sense of true honor and vertue awaken'd in her , were her reason excited and prepar'd to consider the sophistry of those temptations which wou'd perswade her from her duty , and were she put in a way to know that it is both her wisdom and interest to observe it . she would then duly examine and weigh all the circumstances , the good and evil of a married state , and not be surpriz'd with unforeseen inconveniencies , and either never consent to be a wife , or make a good one when she does . this would shew her what human nature is , as well as what it ought to be , and teach her not only what she may justly expect , but what she must be content with ; would enable her to cure some faults , and patiently to suffer what she cannot cure . indeed nothing can assure obedience , and render it what it ought to be , but the conscience of duty , the paying it for god's sake . superiors don 't rightly understand their own interest when they attempt to put out their subjects eyes to keep them obedient . a blind obedience is what a rational creature shou'd never pay , nor wou'd such an one receive it did he rightly understand it's nature . for human actions are no otherwise valuable than as they are conformable to reason , but a blind obedience is an obeying without reason , for ought we know , against it . god himself does not require our obedience at this rate , he lays before us the goodness and reasonableness of his laws , and were there any thing in them whose equity we could not readily comprehend , yet we have this clear and sufficient reason on which to found our obedience , that nothing but what 's just and fit , can be enjoyn'd by a just , a wise and gracious god , but this is a reason will never hold in respect of men's commands unless they can prove themselves infallible , and consequently impeccable too . it is therefore very much a man's interest that women should be good christians , in this as in every other instance , he who does his duty finds his own account in it ; duty and true interest are one and the same thing , and he who thinks otherwise is to be pitied for being so much in the wrong ; but what can be more the duty of the head , than to instruct and improve those who are under government ? she will freely leave him the quiet dominion of this world whose thoughts and expectations are plac'd on the next . a prospect of heaven , and that only will cure that ambition which all generous minds are fill'd with , not by taking it away but by placing it on a right object . she will discern a time when her sex shall be no bar to the best employments , the highest honor ; a time when that distinction , now so much us'd to her prejudice , shall be no more , but provided she is not wanting to her self , her soul shall shine as bright as the greatest heroe's . this is a true , and indeed the only consolation , this makes her a sufficient compensation for all the neglect and contempt the ill-grounded customs of the world throw on her , for all the injuries brutal power may do her , and is a sufficient cordial to support her spirits , be her lot in this world what it may . but some sage persons may perhaps object that were women allow'd to improve themselves , and not amongst other discouragments driven back by those wise jests and scoffs that are put upon a woman of sense or learning , a philosophical lady as she is call'd by way of ridicule , they would be too wise and too good for the men : i grant it , for vicious and foolish men. nor is it to be wonder'd that he is affraid he shou'd not be able to govern them were their understandings improv'd , who is resolv'd not to take too much pains with his own . but these 't is to be hop'd are no very considerable number , the foolish at least ; and therefore this is so far from being an argument against their improvement , that it is a strong one for it , if we do but suppose the men to be as capable of improvement as the women , but much more if according to tradition we believe they have greater capacities . this , if any thing , wou'd stir them up to be what they ought , not permit them to wast their time and abuse their faculties in the service of their irregular appetites and unreasonable desires , and so let poor contemptible women who have been their slaves , excel them in all that is truly excellent . this wou'd make them blush at employing an immortal mind no better than in making provision for the flesh to fullfil the lusts thereof , since women by a wiser conduct have brought themselves to such a reach of thought , to such exactness of judgment , such clearness and strength of reasoning , such purity and elevation of mind , such command of their passions , such regularity of will and affection , and in a word to such a pitch of perfection as the human soul is capable of attaining even in this life by the grace of god , such true wisdom , such real greatness , as tho' it does not qualifie them to make a noise in this world , to found or overturn empires , yet it qualifies them for what is infinitely better , a kingdom that cannot be mov'd , an incorruptible crown of glory . besides , it were ridiculous to suppose that a woman , were she ever so much improv'd , cou'd come near the topping genius of the men , and therefore why shou'd they envy or discourage her ? strength of mind goes along with strength of body , and 't is only for some odd accidents which philosophers have not yet thought worth while to enquire into , that the sturdiest porter is not the wisest man. as therefore the men have the power in their hands , so there 's no dispute of their having the brains to manage it . there is no such thing as good judgment and sense upon earth , if it is not to be found among them : do not they generally speaking do all the great actions and considerable business of this world , and leave that of the next to the women ? their subtilty in forming cabals and laying deep designs , their courage and conduct in breaking through all tyes sacred and civil to effect them , not only advances them to the post of honor and keeps them securely in it for twenty or thirty years , but gets them a name , and conveys it down to posterity for some hundreds , and who wou'd look any further ? justice and injustice are administred by their hands , courts and schools are fill'd with these sages ; 't is men who dispute for truth as well as men who argue against it ; histories are writ by them , they recount each others great exploits , and have always done so . all famous arts have their original from men , even from the invention of guns to the mystery of good eating . and to shew that nothing is beneath their care , any more than above their reach , they have brought gaming to an art and science , and a more profitable and honourable one too , than any of those that us'd to be call'd liberal . indeed what is it they can't perform , when they attempt it ? the strength of their brains shall be every whit as conspicuous at their cups as in a senate-house , and when they please they can make it pass for as sure a mark of wisdom , to drink deep as to reason profoundly ; a greater proof of courage and consequently of understanding , to dare the vengeance of heaven it self , than to stand the rallery of some of the worst of their fellow creatures ! again , it may be said , if a wife's case be as it is here represented , it is not good for a woman to marry , and so there 's an end of human race . but this is no fair consequence , for all that can justly be inferr'd from hence , is that a woman has no mighty obligations to the man who makes love to her , she has no reason to be fond of being a wife , or to reckon it a peice of preferment when she is taken to be a man's upper-servant ; it is no advantage to her in this world , if rightly manag'd it may prove one as to the next . for she who marries purely to do good , to educate souls for heaven , who can be so truly mortify'd as to lay aside her own will and desires , to pay such an intire submission for life , to one whom she cannot be sure will always deserve it , does certainly perform a more heroic action than all the famous masculine heroes can boast of , she suffers a continual martyrdom to bring glory to god and benefit to mankind , which consideration indeed may carry her through all difficulties , i know not what else can , and engage her to love him who proves perhaps so much more worse than a brute , as to make this condition yet more grievous than it needed to be . she has need of a strong reason , of a truly christian and well-temper'd spirit , of all the assistance the best education can give her , and ought to have some good assurance of her own firmness and vertue , who ventures on such a trial ; and for this reason 't is less to be wonder'd at that women marry off in hast , for perhaps . if they took time to consider and reflect upon it , they seldom wou'd . to conclude , perhaps i 've said more than most men will thank me for , i cannot help it , for how much soever i may be their friend and humble servant , i am more a friend to truth . truth is strong , and sometime or other will prevail , nor is it for their honor , and therefore one wou'd think not for their interest , to be partial to themselves and unjust to others . they may fancy i have made some discoveries which like arcana imperii ought to be kept secret , but in good earnest , i do them more honor than to suppose their lawful prerogatives need any mean arts to support them . if they have usurpt , i love justice too much to wish success and continuance to usurpations , which tho' submitted to out of prudence and for quietness sake , yet leave every body free to regain their lawful right whenever they have power and opportunity . i don't say that tyranny ought , but we find in fact , that it provokes the oppress'd to throw off even a lawful yoke that sits too heavy : and if he who is freely elected , after all his fair promises and the fine hopes he rais'd , proves a tyrant , the consideration that he was one 's own choice , will not render more submissive and patient , but i fear more refractory . for tho'it is very unreasonable , yet we see 't is the course of the world , not only to return injury for injury , but crime for crime ; both parties indeed are guilty , but the aggressors have a double guilt , they have not only their own , but their neighbour's ruin to answer for . as to the female-reader , i hope she will allow i 've endeavour'd to do her justice , nor betray'd her cause as her advocates usually do , under pretence of defending it . a practice too mean for any to be guilty of who have the least sense of honor , and who do any more than meerly pretend to it . i think i have held the ballance even , and not being conscious of partiality i ask no pardon for it . to plead for the oppress'd and to defend the weak seem'd to me a generous undertaking ; for tho' it may be secure , 't is not always honourable to run over to the strongest party . and if she infers from what has been said that marriage is a very happy state for men , if they think fit to make it so ; that they govern the world , they have prescription on their side , women are too weak to dispute it with them , therefore they , as all other governors , are most , if not only accountable , for what 's amiss . for whether other governments in their original , were or were not confer'd according to the merit of the person , yet certainly in this case heaven wou'd not have allotted the man to govern , but because he was best qualify'd for it . so far i agree with him : but if she goes on to infer , that therefore he has not these qualifications , where is his right ? if he misemploys , does he not abuse it ? and if he abuses , according to modern deduction , he forfeits it , i must leave her there . a peaceable woman indeed will not carry it so far , she will neither question her husband 's right nor his fitness to govern , but how ? not as an absolute lord and master , with an arbitrary and tyrannical sway , but as reason governs and conducts a man , by proposing what is just and fit. and the man who acts according to that wisdom he assumes , who wou'd have that superiority he pretends to , acknowledg'd just , will receive no injury by any thing that has been offer'd here . a woman will value him the more who is so wise and good , when she discerns how much he excells the rest of his noble sex ; the less he requires , the more will he merit that esteem and deference , which those who are so forward to exact , seem conscious they don't deserve . so then the man's prerogative is not at all infring'd , whilst the woman's privileges are secur'd ; and if any woman think her self injur'd , she has a remedy in reserve which few men will envy or endeavour to rob her of , the exercise and improvement of her vertue here , and the reward of it hereafter . the end. the glory of women: or, a treatise declaring the excellency and preheminence of women above men, which is proved both by scripture, law, reason, and authority, divine, and humane. written first in latine by henricus cornelius agrippa knight, and doctor both of law and physicke. and presented to margaret augusta, queen of the austrians and burgundians. and now translated into english, for the vertuous and beautifull female sex of the commonwealth of england by edvv. fleetvvood, gent. declamatio de nobilitate et praecellentia foeminei sexus. english agrippa von nettesheim, heinrich cornelius, 1486?-1535. this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a75977 of text r205944 in the english short title catalog (thomason e655_7). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread approx. 87 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 20 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo 2017 a75977 wing a788 thomason e655_7 estc r205944 99865161 99865161 117398 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a75977) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 117398) images scanned from microfilm: (thomason tracts ; 100:e655[7]) the glory of women: or, a treatise declaring the excellency and preheminence of women above men, which is proved both by scripture, law, reason, and authority, divine, and humane. written first in latine by henricus cornelius agrippa knight, and doctor both of law and physicke. and presented to margaret augusta, queen of the austrians and burgundians. and now translated into english, for the vertuous and beautifull female sex of the commonwealth of england by edvv. fleetvvood, gent. declamatio de nobilitate et praecellentia foeminei sexus. english agrippa von nettesheim, heinrich cornelius, 1486?-1535. fleetwood, edward. [6], 32, [2] p. printed for robert ibbitson, london : 1652. annotation on thomason copy: "febr 19th."; the "2" in the imprint date is crossed out and date altered to 1651. reproduction of the original in the british library. eng women -early works to 1800. a75977 r205944 (thomason e655_7). civilwar no the glory of women: or, a treatise declaring the excellency and preheminence of women above men, which is proved both by scripture, law, rea agrippa von nettesheim, heinrich cornelius 1652 15818 27 5 0 0 0 0 20 c the rate of 20 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the c category of texts with between 10 and 35 defects per 10,000 words. 2007-06 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2007-07 apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images 2007-11 elspeth healey sampled and proofread 2007-11 elspeth healey text and markup reviewed and edited 2008-02 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the glory of women : or , a treatise declaring the excellency and preheminence of women above men , which is proved both by scripture , law , reason , and authority , divine , and humane . written first in latine by henricus cornelius agrippa knight , and doctor both of law and physicke . and presented to margaret augusta , queen of the austrians and burgundians . and now translated into english , for the vertuous and beautifull female sex of the commonwealth of england . by edvv. fleetvvood , gent. london printed for robert ibbitson , 1652. to the most clement margaret augusta , queen of the austrians , and burgundians ; henry agrippa wisheth all health and happinesse . most wise princesse , i have entred upon a matter hitherto unheard of , but not disagreeing with truth ; boldly i have done it according to my ability , but not without some blushing : it is to describe the nobility and excellency of the female sex ; i doe confesse boldnesse with shamefac'dnesse hath often strived within me ; for as i did think it a thing full of ambition and boldnesse , to comprize the innumerable praises , vertues , and highest excellencies of women ; so it did seem as a childish modesty of wit to prefer women before men : hence i alledged an argument , wherefore none hitherto ( as i certainly know ) have dared to exalt the eminency of women above men , when very few dared to write so much as concerning their praises . therefore i did thinke it a thing full of ingratitude to be silent , even as to envie , and rob so deserving a sex of its most just , and due praises ; so that while i did stick perplexed within my selfe amongst these various and dissonant opinions , i was made more bold in writing , with this wonderfull fear of ingratitude , when as indeed i should have been more bold , had i suppressed such a truth by my silence . i cannot then but interpret it for a good omen , as if the province of this matter had been left and decreed to me from above , which hitherto the multitude of learned men seem utterly to have neglected . i shall freely therefore declare the glory of women , and their accomplishments i shall not hide ; in doing which , far be it from me that i should be ashamed of the argument taken in hand , that if i prefer women before men , i may think i ought to be dispraised for this , as scarcely i can beleeve that i shall be excused , who have composed a matter so sublime with a lower forme of speaking then ought to be , except the streightnesse of time , difficulty of the matter and justnesse of the cause did defend me , as also , because i have entred upon this worke with no desire of flattery or assentation : therfore i have not so much studied to adorn my words with rhetorical fictions , and officious lyes for praises ; as to shew the matter it self by reason , authority , examples , and by the testimony of holy writ , and of both lawes . to you , most illustrious margaret ( whose other part amongst the most famous women of this age through the whole world , apollo , diana , dies , aurora , vulcan , five gods have not sufficiently illustrated , as well for your nobility of birth , as glory of your actions ) i appoint this worke : therefore devoted , and dedicated , that the lustre of your sex may shine forth in you , as in a sun , who hath ascended to the highest degree , because you have exceeded whatsoever hath bin blazed abroad concerning the praises of the female sex , both in life and manners by a present example , and a most faithfull witnesse of the same sex . farewel most happily , the grace , ornament , and glory of most noble women , and princesses , absolute in all respects . henricus cornelius agrippa . to the vertuous and beautifull female sex of the common-wealth of england . illustrious crowne of the creation , ovt of a gratefull desire to do right to that sex , to which mankind oweth but its all , i both meditated within my self , and read severall authours , among which happily i met with a subject very sutable to be exhibited to you , it is a tract of cornelius agrippa , a judicious learned authour , who writes not unfitly of your praises . i found it in a roman dresse , but i present it to you in your owne naturall language ; i use the authours owne expressions , and terme you the crown of the creation , not unworthily , because if you look into genesis you shal find that woman was the last work in the creation , and so the most perfect and absolute ; as we see , when artificers make an excellent piece , they keep pollishing till the last , as being the perfection and crown of it . i cannot disagree in judgement with the authour , because when i behold your splendor and glittering beauty , i take it as a great confirmation of the opinion : nor doe you glitter in your outward alone , but also in your inward beauty , which is your wit , and vnderstanding , as appears by your quick and acute answers ; for seldom have i seen men so subtile in return of answers , as women . i will say no more , but this , now you are apprehensive of your own excellencies , let god have the glory , and esteem of me as the admirer of your vertues edward fleetwood . de foeminei sexus praecellentiâ l. bliaquettus desine , vaniloquax , sexum laudare virilem plus aequo , laudum ne sit acervus iners . desine ( si sapias ) sexum damnare malignis foemineum verbis , quae ratione carent . si bene lance tuâ sexum perpendis utrumque foemineo cedet quisque virilis erit . credere si dubitas & restibi dura videtur haud alias visus nunc mihi testis adest . quem nuper vigilans extruxit agrippa libellum ante viros laudans foemineumque genus . englished thus . cease idle prater for to raise a mount of praise to men , which i but words account . cease ( if thou art wise ) to load with envious words the female sex , no reason such affords . if well thou weighest both sexes in thy mind , the male must yeeld unto the female kind , which if thou doubtest , nor yet to thee is clear , we have a witnesse here shall mak 't appear , i mean this booke , which learn'd agrippa writ in praise of female 'bove all mankind wit . the speech and declamation of henricus cornelius agrippa , concerning the nobility of the female sex . god the creator of all things , in whom the plenitude of both sexes dwels , hath made man like himselfe : male and female created he them : it is manifest that the difference of the sexes consists only in the different scituation of the parts of the body , which the office of generation did necessarily require . but certain it is , he gave one and the same in different soule to male and female , in which undoubtedly there in no distinction of sex : the woman is endued with the same rationall power , and speech with the man , and indeavoreth to the same end of blessednesse ; where there is no exception against sex , for according to evangelicall truth , they rising againe it their proper sex , doe not perform the function of sexes , but become like unto the angells . therefore there is no preheminence of nobility ( between man and woman , by the essence of the soule ) of one above the other , but an equal inbred dignity to both . but as for the exercise and operation of the soule , the illustrious sex of women , infinitely almost excells the rough and unpolished generation of men . which then at length shall be made firme and good , when the same shall appear to be so ( and which is our purpose to make ) not by adulterated and painted speeches , neither with logicall snares , by which many sophisters are wont to entangle the unskilfull ; but by the judgements of all best authors , truth-speaking histories , undeniable reasons , as also by the testimonies of holy writ , and firm sanctions of both the lawes . first of all therefore , that i may begin the matter , the woman is so much the more excellent then the man , by how much the more excellent name she receiveth above him ; for adam signifieth earth , but eve is interpreted life , by how much then , life it selfe is more excellent then earth , so much woman is to be preferred before man . neither is there cause , wherefore it may be said this argument is weak , to judge of things themselves by names ; for we know that the great creator both of things and names , knew things before he named them , and his wisdome , which cannot be deceived , therefore framed names that they might expresse the nature , property and use of things . that there is truth , and consonancy , and significativenesse in ancient names , the roman lawes witnesse : therfore from names , an argument both with divines , and lawyers is of great moment : as concerning nabal , we read in scripture , according to his name , he is a fool , and foolishnesse is with him . hence paul in the epistle to the hebrewes , going about to shew the excellency of christ , useth this argument , saying , he is made so much better then the angels , by how much he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name then they : and else where , he hath given him a name above every name , that in the name of jesus every knee should bow , of things in heaven , of things in earth , and things under the earth . add hereunto , no smal force and power doth arise to both laws , from the obligation of words , from the signification of words , from conditions , demonstrations , and disputations of that kind , nay , even from the heads and titles of both lawes . so in law we well argue from the interpretation of a name , from the force of a word , also from the etymology of a name , and the reason of the etymology , and order , and the placing of words . for the lawes themselves doe not a little look into the significations of names , that something they may collect from thence . cyprian against the jewes argueth the first man to have obtained his name from the foure parts or quarters of the world , east , west , north , and south : and in the same book he expoundeth the same name adam , because the earth is made flesh , although such an exposition differeth from the tradition of moses , because it was written by the hebrewes , not with four , but with three letters ; notwithstanding this exposition in so holy a man is not altogether to be dispraised , who had not learned the hebrew tongue , which very many expositors of holy writ are ignorant of , without much blame . now if the same licence may be indulged to me , that i may according to my fancy frame a like etymology of eve in praise of the female sex , they must give me leave to say this one thing , from those mystical symbols of the cabalists , that the name of woman hath more affinity with that unspeakable four-letter'd name of the divine omnipotency , then the name of man , which agreeth with the divine name , neither in characters , neither in figure , neither in number . but to passe by these , for they are read by few , understood by fewer , and they require a larger narration , then can suite with our purpose . in the mean while , we will finde out the excellency of women , not by name onely , but by realities , by offices , and merits . we will search the scirptures , and take our rise from the beginning of the creation , and discusse what dignity she hath obtained above the man . in the first order of production , we know , whatsoever are created by god , differ in this , that certaine of them perpetually abide incorruptible , certain are subject to corruption , and mutation ; and in creating these , god proceeded in this order and method , beginning at the more noble of the one , that he might end at the noblest of the other : therefore he created first the incorruptible angells , and soules : for so augustine contendeth , that the soule of our first parent , before the production of the body , was created together with the angells . moreover , he created incorruptible bodies , as the heavens , stars , and elements , which i call incorruptible , although they are liable to various changes , out of which he made all other things , which are subject to corruption , so by ascending through every degree of dignity , from the more vile , proceeding to the perfection of the universe . hence first were brought forth minerals , after vegetables , plants and trees , next the sensible plant , at length sensible creatures , in their order , creeping , swiming , flying , and going upon four feet . at last he created two like himselfe , the male first , and then the female , in whom the heavens and the earth , with all their ornaments are perfect ; for the creator comming to the creation of the woman , he rested in her , as the most honourable of the whole creation ; and indeed in her is concluded , and consummated the whole wisdome and power of the creator ; so that beyond her there is not to be found nor imagined a more excellent creature . since then , woman is the last of all creatures , the end , and complement of all the works of god , and the perfection of the universe it selfe , who will deny her to be most worthy of preheminence ? without which the world , now indeed absolute , and perfect in every degree , had else been imperfect , which not otherwise , then in the perfectest of all creatures could have been perfected : for it is erroneous , and absurd to thinke that god ended his daies of creation in an imperfect work : for since the world was created of god , as a most intire and exact circle , it was necessary that it should couple and unite the first of all things with the last . so woman while the world was created , was the last in time of all things were created , but in the divine idea , and conception was first , both as well for authority , as dignity . as concerning her it is written by the prophet , god elected her before the heavens were created , and fore-elected her . that is the common opinion of philosophers ( that i may use their own words ) that the end is alwayes the first in intention , and last in execution . but the woman was the best work of god , brought in of god into this world , as the queen of it into a palace prepared for her , adorned , and decked in all respects ; deservedly therefore , every creature , loveth , reverenceth , and observeth her ; deservedly , every creature is subject , and obeyeth her as their queen , being as the end , so the glory , and perfection , of all the works of god . wherefore the wise man speaks concerning her , he glorifieth the nobility of the woman , having fellowship with god ; and above all , the lord loveth her . how much also in respect of the place , in which the woman was created , she excelleth man , the holy scriptures plainly testifie , in that the woman was formed in paradise ( being a most noble and most pleasant place ) with the angells ; when as the man was made in the ordinary field , out of paradise with bruit creatures , and afterwards , for the sake of the woman to be created was brought into paradise : therefore the woman by especiall , and extraordinary priviledge of nature , as it were accustomed to the highest place of her creation , although looking down from high , is not giddy , neither doe her eyes dazle , as it is wont to happen to men . furthermore , if it happen , that a woman , together with the man , be in danger by waters , all outward helps being laid aside , the woman longer swimmeth above the water , when the lumpish man presently sinkes to the bottom , that the dignity of place , maketh to the nobility of a man , both civill laws , and holy canons , do abundantly confirm : and it is the general observation of all nations , not only of men , but of every animate creature , yea , and inanimate also , that by how much more worthy soyl they draw their originals from , by so much the more generous they are counted . wherfore isaac commanded his son jacob , that he should not take a wife in the land of canaan , but from mesopotamia of syria , being in better condition . not unlike to this is that in st. john , which philip said , we have found jesus the son of joseph of nazareth . nathaniel said unto him , can any good thing come out of nazareth ? but to proceed to other arguments . the woman excelleth the man in respect of the matter of which she was made , which was not dead , and vile clay , as mans was , but a purified substance , enlivened , and endued with a soule ; yea , a rationall soule , participating of the divine mind . hereunto i shall adde , that man was made of the earth , which of its own nature ( heavenly influences co-operating ) produces living creatures of all kinds . but the woman , ( above the influences of heaven , promptitude , and potentiality of nature , and concurrence of secondary causes , ) was made by god alone ▪ in all things like unto him , intire and perfect ; man loosing but one single rib , of which the woman was formed , to wit , eve of adam sleeping , and that so deeply , that he did not feele , when it was taken away ; which god taking from the man , gave to the woman : man therefore is the worke of nature , but woman the artifice of god . and therefore , for the most part , woman is more capable of divine splendor then man , and often is found full of the same , which may easily appear , from the serenity and pulchritude , with which she is , even to wonder , blest . for since beauty , is nothing else but the divine light , and splendor shining through faire bodies , he certainly hath chose to dwell in , and fill with it , women rather then men . hence the body of woman is most delicate to the eye , and touch , her flesh most soft and tender , her colour bright and lustring , skinne cleare , head comely , locks faire , haire soft , shining , and long , her countenance majesticke , aspect pleasant , her face surpassing in beauty , necke milke white , fore-head high , eyes sparkling with a lovely chearfulnesse , mixt with tenne thousand graces ; above them , eye-browes smooth and thin , divided with decent distance , from the middle of which descendeth her nose , streight and of due proportion , under which is her mouth neat , round and lovely , with small , fresh , and red lips , within which her teeth appeare when she gently smiles , being very small , and evenly placed , overcoming ivory with their whitenesse , and to whom they are fewer in number then to man , because she is not given so much to eating , and consuming . about them her jaw-bons rise handsomely , and cheeks of a tender softnesse , a rosie brightnesse , and full of modesty . next , take view of her round and dimpled chinne , in a pleasant manner , under which the neck is placed , which is small , but something long , fairly erected upon her round shoulders , a delicate throat , white , and of an indifferent thicknesse , her voice sweet and pleasant , her brest somewhat large and prominent , adorned with two nectar-fill'd paps , the roundnesse of which , doth suite and agree well with the roundnesse of her belly , her sides soft , back smooth , and erect , armes stretched out , hands small and slender , fingers ●●●…tly joynted , her flanks and hips more full , the calves of her legs more fleshy , the tips of her hands and feet ending in a round orbicular compleatnesse , and every member ful of juyce and moisture . adde to these , her composed gate , modest deportment , graceful motion , gallant carriage , besides the order , symmetrie , figure and habitude in all parts most specious , that i may say , there is no creature so admirable , no wonder so to be admired , and that no man , except he be blind , cannot but see god himselfe , what pulchritude soever the universal world is capable of , to have heaped upon women , to the end that every creature might stand amazed at her , love , and reverence her , as we see by experience , that incorporeall spirits doate upon women with most ardent affections , which is such an approved truth , that none i think dare offer to deny it . and that i may omit that , which poets manifest to us , concerning the loves of the gods , and their paramours , as of apollo , and his daphne ; neptune , and his salmonea ; hercules , and his hebe ; jole , and omphale , and of the mistrisses of other gods , and more then many of jupiter himselfe . the holy scriptures in many places highly commend beauty in women , above all other gifts and graces : hence it is read in genesis , that the sons of god , seeing the daughters of men , that they were fair , took them wives of all they would . we read also of sarah abrahams wife , that she was a fair woman to look upon , above all other women in the land . when the servant of abraham saw rebecca , a maid of an excellent beauty , he said silently within himselfe , this is she which the lord hath prepared for isaac the sonne of abraham . and abigal the wife of wicked nabal , as she was prudent and discreet , in like manner she was fair and beautiful , and therfore she saved the life , and the goods of her husband from the fury of david ; and the evill man was saved , by the faire and vertuous woman ; for with these words david spake unto her , goe in peace unto thy house , behold i have heard thy voice , and honoured thy face . for since every beauty is either spirituall , vocall , or corporeall , abigal was wholly beautifull , both by prudence of spirit , comelinesse of body , eloquence of speech , upon which account , when nabal was dead she became one of the wives of david . and bathsheba was a woman of so excellent a forme , that david was taken with the love of her , and after the death of her ▪ husband did extol her with queenly dignity before the rest , when she was espoused to him . abishag the shunamite , because she was a virgin most faire , therefore was chosen to lye with the king in his extream age , to recover his heat : whereupon the king being old , did inrich her with the highest honours , and after his death , she was accounted in the place of queen . hitherto appertaine those things which we read concerning the wonderful beauty of queen vasti , and hester , who was yet preferred before her , and was more excellent , and of a more exceeding fair and comely face . we read concerning judith , whose beauty the lord increased so much , as in beholding her , men were struck with astonishment . we read concerning susanna , which was ravishingly delicate and beautifull . we read concerning job , that after his various temptations , and his involved miseries , besides other things , the lord gave to him three most fair daughters , more gracious then the three graces , fairer then whom , there was not any in the whole earth found out . if we read the history of holy virgins , truely wee cannot but admire their wonderfull beauty , and specious ▪ form before other children of men : but above all , both far and near , as the immaculate princesse of all , shines forth the blessed virgin mary , mother of christ , at whose beauty the sun and moon stands amazed , from whose glorious countenance , such a lustre of chastity and holinesse floweth , as that it was able to dazle the minds of all men , no man for all that , at any time through the temptation and inticements of so stupendious a beauty , falling in the least thought . these , although more largely set downe in the holy bible , where so often mention is made concerning beauty , i have related almost in the very words themselves : by which we are given plainly to understand that the beauty of women , not onely with men , but with god is esteemed , and hath its honour : therefore we read in holy writ , that god commanded every male child to be slaine , but the fair women to be saved alive . in deuteronomy the children of israel were permitted to chuse themselves wives out of the fair women captives . besides this admired beauty , also , the woman is endowed with a certaine grace of comelinesse , which happeneth not unto men . for the hairs of women grow to such a length , as that they may cover those parts of the body , wherein there is lesse comelinesse . of which parts it is not necessary at this time i should treat . onely this i shall say , that in wonderfull decency nature hath ordained these in women , being not prominent , as in men , but biding within in a more secret , and sure place . furthermore , nature hath afforded women more modesty then men : wherefore often times it happens that women , being diseased with the dangerous ulcer in the secrets , they have rather chosen death , then to submit themselves to the sight and handling of a chirurgeon , that they might be healed . and they retaine this grace of modesty not onely living , but dying , yea , and also dead ; which appeareth cheifly in those , which perish in waters . for as pliny writeth , and experience testifieth , the woman lyeth with her face downwards , nature sparing the modesty of the dead , but the man swimmeth with his face upwards . to these may be added , the worthiest member in man , by which we differ chiefly from bruits , and shew forth the divine nature , is the head , in which head , the chiefest part is the countenance : the head in men is deformed with baldnesse , the woman contrariwise , by a great priviledge of nature , waxeth not bald . the countenance moreover in men , is often times so soiled with a most odious beard , and covered with nasty haires , that they can scarcely be discerned from beasts ; in woman contrarywise , the face alwayes abides pure , and comely . hence there was in the law of the twelve tables , that women should not shave their cheeks , least when a beard should bud forth , their modesty might be hid : and it is to all for an argument of the cleanlinesse of women , that when a woman is once cleanly washed , as often as she washeth afterwards in cleane water , the water receiveth not the least foulnesse : but man when he hath been washed often times very clean , he muddieth , and soileth the water . moreover , by the ordinance of nature , women through secret places every moneth expell their superfluities ; but mens are continually expelled through the face , the most comely part of the body . furthermore , since amongst all other living creatures , it is given only to man to look with the countenance erect towards heaven , nature and fortune have respected woman cheifly in this , and are so propitious , that if by chance she falls , she almost alwayes falls upon her backe , and seldome , or never on her head or face . there is another thing which we may not omit : do not we see that in the procreation of mankind , nature preferreth women before men ? which is cheifly perspicuous , because the womans seed alone , as galen and avicen say , that is the matter and nutriment of the child , not the mans , because it entreth into the woman as an accident into the substance . for , as the law saith , that is the greatest and cheifest office of women , to conceive , and to nourish the thing conceived ; for which cause we see that many are like their mothers ; because they are procreated of the blood of them : and that holds also very much in the habit of the body , alwayes in the manners ; if the mothers be foolish , also the sons are foolish ; if the mothers be prudent , the sons are prudent . but contrary wise in fathers , if they be wise , for the most part , they beget foolish children , and foolish fathers wise children , provided alwayes , the mothers be wise . neither is there any other reason why mothers love their children , more then fathers , except that , because the mothers are sensible they have more of their owne substance , then the fathers ; for the same cause also , i think it is naturall to us , to be more affected towards the mother , then towards the father ; so as we seem but to affect the father , but passionately to love the mother . and therfore nature affordeth to women milk of such a strength , which doth not only nourish infants , but also restore them being sicke , which also when they are grown up , may suffice for saving of life . the experiment we read in valerius max. concerning a young maid of the common people , which by suckling nourished her mother in prison ; when otherwise , she was condemned to have perished with hunger : for which piety of hers , life was not only given to the mother , but a settled maintenance to both ; and the prison was afterward dedicated to the goddesse piety . for it is most commonly seen , that the woman is more full of compassion and piety then the man , which aristotle gives as proper to the female sex . wherefore it is i think salomon saith , where there is not a woman , the sick languisheth ; either because by serving & assisting she is of wonderful dexterity towards the sick , and also full of chearfulnesse , or else because womans milke is a remedy to the sick , and weak , and to them that are next neighbours to death , by which they are restored to life . hence physitians report , that the heat of their paps applyed to brests of old men , stricken with extream age , exciteth , increaseth , and confirmeth vitall heat in them . which thing david was not ignorant of , who chose abishag the shunamite maid , in his old age to cherish him by her imbracements . moreover woman is more apt then man , for that mysterious office of generation , for that she is ripe at 10. years and under , but he not many years after . and besides , it is very well knowne that the woman alone of all fruitfull creatures , after she is with child , and beginneth to bear in her womb ; also not long after she is delivered , inclineth to the foresaid act again , whose vessell is so affected to humane conception , that it is said sometimes without lying with a man , she hath conceived . so that naturalist hath delivered in those his famous monuments of learning , concerning a woman which conceived of seed that was spent in a bath . to this may be added , another wonder of nature , that a woman if being with childe , shee have longed , as wee say , without hurt hath fed on raw flesh , raw fish , often times upon coales , loame , stones ; also hath concocted metalls , poysons , and many things of this sort , and converted them into wholesome nutriment : how great miracles , besides these mentioned , nature her selfe desireth to produce in women ; no man will wonder that hath read through the volumes of philosophers and physitians . i will lay down one notable example from them , which is ready and at hand . and that is , that the menstruous blood of women , besides from quartan agues , freeth them from hydrophobia , being a disease when one is extreamly afraid of water , from the falling sicknes , the leprosie , bruises , melancholy , and madnesse , and other most pernicious maladies of that kind ▪ and many other things no lesse , if not more wonderfull it effecteth , as that it quencheth great flames of fire , allayeth tempests , saveth from danger of drowning , driveth away whatever is noxious , counter-works witch-crafts , and putteth to flight evill spirits . many more things they say , which is not my mind at present to urge . yet this i will adde to the rest , as a vantage , that there is in women , according to the traditions of philosophers and phisitians , which are proved by experiences , a divine gift , by which they by their own proper helps and benefits are able to heale themselves in every kind of disease , without the assistance of any outward means . but that which goeth beyond all miracles , being it selfe the greatest miracle is , viz. that woman alone without man is able to produce humane nature , which in no wise is given to man ; which things even by the turks and mahumetans is confessed ; with whom , many are beleeved to have conceived without mansseed , whom they cal in their tongue nefesol●i . and isles are spoken of , where women conceive by the blast of wind ; which thing notwithstanding we will not grant to be true , because the virgin mary alone ( i say ) shee alone without man conceived christ , and brought forth a son of her own proper substance , and naturall fruitfulnesse : the most blessed virgin mary is the true mother of christ , and he true christ , and the naturall son of the virgin mary : i say naturall , because a man ; and againe , the naturall son of a virgin , in regard the virgin mary was not obnoxious to corrupt nature , wherefore she neither brought forth with any paine , neither was she under the power of man ; such was her fruitfulnesse by the overshadowing of the holy spirit , that she did not need the help of man . amongst brute creatures , it is manifest that some females have conceived without males : as the females of vultures , which is storyed by origen , in his first against faustus : also certaine mares to have conceived by the west wind blowing , antiquity hath found , concerning which these things are sung , all with face turn'd 'gainst the west wind do stand and take in aire , on rocks so high from land , and often times without conjunction sprung , and with coole winds they were begot with young . now what shall i say concerning speech , a divine gift , by which one thing we chiefly excell beasts , which trismegistus mercurius esteemed of the same price he esteemed immortality , and hesiod names it the best treasure of man : now is not woman more eloquent of speech then man , more terse , and fluent ? doe not we ( all of us ) learn first to speak either from mothers or nurses ? truly nature it selfe , the wise disposer of all matters , in this hath wisely provided for women , that scarce at any time you shall finde a woman dumb ; it is a glorious thing then to excel men , in that by which men chiefly excel other living creatures . but from prophane , let us returne to sacred writ as by re-enterance , and let us begin the matter from the very fountaines of religion . we know in the first place without doubt , that god blessed the man for the womans sake ; which benediction for as much as man was unworthy , he deserved not to have , before the woman was created . to which is consonant that proverb of salomon ; who findeth a good woman , findeth a good thing , and obtaineth a blessing from the lord ; and that of ecclesiasticus , the husband of a good woman is blessed , and the number of their yeares are doubled ; and no other man is able in dignity to be compared to him , which is worthy to have a good woman . for as ecclesiasticus saith , a good woman is a grace above every grace . therefore salomon in his proverbs calleth her the crowne of a man , and paul , the glory of a man ; but glory is defined , the consummation , and perfection of a thing resting and delighting in its own end , which is so compleate in it selfe , as that nothing can be added to make its perfection greater : the woman therefore is the consummation , perfection , felicity , benediction , and glory of the man : and as augustine saith , the first society of mankind in this mortality : therefore there is a necessity , every man should love her , and who doth not , he is estranged from all vertues and graces ; nay , i will say more , even from humanity . hitherto might be referred those cabalisticall mysteries , how abraham was blessed of god by reason of a woman , sarah ; the letter h being taken away from the name of the woman , and added to the name of the man , and he was after called abraham . how jacob had his blessing by a woman also , to wit his mother , who got it for him : there are many things in holy writ of this kind , but not to be explained in this place : blessing therefore is given for the womans sake , but the law for the man ; the law i say , of anger , and malediction ; the man was forbid to eate of the fruite of the tree , the woman not so , who neither as yet was created , when the command was given to the man : for woman god willed to be free from the beginning ; the man therefore sinned by eating , not the woman ; the man brought death , not the woman ; and wee all have sinned in adam , not in eve ; we have drawn originall sin , not from the mother the female , but from the father , the male ; therefore the old law hath circumcised every male , and the females abide uncircumcised , ordaining originall sin to be punished in that sex only which transgressed ; neither did god accuse eve because she had eaten , but because she had given occasion of evill to the man , and that unwittingly , by reason she was tempted of the devill : the man knowingly sinned , the woman ignorantly , and deceived hath erred ; for she was tempted of the first devill , who knew the woman to be the most excellent of all the creatures . and as bernard saith , the devill seeing her beauty to be admired , knowing her to be such a one as he had knowne before , whilst he stood , which above all angells had the fruition of god , he cast envy against the woman alone , for her excellency : wherefore christ was borne most humble into the world , that he might by his humility expiate the pride of the sinne of our first parents ; he took the mans sex as being more humble , he took not the womans sex being more sublime and noble . moreover , because we were condemned for the sinne of the man , not for the sinne of the woman , god willed , that by which sex the sinne came , in the same the expiation of sinne should be made , and the sex which through ignorance was deceived , by the same punishment should be made : therefore it was said to the serpent , because the woman , or which is truer read , because the seed of the woman shall bruise his head ; not the man , neither the seede of the man . and hence it is that the order of priest-hood is committed by the church , rather to the man , then to the woman , because every priest representeth christ ; but christ , the first man , being a sinner , to wit adam , from this the canon is understood which beginneth thus , this image : that woman is not made to the image of god , to wit , the corporeall image of christ ; for god willeth ( i say ) christ to be the sonne not of the man , but of the woman ; whom he honoured so far , that he would put on the flesh of woman alone , for in regard of the woman alone , christ is called the son of man , not in regard of the man . this is the great miracle which the prophet was very much amazed at , because a woman compasseth a man ; to wit , when the whole sex of man is comprehended in a virgin , and she beareth christ in her body . also christ rising from the dead appeared to women first , and not unto men ; neither is it unknown that after the death of christ , men departed from the faith , but women ( it is manifest ) never fell away from the faith , and christian religion . furthermore , no persecutions for the faith at any time , no heresie , no errour hath ever risen from women : but otherwise it is concerning men , christ is betrayed , sold , bought , accused , condemned , suffered , was crucified ; at length put to death , and all by men . yea , he was denied of peter , forsaken of the rest of the disciples , accompanied of women alone to the crosse , and to the sepulcher . and the wife of pilat a heathen did more indeavour to save christ , then any of those men , which had beleeved . to this may be added , that almost all the whole schoole of divines affirm , that then the church abided not , except in one woman alone , to wit , the virgin mary , and for that thing deservedly the female sex is called religious , and holy . now if any should say with aristotle , that the males are more strong , more wise , and more noble amongst living creatures , the excellent doctor paul answers this saying ; god hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise , and the weak things of this world god hath chosen , to confound the strong , and the ignoble , and contemptible god hath chosen , and those things which are not , that he might destroy those things that are . for who amongst men , in all gifts of nature was more eminent then adam ? but a woman humbled him : who stronger then sampson ? but a woman over-came his strength : who chaster then lot ? yet a woman provoked him to incest : who more religious then david ? but a woman perverted his holinesse : who wiser then salomon ? but a woman deceived him : who patienter then job ? whom the devill stript of all his goods , killed his daughters and his sonnes , filled him with ulcers all over his body ; notwithstanding he was not able to provoke him from his ancient sincerity ; but the woman ( being in this superiour , and of more power then the devill himself ) provoked him to curse . yea , if it were lawful to call christ himselfe into these comparisons , then whom nothing is more powerfull , nothing more wise , since he is the eternall wisdome and power of god ; did not he suffer himselfe to be overcome by the woman of canaan ? he saying , it is not good to take the childrens bread and cast it to dogs . she again answered , yea lord , but the dogs eate the crums that fall from their masters table , and now , with reverence be it spoken , as it were overcome by this argument , he blessed her , saying , be it done unto thee as thou wilt . who more ferventer in the faith then peter , the chiefe of the apostles ? a woman seduced him , not the least pastor of the church , to deny christ . let the canonists say what they wil , that their church cannot erre , but hath not the woman pope , her name joane , deluded it with an egregious imposture ? but who ever shall say these things , more bend themselves to the reproach of women , then to adde to their praises : to whom women in this manner shal answer , if there be a necessity that one of us make a losse of some good or life , i had rather destroy thee , then be destroyed my selfe ; and that by the example of innocent the third , who in his own epistle decretall to a certain cardinall , whom he sent legat for the roman see , who left this in writing , if it cannot be avoided , but that i , or thou must be confounded , i will chuse rather to confound thee . furthermore , the civill lawes take that care of , and provide for women so , that they shall be sure to have their right , although it cannot be without damage and injury to men . and in holy writ , is not even the wickednesse of women commended and extolled oftentimes more , then men doing wel ? is not rachel praised , which deluded her father with a neate invention , when he sought his idolls ? is not rebecca praised , because she got jacob the blessing of his father by deceit , and afterwards warnes him to fly his brothers wrath ? and rhaab the harlot did deceive those that sought the spies of joshua , and it was accounted to her for rightèousnesse . jael went out to meet sisera , and said to him , enter in o my lord ; and she gave to him , requiring water , a bottle of milke to drinke , and covered him lying down : and sisera sleeping , she entered in unto him , and drove a naile into his head , and slew him , who had trusted himself with her for safety : and for this notorious betraying , she was blessed among women , in her tabernacle . read the history of judith , and note her words to holefernes , she saith , take the words of thy handmaid , because , if thou wilt follow them , the lord will keep thee safe , saying , i will tell to thee all things , so that i may lead thee thorow the midst of jerusalem : and thou shalt leade the people of israel as sheep without a shepherd , and not one dog shall barke against thee , because these things are spoken to me by the providence of god . and holofernes , lulled a sleep with her flatteries , shee strucke into the neck , and cut off his head : i pray you what more wicked counsel , what crueller treacheries , what more capitall treasons can be invented ? and yet this woman therefore , was praised and magnified : so then the wickednesse of woman is higher reputed then mans well doing . did not cain do well in offering the first of the fruites of the earth for a sacrifice ? and yet for that very thing he was rejected of god : and did not esau do well , while in a pious obedience he hunted after venison for his decrepit father ? and in the meane time he was defrauded of the blessing , and hated of god : vzzah for his zeale to religion , holding up the arke sliding , and almost fallen downe , was struck down with sudden death . king saul for sparing the fat beasts of the amalakites , although for a sacrifice to the lord , was deprived of his kingdome , and delivered up to an evill spirit . the daughters of lot were excused from the incest with their father , but their drunken father was not excused , and his posterity was cast out from the church of god . incestuous tamar was defended , and called more just then the patriark judah , and notwithstanding that fraudulent incest was thought worthy to propagate that line , of which our saviour should afterwards be borne . goe now yee stout and valiant men , go yee great schollars , that have pallas and the muses most propitious to you , goe i say , & by as many examples ( which all your poetical helps are too few for ) prove the contrary opinion , namely , that the wickednesse of a man is better then a womans well doing . sure i am you cannot be able to defend that , except you run to blind allegories , where also the authority of woman shall be equall at least with that of man . but let us returne , even this may be a most evident argument to all , of the excellence of so happy a sex , because the purest of them , the most blessed virgin mary , was conceived ( as some divines affirm ) without originall sin . this is a strong argument of aristotle ; the best of which kinde is more noble then the best of the other kind , that kind is more noble then the other : in the female kind the best is the virgin mary , in the male kind there hath not risen a greater then john baptist , but how much the blessed virgin , which is exalted above all the companies of angels excelleth john baptist , no sound christian can be ignorant of . in like manner , on the contrary , wee may argue , the worst of which kind , is worse then the worst of the other , that kinde is inferiour to the other : but we read of some men worse then the worst of women . we will not here dispute whither he might bee judas , that betrayed christ , concerning whom christ saith , it had been better for that man he had not been borne ; or antichrist , in whom the whole power of satan dwelleth . furthermore , the scriptures declare many men to be condemned to eternal torments , when no woman at any time condemned may be read of : to this may be added in way of testimony a prerogative of brutish nature , because the eagle which is queen of all birds , always of the female , never of the male is found : & it is said , that there is but one only phaenix , and that a female , which is in egypt . but on the contrary , of the serpent , which hath its name from king , i mean the basiliske , the most poysonous of all venemous creatures , there is none except a male , which is impossible to be gendered a female . furthermore , the excellency , vertue , and innocency of this sex , even by these arguments aboundantly sufficient may be shewed , because the rising of all evills is of man , none of the woman , because the first formed adam , hee durst transgresse the law of the lord , he hath locked the gates of heaven , and hath rendred us all liable to sin and death , for we all have sinned and dyed in adam , not in eve : in like manner , the first begotten of him hath unlocked the gates of hell , he was the first envyer , the first man-slayer , the first parricide , the first despairing of the mercie of god ; the first that had two wives , lamech ; the first drunkard , noah ; the first discoverer of the nakednesse of his father , the son of noah , ham ; the first tyrant and idolater , nimrod . man first committed adultery , man was first incestuous , men first made covenants with devills , and found out prophane arts ; the sons of jacob first sold their brethren , pharaoh the aegyptian first killed children ; men first lascivious against nature , sodome and gomorrah , in times past famous cities , being witnesses , which for the wickednesse of men perished . we read of some men having two wives for their goatish pleasure ; some more , such were lamech , abraham , jacob , esau , joseph , moses , sampson , helcana , saul , david , salomon , assur , roboham , abia , caleph , ahasuerus , and innumerable others , which had each of them many wives and concubines ; neither content with the use of them to fill their lusts , they have mingled themselves with their hand-maides also . but on the contrary , we finde that no woman , except onely bathsheba , but hath been contented with one man alone , neither shalt thou find any that had two husbands , if they had off-spring of the first ; for women are much more continent , by reason of their shamefacednesse and modesty , then men ; who , because they have known themselves unfruitfull ( we read ) that they have abstained from lying with men , and to have brought into their husbands strange women , as sarab , rachel , lea , and many others unfruitful , which have brought in their handmaids to raise up posterity to their husbands . but what man i pray you , how old soever , cold , barren , and unfit for women , is of such goodnesse towards his wife , or at any time of that charity , that they will appoint some in their places which might bedew the fertile womb of the wife with fruitfull seed ? although we read that lycurgus and solon established lawes of this sort in times past , as if any old man , and unfit for marriage , or lesse active , then is required for the service of venus , had married a maid , that it might bee lawfull to the wife to chuse one of the young-men , approved for his strength and activity , with whom she might sweetly sport and dally , provided always , that the issue might be her husbands ; neither was it lawfull for any to account such issue adulterous or mis-begotten ; we read of them not kept , not so much by the rigidnesse of men , as by the continency of women refusing them . there are innumerable most famous women , who in modesty & conjugal love have excelled all men , such as abigal the wife of nabal , artemisia of mausolus , argia the wife of polinices the theban , julia of pompeius , portia of cato , cornelia of gracchus , messalina of sulpitius , alceste of admetus , hypsicratea of mithridates the pontic king , dido the builder of carthage , the roman lucretia , and sulpitia of lentulus : there are infinite others , whose immoveable virginity , and chastity could not be changed by death , examples of which offer themselves , atlanta calidonia , camilla volsca , iphigenia a greek , cassandra and crise ; to these may be added the lacedaemonian , spartan , milesian , and theban virgins , and innumerable others , which the histories of hebrewes , greekes , and barbarians number to us , who made virginity of more account then kingdomes , yea , then life it selfe : if now examples of piety be required , amongst others these offer themselves : claudia a vestal virgine towards her father , and that mean plebeian maid , concerning whose pious affection to her mother , we have spoken of before : but some zoilus wil object against these , that there have bin destructive marriages & which have made direful tragedies , as those of sampson , jason , deiphobus , agamemnon ; which if any wil see into with lynceus eyes , he shall find that wives are falsely accused ; none of which at any time have proved bad to a good husband , for there were never ill wives , but to ill husbands ; to whom although they should prove good , oftentimes they are corrupted with the vices of their husbands . doe not you think , if it might be lawfull for women to make lawes , write histories , but that they could write tragedies concerning the unmeasurable malice of men ? amongst whom many are found manslayers , theeves , ravishers , forgers , incendiaries , traytors , which in the time of joshua and david the king did rob in so great multitudes , that they did appoint princes of their companies : yea , also in these dayes , there is an infinite number of them . hence all prisons are filled with men , on every hand all places are burthened with the carkasses of men : but on the other side women have been the inventors of all liberall arts , of every grace , and vertue , which the feminine names of arts and vertues clearly manifest . to which i will adde that notable thing , that the orbe of the earth is named from the names of women , to wit , from asia the nymph , from europa , the daughter of agenor , from lybia the daughter of epaphus , which is also called africa . to conclude , if a survey be made through the singular kinds of vertues , women every where obtaine the principall place : it was a woman , the virgin mary her self , which first vowed virginity to god : women prophetesses were alwaies inspired with diviner gifts then men , which is noted concerning the sybils , as lactantius eusebius , and augustine testifie . so mary the sister of moses was a prophetesse , and , jeremiah being in prison , the wife of his uncle , by name olda , was raised up to be a prophetesse to the perishing people of israel , greater then all the prophets they then had . let us search the holy scriptures , and we shall see the constancy of women in faith and holy duties , commended far above men , as judith , ruth , hester , which are mentioned with so much glory , that they give names to bookes in holy scripture . abraham himselfe , who for his eminency of faith , the scripture hath called just , because he beleeved god , notwithstanding he must submit to his wife sarah , and by the voyce of god is commanded , all things whatsoever sarah saith , heare her voyce . so rebecca firmly beleeving , proceedeth to aske of god , and for an answer , she heareth a miracle , two nations are in thy wombe , and two people shall be divided from thy belly . and the widdow of sarepta beleeved eliah , although he did tel her a difficult thing . so zacharias , reproved of the angell for incredulity , was dumb , and elizabeth his wife prophesied in voyce and wombe , and is commended , because she beleeved faithfully , who afterwards commendeth the blessed virgin , saying , blessed art thou which beleevest what things are said to thee of the lord . so anna the prophetesse did confesse god after the revelation of simeon , and did speake concerning him to all willing to heare , who did expect the redemption of israel ▪ and philip had foure daughters , virgin prophetesses . what shall i say concerning that woman of samaria , with whom christ did speak at the well , and filled with faith of her beleeving , he refused the food offered him by the apostles . see the faith of the woman of canaan , and of the woman , which had the issue of blood : is not the faith and confession of martha , like the confession of peter ? yea ▪ how much constancy of faith was in mary magdalen is noted to us out of the gospels ; for she , while the high priests and jewes crucifie , weepeth at the crosse , carrieth oyntments , seeketh in the tomb , asketh the gardiner , re-acknowledgeth god , goeth to the apostles , and tells that he is risen , they doubt , she beleeveth . what againe shall i say of priscilla ? a most holy woman , who instructed apollos , an apostolicall man , most learned in the law , the bishop of the corinthians : neither was it an unseemly thing for an apostle to learne of a woman , which could teach in the church . adde moreover , those which have testified the constancy of their faith by patience in martyrdome , by contempt of death , whose number is no lesse then mens . neither is to be past by with silence , that wonderfull mother , and worthy of the memory of all good men , who seeing her seven sons perishing by cruel martyrdom ▪ was not only of good courage , but also strongly did exhort to put them to death : & she her self , trusting in the lord in al conditions , after her sons , was also put to death , for the laws and liberties of her country . did not theodelina , the daughter of the k. of the bavarians convert the lombards to the faith of christ ? greisilla the sister of henry the first , emperor , the hungarians ? & clotildis the daughter of the k. of the burgundians , the franks ? & a certain apostlesse a woman of a low rank , the iberians ? and each of them , innumerable other people besides wone over to christian religion ? finally , this most religious sex alone , or at least cheifly is it , in which the catholique faith , and the continued works of godlinesse shine bright continually to this day ; but least any should doubt that women are not able to doe all those things appertaining to men ; let us run over the matter by examples , and wee shall finde , there is no famous action in any kind of vertues performed by men , which may not as excellently be done by women : melissae cybeles in times past were famous for the priesthood ; from whose name other goddesses priests afterward were called melissae : hypecaustria was the priest of minerva , mera of venus , iphigenia of diana and women were the priests of bacchus , famous by many names , as thyades , maenades , bacchae , eliades , mimalonides , aedonides , euhyades , bassarides , triaterides ; with the jewes , mary the sister of moses together with aaron did enter the sanctuary , and was accounted as a priest . in our religion , although the office of priest-hood be forbidden women , we know notwithstanding , that histories declare , that women sometimes concealing their sex have ascended to the top of the high priests office . so many there have beene most holy abbesses and nuns , whom antiquity was not ashamed to call priests . famous in prophecy with nations of all religions , cassandra , sybillae , mary the sister to moses , debora , holda , anna , elizabeth , the foure daughters of philip , and many other holy women of later days , as brigida , hildegardis have been furthermore in magicke , whether by the familiarity and acquaintance of good or evill spirits i dispute not , circes before the rest , and medea did far more wonderful things , then even zoroastes himselfe , although the inventor of this art , as hee is beleeved by many . againe , in philosophy there is famous theano the wife of pythagoras , and his daughter dama , famous for expounding the darke sentences of her father : also aspasia , and diotima the schollars of socrates , and mantinea , and philesia axiochia , both the shollars of plato . to conclude , plotinus extolleth gemina , and hee praiseth amphiclea , and lactantius themistis : the roman church rejoyceth in her katharine , which maide alone , did farre excell all the learning of wise men in that age , neither may we forget in this place zenobia , the queen , and schollar of longinus the philosopher , who for her abundant and excellent skill of letters , obtained the name of ephinissa , whose holy workes , nicomachus hath turned into the greek tongue . let us proceed to oratory and poetry : behold armesia , by sirname androgenea , hortensia , lucrea , valeria , capiola , sappho , corinna , cornificia romana , and erimna telia , or telbia , which were named epigrammatists , & in salust sempronia , and calphurnia among the lawyers ; yea , except it had been forbidden women to learn letters in these days , even now , as yet might be had women of most famous learning , more excellent in wit then men . but wherefore do i speake concerning this ? because women ( by nature it selfe alone ) without doubt seem to excell artificers in all disciplines : do not grammarians boast themselves to be masters of well-speaking ? and do we not learn that better from nurses , and mothers , then from grammarians ? hath not mother cornelia framed the most eloquent tongue of the gracchi , and the mother of istrinus , taught sylem the son of aripithus the king of scythia the greek tongue ? did not alwayes children ( born in colonies brought in with strange nations ) hold the speech of their mothers ? not for any other cause , plato and quintilian carefully gave order concerning chusing a fit nurse for children , that their speech might be rightly and discreetly formed by the tongue of the child . and are not also poets in their trifles and fables , and logicians in their notionall contentions overcome by women ? there is not an orator so good , or so happy , but the perswasion of a light huswife will overcome him . what arithmetician by casting up falsely can deceive a woman of her due benevolence ? what musician can equall a woman by singing and pleasantnesse of voice ? philosophers , mathematicians , astrologers , are they not in their divinations , and prognostications oftentimes inferiour to plaine country women ? and often an old woman excells a physitian . socrates himselfe the wisest of all men ( if credit may be given to the testimony of pythius ) and mature in judgement , yet disdained not to learn something of the lady aspasia : so neither was apollos the divine , ashamed to be instructed by priscilla . now if prudence be required , opis , related amongst the goddesses , plotina the wife of trajanus , amalasuntha the queen of the ostrogoths , aemilia the wife of scipio , are examples : to whom may be added , debora a most prudent woman , the wife of labidoth , who alone , as may bee read in the booke of judges , some time judged over the people of israel ; and the children of israel went up to her for every judgement : who also was chosen captaine of the host of israel ( when barach did refuse to fight ) and wone the field , her enemies being slaine and put to flight . furthermore , it is read in the history of the kings , that attalia the queen reigned and judged seven yeares in jerusalem ; and semiramis after the death of ninus the king , judged the people forty yeares , and all the candaces , queens of aethiopia , reigned being most wise , and potent ; concerning whom mention is made in the acts of the apostles . josephus that faithfull writer of antiquities , telleth wonderfull things of them : adde hereunto nicaula , the queene of sheba , who coming from the uttermost ends of the earth to heare the wisdome of salomon , by the testimony of the lord , condemned all the men of jerusalem . and also there was one technites a most wise woman , which staggered k. david with an interrogation , taught him by a riddle , & appeased him by an example of god . neither here again is to be passed by in silence abigal and bathsheba , the one of which freed her husband from the anger of david ; the other , the mother of salomon , prudently obtained the kingdom for her son . furthermore , in the invention of matters , isis , minerva , nycostrata are examples . and in modelling governments , and cities , semiramis holding the monarchy of the whole world , dido , and the amazones . in wars , thomiris queene of the massagetans , which conquered cyrus the monarch of the persians . also camilla of the nation of the volscians , valisca of bohemia , both mighty queens ; and pande of the indians , the amazones , candaces , lemnenses , and the phocians , chians , and persian woman . wee read of many other most famous women , which restored safety to their nation , in the highest despaire thereof , amongst whom is judith , whom jeremy extolleth in these words , saying , receive ye judith the widow , an example of chastity , with triumph , perpetuate her never-dying memory with praises ; he giveth her out not only to be imitated by women , but by men , because being an example & rewarder of chastity , such were her vertues , that she overcame the invincible , and excelled the most excellent . we read also that a certain wise woman called to joab ▪ and gave into his hands the head of siba the enemy of david , that he might save the city abela , which was the mother of cities in israel . and that a certain woman cast a peece of mil-stone , and dasht out the brains of abimelech , being the rod of divine vengeance upon him , because he had done evill before the lord , against his owne father , his seventy brethren being slaine by him upon one stone . so hester the wife of king ahasuerus not onely freed her people from a certaine death , but also inriched them with great honour . when the roman city was besiedged by the volscians , cneus martius coriolanus , being captaine , and the men were not able to defend it by their armes , veturia a woman of noble birth , and the mother of coriolanus saved it by the chiding of her sonne . arthemisia defeated the rhodians of their army rising up against her , brought the isle into subjection , and erected a statue in the city of rhodes for a monument of her noble acts . who can sufficiently praise that most noble maide , although of mean discent , who in the year of christians one thousand four hundred twenty eight , the kingdom of france being possessed by the english , taking armes like an amazon , led the army so stoutly , and fought so happily , that she did restore the lost kingdom to the king of france , the english being overcome by many battells ; to whose perpetuall memory a statue is erected at the towne genabum , which is now called orleans , on the bridge which is over the river ligur . i could reckon up besides these , others innumerable most excellent women of the greeks , latines , barbarians , as well from old as moderne histories . but i will study brevity , least the worke should swel too big . for plutarch , valerius bocatius , and many others have writ concerning them . hence it is that i have not spoken so many things of the praises of women , as i have kept silent ; because i am not so ambitious , that i should presume that i am able to comprehend the infinite excellencies and vertues of women in so small a speech . who can be sufficient to enumerate the infinite praises of women , on whom all our being , and the whole conservation of man-kinde ( which otherwise in short time would perish ) and every family and common-wealth dependeth ? which thing romes builder understood very well ; who , whilst he wanted women , doubted not to ravish the daughters of the sabins , and in defence of the rape , made war with their fathers , for hee knew that an empire of men alone would be but of a short age . at length the capitoll being taken by the sabins , when they had fought most bloodily together in the middest of the market-place , at the running in of women between the two armies , the war ceased , and at length a peace , and league was made , and they entered into a perpetuall friendship ; wherefore romulus put the names of them upon the family of the curii , and by consent of the romans , it was set down in publick records , that women should neither grind , nor play the cook : that women should be forbid to receive any thing from the husband by gift , and the husband to receive any thing , by gift from the wife , that they might know , that all good things were common . hence arose the custom , that in their marriages , the wife should be brought in saying ubi tu , ego ; denoting , wher thou art master , i am mistris ; where thou art lord , i am lady . afterwards when the bands of the volscians pitched their camp within five miles of the city , when , their kings being expelled , ( coriolanus martius was captain ) they were turned back by women : in honour of which exploit , a famous temple was dedicated to womens fortune : yea , notable ensignes of great honour and dignity were given to them by decree of the senate . so it comes about , that they take the upper-hand in the way , and men rise up and give them place . furthermore , purple garments with gold lace , ornaments of gems , earings , golden-chains are allowed them , for it was provided by the lawes of following emperours , as often times as there were statutes made which prohibited certaine garments and ornaments , that womens garments should not be comprehended under them ; they were also rewarded with successions of inheritances and possessions : and it was permitted by the lawes , to celebrate with publick praises the funeralls of women , as the funeralls of famous men : in regard , that when the present was to be sent to delphian apollo , by the desire of camillus , and so much gold could not be had , the women brought the ornaments of their bodies of their own accord towards it . furthermore , in that war with cyrus , carried on against astyages , the army of the persians being turned to flight , it was by the reprehension of women made ashamed , and brought againe into a good posture of defence , and gave to their enemies a notable overthrow ; for which deed it was determined by the lawes of cyrus , that the kings of persia , as they enter the city , should give to each woman some summes of gold ; which macedo twice entering the city , twice payed . moreover hee commanded the gift should be doubled to women with childe ; so women were presented with every kind of honour by the ancient kings of the persians and romans , from the cradles ( as i may say ) of the roman city and empire , yea , and not lesse honoured by the emperours themselves . hence , justinianus the emperor did think fit , that the advice and counsel of his wife should be taken in making laws . and elsewhere the law saith , because the wife shineth in the honour of the husband , that he might take notice of her splendor , as in how much the husband is exalted , so much is the wife : so the wife of an emperour , is called an emperesse ; and the wife of a king , a queen ; and the wife of a prince , a princesse , and illustrious howsoever she was borne : and vlpianus saith , a prince or emperour is freed from and above lawes ; but augusta , which is the wife of an emperour , although she be not free from the lawes by her selfe , notwithstanding the prince , or emperour brings the same priviledges to her , as he hath himselfe . hence it is that famous women are permitted to judge , and to arbitrate , and that they might be capable to investe into fee-farme land , and of being invested , and to determine what right vassalls have : and it appertaineth to the same thing , that women may have particular servants , as the man hath , and the woman is able to judge amongst strangers ; she is also of power to put a name upon a family , so that sons might be denominated from their mother , not from their father ; they have also great priviledges concerning dowries , here and there exprest in divers parts of the body of the lawes , where also provision was made , that women of honest life , and fame , ought not to be imprisoned for civill debtes yea , that judge was punished with death , which should put her in prison . but if she were suspected of a fault , she was thrust into a monastery , or was delivered to the custody of women to be secured , because by the testimony of the law the woman is in better condition then the man : as also in the same kind of offence , the man offendeth more then the woman . hence the man taken in adultery is punished with death , but the woman adulteresse she is but commanded into a monastery . many priviledges azo gathereth in his summary upon the titles of the velleian councell , and speculator upon the renunciations ; yea , those ancient law-givers , grave men , by their wisdome , as i may say , artificers of commonwealths , in knowledge most eminent , licurgus , and plato ( i say ) when as they knew out of the secrets of philosophy , that women neither by excellency of mind , nor by strength of body , nor dignity of nature , were inferior to men , but equall to them in all things ; they appointed women to be exercised with men in wrastlings , and tournaments ; also in all things that appertain to warlike discipline , in the bow , in the sling , in the casting of darts , in shooting , in scirmishing in armour both by horse and foote , in pitching of camps , and ordering of armies , in leading of hosts , and ( as i may speake briefly ) they gave all those things to women , which now are the exercises of men . let us read writers of antiquities worthy of beleife , we shall finde in getulia , bactris , galletia , that the manner hath been for the men to be given to effeminatnesse , and luxury , but the women , to till ground , build , trade , ride , war , as men with us doe now . with the cantabrians , men did give portions to women , brothers were given in marriage by sisters , and the daughters were appointed heires . with the scythians , thracians and gaules offices were common both to women and to men : and in councels , either for war or peace , women were adhered to in judgement as soon , or before men ; which the league of the celtans with haniball doth demonstrate in these words , if any one of the celtans complaineth that he is injured by any of the carthaginians , let the magistrate or the rulers of the carthaginians , which are in spaine , be judges of the matter : if any one of the carthaginians hath suffered any unjust thing from any of the celtans , let the women of the celtans be judges concerning that matter . but you will say , that liberty and priviledge which was given to women , is restrained by the lawes of men ( whose tyranny usurpes against god and natures lawes ) abolished by use and custome , and extinguished by the manner of their education ; for a woman by and by as soon as she is borne , and from the first beginning of her years is detained in sloth at home , and as uncapable of another province , she is permitted to think of nothing besides her needle or the like ; when afterwards she reacheth to ripenesse of age , she is delivered up to the jealous rule of her husband , or else shut up in the perpetual bridewell of nuns ; also publicke offices are forbidden them by lawes , it is not permitted that any one plead in judgement , be she never so wise . furthermore , they are not to meddle in jurisdictions , arbitrements , adoptions , intercessions , procurations , guardianships , in causes testamentary or criminall . also it is not lawfull for them to preach the word of god : which is against expresse scripture ▪ in which the holy spirit promiseth to women by the prophet joel saying , and your daughters shall prophesie ; even as in the time of the apostles , they did publickly teach , as it is noted by anna the wife of simeon , and the daughters of philip , and priscilla the wife of aquila : so great is the wickednesse of all late law-makers , that they have made voide the commandments of god by their owne traditions ; because , women , otherwise by the prerogative of nature , and excellency in dignity most noble , they pronounce more vile by condition , and inferiour to all men . by their lawes , women are compelled to give place to men , as the conquered to the conquerors in warre , not either by naturall or divine command or reason ; but by custome , education , fortune , and by a certaine tyrannicall humour of men inforcing . there are moreover which assume authority to themselves over women by vertue of religion , and doe prove their tyranny out of holy writ ; who have that curse of eve continually in their mouths ; under the power of man thou shalt be , and hee shall rule over thee : that if it be answered them , that christ hath taken away the curse , they will object the same thing from the words of peter , of which thing paul also speakes , let women bee subject to their husbands , let womem be silent in the church , but those who know the various tropes and figures of scripture , will easily perceive those places differ not really , and internally , but onely in barke and out-side ; for there is that order in the church , that men are preferred before women in the ministry ; but onely as the jewes before the greekes in the promises . neverthelesse ; god is no respecter of persons ; for in christ neither male nor female , but a new creature is accepted . but also for the most part things are permitted to men , by reason of their hardnesse of heart against women ; as in time past bills of divorcement were granted to the jewes , which notwithstanding abridge not the dignity of women ; for men being deficient and weake , women had the power of judgement , to the reproach of men . and the queene of sheba shall one day judge the men of jerusalem . who therefore are justified by faith , are made sonnes of abraham , but sonnes ( i say ) of the promise , are subjected to women , and are obnoxious to that command of god , speaking to abraham , all things that sarah saith unto thee ; heare her voice . and thus , that i may now recollect my selfe , very briefly i have shewed the excellency of the female sexe by many arguments , ( viz. ) by name , by order , by place , by matter : and what dignity the woman hath acquired ( above ●…e man ) from god . afterwards we have demonstrated by religion , reason , nature , humane lawes , by various authority , reasons and examples . notwithstanding , we have not said so many things , but wee have left as many yet to be spoken , because not moved by ambition , or for vaine-glories sake i came to write , but by duty , and truth , that i may not seeme as an envious , and detracting man to snatch away from so noble a sexe , their due and just praises , by a certaine wicked silence , if i were silent . if any more curious shall finde some argument passed by , which hee may thinke ought to bee added to this worke , i shall think my selfe not reprooved of him , but helped , so far as he may render this our good worke better by his wit and learning . but least the work should arise to an exceeding volume , here let there be an end . finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a75977e-740 luk. 20. matth. 22. mark . 12. arg. 1. {non-roman} {non-roman} {non-roman} {non-roman} {non-roman} . gen 2. joh. 1. gen. 2. gen. 6. gen. 12. gen. 24. 2 kings 2 ▪ 1 chron ▪ 1 ▪ hest. 1. 2. judith 8 ▪ din 13. job last . num. 31. deut. 21. gal. 2. de sperm . 14. val. l. 5. c. 4. arist. l ▪ anima lib. eccl. l. 26. arist. l. de animal . eccles. 26 ; averrois 2. collig . orig. in primo cont. faust . virg. 3. georg. pin. ●2 . pro. 18. eccle. 26. prov. 12. 1 cor. 11. august . gen. 18. 28. gen. 17. gen. 2. gen. 17. gen. 3. bernard . gen. 3. job . mat. 15. iohn 18 mat. 20. mat. 14. luk. 22. plat. de joan. 8. gen. 31 ▪ gen ▪ 27. josh. 2. judith 11 ▪ mat. 14. gen. 4. gen. 9. ibid. gen. 10. gen. 3● . exod. 1. gen. 18. gen. 16. & 19. lycurgus ▪ solon . josh. 7. 2 king 19. ● chron. 4. lactant. l. instit. eus . de praep. evangel. aug ▪ de civit . dei exod. 15. 2 chro. 22. 2 chro ▪ 34. mat. 27. ct 28. mat ▪ 15. & 16. luk. 23. & 25. act. 18. 2 mac. 7. judg. 4. 1 king. 10. 2 chron. 9 2 king. 14. 1 king. 25. 1 chron. 1. hieron in prolog. sup . judith . judg. 9. hest. 7. 8 , 9 gen. 3. 1 pet. 3. col. 3. ephes. 5. rom. 2. acts 20. gen. 21. a case of conscience resolved viz. whether, where a church of christ is situate, it is the duty of the women of that congregation, ordinarily, and by appointment, to separate themselves from their brethren, and so to assemble together to perform some parts of divine worship, as prayer, &c. without their men? : and the arguments made use of for that practice examined / by john bunyan. bunyan, john, 1628-1688. 1683 approx. 88 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 20 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; 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(eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a30127) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 110281) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 1735:16) a case of conscience resolved viz. whether, where a church of christ is situate, it is the duty of the women of that congregation, ordinarily, and by appointment, to separate themselves from their brethren, and so to assemble together to perform some parts of divine worship, as prayer, &c. without their men? : and the arguments made use of for that practice examined / by john bunyan. bunyan, john, 1628-1688. 39 p. printed for benj. alsop ..., london : 1683. reproduction of original in the bodleian library. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng women in christianity -early works to 1800. christian life -early works to 1800. 2005-02 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2005-05 spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images 2005-06 andrew kuster sampled and proofread 2005-06 andrew kuster text and markup reviewed and edited 2005-10 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a case of conscience resolved . viz. whether , where a church of christ is situate , it is the duty of the women of that congregation , ordinarily , and by appointment , to separate themselves from their brethren , and so to assemble together , to perform some parts of divine worship , as prayer , &c. without their men ? and the arguments made use of for that practice , examined . by john bunyan . london , printed for benj : alsop , at the angel and bible in the poultrey . 1683. the epistle dedicatory to those godly women concerned in the following treatise . honoured sisters , 't is far from me to despise you , or to do any thing to your reproach . i know you are beloved of god for the sake of christ , and that you stand fixed for ever by faith upon the same foundation with us . i also know that the lord doth put no difference betwixt male and female , as to the communications of his saving graces , but hath often made many of your sex eminent for piety ; yea , there hath been of yov , i speak now of ordinary christians , that for holiness of life have out gone many of the brethren : nor can their vertuous lives but be renown and glory to yov , and conviction to those of vs that have come behinde you in faith and holyness . the love of women in spirituals ( as well as naturals ) oft times out-goes that of men. when christ was upon earth , we read not that any man did to , and for him , as did the woman that was a sinner , joanna , susanna , and many others , luk. 7.36 , 37 , 38. chap. 8.1 , 2 , 3. and as they have shewed themselves eminent for piety , so for christian valour and fortitude of minde , when called of god to bear witness to , and for his name in the world : as all histories of that nature doth suficiently testifie . they were women , as i take it , as well as men , that were tortured , and that would not accept of deliverance that they might obtaine a better resurrection , heb. 11.35 . wherefore i honour and praise your eminencie in vertue ; and desire to be provoked by the exceeding piety of any of you , in all holy conversation and godlyness . and although , as you will find , i have not with out a cause , made a question of the lawfulness of your assembling together , by your selves , to perform , without your men , solemn worship to god : yet i dare not make your selves the authors of your own miscarriage in this . i do therefore rather impute it to your leaders , who whether of a fond respect to some seeming abilities they think is in you for this , or from a perswasion that you have been better then themselves in other things , or whether from a preposterous zeal , they have put you upon a work so much too heavy for you : i shall not at this time concern my self to inquire into . but this is certaine , at least 't is so in my apprehension , that in this matter you are tempted by them to take too much upon you . i am not insensible but that for my thus writing , though i thereby have designed your honour and good order , i am like enough to run the gantlet among you , and to partake most smartly of the scourge of the tongues of some , and to be soundly brow-beaten for it by others : specially by our author , who will finde himself immediatly concerned , for that i have blamed him for what he hath irregularly done both with the word , to you , and me . i look also to be sufficiently scandalized , and counted a man not for prayer , and meetings for prayer , and the like , but i will labour to bare them with patience , and seek their good that shall be tempted to abuse me . i had not , indeed i had not spoke a word to this question in this manner , had not mr. k. sent his paper abroad , and amongst us , for the encouraging this practise with us , in opposition to our peace . i do not say he designed our breach , but his arguments tended thereto ; and had not our people been of a wise and quiet temper , his paper might have set us into a flame . but thanks be to god we are at quiet , and walk in love , notwithstanding the lifts that have been to make us do otherwise . there are also the mouths of some opened against me for this , who lie at wait for occasions , and shew that they are glad to take them before they are given by mee : to whom i now shew by this ensuing discourse , that i had a reason to do what i did . i commend you to god , and to the word of his grace , which is able to build you up , and to give you an inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith in jesus christ : to whom be honour and glory for ever . and remaine your faithfull friend and brother to pray for you , to love you in the gospel , and to do you what christian service i can . john bunyan . a case of conscience resolved , &c. the occasion of my meddling in this manner with this controversie , is this : after i had ( for reasons best known to my self ) by searching , found , that those called the womens meetings , wanted for their support , a bottom in the word : i called them in our fellowship into question . now having so done , my reasons for so doing ( as was but reason ) were demanded ; and i gave them , to the causing of that practise with us to cease . so subject to the word were our women , and so willing to let go what by that could not be proved a duty for them to be found in the practise of . but when i had so done , by what means i know not , mr. k , hearing of my proceeding in this matter ( though i think he knew little of question or answer ) sets pen to paper , and draws up four arguments for the justification of those meetings . the which , when done , were sent down into our parts ; not to me , but to some of his own perswasion , who kept them , or sent them , or lent them whether they thought good : and so about two years after , with this note immediatly following , they were conveyed to my hand . bro : bunyan , this enclosed , was sent to me from godly women , whose custom for a long time hath bin to meet together to pray : who hearing of your contrary opinion , sent this . it came from mr. k. who would desire to know what objections you have against it : and he is ready to give his further advice . pray be pleased to give your answer in writting , for mr. k. expects it . pray be pleased to leave your answer with s. f. in bedford . your friends in the lord , s. b. s. f. now having received the papers , and considering the contents thereof : i was at first at a question with my self , whether the thing was feigned , or true ; and to that purpose , writt to these women again : but calling to minde , that i had heard something of this before , i concluded there was ground to believe as i doe : and so resolved to answer his demand and expectation . but to say nothing more as to this , i will next present you with the arguments he sent , and then with my manner of handling of them . first he begins with this question , whether women fearing god may meet to pray together , and whether it be lawfull for them so to do ? which done , he fals to a wonderment , saying , it seems very strange to me , that any who profess the fear of god , can make any question touching the lawfulness thereof : the rule for praying being so general to all , and there being so many instances for the practice thereof , upon several occasions in the word of god , for their incouragement therein . in the next place he presents us with his arguments , which are in number four , but in verity not one , to prove that thing for the which he urgeth them : as i hope to make appear by that i have done . first , saith he , if women may prayse god together for mercies received for the church of god , or for themselves : then they may pray together : the proof whereof is plain , exod. 15.20 , 21. if it be objected the case was extraordinary , and that miriam was a prophetess ; to which i answer , that the danger of ruin and destruction , and our deliverance from it ( if the lord grant it ) cannot be looked at but as extraordinary : the designs of ruin to the church , and servants of god , being as great as at that time when god delivered his people from the hand of pharoah . and will call for praises , if the lord please to send it , as then . and whereas it is further objected , that miriam was an extraordinary person ; to which i answer , that the duty it self of praising god for the mercie , was incumbent upon all , in as much as they were all partakers of the mercie . and the same spirit of christ that was in her , is also in all his servants : given for the same end , both to pray for mercies , we stand in need of , and to praise god for . secondly , if women have in eminent danger to themselves and the church of god , prayed joyntly together for deliverance , and god hath answered and approved of the same : then may women joyntly pray together . the instance we have is famous , esther . 4.16 . we there see shee and her maidens did pray and fast together , and the lord gave a gracious answer and deliverance . thirdly , if god hath in gospel times promised the powring out of his spirit to women , to that very end that they may pray together apart from men ; then it is not only their liberty , but duty to meet and pray together . but god hath promised his spirit to that end . zech. 12.10 , 11 , 12 , 13. which scripture , 't is plain , is a promise of gospel times . and it is to be noted that the text doth not in the singular number , say , he shall pray apart , and. his wife apart . but they shall pray apart , and their wives apart . and malachi 3.16 . god takes notice of all them that speak often together , and call upon his name . fourthly , if god hath so approved of womens meeting together to pray in gospel times , as then , and at that time to take an advantage to make known to them his mind and will concerning jesus christ : then it is lawfull for women to pray together . but , god hath so approved of their meeting to pray together , acts 16.13 . by which text it appeareth it was a frequent practise for women to meet and pray together . these are mr. k's arguments , the conclusion of his paper follows . and besides all these particular instances ( says he ) what means those general rules to build up one another in our most holy faith , and pray in the holy ghost , jude 20. but it extends to all that believe , both men and women ; unless any will say women are not to be built up in their most holy faith. therefore let not any hinder you from a duty so incumbent upon you in a special manner , in such a day as this is . cannot many women that have used this practise , by experience , say , they have met with the lord in it , and have found many blessed returns of prayer from god , both to themselves and the church , wherein god hath owned them ? therefore what god hath born witness to , and approved of , let no man deter you from . pray turn to the scriptures quoted , which i hope will give you full satisfaction . these are his arguments , and this his conclusion , in which i cannot but say , there is , not only boldness , but flattery . boldness , in fathering of his mis-understanding upon the authority of the word of god : and flattery , in soothing up persons in a way of their own , by making of them the judges in their own cause : the which i hope to make further appear anon . for since his women in their letter told me that mr. k. expects my answer , i count my self called to shew the unsoundness of his opinion . indeed he would , as they insinuate , confine me to answer by writing : but his papers have been i know not where , and how to put check to his extravagancies , that also , i know not , but by scattering mine abroad . and as i will not be confined to an answer in writing : so neither to his methods of argumentation . what scholar he is , i know not ; for my part , i am not ashamed to confess , that i neither know the mode nor figure of a sylogism , nor scarce which is major or minor. methinks i perceive but little sence , and far less truth in his arguments : also i hold that he has stretched and strained the holy word out of place , to make it , if it might have bin , to shore up his fond conceits . i shall therefore first take these texts from the errors to which he hath joyned them , and then fall to picking the bones of his sylogismes . but as i shall not confine my self to his mode and way of arguing : so neither shall i take notice of his question upon which he stateth the matter in controversie . but shall propound the same question here , which for the substance of it , was handled among us , when the thing it self was in doubt among us , namly , whether , where a church of christ is situate , it is the duty of the women of that congregation , ordinarily , and by appointment , to separate themselves from their brethren , and so to assemble together , to perform some parts of divine worship , as prayer &c. without their men ? this was our question , this we debated , and this mr. k. might have sent for , and have spoken to , since he will needs be a confuter . and courteous reader , since i have here presented thee with the question , i will also present thee with the method which i took when i handled it among my brethren . 1. i opened the termes of the question . 2. then shewed what assemblies they were that used to perform divine worship to god. 3. and so shewed whose prayers in such worship was used , or by paul and others desired . for the first . 1. by church of christ , i mean , one gathered or constituted by , and walking after the rule of the word of god. 2. by situate , i mean , where such church shall happen to be , in whole , or in the parts thereof . 3. by separating , i mean , their meetings together by appointment of their own , and as so met , to attempt to performe divine worship , prayer , without their men. having thus explained the question ; i , as a preparatory to a solution thereof , come next to shew what manner of assemblies they were that used to perform divine worship to god of old. now i finde that there have been three sorts of assemblies , in which divine worship has been performed : 1st . it has been performed in mixed assemblies ; in assemblies made up of saints and sinners . i say divine worship has been performed in such assemblies , for that there the saints have been edified , sinners convinced and converted , and made to confess their sins , to the glory of god. of these assemblies we read , matt. 5.1 . chap. 13.1 . chap. 23. marc. 4.1 . chap. 2.1 . chap. 6.2 . chap. 10. luk. 5. chap. 8. chap. 12. chap. 13. chap. 15. chap. 20. 1 cor. 14.24 . and in many other scriptures . 2ly . i also find that the church , by herself ; or as distinct from the world , have met together to perform it by themselves . mar. 4.34 . acts. 12 , 4. chap. 13.1 , 2. chap. 15.4 . chap. 20.7 , 8. joh. 20.19 , 26. 3ly . i find also that assemblies for divine worship have been made up . of the elders , and principal brethren of the church , none of the rest of the congregation being present , matt. 10.1 . luk. 9.1 . acts 1.3 . chap. 2.17 , 18. gal. 2.1.2 . with several other scriptures beside . but in all the scripture , i find not that the women of the churches of christ , did use to separate themselves from their brethren , and as so separate , performe worship together among themselves , or in that their congregation : or that they made , by allowance of the word , appointment so to do . thus far therefore this must stand for a humane invention , and mr. k. for the promoter thereof . 3ly . this done , in the third place , i come to shew you whose prayers , or by whose mouth prayer in such assemblies , as are above proved lawful , used to be made , or by paul or others were desired . 1. whose prayers were used , or who was the mouth ; and i find them called the prayers of the church in general , or of the principal men thereof in particular , judg 2.4 , 5. chap. 20.8.26 . jorl 1.14 . chap. 2.15 , 16. acts 12.5 . acts 13.1 , 3. 2. also when paul , or others desired that prayers should be made of others for them : they either desired the prayers of the church in general , or of the brethren in particular ( but never desireth , or biddeth a womans meeting , that prayers might there be made for them . ) 1. he desireth the prayers of the church in general , col. 4.2 . philipi . 1.9 . chap. 4.6 . 1 thes. 5.17 . heb. 13.18 . 2. or if he desireth prayers of certain persons , he only calls upon on the men and brethren in particular , but never upon a woman by name nor sex , to do it , 1 thes. 5.25 . 2 thes. 3.1 . rom. 15.30 . 1 tim. 2.8 . nor was , as i said , the apostle alone in this thing . christ speaks a parable to this end , that men ought always to pray . james saith the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man. moses sent the young men to sacrifice : and the people in the time of zacharias , sent their men to pray before the lord , luk. 18.1 . jam. 5.16 . exod. 24.5 . zach. 7.2 . i do not believe that by any of these , the prayers of women are despised , but by these we are taught , who , as the mouth in assemblies to pray , is commended unto us . one word more , the women in the time of jeremy the prophet , when they had made their cakes to the queen of heaven ; ( tho the thing which they did was as right in their own eyes , as if they had done true worship indeed ) and was questioned by the prophet for what they had done , could not justifie what they had done , as to the act , but by pleading , they did it not without their men. jer. 44.17 , 18 , 19. thus having premised these few things , i shall now come more directly to discourse of the question it self , to wit , whether , where a church of christ is situate , it is the duty of the women of that congregation , ordinarily , and by appointment , to separate themselves from their brethren , and as so separate , to assemble together to perform divine worship , prayer , without their men ? this was our question , and this i will now give a negative answer unto . for i find not in christs testament any command so to do ; no nor yet example : and where there is none of these , it cannot be a duty upon them ; no , nor yet liberty , but presumption to attempt it . the command , says mr. k. is general to all. but i answer , yet limited , and confined to order , and manner of performance : women may , yea ought to pray ; what then ? is it their duty to help to carry on prayer in publick assemblies with men , as they ? are they to be the audible mouth there , before all , to god ? no verily , and yet the command is general to all to pray . women of the respective churches of christ , have no command to separate themselves from the men of their congregations , to perform prayer in their own company without them , and yet the command is general to all to pray . we must therefore distinguish of persons and performances , though we may not exclude either . the manner also , and order in which such and such duties must be done , mr. k. knows is as essential , in some cases , as the very matter of vvorship . but we will come to my reasons for my dissenting from mr. k. in this . after which i will consider his arguments , and the scriptures that he would under-prop them with . as for my reasons for my dissenting from him , they are these . first , to appoint meetings for divine vvorship , either in the whole church or in the parts of it , is an act of power : which power , resideth in the elders in particular , or in the church in general . but never in the vvomen as considered by themselves . mr. k. indeed doth insinuate that this power also resideth in them ; for he saith , god hath in gospel times promised the spirit to women to that very end that they may pray together , apart from men. now if the spirit is given them to this very end , that they may do it apart from men , then they have a power residing in themselves to call their own sex together to do it . and what brave doings will such a conclusion make , even the blind himself will perceive . but further of this anon ; mean while we will our own assertion attend . namly , that to call the church or parts thereof together to perform divine worship to god , is an act of power , which power resideth in the church in general , or in the elders in particular . we will treat of the last first . first , for the eldership , moses and aaron of old were they , with the priests , that were to call the church together to perform divine worship to god , and that both as to the whole , or as to the parts of it , numb . 10.7.8 . deut. 4.14 . chap. 31.11 , 12. exo. 4.29 . chap. 12.21 . chap. 17.5 also in after times , they were the elders and chief of the church , that did it , josh. 24.1 . ezra 10.5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9. acts 14.26 , 27. chap. 15.3 . or if their calling together to performe divine worship , was not by the elders alone : yet it was by the power that resided in the church for that thing , who joyntly ordered the same , judg. 20.8.18 . ezra 3.1 . zeph. 2.1 , 2 , 3. acts 12.12 . 1 cor. 5.4 . chap. 11 20. all these are plain cases . but never , as i ever did read of in the bible , did women , ordinary beliving ones , assume this power of the elders , or of the church , to themselves . if it be asked who did appoint that meeting made mention of acts 12.12 ? i answer , 't was appointed by the power of the church , who for her own conveniencie ( if she cannot come all into one place at once , to perform the duty , as 't is not likely four or five thousand should , in times of persecution , which was their case ) may meet , some here ; some , there ; for their edification , and comfort ; compare vers. 5. with vers. 12 , and vers. 17. nor , do i question the lawfulness of this or that part of the churches assembling together for prayer : tho the elders , and greatest part of the brethren be absent : if first such men that call such assemblies are countenanced by the elders , or church , to do it , 1 tim. 2.8 . 2 tim. 2.22 . but that the sisters of this or that church , may call their own sex together to perform such worship by themselves to god ( for this is the thing in debate ) i finde no warrant for secondly ; because , this kind of worship , when done in and by a company , is ministerial to that company , as well as petitionary to god. that is , they that as the mouth in assemblies pray to god , teach that assembly , as well as beg mercies of him . and i finde not that women may assemble to do thus . that such prayer is a kind of ministring in the word to standers by , consider well 1 cor. 14.15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19. wherefore let them keep silence in the church , and in the parts thereof , when assembled to worship god. in all publick worship by prayer , teaching is set on foot , two wayes , 1. by propounding to that assembly the things that must by agreement be prayed for : 2. and by proving them to suit with the will of god , that prayer may be made in faith ( 1 joh. 5.14 . ) for all such prayer must be made for the things agreed upon first : and consequently for things that by the word are proved good , and sutable for the seasons , persons , or things , for , or about which such prayers are made . for they that have meetings for prayer , without this , pray at random , and not by rule . if two of you shall agree on earth , as touching any thing that they shall ask ( according to gods will ) it shall be done for them , saith christ , of my father which is in heaven , matt. 18.19 . now , i say , if things prayed for in assemblies , must first be joyntly agreed upon ; then must such things by some one , or more of that assembly , be first propounded , expounded , and proved to be good by the word . good for such persons , seasons , or things , for which such prayer is made . and besides the gifts required to do this , if this is not teaching , i am out . and yet this must first be done to instruct all present , to help their faith , and to quicken their spirits to , and in that worship . that they may as one man have their eyes unto the lord , zech. 9.1 . but that this power is given to women , to ordinary believing ones that are in the highest account in churches , i do not believe . i do not believe they should minister to god in prayer before the whole church , for then i should be a ranter or a quaker ; nor do i believe they should do it in their own womanish assembly , for the reason urged before . and i will add , if brethren not heretofore called by the church to open scriptures , or to speak in the church to god in prayer , are not at first to be admitted to do this , but before the elders or principal brethren , that they may hear and judge ( 1 cor. 14.26 , 27 , 28 , 29. ) how can it be thought to be meet or lawful for women , of whom it must be supposed , that they have received no such gifts , that they should use this power ? i say , how can it be imagined that the women should be bound of god to do this in such sort as doth utterly exclude the elders and all the men in the congregation from a possibility of understanding and of judging of what they do ? and yet this is the doctrine of mr. k. for he saith , that the spirit of god is promised to women to this very end , that they may pray together , apart from men. but god is not the author of this confusion in the churches . 2ly . but secondly , as teaching by prayer in assemblies , is thus set on foot ; so every one also that shall in such meetings be the mouth of the whole , to god , ministreth , so , doctrine to that assembly , as well as presenteth petitions to god. else how can that assembly say amen at their prayer or giving of thanks ? for to say , amen , is an effect of conviction , or of edification received of the stander by , from him that now is so ministring in that assembly before god , 1 cor. 14 , 15 , 16 , 17. yea , i believe that they that pray in assemblies , or that shall give thanks for mercies received there , ought to labor to speak , not only with fervency of words , but with such soundness of doctrine , while they mention , urge , or plead the promise with god , that that whole assembly may be enlightned , taught , taken , and carried away in their spirits , on the wing of that prayer , and of faith , to god , whose face they are come to seek , and whose grace they are gathered together to beg . now this is called praying and praising , to the teaching and edifying of others , as by the scripture afore named is made appear , 1 cor. 14.14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19. but by what word of god the sisters of the respective churches may set up this way of teaching of one another in their assemblies , i am ignorant of . for. thirdly , the holy ghost doth particularly insist upon the inability of women , as to their well managing of the worship now under consideration , and therefore it ought not to be presumed upon by them . they are forbidden to teach , yea to speak in the church of god. and why forbidden , but because of their inability . they cannot orderly manage that worship to god that in assemblies is to be performed before him ( i speak now of our ordinary believing ones , and i know none extraordinary among the churches . ) they are not builded to manage such worship , they are not the image and glory of god , as the men are , 1 cor. 11.7 . they are placed beneath , and are called the glory of the man. wherefore they are weak , and not permited to perform publick worship to god. when our first mother , who was not attended with those weaknesses , either sinful , or natural , as our women now are , stept out of her place but to speak a good word for worship , you see how she was baffled , and befooled therein ; she utterly failed in the performance , tho she briskly attempted the thing . yea she so failed there-about , that at one clap she over-threw , not only ( as to that ) the reputation of women for ever , but her soul , her husband , and the whole world besides , gen. 3.1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7. the fallen angel knew what he did when he made his assault upon the woman . his subtilty told him that the woman was the weaker vessel . he knew also that the man was made the head in worship , and the keeper of the garden of god. the lord god took the man , said unto the man , commanded the man , and made him keeper of the garden , gen. 2.15 , 16 , 17. wherefore the management of worship belonged to him . this , the serpent , as i said , was a ware of : and therefore he comes to the woman , sayes to the woman , and deals with the woman about it , and so overcomes the world. wherefore it is from this consideration that paul tells timothy that he permited not a woman to teach , nor to usurp authority over the man , but to be in silence . ( but to call the church or parts thereof together , to perform solemn worship , and in such a call to exclude or shut out the men , is an usurping of that authority over them to an high degree . ) and he renders the reason of this his prohibition thus , for adam was first formed , then eve , ( and therefore had the headship in worship ) and adam was not deceived , but the woman being deceived , was in the transgression . 1 tim. 2.15 , 16. but again , it should seem , methinks , if women must needs be managers of worship in assemblies , they should do it , as eve , before adam , in presence of the men : but that i think none will allow , though that would be the way best to correct miscarriages ; how then should it be thought convenient for them to do it alone . if children are not thought fitt to help to guide the ship with the marriners ; shall they be trusted so much as with a boat at sea , alone . the thing in hand is a parallel case : for , fourthly . if the weightiness of this worship be , as indeed it is , so great , that the strongest , and best able to perform it , do usually come off with blushing , and with repentance for their shortness , as to the well performance thereof ; though they ingage therein by good and lawful authority : what will they do who are much weaker here , and when , as eve , they set to it in a way of usurping of authority , and of their own head , and will. to offer strange sire with incense ( which was a type of prayer ) you know what it cost nadab and avihu , though men , and the sons of aaron . mr. k. cryes the sisters , the women , the womens meetings , and the like , and how they have prevailed with heaven . poor man , i am sorry for his weakness , and that he should shew that himself is so nunnish in such a day as this . but to return , as all worship in assemblies ought to be performed with the most exact order and solemnity ; so this of prayer with that , if possible , that is more then all the rest ; and therefore this makes it more heavie still . when men preach , they have to do with men , but when they pray in assemblies , they have to do both with men , and with god at once . and i say , if it be so great a matter to speak to men before god : how great a matter is it to speak to men and god at once : to god by way of petition , and to men by way of instruction . but i am perswaded if those most fond of the womens meetings for prayer , were to petition the king for their lives , they would not set women to be their advocates to him : specially if the king should declare before hand by law , that he permitted not a woman in an open auditory to speak before him . there are also many temptations that attend the duty of praying in assemblies : especially those that are immediatly imployed therein . these temptations , they awake , are a ware of , are forced to wrestle with , and greatly to groan under . wherefore we put not the weak upon this service ; not the weak , though they be men : not they in the presence of the strong . how then should the weakest of all , be put upon it , and that when together by themselves . men though strong ; and though acting by lawfull authority in this , are not able but with unutterable grones to do it : how then shall all those that attempt it without that authority , perform it , as acceptable worship to god ? this work therefore , is as much too heavy for our women , now , as that about which eve ingaged in at first , was too heavy for her . but fifthly , if this worship may be managed by the sister-hood of the churches , being congregated together in absence of their men : of what signification is it that man is made the head of the woman , as well in worship , as in nature ? ( 1 cor. 11.3.7 . ) yea more , why are the elders of the churches called watchmen , overseers , guides , teachers , rulers , and the like ? if this kind of worship may be performed , without their conduct and government ? ezek. 3.7 . chap. 33.7 . acts 20.28 . ephes. 4.11 . psal. 78.72 . heb. 13.17 . first , why is man made the head of the woman in worship , in the worship now under debate , in that worship that is to be performed in assemblies ? and why are the women commanded silence there , if they may congregate by themselves , and set up and manage worship there ? worship was ordained before the woman was made , wherefore the word of god at the first did not immediatly come to her , ( gen. 2.16 , 17 , 18. 1 cor. 14.35 , 36. ) ●ut to him that was first formed , and made the head in worship . and hence it is that women are so strictly tied up to this headship , that if they will learn , they must ask their husbands at home ( not appoint meetings of their own sex to teach one another ) vers . 35. but what must they do that have unbelieving ones ? and what must they do that have none ? answer . let them attend upon those ordinances that god has appointed for the building up and perfecting of the body of christ , and learn as the angels do , ephes. 4.11 , 12.13 . chap. 3.10 . 1 pet. 1.12 . 2ly . but i say , if they must do as mr. k. says they are in duty bound , to witt , meet by themselves apart from their men , and as so met , perform this most solemn worship to god : how shall the elders and overseers , the watchmen , rulers , and guides in worship , perform their duty to god , and to the church of god , in this , since from this kind of worship they are quite excluded , and utterly shut out of dores : unless it be said , that to watch , to oversee , and to guide , in the matter and manner of performance of this worship in assemblies , is no part of the watchman or overseers work : or in their lawful absence , the work of the principal men of the church . nor will the faithful and dutiful overseer , leave worship , no , not in the best part of the congregation assembled to worship , to be performed by every weak brother , though i believe it might with more warrant be left to them , then to the strongest among our ordinary ones of the other sex. also our elders and watchmen covet , ( if we have unbelievers to behold ) that our worship be performed by the most able : how then shall it be thought that they should be so silly , to turn a company of weak women loose to be abused by the fallen angels ? can it be thought that their congregation , since they have it without a command , shall fare better among those envious spirits , then those that are lawfully called , shall fare before the world ? watchman , watchman , see to thy duty , look well to the manner of worship that is to be performed according to thy commission . trust not eve as adam did , with worship , and with its defence . look that all things be done in worship as becomes thee , a head , both in nature , and by office : and leave not so solemn a part of worship , as prayer in company , is , and ought to be accounted , to be done , thou canst by no means tell how . watch in and over all such worship thy self . be diligent to know the state of thy flocks , whether they be flocks of men , or women , and look well to thy herds , and though shalt have milk enough , not only for men and babes , but also for the maintenance and life of thy maidens . so that they need not go with their pitchers to seek water , there where their god has not sent them ( pro. 27.23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27. ) besides the shepherds tents is provision sufficient for them , cant. 1. but for a conclusion of this , i will ask this man , if he doth not , by pleading for these womens meetings , declare , that the women without their men , are better able by themselves to maintain divine worship , then the men are , without their elders ? for as much as he himself will not alow that the men should alwayes perform worship , without his oversight and inspection : and yet will plead for the women , to have such worship in their congregation , among themselves , excluding forever the men therefrom . for saith he , the spirit is promised to be given to them to that very end , that they may meet together , to pray apart without their men. and now for mr. k ' s. arguments , which as i said , are in number four . 1. vve will take the scriptures from them , and 2. then pick the bones of their carkases . yet in my taking of the scriptures from his arguments , i will doe it in a way that is most to his advantage , making of each of them as formidable an objection as i can against my self . 1. object . miriam took a timbrill in her hand , and went out , and all the women went out after her , praising god with timbrils and dances for their deliverances . therefore the women of the churches of christ may appoint meeting 's of their own , as separate from their brethren , and then and there perform divine worship , prayer , in that their congregation without their men. exo : 15. vers. 20 , 21. 1. answer . miriam was a prophetess , and i suppose that none of our women will pretend to be such . and though mr. k. labours to gett over this , by saying that the work of praising was incumbent upon all : yet by his leave , judgment and discretion , and a spirit of conduct sutable to the duty ( as we read of ) was found ( among the women ) in none but shee . why is it else said , miriam led them forth , miriam the prophetess did it . another by mr. k's . argument , might a done it as well . thus degrades he the prophetess , that he may gett favour with the ordinary women , and prompt them on to a work that he has a superstitious affection for . 2. but his assertion is of no weight . the women were not left in that extraordinary service , to the spirit of ordinary believers . nor can i count it but crooked dealing , to bring in extraordinary persons , in their extraordinary acts , to prove it lawful for ordinary persons , to do that which is not commanded them . 3. but though miriam did go forth , or come out with the women ; yet not from the men , into some remote place in the wilderness , to worship by themselves . shee rather went or came out , and the women followed her , from the place by the sea , where now they were , after moses , to sing as her sex became her ; for she , though an extraordinary woman , might not make her self an equall with moses and aaron , therefore shee came behind in worship , yet with the body of the people , as it is said . so moses brought israel from the red sea , vers. 22. women , though prophetesses , must wear some badge or other of inferiority , to those that are prophets indeed , ( 1 cor. 11.3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8. ) and i chuse to understand that miriam did this , 1. because the text last mentioned , says so . 2. because miriam and all the women did sing with the words of the men , vers. 1. compared with 21. 3. for that they did sing them after the men , as taking them from their mouth . for saith the text , miriam answered them , and so handed it down to them of her sex ; saying , sing ye to the lord for he hath triumphed gloriously . vers. 1. and vers. 21. 4. for that she commanded the women that they should sing the same song : hence it is called the song of moses , not of miriam , revel . 15.3 . 5. from all which i conclude that miriam did not draw the women away into some such place where neither moses nor aaron , nor the elders of israel could see , behold , and observe their manner of vvorship . but that she , as her modestie became her , did lead them out from that place where they were , to sing and to dance , and to praise god , after the men. 6. this scripture therefore , favoreth not this mans oppinion , to wit. that it is the duty of the women of the churches of christ to separate themselves from their brethren , and as so separate , to perform divine worship by themselves . 2. object . esther the queen performed with her maidens this duty of prayer without their men : therefore the women of gospel churches may separate themselves from their brethren , and perform it among themselves . est. 4.16 . 1. answer . esther was in the house of the kings chamberlain , and could not at this time come to her brethren : no , not to her uncle mordecai , to consult how to prevent an aproaching judgment : yea , mordecai and shee were fain to speak one to another by hatach whom the king had appointed to attend upon the queen , vers. 5.6 , 7 , 8 , 9. so she could by no means at that time have communion with the church : no marvel therefore if she fasted with her maidens alone : for so she must now do , or not do at all . but i will here ask this our argumentator , whether esther did count it a burden or a priviledge , thus now to be separated from her brethren , and so forced to perform this work as she did ? if a priviledge , let him prove it . if a burden , he has little cause to make use of it , to urge that her practise then , for a ground to women that are at liberty to separate from their brethren to performe such worship by themselves in their company , without their men. 2. we do not read that she desired that any of the women that were at liberty should come from the men to be with her ; whence we may gather that she preferred their liberty to worship with men , far beyond a womans meeting . she counted that too many , by her self and her maidens , were in such bondage already . 3. neither did she attempt to take that unavoidable work upon herself , but as begging of the men , that shee might by their faith and prayers , be born up therein , clearly concluding that shee did count such work too hard for women to perform by themselves , without the help of their men , vers. 15.16 . 4. besides this womans meeting ( as mr. k. would have it ) was made up of none but the queen and her houshold maides , and with but few of them ; nor will we complaine of our honest women , when the case is so that they cannot go out to the church to do this , if they pray with their maids at home . 5. but what if esther did pray with her maids in her closet , because shee could not come out to her brethren : is it fair to make the necessity of a woman in bondage , a law to women at liberty ? this argument therefore is erronious , and must not have this text to shore it up , we therefore take it away from his words , and proceed to a sight of his next . 3. object . but it is said by the prophet zecharias , that the spirit is promised to be given in new testament times , to women , that they may pray together apart from men , zech. 12.11 , 12 , 13. answ. the text says nothing so , but is greatly abused by this man. indeed it says their wives shall mourn apart , but it saith not , they shall do so together . yea , that they shall separate themselves by the dictate of god , from their brethren , to do so , is that which this text knows nothing of . sometimes , many may be together apart from others ; but why mr. k. to serve his purpose , should wrack and strain this text to justifie his womans meeting , i see no reason at all . my reason against him is , for that the look , here upon him whom we have peirced , which is to be the cause of this mourning , is to be by an immediate revelation of the holy ghost , who doth not use to tell before hand when he will so come down upon us . but such a meeting as mr. k. intends must be the product of consultation and time . i will pour , saith god , upon the house of david , the spirit of grace and supplication , and then they shall look ; that is , when that spirit so worketh , with them , as to enable them so to do . now i say , i would know , since this mourning is to be the effect of this look , and so before one is aware ( song . 6.12 . ) whether mr. k. can prove that these women were to have an item before hand when they should have this look : but as it would be ridiculous thus to conclude , so as ridiculous is it to think to prove his womens meetings from hence . nor doth the conclusion that he hath made hereupon , prove more but that he is ignorant of the work of the spirit in this matter , or that his fondness for the womens meetings hath made him forgett his own experience . for how can one that never had but one such look upon jesus christ , draw such a conclusion from hence . and that all those women should have this look at the same time , even all the women of the house of david , and of the inhabitants of jerusalem , that they might all of them by the direction of the holy ghost , separate themselves from their men to hold a womans meeting or meetings , by themselves , for this ; is more fictitious , then one would imagin , a man should dream . if he says that the women have a promise to have this look when they please , or that they are suer to have it , cause 't is intailed to their meeting , ( for this seems to come nearest his conclusion : yet ) what unavoidable inconveniencies will flow therefrom , i leave to any to judge . but i take this mourning to be according as another of the prophets say , they shall be upon the mountains like doves of the valleys , all of them mourning , every one for his iniquity , ezek. 7.16 . all those souls therefore , that shall be counted worthy to have this look , shall mourn apart , or by themselves , when they have it . for though a man cannot appoint to himself when he will repent of his sins , or when the holy ghost will work : yet he shall repent indeed ; he shall do it , i say when he doth so work , not staying till another can do so too . and since our own iniquity will then make us best consider our own case , mourning apart , or every one for their own iniquity , is most naturally proper thereto . and this is the mourning that shall be in the house of david , jerusalem , the church , both with men and women , at all times when the holy ghost shall help us to look upon him whom we have pierced . pray god give mr. k. and my self more of these lookes upon a crucified christ , for then we shall understand this and other such like scriptures , otherwise then to draw such incoherent inferences from them as he doth . 4. object . women were wont in gospel times to meet together to pray . therefore the women in gospel churches may separate themselves from their brethren to perform divine worship by themselves without their men. acts 16.13 . this is another of his scriptures , brought to uphold this fancy ; but , answ. 1. it is not said that the women of churches met together alone to pray . but that paul went down to a river-side where prayer was wont to be made , and spake unto the women that resorted thither . it looks therefore most agreeable to the word , to think that there the law was read by the jewish priests to the prosesited women of that city , and that prayer , as was their custom in all such service , was intermixed therewith . but this is but conjecturall . and yet for all that , it is better grounded , and hath more reason on its side , then hath any of this mans arguments for the opinion of his womens meetings . but , 2. there was there at that time no gospel church of christ , nor before that any gospel ministry , consequently no church obedience . should it then be granted , that there were none but women at that meeting , and that their custom was to meet at that river-side to pray , it doth not therefore follow , that their practice was to be a pattern , a rule , a law to women in churches , to separate from their brethren , to perform divine worship , in their own womans congregation without their men. 3. there was there no gospel-believer . lydia her self before paul came thither , had her heart shut up against the faith of jesus christ ; and how a company of strangers to gospel faith , should in that their doing , be a pattern to the women in churches , a pattern of christian vvorship , i do not understand . 4. if pauls call to philippi had been by the vision of a vvoman , or vvomans meeting ; what an argument would this man have drawn from thence to have justified his womens meetings ? but since 't was by a man , he hath lost an argument thereby . though he notwithstanding , doth adventure to say , that god so approved of that meeting , as then , and at that time , to take advantage to make known his mind and vvill to them concerning jesus christ. 5. and now i am in , since mr. k. will needs have this scripture to justifie such a practice , i wonder , that he so lightly over looked pauls going to that meeting , for thither he went to be sure ( ver . 13.16 . ) yea how fairly , to his thinking , might he have pleaded , that paul by this act of his , was a great lover , countenancer and commender of those he calls the vvomens meetings . paul went to the womens meeting at phillipi , therefore it is lawful for the women of gospel churches to separate from their brethren , and to congregate by themselves for the performance of some parts of divine worship . i say how easily might he have said this , and then have po●t in those two verses above quoted , and so have killed the old one ? for the word lies liable to be abused by the ignorance of men , and it had been better then it is , if this had been the first time that this man had served it so , for the justification of his rigid principles ; but when men out of a fond conceit of their own abilities , or of prejudice to them that contradict their errors , are tempted to shew their folly , they will not want an opportunity from false glosses put upon the text , to do it . 6. but paul went to that company to preach christs gospel to them , not for that they merited his coming , but of the grace of god , as also did peter and john , when at the hour of prayer they went up into the temple , and paul into the synagogue at antioch , acts 3.1 , 2 , 3. chap. 13.14 , 15 , 16. but as fairly might this man have urged , that the healing of the lame man that lay at that time at the gate of the temple , and the conversion of them by paul at antioch , was by the procurement of the prayers of the sisters , and by their reading of the law in that synagogue at antioch , as to argue as he has done , that god was so well pleased , or so well approved of that vvomans meeting as he feigns it at phillippi , as to send , &c. to them his minister . 7. but again , that this womans meeting should be so deserving , and that while they were without the faith of christ , as to procure a gospel minister to be sent unto them , that christ might to them be made known , and yet that so few of them should be converted to the faith , seems a greater paradox to me . for we read not that one of the women then , or of them of the town , that did use to go that meeting , ( for lydia was of thyatira ) was ever converted to christ ; brethren we read of several , but we hear not of any one more of those women , vers. 10. but lydia worshipped god , therefore her practice might prevail . although 't is said she worshipped god , yet she was but a proselyte , as those acts 13. was , and knew no more of christ then the eunuch did , acts 8. but hold , she had faith , will that make all practice acceptable , yea , law and commandment to others , and the work of those that have none , meritorious ? but we must touch upon these things anon . 5. object . but ( saith mr. k. ) malachi 3.16 . doth countenance those meetings . answ. not at all ; though mr. k. has pleased to change a term in the text , to make it speak his mind ; for he has put out [ thought ] and put in [ call ] but all will not do his work , for when he has done what he can , 't will be difficult , to make that scripture say , it is the duty of women in gospel-churches to separate from their brethren , to perform divine vvorship among themselves . 6. obj. but jude 20. doth justifie these meetings , except saith he , any will say , women are not to be built up in their most holy faith. answ. how fain would the man lay hold on something , onely he wants divine help , that is , the vvord of god , to bottom his things upon . but doth the apostle here at all treat of the vvomen and their meetings , or are they only the beloved , and to be built up , &c. speaks he not there to the church , which consisteth of men and women ? and are not men the more noble part in all the churches of christ. but can women no other way be built up in their most holy faith , but by meetings of their own without their men ? but , building up your selves , i suppose is the thing he holds by . but cannot the church , and every woman in it , build up themselves without their womans meetings ? wherefore have they the word , their closet , and the grace of meditation , but to build up themselves withall ? he saith not , build up one another , but if he had , it might well have been done without a womans meeting . but any thing to save a drowning man. this text then is written to the church of christ , by which it is exhorted to faith and prayer , but it speaks not a word of a womans meeting , and therefore it is fooling with the vvord to suggest it . i cannot therefore , while i see this impertinent dealing , but think our argumentator dotes , or takes upon him to be a head of those he thinks to rule over . the womans letter to me also seems to import the same , when they say , mr. k. would desire to know what objections you have against it ( his arguments ) and he is ready to give his further advice . thus having taken from his arguments those holy words of god which he has abused , to make them stand ; i come next to the arguments themselves , and intend to pick their bones for the crows . 1. he saith , that the same spirit that was in miriam , is also in all gods servants for the same end , both to pray for mercies we stand in need of , and to praise god for mercies received . 1. answer , but the question is , whether miriam did , as she led out the women to dance , 〈◊〉 only as an ordinary saint . and if you evade this , you chuse the tongue of the crafty , and use the words of deceit ; for she managed that work as she was miriam the prophetess ; and in your next , pray tell your women so . 2. but as miriam the prophetess , she did not lead the women from their men , to worship in some place remote by themselves , as we have shewed before . 2dly , he saith , that god hath promised to pour out his spirit in gospel times to that very end , that women might pray together apart from men . answer . not mentioning again what was said before : i add ; if by men , he means the brethren , the prophet will not be his voucher , for he neither saith nor intimates such a thing . 2. and how far short this saying is , of making of god and his holy prophet , the author of schism in worship , and an encouragement unto schism therein , 't is best in time that he looks to it . for if they may withdraw , to do thus at one time , they may withdraw , to do thus at another : and if the spirit is given to them to this very end , that they may go by themselves from the church , to perform this divine worship at one time , they may , for what bounds this man has set them , go by themselves to do thus always . but , as i said , the whole of this proposition being false , the error is still the greater . 3dly , god , saith he , hath so well approved of women meeting together to pray in gospel times , as then , and at that time , to take occasion to make known his mind and will to them concerning jesus christ , acts 16.13 . answ. let the reader consider what was said afore , and now it follows ; if this assertion be true , then popish doctrine of merit is good , yea the worst sort of it , which is , works done afore faith. for that we read of none of these women save lydia feared or worshipped god ; and yet saith he , god so approved of that meeting as then , & at that time to send them his gospel , which is one of the richest blessings ; nor will it help to lay cornelius now in my way , for the deservings here were , for ought we read , of women that feared not god. here lydia only bare that character , 't is said she worshipped god , but she was not all the women . but mr. k. saith thus of them all . i know also there was faith in some in messias to come , though when he came , they knew not his person ; but this is not the case neither ; these women , who held up as he feigned , this meeting , were not as we read of , of this people . 4. he said , that esther and her maids fasted and prayed , and the lord gave a gracious return , or answer and deliverance . that , is to the church , that then was under the rage of haman . answ. let the reader remember what was said before , and now i ask this man , 1. whether mordecai and the good men then did not pray and fast as well as she ? and if so , whether they might not obtain at least , some little of the mercy , as well as those women , if so . 2. whether mr. k. in applying the deliverance of this people to the prayer of the queen and her maids , for he lays it only there , be not deceitful arguing , and doth not tend to puff up that sex , to their hurt and dammage ? yea whether it doth not tend to make them unruly and head strong ? but if they be more gently inclined to obedience , no thanks to mr. k. 3. and if i should ask mr. k. who gave him authority to attribute thus the deliverance of this people , to who and what prayers he please , i suppose it would not be easie for him to answer . the text saith not , that the prayers of these women procured the blessing . but mr. k. hath here a womans meeting to vindicate , and therefore it is that he is thus out in his mind . prayers were heard and the church was delivered . and i doubt not but that these good women had hand and heart in the work . but should all be admitted that mr. k. hath said as to this also , yet this scripture , as hath already been proved , will not justifie his womans meeting . 5. he makes his appeal to the women , if they have not obtained by their prayers in these their meetings , many blessed returns of prayer from god , both to themselves and the church of god. answ. i count this no whit better then the very worst of his paper , for besides the silliness of his appeal , by which he makes these good women to be judg in their own cause , his words have a direct tendance in them to puff them up to their destruction . i have wondred sometimes , to see when something extraordinary hath happened to the church of god for good , that a few women meeting together to pray , should be possessed with a conceit , that they fetched the benefit down from heaven , when perhaps ten thousand men in the land prayed for the mercy as hard as they . yea i have observed that though the things bestowed , were not so much as thought of by them , yet they have been apt to conclude that their meeting together has done it . but poor women you are to be pittied , your tempter is to bear the blame , to wit , this man and his fellows . i come now to some objections that may yet be thought on : and will speak a word to them . 1. object . it is said , where two or three are gathered together in my name , i am there in the midst of them , matt. 18.20 . answer . to gather together in christs name , is to gather together by his authority ; that is , by his law and commandment , acts 4.17 , 18 , 30. chap. 5.28.40 . colos. 3.17 . but we have no law of christ , nor commandment , that the women of this , or that church , should separate themselves from their brethren , to maintain meetings among themselves , for the performing of divine worship : and therefore such meetings cannot be in his name ; that is , by his authority , law , and commandment ; and so ought not to be at all . 2. object . but women may , if sent for by them of their own sex , come to see them , when they are sick , and when so come together , pray in that assembly before they part . answ. the law of christ is , is any sick among you , let him ( and the woman is included in the man ) call for the elders of the church , and let them pray over him , &c. and to this injunction there is a threefold promise made . 1. and the prayer of faith shall save the sick ; 2. and the lord shall raise him up . 3. and if he have committed sin , they shall be forgiven him . jam. 5.14 , 15. and considering , this advice is seconded with so much grace : i think it best in all such cases ( as in all other ) to make the word of god our rule . 3. object . but women have sometimes cases , which modesty will not admit should be made known to men , what must they do then ? answ. their husband and they are one flesh , and are no more to be accounted two . let them tell their grief to them . thus rachel asked children of her husband , and went not to a nest of women to make her complaint to them , ( gen. 30.1 . ) or let them betake themselves to their closets , with rebecca ( gen. 25.20 , 21 , 22 , 23. ) or if they be in the assembly of the saints , let them pray in their hearts , with hannah : and if their petition be lawfull , i doubt not but they may be heard , 1 sam. 1.13 . our author , perhaps , will say , i have not spoken to his question , which was , whether women fearing god , may meet to pray together ? and whether it be lawfull for them so to do ? but i answer , i have : with respect to all such godly women as are in the churches of the saints , 1 cor. 14.33 , 34 , 35. compared with vers. 15 , 16 , 17. and when he has told us , that his question respected only those out of churches , then will i confess that i did mistake him . yes he will gett nothing thereby , for as much as his question to be sure intends those in special : also his arguments are for the justifying of that their practise . now the reason why i waved the form of his question , was , because it was both scanty and lean of words , as to the matter of controversie in hand : also i thought it best to make it more ample , and distinct , for the edification of our reader . and if after all , mr. k. is not pleased at what i have done , let him take up the question , and answer it better . the man perhaps may fly to the case of utter necessity , and so bring forth another question , to wit , whether , if the men of a church should all die , be murdered , or cast into prison : the women of that church may not meet together to pray ? and whether it be not lawfull for them so to do ? but when he produceth a necessity for the puting of such a question , and then shall put it to me ; i will , as god shall help me , give him an answer thereto . but , may some say , our women in this , do not what they do , of their own heads , they are allowed to do what they do by the church . i answer , no church-allowance is a foundation sufficient to justifie that which is neither commanded nor allowed by the word . besides , who knows not , that have their eyes in their heads , what already has , and what further may come into the churches , at such a gapp as this . and now to give the reader a cautionary conclusion . 1. take heed of letting the name , or good shew of a thing , begett in thy heart a religious reverence of that thing ; but look to the word for thy bottom , for it is the word that authorizeth , what ever may be done with warrant in worship , to god ; without the word , things are of humain invention , of what splendor or beauty soever they may appear to be . without doubt the fryers and nunns , and their religious orders , were of a good intent at first , as also compulsive vowes of chastitie , single life , and the like : but they were all without the word , and therefore , as their bottom wanted divine authority , so the practise wanted sanctity by the holy ghost . the word prayer , is , of it self , in appearance so holy , that he forthwith seems to be a devil that forbids it : and yet we finde that prayers have been out of joynt , and disorderly used ; and therefore may by one , without incurring the danger of damnation , be called into question ; and if found without order by him , he may labour to set them in joynt again , matt. 6.5 , 6 , 7 , 8. chap. 23.14 . jam. 4.3 . i am not of the number of them , that say , of what profit is it , if we should pray unto god ? job 21.15 . but finding no good footing in the word for that kind of service we have treated about above , and knowing that error and humain inventions in religion will not offer themselves , but with wiped lipps , and a countenance as demure as may be , and also being perswaded that this opinion of mr. k. is vagrant , yea a meer alien as to the scriptures , i being an officer , have apprehended it , and put it in the stocks , and there will keep it , till i see by what authority it has leave to pass and repass as it lists , among the godly in this land. 2ly . yet by all that i have said , i never meant to intimate in the least , but that believing women are saints as well as men : and members of the body of christ. and i will add , that as they , and we , are united to christ , and made members of his mystical body , the fulness of him that sills all in all : so there is no superiority , as i know of , but we are all one in christ. for , the man is not without the woman , nor the woman without the man in the lord , nor are we counted as male or female in him , 1 cor. 11.11 . galat. 3.28 . ephes. 1.23 . only we must observe that this is spoken of that church which is his true mystical body , and not of every particular congregation of professing christians . the churches of christ here , and there , are also called his body : but no church here , though never so famous , must be taken for that of which mention was made afore . as christ then , has a body mystical , which is called his members , his flesh , and his bones , ephes. 5.30 . so he has a body politick , congregations modelled by the skill that his ministers have in his word , for the bearing up of his name , and the preserving of his glory in the world against antichrist . in this church , order , and discipline , for the nourishing up of the true mystical body of christ , has been placed from the foundation of the world. wherefore in this , laws , and statutes , and government , is to be looked after , and given heed unto , for the edification of that , which is to arive at last to a perfect man : to the measure of the statute of the fulness of christ , 1 cor. 12.27 , 28 , 29 , ephes. 4.11 , 12 , 13. now where there is order , and government by laws and statutes : there must , of necessity , be also a distinction of sex , degrees , and age : yea , offices , and officers must also be there , for our furtherance , and joy of faith. from which government and rule , our ordinary women are excluded by paul ; nor should it , since it is done by the wisdom of god , be any offence unto them . in this church there are oft times many hypocrites , and formal professors , and heresies : that they which are approved may be made manifest , 1 cor. 11.19 . these therefore being there , and being suffered to act as they many times do , provoke the truly godly , to contend with them by the word : for that these hypocrites , and formal professors , naturaly incline to a denyal of the power of godliness , and to set up forms of their own , in the stead thereof , mark. 7.6 , 7 , 8 , 9. 2 tim. 3.5 . and this is done for the sake , and for the good of those that are the true members of the body of christ , and that are to arive at his haven of rest : from whom those others at last shall be purged , and with them , all their things that offend : matt. 13.40 . then shall the righteous shine like the sun , in the kingdom of their father : he that hath ears to hear , let him hear . this church , that thus consisteth of all righteous , that are so in gods account : they are to have an house in heaven , and to be for gods habitation there . who then , shall be governed by their head without those officers and laws , that are necessary here : and both at last shall be subject to him , that sometime did put all things under christ , that god may be all in all , joh. 14.1 , 2 , 3. ephes. 2.21 . 1 cor. 15.23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27. wherefore my beloved sisters , this inferiority of yours will last but a little while : when the day of gods salvation is come , to wit , when our lord shall descend from heaven , with a shout , with the voice of the archangel , and the trump of god , these distinctions of sexes shall be laid a side , and every pot shall be filled to the brim . for with a notwithstanding you shall be saved , and be gathered up to that state of felicity ; if you continue in faith , and charity , and holiness , with sobriety , 1 tim. 2.15 . thirdly . i doubt not at all of the lawfulness of womens praying , and that both in private and publick : only when they pray publickly , they should not separate from , but joyn with the church in that work. they should also not be the mouth of the assembly , but in heart , desires , grones , and tears , they should go a long with the men. in their closets they are at liberty to speak unto their god , who can bear with , and pitty them with us ; and pardon all our weakness for the sake of jesus christ. and here , i will take an occasion to say , there may be a twofold miscarriage in prayer , one in doctrine , the other in the frame of the heart : all are too much subject to the last , women to the first . and for this cause it is , at least , so i think , that vvomen are not permitted to teach , nor speak in assemblies for divine worship , but to be and to learn in silence , 1 cor. 14.33 , 34 , 35. chap. 15.33 . for he that faileth as to the frame of his spirit , hurteth only himself : but he that faileth in doctrine , corrupteth them that stand by . let the women be alone with rebecca , in the closet ; or if in company , let her , with hanna speak to her self and to god ; and not doubt , but if she be humble , and keep within compass , shee shall be sharers with her brethren in the mercy . fourthly . nor are women , by what i have said , debarred from any work , or imploy , unto which they are enjoyned by the word . they have often been called forth to be gods witnesses , and have born famous testimony for him , against the sons of the sorceress , and the whore ; i remember many of them with comfort : even of these eminent daughters of sarah , whose daughters you also are , so long as you do well , and are not affraid with any amazement , 1 pet. 3.1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6. what by the word of god , you are called unto , what by the word is enjoyned , you , do ; and the lord be with you . but this of the womens meetings : since indeed there is nothing for its countenance in the word , and since the calling together of assemblies for worship , is an act of power , and belongeth to the church , elders , or chief men of the same : let me intreat you to be content , to be under subjection , and obedience , as also saith the law. we hold that it is gods word , that we are to look to , as to all things pertaining to worship , because it is the word that authorizeth , and sanctifieth what wee do . fifthly . women ! they are an ornament in the church of god on earth , as the angels are in the church in heaven . betwixt whom also there is some comparison , for they cover their faces in acts of worship , isa : 6.2 . 1 cor. 11.10 . but as the angels in heaven , are not christ , and so not admitted to the mercie-seat to speak to god , so neither are women on earth , the man ; who is to worship with open face before him , and to be the mouth in prayer for the rest . as the angels then cry , holy , holy , holy , with faces covered in heaven : so let the women cry , holy , holy , holy , with their faces covered on earth : yea thus they should do , because of the angels . for this cause ought the woman to have power , that is a covering , on her head , because of the angels , 1 cor. 11.10 . not only because the angels are present , but because women , and angels , as to their worship , in their respective places , have a semblance . for the angels are inferior to the great man christ , who is in heaven ; and the woman is inferior to the man , that truly worships god in the church on earth . methinks , holy and beloved sisters , you should be content to wear this power , or badge of your inferiority , since the cause thereof , arose at first from your selves . 't was the woman that at first the serpent made use of , and by whom he then overthrew the world : wherefore the woman , to the worlds end , must wear tokens of her vnderlingship in all matters of vvorship . to say nothing of that which she cannot shake off , to wit , her pains and sorrows in child-bearing ( which god has riveted to her nature ) there is her silence , and shame , and a covering for her face , in token of it , which she ought to be exercised with , when ever the church comes together to vvorship , gen. 3.16 . 1 tim. 2.15 . 1 cor. 11.13 . 1 tim. 2.9 . do you think that god gave the vvoman her hair , that she might deck her self , and set off her fleshly beauty therewith ? it was given her to cover her face with , in token of shame and silence , for that by the vvoman sin came into the vvorld , 1 tim. 2.9 . and perhaps the reason why the angels cover their faces when they cry , holy , holy , holy , in heaven , is to shew that they still bear in minde with a kind of abhorrence , the remembrance of their fellows falling from thence . modesty , and shame-facedness , becomes vvomen at all times , especially in times of publick vvorship , and the more of this is mixed with their grace , and personage , the more beautiful they are both to god and men. but why must the women have shame-facedness , since they live honestly as the men ? i answer , in remembrance of the fall of eve , and to that the apostle applies it . for a vvoman ( necessity has no law ) to shave her head , and to look with open face in vvorship , as if she could be a leader there ; is so far from doing that which becomes her , that it declares her to have forgot what god would have her for ever with shame remember . sixthly . in what i have said about the vvomens meetings ; i have not at all concerned my self about those vvomen , that have been extraordinary ones , such as miriam , deborah , huldah , anna , or the rest , as the daughters of philip the evangelist , priscilla , the vvomen that paul said laboured with him in the gospel , or such like ; for they might teach , prophecy , and had power to call the people together so to do . though this i must say concerning them , they ought to ( and did , notwithstanding so high a calling , still ) bear about with them the badge of their inferiority to them that were prophets indeed . and hence 't is said , under pain of being guilty of disorder , that if they prayed in the church , or prophesied there , with their head uncovered , they then dishonoured their head , 1 cor. 11.5 . the prophetesses were below the prophets , and their covering for their head was to be worn in token thereof ; and perhaps 't was for want of regard to this order , that when miriam began to perk it before moses , that god covered her face with a leperous-scabb , numb . 12. hence these vvomen , when prophets were present , did use to lie still as to acts of power , and leave that to be put forth by them that was higher then they : and even miriam her self , though she was one indeed , yet she came allwayes behind , not only in name , but vvorship , unless when she was in her own disorders , num. 12.1 . and it is worth your further noting , that when god tells israel that they should take heed in the plague of leprosie that they diligently observed to do what the priest and levites taught them , that he conjoyns with that exhortation , that they should remember what god did to miriam by the way , deut. 24.8 , 9. intimating surely , that they should not give heed to vvomen , that would be perking up in matters of vvorshiping god. much less should we invest them with power to call congregations of their own , there to perform worship without their men. yet , will i say , notwithstanding all this , that if any of these high women , had ( but we never read that they did ) separate themselves and others of their own sex with them , apart to worship by themselves : or if they had given out commandment so to do , and had joyned gods name to that commandment , i should have freely consented that our women should do so too , when lead out , and conducted in worship , by so extraordinary a one . yea more , if any of these high women , had given it out for law , that the women of the churches in new testament-times , ought to separate themselves from their men , and as so separate , perform divine worship among themselves : i should have subscribed thereto . but finding nothing like this in the word of god , for the sanctifying of such a practise : and seeing so many scriptures wrested out of their place to justifie so fond a conceit : and all this done by a man of conceit , and of one that , as his sisters say , expects my answer : i found my self engaged to say something for the suppressing of this his opinion . but to return to the good women in the churches , and to make up my discourse with them . first , these meetings of yours ( honourable women ) wherein you attempt to perform divine worship by your selves , without your men , not having the authority of the word to sanctifie them , will be found will-worship , in the day when you , as to that , shall be measured with that golden reed , the law of god. and who hat required this at your hand ? may put you to your shifts for an answer , notwithstanding all mr. k. has said to uphold you , isa. 1.12 . revel . 11.1 , 2 , 3. secondly , these meetings of yours need not be ; there are elders or brethren in all churches , to call to , and manage this worship of god , in the world : if you abide in your subjection and worship as you are commanded . thridly , these meetings of yours , ( instead of being an ornament to the church in which you are ) is a shame and blemish to those churches . for they manifest the unruliness of such women , or that the church wants skill to govern them . have you not in your stock a male ? 1 cor. 24 , 25. malach. 1.14 . fourthly , suppose your meetings in some cases were lawful , yet since by the brethren they may be managed better , you and your meetings ought to give place . that the church together , and the brethren , as the mouth to god , are capable of managing this solemn worship best : consider . 1. the gifts for all such service , are most to be found in the elders and leading men in the church : and not in the women thereof . 2. the spirit for conduct and government in that worship , is not in the women , but in the men. 3. the men are admitted in such worship , to stand with open face before god ( a token of much admitance to liberty and boldness with god ) a thing denyed to the women , 1 cor. 11.4 , 5. 4. for that when meetings for prayers are commanded , the men , to be the mouth to god , are mentioned , but not an ordinary woman , in all the scriptures . where the women and children , and them that suck the brests are called , with the bride and bridegroom , and the whole land , to mourn : yet the ministers , and elders , and chiefest of the brethren , are they , and they only that are bid to say , spare thy people o lord ! and give not thine heritage to reproach . joel . 1.13 , 14. chap. 2.15 , 16 , 17. 5. the word for encouragement to pray believingly in assemblies is given to men . and it is the word that makes , and that sanctifies an ordinance of god : men therfore in all assemblies for worship , should be they that should manage it , and let others joyn in their place . object . but the woman is included in the man , for the same word signifies both . 1. answer . if the woman is included here , let her not exclude the man. but the man is excluded : the man is excluded by this womans meeting from worship ; from worship , though he be the head in worship over the woman , and by gods ordinance appointed to manage it , and this is an excluding of the worst complexion , 1 cor. 11.3 . 2. though the woman is included , when the man sometimes is named , yet the man is not excluded , when himself as chief is named . but to cut him off from being the chief in all assemblies for worship , is to exclude him , and that when he for that in chief is named . 3. the woman is included when the man is named , yet but in her place , and if she worships in assemblies , her part is to hold her tongue , to learn in silence ; and if she speaks , she must do it , i mean as to worship , in her heart to god. 4. nor , do i think that any woman that is holy and humble , will take offence at what i have said ; for i have not in any thing sought to degrade them , or to take from them what either nature or grace , or an appointment of god hath invested them with : but have laboured to keep them in their place . and doubtless to abide where god has put us , is that , which not only highly concerns us , but that , which becomes us best . sisters , i have said what i have said to set you right , and to prevent your attempting to do things in such sort unto which you are not appointed . remember what god did to miriam , and be afraid . be as often in your closets as you will ; the oftener there , the better . this is your duty , this is your priviledge : this place is sanctified to you for service by the holy vvord of god. here you may be , and not make ordinances enterfere , and not presume upon the power of your superiors , and not thrust out your brethren , nor put them behinde your backs in vvorship . be also as often as possible you can in vvorship , when the church , or parts thereof , are assembled for that end , according to god. and when you are there , joyn with heart and soul with your brethren in all holy petitions to god. let the men in prayer be the mouth to god , and the vvomen lift after with groans and desires . let the men stand with open face in this vvorship , for that they are the image and glory of god , and let the women be clothed in modest apparel , with shame-facedness , in token of the rembrance of what has been touched afore . when women keep their places , and men manage their worshiping god as they should , we shall have better days for the church of god , in the vvorld , jer. 29.10 , 11 , 12 , 13. vvomen are not to be blamed for that they are forward to pray to god , only let them know their bounds ; and i wish that idleness in men , be not the cause of their putting their good vvomen upon this vvork . surely they that can scarce tye their shoes , and their garters , before they arive at the tavern , or get to the coffe-house dore in a morning , can scarce spare time to be a while in their closets with god. morning-closet-prayers , are now by most london-professors , thrown a way ; and what kind of ones they make at night , god doth now ( and their conscience when awake will ) know ; however i have cause , as to this , to look at home : and god mend me and all his servants about it , and wherein we else are out . i have done , after i have said , that there are some other things , concerning vvomen , touching which , when i have an opportunity , i may also give my judgment . but at present , i intreat that these lines be taken in good part , for i seek edification , not contention . finis . a mouzell for melastomus, the cynicall bayter of, and foule mouthed barker against euahs sex. or an apologeticall answere to that irreligious and illiterate pamphlet made by io. sw. and by him intituled, the arraignement of women. by rachel speght speght, rachel. 1616 approx. 67 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 27 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2003-01 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a12750 stc 23058 estc s117735 99852945 99852945 18300 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a12750) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 18300) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1475-1640 ; 939:20) a mouzell for melastomus, the cynicall bayter of, and foule mouthed barker against euahs sex. or an apologeticall answere to that irreligious and illiterate pamphlet made by io. sw. and by him intituled, the arraignement of women. by rachel speght speght, rachel. [16], 38, [2] p. printed by nicholas okes for thomas archer, and are to be sold at his shop in popes-head-pallace, london : 1617. a reply to: swetnam, joseph. the araignment of lewde, idle, froward, and unconstant women. "certaine quaeres to the bayter of women" has separate dated title page; pagination and register are continuous. the last leaf is blank. reproduction of the original in harvard university. library. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng swetnam, joseph, fl. 1617. -arraignment of lewd, idle, froward, and unconstant women -controversial literature -early works to 1800. women -early works to 1800. 2000-00 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2001-06 apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images 2001-08 tcp staff (michigan) sampled and proofread 2001-08 tcp staff (michigan) text and markup reviewed and edited 2001-11 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a movzell for melastomvs , the cynicall bayter of , and foule mouthed barker against evahs sex . or an apologeticall answere to that irreligious and illiterate pamphlet made by io. sw. and by him intituled , the arraignement of women . by rachel speght . proverbs 26. 5. answer a foole according to his foolishnesse , lest he bee wise in his owne conceit . london , printed by nicholas okes for thomas archer , and are to be sold at his shop in popeshead-pa●●●ce . 1617. to all vertuous ladies honourable or worshipfull , and to all other of heuahs sex fearing god , and leuing their iust reputation , grace and peace through christ , to eternall glory . it was the similie of that wise and learned lactantius , that if fire , though but with a small sparke kindled , bee not at the first quenched , it may worke great mischiefe and dammage : so likewise may the scandals and defamations of the malevolent in time proue pernitious , if they bee not nipt in the head at their first appearance . the consideration of this ( right honourable and worshipfull ladies ) hath incited me ( though yong , and the vnworthiest of thousands ) to encounter with a furious enemy to our sexe , least if his vniust imputations should continue without answere , he might insult and account himselfe a victor ; and by such a conceit deale , as historiographers report the viper to doe , who in the winter time doth vomit forth her poyson , and in the spring time sucketh the same vp againe , which becommeth twise as deadly as the former : and this our pestiferous enemy , by thinking to prouide a more deadly poyson for women , then already he hath foamed forth , may euaporate , by an addition vnto his former illeterate pamphlet ( intituled the arraignement of women ) a more contagious obtrectation then he hath already done , and indeed hath threatned to doe . secondly , if it should have had free passage without any answere at all ( seeing that tacere is , quasi consentire ) the vulgar ignorant might haue beleeued his diabolicall infamies to be infallible truths , not to bee infringed ; whereas now they may plainely perceiue them to bee but the scumme of heathenish braines , or a building raised without a foundation ( at least from sacred scripture ) which the winde of gods truth must needs cast downe to the ground . a third reason why i haue aduentured to fling this stone at vaunting goliah is , to comfort the mindes of all heuahs sex , both rich and poore , learned and vnlearned , with this antidote , that if the feare of god reside in their hearts , maugre all aduersaries , they are highly esteemed and accounted of in the eies of their gracious redeemer , so that they need not feare the darts of enuy or obtrectators : for shame and disgrace ( saith aristotle ) is the end of them that shoote such poysoned shafts . worthy therefore of imitation is that example of seneca , who when he was told that a certaine man did exclaime and raile against him , made this milde answere ; some dogs barke more vpon custome then curstnesse ; and some speake euill of others , not that the defamed deserue it , but because through custome and corruption of their hearts they cannot speake well of any . this i alleage as a paradigmatical patterne for all women , noble & ignoble to follow , that they be not enflamed with choler against this our enraged aduersarie , but patiently consider of him according to the portraiture which he hath drawne of himselfe , his writings being the very embleme of a monster . this my briefe apologie ( right honourable and worshipfull ) did i enterprise , not as thinking my selfe more fit then others to vndertake such a taske , but as one , who not perceiuing any of our sex to enter the lists of encountring with this our grand enemy among men , i being out of all feare , because armed with the truth , which though often blamed , yet can neuer be shamed , and the word of gods spirit , together with the example of vertues pupils for a buckler , did no whit dread to combate with our said malevolent aduersarie . and if in so doing i shall bee censured by the iudicious to haue the victorie , and shall haue giuen content vnto the wronged , i haue both hit the marke whereat i aymed , and obtained that prize which i desired . but if zoilus shall adiudge me presumptuous in dedicating this my chirograph vnto personages of so high ranke ; both because of my insufficiency in literature and tendernesse in yeares : i thus apologize for my selfe ; that seeing the bayter of women hath opened his mouth against noble as well as ignoble , against the rich as well as the poore ; therefore meete it is that they should be ioynt spectators of this encounter : and withall in regard of my imperfection both in learning and age , i need so much the more to impetrate patronage from some of power to sheild mee from the biting wrongs of momus , who oftentimes setteth a rankling tooth into the sides of truth . wherefore i being of decius his mind , who deemed himselfe safe vnder the shield of caesar , haue presumed to shelter my selfe vnder the wings of you ( honourable personages ) against the persecuting heate of this fierie and furious dragon ; desiring that you would be pleased , not to looke so much ad opus , as ad animum : and so not doubting of the fauourable acceptance and censure of all vertuously affected , i rest your honours and worships humbly at commandement . rachel speght . i f reason had but curb'd thy witlesse will , o r feare of god restrain'd thy rauing quill , s uch venime fowle thou would'st haue blusht to spue , e xcept that grace haue bidden thee adue : p rewesse disdaines to wrastle with the weake , h eathenish affected , care not what they speake . s educer of the vulgar sort of men , w as sathan crept into thy filthie pen , e nflaming thee with such infernall smoake , t hat ( if thou had'st thy will ) should women choake ? n efarious fiends thy sence heerein deluded , a nd from thee all humanitie excluded , m onster of men , worthie no other name , for that thou did'st assay our sex to shame . ra. sp. faults escaped in this impression . page 1. lin . 12. in the preface for roaring reade roauing . page 4. line 17. for ironica reade ironia . page 7. line 19. for not touch reade not to touch . page 11 line 20. for meriam reade miriam . page 21. line 13. for tongs reade tongues . page 32. line 21. for adulterous reade idolatrous . page 33. line 20. for arganox reade organon . ¶ not vnto the veriest ideot that euer set pen to paper , but to the cynicall bayter of women , or metamorphosed misogunes , ioseph swetnam . from standing water , which soon putrifies , can no good fish be expected ; for it produceth no other creatures but those that are venemous or noisome , as snakes , adders , and such like . semblably , no better streame can we looke , should issue from your idle corrupt braine , then that whereto the ruffe of your fury ( to vse your owne words ) hath moued you to open the sluce . in which excrement of your roaring cogitations you haue vsed such irregularities touching concordance , and obserued so disordered a methode , as i doubt not to tel you , that a very accidence schollar would haue quite put you downe in both . you appeare heerein not vnlike that painter , who seriously indeuouring to pourtray cupids bowe , forgot the string : for you beeing greedie to botch vp your mingle mangle inuectiue against women , haue not therein obserued , in many places , so much as as grammer sense . but the empriest barrell makes the lowdest sound ; and so we wil account of you . many propositions haue you framed , which ( as you thinke ) make much against women , but if one would make a logicall assumption , the conclusion would be flat against your owne sex. your dealing wants so much discretion , that i doubt whether to bestow so good a name as the dunce vpon you : but minority bids me keepe within my bounds ; and therefore i onlie say vnto you , that your corrupt heart and railing tongue , hath made you a fit scribe for the diuell . in that you haue termed your virulent foame , the beare-bayting of women , you haue plainely displayed your owne disposition to be cynicall , in that there appeares no other dogge or bull , to bayte them , but your selfe . good had it beene for you to haue put on that muzzell , which saint iames would haue all christians to weare ; speake not euill one of another : and then had you not seemed so like the serpent porphirus , as now you doe ; which , though full of deadly poyson , yet being toothlesse , hurteth none so much as himselfe . for you hauing gone beyond the limits not of humanitie alone , but of christianitie , haue done greater harme vnto your owne soule , then vnto women , as may plainely appeare . first , in dishonoring of god by palpable blasphemy , wresting and peruerting euerie place of scripture , that you haue alleadged ; which by the testimony of saint peter , is to the destruction of them that so doe . secondly , it appeares by your disparaging of , and opprobrious speeches against that excellent worke of gods hands , which in his great loue he perfected for the comfort of man. thirdly , and lastly , by this your hodge-podge of heathenish sentences , similies , and examples , you haue set forth your selfe in your right colours , vnto the view of the world : and i doubt not but the iudicious will account of you according to your demerit : as for the vulgar sort , which haue no more learning then you haue shewed in your booke , it is likely they will applaud you for your paines . as for your bugge-beare or aduice vnto women , that whatsoeuer they doe thinke of your worke , they should conceale it , lest in finding fault , they bewray their galled backes to the world ; in which you allude to that prouerbe , rubbe a galled borse , and he will kicke : vnto it i answere by way of apologie , that though euerie galled horse , being touched , doth kicke ; yet euery one that kickes , is not galled : so that you might as well haue said , that because burnt folks dread the fire , therfore none feare fire but those that are burnt , as made that illiterate conclusion which you haue absurdly inferred . in your title leafe , you arraigne none but lewd , idle , froward and vnconstant women , but in the sequele ( through defect of memorie as it seemeth ) forgetting that you had made a distinction of good from badde , condemning all in generall , you aduise men to beware of , and not to match with any of these sixe sorts of women , viz. good and badde , faire and foule , rich and poore : but this doctrine of diuells saint paul foreseeing would be broached in the latter times , giues warning of . there also you promise a commendation of wise , vertuous , and honest women , when as in the subsequent , the worst words , and filthiest epithites that you can deuise , you bestow on them in generall , excepting no sort of women . heerein may you be likened vnto a man , which vpon the doore of a scuruie house sets this superscription , heere is a very faire house to be let : whereas the doore being opened , it is no better then a dogge-hole and darke dungeon . further , if your owne words betrue , that you wrote with your hand , but not with your heart , then are you an hypocrite in print : but it is rather to be thought that your pen was the bewrayer of the abundance of your minde , and that this was but a little morter to dawbe vp agayne the wall , which you intended to breake downe . the reuenge of your rayling worke wee leaue to him , who hath appropriated vengeance vnto himselfe , whose pen-man hath included raylers in the catalogue of them , that shall not inherite gods kingdome , and your selfe vnto the mercie of that iust iudge , who is able to saue and to destroy . your vndeserued friend , rachel speght . in praise of the author and her worke. if little dauid that for israels sake , esteemed neyther life nor limbe too deare , in that he did aduenture without dread , to cast at him , whom all the hoste did feare , a stone , which brought goliah to the ground , obtain'd applause with songs and timbrels sound . then let another young encombatant receiue applause , and thankes , as well as hee : for with an enemie to women kinde , she hath encountred , as each wight may see : and with the fruit of her industrious toyle , to this goliah she hath giuen the foyle . admire her much i may , both for her age , and this her mouzell for a blacke-mouth'd wight , but praise her , and her worke , to that desert , which vnto them belongs of equall right i cannot ; onely this i say , and end , shee is vnto her sex a faithfull friend . philalethes . if he that for his countrie doth expose himselfe vnto the furie of his foe , doth merite praise and due respect of those , for whom he did that perill vndergoe : then let the author of this monzell true receiue the like , of right it is her due . for she to shield her sex from slaunders dart , and from inuective obtrectation , hath ventured by force of learnings art , ( in which she hath had education ) to combate with him , which doth shame his sex , by offring feeble women to perplex . philomathes . praise is a debt , which doth of due belong to those , that take the path of vertues trace , meating their wayes and workes by reasons rule , hauing their hearts so lightned with gods grace , that willllingly they would not him offend , but holily their liues beginne and end . of such a pupill vnto pietie as is describ'd , i doe intend to speake , a virgin young , and of such tender age , as for encounter may be deemd too weake , shee hauing not as yet seene twenty yeares , though in her carriage older she appeares . her wit and learning in this present worke , more praise doth merit , then my quill can write : her magnanimitie deserues applaua ' , in ventring with a fierie foe to fight : and now in fine , what shall i further say ? but that she beares the triumph quite away . favovr b. a mouzell for melastomus the cynicall bayter of , and foule-mouthed barker against evahs sex. proverbs 18. 22. he that findeth a wife , findeth a good thing , and receiueth fauour of the lord. if lawfull it bee to compare the potter with his clay , or the architect with the edifice ; then may i , in some sort , resemble that loue of god towards man , in creating woman , vnto the affectionate care of abraham for his sonne isaac , who that hee might not take to wife one of the daughters of the canaanites , did prouide him one of his owne kindred . almighty god , who is rich in mercie , hauing made all things of nothing , and created man in his owne image : that is , ( as the apostle expounds it ) in wisedome , righteousnesse and true holinesse ; making him lord ouer all : to auoide that solitatie condition that hee was then in , hauing none to commerce or conuerse withall but dumbe creatures , it seemed good vnto the lord , that as of euery creature hee had made male and female , and man onely being alone without mate , so likewise to forme an helpe meete for him . adam for this cause being cast into a heauy sleepe , god extracting a rib from his side , thereof made , or built , woman ; shewing thereby , that man was as an vnperfect building afore woman was made ; and bringing her vnto adam , vnited and married them together . thus the resplendent loue of god toward man appeared , in taking care to prouide him an helper before hee saw his owne want , and in prouiding him such an helper as should bee meete for him . soueraignety had hee ouer all creatures , and they were all seruiceable vnto him ; but yet afore woman was formed , there was not a meete helpe found for adam , mans worthinesse not meriting this great fauour at gods hands , but his mercie onely mouing him therevnto : i may vse those words which the iewes vttered when they saw christ weepe for lazarus , behold how hee loued him : behold , and that with good regard , gods loue ; yea his great loue , which from the beginning hee hath borne vnto man : which , as it appeares in all things ; so next , his loue in christ iesus apparantly in this ; that for mans sake , that hee might not be an vnite , when all other creatures were for procreation duall , hee created woman to bee a solace vnto him , to participate of his sorrowes , partake of his pleasures , and as a good yoke-fellow beare part of his burthen . of the excellencie of this structure , i meane of women , whose foundation and original of creation , was gods loue , do i intend to dilate . of womans excellency , with the causes of her creation , and of the sympathie which ought to be in man and wife each toward other . the worke of creation being finished , this approbation thereof was giuen by god himselfe , that all was very good : if all , then woman , who , excepting man , is the most excellent creature vnder the canopie of heauen . but if it be obiected by any . first , that woman , though created good , yet by giuing eare to sathans temptations , brought death & misery vpon all her posterity . secondly , that adam was not deceiued , but that the woman was deceiued , and was in the transgression . thirdly , that saint paul saith , it were good for a man not to touch a woman . fourthly , and lastly , that of salomon , who seemes to speake against all of our sex ; i haue found one man of a thousand , but a woman among them all haue i not found , whereof in it due place . to the first of these obiections i answere ; that sathan first assailed the woman , because where the hedge is lowest , most easie it is to get ouer , and she being the weaker vessell was with more facility to be seduced : like as a cristall glasse sooner receiues a cracke then a strong stone pot . yet we shall finde the offence of adam and eue almost to paralell : for as an ambitious desire of being made like vnto god , was the motiue which caused her to eate , so likewise was it his ; as may plainely appeare by that ironica , behold , man is become as one of vs : not that hee was so indeed ; but heereby his desire to attaine a greater perfection then god had giuen him , was reproued . woman sinned , it is true , by her infidelitie in not beleeuing the word of god , but giuing credite to sathans faire promises , that shee should not die ; but so did the man too : and if adam had not approoued of that deed which eue had done , and beene willing to treade the steps which she had gone , hee being her head would haue reproued her , and haue made the commandement a bit to restraine him from breaking his makers iniunction : for if a man burne his hand in the fire , the bellowes that blowed the fire are not to be blamed , but himselfe rather , for not being carefull to auoyde the danger : yet if the bellowes had not blowed , the fire had not burnt ; no more is woman simply to bee condemned for mans transgression : for by the free will , which before his fall hee enioyed , hee might haue auoyded , and beene free from beeing burnt , or singed with that fire which was kindled by sathan , and blowne by eue. it therefore serued not his turne a whit , afterwardes to say , the woman which thou gauest mee , gaue mee of the tree , and i did eate : for a penalty was inflicted vpon him , as well as on the woman , the punishment of her transgression being particular to her owne fex , and to none but the female kinde : but for the sinne of man the whole earth was cursed . and he being better able , then the woman , to haue resisted temptation , because the stronger vessell , was first called to account , to shew , that to whom much is giuen , of them much is required ; and that he who was the soueraigne of all creatures visible , should haue yeelded greatest obedience to god. true it is ( as is already confessed ) that woman first sinned , yet finde wee no mention of spirituall nakednesse till man had sinned : then it is said , their eyes were opened , the eies of their mind and conscience ; and then perceiued they themselues naked , that is , not onely bereft of that integritie , which they originally had , but felt the rebellion & disobedience of their members in the disordered motions of their now corrupt nature , which made them for shame to couer their nakednesse : then ( and not afore ) is it said that they saw it , as if sinne were imperfect , and vnable to bring a depriuation of a blessing receiued , or death on all mankind , till man ( in whom lay the actiue power of generation ) had transgressed . the offence therefore of adam and eue is by saint austin thus distinguished , the man sinned against god and himselfe , the woman against god , her selfe , and her husband : yet in her giuing of the fruit to eate had she no malicious intent towardes him , but did therein shew a desire to make her husband partaker of that happinesse , which she thought by their eating they should both haue enioyed . this her giuing adam of that sawce , wherewith sathan had serued her , whose sowrenesse afore he had eaten , she did not perceiue , was that , which made her sinne to exceede his : wherefore , that she might not of him , who ought to honour her , be abhorred , the first promise that was made in paradise , god makes to woman , that by her seede should the serpents head be broken : whereupon adam calles her heuah , life , that as the woman had beene an occasion of his sinne , so should woman bring foorth the sauiour from sinne , which was in the fullnesse of time accomplished ; by which was manifested , that he is a sauiour of beleeuing women , no lesse then of men , that so the blame of sinne may not be imputed to his creature , which is good ; but to the will by which eue sinned , and yet by christs assuming the shape of man was it declared , that his mercie was equiualent to both sexes ; so that by herods blessed seed ( as saint paul affirmes ) it is brought to passe , that male and female are all one in christ iesus . to the second obiection i answer , that the apostle doth not heereby exempt man from sinne , but onely giueth to vnderstand , that the woman was the primaric transgressour ; and not the man , but that man was not at all deceiued , was farre from his meaning : for he afterward expresly saith , that as in adam all die , so in christ shall all be made aliue . for the third obiection , it is good for a man not touch a woman : the apostle makes it not a positiue prohibition , but speakes it onelie because of the corinths present necessitie , who were then persecuted by the enemies of the church , for which cause , and no other , hee saith , art thou loosed from a wife ? seeke not a wife : meaning whilst the time of these perturbations should continue in their heate ; but if thou art bound , seeke not to be loosed : if thou marriest , thou sinnest not , only increasest thy care : for the married careth , for the things of this world , and i wish that you were without care , that yee might cleaue fast vnto the lord without separation : for the time remaineth , that they which haue wiues be as though they had none : for the persecuters shall depriue you of them , eyther by imprisonment , banishment , or death ; so that manifest it is , that the apostle doth not heereby forbid marriage , but onely aduiseth the corinths to forbeare a while , till god in mercie should curbe the fury of their aduersaries . for ( as eusebius writeth ) paul was afterward married himselfe , the which is very probable , being that interrogatiuely he saith , haue we not power to leade about a wife , being a sister , as well as the rest of the apostles , and as the brethren of the lord and cephas ? the fourth and last obiection , is that of salomon , i haue found one man among a thousand , but a woman among them all haue i not found : for answere of which , if we looke into the storie of his life , wee shall finde therein a commentary vpon this enigmaticall sentence included : for it is there said , that salomon had seuen hundred wiues , and three hundred concubines , which number connexed make one thousand . these women turning his heart away from being perfect with the lord his god , sufficient cause had hee to say , that among the said thousand women found he not one vpright . hee saith not , that among a thousand women neuer any man found one worthy of commendation , but speakes in the first person singularly , i haue not found , meaning in his owne experience : for this assertion is to be holden a part of the confession of his former follies , and no otherwise , his repentance being the intended drift of ecclesiastes . thus hauing ( by gods assistance ) remoued those stones , whereat some haue stumbled , others broken their shinnes , i will proceede toward the period of my intended taske , which is , to decipher the excellency of women : of whose creation i will , for orders sake obserue ; first , the efficient cause , which was god ; secondly , the materiall cause , or that whereof shee was made ; thirdly , the formall cause , or fashion , and proportion of her feature ; fourthly and lastly , the finall cause , the end or purpose for which she was made . to beginne with the first . the efficient cause of womans creation , was iehouah the eternall ; the truth of which is manifest in moses his narration of the sixe dayes workes ; where he saith , god created them male and female : and dauid exhorting all the earth to sing vnto the lord ; meaning , by a metonimie , earth , all creatures that liue on the earth , of what nation or sex soeuer , giues this reason , for the lord hath made vs. that worke then can not chuse but be good , yea very good , which is wrought by so excellent a workeman as the lord : for he being a glorious creator , must needes effect a worthie creature . bitter water can not proceede from a pleasant sweete fountaine , nor bad worke from that workman which is perfectly good , & in proprietie , none but he . secondly , the materi●ll cause , or matter whereof woman was made , was of a refined mould , if i may so speake : for man was created of the dust of the earth , but woman was made of a part of man , after that he was a liuing soule : yet was shee not produced from adams foote , to be his too low inferiour ; nor from his head to be his superiour , but from his side , neare his heart , to be his equall ; that where he is lord , she may be lady : and therefore saith god concerning man and woman iointly , let them rule ouer the fish of the sea , and ouer the foules of the heauen , and ouer euery beast that moueth vpon the earth : by which words , he makes their authority equall , and all creatures to be in subiection vnto them both . this being rightly considered , doth teach men to make such account of their wiues , as adam did of eue , this is bone of my bone , and flesh of my flesh : as also , that they neyther doe or wish any more hurt vnto them , then vnto their owne bodies : for men ought to loue their wiues as themselues , because hee that loues his wife , loues himselfe : and neuer man hated his owne flesh ( which the woman is ) vnlesse a monster in nature . thirdly , the formall cause , fashion , and proportion of woman was excellent : for she was neyther like the beasts of the earth , foules of the ayre , fishes of the sea , or any other inferiour creature , but man was the onely obiect , which she did resemble . for as god gaue man a lofty countenance , that hee might looke vp toward heauen , so did he likewise giue vnto woman . and as the temperature of mans body is excellent , so is womans . for whereas other creatures , by reason of their grosse humours , haue excrements for their habite , as foules , their feathers , beasts , their haire , fishes , their scales , man and woman onely , haue their skinne cleare and smoothe . and ( that more is ) in the image of god were they both created ; yea and to be briefe , all the parts of their bodies , both externall and internall , were correspondent and meete each for other . fourthly and lastly , the finall cause , or end , for which woman was made , was to glorifie god , and to be a collaterall companion for man to glorifie god , in vsing her bodie , and all the parts , powers , and faculties thereof , as instruments for his honour : as with her voice to sound foorth his prayses , like meriam , and the rest of her company ; with her tongue not to vtter words of strife , but to giue good councell vnto her husband , the which hee must not despise . for abraham was bidden to giue eare to sarah his wife . pilate was willed by his wife not to haue anie hand in the condemning of christ ; and a sinne it was in him , that hee listned not to her : leah and rachel councelled iaacob to do according to the word of the lord : and the shunamite put her husband in mind of harbouring the prophet elisha : her hands shold be open according to her abilitie , in contributing towards gods seruice , and distressed seruants , like to that poore widdow , which cast two mites into the treasurie ; and as marie magdalen , susanna , and ioanne the wife of herods steward , with many other , which of their substance ministred vnto christ . her heart should be a receptacle for gods word , like mary that treasured vp the sayings of christ in her heart . her feete should be swift in going to seeke the lord in his sanctuarie , as marie magdalen made haste to seeke christ at his sepulchre . finally , no power externall or internall ought woman to keep idle , but to imploy it in some seruice of god , to the glorie of her creator , and comfort of her owne soule . the other end for which woman was made , was to be a companion and helper for man ; and if she must be an helper , and but an helper , then are those husbands to be blamed , which lay the whole burthen of domesticall affaires and maintenance on the shoulders of their wiues . for , as yoake-fellowes they are to suftayne part of ech others cares , griefs , and calamities : but as if two oxen be put in one yoke , the one being bigger then the other , the greater beares most weight ; so the husband being the stronger vessell is to beare a greater burthen then his wife ; and therefore the lord said to adam , in the sweate of thy face shalt thou eate thy bread , till thou returne to the dust . and saint paul saith , that he that prouideth not for his houshold is worse then an infidel . nature hath taught senselesse creatures to helpe one another ; as the male pigeon , when his hen is weary with sitting on her egges , and comes off from them , supplies her place , that in her absence they may receiue no harme , vntill such time as she is fully refreshed . of small birds the cocke alwaies helpes his hen to build her nest ; and while she sits vpon her egges , he flies abroad to get meat for her , who cannot then prouide any for her selfe . the crowing cockrell helpes his hen to defend her chickens from perill , and will indanger himselfe to saue her and them from harme . seeing then that these vnreasonable creatures , by the instinct of nature , beare such affection each to other , that without any grudge , they willingly , according to their kind , helpe one another , i may reason à minore ad maius , that much more should man and woman , which are reasonable creatures , be helpers each to other in all things lawfull , they hauing the law of god to guide them , his word to bee a lanthorne vnto their feete , and a light vnto their pathes , by which they are excited to a farre more mutuall participation of each others burthen , then other creatures . so that neither the wife may say to her husband , nor the husband vnto his wife , i haue no need of thee , no more then the members of the body may so say each to other , betweene whom there is such a sympathie , that if one member suffer , all suffer with it : therefore though god bade abraham forsake his countrey and kindred , yet he bade him not forsake his wife , who being flesh of his flesh , and bone of his bone , was to bee copartner with him of whatsoeuer did betide him , whether ioy or sorrow . wherefore salomon saith , woe to him that is alone ; for when thoughts of discomfort , troubles of this world , and feare of dangers do possesse him , he wants a companion to lift him vp from the pit of perplexitie , into which hee is fallen : for a good wife , saith plautus , is the wealth of the minde , and the welfare of the heart ; and therefore a meete associate for her husband ; and woman , saith paul , is the glorie of the man. marriage is a merri-age , and this worlds paradise , where there is mutuall loue . our blessed sauiour vouchsafed to honour a marriage with the first miracle that he wrought , vnto which miracle matrimoniall estate may not vnfitly bee resembled : for as christ turned water into wine , a farre more excellent liquor ; which , as the psalmist saith , makes glad the heart of man ; so the single man is by marriage changed from a batchelour to a husband , a farre more excellent title : from a solitarie life vnto a ioyfull vnion and coniunction , with such a creature as god hath made meete for man , for whom none was meete till she was made . the enioying of this great blessing made pericles more vnwilling to part from his wife , then to die for his countrie ; and antonius pius to poure forth that patheticall exclamation against death , for depriuing him of his deerely beloued wife , o cruell hard-hearted death in bereauing mee of her whom i esteemed more then my owne life ! a vertuous woman , saith salomon , is the crowne of her husband ; by which metaphor hee sheweth both the excellencie of such a wife , and what account her husband is to make of her : for a king doth not trample his crowne vnder his feete , but highly esteemes of it , gently handles it , and carefully laies it vp , as the euidence of his kingdome ; and therefore when dauid destroyed rabbah hee tooke off the crowne from their kings head : so husbands should not account their wiues as their vassals , but as those that are heires together of the grace of life , and with all lenitie and milde perswasions set their feete in the right way , if they happen to tread awry , bearing with their infirmities , as elkanah did with his wiues barrennesse . the kingdome of god is compared vnto the marriage of a kings sonne : iohn calleth the coniunction of christ and his chosen , a marriage : and not few , but many times , doth our blessed sauiour in the canticles , set forth his vnspeakeable loue towards his church vnder the title of an husband reioycing with his wife ; and often vouchsafeth to call her his sister and spouse , by which is shewed that with god is no respect of persons , nations , or sexes : for whosoeuer , whether it be man or woman , that doth beleeue in the lord iesus , such shall bee saued . and if gods loue euen from the beginning , had not beene as great toward woman as to man , then would hee not haue preserued from the deluge of the old world as many women as men ; nor would christ after his resurrection haue appeared vnto a woman first of all other , had it not beene to declare thereby , that the benefites of his death and resurrection , are as auaileable , by beleefe , for women as for men ; for hee indifferently died for the one sex as well as the other : yet a truth vngainesayable is it , that the man is the womans head ; by which title yet of supremacie , no authoritie hath hee giuen him to domineere , or basely command and imploy his wife , as a seruant ; but hereby is he taught the duties which hee oweth vnto her : for as the head of a man is the imaginer and contriuer of proiects profitable for the safety of his whole body ; so the husband must protect and defend his wife from iniuries : for he is her head , as christ is the head of his church , which hee entirely loueth , and for which hee gaue his very life ; the decrest thing any man hath in this world ; greater loue then this hath no man , when he bestoweth his life for his friend , saith our sauiour : this president passeth all other patternes , it requireth great benignity , and enioyneth an extraordinary affection , for men must loue their wiues , euen as christ loued his church . secondly , as the head doth not iarre or contend with the members , which being many , as the apostle saith , yet make but one bodie ; no more must the husband with the wife , but expelling all bitternesse and cruelty hee must liue with her louingly , and religiously , honouring her as the weaker vessell . thirdly , and lastly , as hee is her head , hee must , by instruction , bring her to the knowledge of her creator , that so she may be a fit stone for the lords building . women for this end must haue an especiall care to set their affections vpon such as are able to teach them , that as they grow in yeares , they may grow in grace , and in the knowledge of christ iesus our lord. thus if men would remember the duties they are to performe in being heads , some would not stand a tip-toe as they doe , thinking themselues lords & rulers , and account euery omission of performing whatsoeuer they command , whether lawfull or not , to be matter of great disparagement , and indignity done them ; whereas they should consider , that women are enioyned to submit themselues vnto their husbands no otherwaies then as to the lord ; so that from hence , for man , ariseth a lesson not to bee forgotten , that as the lord commandeth nothing to be done , but that which is right and good , no more must the husband ; for if a wife fulfill the euill command of her husband , shee obeies him as a tempter , as saphira did ananias . but least i should seeme too partiall in praysing women so much as i haue ( though no more then warrant from scripture doth allow ) i adde to the premises , that i say not , all women are vertuous , for then they should be more excellent then men , sith of adams sonnes there was cain as well as abel , and of noahs , cham as well as sem ; so that of men as of women , there are two sorts , namely , good and bad , which in mathew the fiue and twenty chapter , are comprehended vnder the name of sheepe and goats . and if women were not sinfull , then should they not need a sauiour : but the virgin mary a patterne of piety , reioyced in god her sauiour : ergo , she was a sinner . in the reuelation the church is called the spouse of christ ; and in zachariah , wickednesse is called a woman , to shew that of women there are both godly and vngodly : for christ would not purge his floore if there were not chaffe among the wheate ; nor should gold neede to bee fined , if among it there were no drosse . but farre be it from any one , to condemne the righteous with the wicked , or good women with the bad ( as the bayter of women doth : ) for though there are some scabbed sheepe in a flocke , we must not therefore conclude all the rest to bee mangie : and though some men , through excesse , abuse gods creatures , wee must not imagine that all men are gluttons ; the which wee may with as good reason do , as condemne all women in generall , for the offences of some particulars . of the good sort is it that i haue in this booke spoken , and so would i that all that reade it should so vnderstand me : for if otherwise i had done , i should haue incurred that woe , which by the prophet isaiah is pronounced against them that speake well of euill , and should haue instified the wicked , which thing is abhominable to the lord. the epilogue or vpshut of the premises . great was the vnthankefulnesse of pharaohs butler vnto ioseph ; for though hee had done him a great pleasure , of which the butler promised requitall , yet was hee quite forgotten of him : but farre greater is the ingratitude of those men toward god , that dare presume to speake and exclaime against woman , whom god did create for mans comfort . what greater discredit can redound to a workeman , then to haue the man , for whom hee hath made it , say , it is naught ? or what greater discurtesie can be offered to one , that bestoweth a gift , then to haue the receiuer giue out , that hee cares not for it : for he needes it not ? and what greater ingratitude can bee shewed vnto god then the opprobrious speeches and disgracefull inuectiues , which some diabolicall natures doe frame against women ? ingratitude is , and alwayes hath beene accounted so odious a vice , that cicero saith , if one doubt what name to giue a wicked man , let him call him an vngratefull person , and then hee hath said enough . it was so detected among the persians , as that by a law they prouided , that such should suffer death as felons , which prooued vnthankefull for any gift receiued . and loue ( saith the apostle ) is the fulfilling of the lawe : but where ingratitude is harbored , there loue is banished . let men therefore beware of all vnthankefulnesse , but especially of the superlatiue ingratitude , that which is towards god , which is no way more palpably declared , then by the contemning of , and rayling against women , which sinne , of some men ( if to be termed men ) no doubt but god will one day auenge , when they shall plainely perceiue , that it had been better for them to haue been borne dumbe and lame , then to haue vsed their tongs and hands , the one in repugning , the other in writing against gods handie worke , their owne flesh , women i meane , whom god hath made equall with themselues in dignity , both temporally and eternally , if they continue in the faith : which god for his mercie sake graunt they alwayes may , to the glory of their creator , and comfort of their owne soules , through christ amen . to god onely wise be glorie now and for euer , amen . certaine qvaeres to the bayter of women . with confvtation of some part of his diabolicall discipline . london , printed by n. o. for thomas archer , and are to be sold at his shop in popes-head-pallace . 1617. to the reader . although ( curteous reader ) i am young in yeares , and more defectiue in knowledge , that little smattering in learning which i haue obtained , being only the fruit of such vacant houres , as i could spare from affaires befitting my sex , yet am i not altogether ignorant of that analogie which ought to be vsed in a literate responsarie : but the beare-bayting of women , vnto which i haue framed my apologeticall answere , beeing altogether without methode , irregular , without grammaticall concordance , and a promiscuous mingle mangle , it would admit no such order to bee obserued in the answering thereof , as a regular responsarie requireth . wherfore ( gentle reader ) fauorably cōsider , that as that painter is not to be held vnskilfull , which hauing a deformed obiect , makes the like portraiture ; no more am i iustly to be blamed for my immethodicall apologie , sith any iudicious reader may plainely see , that the bayter of women his pestiferous obtrectation is like a taylers cushion , that is botcht together of shreddes , so that , were it not to preuent future infection with that venome , which he hath , and daily doth sweate out , i would haue beene loath to haue spent time so idlely , as to answere it at all : but a crooked pot-lid well enough fits a wrie neckt pot , an vnfashioned shooe a mis-shapen foote , and an illiterate answere an vnlearned irreligious prouocation . his absurdities therein contayned , are so many , that to answere them seuerally , were as friuolous a worke , as to make a trappe for a flea , and as tedious as the pursuite of an arrow to an impotent man. yet to preuent his hauing occasion to say , that i speake of many , but can instance none , i haue thought it meete to present a few of them to his view , as followeth , that if follie haue taken roote in him , he may seeke to extirpate it , and to blush at the sight of that fruit , which he hath already brought foorth ; a fruite i call it ( not vnfitly i hope ) because a crabbe may so be termed , as well as a good apple . thus , not doubting of the fauour of well affected , and of their kinde acceptance of my indeuours , of which i desire not applaud , but approbation : i rest , your friend , rachel speght . ¶ the preface vnto the subseqnent . with edged tooles ( saith the old prouerbe ) it is ill sporting ; but farre more dangerous : yea damnable is it to dally with scripture , the two-edged sword of the eternall : for so to doe is a breach of the third commandement ; and he that failes in one point , is guiltie of all . if the magnitude of this sinne had beene considered by the bayter of women , the lamentable , yet iust reward thereof , as of all other sinnes without repentance , would , if he had but a seruile feare , haue restrained him from transgressing herein . but as one deuoide of all true feare of gods indignation against wilfull sinners ( for as ignorance doth somewhat extenuate a fault , so doth knowledge much aggrauate it ) he hath made the exordium of his braine-sicke exhalation against women , to be a peruerting of a part of holy writ ; ex v●guibus leonem , iudge of this lion by his pawe . for if the fore foot be monstrous , doubtlesse the whole bodie is correspondent thereto . the porch indeede is fowle , but hee that viewes the sequel , as i haue done , shall find a laystall of heathenish assertions , similies , and examples , illiterate composition , irreligious inuectiues , and ( which is worst ) impious blasphemies therein included , filthy rubbish , more fitte to be heaped vp by a pagan , then one that beareth the name of a christian. but lest it should not onely be thought , but also said , that i finde fault where none is ; or that i do ill to mislike the worke , and not make the author therewith acquainted , that if he please , hee may answer for himselfe : i thinke it not amisse to propose some few quaeres vnto the bayter of women , which i haue abstracted out of his infamous booke , as himselfe confesseth it to be in his epistle to women . certaine quaeres to the bayter of women , with confutation of some part of his diabolicall discipline . if it bee true , asse you affirme , pag. 2. line 26. that women will not giue thankes for a good turne . i demand whether deborah and hannah were not women , who both of them sang hymnes of thankesgiuing vnto the lord ; the one for his mercy in granting her victory ouer israels enemies , the other for his fauourable giuing vnto her a son , which she full oft and earnestly had desired ? and where-asse you say , page 4. line 22. that a woman that hath a faire face , it is euer matched with a cruel heart , and her heauenly lookes with hellish thoughts : you therein shew your selfe a contradictor of scriptures presidents : for abigail was a beautifull woman , and tender-hearted ; rebekah was both faire of face and pittifull . many examples seruing to confute your vniuersall rule might bee produced , but these are sufficient to dispell this your cloud of vntruth . as for your audacitie in iudging of womens thoughts , you thereby shew your selfe an vsurper against the king of heauer , the true knowledge of cogitations being appropriate vnto him alone . if your assertion , that a woman is better lost then found , better forsaken then taken ( page 5. line 4. ) be to be credited , me thinkes , great pitty it is , that afore you were borne , there was none so wise as to counsell your father not to meddle with a woman , that hee might haue escaped those troubles , which you affirme , that all married men are cumbred with , page 2. line 20. as also that hee might not haue begotten such a monster in nature asse your selfe , who ( like the priest which forgot he was parish clearke ) defame and exclaime against women , as though your selfe had neuer had a mother , or you neuer beene a child . you affirme ( page 10. line 18. ) that for the loue of women , dauid purchased the displeasure of his god : it had beene good that you had cited the place of story where you finde it , for i neuer yet in scripture read , that the almighty was displeased with dauid for his loue to women , but for his lust to bathsheba , which afterward brought forth his adulterous act , and his causing vriah to be murthered . in saying ( page 10. line . 25. ) that iobs wife counselled her husband to curse god , you misconster the text ; for the true construction thereof will shew it to bee a scarcasmus or ironicall speech , and not an instigation to blasphemie . page 11. line 8. you count it wonderfull to see the mad feates of women , for shee will now bee merry , then sad : but me thinkes it is farre more wonder-foole to haue one , that aduentures to make his writing as publique as an in-keepers signe , which hangs to the view of all passengers , to want grammaticall concordance in his said writing , and ioyne together women plurall , and shee singular , asse you not onely in this place , but also in others haue done . albeit the scripture verifieth , that god made woman and brought her to man ; and that a prudent wife commeth of the lord : yet haue you not feared blasphemously to say , that women sprung from the diuell , page 15. line 26. but being , as it seemes , defectiue in that whereof you haue much need ( for mendacem oportet esse memorem ) you suddainely after say , that women were created by god , and formed by nature , and theresore by policie and wisedome to be auoyded , page 16. line 12. an impious conclusion to inferre , that because god created , therefore to be auoyded : oh intollerable absurdity ! men i say may liue without women , but women cannot liue without men , page 14. line 18. if any religious author had thus affirmed , i should haue wondred , that vnto satans suggestions he had so much subiected himselfe , as to crosse the almighties prouidence and care for mans good , who positiuely said , it is not good for man to bee alone ; but being that the sole testimony heereof in your owne dico , i maruell no whit at the errour , but heartily wish , that vnto all the vntruths you haue vttered in your infamous booke , you had subscribed your dico , that none of them might bee adiudged truths : for mendacis praemium est verbis eius non adhiberi fidem . page 17. line 5. you affirme , that hosea was brought vnto idolatrie by marrying with a lewd woman , which is as true as the sea burnes ; and for proofe thereof you cite hosea 1. in which chapter is no such matter to be found , it onely containing a declaration of the lords anger against the adulterous iewes , who had gone a whoring after other gods , set forth in a parable of an husband and an adulterous wife . page 19. theodora a monstrous strumpet , lavia , floria , and lais , were three notable curtizans . was not that noble citie of troy , sacked and spoyled for the faire helena ? page 21. therefore stay not alone in the company of a woman , trusting to thy owne chastity , except thou bee more strong then sampson , more wise then salomon , or more holy then dauid , for these , and many more haue beene ouercome by the sweete intisements of women , page 22. i may as well say barrabas was a murtherer , ioab killed abuer and amasa , and pharaoh necho slew iosiab ; therefore stay not alone in the companie of a man , trusting to thy owne strength , except thou bee stronger then iosiah , and more valiant then abner and amasa , for these and many more haue beene murthered by men . the forme of argumentation is your owne , the which if you dislike , blame your selfe for proposing such a patterne , and blush at your owne folly , quod te posse non facile crede : for it is an old saying , how true i know not , that blushing is a signe of grace . page 31. line 15. if god had not made women onely to bee a plague to man , hee would neuer haue called them necessarie euils . albeit i haue not read seaton or ramus , nor so much as seene ( though heard of ) aristotles arganox , yet by that i haue seene and reade in compasse of my apprehension , i will aduenture to frame an argument or two , to shew what danger , for this your blasphemy your are in . to fasten a lie vpon god is blasphemy : but the bayter of women fastens a lie vpon god : ergo , the bayter is a blasphemer . the proposition , i trowe , none will gaine-say , the assumption i thus proue , whosoeuer affirmes god to haue called women necessary euils , fastens a lie vpon god : for from the beginning of genesis to the end of the reuelation is no such instance to be found : but the bayter affirmes god so to haue called women , ergo , the bayter fastens a lie vpon god. the reward according to lave diuine due vnto the bayter of women . whosoeuer blasphemeth god , ought by his law , to die ; the bayter of women hath blasphemed god , ergo , he ought to die the death . the proposition is vpon record , leuit. 24. 14. 16. the assumption is formerly proued . if thou marryest a still and a quiet woman , that will seeme to thee that thou ridest but an ambling horse to hell , but if with one that is froward and vnquiet , then thou wert as good ride a trotting horse to the diuell . page 35. line 13. if this your affirmation be true , then seemes it , that hell is the period of all married mens trauailes , and the center of their circumference . a man can but haue either a good wife or a bad ; and if he haue the former , you say he doth but seeme to amble to hell ; if the latter , he were as good trot to the diuell : but if married men ride , how trauaile batchelours ? surely , by your rule they must go on foote , because they want wiues ; which ( inclusiuely ) you say are like horses to carry their husbands to hell . wherefore in my minde , it was not without mature consideration that you married in time , because it would be too irkesome for you to trauaile so tedious a iourney on foote . now the fire is kindled , let vs burne this other faggot . page 38. line 4. beware of making too great a fire , lest the surplussage of that fires effect which you intended for others , singe your selfe . shee will make thee weare an oxe feather in thy cappe . page 44. line 4. if oxen haue feathers , their haires more fitly may be so termed then their hornes . page 50. line 28. there is no ioy nor pleasure in this world which may be compared to marriage , for if the husband be poore and in aduersitie , then hee beares but the one halfe of the griefe : and furthermore , his wife will comfort him , with all the comfortable meanes she can deuise . page 51. line 16. many are the ioyes and sweete pleasures in marriage , as in our children , &c. page 34. line 5. there are many troubles comes gallopping at the heeles of a woman . if thou wert a seruant , or in bondage afore , yet when thou marriest , thy toyle is neuer the nearer ended , but euen then , and not before , thou changest thy golden life , which thou didst leade before ( in respect of the married ) for a droppe of hony , which quickely turnes to be as bitter as wormewood . page 53. line 19. the husband ought ( in signe of loue ) to impart his secrets and counsell vnto his wife , for many haue found much comfort and profite by taking their wiues counsell ; and if thou impart any ill happe to thy wife , shee lighteneth thy griefe , either by comforting thee lousngly , or else , in bearing a part thereof patiently . page 41. line 12. if thou vnfouldest any thing of secret to a woman , the more thou chargest her to keepe it close , the more shee will seeme , as it were , with childe , till shee haue reuealed it . it was the saying of a iudicious writer , that whoso makes the fruit of his cogitations extant to the view of all men , should haue his worke to be as a well tuned instrument , in all places according and agreeing , the which i am sure yours doth not : for how reconcile you those dissonant places aboue cited ? or how make you a consonant diapason of those discords wanting harmony ? page 34. line 19. you counsell all men , to shunne idlenesse , and yet the first words of your epistle to women are these , musing with my selfe being idle : heerein you appeare , not vnlike vnto a fencer , which teacheth another how to defend himselfe from enemies blowes , and suffers himselfe to be stricken without resistance : for you warne others , to eschew that dangerous vice , wherewith ( by your owne confession ) your selfe is stained . page 57. line 5. if thou like not my reasons to expell loue , then thou mayest trie ouids art , for be counsells those that feele this horrible heate to coole their flames with hearbes which are colde of nature as rew , &c. albeit you doubt not but by some to be reputed for a good archer , yet heere you shot wide from the truth , in saying without contradiction of ouids errour , that rew is of a cold nature : for most physitions ( if not all ) both ancient and moderne , holde it to be hote and drie in the third degree : and experience will tell the vser thereof , that the temperature is hote , not colde . and though the sense of tasting , without further triall , doth repell this errour , i doubt not but in citing this prescription , you haue verified the opinion of that philosopher , which said , that there are some , who thinke they speake wisest , and write most iudiciously , when they vnderstand not themselues . but , vt opus ad finem perducam , sith i haue trode my vtmost intended steppe , though left one path vngone , i meane the beare-bayting of widdowes vnviewed , in that i am ignorant of their dispositions , accounting it a follie for me to talke of robin-hood , as many doe , that neuer shot in his bowe , i leaue the speculation ( with approbation of their beare-bayting ) to those that regard neyther affabilitie nor humanitie , and wishing vnto euery such misogunes , a tiburne tiffenie for curation of his swolne necke , which onely through a cynicall inclination will not indure the yoke of lawfull matrimony , i bid farewell . f ret , fume or f●um●e at me who will , i care not , i will thrust forth thy sting to hurt , and sp●re not : n ow that the taske i vndertooke is ended , i dread not any harme to me intended , s i th iustly none therein i haue offended . page 7. line 7. for herods reade he●●●s notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a12750-e860 iames 4. 11. 1. pet. 3. 16. 1. tim. 4. 3. notes for div a12750-e1870 gen. 24. 4. fphe . 2 4. col. 3 30. ephe. 4. 24. gen. 2. 20. gen. 2. 20. iohn 11. 36. 1. cor. 11. 9. gen. 1. 31. 1 obiect . 2 obiect . 1. tim. 2. 14. 3 obiect . 1. cor. 7. 1. 4 obiect . eccles. 7. 30. 1 obiect . answered . gen. 3. 22. gen. 3 4. genesis 3. 12. genesis 3. 17. genesis 3. 7. 1 pet. 3. 7. genesis 3. 15. galat. 4 4. galat. 3. 28. 2 obiection answered . 1 cor. 15. 22. 3 obiection answered . 1 cor. 7. 1. corint . 9. 5. 4 obiect answered . eccles. 7. 30. 1 king. 11. 3. pagnine . genesis 1. 28. psal. 100. 3. psal. 100. 4. math. 19. 17. genesis 2. 7. genesis 1. 26. genesis 2. 23. ephes. 5. 28. gen. 1. 26. exod. 15. 20. genesis 21. 12 math. 27. 19. genesis 31. 16 2 kings 4. 9. luke 8. luke 1. 51. iohn 20. 1. gen. 3. 19. 1. tim. 5. 8. 1. cor. 12. 21. eccles 4. 10. eccles. 4. 10. 1. cor. 11. 7. iohn 2. psal , 104. 15. prou. 12. 4. 1. chron. 20. 2. 1. pet. 3. 7. 1. sam. 1. 17. math. 22. reu. 19. 7. rom. 2. 11. iohn 3. 18. 1. cor. 11. 3. ephe. 5. 23. iob 2. 4. iohn 15. 13. 1. cor. 12. 20. col. 3. 19. 1. pet. 3. 7. 1. cor. 14. 35. 1. pet. 3. 18. ephes 5. actes 5. 2. luke 1. 47. zach. 5. 7. gen. 18. 25. esay 5. 20. prou. 17. 15. notes for div a12750-e4620 gen. 40. 23. rom. 13. 10. notes for div a12750-e4930 hebr. 4. 12. iames 2. 10. notes for div a12750-e5050 iudg. 5. 1. sam. 1. 11. & 2. 1. 1. sam. 25. 3. 18. gen. 24. 16. 18. math. 12. 25. 2. sam. 11. gen 2. 22. prou. 19. 14. gen. 2. 18. luke 23. 19. 2. sam. 3. 27. 2. sam. 20 10. 2. king 23. 29. a satirycall dialogue or a sharplye-invectiue conference, betweene allexander the great, and that truelye woman-hater diogynes goddard, william, fl. 1615. 1616 approx. 79 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 24 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; 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(eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a01795) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 6052) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1475-1640 ; 958:16) a satirycall dialogue or a sharplye-invectiue conference, betweene allexander the great, and that truelye woman-hater diogynes goddard, william, fl. 1615. alexander, the great, 356-323 b.c. diogenes, d. ca. 323 b.c. [48] p. by george waters] for all such gentlewomen as are not altogeather idle nor yet well. ocupyed, imprinted in the lowcountryes [i.e. dordrecht : [1616?] dedication signed: willyam goddard. in verse. 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edited 2003-12 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion satirycall dialogve or a sharplye-invectiue conference , betweene allexander the great , and that truelye woman-hater diogynes . imprinted in the lowcountryes for all such gentlewomen as are not altogeather idle nor yet well , ocvpyed . bewteous : to the all-illustrious , and most puissaunt creatures of the earth , vvoemen : willyam goddard , sole desirer of th'yncrease of your bewtyes , and chiefe adorer of your goddes-like vertues , ( with al reuerence to your angelicall sex , ) commendes to your protection this harsh vnlearned dialogve . starrs of this earthlie heaun , you whose essence composd was of mans purest quyntessence , to you ( to virtuous you ) i dedicate this snaggy sprigg , hew'd from a crabby pat● wherein ( celestiali bewties ) you shall see , howe old diogynes extolleth yee . we men , doe loue to see our selues vp-raisd and iocond are , o heare our own selues praisd but ( oh you springes of wisdome ) i doe find that is a thing most hatefull to your kind . yet old d●ogynes did see your worth , such worth hee sawe , as needes heed paint it forth . accept his loue ; for all the cynnicks deedes out of true zeale vnto your sex proceedes with rev'rent zeale , as high as th'azurd skyes your virtuous deedes , the old man magnifies . contrary wise , he with a bitter penn invectivelie , doth write against bad men comaunding them , that what soe e're they doe , they alwaies should example take by you . badd are these men , such is their perverse kind they burne all bookes , wherein theire faults they find and therefore ( earthlie aungells ) my desire is you 'l protect this , from consuming fire . the euer-faythfull honourer of your celestyall sex willyam goddard . to the senceles censurer . rash reader ▪ read my booke , and when t is read disdaynefullie through 't o're thy muddy head thy condemnations peale a both sides ringe : rash men are priviledgd t'saie anie thing and therefore ( hare-braine ) reade , criemewe dislike : my spleene swells not when fooles with bables strike . pack hence precision : cry'st it is obsceane ? diue deeper shallowe pate : knowe what i meane knowe what i meane ? alas ! what hope haue i ? since carpers mindes haue but a poreblynd eye yet to prevent thy censures thus much knowe whollye this booke was made , follie to showe and he which laies ope tymes abuse , and vice are sildome blam'd of men indicious wise : at which i ay'md ; and therefore duncepate hence or looke for lashes for thy rude offence . william g. a satirycall dialogve or a sharplye-invectvie conference betweene allexander the greate ▪ and that trulye woman-hater diogynes . allexander . why howe nowe cy●nick , what dust doe a daies that thou in tubb art coop't-vp thus alwaies ? diogynes . what doe i doe ? not daunce from howse to howse to bibb in wynes sweete iuice , eache dambd ●orrowse nor doe i gallop it from place to place to veiwe each faire bewitching painted face nor studdye howe , this populous world to wynn my studdy's howe , to beate and conquer synn i studdye not wherewith my gutts to cramm on what soe ere i feede , well pleasd i am . to mee 's all one the fyn'st and grossest meate so 't wholesome be , i nere eare what i eate . with in my selfes a world , and it is true i howrlie fight , all that world to subdue and these fell-fighters bee the enymies , that rebell-like , againste me dailie rise vaine pryde ( my cheifest foe ) the leading hath of these feirce-foes : loathd , drunkenues and wrath with averice , sloathe , gluttonie , and lust , encounter hottlie eu●ie daie i must to beate downe these , i daylie doe devise : to this end , i vse strentgh and pollicies : i studdy not , nor trouble i my witt howe i by flatt'ry should be fauouritt vnto greate allexander . i would refuse to be that monarchs selfe , if i might chuse . allexander . thou wouldst not ; wouldst ? diogynes . i would by ioue i vowe allexander . alas ( poore sillie snake ) why what art thou ? diogynes . what thou art not : i am an honest man and then ( i hope ) the more vnlike thee than . i am noe courtyer i , for once by chaunce i with an other mans faire wife did daunce yet icie-vayned i ( vnsett a fire ) did freeze moste coldlie , in loues hott desire : i did indeed : but doe you heare me hoe ? was e're hott-blouded courtyer frozen soe ? i am noe lawyer i , for once there was a poore man praide me vndertake his case quoth he , praie vndertakt and you shall haue your fee though you sitt dumb , and nothing speake for me . but i refusd it i : yet harke you hoe what lawyer ere refusd , and tempted soe ? i am noe younger-brother , brauelie sprighted for once a vsring golden asse ( be nighted ) quite laden , with his full stu●t treasure baggs ; by me that dreaming drudge , all feareles laggs yet honest i ( vntempted with this sight ) though emptie mavd , at this baite would not bi●e hence capring courtyer ask you who i am ? goe , gett you hence , s●udd quick from whence you came . allexander . cynnick you are to sharpe did you but knowe me i am assurd more reu'rence you would showe me . diogynes . howe ? i showe reverence ? noe , vnderstand that allexander getts none at my hand . allexander . in faithe diogynes thou haste not beene , in all thy life , where anie thing th' ast seene . yf thou dst but trauayle and some fashions see , thou dst aunswere none , as nowe thou aunswerst me . diogynes . haue i not trauayld ? ha ? yes yes i trowe , ( spruce fellowe ) thou haste neuer trauaild soe . where i haue bene , there 's fewe harh euer beene but yet men saie noe wonders i haue seene , why once i sawe , a rit●h-left heire to weepe , when 's old dadd tooke his euerlasting sleepe . once did i see a bewteous maide ( t is straunge ! ) liue twentie yeares , yet not that title chaunge once did i see a wife in mourninge weede shedd teares ouer hir husbands course indeed i once did see a cytizens faire wife liue at the courte , he leading else wher'es life and hee ( in s witt ) noe wiser then an asse yet was hee brow'd , more smothe then smothest glasse once did i see a king giues foes the foile and gaue his souldyers leaue , to take the spoile and lastlie once i was in such a court where 'bout the king , noe flattrers did resort where i haue beene , oh furelie none haue beene , then why saie you , noe wonders i haue seene ? allexander . why faith diogynes me thinkes these are , no● things ( as thou wouldst make em ) wondrous rare the like in eu'rie place and realme i see th'●re comon , man , they ordynarie be . diogynes . those ordynarie thinges ? i fayth sir noe ; these thinges , are th' ordynarie thinges , i trowe to see faire bewtious ladies nowe a daies refuse to take at once both pricke , and praise of both the i le not accept , for still those men which gives the one , shall tother haue agenn . the other thinges ? why ! those are wondrous rare these ●e the thinges that ordynarie are ●o see howe lords shake-of their serving men and howe their ladies take them on agen holding emin ( vnto their lords vnknowne ) to ride in private , with them vp and downe t' see m●rcers ●ookes fild-vp with courtyers names . to see your min●yng bewteous cyttie dames haue alwaies some one gallant of the court , ( as knisman to them ) to theire howse resort . to see , a plaine kind man loue none soe much as he which giues his pate the cuckolds tutch these ; these are ordynarie man : also this things is as much ordynarie too to see your riteh old country squires to wedd their chamber maides vnto theire servaunts bedd but firste themselues to take the maydenhead then place them in some cottage nere at hand to haue theire service , readie at comaund . thou saydst the first were ordynarie thinges : awaie awaie : why man to see on kinges howe daunger plaine , cloathd smoothly-smiling daunger● wayteth on them , attending like noe straunger but like some smyling , countenanced freind onelie to giue too 's prince , his fatall end : thoult say perhaps , this is noe common thing but thou d'st vn say 't againe wert thou a king what thinges are common , and not common be , thy shallowe reatch , cannot conceaue i see . allexander . naie fie diogynes infaith thou art , in thy conclusions still a dram , to tart i pray thee lett me soe prevaile with thee as ride to allexanders court with mee t will mend thee much , and i will vndertake , the king shall byd thee welcome for my sake . diogynes . vnto my tubb , lett allexander come i 'me in a pallace , when i 'me in this home let those that list , vnto thy king resort , t is not my list : what should i doe at 's court ? allexander . as others doe ; in spending of smal● pelfe , thou maiste in tyme to honour raise thy selfe . diogynes . i cannot fawne , my tongue too rustie is ; i bashfull am ; i 'm nothing boldlie rude i rather chuse court delecates to misse then with a brazen face my selfe ty'ntrude : in tubb ( coop't-vp ) i will liue euer mude and euer liue vppon sowre garden woortes er'e i le ' a flattr'er be , and followe cortes i cannot turne my tongue to praise and laude a soone-lamb'd prick-eard proud-feerce fi●y steed i cannot fyndalls full deepe mouth applaude nor swaere the greate-mans grew hound hath best speed when hee doth plaie the slowe-slugg cur● indeed though some cann doo 't , yet such is my sowre kind i neuer could , though 't gall's his sweld pust mind i cannot tell the greate foole hee is wise , nor t●ll fowle ladies , they are wondrous faire i ne're applaude aboue heauns-spangled skies the curld-worne tresses , of dead-borrowd haire like northern blaste i breathe my crittick aire : i am noe mimyck ape , i loathe and hate , each light-braind , giddy-head to imy tate i cannot brooke , to suck the livings bloud of these old vsrer's ritch-left prodigalls i nourish not with such sweete-bitter food : i hate to rise by other mens downe falls i knowe t is ill though other think t is good though some doe think such papp all sweete to be yet i doe not ; it poyson proues to mee . to make short worke , i neuer loud ' vaine sportes and therefore i 'me vnfitt for prynces courtes ? allexander . diogynes , thou art deceyued quite in vanities kinges take the least delight i le vndertake none shall respected bee ( yf thou wilt followe him ) better then thee come to the court , and then in seeing him thou also maiste , take veiwe of ladies trymm mee thinkes , hee is too dull and sadd of spright that in a bewteous dame takes noe delight . why hee that 's mary'd is in heaun all night . diogynes . there lett him bee , for i had rather dwell a thousand tymes , a single man in hell i am assurd that ther'e 's noe divell cann ( like to a wife ) torment a mary'd man. i l'e none of them , i 'me euer worse a yeare when once i doe , a womans tongue but heare it galls my gutts when i a woman see i le not once come , where such straunge creatures be come hold your tongue , and prate no more to me allexander . naie good diogynes bee not soe quick i hope yet ' ere i die , see thee loue sick diogynes . loue-sicke ? why i doe loue these women soe as i 'me soe fonde , i knowe not what to doe such is my loue vnto the femall kind as were i empr'our of thyn fernall lake but women , none with me should fauour synd one man into my kingdome i d' e not take i de ' send my servaunts our , to scarch and see to bring all women in the world to mee . allexander . by th masse diogynes thou loust em well wert thou the king and gouernour of hell thou wouldst i see advaunce the women kind there is noe want of will hadst to thy mind wert thou ( i see ) the prince of that faire place women , ( onelie ) with thee should be in grace i see thou dst very carles be of men i see thou dst women haue , t' attend thee then . diogynes . i that i would , and this they should be bold i de carefull be they should not freeze with cold allexander . i fayth diogynes i doubt th' ast euer beene privatelie a vild laciuious liuer or neuer haste beene yet ( i greatelie feare ) where anie one faire vertuou● creature weare . diogynes . nor nere will looke to be : i am too wise to thinke that vertue cann remaine in vice allexander . wert thou at court , thou 'dst alter then thy mind when women thou didst see , soe wondrous kind forsake this tubb , t' is solliterie ill and howe to court faire ladies , learne the skyll . diogynes . nowe , by the lustfull fire , hott boiling vaines ▪ of that same wanton greate god iupiter i am vn skild in these speech-pleasing straines to courte a wenche when i come vnto hir i 'me then an all-mute dumb and surlie sir i cannot lispe , nor cann i courtlike saie , when i doe women woe , i runn my waie . i cannot singe , nor cann i turne my tongue to chaunte a syren-charming quau'ring dittye when i these bewties chaunce to come amonge my lead-sade-sable lookes must moue their pittie all what is in me then , is all vnwittie i want these warbling noates to wynn their loues nor cann i pricksong sett , which better moues i cannot musick it , nor finger fyne a sweete-cleare-throated , care-charme instrument i 'me not posseste with such sweet parts devyne whereby to cause , faire bewties merryment t'ynchaunt theire eares nothing cann i invent and well knowe i , that women take delight in these same instruments , both daie and night i cannot daunce , no● with my sprawling heeles cann i the ny'mble cutt-heele caper kick my sullen bloud an other humor feeles to woe a wench , i want the wanton trick i am a milksopp then , i then am sick againe , strenghes moysture in may vaines is skant , which women after dauncing must not want . and therefore pry thee fellowe lett me reste of all these worldly courts , my tubb's the best . allexander . diogines , my meaning is mistooke i would not , that your tubb be quite forsooke but for your recreation nowe and then you l ' goe too th' court , from court t' your tubb agen . mistake me not , it will for your good tend a wiseman alwaies lysten will too 's freind . diogynes . naie would you would these complementes forbeare for courtyers freindshipps , i did neuer care ye● should i chuse a freind , a courtyer than i would make ●hoise-of , fore another man : by this example i will plainelie proue that like to courtyers , none doe truelie loue like to apparrell they doe loue theire freind to what ( like that ) doe they theire loues extend : like cloathes they loue theire freindes : why that is true iust like em , cause they nere loue cloathes but newe : pack hence , for such loue should i find of you . allexander . naie fye diogynes you cann ( yf list ) forbeare to plaie this crabb-sowre satirist i pry thee cynnick broach thy milder braine and let thy wordes runn in a sweeter vaine in others natures too too much you markst , against theire faultes too rusty ●ond you barkst i doe dislike it i , i pry thee cease thou d'st gaine more loue , yf thou didst hold thy peace : turne courtyer man , come , be thou pollitick wise he best wynns loue , that best cann sooth-vp vice . diogynes . then i le ' wynn hate : nor king nor clowne i le ' spare yf they with vices vennym poysned are yf with prides swellinge tympany i fynd theire hartes are once puft-vp ; i le speake my mind . let 's pate be crownd , with hundred thowsand crownes lett cruell deathe , succeed his wrathfull frownes yet ( yf in him ) loathd filthie synns i see hee shall not ( in them ) sooth'd-vp-be , by mee i cannot soothe ; i am not that waies wi●e : who liveth not in vertue , dies in vice . allexander . thou sayst well cynnick , for i hold this race of oyld-tongu'd flattrers , to be dangerous base the cankerd rust , doth not the iron frett soe faste as these , doe in good natures eate the statelie oake a longer tyme would liue yf to the ivie , he noe truste did giue but as the ivie ' , ' boute the oake entwyndes to worke his fall ; so 't fares with flattrers mindes . but whether in discourse , shall our tongues walke ? i came not here , of court affaires to talke i came to see , thy manner kind of life and t' aske thee , why thou getst thee not a wife . faith gett thee one , i would not lie alone yf all the world could but afford mee one . diogynes . a wife ? why for my life i cannot see howe man , with woman , euer should agree when men goe backward , and goe downe the wynd it frettes , cuttes , galles , and greiveth sore the mind when women backward growe ▪ and downeward goe theire spleenes , with laughter tickles then i trowe : since theire two natures , are soe contrarie i muse howe tweene them , cann be sympathie a wife ? oh fellowe tha' rt a younge man yet ther'e 's much sowre sawce , belonges to that sweete bitt : who would be troubled with the yawling noyse of a harsh-whewling young childes whympring voice againe , to see em fligger , smile , and plaie doth make mee greiue as much an other waie when they doe simper , i doe sighe ; for then i mynd the miseries , they l see ( ere men . ) t would cutt my heart to heare a babe crye dadd oh giue me meate : when t is not to be hadd he that doth wiue , for pleasures sole intent t is tenn to one , but soone he will repent . who would be bound to scrape , pinch , carke , and care for brattes , ( perhapps ) that gott by others ate ? not i : i le ' none of this thing , cald a wife let him take one , that 's wearie of his life for hee that alwaies will supplies ' wiues lack must vnto nature goe , for a steele back . a wife ? i le ha noe wife : such sprights will frowne vnles they ( er'e a non ) are coinurd ' downe : againe my little tubb is too too small to hold my wife , my selfe , and whom shee 'le call it must not be a smale howse that cann hold a silent man , ioynd with a shrill-tongud schold nowe will hir gossipps come ; then praie nowe where is roome for them to chatt , and make good cheere ? and nowe hir old-acquainted freind will come ( perhapps to see hir , when i 'me from my home ) then where's my galleree , for them to walk ? or anie place for old freindes secrett talk ? some what perhapps they l ' doe , i should not see : where haue i chambers then for them to bee ? not in my tubb my tubb ●ath nor the scope for hir to gossip't , with hir mates i hope . yet though i haue 〈◊〉 wife ( with ho●● de●ire ) my harte is flamd : burnt am i with loues fire a loue i haue to whom i will be true obserue hir partes , i will discribe them you my loues pure white hath ne're sustaind a spot she 's wise , ●ood , rich , faire , chaste , what is shee not ? hlr eyes 1 , grace 2 , speach 3 ; hath 1 fir'd , amaz'd 2 , rauisht 3 , my harte 1 , sence 2 , thoughts 3 ; with loue 1 , wonder 2 , delight 3 , but fyr'd 1 , ' mazd 2 , sence-rest 3 ; i sought 1 , prayde 2 , and wisht 3 , to quenche 1 , cure 2 , and heale 3 ; loue 1 , sence 2 , and eyes3-dymd sight thus eyes 1 , grace 2 , speache 3 ; hath fyr'd 1 , amazd 2 , sence-charmd 3 my thoughts 1 , sence 2 , witts 3 , with loue 1 , with feare 2 , vnarmd 3 oh my loue 's fairelie white without a spott such is hir hue noe staine hir hue can blott virtue 's that dame in hir sweete grace i sitt 't is shee loues me , she'es womans oppositt , could i one headles lymb les corp les see to such a one would i betrothed be for had shee nere a head ; noe tongue shee l haue : nor corps ; then i de not d●ead the lechrous knaue : nor lymb ; then should i neuer quiv'ring stand fearing my eares remembraunce of hir hand of rope or hangman i was nere afrayde at noe sight quake i but at wife or maide . allexander . oh harsh-sowre , crabby cyn●ick , still i see to gentle creatures thou wilt stubborne be if with a girle t hast neuer slept a night thy soule hath neuer tasted sweete delight . such is the femall sex , while wife or maide as of them , too much good , cannot be saide methinkes the skipping bloud ( a virgins grace ) which tripps lavaltoes in each maydens face when mens fowle tongues , o're-flowes with ribaldery should make thee loue maides , for theire modestie . diogynes . maydens modest ? what is this modestie ? ●f t' is in them , it is a vice saie i vertue in women is as cold as ice : nothinge is warme in them vnlest be vice . thou art a dunce , thou haste noe reatche i see why maydes at all tymes cann faine modestee . thei l ' blush as oft while they liue single liues as they will weepe , when they be mary'd wiues : if t was my liste , i could a thowsand name that would ( yf men talke ill ) blush at the same y●t thy themselues , their tongues shall nimblie walke whole nights togeather , all in too-broad talk . allexander . thou wrongst em soore : i doe not think it i that maydens tongues , will tripp immodestlie . diogynes . thou doost not , doost ? i prithee think soe still : i think thy witt is like a womans will but what thou dost not think , i trulie knowe : what i haue saide of maydes men shall find ●oe i fellowe , fellowe , till theire by thems●lu●s maydes in talke are modest bashfull elues but beinge from the companie of men the lawes of modestie is broken then . t was not longe since i stood to maydens neere but lord ! thou 't ne re beleeue what i did heare for onelie that same wench esteemd ' was well which could the ribauldst dreame , relate and tell : i could relate all what they did relate but that my tongues , disvs'd to such like prate 't is vild obscene ; speake younge man wilt you hav 't ? allexander . come , out with 't cynnick , i knowe thy delight ●s , all in all to worke faire woomen spight . diogines relates the three wanton sisters wanton dreames . diogynes . o yet the fyer , once three maydens satt ●nknowne to them , i ouer heard theire chatt eache with hir tuckt-vp cloathes , in pleasing plight ( pleasing i meane vnto fond y●unge mens sight ) satt ore the fyer , soe , as one might see , from sl●nder foote , to round white nimble knee as thus they satt , i 'me sure thou doest thinke what ( when maydes with maydens bee ) wil be theire chatt girles ( quoth the eldest sister ) what shall 's doe ? smal'es my desire , vnto my bedd to goe fo● yet , i never in my couche could fynd a sportiue mate to please my mayden mind alas , alas , what pleasure and delight takes one mayde with an other in the night ? but smale god knowes it , for my owne part i ne're tooke anie with whom ie're did lie . for loue , noe revells in that bedd doth keepe where one girle , by an others side doth sleepe . ●or trulye ( sisters ) there is none that can giue maydes delight in bedd , but a young man and but in dreame ( the more vnhappie i ) i ne're with such a beddfellowe could lie but yet in dreame ( oh matchles sweete delightes ! ) iv'e lyne , and lyne , with one whole wynters nightes the greater greife ( you 'l saie ) 't was to my mind when i did wake , and my selfe single fynd . oh girles it was ! but sisters i doe see , it is with eu'rye mayde as 't is with mee . such are our dreames , as wee doe laugh in sleepe but when wee wake againe , oh then wee weepe . but what shall s ' doe ? wee 'l not soe soone to b●dd letts rather tell , howe ne're wee haue beene spedd . our merry'st dreames come le●t vs nowe relate girles gott with girles , their mindes maie freelie prate what though w' are maides ? here are noe men to heare vs freelie wee vse to chatt , when th' are not nerevs w' are by our selues : what ere we talke , is well come let ts drawe lotts , which first hir dreame shall tell . at which the youngest , blushing like a rose being assignd by lott , firste to disclose begynns to tell howe to hir soules delight hir sences ravisht ' were , the other night . the yovngest sisters dreame . qoth shee , on bedds softe downe downe did i lie and s●ugd doowne close , to haue sleepe close eache eye but ere t would bee , i entred in a muse ( i such a muse as all wee maydens vse ) i mus'd ( me thought ) yf there were sweeter blisse for maydes , then 't lie with men , to clipp and kisse me thought , i thought ( this thought fetcht out a groane ) it was a hell to lie , all night alone . at which i sight , and turning me i wept desiring , what i knowe not , till i slept in which my sleepe ( oh fancies sweete delight ? ) appeard a youth ( pheobus was much lesse bright ) gold were his lockes , firye sparkles were his eyne his browes , cheekes , and chynn were as louelie fyne i' ns shirte was hee , a shirt soe fyne i wynn as one might see , what was tweene shirt and skynn his snowe-white armes , in-laide with azurd vaine ( mixed with crimson dye ) one might see plaine his full-broade manlie some-what-downye cheste dale-like indented tweene two mounting brestes ; on which two prettie fr●iteles teatlinges grewe : not milkie sweete , sweete onelie for the ve●we . i saw's soft slender waste ; and sisters well nie i fawe what grewe beneathe his plump-round bellie : all what i sawe ( sweete w●nches ) i would tell ye but that sweete loue coniures me ( here 's ' the spight ) not to discribe , mans sweetly-sportiue spright : oh sweet's the dreame , which yeeldeth such delight ! but come girles come ; ( fye whether doe i roame ? ) me thinkes bu● coldlie i tooth purpose come : to me he came , and kiste me too ; when i me thought did faine , i did a sleeping lie me thought , i lett him kisse and kisse agenn and ●ouche me too ( maydes maie be toucht by men . ) i sisters , faythe ( me thinkes ) that maide's vnwise that will in private , to hir l●ue be nice two faythfull lovers cannot synn i weene soe what they doe , by others is not seene . nowe would the wagg , be stroaking of my face and nowe my pappes , anon another place delighting of himselfe , sisters you can ( better then i ) tell what best likes a man but fayth-la girles , i cannot chuse but smile i laie , as yf i soundlie slept the while permitting him to please the appetite of his too too-fond , youth-last-burning sight fayning , i soundest slept , whe● hee did steale to vnhill that which maides should cheifst conceale but , when as hee 'd haue come into my bedd the feare i had to loose my maydenhead awaked me : quoth thother sisters , what ? i hope we maydens least of al●feare that beleeue me ( quoth the elder girle ) should i with my sweete-hart , on my wedding-night lie and find him drowsie dull , like heauie lead hunting but coldli● for a maydenhead : t would kill my tender hart : t would murder mee the blushing morne i nere should liue to see oh i should fill the roome with groanes : in morne with lookes deiected i should seeme forlorne . but when you wakt ( quoth she ) cha●t you not then oh noe ! in that case maides nere chafe with men though wee seeme angry , at there boldest partes yet seldome comes , our anger from our hartes for in loues sporte ( this is our sexes wyle ) we'el seeme to frowne when most of all we smile yet sisters faith ( quoth shee ) me thought i wept when i did wake , cause i noe longerslept for trath-la girles such pleasure in 't tooke i as in like dreame , t would nere greiue me to die had i a world , i d'e givt to learne the skyll howe i should sleepe and dreame soe at my will had i that arte , that matchles pleasing slyght fewe daies i d'e haue , eache daie i d'e turne to night : lye downe i would , lulling my selfe a sleepe , bidding my soule delightfull revells keepe : sild would i wake , but alwaies by my will i de sleepe , and dreame , and be embracing still . nowe second sister wake , i praie ( quoth shee ) and in your laste nightes dreame come second me . the second sisters dreame . the second sister some what modest bold reply'd ; my dreame partlie by you is told before you slept , me thought , i heard you saie you in sweete musinge , did a longe tyme laie you mu●ing sigh'd , and sigh'd till sleepe did steale vppon your mayden eyes , their lidds to seale at length you slept and dreamt you sawe your loue ( a dreame indeed , which much vs maydes doe moue ) you kiste with him but when he 'ed with you lie that made you w●ke , and out the bedd to flie but soe ( me thought ) sweet sister did not i for i ( me thought ) did think it was noesym to lett a youth betweene my sheetes leape in but yet for fashions sake oft thus i de crye praye gett you ●ence , seeke some where els to lye yet this repulse should still soe faintlie come as it should feircer whett him on for roome for coldlie , to denie loues sweete delight spurrs to a gallop , thefeirce appetite . and sisters well you knowe , we maydes doe hold those youngmen weake which hunt loues chase but cold what is it to crye , fye , or praye nowe hence ? why to a resolute mynde , that kinde of fence too open lies : oh ! men are desprate foes vppon advantage , thei le come in , and close , i de ne're crye , fye awaie , nor vtter this but i would closly hugg to him and kisse . begone , sur●ease , y' are rude , forbeare i praie of tymes such wordes , i 've gone aboute to saie but er'e those cruell wordes , could haue their birth tha'ue smoth'erd bynn , and all has turnd to mirth wagges well knowe howe , to quench our angers flame sweete kisses , at first kindling , dampe the same for ( sisters ) loue , his schollers this doth teache wee ioyne should lippes , to seale our lipp's from speach and soe it fard with vs ; speachles we laie giving to pleasures sweetned streame free waie soe longe ( me thought ) we dally'd in the bedd as allmost i had lost my maydenhead but ( girles ) i curse dreames false deluding guile as i was loosing it , i wakt the while oh girles ! oh girles ! who knowes what i did misse , for i awakt , in midst of sweetest blisse if euer mayde , toucht nectar with hir lipp then i ( in dreame ) of that sweete iuyce did sipp but oh i wakt ! oh then ( awakt ) my spight for being ' wakt , a sleepe fell all delight nowe eldest sister you must wake ( quoth shee ) your turne 's to tell , the next dreame after me and reason to the eldest sister sayde else let on me , some for feyture be laide but , i must tell ●e dreames you haue told twice vnles i should , some fayned dreame devise were here more then fiue hundred maydes : yet each of vs , should in one text and lesson preache for all we maydes doe dreame alike a nights then to our eyes appeareth pleasing sigh●s and then a smack we taste of loues delights , oh that dame nature , would but heare my sute then should our mayden bodies , beare noe fruite . or would it were noe scandall to our liues to haue our pappes giue sucke , er'e marryed wiues : yf with that pleasing graunt , we maydes were blest then soner would we yeild to loues requeste for a my fayth girles were it not for feare to be with childe , i d'e ne're denie my deare oh then these false dreames fond deluding sightes weed ne're care for : we'ed taste loues tr'ust delights more then tenn thowsand tymes , ive thought to pyne this mallenchollie sullen corpes of myne for sild ( alas ) we maydes can taste sweet loue but our owne bellies , doe the tell-tales proue with ●ullen puft-vp pride alowde they reade ; proclayming publikelye our private deed happie are wiues , for they are nere afrayde of that which terryfyeth moste a maide , they maie haue boyes and girles , and boies agen : they maie with husbandes lie , and other men ; yet nothing noted ; but alas poore we sild dare doe ought , but what the world maie see , eache thinge , it selfe againste vs doth oppose all thinges are blabbes , our secrets to disclose for sild we reape loues pleasure in the night but envious daie ( to'ur shames ) bringes it to light shewing too plaine , at what game we haue beene making our sweetlie stolen pleasures seene . oh were it not for dreames , i wonder i howe we in bedd a nights could brooke to lie but come , lett these things passe ; eyther of you your dreames haue told : my dreame beginneth nowe the eldest sisters dreame . oh ( sisters ) knowe you , to my ravisht sight my loue with 's amber locks appeard laste night bold boie boldlie hee came as feard of naught , shewing in what schoole hee his skill was taught scar●e speaking ought at all ●f ought t was this where 's my gerle ? smothring that too with a kisse nor with this kissing spent hee all the night ●utt ( girles ) our pastime yeelded more delight i dreamt it did doe soe , for you must knowe i did but onelie dreame , it did doe soe : to loues embracementes , wee ( me thought ) fell then but loues sweete game is coldlie chaste by men . yet our sex , workes loues labor , eu'rye daie with mindes , as willing , as men goe to plaie i girles i girles , i spea kt in heate of bloude men too toosoone are ty'rd , with doying good but oh deare girlis ( such is our sexes kind ) one man maie please vs all , except our mind for yf one man content one woman cann then , why should it not be this youthfull man ? his vaines were full , soe stronge a backhee had as herculis to him was but a ladd yf youth and strength 't is , quencheth womans fire then 't was in him , as much as i de desire but 't is not oceans of that liquid stuff which lyes in youthfulst men that is enough to quench the mindes outragious frying flame ; for that once ty'nd age onely dampes the same manie a woman 'till shee hath tr'yd twoo distasteth all , hir firste sweetehart doth doe from whence praie comss that luste , that s●wre-sweet smart ? oh th' ead of that same springes , a divelish harte . but whether from my text am i uowe fled my dreame was this , i loste my maydenhead to that let me retourne : oh t is delight vnto vs maides , to think but on that night . him t'weene my armes one while i did infold another while , he me , 'tweene his would hold . entwindinge leggs ( me thought ) with me he laie while i , wit hs curledl●cks , did sporte and plaie soe longe plaide we as sisters-well i wisse our sportes extended further then to kisse soe longe i kiste , soe longe on 's looks i fedd as sure in dreame i loste my maydenhead ▪ but ( sisters ) was it in my pow're to choose then such a losse i d'e eu'ry mynute loose for when we maydes doe lose our mayden treasure oh by that losse we wynn a world of pleasure fayth girles , maydes cannot think what sweet delight two louers take which warr in loues feirce fight : to them loath som's the daie , ouer the night but nowe i sighe , nowe doe i greiue to thinke that , that night my eye-lides did euer wynke for when i wakt ( oh dreames ! oh dreames y' are theeues and mist my loue , iudge then ( girles ) of my greeues oh had i had tenn worldes i would haue than gev'n all those worldes ( sweete girles ) for half● a man men stuffs their chestes as full as they can hold with cramb'd-trust bagges of aungell-winged gold : but what to doe ? for sooth to by this land : oh would i had that dust of tagus strand i de not buy land or howses with it i for other merchandize i de make it flie : had i such laden truncks this ide doe than for enry night i th' yeare i de buy a man for , sisters , i maie speake to you my mind when i awakt , and lookt my loue to find feeling for 's neck to claspe that neck of his for 's ruddy lipp , hoping that lipp to kisse for 's wanton legg , for myne with that t'yntwind and sisters for — oh girles you knowe my mind when for these louelie thinges i searcht to see du● could not find , where those sweet things might be with bitter passion , i burst out and cryd wishinge , with in my mothers womhe i d'e dy'd oh sisters ! oh sweete sisters , then did i wishe , fatall death attache me instauntlie . nowe did i stare aboute ; nowe did i call but when noe aunswere i could heare at all vp in my smock i rose and searcht each place ( oh girles extreames our sex in loues sweete case ) groping behind eache trunck , feeling vnder bedd me thought for him which had my maydenhead and oft i de crye sweete wagg , thy selfe disclose ▪ for iv'e another maydenhead to loose but when noe answere i could heare , oh then weeping , i sigh'd and went to bedd agen wher'e one while tumbling that waie ; other this : nowe should i sighe ; nowe my poore pillowe kiss● entwinding it betweene my armes embrace i de hug g't as yf my deare duck were in place fayning ( in that my frying passions flame ) i hottlie chaste loues sweetst delightfull game but when i found my sence deluded soe my passions heate , to coldnes then did growe for myssing him i grewe more cold then stone ; oh't paynes my heart to telt ; come lett 's be gone . soe vp they rose , but er'e they went i rusht from where i stood , at which the wantons blusht . nowe sir i hope you see what modest chatt young maydes will haue when by themselues theire gott . graues swallowe them : were all dead i 'de be gladd the best of wiues , or maides , are worse then badd . allexander . come , come diogenes , although those three in private mirthe exceeded modestie yet you doe ill t' accuse soe gennerall ; cause one is badd therefore must they be all ? in soe concludinge , very ill you doe noe man soe gen'rallie , concludes but you ▪ diogynes . and by your leaue sir i l'e conclude soe still where one of them is good tenn thowsand's ill what i haue saide , i will re-saie agen wer't not for them , oh blessed were we men into vs men , they eate as rust and moathes eates into iron , and the fynest cloathes thou seest this riv'led hollowe-eyd face of mine thou dst little thinke it has beene dect-vp fyne , and tricklie trym'd-vp in a womans guise onelie to dive into their knaueries but dust thou heare ( i speake it to their praise ) i haue a mary'd wife beene in my daies at least wise like one , for th'e●le yet confesse they once tooke old diogines for noe lesse : noe butned dublett , on my back i bo●e a gowne downe to my heeles ( wif-like ) i wore and such attire , this head of myne did beare as mary'd wiues in those daies vsd to weare then to my chynn , noe briflye haires were knowne nay'thad not entertayned anie downe but t was soe soft , soe slee● , as each man sayd when i past by , there goes a wife o● maide : my curled locks , hang in a careles guize with which the wynd did plaie in wanton wise like to a wanton , i was trymlie drest but why i was soe , there consists the iest . allexander . why wast thou soe ? i pry thee cynnick tell : till thou haste told it , i shall nere be well . diogines . why then be ill : in sooth 't is not my liste to make thee laughe : for i 'me a satyrist : againe thy companie , i doe brooke soe ill as i would haue thee gone , had i my will allexander . why tel 't mee then , and instantlie shalt see i will departe , and gett me hence from thee . diogynes . on that condition i will telt : why knowe this was the cause i went disguised soe the dames of athens merrye wenches be and vnto meetings giv'n-are much you see to gossip't with them , i did long time longe to heare the verdict of eache womans tongue for well knewe i when wiues are gott with wiues there 's tryalls to be heard , of husbands liues false accusations , cruell iudgments then , ( vnmercy fullie ) passe vppon poore men to heare all which ( tooth hazard of my life ) i tooke on mee , the habitt of a wife : and well i womand it when i did walk but when at table , i were sett to talk then did my tongue betraye me ; for i trowe it prou'd a iade in pace ; t' was dull and slowe : i mumping satt : i could not for my life make my tongue gallopp , like a marry'd wife t was cause i lackt theire arte to spur it vp euer anan with a full sugerd ' cupp . yet wiud i it the best that i could doe and nowe and then raild on my husband too : but marke mee nowe ; nowe to my tale i goe . the cynnycks discription of the manner of womens gossypping . as at our meate we satt t was hard to knowe whether our teeth or tongues , did fastest goe . at tables vpper end in cheifest place satt maddam , will , in reeling drunken case light in atire shee was , shee s womens god they hir true subiects be : but she'es mans rodd nothing by will , at anie tyme is saide but is by wiues , and widdowes still obayd . vvills oration . svbiectes quoth maddam will i here am sett not alltogeather , to se howe you eate nor came i whollie to participate , with this your freelie-spoken merrye prate but chieflie why amongst you nowe i come is to knowe howe eache wife , fares in hir home howe by hir husband shee is dailie vsd whether she'es well-entreated , or abusd , therefore yf anie of you suffer greife know 't i am will , and will yeild you releife be bold to speake , i am the wiues delight and euer was , and wil be th'usbandes spight i l'e sut as iudge vppon these wicked men doe you accuse , and i l'e guie s●ntence then . the old vviues complaynt againste hir younge husband . at which old crona with hir redd-bleare eys from of the stoole she satt did straytewayes rise and out aloude , to will , for iustice cryes . quothe she , mysou'raygne queene 't is not with tongue i able am t'expres my dayelie wronge . three husbandes haue i had ; two old in truth but they the cropping had , of my greene youth in lewe of whith ( to thin'k on 't nowe i 'me sadd ) they left me all the goodes and gold they had . with cattell sto'rd-was all my pasture growndes with fyne woold bleating sheepe 〈…〉 downes crambd'was my barnes , my cheste with in 't did hold manie a princes picture in puere gold and while they liv'd , that thing was wondrous skant that crona euer did speake-for and want : then in wealthes pleasures i did swymm and floate but out alas that e're old fooles should doate for since theire deathes ( oh queene i spea kt ' with ruth ? ) fond-foolish i sett my loue on a youth making him maister and possessor quite ( in hope heed ' doe to mee all true loues right ) of all the golden goodes i were possest and left-with by theire soules , which nowe doe res●e but ( aye me caytif ) neuer wretched i vntill this tyme knewe , what was miserie oh nowe i fynd , this is the sweeter life to be an old mans nurse , then a youths wife for ' s loue i wedded him , but he aboue doth onelie knowe , who doth enioie his loue my bedd hee loathes ; hee neuer giues me kis but hee cries , wife , reward my leue for this for yf younge men old wiues one kis affordes t is for the loue th 'aue , to theire golden hordes , without i buy his loue , hee l lye all night in sullen wise , and discontented plight not once soe much as turning vnto me vnles a golden lure , his eyes doth see . and nowe greats goddes will , for loues intent soe longe i bribd him haue , as all is spent and i am cast-of , wherefore lett me craue that gainst him , publick sentence i maie haue at which same periodd , all the wittles route in hir behalfe vnto dame will cryd ' out . dame vvills sentence . svbiect quoth will , well has thy fluent tongue exprest with passion thy too greate a wronge the sentence i pronounce against that wight is this ; thou shalt torment him daie and night with that same poysned instrument of thyne i meane thy tongue : then shalt-thou se , in fyne howe despratelye , to hang himselfe he'ele gadd or els , howe soone he will proue braint-sick madd my seutence is at noe tyme thou shalt rest , but with thy tongue torment him still thy beste . infeilde , in bedd , at borde , in eache place still i de haue thee stying him with thy bitterst skill call him vp start , base scumm , the worst of worst ; ask him who made him , and who raisd him firste ? tell him , e're thou mettst with him hee did lacke shoes for 's feete , hose for 's leggs , and cloathes for 's back such peales at all tymes ring thou in his eare it is my sentence ; doo 't , and doe not feare to doe that hest , awaie did crona trudge praising dame will , for a moste vpright iudge . the younge vvifes complaint against hir ieolous headed old husband . that wrinckle-faced drudge , noe sooner gone but in hir place straight flept-vp such a one as matchles was in bewties pleasing grace ; one , who exceld , loues mother in the face men call hir youtha : oh-greate queene quoth shee since woemens wronges thou rightst ' , then right thou mee my couetous parents ( not to natures kinde ) vnto an old man matcht me , ' gainste my minde fortie such men , vnable are to quenche the firye flames tyn'd in a lustfull wenche . when burning luste with 's violent scortching fire hath sing'd my harte with passions feirce desire then in loues chase i hunt , for in loues game remayneth that which quencheth lusts hott flame . but , tweene an old mans armes what 's there to quench ? still flares the flames , ty'nd in a youthfull wench . yet yf that shiu'ring coldnes heate allaies ; then that in old men , shall we find alwaies as we are extreame hott , soe still are they extreame in that same cold extremytee but loues feirce fire with fire must quenched be ; ' ells still the more it burnes : so 't fares with me . for 'las , when lust hath heate me , i cann find his cold embrace , nòe quencher of my mind my parents might haue matcht me to one dead , as well as to a sapples old mans bedd : i cann smale diffrence make : for men one old like dead men laye : oh th' are corruptly cold . rug'd-wrinckled is his face : his head in showe seemes like a hillock , hild with milk white snowe his humors heauier , then sadd massie lead his leggs like isicles doe warme my bedd noe signe of heate , is in this aged fire ' les in his nose , but that resembles fire . what shall i saie , ther'e 's none , that doth him see but saies the picture of cold winte'rs he yet i ( oh moste vnequall matche ! ) alas enforste to wedd , with this cold dotard was with whom ( greate queene ) i such a life doe leade as i eache mynute , wishe my selfe were dead . soe hath his aged disabillitie possessed him , with this feende ieolosie as i cann noe waies , goe from sight ofs ' eyes but straitewaies after me , he sendes his spies nor cann i talke with anie , but in 's head a riseth some conceipte , i l'e wrong his bedd . let but atrech'rous doore in night once creake then straight he doubtes , ther'e 's some with me would speake confrence with neerest knin , hee l not allowe , fearing we plott , to breake our weddlock vowe which god he knowes ( greate queene ) my spottles mind that waies as yet , hath neuer beene inclynd smyle i , or weepe i , all is one ; for hee of wha't soe e're i doe , will ieolous bee if i doe smyle , then sayes he straight iv'e had sport with my loue ; t is that , makes me soe gladd if i am sadd ; then doth hee saie hee knowes the spring from whence my mallanchollie flowes vp braydinge me , i 'me onelie sadd for this because my loue , of his sett how're did misse such is a grislie old mans , faire wiues ' state as ieolous-headed he will deeme she'el hav 't though ouer hir hee setts a thousand spies , and eu'rye spie , an argus is , for 's eyes : therefore , since ( causles ) he doth wrong me soe teache me revenge against this loathed foe . giue sentence ( queene ) what shall bee done by me againste him in revenge ofs ' ieolosee . dame vvills sentence in the young wifes behalf against hir old husband . youtha quoth maddam will , with greate reguard haue i , this thy sadd information heard and doe bewaile the same ; but i le ' haue thee plague thy old husband , for his ieolosee . yet ieolous-headed men noe plagves doe neede for in themselues , sufficient plagues doe breede for looke in what place , iealosie doth dwell there are the tormentes , of an earthlie hell . yet since for naught , he doubts soe faire a dame thus shalt thou sting and torture him , forth ' same . in secrett wise , i le haue : hee staine his bedd , and graft faire guilded hornes , on 's silverd head such glorious spriggs soe well in noe place growes as in the riv'led furrowes of an old mans browes . thou art a woman , therefore canst not want at all tymes skill , such setts and grafts , to plant my sentence is thou shalt him soe beguild as make him thinke his father to that child which thou thyselfe knowst not who it bego●t togather goodes for whom , shall th' old drudgi trott not sparing night nor daie , till 's life be done howe to scrape wealth , to giue anothers sonn and cause thy parents , forste thee to his bedd thus will i haue thy parents punnished . thou shalt , vnto theire skarlet blushing shame , bespott them with the spotts , of thy staind name soyling thy wedding sheetes , faire i'vry white with fowle black spotts , of salt lusts loathd delight bewteous youtha my sentence nowe is done see that on them the'res execution . the gossipping vviues complaint against hir riche churlishe husband . this sentence giv'n , the whole route●gann to rise but pert-quicke-tongued gossippa ( whose eyes contaynd of brymishe teares a cristall fluude ) starts-vpp , and praies dame will , to hir be good . of all thy louing subiectes i ( quoth shee ) haue euer yet beene found faythfulst to thee and therefore my good queene , let me acquainte thy gentle eares with one petition plainte . two thinges i loue ; two vsuall thinges they are the firste , newe-fashiond cloathes , i loue to weare newe tires , newe ruffes ; i , and newe gesture too : in all newe fashions , i doe loue to goe : the second thing i loue , is this i weene to ride aboute to haue those newe cloathes seene at eu'rye gossipping i am at still and euer wil be , maie i haue my will for at on s owne howse , praie , who i st ' cannsee howe fyne in newe found , fash'ond tires wee bee ? vnles our husbandes ; faithe ; but verye fewe and whoo 'd goe gaie , to please a husbands veiwe ? alas we wiues doe take but smale delight yf none ( besides our husbandes ) se'es that sight . it ioyes our heartes , to heare an other man p●aise this or that attire , that wee weare on wee iocond are , and thinke ourselues much graste yf we heare one saie , faire wenche , faithe in waste this straight-girt gowne , becomes you passing well from other taylors , yours doe beare the bell : oh hee that well cann actt-out such sweete partes throwes-vp the sure which wynns our verye hartes when we are stubborn'st , then let men with skill rubb'es well with th' oyle of praise and bend we will that smoothe-fyne supple oyle doth soften vs foe as what i st then we will not yeild vnto ? meetinges and brauerye were my delight : those were the two : but ( greate queene ) he'res the spight without greate store of wealth , be dailie gainde of all delightes , those are the worste maintaind and therefore i did alwaies plott in mind howe a wealthie , riche husband , out to find and one i 've gott : but such a churle is hee as scarce a penny will bestowe on mee and that shall neuer come , but ( fore , i ha'te ) the miserable clowne , will scratch his pate alwayes demaundinge what with 't , i will doe and then comes out , her'e 's such a stir with you . a man had better tidd-be of his life then clog'd with such a fydling foolish wife such are his tauntes , when i demaund him ought as what i gett from him is dearelie bought . i cannot grosslie feede , for i in sooth haue a tender mawe , and a daintie tooth these beeues and muttons , are but homelie fare my appetite doth thirste-for what 's most rare : had i vnto my mind , then i would eate still of the fynest pallat-pleasing meate but fye on h●gges ! oh ! there is none liues , liues soe straunglie hatefull as these rich churles wives for yf i cannot gnawe , a hard drye cruste manie a daie , faste-out the tyme i muste . iuste like to tantalus it fares with mee for what i hunger-for i alwaies see . all what against him i d' e to saie , ive saide nowe queene i doe ymplore thy counsells ayde . i cannot gossipp it nor cann goe trymm cause i want arte , to worke coine out from him . tatling gossippa here-at holdes hir tongue with praying maddam will to right hir wronge . silence beinge made , thus dame will replies . vvills sentence vppon the rich churle svbiect quoth shee i've heard thy iniuries and yf they all hee true which i did heare then are they too too much for thee to beare for to vs women these thinges are moste ill t' abate our prides , and to restraine our will if hee bee riche ; his harnes are full of graine where hee one bushell sells , sell thou still twaine his swyne , sheepe , geese , henns , ducks , doe thou convaie i , sell his very shirtes but goe thou gaie , of all men , hee vnworthy'st is of life that will not laste of all mistruste his wife . a nightes , faile not but pick the churles stuft purse yf hee doth sware , i hope thy tongue cann curse but yf his barnes , purse , yarde , and all doe fayle then to th' old vse put thou thy nimble tayle lett that worke for thee ; for by that same waie ther'e 's manie a woman makes hir selfe gaie that waie thou maiste the supple sattins ware that waie thou maiste feede on thee dainty'st fare yf noe waie else thou canste make thy selfe trymm then that waie , t is my will , thou punnish him whoo 'd sweate and toyle for this same golden treasure when one maie gett it , with the sweetest pleasure thou knowst my minde ; gossippa , doe it then : fare wenches cannot want , while there are men . diogynes makes himself knowne . at th' end of which same sentence , all arose where at my selfe to them i did disclose but er'e i did it , i did gett to'oth dore for had they caught me , they 'd haue vsd me sore : to hold me , eu'rye woman out did crie but being out theire reache awaie rann i : gladd that i d'e seene and heard theire knauerye nowe sir , ive iustlie told , for what intent i like a woman amongst women went yf you on theire behalfes haue ought to saie sait'e some where else , or gett you hence awaie allexander . to what t hast ' saide , smale creditt i cann giue for i shall neuer made-be to beleeue that creatures halfe devine for glorious bewtie should soe respectles be to man in dutie . thinges eu'rye waie soe perfect faire in showe in virtues fullie perfect , are i knowe . diogynes . thou knowst it ; doost ? awaie , thou art an else what canst thou knowe , that knowest not thy selfe the golden-skaled snake's , a louelie thinge had not that glorious worme , a poysned stinge of maides and wiues noe barrell better bee would god made none , but what were spoke of mee . allexander . why prithee speake ; howe manie wouldst haue then ? diogines . for one halfe girle , tenn hundred thowsand men . allexander . nowe fie vppon thee ●ynnick , why dost bite and sett soe pure a thing , as woman light ? i am a shamd ' of thee ; doe what i can , i cannot think , thou art a perfect man i doe beleeue that thou at noe tyme haste that manlie heare , which causeth man to waste thou art noe man ; for we'rt a man. i 'me sure a womans companie thou couldst endure . but saie , thou wert en forst vppon thy life to take thee to some one to be thy wife what kinde of woman-creature wouldst thou chuse yf it were soe thou mighst ' it not refuse . diogynes . by hanginge , i de chuse rather end my life then i d'e a woman haue , to be my wife but were it soe , that one i needes must haue and that i had noe waie , my selfe to saue then all the world i de ' seeke , but i would fynd a woman for my wife , dumb , deafe , and blinde besides ; yf i could possiblie prevaile i de seeke the world for one , without a taile most men in bodie wasted are by wiues but such i' me sure , would proue restoritiues . allexander . fie man ; why what in women doost thou see that they soe much , distastefull are to thee . diogynes . noe more then thou maiste see , yf th' art not blind why moste of them hudge gyantes are for minde pride keepes hir faire in eache faire wantons face and luste keepes in theire 〈…〉 markett place revengefull wrath theire furious tongues doth swaie . from labor , drowsie sloath their handes doth staie in syns sweete-poysned iuyce drunken thei le be and envie others , drunken soe to see what see i not in them ? they are the inns wherein doth lodge those monstrous murdring synns . allexander . fie cynnick , thou doste blowe too bitter aire on tender blossoms , which are sweetlie faire . diogynes . yf shee be faire , and a sharpe-witted one and honeste too ; a phenix she'es alone . who hath tenn herculesses strengths in 's loines and with a faire sharpe-witted wanton ioyns shall be assurd the horne , on 's browe to fynd : whoo 'l quench a wantons luste must quench the mind ; th' are proude ; eache wench would bee an allexander and by hir will , ouer a world commaunder . but yf not proude , nor lustfullie inclind then eyther foole , or scold , of hir shalt fynd . eyther of them , mans patience soe would alter as they would make him straight make vse at h halter , they are all naught , i cannot brooke em i ●ould i were dea●e , then women all should die allexander . naie fie cynnick thou railst too gennerall thou muste not for some fewe condemn em all , thou talkst , as yf thou wert noe womans sonn i would th'adst trauaild , but as i haue done : although th' athenians givn are to theire will and liue a life displeasinge ( hatefull ill ) yet since my travaile , ( whe●● i haue beene ) aboundance vertuous 〈◊〉 i haue seene . diogynes . oh ya 'r a trauaylier ; praie are you soe ? where you haue beene , black swanns you haue seene too good trauayler the hearinge i will giue you but you shall giue me leaue not to beleeue you women are naughte : i l'e talk noe more with thee and therefore naught , because women they bee . allexander . oh straung ! yf allexander heard but thee for womens sakes ( i 'me sure ) thou 'dst punnisht be . diogynes . goe telt ' him goe ; i doe as little care for him as thee ; let both doe what you dare . tell me of him ? i feare him not a flie : i dread not might : diogynes am i : hee s but a man ; i l'e ne're fa●ne for mans grace what i haue saide , i l'e boldlie saye too 's face and wer 't , he were as badd as women bee i d'e bite the monnark to his face , shouldst see . allexander . he knowes thou wouldst in that i knowe the 〈◊〉 for i am hee : for this cause here i came to heare thy wittie bluntnes , and to see whether thy sayings and thy deedes agree , come cynnick burne this tubb and followe me and vnto noble titles , il●raise thee . diogynes . thou wilt : but i will not : none can raise me ; i 'me in my tubb as greate a kinge as th●e . who holdes the world and it's vaine trash for flight he truelie conquers it , giue him his right : and soe doe i : therefore hudge allexander i hold my selfe ( at h twaine ) the greatst commaunder i will not begg to rule and governe landes onelie thy absence , i le begg at thy handes . i prethee pack thee hence and gett thee gone the companie still is best , where is but one . goe seeke thee out an other world to wynn and putt the women of this world therein but let that world be farr enough ; and then learning and virtue will encrease with men naught else i haue to begg , graunt but this suite then henceforth euer , shall my tongue rest mute . finis . you choyceste creatures , ( you which god did take from-out mans selfmans comforter to make ) discomfort not your selues nor be dismayd at what a dogged cynnick here hath sayde what though sowre-churlishe-he ( too currish blynde ) hath barkt too broadlye gainste your gentle kind yet little doth such clouds keepe from our sights your shynninge virtues ; this worldes splendanntst lights happlye his gally ve●aym'd speech proceeds as grounded byself-doyinge divelishe deedes . dead is the dogg , i hope and for your sex the spirritts doth his spirritt hottlye vex . excuse my worke , it paintes the cynnick forth and to the wise it nothinge staines your worth . finis . a morrall satire , intituled the owles araygnement . when fowles could talke with reason like to men this accydent amongst em happend then : before the prince of fowles the owle was brought to aunswere why she did things lawles naught : her adversaries were the batt the thrush with others moe : who night ' lie in the bush shee ey her scard with skreeking fearefull cryes or sodeynlie ( ere wake ) did them surprize : wherefore they apprehending hir did craue that they against hir might iuste iustice haue . greate prince quoth they to death put thou this owle she is a vildlie living wicked fowle : vnfitt to liue : all daie shee sleepes ; a nightes smale birds shee kills ; the best and greatst she frights breaking our quiet sleepe with the fell noyse of manlike lure and yauling-whooping voice and therefore sou'raigne prince wee all doe craue since shee deserveth death , death she maie haue . the eagle sternlie mild putt them a side commaunding silens thus the eagle cryd come forward owle and free thy hart from feare speake freelie bird true iustice i doe here before my sword of iustice death doth strike th' accuser , and th' accusd i heare alike bribes nor affection maks my cleare eys blind and therefore freelie feareles speak thy mind when th'owle did heare this mild speach of hir lord couradg shee tooke in gesture and in word chearing hir selfe , shee thus tooth eagle cryes impartiall iustice comes from maiesties and since your highnes doth thus daine to heare my cause your selfe ; my cause i little feare for what need i quoth shee dread anie thing being my cause is heard before my king. let murdrers quake when , iustice shakes hir rodd the iust nere feares the iudgment of iust god noe more will i since freelie plead i must ( in guiltles cause ) before a king soe iust two accusations are against me ●ayde to be a murdrer is the first i 'me sayde the second is that i in sylent night with manlike voice smale birds and fowles afright greate prince i both confes ; but firste i le showe the cause and reason which makes me skreek soe a nightes i hollowing whoop and wondring crye but gratious prince this is the reason why in eache place i doe see proude babells built with cloude-braving turretts daubd-o're with gu●●t with in those babells i doe peepe to spie the princelie presence of your maiestie but when in steed of you ( on bedd of strawe ) i see that tatling bird , the iack-adawe with admiration then awaie i flie then lo ho ho then wo ho ho crye i. sometimes i daringlie presume to peepe with in your court when all your courtyers sleepe where when i see the prating parratt grac'd and birdes of better worth for him displac'd or when i see the plumy peacocks pride to striue to lie by 's sou'raigne princes side and se the valiant cock with swaines to liue that sight much wonder to my eyes doth giue with admiration then awaie i flie then lo ho ho then wo ho ho crie i sometimes i flie ore neptunes glassie soile to veiwe the slipps of our set-girt-in ile but 〈…〉 they hee howe like they are tooth winter-shaken tree and howe from them all braue sea birds are fledd then like a malecontent i hang downe head with admiration then awaie i flie then lo ho ho then wo ho ho crie i sometimes ore sto'nd-paud citties i take flight where to my night-cleard eyes admired sight i see the cuccoe build in house his neaste which ere was wont to be silvanus gueste : baselie brooking each cock-sparrowes rivalrye suffrings mate for trash to bath in brothelry a nights such sights presented to my eye makes me with wonder wo ho ho to cry . this is the cause greate prince why in the night i wonder soe : nowe where they doe indight me for a murtherer : your grace shall find i 'me leaste of all your-nobles soe inclind ; guitles i plead ; or yf i guiltie be with me must die your whole nobility your hawkes ( dread souraigne prince ) doe dailie kill and dailie doe devoure eate-vp and spill your honest subiects yet there 's noe a aint laies hold of them `gainst them the'res noe complaine greate-peares nere to princes should not doe soe by their stepps we track which waie kings doe goe as phebes light from phebus doth proceed soe doth a great lords act froms princes deed yf kings encloud with vice their virtues sunn that selfe thick-foggye course their peeres will runn if i doe murther , they doe murther too what waie i goe , that waie your hauks must goe else gratious prince your lawe giues waye and place to such as are , or are not in your grace . else greate ones open maie your m●●●yes doore sucking the fatt from men but meanlie poore iniustly wronging poore-poore vnderlings 〈…〉 far fowler acts within themselues they ●●rrish and consciensles the 〈…〉 things cherrish but soe it should not be my souraigne king for from a kingdoms lawes cleere christ all spring alike all streames should runn : i eu'ry where that should spoute water vncorruptlie cleare let it doe soe my prince : let poore mans cryme be iudgd like theires : w' are made of self-like slime all kings are earthlie gods ; therefore should kings in an impartiall ballance weigh all thinges the iustest iudge doth soe ; and soe should your like that corruptles iudg in all pointes doe . i freelie speake ; the cause i speake soe free is ' cause at first great prince you licensd mee . i haue accusd , but not excusd ; for still my faults not lessond for an others ill therefore my prince to this my pleadings tend you 'l quitt my fault , and i le my fault amend . the prince well listning to th' appeaching owle turnes to the hawkes , on whom with wrathfull scowl he fixt his eyes . quoth he , speake is it true my nobles which this owle reports of you ? in guiltles bloud haue you embrud your hands ? t' is monstrous vilde ! why your the propps of land● the steres men to your prince : by you hee s lede by whom but you should he be counselled ? your heades should conduicts be : cleare cristall springs from which should powre al wholsom virtuous things from your braines fountaines such pure streames should flowe as by that moysture things should florishing growe , wherefore enact i lawes with your consent ? i thinke to punish vice was our intente will you 〈◊〉 are parte makers of the lawe be breakers of it first ? how then in awe shall i my sub●●cts haue ? why when they se you drownd 〈◊〉 haue they ' le deeme the like of me disgracefullie then this they will report howe theirs an extreame famin grown at court ; of virtuous men there 's such a famin grown as scarcelie one about the court is knowne by you shall i growe to loathd infamie and iudgd the nurse of fowle-fell tyranny and therfore nobles yf your free and cleare from these dambd haynos crimes , makt now appeare , silence being made , the guiltie nobles seing themselues to growe to dangrous trobles thus ( despratly ) replies : oh king quoth they i hope vnto our murthers you l giue waie yf we make spoile and other birds vndoe we take thexsample souraign prince from you we nerest princes imitate them still we be the emblems of your good or ill yf you slaie , we slaie ; yf you saue , we saue all kings about them manie shadowes haue : for this our fau● we seeke not make excuse cause from your selfe sprang firste this faults abuse and therefore king yf you 'l haue subiects awe you must not onelie make but keep your lawe . this peremptory aunswere so incenst his maiestie as twene them wars com●●st but while as they were soe at civill strife the owle that malefactour saues hir life she being loose awaie from keeper scudds lusking from sight all daie in thickest woods but eu'ry night about the outlawe flies ioying hir escape ; wo ho ho the cryes . finis . w. g. the araignment of leuud, idle, froward, and vnconstant women or the vanitie of them, choose you whether : with a commendation of wise, vertuous and honest women : pleasant for married men, profitable for young men, and hurtfull to none. arraignment of lewd, idle, froward, and unconstant women. 1615 swetnam, joseph, fl. 1617. 1615 approx. 119 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 39 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2003-01 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a13240 stc 23534 estc s529 22582906 ocm 22582906 25624 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a13240) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 25624) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1475-1640 ; 1758:15) the araignment of leuud, idle, froward, and vnconstant women or the vanitie of them, choose you whether : with a commendation of wise, vertuous and honest women : pleasant for married men, profitable for young men, and hurtfull to none. arraignment of lewd, idle, froward, and unconstant women. 1615 swetnam, joseph, fl. 1617. [8], 64 p. printed by george purslowe for thomas archer, and are to be solde at his shop in popes-head pallace, neere the royall exchange, london : 1615. dedication signed: ioseph swetnam. signatures: a-i⁴. illustrated t.p. errors in paging: p. 20-21 reversed in the numbering. imperfect: tightly bound, with slight loss of print. reproduction of original in the british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng women -early works to 1800. 2000-00 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2001-06 apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images 2002-07 olivia bottum sampled and proofread 2002-07 olivia bottum text and markup reviewed and edited 2002-08 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the araignment of levvd , idle , froward , and vnconstant women : or the vanitie of them , choose you whether . with a commendation of wise , vertuous and honest women . pleasant for married men , profitable for young men , and hurtfull to none . london printed by george purslowe for thomas archer , and are to be solde at his shop in popes-head pallace , neere the royall exchange . 1615. neither to the best , nor yet to the worst ; but to the common sort of women . mvsing with my selfe being idle , and hauing little ease to passe the time withal ; and i being in a great choller against some women , i mean more then one ; and so in the ruffe of my fury , taking my pen in hand to beguile the time withall ; indeed i might haue imployed my selfe to better vse , then in such an idle busines , and better it were to pocket vp a pelting iniury , then to intangle my selfe with such vermine : for this i know , that because women are women , therefore many of them will doe that in an howre , which they many times will repent all their whole life time after ; yet for any iniury which i haue reccyued of thē , the more i consider of it , the lesse i esteem of the same . yet perhaps some may say vnto me , that i haue sought for honey , & caught the bee by the tayle , or that i haue bin bit or stung with some of these waspes , otherwise i could neuer haue beene expert in bewraying their qualities , for the mother would neuer haue sought her daughter in the ouen , but that shee was there her selfe . indeed i must confesse , i haue been a traueller this thirty & odde yeeres , and many trauellers liue in disdaine of women ; the reason is , for that their affections are so poysoned with the haynous euils of vnconstant women , which they happen to bee acquainted with in their trauels : for it doth so cloy their stomacks , that they censure bardly of women euer afterwards : wronged men will not be tongue-tyed : therefore if you doe ill , you must not thinke to heare well ; for although the world bee bad , yet it is not come to that passe , that men should beare with all the bad conditions that are in some women . i know i shall be bitten by many , because i touch many : but before i goe any further , let mee whisper one word in your eares , and that is this ; whatsoeuer you thinke privately , i wish you to conceale it with silence , lest in starting up to find fault , you proue your selues guilty of these monstrous accusations , which are here following against some women : & those which spurne , if they feele themselues touched , proue themselues stark fooles in bewraying their galled backs to the world : for this booke toucheth no sort of women , but such as when they heare it , will goe about to reproue it : for although in some part of this booke , i trip at your heeles , yet i will stay you by the hand , so that you shall not fall further then you are willing ; although i deale with you after the manner of a shrow , which cannot otherwise ease her curst heart but by her vnhappy tongue : if i be too earnest , beare with me a little , for my meaning is not to speake much of those that are good , & i shall speake too little of those that are naught ; but yet i will not altogether condemn the bad ; but hoping to better the good by the naughty examples of the bad : for there is no woman so good , but hath one idle part or other in her which may be amended ; for the clearest riuer that is , hath some durt in the bottome : iewels are all precious , but yet they are not all of one price , nor all of one vertue : gold is not all of one picture , no more are women all of one disposition ; women are all necessary euills , and yet not all giuen to wickednesse , and yet many so bad , that in my conceit , if i should speake the worst that i know by some women , i should make their eares glow that heare mee , and my tongue would blister to report it : but it is a great discredite for a man to be accounted for a scold , for scolding is the maner of shromes ; therfore i had rather answere them with silence which find fault , then striue to win the cucking-stoole frō them . now me thinks i heare some curious dames giue their rash iudgements , & say that i hauing no wit , descant vpon womē which haue more wit then men . to answere you again , if i belie you , iudge me vnkind ; but if i speake the truth i shall be the better belieued another time : and if i had wrote neuer so well , it is vnpossible to please all , and if neuer so ill , yet i shall please some . let it bee well or ill , i looke for no prayse for my labor ; i am weined from my mothers teat , and therfore neuer more to bee fed with her pap : wherefore say what you will , for i will follow my own vein in vnfolding euery pleat , and shewing euery wrinckle of a womans disposition , and yet i will not made so farre ouer the shooes , but that i may returne drie , nor so far in , but that i may easily escape out , and yet for all that , i must confesse my selfe to be in a fault , and that i haue offended you beyond satisfaction , for it is hard to giue a sufficient recompence for a slaunder ; and yet here after , if by no meanes i cannot obtaine your fauour to be one of your pulpit-men , yet you cannot deny me to be one of your parish ; and therefore if you please but to place me in the body of the church hereafter , you shall find my deuotion so great towards you , as he that kneeleth at the chancell dore : for i wrote this booke with my hand , but not with my heart . indeed , when i first began to write this booke , my wits were gone a wool-gathering , in so much that in a maner forgetting my selfe , and so in the rough of my fury , i vowed for euer to be an open enemy vnto women ; but when my fury was a little past , i began to consider the blasphemy of this infamous booke against your sects ; i then tooke my pen , and cut him in twenty peeces , and had it not been for hurting my selfe , i would haue cut my own fingers which held my pen : and furthermore for penance , i do craue that my selfe may be a iudge against my selfe ; but yet assure your selues , of all euils i will choose the least ; wherefore i choose rather to beare a fagot , then burn by the fagot ; you may perceyue the wind is changed into another dore , and that i begin to be sea-sicke , and yet not past halfe a mile on the salt water , and that my mouth hath vttered that in my fury , which my heart neuer thought , and therefore i confesse that my tongue hath gone beyond my wits ; for i do surmise , that the sauce which i haue made , is too sharpe for your dyet , and the flowers which i haue gathered , are too strong for your noses : but if i had brought little dogs from iceland , or fine glasses from venice , then i am sure that you would either haue wooed me to haue them , or wished to see them . but i will here conclude this first epistle , praying you with patience to heare the rest : for if i offend you at the first , i will make you amends at the last : and so i leaue you to him , whose seate is in heauen , and whose footestoole is the earth . yours in the way of honesty , ioseph swetnam . to the reader . reade it , if you please , and like as you list : neyther to the wisest clarke , nor yet to the starkest foole , but vnto the ordinary sort of giddy-headed young men , i send this greeting . if you meane to see the beare-bayting of womē , then trudge to this beare-garden apace , and get in betimes , and view euery roome where thou mayest best sit , for thy owne pleasure , profite , and hearts ease , & beare with my rudenes , if i chance to offend thee . but before i doe open this trunke full of torments against women , i thinke it were not amisse to resemble those which in old time did sacrifices to hercules ; for they vsed continually first to whip all their dogges out of their city ; and i thinke it were not amisse to driue all the women out of my hearing , for doubt , lest this little sparke kindle into such a flame , and rayse so many stinging hornets humming about my eares , that all the wit i haue will not quench the one , nor quiet the other : for i feare me that i haue set down more then they will like of , and yet a great deale lesse then they deserue : and for better proofe , i refer my selfe to the iudgement of men , which haue more experience then my selfe ; for i esteem little of the malice of women , for men will be perswaded with reason , but women must be answered with silence ; for i know women will barke more at me , then cerberus the two-headed dog did at hercules , when he came into hell to fetch out the fayre proserpina : and yet i charge them now but with a bulrush , in respect of a second booke , which is almost ready : i doe now but fret them with false fire , but my next charge shal be with weapons , and my larum with powder and shot : for then wee will goe vpon these venemous adders , serpents and snakes , and tread and trample them vnder our feet ; for i haue known many stung with some of these scorpions , and therefore i warne all men to beware the scorpton . i knowe women will bite the lip at mee and censure hardly of mee , but i feare not the curst cowe , for she commonly hath short horns ; let them censure of me what they wil , for i meane not to make them my iudges , and if they shoot their spite at me , they may hit themselues , and so i will smile at them , as at the foolish fly which burneth her selfe in the candle . and so friend reader , if thou hast any discretion at all , thou mayest take a happy example by these most lasciuious and crafty , whorish , theeuish , & knauish women , which were the cause of this my idle time spending ; and yet i haue no warrant to make thee beleeue this which i write to be true , but yet the simple bee gathereth honey where the venemous spider doth her poyson . and so i will hinder thee no longer from that which insueth . but here i wil conclude , lest thou hast cause to say , that my epistles are longer then my booke , a booke i hope i may call it without any offence : for the collyer cals his horse a horse , & the kings great steed is but a horse . if thou read but the beginning of a booke , thou canst giue no iudgement of that which insueth : therefore i say is the frier , who in the midst of his sermon said ofte , that the best was behind : and so , if thou reade it all ouer , thou shalt not be deluded , for the best is behind . i thinke i haue shot so neere the white that some wil account me for a good archer : and so praying thee to looke to thy footing , that thou run not ouer thy shooes , and so be past recouery before my second booke come . thy friend , joseph svvetnam . chap. i. this first chapter sheweth to what vse women were made , it also sheweth that most of them degenerate from the vse they were framed vnto , by leading a proud , lazy , and idle life , to the great hinderance of their poore husbands . moses describeth a woman thus : at the first beginning ( saith hee ) a woman was made to be a helper vnto man , & so they are indeed : for she helpeth to spend and consume that which man painefully getteth . hee also saith that they were made of the ribbe of a man , and that their froward nature sheweth ; for a ribbe is a crooked thing , good for nothing else , and women are crooked by nature : for small occasion will cause them to be angry . againe , in a manner , shee was no sooner made , but straightway her mind was set vpon mischiefe , for by her aspiring minde and wanton will , shee quickly procured mans fall , and therfore euer since they are and haue beene a woe vnto man , and follow the line of their first leader . for i pray you let vs consider the times past , with the time present ; first , that of dauid and salomon , if they had occasion so many hundred yeares agoe to exclaime so bitterly against women , for the one of them said , that it was better to be a doore-keeper , and better dwel in a den amongst lyons , then to be in the house with a froward and wicked woman : and the other said , that the climing vp of a sandy hill to an aged man was nothing so wearisome , as to be troubled with a froward woman : and further he saith , that the malice of a beast is not like the malice of a wicked woman , nor that there is nothing more dangerous then a woman in her fury . the lion being bitten with hunger , the beare being robbed of her young ones , the viper being trod on , all these are nothing so terrible as the fury of a woman . a bucke may be inclosed in a parke , a bridle rules a horse , a woolfe may be tied , a tyger may be tamed : but a froward woman will neuer be tamed , no spur will make her goe , nor no bridle will hold her backe ; for if a woman hold an opinion , no man can draw her from it : tell her of her fault , she will not beleeue that she is in any fault : giue her good counsell , but she will not take it ; if you doe but looke after another woman , then she will be iealous , the more thou louest her , the more she will disdaine thee ; and if thou threaten her , then she wil be angry ; flatter her , and then she will be proud ; and if thou forbeare her , it maketh her bold , and if thou chasten her , then she will turne to a serpent ; at a word , a woman will neuer forget an iniury , nor giue thanks for a good turne : what wise man then will exchange gould for drosse , pleasure for paine , a quiet life , for wrangling brawles , from the which the married men are neuer free ? salomon saith , that women are like vnto wine , for that they will make men drunke with their deuices . againe , in their loue a woman is compared to a pommis-stone , for which way soeuer you turne a pommis stone , it is full of holes ; euen so are womens hearts , for if loue steale in at one hole , it steppeth out at another . they are also compared vnto a painted ship , which seemeth faire outwardly , & yet nothing but ballace within her ; or as the idolls in spaine , which are brauely gilt outwardly , and yet nothing but lead within them ; or like vnto the sea , which at some times is so calm , that a cockbote may safely endure her might , but anon againe with outrage she is so growne , that it ouerwhelmeth the tallest ship that is . a froward woman is compared to the wind , and a still woman vnto the sunne : for the sunne and the wind met a traueller vpon the way , and they laid a wager , which of them should get his cloake from him first ; then first the wind began boisterously to blow , but the more the wind did blow , the more the traueller wrapped and gathered his cloake about him ; now when the wind had done what he could , and was neuer the neerer , then began the sun gently to shine vpon him , and he threw off , not onely his cloake , but also his hat and ierkin : this morall sheweth , that a woman with high words can get nothing at the hands of her husband , neuer by froward meanes , but by gentle and faire meanes she may get his heart-bloud to doe her good . as women are compared vnto many things , euen so many , and many more troubles commeth galloping after the heeles of a woman , that young men beforehand doe not thinke of ; for the world is not made all of ote-meale , nor all is not gold that glistereth , nor the way to heauen is not strewed with rushes , no more is the cradle of ease in a womans lappe . if thou wert a seruant or in bondage before , yet when thou doest marry , thy toile is neuer the neerer ended , for euen then and not before , thou doest change thy golden time for a drop of hony , which presently afterwards turneth to be as bitter as wormwood . yet there are many young men which cudgell their wits , and beate their braines , and spend all their time in the loue of women , and if they get a smile or but a fauour at their loues hand , they straight-way are so rauished with ioy , yea so much , that they thinke they haue gotten god by the hand , but within a while after they will finde that they haue but the deuill by the foot . a man may generally speake of women , that for the most part thou shalt find them dissembling in their deeds , and in all their actions subtill and dangerous for men to deale withall : for their faces are lures , their beauties are baytes , their looks are netts , and their wordes charmes , and all to bring men to ruine . there is an old saying goeth thus , that he which hath a faire wife , and a white horse , shall neuer be without troubles ; for a woman that hath a faire face , it is euer matched with a cruell heart , and her heauenly lookes with hellish thoughts ; their modest countenance with mercilesse mindes , for women can both smooth and sooth : they are so cunning in the art of flattery , as if they had bin bound prentice to the trade , they haue sirens songs to allure thee , and xerxes cunning to inchant thee : they beare two tongues in one mouth like iudas , and two hearts in one brest like magus ; the one full of smiles , and the other full of frownes , and all to deceiue the simple and plaine meaning men , they can with the satyre out of one mouth blow both hot and colde . and what of all this ? why nothing , but to tell thee that a woman is better lost then found , better forsaken then taken . saint paul saith , that they which marry , doe well , but he also saith , that they which marry not , doe better : and he no doubt was well aduised what he spake . then , if thou be wise , keepe thy head out of the halter , and take heed before thou haue cause to curse thy hard penny-worth , or wish the priest speechlesse which knit the knot . the philosophers which liued in the olde time , their opinions were so hard of marriage , that they neuer delighted therein , for one of them being asked why hee married not ? he answered , that it was too soone ; and afterwards when he was old , he was asked the same question ; and he said then that it was too late : and further he said , that a married man hath but two good daies to bee looked for , that was the marriage day , and the day of his wiues death : for a woman will feed thee with hony , and poyson thee with gall . diogenes was so dogged , that hee abhorred all women , and augustus wished , that he had liued wifelesse , and died childlesse . on a time one asked socrates , whether he were better to marry , or to liue single ? and he made answere ; which soeuer thou doest , it will repent thee : for if thou marriest not , then thou wilt liue discontented , and dye without issue , and so perhaps a stranger shall possesse thy goods : and if thou doest marry , thou shalt haue continuall vexations , her dowry will be often cast in thy dish , if she doe bring wealth with her : againe , if she complaine , then her kinsfolke will bend the brows , and her mother wil speake her pleasure by thee : and if thou marriest onely for faire lookes , yet thou maiest hap to goe without them , when thou lookest for them : and if thou marriest one that is fruitfull in bearing of children , then will thy care be the more increased ; for little doth the father know what shall be the end of his children : and if shee be barren , thou wilt loath her ; and if honest , thou wilt feare her death ; and if vnhonest , thou wilt be weary of thy life : for when thou hast her , thou must support her in all her bad actions , and that will be such a perpetuall burden vnto thee , that thou hadst euen as good draw water continually , to fill a bottomlesse tubbe . a gentleman on a time said to his friend , i can helpe you to a good marriage for your sonne : his friend made him this answer ; my sonne ( said he ) shall stay till hee haue more wit ; the gentleman replied againe : saying , if you marry him not before hee hath wit , hee will neuer marry so long as he liueth . for a married man is like vnto one arrested , and i think that many a man would flie vp into heauen , if this arrest of marriage kept them not backe . it is said of one named domett as that hee buried three wiues , and yet neuer wet one handkercher , no not shed not so much as one teare : also vlisses , he had a dog which loued him well , and when that dog died , he wept bitterly , but hee neuer shed one teare when his wife died : wherefore if thou marriest without respect , but onely for bare loue , then thou wilt afterwards with sorrow say , that there is more belongs to house-keeping then foure bare legges in a bed . a man cannot liue with his hands in his bosome , nor buy meat in the market for honesty without money : where there is nothing but bare walls , it is a fit house to breed beggers into the world : yet there are many which thinke when they are married , that they may liue by loue : but if wealth be wanting , hot loue will soone be cold , and your hot desires will be soone quenched with the smoke of pouerty . to what end then should we liue in loue , seeing it is a life more to be feared then death ? for all thy mony wastes in toyes , and is spent in banqueting , and al thy time in sighes and sobbes , to thinke vpon thy trouble and charge which commonly commeth with a wife : for commonly women are proud without profit , and that is a good purgation for thy purse ; and when thy purse is light , then will thy heart be heauie . the pride of a woman is like the dropsie ; for as drinke increaseth the drouth of the one , euen so money enlargeth the pride of the other : thy purse must be alwaie open to feed their fancy , and so thy expences will be great , and yet perhaps thy gettings small : thy house must be stored with costly stuffe , and yet perhaps thy seruants starued for lacke of meat : thou must discharge the mercers book , and pay the haberdashers man ; for her hat must continually be of the new fashion , & her gowne of finer wool then the sheepe beareth any : she must likewise haue her iewell-box furnished , especially if she be beautifull ; for then commonly beauty and pride goeth together , and a beautifull woman is for the most part costly , and no good huswife ; and if she be a good huswife , then no seruant will abide her fierce cruelty ; and if shee be honest and chaste , then commonly she is iealous : a kings crowne and a faire woman is desired of many . but he that getteth either of them , liueth in great troubles and hazzard of his life : he that getteth a faire woman is like vnto a prisoner loaden with fetters of golde : for thou shalt not so oft kisse the sweet lippes of thy beautifull wife , as thou shalt bee driuen to fetch bitter sighes from thy sorrowful heart , in thinking of the charge which commeth by her for if thou deny her of such toyes as she stands not in neede of , and yet is desirous of them , then she will quickly shut thee out of the doores of her fauor , & deny thee her person , and shew her selfe as it were at a window playing vpon thee , not with small shot , but with a cruell tongue shee will ring thee such a peale , that one would thinke the deuill were come from hell , saying , i might haue had those which would haue maintained me like a woman , whereas now i goe like no-body : but i will be maintained if thou wert hanged : with such like words she will vex thee , blubbering forth abundance of dissembling teares ( for women doe teach their eies to weepe ) for doe but crosse a woman , although it be neuer so little , shee will straightway put finger in the eye and cry : then presently many a foolish man will flatter her and intreat her to be quiet : but that marres all , for the more shee is intreated , shee will powre forth the more aboundance of deceitfull teares , and therefore no more to be pittied , then to see a goose goe barefoote ; for they haue teares at commaund , so haue they wordes at will , and oathes at pleasure ; for they make as much account of an oath , as a marchant doth , which will forsweare himselfe for the getting of a penny . i neuer yet knew woman that would deny to sweare in defence of her own honesty , and alwaies standing highly vpon it , although she be ashamed to weare it in winter for catching of colde , nor in summer for heat , fearing lest it may melt away . many will say , this which i write is true , and yet they cannot beware of the deuill , vntill they are plagued with his dam ; the little lambe skips and leapes till the fox come , but then he quiuers and shakes : the beare daunces at the stake , till the dogges be vpon his backe : and some men neuer feare their money , vntill they come into the hands of theeues ; euen so some will neuer bee warned , and therefore us not to be pittied if they be harmed : what are women , that make thee so greedily to gape after them ? indeed , some their faces are fairer and beautifuller then others , some againe stand highly vppon their fine foot and hand , or else all women are alike : ione is as good as my lady , according to the countrey mans prouerbe , who gaue a great summe of money to lye with a lady , and going homewards , he made a greeuous mone for his money , and one being on the other side the hedge heard him say , that his ione at home was as good as the lady . but whether this bee true or no , my selfe i doe not know , but you haue it as i heard it . if thou marriest a woman of euill report , her discredit will be a spotte in thy brow , thou canst not goe in the street with her without mocks , nor amongst thy neighbours without frumps , and commonly the fairest women are soonest intised to yeeld vnto vanity : hee that hath a faire wife and a whetstone , euery one will bee whetting thereon ; and a castle is hard to keepe when it is assaulted by many , and faire women are commonly catched at : hee that marrieth a faire woman , euery one will wish his death to enioy her ; and if thou be neuer so rich , and yet but a clowne in condition , then will thy faire wife haue her credit to please her fancy , for a diamond hath not his grace but in gold , no more hath a faire woman her full commendations but in the ornament of her brauery , by which meanes there are diuers women , whose beauty hath brought their husbands into great pouerty and discredit by their pride and whooredome : a faire woman commonly will goe like a peacocke , and her husband must goe like a woodcocke . that great giant pamphimapho , who had beares waiting vpon him like dogges , and he could make tame any wild beast , yet a wanton woman hee could neuer rule nor turne to his will. salomon was the wisest prince that euer was , yet he lusted after so many women , that they made him quickly forsake his god which did alwaies guide his steppes , so long as he liued godly . and was not dauid the best beloued of god , and a mighty prince ? yet for the loue of women he purchased the displeasure of his god sampson was the strongest man that euer was ; for euery lock of his head was the strength of another man , yet by a woman he was ouercome ; hee reuealed his strength , and payed his life for that folly . did not iesabel for her wicked lust cause her husbands blood to be giuen to dogs ? iobs wife gaue her husband counsell to blaspheme god and to curse him . agamemnons wife for a small iniury that her husband did her , she first committed adultery , and afterwards consented to his death . also the wife of hercules , she gaue her husband a poysoned shirt , which was no sooner on his backe , but did sticke so fast , that when hee would haue plucked it off , it tore the flesh with it . if thou wilt auoyd these euils , thou must with vlisses bind thy selfe to the mast of the ship , as hee did , or else it would haue cost him his life ; for otherwise the syrenian women would haue intised him into the sea , if he had not so done . it is wonderful to see the mad feates of women , for she will be now merry , then againe sad ; now laugh , then weep ; now sicke , then presently whole ; all things which like not them , are naught : and if it be neuer so bad , if it like them , it is excellent : againe , it is death for women to bee denied the thing which they demand : and yet they will despise things giuen them vnasked . when a woman wanteth any thing , shee will flatter and speake faire , not much vnlike the flattering butcher , who gently claweth the oxe , when hee intendeth to knock him on the head : but the thing being once obtained , and their desires gained , then they will begin to look bigge , and answere so stately , and speake so scornefully , that one would imagine they would neuer seeke help , nor craue comfort at thy hands any more . but a woman is compared vnto a shippe , which being neuer so well rigged , yet one thing or other is to be amended : euen so giue a woman all that she can demaund to day , yet she will be out of reparations to morrow ; and want one thing or other . women are called night crowes , for that commonly in the night they will make request for such toyes as commeth in their heades in the day : for women know their time to worke their craft , for in the night they will worke a man like waxe , and draw him like as the adamant doth the iron , and hauing once brought him to the bent of their bowe , then she makes request for a gowne of the new fashion stuffe : or for a petticote of the finest stammell : or for a hat of the newest fashion . her husband being ouercome by her flattering speech , partly hee yeeldeth to her request , although it be a greefe to him for that he can hardly spare it out of his stocke , yet for quietnesse sake , he doth promise what she demaundeth , partly because he would sleepe quietly in his bed : againe euery married man knowes this , that a woman will neuer bee quiet , if her mind be set vpon a thing , til she haue it . now , if thou driue her off with delayes , then her forehead will be so full of frownes , as if shee threatned to make clubs trump , and thou neuer a blacke carde in thy hand : for except a woman haue what she will , say what she list , and goe where shee please , otherwise thy house will be so full of smoke , that thou canst not stay in it . it is said , that an olde dog and a hungry flea byte sore ; but in my minde , a froward woman biteth more sorer ; and if thou go about to master a woman , in hope to bring her to humility ; there is no way to make her good with stripes , except thou beat her to death : for doe what thou wilt , yet a froward woman in her frantick mood will pull , haule , swerue , scratch and teare all that stands in her way . what wilt thou that i say more , oh thou poore married man ? if women doe not feele the raine , yet heere is a showre comming which will wet them to the skinnes : a woman which is faire in shew , is foule in condition : shee is like vnto a glow-worme , which is bright in the hedge , and blacke in the hand ; in the greenest grasse lyethhid the greatest serpents : painted pottes commonly hold deadly poyson : and in the cleerest water the vgliest tode ; and the fairest woman hath some filthines in her . all is not gold that glistereth : a smiling countenance is no certaine testimoniall of a merry heart , nor costly garments of a rich purse : men doe not commend a iudge , for that he weareth a skarlet gowne , but for his iust dealing ; no more are women to be esteemed of by the ornament of their brauery , but for their good behauiour ; yet there is no riuer so cleere , but there is some durt in the bottome : but many a man in this land , we need not goe any further for examples , but heere wee may see many fooles in euery place snared in womens nets , after a little familiarity and acquaintance with them : i thinke if they were numbred , the number would passe infinite , if it were possible , which for the loue of wantons haue lost their voyages at sea to their great hinderances , and many other haue neuer regarded the farre distance which they haue beene from their countrey and friends , vntill they had consumed their substance , and then being ashamed to returne home againe in such bad sort , i meane , by weeping crosse , and pennilesse bench , many of them rather choose to deserue newgate , and so come to tiburne , far contrary from the expectation of their friends and parents , which had otherwise prouided for them , if they had had grace , or would haue beene ruled . chap. ii. the second chapter sheweth the manner of such women as liue vpon euill report : it also sheweth that the beauty of women hath beene the bane of many a man , for it hath ouercome valiant and strong men , eloquent and subtill men . and in a word , it hath ouercome all men , as by examples following shall appeare . first , that of salomon , vnto whom god gaue singular wit and wisedome , yet hee loued so many women , that he quite forgot his god , which alwaies did guide his steps , so long as he liued godly , and ruled iustly : but after hee had glutted himselfe with women , then he could say ; vanity of vanities , all is but vanity : he also in many places of his booke of prouerbs exclaimes most bitterly against lewd women , calling them all that naught is , and also displayeth their properties : and yet i cannot let them go blamelesse , although women go shamelesse ; but i will touch them both : for if there were not receiuers , then there would not be so many stealers : if there were not some knaues , there would not be so many whoores ; for they both hold together to bolster each others villany : for alwaies birds of a feather will flocke together hand in hand , to bolster each others villany . men i say may liue without women , but women cannot liue without men : for venus whose beauty was excellent faire , yet when she needed mans helpe , she tooke vulcan a club-footed-smith . and therefore if a womans face glister , and her iesture pearce the marble wall , or if her tongue be so smooth as oile , or so soft as silke , and her words so sweet as hony : or if she were a very ape for wit , or a bagge of gold for wealth : or if her personage haue stolne away all that nature can affoord , and if she be deckt vp in gorgeous apparell , then a thousand to one but shee will loue to walke where she may get acquaintance ; and acquaintance bringeth familiarity , and familiarity setteth all folies abroach : and twenty to one that if a woman loue gadding , but that shee will pawne her honesty , to please her fantasie . man must be at all the cost , and yet liue by the losse ; a man must take all the paines , and women will spend all the gaines : a man must watch and ward , fight and defend , till the ground , labour in the vineyard ; and looke what he getteth in seuen yeares , a woman will spread it abroad with a forke in one yeare , and yet little enough to serue her turne , but a great deale too little to get her good will : nay , if thou giue her neuer so much , and yet if thy personage please not her humour , then will i not giue a halfe-penny for her honesty at the yeares end . for then her brest will be the harbourer of an enuious heart , and her heart the storehouse of poysoned hatred , her head will deuise villany , and her hands are ready to practise that which her heart desireth . then , who can but say that women sprung from the deuill , whose heads , hands , hearts , minds and soules are euill ? for women are called the hooke of all euill , because men are taken by them , as fish is taken with the hooke . for women haue a thousand waies to entise thee , and ten thousand waies to deceiue thee , and all such fooles as are sutors vnto them : some they keepe in hand with promises , and some they feed with flattery , and some they delay with dalliances , and some they please with kisses : they lay out the foldes of their haire , to entangle men into their loue ; betwixt their brests is the vale of destruction , and in their beds there is hell , sorrow & repentance . eagles eat not men till they are dead , but women deuoure them aliue : for a woman will pick thy pocket , and empty thy purse , laugh in thy face and cut thy throat : they are vngratefull , periured , full of fraud , flouting and deceit , vnconstant , waspish , toyish , light , sullen , proud , discurteous and cruell , and yet they were by god created , and by nature formed , and therefore by policy and wisedome to bee auoyded ; for good things abused , are to be refused , or else for a moneths pleasure shee may hap to make thee goe stark naked , she will giue thee rost-meat , but she will beat thee with the spitte : if thou hast crownes in thy purse , shee will be thy hearts gold , vntill shee leaue thee not a whit of white money : they are like summer birdes , for they will abide no storme , but flock about thee in the pride of thy glory , and flye from thee in the storms of affliction ; for they aime more at thy wealth , then at thy person , and esteeme more thy money , then any mans vertuous qualities for they esteeme of a man without money , as a horse doth of a faire stable without meate , they are like eagles , which will alwaies flie where the carrion is . they will play the horse-leach to suck away thy wealth , but in the winter of thy misery shee will flie away from thee . not vnlike the swallow , which in the summer harboureth her selfe vnder the eues of an house , and against winter flieth away , leauing nothing but dirt behind her . salomon saith , he that will suffer himselfe to be led away , or take delight in such womens company , is like a foole which reioyceth when he is led to the stocks , pro. 7. hosea , by marriage with a leaud woman of light behauiour , was brought vnto idolatry , hosea 1. saint paul accounteth fornicators so odious , that wee ought not to eat meat with them ; hee also sheweth that fornicators shall not inherit the kingdome of heauen , 1. corin. the 9. and 11. verse . and in the same chapter saint paul excommunicateth fornicators , but vpon amendment hee receiueth them againe . whoredome punished with death , deuteronomy 22. 21. and genesis 38. 24. phinehas a priest thrust two adulterers , both the man and the woman , thorow the belly with a speare , numbers 25. god detesteth the money or goods gotten by whoredome , deuteronomy 23. 17. 18. whores called by diuers names , and the properties of whores , prouerbs 7. 6. and 2. a whore enuieth an honest woman , esdras 16. and 42. whoremongers god will iudge , hebrews 13. and 42. they shall haue their portions with the wicked in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone , rcuelation the 21. 8. onely for the sinne of whoredome god was sorry at the heart , and repented that euer hee made man , genesis 6. 67. saint paul saith , to auoid fornication , euery man may take a wife , 1. corinthians the 7. 2. therefore hee which hath a wife of his owne , and yet goeth to another woman , is like a rich theefe , which will steale when he hath no need . there are three waies to know a whore : by her wanton lookes , by her speech , and by her gate , ecclesiasticus 26. and in the same chapter he saith , that we must not giue our strength vnto harlots ; for whores are the euill of all euils , and the vanity of all vanities , they weaken the strength of a man , and depriue the body of his beauty ; it furroweth his browes , and maketh the eyes dimme ; and a whorish woman causeth the feauer and the gout : and at a word , they are a great shortning to a mans life . for although they seeme to be so dainty as sweet meat , yet in triall not so wholesome as sowre sauce : they haue wit , but it is all in craft ; if they loue , it is vehement ; but if they hate , it is deadly . plato saith , that women are either angels or deuils , and that they either loue dearely , or hate bitterly ; for a woman hath no meane in her loue , nor mercy in her hate ; no pitty in reuenge , nor patience in her anger ; therefore it is said , that there is nothing in the world which both pleaseth and displeaseth a man more then a woman for a woman most delighteth a man , and yet most deceiueth him ; for as there is nothing more sweet vnto a man then a woman when shee smileth : euen so there is nothing more odious then the angry countenance of a woman . salomon in his 20. of ecclesiastes saith , that an angry woman will fome at the mouth like a bore : if all this be true as most true it is , why shouldest thou spend one houre in the praise of women , as some fooles doe ? for some will brag of the beauty of such a maid ; another will vaunt of the brauery of such a woman , that shee goeth beyond all the women in the parish : againe , some study their fine wits , how they may cunningly sooth women , and with logicke how to reason with them , and with eloquence to perswade them ; they are alwaies tempering their wits , as fiddlers do their strings , who wrest them so high , that many times they-stretch them beyond time , tune , and reason . againe , there are many that weary themselues with dallying , playing and sporting with women , and yet they are neuer satisfied with the vnsatiable desire of them ; if with a song thou wouldest be brought asleepe , or with a dance be led to delight , then a fayre woman is fit for thy dyet : if thy head be in her lap , she will make thee beleeue that thou art hard by gods seat , when indeed thou artiust at hell gate . theodora a monstrous strumpet , on a time made her brags to socrates of the great hant of lusty gallants which came to her house , and furthermore she told him , that she could get away more of his schollers from him , then he could of hers from her . no maruaile ( quoth socrates ) for thy waies seeme pleasant and easie , and that is the way youth loues to walk in ; but the way that leadeth to a vertuous life , seemeth full of brambles and bryers : and to match with this , there is an history that makes mention of three notable curtizanes , whose names were lauia , flora , and layes : lauia and layes were homo , common to all men , they would play at small game , rather then sit out ; these three strumpets during their life time , were the beautifullest and richest of that trade in the world , and had three seuerall gifts whereby they allured their louers to seeke their fauours . the engine wherewith lauia entrapped her louers , proceeded from her eyes ; for by her smiling countenance , and wanton lookes , shee greatly inflamed all that beheld her . and flora wan her louers by her excellent wit and eloquent tongue . and layes enticed her louers by her sweet singing and pleasant fingering of instruments of musicke . but now againe to lauia , king demetrius gaue but a glaunce of his eies suddenly vpon her , and was taken presently with her net , and spent eleuen talents of siluer vpon her , which he had prouided and appointed to pay his soldiours ; and furthermore , hee quite forsooke his owne wife , and neuer left the company of this strumpet , vntill death tooke her from him ; and after shee was dead , hee made great mone for her death ; hee also kissed and embraced her , and caused her to be buried vnder his window ; that so often as he did see her graue , hee might bewaile her death . layes likewise had a king , whose name was pirrhus , which was her chiefe friend , but yet hee serued but as it were for a cloake ; for he continued not very long with her in greece , but went himselfe to the warres in italy ; but in his absence she was not onely sought to , but obtained of many , and set downe her price , that before she would doe her worke , she would haue her money . now to flora , shee was a kings daughter , her parents died when she was of the age of fifteene yeares , and shee was left as rich as beautifull , she had the bridle of liberty throwne on her necke , so that shee might runne whither she would ; for shee was left without controulment , so that sodainly she determined to trauell and see the warres of africa , where she made sale both of her personage and honour . king menelaus was the first that made loue vnto her , as he was marching to the warres of carthage , and spent more money vpon her , then in conquering his enemies . but as she was of noble race , so it is said , that she neuer gaue her selfe ouer to meane or petty company , as the other two did ; but shee had a scroule set ouer her gate , the tennor whereof was thus , king , prince , emperour or bishop , enter this place and welcome : neither was this flora so greedy of gold , as the other two were ; for on a time one of her familiar friends asked her the cause , why shee did not make price of her loue ? shee made this answere , i commit my body to none but to princes and noblemen , and i sweare there was neuer man gaue me so little , but that i had more then i would haue asked , or that i looked for ; and furthermore she said , that a noble woman ought not to make price of her loue : all things are at a certaine rate , except loue , and that a woman of great beauty should be so much esteemed of , as she esteemes of her selfe . she died at the age of forty yeares , and the wealth shee left behind her in rome , was valued to be so much as would haue builded new walles round about the city , if there had beene no walles at all . was not that noble city of troy sacked and spoyled for the faire hellena ? and when it had cost many mens liues , and much bloud was shed , & when they had got the conquest , they got but a harlot : by this and that which followeth , thou shalt see the power of women , how it hath beene so great , and more preuailed in bewitching mens wits , and in ouercomming their sences , then all other things whatsoeuer . it hath not onely vanquished kings and keisars , but it hath also surprised castles & countries , nay , what is it that a woman cannot do , which knowes her power ? therefore stay not alone in the company of a woman , trusting to thy owne chastity , except thou be more stronger then sampson , more wise then salomon , or more holy then dauid ; for these and many more haue beene ouercome by the sweet entisements of women , as thou shalt read heereafter . it is said , that the gods themselues did change their shapes , for the loue of such women as they lusted after : iupiter , he transformed himselfe into a bull , neptune into a horse , and mercury into a goat . aristippus desired sweet meat for his belly , and a faire woman for his bed . but in my mind , hee that layes his net to catch a faire woman , hee may chance to fall into the sprindge which was laid for a woodcocke : therefore i doe admonish young men , and i aduise olde men , and i counsell simple men , and i warne all men , that they flye from a wicked woman , as from the pestilence , or else they will make thee flye in the end . aristotle , for keeping company with a queane in athens , was faine to runne away , to saue himselfe from punishment ; and yet he had dwelt there , and wrote many books for the space of thirty yeares . again of sampson & hercules for all their great strength and conquest of giants and monsters , yet the one yeelded his club at diauer as foot , and the other reuealed his strength to dalila , and he paid his life for his folly . the sugred and renowned orators demosthenes and hortentius , the one came from athens vnto corinth , to compound and agree with layes a common strumpet as you heard before of her , and yet hee had but one nights lodging with her . and the other was so farre in loue with another bird of the same cage , the which hee could not obtaine , nor yet could he conquer his affection , vntill hee had quite pined himselfe away , so that in short time hee had wasted himselfe to nothing . plato , for all his great philosophy and knowledge , yet he kept company with archenasse when she was olde , and forsaken of all her louers ; for she had giuen her selfe to a number in her youth , yet neuerthelesse plato so loued her , that he wrote many verses in commendation of her . also socrates for his grauity and wisedome is renowned throughout all the world , yet he most dearely loued alpasy , an old and ouerworne strumpet . loue stayed king antiochus in calcidea a whole winter , for one maid that hee fancied there , to his great hinderance . loue stayed king hannibal in capua a long season , laying all other his necessary affaires aside , the which was no small hinderance to him ; for in the meane while his enemies inuaded a great part of his countrey . likewise iulius caesar , hee continued in alexandria a long season , not for the loue of one , but hee lusted after many , to his great infamy and disgrace . that great captain holofernes , whose sight made many thousands to quake , yet he lost his life , and was slaine by a woman . was not herods loue so great to a woman , that he caused iohn baptist to lose his head for her sake ? wherefore to auoid the sight , many times is the best rasor , to cut off the occasion of the euill which commeth by women ; for had not holofernes seene the beauty of iudeth , and marked the finenesse of her foote , he had not lost his head by her . if herod had not seen herodias daughter daunce , hee had not so rashly granted her saint iohn baptists head . had not eua seene the apple , and also she was tempted with the beauty of the serpent , who as our schoole-men do write , that he shewed himselfe like a faire young man ; but had not she seene it , i say , shee had not eaten thereof , to her owne griefe and many more . by sight the wife of putiphar was moued to lust after her seruant ioseph . it is said of semir amis of babylon , that after her husbands death , she waxed so vnsatiable in carnall lust , that two men at one time could not satisfie her desire , and so by her vnsatiablenesse , at length all persia grew full of whoores . and likewise of one venise a strumpet in cipris it is supposed , that by her fame and ill life , she caused all cipres at length to be full of queanes . and of one faire rodape in egypt , who was the first noted woman in that countrey , but at length all the whole countrey became full of strumpets . is it not strange , that the seed of one man should breed such woe vnto all men ? one said vnto his friend , come , let vs goe see a pretty wench . the other made this answer ; i haue ( said he ) shaken such fetters from my heeles , and i will neuer goe where i know i shall repent afterwards : but yet happily some may say vnto me , if thou shouldest refuse the company or the curtesie of a woman , then shee would account thee a soft-spirited foole , a milk-sop , & a meacock . but alas fond foole , wilt thou more regard their babble , then thine owne blisse , or esteeme more their frumps , then thine owne welfare ? dost thou not know that women alwaies striue against wisedome , although many times it be to their vtter ouerthrow ? like the bee which is often hurt with her owne hony : euen so women are often plagued with their owne conceit , waying downe loue with discurtesie , giuing him a weed , which presents them with flowers : as their catching in iest , and their keeping in earnest , and yet she thinks that she keepes her selfe blamelesse , and in all ill vices she would goe nameesse , but if shee carry it neuer so cleane , yet in the end shee will be counted but for a cunny-catching queane ; and yet she will sweare that she will thriue , as long as shee can finde one man aliue : for shee thinks to doe all her knauery inuisible ; shee will haue a figge leafe to couer her name : but when the fig leafe is dry and withered , it doth shew their nakednesse to the world : for take away their painted cloathes , and then they looke like ragged wals : take away their ruffes , and they looke ruggedly : their ●oyfes and stomachers , and they are simple to behold : their haire vntrust , and they looke wildly ; and yet there are many which laies their nets to catch a pretty woman , but hee which getteth such a prize , gaines nothing by his aduenture , but shame to the body , and danger to the soule ; for the heat of the young bloud of these wantons , leads many vnto destruction for this worlds pleasure . it chaunts your minds , and infeebleth your bodies with diseases , it also scandalleth your good names , but most of all , it indangereth your soules ; how can it otherwise choose , when lust and vncleannesse continually keepe them company , gluttony and floth serueth them at the table ; pride and vaine-glory apparelleth them ; but these seruants will waxe weary of their seruice , and in the end they shall haue no other seruants to attend them , but onely shame , griefe and repentance ; but then , oh then ( you will say ) when it is too late , oh would to god that wee had beene more carefull of true glorious modesty , and lesse cunning to keepe wantons company ! oh therefore remember , and thinke before-hand , that euery sweet hath his sowre : then buy not with a drop of hony a gallon of gall ; doe not thinke that this worlds pleasure will passe away with a trifle , and that no sooner done , but presently forgotten : no , no , answer your selues that the punishment remaineth eternally , and therefore better it were to be an addle egge , then an euill bird . for we are not borne for our selues to liue at pleasure , but to take paines , and to labour for the good of our countrey , yet so delightfull is our present sweetnesse , that wee neuer remember the following sowre : for youth are too too easie wonne and ouercome with the worlds vanities : oh too soone ( i say ) is youth in the blossomes deuoured with the caterpillers offoule lust , and lasciuious desires , the blacke fiend of hell , by his inticing sweet sinne of lust , drawes many young wittes to confusion ; for in time it drawes the heart bloud of your good names ; and that being once lost , is neuer gotten againe . againe , lust causeth you to doe such foule deeds which makes your foreheads for euer afterwards seeme spotted with blacke shame , and euerlasting infamy , by which meanes , your graues after death are closed vp with times scandall . and yet women are easily wooed , and soone won , got with an apple , and lost with the paring : young wittes are soone corrupted , womens bright beauties breed curious thoughts ; and golden gifts easily ouercome wanton desires , with changing modesty into pastimes of vanity , and being once delighted therein , continues in the same without repentance : you are onely the peoples wonder , and misfortunes banding ball tost vp & downe the world with woe vpon woe , yea ten thousand woes will bee galloping hard at your heeles , and pursue you wheresoeuer you go ; for those of ill report cannot stay long in one place , but rome and wander about the world , and yet euer vnfortunate , prospering in nothing , forsaken and cast out from all ciuill companies , still in feare lest authority with the sword of iustice , barre them of liberty . lo thus your liues are despised , walking like night-owles in misery , and no comfort shall be your friend , but onely repentance comming too late , and ouer-deare bought : a penance and punishment , due to all such hated creatures as these are . therefore beleeue , all you vnmarried wantons , and in beleeuing grieue , that you haue thus vnluckily made your selues neither maidens , widdowes , nor wiues , but more vile then filthy channell-durt , fit to be swept out of the heart and suburbes of your countrey . oh then suffer not this worlds pleasure to take from you the good thoughts of an honest life : but downe , downe vpon your knees , you earthly serpents , and wash away your black sin with the cristall teares of true sorrow and repentance , so that when you wander from this inticing world , you may bee washed and cleansed from this foule leprosie of nature . loe thus in remorse of minde my tongue hath vttered to the wantons of the world , the aboundance of my hearts griefe , which i haue perceiued by the vnseemely behauiour of vnconstant both men and women , yet men for the most part are touched but with one fault , which is drinking too much : but it is said of women , that they haue two faults , that is , they can neither say well , nor yet doe well . for commonly , women are the most part of the forenoone painting themselues , and frizling their haires , and prying in their glasse , like apes to prancke vp themselues in their gawdies ; like poppets , or like the spider which weaues a fine web to hang the flie . amongst women she is accounted a slut which goeth not in her silkes : therefore if thou wilt please thy lady , thou must like and loue , sue and serue , and in spending thou must lay on load ; for they must haue maintainance howsoeuer they get it , by hooke or by crooke , out of iudas bag , or the deuils budget , thou must spare neither lands nor liuing , money nor gold . for women will account thee a pinch-penny , if thou be not prodigall , and a dastard , if thou bee not ventrous for they account none valiant , except they be desperate if silent , a sot ; if full of words , a foole ; iudging all to be clownes which be not courtiers . if thou be cleanely in thine apparrell , they will terme thee proud ; if meane in apparell , a slouen ; if tall , a lunges ; if short , a dwarfe : for they haue ripe wits , and ready tongues , and if they get a inch , they will claime an ell : shee will coll thee about thy necke with one hand , but the other shall bee diving into thy pocket , and if thou take her with the manner , then was but in lest , but many times they take in iest ( and if they bee not spied ) keepe it in earnest : but if thy pockets grow empty , and thy reuenues will not hold out longer to maintaine her pompe and brauery , then she presently leaues to make much of thy person , and will not sticke to say vnto thee , that she could haue bestowed her loue on such a one as would haue maintained her like a woman , so by these meanes they weaue the web of their own woe , and spin the thred of their owne thraldome ; if they lacke they will lacke at the last , for they will cut it out of the whole cloth so long as the peece will hold out . is not the bee hiued for his hony , the sheepe sheared for his fleece , the oxe necke wrought for his masters profit , the fowle plucked for her feathers , the tree grafted to bring forth fruit , and the earth laboured to bring foorth corne ? but what labour or cost thou bestowest on a woman , is all cast away , for shee will yeelde thee no profit at all , for when thou hast done all , and giuen them all that they can demand , yet thou shalt bee as well rewarded , as those men were whom esop hired for three halfepence a day to heare him recite his fables . these things beeing wisely considered , then what a foole art thou to blinde thy selfe in their bold behauiour , and bow at their beckes , and come at their calls , and sell thy lands , to make them swimme in their silkes , and iet in their iewells , making iill a gentlewoman , insomuch that shee careth not a penny for the finest , nor a figge for the proudest ? she is as good as the best , although she haue no more honesty then barely to serue her owne turne , suffering euery mans fingers as deep in the dish , as thine are in the platter , and euery man to angle , where thou castest thy hooke , holding vp to all that come , not much vnlike a barbers chaire , that so soone as one knaue is out , another is in , a common hackney for euery one that will ride , a boat for euery one to row in : now if thy wealth doe begin to faile , then she biddeth thee farwell , and giueth thee the adieu in the deuils name , not much vnlike the knauish porters in bristow , who will cry , a new master , a new , and hang vp the old . if the matter be so plaine , then consider this , that the house where such a one keepeth her residence , is more-odious with slander , then carrion doth infect the ayre with stinke ; let them flatter how they will , there is no loue in them , but from the teeth outward . i blaze their properties the plainer , and giue thee the stronger reasons , because i would haue thee loath the alluring traines of such deceitfull and lasciuious women : although she make great protestations of loue , and thereto bindeth her selfe with most damnable oathes , then beleeue her least of all , for there is no more hold in her oathes , nor in her loue , then is certainly of a faire day in aprill , although it looke neuer so cleere , yet it may turne to a foule . i haue seene a curtizan thus pictured out : first , a faire young man blind , and in his armes a beautifull woman , with one hand in his pocket , shewing her theft , and a knife in the other hand to cut his throat . now peraduenture , thou maist say vnto that , thou dost not know one woman from another , without some triall , because all women are in shape alike : for the sowre crab is like the sweet pippin : true it is , so the rauen is a bird , and the swan is but a bird : euen so many women are in shape angels , but in qualities deuils , painted coffius with rotten bones : the estridge carrieth faire feathers , but ranck flesh : the hearb molio carrieth a flowre as white as snow , but a root as blacke as inke . although women are beautifull , shewing pitty , yet their hearts are blacke , swelling with mischiese , not much vnlike vnto old trees , whose outward leaues are faire and greene , and yet the body rotten : if thou hant their houses , thou wilt be enamoured ; and if thou doe but harken to these syrens , thou wilt be inchanted , for they will allure thee with amorous glances of lust , and yet kill thee with bitter lookes of hate : they haue dimples in their cheekes to deceiue thee , and wrinkles in their browes to betray thee : they haue eies to intice , smiles to flatter , imbracements to prouoke , beckes to recall , lips to inchant , kisses to inflame , and teares to excuse themselues . if god had not made them only to be a plague to man , he would neuer haue called them necessary euils , and what are they better ? for what do they either get or gaine , saue or keepe ? nay they doe rather spend and consume all that which man painefully getteth : a man must be at all the cost , and yet liue by the losse . it is very easie for him which neuer experienced himselfe in that vaine pleasure , or repenting pleasure , choose you whether , i meane the accompanying of lewd women : but such as are exercised and experimented in that kind of drudgery , they i say , haue a continuall desire , and temptation is ready at hand : therefore take heed at the first , suffer not thy selfe to bee led away into lustfull folly , for it is more easie for a young man or maid to forbeare carnall act , then it is for a widdow , and yet more easie for a widdow , then for her that is married and hath her husband wanting : then take heed at the first , for there is nothing gotten by women but repentance . for women are like the bay tree , which is euer green , but without fruit ; or like the vnprofitable thorne , which beareth as trim a blossome as the apple : this is nothing , but to tell thee that thou must not iudge of gold by the colour , nor of womens qualities by their faces , nor by their speeches ; for they haue delicate tongues , which wil rauish and tickle the itching eares of giddy headed yong men , so foolish , that they thinke themselues happy if they can but kisse the dazie whereon their loue doth tread ; who if she frowne , then he descends presently into hell : but if she smile , then is hee carried with wings vp into heauen : there is an old saying , that when a dog wags his tayle , he loues his master . some thinke , that if a woman smile on them , she is presently ouer head and eares in loue : one must weare her gloue , another her garter , another her colours of delight , and another shall spend and liue vpon the spoile which shee getteth from all the rest : then if thou wilt giue thy body to the chirurgian , and thy soule to the deuill , such women are fit for thy diet . many creatures of euery kind resemble women in conditions ; for some horse an vnskilfull rider can hardly disorder ; and some againe in despight of the best rider that is , will haue a iadish tricke : some hawke although he be ill serued , yet will sit quiet ; and some , if neuer so well serued , yet will continually flie at checke : againe , some hounds by no meanes will forsake their vndertaken game , and some againe in despite of the huntsman will continually runne at randome : and some men will steale if their hands were bound behind them ; and some againe will rather sterue then steale , euen so some women will not bee wonne with seauen yeares louing , and some againe will offend with an houres liberty . therfore , if thou study a thousand yeares , thou shalt find a woman nothing else but a contrary vnto man : nay , if thou continue with her a hundreth yeares , yet thou shalt find in her new fancies , and contrary sorts of behauiour ; therefore , if all the world were paper , and all the sea inke , and all the trees and plants were pens , and euery man in the world were a writer , yet were they not able with all their labour and cunning , to set downe all the crafty deceits of women . now me thinks i heare some of you say , that young wits are soone corrupted , and that womens bright beauty breedeth curious thoughts in men , also golden gifts easily ouercommeth wanton womens desires : and thereby make them become venus darlings , quite changing customes of modesty , into passions of vanity , wherein once delighted , they continue in the same without repentance or sorrow : but out alas , you lasciuious dames , these lewd conditions of yours , will speedily bring all your ioyes to sorrow . chap. iii. this third chapter sheweth a remedy against loue , also many reasons not to be too hasty in choise of a wife . but if no remedy but thou wilt marry , then how to choose a wife , with a commendation of the good , vertuous , and honest women . be not too hasty to marry , for doubt lest thou marry in haste , and repent by leysure ; for there are many troubles which commeth galloping at the heeles of a woman , which many young men before-hand doe not thinke of , the world is not all made of otemeale ; nor all is not golde that glisters , nor a smiling countenance is no certaine testimoniall of a merry heart : nor the way to heauen is not strewed with rushes ; no more is the cradle of ease in a womans lappe : if thou wert a seruant , or in bondage before , yet when thou marriest , thy toyle is neuer the neer ended , but euen then , and not before , thou changest thy golden life which thou didst leade before , in respect of the married , for adtop of hony which quickly turneth to bee as bitter as worm-wood ; and therefore farre better it were to haue two plowes going then one cradle , and better a barne filled then a bed ; therefore cut off the occasion , which may any way bring thee into fooles paradice . then first , and aboue all , shun idleness , for idlenes is the beginner and maintainer of loue , therfore apply thy selfe about some affaires , or be occupied about some businesse : for so long as thy minde or thy body is in labour , the loue of a woman is not remembred , nor lust neuer thought vpon : but if thou spend thy time idlely amongst women , thou art like vnto him which playeth with the bee , who may sooner feele of her sting , then taste of her hony ; he that toucheth pitch , may bee desiled therewith . roses vnaduisedly gathered , prickle our fingers ; bees vngently handled , sting our faces , and yet the one is pleasant , and the other is profitable , and if thou be in company of women , the deuill himselfe hath not more illusions to get men into his net , then women haue deuices and inuentions to allure men into their loue ; and if thou suffer thy selfe once to be led into fooles paradice , ( that is to say ) the bed or closet wherein a woman is , ( then i say ) thou art like a bird snared in a lime-bush , which the more she striueth , the faster she is . it is vnpossible to fall amongst stones , and not bee hurt , or amongst thornes , and not be prickt , or amongst nettles , and not be stung : a man cannot carry fire in his bosome , and not burne his cloathing ; no more can a man liue in loue , but it is 〈◊〉 as wearisome as hell , and hee that marrieth a wife , matcheth himselfe vnto many troubles . if thou mariest a still and a quiet woman , that will seeme to thee that thou ridest but an ambling horse to hell ; but if with one that is froward and vnquiet , then thou wert as good ride a trotting horse to the deuill : heerein i wil not be my owne caruer , but i referre you to the judgement of those which haue seene the troubles , and felt the torments ; for none are better able to judge of womens qualities , then those which haue them ; none feeles the hardnesse of the flint , but he that strikes it ; none knowes where the shooe pincheth , but he that wears it . it is said that a man should eat a hushell of salt with one which he meanes to make his friend , before hee put any great confidence or trust him : and if thou bee so long in choosing a friend , a my minde thou hadst neede to eat two bushels of salt with a woman , before thou make her thy wife ; otherwise , before thou hast eaten one bushell with her , thou halt taste of ten quarters of sorrow , and for euery dram of pleasure , an ounce of paine , and for euery pint of honey a gallon of gall , and for euery inche of mirth an ell of mone . in the beginning , a womans loue seemeth delightfull , but endeth with destruction ; therefore hee that trusteth to the loue of a woman , shall be as sure as he that hangeth by the leafe of a tree in the later end of summer : and yet there is great difference betwixt the standing poole , and the running streame , although they are both waters . therefore of two euils , choose the least , and auoid the greatest ; but my meaning is not heere to aduise thee to choose the least woman : for the little women are as vnhappy as the greatest ; for though their statures be little , yet their hearts are big : then speake faire to all , but trust none , and say with diogenes , it is too soone for a young man to marry , and too late for old men . one asked a philosopher , what the life of a married man was ? hee answered , misery . and what is his felicity ? misery : for he still lingers in hope of further ioy . and what is his end ? and he still answered , misery . there are sixe kinds of women which thou shouldest take heed that thou match not thy selfe to any one of them : that is to say , good nor bad , faire nor foule , rich nor poore ; for if thou marriest one that is good , thou maist quickly spill her with too much making of her : for when prouender pricks a woman , then shee will grow knauish : and if bad , then thou must support her in all her bad actions , and that will be so wearisome vnto thee , that thou hadst as good draw water continually to fill a bottomlesse tub : if she be faire , then thou must doe nothing else but watch her : and if she be foule and loathsom , who can abide her if shee be rich , then thou must forbear her because of her wealth : and if she be poore , then thou must maintaine her . for if a woman be neuer so rich in dowry , happy by her good name , beautifull of body , sober of countenance , eloquent in speech , and adorned with vertue , yet they haue one ill quality or other , which ouerthroweth all the other : like vnto that cow which giueth great store of milke , and presently striketh it downe with her foote , such a cow is as much to be blamed for the losse , as to be commended for the gift : or like as when men talke of such a man , or such a man , he is an excellent good workeman , or he is a good chirurgian , or a good phisition , or hee is a pretty fellow of his hands , but if they conclude with this word , but it is pitty hee hath one fault , which commonly in some men is drnnkennesse , then i say , if he were endued with all the former qualities , yet they cannot gaine him so much credit to counterpoise the discredit that commeth thereby . it is said of men , that they haue that one fault , but of women it is said that they haue two faults , that is to say , they can neither say well , nor doe well : there is a saying that goeth thus , that things farre fetcht and deare bought are of vs most dearely beloued , the like may be said of women , although many of them are not farre fetched , yet they are deare bought , yea and so deare , that many a man curseth his hard penniworths , and bannes his owne heart ; for the pleasure of the fairest woman in the world lasteth but a hony moone , that is , while a man hath glutted his affections , and reaped the first fruit , his pleasure beeing past sorrow and repentance remaineth still with him . therefore to make thee the stronger to striue against these tame serpents , thou shalt haue more strings to thy bow then one , it is safe riding at two ankers ; alwaies looke before thou leape , lest thy shinnes thou chance to breake . now the fire is kindled , let vs burne this other fagot , and so to our matter againe . if a woman be neuer so comely , thinke her a counterfet ; if neuer so straight , thinke her crooked ; if she be well set , call her a bosse ; if slender , a hazell twig ; if browne , thinke her as blacke as a crow ; if well-coloured , a painted wall ; if sad , or shame-fac'd , then thinke her a clowne ; if merry and pleasant , then she is the liker to be a wanton . but if thou bee such a foole that thou wilt spend thy time and treasure , the one in the loue of women , and the other to delight them ; in my mind thou resemblest the simple indians , who apparell themselues most richly when they goe to be burned . but what should i say ? some will not giue their bable for the tower of london . he that hath sailed at sea , hath seene the dangers , and he that is married , can tell of his owne woe , but hee that is neuer burnt , will neuer dread the fire . some will goe to dice , although they see others lose all their money at play , and some will marry , though they beg together . is it not strange that men should be so foolish to dote on women , who differ so farre in nature from men ? for a man delights in armes , & in hearing the rattling drums , but a woman loues to heare sweet musick on the lute , cittern , or bandora : a man reioyceth to march among the murthered carkasses , but a woman to dance on a silken carpet : a man loues to heare the threatnings of his princes enemies , but a woman weepes when she heares of wars : a man loues to lye on the cold grasse , but a woman must be wrapped in warme mantles : a man tryumphes at warres , but a woman reioyceth more at peace . if a man talke of any kinde of beast or fowle , presently the nature is knowne : as for example , the lyons are all strong and hardy , the hares are all fearefull and cowardly , the doues are all simple , and so of all beasts and fowle the like , i meane few or none swaruing from his kind ; but women haue more contrary sorts of behauiour then there be women , and therefore impossible for a man to know all , no nor one part of womens qualities all the daics of thy life . some with sweete words vndermine their husbands , as dalila did samson , and some with chiding and brawling are made weary of the world , as socrates and others : socrates when his wife did chide and brawle , would goe out of the house till all were quiet againe ; but because hee would not scold with her againe , it grieued her the more ; for on a time shee watched his going out , and threw a chamber-pot out of a window on his head . ha , ha , quoth hee , i thought after all this thunder there would come raine . there is an history maketh mention of one named annynious , who inuited a friend of his to go home with him to supper ; but when he came home , he found his wife chiding and brawling with her maidens , where at his guest was very much discontented . annynious turning to him , said . good lord how impatient art thou ? i haue suffered her these twenty yeares , and canst not thou abide her two houres ? by which meanes he caused his wife to leaue chiding and laughed out the matter . there is no woman but either she hath a long tongue , or a longing tooth , and they are two ill neighbours , if they dwell together : for the one will lighten thy purse , if it be still pleased , and the other will waken thee from thy sleepe , if it be not charmed . is it not strange of what kinde of mettall a womans tongue is made of ? that neither correction can chastise , nor faire meanes quiet : for there is a kinde of venome in it , that neither by faire meanes nor foule they are to be ruled . all beasts by man are made tame , but a womans tongue will neuer be lame ; it is but a small thing , and seldome seene , but it is often heard , to the terror and vtter confusion of many a man. therfore , as a sharpe bit curbes a froward horse , euen so a curst woman must be roughly vsed : but if women could hold their tongues , then many times men would hold their hands . as the best metlted blade is mixt with iron , euen so the best woman that is , is not free from faults : the goodliest gardens are notfree from weeds , no more is the best nor the fairest woman from ill deeds . he that vseth troth to tell , may blamed be , though he say well . if thou be young , marry not yet , if thou be old , thou wilt haue more wit ; for young mens wiues will not be taught , and olde mens wiues are good for nought . when he that for a woman striueth by law , shall striue like a cox-comb , and proue but a daw . then buy not thou with ouermuch cost , the thing which yeelds but labour lost . diuers beasts , and fowle , by nature haue more strength in one part of the body then in another , as the eagle in the beake , the vnicorne in the horne , the bull in the head , the beare in his armes , the horse in his brest , the dogge in his teeth , the serpent in his tayle : but a womans chiefe strength is in her tongue ; the serpent hath not so much venome in his tayle , as she hath in her tongue ; and as the serpent neuer leaueth hissing and stinging , and seeking to doe mischiefe : euen so , some women are neuer well , except they be casting out venome with their tongues , to the hurt of their husbands or of their neighbours ; therefore he that will disclose his secrets to a woman , is worthy to haue his hayre cut with samson ; for , if thou vnfoldest any thing of secret to a woman , the more thou chargest her to keepe it close , the more she will seeme as it were to bee with childe till shee haue reuealed it amongst her gossips ; yet if one should make doubt of her secresie , shee would seeme angry , and say , i am no such light huswife of my tongue , as they whose secrets lye at their tongues ends , which flies abroad so soone as they open their mouthes ; therefore feare not to disclose your secrets to mee , for i was neuer touched with any stayne of my tongue in all my life ; nay , shee will not sticke to sweare that she will treade it vnder foot , or bury it vnder a stone : yet for all this , beleeue her not , for euery woman hath one especiall gossip at the least , which shee doth loue & affect aboue all the rest , and vnto her shee runneth with al the secrets she knoweth . there is an history making mention of one lyas , whom king amasis commanded to goe into the market , and to buy the best and profitablest meat he could get ; and hee bought nothing but tongues ; the king asked him the reason why he bought no other meat , who made this answer , i was commanded to buy the best meate , and from the tongue came many good and profitable speaches ; then the king sent him again , and bade him buy the worst and vnprofitablest meate : and he likewise bought nothing but tongues , the king againe asked him the reason , from nothing ( said hee ) commeth worse venome , then from the tongue , and such tongues must women haue . romaine history maketh mention of one of the chiefe gouernors of rome , that had a sonne , whose name was papirius , whose father tooke him with him to the councell-house , that thereby he might learne wisdome , wishinge him withall to keepe their secrets : his mother was diuers times asking of the boy what they did at the counsaile-house , and what the cause was of theire often meeting ; one a time young papirius fearing to displease his father , and hoping to satisfie his mother tould her this , mother ( said he ) there is hard hold amongst them about making of a law , that euery man shall haue two wiues ; or euery woman two husbands and so far as i can perceyue , it is likely to be concluded vpon , that euery man shall haue two wiues . the next day , when his father and he were gone to the counsaile-house , shee bestirred her selfe , and got most of the chiefe women of the city together , and tould them what a law was like to be made , if it were not preuented : and so to the counsaile-house they went a great flocke of them : but when they came in , the gouernours were all amazed , and asked the cause of their comming ? and one of the women hauinge leaue to speake , saide thus ; wheras you are about to make a law , that euery man shal haue two wiues , consider with yourselues what vnquietnesse and strife thereby will arise : but ( said shee ) it were better that one woman should haue two husbands , that if the one were on businesse abroad , the other might bee at home . now when the gouernours heard this speach , they maruailed wherupon it should arise ? then young papirius requested that he might speake , who presently resolued them the cause of the womens comming , so they greatly commended the boy , and laughed the women to scorne . here thou maist perceiue by a taste , what wine is in the butt : if the dragons head be full of poyson , what venome then ( think you ) lurketh in the tayle ? all this is but to tell thee of the doubts and dangers that come by marriage , yet i would not haue all men feare to lye in the grasse , because a snake lyeth there , nor all men feare to go to sea , because some men are drowned at sea , neither doe i warrant al men to feare to goe to their beds because many dy in their beds : then marry a gods name , but againe and againe take heede to the choyce of thy wife . marry not for beautie without vertue , nor choose for riches without good conditions . salomon amongst many other notable sentences fit for this purpose , saith , that a faire woman without discreet maners , is like a gold ring in a swines snowte ? and if thou marriest for wealth , then thy wife many times will cast it in thy dish saying , that of a begger shee made thee a man : againe , if thou marriest for beautie and aboue thy calling , thou must not onely beare with thy wiues folly , but with many vnhappy words , for shee wil say , she was blinded in fancying thee : for she might haue had captaine such a one , or this gendeman , or that , so that thou shalt neuer neede to craue a foule word at her hands in seuen yeares , for thou shalt haue enow without asking ; besides , i feare mee thou wilt be better headed then wedded , for shee will make thee weare an oxe feather in thy cap ; yet he which hath a fayre wife will aduenture on a thousand infamies , onely in hope to keepe her in the state of an honest woman ; but if shee be ill giuen , do what thou canst , breake thy heart and bend thy study neuer so much , yet all will not serue , thou maiest let her goe all howres of the night , shee will neuer meete with a worse then her selfe , except shee meete with the deuill himselfe . therefore yet once more i aduise thee in the choyce of thy wife , to haue a speciall regard to her qualities and conditions before thou shake hands or iumpe a match with her ; also inquire and marke the life and conuersation of her parents , let the old prouerbe put thee in mind hereof , that an euill bird layeth an ill egge , the cat will after her kind , an ill tree cannot bring foorth good fruit , the young crab goeth crooked like the damme , the young cocke croweth as the old , and it is a verie rare matter to see children tread out of the pathes of their parents . hee that commeth into a fayre to buy a horse , will prye into euery part to see whether hee bee sound of winde and limbe , and without cracke or flaw , and whether his breeding were in a hard soyle , or whether he be well paced , and likewise he will haue a care that his horse shall haue all outward markes which betoken a good horse , yet with all the cunning he hath , he may be deceiued ; but if hee proue a iade , he may put him away at the next fayre . but if in choyse of thy wife thou be deceyued , as many men are , thou must stand to thy word which thou madest before the whole parrish , which was , to take her for better or worse ; for there is no refusing , shee will sticke to thee as close as a saddle to a horses backe , and if she be frowardly giuen , then she will vexe thee night & day . amongst the quietest couples that are , yet houshold iars will arise , but yet such quarrels which happen in the day , are often quallified with kisses in the night ; but if it be not so ended , their thirst will goe forward like the carriage which is drawn between two horses , taile to taile , & if she cannot reuenge her selfe with her tongue , nor with her hands , nor with conuaying thy goods , yet shee will pay thee home priuately ; for if thou strike with thy sword , she will strike with the scabard ; choose not the rapier by his ringing , nor thy wife by her singing ; for if thou doest , thou mayest be very well deceyued in both , for thy rapier may proue a gad , and thy wife but little better . now if thou aske me how thou shouldest choose thy wife ? i answere , that thou hast the whole world to make choyse , & yet thou maiest be deceyued . an ancient father being asked by a young man how hee should choose a wife , he answered him thus , when thou seest a flocke of maydens together , hudwinke thy selfe fast , and runne amongst them , and looke which thou chasest , let her be thy wife : the young man told him , that if he went blindfolded , he might be deceyued : and so thou maiest ( quoth the old man ) if thy eyes were open ; for in the choise of thy wife , thou must not trust thy owne eyes , for they will deceiue thee , and be the cause of thy woe : for she may seeme good whose waste is like a wand , or she which hath a spider fingered hand , or she which on her tiptoes still doth stand , and neuer read but in a golden booke , nor will not be caught but with a golden hooke ; or such a one as can stroke a beard , or looke a head , and of euery flea make her selfe afraide if one had a spring , such a wench would make him a beggar if he were halfe a king : then this is no bargaine for thee . but harke a little further : the best time for a young man to marry , is at the age of twenty and fiue , and then to take a wife of the age of seuenteene yeares , or thereabout , rather a maid then a widdow ; for a widdow is framed to the conditions of another man , and can hardly be altered , so that thy pains will be double : for thou must vnlearne a widdow , and make her forget and forgoe her former corrupt and disordered behauiour , the which is hardly to be done : but a young woman of tender yeares is flexible and bending , obedient and subiect to doe any thing , according to the will and pleasure of her husband . and if thy state be good , marry neere home , and at leisure ; but if thy state be weake and poore , then to better thy selfe after enquiry made of her wealth and conditions , go farre off , and dispatch it quickly , for doubt lest tattling speeches , which commonly in these cases runne betwixt party and party , and breake it off , euen then when it is come to the vp-shot : but as i haue already said , before thou put thy foot out of doores , make diligent enquiry of her behauiour ; for by the market-folke thou shalt heare how the market goeth : for by enquiry thou shalt heare whether she be wise , vertuous , and kinde , wearing but her owne proper haire , and such garments as her friends estate will affoord , or whether she loue to keepe within the house , and to the seruants haue a watchfull eie , or if shee haue a care when to spend , & when to spare , and to be content with what god doth send , or if she can shed no kind of vnstained teares , but when iust cause of hearty sorrow is , and that in wealth and woe , in sicknesse and in health , shee will be all alike , such a wife will , make thee happy in thy choise . although some happen on a deuilish and vnhappy women , yet al men doe not so , and such as happen ill it is a warninge to make them wise , if they make a second choise , not that all other shall haue the like fortune , the sunne shineth vpon the good and bad , and many a man happeneth sooner on a shrew then a ship : some thriue by dicing , but not one in an hundreth , therfore dicing is ill husbandry , som thriue by marriage , and yet many are vndone by marriage , for marriage is either the making or marring of many a man , and yet i will not say but amongst dust there is pearle found , and in hard rockes dyamonds of great value , and so amongst many women there ; are some good , as that gracious and glorious queene of all womankinde , the virgin mary , the mother of al blisse : what won her honour , but an humble minde , and her paines and loue vnto our sauiour christ. sara is commended for the earnest loue that she bare to her husband , not onely for calling him lord , but for many other quallities : also susanna for her chastity , and for creeping on her knees to please her husband , but there are meaner histories which makes mention of many others , as that of demetryes how that shee was content to run lackey by her husbands side . likewise lucretia , for the loue and loyalty , that shee bare to her husband , being vnkindly abused by an vnchast lecher against her will , she presently flew her selfe in the presence of many , rather then shee would offer her body againe to her husband being but one time defiled . it is recorded of an earle called guncalles , that vpon the kings displeasure was committed to prison , and his wife hauing liberty to visite him in prison , on a time she caused him to put off his apparrell , and to put on hers , & so by that meanes got out by the porter , and she remained in prison ; and so by this meanes he escaped the angry rage of his prince , and afterwards his wife was deliuered also . likewise it was no small loue that artymenes bare to her husband ; for after his death shee built such a famous sepulchre ( and bestowed the greatest part of her wealth thereon ) in so much as at this day it is called one of the seuen great wonders of the world . also pliny makes mention of a fisher-man which dwelt neere vnto the sea side , and hee fell sicke of an vncurable disease , by which meanes hee endured such torment and paine , that it would haue grieued any creature to behold him ; his carefull and louing wife laboured & trauelled farre and neere to procure his health againe , but at last seeing all meanes in vaine , shee brake out with him in these words : death at one time or another will come , and therefore rather then you should any longer indure this miserable life , i am content that both of vs preuent death before hee come : so this poore grieued mā did yeeld to her counsell , and they went forth to the top of an exceeding high rocke , & there this woman bound her selfe fast to her husband , and from thence casting themselues downe , ended their liues together . now i doe not commend this death to be godly , although it shewed great loue in the woman : no doubt but the king of ayra had a very kind and louing wife as shall appeare , for when alexander the great had depriued him of the greatest part of his kingdome , yet he bare it out very patiently with a valiant and manly courage , and without any shew of outward griefe at all : but when newes was brought him that his wife was dead , he then most grieuously brake into teares , and wept bitterly , and withall hee said , that the losse of his whole kingdome should not haue grieued him so much , as the death of his wife . it is also recorded of alexander , that at the death of his wife he made such a sorrowfull kind of speech for her , saying , death were kind if he tooke nothing but that which offendeth ; but he hath taken her away which neuer offended . oh death , thou hast bereaued mee of the better part of my life . it is also said of valerius maximus , that he on a time finding two serpents in his bed-chamber , being strangely amazed thereat , he demaunded of the south-sayers what it meaned ? and they answered him , that of necessity he must kill one of them ; and if he killed the male , then hee himselfe must first die ; and if the female , then his wife should die before him : & because he loued his wife better then himselfe , he most grieuously made choyce of the male , and killed him first , and shortly after he dyed , leauing his wife a widdow . such a kind foole to his wife was adam ; for hee was forbidden on paine of death , not to eate of the tree of good and euill , yet for all that , adam notwithstanding , to gratifie his wiues kindnesse , and for loue he bare her , refused not to hazzard his life by breach of that commaundement . but because in all things there is a contrary , which sheweth the difference betwixt the good and the bad , euen so both of men and women there are contrary sortes of behauiour : if in thy choise thou happen on a good wife , desire not to change , for there is a prouerbe faith , seldome commeth a better . and there is none poorer then those that haue had many wiues . thou maist beare a good affection towards thy wife , & yet let her not know it : thou maist loue her well , and yet not carrie her on thy backe : a man may loue his house well , and yet not ride on the ridge : loue thy wife , and speake her faire , although thou doe but flatter her : for women loue to be accounted beautifull , and to be mistresses of many maides , & to liue without controlement , and kinde wordes as much please a woman , as any other thing whatsoeuer : and a mans chiefest desire should be first the grace of god , a quiet life , and an honest wife , a good report , and a friend in store ; and then what neede a man to aske any more ? saint paul saith those which marry doe well , but he also saith , those which marry not doe better ; but yet also he sayeth , that it is better to marry then to burne in lust . a merry companion being asked by his friend , why hee did not marry , he made this answere , and said ; that hee had beene in bedlam two or three times , and yet hee was neuer so mad to marry ; and yet there is no ioy nor pleasure in the world which may bee compared to marriage , so the parties are of neere equall yeeres , and of good qualities , then good fortune and bad is welcome to them , both their cares are equall , and their ioyes equall , come what will all is welcome , & all is common betwixt them , the husband doth honour and reuerence her , and if he be rich he committeth all his goods to her keeping , and if he be poore , and in aduersity , then he beareth but the one halfe of the griefe , & furthermore shee will comfort him with all the comfortable means she can deuise , and if he will stay solitary in his house , she wil keepe him company , if he will walke into the fields , why shee will goe with him , and if he be absent from home , shee sigheth often , and wisheth his presence , being come home , he findeth content sitting smiling in euery corner of his house , to giue him a kind and a hearty welcome home , and she receiueth him with the best and greatest ioy that she can : many are the ioyes and sweet pleasures in marriage , as in our children , being young , they play , prattle , laugh and shew vs many pretty toyes to moue vs to mirth and laughter , and when they are bigger growne , and that age or pouerty hath afflicted the parents , then they shew the duety of children in relieuing their old aged parents with what they can shift for , and when their parents are dead , they bring them to the earth from whence they came . yet now consider on the other side , when a wrinckled and toothlesse woman shall take a beardlesse boy ( a short tale to make of it ) there can be no liking nor louing betweene such contraries , but continuall strife and debate , so likewise when matches are made by the parents , and the dowry tolde and paid before the young couple haue any knowledge of it , & so many times are forced against their minds , fearing the rigour & displeasure of their parents , they often promise with their mouthes that which they refuse with their hearts . also if a man marry a wife for fayre looks without dowry , then their loue will soone waxe cold , insomuch that they vse them not like wiues , but rather like kitchinstuffe , whereas those which marry rich wiues , they haue alwaies something to be in loue withall . it is a common thing now a dayes , that fayre women without riches find more louers then husbands . choose not a wife too faire , nor too foule , nor too rich : for if she be faire , euery one will be catching at her , and if she be too foule , a man will haue no mind to loue her which no body likes , & if too rich thou thinkest to marry with one which thou meanest to make thy companion , thou shalt find her a commaunding mistresse ; so that riches causeth a woman to be proud , beauty makes her to be suspected , & hard fauoured maketh her to be hated . therefore choose a wife young , well borne , and well brought vp , reasonable rich , and indifferent beautifull , and of a good wit and capacity : also in choyse of a wife , a man should note the honesty of the parents , for it is a likelyhood that those children which are vertuously brought vp will follow the steps of their parents , but yet many a tree is spoyled in the hewing , there are some which haue but one onely daughter , and they are so blinded with the extreame loue that they beare her , that they will not haue her hindered of her will whatsoeuer she desireth ; so suffering her to liue in all wanton pleasure & delicacy , which afterwads turneth to be the cause of many inconueniences . now the father before he marry his daughter , is to sift throughly the qualities ; behauiour , and life of his sonne in law ; for he which meeteth with a ciuill and an honest sonne in law , getteth a good sonne , and he which meereth with an ill one , casteth away his daughter . the husband must prouide to satisfie the honest desires of his wife , so that neyther necessity nor superfluity be the occasion to worke her dishonour : for both want and plenty , both ease and disease makes some women oftentimes vnchaste : and againe , many times the wife seeing the husband take no care for her , making belike this reckoning that no body else will care for her , or desire her : but to conclude this point , shee onely is to be accounted honest , who hauing liberty to doe amisse , yet doth it not . again , a man should thus account of his wife , as the only treasure he enioyeth vpon earth , & hee must also account that there is nothing more due to the wife , then the faithfull , honest , and louing company of the husband , he ought also in signe of loue to impart his secrets and counsell vnto his wife , for many haue found much comfort and profite by taking their wiues counsell ; and if thou impart any ill hap to thy wife , shee lightneth thy griefe , eyther by comforting thee louingly , or else in bearing a part thereof patiently . also if thou espie a fault in thy wife , thou must not rebuke her angerly or reprochfully , but onely secretly betwixt you two , alwayes remembring that thou must neyther chide nor play with thy wife before company , those that play and dally with them before company , they doe thereby set other mens teeth on edge , and make their wiues the lesse shamefaste . it behoueth the married man alwayes to shew himselfe in speech & countenance both gentle and amiable ; for if a woman of modest behauiour seeth any grosse inciuility in her husband , she doth not onely abhorre it , but also thinketh with her selfe , that other men are more discreet , and better brought vp , therefore it standeth him vpon to be ciuill and modest in his doings , lest he offend the chaste thoughts of his wife , to whose liking he ought to conforme himselfe in al honest and reasonable things , and to take heed of euery thing which may mislike her . why some women loue their louers better then their husbands ; the reason is , the louer in the presence of his lady is very curious of his behauiour , that he vseth no vnseemely gestures , whereby there may no suspition of iealousie or any exception bee taken by any thing hee doth : it behoueth euery woman to haue a great regard to her behauiour , and to keepe her selfe out of the fire , knowing that a woman of suspected chastity liueth but in a miserable case , for there is but small difference by being naught , and being thought naught , and when she heareth other women ill spoken of , let her thinke in her mind what may be spoken of her ; for when a woman hath gotten an ill name , whether it bee deseruedly or without cause , yet shee shall haue much adoe to recouer againe her honour and credite thereof : let a woman auoyde so much as may bee the company of a woman which hath an ill name , for many of them indeauour by their euill fashions and dishonest speech , to bring others to doe as they do , and many of them wish in their hearts that all women were like vnto themselues : it may be sayd of many women that the feathers are more worth then the birds ; therefore it behooueth euery woman to behaue her selfe so sober and chaste in countenance and speech , that no man may bee so bold as to assayle her : for commonly castles , if they come once to parlie , are at point to yeeld ; therefore if a woman by chance bee set vpon , let her make this answere , when i was a maid , i was at the disposition of my parents , but now i am married , i am at the pleasure of my husband , therefore you were best speake to him , and to know his mind what i shall doe ; & if her husband be out of the way , let her alwayes behaue herselfe as if he were present . also a woman may consider , if her husband be cholericke and hasty , she must ouercome him with milde speech , and if he chide she must hold her peace , for the answere of a wise woman is silence , and shee must stay to vtter her mind vntill hee be appeased of his fury , and at quiet , for if women many times would hold their tongues they might be at quiet . there was a very angry couple married together , and a friend being with them at supper , asked them how they could agree together being both so froward and testy : the good man made him this answer , when i am angry my wife beareth with me , and when shee is angry i beare with her , for with what heart can a man so much as touch a haire of his wiues head ? ( i meane rigorously ) for the husband ought to rebuke her with wordes secretly , and seeke to reforme her by good counsell , he ought to lay before her the shame of ill doing , and the prayse of well doing , if this will not serue , yet he ought rather patiently to forbeare her , then rigorously to beate her , for she is flesh of his flesh & there is no man so foolish to hurt his owne flesh , a man ought to be a comforter of his wife , but then hee ought not to be a tormenter of her for with what face can a man imbrace that body which his hands haue battered & bruised ? or with what hart can a woman loue that man which can finde in his hart to beat her ? also when a man findeth a painefull and a careful woman , which knoweth when to spend , and when to spare , and to keepe the house in good order , then the husband will not deny such a wife any necessary thing belonging to the house : but if shee be a light huswife who liueth without doing of any thing , without caring for husband , children or seruants , or any other thing belonging to the house , thereby shewing , although her body bee in the house , yet her mind is abroad , which redowndeth to her shame , & to her husbands great hinderance , for whē the mistresse is occupyed in vanity , the seruants care lesse for her profite , but looke to their own , for while the mistresse playeth , the mayden strayeth . but these men are to be laughed at , who hauing a wise & a sufficient wife to do all the worke within dores , which belongs for a woman to doe , yet the husband wil set hens abroad , season the potte , and dresse the meat , or any the like worke which belongeth not to the man. such husband 's many times offend their wiues greatly , and they wrong themselues ; for if they were imployed abroad in matters belonging to men , they would be the more desirous being come home to take their case , then to trouble their wiues and seruants in medling with their matters , for the rule and gouernement of the house belongeth to the wife . and he that hath a wife of his owne , and goeth to another woman , is like a rich theefe which will steale when he hath no need . amongst all the creatures that god hath created , there is none more subiect to misery then a woman , especially those that are fruitfull to beare children , for they haue fearce a months rest in a whole yeare , but are continually ouercome with paine , sorrow & feare , as indeed the danger of child-bearing must needs bee a great terror to women , which are counted but weake vessels , in respect of men , and yet it is supposed that there is no disease that a man indureth , that is one halfe so grieuous or paineful as child-bearing to a woman : let it be the tooth-ache , goute or collicke ; nay if a man had all these at once , yet nothing comparable to a womans paine in her trauell with child . now if thou like not my reasons to expell loue , then thou mayest trie ouids art , who prescribes a salue for such a sore ; for he counsels those which feele this horrible heate , to coole their flames with hearbes which are cold of nature , as rew and lettis , & other hearbes too long to recite : also he sayth , thou shouldest abstaine from excesse of meate and drinke , for that prouokes thy mind greatly to lust : also to hunt , to hawke , to shoot , to bowle , to run , to wrastle , and some other play , for this will keepe thy mind from thinking of lust : also shun slothfulnes and idlenesse , for these are the onely nurses of loue , eschew melancholy or sadnesse , and keepe merry company , turne thy eyes from the place where bewitching spirites are , lest the remembrance doe increase , and rubbe thy galled mind : also to eschew the place where thou didst first feele the fire that burneth thy mind with such vnquiet thoughts . likewise , saith he , beware thou doe not twise peruse the secret flattering letters of thy supposed friendly ioy ; for if thou doe not refuse the often view thereof , it will much increase thy griefe , dolour and annoy : vse no talke of her whom thou louest , nor once name her ; for that will increase thy care , by thinking in thy minde , that thou beholdest her face : but some are perswaded that no rules of reason can asswage this griefe , for loue is lawlesse , and obeyes no law , no nor yet no counsell can perswade , nor take effect , or subdue the affection of his bewitched spirits . furthermore , ouid prescribes other reasons to expell the heate of loue for where loue is setled , the louers are many times hindered of their purpose : sometimes for want of friends consent , or distance of place ; then & in such a case , his counsell is to loue two or three , for loue being so diuided , makes the loue of one the lesse thought vpon : or else , sayeth he , satisfie thy lust vpon some other dame , for it will also helpe to weare the former loue out of thy mind . loe thus ouid shott , but yet hee mist the marke , not for want of learning , but for want of grace , for grace subdues and treades all vices vnder foot , although mortall meanes doth prescribe diuers other diets to waste the heate of loues desire , as long absence from the place where thy liking liues , for the coales of company doth kindle and heate the heart , that with absence would be voyde of harme , for absence doth quallifie that fire , and coole the mindes of those which many times the company of wantons doth warm ; for he which doth not shun the place where venus in her glory sits , hath no care of himselfe , but suffers her to supprize his wits . the bearebayting , or the vanity of widdowes : choose you whether . woe be vnto that vnfortunate man that matcheth himselfe vnto a widdow ; for a widdow will be the cause of a thousand woes : yet there are many that doe wish themselues no worse matched then to a rich widdow ; but thou doest not know what griefes thou ioynest with thy gaines ; for if shee be rich , shee will looke to gouerne , and if shee be poore , then art thou plagued both with beggery and bondage : againe , thy paines will be double , in regard of him which marrieth with a maid ; for thou must vnlearne thy widdow , and make her forget her former corrupt and disordered behauiour , the which if thou take vpon thee to doe , thou hadst euen as good vndertake to wash a blackamore white ; for commonly widdowes are so froward , so waspish , and so stubborne , that thou canst not wrest them from their willes , and if thou thinke to make her good by stripes , thou must beate her to death . one hauing married with a froward widdow , she called him thiefe & many other vnhappy names ; so hee tooke her , and cut the tongue out of her head ; but she euer afterwards would make the signe of the gallowes with her fingers to him . it is seldome or neuer seene that a man marrieth with a widdow for her beauty , nor for her personage , but onely for her wealth and riches ; and if she be rich & beautifull withall , then thou matchest thy selfe to a she-deuill , for she will go like a peacocke , and thou like a woodcocke ; for she will hide her money to maintaine her pride : & if thou at any time art desirous to bee merry in her company , she will say thou art merry , because thou hast gotten a wife that is able to maintaine thee , where before thou wast a begger , and hadst nothing : and if thou shew thy selfe sad , she will say , thou art sad because thou canst not bury her , thereby to inioy that which shee hath : if thou make prouision to fare well in thy house , she will bid thee spend that which thou broughtest thy selfe . if thou shew thy selfe sparing , she will say thou shalt not pinch her of that which is her owne , and if thou doe any thing contrary to her mind , she will say , her other husband was more kind : if thou chance to dine from home , she will bid thee go sup with thy harlots abroad : if thou go abroad and spend any thing before thou commest home , she will say a begger i found thee , and a begger thou meanest to leaue me : if thou stay alwayes at home , she will say thou art happy that hast gotten a wife that is able to maintaine thee idle : if thou carue her the best morsell on the table , though shee take it , yet shee will take it scornefully , and say , she had a husbānd that would let her cut where she liked her selfe . and if thou come in well disposed , thinking to be merry , and intreating her with fayre words , she will call thee dissembling hypocrite , saying , thou speakest me faire with thy tongue , but thy heart is on thy minions abroad . loe these are the franticke trickes of froward widdowes , they are neyther well full nor fasting , they will neyther goe to church nor stay at home , i meane in regard of their impatient mindes ; for a man shall neuer bee quiet in her sight , nor out of her sight , for if thou be in her sight , she will vexe thee as before said ; & out of her sight thy owne conscience will torment and trouble thy mind to thinke on the purgatory which perforce thou must indure , when thou commest home . she will make clubs trumpe , when thou hast neuer a blacke card in thy hand , for with her cruell tongue shee will ring thee such a peale , that one would thinke the deuill were come from hell ; besides this , thou shalt haue a brended slut like a hell-hagge , with a paire of pappes like a paire of dung-pots shall bring in thy dinner , for thy widdow will not trust thee with a wench that is hansome in thy house : now if that vpon iust occasion thou throwest the platters at the maids head , seeing thy meat brought in by such a slutte , and so sluttishly drest , then will thy widdow take pepper in the nose , and stampe and stare , and looke so sowre , as if shee had come but euen then from eating of crabs , saying , if thou hadst not married with me thou wouldest haue beene glad of the worst morsell that is here : then thou againe replying , sayest , if i had not beene so mad , the deuill himselfe would not haue had thee ; and then without cause thou blamest her of olde age and of iealousie , and for hiding her money , & for cōuaying away of her goods which thou hast bought with the displeasure of thy friends , and discredite to thy selfe , in regard of her yeares ; then againe , shee on the other side runneth out to her neighbours , and there she thundereth out a thousand iniuries that thou doest her , saying , my corn he sendeth to the market , and my cattell to the fayre ; and looke what he openly findeth , he taketh by force , and what i hide secretly , he priuily stealeth it away , and playeth away all my money at dice. loe thus he consumeth my substance , and yet hateth my person , no longer then i feede him with money , can i enioy his company , now he hath that he sought for , he giueth me nothing else but froward answeres , and foule vsage , and yet , god knowes , of pure loue i married him with nothing , but now his ill husbandry is like to bring to ruine both me and my children : but now all this while she doth not forget to tell of her owne good huswifery , saying , i sit working all day at my needle , or at my distaffe , & he like an vnthrift , and a whoremonger runneth at randome : thus they are alwayes stretching their debate vpon the racke of vengeance . loe here is a life , but it is as wearisome as hell , for if you kisse in the morning , being friends , yet ere noone ready to throw the house out at the window . the papists affirme , that heauen is wonne by purgatory , but in my mind a man shall neuer come into a worse purgatory then to bee matched with a froward widdow . hee that matcheth himselfe to a widow and three children , matcheth himselfe to foure theeues . one hauing maried with a widow , it was his lucke to bury her , but not before he was sore vexed with her , for afterwards hee lying on his death-bed , his friends exhorted him to pray vnto god that his soule might rest in heauē , & he asked them this question , whether ( said he ) do you thinke my wife is gone ? and they said vnto him , no doubt but that your wife is gone to heauen before you , hee replyed , i care not whether i goe , so i go not where my wife is , for feare i meete with her and bee vexed with her as i haue beene heretofore . another hauing married with a widow , being one day at a sermon , heard the preacher say , whosoeuer will be saued , let him take vp his crosse and follow me ; this mad fellow after sermon was ended , tooke his wife vpon his backe , and came to the preacher and said ; here is my crosse , i am ready to follow thee whether thou wilt . another hauing married with a widdow which shewed her selfe like a saint abroad , but a deuill at home ; a friend of her husbands told him , that he had gotten him a good , still and a quiet wife : yea marry , quoth the married man , you see my shooe is fayre and new , but yet you know not where it pincheth me . another merry companion hauing married with a widdow , & carrying her ouer the sea into france , there sodainely arose a great storme , in so much that they were all in danger of drowning ; the master of the ship called vnto the marriners , and bade thē take & throw ouer bord all the heauiest goods in the shippe ; this married man hearing him say so , he tooke his widdow , and threw her ouer-boord ; and being asked the reason why he did so , he said , that he neuer felt any thing in all his life that was so heauy to him as she had been . another hauing married with a widdow , and within a while after they were married , she went out into the garden , and there finding her husbands shirt hang close on the hedge by her maides smocke , she went presently and hanged her selfe for a iealous conceit that she tooke , and a merry fellow asked the cause why she hanged her selfe , and being told that it was for iealousie : i would said he that all trees did beare such fruit . thou maist thinke that i haue spoken inough concerning widdowes ; but the further i runne after them , the further i am from them ; for they are the summe of the seauen deadly sinnes , the fiends of sathan , & the gates of hell. now me thinketh i heare some say vnto me , that i should haue tolde them this lesson sooner , foe too late commeth medicine when the patient is dead ; euen so too late commeth counsell when it is past remedy , but it is better late then neuer , for it may be a warning to make others wise . but why doe i make so long a haruest of so little corne ? seeing the corne is bad , my haruest shall cease ; for so long as women doe ill , they must not thinke to bee wel spoken of ; if you would be well reported of , or kept like the rose when it hath lost the colour , then you should smell sweet in the bud as the rose doth , or if you would be tasted for old wine , you should bee sweet at the first like a pleasant grape , then should you be cherished for your courtesie , and comforted for your honesty , so should you be preserued like the sweet rose , & esteemed of as pleasant wine , but to what purpose do i goe about to instruct you know : ing that such as counsell the deuill can neuer amend him of his euill . and so praying those which haue-already made their choyse , and seene the troubles , and felt the torments that are with women , to take it merrily , and to esteeme of this booke onely as the toyes of an idle head . nor i would not haue women murmur against me for that i haue not written more bitterly against men ; for it is a very hard winter when one wolfe eateth another , and it is also an ill bird that defileth her owne nest ; and a most vnkind part it were for one man to speake ill of another . finis . asylum veneris, or a sanctuary for ladies iustly protecting them, their virtues, and sufficiencies from the foule aspersions and forged imputations of traducing spirits. d. t. (daniel tuvill), d. 1660. 1616 approx. 169 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 81 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2007-10 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a14083 stc 24393 estc s118753 99853960 99853960 19365 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a14083) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 19365) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1475-1640 ; 1012:6) asylum veneris, or a sanctuary for ladies iustly protecting them, their virtues, and sufficiencies from the foule aspersions and forged imputations of traducing spirits. d. t. (daniel tuvill), d. 1660. [14], 64, 75-162 p. printed by edward griffin for laurence l'isle, and are to be sold at his shop in pauls church-yard at the signe of the tygers head, london : 1616. dedication signed: d.t., i.e. daniel tuvill. a reply to: swetnam, joseph. the araignment of lewde, idle, froward, and unconstant women. running title reads: a sanctuarie for women. reproduction of the original in the henry e. huntington library and art gallery. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books 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selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng swetnam, joseph, fl. 1617. -arraignment of lewd, idle, froward, and unconstant women -controversial literature -early works to 1800. women -early works to 1800. 2006-09 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2006-09 apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images 2006-10 jason colman sampled and proofread 2006-10 jason colman text and markup reviewed and edited 2007-02 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion asylum veneris , or a sanctvary for ladies . iustly protecting them , their virtues , and sufficiencies from the foule aspersions and forged imputations of traducing spirits . ipsa sibi virtus pretium nihil indiga laudis . claud : london printed by edward griffin for laurence l'isle , and are to be sold at his shop in pauls church-yard at the signe of the tygers head . 1616. with all variety of graces and abilities . euery thing growes there in so good order , that the searching eye of malice can finde nothing to be lopt , little to bee pruned . the hand of heauen hath made it as it were a nursery , frō whence many virtues & perfections are oft times transplanted into others . this inward beauty , graced with an outward comelinesse , makes me thinke you , that compleat heroine , which venus spake of , when she said ; haec est caeruleis me cum consurgere digna fluctibus , & nostrâ potuit considere conchâ . hence , madame , i presume to place you , like an armed cherubin , at the very entrance of this sanctuary , to put backe such , as haue not on the liuery , which your selfe doe weare . that seruiceable loue , wherewith i haue alwaies honoured your noble familie the spencers , & their allies , directing it selfe vpon some respects in a more particular manner to you , was the chiefe occasion that i first erected it . protect it , and hauing kissed your worthy hands , i will euer rest , your affectionate seruant , d. t. to the reader . i know this age to be very stoicall and criticall , and that many will censure the author to haue seriously busied himself in an idle subiect ; as making no account of vertue in women , though they come farre short of it themselues . but i haue plutarke , and many other worthy persons for my precedents , besides i considered with my selfe that if the trophies of miltiades were of power to recall themistocles from his effeminat and wanton courses , much more should their perfections & sufficiencies , whom we account the weaker vessels , bee of force to stir vs vp to all heroicall attempts and atchieuements . and blessed s. augustine doth most ingenuously confesse , that from their constancy hee receiued much encouragement in his first conuersion . but the slight approbation i make of it my selfe , may bee witnessed by my long suppressing it . and but to preuent others , who had gotten from mee some imperfect copies , i would neuer haue published it now . carelesse therfore of all snarling cynicks & their taxations , with horace i onely court the learned and the good . — quibus haec sint qualia cunqne arridere velim ; doliturus , si placeant spe deterius nostra . — to the looser sort of women . stand of you foule adulterate brats of hell , whose lunges exhale a worse then sulph'rous smell , do not attempt with your prophaner hands to touch the shrine , in which chast virtue stands . hence messallina , hence , backe to the stew , and in that cage thy blouded pinions mew . hence you that weigh not , so your thoghts be still'd , though naboth's bloud be innocently spill'd ; and being bankrupt of each natiue grace , thinke to catch iehu with a bird-limed face . hence frisking faëries , that like herods noice , esteeme of dancing , as your cheifest peice , and with sempronia care not , so your lute delight the hearers , though your soules be mute . hence you , that seek by philtres , drugs , & charms , to bring the curl'd-head youth into your armes ; and doe not feare by poyson to remoue a worthy husband , for a worthlesse loue. hence you , that practise aretines vile shapes , yet can so fairely soder vp your scapes . that in your nuptialls first assaults , the bed shall boast the conquest of a maiden-head . hence you that striue to haue your outsides brave , yet are within far fouler then your slaue ; and will not let , being stirr'd by ranker veines , the groome away , to try your stallions reines . for women only is this place ordain'd , but you are monsters , and their sex haue stain'd . hence therefore , hence , you base , vnhallowed crew , hope for no shelter heere , all such as you , that hitherwards for helpe , and succour flie , pluckt from the altar , must abiure , or die . in delicatum lectorem , è mart. consumpta est vno si lēmate pagina transis , et breuiora tibi , non meliora , placent . diues , & ex omni posita est instructa macello coena tibi ; sed te mattya sola juuant : non opus est nobis nimium lectore guloso ; hunc volo , qui fiat , non sine pane , satur . to the nice and daintie reader . hath one conceit by chance fild vp a side , thou skip'st it ore , & doest the work deride . amongst them all , those which the briefest be , and not the best , are pleasing'st vnto thee . i haue not spar'd to furnish out my bord , with all choise meats , the shambles could afford veale , mutton , lamb , pig , capon , but in sooth saue iūkets , nothing likes thy lickerish tooth . we such a reader , trust me , doe not neede , as too much like an epicure doth feede : giue me that man , who when he sits to eate , will fill himselfe with bread , as well as meate . the contents . the proeme . chap. 1. of womens worth in generall . chap. 2. of their beauty . chap. 3. of their chastity . chap. 4. of their outward modestie . chap. 5. of their humility , and supposed pride . chap. 6. of their silence and falsly obiected talkatiuenesse . chap. 7. of the constancie of their affections . chap. 8. of their learning and knowledge . chap. 9. of their wisedome and discretion . chap. 10. of their valour and courage . the epilogue . 11. in which their abilities and graces are prooued to be as weighty as mens ; their weaknesses and imperfections onely shadowe of theirs : and men generally taxed for their erroneous and side-respect in the choice of wiues , as the maine cause of their after-complaints . asylum veneris , or a sanctvarie for vvomen . proaemium . virtue is made a whited wall , which euery ideot doth delight to soile . he that knoweth no part of hir but the name , wil notwithstanding haue hir banished for hir worth . if she flourish neuer so little , some tricke or other must be put in practise to giue hir a remoue : but she , who as the poet saith . nec sumit , aut ponit secures arbitrio popularis aurae . can at hir pleasure free hir selfe from checke ; and with the splendor of hir maiestie disperse those earthly exhalations which being belched out of the bosome of wretched malice , would obscure his glory . she stands continually firme and vpon hir square : hir constancie is like the sunnes , which neither for our praises , nor our curses will bee moued to hasten or slacken his carere . she imitates the moone , and howsoeuer sauage wolues doe houle and barke at hir , shee is not moued to forgoe hir spheare . antoeus like , the oftner she is cast to ground , the greater strength she still recouereth . hi● foiles doe serue hir as a file , to giue him courage point . she is collossus etiam in puteo ; put hir into a dungeon she retaines hir state . he that laboreth by the interposition of some scandalous delation to ecclipse hir brightnesse , may peraduenture with the sillie flie , make the obiect of his enuie an occasion of his tragedie . what sweete perfections are in women , which ill disposed men haue not endeuoured to depraue , through false and forged imputations ? what faire abilities and graces , which they haue not sought to blacke with their calumnious aspersions ? she hath beene a long time the white , at which their hate hath leuelled ; but as they that shoote against the starres , may peraduenture hurt themselues , but neuer endanger them ; their arrowes many times haue rebounded backe , and deliuered a fatall answere to those that sent them : the dissection of their weakenesse hath happened to bee a strict anatomizing of their owne . the snuffers in the temple were of pure gold , to signifie vnto vs , that such as take vpon them to remoue from others the superfluitie of the weeke , that their light may burne out the clearer ; ought to be free from all taxation themselues . it were ridiculous for any man to talke of a mote in his neighbours eye , when there is a beame in his owne . hee may well beare with a wart , who is himselfe disfigured with a wenne . but alas ! it is the nature of sicke and crazie appetites , to thinke the meate which is set before them , is vnsauourie , when indeede the fault proceedeth not , but from a meere distemperature in their owne palates . the diseased person complaineth of the hardnesse of his bed , when the cause of his disquiet is a weakenesse in his bones . looke vpon such as are ouercome with wine , and yee shall see them ready to accuse euen temperance it selfe of their owne folly : the earth , which standeth still immoueable , cannot escape their censure . they will by no meanes be perswaded , but it is that which reeleth , when alas ! it is onely their own braines , which are set on wheeling . but i will not here professe my selfe a champion to that sex , least by so doing i might be thought to question their sufficiencie : the strength of their owne merit , without the helpe of any forraigne supply , is that which must free them from the siege of barbarous opposition , and set their honour out of the reach of daring contradiction , which out of doubt will easily be effected , as by the sequell briefely shall appeare . chap. i. of womens worth in generall . there is no greater argument of a generous minde , then to ioy in whatsoeuer it seeth generous in others . the owle and the bat , though they haue eyes to discerne there is a sunne , yet haue so euill eyes , that they cannot delight in the sunne : it is for eagles onely , and such kingly birds , as haue had no other aerie for their breeding , than the lappe of loue , to gase with pleasure & admiration on his glory . the meaner sort of people , whose spirits are oppressed & aggraued with such grosser humours , as the channels of their bloud are vsually dammed vp with ; dare not but with cowardly feare approach the pallaces of princes : it is honour enough for them , they thinke , if they may be suffered to obserue the frontispice , or at the most to take a view of such inferiour offices , as are in them . their ambition is of a shorter wing , then to aspire so high as to looke into a roome of state ; yet euen these , if in these meaner parts their duller obseruation find any thing , which holdes not correspondency with their conceit , will not sticke at their departure for a little errour to discommend the workmanship of the whole frame . they which out of a cynicall disposition doe wound the reputation of women with inuectiues , are men of no better garbe . the graces haue found no sweeter habitation vpon earth to rest in , then their bosomes . our sauiour did not scorne when hee came downe from heauen to make the wombe of a virgin , the receptacle of his glory . whereupon saint bernard transported with a diuiner ecstacie , crieth out , o venter capacior coelis , diffusior terris ; latior elementis ; qui illum continere valuit , quem totus mundus capere non potuit . o blessed wombe , wider then the heauens , broader then the earth , larger then then the elements ; which was able to containe him , whom the whole world was too little to receiue . and to say truely , where could vertue in the pourpris of this vniuerse , haue picked out a fairer mansion ? it seemes to me that women were erected of purpose for her to soiourne in ; and that , by the hand of god himselfe , who built her , built her i say , ( for this is the proper word , by which the mouth of wisedome in the originall expresseth hir creation ) to shew the absolutenesse of his skill , in the closing vp of his worke . but calumnie suggesteth here , that she was built indeede , but the foundation was a crooked rib . inde genus curuum , placidae virtutis inane . and from hence a crookednesse both in manners and behauiour hath euer since descended by way of propagation , from hir to hir posteritie ; which i will no otherwise confute , than by condemning such of ignorance , as haue beene authors of this improper speech : art would haue termed it an arch , which of all kindes of architecture is both the firmest , and the fairest . but this is not the period of their traducements : they will seeme to tax the artisan himselfe of errour and mistaking . he made hir for a helpe , say they , to man , when she fell out to be nothing lesse ; as if that patron of all exemplary goodnesse had beene ill aduised in his ends . they consider not the fault is in themselues , if they proue contrary to his intention . their owne peruersenes is that , which maketh them such as they report them . let phaebus haue the guiding of the day and ye shall see it cleare and lightsome , but if phaethon haue the mannaging of those steedes , his presumptuous ouer weening wil go neere to set all things in combustion . i but , say they , she was according to that spanish adage ; armas del diablo : cabeza del peccado : destruycion del parayso ; the sword wherewith the diuell cut the throate of mans felicitie ; she was the head of sinne , the ouerthrow of paradise . but let them consider the good they gained by this hir errour , and transgression ; and vnlesse their foreheads bee of adamant , they will recant those blasphemies and cry out with a better reformed zeale , o foelix culpa , quae talem , ac tantum meruit redemptorem ! o necessarium adae peccatum , quod christi morte deletum est ! o happie fault of eue , which stood in neede of such a worthy , and so mightie a redeemer ! o needefull offence of adam , which was not to be cancelled , but by the death of christ . then was it , and not till then , that the dores of those euerlasting taberacles , in which the king of glory hath is residence , were opened vnto wretched man. he was driuen out of an earthly paradise by one angel , that he might be welcommed by legions of them into a heauenly one , whereof that other was but a figure and a type . and this it may be , was the cause why god after the time of her fall , and not before , entitled hir heuah , the mother of the liuing . i will omit many things , and not insist vpon any long . hir brest is as a precious cabinet in which the choisest of all virtues are preserued . our sauiour himselfe could not but wonder at the faith which hee found in the woman of canaan , and forgot not in the height of his admiration to crown it with applause . malice notwithstanding would perswade the world , that their outside is a shop for vanitie ; their inside a ware-house for impietie ; that conscience in them is but peeuishnesse ; chastitie , waywardnesse , and gratefulnesse a miracle . in a word , that their bosomes are fuller of mischiefes and disasters , than euer was pandoras boxe : and that like the apothecaries painted pots , they may be faire without , yet full of poyson within . and surely i must needes confesse , that there are some , on whom she may iustly fasten these reproaches . for howsoeuer the matter be the same , there is a difference notwithstanding in the forme . the finest cloth hath a list , and the purest gold , is not without some drosse . but let not preiudice , like one of circes charmes worke such a fearefull metamorphosis vpon the mindes of men , as to make reason brutish ; iudgement and vnderstanding , things of little sense . let them not shew themselues , like bores , as ready to roote vp a bed of roses , as a dunghill : but consider that the earth hurteth not the sunne , with those mistie vapours , and exhalations , which shee breatheth forth against it ; but depriueth her selfe by them of that comfort , which the chearfulnesse of his beames would otherwise afford hir . and so from these generall notions and conceits of womens worthinesse , i will now slide to some particulars , amongst which their beautie is the first that offereth it selfe to be considered . chap. 2. of their beautie . this is that blazing light which virtue like another hero , setteth vp in the face of women , as in the turret of hir habitation , to guide thereby the course of those generous and heroicall leanders , who being enamoured of hir faire desarts , cannot brooke that the threates and menaces of a rebellious fortune should hinder them from repayring to hir lodge , or that any other disastrous accidents whatsoeuer , should preuent their affection from making a personall presentment of their seruice , to so sweete and heauenly a mistrisse : it is the onely harbinger , which prouideth a resting place both for hir and hirs , whithersoeuer they doe goe : it is the loade-stone of all hearts ; and in a word , a loade-starre to all eyes . beasts onely cannot discerne it , and let them bee in the role of beasts that doe not honour it . the force thereof is such , as hath enforced the greatest conquerours to submit their glory , and to cast the trophies of their victories , as ensignes of their subiection at hir feete . sampson , who like another atlas could carrie cities on his shoulders , and by the vigour of his arme which serued him as an armie , both confront and confound the batalions of his vncircumcised enemies ; did notwithstanding this his more then naturall strength , become an homager to hir . salomon for all his wisedome was made hir liegeman ; and dauid who in his youth had ouercome the lion and the beare , and did afterwards vanquish that prodigious philistim , the thunder of whose threats proclaimed nothing but terrour and amasement to the israelites : vpon the sight of bershabe , & that at a sufficient distance , was captiuated by hir comelinesse . darius may be so great in power , that all regions may feare to touch him . yet apame his concubine will dare to take the crowne from his head , and set it vpon hir own . if she strike him , he must be patient , & when she any way distasteth him , seek by flatteries and smooth insinuations to worke his reconcilement . 1. esdr . 4. v. 30. what should i tell you how achilles doted on his brisis ? or how alcides was enthralled to his omphale ? the very gods themselues , if any credit may bee giuen to the fictions of antiquitie , haue acknowledged by their submission , a greater deity in womens faces , then their owne . beautie euen in the capitoll of heauen hath hung vp many monuments of hir conquests . and hence it may bee , grew that speech of leonidas , who , when he beheld an image of venus armed , said , it was more then needed , considering how , when shee was naked , and altogether vnprouided of such steely complement , she had subdued mars himselfe . it is not then for any mortall eye to withstand the fiercenesse of hir assault . virtue it selfe can bee no armour of proofe against hir shot . hir darts pierce deeper , and woūd swifter far , than the sharpe arrowes of the god of war : who would be sure his enemies should die , must touch his weapon with a womans eye . ioue , though he held the thunder in his hand , was faine to stoope , when leda did command : bright phoebus found in daphnes lookes a flame , which scorcht him more , than he this earthly frame . arcesilaus an auncient statuarie , to represent the fulnes of hir power vnto vs , made a lionesse of marble , and about it many little beauteous cupids , sporting themselues therewith in sundrie manners . some made it drink out of a horne , some put shooes vpon the feete of it : some tied it with ropes vnto a stake : all of them according to their seuerall humours made it the subiect of their delightfull pastime . the beast transported as it were with the fairenesse of those obiects , seemed to forget hir sauage nature , and to ioy in the course of their proceedins . and surely it hath often hapned that beautie hath abated the edge of furic ; & set a milde aspect vpon the face of crueltie . she hath forced tyranny many times to alter his rougher dialect , and to vtter silken words at hir entreatie . nought vnder heauen so strongly doth allure the sense of man , and all his minde possesse , as beauties louely baite , that doth procure great warriors oft their rigor to represse , and mighty hands forget their manlinesse , drawn with the power of an hart-robbing eie and wrapt in fetters of a golden tresse , that can with melting pleasance mollifie their hardned harts , enur'd to blood & cruelty yet euen this in women ( and in them alone of all the creatures in this world in hath hir chiefest perfection ) standeth liable to scandall , enuie maketh it a prouerbe , that if she be faire , she must be foolish but the spirit of truth confuteth it as a popular vntruth , with the example of sarah , who notwithstanding hir excellencie in this kinde was such , as had so set on fire the heart of abimeleck , that if god himself had not interposed his authoritie , shee must haue beene of necessitie the spoile and prey of his intemperancy ; was endued besides with such an extraordinarie measure of knowledge and discretion , that the lord commanded that worthy patriarch hir husband to shew himselfe in all things obedient to hir directions . ester by meanes of both preuailed so far with king assuerus , that she deliuered hir people from the merciles proiects of their oppressors , and made them fall into the snares , which they had laid for others . what should i speake of iudith , or of deborah ? the one so famous for the deliuerance which shee procured hir countrie : the other for the prudent gouernement , whereby she did long protect it ? both of them notwithstanding most remarkeable for their eminencie in both . i could leuie infinite examples out of the writings of prophaner authors to conuince this errour ; but i see , that euen common sense doth giue it the fatall blow . for indeede , where should we looke for knowledge , but in hir whose first ambition was the height of knowledge . it is not vsuall for any to couet , what they doe not conceit . the silly paisant regardeth a pearle no more than esops cocke , because hee knoweth not the vse thereof . the queene of shebas repairing to king salomon , gaue israel an ample testimony of hir vnderstanding . but if according to that tuscanphrase , tutto vain scorza , all be in the barke , and nothing in the bodie ; if there bee onely a superficiall tincture , an outward dye , not woaded with any graces or abilities , which might colour it in graine , this sanctuarie will afford them no protection . i must liken them my selfe vnto a ragged wall , whose deformities are hidden with some curious peice of hanging : or to those carriages of state , which are couered ouer with embroidered sumpterclothes , when the loading consisteth of nothing peraduenture but lome and rubbish ; or last of all to a stately building , which putteth the weary trauailer a farre off , in minde of some great inhabitant , but when he draweth neere vnto it , hee findes there is onely some poore decrepit beldame , and hir curre , residing in it . as a iewell of gold in a swines snout , saith the mouth of wisdome , so is a faire woman , which is without discretion . prou. 11. 13 , olympias derided a lustie gallant of hir court , who had matched himselfe , as she well vnderstood , with one of the loulier hew , but looser crew , and said , that if he had beene a creature endued with reason he would neuer haue made his eyes the instruments of his contraction . venus was seldome pictured without the graces by hir . antiquitie held them for hir true and faithfull assistants , without whom she would not willingly doe any thing . hereupon it is reported , that when paris was to reward hir with the due price of hir perfections , shee did not onely summon them , but hymenaeus , cupid , and all hir little louekins , to come and deliuer their opinion & their counsaile in that businesse . and out of question where these are wanting beautie is but imposture . it is the diuels maskingsuite , wherewith impietie and impuritie doe many times disguise themselues . yea whensoeuer the spirit of darknesse would seeme an angell of light , he findeth not in all his ward robe a fitter habit . there are many though , which make this the onely ground of their affections ; and which , like little babies , so the couer of booke be gay , respect not the contents . but alas ! they suffer themselues to bee guided by an ignis fatuus , which without much warinesse will leade them to their owne distruction . the loue of beautie argueth a lacke of reason , and commeth as saint hierom saith within an inch of madnesse . wisdome will neuer be deluded with these appearances ; so the lining be good , let the outside be what it will. she knoweth that the foule to ade may haue a faire stone in his head , that the fine gold is found many times in the filthie earth ; and that the sweete kernell lieth often in a hard shel . yet i must needs say with the poet. gratior est pulchro veniens è corpore virtus . that virtue liketh hir much better , when she findes it in a comely lodging , then when she is bound to seeke it in an ill fauoured creature , like a pearle in a dunghill . such as would bee protected here therefore , must produce their warrant . if they be black without , they must make it appeare by their manners and behauiour that they be beautifull within ; and so on the contrary , if they bee spotlesse in body , that they be spitelesse in minde ; if they be faire as the moone , that they be likewise pure as the sunne , or it will aduantage them but little , to make this the refuge of their safetie . she that hath a faire body , but a foule minde , is like vnto him that hath a good ship , but an ill pilot. the period of that panegyricke , which was penned by the psalmist in praise of the kings daughter , was this , that she was all glorious within . and surely in such as are not so , neither beauty , nor embroiderie can iustly challenge the name of ornaments . it is not purple , needle-worke , or precious stones that must adorne and beautifie a woman . these be arguments of hir wealth , not of hir worth , and get hir nothing but a popular applause . pulchrū ornatū turpes mores peius coeno collinunt , lepidi mores turpem ornatū facile factis cōprobāt . ill gestures defile good garments , but virtuous conditions are a rich lyning to a meane outside . if she would therefore be the subiect of discreeter admiration , shee must esteeme these accessory adiuncts , no better , then did lysander those iewels and costlier tyres , with which the tyrant of sicilie did court the loue and affection of his daughters . she must eye them with no greater respect , then shee would the trappings of a horse , which adde not to the goodnesse of the beast , that beareth them ; and weare them not so much for fame as for fashion . virtue must be hir chiefest garnish . beautie may procure delight , but it will hardly purchase loue , vnlesse temperancie and modestie , like two iudiciall schoole-mistresses , haue the fashioning of hir carriage and conuersation . donec er as simplex animum cum corpore amaui ; at mentis vitio laesa figura tua est . and so from hence will i now turne the course of my discourse , and come to speake a little of their chastitie , a thing excellent in many , yet traduced by the most . for behold , hylax in limine latrat , i heare it closely pursued with hue and crie , euen in the very entrance . i seeke if any wench deny , sophronius , vp and downe : but not a wench which doth deny , finde i through out the towne ; as though it were a wicked thing , and whence disgrace might rise ; yea no way lawfull to deny ; no wench at all denies . be none then chaste ? yes out of doubt , we thousands chaste may call : what then doe they ? they do not grant , yet nere denie at all . which harsher censures , whether they proceeded from the discontented humours of these particular persons onely whose feete well felt where the shoe did wring them ; or from a generall deprauation rather of thosetimes , i know not . but there are many hold it as their creede , that all of them are false , if they be tried : if some seeme chast , it doth of this prrceede they haue the wit to doe , but not be spide ; and know by deep dissembling & good heed , with sober lookes their wanton lust to hide . with these the satyrist giueth vp his verdict , & finding chastity for the rarenes of it in those ruder times , as prodigious as either a milke-white rauen , or a cole-blacke swanne , examineth such as goe about to wiue , what hellish furies they be which driue them to it ; and wondereth that any , considering the world affordeth such infinite store of neck-ties , so many loftie turrets , and deeper wels , should endure to yoke themselues to the vicious imperfections of a creature so lasciuious and imperious . — tarpeium limen adora pronus , & auratam iunoni caede iu vencam , si tibi contigerit capitis matrona pudici : paucae adeo vittas cereris contingere dignae . but out of doubt , these are not the legitimate children of a staied conceit . ielousie that adulterate & spurious brat of loue and feare , was their onely sire : and indeede this is a monster , which neuer looketh vpon virtue , but with a froward and suspicious eye . it resembleth in effect the iuie , which doth alwaies hurt that most , which it most embraceth . such as haue it in their braine , wil not be perswaded , but that which affordeth pleasure to themselues , doth giue the like contentment to others . bassa ionuses , who with hissword , as with a pen of steele drew the conueighances , which did enstate his soueraigne selymus the first in the territories and dominions of the mamalukes , became so desperately enamoured of the beauteous lady manto , by birth a graecian , but by the chance of warre his prisoner , that he did not onely admit hir to his board , but of his captiue made hir in a while the lawfull partner of his bed . and for a time they so delighted in each others loue , that as the poet said of cephalus and procris . non iouis illa viri thalamos praeferret amori : non hunc quae caperet , non si venus ipsa veniret , vlla erat ; aequales vrebant pectora flammae . but desart we know is the fewell of desire ; and good , whether it bee sensible , or such as reason leadeth vs to seeke ; is loues sollicitor . it is the generall obiect of each mans appetite , of each mans will , and therefore they which possesse it ; are no lesse totmented with feare , then they which yet pursue it . it is a treasure , which the more they ioy in , the lesse secure they grow of their enioying . they are prone to beleeue , that what their owne palate doth like , cannot but like anothers witnesse this worthy souldier , who by doting on his mantos face , began to doubt of hir faith . — facies , aetasque iubebant credere adulterium ; prohibebant credere mores . yet in the end he suffered himself to be so farre transported with this frensie , that like a glutton , who fearing that any shold wrong his mawe by intercepting the dish it most delighted in , catcheth at it so rashly , and so roughly , that through his inciuility he beguileth himselfe , and pleasureth onely the earth with the purchase of his greedinesse ; hee altered quite the scene of his proceedings . his words were now not accented with love , as before-time they had beene . he vnaceustomed himselfe to cupids dialect , and neuer vttered his minde vnto hir but in a tragicall and churlish key . to bee briefe , his rage could finde no rest , till such time as hauing chosen his weapon for the physitian of his furie , hir purer bloud was made a purging potion for his iealousie . many to the great impeachment of womens worth haue bin sicke of the like distemperature . their vnderstanding hath had no tutor , but their owne idle fancie , which hath setled in them such erroneous opinions , that what through preiudice and passionate affections , they will by no meanes bee perswaded that honestie and beautie can euer harbour vnder one roofe ; but that there is so great an antipathie betwixt them , that like castor and pollux , they shew not their motions together in one spheare . and here they instance their assertions vpon that firebrand of greece , which being brought to troy , did set it on a flame ; and for better confirmation of their heresie produce that saying of the poet , formosis leuitas semper amica fuit . but those alas must be very narrow eyde , who if a gnat but spread his wing betwixt them and the sunne , doe thinke it is eclipsed . one drop of poyson cannot infect the ocean , though a little leauen may peraduenture sower a great lumpe . it were ridiculous for any man to contemne the rose because there is a prickle in the bush or neglect the corne , because there is some cockle in the barne . we should not let th'ensample of the bad offend the good ; for good by paragones of euill , may more notably be rade : as white seems fairer , matcht with black attone ; ne , all are shamed by the fault of one . for lo , in heauē , wher as al goodnes is , emongst the angels , a whole legione of wicked sprights , did fal from happy blisse ? what wōder thē , if some of womē al do misse ? as there is often a mars his heart in a cupids body ; so may we many times discouer a diana apparelled in the garments of venus . witnesse sarah , rebekah , rachell & susanna , with diuers others which stand vpon record in the court-roles of heauen for their vnmatchable perfection in either kinde . i could bring both lucrece and penelope vpon this stage , and make their well knowne worthinesse the pampering foode of my discourse , but i will omit to speake of them : as likewise of hir , whose husband , it may be , comming somewhat neere the lips of his mistrisse , and finding himselfe denide the complement of his desire , because his breath was noisome and vnsauourie , came home and blamed his wife , for hauing neuer informed him of that defect : when shee , good soule , out of hir chast simplicity replide , she knew not but that al mens mouths had smelt like his . the daughter of ericus , gouernour of calcis , the chiefe towne in the island of eubaea , being taken by the turkes , was for hir extraordinary beauty , as the choisest part of all the spoile , presented vnto mahomet the second , whom when hee could neither by threats , nor flatteries conforme to his desires , he most inhumanely commanded to be slaine . but non est admirationi vna arbor , saith the philosopher , vbi in eandem altitudinem tota sylua succrescit . what should wee make particulars the subiect of our admiration , when histories giue vs notice of whole countries peopled with women of no lesse desart . the lacedaemonians were generally so chast , that when geradas was asked why lycurgus had made no lawes for the punishing of adultery : his answer was that amongst them there was not one addicted to such incontinencie ; but if there were , said the stranger : why then said he , he should pay for the forfeiture of his misdeede , a bull of that growth and bignes , that standing vpon the top of the mountaine taygetus , he might drinke out of the riuer eurotas . it is impossible , said his guest a creature of that greatnes should be found . geradas assured him with a smiling countenance , it was no lesse impossible , that sparta should afford within hir confines any such offender . one of the meanest amongst them both for birth and breeding , when a chapman as she stood in the market to be sold , demanded of hir , whether shee would proue honest if he should buy hir ; replide vpon the instant . i wil proue honest though you should not buy me . the cianians were so free from any taxation this way , that for the space of seauen hundreth yeares it was neuer known that any matrone amongst them had vnloosed to a stranger the girdle of hir honestie ; or any virgin bestowed vpon a lustfull friend the floure of hir virginity . the easterne indians did neuer prostitute their bodies , but to him , who did present them with an elephant ; and that the law permitted them to doe , with no little approbation of their worth , that could be valued at so high a rate . those religious and holy vestals , who had the charge of that immortall and sacred fire , which was by numa consecrated to the gods , were so respected for their spotlesse puritie , that if by chance they met at anytime some wretched malefactor , who by the appointment of iustice was conducted to his death , they had a priuiledge to reprieue him : so that the votresse vpon hir deposition would affirme that the encounter was onely casuall . poets enforme vs that venus had hir chariot drawne by swannes , to signifie vnto vs , that women as they labour to bee neate and cleanely in their clothes , should striue to be sweete and comely in their conuersation . many may peraduenture make it their delight , to stand & gase vpon the estrich for the rarenesse of hir plumes ; but not any will make it the dish which their appetite shall feede vpon , because of the ranknesse of hir flesh . they must harbour therefore alwaies a speciall care within themselues , that as they haue vultum veneris , the badge of beautie in their face ; they haue likewise cestum veneris , the markes of virtue in their forehead ; least want of grace in their outward gesture , might make their inward goodnesse liable to misconstruction . chastitie must haue setled grauitie for hir vsher ; and for hir waiting-woman , bashfull modestie ; or she shall neuer procure respectiue reuerence and obseruance from those that doe behold hir . if ladies of noble rancke & quality , should now and then , though but to sport their fancie , lay aside the ornaments of their state , and without their vsual attendance shew themselues abroade , disguised in some wanton manner , i doubt not , but they would quickly finde , that many not acquainted with their intent , would not sticke to ranke them in the role of courtisans , nor yet to rayle vpon them in a phrase , which onely fitteth creatures of that condition . immodesty is like a vintners bush , which giueth euery man direction , where he may call for wine . women alone are said by scandalous and traducing spirits to giue it countenance , a little therefore now of this ; as likewise of the contrary . chap. 4. of their outward modestie . it is an iniurie to virtue , to be committed alwaies close-prisoner to the heart . she desireth to looke out at the eyes , and to goe forth now and then in the words . if shee see hir selfe restrained of this libertie , she will goe neere with griefe to fall into a hectike feuer , and so to die of a languishing consumption . euill words are , as the apostle saith , the very gangrenes of good manners ; if they eate them not out , they will at least deface them . if women haue immodest lookes , it will auaile them little for auoiding the worlds censure , to haue honest hearts . a booke is censured many times , by what the title promiseth ; and siluer , into what fashion soeuer wee melt it , though it cease not to be siluer , yet the outward stampe is that which maketh it currant . crassus had a liking to a goodly mannor belonging to a certaine vestal , which that he might the better purchase , hee tooke occasion to meete with hir in sundrie places , & at sundrie times , omitting nothing in his carriage & conuersation , which might any way endere him to hir ; but by this courteous entercourse hir innocency grew to be suspected , and in the end , ( as malice is euer ready to picke a hole in virtues coat ) shee was publikely accused , to haue incestuously conuersed with him . postumia was a little too much in clinde to laughter , and now and than delighted freely to discourse with men , but this hir freedome brought hir to bee arraignd as an adulteresse , wherof when shee had throughly acquited hir selfe . spur. minutius , the high priest absolued hir , but withall aduised hir , ne verbis vitae castimoniam non aquantibus vteretur , so to order hir life thence forward , that the outward fashion might not preiudice the inward forme . forbearance of the action is no suffient demonstration of a chast deuotion . t' is from the setled disposition of the will , that this purer virtue doth receiue hir forme . a certaine spanish lasse hauing passed through the hands of souldiers ; god be thanked , said shee , that once in my daies i haue had my fill without sinning . but herein silly wretch , she deceiued hir selfe : for howsoeuer violence were prologue to the fact , the delight shee tooke in the performance conuinced hir of a fault . some could be content to haue it , but they would not bee thought to desire it . they wish another would foile them , when of themselues they haue a will to fall . such as are truely modest , and such assuredly are the most , will not sticke to make their liues the ransome of their fame : for feare , though they consented not to the doing , they might be thought to bee well enough contented with the deede . theoxena to free hir sisters children and hir owne from the lasciuious embraces of king phillip , put weapons into their weaker hands , and perswaded them vt imminens ludibrium morte effugerent ; to rescue themselues by death from imminent disgrace , where in she had no sooner preuailed , but with a heroine resolution she shewed them by hir owne example , that what shee had taught them , was easie to be done . hippo a grecian , when the shippe in which shee trauailed was taken by the enemy , cast hirselfe immediately into the soft embraces of the sea , to free hir honour from the luxurious courtship of hir foe . a gentlewoman of capua did the like . but these examples are a little too vehement , that which followeth is somewhat more considerate . cn. manlius hauing giuen the galathians a mighty ouerthrow at the mount of olympus , there was amongst the captiues that were taken . chiomara , the wife of orgiagontes , a ruler in that prouince of some note , who being compelled by the centurion that had hir in custody , to satisfie the beastly appetite of his debauched affections , imparted afterwards the wrong she had receiued , to some of hir friends , who were come thither to redeeme hir , and willed them to kill him as hee should kisse hir at the farewell . this done , she caused his head to be cut off , and bringing it home in hir own lap , cast it for a present at hir husbands feete who vented the passions , which the sight thereof had stirred vp in his bosome , with words which sauoured somewhat of reproofe : o woman , faith is an excellent thing : but she confronted his pitie with hir own puritie , and told him , it was more excellent by farre , there was but one man liuing , that euer knew hir . a vestall virgin to preuent the violence of an vnlawfull pursuite in a prince , who much affected hir for the beauty of hir eyes , plucked them out hir selfe , and hauing cast them on the ground before him , bad him glut himselfe with those traiterous obiects , which had conspired with his lustfull thoughts , to make hir a prey to infamie . a gentlewoman of portugall , to cut off the importunacie of diuers , who in the time of hir widowhood , did continually sollicite hir for some nightly kindnesse , fearing least the flesh might in the end betray hir , seared vp those naturall parts with a burning firebrand , saying : god forbid that for thee i should euer fall into so foule a sinne . fatua , the wife of faunus from the day of hir marriage was neuer knowne to be the obiect of any masculine eye , but hir husbands . she did not fashion hirselfe according to the moone , who then looketh merriest , when the sunne is furthest off : but to the marrigolde , which neuer openeth it selfe but whilst he doth eye it . zenobia so much renowmed in the east , for many singular virtues and abilities that were in hir , neuer imparted hirselfe , no not to the partner of hir bed , any longer , then she knew hirselfe not to be with childe . pulcheria , sister to the emperour theodosius the second , and rightly so named for hir more then ordinary beauty , both in body and minde , matched hirselfe to marcianus with no other intent , then to adde thereby some strength to his authoritie , as well appeareth by the conditions , to which shee first of all had tyed him . viz. that either of them should for euer preserue their chastitie vntouched ; a thing which was willingly accepted of by him , and thoroughly performed by both . the milesian virgins , whether through the distemperature of the aire , or vpon any occasion of discontent , i know not , were on the sudden possessed with such a furie , that neither the prayers of their friends , nor the teares of their parents , could diuert them from an obstinate and selfe-wild resolution , which they had to hang themselues , and many notwithstanding the warinesse of their keepers , to the terrour and amasement of the whole citie , did continually by subtile slights and deuises , giue these their tragicall purposes their determinate effect ; till at the lēgth one of the wisest senators caused a law to bee proclaimed , that whosoeuer in that manner did abridge hir daies , should after hir death be carried naked through the market-place : the consideration of which dishonor , such was their setled modesty , did not onely restraine them , but free them from this frenzie . shamefac'tnesse , is nothing else , saith the philosopher , but a feare of ignominie and iust reproach . these virgins were so sensible thereof , that to remoue it euen from their ashes , they were content to forbeare that which they most desired . i could muster vp an armie royall of those heroicall examples , to destroy those monsters , which make the virgin fame of women their tributarie foode . but who seeth not , that euen the most of those few , which are actors of vnciuill parts , can produce men for their authors . such a one who preferred hir honor before hir life , hath notwithstanding for hir safetie of hir husband suffered it like litter to be trampled on by the lust of a deadly enemie , and done that for him , which she would by no meanes haue committed for hir selfe . there are of those , who for their husbands profit and aduantage doe lend their bodies out , and that by their expresse appointment and entremise . phaulius the argien offered his wife vnto king philippe through ambition ; as galba did out of curtesie and ciuilitie ; when hauing feasted mecaenas at a supper , and finding that his wife and he beganne with signes and glances to plot a further matter , that he might the better shoulder vp their loue , hee feigned a heauie sleepe , which he auouched with no little grace . for vpon the instant a fellow being emboldned thereby to cast a theeuish hand vpon his cup-borde of plate , he cried out vnto him freely . stay , stay , thou knaue , seest thou not , that i sleepe for none , but for maecoenas ? phaedo a philosopher , after the desolation of his countrie , made the prostitution of his wife , the substance of his reuenue . and how many be there amongst vs , who cull out the choisest beauties of of the land , and hauing married them , stall them afterwards , as they doe their wares , with no better intent then to procure themselues that good which pharaoh did to abraham for sarahs sake ? in a word , if wee examine euery thing but with indifferencie , we shall find , let women be what they will , they cannot possibly be so bad as men. for when a man is bent to speake his worst , that in despight of women he can say , he cals them but incontinent and curst , no greater fault he to their charge can lay : to rob , to spoile , houses to breake , and burst ; whole cities , towns , & countries to betray ; vsurie , murder , all such sinnes appeare proper to men , women of them are cleare . againe , that euen in those things , wherein we report them faulty , they can vnburthen themselues on men , as on the sole sollicitors , and counsellers of their irregular proceedings . ahashuerosh will not suffer a virgin to come neere him , till after sixe monthes purification with oyle of mirrh , and other sixe monthes with pleasant odours , and sweete perfumes . some husbands haue such curious eyes , that if their wiues want colour of their owne : they must seeke for a supply . they had rather behold them artificially painted , then naturally pale . this is that which tieth their affections to the perch , which otherwise peraduēture being prōe to bate at any thing , would get on wing & follow game . but alas ! they consider not that as pythias , aristotles daughter was wont to say , the fairest colour in the face of a woman is that , which ariseth from hir bashfull modesty ; and that onely blushes are the scarlet robes in which the graces delight to shew themselues abroade . she that is cloathed with these virmilion habits , and hath this glorious tincture in hir countenance , neede not feare the rude assaults of an elephant , nor start at the fierce incursions of a bull. it is a shield of surer temper , then that of pallas to defend hir honour from inuasion . pudor arx pulchritudinis , saith demades : it is beauties fortresse : and according to saint bernard , venustatem ingerit gratiam auget ; it addes comelinesse , and giues an encrease of grace . the brightnes of it daseleth the eyes of sinne , putteth lust out of his part ; and maketh temptation to forget his qu. those other borrowed decencies , are nothing but meere sophistication and imposture . an able iudgement will neuer suffer it selfe to be deluded by them . the king of ethiopia viewed the sumptuous garments that were sent him for a present by cambyses emperor of persia , with no little admiration , but when hee vnderstood by those that brought them , that the purple die they were of , was an inuention of men : surely said he , both the garments and the men are full of deceipt . the application would be fit , if charitie did not suppresse it . chap. 5. of their supposed pride . pride had hir originall in heauen , but hauing forgotten , as it were , the way , by which she fell from thence , could neuer since returne . like an exile did she pace the earth , and found no habitation , till some say women tooke hir in , and made their hearts the setled place of hir abode . conformable to this is that vnhallowed fiction of another , who reporteth to the world , how sathan , that sworne enemie to man , hauing matched himselfe in mariage with iniquitie , had by hir nine children , which he placed with seuerall persons , fitting in disposition to their seuerall humours and inclinations in manner following . viz. simonie with priests , hypocrisie with professors , oppression with nobles , vsurie with citizens , deceit with merchants , falsehood with seruants , sacriledge with souldiers , pride with women , luxurie with all . plutarke condemneth those of his time as ouermuch addicted to the seruice of this hell-borne fiend . the egyptian wiues , saith he , by the decrees , and ordinances of their ancestors , were forbidden the vse of shooes , to put them in minde , that it was their dutie to keepe still at home , a point which many now obserue , but alas ! out of another respect . they will not stirre abroade , saith he , because they haue not their embrodered pantophles , their chaines of pearle , their costly carquanets , their eare-rings , and their vnions . and behold , me thinkes , i heare some whisper , that by the beating of the pulse , those of our age should labour of the like distemperature . for let them be well rigged , and set out , they will be gadding presently with dinah , though the losse both of life , and honour were the propounded guerdon of their folly . they consider not , say they , that the snaile is safe while it harboureth in the shell ; but so soone as shee commeth forth to make shew of hir hornes , shee meeteth with many lets , which occasion their drawing in againe to hir griefe and shame . a woman , saith simonides , should be like the bee , chast and frugall , busied still about hir huswiuerie ; no wanderer at any time abroad , but alwaies carefull of hir progenie at home . the vertues that in women merit praise , are sober shows without chast thoughts with in true faith , and due obedience to their make , and of their children honest care to take . how to gouerne well hir familie should be hir chiefest studie . she should not hunt ambitiously after popular applause , but rest contented with the conscience of hir owne deseruings , and think it praise enough to bee thought praise-worthy by such as liue within the boūds of hir owne threshold . she should remember with thucydides , that those of women still are counted best , of whom in praise or dispraise mē speak least . the lacedemonians could not endure to heare their wiues commended by a stranger . they thought it not fit their virtues should be knowne to any but to their husband ; and hence it was , their virgins went alwaies open-faced , till such time as hymen had linked them to some louing mate , and then their beauty was canopied from the generall view of all , and made the solitarie obiect of their particular choise alone . the turkish women are forbidden by the alcoran to shew themselues vnuailed to any but their fathers and their husbands . and the venetians obserue in a manner the like custome , euen at this day say our aduersaries , but by their fauour it is notout of any good respect : for in them it is onely a depraued and corrupt opinion , which the knowledge of their owne wickednes maketh them carrie off anothers worthinesse . nor doe i speake this vnaduisedly ; for it is a maxime of infallible truth , that open suspecting others commeth of secret condemning our selues . these women-quellers would seeme to countenance their proceedings , thinking to breake the backe of innocencie , by ouercharging it with scandalous imputations , which they can no way proue by any surer demonstration then their owne adulterate opinions . to what end , say they , is that prodigious varietie of apparell which they vse , but to ensnare the hearts of ignorant and vndiscreeter persons ? vni , si qua placet , culta puella sat est . brauerie in ancient english was called baudrie ; and curious cals in those humbler times , were accounted but the stales of a carelesse callot . they be the weres and nets of lust . virtue delights not in them at all : they be things which cannot any way aduantage hir . for as all men know , hir gloriousstate no borrowed grace doth need hir beautie findes of skilfull art no lack , she seems as louely in a shepheads weed , as they that weare the indies on their back . in a word , they be the noted ensignes of disorderly pride , in which the very folds and motions of the heart are charactred vnto the life . let vs but cast a serious eye say they , vpon the vanitie of women in this kinde , & we shal quickly finde them to be the least part of what they seeme ; inter tot ● honestamenta vix inuenies mulierem . they be fensed in on euery with such innumerable borrels , and fantasticall attoures , as chaucer calleth them , that without some difficultie you cannot discouer what creature it is that beareth them . and from this consideration peraduenture grew that saying of the comicke ; negotij sibi qui volet vim comparare , nauim , & mulierem , haec duo comparato . nam nullae res magis duaeplus negotij habent ; hethat would busie himselfe indeede , must get him a woman and a ship. for there are not any two things in the world that require more trimming . dum comuntur dum pectuntur , annus est ; saith another . they be a yeere in keaming and in curling of themselues . i might well feare to be swallowed vp of these waues , did not my genius prompt me , that the starre , by which i steare my course , bids me not feare the rage of scylla , nor the threatnings of carybdis , but on with courage , till i haue worthily atchieued , what i willingly attempted : and i know , let womens aduersaries make what head they can to ouerthrow the strength and glory of their reputation , there are exemplarie virtues enough in hir alone , to protect it from the furie of malignant tongues ; and therefore i will boldly dare to defend them euen from this . ignorance it selfe must needes confesse that pride consisteth more in the heart , then in the outward habit , and that it peereth as often through a ragged coate , as through a veluet cloake . for if apparell , iewels , odours , and such like accesserie complements did giue it forme , it were no way possible , that women should be freed from this crime . but alas ! these are no other then outward ornaments , which howsoeuer peraduenture they may giue it lustre , can adde no life . beautie , birth , and breeding , if any thing ( for these be their chiefest peices ) would cause both tumour and inflammation in them , were their mindes so light and wauering , as some would haue them ; but we see notwithstanding all these , how humble and how debonnaire rebekah was , who did not onely out of meckenesse satisfie the request of abrahams seruant , then a stranger to hir , in giuing him water to drinke , as he desired , but went hir selfe with all alacritie to the well , and drew some likewise for those of his retinue , and their camels . nor did the massie rings , and bracelets , where with he afterwards rewarded this hir kindenesse , alter any way the composition of this setled forme . it is true that vashti was degraded from hir dignitie , for the rebellious pride and disobedience which she shewed toward hir lord and soueraigne ; but esther was elected in hir place , who with hir buxome and lowly carriage found fauour in the eyes of hir assuerus , and forgot not in this transcendent of hir honour the miseries and afflictions of hir distressed countrimen , nor was she euer wanting in the performance of that due respect , which she did owe vnto hir poore friend mardoche . it is true likewise , it may be , that the daughter of nicephorus the emperour , was so neate and so nice , that shee neuer washed hir but in dew , nor spent hir time in any thing , but in painting , poudring , and perfuming of hir selfe , which brought vpon hir in the end so odious and so loathsome a disease , that for the stench of hir body , there was not any could endure to come nigh hir : all are not yet to be condemned of the like . this age as corrupted as men would make it , affordeth many of extraordinary birth and qualitie , who hauing shooke hands with vanitie , and tooke an euerlasting farewell of all worldly pleasures , doe altogether spend their houres in the solitarie contemplation of celestiall things , making with all humilitie and singlenesse of heart , the goodnesse of their god , the continuall subiect of their meditation . i could here set diuers precedents on foote , to backe and second my discourse , but as our owne english poet , saith : this al men know ful wel , though i would lie , in women is all troth , and stedfastnesse , for in good faith , ineuer of them see , but much worship , bounty , and gentlenesse , right comming , faire , and full of meekenesse , good , and glad , and lowly , i you ensure , is this goodly angelike creature . hauing freed them therefore from this , i will now turne my plee to the defence of their tongue , which standeth at the barre of weaker iudgment , accused of prodigious intemperancie , and hath many forged writs and processes serued vpon it for the same . chap. 4. of their talke atiuenesse . phidias , say their aduersaries , that worthy workman , so renowmed through the confines of peloponnesus for the rarenesse of his skill , made an image of venus , treading vpon a torteise , to shew thereby vnto vs , that women should be wedded to their houses , as are the statues of saints and martyrs to the temples , neuer desiring to gossippe it abroad ; but making silence alwaies the god of their deuotion . they should neuer speake , but either to their husbands , or by their husbands ; nor take it ill , if like a trumpeter , or one that playeth vpon the cornet or the flute , by suffering them to be the organes of their speech , they send forth sounds more graue , and more delightful then their owne . but alas say they , these principles are but lightly practised : for looke wheresoeuer they come , — verborum tanta cadit vis , tot pariter pelues , tot tintinnabula dic as pulsari . iam nemo tubas , atque aera fatiget : vna labor anti poterit succurrere lunae . and some what sutable to this , is that epitaph of theirs , by which the excessiue talk atiuenesse of a spanish lady is commended to the knowledge of posteritie . the substance thereof is this . aquiyaze sepultada lamas que noble sennora , quên su vida , punto ni hora tuvò la boca cerrada yes tanto lo , que hablò , qne aunque mas no hade hablar , nunca llegarà el callar . a donde el hablar llegò . and for a more pregnant proofe of these malignant pasquils , xantippe must be placed vpon the market-crosse , whose passions like a deafe body , because they could not heare the voice of reason themselues , that reason might not be altogether vncapable of theirs , would be sure to expresse their meaning in the loudest straine . so that socrates when he was demanded , how he could endure hir clamours , had no other answer wherewith to shadow this hir imperfection , then , that for the children which she bare him he could as well abide hir prating , as he did the cackling of his hennes for the egges they laid him . a certaine portugall , how truely , though i know not , is made an abbettor to them in the like . his fellow senators hauing conuinced a criminell , of some more then ordinarie fault , and consulting among themselues , what death was best to equall his offence ; some would haue him hanged in chaines aliue ; some torne in peeces with wilde-horses ; others pined to death ; and some againe cast quicke into his graue ; tush said he at length , these iudgements are but iestings , if you minde to torture him indeede , vse no delayes , but marrie him . and surely , say our opposites , this man according to that castilian adage , hablò de la feria , segun lefue en ella : spake of the mart according as he found it . they alleadge another , who at a monthly sessions in the towne , whereof himselfe was a burgesse , vpon good deliberation and aduise preferred a petition to the iudges of the bench , desiring them they would be pleased to grant him libertie to die . for he was not able any longer to endure the disdainefull braues , and haughtie menaces , which his wife like a triple-mouthed cerberus did continually thunder out against him ; which fauour if they would vouchsafe him , he made no doubt , but to finde a speedie passage vnto heauen , hauing suffered so long a purgatorie here on earth . another inscription of a tombe is produced by them , composed in manner of a dialogue , the argument wherof doth shew , say they , that howsoeuer death be nothing but a suffocation , and extinction of all heate in euery naturall bodie , he cannot yet with that icie coldnes qualifie the cholerike and fiery temper of their tongues . heus viator ! miraculum . vir & vxor non litigant . qui simus , non dico . at ipsa dicam . hic bebrius ebrius me bebriam ebriam nominat . heus vxor ! etiam mortua litigas ? hus . list passenger , thou shalt a wonder see here louingly the man and wife agree . our names , and what we are , i will conceale . wif. but goodmā goose , i wil our names reueale : this beber , bibber , free of drunkards hall , me bebresse , bibbresse doth at al times call . hus . now out alds ! good wife , i prethee hold ; for shame for beare , now thou art dead , to scold . iudge here , say they , whether this wretched man , that caused this to bee writ vpon his graue , liued not continually vpon the racke , or no. in a word they set it downe for a sure position , that — dos est vxoria , lites . the onely dowrie that a woman brings , are strifes , contentions , end lesse quarrel and are not ashamed to affirme with the satyrist , that semper habet lites , alternaque iurgia lectus , in quo nuptaiacet : minimum dormitur ? in illo but i see it is high time to cast a bit into the mouthes of these vnbridled steeds , least with their hedstrong course they tread this nobler sex vnder their hoofes , and make their innocencie dung and litter for themselues to wallow on . and since they do oppugne vs with the achieuements of the dead , that i may foile them at their owne weapon , i will produce the monument of rubius celer , which doth witnesse , that he liued with caia ennia , his wife , fortie three yeares , eight months , hauing neuer receiued from hir all this while , any iust occasion of offence . that of albutieus tertius like wise doth auouch , that he liued 52. yeares with his wife sine querelâ , without any manner of vexation , quarrell or disturbance . the like equalitie of affections was without any let , or mixture of molestation in acme and septimius , as appeareth by that which is vttered by catullus to the perpetuall honor of them both . vnam septimius misellus acmen . mauult , qùem syrias , britanniasque ; vno in septimio fidelis acme facit delitias , libidinesque : mutuis animis amant , amantur . quis vllos homines beatiores vidit ? quis venerem auspicatiorem ? but this is not all , say they , plenae sunt rimarum , huc atque illuc effluunt . looke what secrets be committed to their custodie , shall be kept as safe , as water in a siue . and hereupon one of the three things , that cato still repented him of , was , if he had imparted any thing to a woman , which he would not all the world should know . they alleadge the weakenesse of sempronia , fuluia , and diuers others in this kinde to instance these erronious propositions . but the sight of that worthy romane epicharis shall make them vanish like meteores before the sunne , who being priuie to a great conspiracie intended against nero , was so constant in concealing it , that notwithstanding she were torturned day by day in the most grieuous manner that could possibly bee imagined , could no way be forced or enduced to be wray hir complices , and that to the perpetuall shame of sundrie noble senators , who in the same triall fainting like crauens vnder the scourge of tyrannie , obiected in hope of some release their very brothers vnto death , and cast their dearest friends into the iawes of danger . the athenians caused a lionesse of marble to bee made without a tongue , and erected it in the market place to the neuer dying honour of leona , who vpon the like occasion , and in the like extremitie shewed no lesse taciturnitie than the other . i will not , because i thinke this point already cleare enough , alleadge any more examples . it is an imperfection no way proper to the vniuersall , but such a one as by meere accident fasteneth it selfe vpon some indiuiduall , whose carriage by reason of the meanenesse of hir breeding and education , was neuer fortified with the retentiue rules and principles of moralitie , without which the minde is alwaies very dangerously sicke of a continuall dysenterie . and thus i thinke that want of secrecie is as incident to men and found as often in their bosomes , as in any of this sex. wherefore i come now to the next thing , which is questioned , and that is the sincerenesse and constancie of their affections . chap. 7. of their affections . they be like looking-glasses , say their aduersaries , which represent no obiect longer then it stands before them , and not then , but with some flatterie or deceit . their words are like the syrens , neuer vttered but to worke some wracke , their teares like the crocodiles , neuer shed , but to purchase some occasion to be cruell they haue as the french-man saith , visage d'ange , the shape and semblance of an angell ; but alas teste de diable , & oeil de basilie . the braines of a diuell , and the eye of a basiliske . the tuscan giueth vs in a little volume their liuely caracter , di di si , èfà di nò . their thoughts are neuer seconded by their words , nor followed by their deedes . they come many times foorth hand in hand , as if they did intend to tread one measure , but as in galliard , they fall off on a suddaine and forsake each other . they neuer eie one another but a squint , and are then most distant from each others view , when they seeme to face each other most . in all their actions like the crab , they looke one way , but goe another . and therefore say they , ci dice donna , dice danno . he that nameth a lasse , in effect nameth a losse ; and in our natiue language woman carrieth no other sound with it , then mans woe . the latines to shew the softnesse , but withall the swiftnesse of their affections , say she was called mulier quasi mollis aer ; and for confirmation of this fantasticall etymologie , that of petrarch is alleaged . femina è cosa mobil per natura , ond'io soben , amoroso stato in cuor di donna picciol tempo dura . but let them shew me an affection more syncere then that of iulia , the daughter of c. caesar towards hir husband pompey the great , who when his garment was brought hir from the field all stained with blood , out of the feare she had of his well doing , fell straight into abortion , and by and by expired , the fruit of hir wombe seruing but as a prologue to hir owne ensuing tragedy . let them shew me i say , one more graue and setled , then that of portia towards brutus , who scorning to suruiue his honour , and seeing iron was denied hir , made burning coales the conuoye of hir spirit to hir deceased loue . in a word , let them shew me one , more firme and constant , then that of hipsicratea towards mithridates , who desiring no better fortune , then should follow him , was content to vaile hir beautie vnder a manly habit , and withall to exercise hir daintier limbes on horsebacke , and in deedes of armes , that she might the better participate with him in the dangers and crosse occurrences of his warres . the consideration of which hir loyaltie , was such a comfortable cordiall to him in that wretched and miserable estate , wherein he was , when he fled from the victorious sword of cn. pompeius , that cum domo , & penatibus vagari se eredidit , vxore simul exulante . he thought himselfe , notwithstanding he were no better then a fugitiue , sole lord of heauen and earth by the fruition of hir company . agathocles , king of sictlie finding himselfe well nigh disseazed both of life and state by his rebellious nephue , prouided all things that were necessary , for the transportation of his wife theoxena into egypt , from whence he had hir . but she most affectionately besought him not to furnish slander , with so faire a parallell for his kinsmans parricide , as hir departure . nubendo se non prosperae tantum , sed omnis fortunae inisse societatem . that by marriage shee had not made hir selfe a companion for him onely in prosperity , but in all aduerse chances whatsoeuer . neither was she vnwilling to buye the embracing of his latest breath , with the hazard of hir owne . this puisne age of ours affordeth the like example in isabella , sister to charles the emperour , and wife to christierne king of denmarke , whose discontented subiects , when they had degraded him from that royall dignitie ; would willingly haue conferred the types thereof vpon hir : but she most valiantly refused them ; thinking it a greater honour , and more beseeming the dutie of a wife , to leade a languishing life in exile with hir husband , then to liue a princesse in the highest transcendent of all soueraignetie without him . what should i speake of artemisia , or alceste , when prouinces peopled with women of no lesse integritie towards their husbands , expose themselues vnto our view ? those of mynia in thessalie , when their husbands according to the laws of sparta , were by night to suffer death for their ambitions , and vngratefull vsurpation ouer that citie , vnder pretence of speaking with those cōdemned wretches before their execution , entred the prison , and hauing changed garments with them , vailing their faces vnder a shew of griefe , made meanes for their escape , themselues remaining in their place to abide with constancie , whatsoeuer the deluded magistrate should inflict vpon them , for this their bold attempt . conrade . iii. after he had compelled guelphus , d. of bauaria to open to him , and to his forces the gates of winsbergh , and to yeelde vp the towne to his mercie , granted vpon some easie entreatie , that the duchesse , and such other matrons as were there , should depart vntoucht , and carrie with them whatsoeuer they could conueniently vpon their shoulders : whereupon forgetting their precious ornaments , and such things as women vsually most delight in , and charging themselues immediately with no other burthen , then with their husbands , they forsooke the place ; which pious act of theirs so mollified the heart of the emperour , that hee caused them to bee brought backe , & cancelling the wrongs & iniuries which had incited him to that sieg , receiued the duke into his fauor , restored him to his dignity , and seated him againe without any charge or innouation at all in his auncient gouernment . but i will now retire a little from these softer virtues , which can no more be separated from this sex , then whitenesse from the swanne ; and curtaine vp a while the table , in which i haue hitherto laboured , as with the pencile of apelles to giue each foule-mouthd mantuanist the liuely representation of womens perfections in a louely venus , whilst i endeuor hereafter withall the art i can , to limme them foorth in an armed pallas , sprung out of the very head of ioue , and endued with such learning , wisdome , courage , and other the like abilities , which men , ouerwhelmed with self-conceit presumptuously entitle masculine , as being essentiall to themselues alone , that they may iustly challenge the garland euen from the greatest worthies , as in briefe shall plainly appeare . chap. 8. of their learning . learning in the brest of a woman , is likened by their stoicall aduersaries to a sword in the hands of a mad-man , which hee knoweth not how to rule as reason shall informe him , but as the motions and violent fits of his distemperature shall enforce him . it doth not ballast their iudgements , but onely addeth more saile to their ambition ; and like the weapon of goliah , serueth but as an instrument to giue the fatall period to their honours ouerthrow . and surely this fond imagination hath purchased a free inheritance to it selfe in the bosomes of some vndiscreeter parents , who hereupon will by no meanes endure that their daughters should be acquainted with any kinde of literature at all . the pen must be forbidden them as the tree of good and euill , and vpon their blessing they must not handle it . it is a pandar to a virgine chastitie , and betray eth it , by venting foorth those amarous passions , that are incident to hotter bloods , which otherwise , like fire raked vp in embers , would peraduenture in a little space be vtterly consumed . but if this be their feare , let them likewise barre them the vse of their needle : with this did philomela fairely character those foule indignities , which had bin offered hir by tereus the incestuous husband of hir sister progne ; and why then may not others expresse their loues , and their affections in the like forme ? cupid hath wings , and like another daedalus , if his passage be stopped by land and water , he will cut through the aire , but he will be maister of his desires . you cannot hinder his pinnions from soaring hie , by depriuing him of a quill or twaine . affection is ingenious , and can impe them , as it pleaseth hir . leander will not for a hellespont be kept from heros kisses , nor daenae by a brasen tower from iupiters embraces . be iuno neuer so iealous , loue hath a mercurie , that can at all times delude hir spies . et quid non fiet , quod voluere duo ? to conuerse with the dead , and this is to conuerse with bookes , hath bin still accounted the readiest way to moralise our harsher natures , and to weane them from all inbred barbarisme to more humane and ciuill conuersation . and hence it was , that iulius agricola , when he had obtained the gouernment of this our isle that he might abasethe fierce and fiery temper of the inhabitants , whose knowledge could demonstrate nothing but by armes , tooke from the nobler britons their sonnes , and trayned them vp in all the liberall sciences , whereby hee made them willingly submit themselues to the romane empire , and not prone to rise so often vp in armes as formerly by reason of their rough-hewen dispositions they had accustomed to doe . now i see no hinderance why they should not produce the same effect in them , which they doe in vs , their bodies consisting of the same matter , and their mindes comming out of the same molde . but if those prohibitions proceed from a prouidence in them to preuent a curious desire of searching further into the cabinets of minerua , then is fitting , an errour incident to capriocious , and working wits , such as they would haue womens for the most part to be , let them shew me what men are free from the like weakenesse . knowledge is infinite , and admitteth no bounds . it is iacobs ladder , and reacheth from the lowest part of the earth , to the highest place in heauen . mans thoughts are like those angels , which were seene by the patriarch in his vision , neuer at a stand , but still going either vp or downe . and therefore salomon anouncheth , that qui addit scientiam , addit & dolorem ; an acquist of learning bringeth with it an encrease of labour . for the more a man attaineth vnto , the more hee seeth to bee attained , and so not content with any former purchase , wearieth out himselfe in pursuite of that , which is behinde . nil actum credens , cum quid sibi cernit agendum . those that are altogether vnfurnished of this diuiner complement , are as the italian termeth them humanate beftie , things that resemble reasonable creatures only in the bark and rinde , and could not possibly be distinguished from statues made of clay and marble , but by their outward sense and motion . these are they , which like aesop's cock , spurne at the iewell , which they cannot prize , and such were nero , domitian , clisthesnes , who as tacitus reporteth , virtutem ipsam excindere concupientes ; studying as much as in them lay , how to bring vertue herselfe vnto the blocke , made philosophie a capitall offence , and put to death , those professours of wisdome and good arts , which betimes did not retire themselues from the reach of their infernall rage . and such as these , no doubt are those , or at lest not many degrees short of them , who out of an idle supposition of their owne addle braines thinke learning a thing superfluous in any . for as it is a plaine testimony of ignorance it selfe to know nothing : so is it an ample signe of dulnesse to rest satisfied with the knowledge of any something . adams fingers , notwithstanding gods menaces , will bee still itching at the forbidden tree : the children of israel for all the threatning proclamations which moses doth divulge amongst them from the lord , will hardly be restrained from aduancing forward at the mount of sinai . the bethshemites will be peering into the ark , though the liues of more than 50000. of them bee made the forfeiture of their presumption . diuine s. augt stine will bee diuing into the mystery of the trinity , till he see a childe become the censurer of his folly : & holy , daniel will trouble himselfe in searching after the condition of future times , till an angell from heauen will him to stand vpright in his place . in a word , it so bewitcheth vs , that wee grow desperate in the chase . plinie will haue no other vrne , then the mountaine vesuuius for his ashes , when hee cannot finde out the reason of his flames : nor aristotle any other sepulcher than euripus , when angling for the hidden causes of his ebbes & flowes , he seeth nothing will hang vpon his hooke . and vpon this intemperancy of men , was grounded peraduenture that morall precept of antiquities , noli altum sapere , aime not at things beyond your reach , as likewise that admonition of s. pauls . be wise vnto sobrietic . from al which premises i gather this conclusion , that meats might as well bee forbidden women for feare of surfetting , as the vse of learning for feare of ouerweening , unlesse we our selues will bee content to bee registred with them , as liable to the like miscarrying , in the same role . but i heare our aduersaries crie out , what a prodigious thing it was counted among the romanes for a woman to speake in publike , and when it happened , what speepy recourse they had vnto their augures to know what disastrous fortune so strange an accident might portend to their common-weale . against which particular custom of a people , which for wit and valour might boast themselues the legitimate children as well of mercurie , as of mars , i will say nothing , though i could easily shew with what good successe the daughter of hortensius pleaded the matrons cause , to the freeing of them from the greatest part of that greeuous taxation , which the trium-viri had most iniuriously imposed vpon them . as likewise how amaesia sentia , being arraigned before l. titius then praetor , pleaded so stoutly and exactly to euery point of her inditements , that she acquitted herselfe , maugre the power of her enemies , with the generall applause of all . to that , wherewith they vrge vs out of holy writ , touching the restraint of their teaching , and speaking publikely in the temples , i answer that the blessed apostle in that to the corinthians . 1. ep. 14. vers . 34. alludeth onely to some ignorant and prating gossips , who when attention should bee given to the dispensers of gods mysteries , are continually asking to their own hurt , and others hinderance , such friuolous questions , as on the instant are begotten in their idle braines . and in that to timothie , 1. ep. 2. vers . 12. where hee permitteth them not to teach , because , as they would haue it , semel docuit , & omnia subuertit ; shee taught but once , and that once brought all things out of order , he doth but vtter his owne opinion , and howsoeuer hee allow not of it , yet he doth not condemne it : so that his meaning , as i take it , there , is onely this ; they should not when men of sufficiencie are in place , and such as can discharge the duties that appertaine to so high a calling , vsurpe ouer their authority . for otherwise the scripture informeth vs , that deborah was a prophetesse , and that anna the daughter of phanuel . luke 2. vers . 37. neuer stirred out of the temple , but spent therein both day and night , in prayer & fasting , and speaking feruently of iesus christ the sauiour of the world , to all that waited for their deliuerance in ierusalem . and indeede the light of the moone is needelesle ; when the sunne is in his transcendent , but if hee bee gone , her beames , though not so pregnant , will affoord much comfort . apollos may be eloquent and mighty in the scriptures , priscilla yet may take him vnto her , and expound vnto him the waies of god more plainly . but scientia inslat ; knowledge puffeth vp , and there is nothing , say our opposites , more swelling and imperious , than a woman , that seeth shee hath the superiority and start of her husband in any thing : — faciunt grauior a coactae iuu . sat. 6. imperio sexus ; minimumque libidine peccant . as if they should conforme themselues to mens weakenesses , and patterne out their owne abilities by their defects . he that is depriued of his bodily sight , is content to bee led , though by a childe : and shall hee , that is blinde in his vnderstanding disdaine to be directed by her , who by the ordinance of god , and the rules of sacred wedlocke , is alotted him a fellow-helper in all his businesses ? the husband and the wife are the eyes of a familie ; if the right one bee so bleared , that it cannot well discerne ; the guiding of the houshold must of necessity be left vnto the left , or on the sudden all will go to wracke . and surely i see no reason but the henne may bee permitted to crowe , where the cocke can doe nothing but cackle . so that learning , we see , is an ornament , and a decencie , most expedient for women , were it for no other respect , then to supply , as occasion may require , the defects that are in men. and truely some of them , by seconding a naturall propension in themselues to letters , with an industrious pursuit , haue attained to so high a perfection in them , that men considering how imperiously they challenge a preheminence ouer them herein , haue had iust cause to blush at their own ignorance . there are some , which antiquity obiecteth to our view , whose many rare and profitable inuentions made them deserue the names of goddesses heere on earth , as pallas , ceres , and the sybills , whose mouth it pleased god many times to vse as a sacred oracle , whereby to publish vnto the world , what hee purposed in his will. others again , which haue had the tutoring of diuerse very famous and worthy persons , as aspasia , macrina and diotime , who by her prayers and deuouter sacrifices , prorogued a certaine pestilence , which was then to light vpon the athenians , till ten yeeres after . i could heere alleadge nicostrata , the mother of euander , who was the first that taught the latines what letters were , as likewise corinna , sappho , sulpitia , and the schoole-mistresse of pindare the lyrike , all of them worthy admiration for their excellencie in poesie ; but i desire not to trauell farre , for what i may procure neere home . a country-woman of our owne , hauing disguised herselfe into the habit of a student tooke her iourney to rome , where in a while she grew so famous for wit and knowledge , that from one degree of dignity to another , shee stepped at length into saint peters chaire and had the custodie of the keyes . and this if their aduersaries like deafe adders stoppe not their eares when reason charmeth , may very well suffice to maintaine them learned . their wisedome is the next , which men with their traducements would enuiously impeach , but you shall quickly see it vncanopied of those mistie clouds , which would obscure it , and shining out as cleere as brightest day . chap. 9. of their wisdome . women are wise enough say their aduersaries , if they can but keepe themselues out of the raine . indeede it would much aduantage men , if their vnderstandings were limited with such narrow bounds . their imperfections would not furnish them with matter of laughter so readily as now they doe , nor their ablest virtues be so often ouermatched by them , as now they are . it hath bin our pollicie from the beginning to busie them in domestical affaires , thereby to diuert them from more serious imployments , in which if they had not surmounted vs , they would at least haue showne themselues our equals , and our parallels . spinning , knitting , sowing , preseruing , & the like , as we would make them beleeue , are their chiefest peices : but all ages haue affoorded some , whose spirits being of a stronger temper , and harder edge , then to turne at such perswasions , haue trauailed beyond those herculean pillers , and made manifest to the world , that the braines of a serpent haue beene lodged in the head of a doue . for proofe hereof let vs search no farther into the bosome of antiquitie , then those times , in which the pride and glory of italie , sat chained , as a trophie , on the victorious armes of the barbarous gothes , and we shall finde , that there liued then amongst them queene amalasunta , who with such wonderfull discretion and moderation so managed their harsher mindes , that she found not in them , all the while she raigned , the least rub or stoppe , which might interrupt the smoother course of hir proceedings . after hir , we shall heare of theodelinda , queene of lumbardie , a woman famous and much renowmed for hir singular virtue in the gouernment of state affaires ; and after hir of theodora , the grecian emperesse , one not inferiour in wisdome , or sufficiencie to the former . but that we may draw somewhat neerer home ; what king or prince almost of the latter daies , and make inquirie through the largest part of christendome , did euer deserue to be compared to isabella , queene of spaine . at hir first comming to the crowne , she found the greatest part of hir estate in the hands of the greatest , which notwithstanding shee recouered in so iust and peaceable manner , that they , whom she dispossessed , continued most affectionate vnto hir , and were willing to forgoe , what formerly they had willingly vsurped . after this she did not onely defend hir owne kingdomes from the powerfull inuasions of forraine enemies , but withall enlarged them to hir perpetuall honour , by the glorious acquist of the kingdome of granado : besides all which there was in hir , as is credibly recorded by such as knew hir , such a diuiner kinde of maiesty , as drew from hir subiects all dutifull respect , and put the most rebellious , without any stirre , or tumult , in minde of their obedience : withall such a discerning iudgement in the choise and election of ministers fit for those places , in which she meant to employ them , which as the poet saith , is the chiefest art that belongeth vnto soueraignetie . principis est virtus maxima nosse suos . and afterwards so liberall a minde to reward the worthinesse of their desarts , that since , there haue bin few in spaine of any note or credit , which were not of hir creation . gonsaluo , the great captaine , did more highly value himselfe for the happinesse he had to be preferred by hir , then for all the famous victories , and worthie acts , which made him honoured of all men both in peace and warre . so that in a word , the glory and the reputation , which ferdinand hir husband got by hir , was no lesse a dower , then the kingdome of castile . what should i speake of queene anne of france , a lady of no lesse worth , then wealth , wife to two kings , charles and lewis , but to neither of them any way inferiour , either in iustice , clemency , liberality , or holinesse of life ? what of lady margaret , daughter to miximilian the emperour , who with no lesse wisedome , moderation and equity gouerned hir state a long time ? hungarie , naples , arragon , and sicilie afford vs diuers examples of the like kinde ; but since the winde is faire , i will disanchor from these forraine coastes , and hauing hoisest vp my sailes , make hast vnto our owne . and behold i am met vpon the shore by that wonder of hir sex , queene elizabeth of happy memory , of whom tasso maks this honourable mention ; that howsoeuer their owne ill fortune had decreed , she should be separated from the church , neuerthelesse saith hee , l'heroiche virtu dell animo suo , & l'altezza dell ingegno mirabile le rendeua affectionatissimo ogni animo gentile , & valoroso . the heroicall virtues of hir minde and the wonderfull profoundnesse of hir wit , endeared euery noble and valorous disposition most affectionately vnto hir . and indeede the world cānot produce a fairer example out of all antiquities court-roles , in which goodnes was euermore equally matched with greatnesse ; honestie with policie ; mildenesse with seueritie : liberality with frugalitie , or affability with maiesty : and in which we may see such prudence in gouerning ; such moderation in commanding ; such readinesse in rewarding , such discretion in promising , such religion in performing . so that all hir abilities rightly considered we may say of hir , as was said of greece , sola factorum gloriā ad verborū copiā tetendit . she alone hath equalled with hir deeds all that euer could be said of hir in words , and deserued that which alexander wished , that homers quil to be the trumpet of hir praises . but not to keepe hir princely ashes too long out of their sacred urne ; i will onely vtter to the astonishment of fame , that which the muse of diuine du bartas sung of hir with admiration , stiling hir , & that without flatterie . la docte elizabeth , la prudente pallas , qui fait que le bretō , desdaigneux ne desire , changer anmasleiougd'une femme l'empire qui tandis qu erynnis lasse d'estre en enfer , rauage ses voysins , & par flamme & par fer , et que le noir effroy d'vn murmurāt orage , menace horriblement l'vniuers de naufrage : tient heurense paix sa prouince , ou la loy venerable fleurit auec la blanche foy , qui nâ pas seulement l'opulence faconde dn matern●lāguage ; ains d'une bouche rōde peut sibien sur le champ harenguer en latine grec , frācois , espagnol , tudesque & florētin que rome l'emperiere , & lagrece , & la frāce le rhin et l'arne encor plaident pour sa naissance . and so i leaue this glorious sun lodged in hir west , till she rise againe at the approach of the sunne of glorie , to behold queene anne our gracious soueraigne , whose virtue like that starre in the east , drawes princes , from a farre to doe homage and seruice to hir worthinesse . let vs but consider with what wisdome and discretion she hath hitherto gouerned hir owne domesticall affaires , and from thence we shall presently conclude in hir behalfe , as artaxerxes , surnamed mnemon , did in the behalfe of that poore man , who presented him with an apple of extraordinary bignesse , which when he had receiued with a chearefull countenance : and withall informed himselfe , that it was of his own planting . persolem inquit , videtur hic mihi commissam sibi vrbem de parua magnam redacturus . now by the sunne , said he , were a citie committed to this mans custodie , of a littel one he would surely make it great , of a meane one , mighty . i could here to stoppe the mouthes of our aduersaries produce the names of diuers honourable personages , which like blazing lights doe continually waite vpon this glorious cynthia , and are eminent in the eyes of the world for sundrie notable graces and perfections ; but i will now againe looke backe a little vpon those elder times , and come to helena the wife of iohn , king of cyprus , who perceiuing that hir husbands weakenesse was a blot whereon the greatest part of his nobility continually plaied , and that the kingdome was the stake at which they aimed , & which vnles hir better skil preuented , they by their false play were like to winne ; shee tooke the gouernement into hir owne hands , to the release of the land , and the reliefe of all hir subiects . and surely where the sword doth rust for want of vse , or is so full of gaps and flawes , that it cannot well be vsed , i see no reason but the distaffe should be suffered to supply the place . god , when the children of israel , after the death of ehud the beniamite did euill in his sight , sold them into the hands of iabin king of canaan , who for twentie yeares most grieuously oppressed them , and when there wanted a iudge for their deliuerance , he sent them vpon the crie of their lamentation , deborah a prophetesse , the wife of lapidoth . iud. 4. 4. by whose counsailes and directions barak , the sonne of abinoam freed them from the cruell hand of iabin , and the bloody sword of sisera . and all the people , saith the text , came vp as occasion compelled them to hir dwelling vnder the palme-tree , betweene ramah and bethel in mount ephraim , and receiued iudgement from hir . i cannot therefore but condemne the salique law , and taxe it of iniustice , by which the worthinesse of women is excluded , as a thing altogether eccentricall from the crown of france . but leauing this , do we not see that the greatest captaines , and the grauest commanders haue thought it no disparagement to their worth , to take a peece of the fox from them , wherewith to peece out the lion in themselues , for the safer effecting of their high dessignes ? coriolanus whom neither the maiestie of the common-weale in the persons of embassadors , nor the reuerence of religion in the countenance of the priests could moue , was by their teares , like a hard diamond with the blood of goates , so mollified , that on the instant he did abate the edge of his furie , and turned the point of his weapon from the bosome of his vngratefull countrey . the captaine of that garrison , which hannibal had planted in tarentum , was desperately en amoured of a certaine gentlewoman , who had a brother that serued at the same time in the romane armie , vnder fabius the consul , which when he vnderstood , he commanded him as a fugitiue to hasten thither ; where making vse of his sisters cunning flatteries he droue the gouernour in a short time to betray the towne , which was committed to his custodie . to bee briefe , what had become of the two sonnes of alexander , king of the iewes , when immediately vpon their fathers death , the incensed multitude , in reuenge of that hard and cruell slauery , wherein he had alwaies held them during his life , hastened to the pallace with their weapons in a readinesse to destroy them ; and had giuen those their tragicall dessignes a bloody catastrophe , but that a womans wisedome on the sudden altered the scene of their proceedings , and hatching a doue out of a serpents egge , according to sampsons riddle ; out of the fierce brought sweetnesse , and out of the deuourer meate , by casting the corps of hir deceased lord into the middest of the market place , and telling them , that as in his life time she would willingly haue diuerted him from those tyrannicall and cruell courses , which had most iustly stirred them vp to anger against him : so now , being dead , she was ready there with them to torture his wretched carkasle , and to fling it to the dogs ; onely she intreated them to commiserate those little infants , which were so farre from being guiltie of any fault , that they could not possibly haue beene priuie to any fact . which words of hirs wrought such an impression in their mindes , that they did not onely choose those children with one consent for their soueraigne lords , but afforded likewise honourable burial to the exposed corps . nay what had become of the whole nation of the iewes , if the wisedome of iudith had not cunningly practised the harsh affections of holofernes , and with her speeches , actions and behauiour so enchanted his warlike spirits , that hee minded no armes at all , but hers , which if at any time they happened to compasse him , hee thought himselfe no lesse than a glorious planet in a golden spheare ? queene cleofis , after she had yeelded her selfe to alexander , redeemed by lying with him her lost kingdome ; illecebris saith q. curtius , consecuta quod virtute non poterat , hauing obtained that of him by flatterie , which she could not keepe from him by force ; and vndoubtedly there is nothing , if once they be pleased to employ their wits , in which they cannot very easily ouer-reach and gull the wisest and the ablest men . dauid cannot so stifly resolue to reuenge him selfe on nabal and his houshold , but abigail will make him through her wise behauiour quickely relent . out of which consideration it may peraduenture be , and no worse , s. aug. calleth them muscipulas animae ; latrones vitae : mouse traps for our soules ; picke-purses of our affections . but i will here hang vp fabius his sheilde , to handle a while marcellus his sword ; and hauing spoken of their wisedome , come now to treate of their valour . chap. 10. of their courage and valour . reuenge and cruelty are the symptomes of a sickly resolution , and cannot fasten vpon the temperature of a minde , that is truly valorous . but these in women , say their aduersaries , haue , like vlcerous cankers eaten into their very marrow , and wrought such a generall corruption in all the powers and faculties of their soules , that there can not any crisis possibly bee made of their recouerie . the world doth not harbour in it a creature more vindicatiue , saith the poet. scylla , & charybdis sicula cōtorquens freta , minus est timenda : nulla non melior fera est : adeo cruentus stimulat faeminam dolor . for instance whereof they alledge parisatis , who hauing apprehended the carien , that had cut the hamstring of cyrus her younger sonne , caused him for the space of tenne daies to bee continually tortured ; after that , his eyes to be bored out : and finally molten mettle to bee poured into his eares , till he breathed his last in this miserable torment . shee condemned mithridates , who had wounded him in the temples , to that hellish torture of the troughes , in which after hee had pittifully languished 17. daies together , with much a doe hee died . as for mefabates , who depriued him of head & hands , hauing wonne him at dice of her sonne artexerxes , she deliuered him to the executioners , & commanded them to flay him aliue , and afterwards to teare his body in peeces , and to hang both his skinne and it on seuerall gibbets . the mother of mahomet ii. was so incensed against moses bassa , who by the command of his soueraigne had massacred her younger sonne , a childe but 18. yeares old , that nothing could appease her furie , till she had him , with hands and feete fast bound , deliuered vp vnto her ; which being obtained , shee strooke him first into the brest with a knife , then made a hole in his right side , and by peece-meale cut out his liuer , and cast it before his eyes to the dogges to eate . these things considered , the satyrist had reason , say our opposites , to crie out : — minor admiratio summis debetur monstris , quoties facit ira nocentem hunc sexū , & rabieiecur incendente feruntur praecipites , vt saxa iugis abrupta . — nor is it a thing to be much wondered at , say they , to see those so voide of mercie , that are so full of feare . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; is a position out of check . the heart , that fainteth at the alarmes of an enemy , cannot possibly be recouered , vnlesse it drinke the spirit of his blood . to minister any other aurum potabile , than this vnto it , is meere vanitie , and will produce but a weak effect . this alone is that extracted quintessence , which beyond all chymicall inuentions , must free it from those paralyticall resolutions , and epileptike convulsions , whereinto , vpon the very noise of his approach , it is alwaies apt to fall . the emperour maurice in a dreame saw a souldier , called phocas , killing his wife , his children , and afterwards himselfe , with which vision being sorely daunted , he enquired of his sonne in law philippicus if there were not such a fellow in the armie , who tould him , yes ; and withal that he was a roaring youth , but yet a very crauen ; whereupon the emperour concluded with a troubled countenance , that if he were a coward , he would sure bee cruell . and indeede this argument may hold in men , in whom want of courage is occasioned either by some diminution , ablation , or deprauation of the animall , and vitall spirits ; by reason whereof they neuer think themselues secure , till their enemies death signe the quietus est , which must set them free from the dangerous pursuit of hazard and molestation : but in women it must faile , from the quicknesse of whose apprehension , ariseth many times a suddaine fright , which vpon a more serious consideration of the obiect doth as suddainly vanish . and thus let mee see if the soule of the wisest & the worthiest man be able to resist the first conceits and fantasies that assaile him , and starteth not as out of a natural subiection , with much palenesse and contraction at the noise of thunder , the vnexpected discharge of a cannon , or the suddaine cracke of some great ruine . sure it sufficeth here , as in other passions , that his opinion remaine safe & sound , that the setlednes of his discourse vndergo no alteration or attaint , and that he giue not his consent to his affright and sufferance . i must confesse yet , there be many vultures , harpies , and hellish furies amongst them , in whom as in media , and the like , passions are so predominant , that they make not a superficiall impression , but penetrate so farre into the seate of reason as to infect it , and corrupt it . but if things may be censured with indifferencie , our aduersaries will finde , that crueltie euen in these , is not an imperfection of nature , but a defect of breeding . cyrus his nurse , while he was young would now & then suckle him with the blood of beasts and foules , that were newly kild , which bred such a habit in him , that being manlier growne , hee neuer returned from the slaughter of his enemies , but hee licked his sword : which barbarous and beastly thirst of his , was an occasion that tamiris hauing cut off his head , caused it to be cast into a tub of mans blood , with this exprobration of his crueltie . satia te sanguine quem sitisti , cuiusque infatiabilis semper fuisti : now glut thy selfe , inhumane tyrant , with that , whereof heretofore , thou couldest neuer haue thy fill . the plants of eden , in the state of innocencie , were apt , it seem'd , to riot in their growth ; the walkes and allies thereof were likewise subiect to be quickly defaced , and ouershadowed with weedes , and therefore the lord himselfe tooke care that man should be put therein to keepe it , and to dresse it . and indeed it is the propertie of some vigorous and actiue spirits , when they finde a vacation of good imployments , to make themselues a term-time of bad . the brightest sword will quickly rust , if it be not vsed ; the fatter the soile , the sooner will the fielde be ouergrowne with nettles and briers , if it lye long fallow . neglect is vrenda filix innascitur agris . nature , if she be not continually lopt and prun'd , will suddainly grow debauched . it is said of scylla , that he was cupidus voluptatum , much addicted to voluptuousnesse ; sed gloriae cupidior ; yet neuer , but when businesse of more importance failed him . the like is likewise recorded of demetrius , the sonne of antigonus and diuers others . but i am led a little from my leuell . it appeareth out of all these premises , that to say women because they be fearefull must of necessitie be cruell , is a deceitfull conclusion ; and that crueltie , because it is found in the vntutoured bosomes of some fewe amongst them , must needs , like a beloued guest , be inwardly harboured of them all , is a consequence , as voide of charity as the other was full of sophistrie . for as for the first . mens immota manet , lachrymae volvuntur inanes . and for the other , there can be no certaine demonstration grounded vpon particular obseruation . but not to follow womens valour any longer afarre of , as hippolytus did the goddesse venus , i will begin to court it at a neerer distance , and make knowne in breife vnto the world , that amongst them are very many , which deserue a wreath of bayes , as well as a garland of roses ; and to haue their temples shrouded vnder the oliue , as well as shadowed with the lillie . plinie the younger had a neighbour , neere vnto a certaine house of his in italy , wonderfully tormented with certaine vlcers , which had befallen him in those parts that were the occasion of our first parents shame . his wife in the end , considering how long hee languished , besought him earnestly that shee might view his greife , and that she would more freely than any bodie else tell him in briefe , what he had to trust vnto ; which when she had obteyned , she found it was impossible , he should euer be recouered , and therefore counsailed him , as the safest and surest remedie , to kill himselfe . and finding him too soft for so rough an enterprise : nay doe not thinke , said she , sweete friend , that the paines i see you suffer , concerne not me , as well as you , and that to free my selfe from them , i will not take the same medicine , i prescribe to thee . i will accompanie you in the cure , as i haue done hitherto in the care. cast of this feare , and beleeue assuredly , that we shall meete but with pleasure in this passage , which must rescue vs from such torments . come , my loue , we will goe ioyfully together . this said , finding that shee had already warmed hir husbands courage , shee rosolueth from a window in their lodging to fling themselues headlong out into the sea ; and to maintaine euen to the end , this loyal and vehement affection , where with shee had euer formerly imbraced him , she would haue him dye within hir armes ; and that hir strict enlacements , might not slacken either through the fall , or feare , shee caused him to be fast bound vnto hir middle , and in this manner for the easing of his life , abandoned hir owne . but this was a woman of meane ranke , and amongst such , it is not so strange a thing to see now and than some traces of extraordinarie goodnesse . extrema per illos iustitia excedens terris vestigia fecit . i will bring you others from the pallaces of princes , where ( some say ) virtue seldome quartereth . arria , wife to cecinna poetus , when she saw , that hir husband afterthe ouerthrow of scribonianus whose faction hee had followed against the emperour claudius , was led away by the souldiers as a prisoner , and that shee might not be suffered to accompany him in the same ship ; hired vpon the instant a fisher-boate , and followed him in that manner from sclauonia to rome , where one day , iunia the wife of scribonianus accosting her in presence of the emperour somewhat familiarly by reason of the society of their fortunes , shee thrust her backe veryeagerly with these words . heauens forbid that i should either speak or listen vnto thee , in whose lap scribonianus was slaine , and thou yet aliue . these and other the like words gaue her friends occasion to suspect , that shee was not minded to continue long , the slauish captiue of an insulting fortune . and heereupon did thrasea her sonne in law beseech her , not to lay violent hands vpon herselfe , asking her whether shee would be content that his wife her daughter , if hee at any time should chance to runne the like hazard , which cecinna did , should doe the like ? whereunto shee answered , would i ? yes , yes , assure thy selfe i would had shee liued so long , and so peaceably with thee , as i haue done with him . these desperate replies made them more narrowly obserue her gesture and demeanour : which when once shee had discouered . you doe wisely , said she , well may you make mee die more vneasily ; but keepe mee from dying at all , you cannot ; and therewith rising furiously out of her chaire , she ranne her head against a post , and a while after being somewhat recouered of the blow ; did i not tell you , said she , that if you denied me an easie death , i would make choice of some other , how painefull soeuer it did prooue . the end of such an admirable vertue was this . her husband paetus was somewhat too faint-hearted , to preuent what the tyrant had cruelly design'd against him , by doing it himselfe . one day therefore amongst other , hauing employed all the inducements , perswasions end exhort ations that were fit for such a businesse , shee tooke the poynard which he wore , and holding it naked in her hand , for the conclusion of her discourse . paetus , said shee , doe thus ; and hauing vpon the very instant giuen herselfe a mortall stroake about the stomacke , and then snarching it out of the wound , presented it vnto him , as the legacie of her affectionate loue , with this noble , generous , and immortall encouragement , paete non dolet . hold , take it paetus , it hath not hurt me at all . the summe of which worthy story is punctually comprized in this ensuing epigram . mart. lib. 2. ep. 14. casta suo gladium cum traderet arria paeto , quam de visceribus traxerat ipsa suis ; si qua fides , vulnus , q d feci , non dolet inquit ; sed quod tu facies , hoc mihi , paete , dolet . and vpon the instant he strucke himselfe with the same weapon ; ashamed , in my opinion , that euer hee had needed so deere and precious an instruction . but shall i shew you a rosie bud , that will bloome no longer , than it may lie in the bed of winter : a fire that burneth not but when cold water is cast vpon it : a marigold , that openeth not , but at a setting sunne ? looke then vpon that young and honourable romane lady , pompeia paulina , who hauing in the spring of her youth , matched herselfe with seneca in the full fall of his age , would not , after nero had decreed his death , vpon any rearmes bee disswaded by him from dying with him . it was , she said , a necessarie iourney , and could neuer bee better vndertaken , then in his company . seneca was much delighted with this glorious determination of hers , and told her , that he would not enuie her that honour : and withall , that howsoeuer there might be an equality of constancie and resolution in both of them towards their common end : the beauty yet , and glorie of the action would bee greater on her side then on his by farre . and so hand in hand after many sweete farewels taken , and soft embraces , they set themselues in a readinesse to welcome death , and had their veines wide opened presently to let out life , to let in him . harmonia the daughter of hieron the syracusan , would needes bee buried in those flames in which her country burned . mithridates knew not how to die , till his sisters had markt him out the way . asdrubal , though very valiant , was fain to take a precedent from his wife to free himselfe from his foe . but i heare these magnanimous and high designes of theirs , traduced by our aduersaries , as if a dull and stupid ignorance of the danger which they vndergo , or some obstinate and selfe-willd humor to effect , what they vndertake , were the principall causes of their being . when indeede their true originall is an absolute and determinate will , to preserre honour and duety before all the dangers of the world , as the sequell in a more warrelike and martiall manner shall discouer vnto them . marulla a maide of coccinum in lemnos , when solyman bassa thought vnexpectedly to haue surprized the towne , took vp the weapons of her father , whom she saw slaine before her in the gate , and did not onely reuenge his death vpon those that approached her , but kept out the turke and all his forces , till the citizens mooued with the alarme , made haste to succour her . at the siege of alba regalis , amongst other women was a tall hungarian , who thrusting in amongst the souldiers , with a sithe in her hand , at one blow strucke off the heads of two turkes , as they were climbing vppe the rampier . at the battell of coy , which was fought betweene selymus the first , and ismael , and for the terriblenesse therof entitled by the saracens themselues , the onely day of doome , were found in the fields of calderan , amongst the heaps of men that were at that time slaine , the bodies of diuers persian women , who had armed themselues out of no other intent , than to share with their husbands in those bloody purchases . at the siege of agria , the women shewed themselues no lesse valiant , then the men , in beating mahomet from the wals , and massacring his souldiers on euery side . one amongst the rest , taking from her dead husband his sword and target , did sacrifice therwith immediately the liues of three of her enemies to his ghost , and her owne reuenge . but i will now muster vp whole armies from sundry nations , of generous and warlike lasses , such as shall confound our aduersaries with their presence , and serue as a test to discouer much weakenesse in the stourest men. the persians flying from the medes , are met without their city gates by their mothers and their wiues , who taking vp their garments , demanded those fearfull hares , num in vteros matrum vel vxorum vellent refugere , whether they thoght to shroud themselues from the pursuite of their enemies , within the compasse of those formes againe , or no ? with which spectacle and speech of theirs , they grew so much ashamed of their owne saintheartednesse , that presently they turned head , and recouered the victorie which before they had most basely lost , out of the hands of their enemies . philip the sonne of demetrius , hauing besieged the towne of chio , caused proclamation to be made , that as many slaues , as would flie from thence to him , should enioy liberty , and with all their masters wiues , which ignominious affront so incensed the women , that without delay they ran armed to the wals , and assaulted him so fiercely , that in short space they enforced him , which the men could neuer doe , to raise his armie , and remooue his forces , with no little losse of honour , labour and expence . the very same persons , when their husbands were assaulted by the erithraeans and their confederates , & finding themselues vnable to contend with them , were content vpon composition to depart out of leuconia only with one shirt and one vpper garment : reproued them very sharpely , that they could endure , hauing forgone their weapons , to march naked through the squadrons of their enemies , and wished them for the keeping of their oath , in stead of their clothes to take their sword & their shield , and to tell them that those were the proper garments which belonged to men of valour . they obeyed them herein , and with this their boldnesse so terrified the erithraeans , that they were glad of their departure . the inhabitants of curzola perceiuing the turkish forces to approach , out of cowardly feare for sooke their towne , leauing behind them , not aboue twentie men , and fourscore women , who with great courage defended the place , and in the end , seconded , as it were , by heauen with a tempest from the north , rescued it wholly from the violent assaults of those barbarous mahometanes . nicholas serpietre , cheife leader of the ratians against frier george bb. of varadine , in aide of isabella , qu : of hungarie , hauing most dishonourably lost , by reason of his feare and carelesse neglect , the greatest part of his regiment , was for his basenesse so much distasted by his heroicke wife , that shee did not onely reproue him , and that sharpely , for the same , but withall absented herselfe from him a long time , as loathing the society of one so degenerating from the straines of true nobilitie , as to preferre the safety of his life , before the safegard of his honour . what shall i neede to shew , how the saguntines in defence of their countrie , armed their dantier limbes against the troupes of hanibal ? or how when the dutchmen were ouerthrowne by marius , their women being denied the fauour of liuing free in the seruice of the vestall virgins , slewe both themselues and their children ; to shew how much they hated and detested a seruile subiection ? the celtes a people in france betweene the riuers garunna , and sequana , before such time as hauing passed the alpes they obtained that part of italie , which afterwardes they inhabited , fell at ods amongst themselues , with such implacable hatred , that it seemed nothing but the vtter ruine and extirpation of each other could alaie the tumult . but the women thrusting themselues into the middest of those factious leuies , tooke notice of their differences , and reconciled them with such equitie and dexteritie , that they departed together from the fielde without the least signe of any former partialities amongst them ; in honour of which their prowesse and wisedom , they admitted them euer after to al their consultations both of peace and warre . and in the league which they made with hannibal , it was articulated and agreed vpon , that if the celtes should haue occasion at any time to accuse the carthaginians of wrong offered , the carthaginian captaines and commanders in spaine should haue the hearing of the busines ; but if the carthaginians should complain of the celtes , the knowledge of the cause should bee by reference committed to their women . what should i speake of tamyris amongst the scythians : of theoxena amongst the greekes ; of octauia , portia , caia , cecilia , cornelia or of cloelia amongst the romanes : all of an extraordinary temper , and sprightly carriage , but the last , euen by posena , the professed enemie of her countrey , for her stoute and valiant attempts against himselfe , so much admired , that hee presented her with a horse , the onely honouable reward of a true martiall virtue ? the french talke of iane la pucelle ? who when the kingdome of france in the time of charles the vii . lay panting for want of breath vnder the burthen of our english armes , couragiously releiued it , and hauing chased the forces of the duke of bedford from orleans caused the king her soueraigne to be crowned at rhemis , and set him afterwards in peaceable possession of all his territories . haue wee not in our owne confines , that princely voadicia , for in this point i will not mention any later times , who with her warlike amazonians maintaind the reputation of her state , and kept it long on foot against the feirce inuasion of the romanes ? and therefore as our english poet saith . spencer f. q. lib. 3. can. 2. here haue i cause , in men iust blame to finde , that in their proper praise too partiall be , and not indifferent to woman-kinde , to whom no share in armes , or chinalrie they doe impart , ne maken memorie of their braue gests , and prowesse martiall , scarce doe they spare to one , or two , or three roome in their writs , yet the same writing small , doth all their deeds deface , & dims their glorious all . but i haue drawne this wire out too farre , i wil now therfore breake it off , and in a little modell expresse the large remainder of this worke . the epilogue . thucydides was of opinion that an honest and vertuous woman should as charily cloister vp hir fame from the eares of men , as she would hir face from their eyes . but gorgias was of another minde . for though he would not haue their beauties seene ; hee was content their virtues might be knowne . and plutarke much approueth those romane lawes , which permitted women as well , as men , according to their desart , and dignitie , to be publikely praised , at the solemnizing of their funerals . for howsoeuer aristotle affirme , that nature intendeth alwaies to produce that , which is most perfect , and therefore willingly would still bring foorth the male , counting females , it should seeme , like those , that are borne blinde and lame , or any other way defectiue , the prodigious errours and mistakings of hir operations : howsoeuer likewise their aduersaries would depriue them of that glorious caracter of gods diuinitie imprinted in the heart of man at his creation ; because it is said in the 1. cor. 11. v. 7. that man is the image , and glory of god ; but woman is the glory of the man ; and hereupon would conclude , that their whole sex is but an ample demonstration of natures crazinesse , and their owne vnworthinesse : plato yet maintaines , that if there be any distinction betwixt their sufficiencie : and ours , it is not essentiall , but accidentall , & such a one as is grounded meerely vpon vse . and therefore , saith hee , as both the hands are by nature alike fit for all manner of actions , till application and imployment bring in a difference of right and left. so women and men haue in them the same aptitude and abilitie for the well managing of ciuill and militarie places , and it is exercise alone , which begets dexteritie in the one and the other . which example he drew peraduenture from the doctrine of the pythagorians , who diuided all things into good and euill ; and in the ranke of those that were good , placed the right-hand , the male , and that which was limited and finite : in the ranke of those that were euill ; the left-hand , the female , and that which was infinite . but omitting this , his conclusion is , that as those bodies are most perfect , and fitting for euery action , which can , if occasion require , as well apply their left-hand to the businesse , as their right : so is that common-wealth the most absolute which for good gouernment can make vse of women , as well as of men. it is an axiome in schooles , whereof no quaere can be made , that substantiae non recipiunt aut maius , aut minus . substances admit not either more or lesse : wherefore as one stone cannot be said to be more a stone , then another , so farre as concerneth that essentiall forme , which giueth a being to them both : no more can one man be said to be more perfectly man then another . and so by consequence the male shall not be thought more worthy then the female , in regard of his essence , because they be comprehended both vnder one kinde : but if in any thing he haue the start , and aduantage , it is merely by accident , and no way else . as concerning that forealleaged position of aristotles , i confesse it is true , that nature in the production of things doth continually minde the perfectest ; & therefore intendeth the bringing foorth of man in his kinde , but not male more then female . for if she should alwaies produce the male , shee should commit an extraordinary incongruitie ; because as from the bodie , and the soule , ariseth a compound more noble , then his parts , which is man : so from the company of male & female doth redound likewise a compound , which is the onely preseruer of humane generation , without which the parts would soone decay . male and female therefore , are by nature alwaies together , neither can the one exist without the other . one sex alone is an argument of imperfection ; and therefore the heathens did attribute both of them to god. orpheus said of iupiter , that he was male and female . so that the graces and abilities which are in them , howsoeuer they may varie in some outward traces and lineaments , are in forme and substance the same with ours . let vs consider if the magnificencie of of semiramis and that of sesostris ; the subtiltie of tanaquil , and that of seruius ; the courage of porcia , and that of brutus ; of timoclea , and that of pelopidas ; doe not resemble one the other very neerely . virtue may alter now and then hir habit , but she will neuer change hir hew ; the nature and condition , the temperature and constitution , the diet and course of life of those in whom she abideth , doe but furnish hir a wardrobe of so many seuerall suites and shapes wherewith at hir pleasure she disguiseth hirselfe in outward appearance . achilles was valiant in one kinde , aiax in another : nestors wisedome , and that of vlysses were not alike . agesilaus and cato were both iust , but not in the same manner . eirene loued hir husband otherwise then alcestis . cornelias magnanimitie was of a differing straine from that of olympias : yet notwithstanding al this there is but one fortitude , one prudence , one iustice . the diuersitie of the operation ariseth onely from the varietie of the organe . but self-conceitednesse hath like a canker eaten into the hearts of men , and possessed them with such an admiration of their owne sufficiencie , that they looke but with a scornefull eye vpon the sufficiencie of others . in choise of wiues they respect not any virtuous qualities . they account them but impertinences , and things of little vse . hath she wealth , she cannot possibly be without worth . optima , sed qnare , cesennia , teste marito ; bis quingenta dedit ; tanti vocat ille pudicam : nec veneris pharetris macer est , nec lampade feruet ; inde faces ardent ; veniunt à dote sagittae . they take vpon them to bee their heads , and therefore if they proue not as they ought , the blame must light vpon themselues . if vashti bee disobedient , let assuerus be blamed , for commanding hir that , which being contrary to the lawes of persia , did not beseeme hir modestie to doe . the eye is in fault if the foote doe stumble . the chariot of the sunne , as i said before was glorious , and did afford much comfort , but when phaeton had the guiding of it , his vnaduised rashnesse set all things in combustion . it is here as it is at irish , if we haue a bad cast , we must seeke to better it by good play . if a woman be sharpe and sower in hir conuersation , it becommeth man with the mildenesse of his behauiour , mingling as it were oyle with vineger , to qualifie the tartnesse , and like a skilfull chirurgion , neuer to apply a cataplasme where hee sees an oyntment will serue the turne . if she be obstinate and selfe-wild , he must remember the apologue , that the blustring winde the stiffer hee sought to blow the trauailers cloake from him , the straighter he made him binde it to him : whereas the sunne by shining gently vpon him so preuailed , vt praeaestu simul cum pallio tunicam exueret , that through ouermuch heate , with his cloake he did likewise put of his coate . — bacchae bacchanti sivelis aduersarier . exinsana infaniorem facies ; feriet saepius . si obsequare vnâ resolues plaga , saith the comicke . passions in women are like wilde beasts sooner tamed by following , then ouerthrowne by withstanding . tumours and inflamations are but exasperated by corrosiues , the readiest way to recouer them is by lenitiues . lenefluit nilus , sed cunct is amnibus extat vtilior , nullas confessus murmure vires . he must not thinke to vse them , as esops labourer did his god , from whom he then wrung most , when he did most wrong him . it is otherwise here . — peragit trauquilla potestas , quod violenta nequit ; mandataque fortius vrget imperiosa quies — this is that field of bio's , which if you praise it , will yeelde more fruite , then when you plough it . if she be light and wanton , and that the freenesse of hir carriage make him suspect the fairenesse of hir conscience , let him conceale it closely , and remember how ioseph , whan hee doubted the b. virgins faith , would not make hir a publike example , but determined with himselfe to put hir away priuily : and this was noted in him as an effect of iustice , and vprightnesse by the h. g. it selfe . priuate admotions , like precious balmes , are seldome applied but with good successe : churlish restraints are of another nature . sinunquam danaen habuisset ahenea turris , non esset danae de ioue fact a parens . like whetstones they set an edge vpon the dullest appetite , and are oftentimes the occasioners of misdeedes in such as neuer thought to step awry . nullus in vrbe fuit tota , qui tangere vellet vxorem gratis caeciliane tuam , dum licuit , sed nunc positis custodibus ingens turba fututorum est . — prohibitions in this kinde are but prouokings . besides they are to little purpose . for as our english poet saith . it is not iron bands , nor hundreth eyes , nor brazen wals , nor many wakefull spies , that can withhold her wilfull wandring feet : but fast good will with gentle courtesies , and timely seruice to her pleasures meet , may her perhaps containe , that else would algates fleet . let him consider likewise if his owne lordlynesse bee not a maine efficient of her lewdnesse . for indeede , non benè conueniunt , nec in vna sede morantur , maiestas & amor. — mildnesse and affabilitie are the true parents of legitimate affections ; all other complements and seruiceable demonstrations are but impostures ; and to speake truely , the bastard issue of sinister and side respects . witnesse our witty epigrammatist . mart. lib. 2. epig. 55. vis te , sexte , coli ; volebam amare ; parendum est tibi : quod iubes , colêris sed site colo , sexte : non amabo . all cynicall rigour therefore and austerity must bee quite diuorced from the nuptiall yoke . a stoicall brow , a churlish accent , or a countenance any way tyrannicall , and which shall seeme to exact obseruance , is the bane and poison of amorous embracements . the ancient pagans did alwaies place the statues of perswasion , and the graces neere to that of venus , to shew , that married people should by faire demeanour and soft entreaty , without brawling or contention obtaine their desires at each others hand . isaac that blessed patriarch , was seene by abimelech as hee looked out at a window , to sport himselfe with his rebaccah ; an example confounding the arrogant behauiour of such , as will not remember , that the woman was taken out of the side of man , to bee rankt in equall estimation with him ; and not out of his foot , to become litier for his proud and insolent ambition to wallow on . they are not al of them saints , i must confesse , but such as haue their imperfections & defects , as well as we ; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , saith plato , there is no sweete , but hath some sower : the wine is not without his lees ; and the bee , as it hath hony , so it hath a sting . — medio de fonte leporum surgit amari aliquid , quod in ipsis faucibus angat . but whosoeuer shall neglect them for these , resembleth those , who for one illrellishing grape forbeare the whole cluster ; or because they haue been scratched with the bush will forgoe the berry . but were they neuer so crooked in their carriage , neuer so deformed in their conuersation , that well-tempred wisdome , by reason wherof men challenge such a preheminence ouer them , should easily , me thinkes , worke some amendment . for though not euery beast in the forrest , nor euery tree in the wood , can be thoroughly stripped of their wilder nature ; the hunts-man notwithstanding out of those , and the gardiner out of these , will finde a meanes to reape some profit . the water of the sea is vicious , and vnfit for drinke ; fishes yet make it their nourishment , and mariners , as well , as merchants vse it as chariot to carry them into farre countries . in a word , no sublunary thing is more needefull vnto man , than fire : it affoordeth him both light and heat , yet if the satyre bee too busie with it , he may peraduenture burn his beard . the physician can extract a cordiall out of the deadliest poyson ; and out of the basest minerall a noble quintessence . but men are so farre from this , that women to countenance their basest actions can bring precedents from home . ahabs weaknesse was a cause of iezabels vnworthinesse . such a one is proud and haughty , but if you marke her well , you shall finde , her husband is the glasse by which she trimmeth herselfe . — in vulgus manant exempla regentum ; vtque ducū lituos , sic mores castra sequuntur . the deedes of men in authority , are alwaies patrons for those of lower ranke . a subiect vsually eies nothing but the example of his superiour . doth aristotle stammer ? those that are vnder him will affect it as a soueraigne grace : is plato any thing crooke shouldred ? hee shall haue many that will imitate him . hath alexander the great a peculiar writhing of his necke ? no doubt but hephestion out of his loue would willingly seeme to haue the like . it is the nature of true affection not onely to palliate and disguise the blemishes of a friend , but with all to ioy in them somerimes . — balbini polypus agnam delectat — and to make them often the subiects of setled imitation . is there any tumour therefore or inflammation in the leg , or other inferiour parts of the bodie ? let vs see if the defluction which causeth it , proceede not from the head , where there is a neere coniunction , no maruaile if there happen a sudden infection . — grex totus in agris vnius scabie cadit , & porrigine porci , vuaque conspect â liuorem ducit ab vuâ . one scabbed sheepe may marr a faire flocke , one measled hogge endanger a whole heard . the clearest eye many times by viewing onely that which is bleared , becomes abnoxious to the like perill . let vs not complaine then like that foolish fellow , of a paine in the hand , whē there is an impostume in the head. if we would haue women without spots , let vs keep our selues without staines . but here our aduersaries crie out , quid iuuat ad surdas si cālet phemius aures ? quid miserā thamyram picta tabella iuuat ? little auaileth the wisedome of the inchanter , if the adder be not disposed to listen . what effect can either precept , or precedent produce in those , who haue armed themselues with a willful resolution , to put by all good counsell and perswasion ? oleum perdit & impensas , qui bouem mittit ad ceroma ; saith the prouerb , an oxe will neuer prooue a wrestler , vse what care and cost you can . let your plees bee neuer so well tempered with wisedome and discretion , your speeches sa let him spie one wrinckle on her brow , and he shall streight his mistris disauow : let her skin writhell ; let her eye-sight faile , her teeth wex yellow ; or her cheeks look pale ; packe huswife , hence , this honest man shal say ; out of my doores ; dispatch , vse no delay ; your dropping nose occasions my disdaine , i must haue one , that hath a dryer braine . for there are , which make virtue the marke whereat they leuell ; let vs but listen a while , and wee shall heare many tragically sighing out , what demenetus vttered in the comedie , argentum accepi , dote imperium vendidi ; i haue gotten monie but i haue purchased miserie , and for a large portion forgone my libertie . m. aurelius will not dare though , to cast himselfe into the loose embraces of a strumpet , so she bring an empire to him for her dowrie . many of lower ranke , out of a couerous desire to soder vp a crackt estate , let not to doe the like ; but in the ende they may crie out with esau , the pottage hath refresht me , but my birthright's gone . plaut . in aulul . — sunt multae in magnis dotibus incommoditates , sumptu sque intolerabiles ; nam quae indotata est , ea in potestate est viri ; dotatae mactant & malo , & damno viros . let all things be rightly considered , and we shall finde that rich wiues are but bils of charge . she that hath no such addition to make her weigh will be continually readie to conforme herselfe in all things to her husbands will ; but shee that hath the start in that , will haue it in all things else , or the whole house shall perish in her furie . intoler abilius nihil est quàm foemina diues . there can be no greater torture to a man , then to bee matched to a woman whose fortunes are of a higher built roofe than his owne . iuv : lib. 2. sat. 6. nil non permitt it mulier sibi , turpe putat nil , cum virides gemmas collo circundedit , & cum auribus extensis magnos commisit elenchos . beautie therefore is vaine , and riches are deceitfull , saith ( pro. 31. ) the h. g. but a woman that feareth the lord , shee shall be praised . she openeth her mouth with wisedome , and in her tongue is the law of kindnesse . hir husband shall be knowne in the gates , when he sitteth among the elders of the land. the frailty of the first is fully characterd in this ensuing poem , occasioned , it should seem , by some great and suddaine alteration discouered in the subiect , which for the corespondencie it holds with this discourse i will heere wholly insert . a glorious place i did of late behold , whose outside richly deckt with burnisht gold ; did seeme to mee a mansion fit for ioue , for virtuous pallas , or the queene of loue. i thought so sweete a seat could not but be the sacred harbour of some deitie . the roofe thereof was arched like the skies and grac'd with stars , which though but mortal eies , yet such they were as like promethean fire , in frozen earth could kindle hot desire ; such as could warme the liuer ; quick the braine , and moue affection in the dullest swaine ; it ioy'd me much to see my weaker sight curiously search this labyrinth of delight . one beauty seene , i straightway more discouer , and rauisht , crie ; who would not be a louer ? through christall casements i might easily see the louely graces in their sport full glee ; and by and by the archer and his mother with wanton dalliance courting one another . an entrance was into this princely place , whose currall gates tooke vp a seemely space ; from foorth betwixt the leaues issued a breath , could set a glosse vpon the face of death , and now and then came foorth a gentle sound , whose sweet concent did orpheus quite confound . it much affected many mortall eares , and might haue drawn bright angells from their spheares but beauty fades , and louely parts decay , greene herbes do quickly turne to withered hay ; the blushing rose , the glory of the morne , doth often-times become the mid-daies scorne . this seeming eden i did lately view , but all things varied from their former hewe ; nothing i saw , which i might terme the same , so short a date hath euery earthly frame . yet in this change time could not vant his force ; so i had not finisht halfe his annuall course , since first that glorious parcell of the skies , was made the happie obiect of mine eyes ; whereat th' affections , formed in my brest , as vnderpropped with to weake arest . in their owne ruins did themselues entombe , and like abortiues perish't in the wombe . my thoughts shall therefore neuer more embrace the washie tincture of a female face ; beauties imperious lookes may force mine eye , but virtues liege-man my poore heart shall die . yet some may taxe me for a wauering minde ; whose loue goes out at euery blast of winde : but let these know ; buildings though nere so tal , if once their base , & ground-worke faile , must fall . as for the vanitie of the last , i will take martiall for my patron , who being condemned by a friend , for hauing refused to marrie with a wealthie widow , returned him his reasons in this pithie epigramme . vxorem quare locupletem ducere nolim , quaeritis ? vxori nubere nolo meae . inferior matrona suo sit , prisce , marito , non aliter fuerint faemina , virque pares . mart. lib. 8. epigram . 12. but the couvre-feu bell hath alreadie rung , and it is now time the draw-bridge of this our sanctuarie were puld vp , and the gates thereof shut in . such as had oyle in their lamps are already entred ; if any seeke admission hereafter , whatsoere their allegations be , they must attend a iubile for a second opening ; till when to stoppe the mouthes of their aduersaries , most whereof , like euripides , though they raile vpon them at the bord , are well contented with them in the bed , i publish here in a little volume , this poeticall character of their worthinesse . — they are the comfort of our liues , that draw an equall yoake without debate ; a play-fellow , that for of all griefe driues ; a steward , early that prouides and late ; both faithfull , chast , and sober , milde , and trustie , nurse to weake age , and pleasure to the lustie . finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a14083-e190 well was she worthy on the seas to ride , and in our shell sit with vs side by side . notes for div a14083-e1460 nor takes , nor leaues hir dignity , and crowne for any vulgar fawne , or baser frowne , i lik'd thy body as i did thy minde whilst in thy bosome i no craft did finde ; but those vile cankers , which haue gnawn thy soule haue marr'd thy fauor ) made thy beauty foule . within the temple prostrate on thy face , offer the gods thy prayers in any case ; to iuno then , vvith loud , but hallowed cries , a horne-guilt heifer see thou sacrifice , if thou a wife hast got , that 's free from blame , chast in hir life , and spotlesse in hir name ; so few there be , whose purer worth appeares such as may claime the garlands ceres weares . t' was not the state , nor soueraigntie of ioue could court hir chast affectiōs from hir loue ; nor was there any venus in the skies , could frō hir looks withdraw his greedy eies : both like true turtles wheresoere they came , consum'd , and wasted in one equall flame . hir age , and beautie wild him to beleeue , that hir falsedealing gaue him cause to grieue but when hir virtuous carriage he did eye , his hart relēting gaue those thoughts the lie . loosenes was stil companion to the faire . sp. t q cant. 9. if any wench delightfull be to one , she 's trim enough , and decking needeth none . such a tempestuous storme of words doe fall , youl 'd thinke so many basons iangling were , or orkeney's bels were sounding in your eare ; now none need spēd their breath on haubois more , nor with loud clarions make their inwards sore . one womans tongue , without the helpe of these , makes noyse enough the fainting moone to ease . here lies entombed vnderneath this stone a dame , whose tongue had cause enough to mone . it mou'd as fast , as doth the swiftest spheare , and found nominutes rest throughout the yeare , forth rusht hir words in such abundant store that now ( how ener ) she shall nere speake more . hir silence yet will neuer equall be to what she spake by many a large degree . brawles chidings , iarres , attend the marriage bed : and where a wife lies , seldome sleepes the head. poore septime rather had his acme haue , then syrias wealth , or britains isles so braue ; chast acme no strange dalliances doth try , hir thoughts nere stir , but when hir septime's by with pure obseruace each to other moue , with naturall minds they be belou'd & loue : who euer did a happier couple see , or who two turtles louinglier agree ? light wauering things by nature women are : hence in their hearts , my knowledge is full sure , an amorous state can but a while endure . elizabeth the learned , pallas the wise , who makes the britaines scornfully disdaine , for the male yoake to change a females raign , who whilst erynnis , weary now of hell , with fire & sword doth all hir neigbors quell , and that the black fright of a murmuring storme . the world with shipwracke threatneth to deforme , in happie peace hir prouinces doth sway , where law & faith doe neuer fall away . who is not onely very richly stor'd with the sweet wealth hir lāguage doth afford but can so well and volubly addresse hir tongue vpon the sudden , to expresse hir hie conceits in latine , and can speake such spanish , dutch , such tuscan and such greeke , that rome , greece , france , and spaine and arne , and rhine each of them pleade , and say , by birth she is mine . scylla , charybdis , and those rockes that teare the seas proud billawes , need not halfe that feare , there 's not a beast throughout the world so wide , which , than a woman , is not farre more milde . such bloudie passions , in her bosome raigne , when outward crosses cause her inward paine . we need the greatest monsters lesse admire , then this same sex of theirs , when rage doth fire their liuers ; & to mischeif bears them all , headlong , like rockes , which from their cliffes doe fall . some softer dewes frō their faire eies may fall . but nothing can their nobler mindes appall . when iust astraea stept from earth to skies , from poore folks harts she took hir latest rise . when to her paetus arria did present the sword , wherwith her bowels she had rent ; this woūd , q d she , tormēts me not , belieue me but what thou mak'st , sweete paetus , that will greeue me . best was cesennia by hir husband thought ; but why ? she to him many hundreths brought : hir grace , and vertue he doth wholly rate , after the faire proportion of hir state. he grows not leane through paphiādarts or torch : hir dowrie's that , which doth his bosome scorch . nile softly flowes , but yet more profit yeelds then all streames else , in making rich the fields , whilst gently gliding on his moister way , he with no murmure doth his force bewray . calme powre with much facilitie doth doe , what stormie force can nere attaine vnto . still peace doth beare a more imperious sway and farre more strongly vrge them to obey . if beauteous danae had not bin detain'd in wals of brasse , great ioue had neuer rayn'd into hir chaster lap that golden shower , which broke the stalke of hir faire virgin floure . whilst to his wife , caecilian , gaue accesse , none did themselues vnto his house addresse : he had no sooner though appointed spies , but straight a swarme of lechers thither hies . loue hath a smiling face , and cannot brooke to see it selfe checkt with a surly looke . i would , good sextus , faine haue loued thee ; but thou desirest worshipped to bee : thy hest shal bee obeyed but thou wilt proue that they , which worship . sextus , wil not loue . there 's nothing so delightfull to our taste , but leaues some bitter sauour at the last ; and ereit come to settle in our mawes , offensiue prooues euen to our very iawes . deafe eares in musicke take but small delight , faire pictures please not , where there wāteth sight . no act so lawlesse ; no attempt so vile , but she beleeues becomes her well , the while about her neck faire sparkling gems she weres , and with large pendants loades her stretched eares . demand you why , with one that 's rich to marrie i denide ? the reason was , vnto my wife i would not be the bride . the matrons must inferiour be , good priscus , to the man ; or neuer will they equall be , doe priscus what you can . a dialogue concerning women, being a defence of the sex written to eugenia. walsh, william, 1663-1708. 1691 approx. 127 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 72 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2003-01 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a67449 wing w645 estc r13108 13314820 ocm 13314820 99018 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a67449) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 99018) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 442:8) a dialogue concerning women, being a defence of the sex written to eugenia. walsh, william, 1663-1708. dryden, john, 1631-1700. [8], 134 p. printed for r. bentley ... and j. tonson ..., london : 1691. written by william walsh. cf. bm. preface signed: john dryden. first ed. cf. bm. reproduction of original in huntington library. includes bibliographical references. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng women -early works to 1800. 2000-00 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2001-10 spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images 2001-11 tcp staff (michigan) sampled and proofread 2001-11 tcp staff (michigan) text and markup reviewed and edited 2001-12 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a dialogue concerning women , being a defence of the sex . written to eugenia . london , printed for r. bentley in russel-street in covent-garden , and i. tonson at the iudge's head in chancery-lane . 1691. preface . the perusal of this dialogue , in defence of the fair sex , written by a gentleman of my acquaintance , much surpris'd me : for it was not easie for me to imagine , that one so young , cou'd have treated so nice a subject with so much judgment . 't is true , i was not ignorant that he was naturally ingenious , and that he had improv'd himself by travelling ; and from thence i might reasonably have expected that air of gallantry , which is so visibly diffus'd through the body of the work , and is indeed the soul that annimates all things of this nature : but so much variety of reading , both in ancient and modern authors , such digestion of that reading , so much justness of thought , that it leaves no room for affectation , or pedantry , i may venture to say , are not overcommon amongst practis'd writers , and very rarely to he found amongst beginners . it puts me in mind of what was said of mr. waller , the father of our english numbers , upon the sight of his first verses by the wits of the last age , that he came out into the world forty thousand strong , before they ●ad heard of him . ( here in imitation of my friends apostrophe's , i hope the reader need not be told , that mr. waller is only mention'd for honour's sake , t●at i am desirous of laying hold on his memory , on all occasions , and thereby acknowledging to the world , that unless ●e had written , none of us cou'd write . ) i know my friend will forgive me this digression ; for it is not only a copy of his stil● but of his candour . the reader will observe , that ●e is ready for all ●ints of commending merit , and the writers of this age and country are particularly oblig'd to him , for his pointing out those passages which the french call beaux endroits , ●herein they have most excell'd . and though i may seem in this , to ●ave ●y own interest in my eyes , because ●e has more than once mention'd me , so much to my advantage , yet i hope the reader will take it only for a parenthesis , because the piece wou'd have been very perfect without it . i may be suffer'd to please my self with the kindness of my friend , without valuing my self upon his partiality : he had not confidence enough to send it out into the world , without my opinion of it , that it might pass securely , at least amongst the fair readers , for whose service it was principally design'd . i ●● not so presuming , to think my opinion can either he his touchstone , or his passport : but i thought i might send him back to ariosto , who has made it the business of almost thirty stanza's in the beginning of the 37th book of his orlando furioso , not only to praise that beautiful part of the creation , but also to make a sharp satyr on their enemies ; to give mankind their own , and to tell them plainly , that from their envy it proceeds that the vertue and great actions of women are purposely conceal'd , and the failings of some few amongst them expos'd with all the aggravating circumstances of malice . for my own part , who have always been their servant , and have never drawn my pen against them , i had rather see some of them prais'd extraordinarily , than any of them suffer by detraction : and that in this age , and at this time particularly , wherein i find more heroines than heroes . let me therefore give them joy of their new champion : if any will think me more partial to him than really i am , they can only say i have return'd his bribe : and the worst i wish him , is , that he may receive iustice from the men ; and favour only from the ladies . john dryden . a dialogue concerning women . written to eugenia . 't is a dangerous thing , madam , it must be confest , this conversing with fair ladies ; and it draws us into inconveniencies , of which we do not at first see the consequences . i little thought , when i talk'd with your ladyship , of the vertues of your sex , that you wou'd have commanded me to have given my sentiments upon that subject in writing . i grant you , madam , you might have spoken to several of your acquaintance , who wou'd have undertaken the business at first word , with all the courage imaginable ; but to me , who never durst take pen in hand to write any thing beyond a billet , the enterprise seems very terrible . i confess , when you spoke to me of it first , i was well enough pleas'd with the design ; for i thought a defence of the sex , wou'd be a means of obliging all of the sex , who were worth defending ; and therefore lookt upon it as the writing a circular love-letter to all the fair ladies in the kingdom . but as men generally mix interest with honour , so , upon second thoughts , i considered what i should get by it , besides fame , if it shou'd succeed ; and i found , if i perswaded all men to be as passionate servants to the ladies as my felf , i should make but a very indifferent hand of it : thus , madam , you wou'd engage me in a controversie , where it wou'd be a scandal to be vanquisht , and a disadvantage to overcome : for i , who cou'd never succeed in an amour where there was any fool pretended besides my self , shou'd have great hopes indeed , when i had perswaded all mankind to be my rivals . after all , madam , there were your commands to encourage me to it ; and the commands of a fair lady are to me beyond all the arguments in nature ; i therefore resolved upon the undertaking . but as 't is no new thing to see people undertake a business that they are altogether unable to perform , so i must own , i found a thing of this nature quite beyond my strength : you may believe , madam , i was very melancholy at it , and 't was then that a friend coming into my chamber , askt me the occasion . as i never love to conceal any thing that afflicts me from a friend , so i presently told him the business , that a lady had commanded me to write her a treatise in defence of women . if that be all ( said he briskly ) i am come to your deliverance ; for this very morning have i been at a conversation , where the question concerning the vertues and vices of that sex , has been handled as fully as can be desired . thou appear'st to me , my dear friend , ( said i , embracing him ) like my better genius , and therefore , without any farther ceremony , sit down , and give me an account of the conference . taking a walk ( said he ) this morning in st. iames's park , with several of my acquaintance , there was one amongst the rest who was all the while , either gazing upon the ladies as they came by , or speaking with that indifference to us , that made us very plainly see , he did not mind the subject of our discourse , tho' we talkt of all the most considerable things that offer themselves in such conversations . ( a very strange man , this , madam , who was thinking upon some mistress , i warrant , when they were r●ising taxes , and beating the french. ) a●nother , who was a pers●● of excellent sense , and had a particular friendship for this , tho' they wou'd o●ten dispute about their several though●s of women , in which point they cou'd never agree ; ( i wonder they shou'd dispute about that , madam , for the greatest disputes in those cases 〈◊〉 , when they do agree ) began to rally him upon this subject● which he did so handsomly ; that he pleased the rest of the company very well , without displeasing his friend in the least . philogynes ● ( which was the name of the fi●st as miso●●nes was of the other ) ( here , madam , i must confess , i fancied my friend put false names upon me ; for besides , that i remember neither of these families in england , the one you must know , signifies a woman-hater , and the other , a woman-lover ) cry'd to misogynes , tho' i allow you to rally me as much as you please , and am glad of any occasion i ●an give you , to exercise a talent you possess in so eminent a degree , ye● i hope you do not in earnest think the conversation of women so ridiculous as you wou'd make us believe . ten times worse , said misogynes , than i can represent it ; and since we have often had slight skirmishes upon that occasion , and we have now time enough to fight it out , if you have the courage to lose one morning's gazing at 'em , i challenge you to the private walk by the canal-side , to defend their cause ; and these gentlemen , if they please , shall be our judges . tho' i am very unwilling , answered philogynes , to lose a morning that has call'd out all the best company of the town , yet since 't is in defence of the ladies , and you so boldly challenge me , i take you at your word , upon condition , that if i get the better in the judgment of these gentlemen , you shall engage to be in love by to morrow morning . upon condition , that if i overcome ( said misogynes ) you will engage to be out of love by the same time , i agree . that is no equal stake , reply'd philogynes , for 't is to lay happiness against unhappiness ; however , i am so well satisfy'd of my cause , that i will undertake you , even upon those odds . upon this agreement we walkt all to the other side of the park , full of expectation of the event of the debate ; when we were come thither , we found we had the whole walk to our selves , and so misogynes , who gave the challenge , began in this manner . the propagation of mankind being the only way to preserve it from extinction ; and the copulation with women being the only means that nature has ordain'd to that end ; there is no doubt but all commonwealths ought to give any reasonable encouragements to it ; i have therefore always admir'd the wisdom of those governments that incited , or compelled their subjects to marry , as a thing so much more necessary to mankind in general , than pleasing to any one in particular ; but that a man shou'd , out of a meer act of judgment , run after women , that he shou'd find delight in their company , is so very extraordinary , that the wise men of old thought it hardly possible , otherwise they had had no need of making such severe laws to force 'em to it , as they did . your ladyship , who is so well verst in greek and roman authors , knows , that amongst the 1 spartans , they who liv'd long batchelours were condemned to ignominious punishments , and debarr'd the priviledges of other citizens . that the 2 cretans had a law to compel all the handsomest young men to marry ; as the 3 thurians had to invite 'em to it , both by honours and rewards . that 4 plato ordains , that whoever liv'd a batchelour to the five and thirtieth year of his age , should be capable of no honour in his commonwealth : and that the 5 romans did not only take all care imaginable , to encourage people to marriage , but frighten'd 'em into it by punishments , if they refused . notwithstanding this , had you a design of marrying 'em , i shou'd not altogether so much condemn you ; nay , had you but a design of enjoying 'em without it , there might be somewhat still alledg'd in your excuse . how unjustifiable soever such a design may be , as to the moral part , the action it self is very agreeable to the natural . but to pick'em out only for the benefit of their conversation , to fall in love with their understandings , and to leave the company of wise-men for handsom women , is just the same thing , as if you shou'd chuse rather to eat jays and par●ots , than woodcocks and partridges , because the feathers of the former make the finer show . it is a very good , as well as a very general way , to guess at people by the company they keep ; and thus we may give a great judgment of the female sex , by a view of those with whom they are the most pleas'd of our own . well , let 'em appear then ; what do you find ? fine coats , large cravat-strings , and good perriwigs i must own , but for any thing else , they , and their perriwig blocks are criticks alike . 't is true , to do 'em justice , they talk most learnedly of points and ribons ; have most mathematical heads for the erecting of ladies topknots , make as considerable figures , talk as loud , and laugh more than any in drawing-rooms , and play-houses ; and those who know nothing of their language , wou'd take 'em , by their gestures , to be the wittiest persons in christendom ; but if unluckily you understand 'em , you will find it only false fire , and that all this violent laughter is produc'd by no jest . then take 'em out of their own element , begin a discourse of any thing that is worth knowing , they are dumb ; out of modesty ? no ; but they hate to talk of things that are grossier ; and the pedantry of scholars , and gravity of men of business , is utterly unfit for a gentleman . were it nothing but the company of such sort of creatures as these , it wou'd be enough , i shou'd think , to frighten a man of sense from ' em . can you see these fops , as much as you are us'd to 'em , without laughing ? except it rather makes you blush to think you shou'd bring your self into competition with such tools as they are : i am far from blaming them for following the ladies : they avoid the company of men who despise 'em , for that of women who admire 'em : nor do i find fault with the ladies , for being pleas'd with them ; for since likeness , they say , breeds love , what wonder is it they are fond of those men whose follies make 'em most like themselves ; but for a man who has some pretences to wit and learning ; for one who might be acceptable to men of sense , to run after 'em ; nay , for a man who spends all the morning in the study of homer and aristotle , to spend the afternoon amongst the impertinencies of women ; puts me in mind of the mountebanks stages in naples , where the jesuites and jackpuddings entertain the spectators by turns 't is possible , you will say , that all this makes for you ; that the faults of your rivals render your vertues the more remarkable , and that there is no doubt , but a man of merit may succeed in any place where a man of no merit may pretend ; but , alas , sir , you deceive your self very much , if you encourage that opinion . had you fit judges , there is no doubt but you were in the right : but if the fairest lady in christendom were amongst the indians , where they paint the devil of her colour , do you expect they shou'd do her beauty justice ? or if a slender man were amongst the muscovites , do you think they wou'd admire him for being well shap'd , where they thought none but big-belly'd men to be so ? credit me , sir , a man who leaves his parts to the judgment of women , is very near the same circumstances : will you not believe me in that case , because i profess an enmity to ' em ? you do well : but will you believe themselves ? view all the town , take good notice : amongst all the young heiresses who run away from their guardians , is there any one who does it with a man of sense ? amongst all those widows who ruin themselves by second marriages , is there any one who does it with a man of sense ? amongst all those ladies who cuckold their husbands , is there any one who does it with a man of sense ? we see 'em do these things every day , with chaplains , dancing-masters , butlers , and footmen . who are the men that shew the tender billets receiv'd ? what are they who boast of the favours of all the finest women in town ? are they not the most despicable of mankind ? are they not such whose conversation is the jest of men of sense ? and have they above one thing about 'em , that distinguishes 'em from the other sex ? after all , sir , are not the women in the right in this point ? or do they ever shew more judgment , than when they pitch upon such men ? what do they look for in a husband , but one who will admire 'em , who will be govern'd by 'em , and upon whom all their little tricks will pass ? and who but fools are fit for that ? what do they propose in a gallant , but giving 'em pleasure without scandal ? and to the former part they have a receiv'd notion of the ability of fools : then for the scandal , who so likely to give none as those men , whom the world will hardly believe were favour'd by 'em , tho' they took their oaths upon it ? for notwithstanding experience teaches us the contrary , yet people are apt to fancy , a man of sense must succeed before a coxcomb ; and will rather believe the former are favour'd , tho' they swear they are not ; than the latter , tho' they swear they are . but alas , sir , men of sense they think know 'em , and that they take , as well as i do , to be a sure means to hinder their being in love. 't was upon this account that 1 solomon gives such severe characters of 'em in his proverbs ; that 2 euripides represented 'em so faithfully , as to get the name of the woman hater ; that 2 simonides has distinguisht 'em into so many sorts of evil things ; that 3 lucian has so naturally describ'd their tricks ; that 4 st. chrysostom has made such a severe invective against 'em ; that 5 iuvenal has given his friend such counsel against having any thing to do with 'em ; and , in fine , 't is upon the same account that all the epigrammatists , comick poets , and satyrists are so continually exposing 'em to the world , making their follies ridiculous , and their vices odious . 't is upon the same account likewise , that to call a man effeminate , has always been reckon'd such a reproach ; and that to say a man is govern'd by a woman , has been one of the worst characters you cou'd give of his understanding . see here a dreadful army , madam , again●t us● i askt my friend what these gentlemen had said upon this occasion ; he told me , juvenal had written a very severe sa●●● against women , which i shou'd see very much to its advantage , if i wou'd ●wait● for a translation of it , with which mr. dryden is ready to oblige the world. for simonides , he told me , he had written lambicks against 'em , in which he divides 'em into ten sorts . the first he said was descended from a sow , ( you will find very noble families amongst 'em , madam ) and she was sluttish : the second from a fox and she understands every thing , and has a great deal of good in her , and a great deal of ill too : the third from a dog , and she is prying about , and snarling at every body : the fourth is made of the earth , and she understands nothing but how to fill her belly , and sit by the fire-side : the fifth of the sea , and she is changeable and inconstant ; sometimes in a calm , and then on a sudden in a storm : t●● sixth is made of ashes and a labouri●g ass , ( an odd composition you will say ) and she is scarce driven to her business with threatnings or force , but crams her self night and day , and lies with every one that comes ; ( now whether she takes this quality of lying with all who come , from the fathers-side , or the mothers-side , i cannot absolutely determine . ) the seventh was descended from a polcat , and she is nauseous an● stinking : the eighth from a mare , and she never cares do to any work , and minds nothing but appearing neat and fine : the ninth from a monkey , and her ugliness is a jest to every body : the tenth from a bee , and she makes an excellent wife . 1 there is a story also of this simonides , that being askt about a wife , he said , she was the shipwreck of man , the tempest of a house , the disturber of rest , the prison of life , a daily punishm●●●● a sumptuous conflict , a beast in comp●●●● a necessary evil. and 2 st. chrysostome , besides the homily upon the beheading st. john baptist , which is almost all an invective against women , says in another place , what is a wife ? the enemy of love , the inevitable pain , the necessary evil , the natural temptation , a desirable calamity , a domestical peril● a pleasing damage . thus you see these antients , madam , had a very commendable faculty of calling names : what think you , might not the matrons of billinsgate improve in their conversation ? but it is natural , when people cannot convince our reason , to endeavour to move our passions . i know you will object against these , anacreon , theocritus , catullus , tibullus , ovid , horace , propertius , and all those poets and wits , antient and modern , who pleas'd themselves whilst they lived in the pursuit of women , and have render'd themselves immortal after their death , by the trophies they rais'd to ' em . 't is confest , that spending their time upon the sex , they ought to know 'em best ; but on the other side , to excuse their own spending their time , ought to represent 'em as favourably as possible ; and yet , pray what is the account they give us of ' em ? do they not all with one consent complain , either of the cruelty , or falshood of their mistresses ? are not their books full of quarrels , piques , and jealousies ? and do they not shew the levity , perjury , and lewdness of the sex ? does not 1 anacreon , and a hundred more , tell you , they mind nothing but wealth ? ( this complaint of the love of wealth , and invectives against it , has been very antient , and very general amongst the poets ; besides this greek● 2 horace , 3 ovid , 4 tibullus , and 1 propertius make 'em amongst the romans ; 2 marino , 3 guarini among the italians ; 4 conde de villa mediana , and 5 quevedo amongst the spaniards ; 6 ronsard among the french ; and 7 cowly amongst us : for you must know , madam , these poets were a sort of people who were never very remarkable for their making large iointures ; their estates generally lye upon parnassus , where land setts worse than it does in ireland : nor do i remember to have read in any history , of poets who deferr'd the enjoyment of their mistresses for the drawing of writings . ) does not 1 theocritus make continual complaints of the cruelty of his mistress ? does not 2 catullus tell you , that his lesbia lay with all the town ? and 3 that what any woman says to her lover ought to be writ in wind , or running streams ? does not 1 tibullus complain , that he had taught his mistress to deceive her guards so long , that she learnt to deceive him too ? does not 2 ovid lye at his mistresses door all night , whilst an inconsiderable fellow is got into her arms ? does not horace complain of the 3 cruelty of two mistresses , and the 4 perjury and inconstancy of three or four more ? and does not 5 propertius , besides his own cynthia's falshood , cry out of the incontinence of the sex in general ? i know not what your success in love may have been ; but till you tell me the contrary , i can hardly believe it better than these mens . for what qualification can there be to make a woman kinde and constant , that they had not ? anacreon appears to be one of the gayest humour'd men that ever was born ; theocritus the most t●nder and natural in his poems ; catullus was without a rival the great●st wit of his age ; tibullus was not only the smoothest , and delicatest of the roman poets , but also the most beautiful person of his time ; ovid and propertius , as neither of 'em wanted love , so never had any a more soft and tender way of expressing it ; and horace , besides the talent of crying up his mistresses , and pleasing their vanity that way , had the pleasantest manner of exposing the follies of his rivals , and the severest of revenging the 1 falsehood or unkindness of his mistresses , of any man in the world. and yet none of all these cou'd , by their own confession , keep a woman to themselves , or even teach 'em cunning enough to jilt 'em so , that they shou'd never find it out ; which 2 ovid tells us frankly , was all he desir'd from ' em . from this , madam , you may please to observe , that iilting is no such new thing as some people would make us believe , tho' methinks these poets are dangerous persons to jilt , since 't is remember'd against their mistresses , near two thousand years after . and in effect , what but ruin and desolation proceeds from ' em ? who was the betrayer of 1 samson , but dalilah ? who was the cause of the destruction of 2 troy , but helen ? of 3 agamenmon's death , but clytemnestra ? of 4 hercules's , but deianira ? who advis'd the burning of 5 persepolis , but thais ? who ruin'd 6 hannibal's army , but the capuan women ? who lost 7 mark anthony the world , but cleopatra ? why shou'd i burden you with instances , when every country can furnish examples enow of their own ? what made such confusion in 8 iustinian's court , but theodora ? what caus'd the revolt in the low-countries , but the government of the 9 princess of parma ? who made such dreadful disturbances in 1 scotland , as their queen mary ? and who rais'd the greatest persecution for religion , that ever england saw , but our own queen of the same name ? but certainly they must have some very great perfections to make amends for all these faults : well then , let us see what they are ? let us view these pleasant confits that are to make the poison go down : let us enjoy a little of that conversation , that is diversitive enough to make people neglect all their danger . sit in one of their drawing-rooms all day ; observe the discourse that passes ; is it not a t●dious repetition of the same impertinencies over and over again , to every new visitant ? and is not one half of that spent in censuring all the town ? and the other half in railing at those who censure ? do they not inveigh against the lampooners , and at the same time talk as scandalously as they can write ? the horrid● affection , the ridiculous vanity , the gross dissimulation , and the inveterate malice that appears in all their discourse , are things for which i shou'd think all the paint on their faces cou'd not make amends . for m● own part , i confess , i have been fool enough to be in love too , and have follow'd women upon that account , but to another sort of end , than you say you do : but when that end was once satisfy'd , to talk with 'em afterwards , was as great a penance to me , as it wou'd be to sit in a greasie cooks shop , when my belly was full . this misog●nes is a very rude fellow , and i am sure your ladyship will be of my opinion , that his last simile was very fulsome . 't is a sign he hates women ; for had he convers'd with them , they wou'd have taught him better manners . but there are doubtless , you will say , women of understanding : pray where are they ? is it your prudent woman , your good houswife , who is plaguing all the world with her management , and instructing every body how to feed geese and capons ? or is it your politician , who is always full of business , who carries a secretary of state 's office in her head , and is making her deep observations upon every● days news ? or is it your learned woman , who runs mad for the love of hard words , who talks a mixt jargon , or lingua franca , and has spent a great deal of time to make her capable of talking nonsense in four or five several languages ? what think you , sir , do you not wish for your visitant again , as the more tolerable folly of the two ? do not you think learning and politicks become a woman as ill as riding astride ? and had not the duke of 1 brittaine reason , who thought a woman knowing enough , when she cou'd distinguish between her husband's shirt and his breeches ? do not you , in answer to these , fetch me a sappho out of greece ; a cornelia , the mother of the gracchi , out of rome ; an anna maria schurman out of holland ; and think that in shewing me three learned women in three thousand years , you have gain'd your point ; and from some few particular instances , prov'd a general conclusion : if i shou'd bring you half a dozen magpies that cou'd talk , and as many horses that cou'd dance , you wou'd not , i suppose , for all that , chuse out the one to converse with , or the other to walk a corant . but wou'd you see 'em to their best advantage ? wou'd you have their wit , courage , and conduct display'd ? take 'em upon the business of lust● that can make sappho witty , aloisia eloquent , a country-wife politick ; that can humble 1 messalina's pride to walk the streets ; can make tender 1 hippia endure the incommodities of a sea-voyage , can support the queen of 2 sheba in a journey to solomon , and make 3 thalestris search out alexander the great : in this particular , i must confess , we ought to submit to 'em , and with shame allow 'em the preference . i cannot reflect upon the stories of 4 semiramis's lying with all the handsomest men in her army , and putting 'em to death afterwards ; of her offering her son the last favour ; of 1 messalina the empresses prostituting her self in the publick stews ; and of queen 2 ioan of naples providing a bath under her window , where she might see all the lustiest young men naked , and take her choice out of 'em , without such an admiration as their heroick actions de●erve . 3 sappho , as she was one of the wittiest women that ever the world bred , so she thought with reason it wou'd be expected she shou'd make some additions to a science in which all womankind had been so successful : what does she do then ? not content with our sex , she begins amours with her own , and teaches us a new sort of sin , that was follow'd not only in 1 lucian's time , but is practis'd frequently in 2 turkey at this day . you cannot but be sensible , sir , that there is no necessity of going so far for instances of their lewdness , and were it civil to quote the lampoons , or write the amours of our own time , we might be furnish'd with examples enow nearer home . here , madam , i cou'd not forbear telling my friend , that his disputant grew scurrilous . he told me , considering him as a woman-hater , he thought 't was no more than his character requir'd ; and that if i compar'd his discourse with what others had said against 'em , i shou'd think him a very well-bred man. after this to talk of their levity or babling , what were it but trifling ? all the lovers and poets who have had any thing to do with 'em , can furnish themselves with instances enow of the first ; and any man who will give himself the trouble of reading any one history , shall find instances enow of the other , if his own wisdom has hinder'd him from making 'em at his own cost . 1 there being a senate call'd in rome , upon some very extraordinary occasion , one of the senators was desir'd by his wife to tell her what it was ; he reply'd , he was oblig'd to secrecy ; she swears it shall never be known to any one by her means ; upon that promise he informs her , that there was a lark seen flying over the senate-house with a golden helmet on his head , and a spear in one of his claws , and that they had thereupon call'd the southsayers together , to know what it portended . no sooner was the husband gone , but the wife tells it , under a vow of secrecy too , to her maid ; she to another who was her fellow servant , who told it to her lover ; so that , to be short , it ran so fast , that as soon as the senator came into the market-place , one took him aside , and told it him for a great secret ; away goes he , and tells his wife she had undone him , in divulging what he had trusted with her : she denies it with a true feminine impudence : how cou'd it come to be known then ? says he . alas ( reply'd she ) are there not three hundred senators , and might it not come from any of 'em , as well as you ? no , says he , for i invented it on a sudden to satisfie your curiosity , and thus had i been serv'd , if i had trusted you with the secret . 't is such another story they tell us of young papirius to his mother , who asking him what had been debated that morning in the senate , told her , they were making a law for men to have plurality of wives . but it is somewhat a more tragical relation plutarch gives of fulvius . augustus complain'd to him , that he was dissatisfy'd with what he had done , in adopting livia's sons , and disinheriting his own nephews ; fulvius goes home , and tells it his wife , she tells it to the empress , who upbraids the emperour with it . augustus , when he saw fulvius next , check'd him for it ; by which he perceiv'd himself ruin'd , and therefore went immediately , told his wife what she had done , and that he resolv'd to stab himself ; but certainly the wives answer was very sufficient ; nor did you deserve less , said she , who having liv'd so long with me , did not know i cou'd not keep a secret. but omitting these , whose actions are recorded to their infamy , let us see a little of those who are quoted as the glories of their sex. and who more cry'd up amongst 'em than 1 iudeth ? what action more celebrated than her murdering olofernes , when he had treated her with all the kindness and respect imaginable in his tent ? for my part , i must own my vertue does not arrive to so high a pitch ; and shou'd rather have suffer'd my town to have been ruin'd , than have been guilty of an action that appears to me so barbarous ; but i confess that of 2 iael is yet worse , to invite a man into her tent , promise him protection , and when he had trusted his life in her hands , to murther him whilst he was asleep . what shall we say to penelope , who is instanc'd as a pattern of chastity , and conjugal love ? i will not with 1 ovid and 2 virgil ( if the priapeia are his ) make malicious reflections upon her trying her lovers strength in a bow ; but take the story as it lies in the odysses , i am sure she wou'd hardly pass for such a saint in our days ; and if a lady had her house full of lovers for twenty years of her husband's absence , and if her husband were forc'd to fight all these before he cou'd have his wife again , 't is possible the lampooners of the town , wou'd not have represented her case so favourably as homer has done . but what shall we say to 1 lycophron even amongst the greeks , who speaks of her as a most profligate sort of woman , or to 2 duris samius who asserts her to have been so very common as to have lain with all comers during her husband's absence , from whose promiscuous copulations pan was born , and therefore took the name . ( pan , your ladyship knows in greek signifies all. ) for lucretia i shall not insinuate , as a 3 great wit seems to do , that she stabb'd her self , rather than return to the embraces of a husband , after having been so much better pleas'd by a gallant ; but if she were one who valu'd her chastity so much , and her life so little , as they wou'd make us believe , 't is somewhat odd that she shou'd rather let tarquin enjoy her alive , than a slave lye in the bed with her when she was dead , and that she shou'd chuse to commit the sin , rather than bear the shame . but let us forgive 'em all these things i have mention'd ; and since 1 le chambre assures us , that there is no beauty in a woman , but what is a sign of some vice ; let us attribute it to nature's fault , not theirs ; and reckon that the more vicious they are , the nearer they come to the perfection of the sex ; and indeed , not spending much time in their conversations , i will pardon 'em all their levity , babling , malice , and impertinence ; and , being unmarried , shall not be so severe upon their lusts and adulteries ; provided they will stop there . let helen run away from her husband with a handsomer man ; but let her not suffer all troy to be ruin'd for the keeping her there : let clytemnestra lye with another man , during her husband's absence ; but let her not murder him for it when he comes home : let 1 semiramis make use of all the handsomest fellows of her army ; but let her not put 'em to death for fear they should tell tales : and tho' i wou'd forgive her , yet her own sex wou'd never pardon her being the first maker of 2 eunuchs ; let phaedra and fausta invite their husbands sons to supply their fathers defects ; but let 'em not accuse 'em , and have 'em put to death for refusing : let ioan of naples make use of all the men in her kingdom ; but let her not strangle her husband for his imperfections in a point that he cou'd not help : that cruelty and barbarity , i confess , is what provokes me so much against the sex : i can see tibullus's mistress jilt him , for a fool who is not half so handsome ; i can see ovid waiting all night at his mistress's door , whilst another man is in her arms ; and i can see half a score impertinent women plaguing you with non-sensical stories , and be very well diverted all the while : but i confess i cannot hear of medea's cutting her brother in pieces , and strewing his limbs in the way to stop her pursuing father , without horror and dread ; nor of her treating her own children after the same manner , to revenge her self upon iason , without a like emotion : i know not how other people may bear such things ; but for my part , when i see all the murders and barbarities they commit , to revenge themselves on their unconstant lovers , to get rid of their husbands for some one they like better , or to prevent the discovery of their lewdness ; but my hair stands on end , my blood shrinks , and i am possess'd with an utter detestation of the sex. go but one circuit with the judges here in england ; observe how many women are condemn'd for killing their bastard children ; and tell me if you think their cruelties can be equal'd ; or whether you think those who commit such actions fit for your , or for any civil conversation . but i see by your looks you are convinc'd , i see you abandon your cause , and i shall cease to expose any farther a sex , of whose patronage you seem already asham'd . here misogynes left off , and phylogynes began to answer him ; but i must beg your pardon , sir , said my friend , for my time is come , and i must necessarily be gone . the devil you shall , said i ; you wou'd engage me in a pretty affair ; i promise a lady a defence of her sex , and you will make me send her a satyr against it . truly , my dear friend , said he , i design'd to have told you all , but 't is later than i thought , and i have business waits for me . no business , said i , can be so considerable to you , as the satisfying a fair lady is to me , therefore sit down , and bring me fairly off what you have told me already , or you and i shall be friends no longer . after all , madam , to tell you the truth , tho' there is no great matter in this speech of misogynes , yet i can hardly believe he made it upon a sudden ; 't is possible tho' they two having discours'd the matter as they told us before ; might have provided themselves each with arguments . but supposing that , i can scarce believe , one man wou'd be suffer'd to talk so long without interruption ; at least i am sure , some who we know were none of the company . but 't is possible , that he who told me , might leave out all that was spoke by others , for brevity sake , being as you see in haste . if you are as apt to be mistaken in your judgment of things as of looks ( reply'd philogynes ) 't is no wonder you shou'd make such strange conclusions . whatever seriousness you may see in my face , does not , i 'll assure you , proceed from any distrust of my cause , but an astonishment at what strange arguments the invention of man can suggest against the best things that are . i say , the invention of man , for i am far from believing you in earnest in this point ; i have too just an opinion of misogynes to think he does any thing but put on this humour for a tryal of skill ; and i no more believe you a hater of women , for the invective you have made against 'em , than i believe erasmus a lover of folly , for the encomium he has writ upon it . if you have therefore any thing more to urge , forbear it not upon any suppos'd conviction you see in my countenance ; for , notwithstanding that i think you have handled the subject as fully as any one who has undertaken it , yet i 'll assure you i cannot submit to your arguments ; and therefore am very ready to hear any thing you have further to urge . no , says misogynes , i am sensible i have troubled the company long enough about a trifle , and 't is very fit you shou'd have your turn of speaking now . part of the company was already convinc'd by his arguments , the other part thought he had said as much as the matter wou'd bear , and therefore both agreed in desiring philogynes to speak what he had to say , which he did in this manner . i confess , sir ( said he smiling ) when i saw the associates you allotted me at first , i began to despair of my cause ; i own i was asham'd of my company , and resolv'd to pack up baggage instantly , and quit a trade in which none but fops and fools were engag'd ; but when i saw the anacreons , the o●ids , and all the wits , antient and modern , in the same circumstances , i e●en took heart again . courage , said i , the business is not so bad as i thought , and 〈◊〉 possible his heart may relent , and allow us some better company than he condemn'd us to at first . at least , thought i , if 't is a folly to converse with women , 't is some comfort that he owns it to be a folly of which the greatest wits of the world have been guilty before us ; and when i saw all greece , and the greater part of asia venturing their lives for one woman , i thought i had somewhat the advantage of them , whilst i ventur'd nothing but my rethorick for 'em altogether . and when you nam'd samson , achilles , annibal , and mark anthony , i enquir'd who those gentlemen were ; for certainly , thought i , if they were such brave men , and great soldiers , as i have heard 'em represented , we have no reason to despair of the victory when we have them to lead us on . you might have spoken more generally of 'em ●oo , if you had pleas'd ; you might have told us , that there never was a great soldier who was not as famous for his amours , as his battles ; that a 1 poet was scarce thought free of his trade , who had not paid some duties to love ; and you might have added to these all the wise-men and philosophers of the world ; you might have inform'd us , that david , tho' a man after god's own heart , was not contented without some share in the womens . that solomon , who knew the vertue of every plant , from the cedar of libanus ● to the hysop that grows upon the wall , took as much pains to have as general a knowledge of the ladies . that 1 socrates , who was the ugliest as well as the wisest man of his time , wou'd in spite of nature aim at love too , and , not terrify'd by one ill wife , wou'd try to mend his hand in another . that 1 plato , whom antiquity has call'd divine , did not spend all his time in erecting commonwealths , but that some of it was bestow'd upon the xantippe's and archeanassa's . that 1 aristotle , whom philip made governour to alexander , made himself a slave to his mistress ; that this was not an effect of his passion alone , but of his reason ; 1 that he said love was not only upon the account of copulation but philosophy ; and commands his wise-man to be in love , before he bids him meddle with the commonwealth . and in fine , that this great man , who fathom'd all arts and sciences , who has given us the best rules of philosophy , politicks , poetry , &c. did also not think it unbecoming his gravity to write one treatise of love , and four amatory theses . you might have mingl'd sacred story with profane . you might have told us that st. peter was married , that st. paul defended the leading about a sister ; that we owe one of the most celebrated 1 fathers of the church to the endeavours and conversion of a woman ; and that st. ierom had so great an esteem for the sex , as to dedicate a great part of his works to some of ' em . you might have added to these a thousand more , which you see i purposely omit to avoid prolixity , and mention none but whom you will allow to be the most celebrated of their profession , without doing your cause any injury in the least ; for after all , it is but shewing us a drawing room of fops , reading a dialogue out of lucian , seeing a scene of a play , quoting a sentence out of solomon's proverbs , searching all history for two or three ill women , and the business is done , the cause is gain'd , let the trumpets sound , and io paean be sung for the victory . i am sorry , sir , that i cannot be as civil to you , as you have been to me ; it goes against my conscience to place you with so bad company , considering with what you have obliged me ; and of those few great men whom you have seduc'd to your party , i am concern'd that i must take the better part from you . i fancy , after what i have already said of solomon , after reflecting upon his history , you cannot think him a true friend to your cause ; and therefore will not i hope depend too much upon him . i shall say nothing of his wives and concubines , i shall not as much as mention his canticles , which 1 grotius , as well as i , affirms to be a love-poem , and which 1 rapin reckons both the first and best of pastorals ; but i shall attack you at your own weapon ; i shall oppose proverb against proverb ; if he has been severe in 'em upon ill women , whose cause i do not undertake , he has spoken as favourably of the 2 wise and the good , for whom we appear ; in like manner , if euripides has represented women so in his tragedies , as to get the name of the woman-hater , i appeal from his writings to his life and conversation , which shew him far otherwise . if simonides gives you severe characters of several women , he gives you one at last that makes amends for all ; one in whom no fault can be found ; and if you think that is not enough to take him off from your party , if you are still so very fond of him , we will tell you , that men who are deform'd and ugly , as 1 simonides was , naturally declare themselves enemies to women , because they fancy women are enemies to them ; and upon that account , not upon the account of his wit , we will allow him to you . as for st. chrysostom , tho' we have all the respect imaginable for a father of the church , and upon that account shall not enter into the merits of the cause betwixt 2 him and the empress eudoxia ; yet this we shall say , sir , that as fathers of the church are subject to passions , as well as other men ; so it is no wonder that a man , who is us'd very ill by one woman , and converses with few else , shou'd conclude 'em all alike . thus after having taken two of your patriots from you , and if not taken , at least disabled the other two from being very credible witnesses , you are reduc'd to lucian and iuvenal . for the former , if i shou'd quote you what the old fathers say of him , if i shou'd tell you , that he did not only abuse the christian religion , but even his own ; that he rallied all the philosophers , orators , and historians of his time ; that not content with that , he falls foul upon those his own religion taught him to worship as gods ; i fancy you wou'd not think what such a man says of any great weight ; but truly , sir , there is no need of that in this case ; what does this lu●ian do , pray ? why 1 he describes the bawds griping , covetous , and encou●aging their daughters in lewdness ; ●is : curtisans false , jilting , and true curtisans throughout . and what of all this , pray ? what does this make for you ? 't is not the cause of bawds , or curtisans that we undertake ; tho' even amongst them he represents a great part easie , loving , good-natur'd fools , and us'd accordingly by their lovers . but does lucian pretend that there are no good women ? does he fall upon the sex in general ? or does not he bring in 1 charicles in one place defending 'em , and does not he make the greatest encomium that can be of panthaea in another , and speak with abundance o● esteem of several other women in the same ? and if he does introduce callicratides in one of his dialogues railing at the sex in opposition to charicles , h● does it in the defence of a sin , which ● am sure you will scarce think it civil to name . what shall we say to iuvenal , but what plato did to xenocrates , bid him sacrifice to the graces . he is always violent , always declaiming , always in a passion ; and what wonder if he falls upon the women in one of his fits ? after all , you will make no great matter of him ; for if he has writ one satyr upon the women , he has writ fifteen upon the men. for the comick poets and satyrists , whom you mention in general , when you name 'em in particular , i shall give 'em particular answers . and now truly , sir , see your self reduc'd to a miserable equipage ; some old husbands , and jilted lovers ; some men with ill faces , and worse meens , may possibly stick to you still ; but that is all ; i am sorry to see a man so well made , of so much wit , and who has been so successful amongst the ladies , rank himself with such a tribe ; but you do it , i suppose , by way of variety only ; and so let misogynes appear , at the head of his regiment , that makes a worse figure than sir iohn falstaffe's ; let 'em be encourag'd with stumm'd wine and muddy ale ; let 'em give fire to their mundungus , and so let the battel begin , whilst we with all the heroes , wits , and philosophers , see how we can defend the cause we have undertaken . i am sensible , sir , that i have broken the order of your discourse , and i beg your pardon for it ; but i thought it was necessary to dististinguish our enemies from our friends , before the armies joyn'd , that so we might know whom to attack , and whom to spare ; and having done that , i shall now confine my self to your method , and follow the course that you please to lead me . though i perfectly agree with you in the esteem of the laws made for the encouragement of marriage , and consequently cannot but regret the want of 'em amongst our selves ; yet i must beg your pardon , sir , if i wholly dissent from you , in the inference you would draw from it ; for ●tis very apparent to me , and to any unbiass'd person else , i suppose , that those laws were never made , as you fancy , for the forcing men to the love of women , to which all coun●ries were naturally enough enclined ; ●ut for the restraining 'em to particu●ars ; that whilst they follow'd the ge●eral pleasures of the sex , they might ●ot lose the useful part , which was the ●rocreation of children . had there ●een so few vertues amongst 'em , as ●ou please to imagine , there had been ●o need of this ; when we have but one dish of meat that we like , we fall upon that without any deliberation ; but when the fancy is distracted with variety of dainties , we often lose more time in the making our choice , than would otherwise be requisite to the satisfying our appetites . 't is true , sir , it is a very good way to judge of people by the company they are fond of ; but 't is not a certain way to judge of people by the company that is fond of them . there was a taylor in love with queen elizabeth , but it does not necessarily follow that queen elizabeth was in love with a taylor . if there are fops , if there are ridiculous fellows who follow the ladies , before we run down the ladies for it , let us see if they do not laugh at 'em , as well as we our selves . and i cannot think their pursuing 'em an● reason at all for men of sense to avoid ' em . you would think it very hard , that alexander and caesar should quit the art of war , because some thrasoes and bragging bullies pretended to it as well as they ; and virgil and horace would take it very ill , that you shou'd damn all sorts of poetry , because of the bavius's and maevius's , who set up for it ; and whatever reason you wou'd give against the being a minister of state , i dare say sir politick woudbee's aiming at it , wou'd be none . ( here philogynes ●seems to me not to understand the right use of that considerable part of mankind call'd fools ; for it is only the half wit that is intolerable , and a true fool , is next a true wit the best company in the world ; for as a noble author has extreamly well observ'd , wit , like terce claret , when 't begins to pa●● , neglected lies , and 's of no use at all ; but in its full perfection of decay , turns vinegar , and ●omes again in play. ) after this i need not tell you , sir , that 't is very ill judging of people by their outside ; and as i laugh at those who like a man only for his being well drest , so i fancy you will allow them to be as ridiculous , who run him down only for the same reason . it was objected against 1 aristotle and 2 cicero , that they were too sumptuous in their apparel , and overcurious in their dress ; and without doubt there were deep 3 criticks in those times , said they minded nothing but making themselves fine ; who yet , without any offence to their learning , we may suppose cou'd not give so good an account of their studies , as these two great men have done of theirs . ( courage ! there are two good precedents for the beaux . ) after all , sir , i know there are a great many of these gay coxcombs , of these eternal pretenders to love ; and i have nothing to say in their behaves ; let 'em e'●n shift for themselves amongst the thrasoes , and bavius's . but they do not only pretend ( you say ) they are successful too ; 't is very possible , sir ; i do not know but there may be fools enow of the other sex , to like the fools of ours . but it is with the best sort of women too ( you say ) that they succeed . and who tells you so , pray ? they themselves . i swear , sir ( though i have a very great esteem for those gentlemen ) yet i must beg their pardon for my faith in this point ; i can never think a woman whose wit we all allow , can be fond of a man whose folly we all see : on the other side , i know how natural it is , for every one to avoid contempt ; and when a man is despis'd in one place , what so reasonable as to make you believe he is esteem'd in another . and i hope the gentlemen themselves will take it for a compliment , when i tell 'em i do not believe a word they say in this point ; since certainly a man of honour wou'd rather of the two , tell a lye to the prejudice of a woman who uses him ill , than a truth to the utter ruine of one who grants him all the favours he can ask . but let us judge 'em by their actions say you ! do not most of the young heiresses run away with pitiful fellows ? if they do , sir , it should rather deserve your pity than your anger ; or if you must be angry , be angry with the guardians whose severity frighten 'em away , and yet hinders 'em the sight of any men of merit to run away with . 't is no wonder that one who has never seen any town , but where he was born , should think that the finest in the world ; and you cannot blame a woman for being in love with a man who does not deserve her , if she never saw any who did . all that we can reasonably expect in that point is , that she shou'd make some satisfaction when she see● the world better ; and if she shews her contempt of her choice then , 't is as much ( if not more ) than can be required . in like manner you cannot say a widow makes an ill choice , except you prove she was offer'd a better . if a man , who is obliged to ride a journey , does it upon an ill horse , you will be very well satisfy'd certainly , when he tells you , 't is the best he cou'd get . ( i confess , madam , this seems to me but a very indifferent excuse for the widows ; for he wou'd make us believe , 't is but next oars with 'em ; and so i told my ●riend ; but he reply'd , i must consider , 't is only those widows who make an ill choice , about which he is to speak ; and as he cannot say of them , as of the young maids● that it was for want of seeing the world ; so they must be contented with this excuse , or make a better for themselves . ) for the wives , who you say cuckold their husbands , there may be somewhat more to be said . modesty being almost an inseparable quality of wit , there is no wonder that a man who is possest of that , should so seldom succeed in these undertakings . whilst fools , by their natural impudence push on the thing ; and married women are a sort of forts that are sooner taken by storm than treaty . so that this shews rather the great confi●ence of the man , than the little judgment of the woman ; who 't is forty to one had much rather a man of sense was possest of her , if he wou'd take the same methods to gain her as the ●●her had done . ( after all , madam , i think no●e of these excuses extraordinary ; theref●re if i were worthy to advise the ladies , they shou'd rather make use of men o● wit in all these capacities , than put their friends to the trouble of inventing such pitful defences for ' em . ) now , sir , as i cannot see any reason why women should naturally love fools , more then men of wit , so i shall very hardly be brough● to believe they do . in a husband i suppose they propose a man whose conversation shall be agreeable as wel as his person ; and who shall have wit to entertain 'em , as well as wisdom to direct 'em ; and in whom can this be found , but in men of the best sense ? if in a gallant , as you say , they propose pleasure without scandal , 't is very hard the heat that warms a man's brain , should so entirely settle there , as to render him incapable of pleasing'em otherways ; though 't is possible , by reason of his having variety of thoughts to divert him , he may not give himself so entirely up to those pleasures , as people less capable of thinking do : and for the scandal , who so proper to hinder that , as those who have prudence to mannage things so as not to be found out , and wit enough to turn it off if they are ? whilst a fool by his want of sense shall quickly make the thing publick , if there be an intrigue , or by his vanity brag of one , though there be none . add to this , that when a woman seems pleas'd with a man of wit , every body is apt to attribute it to the pleasure of his conversation ; whereas , when she is fond of a man , in whom we can see nothing to be lik'd , we naturally suppose she likes him for something that we do not see : and though 't is possible it may be only want of judgment in the lady , yet the world is apt to compliment her understanding in that case , to the prejudice of her reputation . and to conclude , sir , though i do not believe all those men successful who say they are not , yet i am very much inclined to believe all those men not to be successful , who say they are . for your examples of women haters , i have sufficiently i think reply'd to them already ; and for your other arguments , if it be an affront to call a man effeminate , i hope you do not think it any great compliment to tell a woman she is masculine ; and had that argument been urg'd against you , i dare answer for you , you wou'd have said , that that only proved the perfections of the sexes diff●rent ; and as man was made for the ruder labours , it was requisite he should be strong and course ; and the women , being made for the easier things , ought to be soft , tender , and delicate : and as for mens being govern'd by their wives , tho' the being hector'd by 'em is not so commendable ; yet it 1 was observ'd by 2 cato of the romans , that they govern'd all the world , and that their wives govern'd them : amongst the 3 assyrians it was a custom introduc'd by semiramis , ( who had ruled that kingdom with so much glory ) that the wives shou'd have dominion over the husbands ; the same custom prevail'd likewise among the 4 sauromatae ; and the 5 aegyptians had an express law to that purpose . we know how much the 6 spartans ( the bravest men of the world ) were commanded by their wives , and that all the care and management of domestick affairs was committed to them . so that i can not imagine how a thing shou'd be so very scandalous , that was practised by most of the bravest people under the sun. here are very good precedents for married women , which it is to be hoped they will lay up in their hearts , and practice in their lives and conversations . i have as great a veneration for those poets you mention , as any man can ; and upon that account i shall not believe all the ill they say of their mistresses , because i suppose they would not have me : as i have been a lover my self , so i know very well that people are apt in those cases to take suspicions for realities , and surmises for matter of fact . does not 7 aureng-zebe call indamora faithless , and ingrate ? and yet i believe he wou'd be very angry that you shou'd call her so too ; and wou'd not any one who came in when he was in one of his rants , conclude , a man who loved so well , would not be enrag'd against a mistress at that rate , unless her falsehood was very apparent ? and yet when we come to examine the cause of this disorder , what is it , but morats giving him his life at her request , or his leaning upon her lap when he dyed . i rather mention this than any of the poets you spoke of , not only because all the motions and passions of a lover are described with as much art and delicacy , as in any of those ancients , but also , that seeing the whole business before you , you may judge of every little cause of his disorder , as well as he himself , which in odes and elegies you cannot do ; you see the lover there in a fury , but what cause he has to be so , there is no body to tell you , but he who is in it . add to this , that a man often feigns jealousie of his mistress , to hinder her from being so of him , and will upbraid her falshood to defend his own . ( that is a thing now i confess , madam , which i can hardly believe . ) and it is evident , they had not really any such bad opinion of women , since with all this they did not cease to run after ' em . however , if you think these general answers not sufficient ; let us see what we can say to particulars . for the complaints of cruelty and scorn ; i look upon 'em as things of course , and therefore shall say nothing to ' em . if anacreon's mistress did ask him nothing but money ; why did he chuse one whose necessities drove her upon it . and if other men have made complaints of the womens minding wealth more than love ; i desire to know whether women have not as much reason to make the same complaints of the men. and for those who talk of their mistresses inconstancy , let us see first whether they were constant to them . for ovid , he does not pretend to put it upon you , but complains in 1 one place of his being in love with two at once , and tells you frankly in 2 another , that he was in love with all the town . for horace , suetonius , ( or who ever it was that writ his life ) informs you that he was intemperately given to women ; and what wonder then , that a man who try'd so many , shou'd find one or two false . tibullus had two 3 mistresses whom he celebrates by name , and there are some more elegies that it does not appear whether they are writ to them or others ; and tho' he tells , us the 4 report was that his mistress was kind to other men ; yet the report gave him so much torment , that he desired it should be stifled ; if therefore you have any friendship for him , endeavour to fulfil his desire in that point . for propertius , besides his 3 intemperate love of all women , he tells you his 4 mistress caught him with two wenches at the same time ; and confesses that he rails at the incontinence of women , only because she upbraided him with his . thus whatever qualifications those great men had , constancy you see was none ; and tho' we allow you , each of 'em had merit enough for any one woman , yet one man can hardly have enough for half a score . now if ruine and desolation has come to great men , and states , from women , it shew'd they had a good opinion of the sex in general , that they wou'd suffer for 'em ; and had they not been sensible the greatest part were good , they cou'd never have been impos'd upon by the bad . then as for those ill women whom you have mention'd , as i suppose you will not undertake to defend all the actions of tyrants , and murderers ; so i do not think my self at all obliged to defend all the women who have been guilty of some of their crimes . the dispute is not whether there have been any ill women in the world , but whether there are not more good. and when i have told you that the same book that condemns dalilah , cries up deborah , and iael ; that if homer has represented helen guilty of some faults ( for you will see that homer does not represent her cause so violently bad ) he tells us of hecuba , and andromache , and a thousand others who were very good ones ; that if clytemnestra was false to agamemnon , penelope was as famous for her truth to vlysses ; and so put you example against example , which i forbear to do , only because it is so very easie ; should i , i say , do but this , you cou'd not complain that your arguments were unanswer'd . but truly , sir , we might carry the thing much farther ; we might defend some of those women you mention'd , and excuse the rest . for dalilah i shall say nothing , out of respect to the scripture , that represents her as an ill woman ; 't is possible , were she alive , she might tell you in her own defence , that what account you have of her , is from her profest enemies : that however taking the thing as they tell it ; if she did commit a piece of treachery , it was against an enemy of her country ; and that it was very hard she should be so much run down for the same thing they have so much admired in iael and iudeth , as well as every body else did in marcus brutus ; she wou'd perhaps push her defence further , and tell you , that thô she deliver'd samson to the philistins to be kept prisoner , yet she neither drove a nail through his head , nor cut it off . but for helen , give me leave to tell you , 't is a great dispute amongst the historians , whether she was forc'd away by paris , or went by her own consent ; several are of the former opinion ; and 1 hoelztzim says plainly , he wonders homer will put such a ridiculous story upon the world , as to make her the occasion of the trojan war. ( menelaus , it must be confest , madam , if the story be true , was a very easie good natur'd husband , who would be at so much pains and charge to fetch back a wife who run away with another man. i do not remember , in my own memory , to have known above five or six examples like it ) and 2 plato speaks as if the belying her were the cause of homer's blindness , as well as of stesichorus's ; but that the latter understood the way of expiating his fault better , and made his recantation , to this effect : that there was not a word of truth in the story of her going to troy. if clytemnestra was consenting to her husband's death , yet it was egisthus , a man , who gave the blow : and if tha●s did advi●e the burning persepolis , yet it was not less a person than alexander the great who put it in execution . and as for deianira and cleopatra , whatever fatality arrived to their lovers from 'em , may certainly be very well excused upon the innocence of their intentions , and their punishment of themselves afterwards , the one hanging , the other poisoning her sel● . i● the capuan women destroy'd annibal's army , they destroy'd a body of enemies that all the men in italy could not . in like manner , for your other instances we might tell you that procopius , who tells those terrible stories of 1 theodora , is so very passionate all along , and mixes such ridiculous fables with what he tells , that there is no great credit to be given to him . ( this procopius was a souldier under justinian , and has writ amongst other things a secret history of those times ; in this he repre●ents the empress theodora more like a devil than a woman ; he makes her and the emperour converse frequently with spirits , and makes her put 'em to an employment , that savours more of the flesh than the spirit ) tho' granting she was as lew'd as he represents her ; what wonder is it , that one who had been a stroling play-wench , and common strumpet before the emperour married her , shou'd not turn saint after ? if the 1 princess of parma embroil'd flanders , she did it by the command of philip , for whom she govern'd . and as for your two queen maries , 2 caussin you know makes a saint of the one , and parsons of the other , with whom i leave you to fight it out , not thinking our dispute very much concern'd in it . then , sir , if there are impertinents , if there are ridiculous persons of the other sex , i hope you do not think they are all plato's , nor all aristotles of our own ; and i will undertake , for every woman who plagues you with her business , for every woudbee politician , and for every pedant amongst them , to bring you double the number of the men. if olivia is impertinent in the plain-dealer , i hope there are novels and plausibles who keep her company ; and if i shou'd carry you to a city coffee-house , and there shew you a parcel of people talking of things that they understand nothing at all of ; and settling the governments of countries , which they never saw as much as in a map : from thence to a play-house , and shew you the pert and insipid raillery of the sparks upon the vizard masks : from thence to a new-market course , and enter you at a table , where you shou'd hear nothing talkt of but dogs and horses : from thence to a tavern ; and shew you a set of men in their drunken frolicks : i fancy you wou'd wish your self in your drawing-room again , as a more agreeable ●olly than any of those i have mention'd . and i appeal to you whether lucian in his timon , boileau in his eighth satyr , and my lord rochester in his upon the like subject , say not as much against mankind , and make 'em as ridiculous as you can do the women . and i 'll assure you , sir , i am far from being of the duke of britanie's mind , that learning is unfit for a woman ; and shall , without any offence either to him or you , continue of the same opinion● 'till you have answer'd anna maria schurman's arguments in their behalf , and 'till you have taken away her ●elf , who is one of the best arguments . this anna maria schurman was ● dutch lady of utrecht , of whom yo● will hear more anon . there was a long dispute between her and rivetus , whether learning was fit for women ? 't is printed in her works in latin. here , madam , there follows a tedious chapter , of women who have been famous for wit and learning ; which though it may be convenient for those who question their abilities that way , yet i do not see of what use it can be to your ladyship , or to any who have the honour of being acquainted with you ; therefore if you please , madam , we will cast off here , and take hands again at the bottom . nor need you fear that i shou'd search three several countries , and three several ages , to furnish me with a learned woman apiece . no , sir , even greece it self , to go no further , had nine muses , nine sibyls , and nine lyrick po●tesses , if you are delighted with the number nine , which is three times three . and if you have more mind to particulars , we will shew you there 1 megalostrate the mistress of alcman , who had a gift of poetry as well as he ; the daughters of 2 stesichorus who were as good poets as their father . we have also an eretrian sappho , as well as she who was in love with phaon ; erinna , and demophila , the first the mistress of sappho , the other equal to her , who flourish'd all four in the same time . after these we have theano , the wife of pythagoras , who undertook his school when he was dead , with two others of the same name ( if you will believe su●das ) whereof one was a lyrick poetess , the other a thurian , who writ of pythagoras . we have also about the same time cleobulina ( the daughter of cleobulus one of the seven wise men of greece ) a poetess , and corinna who had the sir-name given her of the lyrick muse. we have presently after telesilla an argive poetess , not only famous for her wit , but for her inspiring her country women with so much courage , as to make 'em put to flight the spartiates , who came upon 'em in the absence of their husbands . at the same time lived praxilla one of the nine lyricks , and of whom we have a copy of verses to calais yet extant ; what will you say to aspatia milesia , who is celebrated as a sophistress , ( you know the word 1 sophister was not then abus'd ) a teacher of rethorick , and a poetess ? there was also hesti●ea , mention'd by strabo , anyte by tatian , and nyssis by antipater thessalus , of the two last of which there are some things yet extant ; if you have a mind to see what they did after they turn'd christians , we will produce eudocia the wife of theodosius , instructed in all sort of learning , and who writ several treatises , very much cry'd up by photius . i have not said a word here of lasthemia the mantinaean , nor axiothea the phliasian , tho' they are mention'd amongst the disciples of plato by diogenes laertius ; and i own i forgot hipparchia , whose life he writes , and commends bo●h as a philosopher and a writer of tragedies , and hedyle the poetess , whom athenaeus quotes , and 1 vossius it seems has forgot 'em as well as i. i question not but there are several others , whose names we want , and i question not but that there are several nam'd whom i remember not : however this is enough to let you see we are not so hard put to it as you imagine , since one little country can furnish us with all these . what say you , sir , are you yet satisfied there are women of wit and learning ? or shall we fetch you the 1 cornelia you mention'd , 2 sempronia , 3 cornificia , polla argentaria the wife of lucan , and who assisted him in his poem ; sulpitia , proba falconia , helpine the wife of boetius from amongst the latins ? or if these are not enow , shall we bring up our reserves of i●alian , spanish , french , german , and english ? and if you are not yet contented , because i fancy every body else is , i shall refer you to iacobus a sancto carolo 's library of women , illustrious for their writings ; or to anna maria schurman , who was indeed a library her self , since you mention her . pardon me , sir , if i detain you a little longer than ordinary with this woman ; and though you may think it lost time , because you knew it before , yet 't is possible every body does not know , that she was very well skill'd in the hebrew , chaldee , syriack , arabick , turkish , greek , latin , french , english , italian , spanish , german , dutch , and flemish languages ; that she had a very good ●aculty at poetry and painting , that she was a perfect mistress of all the philosophies , that the greatest divines of her time were proud of her judgment in their own profession , and that when we had this character of her she was not above thirty years of age. what think you , sir , is not this woman sufficient of her self ? or shall we refer you to mademoiselle 1 gournay among the french , or 2 lucretia marinella among the italians , who have both writ in defence of their sex , and who are both arguments themselves of the excellency of it ? i shall not as much as mention any of those ladies whose wit balzac and voiture so much admire ; i shall say nothing of the mesdemoselles scuderie and le fevre , to the first of which we do not only owe several excellent treatises publish'd under her own name , but who is said also to have had a great share in those that appear under her brother 's ; and to the latter of which we are oblig'd for so many admirable versions , and judicious observations upon most of the greek and latin poets . i shall not as much as trouble you with our own country women . i shall say nothing of sir thomas more 's daughters , about whose education 1 erasmus has written ; i shall pass by sir nicolas bacon's , who were as learned as they ; shall say nothing of sir philip sidney's lady pembroke , nor as much as mention mrs. philips , or any of the rest of our english poetesses ; but i can hardly forbear saying something of the lady iane gray , of whom all nations else speak , and whose fame is more celebrated in italy , both for her learning and piety , by the account that michael angelo has given 'em of her , than it is here at home . should i reckon up all those ladies whose wit and learning has been celebrated by our own poets ; should i but enter upon the praises of queen elizabeth of england , or mary of scotland , in that particular● i should never have done . but i can hardly omit two ladies who are strangers , and however i am straitned for room , yet methinks i ought to be just to those who were civil to me , since therefore i received particular favours from the procurator cornara , during my stay at venice , let me not pass over in silence his daughter , for whom most of the greatest princes , and learned men of europe have testified such an esteem . this lady , besides her skill in rhetorick , logick , musick , and astronomy , writ and spoke perfectly well seven several languages ; and made the course of all the speculative sciences with so much success , that she might very well profess her self a mistress of 'em ; and all this before she was thirty years of age. her sister , whom i had the honour to see ( she her self being dead some time before ) is likewise a person of very singular endowments ; and all this whilst they are one of the best families of a town , where the nobility seem almost as proud of their ignorance , as their liberty . the other i shall mention , is christina queen of sueden , a princess whose accomplishments are so generally known , that it is enough to have named her ; a lady of that true judgment , that she knew how to esteem wit and learning at the same time that she despis'd crowns ; and seem'd to be born as a sufficient recompence to the common-wealth of letters , for all the mischiefs her predecessors the goths and vandals had done it before ; i am satisfy'd it is impossible for me to add any thing to a glory so establisht as that of this princess is ; yet as i never past any time either with greater benefit , or greater satisfaction , than what i past in her conversation ; so i am very well pleas'd methinks with any thing that gives me occasion to call it to my remembrance . there might be as advantageous characters perhaps given of some ladies of our own country now living , did not their modesty , that inseparable quality of wit and women , deter me from it . we might tell you further , sir , that this modesty too often hinders 'em from making their vertues known ; that they are not of those eternal scrib●ers who are continually plagueing the world with their works ; and that it ●s not the vanity of getting a name , which several of the greatest men of the world have own'd to be the cause of their writing , that is the cause of the womens . had not sappho been so much in love , 't is possible we had never heard any mention of one of the greatest wits that ever was born ; had not cicero and quintilian given us accounts of cornelia , and the daughters of l●lius , and hortensius , they had never done it themselves ; had not iane gray been put to death , her vertues had never been so much taken notice of ; had not the portugueze nun been deserted by her gallant , we had mist some of the most passionate letters that these latter ag●s have produc'd ; and had not anna maria schurman's works been publish'd by a friend , without her consent , we had lost the benefit of ' em . we may tell you too , that ' t●● no● only in respect of their own sex that they are admir'd , but even of ours . that of those two odes we have yet of sappho , we owe one to dionys●us halicarnassaeus , the other to longin , the two best criticks of greece , who cho●● 'em out for examples to their rules , before any of the mens ; that the epistle of sappho to phaon , which is esteem'd the most delicate of ovid , 's is supposed to be taken out of her writings . that corinna was five times victorious over pindar the best ly●ick po●● of our sex. and were we here in england as forward in printing lette●s , as they are in france and italy , we might furnish volumes of 'em written by ou● own ladies , that wou'd make all the women-haters blush , or make all men else blush for ' em . here , madam , i must own to you i grew je●lous , for i cou'd no● imagine that philogynes wou'd have said this , withou● having seen some of your ladys●ips letters . we may tell you too , that granting the equal capacities of both sexes , 't is a greater wonder to find one learned woman , than a hundred learned men , considering the difference of their educations . if you shou'd go into greece , and , seeing the ignorance is amongst 'em at present , tell 'em their country men were incapable of learning , wou'd you not be very well satisfied , when they told you of the plato's and aristotle's of antiquity ? and that if they had not as famous men now , it was because they have not the same advantages they had then ? and pray why may not the women be allow'd the same excuse ? will you by all your laws and customs endeavour to keep 'em ignorant , and then blame 'em for being so ? and forbid all men of sense keeping 'em company , as you do , and yet be angry with them for keeping company with fools ? consider what time and charge is spent to make men fit for somewhat ; eight or nine years at school ; six or seven years at the university ; four or five years in travel ; and after all this , are they not almost all fops , clowns , dunces , o● pedants ? i know not what you think of the women ; but if they are fools , they are fools i am sure with less pains● and less expence than we are . upon second thoughts i hope , sir , you will allow , that women may have wit and learning ; for their courage and conduct we may possibly say more anon . but for heaven's sake , do not aggravate their faults always at that rate ; for whatever sappho's life and conversation were , there is nothing in her writings , but what represents the most tender , and delicate passion in the world : and as for aloisia sigaea ( i give you thanks for putting me in mind of 1 aloisi● sigaea , who was as remarkable for her wit and learning as any of the other ) i am very well assur'd you do not believe that infamous book which goes under her name , to have been written by her ; 2 all who speak of it assure us the contrary ; and that she was so far from writing it , that she 3 never publish'd any thing ; on the other side , all historians represent her as remarkable for her vertue , as her learning . for the queen of sheba , there is no mention in scripture of her travelling for any thing but to be satisfied with the wisdom of solomon ; however , if you will believe she went to him , for the same reason that 5 thalestris did to alexander the great ; it was no such great matter , in countreys where it was thought no sin , if the one had a mind to have a child by the wisest man in the world , and the other by the bravest . after all , we must own if there are l●wd women , they endeavour to conceal their lewdness they do not brag of it , nor flye openly in the face of religion ; and if they once come to be publickly discover'd , they are render'd infamous to all the world , and their nearest friends and relations avoid their company : whilst there are several men who boast of their iniquities , value themselves upon their being thought lewd , and what is worse , find others to value 'em upon it too ; nay by their incitements and encouragements to wickedness , often bring themselves to that pass , that the least part of the sins they are to answer for , are what they have commit●ed● themselves● but not a word more i beseech you of sappho , nor her new crime , le● lucian be forgotten for putting us in mind of it , and let it be cloister'd up within the walls of a turkish seraglio ; i speak not this in behalf of the female sex , but of our own ; for if they shou'd once hear of this argument , and fall upon us with 1 socrates , 2 plato , and all those heroes of antiquity , whom plutarch and lucian produce in defence of a like sin in our sex ; shou'd they mention anacreon , tibullus , martial , and all those poets who have eterniz'd their infamy in their writings ; and after that shew you what progresses this crime has made , not only in the turk's dominion , but even in spain and italy , i am sure , sir , you wou'd wish you had said nothing of a point , that may be so severely made use of against our selves . now tho' you are pleas'd to quote the lampoons , yet you think as well as i that such things are not worth any bodies taking notice of ; we both know there are a sort of people about this town , who please themselves with defamations ; one of these , if they see a man speak to a woman , make their little signs , their politick winks , and possibly when they meet him , in their insipid way of rallery , tax him with it : if he is angry at 'em , then he is pique'd , and afraid the intrigue shou'd be found out ; if he says nothing ( as it deserves nothing ) then he is out of countenance● and cannot say a word ; and if he laughs at 'em ( which is all the answer a man wou'd make to such stuff ) then he is pleas'd with the thing ; so that every way the poor ladies reputation suffers ; and these sparks shall no● fail to blow it about town , that there is an amour ; not that they think so of you , but that you may return the complement , and say so of them , when they speak to any lady themselves . for their garrulity , if you wou'd see things which are against you , in that treatise of 1 plutarch , from whence you bring two of your instances , you might have been furnish'd with enow of the mens . but tho' 't is lawful to forget stories that are not for you , yet methinks you ought to tell out those you do mention ; and when we have heard that the wife of fulvius , seeing what she had done , shew'd her husband the way to avoid the consequences of it , by stabing her self first ; we must certainly own , that such a woman had vertue enough to make amends for all her faults . and if in answer to the instances you bring , i shou'd mention the 2 melitish , or the saxon women , who tho' they were all engag'd in plots with their husbands , yet not one discover'd it ; if i shou'd shew you 1 leaena at athens , or 2 epi●haris at rome , who being both engag'd in plots , one against the tyrant pisistra●us , the other against nero , yet cou'd not by all their tortures , be brought to discover 'em ; and that the former for fear her torments shou'd make her reveal it , bit off her tongue , certainly , sir , you wou'd have a better opinion of their taciturnity . but we need not go so far for instances ; our own country , and our own time , will furnish us with ●now . in all the plots we have had continually on foot , tho' we have had women engag'd and accus'd ; tho' there was one pilloried in the first ; three executed in another ; and sixteen or seventeen excepted in a generall pardon ; though there have been several seiz'd upon like accounts since , yet you see there has not been one of 'em who ever made a discovery . give me leave , sir , to commend 'em for their vertues at the same time that i am far from defending their faults , and though i have a very good opinion of those men who discover a conspiracy upon remorse of conscience , yet i must take leave to believe that there are some at least , who do it upon another account ; and without any sorrow at all for their design , except that it did not succeed , think to save their own lives , by the sacrifice of other peoples ; and make amends for their treason against the government , by their treachery to their friends . but no wonder you are so severe upon the faults of modern women , when you fall upon those whom all antiquity has reverenc'd . 't is hard that iael and iudeth , whose actions have been so long admir'd , should be call'd to account for them so many thousand years after . it would be an injury to their cause , to say any thing in their defence ; and a presumption in me to justifie actions , that the scripture has celebrated so much . but must poor penelope fall under your displeasure too ? i am sensible how much she is like to suffer , who is defended by so dull a fellow as homer , against those most ingenious gentlemen , who are the lampooners of our age : however as their ability in scandal needs no foreign aid ; and as i am satisfied they would think it a disparagement to 'em to be reckon'd with virgil and ovid , let us free 'em , pray , from such unworthy companions . for the former i believe you are fully satisfied the priapeia are none of his ; and as fully satisfy'd that the authority of such ●ort of verses is not extreamly much to be depended upon ; and for ovid , if in the person of a bawd , who he tells you was a lyar , he gives you a reflection upon penelope , yet he makes her very sufficient amends , when 1 he speaks in his own person . and taking the story as it lies , that her house was always full of lovers whom she could by no means get away ; laertes being too old , telemachus too young to encounter 'em ; it certainly shews her vertue so much the more : for as there is no great courage required to keep a fortress in the time of peace , so a very little vertue is sufficient to preserve that chastity which no body ever thought it worth his while to attempt . now if lycophron and duris samius represent her as a lewd woman , as i understand not how they shou'd come to know it , all the writers who liv'd before 'em giving so very different an account ; so for lycopron , 't is no great wonder a greek and a poet should lye ; or that duris samius , seeing the etymologie of the word pan come so pat , shou'd feed us with a story upon it , of his own invention . ( pan you remember , madam , in greek signifies all , and who wou'd no● tell a lye for so pretty a conceit ? ) you may observe also , that this author was not of so establish'd a reputation as cicero wou'd make us believe , since 1 plutarch who quotes him once , does it only to contradict him in a point of history , that he ought to have known better that this . for lucretia , observe of sir charles sedley , as of ovid before , that he only makes the bawd say it , and if you consider the fear in which she was , you will find that that passion often makes people run into a greater danger to avoid a less , of which you have instances enow in our own plantations , of the 1 slaves who hang themselves , to avoid their being beat . after all this , sir , if you still think with le chambre that men have a greater natural inclination to vertue than women , yet i hope you will grant they have taken a very becoming care to overcome that inclination ; and if nature has not given so large a talent to the other sex , yet they have improved that talent much better than we have done ours . then for your instances of some few ill women , i tell you , as i did before , that the cause in general is not at all concern'd in 'em ; and when i shew you an atreus cutting his brother's children in pieces , and giving 'em to him to eat ; a phalaris roasting people alive in a brazen bull ; a busyris murdering all his guests ; a nero ripping open the womb of his mother , to see the place where he had lain● and so for every crime of that sex , shew you how far they have been outdone by some of our own , as that 1 italian lady i mention'd does in her treat●fe upon a like occasion , i am sure you will find a very great disadvantage of your side . but i take you at your word , let us go a circuit with the judges , and if you find not six men condemn'd for one woman , i 'll pay the charges of the journey ; 't is true , indeed , as most of the women who are condemn'd , are so , for a crime which they commit to prevent their shame ; so the care of that , and hypocrisie , are two faults of which our sex is not so generally guilty . now tho' i do not think my self oblig'd to say one word for any of those women you have condemn'd ; and shall therefore leave phaedra and fausta to your mercy , tho' neither of 'em expected the cruelty of their husbands shou'd have carried things so far ; and shall not argue much for semiramis , tho' certainly her having all the bravery , wisdom , and vertues of our sex in the greatest perfection , might move you to forgive her the having some of our faults ; and for her putting men to death , i am contented that every one who boast of ladies favours shou'd be serv'd in the same manner ; ( here , madam , i cannot at all agree with philogynes , because it might be severe upon some honest gentlemen , whom all the laws against adultery and fornication wou'd never reach . ) yet methinks i have an inclination to say somewhat for queen ioan of naples , because she is generally represented so very ill . the common 1 story is , that having married andreossa an hungarian , and her kinsman ; and not finding him so capable of satisfying her , as his youth and beauty promis'd , she caus'd him to be strangl'd in a silk cord of her own making . the first and chief author of this story is villani a florentine ( for 2 collenuccio takes it from him , tho' , as such things use , it has lost nothing in his hands ) who tells you that he had it from a 3 relation made to his brother by a certain hungarian who had been a servant of andreossa's ; and in his return to hungary past through florence . now the author of this story being an hungarian , one of those of whom petrarch writes so much ill , and also a servant of the dead king , he ought to speak passionately against the queen , of whom they were profess'd enemies ; you may observe also , that the 1 letter which lewis the brother of andreossa writes to her at the time that he came with a potent army to revenge his brother's death , speaks of her being privy to it , as a thing that was suspected , rather than a thing that did plainly appear . on the other side , 2 boccace , who liv'd a great while in that court , throws all the blame of the action upon the conspirators , and none at all upon the queen . after all , believe as you please , and do as you please with all these women who have offended you ; if helen runs away from menelaus , let all greece arm , and fetch her back again ; if clytemnestra consents to the killing agamemnon , let orestes kill her for it ; if semiramis puts the men she has made use of to death , let her own son serve her in the same manner ; if ioan of naples causes andreossa to be strangled , let durazzo cause her to be strangled in the same place ; let not your severity stop there● but let their infamy live when they themselves are dead● and let the euripides's , the iuvenals , and the misogynes's , set out their actions in their true colours . but let the business go no farther , i beseech you . let not hecuba nor andromache suffer , because helen is a wanton woman ; nor penelope be run down , because clytemnestra is an ill wife ; and if ioan of naples strangles her husband , let not all those who have dy'd for theirs , fall under the same condemnation . 't is one of the chiefest ends of punishments to distinguish the good from the bad , do not you therefore by punishments confound ' em . if tibullus and ovid's mistress's jilt their lovers , let it be remember'd against 'em two thousand years after ; and if misogynes's serve him so , let him shew his resentment in as severe a manner as he pleases . let him disdain the mean revenge of malicious whispers , and nameless lampoons , and the much meaner way of railing at all , because one has injur'd him ; but let him boldly hunt her out from the herd ; let him publish her infamy in lasting characters ; tho' she is free from conscience , let her be plagu'd with the stings of shame ; and let all women be terrify'd by her example from being false to men of wit , or kind to fools . but let him have very full satisfaction of the matter of fact first ; let him not go upon dubious grounds , nor jealous surmis●s ; let him not believe the vanity of some , nor the malice of others ; let him consider the stories of● 1 bradamante in ariosto , of aurestilla in consalo de cepedes , of othello in shakespear , and let him see how far jealousie may seem reasonable , whilst nevertheless the person of whom they are jealous may be innocent . after all , i give you even in that greater power than i shou'd care to take my self ; i wou'd rather by other peoples faults correct my own , and shou'd think the noblest revenge a man cou'd take upon a woman who injur'd him , wou'd be the doing some action ●●at wou'd make all the world admire him ; i wou'd have every body upbraid her with my wrongs whilst i my self was silent : 't is true , if by the injuries she did me , there were any aspersions cast upon my reputation ; there justice to my self wou'd oblige me to make the story publick : but i wou'd certainly endeavour to reclaim her by mildness , before i made use even of that severity ; and as i shou'd scorn any favour that was the effect of fear , so if i once broke into an open war , all the submission she cou'd make shou'd never bring me to an amity again , thô perhaps my own good nature might in time prevail upon me for a forgiveness . this , sir , is what i thought necessary to reply to what you said ; in which i see we have quite exceeded the bounds of a dialogue , and turn'd that into declamation , which was intended only for conversation . i have troubled the company so much already , that i dare trefpass no farther upon their patience , and shall therefore omit some other things , which i intended to have said upon this occasion . you are like those people , cry'd misogynes , who when they have provided all the dainties they cou'd get , make an apologie at the end of the treat , for their having got no more ; if i am not altogether convinc'd of the goodness of your cause , yet i am very well convinc'd that you have said all that the cause will bear . thô perhaps i shou'd have no great mercy upon you , reply'd philogynes , yet i have too much for these gentlemen , to detain 'em so long , as to hear all that i cou'd say upon so glorious an occasion . shou'd i make a collection of what is written by the best authors of antiquity in their praises ; should i but refer you to what stobae●s has collected for 'em , since you mention what he has done against 'em ; shou'd i but transcribe what 1 plutarch , 2 lodovicus vives , 3 speron sperone the most learned of his country-men , 4 ribera , 5 hilarion de costè , 6 scuderie , and a thousand others have said of 'em in treatises written expresly in their praises ; shou'd i but search all the bibliotheques for a catalogue of those who were famous for their writings ; shou'd i afterwards tell you of those who were remarkable for their piety , conjugal affection , penitence , and contempt of worldly vanities ; shou'd i but repeat the names of those who have dy'd for the preservation of their chastity ; shou'd i shew you a 1 country even at this day , where they cannot by any severity hinder women from burning themselves with the bodies of their deceased husbands : shou'd i mention the women of 2 cios , among●t whom for seven hundred years there never was the least mention of any adultery , or fornication ; shou'd i tell you that the first of those sins was so little known amongst the spartans , that they did not think it worth their while to make any law against it ; ( now , said my friend , whether this were not as good an argument of the men's chastity as the women's , i leave you to judge ; but really i think not , madam ; for besides intrigues with their own sex , which were common enough amongst the men in those eastern countries ; i do not doubt but the men being men of honour wou'd ask , though the women being women of honour wou'd deny . ) shou'd i but give you a list of the martyrs of that sex , from those who suffer'd under tiberius , to those who suffer'd under our own queen mary ; i fancy i shou'd make you ashamed of your simonides , your iuvenal , and all your satyrists put together . shou'd i after this defend 'em in the vertue to which they are thought to have least pretences , which is courage ; shou'd i but name those who have been famous for their warlike atchievements ; shou'd i tell you of deborah , penthesilaea , thalestris , camilla ; shou'd i shew you a country 1 of amazons , even in our own time : shou'd i carry you into france , and shew you a warlike virgin ( at least an unmarried woman ) whose memory is still annually celebrated by one of their chiefest 1 towns , and who , besides her fame in their chronicles , has given a subject to one of the most famous 2 heroick poems which that nation has produc'd ; wou'd you not after all confess they might very easily be defended , even in this point too ? but i shall wave that ; i am satisfy'd with the care universal custom has taken of 'em ; and as seamen in a storm , to preserve their things of greatest value , throw away those of less ; so i am very well pleas'd that mankind shou'd be expos'd to the hazards of war , whilst the fair sex is preserv'd in safety at home , whose smiles are the noblest reward a brave man can desire for all the hazards , and fatigues he has endur'd in a campagne . but it is generally agreed that all vertues are requisite for those who govern well ; and since there are some countries where women are excluded from the throne , and no countrey where they are not postponed , it wou'd be convenient methinks to see what they do , when by accident they are plac'd upon it . i shall not trouble you here with deborah , nor esther , nor as much as mention semiramis , though you have mention'd her upon another occasion ; and yet certainly the bravery of most of her actions ought to make us forget the faults of some few ; but i shall confine my self within the bounds of our own countrey . 1 at a time when the britains groan'd under the servitude of the romans ; when the king , by thinking to oblige the emperour , gave him an opportunity of pillaging his countrey ; and that their patience under their sufferings , was only a means of makeing them more ; when their houses were robb'd , their wives and daughters ravish'd , and their sons taken away from 'em ; then boadicia aro●e , and by her courage , as well as eloquence , inspired her dispirited countrey-men with a resolution of throwing off that yoke which was grown intolerable to be born : 't is true , indeed , the end was not answerable to the successes of the beginning ; nor to the glory so heroick an undertaking deserved ; however as it was neither want of courage nor conduct in her , so we ought to render her that veneration which is due to so resolute an enterprize . but as one of the greatest attempts the britains made for their liberty was whilst they were led by a woman ; so we must own the greatest glory our nation cou'd ever boast , was under the government of one of the same sex. it was in the time of queen elizabeth that this island arrived at that pitch of greatness , to which it had been ascending for several ages , and from which it has been declining 'till very lately ever since ; 't is the name of this princess that is dearer to all englishmen , than the names of all the monarchs since the conquest besides , and the only one whose birth-d●y has been celebrated after her death , by the voluntary gratitude of the people . but however we may forget things that are past , let us not oversee that which lies before our eyes ; and since the occasion is so very fair , i know not how we can omit the shewing our sense of those vertues , of which the whole nation has demonstrated so grateful an acknowledgment by the body of their representatives ; and never were they more truly their repre●entatives before . yes , sir , without going to foreign countries , without ●earching the histories of our own ; we have even in our own time , and our own countrey , a princess who has govern'd to their general satisfaction , a people the most curious to pry into the faults of their governours , of any people under the sun. a princess , who though she never shew'd any fondness of vain-glory , or authority , yet when the necessity of the kingdom called her to the helm , managed affairs with that dexterity which is very rarely found in those who are the most ambitious of command . every thing during that little time of her government , was order'd with that courage , conduct , and prudence , that her greatest friends cannot find eloquence enough to commend , nor her greatest enemies the least pretences to condemn . though she had a husband venturing his life in another countrey , with a bravery equal to what has made us suspect the stories of antiquity ; tho' our fleet , the bulwarks of the nation , was managed in a manner the courage of the english seamen was utterly unacquainted with ; tho' a monarch , who thinks himself able to contend with all europe together , seem'd to make his utmost efforts against a princess , who had nothing but the universal hearts of her subjects to defend her ; tho' all christendom was in suspence to see the event of the undertaking ; and every little prince had forgot his own danger , to contemplate hers ; even at this time did we see her look with all the unconcern imaginable , and whilst every body else was alarum'd for her safety , she only seem'd to have known nothing of the danger . not that this unconcern proceeded from any ignorance of her condition , or unreasonable contempt of her adversary ; no , she provided against their attempts with all the prudence cou'd be wisht for , at the same time that she lookt upon the danger with all the courage in nature . but however great these vertues may appear , when they are set off by the lustre of a publick command , yet they are in effect much greater , when they teach people to despise all such dazling trifles . here it is , sir , that we have a fresh field for eloquence , when we see a lady dissatisfi'd at that glory which she had to every bodies satisfaction beside , and grudge her self that authority , which she ow'd to the absence of a husband whom she loved so much better than that . what think you , sir , of that alacrity , of that joy with which she resign'd up the government ? does it not put you in mind of the old roman generals , who quitted their plow to command an army , and when the victory was gain'd , retur●●d with greater content to their plow again ? this is that wisdom which we shou●d admire ; this is that vertue which we shou'd adore ; and we ought to despise all those little pretenders to business , who thrust themselves into the management of affairs against every bodies will but their own ; and h●ving neither vertue , nor prudence enough to retire from it at the universal murm●rs of the people , are generally made sacrifices at last to the just resentment of an enraged nation . these are those blazing comets , whose fatal glories portend destruction to a government , whilst the vertues of the others , like those of the sun , give it life and heat , by their benign influence . much more , sir , might be said in defence of the sex , which i shall purposely omit , because i am satisfi'd i can never conclude with a more illustrious example . finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a67449-e260 1 plutarch in v. licur . 2 strabo lib. 10. 3 diod. sicul. l. 1. 4 lib. 4. and again l. 6. 5 aul. gell. l. ● . c. 6. sueton. in vit . august . dion . in vita e●usd . lucius florus . livy l. 59. 1 chap. 7. and in several other places . 2 v. stobaei senten . cap. de vituperio mulierum . 2 v. stobaei senten . cap. de vituperio mulierum . 3 see the dialogues of the curtisans , and that of love. 4 homille upon the beheading st. iohn baptist. 5 sixth satyr . 1 camerar . hist. med. l. 3. c. 1● . 2 upon the 19 th . chapter of st. matthew . 1 od. 44. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 — fore enim tutum iter & patens converso in pretium deo . lib. 3. o. 16. speaking of iupiter and danae . 3 l. 3. el 8. ingenium quondam fuerat pretiosius auro ; at n●nc barbaria e●t grandis , habere nihil . ecce recens dives , parto per vulnera censu , praefertur nobis , sanguine factus , eques . curia pauperibus clausa est . dat census ●onores . v. amor. &c. 4 l. 2. el. 4. ad dominam faciles aditus per carmina quaero ; at mihi per caedem , & facinus sunt dona paranda . sed precium si grande feras , custodia victa est , nec prohibent claves , & canis ipse tacet . 1 l 3 el. 11. nulla est poscendi , nulla est reverentia ●an●i , aut si qua est precio , ●●llitur ipsa mora . aurea nunc verè sunt saecula , plurimus auro● venit honos , auro conciliatur amor . 2 da te chi se defende ? quâ pensier fermi , e casti non atterri , e non guasti ? chi teco unqua contende ? chi vinto non se rend●● qual non cade , o non cede forte cor , salda voglia , intera fedé ? anch ' egli amor lo str●l● già d'oro , e d'or lo cocca onde qual honor lo scocca , e beila donna assale , stamp● piaga ●ortal● là doue ogni altra punt● d'impiombate quadrel fi spe●za , e spu●ta . mar. rim. par secunda canzon . ●● . l'oro . 3 le richezze , li tesori son insensati amori past. fido. chor. del● atto 2 do . 4 de tus flechas por ser d'oro ninguna lei se deffiende . 5 el rico està en t●da parte , siempre a proposito viene , no ay cosa que se le esconda , no ay puerta que se le ●●●erra . quev . thal. rom. 37. 6 celuy devroit mourir del'eclat du tonnerre qui premier descouvrit les mines de la terre . ronsard . el. 8. 7 't is all against the love of money . 1 idyll . 3. 10 , 11 , 14 , 20. 2 illa lesbia quam catullus unam plus quam se atque suos amavit omnes , nunc in quadriviis , & angiportis glubit magnanimos remi nepotes . catul. 59. 3 — mulier cupido quod dicit amanti , in vento , & rapidâ scribere oportet aquâ . 1 lib. 1. el. 7. ipse miser docui quo posset ludere pacto custodes , eheu nunc premor arte m●● . 2 lib. 3. l. 11. ergo ego nescio cui quem tu complexa tenebas excubui clausam servus ut ante domum . 3 lib. 1. od. 23. l. 3. od. 10. 26. 4 lib. 1. od. 13. lydia lib. 2. od. 8. barine . lib. 3. od. 9. lydia again epod. 15. neaera . 5 lib. 2. el. 18. upon cynthia's falshood . lib. 3. el. 17. de incontinentiâ muli●rum . 1 see lib. 1. od. 25. lib. 3. od. 15. lib. 4. od. 13. epod. 8. 12. 2 non ego ne pecces cum sis formosa , recuso ; sed ne sit misero scire necesse mihi . lib. 3. el. 14. 1 iudges ch. 16. 2 v. homer . 3 velleius lib. 1. euseb. chron. soph. in electra . euripid. in oreste . 4 ovid. metam . l. 8. 5 quint. cur. lib. 5. 6 livie lib. 3. dec. 3. 7 plutarch in vit. anton. 8 procop. ar●c . 9 strada . bentivoglio . garnier , &c. 1 buchan . knox. 1 essays de montagne l. 1. c. 24. mad. gournay l'egalitè des deux sexes . 1 v. iuvenal . 6. sat. 1 v. iuvenal . 6. sat. 2 1 king. 10. 2 chron. 9. 3 quint● cur. l. 6. 4 diod● sicul. c. 2. 1 iuven. 6. sat. 2 this bath is now shewn in the ruins of her palace , a little way out of the town of naples . 3 lilius giraldus dial. 9. de po●tis . 1 see his dialogue between cleonarium and leo●na . 2 see tavernier's travels . 1 plutarch de garrul . 1 iud. c. 13. 2 iudges c. 4. v. 17. 1 penelope vires juvenum , tentabat in arcu , qui latus argueret , corneus arcus erat . ovid amor. l. 1. el. 8. 2 ad vetulam tamen ille suam ( speaking of vlysses ) properabat , & omnis mens erat in cunno , penelopea tuo . quae sic casta manes , ut jam convivia visas , vtque fututorum sit tua plena domus . e ●uibas ut scires quicunque valentior esset , haec es ad arrectos verba locuta procos : nemo meo melius nervum tendebat vlysse , sive illî laterum , seu fuit artis opus . qui quoniam periit , modò vos intendite : qualem esse virum sciero , vir sit ut ille meus . priapeia . 1 v. domin . in ovid. el. 8. l. 1. see also seneca's epistles . 2 lilius giral . hist. deorum gent. pan. 3 sir charles sidley in the translation of the 8 th . elegy of the 1 st book of ovid. 1 l'art . de connoistre les hommes . ch. 1. 1 diodor. sicul. l. 2. 2 ammian . marcellin . lib. 14. 1 cowley's preface . 1 for these three philos. see diog. l●●●tius in their lives . 1 for these three philos. see diog. l●●●tius in their lives . 1 for these three philos. see diog. l●●●tius in their lives . 1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : diog. laert. in vit. arist●t . 1 st. austin converted by his mother . 1 est autem — it is a dialogue between solomon and the king of egypt's daughter ; two chorus's , one of young men , the other of virgins , who lay near the bed-chamber , speaking between . the nuptial secrets lye hid here under modest words , which was the cause the ancient hebrews wou'd not suffer this book to be read , but by those who were near marriage . grotius upon the canticles 1 rapin de carmine pastorali . 2 the last chapter of proverbs , and in several other places . 1 girald . in vit . simonidis . plutarch in vit . themistoclis . 2 v. socrat. schol. sozomen . evagr. 1 see the dialogues of the curtisans . 1 in the dialogue of love. 1 diogenes laertius in vit . aristot. 2 plutarch in vit . ciceronis . 3 see verres's iest's upon cicero for his effeminacy . plut. 1 v. alex. ab alex. l. 4. c. 8. 2 plutarch in vit . cato . 3 v. leges connubiales . 4 nicholaus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and from him stobaeus . serm. 42. 5 diodor . si●ul . l. 1. 6 aristot. politic. l. 2. cap. 7. 7 see the tragedy by mr. dryden . 1 eleg. 1 l. 10. 1. 2 eleg. 4. l. 1. 3 delia. nemesis 4 rumor ait crebro nostram peecasse putam , quid miserum torques rumor acerbe ●ace . 3 aspice uti caelo modo sol , modo luna ministrat , sic etiam nobis una puella parum . 2 lib. el. 18. 4 lib. 4. el. 9. 1 prologom . ad apollon . 2 in phaedr . 1 anecdota . 1 see bentivoglio , strada , garnier . 2 in the holy court. 1 vossius de poet. grecis . 2 lilius gira●d . in vit. stesich . 1 plutarch in vit. themistocl . 1 vossius mentions neither of these two in his book de poetis grecis . 1 quintil. l. 4. 2 salust . bell. catil . 3 vossius de poetis latin. for the rest . 1 l'egalite des deux sexes . 2 nobiltá delle donne . 1 epist. ad bude●m . 1 vasaeus chron. hisp. thuanus . 2 v. eloges ●es homnes illustres de monsieur de thou . 3 v. biblioth . hispan . 5 v. quint● curtius , l. 6. 1 socrates was in love with alcibiades . 2 plato writes verses to a●ter a boy , with whom he was in love. 1 de garrulitate . 2 plutarch de clar. mulierib . 1 p●in . l. 3. plutarch de garrul . 2 tacitus annal. lib. 15. 1 penelope mansit , quam vis custode remoto , inter tam multos intemerata procos . ovid. amor. lib. 3. el. 4 1 in vitâ alci●iades . 1 ligon's history of the barbadoes . p. 50. 1 lucretia marinella . la nobiltà e peccellenza delle donne , con deffetti e mancamenti degli huomini . 1 essais de montagne . l. 3. c. 5. 2 istoria di napoli . l. 5. 3 v. annotazione e supplimente al istoria di collenuccio per costo . 1 inordinata vit a praecedens , retentio potestatis in regno , neglecta vindicta , vir alter susceptus , & excusatio subsequens , necis viri tui ●e probant fuisse participem & consortem . 2 casi degli huomini illustri . 1 orlan . furioso . ●ant●● 32. 1 de claris mulier . 2 de faminâ christian. 3 dial●ghi delle donne . 4 de la gloire imm●rtelle d●s dam●s illustres . 5 eloges des dames illustres . 6 femme heroique . 1 see bernier's history of indosthan . tavernier's and mandelso's travels . 2 plutarch de clar. mulieribus . 1 see acosta's history of the w●●●-indies . 1 orleans . 2 la pucelle de monsieur chapelaine . 1 tacitus in vita agr. and from him sammes in his brittania . illustratâ . the compleat servant-maid; or, the young maidens tutor directing them how they may fit, and qualifie themselves for any of these employments. viz. waiting woman, house-keeper, chamber-maid, cook-maid, under cook-maid, nursery-maid, dairy-maid, laundry-maid, house-maid, scullery-maid. composed for the great benefit and advantage of all young maidens. woolley, hannah, fl. 1670. 1677 approx. 163 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 95 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2003-01 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a66839 wing w3273a estc r221142 99832508 99832508 36982 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a66839) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 36982) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 2104:06) the compleat servant-maid; or, the young maidens tutor directing them how they may fit, and qualifie themselves for any of these employments. viz. waiting woman, house-keeper, chamber-maid, cook-maid, under cook-maid, nursery-maid, dairy-maid, laundry-maid, house-maid, scullery-maid. composed for the great benefit and advantage of all young maidens. woolley, hannah, fl. 1670. [12], 167, [3] p. [2] leaves of plates (fold.) printed for t. passinger, at the three bibles on london bridge, london : 1677. by hannah woolley. preliminary leaf reads: licensed january, 20. 1676/7 r. l'estrange. the words "waiting woman, ... under cook-maid," and "nursery-maid, ... scullery-maid." are bracketed together on title page. with three final pages of advertisment. copy tightly bound with some loss of text. incorrectly labelled wing b3273b in reel guide. reproduction of the original in the british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts 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at the text creation partnership web site . eng cookery -early works to 1800. canning and preserving -early works to 1800. house cleaning -early works to 1800. beauty, personal -early works to 1800. women -education -early works to 1800. 2000-00 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2001-10 spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images 2002-04 tcp staff (michigan) sampled and proofread 2002-04 mona logarbo text and markup reviewed and edited 2002-05 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the compleat servant-maid ; or , the young maidens tutor . directing them how they may fit , and qualifie themselves for any of these employments . viz. waiting-woman , house-keeper chamber-maid , cook-maid , vnder cook-maid , nursery-maid , dairy-maid , laundry-maid , house-maid scullery-maid . composed for the great benefit and advantage of all young maidens . london , printed for t. passinger , at the three bibles on london bridge , 1677. licensed january , 20. 1676 / 7 r. l'estrange . the epistle to all young maidens . sweet hearts , the great desire i have for your good , advantage and preferment in the world , is such that i respect it equal with my own , i have therefore with great pains and industry composed this little book , as a rich store-house for you , from whence you may be furnished with such excellent directions as may qualifie you for , and make you capable of serving the greatest person of honour or quality , or gentleman or gentlewoman either in city or country : for besides those necessary directions which teaches you how to behave and carry your self , and perform your duty in the several employments of waiting-woman , house-keeper , chamber-maid , cook-maid , vnder cook-maid , nursery-maid , dairy-maid , laundry-maid , house-maid , and scullery-maid . you have directions for preserving , conserving , and candying , for writing the most usual hands for women , as mixt hand , roman and italian hands : for arithmetick , as much as is necessary for your sex : also the art of carving , and distilling , with choice receipts for physick and chyrurgery : for washing and starching of tiffanies , points , and laces : for making of pies , custards , cheesecakes and the like : also for making of pickles and sawces , and for dressing of flesh , fowl , and fish , and for making several sorts of creams and syllabubs . with variety of choice receipts for preserving the hair , teeth , face , and keeping the hands white : also a bill of fare , of the most usual and proper meats for every month in the year . so that if you carefully and diligently peruse this book , and observe the directions therein given , you will soon gain the title of a complete servan●-maid , which may be the means of making you a good mistress : for there is no sober , honest , and discreet man , but will make choice of one , that hath gained the reputation of a good and complete servant , for his wife , rather than one who can do nothing but trick up her self fine , an● like a bartholomew baby● is fit for nothing else but to be looked upon . this consideration , wil● i hope , stir you up to th● attaining of these most excellent qualifications , and accomplishments . which that you may do , is the earnest desire of your well wisher . general directions to young maidens . if you would endeavour to gain the esteem and reputation of a good servant , and so procure to your self not only great wages , but also great gifts and vales , the love and respect of your lady , master or mistress , and the blessing of god almighty upon all your lawful endeavours , you must in the fir●● place , be mindful of your duty to your ●reator , according to the advice of solo●●●● eccles. 12. 1. remember thy creaton in 〈…〉 thy youth . be careful that you 〈…〉 ●rayers morning and evening , that ●ou re●d good books , and hear sermons as often as conve●iently you can . 2. that you endeavour carefully to please your lady , master or mistress , be faithful , diligent and suhmis●ive to them , encline not to sloth or laze in bed , but rise early in a morning . 3. be humble and modest in your behaviour . 4. be ●eat , cleanly , and huswifely , in your clothes , and lay up what money can handsomely be spared . 5. be careful o● what is given you , o● what you have in your charge , that by so doing you may oblige them to be loving and kind to you , and cause them to speak well of you . 6. do not ke●p familiarity with any bu● those , with whom you may improve you● time . 7. if you are entrusted with any secrets be careful that you reveal them not . 8. be careful that you wast not , or spoi● your ladies , or mistresses goods , neither si● you up junketing a nights , after your maste● and mistress be abed . lastly , if you behave your self civilly , a●● be neat , cleanly , and careful to 〈◊〉 , yo● will be cherished and encoura●●● not onl● with good words but good 〈◊〉 . thus have i given you s●●e short dire●ctions in general , i shall now give you particular directions for every employment , from the waiting gentlewoman to the scullery maid , that so you may be capable of serving in the highest as well as the lowest place . directions for such as desire to be waiting gentlewomen . if you desire to be a waiting gentlewoman to a person of honour or quality , you must , 1. learn to dress well . 2. preserve well . 3. write well a legible hand , good language and good english. 6. have some skill in arithmetick . 7. carve well . having learned these , you must remember to be courteous and modest in your behaviour , to all persons according to their degree , humble and submissive to your lord and lady , or m●s●er and mistress , neat in your habit , loving to servants , sober in your countenance and discourse , not using any wanton gesture , which may give gentlemen any occasion to suspect you of levity ; and so court you to debauchery , and by that means lose a reputation irrecoverabl●● i shall now give you some short directions , whereby you may learn to preserve , write well , carve well , and have some skill in arithmetick . directions for preserving , conserving , and candying . h●w to preserve barberies . make choice of the largest and fairest bunches , picking off the withered or shrunk ba●beries , and wash them clean , drying them in a clean cloth , after this take a quantity of barberies , and boyl them in claret wine till they be soft , then strain them well thorow a strainer , wringing the juice hard thorow it , boyl this strained liquor with sugar till it be thick and very sweet , let it then stand till it be cold , then put your branches of barberries into gally pots , and fill th●m up with this liquor : by this means you will have both the syrup of barberies , and their preserves . to preserve pears . take pears that are sound and newly gathered from the tree , indifferent ripe , then lay in the bottom of an earthen pot some dried vine leaves , and so make a lay of pears , and leaves till the pot is filled up , laying betwixt each lay some sliced ginger , then pour in as much old wine as the pot will hold , laying some heavy thing on the pears , that the pot may not swim . to preserve green pippins . take half a score green pippins from the tree , pare them , and boil them in a pottle of water till they are like a pulp , strain them from the cores , then ●ake two pound of sugar , and mingle it with the liquor or pulp so strained , then set it on the fire , and as soon as it boyleth put in the pippins you intend to preserve , so let them boil leasurely till they be enough , when they are preserved they will be green . in like sort you may preserve quinces , plumbs , peaches , and apricocks , if you take them green . to preserve black cherries . take them fresh or as they come from the tree and out of the stalk , take one pound of sugar for two pounds of cherries , seeth and clarifie them , and when they are half boyl'd put in your other cherries , and let them seeth softly together , until the sugar may be drawn between the fingers like small threads ; when it is almost cold put the cherries in the pots with the stalks downwards . to preserve mulb●rries . take mulberries and add to them their weight in sugar , having wet your sugar with some juice of mulberries , then stir your sugar together and put in your mulberries , and boyl them till they are enough , then take them out and boyl the syrup a while , then put in the mulberries and let them stand till they be cold . to prese●ve oranges and lemmons . take the fairest you can get , and lay them in water three days and three nights , to take away their bitterness , then boyl them in fair water till they be tender , make as much syrup as will make them swim about the pan , let them not boyl long , for then the skin will be tough , let them lye all night in the syrup , that they may soak themselves therein : in the morning boyl the syrup to a convenient thickness , then with it and the oranges and lemmons , fill your gallipots and keep them all the year . in this manner you may preserve citrons . to preserve gooseberries . let the gooseberries be gathered with their stalks on , cut off their heads and stone them , then put them in scalding water and let them stand therein a little while , then take their weight of sugar finely beaten , and lay first a layer of sugar then of gooseberries in your preserving pot or skillet , till all be in , put in for every pound of gooseberries a spoonful of fair water , set them on the embers till the sugar be melted , then boyl them as fast as you can , till the syrup be thick enough , when cold put them up . in this manner you may preserve raspices and mulberries . to preserve roses . take one pound of roses , three pound of sugar , one pint and a little more of rose-water , make your syrup first , and let it stand till it be cold , then take your rose leaves having first clip'd off all the white , put them in the cold syrup and cover them , let your fire be very soft , that they may only simmer two or three hours , then whilst they are hot , put them out into pots or glasses for your use . to preserve cherries . take cherries fully ripe and newly gathered , put them to the bottom of the preserving pan , let the cherries and sugar be of equal weight , throw some sugar on the cherries and set them on a quick fire , and as they boyl throw on the sugar till the syrup be thick enough , then take ●hem out and put them into a g●llipot whilst they are warm , it will not be amiss to add two or three spoon●uls of rose-water to them . to preserve ripe apricocks . let the weigh● of your sugar equal the weight of your apricocks , what quantity soever you have a mind to use , pare and stone your apricocks , and lay them in the sugar in the preserving pan all night , and in the morning set them on the embers all night till the sugar be melted , and then let them stand and scald an hour , then take them off the fire and let them stand in that syrup two days , and then boyl them so●tly , till they be tender and well coloured , and after that when they are coloured , put them up in glasses or pots , which you please . to preserve green walnuts . take walnuts and boyl them till the water tasts bitter , then take them off and put them in cold water and peel off their rind , and put to them as much sugar as their weight , and a little more water than will wet the sugar , set them on a fire , and when they boyl up , take them off , and let them stand two days , then boyl them again once more . to preserve eringo roots . take eringo roots fair and knotty , one pound , and wash them clean , then set them on the fire and boyl them very tender , peel off their outermost skin , but break them not a● you pare them , then let them lye a while in cold water , a●ter this you must take to every ●ound of roots , three qu●rte●s of a pound of clarified sugar , and boyl it almost ●o the height of a syrrup , and then put in your roots , but look that they boyl but gently , together , and stir them as little as may be for fear of br●aking , when they are cold put them up and keep them . to preserve ennula-c●mpana roots . wash them and scrape them very clean , and cut them thin to the pith , the length of your lit●le finger , and as you cut them , put them in water , and let them lye there thirty days , shifting them twice every day to take away the bitterness : then weigh them , and to every pound of roots , add twelve ounces of sugar clarified first , boyling ●he roots very tender , then put them into the sugar , and let them boyl upon a gentle fire until they be enough , having stood a good while on the fire , pot them up between hot and cold . to make conserve of roses . take red ros●buds , clip all ●he white either bruised or wi●hered ●rom them , then add to every pound of roses three pound of sugar , stamp the ros●s very small , putting to them a little juice of lemons or rosewater as they become dry : when you think your roses small enough , then put your sugar to them , so beat them together till they be well mingled , then pot it up in gallipots or glasses . in this manner is made the conserves of flowers of violets , which doth cool and open in a burning fever or ague , being dissolved in almond milk and so taken , and excellent good for any inflammation in children . thus yon may also make the conserve of cowslips , marigolds sage and scabious , and the like . how to candy all sorts of flowers , as they grow wi●h their stalk on . take the flowers and cut the stalks somwhat short , then take one pound of the whitest and hardest sugar you can get , put to it eight spoon●uls of rosewater , and boyl it till it will roul between your little finger and your thumb , then take it from the fi●e and cool it with a stick , and as it waxeth cold dip all your flowers , and taking them out again lay them one by one on the bo●●tom of a sieve , then turn a joynt-stool 〈◊〉 the feet upward , set the sieve on 〈◊〉 ●eet thereof , then cover it with a fa●● linnen cloth , and set a chafing dish of ●●●●s in the midst of the stool underneath 〈◊〉 sieve , and the heat thereof will dry yo●●●andy speedily , which will look very pl 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 y , and keep the whole year . to c●ndy eringo roots . take of your eringo roots ready to be preserved and w●igh th●m , and to every pound of roots , you must take of the purest sugar you can get two pound , and clarifie it with the whites of eggs exceeding well , that it may be as clear as crystal : it b●ing clarified you must boyl it to the height of manus christi , and then dip in your roots two or three at once , till th●y are all candied : put them in a stove and so keep them all the year . the best w●y to dry plumbs . take plumbs when they are fully grown , with the stalks to them , however let them be green , split them on the one side , and put them in hot water but not too hot , and so let them stand three or four hours , then to a pound of them take three quarters of a pound of sugar beaten very fine , and eight spoon●uls o● water to every pound , set them on hot embers till the sugar be melted , and ●●●er that boyl them till they be very tender , 〈…〉 them stand in their syrup two or 〈◊〉 ●●ys to plump them , then take them out and wash the syrup from them with warm w●●●● , and wipe them dry in a fair linnen clot● , then set them on pla●es , and let them dry ●n a stove , dry them not in an oven ; for then they will be tough . colours for fruit. if you would colour fruit yellow , you must make use of saffron , for the best green colour take sap green , and for the best red , indian lake , &c. you must be sure to mix the colours with gum arabick dissolved in rosewater . to make marmelade of quinces . take of the fairest quinces , wash them very clean and stamp them very small , and wring out as much juice as you can , then take other quinces and cut them in six pieces , put them in a pot and let them be evaporated with hot water , until they be thorowly mellow , then take half a pot ●ull of the former juice , and pour it upon the former , stewed and cut to pieces , break it well together and put the rest of the juice among it , then wring it thorow a clean thin cloth , seeth no more of this juice at once ●han will fill a box therewith , and put white sugar to it as much as you please . how ●o ma●e sy●up ●f violets . boyl fair water and scum it , and to every ounce so scum'd and boyl'd , take six quarters o● the blew of violets , only shi●t them as before nine times , and the last time take nine ounces of violets , let them stand between times of shi●ting twelve hours , keeping the liquor still on hot emb●rs , that it may be but milk warm , after the first shifting , you must stamp and strain the last nine ounces of violets , and put in only the juice of them , then take to every pint of this liquor thus prepared , one pound of sugar finely beaten● boyl it and keep it stirred till all ●he sugar be melted , which you must do if you can before it boyl , afterwards boyl it up with a quick fire . to make syrup of roses . take damas● roses and clip off the white of them , for every pint of water , take six ounces of roses , boyl your wa●er first and scum it , then let th●m stand twelve ●●urs , w●inging out the roses and putting in new eight times , then wringing out the last put in the juice of four ounces only , and so make it up as b●fore . to make syrup of coltsfoot . take the leav●s of coltsfoot and wash them very clean , then wipe them wi●h a clean cloth leaf by l●a● , then dry them well with a cloth , then beat them in a morter and put them in a strainer , and wring all ●●e juice ou● of them and put it into glasses , ●nd let it stand in them to settle all night , ●he next day pour out the clearest of the ●uice from the grounds into a clear bason , and take for every pint thereof a pound of suga● finely beaten , boyl the juice of colts●foot softly on a charcole fire , and when you have well scum'd it , put in the sugar according to its proportion , and so let ther● boyl together keeping it with due scummin● until it will stand on a stiff purl , dropping it on a plate : then take it from the fire , and pour it thorow a jelly bag into a fair bason , putting first a branch or two of ros●mary into the bags bottom , then keep it stirring with a spoon until it be lukewarm , otherwise it will have a cream upon it , so letting it stand all night , put it in what vessels you think fit to keep it in , for your future use and service . by the foresaid rules and directions , you may now make most sorts of syrups now in use , as syrup of wormwood , betony , burrage , bugloss , carduus , cammomil , succory , endive , strawber●ies , fumitory , pu●slain , sage , s●abious , scordium , housleek and the like . thus having given you some short directions for preferving , conservi●g , and candying , i shall in the next place give yo● some rules and directions , how you may attain to write a good legible hand . directions for writing the most vsual and legible hands for women ; as mixt hand , roman hand , and italian hand . before i come to give you full directions ●or the writing of the a●oresaid hands , i shall give you some instructions how to make a pen , hold a pen , how to sit to write , together with some other necessaries for writing . how to make a pen. having a pe●knife with a smooth , thin , sharp edge , take the first or second quill of a goose wing and s●rape it , then hold it in your l●ft hand with the feather end from you , beginning even in the back , cut a small piece off sloping , then to make a slit , ente● the knife in the mid●t of ●he first cut● put in a quill and forc● it up , so 〈◊〉 as you desire the slit should be in l●ng●h , which done cut a piece sloping a way ●rom the other side above th● slit , and fashion the mo by 〈◊〉 writing sample writing sample writing sample off both the sides equally down , then place ●he nib on the nail of your left hand thumb , ●nd to end it draw the edge into it sl●nting , ●nd being half thorow turn the edge almost ●ownright and cut it off . how to hold your pen. hold the pen in the right hand , with the ●ollow side downward , on the left side place your thumb rising in joynt , on the left side you● middle finger near half an inch from the end of the nib , and your forefinger on the top , a small distance from your thumb . how to sit to write . chose a foreright light , or one that comes on the left hand , hold your head up ●he distance of a span from the paper , when you are writing hold not your head one way nor other , but look right forward : draw in your right elbow , turn your hand outward and bear it lightly , gripe not the pen too hard , with your left hand stay the paper . necessaries for writing . let your ink be thin , such as may freely run from the pen , let the paper which you write on be white , fine , and well gumm'd , for dispatch procure a round ruler , for certainty a flat one , at your first writing rule double lines , with a quill cut forked the depth of your intended letters , or else with a black lead pen : rub your paper lightly with gum-sandarac beaten fine , and tyed up in a linnen cloth , which makes the paper bear ink better , and the pen run more smooth . directions for writing of mixt hand . in writing of this hand , i would advise you to a pen with an even nib , a long slit , and not too hard , rule double lines that you may keep your letters even at head and foot . keep a waste paper under your hand , whereon to try every letter be●ore you write it fair , at the first write slowly and carefully , diligently mind your copy , and observe the true proportion and agreement of letters . first , in their compassing , as the a. b. d. g. o. p. q. &c. which must be made with equal whites . secondly , in their lengths and depths , keep them even at head and foot . thirdly , keep the stems of all letters to an equal height . fourthly , let all incline one way , to the right hand or to the left . fifthly , in making all heads of long letters , begin them on the left side , then turn your pen to a flat , and draw it down smoothly on the right side . these rules well observed , will be sufficient for this hand ; therefore i shall proceed to give you directions for the roman hand . when double lines are ruled , and every thing ready ; with an indifferent size pen , well cut , first imitate the small l. n. and o. so long till you can make them well : then proceed to make the small letters that bear resemblance one to another , as the c. e. a● o. g. q. then the b. d. f. h. k. l. and a. which stems or body stroaks keep often equal height . directions for italian hand . since the exact writing of these hands depends wholly on the form of an oval , i would advise you to use your hand to the making of a larger and lesser oval . this hand must be written with a pen that hath a clear long slit , and a long small nib ; and the hand in writing hereof must be bore lightly and freely . in your imitation , observe the rule for likeness of letters delivered in the roman . in joyning you mu●● unite all such letters , as will naturally joyn by small hair strokes , drawn with the lef● corner of the pen ; and imitate the copy . here place the two plates . i shall now give you some directions , whereby you may understand so much o● arithmetick , as is necessary for keeping your accounts ; viz. numeration , addition and substraction . directions for arithmetick . of numeration . numeration is that part of arithmetick , whereby we may duly value and express any figure set down in their places , and that you might the better know and understand what it is , i have here inserted the table of numeration . c. of millions . x. of mil●ions . millions . c. of thousands . x. of thousands . thousands . hundreds . tens . vnites . 1 1 ● 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 this table hath nine places , and in every one of them are set the value of each figure , at the upper end of the table ; so that by this you may learn to express any number . every figure hath its denomination ; as one unites , another tens , another hundreds , &c. so that if you would number the first line , which are all ones , you must begin with the first figure on your left hand ; look over the head of it , and you will see its denomination , which is hundreds of millions : you must therefore reckon thus , one hundred and eleven millions , one hundred and eleven thousands , one hundred and eleven : two hundred twenty two millions , two hundred twenty two thousand , two hundred twenty two : and so of any of the rest of the figures . thus much for numeration , which shews you the place of the figures . the next thing you must learn is addition , which shews you the adding together of figures . of addition . addition is that part of arithmetick , which shews to collect or add divers summs together , and to express their total value in one summ. as for example , suppose you had disbursed for your lady several summs of money ; as ,   lib. for wine . 5 for sugar . 4 for oranges . 3 for lemons . 2 in all 14 now , to know how much the total of this is which you have laid out , you must add them up together ; beginning at the bottom , say , 2 and 3 makes 5 , and 〈…〉 and 5 is 14. so that it doth 〈◊〉 the total summ which you 〈◊〉 ●●●ursed , is 14 pounds ; therefore mak●● stroke at the bottom , and set down 14 underneath , as you see in the example . thus much may suffice for pounds alone , but if your disbursments consist of pounds , shillings , pence and farthings , you must set it down after this manner .   lib. s. d. q. for wine , 7 12 09 2 for oranges , 0 17 03 1 for lemons , 1 02 11 3 for sugar , 3 09 04 2 for quinces , 1 15 03 0 for aprecocks . 0 07 09 0 total 15 05 05 0 now to cast up this , you must know that fo●r farthings make one penny , twelve pence make one shilling , twenty shillings make one pound : therefore , in ●he first place add up the farthings ; saying , 2 and 3 makes 5 , and 1 is 6 , and 2 is 8 , which is all ●he number of farthings ; you must therefore say , 8 farthings make two pence , which you must carry to the next row towards your left hand , which is pence ; setting down a cypher or round 0 underneath the farthings , because there doth remain no odd farthings . now add up the pence , saying , 2 which you carried , and 9 is 11 , and 3 is 14 , and 4 is 18 , and 11 is 29 , and ● is 32 , and 9 is 41 : then say 41 pence make three shillings , 5 pence ; therefore ●et the 5 pence underneath the title pence , and carry the 3 shillings to the next row on your left hand , which is shillings ; saying , 3 which i ca●ried , and 7 is 10 , and 15 is 25 , and 9 is 34 , and 2 is 36 , and 17 is 53 , ●nd 12 is 65 : then say 65 shillings make 3 pound 5 shillings ; which 5 shillings set down under the row of shillings , and car●y the 3 pound to the next row on the left ●and , which is pounds ; saying , 3 which ● carried and 1 is 4 , and 3 is 7 , and 1 is 8 , and 7 is 15 ; which 15 set down under the row of pounds : and then you will plainly see , that the total of what you have disbursed comes to fi●teen pounds , 5 shillings , and 5 pence . now to prove whether your summ be right added or cast up , you must cut off the uppermost line , with a stroke drawn as you may see in this example . then cast up all lib. s. d. q. 07 12 09 0● 00 17 03 01 01 02 11 03 03 09 04 02 01 15 03 00 00 07 09 00 15 05 05 00 07 12 07 02 15 05 05 00 your summ to that ●●roke ; which by so ●●ing , you will find come to seven pound , ●welve shillings , seven pence , half penny ; which set down underneath your ●otal sum : then add 〈◊〉 summ with the uppermost line you cut off and if they both make the same summ ● the total , the sum is right cast up , other●wise not , as you may see by this example for seven pound , twelve shillings , seve● pence half penny , added to the uppermo●● line , which is seven pound , twelve shilling● nine pence , half penny , makes the tot●● summ , which is fifteen pound , five shilling● five pence . thus much for addition ; the next thin● you are to learn is substraction . of substraction . this rule teacheth you to substract a lesser sum from a greater , and then to know what remains , as suppose your lady order you to receive of iohn iones , an hundred and twenty pounds , and then to pay ●o goodman stiles seventy five pounds , how would you know what you have remaining in your hands ? to do this you must first set down the greatest sum , then underneath the lesser sum : as for example . now subtract the   lib. received 120 paid 75 remains 45 lesser from the greater , then you will see what remains which you must do thus : say 5 from 0 i cannot , but 5 from 10 and there remains 5. then say one which i borrowed and 7 is 8 , 8 from 12 and there remains 4. which set down under the 7 as you see in the example● so you may plainly see if you receive a hundred and twenty pound , and pay away seventy five pounds , you must have remaining in your hands forty five pounds . another example , suppose you receiv● for your lady at several ●imes , these su● of money ●ollowing .   li. s. d. received 212 14 10   75 09 0●   30 12 0●   05 04 03 in all 324 00 11 which added up together makes three hundred twenty four pounds and eleven pence . then suppose you have paid out these   li. s. d. paid 127 14 06   49 02 04   32 03 09   07 04 10   214 06 05 sums following which added together , makes in the total that you have paid , two hundred and four●een pounds , six shillings , and five pence . now to substract and know what you have remaining , set down the total of what you have received , and underneath the total of what you have paid , thus . then substract , saying   li. s. d. received 324 00 11 paid 214 06 05   109 14 96 five pence from eleven pence and there ●emains sixpence , which set down under ●he pence , then say six shillings from nought i cannot , but take 6 shillings from twenty and there remains 14 shillings , which set down right under the shillings , then go to the pounds and say , one that i borrowed and 4 is 5 , 5 from 4 i cannot , but take 5 from 14 and there remains 9 which set down right under 4 in the pounds , then say one as i borrowed and one is 2 , 2 from 2 and there remains nothing , which set down under , then say 2 from 3 and there remains one , which set down right under the 2 so you will plainly see , there remains one hundred and nine pounds fourteen shillings and sixpence . now for proof to know whether your sum be right , add the two lowermost lines together , and if they produce the same figures which the uppermost line hath , then is your sum right and not otherwise . thus huve i briefly and plainly shewn you so much of arithmetick , as is necessary for your keeping account of what you receive and disburse for your lady , master , or mistress . i shall now give you some directions for carving . directions for carving . i shall in the first place acquaint you with those proper terms that are used by the curious in the art of carving . in cutting up all small birds it is proper to say thigh th●m , as thigh ●hat woodcock , thigh that pidgean : but as to others say , mince that plover , wing that quail , and wing that partridge , allay that pheasant , untack that curlew , unjoynt that b●t●ern , disfigu●e that peacock , display that crane , dismember that hern , unbrace that mallard , frust that chicken , spoyl that hen , sawce that capon , lift that swan , reer that goose , tire that egg : as to the flesh of beasts , unlace that coney , break that deer , leach tha● brawn : for fish , chine that salmon , ●iring that lamprey , splat that pike , sawce that plaice , and sawce that tench , splay that bream ; side that haddock , tu●k that barbel , culpon that trout , transon that eel , tranch that sturgeon , tame that crab , barb that lobster &c. how to lift a swan . slit her right down in the middle of the breast , and so clean thorow the back , from the neck to the rump , and so divide her equally in the middle , without tearing the flesh from either part . having layed it in the dish with the slit side downwards , let your sawce be chaldron apart in saucers . h●w to rear or break a goose. this must be done by taking off the legs very fair , then cut off the bellypiece round , close to the lower end of the breast , lace her down with your knife clean thorow the brest , on each side two thumbs bredth from the brest bone , then take off the wings on each side with the flesh which you first laced , raising it up clear from the bone , then cut up the merry thought , and having cut up another piece of flesh which you formerly laced , then turn your carkass and cut it asunder , the back bone above the loyn bones , then take the rump end of the backbone , and lay it at the fore end of the merry-thought with the skin side upward , then lay your pinnion on each side contrary , set your legs on each side contrary behind them , that the bone end of the legs may stand up cross in the middle of the dish . and the wing pinnions on the out side of them , put under the wing pinnions on each side , the long slices of flesh which you did cut off from the brest bone , and let the ends meet under the leg bon●s . how to cut up a turkey or bustard . to do this , you must raise up the leg very fair then open the joynt with the point of your sharp knife , yet take not off the leg , then lace down the brest on both sides , and op●n the brest pinnion , but take it not off , then ra●se up the merry-thought betwixt the brest bone and the top of the merry-thought , lace down the flesh on both sides of the brest bone and raise up the flesh called the brawn , turn it outwards on both sides , but break it not , nor cut it off , then cut off the wing pinnion at the joynt next the body , and stick on each side the pinnion in the place where you turn'd out the brawn , but cut off the sharp end of the pinion , take the middle piece and that will just fit the place , you may cut up a capon or pheasant the same way , but be sure you cut not off the pinnion of your capon , but in the place where you put the pinnion of the turkey , place there your divided gizard on each side half . ho● to dismember a hen. to do this you must take off both the legs and lace it down the breast , then rai●e up the flesh and take it clean off with the pinnion , then stick the head in the brest , set the pinnion on the contrary side of the carkass , and the legs on the other side , so that the bones ends may meet cross over the carkass , and the other wing cross over upon the top of the carkass . how to unbrace a mallard . raise up the pinnion and the leg , but take them not off , raise the merry-thought from the brest ; and lace it down slopingly , on each side the brest with your knife . to unlace a coney . in doing this you must turn the back downwards , and cut the belly flaps clean off from the kidneys , then put in the point of your knife between the kidneys , and loosen the flesh from each side the bone , then turn up the back of the rabbet and cut it cross between the wings , and lace it down close by the bone on each side , then open the flesh from the bone against the kidneys , and put the leg open softly with your hand : but pluck it not off , then thrust in your knife betwixt the ribs and the kidney , slit it out , then lay the legs close together . how to allay a pheasant . to do this you must raise his wings and legs , and so proceed as you are before taught in the dismembring a hen. to display a crane . in doing this you must unfold his legs and cut off his wings by the joynts , then take up his wings and legs and sawce them with powder of ginger , mustard , vinegar and s●lt . you may dismember a hern in the same manner , and sawce him accordingly . thus have i given you some short ; but necessary directions , which may qualifie you for the waiting upon a person of honour or quality . directions for such who intend to be house-keepers to persons of honour or quality . those persons who would qualifie themselves for this employment , must in their behaviour carry themselves grave , solid and serious ; which will inculcate into the beliefs of the persons whom they are to serve , that they will be able to govern a family well . they must endeavour to gain a competent knowledge in preserving , conserving , and candying , making of cates , and all manner of spoon meats , jellies and the like . also in distilling all manner of waters . they must likewise endeavour to be careful in looking after the rest of the servants , that every one perform their duty in the●r several places , that they keep good hours in their up-rising and lying down , and that no goods be either spoiled or embezelled . they must be careful also , that all strangers be nobly and civilly used in their chambers , and that your master or lady be not dishonoured through neglect or miscarriage of servants . they must likewise endeavour to have a competent knowledge in physick and chyrurgery , that they may be able to help their mamed , sick and indigent neighbours ; for commonly , all good and charitable ladies make this a part of their house-keeper's business . directions for distilling of waters . to make aqua mirabilis . take three pints of white wine , of aqua vitae and juice of celendine , of each a pint ; one dram of cardamum , one dram of mellilot-flower , cubebs a dram , of gallingal , nutmegs , cloves , mace , ginger , of each a dram : mingle all these together over night ; the next morning ●et them a stilling in a glass lymbick . this admirable water dissolveth the swelling of the lungs , and restoreth them when perished : it suffereth not the blood to putrifie , neither need he or she to breath a vein , that useth this excellent water often . it cureth the heart-burn , and expelleth melancholy and flegm , it expelleth urine , and preserveth a good colour in the face , and is an utter enemy to the palsie : take three spoon-fuls of it at a time , morning or evening , twice a week . to make dr. stephens his famous water . take a gallon of gascoin wine , of ginger , galingal , cinnamon , granes , cloves , mace , nutmegs , annis-seeds , caraway-seeds , coriander-seeds , fenil-seed and sugar , of every one a dram ; then take of sack and ale a quart of each ; of cammomile , sage , mint , red roses , tyme , pellitory of the wall , wild marjarom , wild tyme , lavender , penny-royal , fenil roots , and setwal roots , of each half a handful : then beat the spice small , and bruise the herbs , and put all together into the wine , and so let it stand sixteen hours , stirring it now and then● then distil it in a limbick , with a soft fire . the first pint of the water by it self , for it is the best . the principal use of this water is against all old diseases ; it preserveth youth , comforteth the stomach , cureth the stone , of what nature soever , using but two spoonfuls in seven days . it preserved dr. stephens , ten years bed-rid , that he lived to ninety eight years . an excellent water for the eyes . take a new laid egg and roast it hard , then cut the shell in the midst , and take-out the yolk , and put some white coper as where the yolk was ; then bind the egg together again , and then let it lie till it begin to be a water ; then take the white forth from both sides the egg , and put the same into a glass of fair running water , and so let it stand a while ; then strain it through a fair linnen cloth , and keep it close stopped in a glass ; and therewith wash your eyes morning and evening . to make an excellent plague-water . take a pound of rue ; rosemary , sage , sorel , celandine , mugwort , of the tops of red brambles , pimpernel , wild dragons , agrimony , balm , angelica of each a pound : put these together in a pot ; then fill it with white wine above the herbs , so let it stand four days ; then distil it in an alembick for your use . to make an excellent surfeit-water . take celandine , rosemary , rue , pellitory of spain , sc●bious , angelica , pimpernel , wormwood , mugwort , betony , agrimony , balm , dragon and tormentil , of each half a pound ; shred them very small , and put them into a narrow mouthed pot , and put to them five quarts of white wine ; stop it close , and let it stand three days and nights , stirring it morning and evening ; then take the herbs from the wine , and distill them in an ordinary still ; and when you have distilled the herbs , distil the wine also ; wherein is vertue for a weak stomach . take three or four spoonfuls at any time . to make angelica-water . take a handful of carduus benedictus , and dry it ; then take three ounces of angelica roots , one dram of myrrh , half an ounce of nutmegs , cinamon , and ginger , four ounces of each , one dram and an half of saffron ; of cardonius , cubebs , gallingal and pepper , of each a quarter of an ounce , two drams of mace , one dram of grains ; of lignum al●es , spikenard , iuncus odora●us , of each a dram ; sage , bourage , bugloss , violets and rosemary flowers , of each half an handful : bruise them , and steep them in a pottle of sack twelve hours , and distil it as the rest . to make mint-water . take two parts of mint , and one part of worm-wood , and two parts of carduus ; put these into as much new milk as will soak them : let them infuse five or six hours , then distil it as you do rose-water ; but you must often take off the head , and stir the water well with a stick . drink of this water a wine-glass full at a time , sweetned with white sugar to your taste . to make a very good cordial-water : without stilling . take two quarts of brandy , and keep it in a great glass with a narrow mouth ; put into it of cloves , nutmegs , cinamon , ginger , cardamum seeds , coriander seeds , anis-seeds , liquorish ; of each of these half an ounce bruised ; long pepper and grains , of each one dram bruised , elecampane one quarter of an ounce bruised : let all these steep in the brandy a fortnight ; then pour it out into a long glass softly , so long as it will run clear : then put more brandy into the glass where the ingredients are , and let that stand three weeks ; and so long as you find there is any strength in the ingredients , still put in more brandy , and let it stand every time longer and longer . then take your first two quarts of brandy which you poured of , and put in it four ounces of white sugar-candy , and so much syrup of clove-gilliflowers as will colour it , with store of leaf gold : give two spoonfuls at a time . it is good in case of any illness or swouning , to drive out any infection and venomous humours . to make poppy water . take of red poppies four pound , put to them a quart of white wine , then distil them in a common still ; then let the distilled water be poured upon fresh flowers , and repeated three times ; to which add two nutmegs sliced , red poppy flowers a pugil , white sugar two ounces : set it to the fire to give it a pleasing sharpness , and order it according to your taste . to make rose-water . stamp the leaves , and first distil the juice , afterwards distil the leaves ; and so you may dispatch more with one still , than others with three or four ; and this water is every way as medicinable as the other ; serving well in all decoctions and syrups , though it be not altogether so pleasing to the smell . to make spirit of roses . bruise the rose in his own juice , adding thereto , being temperately warmed , a convenient proportion , either of yeast or ferment ; leave them a few days to ferment , till they get a strong and heady smell near like to vinegar ; then distil them , and draw so long as you find any scent of the rose to come ; then distil again so often , till you have purchased a perfect spirit of the rose . you may also ferment the juice of roses only , and after distil the same . to make a most excellent wa●er . which comforteth the vital spirits , and helpeth the inward diseases which come of cold , as the palsie , contraction of sinnews ; also it killeth worms , and comforteth the stomach ; it cureth the dropsie , helpeth the stone and stinking breath , and maketh one seem young . to make this , take a gallon of g●scoin wine ; ginger , galingal , nutmegs , gran●s , cloves , annis-seeds , fenil-seeds , carraway-seeds , of each one dram : then take sugar , mint , red roses , tyme , pellitory , rosemary , wild tyme , cammomile , and lavender ; then beat the herbs and spices small , and put it all together into the wine , and let it stand so twelve hours , stirring it divers times ; then distil it with a limbick , and keep the first water , for it is best . of a gallon of wine , you must not take above a quart . directions for the making of some of the choicest receipts in physick and chyrurgery . a receipt for an ague . take the root of a blew lilly , scrape it clean , and slice it , and lay it in soak all night in ale ; and in the morning stamp it , and strain it , and give it the patient to drink , luke warm , an hour before the fit cometh . to cure a quartan● ague . take a white flint-stone , and let it lie in a quick fire until it be red hot ; then take some small beer and quench it therein : when the fit is coming let the diseased drink a good draught thereof , and another in the midst of the fit , let this be done ●our several days both in the fit , and when the fit is coming . this is accounted an excellent receipt a very good receipt to comfort the stomach . take two ounces of old conserve of red roses , and of mithridate two drams ; mingle them together , and when you are going to bed , eat thereof the quantity of an hasle-nut . this will expel all flatulency , and windiness of the stomach ; drives away raw humours , and venomous vapours ; helpeth digestion , and dryeth up rheum , and strengtheneth the sight and memory . to cure corns . take beans , and chew them in your mouth , and then tie them fast to your corns ; and it will help . do this at night . for the yellow iaundis : take a green white onion , and make a hole where the blade goeth out , to the bigness of a chesnut ; then fill the hole with treacle , being beaten with half an ounce of english honey , and a little saffron ; and set the honey against the fire , and roast it well , that the onion do not burn ; and when it is roasted , strain it through a cloth , and give the juice thereof to the sick three days together , and it shall help them . for the black iaundies . take fenil seed , sage , parsly , gromwel , of each a like quantity , and make pottage thereof with a piece of good pork , and eat no other meat that day . for inf●ction of the plague . take a spoonful of running water , a good quantity of treacle , to the bigness of an hasle-nut : temper all these together , and heat it luke-warm , and drink it every four and twenty hours . for all feavers or agues in sucking children . take powder of crystal , and steep it in wine , and give it the nurse to drink ; also take the root of devil's bit , with the herb , and hang it about the child's neck . for the head-ach . take rose-cakes and stamp them very small in a morter , with a little ale , and let them be dryed by the fire on a pot-sheard , and lay it to the nape of the neck to bedward . an excellent dyet drink for the spring , to purge and cleanse the blood. take o● scurvygrass half a peck , brook-lime , watercresses , agrimony , maiden-hair , liverwort , burrage , bugloss , betony , sage , sweet-marjarum , sea-worm wood , tops of green hops , fumitory , of each a good handful , of ivory , hartshorn , and yellow saunders of each one ounce , red-dock roots two ounces , purslain , fennel , asparagus roots , of each an ounce , raisins half a pound , boyl these very well in a gallon of beer , then stamp and strain them , and put into it three gallons of new beer to work together . a good receipt for the dropsie , either ho● or cold. take of tops of red mint , of archange or blind nettles , and red sage of either ● small quantity , stamp them together and strain the juice of them into some stale ale so much as will serve to drink morning an● evening , do this for ten days together , an● god willing it will effect the cure . another most excellent for the dropsie . take green broom and burn it in some clean place , that you may take the ashes o● it , take ten or twelve spoonfuls of the same ashes , and boyl them in a pint of whitewine , till ●he virtue thereof be in the wine , then ●ool it and drein the wine from the dregs , and make three draughts of the wine , one fasting in the morning , the other at three in the afternoon , and the other when you go to bed : this seldom fails of the desired effect . how to prevent the tooth-ach . wash your mouth once a week in white-wine , in which spurge hath been ●oyled , ●nd you shall never be troubled with the ●ooth-ach . a present remedy for the tooth-ach . if your tooth be hollow and paineth you much , take of the herb called spurge and ●queeze it , and mingle wheat flower with ●he milk that issueth from it , with this make ● paste , and fill the cavity of your tooth ●herewith , and leaving it there a while , you must change it every two hours , and the tooth will drop out of it self . a good receipt for the s●one and gravel . take a hard row of a red herring , and dry it upon a tile in an oven , then beat it to powder , and take as much as will lye upon sixpence every morning fasting , in a glass of rhenish wine . for the griping of ●he guts . take anniseeds , fennelseeds , bayberries , juniper berri●s , tormentil , bistort , balaustins , pomgranate pills , each one ounce , rose leaves a handful , boyl th●m in milk , strain it and add the yolk of an egg , 〈◊〉 grains of laudanum dissolved in ●he spirit o● mint , prepare it for a glister and give 〈◊〉 warm . the plaister of plaisters . take of roses beaten to powder two pound and an half , heifers tallow two pound and a quarter , try it with a gentle fire and cleanse it , when it is cold , scrape away the dross from the bottom , and melt it in a brass vessel , then strew in the rosi● by handfuls , and stir it with a willow spatula , continually stirring it until it be all stirred and melted , then have ready a bason of pewter , and in it of water of camomil , of english briony root , and o● damask rosewater , of each eight ounces with powder of salt of wormwood , salt of tartar , salt of scurvygrass , vitriol , camphonete , of each one ounce and an half , then pour in the melted body , and stir it with the spatula round continually , until the body have seemingly swallowed up all the salt and waters , continue it stirring until the water appear , and thus work i● till the body b● as white as snow , then let it stand a month in the water covered from dust , and when you use it let it not come near any fire , but work a little at a time until it be as white as snow on the brawn of your hand over against your little finger , spread it on a linnen cloth or leather , for the best plaister in the world , for the reins in all accidents , and for all bruises and great conclusions , &c. for the falling sickness or convulsion fits. take the dung of a peacock , make it into powder , and give so much of it to the patient as will lye upon a shilling , in a little succory water fasting . for the worms in children . take wormseed and boyl it in beer or ale , and sweeten it with a little clarified ●●●ey , and then let them drink it . for a dry cough . take aniseeds , ash seeds , and violets , and beat them to powder and stamp them ( of each a like quantity ) then boyl them together in fair water till it grows thick , then put it up and let the patient take thereof morning and evening . for the i●ch . take the juice of penny-royal , the juice of savine , scabious , the juice of sage , the juice of pellitory , with some barrow● grease and black sope , temper all these and make a salve , and with it anoint all your joynts . for deafness . take wild mint , mortifie it and sque●● it in the hand till it rendreth juice , then take it with its juice and put it into the ear , change it often , this will help the deafness if the person ever heard before . to make oyl of st. iohns wort , good for any ach or pain . take a quart of sallet oyl , and put thereto a quart of the flowers of st. john● wort well picked , let them lye therein al● the summer , till the seeds o● that herb b● ripe , the glass must be kept warm , eithe● in the sun or in the water all the summe●●ill the seeds be ripe , then put in a quart o● st. johns wort seed , and so let it stand twelve hours , the glass being kept open , then must you boyl the oyl eight hours , the water in the pot full as high as the oyl in the glass , when it is cold strain i● that the seed r●m●in not in it , and so keep it for your use . to make an oin●ment for any wound or sore . take two pound of sheep suet or rather d●er suet , a pint of candy-oyl , a quarter of a pound of the newest and best beeswax , melting them altogether and stirring them well , and put to them one ounce of the oyl of spike , and hal● an ounce or the goldsmiths burras , then heat them again and stir them all together , put it up in a gallipot , and k●ep it close stopped till you have cause to use it , this is an approved ointment ●or any wound or sore new or old . a searcloth for all ach●s . take rosin one pound , perresin a quarter of a pound , as much mastick , d●er suet the like , turpentine two ounces , cloves bruised one ounce , mace bruised two ounces , saffron two drachms , boyl all these ●ogether in oyl o● cammomil , and preserve it for your use , this hath done many good when nothing else would . a m●st exc●llent balsom for wounds and other things . take of venice turpentine one pound , of oyl olive three pints , yellow wax half a pound , of natural balsom one ounce , oyl of st. iohn's wort one ounce , of red saunders one ounce , six spoon●uls of sack , cut the wax , and melt it on the fire , then let it catch the fire ; take it off , and put in the turpentine to it , having first w●shed the venice-turpentine thrice with damask-rose-water ; and having mingled your s●llet-oyl with the sack , put also the oly to ●hem , and put them all on the fire , and stir it till it begin to boil ; for if it boil much , it will run over speedily : then suffer it to cool for a night or more , until the water and wine be sunk all to the bottom : then make some holes in the stuff , ●hat the water may run out of it ; which being done , put it over the fire again , putting to it the balsom and the oyl of st. iohn's-wort ; and when it is melted , then put the saunders to it ; stir it well , that it may incorporate ; and when it first begins to boil take it of● the fire , and stir it the space of two hours , till it be grown thick . then put it up , and keep it for your use , as most precious , for thirty or forty years or more . the vertues of this most excellent balsom are many . 1. it is good ●o heal any wound inward or outward , being squirted warm into the inward wound , being applyed to the outward wound with fine lint or linnen , anointing also those parts thereabouts , it not only taketh away the pain , but al●o keepeth it from any inflammation , and also draweth forth all broken bones , or any other thing that might putrefie or fe●●er it , so that the brains or inwards , as the liver , guts , nor heart be not troubled , it will heal it in four or five days dr●ssing , so that nothing else be applied thereunto . 2. it healeth any burning or scalding , and healeth also any bruise or cut , being first anointed with the said oyl , and a piece of linen cloth or lint dipt in the same , being warmed and laid unto the place , it will heal it without any scar remaining . 3. it helpeth the head-ach by anointing the temples and nostrils therewith . 4. it is good against the wind-colick , or stitch in the side , applied there to warm with hot cloths morning and evening , at both times you may use a quarter of an ounce . 5. it helpeth the biting of a mad dog , or any other beast . 6. it is good against the plague , anointing only the nostrils and the lips there with in ●he morning before you go forth . 7. it also healeth a fis●ula or an ulcer , being never so deep in any part of the body , b●ing applied as a●oresaid is directed for a cut . 8. it is good against worms or canker , being used as in a cut , but it will require long●r ●ime to help them . 9. it is good for one infected with the plague or meazles , so as it be presently taken in warm bro●h , the quantity of a quarter of an ounce four mornings together and sweat upon it . 10. i● helpeth digestion● anointing the navel and stomach therewith when the party goeth to bed , it will stan●h any blood of a great wound , by putting a plaister of lint therein , and ●ying it very hard . 11. take the quantity of a nutmeg in sack blood warm and sweat thereon , i● bringeth forth all manner of cl●tted blood , and takes away all aches . 12. it also healeth the rose-gout and scurvy . 13. it helpeth all pains of womens brests , all chops , or wolf , that cometh with a bruise . 14. it helpeth the small pox being anointed there with , without any scar. 15. it helpeth all sprains and swellings , and indeed i cannot tell what comes amiss ●o it . how to help a stinking bre●●h , which comes from the stomach . take two handfuls of cummin-s●eds and beat them to powder , and seeth it in a pottle o● whitewine until half be boyled away then give the party a good draught thereof morning and evening as hot as he can suffer it , and in fifteen or sixteen days it will help them . to m●ke the leaden plaister . take two pound and four ounces of oyl of olive of the best , of good red lead one pound , white lead one pound well beaten to dust , twelve ounces of spanish sope , and incorporate all these very well together in an earthen pot , well glazed before you put them to boyl , and when that they are well incorporated that the sope cometh upward , put it upon a small fire of coals continuing it on the fire , the space of an hour and an half , still stirring it with an iron ball upon the end of a stick , then make the fire something bigger , un●il the redness be turned into a gray colour , but you must not leave stirring till the matter be turn'd into the colour o● oyl or ●omewhat darker , then drop it upon a wooden trencher , and if it cleave not to the finger it is enough , then make it up into roles it will keep twenty years , the older the better . the virtues of this plaister are several . 1. if it be laid upon the stomach it provoketh appetite , and take●h a way any grief in the stomach . 2. being laid on the belly it is a present remedy for the colick . 3. if it be laid to the reins of the back , it is good for the bloody flux , running of the reins , heat of the kidneys , and weakness o● the back . 4. it healeth all swellings , bruises , and it taketh a way ach. 5. it breaketh fellens , pushes , and other imposthumes and healeth them . 6. it draweth out any running humours , without breaking the skin . 7. being applied to the fundament it healeth any disease there growing . 8. b●ing laid to the th●oat it is good for the uvula , it breaketh the headach and is good for the eyes , for the wind colick . take the flowers of walnuts and dry them to powder , and take of them in your ale or beer , or in your broth as you like best , and it will help you . thus have i given you some short but suitable directions , for the qualifying you either as waiting-gentlewomen , to a person of honour or quality , or otherwise to serve them as house-keepers , which qualifications if you will endeavour to attain unto , you will raise your self much both in esteem and fortune . ladies will much covet and desire your company , let you have the honour to sit at table , and have command in the house : you will gain respect from the rest of the servants , you will wear good clothes , and have a considerable salary . i shall now give some directions to servants of a lower rank . directions for such who desire to be chamber-maids , to persons of honour or quality , or gentlewomen either in city or country . would you endeavour to fit your self for this employment , that you may be capable of serving a person of honour or quality , you must in the first place learn to dress well , that you may be able to supply the place of the waiting-woman , should she chance to fall sick or be absent from your lady , you must also learn to wash fine linnen well , and to starch tiff●●ies , lawns , points and laces , you mu●● li●ewi●e learn to mend them neatly , and wash white sarsenets with such li●e things . then you must learn to make your ladies bed , well , soft , and easie , to lay up her night-clothes , and see that her chamber be kept neat and clean , and that nothing be wanting which she desires or requires to be done . then you must learn to be modest in your deportment or behaviour , to be ready at her call , and to be always diligent , never answering again when she taketh occasion to reprove you , but endeavour to mitigate her anger with pacifying words . be loving and courteous to your fellow servants , not gigling o● idling out your time , or wantoning in the society of men , you will soon find the benefit thereof . for an honest and sober man will rather make that woman his wife , whom he seeth employed continually about her business , than one who makes it her business to trifle away her own and others time . neither will a virtuous and understanding mistress , long entertain such a servant whom she finds of such a temper . be not subject to change , but still remember that a rouling stone never getteth moss , and as you gain but little money , so if you rumble up and down you will gain but little credit . if you would fit your self to serve a gentle woman only , ( either in city or country ) you must not only learn how to dress , wash and starch very well , all manner of tiffanies , lawns , points and laces , and to mend the same , but you must learn to work all sorts of needle work and plain work , to wash black and white sarsenets , you must know how to make all manner of spoon meats , to raise paste , to dress meat well ( though not often required thereunto ) to make sawces both for fish and flesh , to garnish dishes , to make all sorts of pickles , to see that every thing be served in well and handsomely to the table iu due time , and to wait with a graceful decorum at table if need should require , keep your mistress's chamber clean and lay up every thing in its due place . you mus● also learn to be skilful in buying any thing in the market if you be entrusted therewith , if there be no butler in the house . you must see that all things be decent and ●itting in the parlour and dining-room , you must endeavour to take off your mistress from all the care you can , giving to her a just and true account of what moneys you lay out for her , shewing yonr self thrifty in all your disbursements . be careful in overlooking inferiour servants , that they waste nothing which belongs to your master and mistress . lastly , you must learn to be diligent to perform whatsoever your mistress commands you , to be neat in your habit , modest in your carriage , silent when she is angry , willing to please , quick and neat handed about what you have to do . if you attain to these qualifications , and be of an humble good disposition , you will deserve a good salary , and a great deal of respect , which that you may do i shall give you ●ome short directions for starching of tiffany , for making clean points and laces , for washing● and starching of points , for washing of sarsenets white or black , and the like , also for raising of paste , making of spoon meats , sawces and pickles . directions for starching of tiffany . soap not your tiffany save only on the hemns or laces with crown sope , then wash them very well in three ladders pretty hot , and let your last ladder be made thin of the sope , do not rince th●m nor wring them hard , then dry them over brimstone , and keep them all the time ●rom the air for that will spoil them . then make your starch of a reasonable thickness , and blew it according to your liking , and to a qu●rter of a pound of starch put as much allum as an hazle nut , boyl it very well and strain it , and while it is hot wet your tiffanies with it very well , and lay them in a cloth to keep them from drying . then with your hands clean and dry them , then hold your tiffanies to a good fire till they be thorow hot , then clap them and rub them between your hands from the fire , till you see they be very clear , then shape them by a piece of paper , cut out by them before they were washed , and iron them with a good hot iron , and then they will look glossy like new tiffany . thus you may starch lawns , but observe to iron them on the wrong side , and upon a cloth wetted and wrung out again , sometime ( if you please instead of starch ) you may lay gum arabick in water , and when it is dissolved wet the lawns in that instead of starch , and hold them to the fire as before directed , clapping them and rubbing them till they are very clear . directions for washing white and black sarsenets . let them be very smooth and streight upon aboard , and if there be any dirty places soap them a little , then take a little hard brush and soap it well , then dip the brush in water , and with it make a pretty thick ladder , then take the brush and rub your sarsenet well , the right way of the sarsenet , sideways of the brush , and when you have washed one side well , turn it and wash the other . then have a clean ladder ●calding hot , and cast your hoods in double into it and cover it , and still as fast as you wash them cast them into that , you must give them three good washes upon the board , and after the first ladder let the other be very hot , and ca●t them in a s●ald every time , then make up a scalding hot ladder , into which put some gum arabick steeped before in water , and some smal● to blew it a little , let them be doubled up in that , close covered for one hour , when you come for to take them out , be sure you dip them very well all over , and then fold them up to a very little compass , and squeeze them smooth betwixt your hands , then smoak them over brimstone , th●● draw them between your hands every way till they be little more than half dry , then smooth them with good hot irons the same way you did wash them , and upon the right side of the sarsenet . to wash coloured silk . they are done the same way with the white , only there must be no blew nor smoaking over brimstone . to wash black sarsenets . they are washed the same way with the other , only rinc'd in strong beer cold , without any gum , and iron'd upon the wrong side and on a woollen cloth . to wash silk stockings . make a strong ladder with soap , and pretty hot , then lay your stockings on a table , and take a piece of such cloth as the seamen use for their sails , double it up and rub them soundly with it , turn them first on one side and then on the other , till they have passed through three ladders , then rince them well , and hang them to dry with the wrong side outwards , and when they are near dry , pluck them out with your hands , and smooth them with an iron on the wrong side , to make clean points and laces . take white bread of half a day old , and cut it in the middle , and pare the crust round the edge , so that you may not hurt your points when you rub them , then lay them upon a table on a clean cloth , and rub them very well with the white bread all over , then take a clean little brush and rub over the bread very well , till you think you have rubbed it very clean , then take your point or lace and shake the bread clean off , then take a clean linen cloth and gently flap it over oftentimes . thus you may get the soil off ●rom white sattin , taffety , tabby , or any coloured silk , provided it be not greasie , no● too much soiled . directions to wash and starch points . take your points and put them into a tent , then make a strong ladder with the best soap you can get , then dip a brush in that ladder , and soundly rub your points on both sides , so do till you have washed it in four ladders , then wash it in fair water alone , then wash it in blew water , and when you have so done take starch made thin with water , and with your brush on the wrong side wash it over with it , so let it dry , then lay your tent upon a table , and with an ivory bodkin made for the purpose , run into every close and narrow part of it , to open it betwixt the gimp or overcast , likewise into every ilet hole , to open them . for the laces , after you have pulled them out well with your hands , you must iron them on the wrong side : let the water be warm wherewith you make your ladder , when you take them out of the tent , iron them on the wrong side , let not the water be too blew with which you wash them . to make clean gold and silver lace . take the lace off from your garment , and lay it upon a table , and with a brush rub it all over very well with burnt allum beaten fine , till you find it to become of the right colour , then shake it very well and wipe it very well with a clean linnen cloth oftentimes over . to get spots of ink out of linne● cloth. before that you suffer it to be washed , lay it all night in urine , the next day rub all the spots in the urine as i● you were washing-in water ; then lay it in more urine another night and then rub it again , and so do till you find they be quite out . to get the stains of fruits out of any linnen ctoth . take them before they are washed , and with a little butter rub every spot well , then let the cloth lye in scalding hot milk a while and when it is a little cooled , rub the spotted places in the milk till you see they are quite out , and then wash it in water and soap . to take out any greasie spots out of silk , stuff or cloth. take a linnen rag and wet it very well in fair water , then with a pair of tongs put a live sea cole or wood cole upon the rag , and hastily close the rest of the rag about the cole , and presently lay it upon the greasie spot whilst it is smoking hot , and when you perceive it to cool do so again , and so do till you find the spots are quite taken out . how to make clean plaie . wash your plate first in soap suds and dry it , then if there be any spots rub them out with salt and vinegar , then anoint your plate all over with vinegar and chalk , then lay it in the sun or before the fire to dry , then rub it off with warm linnen clothes , very well , and it will look like new . how to keep the hair clean , and preserve it . take two handfuls of rosemary , and boyl it softly in a quart of spring water , till it comes to a pint , and let it be covered all the while , then strain it out and keep it , every morning when you comb your head , dip a spunge in the water and rub up your hair , and it will keep it clean and preserve it , for it is very good for the brain , and will dry up rheum . to wash the face . there i● no better thing to wash the face with , to keep it smooth and to scowr it clean , than to wash it every night with brandy , wherein you have steeped a little flower of brimstone , and the next day wipe it only with a cloth . to make a salve for the lips. take two ounces of white bees wax , and slice it thin , then melt it over the fire , with two ounces or more of sallet oyl , and a little white sugar candy , and when you see it is well incorporated , take it off the fire and let it stand till it be cold , then set the skillet on the fire again , till the bottom is warm and so turn it out , anoint your lips , or sore nose or sore nipples with this , and it will heal them . to keep the teeth clean and sound . take common white salt one ounce , as much cuttle bone , beat them together and rub your teeth with them every morning , and then wash them wi●h fair water . to make the hands white and soft . take daffadil in clean water till it grow thick , and put thereto powder of cantarium and stir them together , then put thereto two eggs , and stir them well together , and with this ointment anoint your hands , and within three or four days using thereof , they will be white , clear , and soft . to smooth the skin , and take away morphew and freckles . anoint your face with the blood of a hare or bull , and this will take away morphew and freckles and smooth the skin . directions for making of custards , cheesecakes , raising of paste , and making of tarts end pyes . to make custards . take a quart of cream and boyl it well with whole spice , then beat the yolks of ten eggs and five whites , mingle them with a little cream , and when your cream is almost cold , put your eggs into it and stir them very well , then sweeten it , and put out your custard into a deep dish all toge●her , or else into several small china cups or dishes , like coffee dishes and bake them , then if you please you may serve them in with french comfits strowd on them or without . to make cheesecakes . take two gallons of new milk , put into it two spoonfuls and a half of runnet , heat the milk little less than blood warm , and cover it close with a cloth till you see the cheese be gathered , then with a scumming dish gently take out the whey , when you have drained the curd as clean as you can , put it into a sieve , and let it drain very well there , then to two quarts of curds take a quart of thick cream , a pound of sweet butter , twelve eggs , a pound and an half of currants , a penny worth of cloves , nutmeg and mace beaten , half a pound of good sugar , a quarter of a pint of rosewater , mingle it well together , and put it into puff-paste . how to make puff-paste . break two eggs in three pints of flower , make it with cold water , then roul it out pretty thick and square , then take so much butter as paste , and divide your butter into five pieces , that you may lay it on at five several times , roul your paste very broad , and break one part of the said butter in little pieces all over your paste , then throw a handful of flower slightly on , then fold up your paste and beat it with a rowling pin , and so roul it out again , thus do five times and then make it up . how to make paste for all manner of tarts and pyes . take very sweet butter and put it into fair water , and make it boyl on the fire , then take the finest flower you can get , and mix them well together till it come to a paste , and so raise it , but if you doubt it will not be thick enough , then you may mix some yolks of eggs with it , as you temper all your stuff together . to make an almond tart. raise an excellent good paste with six corners an inch deep , then take some blanched almonds very finely beaten with rose-water , take a pound of sugar to a pound of almonds , some grated nutmeg , a little cream and strained spinage , as much as will cover ●he almonds , green , so bake it with a gentle heat in an oven not shutting the door , draw it and stick it with candied orange , citron , and put in red and whi●e muscadine . to make a cowslip tart. take the blossoms of a gallon of cowslips , mince them exceeding small and heat them in a morter , put to t●em a handful or ●wo of grated naples bisquet , and a pint and a half of cream , boyl them a little on the fire then take them off , and beat in eight eggs with a little cream , if it doth not thicken , put it on the fire till it doth gently , but take heed it curdles not , season it with sugar , rosewater , and a little salt , bake it in a dish or little open tarts , it is b●st to let your cream be cold before you stir in the eggs. to make an artichoke pye. take the bottom of six artichokes , and boyl them very ●ender , put them in a dish and some vinegar over them , season them with ginger and sugar , a little mace whole and put them in a coffin of paste , when you lay them in , lay some marrow and dates sliced , and a few raisins of the sun in the bottom with good store of butter , when it is half baked take a gil of sack being boyl'd first with the sugar and a peel of orange , put it into the pye and set it into the oven again till you use it . to m●ke marrow pasties . shred the marrow and apples together ; and put a little sugar to them , put them into puff-paste , and fry them in a pan with fresh butter , and serve them up to the table , with a little white sugar strowed on them . to make a calves foot pye. boyl your calves feet very well , and then pick all the meat from the bones , when it is cold , shred it as small as you can , and season it with cloves and mace , and put in good store of currants , raisins and prunes , then put it into the coffin with good store of sweet butter , then break in a whole stick of cinamon and a nutmeg sliced , and season it with salt , then close up the coffin and only leave a vent hole , put insome liquor made of verjuice , cinnamon and butter boyled together , and so serve it . to make an eel pye with oysters . wash your eels and gut them , and dry them well in a cloth , to four good eels allow a pint of good oysters well washed , season them with pepper , salt , and nutmeg and large mace , put half a pound of butter into the pye , and half a lemon sliced , so bake it , when it is drawn , take the yolks of two eggs , a couple of anchovies dissolved in a little whitewine , with a quarter of a pound of fresh butter , melt it and mix all together aud make a leer of it , and put it into the pye. to make a lamb pye. first cut your lamb into pieces , and then season it with nutmegs , cloves , and mace , and some salt with currants , raisins of the sun , and sweet butter . if you would eat it hot , when it is baked put in some yolks of eggs , with wine vinegar and sugar beaten together , but if you will eat it cold put in no eggs but only vinegar and sugar . to make an egg pye , or a minced pye of eggs. take the yolks of two dozen of eggs hard boyl'd and shred them , take the same quan●ity of beef suet , half a pound of raisins , a pound of currants well washed and dryed , half a pound of sugar , a pennyworth of beaten spice , a few carraway seeds , a little candied orange peel shred , a little verjuice and rose-water , fill the coffin and bake it with a gentle heat . to make a herring pye. put great store of sliced onions , with currants and raisins of the sun , both above and under the herrings , and store of butter , put them into your pye and bake them . to make a quince pye. take a gallon of flower , a pound and a half of butter , six eggs , thirty quinces , three pound of sugar , half an ounce of cinnamon , the like of cloves , the like of ginger , a little rosewater , make them up into a tart , and being baked strow on th●m a little double refined sugar . to make an humble pye. lay beef suet minced on the bottom of the pye , or slices of interlarded bacon , and cut the humbles as big as small dice , cut your bacon in the same form , and season it with nutmeg , pepper and salt , fill your pyes with it with slic●s of bacon and butter , close it up and bake it , liquor it with claret , butter and stript time , and so serve it up . to make a venison pasty . when you have powdered your haunch of venison or the sides of it , by taking away all the bones , sinews , and skin and ●at , season it with pepper and salt only , beat it with your rowling pin , and proportion it for the pasty , by taking a way from one part and adding to another , your paste being made with a peck of fine flower , and three pound of butter aud twelve eggs , work it up with cold water as stiff a pa●●e as you can , drive it ●orth ●or your pasty , let it be as thick as a mans thumb , rowl it up upon a rowling pin , and put under it a couple of sheets of cap paper , then your white being already minced and beaten with water , proportion it upon the pasty , to the bredth and length of the venison , then lay your venison in the said white , wash it round with a feather and put on a border , season your venison on the top , and turn over your other leaf of paste , so close up your pasty , ●hen drive out another border for garnishing the sides up to the top of the pasty , so close it together by the rowling pin , by rowling it up and down by the sides and ends , and when you have flourished your garnishing and edged your pas●y , vent it at the top , set it in the oven and let it have four or five hours baking at the least , and then draw it . to make a beef pasty like red deer . take fresh beef of the finest without sinews or suet , and mince it as small as you can , and season it with salt and pepper , and put in two spoonfuls of malmsie , then take lard and cut it into small pieces , and lay a layer of lard and a layer of beef , and lay a shin of beef upon it like venison , and so close it up . to make an oister pye. first dry your oisters , and then put them into your coffin , with some butter and whole large mace and then bake it , then take off the lid and fill it up with more butter , putting some of the liquor of the oisters also thereunto , ●hen season it well with sugar and serve it up . to make a goose pye. break the bones of your goose , then perboyl him , then season him with pepper and salt , and a little cloves and m●ce , if you please you may bake a rabbet or two in it , because your stubble geese are very fat and your rabbets d●y , you need not lard either , bake it in good hot butter paste . to make a veal pye. when your paste is raised cut your leg o● veal into pieces , and season it with pepper , nu●meg and salt , with some whole large mace , and so lay it into your prepared coffin , with good store of raisins of the sun and curran●s , and fill it up with sweet butter , then close it and set it in the oven , and when baked serve it in . to make an eel pye. wash , flea and cut your eels in pieces , put to them a handful of sweet herbs , parsly minced with an onion , season them with pepper , salt , cloves , mace and nutmeg ; and having your coffin made of good paste , put them in and strew over them two handfuls of currants , and lemon cut in slices , ●hen put on butter and close ●he pye , when it is baked put in at the funnel a little sweet butter , whitewine and vinegar , beat up with a couple of yolks of eggs . to make a warden or pear pye. bake your wardens or pears in an oven with a little water , and a good quantity of sugar , let your pot be covered with a piece of dough , let them not be fully baked by a quarter of an hour , when they are cold make an high coffin , and put them in whole , adding to them some cloves , whole cinamon , and sugar with some of the liquor in the pot , so bake th●m . to make a codling tart. take green codlings from the tree , and codle them in scalding water without breaking them , peel the skin from them , and so d●vide them into halves , and cut out the cores , and lay them into the co●fin , then put in a good handful of quinces sliced , a little oringado , and a good quantity of sugar , a little rosewater , then close it up and bake it well . to make a gooseberry tart. when your gooseberries are picked and washed , then boyl them in wat●r till they will break in a spoon , then strain them and beat h●lf a dosen eggs , and stir them together upon a chafing dish of coals with some rosewater , then sweeten it very well with sugar , and always serve it cold . to make an excellent minc'd pye. perboyl neats tongues , then peel and hash them with as much as they weigh of beef suet , and stoned raisins and picked currants , chop all exceeding small that it be like pap , then mingle a very little sugar with them , and a little wine and thrust it up , and throw in some thin slices of candied citron peel , and put this into coffins of fine light well reared crust , half an hours baking will be enough . if you strew a few carraway comfits on the top it will not be amiss . to make a pidgeon pye. truss your pidgeons to bake , and set them , and lard one half of them with bacon , mince a sew sweet herbs and parsly with a little suet , the yolks of hard eggs and an onion or two , season it with salt , beaten pepper , cloves , mace , nutmegs , work it up with a piece of butter , and stuff the bellies of the pidgeons , season them with salt and pepper as before , take also as many lamb-stones seasoned as before , with six collops of bacon the salt drawn out , then make a large coffin and put in your pidgeons , and ●● you will , put in lamb-stones and sweet-breads and some ar●ichoke bottoms or other dry meat to soak up the juice , because the pye will be very sweet and full of ●t , then when it comes out of the oven , put in a lit●le whitewine beat up with the yolk of an egg . to make a pippin tart or pye. pare your pippins and cut out the cores , then make your coffin of good crust , take a good handful of quinces sliced , and lay at the bottom , then lay your pippins a top , and fill the holes where the cores were taken out with syrup os quinces , then put in sugar and so close it up , let it be very well baked , for it will ask much soaking , especially the quinces . directions for making of spoon meat , as caudles , broths , and iellies . take a pint and a half of the strongest ale may be gotten , twenty jordan almonds clean wiped , but neither washed nor blanched , with two dates minced very small and stamped , then take the pith of young beef the length of twelve inches , lay it in water till the blood be out of it , then strip the skin of it and stamp it with the almonds and dates , then strain them all together into the ale , boyl it till it be a little thick , give it the party in a morning fasting to drink six spoonfuls , and as much when they go to bed . to make an almond caudle . take three pints of ale and boyl it with cloves and mace , and slice bread in it , then have ready beaten a pound of almonds blanched , and strain them out with a pint of whitewine , and thicken the ale with it , sweeten it if you please , but be sure to scum it well when it boyls . to make a cordi●l strengthening broth . take a red cock , strip off the feathers from the skin , then break the bones to shivers with a rowling pin , set it over the fire and just cover it with water , put in some salt and wash the scumming and boyling off it . put in a handful of hartshorn , a quarter of a pound of blew currants , and as many raisins of the sun stoned , and as many prunes , four blades of large mace , a bottom crust of whiteloaf , half an ounce of china root sliced , being steeped three hours before in warm water , boyl in it three or four pieces of gold , strain it and put in a little fine sugar , and juice of orange , and so use it . to make china broth. take an ounce of china root clipp'd thin , and steep it in three pints of water all night , or embers covered , the next day take a good chicken clean picked , and the guts taken out , put in his belly agrimony and m●iden-hair , of each half a handful , raisins of the sun stoned one good handful , and as much french barley , boyl all these in a pipkin close covered on a gentle fire , for six or seven hours , let it stand till it be cold , strain it and keep it for your use , take a good draught in the morning , and at four in the afternoon . to make a flummery ca●dle . when flummery is made and cold , you may make a pleasant and wholesome caudle with it , by taking some lumps and spoonfuls of it● and boyl it with ale and whitewine , then sweeten it to your taste with sugar , there will remain in the caudle some lumps of congealed flummery , which are not ungrateful . to make ielly of hartshorn . take four ounces of the shaving of harts-horn of the inside , and two quarts of water , put this into a p●pkin and boyl it very gently till it come to a quart , the hartshorn must be steeped three or four hours first , afterwards put a little into a sawcer till it be cold , and if it be cold and jellyeth it is boyled enough , then being warm take it off the fire and strain it hard thorow a cloth , and set it a cooling till it be a hard jelly , then take two whites of eggs and beat them very well , with a sprig of rosemary or birch , but not with a spoon , till a water come at the bottom then put these beaten eggs and the water thereof in●o a skillet , and all the jelly upon it , with three spoonfuls of damask rose-water , and ● quarter of a pound of sugar , and when it boyls stir and layth it pretty well , then strain it thorow a cloth and let it cool , and of this take four spoonfuls in a morning fasting , and at four a clock in ●he af●ernoon , and this is very good for the weakness in the back . to make a cock broth , very good for weak people . take a good cock , pluck , draw , and wash him very well , and bruise his legs , boyl him in a little water and salt very well for one hour , then add some water wherein mutton hath been boyled , and put in a quarter of a pound of french barley or rice which you please , with some time , winter savory , and a little lemon peel , a little large mace and sliced nutmeg with a clove or two , when it is clean scum'd let it only stew till it be enough , then take up the cock for a while and boyl the broth very well , then put him in again , and heat him thorowly , then serve him into the table , and garnish your d●sh with lemon and barberries . to make white broth of chicken or capon . first boyl the capon or chicken in water and salt , then take three pints of strong broth and a quart of whitewine , and stew it in a pipkin with a quarter of a pound of dates , half a pound of fine sugar , four or five blades of large mace , the marrow of three marrow bones , a handful of white endive , s●ew these in a pipkin very leisurely , that it may but only simper , then being finely stewed and the broth well tasted , strain the yolks of ten eggs with some of the broth , before you dish up the capons or chickens , put the eggs into the broth and keep it stirring that it may not curdle , give it a warm and set it from the fire , the fowls being dished up , put on the broth , and garnish the meat with dates , marrow , large mace , endive , preserved barberries , oranges , boyled skerrets , pomegranates and kernels , make a leaf of almond paste and grape verjuice . directions for making of pickles and sawces . how to pickle broom buds . take as many broom buds as you please , make linnen bags and put them in and tye them close , then make some brine wit● water and salt and boyl it a little , let it be cold , then put some brine in a deep earthen pot , and put some bags in them and lay the weight on them , let it lye there till it look black , and shift it again s●ill as long as it looks black , boyl them in a little caldron and put them in vinegar a week or two , and they will be fit to eat . to pickle cucumbers . wash your cucumbers clean , and dry them in a cloth , then take some water , vinegar , salt , fennel tops and some dill tops and a little mace , make it salt enough and sharp enough to the taste , then boyl it a while , and then take it off and let it stand till it be cold then put in the cucumbers , and lay a board on the top to keep them down , and tye them up close , and within a week they will be fit to eat . to pickle artichoke bottoms . take the best bottoms of artichokes and parboyl them , and when they are cold and well drained from the wa●●r , and dryed in a cloth to take away all the moisture , then put them into pots , and pour your brine on them , which must be as strong as you can make it , which is done by putting in so much salt to it , as it will receive no more , so that the salt sinks whole to the bottom , cover over your artichokes with this water , and pour upon it some sweet butter melted , to the thickness of two fingers , that no air may come in , when your butter is cold set up your pot in some warm place , cover it close from vermin , before you put the bottoms in the pot , you should pull off all the leaves and choak , as they are served at table , the best time to do this is in autumn , when your plants produce those which are young and tender , for these you should pickle before they come to open and flower , but not before the heads are round , when you would eat them you must lay them in water , shifting the water several times , then boyl them once again and so serve them . to pickle cornelians . gather the fairest and biggest cornelians when they first begin to grow red , and after they have lain a while put them up in a pot or barrel , filling them up with brine as for artichokes , and put to them a little green fennel , and a few bay leaves to make them smell w●ll , then stop them up very close , and let them stand for a month , if you find them too salt , make the pickle weaker before you serve them to table . to pickle red and white currants . take vinegar and whitewine with so much sugar as will make it sweet , then take your red and white currants being not fully ripe , and give them one walm , so cover them over in the same pickle , keeping them always under liquor . to pickle artichokes . take artichokes before they are too fully grown or two full of strings , and when they are pared round , then nothing is left but the bottom , boyl them till they be indifferent tender , but not full boyled , take them up and let them be cold , then take good stale beer and whitewine , with a great quantity of whole pepper , so put them up in a barrel with a small quantity of salt , keep them close and it will not be sowr , it will serve for baked and boyled meats all the winter . to pickle flowers of all sorts . put them into a gallipot or glass with as much sugar as they weigh , fill them up with wine-vinegar , to a pint of vinegar a pound of sugar and a pound of flowers , so keep them for sallads and boyl'd meats . to pickle oisters . take eight quarts of oisters and parboyl them in their own liquor , then take them out and cleanse them in warm water ; then wipe them dry , then take the liquor they were parboyl'd in , and clear it from the grounds into a large pipkin or skillet , put to it a pottle of good whitewine , a quart of wine vinegar , some large mace , whole pepper and a good quantity of salt , set it over the fire and boyl it leisurely , scum it clean , and being well boyled put the liquor into barrels , and when it is cold put in the oysters and close up the head . directions for making os sawces . to make sawce for green geese . take the juice o● sorrel mixed with scalded gooseberries , and served on sippets with sugar and beaten butter , &c. to make sawce for land fowl. take boyled prunes and strain them with the blood of the fowl , cinamon , ginger , and sugar , boyl it to an indifferent thickness , and serve it in sawcers , and serve in the dish with the fowl , gravy , and sawce of the same fowl. to make divers sawces for roast mutton . 1. take gravy , capers , samphire , and salt , and stew them well together . 2. water , onion , claret wine , sliced nutmeg , and gravy boyled up . 3. whole onions stewed in strong broth , or gravy , whitewine , pepper , pickled capers , mace , and three or four slices of a lemon . 4. mince a little roast mutton hot from the spit , and add to it some chop'd parsley and onions , verjuice or vinegar , ginger and pepper , stew it very tender in a pipkin , and serve it under any joynt with some gravy of the mutton . 5. onions , claret liquor , capers , claret gravy , nutmeg and salt boyl'd together . 6. chop'd parsley , verjuice , butter , sugar and gravy boyled together . 7. take vinegar , butter , and currants , put them in a pipkin with sweet herbs finely minced , the yolks of two hard eggs , and ●wo or three slices of the brownest of the leg ( mince it also ) some cinnamon , ginger , sugar and salt . 8. pickled capers and gravy , or gravy ●nd samphire , cut an inch long . 9. chop'd parsly and vinegar . 10. salt , pepper , and juice of o●●nges . 11. strained prunes , wine , and sugar . 12. whitewine , gravy , large mace , ●nd butter thickned w●th two or three ●olks of eggs. 13. oister liquor and gravy boyled to●ether , with eggs and verjuice to thicken ●t , then juice of oranges and slices of lemons over all . 14. onions chop'd with sweet herbs , vi●egar and salt boyled together . to make several sawces for roast veal . 1. gravy , claret , nutmeg , vinegar , butter , sugar , and oranges , melted together . 2. juice of orange , gravy , nutmeg , and sliced lemon on it . 3. vinegar and butter . 4. all manner of sweet herbs chop'd small , with the yolks of two or three eggs , and boyl them in vinegar , butter , and a few bread crumbs , currants , beaten cinnamon , sugar , and a whole clove or two , put it unde● the veal , with slices of orange and lemon about the dish . 5. claret , sawce of boyled carrots and boyled quinces , stamped and strained with lemon , nutmeg , pepper , rose vinegar , sugar and verjuice , boyled to an indifferent height or thickness , with a few whole cloves . to make sawces for red deer . 1. the gravy and sweet herbs chop'● small and boyled together , or the grav● only . 2. the juice of oranges and lemons an● gravy . 3. a gallendine sawce made with strained bread , vinegar , claret wine , cinnamon , ginger and sugar , strain it and be●●ng finely beaten with the spices , boyl it u● with a few whole cloves and a spri● o● rosemary . 4. white bread boyled in water , pretty thick without spices , and put to it some butter , vinegar and sugar . if you will stuff or farce any venison , stick them with rosemary , time , savoury , or cloves , or else with all manner of sweet herbs minced with beef suet . to make sawces for roast pork . 1. gravy , chop'd sage , and onions boyled together with some pepper . 2. mustard , vinegar and pepper . 3. apples pared , quartered , and boyled in fair water , with some sugar and butter . 4. gravy , onions , vinegar and pepper . to make sawces for rabbets . 1. beaten butter , and rub the dish with a clove of garlick or shelot . 2. sage and parsly minced , roul it in a ball with some butter , and fill the belly with this stuffing . 3. beaten butter with lemon and pepper . 4. in the french fashion , onions minced small and fryed , and mingle with mustard and p●pper . 5. the rabbet being roasted wash the belly with the gravy of mutton , and add to it a slice or two of lemon . to mabe sawces for roast hens . 1. take beer , salt , the yolks of three hard eggs minced small , grated bread , three or four spoonfuls of gravy , and being almost boyled , put in the juice of two or ●hree oranges , slices of lemon and orange with lemon peel shred small . 2. beaten butter with juice of lemon , oranges and claret wine . 3. gravy and claret wine boyled with a piece of an onion , nutmeg , and salt , serve it with the slices of lemons or oranges , or the juice of the same . 4. with oyster liquor , an anchovy or two , nutmeg and gravy , and rub the dish with a clove of garlick or shelot . 5. take the yolks of hard eggs and lemon peel , mince them very small and stew them in whitewine , salt , and the gravy of the fowl. to make sawces for roast chickens . 1. gravy , and the juice or slices of orange . 2. butter , verjuice , and gravy of the chicken , or mutton gravy . 3. butter and vinegar boyled together , put to it a little sugar , then make thin sops of bread , lay the roast chickens on them , and serve them up ho● . 4. take sorrel , wash and stamp it , then have thin slices of manchet , put them in a dish with some vinegor , strained sorrel , sugar , some gravy , beaten cinnamon , beaten butter , and some slices of orange or lemon , and strew thereon ●ome cinnamon and sugar . 5. take sliced oranges and put to them a little whitewine , rosewater , beaten mace , ginger , some sugar and butter , set them on a chafing dish of coals and st●w th●m , then have some slices of m●nchet 〈…〉 lay ●he chickens being roasted on th● sawce . to make sawces for roast pidgeons . 1. gravy and juice of orange . 2. boyled parsly minc●d , and put among some butter , and beaten up thic● . 3. gravy , claret wine and an onion stewed together wi●h a little salt . 4. vine leaves roasted wi●h the pidgeons minced , and put in claret wine and salt boyled together , some butter and gravy . 5. sweet butter and juice of orange , beat together and made thick . 6. minced onions boyled in claret wine almost dry , then put to it nutmeg , sugar , gravy of the fowl and a little pepper . 7. gravy of the pidgeons only . to make sawces for all manner of roast land fowl. as , turkey , peacock , pheasant , par●ridge , and the like . 1. sliced onions being boyled , stir them in some wat●r , salt , pepper , some grated bread , and the gravy of the fowl. 2. take slices of white bread , and boyl them in fair water with two whole onions some gravy , half a grat●d nutmeg and a little salt , strain th●m together thorow a strainer , and boyl it up as thick as water-grewel , then add to it the yolks of two eggs , dissolv●d with the juice of two oranges , &c. 3. take thin slices of the manchet , a little of the fowl , some sweet butter , grated nutmeg , pepper and salt , stew all together and being stewed put in a lemon minced with the peel . 4. onions sliced and boyled with fair water and a little salt , a few bread crumbs beaten pepper , nutmeg , three spoonfuls of whitewine , and some lemon peel finely minced and boyled all togethet , being almost boyled put in the juice of an orange , beaten butter , and the gravy of a fowl. 5. stamp small nuts to a pa●te , with bread , nutmeg , pepper , saffron , cloves , and the juice of orange and strong broth , strain and boyl them together pretty thick . 6. quinces prunes , currants and raisins boyled , muskified bisquet boyled , stampt and strained with whitewine , rofe-vinegar , nutmeg , cinnamon , cloves , juice of oranges and sugar , boyl it not too thick . 7. boyl carrots and quinces , strain them with rose-vinegar and verjuice , sugar , cinamon , pepper , nutmeg , boyled with a few whole cloves and a little mace. 8. take a manchet , pare off the crust and slice it , then boyl it in fair water , and being boyled fomething thick , put in some whitewine , wine-vinegar , rose or elder-vinegar , some sugar and butter . 9. almond paste and crumbs of manchet , stamp them together with some sugar , vinegar and salt ; strain them with grape verjuice , and juice of oranges , boyl it pretty thick . to make s●wce for a stubble or fat goose. 1. take sowr apples , slice them and boyl them in beer all to mash , then put to them sugar and beaten butter , sometimes for variety add barberries and the gravy of ●he ●owl . 2. roast sowr apples or pippins strain 〈…〉 grated bread beaten cinnamon , mustard , and boyl●d onions strained and put to it . sawce for a young stubble goose. take the liver and gizzard , mince it ●●ry small with some beaten spinage , sweet herbs , sage , salt and some minced lard , fill the belly of the goose and so sow up the rump or vent , as also the neck , roast it , and then take out the farsing and put it in a dish● then add to it the gravy of the goose , verjuice and pepper , give it a warm on the fire , and serve it with this sawce in a clean dish . the french sawce for a goose , is butter , mustard , sugar , vinegar , and barberries . to make sawces for a duck or mallard . 1. onions sliced , and carrots cut square like dice , boyled in whitewine , strong broth , some gravy , minced parsly , savory chop'd , mace and butter , being stewed together it will serve for divers wild fowl , but most proper for water fowl . 2. vinegar and sugar boyled to a syrup , with two or three cloves , and cinnamon , or cloves only . 3. oyster liquor , gravy of the fowl , whole onions boyled in it , nutmeg and an anchovy . if the fowl be lean ●arse and lard them . to make sawces for any kind of roast sea fowl make a gallendine with some grated bread , beaten cinnamon and ginger , a quartern of sugar , a quart of claret wine , a pint of wine-vinegar , strain the foresaid materials , and boyl ●hem in a skillet with a few whole cloves , in the boyling stir it with a sprig of rosemary , add a a little red saunders and boyl it as thick as water grewel . to make green sawce for pork , goslings , chickens , lamb or kid. stamp sorrel with white bread and pared pippins in a ●tone or wooden morter , put sugar to it and wine vinegar , then strain it thorow a fine cloth pretty thick , dish it in sawcers and scrape sugar on it . to make sawces for roast or boyled salmon . 1. take the gravy of the salmon , or oyster liquor boyled up thick with beaten butter , claret wine , nutmeg , and some slices of orange . 2. gravy of the salmon , butter , juice of orange or lemon , sugar and cinnamon , beat up the same with butter pretty thick , dish up the salmon , pour on the sawce and lay on it slices of lemon . 3. beaten butter with slices of orange or lemon , or the juice of them , or grape verjuice and nutmeg . 4. gravy of the salmon , two or three cloves dissolved in it , grated nu●meg and grated bread , beat up thick with butter , the yolk of an egg , or slices of orange wi●h the juice of it . i should give you now some directions for dressing of flesh and fish , but you will find that more properly set down , in my directions to cook-maids● directions for such who desire to be nursery-maids to person● of honour or quality , or else to gentlewomen either in city or country . if you intend to fit your self for this employment , you must naturally encline your self to love young children , otherwise you will soon discover your unfitness to manage that charge , you must be very neat and cleanly about them , and careful to keep good hours for them , both to a●ise and go to bed , likewise to get their breakfasts and suppers at good and convenient time . let them not sit too long but walk them often up and down , especially those who cannot go well of themselves , you must also be extraordinary careful and vigilant , tha● they get not any falls through your neglect , ●or by such falls , many ( the cause at first being unperceivable ) have grown irrecoverably lame or crooked . therefore i● any such thing should happen , be sure you conceal it not , but acquaint your lord or lady , master or mistress thereof , with all convenient speed , that so means may be used for the childs recovery before it be too late , you must be extraordinary careful that you be not churlish or dogged to the children , but be always merry and pleasant , and contrive and invent pretty sports and pastimes , as will be most ●uitable and agreeable to the childrens age , keep their linnen and other things always mended , and suffer them not to run too fast to decay . do not let the children see that you love any one child above the other , for that will be a means of dejecting and casting down the other . be careful to hear them read if it be imposed upon you , and be not too hasty with them , have a special care how you behave your sel● before them , neither speaking nor acting mis-becomingly , lest your bad example prove the subject of their imitation . consider the cha●ge you ●ake in hand , and do not desire this employment as too many do , because it is an easie kind os life , and void of labour and pains taking , thinking also that children are easily pleased with any thing , you will find the contrary , and that it is a troublesome employment , and the charge of a greater weight , than such vainly imagine . directions for such as desire to be cook-maids , in noble , or gentlemens families . if you would fit your self for this employment , and so consequently gain great wages , good vales , and the reputation of an accomplished cook , you must learn to be skilful in dr●ssing all sorts of flesh , fowl , and fish , to make variety of sawces proper for each of them , to raise all manner of pastes and kickshaws , to be curious in garnishing your dishes , and making all manner of pickles , &c. and as you must ●now how to dress meat well , so must you know how to save what is left of that you have dress●d , of which you may make both handsome and toothsome dishes again , to the saving of your masters purse , and credit of his table . you must be sure to be as saving as you can , and cleanly about every thing , seeing likewise that your kitchin be kept clean , and all things scowred in due time , your larders also and cupboards , that there be no bits of bread and meat lye about them to spoyl and stink . you must be careful that your meat taint not , for want of good salting . you must also keep good hours for your meals , otherwise you put an house quite out of order , do not covet to have the kitching stuff for your vales , but rather ask the more wages , for that may make you an ill huswife of your masters goods , and teach you to be a thief , for you would be apt to put that which should go in to the tryed suet , into your pot. lay not all your wages upon your back , but lay up something against sickness , and an hundred other casualties , for you may assure your self it is more commendable , for one in your employment to go decent and clean , than gaudishly fine . i have already in this book , in my directions to chamber-maids , given some directions for raising of paste , for making of sawces and pickles . i shall now give you some directions for the best and newest way of dressing of flesh● fowl and fish. directions for dressing of flesh , fowl and fish. first , for dressing of flesh. to boyl a leg of veal and bacon . lard your leg of veal with bacon all over , with a little lemon peel●among it , then boyl it with a middle piece of b●con , when your bacon is boyled , cut it in pieces , season it with pepper and dried sage mix'd together , dish up the veal with the bacon round about it , send it up with sawcers of green sawce , strew over it parsly and barberries . to m●ke a fri●asie of veal . cut your veal in thin slices , beat it well with a rowling pin , season it well with nutmegs , lemon and thyme , fry it slightly in the pan , then beat two eggs and one spoonful of verjuice , put it into the pan , stir it together , fry it and dish it . to roast a haunch of venison . if your venison be seasoned , you must water it , and stick it with short sprigs of rosemary , let your sawce be claret wine , a handful of grated bread , cinnamon , ginger , sugar , a little vinegar , boyl these up so thick as it may only run like butter , it ought to be sharp and sweet , dish up your meat on your sawce . to stew a leg of lamb. cut it in pieces , and put it into your stewing pan , being first seasoned with salt and nutmeg , and as much butter as will stew it , with raisins of the sun , currants and gooseberries ; when it is stewed make a caudle with the yolks of two or three eggs , and some wine vinegar and sugar beaten together , and put it into your meat and stew-all a little longer together , then dish it , strew sugar on the top and serve it up hot . to make sco●ch colo●●s of veal● cut out your veal into very broad slices ●at and lean , not too thick , take eight eggs beat them very well with a little salt , grate a whole nutmeg , take a handful of thyme and strip it , then take a pound of sawsages half a pint of stewing oysters , wash and cleanse them from the gravel , then half ●ry your veal with sweet butter , then put in your sawsages and oysters , then take a quarter of a pound of capers , shred them very small with three anchovies dissolved in whitewine and fair water , so put in your eggs , shred capers and anchovies , butter and spice , and mingle them , and strew them in the pan upon t●e veal and oysters , serve it with sipits with a little fresh butter and vinegar and lemon sliced , and barberries with a little salt . you must have a care to keep the meat s●irring , lest the eggs curdle with the heat of the fire . to boyl a chine , rump , surloin , brisket , rib , flank , buttock , or fillet of beef . take any of these pieces of beef , and give them in summer a weeks powdering , in winter a fortnights , you may either stuff them or not , if you stuff them you must do it with all manner of sweet herbs , and fa● beef minced very small , and some nutmeg mingled together , you may serve them in on bruess , with roots or cabbage boyled in milk , with beaten butter . to roast a shoulder of mutton with oysters . parboyl your oysters , then mix winter savory , thyme , parsly and the yolks of five or six hard eggs , and to these a hal●-penny loaf of grated bread , and three or four yolks of eggs , mingle all these together with your hands , when you have spi●ted your mutton , make holes in it as big as you think convenient , put in your oysters with your other ingredients , about twenty five or thirty oisters will be enough , let it roast indifferent long , and take the remainder of a quart of oysters , and put them● into a deep dish with with claret wine , put to them two or three onions cut in halves with two or three anchovies , put this into the dripping pan under your mutton and save your gravy , and when the meat is enough , put your sawce upon the coals , and put in it the yolk of an egg beaten , grated nutmeg and sweet butter , dish your mutton and pour in your oysters , sawce and all upon it , garnishing your dish with lemons and barberries . to stew a rump of beef . season your beef with some nutmeg grated , together with some salt and p●pper , season it on the bony side and lay it in the pipkin with the fat side downwards , then take two or three great onions and a bunch of rosemary tyed up together , also three pints of elder vinegar and three pints of water , stew all these together in a pipkin close covered over a so●t fire three or four hours together , dish it upon sipits , taking off the fat from the gravy : put some of the gravy to the beef and serve it up . to stew a breast , loyn , or neck of mutton . joynt either of these very well , draw it and stuff it with sweet herbs and parsly minced , then put it in a deep stewing dish with the right side downward , put to it so much whitewine and strong broth as will stew it , set it on the coals and put to it two or three onions , a bundle of sweet herbs and a littl● large mace , when it is almost stewed take ● handful of spinage , parsly and endive , an● put into it , or else some gooseberries an● grapes , and in the winter time samphir● and capers , you may add them at any time ● dish up your mutton and put by the liquo● you do not use , and thicken the other with yolks of eggs and sweet butter , put on the sawce and herbs over the meat , garnish your dish with lemon and barberries . to farce , or s●uff a fillet of veal . take a large leg of veal and cut off a couple of fillets from it , then mince a handfull of sweet-herbs and parsly , and the yolks of two or three hard eggs , let all these be minc'd very small , then season it with a couple of grated nutmegs and a little salt , and so ●arce or stuff your veal , ●hen lard it with bacon and thyme very well , then let it be roasted , and when it is almost enough , take some of your stuffing and as many curran●s , about a handful , and put these to a little strong broth , a glass of claret and a little vinegar : a little sugar and some mace , when your meat is almost ready , take it up and put it into this and let it stew , putting to it a little butter melted , put your meat in your dish and pour your sawce on it , and serve it up . to dress a leg of mutton , a savoury dish . boyl your mutton in water and salt for the space of an hour , then cut it into thin slices and put it into a dish over a chafing dish of coals without any liquor , and in a little time you will find the gravy will be liquor enough , then put in a little salt and a little grated nutmeg , one onion or two or three shelots sliced , a sprig of thyme and winter savory , let it stew between dishes till it be almost enough , then put in a piece o● fresh butter , and when it hath stewed a little longer , take it up and serve it in , garnish your dish with pickled barberries and pickled oisters . to boyl a fore-loin of pork , with good sawce to it . let your pork be reasonably well salted and boyl it very well , then have in readiness a good quantity of sorrel stript from the stalks , and beaten in a morter as fine as possible you can , then put in a few crumbs of bread , the yolks of hard eggs with a little mustard and salt ; and so serve in your pork with this sawce , and garnish your dish with parsly , or any other green leaves . directions for dressing of fowl. how to roast a hen or pullet . take a pullet or hen full of eggs , draw it and roast it , being roasted break it up and mince the braun● in thin slices , save the wings whole or not mince the brauns and save the rump with the legs whole , stew all in the gravy and a little salt , then have a minced lemon and put it in the gravy , dish the minced meat in the midst of the dish , and the thighs , wings , and rumps abou● it , garnish the dish with orange and lemon quartered , and serve them up covered . to roast wood●ocks the english way . first pull and draw them , then being washed and trussed roast them , baste them with butter and save the gravy , then make tosts and butter them , being roasted bread them with grated bread and flower , and serve them on a clean dish , on the tost and gravy . to roast woodcocks the french way . being new and fresh killed that day you use them , pull , truss , and lard them with a broad piece o● lard or bacon pricked over the brest , being roasted serve them on broiled tosts , put in verjuice or the juice of orange with the gravy , and warmed on a fire . to roast a pig the plain way . take a pig , scald and draw it , wash it clear and put some sage in the belly , prick it up and spit it , being roasted fine and crisp make sawce with chop'd sage and currants , well boyled in vinegar and fair water , then put to them the gravy of the pig , a little grated bread , the brains and some barberries , give these a walm or two and serve the pig on the sawce with a little beaten butter . to roast a pig otherways . take a pig , scald and draw it , then mince some sweet herbs either sage or penni-royal , and roul it up in a ball with some butter , prick it up in the pigs belly and roast him , being ro●●ted make s●wce with butter , vinegar , the brains and some barb●rri●s . to roast a h●re . take a hare , flea it , set it , and lard it with small lard , stick it with cloves and make a pudding in his belly with grated bread , grated nutmeg and beaten cinnamon , salt , currants , eggs , cream and sugar , make it good and stiff , fill the hare and roast it . if you would have the pudding green , put to it juice of spinage ; if yellow , saffron : make for sawce beaten ginger , nutmeg , cinnamon , pepper , boyled prunes and currants strained , bisket bread beaten into powder , sugar and cloves , all boyled up as thick as water-grewel . land , or sea fowl , how to boil them . half roast your fowls , sticking on them some cloves as they roast , save the gravy , and when they are half roasted put them in a pipkin with the gravy , some claret wine , as much strong broth as will cover them , mace , cloves , pepper , ginger , some fryed onions and salt , stew all well together , and serve them on carved ●ippets . how to boyl plovers , quails , blackbirds , rails , thrushes , snipes , wheat ears , larks and sparrows . take them and truss them , or cut off the heads and legs and boyl them , scum your pipkin aud put therein large mace , white-wine , currants well picked and washed , d●tes , m●rrow , pepper and salt , being well stewed , dish them on carved sippets , thicken the broth with strained almonds , rose-water and sugar , garnish them with lemon , barberries , and grated bread . to boyl capons , pullets , chickens , pidgeons , pheasants , par●ridges . farce them either with the bone or bon'd , then take off the skin whole , with the neck , wings and legs on , mince the body with some bacon or beef suet , season it with some nutmeg , pepper , cloves , beaten ginger , salt , and a few sweet herbs finely m●nced , and mingled amongst some three or four yolks of eggs , some sugar , whole grapes , gooseberries , b●rberries and pistaches , fill the skins and prick them up in the back , then stew them between two dishes with some strong broth , whitewine , butter , some large mace , marrow , gooseberries and sweet herbs , being stewed serve them on s●pets with some marrow and sliced lemon , in winter currants . to boyl c●p●ns or c●●ckens , with s●●e● 〈…〉 . first boyl them in water and salt , then boyl some parsly , sage , two or three hard eggs , chop them , then have a few thin slices of fine manchet and stew all together , but break not the slices of bread , stew them with some of the broth wherein the chick●ns boyls , some large mace , butter , a little whitewine or vinegar , with a few barberries or grapes , dish up the capons or chickens on the sawce , and run ●hem over with sweet butter and lemon cut like dice , the peel cut like small lard , and boyl a little peel with the chickens . to boyl any large water fowl , as swan , whopper , wild or tame geese , crane , hern , duck , mall●rd , &c. take a goose and salt it two or three days , then truss it to boyl , cut lard as big as your little finger and lard the brest , season the lard with pepper , mace and salt , then boyl it in beef broth or water and salt , put to it pepper grosly beaten , a handful or two of bayleaves , thyme and rosemary bound up very well , boyl them very well with the fowl , then prepare some cabbage boyled very well with water and salt , squeeze out the water from it and put it into a pipkin with some strong broth , claret wine , and a good big onion or two , season it with pepper , mace and salt , and two or three anchovies dissolved , stew these together with a ladle full of sweet butter and a little vinegar , and when your goose is boyled enough , and your cabbage on sippets , lay on the goose with some cabbage on the brest and serve it up . thus you may dress any large wild fowl. to boyl pidgeons . take pidgeons being finely cleans'd and trussed , put them in a pipkin or skillet with some mutton broth or fair water , set them a boyling and scum them clean , then put to them large mace or well washed currants , some strained bread strained with vinegar and broth , put it to the pidgeons with some sweet butter and capers , boyl ●hem very white , and being boyled serve them on fine carv'd sippets in the broth with some sugar , garnish them with lemon , fine sugar , mace , grapes , gooseberries and barberries , and run them over with beaten butter , garnish the dish with grated manchet . to stew pidgeons in the french fashion . take pidgeons ready pulled and scalded , take the flesh out of the skin , and leave the skin whole , with the legs and wings hanging to it , mince the bodies with some lard or beef suet together very small , then put to them some sweet herbs finely minced , and season all with cloves , mace , ginger , pepper , some grated bread or parmison grated and yolks of eggs , fill again the skins and prick them up on the back , then put them in a dish with some strong broth and sweet herbs chop'd , large mace , gooseberries , barberries or grapes , then have some cabbage le●tice boyled in water and salt , put to them butter and serve them up on fine sippets . how to pot up fowl for to carry to sea , or otherwise to be spent at home . take a good company of ducks or mallards , pull them and draw them , and lay them in a tub with a little pepper and salt for twenty four hours , then truss them and roast them , and when they are roasted let them drain from their gravy , for that will make them corrupt , then put them handsomly into a pot , and take the fat which came from them in the roasting and good store of butter , and melt them together in a pot set in a kettle of boyling water , put therein good store of cloves bruised a little , some sliced mace , nu●meg , bayleaves and salt , and let them stew in the butter a while , then while it is hot pour it over your fowls in the pot , and let the pot be filled so that the fowls be covered , then lay a trencher upon them , and keep them down with a weight or stone until they be cold , then take of the same kind of spice which you did put into your butter , beat it very fine and strew over it , and lay some bayleaves on the top so cover it up , they will keep a good while , drain your fowl from the gravy , twenty four hours before you put them into your pot . directions for dressing of fish. how to stew a ca●p . dress the carp and take out the milt , put it in a dish with the carp , take out the gall then save the blood , and scotch with your knife the back of the carp if the carp be large , take a quart of claret or whitewine , four or five blades of large mace , ten cloves , two large races of ginger sliced , two sliced nutmegs , with the tops of thyme , marjoram , savory , and parsly chop'd very small , four great onions whole , three or four bayleaves and some salt , stew them all together with the wine , when the liquor boyls put in the carp , with a quarter of a pound of sweet butter , being stewed enough take a large dish , and laying ●he carp therein , pour the sawce thereon with the spices , lay on sliced lemon with some of the peel cut small , and run it over with beaten butter , garnish the dish with m●nchet grated and searced , and carved sipets laid round the dish , you may ●or variety , the carp being scaled , garnish the body with stewed oisters , some fryed in white butter , some in green made by the juice of spinage . how to roast a carp. take a live carp draw and wash it , taking away the gall , milt or spawn , then make a pudding with some grated manchet some almond paste , cream , currants , grated nutmeg , raw yolks of eggs , sugar , carraway seed candied , some salt and lemon , make a stiff pudding , and put it thorow the gills into the belly of the carp , then spit it , and when it is roasted make sawce with the gravy that falls from it , with juice of orange , sugar and cinnamon , beat up the sawce thick with the butter , and di●h it up . to stew oysters . take a pot●le o● large oysters , parboyl them in their own liquor , then wash them from the dregs in warm water , and put them in a pipkin with a good big onion or two , and five or six blades of large mace , a little whole pepper , a sliced nutmeg , a quarter of a pint of whitewine , as much wine vinegar , a quarter of a pound of sweet butter with a little salt , stew them together on a soft fire the space of half an hour , then dish them on sipets of french bread , sliced lemon and barberries on that , then run them over with beaten butter , and garnish the dish with grated manchet . to fry oysters . strain the liquor from them , and parboyl them in a kettle , then dry and rowl them in flower or make a bitter o● eggs , flower , a little cream and salt , dip them therein and fry them in butter beating it up thick , having warmed the dish rub it with some garlick and lay thereon the oysters , garnishing the dish with sliees of orange . to boyl a pike . take your pike and wash it clean , then truss it whole round with the tale in his mouth , and his back scotched or cut in three places , then boyl it in water , salt and vinegar , put not the pike in till the liquor boyls , and then make it boyl apace , and that will crisp your pike , but afterwards softly ; the pike being boyled dish it , and garnish the dish with grated white bread , or ginger fine beaten , then beat up the sawce with half a pound of butter , minced lemon or orange , and pour it on the pike wi●h sipets . to make the sawce , you must put into a pipkin a pint of whitewine , sliced ginger , mace , dates quartered , a pint of large oysters with their liquor , a little vinegar and salt , boyl them a qua●ter of an hour , then mince a few sweet-herbs and pa●sly , stew them till half the liquor be consumed . to stew a pike . take a pike , flat it and lay it in a dish , when the blood is clean washed out , put to it as much whitewine as will cover it , and set it a stewing , when it boyls put in the fish and scum it , and put to i● some large mace , whole cinnamon and some salt , when thorowly s●ewed , dish it on sipets finely c●r●e● . to boyl s●lmon . take as much water as will cover your salmon , then take rosemary , thyme , winter savory and salt , boyl all these very well together , then put in some wine vinear , and when your salmon is boyled , let him remain in the same water always until you have occasion to eat of it . to roast salmon . take a rand or jole , cut it into four pieces and season it with a little nutmeg and salt , stick a few cloves and put it on a small spit , put between it some bayleaves , and stick it wi●h little sprigs of rosemary , roast it and baste it with butter , save the gravy , and add to i● for sawce some vinegar , butter , and slices of orange . to fry salmon . take a jole , chine or rand , and fry it in clarified butter , being stiff and crisp fryed , make sawce with a little claret wine , sweet butter , grated nutmeg , slices of orange , and oyster liquor , stew them all together and pour on the sawce , and on that parsly , alisaunder and sage leaves fryed in butter . thus have i given you some short directions , for dressing of flesh , fowl and fish. i shall now give you directions for making bills of fare both first and second course , for every month in the year , and so conclude my directions to cook-maid● . a bill of fare for every month in the year . ianuary . 1. brawn and mustard . 2. two boyled capons aud white broth. 3. a turkey roasted . 4. a shoulder of mutton hash'd . 5. two geese boyled . 6. a goose roasted . 7. ribs or surloin of beef . 8. minc'd pyes . 9. a loin of veal . 10. a pasty of venison . 11. a marrow pye. 12. roasted capons . 13. lamb. 14. wooodcocks , partridges , and smaller birds . second course . 1. a sous'd pig. 2. a warden pye. 3. dryed neats tongues . 4. a sous'd capon . 5. pickled oysters and mushrooms toget●er . 6. sturgeon . 7. a goose or turkey pye. february . 1. a chine of roast pork . 2. veal or beef roasted . 3. a lamb pye and mince pyes . 4. a couple of wild ducks . 5. a couple of rabbets . 6. fryed oysters . 7. a skirret pye. second course . 1. a whole lamb roasted . 2. three widgeons . 3. a pippin pye. 4. a iole of sturgeon . 5. a cold turkey pye. march. 1. neats tongue and vdder● 2. boyled chickens . 3. a dish of stewed oysters . 4. a di●h of young rabbets . 5. a grand sallet . second course . 1. a dish of soles or smelts . 2. marinate flounders . 3. a lambstone pye. 4. an hundred of asparagus . 5. a warden pye. april . 1. green geese or veal and bacon . 2. a haunch of venison roasted . 3. a lumber pye. 4. rabbets and tarts . second course . 1. cold lamb. 2. cold neats tongue pye. 3. salmons , lobsters , and prawns . 4. asparagus . may. 1. boyl'd chickens . 2. roasted veal . 3. roasted capons . 4. rabbets . second course . 1. artichoke pye hot . 2. westphalia bacon and tarts● 3. sturgeon , salmon , lobsters . 4. a dish of asparagus , 5. a tanfie . june . 1. a neats tongue or leg of mutton and colliflowers . 2. a steak pye. 3. a shoulder of mutton . 4. a forequarter of lamb. 5. a dish os pease . second course . 1. sweet-bread pye. 2. a capon . 3. a gooseherry tart. 4. strawberries and cream , or strawberries , whitewine , rose-water and sugar . july . 1. a westphaliaham and pidgeons . 2. a loin of veal . 3. a venison pasty . 4. roast capons . second course . 1. pease or french beans . 2. a codling tart. 3. artichokes , or a pye made thereof● 4. roast chickens . august . 1. calves head and bacon . 2. an olio or grand boyled meat . 3. a haunch of venison . 4. a pig roasted . second course . 1. marinate smelts . 2. a pidgeon pye. 3. roast chickens . 4. a tart. 5. some cream and fruit. september . 1. capon and white broth. 2. neats tongue and vdder roasted . 3. a powdered go●se . 4. a roast turkey . second course . 1. a potato pye. 2. ro●st par●ridges . 3. a dish of larks . 4. creams and fruit. october . 1. roast veal . 2. two brand geese roasted . 3. a grand salle● . 4. roasted capons . second course . 1. pheasants , pouts and pidgeons . 2. a dish of quails and sparrows . 3. a warden pye , tarts and custards . november . 1. a shoulder of mutton and oysters . 2. a loin of veal . 3. geese roasted . 4. a pasty of venison . second course . 1. two herns one l●●ded . 2. a sowsed turbot . 3. two pheasants one lard●d . 4. a rowl of beef . 5. a sows'd mullet and bafe . 6. iellies and tarts . december . 1. stewed broth of mutton and m●rrow b●nes . 2. lambs head and white broth. 3. a chine of b●ef roasted . 4. minc'd pyes . 5. a roast turkey stuck wi●h cloves . 6. two capons , one larded . second course . 1. a yung lamb or kid. 2. two brace of partridges . 3. b●llone sawsages , anchovies , mushrooms , cavier , and pickled oysters in a dish toge●her . 4. a quince pye. 5. six woodcocks . directions for vnder cook-maids . if you would so fit your self for this employment , as that it may be a means of raising you to higher prefermen● , you must be careful to be diligent and willing to do what you are bid to do , and though your employment be greasie and smooty , yet if you be careful you may keep your self ●rom being nasty . therefore let it be your care to keep your self neat and clean , observe every thing in cookery that is done by your superior or head cook , treasure it up in your memory , and when you meet with a convenient opportunity , put that in practice which you have observed , this course will advance you from a drudge , to be a cook another day . every one must have a beginning , and if you be ingenious and bend your mind to it , and be willing to learn , there is none will be so churlish or unkind , as to be unwilling to teach you , but if you be stubborn and careless , and not give your mind to learn , who do you think will be willing to teach you ; you must beware of gossips and chairwomen , for they will misadvise you , take heed of the sollicitations of the flesh for they will undo you , and though you may have mean thoughts of your self , and think none will meddle with such as you , it is a mistake , for sometimes brave gallants will fall foul upon the wench in the scullery . directions for such as desire to be dairy-maids . those who would endeavour to gain the esteem and reputation of good dairy maids , must be careful that all their vessels be scalded well , and kept very clean , that they milk their cattel in due time , for the kine by custom will expect it though you neglect , which will tend much to their detriment . the hours and times most approved , and commonly used for milking , are in the spring and summer time between five and six in the morning , and between six and seven in the evening : and in the wint●r between seven and eight in the morning , and four and five in the ev●ning . in the next place you must be careful that you do not waste your cream by giving it away to liquorish persons . you must keep certain days for your churning , and be sure to make up your butter neatly and cleanly , washing it well from the butter-milk and then salt it well . you must be careful to make your cheeses good and tender by well ordering of them , and see that your hogs have the whey , and that it be not given away to gossiping and idle people , who live merely upon what they can get from servants . that you provide your winter butter and cheese in summer , as in may : and when your rowings come in , be sparing of your fire and do not lavish away your milk , butter , or cheese . if you have any fowls to fat , look to them that it may be for your credit and not your shame , when they are brought to table . when you milk the cattel , stroke them well , and in the summer time save those strokings by themselves , to put into your morning milk cheese . i look upon it to be altogether needless , for to give you any directions for the making of butter or cheese , since there are very few , ( especially in the country ) that can be ignorant thereof : i shall only say , that the best time to pot up butter for winter , is in the month of m●y , for then the air is most temperate , and the butter will take salt best . how●ver it may be done at any time betwixt may and september . i shall now give you some few directions for made cream , and for milk made better by art , and so conclude my directions to dairy-maids . how to make your ordinary clouted cream . take a quantity of milk from the cow , and put into a broad earthen pan , and set it over a very slow fire , letting it stand there from morning to night , suffering it not by any means to boyl , then take it off the fire and set it in some place all night to cool , in the morning dish off your cream , for it will be very thick . to make fresh cheese and cream . take a pottle of new milk as it cometh from the cow , and half a pound of blanch'd almonds beaten very small , and make a thick almond milk with a pint of cream strained , and a little before you go to dinner make it blood warm , and season it with a little sugar , rose-water , and ●ierced ginger , and put to it a little runner , and when it is scum'd bread it up and whey it , and put it into a mould and press it with your hand , aud when it is well wheyed , put it into a dish with cream . to make a cream of codlings . after you have scalded your codlings and peel'd of the skins , and scraped the pulps from the cores with a little sugar and rose-water , strain them , and lay the pulp of your codlings in a dish , with as much cream as you please about them . to make a iunket . take ewes or goats milk , if you have neither of these then take cows milk , and put it over the fire to warm , then put in a little runnet to it , then pour it out into a dish and let it cool , then strew on cinnamon and sugar , then take some cream and lay upon it , scraping sugar thereon serve it up . to make rasbery cream . when you have boyled your cream take two ladlefulls of it being almost cold , bruise the rasberrries together with it , and season it with sugar and rose-water , and put it into your cream stirring it all together , and so dish it up . to make s●ow cream . break the whites of six eggs , put thereto a little rose-water , beat them very well together with a bunch of feathers till they come perfectly to resemble snow , then lay on the said snow in heaps upon other cream , that is cold which is made fit for the table , you may put under your cream in the bottom of your dish , part of a penny loaf , and stick therein a branch of rosemary and bays and fill your tree with the said snow , so serve it up . to make a syllabub . take a pint of verjuice in a bowl , milk the cow to the verjuice , then take off the curd , and take sweet cream and beat them together with a little sack and sugar , put it into your syllabub pot , strew sugar on it and serve it up . to make a whipt syllabub . take the whites of two eggs and a pint of cream , with six spoonfuls of sack and as much sugar as will sweeten it , then take a birchen rod and whip it , as it riseth in froth scum it , and put it into the syllabub pot , and so continue it with whipping and scumming till your syllabub pot be full . to make an excellent cream . take a quart of cream and set it a boyling with a large mace or two , whilst it is boyling cut some thick sippets , and lay them in a very fine clean dish , then have seven or eight yolks of eggs strained with rose-water , put some sugar to them , then take the cream from the fire , put in the eggs and stir all together , then pour on the slices of fine manchet , and being cold scrape on sugar and serve it . directions for such who intend to be laundry-maids in great houses . if you would have the esteem credit and reputation of a compleat laundry-maid , you must observe these following directions . first , you must take care of all the linen in the house ( except points and laces ) and whatever you wash do it quickly and do not let it lye and stink and grow yellow , and so create to your self the trouble of washing it again before it be used . secondly , you must take care that all the bracks and rents in the linen be duly mended . thirdly , keep your certain days for washing of your linen , and other days for washing of such rooms as are appointed you to wash and keep clean . fourthly , you must be sparing and not lavish and wastful of your sope , fire and candle . fifthly , entertain no chairwomen unknown to your lady or mistress : sixthly , be careful that your tubs and copper , or whatever else you make use of be kept clean , and in good repair . seventhly , you must be careful that you rise early every morning , but more especially on washing days . directions for house-maids in great houses . 1. your principal office is to make clean the greatest part of the house , and see that you suff●r no room to lye foul . 2. that you look well to all the stuff , as hangings , chairs , stools , &c. and ●ee that they be often brushed and the beds frequently turn'd . 3. that you do not misplace any thing by carrying it out of one room to another , for that is the way to have them lost , or you soundly chid for not keeping them in their proper places . 4. that you be careful and diligent to all strangers , and see that they lack nothing in their chambers , which your mistress or lady will allow , and that your close stools and chamber pots be duely emptied , and kept clean and sweet . 5. that you help the laundry-maid in a morning on the washing day . 6. that in the afternoon you b● ready to help the waiting-woman or house-keeper in their preserving and distilling . directions for scullery maids in great houses . 1. you must be careful to keep sweet and clean , the several rooms which belongs to your charge , as the kitchin , pantry , wash house , &c. 2. you must wash and scowr all the plates and dishes that are used in the kitchin , likewise the dressers and cupboards , also all kettles , pots , pans , chamberpots , with all other iron , brass , tin , and pewter materials , that belong to the chambers and kitchin. 3. you must wash your own linen , keeping your self sweet and clean , remembring always , so soon as you have made an end of your dirty work , to wash and dress your self neatly , titely and cleanly . now if you be careful and diligent , and cleanly in performing this place , you will have notice taken of you , and you will be advanced to a higher and more profitable employment . finis . books sold by thomas passinger at the three bibles on london-bridge . a french and english dictionary , composed by mr. randolph cotgrave , folio . a mirror or looking-glass for saints and sinners , shewing the justice of god on the one , and his mercy toward the other . set forth in some thousand of examples by sam. clark late minister of bennet finck london , in two volumes in folio . royal and practical chymistry , by oswaldus crollius , and iohn hartman , faithfully rendred into english , folio , price 10 s. gods revenge against murther , by iohn reynolds , containing thirty tragical stories , digested into six books newly reprinted , folio , price 10 s. lord bacon's natural history , folio , price 8 s. sandy's travels , containing a description of the turkish empire of egypt , and the holy land , of the remote parts of italy , and islands adjoyning , folio , price 8 s. markham's master-piece . roman antiquities , by th● . goodwin , quarto , price 2 s. 6 d. the famous history of the destruction of troy , in three books , quarto , price 3 s. valentine and orson , price 18 d. etymologicum parvum , by francis gregory , octavo , price 3 s. chymical essays by iohn beguminus , price 1 s. 8 d. spiritual antidotes against sinful contagion , by tho. doolittle , price 18 d. pool's dialogue betwixt a papist and a protestant , twelves , price bound 1 s. monasticon favershamiense , or a description of the abby of faversham , octavo , price bound 18 d. the christians crown of glory , or holiness the way to happiness , octavo , price bound 18 d. the path way to health , price bound 18 d. the compleat academy , or nursery of complements , bound 1 s. the book of knowledge in three parts , price 10 d. the book of palmistry in octavo , price bound 18 d. the wise virgin , being a narrative of gods dealing with martha hatfield , price bound 18 d. the pilgrims port , or the weary mans rest in the grave , in twelves , price bound 1 s. the famous history of the five wise philosophers , containing the life of iehosaphat , son of avenerio , emperor of corma , and his wonderful conversion to the christian faith. the great assize , by sam● smith . the delectable history of amadis de g●ul . the pleasant history of paladine of england . the bear-baiting of women . the history of fryar bacon and fryar bungy . new conceited letters . the jovial garland , containing all the newest songs that are now used . the penitent prodigal , or a gracious reproof for pharisaical saints , by i. h. the christians best exercise in the wors● of times , by i. h. scarborough spaw , being a de●cription of the nature and virtues of the spaw of scarborough in yo●●shire , by doctor wittie . the french schoolmaster . farnabies epigrams . newton's art of logick . newton's art of rhetorick . the famous history of don bellianis of greece , in three parts , being now compleat . the famous history of montelion , knight of the oracle . hodder's arithmetick in twelves . ovid de tristibus in english. bishop hall's soliloquies in twelves . the poems of ben. iohnson iunior . a plain and familiar exposition of the ten commandments , by iohn dod. the accomplish'd woman written originally in french ; since made english by the honourable walter montague, esq. honneste femme. english du bosc, jacques, d. 1660. this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a36720 of text r3125 in the english short title catalog (wing d2407a). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread approx. 175 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 77 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo 2017 a36720 wing d2407a estc r3125 12244771 ocm 12244771 56900 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a36720) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 56900) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 141:7) the accomplish'd woman written originally in french ; since made english by the honourable walter montague, esq. honneste femme. english du bosc, jacques, d. 1660. montagu, walter, 1603?-1677. [10], 135, [8] p. printed for gabriel bedell and tho. collins ..., london : 1656. translation of part 1 of: l'honneste femme / j. du bose. errata : p. 135. advertisements: p. [2]-[7] at end. reproduction of original in huntington library. eng women -early works to 1800. a36720 r3125 (wing d2407a). civilwar no the accomplish'd woman. written originally in french, since made english, by the honourable, walter montague, esq;. du bosc, jacques 1655 32803 22 0 0 0 0 0 7 b the rate of 7 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the b category of texts with fewer than 10 defects per 10,000 words. 2003-07 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2003-07 aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images 2003-08 marika ismail sampled and proofread 2003-08 marika ismail text and markup reviewed and edited 2003-10 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the accomplish'd woman . written originally in french , since made english , by the honourable , walter montague , esq ; . london , printed for gabriel bedell and tho. collins , at the middle temple gate in fleetstreet , 1656. to the dutchesse of buckingham her grace . madam , if yee could see your self without the help of a reflex , i should not need to present you with this glass , but since even internal speculations result most from outward intuitions in this mirror of an accomplished woman , you may let your self into your self at your eies , and so fit them with an object proportionable to their own beauty : and only thus could i lessen the distance betweene my obligations and my services , by an exact accompt of you to your selfe , since it is so hard for you to take it from our sex , which are auditors in the valuation of yours , because the lovelinesse of your person may expose even a true estimate of your vertues to your suspition of passion . this is the only ill office , madam , your body can do your mind , which it doth by so faire meanes , that you may easily forgive it . the original of this woman is french , whose perfection must needs fall some degrees , in this change of the horizon . you , madam , are in english the edition , as well as the dedication , and your actions do translate better this booke , then my words ; so that this cannot enform your understanding in any new unacquired grace or vertue , but by a duplication of your memory , convince your modestie of a needlesse desire to improve ; and as your conversation may be instruction for others , so this which was meant for edification , is but strict enough for your entertainment . here ( madam ) you shall find ill both severely reproved , and fairely shamed , by shewing the excellency of good in ill's greatest brag , variety : and shame doth not only restrain , but rectifie more then fear ; for women apprehend lesse the effusion of blood for punishment , then the diffusion of it for shame . here you shall find humors as well mix'd and shadowed by one another , as ever you saw colours ; and so much diversity in loves archery , as one would think cupid shot out of a rain-bow . each severall humour hath a point to fasten on its correspondency , therefore there is no wondring at the seeming extravagancy of passions . here ( madam ) i conceive , you may learne by reading , what you cannot so easily by conversation , because no body dares tell it you , when any body is in love with you ; which you may be assured of , when you find a judicious admirer of an accomplish'd woman ; and this rule is their protection as well as their discovery . i ( madam ) may be an admirer of this woman in french , but an excuser of this in the language of your graces most humble and obedient servant , walter montague . the contents . of chearfulnesse and melancholy , 1 of reputation . 19 of inclination to vertue , chiefly to the devotion of the times . 30 of chastity and complacency . 38 of courage . 47 of prudence and discretion . 56 of knowledge and ignorance . 65 of constancy and fidelity . 72 of curiosity and censure . 83 of a debauched woman . 88 of the cruelty and pity of women . 95 of beauty . 102 of gracefulnesse . 109 of cloathes and ornaments . 116 of iealousie . 123 the accomplish'd woman . of cheerfulness and melancholy . the noblest designe that wee can propose to our selves in conversation , is to have such a kind of wit as makes us acceptable , and by a welcome violence acquires us a command as powerful as pleasing . a cheerfull humour is more advantageous for the attaining of this , then a melancholy ; which indeed is not unfit for knowledg , but is too heavie for discourse , and too gross for delicacies and sharp returns . cheerful humours are gracefuller and freer in all they do , and so are welcomer to all companies ; as more naturall in their affections , and lesse constrained in their behaviour , and more innocent in their designes and thoughts . notwithstanding all that can be said in favour of the melancholy , if their thoughtfulnesse be commendable in something , it hath as many il effects as good ; and those that call it the mother of wisedom , must confesse also that it is often too of extravagancy . they would perswade us , that their wits make many discoveries , and that they reach far in their meditations : but sometimes too their journey is so long , as they never come home again ; or if they do return , 't is like pilgrims , that leave their owne countrey , to wander idly in strange ones , without any advantage , but to bring from thence povertie and wearinesse . thinking is a labyrinth where one may be easily lost , and is hardly to be got out of ; yet the melancholy call it the element of good wits ; believing to excuse their own weaknesse by giving it a brave name . but as lame men cannot brag , if after the expence of a great deal of time and labour , they get a little way ; so these musing wits deserve no praise , for being long a seeking , what quicker find sooner , and with more ease . readier wits have the same advantage of them , as birds have of serpents , or angels of bodies and materiality but chiefly , i cannot conceive why they glory in speaking little ; because their silence comes rather from barrennesse then discretion ; and if they hold their peace in many occasions , 't is not so much to chuse words , as to seek them . such persons would have easily been good disciples of pithagoras , but that they holding their peace by command , would not have been capable also of learning to speak handsomly . they should have a school quite contrary to these philosophers , to learn the faculty they want ; they had more need of physicians and broths , then of tutors ; they must not onely have lessons read them to cure them , but miracles wrought upon them . just as fire can easier descend , then earth ascend ; so hastie humours may be moderated by reading and experience ; but grosse and heavie ones can hardly with what pains soever be taken , be made lively and subtile . though birds have wings to fly , yet they can trusse them up when they will , to ease themselves ; transcendent . wits can do so for action or rest : but when the melancholy ones strive to animate their languishings , they run icarus his hazard , that was too materiall , and had not skill enough to fly upon artificiall wings . their discourse and their arguments are ungracious , when they force themselves to expresse in them a heat that is not naturall to them . they are like some old men , that run when they think they walk , and get not forward but by chance ; and after the least straining of themselves , are suddenly out of breath , in stead of wiselyer fitting their pace to their weaknesse . the most part of these sick ones glory in the disapprobation of ordinary company , seeking to perswade the credulous , that nothing but affairs of that importance ( wch heretofore the senators consulted with the gods about ) can serve them for discourse : but to believe that their coldness should be so excellent at that , it should seem , one must be of the same humor , to make that conclusion ; if ever it prove happy that way , it s more by chance then art . if quick wits be accused of snatching too soon at opportunity , melancholy ones are in danger of making use of it too late : and if those stay not till it present it self ; these oftententimes think not of it till it be past : they are inclining to fear and despair ; as they want heat , so they are unactive , and their frozen humour figures almost all things impossible either to avoyd or undertake . it is a lethargine feeling , not to be perceived but by a wound , by blowes and violence ; they seem rather resuscitated then waked ; they are sick ones , that one must almost kill , to know they are not dead . if they have judgment to deliberate , they have almost no confidence to resolve , and yet lesse courage to execute . it is a palsie-vertue , that must be thrust into occasions , and that lies languishing by the remedies , without applying them , unlesse it be drawn to them by fear . it were to do them too much wrong , not to believe that there be many wise and honest persons of that temper : but we must affirm too , that it is too injurious to wisdom and vertue , to keep them alwayes in a study or musing , as though those that neither fear nor wish any thing beyond themselves , should not shew a cheerfull countenance , to witnesse the satisfaction of their conscience . on the contrary , if serpents engender in still waters , ill thoughts are nourished in musing humours ; and if their wits be fit to invent knaveries , their face is no lesse to cover them . when rust is got into the spring of a clock , there is no more regularity in the motions , nor certainty in the point . when once a continual thoughtfulnesse possesseth us , the mind is disquieted and the face distorted : what light or reason can one believe to be , where there is nothing but black fumes , which melancholys sends up to the brain ? just as evill spirits joyn with storms to destroy men , to burn temples ; so do they often make use of this black humour to cherish in the soul superstition , despair and hypocrise . caesar mistrusted more the melancholy humour of brutus and cassius , then the mirth of dolabella . notwithstanding , if coldnesse be onely an effect of this constitution , it deserves excuse or pity : but if it proceeds from art , it cannot be exempted from suspition and blame . and to examine well the difference between these two humours , the modestie of women that are naturally free is in all their heart , and that of the affected ones is onely in their faces and outside ; the one are not good in effect ; the other ill onely in shew . suppose that casuists may rightly say of sports and pass-times , as physicians judg of mushrooms , that the best are naught : notwithstanding that , pleasures that are of themselves indifferent , and that the intention may make good , may not be absolutely cryed down : st. elizabeth of hungary did not forbear dancing , and her good humour did not impeach her canonization . those that are so nice in the use of lawfull things , are ordinarily very free in the enjoying of forbidden , when they are free from witnesses . and it is the misfortune of these times , that people put on so much colouring and studiednesse , that one dares not so much as laugh without giving occasion of suspition to weak spirits , or censure to wicked ; as if a merry humour were an infallible foreteller of the ilnesse of the mind . there be some stipocondriaques , that can endure mirth no more then owles can day-light ; and indeed , their faces presage somewhat so ominous , that it raiseth rather horror then inclination . they that will maintain their own good humour without any constraint for the vulgar errour , should chiefly keep themselves free from desire or sorrow , as from the greatest tyrants over our quiet ; for the one transports us to what is to come , and the other brings us back to what is past ; taking from us the libertie of setling our happinesse in our present content , as long as we either desire what is not yet , or lament in vain that which is no longer . strong wits easily resist this tyranny : as when ships are toss'd even in the height of the storm , the needle keeps alwayes straight upon its star , though the masts break , and the sails tear ; so wee should alwayes be even in the greatest inequality of our businesse . and if the winds can cast off the ship from the port , not the needle from its pole : so when it happens that misfortunes retard our pretension , they should notwithstanding never remove us from our reason and constancy . it is fit alwayes to avoid melancholy , what pretense soever it hath , as too troublesome to others , and too prejudicial to our selves ; for if it be natural , we humour too much such a temper ; if it be casual , we yeeld too much to the inconstancy of fortune . after having told what i like in a merry humour , 't is time to examine what i find fault within it : and since we have marked out those defects which many ascribe to melancholy , let us set our selves to speak the good effects and commendations of it . 't is that which renders our spirits subtle for knowledg , indefatigable for businesse , serious in conversation , constant in their designes , modest in good fortune , patient in ill , judicious and rationall in all things . 't is with this just temper that vertue cloathes her self to appear with all her ornaments ; and it is that which nature hath chosen to make kings and philosophers of ; and that grace it self hath alwayes imployed to bestow on the world extraordinary portions . those of this humor seem to be born wise , and that nature gives them more then th'others can acquire by study ; and that without the incommodity of age , they are possessed betimes of the maturity of it . indeed , their meditation is sometimes better then their discourse ; but as their judgment is solid , they despise that superfluous gloss which light wits set out to get opinion among the vulgar . in this modesty they resemble the eagle in the apocalyps , that had lights hidden within , and had eys under her wings ; whereas great talkers have them only in their feathers , as peacocks have them on their train , being rational only in colour and appearance . i deny not but merry humours have a kind of pleasantness in them , but they are subject also to great faults , because if jests ( which they ordinarly exercise themselves in ) be wel received of some , they offend more then they please , especially when religion or reputation are made their subject , it is the easiest thing in the world to turn them into impiety or scandal . points of wit are fine in discourse ; but we must take heed they be not so sharp as to draw bloud ; or otherwise , since one cannot jest on great ones without indiscretion , nor on the miserable without cruelty ; so that one must always offend against the laws of policy or nature , serious wits do well to abstain from such a practice , wch most cōmonly makes those that use it passe for buffons or enemies ; and gives themselves at last occasion to cry , after they have presented one for others to laugh : for my part , i think it not injury to melancholy humours , to affirm , they have no inclination to so idle a quality , which supposeth almost alwayes a lightnesse of wit , and often a loosenesse of conscience . it was of this windy temper that the foolish virgins were of ; and that those are of yet , which have more wit then judgment ; which notwithstanding seem at first to have some light , but it is such as is either false , or else lasts not long ere it be extinguished , letting it self be surprized for want of prevision enough in matters of importance . whereas the wise do never so much as slumber , when they should be ready upon good or ill accidents , for fear of being reduced to repentance and shame . and to take things as they are , since the soul and senses have a quarrell that must last as long as our life , and that the minde is strongest in the weaknesse of the body , as in the ruine of an enemy ; it is likely that when the humour is so gay and free , that is become the stronger ; on the contrary , when it is sad and pensive , it is made a slave to reason , as a maid that hath a discontented face when her mistris chides her . the joy that riseth from the conscience is not of this kinde , 't is purer , and is like the stars , that appear alwayes the same ; but that which comes from the body or constitution , is like comets , that draw their nourishment from below , from the exhalations of the earth , which presage only wofull events , and seem to leap into the air to run after vapours that nourish them , till they go out for want of that terrestrial matter : the passion of the melancholy ones hath no such thing as these tragick meteors to form or preserve it self : their love hath no pretension beyond the possession of the spirit ; so as their fire is most pure , it remits not the heat , it remains alwayes equall , like that which the philosophers beleeve to be under the orb of the moon . i confesse , that for affection , quick and lively humours are readier and franker ; but then the melancholy are the discreeter and more confident : these fasten themselves constantly to their designes , whilest the other change every moment ; their passions fitting themselves to all objects that are presented them , if not out of malice , 't is out of weaknesse ; and though their simplicity may deserve some excuse ; yet sure it is not reasonable that one should value much a natural goodnesse , that is rather an effect of the constitution , then the election : one that cannot easily do ill , may not glory in being good : if the simple do not much harm , they are not the better for that , since they do as much as they know how . and to alledg , that if they be not the better , yet they are the happier , because their spirits are as free from disquiet , as void of designe ; indeed this is the greatest reproach can be made them , to speak thus of them ; since it is to ground all their felicity upon their defects , and to confesse them happy only by their ignorance or stupidity . because marble feels no pain , we do not say , it is in good health ; we do not call it healthfull , but insensible . 't is thus that the simple are not unhappy , as the want of sense secures them ; and it is no great advantage to them to be exempt from care or disquiet , as stones are from diseases , or beasts are from contrition . if the stupid find themselves sometimes at the same point of tranquillity of spirit as the philosophers , 't is in a different way ; these overcome , what those understand not : snakes under ground are as safe from storms , as the serpent in the sky ; low spirits find security as well as they in crawling , safety in weakness : but it is much a braver thing to be above , then below the storm , to have it under our feet , then over our heads : since true felicity cannot be attained without vertue , and without morality , the happiness of the silly ones is of a far different nature from that of the wise : and ( me thinks ) they are happy in this world , but as infants without baptism are in the other world , in a limbus , where they subsist between good and ill , without being affected with either . the melancholy live not in this indifferency , they ow not their felicity to ignorance , but to the force of their wits ; they would be ashamed of such a happiness , and would complain of it , if they were injoyned to purchase an exemption from the sense of ill , by an insensibility of good . to know how much melancholy is superiour to other humors , we must consider that those that have but the hasty and light part of it , are not lesse incapable of resisting misfortunes , then of tasting true delights . their heat precipitates them into extremities ; they do nothing but by fits ; and as if they were composed of sulphur and gunpowder , the least spark fires their actions & thoughts , for which there is no remedy but to stay till the end of that impetuosity , which is quickly weary , and likely puts out it self . those spirits that have no conduct in their understandings , have also no courage in their afflictions ; they are ill souldiers , that use their buckler as ill as their sword . the same lightnesse which makes them rash in their assaults , renders them as yeelding or impatient when they come to suffer or defend themselves . on the contrary , the melancholy , that by a profound meditation , and a long habit of reasoning , have as it were formed to themselves a certain knowledg of the successe of all things , are never surprized with ill events . this stoicall vertue ( essentiall to their temper ) easily masters all those tumultuous and unruly motions that agitate violent spirits : the solidity of their judgments lets nothing be new or extraordinary to them , both for the diseases of the body , which they curb as wild beasts , when they cannot tame : and for the distempers of the minde , which are the passions , which they subdue by force of reason , and so remain alwayes victorious . if heretofore there hath been a man so bold as to stab the duke of milan in the midst of his guard , in the face of his court , nay in the church , ( the reverence and respect of the place , the glorious and awfull majestie which god imprints on the sacred face of princes not being able to give him the least sense of horrour or apprehension , in a purpose as detestable , as difficult to execute ) onely by having often practised upon the picture of this prince : what boldnesse will not providence afford the wise ? since this parricide , by having only studied a little while such a design , the very thought of which was enough to shake into a trembling every moment , both his hand and his conscience , testified so much assurance and resolution . we should not wonder if the melancholy are so constant , and that we never see them troubled , even when they are constrained to yeeld to necessity ; since they keep a secret retreat within themselves , whither the storms of fortune cannot reach . 't is thither where the soul retires to maintain her self in an eternall serenity , where she obtains an absolute empire over her opinions , where she entertaines her self solitarily even in the midst of company , and the crowd of the world interrupts not her repose and silence : 't is in this solitude of the superiour part , that the minde fortifies it self , and learns true morality , and where she advanceth to her self almost without time or experience , the providence of old men , and the wisdome of philosophers . lastly , 't is here , where if we lay up the images of pleasant things , by these means we may furnish our selves alwayes with fair thoughts ; for if the pleasing objects displease us , we may , coming back into our selves , content our spirits while our senses are persecuted , and entertaine our fancy with beauty at the same time when deformity takes up our eyes . but who can praise enough this noble thoughtfulnesse of the melancholly ? since it is by that the soul seemes to rid her self , when she pleaseth , of the troublesome commerce with the senses ; and we consider with an intention lesse distracted , what we are , when our imagination reflects us to our selves more clearly , and with lesse danger then the lovely fountain did to narcissus . i wonder not , that the poets faine that he lost himself , since he looked for himself out of himself : we are to be found truly no where but in our selves , every where else we meet but with our fantasme or our shadow . and therefore many have reason to say , that meditation is harder then extasie , as its easier to go out of our selves , then to re-enter into them , without the use of this noble thoughtfulnesse , to which the temper of melancholy is disposed . man seems to have but an imperfect reason , and even an uselesse : for as bees must retire themselves to make the honey , when they have gathered the matter from flowers ; so it is necessary , that after we have surveyed many objects , we should make a regress into our selves , to gather their fruit , and to draw from them conclusions ; otherwise all the study or experience we can have , will be but a confusion or mixture , it would be wealth that we should be ill husbands of ; our actions would be misguided , our thoughts without order , and our discourse without judgment . the most part of grosse spirits are of a quite contrary opinion , and cannot imagine pensivenesse to be any thing but such a trans , as mad men or sick persons are in ; this kind of meditation would hurt them as much as it frights them , and would be as contrary to them as unpleasing : it dazels weak spirits , and vexeth malicious ones ; it is the blind of the one , and the torment of the other : it is not like , that they that have nothing in their mindes but ignorance , or in their conscience but crimes , should bee much pleased to look into themselves to seek there satisfaction or rest : but to despise pensivenesse , because many lose themselves in it , is it not to condemn the use of fire and water , for some incommodities they have , without considering their necessity for our life ? i had as lieve blame the sun , because owls cannot endure the brightnesse of it , which eagles look upon so fixedly ; as if one should quarrell with the light , because weak eyes are dazled with its beams , and because they draw darknesse even from the spring it self of light . there is enough said for the apology and praise of melancholy , and for fear of being tedious in the problem , if i should go on , since both humours have somewhat good and ill in them , i have nothing to add , but that they should serve for remedies to one another : for the romans accounted them best among the tribunes that were most inclined to the senate , and those the wisest among the senators , that favoured most the party of the people ; to divert on the one side authority from tyranny , and on the other , liberty from insolence . so it seems , that the most excellent of the merry humour , are those that draw nearest to melancholy ; and amongst the melancholy , they that confine closest to the merry ; for being so tempered , the first will be discreeter , and the other lesse austere and troublesome . of reputation . reputation is a great treasure , and is no lesse usefull to vertue , then light to pictures , to set them off ; it is the fairest ornament of our civill life , and without which , the most glorious and illustrious actions remain smothered and obscured : but as it is got and lost now a dayes , it may be reckoned among the benefits of fortune , of which fools have often a better share then deserving persons . if it were to be distributed by good iudges , vertue would suffice for the acquisition of it ; but it hath often so ill arbitrators , that were we not bound by all means possible to avoid scandals , worthy persons might content themselves with the testimony of their own conscience , without being troubled for the opinions of the unadvised , which chance may make good or ill . opinion depends too little on our selves to make us unhappy , and it were a felicity very unsure , that the ignorance or malice of an enemy could remove . fame is sometimes an effect that seems to have no cause , and is rais'd like those alarms that disorder a whole army , without any bodyes conceiving the occasion . why then should we spend our spirits with so much unquietnesse , to know how we stand in the opinion of others , and afflict our selves for the errour of the vulgar ; as if the ignorant began but now to deceive themselves , and belie others . i should have reason to wonder with aristotle , why the ancients rewarded rather the strength of the body then minde , giving lawrels to wrastlers , and not to wise men ; but that ignorance and poverty disenabled them to set a prize of vertue : ignorance , because having the foundation and roots in the heart , men abuse themselves in their judgments of vertue poverty , because when we perceive the excellency of it , there is nothing in the world precious enough to serve for the recompence or coronation . the unadvised conceive often vertue , where there is nothing but vice , and without thinking what they do , give ill-favoured names to lovely things ; like astronomers , that call some stars buls and scorpions , that notwithstanding have neither fury nor venom , onely purity and light . i could wish that those that undertake to judge of things without well understanding the nature of them , were punished with such a correction as midas , that ( as ovid reports ) did prefer the noise of pan's rustick field-pipe , before the sweet ravishing tunes of apollo's lute , giving his voice to that whch made most noise . his judgment is like many of these times , that value every thing by the colour and looks , deserving no lesse then he , to wear long ears for a mark of their stupidity , and indeed to make more account of apparency then reallity ; is it not to prefer pan before apollo ? a pipe before a lute ? noise before harmony ? there is much brutality in such savage opinions ; yet notwithstanding they are the greatest number in the world , and 't is they that defame those that deserve a fair estimation : therefore i would reserve my sensiblenesse onely for those that may justly award reproach or praise , and would not think it fit to be angry at that , which i should laugh at . there are very few competent judges of things ; many mens wits goe no further then their eyes , and stay upon the colours : and i think that avoiding scandals , 't is enough to scape their imputations , without seeking their approbation . we are in an age of bravery and shew , where morality is thrown down , and where the vertues of the times consist no more in any thing but excesse and extravagancy : to be believed devout , we must go as far as superstition or hypocrisie ; and politick spirits use christianity as the stoïcks did philosophy , to abuse the vulgar , forming to themselves imaginary vertues , which humanity cannot attain to . it is a great unhappinesse that there is no honesty left in commerce , nor purity in religion ; and that we , as well as they in the exchange , must over-value our selves above what we are worth , or hope for , to keep up our credits . but to speak my opinion , rather as a philosopher then a disputant , we must not conclude , that reputation is to be neglected , because it is il distributed : this disorder doth not dispence with us for our duty ; and it were as ungracious to make our selves infamous for that reason , as to commit murders or robberies , because there have been thieves acquitted , and innocent persons condemned for that crime . since all women are not wise , and that there are more ruled by example , then by reason ; the most vertuous should consider , at least , that reputation is a publick good , and when it is corrupted , we are to seek to cure it , as we would to quench a fire , or to purge a popular contagion . indeed , one may laugh at them that allow themselves all kinde of liberty , because ill tongues rank the most vertuous with the most dissolute in the ill repute , and the most vitious with the most worthy in the good : as if kings would light torches at noon , because the sun lights peasants as well as them ; or as if they would be sick , and cast away their health , because their subjects are well ! we should not make our selves vitious , because others think ill of us ; but we should live better to deserve another opinion : the testimony of the conscience is more to be esteemed then all reports , though there were neither friends nor enemies to praise or reproach . handsom women will alwayes find satisfaction enough in their glasse ; and ill-favoured ones , vexation : the conscience doth the same for vice or vertue , as a glasse for faces . dissolute women are far from standing on good opinion , since they do all they can to have an ill one : and to consider well the life of a great many , it seems they would imitate lesbia in martial , that affected pomp and ostentation in her debauchery , and took more pleasure in the spectators , then the adulteries . shee was in her voluptuousnesse , as the sophisters were in their vertues ; they loved to do nothing well , shee nothing ill , but upon the stage . men should not throw themselves into despair for this , since this misfortune depends not on their carriage , and since the most illustrious persons have been lyable to it . the insolency of lucia did not abate the glory of her husband's victories . drusus nephew to augustus and marcus aurelius , obtained an immortall reputation , notwithstanding the lasciviousnesse of his wife . infamy should be personall , as sin is ; and we should not partake of the punishment or shame , when we have no part in the crime . since it is not enough to be vertuous , but it must be believed , we must be carefull of the apparances , and leave no pretences for ill tongues , which makes faults when they finde none . i will allow , that socrates loved not young alcibiades , but with all kinde of honour , and that his affection did not contradict his philosophy : yet notwithstanding , making him lye with him every night , he should have been cautious of his coming , and return , to take away the means from those that saw him come back in the mornings , to make use of the time and place of his visit for an occasion of censure ; though the oracle published his vertue , one cannot justifie his unadvisednesse in the carriage of this friendship . discretion and love agree not even in the best wits : it may be 't is for that the poets faign cupid to be still a childe , because let love grow never so old , it never arrives at the years of discretion ; his childishnesse lasts as long as himself , lest he should be ashamed of the fondnesse of his sports and dalliances . i do not wonder if love make us lose our reputations , since it makes us lose our wits ; and since socrates himself could not scape reproach in a bare friendship amongst the romans ; claudia , a vestall virgin , was innocent , yet was accused to have forfeited her honour , for smelling too curiously ; and it was thought enough to condemn her , that shee took a little more pains with her cloaths and discourse , then was necessary for a nun. indeed it was a light apparence to arraign her on ; but shee would not have been acquitted but by a prodigy , when shee moved a ship with her girdle , that many engines and men could not stir . whatsoever one can do or avoid , there is no infallible rule or means to preserve her reputation ; and since it depends on the opinion of others , there is more fortune then wisdom in it . we must not think that ignorance joyned with caution is sufficient for it , since god himself that is the spring of goodness and wisdome , saw himselfe traduced for a while by the impostures of his enemies that reported him a man addicted to vice and debauchery . this one example shewes sufficiently that there is somwhat else requisite besides vertue and dexteritie to preserve it . there is a strange unhappiness in some persons , that exposeth them to be talked of , no body knowes why : and that happens oftner to the vertuous then the other , because their denials procure them enemies , and they are often in danger , like susanna , to be accused of a crime they have refused to commit . there are some faces too that attract censure ; and this proceeds from fools , imagining that one cannot laugh without being vicious , and that there is no innocence but in frowardness & melancholy . it is the beliefe of the ignorant , that vertue should alwaies cry , and know not that we should beware of a dark humour , as of water that is overcast . and of all kinde of wits , there are none so harmless , as the most cheerfull . it were to be very dull , to beleeve one could not have a good humor without having an ill conscience : if there were neither malice nor enemies in the world , there are few things so sure or so true , that cannot bee taken diverse waies ; and if we examin well all our actions , it seemes that they are almost all subject to interpretation and dispute . who can judge certainly ( setting christianity a side ) of a man giving almes in publick , if it bee for good example or vanity ? may not one say of a patient man , that it is a signe of insensibleness , as soone as of vertue ? who knowes whether a merry humor bee a testimony of loosness or of freedome ? those that are serious , may they not pass for vaine or stupid , aswell as for modest ? the interpretation makes all ; and if the things were not indifferent , wee speake of them more according to our sense , then their nature . since it is so , wee should seeke our consolation in our owne hearts , as wise men doe ; and when we have done all that lies in us to deserve a good reputation , wee may despise an ill one . the neglect of detraction silences ill tongues , and the being moved with it quickens them : it is to acknowledg the force of their weapons , to confess that they have wounded us ; and those that are extreamly troubled with them , comply with their designes that would offend them , for t is to satisfie our enemy to let him know , hee keepes us unsatisfied . they that say that ill tongues are like sharpe set rasors , should add , that their edge hath most effect upon soft and yeelding things , and that stones turne their edge : it is as much as to say that spirits too sinsible suffer more then those that are of a firmer and more constant temper . whatsoever one steales or cuts from reputation , at last it comes againe like hair after it hath beene cut , if the roote remaine , and innocence staies with patience : howsoever if we be unjustly tax'd , we should comfort our selves more in the truth , then be displeased by an imposture . the innocent should be no more afflicted when they are called guilty , then if they were said to be sicke when they are well . from hence we may learne why vertuous women are less vindicative when they are tax'd then vitious , because as the most ill favourd will somtimes be thought the handsomest by painting , so the most unworthie strive by their cunning to be beleeved the modestest . this is the reason , they are so troublesome , and that one cannot touch their sore never so lightly , but they will cry out . all the world knowes how lucretia kild her selfe upon the violence of tarquin ; she said when shee was dying , that she had two irreproveable witnesses , her bloud to men , and her soule to the gods . but i am almost of the opinion of a great author , that accuseth her not to have bin alwaies so chaste , as she would have had beleeved by her death , and that if she had not bin guilty , she would have found more remedie in her conscience then in her death . some say , that she resisted rather out of an humor then consideration of vertue , and that having pass'd her time with some other minions of lesse quality then the tyrant , she feared that all her other faults should have been discovered by this , and that this fear made her resolve rather to let her selfe out of the world with her owne hands , then to stay in it too long to survive her reputation . of inclination to vertue , chiefly to the devotion of the times . those that imagine that womens piety is but a tenderness in their nature , or weakness of their wits , are not of my opinion ; and me thinks , do them no less affront , to deny them this divine quality , then if they should take their eyes from them , which make the best part of the face . we may believe , that they that would have a woman irreligious , desire she would be insolent and without ingenuity ; and having after razed out of her minde the sense and respect of religion , they mean to spoil her of that which gives her so powerful an advantage amongst men . it is an old craft that began with the world , and licentious men do but the same in that with the women of this age , which the divel did practise upon the first , when he took from her the fear of god , that so he might afterwards easily perswade her to all kinde of liberty . those impious ones , that steal the immortality of the soul , to bestow it on their infamous delights , and that would ( if they could ) deprive of an eternall existence this most pure and simple essence , that contains all , and is bounded by nothing , are very foolish to aime at the reputation of good wits , by the slighting of religion ; especially during a reign , and in a court , where there may be engraven in greater characters , then was ever upon the medals of adrian the emperour , the emperiall piety . the hermits of this time , may ( as well as that of theodosius the younger ) leave their solitude , and come and study perfection in the kings palace , and take examples of austerity in the seat it self of pleasures . we have no need now adayes to seek in cloysters precepts for a christian life ; 't is enough now to be a good courtier , to be devout . one cannot now observe the laws of policy by violating those of christianity ; and it is an happy necessity , that makes the licencious wits of the court inexcusable ; that now adayes , unless one will make himself ridiculous , a man must get his fortune and his salvation both together . ladies that would shew that they are inclined to vertue , should be more gratious to such spirits as are addicted to it then to the other , lest it should be thought if they favour'd either libertines , or stupid ones , that the resemblance had tyed this knot ; those that shew either hatred or coldness to deserving persons , declare by the repugnancy to good things , they are fit for nothing but ill ones : weake wits have not estimation enough to publish their vertue , nor discretion enough to conceale their defects . yet we often see those that are full of vanity and affectation , picke out among those fools their admirers and confidents ; as if it were not a blind choice to elect so ill judges of their merits , and so ill secretaries to their delights . ignorance and simplicity are two unsure trusts , interest and perswasion will drawe any thing from them , and if imprudency were not provoked , it would often speake , when it should be silent . midas addrest himselfe ill to reedes to keepe secret his long eares ; he would have been better served by a discreet man , then he was by that plant ; and dull people , as he did , finde by wofull experience , that there can be no true fidelity , where there is no wit or reason : there are more histories of this then fables , we need not look back to the times past to seeke examples , which we have store of every moment , which might serve for the subject of tragedy and farses . and for piety , if any body objects against it , that it deads good humor , and breeds too much melancholy for company . indeed i doe not approve of those that put their devotion upon the racke to make it scoul , as if one could not be saved without being ugly . when the grace of god is in the soul , the face is toucht over with the sweetness of it , and not the features and colours of the damned . the weather is overcast when it is disposed to raine , and dejected looks prognosticate somewhat ominous in their musings . those that have no purpose to doe ill , nor remorse for having done ill , are not of this froward humor , which is as contrary to devotion as to comliness . this no way detracts from penitence ; it raines in summer , aswell as winter , and love sheds as many teares , as feare . joy cryes aswell as sorrow , and the remembrance of sin doth not deject us so , that the returne to grace may not raise us again to joy . sometimes it rains when the sun shins , so repentance doth often powr down tears upon smiling faces . bees draw honey from flowers without spoyling them by touching them ; devotion doth yet more in every profession where it is , beautifying and making it more lovely . and if precious stones put into honey , take a lustre from it according to their naturall colours ; so there is no condition in the world that doth not improve the estimation of it , when it is accompanyed with piety ; it makes the professed religious more cheerfull , and lay men lesse insolent , moderating pleasures , and sweetning austerities ; it makes marriage the comlier , warre the juster , commerce the faithfuller , and the court the fuller of honour . it is much ignorance and tyranny , to believe it can be found no where but in cloysters , and that one can have nothing to do with it abroad in the world , without incroaching upon the charter house or the capuchins . we are in times where it is not accounted of , if it be not excessive in appearance ; so that many content themselves to have a becoming devotion , or rather , a humane religion . i never see this monstrous devotion , but it puts me in mind of the trojan horse , that was stuff'd with enemies , for which notwitstanding ( by reason of the pretence of piety they did not onely open their gates , but broke down their walls to receive with more solemnity the present devoted to minerva ; but since laocoon , that took a lance in his hand to sound it , and to try if it were hollow , was punished for his just curiosity , let us content our selves to disapprove of these shewes of the times , lest we come off as ill as he did , if we undertake to quarrell with it . indeed , those women that keep such adoe , and use so much craft to deceive some eyes under the pretext of conscience , do like spiders , that take a great deal of pains to make webs , where they themselves are hung at last , without any other advantage , but to have caught flyes , and they shallow-brains . cleer spirits scorn this , and i cannot conceive how discreet women can mistake dreams for revelations , or let themselves be surprized by such illusions . likely , those that seem very fond of their husbands , it is with designe to deceive them ; and among the romans , ladies have been suspected of their husbands death , onely for crying excessively over their tombs . in religion as well as society , dissimulation is commoner then truth ; and this great shew is at least suspicious , if not vitious : superstitious women make more scruple of a litle sin then of a great one . and are like the jewes , that made more conscience of entring into the pretor-hall , then of condemning christ ; or of not washing their hands , then of persecuting innocence . it is true , that women retaine that of the first , that made more ceremony , and shewed more feare to touch the forbidden fruit , then to eate it . these questions , tales and scruples without reason , trouble not discreet persons , that follow alexanders example , vertuously cutting off troublesome knots , rather then yeelding themselves to unty them , as the vulgar doe , that are ignorant of true devotion . notwithstanding this , lest we should passe from one extreme to another , we must behave our selves in taxing superstition , as those that in the time of xerxes , burned the houses in asia . they medled not with the buildings neer the temples , not only to preserve those sacred places from being burnt , but for feare they should be so much as black'd : so in this case , we omit many things which we might blame with justice , but not without danger of driving weake spirits to impiety : when superstition riseth from simplicity , it deserves pitty or excuse ; but when from art , punishment and suffering . the ears that cover the corne , or the leaves about trees are not superfluous , nature hath given them either to preserve or beautifie them . ceremonies are of the same use to religion , and as devotion is inseparable from love , it borrowes often loves raptures , and gods servants can containe themselves no more , then prophane ones , which honor their mistresses , even in haire and ciphers ; divine love expressed more favour in the effects then the worldly : and a great author sayes very well , that if the poets cupid have two wings , that the seraphins have six . it is true , that hypocrites are not so reproveable as libertines , because it is better to counterfeit vertue then vice . but in what concernes conversation , the best covering is to have none , because it is easier to be good in effect , then only in shewe , and it is lesse paine to certifie the conscience then to set the behaviour . after all this , it cannot be denied that women are not firmer and truer in their devotion then men , since in that occasion where there was most affection to be shewed to god , there were found three maryes under the cross , where there was but one disciple . of chastity and complacency . it is fit to joyn these two fair qualities , to reduce them to a perfect temper ; since there be some that become shy and wild by being chaste ; and others that refuse nothing out of complacency . it is indeed , to be either too good , or too ill an humour , and is but changing of vices , in stead of avoyding them . if vertue have two extremes that offend it equally , one must not make use of the one for defence against the other ; as if one must be covetous , for fear of being prodigall ; or throw ones self into the fire , to escape the water . morality approves not such a carriage ; it doth not teach us to pick out , but fly from sins ; to fix only upon vertue , which is hard to find , because either excesse or scarcity hides it from the ignorant . they that think women cannot be vertuous and obliging , understand little the nature of vertue : nay , are voyd of common sense , much more of any right opinion . vertues are but divers , not contrary , and the correspondence is too naturall not to be able to subsist in the same subject ; when they are well suted , they do better in one anothers company , then alone . 't is that which theodosius was so much commended for among the emperors , seeming to make himself esteemed by contrary qualities ; his gentlenesse abated not his majestie , nor his severity his complacency . there are some that affect so much a pleasingnesse , as their smiles seem rather ridiculous then cheerfull ; and others so much on the contrary , as to put on gravity , look like furies , or school-mistresses : whatsoever is in it , when one considers well these two humours , they are to be suspected either of art or stupidity ; because if it be without design , there is no wit in it ; if it be with design , the serious ones intend to deceive , and the easie ones to be deceived . these believe , that their easinesse is ascribed to their humour ; and the others , that their coldnesse is understood an effect of their vertue . these tricks take not long , especially with discreet persons , among which the best way to seem chast is to be so . as the hypocriticall are least devout , so the most reserved are sometimes the least chaste . hecuba may have an handsome masque , and hellen an ill-favoured one ; but this ugliness or that beauty abuseth but such eyes as stagger at appearancies . they have more diversity of falsifying and colours , then the rain-bow , whose figure turned upward , their dissimulation doth often set on their husbands foreheads chastity must needs be a divine quality , since even the enemies of it esteem it , and that the most debauched respect them lesse that yeeld , then those that hold out . apollo being in love with daphne , when he could not work upon her by his discourse nor pursuit , turned her into a laurell , of which he himself hath since worn crownes . iupiter being passionate for io , had no sooner gained her , but he chang'd her into a cow . how different are these two metamorphoses ? the refusall is better rewarded then the consent . respect waits upon desire , and neglect followes possession . the god pan being taken with the beauty of a nymph , used violence after his prayers , pursuing her to the brim of a river , where she going to precipitate her self , he in pity of her , chang'd her into a reed , which he made himself a pipe of , in honour of her resistance , and to have it every foot in his hands to play with it , and kisse it . those that are gained are not used so , because they have not that honour , which our cavaliers seek with so much care and pains . those that promise to themselves never to go so far , and never to do any but indifferent favours , such as civility allows , after having given way to more then they should , find a precipice where they look'd only for entertainment . love ( like serpents ) works himself in intirely , at the least overture is made him ; his beginning is ordinarily contrary to his end ; the pretences are alwayes usefull or honourable . i could wish that the imprudency of many ladies did not so often make a truth of the fable of europa : this young princesse walking innocently on the sea side , where she considered her flocks , saw a bull that pleased her better then any of the rest ; she draws neer to make much of him , and gets upon him ; he proud of his fair office , gets by little and little into the water , and so far , as she looks back too late to the shore , not being able to return to it , she was carried away into an iland , where she finds too late , that this bull was a god , disguised to surprize her . thus you see what becomes of it when one playes with beasts , when one is freer and more familiar with stupid then witty passions : europa was bolder with a bull , then she would have been with iupiter , if he had declared himself ; he made his approaches easier under the skin of a beast , then he could have done in the likenesse of a god . the most crafty ( in his imitation ) counterfeit themselves simple and ignorant , to attain easier their pretensions . they steal from little favours to greater , and so still carry on their work , till they change their intreaties into threats , and their softnesse into violence ; and then one finds too late , that true simplicity is abused , when it plays with falsified . the fear of losing their reputation after having given some advantages , debaucheth many : but 't is fit they should be punished for this facility , to teach them , that there is no trusting to beasts ; and that the freest and most ingenuous wits are the most vertuous , and most capable of friendship . a poet speaking of the favours which ladies give , sayes , that fools are happier in them then deserving persons , because their violence takes more then the others perswasion , by reason of their opinion , that it is lesse shame to let men take , then to give , as the violence seems to excuse the consent . but t is the opinion but of one man , fitter to be despised , then believed ; and that doth not detract lesse from truth , then from ladies honours , which ordinarily are not woundded , but for want of cunning against the subtilty of their enemies . it is hard to use so many tricks and inventions to be lovely , without loving ; those that give love at their pleasure , do sometimes receive it as pleaseth him . they should do a miracle , to have so much fire in their eyes , without any in their heart ; and let them be never so confident , their looks cannot warm others , without heating it self in its own sphere . loves weapons are but ill ones ; for one seldom useth them to wound others , but they either begin or end with themselves . i have heretofore thought much upon the statue of venus made by phydias , which had a tortoise under the feet of it ; and i believe , the greatest mystery that can be found in it , is , that tortoises seldom move , or if they do sometimes stir , 't is always covered or armed , carrying their house over their head . venus despiseth the solitary and the reserved ; those that run after all companies and publick assemblies so eagerly , please her better to enlarge her empire ; and above all things , she hath alwayes loved nakednesse , since it got her the golden apple , which pallaases arms and iunu's cloathes could not obtain of paris . when either solitude or company grow wearisome , they serve for remedies to one another , as rest and labour , or day and night ; but we must know , that the one gives more occasions of doing ill then the other ; and those that delight to be often among their enemies , have a mind either to master them , or make them friends . let the company be never so good , cautiousness is better then confidence : and since she that should be the example of her sex , was abash'd with an angel that appeared with the face of a man , women should always apprehend men , though they are in the form of angels , unles it be , that not meaning as she did , they have no need of fear . it is ill argued , to say , that timorousness restrains women more then vertue : if their inclination be ill , sollicitation will imbolden it ; experience teacheth us , that if they be apprehensive , it is rather of being vitious , then of being censur'd . those that writ the scriptures and the proverbs , have said all things to their advantage ; they have confess'd , that chastity belongs particularly to women , because they that have it not are counted monsters . one could not have wonder'd so much at the want of it , if the quality were not natural to them . indeed , there have been men that have possessed this vertue , but it hath been upon occasions where some consideration hath taken away the merit from it . alexander shewed some continency with darius his wifes ; but to prove it was rather policy , then vertue , what did he not do with the amazons ? scipio being very young , restored a very handsom woman that was presented him , to her husband ; but there it was pride that was stronger then love , because he had lost his credit with the spaniard , if he had accepted the offer . what praise doth lenocrates deserve for forbearing to enjoy that lady which was brought him ? his coldness proceeded from his age ; besides , he was drunk , and sought for rest ; and if he had not been neither drunk nor sleepy , it was so common a one , as the most debauched would have been ashamed of , as well as a philosopher . there needs no long discours to prove that chastity belongs not to men , they themselvs quit their part of it , and believe it were to encroach on the profession of women , to practise the precepts they give them , or not to be before them in the violation of so fair maxims for honor and chastity . is is not a strange custom and worthie of reproof , to see men take all kind of liberty , without allowing the least ? one might think by their tyranny that marriage was instituted to only make jailers for women . there is much ingratitude , as well as injustice in it , to exact a fidelity which one will not return , when the obligations to it are equall . women have wit and conscience enough to beleeve that revenge would cost them too dear , if they lost their own vertue to take satisfaction of their husbands viciousnesse . octavia did not desist from loving mark antony singularly , whilest he made love to cleopatra , and left a great beauty at rome , to possesse a lesse in aegypt . they that have this constancy , deserve admiration ; but those that have it not , have some colour for their weaknesse : example pleads for them ; for they imagine that it is not likely that a chrystal should resist blows that might break diamonds or marble . if i may be allowed to give my opinion after my prayers , since god loved one of his disciples more tenderly then the rest , one may have a particular inclination without blemishing chastity , that doth not banish affections , but regulates and moderates them : yet we must take heed that kindnesse which in its own nature is a vertue , be not made a vice in the practice : not to be couzened in it , the end and designe of it must be examined as soon as it begins , and we must assure our selves , that it is forbidden , if we pretend to any thing but affection ; since dishonest love is the trade of those that do not spend their time in some commendable imployment ; we must believe that chastity is preserved by occupation , and corrupted by idlenesse . diana hunts , and pallas studies , but venus is idle . of courage . men think that courage is a qualitie inseparable from them , and by a peculiar priviledge essentially tyed to their sex , without bringing other ground or title to it , but their own presumption : but he that had much adoe to imagine that there was so much as one brave or valiant woman in the world , made them full reparation for so great an injury ; and though he was accounted the wisest and most powerful of all men , he lost that high advantage among women , which weakned him so far as to bring him to sacrifice to idols : histories are full of their generous action for the preservation of their countrey , for love of their husbands , and for the religion of their ancestors . as the strength of the braine is shewed in walking a top on high , without feare of falling ; so the force of our wits is expressed in looking upon precipices and danger without disorder . the stupid have not this advantage when they expect hazards , nor the rash when they seeke them ; none but the wise defend themselves from misfortune , without either being precipitate or insensible , since courage should always be with a free deliberation ; and that it is neither a forced vertue , nor a parly natural . i can hardly hold them generous whose constitution makes so light , as they are transported without any cause ; nor those that nature has made so heavy , as they cannot resent injuries and offences . this is either an excesse or a defect of sensibleness , and may be better cald stupidity or levity then courage . if there must be judicionsnes in all the discourse of an orator , prudency should be found in all the actions of a wise man ; and without that , let polyphemus be never so strong , it will not save his sight ; and though vlysses be the weaker , the gyant with all his strength cannot defend himselfe against him . they that know the temper of women , will confesse , that they have a great disposition to true courage , being neither cold to a degree of insensibleness , nor hot to a degree of rashness . couragious persons do not throw themselves into all occasions , as if they had as many lives to lose , as the world had hazards & misfortunes : let them set never so good a face on it , even the bravest find some paine to expose themselves , for that which depends meerely on opinion , and are unwilling to commit a fault , which even the losse of their lives cannot repaire . temerity is punished in the other world after it hath bin blamed in this : those that have this vertue , will not allow anger or dispaire the name of courage , and i cannot thinke that men have reason to call women fearfull , because they are not hasty & unadvised . those that say , i make an apology for slackness , wil not take it ill , if i answer , that they make one for brutality . what glory is there to cut one anothers throat ? and what advantage , but the fashion to brag of a profession , which the g●thes were masters of , and hath given us both the rules & examples of ? what is easier then to let our selves be carried away with fury , and follow the motions of our passions ? those that the vulgar call valiant are like glasses , which one can scarce touch without breaking . they know not that wits , like bodies , are alwayes most sensible where they are weakest . if it be generosity to be tetchy and complaine every foot , the sick have more then the found , old men then young , & fools more then wise men : when seare and boldness are reasonable , they oppose not one another , the one opens our eyes for a prevision of misfortunes , the other animates us to a resistance of them when they are present . i doe not thinke that any body will deny this faire quality to women , when they shall have read this story which tit. livius hath left us to their advantage , which he confesseth to have writ with love and admiration . after philip king of macedon had put to death the principall lords of thessaly , many , to avoid his cruelty , fled into strange countries ; poris and theoxena took the way to athens , to seeke that safety which they could not have in their owne province : they put to sea , but so unhappily , as the contrary winds drove them back into the same port from whence they had set sayle . the guards perceiving them at the sun rising , advertised the prince of it , and strived to take from them that liberty which they valued above their lives . poris in this extremity useth prayers to satisfie the souldiers , and to call the gods to his relief . but theoxena , seeing her death unavoidable , and resolving not to fall into the tyrants hands , saved her children from captivity by an extraordinary resolution . she offerd a dagger to the eldest , and to the lesser a little cup ful of poyson , saying thus , there is no saving of our lives and liberties ; and since we must resolve to die , courage children , it is better to chuse a death then to be forced to take it from these insolent hands . they that are strong enough let them make use of this weapon , and the weaker of this drinke . her children having obeyed her , she threw them half dead into the sea , and embraced her deare poris to throw her selfe into the water in his armes in the sight of his souldiers , that could not chuse but lament the losse , and admire the resolution of this lady . i doe confesse , there is somewhat in this story contrary to our faith , but courage and constancy shine in it in a marvellous brightness . i can scarce beleeve there can be found among men greater , nay even a parallel . if the courage of theoxena appeared in the defence of her liberty , this of megistona was yet more remarkable to save that of her countrey . after that aristotimus had usurped the soveraignty of elida , he expulsed the best part of the citizens , and seemed to grant the prayers of those unfortunate men , that asked leave for their wives to follow them in their distresses : he yeelded them their request ; but assoone as he perceived that the wives were prepared to be gone , and preferred the company of their husbands before the staying in the towne , he put many of them to death and the rest in prison . yet because tyranny doth not doe lesse hurt to those that exercise it , then those that indure it , and that there is little safety when one hath as many enemies as subjects , aristotimus began to apprehend his fall ; news was brought him that the banishd citizens had made a body and joyned to besiege elida . the barbarian being in dispaire , conscious of his owne weakness , finding no readier remedy , went furiously to the prison to command the wives to write to their husbands to pacify them . megistona despised his command , and without fearing the effects of his unjust power , made this answer in the name of all . thou shewest enough that thou wantest judgment , as well as courage , if thou comest to entreat those that thou hast used so ill , and if thou expectest favour from those that never received mercy from thee ; the horrid darkness of this place , nor the threats of death shall never make us so base as to betray our countrey , for which we will constantly give our lives , after having lost our liberty . aristotimus being exasperated by this discourse commands megistona's sonne to be brought to him to put him to death in the presence of his mother ; and when he could not be knowne among the rest , megistona calls him out by his name , with a protestation that she had rather see him dead then captive in aristotimus his hands , who drew his sword to kill him . in this disorder the tragedy was ended , he was besieged without , and they conspired against him within the towne , where he was murdered in the market place . megistona comes out of prison to be as mercifull as she had bin generous . she saved aristotimus his daughters from being ravished , representing to this mutinous people , that they should not make themselves guilty of a crime that they had punish'd , nor commit a cruelty upon the children in doing justice on the father . euripides admireth the temperatness of iphigenia , when she was made an immolation to diana for the stag which agamemnon had kild . why doe you lament ( said she to her father ) her that dyes so pleased , since the oracle commands it , and for the good of greece ? and if the successe of your armes be dependant on the losse of my life , i accuse not destiny , and am sorry for nothing but that i have but one life , that i might offer you as many lifes as i wish you triumphs : howsoever your victories shall be cheerfull like to this offering , which is the price and presage of it . this young beauty in the midst of the publick feares dyed thus sweetly and 〈◊〉 , and res●sted no more the sacrifi●●● , then a rose doth the gatherer . what resolution did the french ladies expresse at the siege of beauvais , when they repulsed charls duke of burgundy when he besieged the towne in lewis the second his time ? though xenophon hath made cyrus the example of all monarks , was he not defeated by queen tomyris , with these reproaches , drinke now thy fill of that thou hast so much thirsted after ? did not the ladies of aquileia give their hayre to make bow-strings against the emperour maximinus ? did not the roman , and marcellian ladies doe the same ? and if i may be allow'd to give my opinion after my commendations , those that kill themselves are not couragious but defperat ; it is to render the place in stead of defending it , and give our selves to the enemy , without his taking the pains to overcome us . there is no great resolution to choose death for its owne remedy , and become our owne executioners . notwithstanding , men are found as often guilty of this lightness as women , without exempting even the greatest personages . cato conceived he should find more redresse for his ill fortune in his wounds , and his violence to himselfe , then in constancy & reason . ladies must take heed too , that they be not bolder for their passions , then for vertue ; 't is that wherewith their enemies charge them . but howsoever i cannot approve of those that are like theria the corinthian ; she was so afraid of flies , as she would indure no light in her chamber , for feare of seeing them ; yet she had boldness enough to kill her husband . it is to abuse feare aswell as boldness , to apprehend flies , and to commit murders with so much confidence . of prudence and discretion . if the oracle of apollo declared socrates the wisest of all men : socrates confessed freely , that his diotima had taught him the wisdom and prudence which the gods themselves judged incomparable . it was no little advantage to this woman , to have instructed this philosopher , which might give rules to all men for life and manners . though aristotle were one of the greatest enemies of women , he hath notwithstanding given testimonies , that he preferred truth before hatred , confessing in the second book of his politicks , that they did mannage amongst the lacedemonians , the affairs of greatest importance . it is a tyranny and a custome that is not lesse unjust then ancient , to reject women from publick and particular government , as if they were fit for nothing but to spin : their wit is apt for more elevated actions : and if one will mark what they have done , one may easily judg what they are capable of . if men sometimes took their advice , whom god hath given for their help and consolation in their affairs , it may be they would have a happier successe . at least , these following stories will witnesse , that the praises we give them , are not ill grounded , and that we have a reason to maintain , that their prudence hath often brought remedy to the most desperate diseases of states and provinces . when the sabines demanded roman women in marriage with their swords in their hands to revenge a refusall ; the senate was puzzled to make an answer , in a case where a denyall would beget a certain warre , or the grant of it would hazard their state ; because their allyance was but a colour to make themselves masters of rome : tutola being very young , presented her self with her advice , which at first surprized them ; but afterwards succeeded to the glory of the romans , and shame of the strangers . after having perceived a great irresolution in the discourse of so many old senators , whom experience should have furnished with good counsell , she proposed to them , to agree to their demands , and to dresse their maids like brides , and to carry them to the sabines , who preferred their pleasure before their designe of making warre . these slaves seeing their pretended husbands in a sound sleep , subtilly stole their armes from them , and advertised the roman souldiers of it by a lighted torch ; who carryed back a victory where fortune had no part . one cannot praise enough the conduct , courage and affection of tutola , that found an expedient for the common-wealth , when all the senate could find nothing but fear and apprehension . the sabine women have not got lesse reputation in the like occasion , then the roman . although these two people were allyed , yet they made mortall war one upon another : the squadrons being ready to joyn battell , the sabines threw themselves between the two armies , covered with mourning , their hair about their ears , and their children in their arms . what ? ( said they to the romans ) have you forgot that we are your daughters ? do you not see that we are between our fathers and our husbands ; and that you will be no lesse obliged to lament the victory if you gain it , then if you loose it ; since these children will be without fathers , and your daughters without husbands . and you sabines , what fury transports you to seeke the spilling of blood , which is so allyed to you ? you can never report your victory , without publishing in parricide , and relating a story which will be as shameful to you as lamentable to us . we have put on black , because mourning is unevitable , since we must needs bewaile our husbands , or our fathers : if you have a minde to goe on , exercise your rage upon us , that had rather dye then be either widows or orphans . this spectacle with their discourse , did so soften the hearts of those warriers , that they contracted an inviolabile friendship . the sabins afterward inhabited rome , and these two people became one ; and romulus , to honour the wisedome and conduct of the sabines , gave their names to the decargos , bands of ten men . the prudency and generosity of ladyes , gave the laced monians an occasion to build a temple dedicated to venus armed , where pallas seemed to cite her before paris , to demand satisfaction of him for taking away her armes , after having carried the apple from her ; but venus replyes nothing in her defence , but that if she had been victorious naked , she would be so much more , armed . yet to speak my opinion more particularly in this morall ; me thinks , it is not enough for worthy women to have a pleasingnesse without discretion : ladies are but humane by beauty ; but as it were divine by prudence : beauty asketh but love , but wisdome challengeth admiration . it is vertue that gives them most authority and respect : and without which , the rest are without ornament , at least without order , like scatter'd flowers which the wind parts , and carries up and down confusedly . with discretion the vicious preserve their honour , and without it the vertuous lose it . in matters of love and pride women never want dexterity ; their wit alwayes accompanies their passion . iacobs mother is witnesse enough of their ability , in the inventions she gave him to supplant his brother . prudence and wariness are inseparable : and as rashness exposeth the most powerfull to danger , so distrust keeps the weakest in safety . ladies may , as well as misers , be afraid of the shadow of a reed , that is , of the least occasion ; since they have a treasure about them as well as they , which is easier lost , and worthier to be kept . the poets pallas , which should be an example to the wise , was alwayes armed ; to shew them , that they should be still upon their guard . and indeed , what worth soever one can have , she that is without fear is like a city without walls ; as easie to be taken as hard to be kept . i mean not a frantick fear , which is a greater ill then that which is threatned ; but a wise one , which proposeth ill accidents without distempering the body or disquieting the conscience . if pratling and pert women be offended that i esteem modesty more then prudence , i would advise them to quarrell with their own shameless humour , that decryes them in all companies . those that ordinarily take so much upon them , have little in them ; that are like apes , that are never more beasts , then when they put on mens cloathes . discretion is never parted from prudency , it is treasure that nourisheth it self whilest it is covered . like that lamp in the time of the romans , that remained almost a thousand years lighted , as long as it was under ground , and went out as soon as ever it was brought into the air . those that would seem wise labour in vain ; the best wits cover the springs of their motions , lest they should not be ingenuously dealt with , and so they should be rather fenced with then trusted . the greatest and most common sin in the world , is to chuse ill , either for love or fortune . prudence provides against this miscarrying , since it is particularly imployed to deliberate and elect . indeed , a great many have much need of this vertue , and should not wonder if they repent them of their loves ; because understanding and election doth not precede them . there are some women that seem to have meer brutality in their designes , making monsters the objects of them , even as far as to imitate her in ariosto , that preferred a dwarse before a prince ; violating at once the lawes of merit , quality , and marriage . there 's no wisdom to hold ones peace , or to talk alwayes ; pratling shews a giddinesse in the brain , and overmuch silence either stupidity or scorn . one may discourse a whole day , and yet speak little ; but sometimes one may say too much in speaking but a word . there is not so much discretion to speak few words , as no superfluous or impertinent ones : otherwise , the dumbe were borne with great advantage , if we must retrenche the use of the tongue in stead of moderating it . women dispute secrecie with a great deale of justice , with men ; and though they are accused , to have no inclination to silence , they doe keepe it inviolably when it is required . what threats soever nero could make to epicarmis a roman lady to learne of her the complices in a conspiracy she was accused of , he could never make her speake against the purpose she had , of keeping a secret of that importance ; the sight of torments shooke the resolution of her partners , but she prevented the executioners , and made the tyrant confesse , that she had more constancy and discretion , then the men had feebleness . this action witnesseth sufficiently , that they are much to blame , that neglect women where wisedome and silence are required . when theseus was in the labyrinth exposed to the mino-taur , who gave him meanes to escape but ariadne ? whithout the thrid that she gave , how could he ever have unwinded himself out of those mazes ? this labyrinth is the image of intricate affayres or occasions , theseus represents men puzled in them , the thrid is wisedome : and ariadne gives it , who figures to us judicious ladies , which ordinarily rescue men in extremities , which they could not deliver themselves from . when iason should have served for a prey to the furious bull which guarded the fleece , was it not medea that charmed them , and freed the passage for that cavalier , to carry that away which no body durst undertake ? by the bull we must unstand perils , which often intercept the possession of brave things ; by the fleece , our designes and pretensions ; and by medea , ingenuous women , that can charme dangers , and have no other spels but their wisdome and behaviour to deliver those that , like iason , have more boldnesse then dexterity to undertake what they have no means to accomplish . of knowledge and ignorance . a woman without wit when shee is handsome , is an object rather of pity then desire ; and when shee is ill favourd , t' is a fearfull monster that frights all the world : because as beauty withont discretion , cannot defend it selfe ; so ugliness with ignorance is not to be endured ; and if the knowledge of good things , sets a gloss and luster on the actions of the one ; it serves to excuse and varnish the imperfections of the other , to make her lesse troublesome , and to repaire by the faculties of her wit , the defects of her face . and if i would maintaine , as my theame obliges me , that a lady should be learned to excell in conversation , it may be this opinion will offend at first , that of ignorant and stupid men , that imagine to make a neere resemblance to themselves , that a woman cannot study nor read without forgetting honour and vertue , at least without requiring a justification for it . but those that judge so rashly , neglecting what they should desire , as if they were bound to hate the perfection they have not , or that they should not esteem any but shallow wits , to satisfie the diffidence of themselves , in stead of representing to themselves , that such women , that have not judgement enough to discerne vice , have no more to make choyce of vertue , or to know how to prefer upon all occasions , reallity before apparency . but they that are never so little versed in morality , are not of this mind , because we find every day by experience , that the light of reason is as it were natural vertue , which disposeth us to doe well , almost without study . and that we seldome see a good wit , without a good conscience . the helpe of reading fortifies this good inclination , and those that perswade themselves , that reading is a schoole to learn to doe ill cunningly , it would become them better to beleeve , that ladies find in it more arms to defend , then to hurt themselves ; and more meanes to conquer , then to be overcome . reading and conference are absolutely necessary to render both the wit and the humor acceptable ; and as the one collects the matter of our discourses , the other gives us a method to expresse them gracefully , to joyne together facility and abundance ; otherwise conversation is but an insupportable tyranny , and t is impossible without suffering the torture , to stay long with such women , that can entertaine one with nothing but with the number of their sheepe , if they be of the country ; or if they be of the court , that speake nothing but what bands and gownes are in fashion . taylors or shepherds are better read in this , and a plain semstresse hath a great advantage over them in company . it must not then be imagined , that speaking of this accomplished woman , whose image we have now to draw , that wee meane to figure the mother of a family , that can governe well her maids , and takes care to combe her children . musick , history , philosophy , and other such exercises , are more sutable to our designe , then those of a good huswife , and there are none so removed from common sense , that will not confess that without these good qualities , though ladies have an excellent wit , yet it is often full of ill things , and troublesome in discourse ; the best land beares but bryars and thornes , when there is nothing sowed upon it , where art and labour might bring fourth lillies and tulips : it is that which is often wanting to their good inclinations and desires , when tyranny or some other misfortune barrs them the possession of these faire qualities , of which nature has given them a capacity . for to say they are not fit for knowledges , me thinkes it is to mis-judge of there constitution , which as the physicians say , being more delicate then ours , is also better disposed for them : but it maybe , 't is an effect of their judicious choyce , to quit freely the vexation and musings of study , as an occupation that the wisest and most knowing of men , had call'd wearisome . and i may say without flattering them , or without pretending by this insinuation to the honour of their good graces , that they are capable of as many vertues as men ; and if sometimes they quit their claime which they may lay to them , 't is rather out of modesty or consideration then unaptness . our ancient gaules divided with them , the glory of peace and war : reserving only the active part of armes unto themselves , and leaving them the establishment of the lawes and the preservation of common wealths , that was not to be done by ignorant ones : and one may judge in what esteeme our ancestors held them , since they alloted to the men onely the exercises of the body , and to women the abilities of the minde . what knowledge can be thought either so difficult or so divine , in which women have not excell'd , at least , as well as men ? was not aspatia judged worthy to teach pericles , who notwithstanding might have instructed all the world ? what need we to name many women , that have penetrated the greatest mysteries , and have bin so knowing in divinity , even to the admiration of the greatest doctors ? this matter is too ample to prosequute ; although men be very sparing and reserved in writing their prayses , they cannot choose but wittnesse this truth , and fill their bookes with such examples . and if we may be allow'd to go as far as fable , wee shall find that if men have an apollo for an author of their sciences , that women have also a minerva , that hath invented the best learning , and that gives them as just a claime for this pretension . and if i did not feare to support so knowne a truth by fiction , i would be content to refer those that doubt of it to the poets nine muses , to which we ascribe the invention of arts . but not to continue farther proofes , which authorise the justness of this side , those that say that women draw great advantage out of ignorance , doe they not doe too much honour to the silly and ridiculous village-simplicity , which ordinarily defends it selfe ill in occasions , and makes little resistance against the importunity of the first that presses or sollicits her . or if this opinion be good ; were not blind men the surer for having lost their sight ? as if winking were enough to avoyd a precipice . in the court , as in the ocean , one must know the rocks , and the sands , to prevent shipwrack ; and if woman doe ill after they know it , one should impute the cause of that misfortune to their will , not their knowledge . otherwise if all kind of reading or learning be interdicted them , a thousand disorders will arise out of their ignorance : they will find to their cost , if contempt can move them , that those that forbid them the use of reading or study of good things , cannot endure an inequality of wits . i cannot choose but laugh , when i thinke of the error of francis duke of brittany , that expressed a great passion for isabella the daughter of scotland , when he understood that she had been studied , beleeving that a woman was knowing enough , when she knew the difference betweene her owne smock , and her husbands doublet . the beleese of this good prince , would be very ridiculous in those countrys , where the men goe naked , or among those nations that make the shirt and the doublet all of a piece : his estimation of the silly and ignorant obligeth me to beleeve he had made a vow to love only his owne refemblance . the emperour theodosius did not so much value the ignorant , he maryed athenais only for her wit and learning , without sticking at her being but the daughter of a pedant , of whom she had received nothing , but beauty in her birth , and philosophy in her education . those that mistrust a woman when she understands any thing but her beads , live according to the proverbs , & dare not doe any thing , when it is told them that our ancesters did not use it . these are weake spirits , that deserve what they feare , and that ground their suspicions even on the same reasons that should secure them . indeed i doe not commend those that affect too much sufficiency . but excepting this abuse , it must be acknowledged , that women that have knowledge and reading , are more pleasing in conversation , and are better pleased in solitude when they entertaine themselves . their idea hath somewhat to delight it selfe with , whilst the ignorant lye open to ill thoughts , because knowing nothing wherewith to busre their wits , as their discourse is wearisome , so their thinking must be extravagant . therefore i would advise them to vow a perpetuall solitude , because they are every where insupportable , easie to be seduced , vertuous by chance , and vitious by necessity . of constancy and fidelity . those that beleeve levity natural to women , reading this discourse , which proves the contrary , will imagine that i have undertaken to find setlednesse in the wind , assurance in the waves , and strength in reeds : but passing by their opinion , since i have neither purpose nor commission to undeceive all those that are in error , i will shew that for inconstancy , women are in more danger to be injured by it , then guilty of it ; and that their diffidence is very just in this time , when the friendships that are promised them with most ceremony , are either without truth , or durance . constancy is : but for good things , obstinacy for evill . otherwise sinne should be eternall , and repentance should be forbidden for feare of charge . when the alteration is just , it is election , and when it is not , 't is lightness . as it is not just , that they that are sicke , should alwayes remaine in that state , for fear of being inconstant ; so i beleeve that it is no more blamable , to shake off an ill opinion , then a feaver , and that repentance is as necessary for the mind as medecines for the body . what harm is it to prefer a greater merit before a lesse ? or to confesse that the sunne has more light then the stars ? otherwise the first thing wee had seene in the world , should chayne up our liberty , and even deprive us of the right of choice , or make us love that which should be hated . those that esteemed nero , whilest he carryed himselfe moderatly , the first five yeares of his raigne , were they bound to love him when he be came a tyrant ? afterwards when he had lost his vertue , was there any affection due to him ? i loved this man for his merit , this face for beauty , that flower for colour ; this man is become vitious , this face disfigured , this flower faded ; after this why should i dote on an object whose lovely qualities are ceased ? how can the building subsist when the foundations are removed ? unlesse to keepe the adored lawes of constancy , those that love a picture are obliged afterward to love the cloth , when the features are defaced ? there is no religion in love , that obligeth us to honour such relicks , unlesse that the affection change into pity , and that it be rather to avoyd ingratitude , then inconstancy . this is the reason that those that love but the beauty of the body , cannot both live and love long . there is nothing but the fairness of wit and vertue , that can truly fasten our constancy : faces aswell as yeares , have their seasons , though the spring be never so pleasant , wee must resolve to see the flowers passe away , and to suffer a winter after the faire weather . yet for all this , there is no colour to intend to blame so noble a vertue , and a quality so necessary in the world , as constancy , without which all love is but treachery , whether it be understood according to custome , or reason . the following examples will show sufficiently , that men are to blame , to give the name of vice to womens vertues , calling them obstinate in their perseverances , and light in theirreasonable changes . synogaris being in love with camna wife to synates , used all manner of devices to bring her to yeeld to his passion ; but all his pursuits , with the eminency of his qualitie having no power to shake the resolution of this lady , he imagined that if her husband were out of the world , he should compasse what had been refused him : he put him to death , and after this cruelty importuned so the kindred of this widow , that she made show of an agreement to a marriage with synogaris : when they came to the ceremonies , and that they were to go to the temple of diana , this chast lady carried with her a drink , of which she drank half her self , and then gave the rest to synogaris , who drank it joyfully , not imagining it to be poyson : camna seeing her designe accomplish'd , cast her self upon her knees before the image of diana , to whom she presented these thanks and excuses ; great deity , thou knowest how unwillingly and to what purpose i have consented to a marriage with this murderer : if grief kill'd as often as it ariseth to an extreme , i had not been now in this world : where notwithstanding i have not refused to stay a while , to take vengeance of this persidious man , that thou seest , who beleeves that i can love him , after he hath ravished from me my dear synatis . think on thy self , barbarous man , and confesse what right i have to sacrifize thy life to that , which thou hast rob'd my husband of . i do not reckon mine own , since i have imploy'd the end of it to give posterity a remarkable testimony of my love and thy cruelty . camna was so happy , as to see him die first , though he drank last : the gods gave this satisfaction to her fidelity ; and she went out of this world often calling upon synatis , that he might come and meet her to accompany her in this her journey . can men produce a nobler example of constancy ? and was it not an erring philosopher , that maintained publickly , that among a thousand men there could hardly be found one constant ; but amongst all women none ? if constancy be shewn in the continuation of a designe , in spight of all impeachments and crosses ; how great was that of psyche in the search of cupid ? shee saw three goddesses set against her pretensions , iuno , ceres , and venus , and yet her passion became victorious over their malevolence , she did things that seemed impossible , she went down to hel , where she spoke to proserpina , and the gods esteemed so much her resolution , that they deified her , and gave her her love , which she had sought so constantly . after so many effects of their fidelity , it is hard to decide whether the prince of philosophers had reason to compare women kind to the first matter , because they desire alwaies to change forms , and though they have a most perfect one , they turne a generall inclination for all others . this philosopher meant to conclude by this parallel , that women are insatiable and variable for men , as matter is for formes ▪ but it is a comparison too injurious , and would suit better with this philosopher , then with the lightest woman , since he left his herina for another mistresse , to whom he erected altars , to convince himselfe with more solemnity of that fault , which he had accused women of . they have more reason to complain of men , then to fear their reproaches . how is the simplicity of credulous ones now abused ? what pawn soever men give , they my be better called cousners then inconstant , because at the same time that they promise fidelity , they purpose to violate it , so as there is no change in their resolution , but only in their discourse . variablenesse doth not distract wits of the higher strain , one may rely on them : even their least designes remain firm in all the storms of fortunes . levity ariseth from the weaknesse of the brain , and constancy from the force of it . after affection hath fastned two hearts , the separation of them should be impossible ; for if love in its own nature be immortal , it is not true , if it can cease . st. austine himself said , that his friend and he seemed to have but one soul to live , as well as to love ; and death had not so properly separated two , as divided one ; and after the losse of this his confident , he feared death and abhorted life , because without him he lived but one half of himself ; and that he was obliged to preserve this rest , lest his friend should die out-right . there were few so constant as this great person . on the contrary , many would believe themselves too innocent , if they did not annex treachery and persidiousnesse to inconstancy . i cannot conceive how there should any remain of this profession , because all the world detests it ; those that use it distrust it , and those that are injured by them , cannot ▪ orgive them . indeed , not to pursue all the ●●ules of physiognomy to know them , their mind alone witnesseth , that falling out with all the world , they do not agree themselves ; confessing without speaking , that horrour which is their sins conception . it must needs be that theirs is the greatest guilt in the world , since they arraign themselves in their own court of conscience , even going sometime as far as execution with their own hands ; practising a new form of justice , where they are judges , parties , accusers and executioners : though we naturally love our selves , they cannot shew themselves mercy ; and one may read in the colour of their face , that none can absolve them , when their own soul condemns them and torments them . it must needs be the most horrible , and the most inexcusable of all sins , since those that are guilty of it have so much pain to commit it , and that they do much harm unto themselves , in doing it to others . 't is for this reason , that fidelity is alwayes cheerfull among thorns , and perfidiousnesse alwayes troubled , and pensive even in the beds of roses . a loyal spirit feels not his torments , and a trayterous one tasts not his pleasures . their senses are diversly suspended , because vitiousness bitters even their delights , and vertue sweetens and relisheth the others ills and sufferings . there needs no proofs to shew that women are seldomer perfidious then men : we may judg by these following examples of the rest . what excuse could ptolomy king of aegypt find after the receit of so many obligations from pompey , for his commanding him to be murthered , while he fled to him for refuge , after the defeat of pharsalia ? those that have read the history , will confesse that it was an unparallell'd cruelty and treachery . though iulius caesar had declared brutus for his heir , yet he was one of the first that struck him in the senate , without any consideration of the favours which he expected or enjoyed from this emperor . when the soul is sullied with this vice , it is capable of all the malice that can be imagined . covetousness keeps close to it , which when any woman hath a propensity to , she can hardly be faithful ; there is nothing that she would not buy or sell to be made rich . it is the most infallible mark of a gross spirit and a debauched soul : ladies should not expresse any inclination to it , for fear of the fortune of prochis , who after she had resisted menaces and submissions , yeilded when she saw the money told . credulous and ignorant women are in no less danger , their goodness betrayes them ; they are perswaded to many things which their easiness consents to against their honour . it seems that such are neither false nor faithful , since they have neither intention for the one , nor ability for the other . it is this simplicity , which as the poet sayes , may be excused , so they delight not in their own delusion . the crafty are subject to do that by malice , which the silly do by misfortune . subtilty sometimes lays traps where it self is caught : there are ills in which flight is better then resistance ; good swimmers are oftnest drowned , because their skill tempts them to fall so far down the stream , as they cannot come up again . constancy and fidedelity expresse themselves even in the least actions ; the gate gives marks of it , and the lightnesse of the motions leads us to judg of the weight of the wit . alfonso king of arragon said , that womens inconstancy appears in their inclination to dance ; it was an ill conclusion drawn from an innocent thing : but that prince seemed to have such an experience of it , as seeing a young lady dance with a gentleman who made love to her , said to him , comfort your self , this sybil will quickly render the oracle you ask ; because the sybils heretofore gave no answers but in motion . but to leave the marks of constancy and fidelity , & come to the effects . it must be confessed , that women have been incomparable in them . among the heathen , pompeia paulina caused her veins to be cut , when she saw her husband seneca condemned by nero , refusing to live after the death of him that had taught her to love philosophically , that is , constantly . they closed up her veins against her will , but she testified alwayes after , by the palenesse of her face , that the cure was unwelcome , and that she stayed in the world unwillingly , seneca not being there , of whom she had learn'd to despise life and death , to value constancy in love . the wife of mithridates seeing the affairs of her husband desperate , took the crown that she had on her head , and hung it about her neck , so to end her self ; and having broke it at the first stresse , she took the rest into her hands , complaining sensibly , that crowns , which in good fortune serve for ornament , could not serve for remedie in ill . among the christian ladies , in the most noble occasion of courage that was ever offer'd , did not mary magdalen constantly accompany her master every where , when the disciples fell off , after all their protestations of never deserting him ? of curiosity and censure . cvriosity never agreed well with silence ▪ those that know much newes , do not resolve to hold their peace ; and censure infallibly disperseth what indiscretion collects . the wits of curious women are like the vessels of the 〈◊〉 , that emptied as fast as one went to fill them . that which comes in at the eares , run● presently out of the mouth , because indiscretion , that directs to hearken as lightly as to speake , le ts lies out as freely as in . i do not taxe the divine curiosity of philosophers , and good wits , which have detected the secrets of nature , and given us means to regulate the passions of our minde , as well as brought us the wisdome of above ; 't is that hath taught us more morality , civility , policy , and what is usefull to the civilization of our lives . i condemn but that which is a desire to know what is uselesse or vit●ous which removes us from the knowledge of our selves , and the truths necessary for vertue or for conscience . ladies that are pleased to hear all kind of censures , occasion ill opinion of their vertue , because that easinesse they shew to believe ill , is as it were an assured proof that they would have the same to act it . there are those that cannot endure that any body should be advantageously spoken of , and that believe the censure of all the world , to be an apology for their faults , since it comprises them in so much company as if the number of the malefactors did authorise the offence ; when they hear other womens vertues commended , they grow as sad , as ugly when handsome ones are made love to before them . and if one should examine their thoughts , one should find yet a blacker spring ; they are glad to have company in their infamy , but they would have none in their delights , being more moved with jealousie then shame , imagining that those that use their pleasures , steale somewhat from them ▪ they are like the emperour tyberius , that set officers in rome to discover and condemne adulteries , that he onely might commit . vertuous women excuse faults , in stead of publishing them ; vitious ones are alwaies mercilesse to their like , thinking to testifie by their hatred , that the crime is unknowne to them ; but the effects give their words the lye ; and this cunning takes so ill , that they rather defame then defend themselves . worthy women banish vice from the world by charity , and licentious ones expell vertue by detraction . 't is easie to discerne a chast woman from another ; the last examines all , even to the least circumstacce , her ill-nesse is the pattern shee judges by , her experience and her designe makes her give , even to the best things ill interpretations . after prochis had betray'd her husband , shee spyed into all his actions , hardly blieving him cleare in what shee her selfe was guilty . vitious old women are alwaies apprehensive , and fear the abuse of liberty , not imagining that even conversation or taking the ayre , may be harmelesse . they feare , me thinkes , lest any should doe so much ill , as they have done , or would doe yet , if they had as much vigour as vitiousnesse . they have no better means to cover their sin , then to expresse displeasure or astonishment , when they heare others blamed , because shewing so ready a beliefe to all imputations , one may judge that they are farre from being lyable unto them ; for if they did not set off themselves by a comelinesse , their face consenting to what their mouth forbids , a vitious boldnesse would be too much encouraged , which is well pleased too with a slack facility . curiosity for trifles and ill things , is a mark of the loosnesse of conscience , and defect of wit . such as busie themselves with little tales of their neighbours , and entertain company with them , furnish their wits , as the chinesais do their cabinets , with old strange rags and gugaus : i would advise all of this humor , that bestow their time either uselesly or ill , to study the anatomy of flies , or the art to count the attomes of the aire ; and to punish their body as well as their mind , to live only upon shrimps , in which there is more businesse then meat . this light idlenesse gives an ill character of them , because they are judged capable of vice by weaknesse , if not by illnesse . there are those that speake ill of other on purpose , yet would seem to do it unwillingly ; but 't is to do like archers , that draw the shaft towards themselves , that it may go stronger to the mark . how much error and vanity is there in our judgments and discourse , since between the even and the next morning we differ from our selves more then wee did from others ? how can we be assured that she that was to day given to pleasure , shall not to morrow shut her self up to austerity ? but suppose our judgments be not false , we must needs offend against charity , if not against truth . such as have but yet committed one sinne , should not be called vitious , and those that have done many , it may be , will not continue in them ; the first correct , the other change themselves . and indeed , there is no certainty to speake of the illnesse of any , without indangering a lie , since a moment or a thought are enough to change perdition into penitence . of a debauched woman . there are few such islands as that of cio , where it is said that the lawes of honour and chastity , were preserved in their purity the space of seven hundred years , without ever being violatedby the ladies of the country . i know not whether it be an effect of their cunning , or their vertue ; but howsoever , it was either a chastity , or a reputation of a great standing , which deserves as much admiration , as the depravation of this age doth blame , sufferings , or corrections . it may be this discourse will not be welcome to such as i should be glad it should be usefull . but if the vitious be not disposed ▪ to take our remedies for this cure , at least they must resolve to endure our reproaches for their shame ; and if our precepts be not soveraigne enough to close up the incurable ulcers of these old she-sinners , and to draw them out of the mire where the weight of their crimes hath buried them ; and those whose eyes are more contrite then their consciences , being alwaies awater rather to lament the losse of their youth , then the enormity of their crimes : at least this will restraine the young ones from sinking into so obstinate a loosnesse ; i speake boldly of all , because if they be debauched , i would not be friends with them ; if they be vertuous , i need not fear falling out with them ; the one will applaud my censure , the other wil do me honour in disproving of my doctrine , as i do of their life . this passion is not that which properly is called love , but some other disease which cannot be cured but by miracle ; and one may reproach such as are infected with it , as the poet did myrrha , that it is not cupid , but one of the enraged furies that lights such a flame . it is a fire of hell that has blindnesse for smoke , scandal for light , and infamy and shame for ashes ; these are the sad relicks of such , that having long prostituted themselvs , save of the ruins of their honor , nothing but a sad repentance ▪ but what honour soever we conceive of them , we must be more obscure then reprochful in this matter , in which we should cover by modesty , that which hatred & truth might oblige us to publish : this crime has one great advantage being so reproveable , that its own beastlinesse defends it , but 't is rather by others shame then pity . those that have inclination for all our sex , love none , though they love all ; when one is come to that passe , there is no more distinction , the most bruitish seemes the loveliest , their fire kindles even in water , by objects that deserve even horror and hatred . semyramis loved a horse , pasiphae a bull , glauce a dog , and glaucippe an elephant ; appelles musing on this , drew venus face with her mouth halfe open , to shew , that those of her humour have never their mouths closed , for lures to their own designes ; and though they be never so old , their desires alwaies exceed their abilities . indeed , many resemble iberina in iuvenal , that would have as many men as kisses . then the number of their sinnes passes that of their thoughts , and without borrowing any thing from poetry , one may say that arithmetick cannot multiply so high . many of this humor have sought remedies for their infamous disease in magicall intoxications . what extravagancy is it to think to find in druggs means to be beloved , as if love had any roots but in merit and vertue ? 't is that which gives it birth and nourishment ; and those that use so much art to make themselves lovely , run the hazard which apuleius speakes of , that used an oyntment to get wings to flie in at his mistriss window , but in stead of being changed into a bird , he was turned into a beast . if herbs had any power to recover those that are struck with this disease , apollo , which is the god of physick , would have made use of it , when the beauty of daphne had made him quit heaven for earth , and chang'd the form of a god , for that of a shepherd , those that endure with so much delight lascivious discourse , show that they would take much more in the action , and that there is nothing said to them , but what they are acquainted with , both by knowledg and desire ; 't is not their gentleness , nor good humor that brings this facility , complacency reaches not so farre . modesty is alwaies severe , when it is entire , and is tainted , when it is brought to such a softnesse . the widow of sigismund discovered her self sufficiently , by an answer she made to those who counselled her to imitate the turtles , that she loved as much the company of men , as our lady apprehended that of an angell ; she told him , that if she were to live like birds , she would take an example rather from sparrows , then doves . there is no less danger to read mens courtings , then to hear them . after helin had opened paris his letter , she imagined then that she ought to refuse him nothing . when one has given any favour , she engages her selfe afterwards beyond either the obligation or the intention . those that have no mind to be overcome , should at first distance all rash hope , lest they take a gentle refusall for a permission . as the most ill-favoured have most need of painting , so the most debauched are most curious in the apparency of vertue this is the reason that they are ordinarily unequall , appearing to day insolent , according to their humour , and to morrow modest by affectation . those that compare vitious women to syrens , it may be , do not know the mystery of this similitude . one of the monsters was call'd parthenope , which is to say , virgin , having a smiling face to allure marriners , to break their ships against the points of rocks that were cover'd under water . the most immodest , ordinarily , study to appear the chastest ; but for all their falsifying , they are whirlepits of infamy , where none but the unadvised and desperate are shipwracked . the reservednesse of an honest woman , is far different from that of another ; the one is natural , the other forced ; they seem to live freely and ingenuously , the better to deceive those that are so simple as to believe , that what they doe , is by their humor or innocence , which is a plot to sinke some young pilot. i never saw censorious women , that were not debauched , or that did not mean to be so , imagining that by a false policy , that the universality of their sin would be their justification . yet to shew the irregularity of their humor , they hate those that imitate them , so that conformity that produceth correspondence in all other professions , begets aversion in this ; this is the way to dis-agree with all sorts of women , since the presence of the vertuous seems to reproch them , and the company of the vitious to diminish their delights . poyson dogs adultery , when a woman is once branded with that vice , shee believes shee cannot preserve her reputation , nor find rest nor assurance in any thing , but the extinction of the witnesses of her uncleanenesse ; then reason cannot curb a spirit that is frighted with the remembrance of sinne , who drawes boldnesse from vengeance , and naturall weaknesse renders it inconsiderable . the salvation of impudent women is almost desperate , how well soever they propose to themselves their own conversion , they relapse alwaies into their owne hell , and there repentance may be ranked among the miracles . if death did not purge the world of them , we should be constrained to make publick processions , to desend our selves from them , as from a curse , that is worse then the other three ; but god reserves to himselfe their punishment , and forbids our medling with those afflictions which he hath prepared for them in the world to come . if one had well considered these old she-sinners , and compared the features of their faces , with those of their conscience , one should find an equall deformity ; or if one could draw them to the life , and perswade us that the divels are like them , i believe no body would be damned ; and that this fearfull object would deter us more from hell , then the severest preachers . but that i may be as briefe as obscure in a subject that feeds my melancholy , and gives me ill thoughts , i will finish this old picture , as apelles did one of his : when this admirable painter had considered with much delight , the features and charmes of compasp●s face , alexanders mistriss , he grew so passionate , that he was faine to ask the originall of the emperour , in stead of finishing the copy . i do that out of hatred , which he did by love ; i find so many horrible features in the picture of a debauched woman , as the pensill falls out of my hand , having too much anger , and too few revilings to perfect this piece in colours black enough . of the cruelty and pity of women . whatsoever the most part of men believe of womens fury , pity is so naturall to them and their inclination bent to mercy , as even the furies themselves could not chuse but lament the mis-fortune of orpheus , that went into hell to demand his euridice ; those pitilesse places , where horror raigns alwaies with cruelty , were not able to suppresse the sensible compassion that the furies were affected with , at such a misery . after this must it not be confessed , that tendernesse is an inseparable quality from women . since anger is an enemy to this commendable habit , i believe it were more advantageous to them , wholly to extinguish this passion , if it were possible , then to think to moderate it by prudence . indeed it is the most unjust of all , because other passions may have a reall good for their object , whereas this hath never but a seeming , to satisfie the error of those it possesseth , which account not themselves happy , till they have left others in an incapacity of being so . thus therefore this passions flattery is ill grounded , because if mischief be transportable from one subject to another , it is without a self diminution , as torches communicate their light . i must confesse it is an incomparable blindnesse to believe that the impression of an injury , weares out by stamping its owne likenesse on another : women are accused of extremities in their passions , the world believes that they seek not so much the opportunity of an hasty , as a home revenge , especially when they are irritated either in love or fortune . though this imposture require rather neglect then answer ; yet if one would do so much as examine their inclination , one shall find it as innocent as their enemies have drawn it injurious : at least excusable , if not to bee commended . indifferent wits are easily moved and setled , because their violence slacks ; and their motions must needs grow remisse and weake if they continue , because they are neither naturall nor rationall . time , that is received of all the world for so great a physician , cures but the first troubles of our mind ; but when passion is just , it augments proportionably as it lasts , because thoughts and meditations strengthen and nourish it , when we weigh maturely the reason of its generation . the sensibleness of infirm and loose spirits , is like fire , that flashes out , as soon as it is lighted in flax ; but conserves it self longer in iron , and more solid subjects . women are not of this light temper , to fly out without reason ; as they are unapt to be moved , so have they an equall backwardnesse to reconciliation as well as quarrel . one would be very much deceived , if he should believe by this that my proofs were lesse reasonable then natural ; i submit alwaies morality to christianity , and confesse that i should rather set up a school for vice then vertue , if i would justifie revenge to oblige women to the prejudice of religion , and even their own nature , which is enclined to gentleness and courtesie . i only praise the constancy of their designes , when they are just , otherwise i should be a pernicious advocate if i pleaded for a sinne that is so prejudiciall to them , as it makes them passe for monsters ; and which they have so little inclination to , or acquaintance , as it is not improper for them only to be cruel , but misbecoming to be severe ; and of the two parts of justice they seem to be borne , but execute the milder . amongst all the effects of cruelty , one of the most insupportable is , that it is as averse to beauty , as it is to conscience : if tears sometimes become a face , anger hath the same priviledge as grief , and though one may often see a beautifull melancholy , yet i have never heard of a lovely fury ; this passion is too violent , not to race out all the faire lineaments out of the face : the eyes by little and little fright in stead of charming ; the frowardnesse of their mind is drawn out by all their motions , and that may come to such a degree of horror , that one shall not dare to approach them without prayer , as we do such as are possessed , whose faces they either have or make . proud and ill women are almost alwaies infected with this crime , because that meeting with many enemies to their evil intents , there is no malice so black that passion doth not infuse into them , for the ruine of those that intercept either their love or fortune . aphrodisia wife to the emperour dioclesian , tryed alwaies to be beloved of her son in law erastus , but after having lost many intreaties on him , in a chamber where she thought the opportunity would afford her victory , the refusall incensed her with as much spite as shame , she came perplext to her husband to accuse this innocent of a crime he would not commit . 't is the custome of debauched women to turn their love into hate , when their desires are discovered and not satisfied and to plot the preservation of their credits even by the ruine of those that would not be their complices . it should seem that the philosopher chilon spoke of such when he maintained that it was the uttermost of all comminations could be made to enemies , the anger of women . me thinks it is an incomparable master-piece , and an art that no body is passed master of , the pacification of a furious woman . if this passion last till they grow old , they will be sick of it all their lives , because they will fright those that would appease them ; when they can no longer give love , they will hardly give patience . the wrinkles will score out their years in their faces , as lines do hours upon the dyall . and you may judge of the vilenesse of their infamous age , since they frighted their nurse even in the cradle . the head of medusa that struck so much fear into the world , had but her hair changed into serpents : these have their eye-browes over and above , to be compleatly horrible . the divel which inspires them with so much fury , must needs trouble their sight also , when they look in a glasse , since they do not scare themselvs , and in stead of being content to be endured , expect stil to be beloved . hel may keep its furies , these wil serve in the world , to act or perswade sins blacker , then those that heretofore drew fire from heaven , or have opened the jawes of the earth . if ugliness be the mark of cruelty , want of wit is the spring head of it . i hold it infallible , that those that have no sweetness nor gentlenesse , are void of understanding and courage . generous women are alwaies pitiful , they know it is more glorious to overcome their own passions , then their enemies ; and that to give life where it may be taken , is almost to resusciate the dead without a miracle . but for fear this morality should not be understood , anaxarates was not cruel in seeing iphis die in dispaire before her door ; the refusal was just , because the demand was not so . 't was an offender that did injustice on himself for his temerity . worthy women should fear less the ruin of importunate men , then of their own honour ; and it were to be ill advised , to be cruel to themselves , to be so unfittingly pitifull to insolence or detraction . of beauty . those that adore or despise beauty , either offer too much or too little to the image of god . it is one of the rarest presents that heaven hath made to earth ▪ but we must ascribe all the merit to the power of him that gratifies us with it . in the opinion of plato , it is a humane splendor , amiable in its own nature , that has the power to ravish the mind with the eyes . since heretofore deformed ministers have been rejected from the temple , let us not believe ill of beauty ; god himself hath thought it necessary , for those that approch his altars ; it must be a mark of our inclination to good , since we as seldome find beauty without vertue , as uglinesse without mischief . the judgment that we make of the beauty of the min● by that of the body , are not most commonly ill grounded ; soules like queens , prepare their residence , where they themselves take the pains to adorn them when they are received into them . and indeed , if vertue be necessary for the establishment of soveraign authorities : beauty also sweetens them , and welcomes even servitude which otherwise would be insupportable . i find sometimes fair wits in ill-favoured bodies , but they are relicks ill set , which the country people do not so much respect and reverence , as if they were covered with gold or pearl . this lovely quality may challenge a command every where , wherethere is the light of eyes or reason . the face alone of scipio the affrican subdued many a barbarous nation without so much as the drawing of a sword ; and heliogabalus himself from a priest of the sun , rose to be emperour of all the world , as soon as his mother had shown him to the souldiers ; so as all the world payes a duty to such as nature hath thus advantaged . the vulgar believe , that if there be no ill in handsome women , at least there is inconvenience ; the temptation is there , though the sin be not : when beauty is the occasion of ill , 't is an innocent that makes offenders , and those that complain of it , do as idly , as if one should accuse the sun for dazling his sight , when he looks too fixedly on that glorious body . this is objected , one can hardly keep that which many love , and there is no great assurance in the possession of that all the world aspires to : sometimes towns are so long besieged , & assaulted at so many several places , as at last they are taken : one cannot praise beauty better , then in confessing all desire it as the object of their delight . if handsome women are sometimes gained , this complaint must be addressed rather to their wit then face . a place is not the weaker , because he hath yeilded which should have kept it ; the fault is in the captaine , not the fort . howsoever , ill-favoured ones can have no advantage in this reproach , because since they are never attempted , their holding out cannot argue their strength . they should have curiosity only to seek darknesse , because the sun never rises but to their shame , which seems to shine only to give light to faire objects . they are in more paine to defend themselvs from contempts , then suits , and patience is the vertue they had most need of . handsome women are accused of being scornfull , but when we think well of it , we shall find that their disdain proceeds rather from conscience then vanity , because they cannot endure the idolatrous pursuits of the excessive praises which artificiall men offer up to surprize them . as kings laugh at the complements of courtiers , because they are made more for interest then affection : so women may mock the officiousnesse of gallants , because all their pains tend but to their own pleasure , and the ruine of indiscreet ones . there is not so much presumption in the most admired women , as there is poorness in men that tie their own chaines ; the services they do them , and the names they give them , express as much their weaknesse , as the extravagancy of their passion . what reason is there to call their empire tyrannicall , since their subjects are but so to their own wills , and refusers of liberty ? the grave cato reverenced beauty so much , as he said publickly , it was no lesse crime to injure it , then to sack a temple . those that imagine that the number of their gallants , addes something to their beauty , and are over-pleased with the submissions and duties that are rendred them , goe out to meet their enemies , and shew they be easily overcome ; since respects and praises are strong enough against them , of which men are no lesse prodigall , then women can be covetous ; but they should believe that when ingenuity bargains craft , that it seldome gets any thing by it . if women are handsome , those that praise them would deceive them ; if not , but make sport with them . therefore all kind had need of wit and vertue to exempt themselves from danger or neglect . there are some that are scrupulous to praise beauty , because it passes away so soon , and lasts no longer then lightning , and most commonly as well as that , promises tempests and stormes . 't is a flower , say they , that fades as soon as ever it is blown , which the wind sheds , the sun dries , the rain flaggs , and hands do gather it ; and that is so delicate , that without being touched , or having enemies , in a moment dyes by its own naturall faintnesse . but is not the same to be said of all other things in the world , which cannot last alwaies ? and all beauty can be complained of , is , that it hath not the durance of stars , as well as the fairnesse and lustre . the fairest women would find an excellent prevention of vanity , if they could represent to themselves at sixteen or twenty years old , the defects , decayes , and incommodities of age . what fair plumbs soever nature or art decks them with , they would like peacocks be ashamed , looking downe to such horrible feet , if they foresaw so much change and ruine . i do not professe here , to preach mortification ; but mee thinkes , they should not so much afflict themselves for what years drawe from them insensibly , and even diminishes it selfe every moment in spite of art ; were it not for painting , which discovers the defects 't is laid upon , they would be comfortless and irremediable . natural beauty deserves estimation , but that of their own making nothing but aversion . sulpitia among the romans had so lovely eyes , that those of her time could not see her without adoring . the cheeks of lavinia were so cornation , that they amazed the roses into palenesse . the neck and brest of theodota an athenian were so beautiful , that socrates himself fel in love with them . these features or charms must not be acquired by art , nor possessed by vanity ; nature blesses some persons with them , on purpose to please our eyes , and elevate our spirits to the love of him that is the head of all humane perfection . counterfeit beauties fall shamefully in the sight of all the world , almost like those false stars , which after they have abused our eyes a while , shew us by their fall , that what we tooke for stars , was but a little lighted vapour . yet for all this we must not altogether forbid ornament or care for the face , since we whiten over walls when they are old . the ill-favoured also are to be allowed to paint , so it be for publick good , and out of a consideration of not frighting those that look upon them . they would be very much surprized , if they were used as phryne used those in her company ; as soon as ever this curtisan appeared ( saith gallen ) she distasted all those of the assembly , leaving them nothing to shew but shame and jealousie ; they invented a game to relieve their dejection , which was mutuall commands to one another ; when it came to phrynes commands , she gave order there should be water brought , and they should all wash their hands and faces ; as soon as they had obeyed her , one might see patches and plaisters float , and none almost knew one another , they were other faces full of spots , and fearful features . this game would trouble many of this time , that naturall beauty remained with a great advantage . by her the are pagites themselves lost the names of uncorrupted , because not believing her innocent , yet having seen her , they could not judge her faulty . hyperides pleaded against her to no purpose , though he was very eloquent ; as soon as she appeared , her presence made her apology , and she did but shew her self for her defence . it is not now adayes only , that handsome women get their causes ; when justice unvayles her self to see them , with a very little solicitation they get a happy tryal . of gracefulness . the soul is not more requsite to life then gracefulnesse to please : it takes off from the defects of the ill favoured , and sets off the beauty of the handsome , by an addition to their perfections . when one is possessed with this lovely quality , ( whose praises i write , rather then rules ) all that one undertakes is comely . there be many kinds of it ; hearts as well as bodies are wounded with severall weapons , the complexion , the hair , the gate , the shape , the looks , the discourse , the actions , the voice , and even silence have diverse attractions . there have beene those that were never so handsome , as when they cryed . panthea had so graceful a melancholy , as she obliged araspes to adore her tears ; it seems that ladies possesse this taking quality , with more advantage then men , and this command which they obtain by these charms , is much more powerful and more assured then that which we take by violence . though this be a gift of nature , rather then art , yet it needs some rules to perfect it , which are learned with pleasure and easinesse in the conversation of ladies . if the face be the mirror of the soul , morality is necessary to preserve this perfection , since it prescribes rules to the motions both of the body , and the mind . and indeed anger , fear , the disquiet and repose of the conscience , are well figured in the looks ; and malice has an inseparable remorse , which dissimulation cannot long bail ; by this we may perceive that the beauty of the body depends partly on that of the mind , and that the rules of gracefulness are annexed to those of this regularity . one may better understand the effects of this admirable quality , then expresse the nature of it . it is never to be found where there is constraint , art or ignorance ; we must not aspire to an impossible excellence . and art cannot straine it self too high , no more then nature , without making monsters . it happens often , that the extreme desire that some have to please , begets hate in stead of love . on the contrary , naturalnesse has so gentle charms , as none resists , because they arise from innocence ; and affectation is never without some imperfection , or too much self-love . how ridiculous is it not to dare to laugh for fear of loosning their patches ? or not to change their looks , but in the morning when they dress them ? yet this is the fashion of the life of those which will have no glasse , if it do not flatter , nor no light if it be true ; and though they pretend much to the devotion of the time , they never go to masse till the holy water be spent , for fear that receiving any of it , their plaisters should be moystened , and that there should be stains discovered on their faces : but their designe shows it self with their deformity ; because striving to shadow their defects , they make them the more conspicuous . gracefulness is so averse to this slavery and fetterednesse , as though we could alwayes do well , it is a question whether that would alwayes please . there must be in every thing intermissions to unbend our spirits . art in this should conform it self to nature ; that hath not set stars all over the heaven , nor flowers over the earth ; and though flowers are not so fair and precious as stars , yet we look upon them with more pleasure and attentivenesse , because their beauty being of so little stay , leaves us alwayes a desire of seeing them again . our spirits are cloyed as well as our senses ; they need some rest and relaxation to digest delights . 't is not my meaning to perswade by these reasons , that one should affect faults ; but so they be but light ones , we may sometimes commit them so happily , as they prove advantageous ; because bashfulnesse that followes them , and displayes it selfe in the face , is an infallible testimony of an innocent soul ; that is far from conceiving of great ills , since it is so sensible of slight ones , and sometimes when they are but imaginary . if gracefulnesse then be described by doing all things by nature , and not by studiedness ; an ingenuous freedom is better then constraint . all the world yeelds , that difficulty consists in rarities ; there is no dexterity to declare a painfulnesse , since a clown may do as much , but to hide it so finely , as the cunning of it may not be discerned . candor and ingenuity is not lesse to be wished for discourse , then for action ; the most ordinary words are most excellent ; a word that is obscure is forbidden . the philosopher that alwayes wept , it may be , would have had a mind to laugh , if he had heard many women , that would passe for learneder then they are , use in their discourse such hard words , that do easier expresse their extravagancie then conceit . this excessive desire of pleasing which wee have blamed , goes along almost alwayes with the apprehension of not being liked ; and then when these two contrary passions meet , they cause great inequalities , because if desire excites them , fear cools them ; when the one animates us to speak wel orsharply , the other interrupts us , and tyes us to silence : by this one may judg , how much apprehension as well as vanity injures gracefulnesse . it happens ordinarily , that such that are alwayes on their guard , and fear every moment to fail , do almost nothing else . extreme fearfulnesse disposeth the mind to error , as well as the body to sickness . me thinks , if one examined well the cause of this same troublesome passion , that education doth not contribute lesse to it , then constitution or nature . there are those that are bred in such a slavery , they can do nothing freely , they dare not hold up their heads with that becoming confidence that graces actions : their thoughts are alwayes low , and what good inclinations soever they have , shamefac'dnesse retards the successe of their purpose : those that have seen nothing , are subject to be amazed at a very little , because the diffidence of themselves makes them admire or fear every thing . most commonly , after their salutations they begin their complements , as we end our letters . they would find an excellent remedy , if they could beleeve that so little things are not to be admired ; and that if one were at leisure to examine that which we wonder at first , after an hours conversation , we should often change the subject of our admiration into the object of our contempt . but every body cannot attain to this resolution ; 't is hard even for the best wits , to have dexterity without experience , or facility without practice . actions beget habits with difficulty , and then the habit being formed , it produces actions with gracefulnesse and ornament . yet notwithstanding , in blaming this rustick shamefac'dnesse , i doe not mean to praise impudency , because both have limits and effects irregular , because the one carries us beyond our power and decency , and the other keeps us short of them ; whereas the modesty that i desire , is between these two vitious extremes , to distance us from too good or too ill opinion of our selves . of cloathes and ornaments . there must be a certain discretion observed in cloaths , lest old men should tax the excess , or theyoung defects ; and that a decency may keep the one from laughing , and the other from being angry . this is the reason that it is so hard to please all , and to sute the fashion well to reason , because there are some so absurd humours , as they can endure nothing done in the fashion , and will certainly conclude every thing unjust , if the invention of it be not proved by at least one ages antiquity . this is very much to undervalue the present time , and to honour that that is past , without considering that wisdom suffers what it cannot redresse , and that there is also lesse vanity and difficulty to follow the received fashion , then to resuscitate the antiquated . indeed the light and giddy invent fashions , but the wise and sober accommodate themselves to them , in stead of contradicting them . habits and words should be suted to the time : and as one would think them mad , that should speak in the court the language of chaucer ; so we could not judg better of such as would affect to be cloathed so too . those that censure the inconstancy of the french , should do better to quit their own slavish opinions , that forbid them their owne commodity , lest they should not be cloathed like their grandfathers . i would fain know of those that will not follow the times , of what date they would have their cloathes ; because if antiquity must be the rule , they should go back as far as adam to cloath themselves with leaves , to render the fashion more venerable by this ancient derivation . those that say , reason and custome resemble the sun and the moon , did light well upon it , because we must serve our selves according to the occasions of the illuminations of both these lights , though the one be clearer then the other . excesse is blameable in all things , but principally in novelties ; t is folly to dispaire them , and vanity to be too much affected with them . as i do not approve those women that study with too much curiosity new fashions , so i cannot esteeme those that yet lament the putting down of high wyers and vardingals . this obstinacy comes from self love ; they are no lesse punishable , then those that would make old medals current in commerce for mony , against the lawes of princes , and custome of the country . such women make their owne antiquity ridiculous , and make much a do to bring the ruine of time , and the defects of nature to be more remarkable in themselves . the care and time that is spent in curious dresling , is reprovable when it is excessive , or when the intentions are not allowable . i do not believe that there is any more harm to beautifie faces , then to set precious stones , or polish marble . we azure wainscots , paint images , guild swords , enrich garments . we make even temples brave , why should ornament be forbidden to complexion or beauty , when the designes are faire too , since it is permitted to all things else ? saint ierome writing to gaudensius , about the cloaths of young pacutula , seemes to excuse the curiosity of women in very remarkable terms . their sex ( saith he ) is curious in ornaments , and studies naturally the sumptuousnesse of cloaths , in so much as i have seen many chast ladies , that dresse themselves very costly , without having any aim in their designes but their particular contentment , by a certain harmless complacency or satisfaction : this inclination is so natural to them , as heretofore many ladies did entomb their ornaments with themselves , to carry into the other world , that which they had loved so much in this . those that dislike these indifferent things which the intention either justifies or perverts , imagine that they have a great advantage over women when they call them the divels fortresses , without considering , though ill spirits work sometimes in their actions and clothes , that they are no more guilty of the ill that happens when their designes are irreprochable , then thunder is when the divels make it light upon men or churches . yet this discourse doth not enlarge it self to the defence of vice , or the justification of licentiousnesse . modesty is a powerfull charme , without it beauty is soul-lesse , and other vertues may deserve admiration , that only merits love : fxcessive ornaments add not to beauty , nor diminish deformity , since in pythagoras his opnion , an ill favoured woman set out very brave , is laughter for heaven , and lamentation for earth . women that glory so much in their rich cloathes , have nothing but what may be had in shops ; and if they were well considered , it would be found that they abuse our eyes , as those old images , which are all hollowed within with rottennesse . but is it not a shameful thing , to see that men are more set on these superfluities then women ? hortensius a romane orator passed halfe the day in considering and sprusing himself , in stead of learning his speeches : and without going back so far , we are in an age where men professe more then ever this blameable curiosity . i believe if one had well examined the set faces and baby looks of a great many , one would give them the quality of aristogares , that took so much pains to make himself fine and genteel , that at last he was called , madam : to speak truly , they are as far out of their design as the decency of their sex , because they are never lesse pleasing then when they force themselves to constraine others to think so . negligence is more advantageous to them , then studiednesse , and freedome then reservation . therefore me thinks that a poet sayes well , that marks , that theseus was not brave when ariadne gave him such proofs of her love . it is to be feared ladies that too chevaliere , are beyond modesty : men too much ladyed , are short of manhood . i do not wonder that pompey lost so many battles , since his men had so much care of their faces , as they were never hurt , but in their backs . but to return to what concernes our purpose . caesar seeing his daughter iulia augusta too curiously brave , considered her a great while , without gracing her with a word , expressing his dissatisfaction by his silence . the next day seeing her more modestly drest , he told her with a smiling face ; that that habit became better the daughter of augustus : the reply of this princesse was not lesse considerable , then the admonishment of the emperour , i was dressed yesterday ( said she ) for my husband , but to day for my father . the wisest allow women to please many , to subject one ; but after they have made that choice , then they are forbidden the continuance of their designe . it must be acknowledged , that if women dressed themselves only for complacency to marriage , there would be not so much excesse ; and husbands would not complain so much , that profusion introduces poverty and jealousie into their families . i do not wonder that women have so much ado to walk , since most commonly they carry three or four houses hanging at their eares . of iealousie . one cannot lose that without sorrow , that is possessed with love , and preserved with carefulnesse ; therefore jealousie is not so unjust as many imagine , because it makes us only fear that another should dispoile us of that which we believe should be only ours . is it such a fault to watch the keeping what we love ; principally in a time where fidelity is so rare , as there is none but those that are assured to be deceived , that do not fear to be so ? if the goods of fortune and body yeild to those of the mind , so their losse must be most sensible : when affections which we believe we have deserved by ours , are taken from us , it is the greatest stealth , as they are the most valuable proprieties . and indeed , to reason well of it , love is an empire only of two persons , which cannot be extended further without destruction , & in it obedience & soveraignty are reciprocal . it is so covetous , as it would not lose so much as a cast of an eye , or a haire . indeed it is no lesse folly to believe that there is no love left in the mind that begins to be jealous , then to conclude that there is no life in one , that is but sick : on the contrary , pain and sensiblenesse , are never in dead bodies ; so jealousie is never found in hatred or in difference . it must needs be , that this passion has likelihood of reason , since god himself heretofore allowed husbands to try the fidelity of their wives , with a water which they called the water of probation or jealousie . if all suspicions were extravagant or unjust , god would have interdicted them , not have cured them by so solemn remedies , he would have shown rather a detestation , then compassion on them . so those are grosly deceived , that think they have criminated jealousie , when they maintaine that it derogates from the opinion of our owne merits , or the fidelity of the person we love : if one examine well this passion , it rises not commonly from that distrust ; and we do at the same time believe our selves lovely , and others beloved . 't is a fear that discovers not so much our own weaknesse , as it confesseth the merit of our enemies . we do but the same in this , as we do for treasures or other things , which we cannot love without fear of losing . as the most firm in religion may have doubts , so the most confident in love are capable of some suspicion . the strongest trees are shaken by the wind , though the roots be fixed , whiles the leavs and branches are tossed . one would wish to have no il belief , but reports & conjectures shake us rather to a fearful then a confident conclusion . the mind suffers much in this irresolution , and apparencies trouble much when one cannot directly judg of the falshood or truth of them . there are both good and ill examples , both to settle and to shake us ; and ordinarily our thoughts light upon them that persecute us , rather then those that ease us . that of penelope comforts us , when we represent to ourselves , that her fidelity lasted five & twenty years in the absence of her husband ; but that of messalina tyrannizes over us , and awakes our suspicions : when we think of our infamous impurities , our minds are balanced on both sides , but the misfortune is , that conjectures having given the alarm , that by too strict an enquiry , we either find , or invent somewhat , to change our doubts into beliefs . should we not rest our selves , after having had a tryal of a person , and may effects for testimonies of the affection ? but all those proofs keep us not from vexing our selves , because fear which is not in our power , interprets ill the least appearances , and buries it selfe even in false objects , when it finds no true . what tryal soever we have had of fidelity , when love hath nothing left to desire , it hath all to fear . it is the natural course of our passions , that threaten change , when they are in extremes , and ruine themselves without any occasion , only because they are humane . hypocrates has made a good maxime , to advertise us , that bodies are in danger of sickness , when they are too high and strong . but a poet has a better conceit , for the alteration of minds raised with too violent an affection . the will deserves as well a wheele of inconstancy for her passions , as fortune for her favours ; in the top there is no subsistence long , either by reason of misfortune , or imbecility . those that are in the highest pitch in love , are like those which are on the top of too great elevations , their head growes dizzy , and though no body touch them , they reel till they fall of themselves , meerly by the fear of falling . when the sun is at noon , it begins to decline , because when it cannot pass that point , it retires and removes it self , when nothing drives it to its setting or another hemispheere . our minds seem to have the same motions , and distaste followes liking by an order that is as natural , as that which makes night succeed the day , or ebbs and floods in the sea . we feel our selvs insensibly weary even of the loveliest things , and though the soul be immortal in her own nature , yet she seems in her actions to express a youthfulness and age , as bodies do . socrates said , that the gods did strive to mingle pleasure & pain one with another ; but when they could not do that , yet at least they tyed them together , that the alternative succession may prevent insolence and despair . this happens often without our own voluntary contributions , and as we slip down from joy to sorrow , so oftentimes we perceive our love change into coldnesse or indifferency . the diseases of the mind as wel as the body , are formed most commonly without our consent ; we lose the quiet of our soul , as our health , all at once , without any prevision of the change , and not knowing how to find the cause or remedy of this passion , no more then of a quartain ague . but i have too long spoke against my own mind , as well as reason , in favour of a passion that ruines loves reputation , and disorders the souls tranquillity . reason ingenders love , and love jealousie : but the one and the other resemble little wormes that corrupts the matter that forms them ; the one kills his father , and the other his mother . how moderate soever this passion be , it is alwayes dangerous , and in this case there must be injustice committed , forbidding the practice by reason of the abuse , because they are too much fastned to one another . as there is no little serpent without some venom , there is no so well tempered jealousie , that does not produce many misfortunes . those that compare it to ivy , do it very fitly , because as that growes ordinarily but upon old heaps of ruines ; so this passion wreaths it selfe most commonly about tortured and dejected spirits . we see ivy flourishing with green upon trees that are dry and sapples , so the older men grow , this passion youthens the more , and becomes the stronger in such as age or craziness of wit infeebles or stupifies ; other plants have their root at the foot ivy has every where , and even more root then leaves ; jealousy roots it self every day more and more , and insinuates it self more inseparably into the soul , then ivy can do into trees or walls . it is but the middle kind of wits , that are capable of this contagion ; excellent ones are above it , and mean ones below ; these are ignorant of the occasions , and the other unmoved with them . it is in this , that stupidity arrives at the same point as wisdom , and clowns are as happy as philosophers , otherwise those that afflict themselvs for a mis-fortune where there is no remedy but patience do entertain this error in the world , and have a whole moon in their head , when they think they have but halfe an one on their forhead . it is to be very senselesse , to afflict ones selfe without obliging any body , and make a damnation in this world , for fear of missing it in the next . if the mistrust of jealous ones be knowne , they augment the il instead of the redress ; if it be not , it is superfluous , and it is a hidden pain which silence and modesty render more supportable . i do not wonder if jealous ones be lean , their passion feeds on nothing but phantasmes . good wits restrain their curiosity , while indifferent ones let it loose to learn what should be unknown ; not considering that in the commerce of this world , the most exact do not make best their accounts . if we could regulate well our opinions , we should suppresse many enemies . melancholy and meditations entertain jealousie ; diversion and forgetfulnesse put it away . wit as well as sight wearies , when it is fixt too long on one object . in these occasions we must overcome , as the parthians do by flying , and rather divert our thoughts , then direct them with too much intentivenesse ; it is an enemy with poisoned weapons , and his approach is enough to overthrow ; when the memory has once received it , reason comes often too late for a resistance . one may hinder the entrance , but it never goes out before it has ruined the host . cydippus among the romans , was so pleased to see buls baited , as he thought so much of it all night , as he rose in the morning with hornes on his head . this spectacle pleasing him , he had entertained his fancy with it , and in the end his imagination did him this ill office . 't is thus that many make their heads ake without considering that their unquietnesse and curiosity is hurtfull to them , because if they discover their suspitions to be false , they are obliged to repentance ; if they find them true , they cannot be too miserable for being too curious . those that thinke jealousie or envy was the sinne of the angels , do halfe justifie those that have this passion , since angels were capable of it with all their illumination , which is so above the reach of men . but we learn too by this example , that it was that which made hell , and that every day renders many miserable , by their own delights , even to drive lovers out of paradise , if there be one in imaginary contentments . there is no malice black enough to blind this passions capacity , it gives craft to the dullest , and perverts the most vertuous , to seek satisfaction for this injury . cyrce jealous of silla , fearing that glausus was in love with her , poisoned the water where she did ordinarily bathe , to make a monster of a nimph . murder , poison and witch-craft are but sports ; jealousy has no bound to its inventions and crimes , but impossibility ; t is strange , that those that pass their time , are notwithstanding jealous of their husbands , and violate the law of nature , as well as of divinity , not enduring to be paid what they lend . women are most commonly debauched , because they practice what they fear , and their apprehension arises from their experience . jealous spirits never confess their error , but when there is no help for it . all the world knows herods suspitions of mariana , only because she was handsome , having no other ground to believe her faulty , but because her merit might make her be sollicited ; but what fury and rage is this , after that he had put this innocent lady to death , he calls for her , as if she had not been dead , and thinks to find her in his palace , as if he had not sent her to her grave ? this tyrant would have committed many of their crimes in a month , since he forgot them so soon , and had as ill a memory as a judgment . jealousie carries us out of our selves ; we have some reason to disavow the effects of it , when we are come back , and when we consider the malice and extravagancy of it . we do often by his example grieve many to death by our suspitions , and then we sorrow for it to no purpose , rendring them their reputation by our repentance , but not their life which they have given to melancholy , because we do too late convict our blindnesse , to justifie their innocence . the reports of ill spoken women , made prochis jealous of her husband cephalus ; she imagined he had a mistris , which he went to seek in the woods , under the pretence of hunting ; she hid her self behind a bush , thinking to hear the discourse of his solitary thoughts ; he hearing a noise , and believing it was a deer , shot an arrow at it , which hit her in the heart , she dying , cried out , cephalus . this word made him know , that he had taken his wife for a beast , it may be he was not deceived , it is to be very senseless , so lightly to abandon our reason , & give a belief to our worst interpretation of the best things . an ingenuous liberty is a better guard then any restraint , freedom extinguishes desire , and interdiction kindles it . when the opportunities of sin are common , they are neglected , when they are rare , they are made use of lest they should not be met with again so commodiously . in any case , how extreme soever jealousie were , me thinks , the jealousie of vulcan should remedy it ; when he was jealous of mars and venus , he spread nets to take them in presence of all the gods , but afterwards what got he by all his curiosity and dexterity , but to be declared infamous with more solemnity , even to be thrown from heaven with a broken leg ? yet for fear of being deceived in this matter , we must take notice , that jealousie is for love , envy for fortune , and emulation for vertue ; the goods of fortune are too gross and material , those of love too light for our minds , only those of vertue deserve to be made their object . 't is for her only that competitors endure one another in their designs , and there is no more sedition or dispute amongst them , then there is for the impropriation of the light of the sun , or the influence of the stars . so we see among the ancients , that the three graces hold one another by the hand , and are united in the alliance of vertue , while the three goddesses are quarrelling for the apple of beauty , and the triumvirate cannot agree about the possession of the empire . if we must joyn for this , christianity to morality , to find retreats for the persecution of jealousie , let us make use of holy ioseph and the virgin to teach us , that the chastest of women , has made jealous the simplest of men . there is sometimes more mis-fortune in it then ill meaning ; we must neglect the apparencies like him , and suffer suspicions like her . it is no small consolation to thinke , that after all the proofs and testimonies that may seem to constrain us to conclude ill , it is better in this extremity to believe a miracle then a sin , and to acknowledge the power of god , rather then the weaknesse of the creature . finis . pag. 78. last line but two , read forgive ▪ line penult . read rules ▪ line ult , read mind . a catalogue of books printed for , and sold by gabriel bedel , and thomas collins , 1656. viz. books in folio . the complete ambassadour , by sir dudly diggs , containing the letters and negotiations of sir francis walsingham , the lord burleigh , and other eminent persons : being a perfect series of the most remarkable passages of state , both at home and abroad , in the reign of queen elizabeth of blessed memory . the history of the civil wars of france , written in italian by d' avila , translated into english by sir charles co●terel knight , and william aylesbury esq the whole fifteen books . idem , the continuation alone being ten books . sir richard bakers history of the kings of england . stowes chronicle , continued to the year 1631. by edmund howes gentleman , with an appendix of the universities of england . seldeni eadmerus . idem , his mare clausam . idem , his notes or illustrations on palaealbion . the history of the reign of king henry vii . written by the right honourable francis lord verulam , viscount s. alban ; unto which is annexed a very useful table . the life and reign of king henry viii , written by the right honourable edward lord herbert of cherbury . orlando furioso , in english heroical verse , by sir . iohn harrington knight , with the addition of the authors epigrams . the marrow of the french tongue , by iohn woodro●ph . babbingtons fire works , with logarithmes . a french english dictionary , with another in english and french , compiled by mr. randal cotgrave : whereunto are added , the animadversions and supplement of iames howel esq. usserii annales , in two volumes in latin . devotions upon certain festivals , piously and learnedly exprest in meditations , by that accomplished gentleman , william austen of lincolns-inn esq. of government and obedience , as they stand directed and determined by scripture and reason , four books by iohn hall of richmond gentleman . daltons country iustice , corrected and enlarged by the authors own hand before his death ; unto which is annexed , an appendix or abridgment of all the late acts and ordinances that relate to the office of a justice of peace , to the year 1655. by a gentleman learned in the lawes . a collection of acts , in the years , 1648 , 1649 , 1650 , 1651. very useful especially for justices of the peace , and other officers , with several other ordinances of like concernment , by henry scobel esq clerk of the parliament . in co-partnership with mr. lee and mr. pakeman . books in quarto . cabala , sive scrinia sacra , mysteries of state and government , in several embassies and letters , by the great ministers of king iames and king charles , collected by a noble hand , in two parts . mr. seldens history of tythes . clavels recantation , or discovery of the high-way law . powels search of records . three readings by the lord dyer , brograve and rysden of wills , jointures and forcible entrie . the arguments of the learned iudges , upon the writ of habeas corpus , with the opinion of the upper bench court thereupon , with sir iohn elliots case . miscellanea spiritualia , first and second part , written by the honourable walter montague esq abbot of nantuel . barclayes argenis , englished by sir robert le grey's knight . the christian man , or the reparation of nature by grace , written in french by that elegant and pious author , iohn francis sennault , englished by h. g. master of arts , and student of christs church in oxford . potters interpretation of the number 666. the perfect conveyancer . shoppards legal part of tythes . the history of the grand seigneurs serraglio , unto which is added the history of china . ross against copernicus and gallilaus , concerning the earths motion . mr durhams assize sermon at warwick before the judges , 1651. palmerin d' oliva , both parts compleat . the iesuit the chief , if not the only state heretick in the world , or the venetian quarrel , by dr. swadlin . playes . the divels an asse , by ben iohnson . in folio . the marriage of the arts , in quarto , by barton hollyday . the iust general , in quarto . the bastard , in quarto . the raging turk , or bajazet the ii. the couragious turk , or amurath the i. the tragedy of orestes , in quarto . written by thomas goffe , master of arts , and student of christs church oxford . the wits the plationick lovers the triumphs of prince d' amour , a mask . written by sir will . d' avenant , in quarto . the faithful shepherdesse , by iohn fletcher gentleman . the merry vvives of windsor , by shakespear , in quarto . edward the iv. the first and second part , in quarto micha●lmas term , in quarto . fine companion , in quarto . capils whirlegig , in quarto . the phaenix , in quarto . love in its extasie , in quarto . the combat of love and friendship , by dr. mead . the martyr . horatius . s●avol● , now in the press three tragedies by sir william lower knight in quarto . the hectors , or the false challenge , a comedy newly written , by a person of learning and eminency ; wherein is discovered the humours of our present hectors , false gamesters , &c : in quarto . books in octavo . horace , englished by richard fanshaw esq an apology for learning and learned men , by edward wa●erhouse , esq idem , his two divine tracts . shepherds iustice of peace , two parts with additions . in copartnership with w. l. and d. p. idem , his court-keepers guide . idem , his clerks cabinet , or presidents . a learned treatise of the common lawes of england , by francis white esq , barrester of grayes-inn . in co-partnership with w. l. and d. p. lambards archeion , or comment on the high courts of justice . the parsons law . ashes tables to the lord cooks eleven reports , english . in co-partnership with w. l. and d. p. davenports abridgment of the lord cooks institutes english . the nuptial lover hippollito and isabella two small romances . brinsleyes small copy-books . 3 d. price . callendarium pastorale , by theodoro bathurst , latine and english . the countess of arundels experiments . a synopsis , or compendium of the fathers in english . books in twelves . sir henry wottons works . the book of oaths . ross his cases of conscience . of liberty and servitude , in english , by i. e. esq. iacksons evangelical temper . balzacks prince , in english . malvetzies politick christian favorite , or the life of c. olivarez . the state of france english , published by i. e. esq haywards life and reign of edward the vi . supplementum lucani , by thomas may , anglo . the accomplish'd woman , written by the right honourable walter montague esq. steps of ascension to god , or a ladder to heaven , containing prayers and meditations for every day of the week , and all other occasions , by edward gee , doctor in divinity , now the ninth time reprinted . courteous reader , yov may please to take notice , that here are some few playes worn out of print , which we purpose to reprint ; and there are several other books in the note also grown scarce , and but smal numbers left . the reason of this intimation , or printed catalogue , is to perpetuate the memory of the said books and copies belonging to your servants , g. b. and t. c. finis . an essay in defence of the female sex in which are inserted the characters of a pedant, a squire, a beau, a vertuoso, a poetaster, a city-critick, &c. : in a letter to a lady / written by a lady. 1696 approx. 193 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 89 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2007-01 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a26086 wing a4058 estc r11541 11687474 ocm 11687474 48164 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a26086) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 48164) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 9:5) an essay in defence of the female sex in which are inserted the characters of a pedant, a squire, a beau, a vertuoso, a poetaster, a city-critick, &c. : in a letter to a lady / written by a lady. astell, mary, 1668-1731. drake, judith, fl. 1696-1707. [24], 148, [4] p. printed for a. roper and e. wilkinson at the black boy, and r. clavel at the peacock, in fleetstreet, london : 1696. attributed to mary astell in watt's bibliotheca britannica. attributed to judith drake in wing (cd-rom, 1996). for discussion of authorship see: smith, florence m. mary astell, new york, 1916, p. 173-182. errata: p. [24]. formerly wing a4058 (number cancelled in wing (cd-rom, 1996). reproduction of original in yale university library. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng women's rights. feminism -early works to 1800. 2006-02 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2006-02 aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images 2006-08 elspeth healey sampled and proofread 2006-08 elspeth healey text and markup reviewed and edited 2006-09 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the compleat b●●●… this vain gay thing sets up for man. but see with fate attends him , the powd'ring barber first began . the barber surgeon ends him . an essay in defence of the female sex . in which are inserted the characters of a pedant , a squire , a beau , a vertuoso , a poetaster , a city-critick , &c. in a letter to a lady . written by a lady . since each is fond of his own ugly face ; why shou'd you when we hold it break the glass ? prol. to sir f. flutter . london , printed for a. roper and e. wilkinson at the black boy , and r. clavel at the peacock , in fleetstreet , 1696. to her royal highness the princess anne of denmark . madam , if in adventuring to lay this little piece at your highnesses feet , and humbly beg your royal protection of it , i have presum'd too far , be pleas'd to impute it to your own , most gracious goodness , the knowledge of which encourag'd me . our sex are by nature tender of their own off-spring , and may be allow'd to have more fondness for those of the brain , then any other ; because they are so few , and meet with so many enemies at their first appearance in the world. i hope therefore to find pardon , if like an indulgent parent , i have endeavour'd to advance my first born , by entering it very early into your highnesses service . i have not presum'd to approach your highness out of any confidence in the merits of this essay , but of the cause which it pleads , wherein the honour of the whole sex seem'd to exact of me no less a patronage than that of the best , as well as greatest among 'em , whom they are all ambitious to see at their head . i have only endeavour'd to reduce the sexes to a level , and by arguments to raise ours to an equallity at most with the men : but your highness by illustrious example daily convinces the world of our superiority , and we see with wonder , vertues in you , madam , greater than your birth . in this i am peculiarly happy , that i am exempted from the common task of other dedicators , who lie under an obligation to publishing to the world those excellencies of their patrons , which perhaps appear no where but in their epistles . in me it were as great folly , to pretend to make known the illustrious quallities of your highness , as it wou'd be to go about to demonstrate by argument , that the sun shin'd , to a crowd that are warm'd by the influence of it . i had attempted the character of a consummate woman , could i , tho' but faintly have shaddow'd the inimitable graces of you highness ; but the impossibillity of that task forc'd me to desist . it were easy here to lanch into those glorious particulars , which affirmed of any other than your royal highness , would have been extravagance of flattery ; but to you injustice , and in me the highest presumption , to attempt with my feeble hand those perfections , which the ablest must fall infinitely short of . the lustre of your royal vertues , madam , like the sun , gives us warmth and light , and while at a modest distance we admire it , improves our sight , which too bold a view confounds , yet the meanest and most ignorant see those glories , which the most exquisite artist can never express . the world therefore will rather justify than comdemn my conduct , if i do not wrong so bright an original with a dark obscure copy . madam , tho' the world may condemn my performance , it must applaud my choice in this address , and own that had i known as well how to argue , as to instance , i must infallibly have triumph'd over all opposition . it may be easie to evade , or bastle the force of my arguments , but it is impossible without the utmost stupidity , and injustice to deny the manifest advantages of those illustrious graces , which raise your highness so far above theirs as well as your own sex. in this i have imitated the conduct of prudent generals , who , when they doubt the sufficiency of their strength , retire to some strong fort , and rest secure under the protection of it . there is yet another reason , madam , which tho' the least justifiable , was nevertheless most prevalent with me to devote this essay to your highness . my ambition to shew the profound respects i have always had for your highness , would not suffer me to let slip any occasion of expressing it , even tho i blush for the meanes of it . thus i find my self reduc'd by my zeal , to the condition of poor tenants , who must expose their poverty , to shew their affection to their lord in a worthless present . i am sensible of the rashness of my ambition in aspiring to the patronage of your highness , and the need i have of an apology ; but were i able to make one as i ought , i should have taken care to have had less occasion for it . yet i doubt not from your goodness that indulgence , which i cannot expect from your justice , nor but that you will ( like heaven , whose more immediate images princes are ) accept my unprofitable service , for the sincerity with which it is tender'd . if my unfeign'd submission may procure pardon for my presumption , that your happiness may equal your illustrious vertues , and your royal person be as far out of the reach of fortune , as your fame and honour of detraction , shall ever be the prayers of madam , your royal highness's most humble , most obedient , and most devoted servant preface . prefaces to most books , are like prolocutors to puppet-shows , they come first to tell you what figures are to be presented , and what tricks they are to play . according therefore to ancient and laudable custom , i have thought fit to let you know by way of preface , or advertisement , ( call it which you please ) that here are many fine figures within to be seen , as well worth your curiosity , as any in smithfield at bartholomew tide . i will not deny , reader , but that you may have seen some of 'em there already ; to those that have , i have little more to say , than that if they have a mind to see them again in effigie , they may do it here . what is it you wou'd have ? here are st. george's , batemans , john dories , punchinello's , and the creation of the world , or what 's as good ; here 's the german artist too , or one that can show more tricks than he : if all this will not invite you , y' are grown more squeamish of late , gentlemen , than you us'd to be , and the poor bookseller will make but an indifferent market of you . well , let the worst come to the worst , 't is but shifting the scene to smithfield , and making an interest in half a dozen vizor-masks to be sure of your company : but he , good man , is desirous to please you at first hand , and therefore has put a fine picture in the front to invite you in , so like some of you ( as he protests ) that you ought never look in a glass again , if it offends you . for my part , i declare , he has acted clear against my opinion in this case , and so he has been told ; for many a poor man has lost the showing of his monster , by gratifying the curiosity of the gaping crowd with too exact a picture without doors . besides , there 's an unlucky rogue of a left-handed barber , that looks like an ill omen in the beginning . he was told too , that if he wou'd please most of you , he ought to take example by your glasses and flatter you . yet he continued obstinate and unmoveable to all these weighty reasons , and is so fondly bent for his picture , that he resolv'd against all advice to have it . nay , and he wou'd have rhimes underneath it too , which , he says , weigh more with you , than all the reason in the world . i thought fit to let you know this , that the bookseller might not lose the credit of his fancy , if it takes with you , as he is perswaded it will. for you must know , i am a great lover of strict justice , and therefore would by no means rob , or defraud him of the glory of his invention , or by any sinister way sullie , or diminish the honour , or reputation of his parts and ingenuity . for the same reason likewise i must acquaint you , that the rhimes are none of mine neither ; and now my hand is in , i don't much care if i tell you , that i am not very good at that ingenious recreation , called crambo , from which some rise to be very considerable rhimers . this now is more then i was oblig'd to tell you , and therefore i hope no body will deny , but that i deal ingenuously at least with you . this one would think were preface sufficient ; but there are some men so impertinently curious , that they must needs have a reason for every thing , that is done in the world , tho' it were in their favour ( for which perhaps it were hard to give a good one ) when it were their interest to be satisfied , and thankful without further enquiry . to comply therefore in some measure with the humour of these people , if any such think fit to peruse this book , i must tell 'em very freely , that i was so far from aiming to oblige , or disoblige 'em by it , that it was never intended for their view . it was occasion'd by a private conversation , between some gentlemen and ladies , and written at the request , and for the diversion of one lady more particularly , by whom with my consent it was communicated to two or three more of both sexes , my friends likewise . by them i was with abundance of complements importun'd to make it publick ; now tho' i do with good reason attribute much more , of what was said to me upon this occasion , to their good breeding and friendship , than to their real opinions of my performance ; yet i have so much satisfaction in their sincerity , and friendship as to be confident they would not suffer , much less perswade me to expose to the world any thing , of which they doubted so far , as to think it would not be tollerably acceptable . nor have i less assurance of their judgment and skill in things of this nature , beside that i have been inform'd by some of 'em , that it has been seen , and favourably receiv'd by some gentlemen , whom the world thinks no incompetent judges . after all this encouragement , i suppose , i shall not be thought vain , if , as i pretend not to the applause , so i fear not the contempt of the world : yet i presume not so far upon the merits of what i have written , as to make my name publick with it . i have elsewhere held , that vanity was almost the universal mover of all our actions , and consequently of mine , as well as of others ; yet it is not strong enough in me , to induce me to bring my name upon the publick stage of the world. there are many reasons , that oblige me to this cautious , reserv'd way of procedure ; tho' i might otherwise be very ambitious of appearing in the desence of my sex , cou'd i perswade my self , that i was able to write any thing sutable to the dignity of the subject , which i am not vain enough to think . this indeed is one reason , because i am sensible it might have been much better defended by abler pens , such as many among our own sex are ; though i believe scarce thus much wou'd have been expected from me , by those that know me . there is likewise another reason , which was yet more prevalent with me , and with those few friends whom i consulted about it , which is this ; there are a sort of men , that upon all occasions think themselves more concern'd , and more thought of than they are , and that , like men that are deaf , or have any other notorious defect , can see no body whisper , or laugh , but they think 't is at themselves . these men are apt to think , that every ridiculous description they meet with , was intended more particularly for some one or other of them ; as indeed it is hard to paint any thing compleat in their several kinds , without hitting many of their particular features , even without drawing from them . the knowledge of this , with the consideration of the tenderness of reputation in our sex , ( which as our delicatest fruits and finest flowers are most obnoxious to the injuries of weather , is submitted to every infectious blast of malicious breath ) made me very cautious , how i expos'd mine to such poisonous vapours . i was not ignorant , how liberal some men are of their scandal , whenever provok'd , especially by a woman ; and how ready the same men are to be so , tho upon never so mistaken grounds . this made me resolve to keep 'em in ignorance of my name , and if they have a mind to find me out , let 'em catch me ( if they can ) as children at blind-mans buff do one another , hoodwinkt ; and i am of opinion i have room enough to put 'em out of breath before they come near me . the event has in effect prov'd my suspicio●s prophetick ; for there are ( as i am inform'd ) already some , so forward to interest themselves against me , that they take characters upon themselves , before they see 'em ; and , for fear they should want some body to throw their dirt at , with equal ignorance , and injustice father this piece upon the gentleman , who was so kind as to take care of the publication of it , only to excuse me from appearing . this made me once resolve to oppose my innocence to their clamour , and perfix my name , which i thought i was bound to do in justice to him . in this resolution i had persisted , had not the very same gentleman generously perswaded , and over-rul'd me to the contrary , representing how weak a defence innocence is against calumny , how open the ears of all the world are , and how greedily they suck in any thing to ●he prejudice of a woman ; and that ( to use his own expression ) the scandal of such men , was like dirt thrown by children , and fools at random , and without provocation , it would dawb filthily at first , though it were easily washt off again : adding , that he desir'd me not to be under any concern for him ; for he valued the malice of such men , as little , as their friendship , the one was as feeble , as tother false . i suppose i need make no apology to my own sex for the meaness of this desence ; the bare intention of serving 'em will ( i hope be accepted , and of men , the candid and ingenuous i am sure will not quarrel with me for any thing in this little book ; since there is nothing in it , which was not drawn from the strictest reason i was mistress of , and the best observations i was able to make , except a start or two only concerning the salique law , and the amazons , which , if they divert not the reader , can't offend him . i shall not trouble the reader with any account of the method i have observ'd , he will easily discover that in reading the piece it self . i shall only take notice to him of one thing , which with a little attention to what he reads he will readily find to be true , that is , that the characters were not written out of any wanton humour , or malicious design to characterize any particular persons , but to illustrate what i have said upon the several heads , under which they are rang'd , and represent not single men , but so many clans , or divisions of men , that play the fool seriously in the world. if any individual seem to be more peculiarly markt , it is because he is perhaps more notorious to the world , by some one or more articles of the general character here given i am sure that there is no man , who is but moderately accquainted with the world , especially this town , but may find half a dozen , or more originals for every picture . after all , if any man have so little wit , as to appropriate any of these characters to himself , he takes a liberty i have hitherto never given him , but shall do it now in the words of a great man , if any fool finds the cap fit him , let him put it on . there are some men , ( i hear ) who will not allow this piece to be written by a woman ; did i know what estimate to make of their judgments , i might perhaps have a higher opinion of this triffle , than i ever yet had . for i little thought while i was writing this , that any man ( especially an ingenious man ) should have the scandal of being the reputed author . for he must think it scandalous to be made to father a womans productions unlawfully . but these gentlemen , i suppose , believe there is more wit , than they 'l find in this piece , upon the credit of the bookseller , whose interest it is to flatter it . but were it as well written as i could wish it , or as the subject wou'd bear , and deserves ; i see no reason why our sex shou'd be robb'd of the honour of it ; since there have been women in all ages , whose writings might vie with those of the greatest men , as the present age as well as past can testifie . i shall not trouble the reader with their names , because i wou'd not be thought so vain , as to rank my self among 'em ; and their names are already too well known , and celebrated to receive any additional lustre from so weak encomiums as mine . i pretend not to imitate , much less to rival those illustrious ladies , who have done so much honour to their sex , and are unanswerable proofs of , what i contend for . i only wish , that some ladies now living among us ( whose names i forbear to mention in regard to their modesty ) wou'd exert themselves , and give us more recent instances , who are both by nature and education sufficiently qualified to do it , which i pretend not to . i freely own to the reader , that i know no other tongue besides my native , except french , in which i am but very moderately skill'd . i plead not this to excuse the meaness of my performance ; because i know , i may reasonably be ask'd , why i was so forward to write ; for that i have already given my reasons above , if they will not satisfie the reader , he must endeavour to please himself with better , for i am very little solicitous about the matter . i shall only add , that for my good will i hope the favour of my own sex , which will satisfie my ambition . to the most ingenious mrs. — or her admirable defence of her sex. long have we sung the fam'd orinda's praise , and own'd astrea's title to the bays , we to their wit have paid the tribute due , but shou'd be bankrupt , before just to you . sweet flowing numbers , and fine thoughts they writ ; but you eternal truths , as well as wit. in them the force of harmony we find , in you the strength , and vigour of the mind . dark clouds of prejudice obscur'd their verse , you with victorious prose those clouds disperse ; those foggs , which wou'd not to their flame submit , vanish before your rising sun of wit. like stars , they only in themselves were bright , the whole sex shines by your reflected light. our sex have long thro' usurpation reign'd , and by their tyranny their rule maintain'd . till wanton grown with arbitrary sway depos'd by you they practice to obey , proudly submitting , when such graces meet , beauty by nature , and by conquest wit. for wit they had on their own sex entail'd , till for your self , and sex you thus prevail'd . thrice happy sex ! whose foes such pow'r disarms , and gives fresh lustre to your native charms , whose nervous sense couch'd in close method lies , clear as her soul , and piercing as her eyes , if any yet so stupid shou'd appear , as still to doubt , what she has made so clear , her beautie 's arguments they would allow , and to her eyes their full conversion owe. and by experiment the world convince . the force of reason's less , than that of sense . your sex you with such charming grace defend , while that you vindicate , you ours amend : we in your glass may see each foul defect . and may not only see , but may correct . in vain old greece her sages would compare , they taught what men should be , you what they are with doubtfull notiones they mankind perplext , and with unpracticable precept vext . in vain they strove wild passions to reclaim , uncertain what they were , or whence they came . but you , who have found out their certain source , may with a happier hand divert their course . themselves so little did those sages know , that to their failings we their learning owe. their vanity first caus'd 'em to aspire , and with feirce wranglings set all greece on fire : thus into sects they split the grecian youth , contending more for victory than truth . your speculations nobler ends persue , they aim not to be popular , but true . you with strict justice in an equal light , expose both wit and folly to our sight . yet as the bee secure on poyson feeds , extracting honey from the rankest weeds : so safely you in fools instructours find , and wisdom in the follies of mankind . with purer waves henceforth shall satyr flow , and we this change to your chast labours owe ; satyr before from a polluted source brought native filth , augmented in its course . no longer muddy shall those steams appear , which you have purg'd , and made so sweet , and clear . well may your wit to us a wonder seem , so strong 's the current , yet so ●lear the stream , deep , but not dull , thro` each transparent line we see the gems , which at the bottom shine , to your correction freely we submit , who teach us modesty , as well as wit. our sex with blushes must your conquest own , while yours prepare the garlands you have won . your fame secure long as your sex shall last , nor time , nor envy shall your lawrels blast . james drake the reader is desir'd to excuse , and correct all li●eral escapes , and to amend the following thus . errata . page 4. l. 10. for engenia , read eugenia . p. 10 , l. 22. for that , read the , p. 28. l. 16. for mummy , read mummy . p. 29. l. 13. for change read chance . p. 32. l. 4. for repetition , read repetition . p. 53. l. 4. for essay , read esop . p. 53. l. 13. for messieurs , read sieurs . p 60 l. 2. read upon us . p. 84. l. 1. for and these , read th●se . p. 103. l. 23. for little read little . p. 111. l. 12. for ocsicaons , read occasions p. 113. l. for master , read mastery . p. 126. l. 20. for as well , read as well as . p. 143. l. 9. for inspire , read inspires . an essay in defence of the female sex , &c. the conversation we had 'tother day , makes me , dear madam , but more sensible of the unreasonableness of your desire ; which obliges me to inform you further upon a subject , wherein i have more need of your instruction . the strength of judgment , sprightly fancy , and admirable address , you shew'd upon that occasion , speak you so perfect a mistress of that argument ( as i doubt not but you are of any other that you please to engage in ) that whoever , would speak or write well on it , ought first to be your schollar . yet to let you see how absolutely you may command me , i had rather be your eccho , than be silent when you bid me speak , and beg your excuse rather for my failures , than want of complacence . i know you will not accuse me for a plagiary if i return you nothing , but what i have glean'd from you , when you consider , that i pretend not to make a present , but to pay the interest only of a debt . nor can you tax me with vanity , since no importunity of a person less lov'd , or valu'd by me than your self could have extorted thus much from me . this consideration leaves me no room to doubt but that you will with your usual candour pardon those defects , and correct those errors , which proceed only from an over forward zeal to oblige you , though to my own disadvantage . the defence of our sex against so many and so great wits as have so strongly at ack'd it , may justly seem a task too difficult for a woman man to attempt . not that i can , or ought to yield , that we are by nature less enabled for such an enterpize , than men are ; which i hope at least to shew plausible reasons for , before i have done : but because through the usurpation of men , and the tyranny of custom ( here in england especially ) there are at most but few , who are by education , and acquir'd wit , or letters sufficiently quallified for such an undertaking . for my own part i shall readily own , that as few as there are , there may be and are abundance , who in their daily conversations approve themselves much more able , and sufficient assertors of our cause , than my self ; and i am sorry that either their business , their other diversions , or too great indulgence of their ease , hinder them from doing publick justice to their sex. the men by interest or inclination are so generally engag'd against us , that it is not to be expected , that any one man of wit should arise so generous as to engage in our quarrel , and be the champion of our sex against the injuries and oppressions of his own . those romantick days are over , and there is not so much as a don quixot of the quill left to succour the distressed damsels . 't is true , a feint of something of this nature was made three or four years since by one ; but how much soever his engenia may be oblig'd to him , i am of opinion the rest of her sex are but little beholding to him . for as you rightly observ'd , madam , he has taken more care to give an edge to his satyr , than force to his apology ; he has play'd a sham prize , and receives more thrusts than he makes ; and like a false renegade fights under our colours only for a fairer opportunity of betraying us . but what could be expected else from a beau ? an annimal that can no more commend in earnest a womans wit , than a man's person , and that compliments ours , only to shew his own good breeding and parts . he levels his scandal at the whole sex , and thinks us sufficiently fortified , if out of the story of two thousand years he has been able to pick up a few examples of women illustrious for their wit , learning or vertue , and men infamous for the contrary ; though i think the most inveterate of our enemies would have spar'd him that labour , by granting that all ages have produc'd persons famous or infamous of both sexes ; or they must throw up all pretence to modesty , or reason . i have neither learning , nor inclination to make a precedent , or indeed any use of mr. w's . labour'd common place book ; and shall leave pedants and school-boys to rake and tumble the rubbish of antiquity , and muster all the heroes and heroins they can find to furnish matter for some wretched harangue , or stuff a miserable declamation with instead of sense or argument . i shall not enter into any dispute , whether men , or women be generally more ingenious , or learned ; that point must be given up to the advantages men have over us by their education , freedom of converse , and variety of business and company . but when any comparison is made between 'em , great allowances must be made for the disparity of those circumstances . neither shall i contest about the preheminence of our virtues ; i know there are too many vicious , and i hope there are a great many virtuous of both sexes . yet this i may say , that whatever vices are found amongst us , have in general both their source , and encouragement from them . the question i shall at present handle is , whether the time an ingenious gentleman spends in the company of women , may justly be said to be misemploy'd , or not ? i put the question in general terms ; because whoever holds the affirmative must maintain it so , or the sex is no way concern'd to oppose him . on the other side i shall not maintain the negative , but with some restrictions and limitations ; because i will not be bound to justifie those women , whose vices and ill conduct expose them deservedly to the censure of the other sex , as well as of their own . the question being thus stated , let us consider the end and purposes , for which conversation was at first instituted , and is yet desirable ; and then we shall see , whether they may not all be found in the company of women . these ends , i take it , are the same with those we aim at in all our other actions , in general only two , profit or pleasure . these are divided into those of the mind , and those of the body . of the latter i shall take no further notice , as having no relation to the present subject ; but shall confine my self wholly to the mind , the profit of which is the improvement of the understanding , and the pleasure is the diversion , and relaxa●ion of its cares and passions . now if either of these ends be attainable by the society of women , i have gain'd my point . however , i hope to make it appear , that they are not only both to be met with in the conversation of women , but one of them more generally , and in greater measure than in mens . our company is generally by our adversaries represented as unprofitable and irksome to men of sense , and by some of the more vehement sticklers against us , as criminal . these imputations as they are unjust , especially the latter , so they savour strongly of the malice , arrogance and sottishness of those , that most frequently urge 'em ; who are commonly either conceited fops , whose success in their pretences to the favour of our sex has been no greater than their merit , and fallen very far short of their vanity and presumption , or a sort of morose , ill-bred , unthinking fellows , who appear to be men only by their habit and beards , and are scarce distinguishable from brutes but by their figure and risibility . but i shall wave these reflections at present , however just , and come closer to our argument . if women are not quallified for the conversation of ingenious men , or , to go yet further , their friendship , it must be because they want some one condition , or more , necessarily requisite to either . the necessary conditions of these are sense , and good nature , to which must be added , for friendship , fidelity and integrity . now if any of these be wanting to our sex , it must be either because nature has not been so liberal as to bestow 'em upon us ; or because due care has not been taken to cultivate those gifts to a competent measure in us . the first of these causes is that , which is most generally urg'd against us , whether it be in raillery , or spight . i might easily cut this part of the controversy short by an irrefragable argument , which is , that the express intent , and reason for which woman was created , was to be a companion , and help meet to man ; and that consequently those , that deny 'em to be so , must argue a mistake in providence , and think themselves wiser than their creator . but these gentlemen are generally such passionate admirers of themselves , and have such a profound value and reverence for their own parts , that they are ready at any time to sacrifice their religion to the reputation of their wit , and rather than lose their point , deny the truth of the history . there are others , that though they allow the story yet affirm , that the propagation , and continuance of mankind , was the only reason for which we were made ; as if the wisdom that first made man , cou'd not without trouble have continu'd that species by the same or any other method , had not this been most conducive to his happiness , which was the gracious and only end of his creation . but these superficial gentlemen wear their understandings like their clothes , always set and formal , and wou'd no more talk than dress out of fashion ; beau's that , rather than any part of their outward figure shou'd be damag'd , wou'd wipe the dirt of their shoes with their handkercher , and that value themselves infinitely more upon modish nonsense , than upon the best sense against the fashion . but since i do not intend to make this a religious argument , i shall leave all further considerations of this nature to the divines , whose more immediate business and study it is to assert the wisdom of providence in the order , and distribution of this world , against all that shall oppose it . to proceed therefore if we be naturally defective , the defect must be either in soul or body . in the soul it can't be , if what i have hear'd some learned men maintain , be true , that all souls are equal , and alike , and that consequently there is no such distinction , as male and female souls ; that there are no innate idea's , but that all the notions we have , are deriv'd from our external senses , either immediately , or by reflection . these metaphysical speculations , i must own madam , require much more learning and a stronger head , than i can pretend to be mistress of , to be consider'd as they ought : yet so bold i may be , as to undertake the defence of these opinions , when any of our jingling opponents think fit to refute ' em . neither can it be in the body , ( if i may credit the report of learned physicians ) for there is no difference in the organization of those parts , which have any relation to , or influence over the minds ; but the brain , and all other parts ( which i am not anatomist enough to name ) are contriv'd as well for the plentiful conveyance of spirits , which are held to be the immediate instruments of sensation , in women , as men. i see therefore no natural impediment in the structure of our bodies ; nor does experience , or observation argue any : we use all our natural faculties , as well as men , nay and our rational too , deducting only for the advantages before mention'd . let us appeal yet further to experience , and observe those creatures that deviate least from simple nature , and see if we can find any difference in sense , or understanding between males and females . in these we may see nature plainest , who lie under no constraint of custom or laws , but those of passion or appetite , which are natures , and know no difference of education , nor receive any byass by prejudice . we see great distance in degrees of understanding , wit , cunning and docility ( call them what you please ) between the several species of brutes . an ape , a dog , a fox , are by daily observation found to be more docile , and more subtle than an ox , a swine , or a sheep . but a she ape is as full of , and as ready at imitation as a he : a bitch will learn as many tricks in as short a time as a dog , a female fox has as many wiles as a male. a thousand instances of this kind might be produc'd ; but i think these are so plain , that to instance more were a superfluous labour ; i shall only once more take notice , that in brutes and other animals there is no difference betwixt male and female in point of sagacity , notwithstanding there is the same distinction of sexes , that is between men and women . i have read , that some philosophers have held brutes to be no more than meer machines , a sort of divine clock-work , that act only by the force of nice unseen springs without sensation , and cry out without feeling pain , eat without hunger , drink without thirst , fawn upon their keepers without seeing 'em , hunt hares without smelling , &c. here madam is cover for our antagonists against the last argument so thick , that there is no beating 'em out . for my part , i shall not envy 'em their refuge , let 'em lie like the wild irish secure within their boggs ; the field is at least ours , so long as they keep to their fastnesses . but to quit this topick , i shall only add , that if the learnedest he of 'em all can convince me of the truth of this opinion , he will very much stagger my faith ; for hitherto i have been able to observe no difference between our knowledge and theirs , but a gradual one ; and depend upon revelation alone , that our souls are immortal , and theirs not . but if an argument from brutes and other animals shall not be allow'd as conclusive , ( though i can't see , why such an inference should not be valid , since the parity of reason is the same on both sides in this case . ) i shall desire those , that hold against us to observe the country people , i mean the inferiour sort of them , such as not having stocks to follow husbandry upon their own score , subsist upon their daily labour . for amongst these , though not so equal as that of brutes , yet the condition of the two sexes is more level , than amongst gentlemen , city traders , or rich yeomen . examine them in their several businesses , and their capacities will appear equal ; but talk to them of things indifferent , and out of the road of their constant employment , and the ballance will fall on our side , the women will be found the more ready and polite . let us look a little further , and view our sex in a state of more improvement , amongst our neighbours the dutch. there we shall find them managing not only the domestick affairs of the family , but making , and receiving all payments as well great as small , keeping the books , ballancing the accounts , and doing all the business , even the nicest of merchants , with as much dexterity and exactness as their , or our men can do . and i have often hear'd some of our considerable merchants blame the conduct of our country-men in this point ; that they breed our women so ignorant of business ; whereas were they taught arithmetick , and other arts which require not much bodily strength , they might supply the places of abundance of lusty men now employ'd in sedentary business ; which would be a mighty profit to the nation by sending those men to employments , where hands and strength are more requir'd , especially at this time when we are in such want of people . beside that it might prevent the ruine of many families , which is often occasion'd by the death of merchants in full business , and leaving their accounts perplex'd , and embroil'd to a widdow and orphans , who understanding nothing of the husband or father's business occasions the rending , and oftentimes the utter confounding a fair estate ; which might be prevented , did the wife but understand merchants accounts , and were made acquainted with the books . i have yet another argument from nature , which is , that the very make and temper of our bodies shew that we were never design'd for fatigue ; and the vivacity of our wits , and readiness of our invention ( which are confess'd even by our adversaries ) demonstrate that we were chiefly intended for thought and the exercise of the mind . whereas on the contrary it is apparent from the strength and size of their limbs , the vigour and hardiness of their constitutions , that men were purposely fram'd and contriv'd for action , and labour . and herein the wisdom and contrivance of providence is abundantly manifested ; for as the one sex is fortified with courage and ability to undergo the necessary drudgery of providing materials for the sustenance of life in both ; so the other is furnish'd with ingenuity and prudence for the orderly management and distribution of it , for the relief and comfort of a family ; and is over and above enrich'd with a peculiar tenderness and care requisite to the cherishing their poor helpless off-spring . i know our opposers usually miscall our quickness of thought , fancy and flash , and christen their own heaviness by the specious names of judgment and solidity ; but it is easie to retort upon 'em the reproachful ones of dullness and stupidity with more justice . i shall pursue this point no further , but continue firm in my persuasion , that nature has not been so niggardly to us , as our adversaries would insinuate , till i see better cause to the contrary , then i have hitherto at any time done . yet i am ready to yield to conviction , whoever offers it ; which i don 't suddenly expect . it remains then for us to enquire , whether the bounty of nature be wholly neglected , or stifled by us , or so far as to make us unworthy the company of men ? or whether our education ( as bad as it is ) be not sufficient to make us a useful , nay a necessary part of society for the greatest part of mankind . this cause is seldom indeed urg'd against us by the men , though it be the only one , that gives 'em any advantage over us in understanding . but it does not serve their pride , there is no honour to be gain'd by it : for a man ought no more to value himself upon being wiser than a woman , if he owe his advantage to a better education , and greater means of information , then he ought to boast of his courage , for beating a man , when his hands were bound . nay it would be so far from honourable to contend for preference upon this score , that they would thereby at once argue themselves guilty both of tyranny , and of fear : i think i need not have mention'd the latter ; for none can be tyrants but cowards . for nothing makes one party slavishly depress another , but their fear that they may at one time or other become strong or couragious enough to make themselves equal to , if not superiour to their masters . this is our case ; for men being sensible as well of the abilities of mind in our sex , as of the strength of body in their own , began to grow jealous , that we , who in the infancy of the world were their equals and partners in dominion , might in process of time , by subtlety and stratagem , become their superiours ; and therefore began in good time to make use of force ( the origine of power ) to compell us to a subjection , nature never meant ; and made use of natures liberality to them to take the benefit of her kindness from us . from that time they have endeavour'd to train us up altogether to ease and ignorance ; as conquerors use to do to those , they reduce by force , that so they may disarm 'em , both of courage and wit ; and consequently make them tamely give up their liberty , and abjectly submit their necks to a slavish yoke . as the world grew more populous , and mens necessities whetted their inventions , so it increas'd their jealousy , and sharpen'd their tyranny over us , till by degrees , it came to that height of severity , i may say cruelty , it is now at in all the eastern parts of the world , where the women , like our negroes in our western plantations , are born slaves , and live prisoners all their lives . nay , so far has this barbarous humour prevail'd , and spread it self , that in some parts of europe , which pretend to be most refin'd and civiliz'd , in spite of christianity , and the zeal for religion which they so much affect , our condition is not very much better . and even in france , a country that treats our sex with more respect than most do , we are by the salique law excluded from soveraign power . the french are an ingenious people , and the contrivers of that law knew well enough , that we were no less capable of reigning , and governing well , than themselves ; but they were suspicious , that if the regal power shou'd fall often into the hands of women , they would favour their own sex , and might in time restore 'em to their primitive liberty and equality with the men , and so break the neck of that unreasonable authority they so much affect over us ; and therefore made this law to prevent it . the historians indeed tell us other reasons , but they can't agree among themselves , and as men are parties against us , and therefore their evidence may justly be rejected . to say the truth madam , i can't tell how to prove all this from ancient records ; for if any histories were anciently written by women , time , and the malice of men have effectually conspir'd to suppress 'em ; and it is not reasonable to think that men shou'd transmit , or suffer to be transmitted to posterity , any thing that might shew the weakness and illegallity of their title to a power they still exercise so arbitrarily , and are so fond of . but since daily experience shews , and their own histories tell us , how earnestly they endeavour , and what they act , and suffer to put the same trick upon one another , 't is natural to suppose they took the same measures with us at first , which now they have effected , like the rebels in our last civil wars , when they had brought the royal party under , they fall together by the ears about the dividend . the sacred history takes no notice of any such authority they had before the flood , and their own confess that whole nations have rejected it since , and not suffer'd a man to live amongst them , which cou'd be for no other reason , than their tyranny . for upon less provocation the women wou'd never have been so foolish , as to deprive themselves of the benefit of that ease ▪ and security , which a good agreement with their men might have afforded ' em . 't is true the same histories tell us , that there were whole countries where were none but men , which border'd upon ' em . but this makes still for us ; for it shews that the conditions of their society were not so easie , as to engage their women to stay amongst 'em ; but as liberty presented it self , they withdrew and retired to the amazons : but since our sex can hardly boast of so great privileges , and so easie a servitude any where as in england , i cut this ungrateful digression short in acknowledgment ; tho' fetters of gold are still fetters , and the softest lining can never make 'em so easy , as liberty . you will excuse , i know madam , this short , but necessary digression . i call it necessary , because it shews a probable reason , why we are at this time in such subjection to them , without lessening the opinion of our sense , or natural capacities either at present , or for the time past ; beside that it briefly lays open without any scandal to our sex , why our improvements are at present so disproportion'd to those of men. i wou'd not have any of our little , unthinking adversaries triumph at my allowing a disproportion between the improvements of our sex and theirs ; and i am sure those of 'em that are ingenious men , will see no reason for it from what i have said . after having granted so great a disparity as i have already done in the customary education , and advantagious liberties of the sexes , 't were nonsense to maintain , that our society is generally and upon all accounts as beneficial , improving and entertaining , as that of men. he must be a very shallow fellow , that resorts to , and frequents us in hopes by our means to make himself considerable as a schollar , a mathematician , a philosopher , or a states-man . these arts and sciences are the result only of much study and great experience ; and without one at least of 'em are no more to be acquir'd by the company of men , however celebrated for any or all of them , than by ours . but there are other quallifications , which are as indispensably necessary to a gentleman , or any man that wou'd appear to advantage in the world , which are attainable only by company , and conversation , and chiefly by ours . nor can the greatest part of mankind , of what quallity soever , boast much of the use they make , or the benefit they reap from these acknowledg'd advantages . so that schollars only , and some few of the more thinking gentlemen , and men of business have any just claim to ' em . and of these the first generally fall short enough some other way to make the ballance even . for schollars , though by their acquaintance with books , and conversing much with old authors , they may know perfectly the sense of the learned dead , and be perfect masters of the wisdom , be throughly inform'd of the state , and nicely skill'd in the policies of ages long since past , yet by their retir'd and unactive life , their neglect of business , and constant conversation with antiquity , they are such strangers to , and so ignorant of the domestick affairs and manners of their own country and times , that they appear like the ghosts of old romans rais'd by magick . talk to them of the assyrian , or perssian monarchies , the grecians or roman common-wealths . they answer like oracles , they are such finish'd state-men , that we shou'd scarce take 'em to have been less than confifidents of semiramis , tutours to cyrus the great , old cronies of solon and lycurgus , or privy councellours at least to the twelve coesars successively ; but engage them in a discourse that concerns the present times , and their native country , and they heardly speak the language of it , and know so little of the affairs of it , that as much might reasonably be expected from an animated egyptian mummy . they are very much disturbed to see a fold or a plait amiss in the picture of an old roman gown , yet take no notice that their own are thred-bare out at the elbows , or ragged , and suffer more if priscian's head be broken then if it were their own . they are excellent guides , and can direct you to every ally , and turning in old rome ; yet lose their way at home in their own parish . they are mighty admirers of the wit and eloquence of the ancients ; yet had they liv'd in the time of cicero , and coesar wou'd have treated them with as much supercilious pride , and disrespect as they do now with reverence . they are great hunters of ancient manuscripts , and have in great veneration any thing , that has scap'd the teeth of time and rats , and if age have obliterated the characters , 't is the more valuable for not being legible . but if by chance they can pick out one word , they rate it higher then the whole author in print , and wou'd give more for one proverb of solomons under his own hand , then for all his wisdom . these superstitious , bigotted idolaters of time past , are children in their understanding all their lives ; for they hang so incessantly upon the leading strings of authority , that their judgments like the limbs of some indian penitents , become altogether crampt and motionless for waut of use . but as these men , will hardly be reckon'd much superiour to us upon the account of their learning or improvements , so neither will i suppose another sort diametrically opposite to these in their humors and opinions : i mean those whose ancestors have been wise and provident , and rais'd estates by their ingenuity and industry , and given all their posterity after 'em means , and leisure to be fools . these are generally sent to school in their minority , and were they kept there till they came to years of discretion , might most of 'em stay , till they cou'd tuck their beards into their girdles before they left carrying a satchel . in conformity to custom , and the fashion , they are sent early to serve an apprenticeship to letters , and for eight or nine years are whipt up and down through two or three counties from school to school ; when being arriv'd a sixteen , or seventeen years of age , and having made the usual tour of latin , and greek authors , they are call'd home to be made gentlemen . as soon as the young squire has got out of the house of bondage , shaken off the awe of birch , and begins to feel himself at liberty , he considers that he is now learned enough , ( and 't is ten to one but his friends are wise enough to be of his opinion ) and thinks it high time to shake off the barbarous acquaintance he contracted , with those crabbed , vexatious , obscure fellows , that gave him so much trouble and smart at school , companions by no means fit for a gentleman , that writ only to torment and perplex poor boys , and exercise the tyranny of pedants and school-masters . these prudent resolutions taken , his conversation for some years succeeding is wholly taken up by his horses , dogs and hawks ( especially if his residence be in the country ) and the more sensless animals that tend ' em . his groom , his huntsman , and his falconer are his tutors , and his walk is from the stable to the dog-kennel , and the reverse of it . his diversion is drudgery , and he is in highest satisfaction when he is most tir'd . he wearies you in the morning with his sport , in the afternoon with the noisie repetion and drink , and the whole day with fatigue and confusion . his entertainment is stale beer , and the history of his dogs and horses , in which he gives you the pedigree of every one with all the exactness of a herald ; and if you be very much in his good graces , 't is odds , but he makes you the compliment of a puppy of one of his favourite bitches , which you must take with abundance of acknowledgments of his civillity , or else he takes you for a stupid , as well as an ill bred fellow . he is very constant at all clubs and meetings of the country gentlemen , where he will suffer nothing to be talk'd or hear'd of but his jades , his curs , and his kites . upon these he rings perpetual changes , and trespasses as much upon the patience of the company in the tavern , as upon their enclosures in the field , and is least impertinent , when most drunk . his grand business is to make an assignation for a horse race ; or a hunting match , and nothing discomposes him so much as a disappointment . thus accomplish'd , and finish'd for a gentleman , he enters the civil lists , and holds the scale of justice with as much blindness as she is said to do . from hence forward his worship becomes as formidable to the ale-houses , as he was before familiar ; he sizes an ale pot , and takes the dimensions of bread with great dexterity and sagacity . he is the terrour of all the deer , and poultry stealers in the neighbourhood , and is so implacable a persecutor of poachers , that he keeps a register of all the dogs and guns in the hundred , and is the scare-beggar of the parish . short pots , and unjustifiable dogs and nets , furnish him with sufficient matter for presentments , to carry him once a quarter to the sessions ; where he says little , eats and drinks much , and after dinner , hunts over the last chace , and so rides worshipfully drunk home again . at home he exercises his authority in granting his letters , pattents to petitioners for erecting shovel board , tables and ginger bread stalls . if he happen to live near any little borough or corporation that sends burgesses to parliament , he may become ambitious and sue for the honour of being made their representative . henceforward he grows popular , bows to , and treats the mob all round him ; and whether there be any in his discourse or not , there is good sense in his kitchin and his cellar , which is more agreeable and edifying . if he be so happy as to out-tap his competitour , and drink his neighbours into an opinion of his sobriety , he is chosen , and up he comes to that honourable assembly , where he shews his wisdom best by his silence , and serves his country most in his absence . i give you these two characters , madam , as irreconcileable as water and oyl , to shew that men may and do often baffle and frustrate the effects of a liberal education , as well by industry as negligence . 't is hard to say , which of these two is the more sottish ; the first is such an admirer of le●ters , that he thinks it a disparagement to his learning to talk what other men understand , and will scarce believe that two , and two , make four , under a demonstration from euclid , or a quotation of aristotle : the latter has such a fear of pedantry always before his eyes , that he thinks it a scandal to his good breeding , and gentility to talk sense , or write true english ; and has such a contemptible notion of his past education , that he thinks the roman poets good for nothing but to teach boys to cap verses . for my part i think the learned , and unlearned blockhead pretty equal ; for 't is all one to me , whether a man talk nonsense , or unintelligible sense , i am diverted and edified alike by either ; the one enjoys himself less , but suffers his friends to do it more ; the other enjoys himself and his own humour enough , but will let no body else do it in his company . thus , madam , i have set them before you , and shall leave you to determine a point , which i cannot . there are others that deserve to be brought into the company of these upon like honourable reasons ; but i keep them in reserve for a proper place , where i may perhaps take the pains to draw their pictures to the life at full length . let us now return to our argument , from which we have had a long breathing while . let us look into the manner of our education , and see wherein it falls short of the mens , and how the defects of it may be , and are generally supply'd . in our tender years they are the same , for after children can talk , they are promiscuously taught to read and write by the same persons , and at the same time both boys and girls . when these are acquir'd , which is generally about the age of six or seven years , they begin to be separated , and the boys are sent to the grammer school , and the girls to boarding schools , or other places , to learn needle work , dancing , singing , musick , drawing , painting , and other accomplishments , according to the humour and ability of the parents , or inclination of the children . of all these , reading and writing are the main instruments of conversation ; though musick and painting may be allow'd to contribute something towards it , as they give us an insight into two arts , that makes up a great part of the pleasures and diversions of mankind . here then lies the main defect , that we are taught only our mother tongue , or perhaps french , which is now very fashionable , and almost as familiar amongst women of quality as men ; whereas the other sex by means of a more extensive education to the knowledge of the roman and greek languages , have a vaster feild for their imaginations to rove in , and their capacities thereby enlarg'd . to see whether this be strictly true or not . i mean in what relates to our debate , i will for once suppose , that we are instructed only in our own tongue , and then enquire whether the disadvantage be so great as it is commonly imagin'd . you know very well , madam , that for conversation , it is not requisite we should be philologers , rhetoricians , philosophers , historians or poets ; but only that we should think pertinently and express our thoughts properly , on such matters as are the proper subjects for a mixt conversation . the italians , a people as delicate in their conversation as any in the world , have a maxim that our selves , our neighbours , religion , or business ought never to be the subject . there are very substantial reasons , to be given for these restrictions for men are very apt to be vain , and impertinent , when they talk of themselves , besides that others are very jealous , and apt to suspect , that all the good things said , are intended as so many arguments of preference to them . when they speak of their neighbours , they are apt out of a principle of emulation and envy , natural to all the race of adam to lessen , and tarnish their fame , whether by open scandal , and defamatory stories , and tales , or by malicious insinuations , invidious circumstances , sinister and covert reflections . this humour springs from an over fondness of our selves , and a mistaken conceit that anothers loss is an addition to our own reputation , as if like two buckets , one must necessarily rise as the other goes down . this is the basest and most ungenerous of all our natural failures , and ought to be corrected as much as possible e'ry where ; but more especially in italy , where resentments are carried so high , and revenges prosecuted with so much heat , and animosity . religion is likewise very tender there , as in all other places , where the priests have so much power and authority . but even here , where our differences and disputes have made it more tame , and us'd it to rough handling , it ought carefully to be avoided ; for nothing raises unfriendly warmths among company more than a religious argument , which therefore ought to be banisht all society intended only for conversation and diversion . business is too dry and barren to give any spirit to conversation , or pleasure to a company , and is therefore rather to be reckon'd among the encumbrances than comforts of life , however necessary . besides these , points of learning , abstruse speculations , and nice politicks , ought , in my opinion , to be excluded ; because being things that require much reading and consideration , they are not fit to be canvas'd ex tempore in mixt company , of which 't is probable the greatest part will have little to say to 'em , and will scarce be content to be silent hearers only ; besides that they are not in their nature gay enough to awaken the good humour , or raise the mirth of the company . nor need any one to fear , that by these limitations conversation shou'd be restrain'd to too narrow a compass , there are subjects enough that are in themselves neither insipid , nor offensive ; such as love , honour , gallantry , morality , news , raillery , and a numberless train of other things copious and diverting . now i can't see the necessity of any other tongue beside our own to enable us to talk plausibly , or judiciously upon any of these topicks : nay , i am very confident that 't is possible for an ingenious person to make a very considerable progress in most parts of learning , by the help of english only . for the only reason i can conceive of learning languages , is to arrive at the sense , wit or arts , that have been communicated to the world in ' em . now of those that have taken the pains to make themselves masters of those treasures , many have been so generous as to impart a share of 'em to the publick , by translations for the use of the unlearned ; and i flatter my self sometimes , that several of these were more particularly undertaken by ingenious , good natur'd men in kindness and compassion to our sex. but whatever the motives were , the obliging humour has so far prevail'd , that scarce any thing either ancient or modern that might be of general use either for pleasure , or instruction is left untouch'd , and most of them are made entirely free of our tongue . i am no judge either of the accuracy , or elegance of such performances ; but if i may credit the report of learned and ingenious gentlemen , ( whose judgment or sincerity i have no reason to question ) many of those excellent authors have lost nothing by the change of soil . i can see and admire the wit and fancy of ovid in the translation of his epistles , and elegies , the softness and passion of tibullus , the impetuosity and fire of juvenal , the gayety , spirit and judgment of horace ; who , though he may appear very different from himself through the diversity , and inequality of the hands concern'd in making him speak english , yet may easily be guess'd at from the several excellent pieces render'd by the earl of roscommon , mr. cowley , mr. dryden , mr. congreve , mr. brown and other ingenious gentlemen , who have oblig'd the nation with their excellent versions of some parts of him . nor is it possible to be insensible of the sweetness and majesty of virgil , after having read those little but divine samples already made publick in english by mr. dryden , which gives us so much impatience to see the whole work entire by that admirable hand . i have heard some ingenious gentlemen say , that it was impossible to do justice in our tongue to these two last celebrated roman poets , and and i have known others , of whose judgments i have as high an opinion , affirm the contrary ; my ignorance of latin disables me from determining whether we are in the right , but the beauty of what i have already seen by the means of those gentlemen , has so far prejudic'd me in favour of the latter ; that might i have 'em entire from the same hands , i think i shou'd scarce envy those who can tast the pleasure of the originals . nor is it to the poets only , that we stand indebted for the treasure of antiquity , we have no less engagements to those , who have successfully labour'd in prose , and have mads us familiar with plutarch , seneca , cicero , and in general with all the famous philosophers , orators and historians , from whom we may at once learn both the opinions and practices of their times . assisted by these helps , 't is impossible for any woman to be ignorant that is but desirous to be otherwise , though she know no part of speech out of her mother tongue . but these are neither the only , nor the greatest advantages we have ; all that is excellent in france , italy , or any of our neighbouring nations is now become our own ; to one of whom , i may be bold to say , we are beholding for more , and greater improvements of conversation , than to all antiquity , and the learned languages together . nor can i imagine for what good reason a man skill'd in latin and greek , and vers'd in the authors of ancient times shall be call'd learned ; yet another who perfectly understands italian , french , spanish , high dutch , and the rest of the european languages , is acquainted with the modern history of all those countries , knows their policies , has div'd into all the intrigues of the several courts , and can tell their mutual dispositions , obligations and ties of interest one to another , shall after all this be thought unlearned for want of those two languages . nay , though he be never so well vers'd in the modern philosophy , astornomy , geometry and algebra , he shall notwithstanding never be allow'd that honourble title . i can see but one apparent reason for this unfair procedure ; which is , that when about an age and an half ago , all the poor remains of learning then in being , were in the hands of the schoolmen ; they wou'd suffer none to pass muster , that were not deeply engag'd in those intricare , vexatious and unintelligble trifles , for which themselves contended with so much noise and heat ; or at least were not acquainted with plato and aristotle , and their commentators ; from whence the sophistry and subtleties of the schools at that time were drawn . this usurpation was maintain'd by their successors , the divines , who to this day pretend almost to the monopoly of learning ; and though some generous spirits have in good measure broke the neck of this arbitrary , tyrannical authority ; yet can't they prevail to extend the name of learning beyond the studies , in which the divines are more particularly conversant . thus you shall have 'em allow a man to be a wise man , a good naturalist , a good mathematician , politician , or poet , but not a scholar , a learned man , that is no philologer . for my part i think these gentlemen have just inverted the use of the term , and given that to the knowledge of words , which belongs more properly to things . i take nature to be the great book of universal learning , which he that reads best in all or any of its parts , is the greatest scholar , the most learned man ; and 't is as ridiculous for a man to count himself more learned than another , if he have no greater extent of knowledge of things , because he is more vers'd in languages ; as it would be for an old fellow to tell a young one , his eyes were better than his , because he reads with spectacles , the other without . thus , madam , you see we may come in time to put in for learning , if we have a mind , without falling under the correction of pedants . but i will let learning alone at present , because i have already banish'd it ( though not out of disrespect ) from mix'd conversation ; to which we will return , and of which the greatest magazines and supports are still in reserve . i mean the many excellent authors of our own country , whose works it were endless to recount . where is love , honour and bravery more lively represented than in our tragedies , who has given us nobler , or juster pictures of nature than mr. shakespear ? where is there a tenderer passion , than in the maids tragedy ? whose grief is more awful and commanding than mr. otways ? whose descriptions more beautifull , or thoughts more gallant than mr. drydens ? when i see any of their plays acted , my passions move by their direction , my indignation , my compassion , my my grief are all at their beck . nor is our comedy at all inferiour to our tragedy ; for , not to mention those already nam'd for the other part of the stage , who are all excellent in this too , sir george etherege and sir charles sedley for neat raillery and gallantry are without rivals , mr. wicherley for strong wit , pointed satyr , sound and useful observations is beyond imitation ; mr. congreve for sprightly , gentile , easie wit falls short of no man. these are the masters of the stage ; but there are others who though of an inferiour class , yet deserve commendation , were that at present my business . nay , even the worst of 'em afford us some diversion ; for i find a sort of foolish pleasure , and can laugh at mr. y's farce , as i do at the tricks , and impertinencies of a monkey ; and was pleased to see the humour and delight of the author in mr. n's eating , and drinking play which i fancy'd was written in a victualling house . in short , were it not for the too great frequency of loose expressions , and wanton images , i should take our theaters for the best schools in the world of wit , humanity , and manners ; which they might easily become by retrenching that too great liberty . neither have the poets only , but the criticks too endeavour'd to compleat us ; mr. dennis and mr. rimer have by their ingenious , and judicious labours taught us to admire the beauties as we ought , and to know the faults of the former . nor are we less beholding to these for forming our judgments , than to those for raising our fancies . these are the sources from whence we draw our gayer part of conversation ; i don't mean in exclusion to the other parts of poetry , in most of which ( as i have heard good judges say ) we equal at least the ancients , and far surpass all the moderns . i honour the names , and admire the writings of denham , suckling and d'avenant , i am ravish'd with the fancy of cowley , and the gallantry of waller . i reverence the fairy queen , am rais'd , and elevated with paradise lost , prince arthur composes and reduces me to a state of yawning indifference , and mr. y's heroicks lull me to sleep . thus all ranks and degrees of poets have their use , and may be serviceable to some body or other from the prince to the pastry cook , or past-beard box-maker . i should mention our satyrists , but it would be endless to descend to every particular , of these mr. oldham is admirable , and to go no further , the inimitable mr. butler will be an everlasting testimony , of the wit of his age , and nation , and bid eternal defiance to the wits of all countries , and future ages to follow him in a path before untrack'd . our prose writers , that are eminent for a gay style and iovial argument , are so many , that it would swell this letter too much to name 'em , so that i shall only take notice , that whoever can read without pleasure , or laughter , the contempt of the clergy , and the following letters and dialogaes by the same author , or the facetious dialogues of mr. brown must be more splenetick than heraclitus , or more stupid , than the ass he laugh'd at . nor are we less provided for the serious part ; morality has generally been the province of our clergy who have treated of all parts of it very largely with so much piety , solidity , and eloquence , that as i think i may venture to say , they have written more upon it than the clergy of all the rest of the world ; so i believe no body will deny that they have written better . yet i cou'd wish , that our ingenious gentlemen wou'd employ their pens oftner on these subjects ; because the severity of the other's profession obliges 'em to write with an air , and in a style less agreable , and inviting to young people , not that we are without many excellent pieces of morality , humanity and civil prudence written by , and like gentlemen . but it is the excellence of 'em , and the ability of our gentlemen , which appears in the spirit , wit , and curious observations in those pieces , which make me desire more of the same nature , who can read the essays of that wonderful man my lord bacon , or the no less to be admir'd sir raleigh's , or mr. osborns advice to a son , the advice to a daughter , sir temple's , or sir machenzie's essays , sir l'estrange's essay ( to which last we are likewise oblig'd for an incomparable version of seneca ) and abundance of others , without wishing for more from the same or the like hands ? our neighbours the french , have written a great deal of this kind , of the best of which we have the benefit in english ; but more particularly the messieurs , montagne , rochefaucaut , and st. evremont deserve to be immortal in all languages . i need not mention any more , it is apparent from these that women want not the means of being wise and prudent without more tongues than one ; nay , and learned too , if they have any ambition to be so . the numberless treatises of antiquities , philosophy , mathematicks natural , and other history ( in which i can't pass silently by , that learned one of sir walter raleigh , which the world he writ of can't match ) written originally in , or translated to our tongue are sufficient to lead us a great way into any science our curiousity shall prompt us to . the greatest difficulty we struggled with , was the want of a good art of reasoning , which we had not , that i know of , till that defect was supply'd by the greatest master of that art mr. locke , whose essay on human understanding makes large amends for the want of all others in that kind thus madam i have endeavour'd to obviate all our adversarie's objections , by touching upon as great a variety of things relating to the subject as i conveniently cou'd . yet i hope i have troubled you with nothing but what was necessary to make my way clear , and plain before me ; and i am apt to think i have made it appear , that nothing but disencouragement or an idle uncurious humour can hinder us from rivalling most men in the knowledge of great variety of things , without the help of more tongues than our own ; which the men so often reproachfully tell us is enough . this idleness is but too frequently to be found among us , but 't is a fault equally common to both sexes . those that have means to play the fool all their lives , seldom care for the trouble of being made wise . we are naturally lovers of our ease , and have great apprehensions of the difficulty of things untry'd ; especially in matters of learning , the common methods of acquiring which are so unpleasant , and uneasie . i doubt not but abundance of noble wits are stiffled in both sexes , for want but of suspecting what they were able to do , and with how much facility . experience shews us every day blockheads , that arrive at a moderate , nay sometimes a great reputation by their confidence , and brisk attempts which they maintain by their diligence ; while great numbers of men naturally more ingenious lye neglected by , for want of industry to improve , or courage to exert themselves . no man certainly but wishes he had the reputation in , and were respected and esteem'd by the world as he sees some men are for the fruits of their pens ; but they are loth to be at the pains of an attempt , or doubt their sufficience to perform ; or what i believe is most general , never to enquire so far into themselves , and their own abilities , as to bring such a thought into their heads . this last i fancy is the true reason , why our sex , who are commonly charged with talking too much , are guilty of writing so little . i wish they would shake of this lazy despondence , and let the noble examples of the deservedly celebrated mrs. philips , and the incomparable mrs. behn rouse their courages , and shew mankind the great injustice of their contempt . i am confident they would find no such need of the assistance of languages as is generally imagin'd . those that have of their own need not graft upon foreign stocks . i have often thought that the not teaching women latin and greek , was an advantage to them , if it were rightly consider'd , and might be improv'd to a great heigth . for girles after they can read and write ( if they be of any fashion ) are taught such things as take not up their whole time , and not being suffer'd to run about at liberty as boys , are furnish'd among other toys with books , such as romances , novels , plays and poems ; which though they read carelessly only for diversion , yet unawares to them , give 'em very early a considerable command both of words and sense ; which are further improv'd by their making and receiving visits with their mothers , which gives them betimes the opportunity of imitating , conversing with , and knowing the manner , and address of elder persons . these i take to be the true reasons why a girl of fifteen is reckon'd as ripe as a boy of one and twenty , and not any natural forwardness of maturity as some people would have it . these advantages the education of boys deprives them of , who drudge away the vigour of their memories at words , useless ever after to most of them , and at seventeen or eighteen are to begin their alphabet of sense , and are but where the girles were at nine or ten. yet because they have learnt latin and greek , reject with scorn all english books their best helps , and lay aside their latin ones , as if they were already masters of all that learning , and so hoist sail for the wide world without a compass to steer by . thus i have fairly stated the difference between us , and can find no such disparity in nature or education as they contend for ; but we have a sort of ungenerous adversaries , that deal more in scandal than argument , and when they can't hurt us with their weapons , endeavour to annoy us with stink pots . let us see therefore , madam , whether we can't beat them from their ammunition , and turn their own artillery upon them ; for i firmly believe there is nothing , which they charge upon us , but may with more justice be retorted upon themselves . they tax us with a long list of faults , and imperfections , and seem to have taken a catalogue of their own follies and vices , not with design to correct them , but to shift of the imputation to us . there is no doubt , but particular women may be found upon whom every charge may be justified ; but our sex is not answerable for them , till they prove there are no such men , which will not be before dooms-day . however , like ill neighbours they bring the dirt out of their own homes not out of neatness , but out of envy to their neighbours , at whose doors they lay it . but let them remove their follies as oft as they please , they are still as constant to them , as the needle to the north pole , they point them out which way soever they move . let us see what these qualities are , they so liberally bestow upon , and after see how they fit the donours , and survey 'em in their proper figures and colours . the most familiar of these are vanity , impertinence , enviousness , dissimulation , inconstancy , &c. to begin with vanity , it is a failing the greatest part of mankind are tinctured with , more or less . for all men are apt to flatter themselves with a fancy , that they have some one or more good quallities , or extraordinary gifts , that raise 'em above the ordinary level of men ; and therefore hug and cherish , what they think valuable and singular in ' em . it is never commendable , sometimes pardonable , when the excellencies are real , and it is moderate so much must be allow'd to humane frailty . it is ridiculous and intollerable when it is extravagant , misplac'd , or groundless . it is very injudicious , and makes men commonly dote on their defects , and expose their blemishes by their fondness , which makes 'em more remarkable by the care and ornament bestow'd on ' em . it persuades hard favour'd and distorted fellows to dress , and value their persons , cowards to pretend to courage , and provoke beatings , blockheads to set up for wit , and make themselves ridiculous in print , upstarts to brag of their families , and be reminded of the garrets they were born , and the stalls they were brought up in . in women the object of it is their beauty , and is excusable in those that have it . those that have it not may be pardon'd , if they endeavour at it ; because it is the only undisputed advantage our sex has over the other , and what makes 'em respected beyond all other perfections , and is alone ador'd . in men it has not only this object , but all those before mention'd , and a hundred other . it is admirably seen in a writing , reciting fop author , is in full lustre in a beau , but it s most unlucky prospect is in a swaggering coward , who is a fool beyond the conviction of smart . his courage is like an ague fit , that leaves him upon a fright , and returns when he is out of the reach of a cudgel . he spends much time in the fencing school , and fights briskly where there is no danger of wounds nor smart . his hands are instructed , but his heels do him all the service . he is a nice observer of punctilio's , and takes more affronts than are given him . he draws first , and runs first , and if ever he makes another man run , it is after him . he is a pebble that sparkles like a diamond , but wants hardness . he talks perpetually of what he will do , but thinks continually of what he shall suffer . he is often in quarels , yet seldom in rencounters , and is glad of a challenge , that he may know whom , and when to avoid . he brings up the rear at an engagement , and leads the van in the retreat . he is a man of much passion , but the most predominant is his fear . he offers affronts readily , but has too much honour to justifie them , and will submit to any terms of satisfaction rather than occasion blood-shed . he is so full of courage , that it boils over when there is no occasion , and his sword and person are always at leisure , and at your service , till you want them , and then to his great trouble , he is always indispensably engag'd otherwise . he wears red , and a long sword openly to shew his valour , and mail privately to shew his discretion . he threatens terribly , but he is like a witch , if you draw blood of him , he has no power to hurt you . no man shews or boasts more of his scars with less reason . he scorns to take a blow in the face , and a back-piece is as good to him as a whole sute of armour . he is at first the terrour of all the young bullies , at last their maygame , and they blood their cub heclors upon him , as they do young beagles on a hare . good usage makes him insolent , but he fawns like a spaniel most upon those that beat him . when he is discover'd by all the rest of the world , the cheat passes still upon himself , and he is pleas'd with the terrible figure he makes in his glass , tho' he is ready to shake at his own shaddow . there are men of an humour directly opposite to this , yet e'ry whit as mad , foolish , and vain ; these are your men of nice honour , that love fighting for the sake of blows , and are never well but when they are wounded they are severe interpreters of looks , are affronted at every face that don't please ' em . and like true cocks of the game have a quarrel to all mankind at first sight . they are passionate admirers of scarr'd faces , and dote on a wooden leg. they receive a challenge like a billet douce , and a home thrust as a favour . their common adversary is the constable , and their usual lodging the counter . broken heads are a diversion , and an arm in a scarfe is a high satisfaction . they are frugall in their expences with the taylor , for they have their doublets pinkt on their backs , but they are as good as an annuity to the surgeon , tho' they need him not to let 'em blood . flanders is their mistress , and a clap from her carries 'em off the stage . if they return , an hospital is their retreat , or the sheriff their executour . these two , madam , are very different extravagances , and very strange one's , yet they are real , and such as appear every day . but , what is most to be wonder'd at , arise both from the same principle , and the same mistaken notion , and are only differenc'd by the diversity of tempers in men. the common motive to both is vanity , and they jointly concurr in this opinion , that valour is the most estimable , and most honourable quality , that man is capable of ; they agree in a desire to be honour'd and fear'd , but they differ in their methods in persuing this common end. the one is naturally active , bold and daring ; and therefore takes the true course to arrive at it by shewing what he can do , by what he dare suffer , and his immoderate desire and indiscretion suffer him to know no bounds . the other is mean spirited and fearful , and seeks by false fire to counterfeit a heat that may pass for genuine , to conceal the frost in his blood , and like an ill actor , over-does his part for want of understanding it , which 't is impossible he shou'd . among peaceable men , and those of his own temper he comes of with colours flying , and those are the men he wou'd be valiant amongst only , cou'd he read men's hearts . but the first rencounter betrays the ass thro' the lions skin , and he is cudgel'd like an ass in spite of his covering . it is our happiness madam , that we lie under no manner of temptation from these two vanities , whereof one is so dangerous , the other so ridiculous . for all humours that are forc'd against the natural bent of our tempers must be so . nature is our best guide , and has fitted ev'ry man for somethings more particularly than others ; which if they had the sense to prosecute , they wou'd at least not be ridiculous , if they were not extraordinary . but so prevalent are our vanity , and this apish humour of imitation , that we persuade our selves , that we may practise with applause , whatever we see another succeed in , tho' as contrary to the intent of our nature , as dancing to an elephant ; so some men that talk well of serious matters , are so mov'd at the applause some merry drolls gain , that they forget their gravity , and aiming to be wits , turn buffoons ; there are others , that are so taken with the actions and grimace of a good mimick , that they fall presently to making awkard faces and wry mouths , and are all their lives after in a vizor , maskt tho' bare fac'd . these , and innumerable others of the like nature , are the lesser follies of mankind , by which their vanity makes 'em fit only to be laugh'd at . there are others , who by more studied and refin'd follies arrive to be more considerable , and make a great figure and party among their sex. of the first rank of these is the beau , who is one that has more learning in his heels than his head , which is better cover'd than fill'd . his taylor and his barber are his cabinet councel , to whom he is more beholding for what he is , than to his maker . he is one that has travell'd to see fashions , and brought over with him the newest cut suit , and the prettiest fancy'd ribbands for sword knots . his best acquaintance at paris was his dancing master , whom he calls the marquiss , and his chief visits to the opera's . he has seen the french king once , and knows the name of his cheif minister , and is by this sufficiently convinc'd that there are no politicians in any other part of the world. his improvements are a nice skill in the mode , and a high contempt of his own country , and of sense . all the knowledge he has of the country , or manners of it , is in the keeping of the valet that follow'd him hither , and all that he retains of the language is a few modish words to lard his discourse with , and shew his breeding , and the names of his garniture . he shou'd be a philosopher , for he studies nothing but himself , yet ev'ry one knows him better , that thinks him not worth knowing . his looks and gestures are his constant lesson , and his glass is the oracle that resolves all his mighty doubts and scruples . he examines and refreshes his complexion by it , and is more dejected at a pimple , than if it were a cancer . when his eyes are set to a languishing air , his motions all prepar'd according to art , his wig and his coat abundantly powder'd , his gloves essenc'd , and his handkercher perfum'd and all the rest of his bravery rightly adjusted , the greatest part of the day , as well the business of it at home , is over ; 't is time to launch , and down he comes , scented like a perfumers shop , and looks like a vessel with all her rigging under sail without ballast . a chair is brought within the door , for he apprehends every breath of air as much , as if it were a hurricane . his first visit is to the chocolate house , and after a quarter of an hours compliment to himself in the great glass , he faces about and salutes the company , and puts in practice his mornings meditations ; when he has made his cringes round , and play'd over all his tricks , out comes the fine snush box , and his nose is regal'd a while : after this he begins to open , and starts some learned argument about the newest fashion , and hence takes occasion to commend the next man's fancy in his cloths , this ushers in a discourse of the appearance last birth night , or ball at court , and so a critick upon this lord , or that ladies masquing habit. from hence he adjourns to the play-house , where he is to be met again in the side box , from whence he makes his court to all the ladies in general with his eyes , and is particular only with the orange-wench . after a while he engages some neighbouring vizor , and they together run over all the boxes , take to pieces every face , examine every feature , pass their censure upon every one , and so on to their dress ; here he very judiciously gives his opinion upon every particular , and determines whose colours are well chosen , whose fancy is neatest , and whose cloths sit with most air ; but in conclusion sees no body compleat but himself in the whole house . after this he looks down with contempt upon the pit , and rallies all the slovenly fellows , and awkard beau's ( as he calls them ) of t'other end of the town , is mightily offended at their ill scented snuff , and in spight of all his pulvilio and essences , is overcome with the stink of their cordovan gloves . to close all , madam in the mask must give him an account of the scandal of the town , which she does in the history of abundance of intrigues real or feign'd ; at all which he laughs aloud and often , not to shew his satisfaction , but his teeth . she shews him who is kept by such a lord , who was lately discarded by such a knight , for granting favours too indiscreetly to such a gentleman : who has lately been in the country for two or three months upon extraordinary occasions . to all which he gives great attention , that he may pass for a man of intelligence in another place . his next stage is locket's , where his vanity , not his stomach , is to be gratified with something that is little and dear , quails and ortalans are the meanest of his diet , and a spoonful of green pease at christmass , are worth to him more than the inheritance of the feild where they grow in summer . every thing falls in his esteem , as it falls in price , and he wou'd not so much as tast the wine , if the hard name , and the high rate did not give it a relish . after a glass or two , ( for a pint is his stint ) he begins to talk of his intrigues , boasts much of the favours he has receiv'd , and shews counterfeit tokens , and in conclusion , slanders some lady or other of unquestion'd vertue with a particular fondness for him . his amours are all profound secrets , yet he makes a confidence of 'em to every man he meets with . he pretends a great reverence for the ladies , and a mighty tenderness of their reputations ; yet he is like a flesh flye , whatever he blows on is tainted . he talks of nothing under quality , tho' he never obtain'd a favour , which his man might not have for half a crown . he and his footman in this case are like english and dutch at an ordinary in holland , the fare is the same , but the price is vastly different . thus the show goes forward , till he is beaten for trespasses he was never guilty of , and shall be damn'd for sins he never committed . at last , with his credit as low as his fortune he retires sullenly to his cloister , the king's-bench , or fleet , and passes the rest of his days in privacy , and contemplation . here , madam , if you please wee 'l give him one visit more , and see the last act of the farce ; and you shall find him ( whose sobriety was before a vice , as being only the pimp to his other pleasures , and who fear'd a lighted pipe as much as if it had been a great gun levell'd at him ) with his nose flaming , and his breath stinking of spirits worse than a dutch tarpawlin's , and smoking out of a short pipe , that for some months has been kept hot as constantly as a glass-house , and so i leave him to his meditations . you wou'd think it yet more strange , that any one should be slovenly and nasty out of vanity ; yet such there are i can assure you , madam , and cou'd easily give a description of 'em , but that so foul a relation must needs be nauseous to a person so neat as your self ; and wou'd be treating you as the country squire did his court friend , who when he had shew'd him all the curiosities of his house and gardens , carried him into his hogsties . but there are more than enow to justifie what i have said of the humour of diogenes , who was as vain and as proud in his tub , as plato cou'd be in the midst of his fine persian carpets , and rich furniture . vanity is only an ambition of being taken notice of , which shews it self variously according to the humour of the persons ; which was more extravagant in the anti-beau , than in the beau philosopher . vanity is the veriest proteus in the world , it can ape humility , and can make men decry themselves on purpose to be flattered ; like some cunning preachers that cry up mortification and self-denial perpetually , and are pamper'd all the while by the zeal and at the charges of their followers , who are affraid the good man shou'd starve himself . it is the blessing of fools , and the folly of ingenious men. for it makes those contentedly hugg themselves under all the scorn of the world , and the indignities that are offer'd 'em , and these restless and dissatisfied with its applause . both think the world envious , and that their merit is injur'd , and it is impossible to right either of 'em to their minds ; for those have no title to the pretence of merit , and these not so much as they think they have . yet it is the happiness of the first that they can think themselves capable of moving envy ; for though they commonly mistake the derision of men , for their applause , yet men are sometimes so ill natur'd as to undeceive 'em , and then it is their comfort , that these are envious men , and misrepresent the worlds opinion of ' em . cou'd these men be convinc'd of their mistake , i see nothing that shou'd hinder them from being desperate , and hanging or disposing of themselves some other such way . for though a man may comfort himself under afflictions , it is either that they are undeserved , or if deserved , that he suffers only for oversights , or rash acts , by which the wisest men may be sometimes overtaken ; that he is in the main discreet and prudent , and that others believe him so . but when a man falls under his own contempt , and does not only think himself not wise , but by nature made absolutely incapable of ever becoming wise , he is in a deplorable state , and wants the common comfort , as well of fools , as wise men , vanity ; which in such a case is the only proper mediatour of a reconcilement . no quality seems to be more providentially distributed to every man according to his necessity ; for those that have least wit , ought to have the greatest opinion of it ; as all other commodities are rated highest , where they are scarcest . by this means the level is better maintain'd amongst men , who , were this imaginary equality destroy'd , might be apt to reverence , and idolize one another too much , and forgetting the common fate , they are all born to , pay honours too near divine to their fellow mortals . but as the humour of the world now runs , this sort of idolatry is scarce likely to come into fashion . we have too great an opinion of our selves , to believe too well of any one else , and we are in nothing more difficult than in points of wit and understanding , in either of which we very unwillingly yield the preference to any man. there is nothing of which we affect to speak with more humility and indifference than our own sense , yet nothing of which we think with more partiality , and presumption . there have been some so bold as to assume the title of the oracles of reason to themselves , and their own writings ; and we meet with others daily , that think themselves oracles of wit. these are the most vexatious animals in the world , that think they have a priviledge to torment and plague every body ; but those especially who have the best reputation for their wit or judgment ; as fleas are said to molest those most , who have the tenderest skins , and the sweetest blood. of these the most voluminous fool is the fop poet , who is one that has always more wit in his pockets than any where else , yet seldom or never any of his own there . esop's daw was a type of him ; for he makes himself fine with the plunder of all parties . he is a smuggler of wit , and steals french fancies without paying the customary duties . verse is his manufacture ; for it is more the labour of his finger than his brain . he spends much time in writing , but ten times more in reading what he has written . he is loaden constantly with more papers , and duller than a clerk in chancery , and spends more time in hearings , and rehearings . he asks your opinion , yet for fear you shou'd not jump with him , tells you his own first . he desires no favour , yet is disappointed , if he be not flatter'd , and is offended always at the truth . his first education is generally a shop , or a counting-house , where his acquaintance commences with the bell-man upon a new years day . he puts him upon intriguing with the muses , and promises to pimp for him . from this time forward he hates the name of mechanick , and resolves to sell all his stock , and purchase a plantation in parnassus . he is now a poetical haberdasher of small wares , and deals very much in novels , madrigals , riddles , funeral , and love odes , and elegies , and other toyes from helic●n , which he has a shop so well furnish'd with , that he can fit you with all sorts and sizes upon all occasions in the twinkling of an eye . he frequents apollo's exchange in covent-garden , and picks up the freshest intelligence what plays are upon the stocks , or ready to be launch'd ; who have lately made a good voyage , who a saving one only , and who have suffer'd a wreck in lincoln's inn-feilds , or drury-lane , and which are brought into the dock to be careen'd and fitted for another voyage . he talks much of jack dryden , and will. wyc●erley , and the rest of that set , and protests he can't help having some respect for 'em , because they have so much for him , and his writings ; otherwise he cou'd shew 'em to be meer sots and blockheads that understand little of poetry , in comparison of himself ; but he forbears 'em meerly out of gratitude , and compassion . once a month he fits out a small poetical smeck at the charge of his bookseller , which he lades with french plunder new vampt in english , small ventures of translated odes , elegies and epigrams of young traders , and ballasts with heavy prose of his own ; for which returns are to be made to the several owners in testers , or applause from the prentices and tyre women that deal for ' em . he is the oracle of those that want wit , and the plague of those that have it ; for he haunts their lodgings , and is more terrible to em , than their duns . his pocket is an unexhaustible magazine of rhime , and nonsense , and his tongue like a repeating clock with chimes , is ready upon every touch to sound to ' em . men avoid him for the same reason , they avoid the pillory , the security of their ears ; of which he is as mercilefs a persecutor . he is the bane of society , a friend to the stationers , the plague of the press , and the ruine of his bookseller . he is more profitable to the grocers and tabacconists than the paper manufacture ; for his works , which talk so much of fire and flame , commonly expire in their shops in vapour and smoak . if he aspire to comedy , he intrigues with some experienc'd damsel of the town , in order to instruct himself in the humour of it , and is cullied by her into matrimony , and so is furnish'd at once with a plot , and two good characters , himself and his wife , and is paid with a portion for a jointure in parnassus , which i leave him to make his best of . i shall not trouble you with any more instances of the foolish vanities of mankind ; because i am affraid i have been too large upon that head already . not that i think there is any order or degree of men , which wou'd not afford many and notorious instances for our purpose . for as i think vanity almost the universal mover of all our actions , whether good or bad ; so i think there are scarce any men so ingenious , or so vertuous , but something of it will shine through the greatest part of what they do , let them cast never so thick a vail over it . what makes men so solicitous of leaving a reputation behind 'em in the world , though they know they can't be affected with it after death , but this even to a degree of folly ? what else makes great men involve themselves in the fatigues and hazards of war , and intricate intrigues of state , when they have already more than they can enjoy , but an itch of being talk'd of and remembred , to which they sacrifice their present happiness and repose ? but i shall carry these considerations no farther ; because i have already singled out some of those many whose vanity is more extravagant and ridiculous , than any our sex is chargeable with , and these slight touches may serve to let 'em see , that even the greatest , and wisest are not wholely exempt , if they have it not in a higher degree , tho' they exercise it in things more popular , and plausible . i hope therefore the burthen of this good quality will not hereafter be laid upon us alone , but the men will be contented to divide the load with us , and be thankful that they bear less than their proportion . impertinence comes next under consideration , in which i shall be as brief , as i conveniently can , in regard i have been so long upon the precedeing head. impertinence is a humour of busying our selves about things trivial , and of no moment in themselves , or unseasonably in things of no concern to us , or wherein we are able to do nothing to any purpose . here our adversaries insult over us , as if they had gain'd an intire victory , and the field were indisputable ; but they shall have no cause for triumph , this is no post of such mighty advantage as they fondly persuade themselves . this presumption arises from an erroneous conceit , that all those things in which they are little concern'd , or consulted , are triffles below their care or notice , which indeed they are not by nature so well able to manage . thus , when they hear us talking to , and advising one another about the order , distribution and contrivance of houshold affairs , about the regulation of the family , and government of children and servants , the provident management of a kitchin , and the decent ordering of a table , the suitable matching , and convenient disposition of furniture and the like , they presently condemn us for impertinence . yet they may be pleased to consider , that as the affairs of the world are now divided betwixt us , the domestick are our share , and out of which we are rarely suffer'd to interpose our sense . they may be pleased to consider likewise , that as light and inconsiderable as these things seem , they are capable of no pleasures of sense higher or more refin'd than those of brutes without our care of ' em . for were it not for that , their houses wou'd be meer bedlams , their most luxurious treats , but a rude confusion of ill digested , ill mixt scents and relishes , and the fine furniture , they bestow so much cost on , but an expensive heap of glittering rubbish . thus they are beholding to us for the comfortable enjoyment of what their labour or good fortune hath acquir'd or bestow'd , and think meanly of our care only , because they understand not the value of it . but if we shall be thought impertinent for discourses of this nature , as i deny not but we sometimes justly may , when they are unseasonable ; what censure must those men bear , who are prepetually talking of politicks , state affairs and grievances to us , in which perhaps neither they , nor we are much concern'd , or if we be , are not able to propose , much less to apply any remedy to ' em ? surely these are impertinent ; not to call the beau , or poetaster on the stage again , whose whole lives are one continued scene of folly and impertinence ; let us make the best of our news monger . he is one whose brains having been once over-heated , retain something of the fire in 'em ever after . he mistakes his passion for zeal , and his noise and bustling , for services . he is always full of doubts , fears , and jealousies , and is never without some notable discovery of a deep laid design , or a dangerous plot found out in a meal tub , or petticoat . he is a mighty listner after prodigies , and never hears of a whale , or a comet , but he apprehends some sudden revolution in the state , and looks upon a groaning-board , or a speaking-head , as fore-runners of the day of judgment . he is a great lover of the king , but a bitter enemy to all about him , and thinks it impossible for him to have any but evil counsellors , and though he be very zealous for the government , yet he never finds any thing in it but grievances and miscarriages to declaim upon . he is a well-wisher to the church , but he is never to be reconcil'd to the bishops and clergy , and rails most inveterately at the act of uniformity . he hates persecution implacably , and contends furiously for moderation , and can scarce think well of the toleration , because it is an act of the state. he professes himself of the church of england , pretends to like the worship of it , but he goes to meetings in spight to the p●rson of his parish . his conscience is very tender and scrupulous in matters of ceremony , but it is as steely and tough as brawn behind his counter , and can digest any sin of gain . he lodges at home , but he lives at the coffee-house . he converses more with news papers , gazettes and votes , than with his shop books , and his constant application to the publick takes him off all care for his private concern . he is always settling the nation , yet cou'd never manage his own family . he is a mighty stickler at all elections , and tho' he has no vote , thinks it impossible any thing shou'd go right unless he be there to bawl for it . his business is at home , but his thoughts are in flanders , and he is earnestly investing of towns till the sheriff's officers beleaguer his doors . he is busie in forcing of counterscarps , and storming of breaches , while his creditors take his shop by surprize , and make plunder of his goods . thus by mending the state , he marrs his own fortune ; and never leaves talking of the laws of the land , till the execution of 'em silence him . this sort of impertinents the coffee-houses are every day full of ; nay , so far has this contagious impertinence spread it self , that private houses , and shops , nay , the very streets and bulks are infected and pester'd with politicks and news . not a pot cou'd go glibly down , or a stitch go merrily forward without namur , a while ago ; 't was spice to the porter's ale , and wax to the cobler's thread ; the one suspended his draught , and the other his awl to enquire what was become of the rogue , and were very glad to hear he was taken , and expected no doubt he shou'd come over and make 'em a holy-day at his execution . they were mightily rejoyc'd at the arresting of the mareschal boufflers , and made no question but they shou'd see him amongst the rest of the beasts at bartholomew fair for two pence . this folly of the mob was in some measure excusable , because their ignorance led 'em into an expectation of seeing what had given the world so much trouble . but those that have better knowledge of things have no such plea , they ought to have been wiser , than to have busied themselves so much and so earnestly about affairs , which all their care and sollicitude could have no more influence upon , than over the weather . 't was pleasant to see what shoals the report of the arrival of a holland , or flanders mail , brought to the secretary's office , the post office , and the coffee-houses ; every one crowding to catch the news first , which as soon as they had , they posted away like so many expresses to disperse it among their neighbours at more distance , that waited with ears prickt up to receive 'em , or walk'd uneasily with a foolish impatience to and from the door , or window , as if their looking out so often wou'd fetch 'em the sooner . most men in their news are like beau's in their diet , the worst is welcome while 't is fresh and scarce , and the best is not worth a farthing when it has been blown upon ; and commonly they fare like beau's , are fond of it while 't is young and insipid , and neglect it when 't is grown up to its full , and true relish . no sooner is it rumour'd that a breach is made in the castle wall , or the white flag hung out , but a council of war is call'd in every coffee-house in town ; the french , and dutch prints , their intelligencers are call'd for immediately , and examin'd , and not a shot is mention'd but they start as if the ball whizz'd just then by their ears . after this follows a serious debate about a general assault , and whether they shall storm immediately , or not ; who shall begin the attack ; what conditions shall be granted on capitulation . the castle of namur thus taken , or surrender'd , they proceed to take their measures , and settle the next campaign , and whatever harm we suffer by those mischeivous french in the field , they are sure to take sufficient revenge , and pay 'em off swingingly in the coffee-houses : but as if this were not enough , our greatest actions must be buffoon'd in show , as well as talk. shall namur be taken and our hero's of the city not show their prowess upon so great an occasion ? it must never be said , that the coffee-houses dar'd more than moor-fields ; no , for the honour of london , out comes the foreman of the shop very formidable in buff and bandileers , and away he marches with feather in cap , to the general rendezvous in the artillery ground . there these terrible mimicks of mars are to spend their fury in noise and smoke , upon a namur erected for that purpose on a mole-hill , and by the help of guns and drums out-stink and out-rattle smith-field in all its bravery , and wou'd be too hard for the greatest man in all france , if they had him but amongst ' em . yet this is but skirmishing , the hot service is in another place , when they engage the capons and quart pots ; never was onset more vigorous , for they come to handy-blows immediately , and now is the real cutting and slashing , and tilting without quarter , were the towns in flanders all wall'd with beef , and the french as good meat as capons , and drest the same way , the king need never beat his drums for soldiers ; all these gallant fellows wou'd come in voluntarily , the meanest of which wou'd be able to eat a mareschal , and whom nothing cou'd oppose in conjunction . nothing is more common , and familiar than this sort of impertinence ; most men wou'd have little to do , did they busie themselves about nothing , but what they understood , or were concern'd in . a monkey is not liker a man in his figure , than in his humour . how ready are all mankind to censure without authority , and to give advice unaskt , and without reason . they are very much mistaken , that think this forwardness to thrust themselves into other's affairs , springs from any principle of charity or tenderness for 'em , or the least regard to the welfare of their neighbours . 't is only a vain conceit that they are wiser , and more able to advise , which puts 'em upon engaging in things they have nothing to do with , and passing their judgments magisterially on matters they have no cognizance of , and generally little information , or skill in . they are desirous the world shou'd have as great an opinion of 'em as they have of themselves , and therefore impertinently interpose their own authority and sense , tho' never so little to the purpose , only to shew how well they cou'd manage , were it their business ; thus they advise without good intention , or kindness , and censure without design , or malice to the persons counsell'd , or reflected on , these buzzing insects swarm as thick every where , and are as troublesome as muskettoes in the west-indies . they are perpetually in a hurry of business , yet are forc'd to rack their inventions to employ their leisure . they are very busie for every body , and serve no body . they are always in hast , and think themselves expected every where with impatience , yet come sooner alwayes than they are welcome . they will walk a mile , and spend an hour to tell any one how urgent their business is , and what hast they are in to be gone . their expedition is their greatest loss , for time is the only thing that lies heavy upon their hands . they are walking gazetts , that carry news from one neighbour to another , and have their stages about the town as regular and certain , as a penny postman ▪ every man is their acquaintaince , but no man their friend . they drudge for every body , and are paid by no no body , and tho' their lives be worn out in endeavours to oblige all mankind , when they die no one regrets their loss , or misses their service . there are another sort of impertinents , who , as they mind not the business of other men where it concerns 'em not , neglect it likewise where it does ; and amuse themselves continually with the contemplation of those things , which the rest of the world slight as useless , and below their regard . of these the most egregious is the virtuoso , who is one that has sold an estate in land to purchase one in scallop , conch , muscle , cockle shells , periwinkles , sea shrubs , weeds , mosses , sponges , coralls , corallines , sea fans , pebbles , marchasites and flint stones ; and has abandon'd the acquaintance and society of men for that of insects , worms , grubbs , maggets , flies , moths , locusts , beetles , spiders , grashoppers , snails , lizards and tortoises . his study is like noah's ark , the general rendezvous of all creatures in the universe , and the greatest part of his moveables are the remainders of his deluge . his travels are not design'd as visits to the inhabitants of any place , but to the pits , shores and hills ; from whence he fetches not the treasure , but the trumpery . he is ravish'd at finding an uncommon shell , or an odd shap'd stone , and is desperately enamour'd at first sight of an unusual markt butter-flie , which he will hunt a whole day to be master of . he trafficks to all places , and has his correspondents in e'ry part of the world ; yet his merchandizes serve not to promote our luxury , nor encrease our trade , and neither enrich the nation , nor himself . a box or two of pebbles or shells , and a dozen of wasps , spiders and caterpillars are his cargoe . he values a camelion or salamanders egg , above all the sugars and spices of the west and east-indies , and wou'd give more for the shell of a star-fish , or sea urchin entire , than for a whole dutch herring fleet. he visites mines , colepits , and quarries frequently , but not for that sordid end that other men usually do , viz. gain ; but for the sake of the fossile shells and teeth that are sometimes found there . he is a smatterer at botany , but for fear of being suspected of any useful design by it , he employs his curiosity only about mosses , grasses , brakes , thistles , &c. that are not accus'd of any vertue in medicine , which he distinguishes and divides very nicely . he preserves carefully those creatures , which other men industriously destroy , and cultivates sedulously those plants , which others root up as weeds . he is the embalmer of deceas'd vermin , and dresses his mummyes with as much care , as the ancient egyptians did their kings . his cash consists much in old coins , and he thinks the face of alexander in one of 'em worth more than all his conquests . his inventory is a list of the insects of all countries , and the shells and pebbles of all shores , which can no more be compleat without two or three of remarkable signatures , than an apothecaries shop without a tortoise and a crocodile , or a country barber 's without a batter'd cittern . a piece of ore with a shell in it is a greater present than if it were fine gold , and a string of wampompeag is receiv'd with more joy , than a rope of orient pearl , or diamonds wou'd be . his collection of garden snails , cockle shells and vermine compleated , ( as he thinks ) he sets up for a philosopher , and nothing less than universal nature will serve for a subject , of which he thinks he has an entire history in his lumber office. hence forward he struts and swells , and despises all those little insignificant fellows , that can make no better use of those noble incontestable evidences of the universal deluge , scallop and oyster shells , than to stew oysters , or melt brimstone for matches . by this time he thinks it necessary to give the world and essay of his parts , that it may think as highly of 'em ( if possible ) as he does himself ; and finding moses hard beset of late , he resolves to give him a lift , and defend his flood , to which he is so much oblig'd for sparing his darling toys only . but as great masters use , he corrects him sometimes for not speaking to his mind , and gives him the lie now and then in order to support his authority . he shakes the world to atoms with case , which melts before him as readily as if it were nothing but a ball of salt. he pumps even the center , and drains it of imaginary stores by imaginary loopholes , as if punching the globe full of holes cou'd make his hypothesis hold water . he is a man of expedition , and does that in a few days , which cost moses some months to compleat . he is a passionate admirer of his own works without a rival , and superciliously contemns all answers , yet the least objection throws him into the vapours . he sets up for a grand philosopher , and palms hypotheses upon the world , which future ages may ( if they please ) expect to hear his arguments for ; at present he is in no humour to give 'em any other satisfaction than his own word , that he is infallible . yet those that have a faith complacent enough to take a gentleman's word for his own great abilities , may perhaps be admitted to a sight of his grand demonstration , his raree show ; the particulars of which he repeats to 'em in a whining tone , e'ry whit as formal and merry , though not so musical , as the fellows that used formerly to carry theirs at their backs . his ordinary discourse is of his travels under ground , in which he has gone farther ( if he may be believ'd ) than a whole warren of conies . here he began his collection of furniture for his philosophical toy shop , which he will conclude with his fortune , and then like all flesh revert to the place from whence he came , and be translated only from one shop to another . this , madam , is another sort of impertience our sex are not liable ●o ; one wou'd think that none but mad men , or highly hypochondriacal , cou'd employ themselves at this rate . i appeal to you , or indeed to any man of sense , whether acts like the wiser animal ; the man that with great care , and pains distinguishes and divides the many varieties of grass , and finds no other fruit of his labour , than the charging of his memory with abundance of superfluous names ; or the ass that eats all promiscuously , and without distinction , to satisfy his appetite and support nature . to what purpose is it , that these gentlemen ransack all parts both of earth and sea to procure these triffles ? it is only that they may give their names to some yet unchristen'd shell or insect . i know that the desire of knowledge , and the discovery of things yet unknown is the pretence ; but what knowledge is it ? what discoveries do we owe to their labours ? it is only the discovery of some few unheeded varieties of plants , shells , or insects , unheeded only because useless ; and the knowledge , they boast so much of , is no more than a register of their names , and marks of distinction only . it is enough for them to know that a silk worm is a sort of caterpiller , that when it is come to maturity weaves a web , is metamorphos'd to a moth-flye , lays eggs , and so dies . they leave all further enquiry to the unlearned and mechanicks , whose business only they think it to prosecute matters of gain and profit . let him contrive , if he can , to make this silk serviceable to mankind ; their speculations have another scope , which is the founding some wild , uncertain , conjectural hypothesis , which may be true or false ; yet mankind neither gainers nor losers either way a little in point of wisdom or convenience . these men are just the reverse of a rattle snake , and carry in their heads , what he does in his tail , and move laughter rather than regard . what improvements of physick , or any useful arts , what noble remedies , what serviceable instruments have these mushrome , and cockle shell ▪ hunters oblig'd the world with ? for i am ready to recant if they can shew so good a med'cine as stew'd prunes , or so necessary an instrument as a flye flap of their own invention and discovery . yet these are the men of exalted understandings , the men of elevated capacities , and sublime speculations , that dignisie and distinguish themselves from the rest of the world by specious names , and pompous titles , and continue notwithstanding as very reptiles in sense , as those they converse so much with . i wou'd not have any body mistake me so far , as to think i wou'd in the least reflect upon any sincere , and intelligent enquirer into nature , of which i as heartily wish a better knowledge , as any vertuoso of 'em all . you can be my witness , madam , that i us'd to say , i thought mr. boyle more honourable for his learned labours , than for his noble birth ; and that the royal society , by their great and celebrated performances , were an illustrious argument of the wisdom of the august prince , their founder of happy memory ; and that they highly merited the esteem , respect and honour paid 'em by the lovers of learning all europe over . but tho' i have a very great veneration for the society in general , i can't but put a vast difference between the particular members that compose it . were supererogation a doctrine in fashion , 't is probable some of 'em might borrow of their fellows merit enough to justifie their arrogance , but alas they are come an age too late for that trick ; they are fallen into a faithless , incredulous generation of men that will give credit no farther than the visible stock will extend : and tho' a vertuoso should swell a title-page even till it burst with large promises , and sonorous titles , the world is so ill natur'd as not to think a whit the better of a book for it . 't is an ill time to trade with implicite faith , when so many have so lately been broken by an overstock of that commodity ; no sooner now a days can a man write , or steal an hypothesis , and promise demonstration for it hereafter in this or the next world ; but out comes some malicious answer or other , with reasons in hand against it , overthrows the credit of it , and puts the poor author into fits. for though a great philosopher that has written a book of three shillings may reasonably insult , and despise a six penny answer , yet the indignity of so low pric'd a refutation wou'd make a stoick fret , and frisk like a cow with a breeze in her tail , or a man bitten by a tarantula . men measure themselves by their vanity , and are greater or less in their own opinions , according to the proportion they have of it ; if they be well stock'd with it , it may be easie to confute , but impossible to convince ' em . he therefore that wou'd set up for a great man , ought first to be plentifully provided of it , and then a score of cockle shells , a dozen of hodmandods , or any triffle else is a sufficient foundation to build a reputation upon . but if a man shall abdicate his lawful calling in pure affection to these things , and has for some years spent all the time and money he was master of in prosecution of this passion , and shall after all hear his caterpillars affronted , and his butter-flies irreverently spoken of , it must be more provoking to him , than 't is to a lion to be pull'd by the beard . and if , when to crown all his labours , he has discover'd a water so near a kin to the famous one , that cou'd be kept in nothing but the hoof of an ass , that it was never found but in the scull of the same animal ; a water that makes no more of melting a world , than a dutchman does of a ferkin of butter ; and when he has written a book of discoveries , and wonders thereupon , if ( i say ) the impertinent scriblers of the age , will still be demanding proofs and writing answers , he has reasons to throw down his pen in a rage , and pronounce the world , that cou'd give him such an interruption , unworthy to be blest with his future labours , and breath eternal defiance to it , as irreconcilable , as the quarrel of the sons of oedipus . to which prudent resolution , let us leave him till he can recover his temper . these instances , madam , will ( i hope ) suffice to shew that men are themselves altogether as impertinent , as they maliciously misrepresent us . it is not for want of plenty of others that i content my self with these ; but i am not willing to trouble you with any of an inferiour character . these are all impertinents of mark and note , and have severally the good fortune to find crowds of fools of their own sex to applaud and admire them . impertinence is a failing , that has its root in nature ; but is not worth laughing at , till it has receiv'd the finishing strokes of art. a man through natural defects may do abundance of incoherent , foolish actions , yet deserve compassion and advice rather than derision . but to see men spending their fortunes , as well as lives , in a course of regular folly , and with an industrious , as well as expensive idleness running through tedious systems of impertinence , wou'd have split the sides of heraclitus , had it been his fortune to have been a spectator . 't is very easie to decide which of these impertinents is the most signal ; the vertuoso is manifestly without a competitour . for our follies are not to be measur'd by the degree of ignorance , that appears in 'em , but by the study , labour and expence they cost us to finish and compleat ' em . so that the more regularity and artifice there appears in any of our extravagancies , the greater is the folly of ' em . upon this score it is , that the last mention'd deservedly claim the preference to all others ; they have improv'd so well their amusements into an art , that the credulous and ignorant are induc'd to believe there is some secret vertue , some hidden mystery in those darling toys of theirs ; when all their bustling amounts to no more than a learned impertinence , ( for so they abuse the term ) and all they teach men is , but a specious expensive method of throwing away both time and money . i intend not in what remains to trouble you with any more such instances ; because i am sensible these have already swell'd this letter to a volumn , which was not at first my intent . i shall therefore dispatch the remaining part of the charge in as few words as possible . amongst the rest dissimulation is none of the least blemishes , which they endeavour to fix upon us . this quality , though it can't upon any occasion deserve the name of a vertue , yet according to the present constitution of the world , is many times absolutely necessary , and is a main ingredient in the composition of human prudence . it is indeed oftentimes criminal , but it is only accidentally so , as industry , wit , and most other good qualities may be , according , to the ends and purposes to which they are misemploy'd . dissimulation is nothing but the hiding or disguising our secret thoughts , or inclinations under another appearance . i shall not endeavour to absolve our sex wholly from all use of this quality , or art ( call it which you please ) because i think it may upon many ocsicaons be used with innocence enough , and upon some can't without great imprudence be omitted . the world is too full of craft , malice , and violence , for absolute simplicity to live in it . it behoves theresore our sex as well as the other to live with so much caution , and circumspection in regard to their own security , that their thoughts and inclinations may not be seen so naked , as to expose 'em to the snares , designs , and practices of crafty knaves , who wou'd make a property of 'em ; or lay 'em open to the wicked efforts , and mischievous impressions of envy , or malice , whose pleasure springs from the hurt of others . nothing gives our adversaries so great an advantage over us , as the knowledge of our opinions , and affections , with something agreable to which they will be sure to bate all their traps and devices . for this reason it is that it has been proverbially said of old , that , he that knows not how to dissemble , knows not how to live . the experience of all ages since has confirm'd this observation , and ours no less than any of the preceding . this premis'd , i suppose no wise man will blame our sex for the use of an art so necessary , to preserve 'em from becoming a prey to every designing man , an art of which himself must make great use to deserve that title . yet i am afraid , that upon enquiry our sex will not be found to have so much of it as is requisite , at least not generally ; our sedentary life , and the narrow limits to which our acquaintance , and business are circumscrib'd , afford us so little variety , so regular a face of things , that we want the means of obtaining the master of so useful an art , which no question but we shou'd as soon acquire as men , had we but equal opportunities . hence it is that women are more apt to show their resentments upon all provocations than men ; and are thought naturally more peevish and captious , by those that apprehend not the true reason ; whereas men are altogether as stomachful , and take offence as soon , but they cover and suppress their indignation better , not with a design to forget any injury receiv'd , but to wreak their revenge more covertly and effectually . this is another advantage men derive from liberty of conversation and promiscuous business , wherein the variety of contingencies they have to provide against , and the diversity of tempers they deal with , force 'em to turn and wind themselves into all shapes , and accommodate themselves to all humours . there is indeed yet a higher sort of dissimulation , which is always criminal , that is when men not only cloud their real sentiments and intentions , but make profession of and seem zealously to affect the contrary ; this by a more proper and restrain'd name is call'd deceipt , and is always us'd in an ill sense . this art is most practic'd in courts where policie , and ambition reign ; there you may see enemies hugging and caressing one another with all outward expressions of tenderness and friendship imaginabe , while they are secretly contriving each others ruine . there you may see men cringing to those , they wou'd spurn if they durst , and flattering those they despise and rail at behind their backs , the court is a place where we come very rarely otherwise than as spectators , not as actours ; as ornaments , not as instruments ; and therefore are seldom involv'd in the guilty practices of it . nor is it the court only , but all places are infected with this vice , where there is any encouragement of profit or pleasure to be hop'd from successful treachery , of which no place is so barren as not to afford some . this deceipt is so far from being the vice of our sex , that they are the common object on which it is daily practic'd : nothing is more frequently met with than false love in men , which is now grown so familiar , that a company of six of both sexes can scarce meet , but a sham passion commences immediately , is urg'd , protested , and sworn to be real with all imaginable violence . if these false arts , mock sighing , and dying prevail upon any foolish , easie , credulous woman , the sham lover is blown up with the success , he is big and in labour till he be deliver'd of the secret , which with great satisfaction he proclaims in all places where he comes : 't is his highest exploit of gallantry , which he will by no means lose the credit of . thus he thinks her ruine a step to reputation , and founds his own honour upon her infamy . this madam is the basest of treachery ; for they are not satisfied with the success of their false promises , and oaths , but they insult over the weakness of a too fond woman , and triumph in her dishonour . i am sorry there are any women so foolish and forward , as to give hopes and encouragement to such ungenerous fellows ; yet we may be assur'd , that they are not a quarter so many as those vain boasters wou'd make ' em . much more be said on this head , but that i think it high time to pass on to the next , which is enviousness , so foul a blot to a fair character , that no merit can wash it out , or atone sufficiently for it . envy is the parent of calumny , and the daughter of jealousie . men seldom envy others , till they fear being out strip'd by 'em in fortune or reputation . it is the most criminal , because the most injurious to vertue , and worth of all our natural failings , against which it's malice is generally bent . this vice and jealousie seem to be more particularly hated of providence than any other ; for they carry their punishment inseparably along with 'em , the envious and the jealous need no other tormentours than their own thoughts . the envious man ruines his own to disturb anothers tranquillity , and sacrifices his own happiness and repose to a perverse desire of troubling his neighbours . he feeds like toads upon the venome of the earth , and sucks in scandal greedily , that he may at pleasure disgorge it to the greater annoyance of other men. his mind has the vapours , a sweet report of any one throws it into convulsions , and agonies , and a foul one is the releif and refreshment of it . a wholesome air free from the blasts of detraction and slander is as certainly pernicious to him , as ireland to frogs and toads . this vice is generally disclaim'd by both sexes , yet generally practic'd by both . men love as little to have their reputation as their chimneys over-topt by their neighbours ; for they think by that means their names become dark , as their houses do smoaky by the other : yet thro' a lazy malignity had rather pull the other's down to their level , than build their own up higher . this humour prevails indeed , yet not in equal measure in both sexes . for as we have confessedly less ambition , so have we apparently less of this poison which usually attends it , and arises from a self interested principle , which makes 'em endeavour by base sinister means to level that merit which they think stands in their way to preferment , and which they despair of being able to surmount by honourable attempts . for what need any one use base sleights to stop the man , whom by fair speed he thought he cou'd overtake . no sooner is any man rais'd to any eminence in the world , but half the sex at least join in confederacy to raise a battery of scandal against him , to bring him down again . honour is the pillory of great desert , whither a man is no sooner rais'd , but the vile rascally inferiour croud gather immediately together , to throw dirt at him , and make that which was intended as a grace , and reward , but a more honourable punishment . our sex seldom arrive to this pitch of envy , our ambition is more bounded , and our desires sooner satisfied , hence it is that we are less troubl'd at the prosperity of others ; for not giving our selves the liberty of aiming at things far out of our power , they are the sooner compass'd , and we the sooner at ease . he , that thinks himself happy , is incapable of envying another's felicity , since he sees him possess'd of nothing which either he has not or despises not . yet it must be confess'd that the lesser piques , and grudgings are daily to be met with among us , but no less among men. what is it that spawns daily such fryes of satyrists without wit , and criticks without judgment , but this humour of carping , and nibbling at the reputation of others ? but they are generally abundantly furnisht with impudence , a good quality that commonly supplies largely the want of all other . a critick of this sort is one that for want of wit sets up for judgment ; yet he has so much ambition to be thought a wit , that he lets his spleen prevail against nature , and turns poet. in this capacity he is as just to the world as in the other injurious . for as the critick wrong'd ev'ry body in his censure , and snarl'd , and grin'd at their writings , the poet gives 'em opportunity to do themselves justice , to return the compliment and laugh at or despise his . he wants nothing but wit to fit him for a satyrist , yet he has gall and vanity enough to dispence with that want , and write without it . his works are libells upon others , but satyrs upon himself , and while they bark at men of wit , call him fool that writ ' em . he takes his malice for a muse , and thinks himself inspir'd when he is only possess'd , and blown up with a flatus of envy and vanity . his great helps to poetry are crambo , and arithmetick , by which he aspires to chime , and numbers , yet mistakes frequently in the tale of his fingers . he has a very great antipathy to his own species , and hates to see a fool any where but in his glass . for ( as he says ) they provoke him and offend his eyes : he follows 'em as a dog persues his prey , and barks whenere he smells 'em in his way : he knows , to say no more that wit is scarce , to gingle out a rhime , or tag a verse : or cobble wretched prose to numerous lines : there if he has a genius there it shines . his fund of criticism is a set of terms of art pickt out of the french criticks , or their translators ; and his poetical stock is a common place of certain forms and manners of expression . he writes better in verse than prose ; for in that there is rhime , in this neither rhime nor reason . he talks much of the naivete of his thoughts , which appears sufficiently in the dullness of 'em ; yet nothing but the phlegmatick , spiritless air is his own . he rails at mr. oldham for want of breeding and good manners without a grain of either , and steals his own wit to bespa●●er him with , but like an ill chymist , he lets the spirit flie of in the drawing over , and retains only the phlegm . he censures mr. cowley for too much wit , and corrects him with none . the difference between mr. cowley and him is this ; the one has too much wit , and too fine for the standard ; the other not enough to blanch his base metal , or cover the brass of his counterfeits . to compleat himself in the formalities of parnassus , he falls in love and tells the world , it is oblig'd to his passion for his poetry ; but if his mistress prove no more indulgent than his muse , his amour is like to conclude but unluckily . for if his love be no warmer than his lines , his corinna may play with his flame without danger of burning . he pretends to have written only his sincerest thoughts ; i don't know how well his mistress may take that from the lover , but i dare swear the world did not expect it from the poet. he is happiest at the picture of a rhiming fool , for he need only to look in his glass , and he may copy a country wit from the city original . if this rhiming humour lasts , there 's a good sugar-jobber spoil'd for an ill poet ; yet for his comfort , time , improvement , and two or three books more may raise him to rival e — s — and sing london's triumphs , to the envy of tom jordan of happy memory . you may wonder , madam , why i shou'd give you the trouble of this character , after i had given you my word to trouble you with no more of this nature . i must confess , i am sorry that so foolish an occasion cou'd make me forget my self ; but a book newly publish'd happening just at this juncture unluckily to fall into my hands , i cou'd not without indignation see the scurrility and insolence , with which mr. oldham , and mr. cowley are treated ; and cou'd not but resent a little the wrongs done to the memory of men whom the rest of the world with justice admire ; and cou'd not help taking notice upon so fair an opportunity , that they are not , tho' dead , to be so rudely plaid with , and made the may-game of e'ry splenetick boy . there are some yet living , whose wit and performances deserve a more respectful treatment , than they have met with from him . but they are able to revenge their own quarrel , if they think he deserves the honour to be scourg'd by ' em . nothing but envy and a vain conceit of himself cou'd move him to attack the reputation of men , whose verse will alwayes command admiration , while his own raise nothing but scorn and indignation . if his bookseller were but blest with half a dozen such authors , he wou'd in a short time infallibly be stationer general to all the grocers and tobacconists in the town . after this digression , madam , let us return to our subject . we stand yet charg'd with levity , and inconstancy , two failings so nearly related and so generally united , that it his hard to treat of 'em apart ; we will therefore consider 'em briefly together . levity is an unsteddy humor that makes men like and dislike , seek and reject frequently the same things upon slender or no reasons . this is the humour of the infancy of both sexes , and proceeds from the strength of their appetites , and the weakness of their judgments . at these tender years every thing we see moves our curiosities , and because we think little beyond our appetites , desire impatiently whatever pleases . this wears of in proportion to the growth of our judgments , when we begin to consider the fatigue , hazard , disreputation , and other inconveniences that attend unreasonable , or inordinate desires . herein our sex have a manifest advantage over the other ; for it is confess'd on all hands that our judgments ripen sooner than theirs , whence of course it follows , that this folly prevails not so long upon us , as them . 't is yet true , that even the most experienc'd and wisest of us have no small mixture of it , which appears in the greatest part of our actions . but it is certain likewise , that men have a greater proportion of it than we . from this it is that novelty derives all its charms , and that men persue with so much eagerness and impatience what they so soon slight if obtain'd . i appeal to the experience of all mankind , if they do not generally frame to themselves much greater idea's of any thing they desire , and are unacquainted with , than they find real , when they become familiar to 'em ; and if they did not imagine greater pleasures , while they were in persuit , than they met with after they were in possession of their wishes . the imagery of fancy is , like some paintings , ravishing , and surprizing at a due distance , but approach 'em near , and all the charms and beauty vanish , and they appear rough and unpleasant . hence it is that men grow uneasie , and their desires pall so soon upon the full enjoyment of their wishes ; they see then the imperfections as well beauties of what they coveted , which glitter'd so far of , and like the moon appear'd all lustre and smoothness , but when arriv'd at , all dark and uneven . these fallacies men are more submitted to than we , by those very priviledges which give 'em in some things the advantage over us . the variety of business , and society they run through , the large acquaintance they contract , give 'em encouragement to aspire to , and hopes to obtain many difficult things , which our sex seldom lift their thoughts up to . i know this aspiring humour of theirs is generally call'd ambition , and i allow the term to be proper ; but their ambition works upon their levity , which only can make them barter certain ease , peace and security , for uncertain pomp and splendour ; and forsake a condition they know to be good , for one they know no more of , than that it shines , and that it glitters , and and so part with the true jewel for the false one . these are the seririous and applauded follies of mankind , and shew the weakness and levity of those we call the greatest , and wisest men , that sacrifice the ease and pleasure of their lives to popular breath , and sounding titles , which is like bartring a small diamond for a large glass bubble . inconstancy is so like levity that little more needs to be said of it , only that it is commonly restrain'd to the change of affections in regard to persons , and so is cheifly concern'd in love and freindship . it is founded upon levity , thro' which we first make an injudicious choice , and are afterwards as unreasonably disgusted with it . this happens oftner in love , than friendship ; because the impressions of love are more suddenly receiv'd , and the effects of it more violent , than those of friendship ; and the desires , which are commonly kindled by one single perfection , such as beauty or wit , not being suddenly answered , are in process of time extinguish'd , or abated by observation of some disgustful imperfection or other in the person belov'd . this is indeed the true reason , why love , which is generally so hot at first , cools commonly so suddenly ; because being generally the issue of fancy , not judgment , it is grounded upon an over great opinion of those perfections , which first strike us , and which fall in our esteem upon more mature examination . from whence it is likewise that men are less constant in their affections , than we ; for beauty only being generally the object of their passion , the effect must necessarily be as fadeing as the cause ; their love therefore being only the result of wonder and surprize , is abated by familiarity , and decays , as they wear of , by degrees . beside , that , a love so founded is liable to be ravish'd by any superiour beauty ; or if not so , yet the novelty of the former once worn of , the new comer has the assistance of fancy the slave of novelty to gain the superiority . this is the cause why so few real and lasting passions are found amongst men. for charms depending upon , and owing their power to fancy ; can maintain no conquests any longer , than that is on their side , which is as inconstant as the wind. in this also we are less faulty , than they ; for , not usually fixing our affection on so mutable a thing as the beauty of a face , which a thousand accidents may destroy , but on wit , good humour , and other graces of the mind , as well as of the body , our love is more durable , and constant in proportion to the longer continuance of those qualities in the object . neither indeed have we the means , or temptation to be fickle and inconstant so ready as men have ; for modesty , and the rules of decency observ'd among us , not permitting to us the liberty of declaring our sentiments to those we love , as men may , we dare not indulge a wanton fancy , or rambling inclination , which must be stiffled in our own breasts , and cou'd only give us a hopeless anxiety , unless we were able to inspire the same passion for us in them ; which it were vain to expect , without breaking thro' all restraint of modesty and decorum at the price of our fame and reputation , which i hope few are so daring as to venture . besides this our tempers are by nature calm , sedace , and tender , not apt to be ruffl'd , and disturb'd by passions , and too fearful to enterprize any thing in satisfaction of 'em ; their 's on the contrary , bold , active , and uneven , easily susceptible of all manner of desires , and readily executing any designs to gratifie ' em . thus are we debarr'd the liberty of chusing for our selves , and confin'd to please our selves out of the number that like and address to us , of which if we fix our affections upon any one , we are generally fixt and unmoveable , as having neither the inclination to , nor opportunity of inconstancy , that the men have . i don't deny but that there may be some among us guilty of this fault , but they are vastly short of the number of men involv'd in the like guilt , amongst whom it is now grown so fashionable , that is become no scandal ; but is daily justified , and the treachery boasted of as high gallantry . the crimes therefore of some few women ought , to be no reproach to the sex in general . of infidelity in friendship i shall say little , because i think there are so few instances of any thing that deserve the name , that scarce any age has been so fruitful as to produce two pair of real and true friends . i know that the name is commonly given to such as are linkt by any ties of consanguinity , affinity , interest , mutual obligations , acquaintance , and the like : but these are such friendships ( if they may be call'd so ) as are always contracted with a tacit reserve to interest on both sides , and seldom last longer than the prosperity of either party , and during that are frequently renounc'd upon slight disobligations , or languish and die of themselves . yet if i may presume to give my opinion in a case , where matter of fact does not appear , i think we shou'd be the more faithful even in this too : for as we are less concern'd in the affairs of the world , so we have less temptation from interest to be false to our friends . neither are we so likely to be false thro' fear ; because our sex are seldom engag'd in matters of any danger . for these reasons it is , our sex are generally more hearty and sincere in the ordinary friendships they make than men , among whom they are usually clogg'd with so many considerations of interest , and punctilio's of honour ; to which last perhaps are owing the greatest part of those honourable actions , which are mistakenly imputed to friendship . for something done to salve honour , commonly puts a period to all friendship , with unfortunate persons ; whom men think they may afterward grow cold to without reproach . these are the most considerable imperfections , or at least those , which with most colour of reason are charg'd upon us , as general defects ; and i hope , madam , i have fairly shown , that the other sex are both by interest and inclination more expos'd , and more subject to 'em , than we . pride , lust , cruelty , and many more , are by the declaimers against us thrown into the scale to make weight and bear us down , but with such manifest injustice , that without giving my self any further trouble , i dare appeal to any reasonable man , and leave him to decide the difference . i know there was a tullia , a claudia , and a messalina ; there was likewise , a sardanapalus , a nero , a caligula ; but if the sexes in general are to be reproach'd with , and measur'd by these ; human race is certainly the vilest part of the creation . 't is very ill logick to argue from particulars to generals , and where the premisses are singular , to conclude universally : but if they will allow us the liberty they take themselves , and come to numbering the vicious of both sexes , they will certainly out poll us by infinite numbers . it were therefore better policy surely in them , to quit a way of arguing , which is at once so false , and so much to the disadvantage of the cause they contend for : and when they can by sound arguments make out any advantages their sex has over ours , other than what i have already granted , i am ready to be convinc'd , and become their convert ; and i make no doubt but every ingenuous man will do as much by me . thus i have endeavour'd to vindicate our sex , from the unjust imputations with which some unreasonable , malicious men wou'd load us : for i am willing to think the greater , or at least the better part of their sex , more generous than to encourage their scandal . there remains nothing more , but to shew that there are some necessary qualifications to be acquir'd , some good improvements to be made by ingenious gentlemen in the company of our sex. of this number are complacence , gallantry , good humour , invention , and an art , which ( tho' frequently abus'd ) is of admirable use to those that are masters of it , the art of insinuation , and many others . 't is true a man may be an honest and understanding man , without any of these qualifications ; but he can hardly be a polite , a well bred , an agreable , taking man , without all , or most of these . without 'em honesty , courage , or wit , are like rough diamonds , or gold in the ore , they have their intrinsick value , and worth , before , but they are doubtful and obscure , till they are polish'd , refin'd , and receive lustre , and esteem from these . the principal of these is complacence , a good quality , without which in a competent measure no man is fi●ted for society . this is best learnt in our company , where all men affect gaiety , and endeavour to be agreable . state news , politicks , religion , or private business take up the greatest part of their conversation , when they are among themselves only . these are subjects that employ their passions too much , to leave any room for complacence ; they raise too much heat to suffer men to be easie and pleasant , and men are too serious when they talk of 'em , to suppress their natural temper , which are apt to break out upon any opposition . men are as apt to defend their opinions , as their property , and wou'd take it as well to have their titles to their estates question'd , as their sense ; and perhaps in that they imitate the conduct of our sex , and do , like indulgent mothers , that are most tender of those children that are weakest . but however it be , i have observ'd , when such arguments have been introduc'd even in our company , and by men that affect indifference , and abundance of temper , that very few have been able to shew so much mastery , but that something appear'd either in their air , or expression , or in the tone of their voices , which argued a greater warmth , and concern , than is proper for the conversation of gentlemen , or the company of ladies . these uneasinesses happen not so often among us , because the men look upon us to have very little interest in the publick affairs of the world , and therefore trouble us very seldom with their grave , serious trifles , which they debate with so much earnestness among one another . they look upon us as things design'd and contriv'd only for their pleasure , and therefore use us tenderly , as children do their favourite bawbles . they talk gayly , and pleasantly to us , they do , or say nothing that may give as any disgust , or chagrin , they put on their chearfullest looks , and their best humour , that they may excite the like in us : they never oppose us but with a great deal of ceremony , or in raillery , not out of a spirit of opposition , ( as they frequently do one another ) but to maintain a pleasant argument , or heighten by variety of opinions an agreable entertainment . mirth , and good humour reign generally in our society , good manners always ; for with us men shew in a manner , the reverse of what they are one to another : they let their thoughts play at liberty , and are very careful of the expression , that nothing harsh , or obscene escape 'em , that may shock a tender mind , or offend a modest ear. this caution it is , which is the root of complacence , which is nothing but a desire to oblige people , by complying with their humours . 't is true some tempers are too obstinate , and froward , ever to arrive at any great heigth of this good quality , yet there is nothing so stubborn , but it may be bent . assiduity and constant practice will contract such habits , as will make any thing easie and familiar , even to the worst contriv'd disposition ; but where nature concurs , men are soon perfect . this is one great advantage men reap by our society , nor is it to be despis'd by the wisest of 'em , who know the use of this accomplishment , and are sensible , that it is hardly , if at all , to be acquir'd , but by conversing with us . for tho' men may have wit and judgment , yet the liberty they take of thwarting , and opposing one another makes 'em eager , and disputative , impatient , sowre , and morose ; till by conversing with us ▪ they grow insensibly asham'd of such rustick freedom . the truth of this is evident from the observation of the universities , and inns of court , i mean those students in 'em that lead a more recluse and monastick life , and converse little with our sex. they want neither wit , nor learning , and frequently neither generosity , nor good nature , yet when they come into gay , tho' ingenious company , are either damp'd and silent , or unseasonably frolicksom and free , so that they appear either dull , or ridiculous . nor is complacence the only thing these men want , they want likewise the gallantry of those men that frequent our company . this quality is the heigth and perfection of civility , without which it is either languishing , or formal , and with which it appears always with an engaging air of kindness , and good will. it sets a value upon the most inconsiderable trifles , and turns every civility into an obligation . for in ordinary familiarities , and civil correspondencies , we regard not so much what , as how things are done , the manner is more lookt upon than the matter of such courtesies . almost all men that have had a liberal , and good education know , what is due to good manners , and civil company . but till they have been us'd a little to our society , their modesty sits like constraint upon 'em , and looks like a forc'd compliance to uneasie rules , and forms of civility . conversing frequently with us makes 'em familiar to men , and when they are convinc'd , as well of the easiness , as the necessity of 'em , they are soon reconcil'd to the practice . this point once gain'd , and they become expert in the common , and necessary practices . those that have any natural bravery of mind , will never be contented to stop there ; indifference is too cold and phlegmatick a thing for 'em , a little formal ceremony , and common civilities , such as are paid to e'ry one of course , will not satisfie their ambitious spirits , which will put 'em upon endeavouring for better receptions , and obliging those , whom they can't without reproach to themselves offend . this is the original , and first spring of gallantry , which is an humour of obliging all people , as well in our actions as words . it differs from complacence , this being more active , that more passive ; this inclines us to oblige , by doing or saying after our own humours such things as we think will please ; that by submitting to , and following theirs . a man may be complacent without gallantry , but he can't be gallant without complacence . for 't is possible to please and be agreable , without shewing our own humours to others ; but 't is impossible without some regard to theirs : yet this pleasure will be but faint and languid , without a mixture of both . this mixture of freedom , observance , and a desire of pleasing , when rightly tempered , is the true composition of gallantry ▪ of which , who ever is compleat master , can never fail of being both admir'd , and belov'd . this accomplishment is best , if not only to be acquir'd by conversing with us ; for besides the natural deference , which the males of every observable species of the creation pay to their females , and the reasons before given for complacence , which all hold good here , there is a tender softness in the frame of our minds , as well as in the constitution of our bodies , which inspire men , a sex more rugged , with the like sentiments , and affections , and infuses gently and insensibly a care to oblige , and a concern not to offend us . hence it is that they employ all their art , wit , and invention to say and do things , that may appear to us , surprizing and agreable either for their novelty or contrivance . the very end and nature of conversation among us retrench aboundance of those things , which make the greatest part of men's discourse , and they find themselves oblig'd to strain their inventions to fetch from other springs , streams proper to entertain us with . this puts 'em upon beating and ranging ore the fields of fancy to find something new , something pretty to offer to us , and by this means refines at the same time their wit , and enlarges , and extends their invention ; for by forcing 'em out of the common road , they are necessitated to invent new arguments , and seek new ways to divert and please us , and by restraining the large liberty they take one with another , they are compell'd to polish their wit , and file off the roughness of it . to this they owe , the neatness of raillery , to which abundance of gentlemen are now arriv'd ; for contrariety , of opinions , being that which gives life , and spirit to conversation , as well women as men do frequently hold arguments contrary to their real opinions , only to heigthen the diversion , and improve the pleasure of society . in these the utmost care is taken to avoid all things that may sound harsh , offensive , or indecent , their wit is employ'd only to raise mirth , and promote good humour , conditions that can't well be observ'd , when men contend for realities , and dispute for the reputation of their wit or judgment , and the truth of their opinions . 't is true these improvements are to be made only by men , that have by nature an improvable stock of wit and good sense ; for those that have it not , being unable to distinguish what is proper for their imitation , are apt to ape us in those things which are the peculiar graces and ornaments of our sex , and which are the immediate objects of sight , and need no further reflection , or thinking . this affectation is notorious in our modern beau's , who observing the care taken by some of our sex in the setting of their persons , without penetrating any farther into the reasons women have for it , or considering , that what became them , might be ridiculous in themselves , fall to licking , sprucing , and dressing their campaign faces , and ill contriv'd bodies , that now , like all foolish imitatours , they out do the originals , and out-powder , out-patch , and out-paint the vainest and most extravagant of our sex at those follies , and are perpetually cocking , brustling , twiring , and making grimaces , as if they expected we shou'd make addresses to 'em in a short time. yet ought not this to discourage any ingenious person , or bring any scandal upon our conversation , any more than travelling ought to be brought into disrepute , because it is observ'd , that those , who go abroad fools , return fops . it is not in our power to alter nature , but to polish it , and if an ass has learnt all his paces , 't is as much as the thing is capable of , 't were absurd to expect he shou'd chop logick . this is so far from being an objection against us , that it is an argument , that none but ingenious men are duely qualified to converse with us ; who by our means have not only been fitted , and finish'd for great things , but have actually aspir'd to ' em . for 't is my opinion , that we owe the neat , gentile raillery in sir george etheredge , and sir sedley's plays , and the gallant verses of mr. waller to their conversing much with ladies . and i remember an opinion of a very ingenious person , who ascribes the ruine of the spanish grandeur in great measure , to the ridiculing in the person of don quixot , the gallantry of that nation toward their ladies . this opinion however ingenious carries me beyond the scope and design of the present argument , and therefore i shall leave all further consideration of it to those that are more at leisure , and less weary than i am at present . there remain yet some things to be spoken to , but i must confess to you , madam , that i am already very much tired , and i have reason to fear that you are more . when you enjoyn'd me this task , i believe , you did not expect , i am sure , i did not intend so long a letter . i know i have written too much , yet i leave you to judge , whether it be enough . one experience i have gain'd by this essay , that i find , when our hands are in , 't is as hard to stop 'em , as our tongues , and as difficult not to write , as not to talk too much . i have done wondring at those men , that can write huge volumes upon slender subjects , and shall hereafter admire their judgment only , who can confine their imaginations , and curb their wandring fancies . i pretend no obligation upon our sex for this attempt in their defence ; because it was undertaken at your command , and for your diversion only , which if i have in any measure satisfied , i have my ambition , and shall beg nothing farther , than that my ready obedience may excuse the mean performance of madam , your real friend , and most humble servant . the contents . a argument from providence , p. 9. — from the different make , and temper of body in the two sexes , p. 18. amazons , why they banisht men , p. 24. advantages of womens company , p. 135. b bodies organiz'd alike , p. 12. brutes of both sexes of equal sense , p. 13. bully's character , p. 62. beau's character , p. 68. boasters of intrigues base fellows , p. 115 c conversation , its end , p. 7. — its requisite conditions , p. 9. country squire 's character , p. 20. coffee-house politician's character , p. 87. city militia , p , 92. city critick's character , p. 119. complacence how acquir'd , p. 136. d dissidence of themselves a great discouragement to women , p. 55. dissimulation necessary , p. 110. — why most us'd by men , p. 112. — when criminal , p. 113. — how differing from deceit , p. 114. e education mens greatest advantage , p. 6. — of the female sex not so deficient as commonly suppos'd , p. 36. english books very improving , p. 41. — best helps to conversation , p. 47. envy most injurious to virtue , p. 116. f friendship , its requisite conditions , p. 9. failings falsly charg'd on women , p. 60. fools no fit companions for women , p. 145. g gentlemen , best writers of morality , humanity , &c. p. 52. gallantry how acquir'd , p. 140. — how distinguisht from complacence , p. 142. i invention improvable by the society of women , p. 143. ignorance of latin no disadvantage , p. 57. imitation ridiculous , p. 66. impertinence , what , p. 84. — commonly mistaken , p. 85. — epidemical , p. 89. — officious , p. 94. — to be measur'd by its artifice ▪ p. 109. l learning unjustly restrain'd to latin and greek only , p. 45. love frequently false , p. 115. levity , what , p. 124. — less among women than men , p. 125. love , why so soon cold , p. 128. p pedant's character , p. 27. points of deep learning and politicks , improper for mixt conversation , p. 40 poetaster's character , p. 79. q the question stated , p. 6. r religion , &c. no proper subjects for mixt conversation , p. 38. s sexes not distinguish'd in souls , p. 11. salique law , it s original , p. 22. scowrer's character , p. 64. u vulgar of both sexes of equal capacicity , p. 15. vanity the vice of men , p. 60. — fools blessing , p. 76. — universal , p. 82. vertuoso's character ▪ p. 96. w women , bred to too much ignorance of business , p. 16. — industriously kept in ignorance , p. 20. — why constanter lovers than men , p. 129. — truer friends than men , and why , p. 132. — not generally so vicious as men , p. 134. finis ▪ notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a26086-e1850 some advantages to be allow'd to the disparity of education . no distinction of sexes in souls . no advantage in the organization of their bodies . confirm'd from experience of brutes . experience of mankind . 〈…〉 original of the salique law. amazons ; why they rejected the society of men. character of a pedant . character of a country squire . the education of the f●m the sex not so deficient as commonly thought . 〈…〉 great improvements to be made by the help of english books only . the name of learning unjustly restrained to the knowledge of latin and greek only . english books the best helps to conversation . ignorance of latine &c. no disadvantage . vanity . character of a bully . character of a scow●er . imitation ridiculous . character of a beau. vanity a blessing to fools . character of a poetaster . vanity universal . impertinence . commonly mistaken . character of a coffee-house politician . city militia . off●ious impertin●nces . character of a vertuoso . dissimulation become necessary . dissimulation when criminal . false love commonly practic'd . enviousness character of a city critick 7th . satyre of boileau eng. levity . less levity among women then men. inconstancy love , why so soon cold . women constanter lovers . friendship . women truer friends than men. more ill men than women . many advantages from womens company . complacence to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it . gallantry acquir'd by our company . difference betwixt complacence and gallantry . invention 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 our society . fools no fit companions for women . hæc homo wherein the excellency of the creation of woman is described, by way of an essay. by william austin esquire. austin, william, 1587-1634. 1637 approx. 174 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 101 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2003-07 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a23301 stc 974 estc s100237 99836083 99836083 329 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a23301) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 329) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1475-1640 ; 820:01) hæc homo wherein the excellency of the creation of woman is described, by way of an essay. by william austin esquire. austin, william, 1587-1634. [12], 189, [1] p., plate : ill., port. printed by richard olton for ralph mabb, and are to be sold by charles greene, london : 1637. with an additional title page, engraved, bearing the imprint: london printed. for r: mabb. 1637. reproduction of the original in the henry e. huntington library and art gallery. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng women -early works to 1800. 2003-03 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2003-04 aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images 2003-05 rina kor sampled and proofread 2003-05 rina kor text and markup reviewed and edited 2003-06 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the liuely portraiture of mrs mary griffith . haec homo wherein the excellency of the creation of woman is described , by way of an essaie . london printed for r : mabb . 1637. by w. aust : in esquire haec homo , wherein the excellency of the creation of woman is described , by way of an essay . by william austin esquire . london , printed by richard olton for ralph mabb , and are to be sold by charles greene. 1637. thomas walker lld doctors commons london to the truely vertuous mistresse mary griffith : lady , the authour of this essay made you his patern , which ( being a posthume ) begs you the patronesse : let its infancy pleade its excuse , if it deliver in broken words but halfe your worth ● and if you please to take it into your protection , it may hereafter come forth more knowing of your vertues ; some incredulous people it is likely to meet with , who will deride it , as apocrypha ; their sinne is their punishment ; they have not seene you : and whilst through their malice they condemne the authour ; by the truth of your vertues , hee becomes a martyr : the title of this manuell is generall , the excellency of womans creation , the intended ayme of the author was particular , your praise : that he might satisfie the doubtfull ; your perfections ( though they are admirable ) are not miraculous , which if they were , your glory would be lessened , because they were not so fully your owne : and those of your sexe , could not be so justly accused of enclining to the vices of the times , if it were not a declining from their naturall puritie : your beginnings being equall , makes their infancy proportioned with your glory , but justice ; and this worke of his , and my dedication but a duty , whereby i am obliged to acknowledge my selfe , vertuous lady , your most humble servant i. a. to the reader . it is not to be expected that pieces though of never so exact and curious frame , composed by the most excellent and ●evenest hand , should passe through the croud of the criticall and censorious multitude , without receiving the adust effects of their malignant humours . it cannot be looked for therefore , but that this essay of this excellent author , must be forced sometimes in its passa●e , th●ough the dangerous sea of these quarrelling times , to strike sayle to those musters of malignant and envious judgements that inevitably will assault it : and it is infinitly beyond my weake ability to come in with such supplies as might rescue so wel-adeserving subject from suffering ship-wracke . but sure i need not , the peece it selfe is strong enough to stand it out , even to a victory , though it may now and then seeme to sinke under the aboundant pressures of assaylants . yet give me leave ( courteous reader ) at the least to shew my willingnesse to doe somewhat , especially seeing it ( or rather the world ) hath had the mis-fortune to lose the author , a gentleman highly approved for his religion , learning and exquisite ingenuity : his former adventurings into the world , in that sublime expression of his divine meditations , have beene safely landed in the wisest and candidest judgements with approbation and applause ; and doubtlesse , this , cannot chuse but receive also a childs portion together with that his brother , and why not a greater ? for it zarah-like put his hand out first , and therefore was the elder , though upon his drawing backe , his brother came out before him : they are both like the father , only that , of a more graver , this , of a more youthfull aspect : yet if the judicious reader will be pleased to take an impartiall view of its severall l●●e●ments , he cannot chuse but see the true idaea of a most grave and divine spirit , shining forth in even its tender non-age . i am sure i shall rather blemish then adorne the ●orke , by saying any thing , and ●ndeed , what need i ? vino vendi●ili non opus est hedera : my generall request to the reader is , that he would be pleased to let it passe quietly , and if he be one that cannot find in his heart to commend and approve it , let him leave it for those , that both can and will , out of a pure judgement and refined wit , give it its due merit and honour ; and to such , i promise to remaine , ready to doe my best service , ralph mabb . haec homo . cap. i. the omnipotent in the beginning , created all things for man ; and untill all things were made fit and convenient for him , he was not made : but , when they had received their ornaments , then was brought forth this admirable creature , ( the image of his creator , ) who was so excellently composed , that his maker had not onely given him [ os sublime , ] a face upward : but [ mentem internam , ] a mind inward , to behold the heavens , and all under them : homo ad contemplandum creatorem suum creatus est , saith gregorie . certainly , one would think , that to the making of so divine a creature , some extraordinary matter , collected out of the quintessences of the celestiall spheares , ought to be prepared . one would scarcely beleeve , ( but that it is written , where is no falshood ▪ ) that the base earth were his best apparell ; nay worse , not earth , but dust , ( the very contemptible dust , ) which the least wind blowes away . but , when we behold his dayly carriage , his pride and haughtinesse ; with what disdaine , he not onely contemnes inferiour creatures ; but such as were created equall with him ; we may judge him , either to be made of better stuffe then we have heard of : or , that he very much forgets his beginning . he was not made of heaven , nor in heaven ; but in earth , and of dust , amongst ( his fellow creatures ) the beasts of the field : of the same mettle , in the same place , and in the same day with them . what should make him so proud , as to despise , and , with so many sought-for words contemn woman ( his other self ? ) doubtles , it proceeds from his ignorance or forgetfulnesse : in that he knowes not , or will not remember his lowe beginning , ( even out of the dust : ) and , had need to heare this sentence again from heaven , oftner then raine upon him , nosce teipsum : otherwise , he would not esteem so unworthily of woman , which is his other half , and part of his own bodily substance . it shewes , as if a man should love his head ; and hate his braines : is not she , he ? examine , and you will find small difference . as , first ; for name : though ( for necessary distinction sake , ) they were created male and female , and two bodies : yet all ( in one word ) makes but [ hom●● ] one man. which very word cicero , ( the most eloquent of his time , ) thought no barbarisme , to bestow upon a woman , and a vertuous ladie ; when ( remembring his commendations to her , in an epistle to her husband , ) he calls her homo singular is pudicitiae ac pietatis . in the sexe , is all the difference ; which is but onely in the body . for , she hath the same reasonable soule ; and , in that , there is neither hee s , nor shee s ; neither excellencie , nor superiority : she hath the same soule ; the same mind ; the same understanding ; and tends to the same end of eternall salvation that he doth . in which , there is no exception of sexe , persons , or nation : but ( in the resurrection ) she shall , ( without exception of sexe ) obtaine like body with him ; according to the similitude of angels : for , they were bought at the same price , and shall dwell in the same glory . she hath not onely the same name with him ; but , they are both of one figure ; made by one workman ; of one substance ; in one place ; in one day ; so that , there is no such generall difference between them , that can give excuse to man to esteem basely and meanly of her , but that he must needs ( therein ) touch himself : since she was made so equall with him , and so like him . notwithstanding , there may be observed some rice differences between them in their creation : but indeed , they are such , as rather much increase her praise , then detract the least scruple from her worth and excellencie . as for example : first , though she were created with him , in the same and one day ; yet , not at one time . secondly , though in one generall place , yet not in one particular place . thirdly , though of one substance , yet not of one matter . fourthly , though of one workman , yet not in one manner . fiftly , though of one figure ; yet not of one form . sixtly , though of one generall name ; yet not of one particular name . these things , ( though they seem never so slight and triviall , ) make much for her excellencie and honour . therefore , to the end i may keep some order in what i intend , i will first shew what i have observed upon these six former differences ; of time , place , matter , manner , form and name , ( which i intend , shall be the principall heads of this my discourse . ) cap. i. first , i will begin with the time of her creation . it was not , untill all other creatures ( both in heaven and earth ) were finished , and provided for her : that when she came , she might find want of nothing . she had the fields to refresh her ; the trees to shade her ; the rivers to bath her ; the heavens to light her ; and a husband to cherish and love her : who was neither perfect nor happy , till he had her . a benefit which adam wanted : for , he lacked and lived without a helper , till she was made : and he that wants help cannot be happy . secondly , she was not made till god made adam : so he had great need of her . for , after he had told him , it was not good for him to be alone ; he brought him all the creatures of the earth , to chuse him out a fellow ; but he ( with a small appetite ) viewing them over , gave them apt names , according to their dispositions : but for adam found he not a fit helpe . from whence , i observe , that she was not made by chance , ( as a thing unnecessary , and not thought of ; but by reason of the present occasion : ) or , as that she should never have been created , if any of the beasts could have served the turne . ( no beautifull thing is made by chance ; but , by some ingenious and operative art : ) but she was made by great deliberation , and profound consideration . for , if there appeared a great counsaile and deliberation in god , ( in these words let us make man , ) before he made him ; ( and yet therein was she also contained : ) so certainly , no lesse in her particular creation . for , though he had already determined what to do , when he said ; i will make him a helper : yet , that adam might take knowledge how great a benefit he was to receive , he first makes this search ( in his presence ) among all the living creatures of the earth , to let him see that none was fit for him , but such a one as he himself should specially create : and , that ( without her ) he were but a misery in a mans likenes . for , though he had both heaven and earth in his contemplation , yet he lacked that which they all could not supply . this helper therefore being found , he proceedeth to as large and more exact a declaration of her creation , then of his : as we shall more largely shew hereafter ; which was done while adam slept . ( for it was not fit that he should behold the creation of the excellent creature , that had not seen the making of the meanest : and , peradventure , lest man should after presume to have had a hand in her making ; and so , make slight accompt of her : ) while he slept ( i say , ) without his ca●e , advice or counsaile was she created . from whence , some gather , that the affections of men should sleep , when god chuseth and fitteth them wives : and that neither beauty , riches or honour , &c. should sway them ; but onely the first cause ; [ commodum auxilium , ] and the immediate hand of god ; who provides her and gives her . she being thus made , is brought forth the last creature in time , as an epitome , conclusion , period , and full perfection both of heaven and earth . for god making all his workes of two sorts , [ incorruptible and corruptible , ] began at the noblest of the one , and ended in the noblest of the other . for first , he made the incorruptible angels , &c. then ( for corruptible things : ) first , the mineralls ; then , vegetables ; then , fishes ; then , birds ; then , beasts ; then , man in his own likenes , [ the one , male ; the other , female : ] but the woman last . every worke being still more perfect then other , still ending in the most perfect of all , he rested ; as having finished all in her , beyond whose perfection no creature more could be added , created , or imagined . but , though she were last in time brought forth : agrippa is of opinion , that god determined her creation first of all ; before he began the world. for wisedome considers to what good end and conclusion she will bring her worke , ere she begin ; still framing the last before the first . and woman , being the last creature , and perfect conclusion of all gods workes , was ( no doubt ) first of all drawn forth in that faire proportion ( we now see her , ) by gods eternall wisedome , as the period of all ; long ere the rest were began to be framed . thus much then for the time of her creation , which appeares not to be till all things were provided for her ; not till adam saw he had great need of her ; while he flept ; last , as the perfection of the rest : and , though last in creaation ; yet first in determination . cap. ii. secondly , she is dignified in the place of her creation . and , that the place of birth , making , or education , makes much to the praise or dispraise , not onely of men , but of beasts , and sometimes of sencelesse creatures ; both the ancient histories ( profane and divine , ) for their estimation do record ; not without the confirmation of common opinion and experience : which was the reason why isaack was commanded , not to take a wife out of canaan ; but in mesopotamia : ( the worthinesse of which place shall after appeare . ) the like ( for vituperation ) is that of nathanael : can there any good thing come out of nazareth ? still having a respect to the place . but the place of her creation was dignified , first , in the name . secondly , in the situation . thirdly , the rich plenty . fourthly , the vertuousnesse of the plenty . and fiftly , the company . i will begin at the last , first , and ( for once ) set the cart before the horse . for the company : it was an habitation of angels ; one of which afterwards kept the place with a fiery sword : and , it was also the walking-place of god , and is yet ( unto this day ) invironed with a flame , not farre from babylon , ( as some conjecture out of plinie . ) secondly , for the plenty : it had in it all manner of things good for mans life , it wanted nothing , either of pleasure or necessity : the beasts were obedient ; the trees fruitfull ; the fruit nourishing ; the hearbs pleasant in sight ; the flowres delicate in smell ; the rivers , not onely watered the garden ( and dividing themselves into foure parts , made it both pleasant in forme , and fruitfull in effect ; ) but also , brought forth most fine gold for ornament , and precious gemmes ( of more estimation and worth then gold , ) for beautie and medicine . there was no evill thing in it : nay , the tree of good and evill , ( though the eating thereof was a deadly poyson to adam and his posterity , ) was good in it self ; and ill onely in respect of the commandment : quid bonum ? quod devs vult : quid malum ? quod devs vetat . thirdly , besides all this fertility and rich plenty ; ( with the like whereof god hath also in some measure inriched some other places . ) there was that most desired rich jewell , and inestimable vertucus treasure , ( the tree of life ; ) no where else under heaven to be found : whose fruit increased strength , and lengthned the life of man. not as other fruits ; which also being eaten , bring health and increase the vegetative part of man , for a time ; and were made to drive away thirst and hunger : but ( as venerable beda writes , ) it had divinely received this vertue , that who so tasted of it , it should preserve his body in stable health and perpetuall soundnesse ; so that it should not fall into worse estate , by any infirmity or weaknesse of age ; ) nor ever die ( addes zanchius . ) which proves , how much in vertue and value , ( as well as in plenty and pleasure , ) that place exceeded all others . fourthly , for the situation : it was in heden , a place very fruitfull ; and heden was in mesopotamia . that it was there placed appeares out of ezekiel , where mention is made of the sonnes of heden , which are joyned with canneh and haran : which place ( being also the habitation of terah , and abraham ; ) is now known to be a region of mesopotamia . as for the particular site of this garden , it was [ in loco editissimo , ] in the highest part of all the world , ( saith adricomius delphius : ) and neerest lift up to heaven , where is the height of all happinesse , and happinesse beyond all height . fiftly , for the names of this place : they are three . one of the countrey [ mesopotamia : ] the other , of the region [ eden . ] the third of the garden [ paradise . ] the first signifies a place between two rivers , as that lies between tigris and euphrates ; which is the cause of the great fertility . mesopotamiam fe●tilem facit euphrates , in quam quotannis , quasi novos agros invehit . for the name of the region [ heden , ] it is ( in hebrew ) no more but deliciae ; a place of delight , ( saith isidore : ) and it must needs be very fruitfull ; since from thence runnes the river , that ( spreading into foure parts ; ) waters and makes fruitfull the most part of all asia . as for the particular name [ paradise ] , being a greek word , it is correspondent to the former ; and signifies , but an hortyard , or garden of pleasure . but such a place indeed it was , and is , and so warily kept from man , since ( for his disobedience ) he lost it ; that where it is , or what it is at this day , the best divines cannot resolve : which makes s. ambrose say , if paradise be such a thing , as that onely s. paul , or scarce any like s. paul could see in this life ; ( and that , whether in the body , or out of the body he cannot tell : ) how shall we resolve where it is placed , since we cannot see it ? or , if we could , we are forbidden to declare it . but , whatsoever it now is ; into this place of paradise ( which then so highly flourished in delight : ) the lord brought adam from the company of the ruder beasts , before he would make woman for him . which shewes , that he had no birth-right to the place ; being not made there , but that as he received the first , so shall he and his sonnes receive the second paradise by grace and favour onely , and by no claime of merit or birthright . but this place was the womans native countrey : for heere was she created . but , that appeares not fully and expresly in the text , may some say . to that zanchius answers . the commandment was given unto adam in paradise before the woman was created . therefore unlesse god tooke adam forth again of purpose , that must needs be the place of her creation . to which agrippa addes , mulier formata est in paradiso cum angelis . no mervaile therefore , if isaack were commanded to take a wife in mesopotamia ; since in that countrey was the place where the first woman was made by the hand of god : which place ( as you have heard , ) is dignified in the name ; the plenty ; the vertuous riches of the plenty ; the situation ; and the inhabitants . from all which particulars may be gathered these observations . first , that as the name of the place signifies it to be of pleasure , delight , and beauty ; so is the creature ( there made ) beautifull . for , the pleasure and delight of man ; ( as it is confessed in the booke of ecclesiasticus . ) the beauty of a woman cherisheth the face , and a man l●veth nothing better . and indeed well may her beauty be compared to a flower ; and her self to a garden : for she belongeth but to one husbandman ; and ought , but by one alone to be ordered and disposed . so that , whosoever comes , either by craft or force , to take any of the pleasures there , is but a thief . pec●as ( saith martiall , ) nec tua furta●egis ▪ ( for so the poets call adulterie . 〈◊〉 therefore , to defend 〈◊〉 place god hath set a red cherubin , with a fierie blade in the entrance and face of this garden : that , with the sodaine flash of crimosine blushes , beats back all presumptuous and unlawfull assaults of such as bouldly venture to violate the forbidden fruit . secondly , as the place of her creation was elevated , and in the highest place of the world ; so hath it given women some remembrance thereof in their nature . for , most of them are not so giddy , in looking down from high places , neither are they so soon dimme of sight , or blinde in age as men are . thirdly , as the place was very pleasant and fruitfull ; so was the woman : whose children since have fil'd the whole world. and , as the plenty was rich and precious ; so is her fruit : which not onely filleth the earth with men ; but , the heavens with saints ; who are as deere and precious in gods sight as his eyes : who ( being the true tree of life , ) hath bowed himself from heaven , as lowe as the crosse ; that we might cat and live for ever . lastly , though she be ( for a while ) banished from the company of those angells , that inhabit and keep the fiecry passage into the place of her creation ; yet , in the end , not onely she , but her offspring , ( the children of god , ) shal be with great joy received into the heavenly paradise , by redempti . demption ; there , to remaine , without danger , or feare , of falling for evermore . and so much concerning the observations of the place . cap. iii. the third difference , is of matter . for , though ( as i sayd ) they were made both of one substance , ( which was , originally , earth ; ) yet was her body made when it was more resined and 〈◊〉 . 〈…〉 indeed : and 〈…〉 comes out of the 〈…〉 nei●●er of 〈◊〉 form ; 〈…〉 . adam was made of dust , ( of red earth mingled with yellow , saith iosephus ; ) which he holds to be the right colour of the true elem●ntarie earth : but woman was made of a more noble substance , that cannot ( of it self properly ) be called earth ; but onely in respect of whence it was taken . earth is dead , and senselesse : but the matter of her creation was sensitive , and living . it was ( saith moses ) a bone taken from mans side : but bones ( saith magirus ) are senselesse , nullo sensu praedita . therefore this was not a bare bone , but took with it a part of the adherent flesh , by the confession of adam himself : this is bone of my bone , and flesh of my flesh . from hence it apeares , that she was made both of the bone and flesh of adam ; but yet ( it seems by the first description ) of more bone then flesh . 1. first then , ( that we may take hold of such considerations , as do adde to her dignity , ) we know , she was made of bone . 2. secondly , not without some flesh . 3. thirdly , of more bone then flesh. 4. fourthly , let us observe of what bone. 5. fiftly , why , but of one bone ? 6. and sixtly and lastly ; from what place it was taken . first then , it was a bone . ( the description of bones take thus , out of magirus : ossa sunt animalis partes durissimae , ad totius stabilitatem et fulcrum : bones ( saith he ) are the hardest part of a living creature , for the establishing and upholding of the rest : ) so that , the bones are , as the frame and substance of the body ; and the flesh , but the plaister , cover , or ornament . a man therefore seemes like a faire ●astle or fort , curiously and politely built . for , nothing apeares outward , but faire flesh , being a well-wrought plaister , taken out of the earth : but within , it is strongly fortified with a firm and solid frame , composed of substantiall bones , ( like huge beames or iron barres , ) not onely to uphold and keep upright ; but to strengthen and establish the whole building , aswell for assaults , as defence ; so that they are of great and necessary use . for whereas man ▪ of all other creatures , hath ( as i have said ) os sublime ; it is long of his ossa sublimia , that reare him upwards , and sustaine him : otherwise , he might grovell on the ground , like beastes of the field ; or creepe upon his belly , like his enemie ( the serpent . ) moreover , as man is called [ microcosmus , ] a little world : so ( to fit him to it ; ) his head is compared to the round heavens ; his eyes to the sunne and moone ; his haires to the trees and grasse ; his flesh to the earth ; his veines to the rivers : but his more solid bones are compared to the precious gemmes , and hard metals , and minerals , which are the riches of the earth : and , as these riches lie deep and hidden , and are not presently at hand : so these bones lie deep , and round , inclosed in the flesh ; that they might suflein it ; and it , clothe , and cherish them . of this rich and necessary part of mans body , was woman composed . from whence may be observed , that god made her not of what came next to hand , either of skin or flesh onely ; but pierced into the intralls , and very bones for her : that man might acknowledge her to be very neere him indeed ; and esteem her as his prop , and as necessary a help as his bones , ( in the execution of his calling : ) so that she might sustain him , and he cherish her . secondly , she was not made of bone onely , ( which is but sencelese of it self ; ) but , of some of the adherent flesh also ; which gave both life and sence to it . for , in the word ( flesh ) is comprehended , the sinewes , veines , arteries , and muskles , which convey the spirits of life and sence , quite through the body ; of part of which she was made : not , of skin . for , he saith not , skin of my skin : but , bone of my bone , and flesh of my flesh . for , the skin is so stretched over the bodie , for a cover ; that it may without much paine , be separated and drawnoff from it ; ( in some places more easily ; in some more hardly : ) but , the flesh is more sensible , and stickes more fast then so . it may seem therefore , that the reason ( why she was made of some flesh , ) was ; that it might give a neerenes , and a life , and ( therein ) an honour to the matter of her creation : and , to make good that saying , ( they shal be two in one flesh : ) left man should object , she was but a bare bone ; and of too hard a disposition and temper , for his helper . thirdly , why she was made but of some flesh , and more bone ; may seem , that ( because flesh is the weaker and frailer part of man ; and ( in the scripture ) for the most part , taken for the corrupt , sinfull , and unregenerate part . ) god would not chiefly make her therefore of that corruptible and contemptible matter ; left man should despise her : but , of the stronger , nearer , and more firm part of his body ; that she might prove the more able and fitter helper for him ; and he account the more worthily of her . so that , here is an intermingling and conjunction of both , in that equall and sufficient proportion , that god thought fittest , for the establishing of her worth , and the preventing of his objections . fourthly , we are to consider , which of his bones it was . a ribbe ( saith moses , ) which bone takes his name from the office , which it performs in the body : costis , quasi custos , a keeper . there are but three principall parts in the bodie : ( the heart ; the head ; and the liver . ) one , for counsaile ; the other , for government : and the third for nourishment . and they are all in the custodie and keeping of bones : but , the two chiefest , ( the heart , and the liver , ) are within the protection of the ribbes : which compassing and bending about them , doe seem to imbrace , and infould the bodie , after a more loving and kind manner , then any of the rest : and , doe not onely strengthen ; but ( by inclosing , ) protect and defend it . and such indeed is the true nature and disposition of a woman taken from hence ; for , she doth not onely infould and inclose man , ( while she breeds him in her wombe , ) and after , most tenderly hugges and nourishes him in her armes , during his infancie ; ) but afterwards , ( being joyned unto him in marriage , ) imbraces him most lovingly and affectionatly : yea ; and ( some time ) so bouldly interposes her self in the office of a ribbe , ( for his defence , ) that she hath much indangered , and ( some times ) suffered her life to be lost in the stead of his : which common and almost dayly experience proves true , too often . moreover ; a ribbe , if it be gently handled , is the most easily and farthest bent ( without breaking ) of all other bones ; ( being , indeed , already naturally made a little compassing and bowing of it self : ) but , if it be violently strucke or crushed , it is soonest crackt . so woman , ( being naturally made gentle and tractable , of her self , ) is with gentlenesse bended every way easily : but , ( if with rudenesse handled , ) not onely her body , but her obedience ; yea , and her very heart is broken . and as a r●bbe cannot be divided from the body of man , but by death ; or by extreme violence : so cannot woman be divided from that sacred conjunction , ( in which she is made one body with her husband , ) but by death , or adultery ; which is the ex●ream violation of the nuptiall bed . fiftly , though she was made of a bone ( or ribbe ; ) yet was she made of no more bones , or ribbes , but one : god took no more , but onely what would serve to make them bone of one bone , and flesh of one flesh . from which i briefly observe ( with zanchius . ) that she was but partly adams , and , not all wholly of his substance ; or totally taken out of him : to the end , that man should not presume tyrannously to usurp more authority and command over her , then is fit ; and ( bragging she was wholly taken out of him , or his superfluous chipps , ) should suppose himself absolutely her lord and master ; and claim her , as his own [ iure creatio●is ] by right ; as directly proceeding from him ; but , that he should remember , that she is one ribbe of his , and no more ; and , that the rest of her body ( in the composition ) was added and supplied by the lord himself , whose ( indeed ) she is by right : and who hath onely lent her unto him , as a fellow-helper ; and not as a servant . sixtly , and lastly ; ( for i labour in all to be very brief : ) ) i observe the place of this bone . it was the side [ latus : ] so called led [ à latendo , ] of lying secret or hidden . for , it is situated under the arme ; which , both hides it , and defends it . which gives a good admonition , ( even in nature ) to the unrulinesse of mens tongues ( in our age : ) who would not so carelesly discover , and lewdly speak , or write against some delicts and trespasses in women , ( which , peradventure , they themselves have caused , and been guilty of ; ) if they did but consider , that she was taken from the secret side : which should rather be a place to hide and cover them . and , from under the arm ; that should rather be stretched forth and lift up to defend and protect them ; then , either by their deeds or words , to oppugne , or detract them . from the side , ( i say ) she was taken . latus , the very place of rest . for , no way sleep we so scundly , nor lie we so easily as on our side . they used not ( in old time ) to rest or sleep onely on their sides , but also , to lean at their tables or couches , at the taking of their bodily sustenance . which custome , many countries ( in the east , ) even at this day , do observe . the consideration of this , gives us occasion to observe , that no man sleepes more soundly , nor rests more securely , then he that leanes upon the faire bosome of a faithfull and loving wife ; upon whose care and provident huswifery , he may safely rely , for the receiving of his dayly diet and sustenance , both in due season , and in comely manner . moreover , she was taken from his side ; not onely to give ease and rest to him , but also , to give dignity and honour unto her : for ( as it hath been observed , ) as she was not made of his heaed , ( to sit above , and a rule him ; ) so , was she not made of his feet ; ( to be despised , and trodden under him : ) but , from his side ; ( to be equall with him , ) so that , though he be her head ; she is not his feet : but may goe side by side with him . for god saied not to adam on ly [ dominato ] rule thou ; but , to them both [ dominamini , ] rule yee they are b●th ( then ) legati à latere ; and alike in commission ; as well , as in fashion . and , it must needs be so . for else , she could not be [ commodum auxilium , ] an equall help for her husband . either they must be equall , and both alike ; or else , could they never justly be fit . it was said to adam : earth thou art , and to earth thou shalt return ; so , seeing the woman was taken from the side ; to the side let her return . let the side ( on gods name ) be the place for her againe ; yea , and next the heart . for , if her husband can say ( as adam could ) deus adduxit , the lord brought her to me : he shall not find his own ribbes truer unto him , then she . for , as salomons mother taught him , ( and she knew what a woman was ; ) the heart of her husband trusteth in her : she will do him good , and not evill , all the dayes of his life . and thus much for the matter of her creation . cap. iiii. fourthly , though they were made both by one workman ; yet , not in one manner . for it should seem ( by the description of their creation , ) that the man was ( as it were ) but a work of nature ; and , the woman , rather a worke of miracle . for , the man was brought forth of the earth , ( not onely the generall and naturall mother of him ; but , of all the beasts , and b●uit creatures of the earth besides . ) from whence , as he took his beginni●g ; so also he took his name , [ adam , ] earth . which also , ( at the same time ) with him , brought forth divers other creatures , of divers forms and qualities ; but indeed , devoid of reason . which ( of all creatures , made of the earth , ) was given onely to adam : who , therein especially differeth from them ; or , otherwise , but very little . the earth ( then ) is his naturall and originall mother : which not onely , at the first , ( by the very fiat , and word of god , ) brought forth beasts , cattell , creeping things , and living creatures : but also , even at this day ; it doth continue still ( by the power of god given unto it ; and , by an effectuall heat , and naturall operation , received from the government and revolution of the heavens : ) doth , ( i say ) naturally yet produce , and bring forth divers living , creeping , and flying creatures , of it own accord . which we may see by dayly experience . for , divers little creatures are procreated by the sunnes heat , and the earths sliminesse . which , ( from earth , growing into living things : ) first , stirre ; then , creep ; then , leap ; then , fli● ; ( as wormes , serpents , frogges , and insects ; ) which have , as well the benefit of sence , motion , and generation , as man. which thing also , is as common in the sea , and waters : which , not onely in the beginning , ( but still to this day ) do naturally bring forth fish , and foule . as among other things , the barnacle , for example ; ( a creature not farre to be sought ; but even in our own land ; ) with divers others . all which , are ( from the mixture of heat , and moisture , after a naturall manner compounded , and brought forth of the earth or waters , by the hand of nature . whereby , may seem to some , that ma● ( having his body framed and taken from the same substance , and elementary comm●xture , with the beasts ) took also his corporeall beginning : but , the woman will seem a more divine worke , if the manner of her creation be , with his , compared . for , she was made not onely of such a matter ; but in such a manner , as no other creature whatsoever . for first , ( as i have said , ) she excell'd adam in matter , ( being made of b●ne , and flesh ; a more purified and noble substance : ) that the manner was much more miraculous , is evident . for , she was made out of a living and sensible creature : as no creature under heaven , but her self was . all other creatures , ( yea ; and adam himself ) were made , and produced , by the ministration and operation of naturall elements , ( either out of the water or earth , ) which are ( of themselves ) senseless ; but she , from adams owne sensible side ; to whom , god had ( before ) not onely given a lively body , but a living soule . had she been made but of the living flesh , of some gentle beast , it had yet been ( in respect of the lively and prepared matter , ) somwhat more honourable , then that of his ; whose substance of creation was base and senseles , till it was purified and enriched with a s●ule : but to be made of his refined , living , and sensible body , and , after so miraculous a manner , must needs give great commendation , and adde much respect unto her . god is sayd ( according to anselmus ) foure manner of wayes to produce man into this world : two whereof , seem naturall ; and two are miraculous 1. the first way ; out of the naturall earth , ( without man or woman : ) as adam was . 2. the second way ; out of man , without a woman : as eve out of adam , without the cooperation of nature , ( miraculously . ) 3. the third way , by man and woman ; as children are by common birth , naturally . 4. and the fourth way , by a woman without a man : as our saviour christ ; by the blessed virgin mary , ( miraculously . ) thus you see the manner of her creation seemes more wonderfull and miraculous , then that of his , ( shee being indeed made , only by god , without influence cooperating from the heavens , or the earth . ) out of which consideration , agrippa is bold to set down his opinion , thus plainely : vir itaque naturae opus ; mulier opi ficium dei ; man is therefore the worke of nature ; and women the workemanship of god. if we observe moreover , the words which the scripture and the prophets , and fathers use , in the description of the creation , we shall find some things worthy the consideration , that expresse the manner of her creation , to bee as excellent , if not much above his . the words which are most used in speaking of his making , are : feci● ; creavit ; finxit ; plasmavit ; formavit . fecit , he formed , creavit , he began , or first produced , finxit , ( properly ) hee made of earth : plasmavit , like a potters vessell ; formavit , hee fashioned , like clay : still intimating his low beginning out of the earth , like a peece of clay in the hands of the potter . two of which words [ creavit , and fecit ] are as proper to the inferior beasts , as to man : but in the description of her making ( though some of these words , for variety sake some time also fall , into the storie ) yet those that doe most properly expresse it , are of more elegance . and the very words of moses are sometimes translated , struxit sometimes exstruxit ; and sometimes , aedificavit . but of these three is the manner of her creation chiefly to bee discerned . we will therefore observe them all in order : for they all doe well expresse it . first then , struxit hee framed ; like a right skillfull and provident workeman , he first provided and prepared the matter , ( and that was a rib ; which to this purpose , he had framed , and made ready ) it is a word taken from carpenters ; which first hew and square out their worke , to a fitnes , before they begin it . which word [ struere ] saith festus , among the ancients , signifies not onely to frame , but [ augere , ] to augment , increase , or multiplie , which therein god did . for taking but one rib from adam , he added so much matter unto it of himself , as made up the womans whole bodie : and not only so increased the rib ; but the man who ( being before but one and alone , ) was now male and female ; and two bodies ; yet , but one flesh : after this [ extruxit ] he erected it . for having first , ( like a skilfull architector ) made the frame ; he now raises and sets it up . : for he gave not to man only os sublime ; but did also , in a most beautifull manner raise the womans head , face and countenance , that she also might view heaven , with her eies , and touch heaven , with her praiers , as well as he . lastly , [ aedificavit , ] after he had framed and erected , hee builded , finished , and establisht her : like a firme edifice , and beautious house : as having perfectly finished her , and ( in ●er ) both heaven and earth . it may be objected , that she was but an old house new repaired ; or a broken rib of adams set up-right againe : but this word [ aedificavit ] barres that conceipt quite : for hee saith not [ instauravit ; ] but aedificavit : which is ( saith isidore ) nova constructio a new building . this word [ aedificavit , ] is derived from [ aedes ] a house ; the building whereof is called [ aedificatio . ] the woman therefore being [ aedificata , ] and builded after the manner of a house , must have and retain some qualities of an house also . a house is thus etymologiz'd by sextus pompeius : aedes , est domicilium in edito loco positum , simplex , et unius aditus : et aedes vocata ; quòd in eo aevum degatu● ; aedes ( saith he ) is a house built in a high and eminent place : ( so was woman , being made in paradise , [ loco editissimo ] , the highest place of all the earth . ) it is ( saith he ) simplex , et unius aditus ; but one house , and hath but one entrance : ( so is a woman : for she must be but one ; one wife , to one man : ) who , being joyned , notwithstanding are but one still . and , there must be but one entrance unto her ; and , that is , by the lawfull way of marriage . for whosoever comes other way , is but a thief , as i have said before . lastly , ( he saith ) it is called aedes ; quòd in eo aevum d●gatur : because a man liveth all his life in it ; so , when god hath framed a wife for man , he must dwell with her , even untill he die , or till this beautifull building fall into the lords hands before him . when , either he must marry again , or be counted no housekeeper , according to that of agrippa : he that hath no wife , hath no house . one property more of a house i will adde , she is alwayes at home ; and , as seldom from out the compasse of the foundation , as the whole frame is : or , if necessity , ( like some violent wind , ) force , or drive her forth ; she goes ( like the snaile ) with her house on her head ; the care of that is still in her brain ; continually urging and oppressing her , till she return , to guide it again . but this word aedificatio , ( from whence she is aedificium , ) signifies , not onely a privat house , but a temple . vltoris primâ martis in aede sedet ; saith martial . also socrates calls a faire and beautifull woman , by the name of a temple . and templum ( saith festus ) signifies aedificium deo sacratum ; a house consecrate to god. and , such indeed is a woman , to whom god hath not onely given his image ; but , hath made her his house . no man ( saith iohn ) hath seen god at any time ; but if we love one another , god dwelleth in us : and that affection of love , is principally commended in women . and therefore they may bee called the temples of god. it is true indeed ( which salomon saies : ) the heaven , and the heavens of heavens , is unable to containe him ; much lesse the house which i have built . which saint stephen confirmes in the actes : the most high dwelleth not in temples made with hands : but yet neither of them saith , that hee dwelleth not in temples , made with his owne hands . for it is so plaine in divinity , that saint paul wonders , the corinthians could make a question of it : know yee not ( saith he ) that your bodie is the temple of the holy ghost , as if hee should say ; if you know not this , you know nothing . nay it is not only the temple ( which is the house of praier , in which the spirit makes petition for us , with sighes and grones that cannot be expressed ) but it is his private dwelling house , and supping roome : wherein christ , both eates and is eaten . as he himselfe acknowledges in the revelation . behold , i stand at the doore , and knocke ; if any will open , i will come in and sup with him , and he with me . moreover the materiall temple , ( the place for gods worship and honour ) to which the woman is compared , was , at the first , but a house of stone and builded with hands : ( to which she may bee compared for forme and outward beautie : ) but the spirituall temple , ( of which the former was but a figure , ) is a lively habitation , compacted and knit together with living stones : of which the principall and head stone of the corner , is our saviour himself ; who was cut from the mountain ( in daniel ) without hands . which living temple , and church of god , is also ( throughout the canticles , and many other places of divine scripture and fathers , ) compared to a woman ; whom christ cherisheth , commendeth , and espouseth . so that she is his temple , both typically and corporally . and , not onely a house of repose , for man : but a conclave of rest , for god. who though he account men his living temples ; because he dwelieth in them spiritually , as well as in women , ( according to that of salomon ; his delight is , to be with the children of men : ) yet , did he never dwell with any of them ( corporally , and in the flesh , ) so miraculously , as he did in the body of a woman , ( the blessed virgin mary : ) whose womb was his place of repose : and whose armes were his cradle of rest , during his infancy . then is she ( certainly ) not onely aedificium ; but , templum domini . nay more , sapiens mulier aedificat domum suam ; a wise woman ( saith salomon the wise man ) buildeth her house : so that , she is both a building , and a builder too . you see now the manner of her making to be admirable , and rather miraculous , then his ; after the order and disposition of a building : being therefore made a house for man ; and a temple for god. but besides all this , seeing she is made [ auxilium ] a helpe for man , she must not resemble a fixed house for man to repaire unto only and repose in : but ( seeing his vocations are divers and call him everie where , ) to the end that shee may ubique auxiliari aid him wheresoever she is ; yet compared to another moveable building , ( none of the least , nor meanest , for art and workmanship ) which is like her own . and that most fitly ; by one of her sex ( a queen , and salomons mother , ) i care not much if i give you a touch of it ( though a others have much more learnedly descanted on it , before : ) but i will bee the briefer . similis est navibus negotiatoriis , ( or mercatoris : ) she is like ( saith she ) a merchants ship , where , in the same chapter , from the tenth verse , to the end of the chapter , ( nay ; as if it were the best matter , to end withall , ) she goes on through all the letters of the hebrew alphabet , ( after the manner of ieremiah , ) in the praise of women , even untill the end of the whole book . but , like ( indeed ) she is unto a shippe ; not onely in body ; but in use . for ( somewhat to fit her body , to it , ) there is an opinion of some , that the first woman ( being made of a ribbe , ) was like it in shape and crookednes : wherein , she aptly resembled the compassing part of a shippe . but , this old wifes fable is to be rejected : and , instead of that , is to be observed out of the old anatomists , that the spina or backbone of her body , ( from which the ribbes , like rafters , arise in a bending manner , ) was called carina ; from the likenes it hath to the ke●le and sides of the ribbes of a shippe ; the armes and legges elevated , resembling the sterne and foreshippe . and ( indeed ) much more resemblance is there ( to a merchants shippe ) in a woman ; then in a man. for as a merchants ship is of greater burden , and larger of receipt , then another : ( because of her traffique and cariage . ) so , the body of woman is of larger capacity , in the sides , and hath more roomes of stowrage , then that of man. moreover , a merchants ship , although it be not so strong as others : yet , in respect of the use and benefit , it brings to the commonwealth ; it is more honourable : so , is the body of a woman , in respect of others ; to whom men are commanded to give honour ( by saint peter : ) in which place also , she is called a vessell or shippe . she is like also in use and ornament : for , the shippe is the storehouse of the merchant , and the wife keepes the store of her husband . according to the speech of zorobabel , in esdras : do you not labour and travell , and g●ve , and bring all to women ? the merchant trusts his credit to the safety of his shippe : and , the husband his credit to the chastity of his wife . a merchants shippe , is a bark of traffique , not of warre : so , a woman , is a vessell of peace ; and not of violence . a merchants shippe , brings her food from f●rre : and , a woman , her portion , ( the substance of her husbands food ) from farre ; from another family , another shire ; nay , sometimes , another nation . a shippe , is a defence against the waters of trouble in the sea : and a woman against the fires of temptation , in the earth . a good shippe ( the greatest of all creatures moveable in sea or land ) is easily turned with a very small stern : and , a good woman , ( not the least creature in the earth , ) is as soon moved with a little word . a shippe goeth with her guider , for his safety whither all winds blow him : and a wife , with her husband for his comfort , whither all fortunes drive him . a shippe under saile , is the fairest sight in the sea : and a woman modestly attired , is the delightfull est sight in the earth . thus , you see ; both for profit and pleasure , she is like in all these , ( yea ; and many more , too long to remember . ) so that , it seemes , god having made man , to live and exercise his calling on sea and land , provided for him a wife , that should both resemble a shippe , and a house : an habitation for man on earth ; and , a temple for god in heaven . more hath been added by others ; wherfore , i will end this with the etymology , of a shippe , out of isidore hispalensis : navim dictam ( saith he ) eo qu●● gnavum rectorem quaerat , it is called a shippe , because it requires a well tried pilot , to guide it : that is ( saith he ) a skilfull , wise , and valiant guide , to direct and lead it safe through the dangers and chances of the sea : so ( certainly ) a good woman doth consequently require a good and honest guide ; a loving and carefull husband ; whose providence , ought to provide for her ; and , in her , for himself , against all the storms and chances of this troublesome se● of the world : which , n● doubt , ( if it might so ofte● happen , as it is hoped for , an● desired , ) we should not hear so many , and lamentable complaints , of such , as for want of skill , have violently shipwracked both fame , credit , and substance , altogether . but of this enough . let us , now we have seen the manner , inquire what form and beauty , this aedifice , and glorious frame , carries . for templum also hath not his name in vaine , it comes [ ● tuendo , ] from to behold ; from whence , is derived [ contemplari , ] seriously to contemplate or advise . and certainly , this beautious building carrieth such a grace and majesty with it , that as the epigram hath it , spectator quicunque venit , decedit amator : aut illum virtus , aut tua forma capit : who comes to view ; thy look , a lover makes him : either thy vertue , or thy beauty , takes him . let us therefore examine , what form it carieth ; and to what use , it is so built ; that it may , in some sort , appeare , how it can justly claim so great praise and commendation . cap. v. first ( then ) in generall , for the form . it was given of god ; forma , dei manus ( saith ovid. ) therefore , it must needs be excellent . in all other workes , the workman gives the form ad placitum : but here ; ad imaginem : in this , the workman gave his own form to his own worke . so , she was made secundum imaginem dei ; according to the image of god. which ( although by saint ambrose and some others , it be faintly denied , yet ) zanchius ( fortified with the opinions of iraeneus , iustinus , tertullian , and others ) doth set down the creation of woman , to be in the image of god , as well as mans ; these fathers ( saith he ) are of opinion , that the sonne of god , ( from the creation of the world , ) was wont to take unto him the form of a humane body ; and in that , to appeare and speak to the fathers ; to wrestle with ●acob , &c. as it is plain in the scriptures : and that , when he was to make adam , he then first of all took that form , and made man according to that bodily shape , that he himself , then ware , &c. and that the same christ , in the same form ( from a ribbe of adams , ) made also the woman . besides , more plainly , in his book of the image of god ; in the thesis , that begins homo fuit totus factus , &c. he saith , when i say [ homo fuit , ] that man was wholly made in the image of god ; i do not onely comprehend man , but woman also . and , afterwards he qualifies many objections , ( together with that opinion of saint ambrose ) shewing wherein he was mistaken . we may see now , who gave the form ; and , according to what module and patern she was made : namely ; after gods own image ; which is most perfect . but , whether this building ( for the form ) were square ; like a castle , or cornerd like a triangle : or round ; like a tower : or , like a roman h. according to most of our modern aedifices , is partly questionable . to this , must be answered ; that it is made in all the geometricall proportions , that are , or can be imagined : for , as all numbers and proportions , for measure , ( both of inches , spannes , digits , cubits , feet , &c. ) are derived from the members , and dimensions of the humane body : so is also the body answerable to all proportions , buildings , and figures , that are . not onely answerable ( i say ) to the whole world , ( of which it is an epitome ) but , for the most part , to every particular figure , character , building and fabrick , in the world. those two , the first and last proportions are : the one imperfect , mortall , feminine ; the other , immortall , perfect , masculine ; and twixt them both a quadrat was the base ; proportioned equally by seaven & nine . nine was the circle , set in heavens place ; all which compacted made a goodly diapase . besides these proportions , which in the geometricall art signifie things both divine , and humane ( as you have heard ; ) there is scarce a figure , or character of a letter ) in the whole alphabet ( which are the grounds and elements of all arts , and sciences , whatsoever ) but may be aptly figured and expressed by some station , metion , or action of the body . all which were too long to particularize : but hee that will make an ingenious triall may soone see the truth of it . and all these forms are expressible in the body of woman and man , equally . but among al the buildings of our time , a roman h. seemes to bee in greatest accompt . which letter notwithstanding ( in most languages ) is not a letter of weight , but only a note of aspiration , or breathing : from whence a man ( that would let no occasion escape , to warne him of his mortality ) might easily observe , that all buildings , honors , and riches , ( which the world seems most to imitate and rejoyce in ) are but an h. a note or marke of breathing ; a signe and figure of frailty : which in the least stopping of the breath , passeth away , and falles againe into the earth , from whence it was taken . but of all letters , it is the hardest for the body of man or woman , alone of it selfe to imitate an h. for it consists of two severall disjunct , parts of letters : that is to say of two ii : both which are signes of the singular and first person ; and are of themselves , both good formes of building too , but unles there come some-what , that ( after a friendly manner ) may joyne them together , they both still remaine singular and alone : and the building can never come into its desired and beautifull forme . wherefore , if either man or woman , ( being alone and built according to the singular and first person i ) doe desire to change for a better : there is no better way to establish and make them most firmely grow into this well approved forme , then ( by the love of their hearts ) to reach each other their hands in direct sinceritie , thus , i — i : and let the even and straight course of marriage , fully and firmely establish them into one letter , h. which not only by uniting of two bodies , makes them e●ven : but by bringing them into the forme of this letter h , makes their eaven , heaven : if they continue in the love , which first joyned them : which is , indeed heaven upon earth . we see now ( by this , that hath bin said ) that the forme of this building is not bound to any one particular figure , or fashion . and good reason is there : for if god hath given man such a wit and understanding , to build his earthly habitations and houses in so divers squares , rounds , angles , and corners ; no doubt , but the house which hee himselfe would build for the honour of his name , should containe them all ; and as farre surpasse them , as the worke of god doth the worke of man. seeing therefore , to circumscribe the forme to certaine limits , were but to disgrace the worke : wee will not compare it in particular to any one thing , but speaking generally ( as of a curious building ) follow the allegory of a house . which name , it naturally ( without any crushing ) deriveth from the word in scripture , [ aedificium ] a building . omnia aedificia ( saith isidore ) all buildings consist of three parts : dispositio ( id est , fundamentorum descriptio : ) the foundation . secondly , [ constructio , laterum & altitudinis ] the erecting of the frame with the sides , and the knitting of the joynts , and the top-cover for the strength , and safeguard of all . and lastly ; [ venustas ] the beauty and ornament : whereby it is made , not only profitable for use , but pleasant and delightfull to the sight . hitherto therefore , what i have said of the forme , may as well be referred to the body of man , as woman ; so as yet she is but mulier homo ; and all one with him . but in these three parts ( last recited ) growes the difference ; which makes for her great commendation . first then ; wee will begin ( like workemen ) at fundamentorum descriptio , the foundation : and afterwards discourse of framing the sides : and lastly , of the ornament . fundamentum ; the foundation is the lowest part of any building , the use being to sustaine the rest . but in foundations there is much difference : for they are not alwayes , either of one matter , or of one forme : for sometimes the foundation is of stone , when the building is of brick : and sometimes of brick , when the building is of timber . for the forme , it is sometime made pyramidically ( broad below , and narrow upwards ) and sometimes of an equall breadth throughout . but of all foundations , that is the surest , that is of the same matter and substance , with the whole building ; bee it stone or brick : ( for wooden foundations , are not aedifices , but cottages . ) and that forme is most firme and faire , ( both by common opinion , experience , and rules of art ) that standeth upon arches . in this building therefore , if wee will declare it to bee perfect ; we must see if it bee all of one substance , from the foundation : and whether the foundation stand after that forme , or no. first , to prove the foundation of this divine building to bee all one with the rest , for substance and matter , from the top to the toe , were easie out of genesis : but , even in nature it is sufficiently showne . for if you observe , by that time the foundation riseth but knee height , it hath so great affinity with the head , that the eyes ( as bateman on bartholomeus observes ) are most inclined and soonest weepe , when the body is bowed and rests upon the bended knees : ( so great a sympathy is there betweene them ! ) which affection ( as he supposes ) growes from this : that because they lay neerest together in the wombe : therefore there is such love between them . but i suppose it is because they are all of one matter : which comes next to be examined . the faithfull are compared by our saviour , to a house built upon a rock . as if that foundation were surest that were built on a rocke . stone ( or rocke ) is the hardest part of the earth , and is answerable to bones , ( in microcosmus , or the little earth of the humane body , ) as i have shewed before . so that , as stone is preferred before sand in the earth : so bone ▪ is preferred before fl●sh in the body , as the firmest foundation . of great bones , are the thighes and legges ( which are the foundation ) made : nay , of the greatest bones ( saith magirus ) which for forme , ( like two white pillars of ivorie covered and interlaced with flesh and blewish veines , resembling the pretie rivers in purest marble ) doe support and beare up the whole body , with an equall distance . according to that in the canticles , thy legs are like pillars of marble , set upon sockets of fine gold . and againe , as golden pillars are upon sockets of silver ; so are faire feet with a constant minde . where , in the same booke , she her selfe is called a pillar to rest upon . these pillars ( i say ● with a comely proportion , beare up the whole body , like a curious arch : whose joynts are compared to jewells , the worke of the hand of a cunning workeman , by solomon in the canticles . but here is the difference ; that these pillars are more large and faire in women , then those that support the bodies of men . and not only so in humane bodies ; but almost generally in all brute beasts , and creatures of the earth : whose females ( for the most part ) are larger then the males . the reason ( for the largenesse and firmenesse of this foundation , above that of mans ) may be easily gathered from the observation of the constructio , the frame or fabrick of the rest of her body : to to which , by order we are come : for as the greater the house , and the weight thereof is , the more firme and strong the foundation ought to bee : so womans body , ( being a more large and spacious building ) requires a more round and solid support , to uphold and beare it . for the female body hath in it not only all the roomes and divisions in the male body , but diverse others besides that he hath not : and it is made of purpose , so large and faire ; not to bee a weight , trouble , or burden unto her ; but that shee might with more ease containe and cary that burden , which shall after grow into so faire an aedifice as her selfe . shee is therefore so largely made , with so many more roomes then the masculine building ; because shee must containe another house within her , with an unruly ghest , and all provision necessarie for him . the particulars of which i leave to the anatomists , who have not only attributed this faire smoothnesse , and large spatiousnesse of body ( which is both beautifull and commendable in all creatures ) to women alone : but ( as i have said ) even to many females among beasts : but especially to all female fish ) which for forme and beauty , farre surpasse the males . but besides all this , there is in the construction of this building another thing , that is to all buildings both a great grace and commodity ; and that is in the house of almas thus described by spencer : but all the liquor that was foule and waste ; not good nor serviceable , else for ought : they in an other great round vessell plast ; till by a conduit pipe , i● thence was brought . and all the r●st , that no you was and nought , by secret wayes ( that non● might it espye ) whas close conceiv'd , and 〈◊〉 the backe gate brought that cleped was porte esqu●●line ; whereby it was avoided quite , an● throwne out privily . from whence appeares , not only the excellency of the worke , but the care of the workman to adorne it , and preserve the modestie thereof , that it might be found more faire and beautifull , then the other . from the fabrick therefore of the foundation and body , let us ascend to the head : to the which we must passe by the neck . which rising in comely manner out of the body of the building , is compared ( in the canticles ) to a tower . thy neck is like the tower of david : and ( in the seventh chapter , verse the fourth ) they neck is like a tower of ivory . upon the top whereof standes the head , like a faire turret , to cover all ; and so it is called by spencer . up to a stately turret she them brought , ascending by tenne steps of alablaster wrought : for so he cals the joynt bones in the necke . but for the description of the turret it selfe , spencer ( going on in the same place ) shall save me a labor . the roofe thereof was arched over head , and deckt with flowers , and harbours daintily : two goodly beacons , set in watches stead , therein gave light and flam'd continually . for they of living fire , most subtilly were made , and set in silver sockets bright ; covered with lidds devis'd of substance slie , that readily they shut and open might ; oh who can tell the praises of that makers might ! ne can i tell , ne can i stay to tell , this parts great workemanship and wondrous power , that all this earthly worlds worke doth excell , and likest is unto that heavenly tower , that god hath built for his own blessed bower . &c. there is besides ( not farre above ) a description of the teeth : which he compares to so many watchmen in silver armour ; which ( for brevity ) i omit ; and onely remember this , that plinie observes them to be fewer and lesser in women ; to shew , that they are neither gluttonous , nor biting creatures . one thing more i wil adde viz ▪ in this turret ; the description of the cover ; which ( being composed of most delicate , and almost indistinguishable threeds ) shew like a thatch of gold , to allure the eyes and the hearts of the beholders : yea the king is tied in the rafters ; saith salomon . which cover , is so ample , and so providently made ; that ( at pleasure ) it may be tucked up ( to discover the whole frame , ) and againe let downe , ( to hide i● and the modesty thereof from any lustful & too curious eye ) which use is confirmed unto them , by s. paul , who saith it is given them for a covering ▪ which speach give answere unto that madde conceit of hilarius drudus : who sayes womens long haires were given unto them , to no other end , but that their husbands might find som●what to bind and hold them by , while they beat them . but s. paul saies , it was for a covering . and thus much briefly for the foundation , and the construction of the womans body : which is ( as salomon saies ) in stature like the palme tree . i haste to the venustas or ornament , exitus acta probat , saith the proverbe : the end proves the worke : and cicero compares a man that hath lived well , and is carelesse to dye well , to a negligent comoedian ; that hath plaied well at the beginning ; and is out at the latter end . this imputation cannot be laid to the workman of this building : for as hee began well ( laying the foundation firmely , and raising the sides largely ; ) so hath he finished it with ornaments as beautifully ; and such as are not to be found or equalled in men . all beauty ( saith agrippa ) is of three sorts ; either corporall , vocall , or spirituall . all which , if we search , we shall find to agree in one ; to adde grace to this excellent building . first then let us contemplate on that which first offers it selfe to our view ; the beauty corporall : having ( as i said ) made the frame more large , he gave unto it a more pure and amiable colour : and it is not one of the slightest observations , to consider what colour the body of this building carrieth . seeing pyhagoras was of opinion : that the diversitie of colours proceeded from the severall conditions and dispositions of the body . so that if the body bee inclined ( by nature ) to deeds of evill , it is sadly and dully coloured : if to bloud●shed and wrong ; it is ruddie & high coloured . so on the contrary : if to innocency and vertue , it shines and appeares in the pure colour of the body . from whence plato held , that colour was nothing else , but a flame sent from the body , proportionable to the substance that owes it , and the eye that viewes it . but the colour in her , is expressed by propertius . lilia non dominâ sunt magis alba meâ . the lillies are not whiter then my love . yet solomon ( one of the best men in all the world ; whom the queene of saba came so far but to see ) was not like one of them , in all his royalty . which pure snowie colour ( the very embleme and hieroglyphick of innocency and purity , is not ( in them ) artificiall . ( for , nudus amor , formae non amat artificem , plaine love affects not beauty made by art : ) but it is naturall : as the former word [ alba ] carries it . album naturâ : candidum , curâ fit . to this colour there is added a generall smoothnesse over the whole building ; both of them excelling men . so that , it seemes , the whole frame is no other , but a peece of pol●sht ivory . which only gave occasion to the tale of pygmalion , and his image in ovid. from whence sabinus picks this observation ( upon the same place : ) that a wife of so excellent a forme , must needs bee the guift of god. this faire smoothnes ( which in all workes is an excellent and singular commendation ) will show the fairer in woman ; if it bee but compared with the rude shape of man : who ( for the most part ) is overgrowne and rough , ( like the rude and hairy beasts of the field . ) neither hath he the rest of his dimensions , so round , soft , smooth , or ample : but in his joynts , muscles , and sinews , is more shrunke , hard , and dryed . so as her fabrick shewes rather as a new building ; and his , like a thing decayed by the weather . and this for the generall beauty of the frame : but for the particular symmetry of every severall part : i will not meddle any further , then only to speake of those parts ( briefly and modestly ) which they themselves lay open ; namely , of the face , hands , and breasts . first the very front or face of this building ( that first meets with the eye ) confounds it and will scarce suffer it to looke any further . certainly , god not only made her body an epitome of the earth , for proportion ; but her face also an epitome of heaven for beauty : which like some cleare glasse ( or mirror ) being turned upwards towards heaven , presents it selfe wholly full of heavenly figures : the round forehead resembling the bowing orbes ; the eye browes , the rainebowes ; the eyes , the starres and plan●ts ; the red and white of the cheekes , resemble the faire discoloured clouds ; the frownes resemble stormes ; and the smiles faire weather . if heaven therefore be beautifull , that face ( which in so small a compasse containes it ) must needs be faire indeed . and this proves beauty to be heavenly , and the daughter of the highest : for ( as saith anacharsis ) the greatest gift that god gave man , was beauty : for it delighteth the eye , contenteth the minde , and winneth good will and favour of all men . so that if there were no more but this ; a beautifull countenance is a silent and sufficient commendation of it selfe . beauty ( saith plato ) is a privilege and prerogative of nature , which hapneth but to a few . it is therefore worth the having , seeing it is a privilege , and but a few have it . amongst whom , of all creatures , women seeme to bee the true owners of it . for though there be a certaine generall beauty in all creatures , ( as they are made by god , and serve to adorne the whole universe : ) yet the chiefest and most delightfull to the heart of man , is that of woman ; which hath in it two qualities : for it not only delights , and warmes , ( like the sunne : ) but ( sometimes ) to the resisters , and violent contemners , it burnes and consumes , ( like lightning : ) according to that of guevarra ; an honest woman ( beautifull ) killeth with her countenance . and justly are they so punished : seeing hee , which is a foe to beauty , is an enemie to nature . beauty corporall is generally , a good and proportionable agreeing coherence , and compacture of all the severall parts of the body in one fairenesse ; as it doth especially in woman . but in particular , it shineth no where so ample , as in the face and countenance : wherein ( as laurentius saies ) the beams of the divine majesty so shine that all other creatures tremble at it , especially in women : for in them all men admire : and love it : and all creatures else feare and tremble at it ( like as at fire from heaven : ) nay the lyon ( the most fierce amongst others ) feares it and rages more against men then women : as giving more honour and reverence unto their countenance . for the glory is so great ; that as the sunne when it ariseth upon the high places of the lord , so is the beauty of a good wife , the ornament of her house . and as the cleere light is upon the holy candlesticke ; so is the beautie of her face in a ripe age ; the symmetrie , and powerfull splendor whereof , hath not only a property , by opening the hearts of the beholders , to make them discover their owne secrets ( as we have examples enow in scripture , by sampson &c. ) but it is the discoverer of it selfe and the most secret affections , dispositions , and passions of it owne heart . vultus est animi imago ; the countenance is the image of the mind saith cicero : and in another place : frons est animi ianua ; the brow is the gate of the mind , so that the gate lets forth the image ; that you may soone see what the mind is . if therefore the image of the mind , and the gate it stands in , be so faire ; surely the mind it selfe in women ( which is the spirituall beauty ) must needs be faire and heavenly : yea though they should deny it to be so , with their owne tongues , or any detractor , for them , vultus loquitur quodcunque negas : the very beauty of the countenance it selfe would convince them , and declare it lowder . but as in the heaven , the sunne and moone ( the greatest lightes ) beare greatest sway ; and make greatest show : so in the countenance , the eyes sparkle forth greatest beauty , and declare most the effects of our mind . oculos natura nobis dedit , &c. nature ( saith tully ) hath given us eyes ; ( as she hath given eares to horses , lions &c. ) that they may declare the motion of our mind . oculus , lu●erna corporis : the eye is the light of the body : and indeed not only the light wherby we see what is in others , but the light whereby others see what is in us . for ( as salomon saieth ) a wise mans eyes are in his head ; but the eyes of a foole are in the foure corners of the world ; and rowling every way : so that ( it seemes ) wisdome , folly , anger , pleasure , griefe , envy , mirth , sadnesse , chastity or whoredome , appear not fromus , in any one part so apparantly , as in the eye , nay in women ( in whom indeed they are fairest and most powerfull ) they do shew certaine signes of barrennesse , and fruitfulnesse , which ( in that sex ) is greatly to be respected , as aristotle testifieth . but as they discover much in themselves ; so have they a very great power in ruling the affections of others . for from their beames ( saith iohannes de baptista porta ) proceeds health or sicknesse , love or hate , life , or death to the object that they view , according as they earnestly behold it ( either in love or hate : ) nescio quisteneros oculus mihi fascinat agnos ( saith virgill : ) and the same is confirmed by plutarch : for ( as he saith ) the eyes of faire and beautifull women , kindle fire ( like the sun ) in the very hearts and soules of their lovers ; though they looke not on them but a farre off . from whence grew ( no doubt ) the opinion of strato ( the philosopher ) who held that the commanding part of the soule , remained betweene the eyes : seeing that he saw so great power in them , and their affection . but if i should write of all the particular beauties in womens faces , i should draw this part ( which even already growes too long ) much farther then it ought . wherefore to conclude this point ; take the generall commendation of the face ( out of laurentius ) thus : in the face onely is the particular seat of all the five senses ( because it is called the image of the mind ) for in the ●rowes , loftines ; in the cheekes , grace ; in the chin , majesty ; in the forehead , wisedome ; in the visage , beautie ; and in the cheekes and chin , honesty dwelleth : in it is the difference of age and sex , and the signes of life and death to be perceived , and it is this alone , that allures and winnes the eyes of all men : therfore it cannot chuse but be very beautifull . i will but even touch the hands and breasts , and then proceed to the beauty vocall . the instrument of instruments ( the hand ) as it is of singular use in the body : sodeserves it in women , as singular observation & commendation . for nature delivering man nacked into the world ; ( neither armed with hoofe or tooth for his defence ) gave him yet two things , wherein he is armed far more excellently , then any other creature ; that is to say , the mind and the hand . the one to advise , the other to execute . and indeed , if we curiously advise with the palmisters , we shall finde the minde written in the hand . for in the lines and circles thereof , ( like our nativity in the starres ) is set downe , the manner of our dispositions ( bee they good or bad . ) moreover , as the minde is written in the hand : so is it a fit companion of the mind . for we may observe it to bee the chiefe agent , and best interpreter of our words and meaning : which with lively action it sets forth and expresses in such sort ; that if the tongue were missing , it would most aptly supply the place . for with it we call unto us ; we give leave to depart ; wee command ; wee intreat ; wee threaten ; wee promise ; wee salute ; wee strike ; wee give ; wee receive ; wee make ; wee destroy ; wee defend ; wee offend : so that it is ( in the morall of a building ) like the guard for defence ; the vsher for entertainment ; the servant for imploment ; the cater for the provision ; and the cooke of the provision . this excellent and necessary part , is in women ; much more delicate then in man : and hath qualities equall to all his , and some farre above them : for she doth not only such grosser workes and actions of meaner estimation , as well as he : but expresseth all musicke , with as swift motion and performance ( together with such arts and works of curicsity ) by reason of the slender softnesse and nimblenesse of her hand ; as are too hote for his fingers . but one thing more i will observe ( out of agrippa ) from the hand , for the greater commendation of this creatures purenesse and innocency , ( a gift given unto them inseparable , even in nature : ) that let men wash their hands never so often , they shall still foule and trouble the water : but let a woman wash them ( but once ) cleane , and she shall after foule it no more . to conclude this point : the hand ( among the aegyptians ) was a hieroglyphick of fortitude . and therefore they that require [ auxilium ] helpe , tooke hold of the right hand ; ( not of the left ) which was a figure and pledge of faith : to which may be alluded ; that as woman was made [ auxilium commodum ] a fit faithfull and right hand help , for man in all his vocation : so it is even expressed in her by nature . for ( as plin● and hippocrates observe ) though many men are often times wholly left-handed , women are very seldome so , or never at all . for the last ( i meane ) the breasts . as in medio consistit virtus ; so between the head and hands of this building , remaines to bee spoken of the breasts , the beautifull and vertuous springs and fountaines , that not only adde beauty , but utility to the whole aedifice . the best commendation of a house ; is , that it stand in a good aire , and be well watered . the first of these is observed to bee in this building , out of the etymology of her name , ( by bartholdus ) mulier quasi mollis aer propter puritatem ; a sweet and pure aire . and the second is made good in the office of her brests : which are the springs and conduit heads , which are commended in their forme ; their place ; and their use . first for their forme : they are round : a figure most capable of all others ; and fittest for them ; seeing they must containe ( like fountaines ) moysture for nourishment . and they resemble in making two little hills , or mounts , pleasantly garnished with disparted and streaming veines ; on whose tops arise the conduit heads ( in hew like strawberries : ) from whence proceed the streames so much commended , both for food and physick . this forme ( imitating the world ) is very beautifull . from the observation of which , the skilfull beholder shall not only distinguish the difference of sex ; but also of age and health in women ; as laurentius noteth . secondly , for the place : they are not set in the lower parts of the body , ( as in other creatures ) but ( to preserve modesty , and for comelinesse sake ) in the very breast nere the head , and right against the heart . for this cause ( as plutarch saith ) that women ( being most loving and tenderly affected to their children ) might at their greater ease , in the earnestnesse of their love , both feed with their milke , imbrace with their armes , and kisse with their lips their children at one time together : which they could not doe were they placed elsewhere . lastly , for their use . first , they are to feed : and to that end , they are indeed with milke , and such as no other creature hath . for there is no milke ( whatsoever ) so nourishing , and cherishing in effect , nor so sweet and honied in taste , as that of a woman . which milke , it is possible for them to have without the help of man , ( as hippocrates affirmes . ) so that , seeing shee is compared in ecclesiasticus , to a possession : and in the proverbs , preferred before a possession ; she may well be likened to that holy habitation and possession , ( the land of promise ) which flowed with milke and hony : or , with honied milke , which was promised to those that feared god : for shee also ( being so indued ) is both the gift and promise of god : whose breasts have the properties of a possession also : first , to feed , ( as i have said : ) secondly , to defend ; for with their round fleshinesse , they protect and preserve the heart from outward stormes , more safely then those in m●n . thirdly , they do adorne the habitation : and therein not only give delight , but satisfaction to man. so that as a man , content with his owne possession , which he hath obtained from the lord ; he neither can , or ought desire more . ( which is well advised by solomon in the proverbs ; ) rejoyce with the wife of thy youth , &c. let her breasts satisfie thee at all times , and delight in her love continually . so that both delight , profit , and satisfaction , proceeds from this forme others : as is declared sufficiently in the description of the beauty of her face , hands , and breasts . and thus much for the beauty corporall . for the beauty vocall , which is in women . it is such as makes them no whit inferiour ( but rather superiour ) to men . and it is of good consequence for their commendation . first then ( in generall ) for the voyce : though it have neither dimensions , proportion , or substance , ( whereby it may be seen or felt : ) yet is it like another face and visage in man ; and hath many of the same properties . for it not only ( like the face ) distinguishes man from beast : but man from man ; and man from woman : who ( being not in sight ) are as well knowne by their voice as countenance ; and much sooner : ( as pliny testifies . ) moreover , it is so singular an ornament to the body ; that zeno cittieus was wont to say , vocem esse formae florem : that the voyse was the very flower ( or chiefest grace ) of a good forme : for the eloquence of the voyce , commends the forme , as much as the forme commends eloquence : nay , it not only sets forth the forme ; but declares the disposition as well as the face : for a soft , gentle , and tender voyce , declare a gentle , tender , and tractable soule , and affection in the body that owes it : as that excellent scholar ( michael scot ) hath well observed . wherefore , the voyce in women ( being much more gentle , tender , and delicate , then in men ) declares , that in the modesty , gentleness , and sweetnesse of affection , they far surpasse them . which may be observed even in this : that men also ( while they are in their child-hood and infancy , free from unbridled affections , full of tendernesse and pitie ) are voiced like women ; whom ( in disposition ) they resemble : but ( being once growne to more hardnesse , and inclined to more unbridled immodesty ) they change their voyce with their manners : which is observed not to happen to women : whose voice continues still in their first purenesse and innocency . moreover , man hath no use of his voyce , that woman hath not , and as excellently : for , first , her eloquence is as sweet and plentifull . secondly , her speach more pleasant , and fluent . and good reason : for seeing her tongue is her chiefest weapon of defence : therefore she ought to handle it the readiest . lastly , their skill in musicke hath not beene meanely praised by divers : but their meanes of expressing their skill , ( especiall , in voyce ) so far excells above that of mans ; that all they are said but to faine , that seeke to imitate it . wherefore ovid , ( that well knew what gave an especiall ornament to a good corporall forme ) above all things advised women ( who are so angel like voyced ) to learne by musicks rules , to order it : seeing , in his opinion , it gives them much grace : which hee expresses in these verses : res est blanda canor ; discant cantare puellae : pro facie , multies vox sua , laena fuit . to sing is good : learne that ( in any case : ) the voyce hath oft beene broaker to the face . lastly , i should ( with like brevity ) speake of the beauty spirituall , and inward . at the fairenesse whereof , you may ghesse by the physiognomie of the face , and the rest : but because i intend to speake of their vertues ( which is the true beauty inward ) by it selfe ; i will referre you thither . and ( to make this corporall and vocall beauty compleat with the forme ) see if it hold good with the description of an absolute beauty , in paulo lamazo , ( who was a cunning painter , and could well judge of beauty . ) beauty ( saith he ) is compleat in forme ; motion , and action , of head , feet , and hands for the forme , you have already heard what it is : for the motion , i will only translate you a peece of agrippa , ( who joynes it to the forme , and stands wondring at it : ) adde to these ( saith he ) their modest pace and gate ; their more comely behaviour ; their more worthy carriage ; together with the whole symmetry ; and order of their whole body , in figure and habit , every way most beautifull . not any sight , in all the order of creatures , being so miraculous ; nor any miracle , so worthy the sight : so that any ( but a blind man ) may see how god himselfe hath gathered together what beauty the whole world is capable of , and placed it in woman , that all creatures should stand amazed ; and ( for many causes ) should love and honour her : insomuch that not onely men , but incorporate spirits have very often most earnestly affected , and doted on their beauties . which is not a false opinion , but a truth confirmed by many experiments . thus far , agrippa . if then , a large , spacious , and faire building , where nothing is scanted , nor any uncomelinesse seene ; but all the pillars , nerves , joynts , and cover , have their full measure , smoothnesse , and roundnesse , in the amplest manner : the eyes , fuller ; the cover , larger ; the face , fairer ; the gate and gesture , more modest , and comely : if ( i say ) all these may bee preferred before a narrow , rough , and scantie cottage ; then may her body bee preferred and commended before his ; whose joynts , sinews , and muscles , are more shrunk ; and whose bones and ribbes , ( for want of soft flesh to cloath them ) are more discovered through the whole body , then hers . which thing is well knowne to the best and most judicious workemen : who ( if they intend to draw a perfect figure indeed ) take their dimensions from the womans body ; and not from the mans . which is ( in truth ) the fairest ; and , though much more hard , to imitate ; yet much more pleasant to behold . and this for the beauty corporall and vocall . there remaines the use , that redounds unto man for them both : which is ( as most things else that are for his sake ) of two sorts , ( pleasure and profit . ) from the voyce ; in the musicke thereof ( to which no other is comparable ) hee receives much pleasure . and though other creatures ( as birds ) are indued with musicall tunes and voices ( in their severall kinds ) for his delight : yet he receives not the pleasure of communication , with sence and reason from any of them , but from woman onely : yea much profit . for from their voyce men learne to frame their owne , to be understood of others . for in our infancy , we learne our language from them . which men ( therein not ingratefull ) have justly termed our mother tongue : but for the profits and commodities that proceed from their body ( omitting the pleasure that it gives in the beautious forme ) they are so great , that pliny is amazed to write them , and holds them rather miracles , than effects of nature : some few i will recite from him . first for the roof ( or cover ) of this house ( the haire ) which ( like philemons thatch of gold ) covers a temple where the gods abide , it is of much vertue : for though men lay the fault on woman , for being over familiar with the serpent in the beginning , yet not only ( at that time ) was it promised , that her off-spring should break the serpents head for amends : but ( at this day ) the haire of her head , ( being sacrificed in fire ) the very smoake thereof drives away all serpents from the place ( saith pliny . ) secondly , seeing many mischances and wounds in this world happen unto miserable man ( who will yet bee called and accompted womans head ; ) there is a remedy even from her head appointed for him . the ashes of a womans haire cures the wounds in the head : nay , it is so speciall a cure for man ( as he describes it ) that it heales even contraries for his sake . for it takes away the flesh of wartes , and excrescences in the body , and ( contrariwise ) adds and fills up with flesh hollow and eating ulcers . moreover , from the milke of the breasts , proceeds not only nourishment to children , but helpe and medicine , both to the eyes and body of man : yea even to dumb and reasonlesse creatures : for if but a dog tast of it , he will never runne mad . i omit not only the generall benefit , by the most necessary difference of sex. but many other things to the physitians : whom it better becomes to dispute thereof . concluding this point still with the same pliny , who observes her body to be so naturally inclined to do good to man ; that if any thing do but touch her ; it shall bee a medicine for him : for he affirmes , that if the head be but bound with a womans haire-lace , it presently cureth , ( or much abateth ) the grievous paine of the head-ach . thus have you heard in the description of the forme , what it is like , how beautifull , both corporally and vocally : and lastly , how helpefull in use to man. which section , you must pardon in the length ; for this argument hath caused others to write whole volumes ; and therefore a few leaves may well be forgiven me . cap. vi. the next ( that comes in order to be handled ) is the name . first then , that it may appeare , that this observation of the name , is no idle nor unnecessary commendations to the sex : i will ( first ) in generall deliver what the civill law , and the nations themselves ( both iewes and gentiles have thought of names , their force , and vertue . the civill law hath a rule : condemn ari nemo debet , antequam nomen ejus delatum sit : none ought to bee condemned , before his name bee knowne . and their reason is ; quia nomina plerumque referunt mores illorum , quibus induntur : because names ( for the most part ) doe expresse the condition of the person , on whom they be imposed . this reason ( being by much experience ) knowne true ; hath made the wisest parents among the nations , to have great care in giving of names : and as great respect to names given . among the gentiles , the romanes , ( the most famous ) gave not the names ( of caesar , cicero , caligula , scaevola &c. without sōe speciall outward , or inward observation of the quality , or appearance of the person : and to names given , they had as great respect . for ( as pliny saith ) every fifth yeare , they sought out , with great care , persons ( whose names were of good and happy signification ) to present their sacrifices . more particularly : in giving of names , they observed time and number . first , for the time : they were wont ( as plutarch testifies ) to impose names sooner on women children , then on men : and their reason was , ( as he seemes to affirme ) because they came soonest to ●ipenesse and perfection . which seemes to bee granted by the civill , and common lawyers : for they make them capable of inheritance , marriage and dower , ( with other benefits of law ) sooner , then men ; as being sooner usefull in body and minde , then they : which agrippa observes to be no small benefit in nature , ( or commendation ) unto them . secondly , for the number , which they gave : they were unto men ( for the most part ) three : as quintus , fabius , maximus : quintus , horat. flaccus , &c. but women ( ordinarily ) had but two : as claudia aemyliana , ( as the same plutarch affirmes . ) peradventure , observing the rule of pythagoras , who held the odde number to bee masculine ; and the eaven , foeminine . from whence hee drew a good admonition for the women of his time ; that , in all their actions , they should be eaven and square ; according to the eaven and just number of their names . but ( howsoever the roman gentiles did ordaine : ) it is plaine , that the ancient iewes , from the beginning , gave great respect to names , from the example of adam himselfe . for , the first thing ( wherin god would try the wisedome of the man , that hee had newly made ) was in giving of names . for it is said : that the lord brought all the creatures before the man , to see how he would call them : who ( giving them apt names , according to their natures ) did therein first expresse ( as s. chrysostom observes , ) the great wisedome and knowledge given unto him by god , in his creation . since whence , the discreet parents of the iewes , from the spirit of prophesie , ( or morall reason ) have strove to give names unto their children of such signification , as they knew they would be , or desired they should be in their life and manners . for example , some from their disposition as esau ( rough ) iacob ( a supplanter : ) ierob●am ( resisting : ) iudith ( praising . ) some from office or calling ; as aaron ( a teacher : ) sarah ( a lady : ) some of colour : as edome ( red : ) naomi ( beautifull . ) some of accidents at birth : as benoni ( the sonne of my sorrow : ) ichabad ( no glorie ; &c. ) and many other , which the scriptures , in divers places take notice and make use of : as in genesis : was he not iustly called iacob ? for he hath now deceived me these two times . and in samuel , nabal is his name ; and folly is with him : whereby may be perceived , that they had alwayes ( both in the gift and the use ) speciall respect to names , and their significations . and indeed , he that will observe the care was had for the giving of names in the old law : yea , and from the beginning of the world , when men were most industrious , ) he shall easily ( out of the very name almost of every particular man , or person ) read his disposition , and the whole story of his life ; they are so full of prophetical mysteries . it seemes then ( both by profane and divine observation ) that names both dignifie the persons , and expresse the qualities . wherefore we must thinke , that woman ( in the making of whom god expressed so much art ) cannot also want a name of as great excellency , to adorne her ; and of as vertuous signification , to expresse her . wherefore ( in discoursing this ornament of name ) i will observe but these three branches ; and that which shall naturally spread it selfe from them . first , who gave the name . secondly , when it was given . thirdly , what it was . all which though they seeme in particular to adorne and commend the first woman only ; upon whom they were bestowed personally and at the first : yet ( as the oyntment , that was powred on aarons head , went downe to the skirts of his garments : ) and as the first names and natures , which were given to the first creatures , of heaven and earth , ( yea and to man ) do still continue unto all their kind unto this day : so all those names , dispositions , offices and honours , ( imposed on the first woman , in her creation ) doe still descend ( as hereditary glories ) unto all her daughters unto this day . first therfore to begin with the person , that gave the name . it was not a woman , ( who might , perchance , have favoured her owne sex : ) but it was adam ; the man himselfe ( that you may see , there was no partiality to hinder the honour it gives her . ) for had hee found any evill in her nature or espied the least fault , or inconvenience , in her disposition ; it is likely he would have left it in her name perpetually ; & given her such a one , as should have expressed some such vices , as men doe ( at this day ) with singular delight , lay on all the sex , ( as derived from their first mother ) and would ( no doubt ) have quickly found a time to cast it in her teeth . as may easily be gathered from the after story : wher , when hee knew not how to excuse his own disobedience ; hee could espy a mote in her eye , at the first dash , and cast all the blame on the poore woman , ( who if she offended her husband , did it ( as some think ) in kindnesse , ( finding the fruit faire : ) and not of maliciousnesse ( finding the evill : ) for her eyes were not opened , till shee had eaten . but adam , being at that time ( when he married her ) a man of the best wisedome and eavennesse , ( as one into whom god himselfe had newly breathed his spirit of understanding and judgement ) imposed upon her a name : which out of the depth of his owne knowledge , he well perceived , shee both well deserved , and best fitted her disposition : as wee shall see hereafter . so that the person ( naming her ) being of the contrary sex ; and one that would not spare her faults , even before god , but would have told him to his face ; the woman that thou gavest me , did it : it may seeme there was small favour : but that it was given even as the truth constrained . if adam ( after his fall ) had likewise had the naming of himselfe ; ( as he had of his wife : ) no doubt , but that he would have dealt better with himselfe , then to have beene called adam , ( earth : ) but god , to curb his pride , imposed that name first on him ; when there was none else to name him . that ( thinking humbly of himselfe ) without despising of the rest , he might give due names , ( and therein honours ) unto others , according to their natures and dispositions , without partiality . adam then ( the first man ) gave the name unto the first woman . but the reason why he ( rather then the lord that made her ) should doe it , seemes ( unto some ) to be this ; that the man , in naming her himselfe with a good and significant name , ( according as hee knew , shee deserved ) should have the greater guilt and sinne ; if that ( at any time after ) he should either miscall , or mis-intreat her . albeit others thinke , that hee thereby expressed himselfe to have greater authority over her . but by that rule , some women might claime authority over men : seeing it is evident in scriptures , ( and elsewhere ) that women have more oftner given names to men ; then men to women : ( as is plaine in genesis , iudges , and ruth , &c. ) and it is more then probable ; that as the man named the first woman ( that was made after him : ) so the woman named the first man , that was borne after her : for the text saies , shee bore caine , ( that is , a possession : ) and said , i have obtained a man of the lord. it should seeme then , by her interpreting of his name , that shee her selfe had given it unto him : ( as may bee seene in the examples of leah and rachel ; who named the twelve patriarchs ; and in the daughter of ely ; and in the mother of samuel . all which ( having the privilege of naming their sonnes ) gave them names of signification , and expressed afterwards the reasons that induced them so to doe : as eva in like manner had done before them . if therefore , man may claime authority over woman , by naming the first that was made : shee may claime also preheminence over man , by naming the first that was borne . so that here you see , first ; who it was that gave the name , man. secondly , that he was one who understood what hee did . thirdly , unpartiall on her ●ide . and fourthly , that by giving it , he bound himselfe to observe her . secondly , i observe the time , when he gave her name . it was not at once ; but as her name was of two sorts , ( the one , of the genus [ α woman : ] the other of the species [ eva : ] ) so hee gave it at two times , and upon severall occasions , after sufficient tryall and deliberation . the first was the last name he gave to any thing before his fall : and the last was the first name , he gave to any thing after his fall . so that in his felicity his last care , and in his misery , his first care was for the woman . neither of her names was given by chance , or suddenly ; but by good advice , and after good consideration : as adam himselfe would have you know ; when hee sets downe his reasons for them both : ( as hee did not in naming any thing else before : to the first name , his reasons goe before ; and to the second , they come after . for where he first calls her woman , these words following [ because she was taken out of man ] are not the reason ; but the explanation of the reason , which goes before : which are these words , [ this is bone of my bone , and flesh of my flesh : ] for when god had brought her to him ; he first viewed her , and beheld her well ; and when hee could finde no fault : but that ( according to gods promise before ) she was commodum auxilium , in all things : the very consideration , that shee was also bone of his bone , and flesh of his flesh , grew to bee the reason of her name ; which hee ( after ) explanes , in saying : she was taken out of man. this reason therefore goes before the first name of her sex : to shew , that adam ( before hee named her ) had a great care to view and consider her nature and disposition ; ere hee could finde so apt a name , and so full of mysterie to adorne her . which till hee had well advised , he gave not . for the β second , ( which was her proper name ) it was imposed on her after the fall . and the reason for it , is rendred by adam ( after he had called her by it , and not before : ) as if hee did acknowledge that name to bee made to his hand , and without his study . and therefore hee sets the reason after it . for , when god had given a promise of life , in the seed of the woman : hee could easily conclude to call her , the mother of the c living . so that both were given to dignifie her , in respect of the time . for as to her first name , adam , before his fall , in his innocency , and greatest perfection , ( when he enjoyed his owne free will ) tooke great deliberation before hee gave it : so for her second name , after his fall , ( and in his weaknesse ) god himselfe helped him with a reason ; that it might bee as mysticall as the other . from these circumstances of the time , i observe these three things . first , in that her two names were last , before the fall ; and the first , after the fall , ( which man tooke no care to bestow with such consideration upon any other creature , ) there appeares ( as i have said ) the care and love he had to his wife , ( both in his happinesse , as a companion of his joy : and in his unhappinesse , as a comfort in his misery : ) his minde being ( first and last ) on her . wherein he shewed a good precedent for all his children , ( even to this day ) of love and respect towards their wives . which , if it were well observed ; no doubt , but the quiet and golden world of time , would againe returne unto us . secondly , in that he gave not her first name , ( when he himselfe was in perfection ) without good deliberation ; and then such a one as much dignified her : hee may herein teach the rest of his sonnes , ( if they will ever strive to perfection ) that they never miscall ; or give other names unto women : ( especially unto their wives ) but such as shall dignifie and adorne them . thirdly , and lastly ; as hee presumed not to give the second name unto her after his fall , ( and in his sinne and weaknesse ; when his understanding was more darkned ) till he perceived good reason from god ; ( in that she was the mother of life : ) so would hee teach his children in these latter dayes , ( so full of sinne and bould ignorance ) not to presume in giving any titles unto that sex : but such as may ( according to gods first ordinance ) declare them to be , not only the ordinary givers , in our selves : but the continuers ( of our life and name ) in our children and posterity ; till adam and eve rise againe to meet their off-spring . lastly , ( for the names themselves : ) they were of two sorts , ( as i said before , ) isha and eva : the one generall to her sex : the other , proper to her person : yet both having relation to the posterity of her sex ; as well as ish and adam have , to the posterity of his sex. in these two names , are contained two mysteries : the one , of of this life : the other of the life to come . but ( first ) of the etymology of these names ; and ( after ) of the mysteries . we will begin ( first ) with that which was given her first : and that was isha , being a name ( if wee respect but the bare etymology ) derived in the foeminine gender , from ish , the name of man , according to the hebrewes . which names , tremellius doth hardly expresse ( in latine ) otherwise then by vir and vira : and is faine to make an improper word , to shew their neerenesse in hebrew . wee in english , to expresse the force of it , may as properly say ( man , and mannesse : ) or indeed , man and mann's ; ) that is , belonging to man : for so it comes neerest . for it properly signifies , not a woman alone : but the woman of the man , ( or mans woman ; or wife : ) but the word which we translate for it , is woman : being ( as the other ) the name of the sex ; and is significant enough of it selfe : as we shall see after . notwithstanding the first originall name ( in hebrew ) is most of all to bee considered : because it was the first and most significant : and that was written , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , isha . in the giving of which , adam strove to shew the singular neerenesse betweene man and woman : and ( therein ) sufficiently shewed the force and strength of his wisedome . for he seriously considered , ( ere he named her ) from whence shee was taken ; for what purpose ; for whom ; and whither shee must returne . shee was taken from his side ; for a helper for him ; and to his side she must returne , [ they shall be two in one flesh . ] so that he must forsake father and mother for her . therefore hee concluded , shee should bee isha ; joyning her unto his owne name , by adding but one letter ; ( as god had added and joyned her unto his body , by taking but one ribbe . ) so that as her body was taken from , and joyned unto his , by god : so her name was taken from , and joyned unto his by himselfe . to shew , how well hee did approve of gods goodnesse unto him in this blessing . wherein ( as i said ) hee strove to shew how neerely , and how firmely , man and woman are conjoyned : which cannot sufficiently in one word be rendred by any language , so well as the hebrew . but among the rest , our language comes not farthest behind , in expressing it to the first sense . for as he is ish , ( of whose name isha ( the woman ) is formed : ) so we say , shee is isha ( the woman ; or womb-man : ) out of whose wombe , man is formed : for that is our old orthography , as verstegan witnesses . to which i could adde ( if it bee lawfull ) a new orthography for woman , in the plurall number ; and write , not women ; but wee-men , according to our pronuntiation . seeing indeed we are the same , and all of one peece . and this will offend none , but such as will have them derived from woe , and call them wo-men : because they thinke it was long of them wee fell . in which they beleeve they have got a notable argument against them . but till i come to answere this , let them stay their stomacks with this old rime : how ill did hee his grammar skan , that call'd a woman woe to man ? for ( contrary ) who doth not know , women from men receive their woe ? yet love men too : but what 's their gaines ? poore soules ! but travaile for their paines : then let them all ( in this ) agree : 't is woe from man ; if woe it bee . it should seeme ( then ) the name is not so full of woe and despite , as they would make it : for the name of woman hath been held so honourable and helpfull , ( even in our owne nation ) that the highest dignity , that can bee bestowed on that sex ( amongst us , ) is expressed only in that name . for queene ( or quena , as verstegan writes it ) signifies but isha , a woman , or wife ) and that is all . but ( to proceed to the originall , isha : ) in it , man and woman are so neerely joyned , and made one ; that it cannot bee to us a disgrace , ( no more then for our father adam ) to call them wee-men ; and all one with us , chiefly if wee consider of how great excellency the name is ; and how great a mystery it containes : for ( besides all this beforesaid ; which may bee gathered out of the neerenesse , and very sound of the names ; ) adam had a further respect : for in this name hee contained a mystery . and such a mystery as containes many other mysteries within it . amongst the which , the mystery of christs love to his church , is none of the least : which the apostle calls , magnum mysterium . and that is compared to a marriage . no marriage more perfect ; nor no couple so justly kept it , as that ; and those whom god himselfe personally made . and that was the first : which adam ( considering ) did ( in his wives name ) comprehend all the duties of marriage . to which the conjunction of christ and his church , is mystically compared . so that as her body being taken out of his , became a more excellent body then his : so her name ( being taken from his ) became a more mysticall name then his : for from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ( isha ) may mystically be gathered : first , the author of marriage . secondly , the persons . thirdly , the duties : fourthly , what may best continue it . and fifthly , what may dissolve and breake it . of all these in particular , briefly , and first of the author . the hebrew cabalists have observed that ( in the composition of isha 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ) adam took two essentiall letters of the great and divine name [ jehovah ] that is to say 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and : and two other , out of his own name ( 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : ) of which ( mingled and put together ) he framed and made a name for his wife . in which ( by this conjunction ) he expressed both from whence she was taken , and who gave her unto him : therby declaring her to be taken from man and acknowledging jehovah to bee the author and sanctifier of this marriage and conjunction betweene him and his wife . for without the helpe of those two letters ( 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ) ish and isha , could not be joyned into one name . so that in her name ( thus framed ) the author of this , and all other marriages , is set downe to be the lord jehovah ; who ioyneth both together : without whom isha cannot consist , nor any marriage or conjunction bee lawful or blessed . secondly , the persons in marriage , are here expressed to bee ish and isha [ man or woman ] both knit in one name by adam ; as they were knit in marriage by jehovah . but if we will know more particularly of what quality the persons in mariage ought to bee ; wee must examine what the estates of the first two were , wherein wee shall find . first their freedome . secondly their perfection . thirdly their age. fourthly their condition . first : ish and isha were free persons and uncontracted , before god joyned them . for man could not find a wife for himselfe , untill god made him one ; who ( though bone of his bone ; ) yet none of his wife , till god gave her . and therefore free. so should also the conditions of after-marriages bee : man should seeke for his ribb , ( for his flesh and bone , ) yet keepe himselfe free and uncontracted , till god bring one ( as free ) to give him . secondly , ish and isha were perfect man and woman ; both for age , stature , and health . for as s. augustine holds , they were created in that health , strength , and stature of body , which wee attaine unto at thirty ( our best age . ) from whence is taught the perfection of that state , as being a thing unfit for the sicke , weake , or impotent . thirdly , ish and isha were neere one age , and hee but a little the older . which teacheth the equality of age in marriage . age and youth ( in extreames ) must not match ; yet the man ought to bee somewhat the older ; but not much . for the yong woman , that is wedded to an aged man , is not a married wife ; but a married widdow . so that the persons must not bee children under age ; nor those that are twice children for age . lastly , ish and isha were naked , & were not ashamed . both their minds were so free from sinne , as their bodies were from imperfection or fault . therefore they needed not blush at meeting . from whence wee my learne , in what naked truth and plaine simplicity , mariages ought to be made in the sight of god : neither of them seeking ( by dissimulation ) to cloake or cover any cause or imperfection that should justly hinder , or barre that holy conjunction . but as ish and isha were married in the same nakednesse they were made ; so they may also be conjoyned in that naked innocency and modesty of mind and body , as they were borne . from whence also , they may learne , how peaceably they ought to behave themselves in this holy estate ; without fighting or unquiet striving ; for ish and isha were naked . man was made so , and men are borne so : nos nudi creati sumus ad nem●nem laedendum , saith zan●hius : wee were made naked , that we should hurt no body . they that meet and imbrace naked , uncloathed , and unarmed , can intend no hurt , for they are ( neither of them , ) fit to strike or defend . therefore when the married remember their first parents were made so , married so , and themselves borne so ; they should live in all love , and peaceable concord with themselves : for god hath neither made nor given them meanes to hurt each other . for the married are joyned by love . and though ovid say , militat omnis amans : i rather thinke he meanes , militat omnis amens : for propertius held the truth . pacis ( amor ) deus est , pacem veneramur amantes . love is a god of peace , and lovers love the peace : therefore all strife and contention , whereby peace may be broke or hindered , must be banished . thirdly , in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , the duties of marriage are contained : which duties are ( generally & chiefly ) two , love & propaga●ion of children : both exprest by commodum auxilium . love is first , and seasons all the rest . and it is properly the marieds vertue ; as fortitude , is the souldiers ; temperance the magistrates ; and iustice the princes . and this duty is expressed by adam himselfe , when hee saith : that for her , man shall leave father and mother , and cleave to his wife ; and they shall be both one flesh : and therefore he closed them both in one name : to shew that their love ( that drew them together into one conjunction , from all others ) should never part : but that they should continue together in one perpetuall bond and society , as they were taught by their names ; which are both tied and knit into one in the name of jehovah the lord. god is love ; and the nam● of god hath made their names one . which teacheth them , that there ought to be that love of god , ( and godly love ) between them , as should keep them alwayes in best affection together . for the other duty of procreation , injoyned them by the command of ( increase and multiplie : ) it is herein contained and expressed . for as her name [ isha ] ( though it was taken out of his name ish ) containes his also : so her body ( though it was taken out of his ) containes his also by propagation of the same kind . for as the woman is of the man ; so is the man also by the woman , saith s. paul. which is well expressed in our english orthography , before named , of womb-man : not dissenting from that of the prophet ; mulier circundabit virum . which ( though it was specially meant of our saviour and the b. virgin ; yet ) is it literally true in nature . for all men are contained , bred , and propagated in women ; which is expressed in this name ; isha : which ( in like manner ) comprehendeth his name . fourthly , in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is contained , what may best continue marriage , in the most commendable perfection : and that is unity . of which they shall alwayes be remembred , if they doe but looke on the womans name . for ( as i said ) gods power made their bodies one flesh by conjunction : and gods name made their names , one name , by interposition . god is unity : and unity conjoyned them : so that , if they doe but consider , that ( in their conversation ) god is in the midst of them , it shall alwayes bee a meanes for them , to walk as in his presence , without contention , in all concord and unity : which is able to establish and confirme their holy conjunction , in all peaceable and happy continuance unto the end . fifthly , and lastly ; there may be gathered from this name , ( if it bee well considered ) what may dissolve and unknit this holy knot of marriage . and that is ( the opposite to unity , ) discord : which shall never overcome them , till god ( which is unity , ) withdraw himself from them . and this ( i say ) may bee gathered from the name of isha , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . for take from thence , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ( the two essentiall letters of the high jehovah ; which makes her isha , of ish : ) and there will remaine nothing but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ( ignis ) fire : so take from isha ( that is , from man and woman in marriage ) the essentiall and effectuall blessing of jehovah ( the high god which preserves them in love and unity ) and there will remaine nothing , but fire and rage , di●cord , and jealous contention ; which will soone consume , dissolve , and disunite that holy band ; and leave them ( at the last ) in danger of fire eternall , to their everlasting condemnation . and as this name [ isha ] cannot be divided , ( in taking ish from isha : ) but that the man shall remaine alone ; and the woman without a name : so cannot the firme knot ( wherein they were tied when it was given ) bee at any time ( through discord , or adultery ) disolved ; but the man shall remaine alone , and the woman without a name ; at least without a good one . thus you see how mysticall this first name [ isha ] is ( the generall name of woman ; ) in that , thence may be gathered the author , persons , and duties of marriage ; what may best continue it ; and what dissolve it . a name impo●ed upon her by adams natural and humane reason ; and therefore ( though excellent and significant , yet ) it containes but a mystery of marriage : which is an estate but for this life : for in the life to come , they neither marrie , nor are given in marriage : as our saviour saith . wee will therefore speake but a word of the second name , containing a mystery of the second life . which name , though it was pronounced by man ; yet was the reason given by god , ere hee imposed it : and therefore more divine . her second and proper name was eva : for which if we will seeke etymologies , wee shal finde enow , and their reasons . first , from our owne language of english , ( though it little concernes it ) verstegan will have it , eva , quasi consimilis : [ even ] the same as all one with her husband in office , and likenesse . others ( in latine ) anagrammatize it from eva , into vae : because ( they say ) she was the cause of our woe . but * peter martyr thinks , that they are not well in their wits that say so : ineptiunt , qui dicunt , ( saith he : ) rather leaning to that of s. bernard ▪ eva , quasi ave ; all haile : or rather , a vae , from woe : belike alluding to that of the angell gabriel , who ( when he brought the newes from heaven of the womans seed , that was comming to breake the serpents head ) began his salutation with a ave [ or eva ; ] to whom it was fir●t promised , and was now to bee performed , with an ( ave ) all haile , all health : or an avae , a cleare deliverance from all woe of ●inne and death . these conceits , derived from that tongue , let them that please , please themselves withall ; for my part , seeing adam spake no latine , i can hardly beleeve hee had any respect to this etymology : but according to his owne tongue gave it , ( as he interprets it : ) because shee was the mother of all living . shee is eva then , quasi life , or living . notwithstanding , ( not to dissent wholly from the former ) this name , and the force thereof , ( in effect ) is not improperly expressed in the former a' vae : for death ( being the end , to which all woe and sorrow tends ) hath ( for its opposite ) life : and eva ( being life ) may well be turned into a' vae : because it resists , and expells woe ; which is the cause of death . but to come to adams hebrew eva , whose own interpretation wee will take and follow : she is said by him to bee living ; or the mother of the living . in which we see , that this name eva , hath no coherence with either of both his , ( neither ish nor adam ; ) neither in sound , nor signification . isha ( her first name indeed ) was taken from ish , ( his first name ) which signifies lively heat , force , and vigour : but her second name [ eva ; ] was not taken from his second name [ adam ] which signifies but clay or earth . somewhat was the cause ( then ) why shee was not called adama ( of adam ) as well , as isha ( of ish. ) if wee will find the cause , wee must goe backe to the time. for wee said , that isha was given before the fall , ( when man knew of no life , but the present ; wherein he should never have died . ) and therefore ( in a mysticall fashion ) he framed a name for her , from the best of his ; to expresse their nere conjunction , and of fice , for that time ; beyond which , ( as then ) he saw not : but afterwards , when his eies were opened ; and that he perceived two lives , and two deaths before him ( the one temporall , the other eternall ; ) and no comfort of hope in either of their present names , ( for isha could not serve ; shee was but a mystery of this life ; and adam was earth ; and to earth must returne : ) being therefore at a non plus , god tells him the womans seed shall breake the serpents head . [ christ ] shall overcome death , and give eternall life to his children . from whence , being inlightned , he readily concludes , she shall be ( not adama , of the earth ; but ) eva ; the mother of the living . from hence then , growes this name : from a reason given from god ; and an approving voyce from man. which is ( indeed ) a mixture of he●ven , and earth , ( as it expresses it selfe : ) for the name which man gave himselfe , was but of this life : but when god shewed him of a life to come , he comprehended both in eva. so that eva is both the mother of the living on earth ; and of the life in heaven . i am the life ( saith christ : ) and christ is the seed of the woman . so here is heaven and earth met : the sonne of god , and the seed of the woman ; the life present , and the life to come . and this is the mystery which then was revealed , but as in a cloud : but since hath inlightned the whole world . isha seemes ( now ) to bee of no stead ; seeing in eva the present and future life is contained . the present life of man shee maintaines in procreation , and being the m●ther of the living : and the future life , in being the mother of our saviour ( who is the life it selfe . ) so that if we raise our selves into the contemplation of the life to come , ( signified in this name , eva ) wee shall quite loose isha . mortality shall put on immortality : isha shall bee translated into eva. women shal lose their name of isha ; they shall put off the name of their sex : but eva ( the name of life ) they shall never lose . for in the life to come , they neither marrie , neither is there difference of sex or person ; but men and women shall receive like bodies , in eternall glory , according to the similitude of angels . in which likenes and similitude , i leave them : and forbeare also to torment the reader with any confutation of unsavory objections , brought against that sex , by the raylipotent linderach ( and others ) who ( it seemes ) have forgotten that they were ever borne of their mothers . finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a23301-e470 gregory . cicero . 1. time. gen. 2. gen. 2. 2. place . gen 24. iohn . 46. the companie . pliny . the plenty . the vertue and efficacity . arbor vitae . beda . zanchius . the situationo . nil amoenum mag●●ac ferti●e , ipsa mesopotamia . ezech. 27. 23. adricom . delphius . the names of the p●ace . mesopotamia . heden . isidore . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . s. ambrose . zanchius . agrippa's conceit . gen. 24. α ecclus. 36. 22. 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . agrippa . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈…〉 iosephus . gen. 2. ●1 ▪ magirus . gen. 2. 23. it was a bone. magirus . not a bone alone , but with some flesh . and but of some flesh . of a rib. costis , yet but of one rib. zanchius . this rib was taken from his side . a martial . lib. 8. ep. 12. inferior matrona suo sit , sex te , marito ; non aliter fiunt f●mina virq●e pares . gen. 3. 19. proverbs 31. 11 , 12. 4. 〈◊〉 the barnacle . anselme . cor. agripp●'s opinion . struxit . festus . extruxit . aedificavit . isidore . sext. pompeius . cor. agrippa . martial . socrates . festus . 1 iohn . 4. 12. 1 kings 8. 27. acts 7. 48. rom 8. revel●t . 3. 20. ephes ▪ 4. coloss. 2. 1 pet. 2. 4. 5. daniel . ● . 34. a mr wilkinson , in white hall at the mariage of the l hay , with honoria , daughter to the l. denny . 1606. prov. 31. ierem. in threnis . 1 pet. 3. 7. 1 esdras 4. 22. isidor . hispal . 5. form. 〈◊〉 zanchius . isidor . bateman , in bartholomaeum anglicum . mat. 7. magirus . cant. 5. cant. 4. 4. 7. 4. pliny . 1 cor. 11. 15. hilarius drudus . cicero . agrippa . corporeall beauty . pythagoras . plato . propertius . propert. pygmalion . sabinus . the beauty of the face . anacharsis . plato . guevarra . the definition of beauty of the body . am●reas laurentius , pliny . eccle●ast , cicero . seneca . cicero . aristotle . io. bapt. porta . virgil. plutarch . strato . and. laurentius . the beauty of the hand . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 agrippa . pliny & hippocrates . the beauty of the breasts . bartholdus . plutarch . hippocrates . vocall beauty . pliny . mich. scot. ovid. beauty spiritual . paul lamazo . agrippa . the use of beauty . pliny . philemon . pliny . vi. name . plinie . plutareh . agrippa . plutarch . pythagoras . gen. 2. 20. chrysostome . gen ●7 . 36. 1 sam. 25. 25. who gave the name . caine. gen. 4. 1. when the name was given . α isha . gen. 2. 23. β ● eva. c chavah . gen. 3. 20. ● ● . γ what the name was . isha ; from ish. tremellius , woman or wombe-man . queen . i. woman , or wife . the mystery in isha . mariage . in which , five things observable . the author of mariage . he , and lod . 〈◊〉 and shinhe . he and lod . the persons joyned in marriage ▪ ish & isha . in whom 4 things are considerable ▪ their freedome . 〈…〉 perfection . s. aust. their age. their condition . zanchius . ovid. propertius . the duties of marriage . love. gen. 2. 2● procreation . 1cor . 11. 12. ier. 31. 22. what may best continue marriage in its perfection . what may dis●olve , & break off marriage . iod , an● he. esh , fire . 2. heva , ch●va , or eve , concerning these etymologies ( which may seem ridiculous to some ) i desire the reader to consider what le●rned m. casa●on hath said : ex●rcitat . 15 num. 11. mos fuit hi● veterum , sive curiositas ( saith he ) ut in vocibus peregrinis , quarū non ignorarent etymon , sa●gerent aliquid invenire , quod ●arum significationi accōmodarent sic in dictionibus hebraicis , etyma graca , aut etiam latina , patres comminiscu●● ur : non quòd veram orginem ignorent ( sicu● mu●ti 〈◊〉 sibi persuadent , ) sed ex merâ illâ , quam d●xi , ●●riositate . and this he shewes b● instances of th● words , iesus , pascha , levites , & baptisma . * peter martyr . a ave , rectus s●ribi●● have , id est , vi●● ▪ uti monet lacobus cuja●i●s , observationum lib. 1. cap. 15. e●iam manutius testatur , 〈◊〉 , have , cum aspiratione , in probatis libris , ac lapidibus , inveniri . hebr. chajah , id est , vixit , viguit . inde eve , vel pot●ùs heva , vel hebraicè , c●auvah , ab adam● sic voc●ta , quòd è costá viventis facta , mater omnium viventium hominum futura ●it . ioh. 14 luk. 20. 36. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the secretary of ladies. or, a new collection of letters and answers, composed by moderne ladies and gentlewomen, collected by mounsieur du bosque. translated out of french by i.h. nouveau recueil de lettres des dames de ce temps avec leurs responses. english du boscq, monsieur. 1638 approx. 217 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 143 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; 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(eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a20892) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 10498) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1475-1640 ; 1094:14) the secretary of ladies. or, a new collection of letters and answers, composed by moderne ladies and gentlewomen, collected by mounsieur du bosque. translated out of french by i.h. nouveau recueil de lettres des dames de ce temps avec leurs responses. english du boscq, monsieur. hainhofer, jerome. glover, george, b. ca. 1618, engraver. [14], 272, [2] p. printed by tho. cotes, for william hope, and are to be sold at the signe of the vnicorne in cornehill neere the royall exchange, london : 1638. attributed to a du boscq. a translation of: nouveau recueil de lettres des dames de ce temps avec leurs responses. translator's dedication signed: ierome hainhofer, patritius augustanus. with an additional title page, engraved, signed: g. glo: [i.e. george glover] fecit. with a final imprimatur leaf. reproduction of the original in cambridge university library. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng french letters -early works to 1800. women -early works to 1800. 2006-10 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2006-10 aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images 2007-05 emma (leeson) huber sampled and proofread 2007-05 emma (leeson) huber text and markup reviewed and edited 2008-02 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the secretary of ladies . or , a new collection of letters and answers , composed by moderne ladies and gentlewomen , collected by mounsieur du bosqve . translated out of french by i. h. london , printed by tho. cotes , for william hope , and are to be sold at the signe of the vnicorne in cornehill neere the royall exchange . 1638. to my lady the countesse of dorset , governesse to the dvke of yorke . madam , your pardon , if it bee presumption , my selfe but newly admitted , to preferre others to your service . 't is a sinne i could not be drawne to commit , but to avoyd a greater . so i conceive each casuist rankes the breach of vowes : which would bee my obliquity , should i offer at any other altar these first fruites of my poore endeavours . the french collector ( so hee s●iles himselfe ) presents these letters to the world with a french familiar confidence : ra●ing them sufficiently accomplisht to merit entertainement . his courage cannot cure my feare , knowing they must passe the censure ( at least if you daigne them a view ) of one ( then hee conceits his worke ) far more accomplisht : and not being ignorant , that this english habit , made by a stranger to the tongue , more to the courtly dresse , may much blemish their native beauty : my comfort is without wracke of reputation , they may want some of their originall ornaments ; but could i hope your approbation to trifles hardly worth your eye , i durst bee bold , this would procure them more grace , than they have lost by their translator . but , madam , t is too much , i dare not begge it ; my most ambitious prayer shall bee , regarding my unworthy sacrifice , you would vouchsafe not to disdaigne i● . reserve your acceptation for more deserving straines ; your prayse for those that more directly tend to ki●dle flame of piety : your not r●j●cting those will proove a sufficient pasport , and helpe them travel the brittish world without affront , or enemy : where i am confident there does not breath such a schismaticke to civility , that , in so triviall a point , will not wave his opinion , to one that governes his hopes . in which beleefe i devote these papers to the fate you please decree them . my onely intent in exposing them was , to give some testimony of a thankfull heart : if i have mist the way , it cannot bee denied i had a will to finde it ; and mist nothing but fit meanes to informe the world that i am , madam , your most humble , and devoted servant , ierome hainhofer , patritius augustanus . the authors dedication to madam de pisievx . madam , i should peradventure have made some difficulty to offer you any booke but this , fearing to demand an unjust protection , or to make you a present unworthy of your selfe : but th●se ladies which i tender you are so accomplisht . i could not cherish the least feare to produce them , without sinning against their merit , and the judgement you know to make in things of valew . neverthelesse how perfect soever they be , they acknowledge a necessity of your approbation to appeare in the world : and , that if this good fayle them , all their faire dresses , and ornaments can gaine them a reputation but imperfect . behold them then in posture to doe the homage they owe you , and to learne from your mouth what credit they may hope from others . behold the wonders of our age , which come to reverence the rare qualities that france admires in you : and to consult the oracle which must declare their good , or bad fortune . confident they are to disp lease none , if they be but so happy to please you , and that by the generall esteeme you are in , your judgement shall bee the rule to all others . receive them madam , as creatures whom the report of your name and vertue hath acquired , and that will not shew themselves abroad with your passe : refuse not your favour to these faire unknowne , which enter not into the world , but to vindicate the honour of dames , and to make it appeare that letters are not the peculiar heritage of one sexe ; and that men are out , when they va●t themselves sole monarchs in the empire of the sciences . for my selfe , madam , who doe but lend a hand to their enterprise , i confesse i am ravisht to see them fall into your armes , and that besides the lustre of their owne beauty , they shall borrow that of yours , to render them pleasing as your selfe , to all that have eyes , and reason . i cannot cease to commend their choyse , seeing it must be imagined , noble as you are , you will be taken with their courage : and while they travaile in a designe so glorious , i assure my selfe you will second their endeavours , and that your countenance , approbation , and spirit , shall bring them more than halfe their victory , and triumph , thus hopes madam , your most humble , and most obedient servant , du bosque . an advertisement to the reader , by a friend of the collector . be not astonisht to see this collection come out in print , hee that hath tane the paines , to make it had reason to thinke that after you had read the letters of so many ingenious men , you would take it well to see these offers of women . there is no colour to say it will becomes their sexe : for i● it be not amisse that they are able to m●ke a complement , you must not thinke it strange that they can write one . t is the principall subject of these letters , which are not confused nor shufled together , as many others which the vulgar esteeme good . they are not treatises , nor orations ; they are no deepe discourses wherein there is nothing smels of a letter , but sir your servant . but it is not needfull● to witnesse these good , that i make others appe●re ill . i will onely say that if the●e bee any who cannot yet consent that gentlewomen should write , i assure my selfe this book will convert them ▪ where they shall 〈◊〉 so many things of worth , they shall 〈◊〉 ●ompeld to renounce their ignoranc● 〈◊〉 ●nvy , for by one of these names i 〈◊〉 call the cause of their error , which i would farther oppose if these ladies had need of my apology , but they defend themselves better by neglect , than those 〈◊〉 deserve . and i will content my selfe to say , that if this age hath seene many that write with approbation of all the world upon the most important matters religion , and morality , wee need not make it such a marvell that they can endite good letters , seeing they can make good bookes . but it is time to finish this advertisement ; and i vow i am to blame to detaine the reader from the booke it selfe , where he shall receive much more satisfaction , than i am able to promise . the secretary of ladies . the first letter . she prayes her to returne to pari● , and bring her in dislike with the country . madam , provided you have a just opinion of your owne merit , you cannot faile in that you o●ght to have of our griefe : remember your selfe onely of the pleasure your presence brings us , to comprehend what your absence takes from us ; and you will easily averre that the losse of so great a good is no lesse worthy of our teares , than the possession of our joy . those that have the knowledge of your rare qualities , cannot be ignorant of our cōplaints : they may judge the effects by their cause . consider next , if there bee any among us , that doe not make vowes for your returne , since it must restore alacrity to all your acquaintance . and to tell you of our feare as well as our desire , would it not be a wonderfull change , if you should accustome your selfe to live among barbarians , and being capable of the best company , confine to perpetuall solitude , remember , t is two months since we have lost you ; and if this terme seeme long to us at paris , it cannot be short to you in the country . but this is not enough : weigh in your minde that these two moneths you have not seene this faire city , whereof the sole remembrance is sufficient to render other places undelightfull . i thinke you doe not so much love the deserts , that though our happinesse consist in your returne , wee should have no ground to hope it : after all this if you have lost the desire to come backe to paris , it is because you have lost your memory , for not to affect a returne , you must wholly forget that you have beene there . finally , never was promise better kept , than that wee made you , not to take collations in our walkes : your faire dutchesse is so exact in the point , shee would make a conscience in the hottest season to drinke fountaine water ; shee hath no minde to quench her thirst , being afraid to bee refresht : albeit shee might lesse incommodate herselfe without breaking promise , shee dares not so much as thinke of it without scruple . to bee entirely fai●hfull to you , she will admit neither interpretation , nor dispensation . hasten then your returne , and if you have yet any feeling of pitty , shew it to so many that doe petition you . write so much as you please , your letters may asswage our evill , but never cure it ; our sadnesse is measured by your absence . neverthelesse , we can assure you , that if it diminish our delight , it doth not our affection : especially that which i have to be madam , your most humble , &c. the first answer . she answers , that besides the losse of their conversation , she is vext with that of the country : and that she will never make vow of solitude while she can hope the honour of their company . madam , i must begin my letter where you end yours , to assure you that i have too great an opinion of your good will to thinke it can diminish in my absence . i beleeve that my returne will not augment your friendship , but your joy : and that it will render you more contented , not more affectionate : do not imagine i speake this out of the good opinion i have of my selfe , but for that i conceive of your constancy ; if i should judge your desire by my merit , i should have little cause to lament you : and if you had no other apprehension of mee , than i have of my selfe , you should bee without regret , as i am without vanity , i must then , that i may beleeve you , surveigh my selfe by another measure : and ought to thinke that if indeed you have any greife , t is because i want the blessing of your company and not you mine ; your charity doubtlesse gives you this feeling , and did i take it otherwise , i should declare no lesse presumption , than you doe courtesie ; say what you please i am farre more worthy , than you , but it is of compassion ▪ and wish in that we are separated the cause of our sorrow were but equall . the advantage lies on your side in being at paris , where the greatest discontent may finde diversion , and the sickest soule expect some remedy : i on the contrary , am in a wilde country , where all familiarity is a punishment . i am deprived of yours , and tired with theirs who are impertinent , and importune . i have a double cause of paine , the privation of a great good , and the sufferance of a great ill . you cannot be so unhappy at paris , where i left you in company good enough to make you forget mine : meane while , that i meete with none here , which make me not sigh for yours . be it so then , that when you thinke on mee it bee not without griefe , this cannot equall what i suffer for so many excellent dames , i alone loose many , and all you but one alone . i ought to reckon the causes of my sorrow so many as you are most accomplished ladies : or rather so many as are the lovely qualities which each of you possesseth . now if we measure the greatnesse of displeasure by that of the object , judge how much i suffer , by what i have lost , and you will grant that i have reason to seeke my consolation where you are . is there then any appearance to feare that i should enure my selfe to the country , or to thinke that i can forget you . never imagine i meane to make a vow of solitude , while i dare hope the honour of your company . i entertaine my selfe but too much with this good fortune , whereof having at present lost the possession , i thinke it would bee advantagious to have also lost the memory . neverthelesse , oblivion is a remedy too injurious : i have too much courage to consent to buy my content at the price of ingratitude ; i had rather be unfortunate than faulty , i beseech you beleeve it , and continue your prayers for my returne . it must needs bee , that either you are not in the state of grace , or that your petitions are unjust , seeing they obtaine so small successe . i could wish that fasting , and abstinence from your walkes might remedy this ; and that you should bee depriv'd of every pleasure , that i might the sooner obtaine that of your company , which i desive to possesse with as much passion , as i have to bee all my life , madam , your most devoted , &c. the ii. letter . she entertaines her with a certaine stupide fellow , who is no otherwise happy , but in being ignorant . madam , i must needs entertaine you with this fellow of whom you write unto me . i wish he might be content , i thinke he has no reason so to be : hee is not happy but because hee is ignorant , nor hath hee a quiet soule , but because it is insensible . it is no great marvell that hee is without disturbance , seeing hee is without knowledge . t is not to be counted a miracle , if those that are blinde doe not ●eare lightning ; if they trembl● not like others , they are not therein the more happy : on the contrary i suppose they would have a good sight , yea on condition to have it sometimes dazled . you will tell mee i have read the booke you esteeme so much , and that my letter bewraies it : well , think what you please , i beleeve there is no more danger to borrow a good thing from a booke we like , than to gather fruite from a tree of our owne : we do not reade them meerely for pleasure , but partly for use . but to returne to our man ; i protest i desire not such a good fortune ; i love better the restlessenesse of your spirit , than the tranquillity of his , i speake of those noble cares which knowledge bringeth forth ; and of that moderate feare which serves but to awake the soule , and not to trouble it . the happinesse of these people whereof you write unto mee , is like to that of men asleepe , their spirit is quiet , because it is not capable of disturbance . i must make you laugh as i conclude this letter at a comparison , which perhaps you will judge a little too high for mee . it seemes that men may bee set safe from the blowes of misfortune , as from those of thunder , by being very high , or very low ; but in both these , albeit , the safety be equal , the glory is not . i had rather scape a tempest being on the mount olympus , then in a cave . and to talke like your booke ( the onely one that can make mee guilty of theft . ) i would rather choose to be above , then below affliction , and be thereof uncapeable by reason , rather then stupidity . i conclude this then , beseeching you to speake no more of that matter , & not to pleade against your owne interest , in quitting that of great spirits . you have thereof too great a share to renounce . and if i defend them , i doe but praise a good which you possesse , and i desire . i wish as many good termes to expresse my thoughts upon this subject , as i have desires to serve you , and to witnesse on all occasions how much i am , madam , your most affectionate , &c. the second answer . she endeavours to proove that those that have the least spirit , have also the least molestation . madam , write what you list for great spirits , it seemes to mee they have more glory , then happinesse . and that it is difficult to have great splendor and little care . it is true they are much esteemed which outshine others : notwithstanding i thinke that with all this advantage , they may be compared to the bush in holy scripture , which had much brightnesse , but yet was full of thornes . there are indeed many sharpe points under these glorious rayes : there are many cares which knowledge encreases , rather then cures . let us speake freely , and not suffer our selves bee charmed by this same faire appearance . as those that have a feaver would willingly be lesse sensible that they might bee lesse tormented , so i beleeve the miserable would wish their knowledge diminished , for to diminish their affliction . in this we may speake of spirits , as of the senses , the most delicate do soonest feele . phisicke likewise , and philosophy doe in the same manner heale the unfortunate and the diseased . the one stupifies the sense , without which there is no sorrow : the other endeavours to withdraw the attention , without which there is no sadnesse , whence you may learne that the most ignorant are the least unfortunate . i deny not but there are some which lift them selves above misery , and doe surmount it ; but i thinke these are very rare : i see few that do resemble you . and to tell you who they are , which put themselves to most paine , i beleeve they are neither the great nor the little , but onely the indifferent . mee thinkes disquiet formes it selfe in the soule , as clouds doe in the aire : the sunne sometimes drawes up vapours , which afterwards it can hardly disperse ; and these middling spirits precipitate themselves into those cares , from which they can never get free , whiles great spirits overcome discontent , and the lesser know it not , the middle sort are intangled therein . so christianity , reprobates the luke-warme , from hope of salvation , and morality rejects them in point of civill felicity . these then are they which have cause to complaine . and whose understanding seemes to mee unlucky , since it onely serves to leade them into many labyrinthes , but not to conduct thē out . have i not then reason to thinke that those which have lesse spirit , have lesse paine ? if there bee so few which vanquish affliction , is it not sufficient that i follow the path most beaten , and content my selfe by ignorance to be below evil , not being able by iudgement to lift my selfe above it . since the felicity of the lowest wits is true , i care not tho it be lesse glorious then that of great sages . if it be not as noble , sure i am t is no lesse pure , no lesse reall . i speak in this my wishes , not my being , for albeit i am without wit , i am not without perturbation . i suffer the misfortune of those who have but little knowledg , and am deprived of their advantage , you know it well enough , and i doubt not but if you endure my dispo●ition , t is for my affections sake , and the desire which i have to be , madam , your perfect servant . the third letter . shee complaines that men doe sometimes fall in love with those that deserve it least , and that the deformed are very often more happy then the faire . madam there 's no neede goe into africke , to arrive at a country of monsters , our own produces but too many to seeke elsewhere objects of wonder . in fine this young man hath marryed the old woman , t is a choyce worthy of shame for himselfe , of envy for many , of admiration for all , we are young , and it is to us a strange thing to see that in our dayes , she hath found a fortune so prodigious , in the decline of hers , and that any should fall in love with her , albeit shee wants the three goods , which are thereof the ordinary cause , for she is neither faire , nor rich , nor young . i do not doubt but she hath experience , sure i am she hath age enough to get it : but i cannot cease to admire that any man could fancy her with all her knowledge . if she deserved to be sought unto , it was like some sibil , i meane to be consulted , not beloved , i thinke she is more fit to teach , then to please , and more worthy to have schollers then suiters , what will they say of lidian ? will it not seeme that he had more charity then love , & that he tooke her not , but out of meere pitty to succour old-age . if strangers finde them together , they will take her for his mother , not his wife . i doe not yet tell you all , i protest i cannot . nature gave her nothing amiable , which old age could take from her . time cannot ravish away those goods shee never possest . all it could doe , is onely to make her more aged , not more ill favoured . she is rather an old deformity then , woman . it might well deprive her of strength , but not of beauty . it hath toucht nothing but her haire , and by this she is a gainer , since of red it is become white , i speake nothing but truth , although i write in choller . but i ought so to proceede , and there is no appearance of reason to approve , that the deformed should be sued to , and the faire slighted . must they which want all merit , enjoy so much good fortune , and our belinde be forsaken ? i know well the custome is ancient , and that this disorder hath been begunne before our age . it is no newes that fortune should be sparing of her favors where nature hath been prodigall of hers , but this imports not much nor doth it lessen my despight . the examples i have read in story affect mee not so much as that of belinde . albeit , we know that death is inevitable , we omit not to lament our friends departed . and tho we be certaine of this truth , that it is a fate ordinary to persons most deserving , it ceases not to be irke some to us . this is the cause of my distemper : and i thinke there is none that hath a thought contrary to mine , if he know the merit as well as the misfortune of faire belinde . you know the affection which i beare her , and i wish some meanes to testifie unto you , that which i have to remaine , madam , your most obedient , &c. the third answer . shee shewes that this marriage will be more happy then is thought . and sends her a paralell to the newes she had received . madam i finde the choise of lydian as worthy of praise , as you depaint it full of blame . you ought not to be so spightfull to him , nor envious to her he loves . to desire belinde should be happy . it is not needfull bumante be not so . you may wish good to the one without harme to the other . by your discourse it should seeme fortune hath not wherwith to please both , and that she can give nothing to the old which shee takes not from the young . you will change your opinion , if you consider what is necessary for lydian . hee hath neede of a governesse as well as of a wife : and seeing they are both obliged to enjoy their goods in common , their marriage shall have of all sorts . he hath for her , riches , and beauty , she hath for him wisedome , and age . he looketh upon that in her , which least perisheth in al others , i meane the qualities of the soule , rather then those of the face . it often happens that time effacing the faire feature , effaces from our soules affection bred by beauty . t is there that he is exempted from inconstancy , and shall never be subject to repent . but in what humour did you write this letter : you say that numante is imperfect without touching the good she injoyes . hath shee not prudence , and vertue ? and without these two qualities , what will all the rest availe us ? i should like an angell better under a visage something deformed , then a devill with all the beauty of the world . her conversation is pleasing , and profitable , hee will become an honest man in her company ; and if others cease to be mistresses after their marriage , this shall then beginne , see the advantage he shall get , and then judge if you have reason to finde fault with the wife , or blame the husband . but i must returne you like for like in matter of newes : and make you see by these , that wee also are in a countrey of monsters . we have a woman in our county , whom all the world esteemes lovely : and which neverthelesse is farre gone in affection to a certaine man , without any cause imaginable , more then lydian can pretend for numante . hardly hath he a face like others , and i thinke were he found among a company of apes he would be taken for a brother : consider well all his p●rts , it is impossible to finde any which merit patience , so much does he want those which may procure love ; meane time he is happie , albeit he deserve it not ; but it is time to finish this , w ch is enough to shew you , how many have cause to complaine of fortune , and i especially , since she hath alwayes beene so contrary to me , that till this present i could never finde any good occasion to serve you , or to expresse how much i am madam your most affectionate , &c. the fourth letter . being derided by some for saying to a greater personage then her selfe i love you : she labours to prove that this forme of speech is good . madam , i am not afraid to write unto you againe that i love you ; and those that accuse me of ignorance , because i use this word , can never cleere themselves , they know no more the lawes of phylosophy , than those of civility , the word love expresses respect , better than that of feare . and i know not why men take it ill , since god himselfe is contented with it , when he sayes that we should adore him , he sayes also that wee should love him . i say more he contents not himselfe to permit , but he commands it . t is strange to see how farre the vanity of man extends : which is not satisfied with the same termes that god would have us employ , to expresse the respect we owe him . are we equall unto him , if wee say wee love him ? or have men reason to demand more of one another than god himselfe demands of them ? but leave wee these divine arguments , there are enough humane , feare may well be without love , but love never without feare ; slaves may feare and yet not love , but children cannot love , and not feare : t is shallow to say that the word love imports equality ; children are not so great as their parents , albeit they love them . the least may love the greatest , for men may love god. i thinke also that this manner of speech doth not displease you : since you like to be beloved , you should not loath to heart it ; finally doe not beleeve that i honour you the lesse for saying i love you . this fashion of expression , shewes the excesse of my affection , not of my boldnesse . i love you then , and am more than any person of the world , madam , your honourer , the fourth answer . shee prooves that wee may not say to greater persons we love them , but we honour them . madam , i saw your letter in the hands of celinde , who hath commanded mee to answer it : otherwise i had hardly beene able to resolve upon it . i doe love my opinions so well that i would maintaine them with dispute . i abandon them freely to every assailant , and finde more relish in peace , than glory . if i could overcome you i should like better it should be by my respects , than my reasons , this victory should be more agreeable to my duty , and my humour . if i thought to displease you , i would desire your cousin to dispense me the labour : and should assuredly beleeve my obedience blameable . i would not endanger the losse of your friendship to defend a word or a sillable . i am not so blinde to violate the lawes of civility to maintaine those of grammar . i could likewise tell you that you should not put your selfe in choler against one that hath no intent to disquiet you : and which had never blamed this forme of speech , if she had thought you would have undertaken to defend it , but since in your letter you have toucht so neere the quicke , as to make my opinion passe forridiculous , suffer me in a few words to make it appeare reasonable . it seemes to me then that speaking to those above us ; it s better to say wee honour them , than to say onely we love them . i thinke it would make the court laugh heartily , if one should say to the queene in a complement , madam i love you . it may be this would passe in another country , or in another age : but seeing we ought to accommodate our language to those that live with us , there is no reason to reigle our civility by that of pharamond or of china . i am not much taken with proverbes , excepting those of solomon , but yet i must tell you i like that which counsels to live , as few doe , but to speake with the most , wee ought not to doe as others , but to speake like them : our actions we must conforme to reason , but our words to custome . t is a vanity to play the philosopher upon every name , to see if it doe well expresse the nature of the thing , we ought in this rather to follow use than argument , but i am content to employ both the one and the other to cleere our difficulty ; as for use t is plaine enough on my side , and now let us see if reason be contrary . is it not true that wee ought to entertaine great persons with discourse witnessing our submission . and i leave you to thinke if this word imploying reverence , be not fitter for this than that of love , or friendship , since when a nobleman sayes i love you : a vassall cannot reply as much without treating him like an equall , what difference should there then be betweene the complements of the high and the low , and wherein should the language of authority be distinguished from that of obedience ? that which they say for fathers , may be said for all others on whom we depend . love doth never ascend which shewes not onely that children doe not returne as much love as they receive from their parents ; but also that they ought not to say they love them , but when parents promise affection , children must offer obedience ; this complement must not remount to the spring , not that we are not obliged to love them , but our love in this place must expresse it selfe by the mouth of feare . and whereas you say that god commands we love him , and a word which pleases him should not displease men : i will answere onely , that in the same place he commands also that wee adore him , and that he requires feare as well as love ; or i may cite one law for another . if god will that we love him , he wils also that we honour our parents . it seemes to me there is great difference betweene the honour we owe to him , and that we render unto men ; he requires our consciences , and demands rather the motions of the heart , then the words of the mouth : he hath no neede of any man , but wee have neede one of another , he craves the service of the heart , and men want that of the hand ▪ he desires not our actions , except , because they proceede from love ; and men oft times seeke not affection , but onely for the profitable effects which it produceth , say what you list wee draw more service from slaves , which feare without love , then from those which love without feare love doth often aspire to equality , but feare doth alwayes containe within respect . men therefore are to seeke that which is most assured , whilest god loves nothing in us , but that which is most noble . this is the reason that speaking to those of higher degree then our selves , t is better to say we honour them , then , we love them ; this complement doth more please , and the terme of respect doth better expresse our dependance than that of love or friendship . i could pursue this matter , and bring many other reasons to maintaine my cause , but it sufficeth me to shew that it is not so ridiculous as you describe it . i neede not so many proofes , t is enough that i have custome on my side , since our language , and civility , doe absolutely depend thereupon , but to finish this letter , i must make you a complement according to reason , and not according to your humour , and while you say to others that you love them , i assure you that i honour you . never change your fashion of speech : i am well content that you love mee onely , and shall therefore respect you in the quality . madam of your most humble , &c. the fifth letter . shee professeth how timorous shee is to displease her , adjoyning that if shee write seldome she feares to be deemed unthankefull ; if often , importune . madam , the desire i have to please you , is so tyed to the feare of all successe , that i perceive my selfe alwaies obliged to beg your pardon , be it that you heare much newes or very little from me . if i write rarely to you , i feare to be ingratefull , if frequently , troublesome . neverthelesse , if i must needes be guilty , i should hope a more easie remission of the first then second crime . i beleeve you will sooner excuse a want of power then of will. it is true that the desire depends upon our liberty , but the effect commonly upon fortune , you know it well enough ; and therfore the consideration of your goodnesse ministers me more assurance , then my owne defects doubt . i freely confesse my inability , to write good letters ; but i thinke t is more acceptable to have an affection to doe you service , then eloquence to offer it . and what imports it in this occasion , to violate the lawes of rhetorique , provided wee observe those of friendship . i had rather passe faithfull , then able . it troubles me little tho your opinion be bad of my judgment , so it be good of my affection , and the desire i have to be , madam , your , &c. the fifth answer . she replies , that she doth ill to distrust acceptance whether she write , or not . madam , it must needes be , that you have an ill opinion of my humour , seeing you are so much afraide not to bee able to satisfy it . albeit it shold be crosse to all others , i would endeavour to render it conformable to yours . in this my inclination strayes not from my duty ; and pardon mee if i tell you , you know mee not , since you feare me . if you were well acquainted with the opinion i have of your merit , you could not faile in that you ought to have of my observance . i can assure you that all the thoughts of my soule are so submisse to those of yours , that t is impossible but you should content me . if you write often , i take it for an effect of your courtesie . if rarely , i attribute your silence to your employments and affaires . moreover , you cannot be unthankefull to a person that never obliged you , nor troublesome to her which adores all that you approve , you have too much courage to want wil , and too much power , not to produce the effects may witnesse it , but why doe you handle me in this sort by your letter ? you thanke me for a good turne which i make you but desire , and you have not yet received . and you write to mee with so much civility , that you make me in case not to be able to returne just thanks for yours , and then you say further , that you want not onely occasions to gratifie mee , but words to shew the desire you have to do it . thinke what you list , certainely i see none that can expresse themselves with a better grace : and if you be not satisfied with your own discourses , and writings , beleeve it , your opinion is singular . for my self , i finde them so agreeable that besides the content i have to understand by your letters that you love mee , i finde my selfe all joy , reading the sweet language you employ to assure me thereof . i want an equall pen to praise yours , and therefore content my selfe to averre the excellence , without endevouring to describe it : i apprehend the goodnesse of it , but cannot expresse it . iudge then if your feare bee reasonable ; since mine is onely this , not to receive newes from you so frequently , as i wish , and not to give you evidence enough how much i am madam , your most &c. the sixt letter . she acknowledgeth that it is sufficient to suffer her letters , without doing her the honour to desire them . madam , i received no lesse astonishment then joy , when i learn●d by yours , that you desire mine . i thought your sufferance honor enough , could not aspire to be requested . you tell mee that to make you happy i need doe no more but write . if it be so , i shall so overlade you with number , that you shall soone have cause to complaine your felicity , insupportable . it shall not be long ere you forbid mee that you now command . if there be as you say no more to doe to dispell sicknesse , you neede henceforth never distrust the losse of health , but take heede the remedy be not more troublesome then the disease . i know well enough what i ought thinke of it : if i should beleeve it , i should be no lesse simple , then you covetous . i acknowledge no lesse kindnes in your letters then in your entertainement , but however , it shall not trouble mee to write unto you , since you command it , provided that you promise me an answer , i shall be glad to send bad letters to gaine good ; but if in mine you cannot finde vivacity enough to content you , i hope at least that you shall observe a great affection to serve you , and to be all my life madam , your , &c. the sixt answer . she assures her that shee cannot heare from her too oft . madam , i know not why you say the care i have to heare from you , does no l●sse astonish , then content you . this desire in no wise deserves your admiration , seeing t is long since that i have made you understand it : nor your joy , since it can procure you nought but trouble , you should not marvell , if i demand some witnesse of your remembrance : it cannot be , but you have forgotten the request i made you , when i was at paris , and i acknowledge that you have yet neede be sollicited , to doe a favour that you have promised . not able to enjoy your entertainement , you must not wonder , if i demand your letters ; and if seeing my selfe depri●ed of so great a good , i have recourse to the only remedy of my losse t is a favour so great , that the possession , in stead of quenching , encreases the desire . finally let it not trouble you to restifie your friendship , and seeke no more proofes for one that is wholl perswaded . however i could say in your behalfe , that you should not be simple to beleeve it , nor i over covetous to affirme it ; for t is a truth , which is enough to free you from error , me from flattery . i delight to speake of what you wish , and i owe you ; i have neither praise enough for your merit , nor thankes enough for your courtesie , nor can i ever satisfie the one , or the other , but by the extreame desire i have to be madam , your , &c. the seventh letter . she saith that the society of the countrey is insupportable , and that shee lesse feares their contempt , then their importunity . madam , i can no more , i am at point to lose my reputation , or my health , whether i suffer these troublesome clownes , or tell them the distaste their ignorance merits . it seemes my castle is like the pallace of apollidon , where a world was still seene enter , and goe out by troupes , my resolution is set , i had rather it were a desert , then a court. i wish that they who have no qualities requisite for society , had at least an inclination to solitude , but their humor imports me nothing , i had rather satisfie my owne , then the civilities of the countrey ; to what end should i give them contentment at my owne cost , and live alwaies in constraint to acquire the reputation of being courteous ? i see no recompence for the paines i should take : and whatever happen , i will no longer play so troublesome a part . the comparison is not amisse , since to please them i disease my selfe no lesse , then those on a theater to content the spectators , who straine themselves both in voyce and gesture : i must renounce this confusion , and reading , or dreaming passe the time . i know there be ●ad boo●es , but t is an easier matter to shift a bad auther t●en bad company books doe not importune us against our will , how dangerous soeverthey be , they are unmoving enemies , which cannot come at us , if we seeke not them . if they vex us , we may cast them away , or teare them ( if we list ) they cannot complaine ; it is not so with these petty sirs , which never cease prating , t is not so easie to make them silent as to shut a booke . i thinke it bett●r not to see them at all , then to seek occasions to suffer them . i am resolved what to invent for fashions sake to keep them off : i will make it be noised abroad that i am sicke . and and so i shall quickely be , if i suffer them continue their visits , t is better i suppose to seeme , then to be so : better to deceive then anger them ; to oblige them to lament , then to complaine of me , but whatever happen , if my device succeede not , i like their neglect better then their officiousnes : and had rather put them in a humor of rayling , then complement . the greatest ill i feare , is their company : and i shall alwayes have more patience for the effects of their hatred , then for those of their good will , see my resolution : which it it seeme to you unreasonable , give mee the meanes to vanquish it , and you shall quickely perceive , that i have not yet any designe contrary to that of obeying you , and testifying by all meanes possible that i am perfectly madam your , &c. the seventh answer . she counsels her to straine her selfe a little , to suffer company lesse agreeable , and that shee betray no contempt , for feare of receiving it . madam , never complaine of the countrey you are in : if there be affection without civility , here is civility without affection . i should rather choose a freedome somewhat rude , then dissimulation with all the sweetenesse of the world . as there is no paint can make mee love deformity ; so there is no supplenes , nor cunning can make me suffer scorne . change then your resolution , if you have taken that not to be seene . t is better to receive displeasing complements , then expose your selfe to publicke displeasure . remember your selfe , that if we must seeke the approbation of few , we must flye the detraction of all , wee owe our opinions to truth , our countenance to opinion , for their fashion of living , or discourse , you may laugh at them in your sleeve , provided outwardly you seeme to approve them . i beseech you consider that the subject of your choller would serve for recreation to many others ; who would goe to seeke in the countrey that which you there thinke insupportable , without doubt you will be thought of a bad humour , if you cannot with patience suffer those that offer you their service . if they tender not their duty with a good grace , take their affection , and make sport at their ceremonies accept their purpose , and laugh at their discourse , otherwise you will passe for unthankeful , and uncivill , know you not also that christianity bindes us to support the weakenesse of our neighbours ? and since they love you , you ought to tolerate them , both by reason , and religion . charity obliges you thereto as well as pleasure . it is no small matter to gaine the affections of people ; and therefore wee should be carefull to leave a good smell where we come . this is my advice , and since you doe me the honour to demand it , i hope it shall not prove distastefull , but you will take it for a testimony of the affection i have to be madam your , &c. the eight letter . shee complaines of the disorders at paris , and prefers the dive●sions of the country to those of the court. madam , for the newes i receive of the change of states and provinces , i can returne you none but that of the fall of leaves , and change of seasons , i meane for great matters , i can only send you little . thinke not for all this i complaine of the place where i am , if the remembrance of your company occasions mee some griefe , that of your distractions lends me no envy , when i consider you in the disorders at paris , i cannot but lament you : perhaps you do as much for me , and esteeme my condition more worthy of pitty then yours , but i assure my selfe you would change your opinion , had you tarryed some while in the countrey ; you should find that the country life hath pleasures more solid , then that of the court , & that nature there gives us true contentments , whiles fortune elsewhere makes us but taste those that are imaginary , it happens oft that the happiest at court , resemble those that run after an inchanted hare , they see alwaies what to hope for , seldome whereof to rejoyce ; this is not to be happy , but to be abused . insomuch that taking away the errour of courtiers , you take from them all their delights . those which shew them the truth of their misery , doe them no lesse hurt , then if they awakt them from a pleasing dreame . but it is not you that neede be entertained with this discourse ; i know well enough you have no thoughts but very reasonable : and if you stay at court , t is not because you finde much sweetenesse there ; but because you are enured to suffer the troubles , and incommodities that are inseparable , when you call me back to paris , tel me not that it is to enjoy the allurements there to be found , to make me returne , it is enough to know that you are there , but for your company , which renders every place delectable , i could say that the conntrey is the object of my desire , paris of my patience . i stay in the one by inclination , in the other by constraint , this is as much as i can say of it . and now i thanke you for all the particularities that you have taught me , whereof the exchange will still be after the old fashion : i meane instead of good deedes , you get from mee nothing but bare words , and a very simple assurance , but very true , that i am madam your , &c. the eight answer . she replies that the recreations of the country are not more solid , but more grosse , not more innocent , but more rude . madam , be not so violent against the delights of paris , they are more worthy of your desire , then your contempt , you are in the wrong to raile against those pleasures , no lesse innocent then reall . and i can hardly beleeve that you speake in good earnest : but rather to shew the goodnesse of your wit , then the truth of your opinion . t is then to your letter , not your intent i answer . i esteeme you too capeable to give , and take delight in company , to thinke you have made a vow of solitude , and that this designe would prove contrary to your owne humour , as well as our wishes . i should thinke it strange that you should fall in love with the countrey , after you have thereof restified so much horrour , you say that the recreations there found are more solid : i should rather say they are more dull . your pleasures are not more innocent , but more salvage . it must needes be that you have no memory , since you have no sorrow ; but whatsoever you say , i thinke it be not so : and that there is not so much constancy in your spirit , as in your letter . what finde you out of paris that can so much enchant you ? you meane the chanting of birds ; and do you more esteeme the note of a nightingall , than those of our musitians ? d' ye love a bagpipe better than a lute ? you see the flocks , you see the shepherdesses runne , you goe a hunting , all this may bee called country pleasure , and after all this you have nothing , but wee have here the same . we see flowers , and eate fruites aswell as you : you have the onely advantage to see them gathered , or rather the disadvantage . i like the comparison of those who say , that if the world be a great body , country villages make the hands , the feete , the nayles , and the haire ; and that the cities are like the stomacke , which receives all , and possesses those goods which others provide for it . finally , i know not how you can say , you are in a place of true pleasures , when you are among the miserable . change then your opinion , and come backe to paris , where all the world desites you , but more than all the rest of the world , madam , your , &c. the ninth letter . she complaines of the inconstancy of a certaine man , and saith it is ordinary to those of his sexe . madam , at length my prophecies are accomplisht , and what i foresaw is come to passe . the man is yet alive , and his affection which ought to live alwayes , dead for ever . so many oathes as hee made of constancy serve but to encrease his crime ; as if hee had not beene guilty enough to owne the quality of unconstant , except hee added that of perjur'd . these chances have not surprised mee , since i alwaies expected them from the very birth of his friendshippe ; and the yeares hee hath worne out in a will to serve me , have wrought mee to no other beliefe . i know well that lightnesse to their sexe is like death to all the world , which arrives to some sooner , to others later , but with a little difference of time is inevitable to all . how could he , being but a man doe a miracle , and remaine constant ? i should have judged it impossible , if i had hoped it . the unavoydable necessity which carries all of his sexe to change , forbids me to reply , or to reproach . this is not the designe obliges me to write : but rather to make him know that being unable to change humour , i have not lost the esteeme i made of his love . my thoughts of him have alwayes beene reasonable , conformd to civility , and vertue , and being able to conserve them without fault , i shall keepe them the rest of my life , but if i preserve so good an opinion of those who have lost affection , judge how much i shall respect those which love mee as your selfe : and if i am not like to remaine constant in the purpose i have to serve you , and to be whilst i live , madam , your , &c. the ninth answere . she shewes that inconstancy is no more naturall to men then women , and reprehends her overcredulous humor . madam , it is no great glory to be such a prophet as you : it is easie to judge that men may change : they are no more immoveable then immortall . their designes are capeable of alteration , as well as their life : but what say you in this , that men cannot say of women ? albeit , either sexe may invent for their advantage , i beleeve that inconstancy is no lesse common to both , then death it selfe . i cannot comprehend , how our resolutions should be lesse light , nor why the opinions of the weaker sex should be more strong . i speake onely for truth , not against you nor my selfe . i know that there are some more constant then many men : but that which i can say of some particulars without flattery , i cannot say of the generall without error . i doe not offend the constant , to maintaine that some are not , how much this is more rare , so much it is more laudable , that vertue is mos● glorious to the practise of which we are least disposed . many have no lesse paine to be constant , amidst so many occasions to lose it , then to carry a torch lighted , when the winde from every corner offers to blow it out , but i will no longer entertaine you with this subject , i content my selfe to say , that we ought not to reproach all men in general , bnt onely some particulars with inconstancy , he of whom you complaine is of this number , and there is no colourable reason , that finding one culpable , we should judge so of all the rest , your complaint is a little unjust , and i find by reading your letter , that an angry woman hardly keepes moderation , in venting of her choller : it seemes to me notwithstanding , that you have had leasure to dispose you to patience : and since you alwaies had some suspition , the event should not surprise you , your foresight should diminish your admiration , and your griefe , would you know more cleerely my intention . if you had any conjecture of his naturall maladie , you should have interrupted the tragedy , if i had foreseen his designe , i had prevented him by a generous contempt , not entertained him with sufferance . i had remedyed the ill i knew , not taken pleasure to receive offers of service , which i suspected , i see well enough how you are abused ; you had some doubt of his lightnesse , but no assurance , otherwise i should judge you more worthy to be jeer'd then pittyed . finally you will needs play the constant , for those that meane nothing lesse . it seemes by your letter that you doe yet hold him in some esteeme , but i know not what merit , you find in a person that does not acknowledge yours . nor can i imagine him guilty of wit that hath slighted his owne good fortune , or able to make a handsome choise , that hath once quitted you . i suppose how it goes ? you are , it may be , of the humour of many , who have the misfortune to be inclined to those who have neither affection , nor desert , and who are passionate for them that are neither amorous nor amiable . i wish i be deceived , and that my prophecies be alwaies false , when they are not to your advantage , they may notwithstanding prove so to you , if you flye the evill i foretell , and if you give no more opportunity to have your goodnes abused by those that know your facility . i speak according to my heart , aswell as according to my duty , and i thinke you will take nothing ill of what i write , seeing all the liberty i use proceeds but from the extreame desire i have to be , madam your , &c. the x. letter . shee tels what the vulgar thinkes of brave spirits . madam , i protest , i shall hardly content you , and albeit all the world discourses of brave spirits , it seemes to me neverthelesse , that they agree not in their description . i will tell you nothing of my opinion but that of others : and will rather assure you what they say of them , then what they are in effect , doe not then abuse your selfe touching my purpose ; i have no other , but to write to you some of the absurdities which they attribute to them , and not to combat them by reason . and i think to set them downe , is enough to confute them , and to shew their extravagancy , sufficient to bring thē in hatred . i will tell you then , that one of their principall maximes is to condemne all , they cannot comprehend : as if their opinion ought to be the rule of our actions , and nothing were reasonable , but what is thereto conformable : by their sayings , the vertue which wise men follow , is b● them accounted , but a chimera . religion overthrowes their sense , and with an ignorance and impiety without paralell , they find not onely what to reforme in the providence of men , but also in that of god himself ; in so much that there is nothing divine , nor humane , wherein they find no blemish . i leave you to judge , if it be so , how much this sect should be abhord by those that have soule or conscience . neverthelesse , t is a misfortune that the novelty of this ( with some dexterity , they observe to establish it ) gaines the beliefe of ma●y , who admire , if they doe follow them . these brave spirits say , that they are bent against none , but bad opinions , and that their chiefe aime is to restore reason , and vertue to their ancient force . howbeit , they are accused to oppose both the one , and the other , to the end they may the better establish licentiousnesse , and vice . i could say more but i would have my words as innocent as my thoughts . and also i feare to describe them rather according to the errour of the world , then according to the truth of their being . let us leave then what they say of their conscience , to speake of that they see in their countenance , let us quit their actions , to entertaine our selves with their lookes . if they have not faults enough to condemne them , at least they have markes visible enough to make them be knowne . they have certaine deportments , whereby when they would demonstrate the force , they shew but to much the feeblenesse of their soules . if their life fright you , their countenance makes you laugh ; and if they be atheists in heart , they are buffons in conversation . you shall see some of these fellowes retire from the company , the ha● puld downe in their eyes , the band out of order , and bigger then ordinary , striking with their feete against the ground . instead of being ashamed of themselves they perke up and downe every where , and doe not onely make private places the witnesses of their folly , but also the publicke , as the ●ourt , the exchange , the walkes , with all their studyed postures they would passe for great persons , never thinking that their apish trickes , doe better resemble madmen , then sages . neverthelesse , they take them for signes of a brave spirit , and would have their stupidity , passe for vigour , their coldnesse for prudence . they call their silence an effect of that divine ravishment , which is the mother of beautious thoughts , thus they name their defects , and would have their sottishnesse passe for sagenesse . this dazzles but the vulgar , and catches those onely which love novelty better then reaso● . but let us passe on . they offend not onely in the beleife they hold of themselves , but in that they have of others , they seeme displeased , and are distasted even with the best things . although any speak excellent well in their company , they give , or deny their approbation by a nod , or a smile . these are the judges of our discourse , and our actions . rarely doe they give a perfect praise : they find that solid spirits are grosse , polished , light , or ignorant . if any good word escape them , as it may happen sometimes by chance , t is strange to heare with what accent they pronounce it . but we have spoken enough of them ; that which they doe to acquire the esteem of the world loses it , they would passe for wise , and are thought extravagant . never sect was lesse followed th●n theirs : and i thinke they are alone in their opinion , when they think well of themselves . this is what i have to write touching the judgement many make of brave spirits . i pray you beleeve this letter is none of the least witnesses of my complacency , since not being used to speake of what i know not , i have notwithstanding broken my purpose , to obey you without reserve , and to testify the absolute power which you have madam , over your , &c. the x. answer . shee defends great spirits provided they be not impious . madam , having well read your letter , i am much astonisht , that a person like you in reputation for a noble spirit , would blame those that resemble you , giving no other reason , save that their opinions are not conformable to the vulgar . certainely , if i were to make their apology , i would begin their praise , where you begin their accusation . ought we not to esteeme their worth , if they had rather do well , then doe like others ? they know that imitation should have ei●s to see if the example be good , or evill ; and that it is not enough to make the blind walke with assurance , that they have guides , if they know not also that these guides know to conduct them , they have reason to beleeve , that it is better ta●e the right way , with a few wise , then wander with a multitude offooles . and to say , that if they be reasonable , it is not after the common manner , and that they are but ieer'd : i answer they doe no more in this then hath beene done to all the ancient sages , hath not philosophy it selfe appeared ridiculous to the eyes of many ? and have we not alwayes seen , that people are no lesse incensed , when you reverse some sottish custome , then if you had beate downe all their altars , and rob'd them of their i dols ! besides the cause of this hate is easie to be found : it is because the middle spirits cannot suffer what is above them : and being unable to raise themselves , they thinke it glory enough to endeavou● the downefall of others . we love resemblance , because we love our selves . it is not misery alone , but ignorance also that seekes comfort in company , and you know that spirits , no more then the eyes , can suffer brightnesse , when themselves are feeble . i confesse that if they be wicked , t is reason they be hated : and if they be enemies to religion , i protest , that i am not onely averse from their sect , but also afraid of it . if wee could love spirit without goodnesse , wee must needes love the devils : seeing they have much more of it then all the libertines of the time , but if you except this , i am not resolv'd to hate them , because others doe not love them . i must see whether they be innocent or guilty , that i may not abuse my love nor hate , whereof are they accused ? t is said they oppose ceremony , and endeavour to banish it from commerce . in this sure they are not much in the wrong , since oftentimes t is but a mountebank that sets a falsehood , for a truth . if they have nothing to doe , but with her , i am of their side , what is there oft more troublesome , then that we call complement ? to what end so many offers of service which we never meane to performe . to what serve all those studied phrases , but enter abuse each other ? and what colour for it , to use the same discourse to every impertinent fellow , & to our honest friends to speake plainely , our civility hath too much dawbing ; and is but a comaedian : she speakes the language of the stage , and plaies a fained part , and say what they list , we are obliged to those which would take away the plaister of dissimulation , and restore freedome to society , candor to commerce . they will tell me , that following the humor of great spirits , we should speake with no lesse sophistry , though fewer words : i answer , that if there bee no lesse craft , there would be lesse disprofit , and if there be no more reality , at least there would be lesse trouble , wee should be no more non plusd with these complement . flingers , conversation should be more free , lesse importune . i know t is opposite to the humor of many , to speake after any other moode : but what imports the number of those that are in error ? we must not give over combatting this monster , because it hath many heads . as we may condemne superstition without offence to piety : wee may also oppose unreasonable ceremonie , without engaging true civility ; yon will say to me , perhaps , that if the inventers of these fashions of speech , and living , were in the wrong ; those that follow them are in the right ; that it is dangerous to reverse an established custome ; and that it is oft harder to turne the course , then that of a river . i confesse it difficult but you shall grant me , that it is more noble to undertake it , and more glorious to goe through with it . if none had been so hardy to change untoward fashions , wee should yet be appareld like those ladies , painted in the galleries at the louuer : we should yet weare great sleeves , and fardingals , let us speake of the customes in carriage , and cloathing , as of that of speech : and let us banish , if we can , from conversation a thousand petty toyes , no lesse tedious , then superfluous , chiefly let us not take it ill , that some endeavour it . let us march cheerefully in the way that others have plained for us . if we have not courage enough to doe this , let us leave the war to others , and be content our selves to enjoy the frui●es of victory . although i would not enterprise to force this enemy out of the world , notwithstanding , i wish him expeld . i know we have neede of civility ; but since it depends on our owne judgement , we erre if we make it not lesse irke some . and seeing we toucht matter of apparell , which these great spirits desire not so over orderly , doe not you finde it strange , to see many like puppets , habiliate themselves , as if they went to make a shew upon the theatre : this is enough to put preachers in choller , and phylosophers into a laughter . but let us not forget that which makes brave spirits most odious : they say they do sometimes dream , instead of discourse in company & that this is aneffect of contempt , or ignorance : that in this they cannot be defended , seeing they are either unable to talke as they should , or jealous not to be understood . certainely t is for these two reasons that i would commend them : for if they cannot speake have they not reason to hold their peace ? if they can , but cannot bee understood , why should they display their excellent conceptions before sots that know not the price , take their silence how you will , it is very reasonable , since holding their peace , they shew at least , that if they have some defect , they have not that to shew it , and if they have some good qualities , they looke for competent iudges , whose esteeme is worth meriting , say what they will , when our company is neither fit to discourse , nor able to apprehend , wee must have recourse to fancy , seeing there is no satisfaction to be expected in speech , or attention . all that remaines to speak of , is their apish lookes , which i will not defend , if they be extravagant : i will onely say that if this be bad in them , we must not therefore cease to praise that which is good , we doe not leave the use of moone-light , for any spots we find in her body : nor doe we feare to gather flowers , though they dwell in the neighborhood of thornes . finally let them baw●e as long as they will against brave spirits , i cannot resolve my selfe to find fault with those persons against whom nothing can be said , but that their entertainements are lesse strained , their habits lesse neate , their opinions lesse popular . the xi . letter . shee rejoyceth that shee is reconciled with her , and confesseth freely the torment shee indured , during their coldnesse . madam , i am angry that you have prevented mee in repairing our old correspondence , there is notwithstanding some justice in it : for since you have beene the first to breake it , t was fit you should be to restablish it . but if i have not begunne , i beseech you beleeve , it was not want of affection , but hardinesse . it seemed to me , that i had no right to demand a favour done mee by courtesy , and taken away by iustice . t is thus i speake of the honour of your favour , assuring you that i cannot deserve it , that you may have the more obligation upon mee when i possesse it . i will neverthelesse say freely , that if there be nothing in me worth your friendship , i thinke there is nothing that merits your hate . i have imperfection , but no malice . i may be the object of your compassion , but not of your choller . see in what fashion , i feare to loose your love since yet i justifie my selfe , as if i had not already received remission , being onely unfortunate , i beg your pardon , as if i were guilty , which i shall never be in what concernes you , and provided you fall not into error , i feare not to fall into disgrace . it behoves me to retake my courage with my good fortune , and having beene mute so long , that i tel you the paine as well as the cause of my silence . i cannot say how much evill i have endured , during my beleife that you wisht mee no good . i will make a free confession of my thoughts . how angry soever i have bin , my affection hath not beene blotted out of my soule ; it was but a copy of my countenance . i thought my honour lost , if i had not seem'd offended . never was vengeance like to that which animated mee against you : i floted betwixt desire , and feare to doe you harme , and to speake more cleerely , i never ceased to love you , but onely to expresse it . and so much did it want , that my affection was diminished , that on the contrary , it was like a secret fire not quencht , but onely covered ; and which became the more violent , when it had lesse liberty to appeare . and i will make you see on all occasions , that for what is past , i have never beene lesse then i am madam your , &c. the xi . answer . shee shewes her her error to be angry upon false roports , and adviseth her not to beleeve too lightly . madam i am very glad that you have not ceased to love me , but only to tell me so . notwithstanding i pray you beleeve that to make me happy , it is not enough to doe me this favour , i must also believe that i possesse it , without which as i should have reason to doubt of it , so also to be ill satisfied , we are not rich in those goods which wee beleeve not to enjoy : nor may we be cald contented for a felicity to us unknowne , tell me not the error , you were in , tooke not away your affection , but onely in appearance not in truth : for if the opinion of being offended , was enough to vexe you what ought i to be , that beleeved my selfe innocent ? i received the greatest injury , since you judged it possible , i should offer it , you could not be in choller , except you were in errour , but i had ground for it , because you had none . i owe you but a purgation , but you owe me a satisfaction , you received wrong , but from my shaddow , but i from your selfe iudge in this case what i might have done : and neverthelesse i sought to you alwayes with the same affection : there was nothing alterd in mee , but the ordinary alacrity , which i shewed , when we were better agreed . your countenance was chang'd by misprision , mine by affliction . i complain'd of you , instead of condemning you : & the extremity of my friendship carryed me to the point , to offer you the pardon you ought to seeke . i laboured to vanquish you by submission , rather then by reason , and to tostifie the excesse of my love , before i shewed you the right of my cause . see how farre the feare to lose your alliance hath carryed me ; and put your selfe no more in danger , to lose a good friend for a bad opinion . i beseech you esteeme more my affection , then your oversight , and beleeve when you shall be sicke again of the same disease , i have no more to doe , but undeceive you to make you whole . it s no great matter i aske of you , if to instruct you , be to satisfie . remember that you have never beene so cruel , as when you have been so credulous , doe not imagine but that there are slanderers : and when you heare ill of me , instead of thinking my actions so , can you not consider they may be false reports ? is there not as much reason to beleeve mee innocent , as them true ? and what , must i to conserve your friendship , put all liers to death and to eloigne you from error , banish all seducers ? if it were so , your affection would not be assured : it is better finde a remedy more certaine for mee , more glorious for you . chase away credulity , and i le quit my feare . your friendship will be stable , provided your beliefe be not too light . we need not disarme those that assaile us , when we have bucklers to to defend their blowes . let the serpents keepe their poyson , provided , wee bee provided wherewith to heale their sting . if we cannot take malice from our enemies , wee can at least stop our eares against detraction . and to contemne them , is defence enough , this is what i humbly beg , or i must tremble without ceasing , or be assured of the integrity of all that talke with you ; that i may be so , of the opinion you should conceive of my friendship . true , it is you comfort mee a little , when you assure that it was not without constrant , you shewed coldnesse . i am halfe satisfied to know that when you put me to paine , it was not without the first taste , but i shall be yet more glad to see you corrected then punished : and desire no other satisfaction , then to finde you free of errour . abuse your selfe no more , and thinke it not generosity to be pettish against a person , that knowes not how to give you ground for it . if there be not as much courage in vengeance , as in pardon , yea when one is offended ; how shall wee call the feeling that transports you , upon the bare opinion of an injury ? thinke of it well for the future , and imagine the price i set upon your friendship , by the care i have tane to preserve it , when you betrayd an indifferency for mine . and after this i beleeve you will not doubt how deepely i am , madam your , &c. the xii . letter . shee shewes that they are to blame , who blame those that st●ddy , and write . madam , i have read her letter , who takes it ill that women should study . but it seemes to mee that her faire fancies savour nothing of the ignorance she commends : and that she appeares knowing , by blaming those that are . they say wee cannot oppose eloquence , without the helpe of eloquence : wee may say the same of knowledge , which cannot be assaulted but with her owne weapons . thus shee does when she contemnes this divine quality : since there is not one of her words , which shewes not , she possesses it , doe not imagine that i meane to make an apology for the knowing , to do it i must be so : and as knowledge cannot be set upon , but by those that have it , so must the same advantage bee had to defend it , you know well enough that i pretend it not , and if i speake for it , t is rather to witnesse the force of my affection , than that of my spirit . at least i am not of so bad a humour as many others , which contemne a good quality , because themselves want it . moreover i cannot suffer the injury they doe our sexe , to thinke wee cannot be innocent , except we be ignorant . it is a great disposition to doe good , but to know how it must be done : and if knowledge be capeable of presumption , ignorance is not free of error . ●s it not better to contemne ill , then not to know it ; and to va●quish ones enemies , then not to see them ? in this the fable and philosophy speake in the same fashion : pallas was not so vitious as venus , and the poets that faine the goddesse of love without modesty , have fained her also without knowledge . i assure my selfe you will laugh when you reade this , where i cite passages , as if i would shew my reading . t is zeale transports me to defend a cause , wherein it seemes to me your selfe have interest . i vafue the learned , and wish my selfe to be so , if but , to resemble you , and to testify with more dexterity how much i am , madam , your , &c. the xii . answere . shee speakes her opinion against the knowing . madam , would you have me answer freely to your letter , and tell you roundly my opinion : i allow a woman so farre knowing , till she come to writing , & making of books , but when she sets upon this , she is in danger oft times , not to gaine the reputation of being eloquent , without losing that of being modest . it is a great misfortune when one affects to become eminent in what ever it be , one becomes so often in another fashion then shee expects , or should desire . i wish that more would thinke of it , that they might moderate the desire of knowledge , which men study for necessity , women for glory . i doe not say then that they are unceapable of arts , or that they cannot penetrate all their secrets , but they ought not seeke a wisedome contrary to that of their sex , nor possesse vertues out of fashion , since renowne depends not on our owne opinion , we must seeke it in the opinion of others , perhaps if many ladies of quality should undertake to write , they would make the custome bee received : otherwise those that beginne , are more in danger to be mockt , then follow'd . their designe is like to that of those captaines which cast themselves into the midst of enemies to encourage others to fight ; and then remaine ruin'd , without any succour unfollowed of any , and to say that ignorance is easily seduced , and that it is as capable of errour , as knowledge of vanity ; certainely this cannot be affirmed , but of the most stupid , & the most grosse , how ignorant soever a woman be , she alwayes knowes ill enough , to doe it , if she will. nature opens her eyes , but too much for the enjoyment of many things , which reason forbids . the most simple have knowledge enough of vice , and vertue , to merit glory in flying the one , and practising the other , but let us leave the vertue of knowing persons , to speake of their conversation . you know how trouble some it is . it seemes that science doth no lesse harme to the soules of many then painting does their faces , this corrupts the naturall colour , and that enfeebles com● mon sense , they rave , when they thinke to discourse , they become all memory , and take paines to amasse much goods , which they know not how to manage . t is pitty to see how sometimes they be bemired , they are but shreds they get ; they speake nothing naturally , without which the richest discourses are irke some . i know well there are some knowing women , which being withall faire , or rich doe alwaies finde approvers : but meane while that flattery praises them in private , truth doth often condemne them in publicke . the xiii . letter . she affirmes that the gentleman commended to her merits the title of a good friend , and promises to assist him in his affaires . madam , the gallant you commend to me , seemes so worthy of the title you give him ; and t is with so much justice you call him a good friend that in my opinion he must invent some other word , more significant than this friendship , to expresse his owne , knowing him as i doe , you need not petition me for him ; it had been enough only to have given me advertisement , since he can so well expresse his affection to those that neede it , i shall endeavour to let him see how much i desire his affaires shold prosper . i will take as much paines , as in my own , and more care , for besides the displeasure i should have not to bee fortunate in his behalfe , i shold likewise suffer the misfortune , not to content you , that you may hope for all effects that lie in my power , judge onely that three puissant reasons oblige me to serve him : his owne merit , the justice of his cause , and the force of your recommendation , which would make me undertake a meere impossibility to shew , in doing him some small service , what i would do for you , if i could finde any favourable occasion , to witnesse how much i am , madam your , &c. the xiii . answer . she replies that albeit the affaire recommended to her , should uot succeede , the obligation for her paines could never be the lesse . madam , i am not ignorant that you love the person i commended to you , and that to gratifie him it were enough to let you know that hee hath neede of your favour , but if it be sufficient for your friendship to be advertised , it is not too much for my duty to beseech you , as i doe . if prayers bee superfluous , because of the good you wish him , they seem to me necessary , because that i demand it . i cannot make them too humble , if i consider your condition , nor too affectionate , if i regard his merit . the desire i have to see his matters prosper , obliges me to employ all my power of recommendation . if he be worthy the quality of a good friend for all others , i thinke he will esteeme that of your servant for most honorable . i undertake not to complement for him , since he hath no neede of my helpe ; and that i have not in my power too many thankes to tender you , for which i have cause whatever become of this affaire . after you have taken all the paine you can , to give us content , suppose it should not succeede , we shall not cease to be extreamely obliged to you , wee ought not to crave that of you , which depends upon chance ; but we shall alwayes thank you for the favour which depends on yourcare , when we shall be deprived of that which depends upon fortune . after phisitians have don what they can to cure us , we cease not to be bound to them , albeit their potions prove unprofitable , we must consider that events are not in our owne power : there is nothing but the meanes , and the conduct which is our owne but what neede we feare while we have reason to hope ? there is no likelihood that our right should remaine unknowne , and your paines unsuccesfull , i cannot beleeve it , and am confident , that the end of this businesse shall give mee new cause to serve you and to be , madam , your , &c. the xiiii . letter . she saith that the greatest persons esteeme themselves happy to carry her letters , because of her that receives them . madam , albeit i write often , i thinke you are not much troubled with the reading of my letters , and that the greatest part stay by the way . i am resolved to serve my selfe of all occasions , to prove if any one shall bee lesse unfortunate then the rest . and that i may speede , i will also employ all sorts of persons , and not regard if they be knights of the holy ghost , or marshals of france , provided , i may use them to carry my tidings . the trouble they shall have from me , shall be repaired in the satisfaction to see you : and of what quality soever my messengers be , they cannot thinke themselves vilified when they know the merit of her whom they oblige . i demand not your assent to this , since humility forbids you professe , what truth publisheth to all the world . i only entreate that you suffer it from me , and that you receive it not amisse , if after so much paine i take , & give to send you mine , i have some hope to receive yours . this is that i begge of you , and to beleeve that my greatest contentment is to be able to give you testimonies of my affection . it is true , they are but feeble : but in this i shall be more obliged , if i can expresse a great friendship by little proofes : and by my small services make you see a desire so great as that to be , madam your &c. the xiv . answer . she saith that if persons of quality bring her letters , t is because of the sender , not the receiver . madam , i know not if i receive all the letters you write me . but i can assure you i alwayes receive lesse then i desire . i wish you such perfect health , that i cannot too oft receive the newes , and if you have beene ill , and i not know of it , i should be extreamely displeased , for having beene contented when you were not . i beseech you beleeve it : and to oblige me in this , employ , as you do all sorts of messengers , of what condition soever they be . when they deliver mee your letters , they all assure me that they are rightglad to obey you , and i should not much wonder at their quality , thogh it were yet greater . i thinke they esteeme it little in respect of the service you deserve , and they desire to performe . i measure their desire by their duty , and i beleeve that having eies , and soule , they have likewise that sense , and respect due to such a one as your selfe . i conceive they would not take such paines to bring me letters , if it were another sent them . they regard her that writes , not her that receives . they oblige me , but serve you . you have reason to forbeare demanding my assent , when you say the contrary , since you know well that duty bids mee deny it , my refuse is just , because your prayer is not . and if civility bindes you to gainesay , at lest let truth make you believe it . t is a humility of a high straine , whereof your letter is full . you are not content to attribute to others the services done onely to your selfe : but you tell me likewise , that all the proofes of your friendship are feeble . if you thinke so , it is rather for the good you wish mee , then what i merit . you consider lesse what i am worth , then what i neede . finally , entreate me not to suffer the importunity of your letters : there is nothing but this forme of speech , which i cannot suffer . you are the object of my consolation , not my patience : entertaine me no more with this word of respect , and remember rather the quality of my friendship , then of my fortune . i wish that this might serve in any thing , to testify the other , give mee onely occasions to shew you the truth of it , and you shall know in what manner i desire to meete those , by which i may be able to make you see how i am , madam , your , &c. the xv. letter . she tels her that one of her friends intends to become religious , and that she is resolved to follow her . madam , i must tell you news , no lesse unpleasing to your selfe then me . mistris lucinde speakes no more , but of religion , and the cloysters : all her entertainement is the contempt of the world , and she reades nothing but introductions to a devout life . there is nothing to change but her habit , her face , and her soule are done already . she carries her eyes like those that weare the vaile : not a looke of hers but preaches penitence . i know not what her opinion is , but it should not be very reasonable . if she thought it impossible to finish her salvation , but in the cloysters . it may be also done in the world : and as a pearle in the bottome of the sea , is not debarred the dew that formes it : so though we be at court , and in company , our soule is as capable of grace . truely to forsake the world , wee neede but retire our thoughts , and our desires . our better part may be in heaven , whiles our grosser part remaines in earth . though we sometimes see the starres in the bottome of the water , they cease not to be fixed to their spheares . it is but their shadow here below , really they are in heaven . t is so with the just , whose conversation is among the saints , albeit he live among the profane . but not to dissemble , will you that i tell you the change , which hers causeth in my soule . if she quit not the designe shee hath to forsake the world , i shall mine to tarry there . i tooke indeed some delight therein , but since it was for love of her , she shal carry away the effect with the cause , i must wholly follow her to be content , you will tell me perhaps , this is not to renounce the world , but to seek the world where it is not , that it is an effect of friendship , not devotion : and that to run after her into the cloysters , is not to seeke god , but lucinde . it imports nothing , it may be having begun to be religious by complacency , i shall be so by affection ; god will touch me more powerfully . a tempest may sometim●s cast us upon a countrey , where afterwards we freely chose to inhabit . a beginning full of constraint , may afterwards be followed by a progresse full of liberty . and what ever come on it , follow her i will. this is my inviolable purpose , and that to be all my life , madam your , &c. the xv. answer . she replies that this new●s doth lesse astonish , then rejoyce her , and that she will make on to quit the world . madam , you are deceived if you thinke your letter hath surprized mee ; it brings me lesse astonishment then joy . the good newes is double which i learne , the change of lucinde and your owne . as far as i conceive your friendship would carry you along with her , aswell else where , as to a cloyster . your resolution is good , you neede onely change the cause , doeing that for the love of god , which you intend to doe for the creature . but i bring you newes which perhaps you looke not for , if you be two , i promise you to make the third . it is not new to me to have a great distaste of vanities : i had not stayed so long to abandon them , but for the great griefe i had to lose your company . now , by gods grace , all the cords are broken ; and i perceive nothing that hinders the effect of my resolution , after that you have made . never change it , what ever be said to you . suffer your selfe to be carryed out of a place where there is neither felicity nor vertue . so i speake of the world , where pleasures are imaginary , misfortunes reall , but grant there be some solid goods , they are alwaies small in respect of those in heaven . if wee believe as wee should , the joyes of eternity , there would be many more that would contemne those of the present . believe me , and you will avow , that i say , cannot come , but frō one that honors you infinitely , and which is in good earnest , madam your , &c. the xvi . letter . she complaines of the ignorance of the countrey , and saith that they cannot judge of good bookes . madam , there was company with us , when we received the curious book you sent . i wish you had been here , to observe the opinions of the countrey , they are either grosse , or false . to praise an excellent peece , they content themselves to say , t is very trimme . there was a dame you know , that would esteeme no other book , but the quadrams of hibrac . another made no bones to begge that we received , without giving her self● the patience to stay till we had lookt upon it . t is notwithstanding the first time that ever we saw her ; and judge what wee ought to feare , or hope from such an acquaintance , we must use our selves to this manner of life , since here t is most common . thinke into what country you have sent honest f. to make lessons of morality . count it not strange if they give him not the approbation hee deserves , and if hee be no better received in this countrey , then those that preach the gospell among turkes . at least you ought to be assured , that there are two w●ll make a speciall esteeme of him : wee will learne him by heart , my sister , and my selfe . and wee shall finde memory enough to retaine him . if wee have not judgmēt enough to understand him , for my part i finde him so full of choyse things , that not to know all , were to injure the author . that which i find there extraordinary , is that in reading , we meet alacrity with instruction , whereas others do but make us sad . insomuch that this advantage is gotten , not onely to become more knowing , but more content . this booke corrects the humour , aswell as instructs the soule . and we have either of us given it a name : my sister cals it her schoole , and i , my consolation . there is but one misfortune , which is that we cannot agree , to reade it one after the other , we would have it without ceasing , at the same time , both together . the meaning is we beg another ; and i hope you will excuse our importunity since it proceeds from the esteeme we make of an author , which you commend so much my eager desire would seeme perhaps importune if it proceeded not from that which i have to approve all that pleases you , and to be in all things , madam , your , &c. the xvi . answer . she replies that even at paris it selfe , there are not many which judge soundly , of good bookes , and praises the author of that she sent . madam , t is nothing strange if in the countrey they doe not esteeme good bookes as they should : wee have not indeed many here which can iudge of them soundly . there is no body that praises not that you received ; and i can assure you , that never was approbation so generall , as that is given it . i speake of that of the better sort , which speake without passion , and without interest . there are some people found , which not being able to know good things , or to suffer their brightnesse , straine themselves to make them ill , but they have gained nothing , but repentance , to have their ignorance , and malice publickely appeare , they have beene constrained to change their discourse , albeit , perhaps they have not diminished their envy . but whatever they utter of it , or would perswade indifferent men , it is profitable to all sorts of humours , and persons . the learned doe there finde content , and the ignorant instruction . neverthelesse i advertise you of one thing , that whatever esteeme you make of this booke , you ought to prepare a speciall one for him that made it , you desire to see him , and i assure my selfe , you will be no lesse satisfied with his entertainement , then the reading of his writings . you shall observe nothing in his visage , nor his discourse , which smels of that , we call an author . and you shall not finde in him that ●aturall or affected dulnesse of many , which dreame in the best company , and give no other reason of their silence , but that they compose . these are fitter for a closet , then society , they cannot expresse themselves , but by the pen. he , you shall see , is not of this humour : he speakes yet better then hee writes , and gives the lye to those , who maintaine that the same temperament cannot be proper to both . there is no lesse force in his discourse then judgement in his writings . and above all you may marke in both an extraordinary facility . i speake not of that vitious eafinesse which proceedes from lightnes orindiscretion . i know well that the earth doth easily produce superfluous things , and that of her selfe she beares thornes , and thistles enough . i praise that excellent facility which comes from the strength of spirit , when a man is master of the subject he handles , and good words are joyned with rich thoughts . i will use a sacred example to explaine a profane matter . if holy scripture saith of the covetous that they are the men of riches , instead of saying that t is the riches of men ; wee may say of certaine brokers , that they are the men of science , not that they have the science of men , the one , and the other be the slaves of their wealth , & know not how to distribute it with reason . the authour you shall see is in no wise of this number , let him speake or write , he expresses himselfe with an advantage extraordinary , try him and you will affirme without doubt , aswell as many others that know him , that readinesse , and strength of spirit , are in him both equall . he is prompt without being light , solid , with out being dull . i will say no more of him , and indeede , it would alwaies be lesse then he deserves , and i beleeve , however more then hee desires . in effect t is a modesty without paralell , but his owne . never have i heard him speake of his workes , or of himselfe with the least appearance of vanity , you shall judge of him then , when i shall have the honour to present him to you , and that i shall assure you from my owne mouth , how that i am , madam your , &c. the xvii . letter . she thankes her for her approbation , and complaines that her letters are too short . madam , i intend never to present my selfe there where you have spoken of me , nor put my selfe in danger to spoile my reputation , by my presence . you delight to speak to my advantage , and to give me excessive praises : you will get no blame by this , you shall acquire the reputation of one that obliges , if you loose that of speaking truth , my letter should end here , if i measured him by the length of yours i have beene no longer reading the contents then the superscription . never feare that yours should be trouble some to me : make them as long as you please , i shall alwayes esteeme them too short . i speake according to the measure of my affection , not of my merit . since i have nothing worthy of your good will , i cannot receive so small testimonies therof , that i be not for them extreamly obliged , and that they give me not sufficient cause to be all my life , madam your , &c. the xviii . letter . shee assures her that shee has alwaies been melancholy since her departure and that shee shall never be merry till her returne . madam , i beseech you beleeve that losing you , at the same time i lost my good fortune : and that the day i parted from paris , was the last of my life , since which time i have scarce had leasure to breathe : & if i have spoken , t was only to complaine . after the persecutions of the countrey people , sicknesse challenged mee the combat ; as if the torments of the soule , caused by your absence , were not sufficient to overcome me . i must needs confesse to you the error i lived in , in times past , aswell as my displeasure at the present . i thought the countrey would yeeld charmes to drive away my heavinesse ; and that the conversation of the dames of burgundy , and forrests would make me forget those i left at paris , but i have beene fairely deceived . my disease followes me every where , with so great a displeasure at what i see , that i can finde nothing that contents me . it may be , if i thought lesse on you , i should be more happy . the remembrance of your entertainement renders me that of others unpleasant . and i may say the remembrance of a past good , is to me a present misfortune . in the distaste i am in , whilest i possesse you not , the most able people here , seeme not to me to have common sense . iudge then how unhappy i am , seeing i am in a countrey where she that has the best stomacke , can hardly find victuals , where of she would be willing to eate . wee must not seeke for superfluities , where necessaries are scarse to be found , so farre are wee from procuring ought for pleasure , we can hardly meete with enough to satisfie nature . this is the cause of my misfortune , which afflicts me so much the more , as i know it perfectly , above all when i thinke that at your departure , you promised your selfe somewhat from our province , but it is so unfruitfull that in a whole age it produceth not so much as one good thought , much lesse a good letter , you will accuse mee of little affection to my countrey , since i doe thus aver her imperfections ; but i had rather confesse them to ●ne that hath the goodnesse to dissemble them , then to sacrifice her defects to the pittiles publicke . i had rather tell a particular person that she is barren , then let the world see shee can produce nought but monsters . however , i assure you shee furnishes mee with no better reasons to defend her , and i should esteeme her farre more fertile then i say , if shee could afford mee any occasion to shew you how i am heartily , madam your , &c. the xviii answer . shee thankes her for her praises and remembrance , and wishes her yet lesse contentment then she hath in the countrey , that she may come and take it at paris . madam , after the complaints you make in your letter , i must either yeeld no faith to your words , or some compassion to your misfortune i doubt not but you wish for paris , but i cannot beleeve that you put the losse of my company in the ranke of afflictions . i have too good an opinion of your spirit , too bad of my own , to think you write of me . your error would be as excessive , as my good fortune should you speak of me according to your opinion . and to answer this according to mine , i assure you that reading your letter , i am not so much astonisht at the extraordinary testimonies of your friendship , as at those of your approbation , & esteeme . this would occasion me some vanity , if , to humble me , i did not consider , t is your affection speakes , not your opinion , or , to use better termes , your judgement hath beene corrupted by your will. i know those , that doe me the honor to know me , finde freedome , and simplicity enough to merit some part of their favour : but i know likewise there are not good qualities enough in my soule , to deserve so many praises . iudge then how far i ought to thinke my selfe your obliged , since you are not content to wish me well , and doe me good above my worth , but that moreover you take the paines to speake every where a thousand fold beyond my expectation . if i must pitty you , it shall be more for the ill you suffer in the country , then for the good you left at paris . i speake of what concernes my selfe , for i doubt not but you have there seene rarities enough , to sad you in al your voyages , but to change discourse i will end this letter in another fashion then i began . if at first i promised you pitty , it seemes to me at present i ought to refuse it , be as melancholly as you list , i wish you more . i shall be very glad that you never find sweetenes in the place where you be able to lessen the sorrow you suffer for paris , & that you have cause to be displeased at the country , to the end you may be constraned to returne hither for your contentment , aswell as ours . i sweare to you that after i had read your excellent letter ; i mist there , but onething , which is , that you give mee no assurance of your returne . i should answere you to other matters , but i am constrained to remit this till another occasion . the messenger hastes mee to close this , and affords mee no more time , but to assure you that i am , madam , your , &c. the xix . letter . she complaines thrt she hath not heard from her so oft as she expected , and saith that all her boldnesse proceeds from affection . madam , if i had hoped lesse of your affection , i should have received too much of your courtesie : but i am so much your servant that i finde you owe me more , not having written mee but one letter in three moneths absence . it is not as you promised me , when i had the honour to bid you farewell . i had parted from you with lesse satisfaction , but for the assurance you gave , to send mee more frequent tydings . i speake boldly : but you may without much paine , put me in state to write you thanks , rather then imputations , which will be , when i shall receive the effects of my expectation , and your promise . i meane , when you shall no longer be covetous of your letters . it must needes be that either you have an ill opinion of mee , or that you beleeve my griefe lesse then it is , since you contribute so little to my consolation , in so great a losse as that of your conversation . if you think there are other remedies for this besides your letters , you are in an errour ; if you thinke them the sole remedy , you are without pitty . blame my presumption as long as you list , it is certainely true , that when i consider the affection i beare you , it seemes to me , i cannot too much presume the effects of yours . you delight to gratifie me , but i protest , you shall never doe me so much good , as i wish you , but if you desire to know the cause of such extraordinary boldnes , as mine , not being able to returne you ought , but wishes for effects ; i beseech you beleeve , there is no other then the great affection i have to serve you , and to be , madam your , &c. the xix . answer . she answers that she is in the wrong , t● to call her covetous of her letters , since to serve her , she would be prodigall of blood , and life . madam , it must needes be that you have but a weak opinion of my friendship , if you think that i seeke not occasions to witnesse the truth of it . if you judge i neglect the meanes to write to you , you offend against my affection : if you beleeve i have none , you doe not complaine but blame me . true it is , our will depends on our selves ; but oft times the effects we employ to shew it , depend on fortune . any misseadventure , or chance may arrest my letters by the way : and if it be in my liberty to write to you , it is not alwayes in my power to cause my letters be delivered . you vexe your selfe against me without reason , and give me cause to be in choller , since you have none , how should i be covetous of my letters , that would not be so of my life , and my blood . i beseech you beleeve this , or the judgement you make of mee , will give mee liberty to make the same of you . and when i receive no letters from you , i shall be able to thinke , you want not occasion , but memory . if you had a true feeling of my friendship , you would not judge so ill of my remembrance . i never thought you could have deemed so sinisterly of my humour . so while you call me covetous of letters , i stile you prodigal of reproaches i doe not accuse your boldnes , but your errour . i suffer your freedome , albe it i condemne your choller . handle me more sweetely another time , and whatever happen , never entertaine an opinion contrary to the resolution i have made to serve you , and to be all my life , madam , your , &c. the xx. letter . she stiles her her goddesse , prayes her to pierce into her heart , and see the affection she cannot expresse . madam , though i pray you to thinke of me , yet , i assure you , i have more need of your judgement , then memory to keepe any part in your favour , because your memory represents things , but as they appeare , but your judgement can discover them as they are , doe not content your selfe to be able to gaine hearts , but get the way to enter into them , and see there the affection you produce , be not like the sun , whose heat goes farther then his light and produces gold , and mettals in the earth , where notwithstanding the brightnesse of his rayes , did never pierce , you will say this is a gallant language , and that my friendship speakes like love , but what shold bar it the same discourse , that hath the same excesse ? it knowes no difference , but by the end , not by the vigour : take it not ill then , if i entreate your aide to discover the violence of my affection : and since i title you my goddesse , i beseech you shew some effect of this faire name , regarding my heart more then my hands , my intention , then my sacrifice . certainely i should be the most unfortunate of the world , shold you judge my friendship by my workes or my words . i have neither power , nor eloquence , but had i the one , and the other , both in a perfect degree , i should not yet be able to shew you as i ought , the desire enflames me to serve you , and to be , madam your , &c. the xx. answer . she saith that she hath more love then knowledge , and that after the effects of her friendship , she does ill to employ words . madam , i doe not thinke those who have given you their approbation , can deny you their remembrance . the excellency that is in you begets at the same time desire to conserve , aswell as acquire your favour . i have but one griefe , t is , not to have soule enough to judge the perfections of yours . they say wee must measure love by knowledge , and neverthelesse , albeit i beleeve not to know you perfectly , i cannot imagine that any can love you better , but were it so , it would sad me much , to have no more judgement , that i might have more affection . i thinke i am quite contrary to that you say of the sunne , my hea●e outgoes my light , my love , my knowledge . call me no more your goddesse , if you will not have mee call you my idolatresse , you erre to tender so much honour to her that merits so little . straine not for words to shew you love mee , your deedes have made mee know it ; i shall never see better by the brightnesse of a torch , then that of the sunne it selfe . so i compare deeds , and words which doe not equally expresse friendship , t is of the last notwithstanding i must serve my selfe , not having power enough to shew you otherwise how much i am , madam , your , &c. the xxi . letter . she makes a scruple to write , fearing that if her letters please her , shee should be lesse impatient to returne . madam , whatever commandement you make me to write , i protest , i feele a repugnancy to obey . i feare if i give yon any content in absence , lest i slow that which i hope by your returne . i have heard you say , that you finde unparaleld delights , reading my letters , which albeit , i doe not wholly beleeve , i cannot cease to feare . i imagine with my selfe , that if there you take so much pleasure , you wil have the lesse impatience to see me . and i doubt , least thinking to diminish your griefe i augment my owne . i would not willingly contribute any thing to make my absence lesse unsupportable : yours is to me so , that i cannot enough lament it . and i can tell you , that if your letters please me , they diminish my sorrow . without diminishing the desire i have to enjoy you . rather they augment it ; and the contentment i take to reade them , making me thinke on that of your company , increases the desire i have to possesse it . if ever i have the good lucke , i will make my selfe inseparable , that i may no more be obliged as at present , to write to you that which i would more willingly protest , with my tongue , that i am perfectly madam , your , &c. the xxi . answer . she answers that the letters shee receives , augments her joy , without decreasing the desire to see her . madam , albeit without ceasing i demand newes from you , if you write to me , because i desire it , this is not to obey , but oblige me , not an effect of your duty , but onely of your courtesie , however never feare that this should hinder mee to wish your returne , since the entertainment distant friends doe give , and take by letters , is but a picture of that betweene persons present : you should imagine that though your letters did yet give me greater content , they would not hinder me to desire that of your presence , to speake truth , a letter is but a copy , which makes us curious of the originall , a table which augments the desire to see the person represented . this is the effect of yours ; and i can assure you , that if those you write mee be delightfull , there is nothing so true , as that augmenting my joy , they augment the passion i have to bee neere you , and to finde occasions to testifie in what manner i am , madam , your , &c. the xxii . letter . she tels her that nothing can keepe her from writing ; no , not the feaver it selfe , though violent . madam , imagine the desire i have to receive your letters by the care i take to send you mine , having a fit of the feaver to suffer , and seeing the post ready to part , i resolved my selfe , spight of my disease , to write to you , you neede not demand if my hand shaked , t is not with feare , but with a shivering cold . in this estate i have not beene carefull to write you a long letter , because the post presseth mee on the one side , the feaver on the other . i must therefore finish , and put of what i have to tell you , till another time . i am threatned my paine will bee more violent , but it matters not i shall endure it patiently , since t is a labour too praise worthy , which i undergoe , to take occasion to testifie to you , how i am , madam , your , &c. the xxii . answer . she feares least for receiving a small satisfaction , she lose a greater , and that having forced her self to write she encrease her d●sease . madam , i have not received the joy i expected , by the returne of this bearer , learning your indisposition by the letter you did me the honour to write me . i feare least the paines you have taken augment your disease , and that being willing to give mee this satisfaction , you deprive me not of a greater then i can have elsewhere . it is certainely true that the two most happy newes i can receive , are that you love me , and are well . and that i feare most in the world , is the alteration of your health , or friendship , the least suspition of the one , or other , would make mē hate my life . i protest never was letter so deare unto me , as that you sent maugre your fit : but yet i like better you should take care of your health , then writing . albeit your tidings extremely re●oyce me , i love your life , better then your letters , i beseech you beleeve it , and employ me in all you please , as , madam your , &c. the xxiii . letter . shee recommends to him the cause of her friend . sir , if i had as much ability to serve you , as occasion to trouble you , you should easily judge i valew not my owne interests in respect of yours . but i must in this accōmodate my selfe rather to the condition of ●y fortune , then my disposition : and if you have no proofes of my thankefulnesse , you shall at least of my confidence , past examples doe make me more and more hardy for the future , and instead , that the continuation of your favours ought to oblige mee to a modesty , lesse audacious , i finde they give me more liberty . so it is , sir , that i have once more neede of the accustomed testimonies of your good will : but to begge with more dexterity , i wil joyn your owne interest with mine , and convince you by your own charity , as well as by the favor you have promised me . i assure my selfe , that the vertue you practise with so much praise , and the justice you exercise with so much integrity , will easily obtaine of you , all i shall demand in behalfe of this bearer . he is no lesse worthy your compassion , then his adversaries your chastisement : i know you will do in this businesse all that justice requires , but besids this . i most humbly beseech you to adde yet for my sake , that sweetenesse wherewith you are wont to receive all those , i recommend to you , and that obliging quality , which interesses you in all that i affect . the obligation i shall beare you in this respect shall hold the place of one of your most speciall favours ; and i shall remember it all my life , aswell as the promise i have made to remaine , sir , your , &c. the xxiv . letter . she writes to her , that her sadnesse i● extreame during her absence . madam , i take no care how to expresse the griefe i suffer by your absence , for it were to aspire to an impossibility ; and as i cannot spea●e my contentment when i have the honour to see you , so can i not testify the displeasure i feele , when i am deprived of so great a good fortune , my griefe is as mute as my joy . i wish you could see it ; you should judge my affection by my sorrow , since the one is the cause of the other , and both are extreame . in this case i have no other comfort , but that i receive by reading your letters . if i had no memory , i should be the most unfortunate of the world . and that which more afflicts me is , that i have no more opportunity , to receive the assurances of your friendship , but onely to send you those of my duty , & the desire i have to be , madam , your , &c. the xxiv . answer . she answers that shee hath not merit enough to cause joy in the possessing , or sorrow in the losing . madam , your letter makes me more ashamed , then my absence , you melancholly . i have more cause to blush at your praises , then you to be sad at my separation . i cannot beleeve you , without mistaking my selfe , for another ; and to credit your words , i must renounce the knowledge of my selfe . that which you have of mee is very different from your discourse , or at least from truth . i doubt not but you feele some sorrow ; but i care not to measure it by my merit . i have too little to equall the favour i possesse : and i should be no lesse ignorant , then unthankefull , if i should not avow , that you have much more affection to me , then i good qualities to deserve it . if i have any one that makes me so hardy to beg the continuation , t is onely this simplicity you love in me , and which renders you my defects the more suppo●table . t is the only advantage i have to think you love me , and that you permit me to call my selfe , madam your , &c. the xxv . letter . she desires to enter into a monastery , and prayes her to aide her therein . madam , i must needs confesse you my error , i feare that you forget me : i beleeve you wish me well , but i know not , if you thinke on doing it ; and in the number of great affaires , which take up your thoughts , i feare you dreame not on any so small as mine . i have more neede to sollicite your memory , then your will , and am more in paine for your ●emembrance , then your affection , but that i may touch you where you are most sensible , ●he pleasure you shall doe me , may be cald an effect of your charity , aswel as of your friend●hip , i perceive well the endea●ours of my calling : but i can●ot follow it perfectly without ●our favour . i have yet neede ●f humane things , to arrive at ●ivine : and albeit i be neere a ●onasticke life , as the cripple ●● the poole , i want some bo●y to cast me in , upon this occasion . without which i shall but languish in my desires , and remaine alwaies in a place , where long since i fastned no more hopes . i call the world so , which i should quit with griefe , because i leave you there , did i not consider that one day by gods grace , wee shall enjoy a longer conversation , then that is promised here below . in which i place all my expectation : and since it is the greatest good of all , i content my selfe to wish it you , to shew the true affection i have to serve you , and to be , madam your , &c. the xxv . answer , she praies her to employ her with more ●●●●●●ence , approves her designe to enter into that course , and offers her aide . mistris , if you thinke i have forgotten you , never was faith so faulty as yours . it is an injury to both , seeing you must have a bad opinion of my friendship , or i not that i ought to have of your merit . iudge the consequence , for to want memory , i must want knowledge . we cannot in this separate ingratitude from ignorance . and to examine all things well , i understand not how i can wish you good , without remembring to doe it . this should be rather a sicke desire , then mine ; i have too much affection , to remaine unmooveable : and i can assure you that occasions shall rather be wanting to my wil , then my will to occasions . this would be a thought very vnprofitablē to our friends , if we should remember them alwayes , except at those times they have neede of us . be then lesse fearefull , and if you will that i assure my selfe of your affection , doubt not of mine . i thinke on you , and you have no neede to sollicite my memory , more then my affection , the first is an effect of the last . true friendship is alwayes attended with remembrance , and those which can forget : were never truely in love , when wee fixe upon a worthy object , wee resemble the covetous , who have no lesse care to conserve then heape up treasure . insomuch that to beleeve , i entertaine my selfe with you , is to beleeve i love and yet however you consent to the last , you tell mee you doubt the first . in this i know not how to make your faith , and your feare friends . be for the future more bold to employ me , and think that if ever i want memory , i must be very sicke , the alteration , should be in my temperament , not my friendship . if any disease should take away this faculty of my soule , which onely renders me happy in your absence ; i assure you , i would alwayes have your picture before my eyes . i would employ this remedy every moment , and refresh your idea at the table . but i hope i shall have no neede of this , to entertaine my selfe without ceasing , with a person that had no defect ; if she had not this to employ mee with ceremony . it s enough to know that our friends want us , to gaine our assistance : we must not be entreated when t is sufficient to be advertised . i have then reason to complaine of you ; and it seemes to me that you have an opinion scarce good enough of my friendship , since you begge the effects with so little confidence . i am very unhappy not yet to have given you cause enough to rely on me , and to use me with more assurance . remember your selfe onely that if i seek occasions to serve you , you should not feare to give them , my interests are tyed to yours ; and i shall be no lesse obliged when you present mee the meanes to doe you a good turne , then if i had received one . all that troubles mee in this , is that i cannot benefit you , but by depriving my selfe of your company . but it is better my inclination dispose it selfe to yours , and that humane things give place to divine . i love you so , that i have more regard to what you gaine , then that i lose . insomuch that since you desire this holy solitude , you shall no longer stay here , but with repugnancy , follow the voyce that cals you , and hearken not to that which laments you , or yet speake to you of the world , i approve your desire , and offer you all the helpe i can bring . it is in this occasion onely , that i will bid you farewell , without daring to complaine , and without expressing other griefe , then for that i cannot follow you . i wish i had the liberty so to do : and i would not onely offer you the favour , but the company , mistris , of your , &c. the xxvi . letter . she desires her to beleeve , that if she write not , t is want of opportunity not will. madam , never feare that i forget you , my soule may sooner be without thoughts , then my thoughts without you , but albeit i employ the better part of my time , to entertaine my selfe about you , i cannot finde any favourable enough to write to you . it seems that fortune is jealous that i bestow all my contemplation upon you ; and that not being able to divert me , at least shee hinders mee to testifie you the truth by my letters . i most humbly beseech you to beleeve it , and to lament me , rather then accuse me , it is occasion i want , not will. i am more worthy of your compassion , then your anger . cease not then to send me your news , albeit , you can but rarely receive mine , my silence is no effect of oblivion , but misfortune handle me like a prisoner , on whom we bestow visits , without hope to receive any . if i had more liberty , you should have more proofes of my affection . if you doe but a little remember the past , you cannot doubt it , and during all my silence , i am no lesse then i have beene , though i cannot protest it you so often , madam your , &c. the xxvi . answer . shee answers that shee can easily hope the honour of her remembrance , since she possesses that of her affection , and that shee is assured of her friendship whatever happen . madam , i agree to yours : and since you will have it so , i beleeve that you passe some part of your time , to entertaine your selfe with our friendship , i can easily beleeve the favour of your remembrance , since you deny me not that of your love . we do more oblige persons by affection , then memory , we may thinke indeed on troublesome things , but love only delightfull , since i have some part in your good grace , i beleeve you will give me some in your memory . after a great favour , i may well expect a little one . and if my imperfections cannot hinder you to love me , they shal never hinder you to remember mee . this is my faith , and my consolation . i am none of those who are alwayes in alarme , when people faile of what they owe , or what themselves desire . i doe not regard if you write to me or not , i beleeve that you faile not to serve your selfe of all occasions , whereby i may receive any assurance , i feare more the change of your health , then of your friendship : and wish you were no more subject to sicknesse , then inconstancy . and when i desire you more liberty , it is for your owne satisfaction , and that i might receive more frequent testimonies of your affection . albeit i should , this would not augment the beleife i have , but onely the pleasure i take to understand it . your letters render me more content , but not more constant , nor more then i am , madam , your , &c. the xxvii . letter . she complaines of her distance , that she cannot hope for newes : that shee can neither remember her without griefe , nor forget her without ingratitude . madam , since for the future , i dare scarse hope to have newes from you , i must at least send you mine , that you may have compassion on mee , and not render my evill extreame by oblivion . t is that i feare , if your promises did not give me that courage , which my want of merit entirely takes away . excuse me if i write thus unto you , since the soveraigne remedy of my solitude , is to thinke that you have promised to love me . i hardly know my selfe , when i consider that which not long since i possest . i speake thus according to your measure , and not according to my owne ; since t is but eight dayes for yov ; but a whole age for me ; see to what i am reduced ; i can neither forget you without crime , nor thinke of you without griefe . i must be either faulty , or unhappy . you have too much merit , to let me be able to forget you , and i too little to imagine you thinke on me . insomuch that i can neither hope without temerity , nor cure my selfe without ingratitude : but my letter must be confused like my thoughts . i tell you once more , that i know not where i am , when i thinke on your conversation . it hinders me to taste any sweetnesse in all others . and therefore quickely to reapproach you , i intend to give such order to my affaires that in few daies i shall see an end . i shall ever hold them happy enough , provided they be short , and albeit there were crownes to hope for , i would freely quit the pretension , if i must be long deprived of your company , or constrained farther to deferre my returne . there is nothing so true as this , and you ought no more doubt of it , then of the affection i have to be , madam , your , &c. the xxvii . answer . shee replies that if she have not confidence enough , she hath not a just opinion of her friendship , and that she hath n●ither power enough to serve her , nor merit to be worthy of her choise . madam , i know not why you have so much desire to hope for my newes : it is lesse difficult for mee to send , then profitable for you to receive . you entreat me in this to doe a thing , whereof i had a purpose to begge your permission . i am much more happy , then i beleeved . i thought my letters troublesome to you , and you tell me they are necessary . i know not how it goes , but assure your selfe , you shall not faile being happy , if your felicity depend on me . you shall never be poore of those goods which i can heape upon you . you must hope● i● with more assurance , otherwise your feare will produce that of some alteration in your friendship . if you be without confidence , you must needes beleeve me without affection , seeing we ought to expect all of that person which hath power , and will , to doe us the good to which wee aspire ; can you beleeve that i have neither the one nor the other , either to send you tydings , or to serve you in what ever it be ? for the tediousnes you suffer in my absence , i conjecture it is not small , no more then the affection you beare me : but i cannot imagine that t is like mine . as i give place to you in merit , you should give place to mee in displeasure , when wee are separated one from the other . if wee ought to measure the greatnes of the losse by that of the cause , it is easie to judge my griefe extreame ; meane while that yours cannot be great , no more then her merit , which is the cause of it . i know not why you tell mee that you cannot hope without being rash , nor cure your selfe , wi●hout being unthankefull , it must either be that i had more perfections to oblige you to remembrance : or you more obligation to have some ground of thankfulnesse ; i have receiv'd no advantage from nature , or fortrne , or if they have obliged mee in ought , t is that the first hath given me a disposition to honour you , the other hath given me occasions to know you . iudge then if you ought to handle as you doe a person that is in case rather to seeke your● favours , then doe you any . and hath no other advantage but this , that she can perfectly honour you . if you be confused , it must needs be for some other griefe , then that of my losse , and if the remembrance of my conversation , renders all others unagreeable , t is because it troubles you , and puts you into a bad humour . this is that which the ●●nowledge of my defects ought to perswade me , whiles that of your goodnesse shall make mee beleeve what ever you will to my advantage . it is time to finish this letter . put an end to yonr affaires , if you desire an end of my unquiet , it will last til your returne , which cannot bee so soone as all the world desires , and among others , madam , your , &c. the xxviii . letter . shee promises to publish every where the effects of her courtesie . madam , as one of your greatest pleasures is to oblige your friends , so one of the greatest i have is to speake of those i have received . i would be no lesse generous , to publish your favours , then you to doe them . i proclaime them every where , so loudly , that there is no body which does not instantly judge , the resent i have of them , and the extream griefe i take , not to be able to testifie you the truth of it , no more then the affection i have to be all my life , madam , your , &c. the xxviii . answer . she replies that instead of deedes , she can onely have good intentions , and desires . my deare sister , how much would you deeme your selfe bound to mee for effects , seeing you beleeve your selfe , so much only for desires ? truely you must needs have power to pierce into the affections , as well as to gaine them , to thank me in this manner . i am very glad you have this particular gift , to judge the intention , without helpe of ordinary appearances which may show it . i should hardly be able to shew you mine , by my workes : and i rejoyce you know that by prophecy , which i should be able to demonstrate by experience , without doubt , you had lesse regard to the service you have receiv'd from me , then to ●he will i have to serve you . it is great enough to content those , which can come to know it , like you ; and i thinke it might oblige my friends to doe mee good , if they should consider what i desire them , t is this which obliges you to doe mee so many civilities ; and which renders mee confused , when i thinke that i have yet done nothing , which may evidence to you as i would , in what fashion i am , my sister , your , &c. the xxix . letter . she comforts her touching the death of m. and shewes that teares are unprofitable for those , that have lost life , dangerous for those that yet possesses it . madam , to see how melancholly you be , one would thinke you no more regard your life , then as a thing in which you have no interest . since you lament those have lost it , why doe you put your owne in danger ? how comes it to passe , you have not as much feare for your selfe , as sadnesse for others ? tell mee not that there are accidents in which teares , and griefe are a just effect of duty . surely there is more of custome , then reason : and i cannot comprehend why our friends should take pleasure to see that we doe our selves an evill , from whence they can draw no advantage . so i call that of our excessive sorrow , for since wee beleeve them content in the other world , if wee weepe for them in this , our teares are injurious : if it be for our selves , they are mercenary : and for what ever it be , they are superfluous , but if a wise man ought not to have unprofitable passions , how shall hee have any so dangerous ? pardon me , if i tell you freely , that if you diminish not your griefe , i shall the beleife i had of your spirit , what difference is there betweene you , and one that wilfully precipitates himselfe , onely you kill more cruelly , then ever any did wee accuse of their owne death , take heede least to shew too much pitty to others , you shew too little to your selfe . remember what you were wont to say touching the death of lucretia : you thought men could not justifie her murther . and what did she to her body , you doe not to your soule ? doe you thinke that one is lesse homicide that kils himselfe in five dayes , then in an houre ? doe not that with voluntary griefe , shee did with her owne hand . and what is it to purpose , if the weapons wee use to take away life , be visible or not ? if the shortest death bee sweetest , judge what is that , you cause your selfe by a sadnesse too affected ? i know well the losse of our friends doth touch us , i would not remove the sense , but the errour : and if we must give any thing to nature , wee must yet give more to reason , but i correct my selfe , it is not so much nature th●t makes us to weepe excessiuely , as opinion , since there is no time wherin noble spirits shold not aspire to felicity , what shew of reason is there , that to gaine the glory of loving well , a man should racke , and torment himselfe . true it is that passions there are , whereof we forbid but the excesse : but for sorrow , wee should take away the very use it selfe : and not serve our selves of it , but for repentance . in all things else , it is superfluous , and indeede perilous . i doe notwithstanding much admire , if shee bee often mistresse of our soule , since no body doth resist her : i say more , since wee detaine her spight of those , that offer remedy . call to minde that shee is unprofitable to the dead , dangerous to the living : and may take life from those that have it , not restore it , to those have lost it : shee pushes into the grave , but never draws back any . and to behold these lamentable effects , take onely your glasse , you may guesse the ill it does your soule , by that it does your face . never did sorrow doe so much mischiefe as yours , seeing it ruines at once two of the fairest things in the world , your disposition , and your beauty ; judge now if we have cause to complaine , and if your melancholly ought not to be a just cause of ours , think on this , and consider how many you make weepe , whilest you lament but one . you see what i might write , and yet account not my letter necessary . i speake rather to your memory , then your judgement , and this is not to instruct , but call to mind those lessons you give to others , and would be at present usefull to your selfe . i must now say to your soule , as to sicke phisitians , that shee heale her selfe . but i feare least it be spoken as unprofitably to you , as them , for if the sicknesse of the body takes away knowledge , much more that of the soule . nevērthelesse i will hope better , and beleeve you will not alwayes take pleasure to hug an ill , whereof you may heale your selfe . at least i thinke you will interrupt a little your teares , if you open your eies to consider her that prayes you , it is madam , your , &c. the xxx . letter . she rejoyces at the newes of her returns , and professes no lesse feeling for her then her owne sister . madam , to judge with what con●entment i learnt the newes of your returne , you neede but thinke with what passion i desired it . chorinde shall witnesse it , and i beleeve that she will not boast , to have shed more teares , or made more prayers then i , during your absence . let her say what she will , if she be nearer to you by reason of blood , i am , then her , by inclination ; the one is aswell a linke of nature as the other , this is it you shold consider , if you will not make me as unhappy , as i am affectionate in what concernes you . let her esteeme that quality of sister , i rather love that of my mistris . i am very glad to be lesse o●kin , and more distanced in blood , to be more neare by our alliance . i rejoyce that nature obliges you to have more friendship for her , that there may remaine more love for me . i have spoken enough of my affection , let us now speake of the griefe it produceth . verily , if i had not learnd the newes of your returne , my misfortune could no longer linger the possession of this good , without advancing the end of my life . if you againe make such voyages , i will make my will , before i bid you farewel , ●nd , ceasing to see you , will practise the same ceremonies , ●hey doe in ceasing to live . i ●ssure you of it , and this is no esse true , then the affection which i have to be , madam , your , &c. the xxx . answer . she assures her of her remembrance , and her returne . madam , the onely consolation i have amongst a thousand occasions of sufferance , which present themselves but too much in the countrey where i am , is the hope i have to see you . and if you aske me of my entertainement , i assure you the best , and most ordinary i have , is the remembrance of yours . t is this which serves me for a counter poyson , after that of many troublesome guests , whom one cannot put off , without making them enemies , nor s●e without enduring a thousand incommodities . you will say , perhaps , i not oblige you much to thinke on you at present . and that if the company here were a little lesse insupportable , i would never dreame of yours . i assure you , there is nothing so sweete in the world can make me forget it , and that i have no lesse sorrow when i am deprived of it , then joy when i possesse it . it is to this happinesse i aspire with extreame passion , and doe all i can to set forward my returne . i hope it shall be no lesse chearefull , then my departure was pensive . you shall be the first to see the effects , as you are to receive the menaces . i say the menaces , not the promises , since all my visits are more worthy your feare , then your hope . it may be you are of another opinion : but if this were not mine , i should yet lesse merit , then i doe the honor of your favour , and the quality , madam , of your , &c. the xxxi . letter . she professeth that the course displeaseth her , and that shee cannot imagine what delight may therein be found . madam , i am in despaire that my opinion is not conformable to yours : and that the same thing is the object of your pleasure , my anger . i speake of the course which you cal the fairest houre of the day , and i the most troublesome . this is my opinion which yet i love not , because yours is contrary , give mee reasons to combat it ; there is nothing i desire so much , as to learne those which make you love it , that i may renounce those which make mee hate it . i much feare not to be perswaded : and albeit your spirit be very powerfull over others , least mine in this occasion , oppose her aversion to your eloquence . i say an aversion , not blinde , like that of many others , who content themselves to say , they are not enclined to such a thing , and will not open their eyes to see the truth they know not . i doe not shut mine , rather i straine my selfe to finde some reasons to make it pleasing . i pry into every corner , without discovering any thing faire , or agreeable . we goe there to see , or to be seene : and for that matter , i have neither vanity enough , nor curiosity , we turne , we behold , we salute three things in my judgement unprofitable enough , or enough trouble some i will not say dangerous , especially speaking to a person that knowes how to preserve her selfe in a greater contagion , and which runs no other perill in this adventure then that of being importuned . t is to you then an innocent diversion , albeit , it may be , it be not so to many others , but suppose it be to all : have we not many better , wherin there is more pleasure , lesse trouble ? is it not better to spend that houre in entertaining of our friends , then to make so many turnes in the midst of noyse , and dust ? this is neither conversation , nor walking , seeing there is too little familiarity for the one , too much confusion for the other . this is my opinion , which perhaps is not conformable to that of many others : but it matters not , i cease not to beleeve it reasonable , although i have not many of my side . i know there are more bad , then good how ever i think the best may be of diverse opinions in such a matter . howbeit least i make me to many enemies , i had rather say , i take no pleasure therein , then that there is none at all . i would not have my humour serve as a rule for others . i am not vaine enough to claime conformity , nor easie enough to yeeld it . i am not careful to frame my selfe a particular wisedome . and i let you thinke if i desire my aversion overcome , since it deprives me of publicke pleasure , and makes mee hate what you love . i will therefore tell you that i have found the meanes to draw some profit from the course , and to recrea●e my self , albeit it be not in the same fashion with others , it is , that observing the passages there , they put me into an extraordinary veine of laughing , not that this folly is not worthy of compassion ; but i would not make so austere a reflexion , and had rather make sport with it , then complaine , you see how all my mirth consists in deriding that of others ; but i must confesse you the truth , the pleasure which i thus take , does not last long ; i enter insensibly into ●holler : i flote betweene a good , and a bad humour ; i see whereat to be angry , and whereat to laugh , and am betwixt snight , and scorne . and this is the state i fi●de my selfe in , during the course . i know not if reason be of my side , or yours ; but in which soever it be , free mee from errour , or leave it your selfe . it is no great matter which of us change her opinion , so our opinions be reconciled . i cannot endure they should be different , and am resolved to lose , or gaine the victory : at least i promise you to suffer my selfe to be perswaded by your reasons , if you bring me any strong enough . if i am ignorant , i am not indocible . and it is easie enough to cure mee , if i be sicke . i am wholly disposed to beleeve you , as well as to obey you , and to be , madam , your &c. the xxxi answer . shee answers that her aversion from the course is without reason , and that shee hath nothing to vanquish but her opinion to take delight therin , as well as others . madam , seeing it must be ( as it seemes by your letter ) that one of us , renounce her opinion : to observe some justice therein , it will be good to have regard to her that shall lose lesse by the change ; and since there is one houre in the day that displeases you , you shal gaine much if you can find the meanes to make it agreeable . you ought to contribute what you can , to free your selfe from a beleife that hurts you , and makes you find a loathing , where all the world takes a recreation . let us not dispute so much the noblenesse of our thoughts , as their utility . let us be happy , if wee cannot be wise : and if it be hard to discover whether our opinions be contrary to reason , let us at least take care they be not contrary to our owne good fortune . to what end should we affect that which opposes our felicity ? t is a misfortune , that instead of correcting we adore our owne imagination . and are to our opinions , as mothers to their children ; loving to those that merit it least . t is a great increase of misery , to see that our thoughtsare not only salse , but likewise sullon , did our dreames depend upon our selves , wee would have none but pleasant . and yet though our thoughts bee at our owne liberty , wee cease not to have them importune , nor lose them without difficulty , for my part i desire not that errour should abridge my pleasures , i had rather it encreased them , and if i must be deceived , i wish it might be pleasingly , doe as much for the course , and strive to finde delight , where your imagination depaints nothing but importunity . i know not why you say , t is neither walking , nor conver●ing : it is both the one and the other , or rather a third pleasure compounded of both , see how many contentments are found therein at the same time . wee take the aire , wee entertaine , wee mu●e , we may there please the eye , and the eare , and finde the pleasures both of discourse and silence , but there is enough said of this matter , if reason cannot convince you , i hope you will yeeld to experience . i had rather make you taste that which is delightfull in the course , then to describe it . we will carry you thither , and if you yet go there with your errour , doubtlesse you shal come home sound . you shall be vext at your antipathy to this houre , and grieve the time you employed , not in so pleasing an exercise , i assure my selfe you will thanke me for undeceiving you , and that you will ta●e my care , for one of the least effects of the affection i have to serve you , and to be alwayes , madam , your ▪ &c. the xxxii . letter . sh● wisheth her much wealth , and saith she is rich in the goods of nature , if poore in those of fortune . mistris , after the letter you wrote unto mee , i know not what to begge of heaven for you , or what prayers to make , may give you satisfaction . i seare least mine be contrary to yours , and that you should complaine of the felicity which i desire you , tell mee your minde in this , that my prayers may be more confident , and profitable , but whiles i lo●ke to heare from you , i must tell you what i feare , as wel as what i desire . although you cannot choose but be content , if fortune does her duty for you ; i feare not withstanding least wee have cause to complaine of her blindnesse , who without doubt would averre , she is not rich enough to equall your perfections with her presents , if she had eyes to consider what you are . in which this shall alwayes be your great consolation , to be able to thinke , if shee doe you no good , shee knowes not your worth , how liberall soever she be towards you , shee cannot equall nature , which will alwayes make you merit more favours , then the other can give . i beleeve you will never be so happy as you are perfect , by my advice you should use this thought to sweeten that which makes you melancholly , when you doe not so much consider what you have , as what you want . and indeed if you take but a little paine to regard what you are , your glasse , and your conscience , will hinder you to complaine , the one shewing you the greatest beauty , the other , the purest vertue of the age . your humility forbids it not , since after you have well knowne your owne extraordinary qualities ; you can conclude no other thing , but that you are specially obliged to him , without whose favour there is nothing faire , nor in the soule , nor face : it will be said i preach , in stead of complement , but you are so good you will tolerate the liberty of my discourse , because of the affection i have to serve you , and to be , madam , your , &c. the xxxii . answer , she maintaines that no body shall disoblige her , by desiring her more goods then she hath . madam , i am glad that fortune hath no eyes : if she had i should looke for lesse by her election , then now by her blindnesse , and i thinke if men had given her eyes , they had taken away all my hope . if we must measure her favours by the merit of those that receive them , i should yet be poorer then i am . it may be some will say , that if you meane to pray for me , it must be to make mee more wise , and not more rich ; because that having acquired vertue , i shall possesse a good greater then all others , and which fortune can neither give nor take away , but i will not dissemble i will freely tell you what i thinke , i am not of their number which despise riches in appearance , and desire them in effect . it seemes to me that i may wish a little more then i have : and because in this my designes are just , i thinke my desires are so . t is a misfortune to be necessitated : and to be poore with honour wee must vow i● . i suffer poverty , but desire it not . i know well enough what they say of this subject , touching the contempt of riches : but t is onely discourse , practised by no body . philosophy it selfe in our age would be better lodged then in a tub , and better cloathed then in the dayes of the cynickes . this is not strange : for as the soule albeit faire hath need of a faire body , because of the organs whereunto she is tyed , so how eminent soever a vertue be , she hath sometimes neede of the goods of fortune , to make up all her brightnesse . otherwise though shee hath all her price , she hath not all her luster . you will say that the vertue of the poore breedes compassion , like a faire , miserable ; and indeed it seemes we cannot commend it without complaining . i wish we had not this opinion ; that this errour were not in the soule of so many persons , and that wee lived not in an age , wherein they give more to a person of quality , then a person of merit , but t is better we accōmodate our selves to this error , then oppose it : this will prove to us a wisedome , lesse troublesome , and lesse dangerous . at least for my selfe , i assure you , i shall never fret against those , which desire mee more wealth then i have . if you make prayers for this , they are not contrary to mine . i thanke you for the good you wish mee , and i beseech you beleeve that though i may become more rich , i can never be more then i am , madam , your , &c. the xxxiii . letter . she prayes her to bring her acquainted with a certaine lady of worth . madam , albeit naturally i have an extreame repugnancy to make requests , i assure you i feele no effect of this aversenesse , when i am obliged to beg your favours , you do them with so good a grace , they leave no other shame , then that of impotency to returne the like . t is the sole displeasure i have in receiving a good turne from you , not to be able to render it . you will thinke i doe not speake this to no purpose , and that i doe not praise your goodnesse , but the more easily to obtaine the effects : but i can assure you , i desire not to handle you in that sort : i have too good an opinion of your friendship , to use the least finenesse in solliciting , when any occasions present themselves to oblige m●e . i hope more in the force of my prayers , then my perswasions , i make my requests with more affection , then art . you know it , and i thinke i tell you nothing you beleeve not , when i assure you i am naturall , there lies my advantage : and if the faire dutchesse you so much esteeme , be taken with simplicity , i hope mine will please her . i have but this charme can touch her . you see the subject of my letter , and of the prayer i make you : you promised mee to give mee her acquaintance , and if i demand you this favour , t is onely after you have done me the honour to offer it . when i thinke on the esteeme you make of it , it seemes to mee it should be to misprize your approbation , not to be willing to know a person , which you repute so worthy . albeit she had but this advantage to be esteemed by you , i could not have a small opinion of a spirit which yours approves . there are many others might help me to this acquaintance : but among al the meanes which present themselves , i shall bee glad to employ the most noble , and for my selfe the most advantageous . if i had more merit ; i should have lesse neede of your favour : but i thinke shee will not examine my defects , and that shee will beleeve what i am by your esteeme . and to say that this is to feare for you , and that she will wonder to finde in mee so few qualities worthy her knowledge , or your recommendation : never imagine that this can hurt you , the opinion shee hath of your merit , shall not diminish by that shee shall have of my imperfections . if the persons of whom you speake to her , have any good qualities , shee takes this for an effect of your choyse , if they have none , shee attributes it to your goodnesse . she can make no interpretation disadvantageous to you . that which she cannot referre to one vertue , she will bestow upon another . you may employ your reputation for great spirits , your compassion for small . t is in this ranke i must place my selfe , albeit to say true , i ought to surpasse the most excellent , if i had as much brightnesse , as affection to serve you , and to testifie that i am entirely , madam , your , &c. the xxxiii . answer . she faith , that she shall be thanked on both sides , for bringing them acquainted and after shewes that she is no way counterfeit . madam , you are not a little faulty , if you doe with paine employ me : you cannot deprive me of the occasions to serve you , without taking from me those of contentment . and judge if you ought to have any repugnancy , since i am tyed to you , by the two strongest chaines of the world , inclination , and obligation . the desire i have to doe you some service is aswell an effect of my sympathy , as my duty . i beseech you bel eve it , and especially in an occasion , where my labor will be more honorable to me , then profitable to you . you desire i should bring you acquainted with mel●ante , and i thinke you demand mee nothing , which to her may not be very pleasing . i shall receive thankes on both sides , and you both shall have a better opinion of my spirit , because of the interest i have in persons that are so rare . iudge not of her by my report , but by her merit , which is the cause of it , when you have seene her , you will not accuse me to have spoken more then truth : and likewise you shall judge mee worthy of excuse , if i have not exprest all her good qualities , since there is too great a number . i must make her the same complement for you , and refer you both to a more particular acquaintance , which you shall get in time . but you are in the wrong , to say there is nothing amiable in you , but simplicity , if you are simple t is by reason , rather then nature . and if you be without finenesse , t is not by ignorance , but contempt , yours is a noble simplicity , which comes not from want of spirit , like that of many , but onely from an aversion you have to impostures . i hate them so much , that it is impossible for me to suffer them . there is nothing i desire so much , in those i love as a solid honesty , which serves for foundation to al vertues ; and without which there shall never be assurance in society , nor commerce . i seldome see those that are cunning to have much soule , or vertue : if they were really good , or prudent , they would lesse affect the appearance . there are which conceale their vertues by modesty , meane while that others conceale their defects by vanity . but in the end , men take away the vizards , and discover in time what is worthy of blame , or praise . this is my opinion , which i esteeme so much the more reasonable , as it is conformable to yours . finally , you know if i have cause to make warre with those that are lesse sincere , since there is nothing so contrary to my humor as deceit , and nothing so pure , and naturall as my affection ; but especially that i have to be madam , your , &c. the xxxiv . letter . shee rejoyces that she is not forgotten , and feares least the number of her letters be troublesome . madam , i must needs say , in the feare i was in , to be blotted from your memory , i have beene very glad to know that your long silence was rather an effect of distance , then oblivion . you will that i interpret it so ; and i assure you i am of the number of those who beleeve easily what they desire . i will not examine if it be truth or civility that speakes . i make no more doubt there hath wanted occasion , not wil , if i have not received your letters . as for mine , i had cause to desire that some had stayed by the way : since if you have received them all , you should have no lesse reason to complaine for the testimonies of my remembrance then i for the silence of yours . our plaints had been very different you perhaps had lesse desired my letters , i yours more . but i doe not repent ; i thinke you be not angry at my writing , and since you suffer my affection , your patience will stretch to those effects which shew it : i wish stronger , better to merit what you be to me , and better to testifie what i am to you , that is , madam , your , &c. the xxxiv . answer . shee assures her that her letters shall never bee troublesome , and expresses displeasure , that hers were not all received . madam , you do me wrong to thinke i can ever forget you , you must have lesse merit , or i lesse knowledge of it . there is nothing so true as the assurances i give you of my remembrance . and you shall have better reason to beleeve , then desire it . this is more true then profitable to you . you are my example , and my remedy : i thinke on you alwayes to comfort and instruct my selfe . you tell me that i have not received all your letters ; if it be so , i have reason to complaine with thankes , and to esteeme my selfe unfortunate , at the same time , i beleeve my selfe obliged . i should be lesse worthy of this favour , if i had lesse feeling of such a losse . i see my selfe enforced to agree to contrary passions for the same cause , joy , and sadnes . if i rejoyce to know you remember me , it afflicts me , not to have seene all the evidences , as for my letters you have receiv'd them all in the same day as i conceive , albeit , as you may well see , i write them one after another . i am sorry they were not given you in the time that i desired : but seeing it is thus happened , at least i shall thence draw one great advantage ; it is that henceforth , if you receive none , you will attribute it to my misfortune , which else perhaps you would to my oblivion , never then entertaine an opinion contrary to the purpose i have to honour you : and whether i write to you , or not , beleeve that i am perfectly , madam your , &c. the xxxv . letter . she praies her to assist a friend of hers in some affaire . madam , i beseech you at the entrance of this , to remember the command you made mee , when i had the honour to bid you farewell : and you will finde it lesse strange , if i have rather suffered my self to be transported with feare to disobey you : then to importune you by my letters . i can write you none but ill-composed , but i forbeare not to hope you will suffer them , and after having had patience for a bad conversation , you will not deny it me for a bad letter , that which yet makes me hope this favour with more assurance , especially in this occasion , is that i write for one who hath wisedome , and vertue . they are two qualities you love , and possesse in a degree so eminent , that even those who have them but in the meane , finde easie accesse , when any occurrent presents it selfe . i assure my selfe this bearer which knowes this truth but by report , shall quickly learne it by experience , when he shall have seene you . i doubt not but you will assist him , and doe beleeve that in obliging him , you will give me new ground to serve you , and to be , madam , your , &c. the xxxvi . letter . shee makes her a complement on the praises she had received . madam , you give me approbation for a thing , which hardly deserves patience . i thinke t is rather an effect of your affection , then of your judgement ; and that you have more desire to declare me your good will , then your esteeme . take heed you offend not , in praysing me after this manner , and that yon make me not fall into the greatest errour of the world , which is to take my selfe to be eloquent . i ascribe so much to your judgement . i should be ready to abuse my owne , to conforme my beleefe to yours , but let us change stile , i thinke it is not your intention , no more then mine , and that when you value me so much , t is rather civility then truth , that speakes . i know you have no lesse ability to discerne my defects , then goodnesse to pardon them . and i doe not desire you to run your selfe into errour , i onely pray you to bring in others , and to say of mee sometimes that which your selfe doe not beleeve . it seemes to me my request is not uncivill , if i beseech you to speake for mee to others , as you use to doe to my selfe . i thinke you would not i should have any other opinion of my selfe : so i take your praise for an honest correction , and doe beleeve that in attributing to mee so many good qualities , you would admonish mee of those i want , and which must be had to merit so high an approbation as yours . this is that which ought to be beleeved by , your , &c. the xxxvii . letter . she professes to her the feare shee hath during the thunder , and expresses her griefe for not seeing her . mistris , wonder not if this letter be confused , i am yet more in my thoughts , then my discourse : if you know not the cause , i thinke it is enough for your information to tell you it thunders here , they say the storme is past , and neverthelesse my feare is not yet blowne over . this is not written like others in my cabinet , but in the bottome of a cave , whether i descended all trembling , and wrote it with so much disorder , that to reade it onely , will be enough to make you beleeve the truth . i thinke that you are sorry to know me subject to such an excessive feare : but yet doth it seeme that i have more reason to feare thunder , then others have to runne away from rats , and spiders . after so many sad examples wee have of it , that which is capable of feare , ought to be possest with it , at this most fearefull meteor , but that this feare may be profitable , it must make us discourse of our owne weakenesse , and the greatnesse of god , which makes all tremble with a vapour , and which employes but an exhalation to fright the proudest . excuse me if i write to you in this fashion , the apprehension i am in , inspires me with no other thoughts , you shal receive something another time lesse melancholly , but see how far i am distracted , i forgot to answer your letter , where you tell mee there is no appearance , i bemoane you much , and that you yet hope my returne with more passion ; i have as much affection to your company as you to mine . i wish you knew my thought , without doubt you would change yours . finally binde me to judge of my griefe , by my love , or rather of the one , and the other , by your merit , which is the object of both . neverthelesse , i ought not to give my selfe over to the judgement you make of me : for as humility conceales from you the better part of your selfe , i feare least it also hide the affection , they beget in the soule of those which know you as my selfe , and which are as perfectly as i am , mistris , your , &c. the xxxviii . letter . she complaines of her subtleties . madam , albeit i were told of your humour , i could hardly beleeve you would disoblige those that had vowed you service , and friendship , the good opinion i had tane of you forbad mee this beleife , insomuch , that i accused of malice and invention , those that informed me yours , but now i have quitted this error , by the last effects you have made mee receive of your bad disposition ; which are by so much the more unjust , as i have never given you cause to offend mee . on the contrary , i have alwayes exprest to you , that i esteemed you perfectly . t is this which makes your processe the more criminall : and which should carry mee more justly to revenge , if the contempt i make of your deceits tooke not away my purpose . in this minde i would never complaine of you , if it were not for feare to passe for an innocent in your judgement , giving you advantage by my silence to thinke that i discover not your subtleties , and that i yet preserve the affection i promised you . t is this that made me resolve to hazard this writing , to assure you that i am cleane stript of friendship or hatred towards you . my courage makes me uncapable to estee me you , and my goodnesse to hate you : but if my mildnesse obliges me to this moderation , it shall not hinder me to tell you ; that of all the ladies i have ever knowne , you are the most malicious , and the most unworthy to be beloved . this is all that i can write unto you of this matter , assuring you that your instructions have bin unprofitable , and that those people which have studyed them , have made very bad use of them ; at least have they not made those to speake , which else would hold their peace ? i doubt not , but if they have bin willing to tell you the truth , they have affirmed to you , the little satisfaction they have received from their curiosity . any finenesse that their wit hath used , innocence hath surpast their craft : so doth shee triumph alwayes , soone , or slow , over lies , and calumnies . i beseech you beleeve that those you have employed to disoblige mee , have absolutely taken away the will , and the desire to be , madam , your , &c. the xxxix . letter . she entreates a strange lady to assist a friend of hers goeing out of the realme . madam , i have alwayes beene heard to speake of your merit , with so much zeale that every one hath imagined by the testimonies of my affection , that i had some part in yours you see the reason why m. l. which shall present you this letter , hath desired to be the bearer thereof , and withall the subject , that hee might receive some reflexion of the friendship , wherewith you ●●ave honoured me . surely , madam , i am engaged to him in this occasion , to give me that to write to you , to recommend to you in him the person of one of my friends , though hee be commendable enough of him selfe . i hope you will make him know by your good offices , that i am a little in your favour , and that those hee shall obtaine of your courtesie in my regard shall oblige mee to render you as much service . in the meane time i conjure you to conserve me the honour of your remembrance , with assurance that i wish that of your commands , to make it appeare that i am , madam your , &c. the xl. letter . she entreates him to oblige the bearer if there be neede . sir , you have used to indebt your friends with so much affection , you will not finde it strange , if i recommend you one of mine , which merits to have a part in your favour . if you afford him any testimonies of the friendship you have promised me , albeit i pretend recompence in helping you to his , i shall alwayes be engaged to you for it , it is of m. l. who shall present to you my letter , to receive some favours from you , which hee shall the more easily obtaine by his owne merit . i conjure you impart them ●o him , and beleeve they shall ●e set on the score of obligations , which i desire to acquite by my services , which shall shew you that i am , sir , your , &c. the xli . letter . she writes to an abbesse , recommends her daughter enterd into religion . madam , i can receive in the world , no more satisfaction , my daughter no more glory , then in the testimonies you give the one , and the other of your courtesies . i pray god , madam , the example of your life , which is a rule to all ladies living in cl●ysters , may yet be more specially to her , i recommend you , to what ever condition god doth destine her , this shall be alwayes her great advantage , to have seene so good an houre , and approcht so neare to vertue . i know the importance of this obligation , and if you make reckoning of any humane thing , i shall take the assurance to protest that i am more then any person in the world . madam , your , &c. the xlii . letter . she conjures her to continue her friendship . madam , since i am too unfortunate to be eternally neare you , at least i must make you see i am alwayes there in thought , and that the greatest consolation i have in my solitude is to entertaine my selfe with your rare qualities , and to hope for your newes . i aske them boldly , since you have done me the honour to promise them in your celestiall cabinet , where they doe never tell lies , and where you appeare with so much majesty , as a queene upon a glorious throne . i conjure you to this , by those faire houres , which i cannot remember without hoping the continuation of your favours , you have promised mee this grace so solemnely , that if it were a curtesie to make mee hope it , t is ●ow but justice to pay it . i demurd it as a thing you owe me , and which you can no more refuse me , without giving me cause to complaine . i beleeve my hope shall not bee without effect : and that which yet gives mee more assurance , is , that since your affection depends rather on your owne good nature , then my merit , i reckon it will last long : and your complexion being most equall , the friendship you beare mee , shall never bee lessned . i am certaine it shall never have an end , if it dure as long as the purpose i have to serve you , and be , madam , your , &c. the xliii . letter . she entertaines her upon the departure of her husband , and the retreate of one of her children into the cloysters . madam , one that knew lesse then i , the strength of your spirit , would thinke there needed great preparatives of reason , to resolve it against two accidents , which just at a time are united to make you rather an example of glory , then an object of disgrace . i wil then keepe my selfe from condoling you , nor will i enterprize to comfort you , since wee ought not thinke any unhappy , but those that have feeble soules ; and that to say truth there is no accident fastned to the substance of the wise , that which the vulgar esteemes hurtfull , and vexatious , is ordinarily found on the contrary , we may see an example of it in the departure of my lord your husband , in the retreate of my lord your sonne into a monastery , i assure my selfe , there is no body that beleeves not your ressentments most just , but your judgment is too cleare to be surprized by appearances , and not to know in the age we live that vice is in such sort authorized , that we know it no more , but by the traine that followes it , and by the equipage , which makes it triumph , in the adoration of slaves , and flatterers . vertue hath no more the beauty which nature gave her . this is that which causeth most men , not trouble themselves how , provided they procure favour . i praise god , madam , to see your house free from this reproach . this is it which makes me beleeve , that if fortune doe ever reconcile her selfe with vertue , the peace will never be made , but on condition to make my lord your husband chiefe of the gowne . i am no sibil , my age , and face , take off the suspition : but if there be prophetique gifts in any soules , and god take pleasure to make beasts speake under the raigne of lewes the thirteenth , aswell as under that of pharoah ; i shall boldly foretell the good hap of the state , when it shall use the counsels of m. t. that which he hath done in diverse negotiations , witnesseth that he hath not wanted to so good a master , but a letter cannot describe his perfections , and i have done but like mathematicians , who with small points , marke out great kingdomes . it remaines i tell you that the departure made by my lord your son , is an action you cannot complaine of , seeing the example of your piety , is perhaps the onely cause of his resolution , this it is forbids mee remember you of a thousand reasons , might be alleaged to sustaine the assault of blood , and nature . for the fruites hee shall bring forth in the church , and the consolation you shall thence receive , will diminish the displeasures he might leave to a house full of honour , and riches . t is this i hope for his contentment , and yours , sharing as i doe , in all that concernes you , and desiring nothing more , then to witnesse to you that i am entirely , madam , your , &c. the xliv . letter . she testifies her displeasure , being almost in despaire to see her againe , and that shee had rather speake , then write to her . my deare cousin , however i esteeme your letters , i had rather be in case to speake then write , not that i loathe to entertaine you in that kinde , seeing i have no other meanes : i cease not to thinke on you , but i preferre your presence to your idea , and will take more pleasure to addresse my prayers to you , then your picture ; i meane to the image of your merits , which never can be blotted from my memory . your remembrance may give contentment to my soule , but your entertainement to my sense also , and would render my joy more perfect . any faire thoughts i have of you , i am little more happy then those that have pleasing dreames , when all is done , t is but a fantome that i hugge , and if there be ought better in my dreaming then theirs , t is that i can maintaine it longer . and so i doe alwaies , separating my selfe from company , that i be lesse distracted from the remembrance of yours . i know that absent persons , cannot entertaine themselves , but by the meanes of letters , but it seemes to me , there is not much pleasure to speake so farre off , as we doe , and that the words are very cold we put on paper . for my selfe , i cannot but complaine of it , and i thinke i have more cause then any body , you know it , since there is scarse any likelihood to see you again . this necessity which comforts in other occasions , doth afflict me the more in this , and if i had more hope , i should have lesse torment . i resemble the daughters of princes , married into strange countries , which never , or very seldome returne . if their matches be but banishments , so is mine : and though my fortune be not so glorious , it is no lesse unhappy . this is that which troubles me , when i consider , that i cannot re-approach you , and that i must now write , what i have beene accustomed to protest by mouth , that i am perfectly , madam , your , &c. the xlv . letter . shee professeth her ind●sposition to complement , and makes her new offers of service . mistris , i keepe my word , and send you a letter far from complement , and how should i make them , since tho i know them not , i hate them ? this is the reason you forbad me use them , to satisfie my ignorance , as well as my humor , if i were not extreamely averse from them , your entertainement would be my schoole to learne . but i must change discourse , least with a complement i blame it . i am infinitely obliged to you , for so many proofes of your remembrance , and am so satisfied with the paine you take to write , i can no more expresse my content , then the affection i have to honour you . i sweare to you , the one , and the other is extreame , and my onely displeasure is to have so little meanes to shew it . i am barren of occasions to render you what i desire , but not of desire to encounter those to serve you . i hope if ever any be presented to acquit my selfe in some sort of the obligation i owe you , by the care i will take to make you see , how i am , mistris , your , &c. the xlvi . letter . she complaines not to have heard from her , and expresses the feare she hath to be no longer in her favor . madam , t is so long since i received any newes from you , i scarse dare demand it any more . i have cause to thinke it is not onely want of remembrance , but of will that you deprive me of this favor . i should be happy were it onely oblivion , but i doubt t is also contempt . if this be not my faith , t is my feare . but however ; if my misfortune be come to such extreamity , at least take the paines to tell it me : that i may not endure so great a losse , and not weare mourning . t is not long since i perceived by your letters , that i ought not long to hope the continuance . especially since i have beene at l. with madam d● b. it seemes to mee you have taken mee for a stranger . i shall never be so in what concernes you . and beleeve assuredly what ever walk i make , the change of the place shall never be followed with that of my affection , but i must leave this discourse , or rather finish it , in the distrust i am to have no part in your favour , i feare my complements doe importune you . i end them , and this , which i ought make no longer , having reason to thinke you are no more in humour to reade letters , then to write . i am so much afraid of it , that i even make a scruple to finish this like others , and i beleeve it is enough to be , without daring tell you so , madam , your , &c. the xlvii . letter . she complaines of her forgetfulnesse , and assures her of her remembrance although she shold forbid it . madam , i begge your pardon for my writing , i thinke it be to trouble you , but to make it passe the least part of your time , in reading the offers of a service , so little necessary as mine . i cease not however to acquit my selfe of this duty , and to persecute you yet with my newes , to shew you the extreme griefe i suffer to be deprived of yours . i receive none ; and i feare that sending so few letters , you have not a purpose to shew that mine displease you , it was this , i ought alwayes to thinke , if i had not beene too credulous , when you assured me the contrary , likewise i beleeve that another more bold than i , would pray you to remember your promises , since upon the matter you have at other times made me to hope the honour of your remembrance , but 't is a favour so much above me , i should thinke it a fault to demand it ; and that indeede , i did but dreame , when i thought that i possest it . neverthelesse since i can no longer be happy by hope , at least i will be so by remembrance . i will consider times past , to comfort me at present ; and though we be not rich , by the goods wee have lost , i will notwithstanding doe a miracle , and make my selfe content by a felicity not in being : all that can afflict me is , that i know not if this will not offend you , and if you grieve not to see me happie , albeit you contribute nothing to it ; perhaps you will take it ill , that an extraordinary merit like yours , should serve for an object to so low a thought as mine , but vexe your selfe at it while you list , i shall very hardly obey you , though you should fall into the humour to forbid it ; to forget your merits , is to me as impossible , as the remembrance of my defects is to you tedious . and albeit the feare of your displeasure , should hinder me to protest by letters , the affection i have to serve you , i cannot deny my selfe to be truely as i am , madam , your , &c. the xlviii . she thankes her for her approbation , and saith that if she had more merit she should have lesse friends , aswell as lesse like in the countrey . my deare confident , your prayses doe bring mee more shame , than vanity , they are so excessive , that i cannot receive them , without wronging the knowledge i should have of my selfe , you are too liberall ; and if nature had done so much for me as you say , i should be in case to rejoyce , where as now i am to lament . certainely i cannot imagine the cause of so an extraordinary an approbation . if it proceede from affection you are in an errour , if from subtlety , you would put me in one . i beleeve there ia a little of the one , and the other ; and that civility mixt with friendship , renders you so prodigall in my behalfe ; i will not abuse it , and the greatnesse of your courtesie shall not hinder mee to see the greatnesse of my defects . this is the way best to acknowledge the favour you doe me , for looke how much i esteeme my selfe more imperfect , i shall esteeme you more obliging , but leave mee the opinion you have of me , to speake of that they have in this country , know you that if i had more spirit , i should here have lesse credit , and should be in danger to have fewer friends , if i had fewer like ? if i could speake , or write well , i should have qualities not in fashion , and which would not onely be unprofitable but dangerous ; they esteeme them worthy of contempt , not prayse , or imitation : we are in a country where ignorance is more happy , and more esteemed than knowledge : vertue is here despised , and worthy persons are constrained to doe as protestants at rome ; they are afraid to appeare with their merit , as those with their religion , insomuch that if i were more able , i should be lesse honoured , yet have i cause to thanke god , in that having destind me for the countrey , he hath given me qualities there esteemed meane , while my defects render me the object of your compassion , here they are that of praise , and admiration , insomuch that i cannot depart hence , without losing my luster . if i quit the country and come to paris of admirable , i shall become ridiculous . i am hardly of opinion to goe into a place where are able spirits , that can better marke my defects , than here they doe ; but all these reasons move me not ; the feare not to be there esteemed , shall never be so strong as the desire i have to see you , and to assure you that i am , madam your , &c. the xlix . letter . she sayes that if she prayse her , it is without flattery . madam , what ever i say of you , doe me the favour not to accuse me of dissimulation ; it is not civility obliges me to your prayses , t is that which hinders you to receive them , doth truth displease you , because you are the object ? and must vertue lose the esteeme we owe it , because it lives in you ? this is unreasonable , and i will not be unjust to please you , i want two qualities which are more necessary to slatterers . i have neither wickednesse nor wit. i am too generous , and too ignorant to practise this vicious dexterity ; however i know you are no more capeable to receive , than i to offer it . i should bee farre estranged from my purpose , as well as from yours , and my owne humour , should i endeavour to please you by flattery , i should put my selfe in danger to loose your favour , instead of gaining it by this device . finally , i tell you my thought , and if you ac●use mee to bee in errour , ●t least accuse mee not of ●eduction . i will speake no●hing , but what i thinke ●hen i publish every where ●s i doe , that the two things ●hich admit not the lest ●omparison are , your me●●t , and the desire it produces ●● mee to serve you , and to bee alwayes , madam , your , &c. the l. letter . shee accuses his silence , and complaines that shee knowes not whether to write to him . my deare brother , i know what reason you have not to bee here , but cannot comprehend wha● hinders you to write . i● your absence bee an effect of your misfortune , your silence is one of your oblivion . and thinke in what displeasure wee bee , since wee must beleeve you want opportunitie or will , if the first wee feare you have no longer libertie , and have cause to lament you : if the second , you have no more affection , and wee have cause to be angry with you , wee are reduced to the straite , either of pitty or choller . so little as you regard us , consider yet into what you plung us . since beside the griefe wee have not to heare from you , wee know not moreover how to send . if you tell us yet where you bee , wee should have some comfort , but as yet wee can discover nothing of it . so i turne this loose to hazard us , knowing what fortune it shall runne by sea , or land . i must speake freely to you , and tell you that i cannot imagine the cause of so long a silence , especially in a person that would perswade that his affection is extreame . it must needes be that you inhabite some land , where they forget faire women , as easily as here they doe good services . you understand me well enough , and t is enough you know , that calista doth yet complaine more then amaranta , and that your mistresse mixes her teares with those of your sister . are these two pleasing companions cleane forgotten ? consider if you be but little guilty , when at the same time , you offend love and friendship . and are no better brother , then faithfull lover . how insensible soever you bee , i assure my selfe , if you reade this letter with my attention , you cannot but bee toucht . i hope my prayers shall worke some effect , if you regard who makes them , it is , my brother , yours , &c. the li. letter . shee complaines of the inconstancie of a certaine lady , who had in the beginning exprest an extraordinary inclination , and soone after quitted it . madam , i know no longer what to thinke of our age , i am of the opinion of those , who have neither hope , nor faith , but in god : that wee give to the world , is too often abused , not to leave us undeceived , would you ever beleeve that beliana had ceast to visite mee , after the protestations shee made mee in your presence ? had you thought she could live without mee ? and neverthelesse i heare no more newes of her . i have given her many visites , without receiving any . and when i meete her by the way , shee salutes mee with so much coldnesse , as will serve to expresse her ficklenesse . i protest i have beene deceived in her . i never thought so faire a beginning had beene so neere the end , and that so much dearenesse shee made mee at first , should have beene followed in so short a time with neglect . you know how farre my humour is estranged from lightnesse ; but i protest at present , i wish my selfe more facility , that i might bee lesse troubled with hers . my constancy is no lesse importunate , then unjust , since ordinarily it carries mee to those that have it not . i chaine my selfe so strongly to what i love , that it cannot be separated from mee without carrying away a peece . i still behold with griefe what i should behold with contempt . it is true , i doe my selfe all the violence of the world , to lose my prize . but what shall i doe more for her , not being able to returne , i must needes let her goe ; and let the force of reason comfort mee in a chance , where the tendernes of affection would bee without remedy , but let us leave a discourse unprofitable , and irkesome , t is better i entertaine you with my voyage . i have beene in the countrey , since i saw you , and was never so much vext in so little time . t is a strange countrey where i thinke they would never speake , should you barre rayling . there is no more honesty , then ingenuity : and what ever they talke of the simplicity of the village , i know they are no lesse viciou● there , then in the city , and that all the difference is , they sinne more grosse●y . i have met there but with two sorts of persons , which are to mee equally vexatious , the ignorant , or the envious ; they have all abad wit , or a bad nature . the one know not vertue , the other love it not , judge now if i tooke delight in the countrey . i know not if they have observed my aversenesse , but i am sure i had all the labour of the world to conceale it . you may tell me i will make my selfe enemies : but for my part , i had rather loose unprofitable friends , then retaine the troublesome . i cannot observe so tedious a pollicy . t is a prudence too laborious , which commands to please the unworthy . i renounce it , say what they will , and henceforth will force my selfe in nothing , if the complacency bee not necessary for your service : i assure you of it with as much truth , as i am , madam , your , &c. the lii . letter . shee writes that shee had taken paines in the affaires of a gentleman , before he was recommended to her , and that his merit only had obliged her to it . madam , albeit i had no knowledge of the affaires of mounsieur b. that i have of his person , obliges mee sufficiently to serve him , when i know my friends have neede of mee , there is no neede of prayers , advertisement is sufficient : judge if i can spare my selfe in this occasion : since it is for one you esteeme . you must not doubt , but i doe all my endeavour to obey you , and oblige him , but the businesse was ended , i had already done that for his onely merit , which i would doe for your onely recommendation : it is come too late , i had already done him service , and hee received the favour you demand by your letter . i have one particular satisfaction , to have prevented your commands , and to have showne you my inclination , before my obedience . respect obliges mee to call it so , which your courtesie names a prayer . but give what name you please to the effects of my duty , provided you judge of them truely , and doe mee the honour to beleeve that i am , madam , your , &c. the liii . letter . she prayses her manner of writing , and blames that of many others ; who have no equall stile , and know onely a certaine number of studyed words , not being able to continue . madam , i cannot say how much i esteeme your letters ; i had need make as good to expresse their excellence . in what stile soever you write them , they are alwayes pleasing , or profitable . if you treate on subjects of importance , there is nothing so full of instruction , if they bee written with more freedome , there is nothing so full of recreation . serious they are without strayning , familiar without neglect . your stile is like those beauties which appeare in all fashions , and still please , whether they bee neately drest or plaine , and to touch that which doth wholly ●nc●ant mee , it is the great equali●y observed as well in your discourse , and writing , as in your manner of life , by which equality i meane not that one should doe , or speake alwaies the same thing , but that the one , and the other be alwaies well . i praise a perfection in you , which is much wanting in many others . there are many which learne some shreads of certaine bookes , and know them by heart to vent them in company , or in their letters . these take sometimes , but they must not shew often , if they meane to acquire equall glory , they are like to those which sell all their goods for a weekes bravery . their discourse is flat on some subjects , swelling in others . this is to put a peece of scarlet upon a tottered garment : t is to shew at the same time theft , and weakenesse : and that they are not onely poore , but unable to use the wealth of others . t is to make their fall so much the more dangerous , as they strove to flye too high wee may maintaine that truth shewes something of icarus in our sexe , though the fable attribute it onely to men : to speake properly , they are dwarfes upon stilts . t is seene they are little , and would appeare great , we know the vanity of their designe , wi●h the imperfection of their stature . you know of whom i speake , and i would tell you more , had i more time , but i have no more , but to assure you that i am , madam your , &c. the liv letter . she saith that her letters serve her for copies to learne to write , and that shee desires more judgement to bee more able to imitate . madam , you erre to say i have need of patience for your letters , as well as your entertainement . you must have a bad opinion of mee , if you thinke i have no better of you . albeit i have not judgement enough to comprehend the goodnesse of yours , i cease not to taste the sweetenesse , with extreame griefe , not to be more knowing that i might bee more happy . i am sure i should draw more advantage from your knowledge , then you from my approbation , and that i should gaine more by your instructions , then you by my prayses . but it weighes not , you neede not complaine much ; if i have not judgement enough to admire the sharpenesse , and delicacy of your letters , at least i shew them to those that can better judge , and which give you an approbation more glorious then mine . i entreate you beleeve me , and forbeare not to write , albeit there be no body worthy of your letters . they shall serve mee for copies , and at least you shall gaine this advantage , that if i be happy in imitation , those you shall receive from mee shall bee more polite , and pleasing to you , so much as they shall resemble yours . perhaps by little and little , i shall become a good scholler in your schoole , and if i take the custome to call you my mistresse , i shall have new ground to ascribe you this quality , and not onely to stile my selfe your scholler , but , madam , your servant . finis . 〈…〉 iune 13. 〈…〉 the woman as good as the man, or, the equallity of both sexes written originally in french and translated into english by a.l. de l'égalité des deux sexes. english. 1677 poulain de la barre, françois, 1647-1723. 1677 approx. 217 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 109 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2005-10 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a55529 wing p3038 estc r35373 15265572 ocm 15265572 103324 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a55529) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 103324) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 1192:5) the woman as good as the man, or, the equallity of both sexes written originally in french and translated into english by a.l. de l'égalité des deux sexes. english. 1677 poulain de la barre, françois, 1647-1723. a. l. [23], 185, [7] p. printed by t.m. for n. brooks ..., london : 1677. translation of author's: de l'égalité des deux sexes. "licensed, august 20th. 1676. roger l'estrange"--opposite t.p. advertisements: [7] p. at end. errata: p. [23] reproduction of original in the huntington library. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng women -social conditions -early works to 1800. sex discrimination against women -early works to 1800. 2003-05 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2003-05 aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images 2005-03 jonathan blaney sampled and proofread 2005-03 jonathan blaney text and markup reviewed and edited 2005-04 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion licensed , august 20th . 1676. roger l'estrange . the woman as good as the man : or , the equallity of both sexes . written originally in french , and translated into english by a. l. london : printed by t. m. for n. brooks , at the angel in cornhil , 1677. the preface , containing the plat-form and designe , of the discourse . there is nothing more nice and delicate , than to treat on the subject of women . when a man speaketh to their advantage , it is presently imagined a peece of gallantry , or love : and it is very probable , that the most part judging of this discourse by the title , will take it at first for an effect of the one or other ; and will be glad to know the truth of the motive and designe thereof . take it thus : the most happy thought , that can enter into the minds of those who labour , to acquire a solid science , after that they have been instructed , according to the vulgar method , is to doubt if they have been taught aright , and to desire to discover the truth by themselves . in the progress of their inquiry , it occurs to them necessarily , to observe that we are filled with prejudices , ( that is to say , opinions past upon things without true examination ) ; and that we must absolutely renounce them , to attain to clear , and distinct knowledges . in the designe of insinuating so important a maxime , we have believed it the best , to choose a determinate , and famous subject , where every one takes an interest ; to the end , that having demonstrated , that a sentiment as ancient as the world , of as great extent as the earth , and as universal as mankind is a prejudice or errour , the learned might at length , be convinced of the necessity of judging of things by themselves after having examined them , and not to referre themselves to the opinion or credit of other men ; if they would avoid being deceived . of all prejudices , there is not any to be observed , more proper for this designe , than that which men commonly conceive of the inequality of the two sexes . indeed , if we consider them in their present condition , we may observe them more different in their civil functions , and those which depend on the mind , than in such as belong to the body . and if we search for the reason of this in ordinary discourse , we find , that all the world , those that have learning , and those that have none , and even women themselves agree , to say , that they have no share in sciences nor employments , because that they are not capable thereof ; that they have not the parts of men , and that they ought in all things to be inferiour to them as they are . after having tryed this opinion , according to the rule of verity , which is to admit of nothing for truth , but what is supported by clear , and distinct notions ; on the one hand it hath appeared false , and grounded on a prejudice , and popular tradition ; and on the other we have found that both sexes are equal ; that is to say , that women are as noble , as perfect , and as capable as men . this cannot be established , but by refuting two sorts of adversaries ; the vulgar , and almost all the learned . the former having no other ground for what they believe , but custome ; and some slight appearences : the best way to confute them , seems to be , to let them see how that women have been subjected , and excluded from sciences , and employments ; and having led them through the principal conditions , and occurrences of life , give them occasion to acknowledge , that women have advantages which renders them equal to men ; and this is the designe of the first part of this treatise . the second is employed to shew , that all the arguments of the learned are vain . and having established the sentiment of equality , by positive reasons , women are justified from the defects of which they are ordinarily accused , by making appear that they are either imaginary , or of little importance ; that they proceed only from the education which is given them , and that they mark in them considerable advantages . this subject might be handled two wayes , either in a flourishing , brisk ; and complementive stile , or otherwayes after the manner of philosophers by principles , to the end of being instructed therein to the bottom . such as have the true idea of eloquence , know well that these two stiles are almost inconsistent together , and that one cannot enlighten the mind , and tickle it by the same methode . it is not but that the flourish may be joyned with reason ; but that such a mixture often hinders the end which ought to be proposed in discourse , which is to convince , and perswade , that which is pleasing , musing the mind , and not suffering it to rest on what is solid . and as men have peculiar regards for women , if in a treatise made on their subject , we mingle any thing that is gallant and courtly , those that read it , pursue their thoughts too far , and lose sight of that which ought chiefly to affect them . wherefore there being nothing in the world that concerns women more than this designe , where we are obliged to speak in their favour , matters of the greatest force , and verity , as far as the capriciousness of the world can suffer it ; we thought that it behooved us to speak seriously , and give notice thereof , lest that the conceit , that it might be a peece of airy gallantry , should make it slightly perused , or rejected by scrupulous persons . we are not ignorant , that this discourse will render a great many male contented , and that they whose interests and maximes are contrary to what is proposed here , will not fail to cry out against it . to give means to answer to their complaints , we advertise persons of spirit , and particularly the women who are not the spaniels of those that take authority over them , that if they give themselves the trouble to read this treatise , with the attention at least that the variety of matters therein contained does require , they will observe that the essential character of truth , is clearness , and evidence , which may serve them to know whether the objections that may be adduced against them be considerable or not . and they may remark , that the most specious shall be made to them by people whose profession seems at this day to engage them to renounce experience , common sense , and themselves , that they may blindly embrace all that agrees with their prejudices , and interests , and oppugne all kinds of truths that seem to oppose them . and we pray consider , that the bad effects , which a panick fear may make them apprehend from this enterprise , may never perhaps happen in one single woman , and that they are counterpoised with a great advantage , which may redound there-from ; there being perhaps no way more natural , or sure , to draw the greatest part of women from idleness , to which they are reduced , and the inconveniences that attend it , than to perswade them to study , which is almost the sole thing in which ladies at present can imploy themselves , by making them know that they are as proper thereto as men . and as there are none but unreasonable men , who abuse the advantages that custome hath given them , to the prejudice of women ; neither can there be likewise any , but indiscreet women , that should make use of this peece , to make them rise against men , who would treat them as their companions , and equals . in fine , if any one be choaked with this discourse , for what reason soever it be , let him quarrel with truth , and not the author : and to free himself from peevishness , let him say to himself , that it is but an essay of wit : it is certain , that this jurk of imagination or a like , hindering truth from gaining upon us , renders it much less uneasie to those who have pain to suffer it . the translator to the unprejudiced reader . i well fore-see , that my pains , in making this ingenious french author speak english , will , according to the bias of prejudiced , and interested humours , undergoe various censures ; a great many men , especially those who defie the french , with their shop-tooles , will be at it tooth and nail , and cry out , that so many out-landish trinckioms having already crept into use amongst the women ; he that would endeavour to introduce more , is no friend to the liberty of the subject . but such men do but hunt their own shadow ; my intent by this translation being quite contrary . when i considered , that of all nations , the english did most candidly assert , and sutably entertain the worth of the lovely sex ; and by civility , and good nature , as well as prudence , and justice , freely grant an equality to women , in all things wherein established , and unalterable customes might not be violated ; which strangers , even the french themselves , the great complimenters of that sex , do by the force of philosophy , and with reasons which wrestle against prejudices , but at most discourse of . i thought i could not do less for the satisfaction of such english men , who do not understand my author in his own language , than to make him intelligible , and so give them opportunity to infer from his opinions ; that what in this matter the virtuosi , and enquirers of that nation , squeeze from subtile speculation , and logick , is no more than what every english man practiseth by common sense , and natural inclination . and herein i hope not at all to have offended that sex. i think i have no great reason to apprehend ill will from the vertuous women , for my endeavours of letting them hear strangers speak in their favours ; since they may lawfully conclude from thence , that if they enjoy more than their neighbours of what is their acknowledged due , it must be their peculiar advantages beyond others , that makes them more considerable in the eyes of their iudges : there being no countrey which produceth women , who ought more iustly to boast of the favours , and endowments of nature , in respect of body and mind , than this ; or who more fully enjoy , or modestly use the priviledges which upon that account , are reasonably allowed them . this i conceive may be sufficient to warrant my undertakeing , especially seeing so candid a peece of philosophy , may in a great measure vindicate the honour of the nation , ( which much grieves to be imposed upon by the modes , and punctilio's of the french so much in fashion ) by letting the world see , that the english , nobly complying with that iustice which is therein so strongly pleaded for ; do in matters of importance give an example so truly imitable , that the more ingenious must impute it to salick lawes , long custome , masculine , and harsh constitutions , that they are not vniversally proposed as patterns . it is not my province to attempt the answering of objections , which may be made against this kind of doctrine ; both since my author , whose task it was , hath fully done it ; and that there is no great danger of inconveniencies , here to publish that which is already believed and put in practice . and therefore , if any corrupt minded sales-man , who may pretend to know women better than either the author or my self , because he hath seen more in their bodices , shall unlace and let flie a dotument , and tell me that in this medling generation i have been a little too pragmatical to follow the steps of a stranger , and tread upon snailes when they show their hornes ; i am so innocent as not to reply , but leave him in his chafe , to be convinced by reason , and a good wife : and speak a word to the impartial reader by way of advertisement concerning the treatise . the author himself gives his reason , why he hath handled this subject in so serious a manner , and in so short , and doctrinal a stile : so that i need say no more , but as a faithfull translator , i have stuck to his words , and sense . i resolved indeed to have accommodated this treatise as much as possibly i could to the manners , and present customes of this nation ; but finding therein , somethings whereon the author does insist as material to the establishing of his opinion , which are not well known in this kingdome , there being no order of people , nor publick houses here , which in every thing runs parallel with nvns , abbesse , and mons asteries , but especially with those whom he mentions : i thought it convenient to translaete his words literally , and for the understanding of one passage , which may seem difficult , advertise the reader , that there is an order of nuns at paris , who , because they make it their business to relieve , and supply prisoners , and other indigent persons , have the name of charity ; and that in the great hospital the l'hostel dieu there , which is indeed a great theatre of humane infirmities ; all the sick , are attended by religious women . if the reader be herewith satisfied i have my designe ; and if not , i shall not , i hope , lose the name of a friend , which is . a. l. errata . page 43 line 20 read on aspects for or aspects p. 121 l. 1. r. offices f. officers . the woman as good as the man , or , the equality of the two sexes . the first part. wherein is shewn , that the vulgar opinion is prejudicated ; and that , comparing ( impartiality ) that which may be remarked in the conduct of men , and women , we are obliged to acknowledge an intire equality between both sexes . men perswade themselves of very many things , for which they can give no reason ; because their assurance is founded onely upon slight appearances , by which they suffer themselves to be hurried : and would have as strongly believed the contrary , if the impressions of sense or custom had thereto determined them after the same manner . setting aside a small number of learned , all the world hold , as a thing unquestionable , that the sun moves about the earth : though that which appears in the revolution of dayes , and years , equally inclineth those ( who attentively consider ) to think , that it is the earth that takes its course round the sun. men imagine , that in beasts , there is a certain knowledge that guides them , by the same reason that wild savages fancy , some little spirits to be within clocks , and other engines which are shown them ; where of they understand not the fabrick , or movements . had we been brought up in the midst of the seas , without having ever come ashore , we should not have failed , to have believed ( as children do when they put off in boats ) , that in our floating-houses , the land went from us . every one esteems his own countrey the best , because there he is most accustomed ; and that the religion , wherein he hath been nursed , is the true , which he ought to follow ; although he hath never perhaps dream'd of examining , or comparing the same with others . vve find our selves alwayes more inclined for our countreymen , than for strangers , even in matters where right is on their side . vve are more pleased to converse with those of our own profession , than others ; though neither their vvit , nor vertue , be so great . and the disparity of estates and conditions , make many judge , that men amongst themselves are altogether unequal . if we enquire into the ground of all these diverse opinions , we shall find them bottom'd on interest , or custom ; and that it is incomparably more difficult , to draw men from such sentiments , wherein they are engaged by prejudice , than from the opinions which they have embraced upon the motive of the strongest , and most convincing arguments . amongst these odd opinions , we may reckon the common judgment which men make of the difference of the two sexes , and of all that depends thereon ; there is not any mistake more antient , or universal . for , both the knowing and ignorant , are so prepossessed with the opoinion , that women are inferiour to men in capacity and worth , and that they ought to be placed in that dependance wherein we see them ; that the contrary sentence will not miss to be eyed , as a paradox , and piece of singularity . however , for the establishing of it , it would not at all be necessary , to use any positive reason ; if men were more just , and less interested in their judgements , it might suffice to advertise them , that hitherto the difference of the sexes ( to the disadvantage of the female ) , hath been but very lightly discoursed off ; and that to judge soundly , whether our sex have obtained any natural pre-eminence beyond theirs : we ought to think thereon seriously , and without partiality , rejecting all which hath been hitherto believed upon the simple report of other men , without tryal , or examination . it is certain , that if a man would set himself in this state of indifferency , and neutrality , he must acknowledge ( on the one hand ) that it is weakness and precipitancy that make us reckon women less noble and excellent , than our selves : and that certain natural indispositions render them obnoxious to the failings , and imperfections that are attributed to them ; and thereby contemptible to many . and , on the other hand , he must see , that these very colours which cheat people concerning their own subjects , when they slightly pass them over , would serve to undeceive them , if they sounded them a little deeper . in short , if that man were a philosopher , he would find that there are natural reasons , which invincibly prove , that both sexes are a like , both as to body , and soul. but as there are not many persons , in a condition of themselves , to put in practice this advice ; so it must remain useless , without some pains be taken to labour with men , and to put them in the way of making use of it . and seeing the opinion of those who have less studied is the most general , with it we shall begin our enquiry . let every man ( in particular ) be asked his thoughts of women ( in general ) and that he would surely confess his mind ; he will tell you without doubt , that they were not made but for man ; that they are fit for nothing , but to nurse , and breed little children in their low age ; and to mind the house . it may be the more ingenious will add , that there are many women that have indeed parts , and conduct ; but that even they who seem to have most , when they are nearly examined , discover still some-what that speaks their sex : that they have neither solidity , nor constancy ; nor that depth of judgement which they think to find in themselves : and that it hath been an effect of divine providence , and wisdom of men , to have barred them from sciences , government , and offices : that it would be a pleasant thing indeed , to see a lady in the chair ( in quality of a professor ) teaching rhethorick , or medicine ; marching along the streets , followed by officers , and sergeants ; putting in execution laws : playing the part of a counsellour ; pleading before judges : seated on a bench , to administer justice in supream courts : leading of an army ; giving battel ; and speaking before states , and princes , as the head of an embassy . i do confess , such practices would surprize us ; but for no other reason , but that of novelty . for , if in modelling of states , and establishing the different offices that compose them , women had been like-wise called to functions ; we should have been as much accustomed to have seen them in dignity , as they are to see us . and should have found it no more strange to have seen a lady on a throne , than a woman in a shop . if these blades be pressed a little further , we shall find their mightiest arguments reduced to this , that , as to women , matters have alwayes past as now they go ; which is a mark , that they are really such , as they are esteemed : and that , if they had been capable of sciencies , and offices , men would not have denyed them their shares . these kind of reasonings proceed from the conceit that we have of the equity of our sex ; and a false notion which men forge to themselves of custom : it is enough with them to find that a thing is established , to make them believe it well grounded . and as they judge , that men ought to do nothing without reason ; so the most part of people cannot imagine , but that reason hath been consulted for the introducing of such practises , as they see universally received ; and fancy to themselves , that prudence , and right reason , have established the customes , to which they both oblige us to conforme ; since , without breach of order , we cannot therein dispence with our obedience . every one sees ( in his own countrey ) the women in such subjection , that , in all things , they depend on men , without being admitted to learning ; or any of those conditions , that afford opportunity to become remarkable by the advantage parts : no body affirms , that he hath ever seen them treated other-wise . and all know , that matters go so with them every where , that there is no place in the world , where they are not used after the same manner , as we find at home . in some countries their usage is worse , where they are regarded as slaves . in china they keep their feet little from their child-hood , to hinder them from rambling out of doors ; where they never see any thing but their husbands , and children . in turkey the ladies are strictly enough confined ; and in italy they are not much better . almost all the people of asia , affrica , and america , use their wives , as we do our serving-maids . they are no where imployed in any thing , but that which is esteemed low , and base : and because they only discharge the lesser care of hus-wivery and nurses , men commonly perswade themselves , that , for that end alone they are in the world ; and that they are uncapable of any thing else : they cannot easily represent to themselves how matters could be other-wayes ; it appearing impossible to alter them , what endeavour soever be used . the wisest law-givers in founding their common-wealths have established nothing on this account , in favour of women . all their laws seem only to have been made to confirm men in the possession they have got . most part of men , who have passed for learned , have not said any thing to the advantage of women : and the conduct of men , in all ages , and places of the world , appears so uniform in this case , that it seems they have conspired ; or other-wayes ( as many imagine ) have been led thereunto by a secret instinct ; that is to say , letters-patent from the author of nature . men are still the more perswaded in this , when they consider in what manner the women ( themselves ) support this their condition . they look upon it as a thing natural to them ; whether it be that they reflect not upon what they are ; or that being born , and bred in dependence , they make the same judgment thereon , as men do . now , upon all these views , the one , and the other , let themselves believe , both , that their spirits are as different as their bodies ; and that there ought to be as great distinction betwixt the two sexes , in all the functions of life , as there is in those which are peculiar to either : whil'st , in the mean-time , that perswasion ( like the most part of those which we draw from use , and custom , ) is nothing but prejudice , formed in us by the appearances of things , for want of closer examination ; and of which we might easily undeceive our selves , if we would but take the pains to return back to the fountain-head , and judge in many occurrencies of that which hath been done in former times , by what is practised at this day ; and of the custom of the antients , by what we see in vogue in our own times : had men followed this rule in many of their sentiments , they had not so easily fallen into mistakes . and as to what concerns the present state of women , they would have acknowledged , that they have not been subjected by any other law , than that of the stronger ; and that it hath not been for want of natural capacity , or merit , that they have not shared with us in that which raises our sex above theirs . indeed , when we consider seriously the affairs of this world , both past , and present , we find that all agree in this , that reason hath alwayes been the weakest : and it seems , that histories have only been composed , to demonstrate that which every one sees in his own time , that ever since there hath been men in the world , force hath alwayes prevailed . the greatest empires of asia , in their beginnings , have been the work of usurpers , and thieves . and the scattered wracks of the grecian , and roman monarchies , have not been gathered , but by those who thought themselves strong enough to resist their masters , and domineer over their equals . this conduct is no less visible in all other societies . and if men behave themselves so towards their fellows , there is great likely-hood from stronger reason , that , in the beginning , they have done so , every one towards his wife . and this is almost the manner how it hath happened . men observing , that they were : the stronger , and that in relation of sex , they had some advantage of body , fancyed that they had the same in all ; the consequence was not great for women in the beginning of the world , affairs being in a condition far different from what now they are : when neither government , science , office , nor religion , were established , the notion of dependence had in it nothing at all of irksome . i imagine that men lived then like little children , and all the advantage that was , was like that of play. men and women ( who then were simple , and innocent ) were equally employed in labouring of the land , or hunting , ( as the wild indians do at this day ) : the man took his course and the woman her's ; and they that brought home most profit , were commonly most esteemed . the inconveniencies that attend and follow the big-belly , weakening the strength of the female for some intervenal of time , and hindering them to labour as formerly , required ( necessarily ) the assistance of their husbands ; and the more still , whil'st they were taken up with the care of their young children . this produced some regards of esteem , and preferrence in families , which then were only composed of father , mother , and some little babes : but when families began to be enlarged ; and that in the same house , lived not only the father , but the father's mother , the children's children ; with brothers , and sisters , elder and younger : then did dependence dilate it self , and become more sensible : then was to be seen , the mistriss submitting to her husband , the son honouring his father , and he commanding his children . and as it is most difficult for brothers , alwayes , perfectly to agree ; we may easily conceive , that they lived not long together , before that some difference hapned amongst them : the elder , stronger than the rest , would condescend to them in nothing : so , force obliged the lesser to bow under the greater , and the daughters to follow the example of their mother . it is easie to be imagined , that in such families , there were then several different functions ; that the women , being bound to stay at home to bring up their children , took the care within doors : the men ( more free and strong ) charged themselves with the affairs abroad ; and that after the death of the father and mother , the first-born took upon him the government . the daughters , accustomed to the house , had no thoughts of going abroad ; but some younger brothers , discontented , and more fierce than they , refusing to submit to the yoak , were obliged to withdraw , and set up for themselves : and so , several of the same humour meeting together , made a shift to live on their fortunes , and easily contracted friendship : vvho , finding themselves without estate , sought out means to purchase what they wanted : and seeing there was no other way but to take from their neighbours , they fell upon that which came next to hand : and , to confirm themselves in the possession of their new conquests , at the same time made themselves masters of the owners . the voluntary dependence , which was before in families , ceased by this invasion ; fathers and mothers , with their children , being constrained to obey an unjust usurper : so that , the condition of vvomen became harder than before . for , as till then , they had never been marryed but to men of their own house , and family ; they were afterward forced to take strangers , and unknown husbands , who only considered them as the loveliest part of their booty . it is ordinary with conquerours , to despise those amongst the subdued , whom they judge the weakest : and the women appearing to be such , by reason of their employments ( which required not much strength ) , were looked upon as inferiour to men. some there were who contented themselves with this first usurpation ; but others , more ambitious , ( encouraged by the success of their victory ) resolved to proceed in their conquests . the vvomen being more humane , than to serve such unjust designes , were left at home ; and the men chosen as the most proper for such enterprizes , where there is need of force . in this state of life matters being no other-wayes esteemed , but as men thought them useful to the ends which they proposed ; and the desire of dominion being now become the strongest of passions , which could not be satisfied but by violence , and injustice ; of which , men were the only instruments : it is no wonder that they were preferred to women . men like-wise , serving to maintain the conquests which they had made : their counsels were only taken for to establish their tyranny , because none so fit to put them in execution . and so , the mildness , and humanity of women , was the sole cause which excluded them from having any share in the administration of publick government . the example of princes was quickly imitated by their subjects , every one would carry it over his companion ; and private men began to rule more absolutely in their families . so soon as a lord found himself master of a people , and considerable countrey , he shaped it into a kingdom , made laws for government , chose his officers from amongst the men ; and raised to places those who had best served him in his enterprizes . so notable a preferrence of one sex above the other , lessened still more the esteem for the vvomen ; and their humour and course of life , being far from butchery , and vvarr ; men believed them no other-wayes capable to contribute to the safety and preservation of kingdomes , but only by helping to people them . states and common-vvealths could not be established , without the placing of some distinction amongst those that did compose them : so marks of honour were introduced for distinguishing of orders , and signes of respect invented to testifie the difference , which was acknowledged to be amongst men. and to the notion of power , was added the external submission , which is commonly rendred to those who have the authority in their hands . it is not at all necessary to tell you , how god hath been known of men ; but it is certain , that since the beginning of the vvorld , he hath been adored by them ; though the vvorship which men have rendred to a deity was never regular , but since they were assembled in bodies to make up publick societies . now , as men were accustomed to reverence the powers , by external marks of respect ; they thought it like-wise their duty , to reverence god by some ceremonies , which might serve to manifest the sentiments which they entertained of his greatness . temples were built , sacrifices appointed , and men ( who were already the heads of government ) failed not also , to take to themselves , the care of that which concerned religion . and custom having now prepossessed the vvomen with an opinion that all belonged to men , they contentented themselves without aspiring to any part of the publick miniry . but the idea which men conceived of a god-head , being extreamly corrupted by the fables and fictions of poets , they forged to themselves divinities , both male and female ; and appointed , shee priests for the service of those of their sex ; but still with subordination to the conduct , and pleasure of their priests . women have been likewise known to have governed great states ; but we must not imagine , that it was because they have been called thereto out of a purpose of restitution of their right ; but because they had the dexterity so to dispose of affairs , that men could not snatch the authority out of their hands . it is true , there are at this day hereditary states , where the females succeed to males , as queens , or princesses ; but we have no reason to believe , but that if men have suffered the scepter to fall into the place of the distaffe , it was only that they might prevent the people from falling together by the ears ; and that , if they have permitted female regencies , it was in consideration , that the mothers ( who alwayes extreamly love their children ) would take a more particular care of their states during their minority . so that , now the women being no other-wayes imployed , but in their huswivery , and finding therin business enough ; let us not think it strange , that they have not invented any of these sciences ; whereof the greatest part ( at first ) have been but the work , and task of some idle loyterers . the aegyptian priests ( who had not much to do ) busied themselves in chatting together , concerning the effects of nature , which seemed most to touch them : and after much talking and reasoning , began to make observations ; the noise of which , stirred up the curiosity of some men to come in search of them : but sciences being but then in the cradle , did not allure the women out of doors . besides , that the jealousie which already imbroyled the husbands would have filled them with suspition , that their wives had gone to visit the priests ra-rather for love to their persons , than learning which they had obtained . after that several men had received some tincture of this new learning , they began to assemble themselves in certain places , to discourse thereof more at leisure ; where every one speaking his thoughts , knowledge ripened , and colledges and accademies were appointed , where the women were not admitted ; but in the same manner were excluded from learning , as they had been from all the rest . notwithstanding , the restraint wherein they were kept , hindred not , but that some of them procured the conversation and writings of the learned ; whereby ( in a short time ) they equalled the progress of the most ingenious : but custome having already enjoyned an impertinent decorum , that men durst not come to their houses , nor other women visit them for fear of giving some umbrage , they made no disciples , nor founded sects ; but all the light which they had attained , uselesly , dyed with themselves . if we observe how modes and fashions creep into use , and how they are dayly imbelished , we may judge , that ( in the beginning of the world ) people took no great care of their dress : all was then simple and plain , nothing minded but necessity . men flea'd beasts ; and fastening their skins together , framed to themselves habits . but afterwards , commodiousness began to be devised ; and every one accowtering themselves according to their fancy , the fashions that were most decent , were presently followed ; and they that were under the same prince , strove to conform themselves to his mode . it happened not so with modes and fashions , as with governments and sciences ; the women here had their share with men : who perceiving them by their dress more lovely , took no care to rob them thereof . and both the one , and the other , finding that some sort of apparel set off more gracefully , and rendred more amiable the person , both strove to find out the knack : but the employments of men being greater , and more important , hindered them from the more eager pursuit . the women herein shewed their prudence , and skill ; for , observing that new ornaments made them more agreeable , and dear to men , and thereby their condition more supportable ; they neglected nothing which they thought might serve to render themselves charming , and lovely . to that end , they employed gold , silver , and precious stones , as soon as they grew in vogue : and seeing that men had deprived them of means , to make themselves conspicuous by their parts , they applyed themselves solely to find out that which might render them amiable , and pleasing . in this they have very well succeeded : for , their beauty , and attire , have advanced them to greater esteem in the eyes of men , than all the books and learning of the world could ever have done . this custom hath been too well established , to admit of any future change ; the practice thereof , hath continued to our times ; and it seems to be a tradition too antient to be now contradicted , or opposed . it appears clearly ( from this historical conjecture ) , that , according to the manner of dealing familiar to all men , it is only by force and empire that they have reserved to themselves these extrinseral advantages ; from which , the female sex is debarred . for , to warrant them to say , that it hath been grounded on reason , they must never have communicated them amongst themselves , but to those who have been most capable ; alwayes made the choice of such with exact scrutiny , and discretion : never have admitted to study , but such as they knew disposed for letters : never raised to charges , but those that were fittest for employment ; and excluded all others . and , in short , never have set any man , on any thing , but what was suitable to his inclinations . we see the contrary daily put in practice ; for , there is nothing but chance , necessity , or interest , which engageth men in the different conditions and states of civil society . the children learn their father's trade , because that it hath alwayes been mentioned to them . one is forced to the gown , who would have been better pleased with the sword , had it been at his own choice : and the ablest man in the world shall never enter into employment , if he want money to buy his place . how many are there groveling in the dust , who would have made themselves famous , had they been but in the way ? and how many clowns are there , that might have become great doctors had they been sent to school ? we have but little ground to pretend that the present virtuosi are only such of the times , who have had the best genius for the things wherein they excell ; and that , amongst so many persons buryed in ignorance , there are none who , with the same means which they have had , could have rendered themselves more capable . why is it then , that we assure our selves , that women are less fit for such things than our selves ? sure it is not chance , but unavoidable necessity that hinders them from playing their parts . i urge not , that all women are capable of all sciences and employments ; that any one is capable of all : no man pretends to so much ; but i only desire , that , considering the sex in general , we may acknowledge an aptitude in the one as well as the other . let us but glance a little upon that , which we see dayly in the play and smaller divertisements of children . the girles show therein a more gentile air , more of wit , and greater dexterity : and when fear or shame does not stifle their humours , their discourse , is more ingenious , and pleasant ; and their conversation more lively , brisk , and free : they learn sooner what they are taught , if they be equally plyed : they are more industrious , more painfull , more submiss , more modest , and more reserved ; in a word , we may remarke in them in a more eminent degree , all those excellent qualities , which being found in young men , make them esteemed fitter for high matters , than those who are otherwise their equalls . notwithstanding that , that which appeares , in the two sexes , whilst they are as yet in the cradle , is sufficient to make us conclude , that the more lovely gives also the fairest hopes ; yet men take no notice thereof ; masters and teaching are onely for the men : particular care is taken to instruct them in all which is thought proper , to form and improve the mind ; whilst in the mean time , the women are let languish in idleness , softness , and ignorance : or , otherwise grovel in low , and base imployments . but for all this , we need but two eyes to perceive , that the case of the two sexes is just like that of two brothers , in the same family ; where the younger , notwithstanding of the neglect of his breeding , makes often appear , that the elder has no advantage over him , but the start in coming into the world. for what end serves commony the education which is given to men ? it is useless to a great many for the proposed end : nor does it hinder , but that many fall into vice , and dissolution : and that others remain still ignorant , and even many times become greater fops than they were before . if they had before any thing of breeding , of briskness or civility , they lose it by their study . all goes against them , and they against all things ; so that one would say , that they had spent their youth in traveling in forraign countreys where they had only frequented the society of salvages ; so much clownishness , and rudeness of manners they bring home with them . all that they have learned is like goods of coutreband , which they either cannot or dare not vend : and if they have a mind to venture into the world again , and therein appear as they ought , they are obliged to go to school to the ladyes , there to learn garb and complaisance ; and all that out-side which now adayes compleats a gentleman . if we come nearer , and consider this : instead of undervaluing the women , because they have no great stock of learning , we should the rather esteem them happy : since that if on the one hand they are thereby destitute of the means to set off the parts , and advantages which are the peculiar on the other hand , they have not the occasion to spoile or lose them : who , notwithstanding that defect , advance in vertue , vvit , and good grace as fast as they grow in years . so that , should we without prejudice , or a byassed judgement , compare young men when they come new off of the press , with the vvomen of their own 〈◊〉 and not know how either the one or the other had been bred , we could not but believe , their education to have been quite contrary . the out-side alone , the air of the face , the looks , the gate , the countenance , and the gestures , in vvomen , speak somewhat ' posed , grave , and discreet , which sufficiently distinguisheth them from men ; none can be more reserved than they , words of double meaning never escape their lips , the smallest equivocation wounds their ears , nor can they endure the sight of any thing that choaks modesty . the conduct of most men is of a quite different stamp . their march is often rash , and precipitant ; their gestures odd and antick , their eyes rambling and un-settled : and are never more pleased than when they are entertained and fed with things which ought either be kept silent or hid . let us but converse a little with vvomen , and that which the world call the learned , either in company together , or a part by themselves , and we shall see the difference that is between the one and other . one would say that the men had stuffed their heads with study , that they might clogg , and confound their vvits . nothing comes clearly from them , and the pain that they put themselves to , to pump for the words , quite spoils the rellish of that which they might have said to purpose ; so that unless the natural wit be good , or they in company with men of their one gang , hardly can they entertain an houres-discourse . women on the contrary , express neatly , and in order , what they conceive : their words cost them nothing ; they begin , and go on at their pleasure , and when they have their liberty , their fancy supplies them alwayes with inexhautible liberality . they have the gift of proposing their thoughts , with a sweetness , and complacency that insinuates as strongly as reason : when men on the other hand , do it in a manner rough and dry . let any questions be started in presence of women of clearer wit , they have presently the point that is drove at ; they consider it under more appearances : what is said to purpose , finds sooner acceptance in their minds ; and when that we are a little known to them , and that they have no suspition of us , we find their prejudices not so strong as those of men ; nor they thereby so armed against the truth proposed . they are altogether averse from contradiction , and dispute , to which the learned are so addicted : they nibble not vainly at words , nor make use of those scientifick , and mysterious terms which are so proper to cover ignorance ; but all what they say is sense and intelligible . i have taken delight to entertain my self with women , of all the different conditions that i could meet-with , both in the town , and countrey ; to the end , that i might discover the best , and worst ; and i have found amongst those of them whom necessity , and labour , had not rendred stupid , more sound judgement than in the most part of the workes , which pass with great credit among the vulgarly learned of the age . in speaking concerning god , it never entered into one of their heads to tell me , that she conceived him , under the shape of a venerable old man : on the contrary , they said , that they would not imagine , ( that is ) represent him to themselves , under any appearance like to men : that they conceived there was a god , because they could not comprehend that they themselves , or that all other things which did environ them , could be the work of chance , or of any creature : and that the conduct of their affairs being no effect of their prudence , because that the success thereof rarely answered the wayes , and methods , which they had taken ; it must needs be the effect of divine providence . when i asked them , what they thought of their souls ; they never made me answer : that it is a very subtile , and thin flame , or a disposition of the organs of their bodyes ; nor that it was capable of extension , or contraction . on the contrary , they answered , that they perceived very well , that it was distinct from their bodyes ; and that the greatest certainty that they could say thereof , was that they believed it altogether unlike any of those things , which they perceived by sense ; but that if they had been book-learned , they should have known to a hair what it was . it never entereth into the head of a nurse , to say as physitians do , that their sick began to be better , because the concoctive faculty performs ( laudably ) its functions : and when they see a great quantity of blood stream from a vein , they laugh at those who deny a communication of the others there-with by circulation . when i would know of them , why it was that they believed , that the stones exposed to the sun , and southern-showers , did sooner wear , than those that lay to the north ? there was none simple enough to answer me , that it comes to pass by reason that the moon gnawes them with sharp teeth , as some philosophers pleasantly fancy ; but that ( they being dryed by the heat of the sun ) the following showers made them the more easily moulder . i have demanded ( at least ) of twenty for the nonce , if they believed not that god ( by an obediential , or extraordinary power ) could elevate a stone to the beatifick vision ? but could never draw from them any other answer , but that they thought , i jested with them by such a kind of question . the greatest fruit that we can expect from learning , is a just discerning , and exactitude in distinguishing of that which is true and evident , from what is false and obscure ; thereby to avoid falling into errour , or mistake . people are easily inclined to believe , that men ( at least such as pass for knowing ) have in this the better of the women . nevertheless , if we have but a little of that discerning and exactitude of which i spake , we shall find that it is one of the qualities they want most ; for , they are not only obscure , and confused in their discourses , ( by which good quality they often sway , and attract the belief of simple and credulous persons ) ; but they even reject that which is evident , and scoff at those who speak in a manner clear and intelligible , as too easie and common : they fall first upon any obscurity proposed to them , as being the most mysterious of the rest . to convince them of this , we need do no more but hear them with a little patience ; and afterward , oblige them to explain themselves . the women are of an humour very far from this . vve may observe , that such as have a little seen the world , cannot endure that even their own children should speak latin in their presence ; they mistrust others that do so ; and often say , that they are afraid lest some impertinency be hid under such strange attires . we never hear them meddle with the sacred terms of arts , as men call them ; nay , they cannot be made so much as get them by ●eart , though their memories be very good , and that they have heard them often repeated . and when we speak to them in obscure and hard words , they frankly confess , that they want wit and understanding to reach our meaning ; or other-wise , they well perceive , that such as cant after that manner , want knowledge and learning to speak other-wise . in fine , if we consider the several wayes and methods , whereby the men , and the women , bring forth what they know ; we must judge , that the one are like to labourers that work in quarries , who ( with great pain ) win from thence rude and shapeless stones ; and that the women ( like skillful architects , and masons ) polish , and fitly place in work , what they have put into their hands . vve find an infinite number of women , who not only judge of things with as much exactness , as if they had had the most exquisite education ; without either prejudices , or confused notions ( the ordinary stumbling-block of the learned ) ; but also , see many , that ( with a judgement cleer and just ) can discourse of the objects of the most refined sciences , as if they had alwayes studied them . they express their minds with a grace ; and have the knack by hitting on the best terms in use , to speak more with one word than men can do with many . if we discourse with them of languages in general , they have that pitch of thoughts which is not to be found but in the ablest grammarians : and , in short , they are observed to draw more from custom alone , for the embellishing of their language , than the most part of men from study and practice both together . eloquence is a talent so natural , and peculiar to them , that no body can dispute it : they perswade what they please ; and can indite and defend without the help of laws : so that , there are but few judges , who have not proved them the most prevalent proctors . can there be any thing more weighty , or elegant , than the letters of several ladies upon all the subjects that fall under ordinary conversation , and principally upon the passions ? the movements of which , make up all the beauty and secret of rhetorick . they handle them with so delicate a touch , and express them so naturally , that we are obliged to confess , that we feel them to be such as they speak them ; and that all the oratory of the world is not able to give to men , that which costs nothing to women . the flights of eloquence , poesie , harangues , sermons , and discourses , soar not at all above their reach ; and nothing is wanting to their criticks , but the rules , and a few terms of art. i am not ignorant , that this treatise it self , will not escape their censure ; and that there are many who will find fault with it : some will condemn it , as not at all proportionate to the grandeur , and dignity of the subject : that the strain of it is not so gallant , the stile so noble , nor the expressions so lofty and elevated as was fit : that there are several passages slightly handled , where many important remarks might have been imployed : but i hope my good-will , and the designe which i proposed , to speak nothing but truth , and to avoid the forced expressions which savour of romance , will plead excuse for me at their hands . they have ( moreover ) this advantage , that the eloquence of action is in them much more lively than in men : there , men alone lets us see , that they intend so to speak , as to gain the point . their air is noble and great , their port free and majestuous , their carriage decent , their gestures naturall , their stile engaging , their words easie , and their voice sweet and melting . the beauty and grace of their discourse ( when it enters once the mind ) , opens to them the door of the heart . if they reason of good and evil , on their countenance appears that character of integrity , which renders the perswasion more prevalent : and when they would excite love for vertue , their heart is seen on their lips ; and the image which they give thereof ( decked with the ornaments of discourse and graces , which are so peculiar to them ) appears a hundred times more lovely . it is pretty to hear a woman , that sets herself to plead ; how clearly she explains , and unties all the knots and labyrinths of affairs ; precisely states her own , and parties pretensions : discovers what hath given ground to the suit , and the manner how she has managed it ; what engines she hath set a work in all her proceedings ; and how ( in all things ) she shewes a certain capacity in business , which is wanting to the most part of men. it is this which makes me think , that if they made it their business to study law , they would succeed in it ( at least ) as well as we ; but we see , that peace and justice is their study ; with grief they hear of differences , and with joy endeavour to take them up friendly : their care in that , makes them find out turns , and singular expedients , for the reconciling of minds ; and , upon the conduct of their own , or their neighbours families , they naturally make these reflections of equity ; upon which , all the knowledge of law and justice is founded . in the rehearsals of those who are witty , there is alwayes some pleasingness with order , which is not to be found in ours : they discern what is proper , or impertinent to the subject ; decide the interests ; describe the persons , with their true and natural characters ; unfold the intrigues , and trace the greatest as well as the least , when they set thereon . this is evidently to be seen in the histories , and romances of ingenious ladyes who are still alive . how many are there that learn as much at sermons , in discourse , and some little books of piety , as many doctors with thomas aquinas in their studyes , or upon their deskes ? and speak with that solidity , and depth about the highest mysteries of all the christian morality ; that they might often pass for great divines , if they did but wear a liar , or could lugg into play latin sentences . vvomen seem born to practise physick , and to restore the sick to health ; for the neatness and complying humour easeth one half of the distemper ; and they are not only proper to apply remedyes , but likewise to invent : they find out an infinite number , which are commonly called small , because they cost less than those of galen or hippocrates , and are not prescribed by receit , but which are by so much the more easy , and secure , as they are simple and natural . in fine , they make their observations in their practises , with so much exactness , and discourse thereof with so good reason ; that they often render useless all the places of the schools . amongst the countrey women , those that labour in the fields , are wonderfully skilfull in the odd , and unconstant freaks of seasons ; and their almanacks are a great deal more certain than those , which are printed from the hands of astrologers . they explain naturally the fertility and barrenness of years , from the winds , rains , and what else is produced by the change of vveather ; so that no body can hear them discourse thereof , without pity and compassion of the learned , who charge all these effects or aspects , conjunctions , ascendencies of planets and the like ; which makes me think , that if women had been taught , that , the alterations to which the body of man is subject , might come upon him by reason of his particular constitution , his exercise , the climate wherein he lives , his food , education , and different occurrences of life ; they had never let it enter in their heads , to have referred these various inclinations and changes to the influencies of starrs ; bodies at so many thousand miles distant from us . i confess , there are some sciences , of which women are not at all heard speak ; because they are not the sciences of ordinary vent , nor society . alegebra , geometry , and the opticks , never ( or rarely ) leave studies , and learned academies , to come into the croud . and , as their greatest use is , to give just measures to our thoughts , they ought not to appear in ordinary converse ; but secretly , like hidden springs that move , and make great machins play : my meaning is , that we should make such application of them in the subjects of converse and entertainment , as to think and speak truly , and geometrically , without making great shew of our art. all these observations on the qualities of the mind , may be easily gathered amongst vvomen of a middle condition ; but if we advance as far as the court , and be admitted into the entertainments of ladies , there is quite another thing to be remarked . it seems that their genius is naturally suited to their quality ; their quaintness , and polite discerning , speaks a frame of spirit , delicate , fine , and easie ; and some-what great and noble , which is their own . we may say , that objects ( like men ) approach them with respect ; they alwayes see them in their best dresse , and speak of them with an air beyond the common . in a word , show a man that has a taste , two letters of ladies of a different rank , and he shall easily know which of them is highest in quality . how many ladies have there been , and how many are there still , who ought to be placed amongst the number of the learned , if we assigne them not a higher sphear ? the age wherein we live hath produced more of these , than all the past . and as they have in all things run parallel with men , upon some particular reasons , they ought more to be esteemed than they : for , it behoved them to surmount the softness wherein their sex is bred , renounce the pleasures and ness , to which custom had condemned them , overcome certain publick impediments that removed them from study , and to get above those disadvantagious notions , which the vulgar conceive of the learned ; besides , those of their own sex in general : all this they have performed . and whether it be , that these difficulties have rendred their wit more quick and penetrating , or that these qualities are the peculiar of their nature , they have ( proportionably ) made progress and advancements beyond men. it may be said nevertheless ( without diminishing the sentiments which are due to such famous ladies ) , that it is occasion , and external means , which hath advanced them to this state , as well as the more learned amongst us ; and that there are infinite numbers of women , which could have done no less , had their advantages been equal . and , seeing it is great injustice to believe , that all women are indiscreet , because we know five or six to be so ; we ought also to be so equitable , as to judge their sex capable of sciences , since we see many that have raised themselves to a perfection therein . it is commonly believed amongst us , that turks , barbarians , and wild savages , are not so proper for learning as the people of europe ; though it be certain , that if we found five or six of them here , that had the capacity or title of doctor ( which is not at all impossible ) they would correct our opinion ; and confess , that these being men like to our selves , they are capable of the same things ; and that if they had been taught , they would not have yeilded to us in the least . the women , with whom we live , deserve surely as much as barbarians , and savages , to oblige us to entertain thoughts no less reasonable or advantagious for them . but if the head-strong vulgar ( notwithstanding these observations ) will still stand upon it , that the vvomen are not so fit for arts , and sciences as we are ; they ought at least to acknowledge , that they have less need of them . for it is for two ends that we apply our selves to learning ; the one , that we may attain to a true knowledge of the objects of our sciences ; and the other , that by such knowledge , we may rise to virtue : so that in this our short life , knowledge being but the hand-maid to vertue ; and the women in possession of this : we may conclude , that by a particular happiness , they have gained the principal advantages of sciences , without having ever taken the pains to study them . what we see daily , is sufficient to convince us , that they are no less christians than men ; they receive the gospell with simplicity and humility ; and in following the rules and maxims thereof , are exemplary : their reverence towards religion , hath alwayes appeared so great , that they are esteemed without contradiction more devout and pious than we : or , though it be true , that their worship sometimes goes too far ; yet therein i cannot find them so culpable ; since the ignorance wherein they have been bred , is the necessary cause of that excess . if their zeale be undiscreet , their perswasion is at least true ; and we may affirm , that if they had a clearer sight of vertue , they would embrace it after another manner ; since they cleave to it so fast , even through obscurity and darkness it self . it seems , that mercy and compassion which is the vertue of the gospel is in love with their sex ▪ the calamity of their neighbour no sooner touches their mind , but it pierces their heart , and brings teares in their eyes . is it not their hands that in publick afflictions distribute the largest charity ? and is it not at this day the ladys that take the particular care of the poor and sick in the parishes , visit them in prisons , and serve them in the hospitals ? is it not these religious nuns , dispersed in every quarter , who have the charge at certain hours of the day , to carry to such their food , and necessary remedies ; and have thereby deserved the name of that charity , which they have so worthily practised . in fine ; if there were no other women in the world that discharged this vertue towards their neighbours but those who attend the sick in that great hospital , the l'hotel-di●u of paris ; i cannot think that with justice men could pretend to the advantage above their sex therein . these are properly the virgins , with whom the galleries of the illustrious , and noble women , ought to be enriched : of their life it is that we should sing the highest elogies , and honour their death , with the most excellent panegyricks : since here it is that we may see the christian religion , that is to say , truly heroicke vertue , practised up to the rigour , both in it's precepts , and counsels ; by young virgins , who renouncing the world and themselves , embrace a perpetual chastity , and poverty , take their cross , and that the most heavy cross of the world , and render themselves for the rest of their dayes , under the yoak of jesus christ : vvho consecrate themselves to an hospital , where the inffirm of all sorts , of all countreys and religions are indifferently received , there to serve all without distinction , and to change themselves ( according to the example of their lord and husband ) with all the infirmities of mankind : without being discouraged by having their eyes continually smitten with the most horrid of spectacles , their eares with the reproaches and cries of the sick , and their smelling with all the infectious scents of humane putrifaction : and who , for a marke of that spirit which does guid them , carry in their armes from bed to bed , and comfort the poor wretches , not in vain words ; but by the effectual , and personal example of patience , and invincible charity . is there any thing amongst christians to be conceived greater than this ? and yet , other women are no less inclined to assist , and comfort their neighbours ; they want nothing but opportunity , when other business does not divert them there-from . and i think it no less unworthy to imagine from thence , ( as the vulgar commonly do ) that women are naturally servants to men ; than to pretend that they , who have received talents , and particular endowments from god , are servants , and slaves to those , for whose good they employ them . the conduct of women , in what kind of life soever they embrace , hath alwayes somewhat remarkable . it seems that such who live single , and yet keep their freedome in the world , remain only there to be a pattern , and give example to others . christian modesty appears in their countenance and attire , and vertue makes their chiefest ornament . they wholly separate themselves from worldly conversation and pastimes ; and their application the works of piety , and religion , gives clear proof , that they have only refused the cares , and trouble of marriage , that they might enjoy a greater liberty of mind , and be obliged to nothing else but to please god. there are as many monasteries under the government of women as of men , and their lives therein no less exemplary . there , the recourse is greater , the discipline no less austere ; and the abbesses of no less worth than the abbots . they setle rules with so admirable wisdome , and govern their nuns with such prudence , that seldome amongst them happens any disorder : and , in short , the fame of religious houses , and the great rents which they possess , are the fruits of the good order of their superiours . marriage is a state of life , the most natural , and ordinary to men ; when once they are ingaged therein , it is death that must discharge them , and there they spend these periods of age , where reason ought to be the chief guid , over the different accicidents of nature and fortune ( to which this condition of life is liable ) exercising them who live therein more than others , & gives them occasion thereby to give greater tryal of their parts . a little experience is sufficient to inform us , that the vvomen here are more fit and useful than we ; for , young maids are capable to order a house , at that age , when men stand still in need of a master . and the most proper expedient to reclaim a young man , and restore him to the right way , is , to give him a vvife ; who may reclaim him by her example , moderate his extravagancies , and win him from his debauches . what complyance does not wives use , that they may live peaceably with their husbands ? they submit to their humours , do nothing without their advice , lay constraint upon themselves in many things for fear to displease them , and even deprive themselves of honest and lawful recreations , to free them from suspition . it is well enough known , which of the two sexes is the most faithful to the other , beares more patiently the misfortunes that happen in marriage ; and thereby make appear greater wisdom , and discretion . all the families ( for the most part ) are ruled by the wives , to whom their husbands resigne the government : and the care that therein they take of the education of their children , is more considerable to families , and more important to the common-wealth , than that which they take of the estate ; they bequeath themselves wholly to their good , and wellfare : the fear which they are in , left any hurt should befall them , is often so great , that ( many times ) it robs them of their rest : they deprive themselves often of their most necessary enjoyments , to the end that they may want nothing : they cannot see them suffer in the least , without suffering themselves to the bottom of their souls . and we may say , that it is their greatest pain , that they cannot ease them , by charging themselves with their troubles . who can be ignorant , how earnestly they labour to instruct them in the ways of vertue , as much as their tender age is capable of ? they endeavour to make them know and fear god , and teach them to worship him in a manner suitable , and proportionate , to their years : they take care to place them in the hands of masters , as soon as they are fit ; and choose such ( with all imaginable caution ) who may improve them in their breeding : and , which is most to be esteemed , they alwayes joyne good example to their instruction . if we should descend into an intire catalogue , and retail of all the occurrencies of life , and of all the vertues which women practise therein , and thereof examine the most important circumstances ; we might have subject enough to enlarge into a most ample panegyrick . we might represent how far their sobriety in eating , and drinking , does go ; their patience in trouble ; their courage , and fortitude , in supporting affliction . fatigues , watchings , and fastings ; their moderation in pleasures , and passions ; their inclination to do good ; their prudence in affairs ; their integrity in all their actions . and , in a word , we might make appear , that there is no kind of vertue , which is not common to them with us ; but , on the other hand , that there are a great many considerable faults , which are peculiar to men. these are the general and ordinary observations , upon what concernes women in reference to the qualities of the mind ; the use and practice of which , is the onely thing that ought to put a distinction amongst men. now , since there is not any rancounter , where men may not discover the inclination , the genius , the vice , the vertue , and the capacity of persons ; those ( who would undeceive themselves concerning this subject of vvomen ) have alwayes occasion to do so in publick , or in private ; at the court , and at the convent ; in recreations , and exercises ; with the poor , as well as the rich ; in whatsoever condition , or quality they be . and , if we consider sincerely , and without interest , what may be observed on their behalf , we shall find , that if there be some appearances which seem less favourable to vvomen , there are also more which are most advantagious for them ; that it is not for want of merit ( but of good luck , and strength ) that their condition is not equal to ours : and , in fine , that the common opinion is but a popular , and ill-grounded prejudice . the woman as good as the man , or , the equality of the two sexes . the second part wherein is made appear , that the reasons which may be adduced against the opinion of the equality of the two sexes , from poets , oratours , historians , lawyers , and philosophers ; are all idle , and fruitless . that which confirms the vulgar in the thought which they have of vvomen , is , that they find it propt , and supported , by the sentiment of the learned : so that , the publick voice of those who rule by credit , agreeing in certain general appearances , to the disadvantage of vvomen ; it is not to be wondered at , to see them so ill entertained in the minds of the ignorant , and simple . and , it happens in this as in a great many other things , that men confirm themselves in one mistake , by another , prejudice . the notion of truth being naturally pinn'd to that of knowledge , men fail not to take that for true , which is proposed to them by those who have the reputation of being learned : and , as the number of those which are such only by name , is far greater than of these who are so indeed ; the generality of men ( who only count heads ) do rank themselves amongst the former ; and do so much the more willingly embrace their opinions , as they find them conformable to such as they have already entertained . wherefore , seeing that poets , orators , historians and philosophers , proclaim ( likewise ) vvomen to be inferiour , less noble , and perfect , than men , they perswade themselves thereof the more , because they are ignorant , that their knowledg is the same prejudice with their own ( though of some-what greater extent , and more specious ) ; and that they do no more , but joyne , to the impression of custom the sentiments of the antients ; upon the authority of whom , all their certainty is grounded . and i find , that ( in respect of their sex ) they that have studied , and they that have no reading , fall commonly into the same mistake ; which is , to judge , that whatsoever they ( whom they esteem ) do say , is true ; because , they are already perswaded , that they say well ; instead of forbearing to think that they say well , till that they are assured , that they speak nothing but what is true . poets and orators , having no other designe but to please and perswade ; probability , and appearance of truth , serves them to deal with the most part of men : so that , exaggerations and hyperbolies , being most proper to that purpose , in magnifying and raising their notions , according as they have need , they render good or evil , small or great , at their pleasure : and , by a very ordinary fetch , they attribute to all vvomen in general , that which they find but in some of them in particular . it is enough to them , to have known some vvomen hypocrites , to make them say , that the whole sex is guilty of that failing . the ornaments with which they set off their discourse , do wonderfully contribute to gain them the credit of such , as are not upon their guard. they speak smoothly , and with grace ; and imploy some certain , pretty , taking ( and not common ) formes of speech ; whereby they dazle the mind , and hinder the discerning of truth . men see a great many peeces ( in appearance ) very strong against women , and yeild thereunto ; because they know not what it is , that makes up the force and verity thereof ; that it is only the figures of eloquence , metaphors , proverbs , descriptions , similitudes , emblems , and other flowers of rhetorick : and , because that there is ordinarily a good deal of wit and art in such kind of works , they imagine ( likewise ) that there is as much of truth . one perswades himself , that vvomen love to hear tales told them ; because he hath ( perhaps ) read the sonnet of sarrazin , upon the fall of the first woman ; whom he feignes only to have slipt , for lending her ear to the flourishes of the devil . it is true , the fancy is pleasing , the cast pretty , the application proper enough to his designe , and the fall most ingenious : but , if we examine the piece to the bottom , and turn it into prose , we shall find , that there can be nothing more false or faint . there are some people silly enough to imagine , that vvomen are more inclined to fury than men ; because they have read , that the poets have represented the furies under the shape of vvomen ; without considering , that this is only a poetical fancy : and that painters , who paint the harpyes with the face of a vvoman , paint likewise the devil under the appearance of a man. i have known , some undertake to prove women inconstant , from this , that a famous latin poet hath said , that they are subject to a continual change ; and that another french poet hath pleasantly compared them to a weather-cock , which turns with the wind ; not minding , that all these manners of speaking are onely fit to tickle , but not instruct , the mind . vulgar eloquence is a speaking optick , which represents objects under what shape and colour men please ; and there is not any vertue , which may not be made appear vice , by the means which eloquence affords . there is nothing more ordinary , than to find among the authors , that vvomen are not so noble or perfect as men ; but , for reasons , we see none : so that , there is great likely-hood , that they have taken their perswasions as the vulgar do . women have no share with us in external advantages , as sciences and authority , wherein men commonly place perfection ; and therefore , they are not so perfect as we . but , to be seriously convinced of this , it ought to be proved , that they are not thereto admitted , because they are not at all proper ; but that is not so easie as men conceive : nor shall it be difficult ( in the sequel ) to make the contrary appear ; and that the errour ariseth from this , that men have but a confused notion of perfection and nobility . all the arguments of those who maintain , that the lovely sex is neither so noble , nor excellent as ours , are founded on this , that men being the masters , they believe that all is their own : and i am assured , that they would more strongly believe the contrary , ( i mean , that the men are only cut out for the vvomen ) if they had all the authority in their hands , as in the empire of the amazons . it is true , that here amongst us they discharge no offices , but what are esteemed the lowest : and , it is also true , that ( upon that account ) neither religion , nor reason , values them the less . there is nothing base and low but vice , nor great but vertue : and , vvomen shewing greater vertue than men ( in their lesser imployments ) , deserve likewise to be more esteemed . and yet , i know not , whether ( in regard of their ordinary charge , which is to nurse and bring-up their children ) they are not worthy of the first place in civil society . were we free , and without common-wealth , we would not assemble our selves together ; but for the better preservation of life , in the peaceable enjoyment of those things which are necessary thereto ; and would have greater esteem for those who should hereunto contribute in greatest measure . it is by reason of this , that we are accustomed to look on our prince , as the chief person of the state ; because his care and fore-sight is the most general , and of greatest extent ; and , by proportion , we respect those that are under him . most part of men preferr souldiers to judges , because they directly oppose themselves to those who ( in most terrible manner ) attack our lives ; and every one sets a value upon persons , as they judge them more or less useful . so that , women seem to be the most estimable , since their service ( which they render to the publick ) is incomparably greater than that of all others whosoever . men might absolutely dispense with princes , souldiers , and merchants , as they did in the beginning of the world ; and as savages do still , even to this day : but , in our infancy , we cannot be without women . in states that are well pacified , the most part of those who have authority , are as men dead and useless ; but women never cease to be necessary to us . the ministers of justice are only proper to preserve goods and estates , to those who possess them ; but women , to preserve life . souldiers are employed for men , grown up , and capable to defend themselves ; but women labour for men , when as yet they know not what they are , if they have enemies , or friends ; and at that time , when they have no other arms but tears , against such as attack them . masters , magistrates , and princes , do not often-times bestir themselves , but for glory , and particular interest ; when women do nothing but for the good of the children , whom they breed . in short the pains , the cares , the troubles , and assiduities , to which they expose themselves , can in no wise be matched in any other state ( of civil society ) whatsoever . there is nothing ( then ) but fancy , which renders them less valuable . men would largely reward him who had tamed a tyger : such who have the skill to train horses , apes , and elephants , are well considered of ; and we speak , with elogy , of a man that hath composed a small work , which hath cost him but little time and pains ; and shall we neglect women , that spend many years in breeding and forming of children ? if we enquire into the reason thereof , we shall find , it is , because the one is ( onely ) more ordinary than the other . what historians say to the prejudice of women , makes deeper impression on the minds of men , than the discourses of orators ; for , as they seem to put forth nothing of their own heads , so is their testimony less suspected : besides , that it is suitable to that whereof men are already perswaded , when they report women to have been in former times , the same which they are believed to be at present . but all the authority which they have upon the spirits of men , is nothing but a very common prejudice , in regard of antiquity ; which men represent to themselves , under the image of a venerable old man , who ( having much wisdom and experience ) is uncapable of being deceived , or of speaking any thing but truth . whil'st , in the mean time , the antients are no less men than we are , and as much subject to errour ; and we ought no more at present to assent to their opinions , than we would have done in their own times . men heretofore considered women as now they do , and with as little reason : so , whatsoever men say concerning that , ought to be suspected ; seeing they are both judge and party . and when any one brings against them the sentiments of a thousand authors , that history is only to be considered , as a tradition of prejudices and mistakes . there is , also , as little fidelity and exactitude in antient histories , as there is in familiar rehearsals ; wherein we sufficiently know , that there is ( almost ) none at all . they that have wrote them , have there-with mingled their passions and interest ; and the most part ( having but had confused notions of vice and vertue ) have often mistaken the one for the other . and those , who likewise read them ( with the ordinary pre-occupation ) fail not to run into the same fault . in the prejudice wherein they have been engaged , they have made it their business , to exaggerate and raise the vertues , and advantages , of their own sex ; and to debase and weaken the merit of vvomen , by a contrary interest : this is so easie to be discovered , that i need not adduce instances . notwithstanding if we can but a little rip-up what is past , we may find enough to prove , that women have not in any thing yielded to men ; and that the vertue which they have made appear , hath been more excellent : if we sincerely consider all the circumstances thereof , we may observe , that they have giv'n as great markes of wit , and capacity , upon all occasions ; that there have been some who have governed great states and empires with wisdom , and moderation , that cannot be parallel'd : others who have rendred justice with an integrity equall to that of the athenian areopagites ; many , who by their prudence , and counsells , have restablished peace , and tranquillity to kingdomes , and a throne to their husbands . some have been seen at the head of armies , or with a courage more than heroical defending themselves upon the walls of townes . how many have there been , whose chastity could receive no blemish , neither by the terrible threats , nor splendid promises which men made to them , and who with a generous , and astonishing gallantry , have endured the most horrible torments , for the cause of religion ! how many have there been , who have rendered themselves as compleat as men in all sorts of sciences ! who have dived into the most curious secrets of nature , the most quaint of policy , the most solid of morality , and who have elevated themselves to the highest pitch of christian divinity ! so that history , which the prejudiced abuse against that sex to abase it , may serve to those who look thereon with the eyes of equity , to prove that it is in all respects as noble as our own . the authority of laws has a great weight upon many men , as to that which concerns the women , because they make particular profession of rendering to every one their right . they place the wives under the juridiction of their husbands , as children under the power of their fathers ; and alledge , that it is nature that hath assigned them the smaller functions of society , and placed them at distance from publick authority . men think themselves sufficiently grounded to say the same after them : but i hope it is lawfull without wounding the respect which is their due , to differ from them in judgment . we should strangely puzzle them , if we obliged them to explain themselves intelligibly about that which they call nature in this case , and make us understand in what manner she hath distinguished the two sexes , as they pretend . we must consider that they who have made or compiled the law , be-being men , have favoured their own sex , as vvomen possibly might have done had they been in their place : and laws being made since the constitution of societies in the same manner in respect of women as they are at present ; the lawyers who had likewise their prejudice , have attributed to nature a distinction , which is only drawen from custome , besides that it was not at all necessary to change the order which they found setl●d , for obtaining the end that they proposed , which was the good government of a state by the administration of justice . to be short , if they should be head-strong , to hold , that women are naturally in a condition of dependance upon men , we might fight them with their own weapons , since they themselves acknowledge dependance , and servitude , to be contrary to the order of nature , which renders all mankind equal . dependence being a meer corporal , and civil relation , ought not to be considered but as an effect of chance , force , or custome ; except in the case of children to those who have given them life . and yet neither does that pass a certain age , wherein men being supposed to have reason , and experience enough to guide themselves , are freed by the lawes , from the authority of an other . amongst persons of an equal or not much different age , there ought only to be a reasonable subordination , according to which those who have less understanding , willingly submit themselves to such as have more . and if we remove the civil priviledges , which the laws have bestowed on men , and which establish them heads of the family ; we cannot find betwixt them , and their wives , any other submission but that of experience , and knowledge : both one , and other freely engage themselves at the same time , when the vvives have asmuch , and often more judgment than the husbands . their promises and covenants of marriage are reciprocal ; and the power equal upon one and others body ; and if the lawes give the husband more authority over the estate , nature allowes the wife more power , and right , over the children . and as the will of the one is not the rule of the other ; if the wife be obliged to do what the husband minds her of , he is no less bound to follow the advertisements of the wife , when she tells him his duty : and , except it be in matters just , and reasonable , the wife is not to be constrained to submit her self to the pleasure of her husband , unless you ll say that he is stronger ; which is the dealing of a turk with a moore , and not of men of reason . we shall not need much trouble to rid our selves of the opinion of the learned , of whom i have spoken : because we may easily be satisfied that their profession does not engage them to so exact an enquiry into the nature of things ; appearances , and probabilities , are sufficient for poets and orators ; the testimony of antiquity to historians ; and custome and practice to lawyers , to bring them to their intended end : but as to the sentiment of philosophers , we must not so easily pass it ; seeing that they seem to be above all the preceding considerations , as indeed they ought to be ; and that they are thought to try matters more strictly ; which gaines them the common credit , and makes it believed unquestionable what they assert , especially when they contradict not the received opinions . so the common people confirm themselves in the opinion , that there is inequality betwixt the two sexes , because they see those whose judgements they regard as the measures of their own , and the same opinion ; not knowing that the most part of philosophers walk by no other rule than that of the vulgar , and that it is not by vertue of science or knowledge , that they often dictate especially concerning the matter in hand . they have carryed their prejudices even to the schools , where they have learned nothing that might serve to disengage them there-from : on the contrary , all their science is sounded upon the judgements that they have made from their cradle ; and with them it is a crime or errour to call in question that which they believed before the years of discretion . they are not taught to know man by the body , nor by the soul : and that which they teach , commonly may very well serve to prove , that betwixt us , and beasts , there is no other difference , but that of lesser and greater in the same kind . they hear not a word of sexes : they are supposed to know them sufficiently already ; very far from examining the capacity , and real and natural difference , betwixt them ; which is one of the most curious , and probably also the most important question of all natural or moral philosophy . they spend whole years and some all their lives , at trifles , and entia rationis , being no where to be sound without their own brains ; and to plod and find-out , whether or not , there be beyond the world imaginary spaces ; and whether the atoms or small dust which appeares in the beams of the sun , may be sliced out into infinite parts . what solid ground can we lay upon , what the learned of this kind say , when we are to treat of serious , and important matters ? men may think , nevertheless , that ( though they be so ill taught themselves , yet ) their principles ( probably ) are sufficient to discover , which of the two sexes have ( naturally ) the advantage of the other ; but none can think so , but such who either know them not , or are pre-possessed thereby . the knowledge of our selves , is absolutely necessary to enable us , for the handling of that question aright ; and especially , the knowledge of our body , which is the organ of sciences ; after the same manner , as for to know how telescopes , and glasses of approach , magnifie the objects : we must know the fashion of them . they touch not this but in passing , no more than they do truth , and science ; i mean , the method of acquiring true and certain knowledges ; without which , it is impossible to examine , whether or not vvomen be as capable thereof , as our selves ? and , without amusing my self to repeat the notions that they give us thereon , i shall declare ( in general ) what my thoughts are thereof . all man-kind being made alike , have the same sentiments , and notions , of natural things ; for example , of light , heat , and hardness ; and all the knowledge which we labour to gain there-from , is reduced to this , that we may truly find out what is the disposition ( internal and external ) of every object , which produceth in us the thoughts , and conceits , which we have of them . all that masters can do , to guide us to this knowledge , is but , so to apply our minds to what we remark , that we may examine the appearances and effects thereof , without precipitation or prejudice ; and to shew us the order , which we are to observe in the ranking of our thoughts , for to find what we look for . for instance , if an illiterate person should desire me to explain to him , wherein consists the liquidity of water ; i would not assert any thing , but only ask him , what he had observed thereof ? how , that if water be not contained in a vessel , it sheds ? that is to say , that all the parts thereof separate and dis-unite of themselves ▪ without the intermixtion of any other body ; that we may thrust there-into our fingers without trouble , and without finding resistance as from harder bodies ? and that , in putting therein , sugar or salt , we perceive , that these two bodies dissolve piece and piece ; and that all the parcels thereof are dispersed through the several parts of the liquor . hitherto , i should teach him no new thing ; and if ( after the same manner ) i had told him , what it is to be in repose , or in motion ; i should have brought him to acknowledge , that the nature of liquors consist in this . that their insensible particles are in perpetual motion ; which requires them to be enclosed in a vessel , and disposes them to give easie entry to hard bodies : and that the particles of water , which are little , glib , and pointed , ( insinuating themselves into the pores of the sugar ) shake and divide the parts thereof , by their justling ; and , moving themselves every way , transport with them into all the quarters of the vessel , that which they have separated . this notion of liquors ( which is a part , taken from the body of natural philosophy ) would appear a great deal more clear , if we saw it in its proper place and order : and it hath nothing , which the meanest sort of vvomen are not able to understand . the rest of all our knowledges ( being proposed in order and method ) have no greater difficulty : and if we consider attentively , we shall find , that every science of reasoning , requires but less wit and time , than is necessary to learn to make point or tapistry . in effect , the notions of natural things are necessary , and we form them alwayes after the same manner : adam had them as we have ; children have them as old men , and vvomen as men : and these idea's are renewed , confirmed , and entertained , by the continual use of sense . the mind is alwayes in action ; and he that knows well how it proceeds in one thing , discovers ( without trouble ) how it works in all others . there is nothing ( but more and less ) betwixt the impression made by the sun , and that of a spark of fire : and , to think well thereon , there is neither need of great skill , nor exercise of body . it is not so , in the works of which i have spoken . there is need of greater application of spirit ; the idea's thereof being arbitrary , are harder to be learned , and retained ; which is the cause , that so much time is necessary for to learn ( well ) a trade , because it depends on long exercise . there is skill required , rightly to observe the proportions on a canvas ; to distribute equally the silk or the wool ; to mingle with exactness the colours ; neither to joyne too close , nor keep too open , the points ; to place no more in one rank , than in another ; to make the little knots imperceptible . in a word , one must know to make and vary , in a thousand different wayes the works of art , to be skillful therein ; when , as in sciences , there is no more required , but an orderly viewing of works already made , and alwayes uniform : and , all the difficulty of success therein , proceeds more from the incapacity of masters , than from the objects , or disposition of the body . we must not then ( any more ) wonder to see men , and vvomen , ( without study ) entertain themselves , about things which concern sciences ; since the method of teaching of them , serves only to certifie our judgements , which are confounded by precipitation , custom , and use. the notion which we have given of knowledge ( in general ) might suffice to perswade unprejudiced persons , that men and vvomen are equally capable thereof ; but , because the contrary opinion is most deeply rooted , we must ( for the intire plucking of it up ) fight it by principles ; to the end , that ( joyning the appearances , agreeing to the beautiful sex , which have been presented in the first part , with the natural reasons which we shall here-after adduce ) men may fully be convinced , in favour of it . that women ( considered according to the principles of sound philosophy ) are as capable as men , of all sorts of sciences . it is easie to be remarked , that the difference of sexes , regards only the body : there being no other , but that part ( properly ) which serves for the production of men : and , the spirit concurring no other way but by its consent ( which it lends to all after the same manner ) we may conclude , that in it there is no sex at all . if we consider it in our selves , we find it equal , and of the same nature in all men , and capable of all sorts of thoughts ; the smallest busie it as well as the greatest ; and there is no less required to the right knowing of a gnat , than of an elephant : whosoever knows wherein consists the light ( and fire ) of a sparkle , knows also , the light of the sun. when we are accustomed to reflect on things which only concern the spirit , we perceive therein all ( at least ) as clearly , as in the most material things which are discerned by the senses . i can discover no greater difference between the spirit of a dull , and ignorant man , and of that one who is delicate , and ingenious , than betwixt the spirit of the same man considered at the age of ten years , and at the age of fourty : and since there appeareth no more betwixt that of the two sexes , we may affirm , that their difference is not on that side , the constitution of the body ; but particularly the education , exercise , and the impressions that come from all that does surround us , being every where the natural , and sensible causes of so many diversities as are observed therein . it is god who unites the soul to the body of a woman , as to that of a man , and who joynes them by the same lawes . the sentiments , the passions , and inclinations , make and entertain that union ; and the spirit operating after the same manner in the one as well as the other , is there equally capable of the same things . this is yet more clear , when we consider onely the head , the sole organe of sciences , and where the soul exerciseth all its functions ; the most exact anatomy remarks to us no difference in this part between men , and women , their brain is altogether like to ours : the impressions of sense are received , and muster themselves there in the same fashion , and are no otherwise preserved for imagination , and memory . women hear , as we do , by the ears ; they see by the eyes ; and they tast with the tongue ; and there is nothing peculiar in the disposition of these organs , but that the women have them ordinarily more delicate , which is an advantage . so that the outward objects affects them after the the same manner , light by the eyes , and sound by the eares . who can hinder them then to apply themselves to the consideration of themselves ? to examine in what consists the nature of the soul ; how many kinds of thoughts there are , and how they are excited by occasion of certain corporeal motions ; to consult afterwards the natural notions , which they have of god ; and to begin with things spiritual to dispose in order their thoughts , and to frame to themselves that science 〈◊〉 we call , the metaphysicks ? 〈…〉 since they have also eyes , and hands , may they not make themselves , or see others perform , the dissection of an humane body ? consider the symmetry , and structure thereof ; observe the diversity , difference , and relation of its parts : their figures , their motion , and functions ; the alterations to which they are subject ? and to conclude , on the means to preserve them in good disposition , and to restore it to them , when it is changed . they need no more for this , but to know the nature of extrinsical bodies , which have any reference to their own , discover their properties , and all that renders them capable of making any impression good or bad thereon ; this is known by the aid of the senses , and by the various experiments that are made upon them : and women being equally capable of the one as well as the other , might learn as well as we , physick and medicine . is there need of so much understanding , to know , that breathing is absolutely necessary for the preservation of life ; and that it is performed by the means of the air , which entering by the pipe of the nose and mouth , is insinuated into the lungs , for the cooling of the blood which passeth that way in circulation , and there causeth different alterations , according as it is more or less gross by the mixture of vapours , and exhortations , with which we see it sometimes blended . is it a matter so difficult to discover , that the tast of food consists on the part of the body ( in the different manner how it is allayed on the tongue ) by the spitle ? there is no person , but finds after meals , that the victuals which then are put into the mouth , being divided quite other ways than those with which we are nourished , cause there a sensation less pleasing . that which remains to be known of the functions of mans body , being considered in order , have nothing more of difficulty . the passions are certainly that which is most curious in this matter : we may therein observe two things , the motions of the body , with the thoughts and stirrings of the soul , which concurr in them . women may know this , as easily as we do and as to the causes which excite passions , we know how they do it . when we have once by the study of natural philosophy comprehended their manner , how circumambient things affect and touch us ; and by experience , and use , how we thereto apply , or separate , our wills and inclinations . in making regular meditations upon the objects of the three sciences lastly spoken of , a woman may observe , that the order of her thoughts ought to follow that of nature ; that then they are exact when they are conform thereto ; that there is nothing but hast , and precipitation in our judgements , which hinders that exactitude . and marking consequentially the oeconomy which she hath observed to attain thereto , she may make reflections , which may serve her as a rule for the future , and form to her-self there-from a logick . if it be objected notwithstanding of this , that women by themselves could never acquire these knowledges , ( which is but said ) ; at least we cannot deny , but that with the help of masters , and books , they might ; as the ablest men in all ages have done . it is enough to alledge the acknowledged property of the sex , to prove it capable of understanding the proportions of the mathematicks : and we should contradict our selves to doubt , that if it applyed it self to the making of engines , it would succeed as well therein as our own ; since we our selves allow it more invention and artifice . there is need but of eyes , and a little attention , in observing the appearances of nature , to make us remark that the sun , and all the luminous bodyes of the heavens , are real fires , since they heat , and light us , in the same manner as the fires here below ; that they appear'd successively to answer to several parts of the earth , and so be able to judge of their motion and course : and whosoever can roul in his head great designs , and set to work the movements thereof , may there likewise with exactness turn the whole machin of the world , if he have but once well observed the diverse appearances of the same . we have already found in women , all the dispositions which render men proper for the sciences , which concern them ( separately ) in themselves : and , if we continue to consider them within distance , we shall also fir'd in them those which are necessary for the sciences , which regard them , as tyed altogether with their like in civil society . it is a fault in vulgar philosophy , to place amongst sciences so great a distinction ; that , following that peculiar method of it , we cannot acknowledge any tye or coherence amongst them : which is the cause , that we restrain so much the extent of humane understanding ; imagining to our selves , that the same man is never ( almost ) capable of many sciences ; that , to be fit for natural phylosophy or medicine , one is not thereby proper for rhetorick or divinity : and that there ought to be as many different capacities , as there are sciences , in the world. this thought proceeds on the one hand , from this , that men confound ( ordinarily ) nature with custome ; in taking the disposition of certain persons to one science , rather than another , for an effect of their natural constitution ; when indeed , it is often but a casual inclination , coming from necessity education , or habit : and , on the other hand , for want of having remarked , that there is ( properly ) but one science in the world , which is the knowledge of our selves ; and , that all others are onely particular applications thereof . in effect , the difficulty which we find at this day to learn the tongues , moral philosophy , and the rest ; consists only in this , that we know not how to referr them to this general science : from whence , it may have arrived , that all those who have believed women capable of natural philosophy and medicine , may not have therefore judged them capable of the sciences that we are to speak of . however , the difficulty is the same on both sides : it is the business in all , to think aright : and this we do , by applying seriously our minds , to the objects which represent themselves to us ; that we may raise from them clear and distinct notions ; that we may eye them in all their different faces and relations , and that we may pass no judgement thereon , but upon what appears manifestly true . with this we need no more , but to dispose our thoughts in a natural order , for the obtaining of a perfect science : and here , there is nothing too high for women ; for , such of them who may be ( by this way ) instructed in natural philosophy and medicine , may likewise ( by the same ) become capable of all others . wherefore , might they not perceive , that the necessity of living in society , obliging us to communicate our thoughts by some external signes ; the most expedient of all others , is speech ; which consists in the use of words , agreed on amongst men , that we ought to have as many of them , as we have notions of things ? that they ought to have some relation of sound and signification one with another , to make us learn and retain them with more ease , and that we should not be forced to multiply them infinitely ? that they must be marshalled in the order most natural , and suitable , to our thoughts ; and that we should not employ more in discourse , than what may be enough to make us be understood ? these reflexions might put a woman in condition , to labour ( like a virtuosi ) for the perfecting of her mother-tongue ; by reforming , and cutting off the bad words , introducing of new , regulating custom by reason , and the true notions which we have of languages : and the method , by which she might have learned the language of her country , would wonderfully help her to the attaining of that of strangers , to discover the delicacies thereof , to read authors , and to become most exact in grammar , and that which is called humanity . women ( as well as men ) discourse of things , to make them be understood , in the same manner , as they know them ; and to dispose others to do as they would have them , which is called perswading : in this they naturally succeed better than we . and yet , to perform it still with art , they have no more to do , but to study to represent things , as they present themselves to them ; or as they would represent them to themselves , if they were in the place of those whom they would affect . all men ( being made after the same manner ) are ( almost ) alwayes moved in like manner by objects ; and , if there be any difference , it proceeds from their inclinations , their habits , or their quality ; which a vvoman might know with a little reflexion , and custom : and , being able to dispose her thoughts in the manner most convenient , express them neatly , and with grace ; adding thereto , the gestures , the air of the countenance , and the voice , she might become mistress of the most perfect eloquence . it is not credible , that vvomen can so highly practise vertue , without being able to penetrate into the fundamental maxims thereof : in effect , a vvoman already so instructed as we above represented her , might discover of her self the measures of her conduct , by discovering the three kinds of duties which comprehend all morality ; of which , the first regards god , the second our selves , and the third our neighbour . the clear and distinct notions , which she may have formed of her spirit , and the union thereof with the body , must ( infallibly ) lead her to acknowledge , that there is another spirit infinite , the author of all nature ; and to entertain of him the sentiments , upon which religion is founded . and after , having ( by natural phil●sophy ) learned wherein it is , that sensual pleasure does consist , and in what manner external things contribute to the perfection of the mind , and the preservation of the body ; she cannot fail to conclude , that we must be great enemies to our selves , if we use them not with great moderation . and , if she come , in sequel , to consider her self , as engaged in civil society , with others of the same nature , subject to the same passions , and to the necessities which can not be satisfied without mutual assistance ) ; she must without trouble fall upon this thought upon which depends all our justice , that we ought to do to others as we would be done to ; and , that we ought to bridle those desires , whereof the exorbitancy which is called lusting or covetousness , occasions all the trouble , and all the unhappiness of life . she might the more still confirm her self in the perswasion of the last of these duties , if she advanced , and carried on her thoughts , to the point of discovering the ground of policy , and of law and justice . and , as both the one and other , only regard the duties of men amongst themselves , she would judge , that , fully to comprehend to what it is that they are obliged in civil society , we must understand what it is that hath inclined men to establish it . she would then consider them as out of any such society , and find them all intirely free , and equal , with the desire only to preserve themselves , and a right alike to all upon every thing that might be necessary thereto . but she finding that this equality engageth men in warr , or continual mistrust ( a thing contrary to their end ) the light of nature would dictate , that they could not live in peace , without that every one yeelded some what of his right , and came to covenants , and contracts : and that to render these actions valid , and stop all jealousiy , it would be necessary to have recourse to a third person , who taking upon him authority , might force every one to perform what they had promised to others ; that he being chosen only for the good of his subjects , ought to have no other designe ; and that to obtain the end of this institution , it is necessary he should be the master of lives , and estates ; of peace and of warr. in examining this matter , and the depth , what would hinder a woman that she should not discover , what natural equity is ; what are contract , authority , and obedience ; what is the nature of law , the use of penalties ; wherein consist the civil law , and that of nations ; what are the duties of princes , and of subjects : and in a word , by her proper reflexions , and by books , she might learn all that is necessary to make a lawyer and a states-man . after that , she may have obtained a perfect knowledge of her self , and be solidly instructed in the general rules of the conduct of men , probably she would become curious to inform her self also how it is that men live in strange countreys . and as she had observed , that the changes of weather , of seasons , of place , of age , of dyet , company , and exercises , had occasioned in her , alterations and different passions , she needed not much trouble to find that these diversities produce the same effect in regard of whole nations : that they have inclinations , customs , manners , and laws different according as they are more near , or distant from seas , the south or north , according as their countrey is plain or mountainous , watered with rivers , and woody , the soil more or less fruitfull , the particular kind of food which it bringeth forth ; and according to commerce , and the affairs which they have with other neighbouring or remote people : shee might study all these things , and so learn what are the manners , the riches , the religon , the government , and the interests of twenty or thirty different nations , as easily as of so many private families for what concernes the situation of kingdomes , how seas to lands , isles to the continent do answer ; there is no more difficulty to learn it in a mapp ▪ than to know the several quarters and streets of a town ; or the high-wayes of the countrey , where one liveth . the knowledge of the present , might breed in her desire also to know what is past : and that which she may have retained of geography , would afford her great assistance in this designe , enabling her better to understand affairs , as warrs , voyages , and negoations , marking to her the places where they have hapned ; the passages , roads , and the boundings of states . but the skill which she may have obtained of the transactions of men in general , by the reflections which she may have made upon her self , would bring her into the mystery of policy , interest and passions ; and help her to discover the moving wheele , and spring , of enterprizes , the fountain and source of revolutions , and to supply in great undertakings the lesser things which have made them prosper , and which have escaped histories : and following their true notions , which she hath of vice , and vertue ; she may observe the flattery , passion , and ignorance of authors ; and to guard her self from the corruption , which infect men in reading of histories , where these faults are commonly mingled . as the ancient policy , was not so refined as the modern , and the interest of princes less conjoyned in former times than at present , and commerce of less extent ; there is more judgement required to understand , and disentangle our gazettes , than lives of quintus curtius . there are a great many persons that find the ecclesiastick history more pleasing and solid , than civil or prophane : because , there they find the effects of reason , and vertue , farther pursued , and that passions , and prejudices covered with a pretext of religion , sets the mind upon a method , altogether particular in its conduct . a woman would apply her self thereto with so much more affection , as she judged it more important . she might convince her self , that the books of scripture , are as authentick , as all the others which we have ; that they containe the true religion , and all the maxims whereon it is founded ; that the new testament where the history of christianity properly begins , is no more difficult to be understood , than greek and latin authors ; that they that read it with the simplicity of children , seeking only the kingdome of god , discover the truth , and meaning thereof with more ease and pleasure , than that of ridles , emblems , and fables ; and after having regulated her mind by the morality of jesus christ , she may find her self in condition to direct others ; remove their scruples , and to resolve cases of conscience , with more solidity than if she had filled her head with all the casuists in the world . i see nothing that could hinder , but that in the progress of her studies , she might observe as well as a man , how it is that the gospel hath passed from hand to hand , from kingdom to kingdom , from age to age , even to her own times , but that she might gain , by reading of the fathers , the notion of true theology , and find out that it only consists in the knowledge of the history of christians ; and the particular sentiment of those that have written thereon . so , she might render her self able to compose works of religion , preach the truth , and batter down novelties , by shewing what hath been alwayes believed through the whole church , about the matters in controversie . if a woman be capable to inform her self from history , of the nature of all publick societies , how they have been formed , and how they are preserved by virtue of a fixed and constant authority ▪ exercised by magistrates and officers , subordinate to one another ; she is no less , to learn the application of that authority , by laws , ordinations , and constitutions , for the conduct of those who are submitted thereunto , as well to the relation of persons ( according to their several conditions ) as for the possession and enjoyment of goods . is it a thing so difficult , to know the relation between a husband and his wife , between a father and his children , the master and his servants , the land-lord and his tennants , betwixt those who are allied in affinity , betwixt a guardian and his pupil ? is it so great a mystery , to understand what it is to possess by purchase , exchange , donation , legacy , testament , prescription , and usufruit ? and what are the necessary conditions to render use and possession valid ? there appears to be no more understanding requisite to know ( aright ) the spirit of christian society , than that of the civil ; to frame a right notion of the authority which is peculiar thereto , and upon which is founded all its conduct ; and to distinguish ( precisely ) betwixt that which jesus christ hath left to his church , and the dominion which onely belongs to temporal powers . after having made that distinction absolutely necessary to the right understanding of the canon law , a woman might study , and observe how the church is governed in the state ; and how the spiritual jurisdiction is mingled with the secular ; wherein the hierarchy consists ; what are the offices of prelates , the power of councels , popes , bishops , and pastors ; what is the meaning of discipline , what are the rules and changes thereof ; what mean canons , priviledges , and exemptions ; how benefices are established , and what is the right and possession thereof . in a word , what are the customs and ordinances of the church , and the duties of all those that compose it . there is ( therein ) nothing at all , whereof a woman is not most capable ; and so , she might become most skilful in the canon-law . these are some general notions of the highest knowledges , where-with men serve themselves , to signalize their parts , and raise their fortune ; and of which , to the prejudice of women , they have been so long in posse●●●on : and , although they have as great right thereto as themselves , 〈◊〉 ( notwithstanding ) entertain such thoughts , and carry with a 〈◊〉 towards them , by so much the more unjust , that nothing like is to be seen in the use of the goods of the body . it hath been judged expedient ; that , for the peace and security of families , prescription should take place : my meaning is , that a man , who ( with a good conscience , and without trouble or molestation ) might have enjoyed the goods of another for a certain space of time , should remain possessour thereof , without the after-claims and pretensions of any whosoever . but , it hath never entered into the minds of men , to believe , that such who had fallen from their possessions by neglect or otherwise , should be incapable by some manner or other , to retrive them ; and their incapacity hath never been considered as natural , but onely civill . on the contrary , men have not onely contented themselves not to call women to a share in sciences , and offices , after a long prescription against them ; but have proceeded farther , to fancy , that their exclusion therefrom , is founded on a natural indisposition on their part. in the mean-while , there is nothing in the world more fantastical than that imagination : for , whether that we consider the sciences in themselves , or that we regard the organs , which serves to acquire them ; we shall find , that both sexes are thereto equally disposed . there is but one only way to insinuate truth into the mind ( whereof it is the food ) , as there is but one to convey nourishment into all sorts of stomacks , for the subsistance of the body : and , as to what concerns the different dispositions of that organ , which renders us more or less fit for sciences ; if we would fairly and honestly acknowledge , who have the better , we must confess it to be the women . we cannot disagree ; but , amongst men , such as are gross and material , are commonly stupid ; and , on the other hand , the more delicate , alwayes most sprightly . i find the experience of this too universal and constant , to stand in need ( in this place ) of the support of reasons : so , the lovely sex , being of a temperature more fine and delicate than ours , would not fail ( at least ) to match ours , if it applyed it self to study . i well fore-see , that this opinion will not be relished by many ; who will find it a little strange : i cannot help that . men think that it concernes the honour of our sex to take the place in all ; and i believe it to be justice , to render to every one that which is their right . in effect , we all ( both men and women ) have the same right to truth , since the mind in all of us is alike capable to know it ; and that we are ( all ) affected in the same manner , by the objects that make impression upon the body . this title to knowledges ( which nature bestows on all ) springs from this , that we have all need of them , the one as well as the other . there is no person that seeks not to be happy ; it is to that , that all our actions tend ; and no body can be solidly so , but by clear and distinct knowledges : for , it is in that , that jesus christ himself , and st. paul , make us believe , will consist the happiness of the other life . a covetous man never esteems himself happy , but when he knows that he possesses great riches : an ambitious person , when he perceives that he is above others . in a word , all the happiness of men ( real or imaginary ) is only placed in knowledge ; that is to say , in the thought which they have , that they possess the good which they desire . it is this which makes me believe , that there is nothing but the notions of truth ( which we procure by study , and which are fixt and independant from the possession or want of things ) , that can make up the true happiness of this life . for , that which makes that a covetous man cannot be happy in the simple knowledge of riches , is ; because that , that knowledge which renders him happy , ought to be joyned with the enjoyment , or the imagination of poss●ssing of them for the present : and , when his imagination presents them to him as distant from him , and out of his power , he cannot reflect thereon without being afflicted . it is altogether otherwise with the knowledge which we have of our selves , and of all those which depend thereon ; but , particularly , of those which enter into the society of life . since then , that both sexes are capable of the same felicity , they have equall right to all that which conduceth to the obtaining thereof . when we say , that happiness consists ( chiefly ) in the knowledge of truth , we exclude not vertue ; on the contrary , we think that it maketh up the most essential part thereof : yet , a man is not happy by vertue , but in so much as he knoweth that he enjoyes it , or that he endeavours so to do ; that is to say , that although it be sufficient to make a man esteemed happy , that we see him practise vertue ( though he know it not perfectly ) ; and also , that such a practice ( with a confused and imperfect knowledge ) may contribute to purchase the happiness of the other life ) : yet , it is certain , that he cannot esteem himself solidly happy , without he be conscious to himself that he does good ; as he would not at all believe himself rich , without he possessed wealth . the reason why there are so few that have a relish of , or love for , true vertue , is , because they know it not ; and , not at all minding when they practise it , they feel not that satisfaction which it produceth , and which makes up that felicity of which we speak . that ariseth from this , that vertue is not a simple speculation of good , to which we are obliged ; but an effective desire , which springs from the perswasion that we have thereof : and we cannot practise it with delight , without the resentment of some emotion ; because it happens with it , as with the most excellent liquors , that seem some-time bitter , or without sweetness ; if , when they are upon the tongue , the mind be other-wise taken up , and does not apply it self to the alterations which there they cause . the two sexes have not only need of light , to find their happiness in the practise of vertue ; but likewise , need thereof to practise aright . it is sion that sets us at work ; and we are so much the more perswaded of our duty , as the more perfectly we know it . that little which we have said here concerning morality , sufficeth to insinuate , that the knowledge of our selves , is most important to strengthen the perswasion of the duties , to which we are obliged . and it would not be difficult to shew , how all others contribute thereto ; nor to make appear , that the reason why so many persons practise vertue so ill , or fall into looseness , is only the ignorance of themselves , and what they are . the reason why people commonly believe , that men need not be knowing for to become vertuous , is , because we see many vitious persons , that otherwise pass for intelligent ; from whence , they imagine that knowledge is not only unprofitable for vertue , but even that it is many times destructive thereto . and , this errour renders the most part of those who have the reputation of being more witty than others , suspect to weak ●udgments ; and , at the same time , makes them flight , and be averse , from the highest knowledges . men take no notice , that there is nothing but false lights , which cast and leave men in disorder ; because that the confused notions ( which false philosophy gives us of our selves , and of that which makes up the body of our actions ) , so bemists the mind , that not knowing it self , nor the nature of the things which surround it , nor the relation which they have to its self ; and not being able to bear the weight of difficulties which present themselves in that obscurity : it must necessarily succumb , and abandon it self to its passions ; reason being too weak to stop it . it is ( then ) but a panick fear , which hath given occasion to the capricious imagination of the vulgar , that study and learning would render women more wicked and proud : there is nothing but false knowledge , capable to produce so bad an effect . a woman cannot learn true knowledge , without becoming thereby more humble and vertuous : and there is nothing more proper to depress the vapours , and to convince her of her weakness , than to consider all the movements of her engine , the delicateness of her organs , the ( almost ) infinite number of alterations , and painful failings , to which she is subject . there is not any meditation more capable to inspire humility , moderation , and mildness , into a man ( whatever he may be ) , than seriously to mind ( by the study of natural philosophy ) the union and tye of his soul with the body ; and to observe , that he is obnoxious to so many ●eeds , that the dependance in which he is ( on the most ticklish and delicate parts of the body , in his functions ) , keep him constantly exposed to a thousand sorts of troubles , and irksome agitations ; that , what knowledge soever he may have entertained , the least thing in the world is enough ( entirely ) to confound it ; that a little choler , or blood , more hot or cold than ordinary , may cast himself into extravagance , folly , and madness ; and make him suffer fearful convulsions . when such reflexions should find acceptance in the mind of a woman , as well as of a man , they would chase thence pride , far from letting of it in . and , if after having filled her mind with the best of knowledges , she should call again to her memory all her by-past conduct , to see how she had arrived to the happy state , wherein she might find her self very far from elevating of her self above others ; she would see enough to humble her the more ; since that , she would necessarily observe by that review , that ( hereto-fore ) she had had an infinite number of prejudices , which she could not conquer ( but by strength ) against the impressions of custom , example , and passions ; which , in spight of her , engaged her to them : that all the effects which she had made to discover truth , had been almost unprofitable : that it hath been , as by chance , that it hath presented it self to her ; and at that time , when she the least dreamt thereof ; and in such occurrencies , which happen but once in ones life , and but to very few persons : from whence , she would infallibly conclude , that it is unjust , and ridiculous , to slight and despise those who have less knowledge than our selves , or who embrace contrary opinions ; and that we ought the rather to have complacency and compassion for them ; because , if they discerne not truth as we do , it is not their fault ; but because that it hath not presented it self to them , when they have been in search thereof : and that there is still some veil on their part or ours , that hinders it to appear to their mind , in its full light. and , considering that she might have held for true , that which she had believed false before , she would judge without doubt . that it might still happen in the sequel , that she might make new discoveries ; by the which , she might believe false or erroneous , that which had appeared to her most true , and certain . if there have been some vvomen , who ( affected with their knowledge ) have become disdainfull ; there are likewise a great many men that dayly fall into the same vice ; and that ought not to be considered as an effect of the sciences , which they have possessed , but because men have looked , on them as a mystery to the sex : and as , on the one hand , such knowledges are ordinarily very confused ; and on the other , they that have them , propose to themselves thereby a particular advantage ; it is not to be thought strange that they take occasion from thence to swell , and it is almost unavoidably necessary that in this condition , it should not be with them , as with those who from a low birth , and fortune , have with difficulty raised themselves to honour , and same : who seeing themselves advanced to a pitch , to which , few of their quality have been accustomed to mount , are seized with a giddiness , which presents to them , objects quite other-wayes than in themselves they are . at least , it is most probable , that seeing the pretended vanity of the learned vvomen , is nothing in comparison of that of the learned men , who arrogate to themselves , the title of masters and sages : vvomen would be less subject thereunto , if their sex were admitted into equal share w th ours , of the advantages which occasion it . it is then a vulgar errour to fancy , that learning is useless to vvomen , because sayes one , they have no share in offices , for the which , men apply themselves thereto . it is as necessary to them as felicity , and vertue ; because without that , we cannot perfectly possess either the one or other . it is so for the purchasing , of exactness in our thoughts , and justice in our actions : it is so , for the right knowledge of our selves , and what is about us , that we may make the right and lawfull use thereof ; and that we may regulate our passions by moderating of our desires . to become capable of places and dignities , is one of the uses of learning ; and to be fit to be a judge or bishop , we should strive to acquire as much as is possible , because without it the functions of such offices cannot be well discharged , but not precisely for that end , and for to become more happy by the possession of the honours , and advantages which they afford : that would be to abuse learning by a sordid and base end . so that there is nothing but weakness , or a secret and blind interest which can make men say , that vvomen ought to remain shut out from learning , for this reason , that they have never been publickly admitted to any share therein . it fareth not with the goods of the mind , as with the goods of the body ; against them there is no prescription : and how long soever , we have been deprived thereof , we have alwayes the right of reversion . but it being impossible that the same goods of the body , could at the same time , be possessed by several persons , without domination on each side ; men have had reason for the safety of families , to maintain the possessours , with good conscience , in prejudice of the ancient proprietaries . but , as concerning the advantages of the mind , it goes quite otherwayes . every one hath a right to all that is intelligible , and good sense . the spring of reason is not limited ; it hath in all men an equal jurisdiction ; we are all born judges of what touches and affects us ; and if we cannot dispose of the same with equal power , we may at least , all know them with a like right . and as all men employ the use of the light and air , without prejudice to any person , by that communication , all may likewise possess the knowledge of truth without hurting one another . for the more that it is known , the more it appears splendid , and lovely : the greater are the number of those that search after it , and the sooner they find it : and if both sexes , had equally busied themselves therein , it had still the sooner been discovered . in so much then , that truth and knowledge are goods which admit of no prescription ; and such that have been deprived thereof , may make a re-entry , without doing injury to those who are already masters of the same ; there can be none , but such as would rule mens minds by belief , and credit , that have reason to apprehend this reversion , for fear , that if sciences should become so common , glory might also ; and that the fame to which they aspire , should be lessened by partnership . vvomen are as capable of officers and employments in civil society as men are . there is therefore no inconvenience , if women apply themselves to study and learning as well as we . they are able to make a very good use of them , and to draw from thence the two advantages which we expect therefrom ; the one , to have clear and distinct knowledges , which we naturally desire , and whereof the desire is often stifled , and annihilated by the confusion of thoughts , and the cares , and agitations of life : and the other , to employ these knowledges , for the particular conduct of themselves , and for that of others in the different conditions of society , of which they make a part . this agrees not atall with the common opinion . there are indeed many that will believe , that women may learn what is to be attained by the physicks or natural sciences ; but will not admit , that they are as fit as men for those which may be called civil , as ethicks , laws , and politicks ; and that if they should be able by the maximes of these last , to conduct themselves , they could not therefore be capable of guiding of others . men entertain this thought , because , they consider not , that the mind in all it's actions , hath need of no more but discerning , and exactitude , and whosoever hath once these two qualities in one thing , may as easily , and by the same means have them in all the rest . the being moral or civil , changeth not the nature of our actions : they continue to be still natural : because that morality is nothing else , but to know the manner , how men regard the actions of others , with relation to the notions which they have of good or evil , of vice and vertue , of justice and injustice ; and as that , when we have once rightly conceived the rules of motion , in natural philosophy , we may apply them to all the changes , and varieties which are remarked in nature : so likewise knowing once the true principles of civil sciences , there remains no more difficulty to make application thereof to the new , and incident emergents which occurr . they that are in places have not alwayes more wit , though they have better luck than others : and indeed it is not necessary , that they should have more , than the common ; though it be to be wished , that none were admitted to employments but the most worthy . we act still after the same manner , and by the same rules , in what estate soever , we find our selves ; unless it be that the more our conditions are raised , the more our cares and views are extended , because we have the more to do . and all the change which happens to men who are placed above others , is like to that of a person who being mounted to the top of a tower , caryes his prospect farther , and discovers more different objects , than they who stay on the ground below : it is their favours , if vvomen be as capable as we are to guid themselves , they are likewise to conduct others , and to have place in charges and dignities of civil society . the most simple , and natural use that we can make of sciences which we have well learned , is to teach them to others : and if vvomen had studyed in the universities with men , or in others appointed for them in particular , they might have entred into degrees , and taken the title of master of arts , doctor of divinity , medicine , civil , and cannon law : and their genius so advantagiously fitting them to learn , would dispose them likewise to teach with success . they would find methods , and insinuating biassess , to instill their doctrine ; they would discover the strength and weakness of their schollars , to proportion themselves to their reach , and the facility which they have to express themselves ; and , which is one of the most excellent talents of a good master , would compleat and render them admirable mistresses . the employment which approacheth most to a school-master , is that of pastour or minister in the church , and there can be nothing else but custome shewn , which remove vvomen there-from . they have a spirit as well as we , capable of the knowledge and love of god , and thereby able to incline others to know , and love him . faith is common to them with us : and the gospel with the promises thereof , are likewise addressed to them , charity also comprehends them in its duties ; and , if they know how to put in practice the actions thereof , may not they likewise publickly teach its maxims ? whosoever can preach by example , from stronger reason can do so by words : and a vvoman that should joyn her natural eloquence with the morality of jesus christ , should be as capable as another , to exhort , direct correct , admit into christian society those who deserved . and cut off such who after having submitted themselves thereto , should refuse to observe the rules thereof . and if men were accustomed to see vvomen in a pulpit , they would be no more startled thereat , than the vvoman are at the sight of men . we are not assembled into society , but that we may live in peace , and find , in a mutual assistance , all that is necessary for the body , and soul. this we could not enjoy without trouble , if there were no authority ; that is to say , that for that end , there ought to be some persons who have power to make laws , and to inflict punishment upon the breakers of them . and to make the right use of that authority , we must know to what it obligeth , and be perswaded that those who possess it , ought to have no other design in the discharge thereof , but to procure the welfare and advantage of their inferiours . women being no less susceptible of this perswasion than men , may not we then submit our selves to them , and consent not only not to resist their orders , but even contribute as much as we can to oblige to obedience such as make any difficulty therein ? so that nothing needed to hinder , but that a woman might sit upon a throne , and that for the government of her people , she might study their humour , the interests , their lawes , their customes , and their practices : that she might place in offices of the gown and sword , only able and deserving persons ; and , in the dignities of the church , men of understanding , and example . is it a thing so difficult , that a woman could not perform it , to instruct her-self of the strength , and weakness of a state , and of those that lay round it ; to entertain amongst strangers secret intelligences for to discover their designes , and disappoint their measures , and to have faithfull spies , and emissaries in all suspected places ; to be exactly informed of all that passeth there wherein she might have interest ? is there needfull for the conduct of a kingdome more vigilance , and application than women have for their families , or the religious for their convents ? they would prove no less refined in publick negotiations , than they are in private affairs . and as piety and mildness is natural to their sex , their government would prove less rigorous than that of many princes , and we should wish for under their reign , that which is often feared under that of many others , that subjects would regulate themselves according to the example of their governours . we may easily conclude , that if woman are capable to possesse severally all publick authority , they are still more to be subordinate officers and ministers : as vice-queens , governants , secretaries , counsellors of state , and treasurers . for my part , i should be no more surprized to see a vvoman with a helmet on her head , than to see her with a crown ; preside in a council of warr , as well as in a council of state : to see her train , and exercise her souldiers , drawing them up in battell-array , and divide them in several bodyes , and squadrons , with as much ease as she would please her self to see it done . the military art hath nothing beyond others , whereof vvomen are not capable , unless it be that it is somewhat more rude , causeth greater noise , and does more mischief . the eyes are sufficient to learn from a mapp , that is somewhat exact , all the high-wayes of a countrey , the good and bade passages , and the places that are most propper for surprizes , and encampings . there is hardly a souldier that is not ready to know that a general ought first to gain all the passes before he venture there his forces , regulate all his enterprizes according to the advice of good scouts ; and even deceive his army by wiles , and counter-marches the better to cover his design . a vvoman can do all this , and can invent stratagems to surprise the enemy , put the wind and dust in his teeth , and the sun in his face : and charging him on one side , flank him on the other ; give him false allarms , draw him into an ambush by a feigned flight ; give battel , and be the first that mounts a breach to encourage the souldiers ; perswasion , and passion does all : and women testifie no less heat , and resolution when their honour is concerned , than is requisite to attack or defend a place . what can be reasonably objected , why a vvoman of sound judgement and understanding , might not take the chaire in a court of justice , and pre side in all other companies . there are a great many able men who would learn the lawes and customes of a state with less trouble , than some games at cards , which vvomen understand so well : and it is as easy to remember them , as an intire romance ; is it not as easiy to see into the heart of an affair , as to trace an intrigue upon the stage , and make as faithfull report of a law suite , as of a comedy ? all these things are alike ea●●y , to those who equally apply themselves thereto . now seeing there is neither office , nor imployment in society which is not comprehended in these whereof we have spoken , nor where there is greater need of knowledge or parts : it must be confest , that women are proper for all . besides , the natural dispositions of the body , and the notions which men have of the function and duties of their places , there is still somewhat necessary that renders them more or less capable to acquit themselves worthy thereof . the true perswasion of what a man is obliged to do , the consideration of religion , and interest , emulation betwixt equals , desire of winning glory , and honour , and of making , preserving , or increasing ones fortitude . according as a man is more or less touched with these things , his management is altogether different : and women being no less sensible thereof than men , in regard of employments , they want nothing to render them their equals . we may ( then ) with assurance , exhort ladies to apply themselves to study ; without having respect to the little reasons of those who would undertake to divert them there from . since they have a mind ( as well as we ) capable of knowing of truth ( which is the only subject , on which they can employ their pains worthily ) , they ought to put themselves in condition of avoyding the r●proach , of having stifled a talent , which they might put to use ; and of having detained truth in idleness and pleasure . there is no other way for them to guard themselves against errour , and the surprize to which they are exposed ( who learn nothing but by the manner of gazets ; that is to say , upon the bare word of another ) , nor to render themselves happy in this life , by practising vertue with discretion . what advantage soever they propose to themselves besides this , they would meet with it in study . if their parlours were turned into academies , their entertainments would be greater , more solid , and more pleasing . and every one may judge , of the satisfaction she should have to discourse of lofty matters , by the content that she hath to hear others speak thereof . how slight soever might be the subjects of their conversation , they would have the pleasure to treat them more wittily than the vulgar : and the delicate manners , which are so peculiar to their sex ( being fortified by solid reasons and arguments ) would far more sensibly affect the hearers . they who only desire to please , would there ( to admiration ) find their designe ; for , the splendour of the beauty of body , being heighthened by that of the mind , would thereby become a hundred times more brisk and lively . and , as vvomen ( but of ordinary beauty ) are alwayes well regarded when they are witty , the advantages of the mind , cultivated by study , would give them means abundantly to supply what nature or fortune might have denyed them . they would be admitted into the entertainments of the learned , and reigne amongst them upon a double respect . they would enter into the management of affairs : their husbands would not refuse to abandon to them the conduct of their families , and to take their advice in all things . and , seeing that matters are in such a state , that they cannot ( now ) be admitted into charges , ( at least ) they might be able to know the nature of functions , and judge if they be deservingly bestowed . the difficulty of arriving to this pitch , ought not to scare them : it is not so great as men have made it . that which is the cause , why men think there is need of so much trouble , for to gain a few knowledges , is , because they teach ( for that end ) a great many things , which are most unprofitable for those that aspire thereto . all knowledge ( even to this present ) consisting only in possessing of a history of the sentiments of those that are gone before us ; and men , having too much reposed on custom , and the credit of their masters , very few have had the good luck to find the natural method . herein we might labour , and make appear , that men may render themselves qualified , in far less time , and with a great deal more pleasure , than is ordinarily imagined . that women have an advantagious disposition for sciences ; and that the true notions of perfection , nobility , and honesty , suit with them as well as men. hitherto , we have considered nothing in women , but the head ; and , it hath appeared , that that part ( taken in general ) hath in them as much proportion for all the sciences ( whereof it is the organ ) , as in men. nevertheless , because that this organ is not altogether alike , even amongst all men themselves ; and that there are a great many , in whom it is more proper for some things than for others : we must descend a little lower into the particular , to see if there be nothing in women , that renders them less fit for learning , than our selves . we may observe , that they have a countenance more stately and happy than we : they have the fore-head high , lofty , and large ; which is the usual mark of witty and imaginative persons . and , we find in effect , that women have much vivacity , fancy , and memory ; which denotes a brain so disposed , that it easily receives the impressions of objects , even of the most slight and inconsiderable , which escape such , as are of another disposition ; and that it retains them without trouble , and presents them to the mind in the instant that it stands in need thereof . when this disposition is accompanied with heat , it renders the mind more ready and quick to be affected by the objects ; to fasten on , and penetrate , into them the more ; and to extend the images , and impressions thereof , at pleasure : from whence , it happens , that they who have good imaginations ( considering things on more sides , and in less time ) , are very ingenious , and inventive ; and discover more with one only glance , than many others after much attention . they are fit to represent things , with an insinuating and pleasing strain , and to find , on the spot , turns and proper expedients : they express themselves with facility and grace ; and set off their thoughts with the greatest aadvantage . all this is remarkable in women ; and , i can see nothing in this disposition , which is inconsistent with a good wit. judgment , and exactness , make the natural character thereof ; to acquire which two good qualities , we must become a little sedentary , and dwell on objects ▪ to the end , that we may avoid the errour and mistake , wherein men fall by skipping . it is true , that the multitude of thoughts , in brisk persons , hurries ( many times ) the imagination ; but , it is likewise true , that , by exercise , it may be fixed . we have the experience of this , in the greatest men of this age ; who , for the most part , are all very imaginative . it may be affirmed , that this temper is the fittest for society ; and that men , not being made to remain alwayes alone , and shut up in a closet ; we ought ( in some measure ) the more to esteem those who have the best disposition , pleasingly and profitably to communicate their thoughts . and women , who have naturally wit , ( because they have fancy , memory , and a sparkling liveliness , ) may with a little application , acquire the qualities of a good judgment . this is sufficient to prove , that , in respect of the head alone , the two sexes are equal . there are observations upon the rest of the body , which are most curious ; but of which , we must only speak in passing . men have alwayes had this common ill-luck , to spill and shead ( if we may so say ) their passions on all the works of nature : there is not any notion , which they have not blended with some touch of love or hatred , of esteem or contempt : and these which concern the distinction of the two sexes , are so material , and so befogg'd with the sentiments of imperfection , baseness , undecency , and other trifles ; that , seeing they cannot be touched without moving of some passion , and stirring up the flesh against the spirit , it is often prudence to let them alone . and yet , it is upon that odd medley , of alwayes confused notions , that the opinions disadvantagious to women , are founded ; and which the small wits ( ridiculously ) use to mortifie them . the justest mean and temper , that can be betwixt the necessity of explaining ones self , and the difficulty of doing it innocently , is , to observe what we ought ( rationally ) to understand by perfection and imperfection , by nobility and baseness , and by decency and undecency . when i conceive that there is a god , i easily conceive , that all things depend on him : and if , after having considered the natural and intrinsical state of creatures , which consists ( if they be bodies ) in the disposition of their parts , with a reference to one another ; and the extrinsical , which is the relation that they stand in , to act or suffer with other beings that environ them : if ( i say ) i enquire into the reason of these two conditions , i can find , none other but the will and pleasure of him who is the author of them . i observe further , that bodies have ( ordinarily ) a certain disposition , which renders them capable to produce and receive certain effects ; for example , that man can understand by the help of his ears , the thoughts of others , and by the instruments of voice , express to them his own . and i remark , that bodies are uncapable of such effects , when they are otherwise disposed : from whence , i inform my self of two notions ; whereof the one represents to me , the first state of things , with all their necessary consequences ; and that i call the state of perfection : and the other , the condition contrary ; which i name imperfection . so , a man ( in my esteem ) is perfect , when he hath all that he needeth ( according to divine institution ) , for the producing and receiving the effects to which he is appointed : and , he is imperfect , when he hath more or fewer parts , than aré necessary ; or any indisposition that removes him from this end . wherefore , he being formed in such manner , that he hath need of aliment for subsistence , i look not upon that necessity , as an imperfection ; no more , than the need which is coupled with the use of food ; that , what is superfluous , must be avoided out of the body . i find also , that all creatures are equally perfect , as long as they continue in their natural and ordinary state. we must not confound perfection with nobility : these are two things very different . two creatures may be equal in perfection , and in nobility unequal . when i make reflexion upon my self , it seems to me , that my spirit ( being only capable of knowledge ) ought : to be preferred to my body , and be considered as the most noble : and , when i consider bodies , without any respect to my self ; that is to say , without reflecting , that they may be profitable or hurtful to me , pleasing or displeasing ; i cannot perswade my self , that one is more noble than another , being all but made of matter diversly figured . yet , when i medle with bodies ( considering the good or hurt that they do to me ) , i come to esteem them differently . although that my head ( regarded without interest ) affects me no more , than the other parts ; nevertheless , i prefer it to all the rest , when i come to think , that it is of greater importance to me , in the union of the spirit with the body . for the same reason it is , that , although all the places of the body be equally perfect , we have ( nevertheless ) different esteems for them : the very parts themselves ( whereof the use is most necessary ) being many times considered with some sort of contempt and aversion ; because that the use is less pleasing , or otherwise . it is so with all that surround and affects us ; for , that which makes that one thing pleaseth one man , and displeaseth another , is , that it hath made impression upon them differently . it is the engagement of men in society , that produceth in them the notion of decency : so that , although it be neither imperfection nor baseness , to ease and comfort the body ; and that it is even a necessity , and indispensable consequence of its natural disposition ; and that all the wayes of doing thereof , are equal ; there are some notwithstanding , that are considered less decent ; because they are more offensive to the persons , in whose presence they are performed . as all creatures , and all their actions , being considered in themselves , and without any reference to custom or esteem that is made thereof , are as perfect , and as noble , the one as the other ; they are likewise equally decent , being considered in the same manner . wherefore , we may say , that the regards of decency and undecency are almost all , in their original , nothing else but the effects of imagination , and the capriciousness of men. this appears by that , that one thing which is decent in one countrey , is not all so in another ; and that , in the same kingdome , but in divers places , or ( in the same time ) but amongst persons of different condition , quality , and humour ; the same action is sometime conforme , sometime contrary to decency . so that , decency is nothing but the manner of using of natural things , according to the esteem which men pass upon them ; and to which , it is prudence to conform . we are all possessed with this notion ; although we make no reflexion thereon , that all persons ( whether they be our beloved , or the witty and judicious ; who in publick , and according to the ordinary custom , subject themselves to the rites of decency ) discharge themselves thereof in private , as of burdens troublesome and foolish . the case is the same with nobility . in some countries of the indies , the labourers have the same rank , as the nobles with us : in some countries , sword-men are prefered to the gown-men ; and in others , the quite contrary is practised : every one , according as his inclinations leads him to favour such states , or that he esteems them most important . comparing these notions , with the opinions that the vulgar have of vvomen ; we shall ( without trouble ) discover wherein consisteth the errour . from whence is derived , the distinction of sexes ; how far it extends it self : and that it places no difference betwixt men and women , with relation to vice and vertue : and that the temperament , and constitution in general , in it self , is neither good nor bad . god willing to produce men in dependence , one upon another , by the concourse of two persons ; for that end , framed two bodies , which were different : each was perfect in its kind ; and they ought both to be disposed , as they are at present : and all that depends on their particular constitution , ought to be considered , as making a part of their perfection . it is then without reason , that some imagine , that women are not so perfect as men ; and that they look upon that ( in them ) as a defect , which is an essential portion of their sex ; without the which , it would be useless for the end , for which it hath been formed ; which begins and ceases with fecundity , and which is destin'd for the most excellent use of the world ; that is , to frame and nourish us in their bellies . the two sexes ( together ) are necessary to beget the like : and if we knew , how it is that ours contribute thereto , we should find enough to be said against our selves . it is hard to be understood , upon what they ground themselves , who maintain , that men are more noble than women , in regard of children ; since it is properly the women who conceive us , form us , and give us life , birth , and breeding . it is true , they pay dearer for it than we : but their pain and trouble ought not to be prejudicial to them , and draw upon them contempt , in place of esteem , which they thereby deserve . who would say , that fathers and mothers ( who labour to bring up their children , good princes to govern their subjects , and magistrates to render them justice , ) are less estimable than they whose aid and assistance they use , for to discharge themselves of their duties ? there are some physitians , who have mightily enlarged themselves upon the temperament of sexes , to the disadvantage of women ; and have pursued their discourses out of sight ; to shew , that their sex ought to have a constitution altogether different from ours , which renders it inferiour in all things . but their reasons are only light conjectures ; which come into the heads of such , as judge of things only by prejudice , and upon simple appearances . when they perceive the two sexes more distinguished , by that which regards the civil , than particular , functions ; they fancy to themselves , that so they ought to be ; and , not discerning exactly enough , betwixt that which proceeds from custom and education , and that which comes from nature ; they have attributed to one and the same cause , all which they see in society ; imagining , that when god created man and woman , he disposed them in such a manner , as ought to produce all the distinction which we observe betwixt them . this is to carry too far the difference of sexes : it ought to be bounded by the designe , which god hath had to form men , by the concourse of two persons ; and no more to be admitted , but what is necessary for that effect . we see , that men and women are alike ( almost ) in all , as to the inward and outward constitution of the body ; and that the natural functions ( on which depends our conservation ) are performed in both , after the same manner . it is then enough to the end , that they may give birth to a third ; that there be some organs in the one , which are not in the other : and yet , it is not necessary in respect of that , ( as men imagine ) that women have less strength and vigour than men. and , as there is nothing but experience , that can enable us to judge aright of that distinction ; do not we find , that women are mixed , as we are ? there are some both strong and weak in both sexes . men brought up in softness and ease , are worse than women ; and sink at first under labour : but when ( by necessity , or otherwise ) they are hardened , they become equal , and sometimes superiour to others . it is just so with women : they that are taken up and employed in painful exercises , are stronger than ladies , who only handle the needle . and this may encline us to think , that if both sexes were equally exercised , the one might acquire as much vigour as the other ; which , in former times , have been seen in a common-wealth ; where wrestling , and other exercises , were common to both : the same is reported of the amazones , in the south part of america . we ought not ( then ) to lay any ground on certain ordinary expressions , drawn from the present state of the two sexes . when we would ( mockingly ) blame a man , as having little courage , resolution , and constancy , we call him effeminate ; as if we would say , that he is as low , and cow-hearted , as a woman . on the other hand , to praise a woman that is above the ordinary , because of her courage , strength , or wit ; we say , ●he is a man. these expressions ( so advantagious to men ) do not a little contribute , to entertain the high notion that we have of them ; because we consider not , that they are but likely-hoods ; and that their verity indifferently supposes nature , or custom ; and so , are purely contingent , and arbitrary . vertue , mildness , and integrity , being so peculiar to women ( if their sex had not been so little esteemed ) ; when we would have signified , with elogy , that a man had all these qualities in an eminent degree ; we would have said , he is a vvoman , if it had so pleased men , to establish this form of speech . what-ever the matter be , it is not the strength of body , that ought to distinguish man-kind ; otherwise , beasts would have the advantage of them ; and , amongst our selves , the strongest . notwithstanding , we know by experience , that such who have so great strength , are proper for nothing but matterial works : and that these , on the other hand , who have less , have commonly more brains . the ablest philosophers , and the greatest princes , have been delicate enough ; and the greatest generals , would not have ( perhaps ) been willing to wrestle with the meanest of their souldiers . go but to a court of justice , and you shall see , whether the greatest judge match alwayes ( in strength ) the lowest of their officers . it is then useless , to lean so much upon the constitution of the body , for to render reason of the difference which is seen betwixt the two sexes , in relation to the spirit . the temperament does not consist in an indivisible point : for , as we cannot find two persons in whom it is altogether alike ; neither can we any more determine , precisely , wherein it is that they differ . there are many sorts of cholericks , sanguines , and melancholicks ; and all these diversities hinder not , but that they may be often as capable the one , as the other ; and that there may be excellent men , of all sorts of constitutions : and even supposing , that that of the two sexes be as different , as it is pretended to be ; there is still found greater difference amongst many men , who are ( notwithstanding ) believed capable of the same things . the more , and the less , being so little considerable , there is nothing , but a spirit of wrangling , that can make it be regarded . it is propable , that that which engrosseth so much ( into notion ) the distinction whereof we speak , is , that men examine not precisely enough , all that which is remarkable in women : and that defect makes us fall into the errour of those , who ( having the mind confused ) distinguish not aright , what ( severally ) belongs to things ; and attribute to one , that which only pertains to another ; because they find them together in the same subject . wherefore , finding so great difference in women , as to the manner of actions , and functions ; men have transferred it to the temperament , for want of knowledge of the true cause . however it be , if we would examine , which is the most excellent of the two sexes , by the comparing of bodies ; women might pretend to the advantage , and without insisting on the internal fabrick of their bodies ; and that it is in them , that the thing in the world ( the most curious to be known ) passeth ; to wit , how that man ( the most beautiful and wonderful of all creatures ) is produced : who can hinder them to say , that that which appeareth in the out-side , ought to give them the better ? that comeliness , and beauty , are natural and peculiar to them ; and that it is this , that produceth effects as sensible , as ordinary : and that , if what they can performe by the inside of the head , renders them ( at least ) mens equals ; the out-side seldome ever failes , to render them absolutely their mistresses . beauty being as real an advantage , as strength and health , reason forbiddeth not to plead pre-eminence therefrom , rather than from the others : and if we should judge of its value ( by the sentiments and passions , which it excites ) , as we judge ( for the most part ) of all things ; we would find ; that there is nothing more estimable , there being nothing so effective ; that is to say , which moves and stirs more passions , and does mingle and fortifie them more diversly , as the impressions of beauty . it would not at all be necessary , to speak any more concerning the temperament of vvomen ; if an author ( no less famous than polite ) had not thought fit to consider it , as the force of the defects which men commonly charge them with ; which helps much to confirm people in the opinion , that they are less to be valued than we . without relating his opinion , i say , that for the right examining of the temperament of the two sexes ( with a reference to vice and vertue ) , it must be considered in a state indifferent ; when , as yet , neither vice nor vertue were in nature : and then we shall find , that that which in one time is called vertue , may in another , pass for vice ( according to the use that men make thereof ) ; so that , in that case , all temperaments are alike . for the better understanding of this opinion , we must observe , that there is nothing but our soul capable of vertue ; which , in general , consists in a firm and constant resolution , of doing that which we judge , the best ; according to the divers occurrencies that we meet with . the body ( properly ) is nothing but the organ , and instrument of that resolution ( as a sword in ones hand ) , both for offence and defence : and all the different dispositions ( which renders it more or less fit for that use ) , ought not to be called good or bad ; but as their effects are more ordinary , and important , for good and evil : for example , the disposition to flight , for avoyding the evils which threaten us , is indifferent ; because there are some , which cannot otherwise be shunned ; and then , it is wisdom to flye : when , on the other hand , it is culpable cowardise , for one to betake himself to his heels , when the danger is superable , by a generous resistance ; which produceth more good than hurt . but the mind is no less capable in vvomen , than in men , of that firm resolution , which makes up vertue ; nor of knowing the ran-counters , when it is to be put in practice . they can regulate their passions , as well as we ; and are not more enclined to vice , than to vertue . we might even make the ballance turn to their favour on this side ; since that the affection towards children ( without comparison , stronger in vvomen , than in men ) , is naturally linked to compassion ; which we may call , the vertue and bond of civil society . it being impossible to conceive , that society is rationally established for other end , than to supply the common wants and necessities of one another . and if we nearly observe , how passions are formed in us ; we shall find , that after the manner that vvomen contribute to the production and education of men , it is a natural consequence , that they should treat them in their afflictions , in some sort as their children . the difference which is observed , between men and women , in regard of manners , proceeds from the education which is given them. it is so much the more important to remark , that the dispositions , which we bring with us into the world , are neither ( in their nature ) good or bad ; that otherwise , we cannot avoyd an errour very ordinary ; whereby men often refer to nature , that which ( onely ) springs from custom . men torture their minds , to search for a reason , why we are subject to certain faults , and have particular customs ; for want of having observed , that which may be produced in us , by habit , exercise , education , and outward condition ; that is to say , the relation of sex , age , fortune , and employment , wherein we are placed in society : it being certain , that all these different views diversifying , in an infinite number of wayes , the thoughts , and passions , answerably dispose the minds quite other-wayes , to look on the truths presented to them . it is for that reason , that the same maxime , proposed at the same time to citizens , souldiers , to judges , and princes , affects them , and makes them act so differently : because , that men caring for nothing but the out-side ; look on it as the rule , and measure of their sentiments : whence happens , that the one le ts pass as useless , that which very much takes up others ; that sword-men are choaked with that which flatters gown-men : and that persons of the same constitution take sometimes certain things in a contrary sense ; which enter by one and the same biass into the minds of persons of different temperament ; but who have same the fortune , or education . it is not that we pretend , that all men bring into the world the same bodily constitution . that would be indeed , an ill-grounded pretence : there are some that are quick , and some flow : but it appeareth not , that that diversity any way hinders the minds to receive the same instruction : all that , it does , is , that some receive it more readily and happily than others . so that what temperament soever woman have , they are no less capable than we , of truth and studies . and if we find at present , in some of them some defect , or impediment ; or even that all of them , do not look into solid matters , as men do ; to which notwithstanding experience is contrary , that ought solely to be rejected upon the outward condition of their sex , and on the education , which is given them , which comprehends the ignorance wherein they are left , the prejudices or errours , which are instilled in them , the example which they have of others their like . and all the wayes to which decorum , restraint , reserve , subjection , and fears , reduceth them . in effect , nothing is omitted , on their account which may serve to perswade them , that this great difference , which they see betwixt their sex , and ours , is a work of reason , or divine institution . the apparel , education , and exercises , cannot be more different . a maid is not in security but under the wings of her mother ; or under the eyes of a governant that never leaves her : they frighten her with every thing : threaten her with spirits , and hobgoblines , in all the corners of the house , where she may be alone : even in the streets , and churches , there is something to be feared , if she have not her guards . the great care which is taken to dress her , takes up all her mind : so many lookes as are glanced at her , and so many discourses , which she heares of beauty , imployes all her thoughts ; and the complements , which she receives on this subject , makes her therein place all her happiness . as they never speak to her of any thing else , with that she limits all her designs , and carryes no higher her prospects . dancing , writing , and reading , are the greatest exercises of women ; all their library consists in a few little bookes of devotion , with that which is in the little cabinet . all their science is reduced to work with a needle . the looking glass is the great master and oracle which they consult . balls , playes , and the modes , make the subject of their entertainments : they consider their meetings as , famous accademies , whether they go to inform themselves of all the news of their sex. and if it happen , that some one or other distinguish themselves from the common , by the reading of certain bookes , which they had trouble enough to catch , thereby to unlock their minds , they are often obliged to hide themselves : the greatest part of their companions , out of jealousie or other respects , never failing to accuse them of intending to play the rare things . as to maids of meaner condition , forced to gain their lively-hood by their labour ; their parts are still more useless . care is taken to make them learn a trade convenient to their sex , as soon as they are fit thereto , and their necessity of imploying themselves continually therein , hinders them from thinking of any thing else : and when both one , and others of them , bred in this manner have attained to the age of marriage , they are engaged therein , or otherwayes confin'd to a cloyster , where they go on to live as they have begun . in all that which is taught to women , do we see any thing that tends to solid instruction ? it seems on the contrary , that men have agreed on this sort of education , of purpose to abase their courage , darken their mind , and to fill it only with vanity , and fopperies ; there to stifle all the seeds of vertue , and knowledge , to render useless all the dispositions which they might have to great things , and to take from them the desire of perfecting themselves , as well as we by depriving them of the means . when i seriously think on the manner , how men look upon that which they think to see faulty , in vvomen , i find that such a carriage hath in it somewhat beneath persons endowed with reason . if there be equal occasion of finding of fault in both sexes , that which accuseth the other , offends against natural equity ; if there be more evill in ours , and that we see it not , we are rash to speak of the faults of others ; if we see it , and conceal it , we are unjust to blame the other who hath less . if there be more good in women , than in men ; men ought to be accused of ignorance , or envy , not to acknowledge it , when in a woman there is more vertue than vice , the one should serve to excuse the other ; and when the defects that she hath are insurpassable , or that the means to rid her self thereof , or guard therefrom , are wanting , as to woman they are , such a one deserves compassion , not contempt . in fine , if these defects be but slight , or onely apparent , it is imprudence or malice to insist on them ; and it is not hard to prove , that men commonly carry so in respect of women . it is commonly said , that they are timerous , and uncapable of defence ; that they are afraid of their shadow , that the cry a child allarmes them , and the whistling of the wind makes them tremble . that is not universal . there are a great many vvomen as bold as men , and it is known that the most fearfull make often of necessity a vertue ; timerousness , is almost inseparable from vertue , and all vertuous persons have it : as they would not do hurt to any , and that they are not ignorant how much wickedness is amongst men ; a small matter is enough to fill them with fear . it is a natural passion , from which no body is exempt : all men fear death , and the troubles of life ; the most powerfull princes apprehend the rebellion of their subjects , and the invasion of enemies , and the most valiant generals to be surprized unawares . fear is great , proportionably , to the force which men think they have to resist ; and it is not blameable , but in such in who are strong enough to repell the evil which threatens them : and we should be as unreasonable to accuse a judge , or a man that had never minded any thing but his book , of baseness , for refusing to fight a duel ; as to blame a souldier who had alwayes carryed arms , for not daring to enter into dispute against a learned philosopher . vvomen are bred in a manner that gives them ground to apprehend , and fear every thing ; they have not light enough to avoid surprizes in matters of understanding . they have no share in the exercises which give strength and dexterity for attacking , and defending ; they see themselves exposed helplesly to suffer the outragiousness of a sex ; so subject to transports , which regards them with contempt , and that often treats its like with more rage , and cruelty , than wolves do one another . wherefore timerousness in vvomen ought not to pass for a defect , but rather for a rational passion , to which they owe modesty , which is so peculiar to them ; and the two great advantages of life , which are the inclination to vertue ; and the aversion from vice , which the greatest part of men with all the education and light which are given them , can hardly acquire . fear of want is the ordinary cause of avarice , men are no less subject thereunto than vvomen ; and if we came to an account , i know not if the number of the first should not be found greater , and their covetousness more blame worthy ; since the midle vertue is not far distant from the two vices , the extreams , men often mistake the one for the other , and confound avarice with laudable frugality . as the same action may be good in one , and bad another , it often happens that that which is evill in us , is not at all so in vvomen : they are destitute of all means to make their fortune by their parts , the door of sciences , and employments , being shut against them ; and so being in worse condition to guard themselves against the misfortunes , and inconveniences of life , they ought more to be concerned . it is no wonder then , that herewith they seeing what a great trouble it is to purchase a small estate , they take care to keep it . if they receive so easily that which is told them , it is an effect of their candour , and ingenuity , that will not suffer them to think , that these who have authority over them , are ignorant , or interested ; and we offend justice , to accuse them of credulity , since there is yet more amongst us . the ablest men suffer themselves to be too much allured by a false appearance ; and all their knowledge is often times , but a mean credulity , but of somewhat greater extent than that of women : i mean , that they are not more knowing than others ; but because they have more lightly given their consent , to a greater number of things , of which they have retained the notions , right or wrong , by having so often run them over . that which causeth timerousness in women , produceth likewise superstition , which the learned themselves impute to them : but in this , the learned appear like those , who being most in the wrong , perswade themselves that they are in the right , because they make a lowder noise than others . they fancy that they themselves , are clear from superstition , because they find it in some ignorant women , whil'st in the mean time , themselves are therein miserably plunged up to the eares . though all men were the true worshipers of god , in spirit , and in truth , and that women rendered him only superstitious adoration , in this they would be excusable . they are not at all taught to know god by themselves : they know nothing of him , but what is told them : and , as the most part of men speak of him in a manner , so unworthy of what he is , and distinguish him not from his creatures , but only by the attribute of creator ; it is no wonder , that women only knowing him upon their report , worship him by religion , with the same sentiments that they have for men , whom they fear and reverence . there are some men , that think they can sufficiently mortifie the vvomen , by telling of them , that they are nothing else all of them but tatlers . they have reason to be vexed , at so impertinent a calumny . their body is so happily disposed by the temperament which is propper to them , that they distinctly retain the impressions of objects , which once they have received : they represent them to themselves without trouble , and express them with wonderful facility : that is the reason , that the notions which they have , awakening on the least occasion , they begin and continue their conversation at their pleasure : and the quickness of their spirit ( giving them means to perceive , easily , the relation of things among themselves , they ) pass without trouble from one subject to another ; and , by that means , can speak a long time , without letting the discourse flag or dye . the benefit of speech , is naturally accompanied with a great desire of using of it , when occasion offers : it is the only bond of men in society ; and many find , that there is no greater pleasure in the world , nor more becoming the mind , than to communicate their thoughts to others . wherefore , women being able to speak with ease , and being bred and brought up with others ; they were to be blamed , if they failed to entertain themselves . they ought not , then , to pass for tatlers , but when they speak out of purpose ; and of things , which they understand not , without desire of instruction . we must not imagine , that people never tatle , but when they talk of cloths and fashions . the tatle of news-mongers , is often more ridiculous : and that , store of words , heaped one upon another ( and which signifie nothing at all , in the most part of works ) , make a chat far more simple , than that of the silliest of women . at least , we may say , that the discourses of these , are real and intelligible ; and that , they are not vain enough , to imagine ( as the greatest part of the learned do ) , that they are wiser than their neighbours ; because they utter more words , and less sense . if men had a tongue as free , it would be impossible to make them hold their peace . every one entertains himself with what he knows ; merchants about their business , philosophers with their studies , and women about that which they have been able to learn ; and they may say , that they would have entertained themselves better , and with greater solidity , if there had been as great care for instruction taken with them . it choaks a great many , that women , in their conversation , testifie a great desire to know every thing . i know not what can be the palat of these men , that cannot relish , that vvomen should be so curious : for my part , i am well pleased , that people should be curious ; and i only advise them , to manage it so , that they be not troublesome there-with . i look upon the conversations of vvomen , as upon those of philosophers ; where it is equally permitted to all , to entertain themselves about things , of which they have no knowledge ; and there are cross times in the one , as well as the other . it is ordinary with many men , to treat the curious , like beggars . when they are in an humour of bestowing , they take it not ill to be asked ; and when they have a mind to discover what they know , they are glad to be entreated ; if not , they fail not to say , ye are a little too curious . because men have forged to themselves , that women ought not to study ; they stand upon their points , when women demand to be informed of that which is learned by books . i esteem them curious things ; and regret , they have not the means to satisfie themselves therein ; being often ( only ) hindered by a just fear , to address themselves for that end , to touchy and foolish heads ; by whom they would find themselves jeer'd , instead of receiving instruction . it seems to me , that curiousity is one of the most certain signes of a good wit ; that is , more capable of learning . it is a knowledge begun , which sets us forward , and makes us proceed farther in the way of truth . when two persons are touched by the same thing , and that the one looks upon it with indifferency , and the other draws nearer , with designe to see it better ; it is a mark , that this hath the eyes more open . the mind in both sexes , is equally sit for sciences ; and the desire , which it may have of them , is no more to be blamed in the one , than in the other . when the mind finds it self affected with a thing , which it sees but obscurely , it seems to be by a natural right , that it would be cleared therein : ignorance being the most irksome slavery ( wherein it can be ) , it is as unreasonable to condemn a person , who strives to get out of it ; as a wretch , who should endeavour to escape out of a prison , where he were shut up . amongst all the faults that women are charged with , the inconstant and fickle humour , is that which makes the maniest discontented . in the mean-time , they themselves are not less subject thereto ; but because , they see themselves masters , they think that every thing is lawful to them : and that women , being once engaged to them , the knot ought to be indissoluble ( onely ) on their part ; although that they be both equal , and that every one is obliged for their own share . they would not so often ( mutually ) accuse one another of levity , if they observed , that it is natural to men ; and that , he that sayes mortal , sayes inconstant ; and that , it is an indispensible necessity of being , in the manner which we are made . we judge not of objects , we love , or hate them not ; but upon appearances , which depend not on us . the same things appear to us diversly ; sometime , because they have suffered some alteration ; some time , because we our selves are changed . the same meat , more or less seasoned , ( hot or cold ) causeth in us quite different sensations : and , remaining still the same , we are otherwise affected therewith in sickness , than in health . in our infancy , we are indifferent , as to things ; which , ten years after , we look upon with passion , because the body is changed . if a vvoman loves us , it is , because she thinks us lovely ; and , if another hate us , it is , because we appear to her hateful . in one time we esteem those , whom we have slighted before ; because they have not alwayes appeared to us the same ; whether it be they , or we , who are changed . and such an object , being presented to the heart , hath found the door open ; which , a quarter of an hour sooner or later , had been barr'd against it . the hovering , wherein we many times find our selves betwixt two different inclinations , which one and the same object causeth in us , convinceth us in spight of our teeth , that the passions are not free ; and that we are unjust to complain , that we are otherwise considered of , than we would . as a small matter is enough to kindle love ; so , a little thing can extinguish it : and that passion depends no more upon us in its progress , than in its birth . of ten women , that aspire to be loved , it falls out ordinarily , that she who hath least merit , least of birth and beauty , shall carry it over the rest ; because that she may have had a brisker air , or some-what more in mode , or suitable to our gusto , in the humour that then we find our selves in . it is so far from doing wrong to women , to accuse them of being more cunning and artificious than men , that men speak for them , if they know what they say ; since ; by so saying , they acknowledge them to be more witty and prudent . artifice is a secret way of attaining an end proposed , without being diverted : there is need of wit , to find out that way ; and dexterity , to manage it : and we cannot find fault , that a woman imployes artifice , to avoyd being deceived . craft is far more pernicious , and more ordinary amongst men : that hath alwayes been the common road , to enter into the places and employments , where they may do greatest mischief . and , instead of that , that men ( who have a mind to cheat ) , employ their goods , their understanding , and their power , from which we are rarely secure : vvomen have nothing to use , but caresses and eloquence , which are natural means ; against which , we may more easily guard our selves , when there is any reason of mistrust . for the summary of accusation and defect , it is said , that vvomen are more malitious and wicked than men : and all the evil , with which men can charge them , is shut up in this opinion . i do not believe , that those who entertain this thought , do pretend , that there are more vvomen than men , who do mischief : that would be a manifest falshood ; for , they have no part in employments , and charges ; the abuse of which , is the cause of all publick calamities ; and their vertue is too exemplary ; and the disorders of men too well known to call them in question . when men ( then ) say , that women have more malice ; it signifies no more , but that , when they set themselves to do evil , they do it more dextrously , and drive it farther than men. let it be so . this marks in them a most solid advantage : for , one cannot be capable of doing much mischief , without having good judgment ; and without being also ( by consequence ) capable of doing much good. so that , vvomen ought not to look upon this reproach , more injurious , than that which might be made to rich and powerful men ; that they are more wicked than the poor , because they have more opportunies of hurting : and vvomen might answer , as they ; that , if they can do hurt , they can also do good ; and that , if the ignorance wherein they are left be the cause , why they are worse than we ; knowledge , on the contrary , would render them much better . this short discussion , of the most signal defects ( which men conceive peculiar , and natural , to the lovely sex ) proves two things ; the one ▪ that they are not so considerable , as the vulgar imagine ; and the other that they may be rejected , upon the little education which vvomen have ; and what-ever they are , they may be amended by instruction ; of which , vvomen are no less capable than our selves . if the philosophers had followed this rule , in judging of all that concerns vvomen , they would have spoken more soundly ; and had not ( in respect of them ) fallen into ridiculous absurdities . but the most part , both of antient and modern , having only built their philosophy upon popular prejudices ; and , having been in great igno-rance of themselves , it is no wonder , that they have so far mistaken others . without giving our selves any trouble to medle with the antients ; we may say of the modern , that the manner how they are taught ( making them believe , though falsly , that they cannot become more knowing , than those that have gone before them ) , renders them slaves to antiquity , and enclines them , to embrace ( blindly ) all that they find therein , as constant and universal truths . and because , that all that they say against vvomen , is principally founded upon what they have read in the antients ; it will not here be unprofitable , to relate some of the most curious conceits on this subject ; which have been left to us , by these illustrious dead , whose very ashes , and rottenness , are at this day , held in so great veneration . plato ( the father of antient philosophy ) thanked the gods for three favours , which they had bestowed on him ; but chiefly , for that he was born a man , and not a vvoman . if he had in his eye their present condition , i should easily be of his mind : but that which makes me think , that he had some-what else in his thoughts , is , the doubt which he is said to have been often in , if women ought to be placed in the category of beasts . that may be sufficient to rational men , to make him condemn himself of ignorance , or brutishness ; and totally to degrade him from the title of divine , which he enjoyes no more , but among pedants . his scholar aristotle ( to whom the schools still continue the name of the glorious genious of nature ; upon a mistake , that he hath known her , better than any other philosopher ) pretends , that vvomen are but monsters . who would not believe it , upon the authority of so renowned a personage ? to say , it is an impertinence ; would be , to choak his supposition too openly . if a vvoman ( how learned soever she might be ) , had wrote as much of men , she would have lost all her credit ; and men would have imagined it sufficient , to have refuted such a foppery ; by answering , that it must be a vvoman , or a fool , that had said so . in the mean-while , she would have had no less reason , than this philosopher . vvomen are as antient as men ; we see them in as great number ; and no man is surprized to meet them in his way . to be a monster ( according to the opinion , it self , of that man ) there must be something extraordinary , and surprizing . vvomen have nothing of all that : they have been alwayes made after the same fashion ; alwayes pretty and witty. and , if they be not made like aristotle , they may say , that aristotle was not made like them . the disciples of this author ( who lived in the time of philo ) , fell into a conceit , no less old fashioned , in regard of vvomen ; fancying to themselves ( according to the relation of that historian ) , that they were half-men , or imperfect males . it is , without doubt , because they have not the chin hung with a long beard ; unless it be that , i can apprehend nothing . the two sexes ( to be perfect ) ought to be , as we see them . if the one were altogether like the other , it would be neither of the two. if men be the fathers of women , women are the mothers of men ; which , at least , renders them equal : and we might have as much reason , as these philosophers , to say , that men are imperfect vvomen . socrates ( who was the morality and oracle of antiquity ) speaking of the beauty of that sex ; was accustomed to compare it to a temple of a fair show , but built upon a jakes . if this conceit do not turn our stomacks , we must only laugh at it . it is propable , that he judged of the bodies of others , by his own , or by his wives ; who was a she-devil , which made him detest her ; and , that he spake of her sex , to bring her down : and , that he himself was mad to the very soul , because he was ugly as a maggot . diogenes , sir-named the dog , because he was good at nothing but biteing ; seeing one day ( in passing ) two vvomen , who discoursed together ; told the company , that there was two serpents , an aspe and a viper , who communicated to one another their poison . that saying is worthy of an honest man ; and i wonder not , that it is ranked among the goodly philosophical sentences . if the wise men of gottam had lived in his time , it is certain , we should have found their ran-counters more sprightly . the good man was a little wounded ; and they that knew him a little , judged , that ( at that time ) he had nothing else to say . for the admirable and pleasant democritus ; as he loved to be merry and laugh a little , we must not take every thing litterally which came from his mouth . he was a very tall man ; and his wife , one of the least : being one day asked , why he had so ill matched himself ? he answered ( according to his ordinary rallery ) , that when we are obliged to choose , and when there is nothing that is good to be taken , the least is alwayes the best . if the same question had been put to his wife , she might have repartied with as much reason ; that a little and a big husband , being both alike , the one as bad as the other , she had taken her's hap hazzard ; for fear , that if she had chosen , she might have done worse . cato ( the sage and severe critick ) prayed often , that the gods would pardon him , if he had been so imprudent , as to trust the least secret to a vvoman . there stuck in the good mans mind , a famous passage in the roman history ; which antiquaries use as a great argument , to prove the little secresie of vvomen : a child of twelve years of age , being pressed by his mother , to tell her the resolution of he senate ( where he had been assistant ) , invented to baffle her ; that it had been decreed , that every husband should have several wives . immediately , she went and told her neighbours , to consult about her measures with them ; so that , in the space of half an hour , it was all the town over . i would gladly know , what a poor husband would do , if in a state , where vvomen were the mistresses ( as in that of the amazones ) ; one should come and tell him , that it had been resolved in counsel , that every husband must have an helper : without doubt , he would not open his mouth . these are some of the great and sublime conceits , which they ( whom the learned study as oracles ) have entertained , concerning the beautiful sex : and that which is pleasant , and odd , both together , is , that grave men seriously make use of that , which these famous antients have often but said in drollery : so true it is , that prejudices , and pre-occupation , do make men themselves mistake the mark , who pass for the most rational , judicious , and wife . finis . an advertisement . the strongest objections that can be made against us , are drawn from the authority of great men , and holy scripture : as to the former , vve think to have sufficiently satisfied them ; by telling them , that we acknowledge no other authority here , but that of reason , and good sense . as to the scripture ; it is not at all contrary to the intent of this treatise , if me understand ( well ) both the one and the other . here we pretend , that there is an intire equallity betwixt the two sexes , being considered independent of of custom ; which placeth often those of most merit and parts , in a dependence on others . the scripture speaketh not a word of inequality : and , as the end of it is only to serve men for a rule in their conduct , ( according to the notions which it gives of iustice ) ; so , it leaves to every one the liberty , to judge as well as he can of the natural ( and true ) state of things . and , if we mind it , all the objections which are drawn there-from , are but sophisms of prejudice ; whereby sometimes , men understand ( of all women ) passages , which only agree to some few in particular : sometime they refer to nature , that which only flowes from education or custom , and that which sacred authors have spoken with relation to their own times . books printed for nathanael brooks at the angel in cornhil , near the royal-exchange . folio . 1. the institution , laws , and ceremonies of the most noble order of the garter ; adorned with many sculptures : by elias ashmole of the middle temple , esq windsor herald at arms : price 30s . 2. the history of k. john , k. henry the third , and the most illustrious k. edward the first ; 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his phy●cal and chyrurgical remaynes , left his wife : to which is added , a new peice of anatomy , newly come to hand by the said author . the bachelers banquet: or a banquet for bachelers vvherein is prepared sundry daintie dishes to furnish their tables, curiously drest, and seriously serued in. pleasantly discoursing the variable humours of vvomen, their quicknesse of wittes, and vnsearchable deceits. 1604 approx. 165 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 40 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2003-05 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a20038 stc 6477 estc s115691 99850909 99850909 16146 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a20038) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 16146) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1475-1640 ; 1628:06) the bachelers banquet: or a banquet for bachelers vvherein is prepared sundry daintie dishes to furnish their tables, curiously drest, and seriously serued in. pleasantly discoursing the variable humours of vvomen, their quicknesse of wittes, and vnsearchable deceits. dekker, thomas, ca. 1572-1632, attributed name. la sale, antoine de, b. 1388?, attributed name. tofte, robert, 1561-1620, attributed name. [78] p. printed by t. c[reede] and are to be solde by t. pauier, london : 1604. sometimes attributed to thomas dekker, but more probably by robert tofte. an adaptation of "les quinze joies de mariage", which is sometimes attributed to antoine de la sale. printer identified by stc. signatures: a-k⁴ (-k4). reproduction of the original in the british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng women -humor -early works to 1800. 2002-11 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2003-01 apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images 2003-02 john latta sampled and proofread 2003-02 john latta text and markup reviewed and edited 2003-04 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the bachelers banquet : or a banquet for bachelers : vvherein is prepared sundry daintie dishes to furnish their tables , curiously drest , and seriously seruedin . pleasantly discoursing the variable humors of vvomen , their quicknesse of wittes , and vnsearchable deceits . view them well , but taste not , regard them well , but waste not . london printed by t. c. and are to be solde by t. pauier , 1604. the batchelars banquet , or a banquet for batchelars : wherin is prepared sundry dishes to furnish their table : curiously dresh , and seriously serued in . chap. i. the humor of a young wife new married . it is the naturall inclination of a young gallant , in the pleasant prime , and flower of his florishing youth , being fresh , lusty , iocond , to take no other care , but to imploy his mony to buy gay presents for pretty lasses , to frame his gréen wits in penning loue ditties , his voice to sing them sweetly , his wandring eyes to gaze one the fairest dames , and his wanton thoughts to plot meanes for the speedy accomplishment of his wished desires , according to the compasse of his estate . and albeit his parents or some other of his kindred , doe perhaps furnish him with necessary maintenance , so that he wants nothing , but liues in all ease and delight , yet cannot this content him , or satisfie his vnexperienced mind : for although he dayly see many married men , first lapt in lobbes pound , wanting former libertie , and compassed round in a cage of many cares , yet notwithstanding being ouer-ruled by selfe will , and blinded by folly : he suppose them therein to haue the fulnes of their delight , because they haue so neare them the image of content , venus starre gloriously blazing vpon them , i meane a daintie faire wife , brauely attired , whose apparell perhaps is not yet paide for , ( howsoeuer to draw their husbands into a fooles paradice ) they make him beleeue , that their father or mother haue of their cost and bounty affoorded it . this lustie youth ( as i earst said ) seeing them already in this maze of bitter sweetnes , he goes round about , turmoyling himselfe in seeking an entrance , and taking such paines to finde his owne paine , that in the end , in he gets , when for the hast he makes , to haue a taste of these supposed delicates , he hath no leisure to thinke , or no care to prouide those things that are hereunto requisite . the iolly yonker being thus gotten in , doth for a time swim in delight , and hath no desire at all to wind him selfe out againe , till time and vse , which makes all things more familiar and lesse pleasing , doe qualifie this humor , then glutted with satietie , or pinched with penury , he may perhaps begin to see his follie , and repent as well his fondnes , as his too much forwardnes , but all too late , he must haue patience perforce : his wife must be maintained according to her degrée , and withall ( cōmonly it happes she carie the right stomacke of a woman ) slender maintenance will not serue , for as their mindes mount aboue their estates , so commonly wil they haue their abillements . and if at a feast or some other gosseps méeting whereunto she is inuited , she sée any of the companie gaily attyred for cost , or fashion , or both , & chiefly the latter , for generally women do affect nouelties , she forthwith moues a question in her selfe , why she also should not be in like sort attyred , to haue her garments cut after the new fashion as well as the rest , and answers it with resolution , that she will , and must haue the like : awaiting onely fit time and place , for the moning and winning of her husband therevnto , of both which she will make such choice , that when she speakes she will be sure to speede : obseruing her opportunitie when she might take her husband at the most aduantage , which is cōmonly in the bed , the gardaine of loue , the state of marriage delights , & the life wherin the weaker sexe hath euer the better : when therefore this lustie gallant would 〈◊〉 his desired pleasures , for which cause he chiefly ran wilfully into the perill of lobs pound , then squeamishly she begins thus , saying ; i pray you husband let me alone , trouble me not , for i am not well at ease : which he hearing presently makes this reply . why my sweet hart what ailes you , are you not well ? i pray thée wife tell me , where lies thy griefe ? or what is the cause of your discontent : wherevpon the vile woman fetching a déepe sigh , makes this answere . o husband god help me , i haue cause enough to gréeue , and if you knew all you would say so : but alas it is in vaine to tell you any thing , seeing that whatsoeuer i say , you make but light reckning of it : and therfore it is best for me to bury my sorrowes in silence , being out of hope to haue any help at your hands . iesus wife ( saith he ) why vse you these words , is my vnkindnes such that i may not knowe your griefes ? tell me i say what is the matter ? in truth husband it were to no purpose , for i knowe your custome well inough ; as for my words , they are but wast wind in your eares , for how great soeuer my griefe is , i am assured you will but make light of it , and thinke that i speake it for some other purpose . goe too wife , saith her husband , tell it me , for i wil know it . well husband , if you will needs , you shalt you know on thursday last , i was sent for , and you wi●…led me to goe to mistresse m. churching , and when i came thither i found great cheare , & no smal companie of wiues , but the meanest of them all was not so ill attired as i , and surely i was neuer so ashamed of my selfe in my life , yet i speak it not to praise my selfe : but it is well knowne , and i bare boldly say , that the best woman there came of no better stocke then i. but alas i speake not this for my selfe , for god wot i passe not how meanely i am apparelled , but i speake it for your credit & my friends . why wife , saith he , of what calling & degrée were those you speak of ? truly good husband ( saith she ) the meanest that was there , being but of my degrée , was in her gowné with trunck sléeues , her vardingale , her turkie grograin kirtle ; her taffety hat with a gold band , and these with y e rest of her attire , made of y e newest fashiō , which is knowe the best : whereas i poore wretch had on my thread-bare gowne , which was made me so long agoe , against i was married , besides that it was now too short for me , for it is i remember since it was made aboue thrée yeares agoe , since which time i am growne very much , and so changed with cares and griefes , that i looke farre older then i am : trust me i was so ashamed , being amongst my neighbours , that i had not the heart to looke vp , but that which gréeued me most was , when mistresse luce. b and mistres t. say openly that it was a shame both for you and me , that i had no better apparell . tush wise ( quoth the good-man ) let them say what they list , we are neuer a whit the worse for their words , we haue enough to doe with our money though we spend it not in apparell : you knowe wife when we met together , we had no great store of houshold stuffe , but were fain to buy t●… afterward by some and some , as god sent mony , and yet you see we want many things that is necessary to be had : besides the quarter day is neere , and my landlord you know will not forbeare his rent : moreouer you see how much it costs me in law about the recouering of the tenement which i should haue by you , god send me to get it quickly , or els i shall haue but a bad bargaine of it , for it hath already almost cost me as much as it is worth . at these words his wiues coller begins to rise , whereupon she makes h●… this answere . iesus god ( saith she ) when you haue nothing else to hit me in the téeth withall , yée twit me with the tenement : but it is my fortune . why how now wife saith her husband , are you now angry for nothing ▪ nay i am not angry , i must be content with that which god hath ordained for me : but i wis the time was , when i might haue bene better aduised , there are some yet liuing that would haue bene glad to haue me in my smock , whom you know well enough , to be propper young men , and therewithall wise and wealthy , but i verily suppose i was bewitcht to match with a man that loues me not , though i purchased the ill will of all my friends for his sake , this is all the good that i haue gotten thereby : i may truly say i am the most vnhahpy woman in the world : doe you thinke that law. tom. & n. m. ( who were both suters to me ) doe kéepe their wiues so ? no by cochs body , for i know the worst cloathes that they cast off , is better then my very best , which i weare on the cheifest dayes in the yeere : i know not what the cause is that so many good women die , but i would to god that i were dead too , that i might not troble you no more seeing i am such an eie sore vnto you . now by my faith wife saith he , you say not well , there is nothing that i thinke too good for you , if my abillitie can compasse it . but you knowe our estate , we must doe as we may , & not as we would , yet be of good cheare , and turne to me , and i will straine my selfe to please you , in this or any other thing . nay for gods sake let me alone , i haue no mind on such matters , and if you had no more desire therto then i , i promise you , you wou'd neuer tuch me . no wife ( saith he ) hoping so with a iest to make hee mery , by my honestie i sweare , i verily thinke that if i were dead , you would not be long without another husband . no maruaile sure saith she , i lead such a good life with you now . by my christian soule i sweare , there should neuer man kisse my lipps againe . and if i thought i should liue long with you , i would vse meanes to make my selfe away : herewithall she puts finger in the eye making shew as though she wept . thus plaies she with the sillie sot her husband ( meaning nothing lesse then to doe as she saies ) while he poore foole is in mind both wel and ill apaid , he thinkes himselfe well , because he imagines hee of a cold constitution , and therefore exceeding chast : he thinkes himselfe ill , to sée her fained teares , for that he verily supposes she loues him , which doth not a little gréeue him , being so kind and tender hearted . therefore he vseth all meanes possible to make her quiet , neither wil he giue her ouer , till he hath effected it . but she prosecuting her former purpose , which she hath alreadie set in so faire a forwardnes , makes as though she were nothing moued with his gentle perswasions ; therefore to crosse him , she gets her vp betimes in the morning , sooner a great deale then she was wont , pouting and lowring all the day , & not giuing him one good word . but when night comes , and they againe both in bed , laying her selfe sullenly downe , and continuing still silent , the good man harkens whether she sléep or no , feeles if she be wel couered or not , he softly plucks vp the cloaths vpon her , lapping her warme , being dubble diligent to please her ying all this while winking , noting his kindnes and carefulnes towards her , séemes on a suddaine to awake from a sound sléepe , gruntling and ●…ssing under the shéets , giuing him occasion thereby thus to begin . how now swéet hart , what are you a sléepe ? a sléepe ( saith she ) i faith sir no : a troubled mind can neuer take good rest . why womā are you not quie yet ? no doubt ( saith she ) you care much whether the or no. by lady wife , and so i doe : and since yesternight i haue bethought me ( hauing well considered your words ) that it is very meete and requisite , that you should be better furnished with apparell then heretofore you haue bene , for indéed i must confesse thy cloaths are too simple . and therfore i mean against my cousin m. wedding ( which you know wil be shortly ) that you shall haue a new gowne , made on the bell fashion , with all things sutable thereunto , in such sort that the best woman in the parish shall not passe you . nay ( quoth she ) god willing i mean to go to no weddings this twelue moneths , for the goodly credit i got by the last . by my faith ( ●…aith he ) but you shall : what ? you must not be so headstrong and selfe-wild . i tell you if i say the word , you shall goe , and you shall want nothing that you aske or require . that i aske ? alas husband ( quoth she ) i aske nothing , neither did i speake this for any desire that i haue to goe braue : trust me for mine o●…ne part i care not if i neuer stirre abroad , saue onely to church : but what i said was vpon the spéeches which were there vset , and such other like words , which my gossip n. told me that she had also heard in company where she was . with these words y e good kind foole her husband is netted , for on the one side he considers his sundry other occasions to vse meney , and his small store thereof , which is perhaps so stender , that his single purse cannot extempery change a double pistolet . and so ill bested is he of houshold stuffe , that perhaps the third part is not a sufficiēt pawne for so much money , as this new suite of his wiues will stand him in . but on the other side he waighes her discontent , the report of neighbours spéeches , and lastly , how good a wife he hath of her : how chast , how louing , how religious , whereof the kind asse hath such an opinion , that he thankes god with all his heart , for blessing him with such a iewell : in this thought he resolues that all other things set aside , he must and will content her . and here with all he sets his braines a fresh on worke , to consider how best he may compasse it : and in this humor he spends the whole night without sléepe , in continuall thought . and it comes to passe that the wife perceiuing to what a point she hath brought her purpose , doth not a little reioyce and smile in her sléeue to sée it . the next morning by the breake of day the poore man gets vp , who for care and thought could take no rest all night , and goes presently to the drapers , of 〈◊〉 he takes , vp cloth for thrée moneths time , paying for it after an 〈◊〉 rate , by reason of their forbearance , and in like sort makes prouision for the rest ; or perhaps because he would buy it at a better rate , he pawnes for readie mony the lease of his house , or some faire péece of plate ( which his grandfather bought , and his father charily kéeping ) left for him , which now he is enforced to part with , to furnish thereby his wines pride : and hauing thus dispatched his busines , he returnes home with a merrie heart , and shewes his wife what he had done : who being now sure of all , begins to curse the first inuentors of pride , and excesse in apparell : saying , fye vpon it , what pride is this ? but i pray you husband , doe not say hereafter , that i made you lay out your mony in this néedles sort , for i profest that i haue no delight or desire to goe thus garishly : if i haue to couer my body and kéepe me warme it contents me . the good man hearing his wife say so , doth euen leape for ioy , thinking all her words gospell , and therefore presently he sets the taylor a worke , willing him to dispatch out of hand , that his wife may be braue so soone as may be . she hauing thus obtained her purpose , doth inwardly triumph for very ioy , howsoeuer outwardly she doth dissemble . and whereas before she vaunted , that she could find in her heart to kéepe alwaies within doores , she will be sure now euery good day to goe abroad , and at each feast and gossips méeting to be a continuall guest , that all may see her brauerie , and how well she doth become it , for which cause she also comes euery sunday daily to the church , that there she may sée and be séene , which her husband thinke●… she doth of méere deuotion . but in the meane while the time runs on , and the day comes , wherein the poore man must pay his creditors , which being vnable to doe , he is at length arrested , and after due procéeding in law , he hath an execution serued vpon him , or else his pawne is forfaited , and by either of both he is almost vtterly vndone . then must his fine wife of force vaile her peacocks plumes , and full againe to her old byas , kéeping her house against her will , because she could not be furnisht with gay attire according to her minde . but god knoweth in what miserie the ●…llie man doth liue , being daily vered with her brawling and scolding , exclaiming against him , that all the house doth ring thereof , and in this sort she begins her fagaries . now cursed be the day that euer i sawe thy face , and a shame take them that brought me first acquainted with thée : i would to god i had either died in my cradle , or gone to my graue when i went to be married with thée . was euer woman of my degrée and birth brought to this beggerie ? or any of my bringing vp kept thus basely , and brought to this shame 〈◊〉 i which little knew what labour meant , must now toyle and tend the house as a drudge , hauing neuer a coate to my bac●…e , or scant hansome hose to my legs , and yet all little enough , whereas i wis i might haue had twentie good mariages , in the meanest of which i should haue liued at ease and pleasure , without being put to any paine , or suffering an●… penurie . wretch that i am , why doe i liue ? now would to god i were in my graue alreadie , for i am wearie of the world , wearie of my life , and wearie of all . thus doth she daily complaine , and lay all the fault of her fall on him which least deserued it , nothing remembring her owne pride , in coueting things aboue her estate or abilitie , her misgouernment , and daily gadding with her gossips to banquets and brid●…les , when she should haue lookt to the house , and followed her owne busines at home . and his follie is also such , that being blinded with dotage , ( through too much louing her , ) cannot perceiue that shée is the cause of all this euill , of all the cares , griefes , and thoughts , which perplere and torture him , and yet nothing cuts him so much as this , to sée her so f●…ish and vnquiet , when if he can at any time somewhat pacifie , then is his heart somewhat at rest . thus doth the sillie wretch tosse and turmoyle himselfe in lobs pound , wrapt in a kinde of pleasing woe , but of the which hee hath neither power , nor will to winde himselfe ; but therein doeth consume the remnant of his languishing life , and miserablie ends his dayes . chap. ii. the humour of a woman , pranked vp in braue apparell . the nature of a woman enclined to another kinde of humor , ( which is this ) when the wife séeing her selfe brauely apparelled , and that she is therewith faire and comely ( or if shée be not ) yet thinking her selfe so ( as women are naturally giuen to sooth themselues , ) shee doth as i saide before , hunt after feasts and solemne méetings , wherewith her husband perhaps is not very well pleased ; which shée perceiuing , the more to bleare his eyes , shee takes with her some kinswoman , or gossip , or possible some lustie gallant , of whome shee claimes kinred , though in very déede there be no such matter , but onely a smooth colour to deceiue her husband : and perchaunce to induce him the sooner to belieue it , her mother ( which is priuie to the match , ) will not stiche to say , and sweare it is so ; yet sometime the husband to preuent his wiues gadding , will raine some let , as want of horses , or other like hinderances ; then presently the gossip or kinswoman ( of whome before i spake , will thus solemnely assault him . belieue mee gossip , i haue as little pleasure , as who hath least , in going abroade , for i wi●…e i had not so much businesse to doe this twelue moneths as i haue at this instant : yet should i not goe to this wedding , being so kindely bidden , i knowe the young bride would take it in very ill part : yea , and ( i may say to you ) so would our neighbours , and others our friends , which will bee there , who would verily imagine , we ●…pe away for some other cause : and were it not for this , i protest i would not stirre out of doores , neither would my cousen your wife haue any desire to goe thither : thus much i can truely witnesse , that i neuer knewe any woman take lesse delight in such things then your wife ; or which being abroad , will make more haste to bee at home againe . the sillie man her husband , beeing vanquished by these wordes , and no longer able to denie their request , demaunds onely what other women doe appoint to goe , and who shall man them ? marrie syr , ( saith shée ) that shall my cousen h. and besides your wife and i , there goes my kins-woman t. and her mother , mistresse h. and her aunte : my unckle t. and his brother be mette with both their wiues : mistresse c. my next neighbour : and to conclude , all the women of account in this stréete : ( i dare boldly say , ) that honester companie there cannot bee , though it were to conueye a kings daughter . now it ofte chaunceth that this smooth tongued oratri●… who pleades thus quaintly with womans arte , must haue for her paines a gowne-cloth , a iewell , or some other recompence , if she preuaile with the good man , and cunningly play her part . he after some pause ( perhaps ) will replie in this sort ; gossip , i confesse it is very good company , but my wife hath now great businesse at home , and besides she vseth to goe very much abroade , yet for this time i am content she shall goe ; but i pray you , dame ( quoth he ) be at home betimes . his wife séeing that her gossip had gottē leaue , makes as if she cares not for going foorth , saying : by my faith man i haue something else to doe , then to goe to a brideall at this present : what , wee haue a great houshold , i rude seruants ( god wot ) whose idlenes is such , that they will not doe any thing , if a bodies backe be turnde : for it is an olde prouerbe : ( when the ●…atte is away , the mouse will play . ) and therefore gossip holde you content , we must not be altogether careles , nor set so much by our pleasure , to negled out profite ; and therefore hold me excused , for i cannot now be spared , nor i will not goe , that is flat . nay good gossip ( saith the other ) seeing your husband hath giuen you leaue , let vs haue your companie this once , and if it bee but for my sake , such a chaunce as this comes not euery day . with that the good man taking the olde gy●… aside , whispers her thus in hereare : were it not gossip for the confidence i repose in you , i protest shee should not stirre out of doores at this time . now as i am an honest woman ( quoth she ) and of my credit gossip you shall not néede so doubt any thing . thus to horse they get , and away they spurre , with a merrie gallop , laughing to themselues , mocking and flowting the silly man for his simplicitie : the one saying to the other , that hee had a shreinde iealous braine , but it should auaile him nothing . tush ( saith the young woman ) it is an olde saying , he had neede of a long spoone that will eare with the diuell ; ) and shee of a good w●…te , that would preuent the forie of a jealous foole : and with this and the like talke , they passe the 〈◊〉 till they come to the place appointed , where they méete with lustie gallants , who ( paraduenture ) had at the former feast made the match , and were come thither of purpose so strike vp the bargaine . but howsoeuer it is , this lustie lasse lackes no good cheare , nor any kindnesse which they can shew her . imagine now how forward she will be to shelue her best skill in dauncing and singing , and how lightly shee will afterward estéeme her husband : being thus courted and commended by a crewe of lustie gallants , who séeing her so brauely attired , and graced with so swéete and smooth a tongue , so sharpe a wit , so amiable a countenance , will each striue to excéede other , in seruing , louing , and pleasing her : for the gallant carriage and wanton demeanour of so beautifull a péece , cannot chuse but incourage a méere coward , and heate ( if not enflame ) a frozen heart : one assayes her with sugred tearmes , and some pleasing discourse , painting foorth his affection with louers eloquence : another giues her a priuie token , by straining her softe han●… ; or treading on her prettie foote ; another eyes her with a piercing and pittifull looke , making his countenance his faucies herrold : and perhaps the third which is most likely to speed ) be●…ows vpon her a gold ring , a diamond , a ruby , or some such like costly toye : by all which aforesaide tokens , she may well conceiue their meanings , ( if she haue any conceite at all , ) and sometimes it so falles out , that they fall in where they should not ; and shee stepping somewhat aside , doth so shrewdly straine her honestie , that hardly or neuer the griefe can be cured . but to procéede , this ouergorgious wantonning of his wife , brings the poore man behind hand , and doth withall cause a greater inconuenience ; for in the end by one meanes or other , either through her too much boldnes , or her louers want of warinesse , the matter at length comes to light , whereof some friend or kinsman giues him notice . hee being tickled by this bad report , thereupon searching further , findes it true , or gathers more likelyhood of suspition , and that presently infects his thoughts with iealousie , into which mad tormenting humor , no wise man will euer fall ; for it is an euill both extreame and endles , especially ( if it be iustly conceiued , vpon the wiues knowne leaudres , for then there is no hope of curing . shée on the other side ( séeing this , and receiuing for her loose life , many bitter spéeches ) doth closely kéepe on her olde course , but now more for spight then pleasure ; for it is in vaine to thinke that she will reclaime her selfe . and if hee ( hoping by constraint to make her honest ) fall to beating her , ( though hee use neuer so much seueritie , ) hee shall but kindle so much the more the fire of that leaude loue , which she beares vnto others : hereon followes a heape of mischieses ; hée growes carelesse of his busines , letting all things runne to ruine : she on the other side ( becomes shamelesse , ) conuerting into deadly hate the loue that shee should beare him . iudge now what a purgatorie of perplerities the poore man doeth liue in ; and yet for all this , hee is so besotted , that hee séemes to take great pleasure in his paines , and to be so farre in loue with lo●…s pou●…d , that were he not alreadie in , yet he would make all haste possible to be possessed of the place , there to consume the residue of his life , and miserably end his daies . chap. iii. the humour of a woman lying in child-bed . there is another humor incident to a woman , when her husband sées her belly to grow big ( though peraduenture by the helpe of some other friend ) yet he perswades himselfe , it is a worke of his owne framing : and this bréedes him new cares and troubles , for then must he trot vp and downe day and night , farre and neare , to get with great cost that his wife longs for : if she let fall but a pin , he is diligent to take it vp , least she by stouping should hurt her selfe . she on the other side is so hard to please , that it is a great hap when he fits her humor , in bringing home that which likes her , though he spare no paines nor cost to get it . and oft times through ease and plentie she growes so queasie stomackt , that she can brooke no common meates , but longs for strange and rare things , which whether they be to be had or no , yet she must haue them there is no remedie . she must haue cherries , though for a pound he pay ten shillings , or gréene pescods at foure nobles a pecke : yea , he must take a horse , and ride into the countrey , to get her greene codlings , when they are scarcely so big as a scotch button . in this trouble and vexation of mind and body , liues the silly man for fire or seuen moneths , all which time his wife doth nothing but complaine , and hee poore soule takes all the care , rising earely , going late to bed , and to be short , is faine to play both the husband and huswife . but when the time drawes néere of her lying downe , then must he trudge to get gossips , such as she will appoint , or else all the fatte is in the fire . consider then what cost and trouble it will be to him , to haue all things fine against the christning day , what store of sugar , biskets , comphets and carawapes , marmalet , and marchpaue , with all kind of swéete suckets , and superstitious banqueting stuffe , with a hundred other odde and needlesse trifles , which at that time must fill the pockets of daintie dames : besides the charge of the midwife , she must haue her nurse to attend and kéepe her , who must make for her warme broaths , and costly cawdels , enough both for her selfe and her mistresse , being of the minde to fare no worse then she : if her mistresse be fedde with partridge , plouer , woodcocks , quailes , or any such like , the nurse must be partner with her in all these dainties : neither yet will that suffice , but during the whole moneth , she priuily pilfers away the suger , the 〈◊〉 and ginger , with all other spices that comes vnder her kéeping , putting the poore man to such expence , that in a whole reare he can scarcely recouer that one moneths charges . then euery day after her lying downe will sundry dames visit her , which are her neighbours , her kinswomen , and other her speciall acquaintance , whom the goodman must welcome with all cheerefulnesse , and be sure there be some dainties in store to set before them : where they about some three or foure houres ( or possible halfe a day ) will sit chatting with the child-wife , and by that time the cups of wine haue merily trold about , and halfe a dozen times moystned their lips with the sweet iuyce of the purple grape : they begin thus one with another to discourse ; good lord neighbour , i maruaile how our gossip frees doth , i haue not seene the good soule this many a day . ah god helpe her , quoth another , for she hath her hands full of worke , and her heart full of heauinesse : while she drudges all the weeke at home , her husband , like an v●…thrift , neuer leaues running abroad to the tennis court , and dicing houses , spending all that euer he hath in such leaud sort : yea , and if that were the worst it is well : but heare you gossip , there is another matter spoyles all , he cares no more for his wife then for a dog , but kéepes queanes euen vnder her nose . iesu ! saith another , who would thinke he were such a man , he behaues himselfe so orderly and ciuilly , to all mens sights ? tush , hold your peace gossip ( saith the other ) it is commonly seene , the still sowe ●…ates vp all the drasse , he carries a smooth countenance , but a corrupt conscience : that i knowe f. well enough , i will not say he loues mistresse g goe too gossip 〈◊〉 d●…ke to you yea and saith another , there goes foule lies if g. himselfe loue not his maide n i can tell you their mouthes will not be stopt with a bushell of wheat that speake it . then the third fetching a great sigh , saying , by my truth such an other bold bettresse haue i at home : for neuer giue me credit gossip , if i tooke her not the other day in close conference with her maister , but i thinke i beswaddeld my maide in such sort , that she will haue small list to doe so againe . nay gossip ( saith another ) had it bene to me , that should not haue serued her turne , but i would haue turned the queane out of doores to picke a sallet : for ●…ot ye what gossip ? it is ill setting fire and flare together : but i pray you tell me one thing , when saw you our friend mistresse o? now in good see the she is a kind creature , and a very gentle peat : i promise you i saw her not since you and i dranke a pinte of wine with her in the fish market . ( o gossip saith the other ) there is a great change since that time , for they haue bene faine to pawne all that euer they haue , and yet god knowes her husband lies still in prison . o the passion of my heart ( saith another ) is all their great and glorious shew come to nothing ▪ good lord what a world is this ? why gossip ( saith another ) it was neuerlike to be otherwise , for they loued euer to goe●…ne ; and fare daintily , and by my faith gossip , this is not a world for those matters , and thereupon i drinke to you . t is is commonly their communication , where they finde cheate according to their choyce . but if it happen contrarie , that they find not things in such plentie , and good order 〈◊〉 they would wish , then one or other of them will talke to this effect : trust me gossip i maruell much , and so doth also our other friends , that your husband is not ashamed to make such small account of you , and this your swéete child . if he be such a ●…iggard at the first , what will he be by that time he hath fiue or six ▪ it doth well appeare he beares but little loue to you : whereas you vouchsaffng to match with him , hath done him more credit then euer had any of his kinred . before god , saith another , i had rather sée my husbands eyes out then he should serue me so : therefore if you be wise vse him not to it : neither in this sort let him tread you vnder foole : i tell you it is a foule shame for him , and you may be well assured sith he begins thus , that hereafter he will vse you in the same order , if not worse . in good sooth saith the third , it séemes very straunge to me , that a wise woman , and one of such parentage as you are , who as all men knowes is by blood farre his better , can endure to be thus vsed by a base companion : blame vs not to speake good gossip , for i protest the wrong that he doth you , doth likewise touch vs , and all other good women that are in yourcase . the child wife hearing all this , begins to wéepe , saying , alas gossip , i know not what to doe , or how to please him ; he is so diuerse and wayward a man , and besides , he thinkes all too much that is spent . ( gossip he is saith one ) a bande and a naughtie man , and se it is well séene by your vsage . 〈◊〉 my gossips here present can tell , that when i was marryed to my husband , euery one said that he was so hastie and hard to please that he would kill me with griefe : and indéed i may say to you , i found him crabbed enough : for he began to take vpon him mightily , and thought to haue wrought wonders , yet i haue vsed such meanes , that i haue fained : my young maister , and haue at this present brought him to that passe , that i dare sweare he had rather looss one of his ioynts , then rangle with me : i will not denie but once or twise hée beate me shrewdly , which i god wot being young and tender tooke in gréeuous part , but what he got by it , let my gossip t. report , who is yet a woman liuing , and can tell the whole storie : to whom my good man within a while after saide , that i was past remedie , and that he might sooner kill me , then doe any good by beating me , ( and by these ten bones so he should ) but in the ende i brought the matter so about , that i got the bridle into my owne hands , so that i may now say , i doe what i li●…t : for be it right or wrong , if i say it , hée will not gainsay it , ( for by this golde on my finger , let him doe what he can i will be sure to haue the last word : so that in very déed , if that women he made vnderlings by their husbands , the fault is their owne : for ther is not any man aliue , ( be he neuer so churlish ) but his ●…ife may make him quiet and gentle enough , if she haue any wit ; and therefore your good-man serues you but well enough , sith you will take it so . belieue me gossip ( saith another , ) were i in your case , i would giue him such welcome , at his comming home , and ring such a peale of badde wordes in his eares , that hee should haue small ioy to stay the hearing . thus is the poore man handled behinde his backe , whiles they make no spare to helpe away with his good wine and sugar , ( which he hath prepared , ) whome they for his kindnesse thus ingratefully requite : yea and now and then hauing their braines well heated , they will not sticke to taunt him to his face : accusing him of little loue , and great vnkindnesse to his wife . now it doth many tunes so chaunce , that hee hauing bene foorth to prouide such meates as shee would haue , he commeth borne ( perhappes at midnight , ) and before hee sitteth downe to rest himselfe , hath a very earnest desire to knowe how his wife doth , and perchaunce being loath to lye abroade , because of erpences , trauailes the later , that he may reach to his owne house ; where ( when he is once come , ) hée asketh the chamber-maide , or else the nurse , how his wife doeth : they hauing their errand before giuen them by their mistresse , answeres , shee is very ill at ease , and that since his departure shee tasted not one bit of meate , but that towards the euening she beganne to be a little better , all which be méere lyes . but the poore-man hearing these wordes , grieues not a little , though he be all to bemoylde , weary and wet , hauing gone a long iourney , through a hadde and filthie way , vpon some ill paced trotting ●…de , and it may bée is fasting too , yet will he naither eate ●…or drinke , nor ( so much as once sit downe ) till he haue séene his wife . then the pratling idle nurse , which is not to learne to erpioyte such a péece of seruice , beginnes to looke verie heaheauily , and to sigh inwardly as though her mistresse had bene that day at the point of death , which he seeing , was ●…he more earnest to visit his wife : whom at the entrāce of the chamber , he heares lye groning to her selfe , and comming to the beds side , kindly sits downe by her , saying how now my sweet heart , how doest thou ? ah husband ( saith she ) i am very ill , nor was i euer so sicke in my life as i haue bene this day . alas good soule ( saith he ) i am the more sorrie to heare it . i pray thée tell mee where lies thy paine ? ah husband ( quoth she ) you know i haue bene weake a long time , and not able to eate any thing . but wife ( quoth he ) why did you not cause the nurse to boyle you a capon , and make a messe of good broath for you ? so shee did ( saith his wife ) as well as she could , but it did not like me god wote , and by that meanes i haue eaten nothing , since the broath which your selfe made me : oh me thought that was excellent good . marie wife ( saith he ) i will presently make you some more of the same , and you shall eate it for my sake . with all my hart good husband ( saith shee ) and i shall thinke my selfe highly beholding vnto you . then trudgeth hee into the kitchin ; there playes hee the cooks , burning and broyling himselfe ouer the fire , hauing his eyes ready to be put out with smoake , while hee is busie in making the broath : what time hee chides with his maides , calling them beasts and baggages , that knowes not how to doe any thing ; not so much as make a little broath for a ●…cke body , but he must be faine to doe it him selfe . then comes downe mistris nurse as fine as a farthing fiddle , in her petticoate and kirtle , hauing on a white wast-coate , with a flaunting cambricke ruffe about her necke , who like a doctris in facultie , comes thus vpon him . good lord syr , what paines you take , here is no bodie can please our mistresse but your selfe : i will assure you ( on my credite ) that i doe what i can , yet for my life , i cannot i , any way content her . moreouer , here came in mistresse cot. and mistresse con. who did both of them what they could to haue your wife eate something ; neuertheles all that they did , could not make her taste one spoonefull of any thing all this liue-long day : i know not what she ayles , i haue kept manie women in my time , both of worship and 〈◊〉 , ( simple though i stand heere , ) but i neuer knewe any so weake as shee is ; i , i ( quoth he ) you are a companie of cunning cookes , that cannot make a little broath as it should be . and by this time the broath being ready , hee brings it straight to his wife , comforting her with many kind words , praying her to eate for his sake , or to ●…ast a spoonefull or twaine , which she doth , commending it to the heauens , affirming also , that the broath which the others made had no good taste in the world , and was nothing worth . the good man hereof beeing not a little proude , biddes them make a good ●…e in his wiues chamber , charging them to tend her well . and hauing giuen this direction , hee gettes himselfe to supper , with some colde meate set before him , such as the gossips left , or his nurse could spare , and hauing this short pittance hee goes to bedde full of care . the next morning he gets him vp betimes , and comes verie kindely to know how his wife doth , who presently pops him in the mouth with a smooth lye ; saying , that all night she could take no rest till it grewe towards the morning , and then she beganne to féele 〈◊〉 little more ease , when god knowes shee neuer slept more soundly in all her life . well wife , ( saide the good man , ) you must remember that this night is our gossips supper , and they will come hither with many other of our friends , therefore we must prouide some good thing for them ; especially because it is your upsitting , and a fortnight at the least since you were brought to bedde : but good wife , let vs goe as néere to the world as we may ; seeing that our great charge doth euery day increase , and money was neuer so ill to come by . she hearing him to say so , beginnes to po●…t , saying ; would for my part i had dyed in trauell , and my poore infant beene strangled in the birth , so should you not be troubled with vs at all , nor haue cause to repine so much at our spending : i am sure there is neuer a woman in the worlde , that in my case hath worse kéeping , or is lesse chargeable , yet let me pinch and spare , and doe what i can , all is thought too much that i haue : trust mee i care not a strawe whether you prouide me anie thing or no , although the sorrowe bee mine , the shame will be yours , as yesterday ; for example : i am sure here came in aboue a dozen of our neighbours and friendes , of méere kindenesse to see mée , and know how i did , who by their countenance and comming did you greater credite then you deserue : but god knowes what entertainment they had , hauing nothing in the house to set before them , which made me so much ashamed , that i knewe not what to say ; i le tell you what , before god i may boldly speake it , ( for i haue séene it , ) that when any one of them lyes in , their very seruants haue better fare then i my selfe haue had at your handes , which they séeing ( betwixt themselues yesterday when they were here , did most cunningly flowte both you and me for their entertainment . i haue not ( as you know ) lyen in aboue fiftéene dayes , and can yet scant stand on my legs , and you thinke the tin●…e too long , till i be ●…yling about the house ( to catch my bane , ) as i feare i haue done already . belieue me wife ( qd . he ) you mistake me greatly , for no man in the world can bee morekinde to his wise , then i haue bene to you . kinde to me ( quoth she ) by the masse that you haue with a murren ; no doubt but i haue had a swéet messe of cherishing at your handes , but i sée yourdrifte well enough , you gape euery day for my death , and i would to god it were so for mee : the month indéede is halfe expirde , and i feare the rest will come , before wee be ready for it : my sister s. was heere no longer agoe then to day , and askt if i had euer a newe gowne to be churched in , but god wote i am farre enough from it , neither doe i desire it , though it be a thing which ought both by reason and custome to be obserued . and because it is your pleasure , i will rise to morrow , what chaunce soeuer befall , for the worst is , i can but loose my life : full well may i gather by this , how you will vse me heereafter , and what account you would make of me , if i had nine or ten children , but god forbid it should euer come so to passe , i desire rather to be rid of my life , and so to shunne the shame of the world , then long to liue with such an vnkinde churle . now verily wise ( saith the good man ) i must néedes blame your impatience , for growing so chollericke without cause . without cause ( quoth she ? ) doe you thinke i haue no iust cause to complaine ? i will assure you there is neuer a woman of my degrée , that would put vp the intollerable iniuries that i haue done , and dayly doe , by meanes of your hoggish conditions . well wife saith the good man , lye as long as you list , and rise when you will , but i pray you tell me how this new gowne may be had , which you so earnestly aske for ? by my faith ( quoth she ) you say not well , for i aske nothing at your hands , neither would i haue it though i might : i thanke god i haue gownes enough alreadie , and sufficient to serue my turne , and you know i take no delight in garish attire , for i am past a girle , but it makes me smile to see what a shew of kindnes you would faine make 〈◊〉 thee dissembler , you can cog and flatter as well as any man in this towne , and full little thinke they that sée you abroad , what a diuell you are at home : for what with your crooked qualities , with toyling , moyling , carking and caring , and being beside broken with child beating , my countenance is quite changed , so that i looke alreadie as withered , as the barke of an elder bough : there is my cousen t. t. who when i was a little girle , was at womans estate ; and in the end married maister ii with whom shée leades a ladies life , looking so young and lustie , that i may séeme to be her mother : i , i , such is the difference twixt a kind , and an vncourteous husband , and who knowes not but he was a suter to me , and made many a iourney to my fathers house for my sake , and would so saine haue had me , that while i was to marrie , he would not match himselfe with any : but so much was i bewitcht , that after i had once séene you , i would not haue changed for the best lord in the land , and this i haue in recompence of my loue and loyaltie . goe too wife ( saith he ) i pray you leaue these lauish spéeches , and let vs call to minde where we may best take vp cloth for your gowne : for you sée , such is our weake estate , that if we should rashly lay out that little money which is in the house , we might possibly bee vnprouided of all other necessaries : therefore whatsoeuer should chaunce hereafter , it is best to kéepe something against a rainyday : and againe you know within these eight or nine dayes , i haue fiue pound to pay to maister p. which must be done there is no shift , otherwise i am like to sustaine trebble dammage . tush ( quoth she ) what talke you to me of those matters : alas i aske you nothing : i would to god i were once rid of this trouble : i pray you let me take some rest , for my head akes ( god helpe me as it would goe in péeces ) iwis you féele not my paine , and you take little care for my griefe : therefore i pray you send my gossips word that they may not come , for i féele my selfe very ill at ease . not so ( quoth he ) i will neither breake custome , nor so much as gainesay their courteous offer , they shall come sure , and be entertained in tho best manner i may . well ( quoth she ) i would to god you woul●… leaue me , that i might take a little rest , and then doe as you list . upon these spéeches the nurse straight steppes in , and roundes her maister in the eare , i pray you sir doe not force her to many words , for it makes her head light , and doth great harme to a woman in her case , especially her braines being so light for want of sleepe : and besides , she is god knowes , a woman of a tender and choyre complexion , and with that she drawes the curtaines about the bed . thus is the poore man held in suspence till the next day that the gossips come , who will play their parts so kindly , and gaule him so to the quicke with their ●…uibs and taunts , that his courage will be wholy quailde , and he readie ( if they should bid him , like the prodigall childe , euen to eate dr●…ffe with the hogges ) rather then he would displease them . but to procéede , he in the meane while is double diligence , to prouide all things against their comming , according to his abilitie , and by reason of his wiues words , he buyes more meate , and prepares a great deale better cheare then he thought to haue done . at their comming he is readie to welcome them with his cap in hand , and all the kindnesse that may be shewed . then doth he trudge bare-headed vp and downe the house , with a chearefull countenance , like a good asse , fit to beare the burthen , he brings the gossips vp to his wife , and comming first to her himselfe , he tels her of their comming . iwis ( quoth she ) i had rather they had kept at home , and so they would too , if they knew how little pleasure i tooke in their comming . nay i pray you wife ( saith he ) giue them good countenance , seeing they be come for good will : with this they enter , and after mutuall greetings , with much gossips ceremonies , downe they sit and there spend the whole day , in breaking their fastes , dining , and in making an after noones repast : besides their pettie suppings at her beds side , and at the cradle , where they discharge their parts so well , in helping him away with his good wine and sugar , that the poore man comming oft to cheare them , doth well perceiue it , and gréeues inwardly thereat , howsoeuer he couers his discontent with a merrie countenance . but they not caring how the game goes , take their peniworths of that cheare which is before them , neuer asking how it comes there , and so they merily passe the time away , pratling and tatling of many good matters . afterward the poore man tr●…ts vp and downe anew , to get his wife the foresaid gowne and all other things theretoo sutable , whereby he sets himselfe soundly in debt : sometimes he is troubled with the childs brawling : sometimes he is brawld at by the nurse : then his wife complaines , that she was neuer well since she was brought to bed , then must he cast his cares anew , deuising by what meanes to discharge his debts and lesson his expences : then resolues he to diminish his owne port , and augment his wiues brauerie , he will goe all the yeare in one sute , and make two paire of shooes serue him a twelue moneth , kéeping one paire for holy daies , another for working daies , and one hat in thrée or foure yeares . thus according to his owne rash desire , he is vp to the eares in lobs p●…wnd , and for all the woe and wretchednes that he hath felt , he would not yet be out againe , but doth then willingly consume his selfe in continuall care , sorrow and trouble , till death doth set him frée . chap. iiii. the humour of a woman that hath a charge of children . the next humor that is by nature incident to a woman , is , when the husband hath bin married nine or or ten yeares , hath fiue or sixe children , hath passed many euill daies , vnquiet nights , and troubles aforesaid , hath his lustie youthfulnes spent , so that it is now high time for him to repent : but such is his grosse folly that he cannot , and such his dulnesse , through the continuall vexations , which haue tamed and we ●…ried him , that he cares not whatsoeuer his wife saith or doth , but is hardned like an olde asse , which being vsed to the whip will not once mend his pace be he lashed neuer so much : the poore man seeth two or thrée of his daughters mariage-able , which is soone knowne by their wanton trickes , their playing , dauncing , and other youthfull toyes , but he kéepes them backe , hauing perhaps small commings in , to kéepe , maintaine , and furnish them as they looke for , with gownes , kertles , linnen , and other ornaments , as they should be for thrée causes . first , that they may be the sooner sued vnto by lustie gallants : secondly , because his denying hereof , should nothing auaile : for his wife which knowes his daughters humors by her owne , when she was of the like yeares , will sée that they shall want nothing : thirdly , they peraduenture , bearing right womens mindes , if their father kéepe them short , will finde some other friends that shall affoord it them . the poore man being thus perplexed on all sides , by reason of the excessiue charges which he must be at , will ( as it is likely ) be but honestly attired himselfe , not caring how he goes so he may rubbe out , be i●… neuer so barely , and would be glad to scape so : but as the fish in the ponde , which would also thinke himselfe well , though wanting former libertie , if he might be suffered to continue , is cut off before his time : so is likewise this poore man seruet , being once plunged in the perplexing ponde , or rather ( pounde of wedlocke and house-keeing : for howsoeuer , when hee considers the aforesaide charges and troubles , hee begins to haue no ioye of himselfe , and is no more mooued then a tyred iade , which forceth not for the spurre : yet for the furnishing of his wife and daughters , so that hee may haue peace at home , and enioy an easie bondage , hee must trudge vp and downe earlie and late about his businesse , in that course of life which he professeth ; sometimes he iourneys thirtie or fortie miles off , about his affaires : another time , twice so farre to the tearme of assises , concerning some olde matter in lawe , which was begunne by his graund father , and not yet towards an ende , hee pulles on a paire of bootes of seuen yeares olde , which haue beene cobled so ofte , that they are nowe a foote too short for him , so that the toppe of the boote reaches no further then the calfe of his legge , he hath a paire of spurres of the olde making , whereof the one wants a rowell , and the other for want of leathers , is fastened to his foote with a poynt : hee puttes a laced coate on his backe , which hee hath had sixe or seuen yeares , which he neuer wore but vppon high-dayes , whose fashion is growne cleane out of request , by reason of new inuented garments ; whatsoeuer sports or pleasures he lights on ( by the way on his iourney , hee takes no ioy in them , because his minde is altogether on his troubles at home , hee fares hard by the way , as also his poore horse , ( if he haue any ) his man followes him in a'turnde sute , with a sword by his side , which was found vnder a hedge at the siege of bull●● ; he hath a coate on his backe , which euery man may know was neuer made for him , or hee not present when it was cut out ; for the wings on his shoulders comes downe halfe way his arme , and the skyrtes as much belowe his waste : to be short , the poore man goeth euery way as neare as may bée , for he remembers at what charges he is at home , and knowes not what it will cost him , in féeing his councellors , attourneys , and petty-foggers , which will doe nothing without present pay ; he dispatcheth his businesse spéedily , and hies him home with such hast , to auoid greater charges , that he rests no where by the way . and hereby it chaunteth that manie times he comes home at such an houre , as is as neare morning as to night , and findes nothing to eate , for his wife and seruants are in bed , all which hee takes patiently , being now well vsed to such entertainement : surely for my part , that god sends such aduersitie and distresse to those only whose good and milde nature , he knowes to be such , that they will take all things in good part . but to procéede , it is very likely that the poore man is very weary , his heart heauy , by reason of the care and thought which he hath of his businesse ; and it may be ( hée lookes to be welcome to his owne house , and there to refresh himselfe ) howsoeuer he forgets not his former vsage . but it falls out otherwise , for his wife begins to chide ; whose words carries such a sway with the seruants , that whatsoeuer their maister saith , they make small account of it ; but if their mistresse command any thing it is presently done , and her humor followed in all things , else must they packe out of seruice : so that it bootes not him to bid them doe any thing , or rebuke them for not doing it : and his poore man that hath bene with him , dares not likewise open his mouth to call for any uictualls to comfort himselfe , or for the horses , least they should suspect him to be of his maisters faction , ( who being wise , and of a quiet and milde nature ) is loth to make any stirre , or bréede any disquietnes in the house , and therefore takes all in good part , and sits him downe farre from the fire , though hee be very colde : but his wife and children stand round about it , but all their eyes are cast on her , who lookes on her husband with an angrie countenance , not caring to prouide ought for his supper ; but contrariwise taunts him with sharpe and shrewish spéeches , whereto for the most part , he answers not a word , but sometimes ( perhaps being vrged , through hunger or wearines , or the vnkindnes of his wife ) he doth thus vtter his minde . well wife , you can looke well enough to your selfe , but as for me , i am both wearie and hungry , hauing neither eaten nor drunke all this day , and being beside wet to the very skinne , yet you make no reckoning to prouide any thing for my supper . ah ( quoth shee ) you doe well to beginne first , least i should , which haue most cause to speake : haue you not done very well ( thinke yee ) to take your man with you , and leaue me no bodie to white the cloathes ? now before god , i haue had more losse in my linnen , then you will get this twelue-month . moreouer , you shutte the henne-roost doore very well , did you not ? when the fore got in , and eate vp foure of my best broode-hennes , as you ( to your cost will soone finde ) by the masse : if you liue long , you will be the poorest of your kinne . well wife ( saith the good-man ) vse no such wordes i pray you , god be thanked i haue enough , and more shall haue when it pleaseth him : and i tell ye , i haue good men of my kinne . but quoth shee , i knowe not where they bee , nor what they are worth . well ( saith he ) they are of credite and abilitie too . but for all that ( quoth shee ) they doe you small good . as much good ( saith hee ) as any of yours . as any of mine ( saith shee , ) and that she spake with such a high note , that the house rung withall , saying : by cocks-soule , were it not for my friends , you would doe but sorily . well good wife ( saith hee , ) let vs leaue this talke ; nay , ( saith shee ) if they heard what you saide , they would answere you well enough . the good-man holds his peace , fearing least shee should tell them , being of greater abilitie then hee was , and besides , because hee was loth that they should be offended with him . then one of the children falls a crying , and he perhaps , which his father loued best , whereupon the mother presently tooke a rodde , turned vp the childes taile , and whipt him well fauoredly ; and the more to despight and anger her husband , then for ought else . the good-man being herewith somewhat moued , wills her to leaue beating the childe , shewing by his bended browes that he was not a little angrie at her dooings . now gyp with a murren ( quoth she ) you are not troubled with them , they cost you nothing , but it is i that haue all the paines with them night and day . then comes in the nurs●… with her verdite , and thus she beginnes , saying : o sir , you know not what a hand shee hath with them , and we also that tend them . then comes in the chamber-maide with her fiue egges : in good faith syr , it is a shame for you , that at your comming home , when all the whole house should be glad thereof , that you should contrari wise put it thus out of quiet ; saith he , ( is it i that make this stirre ? ) then is the whole household against him , when hee séeing himselfe thus baited on all sides , ( and the match so vnequall , ) gets tim to bed quietly without his supper , all wette and durtie ; or if he doe suppe he hath but thinne fare : and being in bedde , where hee should take his rest , hee is so disquieted with the children , whom the nurse and his wife ( doth on purpose set on crying , ) to anger him the more , that for his life he cannot sléepe one winke . thus is he vexed with continuall troubles , wherwith he séemeth to be well pleased , and would not though he might be frée from them , but doth therein spend his miserable and vnhappy life . chap. v. the humor of a woman that marries her inferior by byrth . a woman inclined to another kinde of humour , which is , when the husband hath bene married , and hath passed so many troubles , that he is wearyed therewith , his lustie youthfull blood growne colde , is matched with a wife of better birth then himselfe , and perhaps yonger , both which things are very dangerous , and no wise man should seeke his owne spoyle , by wrapping himself in either of those bonds , because they are so repugnant , that it is both against reason and nature to accord them . sometimes they haue children , sometimes they haue none ; yet this notwithstanding , the wife can take no paines , yet must be maintained according to her degrée , to the husbands excéeding charges : for the furnishing whereof , the poore man is forted to take extreame toyle and paines , and yet for all this , thankes god , for vouchsafing him so great a grace , as to be matcht with her : if now and then they grow to ●…ot words together ( as ofte it happens ) then presently in vpbraiding and menacing sort she tels him , that herfriends did not match her to him to be his drudge , and that she knowes well enough of what linage she is come , and will brag withall , that when she list to write to her friends and kinsmen they will presently fetch her away . thus doth she keepe him in awe , and in a kinde of seruitude , by telling him of them , who would perhaps haue matcht her better , and not with him , but for some priuie scape that she hath had before , whereof the poore soule knowes nothing , or if perhaps he hath heard some inkling thereof , yet because he is simple , the credit that he might giue thereunto is quickely dasht , by a contrarie tale of others subbornd by them , who perchance will not sticke to sweare that this is a slaunder raised by euill tongues , and forged malitiously against her , as the like is done against many other good women , whose good names are wronged , and brought in question by bad persons on their tipling bench , because themselues cannot obtaine their purpose of them : notwithstanding , if her husband be not able to maintaine her according to her minde , then will she be sure to haue a friend in store , that shall afford it her : if her husband denie it , and in the end she remembers that such a gentleman at such a feast proffered her a diamond , or sent her by a messenger some 20 , or thirtie crownes , which she as then refused , but now purposeth to giue him a kind glance , to renew his affection , who conceiuing some better hope , and méeting soone after with her chamber maid , as she is going about some busines , cals to her , saying ; sister , i would faine speake with you . sir quoth she , say what you please . you know ( quoth he ) that i haue long loued your mistresse , without obtaining any fauour : but tell me i pray you , did she neuer speake of me in your hearing ? in faith sit ( saith she ) neuer but well : i dare sweare she wishes you no harme . before god sister saith the gentleman , if you will shew me some kindnes herein , and doe my commendations to your mistresse , assuring her of my loue and loyaltie , it shall be worth a new gowne vnto you , meane while take this in earnest , with that he offers her a péece of gold : she then making a lowe cursie , sayth : sir , i thanke you for your good will , but i will not take it . by my faith saith he but you shall , and with that he forceth it on her , adding these words : i pray you let me heare from you to morrow morning . she being glad of such a bootie , hyes her home , and tels her mistres how she met with a gentleman that was in a passing good vaine : and to be short , after some questions vsed by her mistres , it appeares to be the very same man whom she would faine intrap . i tell thée saith she to her maide , if he be as kinde as he is proper , he were worthie to be any womans loue . beléeue me mistres ( saith the maide ) his very countenance shewes that he is kind , it séemes that he was onely made for loue , and withall he is wealthie , and thereby able to maintaine her beautie , and her person in brauerie whom he affects . by this light ( saith the mistres ) i can get nothing of my husband . the more vnwise you ( saith the maide ) to be so vsed . alas quoth she what should i doe , i haue had him so long , that i cannot now set my heart on any other . tush ( quoth the maid ) it is a folly for any woman to set her heart so on any man , for you know they care not how they vse vs when they are once lords ouer vs. beside your husband though he would , yet cannot maintaine and kéepe you according to your degrée : but he of whom i speake will furnish and maintaine you gallantly what garments soeuer you will haue : and what colour and fashion soeuer you like best , you shall presently haue it , so that there wants nothing else , saue onely a quaint excuse to my maister , making him beléeue you had it by some other meanes . by my troth quoth her mistres , i know not what to say . well mistres ( saith the maid ) aduise you well , i haue promist to giue him an answere to morrow morning . alas ( saith the other ) how shall we doe ? tush mistres ( answeres the maid ) let me alone : as i goe to morrow to the market i am sure he will watch to meete with me , that he may know what newes , then i will tell him that you will not agrée to his desire for feare of discredit , this will giue him a little hope , and so we shall fall into further talke , and i doubt not but to handle the matter well enough . according to promise next morning to market she hies , somewhat more earely then she was wont , and by the way she méetes with this lustie gallant , who hath waited for her at least thrée houres , he hath no sooner spyed her , but he presently makes towarde her , and at her comming , thus salutes her : sister , good morrow , what newes i pray , and how doth your faire mistresse ? ifaith sir ( saith she ) she is at home very pensiue , and out of patience , i thinke that neuer any woman had such a froward husband . ah villaine ( saith he ) the diuell take him . amen ( saith the maide ) for both my mistresse and all the seruants are wearie with tarrying with him . out on him slaue ( saith he ) but i pray you tell me what answere gaue your mistresse touching my sute ? in faith ( quoth she ) i spake vnto her , but she would not agrée thereunto , for she is wonderfully afraide to purchase her selfe discredit , and is beside plagued with such a froward and suspitious husband , that although she were neuer so willing , yet could she not , being continually watcht by him , his mother and brethren : i thinke on my conscience vnlesse that it were that she spake to you the other day , the poore woman talkt not with any man these foure moneths , yet she speakes very often of you , and i am well assured that if she would bend her minde to loue ; she would choose you before all men in the world . he being rauished with these words , r●…lies thus : swéete sister , i pray you be my friend herein , and i will alwaies rest at your command . in good faith ( saith she ) i haue done more for you alreadie then euer i did for any man in my life . and thinke not ( saith he ) that i will be vnmindfull of your kindnes , but what would you counsell me to doe ? ifaith sir ( saith she ) i thinke it best that you should speake with her your selfe , and now you haue an excellent opportunitie , for my maister hath refused to giue her a gowne , whereat she stormes not a little , you shall doe well therefore to be to morrow at the church , and there salute her , telling her boldly your desire : you may also offer her what you thinke good ▪ but i know she will take nothing : marrie she will thinke the better of you , knowing thereby your franke and bountifull nature . oh ( saith he ) i would she would gladly take that , which i would gladly bestowe on her . nay , answeres the maide , i know she will not , for you neuer knewe a more honest woman : but i le tell ye , how yee may doe it afterwards : looke what ye purpose to bestowe on her , you shall deliuer vnto me , i will doe my best to perswade her to take it , but i cannot assure you that i shall preuaile . surely sister ( saith he ) this is very good counsell : herewithall they part , and she returnes home , laughing to her selfe , which ●…er mistresse seeing , demaunds of her the cause thereof . marrie ( saith the maide ) this lustie gentleman is all on fire , to morrow he will be at church , purposing there to speake with you : now must you demeane your selfe wisely , and make very strange of it , but stand not off too much least you dismay him cleane : as you will not wholly graunt , so must you féede him with some hope . shee , hauing her lesson thus taught her by her maide , gets her vp betimes the next morning , and to the church shee goes , where this amorous gallant hath awaited for her comming euer since foure a clocke . she being set in her pew , makes shew as if she were deuoutly at her prayers , when ( god wot ) her deuotion is bent to the seruice of another saint : it were worth the noting to sée how like an image she sits : and yet for all her demurenes , she applies all her fiue senses , and that full zealously in this new humor of religion . to be short , he steales vnto her , sneaking vnto her , from the belfrey vnto her pew , and being come , gréetes her after the amorous order , and from greeting , he fals to courting , whereto she doth in no wise yéeld consent , neither will she take ought that he offers , yet answeres him after such a sort , that he doth thereby assuredly gather that she loues him , and stickes onely for feare of discredit : whereat he is not a little ioco●… , and hauing spent his time to so good a purpose , he takes his leaue , and she hasting home to her counseller , acquaints her what hath passed betwéene them , who thereupon takes occasion to say thus : mistresse , i know well that now he longs to speake with me , but at our méeting i will tell him that you will yéeld to nothing , for which i will faine my selfe very sorrie : & i will adde withall , that my master is gone out of towne , and will appoint him to come hither towards the euening , with promise that i will let him in , and conuey him so secretly into your chamber , that you sh●…l know nothing thereof : at what time you must séeme to b●…e highly offended , and if you be wise , you will make him buy his pleasure with some cost , which will cause him to esteeme the more of you ; tell him that you will crie out , and then doe you call mee : by handling him thus , i can assure you , that you shall get more of him , then if you had yéelded at the first . all this while i will haue in my keeping that which hee will giue you , for he hath appointed to deliuer it me to morrow , and i will make him belieue , that you would by no meanes take it . but when the matter is brought to this passe , then will i make shewe to offer you his gift before him , télling you , that he is willing to bestowe it on you , to buy you a gowne-cloth withall ; then must you chide , and seeme to be angrie with mee for receiuing it , charging mee to deliuer it backe againe to him , but be sure i will lay it vp safe enough . well deuised wench ( saith the mistres ) i am content it shall be so . this plot being thus laid , the crafty w●…nch goes presently to finde out this iolly gallant , whose first word is : what newes ? now in good faith syr ( saith shee , ) the matter is no further forwards , then if it were yet to to beginne ; yet because i haue medled so farre in it , i would be loth i should not bring it about , for i feare that shee will complaine of mee to her husband and friends : but if i could perswade her by any meanes to receiue your gifts , then out of question the matter were dispatcht : and in good faith i le trie once more : i haue one good helpe , and that is this : my maister ( as i tolde you before ) will not giue her a new●… gowne , at which vnkindenesse , shee stormes mightilie . the hotte louer hearing this , giues her presently twentie crownes for her good will , wherevpon shee speakes thus : in good faith syr , i know not how it commeth to passe , but sure i am , i neuer did so much for any man before , as i haue done heerein for you : yee sée syr , what da●…ger i haue put my selfe in for your sake ; for if my maister should haue any inckling of it , i were vtterly vndone : yet for you i will hazard a little further : i know she loues you well , and as good happe is my maister is not now in towne , if you therefore will be about the doores towards sixe of the clocke at night i will let you in , and so conney you secretly into my mistres chamber , who doth sleepe very soundly ; for you know she is but young , being there i could with you goe to bed so her , and for the rest you néede not ( i trust ) any tutor : i protest that i know no other meanes for the compassing of this matter , perhaps it will fadge : for it is a great matter , when a louer and his mistres are both together naked and in the darke , which doth helpe forward a womans conceit , to that which in the day time perhaps she would hardly graunt . o my swéet friend ( qd . he ) for this kindnes my purse shall be at thy command . to be short , night comes , he is there according to promise , whom she straight conueyes into her mistresse chamber ; then he presently vnclothes himselfe , and steps softly into her bedde , and being once in , hée begins to embrace her : hereat ( she that séemes till then asléepe ) starts vp on a sudden , and with a fearfull voyce asks who is there ? it is i swéet mistres ( saith he ) feare nothing . ah ( qd . she ) thinke you to preuaile thus ? no , no , and with that she makes as thogh she would rise , and call her maide , who answeres not a word ; but alas for pittie , like an vndutifull seruant leaues her at her greatest néed . she therefore ( good woman ) séeing that shee is forsaken ; sayes with a sigh , ah me , i am betraid : then begin they a stout battell , he vrging his aduantage , shee faintly resisting , but alas what can a naked woman doo against a resolute louer ? there is therefore no other remedie , but that at length ( poore soule , ) being on t of breath with striuing , she must néedes yeelde to the stronger ; shee would faine haue cried out ( god wot ) had it not beene for feare of discredit ; for thereby her name might haue bin brought in question , therefore all things considered , she doth vnwillingly god knowes , let him supplie her husbands place , garnishing his temple , for pure good will , with 〈◊〉 badge . thus hath she got a newe gowne , which her good man refused to giue her , to bleare whose eyes , and kéepe him from suspition , she gets her mother in her husbands sight , to bring home the cloch and giue it her , as though it were her cost ; and least also she should suspect any thing , she makes her belieue she bought it with the money which she got by selling odde commodities which hér husband knewe not of ; but it may be ( and oft happens so ) that the mother is priuy to the whole matter , and a furtherer thereof : after this gowne shee must haue another , and two or thrée silken embrothered gyrdles , and other such costly knacks , which the husband seeing , will in the end suspect somwhat , and begin to doubt of his wiues honestie , or shall perhaps receiue some aduertisement hereof from some friend or kinsman ; for no such matter can be long kept close , but in the end wil by some means or other be made knowne and discouered : then falls he into a f●…antick vaine of iealousie , watching his wiues close packing ; and for the better finding of it out , hée comes home on a sudden about midnight , thinking then to discouer all , and yet perhappes may misse his purpose . another time comming in at vnawares he seeth some thing that he likes not , and then in a furie falles on railing , but be sure that she answers him home ▪ not yéelding an inch vnto him ; for besides the aduantage of the fight which is waged by her owne trustie weapon ( her tongue i meane ) shee knowing withall that she is of better birth , hits him in the téeth therewith , and threatens him to tell her friends how hardly he doth vse her . to be short , the poore man shall neuer haue good day with her , but either with thought of her incontinencie , or if he speake to her , he is borne 〈◊〉 with scolding lies , and despised of his owne seruants ; his state tunnes to ruine , his wealth decayes , his body dries vp , and weares away with griefe ; hee growes desperate and c●…elesse . thus is hee plunged in lobs pound , wearied in a world of discontents , wherin notwithstanding he takes delight , hauing no desire to chaunge his state , but rather if he were out , and knewe what would follow , yet would he neuer rest till he had gotten in againe , there to spend and end ( as now he must ) his life in griefe and miserie . chap. vi. the humor of a woman that striues to maister her husband the next humor wherevnto a woman is addicted , is , when the husband hath got a faire young wife , who is proper and fine , in whome hee takes great delight ; yet perhaps she is bent altogether to crosse , and thwart : the man being of a kinde and milde nature , louing her entierly , and maintaines her as well as he can , notwithstanding her frowardnesse : it may be also that she hath care of his credite and honestie , and doth abhorre such leaudnesse , as shee of whome we spake before did vse , yet hath shee neuerthelesse an extreame desire of soueraigntie , ( which is knowne a common fault amongst women ) and to be her husbands commaunder , and a busie medler in his matters ; be hee a iudge , a nobleman , or gentleman , she will take vpon her to giue sentence , and answere suters , and whatsoeuer shee doeth he must stand to it . this is , ( i say ) a generall imperfection of women , be they neuer so honestly , neuer so kindly vsed , and haue neuer so much wealth and ease , to striue for the bréeches , and be in odde contrarie humours , of purpose to keepe her husband in continuall thought and care how to please her . he gets him vp betimes in the morning , leauing her in bed , to take her ease , while hee stirres about the house and dispatcheth his busines , looks to the seruants that they loyter not , ●…auseth dinner to be made readie , the cloth to be laide , and when all thinges are ready , he sends one to desire her to come downe , who brings backe answere that she is not disposed to dine . no ( saith he ) i will neither sit downe , nor eate a bit till she be here ; so receiuing his second message by his maid , or perhaps by one of his children , replyes thus ; go tell him againe that i will not dine to day . he hearing this , is not yet satisfied , but ●…ends likewise the third time , and in the ende goes himselfe , and thus begins . how now , what ayles you wise , that you will eate no meate ? hereto she answeres not a word . the poore man maruels to see her in this melancholy dumpe , ( although perhaps she hath plaid this pageant many times before ) and vseth a●… entreatie he may , to knowe of her the cause thereof : but in vaine , for indéed there is no cause at all , but onely a méere mockerie : sometimes she will persist so obstinately in this humor , that for all the perswasions and kindnesse that he can vse , she will not come . sometimes it may be she will , and then he must leade her by the hand like a bride , and set her chaire readie for her , meane while it is so long before he can get ●…er downe , that the meate is cold when it comes to the table . being set , she will not eate one bit , and he séeing that ( like a kinde asse ) will ●…ast likewise : whereat she smiles inwardly , hauing brought him so to her bowe , first in crossing him , then in making him to fast from dinner : wherein ( to say the truth ) she hath reason , for what néedes a woman to seeke his fauour , who doth alreadie loue her , and shew her all the kindnes that he can . sometimes the good man ryding abroad about his businesse , méetes with two or thrée of his friends , with whom perhaps he hath some dealings , and hath bene long acquainted with them : it may be also that he inuites them home to his house , as one friend will doe to another , and sends his man before to his wife to make all things readie in the best sort that she can for their entertainment : the poore seruingman gallops in such hast , that both himselfe and his horse is all on a sweate , when he comes home he doth his ar●…and to his mistresse , telling her withall that the guests which his maister brings are men of good account . now by my faith ( saith she ) i will not meddle in it , he thinkes belike that i haue nothing else to doe , but drudge about to prepare banquets for his companions , he should haue come himselfe with a vengeance , and why did he not ? forsooth ( saith the seruant ) i know not , but thus he bad me tell you . go too ( saith she ) you are a knaue that meddles in more matters then you haue thanke for . the poore fellow hearing this holds his peace , she in a fume stings vp into her chamber , and which is worse , sends out her seruants , some one way , some another : as for her maydes , they haue their lesson taught them well enough , knowing by custome how to behaue themselues to wearie their maister : well , he comes home to his aforesaid friends , calls presently for some of his seruants : but one of the maides make answere , of whom he demaunds whether all things be readie : in good faith sit my mistresse is very sicke , and here is no body else can doe any thing : with that he being angry , ●…des his friends into the hall , or some other place according to his estate , where he findes neither fire made , nor cloath laide . iudge then in what a taking he is , although it may be that his friends perceiued by the sending of his man , that his commaundements were not of such force as an act of parliament . the good man being ashamed , calls and gapes , first for one man then for an other , and yet for all this there comes none , except it be the scullion or some chare woman , that both vse his house , whom his wife hath left there of purpose , because shée knew they could serue to doe nothing . being herewith not a little mooued , vp he goes into his wiues chamber , and thus speakes vnto her : gods precious woman , why haue ye not done as i wild ye ? why ( saith she ) you appoint so many things to be done that i know not what to doe . before god ( saith he ) and with that scratches his head , you haue done me a greater displeasure then you thinke : these are the dearest friends that i haue , and now here is nothing to set before them . why ( quoth she ) what would you haue me to doe ? i wis if you cast your cards well , you shall finde that we haue no néede to make banquets : i would to god you were wiser , but sith you will needes be so lustie , euen goe through with it your selfe on gods name , for i le not meddle with it . but what the diuellment ye ( saith he ) to send all the seruants abroad ? why ( quoth she ) what did i know that you should néede them now : yet did she kn●…w it will enough , and had of purpose sent them forth on ●…eeuelesse arrands , the more to anger and despight him : who seeing that he can preuaile nothing , giues ouer talking to her , and gets him downe in a bitter chafe : for it may be that his guestes be of such account , and he so much beholding vnto them , that he had rather haue spent a hundred crownes then it should so haue fallen out . but she cares not a whit , being well assured , that howsoeuer she thwarts him , he will hold his hands , and in scolding she knowes her selfe to be the better . to be short , the poore man being vexed , with shame and anger , runnes vp and downe the house , gets as many of his seruants together as he can : if his prouision be but slender at ho●… , he sendes presently abroad , in the meane while he calles for a cleane towell , the best table cloath , and wrought napkins . but the maide answeres him that he can haue none . then vp to his wife goes he againe , and tels her that his friends doe intreate her to come downe and bare them companie , shewing her what a shame it is , and how discourteously they will take it if she come not : and finally , he vseth all the fairest speeches that he can to haue her come , and to welcome and entertaine them for his credites sake . nay in faith ( quoth she ) i will not come , they are too great states for my companie , and no doubt they would scorne a poore woman as i am : it may be shée will goe , but in such sort , and with such a countenance , that it had bene better for him she had not come at all , for his friends will somewhat perceiue by her lookes , and gesture , that howsoeuer they be welcome to the good man , she had rather haue their roome then their company . but if she refuse to come ( as it is the more likely ) then will he aske her for the best to well , table-cloth and napkins . napkins ( quoth she ) as though those that be abroad alreadie be not good enough for greater and better men then they are : when my brother or any of my kinsmen come , which are i wis their equals in euery respect , they can be content to be serued with them : but were these your guestes neuer so great , yet could i not now fulfill your request , though my life should lie on it : for since morning i haue lost my keyes of the great chest where all the linnen lies : i pray you bid the maide looke for them , for in good truth i know not what i haue done with them , and no maruell , for i haue so much to doe , that i know not how to bestir my selfe : well i wotte , i haue spoyled my selfe with continuall care and trouble . now in good faith ( quoth he ) you haue drest me fairely , but it is no matter : before god ●…le breake open the chest . now surely then ( quoth she ) you shall doe a great act , i would faine see you doe it , i would for my part you would breake all the chestes in the house . the poore man hearing her in these termes , knowes not well what to doe , but takes that which he next lightes on , and therefore shifts as well as he can : he causeth his guestes to sit downe at the table , and because the beere then a broach is on tilt , and therefore not very good , he bids one of the seruants broach a new barrell and fill some fresh drinke , but then there is neither tap nor spigget to be found , for his wife of purpose hath hidden them out of the way . towards the end of the dinner he cals for cheese , and fruite , but there is none in the house , so that he is faine to send to the neighbours for the same , or else be vtterly destitute : meane while his boy being at the table with the guestes , at last tels them how his mistresse faines her selfe sicke , because she is not pleased with their maisters comming . well when bed time comes , he can get no cleane sheetes nor pillowbeeres , because forsooth the keyes are lost , so that they must be content to lie in those that be foule , and haue bene long laine in . the next morning they get them gone betimes , séeing by the good wiues countenance that they are nothing welcome . by the way their lackies tell them what the gentlemans boy reported , whereat they laught hartily , yet finde themselues agréeued , vowing neuer to be his guest any more . the husband also , getting him vp betimes in the morning , goes presently to his wife , and thus begins : by iesus wife , i muse what you meane to vse me thus . i know not how to liue with you . then she replies saying : now god for his mercy , am i so trouble , some ? god wot i am euery day ( poore soule ) troubled with kéeping your hogs , your geese , your chickens , i must card , i must spin , & continually kéepe the house , looke to the seruants , and neuer sit still , but toyling vp and downe to shorten my daies , and make me die before my time , and yet i cannot haue one houres rest , or quietnes with you , but you are alwaies brawling , & doe nothing your selfe , but spend & wast your goods and mine with odde companions . what odde companions ( satch hee ) as though you knowe not that these are such men , as can either much further , or much hinder me : it is a signe that you deale very well , that you must stand in distrust of such persons . ●…erevpon , shee takes occasion to raile and scolde all the day long ; the man being wearied with her waiwardnesse , and age ( being hasted with griefe and sorrow ) doth vnawares ouertake him . briefly , he is in euery respect wretched : but such is his follie , that hee reckons his paines pleasure , and would not though he might be againe at libertie , out of lobs pound , or if he would it is now too late ; for he must of force continue there , in care , thought , and miserie , till death make an ende of him and them together . chap. vii . ¶ the humor of a couetous minded woman . the next humor belonging to a woman is , when the husband is matched to a modest ciuil woman , who is nothing giuen to that thwarting and crossing humour whereof i spake before . but be she good or bad , this is a generall rule many wiues hold and stedfastly belieue , that their owne husbands are worst of all others . it oft happens that when they match together they are both young , & entertaine each other with mutuall delights , so much as may be , for a yeare or two , or longer ; till the vigor of youth grow colde . but the woman droopes not so soone as the man ; the reason whereof is , because she takes no care , thought , nor griefe , breakes not hor sléepe , and troubles not her head as hee doeth , but doth wholly addict her thoughts to pleasure and solace . i denie not , that when a woman is with childe , shee bides many times great paines , and is often verie ill at ease , and at the time of her deliuerance , shee is for the most part , not onely in excéeding paine , but also in no lesse daunger of death : but all this is nothing to the husbands troubles , on whose handes alone restes the wholecharge , and waight of maintaining the house , and dispatching all matters , which is oftentimes intangled so with controuersies , and so thwarted with crosse fortune , that the poore man is tormented with all veration of minde . being thus wearied , and as it were worne away with continuall griefe , troublous cogitations , toyle and trauell , haue no minde on any other pleasure ; whereas shee on the other 〈◊〉 : is as lustie as euer she was : means while his storke d●…ayes , and his state growes worse and worse : and as that diminisheth , so must he perforce , shorten her alowance , and maintenance , which is almost as great a corosiue to her , as the former . you may be well assured , that this change in him , makes her also change her countenance ; from mirth and chéerefulnes , to lowring melanthalie , seeking occasions of disagreements , and vse them in such sort , that their former loue and kindnes was not so great , as are now their brawles , iarres , and discords . it doth also oftētimes happen , that the woman by this meanes wastes and consumes all , giuing leaudly away her husbands goods , which hee with great paines and cares hath gotten . the good-man , he goes euery way as neare as hee can , and warily containes himselfe within his bounds , casting vp what his yearely reuenues are , or what his gaine is by his profession , bee it marchandize or other , and then what his expences be ; which he finding greater then his commings in , begins to bite the lip , and becomes very pensiue : his wife and he being afterwards priuate together in their chamber , he speakes thereof vnto her in this manner . in faith wife , i much maruel how it comes to passe that our goods goe away thus , i know not how ? i am sure i am as rarefull as a man can be , i can not finde in my heart to bestow a new coate on my selfe ; and all to saue monie . by my troth husband ( saith she ) i do as much maruell at it as you : i am sure for mine owne parte , that i goe as neere in housekéeping euery way as i can . to be short , the poore-man not doubting his wife , nor suspecting her ill carriage , after long care and thought , concludes , that the cause thereof is his owne ill fortune , which kéepes him downe , and crosseth all his actions with contrary successe , but it may be that in processe of time , some friend of his ( being more cleare sighted in the matter , perceiuing all goes not well , ●…oeth priuily informe him thereof , who being astonished at his report , gets him home with a heauie countenance , which the wife seeing , and knowing herselfe guiltie , begins presently to doubt the worst , and perhappes gesseth shrewdly at the authors thereof : b●…t howsoeuer , shee will take such an order , that she will be sure to escape the brunt well enough . the good-man will not presently make any wordes hereof vnto her , but deferre it a while , and trie in the meane time , whether he can ( of himselfe gather any further likelyhood ; for which purpose hee will tell her , that he must néedes ride some tenne or twelue miles out of towne , about some earnest busines . good faith husband ( saith the ) i had rather you should send your man , and stay at home your selfe . not so wise ( saith he ) but i will be at home againe my selfe within these three or foure dayes . hauing told her this tale , he makes as though he tooke his tourney , but doth priuily lye in ambush in such a place , where hee may know whatsoeuer is done in the house : but shee smelling his drift , sends word to her sweet-heart , that he doe not come in any case , and all the time of his dissembled absence , shee carryes her selfe , that it giues no likelyhood of suspition : which the silly man seeing , comes out of his ambush , enters his house , making as if then he were returned from his iourney : and whereas before he lowred , now hee shewes a chéerefull countenance , being verily perswaded that his friends report is a méere lye , and that hee thinks so much the rather , because she doth at his comming run to méete him , with such a shew of loue , and doth so embrace and kisse him , that it seemes impossible so kinde a creature should play false : but long after ( being in bedde together , ) he thus speakes to her ; wife , i haue heard reported certaine wordes that like me not . good faith husband ( saith she ) i know not what is the cause thereof : i haue noted this great while , that you haue bin very pensiue , and was afraid that you had had some great losse , or that some of your friends had bin kild , or taken by the spaniards . no ( saith he ) that is not the matter , but a thing which grieues mee more then any such matter can doe . now god for his mercy ( quoth shee ) i pray you husband let me know what it is . mary wife ( saith he ) a friend of mine told me that you kept company with r r. the veriest ruffian in all the tol●…e , and a many other matters be told me of you . ●…ere at she c●…ssing her selfe in token of admiration ( though smiling in wardly ) replies thus : deere husband if this bee all , then i pray you giue ouer your pensiuenes : i would to god i were as free from all other sinnes as i am from that : then laying one hand on her head , she thus proceedes : i will not sweare any thing touching him , but i would the diuell had all that is vnder my hand , if i euer touched any mans mouth sauing yours , or some of our friends and kins●…en , or such at least as you haue commanded me . ha , ha , is this the matter ? in troth i am glad that you haue tolde me ; i had verily thought it had bene some greater matter , but i know well enogh wherupon these spéeches grew , and i would that you did likewise know , what mooued him to speake them , i know you would not a little maruell , because he hath alwaies professed such frienship towards you . in good faith i am nothing sory that he hath awaked the sléeping dog. what meane you by that word ( qd . he ? ) nay ( quoth she ) be not desirous to know it , you shall knowe it soone enough some other time . birlady saith he ) i le know it now . by my troth husband ( saith shee ( i was ofte wonderfully angrie when you brought him in hither , yet i forbare to speake of it , because i saw you loued him so well . but speake now saith he ) and tell me what the matter is ? nay nay ( quoth she ) it skills not greatly . goe too wife saith the good man ) tell me , for i will know it . then takes she him about the necke , and sweetly kissing him , saith thus ; ah my deere husband , what uillaines are these that would seeme to abuse you , whome i honor and loue aboue all men in the worke . well wife ( saith he ) i pray thée tell me the man that so misuseth vs. in troth ( quoth shee that vile dissembling traitor , that flattering tell tale , that put this badde report in your eares , whome you estéeme so much : reposing such great confidence in him , he is the only man and none but hee , that hath earnestly vrged me any time this two yeares to commit follie with him , but god ( i praise him ) hath giuen mee grace , both to refuse him , and his offers , although i were continually troubled and importuned by him : ●…is when you thought he came hither so often for your sake , it was for this cause , for neuer a time that he ●…me , but he was in hand with me to obtaine his filthy desire , till in the end i threatned to tell you of it , but i was loath to doe it , fearing to bréede a quarrell betweene you , so long as i was sure to keepe him from doing you herein any ●…cie : beside , i had still a good hope , that he would at length giue ouer , ●…is it was no fault of his that he sped not . gods for my life ( saith the good man ) being in a great rage , what a treacherous villaine is this ? i would neuer haue suspected any such matter in him , for i durst haue put my life in his hands . by this light , husband ( saith shee ) if euer hee come more within the doores , or if euer i may know that you ha●… any talke with him , i le keepe house no longer with you . ah deere husband , and with that shée clips and c●…ls him againe about the necke , should i be so di●…oyall as to abuse you in this sort ? so sweete , so amiable , and so kinde a man , who lets me haue my will in all things ? god forbid i should liue so long to become a strumpet now . but for gods sake husband forbid him your house , with whom this knaue hath flaundred me withall , yet i would the diuell had me if euer he made such motion to me , neuerthelesse by gods grate hée shall not come henceforth in any place where i am , and with that shée beginnes to weepe , and hee ( kinde foole ) doth appease and comfort her , gromising and swearing , that he will doe as ●…he will haue him , saue onely that he will not forbid him his house , with whose companie the other had charged her , and withall hee vowes neuer to beléeue any more of these reportes , nor so much as to harken to any such tales againe , notwithstanding hee still seeles a scruple of suspition in his conscience : within a while he begings to fall at defiance with his honest friend , who informed him of his wiues wantonnesse , and hee seemes to bee so deepely besotted with her loue , that you would saye hee were transformed without inchauntment , into ac●…ons shape : his charge of houshold still increaseth , he hath many children , and is perplered on euery side : but his wife followes her pleasure farre more then before , for though it be neuer so openly knowne , yet will no man tell him thereof , because they know that he will not beléeue them ( and which is more ridiculous ) he that abuseth him most , shall be best wlecome vnto him of any . to be short , age will ouertake him , and perhaps pouertie , from the which he shall neuer be able to raise himselfe . loe here the great good and pleasure , that he hath gotten by entring into lobs pound , euery man mockes him , some saith it is pittie because he is an honest man : others say it is not a matter to be sorrowed for , sith it is the common rule of such . they of the better sort will scorne his company : thus liues he in paine , griefe and disgrace , which he takes for great pleasure , and therein will continue till death cut him off . chap. viii . the humour of a woman that still desires to be gadding abroad . the next humor of a woman , is , when the husband hath bene in lobs pound some fiue or sixe yeares , part whereof he hath spent in such pleasures as wedlocke doth at the first affoord , but now the date of these delights is out , he hath perhaps some thrée or foure children , but his wife is now big againe , and a great deale worse of this child then she was of any other . whereat the poore man greeues not a little , who takes great paines to get her that which she longes for : well ; the time of her lying downe drawes néere , and she is wonderfully out of temper , so that it is greatly feared that she will hardly escape . then falls he on his kneees and praies deuoutly for his wi●…e , who soone after is brought to bed , wherefore he is not a little ●…ocond , making sure account that god hath hard his p●…aiers . the gossips , kinswoman , and neighbours , come in troupes to visit and reioyce for her safe deliuerie . she for her part wants no good cherishing , whereby she recouers her strength , and is as fresh and lustie as euer she was . after her churching , she inuited by some of her neighbours , who also inuites fiue or six others of her neighbors and friends , who is receiued and feasted with all kindnes ; which banquet doth perhaps cost her husband more then would haue kept the house a whole fortnight : amongst other , she propounds a question , and makes a match to goe all together to a certaine faire , which wil be within ten dayes at such a place , to the which place they shall haue a most braue and pleasant iourney by reason of the faire weather , for they will alwayes conclude such an agréement in some of the best seasons of the yeare , and she takes vpon her to make this motion , chiefly in regard of her gossip , which was lately brought abed , that shee may after her long paine and trauaile somewhat recreate and refresh her selfe . but shee answers her with thanks for her good will , saying she knowes not how to get leaue of her husband . what ( saith the other ) that is the least matter of a thousand . tush gossip ( saith another ) stand not vpon that , we will all goe and be merry , and wee will haue with vs my gossip g. t. my cosin h. s. though perhaps he be nothing kinde to her : but this is their ordinary phrase , and they vndertake this iourney , because they cann●… so well obtaine their purposes at home , being too néere their husbands noses . after this agréement , home she comes with a heauy countenance ; the good man asketh what she aileth . marry ( quoth she ) the child is very ill at ease , ( though he were in neuer better health since hee was borne ) his flesh burnes as though it were fire , and as the nurse tells me , he hath refused the dugge these two dayes , although she durst not say so much till now . he hearing this , and thinking it true , is not a little sory ; goes presentto sée his childe , and wéepes for pittie . well , night comes , to bed they goe , and then she fetching a sigh , begins thus : husband , i sée you haue forgotten me . how meane you that ( saith hee ? ) mary ( quoth shee ) doe you not remember that when i was in childbed , you said , that if it pleased god that i escaped , i should goe to such a fayre , with my gossips and neighbors to make merrie , and chéere vp my selfe , but now i heare you not talke of it . in troth wife ( saith hee ) my head is troubled with so many matters , and such a deale or busines , that i haue no leisure to thinke on any thing else : but there is no time past yet , the faire will not bee this fortnight . by my troth ( qd . she ) i shall not be well vnles i goe . well wife ( saithe he ) content your selfe ; for if i can by any meanes get so much money ye shall go : you know it is not little that we shall spend there : yea , more i wis then will bee my ease to lay out . good christ ( qd . she ) is it now come to that ? you promisde me absolutely , without either ifs or ands : before god i will goe , whether you will or no : for there goes my mother , my gossip t. my cousen b. and my cousen r. and his wife . if you will not let me goe with them , i know not with whom you will let me goe . hee , hearing her thus wilfull , thinkes it best for his owne quietnes to let her goe , though he straine his purse somewhat the more . the time comes , he hires horses , buyes her a new riding gowne , and doth furnish her according to her mind , peraduenture there goes in their company a lusty gallant , that will frollicke it by the way on her husbands cost , for his purse must pay for all . it may be he will goe himselfe , because he hath neuer a man , or else cannot spare him from his work . but then is the poore man notably perplered , for shee will of purpose trouble him for euery trifle , more then shee would doe to another ; because it doeth her good to make a drudge of him ( and so much the rather ) that hee may not afterwards haue any desire to goe abroade with her againe . sometimes her stirrop is too long ; sometimes too short ; and he must still alight to make it fit : sometimes shee will weare her cloake , sometimes not , and then hee must carry it : then finds she fault with her hor●…es trotting which makes her sicke , and then she will alight and walke on foote , leauing him to leade the horses : within a while after they come to a water , then must he be troubled to helpe her vp againe . sometimes she can eate nothing that is in the inne , then must hee ( being weary all day with riding ; trudge vp and downe all the towne , to finde ●…omething that will fit her stomacke ; all which notwithsta●…ding , shee will not be quiet : and not shée onely , but her gossips also , will be bobbing and quibbing him , saying , that hee is not worthy to be a womās man. but he is so inured to these ●…anglings , that hee cares not for all their 〈◊〉 words . well , at length to the faire they come ; and then must he●… play the squier in going before her ; making so much roome for them as he can : when there is any throng or presse of people , being ( very ch●…y of his wife , least she shuld be hurt or annoyed by thrusting . ) there moyles hee like a horse , and sweates like a bull , yet cannot all this please her . some dames of the companie , which are more flush in crownes then her good man ; bestowes money on gold kings , hats , silke gyrdles , iewels , or some such toyes , yea , costly toyes ; which shee no sooner sees ; but presently she is on fire , vntill she haue the like : then must hee herein content her ( if he loue his owne ease ; and haue he money or not , some shift must be made to satisfie her humor . well now imagine them going homewards , and thinke his paine & trouble no lesse then it was cōming foorth , her horse perhaps doth ●…ounder much , or trots too hard ; which is peraduenture by reason of a naile in his foote , or some other mischaunce . then must he perforce buy , or hyre another horse ; & if he haue not money enough to doe so , then must he let her tide on his , and he trot by her side , like a lackey . by the way she will aske for twenty things , for milke , because she cannot away with their drinke ; for peares , plums , & cherries : when they come neere a towne , he must run before to choose out the best time ; eue●… & anon as she rides , she will of purpose let fall her wa●…d , her maske , her gloues , or some thing else for him to take vp , because she will not haue him idle ; when they are come home , shee will for a sortnight together doe nothing else but gad vp and downe amongst her gossips , to tell them how many gay and straunge things shee hath seene , all that hath passed by the way , in going and comming , but especially of her good man , whom she will be sure to blame : sayin●… , that he did her no pleasure in the world , and that ( shee poore soule ) being sicke and wearie , could not get him to helpe her , or to prouide any thing for her that shee liked : and finally , that hee hath had no more care of her , then if shee had beene a méere straunger . but hee ( poore sot , ) finding at his returne , all things out of order , is not a little troubled to set them in due frame againe , and toyles excéedingly at his labour , that hee may recouer his charges which he hath bene at in this iourney . but she , what for gossipping , for pride , and idlenes , will not set he●… hands to any thing ; and yet if ought goe well , she will say it was through her héedfulnes , and good huswiferie : if otherwise , then will she scold , and lay the fault thereof on him , although it be her owne doings . to be short , hauing thus gotten a vaine of gadding , she will neuer leaue it , and hereby the poore man will be vtterly spoiled : for both his substance shal be wasted , his limbe●… through labour , fild with aches , his féete with the gowt , and age comes on him before his time ; yet as thogh this were not eut●… enough , she wil be continually brawling , scolding , and complaining , how she is broken through child-bearing . thus is the silly man vp to the eares in lobs-pound , being on each side beset with care and trouble ; which hee takes for pleasure , and therein languish whiles he liues . chap. ix . the humour of a curst queane , maried to a froward husband . the next humor that is incident to a woman , is , when the husband hauing entred very young into lobs-pound , and there fettered himselfe by his too much folly , for a vaine hope of ticklish delights , which lasted but for a yeare or two , hath matched himselfe with a very froward and peruerse woman ( of which sort there are too many ) whose whole desire is to be mistresseand to weare the breeches ; or at least to beare as great a sway as himselfe . but hée being craftie , and with all crabbed , will in no wise suffer this vsurped soueraigntie , but in sundrie manners withstands it . and there hath bin great stirre and arguing about this matter betweene themselues , and now & then some battels : but do she what she can , either with her tongue or hands , notwithstanding their long controuersie ; which hath perhaps lasted at the least these twenty yeares , hee is still victorious , and holds his right : but you must thinke that his striuing for it all this while , hath bene no small trouble and veration vnto him ; besi●… all other aforesaid euils ; all which , or part thereof he hath likwise endured : well , to be short , he hath perchance three or foure children all married , and by reason of the great paines and trauell that hee hath taken in bringing them vp , prouiding them portions , maintaining his wife , enc●…sing his stocke , or atleast keeping it from being diminished , and liuing with credit amongst his neighbours : at last it may be hée hath gotten the gowt , or some other dangerous disease , and withall is growne olde , and thereby féeble ; so that being set he can hardly rise , through an ache that he hath got in his arms or legges : then is their long warre come to an end , and the case ( as ployden saith ) cleane altered ; for his wife being younger then hee , and as frolicke as euer shee was , will now be sure to haue her owne will in despight of his beard : heereby the poore man , which hath maintained the combate so long , is now vtterlie put downe : his owne children , which before hee kept in awe well enough , will now take heede to themselues , and if hee reprooue them for their leaudnes and disobedience , shee will maintaine them against him to his téeth , which must néedes bee a great griefe vnto him . but besides all this , he is in doubt of his seruants ; for they likewise neglect their former duety , and leane altogether to their mistresse ; so that hee poore man , which now by reason of his sicknes , and féeblenes of bodie , hath more néede of attendance then euer he had , shall haue but very little or none at all ; for though hee be as wise and as carefull as euer he was , yet sith he cannot bestirre himselfe to follow them as hee was woont , they contemne , and make no more reckoning of him , then if he were a meere foole. then peraduenture his eldest sonne , thinking that his father liues too long : will take vpon him to guide the house , and disposing all things at his pleasure , as ( if his father were become an innocent , and could no longer looke to things as hee was woont ; ) iudge you whether the good man seeing himselfe thus abused by his wife , children , and seruants , be grieued or not . if he purpose to make his will , they will seeke all meanes to kéepe him from doing it , because they heare an inkling , that hee will bestowe somewhat on the parish , or will not bequeath his wife so much as she would haue . to bee short , that they may make an ende of him the sooner , they will manie times leaue him in his chamber halfe a day and more without meate , fire , or ought else , not one of them comming to sée what hee wants , or to doe him any seruice : his wife is weary of him by reason of his spitting , c●…ughing , and groaning . all the loue and kindenesse , which hee had in former times shewed vnto her , is quite forgotten : but his strife for superioritie , and his crabbednes towards her , ( when shee had iustly mooued him , ) this shee can still as well remember , as when it was first done : neither will she spare to prate thereof to her neighbors : telling them that hee hath bene a bad man , and that shee hath led such a life with him , that if she had not bene a woman of great patience , shee could neuer haue endured to keepe house with so crabbed a churle . she will likewise boldly reproach , and twit him in the téeth with those former matters , for it doth yet shrewdly sticke in her stomacke , that the could not till now be mistresse . but he that was woont to charme her tongue , and keepe her vnder ; who , séeing him now in his distresse and weaknesse , takes aduantage , and continues his bad vsage : séeing also his children , which should feare and reuerence him , taking part with their mother , being taught and set on by her : séeing this ( i say , and being n●… lesse angrie then grieued , hée calles foure of them in a rage , and when they are c●…me before him , thus beginnes he to his wife . wife , you are shee , whom by the lawes of god and man , i should loue and ●…éeme m●…re then any thing else in the worlde ; and you on the other side , should beare the like affection to mee : but whether you doe so or not , i referre it to your owne consciencè , i tell you i am not well pleased with your vsing of mee thus : i thinke you take nice still for the maisser of the house as before you haue done , but whether you thinke so or not , bee sure i will be maistar while i liue , yet ( you i thanke you ) do vse me , and account o●… me in very slight manner : i haue alwaies loued you well , neuer suffered you to lacke that which was méete : i haue in like sort loued , & also maintained your children and mine , according to my degrée , and now both you and they doe very vnkindly requite me . why ( saith shée ) what would you haue vs to doe : wee doe the best we can , but you cannot tell your selfe what you would haue ? the better wee vse you , and the more we tende you , the worse you are : but you were neuer other ; alwayes brawling , and neuer quiet , neuer pleased full nor fasting : i thinke neuer woman was so long troubled with a crooked postle as i haue bene . ah dame ( saith he ) leaue these words , i pray you ; then turning him to his eldest sonne , he saide : sonne , i haue marueld at your vehauiour of late toward mee , and i tell you i am not well pleasad therewith : you are my eldest , and shall be mine heire , if you behaue your selfe as a childe ought to doe ; but you begin already to take state vpon you , and to dispose of my goods at your pleasure : i would not wish you to bee so forward , but rather while i liue , to serue and obey mee , as it becomes you to doe : i haue bene no bad father vnto you , i haue nothing impaired or diminished , but increast that which was left me by my father , which i●… you doe your dutie to mee ( as i did mine to him ) i will leaue to you after my decease as hee left to mee : but if you continue in your stubbornnesse and disobedience , before god ( i swe●…re , ) i will not bestowe one pennie or crosse vpon thee . héere his wife begins againe to thwart him ; why , what would you haue him doe ? it is impossible for any one to please you ; h●…e shall haue enough to doe that shall alwa●…es tend you : i wis it is high time that you and i were both in heauen , you know not your sélfe : what would you haue ? i ●…maruell what you ayle . well , well , ( saith hee ) i pray you bee quiet , doe not maintaine him thus against mee , but it is alwayes your order . after this , the mother and sonne departing , consult together , and conclude , that hee is become a childe againe , and because hee hath threatned to disinherite them , they resolue that no man shall bee suffered to come and speake with him : his sonne takes vpon him more then before , being borne out by his mother ; who together with him , makes euery one belieue that the poore man is become childish , and that hee hath lost both his sense and memorie . if any of his honest friendes and former acquaintance , which were woont to resort vnto him , come now to a●…e for him , his wife will thus answere them . alas he is not to be spoken with : and when he demaunds the cause thereof , doubting hee is dangerously sicke , ah good neighbor ( quoth she ) he is become an innocent , euen a childe againe ; so that i poore soule , must guide all the house , and take the whole charge of all things vpon me , hauing none to helpe me , but god be praised for all . in good ( faith the other ) i am very sorie to heare this , and doe much maruell at it ; for it is not long since i saw him , and spoke with him , and then he was in as good memorie , and spake with as good sense and reason as euer he did before . in trueth ( saith she ) he is now as i tell yee . thus doth shee wrong and slaunder the poore man , which hath alwayes liued in good credits , and kept his houshold in very good order : but you may be well assured , that hee séeing himselfe in his age thus despised and iniuried , and being not able to remedie himselfe , nor stirre without helpe from the place where he is , thereby to acquaint his friends therewith , which might in his behalfe redresse it ; is not a little grieue●… , vexed , and tormented in his minde , with sorrow and anger : so that it is a great maruaile he fals not into dispaire ; for it is enough to make a saint become impatient to bee vsed thus , by those which should obey , serue , and honour him . and in my opinion this is one of the greatest corosiues that any man can féele : such is the issue of this great haste and extreame desire to bee in lobs-pound , where he must now remaine perforce , till death doe ende ( at once ) both his life and languishing . chap. xiiii . the humour of a woman giuen to all kinde of pleasures . an other humor incident to a woman by nature is , wh●… the husband ( thinking that wedlocke was of all estates the happiest , and altogether replenished with delight and pleasure ) because hee saw same of his friendes , who for a while after they were married , were very cheerefull and iocond , neuer ceaseth toyling and turmoyling himselfe till he haue gotten into lobs-pound , wherein he is presently caught fast like a bird in a net : for this comparison , if we do examine the particulars thereof , doth very fitly resemble his estate . the sillie birdes which flye from tree to tree , and from field to field to seeke meate , when they see a great deale of corne spilt on the ground , thinke themselues well apaide , and without any feare come thither to féede thereon , picking vp the graines of corne , but alas they are deceiued , for on a sudden the net is drawne , and they are all fast tyde by the legs , and thence carried in a sacke or panier one vpon another to the fowlers house , then coopt vp in a cage . oh how happy would they thinke themselues , if they were againe at their former libertie to flye whither they list , but they wish too late : yet were this all the euill that they should endure , it were well , but ( which is 〈◊〉 ) they shall soone after haue their necks wrung off , and their little bodies spitted , to be made meate for men to eate . but they are herein farre more simple then the birdes , for they being fast in lobs-pound , are so besotted with their owne sorrowes , that they haue no power to free themselues ; so likewise they haue no will to doe it . but to ●…rocéede , the wife not louing her husband , for so●…e defect which is in him , that shee may haue some colour for that 〈◊〉 doth , makes her mother and other friendes which blame her for it , belieue , that her husband is bewitcht , and by reason of some sorcery , made for the most part impotent ; here upon she complaines of her ill fortune , resembling it to those , which hauing the cup at their noses , cannot drinke : meane while shee hath a sweete heart in a corner , who is not bewitched , who vseth her company so long , and with so little héede , that in the ende her husband perceiues it , and falling into the vaine of iealousie , beates 〈◊〉 fauouredly , and keepes a foule stirre both with blowes and words , so that shee not liking his vsage , giues him the slip , but then is hee cleane out of patience ; and so husbands in this taking are so mad , that they neuerlin seeking them , and would giue halfe they are worth to finde her againe : who hauing thus plaide her pageant , and seeing her husbands humor , compa●…s with her mother , whose good will she will be sure to get by one meanes or other , ( whereas at the first shee will perhaps thinke hardly of her departure from her husband ) she doth i say , so handle the matter with her , that shee will make the good-man belieue her daughter hath beene all this while at home with her , and that ●…he came to shunne his bad vsage , who ( had shee taried with him till then , had bene lamed foreuer . before god ( quoth she ) i had rather you should restore her againe to mee , then beate her thus without cause , for i knowe that you suspect her wrongfully , and that shee hath neuer offended you : i wis i haue straitly examined her about it , but if s●… would haue bene naught , you did enough to prouoke her : by gods passion i thinke few women could haue born●… it ; well ( it may be ) that vpon these or the like terms he takes her again : it may bee also , that they are both desi●…ous to be diuorced , each accusing other , and seeking to winde themselues againe out of lobs-pound , but in vaine : for , either the causes that they alleadge are not thought sufficient by the iudge , how hard so euer they pleade , but must of force continue still together , are laughed to scorne of all that heares the cause : or if they be separated , yet will not all this set them frée , but rather plunge them in déeper then before , but neither of them can marrie whiles the other liues : and their chastitie so brittle ( especially hers , ) that ●…olde it cannot , nor long endure . shee who was woont to be so frollicke , must needes continue so still ; nay peraduenture , being now without controlment , followes her euill and leaud life , more fréely then before : and whereas she was but ear●… a priuate queane , shee is now common in the way of good-fellowshippe ; or else some lustie gallant takes her into his house , and shelters her by his nose , which must needes be vnto him an exceeding inward griefe , and an open disgrace and shame in the eyes of the world : and which is worse , hee knowes not how in the world to remedie it , but must perforce endure both , while this miserable life doth last . chap. ix . ¶ the humour of a woman to gether daughter a husband , hauing made a little wanton escape . the next humor that a woman is addicted vnto , is , when a lustie young gallant riding at pleasure vp and downe the countrey , but especially to those places of sportes and pleasure where the finest dames and dainty gyrles méete , who can finely mince their measures , hauing their tongues trained vp to all kinde of amorous chat ; in which delightfull exercises , this yonker both by reason of his youth , his loose bringing vp , and naturall inclination , takes a great felicitie in such vaine companie : and so much the rather , because he findes himselfe ( alwayes welcommed , and kindely entertained to such places ) and the reason is , the comelinesse of his person , his amiable countenance , and quainte behauiour : for who so euer hath these good helpes , shall want no fauour at womens handes : it may bee also , that his parents are still liuing , and hee their onely ioy , they hauing perhaps no childe but him , so that all their most delight is in maintaining him brauely . it may bee also , that he is newly come to his landes , and loues to see fashions , though it cost his purse neuer so largely . if any gentle-woman offer any kindenesse , hee is ready to requite it : and at length through long prauncing to many places , h●… lights on one that both exceedingly please his eye , and 〈◊〉 his heart , shee is perhaps daughter to some gentle-man , some citizen , or some worthy farmer . she hath a cleane comple●…ion , a ●…e proportion , and wanton eye , a dainty ●…oong , and a sharpe wit , by reason of all which good gifts , shee is gr●… very famous . she hath bene wooed , sued , and courted by the brauest galla●…is in that countrey ; of whome pehaps some one being more forward and couragious then the rest , hath offered her such kindenes , as stickes by her ribs a good while after , and would needes inforce this courtesie with such importunitie , that shee had not the power to resist it : for a woman that hath her fiue wittes , if she be withall of a cheerfull sanguine complexion , cannot be so vnkinde , or so hard-harted , as to denie , or repulse the petition of an amorous friend , if he doe any thing earnestly prosecute the same . and ( to be plaine ) be shee of what complexion soeuer , shee will be nothing slacke to graunt such a sute . but to returne to our purpose , by reason of her tender compassion , and kinde acceptance of this proffered seruice , it so falls out she hath plaide false , then is there no other shift but to keepe it both secret and close , and to take such order as they best can , for smoothing vp of the matter ; he that hath done the déede being a poore young man , though proper of bodie , and perhaps can daunce very well , by which good qualitie he wonne her fauour , and within a while after , croyt the flower of her maidenhead : hee ( i say ) after a checke or two , and no farther matter , ( least this priuy scape should be openly knowne ) is warned from comming any more to the house , or frequenting her company whatsoeuer . but now you must note , that shee being but a simple gyrle , betwéene fourtéene and fiftéene yeares of age , nothing expert , but rather a nouice in such matters , and hauing bene but lately deceiued , knowes not her selfe how it is with her : but her mother which by long experience hath gotten great iudgement , doth by her colour , her complaining of paine at her hart and stomack , with other like tokens perceiues it well enough , and hauing ( as before i saide ) eassierde the author of the action ; then takes she her daughter aside , and schooles her so , that in the end shee con●…esseth that hee hath beene dallying with her , but shee knowes not whether to any purpose or not . yes ( saith her met●…er , ) it is to such purpose ( as by these signes i know very well ) t●…t you haue therby both shamed yourselfe and all our friends , and spoyled your marriage quite and cleane . to be short , ha●…ng somewhat chid her after the common order , for hauing no more respect nor care of her honestie , ( yet not chiding very extreamely , because shee knowes the frailtie of youth by her owne former experience ) she concludes thus comfortably : sith it is done , and cannot be altogether remedied , she will seeke ( both to hide and salue the matter as well as shee can ) charging her daughter to set a good countenance on it , least it should be suspected , and to follow her counsell and commaundement in all things : whereunto the poore wench willingly consenteth , then the mother proceedes thus : you knowe maister t. a that commeth hither so often , hee is you see a proper gentleman , and a rich heire , to morrowe hee hath appointed to be here againe ; looke that you giue him good entertainment , and shewe him good countenance . when you sée mée and the rest of our guests talking and discoursing together , euer and anon cast your eye on him , in the kindest and louingest manner that you can : if hee séeme desirous to speake with you , bee not coy , but heare him willingly , answere him courteously . if hee intreate loue of you , tell him that you know not what it meanes , and that you haue no desire at all to know it ; yet thanke him for his good will : for that woman is too vncourteous and vnciuill , which will not vouchsafe the hearing or gentlie answering to those that loue her , and wish her well . if hee offer you money , take none in any case ; if a ring , or a gyrdle , or any such thing , at the first refuse it , yet kindely and with great thankes : but if hee vrge it on you twise or thrise , take it ; telling him , sith that hee will néedes bestowe it on you , you will weare it for his sake . lastly , when hee takes his leaue , aske him when hee will come againe ? these instructions being thus giuen , and the plot laide for the fetching in of this kinde foole into l●… pound . the next day he commeth , and is on all hands more kindely welcome and entertained : after dinner , hauing had great cheare , the mother falles in talke with the other guests , and this frollicke nouice gets him as neere to her daughter as hee can , and while the others are hard in ●…hat , he takes her by the hand , and thus begins to co●…rt her . gentlewoman , i would to god you knewe my thoughts . your thoughts sir ( saith she ) how should i know them , except you tell them mee : if may be you thinke some thing that you are loth to tell . not so ( saith he ) yet i would you knew it without telling . but that ( saith she smiling ) is vnpossible . then ( qd . he ) if i might doe it without offence , i would aduenture to tell you them . syr ( saith she ) you may fréely speake your pleasure ▪ for i doe so much assure mee of your honestie , that i know you will speake nothing that may procure offence . then thus ( saith he ) i acknowledge without faining , that i am farre vnworthy of so great a fauour , as to bee accepted for your seruant , friend , and louer , which art so fai●… , so gentle , and euery way so gratious , that i may truely say , you are replenished with all the good gifts that nature can plant in any mortall creature : but if you would vouchsafe me this vndeserued grace , my good will , diligence , and continuall forwardnesse to serue and please you should neuer faile : but i would therein equall the most loyall louer that euer liued , i would est●…me you more then any thing else , and tender more your good name and credit then mine owne . god syr ( quoth shee ) i heartily thanke you for your kinde offer , but i pray you speake no more of such matters ; for i neither knowe what loue is , nor yet care for knowing it : this is not the lesson that my mother teacheth me now adayes . why ( saith hee ) if it please you she shall know nothing of it ; yet the other day i heard her talke of preferring you in marriage to one maister g. r. how say you to that ( quoth shee ? ) marie ( thus answeres the gentleman , ) if you would vouchsafe to entertaine me for your seruant , i would ●…uer marry , but onely relie vpon your fauour . but that ( saith she ) should be no profite to either of vs both , and beside it would be to my reproch , which i had not thought you would seeke . nay ( qd . he ) i had rather die then séeke your discredit . well sir ( saith she ) speake no more hereof , for if my mother should perceiue it , i were vtterly vndono . and it may be her mother makes her a signe to giue ouer , fearing that shee doth not play her part well . at the breaking vp of their amorous parley , hee conueyes into her hand a gold ring , or some such toy , desiring her to take it and keepe it for his sake : which at the 〈◊〉 , ( according to her mothers precepts ) shee doth refuse ; but vpon his more earnest vrging of it , she is content to take it in the way of honestie , and not on any promise or condition of any farther matter ; when it was brought to this passe , the mother makes motion of a iourney to be made the next morning , some ten or twelue miles off , to visite , or feast with some friend , or to some faire , or whatsoeuer other occasion presents it selfe : to this motion they all agree , and afterwards sit downe to supper , where hee is placed next the daughter , who caries her selfe so toward him with her piercing glaunces , that the young heire is set on fire therewith : well , morning comes , they mount on horse-backe , and by the opinion of them all , there is neuer a horse in the company that can carry double but his ; so the gull is appointed to haue the maiden ride behinde him , whereof he is not a little proude : and when he feeles her holde fast by the middle , ( which shee doth to stay her selfe the better ) he is euen rauished with ioy . after their returning home , which perhaps will be the same night , the mother taking her daughter aside , questions with her , touching all that had passed betm●…ne the amorous gallant and her ; which when her daughter hath rehearsed , then procéedes the wilie gran-dame thus . if he court thée any more ( as i knowe hee will , ) then make him answere that thou hast hearde thy father and mée talke of matching thee with maister g. r. but that thou hast no desire as yet to bee married : if he then offers to make thée his wife , and vse any comparisons of his worth and wealth , as though hee were euery way as good as he , thanke him for his good will and kindnes , and tell him that thou wilt speake with mee about it , and that for thy owne part thou couldst find in thy hart to haue him to thy husband rather then any man else : vpon this lesson the daughter sleepes , reuoluing it all night in her minde . the next morning shee walkes into the garden , and this lusty yonker followes ; when hauing giuen her the time of the day , he falls to his former sute . shee willes him to giue ouer such talke , or she will leaue his companie : is this the loue you beare me ( qd . shee ) to seeke my dishonestie ? you knowe well enough that my father and mother are minded to bestowe mee otherwise . ah my sweete mistresse ( saith hee ) i would they did so farre fauour me herein , as they do him ; i dare boldly say and sweare it , and without vaine glory vtter it , that i am euery way his equall . oh sir , ( answeres thee ) i would hee were like you . ah sweete mi●tres ( saith he ) you deigne to thinke better of mee then i deserue but if you would farther vouchsafe me the other fauour , i should esteeme my selfe most happie . in troth syr , ( saith she ) it is a thing that i may not doe of my selfe , without the counsell and consent of my parents , to whom i would gladly moue it , if i thought they would not bee offended : but it would be so much the better if you breake the matter vnto them ; and be sure , if they referre the matter to mee , you shall speede so soone as anie . hee being rauisht with these words , and yeelding her infinite thankes , trots presently to the mother , to get her good will. to be short , ( with some little adoo ) the matter is brought about , euen in such sort as he would desire : they are straight way contracted , and immediately wedded , both because that her friends feare that the least delay will preuent all , and because he is so hot on the spurre , that he thinks euery houre a year , till it be done . well , the wedding night comes , wherein shee behaues her selfe so ( by her mothers counsel ) that he dares sweare on the bible that hee had her maidenhead . within a while after , it comes to his friends eares , without whose knowledge he hath marryed himselfe , who are exce●ding sory , knowing shee was no meete match for him , and it may be they haue heard ; withall of his wiues hum●…r : but now there is no reme●…y , the knot is knit , and cannot be vndone , they m●…st therefore haue patience perforce . well , hee brings his faire bride home to his owne house , where ( god wo●…e ) he hath but a small time of pleasure , for within three or foure moneths after their mariage , she is brought to bed ; iudge then in what taking the poore man is ? if he put her away , his shame will be publike , shee growes common , and hée not be permitted to marrie againe while hee liues , and if he kéepe her still , loue her he cannot , suspect her he will , and she both hate him , and perhaps séeke his ende ; finally , all the ioyes , pleasures and delights which before time they had , are all turned to brawles , banning , cursing , and fighting . thus is hee hampered in lobs-pound , where he must 〈◊〉 force remaine , till death ende his liues miseries . chap. xii . ¶ the humour of a woman being matched with an oucrkinde husband . there is another humor incident to a woman , which is , when a young man hath turmoyled and tossed himselfe so long , that w much ad●… he hath gotten into lobs-pound , and hath perhaps met with a wife according to his owne desire , and perchaunce such a one , that it had beene better for him to haue lighted on an other ; yet hee likes her so well , that he would not haue mist her for any golde , for in his opinion there is no woman aliue like vnto her , hee hath a great delight to heare her speake , is proude of his match , and peraduenture is withall of so shèepish a nature , that hee hath purposed whollie to gouerne himselfe by her counsell and direction ; so that if any one speake to him about a bargaine , or whatsoeu●… other businesse , he telles them that he will haue his wiues opinion in it , and if she he content , hee will goe through with it ; if not , then will he giue it ouer . thus is he as same and pliable , as a iack an-apes to his kéeper . if the prince set forth an arn●…e , and she be vnwilling that he should goe , who ( you may thinke ) wil aske her leaue , then must he stay at home , fight who will for the countrey : but if shee be at any time desirous to haue his roome ( which many times she likes better then his company ) she wants no iourneyes to imploy him in , and hee is as ready as a page to vndertake them : if she chide , he answers not a word , generally , whatsoeuer shee doeth , or how souer , hee thinkes it it well done . iudge now in what a case this sillie calfe is in ; ( is not hee thinke you , finely drest ) that is in such subiecion ? the honestest woman , and most modest of that sere , if shee weare the bréeches , shee is so out of reason in taunting and controlling her husband ; for this is their common fault , and be shee neuer so wise , yet , because a woman , scarceable to gouerne her selfe , much lesse her husband , and all his affaires ; for were it not so , doubtles god would haue made her the head : which sith it is otherwise , what can be more preposterous , then that the head should be gouerned by the foote ? if then a wise and honest womans superioritie be vnseemely , and bréede great inconueniences , &c : how is he drest ( thinke you ) if hee light on a fond , wanton , and malicious dame ? then ( doubtles ) hee is soundly sped ; she will not stick to kéepe a swéet heart vnder his nose , yet is hee so blinde that hee can perceiue nothing , but for more securitie , shee will many times send him packing beyond-sea , about some odde errand , which she will buzze in his eares , and he will performe it at her pleasure , albeit she send him foorth at midnight , in raine , haile , or snowe , for he must be a man fit for all weathers : their children ( if they haue any ) must néeds be brought vp , apparelled , fedde , and taught , onely according to her pleasure : and one speciall point of their learning , is alwaies to make no account of their father . if anie of their children be daughters , she wil marry them according to her minde , to whome she list , when she list , and giue with them what dowrie shee list , without acquainting him therewith , till shee haue concluded the match , and then shee telles him , ( not to haue his consent ) but as a maister may tell his seruant , to giue him di●…ien how to behaue himselfe to deale therein : finally , thee orders all things as shee thinkes best her selfe , making no more account of him , ( especially if hée bee in yeares , ) then men doe of an olde horse which is past labour . thus is he mewed vp in lobs-pound , plunged in a sea of cares , and cor●…slues , yet hee ( kinde foole ) deemes himselfe most happie in his vnhappines , where he must now perforce remaine while his life doth last , and great pitti●… it were hee should want it , sith he likes it so well . chap. xiii . the humour of a woman whose husband is gone beyond the seas vpon some businesse . another humor of a woman is , when the husband hath bene married some seuen or eight yeeres , more or lesse , a●… as hee thinkes he hath met with a good wife as any man can haue , with whome hee hath continued all the aforesaide time , with great delights and pleasures : but ad●…t hee bee a gentleman , and that hee is desirous to purchase honour by following armes , and in this humour bee is resolued to make a steppe abroade , and not to tarry alwayes like a cowardly drone , by the smoke of his owne chimney : but when he is ready to depart , she hauing her chéekes blubbered with teares , falles about his necke , colles , kisseth , and embraceth him , then wéeping , sighing , and sobbing , she thus begins to him . ah sweete husband , will you now leaue mee ? will you thus depart from mee , and from your louing children , which knowes not when we shall see you againe ; or whether you shall euer come home againe or no ? alas sweete husband goe not ; tarry with vs still , if you leaue vs , wee are vtterly vndone . ah swéete wife ( saith hee ) disswade me not from this enterprise : which concernes my credite and alléageance ; for it is our princes commaundement , and i must obey : but bée you well assured , i will not be long from you ( if it please god. ) thus doth hee co●…rt and quiet her in the best so it that he can , and be she neuer so importunate , be her teares ●…uer so manie , her intreaty neuer so forcible , yet goe hee will , essoeming his renowne and duty to his prince and countrey , more then wife and children , though next to it , hee estée●… and loue th●… chiefest of all other . and at his departure , he recommends them to the care and curtesie of his chiefest friendes ; yet some there be , whose tender harts melt so easily with kind compassion , that one of their wiues teares , & the lea●… of their intreats , will tye them so fast by the legge at home , that they will not stirre one foote from her sweet side , neither for king nor ke●… , wealth nor honor . these ate crauens , and vnworthy to be ●…lled gentlemen . but to returne to this vallorous and braue minded gentleman , of whome wee spake before , it may bee , that either by the long continuance of the 〈◊〉 ; or by his 〈◊〉 , in ●…eing taken prisoner ; or some other l●… , hee comes not home in foure or fiue yeares , and all that while there is no ●…es of him , you may be sure that his wife is a sorrowfull woman , & whollie surcharged with griefe , being thus deprined of her louing mate , & hearing nothing of his estate . but all things haue an ende , and shee seeing that in so long time , shee can heare no tydings of him , doth peremptorily conclude that he is dead . then considering to liue comfortles in widowes estate , were an vncoath life , she determines to marry her selfe to some one , so soone as conuentently she may , which will be soone enough ; for a faire woman , if willing , can want no choyce . thus her former sorrow is somewhat alaide , and within a while after , cleane extinguisht , by the fresh delights , pleasures , contents , and sollace , which this newe choyce doth yéelde . so that now her other husband is whollie forgotten , her children which shee had by him little regarded , and the goods which belong to them , are spent on others , while the poore wretches , want things néedfull , but not blowes & hard vsage . to be short , the teares which she be●…owed on her other husband at his departure is dry●…d vp , her imbraces vanished . and whosoeuer should see her with this second husband , and what kindnes shee shewes vnto him , would verily thinke that she loues him far better then she did the first , who in the meane while is either taken prisoner , or else fighting in extreame hazard of his life . but in the ende it chanceth so , that by paying his ransome , ( if hee haue bene prisoner , ) home he comes , cleane chaunged through the many troubles he hath had : and being come somewhat ●…éere , failes not to enquire of his wife and children , for hee is in great feare , that they are either dead , or in some great distresse . and doubtles in the time of his imprison●…ent or other dangers , hee haue oft thought , oft dreamed or them , and oft sorrowed for them , oft besought god to preserue and blesse them . and that perhaps sometimes , at the very instant when she was in the others armes , toying and dallying , and in the middest of her delights . well , enquiring ( as ●…eforesaid ) heares that thee is married againe , then iudge you with what griefe hee heares it . but his griefe is bootelesse , for now the matter is past remedie , if he haue any care of his credite , any regard of his estimation , hee will neuer take her more , though perhaps the other , hauing had his pleasure of her , could be well content either to restore her to him , or to leaue her to any one else . shoe on the otherside is vtterly shamed , and her name stained with perpetuall reproch , and neither hée nor shée can marry whiles they liue . their poore children are likewise grieued and shamed at their mothers infamy , sometimes likewise 〈◊〉 happens , that for the wiues cause , the husband being 〈◊〉 , doth quarrel , & perhaps combat with him , who being better then himselfe , doth either wound or kill him , and the occasion hereof , sprung from their wiues pride ; because ( forsooth ) she will take the wall of the others wife , or sit aboue her , whome shee 〈◊〉 no wise suffer , nor loose an inch of her estate , and here vpon the husbands must together by the eares . thus the supposed blessednes which hee expected by plunging himselfe in lobs-paund , is turned into sorrow , trouble , danger , and continuall discontent while life doth last . chap. xiiii . the humor of a woman that hath bene twise married . there is another humor belonging to a woman , which is , when a young man ( hauing found the way into lobbes pound , ) méetes with a wife of like yéeres , fresh , lustie , faire , kinde , and gracious ; with whom she hath liued two or three yeares , in all delightes , iores , and pleasure , that any married couple coul●… haue , neuer did the one displease the other ; neuer soule word past betwixt them , but they are almost still colling and billing each other , like a couple of dones . and nature hath framed such simpathy betwéene them , that if the one bee ill at ●…ase or discontented , the other is so likewiss . but in the midst of this their mutuall loue and sollace , it chanceth that she dies , whereat hee grieues so extreamely , that hee is almost beside himselfe with sorrowe : hee mournes , not onely in his apparell , for an obtward shewe , but vnfainedly , in his very heart ; and that so much , that hee shunnes all places of pleasure , and all companie , liues solitarily , and spends the time in daily complaintes and mones , and bitterly bewailing the losse of so good a wife , wherin no man can iustly bl●…me him , for it is a losse worthy to be lamented , and a iewell , which whosoeuer hath , is happie ( but this happines is very rare . to be short , his thoughts are all on her , and shee so firmely printe●… in his minde , that whether he sléepe or wake , shee séemes alwayes to be in sight , but as all things hath an ende , so heere had sorrow●… . after a while , some of his friendes ha●…ing spyed out a second match , which as they thinke is very fitte for him , doe preuaile so much with him , through her perswasions , that he accepts it , and marries himselfe againe , but not as before , with a young maide , but with a lusty widow , of a middle age , and much experience , who by the fryall which she had of her first husband , knowes how to handle the second : but that she may doe it the better , she doth not presentiy discouer her humor , till shee haue throughly markt how hee is inclined , what his conditions are , and what his nature is which finding it mild , and kind , & very flexible ( the fittest mould to cast a foole in ) hauing now the full length of his foole , then shewes she her selfe what she is , vnmasking her dissembling malice ; her first attempt is to vsurpe superioritie , and so become his head , and this she obtaines without any great difficultie , for there is nothing so lauish as a simple and well-natured young man , being in subiection , that is married to a widowe , especially if she be , ( as the most of them are ) of a peruerss and crabbed nature . i may very well compare him to an vnfortunate wretch , whose ill happe is to be cast into some strong prison , vnder the keeping of a most cruell and pittilesse iaylor , that is not moued to compassion , but rather to great rigour , in beholding the miseries of this pore wretch , whose onely refuge in this distresse , is to pray vnto god , to giue him 〈◊〉 to endure this crosse , for i●… he complaine of his hard vsage , it will afterwards prooue worse . but to procéede : this iolly widowe will within a while growe iealous , feare and suspect that some other dame hath part of that which shee so earnestly ●…reth , and wherewith she could neuerbe satis●…ed , so that if hee glut not her insatiable humor , straightway shee conceiueth this opinion : if he doe but onely talke , nay , ( which is worse ) looke on any other woman , for she by her good will would be alwayes in his armes , or at the least in his companie : for as to the fish which hauing bene in water , that through the heate of the sommer is halfe dryed vp , beginnes to sticke full of mudde , séekes for fresh water , and hauing found it , doth willingly remaine therin , and will in no wise returne to his former place : euen so an olde woman , hauing gotten a young man , will cling to him like iuy to an elme . but on the other side , a young man cannot loue an olde woman , howsoeuer hee doth dissemble , neither is there any , that more endaungers his death : for it is with him , as with one that drinketh mu●…y wine , who if hee b●… thirstie , séeles nothing whiles hee is drinking , but at the ende of his draught , hee féeles such a displeasing take , that it doeth almost fume his stomacke . but if young-men in no wise can fancie old women , what lo●…e thinke you young-women can beare to olde men , when besides the suudry imperfections of their age , which are so loathsome , that it is impossible for a fresh young tender damsell , ( be she neuer so vertuous ) to endure their companie , much lesse the kisses and imbraces of the person which hath them ; all the lusty gallants thereabouts will not faile to vse whatsoeuer denises and meanes possible for the horning of the old dotard ; hoping that shee will be easily wonne to wantonnes : and surely they ground this hope on great likelyhood ; for sith it is no difficult exploite to grafte the like kindnes on a young-mans forhead , who is able in farre better measure to féede his wiues appetite , and shee hath therefore more cause to bee true to him , it may surely séeme no great matter to performe the likepiece of seruice with this other vnfortunate dame. but now to returne to our young-man , yoakt ( as before i said ) to this old widow , i thus conclude , that his estate is most miserable : for besides the daunger of his health , an●… besides the subiection , nay , rather seruitude which hee liues in , this third euill , ( i meane his wiues iealousie ) is alone an vntollerable torment vnto him ; so that be he neuer so quiet , neuer so desirous to content her , neuer so searefull to displease her , yet cannot hee auoyd her brawles , obiections , and false accusations of leaudnes and disloyaltie ; for an olde woman infected with iealousie , is like a hellish furie . if hee goe to any of her friends about businesse , yea , to the church to serue god , yet will shee alwayes thinke the worst , and assure her selfe , that hee playes false , though indeede he be neuer so continent ; who whatsoeuer he pleadeth in his owne defence ; yea , though hee proue himselfe blamelesse , by such reasons as shee can by no reason confute , yet will not all this satisfie her : such is the peruersenesse of her stubborne , crabbed , and malicious nature , made worse by dotage and raging iealousie : for being priuse to her owne de●…ectes , and knowing that he by reason of his youth and hansomnes may perchance fall in fa●…our with a yong dame , thinking withall that a yong man , when he may haue such a match , will be loth to leaue it for a worse , or preferre sower verince before swéete wine . she concludes peremptorily in these suggestions as before . loe heere the issues of this asses turning into lobs pound , & intangling of himselfe againe , when he had once gotten out to his former libertie , which if he once more looke for , he is mad ; for he must now perfor●…e continue there while life doth last , which by this meanes will be farre shorter , and he looke farre older , hauing béene but two yeares married with this olde crib , then if he had liued ten yeares with a young wife . chap. xv. the humor of a young woman giuen ouer to all kind of wantonnesse . there is yet another humor that a woman is subiect too , which is , when an vnfortunate yong man hauing long laboured to get into lobs pound , and hauing in the end obtained his desires , doth match himselfe with a lustie wanto●… young wench , which without feare of him , or care of her owne credit , takes her pleasure fréely , and withall so ouerboldly , and vnaduisedly , that within a while her husban●… perceiues it , who thereupon being not a little inraged , doth in the heate of his impatience , after much brawling on both sides , roughly and desperately threaten her , thinking thereby to terrifie her , and make her honest by compulsion : but that makes her worse , for whereas before she did it for wantonnes , now will she doe it for despight : and what with the one and the other , be so inflamed , that were she sure to be killed for it , yet would she not leaue it : which he perceiuing , watching her ●…oings so narrowly , that in the end he sées her swéete heart come closely to his house , then being on fire with furie , runnes hastily to surprise him , and enters his wiues chamber with full purpose to kill him , though he had ten thousand liues : but iudge you in what a ta●…ing the poore yong man is in , seeing himselfe thus surprised , and looking for nothing else but present death , because he hath nothing to defend himselfe . but she for whose sake he hath incurred this daunger , ●…oth kindely frée him by this stratagem , for as her husband is readie to strike or stab him , she catcheth him hastily about the middle , crying out , alas man what doe you meane ? while shée thus staies her husband , the younger betakes him to his heeles , running downe the staires amaine , and out of the doores , as if the diuell were at his taile , and after him the good man as fast as he can driue . but when hee sees that he cannot ouertake him , hee turnes backe in a like rage , to wreake his anger on his wife . but shée dreading as much , gets her hastily ( before his returne ) to her mother , to whom shee complaines of his causelesse suspition , and diuellish furie , iustifying her selfe , as if she were not the woman , that would commit so leaud a part : but her mother sifting the matter narrowly , her daughter cousesseth her fault , but to make it séeme the lesse , shee tels her a large tale of the young mans unportunitie , who for so long time together , did continually trouble her , and whether soeuer shee went , hee would be sure to follow her , begging pittifully her loue and fauour , that she had often sharpely answered him , and flatly denied his sute , yet could she not for all that be rid of him : so that in the end , she was inforst for her owne quietnes to graunt his request . she repeates withall , how kindly and intirely he loues her , how much he hath bestowed on her , how many soule iournies he hath had for her sake , in raine and snow , as well by night as day , in danger of théeues , in perrill of his life , and how narrowly he escaped her husband the last time , so that for very pittie and compassion , she was moued to fauour him , and no woman could be so hard harted , as to suffer so true and kind a yong man to languish for her loue , and die vnregarded : for on my life mother ( saith she ) if i had not yéelded , he would haue dyed for thought . the mother hearing her daughter to say thus , accepts her answere for currant , and thinkes that shee hath sufficiently iustified her selfe ; but to preuent further scandale , and to appease her angry sonne in law , and reconcile her daughter vnto him , by casting a mist before his eyes , she takes this course , she sends for her s●…eciall gossips and companions , whose counsels in like cases , shee doth vse : they comming at the first call , and being all assembled , either before a good fire ( if it be winter ) or in a gréene arbor ( if it be sommer ) one of them noting her daughters heauy countenance , demaunds the cause thereof : marie , ( saith she ) she hath had a mischaunce , about which , i haue made bolde to trouble you , and craue your aduice : with that shee recounts the whole matter vnto them , but shewing the true cause of her husbands anger : to be short , she hath ready two or thrée pottles of wine , and a few iunkets , which they prosently fall aboord on , that they may the better giue their seuerall verdit●… afterwards ; meane while they comfort the yong woman , bidding her assure her selfe , that her husband is more perplexed then she ; and that i know by mine owne experience , for my husband and i were once at variance , but he could neuer be quiet til we were made friends . in good faith gossip ( saith another ) & so serued i mine . another makes a motion to send for the young gallant that is so true a louer to her gossips daughter , that his presence may chéere her , and rid away her melancholly . this motion doth her mother faintly contradict , but in the end most voyces preuailes , he is sent for , and comes with a trice ; then there is much good chat , manie a reproach and kinde scoffe giuen the poore husband : and to mend the matter comes in the chamber-maide ; who was priuie to all the former close packing betwéene her mistresse and her swéete heart , and for her ●…lence and imployment , in furthering both their contents , shee hath gotten a good new gowne , and somewhat else . it may bée her maister hath sent her abroad about some businesse , or perhappes she coynes an excuse of her selfe , thereby onely to make a steppe ab●…oade to sée her mistresse , and to bring her some newes how all things goes at home : shee hath no sooner set her foote within the roome where they are , then one of them askes how her maister doth ? my maister ( saith she ) i neuer saw a man in that taking : i dare say that since yesterday morning when this misfortune happened , he hath not eaten one crum , dranke one drop , or slept one winke all yesternight . to day he sat downe to dinner , and put one bit in his mouth , but could not swallow it , for he spit it out presently , and sat a good while after in a dumpe : in the end striking his knife on the table , he rose hastily , and went into the garden , and immediately came in againe : to be short , he is altogether out of temper , and can rest no where : he doth nothing but sigh and sob , and he lookes like a dead man : hereat they laugh apace , and to be short , they determine that two of the chiefe of them , shall goe and speake with him the next morning , and that when they are in the midst of their talke the rest shall come in afterward . the mother with her two gossips , according to this plot doe procéede in the matter . and next morning finding him in his dumpes , one of them gentilly askes him what he ayles : hereto he answeres onely with a sigh : whereupon she takes occasion thus to speake . in good faith gossip i must chide you , my gossip your wiues mother told me i know not what of a disagréement betwéene your wife and you , and a certaine fond humor that you are fallen into : i wis i am sorry to heare it : and before god you are not so wise as i had thought you had bene , to wrong your wife thus without a cause , for i durst lay my life there is no such matter . by this good day ( saith another ) i haue knowne her euer since she was a little one , both maide and wife , and i neuer saw but well by the woman : and in good sooth it gréeues me to the very heart , that her name should now come in question without caus●… : before god , you haue done the poore woman that disgrace , and so stained her good name , that you will neuer be able to make her amends . then ●…teppes in the chamber-maid with her fiue egges . in good faith ( saith she ) i know not what my maister hath séene , or whereon he doth ground his suspition , but i take god to my witnes , that i neuer saw any such matter by my mistresse , and yet i am sure that if there were any such thing , i should sée it assoon●… as an other . gods body d●…b ( saith hee , all inraged ) wilt th●… face me downe of that which my selfe saw ? oh gossip , ( quoth one of the dames ) god forbid that euery man & woman which is alone together should doe euill . i denie not ( saith the chambermaide , ) that the villainous knaue hath long sued vnto my mistresse for such a matter ; but by my honesty maister , i know that there is neuer a man aliue whom she hates most : and rather then she would commit any such follie with him , she would see him hangd , and be burned her selfe : i maruell how the diuill hée got into the house ? here the other gossips come in , one after another , and each giues her verdit : in good faith ( gossip saith one ) i thinke , that next your wife , there is neuer a woman in the world that loues you better then i doe : and if i knew or thought any such matter , i would not let to tell you of it . surely ( saith another ) this is but the diuels work to set them at variance ; for he cānot abide that husband & wife should liue well together . in good faith saith the third , the poore woman doth nothing but weepe . by christ , ( qd the fourth ) i feare it will cost her her life , she grieues and takes on in such sort . then comes the mother wéeping and crying out , making as though shee would scratch out his eyes with her nailes ; exclaiming in this sort . ah cursed caitiffe , woe worth the houre that euer my daughter matcht with thée , to be thus shamed and slandered , and haue her name spotted without cause . but shee is well enough serued , that would take such a base churle , when she might haue had sundry good gentlemen . ah good gossip ( saith another ) be not out of patience . ah gossip ( saith shee ) if my daughter were in fault , by our good lord i would kill her my selfe . but thinke yée i haue no cause to be moued , when i sée my childe , being guiltles thus vsed ? with that shee flings out of doores in a rage , and all the gossips come vppon him thicke and thréefolde , who is so full of sundrie thoughts , and so grieued and troubled , that hee knowes not whereon to resolue , nor what to say . in the ende they growing somewhat calmer , promise , if hee will , to vndertake the reconciling of him and his w●…s , which hee most earnestly desireth them to doe . they accordingly performe it , so that all controuerties are ended , all strife ceased , the matter hushed vp , and his wife taken home againe , who taking greater courage by the successe hereof , and being now cleane past shame , will growe farre bolder in her villainy then before . and hée poore meacocke , on the other side , hauing his courage thus quailed , will neuer afterwards fall at oddes with her , for feare of the like storme , but will suffer her to haue her owne saying in all things , and bée in a manner subiect to her , spending the remnant of his life , in care , feare , discontent and griefe , his goods wasting hée knowes not how , and himselfe become a laughing stocke to all that knowes him . finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a20038-e110 not she for twentie pound good woman alas poore soule . the fox will cate no grapes no more like the woman i was , then an apple is like an oyster . being tyred with scolding , as a hackney iade with trauell . a maid sit for such a mistres . better then two yeares wages , and soone got . iust as jarmans lippes . oh fetch the aqua vitae bottle quickly . oh lyer , lyer . oh braue dissembler . almost as bad as iudas kisses . the diuell take the lyer . thus is he board throgh the nose vvith a cush●…n . as kind as a s●…a-crab seazing on a dead ca●…on , amen . reason . hæc & hic; or, the feminine gender more worthy than the masculine. being a vindication of that ingenious and innocent sex from the biting sarcasms, bitter satyrs, and opprobrious calumnies, wherewith they are daily, tho undeservedly, aspers'd by the virulent tongues and pens of malevolent men. ... norris, james, fl.1682-1684 1683 approx. 167 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 87 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2009-10 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a89721 wing n1242a estc r228457 47683482 ocm 47683482 172940 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a89721) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 172940) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 2657:10) hæc & hic; or, the feminine gender more worthy than the masculine. being a vindication of that ingenious and innocent sex from the biting sarcasms, bitter satyrs, and opprobrious calumnies, wherewith they are daily, tho undeservedly, aspers'd by the virulent tongues and pens of malevolent men. ... norris, james, fl.1682-1684 harefinch, john, fl. 1682-1690, printer [6], 165, [1] p. printed by jo. harefinch for james norris, at the kings arms without temple-bar., london, : 1683.. attributed to james norris by wing (2nd ed.). reissued 1684 with title: the acomplish'd lady, or deserving gentlwoman. advertisement: "books printed for ja. norris at the kings-arms without temple-bar, 1683." -p. [1] at end. reproduction of original in: william andrews clark memorial library, university of california, los angeles. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng women -conduct of life -early works to 1800. 2008-05 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2008-10 spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images 2008-11 john pas sampled and proofread 2008-11 john pas text and markup reviewed and edited 2009-02 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion haec & hic ; or , the feminine gender more worthy than the masculine . being a vindication of that ingenious and innocent sex from the biting sarcasms , bitter satyrs , and opprobrious calumnies , wherewith they are daily , tho undeservedly , aspers'd by the virulent tongues and pens of malevolent men. dat veniam corvis vexat censura columbas . horat. london , printed by jo. harefinch , for james norris , at the kings arms without temple-bar . 1683. to all famale readers . ladies , this treatise in commendation of yov , i own to be but a. collection of the best authors ; and 't is but reason that the best of sexes should be honour'd with the best of style ; the method , with some small additions , is my own , the rest quotations , which i must confess ingenuously , to avoid the imputation of a plagiary . these memoirs are but mancipia paucae lectionis , the gleanings of slight reading , but if accepted ( which i question not ) may admit of some farther enlargement . in this tract i wholly submit my self to the wise , and little esteem the frowns of a censorious brow. i cannot please all men ; for the same cause that made democritus langh , made heraclitus weep . 't is impossible for the most experienc'd angler to take all sorts of fish with one bait. shou'd i write never so well , i shall not please all , and never so ill i may please some . however , ladies , ( to you i make my address ) virtue cannot be delineated in too large a volume ; and the dalliances of a pen ( tho delightful ) are not capable of describing woman . if i write reason , let reason have its due reward , persuasion , if not , reproof . all that i fear is , my words may wrong your perfection ; and if i do , upon that account , in ipso limine impingere , stumble at the very threshold , i must rely upon your accustomed candor and debonairete , not questioning in the least a reprieve , if not a pardon absolute from your ladiship 's most dutiful and obedient servant j. n. haec & hic ; or , the feminine gender more worthy than the masculine . perfection is a flower , that grows not in the garden of this sublunary world : the fairest day may be overcast with clouds ; the moon hath her spots , and the greatest their failings . no person can plead priviledge from error in this life ; for as the poet saith , — nihil est ab omni parte beatum . these things considered , it is an astonishment to me , that this innocent and harmless sex should meet with such calumnies ( as palpable as injurious ) from hypercritical men ; such as are facie tantum homines , non animo ; who bear about them nothing but the form of man that 's manly ; whose best elocution is the worst detraction , labouring to vilifie them , without whose being they had not been ; therefore to them , as to our second self , we owe , at least , the duty of good language . beyond all controversie , he is a barbarous parricide to his mother's name , that ingratefully murders her reputation who contributed to his generation ; gave him lodging and diet in her own womb ; brought him into the world with grief , pain , and sorrow ; bred him up in the world with care , cost , and trouble ; and , in requital , hath no other return , when he arrives at maturity , than foul ink for the pure milk wherewith she fed him in his infancy . such persons as these , like peevish wasps , scorn the flower from which they fetch'd their wax , and they that woman from whom they received life . 1 peace , wicked man ! unworthy to breathe , that dost not love thy breathgiver ; unworthy to have a tongue , that speakest against her through whom thou speakest . in a word , we took our rise from their bowels , and may take our rest in their bosoms . 2 't is not good thus to play the butcher with that naked sex , who have arms , but for embraces . thus we see the purest white is most subject to the smutch , and the most unspotted reputation to the bespattering of malevolent tongues . thus noble gold down to the bottom goes , whilst worthless cork above doth floating lye ; and , as one saith very well : cankers touch fairest fruits with their infection , and feavers seize those of the best complexion . but to proceed . those usual satyrs and invectives against that sweetly-temper'd sex , only betray man's greater imbecillity ; for we know , a a good cause needs not the patronage of passion , but can maintain it self by a moderate dispute : besides , a serious reflection upon man's own unworthiness , methinks , should make him backward in challenging prerogative above woman ; and i would advise such opinionative fops , who are bladder'd up , as much as the tympany of pride and vanity can make them , not to have an overshooting conceit of themselves ; but remember they are men , whose reason is frequently over-clouded with error . we are all moles , even to the greatest of our own sins ; but , in a female's life , we can spy out the meanest peccadillo with eagle's eyes , or those as sharp , as the epidaurean serpent's . but certenly they are not men , who thus rail against that sex : no ; they 'r a viperous brood , whom women , in charity , take into their bosoms and cherish , for which they ingratefully sting them ; a fact so barbarous , the turc himself would blush to do it to a christian . and would it not vex a royal spleen ? a passion kindle in a stoic's breast , to see them thus abus'd ? notwithstanding all this ; there are some men , ( would i cou'd only say som ) tho beyond all dispute the children of the meu peuple , of a sordid and base extract , who never think themselves well , but when they are in the predicament of injurious passion . nay farther , ( if we may credit fonseca , as undoubtedly we may ) he says , ( and that modestly too ) non possunt omnes invectivae & satyrae in foeminas scriptae uno volumine comprehendi . all the invectives and satyrs against women cannot be comprehended in one volume . yet i 'l be bold to maintain ; that those rude and indigested pamphlets , which men have scribled against that sex , do so stink in the nostrils of good men ( who have compos'd as much , nay more in their merited commendation ) that they are only thought fit to be bound up with the metamorphosis of a-jax , and placed in pantagruel's library ; so that in short , this only proves , that every countrey-man can produce a snarling momus , and every age a scoffing lucian ; but this profligate crew are only such , as have vomited out of their souls all remnants of goodness ; and who can expect a sweet breath from such foul stomacs . their reasons ( if any ) are but the froth and scum of envy and malice ; the fruits of choler adust , and the evaporations of a vindicative spirit : now what they are , and of what weight you shall soon understand ; and in order thereunto we will first remove this rubbish from the foundation , for the better consolidating of the superstructure ; by demonstrating how easily their aspersions and sarcasins ( as full of obloquy , as pregnant with impertinence ) may be wip'd off . first , they object , that male and female god made man , so that man being first named , is the worthier person ; a pretty argument indeed ! so the evening and the morning made the first day ; yet few will think the night better . but the noble * venetian , is so far from this opinion , that he tells you plainly , had it not been infus'd into adam by revelation , that woman was a part of himself , doubtless disobedience had not been the first prevarication , but idolatry ; for adam was about to adore her as a goddess . o! but man was made her governour , and so consequently , her superiour ; to which one answers very pertinently ; that 't was not the prerogative of his worth , but the punishment of her sin ; had they both stood , 't is probably conjectur'd she had never been in that subjection . there is one 1 divine indeed , who seems to be of opinion , that man had priority before the fall ; but we will confront him with a more learned , grave , greek 2 father ; whose knowledge and modesty will not permit him to be positive ; so that he says he very much doubts it ; which , in plain english , is no less than a negative ; nay , the power of commanding is in reality , rather political , than from equal nature . nor ( saith a 3 learned author ) can man be above woman ; for , in the choice of sexes , christ took man upon him as the lowest , being he was to expiate man's pride in the lowest condescention possible . some are so bold as to say , woman was not created according to god's image ; to this the famous * dean of st. pauls sufficiently and satisfactorily answers : however some men out of petulancy and wantonness of wit , or out of extravagancy of paradoxes , and some singularities , have call'd womens faculties and abilities in question , even in the root thereof , the reasonable and immortal soul ; yet that one thing alone hath been enuf to create a doubt ( almost an assurance in the negative ) whether st. ambrose his commentaries on the epistles of st. paul , be truly his , or no ? now in that book there is a doubt made , whether woman was created after god's image ? therefore , because the doubt is made , the book it self is suspected , not to have so great , so constant an author , as st. ambrose was ; no author of gravity , piety , and conversation in the scripture , could admit that doubt , whether woman was created in the image of god , that is , in possession of a reasonable and immortal soul ? and farther , woman , as well as man , was made after the image of god in the creation ; and in the resurrection , when we shall rise , her sex shall not diminish her glory , of which she receives a very fair beam and inchoation in this text ; that the purpose of god is communicated by the ministry of angels to women . nay , the blessed virgin confutes all such frivolous argumentators with her own words in the magnificat , by a pious distinction of the soul and spirit ; my soul doth magnifie the lord , and my spirit hath rejoyced in god my saviour . the stagirite indeed calls ( or in truth miscalls ) woman animal occasionatum , a creature made upon occasion , or by chance , and sayes she is mas laesus , a maim'd , imperfect male ; but , i presume , no christian dares admit an aristotle in competition with the almighty , his philosophy speaks too dully in this particular ; for she is an artificial building , and from the rafter or plank of a rib was the world built ; for this reason was eve call'd living ; but of this more hereafter . man cannot be more perfect than woman , as to the formal substance , because the one and the other are comprehended under the kind of man ; that in which they differ is not a thing essential . mulier est vir occasionatus , say some ; now if there be any imperfection in woman , it must be in the maker , or the matter . to say 't is in the former would be blasphemy , and to blame the latter , were to wrong the man , because she was taken out of him : here let the proudest of those misogyni answer this author's dilemma . nay , the stagyrite goes farther , and saith ; they are nature's errata's , continually studying temptations , comparing woman to materia prima , because it hath alwayes a desire to change it's form , and tho it enjoy never so perfect a shape , it hath a general propensity to all other . ( this is the sum of his mutilated philosophy . ) the philosopher intended by this odious comparison , to prove woman as insatiable and inconstant to man , as materia prima is to forms ; but this is a most injurious similitude , and better agrees with his own , than woman's temper , since he ( who could not be without them for all his tatling , the common fate and destiny of such rash inveyers ) left herina , one of his misses , for another to whom he erected altars , ( adoring what he so much , seemingly , despis'd ) to shew with greater solemnity , that he was more versatil and unsettled in mind than woman : thus still we find , that they who play upon them most with their wits , have them most in their wishes . nor had xenophilus ( another of the same profession ) any better success , who rail'd downright , for many years , scorned , flouted , and scoffed at them , till at last he came into the company of daphnis , a fair maid , ( as he condoles his mishap to his friend demaritis ) tho free before , intactus ullis ante cupidinibus ; was so far in love , and captivated on a sudden , ( so it seems 't was love at first-sight ) that he came off pittifully with his victus sum fatcor à daphnide . &c. i confess i am smitten with the love of daphnis . such another misfortune had stratocles , the physician ; that blear-ey'd , old man , muco plenus , a snotty , snivelling fellow , as prodromus describes him . he , a severe woman-hater all his life-time ; foeda & contumeliosa semper in foeminas profatus ; a bitter persecutor of the whole sex. humanas aspides & viperas appellabat ; he forsware them all still and derided them wheresoever he came , in such vile terms that to have heard him , and replyed upon his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , his bare word , had bin enuf to have made a man hate his own mother : yet this doting fool ( pardon the expression , because tho a learned man , he deserv'd it in this particular ) was taken , at last , with the celestial and divine aspect of nupilla , ( the poor daughter of poor anticles , a poor gardner ) that smirking wench ; that he shav'd off his bushy beard , painted his face , curl'd his hair in a glass , comasque ad speculum disposuit , wore a lawrel to cover his bald pate , and besides was ready to run mad for her ; tho at last he obtain'd her , and when he was married ( a terrible monstrous long day ) the invigorated hot-spur fir'd with love , could not endure the flame of his amours till night ; he could not eat his meat for kissing the bride ; nay , the meat was scarce out of his mouth , but he would needs go to bed , without bidding adieu to the guests . o res digna joco , & risu celebranda bimestri ! thus you see the stoutest of them all come at last to their alma , precor , miserere mei ! fair mistress pity me ! i waste my life , my time , my friends , my fortune , and all to win your single favour , which is all the favour i aim at : though they have been formerly most scurrilous and abusive in their language , they do at length invertere stilum , and unsay what they formerly said with shame and confusion . witness also the great bononian doctor , who was once of opinion , impedire studia literarum , that women did obstruct men in their study and contemplation : but he recanted at last , and in a solemn manner , with true-conceived words , did ask the world and all women , forgiveness . but you shall have the story according to his own relation : for a long time ( saith he ) i liv'd a single life , and could not endure marriage , but as a rambling lover , erraticus , ac volaticus , amator ( to use his own words ) per multiplices amores diseurrebam . i took a snatch where i could get it : nay more , i rail'd at marriage downright ; and at a publick auditory , when i did interpret the sixth satyr of juvenal , out of plutarch and seneca i did heap up all the dicteries i could against women , but now recant with stesichorus , palinodiam cane , nec poenitet censeri in ordine maritorum , and exhorts all men to marry , and especially scholars ; that as of old , so they may do now , hold the candle , as martia did to hortensius , terentia to tibullus , calphurnia to pliny , pudentilla to apuleius , legentibus & meditantibus candelas & candelabrum tenuerunt , who held the candle whilst their husbands did meditate ; and so ( saith he ) doth my dear camilla to me . and truly the fly may very fitly be their emblem who sport thus in jest and are wounded in earnest . so long the foolish fly plays with the flame , till her light wings are singed with the same . and we may well upbraid and laugh at them with this distich : if cupid then be blind , how blind are ye , that will be caught by one that cannot see . so severe against this sex all were not , nay many of them had a better opinion of them ; for , they ascribed all sciences to the muses , all sweetness and morality to the graces , prophetick inspiration to the sibyls , and in my small revolving of authors , i find as high examples of vertue in women as men. mr. howel in his epistles . the divine plato ( whose very infancy presaged many fair expressions of his future maturity ) definitely professed , that among other blessings which the gods had bestowed on him , he had greatest cause , of all others , to give them thanks for three things : 1. that they had made him a reasonable creature , and not a beast . 2. a grecian civiliz'd , and not a barbarian ; and , 3. that he was made a man , and not a woman . yet did he sometimes ingenuously confess the necessity of them , by winding up all his humane felicity in these four particulars : so i may have , saith he , 1. eyes to read . 2. a mind to conceive what i read . 3. a memory to conserve what i conceive and read ; and , 4. a woman to serve me at my need . then should adversity assail me , it should not foil me ; should an immerited disgrace lye heavy on me , it should not amate me ; should my endeared friends forsake me , by enjoying my self thus in my own family i should laugh at the braves of fortune , account reproach my repute , and partake in the free society of so sweet and select a friend within me , as no child without me could perplex me . nay , he was angry with his fellow-philosopher ( though otherwise a learned and brave man ) for not sacrificing to the graces , those gentle female-goddesses . some are of opinion indeed , that he had perus'd the mosaical law , and bestowed much time in it during his residence with his friend phocian , in cilicia . no marvel then if he found there the excellency of their creation , with their primary office or designation , being made a help for man ; and so intimate to man , as she took her mold from man , as man his model from mold . but yet the vulgar believe , that if there be no ill in handsom women , at least , there is inconvenience ; that tentation is there , tho the sin be not . to this mr. mountague , in his accomplish'd woman answers : when beauty is the occasion of ill , 't is an innocent that makes the offender , and those that complain of it do as idly , as if one should accuse the sun for dazling his sight , when he looks too fixedly on that glorious body . some buffoons have been so bold as to say , that woman is a crooked rib , and consequently of a crooked temper ; but that is a great mistake ; for a rib is bending , and presupposeth her pliant , not her crooked disposition . adam for the loss of a rib regain'd a better self ; had he not had her , he had liv'd an anachoret in paradise . others of the rabble will pretend to give you a learned derivation of her name ; woman , quasi , wo to man ; but nathanael de laune , batchelor of arts of cambridge , saith , good etymologies in the english tongue are for the most part taken out of latin ; but , ( saith he ) such as are drawn from the english are commonly absurd and ridiculous , as woman , wo to man ; and brathwait in his english gentlewoman sings thus ; are women wo to men ? no , they 'r the way to bring them homeward when they go astray . another objection against that sex is , that one cannot love a woman and be wise ; a gross , erroneous tenet : for it is the opinion of wiser heads , that one cannot truly love , and not be wise ; and surely this opinion will soon be hiss'd off of the stage by men , both young and old , or else they proclame themselves all fools ; since mr. brathwait tells you , p. 288. look all about you ; who so young that loves not ? and who so old , a comely feature moves not ? if you object , and bid us look up to heaven , there are but two among the planets , venus and luna , all the rest are males : you may as well argue that among the celestial signs there are but three human creatures , and seven brute animals with two inanimate , that there are more brutes in heaven than men , would not this be a brutish argument . and mr. howel in his epistles will tell you , that he believes there are as many female as male saints in heaven . but sir , under favour , whereas you alledge , that among the heavenly planets there are but two females , the rest males , it shews that men are of a more erratick and wandring humour than women . thus men bestow ill favour'd names and expressions ( or rather aspersions ) on lovely things , as women ; like astronomers , that call such stars bulls and scorpions that have neither fury nor venome , but only purity and light. but woman was tempted first , and therefore to blame ; not so : for , in the first sin her fault was least , because her temptation was greatest and strongest , being beguil'd by the subtle serpent , but man by a deceived or mistaken woman . man was prohibited eating the forbidden fruit , for woman was not then created ; therefore he sinned by reason the charge was made to him . whitlock's magnetick lady , p. 331. another accusation is , that beautiful women are scornful ; but when we think well of it , we shall find their disdain proceeds rather from conscience than vanity , because they cannot endure the idolatrous pursuits of the excessive praises , which men artificially offer up to surprize them . mountague's a. w. p. 105. and they that think women cannot be obliging understand little of the nature of virtue , and are so far from a right opinion that they are absolutely void of all common sense and civility . that womens piety is but tenderness of nature , or weakness of their wits : those that imagine thus are not of my opinion , saith mountague , p. 30. and methinks they do them no less affront to deny them this divine quality , than if they should take their eyes from them , which makes the best part of the face : besides , piety is oftner found as well as pity in the tender and soft-hearted , than in the more rough and robustuous tempers . that timorousness restrains women from courtship more than virtue ; this is ill argued ; for if their inclination be ill , sollicitation will embolden it . indeed there have bin men that have possess'd this virtue upon occasion , where some considerations have taken away the merit from it . witness alexander , who testified some constancy to darius his wives ; but to shew it was rather out of politie than virtue , what did he not with the amazons ? that women are of a fearful and cowardly temper . i cannot think that men have reason to call women fearful , because they are not hasty and unadvis'd ; for they that know their temper , will confess , they have a greater disposition to true courage than man ; being neither cold to a degree of insensibleness , nor hot to a degree of rashness . mountag . a. w. p. 49. upon this account , i suppose , it was more curiously than usefully , more subtilly than fruitfully demanded , why woman might not as properly woe man , as man woman ? and that arabian resolution retrieved from the very depth of imagination , with much ingenuity assoiled the question . woing , said the arabian wit , is a lovely seeking ; now we seek not for that we have , but what we have not : it is more proper for the man in love's quest to seek for what he has lost , than for the woman to seek for what she already has . the man hath lost his rib , and he seeks after her that has it : it is for him to seek it , who , tho he may not have it , yet he seeks to enjoy her who has it . brathwait , sect. 2. p. 442. as to their levity and inconstancy , whatsoever slanderers invent to their disparagement in that particular , we must confess they are more firm in their passions than men ; at least , we learn by the holy writ , that on the most noble occasion that ever offered it self , where we owe more affection and courage to the service of god ; there were seen three maries under the cross , and mary magdalen constantly followed him to the very last , when the disciples fell off , after all their protestations of never deserting him . women are shallow , and unfit for knowledge ; methinks this is to mis-judge of constitutions ; which , as the physicians and philosophers say , being more delicate than ours , is also better disposed for it ; but it may be 't is an effect of their judicious choice to quit freely the vexatious musings of studie's wearisomness ; i may say without flattering them , or pretending by this insinuation to the honour of their good graces , that they are capable of as many virtues as men ; and if sometimes they quit their claim , which they may lay to them , 't is rather out of modesty or consideration , than unaptness . nay , there have not been wanting champions in philosophy , law , and history , to answer or confute opposers , and some of them , to say truth , have not undertaken the cause effeminately . plutarch counted it worth his pains to bestow a whole book de virtutibus mulierum . but now adays such is the sad fate of females , they are depriv'd of all means to advance themselves ; so that no wonder they are not publickly famous , being forc'd to lead a retir'd life at home ; their needle is their only recreation , or cloyster'd in some nunnery , or if married , confin'd to their husband's humour . men bespatter them , because their soul is not contain'd in so rich a cabinet ; they climb by intrusion to honour and dignity , not by title or merit , not by rule or divine command , but by strength and might . the best land incultivated bears nothing but briers and thorns , where art and labour might bring forth lillies and tulips ; it is that that is often wanting to their good inclinations and desires , when tyranny , or some other misfortune barrs them the possession of these fair qualities , of which nature has given them a capacity . the oracle of apollo declared socrates the wisest of men ; and he confess'd , that his diotinia taught him the wisdom and prudence which the gods themselves judged incomparable . it was no small advantage to this woman to instruct this philosopher , who might prescribe rules to all men for life and manners . the emperour justinian , the great civilian , would not judge of any matter till he had first given an account of it to his wife . and plutarch writes , that the roman lady porcia endeared cethegus so far , that he enterpriz'd no design , nor managed any affair without her advice and approbation . priscilla was so knowing , that she instructed apollo , a bishop , and aspatia was judged worthy to teach pericles . nay , whole nations , as well as single persons , have honoured them for their knowledge . the scythian women judged of publick matters , and their verdict was of great esteem . our antient gauls divided with them the glory of peace and war , reserving only the active part of arms unto themselves , and leaving the women the establishment of laws , and preservation of commonwealths ; that was not to be done by ignorant persons ; and one may judge in what esteem our ancestors held them , since they allotted to the men only the exercise of the body , and to the women the abilities of the mind . but women are deceitful , and can command tears at will : admit they can , and do frequently weep , it is a great argument of their tenderness and pity ; for a woman , if ever she weeps , she thinks her self oblig'd so to do , because all the world is not so good as she her self . it was a snarling speech of a cynique , when passing by a tree whereon a maid had hang'd her self , wished that all trees might bear such fruit ; but his very name implies an answer ; it was a dog-like and currish expression . the odd opinion that the jews and turks have of women , that they are of an inferior creation to man , and therefore exclude them , the one from their synagogues , and the other from their mosquets , is in my judgment not onely partial , but prophane ; for the image of the creator shines as much in the one as in the other . howel's letters . some will deprive women of their priviledge of going abroad ; and i know what philosopher he was that would have them appear but thrice abroad all their life-time ; at their christening , marriage , and burial ; but the reason was not their wantonness , but his own lust , that he might have the better opportunity to go the oftener to them at home in private ; and in truth jealousie ( which was one cause of it ) is a fear which discovers not so much , as it confesseth , the merit of our enemy . yet i am not so laconically severe ( saith burton in his melancholy ) or stoically rigid , as to debarr women of all society and meetings , they may improve them by a civil and moral use , to their advantage and benefit , they may converse with a modest and becoming freedom . the latin tongue styles a friend amicus , a sweet-heart amica ; and in this that language is injurious to that sex , as if it were incapable of any kind of familiarity or friendship , but in way of marriage . fuller in his holy state ; but daily experience confutes this argument , and therefore 't is not worthy an answer . but the herculean and irrefragable argument is still to come ; viz. that women are subject to paint , which is a kind of self-adultery , a metamorphosis of god's works , &c. but one of the best wits of our nation hath penn'd a treatise in defence of it , call'd auxiliary or artificial beauty ; who saith , it is but a fixation of nature's inconstancy , and is no more adulterating of god's works , than to die wool , linnen , or silk , out of their native simplicity , or to wash the scurf and filth off , which riseth naturally from our bodies by sweating or evaporation . it is no more the adulterating of nature , than the applying of sweet smells and scents to our clothes , bodies , or breath ; not only as a delight , but remedy to the native rankness or offensiveness which some persons are subject to , both in their breath and constitution , which not to cure , or alter by art , is to condemn such persons ( otherwise not ill company ) to solitude , by reason of those very savours , which make them fitter for cells than society . we cannot , ( that is , we may not ) make one hair of our head white or black , matthew 5.36 . so men may not , by the same reason , that are mad , be restrain'd from their extravagancies , because god hath afflicted them ; so sick men must bid defiance to all physicians , accounting them as so many bold giants , or monsters , who daily seek to fight against heaven by their rebellious drugs and doses , prescribed in strange affected terms of art , and ill-scribled bills , which seem to be as so many charms or spells . so lame men may not either use crutches to supply the weakness of their legs , or to shore up the tottering frame of their body . any one undoubtedly may lawfully redeem himself from the uncomeliness of such an untimely accident , by dying his hair , or by using a perruque suitable to his greener years , without interfering with our saviour's meaning , that we cannot make one hair white or black , which only shews the unchangeable bounds and principles of nature , as to god's fixation and providence in all things ; but not to forbid the ingenious operations of humane art and invention , to which the works of god in nature are subjected , so far as they are managed within the limits of moral intention and religious ends. it seems to me no better than a strait-lac'd superstition , which thus pinches god's bounty , and a christian's liberty , which makes christianinity such a captive to such unnecessary rigors and pedling severities , as if it were never in a due posture and habit , till its nails be pared to the quick , and its hair shaven to the skull . to be godly , it is not necessary to be ugly ; nor doth deformity add any thing to our devotion , god's mercy to our souls , denies us not due care and consideration of our bodies . after these methods of holy ill-husbandry , we must let our fields and gardens be oppressed under the usurpation of brambles , and the tyranny of all evil weeds , which are the products of providence , as well as the best herbs and flowers ; and you may not by the invention of artificial day , supply the sun's absence with candle or torch-light , nor dispell the horrour of that darkness which providence brings over the face of the earth in the night . you may as well discommend a glass-eye , when the natural one is out . surely face-mending is no sin , nor to help a wither'd autumnal complexion no crime ; nor to fill up the ranks and rotted files of the teeth with ivory adjutants and lieutenants . the sarcasm which was us'd by a witty and eloquent preacher , whom we both heard at oxford ( meaning the two ladies disputing about painting , in the treatise of auxiliary beauty ) who speaking against the abuse of womens ornaments , instanced in jezabel's being eaten with dogs , as shewing ( saith he ) that a woman so polished and painted was not fit to be man's meat ; which expression had more of wit and jest in it , than weight or earnest , as if the heart received sinful infection by any colour or tincture put to the face , more than it doth moral defilement by any thing that enters into the mouth . to deprive women of additional arts , is to reduce them from the politure and improvement of after times and experience , to their first caves and cottages in primitive skins and aprons . st. jerom , writing to gaudensius about the clothes of young pacutula , seems to excuse the curiosity of women , in very remarkable terms . their sex ( saith he ) is curious in ornaments , and studies naturally the sumptuousness of clothes ; insomuch as i have seen many chaste ladies that dress themselves very costly , without having any aim in their designs , but their particular contentment , by a certain harmless complacency or satisfaction . this inclination is so natural to them , as heretofore many ladies did intomb their ornaments with themselves , to carry into the other world that which they had acknowledged so much in this . it is true , there is a story , that caesar seeing his daughter julia augusta too curiously brave , considered her a great while without gracing her with a word , expressing his dissatisfaction by his silence . the next day seeing her more modestly dress'd , he told her with a smiling countenance , that that habit better became the daughter of augustus : but the reply of this princess was not less considerable than the admonishment of the emperour ; i was dressed yesterday ( said she ) for my husband , but to day for my father . but they will object , that painting is an adventitious stealth , a bastardly kind of adoption . you never are jealous of any scarlet , crimson , or purple tincture in your cloaths , wherein you please your selves more than in deader colours : they are but the simple juice or extract of some innocent herb , leaf , flower or root , of which no other use in physick or food can be made . beauty is a great blessing among those little momentary ones which our dust is capable of ; and artificial helps of beauty carry with them their own antidote , while they are monitors of our wants and infirmities , which like the swallowing down the stone keeps us from surfeiting of the cherries we eat : and the remedying of deformity , by artificial applications can be no more a temptation to pride than the use of crutches and spectacles to those that are lame and dim-sighted . we read no where in scripture that the beauty and bravery of colours is either forbidden or reproved , unless unseasonably worn , when god calls for sack-cloath and blackness of face . lydia , a seller of purple , acts 16.14 . ( whose dye or finer tincture was of more worth than the substance it self ) yet is not forbidden , when she was converted to be a christian , either to dye or sell any more of that rich colour . against this honest liberty of painting nothing wars so much as prejudice , and a kind of wontedness to think the contrary . mr. downam , in his warfare , c. 14. calls painting the devil's invention , a sin , not only in the abuse but the very use , &c. he brings tertullian arguing against it as the devil 's counterfeiting and mocking of god , &c. and he quotes st. cyprian , telling the veil'd virgins , that the devil , by these arts , doth but distort and poison what god hath made handsome and wholsome . he might have added many more , as i find in our english authors , who produce the authority of st. ambrose , st. austin , st. chrysostom , and st. jerom , against all additional beauty . no soul was more shaken than i was ( saith the author of auxiliary beauty ) in the minority of my judgment , when i had more of traditional superstition than of judicious religion , and valued more the number of mens names than the weight of their reasons . and now out of the nonage and minority which kept me in the wardship and awe of mens names and number , i considered that these alone signified no more to make up any reason , or to prove any sin , ( in point of conscience ) than so many counters can make up a sum , which have no figures before them . good and great men are not set beyond mistakes . they might decree possibly these helps in some women , not as absolutely evil , but as inexpedient and needless in those times of persecution , when they were to be married to the faggot and flames . they do not oppose things of this nature argumentatively so much as oratoriously ; not denying the use of them to some persons , in some cases , at some times , but the abuse of them . besides , their greatest strictness seems to have been to votaries or reserv'd virgins . how did many great ministers inveigh against tobacco in the pulpit , before they generally fell to taking it themselves , fancying at last , that they never had more devout meditations or sharp inventions , than those which were begun by the midwifery of a pipe of tobacco . their report seems fitted to the polity and bent of those times . mr. downam did not distinguish between the thing done , and the end , or mind of those that do it ; as if the sober relief of a palid infirmity , or the modest study of outward decency , were the same thing with pride , levity , and wantonness . at the same rate he may inveigh against quenching one's thirst , or drinking to chearfulness , because of the sordid consequences of drinking , riot , and debauchery . his other heap of arguments are only assertory , not prefatory ; he makes it not good , that it was an absolute sin in the use , but neither by any proofs , or pregnant reason , or god's word . but all are lewd and wanton that use it , saith he ; and this is as harsh as rash for him to maintain : and how could he in charity do it , unless he had known their hearts that use those arts. thus , like a mad man with a sword , he lays about , and smites all that come near him . very few examine the marrow and inside of things , but take them upon the credit of customary opinion . few mens judgments are so died in grain , but they will fade and discolour , being for the most part dip'd by vulgar easiness in common opinion . to conclude this particular , all is but verbal painting or oral colouring that is used against artificial handsomness , or auxiliary beauty ; or like the ratling of hail upon tiles , which neither wets with moisture , nor pierceth with it's strokes and noise . but that which i wonder at is , that men should rail against women for that which they themselves are more criminally guilty : witness hortensius the roman orator , who spent half the day in beholding and dressing himself in a glass instead of studying his orations ; and stratocles the physician , that painted his wither'd face and adorn'd himself to court his mistris . but truly i cannot yet see , but that in the height of religious severity , it may be put among those venial vanities of humane life , of which no stricter account in point of morality need to be given or exacted , but only that divine intelligence by which god in innocent freedom , as a father to a child , gives us leave to adorn and please our selves without any of his displeasure . but admit , when all is said and done , that women when they prove bad are a sort of the vilest creatures imaginable , yet still the same reason gives it , corruptio optimi est pessima , and this also will tend to their advantage in despite of all opposers . thus they seek to murder womens reputation whenas they destroy their own ; for , the calumniator is but another pigmalion , the artisan of his own misfortune , and indeed , is a murderer , tres uno perimit ictu ; he kills three at once , viz. himself , the party that hears it , and the person from whom he detracts . but , how truly do these females trace the method of charity , to suffer all these opprobrious scoffs and scurrilities without reaction ! alas ! they know that if reason cannot curb their lashing tongues , their dispraises will , after the manner of the tartar's bow , shoot back upon themselves from whence they came . they do but with the wolves of syria , bark against the m●●n , which is out of their reach ; for their virtues sit above mens calumnes ; their excellency is such , that it need , not the reedy under-proping of 〈◊〉 opinion : they understand , 〈◊〉 ●●●●ect will kill an injury 〈…〉 revenge . besides , they may ever expect weak blows where they find strong words . woman scorns to flame at every fiery tongue 's puff ; for the crackers of the brain and squibs of the tongue will dye alone , if not reviv'd , and the best way to have them forgot by others , is first to forget them her self . she has a spirit planted above petty wrongs : the temper of her genius is too stoical to be sensible in the least of the weak assaults of that cowardly pigmy , detraction , whom handsomly to overcome , is to scorn . by such obloquies men think to debase women , and all to as little purpose as to cast chains into the sea , or to tye the ocean with fetters ; and these frequent dispraises at best are but the faults of uncharitable men ; but alas ! she that will question every disgraceful word that is spoken of her , shall have few friends , little wit , and much trouble . let them consider , that if there were neither malice , nor enemies in the world , there are few things so sure , or so true that cannot be taken divers ways ; and if we examin well all our actions , it seems that they are all subject to interpretation and dispute . mount. a.w. p. 27. it is not to any man given absolutely to be absolute ; and fools are the greater number among them ; for wise-men are like timber trees in a wood , here and there one . feltham's resolves . thus men puff up themselves as big as pride and vanity can make them , with a conceit of their own meritoriousness ; tho it be a sordid thing for a man to be the herald of his own praise : but it may be said of these airmongers as it is of the cameleon , which is nil praeter pulmones , nothing but lungs , or of the nightingale , vox & praeterea nihil , nothing but voice ; so that as it was said of trajan the emperour , when he vaunted his parthian trophies before the gods ; they may , he said , as justly to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , more respecting a sound of words , than a sound matter . but when all is done , since men assume so much to themselves and derogate so much from females ; let any man rake all the history in the world and find out among them if he can , such a coveteous midas as to wish the very meat he eat to be turn'd into gold , or such a passionate and incompatible revenger as with silla never to forgive , nor forget the injury done him by an offender ; or such a marrow-eating , envious tetter , as ctesiphon , who macerated himself in the prosperity of another ? or such an idolater of honour as themistocles , who could not sleep for the ambition he bare to the triumphs of miltiades ? or such a glutton as cambles , who devour'd his own wife in bed , and the next morning , finding one of her hands in his mouth , swallowed it ? of such a gulo as vitellius or heliogabalus ; the former whereof had serv'd up at one feast 2000 fishes and 7000 birds ; the latter had his table cover'd at a single supper with 6000 ostriches ? or such a gourmand as maximinus , who devoured every day 40 pound of flesh , and drank five gallons of wine ? or such a catamite as the bithynian , who was a woman for all men , and a man for all women , an equal agent , or patient to satisfie nature ? or such a lazy lollard as margites , who never dig'd , plow'd , sow'd , nor ever did any good all his life long , but slept out his time in a sluggish posture and useless manner ? or such a ludus amoris , a cupid's whirlegig ( as juno calls jupiter in lucian ) who was so often changed into shapes ; for europa into a buck , for aegina into a flame , for danae into a shower of gold ; for astraea into an eagle , for leda into a swan ; for antiope into a satyr ; for mnemosine into a shepherd , for dois into a serpent ; for calisto into a wood-nymph , or nun ? or such an apostate as julian , or atheist as lucian , who , tho rare wits , and their images were to be had in esteem for their ingenuity , yet were they to be spurn'd at for their impiety ? thus you see , notwithstanding all this , how envious men seek to envenom the names of women , and inveigh against them in such terms as you have heard , with many other as groundless , as bitter sarcasms , that a beast hath wit enu● to apprehend the heinousness of such obloquies ; so scandalous , that i cannot forbear crying out with the poet horresco referens ; i blush at and abhor the farther repetition of them , and scorn to sully my paper with such black scandals , or teach my pen such undutiful language . and tho this be more than statute madness in men , yet such carpers ubique stabulant ; but such they are , and only such who have vomited out of their souls all remnants of goodness , and who can expect a sweet breath out of such foul stomachs ; and their very reasons , if any , are but the scum of base malice , the fruits of choler adust , and the evaporations of a vindicative spirit ; and yet notwithstanding all these high provocations , ungentile and gross affronts , methinks i hear that undaunted and deserving sex acquiesce patiently with this requiem , and conclude , their praise or dispraise is to me alike ; th' one doth not stroke me , nor the other strike . in examination of the whole sex , we shall find , that all makes more for their honour than most men have acknowledged . socrates , plato , aristotle , and several others , have commended them : and to compleat all , let us hear what the snarling cynick diogenes says of them , who was composed of nothing but gibe and jest . he calls proper women queens ; quod facerent homines quod praeciperent , because men were so obedient to their commands ; so that it appears before these late years of phrenzy , there was a time ( and pitty'tis so good a time had ever wings to fly away ) when due reverence was paid unto that sex , whose just praise is a task will dull the very edge of rhetorick , and i fear i shall sully it in the delivery . here is a field for an orator to use eloquence in . here is a subject fit to put phancie upon the rack , and torture wits , as agues do physicians . but as dr. brown , in his religio medier , has it , where there is an obscurity too dark for reason , it is good to sit down with a description or adumbration . a purer substance is defin'd by a combin'd heap of negatives . ask what a spirit is ! the reply will be it hath no matter . no other ways can i define a vertuous woman ; she is not as others are ; what seems perfection in others it is her perfection to want . all the world is but her periphrasis . she is the best creature that ever the universe brought forth from the birth of time till now . a person in whom the sun and abridgment of all perfection meet , like paralels in their proper center . she is a pretty piece of flesh and blood printed in a fair letter and neatly bound up ; no man that is master of reason , but would be glad to take her with her errata's , if any . she is a heap of wonders able to amuse the clearst understanding . — qua sparguntur in omnes intermixta fluunt , & qua divisa beatos efficiunt , collecta tenes — claudian . i. panegir . she was born fair and good , to shew , that nature is no step-mother to that sex , how much soever men ( sharp-witted only in evil speaking ) seek to disgrace them . when providence first cleav'd our sire , and made eve out of adam , she was created his equal , only the difference was in the sex , otherwise they both were man. her body is more admirable and beautiful than man's , fuller of curiosities and nature's wonders , both for conceptian , and fostering the producted birth . and can we think god would put a worse soul into a better body ? nay , if the philosophical maxim holds good , that the temperature of the soul follows that of the body , we must necessarily conclude , that as her outward , so her inward affections must be more purely refin'd . when man was created , 't is said , god made man , but when woman , he built her ; as if he had been about a frame of rarer rooms , and more exact composition . finxit hominem , aedificat costam ; so that man was but figmentum , woman aedificum . if place can priviledge her , we find her built in paradise ; she was form'd on that holy ground where angels resorted , whenas poor man was made in the open field with four-footed beasts . thus the place , name , and matter of which she was form'd is more noble than man's . 't is certain , they are by constitution colder than the boyling man , and so by consequence more temperate ; 't is heat transports man to immoderation and fury ; 't is that which hurries him to a savage and libidinous violence . when a woman grows bold and daring , we say she 's impudent , and too like man ; in our selves we magnifie what we condemn in her ; is not this injustice ? every man is so much the better , by how much he comes nearer god. man in nothing is more like god , than in being merciful , yet woman is far more merciful than man , it being a sex wherein pitty and compassion hath dispersed far brighter rays . god is said to be love ; and women exceed every where for transcending in that quality . 't is injustice then in men to pass sentence upon them before they be heard . they have ever held the parliament , and enacted what they will , not permitting them to speak ; therefore in this case let the divine seneca be their advocate , and speak for them ; qui statuit aliquid parte inaudita altera , aequum licet statuerit haud aequus fuerit . thus far feltham in his resolves ; with little alteration . from the order and method of the wise architect of the universe , we may infallibly conclude woman the more excellent creature . incorrupt things were first made , as stars , planets the chrystalline and primum mobile ; then minerals , then plants and trees , then sensitives , then man , and last of all woman , as being the perfection of the creation . woman was last in humanity and first in divinity . the blessed virgin brought forth the blessed babe , that made man blessed , without the help of man. jacob got his blessing by his prudent mother . when our saviour arose he appear'd first to a woman . in the sacred pages we find it recorded , that the male children were slain , the female sav'd . conelius agrippa the woman's professed champion , and their attorney general , ( quoted by whitlock in his magnetick lady ) he begins his argument from the very name חךח chauva signifying life ; and adam , but earth ( tho the prating rabbins sport another derivation from חךח chiva to tattle . ) from the order of the creation he argues her excellency and perfection . she was created last of all , and so admitted into this world , tanquam regina in regiam paratam , like a queen into a ready furnished palace . besides , her matter was not of so low an extract as adam's , but of sinished man ( whose prime material was ruder dust ) was this rare piece made ; hence it is , that there is a greater eminency of beauty generally in that sex than in the other ; so as what beauty the world it self contains in severals , seems to be contracted in this model , that all creatures might reverence and admire this compleat piece . nor is it fabulous , that spirits themselves have bin enamour'd with some women : we read their beauty spoken of throughout the whole book of truth , with more signal observations than that of man. she is the consummation and perfection of man. idcirco illam omnis homo amet necesseest , &c. who therefore can but love that sex ? who ever hates it must needs be a stranger to virtue , courtesie and humanity it self . can any lady forbear giving this their attorney a fee ? nay , one of our own nation saith in plain homely terms , he that loves not a woman suck'd a sow ; and questionless he must be either barbarous or divine , that 's proof against the charms of female beauty . what heresies or errors were ever broached by women ? christ was betray'd , abus'd , and crucified by men , not women ; for pilat's wife did use all possible means to dissuade her husband from pronouncing so unjust a sentence , as that was against our saviour . by his very peter deny'd , only the women accompanied him to the cross : and no small part of the schole-men affirm , ecclesiam tune non nisi apud solam mulierem , puta virginem mariam mansisse ; that the church of christ remain'd then only in the virgin mary : nay , women were the first trumpets to publish the resurrection . if any should out , of aristotle , allege , that men are more noble , wise , vali &c. then women ; i demand what men of the most eminent hath not this sex out-done ? but we will produce aristotle against aristotle , and answer the stagirite by the stagirite , tho their profess'd enemy , and this his own argument . that kind or rank of creatures , whose best is better than the best of any other ; even that kind it self is better than any other kind ; but such is the virgin mary ( the best of that sex ) above st. john baptist , the greatest of the other sex , ( according to our saviour's own argument , matth. 11 ) so that but naming the virgin mary , the cause is carried for that sex against the divinity of the male. to go on ; how many do we reade in scripture condemned to eternal torments , but not women ? whence came the first original of all vices ? did not in adam all die ? not in eve. did not his eldest son cain first open hell gates ? lamech was the first digamist ; noah the first surpriz'd with wine . run through all the vertues , you will find the women so famous , that some of them excelled men ; for virginity , the virgin mary ; for prophecy , moses's sister ; for constancy in the faith , esther , ruth , mary magdalen , that believed when the apostles doubted ; and for martyrdom that rare example maccab. 2. 6. have not women in martyrdom equal'd the number of men ? and to complete the history of that truth , ne cui dubium mulieris ea omnia posse quoe viri , that women doubntless can and have done whatsoever man hath done . in priesthood was not melissa famous among the heathens themselves for a priesters mera to venus , iphigenia to diana ; & in nostra religione licet mulieribus sacerdotii funtione interdictum sit , scimus iamen historiis prodictum mulierem aliquando mentito sexu ad summi pontificatus apicem conscendisse ; ( i give you his own vvords , because agrippa ( tho a catholick , ) is so ingenious as to confess a pope joan ) even in our own religion tho we forbid vvomen the priesthood , yet history assureth us of a vvoman that arrived at the popedom , and she rul'd for two years or thereabout , as well as the best of them . thus , saith he , i have prov'd the preeminence of vvomen by their name , order of creation , nature , religion , &c. ne debitas illis laudes , &c. lest i should hide a talent intrusted to me , if i should conceal what truth hath said for them , p. 334. and 335. whitlock's mag. lady . women are made of purer plastical ingredients ; there went more refin'd stuff to their composition than that of man : for , if man be of never so fine a paste , if he wash his hands in the clearest water , in several basons , never so often , yet he will leave some foulness and feculencie behind ; but a woman can wash and leave the water at last as clear , fair , and limpid as when it came from the source or fountain 0 it self in few times washing . as to their modesty , take this example ; the daughter of pythagoras being demanded what most shamed her to discourse of , made answer , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , those parts which made her woman . and if that of justin be true , vera mulierum ornamenta pudicitiam esse , non vestes , that modesty is the best apparel of a woman ; they have the best ornaments : heylin . so modest they are when alive , that they cannot enter into company without a maiden-blush ; nay , 't is proverbially call'd a maiden-blush , as if they only had a patent to dye that colour , tinctur'd like a fair morning in may. and if we may believe pliny the great naturalist , one of nature's prothonotaries ( who had strip'd her to her smock , and lay with her as familiarly as a wife ) they retain this grace of modesty even after death ; for if a woman be drown'd , she swims with her back-parts upward , the man with his belly ; but such cases as these must not be argued in the common pleas. nay , the woman swims , the man sinks , if they fall into the water . man's head , his greatest ornament , is sometimes deform'd with baldness ; but on the contrary , vvomen rétain their ornamental tresses to the last . fonseca is of opinion , and so am i , that there is something in woman beyond all humane delight ; a magnetick virtue , a charming quality , and powerful motive to incite love and affection . nay , alexander being much in love with apelles , as one highly rapt with the exquisiteness of his art , proposed him that model for his task , which he of all others affected most , commanding him on a time to paint campaspe , a beautiful woman , naked : which apelles having done , the picture wrought such an impression on his affection , that apelles fell in love with her ; and alexander perceiving it , bestow'd it upon him . if such impressive motives of affection draw life from a picture , what may be conceiv'd by the substance . to illustrate this , there is a story recorded in the lives of the fathers , concerning a child who was educated in a desart from his infancy , by an old eremite . being come to man's estate , he accidentally spied two comely women , wandring in the woods , and inquir'd of the aged father ( having never seen such amiable creatures before in his life ) what they were ? the eremite told him they were fairies : ( here note by the way , tho eremites pretend never so much religion and sanctimony , they can now and then swallow a lye without choaking , as well as vitious persons ) after some tract of time , being in discourse , the old man demanded of him which was the pleasantest and most delectable sight that ever he saw in his life ? he readily replied , the two fairies he saw in the woods ; so that indubitably there is in a fair and beautiful woman a magnetick and natural , inbred , attractive faculty , which moves man to love her . but we need not have rambled in the desart to prove this , since we have a confirmation thereof at home ; an ambassador , who being to be entertain'd by queen elizabeth ( where the greatest state was still observ'd ) first passed through a lane of the guard in their rich coats , next through the gentlemen-pentioners , and so through all the greater officers , the lords , earls , and counsellors . the queen sat there in state at the upper end of a long gallery , which when the ambassador was to enter , the great ladies , of either side , richly attir'd , were placed ; through the midst of whom , as he passed along , he , so amazed at the state , or admiring at their beauties , cast his eyes first on one side , then on the other , and that not without some pause , as if he had been to take a particular survey of all their features ; but by degrees coming toward the queen , who sat like diana among her nymphs , or ariadne with her crown of stars , instated above the lesser lights , to give him entertainment ; and observing his eye still to wander , thus bespake him ; averte oculos , ne videas vanitatem , to whom he suddenly replied , imo potius mirabilia opera dei , such wonderful fabricks are women . and this confirms plato's opinion , that beauty is a humane splendor amiable in it's own nature , that has the power to ravish the mind with the eyes . and mr. mountague saith , those that adore or despise beauty offer too much or too little to the image of god ; for we as seldom find beauty without vertue , as ugliness without mischief : and heretofore deformed ministers have been rejected from the temple ; let us not therefore believe ill of beauty , since god himself hath thought it necessary for those that approach his altars . heliogabalus from a priest of the sun rose to be emperour of all the world for his beauty ; and the face of scipio the african subdued many a barbarous nation , without so much as drawing his sword. in the expression of the affection , which requires a great measure of discretion , we shall find a more rare temperature in the feminine sex ; they can shadow their reserv'd love with a discreet secresie , and an absolute command ( of what soveranizeth most in the contrary sex ) declining the seeming grounds of jealousie : or if they fall in love , as they are subject to passions as well as we , so modest they are , that they will suffer , rather than discover their affection : witness that fair lady elizabeth , daughter to edward the fourth , who being enamor'd with henry the seventh , that noble young prince , and newly saluted king , she brake forth into this passionate speech : o that i were worthy of that comely prince ! but my father being dead , i want friends to motion such a matter . what shall i say ? i am all alone , and dare not open my mind to any . what if i acquaint my mother ? bashfulness forbids . what if some lords ? audacity wants . o that i might but conser with him ! perhaps in discourse i might let slip such a word as might discover my intention . modesty in women is like the angels flaming sword , to keep vile men out of the paradise of their chastity . the four parts of the world had beenlost for want of a certain name , and utterly unknown but for women . what were the 9 muses ? the 3 graces ? the 12 sibils ? minerva the goddess of wisdom ? and the watchful hesperides ; were they not all women , we may from birds derive womans prerogative . the eagle is queen of the winged inhabitants of the air ; the phoenix but one , and she a female too ; but the killing basilisk is accounted king of serpents . next consider her under the notion of a wife , and you shall find more argument of praise and admiration than the contrary , if the most refined wits of the times are in the right , some of whose opinions shall be insisted on ; for should they be all amass'd and heap'd up , the contents would be too large for one volume : and first of marriage it self . marriage , ( saith the learned apostle of the gentiles ) is honourable ; and well he might ; for god honoured it himself . it is honourable ( as one of our own divines hath it ) for the author , time and place . for the author , because it was ordained by himself , whereas all other ordinances were appointed of god by the hands of men , or angels . for time ; for it was the first ordinance god instituted , and that in the state of innocence , before man had any other calling , he was call'd to be a husband ; therefore it hath the honour of antiquity , because it was the first , and consequently the most antient ordinance . for place ; marriage was instituted in paradice , in the happiest place and so hath the honour of place above all other ordinances . as god the father honoured marriage , so did the son , not only by his birth , but miracles ; for the first miracle the blested jesus wrought , was at a marriage in canaan , john 2. 6. where he turned water into wine . nay farther , he honoured it with his praises , matt. 22. 2. for he compareth the kingdom of god to a wedding , verse 11. and holiness to a wedding garment ; cantic . 5. 8. nay , he himself is said to be wedded ; all which premises , if seriously and duly consider'd , do sufficiently and undeniably evince the honour of a marriage state , let the single chatter what they please . next , as to the wife , take her ensuing character . a wife is a man's best moveable ; one that is more than a friend , less then trouble ; a scions incorporate with the stock , and equal with him in the yoke . nothing pleaseth her that displeaseth him ; she is relative in all , and he without her is but half himself ; she frames her nature to his howsoever . the hyacinth follows not the sun more willingly . stubborness and obstinacy are flowers , that grow not in her garden . a husband without out her is a misery in man's apparel ; and if age hath snow'd gray hairs upon his head , she is both a staff and a chair , to base and support him . she is his absent hands , eyes , ears , and mouth , his present , and absent all . the good wife never crosseth her husband in the spring tide of his anger ; but stay 's till it be ebbing-vvater . her carriage is so modest , that she disheartens vvantons , not only to take , but even besiege her chastity . her children , tho many in number , are none in noise ; steering them with a look , whither she listeth . a great and eminent : divine of this modern age , a man searcely to be parallel'd for sanctimony , by twenty six arguments commends marriage , as a thing necessary for , most laudable and fit to be embraced by all sorts of persons : and is persuaded withall , that no man can live and dye religiously , as he ought to do , without a vvife . these are his very words ; persuasus sum neminem posse , neque pie vivere , neque bene mori citra vxorem . let all stale batchelers that seem to boast of their resolution against , and aversion to so sacred an ordinance as matrimony , ruminate on this ; he is an enemy to the kingdom of heaven , injurious to himself , destructive to the vvorld , an apostate to nature , and a rebel against heaven and earth , who declines marriage and leads a single life . the hebrews have a saying ; he is not a man , that hath not a vvoman , i.e. a vvife : for tho man alone may possibly be good , yet it is not good for man to be alone . as for the catholicks , who exact the virgin state so extravagantly ; it is like him that commended fasting , when he was cloy'd with feasting . where there is no generation , there can be no regeneration ; the church could not be expatiated without marriage . it was a question that one put to him , who said , marriage peoples the earth , but virginity heaven ; how can the heaven be full , if the earth be empty ? vvilt thou condemn all for the faults of one ? as if it were true logic , because some are evil , therefore none are good . to blast thy helper is to blame thy maker . is a solitary as good as a married life ? then can one string make as good harmony as a consort . god commanded abraham to do as his good vvife sarah commanded . a happy couple ! he joying in her , she joying in her self ; but in her self , because she enjoyed him . both increased their riches to each other , each making one life , double , because they make a double life , one ; where desire never wanted satisfaction , nor satisfaction bred satiety : he ruling , because she would obey ; or rather , because she would obey , he id . ib. therein ruling . nature when a female was first born , vow'd her a woman ; and as she made her the child of a mother , so to do her best to be mother of a child . she gave her beauty to move love , vvit to know love , and an excellent body to reward love. james de voragine , upon those words in the second of genesis , adjutorium simile , &c. by an honest jury of arguments proves the excellency of marriage above virginity ; as followeth ; viz. 1. hast thou riches ? thou hast one to keep and increase them . 2. hast thou none ? thou hast one to help to get them . 3. art thou in prosperity ? thy happiness is doubled . 4. art thou in adversity ? she 'll comfort , assist , and bear a part of thy burthen to make it more tolerable . 5. art thou at home ? she 'll drive away melancholy . 6. art thou abroad ? she looks after thee going from home , wishes for thee in thy absence , and joyfully welcomes thee at thy return . 7. ther 's nothing delightful without society ; no society so sweet as matrimony . 8. the band of conjugal love is adamantine . 9. the pleasant company of kinsmen increaseth , the number of parents , children , brothers , sisters , and nephews , is doubled . 10. thou art made a father by a fair and happy issue . 11. moses curseth the barrenness of matrimony , how much more of single life ? 12. if nature her self escape not punishment , surely thy will shall not avoid it . heinsius ( a learned man ) faith , nemo in severissima stoicorum familia , &c. there will not be found ( i hope ) no not in the severe family of the stoicks , any one person that will refuse to submit his grave beard and supercilious look to the clipping of a wife , or disagree from the rest of that sect in this particular . women are stiled by our ingenious (a) lord chancellor , deliciae humani generis , solatio vitae ; blanditiae noctis , placidissinia cura diei ; vota virum juvenum spes , — and the venusian poet sings sweetly , felices ter , & amplius quos irrupta tenet copula , divulsus querimoniis suprema citius solvit amerdre . in english thus : thrice happy they , and more than that , whom bands of love so firmly ties , that , without brawls , till death them part , 't is undissolv'd and never dies . there is no joy , no sweetness , no pleasure , like to that of a good wife . quam cum chara domi conjux , fidusque maritus , vnanimes degunt . — saith our latin homer . her love can no more change than a star his course , or fate it 's everlasting laws . matrimonium humano generi immortalitatem tribuit . marriage makes us immortal . it is , as one says very prettily , nodosa aeternitas , a kind of knotty eternity , immortality being , as it were , piec'd and lengthned out by the succession of children . (a) 't is firmissimum imperii munimentum , the seal and chief prop of an empire : and the poet (b) tells you , indignè vivit , per quem non vivit & alter ; et , minuuntur atrae conjuge curae . she is the sole comfort of man's life ; born ad vsum & lusum hominum , for the use and diversion of man ; she is (c) firmamentum familiae , the basis and solid foundation of a family . optima viri possessio est vxor benevola . a loving vvife is the best possession a man can purchase . mitigans omnia & avertens animum ejus à tristitia , mild upon all occasions , and the only helebore to purge away her consort 's melancholy . the best possession is a loving wife , she tempers anger , and diverts all strife . euripides . si commodas nanciscantur amores , &c. if fitly match'd be man and wife , no pleasure's wanting to their life . (d) no such comfort as placens vxor , a sweet wife . (e) she is the highest ground of humane felicity . (f) nothing can be more amiable than an honest woman ; nothing conferring more joy upon man , saith sententious xistus . (*) in fine , she is in quality a helper , in society a comforter , in the perplexity of her consort a counsellor , and in all these a sharer . is her husband young ? she will bear with his youth till better experience bring him to the knowledge of man. is he old ? his age shall beget the more reverence in her . is he rich ? much good may it do him , this shall not make her proud ; but her desire shall be to improve it to his best advantage . is he poor ? his poverty shall make her rich : there is no want where there wants no content . were he poor as irus , fancy will make him dearer than rich croesus . her husband may seem a thersites to others , but he is a paris in her eye . a mother is the best grammarian , let the grammaticasters boast never so vauntingly of their speaking well ; when every nurse does shamefully exceed them in their faculty of teaching . had not speeches their original from the mother ? yes indisputably , and for that very reason every ones native language is call'd the mother tongue . 't was wittily replyed of a gentleman , who heard a drolling batcheler say , next to no wife a good wife was best ; no , sir , said he ; next to a good wife , no wife is best . and as pleasantly said of another , who maintain'd ; that wives are young mens mistresses , companions of middle age , and old mens nurses . let a man be never so volatile , a good wife will fix him ; she is res bona , not bounded within the limits of predicable , predicament or topic. it was the saying of the wisest of kings , he that findeth a vvife , findeth a good thing , and receiveth favour of the lord ; and that he might more emphatically express the incomparable estimat of a good vvife , and how far in the scale of judgment she is to be prefer'd before substance , riches , or any worldly inheritance , to give a more proper and genuine distinction , he makes use , not only of a distinct gradation , but also a different derivation , and riches are the inheritance of the father , but a prudent vvife cometh of the lord , and many other encomia of vvomen are scattered throwout solomon's whole vvorks : as a gratious vvoman retaineth honour and her price is far above rubies : chap. 21. ver . 10. nay , he styles her coronam viri , the crown of her husband ; and st. paul call's her gloriam viri , the glory of man ; nay , the french say proverbially , femme bonne vant une couronne ; a good vvife is not to be valued under the price of a diadem , and , as one saith very well , houses without vvomen are desarts and places ill cultivated . nay , where is there true politie to be found but in houswifery ! the witty epigrammatist styles good vvives domiportae , damae portae , &c. they are the choicest associats of human solace , so that if the vvorld were to be held a vvilderness without society , it might justly despair of that comfort without their company : whence it is , that the wiseman concludes , without a woman would the house mourn . surely , howsoever some no less properly then pregnantly have emblematriz'd a married vvoman by a snail , because she is domiporta ; and carries her house about her ; as is the property of a good houswife , yet in my judgment , a modest , and well behav'd woman may , by her frequent resort to publick places , confer no less benefit to such as observe her behaviour , than occasion of profit to her private family , where she is overseer . i have seen some ( saith the same author ) in those places of publick repair , express such a well seeming state , without a just formality , as that every action deserv'd the imitation of such as were in their company . their conceits were sweetly temper'd , without lightness , their jests savory , yet without saltness ; their discourses free without niceness ; their answers mild , without tartness ; their smiles pleasing , mixt with bashfulness ; their pace graceful , without too much activeness ; their whole posture delightful , with a seeming carelesness . these are such mirrors of modesty , patterns of piety , as they would not for a world , transgress the bounds of civility . these are matrons in their houses , and models in publick places . it was a wild speech of the philosopher , to say , that if our conversation cou'd be without women , angels wou'd come down and dwell among us , but then they must be evil ones ; for the good angels durst not disallow of marriage , which god himself ordain'd , and hath stamp'd his blessing upon . but to pass by such moth-eaten philosophers , and come to a modern physician of our own . it was a most unmannerly thing of him , whilst he displays his own religion , to wish that there were a way to propagate the world , otherwise than by conjunction with woman ( and paracelsus , that german quack , undertakes to teach him that way ) whereby he seems to repine ( tho ( i understand ) he himself wiv'd a little after ) at the honourable degree of marriage , which i hold to be the prime link of humane society , the chiefest happiness of mortals , and wherein heaven hath a special hand . and sir kenelm digby , in his observations on religio medici , ( whom famous dr. charleton thus characterizeth ; that noble person , who hath built up his reason to so transcendent a height of knowledge , as may seem not much beneath the state of man in innocence ) blames the dr. for his wishing that men cou'd procreate , like trees , without conjunction , calling it the foolishest act of a wise man ( tho afterward he seems to excuse himself ) i believe ( saith that learned knight ) your lordship ( meaning edw. earl of dorset , who desir'd him to peruse that book ) will scarcely joyn with him in his wish , that we might procreate , and beget children without the help of a woman , or without any conjunction or commerce with that sweet sex. then again , a little after : besides his unkindness , or rather frowardness , to that tender-hearted sex , ( which must needs take it ill at his hands ) methinks he sets marriage at too low a rate , which is assuredly the highest and divinest link of human society ; and where he speaks of cupid and beauty , it is in such a phrase , as puts me in mind of the learned greek-reader of cambridge , courting his mistris out of stevens his the saurus . thus far that noble knight , of that noble sex. but we can produce both modern and antient autority to confute dr. brown. burton , that melancholic wit , after some discourse of women , saith , i am not willing to prosecute the cause against them ; therefore take heed you mistake me not ; matronam nullam ego tango . i honour the sex with all good men , as i ought to do , and rather than displease them , i will take this oath , me nihil unquam mali nobilissimo sexui , vel verbo , vel facto machinaturum . that i will never contrive any hurt against that noble sex , either in world or deed ; and another author declares himself thus : i am none of those vulgar reasoning despifers of that sex , which we cannot deny to be as habitable a part of the microcosm or little world , as any , for abilities or vertues , tho not so populous . as for autority of the antients ; the great greek historian tells you plainly , that he thinks , among all god's ordinances , scarce any one can be found that is more commendable or profitable than wedlock : nay , there are other antient sages , who declare , that they think it so necessary to a good and convenient way of living , that the life of man without it seems to be maim'd . the divine philosopher will have it , that he that marrieth not before he is thirty five years of age , shall be forced , or punished , and the money consecrated to juno's temple , ( who was goddess of marriage ) or applied to public use . mercurius trismegistus ( which is as much as to say in plain english , the thrice greatest ) a very antient philosopher , understanding the vertues and perfections of women , left this recorded in his writings to posterity ; that those men were to be shunned and extremely avoided , that had no wives ; because that from a woman , as from an abounding fountain , all perfection and goodness flows in a most plentiful manner . epictetus , an eminent philosopher , adviseth all men , of what condition soever , to enter into the happy lists of a married life : nay , whole nations ( as well as single persons ) have and do honour their wives at this day . the affectionate sabines call'd their wives penates , or houshold-gods , for the incomparable comfort they conceived in them , and great benefits deriv'd from them ; and that not without cause : for we read that tres filii ab excubiis , quinque ab omnibus officiis liberabant ; three children , among the romans , free'd the father from painful offices , and five from all contributions : both graecians and romans priviledged wedded vvomen ; and tho the romans had their vestals , yet after thirty years continuance , the cruelty of infore'd chastity was no longer in force . by the julian law precedence is given to him that hath most children ; and in florence , at this day , he that hath five children , immediatly upon the birth of the fifth is exempted from all imposts and subsidies ; and here in england likewise , a married man ( out of a tender respect to his posterity ) is not so soon prest into the wars , as a batcheler . nay spain , at this present , is more noble then the rest of the world , by giving the surname of the maternal line very frequently to some of the male children . the civil , common , and divine laws are all very favorable to vvomen . the imperial , or civil law permits not a vvoman , tho a criminal , to go into the common gaol . the common law , by the courtesie of england , if vvoman arrive at any degree of estate , they never lose it by marrying after more meanly , but still take place according to the state of their first husband ; nay farther , the law tenders the speedy advancement of women , quia maturiora sunt vota mulierum , quam virorum . vvomen are sooner capable of conception then men of generation , which is the reason the law permits women to marry at the age of twelve , and men not till fourteen . the harsh and eremitical conceit of arminius the ruler of carthage , touching marriage ; who being ask'd , when shall a young man marry ? replyed not yet ; vvhen an old man ? not at all ; proceeded rather from disability then truth or reason , and therefore not to be regarded : for had it bin arminius his fortune to have matched with arminia , he would doubtless have fallen into admiration of so sacred a rite , rather than into distast . such persons therefore , who have their humor in their ink-horn , and rail against marriage ; if ever they enter into the state of vvedlock , deserve for their pains a pair of large and spacious horns , that may extend from one end of our metropolis to the other ( our mother city , so called in honour of vvomen ) and so we leave them to the admiration of all mankind , to be laughed at , like actaeon , for their egregious folly. but is it not a strange custom , and worthy of reproof , to see men take all kind of liberty , without allowing the least ? one might think , by their tyranny , that marriage was instituted only to make them gaolers for women . there is much ingratitude , as well as injustice , to exact a fidelity , which one will not return , when the obligations to it are equal . women have wit and conscience enuf to believe , that revenge would cost them too dear , if they lost their own virtue to take satisfaction of their husbands vitiousness . octavia did not desist from loving marc antony singularly , whilst he made his amours to cleopatra , and left a greater beauty at rome , to possess a less in egypt . they that have this constancy deserve admiration ; but those that have it not , have some colour for their weakness ; example pleads for them ; for they imagin that it is not likely , that a chrystal should resist blows , that might break diamonds , or marble . virginal chastity . democion , the athenianess , being a virgin , and understanding that leosthenes ( to whom she had bin solemnly contracted ) was slain in the lemnian war , being impatient to survive him , laid violent hands on her self . martia , the unspotted daughter of varro , ( who is styled romanorum doctissimus , the most learned man of the once most learned nation the romans ) was of such admirable and undefiled chastity , that she being most excellent in the ingenious art of painting , did so alienate her pencil from any thing that might have the least appearance of dalliance or vvantonness , that she was never known to draw the face of a man ; and the same is storied of lala sizizena , of equal excellency both in that art and virtue . selymus , the grand seignior , had several stately ships sent him as presents , ( tho they never were in his possession ) and in the richest of them all , was a noble cyprian lady , destinated to the lust of the mahumedan empire ; who to prevent so barbarous a rape , fired certain barrels of gun-powder , by the violence whereof , both the vessel and the booty in it was in part burned , in part drowned . a famous and heroick act ( saith my author ) inferiour to none of the roman dames , so much commended in their stories , tho more to be commended in a roman , than a christian lady . matilda , the beautiful english virgin , was the daughter of robert fitz-walter , the most valiant knight of that age , being in the year of our lord 1213. it is recorded there arose a great discord between king john and his barons upon the account of matilda ( for her matchless beauty surnamed the fair ) whom the king caress'd and courted , tho lasciviously ; but was so deservedly unsuccessful , that he could neither obtain her own , nor her father's consent to any act so sordid and unlawful ; whereupon ( and for other like causes ) issued war ( commonly known by the name of the barons wars ) throughout the whole realm : to revenge which indignity ( as king john misjudged it ) he exil'd the said fitzwalter , with others , demolish'd his castle call'd baynard , and other his stately structures ; this done , he sent his messageur d'amour to renew his old , yet not extinguish'd amours to matilda , who treated her with all the respect and reverence imaginable ; but ineffectually ; she being too worthy to be his whore , tho too worthless to be his wife , and he most inhumanly and prophanely , quia noluit consentire toxicavit eam , because she would not expose her pure body to his impure embraces , poisoned her with a poached egg , in the very nunnery where she fled for sanctuary , and preservation of her chastity against the fiery assaults of a burning and salacious prince , and was afterward interr'd in the little church of dunmow in essex . in the time of heraclius , the roman emperour , there was a certain maid named phara , who made a vow of chastity ; but at length , partly in obedience to her father's commands , partly being tired out with assiduous and unintermitted importunities , was overpersuaded to a married life ; but withall , rack'd with internal regret , and overwhelm'd with insupportable grief , that in an inconsiderable space of time such an ocean of tears fell from the cataracts of her eyes , that she wept her self blind . when the city of amileia was taken by the barbarous huns , a lady of honourable parentage and noble descent ( 't is pitty that ever the spunge of oblivion should have wip'd her name out of the records of time ) being taken captive , and finding it decreed by cruel fate , that death , or the loss of chastity must be her bitter potion , made choice of the former ( tho the king of terrours ) rather than the latter ; which she thus effected : for by a pious fraud ( and so it was , if ever any deceit merited that name ) she feigned to condescend to the will and lust of her intended ravisher , and at length with prayers and tears ( two prevalent arguments , even with the most profligate barbarians ) obtain'd leave of her brutish keeper , to go and petition the gods to pardon so foul a crime , desiring to be conducted to the top of the house ; where she no sooner arriv'd , but said , with a charming look and an undaunted resolution , villain , if thou wilt enjoy me , follow me , and immediately precipitated her self , and was broken to pieces with the fall , preferring the loss of her life before that of her chastity . baldraca , a maid both young and beautiful ( two charming qualifications ) tho of very poor and mean parentage , and too too cruelly harass'd by penury and want ; yet could not otho , one of the twelve roman caesars , subdue her inexpugnable chastity with all the batteries of bribery , or alliciating and fascinating temptations of power and grandeur ; resolving to live chastly in a homely rural hovel , rather than dissolutely in a princely palace , or imperial apartment . lucia , a fair virgin of syracuse in sicily , adorn'd with inward and outward perfections , both of body and mind , her very eyes cast such a sparkling and irresistable lustre , that she inflamed the syracusan tyrant , dionysius , insomuch that he was captivated with their beauty , even to the highest dotage , and used all possible means fairly ( if possible ) to obtain her , and she on the contrary , to frustrate his wanton desires ; but at length he resolv'd to conquer by force , since he could not by courship , and acquainted her therewith , who inveighing against her fad fate , and the occasion thereof , her eyes , pluck'd them out , and presented them to the tyrant ; saying , take my eyes , which thou so much admirest , and satisfie thy exorbitant appetite and desire ; by which , more than manly action , she secur'd her chastity . sextus marius , the roman , had a beautiful daughter , who so moved tiberius the emperour , that his thoughts were solely taken up with her matchless features ; which amorous intrigue , as soon as it reach'd her father's ear , he sent her into the countrey , to remove that admir'd object from him , and to try if her absence might cure the lascivious distemper that he labour'd under ; but he left nothing unatrempted which love instructs men with , in such cases , to gratifie his libidinous and unlawful passion ; so that all means proving ineffectual , he , at last , had recourse to base and sordid practises , beneath an emperour , or man , and caused an accusation to be brought against her , ( by foul and damnable subornation ) of incest with her own father . she perceiving there was no possibility of escaping the tyrant's hands , accosts her father with this resolute language ; sir , said she , let him not dispose of us both to his will , and leave an indeleble stain upon our names and posterity , but rather let us dy honourably . her father , astonish'd and asham'd to be moved to so heroic an action by his daughter , kill'd himself first , and she did the like after him . a religious votaress , whose chaste bosom was a sacred recluse , dedicated to goodness , upon the rencounter of a lascivious lover , return'd this modest answer ; sir , i honour you so much , that i have chosen rather to suffer , than by my tyrannous beauty to make you a prisoner . whereupon she discovered her face , in complexion much alter'd by some impostur'd colours , that she caused to be laid upon it : upon the sight thereof , he solemnly vow'd to relinquish his suit , imagining that she had poison'd her face to wean him from his impure affection ; which she had no sooner said , but running to a spring near adjoyning , to wash it off ; see , continued she , i am the same i was , but you are much better , for now you are brought to see your error , in being so much taken with a skin-deep beauty , which only consists in dye and colour . i have heard of a noble lady in my time , ( saith the same author ) whose descent and desert equally proclame her worth , so tender of the esteem of her honour , that she held it scarce safe to receive any letter from a great personage , whose reputation was touched by rumor ; a good way to preserve her honour impregnable , and to raise it above the reach of calumny . this might be illustrated by several instances ; and first , those locrian virgins deserve eternal memory , it being the custom of locris , their native countrey , to send the virgins to troy , which practice continued for the space of a thousand years , yet it was never heard , by any authentick history , that any of those maids were ever devirginated ; a number of years almost as prodigious as their not to be exampled chastity . who can likewise pass over in silence those seven milesian virgins , who , at such time as the conquering gauls raged and raved every where , harrasing all places they came to , and ravishing all females they met with , ( subjecting all to fire and faggot ) deprived themselves of life , rather than to be deprived by hostile force of their honour . but to instance in this for all ( for it would be too voluminous , i cannot say tedious , to enumerate particulars . ) the island of chios ; now cio , 't is reported by incontrovertible tradition , that the laws of honour and chastity were by the ladies of that countrey preserved inviolably for the space of seven hundred years complete . tutia , a vestal virgin , prov'd her chastity by the old , miraculous way of carrying water in a sieve , ( a trial among the romans , ( tho a most unreasonable one ) whereby she clear'd her self from the horrid accusation of incest . the lady ebbe , with her chaste nuns , to avoid the savage and filthy pollution of the barbarians , disfigur'd themselves , by cutting off their noses and upper lips , lest the bain of their beauty should prove the bain of their honour and honesty . if it should be objected , that anaxarete was cruel in seeing iphis hang himself in despair , at her own door , because he could not obtain her love ; to this mr. mountague answers very pertinently and pithily , accomp . wom. p. 101. the refusal was just , because the demand was not so ; 't was an offender that did injustice on himself for his temerity . worthy women value less the ruin of importunate men , than of their own honour ; and it were to be ill-advis'd to be cruel to themselves , to be so unfittingly pitiful to insolence or detraction . of conjugal constancy . valerius maximus reconeth the loss of aemilia , wife of africanus senior , beyond a parallel in any of the other sex , for the conquest of her jealousie ( the most tyrannical passion in man or woman ) conniving at her husband's entertainment of her unappointed official or maid ; and all ( saith he ) ne domitoremorbis impudicitiae reum ageret , that she might not stain her husband's triumphs with the imputation of incontinency ; an action , wherein , not only she , but other women , have far outstript all men , saith cornelius agrippa , ( the female's professed champion ) as he instanceth in sarah , leah , rachel , &c. alceste , daughter of peliast , king of thessaly , seeing her husband grievously distemper'd , and hearing from the oracle of apollo , that it was not in the power of drugs , or art of physick to recover him , unless some of his nearest relations did dye to save him ; and when all his friends and followers , nay his very parents , etsi decrepiti , tho decrepit , with one foot already in the grave , refused , through a servile fear ; she undauntedly with a brave and generous courage , tho in the prime of her blooming years , sacrificed her self , for which noble act , she hath been highly celebrated by the greek and latin poets , particularly by euripides . priscana , an affectionate and virtuous wife , knowing that her husband was afflicted with a dangerous and incurable maladie , taking pitty of him for the insufferable pains , that she was sensible he endured , with great constancy and a generons soul advised him to put a period to his grief by the only infallible remedy , death ; promising to accompany him therein ; whereunto her husband consenting , went to the summet of a high rock , and there lovingly enfolded in each others arms , they precipitated themselves together in the sea ; whose praise a french (*) poet sings thus sweetly ; which i have here transcribed at large for the excellency thereof ; and the satisfaction of those ladies that are expert in that language . priscana aima mieux son mari ; quae soy mesme ; car pour finir son malelle advanza le sien ; son amour fut extreme en un peril extreme ; il faut aimer du tout , on n' aimer die tout rien : voyant mourant en luy , & son coeur & son ame , elle n'eust pas le coeur de survivre a son coeur : le mari , eut de l'heur en une telle femme , mais en un tel mari la femme eut du malheur : comme ils furent conjoints es actes de la joye , ils le furent aussi es actes de l'ennuy ; le chemin fut egal , mais diverse la voye , son mari vit par elle , elle mourut pour luy. camma , the wife of sinaltus ( of whom 't was said 'tis a great difficulty to decide , whether she was most indetted to art , or nature ) whose affection to her husband was admirable : a famous lord ( sinorix by name ) highly descended , great in means and mighty in authority , caress'd and courted her with persuasions , tears , prayers , and all imaginable artifice , offering her his service , life , power , wealth and all whatsoever he was master of ; but these sollicitations and proffers , with the lustre of his quality , not having force enuf to shake the resolution of this lady , he determins to murder her husband , thinking him to be the cause ( whilst living ) that all his hopes were frustrated , which he effects accordingly ; and after this cruelty so perpetrated , he acquaints her friends with his earnest and violent desires to marry her , who were very willing to be allied to a person of that nobility and fortune , and overpersuaded her to embrace so advantageous an offer ; camma seems pleased with the motion , and consents , the better to revenge her husbands death ; the wedding day being appointed , and nothing but the ceremony of marriage wanting , camma , with a smiling countenance , takes sinorix by the hand , and they both prostrated themselves at the altar of diana ; and after she had poured , in honour of the godess , a cup full of poisoned hydromel , drank the one half to him , and gave him the reft , who pledg'd her very joyfully , not imagining in the least , there was death in the cup ; she seeing her design take effect , cast her self down witn reverence before the image of diana , to whom she rendred thanks , and beg'd pardon in this short ejaculation : great goddess ! thou knowest with what constraint and purpose i consented to the marriage of this murderer ; if grief could kill , as often as it is extreme , i had bin long since in the elysian fields , the place of bliss and happiness for all departed souls ; but i refused not to continue here for an opportune time to take a full revenge on this perfidious wretch , whom here thou seest , and yet believes that i can love him , tho he hath rob'd me of my dearest sinaltus : then turning to languishing sinorix , said , thou barbarous villain ! consider with thy self and confess what right i have to sacrifice thy life to that which thou hast taken from my beloved husband ; and have only deferr'd my own end to give posterity a more remarkable testimony of my love and thy cruetly : camma was so happy as to see sinorix dye first , tho he drank last ; and the gods gave her this satisfaction for her loyalty , who ended her life joyfully , calling upon sinaltus to show him the revenge she had taken of his death , and to accompany her in the passage to the other world. can there be a more noble and resolute example of constancy given to the world by man , than this heroic action ? and was not he a cynic , who maintain'd , that among the whole female sex there could not be found one woman constant ? but this does too apparently confute that groundless and erroneous assertion . portia , the wife of brutus , and daughter of cato , hearing that her husband was vanquished in the battel at philippi , and slain ; she fear'd not by her womanish courage to imitate , if not exceed her father's resolution in his death ; for when all weapons and instruments of death were strictly kept from her , she expir'd by swallowing hot , burning coals ; herein only they differ , that he by a common , she by an unheard of death was extinguished . lucretia , daughter of tricipitinus , praefect of rome , and wife to tarquinius collatinus ; sextus tarquinius was enamour'd and captivated by her admirable beauty ; but he , tho the son of a king , not prevailing by courtship , resolved to force her ; and accordingly , having found an opportunity , violently rush'd into her bed-chamber with his sword drawn , ( and a look more terrible than the sword , nay , death it self ) resolving not only to kill her , if she did not yield to his embraces , but after he had murdered her , to lay the dead body of a slave in her arms ; to the end those that should find her in that posture , might think her slain as an adulteress : she , terrified with these menaces , accompanied with furious and wild looks , and trembling like a tender lamb , that 's newly yean'd upon a cake of ice , he bruitishly ravished her ; but in the morning , she sent for her father , husband , and the rest of her friends , and breaking forth into a deluge of tears , acquainted them with the inhuman rape of the barbarous tyrant ; and immediately , pulling out a knife , ( the fatal instrument which she had procur'd for that purpose ) stab'd her self . her relations hereupon make a publick discovery of the hellish fact to the people , who forthwith took up arms , drove that family out of rome , and banished , or rather extirpated , both their king and kingship . t. collatinus is said to have engraven this inscription upon his wife's monument , yet extant at rome , in the bishop of viterbo's palace . collatinus tarquinius dulciffimae conjugi ; & ineomparabili pudicitiae decori , mulierum gloriae , vixit annis 32 , mensibus 2 , diebus 6. proh dolor ! quae fuit charissima . sophronia , a roman lady , seeing that she could by no means possible avoid the importunate and lascivious suit of decius , for the preservation of her chastity , rather than subscribe to his courtship , by the consent of her own husband , to whom she communicated his intended lascivious amours , gave her soul a pass-port into the elysian shades by the point of a sword. sulpitia , being strictly kept up , and circumspectly watched by her mother julia , for fear she should follow her husband lentulus crustellio , then banished by the triumvirat , and confin'd to sicily . she , notwithstanding the watchful eye of her parent , put on the apparel of a servant , attended only with two hand-maids , and as many men-servants , privately pass'd through their guards and watches , and by secret flight came incognita to the place whither he was proscribed ; leaving all the pleasures and delicacies of rome , to participate with the miseries of her exil'd husband . hipsicratea presents her self next , a rare example of matrimonial association , in adverse as well as prosperous fortune ; trooping with her husband mithridates ( king of pontus ) in man's apparel , ruffling her incomparable beauty with hardships of weather , exposing her tenderness , nay life , to such perils as might daunt , even masculine courage ; a comfort ( saith my author ) to her husband , when expell'd his kingdom ; cum domo enim , & penatibus vagari se credidit , vxore simul exulante , thinking himself at home and in his own territories , as long as she sweetned his exile by her sweet society : and , as another observes , she assisted him in all labours and hazards of the warin a masculine habit , departing with the chief ornament of her beauty ; tonsis enim capillis , equo se & armis assuefecit , quo facilius laboribus & periculis ejus interesset . she shaved her hair , and accustomed her self to arms and riding , that she might share with him the better in his labours and dangers : and afterward , in his flight from pompey , surnamed the great , accompanied him in all his misfortunes , with a mind and body equally unwearied . she is solemnly registred by this grave author , as a noble precedent of matrimonial loyalty , and conjugal virtue , such as might raise a mean person to the quality of a queen , but a queen to the state and honour of a deess . penelope , the wife of vlysses , of whom one says , penelope for spending chast her days , as worthy as ulysses was of praise . brathw . p. 328 , 329. a daily siege she suffered , and in her conquest equal was she to those victorious peers of greece , who made troy their triumph ; estimation was her highest prize ; suitors she got , and those many , yet among them her dear vlysses was never forgot , and absence had not estranged her affection : youthful comforts could not move in her thoughts the least distraction , neither could opportunity induce her to give way to any light action . well might greece then esteem her penelope of more lasting fame than any pyramid that ever she erected ; her unblemish'd reputation was of far purer materials than any ivory statue ; nor was rome less beholding to her lucretia , who sought honor at so high a rate , that she held death too light to redeem it . tho force frights foes , and furies gaz'd upon her ; these were no wounds , but wonders to her honour . the presence of a prince , no less amorous than victorious , could not win her , tho with him , price , prayers and power did joyntly woe her . well deserved two such modest matrons the choicest embraces of two such heroick champions , as might equal their constant loves with the tender of their dearest lives . claudia , the daughter of claudius apollinaris , and wife of statius papinius , the neapolitan , was so chast and modest that she preserved her conjugal love and fidelity unblemished and undefil'd in the absence of her husband for twenty years complete ; a second ( and modern ) penelope . olympias , wife of philip of macedon , and mother to alexander the great 〈◊〉 being puff'd up with his success and victories , fondly caused himself to be call'd the son of jupiter hammon , wrote to his mother in this manner ; king alexander , the son of jupiter hammon , to his mother olympias sends health ; to whom with great prudence and modesty she rescrib'd ; dear son , as you love me , instead of doing me honour , proclame not my dishonour , neither accuse me before jealous juno ; besides it is a great aspersion you cast upon me , to make me a strumpet , tho to jupiter himself ; a great moderation in a woman , who for no swelling titles , or vain ostentation , would be won to lose the honour of being call'd a chast and loyal wife ; a pretty droling check to the vain glory of her aspiring and ambitious son. the noble lady armenia , being solemnly invited to the wedding of king cyrus , went thither with her husband , in the evening , to be a witness to the complete solemnization of those royal rites ; but being return'd , her husband ak'd her how she lik'd the bridegroom ? whether he was not an amiable and comly prince ? to whom she gave this answer ; indeed sir , i know not ; for all the while i was at that solemnity , i fix'd my eye upon no person in the company , but your self . hiero being in company with an inveterat enemy , who could find no means to fasten an affront upon him at last reproached him with a stinking breath ; at which , being not a little disgusted , he went home in a fury , and blamed his wife for not acquainting him therewith ; that so by some artificial helps he might have cur'd or abated that same noisomness ; but was soon appeased with her answer , when she made him this modest reply ; i thought all men had the like savor . biblia , a fair lady , wife of duellius , was so chast , that she never touch'd the lips of any man , but her husband , and therefore thought all men , like him , to have a noisom stinking breath . bona dea , a woman so called in rome , who was so much ravished with the society of her husband , and so averse to all other , that she never saw any other man all her life-time , which was the reason the women sacrificed to her in the night , as a chast and pure goddess . caja caecilia , ( alias tanaquil ) the wife of caius tarquinius , was so chast and good , that those who design'd to enter into the bands of matrimony , used frequently to repeat her name for good luck sake , as they superstitiously conceiv'd ; her constant motto was , vbi tu caja , ibi ego , caja . it was an excellent and witty answer of the lacedaemonian wives , who being wantonly courted , made this reply ; certainly , we should give way to your request , but this you sue for is not in our power to grant , and no wise man will request impossibilities : for when we were maids , we were at the disposal of our parents , and now , being wives , of our husbands : an innocent and unanswerable dilemma . i have lately seen a discourse ( saith the * author ) intituled a true narrative of rathean herpine ; who ( about the time that spinola , the bavarian , first entred the palatinate ) finding her husband , christopher ( thaeon by name ) apoplex'd in all his limbs and members , with an invincible courage , and unparallel'd affection , at several journeys , bore him on her back , the space of one thousand three hundred english miles to a bath , for his recovery . let any of those female criticks produce me a parallel to this story in any of their own sex. eleanor , the daughter of ferdinand , king of castile , was given in marriage to edward the first , king of england , and accompanied him into the holy land ; who , when he was at ptolemais , happened to be dangerously wounded by anzazin , with the assassin's invenom'd knife , which could not be cur'd by physicians ; being given over by them , his wife betook her self to a strange and unheard of cure ; day by day , she lick'd the wound with her tongue , and suck'd out the venemous humors , till the wound was cauteris'd and heal'd ; whereupon a learned man breaks out into this exclamation . quid igitur hujus mulieris side rarius audiri ? quid mirabilius essepotest ? &c. what greater fidelity than this womans ? what more wonderful thing can be ; * so soverain a medicine is a womans tongue , anointed with the virtue of loving affection . upon her return from the holy land , she died at hardeby , a town near lincoln , and king edward , in recompence of her conjugal love , and memory of so dear a wife , at every place where her corps rested , in her removal thence , he erected a rich cross of stone , with the queen's image and arms ; as at grantham , woborn , northamton , stony-stratford , dunstable , st. albans , waltham , west-cheap , and charing-cross , from whence she was carried to westminister , and there interr'd with great state , pomp and solemnity . these are examples of single women , we will add and conclude with those of a whole town , guelph in wittenberg by name , which when conrade the third emperour besieged , and could not by any means be dissuaded from sacking the town , and putting all the inhabitants to the sword ; at last , by the importunity of the women , who rushed out of the town , and cast themselves at his feet , he granted their politick and pious request , and published a diploma , that they should depart the town without the least molestation or disturbance , and carry so much with them as they could bear , and no more , who all unanimously agreeing , left all their portable riches and treasure , and the countess carried her husband guelph on her back , and the rest their husbands , after her example : at the sight of so great conjugal love and affection , and this witty stratagem , the emperour conceived so great pleasure and delight , that bursting into tears of joy , ( his courage could not prevent his compassion in so eminent a case ) he did not only divest himself of his intended fierceness and fury , but spared the town , pardoned guelph and his adherents , and entred into a firm league of friendship with them for the future ; nay farther , the bare narration of this story ( as bodin , an excellent historian reports ) recovered lorenzo de medici of a dangerous distemper which had baffled all the art of physick before , and was thereby restor'd to his former health , without any medicinal applications . vidual continency . an extraordinary and rare example of vidual continency was artemisia , queen of caria , who living chast ever after the death of her husband mausolus , got all his ashes in an urn , of which she took a dram every morning in some liquid vehicle next her heart , saying , that her body was the fittest place to be a sepulchre for her dearest consort ; notwithstanding , that she had erected another outward tomb for him at halicarnasseus , which continues to this day , for its stateliness one of the wonders of the world ; thus she continued this dose every morning , till it was all drunk off , but being wasted with continual lamentations and grief , dwindled away , till at last she died of a consumption : nay , at this day , in several parts of the oriental world , such is the rare love of wives to their deceased husbands , that they throw themselves alive into the funeral pile , tho in the flower of their years , to accompany their bodies ( as they conceit ) into the other world. it is reported by an holy father , that when cato's daughter's daughter had mourned four weeks for her husband , a certain matron coming to comfort , and dissuade her from excessive grief ; asked her at last how long she intended to mourn ? she made her this reply , ( so great was her affection to her husband ) that she would make an end of mourning , when she made an end of living . zenobia , queen of armenia , seeing her husband defeated in a battel , and not being able to follow him , being big with child , begg'd of him very earnestly to kill her , that she might not fall into the rude and unmerciful hands of the enemies ; which he thinking to do , wounded her with with his sword ; but being taken , and carefully look'd after , recover'd her health ; and tiridates , who vanquished her husband , married her ( which she could not oppose , being at the disposal and mercy of her enemy ) for the great affection he found in her to her consort ; but tho her condition was the same , and she was still a queen , yet she liv'd a melancholic and solitary life ; and being ask'd by some of her ladies of honour , why she did not adorn her self suitable to her degree , and appear with grandeur and splendor at publick interviews and solemnities , as other women did ; she made this answer ; it pleaseth me , that i have for my ornament the virtue of my deceased husband . next , give me leave to acquaint you with a story of clara cervanda , who for conjugal chastity , and vidual continency , i am persuaded history has no parallel . this clara cervanda was the wife of bernard valdaura , related by an eminent author , who was very well acquainted with her ; this excellent woman was a native of the city of bruges in flanders , and married with valdaura , then about forty years of age ; and the first night he bedded her , his legs were swell'd with linnen rolls , ( a sign of an unsound and diseas'd husband ) yet ( to be short ) she and her mother attended so diligently on him for six weeks together , that they never put off their clothes but only to shift them , never went into bed , nor slept above an hour or two in a night , and that in their apparel ; the ground of this was the french disease , and she notwithstanding did recover him for a while ; insomuch as some persons said , that god had decreed to take away valdaura , but his wife was obstinately resolv'd not to let him depart out of her hands ; and tho his breath through that corrupt and nauseous distemper , was very unsavoury , yet she was offended with vives for saying so ; nay farther , she sold all her rings , jewels , and plate , to maintain him in his sickness , had several children by him , and when he died , tho so loathsomly diseas'd , her sorrow was excessive ; and tho she was not in years , yet she vowed never to marry again , because she question'd whether she should ever meet with so loving a husband as her dearly beloved bernard valdaura . what singular mirrors of vidual continency and matron-like modesty were cornelia , vetruria , livia , and the most excellent widow salvina , to whom st. jerom directed many sweet and comfortable epistles ? brathwait p. 340 , 341. the government , politie , valor , and courage of women . the abilities and faculties of the soul appear in civil and ecclesiastical affairs , in matters of government and religion ; in neither of these are we destitute of examples of able women , and for state-affairs and government our late age hath given us a queen that former kings have scarcely equal'd ; and in the venetian story 't is recorded , that certain matrons of that city were sent by commission in quality of ambassadours ; and many times the voices of great men in the greatest of civil or ecclesiastical assemblies , have bin in the power and disposition of women ; hence it is , that in the elder times we find as many epistles of the bishops of rome ( when they stood in need of court-assistance ) to the emperours wives , mothers , sisters , and women of other interests in the emperours favour and affection , as to the emperours themselves . it is an historical observation , that at one time the crown fell to the lot of women , and those all of one name , viz. mary : it was so with us in england and scotland ; it was so in denmark and hungary too , all four maries ; and indeed mary is the name of woman in general ; for when adam saith of eve , she shall be called woman , in the arabick translation it is , she shall be called mary ; and in pure hebrew it signifies exaltation . hormisda was a great and mighty man among the persians , and one of most noble extract : one of that name among them , as several authors commemorate , being confined to a certain mountain , was there fettered , and kept by a strict guard of persians , who , against the law of that kingdom , purposed to invest his younger brother in the state imperial ; but it happened , during his confinement , that his wife ( the remembrance of whose name 't is great pity that time hath abolished , and not left it to posterity ) thus contriv'd and procur'd his enlargement ; she sent him a fish , as a present , of an extraordinary bigness , and in the belly conveyed an iron file , and some other engines fit for his purpose , committing it to the care and charge of one of her most faithful eunuchs ; desiring her husband , by his mouth , not to have the fish cut up in the presence of any persons whatsoever , only to make an happy use of such things as he should find-inclosed therein . to his keepers ( the better to hide the stratagem ) she sent camels laden with several meats and wines . hormisda soon apprehending the plot , gave it a bold and resolute performance ; for having first filed off his irons , he changed habit with his eunuch , and taking advantage of their feasting and carouzing , passed safely through them all ; and by the contrivance and politie of his wife , came at length to the possession of his undoubted right which his younger brother had usurped . cyrus , having alienated the persians from king astyages , was overcome in battel , his souldiers flying toward the city for refuge ; insomuch that the enemy was ready to enter with them ; but the women perceiving it , issued out of the gates , holding up their cloaths as high as their breasts , met them running , and reproved them , saying , o ye cowards , and basest of men , whither flye you ? have you any hopes to hide your selves in these places from whence you came ? this object cast such a shameful blush upon them , that returning , and renewing the battel smartly , defeated the conquerours , and they obtain'd a glorious victory : in memory of which action , cyrus made a law , that what persian king soever should approach that city , at his entry thereof should bestow on every woman there a piece of gold. the renowned matron , commonly called arria mater , ( because she had a daughter of the same name ) understanding that poetus , her husband was condemned to dye , and willing that he should expire with his own hand , rather than by the stroke of a common hang-man ; persuaded him to a roman resolution ; but finding him somewhat terrified at the approach of his death ; she snatch'd up a sword , wherewith she transpierced her self ; and then with an undaunted courage , pluck'd it off her bosom , and presented it to her husband , with these few and last words , poete , non dolet , behold , poetus , it hath done me no harm , and so fell down dead at his feet . in whose commendation the witty * epigramatist hath made an epigram , whereby he celebrates her matchless resolution to all succeeding times . 't is reported of valasca , queen of the bohemians , who for her courage obtain'd the surname of bold , that having ( by reason of the roughness and insolence of men which they lived under in the time of primislaus ) made a conjuration with those of her own sex , to take away all the usurped jurisdiction and prerogative of men ; and instructed them in military discipline , levied a war , met with their husbands , engaged them , and totally routed them , by which means they obtained the soverain power ( as the amazons had done before them ) and for many years managed all affairs of state , offensive and defensive , without the advice or council of any men whatsoever . zenobia , queen of the palinyrians , after the death of her husband odenatus , took upon her the imperial regency ; and among other warlike actions , made the kingdom of syria tributary to her ; nor wanted she courage to take up arms against aurelianus , the roman emperour , but had the misfortune to be overcome , and led captive in triumph to rome ; but when it was objected to caesar by some of his friends ( who certainly was a friend likewise to that sex ) as a dishonour and reproach to triumph over a woman ; he answer'd , it was no disgrace at all , being over such a woman , as excell'd most men in masculine virtue : of whom pontanus makes honorable mention , qualis & aethiopum quondam sitientibus arvis in fulvum regina gregem , &c. artemisia queen of caria , after the death of her husband , was admired all over greece , who , not only in a naval expedition overcame the invading rhodians ; but pursued them , even to their own coast , and took possession of the island , amidst whose ruins she caused her own glorious statue to be erected ; of herodotus . whom the greek historian saith farther ; i cannot sufficiently admire at this martial queen , who unintreated , or uncompell'd , followed the expedition of xerxes against greece , out of her own courage and excellency of spirit , in which war she furnished five ships at her own charge , in the great sea-fight , near salamine ; to behold which battel xerxes had retired , and stood but as a spectator : and justin saith , lib. 2. there was to be seen in xerxes womanish fear , and in artemisia male audacity ; for she demeaned her self to the consternation of all men ; of whose vessels the king taking special notice ( not knowing to whom they belonged ) nor in whose management they then were ; one spake to the king and said ; great lord , behold you not how bravely the queen artemisia bears her self this day ? the king could not at first believe , that such resolution could be in that sex ; but at length ( notwithstanding her brave service ) he perceiv'd his navy put to flight , said sighing ; my men this day have shewed themselves women , and there is but one woman among them , and she hath shewed her self a man. when the sabines demanded roman women in marriage , with their swords in their hands to revenge a refusal , the wise senate was puzled for an answer in such a case , where a denial would beget a certain war , or a grant hazard their state , because their alliance was but a color to make themselves masters of rome . tutola , being very young , presented her self with her advice ( which at first surprized them , but afterward succeeded to the glory of the romans and shame of the strangers ) and after she perceiv'd a great irresolution in the discourse of so many old senators , whom experience should have furnished with good council ; proposed this , that they would agree to their demands and dress up their maids like brides , and so carry them to the sabines , who preferred their pleasure before their designs of making war ; these slaves , seeing their pretended husbands in a sound sleep , subtilly stole away their armor , and advertised the roman soldiers thereof , by a lighted torch , who came upon them , and carried away a victory , wherein fortune had no part . one cannot praise enuf the courage , conduct , and affection of tutola , who found an expedient for the common-wealth , when the whole senate and nation could find nothing , but fear and apprehension . the same author saith farther , p. 324 , 325. as for fortitude , which the male bragadochios think intail'd on the breeches , the women of argos will soon confute that vain conceit ; who , upon the instigation of a valiant she-wit and poetess , telesilla by name , took up arms , maintain'd the walls and repell'd the enemy with great loss . was not here both mercury and mars , wit , valour , poetry and fortitude , and all in long coats ? and it is observable what solemnity they kept in memory of this valiant enterprise , namely the hybristica sacra , in plain english , their upbraiding festivals , wherein the women wore the breeches , and the men their wives apparel . what resolution did the french ladies show at the siege of beauvais ( which was part of the glory of the victory ) anno 1472. when they presented themselves valiantly , and more than man-like upon the walls , casting wild-fire , stones , scalding oyl , and water upon the enemies , and so repulsed charles duke of burgundy with his forces : nay , there was to be seen in the jacobins church at beauvais , an ensign , which a woman , joan foucquet by name , wrested out of an ensign-bearers hands , who had gain'd the top of the walls . this demonstrates , that virtue makes no distinction of sexes , and that there are women to be found who may teach men both to live and dye . in plato's commonwealth women are call'd to politick and military charges , and antisthenes made no difference between masculine and feminine vertue . nay , the ladies of aquileia depriv'd themselves of their only ornament , their hair , and gave it to be us'd in an exigency , for bow-strings , against the emperour maximinus ; and the roman and marcellian dames did the same . cyrus , king of persia , ( whom the greek historian makes the pattern of all monarchs ) relied upon the prudent advice of his wife aspasia , yet after he had conquer'd the kingdom of the medes , and all asia , having reign'd happily the space of nine years , waged war against thomyris queen of scythia , lost 100000 men in two battels , and at last was overthrown , and taken prisoner by the queen her self , and put to death , in revenge of her son spargapices , whom he had slain in battel ; whereupon the french poet sings thus ; les femmes ont passe les hommes de leur age , en puissance , en conseil , en prudence en courage ; monstrans a leur sujects de parole & fait la vertu de leur sexe , invincible & parfait . amalaunta , the learned and heroic queen of the ostrongoths , and daughter to theodoric , reduced the state of the goths to a good condition , reformed the disorders and corruption that her father introduced , and left among them , expell'd the germans and burgundians out of italy , and reigned very fortunately several years . penthisilea , queen of the amazons , succeeded orythia , she was present in the trojan war , and took their part against the grecks ; and as justin gives her testimony , inter fortissimos viros magna ejus virtutis documenta extitere . she is no where mention'd , but with the preface of honour and vertue , and is always advanced in the head of the worthiest women . diodorus siculus , hist . 1.2 . makes her the daughter of mars ; she was renowned in her death likewise , to have it by the hand of achilles , of which the poet propertius , 1.3 . eleg. 10. sings this triumph ; aurea cui postquam nudavit cassida frontem , vicit victorem candida forma virum . boadicia , or voadicia , by some call'd bunduica and bunduca , who , since she was born at home , we will first honor her with a homebred testimony , from the grave and diligent spencer , in his ruines of time , — bunduca britones , bunduca , the victorious conqueress . that lifting up her brave heroic thought 'bove womens weakness , with the romans fought ; fought , and in field against them thrice prevail'd , &c. this amazonian queen was the widdow of prasutagus , king of the iceni ( the antient inhabitants of cambridge , suffolk , norfolk and huntingtonshire ) a great and rich prince ; who , at his death , left nero his heir and his two daughters ; hoping thereby to free his house from injuries ; but it fell out contrary : for no sooner was he dead , but his kingdom was spoiled by the roman centurions , his house ransac't by slaves , his wife cruelly beaten and his daughter fordidly ravished ; besides the chief men of the iceni ( as if the whole region had bin given up as a prey ) were deprived of their goods by violence , and his kinsmen esteemed as slaves and captives . with which contumely , and fear of greater mischief , they conspire with the trinobantes ( the inhabitants of middlesex and essex ) and others , not yet inur'd to servitude , to resume their liberty ; and firstset upon the garrison of the veteran soldiers ( whom they most hated ) defeated the 9 th legions . whereof they slew all the foot ; put cerealis the legat and leander to flight , and put to the sword 70000 romans , with their associats inhabiting the municipal town camelodunum , now walden , as also london and verulam , before suetonius , the governour of the province , could assemble the rest of the dispersed forces , to make head against their army conducted by boadicia ; who ( with her two daughters , brought into the field to move compassion and revenge ) incites to the noble and manly work of liberty ; which to recover she protests to hold herself there , but as one of the vulgar ( without weighing her great honour and birth ) resolved to conquer , or dye : many of their wives did likewise appear in the camp to encourage their husband's valour ; but , in the end , suetonius got the victory , with the slaughter of 80000 britains ; voadicia seeing this fatal overthrow of her , was notwithstanding unvanquished in her own undaunted and invincible spirit ; and scorning to be a spectacle in their triumphs , or a vassal to their will , after the example of cleopatra , she put a period to her misery and life by poison . you may see her harangues to her soldiers made by * tacitus , the historian , wherein is expressed the magnitude of her spirit , thirsting honorably after the redemption and liberty of her country ; and joh. xiphilinus in epist . in neron . doth honest her besides with a particular and honorable mention ; bunduica , britannica foemina , orta stirpe regia &c. bunduica , a british lady , of royal extract ; one , who not only presided over them , but also administred all military affairs , whose spirit was rather viril then feminine ; and afterward , foemina forma honestissima , vultu severo ; a woman of a comly presence , but severe aspect , all which doth contribute the more to her true praise , because it proceeded from the mouth of the romans , her enemies . pasquier in his recherches de la france , saith , lib. 6. ca. 33. i will not pry into antiquity ; do but observe what hath passed in europe during thirty five years ; five or six great kingdoms governed by women ; france by katharin de medici , queen mother ; england by queen elizabeth , scotland by mary , portugal fallen into the hands of the infanta , daughter of queen leonora ; navarre and bearn by the queen joanna , and finally flanders and other low countries by the dutchess of parma , bastard sister to philip king of spain : to enumerat the particulars on this subject , would swell this into too great a volume : therefore i shall not trouble you with queen elizabeth at home , whose story is too prolix and too generally known ; only take this character of her and the lady jane gray by the learned lady anna maria schurman ( of whom more hereafter ) j'oserois opposer une seule elizabet ensa vie , reine d'angleterre , & une jane gray a toutes les illustres femmes de la grece & de la rome encienne ; i durst bring one sole elizabeth , in her life queen of england , and one jane gray in opposition to all the illustrious dames of antient grece and rome . i have bin more copious in this subject than any , to prove that most robust and rugged virtue of fortitude is as eminent in women as men ; but i will conclude with that of the philosopher ( tho one of the greatest of enemies to women ) who having given testimony , that he prefer'd truth before hatred , confesseth , that women did mannage , among the lacedaemonians , the affairs of greatest importance . it is a custom false and unjust , not antient , to reject women from public and particular government , as if they were fit for nothing but to stitch or spin ; their wit is adapted for more elevated actions ; and if one will make remarks upon what they have done , it may be judg'd , without difficulty , what they are capable of doing : if men sometimes would take their advice , whom god hath given for their help and consolation in their affairs ; 't is probable they would have a happier success in their enterprizes , and these ensuing examples do sufficiently and apparently justifie that those praises we bestow upon that sex are not ill grounded ; but we have reason to maintain , that their prudence hath often bred remedy to the most desperat diseases of states , republics and kingdoms . of learned women and their affection to learning and learned men. nicostrate , the mother of evander , was the first that taught the latins their letters . pericles was admirable in eloquence and valiant in armes ; but he had teaching , education and eloquence from his noble and beautiful mistris aspatia ; afterward his wife . pythagoras and aristippus confess , that they receiv'd their chiefest secrets in philosophy from theoclea . polla argentina , the wife of lucan and statius , both noted poets , was so learned , that she corrected their books , namely , the three first of the pharsalian war , and the first book of statius . areta corvina , exceeding skilful in poesie , and hath surpassed pindar , the prince of greek lyric poets in the opinion of some critics ; she wrote five books of epigrams . hippatia , wife of isidore , wrote many books in astrologie , openly taught philosophie , and many sciences in alexandria , had many auditors . suidas . dama the daughter of pythagoras , excell'd in philosophie , and shewed her wisdom and learning in commenting upon her father's books . sosipatra , a lady of ladies , she was skilful in all sort of learning , and in all sciences , insomuch that she was said to be engendred of a deity . lesbia wrote a poem in the doric dialect , which is thought to contend with homer for the excellency of the verse . caia affrania , wife to lucius , was so fit for , and skil'd in law , that she pleaded often before many magistrates . clandia ruffina , a british lady , skill'd in the tongues celebrated by the epigrammatist . sappho , the lesbian , from whom came the sapphic verses ; she taught scholars , had three female pupils , and wrote four lyric books , epigrams , elegies , iambics and menias . the romans erected her a statue in porphiry , richly wrought , to perpetuate her memory . endocia , the wife of theodosius the younger , and daughter of leontius , the athenian sophister , cal'd athaenais , before she was baptized into the christian religion , and married to the emperour , then she was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; because , tho she was born of mean parentage , yet for the famous qualifications , both of her body and mind , she so pleased the emperour , that he took her into his bed , and made her his wife . she left and octateuch written in heroic verse , so called from the number of books , which she wrote , and they were eight . photius extremely commends this work ; she also made a metrical metaphrasis of daniel and zecariah the prophets , and three books in verse in praise of the blessed martyr cyprian . olympias , a thebaness , and famous physicianess . trota , or trotula , of salerno , a town in italy , a noble she-physician , who wrote a treatise of the diseases incident to women , and their cure. aloysia sigea , a spanish lady , versed in five languages , latin , greek , hebrew , syriac and chaldee . cassandra , a very learned venetian maid ; politian writes a whole epistle in her commendation . certum est enim , saith he , ep. li. 3. ep. 13. non minus ad cam invisendam , quam ad livium nostrum patavinum olim ab ultimis orbis partibus confluxisse plurimos , qui sui seculi ornamentum , sexus miraculum , & ingenii monstrum depraedicabant . 't is most certain that very many persons came from the most remote parts of the world to see her , no less then our patavinian livy , who did speak her to be the ornament of her age , the miracle of her sex , and a monster of ingenuity . annas comnenas , empress of the east , a learned woman ; she wrote eight books call'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , de rebus a patre jestis in greek . corinna , there were three learned women of that name , the first a theban , who is reported to have overcome pyndar , the prince of greek lyric poets , five times , and to have put forth five books of epigrams ; of whom propertius makes mention : the second a thespian , much celebrated by the antients ; the third flourished in the time of ovid , and was most dear to him . margaret queen of navar , sister to francis the first ; there are her memoires in public ; together with her poetical works . anna maria schurman , a learned woman , whom spanheim calls ultimum naturae in hoc sexu conatum , and decimam musam , &c. the dernier effort of nature in that sex , the tenth muse , &c. a dutch maid . she hath published her works in hebrew , greck , latin , french , prose and verse , in the third edition of which book , in the end , there are divers elogia of her by learned men : the loss of whose being out of town ( that is from vtrecht ) edward brown , physician to our king , seems to bewail , and to content himself with her picture , drawn by her own hand , with this inscription . cernitis hic picta nostros in imagine vultus . si negat ars formam , gratia vestra dabit . elizabeth weston , a learned english gentlewoman , commended by two of the greatest wits of our late modern age , joseph scaliger , and janus dousa . she hath written a book of poesie ; intituled parthenion , who admir'd her , as they say , before they had the happiness to be acquainted with her . margaret more , daughter of sir thomas more , attained that skill in all learning and languages , that she became the miracle of her age ; forreiners took such notice hereof , that erasmus dedicated some epistles to her ; no woman that could speak so well , spake so little ; whose secresie was such , that her father , lord chancellour of england , entrusted her with his most important affairs , such was her skil in the fathers , that she corrected a depraved place of st cyprian : for whereas it was corruptly written , nisi vos sinceritatis , she amended it nervos sinceritatis . this is acknowledged by two eminent authors , costerus and pamelion on that place ; nay farther , she translated eusebius out of the greek ; and mr. fuller hath placed them among the english worthies ; nay , his three daughters were all so learned , that erasmus saith he found them so perfect in livy , that the worst scholar of them was able to expound him quite through , without hesitation , except some places of extraordinary difficulty . quod me vel mei similem esset moraturum ; which might puzzle me , or one as knowing as my self . besides , within memory , our nation hath produced four sisters , the daughters of sr. anthony coke , rare poetesses , skilful in latin and greek , besides many other excellent qualities , eternized already by the golden pen of buchanam , with many other incomparable ladies and gentlewomen in our land. one example , or two , of their affection to learning and learned men , and so we will dispatch this subject . octavia , the sister of augustus caesar , bestow'd upon virgil , out of her affection to his parts , five thousand french crowns , for writing twenty six hexameters in commendation of her son marcellus , that should have bin heir to the empire ; all which you may have for nothing in the latter end of the sixth book of aeneids . hipsicratea , a lady highly descended , whose veins hous'd no common blood , so fair , that the blushing morn never appear'd more fresh , nor venus with more charms than she ; and to accomplish all , endowed with great estate ; yet she was so taken in love with a philosopher for his virtues , named , crates , a deformed person , of a wither'd , autumnal face , with a wainscot complexion , and reduced to the proverbial want of poverty , that she endured many hardships ( having nothing to accompany her , but the poor comfort of calamity , pitty ) in following him through europe and other places , poorly cloathed , vagabond like , and bare-footed . it is also reported * of magdalen queen of france , and wife to lewis the eleventh ( a scotish woman by birth ) that taking the fresco in an evening promenade , with her ladies of honour , she accidentally spied m. alanus , one of the kings chaplains , an infirm , superannated , grim visag'd and deformed man ; ( erat antum ( saith the author ) foede deformis et ea forma qua citius pueri terreri possent , quam invit ari ad osculum puellae ) fast a sleep , reposed in a shady bower , and bestowed a ravishing kiss upon him ( osculum imperio dignum , a kiss worth an empire ; one such kiss would ravish a man from the jaws of death . suaviolum stygia sie te de valle reducet ) secun . bas. 13. at which the brisk and sprightly court-ladies smiling , she replied , that it was not his person , which she did embrace and pay that deference unto , but , with a platonic love to the divine beauty of his soul ; deformis iste etsi videatur senex , divinum animum habet ; thus hath virtue and learning bin admired , nay adored by women , and she one of the highest sphere too , a noble and learned queen . having thus given you , by the saint shadowings of my pen , the perfections of the female sex , i must close all with this corollary ; if virtue , chastity , continency , learning , love of learned men , honesty , integrity , piety , valor , conduct , or management of oecumenical , as well as political affairs , patience , or any moral virtue whatsoever , can perswade rational man ( so void of reason ( pardon the expression ) in libelling that harmless and ingenious sex ) to a retractation ; i think the arguments here used may prevail ; if not , i am satisfied with this , that i shall gain ( i dare not say merit ) their favour , and value not the sarcasms or satyrs of the most capping momi or zoili of this age. finis . books printed for ja. norris at the kings-arms without temple-bar , 1683. 1. massinello ; or a satyr against the association , and the guild-hall riot . quarto . 2. eromena , or , the noble stranger : a novel . octavo . 3. tractatus adversus reprobation absolutae decretum , nova methodo & succentissimo compendio adornatus ; & in duos libros digestus . octavo . 4. an idea of happiness ; in a letter to a friend , enquiring wherein the greatest happiness attainable by man does consist . quarto . 5. a murnival of knaves , or whiggism plainly display'd , and , if not shameless , burlesqu'd out of countenance . quarto . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a89721-e430 1 seeker in his serm. intitl . the wedding-ring . 2 id. ibid. * giovanni francisco loredana . 1 peter martyr . 2 st. chrysostom . 3 cornelius agrippa , quoted by whitlock in his magnetick lady . * dr. donne , in his sermon on the 28th of matth. v 6. in his volume of 80 sermons , p. 242. dancy's honour of ladies . burtons melanc . p. 461. 462. philippus beroaldus comment . in 6 cap. apuleii . brathwait's lady 's love-lecture . sect. 1. pa. 423. & 424. de lawne's translation of du moulin's logic. 12. of etymologie , p. 70. p. 287. st. paul. heb. 13.4 . smith's preparative to marriage sr. tho. overbury's wife . fuller's holy state. george wicelius . secker's wedding ring . (a) lord verulam in his essays . horace . burten's mel. p. 585. novisanus . (a) tacitus lib. 4. (b) palingenius . (c) lechaeus . idem (d) horace . (e) xenophon . (f) theognis . (*) brathwait . p. 345 , 346. fuller . brathwait's english gentleman . pa. 256. solomon . prov. c. 18. v. 22. prov. c. 11. v. 16. brathwait pa. 298. dr. brown in his rel. med. epistolae hoelianae . horace . mercurius britannicus descript . l. f. 95. ric. whitlock , in his magnetick lady . xenophon . musonius , hierocles , &c. plato 6. de leg. aelian . l. 6. c. 5. a. gellius , l. 2. c. 15. dalton . instit . imperat. de nuptiis . brathwait . pa. 257. mount agu's accom . woman . lib dunmow . stow's annals . weaver's funeral acts and monuments . brathwait , p. 329. brathwait ' p. 339. an island in aegean sea , between lesbos and samos . pliny and vaberius maximus , lib. 8. speed's chronicle . brathwait , p. 329. (*) sarazinus , l. 3. val. max. l. 4. c. 6. stapleton's juvenal . pliny , l. 4. whitlock's magnetick lad. p. 327 id. p. 328. valer. max. l. 4. c. 6. de amor. conj . erasmus , lib. 8. apophtheg . * hayward of women howel's survey of london . rodericus toletanus , li. 1. * fuller's holy war. st. jerom against jcvinian . ludovicus vives , lib. 2. de christ . foemin . see the story at large in d. hackwel's apology , &c. dr. donne . bodin de republ. l. 6. c. 4. sozimus & marcellinus . martial . li. 1. celebrated by raphael volateranus , li. 7. geograph . montague's accompl . women p. 57. 58. grimston's history of lewis the 11th . a town in italy . xenophon . roncard . celebrated by daniel in his history , &c. * annal. 1.14 . aristotle . 2 l. politic . plutarch in the life of pericles . socrates lib. 11. ca. 10. hist . tripart . martial . l. 11. fuller's worthies . * franc belforest hist . an. 1430. a touch-stone, or, a perfect tryal by the scriptures, of all the priests, bishops, and ministers, who have called themselves, the ministers of the gospel whose time and day hath been in the last ages past, or rather in the night of apostacy : they are tried and weighed by the scriptures of truth, and are found out of the life and power of the scriptures, and out of the spirit and doctrine of them that gave them forth, and quite contrary to their principle and practice, both papists and protestants : unto which is annexed, womens speaking justified, &c. fox, margaret askew fell, 1614-1702. 1667 approx. 246 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 48 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2007-01 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a41067 wing f639 estc r7178 12144045 ocm 12144045 54902 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a41067) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 54902) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 761:24) a touch-stone, or, a perfect tryal by the scriptures, of all the priests, bishops, and ministers, who have called themselves, the ministers of the gospel whose time and day hath been in the last ages past, or rather in the night of apostacy : they are tried and weighed by the scriptures of truth, and are found out of the life and power of the scriptures, and out of the spirit and doctrine of them that gave them forth, and quite contrary to their principle and practice, both papists and protestants : unto which is annexed, womens speaking justified, &c. fox, margaret askew fell, 1614-1702. 94, 19 p. [s.n.], london : 1667. signed: m.f. [i.e. margaret fell]. imperfect: "womens speaking justified" with special t.p., and separate paging is lacking in filmed copy. reproduction of original in huntington library. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng society of friends -sources. women and religion. women in the bible. 2006-01 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2006-02 apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images 2006-05 john latta sampled and proofread 2006-05 john latta text and markup reviewed and edited 2006-09 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a touch-stone , or , a perfect tryal by the scriptures , of all the priests , bishops , and ministers , who have called themselves , the ministers of the gospel , whose time and day hath been in the last ages past , or rather in the night of apostacy ; they are tried and weighed by the scriptures of truth , and are found out of the life and power of the scriptures , and out of the spirit and doctrine of them that gave them forth , and quite contrary to their principle and practice , both papists and protestants . unto which is annexed , womens speaking justified , &c. little children , it is the last time , as you have heard , that antichrist should come ; even now there are many antichrists , whereby we know that it is the last time . these things have i written unto you , concerning those that seduce you ; but the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you , and ye need not that any man teach you , but as the same anointing teacheth you . 1 john 2. and i stood upon the sand of the sea , and saw a beast rise out of the sea , having seven heads , and ten horns , and upon his heads the names of blasphemy : and he opened his mouth in blasphemy against god to blaspheme his name and his tabernacle , and them that dwell in heaven . he that leadeth into captivity must go into captivity ; he that killeth with the sword , must be killed with the sword ; here is the faith and patience of the saints , rev. 13. london , printed in the year , 1667. the epistle to the reader . serious reader , let it enter into thy serious consideration , the sad and perilous dayes that this age is fallen into , even into those last dayes that christ and his apostles fore-saw , and fore-told of , which are the last dayes ( as the scriptures do plentifully declare and hold forth ) that were to come to pass , before the coming of the day of the lord ; and that there was to be a falling away from the truth of the lord god , and that then the man of sin was to be revealed , the son of perdition ; 2 thes . 2. 3 , 4. also john in the revelations , when he stood upon the sand of the sea , saw the first beast rise out of the sea , and the second out of the earth , which exercised the authority of the first , and the dragon gave the power to the beast , and them that worshipped him , rev. 13. and john saw the war he made with the lamb , and with the saints , and overcame them , for he was to continue 42 months , which is by the account of the spirit of god , according as it is recorded in the scripture , above 1200 years , which is fully compleated and finished , with many years over , since that great city babylon had a foundation , with whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication , and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication . but the angel carried john into the wilderness , rev. 16 , where he saw the judgements of this great whore , and this woman which hath been arrayed in purple , and scarlet colour , decked with gold and precious stones , and in her hand a golden cup full of abominations ; and the woman which thou sawest , saith the angel , is that great city which reigneth over the kings of the earth . but after this , john saw another angel , and he cryed mightily , with a strong voyce , saying , babylon , babylon the great , is fallen , is fallen , and become the habitation of devils . and john heard another voyce from heaven , saying , come out of her my people , that ye he not partakers of her sins , and that ye receive not of her plagues ; for her sins have reached unto heaven , and god hath remembred her iniquities . reward her even as she hath rewarded you , and double unto her double , according to her works , in the cup that she hath filled , fill her double , rev. 18. where ye may read the destruction and desolation of this great city , mystery of babylon the great , and mother of harlots and abominations of the earth ; therefore rejoyce over her thou heaven , and ye holy apostles and prophets , for god hath avenged you of her ; for after this john saw a mighty angel take up a stone like a mil-stone , and cast it into the sea , saying , thus with violence shall that great city babylon be cast down ; and shall be found no more at all . glory , glory to the highest for evermore , her day of destruction and calamity and desolation hastens on apace , the darkness is past , the night is over , and the true light now shineth ; the resurrection of jesus christ the righteous , the blessed seed , is rising in the hearts of people ; the son of man is coming to be lifted up from the earth , and will draw all men after him , and in his power and in his great glory is coming to reign , and to rule in the hearts and consciences of men ; and the tabernacle of the testimony is opened in heaven , and is with men , and the mystery of godliness is manifested in the hearts of people , and god is manifesting himself in them , who hath said he will dwell in men , and walk in them ; and he is making their bodies his temples ; and he is coming to root out and race out of the hearts of men and women , that man of sin , that son of perdition , that hath sitten in the temple of god , and hath been exalted above all that is called god , and hath shewed himself as god ; and now the lord is discovering him by the resurrection of his power and spirit in the hearts of people , which he is coming to pour upon all flesh according to his word and promise : and that mystery of iniquity that hath wrought in a mystery , that wickedness that hath possest the hearts of men and women , now the lords power and spirit is coming to cast him out , and take him out of the way , and throw him out . and christ jesus , that everlasting fountain , who said , if any man be a thirst , let him tome unto me and drink ; for i am come a light into the world , which world is in every mans heart ; and whosoever believes in christ jesus , the light , they shall not perish , but have the light of life : and this light of the lord jesus christ being risen in the heart of every man and woman , turning their minds thereunto , it becomes their teacher ; and this is that by which the lord teacheth all his people , who hath said by his prophets , they shall be all taught of god , john 6. every man therefore that hath heard and learned of the father , cometh unto me , saith christ , who is that living bread that endureth for ever . and this is the son of man which god the father hath sealed , that is come a light and a spirit , which every one that believes in , is sealed with ; therefore it is good for all people , not to quench the spirit of the lord jesus , nor to grieve it , by which they are sealed to the day of redemption , ephes . 4. 30. but that every one may turn to the spirit of the lord jesus , that is within them , which preacheth in a mystery , and preacheth righteousness very nigh in their hearts , and will cleanse their inward parts , and make their hearts clean from that mystery of iniquity , that hath been long lodged in them and held them captive , and led them into sin , and transgression , and wickedness . oh that all hearts and secret parts might be cleansed by the blood of jesus christ , and that every one would walk in the light , abide in the light , as he is in the light ; and here is the fellowship and unity of the saints in light , jesus christ the righteous ruling in their hearts ; and who lives in the vnity and spirit of the lord jesus , they come to have fellowship with the father and the son , as john had ; and these things he wrote unto them that their joy might be full , and that they might partake of the same light , life and spirit , and have unity with him whose message is , that god is light , and in him is no darkness at all . and whosoever saith he knows god and abides in darkness , is a lyar , and the truth is not in him , 1 john 1. and this hath been the condition and doctrine that hath been holden forth for many hundred years ; they have walked in darkness , and shewed as if they had fellowship with god , and they have loved the world , and the things of the world , which the apostle saith , is not of the father ; and if any love the world , the love of the father is not in him , 1 john 2. and now reader do but consider , how these teachers of the world live , and after what manner , and how they do oppress people for their maintenance , and whether there is any sort of people more covetous of the world than they are , and how they draw people from the unction of the holy one , that the apostle here turned people to , and desired them to take heed unto , and to continue and abide in ; that which they had heard from the beginning ; and not to turn to those antichrists that were then entering into the world : but they were to abide in the anointing which thy had received , and it would teach them all things , and it was truth and was no lie , 1 john 2. but these ministers of darkness , that have been in this night of apostacy , all their indeavours have been to draw people from the light , and from the vnction of the holy one , after them , and after their imaginations , dark studies , and brain divination , and so have deceived poor people , and have led them captive at their wills ; and as the prophet said , have born rule by their means , and the people have been so blind , that they love to have it so : and thus the scriptures have been fulfilled , and there hath been power given to the beast , and people generally have said in their hearts , who is able to make war with the beast ? but glory to the highest lord , his time is over , and the year of our redeemer is come , and the spirit of the lord is upon him , and the lord hath anointed him to preach good tydings to the meek , liberty to the captives , and the opening the prison doors to them that are bound , and to proclaime the acceptable year of the lord , and the day of vengeance of our god , isa . 61. 1 , 2. oh reader ! the time is short , the day of the lord will come as a thief in the night , and all this long-suffering of the lord that hath been past , is because he is not willing that any should perish , but that all should come to repentance . and seeing that all these things shall be dissolved , oh ! what manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation and godliness , looking for that blessed hope and coming of our lord jesus christ , that all may be found with him in peace , without spot or blemish , which is my desire . and so read over this following treatise , and weigh in the seriousness of thy heart , and consider the scriptures of truth , by which thou mayest judge , by the light of the lord jesus christ in thee , how all the world have been befooled , and blinded , and led captive even at satans will ; and how this antichrist hath ruled in the hearts of people , and sate in the temple of god , and hath been decked and covered over with the scriptures and saints words , speaking them forth with unclean lips , and from unclean hearts , and so have deceived the hearts of the simple ; but this fine linnen , and purple , and scarlet , that babylon hath been decked with , in one day shall be taken from her . amen , even so lord jesus , come quickly . m. f. a touch-stone , or , a perfect tryal by the scriptures , of all the priests , bishops , and ministers , &c. me thinks i hear the bishops mutter , murmur , and contemn , that i should publish it out to the world , how i desired the king to beware of their counsels ; therefore i do hereby give them my reasons of the cause why i did so , which reasons may satisfie them and the whole world , except they can by as good or better overturn them . in the first place i desired , since it pleased the lord to bring the king to his outward right and propriety of the crown of his ancestors , that he might have done that whereby he might prosper , according to the words of the wise king solomon , who said , it is the glory of god to conceal a thing , but the honour of a king to search out a matter . take away the wicked from before the king , and his throne shall be established , prov. 25. and again he saith , the thoughts of the righteous are right , but the counsel of the wicked is deceit : the words of the wicked are to lye in wait for blood , but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them ; the wicked are overthrown and are not , but the house the righteous shall stand , prov. 12. also , it was my desire that he should follow the example of the good kings of israel , whose way it was to ask counsel of the lord , or of his prophets ; as king david enquired of the lord , whether he should go up against the philistims ? and the lord said , go up , 2 sam. 5. and again king david called nathan the prophet , and told him that he would build a house for the ark of god , and the lord sent word again to david by nathan the prophet , 2 sam. 7. and when there was three years of famine in the land , david enquired of the lord , and the lord answered him , it was for saul and his bloody house , 2 sam. 21. also king solomon , the lord appeared unto him , and bid him ask what he would have , and solomon asked of the lord an understanding heart to judge his people , that he might discern between good and bad , for saith he , who is able to judge this thy so great a people ? and this speech pleased the lord that solomon asked such a thing , 1 kings 3. and again the lord spake unto solomon the second time , concerning the house which he was building ; if thou wilt walk in my statutes , saith the lord , and execute my judgements , and keep all my commandments to walk in them , then will i perform my word with thee , which i spake unto david thy father . 1 kings 6. and hezekiah , that good king of judah , when he was sent to , from sennacherib king of assyria , by rabshekah and others with a great hoast , who came up against jerusalem , who threatned the king and the whole city , as you may read 2 kings 18. and hezekiah king of judah sent eliakim , and shebna , and the elders of the priests , covered with sackcloth , to isaiah the son of amos ; so the servants of hezekiah came to isaiah , and isaiah said unto them , thus shall ye say unto your master , thus saith the lord ; be not afraid of their words , &c. chap. 19. and accordingly the lord sent an angel and cut off all the men of valour , and the leaders , and the captains of the king of assyria ; and the lord saved hezekiah , and the inhabitants of jerusalem from the hands of the king of assyria , 2 chron. 32. also josiah , that good king , when he heard the words of the book of the law read , he rent his cloathes , and commanded hilkiah the priest , and several of the elders of the people , saying , go ye and enquire of the lord for me , and for all the people of judah , concerning the words of this book that is found ; for great is the wrath of the lord that is kindled against us because our fathers have not harkred to the words of this book ; and they went and enquired of the prophetess , to huldah , as you may read , 2 kings 22. 2 chron. 34. this you see was the practice of the four principal kings of israel and judah . moreover i am clearly convinced , and am assured , that the bishops as they are called , and those of their order and coat , or indeed any that have taken upon them that function of the clergy , these many hundred of years , that they are not according unto christ jesus nor unto his disciples , nor the apostles , and the saints in the primitive times , but are gone quite contrary , according to what the scriptures of truth hold forth ; and that in all these particular heads following . first , their titles . secondly , their estate , or condition and qualifications . thirdly , their call. fourthly , their doctrine and worship . fifthly , their practise in matters of controversie . sixthly , their maintenance . seventhly and lastly , their garbe and habit. all which we shall prove not only not according , but quite opposite and contrary to christ jesus his example , and his apostles and disciples . now they being men not only professing christianity , but also taking upon them to be actors , leaders , teachers , preachers , and feeders of the peoples soules , and that in and with christianity , there can be no sound reason to the contrary , but that they should be men principled , fitted , and furnished , yea , and filled with the same spirit as was in the apostles , whose words they take upon them to declare , and to make a trade of , and to get their living by ; since they make poor people believe , that they have their souls in cure , and so by good words and fair speeches , deceive the hearts of the simple , and so keep them ever learning , but they never come to the knowledge of the truth . but to proceed to the first , viz. their titles , this is clear contrary to the doctrine of christ ; for when the mother of zebedees children came unto him concerning her two sons , that one might sit on his right hand , and the other on his left . jesus answered and said , ye know not what ye ask ; and when the other ten heard it , they were moved with indignation against the two brethren ; but jesus called them unto him , and said , ye know that the princes of the gentiles exercise dominion over them , and they that are great exercise authority upon them , but it shall not be so among you ; but whosoever will be great among you , let him be your minister ; and whosoever will be chief among you , let him be your servant . even as the son of man came not to be ministred unto , but to minister ; and to give his life a ransome for many , matth. 20. likewise again , when he told them , that one of them should betray him ; they began to enquire among themselves , which of them it was . and there was also a strife among them which of them should be accounted the greatest ( mark that , you great lords ) and he said unto them , the kings of the gentiles exercise lordship over them ; and those that exercise authority on them are called benefactors , but ye shall not be so ; but he that is greatest among you , let him be as the younger , and he that is chief as he that doth serve , &c. and again , when he said unto them , let these things sink into your eares ; the son of man must be delivered into the hands of men . and again they began to reason among themselves who should be the greatest . and when he said unto them , behold we go up to jerusalem , and the son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests , and unto the scribes , and they shall condemn him to death . even then did james and john come to desire to sit , one on his right hand , and the other on his left : but jesus again reproved them for it , and said unto them , ye know that they that are accounted to rule over the gentiles , exercise lordship over them , and their great ones exercise authority upon them ; but it shall not be so with you , &c. mar. 10. nay , he said unto his disciples , be not ye called rabbi , for one is your master , even christ , and all ye are brethren . neither be ye called masters , but he that is greatest among you , let him be your servant : and whosoever shall exalt himself , shall be abased ; and he that humbles himself , shall be exalted , mat. 23. and i do not find that the apostles , either timothy or titus , who were bishops indeed , were ever called lord-bishops ; but the apostle , when he writes to the thessalonians , saith , wherefore when we could no longer forbear , we thought it good to be left at athens alone ; and sent timotheus our brother and minister of god , and fellow-labourers in the gospel of christ , to establish you and to comfort you concerning your faith. this was the title that the apostle gave them , which was not , our reverend father in god , lord bishop , &c. and the apostle when he writes unto timothy , calls him , his son in the faith , 1 tim. 1. and when he exhorts him , he saith , if thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things , thou shalt be a good minister of jesus christ , nourished up in the word of faith , and to good doctrine whereunto thou hast attained , chap. 4. and in his second epistle that he writes to timothy he calleth him , his dearly beloved son ; and that he greatly desires to see him : and he saith , thou my son , be strong in the grace that is in christ jesus : and he bids him endure hardness as a good souldier of jesus christ , 2 tim. 2. and when he writes to titus , he saith , to titus mine own son after the common faith ; for this cause left i thee at creet , that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting , tit. 1. and again he saith to timothy , let no man despise thy youth , but be thou an example of the believers , in word , in conversation , in charity , in spirit , in faith , in purity . till i come , give attendance to reading , and to exhortation . neglect not the gift that is in thee , which was given thee by prophesie , with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery . 1 tim. 4. i would know which of the bishops hath received such a gift as this ? and whether by making proof of this gift of prophesie that is in them , they have attained to these titles of lord-bishops , and reverend fathers in god ? but since we find the scriptures so much contrary to these titles , it must needs follow that they have received their titles from men . but timothy and titus were made overseers of the church of god by the holy ghost ( but no lord-bishops ) and so was the apostle paul , and the other apostles . and james the apostle speaks expresly , my brethren , have not the faith of our lord jesus christ , the lord of glory , with respect of persons : for if there come into your assembly a man with a gold ring or goodly apparrel , and there come also a poor man in vile rayment , and ye have respect to him that weareth the gay cloathing , and not to him that is poor ; are ye not partial in your selves , &c. but if ye have respect to persons , ye commit sin , and are convinced of the law as transgressours , jam. 2. here the apostle gives perfect judgement against the respecting of mens persons , which most men do , because of advantage ; but with christ jesus and his holy apostles , you see it was not so , and therefore those that take upon them the name of the ministers of the gospel of christ , should follow their examples , and not go quite contrary . and this i look upon to be sufficient for the proof of the first head , which is their titles . the second is their qualifications , state and condition . first , christ jesus said to those he preached unto , come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden , and i will give you rest : take my yoak upon you , learn of me , for i am meek and lowly in heart , mat. 11. this is contrary to highness and haughtiness . and when he preached his first sermon in the mountain , and his disciples came unto him , he opened his mouth , and taught them , saying , blessed are the poor in spirit : blessed are they that mourn : blessed are the meek ; as you may read , mat. 5. and likewise when he sent forth his disciples , he said , behold i send you as lambs in the middest of wolves ; be ye therefore wise as serpents , but harmless as doves , mat. 10. and when he had sent out the seventy , by two and by two , he said unto them , go your wayes , behold i send you forth as lambs among wolves , luke 10. this was one quality of those that christ sent forth , they were meek , they were harmless . secondly , they were such as were to go into sufferings , as he said unto them in the next verse ; beware of men , for they will deliver you up to the counsels , and they will scourge you in their synagogues ; and ye shall be brought before governours and kings , for my names sake , for a testimony against them and the gentiles , and ye shall be hated of all men for my names sake , mat. 10. mark 13. 9. and when peter rebuked his master , when he told them that he was to go to jerusalem to suffer ; he turned , and said unto peter , get thee behind me satan , &c. then said jesus unto his disciples , if any man will come after me , let him deny himself , and take up his cross , and follow me , mat. 16. and when he told them , that tho son of man must suffer many things , and be rejected of the elders , and chief priests , and scribes , and be slain , and raised again the third day ; and he said unto them all ; if any man will come after me , let him deny himself , and take up his cross daily and follow me , luke 9. mark. 8. and according to this the apostles of christ went through many hardships and sufferings , as may be read at large throughout the book of the acts. and the apostle paul saith to the corinthians , and i brethren , when i came to you , came not with excellency of speech , or wisdome , declaring unto you the mystery of god ; for i determined not to know any thing among you , save jesus christ and him crucified : and i was with you in weakness and fear , and in much trembling ; for christ sent me not to baptize but to preach the gospel ; not with wisdom of words , least the cross of christ should be made of none effect ; for the preaching of the cross is , to them that perish , foolishness , 1 cor. 1. and chap. 2. it is many ages since those that took upon them the preaching that which they have called the gospel , were in this state and condition ; for the cross of christ which is the power of god , which makes to tremble , as the apostles did , hath been an offence unto them , and is mocked and scoffed at by them , to this day . thirdly , they were also such as were to live in love ; and of this christ himself gave them an example , when he took a towel , and girded himself , and poured water into a bason , and began to wash the disciples feet , and said , ye call me lord and master , and ye say well , for so i am : if i then your lord and master have washed your feet , ye ought also to wash one anothers feet . and a new commandment i give unto you , that ye love one another as i have loved you ; for i have given you an example , that ye should do as i have done to you : by this shall all men know that ye are my disciples , if ye love one another , john 13. and chap. 15. and the apostle saith , when he wrote to the thessalonians ; but as touching brotherly love , ye need not that i write unto you ; for ye your selves are taught of god to love one another ; and indeed ye do it towards all the brethren . but we beseech you , that ye increase more and more , 1 thes . 4. and the apostle john saith , he that saith he is in the light and hateth his brother , is in darkness : he that loveth his brother abideth in the light , 1 john 2. and again he saith , this is the message that ye have heard from the beginning , that we love one another : not as cain that slew his brother , and wherefore slew he him ? because his own works were evil , and his brothers righteous . but we know that we have passed from death to life , because we love the brethren . he that loveth not his brother , abideth in death : whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer ; and ye know that no murtherer hath eternal life abiding in him . hereby perceive we the love of god , because he hath laid down his life for us : we ought also to lay down our lives for the brethren , chap. 3. and so this is contrary to what hath been the practise of those that have taken upon them the function of the ministers of christ , for many hundreds of years ; for though they have professed christ and christianity , yet they have been killing , and slaying , and murdering one another , as many examples might be instanced in ages past . those that call themselves papists , and those that call themselves protestants , one killing , and slaying , and murdering another , and yet all professing and confessing themselves to be christians , and would profess the scriptures , christ and the apostles words ; and in doing thus one to another , they have thought they have done god good service ; and so have fulfilled christ's words , who saith , yea the time cometh , that whosoever killeth you , will think that he doth god good service : and these things will they do , because they have not known the father and me , john 16. and this may suffice for the second head , which is their quallifications . the third is their call. for jesus when he came and spake unto his disciples , he said unto them , all power is given unto me in heaven and in earth ; go ye therefore and teach all nations , baptizing them in the name of the father , and of the son , and of the holy ghost ; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever i commanded you , and loe i am with you alwayes , even to the end of the world , mat. 28. and he said unto them , go ye into all the world , and preaceh unto every creature , he that believeth shall be saved , and he that believeth not shall be damned . and again he saith , behold , i send the promise of my father upon you ; but tarry ye in the city of jerusalem , till ye be endued with power from on high ; and he blessed them , and they worshipped him , and they returned to jerusalem , luke 26. which is rehearsed again in the first of the acts , and fulfilled in the second chapter , and the spirit was poured upon them plentifully ; and there were some then that mocked and said , these men are full of new wine ; but peter stood up with the eleven , and said , these men are not drunken as ye suppose ; but this is that which was spoken of by the prophet joel , it shall come to pass in the last days , saith the lord , i will pour out of my spirit upon all flesh ; and your sons and daughters shall prophesie : and whosoever shall call upon the name of the lord in that day , shall be saved . this holy spirit the apostles received , when they were met together ; also paul the apostle , who was made an apostle after them , he also was separated for that work by the holy ghost ; for as the apostles were met together with the church at antioch , as they ministred to the lord and fasted ; the holy ghost said , separate me barnabas and saul for the work whereunto i have called them : so they being sent forth by the holy ghost , departed , &c. act. 13. and so the apostle writes himself , when he wrote to the romans . paul a servant of jesus christ , called to be an apostle , separated unto the gospel of god. and again , when he wrote to the galatians , he wrote thus ; paul an apostle , not of men , neither by man , but by jesus christ , and god the father , who raised him from the dead , and all the brethren which are with me , unto the churches of galatia . and he saith further ; i certifie you brethren , that the gospel which was preached of me , is not after man ; for i neither received it of man , neither was i taught it , but by the revelation of jesus christ : but when it pleased god who separated me from my mothers womb , and called me by his grace , to reveal his son in me , that i might preach him among the heathen ; immediately , i conferred not with flesh and blood , gal. 1. and again , when he wrote to the ephesians , when he was a prisoner of jesus christ , he wrote thus to the gentiles ; ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of the gospel of god , which is given me to you ward ; how that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery , as i wrote unto you in a few words ; which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men , as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the spirit , ephes . 3. i do not know , neither have i heard , that the ministers , and such as take upon them to teach people , neither those that are their lords , bishops , and arch-bishops , that they have had their calls after this order ; for there have been other wayes and meanes used for many hundred of years together ; as schooles , and colledges , and universities , and nurseries of learning , which they call their mothers with a heap of stuffe , which are better known by them that exercise themselves in them , than the revelation of jesus christ is : and the ministers they make are by men , and of men , and they will have them fitted and ordained according to their wayes and orders . but if any one have received the revelation of jesus christ and his holy spirit , if any such have a word to speak from the lord , they must not be received nor admitted ; this is not according to their order ; this they call an heresie , and a sect ; any that speak , and meet together , and worship the lord god in his spirit , and in his truth , such are taken notice of , and are brought under the whip , and the scourge , and are apprehended and cast into prision , if they do but pretend the teachings and leadings of the spirit of god ; and if they have not freedom in their spirits to pay them tythes , or to maintain their steeple-houses , presently they are brought into the bishops court , and if they cannot for conscience-sake swear , and take an oath , then presently they are cast into prison ; but of this more hereafter . and thus it is truly manifested , that the order of their calling is not according unto christ , nor his apostles ; for christ saith expresly , all things are delivered unto me of my father ; and no man knoweth the son but the father , neither knoweth any man the father save the son , and he to whom the son revealeth him , mat. 11. and again christ saith , it is written in the prophets , they shall be all taught of god ; every man therefore that hath heard and learned of the father , cometh unto me : not that any man hath seen the father , save he that is of god , he hath seen the father , john 6. this may be sufficient to prove the third head , which is their call , which is contrary to the apostles . the fourth their worship and the manner of it , and first for the worship it self , christ when he spake to the woman of samaria , and she told him , that their fathers worshipped in that mountain of samaria : jesus saith unto her , woman believe me , the hour cometh when ye shall neither in this mountain , nor yet at jerusalem worship the father ; but the hour cometh and now is , when the true worshippers shall worship the father in spirit and in truth ; for the father seeketh such to worship him . god is a spirit , and they that worship him , must worship him in spirit and in truth , john 4. and to this purpose did jesus speak to nichodemus , when he came unto him by night , when he said unto him , verily , verily i say unto thee , except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of god. at which words , nichodemus wondred ; but jesus answered , except a man be born of water and the spirit , he cannot enter into the kingdom of god. that which is born of the flesh , is fesh ; and that which is born of the spirit is spirit : marvel not that i said unto thee , ye must be born again ; the wind bloweth where it listeth , &c. john 3. and to this purpose was the man whose name was john , sent of god , to bear witness of christ jesus the light , that all men through him might believe . he was not that light , but was sent to bear witness of that light , which is the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world . he was in the world , and the world was made by him : which were born not of blood , nor of the will of the flesh , nor of the will of man , but of god. john bare witness of him and cryed , saying , this is he of whom i spake ; he that cometh after me is preferred before me ; and of his fullness we have all received grace for grace : as may be read at large , john 1. and to bring people to this light and spirit of the lord within them , did christ jesus , and all his holy apostles endeavour , by their preaching : therefore saith jesus christ unto nichodemus , we speak what we know , and testifie what we have seen , and ye receive ●ot our witness . this is the condemnation , that light is come into the world , and men love darkness rather than light , because their deeds are evil . for every one that doth evil hateth the light , lest his deeds should be reproved : but he that doth truth , cometh to the light , that his deeds may be made manifest , that they are wrought in god. this is christ's doctrine and worship . and when he was preaching among his disciples , and also the scribes and pharisees heard him , and many believed among the chief rulers , ●●t they did not confess him because of the pharisees , lest they should be put out of the synagogue . and jesus cryed out among them , ●nd said ; he that believeth on me , believeth ●ot on me , but on him that sent me . i am come ● light into the world , that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness . and if any man hear my words , and believe not , i judge him not ; for i came not to judge the world , but to save the world . he that rejecteth me , and receiveth not my words , hath one that judgeth him , the word that i have spoken shall judge him at the last day : and so on , john 12. and christ told the pharisees , that the kingdom of god came not by observation ; but the kingdom of god was within them . and when he sent forth his disciples , he saith , as ye go , preach , saying , the kingdom of god is at hand , mat. 10. also when he sent out the seventy , he said , heal the sick that are therein : and say , the kingdom of god is nigh unto you , luke 10. 9. and we also see by the epistles of the apostles , which are left upon record , after what manner of doctrine , and exhortation they spake unto the people ; as the apostle john , which was the beloved disciple , what he hath written in that , which hath been already mentioned in the 1st . 2d. 3d. and 4th . chapters of john. also the apostle peter , in his first epistle , saith ; for we have not followed cunning devised fables , when we made known unto you the coming of our lord jesus christ ; but we are eye-witnesses of his majesty : for he received from god the father , honour , and glory , when there came such a voice to him , from the excellent glory , saying ; this is my beloved son , in whom i am well pleased . and this voice which came from heaven we heard , when we were with him in the holy mount. we have also a more sure word of prophesie , whereunto ye do well that ye take heed , as unto a light that shineth in a dark place ; until the day dawn , and the day-star arise in your hearts . here the apostle directs them to a more sure word , than that which was heard in the mount , which came from the excellent glory , which they taking heed unto , might have the day to dawn , and the day-star to arise in their hearts . this was a true and a right minister ; also he saith , knowing this first , that no prophesie of the scriptures is of any private interpretation , 2 pet. 1. how is it then that it is kept so private , that none must interpret it but learned men , such as have been at oxford or cambridge . but the apostle saith , that the prophesie came not in old time by the will of man , but holy men of god spake as they were moved by the holy ghost . but those that have had learning at cambridge and oxford will hardly give a right interpretation of that which the holy ghost hath spoken forth . but when the apostle wrote to timothy , who was a bishop , and an overseer made by the holy ghost , to him he saith , continue thou 〈◊〉 the things which thou hast learned , and hast been assured of , knowing ●f whom thou hast learned them ; and that from a child thou hast known 〈◊〉 holy scriptures , which are able to make thee wise unto salvation , through faith in christ jesus . here timothy did not go to cambridge nor oxford , nor no such place , to learn what he had done from a child . all scripture ( saith he ) is given by inspiration of god ; and i● profitable for doctrine , for reproof , for correction , for instruction , that the man of god may be perfected , throughly furnished unto all good works , 2. tim. 3. and when peter speaketh of his beloved brother paul , and of his epistles which he had written , and what he spake ; some things , he saith , are hard to be understood , which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest , as they do also the other scriptures , unto their own destruction , 2 pet. 3. so they that have not the inspiration of the almighty , and motion of the spirit of the lord god , the same that gave forth the scriptures , when they come to interpret them , and give meanings to them , being unlearned therein , they just wrest them to their 〈◊〉 destruction , and therefore they do not profit the people at all : these be they who separate themselves ; men that are sensual , not having the spirit , judge 19. also the apostle paul , when he was sent forth to preach the gospel of christ , the voice that spake unto him , when he was struck down unto the earth with the sight of a vision , said unto him , arise , stand upon thy feet , for i have appointed thee for this purpose ; to make thee a minister and a witness ; both of these things thou hast seen , and of those things in the which i shall appear unto thee ; delivering thee from the people and from the gentiles , unto whom now i send thee ; to open their eyes , and to turn them from darkness to light , and from the power of satan unto god , acts 26. and according to this , the apostle confessed himself , when he mote to the romans ; i am a debtor both to the greeks and to the barbarians , both to the wise and the unwise ; so much as in me is i am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at rome also : for i am not ashamed of the gospel of christ , for it is the power of god unto salvation , to every one that believeth ; to the jew first , and also to the greek : for therein is the righteousness of god revealed from faith to faith ; and the wrath of god is revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men ; because that which may be known of god , is manifested in them , for god hath shewed it unto them . and thus the apostle goes on exhorting and teaching the romans , in the 1st , and 2d. chapters , and telleth them , that god will render to every man according to his deeds ; to them who by patience continue in well doing , seek for glory , and honour , and immortality , and eternal life ; but unto them that are contentious , and do not obey the truth , but obey unrighteousness ; indignation and wrath . for , saith he , there is no respect of persons with god , for as many as have sinned without the law , shall perish without the law : and as many as have sinned in the law , shall be judged by the law , for not the hearers of the law are just before god , but the doers of the law shall be justified , &c. and in the 10th of the romans , where he is speaking of his hearts desire and prayer to god for israel , he tells them , that christ is the end of the law to every one that believeth . for ( saith he ) the righteousness of faith speaketh on this wise ; say not in thy heart , who shall ascend into heaven , that is to bring christ down from above , or who shall descend into the deep , that is to bring christ up again from the dead ? but what saith it ? the word is nigh thee , even in thy mouth and in thy heart , that is , the word of faith which we preach . and when he wrote to the hebrews , he rehearseth the new covenant , that the prophets , isaiah and jeremiah had prophesied of , and saith , this is the covenant that i will make with them , after those dayes , saith the lord ; i will put my laws into their hearts , and in their minds will i write them , heb. 10. these with many more places of scripture might be instanced of the apostles , how they ministred both in preaching and writing . and in the first epistle of john , he saith , that which was from the beginning , which we have heard , which we have seen with our eyes , and our hands have handled the word of life ; this we declare unto you , that ye may have fellowship with us ; and truly our fellowship is with the father , and with his son jesus christ. here was a right minister of god , that would have had those he wrote to , to have been in fellowship with him ; who was in fellowship with the father and with the son : and therefore he saith unto them , these things i write unto you , that your joy may be full : this then is the message which we have heard from him , and declared unto you ; that god is light , and in him is no darkness at all . if we say we have fellowship with him , and walk in darkness , we lye , and do not the truth ; but if we walk in the light as he is in the light , we have fellowship one with another , and the blood of jesus christ his son , cleanseth us from all sin . and again the same apostle saith , a new commandment i write unto you , which thing is true in him and in you ; because the darkness is past and the true light now shineth . let that therefore abide in you which ye have heard from the beginning : if that which ye have heard from the beginning shall abide in you , ye shall also continue in the son , and in the father . these things have i written unto you concerning them that seduce you ; but the anointing which ye have received of him , abideth in you ; and ye need not that any man teach you , but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things ; and is the truth , and is no lye ; even as he hath taught you ye shall abide in him : for ye have an unction from the holy one , and ye know all things , 1 john 2. here is sound , firm , and wholsome teaching , that these holy men of god taught those that they taught , but contrary to their teaching , have inventions and teachings of men , been for many ages and generations in this dark night of apostacy ; in which the pure , and holy , and glorious church of christ , hath been gone into the wilderness , where she hath had a place appointed her of god , until the one thousand two hundred and threescore dayes were accomplished , which john saw , rev. 12. but now she is coming forth again , glory to the highest for ever : and the man-child , which hath been caught up to god , and to his throne , is coming to rule all nations ; and now are these ministers of darkness , which have ministred in the night , coming to be seen , now that the day appears . for god that hath commanded light to shine out of darkness , hath shined in our hearts , and hath given us the light of the knowledge of god in the face of jesus christ , which is the son of righteousness , by which we see and comprehend them all . so to proceed to the particulars . the first thing that i except against in matter and form of their worship : viz. all sorts of preachers and teachers that are out of christ and his apostles spirit , doctrine and rule , is the taking a part or portion of scripture for a text , and adding thereto their own inventions , which they study out of their own brain , and also bringing other authors , who have done the like ; many of them not christians but heathens : and thus make an image and set up , and deceive poor peoples souls , and keep them everlearning , but never come to the knowledge of the truth ; and are more ignorant of god than many heathens that never professed christ , nor the scriptures ; and so it is ordinary with them to bring the heathens words in that which they prepare for them , and stir them up ; and this is quite contrary to christ and the apostles practice . it is true , christ took the book when it was delivered unto him , and he opened and lookt upon it , and found a place where it was written in isaiah 61. 1. the spirit of the lord is upon me , because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor ; he hath sent me to heal the broken hearted , to preach deliverance to the captives , and recovering of sight to the blind , and set at liberty them that are bruised to preach the acceptable year of the lord : and he closed the book , and gave it again to the minister , and sate down ; and he began to say unto them , this day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears : and all bear him witness , and wondred at the gracious words that proceeded out of his mouth . and they said , is not this josephs son ? luke 4. now this was he that the prophet isaiah prophesied of , and therefore when he began to preach , he turned to this scripture , to let them see that this prophesie was fulfilled , and so closed the book . but when he preached among them , and taught , as ye may read through all the evangelists ; as first , in mat. 5. and in luke 6. he opened unto them the law , and also told them , that whosoever did break one of the least commandments , should be called least in the kingdom . and taught the disciples , saying , let your light so shine before men , that they may see your good works , and glorifie your father which is in heaven . think not that i come to destroy the law , or the prophets ; i am not come to destroy but to fulfill . for verily i say unto you , till heaven and earth pass , one jot , or one tittle , shall in no wise pass from the law till all be fulfilled . for i say unto you , except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and pharisees , ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of god. this was the manner of his preaching and teaching : and so he goes on , and opens unto them the law ; and tells them it had been said so in the old time ; ye have heard it hath been said in the old time , thou shalt not forswear thy self : but i say unto you , swear not at all . and it hath been said unto you in the old time , an eye for an eye , and a tooth for a tooth : but i say unto you , resist not evil . he that smites thee on the one cheek , turn the other . and thus he goes on in opening of the law , of which he was to fulfill every jot and tittle ; and also opening unto them the mysteries of the gospel , which is love even to enemies ; and which the apostle saith , is the fulfilling of the whole law. and he told them , that so they might be the children of their father which is in heaven ; for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good ; and sends rain on the just , and on the unjust . be ye therefore perfect , as your heavenly father is perfect . here is the perfect ministry indeed , of the true circumcision , which makes the true jew indeed inward , which circumciseth the heart with his holy spirit . the apostle saith , now i say unto you , that jesus christ was a minister of the circumcision , for the truth of god ; to confirm the promises unto abraham : and that the gentiles might glorify god for his mercy , and so the blessing of abraham may be upon all , jews and gentiles : all that are in the faith , are blessed with faithful abraham . and this is he of whom the apostle to the hebrews saith , we have such an high priest , who is set on the right hand of the throne of the majesty in heaven : a minister of the sanctuary , and of the true tabernacle , which the lord hath pitched , and not man , heb. 8. and as he was a minister of the same sanctuary which god hath pitched , so also were his apostles , they preached by his holy spirit . for as god is true ( saith paul the apostle ) so our word to you-wards was not yea , and nay ; for the son of god , jesus christ , who was preached among you by us , even by me , and sylvanus , and timotheus , was not yea , and nay ; but in him was yea : for all the promises of god , are in him yea , and in him , amen ; 2 cor. 1. and by this spirit and power of the lord jesus , did steven , who was full of faith and power , do great wonders and miracles among the people ; and when the false witnesses came to accuse him before the high priest , and those that sate in council , looking stedfastly on him , saw his face as it had been the face of an angel : then said the high priest , are these things so ? and he said , men , brethren , and fathers , hearken : and he began at abraham , and he opened unto them the royal and holy seed , throughout the scriptures , until he came to christ jesus , whom he said they had crucified and slain . and he said , ye stiff-necked , and uncircumcised in heart and ears , ye do alwayes resist the holy ghost ; as your fathers did , so do ye : which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted ? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the just one of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers . when they heard these things , they were cut to the heart , and gnashed on him with their teeth : but he being full of the holy ghost , looked stedfastly into heaven , and saw the glory of god ; and he said , behold , i see heaven open , and the son of man standing on the right hand of god. and they cryed with a loud voice , and stopt their ears , and ran upon him , and cast him out of the city , and stoned him : and they stoned steven , calling upon god , and saying , lord jesus receive my spirit , acts 7. also paul , when he came to antioch , and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day ; after the reading of the law and the prophets , the rulers of the synagogue sent to him and his company , and said , men and brethren , if ye have any exhortation to the people , say on . then paul stood up , and beckoned with his hand , and said ; men of israel , and ye that fear god , give audience . and he began to declare , how god brought their fathers out of egypt , with a high hand ; and how they were in the wilderness ; and how he destroyed the nations of the land of canaan ; and how they were governed , from that time unto christ ; and how that christ care of the seed of david ; and likewise how the rulers of jerusalem dealt with christ , and though they found no cause of death in him ; yet desired they pilate that he should be slain . and when they had fulfilled all that was written of him , they took him down from the tree , and laid him in a sepulchre ; but god raised him from the dead , and afterwards he preached unto them his resurrection ; as may be read at large throughout acts 13. and how the gentiles also should partake of his-resurrection ; but the jews contradicted and blasphemed against their doctrine . then paul and barnabas waxed bold , and said , it was necessary that the word of god should first have been preached to you jews ; but seeing ye put it from you , and judge your selves unworthy of everlasting life , loe we turn unto the gentiles , for so hath the lord commanded us : i have set thee to be a light to the gentiles , that thou shouldest be for salvation to the ends of the earth . and when the gentiles heard this , they were glad , acts 13. thus ye see how the apostles opened unto them the mystery of the resurrection of christ , as also christ himself , when he met with the disciples , after his resurrection ; and they not knowing him , told him what things had happened concerning christ . he said unto them , o fools , and slow of heart ; ought not christ to have suffered these things , and to enter into his glory . and beginning at moses and all the prophets , he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself , luke 24. and this is the matter , and manner , and method of all christ's ministers , to preach the resurrection of christ jesus , in his light and spirit , which is a mystery to all carnal men and carnal minds : and this is not a deal of imaginations , and divinations of the brain , and studyings of men , who take one verse of scripture , and add unto it what they please , out of other old authors writings , heathen philosophers , or any thing that will make up an hours talk , till their glass be run , which is quite contrary to the apostles practice , and that which they witnessed , and exhorted against . for he saith unto the colossians , as ye have received christ jesus , so walk ye in him ; rooted and built in him , established in the faith , as ye have been taught . beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy , and vain deceit , after the traditions of men , after the rudiments of the world , and not after christ , col. 2. here is an express command laid upon them , that they should not be deceived by the teachings of men , who taught not after christ . and the apostle saith also , that christ sent him , not to preach the gospel with wisdom of words ; for , saith he , it is written , i will destroy the wisdom of the wise , and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent . where is the wise ? where is the scribe ? where is the disputer of this world ? hath not god made foolish the wisdom of this world ? for after that in the wisdom of god , the world by wisdom knew not god ; it pleased god by the foolishness of preaching , to save them that believe . for the jews require a sign , and the greeks seek after wisdom , but we preach christ crucified , unto the jews a stumbling-block , and unto the greeks foolishness ; but unto them that are called , both jews and greeks , christ the power of god , and the wisdom of god : because the foolishness of god is wiser then men , and the weakness of god stronger then men : for ye see your calling , brethren , how that not many wise men after the flesh , not many mighty , not many noble are called ; but god hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise ; and god hath chosen the weak things of the world , to confound the things which are mighty ; and base-things of the world , and things which are despised , hath god chosen , yea and things which are not , to bring to nought things which are ; that no flesh should glory in his presence ; but those that glory , should glory in the lord , 1 cor. 1. and the apostle saith further , and my speech and preaching was not with enticing words of mans wisdom , but in the demonstration of the spirit , and of power ; that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men , but in the power of god. howbeit , we speak wisdom among them that are perfect ; yet not the wisdom of this world , nor of the princes of this world , that come to nought , but we speak the wisdom of god in a mystery ; even the hidden wisdom which god ordained before the world . for we have not received the spirit of the world , but that spirit that is of god , that we might know the things that are freely given us of god ; which things we speak not in the words which mans wisdom teacheth , but which the holy ghost teacheth ; comparing spiritual things with spiritual . here the apostle testifies clearly against the wisdom of mens teaching , which is a clear testimony against the teachings that have been in these last ages ; for that is all that hath been taught for many generations of teachers , since the apostles dayes ; the wisdom of men , and traditions of men , and inventions , and imaginations of men , one quoting and rehearsing what another saith , quite contrary to the apostles practice . we do not make our selves of the number , or compare our selves with some that commend themselves , and measuring themselves by themselves are not wise . but we will not boast our selves , above our measure , but according to the measure of the rule which god hath distributed to us ; for we come as far as you also , in preaching the gospel of christ , not boasting of things without our measure , of other mens labours , nor to boast of another mans line made ready to our hands , 2 cor. 10. not that we are sufficient of our selves , to think any thing as of our selves , but our sufficiency is of god ; who hath also made us able ministers of the new testament , not of the letter but of the spirit ; for the letter killeth , but the spirit giveth life , 2 cor. 3. 6. in this chapter the apostle gives his testimony , that the life of the ministry is in the ministration of the spirit . as also in rom. 7. but now we are delivered from the law ; that being dead wherein we were held , that we should serve in newness of spirit , and not in the oldness of the leter ; which he calls , the ministration of death , in the afore-mentioned chapter . and when he writes to his son timothy , who was a bishop , he saith thus ; i charge thee therefore before god , and the lord jesus christ , who shall judge the quick and the dead , at his appearing , and his kingdom ; preach the word , be instant in season , and out of season ; reprove , rebuke , exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine : for the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine ; but after their own hearts lusts , shall heap to themselves teachers , having itching ears , and they shall turn away their ears from the truth , and shall be turned unto fables , 2 tim. 4. here the apostle was a true prophet , and saw the apostacy coming on , and therefore he laid a hard charge upon timothy : for , saith he , watch thou in all things ; endure afflictions ; do the work of an evangelist ; make full proof of thy ministry ; for i am ready to be offered , and the time of my departure draweth nigh , 2 tim. 4. as also when he writes to the thessalonians , of the day of the lord , and of the man of sin , the son of perdition , and thanks god for them , who had chosen them to salvation , through sanctification of the spirit , and belief of the truth , whereunto he called you , ( saith he ) by our gospel to the obtaining of the glory of our lord jesus christ ; therefore brethren , stand fast , and hold the traditions which ye have been taught , whether by word , or our epistle , 2 thes . 2. this scripture the papists , and many others , make a cloak and a covering for teaching their traditions ; because the apostle bids them hold fast the traditions that they had taught them , by their gospel ; which in the words before , he saith , was to the obtaining of the glory of our lord jesus christ ; the which they had good reason to hold fast ; for if they let that go , they were not like to attain to such another . but there is no comparison between these , and the traditions of the priests in the apostacy , either papists or others ; for through their teaching of their traditions , they have done nothing but brought people into a body of darkness , and into a heap of ignorance , keeping them ignorant both of the scriptures , and all that is good . for if people had but liberty to look into the scriptures , they would soon be wiser then their teachers , and see their gross darkness : but they tell them , they cannot understand them , they must be expounded by learned men ; and so will not let the light of christ arise in peoples hearts , nor never direct their minds to it , but keep them in darkness , and make a trade of the scriptures for their own advantage , and so deceive poor peoples souls . and these scriptures may serve to prove this particular of the fourth head , which is concerning their worship , which is , their matter and manner of preaching . the second particular of that head is their prayer , which is also contrary to scripture-example , they having prayars formed and made by men as all their other worship is , and so read their prayers in books ; and set any fellow or school-boy to read it , if he have but the name of curate or clark , if he read but that in the book , they account it praying : and if any of the greater sort , as bishops , deans , vicars , or parsons , if they pray , they either pray in a book , or else they have a prayer formed up , and made and prepared before hand , that they pray : and many times they set wild and wanton boyes , with priest , and clark , and all the people to sing their prayers : and this they account and call praying . when christ jesus was in his sermon in the mount , that he was teaching the people several things , ( as was said before ) as concerning alms , and many other particulars , in which he bad them not to do as the pharisees did ; he also spake to them that they should not pray as they did , for they prayed standing in the synagogues : and saith he , when ye pray , use not vain repetitions as the heathens do ; be not ye therefore like unto them , for your father knoweth what things ye have need of , before ye ask . after this manner therefore pray ye : our father , which art in heaven , &c. and so he giveth them several particular heads , what they should pray for , and after he had done that , he rehearseth these words again ; if ye forgive men their trespasses , your heavenly father will forgive you : but if ye forgive not men their trespasses , neither will your heavenly father forgive you your trespasses , mat. 6. and again he saith unto one of his disciples , who desired him to teach them to pray , he said unto them , when ye stand praying , forgive , if ye have ought against any , that your father also which is in heaven , may forgive you your trespasses : but if you do not forgive , neither will your father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses , mark 11. 25. now how the bishops , and all their officers which they imploy under them , forgive those that trespass against them , is manifested by their courts they keep ; as also all the papists , bishops , priests and jesuites , that make this prayer be said over so often by their people , how they forgive those that trespass against them , is also manifested by their inquisitions , wracks and tortures ; and yet this prayer they make their ground for all their forms , and forming up of prayers , which is quite contrary to the apostle's practice and doctrine ; for he saith , we are saved by hope ; but hope that is seen , that is not hope , but if we hope for that we see not , then do we with patience wait for it . likewise the spirit helpeth our infirmities , for we know not what we should pray for as we ought , but the spirit it self maketh intercession for us , with groanings which cannot be uttered ; and he that searcheth the heart , knoweth the mind of the spirit , because he maketh intercession for the saints , according to the will of god , rom. 8. and this spirit is he that knows the minde of christ , and the will of god , and therefore the apostle saith , i will pray with the spirit , and i will pray with understanding also , 1 cor. 14. for the spirit , saith he , searcheth all things , even the deep things of god ; for what man knoweth the things of a man , save the spirit of a man that is in him ; even so the things of god knoweth no man , save the spirit of god : for the natural man knoweth not the things of the spirit of god , for they are foolishness to him , because they are spiritually discerned . so how can these natural men , that read a prayer in a book , pray unto god , that know not the things of god ? and what effect can such prayers have ? indeed david saith , that the prayers of the righteous avail much , if they be fervent : but can their prayers avail that are unrighteous , and know not the things of god , neither have any fervency in them ? but the apostle saith , we know the mind of christ : and therefore he saith , be kindly affectioned one towards another , with brotherly love , in honour preferring one another , not slothful in business , fervent in spirit , serving the lord : rejoycing in hope , patient in tribulation , continuing instant in prayer , rom. 12. 12. and again , peter saith , as every man hath received the gift , even so minister the same one to another , as good stewards of the manifold grace of god : if any man speak , let him speak as the oracles of god : if any man minister , let him do it as of the ability which god giveth ; that god in all things may be glorified , 1 pet. 4. so here is a great difference between this sort of praying that the apostle here mentions , and that which is called the common-prayer ; which indeed is common , and may be common to any that have eyes and can read it ; as also all the paternosters , and ave-maries of the papists , though they call that which christ taught his disciples the paternoster , but he did not call it so ; though they patter it over , and teach all people to patter it over , but he did not so with those he taught it , but he told them they should not use vain repetitions , nor vain bablings ; and he taught them in the holy spirit of the lord , and so directed them that they might learn it in that spirit , or else he would not have learned them to have prayed , that the will of god might be done on earth , as it was in heaven . vain-bablers and patterers over of many words , do not the will of god on earth as it is in heaven , but this prayer is abused by them all , as many other places of scripture are . and this may serve for the second particular of their worship which is prayer . the third is their singing , which indeed is more like may-gameing then worshipping of god , playing and piping of organs , and setting a company of wilde , ungodly , light boyes to sing tunes to to them , which is such a kind of worship , as no christians in the primitive times exercised . it s true , there was in davids and solomons dayes , such as were appointed to minister in way of singing and giving thanks , as david when he had brought the ark of god and set it in the midst of his tent , which he had made for it , he offered burnt-offerings and peace-offerings before god ; and he appointed certain of the levites to minister before the ark of the lord , and to record , thank and praise the lord god of israel . asaph the chief , and next to him zachariah , jaaziel , shemiramoth , jehiel , mattathiah , eliah , benaiah , and obed-edom , 1 chron. 15. 16 , and 27. and jehiel , with psalteries and with harps ; but asaph made a sound with cimbals , benaiah and also eliezer the priests with trumpets , continually before the ark of the covenant of god. then on that day david delivered first this psalm , to thank the lord , into the hands of asaph and his brethren , who were the singers . give thanks unto the lord , call upon his name , &c. psal . 105. this was upon a special occasion , when the ark of god was brought up among them : and these that david committed this psalm unto , were such as were appointed of god for that place and office , as asaph , and those that were called to that office . also solomen had singing-men , and singing-women , eccles . 2. 8. and them of this order came with them again out of the captivity in babylon , ezra 2. 41. neh. 7. 67. but these were all before christ ; and why may not christians as well imitate circumcision , burnt-offerings and sacrifices , which were in the time of the law , as well as imitate singing-boyes ? and we do not find that any of the apostles and saints in the primitive times did sing david psalms in meeter and rhime , and turn his lamentations , and groanings , and sufferings , and tears , and anguish of his bones , being burned like a hearth , and that he was as a pelican in the wilderness , and like an owl in the desart ; when he cryed out , that his heart was smitten and withered , and his prayers and cries , psal . 102. we do not find that the apostles turned this state of weeping and lamentation of his into rhime and meeter , and sang it : but christ and his apostles , and christians and saints , when they sung , they sang with the spirit in prayses to the lord , and in the joy and rejoycing of the spirit . this was not to take another mans sighs , and groanings , and lamentations , and tears , and cryes to turn this into a song and sing it : this is not the truth , neither is it the practice of the spirit of truth . but when the soul and the spirit is joyful in the lord , and enjoyes his presence , and feels his life ; then there is joy , and honour , and praises given to the lord god in the truth and in the reality , in his own spirit , and this glory and praises are acceptable to the lord god : and therefore doth the apostle say , i will pray with the spirit , and with the vnderstanding also : i will sing with the spirit , and with the understanding also , 2 cor. 14. yet the apostle did not turn his praying into singing , nor none that have the spirit of the lord jesus to pray and sing with ; but when they pray they pray unto the lord , and when they sing they sing unto the lord , yet both by his own holy spirit . when christ jesus and his disciples were at the passover , and that he had broken the bread , and given them the cup of the new testament , he said unto them , i will drink no more of the fruit of the vine , until the day that i drink it new in the kingdom of god. and when they had sung an hymn , they went out into the mount of olives , mar. 14. 26. and according to this , the apostle in his exhortation to the ephesians , among many other particulars , he saith , be not drunk with wine wherein is excess : but be filled with the spirit , speaking to your selves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs , singing and making melody in your hearts to the lord ; giving thanks alwayes for all things unto god the father , in the name of our lord jesus christ , ephes . 5. 19 , 20. and again in his epistle to the colossians , he saith , let the word of christ dwell richly in you in all wisdom , teaching and admonishing one another , in psalms , and hymns , and spiritual songs , singing with grace in your hearts to the lord. likwise the apostle james saith , is any among you afflicted ? let him pray ; is any merry ? let him sing psalms , jam. 5. but he saith not sing those psalms which david sung , but the apostles sung in the spirit , with grace in their hearts , as before ; and said , those that do glory and rejoyce , let them do it in the lord ; and in so doing , they may worship and give thanks unto the lord in rejoycing and singing , as well as in other parts of worship , in the spirit of the lord god : but these are not wild , wicked , ungodly people and boyes , who are imployed in this service in our dayes ; but the lords holy spirit , where it dwels , and rules , and lives , is the same as ever it was , and can worshrp the father in spirit and in truth ; who is a spirit , and his worship is in his own spirit ; and this spirit speaking , or praying , or singing , worships him . more might be said concerning their altars , and bowing , and cringing to stocks and stones , and calling wood and stones set together by mens hands , and adorned with inventions , a church ; but all this trash and rubbish will fall together . since that temple that solomon built , which god commanded , christ said , should not be left one stone upon another of its building , but it should be all thrown down ; surely these popish houses have no long reign . and so this may serve for the finishing of the third particular and fourth head , which we except against , which is their worship . the fifth is their practice , which is so large , and indeed so contrary to all scripture-rule , it is much to express the heads of it , except it be such as are practised in it ; for the body of darkness is deep , and is such a puddle to rake in , that it is fit for none but those whose garments are filthy and defiled , to meddle with : yet for the seed of god sake , which is kept in bondage , and in captivity , in and by this power of darkness , that hath lodged in this ●ody of teachers and preachers , who have called themselves christians , both papists and protestants , in this night of apostacy , that the true church of god hath been in the wilderness , and the witnesses prophesied in sackcloth ; this hath been a night of darkness , but the day is springing , glory to the lord for ever ; i say , for this seeds sake , we shall proceed to mention some particular heads of their practice , and try them by the scriptures . and the first is that which they call their studying , and their placing the very foundation of their call , and all their practices in that function , in that which they call learning ; which thing we never finde neither in the old-testament nor new , that they who were called to the office of the priesthood , that obtained it by such wayes and means as they use ; viz. that which they call their studies and fountains of learning , which is their universities ; and in them , so many several orders and degrees , to ordain and appoint such as belong to that function of the ministry , which we do not finde in the old-testament , that either aaron or his sons , or those that were of the tribe of levi , were ordained after such a manner , and by such orders as they pretend to theirs ; for when the lord spake unto moses for the setting up of the tabernacle , and after what manner he should do all things about it ; he said , thou shalt set the laver betwixt the tent of the congregation and the altar , and thou shalt put water therein , and thou shalt bring aaron and his sons unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation , and wash them with water ; and thou shalt put upon aaron the holy garments , and anoint him , and sanctifie him , that he may minister unto me in the priests office ; and thou shalt bring his sons and cloath them with coats , and thou shalt anoint them as thou didst their father , that they may minister unto me in the priests office ; for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations : thus did moses according to all that the lord commanded him , for he set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar , and moses , and aaron and his sons , washed their hands and their feet thereat , as the lord commanded moses . exod. 28 , 29. chap. levit. 8. moreover the lord said unto moses , take the levites from among the children of israel , and cleanse them , and thus shalt thou do unto them to cleanse them ; sprinkle water of purifying upon them , and let them shave them , all their flesh , and let them wash their clothes , and so make them clean ; then let them take a young bullock , with his meat offering , even fine flowre mingled with oyle ; and another young bullock thou shalt take , for a sin offering ; and thou shalt bring the levites before the tabernacle of the congregation , and thou shalt gather the whole assembly of the children of israel together , and thou shalt bring the levites before the lord , and the children of israel shall put their hands upon the levites , and aaron shall offer the levites before the lord , for an offering for the children of israel , that they may execute the service of the lord ; and the levites shall lay their hands upon the heads of the bullocks , and thou shalt offer the one for a sin-offering , and the other for a burnt-offering unto the lord , to make an atonement for the levites ; and shalt set the levites before aaron , and before his sons , and offer them for an offering to the lord ; thus shalt thou separate the levites from among the children of israel , and the levites shall be mine ; and after that shall the levites go in , to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation , and thou shalt cleanse them , and offer them for an offering ; for they are wholly given unto me from among the children of israel , instead of such as open every womb , even instead of the first-born of all the children of israel , i have taken them unto me ; for all the first-born of the children of israel are mine , both man and beast , in the day that i smote the first-born in the land of egypt , i sanctified them for my self , and i have taken the levites for all the first-born of the children of israel , and i have given the levites as a gift to aaron , and to his sons , from among the children of israel , to do the service of the children of israel in the tabernacle of the congregation , to make an atonement for the children of israel , that there be no plague among them , when they come nigh my sanctuary . and moses and aaron , and the congregati of israel , did unto the levites , according as the lord commanded them ; and the levites were purified , and they washed their garments , and aaron offered them as an offering before the lord , and aaron made an atonement for them , to cleanse them , and after that the levites went in to do their service in the tabernacle of the congregation , before aaron , and before his sons : and the lord spake unto moses , saying , this is it that belongeth to the levites , from twenty years old and upwards , they shall go in to wait upon the service of the tabernacle of the congregation , and from the age of fifty years they shall cease waiting upon the service thereof , and shall serve no more ; but shall minister with their brethen in the tabernacle of the congregation , to keep the charge , and shall do no service ; thus shalt thou do unto the levites touching their charge . numb . 8. now here is nothing of studying , or going to the universities , nor diving , nor divinining into the body of darkness , which defiles and polutes ; but here was washing , and cleansing , and purifying , and an offering of two bullocks , one for a sin-offering , another for a burnt-offering , the levites being offered with the offerings , and they laying their hands upon the heads of the offerings , and moses making an atonement for them , to cleanse them , before they could be admitted into the service ; and then they were to wait from twenty five years , and upwards unto fifty years , before they might cease waiting , and then they were to minister with their brethren in the tabernacle ; but they did not wait at the universities , and at the schools of learning , but they waited upon the service of the tabernacle of the congregation ; for the lord had called them for that end , that they might make an atonement for the children of israel , that there might be no plague among them . so that it is strange that ministers that profess christianity , and profess themselves to be ministers of christ , and ministers of the gospel , should run into such extravagances , being that they profess the scriptures , and that they should not walk in by-paths ; but they go quite opposite to what the scriptures of truth hold forth concerning both the first and second priesthood . it is true indeed , the lord complaineth by his prophets , when israel was gone away from the lord , and turned unto idolatry and abomination , and was in rebellion against him , then he complains of their teachers , that they speak a divination of their own brain , and not from the mouth of the lord ; but the lord saith , that he will frustrate the tokens of the lyars , and make the diviners mad , and turn the wise men backward , and make their knowledge foolish . isa . 44. and again he complains of the blind watchmen , and said , they are all ignorant , they are all dumb dogs , they cannot bark , sleeping , lying down to slumber ; yea , they are greedy dogs , which can never have enough ; and they are shepherds that cannot understand , they all look to their own way , every one for his gain from his quarter : come ye , say they , and i will fetch wine , and we will fill our selves with strong-drink , and to morrow shall be as this day , and much more abundant , isa . 56. again , the lord complains of them by his prophet jeremiah , jeremiahs heart was broken within him because of the prophets , and his bones did shake like a drunken man , because of the lord , and the word of his holiness : for the land , saith he , is full of adulteries , for because of swearing the land mourneth : for prophet and priest are prophane ; yea , in my house have i found their wickedness , saith the lord. wherefore their wayes shall be unto them as slippery wayes , in the darkness they shall be driven on , and fall therein ; i will bring evil upon them , even the year of their visitation , saith the lord. thus saith the lord of hosts , hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesie unto you ; thy make you vain , they speak a vision of their own heart , and not out of the mouth of the lord. they say still unto them that despise me , the lord hath said , ye shall have peace : and they say unto every one that walketh after the imaginations of his own heart , no evil shall come upon you . but behold , the whirlwind of the lord is come forth in fury , and it shall fall grievously upon the head of the wicked : the anger of the lord shall not return , till he have executed , and till he hath performed the thoughts of his heart . in the latter dayes he shall consider it perfectly . i have not sent these prophets , i have not spoken unto them , yet they prophesied . i heard when the prophet said , that prophesied lies in my name , which cause my people to forget my name , as their fathers have forgotten my name for baal . is not my word like a fire saith the lord and like a hammer , that breaketh the rocks in pieces ? therefore behold , i am against the prophets , saith the lord , that steal my words every one from his neighbour : behold , i am against the prophets , saith the lord , that use their tongues , and say , he saith ; behold , i am against them that prophesie false dreams , and tell them , and cause my people to erre through their lies , and by their lightness ; and yet i sent them not , nor commanded them : therefore they shall not profit my people at all saith the lord , jer. 23. and again the lord said unto me , the prophets prophesie lies in my name . i sent them not neither commanded i them , neither spake i unto them : yet they prophesied unto you a false vision , and a divination , and a thing of nought , and the deceit of their heart , chap. 14. therefore hearken not ye to your prophets , nor to your diviners , nor to your inchanters , nor to your sorcerers : for i have not sent them , yet they prophesie a lye in my name ; that i might drive you out , and ye might perish , jer. 27. for thus saith the lord of hosts , the god of israel , let not your prophets , nor your diviners , that be in the midst of you , deceive you , for they prophesie falsly unto you ; i have not sent them , saith the lord , jer. 29 and ezekiel saith , her prophets have daubed them with untempred morter ; seeing vanity , divining lies unto them , saying , thus saith the lord , when the lord hath not spoken , ezek. 22. 28. and zechariah saith , the idols have spoken vanity , and diviners have seen a lye , and have told false dreams , and have comforted in vain , zech. 10. 2. and micah saith , then shall the seers be ashamed , and diviners confounded ; yea , they shall all cover their lips ; for there is no answer from god , micah . 3. 7. after the children of israel and judah were fallen away from the lord god , and from his worship and service , into idolatry , and worshiping of baal , then their priests , and prophets , and teachers fell to divining , and enchanting in the power of darkness , and fell into all manner of wickedness , and grosness , and prophaness , and drunkeness , in so much that the lord complaineth of their drinking wine in bowles ; ye that put far the evil day , and cause the seat of violence to come near ; that lie upon the beds of ivory , and stretch themselves upon the couches ; and eat the lambs out of the flock , and the calves out of the midst of the stall ; that chant to the sound of the vial , and invent to themselves instruments of musick like david ; that drink wine in bowls , and anoint themselves with the chief oyntment ; but they are not grieved at the afflictions of joseph ; therefore they shall go into captivity with the first , amos 6. surely the diviners and inchanters of these last dayes , in this night of apostacy , in which the apostle john said that antichrist should come , have taken example by these false prophets and false teachers , that were fallen away from the lord , and from the ordinances of his law , that he gave out to those that were to minister at the altar , and were to minister in the priests office : when they were fallen away into idolatry , they then fell into divination , and digging and diving into the darkness and imagination of their wicked hearts , and so spake false visions , and false dreams , and false prophesies , and said , the lord saith , when the lord had never spoken to them . so it hath been with our professed christian ministers , in this time of apostacy , since the apostles dayes ; they read the prophets words and said , thus saith the lord ; and they read christ's words , and the holy apostles words , who worshiped the only true god , and spake in and by his holy spirit : and they themselves will confess the lord never spake unto them , neither do they ever expect to know revelation , nor hear the voice of god , as the apostle did ; for they have preached to all people , that that is ceased . and though it is true , that it hath been ceased among them , in their dark night of apostacy , yet the holy spirit of the lord jesus christ , which spake in him , and in all his holy apostles , is alive , and lives for evermore ; which he sent and signified by his servant john , rev. 1. who bare record of the word of god , and the testimony of jesus christ , and of all things that he saw . who , when he saw him , fell at his feet , as dead ; and he laid his right hand upon him , saying , fear not ; i am the first and the last ; i am he that liveth and was dead , and behold , i am alive for evermore , and have the keyes of hell and death . write the things which thou hast seen , and the things which are , and the things which shall be hereafter . and this revelation which john saw of jesus christ , will as surely be fulfilled , as all the other scriptures that prophesied formerly of his coming in the flesh ; who in the fulness of time came and fulfilled all that was written of him : so certainly will he come and fulfil the revelations that have been of him . and of his power and great glory , and of his coming in his spirit , and in his revelation by which he reveals the father , as he said himself in the days of his flesh , hereafter i will not speak unto you in proverbs , but i will shew plainly of the father , john 17. howbeit , when the spirit of truth is come , he will guide you into all truth . and this hath the lord fulfilled , and will fulfill in his day and time appointed ; for the times and seasons are in the fathers hand , although the night-owls , who have been in the darkness , have striven always to put this light out , when it would have shined in their time , which was dark . and therefore have they striven together , and combined together to make their mountain strong , and set up schooles of learning , as they call them ; and educated youth up in that darkness , and kept them studying and divining in their braine , till many have studied themselves out of their wits ; and so they might follow their orders , and ordinations , and degrees , one above another , and one below another , with such a rabble as is not worth mentioning ; and none might speak , nor preach , nor read , no nor teach school , but such as take orders , or degrees , or licences from them : and all this rabble is quite contrary to scripture-rule and example . it is true , the apostle exhorted the thessalonians to study to be quiet , and to do their own business , and to work with their own hands , 1 thess . 4. 11. and wrote to timothy , to study to be approved to god , a workman that needeth not to be ashamed , rightly dividing the word of truth . this was not studying in the power of darkness , to be approved of men , to study all their dayes to invent an hours talk to please men , and so they take the scriptures , and garnish , and adorn , and flourish this dark muddy stuffe with it , and when they have done , sell it for money ; and so bear rule by the poor peoples means , and the poor people are kept so in darkness , and ignorance by them , that the people love to have it so . but , as the prophet isaiah saith , what will they do in the end thereof ? but surely the lord is coming to gather his flock , according as he spake by his prophet ezekiel , which prophesie is not yet fulfilled , for it was to the jewes : as i live , saith the lord god , because my flock is become a prey , and because there is no shepherd , neither did the shepherds search for my flock , but they fed themselves and not my flock : behold , i am against the shepherds , i will require my flock at their hands ; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more : i will deliver my flock from their mouthes : as a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep ; so will i seek out my sheep , and will deliver them , ezek. 34. so the lord will fulfill his faithful word , which changeth not , however they promise themselves peace , till sudden destruction come upon them . for so christ said , when he was in his flesh , when he spake of the coming of the son of man in his power and great glory , be bad them watch , and told them , that the son of man would come as a thief in the night : and he told them if the good man of the house knew at what hour the thief would come , he would not have suffered his house to be robbed : and he said , blessed is that servant that when his lord cometh , is found watching . thus you see that the scriptures are utterly against the practises of those that have been in the ministry , and teachers of people , since the apostles dayes , in the apostacy ; for they have neither president nor example from the ministers of the lord , neither under the law nor under the gospel , as we shall prove more fully hereafter . for when the lord reproves edom and esau , and their priests , and told them they had offered polluted bread upon his altar , and they had offered the blind for sacrifice , and lame , and sick : and that from the rising of the sun to the going down of the same , his name was polluted ; as ye may read at large in mal. 1 , 2. chap. he told them that he would corrupt their seed , and spread dung upon their faces , even the dung of their solemn feasts : yet he told them , that his covenant was with levi , even of life and peace , and i gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared me ; the law of truth was in his mouth , and iniquity was not found in his lips ; he walked with me in peace and equity , and did turn away many from iniquity ; for the preists lips should preserve knowledge , and they should seek the law at his mouth ; for he is the messenger of the lord of hosts , but ye are turned away , &c. so these are none of the priests of our dayes , that come from the universities , and have their orders and degrees from thence , for they confess themselves to be all polluted and filthy , from the crown of the head , to the soal of the foot ; and they tell people they must never be free from sin and iniquity , nor they must never look for revelations : so these are none of levie's tribe , for he turned many from iniquity , and the people were to seek the law at his mouth ; because the law of truth was in his mouth . and so by what hath been spoken before concerning their attaining to the ministry , as also their principles what they hold ; you see that they are none of gods ministers under the law , neither did any that were ordained of god to be ministers under the law , attain to it by such means , or in such a manner as they have done to theirs , viz. by school-learning : neither are they god's ministers under the gospel ; so that they are neither gods ministers under the law nor gospel . as also christ , those that he chose to be ministers , you may read what sort of men they were . when he was on the coast of zebulon and naphthali , he preached unto them repentance . and as jesus was walking by the sea of galilee , he saw two brethren , peter and andrew , and he called them : they were casting their nets into the sea , for they were fishers ; and he saith unto them , follow me , and i will make you fishers of men : and straightway they followed him , matth. 4. mark 1. and when he had gone a little further thence , he saw james the son of zebedee , and john his brother , who also were in a ship mending their nets , and straightway he called them : and they left their father in the ship with the servants , and went after him . matthew was a publican , simon a canaanite . also when christ sent forth the seventy , luke 10. there were no universities provided for them ; nor had they ordinations , or degrees from thence ; but ye may read they had their command and commission from him . and again when he had wrought the miracle on the man that was sick of the palsie , as he passed from thence , he saw a man named matthew , sitting at the receipt of custom , and he said unto him , follow me ; and he arose and followed him , matth. 9. 9. also . jesus when he was going forth into galilee , findeth philip , and saith unto him , follow me ; philip findeth nathaniel , and saith unto him , we have found him of whom moses in the law , and in the prophets did write , jesus of nazareth , the son of joseph , john 1. also two of johns disciples , when they had heard him speak , and looked upon him , followed jesus ; and one of them which followed him was andrew , simon peters brother , and he saith unto his brother , we have found the messiah , which by interpretation is christ , john 1. and thus they had the testimony of christ jesus in their consciences , through which they gave up all , and forsook all , and followed him ; and he having all power in heaven and in earth given unto him , gave them power and authority over all spirits ; insomuch , that they said , the devils were subject unto them : and when they came unto him , and told him , he said unto them , rejoyce not that the devils are subject unto you ; but rather rejoyce that your names are written in heaven : and this was their power , and the matter of their joy , that they had their testimony and commission from him , their lord and master . so here was no ordinations of men , nor degrees taken from universities ; nor no nurturing up in schools of learning , as hath been in these latter dayes ; for this hath all been since this power and spirit of the lord jesus hath been lost , and gone from , and rebelled against , in this night of apostacy . also after this , when the apostle paul was called to be a minister , he was called by vision , and by the voice of god , and sent forth by the command of his word and power , acts 26. 16. and yet he confessed himself , that he was brought up at the feet of gamaliel , and taught according to the perfect law of the fathers , acts 22. 3. yet he desires his brethren , to beware of dogs , beware of evil-workers , beware of the concision ; for we are the circumcision , which worship god in the spirit , and rejoyce in christ jesus , and have no confidence in the flesh ; though i might also have a confidence in the flesh : if any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh , i more . circumcised the eighth day , of the stock of israel , &c. but what things were gain to me , those i counted loss for christ : yea , doubtless i count all things but dross for the excellency of the knowledge of christ jesus my lord ; for whom i have suffered the loss of all things , and do count them but dung , that i may win christ , and be found in him , phil. 3. here the apostle clears himself concerning his choice , and sees the vanity of all transitory things ; and this was a fit minister of the eternal gospel of christ , who forsook and laid away all his humane knowledge , and learning , and filthy wisdom , and only chose the holy spirit of the lord god , the cross of christ , whereby he said he was crucified to the world , and the world to him ; and this is quite contrary to the ministration of mens wisdom before mentioned . and so this may suffice for the first particular of the fifth head , which is their practice , to wit their way and means to attain to the ministry . the second particular of the practice , is the limiting and binding of people unto their way and worship , by their laws and courts , which they call ecclesiastical , with the several degrees of offices to get money from people , and to bring them into bondage , and keep them in awe and continual trouble , in tying of them up to their inventions and laws , which they make for their own gain and advantage , not leaving poor people to the liberty of their consciences , and to the freedom of their spirits , but binde them to such things as pertain to their own advantage , and superiority , and in this lord it over poor peoples estates , persons , and consciences , and yet they call themselves gospel-ministers , and in words profess christ and christianity ; but this is quite contrary to the practice and example of christ and his apostles and ministers ; for those that he sent forth , into whatsoever city they went , they were to enquire who was worthy , and there to abide till they went thence . and when you come into one house , salute it ; and if the house be worthy , let your peace come upon it ; but if it be not worthy , let your peace return to you ; and whosoever shall not receive you , nor hear your words , when ye depart out of that house , or city , shake off the dust of your feet , matth. 10. mark saith thus , and whosoever shall not receive you , nor hear you , shake off the dust under your feet , for a testimony against them ; verily i say unto you , it shall be more tollerable for sodom and gomorrah in the day of judgment , then for that city , mark 6. and again , when he sent out the seventy , he said unto them , into whatsoever house ye enter , first say , peace be to this house ; and if the son of peace be there , your peace shall rest upon it ; if not , it shall return to you again : but into whatsoever city ye enter , and they receive you not , go your way into the streets of the same , and say , even the dust of your city , which cleaveth on us , we do wipe off against you ; notwithstanding , be sure of this , that the kingdom of god is come nigh unto you ; but i say unto you , it shall be more tollerable in the day of judgment , &c. luke 10. and according to this command of christ , paul and barnabas , who were separated by the holy ghost for the work of the ministry , when they had preached the gospel among the jews , and witnessed forth christ jesus , and his sufferings , among the jews who had crucified him , and also preached him unto the gentiles , and the jews contradicting pauls ministry ; then paul and barnabas waxed bold , and said they would turn to the gentiles ; for , say they , so hath the lood commanded us , saying , i will set thee for a light unto the gentiles , that thou shouldest be my salvation to the ends of the earth : but when the jews heard this , they stirred up the devout and honorable women , and chief men of the city , and raised persecution against paul and barnabas , and expelled them out of their coasts ; but they shoke of the dust of their feet against them , and came unto iconium . acts 13. this was that which the ministers of christ , that he sent forth , were to do against those that would not receive them ; not to hale them to courts , and punish their bodies and estates , and make them give them money , by their citing of them ; if they did not believe in their doctrine , they did not deliver them up to the civil magistrate , to lay their laws upon them , and to whip them , and scourge them , as the christians of these ages have done , both papists and protestants ; what they cannot do with their inquisitions and bishops courts , they can deliver them up to the civil magistrates , to their racks and tortures , and hanging , and banishment , and imprisonment to death ; and this is the way that the christians of these late ages have used , with such as did not believe in their doctrine of darkness , as many thousands of witnesses might be instanced , that have born their testimony against them , even to the loss of their lives and blood ; and in this they have been like unto the high-priests , and scribes , and pharisees , and manifested themselves to be of that generation , which christ pronounced woe upon , that upon them may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth , from the blood of righteous abel . matth. 23. but this was not the way that christ taught his disciples to do ; for he said unto them , it is impossible but that offences should come , but woe be to them by whom they come ; it were better for him , that a milstone were hanged about his neck , and he cast into the sea , then that he should offend one of these little ones . take heed to your selves ; if thy brother trespass against thee , rebuke him , and if he repent , forgive him ; and if he trespass against thee seven times in a day , and seven times in a day , and turn again unto thee , saying , i repent , thou shalt forgive him . and the apostles said unto the lord , increase our faith ; and the lord said , if ye had faith as a grain of mustard-seed , ye might say unto this sycamore-tree , be thou plucked up by the roots , and be thou planted into the sea , and it should be so , luke 17. here is the power of their ministry , planting and watering in the faith. moreover , he saith , if thy brother shall trespass against thee , go and tell him his fault , between thee and him alone : if he will hear thee , thou hast gained thy brother ; but if he will not hear thee , take with thee one or two more , that in the mouth of two or three witnesses , every word may be established ; but if he shall neglect to hear them ; tell it unto the church ; but if he neglect to hear the church , let him be unto thee as an heathen man , and a publican . here is no citing to the bishops court , though he was to be brought to the church , it was but to instruct him , and exhort him , and to shew him his fault ; and if he would not hear , let him be as an heathen , or as a publican ; not to deliver him up to the civil magistrate , or to be cast into prison all his dayes , or to be tortured or racked . and when peter heard these exhortations of christ , he came unto his master , and said , lord , how oft shall my brother sin against me , and i forgive him , till seven times ? jesus saith unto him , i say not unto thee till seven times , but till seventy times seven ; therefore the kingdom of god is likened unto a certain king , which would take an account of his servants , &c. matth. 18. i desire the masters , and upholders of the courts and inquisions , racks and tortures , imprisoners and persecutors , to read the remaining part of this chapter , and see whether they be not the men that have owed much unto the lord , and sinned and transgressed against him , and had need to crave his pacience and mercy , though they have been cruel with their fellow-servants , and have laid violent hands on them , and have taken them by the throat , and said , pay me the debt , and would not have patience , but cast into prison ; so that the lord may well say unto them , o ye wicked servants , i forgave you because ye desired me , and should not ye have compassion on your fellow-servants ; surely the lord is wrath for these things , and will deliver you unto the tormentors . here ye see , to use violence and cruelty , is absolutely contrary to the doctrine and command of christ , though some bring that scripture where christ saith , go into the high-wayes and hedges , and compel them to come in ; this christ spake when he was in the house of one of the chief pharisees to eat bread , and he exhorted them in several particulars ; one of them was , that when they made a dinner , or a supper , they should not invite their friends , brethren , and kindred , and rich neighbours ; but when they made a feast they should invite the poor , which could not recompense them again : and when one of them that sate at meat heard these gracious words that proceeded from him , he said unto him , blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of god ; and then he spake a parable unto them , and said , a certain man made a great supper , and invited many , who made excuses and did not come ; as you may read in this 14th chapter of luke . and therefore it was that he sent into the high-wayes and hedges , because those that were bidden , were not worthy to taste of his supper , neither went he about to compel them . and there were great multitudes with him , and he turned and said unto them , if any man come to me , and hate not his father and mother , and wife and children , and brethren and sisters , yea , and his own life also ; he cannot be my disciple . and whosoever doth not bear his cross , and come after me , cannot be my disciple . and this scripture they abuse , and make it a cover for their violence and cruelty ; but what is their supper or dinner , that people can receive , when they have compelled them ? is it worthy of forsaking father and mother , wife and children , house and lands , and ones own life ? i trow not . but this is but like the scribes and pharisees , when they came to christ , and said , why did his disciples transgress the tradition of the elders ? in eating with unwashen hands : but he answered and said , why do ye transgress the commandments of god by your traditions ? in vain do they worship me teaching for doctrine the traditions of men , matth. 15. and this hath been the doctrine of our ages last past , the traditions of men , and imaginations and inventions of men : by this they have holden up the superiority , according as the apostle saith , having mens persons in admiration because of advantage , and so have lorded over god's heritage ; and so have kept his people under the weight of oppression , as the scribes and pharisees did ; binding heavy burdens grievous to be born : but this is contrary to christ and his apostles doctrine , and example ; as hath been shewed already . moreover the apostle paul , when he writeth his second epistle to the corinthins , chap. 1. and relateth the sufferings and hardships that they had passed through , how that they had the sentence of death in themselves ; he saith , now he which establisheth us with you in christ , and hath anointed us in god , who hath also sealed us , and given us the earnest of his spirit in our hearts ; not that we have dominion over your faith , but are helpers of your joy ; for by faith ye stand . here the apostle did not bind them , and limit them , nor called them to courts , to keep them under oppression and penalty in those things that were contary to their faith and principles , this was contrary to pauls practice ; for when he called the elders of the church of ephesus unto him , he said unto them , ye know that from the first day that i came unto you , after what manner i have been with you at all seasons , serving the lord with all humility of mind ; and with many tears and temptations which befel me , and how i kept back nothing that was profitable unto you , but have shewed you , and have taught you publickly , and from house to house ; testifying both to jews and greeks , repentance towards god , and faith towards our lord jesus christ . and when he goes on mentioning his sufferings , he saith , none of these things move me , neither count i my self dear unto my self , so that i may finish my course with joy , and the ministry which i have received of the lord jesus , to testify the gospel of the grace of god ; for i have not shunned to declare unto you the whole counsel of god. take heed therefore unto your selves , and to the whole flock of god , whereof the holy ghost hath made you overseers : and feed the church of god , which he hath purchased with his own blood , acts 20. here the apostle gives them no commission to oppress or bondage those that they were overseers over , but to feed them , and to watch over them ; for , saith he , after my departure shall grievous wolves enter among you , not sparing the flock . also of your own selves shall men arise , speaking perverse things ; therefore watch and remember , &c. this hath been fulfilled and largly manifested ; wolves and devourers have had a large time since that day . also the apostle peter saith thus , the elders which are among you i exhort , who am also an elder , and a witness of the sufferings of christ , and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed . feed the flock of god which is among you , taking the oversight thereof , not by constraint , but willingly ; not for filthy lucre , but of a ready mind ; neither as being lords over gods heritage , but being examples to the flock ; and when the chief shepherd shall appear , ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away , 1 pet. 5. here is a perfect example and rule for all the overseers of the church of god. moreover , when the apostle writes unto his son timothy , he saith , that the end of the commandment is charity , out of a pure heart , and a good conscience , and faith unfeigned ; also he exhorts him , first of all that supplications , prayers , and intercessions , and giving of thanks be made for all men , for kings , and for all that are in authority , that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life , in all godliness and honesty ; and so he goes on , exhorting this bishop ; but never biddeth him set up courts , nor be a lord over gods heritage ; for he saith , this is a true saying , if any man desireth the office of a bishop , he desireth a good work ; a bishop must be blameless , the husband of one wife , vigilant , sober , of good behaviour , given to hospitality , apt to teach . i believe our bishops are wanting here , because they hire and imploy so many petty teachers under them ; but he goes on , not given to wine , no striker , not greedy of filthy lucre , but patient , not a brawler , not covetons , ( now our laws and courts signifie the contrary of this ) not a novice , lest being lifted up with pride , he fall into reproach , and the snare of the devil ; moreover , he must have a good report of those that are without , holding the mystery of faith in a pure conscience ; so the apostle goeth on , exhorting the bishops and deacons , that they may know how to behave themselves in the house of god , which is the church of the living god , the ground and pillar of truth . 1 tim. 2 , 3 , chap. so he goes on , exhorting them what to teach and preach , and how to order the church , in the 4th and 5th chapters , concerning the elders , elder-men , and elder-women , younger-men , and younger-women ; as also servants ; he directeth him how to go by way of exhortation to them all ; and saith , if any man teach otherwise , and consent not to wholsom words , even the words of our lord jesus christ , and to the doctrine which is according to godliness , he is proud , knowing nothing , doting about questions ; so he goeth on , dehorting them from those things : but thou , o man of god , saith he , flee these things , and follow after righteousness , godliness , faith , love , and patience , meekness ; fight the good fight of faith , lay hold on eternal life , whereunto thou art called , and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses : i give thee charge in the sight of god , who quickneth all things , and before christ jesus , who before pontius pilate witnessed a good confession , that thou keep this commandment without spot , unrebukeable , until the appearing of our lord jesus christ ; o timothy , keep that which is committed unto thy trust , chap. 6. here is a weighty , and a hard charge laid upon timothy , the then bishop and overseer of the church ; but here is nothing of making of laws , and setting up courts , and oppressing people , and keeping them in bondage and slavery ; for when he writeth his second epistle to timothy , he saith , my dearly beloved son , grace , mercy , and peace from god the father , and from our lord jesus christ . when i call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee , which dwelt first in thy grandmother lois , and thy mother eunice , and i am perswaded , that in thee also : wherefore i put thee in remembrance , that thou stir up the gift of god which is in thee , by the putting on of my hands ; for god hath not given us the spirit of fear , but of power , and of love , and of a sound minde : that good thing which was committed unto thee keep , by the holy ghost which dwelleth in us : this thou knowest , that all they which were in asia be turned away from me ; yet he doth not bid him arraign them , nor call them up to courts , nor cite them , nor excommunicate them , nor cast them into prison ; but he exhorts him to be strong in the grace that is in christ jesus ; and he layeth down how he should teach the people ; and commit those things he hath heard of him unto faithfull men ; and thou therefore endure hardiness , as good souldier of jesus christ : and if a man also strive for mastery , yet he is not crowned , except he strive lawfully . consider what i say , saith he , and the lord give thee an understanding in all things : study to shew thy self approved unto god , a workman that needeth not be ashamed , rightly dividing the word of truth ; but shun profane and vain bablings ; and so he goes on exhorting him , saying , flee also youthfull lusts ; but follow righteousness , faith , charity , and peace with them that call on the lord out of a pure heart : but foolish and unlearned questions avoid , knowing that they gender to strife ; and the servant of the lord must not strive ; but be gentle unto all men , apt to teach , patient ; instructing them that oppose themselves , if god peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth ; and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil . 2 tim. 2. this is contrary to the striving and contention , that hath been by our bishops and deacons , that have professed these scriptures , both papists and protestants ; one striving with inquisitions , and racks , and tortures ; the other striving and terrifying poor people with their courts , and chancellors , and prisons , and commissaries , and subordinate officers not a few ; insomuch , that there hath been such a yoke of bondage upon the necks of the poor and innocent , that grievous groans have ascended , under it , from them unto the lord : but of this the apostle was a true prophet to his son timothy , the then bishop and overseer of the churches of god : this know also , saith he , that in the last dayes perillous times shall come : for men shall be lovers of their own selves , covetous , boasters , proud , blasphemers , without natural affection , false accusers , fierce , despisers of those that are good ; heady , high-minded , lovers of pleasures more then lovers of god , having a form of godliness , but denying the power thereof . see here , is not this fulfiled ? but the apostle saith unto timothy , from such turn away ; for of this sort are they which creep into houses , and lead captive silly women , laden with sin , and divers lusts , ever learning , and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth . and hath not this been our state and condition in all this night of apostacy ? have they not crept into houses , and called them churches ? and have kept people ever learning , but they never brought them to the knowledge of the true church , nor of the true god. and the apostle saith further unto him ; but thou hast known my doctrine , manner of life , purpose , faith , long-suffering , patience , charity ; continue thou in the things that thou hast learned , and hast been assured of , knowing of whom thou hast learned them , 2 tim. 3. i charge thee before god , and the lord jesus christ , preach the word , be instant in season , and out of season , reprove , rebuke , with all long-suffering and doctrine : this is not to use violence , nor compel , as hath been used for many hundreds of years ; but he biddeth him , watch in all things , endure afflictions , do the work of an evangelist , make full proof of thy ministry , 2 tim. 4. this was not the full proof of gain and advantage upon poor peoples estates and livelihoods , as hath been made of in these late dayes ; for if that be it , they have done it to the utmost . moreover , when he writes unto titus , his own son , he saith , for this cause left i thee at crete , that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting , and ordain elders in every city , as i appointed thee : if any man be blameless , the husband of one wife , having faithfull children , not accused of riot , or unruly : for a bishop must be blameless , as the steward of god ; not self-willed , not soon angry , not given to wine , no striker , not given to filthy lucre ; but a lover of hospitality , a lover of good men , sober , just , holy , temperate , holding fast the faithfull word , as he hath been taught , that he may be able by sound doctrine , both to exhort and convince the gainsayers ; for there are many unruly and vain talkers , &c. tit. 1. but speak thou the things that become sound doctrine : and so he directs him to exhort the aged-men , and aged-women ; young-men , and young-women , and servants , how they ought to walk in their places , and callings , that they might all adorn the doctrine of god : for the grace of god that bringeth salvation hath appeared unto all men , saith he , teaching us , that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts , we should live soberly , and godly in this present world , looking for the blessed hope , and glorious appearing of the great god , and our saviour jesus christ , who gave himself for us , that he might redeem us from all iniquity , and purifie to himself a peculiar people , zealous of good works : these things speak and exhort . it . 2. this is contrary to the doctrine of the bishops and teachers of our dayes ; for they do not turn people to the grace of god that hath appeared to all men , that teacheth to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts ; but they say we must never be redeemed from iniquity , nor never be purged nor purified from sin while we are upon earth ; and then how can we be peculiar and zealous of good works : for the worst of people are but sinners : but surely this which they preach is another gospel . the apostle goes on with his exhortation to titus , and bids him put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers , and to obey magistrates , and to speak evil of no man , to be no brawlers , but gentle , shewing all meekness unto all men : for we our selves , saith he , were sometimes foolish , disobedient , serving divers lusts and pleasures , living in malice and envy , hatefull , and hating one another : but after that the kindness and love of god our saviour towards man appeared , not by works of righteousness that we have done , but according to his mercy he hath saved us , by the washing of regeneration , and renewing of the holy ghost , which he shed on us abundantly , through jesus christ our saviour . these things i will that thou affirm constantly , that they which have believed in god , might be carefull to maintain good works ; these things are profitable unto men . tit. 3. thus ye see that these bishops timothy and titus , are far different both in doctrine , practice , and example , from the bishops that have been for several hundreds of years last past , the night hath been upon them , and come over them , so that they have erred from the faith and doctine of the apostles , neither have they received the holy ghost . for timothy , who was a bishop , was a man that the apostle had much confidence in , and belief of , as he expresseth in several of his epistles ; for he saith to the corinthians in his first epistle ; though ye have ten thousand instructers in christ , yet have ye not many fathers ; for in christ jesus i have begotten you through the gospel : wherefore , i beseech you , be ye followers of me . for this cause i have sent unto you timotheus , who is my beloved son , and faithfull in the lord , who shall bring you into remembrance of my wayes which be in christ , as i teach every where in every church . 1 cor. 4. and again , when the apostle exhorteth the philippians in his epistle , to let nothing be done through strife , or vain-glory , but in lowliness of mind , let each esteem other better then themselves . look not every man to his own things , but every man also to the things of others : and so he goes on opening the mystery of the sufferings of christ ; but , he saith , i trust in the lord jesus to send timotheus shortly unto you , that i also may be of good comfort when i know your state : for i have no man like-minded , who will naturally care for your state : for all seek their own , not the things that are jesus christs ; but ye know the proof of him , that as a son with a father , he hath served me in the gospel , him therefore i send unto you , &c. phil. 2. and again , when he writeth to the thessalonians , he saith , we sent timotheus our brother and minister of god , and our fellow labourer in the gospel of christ , to establish you , and comfort you concerning your faith , 1 thess . 3. thus ye see that this timotheus , who was the bishop and overseer of the church of god in the apostles dayes , was a faithfull labourer and minister of christ jesus , and much trusted in , and approved of by the apostle ; for he laboured with him in the gospel , as a son laboureth with his father . and it is strange that the bishops that have been in these later ages , should call themselves by that name , since they have both derogated from their doctrine , and principles , and added what their own dark minds and inventions would invent ; for in that they have erected unto themselves a supremacy and a superiority above others , which they have practised and lorded over peoples faith and consciences for many hundreds of years together ; under which many thousands have groaned , and suffered even until death , and shedding of their blood , and in all these things , they have quite contradicted christ jesus his doctrine , practice and example ; as also all his holy apostles after him , for he and they were alwayes sufferers , as hath been shewed already , and as we shall shew hereafter . but they were never oppressors , nor layers of yoaks and burdens upon the consciences of men and people ; but they alwayes preached liberty and freedom to others , though they suffered themselves ; and there was their cross that they took up , when they followed christ . and so those church-governors , as they call themselves , that have been blood-shedders , that have been oppressors and persecutors , they have no example neither from christ , nor none of his apostles ; and so let the blood that they have shed for so many hundreds of years return upon their own heads . let babylons merchants have blood to drink , for they are worthy , for they have been made drunk with the blood of the saints and martyrs of jesus : so the cup that they have given to others , let them have it double ; for they learned none of this from christ , nor from any of his apostles . for christ when he sent his messengers , and they entred into a village of the samaritans , and they received him not , because his face was as though he would go to jerusalem ; and when his disciples james and john saw this , they said , lord , wilt thou that we command fire from heaven , and consume them , even as elias did ? but he turned , and rebuked them , and said , ye know not of what manner of spirits ye are of ; for the son of man is not come to destroy mens lives , but to save them , luke 9. 55 , 56. and to save mens lives , he laid down his own life , and shed his own pretious blood ; as he saith himself . he hath laid down his life for his sheep , and they shall never perish ; yea , he hath laid down his life for his enemies : for the apostle saith , let every one of us please his neighbour for his good and edification : for even christ pleased not himself , but as it is written , the reproaches of them that reproached thee fell upon me . wherefore receive ye one another , as christ also received us , to the glory of god. rom. 15. and again , the apostle saith , all things are in god who hath reconciled us unto himself , by jesus christ ; and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation ; to wit , that god was in christ reconciling the world to himself , not imputing their trespasses unto them : and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation . now then , we are embassadors for christ ; as though god did beseech you by us , we pray you in christs stead , be ye reconciled to god. 2 cor. 5. here is no violence nor cruelty used , neither bondages nor snares laid upon mens consciences ; for the apostle saith , give no offence in any thing , that the ministry be not blamed ; but in all things approving our selves as the ministers of god : in much patience , in afflictions , in necessities , in distresses , in stripes and imprisonments , in tumults , in labours , in watchings , in fastings ; by pureness , by knowledge , by long-suffering , by kindness , by the holy ghost ; by love unfeigned , by the word of truth , by the power of god , by the armour of righteousness , on the right hand , and on the left ; by honour and dishonour ; by evil-report , and good-report ; as deceivers , and yet true ; as vnknown , and yet well-known ; as dying , and behold we live ; as chastened , and not killed ; as sorrowful , and yet alwayes rejoycing ; as poor , and yet making many rich ; as having nothing , yet possessing all things ; 2 cor. 6. here is a ministry of god indeed , which is quite opposite and contrary to what hath been set up , and practised in the christian world . also read 2 cor. 11. and likewise in chap. 4. the apostle saith , therefore , seeing we have this ministry , as we have received mercy we faint not : for if our gospel be hid , it is hid to them that are lost ; in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them that believe not , lest the light of the glorious gospel of christ , who is the image of god , should shine unto them . and this gospel hath been hid all this time of darkness , for the god of the world , hath blinded the minds of all that have not believed in the light of the glorious gospel ; and so they have been lost from it , and kept from it , by the ministers of darkness , who have preached the divination of their own brain , and not from the light of the lord. but the apostle saith , we preach not our selves , but christ jesus the lord , and our selves your servants for jesus sake , ( these are not lord-bishops , nor pope-holiness ) for , saith he , god who commanded light to shine out of darkness , hath shined in our hearts , to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of god , in the face of jesus christ . for we have this treasury in earthen vessels , that the excellency of the power may be of god , and not of us : for we are troubled on every side , yet not distressed ; we are perplexed , but not in despair ; persecuted , but not forsaken ; cast down , but not destroyed ; always bearing about in our body the dying of our lord jesus christ , that the life of christ might be manifested in our body : for we who live are alwayes delivered unto death for jesus sake , that the life of jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh ; so that death worketh in us , but life in you . thus the apostles laboured in the work of the ministry , even under cruel sufferings ; which gospel , it may well be said , hath been hid ; for the gospel that hath been preached since the apostacy , hath laid oppressions and sufferings upon others , and they themselves have ruled and lorded over peoples consciences : but the apostle paul said , i paul am made a minister of the gospel , that is preached to every creature under heaven ; now rejoyce in my sufferings for you , and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of christ , in my flesh , for his bodies sake , which is the church : whereof i am made a minister , according to the dispensation of god , which is given to me for you , to fulfil the word of god , col. 1. but this ministry and ministration hath been lost , and the church for which the apostle suffered , hath been in the wilderness ; and if there was any small appearance or testimony of jesus christ in any , such have suffered oppressions , and hardships , and much detriment , from such as were the professed ministry . so these scriptures , with many more , which might be mentioned , shew the contrariety between the ministers of the gospel in the apostles dayes , and the professed ministry that hath been since the apostles dayes , in the apostacy : and as the supremacy , and superiority hath been contrary to the apostles way , and manner , and order , in laying oppressions and burthens upon the people : so also they have been contrary , and opposite to christ and the apostles doctrine , practice , and example , in not preaching liberty and freedom to the spirits in prison ; for christ jesus , who is the anointing of god , preacheth glad tidings to the poor , liberty to captives ; his commission that he gave to his disciples was , to preach the gospel to all nations , to every creature . and he said to those that believed in him , if ye continue in the truth , the truth will make you free , john 8. and the apostle confesseth , that the law of the spirit of life had made him free from the law of sin and death , rom. 8. and the apostle saith , when he was speaking of the ministration of the law , and the gospel ; when moses is read , the vail is over the heart : nevertheless , when it shall turn to the lord , the vail shall be taken away : now the lord is that spirit , and where the spirit of the lord is , there is liberty , 2 cor. 3. and so this is that substance the apostle preacheth from , and preached to the spirit of the lord that takes away the vail , and giveth liberty , and redeemeth from under the power of darkness , and from the bondage of corruption ; and therefore they did not set themselves to rule over mens faith , or to lord over their consciences , but they endeavour still to be made manifest unto every ones conscience in the sight of god ; but we have , saith the apostle , renounced the hidden things of dishonesty , not walking in craftiness , nor handling the word of god deceitfully ; but by manifestation of the truth , commending our selves to every mans conscience in the sight of god , 2 cor. 4. knowing therefore the terrours of the lord , we perswade men , but we are made manifest unto god , and i trust also are made manifest in your consciences . so here the apostle preached to gods witness in peoples consciences , and that answered to them again , and they were made manifest to that ; and therefore did the apostle john say , that they needed not any man to teach them , but as the same anointing teacheth them , which is truth , and is no lye : and so this is unlimited , neither doth the apostle limit this , when they were gathered into the eternal spirit , and all drank into one spirit , and all baptized into one body , by one spirit ; he told them they might all prophesie one by one ; and that though they were many members , yet they were one bread and one body , and every member of the body had its several office ; the head did not say to the feet , i have no need of you . now concerning spiritual gifts , brethren , i would not have you ignorant , there are diversity of gifts , but the same spirit ; and there are differences of administrations , but the same lord ; and there are diversities of operations , but the same god which worketh all in all ; but the manifestation of the spirit is given to every man to profit withal ; for to one is given by the same spirit the word of wisdom , to another the word of knowledge , by the same spirit ; to another faith , by the same spirit ; to another the gift of healing , by the same spirit ; to another the working of miracles , by the same spirit ; to another prophesie , to another discerning of spirits , to another divers kinds of tongues , to another interpretation of tongues : but all these worketh that one and the self-same spirit , dividing to every man severally as he will : for as the body is one , and hath many members , and all the members of that one body , being many are one body ; so also is christ . for by one spirit we are all baptised into one body , whether we be jews or gentiles , whether we be bond or free , and have been all made to drink into one spirit ; for the body is not one member , but many . 1 cor. 12. and so the apostle goes on to the end of the chapter discoursing of the several gifts , all given by one spirit . so here is no binding nor limiting , nor supremacy one over another ; not to sit judges one of another , but every one to wait in their several gifts of the spirit given unto them to profit withal : for i say , saith the apostle , through the grace of god given unto me , to every man that is among you , not to think of himself more highly then he ought to think , but to think soberly , according as god hath dealt to every man the measure of faith : for as we are many members in one body and all members have not the same office ; so we being mary are one body in christ , and every one members one of another . having then gifts , differing according to the grace that is given us , whether prophesie , let us prophesie according to the proportion of faith ; or ministy , let us wait in our ministring ; or he that teacheth , on teaching ; or he that exhorteth , on exhortation ; he that giveth , let him do it with simplicity ; he that ruleth , with diligence ; he that sheweth mercy , with chearfulness ; let love be be without dissimulation ; abhor that which is evil , cleave to that which is good . and thus the apostle goeth on with gracious exhortations , rom. 12. to the end of the chapter , not preferring one before another , but every one to abide and wait in their gifts . also when he writeth unto the ephesians , he writeth thus , i therefore the prisoner of the lord beseech you , walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called , with all lowliness and meekness , with long-suffering , forbearing one another in love , endeavouring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace : there is one body , and one spirit , even as ye are called in one hope of your calling , one lord , one faith , one baptisme , one god , and one father of all , who is above all , and through all , and in you all , ephes . 4. and in this chapter he also goes on in opening of the manifestation of the gift of the spirit of god , and in holy admonitions , even to the end of the chapter ; which gift , he saith , is given for the work of the ministry , for the perfecting of the saints , for the edifying of the body of christ . and this doctrine and ministry is contrary to those ministers which have been of late , that limit and bind under their power ; which power is contrary to the power of god , and his spirit , as they themselves will confess ; for they cannot say they have the same power and spirit that the apostles had , and yet they inflict punishments , and lay oppressions , and burthens , and bondages by their laws , upon those that do not follow and obey their doctrine and practices , which is quite contrary to christ and his apostles : for there is but two wayes , truth and error , light and darkness . so let the wise and honest in heart judge what a condition the saints of god are in , while this power of darkness ruleth . and thus much for the second particular of their practice , which is binding and limiting , and keeping in bondage those that are under their power . the third particular of their practice is , that they upbold and carry on many of these practices before-mentioned , by causing people to swear in their courts , or upon any other occasion , what they like , and preach up swearing , and allow of it , and hold it up in all occasions whatsoever . and in this they are absolute breakers of the special command of jesus christ , and also out of the doctrine and practice of christ and his apostles , and contrary to their testimony : for christ jesus when he was in his sermon on the mount , and was rehearsing the heads of the law , as we said before , he mentioned this also again , ye have heard that it hath been said to them of old time , thou shalt not forswear thy self , but shalt perform unto the lord thine oathes ; but i say unto you , swear not at all , matth. 5. now christ being the fulfilling of the law , and the end of the law , as the apostle saith , for righteousness ; and being that one offering , that hath been offered up once for all , in which he said , lo i come to do thy will o god , he hath taken away the first , that he might establish the second , and when he had offered one sacrifice for sin , for ever he sat down at the right hand of god , expecting his enemies to become his foot-stool . and the same apostle saith , when he is speaking of his priesthood ; and in as much as not without an oath he was made a priest : for , saith he , those priests , to wit , those that were under the law , were made without an oath ; but this with an oath , by him that said unto him , the lord sware , and will not repent , thou art a priest for ever after the order of melchisedec , &c. hebr. 7. so this is he that is the oath of god , and the promise of god , the substance and performance of all that god swore and promised unto abraham , and unto his seed for ever ; this the apostle makes very clear in the foregoing chapter ; where he saith , when god made a promise to abraham , because he could sware by no greater , he swore by himself , saying , surely , in blessing i will bless thee , and in multiplying i will multiply thee : and so after he had patiently endured , be obtained the promise . wherein god willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise , the immutability of his counsel , confirmed it by an oath , that by two immutable things , in which it was impossible for god to lye , we might have a strong consolation , who have fled for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before us : which hope we have as an anchor of the soul both sure and stedfast , which entereth into that within the vail , whither the fore-runner is for us entered , even jesus , made an high-priest for ever after the order of melchisedec . hebr. 6. surely all will confess that this is he whom god the father promised unto abraham by an oath , as also of whom david said , the lord hath sworn , and will not repent , thou art a priest for ever after the order of melchisedec . these are the two immutable things , which the apostle saith here , in which god shews the immutability of his counsel , which both here meet in christ jesus , the sum and substance of all : for surely he is the seed which god promised to abraham , if we will believe the apostle , gal. 3. 16. also he is that priest that is for ever , that ever liveth to make intercession for us , and this is he that the apostle saith , at his name every knee shall bow , and every tongue confess . then , i say , let all mouthes be stopt , in speaking against him , and opposing of him , who hath said , but i say unto you , swear not at all , he that is the sum and the substance , and the performance of all that god hath sworn , and hath put an end to the law , under which oathes and swearing was allowed ; he had full power as well to put an end to oaths , as he had to put an end to the sabbath : for , he said , the son of man is lord of the sabbath , which was one of the ten words , and swearing was none of them : and surely those that disobey christ jesus his commands , who is the sum and substance of gods oaths , and the fulfilling and end of the whole law ; surely they blaspheme against that holy one. for the apostle said , he that despise moses law , died without mercy under two ar three witnesses ; how much more sorer punishment , suppose ye , shall be thought worthy for them who have trodden under foot the son of god , &c. hebr. 10. all those that are fighters against god , and holders up of swearing , against christs command , they will find it a fearfull thing to fall into the hands of the living god. but they have three objections : first , that god swore : secondly , that the angel swore : thirdly , that the apostle saith , men verily swear by the greater , and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife . in answer to these three ; first , for what the lord hath sworn concerning christ , it is already proved , and fulfilled in christ ; but it is said in isa 45. where the lord by his prophet was speaking that israel should be saved , and he saith , look unto me and be saved all ye ends of the earth , for i am god , and there is none else : i have sworn by my self , the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness that to me every knee shall bow , every tongue shall swear . now the apostle paul rehearseth these words again , when he writ unto the philippians , where he saith , if there be any consolation in christ , if any comfort of love , if any fellowship of the spirit , if any bowels and mercies , fulfil ye my joy ; and let the same mind be in you , which was also in christ jesus , who being in the form of god , &c. where he rehearseth the humility of christ even to death upon his cross , in which he became a saviour , as the lord by his prophet said , even to the ends of the earth : wherefore , saith the apostle , god hath highly exalted him , and given him a name above every name ; that at the name of jesus ( that signifieth a saviour ) every knee shall bow , of things in heaven , and things in earth , and things under the earth ; and that every tongue shall confess that jesus christ is lord , to the glory of the father . philip. 2. so here the apostle hath omitted those words , every tongue shall swear , and saith every tongue shall confess , as a faithfull witness , and an obedient servant of christ jesus , whom he saith is the lord , who hath said , swear not at all . now since that the apostle , as a witness of christianity , and an obeyer of christs commands , hath left out the word swear , and hath put in confess , according to christs own words , who said , he that confesseth me before men , him will i confess before my father which is in heaven . now since that christ and his apostles have left us this example ; who saith not , swear before men , but , confess before men ; who are they that dare oppose and gainsay christ jesus and his apostles , under a colour of what the law saith , and what the prophet saith , and that the angel swore ; but , as the apostle saith , unto which of the angels said he at any time , thou art my son ? who said , swear not at all . when he bringeth his first-begotten into the world , he saith , and let all the angels worship him ; and of the angels he saith , who maketh his angels spirits , and his ministers a flame of fire ; the angels are his messengers and servants , as may be read in the revelations . and what hath any one to do , to bring that where the angel swore by him that liveth for ever and ever , that time should be no longer , when he was upon his message and service , which the lord sent him about ? what is this to men that have the command of the son of god upon them ? who hath said , swear not at all . unto which of the angels said he at any time , sit thou on my right hand , until i make thine enemies thy foot-stool ? but unto the son he saith , thy throne o god is for ever and ever , a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of thy kingdom . let all such as contend with the almighty in this matter , read hebr. 1. and see how they can answer him there . and as for that where the apostle saith , an oath is for an end of strife : this he saith , when he speaketh of the assurance of the oath of god , he bringeth a comparison of them that swore , when swearing was lawful under the law ; for men , saith he , swear by the greater , and an oath for confirmation , is to them an end of all strife . now there is none have the reason of a man , but they may see the apostle speaketh of such as did use swearing , because he said , an oath for confirmation , was to them an end of all strife ; and so it was under the law ; but oaths for ending of strife were never used among the christians , for christ had commanded to the contrary ; and the apostle manifested the contrary , when he wrote to the philippians , as is proved before . moreover the apostle james , who wrote to the twelve tribes scattered up and down , who were they that had the law , that enjoyned swearing , and under which they practised swearing , for a confirmation , and an end of strife , as the apostle saith before , even to them the apostle james , when he writes to them of the suffering of affliction , that they should be as examples to endure , he saith , ye have heard of the patience of job , and have seen the end of the lord , that he is very pittiful and tender of mercy ; but above all things saith he , my brethren , swear not ; neither by heaven , neither by earth , neither by any other oath : but let your yea , be yea ; and your nay , nay ; lest ye fall into condemnation , jam. 5. and into this state of condemnation , are the teachers and leaders of our age fallen , who are not only swearers , but teachers , upholders , and forcers to sware , and preach it up for doctrine to swear , and in this oppose and gain-say christ jesus , and all his apostles , and all that bear testimony to his name , and truth , and word , and obey his command ; such suffer by them , and under them , and if they bring them into their courts for any thing , because they cannot pay them tythes , or because they cannot pay them steeple-house dues , and easter reckonings , when they have sued them , except they will swear , they cannot put in their answers : and then they get out writs , and cast them into prison . and thus they that profess themselves to be ministers of christ , and the gospel , make havock of his flock : but surely he will come and seek his sheep , and search them out . and thus much for the third particular of their practice , which is their causing people to swear . the fourth particular that they practise without ground from scripture , is sprinkling infants with water , upon their heads and faces , and some plunge them all over , which we do not find christ or his apostles did the like with infants . it is true , there was brought unto christ little children , that he should put his hands on them and pray ; and he laid his hands on them , but his disciples rebuked them ; but jesus said , suffer little children , and forbid them not to come to me , for of such is the kingdom of heaven , matth. 19. now mark saith , that he took them up in his armes , and put his hands upon them , and blessed them , mark 10. and luke saith , they brought unto him infants , that he might touch them ; but when his disciples saw , they rebuked them ; but jesus was displeased with them , and said , suffer little children to come unto me , and forbid them not , for of such is the kingdom of god. verily i say unto you , whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of god as a little child , shall in no wise enter therein , luke 18. now by all these scriptures it doth appear , that little children were nearer the kingdom of god , and readier for the kingdom of god than any others ; for christ saith several times , whosoever will enter into the kingdom of god , must be as a little child . so by all these scriptures we may see that he ownes little children above all others . now how it cometh that they throw water upon them , to give an addition to that innocent state while they are infants , this is certainly an invention and an imagination of their own , for there is nothing in scripture for it . indeed john the baptist , who was sent before christ to preach the baptisme of repentance , he baptized those that received his doctrine with water in jordan , but we do not find that he put infants in ; that was not according to his doctrine which was repentance ; for infants were not capable to repent . and when the jewes sent the priests and levites to enquire of john what he was ; they asked , why he baptized , if he was not the christ , neither elias , nor that prophet ? john answered them , saying , i indeed baptize with water unto repentance ; but there standeth one among you , whom ye know not , he it is who cometh after me , and is preferred before me , whose shoes latchet i am not worthy to unloose . this was beyond jordan , where john was baptizing . saith he , and i knew him not ; but he that sent me to baptize with water , the same said unto me , upon whom thou shalt see the spirit descending and remaining on him , the same is he that baptizeth with the holy ghost , john 1. and matthew saith , in those dayes came john the baptist , preaching in the wilderness of judea , and said , repent , for the kingdom of god is at hand , &c. i indeed baptize you with water unto repentance ; but he that cometh after me is mightier than i , whose shooes i am not worthy to bear ; he shall baptize you with the holy ghost and with fire , mat. 3. it is said , in john 3. after that christ had been preaching and speaking to nichodemus , and had been preaching the light to him , that he and his disciples came to judea , and there he tarried with them and baptized , and the disciples of john and some of the jewes were at difference about purifying , and they came to john and said , he that thou bore witness of , baptizeth ; john answered and said , ye your selves bear me witness , that i said , i am not the christ , but i am sent before him ; he must increase , but i must decrease . when jesus therefore knew that the pharisees heard that he baptized and made disciples more then john , though jesus himself baptized not , but his disciples ; he left judca , and departed , john 4. also when john was preaching and baptizing , and preaching repentance and remission of sins , then cometh jesus from galilee to jordan , unto john , to be baptized of him , but john forbad him saying , i have more need to be baptized of thee , and comest thou to me ? and jesus answering , said , suffer it to be so now , for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness . and jesus when he was baptized , went up straightway out of the water , and the heavens were opened unto him , and he saw the spirit of god descending like a dove , and lighted upon him , and a voice came from heaven , saying , this is my beloved son , in whom i am well pleased , mat. 3. this is the main scripture that the baptists build upon , for their water-baptism ; and here is a secret in this , which they never came to see : for john saith , i knew him not , but that he should be made manifest to israel ; therefore am i come baptizing with water . and john bare record , saying , i saw the spirit descending from heaven , like a dove , and it abode upon him , and i knew him not . now how do the baptists know him ? and the end wherefore he went into the water , since that john did not know it , nor would not have had him to have done so , who was a man sent of god to baptize with water , till he said it was to fulfill all righteousness ; which word was hid from john , as he afterwards saith , but that he should be made manifest to israel , therefore he came baptizing with water . and so afterwards when christ was teaching nichodemus , when he told him , that those that were to enter into the kingdom of god , must be born of the water of the spirit . these things were strange unto him , but jesus said , we speak what we know , and testify what we have seen , and ye believe not our testimoony . if i have told you earthly things , and ye believe them not , how shall ●e believe if i tell you of heavenly things ? to the same purpose the apostle saith , there are three that bear record in the earth ; the spirit , the water , and the blood , and these three agree in one , 1 john 5. it were good for the baptists to know this water , and this baptism , and this spirit , by which they might he born again ; and to know the washing of the regeneration , and renewing of the holy ghost : for this was the washing and water that the saints were washed with ; they were made clean through the word , by the washing of the water of the word , ephes . 5. now for the baptists to stand washing with outward water , which john baptized with , who was before christ , which was a figure of the inward washing , and cleansing , and purging , as the apostle peter saith , the same , when he is speaking of noah's preaching while he made the ark , wherein few , that is , eight persons were lived by water ; the like figure , saith he , whereunto even baptism doth now save us ; not the putting away the filth of the flesh , but the answer of a good conscience towards god , by the resurrection of jesus christ , 1 pet. 3. 21. whose blood , and the water , and spirit , which he baptizeth with , is the true and only baptism . for john himself saith , he must decrease , and christ must increase ; and for them to stand washing here with outward water , and their hearts and consciences defiled and polluted , this will be of little value to them ; for john , who was a man sent of god , and bore a true witness of christ jesus , yet after he was cast into prison , he sent his disciples to ask , art thou he , or do we look for another ? he was ●●r beyond the anabaptists . so it concerneth them to question their state and condition ; for they that look at the outward element of water to be the baptism , they are far from the real and true washing , and from that baptism that baptizeth into the body . when paul came to ephesus , and finding certain disciples , he said unto them , have ye received the holy ghost since ye believed ? they said , we have not so much as heard whether there be a holy ghost ; he said unto them , unto what then were ye baptized ? they said , unto john's baptism . paul said , john baptized with the baptism of repentance , and that they should believe on him that was to come after him , that is , in christ jesus . then they were baptized in the name of the lord jesus : and when paul had laid his hands upon them , the holy ghost came upon them , and they spake with tongues , and prophesied . acts 19. so here is the true and only baptism , the power and spirit of christ jesus , which , as john said , shall increase ; who is that living fountain , that if any man be athirst , they may come unto him and drink . and this was spoken of the pourings forth of his spirit ; and with this spirit were they baptized , while peter was speaking unto them , when the holy ghost fell upon them , and they spake with tongues . and they of the circumcision which believed were astonied , and came to peter , because the holy ghost fell upon the gentiles . but peter answered , can any man forbid water , that they should not be baptized , who have received the holy ghost ? so he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the lord jesus , and so they were united into the body , and into the christian faith ; and into the unity , as well as the jewes . and by this spirit did christ send forth his disciples , to go teach and baptize all nations , acts 2. 38 , 41. and this is not an outward element of water , neither is this poured only upon infants , but upon all that are athirst . and this is that one baptism which the apostle mentioneth , in ephes . 4. where he saith , there is one body , and one spirit ; one lord , and one faith ; one baptism , one god and father of all : so as there is but one lord , and one god , and one faith , and one spirit , and one body ; so there is but one baptism , if we believe the apostle ; who saith , by one spirit we are all baptized into one body , 1 cor. 12. then we cannot believe that it is outward water : so this one baptism , and one spirit , is not outward water . so the baptizing of infants , with outward water , which both papists and protestants use , is contrary , and without any ground from scripture ; for if there be but one baptism , surely outward water is not it . and whereas they say , they do it as a sign or signification , and call it a sacrament ; this is nothing but their own invention , and imagination , to keep people in ignorance and darkness , for they have no scripture for it . so much for that particular of baptism . there is no scripture that mentioneth a sacrament , this word hath been invented at rome , by the pope , who was the first that set up the sacrament , and the altar , and the eucharist , which they call the real-presence ; which , after their priests have consecrated bread , they call it , the real body of christ , and many have lost their lives by them , because they could not believe this . something of kin to this is that which our protestants use , though it 's not altogether so gross ; for they call bread and wine ( after they have blest it ) a sacrament , as though the nature and property of it were changed from what it was before ; but this is not the fruit of that vine , which christ said , he would drink with his disciples new , in the kingdom of god. when christ was speaking to his disciples , that the son of man must be betrayed , he said unto them , i have desired to eat this passover with you , before i suffer ; for i say unto you , i will not any more eat thereof , untill it be fulfilled in the kingdom of god. and he took the cup and gave thanks , and said , take this and divide it among your selves : for i say unto you , i will not drink of the fruit of the vine , until the kingdom of god come . and he took bread , and gave thanks , and brake it , and gave it unto them ; saying , this is my body given for you ; this do in remembrance of me . likewise also , the cup after supper , saying , this cup is the new testament in my blood , which is shed for you , luke 22. mat. 26. mark 14. now if the bread and the wine had been the real body and blood of christ , which was given and shed for them , he needed not to have said , as he saith in the next words , behold the hand of him that betrayeth me : for he ate of the bread that betrayed him ; which words make a distinction betwen him and the bread and wine . but he said , this do in remembrance of me . and with this the apostle agreeth , in what he writeth to the corinthians ; for he saith , i received of the lord , that which also i deliver unto you , that the lord jesus , the same night in which he was betrayed , took bread ; and when he had given thanks , he brake it , and said , take , eat , this is my body which is broken for you , this do in remembrance of me . in the same manner also he took the cup , when he had supt , saying , this cup is the new testament of my blood ; this do ye as often as ye drink in remembrance of me . for , saith the apostle to these corinthians , as often as ye eat this bread , and drink this cup , ye shew the lords death till he come , 1 cor. 11. so that the eating of this bread , and drinking of this cup , is but the remembrance of his death , how judas betrayed him , and the jewes crucified him , until he come , saith the apostle . but where is the drinking in his resurrection , new in his kingdom ? it is manifested these corinthians were not come to that , by what the apostle was speaking to them of : in all the foregoing part of this chapter , he is speaking to them of the state and condition of the man and of the woman , and of their praying and prophesying with their heads covered , and uncovered ; and of their long hair ; and of their heads being shaven , and of nature it self teaching them , but more especially in this particular , he saith ; when ye come together into one place , this is not to eat the lords supper , but in eating every one taketh before other ; and one is hungry , and another drunken . so any that read this chapter may see , that these corinthians were not come to the power of his resurrection ; they might well eat in remembrance of his death ; for they were one with them in sinning , that crucified him , and so crucified him by their sins afresh , as the apostle saith . and so are our eaters and givers of bread and wine ; for they eat it in remembrance of his death , and sin again as soon as they have done ; and this they call , a communion ; but it is a communion in sin and transgression , which was the cause of christ's death , in the eating of this bread , and drinking of this cup : yet in the foregoing chapter he saith , wherefore , my dearly beloved , fly from idolatry : i speak as to wise men , judge ye what i say : the cup of blessing which we bless ( here he taketh in himself ) is it not the communion of the blood of christ ? the bread which we break , is it not the communion of the body of christ ? this is not the communion in sin and transgression : for we being many , are one bread and one body , for we are all partakers of that one bread , 1 cor. 10. here is no speaking of remembrance , but the real partaking of the one bread ; this is the living bread that is come down from heaven . christ saith , i am the living bread that came down from heaven , if any man eat of this bread , he shall live for ever : and the bread that i give you is my flesh , that i will give for the life of the world. the jews wondered at this , and said , will this man give us his flesh to eat ? jesus said , as the living father hath sent me , and i live by the father ; so he that eateth me , shall live by me ; and except ye eat the flesh of the son of man , and drink his blood , ye have no life in you . but this is not , except you eat bread , and drink wine , ye have no life in you ; for christ saith , my flesh is meat indeed , and my blood is drink indeed . john 6. these things said jesus in the synagogue , as he taught . and many of his disciples when they heard this , said , it was a hard saying , who can hear it ? but christ saith unto them , it is the spirit that quickeneth , the flesh profitteth nothing : the words that i speak unto you , they are spirit , and they are life . and so it is the spirit that is the living bread , and those that live in the spirit , and feed in the spirit , and meet in the spirit , they eat the flesh of christ , and drink his blood ; and this spiritual bread was that which the apostles broke ; and they that continued stedfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship , in breaking of bread , and in prayers , it is said , they continued daily with one accord in the temple , and breaking bread from house to house , acts 2. and this bread was that living bread , that christ said came down from heaven . and when the disciples met together on the first day of the week to break bread , paul preached unto them until midnight ; surely this was living bread , else it could not have been the communion of the body of christ . 1 cor. 10. and this was a mystery , which swearers and drunkards know not ; and therefore they set up that which is outward , and temporal , as the apostle saith , because they are blind of the spiritual eye ; and so as the apostle saith , that which can be seen is temporal , but that which cannot be seen is eternal , 1 cor. 14. 18. but this is hid from their eyes ; and thus much for this particular , which they call the sacrament of the lords supper . they have also several other vain practices , which they have no example in scripture for ; as praying over the dead , and for the dead , which the apostle exhorted from ; when he writ to the thessalonians , he saith , but i would not have you ignorant , brethren , concerning them which are asleep , that ye sorrow not even as others , which have not hope ; for if we believe that jesus died and rose again ; so they also that sleep in jesus , will god bring with him , 1 thes . 4. here is nothing of praying for them , nor over them , after they are dead : but they manifest by their prayers , that they have not a true hope nor belief in christ jesus , who is risen from the dead , and become the first-fruits of them that sleep , 1 cor. 15. the like may be said also of their churching women , and marrying people with rings : but it appeareth that the main end of these practices , are to get money of people ; for they have no example in the scriptures , that the people were married with a priest , neither in the old-testament nor new ; ye do not read that abraham and sarah were married with a priest ; and isaac took rebecca to wife , and laban gave jacob leah and rachel , but not by a priest . the apostle saith , marriage is honorable , and the bed undefiled ; but he doth not say that they should be married by a priest , or with a ring : but it is manifested that this generation of priests , that have set up such imaginations and inventions as these , are the same that the apostle prophesied of unto his son timothy , that good and true bishop ; where he saith , now the spirit speaketh expresly , that in the latter times , some should depart from the faith , giving heed to seducing spirits , and doctrines of devils , speaking lyes in hypocrisie , having their consciences seared with a hot iron , forbidding to marry , and commanding to abstain from meats , 1 tim. 4. now let the reader but seriously read this chapter , and consider whether these be not they , both papists and protestants , who marry people , as before mentioned , and yet forbid to marry all that will not marry according to their way , and will ; though the apostle saith , they may marry whom they will , only in the lord , 1 cor. 7. 39. yet if they be not married with a priest , and according to their way , they account it no marriage : and thus they run themselves quite off from the scriptures , as bad as they that never heard of them ; for though they profess them in words , they are utterly , and quite out of them in their practices . and that they abstain from meats , and cause people so to do , this is well known to be their common practice , all which the apostle saith , are the doctrines of devils ; and so here i have found them in their practice , and i will leave them . these with many more frivolous things , which might be mentioned , as their keeping of idle dayes , and causing people to do so , but what hath been said before , may give people a sight of their practices , that they are quite contrary and opposite to the rule of the scriptures : and thus much for the fifth head , which is their practice . the sixth is their maintenance , and this is as contrary to the scriptures of truth , as any of the rest . they profess themselves to be christians , and gospel-ministers , and yet will not be content with gospel-maintenance ; but their gospel is dead , and so cold , that they preach to people , that it will not quicken them out of their dead and natural estate ; and therefore they dare not trust themselves upon their maintenance , nor cast themselves upon the freedom , or liberality of the people . and so when the power and spirit of the lord jesus was lost , and the revelation of jesus , by which the apostles preached ; then when the apostacy came in , those that got up into the popes chair , took upon them to find out a way , whereby they might compel people to maintain them , however they maintained themselves ; and so they started back from christs rule , and his apostles , and stept into the imitation of some part of the levitical priesthood under the law , which best suited their own ends . and that being made ready to their hands , they soon go● it set up , and established by a law ; and then those that were christians , and stood to the principles and faith of christianity , who knew that the priesthood was changed , and the law also , and could not pay them tythes ; then they were ready prepared for them with laws and penalties , to clap upon them , and so force them by compulsion . and thus they have laid a weight of oppression upon poor people , ever since the dark night of apostacy came on , and have taken from them the tenth part of their lands , and a tenth part of their flocks , and herds , and the tenth part of their labours ; and thus poor people been made a prey unto their wolvish mouths . and in this they have not done justly , neither according to the priesthood under the law , nor under the gospel . for the children of israel when they were to come into the land of canaan , they were utterly to destroy all the places where they worshipped their gods , and they were to overthrow their altars , and break down their pillars , and burn their groves with fire , and hew down their graven-images ( and these priests , we are now speaking of , set images up ) and they were to come unto the place which the lord their god was to chuse out of all the tribes , to put his name there ; and saith the lord , thither shall you bring your burnt-offerings , and you sacrifices , and your tythes , and your heave-offerings of your hand , deut. 12. and at the end of three years , thou shalt bring forth all the tythes of their encrease the same year , and to lay it up within thy gates ; and the levite , because he hath no inheritance with thee ; and the stranger , and the fatherless , and widow which are within thy gates shall come , and shall eat , and be satisfied , that the lord thy god may bless thee . deut. 14. 28 , 29. and chap. 26. 12. but these tythe-mongers of the gospel times , have neither fed widows nor fatherless ; but what they could get of them , they have taken from them ; and many poor widows have been cast into prison , because they could not for conscience sake pay tythes ; and many poor fatherless children have had their goods taken away for the same : but this is none of christ's nor his apostles example . and as they have taken up ways , that have been neither according to law nor gospel , so let them stand usurpers , as they are , and lorders over gods heritage : but let them know for all this , that they must come to judgement , and the lord will plead with them in his day and time . for when christ jesus sent forth his disciples ; their great business was not to look after their bellies ; for they were not to provide neither gold , nor silver , nor brass in their purses ; for they had received freely , and they were freely to give , matth. 10. 8 , 9. also when he sent out the seventy , they were neither to have bread , nor money , luke 9. and the apostle paul , when he took leave of the churches , he told them , he knew that after his departure would come among them grievous wolves , not sparing the flock : he saith , i have coveted no mans silver , or gold , or apparel ; ye your selves know , that these hands have ministred unto my necessity , and to them that were with me : i likewise shewed you all things , how that so labouring , ye ought to support the weak ; and to remember the words of the lord jesus , how he said , it is more blessed to give then to receive , acts 20. 33 , 34 , 35. but the ministers in these dayes , think it more blessed to receive then give , for they accustom the one more then the other . and again the apostle saith , let a man so account of us as of the ministers of christ , and the stewards of the mysteries of god. moreover , it s required of a steward , that he be found faithfull : for i think god hath set forth us the apostles , as it were appointed to death ; for we are made a spectacle unto the world , to angels , and to men , we are fools for christs sake , but ye are wise ; we are weak but ye are strong ; ye are honorable , but we are despised : even unto this very hour , we both hunger , and thirst , and are naked , and are buffeted , and have no certain dwelling place , and labour working with our own hands ; being reviled , we bless ; being persecuted , we suffer it ; being defamed , we entreat ; we are made as the filth of the world , and as the off-scouring of all things unto this day . 1 cor. 4. this is far different from those that have called themselves gospel ministers , they will be sure of certain abiding places ; and instead of working with their hands , they make all people work for them : so this scripture tries them and thir practice . moreover , when the apostle writeth to the thessalonians , he saith , your selves , brethren know our exhortation was not of deceit , nor of uncleanness , nor in guile , but as we were allowed of god , to be put in trust with the gospel , even so we spake , not as pleasing men but god , which trieth our hearts : for neither at any time used we flattering words , as ye know , nor a cloak of covetousness : god is witness ; nor of men sought we glory , neither of you , nor yet of others , when we might have been burthensom as the apostles of christ ; but we were gentle among you , even as a nurse cherisheth her children : so being affectionately desirous of you , we were willing to have imparted unto you , not the gospel of christ onely , but also our own souls , because ye were dear unto us . for ye remember , brethren , our labour and travel ; labouring night and day , because we would not be chargeable to any of you , we preached unto you the gospel of god. ye are witnesses , and god also , how holily , and justy , and unblameable we behaved our selves among you that believe : as ye know , how we exhorted , and comforted , and charged every one of you , as a father doth his children , 1 thes . 2. here was a dear and faithfull minister of god , that abhorred to be burthensom or chargeable even to them that believed , as he manifesteth in his next epistle , where he saith , for ye your selves know how ye ought to follow us ; for we behaved not our selves disorderly among you , neither did we eat any mans bread for nought , but wrought with labour and travel night and day , that we might not be chargeable to any of you : not because we have no power , but to make our selves an example for you to follow us . for even when we were with you , we commanded you , that if any would not work , neither should be eat ; 2 thes . 3. this is hard doctrine for our lords , deans and deacons , who are got so high , that many of them are almost the greatest men in our land ; so that it will be no easie matter to bring them down into the apostles steps , and paths , that they were in : but however it may let them see , that they are gotten up to the highest pinacle of the temple , whither the devil carried our saviour , and would have had him to have cast himself down ; but jesus was too strong for his temptations , and said , it is written , thou shalt not tempt the lord thy god , matth. 4. but it is to be feared , that those who have climed so high , have been taken with his bait ; and it is much if they cast not themselves down ; for it is contrary to the doctrine of christ ; for his exhortation was , that they should take the low●st seat , that it might be said unto them , friend , go up higher , but they have not taken that way . but they have several objections , or colours for what they do , with which they do a little blind some ignorant people , which is an easie matter to do , while the blind lead the blind , saith christ , they both go into the ditch . one thing they alledge for tythes , is , that melchisedec took tythes when abraham paid them , gen. 14. when abraham returned from the slaughter of the kings ; and this the apostle cleareth himself , in heb. 7. and taketh away the objection of all that can be said for tythes . for first of all , as for melchisedec king of salem , priest of the most high god , who met abraham in his return from the slaughter of the kings , and blessed him , to whom also abraham gave the tenth part of all , &c. here the apostle describes melchisedec , being without descent , having neither beginning of dayes nor end of life . so that our tythe-takers in these last days , cannot claim them by this order ; for they are not without descent , for the furthest they can claim was levi , and hundreds of them have ended their dayes , and their dayes are come to an end . besides , the apostle saith , that this melchisedec was greater then abraham , and abraham had the promise of god , and the oath of god passed unto him , and unto his seed , which the apostle saith , is christ , gal. 3. but the apostle saith , he was made like unto the son of god , and remaineth a priest continually . now consider , saith he , how great this man was , unto whom , even the patriarch abraham , gave the tythe of the spoils , and verily , they who are of the sons of levi , who receive the office of the priesthood , have a commandment to take tythes of the people , that are of their brethren , though they came out of the loins of abraham ; but he whose descent is not counted from them , received tythes of abraham , and blessed him , that had the promises , and without all contradiction , the less is blessed of the better . so if our tythe-takers can say they are better then abraham , then they may claim tythes from melchisedec ; but if they say nay , but they will claim them from the tribe of levi , then they must own themselves to be of the levitical priesthood , and they must take tythes of none but their brethren the jews : for so the apostle saith , that the priesthood had a commandment to take tythes , according to the law , that is of their brethren , hebr. 7. 5. and he saith further , if therefore perfection were by the levitical priesthood , for ●●der it the people received the law , what further need was there that another priest should arise , after the order of melchisedec , and not after the order of aaron . but the priesthood being changed , there is made of necessity a change also of the law ; for he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe , of which no man gave attendance at the altar . for it is evident our lord sprang of judah , of which tribe moses spake nothing coucerning the priesthood . and it is more evident , that after the similitude of melchisedec , there ariseth another priest , who is not made after the law of a carnal commandment , but after the power of an endless life : for he testifieth , thou art a priest for ever , after the order of melchisedec . for there is verily a disanulling of the commandment going before , for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof . for the law made nothing perfect , but the bringing in of a better hope did , by which we draw nigh unto god , hebr. 7. here the apostle testifieth clearly of the overturning and changing of the priesthood of levi , and the disanulling of the law , by which they took tythes , because that made nothing perfect . and for this other priest that remaineth for ever , who purgeth and purifieth the conscience from dead works , to serve the living god ; for the witnessing of this everlasting high-priest being come , hath many suffered , and do suffer by this generation of tythe-taking priests , who are neither according to law nor gospel ; and though they take the apostles words here , and it may be , may read them to the people , yet do they act quite contrary to the apostles testimony here , and to all his practices that he practised while he was upon earth . and so we that have a testimony of our lord jesus christ , our everlasting high-priest , that he is come , we cannot deny his testimony , in paying priests tythes , which was paid under the levitical priesthood , before he came , now we have another priest , that remaineth continually , who is not made by a law of a carnal commandment , ( as they all are ) but by another law , even the law of the spirit of life , which maketh us free from the law of sin and death , rom. 8. but they set up laws against us , and make us suffer by their laws , and by their courts ; and when we cannot swear , cast us into prison : but the apostle taught his son timothy otherwise , when he besought him to abide still at ephesus , that he might charge some of them , that they preach no other doctrine : neither give head to fables , and endless genealogies , which minister questions , rather then godly edifying , which is in faith. now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart , and of a good conscience , and faith unfained : from which some having swerved , have turned again aside into jangling , desiring to be teachers of the law , understanding neither what they say , nor whereof they affirm . but we know that the law is good , if a man use it lawfully : knowing this , that the law is not made for a righteous man , but for the lawless and disobedient , for the ungodly , and for sinners , for unholy and prophane , for murtherers of fathers , and murtherers of mothers , for man-slayers , for whoremongers , for them that defile themselves with mankind , for men-stealers , for lyars , for perjured persons , and if there be any thing further that is contrary to sound doctrine , 1 tim. 1. surely these late bishops have learned another lesson , then this bishop timothy did ; for they execute their law against the harmless , and the innocent , and such as abide in sound doctrine , and those that bring forth the fruits of the spirit , which is love , peace , long suffering , gentleness , goodness , faith , meekness , temperance , against such the apostle saith , there is no law , gal. 5. and yet these are they that are made the object of their laws , and are kept under the scourge of the laws in these dayes ; and this disorder is , because our leaders and teachers have caused the people to err , from the faith , and from the truth . but to come to the particular , which is concerning ministers maintenance , where they object , and say , the apostle alloweth them a maintenance , by what he holds forth , 1 cor. 9. where he saith , have not we power to eat and drink ? who goeth a warfare at any time on his own charges ? who planteth a vineyard , and eateth not of the fruit thereof ? who feedeth a flock , and eateth not of the milk thereof ? for it is written in the law of moses , thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the oxe that treadeth out the corne. if we have sown unto you spiritual things , is it a great thing if we reap of your carnal things ? do you not know , that they that minister about holy things , live of the things of the temple ? and they which wait at the altar , are partakers with the altar : even so hath god ordained , that they which preach the gospel , should live of the gospel . all this we would freely allow them , and it would be joy and gladness to us , to see them come to this , upon the same tearms the apostles did ; for first of all he saith , am i not an apostle ? am i not free ? have i not seen jesus christ ? are not you my work in the lord ? if i be not an apostle unto others , yet doubtless i am to you , for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the lord. if others are partakers of this power over you , are not we rather ? nevertheless we have not used this power , but suffered all things , lest we should hinder the gospel of christ. for we have used none of these things , neither have i written these things , that it should be done unto me , for it were better for me to die , than that in this any man should make my glorying void ; for though i preach the gospel , i have nothing to glory of , for a necessity is laid upon me , yea , woe is unto me if i preach not the gospel . for if i do this willingly , i have a reward ; but if against my will , a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me , what is my reward then ? verily , that when i preach the gospel , i may make the gospel of christ without charge , that i abuse not my power in the gospel . for though i be free from all men , yet i made my self servant unto all , that i might gain the more , unto the jew i became a jew , &c. here the apostle maketh all clear ; so that if they would come to preach the gospel in this spirit and power , they need not set up their courts of violence , and lay such heavy oppression upon the consciences of men and women . for the apostle saith , though we walk in the flesh , we do not war after the flesh ; for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal , but spiritual , and mighty through god , to the pulling down of strong holds ; casting down imaginations of every high thought , that exalteth it self against the knowledge of god ; and bringeth into captivity every thought into the obedience of christ . here is no need of courts or prisons , where the power of god is manifested in the ministry of the gospel ; they need not want means nor maintenance , where every thought is brought down into the subjection and obedience of the lord's truth . but as the apostle saith , those that sow spiritual things , ought to reap carnal things ; so he that planteth a vineyard , ought to eat of the fruit thereof ; and whosoever feedeth a flock , ought to eat the milk thereof ; and whosoever treadeth out the corn , ought not to have his mouth muzzeld according to the law ; that so he that ploweth in hope , and thresheth in hope , should be partaker of their hope . all this is just and equal , and ought to be without force or constraint ; for the apostle saith , nevertheless we have not used this power , but suffer all things , lest we should hinder the gospel of christ . the lord hath ordained that they which preach the gospel , should live of the gospel , but i have used none of these things . therefore , he saith , have i committed an offence in abasing my self ? because i have preached to you the gospel of god freely . and when i was present with you and wanted , i was chargable to no man , 2 cor. 11. also the apostle saith , i did not burden you ; did i make a gain of you , by any of them i sent unto you ? i desired titus , and with him i sent a brother . did titus make a gain of you ? walked we not in the same spirit ? walked we not in the same steps ? think ye that we excuse our selves unto you ? we speak before god in christ , that we do all things , dearly beloved , for your edifying . here the apostle desireth their growth into grace , that he preached to ; not his growth into their estates , as ours do now in these dayes , 2 cor. 12. but this hath not served our late gospel-ministers ; they will not be contented , where they have planted to eat of the fruit ; nor where they have fed the flock , to eat of the milk ; nor where they have plowed or threshed , to partake of their hope ; but they will be paid of all within the compass of their power and lordships , whethey feed them or no ; and where they never planted , nor never plowed , nor never sowed , there they will make them to pay them , and that by force and violence : and this all people may see , is contrary to the apostles doctrine , life and practice . surely the apostle saw these things coming on , when he wrote unto his son timothy , whom the holy ghost made bishop and overseer ; when he shewed him how he should behave himself in the house of god , concerning elders , fathers and mothers , and concerning children and servants , saith he , let the elders that rule well , be counted worthy of double honour , especially they who labour in the word and doctrine ; for the scripture saith , thou shalt not muzzle the oxe that treadeth out the corn. the labourer is worthy of his reward . i charge thee before god , and our lord jesus christ , and the elect angels , that thou observe these things , without preferring one before another , doing nothing by partiality ; laying hand suddenly on no man , neither be partaker of other mens sins . keep thy self pure . if any man teach otherwise , and consent not to wholsome words , even the words of our lord jesus christ , and to the doctrine which is according to godliness ; he is proud , knowing nothing , but doting about questions , and strife of words ; whereof cometh envy , strife , railings , evil surmisings , perverse disputeings of men of corrupt minds , and destitute concerning the truth ; supposing that gain is godliness ; from such withdraw thy self . but godliness with contentment is great gain ; for we brought nothing into this world , and it is certain we can carry nothing out ; but having food and raiment , let us therewith be content . but they that will be rich fall into a temptation , and a snare , and into many foolish and hurtful lusts , which drown men in destruction and perdition . for the love of money is the root of all evil , which while some have coveted after , they have erred from the faith , and pierced themselves thorow with many sorrows . but thou , o man of god , fly these things , 1 tim. 5 , 6 chapters . all that read this may see , that the blessed apostle foresaw the state and condition the church was falling into , and the time that hath been since , hath manifested the truth of it . and thus we see the good and wholesome doctrine , that the holy apostle left with them that were overseers in those dayes , that had the spirit of the lord jesus living and dwelling in their hearts , but this gospel hath been hid from them that have been lost . and this may serve for the sixth head , which is , their maintenance . the seventh and last is their garbe and habit , which they seem to place much in , in matter of their worship , and they being gospel-ministers , we know no ground , nor example , they have from christ or any of his apostles , to wear such garments . it is true , aaron when he was to minister in the priests office , there were holy garments to be made for him , for beauty and for glory : and these were the garments which they were to make ; a brest-plate , an ephod , and a robe , a broidered coat , a mitre and a girdle ; and they were to take two stones , two onix stones , and grave on them the names of the children of israel , and set them in four rows ; and aaron shall bear the names of the children of israel in the brest-plate of judgment upon his heart , when he goeth in into the holy place , for a memorial before the lord continually : and thou shalt put in the brest-plate of judgment the urim , and the thummim ( which is , lights and perfections ) and they shall be upon aarons heart , when he goeth in before the lord ; and aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of israel upon his heart before the lord continually , exod. 28. here was more than the long gown and the surplice , the tippet and the hood , here was the urim and the thummim , and the judgement of the children of israel upon his heart : also aaron had a brest-plate of pure gold , and graven upon it like the engraving of a signet , holiness to the lord , vers . 36. this is far beyond the long robes of our dayes ; for there is little holiness graven upon them , neither lights nor perfections ; and if they do take the long robes and surplices , hoods and tippets , from aaron , they miss the garbe and fashion of this , for upon the hemme of aarons garment there was bells , and pomgranets of gold ; a golden bell and a pomegranet , a golden bell and a pomegranet round about the hem ; and this was to be upon aaron , when he went to minister , that his sound might be heard when he was to go in the holy place before the lord. but they set bells upon the top of their steepls in stead of these , to make people hear the sound when they go to their worship . and so in this , as in all other things that have been shewed , they differ far from scripture-rule . moreover the lord said unto moses , thus shall aaron go into the holy place , with a young bullock for a sin-offering , and a ram for a burnt-offering ; and he shall put on the holy linnen coat , and he shall have the linnen breeches upon his flesh , and shall be girded with a linnen girdle , and with the linnen mitre shall he be attired , these are the holy garments , therefore shall he wash his flesh in water , and so put them on , levit. 16. so here we see aaron was to bring a bullock and a ram , for a burnt-offering , and a sin-offering , and to wash his flesh before he put those garments on . it is to be feared , that our long-robed and surplice-men miss it in this too , except they offer a sin-offering , and a burnt-offering , and wash their flesh . we do not hear they use this , they calling themselves ministers of christ , and of the gospel : but certainly they have not taken up the imitation of these things from hence , from aarons garments , but from the scribes and pharisees , for from christ and his apostle they had none at all , but the quite contrary : for christ jesus when he spake to the multitude , and his disciples , said , the scribes and the pharisees sit in moses seat , and that which they bid you observe and do , observe ; but do not ye after their works , for they say and do not ; and all their works they do to be seen of men . they make broad their philactaries , or fringes , and enlarge the borders of their garments ; and love the upermost rooms at feasts , and the chiefest seats in the synagogues . but he saith , woe unto you scribes and pharisees , hypocrites , for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men , for ye neither go in your selves , nor suffer them that would . woe unto you , for ye devour widows houses , and for a pretence make long prayers ; therefore ye shall receive the greater condemnation , matth. 23. and he saith unto them in mark 12. in his doctrine , beware of the scribes , which love to go in long cloathing , and love salutations in the market-places , and the chief seats in the synagogues , and uppermost rooms at feasts ; which devour widows houses , and for a pretence make long prayers ; these shall receive greater damnation . and luke saith , chap. 20. that , then , in the audience of all the people , he said unto his disciples , beware of the scribes , which desire to walk in long robes , and love greetings in the markets , and the highest seats in the synagogues , and the chiefest rooms at feasts ; which devour widows houses , and for a shew make long prayers ; the same shall receive greater condemnation . surely the disciples and apostles after they had heard christ thus often to testify against them , that went after this manner , certainly they would keep themselves clear , for ever going in this garb . besides , it is clearly manifested by their practices , that they never went after this manner , in long robes and surplices , for that would have been a great charge to them , that wrought with their hands , and were not chargable to any , except those that were raised up by the power of almighty god , by their preaching of the gospel of christ unto them , the lord might move their hearts to give them what they should stand in need of , which they could not want , if those had it , that were one with them in the spirit ; for so the apostle holdeth forth to the philippians , where he saith , but i rejoyce in the lord greatly , that now at last your care of me hath flourished again , wherein ye were also careful , but ye lacked opportunity ; not that i speak in respect of want , for i have learned in whatsoever state i am , therewith to be content . i know how to be abased , and how to abound , every where in all things i am instructed , both to be full and to be hungry ; both to abound , and to suffer need ; notwithstanding ye have done well , that ye did communicate with mine affliction : for even in thessalonica ye sent once and again to my necessity ; not because i desire a gift , but i desire fruit , that that may abound to your account : but i have all , and abound , and am full , phil. 4. but surely they bought no long robes , nor surplices with this , since that christ jesus had so often exhorted them , to beware of them that went in such . and again peter saith unto those he wrote to , let your conversation be honest among the gentiles ; that whereas they speak of them as evil doers , they may be put to silence by their good works ; and that they should be as free , not using their liberty for a cloak of malitiousness , but as the servants of god. and thus much for the seventh and last head , which is their garb and habit , which all that reade the scriptures may see , that christ nor his apostles ever used such . so now , let the reader , as he readeth over this treatise , weigh and try by the scriptures , their wayes and actions , for christ hath left us a rule , how we should know them by their fruits . for , saith he , beware of false prophets , which come unto you in sheeps cloathing , but inwardly are ravening wolves : ye shall know them by their fruit . do men gather grapes of thornes , or figgs of thistles ? even so every good tree , bringeth forth good fruit ; but a corrupt tree , bringeth forth corrupt fruit ; a good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit , neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit : wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them , mat. 7. luke 6. 43. so by this which hath been shewed and tried by the scriptures , comparing their doctrine , practice , and worship with the scriptures , let the honest in heart judge , whether this gospel that they have preached , and which hath been holden forth for many hundreds of years , whether this gospel be not another gospel , than that the apostles preached ; and that which the apostle feared is come to pass , where he saith , i fear lest by any means , as the serpent beguiled eve through his subtilty , so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity which is in christ : for if he that cometh preacheth another jesus , whom we have not preached ; or if ye receive another spirit which we have not received , or another gospel which ye have not accepted : i marvel ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of christ , into another gospel , which is not another ; but there are some that trouble you , and would pervert the gospel of christ . but though we , or an angel from heaven , preach any other gospel unto you , than that which we have preached unto you , let him be accursed . as i said before , so say i now again , if any man preach any other gospel unto you , than that ye have received , let him be accursed , 1 cor. 11. gal. 1. and thus you may see , that their ministry hath been neither according to law nor gospel ; and let the lord judge between these two . and now a few queries to the bishops , ministry and clergy , of what sort soever , whether papists or protestants , that have been in this time of apostacy . first , whether that light , which john was sent to bear witness of , john 1. 8 , 9. which is the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world ; whether this light be not the same as it was , and hath the same power that hver it had ? since christ saith , i am the light of the world , john 8. 12. secondly , whether the new covenant , which the lord promised by this prophets , isaiah and jeremiah , which was a light of the gentiles , and was to be god's salvation to the ends of the earth , isa . 42 , and 49 chapters . jer. 31 , and 24 , chap. which prophesies old simeon saw fulfilled , luke 2. 30 , 31 , 32. vvhether this new covenant , which the lord saith should be an everlasting covenant in the last dayes ( which covenant the apostle bears testimony of in heb. 8. ) whether this covenant ( which is the law written in the heart ) be not the same as ever it was , yea or nay ? thirdly , whether the word of faith , which the apostle saith , is nigh in the heart , even the word that he preached , rom. 10. vvhether this be not the same as ever ? since christ saith , heaven and earth shall pass away , but my word shall not pass away , mat. 24. 35. mark. 13. 31. fourthly , whether the ministration of the spirit , which the apostle said , was glorious ; and saith , the lord is that spirit ; and where the spirit of the lord is , there is liberty , 2 cor. 3. 17. whether this spirit hath not the same power and efficacy to work in the hearts of people , as ever it had , yea or nay ? fifthly , whether the revelation of jesus christ , that was revealed to his apostles by his spirit , ephes . 3. 5. 1 cor. 2. 10. whether this spirit hath not the same power to reveal now , as ever it had ? since christ jesus saith , all things are delivered unto me of my father , and no man knoweth the son but the father , neither knoweth any man the father save the son , and he to whomsoever the son will reveal him , mat. 11. 27. john 3. 35. chap. 6. 46. whether this revelation of christ jesus , be not of the same force and power as ever it was , yea or nay ? sixthly , and if so , that the light of christ which is the new covenant , and the word of faith which is nigh in the heart , and the spirit that he hath put in the inward parts , by which the revelation of jesus christ is known , be the same as ever : then why is not the ministration of the spirit , and those that are inspired by the almighty , the ministers that are allowed of , and set up by the powers of the nation ? and why is such a ministry set up and allowed of by the powers of the nation , who deny revelation , and do not wait for revelation , but say it is ceased ? and why are such ministers allowed of , and set up by the powers of the nation , who do not only deny revelation , and so deny christ jesus , but they also stir up the magistrates , and those that have the civil power , to persecute , to imprison , to premunire , and to banish such as have the revelation of jesus christ , and are inspired by the almighty , with the same spirit and power as the apostles had ? seventhly , why is not the church of christ now in god , as the church of the thessalonians was ? 1 thes . 1. 1. 2 thes . 1. 1. and why is now a house made with wood and stone , called the church ? since christ saith unto peter , when he confessed that he was the christ , the son of the living god ; jesus said unto him , flesh and blood hath not revealed this unto thee . thou art peter , and upon this rock i build my church . but this rock was not peter , as the papists say , but it was upon that revelation which christ said his heavenly father had revealed unto peter , and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it , mat. 16. 18. eighthly , why is not the worship of god performed in the spirit , and in the truth , according as christ jesus published and declared in the mountain at samaria unto the woman , which jesus confessed unto , and said , when she spake of the messiah , and of christ , i am he ; he said unto her , that the hour cometh , and now is , that the true worshippers shall worship the father in spirit and in truth ; for such the father seeketh to worship him ; god is a spirit , and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and truth , john 4. and why is not this spirit waited in , and for , in the worship that is generally performed , and allowed of in our nation ? since that the apostle saith , we are the circumcision which worship god in the spirit , and have no confidence in the flesh , phil. 3. 3. and why is the worship which is generally performed among people , and their doctrines taught from and by the commandments of men , seeing they profess themselves to be christians , being christ complained of this worship ? and saith , in vain do they worship me , teaching for doctrine the traditions of men ; this people draweth near to me with their mouthes , and honoureth me with their lips , but their hearts are far from me : and he said , let them alone , they are blind leaders of the blind : and if the blind lead the blind , both shall fall into the ditch , matth. 15. 8 , 9 , 14. ninthly , and why is not the worship of god performed among those that profess themselves to be christians , and gospel ministers in the unity of the spirit ? since the apostle saith , when he ascended up on high , he led captivity captive , and gave gifts unto men , for the perfecting of the saints , for the work of the ministry , for the edifying of the body of christ ; till we all come into the unity of the faith , and of the knowledge of the son of god , unto the perfect man , unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of christ , ephes . 4. 13. and why is there such difference in religion , and opinions , as there hath been between papists and protestants , and many others , even to the killing and slaying one of another , since that all profess themselves to be christians ? and the spirit of christ is but one ; and the apostle exhorts them here , to endeavour to keep the unity of the spirit , and the bond of peace . and if they have received those gifts from on high , which are for the work of the ministry ; then why are there such differences among them ? tenthly , why is there not that liberty , and order in their meetings and assemblies , who profess themselves to be christians , as was in and among the apostles and their churches ? for the apostle saith , if any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by , let the first hold his peace , for ye may all prophesie one by one , that all may learn , and all may be comforted : and the spirit of the prophets is subject to the prophets ; for god is not the author of confusion , but of peace , as in all the churches of the saints , 1 cor. 14. so if this was the order of the churches of the saints , how is it that always one man is set up to speak to all the rest of the people , it may be for many years together ? since that the apostle saith , that there is diversity of gifts , but the same spirit ; and there are differences of administrations , but the same lord ; and there are diversities of operations , but the same god which worketh all in all ; but the manifestation of the spirit is given to every man to profit withal . 1 cor. 12. rom. 12. 4. since that the spirit is given to every man ; how is it that poor people have had one man set up to teach them , it may be thirty or forty years together , and whatsoever was revealed to him that sat by , they were not permitted to speak ? but they might be haled before magistrates ; and it may be stockt , or whipt , for doing that which the scripture alloweth of ; and here are christ words fulfilled , where he saith , ye shall be haled before magistrates , and persecuted for my name sake , for a testimony against them , and they that kill you think they do god good service , john 16. 2. and these few queries are for all the clergy in the christian world to answer , whether they be papists or protestants . lancaster castle , the 7th moneth . 1666. m. f. post-script . it hath been an old proverb and maxime among men , no bishop , no king ; this is but a supposition that is got into the minds of people in these late times , which hath proceeded and risen from among those of that function , and their adherents , being that their power standeth onely by the kingly power ; for it might rather be said , no king , no bishop . but to add to their strength and assistance , they have added this , and have got it into the minds of people , that if there be no bishop , no king ; but it is otherwise : for it is by experience known , and that by scripture example . for in the reigns of all the kings of israel , we do not read that there was a bishops power , nor ecclesiastical nor spiritual courts ; neither nebuchadnezzar the great ; neither cyrus , unto whom the lord said , thou art mine anointed , whose right hand i have upholden to subdue nations , i will loose the loyns of kings , to open before thee the leaved gates ; i will give thee the treasures of darkness , and the hidden riches of secret places , that thou mayest know , that i the lord which calleth thee by thy name , am the god of israel , isa . 45. neither darius , who set over his kingdom one hundred and thirty princes , and over these were three presidents , of whom daniel was the first ; and by the voice and word of daniel the man of god , who was greatly beloved of god , these kingdoms of the medes and persians were swayed and governed by the word of the lord through daniel , as may be read in the book of daniel : but we never heard of bishops , or spiritual courts among them . it is true , we read , that among the jews there was high-priests , and chief-priests that ruled and governed amongst them , when their kings were heathens , as herod , and tiberius cesar . in the dayes of herod christ was born , who sent his wise men to seek for the child , and made all the young children be killed , from two years old and under ; and the angel made jesus be carried into egypt , till herod was dead . then there was herod the tetrarch of galilee , which beheaded john baptist ; this herod and pilate were made friends the same day that christ was under examination , for before they had been at enmity : and ananias and caiaphas , being high priests , they sought how they might kill jesus ; and the band of souldiers led jesus away to annas first , for he was father-in-law to caiaphas , which was the high priest the same year : now caiaphas was he which gave counsel to the jews , that it was expedient that one man should die for the people , john 18. 13 , 14. and when pilate had called together the chief priests , and the rulers , and said unto them , ye brought this man unto me as one that perverted the people , and i have examined him before you , and have found no fault in him , nor yet herod ; and they accused him vehemently , luke 23. matth. 26. the chief priests and elders sought false witness against jesus to put him to death , and when they found false witnesses that witnessed against him , jesus said nothing : and the high priest arose , and said , answerest thou nothing ? and he said , i adjure thee by the living god that thou tell us if thou be the christ : jesus said unto him , thou hast said it : hereafter ye shall see the son of man sitting at the right hand of power . then the high priest rent his clothes , and said , he hath spoken blasphemy . and when the morning was come , all the chief priests and elders took counsel to put him to death ; and when they had led him away , they delivered him to pontius pilate , matth. 27. mark 15. and when pilate asked of them , will ye that i release unto you the king of the jews ? but the chief priests moved the people , that he should rather release barabbas . and pilate said , what will ye then that i shall do unto him whom ye call the king of the jews ? and they cried , crucifie him , crucifie him . now ananias sent him bound unto caiaphas , the high priest , and he asked him of his disciples , and of his doctrine ; jesus answered , why askest thou me ? ask them that heard me : and one of the officers struck jesus with the palm of his hand , and said , answerest thou the high priest so ? and jesus said , if i have spoken evil , bear witness of the evil ; if well , why smitest thou me ? then they led jesus from caiaphas the high priest , into the hall of judgment , and pilate went unto them , and said , take ye him , and judge him according to your law : the jews therefore said unto him , it is not lawfull for us to put a man to death , john 18. but they looked upon it lawfull to accuse him falsely , and vehemently to accuse him , and to cry out , crucifie him , crucifie him , and to desire barrabbas , that was found in an insurrection , and a murtherer , to be released , and to cry , that christ the lamb of god might be crucified ; also after the same manner did they with the apostles . and those scribes and elders that caught stephen and brought him , and set up false witnesses to witness against him , the high priest with the councel said , are these things so ? and after stephen opened his mouth , and spake unto them , and opened through the scriptures ; and when they heard those things that stephen spake from the scriptures , they gnashed on him with their teeth , acts 7. and as peter and john spake unto the people , the priests and captain of the temple , and the sadduces came upon them ; and then ananias the high priest , and caiaphas , and john , and alexander , and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest , were gathered together to take counsel against peter and john , after they had wrought the miracle upon the impotent man ; and when they could find nothing against them , they threatned them , and let them go , acts 4. and what ado made they with paul , for all he was one of their own nation , and made his defence before them ; and called them men , and brethren , and fathers , and spake unto them in the hebrew tongue , and told them how the lord had converted him , as also the high priests doth bear me witness , and all the elders , from whom also i received letters unto the brethren , and went to damascus , to bring them which were there in prison to jerusalem to be punished , acts 22. paul that had been one of their servants , and had acted in the same way with them in persecution , after he was converted to the christian faith , he received no more favour from them than others ; for afterwards when paul was brought before the council to be examined , wherefore he was so accused ; and paul earnestly beholding the council , said , men and brethren , i have lived in all good conscience before god until this day : and the high priest ananias commanded them that stood by him , to smite him on the mouth : then said paul , god shall smite thee , thou whited wall ; and they that stood by , said , revilest thou gods high priest ? then said paul , i wist not brethren , that he was the high priest ; for it is written , thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people . paul acknowledged , and confessed his transgression of that law , where it is said , thou shalt not revile the gods , nor curse the ruler of thy people , exod. 22. 28. but david saith , i have said ye are gods , but ye shall die like men : and so it appeareth by this high priest ; for he was far from executing of his duty , where he sate to judge according to the law , when he commanded to smite the prisoner contrary to the law , and afterwards gave consent to the people to bind themselves in an oath to murther paul , but were prevented by the chief chaptain and souldiers , acts 23. and after five dayes ananias the high priest , descended with the elders , who enformed the governor against paul , and said , we have found this man a pestilent fellow , a mover of sedition among the jews , throughout the whole world , a ring-leader of the sect of the nazarens , with much more . and when felix heard their accusations of him , he deferred the examination of him , acts 24. likewise , when festus was come into the province , then the high priest , and the chief of the jews informed him also against paul , and desired favour against him , and besought him , that he would send for him to jerusalem , lying in wait by the way to kill him : but festus answered , that paul should be kept at cesarea , acts 25. by these places , with much more that the scripture maketh mention of , we may see the cruelty , and bloody-mindedness of ●hese high priests , that were then rulers of the nation of the people of the jews , under the roman monarchy : for they were always worse in cruelty against the christians then the heathens ; and joyned with the kings , and incensed them what they could against the christians , as is manifested ; for they joyned with that herod and pilate that crucified christ . also when king herod heard that jesus was born in bethlehem of judah , he gathered the chief priests , and all the scribes of the people together , to demand of them where he was to be born , intending to kill him , but the lord prevented him , who in his rage slew all the young children . also herod the king that killed james the brother of john with the sword ; and because that he saw it pleased the jews ; he proceeded further , and took peter and cast him into prison ; and when prayer was made to the lord for peter , and that the lord delivered him out of prison , there was no small stir among the souldiers , what was become of peter : and when herod had sought him , but found him not , he commanded that the keepers of the pison should be put to death . but when this herod was arrayed in royal apparel upon his throne , the lord smote him by his angel , immediately he was eaten of worms , and gave up the ghost , acts 12. this with much more might be instanced concerning this generation of men , of their cruelty and oppression , joyning with the heathen monarchs in the crucifying and persecuting of christ jesus , and all his holy apostles , and all the primitive christians : but we never heard of any bishops , neither in the time of the kings of israel , nor in all the four manarchies before christs time ; neither in the dayes of the apostles , nor in the primitive times , there was no such bishops as had courts , and laws , to make people to swear , and to imprison them if they would not ; such , as there could not be kings without there were bishops . for christ jesus , nor none of his apostles , sought not after , neither looked after earthly kingdoms ; for he said , his kingdom was not of this world , neither could his servants fight . and the apostles said , the weapons of their warfare , were not carnal , but spiritual ; neither did they wrestle with flesh and blood , but with spiritual wickednesses . and so they that are true christians , and of the same faith and principle that christ jesus was of , they desire not caesars due nor right , but give unto caesar that which bears his own image , the outward earthly image , and the money that bears the superscription of caesars prerogative , this they can give unto caesar , and not wrong any man of his outward propriety or prerogative ; for they seek not after earthly crowns nor inheritances , but after heavenly . the apostle when he wrote to timothy , exhorted , that first of all supplications , prayers , and intercessions , might be made for all men ; for kings , and all that are in authority , that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life , in all godliness and honesty ; for this is good and acceptable to god , who would have all men to be saved . this he wrote to him that was a bishop , which if any man desireth the office of , he desireth a good work , for it is no more then to be an overseer of the church of christ , and not to look after carnal means , or carnal maintenance , neither to be a burden or an oppression to the people , nor to be upholden by men , or the powers of the earth ; such bishops and overseers of the church of god as timothy and titus were , and all those holy apostles the scriptures mention , we should be glad of , such as are lovers of hospitality , lovers of good men , not given to wine , not greedy of filthy lucre , but patient ; not a brawler , not covetous ; for the apostle saith , the love of money is the root of all evil ; which , while some have coveted after , they have erred from the faith , and pierced themselves through with many sorrows . such things as these the apostle exhorted timothy and titus from , which many of the bishops in our dayes , and for the last twelve hundred years and upwards , it is to be feared , they are fallen into demas his way , and trodden his paths , and have forsaken the apostles spirit , doctrine and principle , and have embraced this present world ; and here hath been the misery of these ages last past : but this is that which christ jesus foresaw , which he mentions , matth. 24 , and 25 chap. as also the apostle paul foresaw , when he told them , that grievous wolves should enter into the church , not sparing the flock , acts 20. 29. 2 pet. 1. 2. 1 john 2. 18. all these had a true sight of the dayes of darkness , and night of apostacy that was coming on . as also the revelation of jesus christ , which he sent and signified by his angel to his servant john ; he saw the beast rise out of the sea , and out of the earth , and power was given to him for forty and two moneths ( and this power began at rome , which is the foundation of the ecclesiastical and spiritual power ; and here was the first bishop that was called , his holiness , and his children are called as high as they can ; but timothy and titus were not such ) who made war with the saints , and overcame them , and power was given unto him over all tongues , kindreds and nations , and his power was to endure above twelve hundred years . and one of the seven angels , that had the seven vials , shewed him the judgment of the great whore , with whom the kings of the earth had committed fornication , and the inhabitants of the earth had made themselves drunk with the wine of her fornication . and he saw a woman sit upon a scarlet-coloured beast , full of names of blasphemy , having seaven heads , and ten horns , which beast he had seen before , chap. 13. and when john marvelled , the angel said unto him , wherefore dost thou marvel ? i will tell thee the mystery of the woman , and of the beast that carrieth her , chap. 17. and so , he that hath wisdom may reade , and count the number of the beast , for it is 666. and this proverb which hath continued so long , no bishop , no king , hath risen out of the bottomless-pit , and must go into perdition ; for there were no such bishops in the times of the four monarchies before christ , neither among the primitive christians , that had ecclesiastical courts , and tossed poor people up and down , and caused them to swear , contrary to christ's command , which they have nothing to do with , wrangling among them for getting of money . the apostle saith , they should be no brawlers . and now this usurping power is gotten up under the profession of christianity , and because it is upholden by monarchial power , it hath hatched a cockatrice into the minds of people , no bishop , no king : but this we can say , that kings have reigned by the power of the lord god , and may reign as long as it pleaseth him ; and god sent his prophet to anoint a king. so can we say that this usurping power hath been alwayes against and contrary to the power of the lord god , and hath ever been the oppressour of the innocent and the just , and gods heritage and people have alwayes been sufferers in all ages by this power , and this generation of priests hath been the cause of all the saints sufferings ; they stoned the prophets , and slew them before christ , and ye may see how they used christ and his apostles . and now in the apostacy , o the inquisitions , the racks , and the tortures , the courts , citations , and imprisonments that have been , and are continually imposed upon poor people : so that the very misery of nations cometh by these usurpers ( and their superiority , in having power ) and oppressors , and layers on of burdens , grievous to be born , that upon this generation might come , all the righteous blood shed upon the earth , from abel , mat. 23. 35 , 36. but the lord is coming to redeem his people , and his flock out of their covetous mouthes , and bloody hands ; and the lord hath sent the spirit of his son into the hearts of his people , and his light is risen in their consciences , and the lord will teach them all himself , and set them free from the bondage and slavery of these taskmasters ; and he hath committed all power in heaven and earth unto his son , and he hath all times and seasons in his hands ; and it is good for kings that are set up by the lord , to fear him , that by his power they may stand ; and not uphold that power that god will throw down ; for he is come to reign , and teach his people himself . read isa . 21. the end . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a41067-e880 first , theit titles , which are your holiness , lord-bishop , your lordship , and your gra●e ; contrary to christ and his apostles . secondly , their qualifications , contrary to christ and his apostles , who were , 1st . meek , lowly , and humble , 2. suffering and taking up the cross . 3 love and charity to all men . thirdly , their call contrary to christ and his apostles , which was by special command and revelation in christ jesus . theirs of men and from men . the true worship it self discovered . fourthly , their worship , contrary to christs example , and all his apostles . 1. in preaching . 2. in praying . 3. in singing . studying and divining contrary to christ and his apostles ; and contrary to the levitical priesthood . the second particular of their practice , is binding and limitting people to their worship , by citing them to their courts . the third particular of their practice , in causing people to sware , contrary to christs and the apostles commands , practice , and doctrine . the fourth particular of their practice , is sprinkling of infants without ground from scripture . the anabaptists baptism with outward water condemned . tythes contrary to gospel-maintenance . long robes and surplices , hoods & tippets are contrary to gospel ornaments . the womans doctour, or, an exact and distinct explanation of all such diseases as are peculiar to that sex with choise and experimentall remedies against the same : being safe in the composition, pleasant in the use, effectuall in the operation, cheap in the price / faithfully translated out of the works of that learned philosopher and eminent physitian nicholas fontanus. syntagma medicum de morbis mulierum. english fonteyn, nicolaas. 1652 approx. 325 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 134 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; 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(eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a39862) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 57110) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 143:13) the womans doctour, or, an exact and distinct explanation of all such diseases as are peculiar to that sex with choise and experimentall remedies against the same : being safe in the composition, pleasant in the use, effectuall in the operation, cheap in the price / faithfully translated out of the works of that learned philosopher and eminent physitian nicholas fontanus. syntagma medicum de morbis mulierum. english fonteyn, nicolaas. [12], 250 p. printed for john blague and samuel howes ..., london : 1652. translation of: syntagma medicum de morbis mulierum. reproduction of original in thomason collection, british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng women -diseases -early works to 1800. gynecology -early works to 1800. 2006-12 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2006-12 aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images 2007-03 celeste ng sampled and proofread 2007-03 celeste ng text and markup reviewed and edited 2008-02 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the womans doctour . or , an exact and distinct explanation of all such diseases as are peculiar to that sex. with choise and experimentall remedies against the same . being safe in the composition , pleasant in the vse , effectuall in the operation , cheap in the price . faithfully translated out of the works of that learned philosopher , and eminent physitian nicholas fontanus . london , printed for john blague and samuel howes , and are to be sold at their shop in popes head-alley . 1652. the first book of womens diseases . the proem by the author . it is acknowledged by the most able physitians , that it requires great diligeuce , and judgement to contrive an exact partition , or explanation of womens diseases , and to oblige the world with a right method , and meanes to cure them : because sometimes a part is diseased by consent , and sometimes primarily , by it selfe , or without any communication of distemper either with , or without matter , from any other part . the ancients , whose studious endeavours conspired the subduing of these diseases , have left behinde them most honourable testimonies of their labours , in favour of that sex. modern men also have been stirred up to their defence , as mercurialis , and mercatus , the former indeed with sufficient elegance , but the latter with so much tediousness , and confusion ; that you may sooner finde your patient dead , then a remedy in his writings for her recovery ; to correct this inconvenience , rodericus a castro engaged his pen in their quarrell , but with no great successe , for if my judgement be any thing considerable , his writings are more learned , then usefull . when i had noted these deficiencies , i thought with my selfe , that if i culled out the choicest medicines ( omitting the superfluous ) and digested them into a little worke by themselves , it might prove an undertaking worthy of a generall acceptation ; this was the birth , and growth of my designe , warrantable enough , as i conceive , if not praise worthy , and if i flatter not my selfe in an opinion of my own paines , i have proceeded with so much perspicuity , and tender circumspection , as will make the event answerable . an index of the chapters . the first chapter . of the consent of the diseases of the matrix , with the other parts . the second chapter . of the suppression , or staying of the courses . the third chapter . of the immoderate running of the courses . the fourth chapter . of the coming away of the courses by drops , the vehement symptomes thereof , and of the whites . the fifth chapter . of the complication of the courses , with other diseases . the sixth chapter . of hard swellings in the breasts . the second book . the first chapter . of the mother . the second chapter . of the epilepsy in the matrix , and the severall kindes thereof . the third chapter . of melancholy proceeding from the matrix . the fourth chapter . of a cold distemper , and windy humours in the matrix . the fifth chapter . of a hard swelling in the matrix . the sixth chapter . of the dropsey in the matrix . the seventh chapter . of the falling down of the matrix . the eighth chapter . of an itch , chaps , and an inflammation in the matrix . the ninth chapter . of a cancer , and an vlcer in the matrix . the tenth chapter . of wormes , and the stone in the matrix , and of the piles . the third book . the first chapter . of barrennesse , both absolute and respective . the second chapter . of a mola , or shapeless lump of flesh . the third chapter . of womens longings . the fourth chapter . of a bad stomach , proceeding from vomiting . the fifth chapter . of a pain in the belly , the passion of the heart , and of sounding fits. the sixth chapter . of a cough in great bellied women . the seventh chapter . of the swelling of womens legs , when they are with childe . the eighth chapter . of costiveness in women with childe . the ninth chapter . of the bloud which commeth away from the matrix of a woman with childe . the tenth chapter . of the water which cometh away from the matrix of a woman with childe . the eleventh chapter . of acute diseases , which happen to women with childe . the fourth book . the first chapter . of a naturall ●irth , and of abortivenesse . the second chapter . of a hard labour . the third chapter . of the after-birth . the fourth chapter . of the dead childe . the fifth chapter . of the paines , and the suppression of the courses , after the woman is delivered . the sixth chapter . of the immoderate flowing of the courses , after the woman is delivered . the seventh chapter . of the diseases which commonly befall a woman , after her delivery . the eighth chapter . of an inflammation in the matrix after her delivery . the ninth chapter . of too little , and too much milke . the tenth chapter . of sore breasts . the eleventh chapter . of wrinckles remaining in the matrix after a womans delivery , and of the meanes to contract the matrix . finis . womens diseases . the first chapter . of the consent between the diseases of the matrix , and those of the other parts . women were made to stay at home , and to looke after houshold employments , and because such business is accompanied with much ease , without any vehement stirrings of the body , therefore hath provident nature assigned them their monethly courses , that by the benefit of those evacuations , the feculent and corrupt bloud might be purified , which otherwise , as being the purest part of the bloud , would turne to ranke poyson , should it remaine in the body and putrifie ; like the seed ejaculated out of its proper vessells . hippocrates had a perfect understanding of these things , as may appeare by those words , in his booke de locis in homine , where he saith , that the matrix is the cause of all those diseases which happen to women ; and it is no strange thing which he speaketh ; for the matrix hath a sympathie with all the parts of the body ; as with the braine by the nerves and membranes of the parts about the spine , from whence sometimes ariseth the paines , in the fore part , and the hinder part of the head , with heart also , both by the spermatick , and the epigastrick arteries , or those that lie about the abdomen at the bottome of the bellie , from hence cometh the paine of the heart , fainting , and swounding fits , the passion of the heart , anxietie of minde , dissolution of the spirits , insomuch as you cannot discerne , whither a woman breaths or not , or that she hath any pulse ; it hath likewise a consent with the breasts ; and from hence proceed those swellings , that hardness , and those terrible cancers that afflict those tender parts , that a humour doth flow upwards , from the matrix to the breasts , and downwards again , from the breasts to the matrix , is the unanimous assertion of galen , hippocrates , laurentius , duretus , and others ; moreover it hath a sympathie with the liver ; and thus the sanguification is perverted , and the body inclines to a dropsie , and with the stomach and the kidneys also , as those paines which great bellied women doe feele , and the torments which some virgins undergoe , when they have their courses , sufficiently witnesse . and lastly , hippocrates hath taught us , that this consent holdeth with the bladder , and the straight gut ; for , saith he , when that part is inflamed , then the urine commeth away by drops , and the patient hath frequent desires , and solicitations to goe to stoole , but but without any performance . womens diseases are divided into foure classes , whereof the first containeth the diseases that are common to all women : the second comprehendeth such as are peculiar to widowes , and virgins ; the third specifieth those affects that concern barren women , and such as are fruitfull ; and the fourth treateth of such diseases , as befall women with childe , and nurses ; of all which we shall now speak , one after another , in their order . those diseases that are common , both to widowes and wives , both to barren women , and women that are fruitfull , as also to your maids , and virgins , proceed from the retention , or stoppage of their courses , as the most universall , and most usuall cause ; when these come from them , in a due and regular manner , their bodies are preserved from most terrible diseases ; but otherwise , they are immediately subject to the falling sickness , the palsie , the consumption , the whites , the mother , melancholy , burning fevers , the dropsey inward inflammations of all the principall parts , the suppression of the urine , nauseating , vomiting , loathing of meat , yexing , and a continuall paine in the head , arising from ill vapours , communicated from the matrix to the braine . wives are more healthfull then widowes , or virgins , because they are refreshed with the mans seed , and ejaculate their own , which being excluded , the cause of the evill is taken away . this is evident from the words of hippocrates , who adviseth young maids to marrie , when they are thus troubled ; that women have stones and seed , no true anatomist will denie ; the womans seed , i confess , in regard of the small quantity of heat , is more imperfect then the seed of the mans , yet is it most absolute in it selfe , and fit for generation . another cause also may be added , besides that which is alledged from hippocrates , namely , that married women by lying with their husbands , doe loosen the passages of the seed , and so the courses come down more easily thorow them ; now in virgins it falls out otherwise , because the bloud is stopped by the constipation and obstruction of the veines , and being stopped putrifies , from which putrifaction grosse vapours doe arise , and from thence heavinesse of minde , and dulnesse of spirit , a benummednesse of the parts , timorousnesse , and an aptness to be frighted , with a sudden propensitie to fall into fits of the mother , by reason of much bloud , oppressing and burthening the heart , also continuall anxiety , sadness , aud want of sleep , with idle talking , and an alienation of the minde , but that which most commonly afflicts them , is a difficulty , and paine to fetch their breath , for the chest by a continuall dialatation and compression , draweth the bloud from the matrix to it selfe , in a large proportion , and sometimes produceth asthmaticall effects . but what shall we say concerning widowes , who lye fallow , and live sequestred from these venereous conjunctions ? we must conclude , that if they be young , of a black complexion , and hairie , and are likewise somewhat discoloured in their cheeks , that they have a spirit of salacity , and feele within themselves a frequent titillation , their seed being hot and prurient , doth irritate and inflame them to venery , neither is this concupiscence allaid and qualified , but by provoking the ejaculation of the seed , as galen propounds the advice in the example of a widow , who was afflicted with intolerable symptomes , till the abundance of the spermatick humour was diminished by the hand of a skilfull midwife , and a convenient oyntment , which passage will also furnish us with this argument , that the use of venery is exceeding wholsome , if the woman will confine her selfe to the ●awes of moderation , so that she feele no wearisomnesse , nor weaknesse in her body , after those pleasing conflicts . most certaine it is , that barren women are more tormented with sicknesse , then those that are fruitfull , because , they who have children , live in a more healthfull condition , by reason of the opening of the veines , and the comming away of the superfluous bloud ; which being of an earthy , and feculent substance , must needs introduce prodigious symptomes in the bodies of other women , who have no seasonable meanes to vent and purge it out , and daily experience doth witnesse it to the private consideration of such women , that very many obstructions breed in their livers , mesenteries , and matrices . that women in child bed also , and such as nurse their owne children , are subject to most bitter , and vehement affects , galen doth daily teach us by an undeniable reason ; for whereas the childe in the wombe is nourished by the sweetest , fattest , and most elaborate part of the menstruous bloud , in its own nature filthy , and dreggish , when the woman is delivered , that bloud is forcibly evacuated by a criticall kinde of motion , and violent ebullition , whereupon the spirits are exhausted , and the feeble creature is precipitated into mortall infirmities , as fainting fits , incredible torments , and frequent soundings . many times also , besides that perticular fulnesse of the womb through the swelling , and strutting of the veines ; such women all the time that they be great with childe , are oppressed with an abundance of ill humours , contracted , and heaped up together by a bad diet , after which the upper parts of their bodies are many times most wofully inflamed . after the same manner also nurses are tormented with sore breasts , painfull swellings , ulcers , and cancers , and the like cruell diseases , by reason that the menstruum floweth in an unmeasurable quantitie to the breasts , and there settles . but now , by the permission of heaven , we shall set down a particular explanation of these diseases . chap. ii. the suppression of the courses . the suppression of the courses , is an interception , or stoppage of that usuall evacuation of bloud , which is wont to flow from the matrix every month . there is a twofold cause hereof ; one inward , the other outward ; the inward cause is also manifold ; for sometimes it is one kinde of distemper , sometimes another ; and sometimes againe , a humour is the cause thereof , the distemper is either hot , or cold , and concerning the former , this is controverted among the doctors , how a hot distemper can stay the courses : for if we will credit the b●st authors , or submit our judgements to the generall vote of philosophy ; it is the property of heat to open , to rarifie , to make thin , and to dilate : as on the contrary , it is the property of cold to obstruct , to thicken , to binde , and to condensate , the answer is easie and obvious ; wherefore we say that heat properly doth not stay the courses , but onely by accident , as namely by attenuation , dissipating , and consuming the thinner parts of the menstruum , for any humour is reasonably conceived to become more drie and thick , when the thinner part thereof is wasted away ; and againe , the thicker and dryer it is , it must needs be so much the more unapt to be expelled : and this is the reason that sturdie women in the country , who are accustomed to labour , and take much paines , and such virgins , as are of a hot constitution , have very little , or no evacuation this way , because the m●nstruum is wasted , and vanisheth by their continuall exercise , and paines taking . secondly , when the moisture is consumed away , the vessels are so much the more narrow and bound up , so that there is almost no passage left for the exclusion of the courses . a cold distemper stayeth the courses , because it weakneth and cooleth the parts , breeds bad humors and obstructions , straightens the passages , obstructs the conduits , infirmes , and overcooleth the matrix , and so retaines , suppresseth , and stoppeth the courses . swellings , imposthnmes , scars , and the like , are all reducible to the inward causes ; but the most usuall inward cause is a slow , tough and slimy humour , which glewing up , as it were , the vessells of the matrix , and thickning the bloud , retaineth the menstruum , according to the opinion of galen , delivered in severall places of his works . the outward causes are all those things , which any way increase a cold juice in the body , as a cold and moist ayre , gluttony , crudities , cold baths , and an unseasonable use of them , meats that yield a grosse nourishment , and are hard to digest , and such as constipate the humours , and thicken the bloud ; in which number are thick and sweet wines , pulse of all sorts , white meats made with milke , hard fish , and salt flesh , pothearbs , vineger , olives , rice , and the like ; also an unseasonable use of venery , a disorderly motion of the body , presently after meates , cold drink , ale , and other pourtents , or liquors which breed slow , and thick juices . you may know when the menstruum is , or will soon be suppressed by the relation of the sick woman , who commonly will make these discoveries ; that she hath no stomack to her meat , that for a long time together she hath felt a heavinesse over all her body , with a paine in her back , her privities , and her matrix : besides , you your self may discern agreenish paleness in her face ; sometimes she is troubled with loud belchings , and cruell paines in her belly ; but frequently with the head-ach , especially in the forepart of her head , and when the bloud is stopped , & putrifies in her body , presently there ariseth a fever , by reason of that sympathy , communion , or consent between the matrix & the other parts . many , and irreparable are the inconveniences , and evills , which happen by this stoppage of the courses , if we may beleeve the great hippocrates , who in one of his aphorismes saith , if the menstruum comes away without moderation , diseases follow ; but if it comes not away at all , yet then diseases happen also from the matrix : but if it comes away in a due , and naturall manner , it preserves the woman from all gowtie torments , from paines in her joints , from the pleurisie , and all other inflammations in her sides , from the apoplexy , from the difficulty to fetch her breath , and from loosing her voyce ; women that have not their courses , must seeke for remedies with speed and prudence ; let them betake themselves to a temperate and moyst ayre , for if the ayre be too hot , it wasteth the bloud , and drawes it upwards from the matrix ; it likewise exhausts the spirits , and is thought to be a weakner of the body : on the contrary , when the ayre is too cold , it compels the bloud to retire , it weakens the matrix , breeds grosse and thick humours , and locks up the passages , so that the menstruum cannot descend , the most convenient drinke in this case is small rhenish wine , if there be a fever , or , which will be lesse dangerous , small beere boiled with a little cinamon , anise , maydenhaire , or birthwort . her diet should be such as will bee soon concocted , and easily distributed to all the parts ; boiled meats are more wholesome for her then rosted , because these dry up the bloud , but they soften the body , and keep it moist : let her also choose to feed upon tame creatures rather then wilde , because these are more hot and dry , but those are more moist and temperate ; boyle them with red fitches , for the broth that is thus made doth most powerfully bring down the courses . what meats must be avoided hath been said above ; but above all things , let her refraine the use of sowre things , because , as hippocrates hath warned us , they bring paine to the matrix ; it will be good to rub the lower parts of her legs very often , and to tie straight ligatures about them , till they make her complaine of much paine . having thus prescribed her diet , the next designe must be to evacuate the cause ; this may be done severall wayes , but especially by letting bloud , and sometimes by purging her body ; the physitians have long contended , but very foolishly , which vein should be cut : but we omitting the frivoulous alterations on both sides , conclude with galen , that when the courses are stop't , if the strength of the woman will beare it , and the nature of the disease require it , the vein in the ankle must alwayes be opened ; not in the arme as aetius commands ; who also is backt in that opinion by gradus , mercurialis , and amatus lusitanus , who was taught by ruffus to open a vein in a womans arme , to advance the cure ; but i cannot approve of that course , because rectitude must ever be observed . galen in his book de curandi ratione per sang . miss . chapt . 11. instead of opening a vein , useth scarification to the domesticall part , as having the greatest resemblance with phlebotomy , and if these things doe not overcome the disease , apply leeches to the hemorrhoids , to take away the accumulation of melancholy bloud ; for they suck out the feculent , and dreggish humours , impacted in the matrix , by reason that those parts are so neere the one to the other . zacutus lusitanus applieth them to the inner part of the matrix , and boasteth himselfe the author of this kinde of remedy ; but whether it be consonant to reason , i leave to considering persons to judge . there is no doubt but the application of leeches may be usefull , because the humour is slow , thick and earthy : but in regard that no part is evacuated , till the whole body be first purged , therefore i shall advise you to give her this purge following , which will worke very gently . take three drams of sena . three scruples of agarick . a dram of annise-seeds . macerate them together , in a sufficient quantity of penniroyall water , for the space of a night , to three ounces , in the morning allow them one or two bublings , and to the liquor which you presse out , add foure drams of diaphenicon . mingle them , and give it her to drinke . or of the electuary make a bolus . when the body is purged , and a vein hath been opened , let your judgement keep company with galens directions , and prepare the thick humour with this decoction following . take smallage , fennell , and sparagus roots , of each halfe an ounce , the leaves of hysope , pennyroyall , and birthwort , of each a handfull . two drams of carrotts seeds . boile them in a sufficient quantity of barley water , to a quart ; to the strained liquor add syr. de 5 radicibus , and syr. lupulorum , of each an ounce , mingle them , and make an apozem . or take the roots of acorns , and elecampane , of each two drams . the leaves of pennyroyall , motherwort , balme , betony , of each a handfull . two ounces of white agarick . an ounce and a halfe of anise seeds . boile them in a sufficient quantity of fumitary water to a pint : to the liquor which you presse out , add syrupe of motherwort , syrupe of maydenhaire , of each an ounce . mingle them , and make an apozem . note that agarick hath respect unto the nervous parts , and that the syrup of the five roots with vinegar doth hurt the nerves , because all sharp things are hurtfull to the matrix , according to hippocrates , whose judgement winneth reverence with the best physitians . fomentations must be applyed to the small guts , to the privie parts , and you must make them of opening simples , and such as will cut into , and make thin the grosse and thick humours . baths and halfetubs prepared of the like simples will be very usefull ; and the best liniments you can choose are made of oyle of lillies , castor , dill , and capers , and the most profitable oyntments are unguent . agrippe , and de althea , with gums . after you have gone thus far , you must evacuate the bloud , and provoke urine : to which purposes prescribe this decoction following . take the roots of butchers broome . sparagus , smallage , fennill , of each an ounce . the roots of aristolochy the round . birthwort of each two drams . the leaves of penniroyall , snakeweed , motherwort , of each a handfull . foure drams of sena . two ounces of white agarick . foure ounces of hermodactyls . an ounce and a halfe of epithymum . anise and fennill seeds , of each an ounce . boile them in a sufficient quantity of water , to a pint and a halfe , to the strained liquor being hard prest , add two ounces of the best honey , mingle them , and make an apozem . every other morning let her drink foure ounces of this fasting , and in the meane time strengthen her belly , and her matrix , with fomentations that are good to expell winde : you may make them of the simples aforesaid , with the powders dianis , diacumin , diagalang . and the like . you must provoke the menstruum with pessaries , made of the juyce of mercury , cucumbers , restharrow , unsalted butter , hogs-grease , the gall of an oxe , sagapenum , ammoniacum , castor , assa-fetida , and the like . perfumes made with spices bring down the courses , if the streame or vapour of them be conveighed into the matrix ; or you may appoint little trochishs to be made with rue , aristolochy , castor , assa fetida , sagapenum , and turpentine , which being cast upon hot burning coles they will smoke , and that smoke will speedily bring down her courses , if it be received up thorow a tunnell . you must make an issue in her leg , that the matrix may exhale , and the thick humours may be purged out . such compositions as have steele in them will be most effectuall , for it is manifest by experience , that steele is good to cut into , and make thin the thick and slow humours , to open obstructions , to bring down the courses , to provoke urine , and to free the vessels from all matter that stop them : and all these things it performes by manfest qualities inherent in it , and not by the ponderosity , or heavinesse thereof , as some have conjectured . severall authors have devised severall preparations of it ; but we alwayes used to prepare it after this manner following . take a pound of steele filed into a most fine dust , wash it in pennyroyall water distilled , till the water look pure and cleare , then put it into a glasse viol , pouring upon it a sufficient quantity of vinegar , made with penniroyall : set it in the sun thirty dayes , stirring it about every seventh day , afterwards dry it , weare it to a most subtle powder in a marble morter , sift it , and keep it for your use ; the dose , or quantity hereof to be taken , is a dram with wormewood wine , or rhenish wine , or with hydromel . note , that we advisedly make use of the vinegar aforenamed , because the use and vertue of steele is to unlock obstructions ; and vinegar hath a faculty to penetrate , make thin , and cut asunder the thickest humours , and therefore by the help thereof the steele is with the more expedition transmitted to the remotest parts of the body . yet if the patient be troubled with a hot distemper in her liver , stomack , or spleen , or if you discerne any weaknesse in her inward parts , then prepare the steele with rose-water , or whey of goats milke . when she hath taken the steele , let her walke an houre after it ; for exercise opens the pores , and thereby the medicine is the more easily distributed : when she hath observed this injunction , let her lie down till she begin to sweat , or if she finde in her selfe a disposednesse , let her sleep : afterwards give her to eat , but her meat should rather be rosted , then boyl'd , and for her drink , allow her small wine , or wine prepared with steele . i doe not judge it meet to determine any time for the continuance of these rules , and precepts , onely in generall , i hold it convenient to use them , till the patient be more apt , and disposed for exercise , till she can walke without any lazy complaint of wearinesse , till her lips begin to look of a more lively colour , till no obstruction be perceiveable by the touch , and in a word , till the urine , which was thin , pale , and discoloured , appeare reddishlike unto the urine of a healthfull woman . the spring time is the most convenient to undertake this cure ; for then the humours are most apt to flow , which in the winter are congealed , and impacted in the severall parts ; and in the summer time it will not be altogether so proper to begin the cure , for then thorough the immoderate heat of the season , the humours doe daily threaten to precipitate the sick woman into a fever . if the woman be weake in her body , let her refraine from exercise , and rest her selfe upon her bed , and after the space of a full houre , let her body be diligently rubbed , till it looke red , that the faculties of the steele may be actuated , and assisted in their operation ; for galen in his book de puero epileptico and the fourth chapter saith , that the rubbing of the body supplies the want of exercise , because it attenuateth and cuteth the humours , unlocks the obstructions , quickens , and kindles the naturall heat , and dissolves the peccant matter . many mingle steele prepared with conserves , and syrups ; some make lozenges thereof , and so doe we also ; especially when the patient refuseth wine , or conserves , and the like : for in some cases we must allow pardon to the queazinesse of the sick , and humour the palate with a safe indulgence . the powders diarhod . abbat , dialacca , and diacucurma , are very good to open the passages which are stop't , and therefore you may prudently mingle them among the ingredients for the lozenges aforesaid . here perhaps you will start this question ; if heat provokes to stoole , and brings down the urine , if it attenuates , cuts into to the humours , and open the obstructions ; why doe physitians unanimously command the staying of a loosenesse , or an issue of bloud , in what part of the body soever it happen , and to that intent prescribe water , or wine , or beer , wherein steele hath been quenched , thereby to make it more binding , and more apt to stay any flux ? i answer , that steele is indued with those qualities i readily grant ; but the method which is observed in the use of steele doth cleerely demonstrate a diversity of faculties to be in it : wherefore if your aime and intention be to open the obstructions , drinke the wine when the steele hath been once , twice , or thrice quenched in it ; but if you desire it should binde , then prescribe it to be taken after the sixth , or seventh quenching ; for the first water or wine openeth , because in that lieth the fiery quality ; but the other bindeth , because in that consists the earthy part : neither shall you need to wonder , that severall and contrary qualities should lie concealed in one , and the same minerall , mettall , or simple , seeing that by daily experience we have a demonstrative certainty of the truth thereof ; for thus aloes hath an emplastick and an opening quality : thus rubarb both binds and purgeth . now you must note that these simples are called hot and cold , as they have hot or cold parts predominant in them : thus we conclude endive to be cold , because the parts thereof are more moist then bitter , and we say rubarb is hot , because it hath a ●itrous , fiery , purging quality predomi●ant in it , above the earthy , binding , and cold parts . christopherus a vega , a man otherwise ve●y learned , seemes to my understanding to ●orsake the offers of reason , in saying that ●●eele is unprofitable , because he never saw any woman , who had not her courses , or who was troubled with obstructions , cured by the meanes of this remedy ; but truly , ●f it doth not sometimes totally subdue the will , yet the fault must not therefore con●equently be charged upon the medicine , because the matrix is sometimes vitiated by an habituall distemper , or else the ob●ructions thereof are so many , or so stub●orne , that sometimes they destroy the sick woman ; and if it doe not fall out so , yet ●s it an undeniable truth which the poet ●ells us , non est in medico semper relevetur ut aeger , interdum docta plus valet arte malum . that is , the doctour cannot still successefull be , sometimes the evill gets the victory . chap. iii. the immoderate flowing of the courses . this disease is contrary to the former ; for as in that the menstruum is too long retained , so in this they run too long . there is also this difference between them : the one proceedeth from a hot distemper , the other from a cold one . this we now treat on , is produced by a twofold cause , the one inward , and the other outward . the inward cause is a hot distemper o● the liver , whereby the bloud growes hot , thin , boyling in the vessells , and opening them , so that the menstruum is purged out , before the usuall and due time . the outward cause is that which heateth and inflames the bloud , and withall makes it thin , as vehement and sturdy exercises , pensivenesse , and immoderate cares of the minde , excessive anger , and thoughts busied upon revenge : a custome of eating meats that are hot in their quality , namely , such as are full of pepper , and salt , bibing of wine , and strong drinks , too much bathing of the body , long watchings , siting in the sun overmuch , or by the fire side , &c. you may easily make your selfe acquainted with the signes by conversing with , and questioning the sick woman , besides , you may of yonr selfe observe , that the patient is much weakned , in regard that the parts are deprived of the purest portion , and the most laudable substance of the bloud , by which the life of a creature is prolonged ; women thus affected are very sad , and melancholy , by reason that the bloud faileth , which otherwise containes a spirit in it , that makes them cheerefull and lively , they grow leane and feeble , scarce able to stand upon their legs , they are apt to nauseate , and forsake their meat , they are bound in their bodies , and grow puft , and swel'd up ; they are troubled with weaknesse in their stomacks , they cannot digest their meat , their eye-lids sink inwards , the calfes of their legs swell , and their outward parts look pale , and discoloured : yea , by degrees the whole radicall moisture , and inborne preservative decayeth , and the patient perisheth . wherefore make no delay , but immediately oppose all your helps of art to the subduing of the disease ; let her be lodged in an ayre that is cold and dry , and let her not be exposed to any ayre by night : strew coole hearbs about her chamber , and let her avoid the ayre which is hot , because it rarifies the bloud , makes it thin and waterish , and also inflames , and over-heats it . she must forbear the use of hot meats , as leeks , onyons , watercresses , origanum , and the like ; let her likewise refraine from feeding upon spiced meats , and such as breed a thin juyce ; rice boyled with sheeps-feet is good for her : and so are rosted quinces , medlars , and services . three houres after supper , let her take fine flower , or pure bisket dissolved in plantane , or rosewater , and sweetned with sugar . give her no wine , unlesse it be sowre , and binding red wine ; but it will be more profitable to give her water , wherein gum tragacanth hath been boiled , and perfumed with mastick , beere in which steele hath been infused will be profitable for her , about the third , or fourth day , for this drink hath a binding faculty without heating . but the opening of a vein twice , or thrice in a day , obtaines the preheminence from all other remedies , according to the judgment of galen , because it drawes back the humour more forcibly to the upper parts when it is often repeated , then when it is done all at once ; heare him in his own words . quantò majorem in numerum particulares auxeris detractiones , tantò efficaciorem revulsionem efficies , that is , the oftner you open a vein , taking away a small quantity of bloud at a time , so much more effectuall will the revulsion be ; for when the bloud is allured to the contrary part by these frequent iterations ; nature is accustomed to summon the bloud to the upper parts ; and thus that ordinary saying among the doctors may properly be understood , that one flux cureth another . hippocrates commendeth a large cuppin-glass applied to the breasts ; and very deservedly , because there is a great consent and simpathy between the veins of the matrix , and those of the breasts . moreover , you must prescribe such things as are of tried , and known vertue , to thicken the bloud , syrup of poppy , quinces , dried roses , myrtles , and the like . we usually prescribe this draught following for the sick , and we must add this to its commendation , that it seldome faileth in its operation . two scruples of boiled rubarb . a scruple of citron myrobalans . halfe an ounce of syrup of quinces . two ounces , and a halfe of plantane water . mingle them , and let her drink it . divers authors , as rondeletius , hollerius , amatus lusitanus , and others condemn the boiling of rubarb ; and the reason is this , as things say they , become more milde , and weake in their operations , when they have past the fire ; so those things which are gentle , become more vehement , having acquired a new kinde of faculty by the force of the fire : this i grant most willingly , but in the meane time they purge lesse , and binde more , which we desire , and as for any corrupt quality , which the power of the fire may have contributed to it , that is easily washt away by the help of plantane water , or the juice of quinces , if you demand whither this humour should be prepared ? i answer , evacuate it without any delay , for you must not expect , or wait the concoction thereof . binding glysters will be very usefull ; you may make them after this manner . take foure drams of the roots of consolida major . the leaves of plantane and horsetayle , of each a handfull . halfe a handfull of red roses . two drams of shaled pease . boile them in a sufficient quantity of plantane water , to nine ounces ; to the strained liquor add a dram of the trochischs de carabe , two ounces of syrup of roses made with dried roses . the whites of two eggs. mingle them , and make a glyster . or take foure drams of the greater comphrey roots . the leaves of knotgrasss , and plantane , of each a handfull . as many red roses as your thumb , and two fingers can take up . sumach and quince seeds , of each two drams . three drams of barley parched , and beaten to a grosse powder . boile them in a sufficient quantity of plantane water to nine ounces . to the strained liquor add two ounces of syrup of myrtles . a dram of terra sigillata . mingle them , and make a glyster . after these glysters are injected , anoint the matrix with astringent oyntments ; take as many plantane leaves as you can grasp between your thumb and two fingers at twice . red roses . mulberry leaves . oake leaves , of each halfe the quantity aforesaid . a dram of sumach seeds . boile them gently in foure pints of oyle of quinces . straine and presse the liquor hard , and then put in true bolearmanick , trochischs de carabe , of each a dram . with a sufficient quantity of white wax , make a soft oyntment , according to art , or take two ounces of unguentum comitisse . oyle of myrtles , and oyle of quinces , of each two drams . mingle them , and make a liniment . you must likewise bath the matrix with fomentations made after this manner . take the leaves of plantane , knotgrasse , oake leaves . red roses , of each a handfull . the seeds of plantane , sumach . quinces , of each three drams . boile them in a sufficient quantity of red wine , or water wherein steele hath been quenched to three pints : use the strained liquor as was said above . that which remaines after the straining may be kept for a poultis , unto which you may add oyle of quinces , and unguentum comitisse , of each two ounces , and mingling them together , you have an excellent poultis . but if the disease yield not to these remedies , you may exhibit half a dram of new treacle , or philonium persicum , or a scruple of the masse of pils de cynoglossa ; if the patient incline to a consumption , give her cowes milk prepared rightly with steele , to drink in a morning fasting ; if the evill still persevere , and you suspect the heat of the liver to be the cause of the disease , make an issue in her leg , that the liver may exhale at that vent , and the other bowells may evaporate , or else let her goe into a bath , the waters whereof run from an iron mine ; for these naturally binde and thicken . chap. iv. of the coming away of the courses by drops , of the vehement symptomes thereof , and of the whites . as the urine irritates the expulsive faculty , so many times doth the menstruum , for as that , when it is too hot , doth prick , burn , and is frequently pist out , so the menstruum being vehemently hot , doth cause an itch , and an irritation , and produceth a disease , which the doctours call stillicidium vterinum , which we may english , to be a coming away of the courses by drops . the disease proceeds from the same causes , as doth the immoderate flowing of the courses : therefore the same remedies will be also proper to overcome them ; yet in this present cure you need not prescribe so many remedies , nor so often . when any notable symptomes accompanie this disease , as a vehement burning , torments in the matrix , a paine about the secret parts , it is called the stillicide , or dropping of the matrix , from a sharp humour , arising through the hot distemper of the liver , and the kidneys ; and whereas it takes beginning from a hot distemper , from whence sharpe , hot , and fiery humours are generated , your method must be first to root out the cause , and then to cure the distemper ; wherefore her body must be cooled , her bloud must be thickned , and the flux must be drawn back to the upper parts ; this is done by a coole ayre , by giving her whey to drinke , wherein steele hath been often quenched ; and lastly , you may prescribe for her the cold thickning dyet , which we have set down above . you may let her bloud in both armes , and appoint the opening of the veine called salvatella ; leeches must be applied to the hemorrhoids , that the adust and melancholly bloud may be drawn out . purge her often with rubarb and cassia , syrupe of violets , citron myrobalaus , manna , tamarinds , diaprun . simpl . and the like simples which gently bring away choler . cooling and thickning juleps will be very necessary , which you may make after this manner . take twelve ounces of plantane water . foure ounces of rose water . two ounces of syrupe of the juice of quinces . mingle them , and make a julep , or take the waters of plantane , purselane , of each eight ounces , syrup of poppy , syrupe of r●stharrow , of each an ounce and a half . mingle them , and make a julep . if the chiefest fault lie in the kidneys , take ten ounces of bean water distilled . the waters of plantane . mallowes , of each two ounces . syrupe of myrtles . syrupe of poppy , of each an ounce . a scruple and a halfe of lapis prunelle . mingle them , and make a julep . but note , if the patient have a hot liver , and a cold stomack , it will be convenient to lessen the quantity of the distilled mallow water , or to prescribe an equall part of rose water , the vertue whereof strengthens the inward parts . baths made with binding simples , are highly profitable in this disease ; for they doe not onely attemper the sharpnesse of the humours , but they drive the humours to the outward parts , and so defend and fortifie the matrix from that annoyance , which they threatned unto it , and in a while the flux is stayed . whey , although it be diureticall , and ●rovoke urine , yet when steele is quenched 〈◊〉 it , it is wonderfull wholsome for her : ●s hippocrates affirmeth concerning the son ●f erotelaus , lying sick of a bloudy flux , for ●hen he had drunk whey , in which red hot ●nts were quenched , his evacuations were ●ore moderate , although they were bloudy , ●nd in a short time they ended ; here is to ●e noted , that whey although upon a slight ●onsideration , it may seeme to be diureti●●ll , and so to provoke rather then to stay ●he flux , yet if steele be frequently quenched 〈◊〉 it , till the thin and fiery parts thereof ●e wasted away , it stayeth the flux . if these remedies prevaile not to per●●ct the cure , i shall counsell you to make ●n issue upon the knee , for this being kept ●pen , the corrupt humours are evacuated , ●ithout any decay of the spirits , which ●therwise doe many times produce grie●●ous and vehement symptomes ; we have ●poken of the coming away of the menstru●m by drops , with the terrible symptome which accompanies it , namely , a vehement ●nd insupportable paine , but because this ●aine proceeds from divers causes , the cure ●ust be also diversified . women therefore which are of a cold constitution , especially if they be young , prone to venery , black , and hairy , must be purged , that the cause may be taken away , and therefore their bodies must be first prepared before you can hope to appease the paine . you may evacuate the humour with diaphenicon , benedicta laxativa , or with pills of hiera : and you may prepare the humour with smallage , and fennill roots , with agrimony and motherwort leaves , boiled in water wherein steele hath been quenched with rhodomel . the paine must be appeased with unguent . populeum , unto which you may add a few graines of opium ; or else you may apply fomentations to the head . a vein also must be opened , as we have shewed you above . if a woman or virgin have the whites , which come away of a thick and fattish substance , you must proceede as in the former cure ; but you must be exceeding cautious how you let bloud , for such bodies are full of raw humours , by reason whereof the spirits are much exhausted , and her body is weake and infirme , according to the judgement of galen , in his book de sanguin . missione . chap. 11. wherefore in such cases , i counsell the patient to goe to the spaw waters , or some other of the like nature ; for they purge away the thick humour both by siege and by urine , but especially the melancholy juice , which is the cause of this disease . a decoction of china and salzapavilla cannot be improper , nor leeches applied to the hemorrhoids . note that the caul of a ram or weather newly killed , must be laid to the affected part , being first anointed with oyle of castor ; for as the skull of a man is good against the falling sicknesse , and the lungs of a fox against the stoppage of the pipes , by a specificall vertue , or hidden similitude , so is this good for the stomack , and the loynes . the whites are defined to be a lasting distillation from the matrix , however it be affected ; for nature indevoureth to expell that superfluous , moist , and excrementitious bloud thorough the matrix , and even at the same time disburtheneth the body from this unprofitable and offensive humour . this evill is reckoned among the symptomes of those things , which are immoderately expelled out of the body , the causes whereof are divers ; for sometimes a predominancy of choler , sometimes a phlegmatick juice ; many times melancholy , and very often bloud is evacuated ; this is easily known , because a snottie kinde of humour drops , and distills continually from the matrix , which if it be red , it proceeds from bloud ; if white , from phlegme , if yellow , it takes beginning from choler . the sick woman complaines of a general weaknesse over all the parts of the body , her legs and eyelids are swelled , she cannot digest her meat , her stomack failes her , she is lazie , and loves no exercise , and cares not to stir up and down ; so that at length her strength decayeth , and her spirits faile , through the abundance of bloud which hath come from her : wherefore this disease calls for early help , least it degenerate , as not seldome it doth , into a dropsey , or a consumption , or the like terrible diseases . if the body therefore abound with much bloud , let a veine be opened in the arme , to draw back the course of the humour , which is hastening from all parts of the body to the matrix . thus we read that galen cured the wife of boetius , unto whom other physitians had preposterously prescribed medicines without opening a veine . afterwards you must prepare the phlegmatick humour with a decoction of wormewood , unto which add syr. of roses , or syr. ●de artemisia , the cholerick humour must be prepared with a decoction of endive , sorrell , unto which may be added oxysaccarum , or syrup . de succo cichorii ; if it be a melancholy humour , prepare it with a decoction of fumitary , buglos , unto which add syr. of fumitary , and syr. lupuli . then expell the humour with some gentle purge ; if it be phlegmatick , take three scruples of white agarick tro●chischt . two scruples of the root of mechoacha . a dram of annise seeds . macerate them the space of a night , in a sufficient quantitie of fennill water ; in the morning to two ounces and a halfe of the liquor which you presse out , add three drams of diacarthamum . halfe an ounce of diacnicum . mingle them together for a potion . if cholerick humours abound in the body . take two drams and a halfe of the best rubarb . citron myrobalans . cinamon , of each a scruple . macerate them a whole night in a sufficient quantity of endive water , presse them with all your might , and add an ounce and a halfe of syrupe of roses laxative . mingle them , and give it her to drinke in the morning . if melancholy humours be predominant . take two drams and a halfe of sena . a dram of annise seeds . macerate them over night , in a sufficient quantity of fumitary water , in the morning presse out the liquor , and add to two ounces and a halfe of the liquor strained and prest , two drams of confectio hamech . halfe an ounce of syrup of fumitary . mingle them for a potion . if the disease yield not to these medicines , expell the humour by an epicrasis , that is , by some decoction , that by degrees will digest , open , and evacuate the humour , and also mightily provoke urine ; this apozem following hath all these vertues . take the roots of parsly , fennell , buglos , polypody of the oake , of each halfe an ounce . the leaves of maidenhaire . agrimony , motherwort , of each a handfull . six drams of sena . two drams of rubarb . one dram of agarick . as much epithymum as you can graspe between your thumb and two fingers . two drams of annise seed . macerate them together a whole night , in two pints of barley water , upon hot embers , in the morning allow them one or two gentle bublings , and when you have strained them , add syrupe of fumitary . syrupe of roses laxative , of each an ounce . mingle them for an apozem . every other morning let her have foure ounces of it fasting . if all these things prove ineffectuall , infuse a whole night six graines of antimony in wine , and let her drinke it , if her body be strong enough to abide the conflict of the medicine : for besides that , it draws back the humours from the matrix , by provoking to vomit , it likewise purgeth away by stool that tenacious , phlegmatick , and thick humour which is the cause of the disease . wormewood beere is not unwholsome for her , or instead thereof , prescribe to her , beer wherein china roots have been infused , for this disperseth the humour to the skin , and dries up the superfluous moisture ; for the same purpose , we advise , with galen , that a bath of hot sand be prepared ; that after the use thereof the body be well rubbed , and anointed with honey heated by the fire ; then , as we prescribed above , make an issue in her knee . chap. v. of the complication of the menstruum , with other diseases . the complication of the menstruum with other diseases is hard to be known , and not easie to be cured ; for if any woman be sick of any disease , and if her courses be supprest , or appeare not , the physitians are at a stand , what is most fit , during this judication , to be done , for it we follow the motions of nature , who worketh rightly , and open a vein in the ankle , this will not cure the disease , which is rooted in the upper parts . and if you draw bloud from the arme , you pervert the course and order of nature , to the great disadvantage of the sick woman . but you will say , in such a case as this , what is to be done ? i shall tell you in few words . the disease is either vehement , or moderate , and of long continuance ; if the courses appeare , or come down , in a disease of long continuance , you may defer the opening of a vein till a more convenient season , be it either a vein in the arme , or in the ankle , which you intended to cut , for you can doe no hurt by omitting , or at least suspending this remedy . but if the disease be acute , and require a speedy evacuation ; you must observe whither the menstruum be answerable to the plentie of bloud which abounds in the body ; if her courses come down , according to the prescription of hippocrates , you must not be busie , but leave the whole matter to nature ; of the same opinion is galen also , for , saith he , if at that time when you are letting bloud , it should so fall out , that her courses come down , or that she should on a suddeu have the piles , you must desist from phlebotomy , and commit the whole businesse to nature , if you are satisfied that the menstruum commeth away in a sufficient quantity ; but otherwise take from her so much bloud , as may make good the deficiency of her courses . but if a burning fever be upon her , if she have not her courses according to custome , and to the satisfaction of her own desires , then this defect must be supplied with medicines , by opening a veine in her ankle , applying cuppinglasses with scarification to the calfes of her legs , or leeches to the hemorrhoids , to take away the superfluity of the bloud . one thing must be considered , namely , if a woman after her delivery have a burning fever upon her , her courses actually flowing , whither it be lawfull , in regard of the vehemence of the fever , to open the upper veines ? fernelius , valeriola , amatus lusitanus , and divers others of good account , assent the lawfulnesse and expediency thereof ; for although some have imagined , that if the upper veines be opened , the bloud will ascend to the upper parts ; yet if it be true which they imagine , more profit and advantage will accrew thereby to the sick woman , then hurt or danger ; for when a veine in the ankle is cut , although it bring down the courses , and supply the defective motion of nature , in respect of the part particularly affected ; yet is it not equally prevalent against a most vehement inflammation , nor altogether so profitable in a most acute disease ; because the bloud must be drawn out from some vessell , that is nearer to the part affected , that the conjunctive cause may be taken away , and although by cutting a vein in the ankle , we can draw the whole masse of bloud out of the body , yet the bloud is not so fitly taken from one part , as from another ; for in a quinsey , or a pleurisey , 't is more commodious to open the basilick veine to temper the heat , then any other veine in the whole body . chap. vi. of hard swellings in the breasts . the breasts are naturally thin , spongy , or fungous , and loose ; for this reason they are apt to entertaine any crude , and melancholy humours , flowing to them either from the matrix , or from any other parts ; these , if they are not rightly , and duly expelled , they breed painefull , yea malignant and cankerd vlcers : wherefore you must addresse your selfe to the cure , without any truce or delay ; and this consists in three things ; in prescribing a diet , in the manuall operations of surgery , and in outward and inward medicines . let her therefore make choise of a pu●e ayre , let her drink be small beer boiled with annise and snakeweed ; let her meat be of good concoction , and easie distribution , as mutton broth , cock broth , and rosted chickens ; let her avoid meats that thicken the bloud , as milke , cheese , bacon , fish , and the like ; open a veine , if she have not her courses , in her ankle , or cut the basilick veine twice or thrice , to ease the liver , the spleen , and the kidneys , as the multitude of bloud shall require it . note that the humour must be prepared , and attempted with this apozem . take the roots of succhory , polipody , of each an ounce . the barke of the root of the caper , and tamarisk tree , of each halfe an ounce . the leaves of buglos , fumitary , balme , of each a handfull . two drams of fennill seeds . boile them in a sufficient quantitie of barley water to two pints , and to the strained liquor add syrupe of borage , syrupe of fumitary , of each an ounce and a halfe . ten graines of spirit of vitriol . mingle them , and make an apozem . because the humour is thick and dreggish , you must purge her body severall times , till it be perfectly cleansed , this may be done with this decoction following . take an ounce of polypody of the oake . the leaves fumitary , hops , borage , endive , of each a handfull . epithymum , century the less , of each halfe a handfull . boile them in a sufficient quantity of barley water , to two pints , and in the strained liquor infuse a whole night , an ounce of sena . foure drams of rubarb . agarick troch . creame of tartar , of each two drams . epithymum , and the flowers of borage , buglos , and rosemary , of each as many as you can grasp between your thumb and two fingers at twice . two drams of annise seeds . in the morning give it one or two bublings , straine and presse it , and to the liquor , add syrupe of violets . syrupe of fumitary , of each an ounce . make an apozem , or take the leaves of buglos , fumitary , of each a handfull . balme , germander , of each halfe a handfull . as much epithymum , as you can containe between your thumb and two fingers . boile them in a sufficient quantitie of whey , to a pint , and a halfe , infuse for a night in the strained liquor six drams of sena . two drams of white agarick . a dram and a half of annise seeds . in the morning presse out the liquor hard , and add syrupe of violets , syrupe of fumitary , of each an ounce and a halfe . mingle them for an apozem . confectio hamech and diacricu will be highly profitable ; so also are pils de lapid . lazuli . sometimes you may prescribe glysters , to temper the melancholy humour ; as for example . take the leaves of mallowes , marishmallowes , violets , of each a handfull . halfe a handfull of bran . two drams of fennill seeds . boile them in a sufficient quantitie of barley water to nine ounces : in the strained liquor put in confectio hamech , diacatholicon , of each an ounce . an ounce and a halfe of oyle of violets . mingle them , and make a glyster , or take half an ounce of polypody roots . the leaves of buglos , fumitary , violets , of each a handfull . foure ounces of sena . as much epithymum as you can take up , between your thumb and two fingers . two drams of fennill seeds . boile them in a sufficient quantitie of cock broth to nine ounces , to the strained liquor add diaprun . laxativum , confectio hamech , of each an ounce . half an ounce of syrup of violets . a dram of sal gemme . mingle them , and make a glyster . leeches applied to the fundament may much promote the cure. the event may likewise gratifie your triall , if you prescribe cordials , treacle , mithridate , lozenges of pearle , alkermes , and the like : which with their coldnesse , drynesse , and cordiall vertue , retaine the spirits , correct the bloud , even when it is putrifying , and preserve the bowells in their due symmetry , and naturall constitution ; note , that you may not forget to wash her legs , with a decoction of hops , violets , fumitary , roses , mallowes , and vine leaves . if by the advantage of time it prove a cankerd , and a creeping vlcer , you must not vex , and discompose the patient with many , or strong medicines , but you must institute a palliative cure ; for galen boasteth that he thus cured a woman , who had a cancer in her breast , for when the thinner part was brought away , it became thicker , more full of putrefaction , and subject to exulcerate ; for it is undenyable , as the same author affirmeth , that the vehemence of the remedies inflame the humor , and set it on fire , by that acrimonius quality , which is naturally in them . almost all authors agree that issues are convenient , for they supply the stead of purges , and phlebotomy , as guido a good writer witnesseth in his book de cauteriis . the end of the first book of womens diseases . the second book , written by nicholas fontanus : of womens diseases . the first chapter . of the mother . that disease which we commonly call the mother , the physitians terme the strangulation , or suffocation of the matrix , and sometimes the ascent of the matrix . ga●●n took it to be a drawing back of the ma●●ix , to the upper parts . hereupon some of the ancients conceived the matrix , to be some stragling creature , wandring too and fro thorough severall parts , to which phantasticall conceit , fernelius , eugenius , and laurentius , contributed a credulous assent ; for though a woman be dead , yet can you not with an ordinary strength remove the matrix from the naturall place ; neither is that reason , which fernelius alledgeth , of any moment , who saith , that in these diseases he hath toucht it upwards , seeing that this is not the true matrix , but a grosse , windie swelling , of a roundish figure , and somewhat resembling the matrix ; you will say the matrix doth remove , and slip from its proper place ; i grant it , for by reason of the moisture , wherewith those parts abound , the matrix is loosened , and exceedingly stretched : and this is the truth of the whole matter . the cause of this disease is twofold : the retention of the seed , and the menstruum , which are the materiall cause : and a cold and moist distemper of the matrix , breeding phlegmatick and thick juices , which is the efficient cause ; for when the seed is retained , and the menstruum hath not the customary , and usuall vent , they burthen the matrix , and choak , and extinguish the heat thereof : then upon the diminishing of the naturall heat , windy humours are bred , especially in the matrix , which by nature is a cold , nervous , and bloudlesse part ; after the same manner , if the seed be kept too long , it disturbeth the function of the spiritous parts , and the midriffe , it oppresseth the heart , causeth fainting and sounding fits , bindeth as it were , and girteth about the parts , and seemes in such a manner to stop the breath , that the sick woman is in danger to be strangled : her puls is sometimes weake , various , and obscure : she hath inward discontents and anxieties , and is most commonly invaded by , at least very subject unto convulsion fits : she lies , as if she were astonished and void of sense : and from her belly you may heare rumbling , and murmuring noises ; she breatheth so weakly , that it is scarce discernable , and indeed she is so sad an object , that the by-standers may easily mistake her to be dead . the drowsie and sleepy disease called carus differs from this , because they who are affected with it , have the use of their breath free , without any molestation : and it differs from a catalepsy ( another drowsie disease , casting the sick into a profound and dead sleep ) because they who are taken with that , lie without any motion , but they who have the mother , are tormented with convulsion fits , their legs and their hands are stretched and wrythed into unusuall figures , and strange postures ; and by this it is distinguished from an apoplexy , unto which it is exceeding like . galen wondreth how these women can live , who are troubled with these cruell fits of the mother , without any puls , or breathing , in as much as it is impossible for one that liveth not to breath , or for one that breatheth not , to live ; for so long as we live , so long we breath . to this i answer , that although these women live without respiration , yet doe they not live without transpiration ; for this being performed thorough the pores of the skin , by the motion of the arteries , conserves the symmetry of the vitall heat ; for then that small heat retiring to the heart , as to a castle , may bepreserved by this benefit of transpiration alone . now to procure an assurance , whither the woman be living or dead , hold a feather , or a looking-glasse●to her mouth , if the former stir , or the latter be spotted , it is an undoubted signe that she liveth . this is a most acute disease , and soone dispatcheth the sick woman , especially if it took beginning from some very contagious , and poisonous vapours ; lecherous women , and lusty widowes that are prone , and apt to venery , are most subject to it : but married women that injoy the company of their husbands , and such as are with childe , are seldome invaded by it . you must apply your remedies in the fit , and after the fit : in the fit , the humour must be drawn back with rubbing the parts , tying painfull ligatures about them , and ●upplying cuppinglasses , with scariffication to the calfes of her legs : have such glysters in readinesse , as will take away the paine , dissolve , draw back , and purge out the thick humours : you may compound them by these formes following . take halfe an ounce of elecampane roots . the leaves of rue , penniroyall , motherwort , and pellitory of the wall , of each a hand●ull . three drams of sena . bran , camomile flowers , and the tops of dill , of each halfe a handfull . bastard saffron , and annise seeds , of each ●wo drams . boile them in a sufficient quantitie of birthwort water to nine ounces , to the strained liquor being squeezed , and prest very hard , add diaphenicon , and benedicta laxativa , of each an ounce . oyle of dill , and oyle of rue , of each s●● drams . halfe an ounce of butter . a dram and a halfe of salt . mingle them , and make a glyster . carminative medicines must be laid upo● the whole inward region , as fomentation● made of the leaves of rue , motherwort , penniroyall , the flowers of melilot , and cam●mile , or unguent . de althea , with the oyle of camomile , dill , and rue ; for this looseneth the passages by opening the pores , an● expelling the winde ; pessaries may be pu● up , made with civet , musk , and amber but you must affront her nose with stin●ing odours , as the steame of brimstone , t●● smoke ascending from old shoes burn●● partridge feathers , sagapenum galbanum , ass●fetida , and the like , cast into the fire ; because the matrix doth , as it were abhor , retreat , and flie from these things , wherea● sweet things doe allure to them . but some curious braine may here demand , why sweet things held to the nos● doe breed the fits of the mother , and on the contrary , stinking things appease those fits ? i answer ; sweet things applyed to the matrix , in regard that they are hot , doe expell the winde , cut into the slow and tenacious phlegm , and afterwards purge it out : but stinking things applied to the nose , consume the ascending vapours with their heat ; but you may still demand , if hot stinking things be good to break the winde , why may they not be laid to the matrix , as well as sweet things ? i answer ? the matrix embraceth , and meeteth sweet odours and perfumes , but unsavory and stinking sents it abhors , and flies from ; for 't is ● most certaine truth , that every creature , even by naturall instinct , shunneth inconveniences , and affecteth things convenient . if the evill still increase , and if the virgin be of a good habit , fleshie , and for a long time hath not had her courses , or for too long a time hath had them : the safest course , although upon the approach of the fit , will be to open a veine in the ankle , without delay , especially , if any excretion of bloud appear , either at the nose , or at the mouth ; for as hippocrates hath excellently taught us ; as the coming down of the courses , is a present remedie for those who vomit bloud ; so in a body that is plethorick , by reason that the menstruum hath been long suppressed ; you may help a woman who vomits bloud , if you cut one of her lower veines ; the same opinion is favoured by galen in his commentry , saying , in this case we ought to endeavour an evacuation , namely , such an one as is correspondent to nature , when she is obedient to her own lawes . after the phlebotomy , if her body ●e strong , and the disease continue , apply cuppinglasses , with scarification to her thighes , leeches to the hemorrhoids , and with iterated glysters , and medicines given again and again into the body , purge out the melancholy juices . many , who are more rash then learned , more bold , then skilfull , because of the cold and the winde , which are the causes of this disease , at the beginning will unadvisedly be offering wine to the sick , which being odoriferous , is apt to allure the matrix to the upper parts ; therefore i counsell all those that value the health of their friends , to forbeare this temerity : yet if she faint , and her spirits be so far spent , that she swounds , or is ready to swound , in such an exigence you may allow her wine , yet in a small quantity . when the fit is over , let her live soberly , and feed upon hot meats . that yield a thin , and subtle nourishment , and be very carefull to preserve her self , least she fall into a relaps ; hearbs , and roots , and such thinge as thicken the bloud , or are hard to digest , must be no part of her diet , wormewood beer may be allowed her , or in her beer mingle cinamon water , or boile annise seeds , or china roots in it . the humour must be prepared with cutting syrups , as rhodomell , syrupe of wormewood , syrupe of mint , or syrupe of the five roots . you may prescribe the purge of mecho●aca , hiera picra , pills of agarick , of hiera , with confectio hamech , or sena . you must open a veine in the ankl● again , and because this thick and stubborne humour will not obey a single evacution , you must also purge her body againe with agarick , hellebore , pills of mastick , or of rubarb . steele taken in powder , or mingled among the other medicines , will much advance the cure ; so will an issue , and an artificiall bath made with sulphur , or a decoction of salsa parilla , guaiacum , and china . lastly , if the disease take beginning from the seed , because in physick , no peculiar , or elective purging medicine is consecrated to it , you must lessen her diet , enjoyne her an abstinence from hot wine , and let her continually weare plates of lead upon her back ; for it is most certaine , that these doe diminish the seed ; if the patient for twelve mornings together upon an empty stomack , drink three ounces of a decoction of agnus castus seeds , boiled with six graines of camphire . chap. ii. of the epilepsy in the matrix , and the severall kindes thereof . physitians reckon up a twofold epilepsy in the matrix ; one by consent , the other by propriety ; the cause of this is a thick , viscous , and slow humour , obstructing the hollow parts of the nerves : the cause of that is a cold distemper of the matrix , and a contagious vapour assaulting , and shaking the braine , and the nervou● parts : for when the animall faculty strives to expell that humour , or vapour from it selfe , the hollow parts of the nerves are crusht together , and the passages are stopt , and thus there happens a constipation , or an obstruction , the insides of the nerves being , as it were straightned , bound , and closed up together . that there is such a disease , as an epil●psy by consent , we are warranted by galen to beleeve , who in his book de● locis , propounds the example of a boy , who being lame in his legs , fell afterwards into an epilepsy , and after the same manner virgins , who are troubled with obstructions , winde , or a malignant vapour in their matrices , doe frequently fall into the falling sicknesse . this is easily known ; for imminent windie humours , and rumblings in her belly doe presage it , her stomack swells , her mind is confused , her eyes are dim , and when she is ready to fall into a fit of the epilepsie , or falling sicknesse , she may perceive a tingling noyse in her eares , a giddinesse , circumagitation , or turning round in her head : she is sad in her minde , disquieted in her body , troubled with the passion of the heart , and not seldome with sounding fits ; 't is a sad spectacle to behold her in this condition , from which if she be not seasonably delivered , she is very likely to fall into an apoplexy ; this we have learn't from galen , who in his third book de locis , and 5. chapt . saith , epilepticks doe often degenerate into a melancholy madnesse , and so on the contrary ; for this melancholy mood turnes to the falling sicknesse , when the humour invades either the body , or the minde ; or if that darke vapour becloud the minde , inducing a dimnesse , or gloominesse in the thoughts , with sadnesse , despaire , and deep melancholy ; if the spirits , which are bright and cleare in their own nature , be obscured with the foggy commerce of black vapours , the very presence of them dismayeth , terrifies , and discomposeth the minde : or if a confluence of those vapours assault the body , that is , the braine and the nerves , they produce the falling sicknesse . this requires a twofold cure : one in the fit , the other after the fit. in the fit you must quicken and excite the animall faculty , and force back those poisonous vapours , that are stealing from the matrix to invade the upper ●parts : then the winde must be expelled , the wayes kept open , and the thick humour must be got out of the body , by rubbing the parts , by tying straight ligatures about her legs , by fomentations , and baths , made with the leaves of penniroyall , motherwort , thy●ne , nip , camomile , salt , vinegar , and water ; softning glysters are so usefull , that you must not forget to inject them ; you may make them thus . take the leaves of motherwort , penniroyall , birthwort , of each a handfull . rosemary ▪ mint , of each a handfull . two drams of fennill seed● . boile them in a sufficient quantity of water , to nine ounces , straine and presse out the liquor , and then add hiera picra galeni , diap●enicon , of each an ounce . a dram of sal gemme . mingle them , and make a glyster , or take the roots of elecampane , restharrow , of each foure drams . the leaves of marjoram , motherwort , birthwort , of each a handfull . the tops of dill , camomile flowers , of each halfe a handfull . two drams of annise seeds . boile them in a sufficient quantity of barley water , to nine ounces , to the liquor which you presse out , add an ounce and a halfe of diaphenicon . mass . pill . fetida● . de heira cum agarico , of each two scruples . oyle of dill , camamile , butter , of each halfe an ounce . mingle them , and make a glyster . if necessitie urge you , and the strength of the patient will beare it , you may prescribe a sharper glyster , to draw the humours from the farthest distant parts , and to imitate the nature and effects of a purge ; be this for an example to you . take half an ounce of polypody roots . two drams of mechoaca . the leaves of sage , rosemary , betony , of each a handfull . halfe an ounce of bastard saffron seeds . two drams of agarick . as much epithymum as you can take up between your thumb , and two fingers . boile them in a sufficient quantity of honied water to ten ounces , straine , and pre●●e out the liquor , and add an ounce of hiera logodii . a dram of the masse of pills of cochia . ten graines of troch . alhandal . half a dram of sal gemme . mingle them , and make a glyster . for this being a most acute disease , requires the utmost tryalls of art , that it may not degenerate ( as it is very prone to doe ) into a true apoplexy . to the matrix ( to make a sudden dispatch of the cure ) apply carminitive fomentations , and bath the privie parts , to break , and expell the winde . after the use of the fomentation , apply oyle of castor , oyle of wormewood , and in●ect odoriferous pessaries of musk , amber , civet , made up with gallia moschat , and a piece of cotton , according to the secret rules of art ; to the nose you must hold stinking things , as sagapenum , galbanum , assa fetida , castor , rue , and the like . when the fit is approaching , hippo●rates adviseth to open a veine in the ankle , and this advice is magnified , and aplauded by galen in his book de rigore chapt. 8. neither may you forget to apply leeches to the hemorrhoids , or the calfes of her legs ; for they will suck out the feculent and dreggish humour , that is impacted in the matrix . cordialls must be administred , as treacle , mithridate , alkermes , confection de hyacyntha , and the like : or if you please compound them after this manner . take the hoofe of an elk. the wood of misletoe of the oake , of each two drams . the skull of a man newly dead of some violent death . harts●orne , of each two drams . pearle prepared , burnt ivory , mastick , of each a dram and a half . the powder of rosemary , stechas , sage , of each a scruple . the species diacastor . diaccumin . of each a scruple . with a sufficient quantitie of honey , of roses , and syrupe of stechas , make a mixture . if the disease become againe indigested and crude , prescribe another purge , of aloes , hiera picra , benedicta laxativa , or turbith ; but that the ignorant may not be rashly precipitated into some erroneous composition , we shall limit him to this prescription . take two scruples of the masse of pills de hiera cum agarico . ten graines of pill . faetidae . troch . alhandal , diagrydium , of each five graines . with a sufficient quantity of syrupe of stechas make nine pills . sometimes the retention of the seed is the cause of these symptomes , which if they be so vehement , that the former remedies cannot tame them , proceed as followeth . take storax in powder , aloes in powder , white agarick , of each two drams . the juice of the hearb mercury , the juice of the wild cucumber , of each three drams . a sufficient quantity of turpentine . with a piece of cotton make a pessary , according to art , put it up , and move it up and down , till the superfluous seed be ejaculated . if the ●ick woman have many fits in a day , certaine it is , that the disease is fixt , and rooted in the head : wherefore in such cases i have known no better remedy , then an actuall cauterizing in the hinder part of the head , from whence as from an issue , that virulent and luxuriant humour which is the cause of this most dangerous disease , may at last have a vent . in the intermission of the fits , you mus● open a vein in her ankle ; this is not my counsell onely , but galen enjoynes the same remedy ; for in his book de cur. ration . pe● sang . missionem , he saith ; if you will prevent the falling sicknesse , cut the scyrhen● that is the veine in the ankle ; afterward he commands the preparation of that cold and thick humour , which may be effected by this apozem following . take the roots of fennill , small aristolochy , elecampane , of each foure drams . the roots of dittany , piony , of each two drams . the leaves of nip , penniroyall , calamint , sage , of each a handfull , the flowers of stechas , rosemary , of each as much as you ca● graspe between your thumb , and two fingers at twice . a dram of annise seeds . boile them in a sufficient quantity of water , wherein steele hath been in●used , to two pints . to the strained liquor add an ounce and a half of syrupe of stechas . an ounce of oxymell scilliticum . mingle them , and make an apozem . after you have prepared the humour , purge the body with this composition following . take two drams and a halfe of sena . three scruples of white agarick . a dram of annise seeds . a scruple of ginger , macerate them for a night in a sufficient quantity of parsley water ; in the morning give them one or two bublings , and to the liquor which you presse out ( i meane three ounces of it ) add two scruples of mass . pill . fe●id . mingle them for a potion ▪ or you may prescribe some other mixture to purge phlegm ; and more valiantly to break and expell winde ; or make ready this plaister following , to be applied to her navell , and her secret parts . take three ounces of bistort ro●ts ▪ lign . aloes . sautali moschatelin . n●tmegs . barbar●es . dill , of each two drams . cinamon , cloves , scevanth , ca●amile flowers , of each a dram . male frankincense , or olibanum , mastick , trochischs de gallia moschata , storax calimata , red ●torax , or each a scruple . seven graines and a halfe of musk . three ounces and a halfe of yellow wax . an ounce and an halfe of ●urpentine . a pound of pure ladanum . nine ounces of ship pitch . mingle them , and according to art make a plaister . if the contumacity of the ●vill be such , as not to yield to all these remedies , make issues in the legs , and if those also prove ineffectuall , my last recourse is to a decoction of gua●acum wood , wherewith the learned jachinus , as he av●rreth in his commentaries upon almansor , hath cured many of this disease . chap. iii. of melancholy proceeding from the matrix . this hath one and the same cause with the epilepsy , namely the retention of the seed , and the suppression of the menstruum , which being earthy , and not obtaining a vent , they putrifie , beget vapours , which doe not onely assault the braine , but they oppresse the heart also , and the midriffe ; for when a gloomy and black vapour ascends to the braine , the principall parts , and their instruments are depraved , and the animall spirit , which is the chiefest instument of the soule , and in its own nature cleare and perspicuous , is rendred darke , and obscure . the true signes of this disease are sadnesse , fearfulnesse , anxiety of minde , and severall figures or postures of unquietnesse appearing in the body . they despaire , they doate , they talke idely , especially at that time when they expect their courses ; in these you may observe a depraved motion of the principall members , because the temperament of the braine is perverted by that cold and dry humour ; moreover they are unwilling to dye , they cannot sleep , they have no stomack to their meat , and being taken with a strange loathing of aliment , their bodies waste and consume ; sometimes they imagine that they undergoe the torments of damned soules in hell ; they weep without any cause , they groan , they lament , anon againe they laugh , desire to goe into some by co●ne●s , and according to the inward discompo●ure of their mi●des , they turne , vary , and alter their gestures , and countenances into severall figures : sometimes they have a conceit that they are talking with angels , sometimes they murmur , sometimes they sing ; certainly there is not a more strange and wonderfull disease , for in severall persons it bewrayeth a thousand , severall , ridiculous , and antick behaviours . he sees the difficulty of this cure , both in regard of the symptomes , and the stubbornesse of the disease , who understands it to be a cold and dry affect ( for there is no doubt , but the braine labours under a cold , and dry distemper ) and how much drienesse resisteth the best medicines , is not unknown to philosophers ; for as it is of a dull , and sluggish action , so are there many resistances : and from thence comes the danger , because it easily degenerates into ●●veing , and raging madnesse , or into the falling sicknesse , or into an apoplexy , and it is held incur●ble , if the braine be primarily affected , because in continuance of time , it takes so deep a root , that no magazine of remedies , no stratagems of art can remove it . wherefore you must be very carefull , when you undertake the cure ; as for her diet , let it incline to hot and moist , assigne her a gently breathing ayre ; boile her drink with the roo●s of buglos , angelica , and snakeweed ▪ with the leaves of hops , buglos , balme , and fumi●ary ; allow her white wine that is small , and well sented , let her be indulgent to her sleeps , avoiding cares , pensivenesse , and troublesome thoughts ; if her body be costive , make it , and keep it soluble . venery is wholsome for melancholy persons , provided that it be acted seasonably , and with moderation . hippocrates placed the whole hope of the cure in the evacuation of that excrement , commanding , as we have said above , such virgins to marry . to facilitate the revulsion , and the evacuation of the humour , loosen the belly with moistning suppositories , and glysters , observe their composition . take two scruples of the species hiera pi●ra . ten graines of troch . alhandal . halfe a dram of common salt. with a sufficient quantity of honey boiled to a due thicknesse , make a suppository , or take a scruple and a halfe of hiera picra in the species . trochishs of agarick . troch . alhandall , of each a scruple . halfe a dram of sal gemme . with a sufficient quantity of honey , according to art make a suppository . take the roots of elecampane , polypody , of each foure drams . the leaves of mallowes , violets , balme , pellitory on the wall . mercury , of each a handfull . ten good prunes . five drams of sena . as much epithymum as your thumb , and two fingers can grasp . two drams of annise seeds . boile them in a sufficient quantity of fu●●tary water to nine ounces , when you have strained and prest out the liquor , add , diaprun . laxat . diaphenicon , of each an ounce . an ounce and a halfe of oyle of violets . a d●am of sal gemme . mingle them , and make a glyster . or , take the leaves of buglos . borage , balme , of each a handfull . halfe a handfull of violets . foure drams of sena . halfe an ounce of the roots of black hellebore . as much epithymum as you can take up between your thumb and two fingers . a dram of fennill seeds . boile them in a sufficient quantity of broth , made of a sheepshead and guts , soundly wash't before you put them into the pot , and to ten ounces of the liquor which you press out , add an ounce of diaprun . laxat . halfe an ounce of confectio hamech . an ounce and a halfe of oyle of violets . two drams of common salt . mingle them , and make a glyster . but if the disease arise from a suppression of the courses , thinke upon that oracle of hippocrates , and obey his words as a sacred law , when he saith , the true way to provoke them , is by drawing bloud from the ankle ; provided that there be no reason to oppose this injunction ; having so done , and laying leeches to the hemorrhoids , the use whereof is exceeding profitable in this disease ; if the body be full , and the disease be found to be common to the whole body , open the basilick veine on the right side : from whence , if an earthy and black bloud flow away , galen adviseth you to take out a large quantity . if the patient be young , leane , black and hairy , adventure upon deep scarifications made in her back , and fasten great cuppinglasses to her arteries . these universall administrations being premised , and the humour being rightly prepared , it will be convenient to prescribe a purge to cleanse her body from melancholy : to this purpose take three drams of sena . a dram of the roots of black hellebore . two scruples of agarick trochisht . halfe a dram of fennill seeds . macerate them in a sufficient quantitie of fumitary water for a night , and when in the morning you have prest out the liquor , take three ounces of it , and add three drams of diacatholicon . two drams of confectio hamech . halfe an ounce of syrup of violets , mingle them , and make a potion . she must not take any pills , for they are too great driers , both in respect of their forme , and also in regard of the ingredients whereof they are compounded . but by all meanes , let her have somewhat to dispose her to sleep ; as this , or the like emulsion . take the seeds of gourds , melons , citruls , cucumbers of each an ounce . six sweet almonds blanched . two drams of white poppy seeds . with ten ounces of a decoction of lettuce , and poppy heads , and an ounce of syrupe of poppy , make an emulsion , to be taken about nine a clock at night , and at two a clock in the morning . embrochations also may be prepared for the head ; you may make them of a decoction of poppy heads , barley , roses , violets , waterlilles , nightshade , lettuce , coriander , and mandrake roots . anoynt her nose and her temples with this oyntment following . take halfe an ounce of unguent . populeum . two drams of unguent . rosarum . half a dram of opium , d●●solved in vinegar of roses . mingle them for the use aforesaid . let her have cooling lotions , to bath the palmes of her hands , and the soles of her feet ; if the cruelty of the disease be such , as to deprive her of all sleep , prescribe this draught following ; yet suspend the use thereof till you have tried other meanes , to procure rest for the sick creature . take a scruple of philonium romanum . three ounces of lettuce water . mingle them , and let her drink it when she goeth to bed , or take philonium persicum , requies nicholai , of each a scruple . two ounces of a decoction of poppy . mingle them for a draught . sometimes we use to exhibit two or three graines of laudanum opiatum : yet forbear this remedy , unlesse an urgent occasion prompt you to it : baths are most wholsome , if they be made of the decoction before prescribed ; or else you may follow this example . take two ounces of barley , the leaves of violets , vine leaves , lettuce , willow leaves . mallowes , of each two handfulls . the leaves of red roses , water lillies , of each a handfull . boile them altogether , in a sufficient quantity of broth made with a sheeps-head , and let her bath her selfe in the strained liquor . a bath prepared of oyles , and sweet waters is very effectuall ; so also is a bath of asses milke ; for these things temper the earthy humour , mitigate the acrimony thereof , correct the drynesse , and parchednesse of the skin , render the bloud more apt to descend , provoke sleep , qualifie the furious motions of the spirits , and nourish and fatten such bodies as are dryed up , and consumed . you must also comfort the heart with cordialls , and to the same purose take the waters of borage , balme , of each six ounces . syrupe of the juice of borage . syrupe regis saboris , of each an ounce . two drams of cinamon water . mingle them , and make a julep , or take conserve of ●he flowers of violets , borage , oringes , of each an ounce . confectio alkermes , confectio de hyacyntha , of each a dram and a halfe . species diamargarit . frigid . species diambrae , of each a dram . with a sufficient quantitie of syrupe de pomis regis saboris , adding two leaves of gold , make a mixture , or take the species letificant . galeni , the species diambra , of each halfe a dram . pearle prepared . bezoar stone , of each a scruple . two ounces of sugar dissolved in rose-water . make them into lozenges according to art. if these remedies get not the victory , we counsell you to make deep issues upon the knee ; and if the disease be inveterate , prescribe an extract of black hellebore , and apply causticks to the region of the spleen , by the force and strength whereof , the black and cloudy humour , which sticks so close to the bowell , may by degrees be brought away . chap. iv. of a cold distemper , or a swelling in the matrix . the matrix is sometimes swelled , either because the courses are stopped , or else in regard of a continuall suppeditation of cold aliment , which generates a cold distemper in those parts : which because it cannot be simple , or solitary , therefore it presently consociates it selfe with moisture , and from thence arise thick , slow , and cloudy windes , in the very cavernes , or hollow parts of the matrix , tormenting the woman with unspeakable paines . the signes are a swelling below the navell , neare the privie parts , slow windes , with rumbling , and murmuring of the guts , forsaking of meat , sadnesse , slothfulnesse , heavinesse in the head , and about her secret parts . this is a grievous disease , because many ●imes it turnes to a dropsey in the matrix : for , in regard that those windie humours are bread , and increased by the diminu●i●n of the naturall heat , as galen hath observed in his book de sumptom . causis , it comes to passe , that the feeble heat , now generating winde , proceeding from a cold distemper in the matrix , doth so weaken it , that instead of winde , water , or a waterish humour is produced . this disease is cured by an extreame thin , and drying diet : wherefore let the ayre incline to hot and dry : but if the place be such as doth not naturally afford such an ayre , prepare it by art , sprinkling aromaticall things about her chamber , as sage , nip , betony , rosemary , stechas , thyme , origanum , and lavender . let her choise be of those dishes , which will be of good nourishment to the body , easie to digest , and soon distributed to all the parts , as thrushes , young sparrowes , partridges , pheasants , and pigeons : she may not eat the flesh , of goats , kids , hares , cowes , sheep , nor deer : meats made with milke are unwholsome for her : so are roots , sallads , and pothearbs : new laid egs , raisi●s , and figs may be allowed her : but command a forbearace of chesnuts and almonds ; for they are thick and windy ; let her eat the whitest bread baked with annise , or fennill seeds , or a little honey ; course barley bread , and the like , is not good for her , but nothing is more unwholsome for her then fruit ; you may grant her the use of some few hearbs , as sparagus , parsley , alexanders , water pepper , ●orage , and buglos . for her d●inke , give her fountaine water , wherein annise seeds , or cinanon , or china roots , or the like have been boiled ; but the most wholsome drink for her is wormewood beer . if she drink wine , let it be sparkling and pleasant , claret wine mingled with water , other artificiall drinks , as cider , perry , metheglin , steepona , nectarella , medea , and the like are hurtfull for her . the humour must be prepared with rhodomel , syrupe of wormewood , syrupe of mint , and the like . her body must be purged by fits , for the crude , thick , and windie humour , will not be got out with one medicine ; this is taught us by our great master hippocrates , who in his fourth book de acutis , saith , whosoever indeavours at the beginning of a disease to dissolve , or take away an inflammation by a purging medicine , he will finde himselfe much mistaken ; for whilest the part is intensively inflamed , and the affect yet crude , and unconcocted , the physick gets no victory , hath no laudable operation at all : but rather it brings away such things , as would have made resistance against the disease , and so by this rashnesse , the body is weakned , and the disease gets strength : which when it hath once overcome the body , becomes uncurable : therefore whensoever you undertake to purge a body , you must not onely make the humours fluid , but you must also stay till they are concocted , especially in chronicall , and long-lasting diseases ; this may be done by the help of this apozem following . take the roots of fennill , elecampane , of each halfe an ounce . the leaves of penniroyall , wormewood , hops , motherwort , of each a handfull . as many camamile flowers , as you can take up , between your thumb and two fingers at twice . two drams of agarick trochischated . half an ounce of mechoca roots . the seeds of fennill , annise , of each two drams . boile them according to art , in a sufficient quantitie of barley water , to two pints ; when you have prest out the liquor with all your strength , add ▪ two ounces of diac●ycum . mingle them , and make an apozem , or take the roots of polipody . angelica . hermodactyls . of each halfe an ounce . the leaves of hops ▪ motherwort , fumitary , balme , betony , of each a handfull . six drams of sena . agarick trochischated . the roots of mechoaca , of each two drams . halfe an ounce of bastard saffron , seeds . epithymum , camomile , of each as much as you can take up between your thumb and two fingers . two drams of fennill seeds . boile them according to art , in a sufficient quantity of cock broth , to two pints , presse out the liquor with your utmost strength , and add two ounces of syrupe of the juice of fumitary . an ounce of diacnycum . mingle them , and make an apozem . let her every day drink three ounces of it . for nothing cleanseth the matrix from tenacious , and 〈◊〉 humours , so effectually as agarick ; or which is a surer , and more infallible remedy against the mother ; if we may credit galen ▪ and mesur . monardus , costa , clusius , lobel , and weckerus , ascribe the same vertues to mechoaca , which is hot , and dry . turpentine , although galen in his booke de sanitate tuenda ▪ saith , that it serves onely to loosen the belly , yet it purgeth , and cleanseth all the bowells , as the liver , the spleen , the kidneys , the lungs , and the matrix , from those tough and slimy humours , which are strongly impacted in them . there are severall wayes to prepare it : sometimes it is most easily taken with the yelk of an egg , sometimes in powder , and sometimes being reduced into an oyle , the admirable efficacy hereof freequent experience doth more and more discover to me ; so that i have often adventured to give it ( and with blessed success ) in many diseases , both of the chest , the kidneys , and the bladder ; for this cleanseth the stomack from thick , and tough humours , from which part floweth the whole streame of phlegmatick humours , it wonderfully warmeth the matrix , wipeth away the clammy filth which sticks about the walls of it , expelleth winde , provokes the courses , and brings down urine . you may make an excellent fomentation after this manner . take the leaves of motherwort , penniroyall , birthwort , rue , of each a handfull and a halfe . rosemary , sage , betony , of each a handfull . the flowers , of ●amomile , stechas , of each halfe a handfull . the tops of dill , wormewood , of each as much as you can take up between your thumb and two fingers . boile them in white wine to foure pints ; use the strained liquor for a fomentation , and with sponges dipt in it , bath all about the bottome of her belly , her groiny and her privie parts . after the fomentation , apply this admirable oyntment . take oyle of laurel , wormewood , of each an ounce , and a half . oyle of castor , earthwormes , of each an ounce . in these oyles boyle gently the powder of aromaticum rosatum , wormewood , sage , lignum aloes , of each a dram and a halfe . a dram of red corall . straine , and presse out the unctious substance , and add three drams of yellow wax . mingle them , and make an oyntment . if you augment the severall doses of the aforesaid hearbs prescribed , for the fomentation , you may make a halfe tub : or you may lay on the plaister pro matrice ( 't is sold in the shops ) aromatized with diarrhodon abbat . and diamoschus dulcis , or instead thereof apply the plaister tachamacha , or catanua ▪ antidotes may not be omitted , as treacle , and mithridate . excellent lozenges may be made for her of sugar , with the species diamoschus , diagalanga , diacinnamomum , or diacuminum , or if you please , prescribe this mixtue following . take the roots of elecampane candied , ginger candied , of each an ounce . conserve of the flowers , of sage , rosemary , orenges , of each six drams . halfe an ounce of conserve of borage . the species aromaticum rosatum , diamoschus , of each a dram , and a halfe . with a sufficient quantity of syrupe of wormewood , mingle them for your use . if these medicin●s doe not overcome the disease , let her use minerall , sulphureous baths , or the like . zacutus lusitanus saith , if you take the durt in the bottome of one of these baths , and lay it upon the matrix , it is as divine a medicine against the cold affects of the matrix ; but in these words of his , i conceave there is more of ostentation , then of truth . if the evill yet persevere , we used in the next place to prescribe sweating remedies , of guaiacum , china and sassaphraz roots to be administred , as we have already shewed in the foregoing cures ; and afterwards we make issues that the matrix may exhale . now let us consider what must be determined in this case concerning phlebotomy ; some will say that in a bad habit of the body , in a dropsey , in the trembling palsie , and the like , where there is a deficiencie of naturall heat , no man will adventure to let bloud : seeing that when the bloud is diminished , the heat is also lessened , and the crude humours become so much the more crude : this was avicens feare , as is manifest by these words of his : beware least you precipitate your patient into one of these extreams , either into an ebullition of chollerick , or an indigested abundance of cold humours ; this we confesse to be true ; yet not so , but that sometimes ( all other● administrations being rightly and duely premised ) with galen we may take away bloud by fits , then exhibit mellicratum ▪ then againe open a vein , either the sam● day , or the day following , as the disposition of the matter shall dictate to your reason ; we leave much also to nature her selfe , who many times concocts the thick humours ; the veine in the ankle must be opened , if women are thus affected ; but when men are troubled with these windy humours , the basilick vein is the most proper to be opened . chap. v. a schirrhus in the matrix . aschirrhus in the matrix is a hard , and stony swelling , bread of earthie humours , and of a thick and melancholy bloud retained in the body . this is either produced by a cold distemper in the matrix , or else it proceeds from a weaknesse in the upper parts from whence thick humours doe arise . this disease is very easie to be known , because in those who languish under it ▪ the matrix appeareth hard in the circumference , like unto some great bowle , or a round spheare . it differs from a swelling which is caused by winde ; because in this winde is heard within , which yieldeth to the touch , and is moved from place to place : but a schirrus is a hard unmoveable swelling , of a black colour , and sometimes of a palish , wa● colour , if any phlegmatick humour be mixed with it . it differs from an inflammation in the matrix , because in this there is a burning fever conjoyned , and other signes which manifest an inward fiery disposition . this is a chronicall disease , continuing many times beyond the space of a yeare ; for the matrix , not being numbred among the more noble parts , doth better endure these molestations ; it is also a contumacious affect , despising ordinarie remedies , and if you oppose such as are vehement , it degenerates into a cancer . after this sometimes followes a dropsey in the matrix , which when it is much hardned , becomes void of sense , incurable , drawing the neighbouring parts into consent with it , and so weakning them , that many times the creature peri●heth for lack of warmth and cherishing heat . she must forbeare all those things , that yield a thick juice , and what these things be we have already in good part told you ; for her drink , allow her a mixture of wine and water , in which tamarisk roots , or the barke of the caper tree have been boiled . the first regions of the body must be gently cleansed , and then that humour which nourisheth the swelling , must be rooted out with some peculiar and elective medicine ; if it proceed from a suppression of the courses , or hemorrhoids , open a veine in her ankle , or open the hemorrhoidall veines with leeches : but if it arise from some fault in the liver , or the spleen , cut the basalick veine . having thus shewed your selfe carefull of the whole body , you must in the next place be solicitous of the affected part ; first by applying such things as will gently mollifie it , as the fat of a hen , the marrow of a deare , or of a calfe , with ammoniack , storax , or bdellium : or with discutient fomentations after this manner . take an ounce of the roots of polypody of the oake . the barke of the root of the caper tree . the barke of the tamarisk tree , of each halfe an ounce . the leaves of warmewood , sage , savine , penniroyall , of each two handfulls . balme , motherwort , hops , of each a handfull . the seeds of broome , fennill , of each halfe an ounce . boile them in a sufficient quantity of water wherein steele hath been quenched , to six pints and bath the affected part with the strained liquor ; this oyntment following hath a like efficacy . take unguent . agrippe . vnguent . martiatum , of each an ounce . halfe an ounce of unguent . de althea . oyle of wormewood , capers , dill , of each three drams . mingle them , and make an oyntment . plaisters also are very profitable . take diachylon cum gummis , emplastrum de meliloto , of each an ounce . mingle them for the use aforesaid , or you may make ready this plaister following . take ammoniack , sagapenum , of each an ounce . opoponex , bdellium , of each halfe an ounce . dissolve them in strong wine vinegar , thicken them to the forme of a hard oyntment , and then add the powder of ireos . ceterach , auripiguentum , of each a dram . with oyle of capers make a masse of plaistering stuffe , and spread it upon a piece of leather , cut into a convenient forme . if these medicines availe not , prescribe sweating drinks for her , made with guaiacum , china , and salsa parilla ; for as fallopius , an author of good account , saith , salsa parilla hath a soveraine faculty to dissolve a skirrhus , or any hard knotty swelling . sulphureous baths are also most excellent in their operations . some commend a poultis made of goats du●g ; for this draweth away the winde , strengthens , and mollifies the part afflicted , and consumes the thick matter , whereof the schirrus is bred . i usully made it after this manner . take three ounces of goats dung . meale of lupines , fitches , or vetches , of each two ounces . an ounce of bran. half an ounce of sulphur in powder . with the sharpest and strongest vinegar , wherein steele hath been ten times infused , make a poultis . steele is commended by all authors , it mollifies and opens the matrix ; quickens the naturall heat of the upper parts , and brings down the courses , the stoppage whereof is the undoubted cause of this disease ; this , as hath already been declared at large , is taken many wayes , either in water , or in the forme of a bolus , or in lozenges , or in powder , or in some conserve , as it shall seeme good to the physitian , and most acceptable to the sick womans palate . issues will be profitable ; for whatsoever slimy , or clammy humour doth daily fall downe , more and more from the upper parts into the matrix , findes a passage out of the body againe , so long as these are kept open . chap. vi. of the dropsey in the matrix . vve affirme with galen , that an universall drosey can by no meanes be generated without the fault of the liver , seeing that the first instrument of sanguification is the author of the bloud , which if it faile in its action , 't is no wonder if water and winde be generated in the body , instead of laudable and pure bloud . but we confesse with hippocrates , that a particular dropsey may be produced without any fault in the liver ; thus there is a dropsey of the chest , in the foot , the finger , the arme , the matrix , which we our selves have often seen ; the cause thereof is a waterish swelling , rising in the hollow parts of the matrix , partly by reason of the suppressed menstruum , and partly by some violent labour , or some vehement abortivenesse , or by some cold distemper , and winde in the matrix . the swelling is discernable by the touch : and if you lay your fingers upon her matrix , the print of them remaines : if the patient turne her selfe from one side to ano●her , the waterish humour immediately ●alls down on that ●ide ; within you may ●erceive a rumbling noise of waters , her courses are stopped ; she falsly surmiseth ●hat she is with childe : the breasts grow ●ank , and there is no appearance of milke . she feeles some difficulty to fetch her ●reath ; she is troubled with passions of the minde , she is tormented with thirst , complaines of heat in all the parts of the body , is apt to nauseate , subject to a paine in her heart , and all other things molest her , that usually accompany a true dropsey , and that in regard of a salt and waterish phlegme , ●etained in the hollow parts of the matrix , and communicated thorough the common wayes to the upper provinces of the body . it differs from an inflammation in the matrix ; because this is consociated with a fever , continually burning all the parts of the body : but in a dropsey of the matrix , the heat is more gentle and temperate ; all things are lockt up in the matrix , that is , nothing worth the mentioning comes from thence in an inflammation : but in a dropsey a waterish , slimy and stinking excrement floweth away . this is a chronicall disease , and doth not quickly either destroy , or take leave of the patient . it differs also from the windinesse which swells the matrix , for in that the swelling is not so great , the flesh is not so pale and shining , neither is there so much winde , and it is easily differenced from a schirrus , for in this you may feele a great hardnesse , but in the dropsey , the flesh is soft and lanke . the dropsey in the matrix is a direfull disease , whereby the upper parts being vitiated , sometimes the whole body is drawn into consent , and then the naturall heat of the matrix is diminished , and indeed the oeconomy of this part onely is not disturbed , but the universall strength of the influent heat is by degrees extinguisht . wherefore you must begin the cure without any procrastination , or carelesse delayes , by a heating and drying diet ; the forme , quantity , quality , and manner whereof , we have set down already at large , in the chapter of a swelling in the matrix . allow her pure wine for her drinke ; that is sincere wine ; or else wormewood wine ; or if it seeme pleasant to her , boile china roots , with annise seeds , cinamon , and agrimony in water , for her to drink ; or alter her beer with china , or wormewood , or century . all moist things must be avoided : and the ayre must be artificially heated , unlesse you can settle her in an ayre , which is naturally hot . among the universall remedies you must omit phlebotomy , for this exhausts the hot substance , and weakens the naturall heat , cooleth the body , extinguisheth the inborne preservative ; yet this rule is not so strict , or so generall , but that sometimes it may be lawfull , yea necessary to cut a veine , when her courses , are supprest , or when the piles are stopt : yea , if she be young , and in the flower of her youth , it may be requisite to let her bloud in the spring of the yeare , especially if the constitution of the weather be agreeable , and the constitution of her body temperate , and sanguine , but otherwise never , or at least very sparingly , and that in the ankle . purge the first regions of her body with diasenua , mechoaca , or diaphenicon , the thick , viscous , and waterish humours , neverthelesse being first prepared , specially with such remedies as we have commended unto you above , and although the waterish humours may be purged out , without staying for their concoction , because water neither concocts , nor waxeth thick , according to galen , in his book de purgand . med. facult . yet to expell the winde , and to open the obstructions , wherewith the upper parts are infested , i praise those things which are good to break winde , to unlock the passages , and to purge out the humours ; this is commodiously performed with wormewood , agrimony , fennill , maidenhaire , the juice of the florentine flowerdeluce , sena , the roots of parsly , fe●nill , sparagus , butchersbroom , and alexander , boiled after this manner . take the last named five roots , of each half anounce . three drams of danewort roots . the leaves of wormewood , water agrimony , maidenhaire , of each a handfull . six drams of sena . an onnce of the juice of ireos roots . boile them in a sufficient quantity of barley water , to two pints , unto the strained liquor clarified with the white of an egg , add two ounces , of syrupe byzant . simpl . an ounce of syrupe of wormewood . mingle them , and make an apozem . when the humor is prepared , exhibit pills de hiera cum agarico to the quantity of a dram . antimony warily administred , is a divine medicine , and so are the trochischs alhandal ; for these irresistably bring away those thick and clammy humours , which stick so fast to the matrix ; afterwards the matrix must be strengthned , and the windy humours must be expelled , with lozenges made according to this manner . take the electuary diacinnamomum , diagalanga , dialacea , of each halfe a dram . two ounces of sugar dissolved in cinamon-water . according to art , make them into lozenges , or take an ounce of old treacle . two drams of aromaticum rosatum . with a sufficient quantity of syrup of wormewood make a mixture . the oyntments , plaisters , and poultisses , which are mentioned above , must be applyed to the secret parts : issues also and scarifications will be convenient , as we have already taught ; pessaries likewise may bee made after this forme following . take troch . alhandal , troch . de agarico , the best aloes of each two drams . a dram of elaterium , which is the juice of the wilde cucumber inspissated . the yolke of an egg , unsalted butter , the juice of mercury , of each three drams . with a sufficient quantity of wax , a piece of cotton , and a piece of taffata make a pessary . this being administred , apply the fomentation following to her privie parts . take danewort roots newly gathered . the roots of the florentine flowerdeluce , the roots cucumer . asicrin . of each six drams . the flowers of camomile , melilot , of each two handfulls . a handfull of the tops of dill , juniper berries , laurell berries , of each halfe an ounce . boile them in a suff●icient quantity of wormewood water distilled , to foure pints , to the strained liquor add oyle of lillies , laurell berries , of each three ounces . use it as was said above . chap. vii . of the falling down of the matrix . the matrix sometimes falleth down upon the lower parts , and this disease the physitians call the descent of the matrix ; this is resembled to a pare , or a gooseegg , as it is small or great ; as there are many causes of this disease , namely a hard labour , and a frequent bringing forth of children , miscarrying , a bringing away of the dead child , some fall from on high , hard riding , or immoderate dancing , yet there is one , in my judgement , more common then any of the rest , namely too much moisture in that part , whereby the matrix becomes soft , and loose ; 't is needlesse to set down any signes whereby to know this disease : for of it selfe it is conspicuous . yet in the meane time you must not let passe any opportunity of help , because it is accompanied with a diuturnall fever , many times with co●●●ulsion fits , and a trembling of the parts . wherefore if the disease pro●●ed from an excesse of moisture , prescribe a drying di●● ; and open the basalick veine for revulsion sake . a purge must by no meanes be granted her , for 't is exceeding hurtfull , because it precipitates the humours to the part affected , and there breeds an inflammation ; but a vomit is very proper in this case ; because by drawing the humours to some other part , it doth derive them from the matrix . when you have done these things , labour to settle the matrix in its former place , and to this purpose the woman must be laid upon her bed , with her legs stretched out , then the matrix must be gently bathed with mollifying fomentations , afterwards to the end it may not fall down againe , rub the parts well , tye ligatures upon her armes : yea , apply stinking things to her matrix , as assa saetida , galbanum , castor , and stinking pisse : but to the nose hold sweet things , as musk , civet , and amber . when you have thus done , dry up the moisture , digest the slimy humour , and expell the winde with this fomentation . take half an ounce of tormentill . the leaves of wormewood , mint , sage , ●enniroyall , of each two handfulls . the flowers of camomile , red roses , of each a handfull . burnt alum , live sulphur , of each three drams . boile them in sowre red wine to three pints , and with the strained liquor bath her secret parts . after the fomentation , lay on this plaister . take two ounces of emplastrum pro matrice . pitch , gummi laranne , of each a dram . two drams of the trochischs de gallia moschata . the powder of red roses , red corall , acornes , of each a dram and a halfe . with a sufficient quantity of wax make a masse and spread it upon a piece of leather cut into a convenient forme . if it cannot be reduced to its naturall site and position , by the dexterity of the hand , but begins to mortifie by the inclemency of the ayre , cut it off , and afterwards fasten it by actuall cauterizing , onely be carefull of some ligaments , and feare not the incision , because it is none of those principall parts , without which we can live no longer , but it is a part intended by nature for conception onely and generation . avicen reports of some women , who lived eighteen yeares without a matrix ; and the possibility hereof we affirme to be true upon our owne experience . chap. viii . of an itch , clefts , chaps , and an inflammation in the matrix . an inflammation in the matrix is a preternaturall swelling , arising from a hot bloud , or from the suppression of the menstruum , in the hollow parts thereof . the causes of this swelling are either inward or outward ; the inward causes are a great plenitude or fulnesse of the whole body , begot by a hot distemper of the liver and the veines . by the vehemence of this distemper , the bloud it selfe is compelled in a large proportion to the matrix : and thus the retained bloud , being no wayes able to get out , either putrifies , or else without putrifying , produceth an inflammation : sometimes also an vlcer in the matrix , or clefts , or chaps , or the piles , doe most speedily draw the bloud unto them by reason of the paine and heat . the outward causes are a fall , a blow , a stroke , a hard labour , immoderate coition , and the like , which weakning the matrix , the bloud flowes unto it , and settles there without resistance ; after this inflammation in the matrix , there followes an acute fever , bred of the putrifaction of the bloud , which fever , galen saith , must be numbred among the continuall fevers . she complaines of a great paine in her head , by reason of vapours ascending from her matrix : also her eyes ake , and her neck is drawn to one side , her stomack is affected by consent with nauseating , vomiting , and a griping paine ; and from hence many times proceeds a paine in her back , and idle talking ; the excrements are suppressed by the compression of the straight gut , and from hence comes a difficulty to make water , or a pissing by drops . every one knoweth how dangerous , and mortall this disease is , by reason of the consent , which it hath with the parts aforesaid : wherefore you must presently addresse your selfe to the cure ; first prescribing a thin and cold diet , which hippocrates enjoynes to be observed in all fevers , and inflammations , and afterwards opening a veine . many physitians have been puzled to finde out galens meaning , who first commands the basilick veine to be cut ; secondly , the saphena , or veine in the ankle , but the reason is obvious ; for whereas in the beginning of the disease the body is full , he prescribed the opening of the basilick veine to expedite the revulsion : otherwise he had drawn the humours by a precipitate motion , to the part affected , and so superinduced an inflammation . when this is done , he proceeds to lessen the predominancy of the bloud , by cutting a veine in the ankle , and not without sound reason : for by the proximity , or nearnesse of that part , the labouring parts are soonest disburthened . a purge is in this case inconvenient , by reason of the inflammation of the part , and the drawing faculty of the purging simples . glysters may be profitable , both to bring away the antecedent cause , and also to free the afflicted part from the peccant matter ; make them by this example . take the leaves of violets , mallowes , beet , of each a handfull . the flowers of dwarfelder , violets , of each a handfull . roses , prunes , ten in number . the seeds of melons , cucumbers , citrons , gourds , of each two drams . boile them in a sufficient quantity of whole barley water , to nine ounces , to the strained liquor , add two ounces of electuarium lenitivum . oyle of roses , oyle of violets , of each an ounce . mingle them , and make a glyster . to appease the paine , you may mingle topicall remedies with the anodynall , and apply them . take the leaves of mallowes , violets , of each a handfull . boile them to softnesse , then set them into an oven , and dry them , beat them to powder , sift them , and to the sifted matter add the whites of two eggs beaten together . the meale of marish mallowes , unsalted butter , oyle of violets , of each an ounce . two drams of opium dissolved in wine vinegar . mingle them , and make a poultis , or take foure ounces of the crums of white bread . the whites of two egs . oyntment of roses , oyntment of poplars , of each an ounce . two scruples of saffron . mingle them , and make a poultis . this inflammation will either be dissolved , or hasten to suppuration ; you may guesse by the vehemence of the fever , when it will dissolve ; for seeing that the greatnesse of the fever doth accompany the greatnesse of the inflammation ; if the fever remit , which depends upon the inflammation , 't is a certaine signe , that the inflammation shortly will be dissolved ; but if after the universall administrations , the fever still continue vehement , it is a true signe of suppuration , and the rather if the paine be increased , according to that oracle of hippocrates , whilest matter or corruption is ripening , the paines and the fevers are more importunate then when it is full ripe . the proper signe of suppuration is a most vehement paine upon the privie parts ; and therefore to humour the evill , and to hasten the suppuration , prescribe this poultis following . take the heads of white lillies . the roots of marish mallowes , of each two ounces . the leaves of mallowes , marish mallowes , of each a handfull . bran , camomile flowers , of each half a handfull . twelve fat figs. bo●le them all to softnesse , pulp them thorough a haire sieve , and add to the pulp two ounces of the meale of line seed . unsalted butter , the oyle of sweet almonds , of each halfe an ounce . hogsgrease , the fat of a hen , of each half an ounce . a dram of saffron . mingle them , and make a cataplasme . a fomentation made of these things , and with sponges applied to the secret parts , are of knowne vertue ; but then note , that when you use it , it must be hot or luke-warme ; for the matrix being a part full of nerves is easily offended with cold things . when there is an itching in the matrix , by reason of an influx of some cholerick , and biting humour , usually there follow chinks , chaps , and clefts , all which require one and the same manner of cure , with an inflammation . if the itching continue long , give her whey , or an infusion of ruharb to drink , lay cooling epithems upon her liver , and then wash her matrix with this injection . take a dram of trochisch . all. rhasis . mallow water . breast milk of each three ounces . mingle them together for an injection . from hence , if there be occasion proceed to issues . chap. ix . of a cancer , and an vlcer in the matrix . a cancer is an uneven , blewish swelling with paine , and filthy to behold , this is twofold , either with , or without an vlcer ; the one hath sordid lips , from whence issueth a black corruption , unsavory and stinking ; but the other , namely , that without an vlcer , is called almost by all antiquity a hidden vlcer . the cause of this is the menstruous bloud detained in great abundance , and afterwards dried , and burnt up to adustion : sometimes it is produced by a dry humour falling down from the upper parts upon the matrix , from whence that accumulation of●ordid , and blackish bloud floweth away . you may discerne the signes by a paine about the groine , the abdomen , the bottome of the belly , and in the loines of her back : it is a stubborne disease : both in respect of the incommodiousnesse of the place , which is the sinke of all the humours , and also in regard of her frequent desire , and indeavour to make water , which render the medicines so moist , that they cannot stick to the part ; moreover light remedies it contemnes , and vehement medicines make it worse : wherefore hippocrates in one of his aphorismes most wisely adviseth us , not to cure a hidden cancer ; because they who are cured quickly perish , they who are not cured live so much the longer ; and we say the same of a cancer , which is exulcerated , the paines whereof are greater , and doe more torment the woman , when the cure of the vlcer is attempted . we must therefore content our selves with a palliative cure , that the patient may live the longer ( for in the midst of misery life is sweet ) this may be done by appointing a good diet , and forbidding the use of melancholy meats . upon the approach of the spring , and about the end of autumne , let her bleed from the basilick veine ; but if she have not her courses open a veine in the ankle . prescribe such simples as are good to purge melancholy , as sena , hellebore , myrobalans , epithymum , and annise seeds ; some of these must be infused a whole night in whey , and so strained and dranke , but exhibit not stronger physick , because the humour is so apt to be outragious . locall remedies which are moderately cold and binding , may be applyed to the privie parts , as roses , myrrhe , the juice of unripe grapes mingled with rosewater , breast-milke , and the white of an egg , or take cerus wash't , tutia , of each an ounce and a halfe . burnt lead , frankincense , of each two drams . with foure ounces of oleum omphacinum stirred much , and long in a marble morter , and three drams of white wax , make an oyntment , or take foure ounces of litarge of silver wash't in the juice of pomegranets , and for two whole dayes worne to dust in a marble morter . frankincense , burnt lead , auripigment , of each two drams . hogsgrease , the grease that is gathered from sheeps wool , new butter , of each halfe an ounce . foure ounces of oyle of roses . foure drams of wax . according to the rules of art make an oyntment . if any filthy matter , or bloudy corruption run from the vlcer , beat the shells of crab fishes to ashes ( having first dried them in an oven ) and strow the ashes upon the vlcer , aud anoynt it twice a day with oyle . if the paine increase , and grow insufferable , inject this decoction into her matrix with a syringe . take an ounce of the sperme of frogs . the leaves of mallowes . marish mallowes , violets , mercury , of each a handfull . coriander seeds , poppy seeds , of each two drams . boile them in a sufficient quantity of whole barley water , to eighteen ounces ; to ●●ree ounces of the strained liquor add syrup of the juice of pomegranets , hony of roses strained , of each an ounce and a halfe . mingle them together , and make an injection for six times , to be injected twice every day . purge her body once a moneth with this medicine following . take three drams of sena . a dram of agarick trochischated . halfe a dram of black hellebore . a dram of annise seeds . macerate them a whole night in a sufficient quantity of fumitary water , to three ounces ; in the morning set them upon the fire , and after one or two bublings , add to the liquor which your presse out , halfe an ounce of syrup of the juice of fumitary . two drams of confectio hamech . mingle them for a draught . if her body be sufficiently strong , open a veine , yet be sparing of her bloud ; the surgeons worke , which may be profitable , when the breasts , or the other parts are infested with a cancer , must in this case be omitted : first , because he cannot have a full view of it , and secondly , being irritated by his administrations , it would cast the patient into convulsion fits , in regard of the consent which it hath with the braine , which by this meanes would presently perish . vlcers happen in the matrix severall wayes , either upon the coming down of the whites , proceeding from an acrimonious and sharp humour , or else from clefts and chaps , which are not easily curable , because of the humour which insinuating it selfe , corrodes , and exulcerates the part . the signes of an vlcer in the matrix are , a pricking paine ▪ about the privie parts , fluxes of a virulent and corrupt humour , a gentle fever , idle talking , and sometimes sounding fits. these vlcers are very hard to cure , partly because of the distance of the place , the virulency and malignity of them , and partly also , because it is so full of nerves , that they hinder the coalescence , and healing of it . the most proper and convenient diet which in this case you can prescribe , is that which is moderate and temperate : let her surrender her whole desires to sleepe , not fearing any excesse ; hot meats must be avoided , and exercise must be forborne ; but above all things , let her refuse her husband in his loving offers of benevolence ; for by heat and motion the humours melt , and falling down upon the matrix , they exasperate the vlcers . when you let bloud open the black vein ; a vomit may be given with security , and safety , but the event of a purge is doubtfull : yet if you prescribe one , let it be very gentle for the reasons aforesaid . locall remedies are very proper and profitable : so are baths , and the injections which we have already commended to you ; provided , that you add a dram and a half of the trochisch . alb . rhasis , with two ounces of hydromel , and the whey of goats milke . if you can gather from the confession of the sick woman , that these vlcers owe their beginning to the french pox , having first made triall of all these remedies aforesaid , as well universall , as particular , prescribe compositions which receive mercury , the severall formes whereof , if god permit , when we describe the cure of the french pox , we shall set down at large . chap. x. of wormes , the stone in the matrix , and the hemorrhoids . that wormes breed in all the parts of our bodies is a truth not to be denyed . the cause of these wormes is a viscous ▪ phlegmatick , raw ▪ and cold humour , sticking by its clamminesse to the very matrix , or to the neck thereof ; and by degrees putrifying . the signes of them are a dew , or moisture upon the lips of the matrix ; slendernesse ▪ troublesome sleeps , an itching in the belly , and a slow fever . this is a disease full of molestation ; i● regard of the fever , and the want of sleep ▪ which waste and consume the sick creature . to facilitate the cure ; a dry regiment is necessary ; mea●● that yield a thick , cold , ●nd moist juice must be avoided ▪ her been ●hould be boiled with r●barbe , pur selane , or sorrell , and you may purge her body with ●ills of mastick , or de hiera , cum 〈◊〉 , or take an ounce of grasse roots . the leaves of plantane . tansie , of each a handfull . two drams of citron seeds . boile them in a sufficient quantity of balme water to a pint , in the strained liquor infuse for the space of a night three drams of the choisest rubarb , a dram and a halfe of agarick troch . coralline , hartshorne prepared , of each a dram . in the moring set them upon a gentle fire , allow them one or two bublings , straine them , and presse out the liquor , and then add foure ounces of di●●ni●u . mingle them for an apozem . every other day let her drinke three ounces of it . you may make your injections after this manner . take halfe an ounce of di●tany roots . the leaves of tansie , calamint , of each a handfull . halfe a handfull of century the lesse . two drams of citron seeds . boile them in a sufficient quantity of honied water to nine ounces , add an ounce and a halfe of syrup of wormewood . two drams of aloes in powder . meale of lupines . rubarb in powder , of each a dram . mingle them , and make an injection to serve three times , or take the roots of costmary , aristolochy , the long , of each two drams , coloquintida , aloes , the gall of an ox , of each three drams . two drams of hartshorne prepared . boil them in a sufficient quantity of wormwood water to nine ounces , every morning inject three ounces of the strained liquor . or make a plaister of the things aforesaid , according to art , and lay it to the privie parts . the same administrations will serve against the stone in the matrix ; provided that you are sure , that that is the materiall and efficient cause ; that is a thick , slow and viscous humour , the other , namely the efficient , is an immoderate heat . stones many times also are generated of a corruption , or matter congealed in the matrix , and grown dry ; the cause is twofold ; one inward , the other outward ; the inward hath already been declared ; the outward is a thick , cold , and waterish meat , suppeditating matter to the concretion of the stone : as milke , fish , pulse , and other grosse aliments , as cheese and muddy ale . the stone in the matrix is known by the paine in the part , and if you presse down the matrix the paine is exasperated . the woman conceives not , her courses come down immoderately , and if she put her finger up her fundament , she may feele the stone . use your utmost speed and diligence to cure it ; for whereas the matrix is as the sinke , or common shore , into which nature empties out all the grosse and superfluous bloud , it may be feared that that corrupt matter will turne to a stone , which in continuance of time growes sometimes to such a bignesse ( as we of our own knowledge can testifie ) that it fills the whole capacity of the matrix , and totally suppresseth the courses , breeding vlcers full of corruption and purulency . the cure consists in a good regiment , in the preparation of the humours , and in the evacuation and expurgation of them , to prepare the humours , give her this apozem following . take the roots of parsly . eryngos , fennill , alexander , of each halfe an ounce . the leaves of germander , violets , of each a handfull . white maidenhaire , century the lesse , of each halfe a handfull . the seeds of grummell , nettles , of each two drams . six drams of raisins pickt and stoned . foure drams of licoras , boile them in a sufficient quantity of barley water , to two pints , to the strained liquor add syrupe of the five roots . syrup of lemons , of each an ounce and a halfe . mingle them , and make an apozem . when she hath drunk the apozem , make ready this potion . take the roots of polypody , marish mallowes , the leaves of violets , mallowes , of each a handfull . the leaves of sena , bastard saffron seeds , of each halfe an ounce . agarick trochischated , mechoacha , of each two drams . macerate them a whole night in a sufficient quantity of rhenish wine to eight ounces , and boyle them gently in the morning , straine and presse out the liquor with a strong hand , and add to it halfe an ounce of electuary diacar●hamum . mingle them together , and make a potion for two doses to be taken every other day . we have already furnisht you with fomentations , poultisses , oyntments , plaisters , and halfe tubs to bath in , which are very serviceable in this cure ; but above all things inject these glysters following very often , throughout the whole progresse of the cure. take nine ounces of some emollient decoction . diacatholicon , benedicta laxativa , of each an ounce . oyle of dill. oyle of bitter almonds , of each six drams . a dram of sal gemme . mingle them , and make your glyster , or take the roots of restharrow , marish mallowes , of each halfe an ounce . the leaves of mallowes . violets , pellitory of the wall , mercury , of each a handfull . the tops of dill , camomile flowers , of each half a handfull . line seed . fenugreek , of each three drams . two drams of nettle seeds . boile them in a sufficient quantity of water to nine ounces , to the strained liquor add diaphenicon . benedicta laxativa , of each an ounce . oyle of lillies , unsalted butter , of each an ounce and a halfe . mingle them and make a glyster . when these things are done , let the midwife put her finger up into the patients fundament , and artificially presse downe the belly upon the bones , that joyne neer the privie parts , that the place where the stone lies , may be raised up : this being dryed , put in a hooked instrument , and draw it out , as we have sometimes seen it done , but afterwards let issues made in her body be kept open . the third book , of barrennesse , and such diseases , as befall women with childe . the first chapter . of barrennesse , both absolute and respective . provident nature that she might contrive the continuation of mankinde for a long time , if not in the individuall , yet at least in the species , hath imprinted in those parts dedicated to generation , a vehement , continuall , and inexpressible appetite to propagation : and thus by a due commixture of the womans bloud with the seed of the man , she formeth and fashioneth a creature in the matrix , which at a certaine , and appointed time , she sends forth into the world compleat , and perfect in its conformation . wherefore in my judgement , conception is nothing else then a receiving of the mans seed in the matrix , being exquisitely and proportionably intermingled , aptly retained , and fully perfected , and therefore by the rule of contraries , we may affi●me barrennesse to be a depravation , or defect of these operations . barrennesse is either naturall , and acquired from the first elements of the conformation , or introduced by sicknesse ; or lastly respective , namely in reference to the man , or the woman , the first is incurable ; for no physitian can correct those errours , which nature commits in the mysterious purpose of our generation ; one of these errours is the straightnesse of those passages which lead to the matrix , being sometimes so narrow that they hinder the right transmission of the seed into the vessells of generation , or if it be injected , yet is it received with so much paine and labour , that the matrix doth neither concoct nor perfect it , another errour is the widenesse of those parts , into which although the seed be duely ejaculated , yet it presently slips out againe , because the capacity of the matrix is too wide ; the crookednesse of the vessells also may be another impediment ; for we may many times meet with jesting errours , as i may call them , in the workmanships of nature ; thus in one body a double matrix hath been seen , in another two hearts , in a third , the spleen placed where the liver should stand , and many other such like recreations of nature , as realdus columbus hath discoursed of them at large in his anatomy . the second kinde of barrennesse is that which is contracted by some disease ; for whereas the seed is a certaine spirituall substance , generated of the purest part of the bloud , it is necessary that it should be concocted in a temperate wombe ; but if the matrix be too hot , it consumes the seed , as a little water thrown into a fire , is presently dryed up , and on the contrary , if it bee too moist and cold , the actions that are ordained for conception are weakned , and disabled , because cold is unprofitable , and uselesse for any function : it shuts up the mouthes of the veines in the matrix : it renders a woman averse from , and indisposed to the pleasure of the lawfull sheets ; for a waterish seed cooles the testicles , and makes them unapt to elaborate the seed , and make it fit to unite and mix with the mans seed ; unto these impediments hippocrates hath also added another which in his aphorisms he calls a thick matrix . from all which it is manifest , that the temperate matrix is most fruitfull , namely that which obtaines a mediocrity , approaching to no excesse , either of an active or passive quality ; by the universall constitution of the whole body , you may best discerne the temperature of the wombe , which is most fit for conception ; for such women are fresh coloured , and of a rosie complexion , gentle of behaviour , affable in their cariage , merry and pleasant in their conversation , not dull and drowsie , and full of pensivenesse . the third cause of barrennesse proceeds neither from the nativity of the patient , nor from any sicknes , but relates to the man , as for example ; one and the same woman may have had children by a former husband , and yet no children by a second husband , not because she is now barren , or unfruitfull , but she is so called because of her husband , by whom she hath now no children , the case is likewise the same on the mans part , respectively to the woman ; but perhaps you will demand a reason hereof , i answer ; because the proportion and temperature of both the seeds , which ought to concur to generation , are contrary the one to the other ; for the seed both of the man and the woman , if it be prolificall and fruitfull , will be of a white , and shineing colour , not thin and waterish , but of a thick , and compacted substance , in sent like unto the flowers of the dwarfelder tree , and being put into water , it will sinke to the bottome ; but that which is unfit for generation will swim upon the ●op of the water , and is in all respects con●rary to the former ; the man ought to be of a strong constitution , well set , full of ●uscles , and neither too slender , nor too ●hick ; for those that are slender , are usual●y too weak to get childreu , at least such as are healthfull , strong , and lively , and those who are to grosse , are commonly of a cold temper , have a thin and slippery seed , and are more desirous of venery , then able to performe it . barren men are commonly beardless , slow in imagination , and dull in practise , because their seed is cold , and containes not any spirit to tickle , and warme their phantasies , but they sit like images , and are sad , and insociable ; on the contrary , hairy men , that have testicles of an indifferent size , and a well concocted seed , are cheerefull , affable , ever frequenting the young company of maids , and virgins , being excited by the flagrancy of their eyes to venereous dalliances , and lustfull speculations . after the same manner we must give judgement concerning women , which besides the signes aforesaide , if they be bald , and harelesse in the privie parts , they are suspected to be barren ; but if they be rough , and full of haire , it is a signe that they are fruitfull ; the wiser sort of physitians know , that much haire is an undeniable argument of much heat , and of the strength of that heat , which driveth out those fuliginous humours , whereof those haires are generated . those women that have black haire , are more apt for venery , then any other complexion , because they are hotter , and have their courses in a more plentifull manner : which courses , how conducible they are to make her fruitfull , is manifest to any ordinary capacity , because the menstruous blood is one of the principles of our generation . other sorts of barren women must be referred to this catalogue , as those that are luxuriant , and the whorish crew ; the former , because by frequent coition their bodies become empty of seed , and if any at that time be ejaculated , it is not fit for generation , because nature is not allowed time enough to elaborate and concoct it ▪ and the latter sort conceive not , partly by reason that many , and various seeds are mingled together , and partly also by reason of their frequent cohabitation with men , whereby the neck of the matrix is made so slippery , that it cannot retaine the mans seed . it will not be impertinent to enquire at what time women begin to have their courses ? i answer , that for the most part , they begin when the virgin is twelve years of age , and end when she hath attained to forty five : and in all that intercourse of time women are held capable of children ; but if any auhors will affirme that women may conceive , before and after those forenamed periods of time ; we also affirme , that this is not ordinary , but very rare ; and 〈◊〉 de menstru● sanguine , in the chapter de ita & 〈◊〉 conceptione admiranda , and he will straight demand , whither a woman can conceive without the menstruum ? i answer negatively : for when either principle of generation is defective , there can be no conception ; if you still obtrude upon me , that many women have conceived without the menstruum , i grant it to be true ; if you speak of the outward menstruum , namely that , which we call their monethly courses : but if you meane it of the inward , that is of that , which runneth out of the vessells into the matrix for conception sake , you are deceived ; for no woman can conceive without this inward menstruum ; you will ask againe peradventure , can a woman conceive without pleasure ? and whither it be absolutely necessary that the seeds should be intermingled , and that the man and the woman should both spend at one , and the same point of time ? to the first i answer , that they enjoy an unspeakable pleasure , although that conduceth little or nothing to conception ; and to the second i affirme , that it is not necessary that they both spend at one time , although i confesse that may facilitate , and much help conception , but that it is sufficient , if the seed be received into the matrix , and rightly concocted ; for there is in the womans seed , such an earnest , covetous , and greedie desire , to embrace , and be united with the seed of the man , that although the man spend after the woman , yet she sucks it in , and the conception is nevert●●less● perfect . thus we have declared unto you ( with all possible observation of modest expressions ) the causes of barrennesse in generarall ; and the signes of such men and wom●● that are un●ruitfull , by which 〈◊〉 you may discerne the particular constitution of either sex . it would be needlesse to set down any prognostick signes , because from a true consideration of the precedent notes , you may raise an unerring determination , whither the fault be in the man , or the woman . let us now advance to the cure ; we have said that there is a threefold kinde of barrennesse , naturall , respe●tive , and that which is contracted by force disease ; that which comes from the nativity of the patient is incurable ; but that which is comparative in relation to the woman , or the man , may have help from artificiall administrations ; for if the man or the woman be unfruitfull through an excesse of the first qualities , that intemperance must be corrected ; how to bring this to passe , now heare and understand ; if any man thoroughly knoweth how to cure that barrennesse , which comes by sicknesse , the same man will be able to particularize every cause that introduceth unfruitfulnesse . now this barrennesse that happens by reason of some disease , must be cured by a distinct observation of the cause , whereupon it hath dependance ; if it proceed from an vlcer , that vlcer must be cured ; if it arise from frequent coition , the incontinent person must curb her , or his appetite ; if the ayre be a suspected cause , remove to another place ; if any poyson hath got into the body , by the power and malignity whereof , the spirit which is in the seed is weakned , and dulled , you must prescribe remedies of bezar stone , and apply such medicines to the privities , as have a faculty to resist poyson . if the party be bewitched , as it often comes to passe , even by the malicious art of the devill , or his instruments , besides the ordinary help● , you must indeavour to subdue the evill with other meanes , as the learned fernelius hath taught us in his booke de abditis rerum causis ; for some diseases and remedies exceed the limits and boundaries of nature . if slendernesse be the cause of unfruitfullnesse ; you must nourish and fatten the body with meats that yeild good juyce , and with moistning baths : and you must be carefull to avoid evacuations , and all other things , which weaken the strength , and exhaust the spirits . if fatnesse hinder fruitfulnesse ; the body must be extenuated , made lean , dried , and rub'd , and all other meanes must be used to dissolve and evacuate the thick juyc●s ; the patient must accustome her selfe to much exercise , refraine from anger , and all passions of the minde , and content her selfe with little spleen ; for these things introduce leannesse , bring down the body , and take away all grossenesse , and corpulency ; for the same purpose also you may frequent the bath , and hot houses , for sweating doth much extenuate a fat body . if the affect be produced by an excesse of the first foure qualities , as we have already intimated , that hot distemper must be corrected by a various administration of remedies , in contrariety to that excesse ; first with a cold , and moist ayre , for in such cases , a hot ayre weakens our strength , and drawes 〈◊〉 the naturall heat to the circumference , inflames , dissolves , and enervates the faculties of the matrix , and because a hot distemper cannot long continue s●mple , and uncompounded , but in a short space associ●●●s to it selfe a dry distemper , therefore the aliments must be moyst to resist the increase of that drought , which is not cured without much trouble and difficulty , if it be once introduced into the matrix , which by nature i● a dry and nervous part ; wherefore let her drinke be potentially moist , as small beer , or a decoction of burley , but enjoyn her an abstinence from wine , and all such meat● as are spiced with cinamon , and ginger . let her meat be of easie concoction and distribution , potentially cold , and moist , that is , cold and moist in their qualities , and operation , though they be actually hot when she eats them , it would be superfluous to name them , having already sufficiently spoken of them in the precedent chapter of a hot di●●●per in the 〈◊〉 , and an inflammation in the matrix . it will be convenient to draw bloud from the basilick vein , in the right arme , and if the hot distemper be thecause , that the patient hath not her courses , cut a veine in her ankle . moreover you may prepare 〈◊〉 , and moistning juleps after this manner . take syrup of violets and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , of each two ounces . twelve ounces of endive water . six drops of spirit of vitrioll , mingle them , or take syrup of borage , and syrupe of pur selane , of each an ounce and a halfe . a decoction of 〈◊〉 , with cucumber , citru● , gourd , and melon seeds , of each a dram and a halfe , take a pint and a halfe of the decoction mingled with the syrups , and let her drink it at three doses . 〈◊〉 a purge 〈◊〉 to evacuate choler . take three drams of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . a scruple and a halfe of citron seeds . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a night in a sufficient quantity of a 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 two ounces and a 〈◊〉 , in the 〈◊〉 straine and presse them , and to the liquor add three drams of the electuary diaprunlaxative . halfe an ounce of syrupe of violets by infusion , mingle them , and give it in the morning . whey of it selfe is exceeding wholsome , or else you may thus compound it for your patient . take an ounce of borage roots . two handfulls of sorrell leaves with the roots . endive and borage leaves , of each a handfull . six drams of tamarinds . boyle them in a sufficient quantity of whey to a quart , and in the strained liquor infuse for a whole night halfe an ounce of choise rubarb . two scruples of cinamon . in the morning let them bubble a little over a gentle fire , and when you have prest them hard , add three ounces of syrupe of roses laxative . mingle them together for an apozem . which is of most excellent vertue to correct the heat , and distemper of all the veynes , and principall parts ; this bath also will be very effectuall to coole the body . take foure handfulls of vine leaves . the leaves of mallowes , violets , and endive , of each two handfulls . a handfull and a halfe of bran . a handfull of salt . boyle them in a sufficient quantity of water to eight quarts , let her hold her feet in the strained water , two or three houres together . you may likewise prepare fomentations of the hearbs aforesaid , and bath the privities , the liver and the reynes of the back ; and afterwards you may make use of this oyntment . take two ounces of unguent . infrigidantis galeni . an ounce of cerat . sautal●n . oyle of roses , and oyle of violets , of each halfe an ounce . two drams of the powder of red corall . halfe an ounce of vinegar of roses . with a sufficient quantity of white wax , make an oyntment according to art. take the liquor which is distilled out of cockles , snailes , or frogs , mingle it with saccharum perlutum , and give it her to drink , as a most effectuall remedy against this disease . a decoction of young chickens boiled with prunes , and borage leaves , and taken every morning upon an empty stomack , doth refresh the body ▪ strengthen the spirits , moisten the matrix , cleanseth away the foulnesse that groweth in those parts , and very powerfully resists the causes of 〈◊〉 . when unfruitfulnesse proceedeth from 〈◊〉 cold distemper , you must observe a contrary method of cure , as for example . the ayre must incline to hot and dry , the 〈◊〉 must be also 〈◊〉 hot and dry : and because this cold distemper is perpetually consociated with moisture , whereby cloudy and grosse vapours get into the matrix , which is cold and nervous , therefore it will be requiste to correct this coldnesse , to take away the moisture , and to consume , and dissipate those windy vapours ; from 〈◊〉 you may gather , that this is a very frequent cause of barrennesse ; and 〈◊〉 ; and so likewise are flatulent and windy humours ; for they extreamely swell the matrix , so that the se●d cannot be perfectly 〈◊〉 neither can the child be held fast by the 〈◊〉 . when you attempt the cure , abstaine from phlebotomy , unlesse it be preparative onely , to di●burthen the oppressed vessells ; when the patient is in the spring of her yeares , and at the spring of the yeare , least by taking away the bloud , the spirits should be wasted , the humours should become more cold , and indigested , which otherwise , were not the bloud prodigally ●et out , might be seasonably ●●●octed , and this you may observe with the learned fer●●liu● , to prescribe a purge , before you open a veine in crude bodies , that the first region may be cleansed ; if any man shall rashly proceed to a contrary course , doubtlesse with great disadvantange to the patient , he shall pervert the right order of nature : for when as he hath emptied the veines by ph●ebotomy , he will fill them again with that filthy accumulation of corrupt humours , which they suck in with greedinesse from the first places , and so he shall not lessen , but double the disease ; the purge may be made as followeth . take a dram and a halfe of the whitest agarick . two drams of bastard saffron seeds . a struple of ginger . halfe a dram of an●●●eeds . macerate them a whole night in a sufficient quantity of marjor●m water● to three ounces ; in the morning presse them hard , and add diaphenicon and diaenicum , of each halfe an ounce . mingle them , and let her drink it in the morning . if her body be not sufficiently open , give the same potion every third day , or else prescribe this glyster following . take nine ounces of a mollifying decoction made with marjoram and groundpine , or germander , of each a handfull . diacarthamum and diaphenicon , of each an ounce . an ounce and a halfe of honey of roses strained . mingle them , and make a glyster . when you have thoroughly purged the body , and taken away the cause , the parts must be strengthned , and the distemper must be corrected with these pills . take a dram of right lign . aloes beaten to powder . two scruples of aloes rosat . musk and amber , of each a scruple . with a sufficient quantity of alkermes , make thirty five pills . let her swallow five of them , or fewer , every morning ; they are exceedingly provocative , and withall they strengthen the braine , the heart , the liver , and the matrix ; when the man and the woman intend conjunction , let him anoint his yard with oyle of mastick , and wormewood mingled with a few graines of musk and civet ; and let the woman also anoynt her privie parts therewith , as well within as without ; for by this meanes there is raised a mutuall inclination to venery , and the seed is received with a greater pleasure , and is more duely retained and elaborated ; reason it selfe will convince us , that sweating remedies made of ebony , and salsapa●illa will mightily help , and prepare the matrix ; for they expell the windy humours , strengthen the matrix , and dissipate the fuliginous and grosse vapours ; naturall baths are excellent for the same purposes , and so are treacle , mithridate , alkermes , aromaticum rosatum , diarrhodon abbatis , diamargarit . calidum , and diacinnamomum ; and lastly if you desire any satisfaction from our opinion concerning issues , we answer , that they evacuate those cold and thick juyces which daily flow unto , and settle in the matrix , and therefore , as we said almost every where , we affirme the use of them to be very expedient , and conducible . chap. ii. of the shapeless lump of flesh called a mola . a mola is an unprofitable and shapelesse lump of flesh , bred in the matrix of the menstruous bloud , as the materiall cau●● thereof , according to the opinion of galen , in sundry places of his works . he saith of the menstruous bloud , that 〈◊〉 such as is very thick and much hard●● in the matrix ; but note , tha● he doth no● here exclude the seed of the man , for every physitian knowes that a m●la proceed from a mixture of the menstruum , and a corrupted seed ; which indeed doth somewhat indeavour conception , but cannot perfect it : neither is there any cause of wonder that such a lump of deformity should be fashioned in the wombe , seeing that severall kindes of monsters are bred there , according to , the variety of the humour , which floweth into the matrix ; he that would acquaint himselfe with the knowledge of these things , may read skenkius his observatns , and the wonderfull stories related by marcellus 〈◊〉 ; if also he would search into , and examine the true cause of these things , let him read laurentius his book of anatomy . but why doth this breed in the matrix onely of a woman , and not in some other part ? i answer , because , although the bloud may congeal● , and become clotted in the other parts of the body , yet it happ●●s so more frequently in the matrix of a woman , then in any other part of ●er body , because the matrix i● as the common shoore of the body , where most of the excrements are exonerated . but why doth a mola breed in women onely ? i answer , because women onely ●ave an abundance of this monstruum , more ●hen other creatures , and that their bo●ies are full of grosse , thick , and tenaci●us humours , by reason that for the most ●art they use a moist diet , and abandon ●hemselves to a reproveable , and disor●●erly course of life . this mola is of se●erall kindes ; for sometimes it is waterish , ●ometimes windy and humorall , and ●ometimes againe 't is ●●innie and bloudy ; ●his last in the most ordinary , and all phy●itians have granted it , this is that which is most usually presented to our observation ; and lastly , this is that which so often hath deceived women , who boasted themselves to be with childe , and were not , and their physitians also who told them they were with child , when they were not . wherefore to avoid these common couzenages , let us be circumspect in the knowledge , and right understanding of the signes which are a swelling , with a drawing back of the hypochondriacall parts , the women grow leane , are full of paine , and very apt to long ; the belly is burthened , her back aketh , her breasts swell , and her courses are stopped , and that at the beginning of her conception : but afterwards in processe of time , she seemes to have the dropsey , her belly is so immoderately swelled ; but you may know this from a dropsey ; for in that the belly sounds like a drum : the woman feeles within a kinde of fluctuation , or waving motion , and if a finger be laid hard upon her belly , the print of it remaines . a mola is distinguished from a perfect conception , by three most certain signes , that is , by the motion , by the milk , and by the time that a woman beareth her childe ; in the motion , because there is a great difference between the motion of a childe , and the motion or stirring of a mola , because the childe kicks , and turneth about to all the parts of the bottome of the belly , but a mola moveth like a globe , now on the right side , and anon on the left ; this also , if you presse down the womans belly with a gentle hand , removeth from the place , and returnes not suddenly into it againe ; and from the milke you may gather a never-failing signe , because the breasts swell all the time a woman is with childe ; but in the other it happeneth otherwise ; the time likewise affords a never-failing signe ; for if the swelling of the belly continue beyond the eleventh moneth ( which is the most constant and certaine period of a womans reckoning ) and no signes of a dropsie at that time appeare , you may warrant your owne confidence that she hath a mola , but no childe in her belly . this is a most dangerous disease ; for many times a woman carries it in her wombe , the space of two or three yeares , and sometimes longer , insomuch that the naturall heat is suffocated therewith , moreover , in the expulsion of it , there is no small danger , for many times it groweth to such a bignesse , that it comes not away without extreame hazard of the womans life : for a great issue of bloud ensueth , whereby the spirits being spent and exhausted , she waxeth feeble , wan and pale , and many times perisheth in the very act of expelling it . this evill hath a twofold manner of cure ; one preservative , to prevent the generation or breeding of the mola , and the other curative , to destroy and bring it away , when it is bred ; and this last is also twofold ; for the first designe must be to exclude it ; and the second to save the woman in the very act of excluding it . the preservation consists in a due observation of these things following ; the ayre she lives in must be hot and dry , and the place healthfull , being scituate towards the east : let her keep a good diet , feeding upon meats that yield a wholsome nourishment to the body , and such as are soone concocted , and distributed to all the parts : let her choice also be rather of hot , then cold meats , avoiding such as are fat , salt , and hardned with smoak , fish which breed thick , windy , and viscous juyces , are unwholsome for her ; she cannot desire a more wholesome drink then wormewood . wine , or excellent generous french wine : her belly must be kept open and soluble ; exercise must be used , and sleep refrained : angry chidings and cares of the minde must be moderated , and all such things forborne , as dry the bloud , and diminish the naturall heat . in the next place prepare the thick , and grosse humours with rhodomel , syrupe of wormewood , syrupe of mint , and the like , mingled with some convenient water , afterwards prescribe this purge . take three drams of sena , a scruple of agarick trochischt . a dram of the root mechoaca . a dram and a halfe of anniseeds . boile them a short space in a sufficient quantity of pure water to three ounces : then straine and presse them , and the ●maining liquor add three drams of dia●henicon . mingle them , and let her drink it in the morning early . if her courses be stopped , cut a veine in her ankle ; leeches also may be applyed to the hemorrhoids , but with caution and warinesse , least thereby you more and more weaken such women , whose bodies ●re full of raw and indigested humours , afterwards you must purge her body again , with a scruple of extract . catholic . and as much of mass . pillul . faetidar and lastly , prescribe an apozem , or decoction to cut a●under , and evacuare the grosse and tough humours , to provoke urine , to open the obstructions of the matrix , and to bring down the courses : all which vertues meet together in this composition following . take the roots of smallage , eryngos , and fennill , of each halfe an ounce . the ba●ke of the root of the caper , and tamarisk tree , of each two dram● . the leaves of penniroyall , and birthwort , of each a handfull . germander , maidenhaire , balm , of each halfe a handfull . ten drams of s●na . three drams of agarick trochischt . a dram and a halfe , or two drams of epythymum . boile them all according to art , in a sufficient quantity of water , wherein stee● hath b●en infused to a quart : when yo● have strain●d , and with a strong hand pre● out the liquor , add three ounees of ●yrup of roses . mingle them , and make an apozem , o● take the roots of butchers broome , aparagus , polypody of the oak , and fennill , of each halfe an ounce . the leaves of penniroyall , and motherwort , of each a handfull . a dram and a halfe of annise seeds . the flowers of violets , rosemary , and borage , of each as many as you can take up between your thumb and two fingers . an ounce of raisins of the sun. boyle them in a sufficient quantity of ●arley water to a quart . in the strained liquor infuse for a night ten ounces of sena . three drams of the whitest agarick . two drams of the best rubarb . a dram of epithymum . in the morning let them buble once , or twice , and then to the liquor which ●ou presse out , add syr. byzantin . and syr. de eupatorio , of each an ounce . mingle them and make an apozem . of this , or of the former let her take ●wice in a day the quantity of three ounces or a week together , once in the morning , and the second time at foure a clock 〈◊〉 the afternoon . excellent lozenges may be made of the species diamosch . and diacinnamomum , or you● may compound them with treacle , mithridate , and bezoar stone . when the mola hath obtained some growth , if it be waterish , it must be brought away with such simples , as have a faculty to purge out waterish humours ; or if it be windy , you must prescribe such medicines , as are of a known , and approved vertue to strengthen the matrix , and to expell winde ; and carminative glysters in such cases will be very convenient ; so also will plaisters and fomentations applyed to her privie parts : but that which is humorall , skinny and bloudy may be overcome with the same remedies as are set down at the beginning , against the stoppage of the courses . when nature indeavours to expell this unprofitable burthen , and an issue of bloud ensueth thereupon , with fainting and swounding fits , then you must be diligent to strengthen the patient with broths made of the flesh of capons , and partridges , and with such things as will stay the bloud , and refresh the exhausted spirits ; such as are chalybeated wine , sugar of pearle , corall , &c. you will object that wine cannot be seasonable , because by the heat thereof it makes the bloud thin , and makes it more apt to flow away in greater measure by opening the passages , rather then it can any way help to stay it . i answer , it is not guilty of this mischiefe , if it hath a reddish tincture ; for if good claret wine be chalybeated , as hath bin said , besides that it nourisheth the body , it is also a binder ; for it comforteth the spirits , and refresheth the whole body , which vertues must needs be profitable for , and welcome unto a creature , who is hourely subject to faint and swound , and although it might provoke the bloud to flow , yet a greater good must be preferred before a small inconvenience , and therefore give her wine to refresh her spirits , which will be more to her advantage , then the issue of bloud can be to her prejudice , for she may perish suddenly in one of those sits , but the flux of bloud may be restrained by degrees . note that foure things require an abstinence from wine . first , an inflammation of the bowells . secondly , a vehement paine in the head . thirdly , a phrensie . and fourthly , a burning fever in a crude disease ; and of this opinion was galen , as appeares in his first book ad glauconem , and the 14. chapter . moreover the patient should be refreshed with the choicest meats , and then the mola should be disposed to come forth by softning and loos●ning fomentations , made of a decoction of marishmallowes , mallowes , motherwort , mercury , birthwort , sage , hyssope , calamint , the seeds of line , marishmallowes , fenugreek , camomile , melilot , and rosemary ; in this you may dip a clout , and bath her privie parts . but if the bloud come not away , rub her legs , and apply drie cuppinglasses to the calfes of her legs , and binde most painfull ligatures about them ; and in a word make tryall of all such remedies , as will draw down nature , the humours , and the mola to the lower parts . chap. iii. of womens longings . women are sometimes so extravagant and preposterous in their appetite , that they refuse wholsome meat , and long after coales , chalke , a piece of an old wall , starch , earth , and the like trash , which they devoure as ravenously , as a hungry plowman will winde downe a good bag-pudding . now perhaps you may also long to know the cause hereof , which is no other then the menstruous bloud , especially if it be retained about the middle of their time , and grow corrupt ; for the child in the wombe is nourished with the sweetest part of the bloud , and the other part remaining which is vitious , filthy , and dreggish , noisome exhalations , especially in the middle moneths arise from it , and in such a manner contaminate all the upper partts , that the worst things are vehemently desired , and the most wholsome refused ; the signes are apparent from the depravation and irregular temper of their stomack . this disease is hard to cure ; yet not so much in respect of the disease it selfe , as of the subject wherein it is generated , which is a woman with childe ; now we know that such women must be warily , and religiously dealt withall , and unlesse it be in extreame necessity , their bodies ought not to be purged . by this unavoidable abstinence the disease is increased , and the bad humour , being long retained in the body , becomes daily more and more corrupt , by the tetrous exhalations which ascend up from the pollutions of the matrix : therefore having first appointed a strengthning , and drying dyet , you must indeavour to rid away that humour , with syrup of roses solutive , and afterwards when the body is cleansed , and free from the humour you may prescribe a gentle purge of rubarb , which hath both a purging and a strengthning faculty ; for if we may adventure our beliefe to the assertions of the best physitians , rubarb may be safely given to old men , infants , and women with childe ; and fallopius in his booke of purging simples , and in the chapter where he speaketh of rubarb , saith , it dries up all superfluous moisture contained in the vessells of the matrix , it is a gentle cleanser , it strengthneth the heart , and the stomack by its astringent faculty , neither need you to entertaine the vaine feares of some , who suspect that the bitternesse thereof may destroy the childe , for the taste of it is not horrible to nature , and besides the bitternesse quickly vanisheth . there remaines another doubt to be answered ; namely , whether it be more proper and advantagious to prescribe an infusion of rubarb , or to give it in the substance ? i answer , that it purgeth most in the substance , or body of it , expelling the humours by siege , which it doth not in an infusion , at least not so powerfully , because then it evacuates onely by the purgative vertue which is in it , and of the same opinion is the author before named . chap. iv. of a bad stomach , proceeding from vomiting . it is a known truth , that most dangerous , direfull , and pernicious symptomes invade women with childe , from which also forsaking of meat , and vomiting doe afterwards follow , all which things proceed from those noysome and foggy exhalations , which are distributed into the severall parts , from the corruption of the bloud ; for whereas there is a sympathy , and consent between the stomack and the matrix , when any poysonous , or malignant vapour ascendeth from the latter , it immediately invades , and overcomes the stomack , which being weakned in the conflict , or indeavour to resist , and keep out those vapours , the functions of it are depraved , it refuseth all comfort or nourishment , or if at any time it admit any , 't is no sooner swallowed , but vomited up againe ; these are the signes of this disease , and to cure it , proceed according to the method following . in the first place prescribe a cleansing potion . take three drams of elecampane roots the leaves of wormewood , and century the lesse , of each halfe a handfull . boile them in a sufficient quantity of whole barley water to a pint , and a halfe , to the strained liquor add three ounces of honey of roses strained , mingle them for a potion ; against the next morning prepare this purge following . take three drams of rubarb . two scruples of agarick trochischt . a dram of annise seeds . macerate them a whole night in a sufficient quantity of mint water , to two ounces and a halfe ; in the morning presse them hard with all your strength , and add three drams of the electuary diaphenicon ; if she cannot take down a pu●ge , let her swallow these pills following . take a dram of the mass . of pills de hiera cum agarico . make nine pills , and guild them . the next day following , give her this strengthning mixture , which doth not purge at all , and eve●y morning let her eat the quantity of a nutmeg . take elecampane roots candied , marmalade of quinces , of each an ounce . halfe an ounce of conserve of red roses . foure scruples of aromat . rosat . in powder . two scruples of mastick in powder . with a sufficient quantity of syrup of mint make a confection . after the use of these things , make this plaister following , and lay it to her stomack . take lignum aloes , yellow sanders , and the round cyperus , of each two drams . galangale , mace , cloves , and calam . aromat . of each a dram . common wormewood , roman wormewood , spikenard , dried mint , of each as much as you can take up between your thumb and two fingers . mastick , storax calamitu . red corall , of each two scruples . amber , musk , of each a scruple . pure ladanum , turpentine , of each an ounce . foure ounces of white wax . make a masse ; whereof let him take a sufficient quantity , and spread it upon leather , and lay it to her stomack . bisket steeped in muskadine is excellent good for her : because it refresheth the spirits , and mightily strengthneth the stomack . chap. v. of a pain in the belly , the passion of the heart , and of sounding fits. vvomen with childe doe often feele a pain in their bellies , and this also proceeds from winde , and the malignant vapours aforesaid : neither are the swounding fits , or the passion of the heart produced by any other causes , because the heart when it is shaken with this fuliginous , and grosse spirit , doth frequently stretch , and contract it selfe , and endeavouring to expell the evill which annoyes it , it falls into an inordinate and strange motion , like unto trembling . under these diseases the woman languisheth , is full of feares and frights , prone to despaire , subject to faint , can obtaine no sleep , but wasteth away daily , and waxeth leane and meager . to take away her paine , you may administer such remedies , as will expell the winde , and strengthen the bowell ; of which sort you may furnish your selfe with plenty above , in the chapter of a cold distemper , and windy humours in the matrix● you may likewise anoynt the stomack with this oyntment following . take an ounce of unguent . altheae . oyle of wormewood , oyle of camomile , and oyle of rue , of each three drams . the powder of lignum aloes , mastick , wormewood , and both sorts of corall , of each a dram . halfe a dram of aromat . rosat . in powder . six drops of oyle of annise seeds . with a sufficient quantity of yellow wax , according to art make an oyntment . this , or the like fomentation may likewise be very usefull . take halfe a dram of elecampane roots . two drams of lignum aloes . the leaves of rue , motherwort , sage , wormewood , mint , of each a handfull . mastick , cloves , of each two drams . boile these simples in a sufficient quantity of water to three pints , and prescribe the strained liquor for a fomentation . after the use of the fomentation , clap to the stomack the caul of a sheep newly killed . in spaine the greatest persons , and those the wisest also , take hot bread from the oven , afterwards they soake it in muskadine , and having sprinkled upon it the powders of red and white corall , and aromat . rosatum , they lay it to the heart : others instead thereof use treacle , alkermes , and confect . hiachytorum , to all which may be added , if the evill yield not to the remedies aforesaid , a little bag to be worne upon the left pap , and made after this manner following . take two drams of lignum aloes . bezoar stone , muske , red corall , of each a dram . red and yellow sanders , of each two scuples . the specie diamosch . and diambr . of each a scruple and a half . with a piece of red taffata and cotton make a quilted bombast for the use aforesaid . mingle cordialls with her drinke ; and cordiall conserves , as for example . take two ounces of conserve of red roses . two drams of alkermes . macerate them a night in two pints of plantane water , and red wine , in the morning straine it thorough hippocrates his sleeve , that is a woollen bag , and give her now and then the quantity of a small wine glasse . if these remedies overcome not the disease , apply an exceeding great cuppinglasse to the heart ; by the force whereof the windy vapour will evaporate ; for although glysters doe draw back the humour from the affected part , yet in reference to great bellied women you ought to suspect the event of them , because they raise too great a disturbance by provoking nature downwards , and many times cause abortivenesse ; yet if the paine be insupportable , then inject carminative glysters , and omit all bitter ingredients , as hiera , benedicta laxativa , or scammoniata ; but to prevent all errour , prescribe this following . take a handfull of mallow leaves . the flowers of melilot , the tops of dill , of each halfe a handfull . two drams of fennill seeds . boile them in a sufficient quantity of barley water to nine pints , to the strained liquor add two ounces of syrup of roses laxative . an ounce of red sugar . mingle them , and make a glyster . or take the flowers of melilot . and mallowes , of each a handfull . annise and fennill seeds , of each two drams . boyle them in a sufficient quantity of broth , made with an old cock to nine ounces , to the inward liquor add calabrian manna . and red roses , of each an ounce and a halfe . an ounce of oyle of rue . mingle them , and make a glyster . it might doe much good , if you gave her a draught of balme water in the morning , in which water you may steep lignum aloes the space of a night , and afterwards put to the strained liquor a sufficient quantity of syrup of mint ; for this expells the winde , cleanseth away the phlegme , and powerfully strenghthens the stomack . you must frequently and laboriously rub her lower parts , tye ligatures about them , and apply cuppinglasses to them , if there be no imaginable cause to feare abortivenesse , but if there be the least suspicion of that , omit all such applications as may procure a revulsion of the bloud , nay , let me give you this caution absolutely to fo●beare them , unlesse she be taken with desperate trembling and fainting fits , or swounding , in the spring time too , when her spirits require them . you must cause her basilick veine to be opened , if she be young , fleshy , and strong , for this remedy , besides that it letteth out the thick , dreggish , and black blood , it refresheth the childe also , and the heart is sweetly , easily , and safely delivered from that burthensome humour , which did oppresse and almost overwhelme it . chap. vi. of a cough in women with childe . most certaine it is , that great-bellied women , by reason of their being with childe , have not sometimes a free vent for their crude and indigested aliments , either by stoole , or by urine , or by any other emunctories of the body ; these being unduly kept in the body putrifie , wax hot , and communicate noysome fumes , and vapours to the spiritous parts , which by their clamminesse , thicknesse and sharpnesse , together with the bad quality that is in them , gripe , and twitch the woman , and force her to cough . some perhaps may demand , why doth this coughing happen in the last months ? the answer is obvious ; namely , because in those moneths a greater plenty of excrements are lodged in the body , then were accumulated at the first . the cause of the cough , according to hippocrates , is a viscous , thick , and tough humour , impacted in the pipes of the lungs ; which humour sometimes also , thorough that consent which is between the matrix , and the chest , invadeth that part , and raiseth a coughing : and these are set down as the true signes of this evill . as for the prognosticks , you must know that a cough befalling a woman with childe is a bad symptome : seeing that by the least stretching , and shrinking the cotyledons or vessells of the wombe , are many times loosned , yea sometimes burst asunder , and from thence comes abortivenesse . the cure is perfected with sweet wine , mild beere , and the frequent use of a ptisan . sharp , sowre , and cold things must be avoided ; meats also must be forborne which breed a thick nourishment , and are hard to digest ; vehement evacuations likewise are not good ; wherefore having given order for the observation of a good diet , prescribe some gentle , lenifying medici●es to provoke her to spit , as manna , syrup of roses laxative , diacnicu , and the like . these things being administred , proceed to electuaries , and expectorating medicines , and especially to this apozem following . take an ounce of cleansed barley . the roots of aristolochy , licoras scraped , of each two drams . the leaves of asarabacca . nettles , white maidenhaire , of each a handfull . two drams of raisins pickt . the flesh of dates . fat figs , of each three drams . boyle them in a sufficient quantity of water , to two pints , and to the strained liquor , add two ounces of diacodium . mingle them , and make an apozem , or you may prescribe lozenges after this manner . take a dram of the species diatragacanth . frigid . diaireos , poppy seeds , of each a scruple . two ounces and a halfe of sugar dissolved in rose water , according to art make them into lozenges . then prescribe this conserve . take conserve of red roses , elecampane candied , of each an ounce . conserve of violet flowers , rosemary flowers , of each halfe an ounce . two drams of meale of beanes . a dram of diaireos . ten graines of sulphur . with syrup of coltsfoot make a conserve . meale of beanes , according to galen , doth cleanse and mundifie the chest , digests and crude spittle contained in the pipes , and makes it easie to be excerned ; bean-flower water is exceeding good for the lungs , especially if she drinke it with syrupe of maydenhaire , or oxymel scilliticum ; the same faculties hath the distilled waters of red poppies . the yolke of an egg taken in the morning with sugar , and the oyle of sweet almonds is a most incomparable remedy , and hath done good to thousands . anoynt her breast with this oyntment , which is good to prepare the crude , and thick matter which stops her pipes . take an ounce of the oyntment of marish mallowes . the axungia of a hen of a duck , of each halfe an ounce . oyle of sweet almonds , oyle of violets , of each two drams . ten graines of saffron . mingle them , and according to art make an oyntment ; heat it when you use it , and anoynt the whole region of her chest therewith . chap. vii . of the swelling of the legs in women with childe . from the same cause , namely from abundance of phlegme , and c●ude humours , especially in the last moneths , proceed the swelling of the legs , face , and eye-browes , and when i have told you that the flesh of the whole body groweth soft , and that she looketh white and wan in the face , i have discovered unto your consideration the signes of this disease . women in this condition cannot be restored to perfect health till she be delivered : yet may we not delay our helps , least a worse evill happen unto her ; for whereas the legs and feet are outward parts , and at a great distance from the fountaine of heat , they are quickly affected with cold , and mortified through the abundance of crude humours , which many times settle in them . you may securely , speedily , and gently accomplish the cure by strengthning and dis●olving remedies . in the first place therefore provide a bath with chalybeated water , saltpeter , sulphur , wormewood , stechaz , rosemary , and camomile : in this liquor let her wash her lips , her thighes , her legs , and her feet , and when she washeth them , let her also rub them soundly . if her flesh grow very soft and lank , so that you feare a mortification , apply this poultis following , which will exceedingly comfort her . take two handfulls of wormewood , meale of vetches , meale of beanes , meale of barley of each an ounce and a halfe . an ounce of bran. with a sufficient quantity of oxymel , and a brine made with lemon pills , according to art make your poultis . if the coldnesse of the part be such , that you feare a gangreen , there is nothing will more certainly prevent it then scarification : for by this meanes the part is ventilated , and preserved from putrifaction . strengthning remedies must sometimes be exhibited to expell the winde , yet you must administer them with a good diet , consisting of drying , and corroborating things , as treacle , mithridate , and other drying confections and powders , diacinnamonium , aromaticum rosatum , diarrhodon abba , t is , unto which we may well adjoyne a decoction of china and salsaparilla with a little stick of cinamon , and a few annise seeds . note that these remedies may properly be accommodated to the cure of the disease , called the vterine flux , which happens sometimes to women when they are ready to lye down , by reason that there is an excessive abundance of humour in their bodies , or else because the childe in their bellies is very large and great . chap. viii . of costiveness in women with childe . the inner part of the humour being spent upon the nourishment of the childe in the womans belly , the dregs grow hard , and when nature striveth to cast them out by a strong and vehement indeavour , the matrix suffers a compression , by which compression the childe is offended , the cotyledons are loosened , and many times the woman miscarrieth , and the child proves abortive . the belly must be sollicited , but not with glysters , because they hurt the childe , especially if it be grown to some bignesse , but with suppositaries made with hogsgrease , and five or ●xgraines of diagry●ium ; for these will irritate . her meat should be of a moistening and mollifying quality , as mallow , and borage leaves eaten with butter and sugar ; fat pottage also is good for her , in which , if she complaine of no torments , you may boyle polypoda , sena and prunes . manna above all other things is in present case to be preferred : and next to it we commend syrup of roses laxative , and syrupe of violets made with a frequently iterated infusion . sometimes you may prescribe this julep . take the waters of borage , fumitary , of each eight ounces . three ounces of syrup of violets . mingle them , and make a julep . forbeare the use of sharp medicines , for they worke with an unnecessary vehemence , and not seldome cause abortivenesse . unto this disease we adjoyne a loosenes , which hapneth , when women are of a cold constitution , and full of crudities , or when they have a weake belly : sometimes also it happens by their inordinate longings , when they wish for a greater variety of dishes then they are able to concoct ; for then many times what they have so greedily devoured passeth down into the guts without digestion , and causeth a loosnesse through the weaknesse of the retentive facultie . we have learnt from hippocrates to accou●t this among the dangerous diseases ; for in the fifth brok of his aphorismes he hath these words : if a woman with childe be troubled with a great loosnesse , 't is to be feared that she will miscarry , and note well the reason hereof : for when she is thus afflicted , the good and the bad goe away together , the childe is defrauded of its due nourishment , and so perisheth . you must presently strive to stay the loosnesse with binding and thickning meats , as quinces , rubarb , beer wherein steele hath been often infused ; or else you may prescribe this potion following . take a handfull of plantane leaves . the seeds of flux wort . the seeds of sumach , of each a dram . boyle them in a sufficient quantity of red wine , to a pint and a halfe , to the strained liquor add srrupe of comphrey . syrupe of quinces , of each an ounce . make a potion . boile , or steep annise seeds in her drinkes and apply the same fomentations , oyntments , and plaisters , as we have already commended unto against vomiting . but if the excrements be slimy , putrified , and stinke , you must not neglect the use of rubarb gently rosted , and of myrobalans slightly rosted ; for these doe not onely purge , but they binde withall , and strengthen the parts . sometimes you may exhibit philonium persicum , requiem nicholai , or pill . de cynoglossa , but with a sober caution ; the quantity is a scruple , or at the most but two scruples , and that when the other things have proved unsuccessefull , and also when the strength of the patient will allow the taking of them . chap. ix . of the flowing away of bloud from the matrices of women with childe . although we made mention of this disease in the first booke , where we treated of the immoderate flowing of the courses ; yet we conceive it may be worth our labour , and the readers thanks to add a few things , which in the chapter aforesaid , were purposely omitted by us . bloud then floweth immoderately from the matrix , either when the lips thereof are unlockt , or when the vessells are open , or lastly , by transcolation . the inward cause of these symptomes is an extreame heat , or thinnesse in the bloud ; which either eats asunder the vessells , or rarefies the tunicles thereof ; the outward causes are all those things which have a power to make thin , to heat , to open , to rarefie , and to subtilize the bloud ; as immoderate cares of the minde , long watchings , a continuall use of hot meats , as dishes pepperd and spiced : also drinking too much wine ; yet you may exhibit a glasse of claret wine in a moderate quantity , to refresh her spirits , provided that no fever be suspected , and that her matrix be not inflamed . the signes of this evill are manifest ; for the spirits are deficient , the heat is diminished , the face groweth pale , the feet swell , the strength decayes , the meat is forsaken , and no sleep can be obtained . the danger of this flux is unknown , i suppose , to few women ; for seeing that our naturall heat hath its chiefe , and sole perseverance in the bloud , the losse of that bloud in an immoderate quantity , must needs exhaust the spirits , weaken the body , and at length when the naturall heat is almost extinguisht , and the sanguification is depraved , there will undoubtedly supervene either a dropsey , or a consumption . when you begin the cure , keep the patient in a darke roome , and let the ayre be cold and dry ; or if naturally it be not so , make it so by art ; her meat should be potentially cold , thick , and binding : as the flesh of partridges , and sheeps-feet , or sheeps-heads , or broths made of them ; pease beanes , quinces , services , and the like , are not unwholsome for her , and for her drinke , let it bee beere , or water wherein steele hath often been quenched . let her bloud immediately to divert the humour , but in what part , there is indeed a great controversie among the physitians about it ; but to promote the revulsion of the humour , if the patient be strong enough , we tye ligatures about her legs , and boldly open a vein in her arme ; or if she be very strong , we apply ●uppinglasses wi●h scarification to her shoulders . when the veine is opened , give her thickning syrups , as syrup of poppies , myrtles , quinces , or syrupe of restharrow ; juleps also made with the disti●led waters of plantane and roses , and mixt with the syrups aforesaid , will be convenient for her , or you may mingle conserve of roses , or conserve of acacia with bolearmenick , and the trochisch . de carabe , which will be an excellent mixture to thicken , and stay the bloud ; but however forget not to prescribe this purge . take two scruples of rubarb gently boyled . ten grains of the myrabolans called chebule . syrup of dried roses , or syrupe of sowre pomegranets , halfe an ounce . three ounces of plantane water , or a decoction of tormentill root● . mingle them , and make a potion . procure some sleepe for her with opiates , as athenasia , requies , nicholai , philonium persicum , new treacle , or philonium romanum ; yea with pills de cynoglossa , or foure or five graines of opium : all these things doe wonderfully thicken the bloud , straighten the passages , fatten the body , concoct the bloud , provoke sleep , and therefore are very proper for women thus affected . note that the opium restraines , and stops all superfluous evacuations , sweat excepted , which it provokes ; besides , by inviting sleepe it refresheth the body ; for by sleep the aliment is soonest concocted , the naturall heat retiring to the inward parts , whereas when the patient waketh , the heat is distributed and diffused all over the outward parts . lay this plaister which followes the oyntment to the reines of her back , and with the oyntment anoynt her privie parts , and the region of her kidnies . take the powder of cyprus nuts . the roots of comphrey , bistort , of each two drams . red sanders , red corall , bolearmenick , mastick , of each a dram . with foure ounces of vnguentum comitissae make an oyntment . after the oyntment apply this plaister , as was said above . take a pound of loom , and beat it to powder , with ten drams of gum-arabick tosted by the fire , and the whites of foure egs , incorporate them , and make a plaister . chap. x. of water flowing away from the matrices of women with childe . most certaine it is , that women with childe by reason of their depraved appetites , and continuall intemperance in their diet , abound with crude and unconcocted juices , which nature not knowing how to digest , nor being able to expell them by her monethly courses , are accumulated in a large measure , pollute the body , and introduce a cold distemper , from whence that water comes , which is the intended subject of our present discourse ; they who live a sedentary and an idle life , are very obnoxious to this disease ; in such women this waterish humour comes away at the matrix , cold to the touch , slow in motion , slimy in substance , and white to the eye , and voide of all manner of sharpnesse ; these women look pale , their skin is lanke or loose , they are lazy , and loath to use any exercise , they are troubled with winde , and loud rumblings in their bellies . account this is a difficult cure : especially when it happens in the last moneths , when we dare not administer convenient remedies , fearing to destroy , or hurt the childe ; because such kinde of remedies dissolve , and exhaust the spirits , and when the body is extreamely weakned , they precipitate the patient into a dropsey , which is scarce curable ; or else she miscarries by reason that the retentive faculty is too much weakned by excesse of moysture . you must therefore indeavour the cure by a drying diet , as bisket made with annise seeds , and with flesh meat rather rosted then boiled ; forbid windy meats , salt meats , such as breed a thick juice , and yield too much moisture ; almonds , chesnuts , pine kernells , and boyled rise are very wholsome , all hearbs and fruit , beside quinces and medlars , are unwholsome . for her drinke , give her binding red wine , or wine wherein steele hath been quenched : for this comforts the spirits ; a decoction of china and salsaparilla may be profitable , because it dries up the descending moisture , and cleanseth the body from it , this potion following will doe her much good . take two drams of cyprus nuts . the leaves of wormewood , mint , red roses , of each halfe a handfull . the seeds of quinces , services , of each two drams . parcht rise , mastick , of each a dram . halfe a dram of gum dragon . boile them in a sufficient quantity of water , wherein steele hath been quenched , to two pints ; to the strained liquor add syrup of dried roses , syrup of the juyce of quinces , of each an ounce . halfe an ounce of honey of roses . mingle them , and make a potion . let her take three ounces of it early in the morning ; it evacuates the waterish humour , and not onely strengthens , but also bindes the parts , dryeth the cotyledons , and retaineth the childe in the matrix , that it come not into the world before its due time ; after the potion , the next day lay this plaister to her privie parts . take two drams of loadstone beaten to powder . spikenard , mastick . red corall , of each a dram . two ounces of oyle of quinces . six drams of white wax . mingle them and make a plaister . a gentle laxative decoction cannot be inconvenient , and therefore we shall here set down that which hath often purchased sweet ease to the patient , and credit to our selves . take a handfull of plantane leaves . a pugill of red roses . foure drams of rubarb . two drams of agarick trochischated . mastick , spikenard , of each a scruple . macerate them together in two pints of water , wherein steele hath been infused upon hot coales , the space of six houres ; afterwards set them upon the fire , and when they begin to bubble , presse out the liquor with a strong hand , and add to it . two ounces of syrup of fumitary . mingle them according to art. give her every other morning fasting three ounces of this decoction ; for it gently strengthens the parts , diverts the waterish humour from the matrix , and with much benignity evacuates it . when the woman is almost ready to be in labour , a wheyish or waterish humour floweth leasurely , and by degrees from the matrix , either because of some dilatation of the membranes , in which the childe is enwrapped , or else because those membranes are burst asunder ; and although it descend leasurely , yet a large quantity comes from her ; if this happen when she is in labour , suspend all helps of art , for it is a good omen that she will be safely delivered ; but if it should fall out in the fifth , sixth , seventh , or eigth moneth , in which there is , or may be a feare of miscarrying , then may you properly and securely adadminister those things , which we even now prescribed . if you demand from whence that abundance of waterish humours doth come , which floweth before she is in labour ? i answer from the membrane , or skin called ammion , which is fastned to the childe , and from the other called chorion , in which two skins , the urine of the childe is so long reserved , till the fulnesse of time be accomplished , in which it should be borne ; at which time seeking by instinct of nature , for a greater proportion of nourishment , it kicks , and teares these membranes , out of which when a large plenty of waters have run , it comes forth into the world . chap. xi . of acute diseases , befalling women with childe . women are preserved both from the threatnings , and also from the invasions of those diseases whereunto they are subject by a threefold kinde of remedies : by diet , by phlebotomy , and by purging , or to speake more properly , by being purged . but the two latter are the more difficult , according to the opinion of galen , who in this hath the concurrence of avicens judgement also ; you must know , saith he , that every disease of repletion , or the malice of a complexion is not cured by his contrary , but sometimes by a good regiment of health ; wherefore if it be a slight disease , it will be cured of its own accord ; for the●e is no kinde of disease so fierce , saith galen in his book of diet , which is not tamed by it ; but yet a moderation must be observed ; for they who are neere their time , and looke every day to be in labour , want a larger proportion of nourishment , because the childe is big , and should they be defrauded of this mediocrity , they would perish by the cruelty of an acute disease ; wherefore here lies all the difficulty to prescribe a convenient and fit diet for such women ; for should you allow them meat and drinke suitable to the condition of women who are not with childe , you should destroy the childe : and should you , out of a regard to the preservation of the childe , be more liberall and indulgent to their appetites , this condescension would espouse you to another errour , for hereby you might cherish the cause of the disease ; let her therefore be fed with meats that are of easie concoction and distribution , and prohibit her the use of thick , sharp , sowre , bitter , and windy meats , that are hard to digest . having prescribed a good diet , you must consider whether it be expedient she should be let bloud . valesius sets down the reasons on both sides , and for the negative he alleadgeth an aphorisme in hippocrates , running to this sense ; if a woman with childe be let bloud , she miscarries ▪ and the rather , if the childe in her wombe be big ; because the childe is thereby defrauded of its aliment . secondly galen saith , physitians ought not to be busie in offering helps , or strong remedies to women with childe , nor any exquisite manner of diet ; here you must understand phlebotomy say they ; therefore it must from galens words be concluded inexpedient . thirdly , if any evacuation be a cause of abortivenesse , as a flux of the belly , or a loosenesse , as hippocrates in another aphorisme affirmeth , how much more will the opening of a veine be a cause , by meanes whereof the aliment is taken away from the childe . fourthly , a fever kills the childe , by wasting the spirits , and drying up the bloud with the vehement heat thereof ; therefore so also will phlebotomy kill the childe by exhausting the spirits , and consuming the bloud . but all these reasons to my understanding are of no weight , no moment , no validity , seeing that it is most certaine , that the very impregnation , or being with child doth forbid phlebotomy , in respect of it self , yet not as one of those principall scopes which withstand it , but of those which indicate and advise to a sober and due celebration of it ; wherefore when a woman sick of an acute disease must be let bloud , yet must she bleed lesse then the affect and the plenitude require , because of that indication , which is taken from the childe in her wombe ; for her gravidation , or being with childe ought to be reputed as a symptome which wasts the spirits , because her bringing forth the childe is a kinde of evacuation . to the second i answer , that galen in that place meanes nothing else , but that physitians should counsell their patients to avoid intemperance , because women with childe admit not of the least degree beyond a medioicity . to the third i answer , that it is not alwayes true that abortivenesse followeth upon any large evacuation ; and therefore it should not onely have beene said , but proved by the interpreters of hippocrates ; for wee see that it followes not upon hunger , or emptinesse , unlesse it be diuturnall , nor from a loosenesse , unlesse it be immoderate , nor lastly , from phlebotomy , if a veine be opened in the arme , wherefore , that i may conclude , i conceive hippocrates did intend only to prohibit the cutting of a veine in the ankle , but not in the arme : for i confesse , if a veine in the ankle be cut , the bloud is drawn in abundance to the matrix , and so may strangle , or choake the childe , and cause abortivenesse : the like also doth any vehement and exorbitant purge . wherefore if an inflammation be present , we affirme that a woman with childe may be let bloud without any danger of abortion : yet with this condition , that she be first well nourished with meats of good concoction and quick distribution , and that a small quantity onely be taken away , least the spirits should be empaired either for the present , or the future . moreover i like not the cutting of the basilick veine , because it much exhausts the bloud , and may cheat the childe of his nourishment . lastly , i counsell you to apply strengthning , and nourishing things to the navell before you cut the veine , as unguentum comitissae , or emplastrum stomachichum , or fomentations made of wormewood , roses , mastick , lignum aloes , quince seeds , and claret wine : and whilest she is bleeding , let her hold cold water in her mouth , or cold beer , that if perhaps she begin to faint , she may swallow it , and preserve her selfe from swounding . but what shall be said concerning purges , which consist of hot ingredients , and as galen and averroes contend , disturb and hurt the childe . i answer , all purging medicines are not of that quality ; wherefore we may safely prescribe manna , sena , tamarinds , rubarb , and cassia , omitting such simples as have any participation of vehemence ; and we confidently aver , that hippocrates must be understood in this sense , where he saith , women with childe must be physickt or purged , if the matter be turgid , in the fourth moneth unto the seventh ; because the childe in the wombe is likened to the fruit upon a tree , which as at first they fall down by any slight motion , and afterwards stick faster to the tree , but when they are full ripe fall of their own accord ; so the childe ; wherefore if you will prescribe any physick , follow the directions of hippocrates , and exhibit it between the fourth and the seventh moneth , because then there is a firme connexion between the membranes , and the cotyledons . if you desire exactly to know these middle moneths ? i answer , they are the fifth , the sixth , and part of the seventh . if you object the words of galen , who saith that a child three months old is strong , and able to resist the injuries of physick . i answer , that he reckons the end of the third to be compleat , not till the fourth moneth be begun , concerning which argument the learned may consult the epistles of mainendus . the fourth book , of vvomens diseases . the first chapter . of a naturall birth , and of abortion . provident nature at all times hath not a greater care of any thing , then of the propagation of mankinde , and this although it appeare not so much in the species , yet it is cleare and manifest in the individuall , and thus she hath framed women to a delight in venereous conjunctions , that they might with greedinesse suck in the mans seed , and dispose and cherish it to generation . so soone as the woman hath conceived , nature hath an especiall care to fashion , augment , nourish , adorne , and perfect the childe , and at a determined time to send it out into the world , in all respects compleat and absolute . this sending forth of the childe is twofold ; either naturall , or preternaturall ; the first is when nature at a time prefixed , sends out into the province of the world a perfect citizen , with an exact dearticulation of all the parts , with a little paine , without any fever , or passions of the minde : this sometimes comes forth before its time , with great paine to the woman in her back and belly , as in the fifth , seventh , or eighth moneth : or else it stayes beyond the ordinary date of time . there are severall opinions among the physitians , why a childe that is borne in the eighth moneth should be weake , and not healthfull , whereas a childe borne in the seventh moneth is held to be both strong , and healthfull . laurentius in his book de re anatom . handles these things with much elegance , and thither we refer the reader , and for our own opinion , we shall most readily declare it to be this ; that i hold it impossible , that the childe should be able to undergoe two afflictions , the one immediately following the other ; namely , one in the seventh , and the other in the eighth moneth , in which it is very obnoxious to sufferance and danger , and therefore most commonly perisheth in the eighth moneth , for it comes to passe that the childe is doubly , or consequently afflicted ; first with that affliction which befalls it in the wombe , and afterwards with that which happeneth in the birth ; but this befalleth not the childe , which comes forth in the seventh moneth , because it comes into the world perfect , strong , and without the labour of the seventh and eighth moneth . galen describes abortion to be an imperfect emission of the childe , or a violent excretion of the childe . the causes hereof are many and various ; some inward , some outward ; the outward cause , which for the most part is subjected to the arbitrement of sense , is a vehement fever , which kills the childe , especially if it continue long ; for it is destructive , both to the mother and the childe ; the fiery heat thereof devoures the whole substance of the moisture , wastes the spirits , consumes the flesh , and so weakens the body , and destroyes the childe by exhausting the spirits , and dissipating the aliment ; to this we have already adjoyned an excessive , or lasting loosenesse , because as we have said , it looseneth the cotyledons , and by the sharpnesse of the humours irritates the matrix , shaking , agitating , and assaulting it , till provoked nature excern the childe : dancing , leaping , loud crying , long fasting , doe all presage that the woman will miscarry ; so also are the relations of some unexpected events , anger , chiding , thunder , the sudden noise of some pistoll or musket , a fall , the denyall of some ardent request , and an innumerable company of other such things . the inward are reduced to three causes namely , to the weight or heavinesse of the humour , whereby the suffocated childe is overwhelmed and perisheth ; the second is the great bulke of the matrix , by reason whereof the childe is scarce held fast , but slides away , and slips out ; or the small and narrow capacity of the matrix , wherein it neither groweth to any bignesse , or perfection , but perisheth for want of roome ; the third is a skirrosity or hard swelling , which is an impediment to the childe , that it cannot lye stretcht out to its full dimensions , but endures a compression , and dieth . galen reckons up those signes which goe before abortion ; the first whereof is an extenuation of the nipples , the second a diminution of the milke ; the third when the child is not perceived to stir in the belly ; the fourth the slendernesse of the woman ; the fifth , the loosenesse or lanknesse of the whole belly ; the sixth , the depravation of the appetite : the seventh , which is a true signe that she is now ready to miscarry , is a paine in her back , in her privie parts , and torments all over her belly , with a thin humour distilling from her matrix . this is far more dangerous , then a lawfull and naturall birth , in regard of the perturbations and violence which is offered to nature . as for the cure , the woman having already miscarried , that consists in the point of preservation , namely , to prevent the supervening of a fever , or the whites ; this may be done by the help of those things which we have noted above ; sleep must be procured ; then the belly and the matrix must be strengthned with fomentations , litle bags , and such like administrations as are good to expell winde . to prevent obortion , and to preserve the woman from miscarrying , we approve ( if the danger be threatned from an extreame fulnesse of humours , the cu●●ing of the basilick or the middle veine ; for this counsell we have the authority of fernelius , who in his second book de meth. med. saith , unlesse many veines be unlockt about the mouth , in which the woman looketh , she will miscarry ; for the childe is overwhelmed , and choak't with too much bloud ; but if it proceed from the amplitude and large capacity of the matrix , apply astringent decoctions ; if from the narrownesse of the part , mollifying medicines will be most proper , yea , and such as resolve and consume away hard swellings , may be convenient for this cure . chap. ii. of a hard labour . vve call a womans labour hard , and difficult for five conditions , or five reasons : the first whereof is an anticipation of , or as we use to say , when she comes before her due time , in the fourth , fifth , or sixth moneth , which because it is excerned by nature before the naturall time , it is imperfect , precipitating the woman into many straights and bitter pangs : the second is a transversall , or preposterous egresse , as when one foot onely , or an arme appeareth , or when the breech cometh before the head , or when both the feet joyned together come out first , and afterwards the head ; the third is , when the childe which comes forth of the wombe is mishapen , nature having erred in the conformation ; the fourth is intolerable paine , fainting , swounding fits , and bitter torments about the bottome of her belly , and the secret parts ; the fifth is , an effusion or running out of water many dayes before the birth : which being run out , the passages which before were slippery to assist the emission of the childe , now remaine hard and dry , and become an impediment to the birth ; this humour is of no small advantage , nay , it is of admirall concernment to facilitate the birth , if we may without procuring envie to the man , beleeve galen , who saith in his book de us● partium ; that that humour serves not onely to moisten the childe , and to make the wayes slippery , but it likewise subdues the callosity and hardnesse of the matrix , almost to an incredible dilatation ; to these we may adjoyne the weaknesse of the mother , and the imbecillity of the expulsive faculty , as also the strength of the retentive . the signes of an illegitimate birth succeeding , are vehement , but vaine indeavours and strivings , seeing that the childe for the reasons aforesaid is hindred from coming forth . no man of understanding can deny , but this must be terrible to behold , and painefull to endure ; for if the childe chance to dye , and lye dead in the matrix some dayes , it is most certaine , that it will putrifie , infest the principall parts with noysome vapours , and poysonous exhalations , weaken their strength , and bring an unavoided death upon the woman . we have often , and with the saddest apprehensions , beheld , how much diligence was necessary both to the reliefe of the mo●●● , and the preservation of the childe : ●●erefore having provided a skilfull midwife , you must lay the woman in a darke place , least her minde should be distracted with too much light ; all passions of the minde must be diverted by a pleasant , and cheerefull conversation , and provide such meat for her as is easie of concoction . let her drinke be small beere , or barley water boiled with maidenhaire , and cinamon , unto which add a small quantity of rhenish wine ; for this brings down the urine , moves the courses , and facilitates the birth ; boiled meats are most wholsome for her , as mutton boiled with rosemary ; chicken broth also is good for her , and so are the chickens . binding , and sharp things must be avoided ; gentle , and moderate exercise is commendable ; and afterwards the midwife may rub her legs and her feet . we have acquainted you with the conditions of an ill birth ; and now we shall furnish you with remedies to prevent , or oppose those conditions . when the childe goeth out in a depraved figure , the midwife must gently dilate the parts with her hand , or with some convenient instrument ; certaine it is that this happens very often , if a monster be borne , in regard of the bad conformation of the body ; if a foot , or an arme , or the shou●●●ders , or the buttocks come out first , 〈◊〉 the midwife by the activity of her hand , anoynted with oyle of sweet almonds , must thrust back the childe , and dispose it to a more regular egresse : but if this cannot be done , the childs life is in danger ; and if the child perish , it must either be expelled with medicines , or drawn out with an hooked instrument , as we shall shew you in the chapter next following . if vehement symptomes arise from hence , all which are wont to proceed from the weaknesse of the mother , or else from clotted bloud destilling from the ma●rix before the birth , and that you feare a greater inquination in regard of that putrified bloud , then comfort the feeble and decayed spirits of the woman with the rh●nish wine and broths aforesaid ; when this is done , provoke the clotted bloud , and feculent humour by strong ligatures , by rubbing her body with a course cloath , and applying cuppinglasses to her legs ; and if the woman be fallen into an agony , if she be young , of a good habit , full of bloud , or of a sanguine complexion , and if it be also the spring time ( if those about her have strong feares that she will dye ) open a veine in her ankle ; for thus nature is disburthened , and the womb which was opprest with the weight of the bloud feeles ease , and many times the woman recover● who was at deaths doore . to witnesse the truth hereof , we have an authentick warrant from the writings of hippocrates , who in his booke de morbis mulier . hath these words ; if a woman with childe be a long time restrained , and cannot bring forth ; if she be likewise in the vigour of her age , and full of bloud , you m●st open a veine in her ankles , and draw away the bloud , respect being had to the strength of her body . note that he saith out of her ankles , that is , at one time from both ankles , as cordaeus his commentatour hath observed unto us ; but yet in our climates , we conceive it sufficient to cut a veine in the left ankle onely ; because our opinion is , that somewhat must be left to nature , who is somewhat wearied , but yet able to make a further resistance . after the phlebotomy , curb the malice of the humours with bezoar stone , trea●le , mithridate , alkermes , hyacyntha , with lozenges made of manus christi , diamargariton frigidum , aromaticum rosatum , and the like . if great plenty of waters come away before the birth , if the matrix and the scabard thereof remaine dry , if the cotyledous be contracted and straightned , so that no roome is left for the egresse of the childe ; then must it be your indeavour to soften , to moisten , and make wide the passages , with oyle of sweet almonds , or with a warm cloath dipped in the oyle , or else fill a bladder full of this oyle , and lay it upon her privities ; or lastly , you may mingle it with a decoction of onyons , garlick , rue , and birthwort . half tubs are in this case very profitable , being made after this manner following . take the leaves of mallowes , marish mallowes , of each foure handfulls . motherwort , rue , birthwort , penniroyall , of each three handfulls . camomile , melilot flowers , the tops of dill , of each two handfulls and a halfe . the seeds of fenugreek , marish mallowes , line , of each an ounce and a halfe . an ounce and a halfe of laurell berries . boyle them all in thirty pints of water , put them into a tub , and let the woman sit covered in it , till all things correspond with her expectations . you cannot scandalize your judgement by an errour , if you present her with an opening , dilating , and provoking draught , as she is seated in the tub ; the forme whereof may be this . take two scruples of the trochisch● of myrrhe . ten graines of borace . eight graines of saffron . halfe an ounce of syrup of motherwort . three ounces of a decoction of madder roots and rosemary . mingle them for a draught . many commend this oyntment following , which they apply to the privie parts . take unguentum de althaea , vnguentum resumptivum , of each an ounce . oyle of white lillies , oyle of dill , hensgrease , of each halfe an ounce . saffron , dittany beaten to powder , of each two drams . with a sufficient quanty of wax make an oyntment . but if nature be culpable in both , namely in the weaknesse of the mother , and the expulsive faculty , and also in the strength of the retentive ; then against one you must administer corroborating medicines , as hath already been said , and to rectifie the other fault , you must adhibit loosening remedies , such namely as are recited above . chap. iii. of the retained secundine . galen in his book de usu partium hath rekoned up three membranes , which enwrap the childe in the wombe ; the first whereof is called ammios , this on every side is spread over the whole childe , and receiveth the childs sweat , that it may swim in it ; the second is named allantoeides , or intestinalis , or as others name it better , vrinaculum , whose use 〈◊〉 , to receive the urine ; the third is called chorion , our midwives call it the secundine , which is nothing else but a multitude and connexion of vessells and membranes , thorough which as by little springs or rivolets , the child draweth bloud and ayre ; these membranes are burst when the childe begins to kick his way out into the world , from whence that liquor distilleth , as we have noted above , which makes the passages slippery ; after the nativity of the childe these membranes are excerned , but if they chance to be retained , they introduce most outragious symptomes , and a disease of number , in the excesse . the causes of the retention are diverse , for many times the matrix is confirmed after the childe is borne ; many times the immoderate passions of the minde make nature forget her selfe in his duty ; sometimes odoriferous things draw the matrix upwards , and so nature is disturbed in her purposes of exclusion ; an unseasonable drinking of cold water is a very frequent cause of it ; and so are grosse meats that stuffe the body and thicken the bloud . you may know by the midwives relation , that the secundine is retained , unto whom ( if she be skillfull ) you ought at the command of hippocrates yield up your beliefe , or you may conjecture it ; if the woman be sad in minde , subject to faint and swound , full of tossing , and unquietnesse , if she feele a heavinesse in her wombe , or a round substance , like unto a fixt and immoveable ball . this is a most lamentable disease ; for if the secundine be retained for any considerable time it putrifies , and communicates poisonous exhalations to the principall parts , as the heart , the brain , the liver ; from whence arise swounding fits , anxiety of minde , giddinesse in the head , and direfull torments . wherefore let it be the midwives care with all speed to attempt the cure , bringing down the secundine with her fingers besmeared with oyle , and let her hold fast the umbilicall vessells , till the secundine follow ; but what if it remaine behinde ? then according to the oracle of hippocrates delivered in the fortieth aphorisme of his fifth book ; you may exhibit sne●zing medicines to the nostrills ; for these by that motion compresse the upper parts , and the expulsive faculty being irritated , out comes the secundine . take black pepper , mustard seed , sagapenum of each a dram and a halfe . tobacco , castor , white hellebore , of each a dram . a scruple of euphorbium . make a fine powder of them , and upon the point of a knife , or thorow a quill let her sniffe up a little of it at a time ; or you may prescribe this potion for two doses ; it hath often done the cure. take eight ounces of penniroyall water . an ounce and a halfe of aqua hysterica . two scruples of castor in powder . mingle them for a potion , to be taken at twice , or take two scruples of the trochischs de carabre . a scruple of borace . halfe an ounce of the syrup of juice of betony . three ounces of a decoction of savine . mingle them for a draught . suffumigations are also very profitable to bring away the secundine . take storax , benjamin , lign . aloes , of each two ounces . musk , civet , of each a scruple . make a pessarie of them , adding vnguentum agrippe and the juice of mercury . liniments must not be omitted , made with unguentum de althaea , de agrippa , oyle of almonds , and oyle of dill ; fomentations and halfe tubs are equally necessary , made of a decoction of camomile , pellitory of the wall , motherwort , birthwort , origanum , sage savine , annise , fennill , and line seeds , unto all which may be added oyle of almonds , and oyle of dill ; glysters must also be injected , and with good successe you may continually rub her hips and her thighes , tye ligatures about her legs , apply cuppinglasses , and cut a veine in her ankle . when the secundine is ejected or drawn out , give the woman cordialls , as bezoar stone , treacle , confect . de hyacintha , or alkermes : all which things are of undoubted vertue to restraine the malignity of the vapours ; sometimes a mole remaineth in the matrix after the birth , which by reason of the congealed bloud , and the fleshi● substance , whereof it is compounded , is as difficult to cure , as the retention of the secundine : wherefore you must indeavour to expell that by the help of those remedies , which we have prescribed above in the chapter of a mola , and here also a little above . note the difference betweene the secundine and a mole : this is fixt and unmoveable , but that is moveable from one place to another in a mole , or when a woman is troubled with that halfe conception , so called , a black and clotted bloud drops from the matrix , which upon the retention of the secundine appeares not . chap. iv. of the dead childe . certaine it is , that the childe dyes in the mothers wombe for many causes ; the first of these is an inward cause , as a defect of aliment , or the corruption of it ; the second is a most vehement burning fever , which by the excessive heat thereof wastes the spirits , and destroyes the naturall heat ; the third cause is an unseasonable evacuation of bloud at the nose , the mouth , the matrix , or by phlebotomy ; the fourth is an exuperance , or an immoderate predominancy of humours in the body ; the fifth is a great quantity of moysture loosening the vessells ; the fixth is some vehement medicine . the first outward cause is some blow ; the second a cough : the third vociferations , or loud and clamorous yawlings : the fourth sneezing ; the fifth , sad tydings ; the fixth , some horrible and dreadfull sights . the childe may be known to be dead by a coldnesse about the mothers navell , and by a kinde of fixt and immoveable weight in her belly : by a bad taste in her mouth , and by her stinking breath . use your utmost activity and cunning , to bring away the dead childe , both by inward administrations , and by outward applications , inwardly let her take this potion . take a a dram of the trochishs of myrrhe . castor , storax , borace , of each ten graines . foure ounces of a decoction of savine . mingle them for a draught , or take the powder of assa faetida . trochishs of myrrhe , of each a scruple . troch . alhandal . borace of each ten graines . nutmeg , saffron , of each five graines . two ounces of a decoction of savine , two ounces of muscadine , mingle them for a draught , or take the powder of euphorbium , dittany of creet , of each a scruple . ten graines of borace . five graines of cantharides prepared . three ounces of a decoction of savine . mingle them for a draught . glystars and suppositaries are of great concernment , and thus make you them . take a dram of rest-harrow roots . the leaves of savine , pennyroyall , birthwort , motherwort , of each a handfull . origanum , sage , dittany of creet , of each halfe a handfull . fennill seeds , nettle seeds , the pulp of coloquintida , of each two drams . boile them in a sufficient quantity of water to nine ounces , to the strained liquor add two ounces of benedicta laxativa . halfe an ounce of hiera picra . mingle them , and make a glyster , or take troch . allhandall . scammony , of each a scruple . a dram of common salt . with a sufficient quantity of white honey boiled according to art , make your suppository . outwardly you may apply oyntments made of oyle of castor , oyle of foxes , oyle of euphorbium , with unguentum agrippe , unto which may be added a little coloquintida , powder of dittany , scammony , the gall of an oxe . take two ounces of vnguentum agrippae . oyle of castor , foxes , euphorbium , of each halfe an ounce . the pulp of coloquintida , dittany of creet , scammony , of each two drams . the gall of an oxe , euphoribium , of each a dram . mingle them , and make an oyntment . suffumigations may be prepared by this forme following . take halfe an ounce of live sulphur . opoponax , galbanum , assa faetida , of each two drams . the powder of rue . savine , of each a dram and a halfe . the gall of an oxe , the juice of an onyon , of each a sufficient quantity . make them into trochischs for your use . pessaries must not be forgotten ; therefore take three drams of hiera piera in the species . a dram and a halfe of myrrhe , a sufficient quantity of unguentum agrippae . with a piece of cotton according to art , make a pessary . or take ammoniack , assa faetida , black ●ellebore , of each two drams . troch . alhandall , scammony , of each a dram . the juice of rue , soldanella , the gall of an oxe , of each halfe a dram . two drams of turpentine . with wooll and cotton ( according to art ) make a long pessary . if these things will not bring away the childe , and if the mother be sadly fallen into an agony , the safest method will be , to draw out the childe with instruments , if no contraindications appeare , as a bad pulse , and a difficulty of breathing , with anxiety and unchearfulnesse of disposition in the woman . chap. v. of the torments , and the suppression of the courses after the birth . women in labour must be gently handled , and carefully lookt unto , both in respect of the roome where she is laid , and also in regard of the diet which is most proper for her in that condition . as for the place , it must be darke , far and free from noise , or any other disturbance that way ; least she should be offended by any accidents of feare , or sadnesse , or by any sudden surprizalls of anger or griese . the diet consists in meats of good juice , and easie concoction , and such as are not slow in their distribution to the severall parts , because they thicken the bloud , and obstruct the passages . let her drinke be small beer , cleare , and well setled from dregs . barley water in which birthwort and borage leaves have been boiled , is incomparably the best drinke you can device for her : and next to it we prefer rhenish wine , conditionally , that the presence of a fever doth not forbid it . the whole hope of preserving the woman , yea , of curing the diseases which happen after the birth , is placed in the evacuation of the feculent menstruous bloud , and therefore 't is the duty of our skill to provoke , and urge down that bloud , least that evill befall her , which physitians call torment . this is a paine in the whole lower region of the belly felt upon the privie parts , neere the small guts ; the inward cause thereof is a multitude of thick menstruous bloud retained in the body . the outward cause , is the inclemency of the outward ayre , in regard of the coldnesse , and the passions of the minde : thick meats , as creame , custards , and the like , coarse bread , salt flesh , hard fish , and many other things which are hard to digest , and not kindely distributed to all the regions of the body . you may most easily discover this affect by the signes ; for the courses are retained , at least they come downe not so freely , nor in such plenty as at other times they were wont ; a wandring and unquiet paine is perceived beneath the navell , with gurgulations and rumbling in the guts ; the woman breaks winde , both upwards , and downwards ; and this winde is bread of a thick and feculent bloud . this affect must not be despised by neglect ; for the matter making way by degrees to the affected part , augmenteth the paine , yea , and introduceth inflammations with a fever ; wherefore , when you have duely con●idered the age of the woman , the climate in which she liveth , the time of the yeare , and the menstruum , you m●st without delay open a veine in the ankle , and not once onely , but twice or thrice , as it shall seeme expedient ; for by this administration the thick and feculent bloud i● drawn out ; rub her legs , till by her complaints you know she feeles paine , and apply cuppinglasses to the inward part ; neither may you forget to lay leeches to the fundament , by reason of its neernesse to the matrix and the spleen . a purge be it strong , or be it gentle , must be exhibited the first dayes , because the belly is not sufficiently open , and inclined to evacuate the menstruum ; for should you afterwards purge her body , it would take off nature , and interrupt her in her duty , as avicen sheweth in his fourth fen. and and first chapter . therefore let the bloud be made fluid , and the passages kept open : and then mitigate the paines with mollifying fomentations mixt with anodynalls . take the caul of a weather newly killed , and clap it upon the part ; for by the actuall and asswaging heat thereof , it takes away the paine : and the same vertue hath the bladder of an oxe , if it be filled halfe full of this decoction following . take the leaves of mallowes , violets , pellitory of the wall , pennyroyall , of each a handfull and a half . the flowers of camomile , the flowers of melilot , of each a handfull . line seeds , fennill seeds , of each halfe an ounce . boile them in a sufficient quantity of water to three pints , unto which add three ounces of oyle of sweet almonds . oyle of dill , oyle of poppies , of each an ounce and a halfe ; use it as was said above . anoynt her belly with this oyntment following . take unguentum de alth●ea , vnguentum agrippe , of each an ounce . oyle of lillies , oyle of camomile , of each two drams . a dram of opium dissolved in burnt wine . mingle them for a liniment . between the suppression of the courses , and the staying of the menstruum , after a womans delivery , there is little or no difference ; for there is one cause of both , and that accompanied with the same signes , and therefore we shall not diversifie the cure , but direct the reader to the second chapter of our first book , where she may furnish her selfe with convenient remedies . chap. vi. of the immoderate coming down of the courses after the birth . vve have sufficiently handled the causes of the immoderate flowing of the gourses in our first book ; we have also related unto the signes ; wherefore now we shall tell you further from an aphorism in hippocrates , that if fainting and convulsion fits befall a woman in child-bed , 't is a bad signe , because they argue a great weaknesse , after which follow inexpressible tortures , with paine in the hypochondriacall parts , by reason of the clotted bloud , a small , frequent , and swift pulse , yea , and death it selfe ; sometimes the woman is surprized with dotage , a quinsey , or a lethargie ; wherefore you must labour to stop the courses with all your best premeditation , and caution : and the most expedite meanes you can use , are a thickning , bindiug , and cold diet , as broth made with trotters , in which you may also boil● rise , quinces , or pease : but abstaine from wine ; for it opens the parts , thins the humours , and provokes the courses , as on the contrary cold things , bind , thicken , and stop up . rub her hands , and tie ligatures about her upper parts ; and according to the injunction of hippocrates , in his aphorismes , lay cuppinglasses to her breasts . finally , if the womans strength will bear it , there is not a surer remedie then letting bloud ; and you must open the basilick vein twice , or thrice . thickning things are very necessary , and of great moment in this cure . take true bolearmenick , the species diatragacanth . frig . 1. of each a scruple . halfe an ounce of syrupe of quinces . halfe an ounce of plantane water . mingle them for a draught , or take terra sigillata , red corall prepared , troch . de carabe , of each a scruple . halfe an ounce of syrup of pomegranets . three ounces of a decoction of red rose leaves . mingle them for a draught , or take the leaves of plantane , knotgrasse , of each a handfull . red roses , pomegranet flowers , of each half a handfull . myrtle seeds , sumach seeds , of each two drams . a dram of the juice of hypocystis . boile them to six pints in a sufficient quantity of water , wherein steele hath been quenched , give the strained liquor for a fomentation , or take the powder of cyprus nuts . the roots of tormentill , dragons bloud , of each a dram and a half . a dram of mastick , halfe a dram of right bolearmenick . two ounces of unguentum comitissae , oyle of mastick , oyle of myrtles , of each two drams . with a sufficient quantity of wax make an oyntment . if these get not the victory ; take a scruple of the masse of pills de cynoglossa . make five pills , and guild them , or take halfe a dram of new treacle . halfe a scruple of requies nicholai . two drams of syrup of poppy . three ounces of plantane water . mingle them for a draught . if any fault in the liver , as sometimes it hapneth , is the cause of this evill ; apply cooling epithems unto it , or instead thereof you may adhibit ceratum santalinum mixt with the powders of corall , roses , and camphire . chap. vii . cures of such diseases as usually befall a woman , after she is delivered . vve are taught by hippocrates , that those diseases which happen after the birth , are more dangerous and venomous then the rest , because they are produced by a grosse , impure , thick , and feculent bloud ; for the childe in the wombe sucketh away the sweetest part of the bloud for its own nourishment , which it purifies , and reserves , the melancholy , and thicker portion thereof being separated , and forsaken , which if the providence of nature doe not duly evacuate , and purge away , the woman in childe-bed will without all doubt be invaded by strong and vehement fevers , by reason of the boyling and putrifying of the bloud in the veines of the matrix , which , according to galen , are very large ; in the first place therefore , let the patient be carefully attended , and begin the cure by opening a veine , by cuppinglasses applyed to the calfes of her legs , with scarification , and laying leeches to the hemorrhoids . but the controversie will be what vein must be cut ; for if she bleed from the arme , you draw the bloud upwards ; if from the ancle , you weaken the body , and contribute no ease ; but if you will follow my direction , tie strong ligatures about her thighes and legs , having first well rubbed them , and then open the cubit veine without any discouragement ; for this cleanseth the very minerall , sinke , and puddle of the putrified humours . galen indeed affirmeth , that if a veine be opened in any part of the body , it will exhaust and emptie all the vess●ll4 ; but not equally , and in all respects alike : for we deliver it for an undoubted truth , that the whole masse of bloud will soonest flow away , if the basilick veine be opened , which is greater then any of the rest ; and of the same judgement is fernelius , who saith ; if the menstruum flow away from women in childe-bed , thorough the vehemence of a fever , you must cut the cubit veine . at the beginning you must refraine the use of purging medicines ; for although you should make choice of such as are most gentle in their operation , yet they stir the humours , and doe not expell them from convenient places . againe , should you prescribe strong purges , they would draw back the menstruum from the matrix to the stomack , and disturb nature , when she is labouring to expell it ; and that this were no rationall , and well-grounded meanes of cure , but rather a rash and preposterous adventure , any sober judgement will acknowledge , because the expedition , the art , and the mystery of the whole cure consisteth in the provocation of the menstruum . if it be a violent burning fever , prescribe such things as will qualifie and temper the heat of the bloud ; but avoide cold simples , because they keep in the menstruum by binding up the parts ; neither may you be too bold with hot things , for they inflame the bloud . these glysters following will be of excellent use for the purpose aforesaid . take nine ounces of some softning decoction . an ounce and a halfe of the electuary called diacatholicon . an ounce of hony of roses . butter , and oyle of sweet almonds , of each halfe an ounce . a dram of salt , mingle them , and make a glyster , or take nine ounces of mutton broth well boiled . the leaves of motherwort , violets , and pellitory of the wall , of each a handfull . two ounces of honey of roses . the yolkes of two eggs . an ounce of oyle of violets , mingle them , and make a glyster . you may make a ptisan of raisins , barley , and licorish , which will be very profitable for the sick ; and of no lesse efficacie is this julep following . take endive and borage water , of each fix ounces . syrup of betony , and pomegranets , of each an ounce . mingle them together for a julep , or take twenty graines of mithridate . ten graines of alkermes without musk , or amber . three ounces of buglos water , mingle them , and let her drinke it at one draught . if the disease yield not to these remedies , wee judge it expedient to let her bloud againe , but in the ankle ; if you suspect that obstructions occasion the disease , as commonly indeed they are to be suspected , you may observe the same way of cure , as is approved in a fever , arising from obstructions , and take halfe an ounce of parsley roots . the leaves of betony , and carduus benedictus , of each a handfull . halfe a handfull of white maidenhaire . the flowers of borage , buglos , violets , or roses , of each as many as you can take up between your thumb and two fingers at twice . boile them in a sufficient quantity of barley water , to a pint and a halfe ; in the strained liquor infuse foure drams of the choicest rubarb , the space of a night setting the vessell upon hot ashes , with foure scruples of agarick trochiscated , and a scruple of cinamon , all put in together . in the morning boile them a little , and when you have strongly prest out the liquor , add three ounces of syrup of roses laxative , and make an apozem , or a decoction . let her drinke three ounces of this decoction every other morning . hereupon ensueth a lask , or loosenesse in the belly , but without any paine , acrimony , or griping : and so long as it continueth free from any of those had qualities , you may by no meanes stay it ; but if it last longer with the fever , the most prudent course will be to open a veine in her ankle , having alwayes a diligent regard to the strength of her body : for this evacuation is symptomaticall ( as physitians speake ) and according to the prognostications of galen , it is either mortall , or very difficult to be judged : his words are these ; when any disease beginneth , if any thing be evacuated , it is not evacuated by any help or curtesie of nature ; but all such things happen by chance in regard of those dispositions , which are in the body besides nature ; for it is impossible that any thing should be well purged out when nature is oppressed ( as then she is with the crudenesse of the humours ) with those causes which did produce the disease ; for that the crisis and judgement upon this disease may be sound and good , it is requisite that those crudities must first be concocted , and afterwards duly , purged out ; wherefore if the loosenesse happen at the beginning , you must neglect that , and be intentive to cure the fever , yet with an eye to the loosenesse by letting her bloud ; but very sparingly , least the spirits should be wasted ; if the loosenesse continue so long , as to weaken the body , and bring the sick creature very low , then stay it , but with caution , and tender warinesse ; but above all things , avoid the use of such things , as will thicken the humours , for thus indeed you might stop the loosenesse , but then withall you should stay the menstruum , which inconvenience you ought chiefly to feare . your safest way therefore will be to apply strengthning fomentations and plaisters , that will moderately binde ; and with such you may furnish your selves above . it would not be unprofitable to purge away the cause of the loosenesse , that so one flux might be cured by another , therefore take halfe a dram of tosted rubarb . ten graines of that sort of myrobalans called chebule . halfe an ounce of syrupe of dried roses . three ounces of plantane water . mingle them , and make a potion . many times this loosenesse turnes to the bloudy-flux , with cruell paines , want of sleep , a continuall fever , and frequent going to stoole . this must be helped with glysters of a binding , qualifying , and cleansing faculty , as for example . take the roots of comphrey , and marsh-mallowes of each three drams . a handfull of plantane leaves . halfe a handfull of red roses . boile them in a sufficient quantity o● barley water to nine ounces ; and to the strained liquor put in two ounces of honey of roses strained , an ounce of red sugar . the yolke of an egg . mingle them , and make a glyster . or take violet leaves , plantane , and pellitory , of the wall , of each a handfull . halfe a handfull of red roses . halfe an ounce of whole barley . boile them in a sufficient quantity of broth made with sheeps feet , to nine ounces ; to the strained liquor add two ounces of honey of roses strained . the yolke of an egg . mingle them , and make a glyster . you must not neglect to open the basilick veine , and the salvatella ; a veine which brancheth out of the cephalick veine , on the outside of the elbow , for these administrations will be wonderfully helpfull to cure a flux of bloud , arising from a distemper in the liver ; those astringent fomentations also , with the oyntments , and epithems , whereof we have spoken at large in the precedent chapters , will be of singular use . the next disease , unto which women are subject after their delivery , is a lientery , so called , because the meat passeth thorough the body , as it was ohewed in the mouth , without any change or alteration ; this is a most dangerous disease , and therefore all diligence imaginable must conspire to stop it : no lesse terrible , and perillous is that other , named by the doctors iliaca passio , when the guts are so bound up , or inflamed , or enwrapped one about another , that whatsoever is swallowed down , is presently cast up againe by vomit , this also requires a seasonable and prudent use of remedies , least the patient should pine away , and perish for want of sustenance : besides , it is so much the more dangerous , because by those frequent vomitings nature is interrupted , and distracted , and that menstruous matter is driven upwards , which should have been purged out from beneath . but note that these vomitings proceed from severall causes . first from a certaine contagious vapour , ascending from the matrix , and with the noysome odour thereof , irritating and pricking the stomack , so that it suddenly parts with all the aliment that was contained in it . you must be exceeding industrious with all convenient speed , to free the woman from this infirmity ; the vapours must be opposed , and forced downwards , that so by the discreet helps of art , nature may be assisted to expell those faulty , and offensive humours by the m●trix . this may be accomplish't by tying ligatures about the lower parts , and by rubbing of them till she complaines you hurt her , by putting pessaries up into the matrix , and applying cuppinglasses to her thighes , also by holding things of a strong , and unpleas●nt odour to her nose , and by opening a vein in her ankle . when her body is duely nourished , and well refresh't , give her this glyster . take the leaves of violets , pellitory of the wall , and beares-breech , of each a handfull halfe a handfull of red rose leaves . two drams of fennill seeds . boile them to nine ounces in a sufficient quantity of a decoction of an old hen , and to the strained liquor add two ounces of honey of roses strained . an ounce of new butter . make a glyster . this being given ; you must strengthen the stomack with the stomachicall plaister already prescribed , and with these lozenges . take a dram of aromaticum rosatum in the species . red corall and pearl prepared , of each half a dram . with two ounces and a halfe of white sugar dissolved in a sufficient quantity of ●ose water , make little lozenges according ●o art , or take old conserve of red roses . roman wormewood . the conserve of quinces , of each an ounce . halfe an ounce of the conserve of acacia . a dram and a halfe of aromaticum rosa●um in the species . a dram of the trochichs de carabe . two scruples of red corall prepared . with a sufficient quantity of syrup of pomegranets make a mixture . sometimes the vomiting is accompanied with yexing , and they both proceed from the same causes , and therefore may both be cured with the same remedies : but if it be of long continuance , the most rationall and best grounded proceeding , is to apply a cuppinglasse to the mouth of the stomack with a mighty flame . after all these follow two more , namely spitting of bloud , and a cough : the former whereof is cured by cutting a veine in the ankle ; which kinde of remedy is approved by hippocrates , in the thirty two aphorisme of his fifth book , saying , a woman is freed from spitting or vomiting bloud , if the menstruum breake forth , and frequent experience justifies this truth ; for divers women , by the omission hereof , as galen hath observed in his booke of letting bloud , fell into the tissick , and other most lamentable diseases . but the cough is twofold , either dry , or moist ; the cause of the former is a certaine , contagious vapour communicated to the spiritous parts , provoking the midriffe , the lungs , and the other instruments of breathing , to expell whatsoever is faultie , and offensive ; the cause of the latter is a crude , and raw humour , ascending up from the matrix to the chest , and sticking fast unto it . this is cured by rubbing the parts , and tying straight ligatures about them , by pessaries , glysters , cuppinglasses , opening a veine in her ankle , by electuaries , ptisans , expectorating potions to cleanse away the bad humour , by laying on emplastrum resumptivum pectorale , or vnguentum de althaea , among which you must mingle cummin seeds and saffron . after the same manner women in child-bed are troubled to fetch their breath , because by a mutuall , and frequent stretching , and compression of the chest the vapours are transmitted to the lungs , and they who feele themselves molested with such vapours do seldome escape that cough we last mentioned . moreover to this catalogue belongeth the pleurisie , which is a most acute , and therefore a most dangerous disease ; this you may discerne by these signes following , an acute and burning fever , a cough , difficultie to fetch breath , a pricking paine , and a hard pulse . open a veine , and you overcome this disease , without any further remedy ; but the question will be , in what part of the body ? i answer , if it be a most violent pleurisie , that torments the sick , if her courses come down after a right manner , and yet the evill abates not , then cut a veine in her ankle ; but if this availe not , so as the patients life is now in danger , then open a veine in her arme , especially , if she be full of bloud , that the vitious humour may be drawn away from the inflamed place , and seasonably evacuated ; this advice of mine is justified by the approbation of mercurialis mercatus , alphonsus a castro , meschius , valeriola , and the learned zacutus lusitanus ; neither will it be incovenient ; if you interchange this administration of phlebotomy , namely , first to draw bloud from the ankle , then from the arme , then from the ankle againe , and so keeping turnes , as need shall require ; for thus you will give ease , both to the part inflamed , and likewise to the matrix , which is the part mandant , or that from whence the evill is communicated and distributed to the other regions . this being carefully performed , your next designe must be to mitigate , and take away the paine with fomentations , liniments electuaries , and ptisans . take an ounce of the roots of marish mallowes . the leaves of mallowes , marish mallows , and white maidenhaire , of each a handfull . halfe a handfull of the flowers of dwarf-elder . annise and line seeds , of each halfe an ounce . boyle them in water to a quart , and give her the strained liquor to drinke at severall times , then take a dram of unguentum de althaea . the axungia of a hen , and new butter , of each halfe an ounce . two ounces of oyle of sweet almonds . mingle them , and make an oyntment , then take syrup of violets compound , and syrup of maidenhaire , of each an ounce and a halfe . mingle them , and make a mixture to be licked from the point of a knife . afterwards . take two ounces of cleansed barley . an ounce of raisins pickt , stoned and washt . two drams of the best licoras . boile them in raine water to a quart , and give her the strained liquor to drinke . note that in all diseases of the membranes , the upper part of the throate , and the jawes , yea , and in the falling-sicknesse , the apoplexy , the palsie , and the convulsions , you must begin the cure by letting bloud , if plentie of bloud give occasion to the disease . the swelling of the feet is the last of all those symptomes , which invade a woman after her delivery ; and this proceeds from a disorderly , and negligent diet , during the time of her being with childe ; for by that meanes raw humours are bread in her body , which after her delivery settle in her legs ; as being cold parts , full of nerves , and far distant from the liver , which is the fountaine of bloud , in which places you shall perceive soft kinde of swellings , which being crusht down , retaine the print of your fingers . this must be cured with strengthning administrations , and such medicines as are good to expell the raw humours , and likewise with such as will moderately binde ; for should you give her strong binders , you would thereby allure the humours towards the upper parts ; therefore to avoide that errour , prepare this bath following . take two ounces of marish mallow roots . the leaves of mallowes , mint , wormewood , sage , rosemary , of each two handfulls . the leaves of red roses and camomile , of each a handfull . an ounce of laurell berries . saltpeter , sulphur , of each half an ounce . boile them to eight pints in a sufficient quantity of water , wherein steele hath been often quenched , and let her put her feet into the strained liquor . then take the dreggish substance which remaines , after the straining of the said liquor , and add to it the meale of orobus , and lupines , of each three ounces . foure ounces of oxymel . with a sufficient quantity of brine , made with the juice of lemmons , reduce them into the forme of a poultis , and lay it to the swelled feet . but if the humour fall down againe into the legs , by reason of an habituall distemper in the upper parts , you must either make an issue upon the knee , or else provoke her to sweat , with a decoction of salsaparilla , and china roots ; for by the vertue of these simples the humour is made thin , and more apt for expulsion , aud the lower parts wax more firme and strong . chap. viii . of an inflammation in the matrix after a womans delivery . the cause of an inflammation in the matrix is a hot and boiling bloud retained in the vessells , and putrifying . the signes are a paine in her secret parts , a vehement fever , much heat , swelling , and a great itching about all the parts of the matrix ; hereupon the woman becomes very prone to fainting fits , to lye as if she were stupified , to talke idely , and the like , by reason of the consent between the matrix , and the other parts , as we have already shewed . lastly , she can neither goe to stoole , nor make water , without great difficulty , because the parts are so exceedingly swelled . this is a most terrible disease , as well in regard of the symptomes , as of the imposthume , which , if it be broken , leaves behinde it an incurable vlcer , from whence filthy and noysome exhalations are communicated to the principall parts , which is an unerring signe of death . the cure is universall , and particular : the universall is the opening of a veine in the ankle , regard being had onely to the part inflamed , and the motion of nature ; but afterwards , we deny not , but it may be expedient , and efficacious to draw bloud from the arme , in respect of the fever . the particular is accomplisht by lenifying medicines , and by washing the part , the one is done by a cataplasm made after this manner . take two ounces of the crums of white bread. the pap of rosted apples . the pulp of cassia newly drawn out , of each an ounce . half an ounce of the mucilage of fleabane seeds . ten graines of saffron . make a cataplasme according to art. but if the inflammation seeme to hasten to suppuration , which you may perceive by the fever , and the vehemence of the paine , then you must discreetly assist nature , by an application of suppurating medicines , but by no meanes adventure to give her a purge : remedies of the former sort are as follow . take an ounce of marish mallow roots . the leaves of mallowes . and marish mallowes , of each a handfull and a halfe . line seed , fenugreek , of each halfe an ounce . boile them in a sufficient quantity of breast-milke unto softnesse ; pulp them thorough a sieve , and add to the pulp two ounces of hogs-grease . an ounce of oyle of roses . make your cataplasm . when you have overcome the imposthume , use this injection with a syringe . take six ounces of a decoction made with wole barley , and rose leaves . an ounce and a halfe of honey of roses strained . make an injection , and wash the ulcerated part very often every day , till the paine cease , and the vlcer be healed , though she continue the use thereof for weeks , months , and yeares . chap. ix . of too little , and too much milke . want of milk ariseth from these three severall causes . first , from the fault of the milk . secondly , from some impediment which hinders the transmission of the milke to the breasts ; or if it be transmited , it is not retained . thirdly , a penury , or lack of bloud , either for want of necessary food , or by reason of some immoderate issue of bloud from the matrix , or from some other part . the signes of these things are the slendernesse of the breast , a sharp taste in the milke , and a bad smell ; other signes you need none , because the disease is manifest of it selfe ; in the meane time you must take heed , that this corrupt milke doe not settle in the breasts , and exulcerate them ; wherefore beginning with the first cause , you must correct and amend the faults of the milke by purging out the bad juice : if phlegme abound , give her hot things , not onely to purge her , but also to nourish her body ; if choler be predominant , prescribe cooling and moistning things . but when the breasts doe neither draw the bloud nor retaine it , you must be solicitous to strengthen the breasts by drawing bloud unto them ; to this purpose you must rub her body , apply fomentations , and cataplasmes , that will moderately heat , and expell , made of marish mallow roots , the leaves of violets , mallowes , melilot , fenugreek , the crum of white breead and the yolks of eggs. moreover , if the parts want nourishment , then let her feed upon the choicest dishes , or at least appoint such things for her , as are good to increase bloud , and milke , as eggs , butter , milke boiled with fennill , parsnips , and the like . rock her to sleep , by peaceable and sweet admonitions , and exercise your wits to keep her from anger , melancholy , and all other perturbations of the minde . it will not be hurtfull , but rather expedient to allow her the use of good wine , but then remember to put into it the powder of earth wormes . 〈◊〉 to this is the immoderate pl●●ty , and superfluitie of the milke , which you may easily discerne by that which comes away , therefore if you suspect that the bloud will congeale and grow clotted , then lessen the abundance of the mike , with a thin and spare diet ; enjoyne her to be very abstemious and moderate in her drinke , and if her courses be stopped , open a veine in her ankle ; but otherwise in her arme , rub her legs , and use all other meanes to divert the bloud from the breasts ; but above all things , let her use exercise , which is the best remedie in this case . yet if the bloud be congealed , and if by the exhalation of the thinner part , the rest wax thick , then you must administer attenuating and drying medicines to cut , make thin , and dissolve the clotted bloud ; of this sort are emplastrum de muciloginibus , and emplastrum de meliloto , among which you may mingle the juice of smallage , and frankincense . chap. x. of the inflammations of the breasts . vvomens breasts , those delicate and tender parts , are not only frequently afflicted with the congealing of the bloud , but they are likewise very apt to be inflamed , by reason of a mixt plenty of bloud and milke , whereby they ●well exceedingly , looke of a high , red colour , and are full of paine and sorenesse ; this inflammation is accompanied with a fever , which the physitians call lactaria , that is by interpretation , the fever of the milke , or the milky fever ; and the learned midwives call it pila , because presently , unlesse the breasts be w●ll chafed and rubbed , there appeareth to the touch an exact resemblance of a ball ; this taketh not beginning from any venomous humour contained in the breasts , but is rather to be accounted a symptome , driven to the breasts by the motion of nature , and the bloud ; it is likewise very hardly distinguishable from a true fever , in which all the signes are conspicuous and manifest , as appeare in this , the swelling in the breasts onely being excepted , which is not some ball accidently swallowed with the drinke , as many learned men have vainely , and irrationally surmised ; for how is it possible , that a ball should slip from the stomack thorough those slender passages of the messentery , and the liver , the hollow veine , and the axillary veines , to the region of the breasts ; therefore in my judgment , it is a phlegmatick matter , ravelled as it were by the burning heat of the part into long threads , as it happeneth to the slow matter contained in the kidneys , and the bladder . if the fever and the inflammation be urgent , you must immediately command a veine in her ankle to be opened , if it happen presently after her delivery : but if a moneth be overpast , let the basilick vein on the same side be opened . you must prescribe medicines to r●pell the humour , but be carefull that they be not extreame cold , least the humour should retire back to the principall parts ; a glyster also must be first injected ; and you may afterwards prescribe this poultis following , which will mollifie and dissolve the humour , and be very profitable . take an ounce of marish mallow roots . the leaves of mallowes , violets , flantane , of each a handfull and a halfe . boile them altogether in milke to softnesse , and pulp them thorough a sieve , and to the pulp add foure ounces of the crum of white bread. a scruple of saffron . mingle them , and make a poultis . many times the breasts and the nipples are full of chaps , which exceedingly torment and paine a woman : these are caused by a sharp waterish humour falling down upon them , and may be cured with mallowes boiled in breast-milke , or with the white of an egg , or with lilly leaves moistned in oyle , or with vnguentum pompholygos , or which will exceed all the former with oyle of nutmegs ; among which you may mingle bolearmenick with cerus , and some drops of oyle of lead , or some other oyle by it self . chap. xi . of wrinckles remaining in the matrix after a womans delivery , and of the meanes to contract the matrix . vvhen a woman is delivered , there appeare chaps , or wrinckles , by reason of the coming forth of the childe , and the flux of the menstruum : these we have often cured with gentle , astringent medicines , having first administred this injection thorough a syringe . take halfe an ounce of comphrey roots . two drams of cyprus nuts . pomegranet flowers , red roses , of each as many as you can containe between your thumb and two fingers at twice . myrtle seeds , shumach seeds , of each a dram . boile them in a sufficient quantity of red wine , to sixteen ounces , and reserve the strained liquor for an injection ; or take a dram of comphrey roots . cyprus nuts , and the seeds of rhois , of each halfe a dram . as many red roses as your thumb and two fingers can grasp . beat them to a grosse powder , and with an ounce of unguent . pompholygos , and a piece of cotton , make a pessary . with the same medicines , intermingli●n some other things that are greater binders , you may help the loosenesse , and widenesse of the secret parts ; which if they be not seasonably and prudently contracted , may possibly be a cause that the woman will have no more children . some midwives use water wherein steele hath been infused , which we dislike not , provided that when you boile the water , you put in a quantity of sumach seeds , medlar seeds , and red roses . finis . a general treatise of the diseases of maids, bigbellied women, child-bed-women, and widows together with the best methods of preventing or curing the same / by j. pechey ... pechey, john, 1655-1716. 1696 approx. 317 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 162 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2007-01 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a53915 wing p1024 estc r1373 12575881 ocm 12575881 63569 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a53915) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 63569) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 327:10) a general treatise of the diseases of maids, bigbellied women, child-bed-women, and widows together with the best methods of preventing or curing the same / by j. pechey ... pechey, john, 1655-1716. [13], 256, [6] p. printed for henry bonwick ..., london : 1696. advertisements: p. [1]-[6] at end. reproduction of original in british library. includes index. pages 19-27 are tightly bound in filmed copy. beginning-p. 33 photographed from trinity college library, dublin copy, and inserted at end. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng women -diseases -early works to 1800. 2006-03 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2006-03 aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images 2006-06 derek lee sampled and proofread 2006-06 derek lee text and markup reviewed and edited 2006-09 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a general treatise of the diseases of maids , bigbellied women , child-bed-women , and widows , together with the best methods of preventing or curing the same . by j. pechey of the college of physicians in london . london , printed for henry bonwick , at the red-lyon in st. paul 's church-yard , 1696. the preface woman of all the creatures is the fairest and most beautiful , kind nature having bestow'd on her a delicate and fine habit of body , and design'd her only for an easie life , and to perform the tender offices of love ; whereas , she compos'd man of more robust principles , that he might be able to protect the woman , to delve and manure the earth , and to undergo the other toils of life . but by reason of this curious frame , the fair sex ( as other fine things are ) is subject to many injuries , for besides the common calamities , there are many great and dangerous diseases peculiar to women arising from their constitutions , monthly purgations , pregnancy , labours and lying in . their constitution disposes them to hysteric diseases , which resemble almost all the diseases mankind is subject to , viz. an apoplexy , epilepsie , palpitation of the heart , coughs , violent vomiting , colick , stone in the kidnies , and many other . pains and sometimes swellings in the jaws , shoulder hands , thighs and legs accompany these diseases . nor can the teeth free themselves from this disease : but the most cmomon pain , is the pain of the back . a dejection of mind also accompanies this disease continually . a suppression or immoderate flux of the courses , causes many disorders in the body , so also does their flowing before their due time , or their staying longer than they should , and their complication with other diseases renders the cure difficult . all the time their being with child , which is a nine months sickness , they are inclined to nauseousness , vomiting , to pains of the back , reins , and hips , violent coughs , swellings of the legs and thighs , piles , and many other diseases , and upon some indispositions of the body to miscarriage , which is the worst and most dangerous of all . when they are in labour , and when they lie in , they are encompassed with many difficulties and dangers , viz. an ill position of the child , suppression of the lochia , floodings , fevers , after pains , apostemations of the breasts , and many other diseases . so that if nature had not wisely tacked an appetite to things necessary , we must conclude , the preservation of individuals and of species too would not have been near so well provided for as now it is . the following treatise is a collection from rodericus a castro and others , that have wrote well of womens diseases , and i judge it may be serviceable to ladies and gentlewomen , who charitably dispence physick , and give advice to their poor neighbours in the country , where there is no physician near ; and it may be also of use to physicians , chyrugeons and midwives , it being a general treatise of womens diseases and the methods and medicines contained in it , being approved and frequently practised by the most renowned authors of each physical province . from the angel and crown in basing-lane , london june the 16th . 1696. john pechey . the index . page . abscesses 194 acrocordo 233 acute diseases of women in child-bed 165 after-pains 161 allantois 84 amnios 82 back pains 98 barrenness 53 bath-waters 8 belly-bound 96 bloody-flux 103 breasts cancerated 214 caesarian delivery 150 chaps in the nipples 173 child-bed purgations 161 child dead 148 choice of a nurse 182 clefts of the privities 233 clitoris 61 conception 73 condyloma 233 corion 82 cough 100 courses 14 , 19 , 22 , 28 , 30 , 37 , 45 , 46 , 104 decoction 99 delirium 170 dropsie of the womb 203 eggs 69 emulsion 99 epilepsie 170 fallopian tubes 71 ficus 233 flooding 105 , 158 green-sickness 13 hermophrodites 61 hill of venus 59 hip-pains 98 hymen 63 hysteric diseases 1 infant nourished 88 inflation of the womb 203 labour hard 143 labour contrary to nature 122 legs swell'd 100 liquid laudanum 12 loosness 102 lozenges 115 madness 170 melancholy ibid 245 milk 173 , 179 miscarriage 107 mole 75 myrtle berry caruncles 64 navel-string 86 nymphs 60 piles 101 privities 59 , 106 , 191 reins pain'd 98 scabs of the privities 233 secundine retain'd 155 sphincter 64 stone of the womb 226 suckling of a child 182 superfaetation 78 testicles 68 thymus 233 tumours from milk 173 vlcers corrosive 194 vomiting 97 vrachus 87 vrine difficult 100 warts 233 water breaking 121 whites 52 womb closed 42 womb 65 womb-cake 80 woman with child managed 95 womb bearing down 106 womb falling 201 womb cancerated 214 womb worms 226 wrinkles in the belly 188 a general treatise of womens diseases . chap. i. of the hysteric disease . this disease proceeds from a weakness and confusion of the spirits , and is not only very frequent , but also so wonderfully various , that it resembles almost all diseases mankind is subject to : for after hard labour , or some great disturbance of the mind , it occasions an apoplexy , which ends in a palsie of half the body . sometimes it produces violent convulsions very like the falling-sickness , and these are commonly call'd mother-fits . sometimes it possesses the outward part of the head , causing violent pain continually fixt in one part , which may be cover'd with the top of the thumb , and violent vomiting accompanies this pain . it also occasions sometimes a great palpitation of the heart , and sometimes the woman coughs without intermission , but spits up nothing . sometimes rushing violently upon the region under the heart , it causes violent pain much like the twisting of the guts , and the woman vomits exceedingly , and casts up a green matter , and sometimes matter of an unusual colour ; and often after the sick have been almost destroy'd by the said pain , and the reachings to vomit , it is at length carried off by the jaundice tincturing the surface of the body like saffron . the sick is much dejected , and despair as certainly accompanies this kind of hysteric disease , as the pain and vomiting above mention'd . when this disease falls upon one of the kidnies , it plainly represents by the pain it causes there a fit of the stone ; and it is difficult to distinguish it from the stone , unless perchance some unlucky accident disturbing the womans mind a little before she was taken ill , shews that it was an hysteric disease . nor is the bladder free from this false symptom ; for it does not only cause pain there , but it also stops the urin. sometimes falling upon the stomach it causes continual vomiting , and sometimes a loosness when it is settled upon the guts , but no pain accompanies either of these symptoms . and as this disease afflicts almost all the inward parts , so sometimes it seizes all the outward parts , occasioning pain , and sometimes a swelling in the jaws , shoulders , hands , thighs , legs ; but the swelling of the legs is plainer seen than the rest , and contrary to swellings in the dropsie , is most in the morning ; nor being pressed does it leave a pit , and most commonly it swells only one of the legs . nor can the teeth free themselves from the assaults of this disease , tho they are not hollow ; and tho there is no apparent defluction , that may occasion the pain , yet it is no whit gentler nor shorter nor easier cured . but the pain of the back is most common , which most certainly all feel , how little soever they are afflicted with this disease . moreover this is common to the foresaid pains , that the place whereon they were , is tender and akes as if it were soundly beaten , but this tenderness goes off by degrees . and this is worth observing , that often a notable coldness of the outward parts makes way for these symptoms , which for the most part does not go off till the fit ends ; which coldness is almost like that wherewith a carcass grows stiff , yet the pulse is good . moreover all hysteric women complain of a dejection and sinking of the spirits , and sometimes laugh excessively , and at other times cry as much , without any real cause for either . but the most proper and almost inseparable symptom , is a urin as clear as rock-water . sometimes ill fumes are belched up , and sometimes the wind that comes from the stomach is sower just like vinegar : but their minds are more affected than their bodies ; for an incurable desperation is mixt with the very nature of the disease . a day would scarce be sufficient to reckon up all the symptoms belonging to this disease , and i think demetrius reckn'd pretty right , tho he mistook the cause of the disease , when he said , in an epistle to hippocrates , that the womb was the cause of six hundred miseries and of innumerable calamities . the external causes of this disease are either violent motions of the body , or which is much oftner , vehement disturbances of the mind ; to these disorders of the mind which are usually the occasion of this disease , is to be added emptiness of the stomach by reason of long fasting , inmmoderate bleeding , a vomit or purge that works too much . in order to the cure , i order that eight ounces of blood be taken from the right arm , and that the following plaister be apply'd to the navel . take of galbanum dissolved in tincture of castor and strain'd three drachms , of tacamahaca two drams , mix them , make a plaister . the next morning let her use the following pills . take of the pill coch-major two scruples , of castor powder'd two grains , of peruvian balsam four drops , make four pills ; let her take them at five in the morning , and sleep after ; repeat them twice or thrice , every morning , or every other morning , according to the womans strength , and as they work . take of the waters of black-cherries , rhue , and compound briony , each three ounces ; of castor ty'd up in a rag , and hanged in the viol half a dram ; of fine sugar a sufficient quantity , make a julep , whereof let her take four or five spoonfulls when she is faint , dropping into the first dose , if the fit is violent , twenty drops of the spirit of harts-horn . after the purging pills just described are taken , let her use the following . take of the filings of steel eight grains , with a sufficient quantity of extract of wormwood , make two pills , let her take them early in the morning , and at five in the afternoon , for thirty days , drinking upon them a draught of wormwood wine . or if she like a bolus better ; take of the conserves of roman wormwood , and of the yellow peel of oranges each one ounce , of angelica and nutmegs candied and of venice treacle each half an ounce , of candied ginger two drachms , make an electuary with a sufficient quantity of syrup of oranges . take of this electuary one drachm and an half , of the filings of steel well rub'd eight grains , make a bolus with a sufficient quantity of syrup of oranges , to be taken in the morning , and at five in the evening , drinking upon it a glass of wormwood-wine . take of choice myrrh and galbanum each one drachm and an half , of castor fifteen grains , with a sufficient quantity of balsam peru , make twelve pills of every drachm ; let her take three every night , and drink upon them three or four spoonfuls of compound briony water through the whole course of this process . but if these pills move the body , which sometimes they do in bodies that are very easily purged , the following may be used instead of them . take of castor one drachm , of volatile salt of amber half a drachm , with a sufficient quantity of extract of rue , make twenty-four small pills , let her take three every night . but steel medicines , which must be noted , occasion sometimes in women great disorders both of body and mind , and not only on the first days , which is usual almost in every body , but also all the time they are taken : in this case the use of steel must not presently be interrupted , but laudanum must be given every night for some time in some hysteric water that they may the better bear it . but when the symptoms are mild , and it seems the business may be done without steel , i think it sufficient to bleed and to purge three or four times , and then to give the altering hysteric pills above-mentioned morning and evening for ten days , which method seldom fails , when the disease is not violent , yea the pills alone bleeding and purging being omitted , do often a great deal of good . but some women can't bear hysteric medicines , and are much injured thereby , therefore they must not be given to such . if the blood is so very feeble , and the confusion of the spirits so great , that steel ordered to be used according to the method prescribed is not sufficient to cure the disease , the sick must drink tunbridge-waters or the like , for they cure diseases more efectually than any preparation of iron ; but if in drinking of them any sickness happen that belongs to hysteric symptoms , the sick must forbear drinking them a day or two , till that symptom that hindred their passage is quite gon . and it is to be noted , that purging must be avoided all the time the woman drinks these waters . but if this disease does not yeild to steel-waters , the sick must go to the bath , and when she has used the waters of it three mornings following , the next day let her go into the bath , and the day following let her drink them again , and so let her do by turns for two months , for in these and others of what kind soever they are , the patient must persist in the use of them till she is quite well : venice-treacle used often and a long time is a great remedy in this disease . spanish-wine , with gentian , angelica , worm-wood , centory , and other strengthening things infus'd in it , does a great deal of good , some spoonfuls of it being taken thrice a day , if the woman be not thin and of a cholerick habit of body . and truly a large draught of spanish-wine taken by it self at bed-time for some nights has been very beneficial to some women . jesuits-powder also wonderfully comforts and invigorates the blood and spirits , a scruple of it being taken morning and evening for some weeks . but if the remedies above-mentioned don't well agree , which often happens in thin and choleric constitutions , then a milk-dyet may be used , for some women ( which one would wonder at at first ) that have been a long while afflicted with hysteric diseases , and could be relieved no other way , have been recovered by dieting themselves for some time only with milk ; and especially those that labour with an hysteric cholick , which can't be appeased by any thing but opiates , to which repeated women are much accustom'd , the pains returning as soon as the vertue of the opiate fades . but riding on horse back or in a coach every day for a long while is the best remedy . this is the general way of curing this disease , which is apply'd to the original cause , namely , the weak constitution of the blood , and so is to be used only when the fit is off , therefore as often as the fit comes join'd with any one of the fore-said symptoms , if the disease be such or so great an one that it will not bear a truce till it may be cured by medicines that strengthen the blood and spirits , we must presently make use of hysteric medicines , which by their strong and offensive smell , recall the disorderly and deserting spirits to their proper stations ; whether they are taken inwardly or smelt to , or outwardly apply'd , such are assa-faetida , galbanum , spirit of sal armoniac , and lastly whatever has a very ungrateful and offensive smell . in the next place you must take notice , that if some intollerable pain accompanied the fit , or violent vomiting , or a loosness , then besides the hysterics above-mentioned , laudanum is to be used , which is only able to restrain these symptomes . but in quieting the pains which vomiting occasion we must take great care that they are not mitigated either by laudanum or any other opiat before due evacuations have been made , unless they exceed almost all humane patience . therefore in lusty women and such as abound with blood a vein must be opened , and the body purged , especially if they have been lately seized with the fit . but if weak women and those of a quite contrary constitution labour with such a fit and pain , and have been afflicted with it not long ago , it will be sufficient to cleanse their stomachs with a gallon of posset drink taken in and ejected by vomiting , and then to give a large dose of venice-treacle , and a few spoonfuls of some spirituous liquor , that is pleasing to the taste , with a few drops of liquid laudanum , to be taken presently after . but if the sick has vomited a great while , and there is danger lest by a further provocation by vomits the spirits should be put into a rage , and the sick too much weakened , in this case you must give laudanum without delay , and such a dose that is sufficient to vanquish it . but here two things are to be chiefly noted , first that when you have once begun to use laudanum after due and necessary evacuations , it must be taken in the same dose , and must be often repeated till the symptom is quite conquered : only such a space must be betwixt each dose , that we may know what the former has done , before we give another : and then when we treat the disease with laudanum , we must do nothing else , and nothing must be evacuated , for the gentlest glister of milk and sugar is sufficient to spoil whatever has been repaired by the laudanum , and to occasion a return of the vomiting and pain . but though the pains above mentioned are apt to overcome the vertue of the laudanum , yet violent vomiting indicats the largest dose of it , and that it should be very often repeated , for by reason of the vomiting , the laudanum is cast up before it can do any good , unless it be given afresh after every time the sick vomits , and chiefly in a solid form , and if it be given in a liquor the quantity must be so small that it must but just wet the stomach , so that by reason of the small quantity of the matter it cannot be cast up , for instance , some drops of liquid laudanum in one spoonful of strong cinnamon-water , or the like ; and the sick must be admonished to keep her self quiet presently after taking the laudanum , and that she keep her head as much as is possible immoveable , for the smallest motion of the head provokes vomiting more than any thing else ; and when the vomiting ceases , and is as it were tam'd , it is expedient to give a dose of laudanum morning and evening to prevent a relapse , which also ought to be observed after a loosness , or hysteric pains . and because frequent mention has been made of liquid laudanum in this chapter , and it is much used in other diseases women are subject to , i will here set down the best way of making it . take of spanish-wine one pint , of opium two ounces , of saffron one ounce , of the powders of cinnamon and cloves each one drachm ; let them be infused together in a bath for two or three days , till the liquor comes to the consistence of a thin syrup ; strain it and keep it for use . the dose is sixteen or twenty drops , to be taken in a small draught of beer , or in some distilled-water . chap. ii. of the green-sickness . the green-sickness is an ill habit of the body proceeding from obstructions , it is accompanied most commonly with a beating of the heart , difficulty of breathing , and a longing for absurd things , and an unfitness for motion , and other symtoms ; the face and whole body are pale , and sometimes of a leaden and green colour , there is an inflation , and as it were a swelling upon the eye-lids ; the legs also swell , especially about the ankles ; there is a heavy and often a lasting pain of the head , the pulse is quick , the sick are drowsie , and have an aversion for wholsome food ; lastly , the disease increasing and the obstructions being multiplied , a suppression of the courses at length follows , which shews the disease is confirmed . this disease most commonly is not dangerous , but if it be neglected too much , it occasions great diseases , as hard swellings , a dropsie , and other grievous diseases , which at length kill the patient . when the disease is small and chiefly arises from obstructions of the veins of the womb , it is easily cured by marriage in young virgins . those that have had this disease a long while are either barren , or bring forth children that are sickly and short lived . the cure is to be perform'd by the same method and medicines proposed in the foregoing chapter for the cure of the hysteric diseases . chap. iii. of women that never had their courses . the flux of the courses is an undoubted sign that a woman is mature , yet there are some women that never had them , tho' they have had conversation with their husbands , and some of them have had children , and others not ; some of them have enjoyed good health , and others have been sickly : the cause of this defect is in general two-fold , the first is common to the whole body , namely , because a woman is fleshy , laborious , and her parts are so disposed that every member takes up and expels what is convenient for it , so that there is no room for a menstruous purgation , these are of a hot constitution and such as are termed virago's , they are of a brown colour , of a compact body , and their loins and buttocks are large , so are the breasts and shoulders , they have a great voice , are strong and hairy , and this constitution tho' it be the reason that women are in health , yet it is contrary to their sex , and the course of nature ; and therefore to be accounted vitious . but other women are sickly upon this account . if this disease proceed from an hot intemperies of the womb , it may be known by a great pain in the part , and by the heat of the whole belly : a dry imtemperies may be known by long fevers going before , and a thin habit of body , but in time they grow gross and cachectical by reason of the want of this evacuation . if it proceed from an ill formation , there are swellings of the belly , pain and a weight . if it arise from a hot intemperies , as it doth most commonly , it must be cured by four kinds of remedies , first by cooling diet , they must eat chicken , veal , or the broth wherein hath been boiled cooling herbs , as endive , sorrel , lettice , spinage , and the like ; oranges are also good , and roasted apples , and stewed prunes ; their drink must be small beer ; their sleep and exercise must be moderate ; for violent exercise and frequent walking are plainly injurious , and so are disturbances of the mind . secondly they must bleed twice or thrice a year in the foot , and for some days they must take such things as are proper to qualifie the hot and bilious humours , as the waters and syrups of purslain , succory endive , violets , and the like , and let them be purged with the following medicines . take of the best rhubarb two scruples , infuse it a whole night in four ounces of endive water , strain it in the morning , and add to it an ounce of manna , or of the pulp of cassia , and an ounce of syrup of roses solutive . thirdly , let them use such things as leisurely attemperate the heat of the humours and part ; as conserve of roses , or of violets , with endive-water , or a ptisan before meals , or goats-milk in the morning with the flowers of violets and borrage : but the use of cooling apozems is much praised in this case . take of cleansed barly three pugils , of the roots of borrage and succory , each ounce , of the leaves of burrage , succory , endive , fumitory and sorrel , each one handfull , of the cordial flowers , and of the cold seeds , each one pugil , of anniseeds one dram , of prunes twelve , of raisons one ounce ; boyl them in a sufficient quantity of water to one pint and an half ; to the strained liquor add a sufficient quantity of sugar , make a clear apozem , aromatize it with a drachm of the species of the three sanders . but if you intend to have it purge a little , add towards the latter end the leaves of senna , and of the pulp of tamarinds , each one ounce , and after it is boyled , three ounces of syrup of roses solutive , or of succory with rhubarb ▪ fourthly , topicks must be applied to the lower part of the belly . take of oyl of sweet almonds ( washed with the waters of barly , gourds , and roses , each a like quantity ) one drachm of hens-fat , butter , and goats-milk , each half an ounce , of the juice of gourds , endive or violets , each six drachms , with wax make a liniment , oyntment or plaister , as the woman likes best . but it will do most good , if the part be fomented before with a decoction of lettice , violets , marsh-mallows , fumitory , mallows , and the like ; and to open the passages , add the leaves of maiden-hair , mercury and mugwort ▪ a bath may be also made of these . night glisters also wonderfully cool the womb and the whole body . take of chicken-broath altered with the foresaid herbs six ounces , of the oyl of sweet-almonds and violets , each two ounces , of suggar one ounce , yolks of eggs two , mingle them , let it be retained , if she can all the night ; and when the heat is very much , stuff the chicken for this decoction with conserve of roses . if the disease proceed from dryness , it must be cured with moistning meats of good nourishment , and with drinks ; and the woman must walk often , but not so much as to tire her self , and frictions must be used above the region of the womb , that the parts may be dilated so that the menstruous blood may be allured to the womb. baths are also proper , and oyntments made of mucilages of the seeds of psyllium and quinces and the like ; and glysters also do good . take of the decoction of marsh-mallows , mallows , and violets six ounces , of fresh butter three ounces , mingle them , make a glyster . but all evacuations must be avoided , for they increase the dryness . if the disease proceeds from an ill formation , medicines are most commonly unprofitable ; and therefore you must endeavour to lessen the blood , if it abound , or to divert it another way ; therefore you must bleed three or four times a year in the arm , or in the foot , if blood seem to abound in the womb. but if the strength of the woman cannot bear bleeding , then she must use a thin diet , and frequent exercise , and frictions all over the body , especially early in the morning , for so the blood may be turned from the inner parts to the outward , and part of it discussed . baths moderately hot are also good , and these things may be sufficient for married women , which by conversation with their husbands are somewhat discharged ; but they will not be sufficient for maids and widows ; and therefore it will be necessary to provoke the hemorrhoids or to open issues . but if the disease proceed from obstinate obstructions , it must be treated as is proposed in the chapter of the suppression of the courses . chap. iv. of the courses breaking out by places not natural . the menstruous flux happens to break out by contrary wayes , upon two accounts ; for either nature providing for the safety of the womans body , when she knows there is any impediment in the womb , and the veins of it , that hinder the blood from passing , seeks another passage , whereby she may be unburthened , and the health of the woman preserved ; or forgetting the natural passages , she either accustoms her self to another , or wandring about , she sometimes uses this passage , sometimes that ; for in some the menstruous blood is discharged by the mouth , in others through the nostrils , by the eyes and bloody tears , by the dugs and piles , also by the fingers and urine , and sometimes by a redness in one of the cheeks , and if there be an impediment in the womb , that hinders the passage of the blood that way , it is better it should flow these ways than not at all , for so says hippocrates , menstruis deficientibus sanguinem e naribus erumpere bonum est . the cause of this disease is most commonly some violent passion of the mind , or some great disturbance happening when the courses are near flowing ; it comes also from obstructions of the womb , or by reason of violent pains , and great diseases of the upper parts , also from the weakness of them , when the vvomb and lower parts are strong ; for the weak parts always receive what the stronger put upon them . it also comes from some external cause , as by drinking cold water unseasonably , or by washing the feet and legs unseasonably , or by the use of vinegar , when the courses are near . the scope of the cure is two-fold , the first is the evacuation of the blood abounding , the other is the recalling of it to the lower parts , which is chiefly done by cooling the upper parts , and by heating , moistning , and opening , the lower parts ; but both may be well answered by bleeding in the foot three or four days before the blood flows , and by applying cupping-glasses to the thighs legs and hips , sometimes dry , but most commonly with scarification , and also by provoking the hemorrhoids , by frictions , by walking , by hot baths natural or artificial ; by fomentations made of opening herbs , by unctions , pessaries , and uterine glisters . but see more of this in the chapter of suppression of the courses . the two following remedies are peculiarly proper for this disease , viz. bleeding in the foot for several months at the times we have mentioned , and the bath-waters wherein the woman must be bathed early in the morning , and must continue a while in them ; but this must be noted , that the waters must not reach above the region of the liver , and in the mean while the upper parts must be ●anned . chap. v. of the courses coming before their due time , and of staying longer than they should . in many women the courses flow before their accustomed time , and sometimes they stay longer than they should ; and this anticipation and delay are sometimes orderly and sometimes disorderly . the causes are either the vice of the womb , as the ill figure of it , or a solution of the continuum , and sometimes a hurt on some other account ; as a vitious humour that irritates before the time , by reason of plenty of blood , or the thinness or sharpness of it ; the quantity of humours occasioning it may be known by the dulness of the body , by the sanguine habit of the woman , by a sedentary and idle life , by excess in eating and drinking , or by some other evacuation stopped or lessened . the acrimony of the blood may be known by the heat , erosion , and pain in the excretion , or by the vitious habit of the womans body , and the course of her life foregoing , or by the diet she was wont to use , and the like . but if it come leasurely , and without pain , the retentive faculty is weak ; it may also be occasioned by a blow or fall . if it proceed by reason of the loosness , and fault of the retentive faculty , it must be strengthened by proper remedies ; if it come from a plenitude , it must be remedied by a sparing diet and moderate exercise , and by taking away so much blood as is agreeable to the strength in the middle of the month , or a little before the courses flow . frictions also in the arms , and in all the upper parts of the body are proper ; the woman must abstain from wine , and all strong-waters , and instead of them chalybeats must be used ; and if these things do not do the business , she must be blooded in the arm ; but if it proceed from the acrimony of the humours , she must eat freely meat of good nourishment , and must exercise a little , and such medicines must be used as attemperate the humours , and she must be purg'd , and uterine glisters must be injected made of two ounces of oyl of violets , and four ounces of the decoction of mallows ; but care must be taken that the courses be not quite stopped , because it is dangerous . lastly , if a blow , a fall , or difficult labour occasion this disease , the following cataplasm must be applied to the womb and neighbouring parts . take of the powders of dragons-blood , frankincense , mastich , and of the greater comfry , each two drams , with a sufficient quantity of turpentine make a cataplasm . if the woman be of a hot constitution , apply the following plaister . take of the powders of roses , myrtles , and balaustins , and mastich , each one drahom , of fine flour one ounce , with the whites of eggs make a plaister . the courses stay beyond their time by reason of age , when they are about to go away , or by a vice of the whole body or of the womb : if it proceed on the account of age , you must only endeavour to prevent those inconveniences which are wont to follow , especially the gout , and a pain in the hip , which may be done by a spare diet , much exercise , and by bleeding yearly , till nature has been accustomed to the want of the menstruous purgation : but if it proceed from a vice of the whole body , it must be treated as a suppression of the courses . if it proceed from a peculiar disorder of the womb , it requires a peculiar cure , and is a symptom of the kind of the vitiated action of excretion , either because it is hindred by the ill formation , or a gross humour that obstructs . the causes therefore are these three , which are contrary to the anticipation of the courses , viz. the weakness of the faculty , the fault of the humours , and the dulness of the sense . the impotence of the faculty is occasioned by the frigidity , or moisture of the temperament , or by the depraved figure of the instrument ; the humour is faulty upon the account of its thickness , siccity and clamminess : the sense is rendred dull most commonly by moisture abounding . the weak faculty by reason of frigidity , is known by the womans perceiving a weight and disturbance after the time of the coming of her courses is past . the fault of the instrument may be known by what went before , as by hard labour , a tumour , cicatrix , leaping or a fall , whereby the womb , or a part subservient to it is displaced , or the figure of it deformed . the fault of the humour may be known by those things that are evacuated by the blood , as if it be whitish it may be seen , if it be gross and clammy , a sedentary life , and a gross and flegmatic diet went before ; the woman is of a soft , pale and leaden habit of body , and is fat ; and by the bloods flowing slowly , and by the long continuance of the courses sometimes , and by their ending in a slime . if when they stay a long time before they come , the woman does not perceive any disturbance in the womb and neighbouring parts , the sense is dull . if the disease arise from a thick and clammy humour , as it does most commonly , it must be cured according to galen , with three sorts of remedies ; first , by a thin and heating diet , by moderate exercise , and frictions of the legs : secondly , by attenuating and heating potions made of opening roots of calaminth , fennel , saxifrage , burnet , hysop , and the like , saffron and cinnamon being added to them , and the cure must be begun presently after the purgation of the courses . let the woman take every morning five or six ounces of the following apozem . take of the roots of smallage , fennel , and parsley , each two ounces , of the leaves of feverfew , cat-mint , penny-royal , maiden-hair , each one handful and an half , of the seeds of anise and fennel , each one drachm and an half ; boyl them in a sufficient quantity of water to a quart ; in the strained liquor dissolve of the syrups of mugwort and maiden-hair , each three ounces ; the syrup of hysop , or of the five opening roots made without vinegar is also very good , being mixed with the waters of fennel , cat-mint , penny-royal , and parsley , and other things may be used which are mentioned in the chapter of the suppression of the courses . 3dly , she must be purged with agarick trochiscated , or with the pill of mastick , or , take of the pills of agarick , and aloephargin , each two scruples , with the syrup of mugwort ; make four pills . fourthly , those things which draw the the blood downwards must be used , as bleeding in the foot three or four days before the accustomed time of the courses ; these things being done , the legs and lower belly must be fomented with a decoction of fenugreek , camomile , dill , melilot , fennel , parsly , daucus . and while she is bathing let her take one of the tablets called diacalaminth ; afterwards let the parts be fumed with spices , and use frictions and ligatures to the legs , and let cupping-glasses be applyed to the claves of the legs without scarification ; and if the courses do not yet flow , let the woman be purged every third day with four or five of the pills mentioned before . let the lower belly be anointed with the oyls of capers , white lillies , dill , cinnamon , and saffron , and let uterine glisters be injected made of four ounces of the decoction of penny-royal , horse-mint , thym , and cresses , with two ounces of oyl of rue , or of dill , which wonderfully rouze the dull sense of the womb. chap. vi. of the courses corrupted , or suppurated . the courses may be corrupted four several ways ; first from drawing a putrid quality from the whole body : secondly , from the mixture of some putrid humour in the passages : thirdly , by a long suppression : fourthly , from an intemperies in the womb , or from an abundance of putrid humours contained in and about it , and are coloured and disordered according to the nature of the humours ; they are white , pale , livid , green , black , skinny , fibrous , membranous , windy , fetid , and they have sand and worms in them . the cure is in a manner the same which is proposed for the cure of the whites ; for an exact course of diet being ordered , the woman must be purged with agarick trochiscated , or with the pill of mastich , if a phlegmatic humour abounds ; if a bilious humour be the cause , let her be purged with rhubarb , as take of the best rhubarb , four scruples , of yellow myrobalans one drachm and an half , infuse them a night in three ounces of succory water ; to the strained liquor add of syrup of roses solutive , and of manna , each one ounce . if melancholy humours abound , take of senna one ounce , of the seeds of annise one drachm , infuse them in four ounces of fumitory-water ; to the strained liquor add of pulp of cassia , and of syrup of roses solutive , each one ounce . if the courses are suppurated , such things must be used now and then , as evacute a dust and cholerick humours , which may be easily prepared with agarick , rhubarb , and senna ; and sometimes glisters must be used , and moderate exercise , which purge the body and womb ; and if the stomach abounding with flegm be the cause , a vomit used by intervals is proper , that what is daily heapt up there may be purged off before it enters the veins . thirdly , such things must be used as are able to eradicate the disease , and if the humours are cold and gross , sudorifics must be used , as a decoction of sarsaparilla , guiac , china , and the like . but if choler or melancholy be the cause , bathing is most proper ; but gentle frictions and pessaries are proper for both , and anoint the belly with the oyl of sweet almonds , or with the oyl of violets , which are also to be put up the womb. but if these things do no good , an issue must be made in one or both the arms , which is of excellent use . chap. vii . of the complication of the courses with other diseases . there is scarce any thing that does disturb physicians more , and which makes them err so much , as the complication of the courses with diseases ; and this happens chiefly six ways . first , when a disease happens just when the courses are about to come . secondly , if by reason of the invasion of a disease , the courses come before their due time . thirdly , if the time of the courses and of the disease are complicated , so that they come together . fourthly , if the courses being suppressed , delayed or lessened , a disease comes upon them upon an other account . fifthly , if by reason of a disease pre-existing , a suppression or delay of the courses is the cause of the increase of the disease and its symptoms . sixthly , if when there is a disease , the courses flow . if therefore the courses are just about to flow , when the disease is beginning , or in the process of it , we must consider whether the disease be one of those , which is occasioned by the womb , in which case if the disease requires bleeding without any delay , we must draw it from the foot , that it may be let out by a convenient way , that the womb may be evacuated , and the cause expelled . but if the disease arises from the whole body , or from some principal member of it ; that vein of the arm ( most affirm ) must be opened , which chiefly respects the part affected : but this opinion , if it be generally received , seems to me injurious , and we ought rather to distinguish concerning the number of the days , the acuteness of the disease , and the plenitude of the body ; for if the disease be not acute , blood ought to be drawn from the foot , and especially , if the woman be within three or four days of her courses , and in this case she ought to be blooded in the foot , although the disease be acute , and this both reason and experience confirms ; for nature is to be evacuated that way she tends , if it be a convenient place ; for if the woman be blooded in the upper parts , we often see that she becomes delirious , and that watchings , sleepy diseases , difficulty of breathing , and at length death it self follow . but if there be eight days , or thereabouts , before the time of the courses , and there is a great plenitude , and the woman cannot be so sufficiently evacuated by the foot , as the disease requires , then all agree that she must be blooded in the arm , especially if the disease be acute ; but purging medicines , vomits , and sudorisicks must be deferred till the courses are over , or you must use those that are very gentle , lest nature should be hindred , or diverted ; for if so , the blood may be unseasonably detained , or may rush upon some principal part , or increase the disease . but if it happen that the womans courses are procrastinated , it is lawful to purge ; for sometimes we see that purging brings the courses . if the disease be chronical , it is best to purge eight days after the courses are gon off . but if the courses come before their due time in diseases , which is the second way of complication , nothing in curing womens diseases is so difficult and dangerous , especially at the beginning of the disease , before universal remedies have been given ; for at other times if we do nothing , there is the less perplexity ; but if at the beginning you bleed or purge , you hinder the menstruous purgation , and if you do neither , the disease increases . those things that are proper for the disease , stop the courses ; and if they flow , they do not relieve the disease , because they are then symptomatical ; for such an evacuation , is almost always pernicious at the beginning of the disease , for nature at that time seldom promotes any useful evacuation ; wherefore we must diligently consider what good or hurt comes from it , and from what cause the anticipation of the courses in diseases proceeds ; for in the beginning and in the increase , as we said , it is full of danger , but in the state and declination , the cruption of the courses , if they flow easily , is wont to be advantageous , by reason of the fitness of the season for evacuation , if it be not complicated with some other evacuations of nature . the anticipation of the courses proceeds from many causes : but from whatever cause it come , if there be a plenitude , the cure must be begun by bleeding in the foot. but if the courses flow at their accustomed time , and happen to come at the beginning of the disease , you must first wait on nature , and if after twelve hours the flux is not , or is not like to be sufficient , you must bleed in the foot , to compleat the natural evacuation of the woman ; and moreover , you must take away so much blood , as the disease requires , for we must respect custom and the disease too , and this may be understood of violent diseases ; yet it is chiefly to be used in small ones ; and therefore that they should not grow to be violent , you must incourage the courses by all means , by ligatures , frictions , suppositories , glisters , and other things , which are sufficient to provoke the parts near the womb ; and if the disease arise from a cold cause , you must give such medicines as promote the courses , and also respect the disease : but if a purge be necessary , you must defer it till the courses are over , lest the blood being moved and disturbed thereby , greater mischief should be occasioned . but if the disease be one of the greatest , as a quinsey , frensy , plurisie , or an acute fever , you must first bleed in the foot , afterwards the same day , you must bleed in the arm ; but in the mean while you must apply ligatures to the legs whilst the blood flows , and this is good practice ; for the indication of the most violent disease is always to be respected before that indication which is taken from the courses , and in the same manner you must proceed in the other seasons of the disease , wherein you ought to defer purging , vomiting and sweat , if the disease requires them , till the courses are gone off ; for the indication of the courses is greater than the indications of these helps , unless a sanies flow beyond the appointed time , which is not to be accounted at that time to proceed from fulness , and in this case , an indication for purging being urgent , you may purge . the fourth case was , when upon the courses stopt a disease came . in this case we must first consider whether the courses are but now stopt , or whether they have been stopt a long while ; and moreover , whether the disease proceeds from this suppression ; for if it arise from hence , you must without doubt bleed in the foot first , nor must we purge , vomit , or sweat before ; and afterwards in the arm , if the disease require it , especially if it be four days past the accustomed time of the courses . but if the suppression be new , and the disease not urgent , before you use other means , you must expect a while the flowing of the courses , especially if you do not understand rightly the nature of the disease ; for it is more secure , the courses being stopt to bleed in the foot than to purge , vomit , or sweat. but if notwithstanding bleeding in the foot , the courses flow but slowly , you ought to give such medicines as move them ; and it will be proper to give them before they begin , if you suspect that nature will not do the business throughly her self . but if the courses delay , and the disease grows worse thereby , most affirm that the cure must be begun by those helps , which the disease and its cause require , without respect to bleeding in the foot. but i am not of the same opinion ; for in slight diseases , and in such as will bear a truce , experience has taught me that it is best to bleed in the foot ; for the indication from the courses stopt is more to be minded than a small disease , and therefore they ought to be provoked , first by ligatures , cupping-glasses , frictions , and medicines , and afterwards you must provide for the disease : but if the disease be violent , as a quinsie , pleurisie , or the like ; then certainly those remedies must be given which the disease requires , without consideration of the veins of the foot. but when the courses should come at the time of the disease , and are stopt , by reason of the disease and its cause , without doubt we ought to bleed in the foot , and to take away so much blood , as the plenitude of the womb requires , or till the courses flow , and if there be occasion we may purge gently , and not divert the course of nature . lastly , if when the disease is present , the courses flow by drops before their time , you must proceed as in the second case concerning the anticipation of the courses in diseases : or , if it happen at their due time , you must treat them as in the third case when the courses happen with the seasons of the disease ; only the dropping of the courses signifies a greater oppression of nature , and therefore requires larger bleeding . chap. viii . of the courses coming difficulty , and with violent symptoms . this disease is like a dysury or adifficulty of urine , for it is accompanied with pain and a great disturbance , the symptoms often come before the courses , and sometimes with the courses ; the blood comes by drops and is attended with violent pain . this symptom comes upon an obstruction of the courses , sometimes upon solution of the continuum , an ulcer , erosion , and painful disorders in the neighbouring parts , the courses , as was said before , come sometimes drop by drop , and sometimes plentifully ; sometimes by intervals , and sometimes continually ; sometimes orderly , and sometimes disorderly . it is most commonly occasioned by the same causes from whence a suppression of the courses proceeds , but gentler ; for there is not a total suppression , but an unequal obstruction of the vessels of the womb , by reason of thick clotted , and feculent blood , which stretches the vessels , and nature violently endeavouing to evacuate it , a gross wind arises , which distending the vessels , and the neighbouring parts , occasions the violent pain , which continues untill the clods are ejected . sometimes the blood flows plentifully , yet the courses are counted difficult and lessened ; because tho a great quantity is evacuated , yet it is not answerable to the plenitude . the second cause is an ulcer , or some preternatural tumour in the womb or neighbouring parts , which are provoked and hurt by the commotion of the blood. the third is the acrimony of the humours . this disease is known by a pain in the head , a pain in the stomach , restlesness , pains in the loins , and of the lower belly , just like the pains of child-bearing , coming with the courses , or eight days before . there is often also fainting and convulsions , and a palpitation of the heart ; and by these you may know , that the blood is clotted or thick , and a small swelling is sometimes perceived in one or both of the groins , by reason of clotted blood contained in it ; and just before the evacuation of the clotted blood , the pain is most violent , and at the same time if wind be joined with it , it breaks from the womb or backwards with a noise , and there are wandring pains about the loins and hips . if an ulcer be the cause , sanies or pus is mixed with the blood , and the courses flow always with a fixed pain . this disease afflicts virgins and those that are barren . the cure is two-fold , the first respects the cause , the second the mitigating the pain . if it proceed from feculent gross and clotted blood , a thin diet and moderate exercise must be ordered , and medicines that cause revulsion and evacuation , must be used . blood therefore must be drawn from the arm if there be a great quantity of it , but if the quantity be small , from the foot ; and the clotted blood that cannot be evacuated , must be drawn out by cupping-glasses applied to the thighs and legs with scarification , and by ligatures upon the legs , and the humour may be turned by applying leeches to the fundament if the pain continue after the courses are stopp'd , but they must not be used before . secondly , evacuation must be used with this distinction , when feculent and grumous blood is the cause , you must bleed ; when an ulcer , wind , or an acrid matter , you must purge most . thirdly , the passages must be relaxed and opened , and the pain mitigated ; wherefore , if the matter be thick , slatulent , feculent , or clammy ; a dram of venice treacle , or of mithridate must be taken at bed-time in three ounces of balm-water ; and baths must be provided , and lotions for the legs made of a decoction of marsh-mallows , of the seeds of flax , fenugreek , dill , rhue , and mugwort , and the feet must be bathed in it hot a while , and the vapours must be received , and a spunge dipt in it must be applyed to the privities , and the lower belly must be fomented afterwards with flannel dipt in wine and oyl of roses , or with a bladder half full of warm oyl ; but it will be better to anoint the navel , and the region below it with oyl of saffron , of white-lillies , the seeds of flax , of capers , of yolks of eggs , or of sweet almonds , among which or with one of them must be dissolved a drachm of treacle , a pessary dipt in the same is also is of great use ; or the foresaid parts may be annointed with hens-fat and butter ; or with butter and some of the foresaid oyls . the following oyntment is also very proper . take of the juice of angelica one drachm , of oyls of capers and of white-lilies , each one ounce and an half , of white-wine half an ounce , with wax make an oyntment . the following cataplasm is also very good . take of common oyl , of sweet wine , and fresh butter , each two ounces , of bran three ounces ; boyl them gently , apply them hot and repeat them frequently . but if acrid and eroding matter be the cause you must use gentle oyntments , and fomentation of warm water , or purslain and lettice water with emulsions of the cold seeds ; and the parts must be anointed with the oils of sweet almonds , of violets and of roses . if the disease proceeds from an ulcer , you must endeavour the cure of it , and you must mitigate the pain by injecting uterine glisters made of four ounces of warm water ; and if the heat be very much , the water must be sweetned with sugar , and you must add one drachm of the white troches of rhasis . or , the glister may be made with three ounces of allum-water , which is of excellent use ; or with so much barly-water with an ounce of syrup of roses ; or with milk-water with sugar ; or with an ounce and an half of milk it self , with the like quantity of a decoction of the leaves and seeds of plaintain , to which may be added half an ounce of the emulsion of the cold seeds ; and if the pain and heat is very violent , inject two ounces of the decoction of henbane , or white poppies . but if these things will not do the business , some opium must be mixed with the decoction before mentioned . lastly , if other remedies will not do the business , an issue must be opened in the leg. chap. ix . of the closure of the womb. virgins labouring under this disease are said to be imperforate . this closure is wont to be in three places , viz. in the mouth of the womb , in the neck of it , and in the privities . it is occasioned either in the first formation when a membrance covers the orifice of the womb , or its neck , or by a wound , or ulcer preceding , which growing together stops the neck of the womb , or joins the lips , or it is occasioned by humours , or a compression . if the closure be in the privities , it may be easily known , but if it be in the neck , or orifice of the womb , it is not found out till the courses begin to flow , or till women are married ; for at the time of the menstruous purgation , pains and gripes are perceived in the region of the womb at certain times , with a sense of weight , yet no flux follows . moreover , you may guess at it , if the maid be of good habit of body not cachetical , and without obstruction , the disease continuing the womb swells , so that virgins seem to be with child , and sometimes the whole body , which looks livid : but if the neck of the womb be closed , it may be known in the first copualtion , because it cannot admit the virile member . lastly , if the orifice of the womb be shut , it is difficultly known , but it may be found out by the hand of a skilful midwife . as to the prognostick , if the closure be in the orifice of the privities , it is easily cured by a small section : but if it be in the inner parts , the cure is much more difficult . when a membrane shuts the passage , it is easily cured , but when the closure is from fleshy matter , as it happens after ulcers , then the cure is much more difficult . the closure of the inner orifice of the womb is incurable , for chirurgcial instruments cannot work upon it . if the closure of the womb be contracted from the birth , it must be opened by simple section ; but if it takes its rise from an ulcer , as it often happens in the french-pox ; we must consider , whether it be an excrescence of flesh that does not wholly stop the passage ; and whether it quite stops for if it be only an excrescence , we must endeavour ( convenient evacuations going before ) first to hinder the increase of the flesh by drying and discussing medicines , and afterwards we must lessen the flesh by medicines made of frankincense , birthwort , the bark of frankincense , roses , balaustins , mastick , myrrh , aloes , and the like ; and if these things are not sufficient , we must use burnt allom , unguentum , aegyptiacum , and the like ; or the flesh may be cut off by that instrument that is used for extirpating a polipus . but if the neck of the womb be wholly shut , we must endeavour to renew the ulcer , and to take off the superfluous flesh by the foresaid medicines , or it must be cut . if a tumour shut the passage of the womb , it must be removed by proper remedies . if it be occasioned by a compression of the neck of the womb , that which causes the compression must be removed , namely , a stone in the bladder , a tumour of the right gut , or the like . when the passage is too narrow , it most commonly proceeds from hardness and dryness ; and therefore you must use moistning , emollient , and relaxing things ; as half baths , fomentations , liniments , and pessaries ; and so the part being relaxed , you must put a leaden pipe , or white wax fitted for the purpose , moistened with butter , or some emollient oyl , and she must always wear it , or at least a-nights ; and a-days ; let a pessary made of cotten be used anointed with oyntment marsh-mallows , or the like . chap. x. of suppression of the courses there is said to be a suppression of the courses , when in women of a mature age , that neither give suck nor are with child , the evacuation of blood by the womb , which is naturally wont to be monthly , flows seldom , or sparingly , or is wholly stopt . because this suppression proceeds from natural and preternatural causes , the signs of both shall be distinctly proposed , lest the practitioner should be deceived by women being with child by illegitimate coition , and so rashly prescribe medicines to provoke the courses . first therefore , women with child most commonly retain their natural colour , and others do not . secondly , the symptoms which do happen to women with child at the beginning , abate daily , but on the contrary in suppression of the courses , the longer they are stop'd , so much the more the symptoms are increased . thirdly , in women with child after the third month , the motion and situation of the child may be sensibly perceived by laying the hand on the belly . but in others the swelling is not at all hard , nor is it always contained within the limits of the womb. fourthly , if the inward mouth of the womb be touched by a skilful midwife , she will find it not exactly closed , as it is in women with child ; but rather hard , contracted , and somewhat painful . fifthly , women with child are most commonly cheerful ; but on the contrary in a suppression , they are most commonly sorrowful and sad . a suppression of the courses is very dangerous , and many desperate diseases arise from it . the cure of this disease must be varied according to the variety of the causes , and first , if it proceed from too great a quantity of blood , bleeding must be ordered in the arm , and a large quantity of blood must be taken away ; afterwards it must be drawn downwards by opening the lower veins about the time the woman used to have her courses before she was ill . if by reason of want of blood the courses stop , as after long fevers , after great evacuations , and when the body is much wasted , you must not endeavour to provoke the courses till the body is replenish'd , and a sufficient quantity of blood is bred , which being done they generally flow of their own accord ; but if it happens that nature forforgets her office , she must be rous'd up by opening the lower veins , and by medicines proposed in the chapter of hysterick diseases : but the quantity of blood must be moderate , lest the strength should be dejected , and the sick should fall into a consumption . yet it must be carefully noted , that every wasting of the body does not shew a want of blood , but only that which succeeds great evacuations , and the like . for sometimes it happens that the courses being suppressed and detained in the veins , occasion an ill quality , whereby the blood is rendred unfit to nourish the parts , upon which account the body wasts , tho the veins are full of blood , in which case large bleeding is required . as to the suppression of the courses which happens by a preposterous motion of the blood , when it is evacuated by bleeding at nose , by vomiting , spitting , or hemorrhoids , and other parts , the cure of it is perform'd by repelling the blood from the parts through which it flows contrary to nature , and by drawing it back to the passage of the womb. the first is performed when the blood rushes out of the upper parts , by washing the arms , head , and face , with cold water , and by forbearing the exercise of those parts , especially singing and speaking aloud . the second is perform'd by opening the lower veins , three or four days before the blood breaks out , and by cuping-glasses applied to the thighs and legs sometimes with , sometimes without scarification , by provoking the hemorrhoids , by running , by walking , fomentations , and baths made of opening herbs ; but the bath water is especially commended , and the sick must bath in them often a good while after meals , but the water must not rise above the navel , and at the same time the upper parts be cool'd by fanning them . if the blood flow by the hemorrhoids , the cure is very difficult ; for if you use things to draw downwards , they bring them also to the fundament , and if you use astringent things to it , they by nearness of the parts , repell what should be brought to the womb ; so that the only way of cure is to apply such things to the womb as may allure the blood thither , after you have used such things as draw the blood downwards . chap. xi . of an immoderate flux of the courses . an immoderate flux of the courses comes either in child-bed , or at other times , as to the first that afflicts women most on the first day after a difficult labour , and is accompanied with a long train of hysteric symptoms ; and as it happens only on the first days so usually does not last long , for if a thickning diet be order'd , it soon abates : the following drink may be also used . take of plantain water and red wine , each one pint , boil them till a third part be consumed , sweeten it with a sufficient quantity of white sugar , and let her take half a pint twice or thrice a day , and in the mean while the following medicine tyed up in a rag , may be often held to her nose . take of galbanum and assa foetida each two drams , of castor one dram and half , of volatile salt of amber half a dram , mingle them : or instead of it , spirit of sal armoniac may be used . but as to the flux which happens out of child-bed , you must bleed in the arm , and eight ounces of blood must be taken away , the next morning the following purge must be given . take of tamarinds half an ounce , of sena two drams , of rubarb one dram and an half , infuse them in a sufficient quantity of fountain water , in three ounces of the strain'd liquor , disolve of manna , and syrup of roses solutive each , an ounce , make a purging potion , which is to be repeated every third day for twice . every night at bedtime through the whole course of the disease give an ounce of diacodium mixt with two ounces of black cherry water . take of the conserve of dried roses two ounces , of the troches of lemnian earth a dram and an half , of pomgranate peel and of red coral prepared each two scruples , of blood stone , dragons blood , and bole-armenic each two scruples , with a sufficient quantity of simple syrup of coral , make an electuary , whereof let her take the quantity of a large nutmeg in the morning , and at five in the afternoon , drinking upon it six spoonfuls of the following julip . take of the waters of oakbuds and of plantain each three ounces , of cinnamon water hordeated and of syrup of dried roses each one ounce , of spirit of vitriol a sufficient quantity to make it pleasantly acid . take of the leaves of plantain and nettles each a sufficient quantity , beat them together in a marble mortar , and press out the juice , clarifie it , and give six spoonfuls of it cold three or four times in a day ; after the first purge apply the following plaister to the region of the loins . take of the plasters of diapalma and ad herniam each equal parts , mix them and spread them on leather . a cooling and thickening diet must be order'd , only it may be proper to allow once or twice a day a small glass of claret to recover the strength . chap. xii . of the whites . this obstinate and lasting disease may be cured by bleeding once , and by purging with two scruples of pill coch-major four times , and by the following strengthening medicines . take of venice treacle one ounce and an half , of the conserve of the yellow peel of oranges one ounce , of diascordium half an ounce , of ginger candied , and nutmegs candied each three drams , of compound powder of crabs eyes one dram and an half , of the outward peel of pomgranats , of the roots of spanish angelica , and of the troches of lemnian earth each one dram , of bole-armenic two scruples , of gun-arabic half a dram , with a sufficient quantity of syrup of dried roses make an electuary , whereof let her take the quantity of a large nutmeg in the morning , and at five in the afternoon , and at night , drinking upon it six spoonfuls of the following infusion . take of the roots of elecampane , masterwort , angelica , and gentian , each half an ounce , of the leaves of roman wormwood , white horehound , the lesser centory and calaminth each one handful , of juniper-berries one ounce , cut them small , and infuse them in five pints of canary wine , let them stand in infusion , and strain them only as you use them . chap. xiii . of barrenness . barrenness proceeds from many causes , but they may be reduced to four heads , according to the four natural operations which are required to perfect conception . the first is that the woman in copulation receive the mans seed : secondly , that it 's retain'd a due time : thirdly , that it is nourished in the womb : fourthly , that the woman afford due matter for the forming and necessary increase of the embroy ; and hence four impediments of conception arise . first , the reception of the seed is hindered by many causes , as immature age , when by reason of the narrowness of the genital passages the woman cannot admit the mans yard , or at least not without great pain , which makes her dislike copulation ; and old age has the same effect ; for in elderly virgins the genital parts for want of use , are rendr'd so strait , that they can't easily receive the virile member , and such as are lame , or have their limbs distorted , or their hips depressed , can scarce lye in such a posture as is necessary for a fit reception of the seed ; too much fat also stops the passages , and makes the copulation incommodious : and lastly , a cold intemperies of the womb makes the woman dull , so that she scarce injoys any pleasure in copulation , or is so flowly moved , that the inward orifice of the womb does not open seasonably to receive the mans seed . the passions of the mind also are a great hinderance , especially hatred between man and wife , whereby the woman having an aversion for such pleasure does not supply spirits sufficient to make the genital parts turgent at the time of copulation ; nor does the womb kindly meet the seed , and draw it into its cavity , from whence and from mixture of both the seeds , conception arises . the reception of the seed may be also hinder'd by swellings , ulcers , obstructions , narrowness or distorsions of the genital parts , or of the neighbouring parts , or by a stone in the bladder or the like . conception may be also hindred by reason the seed is not retained upon the account of too great moisture of the womb , namely when it s fill'd with many excrementitious humours , whereby being render'd too laxe it cannot be contracted , as it ought to retain the seed received , but this chiefly happens by reason of miscarriage or hard labour , whereby the fibres of the womb and its inner orifice are torn , but the whites are the most common cause of barrenness . conception is also hindred when the seed is not sufficiently nourished in the womb , as when the intemperies of the womb is so very cold , that it extinguishes the seed , or so hot as that it dissipates it , or over-moist or dry . the age fit for conception is from fourteen to fifty , and therefore those women that are younger or older do not conceive , by reason of a defect of seed and menstruous blood , yet it must be confessed , that some women have conceived who never had their courses . a disproportion betwixt the mans and womans seed is also the occasion of barrenness , tho there is no sensible defect in either , and it happens sometimes that the same man has children by another woman , and the same woman children by another man , when together they were childless . it comes to pass sometimes that after a woman has conversed ten or more years with her husband , and has not conceived , afterwards she has had children , the cause whereof is the change of her constitution by time . having made frequent mention of womens seed , i must here acquaint you that many learned physicians and anatomists deny that women have any seed , for some women send forth no humour as is called seed , and yet they are fruitful enough , yea some after they have begun to emit such an humour , tho indeed they took great pleasure in copulation , yet grew less fruitful than before . 't is also said by some that a seminal air or vapour arising from the mans seed , and not the seed it self causes conception ; but passing by controversies and nice speculations , i according to my way of writing , set down such methods and medicines as are approved of for the cure of this disease . and first , the narrowness of the genital parts by reason of youth , in progress of time will grow large enough , and therefore there is no need of any other cure , but in the mean while copulation must be forbid , for by the too early use of it , the natural constitution of the parts is disordered , but if it proceed from small stature or age , it is incurable . over-fatness may be corrected by a spare and proper diet , and by convenient evacuations . if barrenness proceeds from a disorderly diet , as from excessive eating or drinking , the woman must be reduced to a regular course of life . such as are robust and of a manly constitution must by all means be reduced to a womanly state ; that they may become fit for generation , they must forbear strong meats and labour , and the courses must be forced , and by bleeding and purging and the like , the habit of the body must be rendred cold and moist . but the most frequent cause of barrenness is a cold and moist disposition of the whole body and of the womb , which the whites often accompany , and for the cure in this case , the whites must be cured by the method prescribed in the chapter of the whites , and the following things must be ordered , which are peculiarly proper . and first the flegmatick humours must be evacuated by medicines that purge sweat and force urine , and revulsion must be made by issues in the arms , neck and legs , and the principal parts must be strengthened by treacle , mithridate , confection of alkermes and the like . afterwards such things must be used as are proper by a specific quality to strengthen the womb and to help conception . take of the roots of eringo and satyrion candied each one ounce , of green ginger candied half an ounce , of hazel nuts , pine nuts , and pistachies each six drams , one nutmeg candied , of the seed of rocket and cresses each two drams , of the ashes of a bulls pisle , of the reins of scinks and of the raspings of ivory each one dram , of confection of alkermes three drams , of diambra and sweet diamoch each one ounce and an half , of ambergriese half a dram , with the syrup of candied citrons , make an electuary , let her take the quantity of a nutmeg at bedtime , drinking upon it a glass of good wine . some count the secundine of a woman dried and powderd very effectual , one drachm of it being taken . the seeds of bishops weed are also much commended . many good authors affirm , that if a woman drink six ounces of the juice of garden sage with a little salt , the fourth day of her menstruous purgation , and a quarter of an hour after has conversation with her husband , she will infallibly conceive . and by the use of this remedy aetius says , the egyptian women became fruitful after a great plague . it 's said many have conceived when their having children has bin despair'd of , by thrusting up far in the privities garlic heated with oyl of spike , and wrapt in a fine rag , for it powerfully forces the courses , and cleanses and delights the womb. chap. xiv . of the parts of women that serve for generation . the parts serving for generation in women may be divided into the privities , the womb , the testicles , and the vessels that prepare and carry . that part is called the privities which appears at first sight without dissection , it reaches from the lower part of the os pubis , within an inch of the fundament ; it is less and closer in maids , than in those that have born children . it hath two lips , which toward the pubes grows thicker , and meeting upon the middle of the os pubis makes that rising that is called the hill of venus ; its outward substance is skin covered with hair , as the lips are , which begin to grow in this place about the age of fourteen ; the inner substance of the hill of venus chiefly consists of fat , which makes it bunch up , which in copulation hinders the bones of the pubes of the man and woman to hit one against another , which would by causing pain abate the venereal pleasure . a muscle springing from the sphincter of the fundament lies under this fat. its office is to straighten the orifice of the sheath . the nymphs and the clitoris appear when the lips are drawn a little aside : the nymphs stand next the urine , as it spouts out from the bladder , and keeps the lips from being wet ; they are placed on each side , just within the lips , they are two fleshy and soft productions beginning at the upper part of the privities , where they make that wrinkled membranous production , which cloaths the clitoris like a fore-skin : they are in shape and colour like the thrils that hang under a cocks throat , they have a red substance partly fleshy , partly membranous ; within soft and spongy , composed loosly of small membranes and vessels , so that they are very easily distended by the influx of the animal spirits and arterial blood. they are larger in grown maids than in young , and grow larger upon the use of venery , and after the bearing of children ; their use is to defend the inner parts , and to cover the passage of the urine , and a good part of the orifice of the sheath in the upper part of the privity . betwixt the nymphs is placed the clitoris ; it answers to a man's yard , in shape , situation , substance , erection , and differs from it only in length and bigness . those that are called hermophrodites have it so long and big , as to be able to converse with women in the manner of men. they are not of two sexs as is commonly reported , only their stones are placed in the lips of the privities , and their clitoris is preternaturally extended : but in most it does not appear unless the lips are drawn aside : it is a little , long and round body , it lies under the fat of the hill of venus , and puffs up in venery , and straightening the orifice of the sheath makes it embrace the virile member the more closely : it s outward end is like the glans of a men's yard , and as the glans in men is the seat of the greatest pleasure in copulation ; so is this in women : there is as it were a hole in it , tho indeed there is really no such thing , most of it is covered with a thin membrane from the conjunction of the nymphs : it has two pair of muscles , the upper are round and spring from the bones of the hip ; these by straitening the roots of the nervous bodies , that arise on each side from the bunching of the os ischium detain the blood and spirits in them , and so erect the clitoris , even as those in men do the virile member ; the other rise from the sphincter of the fundament , and these serve to straiten and narrow the orifice of the sheath : it has veins , and arteries , and nerves , which are somewhat large . in some eastern countries the clitoris is wont to be so large , that for its deformity , and the hindrance it causes in copulation , they used to cut it quite out , or to sear it , to hinder its growth . the sheath is so call'd because it receives the virile member like a sheath , it is soft and loose , uneven and wrinkly , of a nervous but somewhat spongy substance , which is puft up in copulation to embrace the yard the better : it s about seven fingers breadth long , and as wide as the strait gut ; but the length and width differ in respect of age , and as the woman is more or less provoked to copulation : the wrinkles are much more numerous and close in virgins , than in those that have born many children , and in whores that use frequent copulation , and in women that have had the whites a long while . it has very many arteries and veins , some whereof inosculate one with another , and others not . by the arteries that open into it , the courses sometimes flow in women with child , that are full of blood. these vessels bring plenty of blood to it in copulation , which by heating and puffing up the sheath increases the pleasure , and hinders the man's seed from cooling , before it is conveyed to the womb. all along the sheath there are abundance of pores , from whence a thin humour always flows , especially in copulation , and increases the pleasure of the woman , and is that which is supposed to be her seed . near its outer end , under the nymphs , in its upper part , it receives the neck of the bladder . in virgins its passage is so narrow , that at their first conversation with a man , they have commonly more pain than pleasure , by reason of the extension of it by the virile member , which breaks some small vessels , from whence blood issues . the hymen is a thin nervous membrane , interwoven with fleshy fibres , and endowed with many little arteries , and veins , behind the insertion of the neck of the bladder , with a hole in the midst , that will admit the top of ones little finger , whereby the courses flow , it is also called the girdle of chastity . but it is broken and bleeds at the first copulation , and never closes again . but tho' a man when he finds these signs of virginity , may certainly conclude he has married a maid ; yet if they are wanting , it does not necessarily follow that virginity is wanting ; for the hymen may be corroded by sharp humours flowing through it with the courses , and from other causes ; or , if a maid be so indiscreet as to become a bride while her courses flow , or within a day after , then the hymen and the wrinkled membrane of the sheath are so relaxed , that the virile member may enter without any obstruction , and so give suspition of unchastity , when there is really no occasion for it . sometimes in old maids the hymen is so strong that it cannot be penetrated without difficulty ; and in some it is naturally quite closed up , and so their courses are stopt , which much endangers their life ; if it be not opened with a chirurgical instrument . the myrtle-berry caruncles lie close to the hymen , the largest of 'em is uppermost , standing just at the mouth of the passage of the urine , which it shuts after making water ; opposite to this at the bottom of the sheath there is another , and in each side one . but of these , there is only the first in maids , the other three being made by the broken hymen . these three when the sheath is extended disappear in labour , and cannot be seen till the sheath is contracted to its natural straitness . the sheath near its outer orifice , has a sphincter muscle about three fingers broad that contracts it as the case requires ; and therefore men and women need not doubt but that their genitals will be proportionable , for the sheath is so artificially made , that it can suit with every penis . the womb is seated in the lowest part of the belly , betwixt the bladder and straight gut , its hindmost part is loose , that it may be extended as the child increases , but its sides are tied fast by two pair of ligaments . it s substance is whitish , nervous , and compact in virgins , but a little spongy and soft in women with child . it has two membranes , the outer is strong and double arising from the peritoneum , the inner being proper is fibrous and more porous . betwixt these membranes , there is a certain fleshy and fibrous contexture , which in women with child , together with the said membranes , imbibes so much of the nutritious humours , that then flow thither , that the more the child increases , the more fleshy , fibrous , and thick does the womb grow , so that in the last months it is an inch thick , and some times two fingers breadth , tho' it be extended to so much greater compass , than it has when a woman is not with child , and yet within three weeks after delivery it is as thin as before , and contracts so wonderfully , that it may be held in ones hand . in virgins it is about two fingers breadth broad , and three long ; in those that have copulated , it is a little bigger , it is like a pear , only a little flattish above and below , but in women with child it becomes more round . in maids its cavity is so small , that it will hardly contain a large hazel-nut ; it is divided be a line that goes length-ways , much like that in a man's cod. its arteries spring partly from the spermatick and hypogastrick ; they run along the womb , bending and winding , that they may be extended without danger of breaking , when the womb is stretched with the child . the monthly courses flow by these arteries in greatest quantity into the womb it self : but in less quantity by the branches that open into the neck of the womb , and a small quantity of the courses come out of the sheath . it is much disputed what is the reason of the courses , whether they flow by reason of too great quantity of blood , or whether at set times ; there is also a fermentation of the blood , which opens the orifices of the arteries : but it is most probable that it proceeds from a fermentation at appointed times , for if a woman feeds high and so breeds much blood , the courses flow never the sooner , tho' perhaps they may be in a greater quantity ; and if she use the greatest abstinence and spareness of diet , they will not be the longer before they come , so that when through such effervency the blood flows plentifully into the vessels of the womb , and the veins of the womb are not able to carry it all back again by circulation , it flows out of the extremities of the arteries so long , till the too great quantity of the blood is lessened , and the fermentation ceases , which it does usually after three or four days . the courses seldom flow in women with child , and the wanting of them is their first item of having conceived . the veins spring from the preparantes , and from the epigastrick , the nerves from the greatest plexus of the mesentery of the intercostal pair , and from the lowest plexus of the same , and also from the nerves of the os sacrum , and the same run also to the testes or ovaria . these plexus of nerves are chiefly affected in hysterick fits , and are convulsive , and often happen when the womb is not at all in fault ; and the ball that seems to rise from the bottom of the belly in these fits , and to beat strongly about the navel , which is usually supposed to be the rising of the womb , is nothing but a convulsion of these nerves ; for some men are troubled with the same symptom . the use of the womb is to receive into its capacity the principals of the formation of the fetus , to afford it nourishment , and to preserve it from injuries , and at length to expel it . the neck of the womb seems to be a part of the fundus , only it is much more narrower , for its cavity is no wider in virgins than a small quill , and in women with child its inner orifice does either quite close its sides together , or is daubed up with a slimy yellowish humour , so that nothing then can enter into the womb. it has the same membranes , and the same vessels with the womb. womens testicles differ much from mens , their situation is within the body , on each side two fingers breadth from the bottom of the womb , to the sides whereof they are knit by a strong ligament ; they are flat on the sides , in their lower part oval ; their superficies is more rugged and unequal , than in those of men , they differ in bigness , according to age ; in those newly come to maturity , they are about half as big as those of men , but in such as are in years , they are less and harder , tho' they sometimes grow preternaturally to a vast bigness , for several quarts of liquor has been found contained in them , in a dropsie of the womb ; they have but one membrane that encompasses them round ; but on their upper side where the preparing vessels enter them , they are about half way involved in another membrane that accompanies those vessels , and springs from the peritoneum ; when this cover is removed , their substance appears whitish , but is wholly different from mens testicles ; for mens are composed of seminary vessels , which being continued to one another are twenty or thirty ells long , if they could be drawn out at length without breaking ; but womens do principally consist of a great many membranes and small fibres , loosly united to one another ; among which there are several little bladders full of clear water ; the liquor contained in those bladders has been always supposed by the followers of hippocrates and galen , to be seed stored up in them ; but dr. harvey and many learned physicians and anatomists suppose these little bladders to contain nothing of seed , but that they are truly eggs , analogous to those of fowl and other creatures , and that the testicles so called are not truly so , nor have any such office as those of men , but are indeed an ovarium , wherein those eggs are nourished by the sanguinary vessels dispersed through them , and from whence one or more , as they are fecundated by the man's seed , separate , and are conveyed into the womb by the tubae falopianae : if you boyl these eggs their liquor will have the same colour , tast , and consistency with the white of birds eggs , and they do not want shells , because they are sufficiently defended by the womb. these eggs in women are commonly about the number of twenty in each testicle , whereof some are far less than others . the spermatick vessels are of two sorts ; arteries and veins ; the arteries are two as in men. they spring from the great artery a little below the emulgents ( very rarely either of them from the emulgent it self ) and pass down towards the testes , not by such a direct course as in men , but with much twirling and winding among the veins , with which they have no inosculation , as has been generally said . but for all their winding , when they are stretched out to their full length , they are not so long as those of men. the veins are two , arising as in men , the right from the trunk of the cava , a little below the emulgent , and the left from the emulgent it self , but they are much shorter than in men ; both the arteries and veins as they pass down are covered with one common coat from the peritoneum , and near the testes they are divided into two branches , the upper whereof is implanted into the testicle by a triple-root , and the other is subdivided below the testes into three twigs , one of which goes to the bottom of the womb , another to the tuba and round ligament , the third creeping by the side of the womb , under its common membrane ends in its neck , where it is woven with the hypogastrick vessels like a net . by this way it is that the courses sometimes flow in women with child , for the first months , and not out of the inner cavity of the womb. the use of these spermatick vessels is not to minister to the generation of seed , according to the ancient doctrine , but to the nutrition of the eggs in the ovaria or testes , according to the new , and to the nourishment of the fetus , and of the solid parts , and the expurgation of the courses . the carrying vessels that go straight from the testes to the bottom of the womb , and were supposed to emit the seed from the stones into the bottom of the womb , are accounted by de graef only ligaments of the testicles to keep them in their place ; for they come not to the inner cavity of the vvomb . the fallopian tubes are very slender and narrow ducts , nervous and white , arising from the horns or sides of the vvomb , and at a little distance from it they become larger , and twist like the tendrel of a vine , till nearer their end , where ceasing their winding they turn very large , and seem membranous and fleshy , which end is very much torn and jagged like rent cloths , and has a large foramen , which lies closed , because those jaggs fall together , but it being opened , they are like the utmost orifice of a brass trumpet . these tubes , according to dr. harvey , are the same in vvomen , that the horns of the vvomb are in other creatures , for they answer to those both in situation , connexion , amplitude , perforation , likeness , and also office. the capacity of these ducts varies very much ; for in the beginning , as it goes out of the vvomb , it only admits a bristle , but in its progress , where it is largest , it will receive ones little finger ; but in the outmost extremity , where it is divided into jaggs , it is but about a quarter so wide . they are very uncertain also in their length , for from four or five they sometimes increase to eight or nine fingers breadth long . their use is in a fruitful copulation to grant a passage to a more subtile part of the masculine seed , or to a seminal air towards the testes to bedew the eggs contained in them , which eggs , one or more being by that means fecundated , and dropping off from the testes , are received by the extremity of the tubes , and carried along the inner cavity to the womb. but it may be objected that the narrowness of the tubes are not fit for such a use ; yet ●e that considers the straitness of the inner orifice of the womb , both in maids and in women with child , and yet observes it to dilate so much upon occasion , as to make way for the birth of a child , cannot wonder that to serve a necessary end of nature , the small duct of the tubes , should be so far widened , as to allow passage to an egg , seeing its proportion to their duct is many times less , than of the child to the usual largness of the said orifice . chap. xv. of conception . conception is nothing else but an action of the womb , whereby the prolifie seeds of the man and woman are there received and retained , that an infant may be engendered , and formed out of it . there are two sorts of conception , the one true , according to nature , to which succeeds the generation of the infant in the womb ; the other false , as a false conception , mole , or any other strange matter . it is not absolutely necessary , that the mans seed should be received , and retained entire ; for a small quantity of it may be sufficient , nay a meer steam of it , to impregnat . conception may be known by the more than ordinary delight in the act , and some few months after , the woman perceives a small pain about her navel , and some little commotions in the bottom of her belly . the inward orifice of the womb is exactly closed , she longs for strange things , she is often troubled with nauseating and vomiting , her courses are stopt , the navel starts , her nipples are very obscure or dark coloured , with a yellowish circle round about , her eyes are dejected and hollow , the whites of them dull and troubled , her blood , when she has conceived some time , is always bad ; the belly is flat : yet it must be acknowledged that some of these signs are also to be found upon an obstruction of the courses in virgins ; wherefore judgment upon conception must not be too positive , especially , when the woman is upon tryal for her life , for some upon having their courses have been judged not with child , and yet after execution have been found to be so . the infant moves it self manifestly about the forth month , sooner or later as the woman is strong or weak . some women feel it from the second , others about the third month , and some before that time . at the beginning , the first motions are very small , but grow greater proportionably , as the infant grows bigger and stronger . chap. xvi . of a mole . a mole is deformed and useless flesh contained in the womb , and is occasioned by the corrupted seed of the man and woman , for it is never generated without the use of copulation ; it is covered with a membrane and sticks to the womb , the longer it is retained in the womb the harder it grows , and is more difficultly expelled : most commonly there is but one , yet sometimes more ; when it is ejected in the second month it 's called a false conception . it 's difficult to distinguish a mole , from being with child , for the courses are stopt , the belly grows big by degrees , and the breasts are increased . but the first sign of it is a leaden colour in the face , the belly is harder and sorer than when a woman is with child , and it is very troublesome and painful to go with , and it falls on whatsoever side she turns ; there is a great weariness in her legs and thighs , she finds a great heaviness at the bottom of her belly , and her urin is obstructed ; but it may be certainly known , if no motion be felt after four or five months , or when her reckoning is out . some have a mole two or three years , and sometimes much longer . as to the cure , i shall speak only of that part of it which may be performed by medicines , for if it stick much to the bottom of the womb , or is very large , it will scarce be expelled unless a chyrurgeon extract it . give the woman a spoonful of syrup of mugwort morning and evening for three days following , either by it self or mixt with an ounce of penny-royal-water ; afterwards purge her every other day , or every third day with the fetid pill , two scruples or a dram may be taken at a time early in the morning , and let her sleep if she can till they begin to work ; let her be purged in this manner five times . things that loosen must be also applied frequently to the womb to open the passages likewise to the belly , groins , loins , and hips , with spunges and flannels ; the following fomentation is of excellent use . take of the leaves of marsh-mallows and mallows each one handful , of the roots of round and long birthwort each one handful , of the leaves of mugwort , mercury , feverfew , sage , hysop and calaminth each half an handful , of the seeds of flax , marshmallows , fenugreek , anise , lovage , each half an ounce , of the flowers of camomile , melilote , rosemary , broom , mugwort , each one pugil , of bran one pugil ; hoyl them in a sufficient quantity of water to five quarts ; add of oyl of olives half a pint , of the oyls of camomile and sweet almonds each four ounces , of the oyl of lillies two ounces ; foment the parts as above directed , and afterwards anoint them with ointment of marshmallows . chap. xvii . of superfoetation . there is a great dispute whether a woman , who hath two or more children at once , conceived of them at one or several coitions : some will have this to be superfoetation ; but there are signs whereby we may know the difference , whether both children were begotten at once , or successively one after another . supefoetation , according to hippocrates , is a reiterated conception , when a woman being already with child conceives again the second time . that which makes many believe , that there can be no superfoetation is , because as soon as a woman has conceived , her womb closes , and is exactly firm , so that the seed of the man , absolutely necessary to conception , finding no place nor entry , cannot , as they say , be received , nor contained in it : but it may be answered , that tho' the womb be usually exactly shut and close , when a woman has conceived , yet it may be sometimes opened to let pass some ferous slimy excrements , or especially when a woman is much delighted in the act of copulation . but this second conception is very rare ; for we must not imagine , that when a woman brings forth two or more children at once , there is a superfoetation ; because they are almost always begot in the same act , by the reception of abundance of seed into the womb. when a woman brings forth one or more children at a birth , begotten at once , which are usually called twins , it is known by their being both almost of an equal bigness and thickness , and by having but one common after-birth , not separated one from the other , but by their membranes : but if there are several children , and a superfoetation , they will not have a common burthen , nor will they be of an equal bigness . to conclude , of a hundred women that have twins , ninety of them have but one burthen common to them both , which is a certain sign they had no superfoetation . chap. xviii . of the womb-cake , of the membranes involving the child , and of the humours contain'd in them , of the umbilical vessels , of the parts of a child that differ from those of the adult . the womb-cake , otherwise called the womb-liver , for the likeness of substance , is soft , and has innumerable fibres and small vessels ; it is two fingers breadth , thick in its middle , but thinner near the edges , and a quarter of a yard over from one side to the other , when the infant is near the birth ; on that side next the foetus , it is smooth and something hollowish , like navelwort , and is knit to the chorion ; but on that next the womb , it is very unequal , having a great many bunchings , whereby it sticks fast to the womb. vvhen there is but one child in the womb , it is but one ; but if there be twins there are two womb-cakes , and a particular rope of umbilical vessels is inserted into each from each child ; it grows not out of the womb originally , but its first rudiments appear like a woolly substance on the outside of the outer membrane that invests the embrio called chorion , about the eighth or ninth week , upon which in a short while a red fleshly and soft substance grows , but unequally and a little in knobs , and then it presently thereby sticks to the womb , and is very conspicuous about the twelfth or thirteenth week , till now the infant is increased and nourished wholly by the apposition of the cristalline or albugineous liquor , wherein it swims loose in the inner membrane , called amnios , having no umbilical vessels , whereby to receive any thing from the womb-cake . but when it grows bigger , and begins to want nourishment , the extremities of the umbilical vessels begin to grow out of the navel by little and little , and are extended towards the womb-cake , that they may draw out of it a more nourishing juice , and carry it to the infant , as plants do from the earth by their roots . it has vessels from the womb and from the chorion ; the former are of four kinds , arteries , veins , nerves , and lympheducts ; all which tho' they be very large , and visible in the womb , and also where the womb-cake is joyned to it , yet they send the smallest capilaries to the womb it self . those that come from the chorion are arteries and veins . the arteries and veins that come from the womb , spring from the hypogastricks , and also that branch of the supermaticks that is incerted into the bottom of the womb ; those that come from the chorion are the umbilical vessels of the infant . the womb-cake after it is joyned to the womb , sticks most firmly to it for the first months , as unripe fruit does to the tree , but as the infant becomes bigger and riper , and nearer to the birth , by so much the more easily will it part from the womb , and at length it falls out of the womb , and makes part of the after-birth . next to the womb-cake follow the two membranes , viz. chorion the outer , and amnios the inner , wherein the child is wrapt : betwixt these two after the child is perfectly formed , there is a third , viz. allantois . the chorion is pretty thick , smooth on the inside , but without somewhat unequal and rough , and in that part of it which sticks to the womb-cake , and by it to the womb , it has very many vessels which spring from the womb it self and the umbilical vessels . twins are both inclosed in one chorion , but have each a particular amnios ; it invests the egg orriginally , which egg being brought to the womb , and becoming a conception , this membrane imbibes the moisture that bedews the womb plentifully at that time . this liquor that it imbibes , is thought to be the nutritious juice that ouzes out of the capilary orifices of the hypogastrick and spermatick arteries , and is of the same nature with that which afterward is separated in the womb-cake , and carried to the infant by the umbilical vein ; and with that also which abounds in the amnios even till the birth . the amnios is the inmost membrane that immediately contains the child ; it is not knit to the chorion in any place save where the umbilical vessels pass through them both into the womb-cake ; it is very thin , soft , smooth , and pellucid , and encompasses the infant very loosly , it has vessels from the same origins as the chorion . from a limpid liquor contained in this membrane , the first lineaments of the embrio are drawn . but because this liquor is so very little , there sweats through this membrane presently part of that nutritious albugineous humour that is contained in the chorion , which it had imbibed out of the womb , and by the addition of this humour to the undiscernible rudiments of the embrio , it receives its increase . but tho' the amnios have its additional nutricious liquor at first only by transudation , yet when the umbilical vessels , and the womb-cakes are formed , it receives it after another manner , for then being separated from the mothers arteries by the placenta , and imbibed by the umbilical veins of the infant passes directly to its heart , from whence being driven a great part of it down the aorta , it is sent forth again by the umbilical arteries , out of whose capillaries dispersed plentifully through the amnios , it issues into its cavity . a third membrane which invests the whole infant is the allantoides ; it has the same figure as the chorion and amnios , betwixt which it is placed in their whole circumference . now , tho' it must be supposed that this as well as the other two is originally in the egg , yet there is no appearance of it , till after the umbilical vessels and the womb-cake are formed , and the albugineous liquor ceases to be imbibed by the chorion out of the uterus ; but as soon as the infant begins to be nourished by the umbilical vessels , and the urachus is permeable , then presently this membrane begins to shew it self , containing a very thin liquor , which is the urine of the infant brought into it by the urachus , and wherewith it is filled daily more and more till the birth : it may be known from the chorion and amnios by this , that they have numerous vessels dispersed through them ; but this has not the least visible vein or artery ; it is very hard to separate the chorion from it , but towards the birth it becomes so turgid with urine , that the amnios which immediately contains the infant , swims 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 liquor that it contains is the urine 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 brought hither by the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 soon as the infant is perfect 〈…〉 , its kidneys must needs perform 〈…〉 office of separating the serum from the blood , for otherwise it would be affected with an ansarca ; i say , the serum is separated in the kidneys , and glides down from thence into the bladder , wherein there is a pretty large quantity when the infant is five or six months old : now it flows not out of the bladder by its orifice , because at that time the sphincter is too contracted and narrow , and if it should pass that way , it would mix with the nourishing juice wherein the infant swims in the amnios , and wherewith by taking it in by its mouth , it is partly nourished , and so would defile and corrupt it . nature therefore has provided it another passage by the urachus inserted into the bottom of the bladder , which tho it grows solid like a ligament after the child is born , as the umbilical vein does , yet while the infant is in the womb , it is open and conveighs the urine into the allantoides , that is placed betwixt the chorion and amnios , where it is collected and preserved till the birth . the naval-string is membraneous , wreathed , and unequal , and arises from the navel ; it reaches to the womb-cake ; it is about half an ell long , and a finger thick , the vessels contained in this string , and covered with the common coat called funiculus are four , one vein , two arteries , and the urachus ; the vein is larger than the aretries , and arises from the liver of the infant at the trunk of the vena porta , and from thence passing out of the navel it runs along the funiculus to the womb-cake , into which it is implanted by innumerable roots ; but before it reaches it , it sends some little twigs into the amnios . the umbilical vein serves for conveying to the infant the nutricious juice separated in the womb-cake from the mothers arteries ; but together with this juice returns so much of the arterial blood , that comes from the infant , as is not spent upon the nourishment of the womb-cake , or of the chorion and amnios . in the funiculus are included also two arteries , which are not both of them together so big as the vein ; they spring out of the inner iliacal branches of the great artery , and passing by the sides of the bladder , they rise up to the navel , out of which they are conducted to the womb-cake , in the same common cover with the vein and urachus wherewith they are twined and wreathed like a rope . spirituous blood is driven from the infant by the beating of its heart to the womb-cake , and the membranes , for nourishment , from which , what blood remains circulates back again to the umbilical vein together with nutricious juice , imbibed afresh by its capillaries dispersed in the womb-cake . but besides arterial blood , there flows out of the navel by them part of the nutricious juice , that was imported by the umbilical vein , i say flows out by these arteries , which by their branches , that are dispersed through the amnios , discharge it by their little mouths into it . the fourth umbilical vessel is the urachus , or urinary vessel , it is a small , membranous , round pipe indued with a straight cavity arising from the bottom of the bladder up to the navel ; out of which it passes along within the common cover and opens into the allantoides . these four vessels , as has been said above , have one common cover , which also keeps each of them from touching the other ; it is called funiculus ; it is membranous , round and hollow , indifferent thick , consisting of a double coat , the inner from the peritoneum , and the outer from the paniculus carnosus . it has several knots , which dr. wharton thinks are little glands , through which the nutricious juice distills out of the capacity of the funiculus into the cavity of the amnios . midwives guess by their number how many more children the mother shall have , but without reason . when the infant is born , its navel-rope is wont to be tyed about one or two fingers breadth from the navel , with a strong thread cast about it several times , and then about two or three fingers breadth beyond the ligature to be cut off ; what is not cut off is suffered to remain till it drop off of its own accord . as to the way how the infant is nourished there has been great disputes , some affirm by blood only , and that received by the umbilical vein , others by chile only received in by the mouth ; but indeed according to the different degrees of perfection , that an egg passes from conception to an infant ready for the birth , it is nourished variously . for , first , as soon as an egg impregnated descends into the womb , it presently imbibes through its outer membrane some of that albugineous liquor , that at this time plentifully bedews the internal superfices of the womb , so that as soon as the first lineaments of an embryo begin to be drawn , out of that humour contained in the amnios , they presently receive increase by the apposition of the said liquor filtrated out of the chorion through the amnios into its cavity ; and this same liquor , that thus increases the first rudiments of the embryo , dr. harvey calls coliquamentum . but when the parts of the embryo begin to be a little more perfect , and the chorion becomes so dense , that not any more of the said liquor is imbibed by it , the umbilical vessels begin to be formed , and to extend to the side of the amnios which they penetrate , and both the vein and arteries pass also through the allantois and chorion , and are implanted into the womb-cake , that at this time , first gathering upon the chorion joins it to the womb ; and now the hypogastrick and spermatick arteries , that before cast the nutricious juice into the cavity of the womb , open by the orifices into the womb-cake , where they deposite the said juice , which is absorded by the umbilical vein , and by it conveyed , first to the liver , then to the heart of the infant , where the thinner and the more spirituous part of it is turn'd into blood ; but the more gross and earthy part of it descending by the aorta enters the umbilical arteries , and by those branches of them , that run through the amnios , is discharged into its cavity . the grosser nutricious juice being deposited by the umbilical arteries in the amnios , as soon as the mouth , gullet , and stomach , and the like are formed so perfectly , that the foetus can swallow , it sucks in some of the said juice , which descending into the stomach and intestines , is received by the lacteal veins , as in grown persons . the infant therefore is nourished three several ways , but only by one humour : first , by apposition of it , while it is yet an imperfect embrio , and has not the umbilical vessels formed : but after these are perfected , it then receives the same nutricious juice by the umbilical vein , the more spirituous and thin part whereof it changes into blood , and sends forth the grosser part by the umbilical artery into the amnios , which the infant sucks in at its mouth , and undergoing a new concoction in its stomach , is received out of the intestines by the lacteal veins , as is done after the birth . a child in the womb differs from an adult person in many parts , the parts are less , the colour of the whole reddish , the bones soft , and many of them gristly and flexible in the head : there are several differences : first , the head , in respect to the proportion of the rest of the body , is bigger , the crown is not covered with bone , but only with a membrane ; the bone of the forehead is divided , as also of the under jaw , and the os cuneiforme is divided into four . the bone of the hinder part of the head is distinguished into three , four or five bones . the brain is softer , and more fluid , and the nerves very soft . the bones that serve the sense of hearing are wonderfully hard and big ; the teeth lie hid in the little holes of the jaw-bone ; the dugs swell , and out of them in infants new born , whether male or female , a serous milk issues forth sometimes of its own accord , and sometimes with a gentle pressure : the vertebrae of the back want their spinous processes , and each of them made of three distinct bones : the heart is remarkably big , and its auriculae large : there are two unions of the greater vessels , that are not conspicuous in grown persons : first , the foramen ovale , by which there is a passage open , out of the cava into the vein of the lungs , just as each of them are opening , the first into the right ventricle , and the latter into the left ventricle of the heart , and this foramen , just as it opens into the vein of the lungs has a valve that hinders any thing from returning out of the said vein into the foramen : secondly , the arterial channel , which two fingers breadth from the basis of the heart joyns the artery of the lungs to the aorta ; it has a pretty lage cavity , and ascends a little obliquely from the said artery to the aorta , into which it conveys the blood , that was driven into the artery of the lungs , out of the right ventricle of the heart , so that it never comes into the left ventricle , as the blood that is sent out of the left venticle into the aorta never came in the right , except a little that is returned from the nutrition of the lungs , but past immediately into it out of the vena cava by the foramen ovale , so that the blood passes not through both the ventricles , as it does after the child is born . you may know whether infants killed by whores , and which they commonly affirm were still-born , were really so or no , by putting the lungs of the infant in water ; for if they were still-born the lungs will sink , if alive , so as to breath never so little while , they will swim . the gland thymus is very large , and consists as it were of three glands ; the umbilical vessels go out of the abdomen ; the stomach is narrower , but pretty full of a whitish liquor : the caul is scarce visible , the guts are seventimes longer than the body ; the excrements in the small guts are flegmatick and yellow , but in the thick somewhat hard and blackish , sometimes greenish ; the caecum is larger than usual , and often fill'd with faeces : the liver is very large , and extends it self into the left side , and covers all the upper part of the stomach , it has a passage , which is not in grown persons , called the veiny channel , which arising out of the sinus of the porta , carries the greatest part of what is brought by the umbilical vein directly , and in a full stream into the cava above the liver : but this passage presently closes , as soon as the infant is born , and turns to a ligament , as doth the urachus and the two umbilical arteries . the spleen is small ; the gall-bladder is full of yellow or green choler ; the sweet-bread is very large and white ; the kidneys are bigger and unequal in their superficies ; the renes succenturiati are exceeding large ; the ureters are wide , and the bladder stretched with urine ; in females the vvomb is depressed , the tubes long , and the testes very large ; the little bones of the vvrists and instep are gristly , and not firmly joyned together . its knees are drawn up to the belly , its legs bending backwards , its feet across , and its hands lifted up to its head , one of which it holds to the temple or ear , the other to the cheek , where there are white spots on the skin , as if it had been rubbed upon ; the back-bone turns round , the head hanging down towards its knees , its face commonly towards the mothers back ; but near the birth , sometimes a vveek or two before , it alters its situation , and tumbles down with its head to the neck of the vvomb , and its feet upwards ; then the vvomb also settles downwards , and its orifice relaxes , and opens ; and the infant moving up and down tears the membrans wherein it is included , and the waters flowing into the sheath ; but sometimes the membranes come forth whole ; at the same time the neighbouring parts are loosened and become fit for distension , and the bones near are so much relaxed in their joynts , that they make way for the infant , and the motion of it so much disturbs the vvomb , that the fibres of it and the muscles of the belly contract altogether to expel it . chap. xix . of the management of a woman with child . the woman ought to be kept in a good moderate and clear air , and she must eat what she likes best , and be sure not to fast too long ; only she must observe not to eat too much at a time ; and to comfort the stomach , which is always weak in this condition , she may drink a little wine , or for want of it strong beer at meals . as to sleep , a woman with child requires more sleep than she does at other times . as to exercise and rest , she must order her self according to the different times ; for at the beginning she ought to keep her self quiet , and not to use copulation : riding on horse-back , or in a waggon , or indeed in a coach is not safe at any time of her being with child , especially when she is near her time , for such exercises often cause miscarriage . but she may walk gently , or be carried in a chair . she must not carry or lift heavy burdens , or lift up her arms too high , and therefore ought not to dress her own head. let her exercise be gentle walking in low-heel'd shoes ; but she had better rest too much than exercise too much , for more hard labours are occasioned by violent exercise than by any other thing . moreover , it is convenient that the woman should abstain from copulation the last two months , for the body is very much moved , and the belly compressed in the action , which causes the child to take a wrong posture . if the belly be bound , as it is often at this time , prunes stewed , or veal broath may be often used , or the following glister may be used . boyl an handful of mallow leaves , in three quarters of a pint of milk , let the milk just boyl up , add to it two ounces of brown sugar , and a little fresh butter , strain it for use . she must moderate her passions , and great care must be taken that she be not frighted , and that melancholy news be not suddenly told her , but you must endeavour to keep her as chearful as possibly you can , the sudden surprizes of joy must be also avoided , for excesses on either hand are prejudicial . the cloaths of a woman with child should sit easie , for any immoderate pressure is apt to make the child deformed , and hurts the breasts , and very often causes miscarriage . unnecessary bleeding must be avoided , so must all strong purges but if purging is requisite , only such things as purge gently must be used , as cassia , rubarb , and manna . the cassia is best sucked out of the canes , the rubarb may be chewed , and an ounce and a half or two ounces of manna may be dissolved in posset-drink , and used upon occasion in the morning . vomiting often afflicts women with child , but if it be moderate and at the beginning and without great straining it is beneficial ; if it continues longer than the third or fourth month it ought to be remedied ; in order to which let the woman use good food , and a little at a time , and let her use with her meat the juice of oranges , she may eat now and then broth mixed with the yolk of an egg , for it 's very nourishing and of easie digestion , and after meals let her eat a little marmalade of quinces , and she may drink a glass of claret ; she must forbear fat meat and sauces , and sweet and sugar'd sauces . but if the vomiting continues notwithstanding this regular diet till the woman is above half gon , she must take the following purge . take of tamarinds half an ounce , of sena one dram , of rubarb one dram and an half , boyl them in a sufficient quantity of water , in three ounces of the strained liquor dissolve an ounce of manna , and an ounce of syrup of succory with rubarb ; make a purging potion to be taken in the morning . it may be repeated once or oftener upon occasion . and it may be proper for the woman in the winter time to were a lambskin or the like upon her stomach and belly . if pains of the back , reins and hips are violent , the woman must be blooded , and take at bed-time sixteen drops of the liquid laudanum mentioned at the latter end of the chapter of hysteric diseases in a glass of canary wine , or in any thing else she likes , and she must keep her bed till the pain abates ; if the pain is continual , the belly must be supported with a swaith fitted for the purpose . if after the third or fourth month the breasts are very painful , 't is convenient the woman shou'd bleed in the arm , if she be full of blood , and use a diet that is moderately cooling and nourishing ; but if the pain comes at the beginning , we ought to leave the whole business to nature , only the woman must have a care that she receives no blows on those parts , nor must she be strait laced , for fear the breasts shou'd impostumate . if incontinence or difficulty of urin be occasion'd by the weight and bigness of the belly , the woman may remedy it , and ease her self , if when she wou'd make water , she lift up with both her hands the bottom of her belly , or she may wear a large swaith fitted for this use , to bear up the belly , but the best way is to keep her in bed. if a sharpness of urin causes an inflammation on the neck of the bladder , it may be appeased by a regular cooling diet , and emulsions of the cold seeds used morning and evening . take of blanched almonds number twelve , of the four greater cold seeds each one dram and an half , of the seeds of lettice and white poppies each half a dram , beat them in a marble mortar , and pour on them gently three quarters of a pint of poppy water , make an emulsion for two doses , add one ounce of syrup of violets and half a dram of sal prunella . if the inflammation and sharpness of urine be not removed by the things above-mention'd , a little blood may be taken from the arm , and the neck of the bladder may be bathed with the following decoction , with flannels dipt in it and pressed out . take of the roots of marsh-mallows one ounce , of the leaves of mallows , marsh-mallows , pellitory , and violets , each one handful , of the flowers of melilote one handful , of the seeds of flax and fenugreek each two drams , boyl them in a sufficient quantity of water to a pint and half . but if the woman notwithstanding she observes these directions cannot make water , it must be drawn out with a catheter by an artist . if the woman be troubled with a violent cough she must be blooded in the arm at any time of her being with child , for this is apt to occasion miscarriage , and all salted and spiced meat and sharp things must be forborn . she may now and then use juice of liquorish , sugar candy , and syrup of violets , and if the body be bound a glister of milk and sugar may be injected . the following syrup is very proper in this case . take half a pint of claret wine , one dram of cinnamon , half a dozen cloves , and four ounces of sugar , burn the wine , and boyl it to the consistence of a syrup , whereof let the woman take three spoonfuls at bedtime . the woman must go loose in her clothes , and if the rheum be very thin , and the cough tickles much , sixteen drops of the liquid laudanum mentioned in the chapter of hysteric diseases must be now and then taken at bedtime in some liquor she uses to drink . if the legs and thighs swell and are painful , they must be swaithed with a swaith three or four fingers broad , beginning to swaith from the bottom ; but in this case 't is best for the woman to be kept in bed ; if there be signs of fulness of blood , she must be blooded in the arm. if the big bellied woman be troubled with the piles , and abound with blood , she must be blooded in the arm , and if her body is costive , the emollient glyster mentioned above must be used , and afterwards to ease the pain they must be anointed often with populean ointment mixt with a few grains of opium : for instance , take of populean ointment one dram , of opium five grains , beat them well together in a mortar , and anoint the piles with it twice or thrice a day . but if the inflammation and the swelling are much , you must apply leeches to the part affected , and let her keep her bed. if the piles bleed of themselves immoderately ( for if the flux be moderate at this time the woman being full of blood she may be relieved thereby ) a cooling and thickening course of diet must be order'd , as three parts of fountain water , and one of milk boyl'd together and drank cold , roasted apples , barly-broths , and the like , also thickning and cooling juleps and emulsions . take of the waters of plantain and cinnamon hordeated each four ounces , of distilled vinegar half an ounce , of true-bole and dragons-blood each half a dram , of the liquid laudanum mentioned in the chapter of hysteric fits thirty drops , of syrup of myrtles one ounce and an half , mix them and make a julep , let her take four or five spoonfuls every night at bed-time . take of the four greater cold seeds , each one dram and an half , of sweet almonds number four , of the seeds of white poppies two drams , plantain water eight ounces , of red poppy water four ounces , of cinnamon water hordeated one ounce and an half , make an emulsion , to which add three drams of pearled sugar , and half an ounce of the juice of cevil orange , mingle them , let her take four ounces thrice a day . bleeding in the arm is also proper in this case to turn the flux . if a loosness comes upon a woman with child , and continues above five days , she must use food of easie digestion and little at a time , and let her drink be claret wine mixt with water , wherein iron has been quenched , and now and then milk boyl'd with thrice the quantity of water , or the white decoction made in the following manner . take of calcined harts-horn powder'd two ounces , of fountain water two quarts , boyl it till half is consumed , strain it gently through a linnen rag , and add to it three ounces of syrup of quinces . and before meals she may eat a little marmalade of quinces . but note , that before she uses these astringents , it will be convenient to purge off the ill humours with the following potion . take of rubarb one dram and a half , of sena two drams , boyl them in a sufficient quantity of water , to three ounces of strain'd liquor , add one ounce of syrup of succory with rubarb , and two drams of cinnamon-water . let it be taken in the morning . but if the loosness turn to the bloody-flux , the case is very dangerous , and therefore after the use of the purging potion above mention'd , if the woman has strength enough to bear it , you must immediately give sixteen drops of the liquid laudanum so often mentioned in this treatise , in two or three spoonfuls of cinnamon-water hordeated or the like , which must be repeated every night at bedtime , and in the morning too , if the flux continue violent , and to keep up the strength four or five spoonfuls of the following julep may be taken often . take of the waters of black-cherries and strawberries each four ounces , of epidemic water and compound scordium-water , and of cinnamon-water hordeated each one ounce , of pearls prepared one dram and an half , of chrystaline sugar a sufficient quantity , make a julep . the vvomans drink in this case must be the milk water , or the white decoction above described , and when she is very weak , she may take for her ordinary drink , a quart of fountain water boyl'd with half a pint of sack ; and she may eat sometimes panada , and sometimes broth made of lean mutton , and she must be kept in bed : moreover a glister made of half a pint of cows milk , and an ounce and an half of venice-treacle must be injected daily . if the vvoman has her courses after the fourth or fifth month of her being with child ( for some vvomen have them till the fifth month , without any manner of prejudice to themselves or their children ) you must endeavour to stop them then , and before too if you suppose they slow by reason of the heat and acrimony of the blood , or the weakness of the vessels , and not from an abundance of blood , which may be known by her having her courses much when she was not with child . to stop this flux , the vvoman must be kept in bed , and forbear all things that may heat the blood , especially anger ; she must use a strengthening and cooling diet , feeding on meat that breeds good blood and thickens it , as broths made of poultry , necks of mutton , knuckles of veal , wherein may be boyl'd cooling herbs ; she may eat new lay'd eggs , gellies , rice-milk , barly-broth , and the like , and iron must be quenched in her beer , and she must forbear copulation , and the belly must be bathed about the region of the vvomb with tent , wherein pomegranate-peel , provence roses and cinnamon has been boyl'd . but if the vvoman be taken with flooding , the case is extreamly hazardous , and if it continues violent , she must be deliver'd without delay , for otherwise death will necessarily follow : yet it is to be noted , that it must not be done presently as soon as the flux is perceived , because some small floodings have been sometimes suppressed by keeping quiet in bed , by bleeding in the arm , and the use of remedies above mention'd : if therefore the blood flows , but in a small quantity , and continues but a little while , she must not be delivered ; but if it flows in so great abundance that she falls into convulsions and faintings , the operation must not be deferred , whether she has pains and throws or not . and because in floodings , weakness and faintings ever follow , we must endeavour to preserve that little strength the vvoman has left , and to increase it if possible , that so she may be able to bear the operation ; to which purpose there ought to be given her from time to time good strengthening broths , gellies , and a little good vvine , she must always smell to vinegar , and have a warm toast dipt in vvine and cinnamon appli'd to the region of her heart , which do her more good than solid food , and to prevent the blood from flooding in great abundance before she can be delivered , a vein in her arm may be open'd to turn the course of it , and napkins dipt in vvater and vinegar may be apply'd all along her reins . if the woman be troubled with a bearing down of the womb , her best way is to keep in bed ; but if she cannot conveniently do so , she must wear a broad swaith to keep up her belly ; but if the bearing down proceeds from humours that relax the ligaments of the vvomb , she must be kept to a drying diet , her food being rather roasted than boyl'd , and must refrain from copulation and must not be strait laced . if the lips of the privities are much swelled , by reason of watery humours falling upon them , you must scarifie with a lancet all along the lips , that the humours may distil out , and you must foment the parts with the following decoction . take of the leaves of bays , sage , rosemary , and of the flowers of camomile each one handful , boyl them in a sufficient quantity of fountain water ; to a pint and half of the strain'd liquor , add a quarter of a pint of brandy , and bath the parts affected often with a spunge dipt in the hot liquor . chap. xx. of miscarriage . to prevent miscarriage , all indispositions of the body which are wont to occasion it must be removed , as fulness of blood , ill humours , and peculiar diseases of the vvomb , as swellings , ulcers and the like . fulness of blood opens the veins of the vvomb , or strangles the infant , and therefore the vvoman must be blooded , and so much blood must be taken away , as will sufficiently discharge nature . if an ill habit of body and ill humours are the cause of miscarriage , the vvoman must be frequently purged , and a small quantity of blood may be taken away , and betwixt the purges , such things must be used as correct the indisposition of the bowels , and the sharpness of the humours , and the humours must be thickened if they are too thin . and if flegmatick humours abound , they must be carried off by sweats and such things as force urin : issues in the arms and thighs are also very proper to prevent miscarriage , whatever ill humours abound in the body . the peculiar diseases of the vvomb , as over great moisture , swellings , ulcers , and such like , must be cured by their proper remedies : and first , if moisture abound , let the woman be purged with two scruples of the pill coch-major twice a week , and when she does not purge , let her drink morning and evening of the following decoction . take of the roots of sarsaparilla four ounces , of china two ounces , of white and red sanders each half an ounce , of the rasping of harts-horn and ivory each three drams , infuse them , and boyl them in eight pints of fountain water till half is consumed ; add a quarter of pound of raisins of the sun , and if the woman be of a flegmatick constitution , instead of china , add two ounces of guiacum rasped . let her drink half a pint morning and evening . take of franckincense , myrrh , mastich , storax , calamite , gum of juniper , ladanum , each one ounce , with a sufficient quantity of turpentine make troches , and let one or more of them be cast on live coals , and let the fume be received into the privities through a funnel . if a swelling be the cause , you must make application according to the nature of the humour , and the time and other circumstances of the swelling ; if it be hot and made by fluxion , which may be known by the pain and suddenness of the swelling , as also by the tension and pulsation , and by being accompanied with a fever , bleeding must be used in the first place , and the woman must be frequently purged with the purging potion mention'd in the foregoing chapter , made of tamarinds , sena , manna , and the like , and after evacuations you must apply cooling and repelling things to the reins and the lower part of the belly , as oyl of roses washed in vinegar and the like , and the following decoction may be injected into the womb. take of the leaves of plantain , water lillies , night-shade , and endive each one handful , of red roses two pugils , boyl them in three pints of fountain water till a pint is consumed , add to it of oyl of myrtles one ounce , of vinegar half an ounce . but note you must not use cooling and repelling things too long , lest the tumour be hardened thereby and turn to a scirrhus , and therefore soon after the beginning of the swelling , emollient and resolving things must be mixt with repellents , mallows , marshmallows , mugwort , fenugreek , camomile and melilote ; and if the pain be violent , you must inject into the womb goat or sheeps milk , with opium and saffron each three or four grains , to which may be added a little rose water . but if the swelling cannot be resolved and tends to suppuration , it must be furthered by the application of the following pultis . take of the roots of marshmallows , of the flowers of camomile and melilote , of the seeds of flax and fenugreek each one ounce , of fat figs number eight , boyl them to the consistence of a pultis , then add the yolks of four eggs , of saffron half a scruple , of oyl of lillies and fresh butter each one ounce , make a cataplasm . if the swelling be made by congestion , it is slow and without pain , and generally cold , and the matter of it is either thin and serous , or thick and flegmatick and apt to grow hard . in this case steel medicines used as directed in the chapter of hysteric diseases do good , but purging must go before : issues in the legs are also proper , and emollient and resolving medicines must be apply'd outwardly in the following manner . take of the roots of marshmallows and lillies each two ounces , of the leaves of mallows , violets , marshmallows , and bears-breech each one handful , of the seeds of flax and fenugreek each one ounce , of the leaves of mugwort and calamint half a handful , of the flowers of camomile and melilote each one pugil , boyl them in three pints of fountain water till a third be consumed , and foment the region of the pubes and groin with a spunge dipt in it and pressed out : of the same decoction the dose of the simples being increased , a bath may be made , which is very effectual in this case , and more powerful than the fomentation ▪ glisters also and injections may be made of the same decoction , and frequently used , whereunto may be added the oyls of lillies , camomile , and sweet almonds . but these medicines must be used with great caution , lest the swelling shou'd degenerate into a cancer , and indeed 't is to no purpose to use medicines when the swelling is without pain and of a stony nature . but if an ulcer be the cause , the cure of it must be performed by stopping the fluxion of the humours , and by cleansing and conglutinating the ulcer ; and first if the body abound with blood , or if the ulcer be accompanied with an inflammation , a vein must be opened in the arm , and bleeding must be repeated as often as there is danger of a new fluxion , especially at the times of the courses , to lessen them , for they are wont to increase the matter of the ulcer , and to promote the flux of other humours to the womb. purging is also very necessary to cleanse the body from ill humours , but it ought to consist of gentle catharticks , as of sena , rhubarb , tamarinds , myrobolans and the like , or the purging potion of tamarinds may be used but if the woman vomits easily she may take the following vomit or the like . take of vinum benedictum six drams , of the water of carduus benedictus one ounce , of oxymel of squills half an ounce , mingle them , make a vomit , let it be taken about four in the afternoon , and she must drink a large draught of posset drink after every time she vomits . the days the sick does not purge , a vulnerary decoction must be used a long while in the following manner . take of the leaves of agrimony , knot-grass , burnet , and plantine , each one handful , of the roots of china three drams , of coriander one dram , of raisins half an ounce , of red sanders one scruple , boyl them in chicken broth , strain it , let the sick drink it morning and evening . if there be a fever , and if a great quantity of matter be evacuated , whey is very proper , half a pint or more being taken in a morning with a little honey of roses , and if there is an hectick fever and the body begins to wast , asses milk must be taken with sugar of roses for a whole month. turpentine washed in some proper water for the womb , as in mugwort or feverfew water , or in some water proper for the ulcer , as plantain or rose water , and taken with sugar of roses cleanses and heals the ulcer . to cleanse dry and heal the ulcer various injections are proposed , but they must not be used till the inflammation is taken off , and till the pain is quieted , and therefore upon account of the inflammation an emulsion of the cold seeds , or the whey of goats milk , or milk it self may be injected first , and if necessity requires , a decoction of poppy heads and tops of mallows may be injected . some practitioners say , the sick may be much relieved by injecting frequently warm water , and when the heat and pain is quieted , we may use such things as cleanse , beginning with the gentle , and proceeding gradually to the stronger . the gentle are whey with sugar , a decoction of barly with sugar , or honey of roses , but simple hydromel cleanses most . but if the ulcer be very sordid , the following decoction may be used . take of the roots of gentian , rhaponticum , zedoary , and round birthwort each one ounce , of white-wine three pints , boyl them to the consumption of a third part ; in the strain'd liquor dissolve half a pound of sugar , and keep it for use ; a little vnguentum aegyptiacum may be added to it if there be occasion to cleanse more . if the ulcer be deep , the fume mention'd above may be used ; when the ulcer is very obstinate , cinnabar must be added , which is of excellent use . if these diseases happen when a woman is with child , the difficulty is greater , because bigbellied women cannot so easily bear all kind of remedies , yet lest being destitute of all help they shou'd remain in extream danger of miscarriage and death , some kind of remedies are to be used ; therefore if she be too full of blood , she must have a vein opened , tho she be with child , especially in the first month , and so twice or thrice if need be , but much blood must not be taken away at a time . and when there is abundanee of ill humours , gentle purging must be used and repeated , especially in the middle months , and in the mean while those astringent and strengthening ▪ medicines must be used all the time the woman is with child , that are proper to hinder miscarriage . take of kermes berries and tormentil roots each three ounces , of mastich one dram and an half , make a powder , whereof give now and then half a dram , or as much as will lie on the point of a knife , or let her take every morning some grains of mastich : or take of conserve of roses two ounces , of citron peel candied six drams , of myrobolans candied , of the pulp of dates each half an ounce , of coral prepared , pearl prepared , and shavings of harts-horn each one dram , with syrup of quinces make an electuary , of which let the woman take often the quantity of a nutmeg . the following lozenges are very good for they strengthen , and by little and little free the body from excrements , tho they do not sensibly purge sometimes . take of mace , of the three sorts of sanders , rubarb , sena , coral , pearl , each one scruple , of sugar dissolved in rose-water four ounces , make all into lozenges weighing three drams apeece ; let her take one twice a week by it self , or dissolved in a little broth. the following plaster may be apply'd to the reins . take of the plaster ad herniam and de minio each equal parts , spread it on leather , and apply it to the small of the back . but plasters must not be worn long together , lest they should cause an heat of urin , and the stone in the kidnies . in the use of these things , the woman must keep her self as quiet as possibly she can , both in body and mind , and must abstain from copulation . but if notwithstanding the medicines aforesaid , by reason of the vehemence of the cause , whether it be outward or inward , the sick be ready to miscarry , we must do the best we can with the following remedies , and in the first place so soon as pains and throws shall be perceived in the lower part of the belly , and in the loins , we must endeavour to allay them both by medicines taken inwardly and outwardly apply'd according to the variety of the causes , and if crudities and wind are the cause , as they are most usually when the cause is within , a powder must be given made of aromaticum rosatum and coriander seeds , and we may give of the imperial water if flegm and wind abound . at the same time let carminative medicines be apply'd below the navel of the patient , such are bags of anise seeds , fennel seeds , fenugreek seeds , flowers of camomile , elder , rosemary and stechas , mixt together , or a rose cake fryed in a pan with rich canary , and sprinkled with powder of nutmegs and coriander seeds , or the gaul of a wether new kill'd or his lungs lay'd on warm . if by these means the pains cease not , let a glister be injected made of wine and oyl , wherein two drams of philonium romanum may be dissolved , or narcoticks may be given inwardly in a small quantity to allay the violence of the humours and wind , as we are wont to do in pains of the colick . but if blood begins to come away , frictions and painful ligatures of the upper parts must be used to turn the course of the blood , and if the woman be full of blood , it will not be amiss to take some blood from her , especially before it begins to low , but it must be taken away at several times a little at once . and if the flux of blood continues we must proceed to an astringent and thickening diet and medicines , as mentioned above . astringent fomentations may be also used outwardly made of pomgranate-peels , cypress nuts , acorn cups , balaustines , and the like , boyl'd in smiths water and red wine : or a little bag full of red roses and balaustines may be boyl'd in red wine and apply'd hot to the womans belly : and the plaister above mentioned may be used . it is believed , that the two following medicines will certainly retain the child in the womb if they be used before it is torn from the vessels of the womb. take of leaves of gold , number twelve , of spodium one dram , the cocks treading of three eggs not addle , mix all very well till the gold be broken into small peeces , afterwards dissolve them in a draught of white wine , and give it three mornings following . at the same time let the following cataplasm be applied . take of male frankincense powdred two ounces , the whites of five eggs , let them be stirred together over hot coals , add turpentine to make them stick , then spread them upon tow , and lay them upon her navel as hot as she can possibly endure them twice a day morning and evening on the three days afore-said . chap. xxi . the signs that precede a natural and vnnatural delivery . the signs preceding a natural labour a few days before , are sinking down of the belly , which hinders a woman at that time in walking as easie as she used to do , and thence flows from the womb slimy humours , appointed by nature to moisten and smoothen the passage , that its inward orifice may the more easily be dilated , when it is necessary , which beginning to open a little at that time suffers that slime to flow away . the signs accompanying present labour are , great pains about the region of the reins and loins , which coming and redoubling by intervals , answer in the bottom of the belly with reiterated throws , the face is red and inflamed , because the blood is much heated by the continual endeavours of the woman to bring forth the child , as also because that during these strong throws , her respiration is ever intercepted , for which reason much blood hath recourse to the face , her privy parts are swelled , because the infants head often thrusts , and causes the neighbouring parts to distend outwards ; upon which account they appear swell'd in this manner ; she is often subject to vomiting , which makes many believe , who know not the cause of it , that the women are for this reason in danger : but it is generally the sign of a speedy delivery , because the good pains are then excited and redoubled every moment , until the business is finished . when the birth is very near , women are troubled with an universal trembling , and chiefly of the legs and thighs , with the heat of the whole body and humours , which then flow from the womb , and they are often discoloured with blood , which with the signs above mentioned is an infallible sign of the nearness of the birth . this the women usually call shows , and if one then puts up their finger into the neck of the womb , they will find the inner orifice dilated , at the opening whereof , the membranes of the infant containing the waters present themselves , and are strongly forc'd downwards with every pain the woman has , at which time one may perceive them to resist the finger , more or less as the pains are stronger or weaker . these membranes with the waters in them , when gathered ( that is , when they are advanced before the head of the child , which makes the midwives call it the gathering of the waters ) presenting themselves at this inward orifice , do then resemble very well to the touch of the finger , abortive eggs which have yet no shell , but are only covered with a simple membrane . after this the pains redoubling continually , the membranes are broken by the strong impulse of the waters , which incontinently flow away , and then the head of the child is easily felt naked , and presented at the opening of the inward orifice of the womb : now all these or the greatest part of them meeting together , at what time soever of a vvomans going with child it be , whether at the full time or no , one may be assured she will soon be delivered : but great care must be taken not to hasten her labour before the necessity of it be known by these signs ; for that would but torment the vvoman and child in vain , and put them both in danger of their lives : labour contrary to nature is when the child comes in an ill figure and situation , as when it presents any otherwise than the head first ; as also when the waters flow away a long time before it is born ; also when the after-burthen comes first . the labour is also grievous when accompanied with a fever , or any other considerable disease which may destroy the child in the womb ; also when pains are small and come slow with long intervals and little profit , upon which account the woman is extreamly tired ; but the wrong posture of the infant is most commonly the cause of difficult labour . as soon as it is known that the woman is certainly in labour by the signs above mentioned , then must all things necessary to comfort the woman in her labour be got ready , and the better to help her , care must be taken that she be not strait laced ; a pretty strong glister may be given her , or more than one , if there be occasion , which must be done at the beginning , before the child be too forwards , for afterwards it is very difficult for her to receive them ▪ in the mean while all things necessary for her labour should be put in order , as well for the woman as the child ; her midwifes stool , or rather a pallet-bed girted placed close by the fire , if the season require it ; the pallet ought to be so placed , as to be turned round about when there is occasion , the better to help the woman . if the woman be full of blood , it may be convenient to bleed her a little , for by this means her breasts being disingaged , and her respiration free , she will have more strength to bear down her pains , which may be done without danger , because the child being about that time ready to be born , hath no more need of the mothers blood for its nourishment , which has been often practised with good success . besides , this evacuation often hinders her having a fever after delivery , and to preserve her strength , it will be convenient to give her some good gelly broaths , new laid eggs , or some spoonfuls of burnt wine from time to time , or a toast dipt in wine , avoiding solid food . above all she must be perswaded to hold out her pains , bearing them down as much as she can , at the instant when they take her . the midwife must from time to time touch the inward orifice with her finger , to know whether the waters are ready to break , and whether the birth will follow soon after ; she must also anoint all the bearing place with emollient oyls , hogs grease or fresh butter , if she perceive it can hardly be dilated ; and all the while she must be near her woman to observe her gestures diligently , her complaints and pains ; for so she may guess pretty well how the labour advances , without being obliged to touch her body so often . the woman may by intervals rest her self on the bed to refresh her self , but not too long , especially if she be a little short thick woman , for they have always worst labours , if they lie much on their beds in their travail , especially of their first children , than when they are prevailed with to walk about the chamber ; ( but they must be supported under the arms , if it be necessary ) for by this means the weight of the child causes the inward orifice to dilate sooner than in bed. when the waters of the child are ready and gather'd , the midwife ought to let them break of themselves , for the breaking of them before the infant be wholly in the passage prolongs the labour ; for by the too hasty breaking of these waters , which ought to help the child to slide forth with greater ease , he remains dry , which hinders afterwards the pains and throws , so that they cannot be so effectual in excluding the child , as otherwise they would have been : it is therefore better to let them break of themselves , and then the midwife may easily find the child bare by the part which first presents , and so judge certainly whether it comes right , that is with the head , which she will find hard , big , round , and equal ; but if it be any other part , she will perceive something unequal and rugged , and hard or soft , more or less according to the parts ; immediately let her dispatch to deliver her woman , if she be not already , and assist the birth , which ordinarily happens soon after , if natural , in the following manner . after the waters be broke of themselves , as above-said , let the woman be presently placed on the pallate provided for her to this purpose , near the fire , or she may , if she like it better , be delivered in her ordinary bed ; for all women are not accustomed to be delivered in the same posture , some will be delivered on their knees , others standing , leaning with their elbows on a pillow , upon a table , or the side of a bed , and others lying upon a quilt in the midst of the chamber . but the best and surest way of delivery is in bed , to avoid the inconvenience and trouble of being carried thither afterwards , in which case it ought to be furnished rather with a quilt than a feather-bed , having upon it linnen and cloaths in many folds , with other necessaries to be changed upon occasion , that the woman may not be incommoded afterwards with the blood , waters , and other filth , which is voided in labour . the bed must be so made , that the woman being ready to be delivered , should lie on her back upon it , with her head and breast a little raised , so as that she be neither lying nor setting ; for in this manner she breaths best , and will have more strength to help her pains , than if she sunk down into her bed ; being in this posture she must spread her thighs abroad , folding her legs a little towards her buttocks , somewhat raised by a small pillow underneath , and her feet must be staid against some firm thing ; moreover let her hold some by-standers with her hands , that she may the better stay her self during her pains . being thus placed near the side of her bed , with her midwife by to help upon occasion , she must take courage , and further her pains the best she can , bearing them down , when they take her , which she may do by holding her breath , and forcing her self all she can , just as when she goes to stool . in the mean while the midwife must comfort her , and persuade her to endure her labour bravely , and put her in hopes of a speedy delivery . the midwife , with her hand anointed with oyl or fresh butter , may gently dilate the inward orifice of the womb , putting her fingers ends into its entry , and stretching them one from another , and thrusting by little and little the sides of the orifice towards the hinder part of the childs head , anointing these parts also with fresh butter . when the infants head begins to advance to the inward orifice , it is commonly said it is crown'd , and when it is come so far , that the extremity begins to appear manifestly without the privy parts , it is then said that the child is in the passage , and the woman in travail imagins , tho it is no such thing , that her midwife hurts her with her fingers , finding her self as it were scratched , and pricked with pins in those parts , by reason of the violent distension , which the bigness of the childs head causes there . when things are in this posture , the midwife must seat her self conveniently to receive the child , which will soon come , and with her fingers ends , her nails being close paired , endeavour to thrust , as above-said , this crowning of the womb , back off over the head of the child ; and as soon as it is advanced as far as the ears , or thereabouts , she may take hold of the two sides with her two hands , that when a good pain comes , she may quickly draw forth the child , taking care that the navel-string be not then intangled about the neck , or any other part , lest thereby the after-burthen be pulled with violence , and possibly the womb also , whereunto it is fastened , and so cause flooding , or else break the string , whereby the woman may come to be more difficultly delivered . it must also be observed , that the head be not drawn forth straight , but shaking it a little from one side to the other , that the shoulders may sooner and easier take place , immediately after it is past , which must be done without losing any time , lest the head being past , the child be stopt there by the largeness of the shoulders , and be in danger of being suffocated in the passage : but as soon as the head is born , if there be need , the midwife may slide in her finger under the arm-pits , and the rest of the body will follow without any difficulty . as soon as the midwife has in this manner drawn forth the child , she must put it on one side , lest the blood and waters , which follow immediately after should choak it ; afterwards let her be very careful to examin that there be no more children in the womb , which she may know , if putting her hand up the entry , she finds there another water gathering . if it be so , she must have a care not to go about to fetch the after-burthen , till the woman be delivered of all her children ; wherefore the first string must be cut , being first tied with a thred three or four double , and the other end must be fastened with a string to the womans thigh . as soon as the child is born , before the navel-string is tied or cut , the woman must be freed of the after-burthen . to perform this , the midwife having taken the string must wind it once or twice about one or two of her fingers of her left hand joined together , the better to hold it , wherewith she may then draw it moderately , and with the right hand , she may only take a single hold of it above the left near the privities , drawing likewise with that very gently , resting the fore-finger of the same hand extended , and stretched forth along the string towards the entry of the sheath , always observing to draw it from the side , where the burthen cleaves least . above all things care must be taken , that it be not drawn forth with too much violence , lest by breaking the string , you are obliged to put the whole hand into the womb to deliver the woman , or the womb be drawn down forth with it ; also by drawing it out with too much violence , a great flooding may thereby happen . to facilitate the expulsion , the woman may blow strongly into her hands shut , or she may put her finger into her throat , as if she would provoke vomiting , or she may strive as if she were going to stool , bearing always down , and holding her breath . when all these circumstances have been observed , if you meet with difficulty , you may , if need be , after that you know on which side the after-birth is situated , command an experienced nurse-keeper to press the belly lightly with the flat of her hand , directing it gently downwards by way of friction ; above all being careful not to do it too violently ; but if all this be in vain , then must the hand be directed into the vvomb to loosen and separate it . as soon as the vvoman is delivered of both child and burthen , it must then be considered whether there be all , and care had , that not the least part of it remain behind , not so much as the skirts or clods of blood , which ought all to be brought away with the first ; for otherwise , being retained , they cause great pains . when the woman has two children , you must not fetch the burthen , as was said before , till both the children are born , and then it may be done without danger , shaking and drawing it always gently sometimes by one string , sometimes by the other , and sometimes by both together , and so by turns till all is come . when the infant comes right and naturally , the woman is brought to bed , and delivered with little help , for which the meanest midwifes are capable , and oft-times for want of them , a simple nursekeeper may supply the place . but when it is a wrong labour there is a great mystery belongs to it ; for then the skill and prudence of a surgeon is for the most part requisite . immediately after the woman is delivered , and the burthen come away , care must be taken that the loosening of it be not followed with a flooding ; if it be not , a soft closure must be immediately applied to the womb , five or six times double , to prevent the cold air entring in and stopping the vessels , whereby the womb should cleanse by degrees when the vvomb is so closed : if the vvoman was not delivered upon her ordinary bed , let her presently be carried into it by some strong body or more if there be need , rather than to let her walk thither ; which bed must be ready warmed and prepared , as is requisite for the cleansings . but if she were delivered on it , which is best and safest to prevent the danger and trouble of carrying her to it , then all the soul linnen and other things put there for receiving the bloud , vvaters , and other filth , which comes away in labour , must be removed , and she must be placed conveniently in it for her ease and rest , which she much wants to recover her of the pains and labour she endured in travail , she must be placed with her head and body a little raised for to breath the freer , and to cleanse the better , especially of that blood which then comes away , that so it may not clod , which being retained causes very great pains . all this will happen if they have not liberty to come freely by this convenient situation , in which she must put down her legs and thighs close together having a small pillow for her greater ease , if she desire it under her hams , upon which they may rest a little . being so put to bed , let her lie neither on one side nor the other , but just on the middle of her back , that so the vvomb may repossess its natural and proper place . it is an ordinary custom to give the vvoman , as soon as she is delivered , two ounces of oyl of sweet almonds , and as much syrup of maiden-hair , which is good to sweeten and temper the inside of the throat , which was heated , and hoarse by her continual cryes , and holding her breath , to bear down her throws during her labour ; it is also good to prevent the grips ; but this potion goes so much against the stomachs of some vvomen , that being forced to take it with an aversion , it may do them more hurt than good ; therefore let none have it , but those that desire it and have no aversion for it : but good broath taken after she is a little setled may be more beneficial . having thus accommodated her , and provided for her belly , breasts , and lower parts , leave her to rest and sleep if she can , making no noise , the bed-curtains being close drawn , and the doors and vvindows of her chamber shut , that so seeing no light , she may the sooner fall asleep . as soon as the bed is cleansed from the foul linnen and other impurities of the labour , and the woman therein placed , let there be outwardly applied all over the bottom of her belly and privities , the following anodyne pultiss made of two ounces of sweet almonds with two or three new laid eggs yolks and whites , stirring them together in an earthen pipkin over hot embers till it comes to the consistence of a pultiss , which being spread upon cloath , must be applyed to those parts indifferently warm , having first taken away the closures which were put to her , presently after her delivery , and likewise such clods of blood as were there left . this is a very fit remedy to appease the pains which women commonly suffer in those parts , by reason of the violence then endured by the infants birth ; it must lie on five or six hours , and then be renewed a second time , if there be occasion . afterwards make a decoction of barly , linseed , and chervil , or with marsh-mallows and violet leaves , adding to a pint of it an ounce of honey of roses , wherewith , being luke-warm , foment three or four times a-day , for the first five or six days of child-bed , the bearing place , cleansing it very well from the clods of blood and other excrements which are there emptied . some persons only use for this purpose luke-warm milk , and many women only barly-water . great care must be taken at the beginning that no stopping thing be given to hinder the cleansings , but when ten or twelve days are past , and she has cleansed sufficiently , remedies may then be used to fortifie the parts , for which purpose a decoction is very proper made of province roses , leaves and roots of plantain and smiths water , and when she has sufficiently and fully done cleansing , which is usually after the eighteenth or twentieth day , there may be made for those that desire it , a very strong astringent lotion to fortifie and settle those parts which have been much relaxed , as well by the great extension they received , as by the humours , wherewith they have been so long time soak'd ; this remedy may be composed with an ounce and an half of pomgranat peel , an ounce of cypress nuts , half an ounce of accorns , an ounce of seal'd earth , an handful of provence roses , and two drachms of roch-allom , all which being infused in a quart and half a pint of strong red-wine , or that it may not be too sharp , some smiths water may be mixed with the wine , afterwards boil it to a quart , then strain it , squeezing it strongly ; and with this decoction foment the inferior parts night and morning to strengthen and confirm them . but they will never be reduced to the same state they were in , before the woman had children . a small plaister of galbanum , with a little civit in the middle may be also applyed to the womans navel . as for swaiths they need not be used the first day , or at least very loosly , especially if there has been hard labour , because the least compression of the womans belly , which is then very sore , as the womb also is , proves a great inconvenience to her ; wherefore let her not be swaithed until the second day , and that very gently at the beginning . the use of swaiths and of a good large square bolster over the whole belly may be continued the first seven or eight days to keep it a little steady ; but they must be taken off and removed often to anoint the womans belly all over , if it be sore , and if she has after-pains , with oils of sweet almonds and st. johns-wort mixed together , which may be done every day . but after that time they may be degrees begin to swaith her straiter , to contract and gather together the parts which are greatly extended , during her going with child , which may be then safely done , because the womb by these former cleansings is so diminished , that it cannot be too much compressed by the swaiths . proper remedies may be applied to the breasts to drive back the milk , if the woman will not be a nurse ; but if she intends to be a nurse , it will be sufficient to keep her breasts very close , and well covered with gentle and soft cloaths to keep them warm , and to prevent the curdling of the milk ; and if there be danger of too much milk being carried thither , anoint the breasts with oyl of roses and a little vinegar beat together , and put upon them some fine linnen dipt in it , observing that if the woman do suckle the child , she give not the breast the same day she is brought to bed , because then all her humours are extreamly moved with the pains and agitation of the labour ; therefore let her defer it at least till the next day ; and it would be yet better to stay four or five days or longer , to the end the fury of the milk , and the abundance of the humours , which flow to the breast at the beginning , may be spent , in which time another woman may give it suck . although a woman be naturally delivered , yet notwithstanding she must observe a good diet , to prevent many ill accidents which may happen to her during her child-bed , at the beginning whereof she must be directed in her meat and drink almost in the same manner as if she had a fever , that so it may be prevented , in as much as she is then very subject to it ; for this reason she must be regular in her diet , especially the three or four first days , in which time she must be nourished only with good broaths , new-laid eggs , and gellies , without using at the beginning more solid meats : but when the great abundance of her milk is a little past , she may with more safety eat a little broath at dinner , or a small piece of boyl'd chicken , or mutton ; afterwards , if no accident happens , she may be degrees be nourished more plentifully , provided that it be a third part less than she was accustomed to take in her perfect health , and that her food be of good and easie digestion ; as for her drink , let it be a ptisan made of liquorish , figs , and anniseeds , boyled in water : she may also , if she be not feverish , drink a little white wine well mixed with water , but not till after the fifth or sixth day . but it is to be noted that laborious women of a strong constitution require a more plentiful feeding ; yet notwithstanding , if they do not change the quality , they must at least retrench the quantity of their ordinary food . the child-bed woman must likewise keep her self very quiet in her bed lying on her back , with her head raised , and not turning often from side to side ; that so the womb may be the better settled in its first situation : she must free her self at that time from all care of business , let her talk as little as may be , and that with a low voice , and let no ill news be brought to her , which may affect her , because all these things do cause so great a commotion of the humours , that nature not being able to overcome them , cannot make the necessary evacuation of them , which has been the death of many . the woman ought always to keep her body open with glisters , taking one once in two days , which not only evacuate the gross excrements , but also by drawing downwards cause her to cleanse the better . when she has observed this rule a fortnight or three weeks , which is very near the time of having cleansed sufficiently , that those parts may be throughly cleansed before she goes abroad , and begin upon a new score , let her take a gentle purge of senna , cassia , and syrup of cichory , with rubarb , which is good to purge the stomach and bowels of those ill humours nature could not evacuate by the womb : this purge may be repeated upon occasion . women in their first labours have many times bruises and rents of the outward parts of the womb , and they must never be neglected , lest they degenerate into malignant ulcers ; for the heat and moisture of these parts , besides the filth which continually flows thence , easily contributes to it , if convenient remedies be not timely applied ; wherefore as soon as the woman is laid , if there be only simple contusions and excoriations , apply a pultiss made of yolks and whites of new-laid eggs and oil of roses seethed a little over warm embers , continually stirring till it be mixed , and then spread it upon a fine cloath , and apply it very warm for five or six hours , when being taken away , lay some fine rags dipt in oil of st. johns-wort on each side the bearing place , and renew them twice or thrice a day . foment these parts with barly-water and honey of roses to cleanse them from the excrements which pass , and when the vvoman makes water , let them be defended with fine rags to hinder the urine from causing pain and smarting . sometimes the bruises are so great , that the bearing-place is inflamed , and a very considerable abscess follows , in which case it must be opened just below the swelling in the most convenient place ; and after the matter is evacuated , a detersive decoction must be injected into the cavity , made of barly-water and oyl of roses , to which spirit of wine may be added , if there be any danger of corruption , and afterwards the ulcer must be dressed according to art. sometimes it happens that the perineum is so rent , that the privities and the fundament is all in one ; in this case , having cleansed the womb from such excrements as may be there with red-wine , let the rent be strongly stitched together with three or four stiches , or more , according to the length of the separation , taking at each stich good hold of the flesh , that so it may not break out , and then dress it with linimentum arcaei , or the like ; claping a plaister on , and some linnen above to prevent , as much as may be , the falling of the urine , and other excrements upon it , because the acrimony of them would make it smart , and cause pain ; and that these parts may close together with more ease , let the woman keep her thighs close together , without the least spreading until the cure be perfected : but if afterwards she happens to be with child , she will be obliged to prevent the like mischief to anoint those parts with emollient oyls , and oyntments , and when she is in labour , she must forbear helping her . throws too strongly at once , but leave nature to perform it by degrees , together with the help of a midwife well instructed in her art ; for usually when these parts have been once rent , it is very difficult to prevent the like in the following travail , because the scar there made does straighten the parts yet more ; wherefore it were to be wished for greater security against the like accidents , that the woman should have no more children . chap. xxii . of hard labour . many causes may be assigned that occasion hard labour , as the natural weakness of the mothers body , or her age , she being too young or too old ; or it may be occasioned by diseases that she had with her big belly , leanness or too much dryness of the body , or fat compressing the passages of the womb , the ill conformation of the bones encompassing the womb , as in those that are lame , may also occasion it ; wind swelling the bowels , a stone or preternatural tumour in the bladder that presses the womb may be the occasion ; so may the ill constitution of the lungs , or of the parts serving respiration , for the holding of the breath conduceth much to the exclusion of the child . various diseases of the vvomb may also render the delivery difficult , as swellings , ulcers , obstructions , and the like . the hard labour is occasioned by the child , when by reason it is dead , or putrified , or any way diseased it cannot confer any thing to its own exclusion ; also when the body or head is too large , or when there are more than one ; so twins most commonly cause hard labour , or the ill situation of the child is the cause , or when the hands or the feet offer first , or when one hand or one foot comes out first , or when it is doubled , or when the membranes break too soon , so that the vvater flows out and leaves the orifice of the vvomb dry at the time of exclusion , or when the membranes are too thick , so that they cannot be easily broken by the child . cold and dry air and a north-wind are very injurious to vvomen in labour , because they bind the body and drive the blood and spirits to the inner parts , and they are very injurious to the child coming from so warm a place . and hot weather dissipates the spirits , and weakens the child . crude nourishment and such as is difficultly concocted and binds taken in a great quantity before labours renders it difficult , the stomach being weakned , and the common passages contracted , which ought to be open in this case . drowsiness hinders the action of the mother . the unseasonable motion of the vvoman much retards the delivery , as when she refuses upon occasion to stand , walk , lie , or sit , or slings her self about unadvisedly so that the child cannot be born the right way , being turned preposterously by the restlesness of the mother . urine in the bladder , or excrements in the right gut , or the piles when they are much swell'd hinder natures endeavours , by narrowing the neck of the vvomb . fear , sorrow , anger make the labour difficult . a blow , a fall , or a wound , may also much obstruct the labour . want of good assistance to lift the woman up just at the time of delivery , and an ignorant midwife who orders the woman to endeavour an expulsion , and to stop her breath when the ligaments of the fetus stick firmly to the womb , so that the woman is tired before the time of her delivery . in hard labour women commonly give a spoonful or two of cinamon-water , or cinnamon powder'd with a little saffron , or half a dram of confection of alkermes in broth , or half a scruple of saffron alone in some broth , or every hour a lit-vvine . if these things are not sufficient the following may be used which have been frequently found very effectual . take of dittany of creet , and both the birthworts , and of troaches of mirrh each half a scruple , of saffron and cinnamon each twelve grains , of confection of alkermes half a dram , of cinnamon-water half an ounce , of orange-flower-water , and of mugwort-water each one ounce , make a potion . oyl of amber and of cinnamon , and extract of saffron are very effectual in a small quantity , namely five grains of extract of saffron , four or five drops of oyl of cinnamon , twelve or fifteen drops of oyl of amber in wine , broth or some other liquor ; and let the woman take sneesing powder for it hastens delivery . the midwife must frequently anoint the womb with the oyls of lilies or of sweet almonds , and the belly must be fomented with a decoction of the roots of marshmallows and lilies , of the leaves of mallows , violets , mugwort , of the seeds of fenugreek and flax , of the flowers of camomile and melilote . sharp glisters must be also injected to stimulate the womb , and to carry off the excrements . anoint the navel with oyl of amber . if the child begins to come forth preposterously , as with one arm or foot , the midwife must thrust them back , and turn the child right , which may be done by placing the woman on her back upon a bed with her head low and feet high . chap. xxiii . of a dead child . when the child is dead the motion of it ceases , which either the woman felt before in the womb , or the midwife with her hand ; a sense of weight with pain afflicts the belly , and the child falls like a stone from side to side ; the belly feels cold , the eyes are hollow , the face and lips pale , the extream parts cold and livid , the breasts flaccid , and at length the child putrifying , stinking matter flows from the womb , and an ill and strong smell exhales from the womans body , and her breath stinks . if the secundine be excluded first , it is a certain sign that the child is dead . the whole cure consists in the exclusion or extraction of the child . take of the leaves of savine dryed , of the roots of round birthwort , of the troches of myrrh and of castor each one dram , of cinnamon half a dram , of saffron one scruple , mingle them make a powder , whereof let her take one dram in savine water . foment the pubes , privities , and perineum , with an emollient decoction made of the leaves of mallows , and marsh-mallows , and the like and let a pessary be put up the privities . take of the roots of round birthwort , orris , black hellebore , of coloquintida and myrrh each one dram , of galbanum and opopanax each half a dram , with ox gall , make a pessary . if after having tried medicines a long while , the child cannot be ejected , it must be extracted by a surgeon , either with instruments , or with the hand alone . chap. xxiv . of the caesarian delivery . the caesarian delivery is a dextrous extraction of a living or dead child from the mothers womb , which cannot be other ways excluded , and that without endangering the life of both , or of either , and without spoiling the faculty of conceiving ; and by this art the first scipio africanus of the romans was cut out of his mothers womb , and therefore was called caesar . this caesarian section is thought to be necessary , when the mother and the child are so weak , that they cannot be preserved any other way . the use of it is twofold , one , that a living child may be extracted ; the other , that the mother may be preserved alive ; and tho' it is very hazardous , yet in a desperate case it is better to do something than nothing ; especially when a confederacy is like to be broken by the death of a wife ; or when a family is like to be extinguished ; or some kingdom or principality is like to be lost . in this manner we find in the annals of spain , the king of navar was preserved ; for his mother being wounded in the belly by the saracens , as she was hunting , a noble man coming to her help , saw the child put its hand out of the wound , and drew it forth , and educated it privately ; and afterwards , when the nobility was contending about the election of a prince , he brought out the young king , and so the controversie ended . the causes which require this operation are , a too great child , or twins , or more that endeavour to be born together ; or if a fleshy mole join to the child , the ill posture of it , and if it cannot be reduced to a better , either by its own help , or the help of others ; or because it is dead , or so much swell'd by a disease , that the naturall passage is too narrow : but in this case , it is best to take it away peece-meal . the causes on the mothers part are the narrowness of the passages , either naturally , by reason she is too young , or too old ; or because the vvomb is shut , either by a cicatrix or a callous . moreover many tumours in the womb , or the mouth of it may be the cause : in these cases , tho it be very dangerous , yet it is very necessary to use section , and the operation may be happily performed , as may appear by several experiments to him that reads rousel . but before you enter upon this operation , you must consider , whether the child can be extracted any other way that is safer and easier . you must moreover consider whether there are signs of death , and if so , you must not enter upon the operation , lest the womans death be laid upon the section , and your rashness : but when you have througly weighed all things , if the woman be of a strong nature , tho by reason of the labour she is weak , you may venture upon the operation . most authors would have it made on the left side of the belly , because it is more free from the liver ; but i , says mauriceau , think it will be better and more skilfully made just in the middle of the belly between the two right muscles : because in this place there is only the coverings , and the white line to cut . to dispatch then with more ease and speed , the chyrugeon having placed the woman so , that the belly may be a little raised ; let him take a good sharp incision knife , very sharp on one side , with which he must quickly make an incision , just in the middle of the belly between the two right muscles unto the peritoneum , of the length and extent of the womb , or thereabouts ; after that he must only peirce the peritoneum with the point of his knife , to make an orifice for one or two of the fingers of his left hand , into which he must immediately thrust them to cut it , lifting it up with them , and conducting the instrument for fear of pricking the guts , in proportion to the first incision of the coverings , which having done , the womb will soon appear , into which he must make an incision in the same manner , as he did in the peritoneum , being careful not to thrust his instrument at once too far in ; having then so opened the vvomb , he must likewise make an incision in the infants membranes ; taking care not to wound it with the instrument , and then he will soon see it , and must immediatly take it out of the burthen , which he must nimbly separate from the bottom of the vvomb , and finding it to be yet living , let him praise god for having so blessed and prospered his operation . but the children so delivered are usually so weak , if not quite dead , as it often happens , that it is hard to know , whether it is alive or dead ; yet one may be confident the child is living , if by touching the navel-string , the umbilical arteries are perceived to move , as also the heart , by laying the hand on the breast , and if it prove so , means must be used to fetch it to it self , by spouting some vvine into the nose and mouth , and by warming it , until it begins to stir of it self . but it is to be noted , that mauriceau much disapproves this cruel operation , and says it ought not to be performed until the vvoman is dead , for that the vvoman always dies in the operation , or presently after . chap. xxv . of the secundine retained . in a natural birth the secundine is usually excluded presently after the child ; and when it is not , the life of the woman is much indangered . it is retained by the too great thickness of the coats , the swelling of them , and by an afflux of humours occasion'd by hard labour ; also by the strutting of the mouth of the womb after the exclusion of the child . the external causes are , coldness of the air , whereby the secundine is repelled , and the orifice of the womb shut . certain perfumes , whereby the womb is allured upwards , violent passions of the mind , as fear , and sudden frights , the perverseness of the woman , who will not abide in such a posture , or use such endeavours as are requisite , the weight of the child , whereby the navel is broken , the after-birth remaining within , the unskilfulness of the midwife who cuts the vessels of the navel too soon , or does not hold them in her left hand as she ought , for if she let them go , they are drawn back into the womb , and are hid there with the secundine . it is easie to know when the secundine is retained in the vvomb , but sometimes a piece of it is separated and remains in the womb , which is not so easily perceived , yet it may be known , because the womb after delivery endeavours to eject something ; but tho its endeavours are but small , a sense of heat and pain is perceived in the womb , and after a few days a cadaverous smell exhales from the womb. the retention of the secundine is very dangerous , and if it continues some days , an acute fever , nauseousness , faintings , difficulty of breathing , coldness of the extream parts , convulsive fits , and at length death follows . the secundine retained , is expelled by the same remedies , which are proposed for a dead child , to which may be added some specificks deliver'd by authors . rulandus says , he has given with success thirty drops of oyl of juniper . some order the woman to bite an onion three or four times and to swallow the juice , and presently after to drink a small draught of wine . the juice of green lovage drank in rhenish-wine is also commended . sneesing is also good ; but the best way is to have it drawn out by a skilful chyrurgeon , before the inflammation is increased . if the secundine cannot be ejected by any means , but sticks firmly to the womb , and putrifies there , suppuraratives must be injected ; to this purpose basilicon may be dissolved in the following decoction . take of the leaves of mallows with the roots three handfuls , of the roots of both the birthworts each six drams , of flax seeds and fenugreek seeds each half an ounce , of violets one handful , of the flowers of camomile , and the lesser centory each half an handful , make a decoction in water mingled with oyl , if you would have it suppurate much , but to cleanse add a little vngentum aegyptiacum . chap. xxvi . of the flooding of a woman new laid . flooding is a more dangerous accident than any other which may happen to a woman newly laid , and which dispatches her so soon , if it be in a great quantity , that there is not often time to prevent it ; wherefore in this case convenient remedies must be speedily applied to stop it ; to which purpose it is fit to consider what causes the flooding , and if it be a false conception , a piece of the burthen or clodded blood remaining behind , all diligence must be used to fetch them away , or to cause a speedy expulsion of them . but if when nothing remains behind in the womb , the blood notwithstanding continues to flow , you must blood in the arm to make diversion , and let her body be laid flat , and not raised , that so the blood may not be sent down to the lower parts . let her keep her self very quiet , and not turn from side to side ; the upper part of her belly must not be swathed or bolstered , and her chamber must be kept a little cool , and the coverings of the bed must not be many , that so the flooding may not be promoted by the heat . but if notwithstanding all this the blood flows continually , the last remedies must be tryed , which is to lay the woman upon fresh straw , with a single cloath on it , and no quilt , that so her reins may not be heated , applying along her loins cloaths wet in cold vinegar and water , unless it be winter , and then it must be a little warmed ; and to the end her strength may be preserved , which is extreamly wasted , let her take every half hour a little good strong broath with a few spoonfuls of gelly , and between whiles the yolk of a new laid egg ; but too much food must not be given at a time , because her stomach cannot digest it . her drink must be red wine with a little water wherein iron has been quenched ; and if there is the least appearance of excrements contained in the guts , make no scruple to give a glister to evacuate them . but if notwithstanding the blood continues flooding , then the woman will often have fainting fits , and be in great danger of losing her life , because we cannot apply in those places the remedies fit to stop the opening of the vessels as we can in another . chap. xxvii . of a suppression of the child-bed purgations , and after-pains . the suppression of the lochia is one of the worst symptoms that can befall a woman in child-bed , especially if they happen to be totally and suddenly stopt the first three or four days , which is the time they should come down plentifully . to bring the lochia well down , let the woman avoid passion , and all disturbances of the mind , which may stop them ; let her lie in bed with her head and breast a little raised , keeping her self quiet , that so the humours may be carried downwards by their natural tendency . let her observe a good diet , somewhat hot and moist , and apply an hysteric plaster to her navel . take of the conserves of roman wormwood and rue each one ounce , of the troches of myrrh two drams , of castor , english saffron , volatile salt of armoniac , and of assa fetida , each half a dram , with a sufficient quantity of the syrup of the five opening roots , make an electuary . let her take the quantity of a large nutmeg every third hour , drinking upon it three or four spoonfuls of the following mixture . take of the water of penny royal and balm each three ounces , of compound briony water two ounces , of syrup of mugwort three ounces and an half , of saffron two drams , of castor tied up in a rag and hanged in a glass one scruple , mingle them . if these things are used presently upon the suppression , they generally take it off ▪ but if they have been used so long that all the quantity is taken , and the lochia are still stopt , in this case we may use laudanum for once , but it is best to mix it with hesterick things : for instance , take sixteen drops of liquid laudanum in a spoonful of compound briony , or water . but it must be carfully noted , that if after having once taken it , the business is not done , opium must not be repeated again , but having waited a while , to see what it will do , we must return again to emmenagoges mixt with hystericks , and afterwards we must inject a glister ; but what was said before of opium , is to be taken notice of in respect of glisters , for unless the first bring down the lochia , nothing is to be hoped for from more . these things therefore being done , it is safest and the duty of a prudent physician to wait and see what time will do , for if the woman live over the twentieth day , she will be in a manner out of danger , and then she will be able to bear such a method as is proper and effectual enough to force the lochia . if the after-pains are more than usual , you must swath the womans belly gently , that it may subside , and not move hither and thither , as it often happens after delivery , upon so sudden an evacuation , and then give three ounces of oyl of almonds fresh drawn , mixt with one ounce and an half of syrup of violets . and glisters may be injected made of milk and sugar , and yolks of eggs , and the belly must be anointed with the oyl of dill , or of rue , or of jasmine . a fomentation may be also made of a decoction of mugwort , feverfew , baulm , of the leaves of bays , and calaminth , of the seeds of daucus , cummin , and carraways , of the flowers of camomile and wall-flower , made in water and white-wine , or in milk. it is also proper to cover the belly with a sheeps-skin , fresh flead off , and appli'd hot . the following powder taken presently after delivery preserves the woman from pain in a wonderful manner ; and some think if the woman takes it in her first lying in , she will never be troubled with these pains . take of comfry dryed one dram , of the kirnels of peach stones , and of nutmegs , each two scruples , of amber half a dram , of ambergrise half a scruple , make a powder , whereof let her take a dram with white-wine , and if there be a fever with broth. if the woman after delivery be troubled with a pain in the groin , it may be taken off by applying a plaster of galbanum and assafetida to the navel , in the middle whereof some grains of musk must be placed . chap. xxviii . of acute diseases of women in child-bed . a putrid fever seises child-bed women at various seasons , and upon several occasions , sometimes presently after delivery , especially if it has been difficult and hard , sometimes on the first , sometimes on the second , third , or fourth day , but the later it begins , the better it goes off . it begins and proceeds most commonly in the following manner , after a previous indisposition , the fever begins most commonly with a shaking and shivering , which heat presently follows , and after that sweat , the first or second day fits of heat and cold succeed one another , and then all the blood being inflamed , the lochia if they were not suppressed before , flow but little , or quite stop ; if the disease be acute , and of quick motion , it comes to its height the third or fourth day ; the heat is violent , and the thirst very much , the pulse vehement and quick , watchings obstinate , there is a great restlessness , that the sick tumble from one side of the bed to the other continually ; the urin is thick and red , and there are many other grievous symptoms ; when the fever is in its state , no crisis is to be expected , for i never saw this disease go off by a critical sweat. the acute diseases of women in child-bed are sometimes accompanied with a quinsie , plurisie , peripneumonia , bloody-flux , small-pox , and the like ; of these a quinsie , plurisie , and peripneumonia , by reason of the great smilitude of the cause , and analogy of the cure , may be considered together ; presently at their first beginning we must endeavour that the blood fixed any where , and beginning to be extravasated be restor'd to circulation , lest an imposthume should be occasioned ; wherefore internal remedies which free the blood from coagulation must be used , of which sort are diaphoreticks abounding with volatile salt , as spirit of harts-horn , of soot , and urine , also testaceous and bezoartick powders , lapis prunella , decoctions and a julep made of vegetables that force urine and the courses , with all which must be mixt such things as have been found by experience to be proper for uterine diseases . moreover discutient medicines , which disperse the matter impacted , such are liniments , fomentations , and cataplasms , must be carefully applyed to the parts affected ; in the mean while the violent motion and immoderate effervescence must be driven far from thence , and the filth must be driven as much as is possible downwards ; to this end frictions , ligatures , epispasticks , and if there be occasion , cupping glasses , must be applied about the legs and feet . if the disease be very violent bleeding is indicated , and unless there be a plethora in the whole body , and the inflammation be very acute in the part affected , it were be best to open a vein in the foot , or to apply leeches to the hemorrhoidal veins ; but if necessity urge , we may bleed in the arm , and afterwards , if it can be admitted , in the foot ; but you must take notice , that bleeding must be cautiously used in these cases , for unless it does good , which i have seldom found , the sick is in a worse condition , being render'd weaker thereby . the bloody-flux is very often deadly , and so much the rather , because such things as qualifie the blood , and that moderately bind , are indicated ; but the flux of the lochia forbids them , wherefore in this case till she has been well purged by a long flux of the lochia , the fierceness of the symptoms must at present be only appeased . the indications in the small-pox are not only contrary to those above described , but also to one another ; for the flux of the lochia must be moderately restrain'd ; but in the mean while the efflorescence of the blood , and gentle sweating must be continued , wherefore such things as are of an alexipharmic and astringent nature must be boyl'd in their broths , as the roots of tormentil and bistort ; and in this case the woman must not eat flesh , or the broths of it , nor must she rise , but be kept as quiet as is possible , and the whole business must be left in a manner to god and nature ▪ all women in child-bed have an inbred venom , and they ought to be careful of it , and to avoid it as much as the greatest malignity ; wherefore they ought to use an exact course of diet , whereby the impurities of the blood and humours may be purged in child-bed without the danger of a fever , and that the disorders of the womb may be healed , and their strength weakned by delivery may be restored , to which end three things are to be minded , first an exact course of diet must be ordered , viz. that they be fed for a week at least with water-gruel , sometimes made with beer , sometimes made with water mixt with white-wine , or with panada , and other things of easie digestion : secondly , they must take great care that they do not catch cold , whereby the pores and the lochia may be stopt ; wherefore let them continue in bed at least till the tenth day : thirdly , the lochia must be gently provoked ; to this end midwives when after hard labour , there is danger of the stoppage of the lochia , give sperma ceti , irish slates powdered , or white-wine tinctured with saffron , and they make the gruel with water and white-wine , wherein as also in posset-drink they boyl marygold flowers , the leaves of penny-royal , or mugwort . chap. xxix . of the melancholy , madness , delirium , and epilepsie of women in child-bed . these diseases happen in child-bed , for want of a sufficient evacuation , by reason of the fault of the blood , the suppression of it , or too great an evacuation ; or by fevers , an ill vapour rushing upon the brain , whereof lusitanus mentions an observation of a very beautiful lady , that presently after delivery fell melancholy , and was mad for a month , but by the use of a few medicines recovered her senses ; and i , says rodericus a castro , have often cured a dutch merchants wife who was frequently distracted after delivery . these diseases are thus distinguished , melancholy is a delirium without a fever , occasioned by a melancholy humour possessing the seat of the mind . madness is more outragious , and a hot intemperies is the occasion of it ; whereas melancholy proceeds from a cold intemperies : an epilepsie is a convulsion of all the parts of the body , not perpetual , but by intervals , with a depravation of sense and jugdment . lastly , a delirium is an alienation of the mind , and proceeds most commonly from a bilious fever , and therefore is not a disease , but a symptom . these are the general indications ; if these diseases proceed from an immoderat flux , it must be stopt , the strength must be kept up , and the cold and dry intemperies must be corrected . if they proceed from a suppression of the child-bed purgations , they must be forced ; if they are occasioned by a fault in the blood , they must be treated as the melancholy of virgins and widows . the most grievous symptom of these diseases are obstinate watching ; in this case apply often to the temples the following oxyrrhodine . take of the waters of roses and plantain , each four ounces , of oyl of roses , three ounces , of vinegar of roses one ounce , the powder of red sanders , one drachm , mingle them , apply it in a rag , or populeon oyntment mixed with oyntment of roses , three grains of opium , and one scruple of saffron ; or a live pigeon cut in two may be applied hot to the head. and if these things do not do , one dram of philonium may be given in lettice water and a little wine at bed-time . note that in an epilepsie the oxyrrhodine above mentioned is not so proper , because it cools the head too much , and in melancholy such things must be added to it as moisten more . chap. xxx . of driving away the milk , of tumors from milk , of want of milk , and of chaps of the nipples . if the milk flow too freely into the breasts , a thin and spare diet must be ordered , and the breasts must be often sucked to prevent the inflammation of them , and the immoderate effervescence of the blood ; and if it be not thought convenient that the woman should give suck ▪ it is customary on the first or third day of lying in , to apply over the breasts moderately astringent cerecloths , or the populean oyntment , and galens cooling cerate equally mixt , and spread on linnen ; some use linnen dipt in luke-warm verjuice , wherein a little allom has bin dissolved , that so it may be more astringent ; but great care must be taken in the application and change of these things , that the woman catch not the least cold , as also that no inflammation or impostume be caused , instead of driving back the milk : wherefore things are to be applyed according to the variety of the case . but the best way to drive away the milk is the causing an ample evacuation of the lochia , which is much further'd by keeping the belly open with glisters . milk is the occasion of many tumours of divers kinds : the differences may be thus enumerated ; if the ferment of the breast be over active , it separates the milk with too great violence , causing thereby an over fermentation in the part , which usually produces a tumor called a phlegmon , if the serum be hot , or partakes much of blood ; otherwise it raises a tumor called an oedema ; or if the matter be disposed to coagulate , the kings evil : and these are the most frequent species of tumors generally reputed to arise from milk , and either of them may degenerate into a scirrhus , and that scirrhus into a cancer . the signs are visible ; if the first happen , there are all the symptoms of a phlegmon , heat , redness , tension , pulsation , and the like ; if the second , large distension with pain , but no heat ; if the kings evil , then hard kernels are easily felt . swellings made by the over eagerness of the milky ferment go easily off , if no other symptom attend them . sucking and drawing the breast for the most part discharges the milk , as fast as it can be generated , and then all goes off well . but if the fermentation produce any disorder in the blood , there is more or less danger according to the quality of the tumor produced , viz. a phlegmon is apt to occasion a fever , oedematous tumors are apt to grow ulcers , and sometimes scrophulous , and scirrhous , and require a long time for their cure. because it frequently happens to women in child-bed , that their breasts do swell extraordinarly by reason of abundance of milk , which flows into them , and occasions inflammations , impostumations , and the like ; therefore their diet ought to be slender , and of such a quality as may less dispose the humours to ferment , as water-gruel , panado , and the like . but if the inflammation be not violent , or the patient weak , chicken broath may be allowed with wood-sorrel , purslain , lettice boiled in it , or a boiled chicken , a potched egg , and such sort of meats of easie digestion . the medicines proper to diminish the milk , are lettice , purslain , endive , succory , smallage , and the like , the seeds of wild rue , cummin , basil powdered and given to the quantity of one dram daily in broath , will dry up the milk , as authors write . the milk is usually drawn out of the breasts by the infants sucking them : but if the child be so weak , it cannot suck , or does not discharge them enough , some body else must do it , or young whelps may suck them , or the mother may draw her own breasts her self by an instrument sold for that purpose . the swelling made by the milk is restrained by the application of night-shade , lettice , plantain , vine-tops , bramble-buds , horse-tail , and the like , or with the oyl of myrtles and vinegar . it may be discussed by the application of mints , catmints , rue , the seeds of fenugreek , cummin , fennel , and the like , or dried up by applying cloaths dipt in lime water , or a solution of sacharum saturni in the water of frogs spawn ; during which time fine tow may be sprinkled with ceruss , and applied to the arm-pits : but these things must be only used at the beginning of the fluxion . but if the inflammation be gon too far towards suppuration , then it must be promoted with suppuratives , and opened by incision or a caustick . where the swelling has been hard , and not inflamed , use the following cerat . take of the tops of wormwood powdered two drams , of the seeds of fenugreek and fennel , each one ounce and an half , of the juice of henbane and hemlock , each three ounces , of oyntment of marsh-mallows two ounces , of ducks fat , and goose grease , each one ounce , of deers suet two ounces , of liquid storax half an ounce , with a sufficient quantity of wax , make a cerat . hemlock boyled in wine , and beaten up with hogs lard resolves the hardness of the breasts . green mints , or chickweed are common applications , and of good use , either alone or mixed with other medicines , in all the hard swellings of the breast occasioned by milk. all plasters applied to the breasts must have a hole sniped in them for the nipples , lest they be fretted by them , especially that the milk may be drawn forth whilst the medicines lye on . but it is best to prevent such swellings at the beginning by procuring an ample and large evacuation of the lochia . for the chaps and excoriations of the niples , rags dipt in plantain-water may be applied , or the oyntment called diapompholigos may be used : but great care must be taken that nothing be applied to disgust the child ; wherefore some only use honey of roses : but if the excoriation and pain be much , the woman must forbear giving the child suck . if the child has wholly sucked off the nipples , the milk then must be quite dried away , that so the ulcers which remain may be the sooner healed . chap. xxxi . of want of milk. the cause of want of milk is a vice of the blood , the weakness of the body , or of the child , the smallness of the breasts , the narrowness of the vessels , any immoderate evacuation by another part , as by the mouth , by the courses , by the nostrils , or by the hemorrhoids , by immoderate cold , ill diet , fasting , great labour , or sorrow . the whole cure in a manner consists in diet. if therefore it be occasioned for want of blood , or by a dry intemperies , from whence it chiefly proceeds , it must be cured by a hot and moist diet , and the air must be moist and moderately warm . sleep is better than immoderate watching . the bread must be wheaten and well fermented . goats or sheeps milk boil'd with yolks of eggs , and sweetned is good ; so is rice boild with milk and honey , potched eggs , chicken broath , mutton or veal broath , or broath of phesants , or the flesh of them with a sauce made of rocket and honey ; the udders of animals are also good . of fishes , a trout , mullet , a salmon , soles , place , pikes , and the like are good ; and for the second course , sweet almonds , raisins of the sun , pistaches , pine nuts , rocket , parsnips roasted under the embers , or prepared with honey . diascorides and avicenna commend fennel and smalage ; lettice is also good , so are cabbage , wild thime , leeks , rocket , fennel . let her drink be sweet wine , or white-wine , or barley water with the seeds of fennel , or ale ; wherein if you boyl butter , sugar , and bread , you 'll scarce find a better diet for this purpose . the german women use this for their meat and drink almost all the time they give suck . all things that are acid , acrid , bitter and very hot must be avoided . but if this defect proceed from heat or choler , you must use cooling things , and the body must be purged according to the nature of the humour : but if the blood be flegmatick , and the vessels obstructed , you must open the obstructions and attenuate the blood ; therefore you must give hot things , as smallage , dill , penny-royal with wine : but you must be careful not to give things that are too hot ; for they dry up the milk. and as those things which moderately provoke the courses breed milk , so those that violently force them lessen it . blood is never to be drawn , nor are strong purges to be used : but if it be necessary to use purging by reason of the fault of the humours , the nurse must take four days before such things as increase the milk , and such medicines must be given as increase the milk. as take of thee seeds of fennel , of leeks , and rocket , each two drams , of mace one dram , of the leaves of mallows half a handful , boyl them in chicken broath , and let her take six ounces of the broath , and wash ▪ the breasts with the broath . but if the want of milk proceeds from the smallness of the breasts , foment them with a decoction of fenugreek , and camomile made in wine , or with hot beer and butter . but if these things do not good , you must chuse another nurse ; but you must try all things first , for change of milk is very injurious to the child . chap. xxxii . of a woman suckling her own children , and of chusing a nurse . the mothers milk is fittest for the child , because it is most agreeable to it nature : besides the mother will be more vigilant and careful than a hired nurse ; for none can love , the child so well as the own mother , who upon the account of her affection is unwearied in the attending of the child , and thinks she never does enough for it , and is presently awaked by its crying ; whereas mercenary nurses often overlay children and suffocate them . moreover the body , and the disposition of the mind are more framed by the milk and nourishment , than by the nature of the seed ; and as you often observe that the child is purged when the nurse is purged ; so the body and humours are in a manner the same with hers , as trees partake of the nature of the soil they are planted in . besides , it is the duty of a mother to nurse her own child ; for those that do not are but half mothers , and to be sure cannot love them so well as those that do . upon this account a roman youth of the family of the gracchi , returning rich and victorious from the wars , being met by his mother and his nurse , gave his mother a silver ring , and his nurse a gold chain ; whereat his mother being offended ; you , said he , nourished me only nine months in the womb , and then rejected me , this woman received me into her arms , and suckled me two years , and taught me to be orderly . the water nourishes what is bred in the water , and the earth nourishes what is bred in the earth : nor is there any beast so cruel , as not to nourish its young ones . tygers , lions , and vipers take care of their young ones , and only man makes foundlings of his : oh! incredible and execrable villany , what can be more cruel , than to expose a tender infant that implores his mothers help , as soon as possibly she can get rid of it ? but god in his providence often punishes their inhumanity ; for their milk often curdles in their breast , and occasions dreadful pains , so that those breasts , which were denied their children are forced to be suckt by puppies ; nor is this all , for their breasts are often inflamed and suppurated , and must be cut with knives , or burnt with red hot irons , or becoming cancerous , the rotten flesh drops from them piece-meal . but some will object in their excuse , that they are either too young or too weak , yet without doubt if they are able to conceive , they may suckle too ; for god never gave them breasts full of milk to no purpose . but if they have not milk enough , which is the only real excuse , a nurse must be chosen , who ought to be of an age betwixt twenty and thirty ; she ought to be of a strong constitution , well coloured , not too fat , nor too lean ; she must not have rotten teeth , nor a stinking breath , nor be affected with scabs , ulcers , the french-pox , gout , consumption , or any other disease . thirdly , her manners are to be considered ; for the child sucks them in with the milk ; whereof the nurse ought to be good tempered ; she must not be subject to violent passions , nor wholly without passion , nor of a weak judgment ; she must not be squint eyed , lest the child should be so ; she must be chast , and not have conversation with her husband , lest her courses should flow , or the blood be disturbed , and consequently the milk ; or be with child , whereby the milk would be lessened , and become vitious : but some think that the courses flowing moderately does not vitiate the milk , but rather cleanses the rest of the blood. fourthly , we must consider the time from delivery ; for she must not give suck too near delivery , nor too long from the time of it . she must not give suck until she be free of the child-bed purgations ; the time most approved of , is from the second month to the sixth , and she should have nursed a child before . fifthly , the breasts are to be considered , which ought to be moderately full , not loose and hanging down ; but solid and firm , of a moderate bigness and hardness , and the veins of them should look blew , and dispersed into many streams , moderately elevated , that they may contain the more milk ; for if they are dense , and the milk is bound up in them , and as it were suffocated , the child can scarce draw it , and so either takes a distaste , or if it suck on , the nose is flattened by the pressure . sixthly , the paps must not be so short as that the child cannot take hold of them with his lips , nor so long and thick , as to fill the infants mouth , so that it cannot readily use its tongue to suck or swallow . seventhly , the nature of the milk must be considered , which , besides the clearness and sweetness of it , which are the first requisits , must be also sweet-sented , not too thick nor too thin , which may be tried by dipping a hair in the milk , hanging it up , if the milk slide off , it is naught , but if it compass the whole hair it is good . eightly , chuse a nurse which was last delivered of a male child . ninethly , such an one as is not wont to miscarry . tenthly , she must not be with child . the nurse so described on the first days she begins to suckle must use a simple diet , lest too much milk should overwhelm the tender infant . afterwards let her have good meats : she must not drink excessively , she must abstain from wine , and from salt , sharp , and a stringent meats , and leeks , onions , garlick , rocket and spices . she must avoid all perturbations of mind , and copulation ; let her moderately exercise her arms and upper parts . lastly , her diet must be such , as the nature and constitution of the infant requires ; if the child be of a hot constitution , she must use a cooling diet ; but if the infant be of a cold constitution , a little wine and spices must be allowed , and stronger exercise , and if the nurse be not well , she must be purged , and diet must be ordered according to the faults of the milk , and the disorders of the child . the nurse must be always chearful , and laughing , and singing with the child . she must keep it clean . she must speak distinctly . she must assist the child in sucking by pressing gently her breasts ; but she must not let the child suck too much at once . chap. xxxiii . of wrinkles in the belly and breasts after delivery . when the child in the womb grows big , it stretches the belly , or maks it chap , so that after delivery wrinkles remain in the belly , and her breasts grow small after the milk goes away for the same reason . the chaps may be prevented , if after the fourth month of being with child , a linnen cloath dipt in the oyl of sweet almonds be applied to the belly . the wrinkles left after delivery may be taken off by two sorts of remedies . first therefore , if the womans month be not out , apply to the belly the following oyntment . take of sperma ceti two drams , of oyl of sweet almonds , and st. johns wort , each one ounce and an half , of goats suet one ounce , of new wax a sufficient quantity , make an oyntment . secondly , after the womans lying in , such things may be used as gently bind , and render the belly solid and firm . take of the distilled water of mallows , and marsh-mallow , each one quart , of rose-water a pint and half , two lemons ▪ peeled and sliced , of unripe sloes one pound ; infuse them together two days , and then distil them in a glass alembick with a gentle fire , and bath the womans belly with it . but the following makes the belly more solid . take of figs one pound , of the meal of barley and beans , each half an ounce , of the meal of rice two ounces , of galls , and cypress nuts , each one dram , of mastich , and myrrh , each one dram and half , of the seeds of fennel one dram ; boyl them all in smiths water till they are a little thick , then apply them to the belly ; or after bathing with a decoction of the foresaid things : apply the following pultiss to the belly . take of the meal of beans , rice , acorns and almonds , each two ounces , of bricks powdered one ounce , of bole-armenick two drams , of dragons blood one dram , of cypress nuts half an ounce , of kermes three drams , of galls half an ounce , of oyl of myrtles six ounces , of the waters of medlars , and sloes , each one pint , of rose-water one pint and an half ; boyl them to the consistence of a pultiss , apply it to the belly . it also makes the breasts solid . but lest the breast and bowels should be offended by its frigidity and binding quality , add of mastick two drams , of nutmegs three drams , of florentine orris half an ounce . myrrh mixed with these , the decoction of it , or used any other way renders the belly smooth and firm , and the breasts hard compact and small , and narrows the privities , and is accounted a great secret in this case . chap. xxxiv . of straitning the privities after delivery . after delivery the privities are lax ; and hence barreness , and a falling of the womb are sometimes occasioned . the cure is performed by two sorts of remedies . first , if the privities are too moist , such things must be used as dry ; the following uterine glister is very proper . take of galls number four , of spodium two spoonfuls , powder them very fine , and add six ounces of stiptic-wine ; afterwards put up the following pessary . take of the bark of the pine two drams , allom one dram , of cyprus one pugil , boyl them in wine to the consistence of a pultiss , apply them often with a rag : or infuse galls in rain-water eight days , and with soft wool sprinkled with sulphur , and dipt in this water and dried without pressing , make a pessary . but secondly , and chiefly you must use astringents , foment the genitals with the water or decoction of acorns , unripe sloes , and of horse-tail ; or foment the parts with allom-water , or with stiptic-wine , that is , red and rough wine boyl'd with galls , leaves of myrtles , red roses , pomgranet-peel balaustines , and cypress nuts : or , take of cypress nuts and galls , each one pound , of roch-allom , and the filings of iron prepared in vinegar , each half a pound , boyl them in a sufficient quantity of the waters of galls , which tanners use , and foment the parts often with it . the following water is counted excellent . take of galls , and of cypress nuts , each half a pound , of allom six drams , bole-armonick half a pound , of the meal of acorns , and of old beans , each half a pound , the whites of twelve eggs , of powder of brick one pound ; let them be all finely powdered , and infuse them three days in smiths water , or in a decoction of sloes , medlars , or horse-tail , with half a pint of rose vinegar ; then distill them in a cold still with a gentle fire ; add to the water that comes off , of the powders of mastick , myrrh , and dragons blood , each two drams . set the water in the sun in the summer for ten days , this straitens the privities , smoothens the belly , and makes the breasts solid . chap. xxxv . of abscesses and corrosive vlcers arising from distempers of the womb in childbed . the womb is sometimes terribly affected in child-bed , and produces fevers of very malignant and venomous natures , which soon cause phlegmons , and worse tumours , in the womb it self , and sometimes in other parts of the body , there being none of them on which the uterine ferment has not an influence . the exhorbitances or degenerations of that , whether from an hurt in labour , from part of the after-birth left behind , from cold taken , or the lochia stopt , soon produce such virulent distempers in the blood as make it cast out a tumor , either upon the part it self , or else outwardly upon the muscles of the body , where when they light , they prove corrosive , sometimes eating out the flesh in which they lodge , which falls off in whole pieces , without that change of colour in the skin , which is in gangreens , so that sometimes the bone it self is laid bare by them . the causes are hard labour , the womb hurt , or part of the secundine left behind ; cold taken in child-bed , and a predisposition in the humours , by reason of their peccancy in quantity or quality . the prognostick may be taken from the largness , or other qualifications of the abscess , and the symptoms that happen to the body thereupon . if the tumor happens only from some little disturbance in the womb of a person otherwise of a good habit of body , the cure is hopeful . if part of the after-birth be retained , there is no hope 's of cure till that be removed , nay if it stay so long , as to induce putrefaction of the part , it will be too late then to remove it . if the body be of an ill habit , the tumours are apt to degenerate into very venomous and malignant abscesses , which if they do not suddenly kill , do at least produce ill conditoned ulcers , hard of cure , and for the most part mortal in the long course of the disease . in the cure of these abscesses , you are to inform your self how the womb is disturbed , and appease that ; and if any part of the after-birth be left behind , to endeavour the bringing that away , and by good sudorificks , cordials and the like , to expel the venom , and fortifie the spirits against the malignity that is thereby contracted , and to attemperate the heat , and the acrimony by julips and emulsions . the swellings arising from these require to be treated in their beginning with moderate repellents and discutients afterward , according as the matter prepredominates , make way for its discharge . a young woman after child-bed was seized with a great pain and swelling in her groin , with a fever . bleeding and lenient purgatives to evacuate the humours were prescribed , also cordial juleps , and the like , to attemperate the heat , and fortifie the spirits ; and moderate repellents mixed with discutients in fomentations , and plasters with bandage were used , which dispersed the humor in the thigh , and restored that part to its former temper : but in the mean time the tumor increased in the groin , and was suppurated after the manner of a bubo ; it was opened , and a detersion was endeavoured ; but the sinus reaching down the twist , the matter could not be discharged without laying it more open , as in sinous ulcers , by which method it was cured . a gentlewoman in child-bed was seized with a fever , and the ninth day complained of a pain in her foot. discutients were prescribed , together with things proper for the fever to breath out the impacted matter in her foot ; but the pain increasing , the upper part of the foot from the instep to the toes were oedematous ; but from the inside of the ancle to the middle of the sole of her foot inflamed , and seeming to apostumate . the ill consequences of an apostumation in that part amongst the tendons and bones , and where the skin is usually so hard and tough , that our strongest causticks could difficultly penetrate , being feared ; it was resolved to endeavour the restraint of the influx , and so to dry up the humour affecting the part ; to which purpose was applied the following plaster . take of barley meal six ounces , of flax seeds powdered six drams , of the flowers of camomile and elder , each three drams , of the flowers of red roses and balaustins , each one ounce ; these with the addition of honey of roses and oyl of myrtles were boyled to the consistence of a plaster in red wine , and at bed-time an anodyne draught was given to cause rest . the next morning the patient was somewhat relieved , and when the dressings were taken off , the tumor and inflammation seemed less . this way of dressing was continued with compress and bandage , and the humour was in few days dried up , and the foot seemed well ; but there appeared again a swelling on the foot , and apostumated in the sole of the foot in three several places , which were opened with a caustick , to prevent the increase of the matter , and the eschars were divided to give a vent , and they were dressed with basilicon and the plaster as before , and the flowing of the matter was indeavoured to be hindred dayly by compress and bandage ; but the position of the foot gave way , and it sunk lower , so that there was a necessity of applying another caustick , which proved effectual to the discharge of it ; so that the upper orifices healed , but this last eschar separated slowly , and left the great tendon bare ; the separation was furthered by the use of oyl of turpentine with basilicon applied warm , and the tendon was incarnated with a sarcotick composed of a mixture of powder of orris , myrrh , sarcocoll , and mercury precipitate , with honey of roses and turpentine , and the ulcer was cicatrized with the epuloticks . after it was cicatrized the sole of her foot was so relaxed and tender , that upon setting it on the ground it became very much subject to a pituitous swelling : but by the use of a fomentation and a laced stocking , the weak parts were strengthned , and she was cured . chap. xxxvi . of the falling of the womb. for the cure of this disease , regard must be had to two things ; the first is to reduce the womb to its natural place ; the second is to strengthen and to keep it there . if the womb be quite out or turned , the woman must first of all render her urine , and a glister must be given to evacuate the gross excrements that are in the right gut , that so the reduction may be the easier performed : then place her on her back with her hips raised a little higher than her head , and then foment all that is fallen out , with a little wine and water luke-warm , and with a soft rag put it into its proper place , thrusting it back not all at once , but wagging it by little and little from side to side . in case this be too painful , because it 's already too big and swell'd , anoint it with oyl of almonds , for the more easie reduction of it ; but wipe oft the oyl , as soon as it is reduced . but if it cannot be put up by reason of the great inflammation and tumor , there is great danger that it will gangrene . as to the second part of the cure , which consists in the retention of the womb in its place , and the strengthening of it , let the woman keep her self in bed upon her back having her hips a little raised , her legs crossed , and her thighs joyned together to prevent the falling of it out again . but the best way is to put up a pessary into the neck of the womb to keep it firm . take of oak bark two ounces , boyl it in two quarts of fountain water , add at the latter end an ounce of pomgranat-peel bruised , red roses , pomgranat flowers , each two handfuls , and then add half a pint of red-wine ; strain it , and bath the part affected with flannels dipt in it in the morning two hours before the woman rises , and at night when she is in bed ; continue it till the symptom is quite gone . chap. xxvii . of a dropsie and inflation of the womb. the inflation and dropsie are confounded by almost all authors ; but they are to be distinguished ; for there is a certain inflation of the womb which ought not to be called a dropsie , viz. when the womb is inflated , and stretched suddenly by wind rushing in ; upon which account a violent pain is occasioned ; this often happens in hysterick diseases . wherefore a dropsie of the womb is two-fold , one from wind , which is like a tympany ; another from a watery humour , which is like a dropsie of the belly . as to the diagnostick of these diseases , many things are to be enquired into . first , how they may be distinguished from an universal dropsie . secondly , how the species of it may be known , viz. whether it proceeds from wind , water , or flegm ▪ thirdly , if it arise primarily from the womb , or be occasioned by the fault of some other part . fourthly , whether the peccant matter be contained in the cavity of the womb , or within the membranes of it , or in bladders . fifthly , how it may be distinguished from other tumours of the womb. sixthly , how it may be distinguished from being with child . seventhly , how it may be distinguished from a mola . first , it is distinguished from an universal dropsie , for that in a dropsie of the womb , the tumour possesses more the bottom of the womb , and there is not so soon a paleness and wasting of the whole body , as in an universal dropsie . besides , in a dropsie of the womb , the thirst and driness of the tongue is not considerable , and wind breaks out by intervals , or a little water flows out , which manifestly shew , that wind or water is contained in the womb. secondly , the species of dropsies in the womb are thus distinguished , if it be occasioned by wind , the bottom of the belly sounds being struck ; there are pricking pains in the belly , which sometimes run through the diaphragm , stomach , loins , navel , and other parts , and sometimes the wind does evidently break through the neck of the womb ; the disease grows worse upon eating and drinking , and they often belch , and are better after it ; they sometimes perceive a pain in the region of the hypogaster , so that they cannot bear an hand laid on it ; these signs are also in an inflation of the womb ; but there is this difference , for an inflation is but for a small space , and a dropsie from wind continues much longer . but if a dropsie of the womb is occasioned by water , that region appears soft and flaccid , for wind causes a tension ; there is a greater weight in the part , and a sound as it were of water floating , and water sometimes drops from the part . and if it proceed from flegm , there is a greater softness and flaccidity of the part , which dayly increases , and afflicts the neighbouring parts with oedematous swellings . thirdly , if there be signs of the whole bodies being ill affected , as by long or acute fevers , by immoderate hemorrhagies , by weakness of the stomach , swelling of the liver or spleen , or by other obstinate diseases of those parts , by which the dropsie of the womb began , and increased with them ; there is good reason to conjecture that the matter of the dropsie is received in those parts ; but if when the whole body is well , such a tumour happens , and succeeds particular diseases of the womb , as hard labour , suppression of the courses , or too large an evacuation of them , or ulcers and tumours , we may guess that the dropsie of the womb proceeds from them . fourthly , the matter which is contained in the cavity of the womb causes a much greater tumour than when it is contained within the membranes . fifthly , a dropsie of the womb may be distinguished from tumours that proceed from a phlegmon , or an erysipelas , because in these there is a fever and pain upon the least touching ; it may be distinguished from the scirrhous , or cancerous tumour by the hardness that resists the finger . sixthly , when a woman is with child , the tumour is not equal and depressed , but thrusts it self out above the navel ; and when a woman is with child , after some months she is most commonly better ; but the longer a dropsie lasts , the worse it grows , and the motion of the child is plainly to be felt after the third or fourth month ; yet in a dropsie that arises from wind , a palpitation may be sometimes perceived in the womb , and when a woman is with child , the breasts swell , but in a dropsie they wax small . seventhly , in a mole there is a weight felt in the body , which is not perceived in a dropsie of the womb , and when the sick lies on either side , a weight is perceived , as if a stone rolled thither . moreover , in a mole there are violent fluxes of the courses by intervals , namely , every third or fourth month , which does not happen in a dropsie of the womb ; and lastly , in a mole the breasts swell , and have milk in them sometimes , but there is no such thing in a dropsie . as to the prognosticks , a simple inflation of the womb is not dangerous , but if it continue long , it may turn to a dropsie . if wind or water is contained in the cavity of the womb it is easier cured than when it is included in the membranes , or in bladders . this disease is cured much the same way as a dropsie or green-sickness is ; but some things peculiar to this disease must be added : if the disease be new , and occasioned by an obstruction of the courses , and if there be a fulness of blood , bleeding may be proper , otherwise it is injurious ; but purging is always necessary , and must be often repeated , and after sufficient purging , aperitives , diureticks , and such things as move the courses must be used , to which may be added the following . take the roots of smallage , and madder , each half an ounce , of the leaves of savin , feverfew , and penny-royal , each one pugil , of the seeds of daucus , one dram , boyl them in the broaths of young pidgeons , and let her take it strained in the morning for many days . but before she takes the broath , let her swallow one of the following pills , take of the best castor , myrrh and madder , each half a dram , of saffron one scruple , with the juice of lemons , make nine pills ; after the use of which medicine , violent exercise must be used , that thereby the excrements bred in the bowels , and in the habit of the body may be dissipated , and also all that which is contained in the womb , the skins being broken by the violence of the exercise , and if the woman vomit easily , it will be proper to vomit her twice a week . the following bolus is very effectual to discuss the humour contained in the womb. take of mineral borax , half a dram , of saffron half a scruple , with the juice of savin , make a bolus , to be taken twice a week . sudorificks are also very proper ; in the mean while the heat of the stomach must be strengthened by things taken inwardly , and outwardly applyed . the womb must also be strengthened by proper topical medicines : first by fomentations and baths made of a decoction of the roots of briony , and wild cucumber , of the leaves of dwarf elder , mercury elder , wild-marjoram , calaminth , wormwood , rue , sage , marjoram , thym , bays , penny-royal , mugwort , of the seeds of broom , daucus , cummin , anise , fennel , of the berries of lawrel and juniper , of the flowers of camomile , melilot , rosemary , of which may be made bags to be boiled in wine . but that the forementioned fomentation may succeed the better , you must apply it before and behind , and the sick ought to sweat , if she can , in the bed or in a bath . in a windy dropsie dry fomentations are more beneficial , with bags made of grommel , salt , cummin and bran , torrified in a frying-pan , and sprinkled with wine . after the fomentation , anoint the lower belly with the oyls of nard , dill , rue , worm-wood , southern-wood , and if they are chimically prepared they will be the more effectual . after the anointing the belly , apply the plaster of lawrel-berries , or a pultiss made of cows-dung , sheeps-dung , of the seeds of smallage , parsley , and cummin boyled in honey . glisters must be frequently injected , made of a decoction of wormwood , wild-marjoram , penny-royal , rue , centaury , and the like ; or of the oyls of rue , nutmeg , dill , and whitewine , or in malago sack , wherein must be dissolved benedictum laxativum , diaphenicon , hiera diacolocinthidos , turpentine , confection of the lawrel-berries , honey of rosemary , and the like . injections for the womb may be prepared in the following manner to evacuate the humours contained in it . take of the roots of asara-bacca , three drams , of the leaves of penny-royal , and calaminth , each half an handful , of savin , one scruple , of mechoacan , one dram , of the seeds of anise and cummin , each half a dram , boyl them and strain them , and in six ounces of the liquor , dissolve of oyls of orris and elder , each one ounce ; make an injection . for the same purpose pessaries may be made thus . take of coloquintida and mechoacan ; each one dram , of nitre , half a scruple , with a sufficient quantity of boyled honey ; make a pessary . or , take of elaterium , half a dram , of figs bruised a sufficient quantity . when the inflation proceeds from wind a fume from nutmegs is very good , and is commended by solinander in these words , a vvoman in child-bed by exposing her self to the air too soon , fell into intolerable pains , nor could be relieved by any means , at length an old and skilful midwife was called , she ordered three nutmegs to be grosly beaten , which she put into a chaffing-dish with live coals , and placed the chaffing-dish so , that the fume of the nutmegs by the help of a funnel inverted , passed into the vvomans privities , and she received the same fume into her mouth and nostrils after the same manner , and as soon as the fumes had penetrated , the woman cryed out presently she must go to stool , and as soon as she had so spoken a great noise was heard like the shooting of a gun , and the woman was cured in the same moment ; and being encouraged by this success , i used it , says he , often in like case , and it succeeded well . a cupping-glass with much flame applyed to the navel wonderfully discusses wind : but when the disease is humoural , issues in the legs evacuate by degrees the filth of the womb. the bath waters used inwardly and outwardly are also very good , if the body be not very hot . amatus lusitanus commends the vvater or decoction of camomile flowers to ease the pain of the vvomb : in this case he orders four or five ounces of it to be given at a time . lastly , if the inflation happens after delivery , there is no need of any other cleansing , than what is done by the womb : but if it does not proceed well , it must be helped with pessaries , and cupping-glasses applyed to the thighs , and with other remedies described for the suppression of the courses : and if there be vvind , the fume of nutmegs above proposed are very proper . chap. xxxviii . of a cancer of the breast and womb. a cancer is the name of a tumour arising as it is thought from an adust , or atrabilious humour . it is round , unequally hard , and if not inflamed , of a livid or brown colour with exquisite pricking pain , the veins appear turgid in the skin upon the surface of the tumour . the remote cause of this tumour is either a fault in the original constitution of the body , or an acquired one , as by a bruise , or the like ; or by an error in dyet . the differences of cancers are many ; some are with ulceration , others not ; some are loose and moveable , and so hard that they have knocked one against another like peebles ; some are fixed to the bones , and some lie superficially ; other differences may be taken from the humour to which they owe their original . if the matter be not very corrosive , their growth is slow , and they are not very painful . these are called the milder sort , and some of them affecting the breast have been palliated a long time with easie remedies . a lady laboured many years of an ulcerated cancer , it eat deep into the left breast , and was fixed to the ribs , but not with much pain ; in progress of time the lips inverted , and united as it were , and lay covered with a crusty scab , the humour in the mean while spent it self upon the nerves and caused a species of the palsie in some parts of her body , and the gout in others . she lived long , and in her latter age tolerably healthful ; this is to be judged a scirrhous cancer , yet by ill management , or by an increase of acrimony , this and such like frequently terminate in raging cancers , and torment the patient with exquisite darting pains ; an instance or two whereof i shall set down , to make the young practitioner more cautious in undertaking the cure of them . a vvoman had a painful hard swelling in one of the glands of her breast ; she was advised to forbear the use of all cataplasms and plasters that might heat her breast , and to dress it with valentia stramonij , but she was otherwise perswaded , and thereby increased her misery . about half a year after she had a stinking sordid ulcer with lips turned out , and the breasts fixed to the ribs , with a hard unequal swelling reaching to the clavicle and side of the neck , apostumated in some parts and ulcerated in others , from the pectoral muscle it crept up to the shoulder , and affected the arm-pits , and by the compression of the vessels the upper part of the arm swelled scirrhous , from the elbow downwards it was oedematous to the fingers ends , she made use of many eminent physicians and chyrurgeons in the city , but dyed miserably . there is also a sort of bleeding cancers , which become such either from the eruption of some vessel , which makes the vent often at the nipple or some other pin-hole , the breast remaining whole , or else from the spreading of infinite capillary vessels in a fungus , which in ulcerated cancers is not rare . these do very much spend the strength of the patient , so that she soon dyes exhausted and tabid . of all the diseases which afflict mankind , the cancer is the most grievous and rebellious , and is generally incureable by reason of its corrosive and malignant venome fermenting in the humours , which so far as we can find , yields neither to purging , bleeding , repellents , discutients , suppuratives , nor any other medicine , inward or outward . those which lie superficially under the skin may be attempted by the chyrurgeon's hand , or if they rise from an external cause , as a bruise , or the like , tho they lie deeper they may be cut off or otherwise extirpated : but those that arise from a corrosive quality in the humours , though they may be cut off , or otherwise extirpated , yet the success is most doubtful . the cure of a cancer in general consists in these intentions , first , in the generation of good blood. secondly , in correcting and evacuaating the atrabilious humours in the body . thirdly , in preventing the growth of the tumour , and disposing it to discussion . we endeavour to perform the first intention by an exact regulation of diet ▪ and way of living , advising to abstain from such sharp , salt , and gross meats ▪ as may dispose the blood to acrimony ▪ and order such as are cooling and moistning , of easie digestion and of good nourishment . the second intention is to prepare and purge all the acrimonious humours ; and if there be a plethora , or a suppression of the hemorrhoids , or courses , a vein may be opened and a glister given , and the humours may be also evacuated by a convenient purge . as take of the three cordial flowers , one handful , of sena three drams , of dodder of thym , two drams , infuse them in whey , and strain it , add an ounce of the purging syrup of apples , and six drams of manna ; mingle them . traumatick decoction are also usually prescribed . take of the roots and leaves of avens , of the greater celandine , of burnet , groundsel , gentian , plantain , each one handful , boyl them in two parts of water and one of wine to the quantity of three pints , sweeten it with sugar , and let a pint be drunk thrice aday ▪ the following electuary is also reckoned very good . take of the powders of frogs and snails prepared , each half an ounce , of the powder of river crabs , one ounce , of the bone of a stags heart , one dram , of citron peel candied , one ounce , of the conserve of borrage and wood-sorrel , each two ounces , of the syrup of the juice of citron and of gilly-flowers , a sufficient quantity , make an electuary . take the quantity of a chesnut , morning and evening . emulsions , distilled milks , and opiates are also very proper to attemperate the acrimony and to ease the pains . the third intention is to restrain the growth of the tumour , and to discuss it moderately . whilst the humours are are evacuating , we apply repellents , and afterwards we add discutients ; the repellents ought to be of the milder sort , lest they render the humours too gross and unfit for resolution , as lettice , purstain , plantain , navel-wort , night-shade and housleek : lentils boyl'd in vinegar , also clay tempered with vinegar . the medicines ready compounded are the white oyntment , nutritum populeon of tutty and of burnt lead , and lead it self . all the oyntments prescribed , must be beaten up in a leaden mortar . thin milled lead is usually worn in this case ; so are plates of gold. oyl of frogs is commended , and is made by baking them with butter in their mouths . frogs spawn water is proper to be used in summer , cloaths being dipt in it and applyed , but they must be shifted as often as they dry . but in the winter the following cerat is better . take of a green frog , three drams , of the powder of river crabs burnt , half an ounce , of lytharge of gold , two ounces , of burnt lead and tutty prepared , each two drams , of cerus , six drams , of the juice of night-shade and plantain , each six ounces , of vinegar , two ounces , of oyl of frogs , and of populeon oyntment , each three ounces , of the suet of a calf , four ounces , of wax a sufficient quantity , make a cerat . or , take of the seeds of white poppy , one ounce , of the seeds of henbane , half an ounce , of opium , one dram , of gum arabick , half an ounce , powder them , and with the oyls of roses and myrtles , each three ounces , of wax a sufficient quantity , make a cerat . this is proper in case of pain , in the extremity whereof you may double the quantity of opium , or in such cases you may foment the tumour with a decoction of poppy heads , flowers of roses , and tops of mellilot , and apply the following oyntment . take of old treacle , one ounce , of the juice of river crabs half an ounce , of the juice of lettice , and of oyl of roses , each one ounce and an half , of the yolks of eggs roasted under the embers number two , of camphor , half a dram , beat them in a leaden mortar ▪ the discutients are ceterach , agrimony , ducksmeat , scabious , thorn-apple , the juice of coriander , frogs , snails , river crabs , raisins of the sun stoned and beaten , with rue and garden night-shade made into a pultits are proper to resolve them . many such medicines are designed to this purpose , cancers requiring variety of applications . if notwithstanding all your endeavours , the tumour increases , and is like to ulcerate , you may do well to forewarn the patient of the danger , and if it be loose , propose the extirpation of it , propose it to them , lest afterwards they desire it when it is too late . but to undergo this operation successfully , the patient ought to be of a strong constitution , and of a pretty good habit of body , and not in declining age , when the courses are ceased . it were also to be wished that the cancer took its original from some accident or bruise , and the like ; and the operation ought to be performed in the spring or autumn of the year . for a cancer of the womb topicks must be applyed , which moderately bind and cool . take of oyl of myrtles and of roses , each two ounces , of the juice of night-shade , and of housleek , each one ounce , beat them all in a leaden mortar with a leaden pestle till they grow black , then add of lytharge and of ceruss washed in scabious water , each three ounces , of tutty prepared two drams , of camphir , ten grains , make a liniment , wherewith anoint the part three or four times a-day . the following is said to be better , and with it the tumours of the paps , which are counted cancerous may be cured . take of the oyl of yolks of eggs , two ounces , of the juice of night-shade and speedwel , or of housleek , each half an ounce , of crude mercury two drams , stir them about in a leaden mortar with a leaden pestle , till they acquire the consistence of a liniment . the foresaid liniments are to be applyed to the womb with a long tent , or with a wax candle wrapt round with a rag : but injections may be much easier used . take of barley water , half a pint , of the waters of night-shade and plantain , each two ounces , of the water of speedwel one ounce , of the white troches of rhasis , two drams , of sacharum saturni one dram , make an injection . if the pain be very violent add to four oounces of the injection , one ounce of syrup of poppies . if the cancer be ulcerated , the dose of the mercury to be added to the foresaid liniment must be increased , and the ashes of river crabs may be conveniently added . but all these things are not sometimes sufficient to appease the violent pain , which sometimes will not suffer the sick to sleep or rest , so that we are forced sometimes to use narcoticks , and indeed , they are not injurious in this disease . i knew a woman , that was affected with a cancer in her breast , who took every night for four months , two or three grains of laudanum , and was much relieved thereby . if much blood flow from a cancer ulcerated , as it often happens ; inject into the womb the juice of plantain with a little frankincense . lastly , seeing a perfect cure cannot be expected , whether the cancer be ulcerated or not , we must endeavour to hinder the breaking of it , and the increase of it , when it is broken , and in both we must qualifie the violence of the pain by such things as evacuate the whole body , and by other remedies which alter and evacuate the melancholy humour , and hinder its growth , as by bleeding in the arm , the hemorrhodial veins , in the foot , by the use of potions , apozems , juleps , broath , milk , whey , mineral waters , and the like , which are commonly prescribed ; but purging must more especially be repeated . chap. xxxix . of worms , and of the stone of the womb. though many are of the opinion that worms are generated only in the intestines , yet it is manifest by experience , and the testimony of learned men , that they are bred in many other parts of the body , as in putrid ulcers in the teeth , in the ears , in the reins , and in the bladder , tho' rarely , by reason of the acrimony and saltness of the urine . in the womb also worms are sometimes generated , tho' it be rare , because the passages of it are so open that they will not suffer the humours , tho' they are gross and crude , to continue there so long as to generate worms . they are most commonly ascarides , and they are most commonly in the privities , or in the neck of the womb , they are very like those that are in the right gut , perhaps they creep thither from the anus . the material cause of worms , is a cold phlegmatick and crude humour , which is apt to putrifie . when there are worms in the womb , the whole body is restless and uneasie , the mouth of the womb is always moist , the women are thin and weak , and sometimes the worms are expelled with the courses , and sometimes they may be seen , the lips of the privities being opened . women so afflicted sleep disturbedly , and often wake in a fright , they have disorderly fevers , and all other symptoms which appear in worms of the intestines . as to the cure , we must endeavour to hinder the generation of them , and to kill them when they are generated ; this may be done by three sorts of remedies . first , by a thin hot and drying dyet , by acid and bitter meats , yet they must consist of good nourishment , and be easily concocted , and that are free from all crudity ; the flesh of chickens , of hens , of small mountain birds , and the broath of them with the juice of a lemon are good : among fruits oranges , cappares , olives with vinegar : among herbs , endive , sow-thistle , and groundsel : let her drink be a decoction of cinnamon , rubarb , the seeds of purslain , the roots of china , scorzonera , or sarsaparilla . all meats of milk , fish , and whatever generates flegmatick humours must be avoided , and full feeding , and a disorderly course of dyet . secondly , those things must be used which concoct , and purge off phlegmatick humours ; as syrup of wormwood , succory , succory with rhubarb , of the acid juice of citron with the waters of the same herbs , or of grass , purslain , and sorrel , and the flegm must be constantly purged off with pills of mastick , of agarick , or the like . thirdly , such things must be used as kill worms , and uterine glisters to that purpose must be injected made of a decoction of wormwood , southernwood , and centaury with allom. or , take of mint , calaminth , penny-royal , each one handful , boyl them till the third part of the water is consumed , mingle honey with it and inject it . or take of the decoction of lupins six ounces , of aloes three drams , of honey one ounce , which may be injected also with the like quantity of decoction of mercury and wormwood ; or the following pessary may be used . take of bulls gall , one dram and an half , of the powder of lupins , two drams , of oyl of wormwood , two ounces , of good white-wine , half an ounce , mingle them , and dip the cotton for the pessary in it . at the same time apply to the region of the womb the following oyntment . take of the leaves of wormwood , costmary , and calaminth , each one handful , of peach leaves half an handful ; boyl them in the sharpest vinegar , or in wine for the womb , to the strained liquor , add of aloes and agarick , each half an ounce , of coloquitida three drams , of oyl of bitter almonds , and of bulls gall , each a sufficient quantity , with a little wax , or without it , make an oyntment . you may also make a cataplasm of the same herbs boyled and bruised with the meal of lupins , oyl of wormwood , and ox gall , and the pill of aloes , or of hiera , must be taken often , a scruple at a time . that the stones grow in every part of the body , galen testifies , as in the bladder , reins , liver , intestines , lungs ; and therefore it is no strange thing if they should be generated also in the womb , as aetius writes : but they are not altogether like the stones of the bladder , nor are they loose , for if so they could not continue in the womb ; but they grow to the tunicks of the neck of the womb. the causes of them are the same , as of the stone in the bladder , namely , gross and viscid humours . the signs of them are a dull pain in the womb , and the courses are inordinate , and a finger being put up the anus , the stone may be selt . but if the stone be in the neck of the womb , the pain is great , and affects the neighbouring parts , and the womb , and the woman can not sit without pain . as to the cure , an emollient and lubricating course of diet must be used , and the gross and viscid humours must be purged off : but the chief part of the cure is to be performed by extracting the stone , but first the parts must be quieted by an emollient glister made of a decoction of mallows , marsh-mallows , fenugreek , of the seeds of flax , and a great deal of oyl of roses and of lillies to make the manual operation the easier , which must be performed in the following manner . the womans thighs being spread , the chirurgeon must thrust up two of the fingers of his left-hand , and with his right he must press the upper part of her belly to force the stone out , and this may be the easier done , if the stone be in the neck of the womb , but if it be in the womb it self , the operation will be more difficultly performed : but if the stone grow to the mouth or neck of the womb , and cannot be extirpated this way , it must be cut out , the woman being rightly placed , and the parts dilated with a speculum matricis , which being done , those things must be injected into the womb which cure ulcers , first , astringents , and such things as stop blood , and afterwards drying things , and an exact course of diet must be ordered , and the woman must be purged twice in a year , lest the stone should grow again . the cure of the stone in the bladder in women is to be managed much in the manner as in men , but it seldomer happens , and is easier cured , because the passage of the urine is larger , and shorter , and straighter in women . but if it happen , and must be extracted , the chirurgeon must put two of the fingers of his left-hand , ( the vvoman being placed as above directed ) into the privities , and with his right he must press the bladder , and force the stone to the neck of it , so as to make it pass the muscle that shuts the neck of the bladder , and then a little above the wings of the privities , at which place the stone occurs he must cut , so that the stone may be extracted with a pair of forceps . lastly , the ulcer must be cured by astringent , and incarnating medicines . chap. xl. of a condyloma , of the hemorrhoids , warts , thymus , acrocordo , and a ficus , and of scabs of the privities , and of chaps , and clefts of the same . a condyloma is a tubercle arising from an inflammation , and resembles the knucles when the hand is shut . it is cured by four kind of remedies , first by diet and purging medicines that respect the antecedent cause ; secondly , by drying and repelling topicks , if the callus be newly bred , as by baths and vapours of a decoction of vervain , of the leaves of brambles , of acacia , ivy-leaves , to which must be added , by reason of the pain , camomile flowers ; and if the condyloma be inflamed such things must be used as mitigate the pain , as the following decoction . take of the leaves of melilot , mallows , and marshmallows , each half an handful , of the seeds of flax and fenugreek , each three drams , of the flowers of camomile two pugils , boyl them , and to a pint of the decoction , add two ounces of roses , inject it by a syringe ; or warm milk may be so injected . if the condyloma being old is grown hard , and does not yeild to the foresaid medicines , aetius commends as a wonderful remedy mineral misy mixed with turpentine ; or instead of it roman vitriol , a dram of the troches of steel reduced to powder , and mixed with the oyls of roses and wax , and made into an oyntment with half an ounce of the juice of mullein is also very good . the following is also much commended . take of tuty thrice burnt and washed , of ceruss washed , of the froth of silver washed , each two drams , of the yolks of two roasted eggs , wax , sope and oyl of roses , each two ounces ; make an oyntment . but if these things do no good , it must be cut off , and if there be many of them , they must be burnt off , and the ulcer must be regularly cured : but cutting or burning in these parts is dangerous and must not therefore be used unless there be an absolute necessity . if there be hemorrhoids , they are either in the mouth or neck of the womb , or in the womb it self , or in the privities ; they are as divers as those in the anus , they are either blind or open ; they are with or without inflammation ; they differ also upon their bigness , number and figure ; they are occasioned by chaps , and by a condyloma , but chiefly by gross and feculent humours falling upon the veins of the womb , or by an inordinate defluxion of menstruous blood into those veins . this disease may be known by a weight in those parts , and women so affected are weak and subject to spontaneous lassitude : but if the hemorrhoids of the womb , or anus flow moderately , they cure and prevent many diseases , and the unseasonable stopage of them occasions the falling sickness , and many other diseases . they are cured as the piles of the anus . there are four sorts of warts of the womb and privities . the first are acrocordones , which hang as by a thred . secondly , thymus which is a rough and oblong tumour , and without pain , if it be gentle and white , or redish ; but if it be malignant it is livid and painful . thirdly , ficus or mariscae , which differ from a thymus only in bigness . the fourth is clavus , which is a hard white and round prominence like the heads of corns . these tumours in general are of a scirrhous nature , and come by immoderate copulation , and are sometimes malignant , by reason of the french-pox . the gentle are known by their white or redish colour , and by the absence of pain , the malignant by their hardness , leaden colour and pain . they are cured by four sorts of remedies . first , by a diet that is not apt to breed gross humours , and by catharticks to purge such humours off , and by sweats , if they are obstinate . secondly , by discussing medicines , which are most proper for the thymus and clavus as by dried sage , with fat figs , or old-shoes burnt and powdered and mixed with wine and applyed : but the soles of shoes and a dried gourd powdered by themselves , and afterwards mixed and applied with wine to warts do very well , or you may take of rue and pennyroyal , each equal parts ; let them be burnt and powdered ; the bark of frankincense , the leaves of basil wine and vinegar , shoomakers ink , boyl them in the vvater that drops out of a vine cut ; moisten the part with this decoction ; this is reckoned an excellent medicine . prick with a needle the eye of a goat newly killed , and anoint daily the part with the liquor that flows from it , and within six days , as aetius writes ; myrmecies will be extirpated , which consist of broad roots , and they itch . thirdly , things that burn and eat are proper for myrmecies and acrocordos , as the juice of wild cucumber with salt , or the like : but corroding things must not continue long upon the part , for when they have been applied an hour or thereabout , the part must be washed twice or thrice with astringent wine ; and the neighbouring parts must be defended by an oyntment made with bolearmenick , sealed earth , rose-water and vinegar . fourthly , if they may be cut off , they ought to be so , but some bind the root of these with a horse-hair ; and straighten it daily till they fall off . in the privities and mouth of the womb , especially in such women , as have the french-pox , pustles arise ; they often itch ; they are occasioned by the abundance , and grossness of a bilious and adust humour , or by the french-pox , they may be easily seen by a speculum matricis . they are to be cured by four sorts of remedies . first , by meats of good juice , and by abstaining from all acrid , acid and salt things . secondly , by universal evacuations , as by bleeding and purging , and such things , as attemperate the humour must be used , as syrup of borrage , violets , fumitory and succory , and the like . decoctions of sarsa , or of guiacum with sweating are also very proper , and purges and sudorificks must be often repeated . thirdly , topicks must be applyed , and if the pustles are gentle bathing is proper , and afterwards wash the part with hot wine and nitre . for pustles and scabs the following oyntment of has bin found very successful . take of the roots elecampane , burnet and sharp pointed dock , each three ounces , of fumitory water six ounces , of the sharpest vinegar , or of the best wine , for diseases of the womb , two ounces ; having bruised the roots well , infuse them a day and a night , then boyl them , and press them strongly ; to the strained liquor add half a pound of turpentine , of oyl of roses three ounces , of wax half an ounce , boyl them again to the consumption of half , and add of sulphur one ounce and an half , of cerus five ounces , of roch-allom half an ounce , of sal gemma two drams , of oyl of eggs , six drams , mix them by beating of them well together , then wash the whole composition in fumitory water . but if the pustles are malignant , and obstinate , you must use stronger desiccatives , which correct the venom of the pustles , and at the same time you must use sudorific decoctions . take of plantain and rose water each four ounces , of sal gemma , nitre , and allom , each two drams , of sublimate one dram and an half , boyl them till a third part is consumed ; to the strained liquor , add of verde-greese one scruple ; after you have used this two or three dayes , you must forbear a while , and use gentler things , and return again to the use of it , till the pustles are quite taken off . this moreover must be added , which is of excellent use , having first bathed with a decoction of fumitory , lupins , beans , and a little salt. take of the roots of elecampane cut small four ounces , boyl them well in a sufficient quantity of water with a little vinegar or wine , then beat them in a mortar and pulp them through a sieve , and add of fresh lard three ounces , of juice of ground elder , and of fumitory , each one ounce and an half , of quick-silver extinguished in fasting spittle , or in the yolk of an egg , half an ounce , of ceruss and lytharge , each one ounce , of brimstone one dram and an half , stir them about for an hour , and mix the powders by degrees . but because pustles continue sometimes a long while , you must make an issue in the leg , before they are quite dryed up . clefts and chaps are sometimes in the mouth of the womb , as in the anus , hands , lips , and nipples , by reason of violent cold , a north wind , and the like ; they are small , long and narrow ulcers , sometimes deep , and sometimes only superficial ; they are also ocasioned by hard labour , by acrid and corroding humours , or by a great dryness in the womb. they are to be cured by five sorts of remedies ; by a moistening and smoothening diet , avoiding such things as are acrid , and stop the belly ; therefore let the woman eat chicken , mutton , veal , and broaths made of succory , bugloss , burrage , spinage , and the like ; let her drink be rather beer than wine , she must avoid cheese and spices , violent exercise , and copulation : and if acrid humours be the cause , she must be blooded , if there be a plenitude ; afterwards she must be purged with cassia , manna , and the like , and the humours must be attemperated with the syrups of succory , roses , violets , borrage , fumitory , and with the waters of the same herbs . if they are occasioned by hard labour , and bleed , the blood must be stop'd by the following uterine glister . take of the leaves of plantain one handfull , of roses four pugils , boyl them in a sufficient quantity of water till half is consumed . to six ounces of the strained liquor add of the powders of dragons blood , bole armenick , myrrh , frankincense , birthwort , each half a dram. if the chaps are dry , hot , and itch , the part must be fomented with things that moisten , as the following decoction . take of the flesh of frogs , snails , and river crabs , each two drams , of barley two pugils , of mallows and ducks meat , each one handful , of flax seeds one ounce , boyl them in a sufficient quantity of water , and let six ounces be injected in the manner of a vterine glister , and anoint the part affected with the oyntment of ceruse with camphor ; and if the pain and heat be much , anoint it with the following oyntment . take of the populeon oyntment one ounce , of camphor two scruples , of ceruss washed in rose water one scruple , and the white of one egg , mingle them . oyl of flax hot is also good for chaps of the anus and womb , so is pomatum ; oyl of the yolks of eggs , or of flax seeds stir'd about in a leaden mortar is also proper , and if they are occasioned by driness , barly boyled in water in linnen baggs , and applyed for nine days are very beneficial . but if the chaps are malignant , apply the following . take of good aqua vitae one point , of sublimate powdered one scruple , of verdegrease half a scruple , the whites of three eggs , stir them well together , and anoint the part every other day , and apply over a plaster of diachylon . chap. xli . of the melancholy of virgins and widows . melancholy befalls virgins , widdows , and barren vvomen , oftner than other vvomen ; there are two causes of it . first , the nature of a woman which is tender , and the mind easily dejected . secondly , gross blood. the signs of it are a pulsation about the back , which is a symptom almost perpetual in vvomen so affected ; the skin is sometime squalid , wrinkley and rough , especially in the arms , knees and joints of the fingers ; much cogitation , suspicion , shame-facedness , dejection of mind , disturbed sleep , frightful dreams , a preposterous judgment ; the breast is often very hot and hath a pulsation in it , and when the vapour rises upwards , there is a palpitation of the heart , or fainting ; there is a rising in the throat , as in mother-fits , the belly is most commonly bound , they are thirsty , and subject to vvatchings , to despair , and to vveeping and sorrow , and sometimes the melancholy is so high , as that they grow almost distracted , and are ready to make away with themselves . there are three degrees of this disease , according to which the danger is more or less , and the cure is to be varied accordingly . the first , is when the signs are small . the second , when the disease has lasted a long while , and has disordered the vvomans mind so , as that she is continually sorrowful and sad. the third , is when the vvoman , is so overcome with it , that she will not speak , nor give any answers , and this is near to madness . the first degree of this may be removed by a sparing diet , by exercise , and by variety of pleasant company , and if she be not married , she must be blooded in the arm every third or fourth month , in the middle of the month : but if she be most melancholy at the time of her courses , she must be blooded in the foot two or three days before or after them . but if the disease be in the second degree , the curative indications are principally four . the first , to hinder the congestion of the blood in the vvomb , by such things as force the courses . the second , is to expel the melancholy that is heapt up . the third , is to discuss the vvind . the fourth , to provide for the head , heart , womb , and the whole body . it is to be cured therefore by five sorts of remedies . first , by a moistning diet , as let the dinner be of a boyl'd chicken , with the roots of fennel , parsley , red vetches , and saffron : and the supper of new-laid eggs , roasted , and stewed prunes , or borrage prepared with almond-milk , by reason of watchings , wherewith they are much troubled ; or a ptisan with a little anniseeds and cinnamon , to expel the wind. let the drink be rhenish or vvhite-wine with borrage flowers in it , midling beer medicated with elecampane or balm , or water boyled with the herb maiden-hair , with the roots of scorzonera , lemon-peel , and citron-seeds . if the belly be bound , use the following glister . take of the roots of fennel and parsley , each one ounce , of the leaves of mallows , one handful , of polypody of the oak , one ounce , of the seeds of bastard saffron , flax , and fenugreek , each one dram , boyl them to a pint , to the strained liquor add of the oyls of dill , camomile , violets , and of brown-sugar , each one ounce , of diacatholicon , half an ounce . secondly , evacuations must be used , and if there be a plenitude , bleeding must be ordered , and purging medicines frequently ; but the humour must be first prepared by the following medicines , or the like . take of syrups of borrage , of apples , and of epithymum , each one ounce , of the waters of borrage and balm , each two ounces , mingle them , and when the woman has used this six or eight days , let her take every other week one dram of the pills of aloes , of mastick , or of agarick ; or rather because the pills dry and heat , let her take three or four times in a year a bolus made with an ounce of the pulp of cassia , and two drams of the powder of sena : the following syrup is much commended . take of the waters of borrage , succory and hops , each ten ounces , of the juice of borrage clarified eight ounces , of the juice of fragrant apples , six ounces , of the leaves of sena three ounces , of the cordial flowers , each one pugil , of the roots of scorzonera cut small , or of angelica , two ounces , boyl them over a gentle fire till the twentieth part is consumed ; to the strained liquor add of choice rubarb , and of agarick trothiscated , each four drams and an half ; after it has boyled gently , strain it out , and add of the powder of the stone called lazulus prepared , and tied up in a rag two drams , of sugar a sufficient quantity , make a syrup of a moderate consistence : the dose is three or four ounces . the following medicine is much commended . take of the leaves of spleen-wort , penny-royal , maiden-hair , thym , fumitory , borrage , mugwort , and agrimony , each half an handful , of the roots of succory , endive , smallage , angelica , fennel , asparagus , and eringo , each one ounce , of the flowers of borrage , stechas , rosemary , violets , each one pugil and an half , of epithymum , and of the leaves of sena , each half an ounce , of doronicum , of the seeds of anise , fenel , basil , and citron , each two drams and an half , of cinnamon half an ounce , of all the sanders , each half a dram , boyl them in a sufficient quantity of water to a quart ; at the end add of the bark of the root of black hellibore , and of choice rubarb , each four scruples , of the stone called lazulus tied up in a rag , one dram , of sweet smelling flag , of zedoary , and of the seeds of peony decortiated , each half a scruple , strain it , and with a sufficient quantity of white sugar make a clear potion ; aromatize it with one dram of diamosh . the dose is five or six ounces . but if these things do no good , four grains of stybium prepared may be safely given ; but it is best to begin with two grains . but some in a desperate melancholy have not feared to give three four or five grains of vigo's precipitate with an ounce of good wine , or in conserve of roses . thirdly things that discuss wind must be used , and the following glister must be frequently injected . take of the roots of fennel , and parsley , each one ounce , of the seeds of bastard saffron , anise , flax , and fenugreek , each one dram , of the leaves of mallows , one handful , of polypody of the oak , half an handful , boyl them in a sufficient quantity of water to a pint ; add of the oyls of camomile , and dill , each one ounce , and an half , of lenitive electuary , and of brown sugar , each one ounce ; make a glister . and it is convenient to anoint the spleen with the following liniment . take of the decoction of tamarisck , capers , and spleen-wort , each two ounces , of oyl of capers , and lillies , each one dram , of treacle and mithridate , each two drams , with a sufficient quantity of wax make an oyntment . fourthly , such things must be used as cause sleep , whereof there is so great want in this disease , that this symptom often takes up the whole cure ; it happens by reason of the siccity of the brain , and therefore things that moisten are to be used . to this purpose , the feet and legs are wont to be washed with a decoction of mallows , roses , camomile , violets , and the flowers of lettice , and sometimes henbane , and the heads of whith poppies are added to it , and the head is to be embrocated in the following manner . take of the foresaid decoction a quart , of the oyls of poppies , and roses , each three ounces , mingle them , and pour them gently being warm upon the head ; but the hair must be first shaved off . afterwards apply to the head a rag dipt in the oyls of roses and camomile , or of poppies , if the watchings be very great , or in womans or goats milk , and if these things are not sufficient , anoint the nostrils with populeon oyntment ; or take of oyntment of roses one ounce , of opium four grains , mingle them , and anoint the nostrils , the temples , and the palms of the hands , and the soles of the feet , and the pulse , and let her take inwardly the following emulsion . take of sweet almonds blanched four ounces , of the seeds of melons , and gouras , each one ounce , of the seeds of lettice , and poppies , each two drams , beat them in a marble mortar , and pour upon them a pint of barley water , and a little rose water , sweeten it with sugar and make an emulsion ; let it be taken just after supper , and at bed-time give the following anodyne . take of cowslip water , two ounces , of diacodium , one ounce . lastly , such things must be used , as strengthen the brain and heart , apply the following epithem to the region of the heart . take of the waters of balm , orange flowers , and borrage , each three ounces , of good white-wine , two ounces , of the juice of fragrant apples , one ounces and an half , of the powders of diamosck , diambra , of the bark of citron , each half a dram , mingle them ; or anoint the region of the heart with the oyntment of flowers of oranges , and let her eat now and then citron ▪ bark candied , or the roots of bugloss , or scorzonera candied . but if the disease be so high , that the woman is plainly delirious , which is the third degree of this disease ; the same remedies in a manner must be used , only the most effectual must be chosen , and care must be taken , that a cold and dry intemperies be not contracted , and therefore less blood must be taken away , and she must be purged strongly with a dram of the pill de lapide lazuli , or with the like quantity of the following . take of epithymum , six ounces , of agarick , four drams , of the bark of black hellebore , one dram and an half , of the species of simple hiera , four drams , with honey of roses make a mass . but the following electuary is better . take of the stone called lazulus , one dram , of the leaves of sena , one dram and an half , of the best agarick two drams , of the syrup of purslain , or of the juice of fumitory or of hops , three ounces , of conserve of roses or of violets , one ounce , mingle them ; let her take an ounce once a week . and the body must be moistned by all means , by baths and the like ; wherewith , and with a moistning diet galen cured melancholy , and such things must be used as provoke the courses ; but if they will not flow , the application of leeches to the hemorrhoids is very proper , because hippocrates and galen say that melancholy blood is drawn by these veins ; they may be opened two ways ; by rubbing the fundament with a course cloth , and by leeehes , which must be of a moderate bigness , and they must be taken from a clear and running water , they must not be green , pale , nor hairy ; but reddish , and after they are taken they must be pressed , that they may vomit up the venom , if they have any ; then they must be kept in a glass full of clear water sweetned with sugar , and the water must be changed once a week . when they are to be applied , you must foment the part with a decoction of camomile , mallows , mullein , and the like ; then rub it , that the mouth of the veins may appear , and to each of them apply a leech ; if they will not stick , anoint the place with chickens blood , or the like ; and whilst they are sucking , let a hot decoction of camomile , dill , roses , and mallows be put under them , that the vapour of it may comfort them . a sufficient quantity of blood being drawn , they generally fall off of themselves ; if they do not , pinch them by the tails , or sprinkle upon their mouths ashes , salt , or aloes . if the blood slow too long , apply rags dipt in stiptick wine , or the white of an egg with some astringent powder . finis . books printed for henry bonwike , at the red lyon in st. paul's church-yard . collections of acute diseases , in five parts : 1. of the small pox , and measles . 2. of the plague and pestilential fevers . 3. of continual fevers . 4. of agues , a pleuresie , peripneumonia , quinsie , and the cholera morbus . 5. and lastly , of the bloody flux , miscarriage , of acute diseases of women with child , a rheumatism , bleeding at nose , apoplexy , lethargy , and several other diseases . in 8 o a collection of chronical diseases , viz. the cholick , the bilious cholick , hysterick diseases , the gout , and the bloody urine from the stone in the kidnies . 8 o. promptuarium praxeos medicae ; seu methodus medendi , praescriptis celeberrimorum medicorum londinensium concinnata . et in ordinem alphabeticum digesta . 12 o. the compleat herbal of physical plants . containing all such english and foreign herbs , shrubs and trees , as are used in physick and surgery ; and to the vertues of those that are now in use , is added one receipt , or more of some learned physician . the doses , or quantities of such as are prescribed by the london physicians , and others , are proportioned . also directions for making compound waters , syrups , simple and compound , electuaries , pills , powders , and other sorts of medicines . moreover the gums , balsams , oyls , juices , and the like , which are sold by apothecaries and druggists , are added to this herbal ; and their virtues and uses are fully described . 8 o the storehouse of physical practice : being a general treatise of the causes and signs , of all diseases afflicting human bodies . together with the shortest , plainest and safest way of curing them , by method , medicine and diet : to which is added for the benefit of young practisers , several choice forms of medicines used by the london physicians . 8 o these five by the author of this treatise . pains afflicting human bodies : their various difference , causes , parts affected , signals of danger , or safety ; shewing the tendency , of chronick and acute diseases , for a seasonable prevention of fatal events . with a tract of issues and setons . by e. manwaring , m. d. 8 o the compleat chyrugeon ; or the whole art of chyrurgery explain'd , by way of questions and answers . containing an exact account , of its principles , and several parts ; viz. of the bones , muscles tumours , ulcers , and wounds simple and complicated , or those by gun-shot ; as also of venereal diseases , the scurvey , fractures , luxations , and all sorts of chyrurgical operations ; together with their proper bandages and dressings . whereto is added a chyrurgical dispensatory ; shewing the manner , how to prepare all such medicines as are most necessary for a chyrurgeon ; and particularly the mercurial panacaea . writen in french by m. le clerc , physician in ordinary , and privy counseller to the french king. faithfully translated into english . 12 o pia desideria , or divine addresses . in three parts . 1. sighs of the penitent soul. 2. desires of the religious soul. 3. extasies of the enamour'd soul. illustrated with 47 cuts . written in latin by herm. hugo ; englished by edm. arwaker . 8 o the art of catechizing , or the compleat catechist : in four parts . 1. the church catechism resolv'd into easie questions . 2. an exposition of it , in a continued , full , and plain discourse . 3. the church catechism resolv'd into scripture proofs . 4. the whole duty of man reduced into questions . fitted for the meanest capacities , the weakest memories , the plainest teachers , and the most uninstructed learners . 12 o country conversations : being an account of some discourses that happened in a visit to the country last summer , on divers subjects , chiefly of the modern comidies , of drinking , of translated verse , of painting and painters , of poets and poetry . 8 o the christians manual . in two parts . 1. the catechumen : or an account given by the young person of his knowledge in religion , before his admission to the lords supper ; as a ground work for his right understanding the sacrament . 2. an introduction to the sacrament : or a short , safe and plain way to the communion table ; being an instruction for the worthy receiving the lords supper . to which is added the communicants assistant ; being devotions to that purpose : fitted to be used before , at , and after the receiving the blessed sacrament . collected for , and familiarly addressed to every particular communicant . by l. addison , d. d. dean of litchfield . 12 o letters of religion and virtue to several gentlemen and ladies ; to excite piety and devotion ; with some short reflections on divers subjects . 12 o a practical discourse of the sin against the holy ghost : shewing plainly . 1. what it is . 2. how any person may certainly know , whether he has been guilty of it . designed to bring incouragement to the faithful penitent ; tranquility of mind to the obedient ; joys to them that love ; and the returning sinner from desparation . 8 o a discourse proving from scripture and reason that the life of man is not limited by any absolute decree of god. by the author of the duty of man. 8 o the best gnide to devotion ; being short prayers , meditations and thanksgivings taken out of scripture and fitted to all occasions . 24 o advertisement . excellent purging pills , prepar'd by the author , are to be sold , by mr. henry bonwicke , at the red lyon in st. paul's church-yard . they cure the scurvey , the most reigning disease of this kingdom ; they purge the head , breast , stomach and reins , and cleanse the blood ; and are a very proper purge for those that cannot confine themselves when they want purging , but are forced to go abroad about their business . the price of each box is one shilling six pence , with directions for use . finis . the exemplary lives and memorable acts of nine the most worthy women in the vvorld three iewes. three gentiles. three christians. written by the author of the history of women. heywood, thomas, d. 1641. 1640 approx. 342 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 123 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2005-03 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a03196 stc 13316 estc s104033 99839774 99839774 4225 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a03196) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 4225) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1475-1640 ; 890:07) the exemplary lives and memorable acts of nine the most worthy women in the vvorld three iewes. three gentiles. three christians. written by the author of the history of women. heywood, thomas, d. 1641. glover, george, b. ca. 1618, engraver. [22], 212, [12] p., [10] plates printed by tho. cotes, for richard royston, and are to be sold at the signe of the angell in ivie lane, london : 1640. dedication signed: tho. heyvv., i.e. thomas heywood. the words "three iewes. .. three christians." are bracketed together on the title page. the plates are engraved by george glover; nine of them (excepting that of queen henrietta maria) were issued separately with verses as "the nine woemen worthys" (stc 11921.6). reproduction of the original in the folger shakespeare library. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately 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markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng women -biography -early works to 1800. 2000-00 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2001-06 spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images 2001-07 tcp staff (michigan) sampled and proofread 2003-06 spi global rekeyed and resubmitted 2004-10 ben griffin sampled and proofread 2004-10 ben griffin text and markup reviewed and edited 2005-01 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the exemplary lives and memorable acts of nine the most worthy women of the vvorld : three iewes . three gentiles . three christians . written by the author of the history of women . august . lib de singul . cleric . man was created out of paradise , but women in paradise london printed by tho. cotes , for richard royston , and are to be sold at the signe of the angell in ivie lane , 1640. to the honorable and eminently vertvovs , the excellent lady theophila , the learned consort of the right worthy sir robert cooke , knight , &c. excellent madam , should i present you with your merited praise , what muse should i invoke ? what rapture raise ? for my minerva , t is too high a straine , as farre surpassing both my pen and braine . when i shall say , the lilly doth excell for whitenesse , or the violet for the smell ; or for a modest blush , the garden rose ; what speake i more in this then each man knowes ? or if i shall proclaime the turtle chast ; or praise the ripe fruits for their pleasing taste , the nightingale commend for many a tune , and say shee farre excells the bird of iune . if in their grace i strive to doe my best , what write i more , then is by all confest ? if i shall say y' are beautifull and faire , matchlesse , unparalleld , in all parts rare ; and to those outward should i then annex the inward vertues , that most grace your sex ! to name which , would exceede number , or to tell the severall tongues , in which you so excell , greeke , roman , french , castillian , and with those , tuscan , teutonick , in all which you pose the forreigne linguist : in the most select both native ideom , and choise dalect . or , for all learning morrall or divine , to list you a tenth muse amongst the nine ? when to the height of all these i am growne , i shall adde nothing to you save your owne . nor can my praise the least advantage win you since all that know you know these to be in you . if to your honours , both of birth and booke , you shall but daine an animating looke , to ' inlifen these dull papers ; they shall strive , alternatly to make your name survive . acknowledging , in a submisse surrender they had dy'd blind , not lightned by your splendor . your honours absequiously devoted . tho. heyvvood ▪ to the excellently disposed mistris elizabeth the vertvovs consort of clovill tanfield of copt-fold hall , in essex ( esquire . ) the memorable acts of these nine most worthy ladies are humbly presented by t. h. excellent creature , that i presume to approach so faire a shrine with so meane an offering , accept not ( i pray ) my unworthinesse but your owne worthy deservings ; borrowing your unspotted name to usher in these nine most incomparable ladies ; neither is it improper , but rather materiall , for modesty and chastitie best accommodates magnanimity & courage ; all vertuall decorements consists not in masculine spirited viragoes , some of your sex being for their beautie beloved , some again more for their inward vertues , then outward features affected ; as virgins for their chast and modest indowments ; wives for the love and care they have to preserve their conjugall tie untainted , some widdowes for their wisedome , and grave matrons for their gravitie ; now in this misselany of your so much magnified sex , where you shall finde one excellently pollisht ; it is in your choyse to make her your president ; or if any for too much boldnesse branded , you may use her as a vaile to make your owne vertues shew the more conspicuous , for contrarieties in coulers best sets off each others luster ; thus after a particular acknowledgment of my dutie and service , with pardon craved for my too much boldnesse i remaine yours . in all observance obliged , tho. haywood . to all noble and brave spirited gentlemen , with the excellent and vertvovsly disposed gentlewomen in generall . to the most generous of both sexes , i commend these few lines , devoted to the honour of all worthy women , of what qualitie or condition soever : come to their first creation ; adam was created from the dust of the earth , shee from the ribbe of man , adam without she , within paradise , and whether we take them nationall or singular , we shall finde them to parallell men , as well in the liberall arts , as in high facinorous acts : for the nationall or provinciall , what braver resolutions then in the troádes , the phecides , the chiae , the a●giuae , the persides , the salmanicae the milasiae , the celticae , the melicae , the tyrhenae , the liciae , the c●ae , or cianae , &c. of all whose magnanimities there are l●st to us memorable histories . come to particulars , valeria and cloelia , micca and megisto , pieria , and policrita , lampsace , aretaphila , camm sratonica , chiomara , timoclea , erixo , xenocrita , pithis , lucretia telesilla , &c. and others without number . and therefore was the opinion of gorgias received before that of thucidades , who gave precedency and prioritie in place , to such as were least spoken of abroad , intimating that it was necessitous in a good woman to keepe as well her fame as her body within doores , neither of them daring to be heard or seene beyond the threshold ; alluding to the french proverbe , la femme in la maiscu , et la jambe rompue , that is , let the woman be in her house and her legge broke , intimating shee ought to busie her selfe about houshold affaires onely , and not to goe abroad : but more approved was gorgias , allowing both their features and fames a liberall freedome to undergoe any publicke censure . and therefore commendable was that law amongst the romans , which admitted funerall orations to be openly delivered at the obsequies of any grave and modest matron , to animate and incourage the living , who by imitating their excellent indowments and departments , might be partakers with them in their obituall prayses and extolments : plutarch in the eightie fift of his roman questions , saith thus , cur antiquitus mulieres neque sinebant molere ne que coquere , &c. that is , why in the ancient times did they not suffer women eyther to grinde at the mill , or to play the cookes in the kitch●n ? his answer is , it is in the memory of the covenant made betwixt the romans and the sabines ; for after their rape of the sabine virgins , a peace being concluded betwixt the two opposite nations : there was a law written that not any of their wives should be put to such petty workes , nor any of their daughters to the like servile drudgeries . i spake at first of arts and armes , let a few instances serve for many : come to painting ; timarete the daughter of micaon , irene of cratinus , martia of varro , aristarche the scholler of nearchus , or lala cizizena , &c. who might cōpare with apelles , zeuxis , apollidorus atheniensis , aristides , thebanus or nicomachus the sonne of aristidamus ; for musicke and songry lamia , the beloved of king demetreus , and aglais the daughter of megacles were no whit inferiour to arion or orpheus : in poetry sapho outshined anacreon , and for learning what man was ever knowne to surpasse the sibills and the muses ? and for masculine and heroicke spirits , though i could produce infinites to make this pocket booke rather voluminus then portable , let these nine serve to vindicate the entire number . for whose greater honour and dignitie , the seven liberall sciences , the sences , all cities and countries . the cardinall vertues , the foure parts of the world , the muses , the graces , the charities are all figured and delivered in the portrackt of women , and even sapientia , wisdome her selfe is of the same gender ; who in her creation was not taken from the head of adam , least she should presume to overtop him , nor from his soote , least she should be vilified by him , but from a ribbe neare unto his heart , that she might be ever deare and intire unto him ; which showes the alternate love that ought to bee betwixt man and wife . in the composure of bodies philosophers say some consist of parts sejunct ( as an army by land or navy by sea ) others of parts compact ( as an house , a shippe and the like ) others of parts vnite , or in one nature concreate ( as man , beast , and other animals ) so wedlocke consisting of naturall and reciprocall love , hath reference to that , composed of parts concreate : children or issue to the compact , friends and alliance , to the sejunct , and as physitians hold that humors in the body are totally in the totall , so in the true conjugall tie , the persons or bodies , riches , friends ( or what else ought to preserve that unanimitie , consanguinitie and correspondencie , to be all in all , and wholly in the whole , which i wish to every one of that honorable order and consocietie , for , venare juvitis non facile est canibus , fare yee well . to the generall reader . generous reader ( for all the iudicious are so ) know , that history in generall , is either nugatory as in all comicall drammae's ; or adhortatory , as in the fables of aesop , poggius , &c. or fictionary , as in poeticall narrations ; or relatory , such as soly adheare to truth without deviation or digression ; of which onely the ancient gramarians admitted , as worthy the name , and in which ranke i intreate thee to receive this following tractate . of history there be foure species , either taken from place , as geography ; from time , as chronologie ; from generation as geneologie ; or from gests really done , which ( not altogether unproperly ) may be called annologie : the elements of which it consisteth are person , place , time , manner , instrument , matter , and thing : it is defined , rerum gestarum expositio , a declaration of such things as have beene done : budaeus in his greeke commentaries derives historia from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , that is , i narrate , i looke , i see , i inquire , aske , know , seeke , learne , dictate , &c. besides whatsoever is gravely explicated , my goe under the name of history . simon grinaeus speaking of the utilitie that ariseth unto us from the reading of history hath words to this purpose . what can be thought more pleasing or profitable then in this spatious theater of humane life , for a man to instruct his understanding , by searching to know whatsoever is marvelously carried in all the parts thereof ? to view the danger of others without any perill to himselfe , thereby to make him the more wise and cau●elous ? to make happy use of forreigne presidents and examples by applying them to his owne perticulars ? to be as it mere private with the greatest men , in their gravest counsells , and not onely privie to the purpose , but partaker of the event ? to be acquainted with all the passages of state , the qualitie of times , the succession of ages the vicessitude of both ? the situation of countries , the originall of nations ? the rare lives of good princes , the lamentable ends of cruell tirants ? to make all that hath beene precedent , as familiar with us as the present , forreigne lands as well knowne unto us as that wherein we live : the acts of our fore fathers as visible unto our eyes as were they now in being : as ours ( if we shall doe ought worthy remembrance ) commended to all the posteritie : briefly such is the benefit of history , that comparing what is past with the present , we may better prepare our selves for the future . further to the exact composure of history , there belongs such an accurate curiositie , that whosoever shall atta●ne to the true method and manner , may boast he hath transcended herodatus , xipheline , dio , trogus pompeius , justine , livy , curtius , tacitus , swetonius , and even caesar in his commentaries : to all which i must ingeniously confesse i am so many degrees inferiour that i dare not list my selfe in the number of the history-graphers being now rather a remembrancer or collector of some passages concerning the persons now in agitation . but my discourse at this present is of women , and women onely , intimating to my selfe , that it is a kinde of duty in all that have had mothers , as far as they can to dignifie the sex , which in my 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : or history of women , i have strived to doe with my utmost minerva ; but that was a meare miscelaine of all ages , sexes , qualities , complexions , conditions dispositions , of rich , poore , learned , unlearned , faire , foule , well featured , deformed , barraine , bearing , matron , meretrix , and all in generall , from the scepter to the sheepe booke . from the court to the cottage . but in this tractate i have onely commemorated the lives and memorable acts of nine ●alluding to the number of the muses . ) three iewes , three gentiles , three christians . courteous reader , what is here proposed to thy view , peruse without prejudice . what thou findest worthy just taxation , correct without mallice : which granted , the nine worthy women going before , it may bee presumed that the nine worthy men may at some small distance follow . constantly devoted to thy content , tho. heyvvood . to his much respected friend mr. thomas heywood , concerning his worke of the nine women worthies . is 't natures wonder ; that the dead revive ? you worke a wonder then , make dead alive ; nor can you ( being too much ) create , them new , yet doe you ( being enough ) their being renew , who had existance by eternall will ; have quasi-co-existance by your quill , that gave them severall worth ; and you joyne now their worths in one , ( your worke ) where , when , and how . this worke as theirs speakes your deserving praise , raysing their , worthes in these our worthlesse dayes . it intimates ; dull spirits rouse for shame ; behold nine trophies , all of female fame : whom ye your selves ( if not deject ) may see honours high towring pyramidds to be ; which justice ever distributing dew , makes tripartite to christian , gentile , iew. william ball ( alias bennet ) esquire . to his learned , loving friend mr. thomas heywood , upon his history of the nine women worthies . is 't not presumption for a penscarce knowne , to write in praise of him , that of his owne has volumes of eternallizing lines , such as have fathom'd ev'n the deepest mines of poetrie , and historie , weigh'd downe with all arts plummets , to bring up renowne and fix it on his head ? will not men say i light my taper in a sunshine day ? sure such a censure would not seeme unjust ; and yet ther 's a necessitie , i must ( to prove my loves profession does not faine thrust into th' world amid'st the muses traine ; who being women , and in number nine , and ( as of all mens honour ) worthy mine : would say , i beare to vertue little love when the nine worthy women could not move th' expression of a poore respest from me : let this then for my pen the pleader be . withall i must confesse 't was my maine end , to boast , the author 's my deserving friend . so avoucheth steph. bradwell . to the worthy reviver of these nine women worthies , master thomas heywood , gent. amongst the many worthy , to attend thy worthy female , and thy worth commend , let me present my love too ; to thy choice of this great subject , and th' eternall voyce , thy pen has given their ashes ; to thy flame their second soule , now when their towring fame was well nie buried with them : to thine art , thy cost , thy care , cloathing thier every part , in all th'adorements of such eminent stories , so as to reade almost to see their glories in their owne greatnesse acted : friend thy straine , in these ( these brave viragoes of thy braine ) this golden issue of thy silver head , thy many such , shall when thy bodi 's dead , live , as thy lines , now , make them live : for ever pompe lives , and dy's such worthie labours never . thomas brewer . to his worthy friend mr. thomas heywood , on his nine female worthies . will neither rugged time nor vast expence of thy unfathom'd fancy and cleare sence perswade thee to leave off , but thou wilt still make all'twixt heaven & hell flow from thy quill ? nay heav'n it selfe , and all those * angels there , those powr's and vertues will themselves declare thy genuine searching soule : but these here thy female angels , that doe grace this spheare , thrice worthy , worthy women , whose great acts immortallize their mem'ries , and exacts not thee alone , but all the noblest wits that in the courts of truth and judgement sits to write their legends : but thy learned pen , that writ ( before ) their * story hath agen from thy owne workes substracted nine , to be the great example to posteritie : i doe not flatter but i may admire to see fire turn'd t' ashes returne to fire ; thy age goes backward , and thy phaenix braine , from the old ashes is growne younge againe . george estoutevile . the appellation of the three iewes . debora the prophetesse , and a mother in israel . iudeth of bethulia , the widdow of manasses . ester , the queene of king ahashuerosh , and neece to mordecay the iew. the appellation of the three gentiles bonduca , or boadicia the dowager queene of prasutagus king of the iceni , one of the kingdomes of the brittish scepterchy . penthisilaea , the warlik queen of the amazons , and friend to hector of troy. queen artimesia , wife to mausolus king of caria , a province in greece , scituate betwixt lycia and iania . the appellation of the three christians . elphleda , daughter to king alured , and wife to etheldredus , duke of mercia , or middle england . queene margaret , daughter to the king of cecile and hierusalem , and wife to henry the sixt king of england . elizabeth , queene of england , france and ireland , &c. defender of the faith. deborah . he that shall take in hand to speake at large of womens prayse , shall undergoe a charge beyond supporture : and he better were take atlas burden on him , and to beare the heavens upon his shoulders : if then any inquisitive bee ; why i ( amongst so many ) am now that undertaker ? and shall aske why , to my selfe i durst assume this taske ? i must appeale for answer , to my rare , ( scarse patternd ) patroness ( most learn'd , most fayr ) whom , if these my unpolisht papers please ; it is a burden , to be borne with ease , whose approbations ( where soe'r inscribd ) shall passe a worke as currant , as to have bribd all the nine sisters , or invokt their ayde . she , now the sole , out of so many made . as for our worthy iewesse now in quest , the sequent traectate , can describe her best . he , that made man the womans head , that ●he despis'd of her superiour might not-be , rais'd from her sex brave dames ( by text allowd ) least she might prove dejected , or he , proud . if any one this maxime shall gaine say , let him but reade barach and deborah . of the nine vvorthies amongst women ; three iewes , three gentiles , three christians . and first of deborah . to deborah i give the priority , as first named in the holy text , in which we reade of two of that name . the one rebeckahs nurse , ( the wife of iacob ) who being dead , was buried beneath b●thel , under an oake , which he called , al●on bachuth , or the oake of lamentation ; the other a prophetesse the wife of lapidothe , who iudged israel , the argument of our ensuing discourse . the name deborah in the originall , implyeth a word , or a bee ; neither was her name any way averse to her nature , for as she was mellifluous in her tongue , when she either pronounced the sacred oracles of god , or sat upon any judicatory causes , amongst his people : so she had also a sting at all times , upon any just occasion to wound and be revenged on his enemies the cananite● , who then most barbarously and cruelly oppressed his owne chosen nation . but the better to illustrate her history , it is necessary that i give you a briefe relation of that estate in which israel then stood . iosuah the sonne of nun , who succeeded moses in the empyre , and was captaine of the lords people in his masters place , after the subduing and slaughter of one and thirty kings ; and having divided the land of palastine amongst the twelve tribes of the children of israel by lots : all his time , and all the dayes of the elders who were his contemporaries and survivers , and ●ad beene eye witness●s of those great and stupendious wo●kes which the almighty had done for them ; served the lord , and were obedient unto his commandements . but he after he had lived an hundred and ten yeares , expiring , and being buried in the coast of his inheritance ; & all that generation being likewise gathered to their fathers : another ro●e after them , who neither knew the lord , nor the great workes which hee had done for israel . in so much that they dwelt amongst the cananites , the hittites , the amorites , the perizites , the hevites , the iebusites ▪ &c. taking their daughters to be their wives , and giving their owne daughters to their sonnes , and serving their gods , which was contrary to the commandement , and the law of moses ; by which they incensed the wrath of the lord which was now hot against them , in ●o much that he delivered them into the hands of spoylers , who spoyled them , and sold them unto their enemies ; so that they were no● able to stand against those that hated them ; namely the gentiles , and idolaters . notwithstanding which , the lord in his great mercy , according to his oath sworne to their fore-fathers the patriarchs , upon their least repentance and turning unto him , raysed up some eminent amongst them , whom they called iudges , who delivered them from the hands of their oppressors : but no sooner were those iudges dead , but they fell againe into their former rebellion , and whoring after idols . for the lord ( who knew them to bee a perverse and stiffe-necked generation ) had sayd , i will no more cast out before them any of the nations which iosuah left when he dyed , that through them i may prove israel whether they will keepe my way to walke ●herein , as their fathers kept it or no : but they had soone forgot the god of their fathers , and b●wed to the gods of the gentiles , baalim and ashcroth , so that his wrath was kindled against them , and hee gave them into the hands of cushan rishathaim king of aram : ( which is mesopotamia ) whom they were compelled to serve for the space of eight yeares ; but groaning under so great a burden , and in this their great affliction , crying unto the lord , hee raysed up othniel the sonne of kenaz , calebs younger brother , who iudged the people and went to warre , overcomming the king of aram in battell , by whose valour the whole land was in rest forty yeares . but othniel no sooner slept with his fathers , but they fall againe into their former idolatries , in so much that the lord stirred and strengthned egion king of moab against them , who gathering unto him the ammonites and amalekites , smote israel with a great slaughter , and held them under his subjection for the space of eighteene yeares : but when they had againe submitted themselves and repented them of their evill wayes , the lord stirred up ehud the sonne of gera the son of geinni a man lame of his right hand , who slew the king of moab in his summer parlour , and after caused a trumpet to bee blowne in mount ephrim ; where assembling the people , he slew of the moabites ten thousand of the strongest and most valiant men . after which victory the land was in security and quietnesse fourescore yeares . a third deliverer they also had called shamgar the sonne of anath , who with an oxe-goad slew six hundred of the philistines . ehud and shamgar yeilding to nature , were no sooner layd in their fathers sepulchers , but this refractory and disobedient people , altogether unmindfull of their so great and miraculous deliverances , like the dogge returned to their owne vomit , and defiled themselves with all their former abhominations ; and therefore the lord sold them againe into the hands of iabin , king of canaan , who raigned in hazor , and whose grand captaine was sisera , who dwelt in haroshoth of the gentiles . this potent king had for twenty yeares sore grieved and vexed the children of israel ; imposing upon them great taxes and tributes , and kept them in intollerable servitude and slavery : and the greater terror he stroke into them was , that besides innumerable strong and valiant souldiers , he had ready at all assayes , no lesse than nine hundred chariots of iron , which kept not onely them , but all the adjacent nations in awe , so that his power was held to be unresistable , ( and so indeede it was ) in all humane understanding . but there is a lord of hoasts , and god of battels , who resisteth the proud , and at his pleasure is able to suppresse the fury of the greatest tyrants whatsoever . whilst these things were thus in agitation , and the israelites were in this dejection , there lived deborah who was a prophetesse , a woman of great sanctity and excellent knowledge , to whom the people resorted , not onely to heare those sacred and divine oracles which she spake from god ; but they also brought before her all differences and controversies , how dificult and doubtfull soever , which by her great wisedome , she reconciled and ended , in so much that she lived as a princesse or governesse ; for as the text reporteth of her , shee iudged israel . this excellent woman dwelt in mount ephraim , under a palme tree , betweene ramah and bethel , whether ( as to our courts of iustice ) all the people of what condition or estate soever customably came to have their causes heard , and by her great wisedome decided . she ( as i before related ) being inspired wi●h the true spirit of prophesie , sent to call unto her barak the sonne of abinoham , from kedesh of nepthali , who presenting himselfe before her , be spake him after this manner . hath not the lord god of israel ( now at the last commiserating the great affliction of his people ) out of all others selected and made choyse of thee ? commanding thee saying , goe barak and draw towards mount tabor , and take with thee ten thousand men , pickt out of the two tribes of nepthali , and zebulon , and i will draw unto thee neere unto the river kishon , sisera the great captaine of mighty iabins army , with all his iron chariots and multitudes of men , and deliver them as a prey and spoyle into thine hands ? which having thus spok●n unto him , shee kept silence , expecting his answer . who , whether distrusting in gods almighty power and providence , or doubting whether this were uttered from divine inspiration , or meerely begot in her owne womanish fancy ; or else dispairing in his owne weaknesse and disability , hee thus replyd . if deborah thou thy ●elfe in person wilt associate me , i will take on me this great and hazardous enterprize , but if thou deniest me thy presence , and that i shall not have thy company in this adventure ; impose this charge on whom so ever else thou pleasest , for i for mine owne part will not bee the undertaker . she not well pleased with so cold an answer put on a masculine spirit and said againe : yes barak , that thou mayst know how little i feare or distrust the successe of this businesse , i will goe foot by foot with thee , and pertake with thee in all damage whatsoever can happen . but ●hat thou mayst know that i am a prophetesse , and that i spake unto thee was from the lord , know further that though thou undoubtedly prevailest over the enemy , yet shall not this journey be al●ogether for thine honour , for the lord shall sell sisera the captaine of the king of canaans army , into the hands of a woman : which having spoke , she instantly accommodated her selfe , and after some words of comfort and incouragement ; she went up wi●h barak unto kedesh , who made a present muster of the two tribes of nepthali and zebulon , ( the nearest unto them ) out of whom he made choyce onely of ten thousand fighting men , for no greater was his army : for he who is the great god of battels , disposeth not of the victory unto strength or number , for with an handfull of men he can subdue a multitude , ( as you may reade in the warres of the maccabees , ) and else where , that his great power and stretched out arme may not onely be feared but magnified amongst the nations . at this time heber the kenite , who was one of the posterity of hobab the father in law to moses , had left his owne country and removed from the kenites , and pitched his tent , as farre as from zanaim unto kedesh , which contained a great part of that country , hee and his family living as neuters , and seeming friends both to the israelites and the canaanites : so temporizing and complying betwixt the gentiles and the iewes , that which way so ever the streame ranne or the winds blew , hee sayled without damage , for if the one prevailed he was safe , if the other he was likewise secure : yet was his heart wholly inclined to the good of the children of israel . now the flattering of an enemy is like the melody which the syrens make , who sing not to stirre up mirth , but rather allure unto mishap ; and as a learned philosopher observeth , it is much better to have an open foe , than a dissembling friend , as appeared in the fall of this great captaine sisera . warre is of two sorts ; civill , and forraigne ; that which they call civill , is meerely seditious and is indeed , a speedy overthrow of all estates , kingdomes and monarchies , and the very seminary of all kinde of evils though never so execrable . for it abandoneth all reverence to god , and obedience to magistrates , it bredeth corruption of manners , change of lawes , and contempt of iustice , &c. but forraigne warre is that which plato calleth a more generous or rather honourable contention , and is then onely lawfull when it is undertooke either in the defence of true religion , or to establish peace . indeed nothing can make warre just but necessity ; nor lawfull , but when it is warranted by the word , either for a prince or people to defend their owne right , or to repulse gods enemies , who are ever the opposites of truth : i conclude with the poet , nulla salus bello pacem , te possimus omnes . all generals of armies , ought to have their courages guided by wisedome , and their discretion armed with courage ; neither must their hardinesse darken their judgement , nor their judgement extenuate their hardinesse : besides they ought to bee valiant , as not fearing death , and confident as not wont to be overcome ; their feete ought to bee steddy , their hands diligent , their eyes watchfull , and their hearts resolute : all which this godly matron and gratious mother in israel , with sweete oratory , and her presence in the fields , being a president of her unparraleld magnanimity , had deepely imprest in the heart of barak . now concerning iabin the king of the canaanites , it proved to his great dishonour , so that he had better to have studied to defend his owne country by iustice , then to have sought to subdue other nations by tyranny , and it little profiteth any prince to bee lord of many kingdomes , if on the otherside he become bond slave to many vices : besides , it is not possible that to a man of much pride , fortune should bee long friendly . the desire of coveting and having more is a vice common to such great men , breding in them for the most part a brutish nature , tempered with unsaciable cruelty . ambition eateth gold , and drinketh blood ; seeking to climbe so high by other mens heads , till at the length it breaketh its owne necke : it may not altogether unproperly bee compared to a vapor which ascendeth high , and being at the full height disapeareth and vanisheth into nothing ; for commonly those that strive to suppresse and supplant others , in stead of honour and superiority , purchase to themselves , shame and indignitie . so much touching the king. now thus briefly of his captaine : that generall who is bloody minded and thirsteth after revenge , is for the most part , either sold by his souldiers , or slaine by his enemies : but i shorten this digression and come to the matter now in handling . when sisera had by his skouts and espials , understood , that barak had gathered his forces and was gone up to mount tabor , and there pitched his tents , hee like a carefull and vigilant generall , called for all his chariots , even nine hundred chariots of iron , assembling all the people , even from harosheth of the gentiles , unto the river kishon . now by the number of his chariots , it is easie to guesse of what an infinite multitude his army did consist ; who confident in his owne strength , and despising the weakenesse of the enemy , waited in the vallies their descent from the mount , thinking to defeate and over runne them at an instant ; but the event happened quite contrary to his expectation . for the heroicke and masculine spirited championesse , knowing that the lord never failed his owne people , if they left their wicked wayes and turned unto him with unfaigned repentance ; came unto barak and said , seest thou this great and ( seeming ) invinceable army which cover the plaines & country that invirons us : feare not their foote , their horse , nor their chariots ; up therefore for this is the day that the lord hath delivered sisera and the hoast of the canaanites into thine hand : is not hee himselfe gone before thee to fight his owne battell ? which words inspired such courage both into him and his souldiers , ( howsoever weakely accommodated for so dangerous an adventure , ) that with an unanimous resolution , as if so many mil-stones had beene precipitated from an high hill , they hurried downe mount tabor , and fell upon the campe of the gentiles , with a sudden and violent assault , being upon them ere they could scarse imagine them to bee neere them , which strooke them with such a terror and amazement , ( god having a hand therein ) that they were so farre from assaulting their enemies , that they had not the power to use their weapons to defend themselves . for too much feare openeth the way to desparation , being destitute of reason , and turning the greatest courage into pusillanimity and cowardize , according to that of the poet , — nos auxius omnia cogit quae possunt firei , fact a putare timor . where feare once taketh impression in the heart , what is easie to be done , it maketh to appeare impossible . in briefe , barak with his small army of ten thousand , rowted the great and puisant hoast of the canaanites , who destroyed all their chariots of iron , and pursued the enemy , even to haroshoth , with such an infinite slaughter , that they all fell by the edge of the sword , and not one● them escaped alive . in which tumultuous flight sisera was compeld to alight from his chariot , and cowardly to save his desparate life , fled away on foote , and finding no place wherein to hide or shelter himselfe from the pursute of the israelites , he came at length t● the tent of iael the wife of heber , ( for peace was betwixt iabin being of hazor , and betweene the families of the kenites , ) who looking out from her tent , and espying the great commander sisera , late attended by so many chariots , now forced to goe upon his feete , and hee that led into the field such an innumerable army , to have neither servant , or so much as a page to waite on him . and no doubt having heard the successe of the battell , shee went out to meete him , and said ; turne in to me my lord , turne in , and feare not ; who glad of so good an opportunity to bee secured from the pursute of his enemies , accepted of her friendly offer , and entering into the tent , she covered him with a mantle . who hoping that the worst was now past , and his life in no further danger , called unto her and sayd ; give mee i pray thee a little water , for my travaile hath made me very thirsty , who fetched presently a bottle of milke , and gave him to drinke , with which having sufficiently refreshed himselfe , he layd him downe againe , and she againe covered him ; and as shee was departing from him , hee called once more unto her saying , stand i pray thee in the doore of the tent , and if any shall come and inquire of thee , and say , is any man here ? thou shalt answer him and say , nay ; which having spoken being weary , and over tyred in his flight , he fell suddenly into a deepe and dead sleepe , ( for so indeede it proved , ) for he never awakned after . which she perceiving , and being in heart an israelite , howsoever for necessities sake , they with their whole tribe complide with the gentiles , shee would not let slip so good an advantage , but unwilling to let one of gods enemies escape out of her hands , like a bold virago shee tooke a nayle of the tent in her hand , and in the other an hammer , and comming softly towards him , she strooke the nayle into his temples , and fastned it into the ground , peircing his skull unto the braine , with which wound he instantly expired . now barak after the great hoast was defeated , having intelligence which way sisera was fled , iael came out to meete him , and bespake him thus : come in with mee and i will shew thee the man whom thou seekest , who entring with her into the tent , she discovered unto him the body of sisera which lay groveling on the earth dead , and the nayle still sticking in his temples ; which object put him in mind of the words of deborah , when he denied to go into the field without her company ; that the honour of great siseras , death should be taken from him , and bee conferd upon a woman , which accordingly happened . for deborah in her song of thanksgiving , after that great and miraculous victory over sisera and his hoast , giveth unto her this extraordinary character : iael the wife of heber the kenite shall be blessed above other women , blessed shall she bee above women dwelling in tents ; he asked water , and shee gave him milke , shee brought him butter in a lordly dish : shee put her hand to the nayle , and her right hand to the workemans hammer , with the hammer smote she sisera , shee smote off his head after shee had wounded and peirced his temples , hee bowed him downe at her feete , hee fell downe and lay still at her feet , hee bowed him downe and fell , and when hee had suncke downe , hee lay there dead . by which so often iteration of the same words , she strived both to magnifie her act , and eternize her memory . neither did this great honour done unto iael , any way take off or derogate from the merit and magnanimity of deborah , that any man need question which of them did better deserve the name of a worthy . the precedence and priority undoubtedly belonging to her who was a prophetesse , a iudgesse , and a mother in israel , the other onely a secondary minister and agent to have the will of the almighty executed ; deborah in person out-braving danger , and standing the brunt of the battell , against many thousands , living armed and awake ; and iael onely taking the advantage of one single man flying , trembling with feare , and after to kill him sleeping . i conclude of her with her owne words in her holy song , after so glorious a conquest : so let all thine enemies perish o lord , but they that love him , shall be as the sunne when he riseth in his might . after which great discomfiture , the land had rest forty yeares . ivdeth the great assyrian king , puft up with pride because no prince , was able to abide his potency in battle : having subdu'd by his ( scarce to be numbred ) multitude , all bordring kingdomes ; at his mighty cost an hundred twenty dayes feasted his host , then , his chiefe captaine , olophernes sent with a most puissant army , with intent to sweepe all flesh from earth , who had denayd to send him , in his last great battle , ayde he seekes to invade iudea , 'mongst the rest , when of all other cities , most distrest , bethalmi was : where iudeth made abod , who in their great'st dispaire cald upon god , and more , their nations honour to advance , did undertake their free deliverance , and when the spirits of the souldiers faild , put on a masculine spirit , and prevaild . match me this woman amongst men , who dar'd against an host invincible ( prepar'd for her whole nations ruine ) to invade that potent army , singly with her maid , and in her bold adventure so well sped , to cut off , and bring thence the generals head . of ivdeth a second worthy woman amongst the iewes . king nabuchodonosor , and king arphaxad were contemporaries , two mighty potent princes , the one raigned in ninevey the great city , over the assyrians , the other in echbatane , over the medes : a place as well strongly munified , as most gloriously beautified . it happened , that king nabuchodonosor purposed to make warre against king arphaxad , in the great champian countrey , in the coasts of ragan , and to that purpose hee assembled all those that dwelt in the mountaines , and by euphrates , tigris , and hidaspes , the countries of arioche , the elimeans , the streames of chelod , with many other nations and languages . he sent also into persia , and to all that dwelt in the west , to cilicia , damascus , libanus , antilibanus , and all those that dwelt by the sea coast , and to all the people that are in carmel , in galahaad , in hither galilee , and the great field of esdrelam , and to all in samaria , and the cities thereof , and beyond iordan , unto ierusalem , &c. but all the inhabitans of these countries , despised the commandements of the king of the assyrians , neither would they come with him unto the battle , but sent away his embassadours sleightly and with dishonour : therefore he was greatly incensed against all these nations , and swore by his throne and kingdome , he would be avenged upon them , and destroy all their inhabitants , with the edge of the sword . in which interim , he marched in battle aray against the king of the medes , in the seventeenth yeare of his raigne , and prevailed against him . for he overthrew all the power of king arphaxad , his infantry , horsemen and chariots , he woone all his cities , and entring echbat●ne , tooke the towers , defaced the streetes , ruined the walls , and turned the beauty thereof into shame . hee also surprised the king in the mountaines of ragan , and caused him to be thrust through with darts , after which great victory he returned unto his owne city ninivey . both he and all his princes and souldiers , which were a great multitude , where he passed the time in pleasure and jollity , and banqueted his hoast an hundred and twenty dayes . during which triumphall feasting , he communicated with those princes and nobles which were of his intimate counsell , to destroy all flesh from the earth , which had not obeyed his commandement , and to that purpose called unto him olophernes , his chiefe captaine , and gave him a strickt commission , to execute the will of the great king , and lord of the whole earth , ( for so he stiled himselfe , ) then went forth olophernes from the presence of his lord , and called together , all the governours , captaines , and officers , of the army of ashur , and selected an hoast , of an hundred and twenty thousand foote , with twelve thousand archers on horse backe , besides camels , and asses , for burdens , and sheepe , goates , and oxen without number , and victuall for every man in the army , besides great store of treasure out of the kings house , with multitudes of strangers like swarmes of grasse-hoppers , which attended on the army , and to pertake with the assyrians in the spoyle . who from the upper cilicia , even to damascus , overrunne many nations , robbed their cities , laid waste their countries , and put all their young men to the edge of the sword , so that feare and trembling fell upon all the inhabitants of the sea coasts , who sent ambassadors unto him , and laid themselves prostrate to his mercy , and after received him with crownes , timbrels , and dances , into their borders , and cities , notwithstanding which he cut downe their woods , set garrisons in their chiefe cities , and tooke out of them their chosen men of warre , destroyed all their gods , commanding them to worship nabuchodonosor onely , and that all tongues and tribes should call upon him as their god. now when the children of israel , who dwelt in iudea , had hard what was done unto the nations , they were greatly troubled for ierusalem , and the temple , for they were but newly returned from the captivity : therefore they sent into all the coasts of samaria , and the bordering cities . and tooke all the toppes of the high mountaines , and walled in their villages , and put in vittailes for the provision of warre : and ●oachim the high priest sent to them of bethulia , and the adjacent cities , exhorting them to keepe the passages of the mountaines , for by them was an entry into iudea : but so narrow was the passage , that two men could but elbow there at the most . then cryed they unto the lord , even every man of israel ; their wives and their children , all with one consent , and fell downe before the temple , in sacke-cloath , and ashes on their heads , praying that hee would not give their children for a prey , nor their wives for a spoyle , nor the cities of their inheritance to destruction ▪ nor the sanctuary , to pollution and reproach , and a derision to the heathen ; the high priest also , and the levites stood before the alter , their loynes gi●t with sacke-cloath and ashes upon their miters , and called upon the lord , who heard their prayer . in this interim , it was declared to the great captaine of the assyrian army , that the israelites had prepared for warre , and shut the passage of the mountaines , and laid impediments in the champion country , where with being exceedingly mooved , he assembled all the princes of moab , and the captaines of ammon , and all the governours of the sea coast , and demanded of them who that people were ? what their cities ? and what the multitude of their army ? and why they alone have not come downe , to submit themselves , more then all the inhabitants of the west ? to whom achior captaine of the ammonites replyed : let my lord heare the words of his servant , and i will declare unto thee the truth concerning this people ; and gave him a free relation of their estate from the beginning , rehearsing punctually all those great wonders that god had done for them , in delivering them from the aegyptians slavery ; in dividing the red sea , and overwhelming pharaoh and his hoast , and destroying the nations before them , &c. adding moreover , that when they sinned not before their god they prospered , but when they departed from his way , they were destroyed in many battles , and led captives into strange countries , but now ( saith hee ) they are turned unto their god , and are come up from the scattering wherein they were scattered , and possesse ierusalem , where their temple stands , and dwell in the mountaines which were desolate , therefore if they have now againe sinned , they shall be easily overcome . but if there be none iniquity , found in this people , let my lord passe by them , least the lord whom they serve defend them , and we become a reproch before all the world . whose words were no sooner ended , but all the captaines of the hoast began greatly to murmur , and would in their fury , have slaine him , but when the tumult was appeased olofernes said unto achior , because thou hast prophesied amongst us this day , that the people of ierusalem is able to fight against us , because their god is able to defend them : and who is god but nabuchodonosor ? therefore will i destroy them from the face of the earth , and their god shall not deliver them , but we will destroy them all as one man. and thou achior , because thou hast spoken these words in the day of thine iniquity , thou shalt see my face no more , till i take vengeance of that people which is come from aegypt , and then shall the iron of mine army , and the multitude that serve mee , passe through thy sides , and thou shalt fall amongst their slaine , nor shalt thou perish till thou beest destroyed with them . then commanded hee his servants concerning achior , that they should bring him before bethulia bound , and deliver him into the hands of the israelites , which was accordingly done : then came the men of the city and loosed him , and brought him into bethulia , and presented him unto the governours of the place , which were ozias , the sonne of micha , of the tribe of simeon , and chabris the sonne of gothoniel , and charmis the sonne of melchiel , who demaunded of him , of all that was done , of which he gave them ample satisfaction , declaring unto them the purpose of olofernes , and the words he had spoken in the midst of the princes of ashur , for which having first praysed god , they comforted achior , and commended him greatly , and ozias tooke him into his house , and made a feast to the elders , calling upon the god of israel . the next day olophernes removed his whole army neere unto bethulia , and cut off all their springs of water , thinking without the hazard of his people , to make them perish by thirst , ( for so he was counselled , ) and besieged the city for the space of foure and thirty dayes : in which time all their places of water failed , and their cisternes were empty , insomuch that they had not supply for one day , so that their children swouned , and their wives and young men failed and fel downe in the streetes , so that they murmured against the elders , desiring them to deliver up the city to the enemy , for it is better for us ( said they ) to be a spoyle unto them , then to dye of thirst , since the lord hath delivered us into their hands : which they prest upon them so urgently , that ozias said unto them ; my brethren be of good courage , let us yet waite five dayes , in which time the lord our god may turne his mercy towards us , for he will not forsake us in the end , and if these passe without helpe and succour from above , we will doe according to your saying , with which words he appeased them for the present , and separated them , every one unto his charge . now when iudeth heard thereof , who was once the wife of manasses , and after his death , had continued a widdow for the space of three yeares and foure moneths , in which time shee wore sackecloath , and her mourning apparell , and fasted all the dayes of her widdow-hood , save the day before the sabbath , and the sabbaths , and the day before the new moone , and in the feasts and sollemne dayes , of the house of israel , who was of a goodly countenance , and very beautifull , having great plenty of gold , silver , and iewels , with men-servants , and maide-servants , and cattell , of whom there was none could give any evill report , for shee feared god greatly . shee ( i say ) hearing how the people had murmured against the governours , and that ozias had sworne unto them to deliver the city unto the assyrians within five dayes , she sent her maide , who had the governement of all that shee had , to call ozias , chabris , and charmis , the ancients of the people , who came unto her , and she greeted them thus : oh you the governours of the inhabitants of bethulia , the words which you have spoken before the people this day are not right ; for who are you that have tempted god ? and set your selves in his place , amongst the children of men ? for if he will not helpe us within these five dayes ; hath hee not power to defend us when hee will ? do not you therefore binde the counsels of the lord our god , for hee is not as man to be threatned , neither as the sonne of man to be brought unto iudgment , &c. to whom ozias replyed . all that thou hast spoken , hast thou spoken with a good heart , and there is none that is able to resist thy words : but the people were thirsty , and compelled us to doe as wee have done , and have brought us to an oath , which wee may not transgresse , therefore pray for us , because thou art an holy woman , that the lord may send us raine to fill our cisternes , and that wee may saint no more : then saide iudeth unto them . heare me ; for i will doe an act which shall be declared in all successive ages , to the children of our nation , you shall stand this night in the gate , and i will goe forth with mine handmaid , and within the dayes that you have promised to deliver the city to the enemy , the lord will visit israel , by mine hand , but inquire not of mine act , for i will not declare it unto you till you see the event . then saide ozias , and the princes unto her , goe in peace , and the lord god be before thee , to take vengeance on our enemies , so they left her , and went un●o their charge . then iudeth , after she had prayed unto the lord , rose from her knees , and calling her maide , went downe into the house , and casting off her sackecloath , and putting of the garments of her widdow-hood , she washed her body , and annointed her with sweet oyntment , and dressed the haire of her head , and put a rich attire upon it , and cloathed her selfe with the garments of gladnesse , even those with which shee was decked in the dayes of manasses her husband , and shee put slippers on her feete , and adorned her with bracelets , and sleeves , and rings , and eare-rings , and decked her selfe bravely , to allure the eyes of all that should behold her , and she gave her maide a bottle of wine , and a pot of oyle , and filled a scrip with flower , and dryed figges , and fine bread , and wrapped all together , and laide them upon her ; thus she went downe unto the gate , and when they saw how her face was changed , and her garments altered , they marvelled greatly at her wonderfull beauty , and saide unto her , the god of our fathers give thee favour , and accomplish thine enterprize , to the glory of the children of israel , and to the exaltation of ierusalem , and the temple : which said , she commanded the gates of the city to be opened . then went she forth with her maide , and the men of the city looked after her till they could see her no more , who came into the valley , and the first watch of the assyrian army met her , demanding of her of what people shee was ? whence shee came ? and whether she was then bound ? who answered , she was a woman of the hebrewes , and fled from them to save her life , because shee assuredly knew that they should bee utterly consumed , desiring them to bring her before the great captaine olofernes , to whom she would shew a way , how to winne all the mountaines , without hazarding the life of any one of his servants ; which hearing , they chose out an hundred men , and prepared a chariot for her and her maide , and brought her to the tent of the generall , and they marvelled at her great beauty , and wondred at her nation because of her. at that time olofernes rested upon his bed , under a canopy , woven with purple , and gold , emeraulds , and other pretious stones , who at the newes of her comming , came to the entry of the tent , and they carryed lamps of silver before him . now when iudeth saw him , she fell on her face and did him reverence , but his servants tooke her up , and he said unto her , woman be of good comfort and feare not , but tell me wherefore thou art fled from thy people ? for none shall hurt thee , but intreate thee as one of the servants of my lord , king nabuchodonosor : to which she answered , receive the words of thy servant , and suffer thine hand maide to speake in thy presence : wee have heard of thy wisdome , and of thy prudent spirit , and it is declared through the whole earth , that thou onely art excellent in all the kingdome , of a wonderfull knowledge , and in feates of warre marvellous . now as concerning that which achior did speake in thy counsell : wee have heard his words in the presence of the elders , of bethulia and doe not thou reject them , but set them in thine heart , for they were most true ▪ there is no punishment against our people , nor can the sword or speare prevaile against them : unlesse they sinne against their god , which they are now about to doe , for because their victuals faile , and their water is wasted , they are compelled to consume all things , which their god hath forbidden them to eate , by his lawes , which when they doe , they shall be given unto thee , to be destroyed the same day : wherefore , i thine handmaide am fled from their presence , for thy servant worshippeth the god that made heaven and earth , and now let me remaine with thee , and goe out in the night into the valley , and i will pray unto my god , that he will reveale unto mee , when this is to be done , then i will come and shew it thee , and thou shalt goe forth with all thine army , and i will leade thee through the midst of iudea , till thou come before ierusalem ; and i will set thy throne in the midst thereof , and thou shalt drive ●hem as sheepe that have no shepheard , and not a dogge shall barke against thee , for these things have beene declared unto mee according to my foreknowledge , and i am sent to shew thee . which words greatly pleased olofernes , and his servants , who marvelled at her wisdome and said , there is no such woman in the world , both for beauty and wisdome : moreover olofernes replyed , god hath done this to send thee before the people , that strength might be in our hands , and destruction upon them that despise my lord. thou art both beautifull in thy countenance , and witty in thy words ; if thou doe as thou hast spoken ; thy god shall be my god , thou shalt dwell in the house of nabuchodonosor , and shall bee renouned through the whole earth : then he commanded to bring her in , where his treasures were , and that they should prepare for her of his owne meate , and his owne wine , who said unto him ; i may neither eate nor drinke of them , least there should be an offence : for i can suffice my selfe with the provision that i have brought : but hee replyed , if those things thou hast should faile ; how should wee give thee the like , for there is none with us of thy nation ? to which she answered , as thy soule liveth , thy handmaide shall not spend those things that i have , before the lord worke by mine hand what he hath determined . then the servants of olofernes brought her into the tent , and she slept there till midnight , and rose at the morning watch , and sent unto olofernes , saying , let my lord command that thine handmaid may goe forth to prayer , who presently gave order to his guard that they should not stay her : thus she abode in the campe three dayes , and went out in the night , into the valley of bethulia , and washed her selfe in a fountaine , in the water by the campe , and when she came out , she prayed unto the lord god of israel , that he would direct her way to the exaltation of the children of her people , so she returned , and remained pure in the tent , untill she ate her meate at evening . in the fourth day olofernes made a feast to his owne servants onely , and saide to bagoas the eunuch , goe call the hebrew woman that is with thee , that shee may come and feast with us , for it were a shame for us to let such a beauty alone , and not talke with her ; for if wee tempt not her chastity shee will mocke us : who came unto her and said , make no difficulty to goe in unto my lord , and to be honoured in his presence , and to drinke wine with us joyfully , and to be intreated as one of the daughters of the children of assur , which remaine in the house of nabuchodonosor ; who answered him againe , who am i , that i should gainesay my lord ? so shee a rose and trimmed her with garments , and with all the ornaments that belong to women , and her maide went and spread forth her skinnes on the ground , over against the place where olofernes sate , whose heart was ravished , and his spirits mooved , and hee greatly desired her company , for he waited to insidiate her chastity , from the day that he had first seene her , who said unto her , drinke now and be merry with us : who answered and saide , i drinke now my lord , because my state is exalted this day more then ever : then shee ate and dranke before him , such things as her maide had prepared . and olofernes rejoyced , because of her , and dranke more wine , than he had ever done at one time since the day of his birth . the evening being come , his servants made haste to depart , and bagoas shut his tent without , and dismissed all from the presence of his lord , but iudeth was left alone in the tent , and olofernes was stretched upon his bed , for the feast had beene long , and hee was filled with much wine . now iudeth had commanded her maid to stand without , and attend her comming forth , as she had done dayly , for shee said shee would anon goe forth to prayers , and had spoken to bagoas to that purpose . then iudeth standing by the bed , came to the post which was at the head of olofernes , and tooke downe his faulchion , and laid hold of the haire of his head , and said , strengthen mee o lord god of israel this day , then she smote twice upon his necke with all her strength , and tooke his head from him , and roulled his body downe from the bed , and pulled down the canope from the pillars , and after went forth , and gave the head to her maide , who put it in her scrip of meate , so they went together ( as their custome was ) to prayer , and pressing through the tents , past about by the valley , and so up to the mountaine of bethulia , and knocked at the gates thereof . then iudeth said to the watchmen , open to me the gate ? now when the men of the city heard her voyce , they made haste to goe downe and called the elders , and they ranne altogether both small and great , ( for it was beyond their expectation that shee should returne ) so they opened the gate and received her , and made a great fire for a light and stood about them two : then she spake unto them with a loud voyce , and said , praise god , prayse the lord , for he hath not taken away his mercy from the house of israel , but by my hand , hath this night destroyed his enemies , so shee tooke the head out of the scrip , and showed it them saying , behold the head of olofernes the great captaine of the army of assur , and behold the canopie under which he lay in his drunkennesse , the lord hath smitten him by the hand of a woman , as the lord liveth , who kept mee in the way which i went , my beauty hath deceived him to his destruction , yet hath he not committed with me any sinne , then all the people were astonished , and blessed the lord , and ozias said unto her , o daughter blessed art thou of the most high god , above all the women of the earth , surely this thine hope shall never depart out of the hearts of men , for they shall remember the power of god for ever , &c. then said iudeth unto them , heare me also my brethren , take this head , and hang it upon the highest turret of your walls , and as soon as the morning appeares , take every valiant man his weapon in his hand , & set a captaine over them , as if you would goe downe into the field towards the watch of the assyrians , but goe not downe . then they shall runne to the tent of olofernes , but shall not finde him , and feare shall fall upon them and they shall flye before your face . so you and all that inhabite the coasts of israel shall pursue and overthrow them . but first call unto me achior the ammonite , who was presently fetcht from the house of ozias , and when he saw the head of olofernes , in the hand of one of the people , he sunke downe to the earth , for his spirit failed him , but after he was taken up , he laide himselfe downe at iudeths feete , who seeing all things that god had done to israel , beleeved in him unfainedly , was circumcised and joyned himselfe to the house of israel . in the morning all things being ended according as iudeth had directed , and that the bethulians were come downe by bands , unto the straits of the mountaines , the assyrians seeing them , sent to their captaines , who went to the governours and rulers , and came to the generalls tent , and intreated them to waken olofernes . for these slaves ( said they ) are come downe against us unto battle . then went bagoas unto the tent doore and knocked , for he had thought hee slept with iudeth , but when none answered , hee opened the doore and went into the chamber , and found him cast upon the floore , and his head was taken from him . therefore he cryed with a loud voyce , and after went into the tent of iudeth , but found her not , and then he ranne unto the captaines and people , with a loud acclamation , and said , a woman of the hebrewes hath brought shame upon the hoast of king nabuchodonosor , for behold olofernes lyeth upon the ground , without an head , which when they heard , their hearts were wonderfully troubled , and there was a great noyse through the army . so that feare and trembling fell upon them all , and as men amazed , they fled every way both by the valleyes , and the mountaines , then the children of israel rushed out upon them : and oz●as sent to all the coasts of iudea , that all should come freely upon the enemy to destroy them . which when they heard , they fell upon them together , they came also from ierusalem and the mountaines ( for they were told what was done in the campe of their enemies , and they that were in galahad , and galilee , chased them with a great slaughter , till they came to damascus ; and the rest of them of bethulia , fell upon the campe of assur and spoyled it , and were greatly enritched , and the israelites who returned from the slaughter had the rest , and the villages , and cityes , that were in the mountaines , and the plaines , had a great booty . then ioachim the high priest , and the elders of ierusalem , came to see iudeth , and to salute her , and blessed her with one accord , saying , thou art the exaltation of ierusalem , the glory of israel , and the great rejoycing of our nation ; blessed bee thou of the almighty lord for ever , and all the people said , amen . and they spoyled the campe for the space of thirty dayes , and gave to iudeth the tent of olofernes , and all his silver , beds , and basins , and all his stuffe , and she tooke it and laid it upon her mules , and made ready her chariots , and laide them thereon , then came all the women of israel to see her , and blessed her , and made a dance amongst them for her , and shee tooke branches in her hand , and gave unto the women which were with her , they also crowned her with ollives , and the maide that was with her , and she went before the people in the dance , and all the men of israel followed after in their armour , with crownes , and songs , &c. then iudeth beganne a song of thankesgiving unto the lord , who had saved his people , by so great and miraculous a deliverance , and after they went up to ierusalem to worship the lord , and when the people were pacified , they offered their burnt offerings , and their free offrings , and their gifts , iudeth also offered all the stuffe of olofernes , which the people had given her , and gave the canopie which shee had taken from his bed , for an oblation to the lord , so the people rejoyced in ierusalem , for the sanctuary , for the space of three moneths , and iudeth remained with them : after that every one returned to their owne inheritance , and iudeth went to bethulia , and kept in her owne possession , and was for that time honorable in her country , and many desired her in marriage , but none had her company all the daies of her life , after manasses her husband was dead and gathered to his fathers . but she increased more and more in honour and waxed old in her husbands house , being an hundred and five yeares old , and made her mayde free , and shee dyed in bethulia , and they buryed her in the grave of her husband manasses , and all the house of israel lamented her seven daies , and before she expired , shee distributed her goods to all them that were of the next of kin to her husband , and to her owne kindred , and there was none that made the childen of israel any more affraid in the dayes of iudeth , nor a long time after . esther instead of vasthi , a proud insolent queene , esther , a captiv'd virgin is next seene in the throne royall , and being there plac't by king ahashuerus lov'd and grac't ; who when all other earths assistance fail'd , her beauty so far with the king prevail'd ( ioyn'd with her prayer , and fasting ) she redeemd all her sad nation , then , most dis-esteemd . and for her vnckle mordecai , 'cause he denide to hamman , both his cap and knee : the agagite , when he his ruine sought was forc't , to doe him honour above thought . this god can doe , who , by their prudence sav'd his chosen people , when they most were brav'd , and thus destruction threaten'd on the lives of the sad iewes , their children and their wives powrd on their enemies heads , who shal with stād when god himselfe , the quarrel takes in hand ? hamman a gallowes makes fifty foote high , where he doth threaten to hang mordecai , on which he after with his ten sons dy'de , so sentenc't by the king ( the fruites of pride and swolne ambition ) such was their sad fate , whilst mordecai and she , guide the whole state . of esther a third worthy woman amongst the iewes . because of the diversity of names , by which they used to title their kings , and the supputation of yeares , in which the hebrewes and the greekes do much vary , divers authours write diversly touching ahashuerus , some thinke him to have beene darius the sonne of histasp●is , called also artaxerxes , but it may appeare by the prophet daniel , chap. 6. v. 1. and chap. 9. v. 1. that he was darius , soveraigne monarch over the medes , persians , and chaldeans , the sonne of astiages , called also ahasuerus , which was a name of honour , and signified , great , chiefe , or chiefe head : who raigned from india , even unto aethiopia , over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces . this ahasuerus in the third yeare of his raigne , sate upon his royall throne , in the pallace of shushan , and made a great feast unto all his princes and servants , and to the captaines , and governours of the provinces , to shew the riches and glory of his kingdome , and the honour of his great majesty , which continued for the space of an hundred and fourescore dayes , which time being expired , he made a second feast , for the people that were found in the pallace of shushan , ( which continued seven dayes , in the court of the garden of the kings pallace , under an hanging of white , greene , and blew clothes , fastened with cords of fine linnen , and purple , in silver rings , and pillars of marble ; the beds were of gold , and of silver , upon a pavement of porphyre , and marble , and alablaster , and blew colour , and their drinke was filled in vessels of gold , and they changed vessell after vessell , and there was royall wine in abundance , according to the power of the king ; and their drinking was by order , no man was compeld , for the king had given a charge to all the officers of his house , that every man should drinke according to his owne pleasure . the queene vasthi made also a feast for the women , in the royall house of the king : now it happened that upon the seventh day , which was the last of the feast , that ahasuerus being merry with wine , commanded the seven chiefe eunuches , that waited in his presence , to bring the queene before him , with the crowne royall upon her head , that he might shew the princes , and the people her beauty , for shee was exceeding faire to looke upon : but the queene refused to come at the kings sending for , wherefore he was very angry , and his wrath was kindled in him , then the king said to thē wise men , ( who knew the times , and had experience in the law , and the iudgements : ) who were next him , and saw the kings face , and sate the first in the kingdome : whose names were carshena , shethar , admatha , tarshis , meres , marsena , and memucan , what shall we doe unto the queene , according to the law ; because shee hath refused to doe the kings pleasure , by the commission of the eunuches ? to which memucan stood up and answered , the queene vasthi , hath not in this act of disobedience , done evill unto the king onely , but to all the princes , and to all the people of the empire , for this act of the queene , when it shall come abroad unto the women , they shall by her example , despise their husbands , and say , king ahasuerus commanded the queene vasthi to be brought before him but she denyed to come . so also shall the princesses of persia , of media , and chaldea , say unto the princes their husbands , which shall be the occasion of much despitefulnesse and wrath . obedience sheweth nurture , but rebellion , corrupt nature , and whosoever obey their superiours , instruct their inferiours . the humble and obedient gaine honour , but the stubborne and obstinate , reproofe , obedience formeth peace , establisheth common weales , and prevents disorders ; for obedience to the law , is the mainetenance of the law , &c. now therefore if it please the king , let a royall decree passe from him , and let it be written amongst the lawes of persia , and media , ( not to be transgressed ) that queene vasthi come no more into his presence , but let the king dispose of her estate to her companion , who is better , and more obedient then she , which decree , when it shall be published through all your large dominions , the women shall give unto their husbands , all due worship and honour , which saying , much pleased the king , and the princes , and he did after the words of memucan , publishing unto all nations and languages , that every man had power to beare rule in his owne house : after these things , when the kings wrath was appeased , those that ministred unto him , said , let them seeke for the king , beautifull young virgins , and officers be appointed through all his provinces , to bring them unto the pallace of shushan , and the maide that shall best please the king , let her raigne in the stead of vasthi , and the saying pleased the king. there was at that time in the city of shushan , a iew , whose name was mordecai , ( which implyeth bitter , or contrition , ) who was the sonne of iair , the sonne of shimei , the sonne of kish , a man of iemini , who had beene carryed away in the captivity from ierusalem , with ieconia king of iudah , by nebuchadnezzar king of babell , who then had in his tuition esther , whom some call hester , or hadassah , his vnckles daughter , who was an orphant without father or mother , and was very faire and beautifull : now when many virgins were brought together , into the pallace , under the hand of hege , one of the kings eunuches , esther was found amongst them , and the maide pleased him , and shee found favour in his sight . therefore hee caused her things for purification to bee given her speedily , and seven comely maides out of the king house to attend her : but shee did not shew this to her kindred or people , for mordecai had charged her to the contrary . now when the course of esther , the daughter of abthail , the vnckle of mordecai , came that she should goe into the king , shee desired nothing but what hege gave unto her , and she found favour in the eyes of all that beheld her , who was taken in unto the king , who loved her above all the women , so that he set the crowne of the kingdome upon her head , and made her queene in the stead of vasthi , and made a great feast unto all his princes , and his servants , and called it the feast of esther after her name , and gave rest unto all his provinces , and great gifts according to the power of a king. in these dayes when mordecai sate in the kings gate , too of the kings eunuches , whose names were bigthan and teresh , which kept the doore of the chamber , conspired together and intended to lay hands on the king ahasuerus , which was knowne unto mordecai , and he told it to queene esther , and she certified the king thereof , in mordecha's name . and when inquisition was made , it was found to be so , therefore they were both hanged on a tree , and this was written in the chonicles in the presence of the king. after all these things , it pleased the great king ahasuerus , to exalt haman , the sonne of hammedatha , the agagite , and set his seate above al the princes that were with him , insomuch that all the kings servants that were at his the gate at his going out , and comming in , bowed unto him , and did him reverence , ( for so the king had commanded ) mordecai , onely bended not the knee , nor made unto him any obeysance . to whom the kings servants said , why transgressest thou the kings commandement ? but he harkned not unto them , therefore they told haman of mordecai , and withall that he was of the nation of the iewes . which when he understood , he was full of indignation and wrath , and thinking it too little , to lay his hands on mordecai onely , he sought to destroy all the iewes , which were in the dominions of ahasuerus , and to sweepe them from the face of the earth , and to that purpose hee came unto the king and said : there is a people scattered and dispersed amongst the nations throughout all the provinces of thy kingdomes , and their lawes are diverse from all other people , neither observe they their kings lawes , nor is it his profit to suffer them : therefore let it be written that they be destroyed , and i will pay ten thousand tallents of silver by the hands of them th●t take charge of the businesse , to bring into the kings treasury . to whom the king ( taking the ring from his finger , and giving it unto haman , ) said let the silver be thine , and the people thine , to doe with them as it shall seeme good in thine eyes . then were the kings scribes called , and they writ according to all things which haman did dictate unto them , unto the captaines , and chiefe officers in every province , and the letters were sealed with the kings signet , and sent by posts , into all the provinces , to roote out , kill , and destroy , all the iewes , young and old , children and women , in one day , namely , the thirteenth of the moneth adar , which is the twelfth moneth , and to spoyle them as a prey , and the posts ( compelled by the kings commandement ) went forth , and the writing was given at the pallace of shushan , and the king and haman sate drinking together , but the iewes that were in the city , were all at that time in great perplexity and trouble . which when it was related unto mordecai , he rent his cloathes , and put on sacke-cloth and ashes , and went into the middest of the city and cryed out with a great cry , and a bitter : and then came before the kings gate but was not suffered to enter , being clothed in sacke-cloth , and in every province and place where the commission was read , there was great sorrow , and fasting , and weeping , and mourning , and many of the iewes lay in sacke-cloth and ashes , then esthers maids and the eunuches , told all these things unto her , for which she was very heavy , and sent rayment to cloathe mordecai , and to take his sack-cloth from him , but he received it not , then the queene called hatach the eunuch , and gave him a commandement to goe unto mordecai , and to know of him , what and why such things were ? so hatach went forth and met him at the gate , to whom mordecai punctually related all that had happened , even to the least circumstance , and gave him the coppy of the writing , to shew unto esther , and charged her by him , that she should goe in to the king , and make humble supplication for her and her people . now when the eunuch had delivered unto her the coppy of the commission , and all that mordecai had said unto him , shee commanded him to returne unto him and say , that whosoever man or woman came to the king , into the inner court not being called , there is a law of his , that all such shall dye , except him to whom the king shall hold up his golden scepter , that he may live . now ( saide shee ) i have not beene called to come before the king these thirty dayes , so hee certified mordecai of all the words which queene esther had spoken , who said , that they should answer her againe thus . thinke not with thy selfe that thou shalt escape in the kings house more then all the rest of thy nation , for if thou holdest thy peace at this time , comfort and deliverance , shall appeare to us from some other place and person , but thou and thy fathers house shall assuredly perish , yet who knoweth , but thou art come into the kingdome for such a purpose ? then esther commanded him to go backe againe to mordecai , and answer hi● thus : goe and assemble all the iewes in shushan , and fast yee for me and neither eate nor drinke any thing , for the space of three dayes , and nights , i also and my maides will fast likewise , and afterward i will goe in to the king , which is against the law , and if i perish , i perish , which having heard , mordecai departed , and did according to all that the queene had commanded him . and on the third day she put on her royall apparell , and stood in the court of the kings pallace within , over against the house , and the king sate upon his throne of majesty , who when hee saw esther the queene standing in the court , shee found favour in his sight , and he held out the golden scepter that was in his hand , so shee drew neere , and touched the toppe of the scepter , to whom the king spake , and saide , what wilt thou queene esther , and what is thy request ? it shall be granted thee , even to the halfe of my kingdome : who humbly bowing unto him said , if it please your high majesty , let the king and haman come this day unto the banquet that i have prepared for them . to whom the king answered , goe and cause haman to make haste , that he may come to the banquet of queene esther , at which when they were sate ; the king said what is thy request ? ( i speake it againe ) it shall bee performed , even to the halfe of my kingdome : to whom she replyed . if i have found favour in the sight of the king , and that it please him to grant my request ; let the king and haman come to the banquet that i shall to morrow make ready , and then i will declare what my petition is to the king. so haman departed thence joyfully , but when he found mordecai standing in the gate and that hee stood not up nor mooved unto him , he was mightily incensed against him . notwithstanding , for that time hee refrained himselfe , and when he came home hee sent and invited his friends in the presence of zeresh his wife : and haman told to them of the glory of his riches , and the multitude of his children , and all the honours to which the king had exalted him , and that hee had set him above all the princes , and servants of the king , adding moreover that esther the queen suffred no man to come unto the banquet with the king save himselfe , and to morrow , saith he , i am invited , but all this doth nothing please mee , whilst i see stubborne mordecai sit at the gate of the pallace then said zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him , let there be made a tree of fifty cubits high , and to morrow speake unto the king , that mordecai , may be hanged thereon , then shalt thou goe joyfully with the king to the banquet , and the motion pleased haman , who caused the gibbet to be erected . now it happened that the same night , that the king slept not quietly , and therefore commanded the bookes of the chronicles to be read before him , in which it was found written , what mordecai had told of bigthan and teresh , the kings eunuches , keepers of the doore , who sought to lay violent hands on the king. which having heard , hee demanded what honour , or what dignity had beene done unto him for that service ? to whom it was answered by his servants that nothing at all had beene done for him : he thinking it most unworthy his imperiall dignity , to receive so great a benefit as his life , and not to reward it , asking what one of note was in the court ? ( now haman was newly come into the inner court of the kings pallace , to speake unto him that mordecai might be hanged on the tree which he had prepared for him ) and his servants said , haman standeth in the court , and the king said , let him come in , who no sooner appeared before him , but ahasuerus spake unto him and said : what shall be done unto the man whom the king will honour ? then haman thinking in his heart , to whom would the king doe honour more then to my selfe ? answered . to him whom the king will honour , let them bring forth royall apparell , such as the king useth to weare , and the horse on which hee rideth , and let the crowne royall be set upon his head , and let the rayment and the horse be delivered by the hand of one of the kings most noble princes , and let them apparel the man whom the king will honour , and cause him to ride upon the horse through the city , and proclame before him , saying : thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king will honour . then said the king to haman , goe speedily and take the rayment and the horse , ( as thou haste saide ) with the royall crowne and doe so unto mordecai the iew , and see that thou let nothing faile of what thou hast spoken : which how unpleasing it was to the agagite , may be easily conjectured , since he was made the minister , and servant to doe such grace and honour to the man , whom of all the men living he most hated , but man purposeth and god disposeth , who confoundeth the wicked in the mallice of their hearts , and recompense●h the innocence of the righteous and upright man , as well in the justice of his cause , as to give the world a testimony how he never suffreth the innocent to fall , nor the godly to perish . wee finde by proofe infallible , that envy ayming at others , still woundeth her selfe , shee is blinde and can doe nothing but dispraise vertue , she is the slime and impostume of the soule , a venome , a poyson which consumeth the flesh , and dryeth up the marrow in the bones , it is a sicknesse growing from other mens happinesse , shee barketh at the starres , and spurnes at that which she cannot reach , she is imagined by the poets to dwell in a darke cave , to be pale , leane , and looking a squint , full of gall , never rejoycing but in other mens harmes , ever unquiet , and continually tormenting her selfe , shee maketh the body to be ill disposed , and is called the feaver-hepticke of the spirit , and may be thus distinguished from hatred , the one is secret , the other is open , and as griefe is a disease of the body , so is shee a sickenesse of the soule . shee alwayes waites at vertues elbow , but glory in the end erecteth that , which envy in the beginning seekes to depresse , as may appeare by the sequell . for haman , whether pleased or displeased , was forced to take the rayment and the horse , and brought him mounted through the streetes of the city , and proclamed before him , thus shall it be done to him whom the king will honour , which done mordecai went againe to the kings gate , but haman hasted home to his house mourning , and his head covered , and told unto zeresh his wife , and to all his friends what had befalne him , to whom ( after some pause ) they replyed : if mordecai be of the seede of the iewes , before whom thou hast begunne to fall , thou shalt not prevaile against him , but shall assuredly fall before him , and whilst they were yet talking with him , came the kings eunuches and invited him unto the banquet . so the king and haman sate downe with queene esther , and the king said againe unto her , what is thy petition , that it may be given to thee ? and what is thy request ? who answered and said , if i have found favour in thy sight o king , and if it so please his high majesty , let my life be given me at my petition , and the lives of my people at my request . for wee are sold , i and my people to be destroyed , to be slaine , and to perish , but if wee were sold for servants , and handmaides , i should have held my tongue , and beene silent , although the adversary could not profi● the king so much by his mallice , as hee should hinder him by the losse of my people . then king ahasuerus saide unto queene esther , who is he ? or where is hee that presumeth to doe thus ? who answered againe , the adversary and enemy is this wicked haman , at which words haman was startled and sore afraid , before the king and the queene , then the king arose from the banquet of wine in his wrath : and who knoweth not , but that the anger of a prince , is like the lightning from the east , and the threats of a king like the noyse of thunder , and went into the pallace garden , and haman stood up to the queene , to make request for his life , for his heart failed him , because he saw there was a mischiefe prepared for him from the king. who when hē returned from the garden , into the house where they had drunke wine , haman was falne upon the bed where the queene sate , at which hee being incensed , said , and will he force the queene also before me in the house ? which words were no sooner uttered , but those which were attendants on the king covered hamans face , which was the manner of the persians , when any one was out of the princes favour : then harbonah one of the chiefe eunuches , saide in the presence of the king , behold , there standeth yet the tree in hamans house , fifty cubits high , which haman had prepared for mordecai that spake good for the king , who said let him be hanged thereon , so they hanged haman on the tree which he had prepared for mordecai , and then the kings wrath was appeased . the same day did king ahasuerus , give the house of haman to queene esther , and mordecai came and stood before the king , for the queene had told him , of what neere alliance he was unto her , and the king tooke off his ring , which he had before taken from haman , and gave it unto mordecai , and esther set him over the house of haman , and shee spake yet more before the king , and fell prostrate at his feete weeping , and besought him that he would utterly abolish all those wicked decrees of haman the agagite , and those inhumane devices , which he had imagined against her people , and the king held his golden scepter towards her , and shee arose from the earth , and stood before him and said , if it please the king , and that it may be acceptable unto him , let it be written that those letters of haman the sonne of ammedatha , be revoked , which he wrote concerning the destruction of my nation , throughout all the kings provinces , for how shall i suffer , to see the evill that shall come unto my people ? or how can i indure the depopulation of my kindred . and the king said unto the queene , and to mordecai , behold , i have given esther the house of haman , whom they have hanged upon the tree , because hee presumed to lay hands upon the iewes , write ye also for them as it liketh you in my name ; and seale it with my ring , for the writings are written in my name , and sealed with my ring , may no man revoke . then were the kings scribes called who wrote according to al that mordecai did dictate unto them , unto the iewes and to the princes , and captaines , and governours of the provinces , which were from india even unto aethiopia , an hundred and seven and twenty provinces , and unto every province in such letters and language as was used amongst the people , that lived therein , which having sealed with the kings ring , he sent them by posts on horsebacke , and those that rode upon beasts of price , as dromidaries , and mules , in which the king granted liberty to the iewes , that in what cities soever they were resident to assemble themselves together , and stand for their lives , and to roote out and destroy all the power of that people , and that province which vexed them both men , women , and children , and to make spoile of their goods ; so the posts went forth , to execute the kings commandement , and the decree was given in shushan the pallace . then mordecai went out from the king in royall apparell , of blew , and white , and with a great crowne of gold upon his head , and with a garment of fine linnen , and purple , and the iewes in the city rejoyced and were glad , to whom was come light , and joy , and gladnesse , and honour , and in all and every province , and in all and every city , and place , where the kings commandement and decree was read , there was great rejoycing , a feast and a good day , and many of the people of the land became iewes , for the feare of the nation fell upon them . now when this decree grew neare to be put in execution , in the day that their enemies hoped to have power over them . it is worthy observation , that gods great providence , turneth the joy of the wicked into sorrow , and the teares of the godly into gladnesse , for the iewes gathered themselves together into their cities , throughout all the dominions of king abasuerus , to lay hands on such as sought their dammage , and no man durst withstand them , for the feare of them fell upon all the people , and the rulers of the provinces , princes , captaines , and officers of the king , exalted the iewes , did them honour and showed them friendship , for the feare of queene esther and mordecai was upon them . for he still grew in favour , power , and honour , greater and greater . thus the iewes smote all their enemies with the sword , with slaughter , and destruction , and what seemed pleasing in their owne eyes unto all those who had conspired their death , by the instigation of wicked haman : at shushan they slew five hundred men , as also the ten sonnes of haman , but they laid not their hands on the spoyle , and their number was brought unto the king. who said unto queene esther , thy people have slaine in shushan the pallace , five hundred men , and the ten sonnes of haman , what have they done in the rest of the provinces ? and what is thy petition further , that it may be given thee ? or what is thy request moreover , that it may be performed unto thee ? then said esther , if it please the king , let it be granted also , that they may hang upon the tree , hamans ten sonnes , and the king gave present order that it should be so done . the iewes also that were in shushan , assembled themselves upon the foureteenth day of the moneth adar , and slew of their enemies three hundred men , but they laid not their hands on the spoyle , and the rest of the iewes that were in the kings provinces , assembled themselves and stood up for their lives , and slew them that hated them , seventy and five thousand , but on the spoyle laid they no hand . so they kept solemne , the foureteenth and the fifteenth dayes of the moneth adar , ( which was the twelfth moneth ) in memory of their great deliverance , by the hand of esther , which dayes were turned unto them from sorrow unto joy , and from mourning into a glad season , to keepe them as dayes of solemnity , and feasting , in which they sent presents every man unto his neighbour , and gifts to the poore . thus raigned shee a blessed mother in israel , and mordecai was the second man in the kingdome , next to ahashuerosh , who was great amongst the iews , and accepted of his brethren , who procured the wealth of his people , and spake peaceably unto all his seede , and whose dignity and honours , done unto him by the king , are written at large in the booke of the chronicles of the kings of med●a , and persia. of the three worthie women among the heathen whose names are , bunduca . penthisilaea . artimethia . bvndvca how much o brittaine , are we bound to thee mother , and nurse of magnanimity ? of which thou from antiquity hast lent vnto all ages famous president , witnes this british queen , whose masculine spirit shall to all future , glorious fame inherit , beyond all tongues or pens , who may be proud , not thunders voyce , can speake it self more loud , of whom , although our moderne authors wrote but sparingly , least they should seeme to dote too much upon their natives , forraigne inke hath beene so lavish , it would make man thinke her valour inexpressible ; tacitus made her his ample theame , and to discusse , her gifts , were dio's labour : xiphiline , ( with many others ) made her acts divine , as above all womans performance farre , to whom i onely leave this character . this british queen whom just incensment fires , against the roman monarchy conspires , and her revenge more hotly to pursue , of their best souldiers fourescore thousand slew . whose name all other glories might transcend had not adverse fate crost her in the end . the first of the three women worthies amongst the heathen called bvndvca . this bunduca ( cald also by severall authours , boodicia , boudicea , voadica , and bowndvica ) was the dowager queen , of prasutagus , king of the iceni a province which contained foure shires in england , and was one of the prime of the sceptarchy , who all the time of his raigne remained in amity with the romans , and was reckoned amongst their sociall kings , who having disposed of his kingdome to nero caesar , ( then emperour ) and to his owne two daughters , intending , that having caesar their guardian , and in hope of his favour towards them ( receiving a childs part ) that they should be queenes of their owne shires , or co-partners after their mother , which being ratified by his last will and testament , he deceased . but the daughters , ( poore ladies ) found but a sorry partnership , where the lion was to make the partition : for neroe● captaines and officers , exercised intollerable violence throughout the kingdome , and not the least upon them , for the pallace of prasutagus their father , as also his great riches , which were abundant , and long in gathering , together with his whole realm , was not received into custody , for the good of the orphans , nor neroes part sequestered , and laid apart as a bequest and legacy , but that , and all that which belonged to the virgins was ransackt , and made a meere booty : they also that were of the blood royall , and kinsmen to the king , were no better reckoned of , then prisoners and vassals , surprised in the warre , and held in the nature of slaves and bondmen . these injust begi●nin●s , pressing in the first place , were 〈◊〉 by others fame more barbarous , and villanous , for the too princely sisters , being yet under the wing of their mother , were vitiated , and irrecoverably dishonoured in their bodies , and bunduca her selfe , their infortunate mother , full of most just griefe and wrath , and all the tempestuous passions which embased nobility , or violated nature can suggest , was thought to bleede in person under smarting whips , and cutting lashes , nor to be priviledged from being forced and ravished by the lascivious romans : of all which inhumane violences , she after in an oration made unto her army , grievously complained , but before i enter further into her history , i will give a lively description of her person and quality . this bunduca or bondicia the widdow of prasutagus was not as some have described her a martiall bosse , or amazonian giantesse , but tall of stature , and moderately fat and corpulent , her face excellently comely , yet with all incomparably terrible , her complexion very faire and beautifull , which who will wonder at in a lady borne in brittaine ? her copious tresses flowing about her shoulders , and dangling in compasse even to her knees , were of a most bright yellow , though by her complection , her constitution might seeme to be cold , yet her noble actions declared that choller had the predominance in her , even to adustion , her eyes were sparkling sharpe and piercing , her tongue shrill and harsh , as her person was tall and great , her progenitors , kings in brittaine , and as it may be heralisd , discended even from mighty cassibiline himselfe . now the generall reasons ( besides those particular before alledged ) which made the brittaines to attempt the massacre of the romans , were great and many ; a deepe contempt of nero was one , for that imboldned his officers to doe wrong , and drove the sufferers to dispaire of an orderly redresse : some assigne too principall causes . the confiscation of goods , and senecaes intollerable usuries , and bunduca's quarrell to be the chiefe , which prepared the brittaines for an open hostility : now in the absence of suetonious paulinus , who with his forces was busie in taking in the isle of nerva , or anglesee , upon an earnest desire to annex it to the rest of the empire , ( which suetonius was neroes leifetenant in brittaine , and commanded in chiefe over all the roman forces ) bunduca taking the advantage of his employment , in a place so farre remote from them ; interpreted it as a good omen , sent from heaven , which gave her fit opportunity to assemble the brittaines her friends to a suddaine insurrection , their conventions were first private to avoid all suspition , and after publicke to defie all prevention . now the forwardnesse of the dowager queene , unlockt all hearts and tongues amongst themselves , and whilst every one laide open their griefes which in telling , kindly , they all agree to rise with her in armes : as for the sworne covenants betweene the romans and the brittaines , they are adnihilated and broken : the sword is made the iudge and vmpire , to decide all causes betwixt them ; right , and common liberty , the maine of their quarrell ; and confusion , spoyle , and thirst of blood , the successe of their combustion : one hundred and twenty thousand men appeared openly for warre at bunduca's musters , being out of all the brittish kingdome a strange effect , of a close and sudden conspiracy . now bunduca , the head and life of these revolted brittaines came forth in state , attended with the chiefe of that conspiracy , her body cloathed in a deepe and full gathered garment , embroydered with divers collours , all over , about her necke a chaine of great wreathed linkes of gold , upon her shoulders , shee wore a military clo●ke , o● a thicke wrought mantle , buttond before , her faire goodly tresses flowing in length downe her backe , served in the stead of a vaile or golden cover to all the rest , and such was her attire . shee held more over with the one hand in the lap of her gowne a young haire or leveret as a mistery , and in the other a lance for terrour ; upon her head she wore an helmet with a crowne , and rising from thence a goodly plume of feathers , and thus acoutred shee takes her stand upon a square hillocke of turfs rising after the fashion of a roman tribunall in field , the place where the campe was then , is supposed to be either in marshland , or in the isle of ely , amongst all those in the icenis country , a place of the most safety : her selfe in her owne person being most conspicuous , had her naturall tallnesse , so holpen out with the advantage of that earthy stage , mounted upon the levell flatnesse of the open land , that she easily over lookt all their heads , whilst their eies were intentive upon her , the effects of whose oration to her people , are these as i have gathered them from a worthy and very learned authour . the romans are few and strangers , the brittaines are domesticke and many : the romans have their helmets , and curaces , which loade them with their brazen weight , and render them unapt for pursuite ; the brittaines have neither helmets nor curaces , but swords , and bucklers , and darts , which are not burdensome : the romans trust to their wals , trenches , and parapets , which consisting of oaken stubs , one fretted and woven into another , doe shew them as shut up in boxes . the brittaines have their tents in the open field , and for their defence marishes , bogges , and mountaines . the romans must have their shady bowers , houses over head , bread of ground corne , wine , and oyle , or else they cannot continue in the army : the brittaines brooke hunger and thirst , cold and heate , when any roote or stocke serves them for food : water will quench their thirst , and every tree is to them a roofe , or canopy . the romans sow corne , and are handicraft men ; the brittaines have learned nothing , but to fight : the romans must have their warme bathes , their catamites , their dainty fare , and their bodyes suppled with oyle ; the brittaines use none of these , but have their wives , and other things in common , and count all children their owne , which makes the females as valiant as the men : the romans are insolent , injust , insatiable , and worthy to be the slaves unto bungling fidlars : the brittaines by such base fellowes are wronged and overborne : the romans who so long have indured the yoke of their lady and mistresse , madam nero , ( for who can thinke him to be a man ? ) deserve to continue slaves still . the brittaines have heretofore beene free , and though others should be so base , as to spend their dayes under a donitia , or neronia , ( fitter names for him then any of the masculine gender ) yet it is certainely my last resolution , rather then live basely , to dye bravely . the romans are foxes , and hares , the brittaines are wolves and greyhounds . at which word , she suffered the hare to slip out , which had all that time beene hid in the folds of her skirt , which they taking for a lucky omen , spent their mouthes in an universall shout , making both heaven and earth to eccho againe , to the name of bunduca , she accepts of their loving and hearty acclamation , and after thankes given to audate , ( the goddesse to whom she was chiefely devoted , and the same which victoria was amongst the romans , ) she recommended her cause to her speciall protection , and when her orisons and other rites were finished , she rideth and leadeth them fiercely on , utterly to extirpate , and roote out with sword and fire , and all the extremities of warre whatsoever , was roman in brittaine , against which for the present there could be no prevention or stop , the suddaine torrent grew so great and violent , and camolodunum felt the first mischiefe of that tempest , and perisht under it . now paulinus suetonius , being absent ( as before was said ) in the conquest of anglesee , he like a provident governour , tooke not all his forces along with him , to that undertaking but he left both the provinces and their borders , full of legionary souldiers , and of their aydes , three men are named to have remained behind . catus decianus principall , as being the steward , atturney , and auditor generall of all caesars profits in brittaine , and the romans call such a man procurator , petilinus cerealis , who commanded over the ninth legion , and was quartered about gilsborrow , and daintree , the third paenius posthumus , campemaster of the second legion , ( surnamed , augusta , and these two seates , of legions ostorius scapula , ordained when hee was generall here under claudius caesar . the twentieth legion , as some are of opinion , was not transported hither , till after neroes dayes : yet tacitus writes that the vexillaries , which some read the vicesimarians themselves , ( that is , the twentieth legion ) were with suetonius at the great battaile : as for the foureteenth legion ; ( of all other in brittaine the most renouned ; ) there is scarcely any word mentioned concerning it , till the battle against bunduca : now , all the countries were full of roman castles , holds , and forts , full of dwellings and inhabitants all over , and not at camolodunum , london , and virolam onely , though they be soly named for their singular misfortunes : other stayes and affiances they also had which consisted not in armed power , but in amity , for the romans were too provident , to relye themselves , where they came upon their owne strength wholly , and for that cause made themselves as many confederates and friends , as they could possibly with their honour . in this famous place of camolodunum , claudius caesar had placed a colony of old souldiers , who did not onely thrust the natives out of their permitted dwellings , and dispossest them of their lands , but heightned these wrongs with revilings , tearming them captives and slaves , wherein they much mistooke . for the brittaines were conquered to yeeld , but not to be trod upon , for though force had mastered their strength , yet their naturall indignation remained , and looke how many old souldiers so many new lords there were , this bred so deepe an hatred , that they began to side with bunduca , as foreseeing that it was no short bondage they were likely to undergoe , but in the purpose of the romans , a perpetuall ; this towne at that season lay open on all sides , having neither wall , ditch , trench , or pallisad , onely the majesty of the roman name ? which was reputed as a wall of brasse for the defence thereof . this place , bunduca suddenly assaulted , as also all other of the roman souldiers , who lay scattered here and there upon the frontiers , in forts , and castles , and fencing the garrisons , rusht over them with such violence , into the bosome of the country , as a sea at a breach ; making up with all speede to the colony it selfe , the maine object of their greatest fury : now , the roman party upon the first appearance of danger , had sent to catus decianus for ayde , who onely spared them two hundred souldiers , and those not compleatly armed . the colony it selfe with their wives , children , and servants , could not amout to above 20000. yet it was that brave and noble legion , surnamed gemina martia victoria , first planted there by claudius caesar , and by him stiled victricensia , but these auncient souldiers , for the space of ten years , living secure and in peace , had abandoned the use of armes , and being over mellow , with ease and pleasure , held it enough to watch up and downe with warders , and trouncheons in their hands , ( a fashion of honour . ) the souldiers being so suddenly and violently assaulted , seeing no hope left for a common defence , quit the streetes and market place , and thronged themselves within the great temple , built by claudius : which in veneration of him was held as a sanctuary : ( but the name of nero the present emperour , was voyde of all honour , ) yet all was to no purpose ; for bunduca being mistresse of all the towne at an instant , did suddenly sacke and fire whatsoever lay without the walls of the temple , the assault whereof was never intermitted till it was wonne ; which hapned upon the second day of the siege , then all went to wracke therein , as in the rest ; sword , fury and fire concurring in the execution : neither was any thing which might be called roman , which force spoyled not , or revenge devoured not . the brittaines were so flesht with this bloody handsell , that bunduca , or bondicia , understanding how petilius cerealis , who commanded the ninth legion , was marching to the succour of the colony , shee encounters him , giving in with so round and home a charge , that utterly unable to resist , hee was beaten from his ground , and compelled to flye away upon the spurre , with his troops of horse onely : the infantry of the legion being thus left naked , and immediately overlaid , was driven to the earth , and cut in peeces , and not any one taken to mercy ; shee then fell upon such places as had the fattest booties , and least defenses , upon which they committed many insolent and bloody outrages . whilest these things were thus in agitation , suetonius paulinus sensible of the danger , the whole land stood in at that time , he left off the conquest of nerva , or anglesee , and through many difficulties with an admirable constancy , through swarmes of enemies , got safe to london , but by reason of the weakenesse of his forces , not able to mainetaine the place , at the rumour of bunduca's approach , he was forced to abandon it , who had no sooner quit the place , but shee suddenly became absolute mistresse therof , and all therein : then the wild uplandish crew of her irregular troopes , spared nothing , quicke or dead : thirst of revenge in her , and rapine in them , banisht all humanity : the streetes and houses were filled with miserable murders ; the wares and goods found ruder owners , then the right ones , nor did they content themselves with a simple massacre ? but they fired the whole city : but whilst they consumed what persons or things it pleased them , they also consumed time to their undoing , which was the cause that they utterly miscarryed . but the same misery that the londoners suffered , befell unto virulum , which was totally over runne by bunduca , and though the officers , and chiefe of the towne , were naturall brittaines , yet because they had beene received into the freedome of rome , they gave them equall quarter with the romans not sparing any of them ; where sword and fire ( the instruments of all wrath and fury ) devoured what rape and robbery had left . nor fewer thousands then ten , ( of these foure score which the bunducans slew in all ) could probably perish therein . and thus farre the actions of that mighty , yet much misgoverned body of her army , ( assembled under a most glorious title , namely , the recovery of the common liberty , and commanded in chiefe by bunduca ) prospered above president ; but now being at the top-most he●ght , as well for successe as insolence , it fell suddenly to the ground ; neither was it any wonder , in regard of their ill demeanour , and badnesse of their carriage , for there was no quarter allowed , no hope of ransome , ( as in other warres , ) onely swords , halters , fire , gibbets , they not onely striving to match their oppressors , for wrongs formerly done unto them , but to out-doe them in worse , and greater : for they tooke the most honourable dames amongst their enemies , stript them naked , then cut of their paps or dugges , and stitcht them to their mouthes , to make them seeme feeding , and after put their bodyes upon stakes , the mens bellyes whom they tooke prisoners , they ript up alive , cut out their bowels , and others they gored upon burning spikes , or sod to death in oyle , or water , cruelties at which barbarisme it selfe might blush , and in themselves most horrible . whilst this brave championesse and her people grew ripe for ruine , the roman generall mainetained retreate , whom shee hotly pursued : but he preferring safe courses , grounded upon reason , before good fortune imagined to happen by chance ; wh●n hee beheld the bravery of the woman , maintaining a personall chace upon him , he thought it now was high time , either to redeeme his fame or to dye with honour , and necessity of action , often begets felicity in action , and a state of feare proveth often a state of guard : the number of his army , some held to be about ten thousand , but with his auxiliary forces , some voluntaries addicted to the roman faction , and other aides which appertained to the legions , might make up to the number of nineteene thousand ; now concerning the number of men that were in bundicia's army , their nations , qualities and armes , it thus followeth . shee had two hundred and thirty thousand fighting men in field , which were assembled from all the parts of the kingdome , some say that she had in her campe six thousand armed ladies , but that is not altogether approved : onely it is probable , that she had souldiers compleatly armed and light , both horse and foote , with chariots for warre , &c. the levell or ground , on which the two hosts were imbattelled must of necessity bee a plaine , at the least five or sixe miles over in breadth , and betwixt two woods at either end one , some thinke it was upon salisbury plaine , and some further of , besides severne , but of the two , that which seemes to carry the greater credit , that this battle was fought upon the skirts of the plaine of salisbury , not farre from stone hedge , or stonage , about which place there survive to this age the memorable relickes of three ancient camps , distinguist by the common people by three severall names yanesbury castle , dunshot , and woldsbury ; and notwithstanding vespatian was the founder or auther of yanesbury , under claudius caesar , it hinders not , but that paulinus suetonius might make use of it at that time under nero , both as a strength , ready wrought , and a fortunate handsell , by the lucke of so great a commander , and concerning the time of the yeare , it is probably conjectured to be towards winter , and in the moneth of september . n●w the roman generall like a provident and wise captaine , did principally labour to keepe all his enemies before him , least their number might enclose or any way oppresse him , and therefore he made choise of a place , with a wood at his backe , to serve as a wall or bullwarke behind ; and ground well selected for fight , is no small step to victory : and having thus devised for the best , and forestalled the choyce of the field , he drew out his souldiers , well furnisht , and refresht , and set them in order of battle , deviding the body of his army ( within these straights ) into three wards or bands , so that hee might fight at once , and in front quite through , the middle ward , or maine consisted on such as were armed with helmets , and brest plates , each of them ballancing too or three piles , or darting iavelings in their hands , plated with iron , which they could deliver with such violence to strike through a corslet , and sometimes the armour , and man together . ever one had also a target , either ovall , or round , or square and hollow , about thirty inches thwart , and about fifty long , with a broad spanish sword , which hung somewhat off behinde , the blade not much above two foote in length , but of excellent temper , fine and thin , able to lop of limbes , and besides very sharpe and poynant ; their troopes of horse stood ready in winges ; the ordinary proportion to a legion , was but three hundred , which they divided into two maine bodies , and subdivided by thirties into cornets , indeed they were all so carefully disposed , that fighting all close together , they might at once be inpenitrable , and invincible : then the generall passing from company to company , inspiring them with courage , by the life of his presence , and power of his language , which done ( as my authour saith ) he prepared himselfe for a grave or a garland . on the contrary part queene bunduca brings up her two hundred and thirty thousand men , and casting aside the softnesse of her sex , she performes in person all the duties of a most vigilent and diligent chiefetaine , and being mounted in an open chariot , with her two ravisht daughters , ( the objects of compassion , and with all a spurre , to their greater fury ) she rideth about the plaine , and marshalleth her army , even to the last man , arranging all her severall nations , into severall battalions : the front of her battle extended it selfe to five or sixe miles out right , and the frame thereof was semicircular , as meaning to inclose them , and before this huge , and wide spread battle of the brittaines , chariots of warre were placed , with sharpe sithes , standing out to mow downe their enemies . against the maine body of the roman battalia , she set her corslet men , such as were whole armed , behind shee placed the carriages , walling the backe of her battala's with waggons , waines , and carts , in which the brittish wives and women , stood as spectators ; of the presupposed victory , neither was shee more wanting to her peoples incouragement , then to their disposure for fight , her person , conspicuity , and postures in speaking , adding to the life of her words , for riding about from one embatteld people to another , she turned her selfe to them all , in her open chariot , royally accommodated , presenting unto them her owne just quarrell , with the miserable fortunes of her princely daughters , who sate with her in sight , ( a lively and stirring instigation to revenge ) this done , by giving the word shee prepared for battle . the first assault beganne with shrill sounds and clamours , but quickly to be dampt with the grones of the dying : on the contrary suetonius paulinus finding his men prompt and fiery after signal given , stood to receive them in great silence , the romans ( holding loud acclamations , no more then a terrible toy , ) kept close together , as well to encrease their enemies presumption , as to prevent their owne circumvention , and when the brittaines had discharged their arrowes at randome , and were advanced within the reach of mischiefe , the romans ( before silent ) now joyne together , in an universall and martiall shout , and flinging their heavy darts into the thickest of their cōming enemies , they drew their swords , and clashing them against their shields , sallyed out at once with all the strength they could possibly make , and now they encountered together every where , and all over : the fight continued hot and doubtfull to the evening , which by one of our best and latest writers , is thus described . the light armed of the one side , lay fiercely at the light armed of the other : the well armed oppose their like , as , horse incounter horse , the roman archers , let flye at the chariots of the brittaines , they againe runne headlong against the romans , and tumble them over , but for want of armour to mocke the shot , they were inforc't with the stormes of roman arrowes , to fall off againe , the foote , trampled under foote by the horse , and the horse beaten backe by the foote : many close together , to make up with a joynt force , against the waggons of warre : they on the other side beare many downe before them , and compell others to flye , here the archers advancing over forwardly beyond the protection of their cavallary are glad to save themselves by running away : there others keepe aloofe , for feare of the piercing arrowes : these things whilst they were not acted in one place onely , but in three at once ( according to the triple destinction of the roman host , ) the conflict was long maintained of both parts with equall boldnesse and bravery . now in this remarkeable conflict , where the naturall liberty of brittaine , and the title of the empire lay at stake , the romans dashing in with the whole breadth of their battalia teare their rankes in peeces , and strooke the rest of the adverse army with amazement and terrour , whom their weapons could not reach : ingaging themselves so far as that they were inforced by reason of their inclosure , to fight all at once and about the setting of the sun , found themselves every where through out the field victorious , now when the brittaines in the head of the battle began to shrinke , it was a shrewd blow to all that were behinde them , who being many thousands , and remained untoucht , during the former fight , because they could not come up to handy strokes , by reason of want of roome in the narrownesse of the field : it was the cause that those who first turned their backs and fled , were amongst their owne friends , as unresistable as their enemies , carrying along a strong necessity , to disband , and scatter , and wholly to rely on flight , for their present safety . in this confusion , bunduca seeing how the dye of warre went , left the field and fled , but the romans , as bold in attempting , as nimble in pursuing , fell upon slaughter , making no difference betwixt sex and sex , for all perished together , yet many were saved alive , after there was an infinite great glut of blood , and a victory assured : multitudes also escaped , some by their swift running , others by the benefit of night . in which battalia , ( as our best approved remembrancers have left recorded ) there fell of the brittaines to the number of fourescore thousand , and of the romans but foure hundred slaine , and few more hurt , for which cause this famous victory was remarkt amongst the most famous of old , and deservedly it might be so , for besides , the glory of the day , it reduced brittaine to the roman empire , and fixed it to endure for sundry ages after . some say that after this defeate bunduca ( this brave brittish championesse ) slew her selfe by falling on her lance , some that shee dyed by sicknesse , others by poyson , yet all conclude , that shee was one of the bravest shee worthyes in the whole universe : her death was grievously lamented of all her surviving friends , who honoured her funerall with most stately rites , and buryed her remaines ambitiously brave . i conclude her history with the place of her buriall . in her death , the two injured princesses ( her daughters ) lye obscured , of them there is no remembrance ( after her ) remaining to posterity ; now concerning the place of interrement , ( as many be gathered from the premises it was the admirable monument of the stones upon salisbury plaine , not being any worke of the romans , but of the brittaines , ( who were wont to make stones vocall by inscriptions ) it is cald to this day stonehendge , or stonage , though some thinke them to have beene brought from ireland by merlin : the roman histriographers , report that shee was buryed pompously , and with great magnificence by the brittaines , and what greater then that could be consecrated to the perpetuall memory of bunduca ? then this , whose history the whole globe of the earth affordeth not a rarer ? if any man shall think , as some of our chronologers write , that it was the place where those murdred lords in the time of aurelius ambrosius ( whom the pagan hengist most traterously slew ) were buryed , yet it is no hinderance to give credit , that it had beene first erected in honour of that heroycall , and masculine spiritted championesse bunduca , since the bones of men digged up neere that place , convince it to have beene sepulcrall , but armours of a large and antique fashion ; upon which the spade and picke-axe , have sometimes hit ; doe cleare the owners from being in the number of those brittish lords , whom the traiterous danes slew unarmed , and weaponlesse . penthisilaea . some , in their criticke fancies would maintaine , ( as having womens honour in disdaine . ) averring , it not possible can be , that such should equall men in chivalree . and they would ground a maxime thereupon , that never in the world was amazon , nor can i scarce conjecture , which is chiefe in such , their ignorance , or misbeliefe . but had such stupids , but the least commerce with homer , or read ovids amorous verse : or almost any of the poets ; they of force must sing a palinode , and say in their blind errour they were much misled , or had they either quintus curtius read , or iustine : ( both historians ) they 'd confesse , their learning to be small , their iudgement lesse , but leaving them , now thus much understand , concerning this virago now in hand , this amazon , though many were of name , may 'bove the rest , a just precedence claime . the first brave championesse observed in field , arm'd with a polleax and a mooved shield . and shall a lasting memory injoy . for ayding priam in the warres of troy. of penthisilaea the second famovs championesse amongst the heathen all these heroyicke ladies are generally called viragoes , which is derived of masculine spirits , and to attempt those brave and martial enterprises , which belong to the honour of men , in which number this penthisilaea hath prime place , amongst the ancient remembrancers , we read of many warlike women , of the like condition and quality , of some few of them , i will give a particular denomination . camilla , queene of the volscians , gave manifest signes of her future eminence in armes , even from her infancy , not being effeminately , educated with carefull and indulgent nurses , but brought up in the woods , and forrests , and fed with the milke of wilde beasts , for so she was disposed of by her father metabus , who growing to maturity , cast aside the action of those common exercises , whose practise belong to women , as the needle , the web , and the like , but cloathing her selfe in the skinnes of savage beasts , she followed hunting and the chase , using the iavelin , the bow and quiver , and to outstrip the hart in running , and in the warres betwixt turnus and aeneus , she sided with the rutilians against the trojans , of whom virgil giveth a notable character . hilerna also the daughter of ianus , her father being dead raigned by the river tiber , taking upon her the sole soveraignety , which before her time belonged to the men onely . semiramis ambitious of soveraignety , demanded the guidance of the scepter for five dayes onely , in which interim she commanded the king her * husband to be first imprisoned and after slaine , then taking the whole principallity upon her , she raigned over the assyrians , who at least royally repaired , if nor really built the walls about babilon . zenobia queene of the palmireans , after the death of her husband odenatus tooke upon her the soveraignty of all syria , neither feared she to take up armes against the emperour aurelianus , of whom being vanquisht , and led in triumph after his victorious chariot , it being objected unto him as a dishonour , that he being so potent an emperour , would triumph over a woman ? made answer , that it was no shame for him , being over such a woman , who was inspired with a more then masculine spirit : and hipsicratea , the wife of methridates , in all the dangers of warre , never left the side of her husband , but cut her haire short , lest it might be any impediment to the sitting close of her helmet . tomyris queene of the scithians , opposed in battle great cyrus , the most puissant king of the persians , and in revenge of her siers death , rifled his tents , spoyled his campe , and slew him , and after cutting off his head , caused it to be cast into a great vessell , brimmed with blood , saying , after humane blood thou ever thirsted in thy life , and now drinke thy fill thereof in death : and teuca the wife of argon queene of the illyrians , in person in sundry battles opposed the romans and became victresse overthem . maria puteolana , who had that namē conferd upon her , from puteolis , a city of campania , ( the place of her discent ) flourisht in the time of the famous italian poet , francis petrarch , , by whom shee is thus deciphered : she was patient in all labour and travaile , sparing of dyet , and abstinent from wine ; never applying her selfe to any of those chares , belonging to women , but was wholly exercised in the practise of armes , delighting in the bow , the dart , the helmet , and shee was so vigilant that she would watch some nights together with out sleepe , and that little rest which shee tooke , was not upon a bed , but the bare earth , her head instead of a pillow being laide upon her target , and though she was alwayes conversant amongst souldiers , and armed men , for which some might have laid upon her the aspertion of impudence and incontinence , yet she studyed nothing more then virginall chastity , in which she continued even to death , and was worthily ranked in the life of the heroicke ladies . let these suffice for the present , and being to discourse of an amazonian championesse , it shall not be altogether impertinent to the story now in hand , if i speake something of their originall . the scythians a warlike nation , having spent many yeares in opposing xexores king of egypt , and after , staying long in the subduing of asia , their wives sent unto them , that if they made not speedy hast home , they would provide themselves of issue from their neighbour nations , in processe of time , two princely youths of the scythians , plinos , and scolopytus , by a decree of the optimates , being exilde their country , tooke with them along , a great number of young men , to seeke a new fortune , planting a new colony upon the borders of capadocia , neere to the river thermodoon , and having subdued the temiscerians , occupyed their grounds , these having long tyrannized over the bordering nations , were at the last insidiated by the enemy , and treacherously slaine , which their wives at home hearing , tooke armes to defend their owne territories , which was not without good and great successe ; and finding the sweetenesse of liberty , and soveraignty added , they refused to take husbands , either of friends or enemies , accounting matrimony , no better then a miserable servitude . notwithstanding , they not onely ( without the ayde of men ) maintained their owne , but trencht upon others : holding the masculine sex in meere contempt , and because they would beare a like fortune , and that no one should be held more happy than the other , they slew all those husbands which yet remained amongst them , and now after many conflicts , having setled peace , lest their posterity shold fal , they desired congres with their neighbours : all the male children borne unto them they strangled , but the female they preserved , and brought them up in the practise of armes , searing of their right paps , least otherwise it might be an impediment unto them in the use of the bow or the speare , of which they had the denomination of amazones or vnimammae . of these were two queenes marthesia , and lampedo , who , the more to increase their dignity , and authority , proclamed themselves to be the daughters of mars , and having subdued a great part of europe , invaded asia also , erecting diverse famous cities , as ephesus and others , and having sent part of their army with great preyes and booties into their country , the rest who stayed to mainetaine the empire of asia , under the command of marthesia , were with her selfe , by the barbarians miserably slaine : in her place succeeded orythia , who for her martiall discipline , and many glorious victories , and for her constant vow of virginity , as she was much famed , so shee was much honoured . two of foure sisters raigned at once , orythia , whom some call otreta , and antiope , in whose time hercules , with many of the prime heroes of greece , invaded their confines at such a time of their security , that their troopes were carelesly scattered abroad , by taking which advantage , hee slew many of them , and tooke other prisoners , amongst which were two of those princely sisters , antiope , whom hercules ransomed for her golden baldricke , and menalip , of whom theseus after her surprisall grew inamoured , and tooke her to wife by whom he had issue , hippolitus : orithia taking grievously this affront done to her sisters , purposed to make warre upon greece , and to that end she negotiated with king sagillus , who then raigned over the scythians , solliciting his aide , who sent to them his sonne penegagaras , with a mighty army of horsemen : but the amazones and he falling to dissention , by which the grecians set upon them , disbanded them , and were victorious over them ; yet they had before fortified so many places by the way that in their retreate unto their country they were not dammaged by any nation , through whose provinces they were compelled to make their passage . orythia deceasing penthisilaea succeeded , she for the great love she bare unto the fame of hector , came with a thousand armed viragoes , to take part with the trojans , against the greekes , but hector being before cowardly slaine by achilles , and his myrmidons , and achilles soone after , shot by the hand of paris , in the temple of apollo , where hee should have marryed polixna , the daughter of priam and hecuba , and now pyrrbus , otherwaies called neoptolemus , the sonne of dejademeia , the daughter of lycomedes , remaining the sole champion of hope , upon the party of the greekes , she marked out him as the maine ayme of her revenge : shee is said to be the first that ever devised the pole-axe , and therefore because she much practised that weapon , shee was called securigera , as bearing an axe , she was also called vexillifera , as bearing upon her lances point , a flagge or ensigne , and peltifera from those shields , made in the forme of halfe moones , which the amazones used to weare . of her virgil in the first of his aeneiids , thus writes : ducit amazonidum lunatis agmina peltis penthisilaea●urens ●urens mediisque in millibus ardet arm'd with their moony sheilds , the queene her amazonians leads , and raging seemes to burne , amidst those thousands where she treades . of her rare beauty added to her valour , diverse authours give ample testimony , and amongst them not the least , propertius in these words , ausa feroxab e quo quondam appugnare sagitis moetis danaum penthisilaea rates , aurea cui posi quam nudavit cassida frontem , vixit victorem candida forma virum . thus paraphrased . the bold penthisilaea durst the danish fleete oppose : and from her steede sharpe arrowes shoote to gall her armed foes : no sooner was the battaile done ( her golden helme laid by , but whom by armes she could not take , she captiv'd with her eye . valerius flaccus lib. 5 , statius lib. 12. hor. lib. 4. and ovid in his epistles of phaedra , to hippolitus , useth these words , speaking of her . prima securigeras inter virtute puellas . shee is also by him remembered in his second booke de ponto , and the third booke de arte amandi , he sportively begins thus : arm'd at all points , the greeke to field is gone to encounter with the naked amazon , behold , like weapons in my power remaine , for thee penthisilaea and thy traine . &c. some thinke her to have beene slaine in single combat by achilles , but the most are of opinion that she fell by the hand his sonne neoptolemus , about the beginning of the tenth and last yeare of the siege : after whose death the trojans altogether unable to resist the fury of the enemy , where forc't to immure themselves and keepe close within their walles , till after the grecians entered the city by stratagem , as you may read it fully and excellently delivered by the prince of poets , virgil , to whom i referre you . penthisilaea thus dead , and many of her ladies perishing with her , those few which remained alive retyred themselves with much difficulty into their country , where they had much adoe to defend their frontiers , and support themselves against their bordering nations , and others , overwhom they had for a long time tyrannized , in which incertaine state they remained untill the time of alexander the great , over whom minothaea , or monithaea , called also thalestris , then raigned she in admiration of his great conquests , made earnest suite unto him to enjoy his company in bed for the space of foureteene nights together , which shee obtained at his hands , and so returned with her traine unto her owne country , in great hope that her expected issue would equall the fame and fortunes of the father , but the successe it seemes came short of her hope , for after her decease the amazonian nation , with their name , were quite swept away from the face of the earth . genera●ly , of the nation of the scythians , their manners and their customes , ( from whence the amazonians claime their discent ) it is further left thus recorded : their dwelling houses are but small , not built upon he earth , but lifted and reared upon waines and waggons , to shift and remoove from place to place ; as the necessity of occations , or their private fancies leade them . horrace cals them campestres , and lucan calls them errantes , wanderers , for they are never constant to one place , but remove according to the nature of the seasons . by the vertue of one herbe called spartiana , the taste thereof giveth them ability to abstaine from meate and drinke for the space of twelve daies together , they are bold , and much glory in the thundring of their horses hoofes . there custome is at cessant times to drinkē deepe , as being naturally much addicted that way , but when they finde themselves to have transgressed order , and tooke their cups too much , they strike hard upon the strings of their bent bowes , by which they make an harmony and such a kinde of musicke , as weaneth them from their voluptuousnesse , and recalle●h them to their pristime continence : sometimes , ( but that of necessity ) they have not spared to feede on humaine flesh , and such strangers as have been accidentally cast upon their coasts , they have sacrifized to mars , and after kept their skulls to make their quaffing bowles , they are for the most part pale of complection , and of condition bold and hardy : for so much the nature of the climate under which they live , ( being very cold ) implies , the beads of their arrowes they dip in the blood of man , and vipers mixt together , the least wound , racing but the skinne , being irrecoverable , and necessitous death . the scythians live by theft , nor will they labour of themselves , but feede onely upon the prey , which they can gaine from others , but 〈◊〉 ●aturall scythians , ( i meane the most ancient , of whom i spake before , ) have all things amongst themselves common , saving their swords , and their quaffing bowles , those they reserve as peculiar to themselves . their wives and their children , they hold promiscuously begot , the one knowledge no certaine fathers , and the other acknowledging no constant husbands , they were in the originall a most simple people , and most observant in the exact lawes of justice , as allotting suum cuique , i. to every man his owne : but falling of from that regularity , they grew as violent in the contrary , extreame , as observing none at all , forsoone after they grew to that inhumane barbarisme , that whosoever of any forraigne nation came within their confines , they cut off his nose as a marke to distinguish him from the rest of their nation . they are naturally inclined to wrath and anger : and betwixt them and the sauramates , this one thing is common , that they sacrifice their living wives at the obsequies of the dead husbands : they wholly studdy grasse and cattle , but neglect tillage , and graine , as feeding upon rootes rather then bread , their habit or attire is the skinnes of wilde beasts , which being tanned they weare the hairy side outwards , that to the foe they may seeme the more terrible : theft they abhorre , because they have all the gs amongst them free and common : drunkennesse is fr●quent amongst them : in somuch that to be toxt with wine , to give it the more emphaticall expression , the latine saith scithissare , which is the same with inebriari . in their sollemne feasts , their custome is to have a great massie bowle brimmed with wine to be carryed from man to man , in which none is suffered to drinke , who cannot give account of the slaughter of some enemy , and hee that hath slaine most hath the honour to drinke deep●st : they have neither walled townes , nor cities , but whether soever they travell , they carry their houses in waggons or chariots , along with them ; images , altars , and temples they abhorre , onely such as are dedicate to mars ; they imbrace wood , they have scarce any or none at all , and therefore such cattle as they kill , they eate the flesh sod , or rosted with a fire made of the bones : in any set battle , the first enemy they surprise , they first kill him , and then quaffe healths the one to another in his blood : those are most honoured amongst thēm , who can give account that by his owne hand he hath slaine most of the enemies ; and of thē contrary , those that have done no facinorious act , they extreamely vilifie . when the king shall command any man to death , all his male children , under goe the like censure , but the wife and daughters are free ; in all contracts and covenants , they drinke the one to the other , in wine mixt with blood and such compacts are held inviolable : no slave is admitted , or mercenary man , to attend upon the supreame majesty , who being dead , fifty of the prime who attended him , are strangled , and as many of his best horse , who are also buryed with him in his sepulchre . artimesia . of this brave carian queene , my pen's at strife whether , she better widdow was , or wife . in both , there 's none that reads her can deny but she observ'd , her true conjugall tye . for chastity , or valour ▪ those fam'd most cann●t ( before her ) least precedence boast , in either ; who shall strive her to surmount , needes must they come farre short in their account , for who so reades herodotus shall finde she was of such a chaste heroicke minde , that both in peace and warre she was like glorious , in the court famous , in the campe victorious , who , to her country ( till her time ) obscure , hath left a name , for ever to indure , for all the monuments , on vertue plac't , no envy can demolish , nor time waste , but they shall brave all ages to ensue , whose attributes . i summe up in these few . three hundred thousand persians this brave queene ( in a great navall conflict , fought betweene them and the greekes ) out shin'd ; yet honoured most for one of the seaven wonders ; at her cost erected to posterity : which rariety shee built , to expresse her true conjugall piety . of artimesia . qveene of caria , a third heroick championesse amongst the heathen almost all places , but most sure i am all ages have brought forth brave and illustrious women , renowned for sundry vertues and qualities , as also severall countries : for instance , we read of a semiramis amongst the assyrians , a camilla of the volscians , a thomyris of the scithians , an hester of the persians , a cleopatra of the egiptians , a zenobia of the palmirians , an amalasantha of the gothes , a theolinda of the longobards , a radegunda of the frankes or galls , a bunduca of the brittaines , a maria of the hungarians , an isabella of the spaniards , a cassiope of the ethiopians , an harpalice of the amazones , an hippolite of the magnesians , an electra of the thebans , a teuca of the illyrians , a lucresse amongst the romans , a inturna of the rutilians , a cassandane of the medes , a cassandra of the trojans , an hermodice among the lidians , a penelope amongst the larissaeans , a dido of the carthaginians , &c. and of others promiscuously thus : andromache the wife of hector , creusa of enaeus , monima of mithridates , erfilia of romulus , herpilida of aristotle , amastrix of xerxes hotina of trajanus , atossa of darius , portia of brutus , pyrha of deucalion , euridice of orpheus , and this our artimesia of mousolus , &c. she was the daughter of king lydamnius , her paternall blood shee derived from halicarnassus , the prime city of caria , her maternall from cre●te : now caria hath its name from capitalis , i. a head country , but as others would have it , from king cara , who first reduc't it to a monarchy , and is scituate in greece , upon one side of the mountane , taurus , betwixt the two regions of licia and ionia , this illustrious lady , as well for her conjugall love and chastity , as for her heroicke spirit and magnanimity , is worthily remembred to all posterity . there are said to be septem orbes miracula , i. seven wonders of the world , who for their state , magnimity and cost deserved a prime admiration above all others , of which her pompous and most magnificent structure was not the least , upon this just occasion , i will as briefely as i can , render them unto you in order : the first were ●he egiptian pyramides built upon square stones below , but sharpe and pointed above , which the egiptian kings , erected over their tombes , and funerall monuments , as well in a vaine ostentation , of their riches , as to set their people upon imployment , to keepe them from sloth and idlenesse , one of which was built of one entire stone , which either grew or was made in their owne country , in longitude , an hundred forty and three foote : in altitude , threescore and two , ) a second was ma●e of stone fetcht from arabia , which sixe hundred thousand men were twenty yeares in building , three others there were , which from their first foundation till they were compleately finisht lasted threescore and eighteene yeares , with sixe moneths added . pliny writeth that king cleopes consumed upon the workemen in one of them , one thousand and eight hundred talents in nothing else but leekes , onions , and garlike , by which may easily be conjectured how great and prodigious his expense was in their meate , when their sallets cost him so much : the scituation thereof tooke up eight acres of ground : which unheard of prodigality so exhausted his treasure , and drew him to that penury , that he was forced to prostitute the fairest of his daughters to supply his present necessities . herodotus in his eutirpe speaketh of diverse others , too long to recite in this place , one of which but the least was erected by the famous strumpet rhodope , ( once the mistresse of esopus samius , ( still knowne to us in his excellent fables ) with the great riches shee gathered together by her meretrician practise , of these lucan speaketh in his eight booke , as also martiall in these words : barbara pyramidum sileat miracula memphis . a second wonder , was that excellent structure , built at the charge of ptolomeus the great , in the isle of pharos , for no other use but to continue a lampe all the night long , to direct navigators in their course , and how to avoide the rockes , shelves , and quicke-sands , frequent in those places : it is said to have cost eight hundred talents of which sostratus was the famous architector , in the most eminent place whereof he left his name inscribed . in the rancke of these miraculous edisicees , are numbred the walls of babilon , either first renued or royally repaired by queene semiramis in height two hundred foote , and in breadth fifty , upon the top chariots might meete without jetting one against the other , they had moreover three hundred towers , and more should have had but that the marishes , and fennes , were of the one side a sufficient defence for the city . in this worke three hundred thousand workemen were for some yeares imployed at once : herodatus writeth that these walls were two hundreth cubits in height , and fifty cubits in thicknesse , and that there were an hundred gates of brasse that mooved upon hinges , the swift river of euphrates running through the towne . to the former is added the magnificent temple of diana in ephesus , to which all asia contributed towards the buildings , which was ere it was fully perfected , the space of two hundred and twenty yeares , the foundation whereof was laid in a marish , or fenny ground , because it should not be subject to any earth-quake : it was in longitude three hundred twenty and five foote , according to the standard , and in latitude , two hundred and twenty , being supported by two hundred and seven and twenty collumnes every one of those pillars being at the charge of a severall king , of which number twenty seven were curiously and most artificially carved and graven , of which glorious worke c●esiphon is nominated to be the prime overseer . a fifth wonder was the colossus at rhodes , being the figure or image of apollo , made of brasse , and of that magnitude that it bestrided a small arme of the sea , betweene whose legges ships might saile , without vayling their maine tops , it was in height threescore and ten cubits , which after it had stood by the space of fifty and sixe yeares , was utterly demolisht by an earthquake , one of his thumbes a man could scarcely fadome , and his fingers were like large statues , yet not one joynt about it , which was not proportionably suiting with the size thereof : this colossus was lined with stones of an extraordinary bignesse , with smaller intermixed amongst them , it was twelve yeares in composing , and the charge thereof amounted to three hundred talents . the chiefe artifex was chares lyndius , the scholler of lysippus . the souldan of aegypt invading rhodes , laded nine hundred camels with the brasse thereof , from this colosse , the rhodians were called colossians , and the island it selfe colossicula . a sixth to these was the image of iupiter , which phidias the most excellent artist made of ivory , gold , and other precious materialls , for the aelians of which propertius the excellent poet speakes , lib. i. in these words . nam neque pyramidum sumptus ad sidera ducti nec iovis elaei caelum imit at a domus . for not the least of the great pyramids even to the starres elate . nor the elean house of love which heaven did imitate . some ranke with this the pallace of cyrus king of the medes and persians , all the stones whereof were simmond with gold , whereas others are done with plaister , of which memnon was the architector , but having occasion to speake of this sixth wonder , though i make a small deviation , i hope no iudiciall reader , but he will say it is somewhat to purpose , it thus followeth . amongst the grecians there was a generall law enacted , of which every particular province tooke notice , that whosoever should rob the statue of any of their heathen gods , or any temple dedicated unto him , it was held sacriledge in the highest degree , and he must imiaedtely upon his apprehension forfeit his hands to be cut of : it so fell out that the senate of elis , having a purpose to erect the image of iupiter , sent to the arerpagita , who were the optimates of athens to borrow of them the most excellent artist , phidias , who was at that time the choyse and prime workeman of the world : they willing to further so pious a worke , ( for so they thought it ) as to make a god , assented to the motion , and delivered phidias unto them , but upon condition , that they should returne him backe ( the worke being perfected ) every way as sound and compleate , as they received him from them or else to forfeit an hundred talents . which contract being drawne and concluded upon , betwixt these two famous cities , phidias is sent to undertake the worke , and finisheth it , which was done with such inimitable art , that it begot in them infinite admiration : insomuch that they ambitiously covetous to engrosse so excellent a peece to themselves , knowing it was not to be paralleld through the world , and presuming that he who had done that , was able to compose the like , or perchance a better , having now before him so faire a president , therefore to prevent all such doubts and feares , they laid unto his charge , that he having received from them such a quantity of gold , and so much ivory , with sundry other costly and precious materialls , had detained a great part of them , not bestowing all upon the same ; and therefore reserving somewhat to his owne peculiar use , had incurred the due penalty , belonging to a sacrilegious person , for which he was convented , convicted , and by the senate condemned , so that manus tanquam sacrilego praeci●erunt , they cut off his hands as a punishment imposed on him who had committed sacriledge : and so sent him backe handlesse unto the athenians . who with great sorrow and pitty commiserating the wretched estate of their dismembred country man and friend , demanded by their ambassadors , of the elians , the hundred talents , according to their former covenant , who thus argued against them : we can no more lend to you , or to others , a phidias , who had hands to helpe himselfe , before he tooke in hand your employment , he made you a god , nay a iupiter , you then , not he , are the sacrilegious , who durst offer violence to hands consecrated : and your owne god ( made by him ) shall doubtlesse revenge on you the blood of his owne maker , for which wee testate , and withall implore iupiter , now the proper god of our friend , artist , and countryman , phidias . it is art that supplyeth others in their neede : the excellency of his art hath onely made him necessitous and withall miserable , the hands of phidias were the onely ground of our covenant ; now wanting these hands , how are our covenants performed , and what hope have wee , that we can receive him from you ; if he be not returned unto us , as he was delivered unto you ? we sent you one whose hands could make gods , you send us one backe , who hath not hands to lift up unto the gods : moreover , are you not ashamed , to owe your god to one whom you call sacrilegious ? most true it is that the man liveth but the artist is perished : you returne not unto us phidias , but the punishment which was not due unto phidias : for those hands which before have made gods , cannot now be mooved to intreate men : he made you such a iupiter as that you desired , it should bee the last iupiter that should be made : hands we lent you , and of these hands we desire ( nay , the same hands ) restitution ; for how could there be a competent tryall , when the elians were the accusers , the elians witnesses ; and the elians judges ? onely our poore friendlesse country man , the accused and sufferer ? wee invoke the gods , even these whom phidias hath already made , and those which ( but for your barbarous cruelty ) he might have made , against your unjust proceedings , for we cannot say we have received a phidias , unlesse you had delivered him unto us , in the same state that wee gave him unto you , and might upon the like occasion have lent him unto others . to which the elians made this short answer , wee had gold which was hallowed , we had ivory which was sacred , and divers iewels and g●mmes , which were to holy uses consecrate , for the imployment of these we desired and sought an artist , to dispose of them to our owne pious , not his proper uses ; with these and the like materials , our purpose was that your phidias should have made us other gods : but we thought it not so needefull and just to adorne them as to vindicate them , &c. this controversie , for arguments came after to be decided by armes . in which it may be presumed ( by the justice of their cause ) the athenians were victors , i hope any understanding reader will excu●e this my short digression , i come now to the argument in hand , namely a seventh wonder of the world , which was erected by this artimesia , ( which was a sumptuous tombe or monument ) over mausolus her deceased husband . the heighth whereof was twenty five cubits , and girt or compast with thirty fixe collumnes , or pillars . it was apparant from the south to the north , threescore and twelve foote , the whole compasse thereof amounted unto foure hundred and eleven foote . that part which looked towards the east , one scopas ingraved : that which lay towards the north , one briax , that which reflected upon the south one tymotheus , and that part which looked upon the west , leocares . this rare queene of caria , ever to be remarkt for this her conjugall piety , though she yeelded unto fate and dyed before this admirable worke was accomplished , yet by her last testiment , left such order and meanes withall , that the worke should still goe on , which was compleated and absolutely finished , by the workemen before named . a rare president in a woman which shewed that her love to her deceased husband , ended not in her death , but that she desired to have it live to all posterity that should succeede her . we reade of divers sundry architectors , and famous structures made by them , but to this none to be paralleld , as being worthy to be reckoned one of the seven wonders : for instance , spintharus corinthius built the temple of apollo , melagines that of minerva , theodorus phocensis made the glorious altar , on which all the great offerings presented to the delphicke oracle were laid . philo atheniensis made the pyraan arcenal , or armory , hermogines , the doricke house dedicated to iuno , of magnesia , hermodorus , a stately obelisque , dedalus , zmilus , rholus , and theodorus , were famous for sundry laborinthes , valerius ostiensis , for building the great roman theater , romulus for his a silum ; mnesiclus , for a famous tower in athens , and to omit infinite others , you may reade machab. 2.13 . that simon prince and high priest , the sonne of mattathias , and brother to that famous worthy iudas machabeus , after his brother ionathan , who preceaded him in the government , was trecherously slaine . he tooke up his bones , and buryed them in media his fathers city , and he made upon the sepulchre of his father , and his brethren , a building high to looke unto , of hewn stone , behind and before , and set up seven stately graven pillers upon it , one against the other , for his father , his mother , and his foure brethren , and set other great pillars round about them , and set armes upon the pillars for a perpetuall memory , and carved ships besides the armes , that they might be seene by the navigators , sayling nere unto that coast by sea , which sepulchre ( according to the phrase of the text ) standeth even to this day . yet neither that , nor the others before named ( it seemes ) could parallell the former structure built by this queene artimesia , from which all the funerall monuments erected upon the bones of princes , kings , and emperours , built with great magnificence and state , are even to these times called mausolea , of which propertius , lib. 3. speakes . nec mausolaei dives fortuna sepulcri mortis ab extrema conditione vacat . mausolus rich tombe can no warrant have , to keepe it selfe from the devouring grave . and we read martiall lib. 1. thus . a ere nec vacuo pendentia mausolaea laudibus immodicis cares ad astra ferunt . the great mausolean tombe that seemes hanging in the ayre to be , even to the starres o carian queene shall loudly eccho thee . so much for her conjugall love towards her husbands , an imitable example for all wives , and chaste matrons whatsoever , it remaineth now to speake something of her heroicall magnanimity , in which she was no way inferiour to the former . for being a dowager queene , after the decease of her husband , and the dayes of her mourning now growne over , she laid by her widdowes habit , and resumed the robes and regall ornaments belonging to a princesse , but finding the affaires of state , too burdensome for her free and unlimitted spirit , shee disposed of her estate to those of her counsell , whom shee best trusted , and because her very pallace grew distastefull unto her , without the consociety of her dead lord , shee utterly abandoned it , nay , her very country growing as irke some to her , as her pallace , after she had given order for the erecting of her husbands monument , shee purposed for a time to forsake it , and seeke out for some forraigne adventures . it happened at that time xerxes , the great persian monarch , ambitiously ayming to reduce all greece under his scepter , and subjection , having gathered an innumerable host by land , and a seeming invincible navy by sea , shee adhering unto his party , rigged and manned three ships of her owne , of which she her selfe was archithalassa , or armirall : her people that tooke part with her in that adventure were carians , or halicarnassians , coeans , of the isle coos , nysimiaus , and calydinians , and being thus plenally accomodated , she put her selfe under the patronage of the persian emperour . it would aske too long a circumstance to discourse of the whole navall conflict , i will onely deliver unto you so much as concerneth the person of artimesis , who so valiantly did beare her selfe in that blooddy fight , that her ships ( knowne by their flagges and streamers ) were eminent above all others of the persians , both for defence and offence , for her small squadron , more dangered the greekish navy , then ten times their number , notwithstanding which her brave opposition , the persians were vanquisht , and the greekes ( though against infinite odds ) the glorious victors , in which marine honour : the eginita had the first place , and the athenians the second : and of the commanders , policrates of egineta , and of the athenians , eumena , anagyrasius , and aminius palenaus , who above all others , most hotly pursued artimesia in her flight , but when hee had found that she was too swift of saile for him , he sent other light vessels after , proclaiming ten thousand drachnes to him that could take her alive , as holding it an indignity that a woman should give such an affront to their a thenian navy , notwithstanding al , she with some few others escaped and safely arrived at phalerum . on the contrary part , herodatus in his vrunia , thus reports of her that xerxes himselfe beholding how bravely above all in his fleet , shee in her ship behaved her selfe even at that time , when his navy was almost quite defeated , one who knew the vessell by the colours , answered it was queene artimesia , he fetching a deepe sigh uttered these words viri quidem extiterant mibi femina : femina autem viri . i. all my men this day have proved themselves women , and the women onely shewed themselves to be men : and so much concerning artimesia , who as in her life time she was gloriously famous , so after death , even to all perpetuity shall survive famously glorious , &c. of the three worthie women among the christians . whose names are , elpheda . queene margaret . queene elizabeth . elpheda . her royall birth my muse dares not to smoother a great kings daughter , a great king her brother , who , though she never to that height arriv'd , to be stil'd queene , yet was she prince-like wiv'd , her husband duke of mercia , which we number amongst the brittish sceptarche , by which a kingdomes name it after gaind , when as at once , seven kings in brittaine raignd , which bred this war like lady n●re the place whence brave bunduca doth derive her race . i should but antedate her life to tell how , and in what this lady did excell , not possible it is that one small page should comprehend the wonder of her age . and therefore further to expresse her glory , i must referre the reader to her story . for that ( as of the rest ) is still the chiefe of my intent , yet thus of her in briefe . brittish elpheda , of the saxon race , to none of all the former neede give place , who for her masculine spirit much honour gaines in many battles fought against the danes . and might with any of her sex compare , as being religious , valiant , wise , and faire . the first of the three women worthies amongst the christians , called elpheda . amongst so many reckoned up for their valour and vertue . it shall not be amisse to present the reader with a commemoration of some who have beene the occasion of much combustion and trouble . helena was the cause of the trojan warres , and pelops succeeding in the kingdome of phrigia , brought an army against king oenimaus , because hee denyed unto him his daughter hippodamia , of whom he was greatly inamored : the poet arcbillus , an iambicke writer , writ so bitterly against lycambes , because he refused to give him his daughter in marriage , that upon the reading of them , he presently hanged himselfe , and pericles at the instigation of his concubine aspatia , made warre upon the sabines , and subdued them to the milesians ; we read also of teuca queene of the illirians , who because titus cornucanus , then ambassadour from the romans delivered unto her a bold and peremptory message , commanded him to be slaine in her presence , against the law of armes , which was the ground of much blood-shed and slaughter . menelaus being dead , megapenthus , and nicastratus , the sonnes of orestes , pursued helena , ( cause of the tenne yeares warre betwixt the trojans and greekes ) into the island of rhodes , in hope to shelter her selfe under the patronage of triptolemus : of whom polizo his wife growing jealous , shee caused her to be strangled , for so writes voletaranus : lavinia , the daughter of king latinus , and amata the queene : were the sole occasion of so many bloody conflicts betwixt the trojans and the rutilians , and lastly , of the death of turnus , slaine by aeneas : dejaneira was the motive , to the duell betwixt hercules and achelous , and of the conflict with nessus the centaur , and after of his owne death , by sending him the shirt which was poysoned . evander nephew to pallas , king of the arcadians , at the instigation of his mother nicostrate , slew his owne father , and ptelerus king of the thebans by the treason of his owne daughter polidices , was betraid into the hands of creon and slaine . lucretia being violated by sextus tarquinius , after long warre , was the cause that the romans regained their liberty , and virginia the daughter of virginius that the governement of the triumviri , was utterly abrogated : hippolitus being falsly accused by his step-mother phedra , for unlawfully attempting to corrupt her chastity , flying his fathers fury , was hurld from his chariot , and being bruised with the fall perished . martia , the strumpet of antonius commodus the emperour , betraide him into the hands of a groome , on whom she doted , by whom he was trecherously slaine . alexander the great , at the instigation of thais the prostitute , caused the great city persepolis to be burned , be with his owne hands giving the first fire , and then his concubines after octavia the sister of augustus caesar , being repudiated by m. anrony , was the occasion of a civill warre , and antiochus warring against the romans by his effemiary , and dotage on a chalcidonian damsell , lost all his honour , giving way to the enemy , for an easie victory of these and the like , we thus read ovid elegiar : lib. 2. — nisirapta fuisset tyndaris , europa , pax asiaeque foret , femina silvestres lapit has populumque biformem , &c. but for the rape made of the spartian queene , europe and asia , still in peace had beene , woman and wine , that blooddy banquet made , in which the two shap't centaurs did invade the lapithes , who doubly text with lust , and the grapes juyce , lay tumbling in the dust . in latin's kingdome ( for his iustice praisd woman , a second trojan tumult raisd , two buls i have seene for a faire heifer fight , with lustfull fire inraged at her sight , &c. but contrary to these , diverse of the same sex ( though not in that great number ) have beene very eminent in advancing both the profit and honour of their nations , as dominica , the wife of the emperour valence , with her great eloquence , and hazard of her person withall , pacified the barbarous goths , from sacking , and utterly subverting constantinople , the metropolis of the grecian empire . iuguldis the sister of childebert , king of france , by her arguments and earnest sollicitations , brought her husband hermogillus , the sonne of lemigildus , king of the goths , quite to abjure all paganisme , and sincerely to professe the true christian religion ; clotildis queene of france , after the like manner brought her husband clodoveus , the son of chilpericke , to the profession of the faith , in the yeare of grace , three hundred and twelve , autaulphus , king of the goths , laid his seige against rome , to assault it at least , if not to spoyle it , and to change the name thereof , and for roma to call it gothia , but placida the wife of honorius with her sweete perswasive language , so insinuated into the ferocity of his barbarous diposition , that she caused him to relent , and quite altering his bloody purpose , to raise the siege , and leave the city in safety : pompeia paulina wrought the like upon the tyrannous disposition of the emperour iulianus her husband , causing him to take of those taxes , and heavy impositions , which he had with great rigour laid upon his people . to which number may be added helena the mother of constantine , and monica , the mother of saint augustine , and some others , and not the least meriting , this lady elpheda , the subject of our present treatise . whose father aluredus , ( whom some of our chronologers , call alphredus , ) the fourth sonne to adolphus , and brother to etheldredus , late king : began his raigne over the west saxons , and divers other provinces of england , in the yeare of grace , eight hundred threescore and twelve , and in the thirtyeth yeare of charles , surnamed the bald , king of france . it is written of him that he was twelve yeares of age , before he was taught to know any letter , but after by his great industry , he not onely excelled in learning his brothers , but many others , who were before him in time . hee was the first raised a schoole in oxford , and gave that towne great freedomes and immunities . he caused also many lawes to be translated out of the brittish tongue into the saxons , especially the mercean lawes , which mercia was an absolute kingdome , called also middle england , he was further a very skillfull architector , as having great knowledge in building , and for hunting , and hawking , hee was able to instruct any , but needed direction from none , hee was of a comely stature , and faire , both of countenance and condition , and of all his other children , the best beloved of his father . he when he came to maturity , espoused a noble lady , whose name was etheluida , by whom he had two sons , edward surnamed the elder , and a second called egelward , elpheda , whom he after marryed to etheldredus , whom hee made duke , or prince of mercia ) the second was called ethelgota , he made a nunrie or votaresse , and the third had to name elphrida , all his children as well daughters as sonnes , he caused to be diligently instructed , in the art of grammer ( so much he affected learning ) and was in many battles victorious over the danes , who often and in sundry places invaded the land , and tyrannized therein , and amongst many other his heroyicke acts , one passage i cannot omit being so remarkeable . being in one battle much overset , by reason of the multitude of his enemies , he was forced with a small traine to hide himselfe in the wooddy country , about summerset shire , and had no other food save such as hee could provide by hunting , and fishing , yet at length being better comforted , he began to shew himselfe more publicke , and at large , so that dayly there resorted unto him , men out of wiltshire , summerset shire , hampeshire , and other places of the kingdome , so that in processe of time , he was strongly accompanied , and much better accommodated , then the danes any way dreamed of , upon a time the king in person tooke upon him the habit of a bard or musician , and with his harpe or some such instrument , he entered the tents , and pavilions of the danes , and sung unto them many pleasant ballads , and ditties , which greatly delighted them , in which interim he espyed their sloth and idlenesse , tooke full view of their hoast , their strength and how it was ordered , and withall discovered much of their counsell and purposes , and after returned unto his owne company , who with some chosen men , fell upon them in the night , and utterly defeated and routed them , having ever after , the upper hand of his enemies . it is further remembred of him , that hee divided the night and day into three parts , ( if he were not otherwise hindered and molested by his enemies , ) whereof eight houres he spent in study , and other eight in almes deeds , and prayer , and the remainder in his dyet , exercise , and affaires of the realme : he raigned three and twenty yeares , and dyed a notable , and most memorable president , to all that should hereafter sit on the throne of majesty , whom succeeded his son edward , brother to this our elpheda , who though he was lower degreed then his father in arts , and literature , yet excelled him in state and majesty . this high spirited virago quite abandoning all softnesse , and effeminacy , betooke herselfe wholly to the practice of armes , by which she grew famously glorious , assisting her brother in all those great conflicts against the danes , but ere i come to give you a particular character of the sister , let it be held no unnecessary digression to speake somewhat of the king her brother , who by his first wife named edwina , had a sonne called ethelstane , who after succeeded him in the throne . by his second wife two sonnes , edredus , and edwinus , and seven daughters , of which the eldest named alnuda , or almida , he marryed to the emperour otto , the first of that name , and algina , the second , to charles king of france , surnamed the simple , and the youngest of his daughters to lewis king of guien : by his third wife . ethelswida , he received two sonnes , edmond and eldred , and two daughters , edburga , and edgina , thus was he blest with a numerous issue , setting all his sonnes to schoole , to teach them knowledge in the liberall arts , but the ladies his daughters to spinne , and card wooll , taking his president from charles , of france surnamed the conquerour , from which , even our greatest ladyes , nay even princesses themselves , if they be either cited in court , or arraigned upon any capitoll offence , they are indited by the name of such an one spinster , to this day . about the first yeare of his raigne , one clito ethelwaldus , a neere kinsman to the king , rebelled against him , and strengthned himselfe at a place called win-burne , neere unto bathe , and tooke thence perforce a beautifull nunne , and with her fled unto the danes , who then had peaceably seated themselves in northumberland , animating them by very pregnant and perswasive reasons , to take armes ( in his behalfe ) against the king his nephew , who notwithstanding so hotly pursued him , that hee was compelled to forsake that country quite , leaving the nun behind him , and for his safety flye into france , so that the king with drew his forces , and left off his pursuite , restoring the nunne unto the same cloyster from whence she was violently taken : in all which expeditions , this brave heroina , with etheldredus her husband , duke of mercia , assisted the king her brother , as also in that which followeth , being highly extolled above many other prime commanders , for her forward and excellent service . the next yeare following , this clito ( before spoken off , ) with a crew of frenchmen landed in the east part of england , and gathered unto him all the danes of that country , robbing and pillaging all the townes and villages , as they marched onwards , especially those about crekingsford , and crickland , and after passed the river of thames , and spoyled all the lands neere unto bradenstuake , and so from thence retyred themselves into hast anglia , which were the two counties of northfolke , and suffolke . but the king with his sister made after them with all possible speed , making havocke of all those lands , which they then held of him by composition from the river of owse , as farre as the borders , of saint edmonds bury , and soone after the two hosts , encountered , where a bloody battle was fought , to the great losse of both sides , in which conflict elpheda , fought hand to hand with clito , and though sundred by the multitude , yet came off with the best ; the event was , that clito with many of the danes were slaine , and left dead in the field , and the king and his sister shared in the honour of the day . those that survived were forced to seeke and sue for peace , upon condition that they should keepe themselves within the bounds to them limitted , and moreover pay an annuall tribute for all those grounds they held of the king. in the twelfth yeare of this edwards raigne the danes repenting of those covenants before made ( as thinking it an impairing to their honour , assembled a mighty hoast , with which the king and his sister met in stafordshire , at a place called toten-hall , and soone after , at wodnesfield , at which two places , they slew two kings , two earles , and divers commanders of note , besides many thousands of the danes , of which the chronocles afford us no exact number , most of which came out of the country of northumberland , where they had beene peaceably seated . this excellent lady was as religious , as valiant , who amongst other of her pious acts , prevailed so farre with her husband , that they betwixt them at their proper charge , translated the bones of king oswal , ( who had beene cannonized for a saint ) from bradony to glocester , and there erected a faire and beautifull monastery , dedicated to the honour of saint peter , soone after which ( for it presently ensued ) the last battle before spoken of ) dyed etheldredus duke of mercia , or middle england , after whose expiration the king having had so long proofe of his sisters love , valour , and wisdome , conferred on her the sole and entire rule and governement of that country , in as ample possession , as her lord had before injoyed it , the city of london only excepted , which he reserved to be under his owne patronage . of this masculine spirited lady , to reckon up all her vertues would aske long circumstance , but i will particularize unto you some few of those brave deedes , she hath left memorable to all posterity , as building , and repairing many townes , cities , and castles , as tamworth , besides lychfield , stafford , warwicke , shrowsbury , watersbury , and eldesbury , in the forrest besides chester , shee erected also a castle in the north end of mercia , upon the river cald merce , in the saxon tongue ramcofan , and since runcora , shee also built a bridge over the river severne , called brimsbury bridge , she more over both by her purse and wisdome , greatly assisted the king her brother , as well in the mannaging the affaires of the realme , as in erecting sundry forts , and cittadels , as the strong castle of hereford , in the edge of wales , and in repairing the wals and city of chester , by the danes much defaced , which he much inlarged , so that the castle which was before without the walles , is from his time , even to this day contained within them . it is further reported of her , that after she had once prooved the paine of travaile in child birth , shee for ever after abandoned the bed , and embraces of the duke her husband : saying , it was neither convenient nor seemely for a kings daughter , and sister to a king , to expose her selfe to any such lust full action , which might beget those pangs , and throws , which women were inforced to indure in travell , a rare continence and not found in many , and that was one prime occasion , why after the birth of her sole and onely daughter elswina , she left all other effeminacies , and applying her selfe unto the condition of those turbulent and combustious times , became a stout and warlike virago , whose example could not chuse , but put courage into the most dastardly cowards , beholding a woman so valiant . of her rare continence and vowed chastity : too much cannot be spoke in her praise for chastity as solon defineth , it is the beauty of the soule , the grace of the body , and peace of the minde : it is a vertue alwayes companion with fortitude , and as it is both in virginity and the widdowed , much approoved , so even in wedlocke it cannot be but commendable : and as idlenesse is the greatest enemy unto it , so by being in continuall action , is to oppose it , abstinence from fleshly lusts , are best tryed in extremity , and in the end crowned with eternity : for let the body be never so faire , without that , it cannot be truely cald beautifull : beauty , may be compared to the flowers of the spring , which soone fade , but chastity to the starres of heaven , which last ever , for with the reines of reason it curbeth the rage of lust . the greatest honour conferd upon women , without that , is but like a mandrakes apple , faire in shew , and poyson in taste , it is the seale of grace , the staffe of devotion , the glory of life , the comfort in death which when it is joyned with humility , and charity , they may be called the three vertues of the soule : i come now to the thirteenth of this king edwards raigne and the first or second at the most , of her widdow-hood , at which time a great navy of danes , which in the time of king alured , were beaten from the coast , and forced to flye into france , now returned and sayled about the west country , and landing in diverse places , tooke sundry preies at their best advantage , and then retyred themselves into their shippes againe , and amongst other of their direptions , they spoyled a towne called irchinfield , from which place they tooke a bishop , and carryed him aboord their ships , whom they soone after ransomed for forty pounds sterling , but as soone as the king and his noble sister , had intelligens of these out-rages , he assembled his forces , and they sped them west-ward by land , and sent out a navy by sea , of which the danes hearing , they cowardly quit the land , and fled into ireland . and therefore to prevent the like inconveniences , to which the realme in those dayes was much subject , the king by the advise of his fellow championesse , built a castle at the mouth of the river avon , and another at buckingham , and a third neare unto it , and after returned into northamptonshire , and gave battle to the danes , who had there planted themselves under a great duke cald turbetillus , whom they utterly defeated , and had of them an honourable victory . it is further recorded of this martiall virago , that she without the ayde of her brother , gathered her knights together , and where the welsh-men made invation into the land , about brecknocke , shee valiantly opposed them in all violent hostility , and amongst other prisoners , and preyes surprised , the queene of their country , who came in person to the field , and thinking to aspire unto her fame , came farre short of her forture . the yeare following , which was the foureteenth of the kings raigne , hee caused to be erected , ( or at the least reedified ) the townes of torsetor , and wigmore . vtterly demolishing a strong and famous castle , which the danes for their security and defence , had built at temesford . the same yeare also , this noble lady won the towne of derby , from the power of the danes , in which assault , they put her to that hard adventure , that foure knights which were called the guardians of her corps , were slaine close by her , yet shee ( notwithstanding ) by her great valour escaped ; and after so many perils , hazards , battles , and conflicts , in all which , both for magnanimity and action , shee out did the most , and equalled the best : death which durst not looke upon her , in her armour , as being frighted at the terrour of her angry countenance , stole upon her unawares , when her plumed helmet , victorious sword , and impenetrable curace , was laid by , arrested her by the hand of his minister sickenesse , and then taking the advantage of her infirmity and weakenesse , strucke her dead about the summer solstice , which is the middle of iune . who was much lamented by the king and the commons , and her body with great solemnity interred , in the monastery of saint peters , which the duke her lord , and shee had before erected in glocester , which was after in the troublesome combustions of the danes , quite raced and demolished , but in the processe of time , againe reedified by aldredus , bishop both of yorke , and worcester , who was loath that the memory of so magnanimous a lady should be drowned in lethe , and not her monument remaine to all posterity . this excellent lady being dead , her young daughter elswina was possessed of all her seigniory for a season , having a like principality with her mother , who preceaded her , and was stiled princesse of mercia , or middle england : but the king her vnckle taking the affaire into his more mature consideration , by the advice of his nobles , thought it to be too great a burden for her to support , especially her indisposition comming so farre short of the wisedome , and valour of her mother , and therefore discharged and dispossessed her thereof , annexing it to the crowne , and making it a prime limbe , of the body of his kingdome : which though it was done with some contention , and difficulty ; yet the king prevailed in his purpose , allotting unto her the townes of notingham , tom-woorth , and derby : expecting shee would have defended them in as brave and warlike a manner , as her mother before her had done , but finding the contrary , he tooke them also from her , and reduced them into his owne subjection . henry , arch-bishop of huntington , an histriographer , and poet ( such as those times afforded ) wrote much of the chronicles of england , and composed many elegies , and ditties of this noble lady elpheda , of which these ensuing are a part . caesars triumphs were not so much to praise , as was of elpheda , that shields so oft did raise against her enemies , this noble vanqueresse virago , whose vertues can i not expresse . these amongst others are remembred by fabiam , one of our english chronologers , whom in this briefe tractate ( for the contractednesse used in his annals ) i have strived to imitate . king edward , in the death of his royall sister elpheda , having lost his chiefe supportresse , yet notwithstanding builded a new towne directly over against old nothingham , and made a faire bridge , to make a passage betwixt them , of whom marianus the scot , william of malmsbury , and henry of huntington further report , that he subdued the two kings of scotland and wales , who about the twentieth yeare of his raigne elected , and acknowledged him for their lord and patron . hee also in the north part of mercia , by the river merce , built a city or towne called thylwall , and after repaired the city of mouchester , which had beene much defaced by the danes , after which and many other his structures , and noble atchievements , which would appeare too tedious here to relate . he finally expired , ( having raigned in great honour and trouble ) at tarringdon ; in the twenty fourth yeare of his raigne , and from thence his body was conveighed to winchester , and interred in the monastery of saint swithine : leaving behinde him divers sonners , of which ethelstane was the eldest , and succeeded in the throne imperiall , who began his raigne over the greatest part of england , in the yeare of grace , nine hundred and twenty five , and in the third yeare of rodolphus king of france this ethelstane , much beautified the tombe of his aunt elpheda , and is said to be the first annointed king of this land , &c. qveene margaret qveene margarets father , as all pens agree , king of ierusalem and sicilee . had neither crowne nor country ( th' annals say ) and what 's command , where none are to obey ? yet those meere timpanous titles , suffolke drew twixt her , and the sixt henry to pursue , a speedy match , mauger the prae-contract , tweene him and th' heire to the earle arminack , which raised strange combustions in the state , this flourishing kingdome , nigh to ruinate . in which , she tooke on her a soveraigne power , s●iting her present fortunes , not her dower , her : many strange desasters did befall , but her undaunted spirit ore-came them all . she knew the mannage both of pen and pike , the court and campe to her were both alike , in bloody battles she tooke great delight , and would , ( if flie to day ) to morrow fight . who can this queenes heroicke spirit expresse , a foe to peace , in field , a championesse , vsurping all that majesty could claime , leaving her husband , nothing save his name , he weares the crowne , she sword and scepter bore , what could the brave semiramis doe more ? the second of the three women worthies amongst the christians , called margaret qveene of england . in the yeare of grace , one thousand foure hundred forty and two , embassadours were sent from england into guian , where a match was concluded betwixt king henry the sixth , then of the age of one and twenty , and the daughter of the earle of arminacke , which after was disannulled by the earle of suffolke , ( a mighty man in those times ) which occasioned a great afront betwixt the lord protector and him , which grew unto much rage and blood-shed , ( as may after appeare , ) but to follow the history close , the before named earle of suffolke , after the former match fell off , went with others his assotiates , and concluded a marriage betwixt the king , and the lady margaret , daughter to the king of cicile , and ierusalem , upon which contract were delivered unto the said king , the dutchy of angeon , and the earledome of maine , then called the two keyes , to open the way into normandy , and in the next yeare after , the earle of suffolke , being created marquesse , with his wife and other of the most honourable ladyes of the realme , sayled into france , to bring over this lady into england , which was done with all solemnity ; when thomas catwoorthe , was lord major , and nicholas wilford , and iohn norman were sherifes of london . the moneth after her arrivall into the kingdome , shee was espoused to the king , at a towne called sowthwicke , in the county of hamshire , and from thence was honourably conveyed , by the lords and peeres of the land , to blacke-heath , and there met by the lord major , and the citizens , and in great triumph brought to westminster , and upon the thirtyeth day of may , which was the sunday after trinity sunday , was solemnely crowned ; great feasts , iusts , and other martiall exercises , were held in the sanctuary , before the abby , for the space of three dayes after : but this match was held to be very unprofitable for the kingdome ; first by giving up out of the kings possession angeon and maine : and then , that for the charge of her comming over , there was demanded in parliament , a fifteene and an halfe , by the marquesse of suffolke , which drew him into such a contempt and hatred of the people , that it after cost him his life . some also held it very ominous , because that after this match , as the king lost his revenues in france , so hee also hazarded the natives and people of his owne nation , for presently after , all the common weale , and affaires of the estate , were mannaged by the queene , and her counsell , ( being a woman of a brave and heroicke spirit ) she assumed prerogative into her hands , all things began after to goe retrograds , and preposterous , which many conjectured was by the breach of that promise made by the king , unto the earle of arminackes daughter , for there fell upon this , that the king lost all his right in norwaige , upon which followed a dissention and division of the lord within the realme ; the rebellion of the commonalty , against the prince their soveraigne , and in conclusion , the deposing of the king , and the queene , with the prince her sonne , to be compelled to avoid the land. in the five and twentyeth yeare of this kings raigne , a parliament was held at saint edmunds bury , in suffolke , to which all the commons of that country , were commanded in their most defensible aray , to waite upon the person of the king , where the lords were no sooner assembled , but humphrey duke of glocester , and vnckle to the king , was arrested by viscount bewmount , then high constable of england , ( accompanyed with the duke of buckingham , and others ) and two and thirty of his principal servants , committed unto severall prisons : after which arrest , the duke after sixe dayes was found dead in his bed , being the foure and twentieth day of february . and his body being exposed to the publicke view of all men , there was no wound found about him , notwithstanding which , of his death the marquesse of suffolke , was shrowdly suspected , he was a man greatly honoured , and beloved of the commons , as well for his discreete governement of the realme , during the kings nonage , as for his brave and noble hospitality , in which none ever exceeded him , for which and many other of his unparalleld vertues , he purchased unto himselfe , ( and not without cause ) to bee called the good duke of glocester , whose body was after conveighed unto saint albones , and neere unto the shrine sollemnely interred . not long after , in the yeare one thousand foure hundred and fifty , during the foresaid parliament , the marquesse of suffolke was arrested and sent to the tower , where hee lived a moneth at his pleasure , which parliament being after adjourned to lecester , thither the king came , attended by suffolke , where the commons made great complaint of the delivering up of angeou and maine , to the dishonour of the kingdome ; for which they accused the marquesse , and others as guilty , as also for the murther of the good duke of glocester : to appease whom , they exiled him the land for five yeares , who obeying the sentence , tooke shipping in northfolke , intending to have sayled , into france , but was met by the way by a ship of warre , called the nicolas of the tower , whose captaine knowing the duke , put into the road of dover , and caused his head to be strucke off on the side of a boat , and there left both head and body upon the sands , and then put to sea againe , and this was the end of the queenes great favourite , who save of her , and some of his owne creatures , dyed altogether unlamented . i omit to speake of sundry insurrections , as that of blew-beard , and the kentish men , with their captaine iacke cade , who called himselfe mortimer , and cousin to the duke of yorke , with others , and come to tell you that the duke of somerset , succeeded suffolke in the queenes favour , by whom , and her counsell , all the affaires of the realme were mannaged : for she was a lady of an haughty and invincible spirit , and in the thirty second yeare of the kings raigne , was delivered of a princely sonne called edward : in which interim great discontent arose among the nobles and peeres of the land , especially the duke of somerset , and others of the queenes counsell grew in great hatred , for the giving up of normandy by appointment : for which and other grievances , the duke of yorke ( father to him who was after king edward the fourth , ) with other confederate lords , opposed the queene , and her faction , of which mortall warre ensued . the king being much instigated by this magnanimous lady his queene , accompanyed with the duke of somerset , with a great army , tooke their journey towards the marches of wales , being ascertained that the duke of yorke , with sundry other lords , were up in armes , who understanding of the kings comming with so great a power , swarved from his hoast , and tooke his way towards london , but because hee could not be received into the city , to refresh his people , he went over kingstone bridge , and so into kent , where on a place cald bremt heath he embatteld himselfe : soone after came the king to blacke-heath , and did the like ; these two armies affronting each other , a motion was made to mediate a peace betwixt them , to further which , to the duke were sent the bishops of winchester , and elye , and the earles of warwicke , and salisbury , to whom the answer was , that he intended no violence against the person of the king , onely to remoove from about him , some evill disposed persons , by whose meanes his people was much oppressed , and the commons greatly impoverished , the chiefest of which was the duke of somerset , to satisfie whom , it was concluded by the king , that hee should be kept in durance to answer all such articles , as the duke could object against him . vpon which promise made by the king , the first day of march , being thursday , the duke broke up his campe , and personally came to the kings tent , where he found the duke of sommerset at liberty , and the next attending on the king , and by the queenes meanes , the duke of yorke was sent to london , where he remained in a sort a prisoner , and more straitly had beene kept , if present newes had not come , that his sonne edward then earle of marsh , was hastning up towards london , with a strong power of welsh , and marchmen , which stroke so suddaine a terrour into the queene and her counsell , that the duke was set at large , having liberty to retire himselfe into his owne country : soone after by meanes of the queene , the duke of summerset , was created captaine of callis , which kindled a new fire in the yorkists , insomuch that the duke being in the marches of wales , called unto him the earles of warwicke and salisbury , with divers other lords , knights , and esquires , and sufficiently strengthened himselfe , and in aprill , made what speed he could towards london . which hearing the king and the queene , shee suddenly caused , ( using the kings name and authority , in all things ) a strong army to be levyed , entending to conveigh the king west-ward , without incountring the duke of yorke . in which were imployed the dukes of summerset and buckingham , the earles of stafford and northumberland , the lord clifford and others , who held their journey towards saint albones , which the duke hearing coasted the country , and upon thursday before whitsunday : tooke one end of the towne , where whilst motion of peace was treated on the one party , the earle of warwicke with the march-men , entered on the other , and skirmished violently against the kings people : in conclusion , the day fell to the yorkists , where that time was slaine the duke of sommerset , the earle of northumberland , and the lord cl●fford , with many other noble gentlemen : which victory thus obtained by the duke , hee with great seeming honour and reverence , the morrow following , conveighed the king to london , and lodged him in the bishops pallace , and soone after by a parliament held at westminster , the duke of yorke , was made protector of england , the earle of salisbury , chancellour , and the earle of warwicke , captaine of callis , and all persons ( before ) neere unto the king , remooved , and the queene and her counsell , who before ruled all , both king , and land , utterly disabled for having voyce in either : at all which her high spirit seemed nothing daunted . but with some lords , who secretly adhered unto her party , she so far perswaded that in making the king insufficient , it was such a dishonour to him , and disgrace to the realme , that by pollicy and friendship , shee caused the duke of yorke , to be discharged of his protectors place , and the earle of salisbury , from being chancellour , which was the cause of new combustion , and finding ( as shee thought ) the city of london , to favour more the yorkists , then her faction , shee caused the king to remove thence to coventry , whether the duke with the earles of warwicke and salisbury , were sent for , who in their way were so ambusht , that with great difficulty they escaped from being surprised : an other assembly of all the lords , was appointed at london , where all of them were richly accompanyed , and strongly attended where a seeming attonement was made betwixt them , for joy of which , upon our ladyes day in lent , the king , the queene , and lords of both parties , went in sollemne procession to pauls . but this smothered fire broke quickely into open flame , i will let passe many of the circumstances , and come to the matter : the duke of yorke knowing the inveterate malice , which the queene bore unto him : assembled his friends , and gathered a strong army of march-men and others , in the beginning of the thirty eight yeare of the king , and strongly encamped himselfe at ludlow ; the queene also gathered like strength , to encounter the duke , unto whose aide the earle of warwicke sent a strong band of men from callis , in whose company one andrew trollop , who the night before the incounter , with the entire company of those callis souldiers , left the dukes hoast , and went unto the kings , where they were joyfully received , which much dismaide the yorkists , and the more because they were privy to all their counsell , wherefore upon mature deliberation , they resolved to flye and leave their campe standing , as if they had still kept the field : the duke with his two sons , and some few others fled into wales , and so after into ireland , and there remained : the other lords of his confederacy , tooke their way into devonshire , from thence they sayled into garnesy , and after to callis . in the morning , when all this was knowne to the adverse party , there was sending and running to all ports , and places , to surprise these lords , but their pursuite came to late , so that the kings army spoyled ludlow , and the castles , and tooke the dutchesse of yorke , and her children , and sent them to the dutchesse of buckingham , her sister , then were all the yorkists proclaimed rebels , and traitors , and the young duke of summerset made by the queene , captaine of callis : but notwithstanding , all the kings authority joyned with hers , hee could not be there received , which was the cause of many skirmishes , and much blood shed , in which , though the lords lost many men , yet they came dayly so thicke unto them , out of diverse parts of england , that their losse was not perceived ; in which interim one iohn dinham , was sent with certaine ships , to set upon the kings navy at portsmouth , who sped him so well that he tooke the lord rivers in his bed , with the lord skales his son , with other rich preys , taking of the kings navy what shippes them best liked ; which some conjecture was not without the consent of the mariners , who bore a singular affection to the earle of warwicke . with part of these ships the earle of warwicke sayled into ireland , to conferre with the duke of yorke , about their re-entry into the land , and returned into callis with safety , in which time a parliment was held at coventry , by authority whereof , the duke of yorke with the other lords were attainted and their lands and goods ceased to the kings use , then provision was made to defend the havens , and ports , and at sandwich was ordained a new strength , under the command of one sir simon mountford , that none should passe unto the aide of the lords , of which they having intelligence , sent out another navy un●o sandwich , and after long fight with the said mountford , tooke him , and at a place called ris-banke , smote off his head : after which the confederate lords seeing what power they had with them , and knowing that many hearts in england adhered to their faction , after they had set callis in order , they prepared for england , and landed at dover , and marching through kent , came to london the second day of iuly , where having well refreshed their people , they sped them towards the king , who was then at coventry , and awaited there with a sufficient army . who marching as farre as northampton , the ninth day of iuly both hosts incountred , where betwixt them was a blooddy battle fought , but in the end , the victory fell to the earles of warwicke and salisbury , and the kings host were utterly defeated , and many of his noblemen slaine , amongst which were the duke of buckingham , the earle of shrewsbury , the vicount bewmount , lord egremond and others , and the king taken in the field : after which victory by the lords obtained , they brought the king ( still keeping his estate ) up to london , and lodged him in the bishops pallace , and sent newes of their happy successe to the duke of yorke who was at that time in ireland : a parliament was then cald in the name of the king , and holden at westminster , during which , the duke of yorke , upon the tenth day of october came to the city of westminster , and lodged him in the kings pallace , upon which a rumour rose that henry should be deposed , and the duke of yorke made king. whilst these things were thus in agitation , the duke came one day unto the parliament chamber , and in the presence of the lords , sate him downe in the kings chaire , and boldly made claime to the crowne , as his rightfull inheritance . at which the lords began to murmure , as well his friends , as others , and after the matter was long disputed , the duke was perswaded to renounce that claime , during the life of king henry : in all which time the queene , whom all these terrours could not daunt , kept her selfe with the lords of her party , in the north , and using the kings name , gathered a strong power , which ( as she protested in the front of her campe ) was to be revenged on the kings rebells , and enemies : there is one thing worthy observation , that during this competitorship betwixt the king and the duke , though they lodged both within one pallace , yet would he for no intercession or intreaty , once visit the king , which could be little lesse interpreted , then an haughty , and ambitious insolence . to proceede , it was after concluded by the authority of the whole parliament , that king henry should continue king all his naturall life , but after his death , prince edward his sonne to be made incapable of that royall dignity , but the duke and his heires to be kings ; and he in the meane time to be made protector , and regent of the land and if at any time the king of his owne free will , were disposed to resigne , it should be to the duke , if he then lived , or else to his heires after him : which on the saturday next , being the ninth day of november , was proclaimed through the city . and further , because queene margaret , with the prince her sonne , the dukes of summerset , and exeter , with divers other lords , kept her still in the north , and came not up at the kings sending , it was concluded by the lords there present , that the duke of yorke with the earle of salisbury , and others , should raise an army to fetch in the said queene , and lords , who hearing of their comming met with him neere unto wakefield , where was fought betwixt them a sharpe and bloody battle , in which the duke of yorke was slaine with his young sonne , the earle of rutland , with sir thomas nevell , sonne to the earle of salisbury , and the earle himselfe was taken alive , and soone after beheaded . it is said that the duke of yorke being sore wounded , was brought before the queene , who in great derision and scorne , placed him on a molehill , instead of a throne , and put a crowne of paper on his head for a diadem , and after she had sufficiently taunted , his ambition , caused him to be slaine ; this done with her victorious host , shee made what speede shee could towards london , and at saint albones was met by the earle of warwicke and the duke of northfolke ( who brought the king with them to the field , where after a strong fight , upon a shrove-tuesday in the morning , the duke , and earles army were routed , and the king againe taken and brought unto the queene . the same day she caused her sonne edward to be made knight , with other gentlemen to the number of thirty persons . the queene being now in her former supreame command , and thinking to sway all things as before , at her owne pleasure : newes were brought that edward earle of march , eldest sonne to the duke of yorke , and the earle of warwicke were met , with a great strength of march-men , and others , and were speeding towards london ; which tidings compelled the king and queene , to retire them with their army northward , the other taking this advantage entred the city , the first weeke in lent ; to whom resorted great numbers of gentlemen , from the south and east , then was a great counsell called of the lords , spirituall and temporall , who after many argumen●s debated , gave up this sentence , that forasmuch as king henry contrary to his honour , and promise at the last parliament made , and also that he was reputed unable and insufficient to governe the realme , by their generall assents he was thought worthy to be deposed , and discharged of all royall dignity . then incontinently by the authority of the said counsell , and consent of the commons , there present : edward the eldest son to the duke of yorke , with an unanimous suffrage was elected king , and being royally accompanyed to westminster , was invested in the throne , and tooke possion of the crowne , thence by the clergy , he was conveighed in sollemne procession to saint edmunds shrine , and there offered as king , receiving the homage and ●ealty , of all the lords there present , &c. then was great provision made for the north , against the queene and her partisans , the earle of warwicke , upon a saturday , in the beginning of march , with a great puissance of people , departed from london northward , and on the wednesday following , the kings infantry followed , and upon fryday next after , being the tenth of march , the king rode through the city , with a great band of men , passing bishopsgate , and so holding on his journey , sped him so well , that he with the rest of his forces , met with their enemies , at a village , nine miles and an halfe on this side yorke , called towton or shirborne . vpon palme sunday he gave them battle , which was fought with such eagernesse and fury , that in the field , and in the chase were slaine of the queenes party , thirty thousand men , besides those of speciall note and name , amongst which are numbred the earle of northumberland , the earle of westmerland , the lord clifford , the lord egremond , sir andrew trollop , ( who had before revolted with his callis souldiers , from the yorkists at ludlow ) with divers others , there were taken also the earle of willshire , or devonshire , who was sent to yorke , and there after beheaded , of which bloody conflict , and irrecoverable losse , henry and margaret , having notice , they with their sonne edward , the duke of summerset , the lord rosse , and others , in all hast fled towards scotland , and the king upon the morrow , with much of his people entred into yorke , and there kept his easter . thus the most infortunate prince henry , ( of whom it is truely observed , that he was never personally in any battle , but it was lost ) when he had raigned full thirty eight yeares , sixe months and odde dayes , and that heroycall lady margaret , ( whom even this last disaster could not daunt ) was forc't to flye , whilst king edward having setled all the affaires in the north , under the charge of the earle of warwicke , visited all the countryes , south and east , and about the beginning of iune , came to his mannor of sheene , ( since called richmond ) in which time of his abode there , provision was made for his royall coronation . then upon the twenty seventh of the same moneth being fryday , hee rode to the tower of london , attended by the lord major and his brethren , and upon the morrow being saturday , he made twenty eight knights of the bathe , and foure more after : the same afternoone he was with great solemnity conveyed through the city , those two and thirty knights riding before him in blew gownes , and hoods , and upon the morrow being sunday , and saint peters day , with great triumph crowned , and annoyn●ed by the archbishop of canterbury , &c. in the second yeare of this king , margaret late queene , came out of france into scotland , and thence into england , with an army of frenchmen , and scots , of which king edward having notice , he sped him into the north , with a strong army , at the rumour of which ( by reason of the cowardice of her souldiers , she was forced to disband and flye , and tooke a small ship , intending to saile into france , but by reason of a great tempest , shee was forced to leave her owne barke , and take a small fisher-boate , by meanes of which shee landed at barwicke , and came unto the scottish king , where shee heard her barke perished in the tempest in which shee had great riches and treasure : notwithstanding , at her instigation , the yeare after , shee with her husband invaded england , with a great army of scottish men ; which hearing , then the lord montague , ( brother to the earle of warwicke ) he assembled the northerne men and gave them battle at a place calld exham , and there routed them , chasing henry so nere that he surprized certaine of his followers , habited in iackets of blew velvet , garnished with crownes of gold , and fretted with pearle , and other rich stones ; notwithstanding his so narrow escape , in the end of the same yeare , hee was taken in a wood in the north country , by one named cantlow , and presented to the king , who sent him as prisoner to the tower , where he remained a long time after . some few moneths before this , king edward at a place called graston , neere unto stony stratford , upon the first day of may , secretly espoused elizabeth , late wife of sir iohn grey , knight , who was slaine at towton field neere unto yorke , at which marriage were present none save themselves , the dutchesse of bedford , her mother , two gentlewoman , and one gentleman , who the next yeare after , upon whitsunday , was with great sollemnity crowned at westminster , which marriage was the occassion of much trouble in the land , of which i am loath long to insist , as unwilling to meddle with any impertinences , not genuine with the particular actions , and fortunes of the queene margaret , the subject now in hand . yet thus farre i must travell in the history , to informe you that the earle of warwicke , was before sent into france , to treate about a marriage betwixt the king and the lady bova , who by reason of the former match , thought himselfe much disparaged and dishonoured : therefore hee withdrew himselfe from the king , and confedered unto him the duke of clarens , who had before marryed his daughter , and notwithstanding the king sent peaceably unto them , as desiring reconsilement , yet they sayled into france , solliciting the ayde of lewis the eleventh , who by reason of the former affront ( concerning the lady bova ) gladly condiscended to their request , where they consulted with queene margaret , and the earle of oxford , for their returne into england , in which meane space , king edward commanded them to be proclaimed as rebels , and traitours , throughout the realme . in the tenth yeare of the king , and the month of sceptember , the duke of clarence , the earles of warwicke , pembrooke , and oxford , with others landed at dertmouth in devonshire , and made proclamations in the name of king henry , to whom much people desirous of innovation resorted , and drew towards the king , ( then being in the north , ) who having with him , but small strength , and ( of them too ) those whom hee durst scarse trust , he with the duke of gloster , the lord hastings , and a few others , tooke the next way towards the washes in lincolneshire , and with great danger , not without the losse of some of his company , got over into flanders , and sped thence to charles duke of burgoine , who had before marryed his sister , where he rested for a season , meane space the duke of clarence , and the other lords drew nere unto the city , and after rode unto the tower , and withall honour and reverence , brought out king henry , and conveighed him to saint pauls , and lodged him in the bishops pallace who was generally admitted , and taken for king , through the whole land. and now was great expectation for the landing of queene margaret , and her sonne prince edward , and great provision made through all the coast , to oppose king edwards landing , who in a parliament then called , was proclaimed usurper of the crowne , and the duke of glocester his younger brother traytor , and both of them attainted by the said parliament , then the earle of warwicke rid to dover , to have received queene margaret , but was disappointed , for the wind was to her so contrary , that shee lay at the sea side , tarrying for a convenient passage , from november till aprill , so that he was forced to returne without effecting his purpose . in the beginning of which moneth aprill , king edward landed in the north , with a small number of flemmings , and others , all which could scarse m●ke up a thousand , and sped him towards yorke , making his proclamations in the name of king henry , and protested to the people as he went , that hee came for no other intent but to claime his antient inheritance , the dukedome of yorke ; notwithstanding which , the city denyde him admittance , till he tooke an oath , which having done , they opened their gates unto him , when after he had refreshed his souldiers , he held his way on towards london ; and having passed ( either favor of faire words ) the lord marquesse montacut , who lay with an army in the way to interdict his journey , seeing that his strength was greatly increased , and that the people dayly flockt unto him , hee then made proclamations in his owne name as king of england , and held on his way to london , where he was releeved , and the same day hee rode to saint pauls church , and offred at the altar , which done hee went to the bishops pallace , where hee found king henry , allmost alone , for all the lords , and others , to save their owne lives , had utterly forsaken him . then king edward lodged himselfe , where king henry lay , and committed him to strict keeping , and rested himselfe till easter eve , who hearing of his brothers comming , and the other lords with him , with a strong host , unto saint albones , hee sped him thither , and lay that night at barnet , whether the duke of clarence , ( contrary to his oath made to the french king ) came with all the strength he had , and reconciled himselfe to his brother : at which the lords were much daunted , yet by the comfort and incouragement of the earle of oxford , they marched on to barnet , ( the foresaid earle leading the van ) and there they strongly embattelled themselves . vpon the morrow being the foureteenth of aprill and easterday , very earely in the morning , the two hosts defied each other , upon the one party were two kings , edward and henry , ( who brought him with him to the battle , ) clarence , and glossester , the lord barnes , &c. and upon the other was the duke of exeter , the two earles of warwicke and oxford , the marquesse mountacute , with many other men of note , and name : in which fight , the earle of oxford quit himselfe so manfully , that he quite routed that part of the field which hee set upon , insomuch that newes was carryed to london , king edward had lost the day , and if his souldiers , had kept their rankes , and not falne to rifling , most likely it had beene so . but after long and cruell fight king , edward got the victory , having slaine of his enemies , the marquesse mountacute , the earle of warwicke his brother , with many others : ( on the kings party , the lord barnes , and upon both parties , to the number of fifteene hundred and upwards : the same after noone came king edward to london , and made his offring at saint pauls , and after rode to westminster , and there lodged ; and king henry was againe committed to the tower , where he remained till his death . and now great preparation was made against the landing of queene margaret , and her sonne : who all this while had beene nere to the sea side , expecting a winde , which after blew for her , most infortunately : yet was shee safely landed , with an army of french men , and others , and entered so farre within the realme , till shee came to a place called teuxbury , where the king met with her , and after some resistance , distressed and chased her whole company , in which conflict many were slaine , and their bodyes found dead in the place , and shee her selfe with her sonne edward , both taken prisoners , and brought to the king : whom shee fronted with a bold and an undaunted countenance , and forgetting what shee was then , a prisoner : boldly spake to him , as what shee had beene , a commanding princesse ; which the king not having the patience to indure , commanded her from his presence . the prince also , the true heire to his mothers magnanimous spirit , being not onely reprooved , but somewhat villified by the king , whose blood was not yet cooled , since the late battle , replyed unto him in a language , best suiting his birth , and the sonne of such a mother , at which king edward being highly mooved , and beyond all patience incensed , ( having then his gantlet on ) ( for he had not yet put of his armour ) strucke him upon the face , which blow was no sooner given , but he was instantly dragged from the kings presence , and by the duke of glocester ( as same reports ) most tyrannously murthered , and this hapned upon the fourth day of may. when the queene heard of the death of her sonne , and the manner thereof , the more to aggravate it , great ( no question ) was her griefe , but much greater , and altogether inexpressible , her rage and fury , not having power to revenge her selfe upon her enemies : this more tormenting her , then the durance of the king her husband , her owne captivity , or the losse of her kingdome , yet outwardly shee is said to have borne all these disasters , with an incomparable magnanimity : who was first conveighed to london , and from thence , ( with small attendance , and lesse estate ) sent over into her owne country , and upon assention eve next ensuing , the body of henry the sixth late king , was brought unreverently from the tower , through the high streetes of the city , to saint pauls , and there left for that night , and the next morrow with bills and glaves , ( as he was the day before ) brought from the tower thither , conveighed to chertsey , and without any sollemnity at all , there interred , of the manner of whose death there be divers reports , but the common fame went , that he was stab'd to death with a dagger , by the bloody hand of richard duke of glocester . qveene elizabeth . this virgin soveraigne of our maiden isle . on whom blind fortune did both frowne , and smile great honour , and great horrour , did indure , not safe , being subject , not being queene , secure ; examine both : it is not easily guest , in which of them she did demeane her best ; and of those double fates , t is hard to know in which , she did most dangers undergoe . had i more heads then spanish gerion , he who to one body had no lesse them three , more hands then great briareus ( to be wondred ) whose active skill ( at once ) could moove an hundred , in every one a pen : as many eyes , as iuno's argus , waking ; to devise . of her perfections onely ; head , hands , sight , ( in striving but to patterne her aright ) all , ( though in their full vigour ) i should sinde , strucke on the suddaine , stupid , dull , and blinde . chaste virgin , royall queene , belov'd and fear'd , much on the earth admir'd , to heaven indeer'd . single , and singular , ( without another ) a nurse to belgia , and to france ; a mother potent by land , sole soveraigne of the maine , antagonist to rome , the scourge of spaine . the last of the three women worthies amongst the christians , called elizabeth , qveen of england , france , and ireland , &c. as the most famous painter of his time , apelles , to frame the picture of one venus , had a● once exposed to his view an hundred of the most choyce and exquisite virgins , of greece , to take from one the smoothest brow , from a second , the most sparkling eye : a third , the rosiest colloured cheeke , a fourth the best corrall like lippe ; a fifth , the sweetest dimpled chinne : a sixth the daintiest swelling brest , a seventh , the whitest hand : from another , the most delicate foote , and so of the rest : and all to make the exact portrature of that emergent goddesse ; so in the accurate expression of this rare heroicke elizabeth , should i peruse all the ancient , and authenticke histories , and out of them select the lives of the most vertuous ladyes , for their rare and admirable indowments , commended to posterity , and perpetuity ; taking and extr●cting from them severally , those sundry gifts and graces by which they were remarkeably eminent above others , ( whether piety , or virgin●ll purity ; beauty , and bounty ; majesty , and magnanimity ; language , and learning ; polliticke governement , or practise of goodnesse ; pitty of forra●gne distressed nations , or indulgence over her owne natives , &c. ) nay , what praecelling vertue soever , was commendable in any one particular , or all in generall , may , without flattery be justly conferred on her . shee was the daughter of king henry , the eighth of that name ; and of his second wife , the lady anne bullaine , first created marchionesse of pembrooke , and then espoused to the king , the five and twentyeth day of ianuary , 1533. and upon whitsunday next following at westminster crowned queene , the seventh of september after , shee was delivered of a faire daughter , to the great and unspeakeable joy , both of the prince , and people , shee was christened the third day next ensuing , being wednesday , in the fryers church in greenewich , in a font of silver , the old dutchesse of northfolke held the babe : her godfather was thomas cranmer , arch-bishop of canterbury , and metropolitane of all england , her godmothers , the dutchesse of northfolke , and the marquionesse of dorset , both widdowes . not long after the birth of this young princesse , a generall oath of allegiance past through the kingdome to support and maintaine the successive heires , descending from the bodies of the king , and queene anne , lawfully begotten , in the possession of the crowne and scepter , and all imperiall honours to them belonging , by which katherine of spaine his former wife , and the princesse mary their daughter were disabled to lay any claime at all to the royall dignity : and for this cause were the two young ladies brought up a part , which might be a reason also , why there was such distance in their dispositions . i have further read of this young lady elizabeth , that there were pregnant hopes of her , even in her mothers conception , mercury being the starre which was at that season most predominant , whose influence is sharpenesse of wit , and ingenuity ; iupiter , at her birth being in conjunction with venus ; and soi , with a favourable aspect , shining on either , a doubtlesse presage , that the infant borne under that constellation , should bee faire and fortunate , powerfull in warre , yet a patronesse of peace , excellent in learning , exquisite in language , in life honoured , in death lamented : who in her tender infancy was said , almost as soone to speake as to goe , and that her words had sence , as soone as sound , and not being full foure yeares of age , used every morning when shee opened her eyes , to aske for her booke , before shee called for bread , and at all other times of the day was observed to bee more ready to pray , then to prattle . queene annes life being taken away by a violent death , the morrow after , the king was marryed to his third wife , the lady iane seymer , daughter to sir iohn seymer , who on the twelfth day of october , in the yeare of grace 1537. was at hampton court delivered of a sonne , whose mother dyed the second day after , much lamented and pittyed , and the young prince called edward , was the eighteenth of the same moneth created prince of wales , and duke of cornwall , and chester : the father being so joyfull of his sonne , that hee cast a neglectfull eye on his two former daughters , mary and elizabeth , but the later of the two was in the first grace , for when mary was separated from comming neere the court , elizabeth was admitted to keepe the young prince company , and from his tutors received all such necessary documents , that by her childish dictating unto him , he might be the more capable to understand them , and such was their proxinity in blood , that it begot in them a mutuall and alternate affection , insomuch that he no sooner knew her , but he beganne to acknowledge her , neither was their love the lesse , comming from one loynes , then had they issued from one and the same wombe , being equally fortunate and unfortunate , as having one royall father , but either of them to be deprived of a mother , and in that too , having a kinde of mutuall correspondence , that though her mother suffered by the sword , and his dyed in child bed , yet both indured violent and inforced deaths . to cut off circumstance : in the yeare one thousand five hundred forty sixe , and of his raigne the thirty eighth , king henry the eighth , expired the 28. of december , and was the sixteenth day of february , next following , with great solemnity buryed at windsor . and upon the one and thirtyeth day of ianuary , was prince edward proclaimed king over all his fathers dominions and realmes by the stile of edward , the sixth of that name , and on the nineteenth of february , he rode with his vnckle , sir edward seymor , duke of summerset , and lord protector through the city of london . and the day following was annoynted and crowned king , at westminster , by thomas cra●mer . arch-bishop of canterbury , and metropolitane of all england , who that day administred the holy sacraments , &c. the king was no sooner crowned , but the lady elizabeth gave way to the present state , neither continued they in that frequent familiarity as before , for whereas in former time she loved him as a brother , her discretion now taught her to honour him as her king , for though hee was a prince of great meekenesse and modesty : for that royall majesty , which makes the difference betwixt the sonne and the father , distinguisheth betwixt the sister and the brother . for they which had lived in great familiarity , now meete not but at distance , which proceeded not from his will , but the majesty of state , the death of the father which raised him to the crowne : remooved her from the court into the country , in which retirement , being nobly attended by divers voluntary ladies , and gentlewomen , as also her owne traine and houshold servants , shee led there ( though a more solitary ) yet a more safe and contented life , and being there setled , shee received , to adde unto her revenue , many private gifts , with often visits sent from the king , who was very indulgent over her honour , and health . scarse was shee full foureteene yeares of age , when her second vnckle seymor , brother to the lord protector , and lord high admirall of england brought her a princely suiter , richly habited , aud nobly attended , who after much importunity , both by himselfe and friends , finding himselfe by her modest repulses , and cold answers , crost in his purpose , setled in his minde , though not satisfied in her denyall , retyred himselfe into his country . the first unwelcome motion of marriage , was a cause why she studyed a more retyred life , as being seldome seene abroad , and if at any time the king her brother had sent to injoy her company at court , shee made there no longer stay , then to know his highnesse pleasure , and make tender of her duty , and service ; and that done , with all convenient speede , tooke her journey backe into the country , where shee spent the entire season of her brothers raigne ; who the sixth day of iuly , in the sixteenth yeare of hi● age , and the seventh of his princely governement , departed the world at greenewich . the two vnckles of the king ( the onely supporters , on which the safety of his minority leaned ) being cut off by violent deaths , it was a generall feare , through out the kingdome , that the nephew should not survive long after them , which accordingly happened : for the two great dukes of northumberland and suffolke , being in the prime and sole authority , concluded a match betwixt the lord guildford dudley , sonne to northumberland , and the lady gray , daughter to suffolke , thinking thereby to disable both the sisters , mary and elizabeth , from any claime to the crowne : and therefore the fourth day after the kings death , the lady iane was proclaimed queene . the lady mary being then at framingham was much perplexed with that newes , especially when shee heard it was done by the consent of the whole nobili●y : to whom the suffolke men assembled themselves , offring her their volentary assistance , to attaine unto her lawfull inheritance ; which bruited at wort , the duke of northumberland , having a large and strong commission granted him , from the body of the whole counsell , raised an army to suppresse both her and her assassinates , which was no sooner advanced , but the lords repenting of so great an injury done to the late kings sister , ●ent a countermaund after him and when he thought himselfe in his greatest security , the nobility forsaking him , and the commons abandoni●g him : being at cambridge , saving his sonnes and some few servants , he was left alone , where he proclaimed the lady mary queene , in the open market place : notwithstanding , he was arrested in kings colledge , of high treason , and from thence was brought up to the tower , where upon the hill , at the common execution place , he lost his head , the twelfth of august next ensuing , the like fate happened to the duke of suffolke , not many weekes after , as also to the sweete young couple , the lord guilford dudly , and the lady iane grey , of whose much lamented deathes , i cannot now insist . the lady mary was proclaimed by the suffolkemen queene at framingham , the twentyeth of iuly : and the third of august next , went by water to take possession of the tower : her sister , the lady elizabeth , ( whom , shee had before sent for out of the country ) accompanying her in the barge . from the tower shee rode through london , towards the pallace at westminster : the lady elizabeth to whom all this time shee showed a pleasant and gracious countenance , rid in a chariot next after her , drawne by six white horses trapt in cloath of silver , the open chariot being covered over with the same , in which sate , onely ( to accompany her ) the lady anne of cleave . the first day of october , mary was crowned queene at westminster , by stephen gardiner bishop of winchester ; the lady elizabeth being most princesse-like attended , and present at her sisters coronation . i come now to her troubles , and notwithstanding her many and miraculous dangers and deliverances being an absolute princesse , yet greater were the difficulties shee past being a prisoner , then those the which the pope menac'st her with his bulls abroad : now the popes agents seeke to supplant her with their power at home , and then her adversaries were alians , now her opposites are natives . then forraigne kings sought to invade her , now a moderne queene laboureth to intrap her , they strangers , she a sister : she lived then at freedome and without their jurisdiction , shee lives now a captive subject to an incensed sisters indignation ; she was then attended by her nobilitie and grave counsellours ; she hath now none to converse with her , but keepers and jaylours : she in her soveraigntie never stirred abroad without a strong guard of tall yeomen and gentlemen pentioners ; shee now is kept within close prisoner , waited on onely by rude and unmannerly white and blacke coate souldiers . but having before published a tractate of this excellent lady , intituled from her cradle to her crowne , i will now onely give you a briefe nomination of these passages most pertinent to this project now in hand , referring the reader for his better satisfaction to the discourse before remembred . stephen gardiner bishop of winchester , and other romists , offended with her religion , laboured not onely to supplant her from the queenes love , but ( if possible ) to deprive her of her life , possessing the queene that shee was consenting unto sir thomas wyats insurrection ; therefore a strict commission was sent downe to ashridge , where she then sojourned and lay extreamly sicke , where the lords , the commissioners besieged the house with souldiers , entred her bed-chamber without leave . and notwithstanding two learned doctors affirmed she could not bee removed without danger of life , the next morning hoysted her into an horslitter towards london : being arived at court , for foureteene dayes confin'd to her chamber , no acquaintance to confer with her , no friend to comfort her ; whereafter she was strictly examined and sharpely reprooved , and notwithstanding nothing could be proved against her , commanded to the tower by water , and at such a time when in shooting the bridge , the barge grated against the arches , being in great danger of splitting : her landing at the traytors staires , her churlish entertainment , her keeping close prisoner , her family dissolved , her servants discharged , her frights by day , her terrours by night : her often examination to entangle her in her speeches : her very diet served into her by groomes and common souldiers ; her conducting from one place to another , no day without threatning of danger , no night but menacing death : her very lodgings fierd about her eares ( as at woodstocke . ) and after all these miseries and farre more inexpressible calamities , her owne sister to set her hand to a warrant for her execution , out of all which , notwithstanding , god in his infinite mercy miraculously delivered her . thus i have given you a small taste of her troubles , in all which as the difficulties were almost inevitable , so her patience was altogether incomparable , neither though by meanes of king phillip ( mediating for her in her troubles , ) though her libertie was the greater , were her feares any whit the lesse all the time of her sisters raigne , to the end of which i will come as briefly as i can . a great rumor ran through the land that the queene was with child by king philip , and the time of her reckoning being come , it was given forth she was brought to bed of a sonne , and such an one as it was suspected was ready prepared , of which philip being informed , he would not depart the chamber at the time of her delivery , by which meanes the plot tooke no effect , yet this young heyre was so voyced abroad that the bells rung merrily in london , and great triumphs were made at antwarpe and other places : some said shee never conceived at all , others gave out that shee was with child , but the abortive miscaried , others reported she had onely a timpany , and some that it was onely rumoured for policie : the truth is king philip seeing himselfe frustrate of an heyre , upon the foureteenth of september tooke leave of the queene , and went over to visit his father the emperour , and to take possession of the low countries , to her great griefe , whom ( as many were of opinion ) he but little affected , staying there a yeare and six moneths : and after at his returne backe he was met by the queene at dover , and thence brought through london with as great state and solemnitie as at a coronation . it is observed that queene maries raigne was the shortest of all kings since the conquest ( save richard the third , and that more christian blood was spilt in that small time then had beene ( in case of religion ) in any one kings raignes since lucius the first establisher of christianitie in england . in the latter end of her raigne callis was lost , which two hundred and eleven yeares had belonged to the crowne of england : it was first won by edward the third , ( the eleveth king from william the conquerer ) who had besieged it some few moneths , it was lost by mary , being the eleventh from edward , in eight dayes which when she heard , shee sayd ; the losse of callis is written in my heart , and therein may be read , when my body shall be dissected . her conception fayling , great dearth in the land raigning , much harme done by thunders on shoare , and by fire on her royall fleete by sea , home troubles , forreigne losses , king philips absence , and unkindnesse . these with other discontents brought her into a burning feaver , of which shee dyed at saint iames neare westminster the seventeenth of november , anno. 1558. after she had raigned five yeares foure moneths and eleven dayes , having lived forty two yeares , nine moneths , and six dayes , and lyeth buried in a chappell in the minster of saint peters , without any monument or other remembrance . the same day that queene mary dyed , the lady elizabeth in the twentie fourth yeare , second moneth , and tenth day of her age remooved from hatfield to the charterhouse , f●om whence she was royally attended to the tower , and the foureteenth of the same moneth passed from thence through the city of london towards westminster : i omit the stately pagents and presented in the way to this her inaguration ( which would aske a large expression ) to conclude the next day following being the fifteenth shee was with all solemnitie annointed and crowned . i proceede with the beginning of her raigne ; when the state was not onely much weakned but greatly afflicted , having many enemies and few friends , notwithstanding with a dauntlesse and heroick spirit shee exposed the most potent philip king of spaine and of the low countries her brother in law , upon the installing his great grandfather ferdinando , whose daughter katherine ( by the popes authoritie had beene before espowsed to two naturall brothers , prince arthur and henry , so he likewise by the like dispensation endeavoured to marry with two sisters , first mary and after elizabeth : but mauger all the dangers depending upon her deniall , abhorring in her chaste reservations any such incestuous contract , though hee pretended the connivence at least , if not the full approbation of the sea of rome , by refusing the match made him her publick and professed enemy , which after broake out into defiance , and the publication of open wars . a second observable thing was , that the french king henry the second , having married his sonne francis the dolphin to mary queene of scotland , ( mooved by the house of guise ) had interlaced the armes of england with those of scotland , proclayming mary his queene and wife the indubitate heyre to the crowne of england , alleadging for their colour that elizabeth , in regard she stood at that time convicted by the pope of heresie was uncapable of the royall crowne and dignitie : thus animated by the guisians , they sent their armies into scotland with a constant assurance that as soone as scotland was but entred , england was as good as conquered : in so much that sebastianus marteguinus a young man of the family of luxenburg having the command of a thousand foote could hardly be diswaded from subduing england first , and then to retire himselfe for his pleasure into scotland after . thus we see her majestie not onely threatned , but ready to bee invaded on all sides by three puissant and spleenefull enemies , spaine , france and scotland : the state by her predecessours edward and mary mightily distracted , and much indebted , the treasure quite exhausted , the frontier towne of barwaick lying unfortified ; callis the last yeare of her sister dishonorably lost . her subjects in religion divided , her kingdome without strength naked of souldiers , and unfurnisht of armour : notwithstanding all which defects , difficulties and incombrances , she managed all her affaires with that prudence and masculine spirit that manger king philip who had then the entire government of the low countries , shee furnisht her kingdome with armour and ammunition out of germany , provided herselfe of tormentary engines fit for warre ; caused brasse and iron ordinance to be cast , calievers and musquets to be prepared , gunpouder before fetcht from forraigne countries to bee made at home , strengthned barwick , then weake and undefensible , built a strong and well accommodated navie , fortified all her ports and havens , bred and incouraged noble and brave spirits , making them fit for action , so that in a short season before her great enemies were well aware , she was not onely able to maintaine a defensive but make an offensive warre , being ever as ready to maintaine the causes of others oppressed , as to support her owne ingaged . i passe to the fourth yeare of her raigne in which arthur poole , with his brothers descended from george duke of clarens , confedered with one anthony fortescue , who had married their sister ; these conspired with the duke of guise , to bring over an army into wales , and there to proclaime the scottish mary queene of england ; then was sent abroad the thundring bull of pope pius quintus which ipso facto deposed queene elizabeth , and infranchised all her subjects quitting them from their allegeance ; this was the first animating and giving life to the insurrection in the north , first set on foot by the earles of northumberland and westmerland , into which the duke of norfolke that noble gentleman , deluded with vaine hopes was so farre ingaged that it cost him his head ; but all this great conjuration was both prudently and politickly prevented . for it was so projected by the enemy , that if the two earles forces joyning with the dukes could have beene brought to one head in any convenient place of the land , one army was appointed to run from ireland , another the duke d'alva was to send out of the low countries to seaze upon the person of the queene , subvert the state , supplant the religion , and to despose of the crowne and kingdome at their pleasure , all this was cast but not compast ; so by them proposed , but by god almightie otherwise dispos'd , yet this royall virago notwithstanding their menaces rested unmoved at all these devillish plots being no whit daunted . after these leonard dakers second sonne to william l. dakers of gellesland , after hee had given his faith to the queene for the suppressing of these troubles in the north , and having tooke leave of her majestie to that seeming purpose made a contract with those rebells first attempting to kill the lord scroope , and the bishop of carlile , but fayling in his project tooke grastocke castle with naworth castle and others fortifying them , but the noble lord hunsden with the trained souldiers of barwick , met with him by the river of geli , and rowted his people , who fled into scotland , and thence into the low countries , and after dyed miserably at lovaine . after this were divers commotions raised in ireland , but suppressed by the earle of ormend , the king of spaine never ceasing with his ministers and agents to molest her majestie in all places , and upon all occasions ; he first pretended the deliverance of the scotch queene , but duke d'alva being then his generall in the low countries disswaded him from that enterprise , by reason of her former marriage with the french king , alledging that when england was first invaded , and then conquered , which they presumed was to bee as soone atchieved as attempted , it would rather fall to the french then the spaniard , yet they concluded that they should never bee peaceably possest of the low countries till they had england in their possession ; which to compasse they thought it best to beginne with ireland , but after some vaine attempts not answering their hopes , and many preparations which they kept smothered all , in the yeare eightie eight burst out into flame and combustion . in the interim were divers domestick conspiracies discovered , in which were ingaged thomas standly and edward his brother the younger sonnes of the earle of darby ; in this were interessed thomas gerard , hall , and rolstone , a pentioner to the queene , who was the first that disclosed the dissigne : sir henry percy made another attempt to the like purpose , upon condition that his brother the earle of northumberland might bee delivered out of scotland , where he sheltered himselfe ; his assotiates were powell sanford , a gentleman pentioner , and one owen , a servant to the earle of arundell ; about this businesse were committed the earles of arundell and south-hampton , the lords lumlee and cobham , &c. after these in the yeare 1576. don iohn of austria brother to phillip king of spaine , much tumored with the honour purchased in that incomparable sea fight against the turke , commonly called the battaile of lepantho , in which he had beene chiefe generall , and now being made governour of the low countries , conceiving that poore title too narrow to limit his unbounded aymes , begins to cast divers projects how first by releasing , and after marrying the queene of scots , to possesse himselfe of the two crownes of england and scotland , but king phillip unwilling the younger brother should parallell the elder , either in stile or state , and reserving england as a daintie morsell to relish his owne pallate , would neither afford him countenance nor assistance , though to that purpose he was earnestly sollicited by one escovedus sent by him out of the neatherlands into spaine ; but being slightly put off by peresius , secretary to the catholicke king , yet secretly and subtilly did don iohn negotiate this businesse , labouring to have in his intire possession , all the havens of biskey where a navie might bee prepared there to make their randevoues , ready at all opportunitie to invade england ; deepely dissembling all that while with queene elizabeth , under the colour of soliciting a perpetuall peace , which jugling was first discovered by the prince of orange ; and shee finding it to bee true , concluded a league with the low countries , with a promise of mutuall ayde one to another , which soever should bee first distressed : soone after don iohn in the height of his hopes and prime of his age expired , some thinke by poyson , others of the plague , others of griefe , to be so slighted by the king his brother , after he successively had aymed at the kingdome of funis , where guleta in affrick was left to his great dishonour . i cannot here omit the trayterous attempts of captaine thomas stukeley , who after he had rioted his whole estate here in england went over into ireland , and there having projected with some romists , went thence into italy , where by his great ostentations and bragges , he got admittance into the presence of pope pius quintus ; whom by his insinuation hee made constantly beleeve that with a small band of italian souldiers he would not onely expell all the english out of ireland , but bring it under the principalitie of rome , burning the queenes navy , &c. but pope pius dying before ought was concluded ; he then importuned his successour gregory the thirteenth who hearkned unto him upon promise to make iames beulampagno ( who went under the name of the popes bastard , and was a little before made marquesse of vineola ) king of ireland ; stukeley also should be honored with the titles of marquesse of lageu , earle of wepford and ca●erlogh , viscount of morough , and baron of rosse ; all these things concluded , stukeley was made generall of eight hundred italian souldiers who were stipendaries to the king of spaine . but stukeley arriving with his army in portugall , and entering the mouth of tagus found there sebastian the young king ( before sollicited by mahomet the sonne of abdela king of fesse ( prepared for the african warres , which king so farre perswaded and prevailed with stukeley that he assotiated him with his italians into 〈◊〉 , and was slaine in that great battaile of a'lcazer , where dyed with him that day three kings ; sebastian , mahomet , and a●del m●lech : by sebastians death the king of spaine altered his purpose , for the present invading england to possesse himselfe of the crowne of portugall , and his pretended invasion did not discover it selfe till the yeare eightie eight . notwithstanding the death of stukeley , new troubles were raysed in ireland by one nicolas saunders , a pestilent traytor ; whose pen and tongue were most maliciously saucie against her sacred majestie , who in his contumelious libells neyther spared the queenes mother dead , nor the daughter living ; hee having purchased a consecrared banner landed amongst the rebells , with power legantine , whether also was sent one sam. iosephus with seven hundred italians and spaniards to joyne with the rovolted earle of desmond his brother fitsmoris and others , but in small processe after much effusion of blood on both sides the earle dyed miserably , and saunders mad . to passe over the treason of sommervele , and his father in law arderne , in which the young man animated by the iesuits drew his sword in the court to have slaine the queen : as also the conspiracie of thomas lord paget , francis throgmorton , s charles arundell , with divers noble gentlemen , drawne into the suspition of horrible undertaking ; as henry earle of northumberland , phillip earle of arundell , henry howard , brother to the duke of norfolke , which drew themselves into question of their loyaltie by their severall commitments . monstrous also and unmanly were the projections of bernardinus mendoza , embassadour here for the catholick king , who most perfidiously and against the lawes of kingdomes and nations , during his residence here , conspired against the life of her sacred majestie , not onely hiring ruffaines and debnist male contents to that purpose , but even seeking to corrupt her mayds of honour next about her , which though proved against him , yet she suffered him to depart her presence , gently admonisht but no way disgraced , but stung in his owne conscience hee soone after basely and shamefully as a man branded with all infamies stole out of the land. the like machinations were hatched by cardinall alan engle-field and rosse , both against her person and provinces , being all her naturall subjects , as also the hispani●ied and italionated doctor parry made up out of spaines pollicie and italies poyson , who notwithstanding her majestie had pardoned his life forfeit for burglary , and after received him to grace , and vouchsafing him her presence was armed with a pistoll to have flaine her in her garden . concerning the foureteene traytors i will onely give you their names , whose iesuiticall plots began in one savadge , whom report gave out to bee filius populi , a bastard being ( as he sayd ) perswaded to that treason by gilbert gifford and one hodstone , priests , that ( being begot in her ) was seconded by anthony backington ; incorporated into that blooddy action by ballard priest , to these were conlatinated edward winsore a young gentleman , thomas salsoury of an ancient house in denbigh-shire , charles filney , a young heyre , and the sole hope of his family , pentioner to the queene , chedioc fitchburne of hamshiere , edward abenton , whose father was cofferer , robert gage of surry , iohn traverse , iohn charnock of lancashiere gentlemen , iohn iones , whose father had beene queene maries taylor , henry dunne a clearke of the first fruits office , and barowell an irish gentleman , who of all the rest was onely knowne to her majejestie . one thing i cannot here forget to observe her great magnanimitie and confidence in the almightie , when this conspiracie was knowne unto her , notwithstanding all these lay lurking about the citie to waite their best opportunitie , yet shee not forbearing to shew her selfe abroad , and living then at richmond , and walking to take the ayre upon the greene before the court gate she espyed barowell , and taking speciall notice of him as one that had vowed her death , though she saw him armed to the like purpose , she went towards him , when suddenly turning her selfe to sir christopher hatton and the rest of the lords she sayd , am not i well guarded thinke you my lords , who conducting mee abroad if i should bee injured or assaulted have not one sword amongst you all to defend me ? then looking earnestly upon barnwell sayd unto him ; but here is a gentleman i see who walkes better armed ; this done shee retired her selfe , and thus much barnwell the same night told to the rest of the conspirators , whom the devill had so blinded that they perceived not by that , their plot to be disclosed : all the use they made of it was to say , how easily might shee then have beene dispatched if more of us had beene then present ; but to come to their ends , they were all apprehended , committed , convicted and condemned , and on the twentieth of september in lincolnes inne fields hang'd and quartered . in the yeare 1567. l' aubespineus the french embassadour , a man wholly ingaged into the guisian faction , was no lesse turbulent then bernard mendoza the spaniard , he by his secretary trappius and others daily undermining the state , and insidiating the queenes person , dealt with a gentleman cald william stafford , whose mother was of the queenes bedchamber , who promised him wonders both from the guisians , and the king of spaine , if hee would undertake to kill the queene , which confessed by stafford , and being palpably proved against him he excused all his proditory underminings with the priviledge of his place . next was the great preparation of the spanish armado , stiled by the pope the navy invincible , provided with infinite care , and accommodated with inestimable cost , which till it was discovered upon the seas , was not knowne to be ready for action , by reason that the duke of parma at that time continued his dissembled treatise of peace , and had deligates then in england with commission to the same purpose ; but their supposed invincibilitie being really vanquisht and their great armado most of it sunke , and the rest destitute and scattered , yet the beaten and battled spaniard , seeing hee could neither indanger her land , nor damage her life , by force , set his engines on worke to undermine them by fraud , and though in that great and invaluable losse sustained in the perishing of his navie ; when his coffers were almost quite exhausted , yet could they offord fiftie thousand crownes ( promist , though not payd downe , to corrupt doctor lopez a iew borne , and one of her sworne phisitions to take away her life , by poysonous confection ; the easilier to bee done because hee was one in whose fidelitie shee much trusted , which the avaritious wretch ( whose motto was quid labitis ) undertaking , was like a perfidious traytour soone after drawne , hangd , and quarterd . let me not here forget the campe at tilbery in which her majestie was in person , and that if the spaniard had prevailed by sea to have given him battaile by land , appearing in the head of her troopes , and incouraging her souldiers , habited like an amazonian queene , buskind and plumed , having a golden truncheon , gantlet , and gorget ; armes sufficient to expresse her high and magnanimous spirit , who when she understood the proud enemie was utterly defeated , and that her english soyle was too hot for any invaders to tread upon , she dissolved her campe. and to shew how much she vilefied their former undertakings , and how little she feared what they might attempt thence after ; the very next yeare following shee sent an army into portugall , invading the invaders , and braving her much daunted enemy even in his owne dominions . i conclude all her miraculous preservations with that of edward squire , one belonging to the queenes stable ; who being in spaine received from one walpoole a iesuite , a strong and mortiferous confection in a bladder , to poyson the pummell of her saddle , who after his returne wayting his opportunitie , and by reason of his place and former acquaintance not being suspected , when her majestie was to take horse , he came openly with a smiling countenance in the presence of many , and having prickt the bladder wearing a thicke can'd glove clapt his hand upon the pummell of the saddle , and with a chearefull voyce sayd , god save the queene , wherein it pleased god ( as mine author saith ) to take his word not his meaning ; for by gods great providence neither in mounting nor alighting , nor all the way she rode shee once touched the pummell . for which attempt he by his voluntary confession was convicted and condemned . thus have i described unto you a vestall for virginitie , a mirrour of majestie , no lesse celebrated for religious pietie , then regall dignitie ; with no afflictions afrighted , no disasters daunted : to her friends a mother , her foes a terrour , maliciously pursued , miraculously preserved , of women the wonder , of princesse , the paravant , elizabeth . finis . a briefe index or table of the contents in the premises . in the life of deborah . what this deborah was . page 5. the etimoligy of her name . p. 6 her character . ibid. in what estate israel stood in her time . ibid. ioshuahs victories with the manner of his death . ib. israels idolatry . p. 7 gods great mercy towards them . ib. the iudges . ib. israels tryall . ib. baalaim and asheroth . p. 8 of cushan kishataim , king of aram. ib. othnill the sonne of ken●z . ib. eglon king of moab . ib. ehud the sonne of gera who slew eglon ib. shamgar the sonne of anath . ib. the israelites ingratitude towards god. p. 9 the tiranny of iabin , king of canaan . ib. deborah a iudgesse in israel . p. 10 the place where she dwelt . ib. her speech to barack the sonne of abinoham . ib. baracks timerousnesse . p. 11. deborah's magnanimitie . ib. the muster of the two tribes of nepthali and zebulon . ibid. of heber the kenite . p. 12 his temporisings betwixt the israelites and the cananites . ib. the dangerous effects of warre . p. 13 the office of a generall . ib. the fruits of tyranny . p. 14 the nature of ambition ib. of sysera and his preparation for warre . p. 15 mount tabor . ib. the river kishon . ib. deborah incourageth baruck before the battaile . ib. the effects of feare . p. 16 syseras army ro●ted . ib. he flying , comes to the tent of jael the wife of hebar . ib. her entertainment of sysera . p. 17 his feare being in her tent . ib. j●el killeth sisera . p. 19 debora and jael compared for their masculine vertue . ib. ivdeth . of the two kings nabuchodonozer and arphaxad . p. 22 the two great cities of ninivie and echbatane . ib. the nomination of sundry rivers . p. 23 nabuchodonozers commandment despised . ib. king arphaxad discomfited and slaine . ib. nebuchodonozer after his victory feasteth his boast an hundred and twentie dayes . p. 24 holophernes his chiefe captaine ; and his army . ib. the magnificent provision of his boast . ib. his tyranny . p. 25 nabuchodonozer proclaymed a god. ib. the preparations of israel against holophernes . ib. joachim the high priest. ib. the israelites prayer and repentance . p. 26. achior captaine of the amorites . ib. his speech to holophernes . p. 27 the blasphemy of holophernes . ib. achior brought into bethulia . p. 28 ozias , chabris , and charmis , governors of bethulia . ib. achior comforted and feasted by the elders . ib. the great distresse of bethulia . p. 29 judeth the widdow of manaffes . ib. her zeale and abstinence . p. 30 she reproacheth the elders of bethulia . ib. the reply of ozias to judeth . p. 31 she changeth her garments of widdow-hood . ib. her wonderfull beautie . p. 32 her mayde . ib. judeth brought before holophernes . p. 33 her speech to him . ib. the answer of holophernes . p. 35 she is brought into his tent. ib. the feast of holophernes to his servants . p. 36 bagoas the evenuch . ib. holophernes infidiateth her chastitie . ib. she eateth and drinketh in his presence . p. 37 holophernes overcome with wine . ib. holophernes slaine by judeth . p. 38 judeth with her maid come backe to bethulia . ib. her counsell to the governours . p. 39 achiors extasie at the sight of the head of holophernes . ib. holophernes found without an head . p. 40 the assirians disheartned . ib. their buast utterly discomfited . p. 41 the high priests and the eldersblesse judeth . ib. their honour done to her for their miraculous 〈◊〉 . p. 42 judeths thanksgiving and offering . ib. her age and death . p. 43 esther . what ahashueras was . p. 46 his great feast to his princes . p. 47. his feast to the people . ib. queene vasthis feast . 48. her contempt of the kings command . ib. memucans censure of vasthi . ib. a decree against the queene . 49 who mordecai was . 50 who esther or hadasha was . ib. esther received into the kings pallace . ib. esther crowned queene . 51 treason against the king discovered by mordecai . ib. the exaltation of haman , mordecai bendeth not the knee to haman . ib. hamans purpose utterly to supplant the jewes . 52 the decree sealed for the destruction of the jewes . 53 mordecai's sorrow for his people . ib. queene esther comforteth her vnckle mordecai . 54 queene esthers fast . 55 queene esther appeares before the king and finds favour . ib. the king and haman invited to her banquet . 56 hamans hate to mordecai . ib. his pride and confidence . ib. haman maketh a gibbet fiftie foote high to hang mordecai . 57 gods providence to preserve his people . ib. pride catch● in her owne net . 58 haman is force to honour mordecai . ib. what envie is . 59 the king and haman at esthers banquet . 60 esthers request to the king. ib. hamans pride turned into base feare . 61 haman hanged on the gallowes prepared for mordecai . ib. esthers petition for the jewes . 62 the decree against the jewes broken . ib. libertie granted to the jewes . 63 mordecai's royall apparell . ib. the jewes revenge upon their enemy . 64 hamans ten sons hang'd . 65 a memoriall for the jewes great deliverance . ib. mordecai the second man in the kingdome . ib. bondvca . her severall appellations . 70 prasutagus her husband maketh caesar co-keyre with his queene and daughters . 71 the unjust proceedings of the romans . ib. their barbarous lust and crueltie . 72 bunduca's person and condition . ib. reasons inducing the brittaines so rebell against the romans . 73 swetonius paulinus the roman generall . ib. bunduca's first insurrection . 74 her royall army . ib. her habit in battaile . ib. the place where shee encampt . 75 her oration to her souldiers . ib. her devision of the romans 76 the goddesse andate or victory . 77 the providence of paulinus swetonius . ib. the strength of the romans in brittaine . 78 the estate of the citie comelodunum at that time . 79 the estate of the roman colonies . 80 the citie demolished . 81 bunduca intercepteth the roman expidition . ib. she prosecuteth her victory . ib. the demeaner of the roman generall . 82 virulam sackt and spoiled . ib. the cruell behaviour of the inraged brittains . 83 the courage of the roman generall . 84 the number of the bunduca's army . ib. the place where she incamped . 85 the time of the years . ib. the martialling of the roman army . 86 the proportion of a legion . ib. bunduca in the battaile . 87 the order of her battaile . ib. she incourageth her souldiers . 88 the onset on both sides . ib. a description of the battaile . 89 valour on both sides . ib. the romans victors . 90 the brittaines army routed . ib. the numbers slane on both sides . 91 of bunduca after the battaile . ib. her death and place of buriall . ib. divers opinions concerning her place of enterrement . ib. penthisilaea . of viragoes , or women of masculine spirit . 96 of camilla , helerna , semiramis , zenobia . 97 hypsecratea , tomyris , teuca , maria , puteolana . 98 of the amazons in generall . 99 their originall . 100 whence they derived their names . 101 marthesia , lampedo , orreta , antiope . ib. menelippe , penthifilaea . 102 securigera , vexillifera , peltifera . 103 penthisilaea's beauty . ib. the death of penthisilaea . 104 monithaea or thalestris in the time of alexander . 105 the end of the amazonean race . ib. the manners of the scithians . 106 the custome of the sarromates . 107 their kings at their death . 109 artimesia . heroicke women in all ages . 112 renowned women . 113 the seaven wonders of the world , and first of the aegiptian pyramids . 114 of king cleopas and rhodopē , the second wonder . 115 the third and fourth wonder . 116 a fift wonder . 117 the sixt wonder . 118 the beautiful pallace of cyrus . ib. a strange controversie betwixt the two citties of athens and elis. ib. phidias . 118 the pleading of the athenians . 120 the stout answer of the aelians . 122 the seaventh wonder erected by queene artimesia . ib. the gravers of king mausolus tombe . 123 rare builders and architectors . ib. mausolea . 124 the magnanimity of queene artime●ia . 125 her brave demeanour in that great navall fight betwixt the persians and the grecians , xerxes his character of queene artimesia . 126 elphleda . of com●ustions and 〈◊〉 women . 132 helena , hyppodamia , aspa●ia , poli●o , lavinia . 133 dejareira , nicostrate , polidices , lucretia . ibid. virginea , phaedra , martia , thais . 134 a catalogue of excellent and eminent women . ib. dominica , iuguldis . 135 glotildis , placida , pomp●ia , paulin● , helena , monicha . 136 etheldredus raised the first schoole in oxford . 137 king alureds issue . ib. a remarkable accident . 138 the danes defeated by stratagem . 139 king edwards numerous issue . 140 whence spinsters came . ib. the first proofe of elphledas valour . 141 her monomachy , and brave victory . 142 her valour and pietie . 143 her acts , buildings and repayring of decayed cities . ib. her rare chastitie and of her daughter elswina . 144 of chastitie and beautie . 145 further of her valour , the danes outrages , and the death of turbitillus . 146 an emulation betwixt two women , with a strange deliverance . 147 elphleda's death , and further of her daughter . 148 her epitaph . 149 her brother king edwards victories , and of king ethelstane . 150 queene margaret . a preparation for her mariage . 154 her bringing over into england with her marriage to king edward the sixt . 155 she assumeth regall prerogative . 156 the death of humphrey duke of gloster , with his character . 157 a parliament at lecester : the death of the marquesse of suffolke . 158 blew-beard , iack cade , the birth of prince edward . 159 the queene the raiser of all combustions . ib. the proceedings of the duke of yorke , a peace betwixt the king and the duke ; the duke of yorke sent to the tower. 160 sommerset made captaine of callis , new combustion by the queenes partie . 161 the battaile at saint albans , the king prisoner , the duke of yorke protector , and discharged of his protectorship 162 procession to pauls , and of andrew trollop . 163 iohn dinham surpriseth the kings navy , and simon mountford beheaded by the yorkists . 165 the bettaile at northampton , the king taken , and yorke lodged in the kings pallace . 166 yorke claimes the crowne , his pride , the decree of the parliament . 167 the battaile of wakefield , the duke of yo●ke slaine . 168 another battaile at saint albans , prince edward made king , the earle of marsh raiseth new forces . 169 edward earle of marsh made king , the bloody battaile at sherborne . 170 henry with his queene flye into scotland . 171 edward crowned , queene margarets army , her distresse by sea. 172 exam-field : henry tooke prisoner , king edward marrieth the lady grey . 173 the lady bona , the duke of clarens , and earle of warwicke proclaimed rebells . 174 henry proclaymed king againe , and edward flyes the land. 175 edward lands in england , possesseth yorke , king henry surprized by edward . 176 the battaile at barnet . 177 queene margaret lands in england , the battaile at teuxbury . 178 queene margarets magnanimitie , prince edward murdered by the duke of gloster . 179 queene margaret sent into her countrey , king henries death and buriall . 180 queene elizabeth . a character of queene elizabeth . 184 her descent . 185 her birth , baptisme ; queene katherine the mother and mary her daughter disabled of all regall clayme . 186 the lady elizabeths constellation , infancie , childhood . 187 prince edward created prince of wales . ibid. the great love betwixt edward and elizabeth , brother and sister . 188 the death of king henry the eighth . ibid. prince edward proclaymed king , his coronation . 189 the lady elizabeths first suiters , her modesty . 190 the death of king edward the sixt , the lady jane proclaimed queene . 191 the duke of northumberland sent against the lady mary . ib. northumberland beheaded , the deaths of the duke of suffolke , the lady jane , and guilford dudley . 192 mary proclaymed queene . ib. her coronation , the lady elizabeths troubles . 193 the bishop of winchester pursueth her life , her committing to the tower. 194 her cruell usage and patience , king philip favoureth her . 195 an imposterous birth . ib. king phillip discovereth the plot , his departure out of the land. 196 observations concerning q. maries raigne , callis lost . ib the death of queene mary , the lady elizabeth proclaymed queene . 197 her coronation , and how the state stood in the beginning of her raigne . 198 king phillip would marry queene elizabeth . ib. preparations of the french to invade england , spaine , france and scotland combine against her . 199 her prudent preparations , new invasions threatned , the bull of pope pius quintus . 200 a rebellion in the north , leonard dakers , his revolt from the queene . 201 dakers forces routed by the lord hunsden , commotions in ireland , spanish plots . 202 domestick conspiracies discovered , prevented , and of don john of austria . 203 the death of don john , and of captaine thomas stukeley 204 his brave boasts , tempting titles , and at length slaine in the battaile of alcazar . 205 nicholas saunders a pestilent traytor sam. josephus the earle of desmond , with divers others , conspirators . 206 bernardin , mendozas base proceedings , cardin , allan , doctor parry , the foureteene traytors . 207 q. elizabeths great confidence in the almightie . 208 the death of the foureteene traytors , the french embassadour 209 the spanish armado , stiled invincible , doctor lopez , his treaso● and death . 210 her majesties departments in the campe of tilbury , the treason of edward squire . 211 queene elizabeths miraculous preservation , her character . 212 excusing the compositor , who received this coppy in a difficult and unacquainted hand , and the corrector who could not bee alwayes ready in regard of some necessary imployments , i intreate the generous reader to take notice of these errata following , and to rectifie them in his reading after this manner , for geinni , reade gemini page 8. for firei , r. 〈◊〉 , p. 16. for bethalmir . beth●●●● p. 10. for moved . r. mooned p. 94. for 〈◊〉 r. sons p. 98. for ●●xores , r. ve●bres p. 99. for o●bes r. orbis p. 114. for azerpegita r. areopagitae p. 117 for for r. from p. 112. for med●● r. modi● . p. 124. for vru●ia r. vrania , for 〈◊〉 . elphleda p. 130. and so through the whole history , for effeminary , efferminacy p. 13● for possion r. possession p. 170. for lady bov● r bona p. 174. for wor● r co●rt , p. 191. for exposed r. opposed , for demend r. ormard p. 202. for funis r. tunis ▪ for lest r. lost p. 204. for wepsond r we●sord p. 205. for backington r. ●ubington p. 208 for conlatinated r. concatinated , ibid. for filney r. tyl●ey , ibid , for fichburne r. tichburne , for 〈…〉 ibid , &c. finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a03196-e1380 a distinction of history . the species . the elemens the definition . the derivation . the profit that comes by reading of history . notes for div a03196-e2480 * heywood of angels . * heywoods history of women . notes for div a03196-e3290 two deborahs . her etimolygie . in what estate israel then stood . the cause of the isralites bondage . gods great mercy . the israelites repentance . gods miraculous deliverance . the israelites●ngratitude ●ngratitude towards god. gods great power ▪ deborah . deborah to barak . barak to deborah . her magnanimity . heber the kenite . a definition of warre . the office of a generall . the nature of ambition . sisera's preparation for he warre . deborah incourageth barak . the effects of feare . sisera's army routed . the death of sisera . deborah of iael . deborah's art and iaels compared . notes for div a03196-e5920 of king nabuchodonosor and arphaxad the names of sundry rivers . nabuchodonosors commandement despised . arphaxad discomfitted . olophernes his tyranny . the preparation of the isralites against oloferues . their prayer and repentance . achior captaine of the ammonites . strange words to proceede from the mouth of an heathen . the blasphemy of olefernes . the governours of bethulia . the great distresse of the bethulians . iudeth the wife of manasses . iud●ths speech to the governours . the reply of ozias . iudeth changeth her habit iudeth brought before o●ofernes iudeths speech the answer of olofernes . iudeth received into the tent. a great feast made by olofernes . shee eateth and drinketh in the presence of olofernes . olofernes slaine by iudeth . iudeth comes backe to bethulia . her counsell to the governours . achiors extasie . the assyrians disheartned . the honour done to iudeth for their miraculous deliverance . iudeths thankesgiving her constant widow-hood . her age , and death . notes for div a03196-e9010 what ahasuerus was . his feast to his princes . his feast to his people . temperance observed in feasting . queen vasthi her feast . her contempt of the kings command . his chiefe princes . what obedience is . a decree against the queene . mordecai . esther or hadassah . esther received into the pallace . esther crowned queene . treason against the king discovered by mordecai . the exaltation of haman . hamans purpose utterly to supplant the iewes . the decree s●aled for the destructi●n of the iewes . mordecaies sorrow for his people esthers first knowledge thereof . a queene by her resolution esther●rac't ●rac't by the king. the king and haman invited to her banquet . haman , hate to mordecai . hamans pride and confidence . gods providence to preserve his people . pride catcht in her owne net . the case is altered with haman . what envy is honour done to mordecai . qsthers reeuest to the king. hamans pride turned into base feare . haman hanged on the tree prepared for mordecai . esther petitioneth for the iewes . the decree against the iewes renounced . liberty granted to the iewes . mordecaies royall apparel the iewes revenged upon their enemies . hamans ten sons hanged . a memorall for their great deliverance . notes for div a03196-e12230 prasutagus maketh caesar co-heire with his queene and daughters the unjust proceeding of the romans . their barbarous lust and cruelty . bundula's person and condition . reasons inducing the brittaines to rebell against the romans . their first insurrection . a royall army her habit in battle . the place where she incamped . the effect of her oration to her souldiers . a pretended omen to stir up the spirits of her souldiers . the goddesse audate . the providence of paulinus suetonius catus decianus , procurator under caesar. petilius cerealis . paenius posthumus . ostorius scapulae . the strength of the romans in brittaine . claudius caesar. the estate of the city at that time . gemina martia victoria . victricensia . the souldiers resistance . the city demolished . bunduca intercepteth the roman expedition . she prosecuteth her victory . a carefull generall . rage above reason . virulum sackt and spoyled . the cruell behaviour of the inraged brittaines . the courage of the roman generall . the number of bunduca's army . of the place where she incamped . the time of the yeare . the management of the roman army . the fashion of their targets . the proportion of a legion bunduca in the battle . the order of her battles , her incouraging of her souldiers . the beginning of the battle . a description of the fight . valour on both sides . the romans vict●rs . the brittanes army routed the numbers slaine on both sides . of bunduca after the battle . her death . of the place of her buriall . a probability assuring truth . notes for div a03196-e15690 virago . women of masculine spirits . camilla . hilerna . semiramis . * ninus . zenobia . hipsicratea . tomyris . teuca . maria puteolana . of the amazones in generall . their originall . whence they derived their names . marthesia . lampedo . orythia , or otreta . antiope . menalippe . penthisilaea . sncurigera . vexilifera . peltifera . the death of penthesil●a . monithaea , or thalestris . the end of the amazonian race . the manner of the soithians . the scithians sauromates . both which words imply to be drunke . barbarous cruelty . notes for div a03196-e18570 heroicke women in all ages . renowned women . queene artimesia . the seven wonders of the world . the pyramids of egipt . king cleopas . rhodope . the second wonder . sostratus a famous architecture . a third wonder . a fourth wonder . clesiphon . a fifth wonder . chares lyndius . the sixth wonder . aelians . the pallace of cyrus . memnon . a remarkeable controversie . a law among the grecians . phidias . a cruell and an injust sentence . the plea of the athenians the answer of ●he elians . the seventh wonder . scopas . briay . tymothius . leocares . rare buildings and architectors . a glorious tombe built by simon the high priest. mausolea . the magnanimity of queene artimesia . xerxes . her demeanor in the navall fight . the greekes prime commanders . xerxes his character of queene artimesia . notes for div a03196-e22160 of turbulent and combustious women . helena . hippodamie . aspatia : teuca . polizo . lavinia . dejaneira . nicostrate . polidices . lucretia virginia phedra . martia . thais . a briefe catalogue of eminent and excellent women . dominica . iuguldis clotildis . placida . pompeia paulina . helena . monica . elpheda . the first schoole in oxford . mercia . ethel●ida . king alareds issue . a remarkeable accident the danes defeated by stratagem . the day well divided . elpheda too as virago . king edwards royall and numerous issue . spinster from whence it came . a nunne ravisht . the first profe of elphedaes valour . her monomachy . a brave victory . her valour and piety . the death of etheldredus . elphedaes acts , buildings , &c. and reparations of decayed cities . her rare chastity . elswin● . chastity . beauty . further of elphedaes valour . the outrages of the danes . turbetillus defeated . an emlation betwixt two women . a strange deliverance . elphedaes death . elphedaes daughter . her epitaph . king edward subdued the two kings of scotland and wales . king ethelstane . preparation for a marriage . the lady margaret brought over into england . the marriage of the king to the lady margaret . an unprofitable match . the queene assumes regall prerogative . humphrey duke of glocester the kings vnckle his death . a true character of duke humphrey . a parliament at lecester . the death of the marquesse of suffolke ▪ blew-beard , iacke cade . the birth of prince edward . the queene the instigator of all combustions . the proceeding of the duke of yorke a peace mediated betwixt the king and the duke . the duke of yorke sent to the tower. the earle of march soone to the duke of yorke . summerset created captaine of ca●is . a new combustion . lords of the queenes party the battle at saint al●ones the kings prison . the duke of yorke protector . yorke discharged of his protectorship . procession to pauls . andrew trollope . yorkes flight and his army dissolved . the dutchesse of yorke prisoner , and ludlow spoyled . the yorkists proclaimed traitors . iohn dinham surprised the kings navy . simon mountford beheaded by the yorkists . the york●sts land in england . the battle at northampton . the kings host discomfitted . the king taken . yorke lodgeth in the kings pallace . yorke layeth claime to the crowne . the queenes magnanimity . yorks pride . the decree of the parliament . the battle of wakefield . the duke of yorke slaine . another battle at saint albons . prince edward made knight . edward earle of march raiseth new forces . henry thought worthy to be deposed . edward earle of march made king. the bloody battle at towton , or shirborne . henry with his queene flye into scotland . henry in all his actions most infortunate . the coronation of king edward , the fourth of that name . queene margarets army . margaret distressed by sea. exham field . henry tooke prisoner . king edward marryeth elizabeth gray . the lady bova . the duke of clarens , and earle of warwicke proclamed rebels . henry againe proclaimed king. king edward flyes the land . henry received as king. strange alteration in the state . glocester , who was after richard the third . edward landeth in england he maketh his proclamations in the name of king henry . edward possesseth yorke . henry surprised by edward . the earle of oxford leadeth the van. the battle at barnet . lords slaine in the battle . queene margaret landeth in england . the battle at teuxbury . margaret with the prince her son taken . her magnanimity . prince edward murthered by the duke of glocester . queene margaret sent into her owne country . the death of henry . his buriall . notes for div a03196-e32770 a character of queene elizabeth . her descent . her birth . her baptisme . an oath of allegiance taken . katherine the mother , and mary the daughter disabled of all● regall claime . vnder what constellation she was borne . her infancy . her childhood , queene anne dead . prince edward borne . created prince of wales . an alternate aff●ction betweene the prince and his sister elizabeth . the death of king henry the eighth . prince edward procl●imed king. his coronation . her retirement into the country . her first suiter . his name is conceald . her virgin modesty . the death of king edward the sixth . the lady iane gray proclaimed queene . the duke of northumberland sent against the lady mary . northumberland beheaded the deaths of suffolke , the lady ian● , and gu●lford dudley . mary proclamed queene . her coronation . the troubles of the lady elizabeth . her danger greater in her solitude then in her soveraigntie . the reasons . winchester infidiateth her life . doctor guin and doctor wendiffe . her committing to the tower. her hard usage . her infinite dangers . her great patience . king phillip favoureth the lady elizabeth . an imposterous birth . king phillip discovereth the plot . triumphs for the supposed heyre . king phillips departure out of the land. his returne . observations concerning queene maries raigne . callis lost . the death of queene mary . lady elizabeth proclaymed . her coronation . how the state stood in the beginning of her raigne . king phillip a suiter to marry queene elizabeth . great prepa●ation of the french to invade england . a weake ground to support so great a title . sebastian marteguinus two forward . spaine , france and scotland combine against queene elizabeth . her debilities . her prudent preparations . arthur poole incouraged by the guisians , &c. new invasions t●eatned . the bull of pope pius quintus . a rebellion in the north. duke d'alva man purposeth , god disposeth . dakers revolt from the queene . bakers forces routed by the lord hunsden commotions in ireland . spanish plots . eighty eight . domestick conspiracies . discovered . prevented . don iohn of austria aymes at the crowne of england and scotland . one brother crosseth the other . england aymed at by all . the death of don iohn . captaine thomas stukeley . brave boasts . tempting titles . stukeley slaine in the great battaile of alcazer . nicolas saunders a pestilent traytor . sam. iosephus . the unpittied death of the rebells . divers other conspirators . bernardinus mendoza base proceeding . cardinall alan and others doctor parry . the foureteene traytors . queene elizabeths confidence in the almightie . a rare spirit in a princesse the death of the foureteen traytors . the french embassador . the spanish armado . the navie stiled invincible defeated . doctor lopes his treason . his death . her majesties deportment in the campe at tilbury . the next yeare she assaulted lysbone . the treason of edward squire . a miraculous preservation . a character of queene elizabeth . the ladies calling in two parts / by the author of the whole duty of man, the causes of the decay of christian piety, and the gentlemans calling. allestree, richard, 1619-1681. 1673 approx. 387 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 132 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2003-03 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a23744 wing a1141 estc r3510 13459258 ocm 13459258 99623 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a23744) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 99623) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 831:8) the ladies calling in two parts / by the author of the whole duty of man, the causes of the decay of christian piety, and the gentlemans calling. allestree, richard, 1619-1681. pakington, dorothy coventry, lady, d. 1679. sterne, richard, 1596?-1683. fell, john, 1625-1686. henchman, humphrey, 1592-1675. [16], 245, [2] p., [1] leaf of plates : 1 ill. printed at the theater, oxford : 1673. written by richard allestree. cf. dnb. also variously ascribed to lady dorothy pakington, richard sterne, john fell, humphrey henchman, and others. cf. dnb. reproduction of original in cambridge university library. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng women -conduct of life -early works to 1800. conduct of life -early works to 1800. christian life -early works to 1800. 2002-10 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2002-11 apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images 2002-12 rina kor sampled and proofread 2002-12 rina kor text and markup reviewed and edited 2003-02 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the ladies calling the ladies calling . in two parts . by the author of the whole duty of man , the causes of the decay of christian piety , and the gentlemans calling . favor is deceitful , and beauty is vain : but a woman that feareth the lord , she shall be praised . prov. 31. 33. oxford , printed at the theater . m. dc . lxxiii . the editor to the reader . it is a popular reproach usually cast upon writers in morality , and persuaders to devotion , that while they with pompous words represent vertu as a sufficient reward to ●…er self , and exhort to the contemt of glory ; they prefix their names to their labors , and make the title-page a confutation of the book that follows it . our author has effectually averted this objection , having bin so far from seeking a name from others , as not to have left a possibility for the discovery of his own : but like the river nilus that gives fertility and blessing wheresoe're he passes , hides his head ; and permits himself to be only known in the benefits which he dispenses . by what methods the other most useful works of this excellent author have st●…ln themselves into the world , i am not enabled to relate ; but having been made a party to the publication of this present , it may be expected that i render some account thereof . for altho the curiosity of inquiring into that which is industriously conceled , be such a rudeness , and injustice also , as by no means deserves to be encouraged ; yet where a benefit has bin receiv'd , for those who are oblig'd , to desire to acquaint themselves with the person unto whom they stand endebted , that they may pay a respect at least , if they can reach at no more equal retribution ; this has such a pretence to gratitude , as may justly demand to be considered . and it will be some satisfaction to the ingenuous enquirer , that tho he have not enform'd himself in the particulars which he desires , he has not been deficient in the inquest , & knows as much as is possible . the reader therefore may please to understand , that somwhat more then two months since , i receiv'd a letter , accompanied with a roul of papers ; opening the which , i found it was written by a hand which i was utterly a stranger to , and that had no name subscribed ; the purport thereof was as follows . sir , the general report of your candor persuades me you will not reject an address , tho from an unknown hand , which encourages me to the sending these papers to you , with a desire you would please to peruse them , and commit them either to the press , or the fire as you find them worthy . i shall not need to tell you who i am , for if my suit be accepted , i have what i desire without it if it b●… not , 't is my interest you should not know who 't is that has thus importun'd you . your charity i assure my self will at a venture pardon , sir , your humble servant . 't will be superfluous to say how much i was surpriz'd with this so unusual address , how much affected with the singular modesty and humility which it ex●…rest : and after all how much transported upon viewing the treasure , which was thus ●…s from the clouds dropt into my hands ▪ nor was i long to determine which of the two waies of disposal proposed unto me , was to be made use of : and indeed i should much so●…ner have perform'd my trust , and taken care that this excellent tract ●…ad immediatly seen the light , had it not bin needful to transcribe the whole , before it could safely be committed to the press . this i mention not only to excuse the delay of the edition , but more especially to beg a pardon for the misadventu●…es of it . it being not easy in a written copie where a recourse is not to be had unto the author , to do him justice ; and avoid faileurs and mistakes : which in the present instance was the more hazardous , in that every departure from the authors i●…itable pattern , would certainly be for the worse . but excuse and complement are any where a very insipid foolish thing , and most intolerable in a serious concern : i shall not therefore say ought that looks that way ; only offer a short request ▪ which i suppose will be equally in-the behalf of the ▪ author of this tract ▪ the editor ▪ and the readers of it , which is , that whoever takes this book in hand would seriously consider it ; and doing so , receive the infinite benefits of uniform vertu , and sincere pie●…y ; the documents whereof , are herewith all possible advantages propos'd : and thereby give the author , that greatest of blessings , the being an instrument to the eternal happiness of souls : and as to us who deal in the affair of printing ▪ afford some share in this most desirable event ▪ absolving us from the charge of having don mischief , instead of service to the world . for , to say the truth , no book is so fatally destructive as that which convinces of duty ▪ but fails of persuading to it . and if the best books can do harm , 't will certainly be difficult to make a plea for the mul●…tudes of a contrary kind ▪ which now especially 〈◊〉 upon the age ▪ the preface tho the smalness of this tract will scarce justifie the solemnity of a preface ; yet remembring 't is design'd for those who are accustomed to ceremonious addresses , i think it not best to approch them too abruptly . and indeed besides the civility , there seems som use of it in order to my design . to advise , or reprove , is so ungrateful an office , that he that undertakes it , had neee●… use all previous arts to vindicate the sincerity of his purpose , and to convince the person admonished , that 't is neither spleen no●… prejudice , but the mo●…t real exuberant kindness which promts him to inflict those wounds of a friend , prov. 27. 6. and that he is never less an enemy , then when he thus tells them the truth , gal. 4. 16 : therefore , tho they may in the ensuing leaves meet with som things which may have a shew of severity , yet let me assure my reader , they have indeed a design of the greatest service , by correcting the extravagance of som , to rescu the whole sex , as from the contagion of the example , so from the community of the blame . for such is either the inadvertence , or malice of a great part of mankind , that ( against all rules of discourse ) they deduce generals from particulars , make every woman so far an eve , that her depravation shall forfeit her whole kind ; and because there are foolish and scandalous women , will scarce allow there are any other . the truth is , the error seems in many men to be affected ; they propose to themselves unworthy ends on women , and make all their observations wholly in order to those . he that is upon a base pursuit , takes particular notice of all that he thinks for his turn ; the rest fall not within his sphere : and 't is too probable he is so abundantly supplied for that absolute consideration , that he never descends to the comparative . nay , perhaps there may be a yet deeper original of the scandal : the world is much governed by estimation ; and as applause encourages & exalts , so a universal contemt debases & dejects the spirit . if it can once pass into a maxim , that women are such silly or vicious creatures , it may put fair for the making them so indeed . themselves may imbibe the common opinion , charge all their personal faults on their sex , think-that they do but their kind , when indeed they most contradict it , and no more aspire to any thing worthy , then a man can pretend to the excellencies of an angel. and indeed this seems to be the practical inference of som women , who could hardly have descended to such dishonors , had they not before bin as vile in their own eies , as they have afterwards rendred themselves in others . it may therefore upon this account be a necessary charity to the sex , to acquaint them with their own valu , animate them to som higher thoughts of themselves ; not to yield their suffrage to those injurious estimates the world hath made of them , and from a supposed incapacity of nobler things to neglect the pursuit of them ; from which god and nature have no more precluded the feminine , then the masculine part of mankind . in reference to secular considerations , their advantages are most important ; women have a very powerful influence upon all sorts of transactions in the world : the engaging of the delilah , and plowing with the heifer , judg : 14. & 16. being ever the surest way to undermine the counsels , and master the force of the stoutest samson . and accordingly , hictories of all kinds assure us , that gyneceum has still had a rival suffrage with the senate . i might urge the more regular powers which appertain unto that sex ; that all mankind is the pupil and disciple of female institution : the daughters till they write women , and the sons till the first seven years be past ; the time when the mind is most ductile , and prepar'd to receive impression , being wholly in the care and conduct of the mother . and whereas ' is observ'd by aristotle in his politics , ( and is a proof of his being as wise , as he was a learned man ) that the estate of republics entirely hangs on private families , the little monarchies both composing & giving law unto the great ; 't is evident that the disposal of families and all domestic concerns therein lies chiefly on the wife ; whence the same aristotle declares , that the spartans notwithstanding their ready address to empire by their great frugality , industry , and military virtue , could have but half a happiness , as failing on the part of their wives . but waving these reflexions i shall fix only on the personal accomplishments of the sex , and peculiarly that which is the most principal endowment of the rational nature , i mean their understanding . where ▪ first it will be a little hard to pronounce , that they are naturally inferior to men ; when 't is considered how much of extrinsic weight is put in the ballance to turn it on the mens side . men have their parts cultivated and improved by education , refined and subtilized by learning and arts , are like an inclosed piece of a common , which by industry and husbandry becomes a different thing from the rest , tho the natural turf own'd no such inequality . and truly had women the same advantage , i dare not say but they would make as good returns of it ; som of those few that have bin tryed , have bin eminent in several parts of learning . to omit the modern instances , theano after the death of pythagoras kept up his school ; socrates confesses himself to have bin instructed not only in rhetoric by aspatia , but even in the highest points of philosophy by diotime : the roman story enforms us of the deep wisdom of tanaquil , cornelia , livia , to pass by others . and were we sure they would have ballast to their sails , have humility enough to poize them against the vanity of learning , i see not why they might not more frequently be intrusted with it ; for if they could be secured against this weed , doubtless the soil is rich enough to bear a good crop . but not to oppose a received opinion , let it be admitted , that in respect of their intellects they are below men ; yet sure in the sublimest part of humanity , they are their equals : they have souls of as divine an original , as endless a duration , and as capable of infinit beatitude . that spiritual essence , that ray of divinity owns no distinction of sexes ; so that in this sense also that aphorism of the apostle holds good ; there is neither male nor female , but all are one , gal. 3. 28. and sure this is the one transcendent excellency of human nature . for alas , what valu can comparatively be s●…t upon all other qualifications , which will finally-leave us but like the beasts that perish . and this as it is the highest pitch of their worth , so it is the safest subject of their contemplations : other knowledg , as the apostle speaks , 1 cor. 8. 1. may puff-up , this only will edify . as therefore when we would pride our selves , we use not to boast our meaner , but our best'qualities : so let me solicit ladies to be so just to themselves , as not to take their own mesures by any thing below this . why should they take so low a level of greatness , as to valu themselves upon a title which is but a bigger blast of air , when they may derive their descent from above the stars , claim cognation with divinity ? why should they dote on the fictitious image , of a perhaps more fictitious beauty , which their glass presents them , when they need but look inward to see an infinitely fairer idea , an emanation of the eternal brightness ? indeed did they make a just estimate of themselves in this respect , it would overwhelm the vanity of those inferior things wherein they now have such complacency , nor would they suffer their nobler part to be affronted by the unequal competition of their meaner . but there is also another consequent which would flow from that esteem ; they would solicitously preserve what they so highly prize , it being natural for us to proportion our care to our valu . they would be jealously vigilant against every thing , that might eclipse the radiancy or contaminate the purity of their souls . 't was the advice of a heathen moralist , revere thy self ; and 't was very wholesom counsel : for next our due veneration to god , a reverence to our selves is the most severe controller of all exorbitancies . how can a soul that remembers its celestial extraction , wallow it self in the mire , sto●…p to any sordid degenerus practices ? 't is said of themistocles , that seeing once a rich booty about the dead corpses of his enemies , he touch●… it not , but pointing to another , said , take thou that , for thou art not themistocles . if then a little military fame could so elevate his thoughts , t is a shame that any who carry an immortal spirit about them , should not be raised above all the contemtible baits of this sublunary world. why should they not with the like disdain turn over all sensual inordinacies to meer animals , and creatures that have no higher principle then that of sense , whilst themselves soar up to those more sublimated plesures , which are at god's right hand for evermore , psal. 16. 12. we may therefore conclude , that what ever vicious impotence women are under , it is acquired , not natural ; nor derived from any illiberality of god's , but from the managery of his bounty . he has placed within them a pillar of cloud and fire , sufficient to shelter and conduct them through all the storms , all the intricacies that can occur in their journy to canaan ; if they will forget that more intrinsic part of their being , live as if they were all body , reject the manna , and rave after the quails , that destruction which will thereby be induced they must own to spring from themselves . let them not charge god foolishly , or think that by making them women , he necessitated them to be proud , or wanton , vain , or peevish ; since 't is manifest he made them to better purposes , was not partial to the other sex , but that having , as the prophet speaks , abundance of spirit , mal. 2. he equally dispenc'd it , and gave the feeblest woman as large and capacious a soul as that of the greatest hero. nay give me leave to say farther , that as to an eternal well being , he seems to have placed them in more advantagious circumstances then he has don men . he has implanted in them som native propensions , which ( as i shall hereafter have occasion to observe ) do much facilitate the operations of grace upon them . besides , there are many temtations to which men are exposed that are out of their road . how hard is it for a man to converse in the world , but he shall be importun'd to debauchery and excess , must forfeit his sobriety to maintain the reputation of a sociable person ? again , how liable are they by a promiscuous conversation among variety of humors , to meet with affronts , which the maxims of honor will tell them , must ( in spight of all christ's interdicts ) be reveng'd ? and this engages them in quarrels , somtimes in murders . now none of these are incident to women : they must in these and som other instances attaque temtation , violently ravish guilt , and abandon their sex , the whole economy of their state , e're they can divest themselves of their innocency . so that god seems in many particulars to have closelier fenced them in , and not left them to those wilder excursions , for which the customary liberties of the other sex afford a more open way . in short , they have so many advantages towards vertu , that tho the philosopher made it one of his solemn acknowledgments to god , that he had made him a man , and not a woman : yet i think christian women have now reason enough to invert that form , and to thank god that he made them women , and not men . but we know advantages which are only in speculation , are lookt on with som diffidence , till there have bin som practical experiment made of them ; i shall therefore evidence the problem by demonstration , and instance ; desiring my readers to mesure the possibilities of their arriving to eminent degrees of vertu and piety , by what others have attained to . i shall not fetch examples of morality from heathen women , because i am now upon a higher strain ; ( yet many such might be brought to the reproach of many women , who pretending to more , fall infinitly short of that : ) 't is christian vertu that i am now recommending , and which has bin eminently exemplified in many of their sex. how ●…any women do we read of in the gospel , who in all the duties of assiduous attendance on christ , liberalities of love and respect , nay even in zeal and courage , surpassed even the apostles themselves ? we find his cross surrounded , his passion celebrated by the avowed tears and lamentations of devout women , when the most sanguine of his disciples had denied , yea forswore , and all had forsaken him . nay , even death it self could not extinguish their love ; we find the devout maries designing a laborious , chargeable , and perhaps hazardous respect to his corps . and accordingly 't is a memorable attestation christ gives to their piety , by making them the first witnesses of his resurrection , the prime evangelists to proclaim those glad tidings ; and as a learned man speaks , apostles to the apostles . nor is the devotion of that sex to be found only in the sacred records ; the primitive times have left us many memorials of the like , and the martyrologies are full of female sufferers of all ages and conditions , who by the fervor of their zeal had overcome the timorousness of their nature , and wearied the cruelty of their persecutors . and as women help to augment the number of martyrs , so did they of confessors also , in a stout owning , & diligent practice of christianity . queens and empresses knew then no title so glorious as that of a nursing mother to the church , have often exchanged their palaces for little cells and oratories , and valued not their own diadems in comparison with their savior's crown of thorns . and tho by a perpetual declination from that pristine zeal , the instances have in every age grown less numerous , yet none has wanted som very illustrious examples . nay even in our dregs of time , in this common decay of all good , there are , i doubt not , many who ( according to their opportunities ) transcribe the former copies , live like people that know they must live hereafter , and present us yet with som specimen of ancient vertue . nay , to speak an impartial truth , 't is not to be denied , but the reputation of religion is more kept up by women then men ; many of the one countenancing it by their practice , whereas more of the other do not only neglect , but decry it . and now since women are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses , who by doing the thing , give the surest evidence that 't is not unfeasible , why should any plead an impossibility ? in matters of vanity and pomp they they are not so easily disheartened , no pattern of that kind can be ●…et which will not be industriously imitated ; nay in ●…he greatest inequality of materials for it . why ●…hen should their emulation leave them where only it could do them good ? how comes it , that of those who have equal principles of a spiritual being , som live according to the dignity of it ; and others who see them do so , do yet live as if they assented to that philosophers paradox , who said , women had no souls ; or at least were of the pythagorian sect , and lookt upon themselves only as the jails and prisons of former offending spirits , which they resolved to fit for a yet viler transmigration ; give them the appetites of beasts before they assume the bodies ? this is indeed an unlucky humility , that those who in all other instances are apt to overween , should here sink so much below themselves . and i hope 't will not appear an uncivil address , to perswade them to a juster estimate of their own worth . and if what has bin said to that end may have any effect , i shall not desire a better preparative to the ensuing tract ; since she that duly considers her own capacity of eternal bliss , and withal , the possibility of as endless a misery , according as she performs or neglects the several parts of duty , will sure need no other incentive to the diligent pursuit of it . the ladies calling part i. sect. i. of modesty . 1. it is now many years since an address was made to the gentry of this nation , to perswade them to that vertue , which would be both their pleasure and reward . i cannot , i confess , boast any such effect of that , as should much inspirit the hopes of a new attemt ; yet since we see in our proper secular concerns , defeats do may times animate no less then success , i know not why in this more charitable design i should sit down discouraged . men usually raise not a siege upon the first repulse , but reinforce their batteries , observe more curiously which are the most assailable accessible parts , and accordingly dispose their assault : it will then be no unreasonable imitation in the present case , if , after a succesless attemt upon the more impregnable masculine part of the gentry , i now essay the feminine , whose native softness and gentleness may render them less apt for that resistance of good counsel , wherein too many men place their gallantry . 2. i presume those to whom that little tract was at first design'd , will be so willing to relinquish their title , that i might without imputation of robbery , exchange my patrons , and by a new dedication supersede the labor of a new book . and indeed , since what was there said was founded more on the distinction of qualities than of sex , there would not need many razures to render it as proper for the one as the other ; and i shall take so much advantage of it , as to assure the female gentry , that they may there find much of the duty incumbent on them , in respect of that rank and condition they hold in the world : and therefore , tho i shall somtimes make some reflexions on it ; yet , as to the main , i shall think it the easiest course , as well for them as my self , to direct them thither . 3. but it may seem to have too much of the pedant , to entertain new scholars only with the cast or nauseated learning of the old ; and when i remember i write to ladies , who use to think the newness of any thing a considerable addition to its valu ; i conceiv my self oblig'd aswell in civility to their humor , as charity to their needs , to give them somthing which they may own as their peculiar . and to render it the more unalienable , i shall affix it to their sex ; and make it the subject of my present inquisition , what in respect of that , are the proper and distinct obligations , under which , by the assignment of god and nature , they are placed . 4. that the obligation to moral & christian vertues is in it self universal , and not confin'd to any sex or person , is not to be denied : yet , as in human constitutions there are often precepts , which ( tho not exclusive of any , do yet ) more peculiarly and eminently level at som particular rank or order of men ; so in the laws of god and nature , there appears the like distinction . that all-wise creator , who hath put peculiar proprieties and inclinations into his creatures , hath accordingly design'd their actuating and improving them : and altho in mankind , which differs nor in species but in gender , the variety may seem less ; yet there is still enough to found som diversity , either in the kind or degree of duty . this sure is shadowed to us in that particular caution given to the jews , not to confound the habit of the several sexes , deut. 22. 5. and yet more clearly evinced in the precept which the apostles address to women , 1 tim. 2. and 1. pet. 3. nay , this is so granted a truth , that all ages and nations have made som distinction between masculine & feminine vertues , nature having not only given a distinction as to the beauties of their outward form , but also in their very mold and constitution implanted peculiar aptnesses and proprieties of mind , which accordingly vary the mesure of decency ; that being comely for the one sex , which often is not ( at least in the same degree ) for the other . it will therefore be no absurd attemt to decipher those excellencies , which are the genuine and proper ornaments of women : which tho in som instances they may perhaps prove coincident with those of men ; yet even those which are equally inclusive of both , by the divine command may have som additional weight on the female side , in respect of decency , fame , or som other ( not despisable ) consideration . 5. for the better directing our present inquisition , it will be most regular , first to inquire what those vertues are which are universally necessary to women in all ages and circumstances of their lives : such which , like the first matter , are pre-requir'd for all forms ; which , like a firm and solid basis , must support all various events , all changes of their condition or relations . and secondly , we shall consider them in those changes , track them through the several stages and periods of life , through those several states which create the most considerable mutations to them ; and in each of those consider , what are the new and proportionate accessions of duty . 6. as in the outward accommodations of life ▪ the things of most daily and indispensible use deserve the greatest valu ; so in moral or divine endowments , the benefit of possessing is best mesured by the misery of wanting them . this first rank therefore of female vertues which we are to treat of , will have that to recommend them ; they being so strictly necessary , that their absence is not only a privative ill , but also exposes to a deluge of all positive mischiefs consequent to that privation . 7. this will be found true in all the severals we are to pass through , but in none more eminently then in that we shall chuse to begin with , the vertue of modesty ; which may be considered in a double notion , the one as it is opposed to boldness and indecency , the other to leightness and wantonness . in the first acception , zeno has not ill defin'd it , to be the science of decent motion , it being that which guides and regulates the whole behavior , checks and controles all rude exorbitancies , and is the great civilizer of conversations , it is indeed a vertu of a general influence ; does not only ballast the mind with sober and humble thoughts of ones self , but also steers every part of the outward frame . it appears in the face in calm and meek looks , where it so impresses it self , that it seems thence to have acquir'd the name of shamefacedness . certainly , ( whatever the modern opinion is ) there is nothing gives a greater luster to a feminine beauty : so that st. paul seems , not ill to have consulted their concerns in that point , when he substitutes that as a suppletory ornament to the deckings of gold & pearl and costly array , 1 tim. 2. but i fear this now will be thought too antiquated a dress , and an apostle be esteemed no competent judg in this science ; which is now become so solemn a thing , that certainly no academy in the world can vie numbers with the students of this mystery . yet when they have strein'd their art to the highest pitch ; an innocent modesty , and native simplicity of look , shall eclipse their glaring splendor , and triumph over their artificial handsomness : on the other side , let a woman be decked with all the embellishments of art , nay and care of nature too , yet if boldness be to be read in her face , it blots all the lines of beauty , is like a cloud over the sun , intercepts the view of all that was otherwise amiable , and renders its blackness the more observable , by being plac'd neer somwhat that was apt to attract the eyes . 8. but modesty confines not its self to the face , she is there only in shadow and effigie ; but is in life and motion in the words , whence she banishes all indecency and rudeness , all insolent vauntings and supercilious disdains , and what ever else may render a person troublesom , or ridiculous to the company . nor does she only refine the language , but she tunes it too , modulates the tone and accent , admits no unhandsome earnestness or loudness of discourse , the latter whereof was thought so undecent in carneades ( tho in his public lectures ) that the gymnasiarch reproved him for it : and sure , if 't were not allowable in a philosopher in his school , 't will less become a woman in ordinary converse ; and if we consult prov. 7. 11. and 9. we shall find loudness and clamor in women coupled with such other epithets , as will surely not much recommend it . a womans tongue should indeed be like the imaginary music of the sphers , sweet and charming , but not to be heard at distance . 9. and as modesty prescribes the manner , so it does also the mesure of speaking ; restrains all excessive talkativeness , a fault incident to none but the bold ; the monopolizing of discourse being one of the greatest assumings imaginable , and so rude an imposing upon the company , that there can scarce be a greater indecency in conversation . this is ingeniously exprest by our divine poet herbert , a civil guest , will no more talk all , then eat all the feast . he that engrosses the talk , enforces silence upon the rest , & so is presumed to look on them only as his auditors & pupils , whilst he magisteriously dictates to them : which gave occasion to socrates to say , it is arrogance to speak all , and to be willing to hear nothing . it is indeed universally an insolent unbecoming thing , but most peculiarly so in a woman . 10. the ancient romans thought it so , much so ▪ that they allowed not that sex to speak publicly , tho it were in their own necessary defence ; insomuch that when amesia stood forth to plead her own cause in the senate , they lookt on it as so prodigious a thing ; that they sent to consult the oracle what it portended to the state : and tho these first severities were soon lost in the successes of that empire , valerius maximus could find but two more , whose either necessity or impudence , perswaded them to repete this unhandsom attemt ▪ 11. and this great indecency of loquacity in women , i am willing to hope is the reason why that sex is so generally charged with it ; not that they are all guilty , but that when they are , it appears so unhandsom , as makes it the more eminent and remarkable . whether it were from that ungracefulness of the thing , or from the propension women have to it , i shall not determin ; but we find the apostle very earnest in his cautions against it ; 1 cor. 14. 35. he expresly enjoins women to keep silence in the church , where he affirms it a shame for them to speak : and tho this seems only restrain'd to the ecclesiastical assemblies , yet even so it reaches home to the gifted women of our age , who take upon them to be teachers ; whereas he allowed them not to speak in the church , no not in order to learning , tho a more modest design then that of teaching . but besides this , he has a more indefinit prescription of silence to women , 1 tim. 2. 11. let women learn in silence ; and again , v. 12. to be in silence . the apostle seems to ground the phrase , not only on the ●…feriority of the woman in regard of the crea●…ion and first sin , v. 13 , 14. but also on the presumtion that they needed instruction ; towards which , silence has alwaies bin reckoned an indispensible qualification , the introductory precept in all schools , as that wherein all attention is founded . if som women of our age think they have outgon that novice state the apostle supposes , and want no teaching ; i must crave leave to believe , they want that very first principle which should set them to learn , viz. the knowledg of their own ignorance : a science which so grows with study and consideration , that socrates after a long life spent in pursuit of wisdom , gave this as the sum of his learning , this only i know , that i know nothing . this proficiency seems much wanting to our female talker , who , in this , seem to confute the common maxim , and give what they have not , by making their ignorance visible to others , tho it be undiscernable to themselves : and to such we may not unfitly apply the sarcasin of zeno to a talkative youth ; their ears are faln into their tongue . 12. but besides this assuming sort of talkativeness , there is another usually charged upon the sex , a meer chatting , pratling humor , which maintains it self at the cost of their neighbors , and can never want supplies as long as there is any body within the reach of their observation . this i would fain hope is most the vice of th●… vulgar sort of women ; the education of the nobler setting them above those mean entertainments . yet when 't is remembred that st. paul ▪ 1 tim. 5. 13. makes tatling the effect of idleness , it may not unreasonably be feared , that where there is most of the cause , there will be som of the effect . and indeed , it would puzzle one to conjecture , how that round of formal visits among persons of quality should be kept up without this : that their visits should be only a dumb shew , none will suspect among women ; and when the unfashionable themes of houswifery , piety , &c. are excluded , there will not remain many topics of discourse , unless this be called into supply . and this indeed is a most inexhaustible reserve , it having so many springs to feed it , that t is scarce possible it should fail . and when 't is farther considered , how apt a minister it is to envy , spleen , revenge , and other feminine passions , we cannot suppose it can be unacceptable where any of those bear sway . but i believe it is not more frequently introduc'd by any thing then the vanity of wit , which has no where a more free and exorbitant range than in censuring and deriding ; nay , finds not only exercise but triumph too , vain persons seldom considering the infirmities or follies of others , without som complacencies , and assuming reflections on themselves ; which how unagreeable it renders this liberty of talking to that modesty we recommend , is obvious enough , and would god 't were only oppo●…t to that ; but it is no less so to all the obligations of justice and charity also , which are scarce so frequently violated by any thing , as by this licen●…iousness of the tongue . 13. there yet another vice of it , for which ●…he female sex has bin generally accus'd , and that ●…s reveling of secrets ; an infirmity presum'd so ●…cident to them , that aristotle issaid tohave made ●…t one of the three things he solemnly repented of , that he had ever trusted a secret with a woman . but by how much the greater prejudice ●…hey lie under in this respect , the greater ought to be their caution to vindicate not only their persons , but their sex , from the imputation , which is indeed extreamly reprochful : this blasting humor being a symptom of a loose , impotent soul , a kind of incontinence of the mind , that can retain nothing committed to it ; but as if that also had its diabetic passion , perpetually and almost insensibly evacuating all . and indeed however we are willing to appropriate this to the sex , yet the fault is owing only to this ill constitution of the mind , which is oft-times no less visible in men ; as on the contrary , those women who by reason and vertu have acquir'd a solidity and firmness of mind , are as sure repositories of a secret , as the most masculine confident : and such i have no intent to involve in this charge , but rather , by proposing their example to the rest , shew that nature has put them under no fatal necessity of being thus impotent . a secret is no such unruly thing , but it may be kept in : they may take the wise mans word for it , ecclus. 19. 10. if thou hast heard a wordlet it die with thee , and be bold , it will not burst thee . 14. this is a piece of daring manliness , which they may affect without breach of modesty ; would god they would take it in exchange for that virile boldness , which is now too common among many even of the best rank . such a degenerous age do we now live in , that every thing seems inverted , even sexes ; whilst men fall to the effeminacy and niceness of women , and women take up the confidence , the boldness of men , and this too under the notion of good breeding . a blush ( tho formerly reputed the color of vertu ) is accounted worse manners then those things which ought to occasion it , and such as nothing but the simplicity of a country girl can excuse . but the infirmity for the most part proves very corrigible ; a few weeks of the town discipine wears off that piece of rusticity , and advances them to a modish assurance . nor is that design'd to terminate in it self , but it is to carry them on , till they arise to a perfect metamorphosis , their gesture , their language , nay somtimes their habit too being affectedly masculine ; so that what tacitus speaks of vitellius in relation to his being a prince , we may apply to them and say , that if others did not remember them to be women , themselves could easily forget it . 15. yet , were this affectation confin'd only to the more innocent indifferent things , 't were more tolerable ; but alas it extends farther , and there are women who think they have not made a sufficient escape from their sex , 'till they have assumed the vices of men too . a sober modest dialect is too effeminate for them : a blustring ranting stile is taken up , and ( to shew them proficients in it ) adorn'd with all the oaths and imprecations their memory or invention can supply ; as if they meant to vindicate their sex from the imputation of timerousness by daring god almighty . 't is true indeed , an oath sounds gratingly out of whatever mouth , but out of a womans it hath such an uncouth harshness , that there is no noise on this side hell can be more amazingly odious ; yet this is a music this discordant age hath introduc'd , no former having i think ever heard it in places at all civiliz'd : so that the female swearers want that poor shadow of excuse the men pretend to , it having bin so far from customary , that the unwontedness could not but force them to some industry and pains , ere they could acquire the habit , and set up for female hectors ; an essay , wherein they have been very kind to the masculine , by shewing the world there can be somthing worse . 16. 't is said there want not some who compleat the demonstration by the other parallel quality of drinking also ; a vice detestable in all , but prodigious in women , who put a double violence upon their nature , the one in the intemperance , the other in the immodesty ; and tho they may take their immediate copy from men , yet ( to the praise of their proficiency ) they outdo their exemplar and draw near the original : nothing human being so much beast as a drunken woman . this is evident enough if we look only on the meer surface of the crime ; but if we dive farther into its inferences and adherencies , the assirmation is yet more irrefragable . she who is first a prostitute to wine , will soon be to lust also ; she has dismist her guards , discarded all the suggestions of reason , as well as grace , and is at the mercy of any , of every assailant . and when we consider how much fuller the world is of amnons then josephs , it will not be hard to guess the fate of that womans chastity , which has no other bottom then that of mens . so that unless her vice secure her virtue , and the loathsomness of the one prevent attemts on the other ; 't is scarce imaginable a woman that loses her sobriety should keep her honesty : so that indeed i might more properly have made this reflection when i come to speak of modesty in the second notion of it , as it is oppos'd to lightness and wantonness , but it falls not much amiss now , to be the introduction to it . 17. and if we consider modesty in this sense , we shall find it the most indispensible requisite of a woman ; a thing so essential and natural to the sex , that every the least declination from it , is a proportionable receding from womanhood , bu●… the total abandoning it ranks them among brutes , nay sets them as far beneath those , as an acquir'd vileness is below a native . i need make no collection of the verdicts either of the philosophers or divines in the case , it being so much an instinct of nature , that tho too many make a shift to suppress it in themselves , yet they cannot so darken the notion in others , but that an impudent woma●… is lookt on as a kind of monster ; a thing diverted and distorted from its proper form . that there is indeed a strange repugnancy to nature , needs no other evidence then the strugling , and difficulty in the first violations of modesty , which always begin with regrets and blushes , and require a great deal of self-denial , much of vicious fortitude , to encounter with the recoilings and upbraidings of their own minds . 18. i make no doubt but this age has arriv'd to as compendious arts of this kind , as industrious vice can suggest , and we have but too many instances of early proficients in this learning ; yet i dare appeal even to the forwardest of them , whether at first they could not with more ease have kept their vertu then lost it . certainly such are the horrors and shames that precede those first guilts , that they must commit a rape upon themselves ( force their own reluctancies and aversions ) before they can become willing prostitutes to others . this their seducers seem well to understand , and upon that score are at the pains of so many preparatory courtings , such expence of presents too ; as if this were so uncouth a crime , that there were no hope to introduce it but by a confederacy of some more familiar vices , their pride or covetousness . 19. the best way therefore to countermine those stratagems of men , is for women to be suspiciously vigilant even of the first approches . he that means to defend a fort , must not abandon the outworks , and she that will secure her chastity , must never let it come to too close a siege , but repass the very first and most remote insinuations of a temter . therefore when we speak of modesty in our present notion of it , we are not to oppose it only to the grosser act of incontinentcy , but to all those misbehaviors , which either discover or may create an inclination to it ; of which sort is all lightness of carriage , wanton glances , obscene discourse ; things that shew a woman so weary of her honor , that the next comer may reasonably expect a surrender , and consequently be invited to the assault . indeed they are such , that one would rather think them the result of many acts , then meerly the prologue to one , and yet nothing but a custom of private sin , could supply impudence enough to do what is so publicly scandalous ; and where this is found in those of any considerable age , charity it self can scarce pass a milder censure . yet possibly in those of the youngest sort , they may at first be taken up ( as their dress is ) meerly in imitation of others , embrac'd implicitly upon the autority of those , whose examples govern the modes . when a poor girle , who has still so much of the child as to admire every thing that glitters , sees these things used by the gay people of the world , 't is no wonder if she take these as part of their accomplishments , and , upon peril of that formidable calamity of being unfashionable , conform to them : which yet does not so much extenuate the guilt of those few seduced persons , as it aggravats that of the seducers , and attests the strange corruption of the age , that those things which the less hardned sort of prostitutes were formerly ashamed of , should now pass into the frequency and avowedness of a fashion , become a part of discipline and institution of youth ; as if vice now disdain'd to have any punies in its school , and therefore by a preposterous anticipation , makes its pupils begin where they were wont to end , initiates them at first into that shamelesness , which was wont to be the product only of a long habit : what the end will be of these piqueerers in impudence , who thus put their vertu on the forlorn hope , is easie to divine . yet is not this the only state of danger : they who keep their ranks , and tho they do not provoke assaults , yet stay to receive them , may be far enough from safety . she that lends a patient ear to the praises of her wit or beauty , intends at first perhaps only to gratify her vanity ; but when she is once charm'd with that sirens song , bewitcht with that flattery , she insensibly declines to a kindnefs for that person that values her so much ▪ and when that spark shall be blow'd up by perpetual remonstrances of passion , and perhaps little romantique artifices of pretending to dye for her , with a thousand other tricks , which lust can suggest , 't will like the naptha naturalists speak of , in a moment grow to an unquenchable flame , to the ruine both of her vertu and honor . 20. let no woman therefore presume upon the innocence of her first intentions ; she may as well upon confidence of a sound constitution , enter a pest-house and converse with the plague , whose contagion does not more subtily insinuate it self , then this sort of temtation . and as in that case she would not stay to define what were the critical distance , at which she might approch with safty , but would run as far from it as she could ; so in this , it no less concerns her , to remove her self from the possibility of danger , and ( how unfashionable soever it be ) to put on such a severe modesty , that her very looks should guard her , and discourage the most impudent assailant . 't is said of philopemen , that the lacedemonians finding it their interest to corrupt him with mony , they were yet so possest with the reverence of his vertues , that none durst undertake to attaque him ; and sure 't were not impossible for women to arrive at the same security : such an autority there is in vertu , that where 't is eminent , 't is apt to controle all loose desires , and he must not be only lustful but sacrilegious , that attemts to violate such a sanctuary . 21. but perhaps that sex may fear , that by putting on such a strictness , they shall lose the glory of their beauty , which is now chiefly estimated by the number of those who court and adore them . to this in the first place i must say , that they are miserable trophies to beauty that must be built on the ruins of vertu and honor ; and she that to boast the length of her hair should hang her self in it , would but act the same folly in a lower instance . 22. but then secondly , 't is a great mistake to think their beauty shall be the less prized , since 't is incident to mans nature to esteem those things most that are at distance , whereas an easie and cheap descent begets contemt . so long as they govern themselves by the exact rules of prudence and modesty , their lustre is like the meridian sun in its clearness , which tho less approchable , is counted more glorious ; but when they decline fromthose , they are like thatsun in a cloud , which tho safelier gazed on , is not half so bright . but besides these collateral advantages , 't is certain that modesty gives an immediat and direct improvement to beauty ; for tho men for their own vicious ends wish them sever'd , yet they cannot but think they are the most amiable when united , and you shall hear them often commend the aspect of that modesty , which they would fain circumvent . 23. but in the 3d. place , there is nothing but such a reservedness that can indeed make their beauty triumphant . parly and conquest are the most distant things ; and she that descends to treat with an assailant , whatever he may tell her of his being her captive , 't is but in order to the making her his ; which when she once is , there is no state of servitude half so wretched , nothing in the world being so slavishly abject as a prostitute woman . for besides all the interest of another life which she basely resigns , the sacrifices all that is valuable in this : her reputation she puts wholy in his power that has debauched her , and which is worse her reformation too . if she should have a mind to return to vertu , she dares not for fear he should divulge her former strayings from it : so that , like catiline , she is engag'd to future evils to secure the past . yea she subjects her self not only to his lust , but to all his humors and fancies , nay even to all those who have bin instrumental to their privacies , none of them all being to be displeas'd for fear of blabbing : and when 't is remembred , what a sort of cattel they are , which are the engines in such affairs , there can fearce be any thing more deplorable then to be within their lash . 't is true indeed , some have found a way to cure this uneasiness by being their own delators , not only confessing but boasting their crime , and by an impudent owning prevent all accusations : yet even this serves but to attest the intolerableness of the former condition , when this worst of mischiefs is chose as a rescue . their impatience of being alwaies in awe , makes them take up that resolution for infamy , which cesar did for death , who said 't was better to dye once then to be alwaies in fear . and tho this desperate remedy may cure the fear , yet it ascertains the reproch ; for whereas in the impeachment of others there is place for doubt , and charity may promt some to disbelieve it , yet when the fact is justified by the offender , the evidence is uncontrolable , and withall doubles the infamy . for , besides that which adheres to the crime there is a distinct portion due to the impudence ; yet like the scorpion it must cure its own sting , and tho it increases the obloquy , yet it deadens the sence of it . 24. but when they have thus steel'd their forheads against all impressions of shame , they are still liable to many other painful effects of their sin . what fears of being abandoned , what jealousies of rivals , do often torture them ? and indeed not without ground : for they cannot but know , that the same humor of variety which engaged their paramors in their love , may do the same for another , and another , and so on ; it being as possible to grasp the air , as to confine a wandring lust . besides , what anxious apprehensions have they of the approch of age , which they are sure will render them loathed and despicable , as also of all intermedial decaies of beauty ? how critically do they examine their glass ? and every wrinkle that it represents in their face , becomes a deep gash in the heart . but if they have at any time the lesure ( or indeed the courage ) to look inward the view is yet more dreadful , a deform'd foul , spoild of its innocence , and rendred almost as brutish as the sin it hath consented to . but tho it be in some respects like the beast that perisheth , it is not , it cannot be , in that which would most avail it ; an endless being it cannot lose , nor can it expect any thing from that preeminence of its nature , but an infinity of misery . this is such an amazing contemplation , as , methinks , were it insisted on , should allay the hottest blood ; no impure flames being so fierce as to contest with those of unquenchable fire . it is therefore tho a very impious , yet no unskilful artifice of those , who would vitiate women in their manners , to corrupt them in their principles , and by extinguishing all hopes or fears of another world , perswade them to immerse boldly into all the abominations of this . 't is said , this is now an art of wooing , the modern preludium to the basest proposals : it seems this age dares not trust only to the former waies of seducement , fears there will not be women enough that will forget the interests of another world ; and therefore is fain to set up a new party of others to disbelieve it . and i fear that design has bin too prosperous ; many women are so much more concerned for their bodies then their souls , that they are contented the one should be elevated upon the depression and debasement of the other ; and whilst with a vain transport , they can hear their outward form applauded as angelical , or divine , they can very tamely endure to have their better part vilified and despised , defin'd to be only a puff of air in their nostrils , which will scatter with their expiring breath , or , in the atheist's phrase , wisd-6 . 6. vanish as the soft air . whereas they should consider , that they who preach this doctrin to them , design it only to infer a pernicious use . 't is a maxim in politics , that those counsels are suspiciously to be scan'd , which carry in their front the advisers interest ; which certainly is never more visible then in this case , he that once gains this point , never needing to contest for all the rest . for he that can perswade a woman out of her soul , will soon command her body , and then what was at first his interest , becomes hers at last ; and her wishes of the mortality of her soul , are much stronger then 't is possible her belief of it could be : which confirms abundantly my affirmation of the servile , wretched condition of such a person . for if we judg that a very severe slavery , which makes people desirous to resign a temporal being , what shall we think of that which provokes them to renounce an eternal ? 25. and now by this gradation of mischiefs we may judg of the deplorable state of those who have abandoned their vertu ; wherein i doubt not the consciences of many cannot only attest , but much improve the description ; and all i shall say to such , is , only to consult that bosom monitor , which till they do all homilies will be insignificant . my design was not therefore to tell them what they too well feel , but only to point out their wracks as warnings others . 26. let those therefore who are yet untainted , and by being so , have their judgments clear and unbiast , consider soberly the misery of the other condition , and that not only to applaud , but secure their own ; and when ever the outward pomps and gaudy splendors of a vitiated woman seem , like that of cresus , to boast their happiness , let them look through that fallacy , and answer with solon , that those only are happy who are so at their end . their most exquisit deckings are but like the garlands on a beast design'd for sacrifice ; their richest gems are but the chains , not of their ornament but slavery ; and their gorgeous apparel , like that of herod , covers perhaps a putrid body , ( for even that doth not seldom prove their fate ) or however , a more putrid soul. they who can thus consider them , will avoid one great snare ; for 't is not alwaies so much the lust of the flesh , as that of the eyes which betrays a woman . 't is the known infirmity of the sex , to love gaiety , and a splendid appearance , which renders all temtations of that sort so connatural to them , that those who are not arrived to a more sober estimate of things , will scarce be secure . it will therefore be necessary for them to regulate their opinions , and reduce all such things to their just valu , and then they will appear so trifling , that they can never maintain any competition with the more solid interests of vertu and honor. for tho those terms seem in this loose age to be exploded ; yet where the things are visible they extort a secret veneration , even from those who think it their concern publicly to deride them : whereas on the other side a defection from them exposes to all the contemt imaginable , renders them despis'd even by those who betraid them to it , leaves a perpetual blot upon their names , and their family . for in the character of a woman , let wit and beauty , and all female accomplishments stand in the front ; yet if wantonness bring up the rear , the satyr soon devours the panegyric , and ( as in an echo ) the last words only will reverberate , and her vice will be remembred when all the rest will be forgot . but i need not declame upon this theme ; the son of syraeh has don ittomy hand , in many passages , but especially ecclus. 23. to which i refer the reader . 32 , what hath bin already said , is i suppose , sufficient to convince every woman how much it is her concern to keep her self strictly within the bounds of modesty and vertu . in order to which , there is nothing more important then a judicious choice of their company ; i mean not only for men , but women also : vice is contagious , and this especially has that worst quality of the plague , that 't is malicious , and would infect others . a woman that knows her self scandalous , thinks she is reprocht by the vertu of another , looks on her as one that is made to reprove her waies , as it is , wisd. 2. 14. and therefore in her own defence strives to level the inequality , not by reforming her felf , ( that she thinks too hard a task ) but by corrupting the other . to this end , such are willing to screw themselves into an acquaintance , will be officiously kind , and by all arts of condescention and obliging , endeavor to ensnare a woman of reputation into their intimacy . and if they succeed , if they can but once entangle her into that cobweb-friendship ; they then , spider-like , infuse their venom , never leave their vile insinuations till they have poisoned and ruined her . but and if on the other side they meet with one of too much sagacity to be so entrapped ; if they cannot taint her innocence , they will endeavor to blast her fame ; represent her to the world to be what they would have made her ; that is in the psalmists phrase ; such a one as themselves , psal. 50. 24. so that there is no conversing with them , but with a manifest peril either of vertu or honor , which should methinks be a sufficient disswasive . 't is true , 't is not alwaies in ones power to shun the meeting with such persons , they are too numerous , and too intruding to be totally avoided ; unless , as st. paul says , 1 cor. 5. 10. one should go out of the world. but all voluntary converse supposes a choice , and therefore every body that will may refrain that , may keep on the utmost frontiers of civility , without ever suffering any approach towards intimacy and familiarity . 33. and sure were this distance duly observed , it might be of excellentuse , a kind of lay excommunication , which might come very seasonably to supply the want of the ecclesiastic now out-dated . and this seems very wel to agree with the sense of solon , the wise athenian law-giver , who , besides that he shut the temple-doors against them , interdicted them the sacred assemblies ; made it one of his laws , that an adulteress should not be permitted to wear any ornaments , that so they might in their dress carry the note of their infamy . should we have the like distinction observed , i sear many of our gaiest birds would be unplumed , and tho the same be not now an expedient practicable ; yet the former is , and might be of very good use . for beside that already mentioned of securing the innocent , it might perhaps have a good effect on the guilty , who could not but reflect with som shame on themselves , if they were thus singled out and discriminated ; whereas whilst they are suffered to mix with the best societies , ( like hurt deer in a herd ) they flatter themselves they are undiscernable . 34. but indeed the advantage of this course is yet more extensive , and would reach the whole sex , which now seems to lie under a general scandal , for the fault of particular persons . we know any considerable number of smutty ears casts a blackness on the whole field , which yet were they apart , would perhaps not fill a small corner of it ; and in this uncharitable age , things are apt to be denominated not from the greater but worser part : whereas , were the precious severed from the vile , by som note of distinction , there might then a more certain estimate be made : and i cannot be so severe to womankind , as not to believe the scandulous part would then make but a small shew which now makes so great a noise . 35. besides this i can suggest but one way more for women of honor to vindicate their sex , & that is by making their own vertu as illustrious as they can ; and by the bright shine of that draw off mens eyes from the worser prospect . and to this there is required not only innocence , but prudence ; to abstain , as from all real evil , so from the appearance of it too , 1 thess. 5. 22. not , by any doubtful or suspicious action , to give any umbrage for censure but as the apostle saies in another case , 2 cor. ii. 11. to cut off occasion from them that desire occasion ; to deny themselves the most innocent liberties , when any scandalous inference is like to be deduc'd from them . and tho perhaps no caution is enough to secure against the malicious , and the jealous ; tho 't is possible some black mouth may asperse them , yet they have still plato's reserve , who being told of some who had defam'd him , 't is no matter said he , i will live so that none shall believè them . if their lives be but such , that they may acquit themselves to the sober and unprejudiced , they have all the security can be aspir'd to in this world ; the more evincing attestation they must attend from the unerring tribunal hereafter ; where there lyes a certain appeal for all injur'd persons who can calmly wait for it . sect . ii. of meekness . 1. in the next place we may rank meekness as a necessary feminine vertu ; this even nature seems to teach , which abhors monstrosities and disproportions , and therefore having allotted to women a more smooth and soft composition of body , infers thereby her intention , that the mind should correspond with it . for tho the adulterations of art , can represent in the same face beauty inone position , and deformity in another , yet nature is more sincere , and never meant a serene and clear forhead , should be the frontispiece to a cloudy tempestuous heart . 't is therefore to be wisht they would take the admonition , and whilst they consult their glasses , whether to applaud or improve their outward form , they would cast one look inwards , and examine what symmetry is there held with a fair outside ; whether any storm of passion darken and overcast their interior beauty , and use atleast an equal dilligence to rescu that ; as they would to clear their face from any stain or blemish . 2. but it is not nature only which suggests this , but the god of nature too , meekness being not only recommended to all as a christian vertu , but particularly enjoin'd to women as a peculiar accomplishment of their sex , 1 pet. 3. 4. where after the mention of all the exquisit and costly deckings of art , this one ornament of a meeek and quiet spirit , is confronted to them , with this eminent attestation , that it is in the sight of god of great price , and therefore to all who will not enter dispute with god , and contest his judgment , it must be so too . now tho meekness be in it self a single entire vertu , yet it is diversifi'd , according to the several faculties of the soul , over which it has influence ; so that there is a meekness of understanding , a meekness of the will , and a meekness of the affections ; all which must concur to make up the meek and quiet spirit . 3. and first for the meekness of the understanding , it consists in a pliableness to conviction , and is directly opposite to that sullen adherence observable in too many ; who judg of tenets not by their conformity to truth and reason , but to their prepossessions and tenaciously retain'd opinions , only because they ( or some in whom they confide ) have once own'd them ; and certainly such a temper is of all others the most obstructive to wisdom . this puts them upon the chance of a lottery , and what they first happen to draw , determines them meerly upon the priviledg of its precedency , so that had mahomet first seiz'd them , his tenure would have bin as indeses●…ble , as christs now . how great the force of such prejudices are , we may see by the oppositions it raisd against christian doctrine in gross at its first promulgation ; the jews blind zeal for the traditions of their fathers , engaging them in the murder even of that very messias whom those traditions had taught them to expect , and after in the persecution of that doctrine which his resurrection had so irrefragably attested . and to justifie the propriety of this observation , to those i now write to , 't is expresly affirm'd , acts. 1. 3. 50. that they made use of the zeal of the female proselites for that purpose . the jews stirred up the devout and honorable women , and rais'd a persecution against paul and barnabas . so that 't is no unseasonable advice to such , to be sure they see well their way before they run too fierce a carriere in it ; otherwise the greatest heat without light , does but resemble that of the bottomless pit , where flames and darkness do at once cohabit . 4. but whilst i decry this prejudicate stifness , i intend not to plead for its contrary extreme , and ●…ecommend a too easie flexibility ; which is a temper of equal , if not more ill consequence then the former . the adhering to one opinion can expose but to one error , but a mind that lies open to the effluxes of all new tenets , may successively entertain a whole ocean of delusions ; and to be thus yielding , is not a meekness but servileness of understanding . indeed 't is so great a weakness of mind , that the apostle sinks it somwhat below the impotence of women , and resembles it to that of children , eph. 4. 14. yet it seems the folly of some women had levell●…d them with children in this matter , for the same apostle takes notice of such , to whom as he gives the epithet of silly , so the latter part of the character speaks them incorrigibly so , ever learning , and never able to come to the knowledg of the truth , 1 tim. 3. 6. a description which if we compare with our times , we must think prophetic . for how many instances hath this age given us of women so led captive ; who being either affected with the novelty , or seduced by the pretended zeal of a new teacher , have given up their understanding to him : and for a while this strong man has kept possession , but when a stronger then he hath come it has fared as with him in the gospel , a louder zeal or a newer doctrine soon divides his spoils ; and that by force of the very same principle , on which he set up , which within a while undermines the latter also , and so successively ; till the poor proselite has bin huried through all the mazes of wild error , and at last perhaps ( like a palate distracted by too much variety ) she fixes upon that which at first she most decried . this has bin eventually true in some , who setting out in the fiercest detestation of popery , have wandred so long like the blinded syrians , 2 king. 6. 20. that they have at last found themselves in the midst of samaria ; by an insensible circular motion bin brought about to that religion , from which alone they designed to fly . so little do itching ears know whether they may be carried : and indeed the ear when infected with that prurienthumor ▪ may ▪ vie mischiefs with the tongue , which st. james tells us , chap. 3. 15. is ( tho a little member ) a world of iniquity . 5. 't is therefore the most important concern of all , to fortifie that so assailable part ; but 't is especially so of women , not only in respect of that natural imbecillity , which renders them liable to seducement , but also because the opinion of their being so , makes them particularly aim'd at by seducers . for as he who is to put off adulterated wares , will chuse the most unwary chapmen , so these sophisticators of divinity , desire the most undiscerning auditors . and truly that so many of that sex are so , i do not so much impute to any natural defect , as to the loose notions they have of religion , of which they have perhaps some general confused apprehensions , but have so little penetrated the depth of it , that they know not why they are christians , rather then turks , why of the church of england , rather then of that of rome , or geneva . and while they are thus unfixt , and have no better principle then custom and compliance ; they have nothing to answer to any the grossest deceit that can be obtruded upon them , which for ought they know or have consider'd , may be as true as any thing they formerly profest . now when any one in this condition shall be assaulted , not only by the repeated importunities of false teachers , but also by ingeminated threatnings of hell and damnation , she is like one awaked by the out●…ry of fire , and in that amaze will be apt to run where-ever the first discoverer of her danger shall lead her . 6. i shall therefore most earnestly recommend it as the best antidote against the poison of novel doctrins , to examin well the grounds of the old ; for want of this it is that our church has bin exposed to so many frivolous cavils , it being too incident to the perverse pride ofhumane nature , to speak evil of things we understand not . and had our she-zealots first consulted som sober guides , and from them understood upon what grounds the practice as well as doctrin of our church was founded , they could not so easily have bin carried away by every wind of doctrine , as the apostle phrases it , eph. 4. 14. 7. indeed this is no more then common justice exacts , which forbids the condemning even the vilest malefactor unheard , ( & unheard and not understood , are in this case terms equivalent ) yet sure they owe somthing more to that church from whose ministry themselves must confess to have derived their christianity , in whose bosom they have bin cherisht , and consequently may plead a mothers right in them ; so that unless possession , which fortifies civil rights , destroy the ecclesiastic ; she may challenge besides that natural justice , ( which is the common due of humanity ) a parental respect and reverence , a debt which is sure very ill answered by those , who cast off her obedience before they have at all considered what it is she commands . and if the abdicating a child be a thing so unnatural , as needs som very important cause to justifie it ; the renouncing of a parent must require a reason as far transcending that , as the guilt does , if it be causless ; and such it must inevitably be in all , who for want of due examination , suffer themselves to be led intogroundless prejudices and disgusts . 8. to prevent that guilt , and a multitude of others which spring from it ; i must again repeat my proposal , that women of quality ( who are presumed to want neither parts nor lesure for it ) would a little look into the inside of the religion they profess ; if it be a true one , 't will bear the inspection , truth never shunning the light ; if it be not , the discovery cannot be too early . and indeed among the many remarkable impresses of truth our church bears , this is one , that she does not blindfold her proselites , leaves them the use of their discerning faculty , and does not by obtruding upon them an implicit belief , force them to lay down their reason when they take up their faith. and now why should not ladies spend a few of their many idle hours in this inquisition , i mean not to embark them in a maze of controversies , but only to discern those plain grounds of truth on which our church builds ; which if well digested , will prove a better amulet against delusion then the reading whole tomes of disputations , more apt to distract then fortify their understandings . and had they thus don , had their minds bin ballasted by sober principles , so many of them had never made up the triumphs of so many and so various seducers . and tho to such this advertisement may come too late ( like assistance after a defeat ) yet it may be a seasonable caution to others ; and to those i offer it , as that very temper wherein consists that rational meekness of the understanding i would recommend to them , which is equally violated by a blind obstinacy , or as blind a flexibility . 9. a second sort of meekness is that of the will , which lies in its just subordination , and submission to a more supream autority , which in divine things is the will of god ; in natural or moral right reason ; and in human constitutions the command of superiors : and so long as the will governs it self by these in their respective orders , it transgresses not the meekness requir'd of it . but experience attests , that the will is now in its depravation an imperions faculty , apt to cast off that subjection to which it was design'd ; and act independently from those motives which should influence it . this god knows is too common in all ages , all conditions , and sexes : but the feminine lies more especially under an ill name for it . whether that have grown from the low opinion conceived of their reason , less able to maintain its empire , or from the multipli●…d habitual instances themselves have given of unruly wills , i shall not undertake to determin ; but either way 't is , i am sure , so great a reproch , as they should be very industrious to wipe off . and truly i know nothing more incentive to that endeavor , then the having a right estimate of the happiness as well as vertu of a governable will. how calmly do those glide through all ( even the roughest ) events , that can but master that stubborn faculty ? a will resign'd to god's , how does it enervate and enfeeble any calamity ? nay indeed it triumphs over it , and by that conjunction with him that ordains it , may be said to command even what it suffers . 't was a philosophical maxim , that a wise moral man could not be injured , could not be miserable . but sure 't is much more true of him who has that divine wisdom of christian resignation , that twists and inwraps all his choices with god's , and is neither at the pains nor hazard of his own elections ; but is secure , that unless omniscience can be deceived , or omnipotence defeated , he shall have what is really best for him . 10. proportionable ( tho not equal ) to this , is the happiness of a will regulated by reason in things within its sphere : 't is the dignity of humane nature , and that which distinguishes it from that of beasts . yea , even those grow more contemtible in their kinds , the farther they are removed from it . the stupid sturdiness of an asse has render'd it proverbial for folly , when the tractableness of other animals has temted som to list them among rationals . besides , reason affords somthing of a basis and foundation for the will to bottom on . he that governs himself by reason ( that being still the same ) will act equally and consonant to himself ; but he that does a thing this moment , only because he will , may the next have as weighty an argument to do somthing quite contrary ; and so may spend his whole time in unravelling his spiders webs , as the prophet rightly calls the vain designs of such brutish men , isa. 59. 5. not to speak of those recoilings and upbraidings of the rational faculties , which are the uneasie attendants of those who resist its more directadmonitions ; there is nothing exposes to more secular ruins . an ungovernablewill is the most precipitous thing imaginable , and like the devil in the swine , hurries headlong to destruction , and yet deprives one of that poor reserve , that faint comfort of the miserable , pitty ; which will not be so much invited by the misery , as averted by that wilfulness which caused it . nay indeed , so little can such persons expect the compassion of others , that 't will be hard for them to afford themselves their own : the consciousness that their calamities are but the issues of their own perverseness , being apt to dispose them more to hate then pitty . and this is no small accumulation of wretchedness , when a man suffers not only directly , but at the rebound too ; reinflicts his miseries upon himselfby a grating reflection on his own madness . yea , so great an aggravation is it , that even hell it self is enhaunced and compleated by it ; all the torments there being edged and sharpned by the woful remembrance , that they might once have bin avoided . 11. in the last place a will duly submissive to lawfull superiors , is not only an amiable thing in the eies of others , but exceedingly happy to ones self ; 't is the parent of peace , and order both public and private . a blessing so considerable , as is very cheaply bought with a little receding from ones own will or humor , whereas the contrary temper is the spring and original of infinit confusions , the grand incendiary which sets kingdoms , churches , families , in combustion ; a flat contradiction not only to the word , but even the works of god ; a kind of anticreative power , which reduces things to that chaos from whencegod drew them . our age has given us too many and too pregnant instances of its mischievous effects , which may serve to enhaunce the value of that governable malleable temper i now recommend . and as a will thus resign'd to reason and just autority , is a felicity all rational natures should aspire to ; so especially the feminine sex , whose passions being naturally the more impetuous , ought to be the more strictly guarded and kept under the severe discipline of reason ; for where 't is otherwise , where a woman has no guid but her will , and her will is nothing but her humor , the event is sure to be fatal to her self , and often to others also . 12. and the hazard of this renders that other restraint of the will , i mean that of obedience to superiors , a very happy imposition , tho perhaps 't is not alwaies thought so , for those who resist the government of reason , are not very apt to submit to that of autority . yet sure god and nature do attest the particular expediency of this to women , by having placed that sex in a degree of inferiority to the other . nay farther 't is observable , that as there are but three states of life , through which they can regularly pass , viz. virginity , marriage , and widowhood , two of them are states of subjection , the first to the parent , the second to the husband ; and the third , as it is casual , whether ever they arrive to it or no , so if they do , we find it by god himself reckon'd as a condition the most desolate and deplorable . if i should say this happens upon that very score that they are left to their own guidance , the sad wracks of many would too much justifie the gloss ; but however it evinces , that god sets not the same valu upon their being masterless , which some of them do , whilst he reckons them most miserable , when they are most at liberty . 13. and since gods assignation has thus determined subjection to be the womens lot , there needs no other argument of its fitness , or for their acquiescence . therefore when ever they oppose it , the contumacy flies higher then the immediat superior , and reaches god himself . and i am apt to think there would not many of that timorous sex dare so far , were it not for some false punctilioes of honor , which ( like those among our duellists ) have imposed themselvs . these represent meeknes and submission as a silly sheepish quality unfit for women of breeding and spirit : whilst an imperious obstinacy passes for nobleness and greatness of mind . but alas they are wofully mistaken in their notion of a great spirit , which consists in scorning to do unworthy and vile things , and couragiously encountering the adverse events of life , not in spurning at duty , or seeking to pull themselves from that sphere where the divine wisdom hath placed them . no sure , stubbornness is the mark only of a great stomac , not of a great mind ; and the cruelty of a coward may as well denominate him valiant , as the ungovernableness of a woman can speak her generous . 14. in this i presume i speak the common sense of all , for what value soever they put upon themselves , nothing renders them less acceptable to others ; an imperious woman being a plague to her relatives , and a derision to strangers , yea and a torment to her self . every the least contradiction ( which a meek person would pass over insensibly ) inflaming such an unruly temper , and transporting her to such extravagances , as often produce very mischievous effects . on the other side if she be humor'd and complied with , that serves only to make her more insolent and intolerable ; makes her humors grow to such a height , that she knows not her self what would please her , and yet expects that others should●… : so that to such a one , we may apply what hannibal said of marcellus , that if he were vanquished ; he never gave rest to himself , nor if he were victorious , to others . certainly the uneasiness of a perverse spirit is so great , that could such come but to compare it with the calm and happy serenity of meekness and obedience , there would need no other lecture to commend them to their esteem or practice . 15. the last branch of meekness is that of affections , and consists in reducing the passions to a temper and calmness , not suffering them to make uproars within to disturb ones self , nor without to the disquieting of others , and to this regulation meekness is generally subservient . yet because the correcting of som particular passions are more immediatly assignable to other vertues , i shall insist only upon that , on which this has a more direct and peculiar influence , i mean anger , a two edged passion , which whilst it deals it blows without , wounds yet more fattally within . the commotion and vexation which an angry man feels , is far more painful then any thing he can ordinarily inflict upon another : herein justifying the epithet usually given to anger , that it is a short madness , for who that were in his right wits , would incur a greater mischief to do a less . it is indeed so great a distemper of the mind , that he that is possest with it , is incompetent for any sober undertaking , and should as much be suspended from acting , as one in a phrensy or lunacy . this was the judgment and practice too of plato , who going to chastise a servant , and finding himself grow angry , stopt his correction , a friend coming in and asking what he was doing , punishing replies he , an angry man , as thinking himself unfit to discipline another , till he had subdued his own passion . another time his slave having offended him , i would beat thee , saies he , but that i am angry . it were endless indeed to recite the black epithets given by all moralists to this vice . it shall suffice to take the suffrage of the wisest of men , one that had acquainted himself to know madness and folly , ecl. 1. 17. and we find it his sentence , that anger rests in the bosom of fools , ecl. 7. 11. 16. and what is thus universally unbecoming to human nature , cannot sure be less indecent for the gentler sex : 't is rather more so , every thing contracting so much more of deformity , by how much it recedes from its proper kind . now nature hath befriended women with a more cool and temperat constitution , put less of fire and consequently of choler , in their compositions ; so that their heats of that kind are adventitious and preternatural , rais'd often by fancy or pride , and so both look more unhandsomly , and have less of pretence to veil and cover them . besides women have a native feebleness , unable to back and assert their angers with any effective force , which may admonish them 't is never intended they should let loose to that passion , which nature seems by that very unability to have interdicted them . but when they do it , they render themselves at once despised and abhor'd ; nothing being more ridiculously hateful , then an impotent rage . 17. but as the most feeble insect may somtimes disturb , tho not much hurt us , so there is one feminine weapon which as 't is alwaies ready , so proves often troublesom , i mean the tongue , which , tho in its loudest clamors can naturally invade nothing but the ear , yet even that is a molestation . the barking of a dog , tho we are secure he cannot bite , is a grating unpleasant sound ; and while women seek that way to vent their rage , they are but a sort of speaking brutes , and should consider whether that do not reflect more contemt upon themselves , then their most virulent reproches can fix upon others . 18. but some things have had the luck to acquire a formidableness no body knows how , and sure there is no greater instance of it , then in this case . a clamorous woman is lookt on , tho not with reverence , yet with much dread , and we often find things don to prevent or appease her storms , which would be denied to the calm and rational desires of a meeker person . and perhaps such successes have not bin a little accessory to the fomenting the humor ; yet sure it gives them little cause of triumph , when they consider how odious it makes them , how unfit ( yea intolerable ) for human society ; let them take the verdict of solomon who declares it better to dwell pro. 25. 24. in a corner of a house top , then with a brawling woman in a wide house . nor does the son of sirach speak less sharply tho more ironically , ecl. 18. 16. a loud crying woman and a scold , shall be sought out to drive away the enemy . and tho he taxes the feminine vices impartially enough , yet there is scarce any of them which he more often and more severely brands then this of unquietness . it seems 't was a thing generally lookt on , as very insufferable ; as appears by socrates , who when he design'd to discipline himself to perfect patience and tolerance , knew no better way of exercise , then to get a shrew to his wife , an excellence that may perhaps again recommend a woman , when we fall to an age of philosophers ; but at present 't will be hard for any of our xantippes to find a socrates ; and therefore that quality is as destructive to their interests in getting husbands , 〈◊〉 it is to the husbands quiet when he is got . 〈◊〉 i presume i need not declame farther against this fault , which i suppose cannot be frequent among that rank of women to whom this tract is intended : for if neither moral nor divine considerations have prevented it , yet probably civility and a gentile education hath : a scold being a creature to be lookt for only in stalls and markets , not among persons o●… quality . yet if there be any that have descended to so sordid a practice , they have so far degraded themselves , that they are not to wonder if others substract that respect , which upon other accounts they might demand . 19. and to such i should recommend the usual method of physic , which is to cure by revulsion , let that sharp humor which so habitually flows to the tongue , be taught a little to recoile , and work inward ; and instead of reviling others , discipline and correct themselves : let them upbraid their own madness , that to gratifie an impotent , nay a most painful passion , have degenerated from what their nature , their qualities , their education , design'd them . and if they can thus reverse their displesures , 't will not only secure others from all their indecent assaults , but it will at last extinguish them : for anger is corrosive , and if it be kept only to feed upon its self , must be its own devourer ; if it be permitted to fetch no forrage from without , nor to nourish it self with suspicions and surmises of others , nor to make any sallies at the tongue , it cannot long hold out . 20. and how much they will herein consult their interest and their reputation too , they may be taught by solomon , who makes it the distinctive sign of a foolish woman to be clamorous , prov. 9. 13. whereas when he gives the character of his excellent woman , he links wisdom and gentleness together , she openeth her mouth with wisdom , and in her tongue is the law of kindness , prov. 31. 26. if this verdict may be admitted ( as sure it ought , whether we consider his wisdom , or dear bought experience in women ) it will confute the common plea of querulous spirits , who think to seem insensible of any the least provocation , is to appear silly and stupid ; tho truly if it were so , 't would be full as eligible as to appear mad and raving , as they commonly do in the transport of their fury . 21. to conclude , meekness is so amiable , so indearing a quality , and so peculiarly embellishing to women , that did they but all consider it with half the attention they do their more trivial exterior ornaments , 't would certainly be taken up as the universal mode , in all the several variations of it this section has presented . sect . iii. of compassion . 1. of near affinity to the vertu of meekness , is that of mercy and compassion , which indeed can scarce thrive in any place where the former hath not prepared the soil : anger and obstinacy being like that rough east-wind which brought the egyptian locusts , exod. 10. 13. to eat up every green thing in the land. a mind harrassed with its own impatiency , is not at lesure to observe , much less to condole the calamities of others . but as a calm and clear day befriends us with a more distinct prospect of distant objects ; so when all is quiet and serene within us , we can then look about us , and discern what exigencies of others invite our pitty . 2. i need not say much to raise an estimate of this vertu , since 't is so essential to our nature , so interwoven in the composition of humanity , that we find in scripture phrase , compassion is generally seated in the most inward sensible part of our frame , the bowels , so col. 3. 12. put on therefore bowels of mercy ; and phil. 2. 1. bowels and mercies . so that a cruel ruthless person unmans himself , and is by the common vote of mankind to be listed among brutes ; nay , not among the better , but only the more hateful , noxious sort of them . 3. but this is yet more unnatural in the female sex , which being of softer mold , is more pliant and yielding to the impressions of pitty , and by the strength of fancy redoubles the horror of any sad object ; yea so remarkable is this tenderness , that god , when he would most magnify his own compassion , illustrates it by that of women , as the highest human instance . indeed such a propension have women to commiseration , that they are usually taxed with an excess in it ; so that any imprudent lenity is proverbially called , a womanish pitty , and therefore it may be thought an impertinence to exhort them to that which they can scarce avoid . but to this i answer ; first , that in this degenerous age , 't is no news to see people violate their instincts , as well as their duties , and be worfe then their nature inclines them ; many sins being committed even against the grain , and with violence to constitution . 4. yet secondly , 't is not a meer melting of the eyes , or yerning of the bowels i design to recommend : alas , their tears will not be drink to a thirsty soul , nor will shivering at his nakedness cloth him , this is such an insignificant mercy as st. james describes , saying to a brother or sister , be ye warmed , be ye filled , but not giving them ●…hings needful to the body , c. 2. 16. indeed , she that weeps over those distresses she will not relieve , might have bin fit to be enter'd in the list of the mourning women among the jews and heathens , who were hired to make up the tragic pomp of funerals with their mercenary sorrow , but had no real concern in that loss they seemed to bewail . 't is therefore a more active sort of compassion to which i would invite them ; and yet for method sake , i shall consider it under two distinct heads , giving , and forgiving . 5. by giving , in this place , i mean not a general liberality , ( tho that prudently bounded , is an excellence well becoming persons of fortune ) but only such a giving as terminates upon the needy , and is applied to succor their indigencies . to give to those from whom they may expect returns , may be a design , but at the best can be but generosity and frankness of humor . 't is only then mercy ( as christ himself has defined it ) when it is to those from whom they can hope for nothing again . 6. and in this vertu women have in forme●… ages eminently excelled , yea so essential was it , that we find solomon thought not their characte●… compleat without it , but numbers it among the properties of his vertuous woman , prov. 31. 20. she stretcheth forth her hand to the poor , & reacheth her hand to the needy . and it is a little observable , that after he has describ'd her industry and diligence for the acquiring of wealth , this is se●… in the front of her disbursments , as the principa●… use she made of it ; and precedes her providing scarlet for her houshold , or fine linnen and purple for her self , v. 21 , 22. the application is very obvions , and admonishes all that own the same title of vertuous women , to prefer the necessities of others before their own superfluities and delicacies . nay , if they look farther ; and consider who it is that is personated in the poor , that begs in every needy distrest suppliant , and that will finally own every act of mercy as don to himself : methinks they should somtimes think fit to sacrifice even their most moderate enjoiments to their charity ; be ashamed to serve themselves before their savior , or let him stand naked and hungry , whilst they are solacing with that which would relieve him . 7. but how then shall they answer it , who suffer him to be supplanted , not by their needs , but excesses ; who have so devoted their hearts and purses to vanity and luxury , that they have neither will nor power to succor the wants of others ? how unequal and disproportionate is it , that those who study to fling away mony upon themselves , cannot be temted by any opportunity and distress , to drop an alms to the poor ? what a preposterous sight is it to see a lady , whose gay attire gives her the glittering of the sun , yet have nothing of its other properties , never to cheer any drooping , languishing creature by her influence ? 't is the counsel of the son of sirach , not to give the poor any occasion to curse thee . ecclus. 4. 5. but sure such persons do it , if the poor happen not to have more charity then they exemplify to them . for when they shall find such ha●…d hearts under such soft raiment , see them bestow so much upon the decking their own bodies , and do nothing towards the necessary support of theirs ; 't is a shrewd trial of their meekness . poverty is apt of it self to imbitter the spirit , and needs not such an additional temtation . 8. nay farther , when a poor starving wretch shall look upon one of these gay creatures , and see that any one of the baubles , the loosest appendage of her dress ; a fan , a busk , perhaps a black patch , bears a price that would warm his emty bowels ; will he not have sharp incitations not only to execrate her pride , and his own poverty , but consequently to repine at the unequal distribution of providence , and add sin to his misery ? the denial therefore of an alms may be a double cruelty , to the soul as well as to the body . 't is said of xenocrates , that a chased bird flying to his bosom , he rescued it with much satisfaction , saying he had not betraid a suppliant ; but this is in that case reverst , and in an higher instance ; for what can be more the betraying of a suppliant , then instead of supplying his wants , to rob him of his innocence , and be his snare in lieu of his refuge ? this is a consideration i wish more deeply imprest upon the women of this age ; and truly 't is their concern it should be so ; for since at the last day the inquest shall be so particular upon this very thing , 't is but necessary they should examin how they are fitted to pass that test . 9. let them therefore keep a preparatory audit within their own brest , reflect upon the expences of their vanity , what the delicacy of their food , what the richness and variety of their cloths , nay what the meer hypocrisies of their dress , in false hair , and complexion has cost them ; to which they may also add the charge of their recreations and divertisements , those costly arts of chasing away that time , which they will one day wish to recal : let them i say compute all this , and then confront to it the account of their charity , and i much fear the latter will with many of them be comparatively as undiscernible , as socrates found alcibiades's lands in the map of the whole world , be so perfectly overwhelm'd , that it will appear little in their own sight and nothing in gods. 10. for if the poor widows mite acquired a valu meerly from her poverty , that she had no more ; by the rule of contraries we may conclude , how despicable the scanty oblations of the rich are in gods account . if even their liberality who gave much , was outvied by a farthing , mar. 12. 41 to what point of diminution must their niggardly offerings , who give little , be reduced ? especially when they shall be compared with the numerous and costly sacrifices they make to pride and luxury ; nay i wish some were not guilty of more then the disproportion , even the total omission of charity , that in a multitude of taylors bills cannot produce the account of one garment for the poor , that amidst the delicacies of their own diet ( nay perhaps of their dogs too ) never order●…d so much as the crumbs of their table to any hungry lazarus . but let all such remember , that there will come a time , when one of tabitha's coats acts 9. 39. will be of more valu then all their richest wardrobes , tho they could number gowns with lucullus's cloaks , which the roman story reports to be 5000 , and that when their luxurious fare shall only feast the worms , and render them passive in that epicurism they acted before , they will wish they had made the bellies of the poor their refectory , and by feeding them nurished themselves to immortality . 11. let this i say be seriously remember'd now , l●…st hereafter they fall under the same exprobrating remembrance with the rich man in the gospel , luke 16. 25. remember that thou in thy life time receivedst thy good things , and lazarus that which was evil , but now he is comforted and thou a●…t tormented . a text which st. gregory professes was ever sounding in his ears , and made him look with suspicion and dread upon that grandeur to which he was advanced , as fearing it might be design'd as his final reward . with what terror then may those look upon their present good things , who by ingrossingthem wholly to themselves , own them as their entire portion , and implicitly disclaim their share of the future ? for to that none must pretend , who receive their transitory goods under any other notion , then that of a steward or factor : as we may see in the parable of the talents , where those that had the reward of the five and ten cities were not such as had consumed their talents upon their own riot and excesses , but suchas had industriouslyemploied them according to the design of their lord : and if it there fared so ill with the meer unprofitable servant , who had horded up his talent , what shall become of those , who squander away theirs , and can give no account either of use or principal ? 12. were these considerations duly laid to heart , we might hope to see some of the primitive charity revive , when women of the highest rank converted their ornaments and costly deckings into clothing for the poor , and thought no retinue so desirable , so honorable as a train of alms-folks : but i speak improperly , when i make the poor their attendants , for indeed they rather attended the poor , did not only order the supply of their wants , but were themselves their ministers , waited about their sick beds , drest their most loathsom ulcers , and descended to all the most servile offices about them . 13. but these were such heights , such transcendendies of mercy , as required a deeper foundation of humility then will now be often met with : yet let me take the occasion to say , that it may be a good managery of a charity to act ( as far as they can ) personally in it . for besides that it prevents some abuses and frauds , which deputed agents may somtimes be temted to ; they pay god a double tribute in it , of their persons as well as their fortunes ; next they ▪ bring themselves into acquaintance with the poor , and by that means correct those contemts and nice disdains , which their own prosperity is too apt to create farther yet , they excite their own compassion , which being a motion of the sensitive part of the mind , cannot be stirr'd so effectually by any thing , as by the presence of the object , the most pathetic tragical description of a distress , being not able to affect us half so much as one ocular demonstration . lastly 't is an apt means to increase their thankfulness to almighty god , whose bounty to themselves must needs make a deeper impression , when 't is compared with the necessito us condition of others : for things are best illustrated by their contraries , and 't is too observable in our depraved nature , that we valu not things by their real positive worth , but comparatively as they excell others , nor ever make a right estimate of what we enjoy , till our own or others wants instruct us . 14. upon all these considerations it may be a very becoming useful circumstance in any charitable ministery to be themselves the actors ; and to that end 't will be a very commendable industry to qualifie themselves to be helpful to the poor in as many instances as they can ; not only opening their purses , but dispensatories too , providing medecines for such as either by disease , or casualty want that sort of relief . a charity which i doubt not is practised by many , and i wish it were by more , that our nicer dames who study only cosmetics for themselves , would change the scene , & instead of repairing or disguising their own complexions , study the restauration of their decrepit patients limbs . and sure tho it be a less fashionable , 't is a much better sight , to see a lady binding up a sore , then painting her face ; and she will cast a much sweeter savor in gods nostrils , with the smell of unguents and balsoms , then with the most exquisit odors and perfumes . for since god professes esay 1. that that very incense which was design'd as a part of his worship , was an abomination to him , because not accompanied with the acts of mercy , we cannot think he will better like of those , which have no higher aim then delicacy and sensuality . 15. but besides this part of mercy in giving , there is another , that of forgiving ; which may happen to be of a larger extent then the former : for whereas that was confin'd to the poor , this has no such limits , but as it is possible to be injured by persons of all ranks , so this pardoning mercy is to reach equally with that possibility . this is that part of charity which we peculiarly call clemency , a vertu which not only christianity but morality recommends . the ancient romans had it in such veneration , that they number'd it not only among vertues but deities , and built it a temple : and they were somwhat towards the right in it , for it was , tho not god , yet so eminent an attribute of his , that nothing can more assimilate man unto him . 16. there are many heroic acts of this kind to be met with among the vertuous hethens . lycurgus not only forgave alcander who had struck out his eye , but entertain'd him in his house , and by his gentle admonitions reclaim'd him from his former vicious life . aristides being after signal services and without crime , unjustly banished by his citizens , was so far from acting or imprecating against them , that at his departure from athens he solemnly praied the gods , that they might never by any trouble or distress be forced to recal him . so phocion being unjustly condemned , left it as a solemn charge to his son phocas , that he should never revenge his death . a multitude of the like examples might be produced , but we need not borrow light from their faint tapers , when we have the sun beams , i mean the sun of righteousness our blessed savior , who as he has recommended this grace by his precept , so he has signally exemplified it to us in his practice ; the whole design of his descent to earth being only to rescu his enemies from destruction , and as every part of his life , so the last scene of it was particularly adapted to this end , and his expiring breath expended in mediating for his crucifiers ; father forgive them , luk. 23. 34. and this copy of his was transcribed by his first followers , the primitive christians in their severest martyrdoms praying for their persecutors . 17. thus are we in the apostles phrase compassed about with a cloud of witnesses , heb. 12. 1. of eminent examples , which ought to have a forcible influence upon all , but methinks should not fail to have it on that sex , whose native tenderness predisposes them to the vertu , and who need but swim with the stream of their own inclinations . how can we think that their melting eyes should ever sparkle fire , or delight in spectacles of cruelty , that their flexible tender hearts should turn into steel or adamant , be uncapable of all impressions of pitty ? yet god knows such changes have too often bin seen : women have not only put off that softness peculiar to them , but the common instincts of humanity , and have exceeded not only savage men , but beasts in cruelty . there have bin too frequent instances of the implacable malice , and insatiable cruelties of women : i need not call in the aid of poetique fiction and tell them of clytemnestra , medea , or the belides , with hundreds of others , celebrated as instances of heroic wickedness . there are examples enough in more authenticstories , the roman tullia , the persian parysatis ; and that we may not pass by the sacred annals , jezebel , and athalia . i forbear to multiplyexamples of this kind , of which all ages have produced some so eminent , as have render'd it a common observation , that no cruelty exceeds that of an exasperated woman : & it is not much to be wonder'd at , since nothing can be so ill in its pristine state as that which degenerates from a better . no enmity we know so bitter , as that of alienated friends ; no such persecution as that of apostats , and proportionably no such ferity as that of a perverted mildness . so that the poets were not much out , who as they represented the graces under the figures of women , so the furies too : and since 't is in their election which part they will act , they ought to be very jealous over themselves . the declinations to any vice are gradual , somtimes at first scarce discernable ; and probably the greatest monsters of cruelty , would at the beginning have detested those inhumanities which afterwards they acted with greediness . 18. it concerns them therefore to ward those beginnings whose end may be so fatal . she that is quick in apprehending an affront perhaps will not be so quick in dismissing that apprehension ; & if it be permitted to stay , 't will quickly improve , twenty little circumstances shall besuborn'd to foment it with new suspicions , till at last it grow to a quarrel ; from thence to hatred , from that to malice , and from that to revenge : and when that black passion has overspread the mind , like an egyptian darkness it admits no gleam of reason or religion , but hurries them blindfold to their own ruine often as well as others . 19. let none think this only a fancy or scheme of discourse : there have bin too many tragical experiments of its truth : how many men have bin mortally engaged upon no weightier original , then the spleen of a woman ? the frantic notion of honor among our duellists fitly corresponding with the as frantic impulses of feminine revenge , and any imaginary injury ( or perhaps but just imputation ) to the lady , obliging her gallant to rush upon the most real sin and danger . a madness somthing beyond that which the romances describe of knight errantry ; for that generally is for the relief of distressed damsels , but this is only to humor the too prosperous ones , the insolent and the proud . those therefore that have observed the common occasions of duels , have not unfitly divided them between wine and women ; it being hard to say which is the most intoxicating and besotting . the son of sirach couples them together , ecclus. 19. 2. wine and women will make men of understanding fall away . the many modern examples of this mischief , as it should strike an extreme terror into those women who have bin any way accessary to the death , or but danger of any man ; so it is just matter of caution to all , so to regulate their passions , that they never come within distance of implacability ; for if once they arrive there , themselves can give no stop . 20. in order to this , 't will be well to consider at the first incitation , what the real ground is ; perhaps somtimes they are angry ( as the galatians were at st. paul , gal. 4. 16. ) at those that tell them the truth ; som scandalous , or at least suspicious behavior , may have engaged a freind to admonish them ; ( an office that has somtimes proved very fatal ; those commonly that have most guilt having less patience to hear of it . ) and if this be the cause , 't is the greatest injustice in the world to make that a quarrel which is really an obligation : and therefore instead of maligning thei●… monitor , they ought to thank and reverence him . nay , tho the accusation be not with that candi●… design , but be meant as a reproch ; yet if it b●… true , it should not excite anger at their accusers ▪ but remorse , and reformation in themselves . 21. it was the saying of a wiseman , that h●… profited more by his enemies then his friends because they would tell him more roundly of hi●… faults : and this is excellently improved by plutarch , in his tract , of the benefits to be reap'●… from enemies : so that even a malicious accusation may be a kindness , and consequently oug●… not to be repaid with an injury . but suppo●… in the last place , that the aspersion be not onl●… unkind , but untru , it will not even then be safe t●… let loose to their indignation : first , in respect●… prudence , an angry vindication serving the d●… sign of the enemy , and helping to spread the c●… lumny ; whereas a wise neglect and dissembli●… does often stifle and suppress it . secondly , respect of duty , for all that own themselves ch●… stians , must confess they are under an obligati●… to forgive , and not to revenge . now if they i●… tend to pay a real obedience to this precept , ' tw●… be the more easie , the sooner they set to it . he th●… sees his house on fire , will not dally with the flam●… much less blow , or extend it , resolving to quen●… it at last . and anger is as little to be truste●… which if once throughly kindled , will scarce expire but with the destruction of the subject it works on . 22. let therefore the disoblig'd not look back upon the injury , but forward to those mischiefs which too sharp a resentment may betray them to : let them consider , that the boiling of their blood may finally cause the effusion of anothers , and wrath may swell into murder . if they would do thus , and instead of those magnifying optics wherein they view the wrong , make use of the other end of the perspective , to discern the dismal event at distance ; it would sure fright them from any nearer approch , would keep them within those bounds which their duty prescribes them ; and thereby acquaint them with a much greater , and more ingenious plesure then their highest revenge can giv●… them ; i mean that of forgiving injuries , and obliging the injurious . this is a plesure so pure and refined , so noble and heroic , that none but rational natures are capable of it ; whereas that of spight and revenge ( if it can be called a plesure ) is a meer bestial one ; every the most contemtible animal can be angry when 't is molested , and endevor to return the mischief . 23. it should therefore , methinks , be an easie determination , whether to embrace that clemency and compassion which we see exemplified in the wisest and best of men , nay in the omniscient , immortal god , or that savage fierceness of the ignoblest creatures . this is certain , that no woman would be content toassume the outward form of any of those ; why then should they subject their nobler part , the mind , to such a transformation ? for , as there are no monsters so deformed , as those which are compounded of man and beast : so among them all , nothing can be more unnatural , more odious , then a woman-tiger . i conclude all with the advice of solomon , prov. 17. 14. the beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water : therefore leave off contention before it be medled with . when once a breach is made upon the spirit by immoderate anger , all the consequent mischiefs will flow in , like a rapid stream when the banks are broken down ; nor is there any way to prevent it , but by keeping the bounds entire , preserving that tenderness and compassion which god and nature do equally inforce and recommend . sect . iv. of affability . 1. in the next place we may reckon affability and courtesie , which as it is amiable in all , so it is singularly so in women of quality , and more universally necessary in them then in the other sex ; for men have often charges and emploiments which do justifie , nay perhaps require somwhat of sternness and austerity ; but women ordinarily have few or no occasions of it , and those who havewell digested the former lectures of meekness and compassion ; will not be apt to put it on unnecessarily . now affability may b●… considered either as a meer human accomplishment , or as a divine vertu ; in either notion 't is commendable ; but 't is the latter that gives it the highest excellence and perfection . 2. to begin with the first notion of it , we may take an estimate of its worth by its cause , and by its effects . for its cause , it derives itself either from a native candor , and generosity of mind ; or from a noble and ingenious education , or somthing jointly from both ; and these are as good originals as any thing meerly moral can flow from . and that these are indeed its sources ; common ▪ experience will attest : those of the greatest minds , & best extractions , being usually most condescending and obliging ; whereas those of most abject spirits and birth , are the most insulting and imperious . alexander the great , tho terrible in the field , yet was of a gentle , compla●…sant conversation , familiarly treating those about him : yet crispinus , narcissus , nymphidius , and other enfranchised bondmen , we find insolently trampling upon the roman senators and consuls . 't is therefore a great error for persons of honor , to think they acquire a reverence by putting on a supercilious gravity , looking coily and disdainfully upon all about them ; 't is so far from that , that it gives a suspicion that 't is but a pageantry of greatness , som mushrome newly sprung up , that stands so stiff , and swells so much . but instead of teaching others to keep their distance , this fastidious d●…in invites them to a closer inspection , that if there be any flaw either in their life or birth , 't will be sure to be discovered , there being no such prying inquisitor as curiosity , when 't is eggd on by a sense of contemt . 3. on the other side , if we consider the effects of courtesie , they are quite contrary ; it endears to all , and often keeps up a reputation in spight of many blemishes : a kind look or word from a superior , is strangely charming , and insensibly steals away mens hearts from them . this the wise man refers to ecclus. 18. 16. when he prefers a word before a gift . and 't is plutarch's observation of cleomenes king of sparta , that when the grecians compared his affability and easiness of access with the sullen state and pride of other princes , they were so enamored with it , that they judged him only worthy to be a king. and as their is no certainer , so also no cheaper way of gaining love : a friendly salutation is as easie as a frown or reproch ; and that kindness may be preserved by them , which if once forfeited , will not at a far greater price be recovered . 4. besides , when human vicissitudes are considered , it may be a point of providence too ; the greatest persons may somtimes want assistance from the meanest ; nay somtimes the face of affairs is quite changed , and the wheel of fortune turns them lowest that were uppermost , and proportionably elevates the meanest . 't is wisdom therefore so to treat all , as to leave no impressions of unkindness , since none is so despicable , but may possibly at one time or other have an opportunity to retaliate . t was therefore a prudent as well as an equitable resolution of the emperor , who said he would so entertain the addresses of his subjects ; as , if he were a subject , he would wish the prince should entertain him . a rule very worthy to sway all persons of honor in their entercourse with others . and since even among persons in command there are degrees , and she which is superior to one , is inferior to another ; they have a ready way to compare the civility they pay , with that they expect . let therefore one who meets with a cold , neglectful treatment from any above her , examin her own resentments , and then reflect , that if she give the like to those below her , they will doubtless have the same sense ; and therefore let her resolve never to offer what she so much dislikes to bear : and she that does thus , that makes such inferences , will convert an injury into a benefit ; civilize her self by the rudeness of others , and make that ill nurture her own discipline . 5. but hitherto we consider affability only in its ethnic dress , as it is a human ornament ; 't will appear yet more enamoring upon a second view , when we look on it as bearing the impress of the sanctuary , as a divine vertu . and that it is capable of being so , we have the autority of st. paul , who inserts it in the number of those christian graces which he recommends to his roman proselites ; condescend to them of low estate , rom. 12. 16. and that we may the better discern its valu , 't is observable that he links it with the most eminent vertu of humility ; for it immediatly follows his precept of be not high minded . indeed 't is not only joined with it as a friend or allie , but derived from it as its stock and principle : and certainly a more divine extraction it cannot have , humility being the alpha and omega of vertues , that which laies the foundation , ( without which the most towring structure will but crush it self with its own weight ) and that which perfects and consummates the building also , secures and crowns all other graces ; which when they are most verdant●… and flourishing , are like jonas his gourd , that may afford some shadow and refreshment for a while , but are apt to breed that worm which will destroy them . when once they are smitten with pride , they instantly fade and wither ; so necessary is humility both for the acquiring and conserving , all that is good in us . 6. we may therefore conclude ; that courtesie and obligingness of behavior which proceeds thence , is in respect of its spring and original , infinitly to be preferr'd before that which descends from no higher stock then natural or prudential motives ; and since 't is natural for every production to have some similitude to that which produces it , we shall find it no less excellent in respect of its properties then its descent , i shall instance only in two , sincerity and constancy . 7. for the first as far as affability partakes of humility it must of sincerity also , that being a vertu whose very elements are plainness and simplicity : for as it has no designs which want a cover , so it needs none of those subtilties and simulations , those pretences and artifices requisite to those that do . t is the precept of the apostle , phil. 2. 3. in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better then himself , where we see 't is the nature of a lowly mind to transfer that esteem to others which he substracts from himself : how where such an esteem is planted into the heart , it verifies all the expressions and outward significations of respect , and renders the greatest condescentions ( which to an insolent humor may seem extravagant and affected ) real and unfeigned . 8. on the contrary that courtesie which derives no higher then from meer human principles , is not much to be confided in . 't is the psalmists affirmation that all men are liars . and therefore there is more then a possibility of deceit in their fairest shews . somtimes we know smooth & plausible addresses have bin designed as the stale to vile and trecherous practices . the extraordinary blandishments and endearing behavior of absolom to the people , was only to steal their hearts , and advance his intended rebellion , 2 sam. 15. and david tells us of some , whose words were softer then butter , having war in the heart , whose words were smoother then oil , and yet were very swords , psal. 55. 21. and god knows this age has not so much improved in sincerity , that we should think the same scenes are not daily acted over among us . 9. but besides all the blacker projects of this kind , which nothingbut the event can detect , there is a lower sort of this treachery , which is visible , nay so avowed , that it is one of the most common subjects of mirth and entertainment , i mean that of scoffing and derision , a thing too frequent among all , but i fear i may say very peculiarly so among ladies , those at least of the modish sort , their very civilities and caresses , being often design'd to gain matter of scorn and laughter . mutual visits we know are an expression of respect , and should flow from a real kindness , but if those now in use br sifted , how few will be found of that make ? they are at the best formal , a tribute rather paid to custom then friendship , and many go to see those , for whom they are perfectly indifferent whether they find them alive or dead , well or sick . nay very often they are worse then thus , design'd only to make observations , to bolt out somthing ridiculous wherewith to sport themselves as soon as they are gone ; and least the inquest should return with a non inventus , they will accept of the slightest discoveries , the least misplacing of a word , nay of a hair shall be theme enough for a comedy . 10. but if a poor country gentlewoman fall within their circuit , what a stock of mirth does she afford them , how curiously do they anatomise every part of her dress , her meen , her dialect , nay perhaps to improve the scene , will recommend yet greater absurdities to her , under the notion of the mode , that so she may be the more ample subject of their scorn . such visits as these are but insidious intrusions , the insinuations of a spy rather then the good office of a neighbor ; and when 't is remembred how great a portion of some womens time is spent in this kind of diversion , we must conclude there have a multitude of acts gon to make up the habit . i wish they would seriously reflect on it , and unravel that injurious mirth by a penitential sadness , and either spend their time better then in visiting , or else direct their visits to better purposes : and this they would certainly do if they would exchange their meer popular civilities ( that kind of paint and varnishing manners ) for that tr●… christian condescension ; which admits of no dece●… , but is as transparent as drusus wisht his house ●…ld be , that has no secret scrues and spring , to move the eyes or tongue a contrary way from the heart , but is in reality all that it pretends to be . 11. a second property of it is constancy , for as it is true to others , so it is to its self ; 't is foundid on the solidest of vertues , and is not subject to those light and giddy uncertainties , that the vulgar civilities are . for he that out of a disesteem of his proper worth , has placed himself in a state of inferiority , will think it not an arbitrary matter , but a just debt to pay a respect to those he thinks his betters ; and an humble mind will in every body find somthing or other to prefer to himself . so that he acts upon a fixt principle , and is not in danger of those contradictions in his manners , which shall render him one day sweet and affable , and another sowre and morose . but such mutations are frequently incident to those who are swaied by other motives , somtimes an interest changes , and then the most fauning sycophant can transplant his flatteries , and court a new patron ; yea many times to the despight and vilifying of the old . 12. somtimes again , fortune may change ; a man may fall from a prosperous to an adverse state , and then those who were prodigal of their civilities whilst he needed nothing else , will withdraw even those from him , least they should incourage him to demand somthing more ; an experiment of this job made in his friends ( or rather flatterers ) whom he fitly compares to winter brooks , running over when not needed , but quite dry when they are . 13. but the most frequent change is that of fancy and humor , which has a much more general sway then reason and judgment . this is so observable in the vulgar rabble , that often in an instant they will shift passions , and hate this hour what they doted on the last . of this all popular states , have afforded many costly experiments , but we need not go farther then the sacred story , where we find the acclamations and hosannahs of the multitude , quickly converted into crucifie him , crucifie him . this levity of mind has bin observed so incident to women , that 't is become almost proverbial ; for by how much their passions are more violent , they are commonly the less lasting , and as they are reckon'd among those colder bodies that are particularly influenced by the moon , so they seem to bear a great resemblance to her in her vicissitudes and changes ; yet still with a greater degree of uncertainty , for she in all her revolutions observes some constant periods , and we can tell in her wain when she will be at full , so that she has a kind of certainty even in her planetary errors ; but what ephemerides can be framed for some womens humors ? who can tell how long the present will last ? and what will be the next that will succeed ? 14. i need not bring instances of their inconstancy from that common place of passionate widows , whohave let a newlove sail even through those flouds of tears wherewith they bewailed the old : for ( besides that that is a case wherein possibly they may find matter enough for retortion ) it is here a little wide from my purpose , which designs no farther inquisition then into their ordinary conversation , wherein that love o●… variety which is so remarkable in their habit , their diet , their diversions , extends it self often to their company , their friendships also and converse . those intimacies which they cherisht lately , quickly grow despicable , and at last nauseous , and consequently their behavior falls from kind and civil , to cold and disdainful . i doubt not this has often bin proved by many of those humble companions , which officiously attend them , who cannot alwaiesfix themselves , no notby those flatteries that first introduced them ; some new comer perhaps has better refined the art , and do's the same thing more acutely and ingeniously , and then the old one is to be turned off as too gross a sycophant ; or if they have bin so happy as to light upon some of a more generous temper , who instead of a servile compliance with their humor , and high characters of their worth , entertain them with the true images of themselvs , and endeavor to make what others only speak them , this is that unpardonable crime which forfeits all degrees of favor , and does not only avert , but incense . a faithful monitor is as unacceptable as a true looking-glass to a deformed person , which at the best will be set aside , and escapes well if not broken ; and while great persons dispence their favors or their frowns by such perverse mesures as these , they will be sure to do it unjustly , as well as unconstantly . 15. i am far from making this an universal charge , i know there are women of the highest quality , that guide themselves by other rules , that are deaf to all the songs of sirens , and have the prudence to valu a seasonable reproof before the most extravagant panegyric ; but this is owing to that humility which i am now recommending , without which 't is as impossible for greatness to be proof against flattery , as it is for a pinnace with spreading sails , and a violent gust of wind , to sail steddily without ballast . and the frequent want of this is it which makes it no less frequent ●…o see those unevennesses and inequalities in be●…avior ; those partialities in dispensing even the ●…ommonest civilities , which i have now repre●…ented . 16. and sure 't is none of the meanest attri●…utes due to that excellent vertu of humility that ●…t can thus fix and poise the mind , cure those ver●…igoes and giddy humors , incident to those who ●…re mounted aloft : and above all that it is a sure antidote against the most insinuating poison of flattery , a holy spel or amulet against the venom of a parasite , which the philosopher justly calls the worst of tame beasts , as a detractor is of wild : he being indeed a kind of vulture , in the way of seizure , noless than ravine , who firstpicksout the eies of that which he designs to prey upon ; suffering not the person concern'd , to see any thing of that destruction which he is to feel . and certainly none of the ominous birds , no night-raven or screech-owle can abode half so dismally as these domestic birds of prey , which are not only presages , but instruments of ruine wheresoever they haunt . 17. 't is therefore the universal concern o●… those that are great and prosperous , to chase them away , as abraham did the fowles from his sacri 〈◊〉 , gen. 15. 11. but yet more peculiarly so o●… those to whom fortune hasgiven a sudden rise , and unexpected grandeur , they being of all others th●… most obnoxious to this sort of harpies . the surprizes of prosperity do no less disturb the judgment then those of adversity : and as one who i●… in an instant snatcht up to some high tower , is s●… amazed to see himself there , that he has no ju●… mesure of the altitude , but thinks every thin●… farther below him then it is : so they that ascen●… to greatness by swift and rapid motions , hav●… their heads so turned that they are apt to over ▪ valu it ; and to look with contempt on those wh●… before perhaps they thought worth their envie●… and on a mind thus prepared , flattery may mak●… any impressions , it suborning even providence as a witness on its side , and inferring from the dignities obtained , the transcending merit of the obtainer . a piece of sophistry which the slightest observer may easily confute , all ages giving instances of those whose vices have preferred them , and by a strange chimistry have extracted honor out of infamous acts . yet to a mind possest with its own admiration , this shall pass for a demonstration : so trecherous a thing is pride , that it combines with all who design to cheat us : and indeed 't is not only an accessary , but the principal ; none being in danger by others flatteries , who are not first seduced by their own , 18. it will therefore be a point of wisdom for all persons of honor to encrease their caution with their fortune , and as they multiply their retinues without , so especially to inforce their guard within , that they become not slaves to their own greatness , fix not themselves in such a posture of state , as to become immovable to all the offices of humanity and civility ; nor think that their admission to greatness is upon the same terms on which the jews were wont to receive their proselites , that they must renounce all their former relations ; but to remember that they differ no more from others then as a counter set in the place of thousands or hundreds , does from one set in the place of tens or units . a little transposition may quite alter the case ; or however , when they are all taken off the score , they are then indiscriminatly tumbled together , and one has no precedence of another , either in place or valu . so undiscernible will be the difference between the greatest queen , and the meanest servant , when death , that great leveller , shall have mixt them ; there will be no inquisition in the grave who came embalmed , or perfumed thither . and , as a learned man says , the ulcers of lazarus will make as good dust as the paint of jezebel . 19. but i shall be thought to have out-run my subject , or instead of that amiable image of affability , and universal obligingness , the great ornament of life , introduce the grim figure of death , that sullen executioner , whom no gifts , no praiers can mollifie . yet i cannot yield it wholly impertinent ; for , as its final stroke cures all the infirmities of the body , so the foresight and contemplation of it is , as much a catholicon for all the maladies of the mind ; especially that of insolence and disdain . for sure they cannot much pride themselves in any exaltation , that remember they must finally fall into the dust : nor arrogantly despise others , who consider that themselves shall one day be insulted over by worms and insects . such mental descents into the vault or charnel-house , are the best disciplines for the demeanor in other places , according to the admonition of the wise man , remember thy end , and thou shalt never do amiss . sect . v. of piety . 1. lastly , to compleat and crown all other excellencies , nothing is so proper , so necessary as piety and devotion . this is the salt which seasons all sacrifices ; yea , the altar which sanctifies the gift , no good ( how splendid soever in the sight of men ) being acceptable to god , till it be thus consecrated , and have the seal of the sanctuary upon it . this is a vertu truly divine , as well in its original as its end ; for as it comes from heaven , ( is an afflation of the blessed spirit ) so it tends thither also , and thither raises its votaries . this is it which sublimates and spiritualizes humanity , defecates and refines it from all the dregs of morality ; and so wings our earthly lumpish nature , that we can soar aloft to the region of spirits , and by its raptures make som essay of that state of separation , even while we are linked to the body . this is it which combines us so with god , that we have the same interests , the same choices ; nay it does in a sort communicate and enterchange properties with him ; the all-powerful god seems impotent and unable to resist its influence , whilst it invests us feeble wretches in a kind of omnipotence , by engaging him for us who can do all things . 2. now this piety may be considered either in a larger , or more limited sense : in the former 't is as wide as the whole scheme of duty , not confined to any one act , but extended to all the commands of god. for as the animal spirit diffuses its self into all the most distant members of the body ; so this more vital principle has as universal an influence on the mind , stamps that with such an admiration and reverence of god , such a love and complacency in him , that every act is ( at least habitually ) design'd to obey and glorifie him . 3. in the more limited sense , piety is taken for our more immediate entercourse with god , in things purely divine , as adorations , praiers , aspirations , and all pantings and breathings of the soul after him ; and in this notion 't is more particularly called devotion . and this is comprehended it : the other , as a part in the whole ; nay indeed , as an effect in its cause ; for where piety has not first formed and modelled the soul , there can be no true devotion . external forms of it there may be , but that is but ceremony and pageantry , the most submissive prostrations are there but like that of dagon before the ark , the fall of a liveless trunk ; the most elevated eyes but a kind of convulsive motion ; and the most rigid mortifications , but like the cuttings and launcings of baal's priests . of this the very heathen had som notion , and therefore in their worships had many preparatory ceremonies of lustration , and purifying , as being conscious of the incongruity , that unholy persons should be admitted to sacred things . and accordingly socrates has excellently ( i had almost said evangelically ) defined , the best way of worshipping god , to be the doing what he commands . indeed without this , our devotion is meer stratagem and design : we invoke god as we use to cajole men , only to serve a present turn ; and of such disingenious addresses , 't is easie to read the event ; or , if we cannot , solomon will instruct us , prov. 15. 8. the praiers of the wicked are an abomination to the lord. 4. to treat of the several branches of piety in the first notion , is not agreeable to the intended brevity of this treatise ; nor necessary , because there are so many distinct tracts extant on that subject ; yet i shall the more closely to adapt it to my female readers , observe the propriety of it to women , not only as it is their greatest ornament and advantage , but especially as they have somwhat more of predisposition towards it in their native temper . god's laws , which are the rule of piety , have this common with mens , that they are inforced upon us by the proposalt both of punishments and rewards , by that means engaging two of our most sensible passions , fear and love ; and the female sex being eminent for the pungency of both these , they are consequently the better prepared for the impressions of religion . 5. this is so much acknowledged , that our masculine atheists make an ill use of it , and are willing to think that religion owes its force only to the impotence of the subject on which it works , that 't is only an imposition upon the easie credulity of women , and are content to allow them the inclosure of it ; wherein , tho they sufficiently shew their contemt of piety , yet they unawares give a greater honor to that sex then they intend , whilst they confess it more capable of an assimilation to the supreme goodness , and of the renewal of god's image ( for to that all piety is design'd ) then their own . and therefore women have so little reason to be ashamed , that they ought to glory in the concession , and gratefully to celebrate the goodness of god to them , who , as he brings light out of darkness , so converts their natural infirmities into a means of spiritual strength , makes the impotencies and defects of their nature subservient to the operation of grace ; and by consecrating their very passions , makes even those gibeonites serviceable to the tabernacle . but then 't is to be remembred , that the greater is their obligation to comply with this design of gods , to let their passions run in the channel he has cut for them ; so to confine their fear and love to spiritual objects , that they make no inordinate eruptions to any thing else , but in all their estimations of things dreadful or desirable , to give still the just deference to that which is eternal . 6. and , as women in general have this advantage towards piety , and obligation to it ; so particularly those of quality , who we may subpose to have generally a more early institution and instruction in it then those of a meaner rank : and besides , have afterwards more opportunities of being built up in the knowledg of their duty , and ( by the help of an ingenious education ) clearer apprehensions to discern it ; and when they do so , have greater obligations to perform it , both in respect of god , of others , and themselves . 7. in respect of god they have the greatest tie of gratitude , not only for the common mercies which they partake with the rest of mankind , but for those peculiar , by which they are differenced from others ; of which , if they want a just valu , let them ask themselves how willing they would be to part with them , how she that has fed delicatly , would like to be desolate in the street , or she that has bin brought up in scarlet , to embrace the dunghil , lam. 4. 5. and according to the aversion they find to such a change , let them estimate their present enjoiment , and the thankfulness it exacts . 8. secondly , in regard of others , their piety backt with their secular advantages , may be of a more extensive benefit ; they have many opportunities of doing good by their influence on others ; or if no way else , yet the splendor of their example , will by the eminency of their conditions shine ( as a light on som high tower ) more perspicuously , and guide many into the same path of vertu . and certainly 't is no small obligation that lies on them in this respect ; for god , who does nothing without an end worthy of his wisdom , can never be thought to have selected som persons as the objects of his bounty , meerly that they may swill and glut themselves with sensual plesures . no doubtless , he who is the great master of the universe , disposes all things for common benefit ; and therefore , if he have placed som in an higher orb then others , it is that they may have an auspicous influence on those below them ; and if they fail in this , they are no longer stars but comets , things of ominous and unlucky abode to all about them . i might enlarge on this subject , but having don it already in the gentlemans calling , i suppose it unnecessary , since that part is equally adapted to both sexes . 9. in the last place , they have all obligation to piety , in respect of themselves , and that in two considerations ; the first , of their present danger ; the second , of their final account . for their danger , 't is evident they do not more out-number their inferiors in any thing then in the opportunities , nay sollicitations to sin . weal●… and honor have many snares , and which is worse , do often dispose the mind to such an heedless security , that it takes no care to avoid them : and as in the body , the diseases of repletion are fa●… more numerous then those of emtiness , so th●… mind is oftner vitiated by affluence and prosperity , then by indigence and adversity . it becomes therefore those who are so surrounded with enemies to fortifie themselves : and that they can no way do , but by a sincere piety , that whole armor of god which the apostle describes , eph. 6. 13. by which alone they may repel all the darts of temtations ; nay not only ward the blow , but wrest the weapon out of satans hand , so that when he urges to them the opportunities , the impunity which their wealth and greatness gives them to be bad , they may retort his argument , & by a wholsomer inference collect thence their great obligation to be good , and that not only upon the score of gratitude ( tho that were enough to an ingenious soul ) but in the second place of interest also , in respect of that account they must finally give . for tho god be not an unjust exactor to reap where he has not sowed , yet he is not so negligently profuse , as to do that which no prudent man will do , scatter his goods promiscuously , without taking notice where they fall ; but as he dispences all things by particular providence , so he does it to a particular end , and will exact as particular an account how that end has bin complied with . 10. it is a smart exprobration of gods to israel , ezek , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19. that she had sacrilegiously emploied his silver and gold , his oil , his flower and hony which he had given her in the service of her idols , by which as we may see he takes notice how we dispose of our temporal possessions , so it shews us how the enditement will proceedagainst all thosewho so pervert their use : with what confusion must they appear at the great audit who can give no other account of their receits , but that they consumed them upon their lusts , wagedwar against god with his own tresure , and bin as well thieves as rebels ? what a luciferian fall will they have from their honors , who have endevored to undermine gods ? thought themselves too great to pay him homage , and by their prophane and vicious example , induced acontemt of him ? in short what a retaliation of inversions will there then be ? those that have turned gods grace into wantonness , converted his bounty into the fuel of their pride and luxury , shall then have their glory turn●…d into sham , their riots and excesses into the want of a drop of water , and shall retain nothing of their greatness , but the guilt , the grating remembrance of having abused those temporal blessings , which if well managed might have received them into everlasting habitations . how necessary then is it for all who have receiv'd so much upon account , to be often reflecting on it , examining what charges , the great owner has imposed upon so ample an income ? what god requires of them for whom he hath don so much ? and this is particularly the business of piety , which in all the forementioned respects , is as the usefullest , so the noblest accomplishment of greatness 11. and such it hath bin accounted till this prophane age of ours , which has removed all the boundaries of the former , reverst even the instincts of nature , and will not leave us so much of religion as had the very worst of heathens . for how erroneous soever their were in the choice of their deities , they alwaies honored and reverenc'd those they chose , committed most of their enormities in obedience not in affront to them : did not assign the votaries as jeroboam did his priests of the meanest of the people , but thought themselves dignified by their service , but esteemed it an infamy not to be pious . but alas now we adaies make other estimates , religion is so abject so contemtible a thing , as is thought fit to influence none that are great either in parts or quality : and therefore tho too many are willing to appropriate it to women , upon the first account , as the gospel is the foolishness of preaching , 1 cor. 1. 21. yet they make exceptions upon the latter , and are not willing to afford it any of the nobler proselits even of that sex. 12. i doubt not there are many lectures read to such , to fortifie them against all impressions of piety , to raise out the common notion of a god , & in order to that to depose his vicegerent within them , discard their conscience , that unmannerly inmate , which is still speaking what they have no mind to hear , and will be apt somtimes to question their grand principle , and tell them they have souls . and truly 't is no wonder if the abetters of athism take this course ; for since they have no solid foundation of truth or reason , 't is but necessary they support their party by autority ; the countenance and applause of great persons , & god knows they have too much succeeded in the design . but , in the mean time , what security do they give for the truth of their pretensions ? we know 't is still required of those that will practise upon other peoples concerns , that they put in caution to secure the owner from damage , but alas , what gage can they give for a soul ? who can contrive a form of indemnity where that is the thing hazarded ? 13. 't is easy indeed for one of these apostles of sathan , to tell a lady that she has nothing to do but to indulge to her plesure ; that 't is the extremest folly to be frighted from a present enjoiment , by a fear of i know not what future smart ; that god , and sin , and hell , are but names , certain mormos and bug-bears conjur'd up by divines , to work upon her fear , and abuse her crudelity . this , and much more of this kind may be said , and i doubt often is ; but all this while the question is begg'd , and a strong affirmation must pass for proof : for i defie all the doctors of atheism to make any demonstration of their tenet ; and yet , though they pretend to no demonstration themselves , religion must be condemned meerly for the want of it : that is for not making spiritual things liable to sense , for distinguishing between belief and science ; which is indeed for doing the most reasonable thing in the world , viz. the remitting every object to the trial of its proper faculty : and they who suspect it upon that account , may by the same kind of logic wrangle us out of all our senses , may perswade us we hear nothing because the eye discerns not sounds , that we tast not , because the ear understands not gusts and ●…apors , and so on to the rest . 14. and yet this is the bottom of those arguments which the great pretenders to reason make against religion , and in the mean time have so little ingenuity as to exclaim on the light credulity of fools and women , that embrace the dictates of faith , whilst the same instant they exact a more implicit assent to their negative articles , their no religion . a strange magisterial confidence so to impose on this age , what is so universally contradictory to all former , and to the common verdict ▪ of mankind . for 't is observable through all the successions of men , that there were never any society , any collective body of atheists ; a s●…gle one perhaps might here and there be found ( as we sometimes see monsters or mishapen births ) but for the generality they had alwaies such instincts of a d●…ety , that they never thought they ran far enough from atheism ; but rather choose to multiply their gods , to have too many then none at all : nay were apt to descend to the adoration of things below themselves , rather then to renounce the power above them . by which we may see that the notion of a god is the most indelible character of natural reason , and therefore whatever pretence our atheists make to ratioci●…ation and deep discourse , it is none of that primitive fundamental reason coetaneous with our humanity ; but is indeed a reason fit only for those who own themselves like the beasts that perish . 15. but admit we could be more bountiful to them , and allow their opinion an equal probability with our faith , yet even this could never justifie any body in point of prudence , that should adhere to them . common discretion teaches us that where two propositionshave an equal appearance of truth , there is no rational inducement to prefer one before the other , till we have examined the consequences , and find somthing in the one which may over-poise and outweigh the contrary . now in all things that concern practice , there are no motives so considerable , either to invite or avert , as advantage or danger . 16. let us apply this to the present case , and examine the pretensions of the atheist and the christian in both respects . but first we are to remember , that both advantage and danger are to be viewed under a double notion , either as present or as future . the former is the atheists most proper subject , and indeed all he can pertinently speak to , who professes himself only a man of this world . here he wil tell us that the disbelief of god and another life , is the great enfranchiser of mankind , sets us at liberty from that thraldom , those bonds wherewith our superstitious fears had fetter'd us , that it supersedes all those nice and perplexing inquiries of lawful and unlawful , and reduces all our inquisitions only to this one , how we shall most please our selves . the glutton need not put a knife to his throat , but is only to put an edge upon his palate . the drunkard need not refrain his cups , but only take care that the be filled with the most delicious liquor . the wa●…on need not pull out his eye , but only cont●…ve to possess what that temts him to desire●… and in a word none of our appetites need ●…e restrain'd , but satisfied . and this uncontrol●… licentiousness , this brutish liberty , is that su●…mum bonum , that supreme happiness which they propose to themselves , and to which they invite others . 17. on the other side the christian is not without his claim to a present advantage , tho of a far differing n●…ture : he is not so preposterous as to think it a preferment to sink below his kind ; to aspire to an assimilation with meer animals , which is the utmost the former amounts to , but he proposes to himself the satisfaction of a man●… ; those delights which may entertain his reason not his sense ; which consist in the rectitude of a well inform'd mind . his religion is the perfectest scheme of morality , and makes him a philosopher without the help of the schools , it teaches him the art of subduing his appetites , calming his passions , and in a word makes him lord of himself ; and by that gives him all the plesures which result from such a soveraignty , nor is he totally void even of the plesures of sense , which in many instances are greater to him then to those that most court them . temperance cooks his coursest diet to a greater gust , then all their studied mixtures ; chastity makes one lawful embrace more grateful to him , then all the nauseating variety of their unbounded lusts ; and contentment swells 〈◊〉 mite into a talent , makes him richer then the ind●… would do if he desired beyond them . nor is it a ●…ntemtible benefit that his moderation gives him 〈◊〉 immunity from those sensitive pains which oft bring up the rear of inordinate sensual plesures . so that his condition even set in the worst light in that very particular wherein the atheist most triumphs over him , is not so deplorable as 't is represented . 18. but if it were , he has plesures that would infinitly overwhelm that smart , and that not only in his reason ( as hath bin said before ) but in his more sublime diviner part , such irradiations from above , such antepasts of his future bliss , such acquiescence in a calm & serene conscience , as isvery cheaply bought with all he can suffer here . i know the profane laugh at these things as chimera's and the illusions of a prepossessed fancy ( & truly if they were so , they mightyetcome in balance with many of their plesures which are as much owing to opinion and imagination : ) but if we consider what supports they have given under the heaviest pressures , how they enabled the primitive martyrs , not only to suffer , but even to court all that is formidable to humane nature , we cannot think that a meer phantastic imaginary joy could deceive the sense of such real , such acute torments . and tho in this great declination of zeal , there be perhaps few that can pretend to those higher degrees of spiritual raptures , yet certainly were the votes of all devout persons collected , they would all concur in this testimony , that even in the common offices of piety , the ordinary discharge of a good conscience , there is an infinitly greater complacence , a higher gust and relish then in all the plesures of sense . but of this the most irrefragable witnesses are those who from great voluptuaries have turned devotes , and i dare appeal to their experience , whether of the two states is the most plesant . i wish those who will not believe this on others words , would themselves make the trial , and till they do so they are notoriously unjust to pronounce that a fiction , of whose reality they refuse to make proof . 19. by what hath bin said , some estimate may be made which bids fairest ) the atheist or christian ) as to present temporal felicity : but alas what an allay , what a damp is it to felicity to say 't is themporal , yet we may give it a term below that , and say 't is momentary . for since our life is so , nothing that depends on that can be otherwise , and yet in this shallow bottom the irreligious embark their all . for , as to all future advantage , 't is their principle to disclaim it , they discer●… no reward for blameless souls , wisd. 2. 22. so that in this particular the christian does not compare with , but triumph over them . he knows that if his earthly house of this tabernacle be dissolved , he hath a building of god ; an house not made with hands , eternal in the heavens , 2 cor. 5. 1. that when he parts with his life , he does not resign his happiness , but shall receive it infinitly improved both in degree and duration . and now certainly 't is visible enough which opinion proposes the fairer hopes , and consequently which ( supposing but an equal probability of truth ) is the most inviting . 20. but som spirits there are so ignoble , that the most glorious prize cannot animate them ; that like a swine , the muscles of whose eies , they say , permit him not to look upwards , is not concerned in all the felicities above , but would at a venture resign his share in those , so he may securely enjoy his husk and draff . but yet even these who are uncapable of the more generous resentments , may be apt enough to the more servile ; and danger may fright , tho glory cannot allure them . it concerns such therefore to compare the mischiefs which each opinion threatens to their opposits , and from thence make an estimate which is safest to be chosen . and here let the atheist himself cast up the account of the dangers consequent to christianity , and it can all amount but to this , the deprivation ( or rather moderation ) of som present sensual plesures , or the incurring of som present sensitive pains ; the former in the daily exercise of temperance , and mortification ; the latter , ( more rarely and ostner in purpose then act ) the suffering for righteousness sake . and both these the christian ballances , nay out-weighs by two more important present hazards on the other side . to the former , he opposes the danger of being enslaved to the brutish part of a mans self , a thing so deplorable even in the judgment of humanity , that all writers of ethics have uniformly declared no servility to be so sordid and intolerable as that of the vicious man to his passions and lusts. to the latter , he confronts the mischief of being a slave to every man else ; for such he certainly is , whom the fear of suffering can baff●…e outof any thing he thinks just and honest . for if all the men in the world could successively have the power to afflict him , they wouldalso have to command and rule him ; and what can be more abject , more below the dignity of human nature , then to have a spirit alwaies prepared for such a servitude ? besides , even the utmost sufferings which christianity can at any time require , is outvied daily by the effects of luxury and rage ; and for one that has opportunity to be a martyr for his god thousands become so to their vices . 21. if from the present we look forward to futuredangers , the atheist must here be perfectly silent ; he cannot say that the christian after this life shall be in any worse estate then himself , since he concludes they shall both be the same nothing . but the christian threatens him with a more dismal state , he allows him indeed a being , yea an eternal one ; but it is only such as qualifies him for a misery as eternal ; the worm that never dies , the fire unquenchable , where all the excesses of his short plesures shall be revenged with more excessive , endless torments : his senses which were here the only organs of his felicity , shall then be ( tho not the only ) the very sensible mediums of his wretchedness ; and that conscience which he here suspended from its office , shall then take our its arrears , and return all it s stifled admonitions in perpetual horrors , and desperate upbraidings . i need not now sure ask on which side the greater danger lies . 22. to conclude , the result of all is , that the transitory plesures of the atheist are over-poised even by the present satisfactions of the pious and the eternity of unbounded , unconceivable joies he expects hereafter , comes in ex abundanti , having nothing on the other side that offers at a competition with it . and at the very same rate of proportion we have seen the dangers also are so , that we can easily compute the utmost mischief our christianity can do us , if it should be false ; but the damage of the other is inestimable , both for the penalty of loss , and sense . i may now appeal to common prudence to judg of the vast inequality , and to pronounce , that sure there had need be som great evidence of truth on the atheists side , to preponderate all these disadvantages . indeed , nothing much below a demonstration can justify the choice of so dangerous principles ; i am sure an equal probability can never do it , where the danger is so unequal ; and were the veriest atheist consulted in a secular case of the like circumstances , he would certainly pronounce him a mad man that should make such an election . how desperate a phrensy then is it to do it , without so much as that equal probability : nay indeed , without any probability at all ? and yet this madness sets up for the monopoly not of wit only , but reason too ; and by confidence and clamor , seeks to run down those arguments it can never confute . 23. i may be thought here to have made too long a d●…gression from my proper subject , but i cannot confess it so ; for since my present business is to recommend piety , i can no way do that so effectually as by shewing its consonancy to right reason , especially considering the busie industry is now used to represent it under another form , and to alienate from it those persons whose greatness may give it any luster or repute in the world ; of which sort i suppose there are few more frequently attaqued then women of quality , that converse among those who call themselves the wits of the age ; who living in so infectious an air , had need of som antidotes about them ; and if what i have now offered , appear not forcible enough , ( for it pretends not to the tith of what may be said on the subject ) yet it may at least do them this service , to put them in mind of what they need , and send them to the fuller dispensatories of others . 24. and that is the thing . i should earnestly beg of them , that they would be so just to their own interest , as not to combine with seducers against themselves ; but if they have bin so unhappy as to lend one ear to them , yet at least not to give up both to be forced in a slavish submission to their dictates , but hear what may be said on the other side . and sure 't is but a low composition for god thus to divide with sathan , yet 't is that of which his emissaries are so jealous that 't is one of their grand maxims , that none who professes divinity is to be advised with ; and therefore by all arts they are to be rendred either ridiculous , or suspected ; to which methinks may by applied that fable ( which demosthenes once recited to the athenians , when alexander demanded of them to deliver up their orators ) of the wolves and the sheep , who coming to a treaty , the first article of the wolves was , that the sheep should give up their mastives which guarded them : the resemblance is too obvious to need a minute application . 25. but this is manifestly to reverse all former rules , and to trust a man rather in any faculty then his own , and would never have prevailed in any thing but where the soul is concern'd , that poor despicable thing whereon alone we think fit to make experiments . 't is sure , that if any should dispute their title to an earthly possession , they would not so tamely resign it , nor would trust their own selves in its defence , but would consult their ablest lawyers , and , by them , sift out every circumstance that might establish their claim . why should they then suffer themselves to be talk'd out of an heavenly inheritance , without so much as once proposing their doubts to those whose study and profession it is to resolve them ? but as in all other ills , so in this , prevention is better than cure ; and therefore to those that are yet untainted , the securest course will be to stop both ears against all profane insinuations . and to use those who temt them to be disloial to their god , that spiritual adultery , as they should do those who solicit them to the carnal , not so much as to enter parly , but with the greatest indignation detest and reject them . 't is the saying of the wise man , prov. 25. 23. that an angry countenance driveth away a back-biting tongue . and certainly , would great persons look severely on such defamers of religion , they would give som check to that impudence of profaneness which has given it such a vogue in the world. 26. and sure this is much their duty to do , if they own any relation to that god who is so dishonored . they would think it a very disingenious thing to sit by to hear a friend or benefactor reviled , and express no displesure ; and is god so friendless among them , that only his traducers and blasphemers can be patiently heard ? among the jews , at the hearing of any blasphemy , they rent their clothes ; but i fear we have som of our nice dames that would be much more concern'd at a rip in their garment , then at the rending and violating gods sacred name ; and could more patiently behold the total subversion of religion , then the disorder or misplacing of a lock or riband . but 't is to be hoped there are not many so impious , and those that are not , will surely think themselves obliged with all their power , to discountenance all the fautors of irreligion , whether they be the solemn sedater sort that would argue , or the jollier that would rallery them out of their faith. 27. but when they have thus provided against the assaults of others , and secured the speculative part of religion , they have only established a judicatory against themselves , stored up matter of conviction and accusation , if they answer it not in the practic . i must therefore after this long excursion , return to my first point , and beseech them seriously to weigh the obligations they have to piety in the general notion of it , as it comprehends all the duties of a christian life , of which as i intend not to speak particularly ; so i know not where to find a better summary , then that which s. james has drawn up , chap. 1. vers . 27. pure religion and undefiled before god even the father is this , to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction , and to keep himself unspotted from the world . 28. but besides this general , there is ( as i said before ) another more restrained notion of piety , as it relates to our more immediat entercourse with god in divine ordinances and worship , in which respect it commonly passes under the name of devotion , and thus consider'd it has a great propriety to the female sex. for devotion is a tender plant , that will scarce root in stiff or rocky ground , but requires a supple gentle soil , and therefore the feminine softness and pliableness is very apt and proper for it . and accordingly there have bin very eminent growths of it in that sex. i need not he●…p up examples of former ages , but rather perswade this to leave som at least to the following ; and the more considerable the persons are the more conspicuous will be the example , which seems themore toadapt it to those i now speak to . devotion in a cloister is as recluse as the votary , a light rather under a 〈◊〉 then on a candlestick : and in an obscure cottage 't is either not observed , or else thought to be but the effect of destitution and secular wants a reserve rather then a choice : but when those who are in the ei●… of the world , the most eminent actors on the theater of human life , shall chuse the part of a saint , when those who want none of the divertisments or blandishments of earth , shall have their conversation in heaven , this recommends it to the spectators , as the true and greatest object of human choice ; since 't is chosen by those who know the utmost pretence of all its competitors . 29. nor is devotion only more excellent in them in regard of its effects , but 't is also more necessary in respect of their obligation . devotion is an abstraction from the world , and therefore cannot in any eminent degrees , be practised by those whose necessities or business do much entangle them in it . so that from such , a far less proportion will be accepted , then from those whose plenty and ease give them no other want but that of emploiment . and certainly if there be any of whom that can truly be said ; women of quality are the persons : for they in this respect exceed even men of the like rank , for the men are often engaged in public emploiments , and must l●…nd most of their time to the use of others ; or however all have the care of their own privat affairs , the managery of their fortunes to employ them . but of women the utmost that is ordinarily required , is but a little easie inspection within their own walls , the oversight of a few children , and servants , and even from this how many are by their condition of life exemted ? and how many more do by their niceness and delicacy exemt themselves ? and surely so perfect a vacancy is neither happy nor safe . and therefore god who projects we should be both , never design'd it for any of mankind : but where he gives so much liberty from secular , he expects a greater diligence in spiritual emploiments . 30. and indeed 't is an amazing thing to see , that any into whom he has breathed the breath of life , on whom he has stamped the image of his own eternity , can think those immortal souls were given them only to serve the mean and abject uses of their corruptible bodies , ( for which the soul of the dullest animal would have don as well ; ) that eating and drinking , sleep and recreations , which are only useful to the supporting us in this world , are the only things for which we were sent hither . and yet if we may mesure their opinions by their practice , this seems to be the perswasion of many of our female gentry , who look upon it as a degrading , a kind of attainder of their blood , to do any thing but please their senses . an error sure of the most pernicious consequence imaginable . we know a lady of plesure is in one sense a very scandalous epithet , and truly 't is no very laudable one in the other , nay which is worse , they are often coincident , and fall in with each other . she whose sole universal aim is plesure , will not think her self much out of her road , in the pursuit of any particular . and she that thinks she lives for no other purpose , will so often be at a loss for innocent plesure , that she is almost under a necessity to call in the nocent , to serve the very end ( as she supposes ) of her being . aut indeed were they sure to confine themselves to such as are harmless in their kind , yet the excess of them renders them sinful , and the doting pursuit denominates them lovers of plesures more then lovers of god , a character so black that the apostle compleats his catalogue of the worst vice ; of the worst times with it , 1 tim. 3. 4. 31. it is therefore the great goodness of god to design a rescu for those whose condition exposes them to that danger , and by exacting a liberal expence of time in their devotion , divert them from lavishing both it and their souls together . neither does he by this defeat their aim of a plesant life , but rather assist it : for whereas sensual delights are vagrant , and must be chased through a hundred turnings and wild mazes , the spiritual are fixt , and one may alwaies know where to find them . how often are the voluptuous in pain to know which plesure to choose ? like a surfeited stomac the greater variety is set before it , the more it nauseats all . what difficulties hath a lady many times to resolve whether an afternoon shall be spen at the court , or at the theater ; whether in dancing or at cards , in giving or receiving visi●…s , as not knowing which will best please her ? but she that knows the delights of devotion , knows withall that there is no other fit to come in competition with it ; and so is not distracted in her choice , nor need go farther then her closet for the most agreable entertainment . i know this will sound a little incredible to those that know no other use of closets then as a conservatory of gauds and baubles ; that aspire to no plesure there above that of children , the playing with the pictures and popets that adorn it . nor indeed do i pretend that such shall find those satisfactions i speak of . those whose errand is to beelzebub the god of flyes , must not expect to be treated by the god of israel . an ingenious man will scorn to obtrude himself on those who desire not his company , and sure god will not make himself more cheap . those that will meet him in their closets , must come with that design , resort thither as to an oratory ; nay more then so , they must come frequently . spiritual joies know not the way to a place where they are not often invited : and as men seek for each other not in places where they seldom or never come , but where they daily frequent ; so god contrives , not to meet us in that place where we appear rarely and accidentally , but where we usually resort . 32. i shall not need to branch out devotion into the several parts , that being don already in a multitude of other treatises , of which if they please to consult any one , they cannot want a directory for their worship , whether privat or public . only let me observe the order and connexion of those two , that they are neither to be sever'd , nor yet to be ranged preposterously . the privat must not justle out the public , for god expects his solemn homage : and their hudling it up in privat , as it may give men ground to suspect they pay none at all ; so neither god nor man can collect any thing better from it , then that they are ashamed of the deity they pretend to serve . on the other side the public must as little swallow up the privat , and where it does , there may be ajust doubt of its sincerity , many attractives there may be to church besides that of piety , and indeed where that is really the motive , it teaches so much reverence to that awful presence they are to approch , as not to come without some preparation . what solicitude , what critical niceness will a lady have for her dress , when she is to appear at a solemn meeting at court , and shall she take no care how sordidly , how undecently she appear when the king of kings gives audience ? shall many hours , days , nay perhaps weeks , be taken up in contriving for the one , and shall there never be a minute allotted for the other ? this were sure very unequal , and yet this is the case where the devotion of the closet does not prepare for that of the church . if the mind be not tuned first there , it will be very ill qualified for that harmony of souls , which is the only thing god regards in our public offices . so that were there no other use of privat devotion , but as it relates to the public , that were enough to speak the necessity of it . 33 , but indeed 't is not only a needful preparative to that sacred commerce , but to our civil . the world is but a larger sort of pesthouse , in every corner of it we meet with infectious airs , and those that converse in it had need of this antidote . how many temtations does every place , every hour , every interview , present to the shocking even of that moral integrity which a sober heathen would judg fit to preserve ; much more of that strict piety our christianity exacts . 34. 't was the observation that origen made of himself , that the day in which he so shamefully fell by sacrificing to idols , he had ventured out in the morning before he had compleated his usual praiers ; the devil finding him so unarmed took advantage to assault him , as knowing he had then but a single impotent man to wrastle with , who had forfeited , by not invoking , the protection of god. and indeed since praier is the most powerfull exorcism to eject him , we may well conclude the omission of it is a likely means to invite him : for if god have not the prepossession , if we do not by hearty praier surrender our souls to him in the morning , they are then all the day after like that emty house mention'd in the gospel , a fit receptacle for as many evil spirits as please to inhabit there . nor are these spiritual the only dangers that attend us , we are liable to a multitude of secular ones also : our persons , our fortunes , our reputations , every thing wherein we can receive a benefit , renders us equally capable of a prejudice . what multitudes of accidents are there to which we lie open , and nothing to guard us from them but the divine providence ? which if we neglect to solicit we are sure very unworthy of its defence . and this is a consideration that methinks should bring even the most sensual persons upon their knees : for tho too many may be found that despise the former danger , and can contentedly enough expose their souls , yet such are usually the most tender of their temporal concerns it being commonly the excessive love of those which makes them neglect the other . she that fears not the fall into sin , will yet fear the tumbling into a precipice , and tho she care not for the spotting of her innocence , would be very loth any accident should blemish her face , disparage her fame , or impoverish her fortune , and yet from any or all of these she is utterly unable to guard her self . so that if piety will not , yet interest me thinks should render her an homager to that omnipotent power , from whence alone she can derive her safety . 35. and now methinks a duty that is thus bound on with the cords of a man , with human as well as divine perswasives , should not easily be shaken off . i wish i could say it never is , but i fear there are some of those i now speak to , who neglect it in spight of all these inducements ; who tho they can pretend nothing serious enough to own the name of business , do yet suffer a succession of i know not what impertinencies to divert them . and indeed were the expence of some ladies daies calculated , we should find every hour so full of emtiness , so overladen with vanities that 't is scarce imaginable where an office of devotion should croud in . 36. the morning is divided between sleep and dressing , nor would the morning suffice , but that they are fain to make a new computation to mesure it not by the sun , but by their time of dining , which is often as late as the stationary hours of the primitive fasts , tho upon a far differing motive . the afternoons being by this means reduced , are too short for those many divertisements that await them , and must therefore borrow as much of the night as they lent to the morning . and when the meer fatigues of plesure send a lady to her rest , 't is not imaginable that she will permit devotion to induce a yet greater , and more disagreeable lassitude ; so that the whole round of her time seems to be a kind of magic circle , wherein nothing that is holy must appear . and indeed 't is none of the highest stratagems of sathan thus to forestal their time ; and by a perpetual supply of diversions , insensibly steal from them the opportunities of divine offices ; an artifice by which i presume he prevails on som , who would startle at his grosser and more apparent temtations . 37. nor needs he more then the success of this project ; for if this habitual neglect of piety should not finally end in great and criminal commissions , ( as 't is naturally very apt to do ) yet his interest is sufficiently secured by such a customary omission , which amounts to no less then the living without god in the world : a state so hopeless , that when the apostle recollects to the ephesians the wretchedness of their gentile state , he does it in those very words , eph. 2. 12. and sure , those that live so under christianity , are not in a better , but worse condition , by how much contemt of god is more unpardonable then ignorance . 38. it therefore infinitly concerns those who are in danger of so fatal a snare , to look about them , and endevor to countermine sathan , and be as industrious to secure their duty , as he is to supplant it ; and to this purpose , one of the usefullest expedients i know , is to be aforehand with him ; i mean , to make their devotions the first business of the day ; by which i intend not only those ejaculations wherewith we all should open our eyes , but their more set and solemn praiers ; a practice so highly expedient to the persons forementioned , that it falls little short of necessary ; and that upon several reasons . 39. first , in relation to one of the great ends of morning praier , which is to supplicate the guidance and protection of god for the whole day . now if this be not don till som ladies dressings be finished , 't will be half a mockery , a most preposterous request , as to the greatest part of the day , which will be past before ; and besides absurdity , there is danger in it ; for all the preceding time is as it were outlawed by it , put from under the divine protection . alas , are god's safeguards to be only meridional , to shine out only with the noon-day sun ; do they suppose satan keeps their hours , and stirs ●…ot abroad till the afternoon , that there is no danger either of corporal or spiritual mischiefs before that time of the day ? certainly , if the noise of the harp and the viol which isa. mentions , chap. 5. 12. do not drown it , they may often hear a morning as well as evening passing-bell ; with how many others does the glass of life run out , whilst they are at their looking-glasses ? how many bodies are maimed and wounded in the time they are trimming and decking theirs ? and who made them differ from others , 1 cor. 4. 7 ? or what tenure have they in the safety of one moment , save what they owe to god's providence ? and what rational expectation can they have of that , when they do not invoke it ? 40. nor are the spiritual dangers less , but rather much more ; & they must be very slight observers of themselves , if they do not discern that snares may be laid for them in their recesses in their chambers , as well as in places of the most public resort . indeed , were there no other than what relates to their dress , and curiosity thereof , it were enough to evidence their danger ; scarce any part of that but carrying a temtation in it : to pride , ifit hit right , and please their fancy , to ▪ anger and vexation , if it do not . they had need therefore to put on their armor before their ornaments , by a prepossession of praier and meditation to secure their vitals , lest by an internal death of grace , their bodies ( in their utmost luster ) prove but the painted sepulchers of their souls . 41. in the second place , this appears requisit in opposition to the indecency and incongruity of the contrary . how inverted an estimate do they make of things that postpone the interests of their souls , to themeanest member of their bodies , pay●… supererrogating attendance to the one , before the other comes at all into their care . but what is yet worse , how vile a contumely is offered to the majesty of god , who is used as they do their dunning creditors , posted off with an excuse of no lesure yet to speak with him ; whilst in the mean time all the factors for their vanitycan have ready access , and full audience . god must attend till their tailor , their shoomaker please to dismiss them , and at the best , can be allowed only to bring up the rear of a whole shole of artificers . 42. but thirdly , 't is very doubtful whether he shall obtain so much from them ; for it may often happen that he shall be quite precluded : so numerous are the parts of a modish equipage , and so exact a symmetry is required in the whole , that 't is the business of many hours to compleat it ; when as 't was said of the roman ladies , a counsel must be called about the placing of an hair that sits irregularly , when one thing after another shall be tried , and again rejected , as not exact , or not becoming ; time all the while insensibly steals away , and tho that will not stay for them , yet dinner doth , and then their bellies begin to murmur to pay any longer attendance on their backs , and claim the next turn ; and between these two competitors , 't is odds devotion will be quite excluded , or reduced only to a grace before meat : ( and well if that , considering how unfashionable even that is grown ) in the mean time what a wretched improvidence is it , to reduce the one necessary business of the day to such uncertainties , nay almost to a certain disappointment . 43. yet suppose this hazard were only imaginary , and a lady were infallibly sure not to lose the time for her praiers ; yet in the fourth place , she will be likely by such preceding diversions to lose much of her zeal in them , so that if they be said at all , they will scarce be said in a due manner . there ●…s alas such a repugnancy in our nature to any thing spiritual , that we cannot close in an instant ; but as a benummed , frozen body will need som rubbing and chafing before it can be fit for motion ; so our more frozen souls require som previons incitations before they can with any vigor exert themselves in devotion . now sure the dressing time ( i mean such a dressing as we now suppose ) is not very proper for such preparations . 't is ; on the contrary , extreme apt to indispose and unfit them ; for when the fancy is possest with so many little images of vanity , they will not easily be ejected . that ranging faculty is , god knows , too apt to bring in even the remotest diversions ; but when it has such a stock ready at hand , how will it pour them in upon the mind , to the great allaying , if not utter extinguishing of devotion . 44. when all these considerations are put together , 't will sure appear wholsom counsel , that such persons should not trust so important a duty to so many casualties , but in the first place secure a time for that , repair to their oratory before their dressing room , and by an early consecration of themselmes to god , defeat sathan's claim , and discourage his attemts for the rest of the day . we know there is a natural efficacy in a good beginning , towards the producing a good ending : but in spiritual things the influence is yet greater , because it draws in auxiliaries from above , and engages the yet farther assistances of grace . upon which account i am apt to believe , that where this duty is sincerely and fervently performed in the morning , it will not totolly be neglected in the succeeding parts of the day . 't will be easy to discern the same obligation , the same advantage of closing the day with god , that there was to begin it ; and when those two boundaries are secured , when those are lookt upon as strict duty , and constantly observed , 't is not unlikely but their piety may grow generous , and with david , ps. 55. 17. add to the evening and morning a noon-day office ; for where devotion is real , 't is apt to be progressive ; and the more we converse with god , the more we shall desire to do so . thus we see how this little cloud like that of elijah , 1 king. 18. 44. may over-spread the heavens , and this handful of first-fruits may hallow the whole day . 45. nay indeed , when it has advanced thus far , 't will probably go farther , 't will not keep it self only on the defensive part , but invade its opposits , get daily ground of those vanities by which it was before opprest . for when a lady has in her closet washt her cheeks ▪ with penitential tears , she cannot sure when she comes out think them prepared for the varnish of the paint and fucus . when she has attentively examined her conscience , that impartial mirror , and there discern'd all the blemishes of her nobler part , she will sure with somwhat a more cold concern consult her looking-glass . and when she has bin pious vows and resolutions put on the lord jesus christ , rom. 13. 14. 't will be impossible for her to be very anxiously careful about her garments . this devout temper of her mind will by a holy leger-demain shu●…fle the romances out of her hand and substitute the oracles of truth ; will not let her dream away her time in phantastic scenes , and elaborate nothing , but promt her to give all diligence to make her calling and election sure . in a word , when she once understands what it is to spend one hour devoutly , she will endeavor to rescue all the rest from trifles , and impertinent entertainments ; and employ them to purposes more worthy the great end of her being . thus may she almost insensibly wind her self out of the snare , disintangle her self from those temtations wherewith she was enwrapt ; and by having her heart so set at liberty , may run the waies of god's commandments , ps. 119. 46. but privat devotion , tho of excellent effect , cannot commute for the omission of public , nor indeed can it long maintain its vigor , unless somtimes cherished by the warmth of christian assemblies ; and if god please to visit them in their closets , they are ( even by their own laws of civility ) obliged to return his visits , and attend him in his house , i fear too many adapt the instance in the formality too , and come as unconcernedly to him as they do to one another . 't is true , those that pay him a cordial reverence at home , will certainly do it at the church ; and therefore by the little we see performed by som there , we may doubt god sees as little in their retirements . but what speak i of an hearty reverence , when 't is visible that there are those who pay none at all ? how rare a sight is it for som ladies to appear at church ? how many times ( i had almost said hundreds ) do we see their coaches stand at the play-house , for once at god's ? they seem to own no distinction of daies , unless it be , that sunday is their most vacant season to take physic , or to lie a-bed ; and if such do ever come to church ; devotion is like to be the least part of their errand ; some new garment perhaps or dress is to be shew'd , and that thought the place where the most critical judges of those things will be most at lesure to observe them ; or if they come not to teach new fashions , it may be they come to learn ; and such documents will be surer to be put in practice then any in the sermon . possibly they expect to see some friend or acquaintance there , and as if christ were to be served ( as he was born ) in an inn , make his house the common rendezvous in which to meet their associates . if they have any more ingenious attractives , 't is commonly that of curiosity , to hear some new celebrated preacher , and that rather for his rhetoric then his divinity ; and this motive ( tho the best of the set ) is but like that which prevail'd with those jews st. john mentions , who came to jesus that they might see lazarus , jo. 12. 47. i shall not rank among these motives , that of hipocrisie and seeming holiness ; for from that all the rest do acquit them . indeed 't is the only sin which this age has seemed to reform , and that too only by way of antiperistasis , not by the vertu but the iniquity of the times . religion is grown so unfashionable , so contemtible ; that none can now be temted to put on so ridiculous a disguise . and altho as to single persons i confess hypocrisie one of the deepest guilts , such as has a peculiar portion assign'd it by christ in the place of torment , mat. 24. 51. yet as to communities , i cannot but think it better to have a face of religion then profaneness . the example of the former may work beyond it self , and the form of godliness in some may produce the power of it in others ; but a pattern of profaneness , the farther it operates the worse , and all the progress it can make , is from one wickedness to another , so that i fear as st. bernard wisht for his feaver again , so the church may ere long for her hypocrites . 48. but to recal my self from this digression , let us a little enquire how those whom the foremention'd motives bring to church behave themselves there , and that is indeed with great conformity to the ends of their coming , their errand is not to be suppliants , neither do they put themselves in the posture , kneeling is impertinent for them who mean not to pray , but as the apostle describes the idolatrous service of the israelites , they sate down to eat and drink and rose up to play ; so these sit down to talk and laugh with their pew-fellows , and rise up to gape and look about them . when they should be confessing their sins to almighty god , they are apologizing ( perhaps ) to one another for the omission of a ceremonious visit , or some other breach of civility ; when they should be observing the goings of god in the sanctuary , psa. 68. they are inquiring when this lady came to town , or when that goes out ; nay perhaps the theater is brought into the temple , the last play they saw is recollected , and quotations enough brought thence to vie with the preacher . 't is impossible to reckon up all their topics of discourse , nay it were indeed scandalous for one that reproves them to pretend to know , by how many impertinencies ( to say no worse ) they profane that holy place and time. 49. but that all seeing eye in whose presence they are , keeps an exact account , and will charge them not only with the principal but the product ; not only with their own irreverences , but with those which by their example or incouragement they have occasion'd in others , nay farther even with that scandal which redounds to christianity by it . for when one that is to chuse a religion , shall read the precepts of pythagoras enjoining that the gods must not be worshipt in passing by , as it were accidentally , but with the greatest solemnity and intention , when they shall consider the care of numa in instituting officers , who at sacrifices , and all divine services , should call upon the people to keep silence and advert to devotion , or but the practice of the present mahometans , who permit none to sit in their moschos , nor to pray without prostration . when i say this is considered , and compar'd with the scandalous indecency observable in our churches , he will certainly exclude christianity from all competition in his choice ; not allow that the name of a religion , whose very worship appears so profane , and whose votaries mock the god they pretend to serve . 50. yet how severe soever the charge may lie against some , i am far from including all under it . i know there are many ladies whose examples are reproches to the other sex , that help to fill our congregations when gentlemen desert them , & to who somtimes we alone own that our churches are not furnished like the feast in the parable , luke 14. 21. meerly out of the high waies and hedges , with the poor and the maimed , the halt and the blind ; yet som even of these may be liable to some irregularity , which may be the effects of inadvertence or misperswasion , tho not of contemt or profaneness . 51. and first 't is observable in some who com constantly , that yet they come not early , so that a considerable part of praiers is past ere they enter the church . this first causes some disturbance to others , the successive entry of new comers keeping the congregation in a continual motion and agitation , which how unagreable it is to devotion , numa a heathen prince may teach us , who plutarch tells us took a particular care , that in the time of divine worship , no knocking , clapping , or other noise should be heard ; as well knowing how much the operations of the intellect are obstructed by any thing that importunes the senses . what would he have said , should he come into one of our city congregations , where often during the whole time of praier , the clapping of pew-doors does out-noise the reader . 52. but besides the indecency of the thing , and the interruption it gives to others , 't is very injurious to themselves ; a kind of partial excommunication of their own inflicting ; which excludes them from part of the divine offices , and from that part too , which is of the most universal concern , i mean the confession of sins , which the wisdom of our church has fitly placed in the beginning of her service , as the necessary introduction to all the rest . for considering how obnoxious we all are to the wrath and vengeance of god , our first business is to deprecate that by an humble confession of our guilt . would any malefactor that had forfeited his life to justice , come boldly to his prince , and without taking notice of his crimes , importune him to bestow the greatest favors & dignities upon him ? yet 't is the very same abrupt impudence in us , to supplicate the divine majesty before we attemt to atone him , to ask good things from him before we have acknowledged the ill we have doe against him . and to such god may justly make such a return as augustus did to one that entertained him much below his greatness , i knew not before that we were such familiars . 53. it will much better become them to anticipate the time , to wait at the posts of his doors , pro. 8. and contrive to be there before the service begins , that so by previous recollection they may put their minds in a fit posture of address at the public audience : which ( by the way ) speaks it to be no very laudable custom which almost universally prevails , that those few who do come early , spend the interval before service , in talking with one another , by which they do not only lose the advantage of that time for preparation , but convert it into the direct contrary , do thereby actually unfit and indispose themselves . godknows our hearts even in their most composed temper , are too apt to create diversions ; we need not start game for them to chase , and by prefacing our praier with secular discourse , make a gap for the same thoughts to return upon us in them . besides in relation to the place , it has a spice of profaneness , 't is the bringing the moabite and ammonite into the temple , deut. 23. 3. a kind of invasion on gods propriety , by introducing our worldly concerns or divertisments into the house which is called by his name , solemnly dedicated to him , and therefore dedicated that it might be his peculiar . so that with a little variation , we may to such apply the expostulatory reproof of the apostle to the corinthians , 1 cor. 11. 22. what , have ye not houses to talk and converse●… in , or despise ye the church of god ? but this is 〈◊〉 confess a reproof that will not reach to many , there being so few of the better sort that come early enough to talk before service , and as for those who talk at it , we have already rankt them under another classis . yet give me leave to add that those fall not much short of that degree of profaneness , who come late only because they are loth to rise , or to abate any thing of the curiosity of their dress . for she that prefers her sloth or her vanity before gods service , is like ( how decently soever she behave her self ) to give but an unsignificant attendance at it . 54. but i guess this may in many proceed from another cause , which tho less ill in their intention , is not so in respect either of its unreasonableness or its effects , and that is an unequal estimate they make of the parts of gods service . this last age has brought in such a partiality for preaching , that praier seems comparatively ( like sarah to hagar ) despicable in their eyes : so that if they can but come time enough to the sermon , they think they have discharged the weightier part of the law , and of their own duty . this misperswasion , tho it have too generally diffused it self through both sexes , yet seems to have bin very especially imbibed by the female . and besides the evidence that sunday gives ; the week-daies afford no less . let there be a lecture tho at the remotest part of the town , what hurrying is there to it , but let the bell tole never so loud for the canonical hours of common praier , 't will not call the nearest of the neighbor-hood . i speak not of those who are at defiance with our service , ●…nd have listed themselves in separate congregations ( for i intend not to trace them through their wild mazes ) but of those who yet own our church , and object not to its offices , but only have suffered their valu for them to be insensibly undermined by their greater zeal for preaching . god sure intends a harmony in all sacred ordinances , and would not have set up a party against another , but mutually assist each others operation upon us : thus praier disposes us to receive benefit by preaching , and preaching teaches us how to pray aright , and god grant we may long enjoy the public opportunities of both . yet since this age has brought themto a competition , i must take leave to say , that if we come impartially to weigh praier and preaching , the ballance will incline another way then it seems with many to do , and we shall find praier the more essential part of religion . 55. the end of preaching is twofold , either to teach us what we know not , or to excite us to practise what we already know : now in relation to the first of these ends , i suppose there is a wide difference between preaching at the first promulgation of the gospel , and now : 't was then the only way of revealing to the world the whole mystery of our salvation , so that the apostles inference was then irrefragable , how shall they believe on him of whom they have not heard , and how shall they hear without a preacher ? ro. 10. 14. but where christianity is planted , and the new testament received , we have therein the whole doctrine of christ ; nay we have not only the matter but the very form of many of those sermons which christ and his apostles preached ; so that unless we think them not sufficiently gifted , we cannot but acknowledg , we have in them ampl●… instruction both for faith and manners ; enough , as the apostle speaks , to make us wise unto salvation , 2 tim. 3. 15. and the reading of those being a considerable part of our churches service , we have the most genuine preaching even before the minister ascends the pulpit . besides , for the help of those whose youth or incapacity disables them from making collections thence for themselves , our church has epitomiz'd the most necessary points of belief and practice in the catechism , not ( as the roman ) to preclude their farther search , but to supply them in the interim till they are qualified for it ; and by that early infusion of christian principles , to secure them of that knowledg which is simply necessary to their salvation . 56. now sure , to people in this state , preaching is not of so absolute necessity in respect of instruction , as it was to those who from heathenism and idolatry were to be brought first to the knowledg , and then to the faith of christ. we seem therefore now more generally concern'd in the other end of preaching , the exciting us to practice ; for alas , there are few of us who stumble on sin for ▪ want of light , but either through heedlesness , and want of looking before us , or else by a wilful prostration of our selves to it ; so that we often need to be roused out of our negligence , to be frighted out of our stubbornness , and by a close application of those truths we either forget or suppress , be animated to our duty . and for this purpose preaching is doubtless of excellent use , and the nauseating of it shews a very sick constitution of mind ; yet sure the over-greedy desire may be a disease also . he that eats more than he can concoct , does not so much assist as oppress nature , & those that run from sermon to sermon , that allow themselves no time to chew , much less to digest what they hear , will sooner confound their brains then better their lives . nay , it oft betraies them to a very pernicious delusion , it diverts them from many of the practical parts of piety , and yet gives them a confidence that they are extraordinarily pious ; and by their belief that religion consists principally in hearing , makes them forget to try themselvs by that more infallible test of doing god's will. so that whereas god never design'd preaching for more then a guide in their way , they make it their way , and their end too ; and hearing must , like a circle , begin and terminate in it self . 57. i am sure in secular concerns , we should think him a very unprofitable servant , that after his lord had given him directions what to do , should be so transported with hearing his instructions , that he should desire to have it infinitly repeated , and so spend the time wherein he should do the work . and we have reason to think god will make the same judgment of those who do the like in his service . 58. one would now think that this ravenous appetite of hearing should supersede all niceness in it , yet we find it does not , but that som make ▪ a shift to be at once voracious and squemish . if this spiritual food be not artificially drest , 't is too gross for their palats ; the phrase must be elegant , the words well accented , and the inticing words of mans wisdom which st. paul disclaims in his preaching , 1 cor. 2. 4. is that which they principally regard . nay the memory of the preacher becomes the most material point of his sermon , and the first glance on his book prejudges him . i need not add the extravagances of an uncouth tone , a furious vehemence , or phantastic gesture , wherein the soul and vital efficacy of preaching has bin solemnly placed . now 't is evident all these are but trivial accomplishments ; so that thosewho insist so much on them , do make preaching much less sacred and divine then indeed it is ; and therefore cannot without absurdity lay the main stress of religion upon it , or make that the highest of god's ordinances , which owes all its gratefulness with them to the endowments of men . som may think i pursu this subject too far , but i am sure i do it not with design to derogate from the juct respect due to preaching ; only i would not have it monopolize our esteem , or justle out another duty , which is of more constant use , and indispensible necessity . 59. and such certainly is praier , that respiration of the soul , which is so necessary , that it admits not of long intermission , and therefore seems to carry the same proportion to hearing , which breathing does to eating : we may make long intervals of feeding , and yet subsist ; but if we should do so in breathing , we cannot recover it . praier is the morning and evening sacrifice under the law , which god ordained should be perpetual ; whereas preaching is but like the readings in the synagogues on sabbaths and festivals . indeed , however we have confounded the terms , 't is praier only that can properly be called the worship of god ; 't is that by which we pay him his solemnhomage , acknowledg his soveraignty , and our own dependence . when we hear , we do no more then what every disciple does to his master ; but when we pray , we own him as the spring and source of all the good we expect , as the author of our being , and the object of our adoration , in a word , we do by it profess him our god ; it being an impress of meer natural religion to supplicate the deity we acknowledg . 60. and as by praier we render the greatest honor to god , so likewise do we procure the greatest advantages to our selves . praier is the powerful engin , by which we draw down blessings ; 't is the key which lets us into the immense storehouse of the almighty ; nay 't is that upon which the efficacy of preaching depends . the word is but a dead letter without the spirit ; and god has promised the spirit to none but those that ask it , luk. 11. 13 , so that praier is that which enlivens and inspirits our most sacred actions ; and accordingly in scripture she find it still a concomitant in all ecclesiastical concerns . when an apostle was to be substituted in the room of judas , we find , they referred it not to the decision of lots , till god , who had the sole disposing of them , prov. 16. 33. had bin invoked by solemn praier , act. 1. 24. so when barnabas and saul were to be separated to the ministry , tho the appointment were by the holy ghost , yet that superseded not the necessity of praier ; the apostles praied , ( yea , and fasted too ) before they laid their hand on them , act. 13. 3. nay , our blessed savior himself , tho he knew what was in man , and needed no guidance but his own omniscience in this choice : yet we find that before his election of the twelve apostles , he continued a whole night in praier to god , luk. 6. 22. doubtless , to teach us how requisit praier is in all our important interests , which like the pillar of cloud and fire to the israelites , is our best convoy through the wilderness , through all the snares and temtations , through all the calamities and distresses of this world , and our most infallible guide to the land of promise . 61. and sure when all these are the properties of praier , tho privat , they will not less belong to the public ; such a conspiration and union of importunate devotion , must have a proportionable increase in its effect ; and if heaven can suffer violence by the fervor of one single votary , with what storm , what batteries will it be scaled by a numerous congregation ? we find the church is , by christ , compared to an army with banners , cant. 6. 3. but sure never is this army in so good array , in so invincible a posture as upon its knees . the ecclesiastical story tells us of a legion of christians in aurelius's camp , who in that posture discomfited two assailants at once , the enemy and the drought ; that breath which they sent up in praiers , like a kindly exhalation return'd in rain , and relieved the perishing army : and had we but the same fervor , and the same innocency , could we lift up but as pure hands as they did , there would be no blessing beyond our reach . but the less any of us find our selves so qualified , the more need we have to put our selves among those that are . 62. there is an happy contagion in goodness ; like green wood , we may perhaps be kindled by the neighboring flame ; the example of anothers zeal may awake mine . however , there is som advantage in being in the company : those showers of benediction which their praiers bring down , are so plentiful , that som drops at least may scatter upon those about them . we find elisha for jehoshophat's sake , endured the presence of jehoram , whom otherwise he professes he would not have lookt towards , 2 king. 3. 14. and god may perhaps do the like in this case ; and as he prospered potiphar for joseph's sake , gen. 39. 23. so the piety of fome few may redound to the benefit of all . from all these considerations i suppose may sufficiently be evinced the necessity and benefit , of public praier , and consequently the unreasonableness of those , who upon any pretence neglect it . i shall now only beseech those to whom i speak to make the application to themselves , and to shew they do so by their more early and more assiduous attendance on it . 63. there is also another duty to which many of these to whom i write seem to need some incitation , and that is communicating , a part of devotion which the looser sort scarce ever think in season till their death beds , as if that sacrament like the romanists extreme unction , were only fit for exspiring souls , but to such we may apply the words of the angel to the woman , lu. 24. 5. why siekye the living among the dead ? why think ye that the sun of righteousness is only to shine in the shades of death , or that christ is never to give us his flesh , till we are putting off our own ; 't is one principal end of that sacrament to engage and enable us to a new life ; how preposterous then is it , how utterly inconsistent with that end to defer it to the hour of death 't is true 't is a good viaticum for such as are in their way towards bliss , but it is too bold a hope , to fancy that it shall in an instant bring them into that way , who have their whole life posted on in the contrary : the roads to heaven and hell lie sure too far asunder to be within distance of one step , nor can it with any safety be presumed that once receiving at their death , shall expiate so many wilful neglects of it in their life . 64. but i shall suppose these total omissions are not a common guilt : yet with many others the fault differs only in degree , they do not wholly omit , but yet come so infrequently as if they thought it a very arbitrary matter whether they come or no. and this truly is observable in many who seem to give good attendance on other parts of divine worship , for indeed 't is a sad spectacle to see , that let a church be never so much crouded at sermon , 't is emtied in an instant when the communion begins , people run as it were frighted from it , as if they thought with those in malachy , that the table of our lord is polluted , mal. 1. 12. that some pest or infection would thence break forth upon them . a strange indignity to the majesty , and ingratitude to the love of our redeemer . let a king , or but some great man make a public entertainment , how hard is it to keep back the pressing multitude : many officers are necessary to repel the uninvited guests , and yet here there needs more to drive us to it , tho the invitation be moregeneral , and the treat infinitly more magnificent . 65. i know this fault ( like many other ) shrouds it self under a fair disguise , and this barbarous neglect pretends to the humblest veneration . people say 't is their great reverence they have for the sacrament that keeps them at so great a distance ; but sure that is but a fictitious reverence which discards obedience ; and when christ commands ou●… coming , our drawing back looks more like stubborness and rebellion , then awe and respect . i suppose we pretend not to exceed the primitive christians in humility and godly fear , and yet they communicated daily , and therefore sure our reverence is of a much differing make from theirs , if it produce such contrary effects . indeed 't is to be feared that many put a great cheat upon themselves in this matter . the eucharist is justly accounted the highest of divine ordinances , and those who think of no preparation in other , yet have some general impressions of the necessity of it in this ; but the uneasiness of the task discourages them , they dare not come without a wedding garment , and yet are loth to be at the pains to put it on , so that all this goodly pretext of reverence , is but the devil in samuels mantle , is but sloth clad in the habit of humility . 66. and to this temtation of sloth , there is another thing very subservient , and that is the easie and slight opinion which is commonly taken of sins of omission , many are startled at great commissions think them to carry a face of deformity and horror , who in the mean time look on omissionsonly as privations and meer nothings , as if all the affirmative precepts were only things of form , put in by godrather to try our inclinations , then to oblige our performance ; and so were rather overtures and proposals which we may assent to or not , then injunctions which at our peril we must obey . a fancy no less absurd then impious . that god should be content so to compound with his creatures ( and like a prince overpower'd by his vassals ) consent to remit all their homage , absolve them from all positive duty , so they would be but so civil as not to flie in his face , or to commit outrage on his person . but this wild imagination needs no other confutation , then that form of inditement our savior gives us as the model of that which shall be used at the last day , mat. 25. where the whole process lies against sins of omission , and yet the sentence is as dismal and irreversible , as if all the commissions in the world had bin put into the bill . 67. and certainly of all omissions none is like to be more severely charged then this of communicating , which is not only a disobedience , but an unkindness , which strikes not only at the autority but the love of our lord , when he so affects a union with us that he creates mysteries only to effect it , when he descends even to our sensuality , and because we want spiritual appetites , puts himself within reach of our natural ; and as he once veil'd his divinity in flesh , so now veils even that flesh under the form of our corporal nourishment , only that he may the more indissolvably unite , yea incorporat himself with us . when i say he does all this , we are not only impious but inhuman if it will not attract us . nay farther , when he does all this upon the most endearing memory of what he has before don for us , when he presents himself to our imbraces in the same form wherein he presented himself to god for our expiation , whenhe shews us those wounds which our iniquities made , those stripes by which we were healed , that death by which we are revived , shall we to compleat the scene of his passion , force him also to that pathetic complaint , lam. 1. 12. have ye no regard all ye that pass by ? shall we instead of smiting our breasts ( as did other witnesses of his sufferings ) turn our backs ? if we can habitually do this , 't is to be feared the next degree will be to wag our heads too , and we shall have the profaneness toderide , what we have not the piety to commemorate . 68. and this seems to be no improbable fear , for in religion there are gradual declinations as well as advances , coldness and tepidity will ( if not stopt in its progress ) quickly grow to lothing and contemt . and indeed to what can we more reasonably impute the great overflowings of profaneness among us , then to our ill-husbanding the means of grace ? now certainly of all those means there is none of greater energy and power then the blessed sacrament , 69. were there no other benefit derived from it save that which the preparation implies , 't were very consider able . it brings us to a recollection , fixes our indefinit purposes of searching and trying our waies , which else perhaps we should infinitly defer , stops our carreer in sin , and by acquainting us with our selves , shews us where our danger lies , and how we are to avert it , what breaches are made in upon our souls , and how we must repair them , all which are with many seldom thought of , but when the time of communicating approches . we live so far off from our selves , know so little what is don in us that we answer the description the prophet makes of the surprize of babylon , of which the king knew nothing till post after post run to inform him that his city was taken at one end , jer. 51. 31. we often lie secure while the enemy is within our walls , and therefore they are friendly alarms which the sacrament gives us to look to our defence . but if when the trumpet sounds none will prepare himself to the battel , if when the minister give ▪ warning of a sacrament , and the preparation it requires , we go our waies , and with gallio care for none of th●…se things , or with felix , acts 24. 26. put it off to a convenient time , we wilfully expose our selves , and 't is but just christs dreadful menace should be executed upon us , that we die in our sins , who will frustrate such an opportunity of a rescu from them . 70. but 't is not only this remoter and accidental advantage ( this preventing grace ) which the holy eucharist affords , it contains yet greater and more intrinsic benefits , is a spring of assisting grace also , 't is a magazine of spiritual artillery to fortifie us against all assaults of the devil , the great catholicon for all the maladies of our souls , that which if duly received , will qualifie us to make st. pauls boast , phil. 4. 13. i can do all things through christ which strengthens me . in a word 't is to us whatever we need , wisdom , righteousness , sanctification , and redemtion , because it possesses us of him who is so , 1 cor. 1. 31. so that whenever we neglect it , we manifestly betray our own interest , and do implicitly chose death whilst we thus run from life . 71. thus we see there is a concurrence of all forts of arguments for this duty , oh that some ( at least ) of them may prevail ! if we are not tractable enough to do it in obedience ▪ yet let us be so ingenious as to do it for love , for gratitude , or if for neither of those , let us be at least so wise as to do it for interest , and advantage . i know people are apt to pretend business , the farm and the oxen must excuse their coming to the feast , but alas what business can there be of equal necessity or advantage with this ? yet even that apology is superseded to those i now speak to , who as i observed before have lesure more then enough , so that it would be one part of the benefit , its taking up some of their time : let me therefore earnestly beseech them , not to grudg a few of their vacant hours to this so happy an emploiment . 72. did any of their near friends and relations invite them to an interview , they would not think him too importune , tho he repeated the summonsweekly , nay , daily , but would punctually observe the meeting : and when their savior much seldomer entreats their company , shall he not obtain it ? must he never see them but at two or three solemn times of the year ? and shall they wonder at any intervening invitation ( as the shunamites husband did at her going to the prophet when it was neither new moon nor sabbath , 2 ki. 4. 23. ) and tell him 't is not yet easter or christmas , this were not only to be irreligious but rude ; and methinks those who stand so much upon the particulars of civlity to one another , should not then only lay aside their good manners when they are to treat with their redeemer . certainly he is not so unpleasant company that they need shun his converse : if he do appear so to any , 't is that shunning that is the cause of it . he does not open his tresures to strangers : they that come now and then for form sake , no wonder if their entertainment , be as cold as their address . they that would indeed tast how sweet the lord is , psa. 34. 8. must by the frequency of their coming shew the heartiness of it , and then they would indeed find it a feast of fat things , as the prophet speaks . 73. in a word , let them but make experiment , resolve for a certain time ( be it a year or thereabouts ) to omit no opportunity , ( and withall no due preparation ) of co●…nicating , i am a little confident they will afterwards need no other importunity but that of their own longings : the expiration of that definit time will prove the beginning of an indefinit , and their resolutions will have no other limit but their lives . for certainly there is not in all the whole mystery of godliness , in all the oeconony of the gospel , so expedite , so infallible a means of growth in grace , as a frequent and worthy participation of this blessed sacrament ; i cannot therefore more pertinently close this section , then with this exhortation to it , by which they will not only compleat all their devotions , crown and hallow the rest of their oblations to god , but they will be advanced also in all parts of practical piety ▪ for tho this and other sacred offices be perform'd in the church , the efficacy of them is not circumscribed within those walls , but follows the devout soul through all the occurrences of human life . 74. she that has intently consider'd the prefence of god in the sanctuary , has learn'd so much of his ubiquity , that she will not easily forget it in other places , and she that remembers that will need no other guard to secure her innocence , no other incentive to animate her endeavors , since she is view'd by him who is equally powerful to punish or reward , who regards not the persons of the mighty , nor can be awed into the connivance of a crime . indeed a serious advertence to the divine presence , is the most certain curb to all disorderly appetites , as on the contrary the not having god before their eies , is in scripture the comprehensive description of the most wretchless profligated state of sin . it concerns therefore all those who aspire to true piety to nurish that awful sense in their hearts , as that which will best enable them to practice the apostles advice , 2 cor. 7 ▪ 1. to cleanse themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit , and to perfect holiness in the fear of god. 75. i am sensible that this section is spun out to a length very unproportionable to the former ; but as the principal wheel in an artificial movement may be allowed a bulk somwhat answerable to its use , so upon the same account , the size of this is not unjustifiable ; the piety which this designs to recommend being the one necessary thing , which must influence all other endowments . we know the course resemblance solomon makes of a fair woman without discretion , that she is like a jewel of gold in a swin●…s sn●…ut , prov. 11. 12. but even that discretion ( if any such could be ) without piety were but the adding one jewel more , exposing another valuable thing to the same despicable ridiculous use . but to speak truly there is no real discretion , where there is no religion : & therefore solomon seems in this place to understand by it that practical wisdom , which in the sacred dialect ( his writings especially ) is equivalent to the fear of the lord. 't is true , there may be a rallying wit to scoff and abuse , a serpentine wiliness to undermine and deceive , but that sort of wisdom ( like that of achitophel ) finally converts into foolishness , does very often appear to do so in this life , but most certainly in the next , because it builds upon a falsebottom , prefers temporal things before eternal . and as neither beauty or wit ( the two celebrated accomplishments of women ) so will neither greatness and honor give any advantage without piety , 't will only ( as hath bin already observed ) make them more exemplary sinners , inflame the account , and so expose them to a greater degree of condemnation , for sure 't is not their sex that will rescu them from the dismal denunciation of the wise man. wisd. 6. 6. mighty men shall be mightily tormented , i conclude all with another irrefragable maxim of the same author , whether one be rich , noble , or poor , their glory is the fear of the lord. the ladies calling . part ii. sect. i. of uirgins . 1. vve have taken a view of those general qualifications , which are at once the duty and the ornament of the female sex , considér'd at large . these like the common genius involve all ; but there are also specific differences , arising from the several circumstances and states of life , som whereof may exact greater degrees even of the former vertues , & all may have some distinct & peculiar requisits adapted to that particular state and condition : and of these our proposed method engages us now to consider . human life is full of vicissitudes and changes , so that 't is impossible to enumerate all the lesser accidental alterations to which it is lyable . but the principal & most distinct scenes , in which a woman can be suppos'd regularly to be an actor , are these three , virginity , marriage and widowhood ; which as they differ widely from each other , so for the discharging their respective duties , there are peculiar cautions worthy to be adverted to . 2. virginity is first in order of time , and if we wil take s. pauls judgment in respect of excellence also , 1 cor. 7. and indeed she that preserves her self in that state upon the account he mentions v. 33. that she may care for the things that are of the lord , that she may be holy both in body and in spirit , deserves a great deal of veneration , as making one of the nearest approaches to the angelical state , and accordingly in the primitive time , such a virginity was had in a singular estimation , and by the assignment of the schoolmen , hath a particular coronet of glory belonging to it . nay even among the heathens , a consecrated virgin was lookt on as a thing most sacred . the roman vestals had extraordinary privelidges allowed them by the state ; and they were generally held in such reverence , that testaments and other depositums of the greatest trust were usually committed to their custody , as to the surest and most inviolable sanctuary . nay their presence was so to convicted malefactors ; the magistrates veiling their fasces when they appear'd , and giving up the criminal to the commanding intercession of virgin innocence . 3. as for the religious orders of virgins in the present roman church , tho some and those very great abuses have crept in ; yet i think t were to be wishd , that those who supprest them in this nation , had confind themselves within the bounds of a reformation , by choosing rather to rectify and regulate , then abolish them . 4. but tho there be not among us such societies , yet there may be nuns who are not profest . she who has devoted her heart to god , and the better to secure his interest against the most insinuating rival of human love , intends to admit none , and praies that she may not ; does by those humble purposes consecrate her self to god , and perhaps more acceptably , then if her presumtion should make her more positive , and engage her in a vow she is not sure to perform . 5. but this is a case does not much need stating in our clime , wherin women are so little transported with this zeal of voluntary virginity , that there are but few can find patience for it when necessary . an old maid is now thought such a curse , as no poetic fury can exceed ; lookt on as the most calamitous creature in nature . and i so far yeild to the opinion , as to confess it so to those who are kept in that state against their wills : but sure the original of that misery is from the desire , not the restraint of marriage : let them but suppress that o●…ce , and the other will never be their infelicity . but i must not be so unkind to the sex , as to think 't is alwaies such desire that gives them aversion to celibacy ; i doubt not many are frighted only with the vulgar contemt under which that state lies : for which if there be no cure , yet there is the same armor against this which is against all other causeless reproches , viz. to contemn it . yet i am a little apt to believe there may be a prevention in the case . if the superannuated virgins would behave themselves with gravity and reservedness , addict themselves to the strictest vertu and piety , they would give the world some cause to believe , 't was not their necessity but their choise which kept them unmarried ; that they were preengag'd to a better amour ; espoused to the spiritual bridegroom : & this would give them among the soberer sort at least the reverence and esteem of matrons . or if after all caution and endeavor , they chance to fall under the tongues of malicious slanderers ; this is no more then happens in all other instances of duty : and if contemt be to be avoided , christianity it self must be quitted , as well as virgin chastity . but if on the other side they endeavor to disguise their age , by all the impostures and gaieties of a youthful dress and behavior , if they still herd them selves among the youngest and vainest company , betray a yong mind in an aged body ; this must certainly expose them to scorn and censure . if no play no ball , or dancing meeting can escape them , people will undoubtedly conclude that they desire , to put off themselves , to meet with chapmen , who so constantly keep the fairs . i wish therefore they would more universally try the former expedient , which i am confident is the best amulet against the reproch they so much dread , and may also deliver them from the danger of a more costly remedy , i mean that of an unequal and imprudent match , which many have rush'd upon as they have ran frighted from the other , and so by an unhappy contradiction , do both stay long and marry hastily , gall their neck to spare their ears , and run into the yok rather then hear so slight and unreasonable a reproch . they need not , i think , be upbraided with the folly of such an election , since their own experience ●…s ( to many of them ) but too severe a monitor . i shall not insi●…t farther on this , but having given the elder virgins that ensign of their seniority as to stand first in my discourse , i shall now address more generally to the rest . 6. and here the two grand elements essential to the virgin state are modesty and obedience , which , tho necessary to all , yet are in a more eminent degree requir'd here ; and therefore , tho i have spoken largely of the vertue of modesty in the first part of this tract , yet it will not be impertinent to make som farther reflections on it , by way of application to virgins , in whom modesty should appear in its highest elevation , and should come up to shamefacedness . her look , her speech , her whole behavior should own an humbl distrust of her self ; she is to look on her self , but as a novice , a probationer in the world , and must take this time , rather to learn and observe , then to dictate & prescribe . indeed there is scarce any thing looks more indecent , then to see a young maid too forward and confident in her talk . 't is the opinion of the wiseman , ecclus. 32. 8. that a young man should scarce speak tho twice asked : in proportion to which , 't will sure not become a young woman , whose sex puts her under greater restraints , to be either importunate or magisterial in her discours . and tho that which former ages called boldness , is now only assurance and good breeding , yet we have seen such bad superstructures upon that foundation , as sure will not much recommend it to any considering person . 7. but there is another breach of modesty as it relates to chastity , in which they are yet more especially concern'd . the very name of virgin imports a most critical niceness in that point . every indecent curiosity , orimpure fancy , is adeflowring of the mind , & every the least corruption of them gives some degrees of defilement to the body too : for between the state of pure immaculat virginity & arrant prostitution there are many intermedial steps , and she that makes any of them , is so far departed from her first integrity . she that listens to any wanton discourse , has violated her ears ; she that speaks any , her tongue ; every immodest glance vitiates her eye , and every the lightest act of dalliance leaves somthing of stain and sullage behind it . there is therefore a most rigorous caution requisit herein : for as nothing is more clean and white then a perfect virginity , so every the least spot or soil is the more discernible . besides , youth is for the most part flexible , & easily warps into a crookedness , and therefore can never set it self too far from a temtation . our tender blossoms we are fain to skreen and shelter , because every unkindly air nips and destroies them ; and nothing can be more nice and delicate then a maiden vertu , which ought not to be expos'd to any of those malignant airs which may blast and corrupt it , of which god knows there are too many , some that blow from within , and others from without . 8. of the first sort there is none more mischievous then curiosity , a temtation which foil'd human nature even in paradise : and therefore sure a feeble girle ought not to trust her self with that which subdued her better fortified parent . the truth is , an affected ignorance cannot be so blamable in other cases as it is commendable in this . indeed it is the surest & most invincible guard , for she who is curious to know indecent things , 't is odds but she will too soon and too dearly buy the learning . the suppressing and detesting all such curiosities is therefore that eminent fundamental piece of continence i would recommend to them , as that which will protect and secure all the rest . 9. but when they have set this guard upon themselves , they must provide against forreign assaults too ; the most dangerous whereof i take to be ill company , and id'eness . against the first they must provide by a prudent choise of conversation , which should generally be of their own sex ; yet not all of that neither , but such who will at least entertain them innocently , if not profitably . against the second they may secure themselvs by a constant series of emploiments : i mean not such frivolous ones as are more idle then doing nothing ; but such as are ingenuous , and som way worth their time , wherein as the first place is to be given to the offices of piety , so in the intervalls of those , there are divers others , by which they may not unusefully fill up the vacancies of their time : such are the acquiring of any of those ornamental improvements which become their quality , as writing , needle works , languages , music , or the like . if i should here insert the art of oeconomy and houshold managery , i should not think i affronted them in it ; that being the most proper feminine business , from which neither wealth nor greatness can totally absolve them ; and a little of the theory in their parentshouse , would much assist them towards the practic when they come to their own . in a word there are many parts of knowledg useful for civil as well as divine life ; and the improving themselves in any of those is a rational emploiment . 10. but i confess i know not how to reduce to that head many of those things which from divertisements are now stept up to be the solemn business of many young ladies , ( & i doubt of som old ; ) such is in the first place gaming , a recreation whose lawfulness i question not , whilst it keeps with the bounds of a recreation : but when it sets up for a calling , i knownot whence it derives its license . and a calling sure it seems to be with some , a laborious one too , such as they toil night and day at , nay do not allow themselvs that remission which the laws both of god and man have provided for the meanest mechanic : the sabbath is to them no day of rest , but this trade goes on when all shops are shut . i know not how they satisfy themselves in such an habitual wast of their time , ( besides all the incidental faults of avarice and anger ) but i much doubt that plea , whatsoever it is , which passes with them , will scarcehold weight at his tribunal , who has commanded us to redeem , not fling away our time . 11. there is another thing to which some devote a very considerablepart oftheir time , and that is the reading romances , which seems now to be thought the peculiar and only becoming study of young ladies . i confess their youth may a little adapt it to them when they were children , and i wish they were alwaies in their event asharmless ; but i fear they often leave ill impressions behind them . those amorous passions , which 't is their design to paint to the utmost life , are apt to insinuate themselves into their unwary readers , and by an unhappy inversion , a copy shall produce an original . when a poor young creature shall read there of some triumphant beauty , that has i know not how many captiv'd knights prostrate at her feet , she will probably be temted to think it a fine thing ; and may reflect how much she loses time , that has not yet subdu'd one heart : and then her business will be to spreadher nets ; lay her toils to catch somebody , who will more fatally ensnare her . and when she has once wound her self into an amour , those authors are subtil casuists for all difficult cases that may occur in it , will instruct in the necessary artifices of deluding parents and friends , and put her ruine perfectly in her own power . and truly thisseems to beso natural a consequent of this sort of study , that of all the divertisements that look so innocently , they can scarce fall upon any more hazardous . indeed it is very difficult to imagine what vast mischief isdon to the world , by the false notions and images of things ; particularly of love and honor , those noblest concerns of human life , represented in these mirrors : but when we consider upon what principles the duellists and hectors of the age defend their outrages ; and how great adevotion ispaid to lust , insteadof vertuous love ; we can not be to seek for the gospel which makes these doctrines appear orthodox . 12. as for the entertainments which they find abroad , they may be innocent , or otherwise according as they are managed . the common entercourse ofcivilityis adebt to humanity , and therefore mutual visits may often be necessary , and so ( in some degree ) may be several harmless and healthful recreations which may call them abroad ; for i write not now to nuns , and have no purpose to confine them to a cloister . yet on the other side to be alwaies wandring , is the condition of a vagabond , and of the two 't is better to be a prisoner to ones home , then a stranger . solomon links it with som very unlaudable qualities ofa woman pro. 7. 11. that her feet abide not in her house , and 't is an unhappy impotence not to be able to stay at home , when there is any thing to be seen abroad ; that any mask , or revel , any jollity of others must be their rack and torment , if they can not get to it . alas such meetings are not so sure to be safe , that they had need be frequent , and they are of all others least like to be safe to those , who much dote on them : and therefore those that find they do so , had need to counterbiass their minds , and set them to somthing better , and by more serious entertainments supplant those vanities , which at thebest are childis●… ; and may oftenprove worse ; it being tooprobable that thosedinah's which are stillgadding , tho onpretence to see only the daughters of the land gen. 34. may at last meet with a son ofhamor . 13. there is also another great devourer of time subservient to theformer , i mean dressing : for they that love to be seen much abroad , will be sure to be seen in the most exact form . and this is an emploiment that does not steal but challenge their time ; what they wast here is cum privilegio , it beingby the verdict ofthis age theproper business , the one science wherein ayounglady is to be perfectly verst ; so that now all vertuous emulation is converted into this single ambition , who shall excel in this faculty . a vanity which i confess is more excusable in the younger then the elder sort ; they being supposable not yet to have out-worn the reliques of their childhood , to which toies andgaiety were proportionable . besides 't is sure allowable upon a soberer account , that they who design marriage should give themselves the advantage of decent ornaments , and not by the negligent rudeness of their dress bely nature , and render themselves less amiable then the has made them . but all this being granted , 't will by no meansjustify that excessivecuriosity andsolicitude , that expence of time and mony too which is now used ; a verymoderate degree of all thosewill serve for that ordinarydecency which theyneed provide for , will keepthem from the reproch of an affected singularity , which is as much as a sober person need take care for . and i must take leave to say , that in order to marriage , such a moderation is muchlikelier to succeedthen the contraryextravagance . among theprudenter sort of men i am sure it is , if it be not among the loose and vain , against which 't will be their guard , and so do them the greater service : for certainly he that chuses a wife for thosequalities for which a wise man would refuse her , understands so little what marriage is , as portends nogreat felicity toher thatshall havehim but if they desireto marry men of sobriety and discretion , they are obliged in justice to bring the same qualities they expect , which will be very ill evidenced by that excess and vanity we nowspeak of . 14. for to speak a plain ( tho perhaps ungrateful truth , this ( together with some of the modish liberties now in use ) is it , which keeps so many young ladies about the town unmarried 'till they lose the epithet of young . sober men are afraid to venture upon a humor so disagreeingto their own lest whilst ( according to the primitive reason of marriage ) they seek a help , they espouse a ruine . but this is especially dreadful to a plain country . gentleman , who looks upon one of these fine women as a gaudy idol , to whom if he once become a votary , he must sacrifice a great part of his fortune , and all his content . how reasonable that apprehension is , the many wracks of considerable familiesdo too evidently attest . but i presumesome ofthe of the nicer ladies havesuch a contemt of anything that they please to call rustic , that they will not much regret the averting of those whom they so despise . they will not perhaps while they are in pursuit or hopes of others ; but when those fail , these will be lookt on as a wellcome reserve , and therefore 't will be no prudence to cut themselves off from that last resort , lest they ( as many have don ) betake themselves to much worse . for as in many instances 't is the country which feeds and maintains the grandeur of the town , so of all commerces there , marriage would soonest fail , if all rural supplies were cut off . 15. but i have pursued this speculation farther than perhapsmy virgin readerswill thankme for , i shall return to that which it was brought to inforce , and beseech them that if not to men , yet to approve themselves to god , they will confine themselves in the matter of their dress within the du limits of decency and sobriety . ishall not direct them to those strictrules which tertullian and some other of the ancient fathers have prescribed in this matter ; my petition is only that our virgins would at least so take care of their bodies , as persons that also have a soul ; which if they can be perswaded to , they may reserve much of their time for more worthy ●…ses then those of the comb , the tuillets , and the glasse . and truly 't is not a little their concern to do so , for this spring of their age is that critical instant that must either confirm or blast the hopes of all the succeeding seasons . the minds of young people are usually compared to a blank sheet of paper , equally capable of the best or the worst impressions ; 't is pitty they should be fill'd with childish scrawls , and little insignificant figures , but 't is shame and horror they should be staind with any vicious characters , any blots of impurity or dishonor . to prevent which let the ●…everestnotions of modesty and honor be early and deeply impest upon their souls , graven as with the point of a diamond , that they may be as indelible as they are indispensibly necessary to the virgin state . 16. there is also another very requisite quality , and that is obedience . the younger sort ofvirgins are supposed to have parents , or if any has binso unhappy as to lose them early , they commonly are left in the charge of some friend or guardian , that is to supply the place ; so that they cannot be to seek to whom this obedience is to be paid . and it is not more their duty then their interest to pay it . youth is apt to be foolish in it its designs , & heady in the pursuit of them ; and there can be nothing more deplorable then to have it left to its self . and therefore god , who permits not even the brutes to destitute their young ones till they attain to the perfection of their kind , has put children under the guidance and protection of their parents , 'till by the maturing of their judgments they are qualified to be their own conductors . now this obedience ( as that which is due to all other superiors ) is to extend it self to all things that are either good or indifferent , and has no clause of exception , but only where the command is unlawful . and in so wide a scene of action there will occur so many particular occasions of submission , that they had need have a great reverence of their parents judgments , and distrust of their own . and if it should happen that some parents are not qualified to give them the former , yet the general imbecillity of their age , will remain a constant ground of the later : so that they may safelier venture themselves to their parents misguidance , then their own ; by how much the errors of humility and obedience , are lesse malignant then those of presumtion and arrogance . 16. but this is a doctrine which will scarce pass for orthodox with many of the young women of our daies , withwhom 't is prejudice enoughagainst the prudentest advice that it comes from their parents . 't is the grand ingenuity of these times to turn every thing into ridicule ; and if a girle can but rally smartly upon the sober admonition of a parent , she concludes she is the abler person ; takes her self for a wit , and the other for a fop ; ( a bugbear word devised to fright all seriousness and sobriety out of the world ; ) and learns not only to disobey but to contemn . indeed the great confidence thatyouth now seems to have of its self , as it is very indecent , soisit extremely pernicious . children that will attemt to go alone before their time , oft get dangerous falls ; and when those who are but little removed from children , shall cast off the wiser conductof others , they oft sadly miscarry by their own , 18. i know this age has so great a contemt of the former , that 't is but matter of scorn to alledg any of their customs , else i should say that the liberties that are taken now , would then have bin startled at . they that should then have seen young maid rambling abroad without her mother or some other prudent person , would have lookt on her as a stray , and thought it but a neighborly office to have brought her home ; whereas now 't is a rarity to see them in any company graver then themselves , and she that goes with her parent ( unless it besuch a parent as is as wild as her self ) thinks she does but walk abroad with her jailor . but sure there are no small mischeifs that attend this liberty , for it leaves them perfectly to the choise of their company , a thing of too weighty an importance for giddy heads to determin ; who will besure to elect such as are of their own humor , with whom they may keep up a traffic of little impertinencies and trifling entertainments ; and so by consequence condemn themselvs never to grow wiser which they might do by an ingenuous conversation . nay 't is wel if that negative ill be the worst , for it gives opportunity to any that have ill designs upon them . it will be easy getting into their company , who have no guard to keep any body out , and as easy by little compliances & flatteries to insinuate into their good graces , who have not the sagacity to discern to what insidious purposes those blandishments are directed ; and when they once begin to nibble at the bait , to be pleased with the courtship , 't is great odds they do not escape the hook . 19. alas how many poor innocent creatures have bin thus indiscernibly ensnared ; have at first perhaps only liked the wit and raillery , perhaps the language and address , then the freedom and good humor ; 'till at last they come to like the person . it is therefore a most necessary caution for young women , not to trust too much to their own conduct , but to own their dependance on those , to whom god and nature has subjected them , and to look on it not as their restraint and burden , but as their shelter and protection . for where once the autority of a parent comes to be despis'd , tho in the lightest instance , it laies the foundation of utmost disobedience . she that wil not be prescrib'd to in the choise of her ordinary diverting company , will less be so in chusing the fixt companion of her life ; and we find it often eventually true , that those who govern themselves in the former , will not be govern'd by their friends in the latter , but by pre-engagements of their own prevent their elections for them . 20. and this is one of the highest injuries they can do their parents , who have such a native right in them , that 't is no less an injustice then disobedience to dispose of themselves without them . this right of the parent is so undoubted , that we find god himself gives way to it , and will not suffer the most holy pretence ▪ no not that of a vow , to invade it as we may see his own stating of the case numb 30. how will he then rese●…t it , to have his so indispensible a●…aw violated upon the impulse of an impotent passion , an amorous inclination ? nor is the folly less then the sin : they injure and afflict their parents , but they generally ruine and undo themselvs . and that upon a double account , first as to the secular part . those that are so rash as to make such matches , cannot be imagined so provident as to examine how agreable 't is to their interest ; or to contrive for any thing beyond the marriage . the thoughts of their future temporal conditions ( like those of the eternal ) can find no room amidst their foolish raptures ; but as if love were indeed that deity which the poets feigned , they depend on it for all , and take no farther care . and event does commonly too soon instruct them in the deceitfulness of that trust ; love being so unable to support them , that it cannot maintain its self ; but quickly expires when it has brought the lovers into those straits , from whence it cannot rescu them . so that indeed it does but play the decoy with them , brings them into the noose and then retires . for when secular wants begin to pinch them , all the transports of their kindness do usually convert into mutual accusations , for having made each other miserable . 21. and indeed there is no reason to expect any better event , because in the second place they forfeit their title to the divine blessing ; nay they put themselves out of the capacity to ask it , it being a ridiculous impudence to beg god to prosper the transgressions of his law . such weddings seem to invoke only som of the poetic romantic deities , venus & hymen , from whence they derive a happiness as fictitious as are the gods that are to send it . let all virgins therefore religiously observe this part of obedience to their parents , that they may not only have their benediction but gods. and to that purpose let this be laid as a fundamental rule , that they never harken to any proposal of marriage made them from any other hand ; but when any such overture is made , divert the address from her self and direct it to her parents , which will be the best test imaginable for any pretender : for if he know himself worthy of her , he wil not fear to avow his design to them ; and therefore if he decline that , 't is a certain symptom , he is conscious of somthing that he knows wil not give a valuable consideration ; so that this course will repel no suitor but such as it is their interest not to admit . besides t is most agreeable to the virgin modesty , which should make marriage an act rather of their obedience then their choise ; and they that think their friends too flow paced in the matter , and seek to outrun them , give cause to suspect they are spurr'd on by somwhat too warm desires . 22. but as a daughter is neither to anticipate , nor contradict the will of her parent , so ( to hang the ballance even ) i must say she is not obliged to force her own , by marrying wher she cannot love ; for a negative voice in the case is sure as much the child 's right as the parent●…s . it is true she ought well to examine the grounds of her aversion , and if they prove only childish and fanciful , should endeavor to correct them by reason and sober consideration ; but if after all she cannot leave to hate , i think she should not proceed to marry . i confess i see not how she can without a sacrilegious hypocrisie , vow so solemnly to love where she at the instant actually abhors : and where the married state is begun with such a perjury , 't is no wonder to find it continued on at the same rate , that other parts of the vow be also violated ; and that she observe the negative part no more then the positive , and as little forsake others , as she does heartily cleave to her husband . i fear this is a consequence wherof there are too many sad instances now extant ; for tho doubtless , there are some vertues which wil hold out against all the temtations their a versions can give , nay which do at last even conquer those a versions , and render their duty as easie as they have kept it safe ; yet we find there are but some that do so : that it is no inseparable property of the sex , and therefore it is sure too hazardous an experiment for any of them to venture on . 23. and if they may not upon the more generous motive of obedience , much less may they upon the worse inducements of avarice and ambition ; for a woman to make a vow to the man , and yet intend only to marry his fortune , or his title , is the basest insincerity and such as in any other kind of civil contracts , would not only have the infamy but the punishment of a cheat . nor will it at all secure them , that this is only liable to gods tribunal , for that is not like to make the doom less but more heavy , it being as the apostle witnesses , a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living god. heb. 20. 31. in a word , marriage is gods ordinance , & should be consider'd as such ; not made a stale to any unworthy design . and it may well be presum'd one cause why so few matches are happy , that they are not built upon a right foundation . some are grounded upon wealth , some on beauty , too sandy bottoms god knows to raise any lasting felicity on : whilst in the interim , vertu & piety , the only solid basis for that superstructure , are scarce ever consider'd . thus god is commonly left out of the consultation . the lawyers are resorted to , to secure the settlements all sorts of artificers to make up the equipage , but he is neither advis'd with as to the motives , nor scarce supplicated as to the event of wedding . indeed t is a deplorable sight to see with what lightness & unconcernedness young people go to that weightiest action of their livs , that a mariage day is but a kind of bacchanal , a more licensed a vowed revel , when if they duly consider'd it , 't is the hinge upon which their future life moves , which turns them over to a happy or miserable being ; & therfore ought to be enter'd upon with the greatest seriousness and devotion . our church advises excellently in the preface to matrimony , & i wish they would not only give it the hearing at the time , but make it their study a good while before : yea and the marriage-vow too , which is so strict and awful a bond , that methinks they had need well weigh every branch of it , ere they enter it ; and by the ferventest praiers implore that god , who is the witness , to be their assistant too in its performance . sect . ii. of wives . 1. and now having conducted the virgin to the entrance of another state , i must shift the scene and attend her thither also . and here she is lanched into a wide sea , that one relation of a wife drawing after it many others : for as she espouses the man s●…she does his obligations also ; and wherever he by ties of nature or alliance ows a reverence or kindness , she is no less a debtor . her marriage is an adoption into his family , and therefore she is to every branch of it to pay what their stations there do respectively require : to define which more particularly , would be a work of more length then profit . i shall therefore confine the present consideration to the relation she stands in to her husband , & ( what is usually concomitant with that ) her children , and her servants , and so shall consider her in the three capacities of a wife , a mother , and a mistress . 2. in that of a wife her duty has several aspects , ●…s it relates , first to his person , secondly to his reputation , thirdly to his fortune . the first debt ●…o his person is love , which we find set as the ●…rime article in the marriage vow ; & indeed that ●…s the most essential requisite ; without this 't is ●…nly a bargain and compact , a tyranny perhaps on the mans part , and a slavery on the womans . 't is love only that cements the hearts , and where that union is wanting , 't is but a shadow , a carcass of marriage . therefore as it is very necessary to bring some degree of this , to this state ; so 't is no less to maintain and improve it in it . this is it which facilitats all other duties of marriag ; makes the yoke sit so lightly , that it rather pleases then galls . it should therefore be the study of wives to preserve this flame ; that like the vestal fire it may never go out : and to that end carefully to guard it from all those things which are naturally apt to extinguish it ; of which kind are all frowardness and little perversness of humor ; all sullen and morose behavior , which by taking off from the delight and complacency of conversation , will by degrees wear off the kindness . 3. but of all i know nothing more dangerous then that unhappy passion of jealousy , which th●… 't is said to be the child of love , yet like the viper , its birth is the certain destruction of the parent as therefore they must be nicely careful to give their husbands no color , no least unbrage for it ▪ so should they be as resolute to resistall that occurs to themselves , be so far from that busy curiosity that industry to find causes of suspicion ; that eve●… where they presented themselves , they should avert the consideration ; put the most candid construction upon any doubtful action . and indee●… charity in this instance , has not more of the dov●… then of the serpent . it is infinitly the wises●… course , both in relation to her present quiet , and her future innocence . the entertaining a jealous fancy , is the admitting the most treacherous the most disturbing inmate in the world , & she opens her breast to a fury that lets it in . 't is certainly one of the most enchanting 〈◊〉 imaginable , keeps her alwaies in a most restless importunate search after that which she dreads and abhors to find , and makes her equally miserable when she is injured , and when she is not . 4. and as she totally loses her ease , so 't is odds but she will part also with some degrees of her innocence . jeolousy is commonly attended with a black train ; it musters all the forces of our irascible part , to abet its quarrel ; wrath and anger , malice and revenge : and by how much the female impotence to govern those passions is the greater ; so much the more dangerous is it to admit that which will so surely set them in an uprore . for if jealousy be as the wise man saies the rage of a man prov. 6. 32. we may well think it may be the fury the madness of a woman ; and indeed all ages have given tragical instances of it , not only in the most indecent fierceness and clamor but in the solemn mischeifs of actualrevenges . nay 't is tobedoubted therehave bin somewhose malice has rebounded , and have ruined themselves in spight ; have bin adulterous by way of retaliation : and taken more scandalous liberties then those they complained of in their husbands . and when such enormous effects as these are the issues of jealousy ; it ought to keep women on the strictest guard against it . 5. but perhaps it may be said that some are not left to their jealousy and conjectures ; but have moredemonstrativeproofs . in thisage ' tisindeedno strange thingfor men to publish their sin as sodom , and the offender does somtimes not discover but boast his crime . in this case i confess 't will be scarce possible to disbelieve him ; but even here a wife has this advantage , that she is out of the pain of suspence ; she knows the utmost , and therefore is now at lesure to convert all that industry which she would have used for the discovery , to fortify her self against a known calamity ; which sure she may as well do in this as in any other ; a patient submission being the one catholicon in all distresses ; and as the slightest can overwhelm us if we add our own impatience towards our sinking ; so the greatest cannot , if we deny it that aid . they are therefore far in the wrong , who in case of this injury pursue their husbands withvirulencies and reproches . this is as solomon saies pro. 25. 20. thepowringvinegar upon niter , applyingcorrosives whenbalsoms are most needed ; whereby they not only increase their own smart , but render the wound incurable . they are not thunders and earthquakes , but soft gentle rains that close the scissures of the ground ; and the breaches of wedlock will never be cemented by storms and loud outcries . many men have bin made worse , but scarce ever any better by it ; for guilt covets nothing more then an opportunity of recriminating ; and where the husband can accuse the wives bitterness , he thinks he needs no other apology for his own lust . 6. a wise dissimulation , or very calm notice is sure the likeliest means of reclaiming , for where men have not wholy put off humanity , there is a native compassion to a meek sufferer . we have naturally some regret to see a lamb under the knife ; whereas the impatient roaring of a swine diverts our pitty ; so that patience in this case is as much the interest as duty of a wife . 7. but there is another instance wherein that vertu has yet a severer trial , and that is when a wife lies under the causeless jealousies of the husband , ( i say causeless , for if they be just 't is not so much a season for patience , as for repentance and reformation . ) this is sure one of the greatest calamities that can befall a vertuous woman , who as she accounts nothing so dear as her loialty and honor ; so thinks no infelicity can equal the aspersing of those ; especially when 't is from him , towhomshe has bin the most solicitous to approve her self . yet god who permits nothing but what he directs to some wise and gracious end , has an overruling hand in this as well as in all other events of life ; and therefore it becomes every woman in that condition , to examine strictly what she has don to provoke so severe a scourge ; for tho her heart condemn her not of any falseness to her husband , yet probably it may of many disloialties to her god , and then she is humbly to accept even of this traducing of her innocence , as the punishment of her iniquity , and bear it with the same temper wherewith david did the unjust revilings of shimei 2 kings 16. 10. let him curse , for the lord hath bidden him . 8. and when she hath made this penitent reflection on her real guilts , she may then with more courage encounter those imaginary ones which are charged on her ; wherein she is to use all prudent and regular means for her justification , that being a debt she ows to truth , and her own fame ; but if after all , the suspicion remains still fixed ( as commonly those which are the most unreasonable are the most obstinate ) she may still solace her self in her integrity , and gods approbation of it . nor ought she to think her self desolate , that has her appeal open to heaven . therefore whilst she can look both inward and upward with comfort , why should she chuse to fix her eies only on the object of her grief ; and whilst her own complaint is of defamation , why should she so dishonor god and a good conscience , as to shew any thing can be more forcible to oppress , then they are to relieve and support ? and if she may not indulge to grief , much less may she to anger , and bitterness . 9. indeed if she consider how painful a passion jealousie is , her husband will more need her pitty , who tho he be unjust to her , is yet cruel to himself ; and as we do not use to hate and malign those lunatics who in their fits beat their friends , and cut and gash themselves , but rather make it our care to put all harmful engines out of their way ; so should the wife not despitefully ruminate upon the injury , but wisely to contrive to avert his temtations to more ; by denying her self even the most innocent liberties , if she see they dissatisfy him . i know there have bin som of another opinion , and as if they thought jealousy were to be cured by majoration , have in an angry contemt don things to inflame it ; put on an unwonted freedom and jollity , to shew their husbands how little they had secur'd themselves by their distrust . but this as it is no christian , so i conceive it is no prudent expedient ; it serves to stengthen not only the husbands suspicion , but his party too , and make many others of his mind ; and 't is a little to be feared , that by using so to brave the jealousy , they may at last come to verify it . i have bin the longer on this theme , because as jealousie is the most fatal pest of a married life , so i think it more ordinarily occurs among people of quality , and with the worst and most durable effects ; yet what ever pretences people may take hence , the marriage vow is too fast a knot to be loosened by fancies and chimeras ; let a woman therefore be the person suspecting or suspected , neither wil absolve her from that love to her husband she has sworn to pay . 10. but alas what hope is there that these greater temptations shall be resisted , when we see every the slightest disgust is now adays too strong for the matrimonial love , nay indeed it does of course fall off of it self , which is an event so much expected , that 't is no wonder to see it expire with the first circuit of the moon ; but it is every bodies admiration to see it last one of the sun ; and sometimes it vanishes so cleerly , as not to leave so much as a shadow behind it , not so much as the formalities of marriage ; one bed , one house cannot hold them , as if they had bin put together like case-shot in a gun , only that they might the more forcibly scatter several waies . nay as if this were designed and intended in the first addresses unto marriage ; a separate maintenance is of course aforehand contracted for , and becomes as solemn a part of the settlement , as a jointure is . plutarch observes of the ancient romans , that f r 230. years after founding of their state , there never was one example of any married couple that separated ▪ it is not likely they could have a more binding form of marriage then ours is , the difference must lie between their v●…racity and our falsness . 11. but even amongst those who desert not each other , too many do mutually fall from that entireness and affection which is the soul of marriage ; and to help on the declination , there are fashionable maxims taken up , to make men and their wives the greatest strangers to each other : thus 't is pronounced a piece of ill breeding , a sign of a country gentleman , to see a man go abroad with his own wife ( i suppose those who brought up these rules are not to seek what use to make of them ) and were the time of most of the modish couples computed , itwould be sound they are but few of their waking hours ( i might say minutes ) together ; so , that if nothing else , meer desuetude and intermission of conversation must needs allay , if not quite extinguish their kindness . but i hope there are yet many who do not think the autority of a fashion greaterthenthat of a vow ; & such will still think it ▪ their duty both to own and cherish that kindness and affection they have so solemnly promis'd . 12. another debt to the person of a husband is fidelity : sor as she has espoused all his interests , so she is obliged to be true to them , to keep all his secrets , to inform him of his dangers , yea and in a mild and gentle manner to admonish him of his faults . this is the most genuine act of friendship ; therefore she who is placed in the neerest and most intimate degree of that relation , must not be wanting in it . she that lies in his bosom should be a kind of second conscience to him , by putting him in mind both of his duty and his aberrations , and as long as she can be but patiently heard 'tis her sin to omit it ; 't is the greatest treachery to his noblest , to his immortal part , and such as the most officious cares of his other interests can never expiate . nay indeed she is unfaithful to her self in it , there being nothing that does so much secure the happiness of a wife as the vertu and piety of the husband . yet , tho this is to have her chiefest care , as being his principal interest , she is to neglect none of the inferior , but contribute her utmost to his advantage in all his concerns . 13. beyond all these the matrimonial fidelity has a special notion as it relates to the bed ; & in that the wise is to be most severely scrupulous , & never to admit so much as a thought or imagination , much lesse any parly or treaty contrary to her loialty . t is true wantonness is one of the foulest blots that can stain any of the sex ; but 't is infinitly more odious in the married , it being in them an accumulation of crimes ; perjury added to uncleanness ; the infamy of their family superstructed upon their own ; and accordingly all lawes have made a difference in their punishments . adultery was by gods own award punisht with death among the jews , levit. 20. 10. and it seems it was so agreable to natural justice , that divers other nations did the like ; and i know no reason , but the difficulty of detection , that should any where give it a milder sentence . the son of sirach has excellently describ'd the several gradations of the guilt ecclus. 23. 1. which i shall desire the reader to consult : which who so does must certainly wonder at the alchimy of this age , that from such a mass of shame and infamy can extract matter of confidence , that those who lie under so many brands and stigmas , are so far from hiding their faces , that none shew them with so much boldness ; and the assurance of the guilty far exceeds that of the innocent . but impudence is a slender shelter for guilt ; and serves rather to betray then hide ; so that theyare not able to outface the opinions of men ; much lesse can they the judgments of god ; who as he was solemnly invok'd as witness to their vow , so by his omnipresence is against their wills a witness too of its violations . 14. another duty to the person of the husband is obedience , a word of a very harsh sound in the ears of some wives , but is certainly the duty of all : and that not only by their promise of it , tho that were sufficient ; but from an original of much older date , it being the mulct that was laid upon the first womans disobedience to god , that she ( and all derived from her ) should be subject to the husband ; so that the contending for superiority , is anattemt to reverse thatfundamentallaw , which is almost as ancient as the world. but surely god with whom there is no shadow of change , will not make acts of repeal to satisfie the petulancy of a few masterless women . that statute will stillstand in force , and if it cannot awe them into an observance , will not fail to consign them topunishment . and indeed this fault is commonly its own lictor , and does anticipate ( tho not avert ) its final doom . theimperiousness ofawomandos oftenraise those storms , wherein her self isshipwrack'd . how pleasantly might many women have lived if they had not affected dominion . nay how much of their will might they have had , if they had not strugled for it . for let a man be of never so gentle a temper ( unless his head be softer then his heart ) such a usurpation will awake him to assert his right . but if he be of a sowr severe nature ; if he have as great a desire of rule as she , backt with a much better title , what tempests what hurricanes must two such opposite winds produce ? and at last 't is commonly the wives lot , after an uncreditable unjust war , to make as disadvantageous a peace ; this ( like all other ineffective rebellions ) serving to straiten her yoke , to turn an ingenuous subjection into a slavish servitude : so that certainly it is not only the vertue , but the wisdom of wives to do that upon duty , which at last they must ( with more unsupportable circumstances . ) do upon necessity . 15. and as they ow these severalls to the person of the husband , so there is also a debt to his reputation . this they are to be extremely tender of , to advance it , by making all that is good in him as conspicuous , as public as they can ; setting his worth in the cleerest light , but putting his infirmities in the shade ; casting a veil upon those to skreen them from the eies of others , nay ( as far as is possible ) from their own too ; there being nothing acquir'd to the wifeby contemplating the husbands weakness , but a temtation of despising him ; which tho bad enough in itself , is yet renderd worse by that train of mischievous consequences which usually attend it . in case therefore of any notable imperfections in him , her safest way will be to consider them no farther then she can be instrumental to the curing them ; but to divert from those , and reflect upon her own ▪ which perhaps if impartially weighed , may ballance ▪ if not overpoi●… his . and indeed those wives who are apt blaze their husbands faults , doe shew that they have either little adverted to theirown , orelse find them so great , that they are forced to that art of diversion , and seek in his infamy to drown theirs . but that project is a little unlucky , for nothing does in sober judges create greaterprejudice to a woman , then to see her forward in impeaching her husband 16. but besides this immediate tenderness of his reputation , there is another by way of reflection , which consists in a care that she her self do nothing which may redound to his dishonor : ther is so strict union between a man and his wife , that the law counts them one person , and consequently they can have no divided interest , so that the misbehavior of the woman reflects ignominiously on the man ; it therefore concerns them as well upon their husbands as their own account , to abstain even from all appearance of evil , and provide that themselves be ( what caesar is said to have requir'd of his wife ) not only without guilt but without scandal also . 17 another part of the wives duty relates to her husbands fortune , the management whereof is not ordinarily the wives province , but where the husband thinks fit to make it so , she is oblig'd to administer it with her best care and industry ; not by any neglect of hers to give others opportutunity of defrauding him , yet on the other side not by an immoderate tenacity or griping , to bring upon him and her self the reproch , and which is worse the curse that attends exaction and oppression . but this is not usually the wives field of action , tho he that shall consider the description which solomon gives of a vertuous wife prov. 31. will be apt to think her province is not so narrow and confin'd , as the humor of the age would represent it . he tells us that she seeks wool and flax , and works diligently with her hands , that she is like the merchants ships , and brings her food from far . that she considers a field and buyes it , and with the fruit of her hands plants a vineyard , &c. and least this should be imagin'd to be the character of a mean country dame , he addes that her houshold is clothed in scarlet , and that her husband sits among the elders of the land . it were easy to give instances from history of the advantageous menage and active industry of wives , not only in single persons , but whole nations . but nothing can be more pregnant , then that among the romans : in the very height and flourish of the empire austus himself scare wore any thing but of the manufacture of his wife , his sister , daughters , and nieces , as suetonius assures us . should the gay lilies of our fields , which neither sow nor spin , nor gather into barns be exemted from furnishing others , and left to cloth themselves , t is to be doubted they would reverse our saviors parallel of solomons glories , and no beggar in all his rags would be araied like one of these . luc. 12. 27. 18. but we will be yet more kind , and impose only negative thrift on the wife , not to wast and embezle her husbands estate , but to confine her expences within such limits as that can easily admit ; a caution which if all women had observed ; many noble families had bin preserv'd , of which there now remains no other memorial but that they sell a sacrifice to the profuse vanity of a woman ; and i fear this age is like to provide many more such monuments for the next . our ladies , as if they emulated she roman luxury ( which seneca and pliny describe with so much indignation ) do sometimes wear about them the revenues of a rich family ; and those that cannot reach to that , shew how much 't is against their wills they fall lower , by the vast variety and excess of such things as they can possibly compasse ; so much extravagance not only in their own dress , but that of their houses and apartments , as if their vanity like the leprosy we read of lev. 24. had infected the very walls . and indeed 't is a very spreading fretting one , for the furniture oft consumes the house , and the house consumes the land : so that if som gentlemen were to calculate their estates , they might reduce all to the inventory of scopias the thessalian , who profest his all lay only in such toies as did him no good . women are now skillfull chymists , and can quickly turn their husbands earth into gold : but they pursue the experiment too far , make that gold too volatile , and let it all vapor away in insignificant ( tho gaudy ) trifles . 19. nor is it ever like to be otherwise with those that immoderatly affect the town , that forge of vanity , which supplies a perpetual spring of new temtations . 't is true there are some ladies who are necessarily engaged to be there : their husbands emploiments orfortuneshave markt that out as their proper station , and where the ground of their stay is their duty , there is more reason to hope it will not betray them to ill , for temtations are most apt to assault stragglers , those that put themselves out of their proper road . and truly i see not who can more properly be said to be so , thenthosewomen whose means of subsistence lies in the country , and yet will spend it no wherebut at london , which seems to carry something of opposition to gods providence , who surely never caused their lot to fall , as the psalmist speaks , in a fair ground , in goodly heritages psalm . 16. with an intent they should never inhabit them . the 12 tribes of israel had their peculiar portions in canaan assign'd them by lot jos. 14. 2. and every one acquiesced in his part , dwelt in his own inheritance : had they bin impatient of living any where but in the metropolis , had they all crouded to jerusalem , all the rest of the land would have bin as desolate before the capt●…ty as it was after ; none would havebin left but such as nabuzaradan permitted to stay jer. 52. 16. some of the poor to dresse the vines , and to till the ground . and truly the same is like to be the fate of this nation , if this humor goes on as it has begun ; which may in time prove as mischievous to the public as it daily is to private families . 20. but besides this 't is yet farther to be consider'd , that where god gives an estate , he as the supreme landlord affixes something of duty , laies a kind of a rent charge upon it , expects it should maintain both hospitality and charity ; and sure both these are fittest to be don upon the place whence the ability of them rises . all public taxes use to be levied where the estate lies , and i know not why these which are gods assesments upon it , should not be paid there too . when a gentlemans land becomes profitable unto him by the sweat and labor of his poor neighbors and tenants , t will be a kind of muzling of the ox 1. cor. 9. 9. if they never tast of the fruit of their pains , if they shall never have the refreshment of a good meal , or an alms ; which they are not very like to meet with , if all the profits be sent up to maintain an equipage , and keep up a parade in town . but alas 't is often not only the annual profits that go that way , not only the crop , but the soil too ; those luxuries usually pray upon the vitals , eat out the very heart of an estate , and many have stay'd in the town 'till they have nothing left in the country to retire to . 21. now where this proceeds from the wife , what account can she give to her husband , whose easiness and indulgence ( for that must be suppos'd in the case ) she has so abus'd ? as also to her posterity and family who for her pride must be brought low , reduc'd to a conditiod beneath their quality , because she affected to live above it ? but she will yet worse answer it to her self , on whom she has brought not only the inconvenience but the guilt . 't is sure a lofty mind will feelsmart enough of a fall , a diminution , much more an indigence will be sufficiently greivous to a vain and lavish humor ; yet here it will farther have an additional sting , from the conscience that she ows it only to her own pride and folly ; a most imbittering consideration , and such as advances the affliction beyond that of a more innocent poverty , as much as the pain of an envenom'd arrow exceeds that of another . 22. but the saddest reckoning of all is that which she is to make to god , who has declar'd he hates robbery tho for a burnt offering to himself . how will he then detest this robbery this impoverishing of the husband , when 't is only to make an oblation to vanity and excess ? it should therefore be the care of all wives to keep themselves from a guilt for which god and man , yea & themselves also shall equally accuse them , and to keep their expences within such limits , that as bees suck but do not violate or deface the flowers , so they as joint proprietaries with the husbands , may enjoy but not devour and destroy his fortune . 23. i have now run through the duties to be perfrom'd unto the husband , wherein i have not used the exactness of a casuist in curiously anatomizing every part , and shewing all the most minute particulars reducible to each head . i have only drawn out the greater lines , and insisted on those wherein wives-are most frequently deficient . i shall only add this caution , that whatever is duty to the husband is equally so , be he good or ill , the apostle commands the subjection & fidelity , even to heathen husbands , 1 pet. 3. 12. and 't is not now their defect , either in piety or morality , that can absolve the wife . for , besides the inconvenience of making her duty precarious & liable to be substracted upon every pretence of demerit , she has by solemn contract renounc'd that liberty , & in her marriage-vow taken him for better for worse ; & it is too late after vows to make enquiry , prov. 20. 25. to seek to break loose from that bond of her soul ; and how uneasie soever the perversness of the husband may render it , he cannot thereby mak it less , but more rewardable by god : for what the apostle speaks in the case of servants , is no less appliable to this , 1 pet. 2. 19. for this is than worthy . if for conscience towards godye endure grief , suffering wrongfully . whatever duty is perform'd to man with aspect on god , he owns as to himself ; so that how unworthy soever the husband may be the wife cannot misplace her observance , whilst she finally terminates it on that infinit goodness and majesty to whom no love or obedience can be enough . 24. from this relation of a wife , there ordinarily springs another , that of a mother , to which there belongs a distinct duty , which may bebranched into many severals : but i shall at present only reduce them to two heads love and care. a mother is a title of so much tenderness , that we find it borrowed by our common dialect to express the most exuberant kindness ; nay , even in sacred stile it has the same use , and is often set as the highest example our weaknes can comprehend of the divine compassions . so that nature seems sufficienly to have secur'd the love of mothers to their children , without the aid of any positive law ; yet we find this ( as other instincts of nature ) is somtimes violated , and oftner perverted and applied to mistaken purposes : the first is by a defect of love ; the other , by an imprudent excess of t : the defect does , i presume , more rarely occur then the other ; yet it doth sometimes happen , and that either from a morosesowrness of humor , or else from too vehement an intention on somthing else . 25. some women have such a ruggedness of nature , that they can love nothing ; the ugly passions of anger and envy , hav , like pharaoh's lean kine , eat up the more amiable , of love and joy. plato was wont to advise crabbed austere tempers , to sacrifice to the graces ; and such as these had need have a great deal of christian philosophy , to allay and sweeten their native bitterness . but there are others that are not void of the affection of love , but 't is forestall'd by some other object , and so diverted from their children ; and 't is a little to be doubted , those objects which so divert are none of the best , for the wisdom of god has disposed all duty into such a harmony and consent of parts , that one interferes not with another . if we love no prohibited thing , all the regular objects of our kindness will agree well enough , and one need never supplant another . and indeed 't is oft observable , that those women who immoderatly love their own plesures , do lest regard their children ; they look on them as clogs to keep them within doors , and think their adverting to them , will hinder their free range abroad ; those are turn'd off to the care of a nurse or maid , whilst perhaps a dog or a monkey is thought worthy their own attendance . 26. plutarch relates it as a sarcasm of caesars to some foreigners whom he saw ( at rome ) strangely fond of such little animals , that he asked them whether the women in their country had no children ; thereby intimating , how unreasonable it was for those that had , to bestow their caresses on such creatures . and surely he would not have given a milder reprimand to som of our ladies , who not only please , but pride themselvs in those little brutes , shew them to all comers , when perhaps you may converse with them divers daies , before you shall , by any mention of theirs , know that they have a child . 27. to this defect of love , many are apt to impute the mothers transferring the nursing her child to another . i am not forward to pronounce it , being loth to involve so many as i then must in the imputation of unnaturalness ; i rather think it is taken up as a piece of state and greatness ; for no other motive , but what is sounded in their quality , could so universally prevail with all that are of it . but sure this is one of the vain punctillio's wherwith this age abounds ; for what-ever rank the mother is of , the child carries proportion to it , and there is the same equality between the greatest lady and her own child , as is between the meanest beggar and hers : tho indeed if there were any condescension in it , the aversions of that ought not to outweigh the impulses of nature , and the many advantages the child may receive by taking its nourishment whence it derived its substance . and therefore , tho i will not be too positive in asserting the necessity , yet i confess , i cannot but look with reverence upon those few persons of honor , who have broke through an unreasonable custom , and preferred the good of their children before that fantastic privilege of greatness . and such must in all justice be acknowledged to have given a much better evidence of their love to their children , then the others . 28. there is in a. gellius , in his fourteenth book so fine a discourse on this subject , where favori●…us the philosopher is introduced , perswading a noble lady , notwithstanding the usual excuses , to nurse her child ; that nothing besides the length , could temt me to omit the transcribing it : unless happily the little success , which a noble person of the same sex here concern'd i mean the countess of lincoln , in the ingenious book wrote by her , and call'd her nursery , be a sufficient ground of despairing to convince by any thing that can be said . however let these delicate ones consider the severe words of the prophet , lament . 4. 3. the sea monsters draw out the breast , they give suck to their young ones , the daughter of my people is become cruel like the ostrich in the wilderness , who is hardned against her young ones , as tho they were not hers : her labor is in vain without fear , because god hath deprived her of wisdom , neither hath he imparted to her understanding , job . 39. 16. 29. but as there may be a fault in the defect , so there may be also in the excess of love . god is the only unlimited object of our love , towards all others 't is easy to become inordinate , and in no instance more then in this of children . the love of a parent is descending , and all things move most violently downwards , so that whereas that of children to their parents commonly needs a spur , this of the parent often needs a bridle , especially that of the mother , which ( by strength of feminine passion ) does usually exceed the love of the father . now to regulate this affection , she is to advert to these two rules , first that she hurt not her self by it , and secondly that she hurt not her children : of the first she is in danger if she suffer that humane affection to swell beyond its banks , so as to come in any competition with the divine , this is to make an idoll of her child ; for every thing is so to us , which rivals the love of god in our hearts , and he who owns the title of a jealous god , may be provoked as well by the bowing our souls to a living image , as the prostration of our bodies to a dead . accordingly we oft see the effects of his jealousy in this particular , the doting affection of the mother is frequently punish with the untimely death of the children , or if not with that 't is many times with a severer scourge : they live ( but as it was foretold to eli ▪ 1 sam. 2. 33. ) to grieve her eies and to consume her heart , to be ruinous to themselves , and afflictions to their friends , and to force their unhappy mothers to that sad acclamation lu. 23. 29. blessed are the wombs which bare not 30. and as this proves often true , when the dotage is generall upon all the children , so does oftner when 't is more partial and fixt upon any one ; that darling which she makes the only object of her joy usually becomes that of her sorrow . it is an ordinary infirmity in parents toheap all their kindness upon one , to the defrauding of the rest , and too many times upon very undue motives : a little excelling in point of beauty turns the scales , when perhaps many more solid excellencies are the counterpoise . and surely this is not only unjust but irrational in the parent : for all peculiarity of favor in a superior , should be dispenc'd either by way of reward or encouragement ; and neither of those ends can take place where 't is only the outward form that is consider'd , for that cannot be rewardable , to which the party has contributed nothing , and the psalmist will tell us that t is god ▪ that hath made us and not we our selves psalm . 100. 2. and as little room is there for the other end , that of encouragement . for as our savior tells us ma. 6. none can adde a cubit to his statute , nor make one hair white or black : 't is certain themselves cannot really doe either , tho by the aid of artificial hypocrisy they frequently appear to do both ; but those are arts which neither deserve nor want encouragment , the natural beauty must have its increase from the same source whence it derived its being : there is therefore no reasonable account to be given why a child should be preferr'd for any such exterior excellency . 31. the only justifiable ground of partiality to children is their vertue , for to that their own choice concurs , and so may intitle them to reward , and 't is also in their power to advance , and so encouragements are not cast away upon them : nay the influences of those may extend farther , and provone a vertuous emulation in the rest ; but then the mother must so manage it , as to evidence that 't is no inequallity in her own inclination , but meerly the force of the others desert , not the person but the goodness , that biasses her , and when vertue is known to be the only ingratiating quality , they will at once learn the way to become hers & gods favourites . and unless it be upon this one design , 't is a very unsafe thing for a parent to make any partial discrimination among children , which is sure to tempt the more neglected both to repine at her , and envy her darlings ; and oftentimes such seeds of rancor have bin by that means sowed in children , as have bin hard to eradicate in their riper years . nor is the mifchief less which she does to her fondlings , who besides that they are expos'd to the malice of the rest , are usually spoild by it , made insolent & untractable perhaps their whole lives after , for where the mothers affection is unbridled , commonly the childs will is so too , her fondness superseding that discipline and correction , which should , as the wise man speaks ; bow down its neck from its youth . 32. and the like may be said where the indulgence is more universal to all the children , which is in one respect worse then the partial , because it spoils more , not one or two but all the brood . the doting love of a mother blinds her eyes , that she cannot see their faults , manacles her hands that she cannot chastise them , and so their vices are permitted to grow up with themselves : as their joints knit and gather strength , so do their ill habits , 'till at last they are confirm'd into an obstinacy ; so setting them in a perfect opposition to to that pattern they should imitate , for as christs childhood increast in wisdom , and the divine favor , lu. 2. so do theirs in all those provoking follies , which may avert both the love of god and man. and alas what recompence can the little blandishments and caresses of a mother make her children , for such important such inestimable mischiefs ? so that she that will be really kind must temper her indulgence with a prudent severity , or els she eminently violates the second rule , by which she should regulate her love , and does that to her children which jocob fear'd from his father gen. 27. brings a curse upon them and not a blessing . 33. indeed the best way of approving their love , is by well discharging the other branch of their duty , that of care ; without this all the most passionate rapturesof kindness , are but an airy apparition , a fantastic scene , and will no more advantage a child , then the whole shambles in picture can feed and nurish it . now this care is not a temporary , momentary duty , for some one critical instant , but is to attend the child through the several stages of its minority , viz. infancy , childhood , and youth . the very first part of their infancy is a season only for those cares which concern their bodies , providing for their careful attendance , and all other things conducing to the strengthening their constitutions , and laying a foundation for future health and vigor ; which is their interest not only upon a bodily , but upon an intellectual account , the good temperature of the body being a great aid towards the free operations of the mind . and therefore socrates and other philosophers much recommend to their disciples the care of health , as that which freed the soul from many incumbrances in its pursuit of knowledg : and it was the comprehensive praier of the poet , that the gods would grant a sound mind in a healthful body . 34. but this health is not always the consequent of a very nice and tender breeding but is very oft overthrown by it ; and if ladies could but find in their hearts to try it , they would , i doubt not , find , that the inuring them to moderate hardships , would much more conduce to the establishing and fortifying their constitutions . 35. beyond all this , the care for their exterior is soon overtaken by a more important one , that of their interior , in the timing of which there seems to be a very common mistake in the world. we look upon the seven years or infancy , as the life meerly of an animal , to be spent only in the entertainments of sense ; and as we use not to yoak calves , or back young colts , so we think our children are for a while to be left at the same liberty ; to have no restraint put on any of their passions . nay many times we excite & foment them , teach children to be angry and envious , proud and sullen , as if we fear'd their natural propensions to all these were too faint , and wanted the help of institutions . but surely this is a great and pernicions error , and this supposing children to be so long brutes , is the way to make them so longer . the patrons of atheism make it a most constant topic in the disparagement of religion , that 't is owed to the prejudices infused in the first infancy : 't wer to be wisht , that this objection might so far be complied with , that the fear of god , the love of vertue , and hatred of vice , might have the first possession of the soul ; and they be made to moderate their passions , as soon as they are in a capacity to have them excited and engaged . 36. and truly , if we will observe it , we may see very early dawnings of reason in infants , which would sooner come to a brightness , if we would betimes set to the scattering of those passions which eclipse and darken it . a child will quickly be taughtto knowwhat pleases ordispleases a parent , and by a very little tast of reward or punishment , will learn to do the one , and avoid the other : and when this is don , the parent has gain'd the fundamental point , that of obedience ; and may superstruct on it what she pleases , & then 't is her fault if the child be not by easie and insensible degrees moulded into a right form . 't is at first all one to the child , whether he name god in an oath or in his praiers ; but a mother by punishing the one , and rewarding the other , will quickly bring him to know there is a difference , and so proportionably in other instances . as to the way of discipline , it may not be amiss to observe , that when thereis occasion for severity , 't is better to awe by actual punishment then terror , and never to make use of infinite and invisible affrightments , the beloved methods of nurses and servants , such as are the menacing of sprights and mormo's , and leaving in the dark ; that frequently make dastardly & timerous impressions , which a long age scarcely wears off . 37. a sober sense of things , is to be impressed by treatable means , and this will be don with most ease , both to the parent and child , the sooner t is set upon . the will of a tender infant , is like its limbs , supple and pliant , but time confirms it , and custom hardens it ; so 't is a cruel indulgence to the poor creature , to let it contract such habits , which must cost him so dear the breaking ; or dearer , i●… never broken . and if this early care be taken of the infancy , 't will much ease the next part , that of the childhood ; for where the iron sinew in the neck is broken , where the native stubbornness is subdued so early , the yokewill sit easie , all succeeding parts of discipline will comewith more facility and profit . the care proper to this age , is , the instructing in all parts of useful knowledg , of which , as the divine for the excellency both of its nature and its end , must be first ranked , so should it be first and most industriously cultivated , and by all endearing methods imprest , not only on the understanding , but the heart . piety and virtue should be propos dasthemost amiable , as well as necessary things , and they would be invited not only to know , but love them . 38. this part of learning is equally competent to both sexes , and therefore , when the sons are removed from under the mothers tuition , and sent to more public places of erudition , her provinceis still the same as to her daughter ▪ to whom she shouldnot only preach , but exemp●…ifieit inher own practice , no precepts penetrating so much into youth , as those that are so inforc'd . and in order to this , i should commend to mothers , the being as much with them as they can , and taking the personal inspection of them ; not to turn them off wholly to servants , no nor yet governesses , but frequently themselves to examin how they proceed in the speculative part of knowledg , and no less frequently exhort them to the practic . 39. marcus cato would not let his son learn of his slave , as disdaining a child should owe so considerable a benefit to so servile a person ; and if he thought the meer teaching of grammar , too great a charge for such a one , surely the whole institution of youth is a much greater , it being that on which , not only a few outward accomplishments , but even their eternity depends . the great cornelia , mother of the gracchi , and aurelia the mother of augustus , thought it worth their pains to be governesses . and the truth is , the soul of a child is a little too precious a trust to commit wholy to the diligence & care of a mercinary servant ; or if they happen not to want those qualifications , yet 't is very possible they may prudence , of which there is no small degree requisite to the instructing of youth , too great a remissness or severity being equally destructive in that affair . and indeed , besides this immediate , there are some other collateral benefits consequent to the mothers performing that office , 't will bring her and her children into an intimacy and conversation , give her an acquaintance with their several capacities and humors ; for want of which , many parents have erred in their conduct , one sort of treatment being not fit for all children ; and the distinguishing that depending wholy on their discerning their particular tempers , which cannot well be don without-som converse with them . 40. besides by this they will be witnesses how they dispose their time , that they neither lose it by doing nothing , nor yet mis-employ it by doing ill . and indeed there is scarce any part of the parents care more important then this , idlenessbeing no farther removed from vice , then a cause is from its immediate effect . therefore if children be permitted to trifle avay their time , they will soon learn to trifle avay their innocence also : so that 't is highly necessary that they be provided of a succession of emploiments , that by the variety they may be insensibly drawn on : nay methinkes , it might verywell be contrived that their recreationsmight somtimes consist of such ingenious exercises , that they may at once both play and learn. 41. there is yet another good effect of the mothers presence with the children ( which is perhaps no less material then any of the former ) 't is , that by this associating them with her self , she prevents the danger of worse society . children if the parents allow them not their company , are necessarily cast upon that of servants , than which there is scarce a greater danger that attends youth ; for besides that that low sort of converse debases their minds , makes them mean and sordid , it often corrupts their manners too ; children usually not receiving more pestilent infusions from any then such . servants that desire to ingratiate themselvs , and having no laudable quality whereby to do it , must first endeavor to ingratiate vice to them , and then by their officious ministries in that , have a ready way of introducing themselves into favor . perhaps this will be thought to concern only the masculin part of children , and that the female who are commonly in a distinct appartment , and converse only with their own sex , are more secure . but i would not advise mothers to depend too much on that , for they are no surer that their daughters shall not converse with men , nay men of the meaner sort too , then that their maids and attendants shall notdo so ; and when 't is consider'd , how apt those are to entertain , if not to invite amours , 't is not very probable the rooms where they quarter shall be inaccessible to those they affect . and it were much safer for children to bee in the most public concourse of m●…n , then to be witnesses and observers of the private intrigues of such lovers ; the memories of youth are very tenacious , & if they once be tainted with any indecent thing will be apt to recollect it , 'till at last perhaps they come to transcribe it . 't is therefore in this respecta very useful part of the mothers care , to make her self company to her daughters , to prevent the dangers of a more unequal and infectious converse . 42. but if this be useful in childhood , 't is no less then necessary in the next period of their time , when they arrive neer the growth and age of women : then indeed the mother should not only make them her companions , but her friends , allow them such a kind , yet modest , freedom , that they may have a complacence in her company , and not be temted to seek it among their inferiors ; that the belief of her kindnes may supplant the pretensions of those meane●… sycophants , who by litle flatteries endeavor to seru themselves into their good opinion , & become their confidents ; then which there is nothing more mischievous , those private caballs that are held with such , serving only to reader them mutinous against their parents : these family incendiaries like those in the state and church , still inculcating the one grand principle of liberty , a word so charming to our depraved nature , and especially to youth , that they should not be trusted with such lectures . besides those intimacies are often introductions toworse ; many scandalous amours and unequal matches having had their rise from them . it should therefore be the business of mothers to prevent all such pernicious leagues , by preingaging them in more safe familiarities , either with her self , or some other , of whose vertue she has reason to be confident . 43. but the most infallible security against this & all other mischeifs is the bringing them into an intimacy and conversation with their maker , by fixing a true sense of religion in their hearts , if that can be effectually don , t will supersede all other expedients . she that duely considers she is allwaies in gods presence , will want no other inspector ; nor will she much need monitors , who attends to the advices of her own conscience . neither will it only tend to the securing her innocence but her reputation too ; it being one part of the christian law to abstain from all appearance of evil 1. thess. 22. to do things that are of good report phil. 4. 8. so that piety is the 〈◊〉 compleat armor to defend both their vertu and fame . and 't is extremely necessary they should be furnisht with it , at this age especially , when they do at first enter into the world , which we may well look on as a taking the field , considering how many assaults they are there like to meet with ; and if they go without this armature , they may , none knows how soon , be incurably wounded , of which there want not many sad instances , some whereof might probably have bin prevented , had the parent taken care to have better fortified them . 44. and indeed t is not a little sad to see how much this their most important concern is neglected . many mothers who are nicely curious in other parts of their daughters breeding , are utterly inconsiderate of this ; they must have all civil accomplishments , but no christian. those are excluded out of the scheme of education , & by that means lye under the prejudice of being not only unnecessary , but ungentile , below the regard of persons of quality . 't is much to be fear'd , that this neglect toward their children , is founded in a previous contemt of piety in themselves , yet i suppose 't is often increas'd by a little vanity they have of seeing them excel in som of those exterior qualities , which may recommend them to the humor of the world upon the improving whereof they are so intent , that more material things are overlookt ; and when those are acquired , the pride of shewing them betrays them to other in onveniencies . the mother oft not only permits , but incites the daughter to the oportunities of boasting her excellencies sends her so oft abroad on that design , that at last perhaps she cannot when she would keep her at home , as i believe too many have found experimentally true . in a word , this interval between childhood & majority , is the most critical point of a womans life , and therefore should be the most nicely and warily attended ; and a mother had need summon not only all her care and diligence , but her prudence too , well to discharge this part of her obligation . 45. i shall not insist more minutely upon particulars : i have in the former section spoken somewhat of what 't is fit these young virgins should do and avoid , and whatever by that , or by any more exact rule appears their interest or duty ; 't is the mothers to see it be not neglected by them : but where kindness alone will not prevail to employ their autority too , and by a discreet mixture of each , secure their observance by both the tenures of love and reverence . yet i shall a little reflect upon one particular i mention'd before i mean that of marrying wher they have aversion , which tho i there charg'd as the crime of the daughter ▪ yet i must here say the original , and more inexcusable guilt is usually in the parents , who are sometimes such idolaters to wealth and honor , that they sacrifice their children to them ; a more barbarous immolationthen that to moloch ; for tho that were very inhumane , yet it had this alleviation , that the pain was short : but a loathed bed is at once an acute and a lingring torment , nay , not only so , but a temtation too ; so that 't is a tyranny of a most unlimited kind , extends its effects even to eternity ; and sure that mother must have very petrified bowels , have lost all natural compassion , that can so impose on her child . 46. i shall add no more concerning this relation of a mother , but only one short advice , that those who groan under the frustration of their hopes , whose children by any scandulous misbehavior become objects of their shame and grief , would soberly consider , whether it have not bin som way owing to themselves , either by neglect in their education , or by their own ill example : 't is usually one , and sometimes both . they that upon recollection can assure themselvs 't is neither , may bear the affliction with much the greater cheerfulness ; but they that cannot , i am sure ought to bear it with much the more patience & submission , take it as gods lecture of repentance , and look on their childrens faults as the product of their own . and because satisfaction is an indispensible part of repentance , they are with their utmost industry to endeavor the repairing those ruins they have made , by recalling those to virtu , who by their means have straied from it . t is true , the errors of education , like a subtile poison , do so mix with the blood , so incorporate into the humors and manners , that t will be very difficult to allay their effects ; and therefore the less they are themselves able to do towards it , the more earnestly they must importune a higher power . he who divided the light from the darkness , can separate the effects from the causes ; and as he restrained the natural property of fire , in the case of the three children , dan. 3. so he only can rescu theirchildren from that destruction to which their negligence has exposed them . but as to the influence their example has had , theymay do somthing towards the redress of that , by setting them a new copy , making their own change so visible , so remarkable , that they mayhave the very same means of reclaiming , which there was of seducing them . and this is a peice of justice , which seems to call aloud upon many mothers . the irregularities of youth could hardly have grown to the present height , had they not received warmth and shelter from the practice of their elders , which does at once give incouragement & take of restraints , the mother loses not only her autority , but her confidence to admonish or reprove . with what face can she require that strict and severe modesty of a young girl , which she who should be a matron will not practise ? or tye up the giddy wandring humor of youth , within those bounds she thinks too strait for her own ? and how ready a retortion will even scripture it self afford for such an imposer ? thou that teachest another , teachest thou not thy self ? rom. 2. 21. let it therefore be the care of all mothers to live a perpetual lecture to their children , so to exemplifie to them all virtu and piety , that they may contribute somthing to their spiritual , as wel as their natural life , that however they may at least deliver their own souls , and not have their childrens guilt recoile upon them as the unhappy originalls of it . 47. the last relation of a married woman is that of a mistriss , the inspection of the family being usually her province ; and tho she be not supreme ●…here , yet she is to improve her delegated autority to the advantage of all under it ; and her ●…nore constant residence gives her more opportunities of it , then the frequent avocations of the husband will perhaps allow him . st. paul sets it as the calling , and the indispensible duty of the married women , that they guide the house , 1 tim. 5. 18. not thinking it a point of greatness to remit the manage of all domestic concerns to a mercinary house-keeper . and indeed since it has bin a fashionable thing for the master to resign up his concerns to the steward , and the lady hers to the governant , it has gon ill with most great families , whilst these officers serve themselves instead of those who employ them , raise fortunes on their patrons ruines , and divide the spoil of the family , the house-keeper pilfering within doores , and the bailiff plundering without . 48. now to the well guiding of the house by the mistress of it , i know no better or more comprehensive rule , then for her to endeavor to make all that are hers to be gods servants also ; this will secure her of all those intermedial qualifications in them in which her secular interest is concerned , their own consciences being the best spy she can set upon them , as to their truth and fidelity , and the best spur also to diligence and industry . but to the making them such , there will need first instruction , and secondly discipline . it is a necessary part of the rulers care to provide that none in their family should want means of necessary instruction . i doe not say that the mistress should set up for a catechist , or preacher ; but that they take order they should be taught by those who are qualified for the emploiment . and that their furnishing them with knowledg , may not serve only to help them to a greater number of stripes , luk. 12. 47. they are to give them the opportunities of consecrating it to prayer & devotion , to that end to have public divine offices in the family ; and that not by starts or accidents ( when a devouter guest is to be entertained , and laid by when a prophane ) but daily and regularly , that the hours of praiers may be fixt and constant as those of meals , and ( if it may possibly be ) as much frequented ; however that toward it she give both precept and example . 49. a christian family should be the epitome of a church ; but alas how many among us lye under a perpetual interdict , & yet not from the usurpation of any forreign power , but from the irreligion of the domestic . one may go into divers great families , and after some stay there , not be able to say that the name of god was mentioned to any other purpose than that of blasphemy and execration , nor a text of scripture unless in burlesque & prophane drolery . and sure we need not wonder at the universal complaint that is now made of ill servants , when we reflectupon this ill government of families . they that are suffer'd wholy to forget their duties toward god , wil not alwais remember it towards man. servants are not such philosophers that upon the bare strength of a few moral instincts they will be vertuous , & if by a customary neglect of all things sacred , they are once taught to look at nothing beyond this world , they will often find temtation enough here to discard their honesty , as the most unthriving trade . and indeed when the awe of religion is quite taken off from the vulgar , there will scarce any thing else be found to keep them within any tolerable bounds ; so that 't is no less impolitic then prophane to slacken that reine . 50. but it is not only the interest , but the duty of all that have families , to keep up the esteem and practice of religion in them . 't was one of the greatest endearments of abraham to god , that he would command his houshold to keep the way of the lord gen. 18. 19. and joshua undertakes no less for the piety of his houshold then himself , as for me and my house we will serve the lord jos. 24 〈◊〉 and sure 't is but reasonable , that where we our selves owe an homage , we should make all our dependents acknowledg the same . besides , it is a justice in respect of them ; for where we entertain a servant , we take the whole person into our care and protection , and are salse to that undertaking if we suffer his soul the most precious part of him to perish ; and god who keeps account even of his meanest creatures , will not patiently resent such a neglect of those who bear his own image , and were ransomed with as great a price as their masters were , for there is no respect of persons with god eph. 6. 6. 51. but when piety is planted in a family , 't will soon wither , if it be not kept in vigor by discipline : nay indeed , to have servants seemingly devout in the oratory , and yet really licentious out of it , is but to convert ones house into a theater , have a play of religion , and keep a set of actors only to personate and represent it . 't is therefore necessary to inquire how they behave themselves when they are off the stage , whether those hands which they elevate in praier , are at other times industriously appli'd to work ; or those mouths wherewith they there bless god , are not else where filled with oaths and curses , scurrilities and revilings ; in a word , whether that form of godliness be not design'd in commutation for sobriety and honesty . indeed the governors of families ought to make a strict inspection into the ●…anners , of their servants , & where they find them good to affix som special mark of favor , by which they may both be encouraged to persevere and others to begin ; butwher they discern them vicious there as eminently to discountenance , severely to admonish them , and use all fit means for their reclaiming , and when that seems hopeless , to dismiss them that they may not infect the rest . a little leven saith the apostle leveneth the whole lump , gal. 5. 9. and one ill servant ( like a perisht tooth ) will be apt to corrupt his fellows . 't is therefore the same in families that it is in more public communities , where severity to the ill is mercy and protection to the rest ; and were houses thus early weeded of all idle and vicious persons , they would not be so overgrown , nor degenerate into such rude wildernesses , as many ( nay i fear most ) great families now are . 52. but as servants are not to be tolerated in the neglect of their duty , so neither are they to be defeated of any of their dues . masters are to give to their servants that which is just and equal , col. 4. 1. and sure , 't is but just and equal that they who are rational creatures should not be treated with the rigor or contemt of brutes : a sufficient & decent provision , both in sickness and in health , is a just debt to them , besides an exact performance of those particular contracts upon which they were entertain'd . laban had so much of natural justice , that he would not take the advantage of jacobs relation to him , to make him serve him gr●…tis , because thou art my brother shouldst thou the●…fore serve me for nought ? tel me therefore what shall thy wages be ? gen. 29 , 15. but alas now a daies where servants have bin told , nay expresly articled for their wages , 't is with many no easy thing to get it : nay 't is thought by som masters an insolence , a piece of ill manners to demand it ; and when they have worn out a servant , they either pay him not at all , or with the same protraction and regret , which they do their tailors for the old clothes they have cast off . i fear there are many instances of this , especially among great persons , it being a received mode with too many of them to pay no debts to those who are too mean to contest with them . but however they may ruffle it out with men , it will one day arraign them before god as most injurious oppressors ; there being no crime of that kind more frequently or severely branded in scripture , then this of detention of the wages of the servant and hireling . besides , this examples of injustice , wherein the servant is passive , is often transcrib'd by him in acts of fraud and deceit , and he is apt to think it but an equal retaliation , to break his trust where the master breaks his covenant , and when he once attemts to be his own pay-master , 't is not to be doubted but he will allow himself large use ▪ for the forbearance of his wages ; so that the course is no less unprofitable to the master then unjust and dishonorable . 53. i am not sure 't is alwaie's in the wives power to prevent this or any of the former faults 〈◊〉 the menage of the family . for her authority being but subordinat , if the husband who is supreme suspend her power , he does by that vacating her rule take off the duty consequent to it ; so that what i have said can be obligatory to none that are so impeded : but to those who either can do it themselves , or perswade their husbands to it , the omission will be their sin , all the profaneness and disorder of the family will be charg'd upon their account , if it came by their default . 54. and this methinks is a consideration that may much mortify one usual peice of vanity , i mean that of a multitude of servants . we shall all of us find burden enough of our own personal miscarriages , and need not contrive to fetch in more weight from others . and in families 't is generally observable , that the bigger they are the worse ; vice gains boldness by numbers , is hatcht up by the warmth of a full society ; and we daily see people venture upon those enormities in consort and in a croud . which they would not dare did they think they stood single . besides the wider the province is , the more difficult it is well to administer it ; and in a heap of servants many faults will scape undiscern●…d , especially , considering the common confederacy there is usually amongthem , for the eluding of discipline : so that what the wiseman speaks of not desiring a multitude of unprofitable children , i think may very well be appli'd to servants , whose unprofitableness usually increases together with their number . i have now run through these several obligations consequent to the maried state , wherein even upon this very cursory view , there appears so many particulars , that if they were all duly attended , ladies need not be much at a loss how to entertain themselvs ; nor run abroad in a romantic quest after forreign divertisements , when they , have such variety of engagements at home . sect . iii. of widows . 1. the next state which can succeed to that of marriage is widowhood , which tho it supersedes those duties which were terminated meerly in the person of the husband , yet it endears those which may be paid to his ashes . love is strong as death , cant. 8. 6. and therefore when it is pure and genuine cannot be extinguisht by it , but burns like the funeral lamps of old , even in vaults and charnel houses , the conjugal love transplanted into the grave ( as into a finer mould ) improves into piety , and laies a kind of sacred obligation upon the widow to perform all offices of respect and kindness which his remains are capable of . 2. now those remains are of three sorts , his body his memory , and his children . the most proper expession of her love to the first , is in giving it an honorable enterrment ; i mean not such as may vye with the poland extravagance ( of which 't is observed that two or three neer succeeding funeralls ruin the family ) but prudently proportion'd to his quality & fortune , so that her zeal to his corps may not injure a nobler relique of him , his children . and this decency is a much better instance of her kindness , then all those tragical furies wherwith som. women seem transported towards their dead husbands , those frantick embraces and caresses of a carcass , which betray a little too much the sensuality of their love. and it is somthing observable , that those vehement passions quickly exhaust themselvs , and by a kind of sympathetic efficacy as the body ( on which their assection was fixt ) moulders , so does that also , nay often it attends not those lesurely degrees of dissolution , but by a more precipitate motion seems rather to vanish then consume . 3. the more valuable kindness therefore , is that to his memory , endeavoring to embalm that , keep it from perishing ; and by this innocent magic ( as the egyptians were wont by a more guilty ) she may converse with the dead , represent him so to her own thoughts , that his life may still be repeated to her : and as in a broken mirror the refraction multiplies the images , so by his dissolution every hour presents distinct ideas of him ; so that she sees him the oftner , for his being hid from her eies but as they use not to embalm without odors , so she is not only to preserve , but perfume his memory , render it as fragrant as she can ; not only to her self but others ; by reviving the remembrance of whatever was praise-worthy in him , vindicating him from all calumnies and false accusations , and stifling ( or allaying ) even true ones as much as she can . and indeed , a widow can no way better provide for her own honor , then by this tenderness of her husbands . 4. yet there is another expression of it , inferior to none of the former , and that is , the setting such a valu upon her relation to him , as to do nothing unworthy of it . 't was the dying charge of augustus to his wife livia , behave thy self well , and remember our marriage . and she who has bin wife to a person of honor , must so remember it as not to do any thing below her self , or which he ( could he have foreseen it ) should justly have bin ashamed of . 5. the last tribute she can pay him is in his children . these he leaves as his proxies to receive the kindness of which himself is uncapable ; so that the children of a widow may claim a double portion of the mothers love , one upon their native right , as hers ; the other , as a bequest in right of their dead father . and indeed , since she is to supply the place of both parents , 't is but necessary she should put on the affections of both , and to the tenderness of a mother , adde the care and conduct of a father . first , in a sedulous care of their education : and next , in the prudent managery of their fortu●…e ; an order that is somtimes unhappily inverted , and mothers are so concern'd to have the estate prosper in their tuition , that the children cannot ; whilst ( by an unseasonable frugality ) to save a little expence , they deny them the advantages of an ingenious and gentile breeding , swell their estates perhaps to a vast bulk , but so contract and narrow their minds , that they know not how to dispose them to any real benefit of themselves or others . and this is one of the most pernicious parsimonies imaginable , a mother by this seems to adopt the fortune , and abdicate the child , who is only made the beast tobear those loads of wealth she will lay on , and which she evidently owns as the greatest tresure , since in tenderness to that she neglects him . 6. yet somtimes the same effect springs from another cause , and children are ill bred , not because the mother grudges the charge , but out of a feminine fondness , which permits her not to part with them to the proper places for their education ; like jacob to benjamin , her soul is so bound up in them , that she cannot lend them a while even to their own most necessary concerns ; and this , tho not so ignoble a motive as the other , is of no less mischief , at least to her sons , who being by it confin'd to home , are consequently condemn'd to be poyson'd ( if with nothing else , yet ) with the flatteries of servants and tenants , who think those the best expedient to secure their own station . and with these the young master or landlord is so blown up , that as if his manors were the confines of the world , he can look at nothingbeyond them ; so that when at last he breaks loose from his mothers arms , and comes abroad , he expects scarce to find his equals , much less his betters ; thinks he is still to receive the samefawning adorations which he was used to at home : and being possest with this insolent expectation , he will scarce be undeceived , but at the price of many affronts , nay , perhaps he may buy his experience with the loss of his life ; by his ill maners draw on a quarrel , wherein he finally perishes . that this is no impossible supposition , some unhappy mothers have found to their unspeakable affliction . 7. 't is not to be denied , but there are also dangers consequent to the breeding children abroad , vice having insinuated it self even into the places of erudition , and having not only as many , but the very same academies with vertu & learning ; so that the extreme depravation of the times new states the question , and we are not to consider which is best , but which is theleast ill disposure of children . and in that competition sure the home education will be cast ; for there they may suck in all the venom , and nothing of the antidote ; they will not only be taught base things , but ( as i before observ'd ) by the basest tutors , such as will add all the mostsordid circumstances to the improving of a crime . whereas abroad they are first not like to meet with any whose interest is so much to make them vicious : and secondly , they may ( as ill as the world is ) meet with many who may give them both precepts & examples of a better kind . besides , the discipline used in those communities makes them know themselves ; and the various sorts of learning they may acquire , will not only prove usefuldivertisement ( the wantofwhich is the great spring of mischeif ) but will , if rightly apply'd , furnish them with ingenious & vertuous principles , such as may set them above all vile & ignoble practises . so that there seems a conspiration of motives to wrest the child from the relucting mother , & to perswade her for a while to deny her self that desire of her eies , that so he may at last answer the more rational desire of her heart . 8. as to the other part of her obligation , the managing of their fortune , there is the same rule for her as for all other persons that have a trust , viz. to do as for themselves ; that is , with the same care and diligence ( if not a greater ) as in her own peculiar concern . i do not say that she shall confound the property , and make it indeed her own by applying it to her particular use . a thing i fear which is too often don , especially by the gayer sort of widows , who to keep up their own equipage , do somtimes incroach upon their sons peculiar , & i wish even that ( tho bad enough ) were the only case wherein it were don . but 't is sometimes to make her a better prize to a second husband : she goes into another family , and as if she were a colony sent out by her son , he must pay for the planting her there ; indeed the oft repeating this injury , has advanc't it now into a custom , and the management of the minors estate is reckon'd on as part of the widows fortune . but i confess i see not what there is in the title of a mother , that can legitimate her defrauding her child ; it rather envenoms the crime and adds unnaturalness to deceit . besides 't is a preposterous sort of guilt . orphans and widows are in scripture link't together as objects of gods and good mens pitty , and of ill mens oppression , and how ill alas does civill war look among fellow sufferers ; the widow to injure the orphan is like that uncouth oppression solomon speaks of prov. 28. 3. apoor man that oppresseth the poor , is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food . such kind of rapins are as excessive in their degree as prodigious in their kind , and i believe there are many instances of sons , who have suffer'd more by the guardianship of their mothers , then they could probably have don by the outrage of strangers . 9. how well such mothers answer their obligations to their dead husbands , i must leave it to their own consciences to discuss : i shall only offer them these steps of gradation by which to proceed . first , that injustice of any sort is a great sin ; secondly that when 't is in a matter of trust t is complicated with treachery also , thirdly that of all trusts those to the dead have allwaies bin esteem'd the most sacred : if they can find any allay to these by the two remaining circumstances , that t is the trust of a husband , and the interest of a child , i shall confess them very subtil casuists . 10. i have hitherto spoke of what the widow ows to her dead husband ; but there is also somewhat of peculiar obligation in relation to her self . god who has pla●…d us in this world to pursue the interests of a better , directs all the signal acts of his providence to that end , and intends we should so interpret them . so that every great change that occurs , is design●…d either to recall us from a wrong way , or to quicken our pace in the right , and a widow may more then conjecture , that when god takes away the mate of her bosome , reduces her to a solitude , he does by it sound a retreat from the lighter jollities and gaieties of the world . and as in compliance with civill custom she immures her self , sits in darkness for a while ; so she should put on a more retir'd temper of mind , a more strict and severe behavior , and that not to be cast off with her veil , but to be the constant dress of her widowhood . indeed that state as it requires a great sobriety and piety , so it affords many advantages towards it : the apostle tells us , that she who is married careth for the things of the world how she may please her husband 1 cor 7. 34. there are many things which are but the due compliances of a wife , which yet are great avocations , & interrupters of a strict devotion ; when she is manumitted , from that subjection , when she has less of martha's care of serving , she is then at liberty to chose mary's part , luk. 10. 42. she has her time and her fortune at her own command , and consequently may much more abound in the works both of piety and charity . we find god himself retrench the wive's power of binding her own soul num. 30. her vows were totally insignificant without her husbands confirmation ; but the widow might devote her self to what degree she pleas'd , her piety has no restraint from any other inconsistent obligation , but may swell as high as it can . those hours which were before her husbands right seem now to devolve on god the grand proprietor of our time : that discourse and free converse wherewith she entertain'd him , she may now convert into colloquies and spiritual entercourse with her maker ; and that love which was only human before , by the change of its object acquires a sublimity , is exalted into divine ; from loial duty and conjugal affection becomes the eternal work and happiness of angels , the ardor of a cherubim . thus may she in a ●…gher sense verify sampsons riddle , judg. 14. fetch hony out of a carcasse , make her husbands ashes ( like those of the heifer under the law , heb. 9. 13. ) her purification ; his corruption may help to put on incorruption , and her loss of a temporary comfort may instate her in an eternal . 11. and as her self so her fortune may also be consecrated ; and indeed if she be , that will also if she have made an escape out of egypt , there shall not a hoof be left behind her , exod. 10. 26. no part of her possessions will be assign'd to vanity and exccss . she who hath really devoted her self to piety , fasted and praied with anna luk. 2. 37. will also be full of good works & alms-deeds with tabitha , act. 9. 36. thus she may be a mother when she ceases to bear ; and tho she no more increase one family , she may support many ; and certainly the fertility of the womb , is not so valuable as this of the bowels . fruitfulness can be but a happiness , compassion is a vertue . nay indeed 't is a greater and more certain happiness ; a child is not brought forth but with pangs & anguish , but a work of mercy is produc'd not only with ease , but delight . besides , she that bears a child , knows not whether it may prove a blessing or a curse ; but charity gives certain title to a blessing , and engages the most solvent paymaster , even god himself , who owns all such disbursments as a loan to him . he that hath pity upon the poor , lendeth unto the lord : and that which he hath given will he pay him again , prov. 19. 17. 12. there was in the primitive times an ecclesiastical order of widows , which st. paul mentions 1 tim. 5. whose whole ministry was devoted to charity . they were indeed of the poorer sort , fit rather to receive then give alms ; yet the less they could do with their purses , the more was required of their persons , the humbler offices of washing the saints feet , the careful task of bringing up children , and a diligent attendance on every good work . and sure there is parity of reason , that those who upon the score of their wealth , exemt themselvs from those laborious services , should commute for it by more liberal alms. in the warmth and zeal of christianity , women of the higest quality performed both sorts of charity , forgot their greatness in their condescensions , yet assum'd it again in their bounty ; founded hospitals , and yet with a labor of love , as the apostle stiles it , heb. 6. 10. disdain'd not sometimes to serve in them . but these are examples not like to be transcrib'd in our daies , greatness is now grown to such an unweildiness , that itcannot stoop tho to the most christian offices , and yet can as little soar up in any munificent charities : it stands like nebuchadnezzars golden image , a vast bulk only to be ador'd . 13. now certainly , if any women be qualified to avert this reproch , it must be the dowagers of great families and fortunes , they have none to controul their visits to the sick and afflicted , or to resent a disparagement from their humility , neither have they an account to give of their possessions to any but god and themselves ; to him sure they can bring none so like to procure them the eulogy of well don thou good and faithful servant , matth. 25. 21. as a catalogue of their alms. nor indeed can they any other way dispose their fortune so much to their own contentment ; they may indeed cloy and satiate their senses , make provision for the flesh ; but that no way satisfies their reason , much less their conscience . the soul , which is the superior part ; is quite left out in that distribution , nothing is communicated to it but the guilt of those dear bought excesses . the only way it has to be a sharer in their wealth , is by a charitable dispensing . the poor are its proxies as well as gods , and tho in all other respects we may say to the soul , as the psalmist does to god , ps. 16. 2. my goods extend not to thee : yet by this way , it becomes not only a partaker , but the chief proprietor , and all is laid out for its use . the harboring an out-cast , builds it an everlasting habitation , lu. 16. 9. the clothing the naked , arrays it in pure white linen , rev. 19. 8. and the feeding the hungry , makes it a guest at the supper of the lamb. v. 8. nay , it gains not only an indefeisible title to these happy reversions , but it has a great deal in present possession , a huge rational complacence in the right applying of wealth , & doing that with it for which 't was design'd ; yet more , it gives a sensitive delight , nothing being more agreeable to human nature , then the doing good to its own kind . a seasonable alms leavs a greater exultation & transport in the giver , then it can ordinarily raise in the receiver ; so exemplifying the maxim of our blessed lord , that it is a more blessed thing to give then to receive , act. 20. 35. this indeed is a way to elude the severe denuntiation of the apostle , 1 tim. 5. 6. a widow that liveth in this plesure , is not dead whilest she liveth ; but on the contrary , shall live when she dies ; when she resigns her breath , shall improve her being ; the praiers of the poor , like a benign gale , shall assist her flight to the region of bliss ; and she who has here cherish'd the afflicted members , shall ther be indissolubly united to their glorious head. 14. and now methinks widow-hood , under this aspect , is quite transform'd , is not so forlorn ; so desolate an estate as 't is usually esteem'd . and would all widows use but this expedient , thus devote themselves to piety and charity , it would ▪ like the healing tree , exod. 15. 25. sweeten the waters of marah , render the condition not only supportable ; but plesant ; and they would not need to make : such affrighted ; such disadvantageous escapes , as many do , from it . 't is true , the apostle's affirmation is unquestionable , that the wife , when her husband is dead , is at liberty to be married to whom she will , 1 cor. 7. 39. but the advice he subjoins is authentic too , she is happier if she so-abide . she that may solace her self in the society , in the love of her god , makes an ignoble descent to human embraces ; she that may purchase heaven with her wealth , buys a very dear bargain of the best husband on earth ; nay indeed , upon a meer secular account , it seems not very prudent to relinquish both liberty and property , to espouse at the best a subjection , but perhaps a slavery ; it a little resembles the mad frolicks of freed gally-slaves , who play away their liberty as soon as they regain it . 15. marriage is so great an adventure , that once seems enough for the whole life ; for whether they have bin prosperous or adverse in the first , it does almost discourage a second attemt . she that has had a good husband , may be suppos'd to have his idea so fixt in her heart , that it will be hard to introduce any new form : nay farther , she may very reasonably doubt , that in this commond earth of virtu , two good husbands will scarce fall to one womans share , and an ill one will become more intolerable to her , by the reflections she will be apt to make on the better . on the other side , if she have had a bad , the smart sure cannot but remain after the rod is taken off ; the memory of what she has suffer'd should , me thinks , be a competent caution against new adventures . yet experience shews us that women ( tho the weaker sex ) have commonly fortitude enough to encounter and baffle all these considerations . it is not therefore to be expected that many will by any thing that hath or can be said be diverted from remarrying : and indeed she that does not preserve her widowhood upon the accounts fore-mentioned , may perhaps better relinquish it . st paul we see advises that those widows who found no better emploiment then going from house to house , that grew by their vacancy to be tatlers and busy bodies 1 tim. 5. 13. should marry again ; it being the best way to fix these wandring planets , to find them business of their own at home , that so they may not ramble abroad to intermeddle with that of others . and the truth is they that cannot brook the retiredness and gravity which becomes a widow , had better put themselves in a state that less requires it ; and , if they resolve not to conform their minds to their condition , to bring their condition to their minds ; but in the doing that there will be some cautions very necessary to be observ'd . i shall reduce them to two , the one relating to the times , the other to the equality of the match . 16. first in respect of time , common decency requires that there be a considerable intervall between the parting with one husband & the chusing another , this has bin so much observed by nations that were at all civiliz'd , that find numa made it a law , that no widow should marry under 10. months , and if any did she was to sacrifice as for the expiation of a crime ; and this continued in force many ages after , in somuch that when upon reasons of state augustus found it usefull to marry his sister octavia to antonius , nothing less then a decree of the senate could license the anticipating the time ; so zealous observers were they of this point of civility , that they thought the whole state was concern'd in the violation . 't is true we have no law in the case , but we have somewhat of custom , i know not how long we shall have , since the frequent breaches of it threaten quite to cancell it : yet a woman that is ten er of her honor will scarce give her example towards the rescinding it . the wounds of grief are seldom heal'd by any hand but that of time , and therefore too sudden a cure shews the hurt pierc'd not deep ; and she that can make her mourning veil an optic to draw a new lover neerer to her sight , gives cause to suspect the sables were all without . 17. the next thing considerable is the equality of the match . marriage is so close a link , that to have it easy 't is good to have the parties as even proportion'd as may be . and firstin respect of quality and fortune , 't is to be wisht there should be no eminent disproportion . those that meet most upon a level , are least subject to those upbraidings that often attend a great descent of either party ; it is therefore no prudent motive , by which some widows are swai'd , who marry only for a great title ; who often do not meet with so much of obeisance from strangers , as they do with contemt from their husbands and his relations . there have bin many examples of lords , who have used rich , but inferior , widows like spunges , squeez'd them to fill themselves again only with the air of a big name . on the other side for a woman to marry very meanly and too much below her self is rather worse ; those kind of matches are ordinarily made in a transport of passion , and when that abates and leaves her to sober reflections , she will probably be so angry with her self , that she will scarce be well pleas'd with her husband . a state of subjection is a little sweetned by the worth and dignity of the ruler : for as it is more honorable , so 't is also more easy ; the serviler spirits being of all others the most imperious in command . and sure 't will not a little grate a woman of honor , to think she has made such a one her master , who perhaps would before have thought it a preferment to have bin her servant . nay farther , such marriages have commonly an ill reflection on the modesty of the woman , it being usually presum'd that where the distance was so great , as to discourage such an attemt on his part , there was some invitation on hers . so that upon all accounts she is very forlorn who thus disposes of her self : yet 't is too well known such matches have oft bin made , and the same levity and inconsideration may betray others to it ; and therefore 't is their concern well to ballast their minds and to provide that their passion , never get the ascendant over their reason . 18. another very necessary equality is that of their judgment as to religion . i do not mean that they are to catechize each other as to every minute speculative point ; but that they be of the same profession , so as to join together in the worship of god. it is sure very uncomfortable that those who have so closely combin'd all their other interests , should be disunited in the greatest ; that one church cannot hold them , whom one house , one bed does ; and that religion which is in it self the most unitingthing , should be the only disagreement between them . i know 't is oft made a compact in such matches , that neither shall impose their opinion upon the other : yet i doubt 't is seldom kept , unless it be by those whose carelesness of all religion abates their zeal to any one . but where they have any earnestness in their way , especially where one party thinks the other in a damnable error , t will scarce be possible to refrain endeavoring to reduce them ; and that endeavor begets disputes , those disputes heats , those heats disgusts , and those disgusts perhaps end in aversion ; so that at last their affections grow as unreconcilable as their opinions , and their religious jars draw on domestic . besides if none of these personal debates happen , yet the education of the children will be matter of dispute ; the one parent will still be countermining the other , each seeking to recover the others proselytes . nay it introduces faction into the inferior parts of the family too : the servants , according to their different perswasions bandy into leagues and parties ; so that it endangers , if not utterly destroies all concord in families : and all this train of mischiefs , should methinks be a competent prejudice against such matches . 19. there is yet a third particular wherein any great disproportion is much to be avoided , and that is in years . the humors of youth and age differ so widely , that there had need be a great deal of skil to compose the discord into a harmony . when a young woman marries an old man , there are commonly jealousies on the one part and loathings on the other ; and if there be not an eminent degree of discretion in one or both , there will be perpetual disagreements . but this is a case that does not often happen among those i now speak to : for tho the avarice of parents sometimes forces maids upon such matches , yet widows who are their own choosers seldom make such elections . the inequality among them commonly falls on the other side , and old women marry young men . indeed any marriage is in such a folly and dotage , they who must suddenly make their beds in the dust , what should they think of a nuptial couch ? and to such the answer of the philosopher is apposite , who being demanded what was the fittest time for marrying , replied , for the young not yet , for the old not at all . 20. but this dotage becomes perfect frenzy and madness when they choose young husbands : this is an accumulation of absurdities and contradictions . the husband and the wife are but one person ; and yet at once young and old , fresh and wither'd . 't is a reversing the decrees of nature , and therefore 't was no ill answer which dionysius the tyrant gave his mother , who in her age design'd such a match , that tho by his regal power he could dispense with positive laws , yet he could not abrogate those of nature ; or make it fit for her an old woman to marry a young man. 't is indeed an inversion of seasons , a confounding the kalender , making a mungrel month of may and december : and the conjunction proves as fatal as it is prodigious ; it being scarce ever seen that such a match proves tolerably happy . and indeed 't is not imaginable how it should , for first 't is to be presum'd she that marries so must marry meanly , no young man who does not need her fortune will take her person . for tho some have the humor to give great rates for inanimate antiquities , yet none will take the living gratis . next she never misses to be hated by him she marries : he looks on her as his rack and torment , thinks himself under the lingring torture devis d by mezentius , a living body tied to a dead . nor must she think to cure this by any the little adulteries of art : she may buy beauty , and yet can never make it her own ; may paint , yet never be fair . 't is like enameling a mud-wall , the coursness of the ground will spoil the varnish ; and the greatest exquisitness of dress serves but to illustrate her native blemishes . so that all she gains by this is to make him scorn as well as abhor her . 21. indeed there is nothing can be more ridiculous , then an old woman gaily set out ; and it was not unaptly said of diogenes to such a one , if this decking be for the living , you are deceived ; if for the dead , make hast to them : and i doubt many young husbands will be ready to say as much . naybecause death comes not quick enough to part them , there is few have patience to attend its loitering pace : the man bids adieu to the wife tho not to her fortune , takes that to maintain his luxuries else where , allows her some little annuity , and makes her a pensioner to her own estate . so that he has his design , but she none of hers : he married for her fortune , and he has it ; she for his person , and has it not : and which is worse buies her defeat with the loss of all ; he commonly leaving her as emty of mony as he found her of wit. 22. and truly this is a condition deplorable enough , and yet usually fails even of that comfort which is the last reserve of the miserable , i mean pitty . 't is the wise man's question , eccles. 12. 13. who will pitty a charmer that is bitten with a serpent ? he might have presum'd less on his skill , and kept himself at a safer distance ; and s●…re the like may be said of her . alas , what are her feeble charms , that she should expect by them to fix the giddy appetites of youth ? and since she could so presume without sense , none will regret that she could be convinc'd by smart . besides , this is a case wherein there have bin a multitude of unhappy presidents which might have caution'd her . he that accidentally falls down an undiscover'd precipice is compassionated for his disaster ; but he that stands a great while on the brink of it , looks down and sees the bottom strew'd with the mangled carcasses of many that have thence fallen ; if he shall deliberately cast himself into their company , the blame quite extinguishes the pitty ; he may astonish , but not melt the beholders . and truly she who casts her self away in such a match , betraies not less but more wilfullness . how many ruins of unhappy women present themselves to her , like the wracks of old vessells , all split upon this rock ? and if she will needs steer her course purposely to do the same , none ought to grudg her the shipwrack she so courts . 23 nor has she only this negative discomfor to be depriv'd of pity , but she is loaded with censures and reproch . the world is apt enough to malicious errors , to fix blame where there is none , but 't is seldom guilty of the charitative , does not overlook the smallest appearance of evil , but generally puts the worst construction on any act , that it will with any probability bear ; and according to that mesure women in this condition can expect no very mild descant on them . indeed such matches are so destitute of any rational plea , that 't is hard to derive them from any other motive then the sensitive . what the common conjectures are in that case , is as needless as it is unhansom to declare : i will not say how true they are , but if they be , it adds another reason to the former , why such marriages are so improsperous . all distortions in nature are usually ominous ; and sure such preternatural heats in age , may very well be reckond'd as dismal presages , & very certain ones too , since they create the ruine they foretell . and truly 't is not only just , but convenient , that such motives should be attended with such consequences ; that the bitterness of the one may occasion some reflexion on the sordidness of the other . 't is but kindly , that such an alhallontide spring should meet with frosts , and the unplesantness of the event chastise the ugliness of the design ; and therefore i think those that are conscious of the one , should be so far from murmuring , that they should be very thankful for the other ; think ●…t gods discipline to bring them again to their wits , and not repine at that smart which themselves have made necessary . 24. and now i wish all the ancienter widows , would seriously weigh how much 't is their interest not to sever those two epithets ; that of ancient they cannot put off , it daily grows upon them ; and that of widow is sure a more proprotionable adjunct to it , then that of wife ; especially when it is to one to whom her age might have made her mother . there is a veneration due to age , if it be such as disowns not it self : the hoary head , says solomon , is a crown of glory if it be found in the way of righteousness , prov. 16. 32. but when it will mix it self with youth , it is disclaim'd by both , becomes the shame of the old , and the scorn of the young. what a strange fury is it then which possesses such women , that when they may dispose their fortunes to those advantageous designs before mention'd , they should only buy with them , so undecent , so ridiculous a slavery ? that when they may keep up the reputation of modesty and prudence , they should expose themselves to an universal contemt for the want of both ; and that they who might have had a reverence , put themselves even out of the capacity of bare compassion . 25. this is so high a frenzy , as sure cannot happen in an instant ; it must have some preparatory degrees , some rooting in the constitution and habit of the mind : such widows have sure some lightness of humor , before they can be so giddy in their brains , and therefore those that will secure themselves from the effect , must substract the cause ; if they will still be wishing themselves young , 't is odds but within a while they will persuade themselves they are so . let them therefore content them selves to be old , and as fashions are varied with times , so let them put on the ornaments proper to their season ; which are piety , gravity , and prudence . these will be not only their ornament , but their armor too ; this will gain them such a reverence , that will make it as improbable they should be assaulted , as impossible they should assault . for i think one may safely say , it is the want of one or all of these , which betraies women to such marriages . 26. and indeed it may be a matter of caution , even to the younger widows , not to let themselvs too much loose to a light frolic humor , which perhaps they will not be able to put off , when it is most necessary they should . it will not much invite a sober man to marry them while they are young ; and if it continue with them till they are old , it may ( as natural motions use ) grow more violent towards its end : precipitate them into that ruinous folly we have before consider'd . yet , should they happen to scape that , should it not force them from their widow-hood , it will sure very ill agree with it : for how preposterous is it for an old woman to delight in gauds & trifles such as were fitter to entertain her gran-children ? to read romances with spectacles , & be at masks and dancings , when she is fit only to act the antics ? these are contradictions to nature : the tearing off her marks , and where she has writ fifty or sixty , tolessen ( beyond the proportionof the unjust steward ) and write sixteen . and those who thus manage their widow-hood , have more reason to bewail it at last then at first , as having more experimentally found the mischif of being left too their own guidance . it will therefore concern them all to put themselvs under a safer conduct , by an●… assiduous devotion to render themselvs up to the leading of the one infallible guide , who , if he be not a covering of the eyes , gen. 20. 16. to preclude all second choices , may yet be a light to them for discerning who are fit to be chosen ; that if they see fit to use their liberty and marry , they may yet take the apostles restriction with it , 1 cor. 7. 40. that it be only in the lord. upon such sober motives , and with such due circumstances as may approve it to him , and render it capable of his benediction . the close . 1. i have now gone through both parts of the propos'd method . the former has presented those qualifications which are equally necessary to every woman : these , as a root , send sap and vigor to the distinct branches , animate & impregnate the several successive states through which she is to pass . he that hath pure ore or bullion , maycast it intowhat form best fits his use , nay may translate it from one to another ; and she who has that mine of virtues , may furnish out any condition ; her being good in an absolute consideration , will certainly make her so in a relative . on the other side , she who has not such a stock , cannot keep up the honor of any state ; like corrupted liquor , emty it from one vessel to another , it still infects and contaminates all . and this is the cause thatwomen are alike complain'd of under all forms , because so many want this fundamental vertu : were there more good women , there would be more modest virgins , loyal and obedient wives , and sober widows . 2. i must therefore intreat those who will look on this tract , not only to single out that part which bears their own inscription , but that they think themselves no less concern'd in that which relates indefinitely to their sex ; endeavor to possess themselvs of those excellencies which should be as universal as their kind : and when they are so stor'd with matter , they may leave providence to diversifie the shape , and to assign them their scene of action . 3. and now would god it were as easie to persuade , as it is to propose ; and that this discourse may not be taken only as a gazet for its newness , & discarded as soon as read ; but that it may at least advance to the honor of an almanac , be allowed one year ere it be out of date : and in that time , if frequently & seriously consulted , it may perhaps awaken some ladies from their stupid dreams , convince them that they were sent into theworld for nobler purposes , then only to make a little glittering in it ; like a comet , to give a blaze , and then disappear . and truly , if it may operate but so far as to give them an effective sense of that , i shall think it has don them a considerable service : they may , i am sure , from that principle , deduce all necessary consequences , and i wish they would but take the pains to draw the corollaries ; for those inductions they make to themselves , would be much more efficacious then those which are drawn to their hands . propriety is a great endearment , we love to be proselytes to our selves ; and people oft resist others reasons , who would upon meer partiality pay reverence to their own . 4. but besides this , there would be another advantage , if they could be but got to a custom of considering , by it they might insensibly undermine the grand instrument of their ruine . that careless incogitancy , so remarkably frequent among all , and not least among persons of quality , is the source of innumerable mischiefs ; 't is the delilah , that at once lulls and betrays them ; it keeps them in a perpetual sleep , binds up their faculties , so that , though they are not extinct , yet they becom useless . plato used to say , that a man asleep was good for nothing : and 't is cretainly no less true of this moral drousiness then the natural . and as in sleep the fancy only is in motion , so these inconsiderate persons , they rather dream then discourse entertain little trifling images of things , which are presented by their senses , but know not how to converse with their reason . so that in this drousy state , all temtations come on them with the same advantage , with that of a thief in the night ; a phrase by which the scripture expresses the most inevitable unforeseen danger , 1 thess. 5 , 2. we read in judges , how easily laish became a preyto a handful of men , meerly because of the supine negligent humor of the inhabitants , which had cut them off from allintercourse with any who might have succor'd them , jud. 18. 27 , 28. and certainly it gives no less opportunity to our spiritual assailants , leaves us naked and unguarded to receive all their impressions . how prodigious a thing is it then , that this state of dulness and danger should be affectedly chosen ? yet we see it too often is , even by those whose qualities & education fit them for more ingenious elections ; nay , which is yet more riddle , that very aptness disenables , sets them above what it prepares them for . labor is lookt on as utterly incompatible with greatness , and consideration is lookt on as a labor of the mind ; and there are some ladies , who seem to reckon it as their prerogative , to be exemted from both ; will no more apply their understandings to any serious discuffion , then their hands to the spindle and distaff ; the one they think pedantic , as the other is mean. in the mean time , by what strange measures do they proceed ? they look on idiots as the most deplorable of creatures , because they want reason , and yet make it their own excellence and preheminence , to want the use of it ; which is indeed so much worse then to want the thing , as sloth is worse then poverty , a moral defect then a natural . but we may see by this , how much civil & sacred estimates differ : for we find the bereans commended , not only as more diligent , but as more noble too , act. 17. 11. because they attentively consider'd , and strictly examin'd the doctrine preach ' a to them . by which they may discern , that in gods court of honor , a stupid oscitancy is no ennobling quality , however it comes to be thought so in theirs . 5. and if this one point might be gain'd , if they would but so far actuate their reason , as deliberatly and duly to weigh their interest , they would find that so strictly engaging them to allthat is vertuous ; that they must have a very invincible resolution for ruine , if that cannot perswade them : and i hope all women are not medea's , whom the poet brings in avowing the horridness of that fact , which yet the resolv'd to execute . they are generally rather timorous , and apt to start at the apprehension of danger ; let them but see a serpent tho at a great distance ; they will need no homilies or lectures to be perswaded to fly it . and sure did they but cleerly discern what a sting there is in those vicious follies they embrace , their fear would make them quit their hold ; put them in such a trembling , as would , like that of belshazzars , slacken their joints , and make those things drop from them , which before they most tenaciously grasped . for indeed in sin there is a conspiration of all that can be dreadful to a rational being , so that one may give its compendium by the very reverse of that which the apostle gives of godliness , 1 tim. 4. 8. for as the one has the promises , so the other has the curses of this life , and of that to come . 6. in this life every deprav'd act ( much more habit ) has a black shadow attending it ; it casts one inward upon the conscience in uncomfortable upbraidings and regrets . 't is true indeed , some have the art to disguise that to themselves by casting a yet darker over it ; suppressing all those reluctings byan industrious stupefaction ; making their souls so perfect-night , that they cannot see those black images their consciences represent . but as this renders their condition but the more wretched ; so neither can they blind others tho they do themselves . vice casts a dark shadow outwards too , not such as may conceal but betray its self : and as the evening shadows increase in dimension , grow to a monstrosity and disproportion ; so the longer any ill habit is continued , the more visible , the more deform'd it appears , draws more observation and more censure . 7. 't were indeed endless to reckon up the temporal evils to which it exposes its votaries ; immodesty destroi's their fame , a vain prodigality their fortune , anger makes them mad , pride hateful , levity renders them despis'd , obstinacy desperate , and irreligion is a complication of all these , fills up their mesure both of guilt and wretchedness , so that had vertue no other advocate , her very antagonist would plead for her : the miserable consequences of vice , would like the flames of sodom send all considering persons to that little zoar , which how despicable soever it may have appear'd before , cannot but look invitingly when safety is inscrib'd on its gates . 8. but it must infinitly more do so , if they please to open a visto into the other world , make use of divine perspectives to discern those distant objects which their grosser senses do here intercept . there they may see the dismal catastrophe of their comedies , the miserable inversion of all unlawful or unbounded plesures : there that prophetic menace concerning babylon which we find , rev. 18. 7. will be literally verified upon every unhappy soul , according as she exalted her self and lived delicately , so much the more tribulation give her ; the torment of that life will bear proportion to the pride and luxuries of this . it wil therefore be necessary for those who here wallow in plesures , to confront to them the remembrance of those rivers of br●…mstone , and ask themselves the prophets question , who can dwell with everlasting burnings ? we find esay , when he denounces but temporal judgments against the daughters of zion , he exactly pursues the antithesis , and to every part of their effeminate delicacy he opposes the direct contrary hardship ; instead of sweet smels there shall be a stink , instead of a girdle a rent , in stead of well-set hair baldness , in stead of a stomacher a girding with sackcloth , and burning in stead of beauty , esai . 3. 24. 9. it were well the daughters of our zion would copy out this lecture , and prudently forsee how every particular sin or vanity of theirs will have it s adapted punishment in another world. and sure this consideration well digested , must needs be a forcible expedient to cleanse them from all filthiness of flesh and spirit , as the apostle speaks 2 cor. 7. 1. for is it possible for her to cherish and blow up her libidinous flames here , who considers them but as the first kindlings of those inextinguishable ones hereafter ? can she make it her study to please her appetite , that remembers that dives's unintermitted feast ends in as unallaied a thirst ? or can she deny the crumbs of her table to that lazarus , to whom she foresees she shall then supplicate for a drop of water ? in fine can she lay out her whole industry , her fortune , nay her ingenuity too , in making provision for the flesh , who considers that that flesh will more corrupt by pampering , and breed the worm that never dies ? certainly no woman can be so desperately daring , as thus to attaque damnation , resist her reason and her sense , only that she may ruine her soul ; and unless she can do all this , her foresight will prove her escape , and her viewing the bottomless pit in landskip and picture will secure her from a real descent into it . 10. but now that this tract may not make its exit in the shape of a fury , bring their meditations to hell and there leave them , it must now at last shift the scene , and as it has shew'd the blackness of vice by that outer darkness to which it leads , we also will let in a beam of the celestial light to discover the beauty of vertue ; remind the reader that there is a region of joy as well as a place of torment , and piety and vertue is that milky way that leads to it ; a state , compar'd to which the elyzium of the heathen is as inconsiderable as it is fictitious , the mahometan paradise as flat and insipid as it is gross and brutish ; where the undertaking of the psalmist shall be compleatly answer'd , those that fear the lord shall want no manner of thing that is good , ps. 34. 10. and this happy state is as accessible as excellent , god is not unsincere in his proposals , offers not these glories only to tantalize and abuse us , but to animate and incourage mankind . he sets up an inviting prize , and he not only marks out , but levels the way to it ; makes that our duty which is also our plesure , yea and our honor too : so has he contriv'd for our ease , that knowing how hardly we can divest our voluptuousness and ambition , he puts us not to it ; all he demands is but that he may choose the objects , and in that he is yet more obliging , for by that at once he refines and satisfies the desires . he takes us us off indeed from the fulsom plesures of sense , which by their grosseness may cloy , yet by reason of their emtiness can never fill us ; and brings us to tast the more pure spiritual delights which are the true elixir of plesures ; in comparison whereof all the sensual are but as the dregs or feces in an extraction , after the spirits are drawn off . in like manner he calls us from our aspiring to those pinnacles of honor , where we alwaies sit totter ●…gly and often full down , but yet invites us to soar higher , where we shall have the moon with all her vicissitudes and changes under our feet rev. 12. 1. and enjoy a grandeur as irreversible as splendid . 11. thus does he shew us a way to hallow our most unsanctified affections ; thus , according to the prophesie of zeehariah , may holiness be writ even upon the bells of the horses , zec. 14. 20. upon our most brutal inclinations ; and thus may all those feminine passions which now seduce women from vertu , advance them in it . let her that is amorous , place her love upon him who is ( as the spouse tells us , cant. 5. 10. ) the chiefest among ten thousand ; she that is angry , turn her edg against her sins ; she that is haughty , disdain the devils drudgery ; she that is fearful , dread him who can destroy both body and soul in hell , matt. 5. 28. and she that is sad , reserve her tears for her penitential offices . thus may they consecrate even their infirmities ; and tho they cannot deifie , or erect temples to them , as the romans did to their passions , nay their diseases ; yet after they are thus cleansed , they may sacrifice them as the jews did the clean beasts in the tabernacle . only irreligion and profaneness is exemt from this priviledg , no water of purification can cleanse it , or make it serviceable in the temple ; that , like the spoils of jericho , is so execrable , that it must be devoted to destruction , as an accursed thing , jos. 6. 17. for tho god do not despise the work of his own hands , have so much kindness to his creatures , that he endeavors to reduce all our native inclinations to their primitive rectitude , and therefore does not abolish , but purifie them ; yet atheism is none of those , 't is a counterblast from hell , in opposition to that mighty wind in which the holy spirit descended . tho the subject in which it subsists may be reform'd , the person may turn christian , and the wit that maintain'd its blasphemousparadoxes may be converted to holier uses : yet the quality it self is capable of no such happy metamorphosis ; that must be extirpated , for it cannot be made tributary ; which shews how transcendent an ill that is which cannot be converted to good : even that omnipotence which can out of the very stones raise children to abraham , attemts not any transmutation of this ; which ought therefore to possess all hearts with a detestation of it , and to advance them in an earnest pursuit of all the parts of piety . 12. and that is it which i would now once more ( as a farwel exhortation ) commend to my female readers , as that which vertually contains all other accomplishments ; 't is that pearl in the gospel for which they may ' part with all and make a good bargain too . the fear of the lord is the beginning of wisdom saies the wisest of men prov. 1. 7. and by his experience he shews that it is the compleating end of it too ; for he no sooner declin'd from that , but he grew to dotage and dishonor . let all those therefore to whom god has dispenst an outward affluence , given them a visible splendor in the eies of the world , be careful to secure to themselvs that honor which comes from god only , joh. 5. 44. unite their souls to that supreme majesty who is the fountain of true honor who in his bestowing the crown of righteousness proceeds by the same mesures by which he disposed the crown of israel , when he avow'd to samuel that he lookt not on the outward appearance but beheld the heart , sam. 16. 7. if god see not his own image there , all the beauty and gaiety of the outward form is despicable in his eies , like the apples of sodom only a kind of painted dust . but if piety be firmly rooted there , they then become like the kings daughter all glorious within too ; a much more vanluable bravery then the garment of needle-work and vesture of gold , psalm . 45. 13. and this is it that must enter them into the kings palace , into that new jerusalem , where they shall not wear , but inhabit pearls and gems rev. 21. 19. be beautiful without the help of art or nature , by the meer reflection of the divine brightness ; be all that their then enlarg'd comprehensions can wish , and infinitly more then they can here imagine . finis . the contents . part. i. sect. 1. of modesty . p. 1. sect. 2. of meekness . p. 29. sect. 3. of compassion . p. 48. sect. 4. of afsability . p. 65. sect. 5. of piety . p. 79. part ii. sect. 1. of virgins . p. 143. sect. 2. of wives . p. 165. sect. 3. of widows . p. 210. the close . p. 234. ar't asleepe husband? a boulster lecture; stored with all variety of witty jeasts, merry tales, and other pleasant passages; extracted, from the choicest flowers of philosophy, poesy, antient and moderne history. illustrated with examples of incomparable constancy, in the excellent history of philocles and doriclea. by philogenes panedonius. brathwaite, richard, 1588?-1673. 1640 approx. 456 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 185 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2003-07 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a16650 stc 3555 estc s106153 99841876 99841876 6491 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a16650) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 6491) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1475-1640 ; 628:01) ar't asleepe husband? a boulster lecture; stored with all variety of witty jeasts, merry tales, and other pleasant passages; extracted, from the choicest flowers of philosophy, poesy, antient and moderne history. illustrated with examples of incomparable constancy, in the excellent history of philocles and doriclea. by philogenes panedonius. brathwaite, richard, 1588?-1673. marshall, william, fl. 1617-1650, ill. [50], 318, [14] p., plate printed by r. bishop, for r[ichard] b[est] or his assignes, london : 1640. philogenes panedonius = richard brathwait. with an additional title page, engraved, "a boulster lecture.", with imprint "london. printed for r.b. or his assignes.", signed by william marshall. variant: imprint on engraved title page reads: london. printed for r best and are to bee sould at his shop neare graies-inn gaite in houlbourne. the huntington library copy has a leaf inserted after a1, possibly as a cancel, containing a dedication to mrs. catherine fletcher; not included in pagination above. k4 is a cancel. quire y contains "menippus his madrigall, to his coy-duck clarabel"; quire z contains "a postscript, writte by an auditor, upon hearing this lecture". the last leaf contains errata reimposed from y4. running title reads: a boulster lecture. another issue has richard best's name in full in the letterpress imprint. reproduction of the original in cambridge university library. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng women -early works to 1800. 2003-02 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2003-03 spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images 2003-04 judith siefring sampled and proofread 2003-04 judith siefring text and markup reviewed and edited 2003-06 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a bovlster lectvre . this wife a wondrous racket meanes to keepe , while th' husband seemes to sleepe but do'es not sleepe : but she might full as well her lecture smother , for ent'ring one eare , it goes out at t'other . london . printed for r. best and are to bee sould at by 〈…〉 houlbourns . ar't asleepe husband ? a boulster lecture ; stored with all variety of witty jeasts , merry tales , and other pleasant passages ; extracted , from the choicest flowers of philosophy , poesy , antient and moderne history . illustrated with examples of incomparable constancy , in the excellent history of philocles and do●iclea . by philogenes panedonius . o nox longa ! — hor. london , printed by r. bishop , for r. b. or his assignes . 1640. to all modest dames from twede unto thames , who prize their good names above nectar ; with a paphian kisse doe i tender them this to silence a canopy lecture . to you , this booke may well addressed bee since none from bolster lectures is more free : be you then patronesse without offence , and with a smile returne me recompence . to his dainty doxes . dainty fine creatures , — i will not sweare , in good faith you be ; but — if in your censure you prove sweet to me , i little care , believe 't , how sowre you be . one thing i must tell you , the world ha's a strange opinion of you : but let not this trouble you : for the most of those that sojourne in it , are walking pictures , or puppy motions . so you live without scandall , let the constable of the ward snore , and diogenes walke all the night o're with his candle . though he finde works of lightnesse in houses of darknesse : single skirmishes in blinde alleys , back-stayres , and long entries : whole bunches of cornucopia in his new-found eutopia : cleave you like ticks to your own , preserve your renowne , and sing hey downe a downe , to the honour of our towne . thus , neither to all , nor to many , but to very-very few , and those of that crue , who are loyall and true , bids musaeus adiew . the svbiects whereof it treats . 1 the excellency of women in their creation . 2 their imitable vertues , illustrated with examples . 3 their moderation of passion . 4 their continency in assaults . 5 their modesty in count'nance , habit , and expression of their affection . 6 the violence of some women used upon such as were corrivals in their choice , inlarged with memorable examples . 7 their modest defence , to allay those passionate extreames discovered in the former subjects . 8 their witty aphorismes , apo●hegmes , and answers . 9 their eminent labours : and how they were assistants in the exquisitest workes that have beene formerly composed , either for history , or poesy . every one of which subjects you shall finde interveined with choice variety of pleasing tales , and delightfull stories , to comply with the fancy of the most curious and censorious reader . a table , or apt disposure , both in number and order , of all such materiall points , tales , and stories , as are here related , or familiarly couched in this boulster lecture . section i. first , of the excellency of women in their creation . pag. 1. under which subject ( to allay a fastidious houre , and sweeten the sequele of a more serious story ) are these tales contained and continued . 1 the answer of a luke-warme husband to his neighbour , being asked how his wife did : assuring him , that for his part , he was sicke , because his wife was no ●●ker ; and what an heavy dolefull house hee had ; grounding their sorrowes upon two contrary feares . pag. 4 2 the scholasticall wooer . 6 3 the amorous graduate , or the pedanticall suiter . ib. 4 the story of apelles and campaspe . 9 5 zeuxis his incomparable art in the delineature of crocous daughters . ib. 6 severall posies derived from severall fancies , writ in a window with a diamond . 10 7 the tale of the maid , who after a long and strait siege , was enforced to expose her honour to the barbarous violence of an insulting souldier . 11 8 the ancient vestals votive order , and with what austerity they preserved their honour . and of that heroicke princesses resolution in defence of her honour . 12 9 the ●ale of a shrow , and how shee encounter'd her husband , meeting him amongst other goodfellowes at a taverne doore . 13 10 the answer of a shroud girle upon occasions of displeasure taken at her husband . 14 11 fields bring forth miscellaene graines , and all ages women of mixt conditions ; instanced in our roman matrons . 15 foure distinct motives to affection . 1 beauty ; whose opposite is disdaine . 15. and 16 2 agility of body ; whose opposite is liberty . 15. and 16 3 quicknesse of wit ; whose opposite is distaste . 15. and 16 4 gentlenesse of speech ; whose opposite is dissimulation . 15. and 16 of beauty . under which branch , are these stories shrowded . 1 the passionate amorist his canto . 18 2 the resolute gentlemans passado . 19 3 the westerne pedlers daughter ; who fed her suiter with consideration , till too long delay brought her to a conception . 21 4 the story of that great favorite flaviano , and why he disliked his wife . 22 5 fancy is not alwayes grounded on beauty : instanced in the pastorall of nais . 23 6 socrates glasse . ibid. disdaine . under which branch are these stories shadowed . 1 the noble disposition of that brave lady marcelles , in the discovery of her affection . 26 2 caesar accompted greater in cleopatra's victory , than in the discomfiture of her anthony . 27 3 memorable examples of continency in both sexes : and of the incomparable beauty and chastity of sputimia . ib. 4 the glorious act of the incomparable chiomara . 28 5 the excellent saying of a religious votaresse . 29 6 the tragicke disasters of three unfortunate italian lovers . 30 7 a pittifull passionate letter of a rejected lover to his mistresse . 31 8 a desperate adventure entertained by a passionate lover . ib. 9 the resolution of a discreet lover in the disdaine of his mistresse . 32.33 10 a tale of a wanton widow , and her answer to a stale batchler , and importunate suiter : with the batchlers witty reply in disesteeme of her fancy . 35.36 agility of body . under which branch are these stories couched . 1 in the empire of monomotapa bounding upon the kingdome of congo , among all the rest of the emperors souldiers , the most valorous in name are his legions of women . 38.39 . &c. 2 the licentious practises of the insatiate messalina in her antonine baths . 40 3 cleopatra's pearle broaths . 42 4 where a strong constitution accompanies a promising feature , there needs no potions to procure love , nor powders to enable nature . 43 liberty . under which branch these stories are closed . 1 of liberty in restraint : and of restraint in liberty . 44 2 of the nimble monkey in cheapside . 45. 3 the tale of the maid , when her mother found her suspiciously in a corner with a young man : and how she fitted her mother , and kept trice with her lover . 46 4 the ●ale of the good wife , when her husband found her in bed with a neighbour . ib. 5 the tale of the court-gentlewoman , who was found in a long darke entry with a young cavaliere . 47 6 the tale of the bridegroome , first night he was married : and her bridall curtaine lecture . ib. 7 the widdowes twitting of her second husband with the abilities of her first . 48 8 ☞ the arrogant widdowers proposal upon tearmes of marriage : and the widdowes peremptory answer to his unequall demands . 48.49 9 the discreet patient cuckold . 49.50 10 the converted curtezan . 50 , 51 11 the tale of the merry miller and his wanton minton . 52 12 the spirit in the vault , or the curtaine-confession of two wanton wenches to two suspitious husbands . 52.53.54.55 . & 56 13 the tale of a delicate student , who made his bed his study : and how his bed-fellow requited him with like curt'sy . 56.57 14 the humerous lady ; with her inglorious end suiting well with her distempered quality and disdainefull life . ib. 15 the northerne girles answer to a subtile opposer . ib. 16 the reply of a barbers wife to her husband upon finding her it 'h suds . 58 17 the answer of a witty woman to a discursive husband ; who was more active in his liberty of discourse , than performance of any due benevolence . ib. 18 a widdowes answer to one who came to speake with her husband , after hee was dead . ib. 19 the answer of a good wife to her husband , occasioned upon the relation of the nature , quality , and disposition of a turke . 58.59 20 of the women of sio . 59 , 60 21 the tale of a fat farrier and a bounsing hussy , delivered in a merry epigramme . 60 , 61 22 the tale of an atturney's clarke . 62 , &c. quicknesse of wit. under which branch are these stories ranked . 1 the tale of that finitive girle in excuse of her lady . 68 2 of the curats wife in behalfe of her husband . ib. 3 of the soft-temper'd gentlemans answer to a ladies demand , when hee thought his wife would be brought abed . ib. 4 the arrogant opinion of velleius the epicurean . 69 5 feminine disputants should bee silenc'd ministers : they flow in words , but droppe in matter : but no lesse infinitely erring in the first , than barren in the latter . 17 6 the eloquent lady , who though a foule delinquent , caused her audience to melt with compassion , and hold her innocent . ibid. 7 a resemblance in our variety of wits , to diversity of soyles . p. 71 distaste . under which branch are these stories displayed . 1 the tale of a wenching companion , who could not fare well , but he must cry roast-meat . 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 78 , 79 , 80 , & 81 2 a story related to like purpose , hapning in our owne time , and in our owne clime . 81 , 82 , & 83. 3 the tale of a wanton witty dame , who advised her sweet-heart , to secure them the better from her husbands presence , to attire his servant in a beares skin , &c. which story is commended to the relation of a poem . 84 , 85 , & 86. 4 the fury of a jealous dame unto her servant , upon finding some favours bestowed on him , in her maids cabinet . 86 , &c. 5 the tale of the woman who accused one before a iustice for a rape . p. 87. 6 the tragicall intention , but comicall conclusion of a gentleman , who imployed in service abroad ; and having a very beautifull wife , desired to be satisfied how shee behaved her selfe in his abscence , &c. p. 87 , 88 , &c. 7 the easy credulity of a lightly-perswaded gentleman , who chused rather to incurre the worst of infamy , than harbour the least suspicion ( though he had sufficient occasion ) of his wifes honesty . 89 , 90 , & 91. 8 the tale of a ioviall good-fellow , who arm'd himselfe with barley broath against his wifes shrewd tongue . his fearefull vision in his midnights wandring : his encounter with his wife at his home returning . all which are lest to the faithfull relation of a pleasant poem . 92 , 93 , & 94. 9 of the man , who being tane tardy , feign'd himselfe pursued by a spirit , which caus'd him to fly for succour to his neighbours bed . 94 10 the tale of an vniversity virago . 95 , 96 11 the answer of a brave blade , being in company of a bevy of joviall wenches , who had whitled him well with liquor : and how he retorted the demand of a braving blouse too too enquisitive after his actions , to her owne dishonour . 95 , 96 12 how a sociable good-fellow finding his wife laid speechlesse , return'd her ample recompence for her sullennesse . 97 13 the answer of a witty wench to one , and that a familiar one , who asked her the reason how it came to passe that her children should be so like their father , when all the world knew that they had many fathers , &c. 98 14 of a trifling girle who was cracking nuts ; and of another ill-nurtur'd tomboy who fell to catching of flyes , while her sweet-heart was preferring his suit. 98 15 how alcibiades drowned eupolis in the sea , because eupolis had drowned his fame so often upon the stage . 100 16 the story of the gentleman and his sonne beeing corrivals to one lady ; and of the impreses they writ with diamonds in a window . p. 101 gentlenesse of speech . under which branch are these stories digested . 1 what excellent fruits , this gentle speech graced with a pleasing presence have produc'd both in affairs of peace and warre . 104 2 what passionate effects that sad relation of aeneas wrought in the heart of the carthaginian queene . ib. 3 of the princely presence and unaffected eloquence of sophonisba . 105 4 the excellent commendation of a peere of this kingdome , for ability of discourse and perswasion of argument . ib. 5 the deserving praise of a burgomasters wife . 108 6 the bridegroomes funerall , or the bridall-bra●le . 108 , 109 , & 110 7 zantippes story with other vixons of the like quality . 111 8 aphorismes extracted from hippocrates , and applyed to our present purpose . 112 9 how a woman was wa●ned from her inbred condition , and with kindnesse wonne to a sweet disposition . 112 , 113 10 a tale of a falconer . ib. 110 11 the strange opinion begot out of custom , which the muscovian women have of their husbands , if they doe not beat them : and of an heavy designe arising thereon . 114 , 115 , & 116. 12 how kisses came first from trojan dames , hoping by that meanes to pacifie their incensed husbands . 1●6 , &c. 13 excellent directions for our forme of speech . 117 14 the pratling of a fondling to her husband : and of the millanoises his confession , that his wifes toungue had ever a charm in readinesse to unloose his purse 118 dissimulation . under which branch are these stories discovered . 1 the sundry resemblances of dissimulation to diverse creatures . 119 2 the nimble device of a witty wife , to delude her husband . 120 3 the like instanced upon severall occasions . 121 4 dissimulation expressed in subjects of passion : and returned in the tale of a passionate widdow at the buriall of her husband . 122 5 the answer of a good wife to her husband , in pointing at a cuckold . ib. 6 the like upon thames , occasioned upon the same subject . ib. &c. 7 the answer of a young bride to her bride-maid upon her marriage night . 123 8 a single womans answer to her confessor . 124 9 historicall passages of thomyris , penelope and hypermnestra . ib. & 125 10 the story of the hesperides , with their embleme . 126 11 of a subtill coy-ducke , who dissemblingly from her credulous husband shrouded her staine , till a more publique discovery exposed her to shame . ib. &c. 12 the constant loyalty , and faithfull s●crecy of a noble italian lady : and how the concealing of her love , became the deprivall of her life : which likewise procured his death , whom she did entirely love . 127 , 128 , &c. 13 a familiar manner of wooing betwixt two home-spunne lovers . 129 , &c. 14 when affection comes in place , portion is ever to take the second place . 131 15 love is not to bee strangled , but easily repelled , and by distance allayed , and not only distanced , but with employments wearied . 132 16 the spee●h of a brave spartan lady , upon report of a disloyall act done by her indeared servant . ib. 17 those who can pretend fancy to a lover , and reserve a corner of their heart for another , are resembled to paphlagonian partridges , that are said to have two hearts . ib. 18 the nature of the iuniper ; resembled to a loyall lover . 133 19 women should not be to free nor open in the impartment of their fancy : instanced in a lady , who after her inconstancy , ingaged her fancy to her rejected friends discovery . 134 20 a pretty tale of a discontented coople , who , to mend the matter , joyntly resolved to bee married againe . 135 , &c. 21 the choyce of a merry greeke touching his foure mistresses ; clozed in an epigram . 137 , &c. 22 the brave temper of a biscoy in the expression of her love. 138 23 of dissembling widdow-mourners . ib. & 139 24 the story of the indian woman . ib. & 140 25 a conceited treatise composed by an italian , intitled , a supplication to candle-light . ib. & 141 26 choycest cates cloy the soonest . 142 27 of a wanton florentines free invitation of fresh servants . 143 28 the ch●ste and temperate soveraignty of an honour'd lady . ibid. 29 contempt or selfe-opinion , the sole estrangers of affection ; made cleare by an experienc'd relation . ib. & 144 30 theodora's her divine discourse to a loose lover . 145 , &c. 31 to our amorous surveyors of belcone's , and profest courtiers of casements ; with the story of a deluded gallant in the quest of his mistresse . 146 , 147 , 148 , 149 , & 150 32 the like story ( but interlaced with sundry choice passages ) of a young prodigall , who found his owne wife in the habit of a curtezan . 150 , 151 , 152 , 153 , & 154 33 the famous story of isabella , wife to luchino visconti lord of millaine ; her pretended pilgrimage purposely to visit her deare servant ugolino : which caused the millanoise to lay siedge to mantua , though afterwards removed by the mediation of friends . 155 , 156 34 an excellent moderne story of a young gentleman and his lady ; how after a long division , by a strange occasion they became reconciled , and made one in affection . 156 , 157 , 158 , 159 , & 160 35 the character of a gentleman vsher. 161 , &c. 36 evill society the staine of gentry . ibid. 37 pleasure and profit make up the best musick . 167 section ii. imitable vertues in women ; illustrated by examples . under which subject are these stories contained and continued . 1he descends to a serious survey or diligent display of every cardinall vertue . wherein hee findes rare feminine instances in each kinde : and such as may deserve imitation of the stronger sexe . 168 , &c. prudence . under which kind , are these stories connexed . 1 of the city cockney , who expected a continued penthouse in all her country-journey . 169 2 the discreet and prudent carriage of thomyris , in her besteading of the massagetes , and discomfiture of cyrus : the wise mannagement of her estate , in the whole course of her raigne . her witty inscription upon her tombe . 170 , &c. 3 the wise and peaceable government of the stately semyramis . 172 , &c. 4 the glory of the amazonian state under their invincible penthisilea . 173 , &c. 5 the wisedome and resolution of that excellent sophonisba . 174 , &c. 6 of berenice ; nicaula , the sabean queene ; sheba's visit of king salomon ; the prudence of royall hester , in preventing her peoples danger ; and of abigail in pacifying davids anger : winding up this linke with the living fame of our renouned eliza , who made her kingdome ( this hedged garden ) an elisium . 176 justice . under which linke are these stories in wreathed . 1 iustice an abstract of all other vertues , illustrated by sundry memorable sentences , delivered by such women as were held not only professors but practisers of that vertue . 178 first , of the thracian lady . ibid. secondly , of the alban lady . ibid. thirdly , of the emperesse in her patronage of iustice. ib. & 179 fourthly , of a just mother in the censure of her daughter . ib. fiftly , of the resolution of those almaine sisters . 180 sixtly , the like example of a noble gentlewoman in our owne coast. ibid. seventhly , the noble disposition of a modest matron . ibid. eightly , the advice of the sabine women . ib. & 181 ninthly , the impartiality of aurelia in her husbands election . ib. justice , when corrupted , may be compared to the celedonie stone ; when equally dispensed , compared to the selenite stone . ibid. & 182 in the emperour basils time was found neither plaintiffe to accuse , nor defendant to answer . ib. the princesse decree against litigious plaintiffes . ibid. iustice resembled to the evening starre . ib. temperance . under which linke are inchaced these stories . 1 the excellent saying of a lady in the attemperature of her affection : occasioned from livia's and lucilia's different passions . 184 2 this vertue pitcheth mainly upon three objects . 1 irascible . ibid. 2 concupiscible . ibid. 3 intelligible . ibid. 3 for commanders in the first , are instanced architas , chilo , and a noble lady . 185 4 for commanders in the second , a discreet ethnick lady ; the incomparable armenia . 186 5 their command over their desires in contempt of honour , habit , appetite , instanced in many excellent ladies : not without just , reproofe of that famous italian domenico silvio his wife , who preferred luscious fare before her fame , light consorts before her honour . 187 , &c. 6 the romans made recluses of their owne howses . 190 7 what temperance the ancient romans observed in their abstinence from wine . ibid. 8 the diversion of their passion ; their zeale to reputation . 191 9 for commanders in the last , he refers them to his eight section , wherein their witty aphorismes are contained . 192 fortitude . under which linke are inchained these stories . 1 of epicharia , that famous libertine of rome . 193 , &c. 2 of leaena , though a prostitute , secret and resolute . ib. 3 the speech of a discreet gentlewoman . 195 4 the exhortation of a person of high quality , and one of our owne country , addressed to her husband about the death of his sonne . ibid. & c.. 5 what women aptest to reteine secrets . ibid. 6 the strange cautious flight of geese in their passage from cilicia over the mountaine taurus . 197 7 dionysius his strait command for beheading bryas . 198 8 a sweet consort the only allayer of griefe and augmenter of comfort : their secrecy , their husbands safety , ibid. &c. 9 the speech of a discreet grecian , touching secrecy of counsell . ibid. 10 no better innes for curtaine conference to lodge in , than at the signes of harpocrates and anacharses . ib. 11 excellent instruction in matters of secrecy . 201 12 milo was not halfe so strong in bearing a bull ; as stilpho in opposing his own will. ibid. 13 the wife of bath , upon whose tale , the author at request of some noble friends , hath lately annexed his illustrations , was nothing nice , in telling the world what liked a woman best . ib. 14 how wittily a gentlewoman covered her jealousy . 202 15 how commendable it is for women to decline their minds from an apish imitation of fashions . ib. 16 the humerous lady ; who ever wore the best cloaths , when she came lea in sight . ibid. &c. 17 when opportunity and youth meet together : the combat makes a glorious conqueror , instanced in penelope . ib. 18 what women , and those of noblest ranke , to their lasting glory , have in our own country , by their continued widdow-hood , honoured their husbands memory . 204 19 the devout meditation and constant resolution of a young gentlewoman : with a farewell to all vanity upon her conversion . 205 , &c. section iii. their moderation of passion . under which subject are these stories presented . 1the unexemplary disaster at cannae . 210 , &c. 2 the patience of octavia , porcia , tanaquila , whose well-composed temper raised her tarquin from a subject to an emperour . ibid. &c. 3 the temperate moderation of caecilia and cornelia . ibid , &c. 4 instances of our owne , in a most loyall wife , who was distasted by her husband only because she was his wife . 215 5 women may bee too insensible of injuries , aswell as too apprehensive . p. 216 6 houses are neither to bee governed by shrews nor sheepe . ib. 7 a legendary story of a patient votaresse . ib. & 217 , 218 , & 219 8 a discourse of such women who thought they had spirits stout enough to revenge , & power enough to second that revenge , yet held they it their highest honour to moderate passion with a recollected temper . ib. 9 a colonels attestation of his wifes calme disposition . 220 10 a virago , quite of another nature . ibid. 11 the syracusans strong testimony of his wifes temper . ib. 12 losse of estate more sufferable than losse of good name : instanced in the resolution of a noble roman lady . 221 13 a gentlewomans answer to a perfect courtier , laying siege to her honour . 222 14 mildnesse begets in women , a neare resemblance with that well-disposed feminine monarchy of bees : they have honey to sweeten their stings . 223 15 no vertue more ennobles a rationall soule than this moderation of passion . ib. section iv. their continency in assaults . under which subject are these stories related . 1 sophronia's modest answer to a wanton suiter . 225.226 2 scipio commended for returning to allantius his spouse , after such time as her beauty was presented to him for a booty . ib. &c. 3 the like of alexander , for sparing darius wife and his three daughters . ib. 4 what a firme tye conjugall love held , even among ethnicks . ib. 5 the tragicall story of camma wife to synattus and synorix . ib. &c. 6 the resolute answer of a noble captive to a generall : and what a fortunate issue crowned both their desires . 229 , 230 7 the constant affection of a vertuous maid : with her answer to her father touching her choice . ib. &c. 8 the story of those dainty dalmatian virgins : shewing with what continency they resisted the assaults of their commanding enemies . ib. & 233 9 the like of those scythian women , who after their husbands discomfiture , chused rather to expose themselves to death and danger , than forfeit their honour . ib. &c. 10 instances in women , who wained their fancies from those whom they once loved : and this he confirmes with a pleasant story hapning betwixt two lovers upon the yeelding up of brada . ibid. & 235 , 236 , 237. section v. their modesty in count'nance , habit , and expression of their affection . countenance . under which subject are these stories ●mopiled . 1none can say they have modest minds , so long as they have immodest eyes . 239 2 light habits suite not well with grave hearts : nor wandring-eyes with setled minds . ibid. 3 he inveyes against painting , poudring , purfling : and strengthneth his reproofe with the testimonies of s. hierom , s. cyprian , s. ambrose , s. nazianzene , clemens , pet. martyr , tertullian , scultetus , petrarch , &c. 240 , &c. 4 a pleasant passage betwixt a bedlamer and a phantastick girle . 242 , &c. 5 ☞ lacides prince of argos , accounted lascivious for his sleeke lookes , and mincing gate . 244 6 so was pompeie for scratching his head with one finger . ibid. 7 augustus discovered the dispositions of his daughters , by the places where they frequented ; the company with which they conversed . ibid. 8 the directions of a roman matron to her daughters . ib. & 245 9 th● composed count'nance , and constant ●●desty of a young maid , both in the presence and absence of her choice . 246 10 the modesty of that incomparable aemilia . 247 habit . 1 the habit of the body , the anatomy of the mind . 248 2 the answer of a lady of this kingdome to a peere who came to visit her , asking her why she appeared still a mourner ? ib. & 2●9 3 the answer of an outlandish woman to one of our own natives , touching following of fashions . 250. 4 a divine answer return'd by an excellent lady to an impertinent objection . ibid. expression of affection . 1 the expressive and most emphaticall speeches of aurelia , sulpitia , and that brave burgundian lady . 251 2 a rare expression of affection in a young maid : and how in a disguise following her lover she dyed of a fever . 252 &c. 3 a passionate story of a deeply inamoured girle . ib●● . 255 4 the modest affection of majestick marcella . ibid. 5 a woman should neither be too forward , nor 〈…〉 , nor too easy in the expression of her fancy : shadowed in two posies . 256 , &c. section vi. the violence of some women used upon such as were corrivals in their choice : with examples . under which subject are these stories recorded . 1 italy , a tragick theater of such presentments . 258 , &c. 2 the jealouse lady , who stab'd her favorite . ib. & 260. 3 the ladies duell . 261 , &c. 4 the cunning plot of madam d'alveare , to discover her servants familiarity with another . 263 , &c. 5 the corrivals bloody banquet . 268. section vii . their modest defence . under which subject are these stories confined . 1the different affections and effects of lucilia and livia ; phedra and dejanira . 271 2 good intentions many times produce heavy events : and now and then mischievous plots , comicall ends : with instances of the latter , in olympia's uniust suite to her sonne alexander : and mandanes dreame . of the former , in ●litemnestra and aegystus : unfortunate agrippina in the hopes she conceived , and breeding she bestowed on nero. ib. 272 , &c. 3 of an over-kind duck , who kill'd her too ticklish sweet-heart with kindnesse . ib. 4 a review of all such tragick examples as were presented in the last section . 274 5 their just apology in defence of their continency and constancy . 275 6 a custome amongst the romans of breaking their bride-waines . ib. 7 plato's difference betwixt two kinds of venus : with the application of that fiction , and morall to all modest women : in the regulation of their thoughts , words and actions . ib. 8 the counsels of mellifluous bernard and sententious seneca , with all instancy recommended to them . 279 9 by making heaven their object ; whatsoever is lesse than heaven , becomes their subject . ib. 10 we should be pythagoreans to all the world , and peripatetians to christ. ib. 11 the young gallants encounter with his wanton mistresse , in erasmus . ib. 12 a view of such errors wherewith women are taxed : as their ambition after honour , pleasantly instanced : with an other , who desired rather to have her husband nimbly agile , than aged and honourable . their frequent to court-maskes and other publick state-shows . their working affection upon any moving action . their proclivity to change their choice ; wherein occasionally bodin is confuted . their short and feigned funerall teares , over their husbands graves . their unbounded desires . their easy inclination to temptation ; an objection assoiled in the very first section . their longing affection after a promising proportion . their inconstancy in their desire of change ; with their jealousy in the enjoyment of their choice . their perspective pattentary sedands , wherein they desire rather to see than to be seene . all which groundlesse aspersio●s and corky objections are so clearely refell●d ▪ as these timonists or feminine t●tters are enforced to come off with dishonour : with an acknowledgement of their error , a disclaiming of their censure . their easy simplicity an excuse to their error : how misconstruction , rather through ignorance th●●● malice , makes them subject to mistakes : with a merry example to that purpose 279 , 280 , &c. 13 a 〈◊〉 vindicating of them against their 〈◊〉 , who taxe them of pride : by bringing in their toyes ▪ tyres , and dressings ▪ w●●ples , wyres , and curlings ; 〈◊〉 , poudrings , and purflings upon the stage . 289 14 the 〈◊〉 of lessius and alagora , in 〈…〉 women may use painting and 〈…〉 without sinne● in which 〈…〉 himselfe spa●●ng , to 〈…〉 ib. & 290 15 the authors opinion is , that none of these criticks would so injuriously hate , nor maliciously write against women , but that they have beene lightly hurt , or wantonly wounded by some women . 291 16 he closeth this section with a twofold exhortation : the one , to encourage women to sleight these malicious affronts squeaz'd from the pen of calumny : the other , to ad●vise them to stand upon their guard , seeing no place can be so free from occasion , as to promise it selfe security . ib. &c. section viii . their witty aphorismes , apothegms , and answers . under which subject are these stories contracted . 1women recorded for their wisdome in allaying their husbands affliction . 294 2 others for their brave composed spirits , in scorning to stoupe though they were crushed with affliction . ib. &c. 3 others so farre from coynesse , as they run into all hazards , to seize themselves of the object of their affection . ib. 4 others such loving kinde turtles , as they could not endure the absence of their owne : nor conceive any defects or infirmities in their owne . 297 5 the loyall answer of a loving bride to her husband , occasioned upon our late distractions in scotland . ib. 6 ☞ a discourse of aphorismes , arising from anacreontick spirits ; illustrated by instances . ib. 7 the strange question of a trades-mans wife at a gossips feast . ib. & 299 8 the tale of a reverend old bencher , and his shreeking lady . ib. 9 the pleasant importunity of an amorous tomboy , to her sweet-heart . ib. 10 a witty girles receipt to a broken tradesman . ib. & 300 11 the hot-brain'd calacute , and his jealous humour : with his ladies religious answer . ib. & 301 12 the desperate male-content . ibid. 13 with these stories , he retires from the booths of suburra , and repaires to the temple of viriplaca . ib. 14 others who extracted from those indented lines of their decayed beauty , emblemes , and lectures of mortality . 302 15 instances in the first ; theogena wife to agathocles ; and sulpitia . 294. &c. 16 instances in the second ; lovely lydia , and brave-spirited martia . ib. & 296 17 instances in the third ; marcella and chariclea . ib. 18 instances in the fourth ; caja tranquilla , ruth , armenia , and hieros heroick consort . 297 19 instances in the last ; bellingeria and eugenia . 302 20 aphorismes , apothegmes , and answers of an other nature ; beginning with that pertty pert girles answer to her mother . ib. &c. 21 that bold wanton who left her child to the care and charge of the parish . 303 22 ☞ that witty wenches shrewd answer to a cassock'd dunses encounter . ib. & 304 23 that good-wifes reply to her husbands pretended progresse . ib. 24 the good-wises answer to a chymick doctor . ib. section ix . their eminent labours ; and how they were assistants in the exquisitest workes that have been formerly composed , eyther for history or poesy . under which subject are these stories concluded . 1what happinesse attends those men who cast their lots in faire fields : and what infelicity accompanieth the contrary . 306 307 2 a catalogue of such creatures , whose sweet nature and choice temper have both with modesty and majesty tender'd their consorts a boulster lecture . 308 3 zenobia , beside other princely tasks , made an abridgement of the alexandrian , and all the orientall h●stories . ib. ●09 4 what inward beauty upon their sexe , bestowed that vertuous cornelia , mother to the victorious gracchus ; portia , brutus his wife ; cleobula , daughter to cleobulus , one of the seven sages of greece ; the daughter of pythagoras ; theano daughter to metapontus ; phemone , that mysterious sibill , who first gave life to an heroicke verse ; sulpitia , calanus his wife ; hortensia , daughter to the famous orator hortensius ; edesia of alexandria ; corinnathia , who contended for the laurell with pindarus ; paula , seneca's wife ; argengentaria pollia , or polla , wife to lucan ; and his assistant in his highest & heroick'st composures ? 309 , &c. 5 such as these might make good companions to pray , play , and converse with . 312 6 mouth-lovers are but month-lovers : when their honey-month is done , their love-threed is spun . ib. 7 modest matrons will admit no youthfull parliance : nor stoupe to any uncomely dalliance . ib. 8 those loves quickly expire and dye , which receive their only infusion by the eye . ib. 9 lovers easily deluded , when by their sense only directed . ib. 10 a curtezans anatomy-lecture . 313 , &c. 11 love grounded on sence , produceth jealousy ; jealousy revenge . 315 12 these very moderne times afford ladies , so highly enriched with unequall'd abilities both by art and nature as they have deservingly acquired , & constantly reteined that select style of the wits . their desire is , to have their muses rather buskin'd than busked . sweet and dainty ayres , their choicest cares . 316 13 others we have , though not altogether so happy for strength of fancy , yet no lesse usefull in another faculty : by reading principles of house-wivery to their well order'd family . ib. & 317 14 these welcome their husbands home with a smile : and entertaine his friend without a thought of ill . ib. 15 to gaine themselves more improvement , they taske themselves to some imploiment . ib. 16 they read not to dispute , but to live : not to talke , but to know . ib. 17 a man ill-married , ( and finding in himselfe a willingnesse to suffer ) may boast that he possesses in the person of his wife , all necessary qualities to be put into the list of martyrs . 318 a man well-married is so far from that opinion , as he ha's a consort ever ready to afford him sweet musick without division . ibid. 18 in the conclusion of this section , he exhorts ladies to reteine a memory and resemblance of those he ha's described : and he shall acknowledge this his labour and service addressed to them , highly requited . ib. 1 menippus his madrigall , to his coy-duck , clarabell . 2 loves festivall at lusts funerall . ar't asleep husband ? a boulster lecture , stored with all variety of witty jests , merry tales , and other pleasant passages ; extracted from the choycest flowers of philosophy , poesy , ancient and moderne history . section i. the excellency of women in their creation . discourses taking life from purest and refinedst subjects , beget ever in the reader most affection , in the hearer most attention . now , what subject more pure than that which is of the most affable nature , amiable feature , and pliable temper ? a smooth thinne skin promiseth ( saith the philosopher ) a free and ingenuous disposition : and where shall we find this philosophicall idaea , but in a woman ? this caused the oracle to give sentence in a businesse which highly imported the spartan state : that the approaching calamity of their principall citie could not possibly be diverted , but by scattering the purest dust upon their altars , which all their countrey afforded . upon which answer , it was long debated , what dust the oracle meant by , to expiate the fury of the gods : where , as it ever falls out in affaires of that nature , as many men , so many minds : some , and those were rich groundlins , who preferred wealth before wit , and esteemed gold for the most absolute good ; were of opinion that the oracle meant by the purest dust , the foile of gold. others , that no purer dust could bee scattered on their altars , than the ashes of such honest and pious patriots , who had exposed themselves to whatsoever fortune could inflict upon them , to secure their countrey , and become her safetie who bred them . other mettall-men there were , who closed with that relation of plutarch ; who reporteth , that when dionysius the tyrant asked the wisemen of his court , which copper was the best , antiphon answered very readily , that in his opinion , that was the most excellent , and the dust most restorative , whereof the athenians had made the pictures of those tyrants , which , for their countries delivery from such an insupportable tyranny , armodius and aristogyton had dispatched to their succeeding glory . but in the end , making recourse to the most esteemed sage in all greece , they were told , that it was the dust of a virgin ; which was no sooner scattered , than their maladie was removed . what excellent cures have beene produced , what happie deliveries effected by these meanes , may appeare every where in the poets : as in andromeda , polyxena , iphigenia . this confirmes that pure mould of a virgin : that refined dust , or substance of her composition : reflecting ever upon the excellency of women in their creation . yet , it may be objected , man deserves precedency , because in his creation he had priority . it is confest : yet might woman seeme ( if we may safely incline to the opinion of some rabbies ) to have a preeminence in the manner of her creation : for whereas dust gave man his composition ; woman took hers from mans perfection . yea , but the matter shee was made of , fore-told what shee would bee . shee was made of a crookt subject , a rib : and out of her crooked disposition ( will some say , who stand ill-affected to the salique state ) shee will not stick to tyrannize over a sheepish husband , and give him rib-roast . a poore objection ! an equall and ingenuous exposition would rather frame this conclusion : that the subject whereof she was made , begot not in her a crookednesse , but pliablenesse of nature : ever ready to bend her will , and apply her affection to the mould of man : not cruelly to domineere , but constantly to adhere to her mate . well did that wisest of kings observe this ; when he so definitely concluded : where a woman is not , the house grones . this differed much from the opinion of that hard-hearted man , whereof i have sometimes heard this tale ; who being one day asked by his neighbour , how it was with him at home , and how his sick wife did , made this answer : surely , neighbour , the case is pitifull : my wife she feares shee shall die , and i feare she shall not die , which makes an heavie doleful house . thus grounded they their sorrows upon two cōtrary fears . that divine plato , whom even in his cradle bees fed with honey , to give a presage to his sweet philosophy ; retained a better conceipt of so necessary a consort : when he closed his desires in this orison so i may have but my eyes to read with , a mind to conceive , a memory to retaine whatsoever ▪ i shall reade or conceive ; and a woman to serve me , that what necessity shall injoyne , i may seasonably receive , what fortune soever encounter mee , though she assayle me , she cannot soyle me ; though she assault me , she cannot foile me . hee is a weake proficient in philosophy , who enjoying the freedome of his inner house , cannot smile at adversity . when philogenes heard , how without society the world was a wildernesse ; the maxime is true , said hee , if you meane a mixt society ; without which all society would soone become a wildernesse . but will some harsh timonist or women-hater , say ; well had it been for the world , if there had never been an eve in the world ; it was her consent that brought a staine to the perfection and integrity of our state . yet for all this , if you will beleeve that ancient cabalist , who shew'd himselfe an exquisite discourser and discusser of conjecturall causes ; he will tell you , that in his opinion , the woman shewed not so much levity in consenting to the serpent ; as the man did facility in giving eare to the woman . shee expostulated the cause with the s●rpent , e're shee consented : whereas hee , without any more adoe , weakly received , what shee so unhappily offered . howsoever , neither of them are to be excused ; the one in not resisting the serpents subtilty ( an act , no doubt , of greater difficulty ; ) the other in inclining to the womans perswasion , which might have been prevented with more facility . what an excellent state accompanies the presence of a goodly woman ? what attractive beauty in the eye ? what an admirable disposure in the contexture of every part ? so as i cannot sufficiently wonder at the stupidity of that meere scholasticall wooer ; who being in the way of preferment , received a very free welcome from a gentleman nearly neighbouring , whose ayme it was to bring him into acquaintance with a kinswoman of his , hoping it would be a competent advancement for her , by matching them together . all accesse , which promised all good successe , was admitted him ; with such opportunity , as might have induced another zenocrates to enter into a parley of love . but heare how this amorous scholler acquitted himselfe , as if his soule by a strange transmigration had passed into that dull zenophanes , or zenophanes into his , in thinking love to be composed of earth ! one winter-evening was this quintilian with that lovely damsell left together ; purposely ( if there were left any beatings of love in his pulse ) to break the matter unto her . she , poore wench , long expected from this predicament of fancie some pleasing encounter or other ; but nothing was done by this dumbe oratour . stilnesse there was on both sides , without the least motion ; till such time as shee playing and toying a little with her foot , appearing a little out of her skirts ; she received from her affectionate scholler , after some fearfull pumping , this lovely piece of rhetorick : surely mistresse , you have a goodly faire foot , god bee praised . how meanly was beauty bestowed , to become an object to his dull fancie , who knew not how to value it ? though , no doubt , with that excellent geometrician , he could well enough gather by the proportion of her foot , the entire feature ; which would wound him as deadly to the heart , as achilles was wounded in his heele . nor had that great graduate any more respect to beauty , when he entertained it with so dis-joynted and unbeseeming a treaty ▪ as being one evening left with a select company of noble ladies , to bestow some houres in such delightfull discourse , as might not cloy the curious palate of so prepared an audience ; suddenly , as one newly awakt from an endymion slumber , he accoasts their gentele ears with this improper dialect : i have read much greeke , yet read i never what was greeke for a paire of tongues . this unexpected passage was returned with a generall jeere ; but having the grace not to understand what they laughed at , he held on in his old philosophicall dumpe , while his impertinent greek phrase made them merry greekes all that night . truth is , to a competible eye nothing more intimately moving than beauty ; nor any lecture working more to mortality , than deformity . for these anagrams to good faces are such impressive stamps ; as some have made of them wonderfull use . deformiores afficiunt , quo formosiores minùs alliciant . they affected only to converse with deformity , that they might have lesse familiarity with beauty . now , if such use might be made of the rubbish , what might be expected from a purer mettall ? reflect then a little upon this idaea ; imagine with your selfe that such a piece were drawne and presented to the full body , which might as really enamour and captivate the senses ; as ever io , danae , or semele , did their iupiter ; or any other amorous feature entranced a poeticall lover . it is the eye that conveyes love to the heart ; curious models to dull spectators , move small admiration , and consequently leave but a weak impression . to see a campaspe portrayed in her colours ; her veines ●nazured ; her sweet smiles shadowed ; her ●ove-enthralling eyes sparkled ; and all these with a native art , and artfull colour displayed , would make their apelles to doe what he did : whence we reade , that alexander , that worlds monarch , not onely affecting , but admiring the art of apelles ; to parallel his skill with an equall subject ; commanded him on a time to paint campa●pe naked , who was then held the beauty of that age ; which apelles having done , his pencill purchased him a pensive heart , fal●ing in love with her who was his picture , and whose love hee despaired to compasse ever : which alexander having perceived , he gave him her . the like incomparable art was showne by zeuxes , upon the beauties of croton's five daughters ; which pictures tooke more hearts , than his grapes had before deceived birds . but lest that apelles , of whom i have spoke so much , as one regardlesse of his owne praise , should finde fault with me , as sometimes hee did with protogenes , for that he could not hold his hand from the table ; ( a right english fault , i must confesse , whose fate and fault it hath beene ever , not to leave their work when it was well , nor their game when it was at fairest : ) i intend to passe from the picture to the feature : making mention of such remarkable occurrents , as hold good relation to our discourse : and what may tender any conceiving reader , variety of delight . i have sometimes read written in a window with a diamond , by one , it seemed ▪ who was not setled in his choice , but like a wanton-wavering wooer , had fixt on many objects , but on none such as yet hee could like ; these lines : if i might chuse , i know not which were best , shee that is naked , or is neatly drest . which lines in another pane of the window directly opposite to the former , i found thus answered : if i might chuse , i 'de have her such an one , as shee was first created , bone on bone : and in that naked-native posture have her , when th'serpent with an apple did deceive her . it seemes he would have had her as she was in her integrity and perfection : but at that time , i must tell him , though shee were naked , she nor any other could not then discover it . her unspotted innocence became her garment of purity and brightnesse . no fig-leaves then needed ; nor any covert to shroud her from his sight , whom she afterwards offended . but it may be his wanton thoughts gave themselves more liberty . his wish was to have one naked , to enjoy without delay , what his heart so much affected . but loose desires are to bee barred by and maine from true loves lists . sensuall love finds ever the shortest period in pleasure . that onely promiseth a continuate delight , which grounds her affection on reason rather than sense . where , though sinne can never be without a short perfunctory delight , yet may there ( probably ) be delight arising from the proclivity of sense , without much sinne. which makes me call to mind a tale which i have heard , not altogether improper for this argument ; and it was this . there was sometimes a maid of admired beauty and approved fame , who , after a long and strait siege of a garrison towne wherein she dwelt , became exposed with other virgins to the violence and fury of the souldiers . one of these , having deflowred this maid , demanded of her how she felt her selfe ? oh , quoth shee , never had poore distressed maid more pleasure with lesse sinne . meaning , that as the act was farre from her consent , so it was free from sinne , which is ever accompanied with consent . for whatsoever is forced , is from the will estranged ; without which , sinne cannot properly be said to be committed . this the ancient vestals received for authentique : who , though they were by the strictnesse of their votive order , never to infringe that sacred vow which they had professed : nor consort with any , that might beget suspicion of a loose affection : yet if the extremity of warre should ingage that encloyster'd society to the souldiers fury ; they were exempted from censure ; adjudgeing their resolves to be pure ; inviolated their vowes , though enforced acts had distained their honour : yet were they not to returne to their former order : for they held vesta dishonoured by such a sister . but you , brave english ladies , whose happiness it is to close both your actions and affections in one pure orbe ; you , whose immixed thoughts , cannot partake of an irregular love ; nor can sort with a subject of lightnesse ; nor labour to attract a strangers love with a luring eye ; nor imparadise a deluded amorist with a dissembling favour ; nor confine a light passengers eye to a loose-displayed breast ; nor soveraignise over a captiv'd lover , in holding his aie mees your best melody ; nor to open your windowes to get suiters ; nor to offer your first sacrifice to your glasse , or cerusse box . you , i say , who hold reputation such an unvaluable gemme , as an empire should not command it ; nor the extreames of fortune , even unto death , impeach it . you , who with much confidence can say with that heroick princesse , i know how to dye , but not to lose mine honour . you , in whose chaste breasts , as in precious cabinets of selectedst vertues , are stored all graces : such , who hold in their highest scorne to converse with a light favourite , or to be sollicited in such a suite as may detract from your honour . you , i say , are those faire and noble patronesses , to whom i addresse this lab●ur . you are none of our curtain lecturers , who disquiet the rest of your husbands . nor know you how to call them up into the garret , to give them gentle correction . you have a better , and farre more gentele way to reclaime them . milde and temperate be your reasonings ; wooing and winning be your teares ; and after a vertuous and well-composed treaty , you are ready to close with them upon such faire termes , as the penance you enjoyne them is no suffering ; for your sweet-tempered natures chuse rather to suffer with them . farre unlike to that shrow , who meeting her husband amongst other good fellows at a taverne doore , and seeing him beare the badge of that red-fac'd ensigne from whence hee came ; after many words of disgrace and reproach , willed him to goe mend his colour , pale-fac'd rascall as he was . no ; your education ha's better improv'd you ; your inbred graces more highly ennobled you ; your tender care of your husbands esteeme so truely inform'd you , as you prize nothing more than to preserve it untainted ; or if at any time questioned , constantly to defend it . in which respect , you differ farre from that shrewd girle , who having taken occasion of displeasure at her husband , told him plainly one day , that since he had plaid her that prank , hee would confesse ere long , that the signe was in aries when they two were married . but for you , unblemished beauties , who hold nothing comparably precious to a continent soule : as your minds become devoted wholly to goodnesse : so you must give mee leave to interveine my discourse with others of your sex , who fall so farre short of your perfection , as it might seeme strange to reason , that one and the same mould should produce subjects of such different natures . for as much then , as contraries , when most opposed , are best discovered : and that venus picture never shewed more beauty , than when it was accompanied by naïs deformity ; to revive the living memory of your honours , we intend to bring upon the stage ( though closed from vulgar eyes by a curtain ) the too forward discourses of such , who distemper their husbands quiet with their conventuall lectures , and that at uncanonicall houres , to the great disturbance of private peace , and ill example of all young-married couples . nor can this be holden for invective : the reproofe of those that are evill , cannot but highly improve the behaviour of those who are good . and in all ages , as harvests have their miscellaue graines , so have we ever had and must have , severally-mixt conditions . rome had many eminent families ; from whence were derived matrons adorned with exquisite vertues . octavia , porcia , caecilia , cornelia , all famous matrons , whose succeeding vertues were left for imitable mirrours to their successours . yet in that age , wherein morall goodnesse was in most request , and wherein nothing was esteemed better , than to live and dye to their countries honour ; that flourishing citie , the princesse of many renowned states , had an impatient flavia , as well as a discreet octavia ; a wanton laelia , as well as a continent cornelia ; an immodest semphronia , aswel as a shame-fast scribonia ; a faustina , as well as a cinna ; a messalina , as well as a cincinna . now to insist more usefully on this subject ; we have proposed to our selves to enter into a discourse of foure distinct motives to affection : which in their own nature beget affection ; but inverted , expresse to life their owners disposition . the first shall be beauty ; a pearle in the eye , and a pinion to the heart : the second , agility of body ; which begets in the owner a desire of liberty . the third , quicknesse of wit ; which , being not well seasoned , oft-times breeds occasion of distaste . the fourth , gentlenesse of speech ; an excellent ornament , and worth entertaining , if it be not shrowded or palliated with dissembling . to the first then , because every gracefull accomplishment or perfection falling from it selfe , declines from what it was , and presents some dangerous imperfection which before it had not , we oppose disdaine , being found for most part an individuall adjunct to beauty . to the second we oppose liberty : for what youthfull bodies , unlesse mortification hath confin'd and impal'd their affections , by devoting them to retirement , in affecting a collegiat or cloystrall life in their very first ripenings of nature , but being of ability , they desire liberty ? to the third , wee oppose distaste . for quicke and prompt wits , if they be not with discretion seasoned , they become so freely licentious , as they lose more friends than they purchase . to the fourth and last , we oppose dissimulation ; a quality whereto our whitest tongues are commonly subject . of each of these we purpose to discourse in order , ever giving beauty her due character , when she is vertues follower : and to allay more serious discourse with other pleasing passages of wit : you shall finde each of these subjects accompanyed with choyce tales ▪ such as may beget a modest laughter ; and from equall judgements receive a faire censure . beauty . beauty is a pleasing object to the eye , improved by the apprehension of fancy , and conveyed to the heart by the optick part . if the owner that enjoyes it , know it : it begets in her a dis-esteeme and contempt of inferiour features . none can serve eccho but narcissus . what a scornefull eye shee casts upon common persons , or a plebeian presence ? shee could finde in her heart to bee angry with the wind , for dealing so roughly with her veile , or ho●sing up her skirts ; and scourge those aeolian scouts for being so saucy . she wonders that venus should be for a goddesse recorded , and she never remembred . when she sees our countrey-beauties , with a scornefull pity she lookes on them , and returnes her judgement thus : " alas , poore home-spun beauties ! a civill requisite curtsy shee will not deagne to bestow on more deserving lips than her owne : with a seeming aversenesse she forgets that winning salute of those noble trojan ladies ; holding it too high a favour to afford a lip to the compleatest lover . this that passionate amorist well discovered in this canto : beautious was shee , but too coy , glorious in her tyres and toyes , but too way-ward for that boy , who in action spheard his joyes . love-tales shee could deagne to heare , and relate them weeke by weeke , but to kisse when you came neare , lippe was turn'd into the cheeke . beauty that is too precize , though it should attractive be , darting beamelins from her eyes , 't were no adamant to me : shee it is i onely love , shee it is i onely seeke , that do'es bill it like a dove , and will make her lippe her cheeke . honour is a rising baite , but not rudely to be pull'd ; give me her at any rate , who loves to be kist and cull'd : countrey ducks scorne to be nice to those swaines their fancy seeke , though their honour they doe prize , lippe they tender , not their cheeke . thus can sheepheards swainlings love , and expresse what they desire ; live to love , and love to prove height and h●at of cupids fire . when a sill●bub they make while their youngsters woo and seeke for their love , they may partake of their lippe as well as cheeke . now did that incensed gentleman shew lesse passion upon the like re-greet from a disdainfull lady ▪ whose long practise in painting , and delicate tooth together , had so corrupted her breath , as cocytus could not have a worser savour . a lady gave me once her cheeke to kisse , being no lesse than i my selfe did wish : for this i 'le say , and binde it with an oath , her cheeke tastes sweeter farre than do'e's her mouth . but there is nothing so much discovereth the vaine pride of these beauties , as a coynesse to their servants in their wooing and winning . if they affect you , that affection must bee so shrowded and shadowed , as lynceus eyes could not disclose it . walke from them , their eyes are on you ; walke to them , their eyes are from you . there is no argument , be it never so well-relishing , nor sorting with their liking , that they will give eare to : no posture , be it never so gracefull , they will afford an eye to . opposition suiteth best with their condition . to a stranger they will shew themselves familiar ; to you , whose intimacy hath got a roome in their hearts , they will seeme a stranger . if you appeare merry , it must bee expounded trifling childishnesse ; if grave , stoick sullennesse . it were a gift above apprehension , in every particular to fit their humour . and yet they must be humour'd , or they are lost for ever . this would make any man thinke , if he cast his cards aright , that a mans only sweet bed-fellow , were a bed without a fellow . but that would spoile all humane society : better an inconvenience than a mischiefe : better one perish , than a multitude . beauty is no such phoenix , as she can generate from her owne ashes . suppose her then ( disdainfull thing ) resolved to take one ( though with a queasy stomach ; ) and such an one , as of all her choice shee could not entertaine a worse . and this youth she rather affects , because all her friends dis-relish him : for she measures not her love by others discretion , nor her fancy by the line of others direction . shee is too wise to bee taught ; and if she repent , it shall be at leasure : and if shee have cause to put finger ith'eye , she will chuse rather to dye , than discover it to any other . yet for all this , through a seeming indifferency and coldnesse of affection , the marriage-day must be protracted by them , till they cannot endure whale-bone , becomming as pregnant as nature could make them . this makes me remember the tale of the westerne pedler ; who , having one daughter , was sought after by many amorous suiters : but one amongst the rest she preferred in her choice : feeding his longing appetite with hopes , and following her fathers course , who had got in his time as much by consideration as principall ; told him ever and anon that shee would consider of it : till at last her consideration falling into a conception , and being asked the selfe-same question , she never returned any other than that she would still take it into her consideration : oh , quoth her suiter , being guilty of the bill ▪ consider your pregnant present state , and your consideration , comater , comes too late . but of all others , there is nothing to be admired more in this their trifling with love , than those nice conditions they stand upon ; which , though their hearts stand indifferent , whether they be ever observed or no ; they will peremptorily conclude , without assent to such conditions , no bargaine . now , the principall article must be , that he who is prickt to be the man , must hold his distance : too much familiarity breeds contempt ; and to avoid this : he must observe a kind of reverend state in her presence ; give her way in all arguments of discourse : and for as much as her brave disposition retaines in it selfe thoughts of majesty , shee must have her side for her selfe and her women , or what male she pleaseth ; divided beds ; seasons of repairing one to another ; that every new visit may seeme a fresh kind of wooing . in which encounter , as he is to shew himselfe importunate in his suite , so is his spouse to shew her selfe reluctant to his desires . but the issue proves fearfull : for her long practise of soveraignty over his weaknesse , brings this faire one to that passe ; as she begins to distaste him . though the man be tollerable for his part , and of promising satisfaction , she cannot brooke him ; yet if you should aske her the cause , it is onely this ; hee is her husband . like that great favorite flaviano , who having taken to wife a noble florentine lady ; grew in short time to dislike her : and being asked the reason why he could not affect her , being every way so brave and compleat a lady ? i grant , said hee , her parts deserve love ; and as i live , there is none breathing that i could more constantly love , did she not beare that name which i so much loath : and being further demanded , what name that was ? o , replyed he with a sigh , a wife ! neither for all this would i have you to mistake me , as if i restrained affection onely to beauty : for i have knowne fancy taken as much , though not so often , with deformity , as ever it was with beauty . yea , one in whom not so much as the least glympse or shew of favour appeared , ha's wrought no lesse impressive effects in the heart of a deluded lover , than if shee had been the astrophel of the age ; which the poet seemes to confirme by his owne personall experience : naïs i love , and most men wonder why , for none sees ought worth love in her but i. to close then this first subject ; as it was socrates rule to his schollers , to present unto them their outward physnomies in a glasse : where , if any of them were of a pleasing and amiable complexion , his exhortation to them was , that so good faces should not be blemished with the moles of vices ; but as they were outwardly beautifull , so they should be inwardly gracefull : but if any of his schollers chanc't to be hard-favoured , his advice was , that they should supply that deformity with an inward beauty . be it your care on whom nature hath so freely bestowed her bounty ; by adorning you with a gracefull presence , to second it with those inward graces , which give accomplishment to the best beauty . and though the purest cloth may have his brack ; the preciousest pearle her flaw : if any such inherent blemish darken those inward graces , be it your endevour to rectifie that error by a timely censure : that bestowing more cost on the instrument , than the case ; on the pith , than the rinde : that gemme which be●ore seem'd blemished , may be so polished ; as others induced to imitate your patterne , like lines leading to one center , may desire nothing more than to be your followers , in whom they see both an inward and outward faire so harmoniously closing together . and so i descend from this attractive object of beauty , to that humour , or opinionate errour , which most commonly accompanies it , and ever detracts most from it . disdaine . the severall pass●ges through-out this entire section , are partly extracted from ariosto , tasso , boc●act , rheginus , a●●aeus , &c. and intend●d by them to cast a glowing shame upon those times wherein they lived : and on those persons at whom they aymed . meaning by these lighter stories to reprove their lightnesse ; and not to introduce any corruption of manners . this it was that reduced those epyrotes and laconians to such strict civill order , by presenting those obscrenities of the time in so free a posture , as by a discreet recollection of themselves , they became ashamed of their errour : which retractation in few yeares highly conduced to thier honour . and this it was which the poet so nearely struck upon in these enlivened ayres : it is our best of art , sometimes to write light lines to tax such persons as bee light , and with a glowing and vermilion shame to make them be more cautious of their fame : which once impeach'd can hardly be regain'd , so deepe a dye holds reputation stain'd . disdaine is an humour bred from an over-weening opinion or selfe-conceit of some extraordinary worth , arising from person , place , or power . personall , as from outward gifts , or inward graces ; locall , as from office or dignity ; magisteriall , as from power or authority . of the first are we onely to discourse ; for officiall or magisteriall government suites not properly with our feminine regiment . it was an excellent argument of a noble disposition in that brave lady marcelles , who gave this attestation of her sex and countrey , to her owne fame and nationall glory . it is not the property of an italian lady , to answer love with scorne , or fancy with disdaine . if our servants oblation be love , we can sacrifice to them the like . this lady , though admired for her beauty , scorn'd with disdaine to entertaine fancy ; or to glory in the distresse of a dispassionate lover : or to relate amongst creatures of her owne sex what disgraces she had put on her discarded servant . in which triumph both former and present times have been sufficiently practised . our renounedst heroës have found store of such coy mistresses . fulvia knew how to domineere over her pompey ; cleopatra , in the infancy of their love , over her m. antony ; cressida over her troylus ; hellena , ( to the subversion of a populous state ) over her menelaus ; phedra over her theseus ; omphale over her alcides . these knew the strength of their beauty ; and what power there was in one amorous glance to inchain fancy . these were so farre from avoyding occasion to tempt , as their onely exercise was to catch wandring eyes ; and to lay baits by adulterate beauties , how they might surprize an effeminate servant , and make his life a perpetuall servitude . although , they encounter'd with some , from whom they received a repulse with shame . for even that princely cleopatra , who had all the art to procure love : and whose presence retained that winning majesty , as state contended with beauty , and closing together , promised no lesse than over the victoriou'st monarch a commanding soveraignty : when she , i say , after the discomfiture of her antony , and her then approaching period to her former glory , kneeled at the feet of caesar , laying baits for his eyes ; but in vaine ; her beauties were beneath that princes chastity . others we might here instance ; who were so farre from disdaine ; as rather than they would be an occasion to tempt another by meanes of beauty , they chused to disfigure themselves to remove all motives to fancy . and of this moderation , ( or if you please to bestow on it so gracefull a title as mortification ) we might here produce examples , and those memorable in both sexes . incredible is the story which valerius maximus reporteth of that young man sputimia , whose beauty did so incomparably become him , as it occasioned many women to lust after him : which this noble youth no sooner perceived , than he wounded his face , that by the scar he sustained , his beauty might become more blemished , and consequently , all occasion of lusting after it , clearely removed . the like resolution shewed many noble ladies , during those raging persecutions , where neither viduall , conjugall , nor virgin estate , were they never so much strengthned with modesty , nor magnanimity , could oppose themselves against souldiers fury , nor tyrants insolency . where , woe shall finde some flying , in defence of their honour , to desert and remote caves ; chusing rather to become a prey to wilde beasts , than to expose their unblemished honour to the barbarous cruelty of savage miscreants . these found a hand ever ready to strike , to prevent a staine : preferring an honourable death before an ignominious life . this might be instanced , with much admiration , in that one act of the incomparable chiomara , a constant consort to an unfortunate prince ; who upon discomfiture of the gallo-graecians ( a province so styled from her mixt inhabitants ) being ravished by a roman captaine , gave a memorable example of conjugall vertue ; for she cut off the fellows head from his shoulders , and escaping from her guard , brought it to her lord and husband . others we shall likewise finde , purposely to preserve their honour , discolouring their faces , to make them seeme more deformed to the insolent souldier . there was nothing more hatefull to them than that beauty , which might probably ingage their persons to an act of infamy . to these i might adde that excellent saying of a religious votaresse , who understanding one to be much inamoured of her , call'd him aside and told him : sir , i honour you so much , as i have chosen rather to suffer , than by my beauty to make you a prisoner : wherewith discovering her face , in complexion much altered , by some colours which she had caused to be laid upon it : hee vowed to relinquish his suit , imagining that shee had poysoned her face , to waine him from his affection . this he had no sooner said , then shee ran to a spring neare adjoyning to wash it off : see , said shee , i am the same i was ; but you are much better : for now you are brought to see your errour , in being so much taken with a skin-deepe beauty , which onely consists in dye and colour . but , howsoever that memorable marcelles , of whom wee formerly made so honourable a mention , seemed in defence both of her selfe and sex , to inveigh against disdain ; holding it the most unwomanly quality that could be , to have an heart steeled against the perswasions of an affectionate servant : ariosto , that ingenious poet , can informe us sufficiently of many hard-hearted ladies in italy ; who prided themselves in nothing more , than to make their unhappy lovers , tragick subjects : while some of them raved with orestes , transforming fancy to a phrensy ; and amongst many other , whose heavy fates brought them to unhappy ends ; he brings in three distressed lovers murdered with disdaine : the first , as well as the rest , under a borrowed name , he calls infeliche : who to discover his infelicity , and make his name and fate pertake in one qua●ity , is presented weeping , and so long till he ha's left no eyes to shed a teare . the next , is his inamorato , whose disdainfull choice brought him to that disaster , as hee vowed with an intentive fixing of his eyes upon the sun-beames , day by day , never to looke off that object , till the reflex of the sunne had consum'd his sight . the third , his desperato ; one who scorn'd to protract time , or make truce with death : for upon his ladies scornefull answer , as one despairing of all future fortune , because estranged from her favour ; he leapes headlong from a rock ; which gave a period to his unhappy love . disdain then , it seems , hath soveraigniz'd in every countrey : while poore distressed lovers , rest of all hope , abandoned health , rather than live a languishing life . so as , being so farre imbarked in this subject , i must needs in this place acquaint you with a letter , writ , it may well seeme , by a perplexed home-spun lover ; who impatient to admit any other complement in his lines , than what might to life best depaint his sorrow , proceedeth thus : dearest duckling , be it knowne to you , and to all people , that i have pissed bloud three dayes and three nights since i last saw you , and received that unwomanly relentlesse answer from you : so as your harsh and untoward quality was the onely cause ( blinke-eyed cupid forgive you ) of this my misery and malady . let it now suffice you , that i am utterly undone by you : while i live to subscribe ( and loath am i to live such a scribe ) your most unfortunate servant . no lesse ruefull was the case of that pitifully-complaining lover , who discovered his judaicall passion in this manner : i lov'd a wench , and she a coy precisian , her scorne of love brought me to circumcision ; if circumcision be the way to woo , i would my wench had my praeputium too . but since my choyce makes mee an haplesse man , england adieu , i 'm now for amsterdam : where i may finde what here i cannot move , affection in a family of love. though afterwards repenting himselfe of such a rash resolution , he salves it with this conclusion : yet my coy-duck , take my resolve with you ; " losse of no jewell can make me turne jew : but if you 'l have a circumcised one , " my fore-skin onely shall bee yours or none . the lowest , but not unloyall'st of your servants . farre lesse hot in his love , but more discreet in his choyce , appeared that seignior ; who having pretended love to a shrow , though shee seemed a sheepe , fell so highly in her books , as in the end she became a soliciter to her suiter , importuning him much to marry her ; to whom in a poeticall straine hee returned this answer , covertly shadowed under the person of another : my wench o're me presuming to have power , will'd me goe with her hand in hand to th' tower. for what , said i ? to cloze our marriage rite ; no , to see th' lions , 't were a better sight : for th' lion , tigre , leopard , panther , beare , are all meeke creatures to my minivere . closing the aversion of his love with this resolve : i 'd rather cope with lions in a grate , than in a bed with my imperious kate. one more i will onely here insert , and so descend to the next subject : which i have occasionally heard related of a wanton widdow , who scornefully and in a jeering way , disclosed that disdaine which shee lodged in her heart . an ancient batchler , who had been ignorant before , what the working of love was , or what effects it produc'd ; having had formerly good accesse to her house in her husbands time ; which promised him , as he thought , no lesse successe now after his death : made one day suite to this widdow ; she , neither gave him great hope , nor any just cause to despaire . and thus his cold suite continued , till she falling aboord with a more amiable and affectionate suiter ; one , whose rising-youth both seconded her expectance , and promised more performance : one day , amongst the rest , upon more familiarity betwixt them , shee began to acquaint him how such a batchlers-button had her in chace , and if his arguments did not disswade her , for ought shee knew , shee meant to make him her choice . this shee never intended , for her affection begunne now to be free towards this active youth ; and to scorne nothing more , than a doublet with a monsieurs belly ; a payre of trunk-hose ; an inclining hamme , and a mouted beard ; for so was this old batchler accommodated . notwithstanding all this , her young choice feared much to suffer a defeat ; which to prevent , so soone as he came to his chamber , rapt with a poetick fury , or amorous fancy , he addresseth these lines unto her : doricles to dulcina . deare , where is thy discretion to ingage thy matchlesse beauty to decrepit age ? dew-dropping violets hang downe their head , when their prime leaves are too much moistened ; but thy pure-featur'd orbe shall never finde any such pearled moisture in a rinde . beleeve me , sweet , no colour may beseem thy virgin-veile worse than a frost on greene . this letter sent and delivered to her hand , who had already devoted her heart ; the selfe-same day she chanc't to leave it upon the drawing-cupboord , while she went into her orchard to take a walke : her over-worne wooer , as one impatient of longer delay , came , as it happened , that same time into her chamber , as he was formerly accustomed to doe ; where finding this letter open , and directed with an amorous inscription , he dispenced so farre with civility , and her patience , now in her absence , as to peruse the contents : which did not a little nettle him : howbeit , to shroud all things with as much secrecy as he could , he held it discretion ; and to discover no passion , till he saw further occasion . while he stood thus conversing with his owne thoughts : the mistresse of his thoughts came in , never so much as suspecting the discovery of her friends letter . after some conference betwixt them , he renewes his suite , and with the best rhetorick that the termes of law could afford , he enforceth his love-plea ; but his long impertinent preamble was soone cut short with this tart answer : sir , quoth shee , for you to spin penelopes web , is to no purpose : it were well you fixt your affection some other way ; for i must freely tell you , i have vow'd that no gray-horse shall ever stand more in my stable . to which unexpected answer , he return'd this resolute reply : and i vow , faire mistresse , that i preferre this conceit before your selfe . which said , without more sollicitancy of love , he tooke his leave . but comming home , and remembring the letter , which hee verily thought was the argument which gave life to her answer ; hee held it fit , under an unknowne name , to returne that young gamester a reply ; which , after many invocations of his melpomene , the fittingst consort for loves melancholy , hee addressed in this modest manner : sene●io's answer . thou that of youth doest vainely boast , know , buds are soonest nipt with frost : though thou be fresh , more faire than i ; yet stumps doe live , when flowers dye . though thou be young , and i be old , though thy veines hot , and my blood cold , though youth be moist , and age be dry ; yet embers live , when flames doe dye . the tender plant is eas'ly broke , but who can shake the sturdy oake ? thinke thou thy fortune still doth cry , o foole , to morrow , thou mayst dye . but having thus farre discovered the effects of disdaine ; and displayed the danger of this humour with variety of instances , to afford more solace to the reader , i purpose now to descend , in the same methodicall way , to the rest of the subjects , as they shall arise in order . agility of body . agility of body proceedeth from a quicknesse or vivacity of spirit , enlivened by a sweet and equall temperature of the humours . this appeared in the exact temperature of that universall monarch , the invincible alexander : whose body was of that excellent composition , as like a sweet perfume , or some odoriferous confection , it sent forth a sweet smell wheresoever it was . the like we reade of that beautifull alcibiades , whom plutarch reports , to be the best favoured boy in all athens ; one of such agility , as he bore away the prize in every mastery : of a winning complexion , and performing constitution . albeit , hee was never more outwardly beautified , than hee was by too free and frequent consorting with his curtezan timandra , blemished . his faire face begot him a foule fame . his agility of body , the gage of infamy . agile and active women we reade of in all ages ; such as even in in publick managements of warre , shewed themselves both for spirit and action to surpasse the effeminacy of their sex. this might we instance in that warlike semyramis , the puissant thomyris , the undaunted menalippe , the couragious antiope , the heroïck hippolite . in the empire of monomotapa , bounding upon the kingdome of congo , among all the rest of the emperours souldiers , the most valorous in name are his legions of women , whom hee esteemeth very highly , and accounteth them as the very sinewes and strength of his military forces . these women doe burne their left paps with fire , because they should be no hinderance unto them in their shooting ; after the use and manner of the ancient amazons , that are so greatly celebrated by the historiographers of former prophane memories . for their weapons , they practise bowes and arrowes : they are very quicke and swift , lively and couragious , very cunning in shooting ; but especially and above all , venturous and constant in fight . and that their prowesse might be seconded by policy : in their battels they use a warlike kind of craft and subtilty : for they have a custome to make a shew that they would fly and run away , as though they were vanquished and discomfited ; but they will diverse times turne themselves backe , and vex their enemies mightily with the shot of their arrows . and when they see their adversaries so greedy of the victory , that they begin ●o disperse and scatter themselves , then will they suddenly turne againe upon them , and with great courage and fie●cenesse make a cruell slaughter of them . so that partly with their swiftnesse , and partly with their deceitfull wiles , and other cunning shifts of warre , with which long custome and continuance have made them familiar , they are greatly feared in all those parts neare which they inhabite : retaining in them those masculine spirits , as they hold it not sufficient onely to defend their owne , unlesse they inlarge it by their enemies spoile . they doe enjoy by the kings good favour certaine countries where they dwell alone by themselves : and sometimes they choose certaine men at their owne pleasure , such as best likes them both for favour and feature , with whom they doe keepe company for generations sake : so that ▪ if they bring forth male-children , they send them home to their fathers housen : but if they be female , they reserve them to themselves , and breed them in the exercise of warre . so lightly doe they affect any sensuall pleasure , as they would not admit it , were it not to preserve society : and to continue their flourishing feminine government to a succeeding posterity . but wee are to finde other exercises for these agile bodies ; yet modestly ; not such as that soile to her sex , the insatiate messalina practised in her antonine bathes . these would strike a glowing shame in a chaste cheeke . nor will we receive into the list of our discourse , the least mention of any hard-hearted woman ; for our penne is addressed rather to pencile their praise , than detract any way from their fame . for what , though some women have bestowed their agility onely upon cruelty , tyrannizing above the softnesse or delicacy of their sex ; every larke may have his crest ( to use that old proverbe of symonides ) but every wench hath not the same mole , though the same mould . what though orpheus were torne in peeces by women ? hippolitus guiltlesly m●rdered by a woman ? hercules poysoned by a woman ? the capitol betrayed by a woman ? few or none of all these acts , but with an e●sy exposition , might admit apologies . for first , what those women did to orpheus , might upon the first glance seeme cruelty ; yet he may thanke himselfe for effeminating their youth with his melody ; the onely moving scene which brought on his tragedy . next , for phedra , though her f●●t admit the worst apology ; had she not lov'd so much , she had not become so wilde . the lover is ever blinded , nay madded with affection towards the object beloved . it is not given to us , to love and to be wise . discretion is admitted for a directrice in all affaires , excepting love : yea , though the object of her love was unjust : love hath alwayes challenged a priviledge in acts of justice . thirdly , for deianira's poysoning of her dearest hercules ; 'las , if there were poyson in too much affection ; shee was guilty of it : render her , as shee was , deluded . glad would shee have been to enjoy him solely , by weining him from his unlawfull love of omphale . there was no venome in this . though the issue prov'd fatall ; firme was her faith , her love loyall . lastly , though that treacherous tarpeia might be as strongly charged with censures , as she was pressed downe with targets : all historians are not of one opinion , touching the moving cause of her treason . it was not hope of gold , nor of bracelets , but the affectionate embraces of an amorous youth , who had already surprized her heart , and why not then by her meanes , as well the capitol ? nor is it discretion , as i conceive , in man to reflect upon these , by way of aspersion . none ever of their sex committed so foule a crime , as to burne diana's temple , and that was done by the masculine spirit of an herostratus . none amongst them so treacherous , as to betray their owne lady , to usurpe an unjust soveraignty ; yet was this done by a nabarzanes . none so cruell , as to embrue their hands in the blood of their owne alliance for filthy gaine ; yet was this done by pygmalion upon sycheus . idaea , indeed , was cruell in perswading her phineus , aegenors unfortunate son , and arcadies unhappy prince , to put out his childrens eyes , which he had by his first wife cleopatra : but if she were cruell in perswading , he was more unnaturall in consenting . tullia , indeed , shewed her selfe an unnaturall childe , in causing her charriot to be hurried over the dead corpse of her discomfited father : yet was her usurping tarquin as unjust , to plant his empire in blood , which shortly expired to his dishonour . in these then , let us hold both sexes , as equall delinquents . but these agile bodies are none of those bona-roba's that wee are now to converse with : cleopatra's pearle-broths , and licentious bankets become our subjects . we must present such active spirits , as were those of penthisilaea's and antiope's , who in an amorous encounter would mee● their brave metall'd macedons , and returne with equally-conferred favours , equall honours . these were ladies , who had never taken physick to restore their decayed strength , nor been in custome with their apothecary for a potion to procure love , or a powder to enable nature . nature had given them that strength , as no art could improve their state . suppose them then comming in paires , to receive their first fruits . but you must imagine them withall , taking the ayre , tracing the fields , and traversing the diapred meads , where they are as ready to take as give : to take a green-gowne , as to give a sillibub : for if you should barre them of liberty , they could finde small employment for agility of body . liberty . liberty points at two objects properly , mind , and body . the former , the better , because purer . for restraint of minde is a miserable servitude . for the other , many suffer restraint of body , who fully and freely enjoy inward liberty . this the noble pibrach proveth in his paradox of liberty , with the benefit of imprisonment to a mind winged with contemplations heauenly . which that restrained lyrick no lesse merrily chanted : good men and true , will you be pleas'd to come and see a man laid in a living tombe ? come , you shall finde mee here , and finding see my cause is good , how'ere it fare with mee . for i am none of these that e're did feed ( like bankrupt brats , who breake before they need ) on others substance , and doe make a prey of simple snakes , that are more poore than they . annexing these as a soveraigne receipt to his undeserved restraint : he that thinks i 'm restrain'd , whos'ere he bee , let him know this , i am as free as hee : for though my body be restrain'd , i finde an unrestrained freedome in my minde ; " birds in a cage sing with a sorry heart , " but i doe feele no such thing for my part . we are to hold then many free , who are bound ; many bound , who are free . those who are ingag'd to earth , hold nothing more miserable , than to suffer restraint of body ; the reason is , all their lights and liberties looke outward : whereas those , who make heaven their haven , finde no calme but in a composed mind : no freedome , but in their inner-roome . but the creatures , whereof we are now to discourse , being carried away much by sense , crave nothing more than outward liberty ; without which , how should they enjoy the benefit of their darling sense ? for they hold agile bodies no fit stuffe to make hermits . but admit , they should be coop't up , the cat , for want of a consort , will play with her owne tayle . as that nimble monkey in cheapside did ; who playing her tricks . above , while her husband was selling his trinkets below : made an assay to lay her heele on her necke ; which she did ; but like the weasil in the fable , could not get it back againe : till at last , after long strugling , falling out a bed upon the floore , her husband affrighted with the noise , caused his foreman to runne up staires to know what the matter was : who returning backe , assured his master , that she was either bewitched , or turn'd into an ou beast . liberty is the very key that opens to opportunity : which must be had ; for a kind natur'd wench will see light thorow a small hole ; yea , and with twirling of their apron-string , have as ready an answer , if at any time taken napping , as if a longer time had given them provision . the tale of a countrey-maid , ( for our stories must fix on all sexes , states , and places ) falls pat to this purpose : who , when her mother found her suspiciously in a corner with a young man : o mother ( quoth shee ) i knew where you would seeke me ! but she fitted her mother afterwards with a penny-worth ; for being hopelesse of all opportunity , by reason of her mothers jealousy , she comes in running one day crying , hey ginger , hey — what meanes the girle , quoth her mother ? why , swine are in our pease , mother , — hey ginger , hey . the mother suspected nothing , but bade the carrian make haste with a wenian ; which she needed not , for she and ginger went to meet her sweet-heart in a pease-rigge , where , no doubt , before she returned , she found them fully codded . the like tale there is of a good-wife , who being found by her husband in bed with her neighbour ; told him , that she did it for love of him , to save him a labour , and withall , to know whether other men had a stone at rigge , as he had , which made her suspect him for a monster . the tale of the court-gentlewoman ( to make a faire survey of ci●y , court , and country ) may take place in the next story : who being found in a long darke entry with a young cavaliere : her answer was , that in good-sooth , there came such a dampe before her eyes , such a beating in her pulse , such a working on her sense , and such a shaking palsy thorow every part , as shee verily thought , it was some spirit that wrought on her weaknesse : neither durst shee cry , lest shee should scarre the spirit . but of all stories , there was no activity , sure , a wanting in those two joviall bridallers ; neither justly could the one find much fault with the other , having been , by all probability , both guilty : this bride-groome , first night he was married , after such time as hee had given his bride that nuptiall benevolence which was requisite ; presently , turning himselfe on his right side , fell a praying : his bride intending action more than devotion , addressed her selfe to him , in this bridall curtaine lecture . sweet-heart , why turne you so soone from me ? are you so soone weary of me ? pray thee chick , what art ' doing ? praying , con●y , said he . for what , pigs-nie , said shee ? for his well-fare , replyed he , who made me so good way . what other answer she made to this frumpe , i have not heard , saving only this : go to , husband , it seemes you are cunning . you were told a tale in our discourse before , of a wanton widdow , and her answer to a stale batchler , and importunate suiter : his resolute reply upon her repulse : with the occasion of that widdowes answer from a poëm writ by an amorous young gallant ( which he likewise answered ) who disswaded her to lye frost upon greene . and sure that widdow was a feather of the same wing , who finding nothing so as she expected , at least , what her agility of body required , twitted her second husband with the ability of her first , telling him , that she had a husband would have made a chamber-pot roare . that arrogant widdower discover'd himselfe too speedily , to become a speeding wooer : who encountring a rich widdow , and one of a sufficient pleasing feature , to beautifie her fortunes : told her , that hee could well find in his heart to make her his bride , but he thought good first , to impart to her three things , which she might looke to finde from him , if ever she enjoy'd him : and to acquaint her all the better with his humour , they were these . first was , that whether he had cause or no cause abroad , shee might be sure of a bridall-brawle when he came home . second was , hee would eat his meat alone . third was , he would lye with her but once i th' month . why , these are tolerable humours , answer'd this witty widdow : and so you will give way to other three things which i shall desire , this shall be no occasion of breach betwixt us . whereto , when he had promised his free assent , were they of what condition soever : sir , said shee , whereas you say , you must needs brawle when you come home : you shall not need , for i will prevent you . secondly , whereas you must eat your meat alone , doe so , and spare not : but i must tell you , you shall then feed on my reversions ; for as i satisfie your humour , so must you satisfie mine too , and give me leave to bee your taster . thirdly , whereas you will but lye with me once a month , take your pleasure ; but i must tell you withall , if you will not , another shall : for i shall have a months mind to another . this answer so miserably perplexed this humorous wooer ; as he took leave of his widdow , and never revived his suit after that time to her . he shew'd himselfe a discreet capricorne ; who being made acquainted by an intimate servant of his , that his wife abus'd his bed : and if he pleased , he should with his owne eyes see such a cumrade of hers embracing her in naked bed : servant , said he , such a sight cannot please me well ; yet shall it please mee to discover her shame , and with her shame quicken my revenge . the opportunate houre being come , whereof his servant had given him notice , by a private passage , and without company he rusheth suddenly into the chamber , where he saw too personally presented the act of his dishonour : yet shewed he such an incomparable temper , as calling his astonish'd brancher unto him , without more passion , thus accoasted him : sir , i shall take a course with you : and with that hee shuts him in his closet ; and calling his servant to him , grievously chid him ; and withall told him , how he had abused him , in making him jealous of his wifes honour without just cause : for , see , quoth he , how she poore girle lyes alone without a bed-fellow : whereas thy lavish tongue suggested to my too credulous eare a conceipt of that which i now see , poore innocent soule , was the least of her thought ! and to confirme the strength of this seeming passion , he puts his man from him , and would by no perswasion after that time entertain him . thus salved he his wives credit by relinquishing his servant ; and abstaining from inflicting the least revenge upon her minion confined to his closet . onely , hee ever after that time divorc'd her from his bed : but in all other respects us'd her as a loyall-affectionate bride . hee was moulded to as good a temper , who pretending one day an occasion of going from home , purposely to try some conclusion of his wifes private affection : comming secretly home about dead time of the night , found what he had more reason to suspect than expect ; his roome supplied by an active youth ; whose batchler life made him more ready to incroach upon others possessions , than closed either with his honour , or the owners reputation . his wife steeled with re●olution , as well as freedome of affection ; tells her amazed husband , that what was done could not be undone . o thou unsatiate one , quoth he , if indifferent benevolen●e would have served thee , i am sure it was never a wanting thee ! it is true , husband , said she , but the body may be sooner wearied , than the desire satisfied , or the sense sated . the appetite is best pleased with variety : whereas , the daintiest viands ever dished to us , beget satiety . but bee advised by me , husband , and all shall be amended : for your hornes , sir , it is farre better for you to shroud them , than to blow them : cover these , and my continence of life hereafter shall amply redeeme my honor : with which promise , her husband ( good man ) became so well contented , as his patience begot in his wife a love to goodnesse : so as , the comick conclusion of their life clozed with much happinesse . that good-wife was of a merry humour , who , after the miller had taken his moulter , and by all likelyhood had done her a pleasure in grinding her too neare the louder : could not containe her selfe , but returning backe , and finding her husband at home , cryed still — with ô the lusty miller ! her husband mufing much at his wifes mad humour : sure i beleeve , said he , the miller ha's done thee : yes , i warrant you , husband , quoth she , and would have done you too , if you had been there . and as she begun , so shee continued her canting humour ; with ô the lusty miller ! that confident good-man received satisfaction to the full of his wifes demeanure ; who praising her one day above comparison , to one of his neighbours : he advised him not to be altogether so opinionate of her honesty ; but rather to try some conclusion whether she was in deed , what shee appeard in show : for , said hee , many can subtilely shadow their shame , and delude the world with a colour , and yet keepe a bit for their friend in a corner . be counsell'd then by mee , and i will teach you a way to resolve you of all doubts ; and it shall be thus . at night when you are in bed with your wife , you shall aske of her , if ever shee had use of any man beside your selfe ; and if she deny it , as there is scarce one of a thousand that will at first confesse it , leave the rest to my device ; and if shee doe not discover it , being guilty of it , discard me for ever : nay , i will never conjure more , but burne my bookes to save you a labour . this device her husband approved ; and now when night approached , he puts those interrogatories to her , as he was directed : demanding of her , if ever she knew any man but himselfe ? who i , husband , quoth she ? i hope you have no such opinion of me . no , duck said he ; but i desir'd to be resolved : i may set my rest then on this , thou never wrong'd me ! never , quoth shee . yes once , answer'd her neighbour , being purposely shrowded in the chimney-corner . shee , poore soule , being surprized with feare at the voyce she did heare , ingenuously confessed , that the spirit said true : & that she had indeed once transgressed the bounds of modesty , but it was only to purchase his liberty . for your hard-hearted creditor , carelesse of your ruine , having laid you fast upon an execution , came unto mee and promised me your freedome for one nights lodging . why , sayes her husband , this transgression argued an act of affection ; and deserves a kisse beside a pardon . well , chick , said he , thou never then offendedst in this kind but once , no , never but once . yes twice , said the former devill in the vault . trust me , husband , it is true , quoth she , and if the spirit had not put me in mind of it , i had quite forgot it . but this too was rather for your love than any lust . for one day when a roguish serjeant came to arrest you , after i had convey'd you up into the garret , to save you , and satisfie him , i lay with him : but all this was rather to secure you , than any desire i had to him . why , all this , said her husband , highly contents mee . thou never then wrongedst me more than twice ? trust me , husband , never but twice . yes thrice , said that neighbourly familiar in the chimney-corner . nay , if thou wer 't all the spirits in hell , said his wife , thou lyest , for i never wronged him that way but twice . the next day , after this spirit had returned to his shape , he laugh'd above measure , to remember how he had served his credulous neighbour : which to requite , you shall heare how he used this jeering spirit in the like nature . neighbour , said he , i commend your device in discovering my wifes folly : and now i am f●e●d of my jealousy : i pray you , let mee now play the spirit to your wife , as you have done to mine . with all my heart neighbour , said he , and i thank you too : but i am confident there is no voyce out of a vault will detect my wife of any vice . but pursue your plot , i shall give you free ingresse and egresse , as you gave me . the very next night he conveyes himselfe privately betwixt the arras ; whiles he , who presented before the part of a spirit ▪ is now to converse with a parcell of his flesh ; asking her , whether she ever lay with any one but himselfe ? to which question shee as peremptorily answered , that shee had never . yes once , ecchoed that under-pentis'd spirit : at the noise of which voyce , this conscious bona-roba trembled and confessed , that she had once indeed layne with a begger , to whom she out of meere charity had given harbour ; and hee poore thankfull man , to requite her , desired to returne her one curtsy for another . this begger stuck deepe in his stomach , but whether he could or no digest it , there is no remedy , he must beare it . yet to be resolved better , hee proceeds further : i hope wife , you never did this but once ; never but once . yes twice , hallow'd the spirit . o the memory of these spirits , said she ! truly , i had like to have forgot it . i must confesse , i had one time doings with a pedler ; and i gave him a dozen of tinne buttons of your doublet for his labour . these were but meane tradesmen for thee to truck with , said her husband . but thou didst never trade after this manner more than twice ? never but twice . yes thrice , bellowed the spirit ; yea thrice , and thrice , thou moppe-fac'd incubus ( quoth she ) and more than all you haggs have hornes in your lower region . and with that , whipping out a bed , as if this spirit of phrensy had wrought some strange operation in her body , and drawing neare to her close-stoole which stood shrowded under the arras ; instead of it she fell upon the spirit , on whom for want of her stoole of ease , she eased her selfe sufficiently , till that ayry spirit resolv'd it selfe to a substantiall body . he showd himselfe a soft delicate student , who being in bed with his wife call'd for his booke . which his wife observing , call'd likewise for her wheele . why , what doe you meane said he ? to fall to my worke , as you doe to your booke : and may you speed as i spinne . meane time , i have spun a faire threed to become his bride , who makes his study of his bed. but if you had made right use of all the problemes you have read , you might have found that a study was a place for you to conceive in ; but a bed for me . i could wish you husband , to turne over a new leafe , lest i in time turne haggard and check at your love . which caused this effeminate scholler , for feare of his wifes displeasure , never to to suffer his booke communicate with his bed thereafter . it was sometimes my fortune to bee knowne to a brave-domineering lady , whose will was her law , though there was no law in her will. for her only sweet humour , was ever to be out of humour : being never better pleass'd , than to be displeas'd . her messe was ever serv'd up with store of ponts . her best cloaths were sure to bee worne on worst-dayes : and if any neighbour of quality came to visit her , she would feigne her selfe feverish and out of temper . this humerous madam , as one cloyed with commanding , and now after the death of her noble spouse , twitted with the dishonour of her second matching : when she could not revenge her selfe of reproch , tooke revenge of her selfe ; by dying no lesse estranged from remorce , than shee lived at distance from repute . it was a pretty apish answer of that northerne girle ; who being asked by one , how she , being so small and slender , durst adventure on a man so strong and of so large a stature ? o , quoth she , a little worme may lye under a great stone ! it was a shrewde reply which that barbers wise returned her husband ; who finding her scowling , louring and all out of temper , and inquiring the cause of that lumpish humour ? good man , said she , you need little be so inquisitive after this : for whom , i pray you , had you ever under your hands , that you brought not into th' sudds ? 't is true , wife , but i never lest them i' th' sudds . o husband , reply'd she , but i should soone leave these sudds , would you but once leave me ! a wanton discursive husband , when he had rioted so freely in his talke , as modest eares grew weary in the discovery of his youthfull liberty ; his wife being then and there present : o husband , quoth she , were you as free in your course , as you are in your discourse , you would make an excellent courser to breed on ! that widdow was in a merry-mourning mood , who having beene surviver to many husbands : and being asked by one , who upon occasion came to inquire of her husband , who was likewise lately dead : which of my husbands , sir , doe you meane of ? for i can assure you , sir , at this time , my husbands are all alike able to dispatch your occasions . and seeing birds of one feather will flock together ; that tale which i have sometimes heard of one , will passe well enough for current amongst the rest . a late-arrived traveller , who had authority to speake of strange things , by the priviledge of his charter , relating the nature , quality and disposition of a turke : and how his usuall course was to have foure meales a day : and every day to noone it with his wife . the good woman hearing this in the presence of her husband , and impatient of holding any longer : o husband , quoth she , you would make an ill turke ! not al-altogether so , answered her husband ; give me but so many meales , and thou shalt finde me one of the strongest turkish males that ever english gennet bore . should i here relate the servile condition of those women of sio ; whose husbands preferre base lucre before their wifes honor : prostituting their bodies to shame , in hope of gaine : as i should display the one full of agility , so should i deblazon the other hunting after base commodity . but as the eliots were wont to bring forth their slaves drunke , and acting all their obscene and brutish parts , purposely to deterre their children from the like filthinesse ; and implant in them a native horror to such unmanly loosenesse : so i will give you here a touch of the slavish condition of those inhabitants , to weine the most mercenary palliard from the like qualities . you are to understand then , that the women of sio are the most beautefull dames of all the greekes in the world , and greatly given to venery ; their husbands are their pandars , and when they see any stranger arrive , they will presently demand if hee would have a mistresse : and so they make whoores of their owne wives , and are contented for a little gaine to weare hornes : such are the base mindes of these ignominious cuckolds . a base traffick for money , to make a barter of honour . there appeared farre more freedome of spirit , and no lesse agility of body in that fat farrier and his bounsing hussy ; who meeting in a forrest , and both addressed for pleasure : after long parliance , concluded to preserve the wenches modesty , who seemed loath to doe ought uncivilly ; that hee should blow her downe , for otherwise she would not incline to his motion : but how the forrester composed this controversy , i leave to the poet to deliver to you in this epigramme for me . sith smug ( a wanton farrier ) there was , who made appointment with a country lasse , that 'gainst the time from market she'ist returne , he would keepe toutch and doe her a good turne . the place where these two lovely mates should meet was a vast forrest unfrequent'd with feet of any passenger , save such as were rangers so'th ' chace , 'mongst which a forrester vpon occasion chanc't to come that way , and heard , eve-dropper-like , what they did say ; their place of meeting , with the maids consent , which he resolv'd as quickly to prevent . and being under shade securely sconst , which place he had elected for the non'st , he stayes to see th' returne of this same lasse , which ( as she wish't ) did quickly come to passe : for maids that know not what 't is to consent to a lost maiden-head , nor what is ment by giving of a green-gowne , sooner will assent to ill , because they know no ill , than such as have of active pleasures store , for well were they experienc'd in 't before . yea , such will never deale unlesse they smell ●ome hope of gaine , or like the trader well . at last the maid having her market made , ( perhaps farre sooner than her parents bade ) with clothes tuckt up returns with speedy pace , downe by the forrest to th' appointed place : where smug the farrier lay all this while , that he the maid might of her gem beguile . if you had seene what meeting there was then betwixt these two , you would have vow'd no men of any ranke or order were so good , as lemnian ▪ lemmons unto womanhood . so humble was the horseleach , as to please the shamefast maid , he oft fell on his knees , while pattring paltry love-spels on her lips , downe fall his breeches from his naked hips : and all this while , poor soule , she stood stock still ; not thinking ( on my conscience ) good or ill . at last the jolly smith ( when all was showne , that he could show ) will'd th' maid to to lay her downe vpon a shady banke , which with all sorts of flowres was checkerd fit for venus sports . she ( though she were resolv'd no ill could bee by lyng downe ) yet in her modestie would not unto his motion so assent , yet let him blow her downe shee was content . the short-breath'd smith ( for he was wondrous fat , and stuff'd withall ) makes me no bones of that , but aeolus-like , puffs up his cheeks well-growne , and hee no sooner blows than shee was downe . the forrester , who all this time had stood vnder a shady covert of the wood . steps in , when th' smith his smelting should begin , saying , all wind-falls they were due to him . many such smiths our anvile-annals show , and present times may show as many now . to inlay this our lecture with mixt stories , i shall adde one only tale of a spritely male , who , for love of a female lost his maile , and afterwards runne post-naked down sautry-laine . there was an atturneys clarke , who comming along with his master by stanegate-hole , ( or the pursers prize ) and hovering a little behind his master , purposely to ease himselfe : tyed his gelding to a stake in the hedge , and went over into the thicket adjoyning : where he no sooner enter'd , than he perceived a dainty young wench , of an amiable presence , cheerefull countenance , & a wooing eye , beckning unto him , as if she affected nothing more than dalliance : the clarke , whose heate of youth prompted him on , though his masters speed call'd him back , friendly and freely accoasted her , preferring his owne sport before his masters speed . but while they were clozing up their youth-full bargaine , two lusty takers leapt out of a brake and surprized him , calling him to a sharpe account for the dishonour hee had offered their sister : hee , who had no time admitted him to put in his plea , besought them that hee might bee dismist : which motion they inclined to , but by no meanes till he had payd his fees . to bee short , they stript him naked to his skinne ; seazed on his port-mantua : and tying his hands behind him , mounted him mother-naked as hee was , into his sadle . his gelding , missing his masters horse , fell a galloping and neying after him . the master with an other fellow-traveller , hearing such a noyse and clattering behind them , though a good distance from them , looking back , might see one in white with great speed pursuing them : they imagining it to be one in white armour , put spurrs to their horses : where all along sautry-laine , this eagre chace continued : the man harmelesly following ; they fearefully flying : till they got to stilten , where they thought themselves happy in such an harbour : where they reposed , till that armed-man appeared a naked-man ; whom we will leave to the correction of his master : to whom he made a free discovery of his mis-fortune , and consequently deserved more favour . with which tale wee will close this subject of liberty , descending to the next , though confined to a narrower scope , yet of more ingenuity . quicknesse of wit. quicknesse of wit , consists in a pregnant present conceipt , arising from an happy fancy or strength of apprehension , having an answer ready to any objection : or a pleasing delightfull humour in bandying jests one to another . which are divided into festive , or civile : both , if seasonably used , and without danger of any personall toutch , freely received ; though the orator hold , that the former is ally'd to vanity , one degree nearer than the latter . these quicke-wits are best exprest in present extremities . i have knowne some wits of our time , held it their greatest honour , to contest in arguments of wit with women : nor have they held it lesse honour to gravell them . the conquest was not so virile , that it should reteine any such esteeme : but in these duello's of wit , i have observed some of these selfe-opinionate ones , faile so farre in their expectance , as they ever merited least praise , where they were most confident of an undoubted prize . a just judgement ! that wherein wits are most presuming , they should ever appeare most failing . it is true , what the apologue sometimes observed ; epimetheans are to bee found in every place , but it were rare to finde any one of all prometheus race . to foresee what may befall , is an eye surpassing the lower verge : yea , we shall finde the pregnantst piercingst wits many times most blinded in what imports them most . apt to pry into others secrets , but neglectfull of their owne ▪ a censorious quick-sighted argus to others counsells : a blind tyresias in the survey of their own . it is a rare felicity to enjoy a quick-wit , & to have humility to manage it . more have perish'd by it , than procur'd them safety from it . ripe early wits are soonest blasted ; as rarest beauties quickliest blemished . wherein those are ever most erring , that are most given to talking : especially , in observances , regreets , salutations , complements : which , many times fall out unhappily to those who most affect them ; & following the current of court-rhetorick , mistake the termes : or through ignorance of the true dialect of speech , fall into ridiculous absurdities , by mistaking words , or inverting the use of them ; familiar errors to most of our affected speakers . this may necessarily seeme to introduce the tale of that finitive girl● ; who comming downe from her lady to a gentleman ; and desirous to excuse her lady , that shee could not presently bee at leasure to receive his message ; requested him , that till her lady was ready to dispatch him , he would be pleased to goe along with her and take some procreation in the garden . which could not chuse but puzle him asmuch to answer , as shee poore wench , was simply forward in her liberall offer . nor had that curats wife any ill meaning , how ere her words might be misconstrued , who comming to her land-ladies house , and being asked of her ; how happens it that all this while you have no children neighbour ? verily , quoth she , i know not , but by the motion of the spirit wee do both our endeavour . nor did that soft-temper'd gentleman , show any great propriety of speech , nor pertinency of answer , when comming to the house of a neare-neighbouring lady , and being demanded of her , how long his wife reckoned , and when shee would bee brought abed ? for want of a better answer , suffering both in his tongue and conceit a fever , made this reply ; even when your lady-ship pleaseth . but to speake generally of quick-wits , they are naturally bold : which many times endangers the owners discretion . there is no discourse , wherein he will not have an oare . no argument , wherein he holds not himselfe fit to be a moderator . yet , in this he so farre over-shoots himselfe , as he findes it more prejudiciall for man to be accompanied by selfe conceipt , than to be indued with a meane , but humble conceipt . it was the saying of a daring stoick , that he was in all things so well resolved , as there was nothing wherein he so much as doubted : which was likewise the arrogant opinion of velleius the epicurian . his confidence had so strengthned him , as no opinion of error could surprize him : imagining his knowledge to bee lyable to no error , so firmely and irremoveably sixt was he to an opinionate humour . but he who fooles himselfe with such an arrogant confidence , ever fails most in his expectance . he is most wise , who is lest opinionately wise . for he that seekes to be more wise than he can bee , shall bee found to bee lesse wise than hee should be . but now , whereas many women have singular quick-wits ; it is very rare for any such to have them , and not to know them . it is commonly seene therefore in publique assemblies , how apt they are to give occasion of discourse : and how willingly they embrace any argument to exercise their wits on . and in this they have a great advantage of the stronger sexe : for whatsoever they object by way of reason , receives a more favourable construction , than others may probably expect . for indifferent things delivered , where little is expected ; begets more admiration in the hearer , than where more solid arguments are handled , but by such where nothing lesse could be expected . indeed , the greatest error that can bee found in these feminine disputants ; you shall observe some of them ( ever teserving our best esteeme for the discreetest and selectedst ones ) to flow in words , but droppe in matter . copiously shall you find them worded ; but for matter penuriously stored . howbeit , their very presence ever accompanies their discourse with an applausive grace . i have in my time seene a woman brought before a judiciall seate ; where she was accused of enormious crimes : and such , as before she laboured to vindicate her owne honour , begot in her spectators an hatefull horror : yet no sooner had she delivered her owne misfortunes ; the undeserved extremities of her adversaries ; the disrespect she bare to life ; the tender care to redeeme her fame ; than she begot teares in those who before did spite her : a noble compassion in such , who before did hate her . now , if a quick-wit , prompt speech , and prepared spirit wrought such effects in actions of that quality , what might they produce in affaires of true worth and magnanimity ? it is true , what an excellent moralist well observed : that it fareth with wits , as with diversity of soyles . some are naturally so fruitfull , that if they should be manured or marled , they would grow over with weedes . many such luxuriant wits there be ; who , the more they are fed , the more are they famished . these must bee kept sharpe , or they will not mount . others there be , who must be forced , or they are starved , but these partake not of such whereof wee have here discoursed . to dwell longer on these i shall not need , seeing the triall of wits will sufficiently informe you . wee will descend then from those benefits accruing to quick-wits discreetly mannaged , to those distasts they beget by being too lavishly vented . distaste . preciousest things have ever the worst keepers : which proverbe is made good even in this subject . there was never good wit , saith the profound stagyrian , without some mixture of folly . nay , the best wits have the vicioust parts . dangerous tooles to be in mad mens hands . let us reflect a little then upon that noble sexe , whereto we are to addresse our discourse : and in these rich mineralls of wit , observe if those purest and precioust metals are not blemished with some foile . quicke and piercing be these feminine wits : which being well disposed , incomparably beseeme them . for as that relater sometimes delivering a passionate speech , expressed every passage so emphatically , as he begot a generall compassion in his hearers ; till , in t●e end , concluding his whole discourse , hee demanded of them what they thought of such an orator ? their answer was , they could admire nothing more . nor can you doe ought lesse , replyed hee , comming wholly from the sweet pen of a woman . every action , saith the philosopher , hath two helves or handles . and we shall finde these two metalld wits strike upon the same shelves . the one more apt for projecting , the other for discoursing . this tart ; that dangerous . as for our old beldame wits , wee will let them rust in the sheath : their plots are ever casting for husbands for their daughters : or how they may gather a little more uselesse trash into their knapsacks : which they enjoy with as much content , as those who live in continuall want . our stories must take life from more youthfull madeona's . such , as to purchase the persons whom they lov'd ; and whose fidelity they had sufficiently approv'd ; tooke upon them disguises , that they might enjoy the fruits of their affection with lesse suspition . others becomming pages to those who were foes to their lovers ; to make those whom they lov'd , happy conquerours . others exposing themselves for slaves , to secure their sweet-hearts states . of which sorts , you may furnish your selves with instances plenteously both in our ancient roman and our latter italian stories . all which , as they pitched upon love , so closed they for most part with comick ends . but of all others , there are no plots more desperately dangerous , then those which are grounded on iealousie : which in all ages hath brought forth such implacable revenge , as nothing could finde it a period without blood . but our desire is not to rivell your eyes with teares ; nor to close our curtaine lecture with a funerall pile : but to furnish you with fresh messes of merry mates , where the effects of iealousie or revenge shall winde themselves up in mirth . i will begin with the tale of a wenching companion , who could not fare well but he must cry roast-meat : for having received a fair and free entertainment from three severall witty wantons in his parish ; it could not suffice him to enjoy them but he must boast of it , and so defame them . these three merry gossips practised one day how they might pay him home in his own coin : and how they might each of them affright him most , and harme him least . the first , being a barbers wife , was long in the suds , till she had wrought what she had so long sought ; which the better to bring to passe , with an affable invitation she cheers her youngker , and wils him not to breake with her : for such a day would her husband be imployed in trimming some burgesse against such a festivall day , and no time more opportunate for his safe ingresse and ●gr●sse . the time is observed , all things ●●●ted : but while these two amorous factors are in naked imbraces , enjoying each other , by a private practice with her maid , in comes the barber . hee perceiving nothing , chid his dame , for spending so much time in her bed ; bidding her arise for shame , for ( said hee ) i have trimm'd two gentlemen already : yea , husband ( quoth shee ) but i would know him that trimms you . — but you promis'd me , one day , husband , to payre my toes , do it now for me , and i wil rise instantly . the good simple barber , conscious of no such things as his wife had practised , began to give an edge to his razor , while his witty wife whisphering underneath , willed the currier to put out his feet , and to fall low in the bed , for fear of discovery . which the poor trembling snake did accordingly . — o cut me nearer , quoth the barbers wife : till he went so near the quick , as the palsie-shaking cavalier feeling more than hee durst finde fault with , to free himselfe from feare of further torture , bit the barbers wife into the shoulder . this procured a shreeke from the wife ; and caus'd the husband to lay aside his tool . so taking along with him some camphier bals for which he came thither , hee left this shaking shark with his subtill syren together : the one trembling for fear ; the other laughing at his fever . the next was of the lemnian order , a black-smiths wife ; one , who could forge and hammer any thing cunningly , to compasse her pleasure . and shee must play her pranks too ; which the better to effect , this lady venus pretends that her vulcan is to play the farrier abroad , and therefore privately invites this martiall younker to her house , to play the part of a stout and stiffe warriour at home . such a pleasing occasion requires all expedition : love loosens fetters , and transforms feet to feathers to seize upon such a purchase . the way hee findes easie ; his free accesse promiseth all successe : he is not only admitted , but permitted to do what hee list . but an unexpected storme alters this calme : while these two lye billing like two loving payres , she heares her husbands boisterous tongue below the stayres : it is high time then for her now or never to ply her anvile , or feele the fury of her farrier : which to prevent ( no wit comparable to a womans at a dead lift ) she opens a chest which stood close to her bed ; and puts in her paramour by the head and shoulders : and locks it fast , when she has done : up comes the husband , chasing like an horse-leach , and fretting like gumm'd grogran , to finde his wife i th' cloth-market at that time o th' day . but poor wench , she feigns herselfe sick , giving such a passionate grace to her counterfeit groane , as her simple actaeon imagined her to be sick indeed . he , to comfort his sweet dulip , asks her what she would have , and where her paine held her most ? o , at my stomack , husband , at my stomack ; i finde a great loathing at my stomack . — where 's the aqua vitae bottle , said the smith ? that will either recover thee or nothing . o , in that chest , husband , but i know not where the key is ; the griefe of my stomack h 'as made me quite forget my selfe . marry , quoth he , but i will breake it up with my hammer and pincers ; — i will not loose my coy-duck for a little labour . as they were thus communing , and hee preparing his tooles to breake up the chest , or this paramours cabbin , you may partly imagine what a pitifull perplexitie , that inchested lecher was in : which hee discovered , for being not able to containe himselfe any longer , the chinks of the chest disclosed his feare by the distillation of his water . which the disssembling sick dame perceiving ; oh , quoth she , husband , you may now save that labour , for by the jogging you have made , you have spilt all the water : and i thanke god , i am at better ●ase then i was . this highly cheered the good man to see his wife so well recovered : while she after the departure of her husband releaseth the prisoner ; who came forth like a drown'd rat , and without scarce taking leave of his jeering minion , run downe stayres in a pelting chafe , vowing ever after to be more wary of preferring such a didapper to his choice . but carnall repentance holds no long residence . the third merry gossip , being a feather of the same wing , and had purposed to render her wanton tell-tale the like wage : sends one evening to this fly-blowne flesh-fly , acquainting him how her husband , ( being an excellent painter , and such an one as not a rush-bearing or may-morish in all that parish could subsist without him ) was to go a good way ( as she pretended ) stay a long time from home about setting forth of a pageant ; so as , hee might enjoy the freedome of her love securely , without the least suspition of any within her family . the joviall youngker forgetfull of his late feare , and desirous to second her ayme , whose love was his lure ; with winged speed fits himselfe for this loves adventure : where he no sooner arrives , than he is received with all expressions of familiarity and privacy of favour . though she were a a painters wife , and one practised much in adulterate varnish , hee found her affection laid on with such colours , as they were in graine and admitted no staine : for nothing was deny'd him , that could bee desir'd by him . hee found more agility and quicknesse in this amorous creature , than ever pygmalion could doe in his artfull ( but as then un-enlivened feature . ) prometheus his fire had infused such heat ; as never more active nor virile love accompanied ida's seat , nor eryca's grove , than that love-entranced myrmidon did enjoy in the seazure of his pegge painters love . but were there no flaw in a picture , art might worthily admire her selfe , and esteeme her worke an architype of nature . men would in time become zanies and surfet in the sweets of pleasure , if there were no alloes to immix it selfe with it , and allay the quality of it in some measure . this that sensuall amorist felt , heard and understood ; when ready stript to imbath himselfe in his stove ( or if you will ) stue of delights : that perfidious phidias ( for so no doubt our youthfull gamester held him ) was heard below : what a pickle then may you imagine this sou●'t gurnet was in , at the resound of his voice ? but some present course must be taken , to secure this unfortunate goat , or there is no more life to be expected , than in a picture which art onely formed . but a device this wanton ha's in readinesse , to revenge her wrong ; and with some feare to her bed-fellow , shroud both their lightnesse . the plot is this : she wills him stirre his stumps ; and follow those directions shee prescribes him . hee must now of a living creature become a dying picture : he must hang behinde the doore for something , and bee as mute as if he hung there for nothing . mother-naked hee hangs there by the arms ; while the painter , who knowes little of the drift or practice either , enters the chamber , and contrary to the custome of the countrey , begins to read his wife a curtaine lecture ; but shee , tender of her honour , puts up all with patience : telling him withall , that though she lov'd to take her ease , it was not altogether without pro●it ; she could bargaine in her bed , that would pay for washing her sheetes . and to make this good , looke ( quoth she ) behinde the door , what a picture i have bargain'd for at the second or third hand ! tell me now in good sadnesse , did you ever see any one nearer to life ? peruse every vein , sinnew , member , artery ; and then resolve me , if ever you saw an exacter piece of symmetry ? trust me , said the painter , the work is very lively , only i find one disproportionable part , which our best artists have ever held a great deformity . now , the onely blemish which i finde in this picture , is , that the one codde hangeth longer then the other ; which i shall rectify forthwith . the aguish-supposed picture , fearing much that the painter was fetching his knife or some other instrument in use , to correct that error ; which if hee did , he were undone for ever : just as the incensed painter turned his back , leapt the the scarred skaledrake from off the hinges of the door : running naked through the open street , to preserve his genitories from the stake . now , i will not aske you , which you verily thinke of all these put him in most feare , and harm'd him least ; for so you may suspect mee that i relate these purposely to sell you a bargaine . no , the discovery of these sleights was onely to set forth the levity or want of secrecy in those , who should be most strong : with the strength of their revenge , whose sex argues them to be most weake . a story to like purpose in our owne time and in our owne clime i have heard ; and it was thus . a loose libertine , who car'd little for ingaging his honour , so hee might be master of his pleasure . amongst many others , to whom his irregular desires , had tender'd love and service ; it hapned that there was a gentlemans wife of good accompt and approved fame , whose affection he strongly sollicited : many repulses he received , but his impudence put him on afresh ; renuing still his siege , hoping in time to become seazd of the hold. at last , when shee could by no meanes disswade him from his uncivill suite , she seemingly consented to his request : yet acquainting him withall , that her honour was such a precious gemme , as shee desired to have the fame of it preserved , though it were privately blemished : if then hee meant to enjoy her , he must bee conveyed secretly into her chamber : which hee , with much willingnesse inclined to . the night is appointed ; the manner of conveying him contrived : a trunke provided ; to seaze him of what he so incomparably desired . meane time , shee acquaints her husband with the whole plot : who infinitely longs for the approach of that night , to discover to his shame , his odious lust : as the wanton lecher was impatient of that tedious day , to enjoy the shaken fruits of his ranging love . the porter receives his hire , and directions from her : willing him to set the trunke upon end against the wall : and in such manner , as his feet might stand upward , and his head downeward . long , may you imagine , did this incoffin'd puffin lye there incased , before hee was opened : at last the husband comes in , and looking about him , demands whose trunke that was ? a friends , answers she . what friend , said hee ? no friend should have any trunke or any such matter in my chamber , but it were fitting that you made me first acquainted what it were , and for what end it came hither . for i have beene partly made privy to your tricks before , minion , quoth hee , seeming inraged : i will therefore make bold to see what trumpery you have here ; and breake it open , if i may not receive so much favour from you as to have the key . she seemingly dissembled all things , beseeching him to bee content , and spare the secrecies of that trunke : but the more her subtilty importun'd him : the more did her delayes seemingly provoke him . to bee short , the trunke is opened , where this loose lecher could not inwardly bee more polluted , than his fayre sattin suite ( whose inside partak't intirely of sathan ) was found hatefully scummered . now , with what dishonour he was kick't out o th' chamber , i leave it to you , if you had your wives besieged in like manner , to censure . but amorous eares , no doubt , would be more delighted with hearing devices of an other nature : as for instance , to heare the party beloved cast a bait how she may deceive a suspicious eye , to cloze her owne content , and crowne the long-wished desires of her lover . that tale of a wanton witty dame will sound well in such eares , who advised her sweet-heart , to secure them the better from her husbands presence , to attire his servant in a beares skinne ; being a beast , which of all others he most feared and hated . the story i commend to the relation of this poeme . a wily wench there was ( as i have read , ) who us'd to capricorne her husbands head ; which he suspecting , lay in privy wait to catch the knave , and keepe his wife more strait . but all in vaine : they day by day did mate it , yet could his four eyes never take them at it . this subtill wench perceiving , how they should at last prevented be , do all they could : for now italian-like , her husband grew horne-mad ( i wis ) and kept her in a mew : invent'd a trick , which to accomplish better , vnto her friend shee closely sent a letter , and thus it was ; " friend , you shall know by me , " my husband keepes me farre more narrowly " then he was wont ; so as , to tell you true , " you cannot come to me , nor i to you . " yet spite of his eyes and as many more , " wee 'l use those pleasures which wee us'd before : " onely be wise , and second what i wish ; " which to expresse ( my friend ) know this it is . " my husband , as he hates the horne to weare " of all the badges forth , so feares he th' beare " more then all other beasts which doe frequent " the heathy forrests spacious continent . " if thou wilt right me then , and pepper him , " cover thy servant in a false beares skinne : " and come to morrw , as thou us'd before , " tying thy servant to my chamber doore . after this quaint direction he attir'd his man in beare-skinne as shee had desir'd ; entring the chamber , he received is with many a smile , back-fall , and sweetned kisse : for they 're secure of all that was before , having a beare that kept the buffe from doore . the wi●tall foole no sooner incling had , then up the staires hee ran as hee were mad : but seeing none but th' beare to entertaine him , of hornes he never after did complaine him . there bee other extreames of love which fall by degrees into mortall hate : hammering upon nothing more than revenge : and these tragicke effects are ever hatcht from jealous spirits : which the tragedian seemes to discover in a passionate admiration : how boundlesse is the height of womans hate ! this that jealous dame published to all the world ; when finding one day in a cabinet of her maids , divers especiall love-tokens and affectionate favours , which shee had bestowed upon a servant of hers who s●ood strongly interessed in her love ; became so violent in her hate towards him , whom before shee preferred before all the world ; as the very next time , that he presented his service unto her , hee was pistal'd by her , without ever so much as expostulating with him the ground of her distaste . nor will wee leave this onely heere : as mortall , though lesse fatall was that womans malicious pursuit of revenge , ( to give an instance in actions of baser brood ) who accused one before a justice for a rape . the discreet justice perceiving that the ground of her accusation proceeded rather from malice than any just cause , wished her to bee well advised before shee impeached him of such a crime : for , said the justice , i am halfe perswaded , in regard of the honest report and repute of the man , that hee is cleare . — but tell mee in good earnest , said the justice , did hee ravish thee indeed ? yes , quoth shee , i 'le take my corporall oath of it , though your worship will not beleeve it , that hee ha's ravishd mee twenty times at least , before ever i came before your worship . those who are addicted to melancholly , are ever esteemed most witty : and these most subject to jealousy : on which humour , of all others ▪ the devill ( as guido observeth ) worketh for his owne purpose most powerfully . this might appeare by the story of that perplexed gentleman ; who being imployed in service abroad ; and having a very beautifull wife , desired to bee satisfied how shee behaved her selfe in his absence : to bee resolvd herein , hee makes recourse to a negromancer ; who , after some little time , shewed him a glasse , wherein hee presented to his view , his lady in full proportion , and a young cavalero with his breeches downe entring her chamber : this amazed him much , for as he was naturally addicted to jealousie , so this so fully confirmed and strengthened his conceipt , as hee could scarcely containe himselfe from picking at the eyes of his lady presented in the glasse : and to second his conceipt with revenge , he begs leave of the generall , that he might obtaine so much favour as to leave the garrison for a season , and returne home into his countrey , to dispose of sundry affayres which at that time required his personall attendance . way being given him , he returnes home : where , though passion would scarce admit a parliance , he thought good to call his wife aside ; and with much abruptnesse of speech , fire and fury in his eyes ; he askes her what company she had in her bed-chamber such a day ? she at the first , much amated , yet knowing her own innocency to be without the reach of scandal , at last recollecting her dispersed and distracted thoughts , shee call'd to minde who at that time accompanied her : upon which recollection , she return'd him this answer : o deare sir , let not the devill delude you ; i well remember , how your owne brother , that very day , came into my chamber , and that i lay'd a plaister upon his boile , which was on his thigh . this so well satisfi'd him , as his fury was turned to affability and sweetnesse : repenting him sore , that ever hee inclined to give eare to such an hatefull suggestion . so as , albeit hee had brought her into a private-desert grove , where he intended a fatall revenge ; he not onely freed her person and untainted honour , but retained a constant opinion of her noble carriage ever after . this story i inserted , to deterre such from giving too much trust to these sorceries : for what was the devils sole practice or aime in this false deceiving glasse presented to that deluded gentleman ; but to suggest to his jealous thoughts grounds of revenge ? he was ready enough to shew him occasions to increase his jealousy : but not to discover to him what person it was , to whom his lady shew'd her selfe so familiarly . he was ready to present to his sight a youthfull active cavaliero , and that in an uncivile posture , entring his ladies chamber : but never the love nor affection shee bore to himselfe , in this office she did to his brother . hee was not halfe so much distemper'd with jellows ; being farre more easily perswaded , though hee had lesse cause to bee so quickly satisfied ; who riding one day a hunting , suddenly and unexpectedly receiving newes that his wife was brought abed , could not choose at the first but break out into some passion ; thumping his brest , and doubting still that his dogs , actaeon-like , would not know their master , cryed out , till the field re-ecchoed againe , i am dishonour'd , i am dishonour'd . one ( and such an one very likely as had a finger in the pye ) seeing him in this mad mood ; begunne to chide him , bidding him be content for shame , and not to make the whole field witnesse of his folly ; for what 's the matter , said hee , that brings you to this distemper ? why , my wife ( quoth he ) is brought abed . and why should shee not , answered hee ? because it is too soone ( said this honest goos●in : ) all the world knowes , it is not above twenty weekes since we were married : the childe then can by no wayes be mine . no more is it ( said his friend ) it is as much your wife 's as yours . but , pray you sir , tell me ▪ will you publish your selfe a ninnie to all the world ! is it not twenty weeekes since you were married , and twenty weekes too since shee was married ; and doe not these two put together make up forty weekes ? tell mee then ▪ how are you unhonour'd ? which reason : this tractable trout had no sooner heard than he became well perswaded : humbly beseeching his friend to excuse his errour , and not to publish to the world his folly : which hee promised to doe upon hope of a further favour ; conditionally hee would not suffer himselfe to bee mis-led by any such jealousy . but to returne to our former discourse , and the subject whereof we now treat ; as our quickest wits are many times apt to minister occasion of distaste : so wee may distinguish these occasionall grounds of distaste into three particular or distinct motives . some whereof might seeme so free from giving occasion in this time , as they may admit an exemption , and from so generall a rule a regular exception : yet shall we make it appeare that even from silence , wherein is many times shrowded a great measure of implicit sense , distaste may bee taken as well as from speech . for a sullen clowdy humour can never sort nor sute well with a candid nature . but to our division : distasts of this kinde may derive their being or essence , from speech , silence , or impertinence . the first , in speaking more than they should ; the second , in not speaking when they should ; the third , in impertinent action , by declining from doing what they should . now , forasmuch as instances give the clearest light and perspicuity to all subjects : our care shall be to illustrate these by examples : that what we propose , by way of opinion may bee confirmed in each of these by some exemplary person . speech . for the first ; the tale of that joviall good fellow , fals fit for our purpose ; who to arme himselfe against his wifes shrewde tongue ; amongst many other nights of good fellow-ship , stay'd , till after midnight playing the cup-shot : and how he was encounter'd by the strength of his fantasy and distemper'd quality with a supposed spirit , and how he reasoned with it : all which i leave to the faithfull relation of this poëm . a man there was , who liv'd a merry life , till in the end he tooke him to a wife ; one that no image was ( for shee could speake ) and now and then her husbands costrell breake : so fierce she was and furious , as in summe she was an arrant devill of her tongue . this drove the poor man to a discontent , and oft and many times did he repent that e're hee chang'd his former quiet state , but 'las , repentance then did come too late . no cure he finde to cure this maladie , but makes a vertue of necessitie , the common cure for care to every man , " a potte of nappy ale : where he began to fortifie his braine 'gainst all should come , 'mongst which the clamour of his wives loud tongue . this habit graffed in him grew so strong , " that when he was from ale , an houre seem'd long , so well hee lik'd th' profession : on a time having staid long at pot , ( for rule nor line limits no drunkard ) even from morne to night , he hasted home a pace , by the moone-light : where as he went , what phantasies were bred , i doe not know , in his distempered head , but a strange ghost appear'd , and forc'd him stay , with which perlext , hee thus began to say : " good spirit , if thou be , i need no charme , " for well i know , thou wilt not doe mee harme ; " and if the devill ; sure , mee thou shouldst not hurt , i wed't thy sister , and am plagued for 't . the spirit well approving what he said , dissolv'd to ayre , and quickly vanished . for guido reports that there are spirits of such a merry genius , as they are infinitely delighted with such pleasant conceipts : as there bee others full of melancholy and discontent , who to vaste tombes , silent c●ves , and darke charnell-houses make their usuall frequent . nor is it easie to determine what affinity this spirit had to his , who being found tardy , said , he was troubled with a spirit , and so hotly pursued , as for feare hee was forced for want of other succour , to fly for shelter to his neighbours wife . to aggravate the distaste arising from these active feminine tongues , who will rather suffer the worst of spite , than allay their spleene : i might here relate the tale of that university virago ( for the civilest places are not exempted from these tetters ; ) a girle of a stout stomack , though of a soft and pliable temper : who , walking the streets one night , either to take fresh ayre , or in hope to encounter with some flush heire ; chanc't unhappily to meet the major : who standing upon the punto of his authority , after he had unpin'd the casements of his eyes with much difficulty , being close cemented together with rising so early ; at last ask't her what she was ? one , quoth she , of the feminine gender , and a scholler . what , said he , a scholler in a wast-coate ? yes , quoth she , this poore flanning wast-coate h 'as answer'd and dare answer oftner under batcheler , than those larded-sattin fore-skirts of yours , durst ever yet in defence of your honour . but the tart oratory of this wast-coate brought her to a lodging in the kid-coate . there bee other talkative girles , who priding themselves a little too much in their glibbe tongues , many times in casting about to catch others , are catch't themselves : which i might take occasion here to instance in the answer of a brave blade , who being in company of a bevy of joviall wenches , who had whitteld him well with liquor ; one amongst the rest finding him apt enough to discover his thoughts , importun'd him much to tell them what was the worst thing which he in his conscience thought , hee had ever done all his life time . hee , unwilling to satisfie her demand , though seconded with great importunity , told her expresly ; that though they had made him as right as their legge to their purpose , he would be loth to make them his secretaries , who could not keepe their own counsells : but for her especially , he never meant to make her his she-confessor , who was as open as a sieve , that could not hold water . at last , overcome with her instancy , he told her roundly , that since she would needes out of ancient familiarity , injoyne him to such a discovery : he must ingenuously confesse , that the worst thing that ever hee did in his life , and that which troubled his conscience most , was getting her with child ( directing his speech to her that so importun'd him ) and causing her to lay it upon his neighbour , such an one . this unexpected answer made the rest of her gossips bite the lippe : but for his inquisitive comater , shee vowed , so long as she knew him , never to aske him any questions . silence . as speech occasions distaste by speaking too much ; so does silence in speaking too little : this might bee instanced in the discontent which a sociable good fellow tooke in his wifes silence : who had intended , it seemes , to requite her husbands unthriftinesse , with an humour of sullennesse . he , as it was usuall with him , comming home at an unseasonable houre ; asked of his wife many questions , but received no answer to any . having tryed many conclusions to receive one comfortable tone from her , but all in vaine ; at last hee resolv'd of a course to bring her to her tongue againe , and it was this : he gets the key of the sexton , and goes into the church : where he towls the bell , as is usually done for such as are dying . some of the inhabitants come in , purposely to inquire for whom it was that the bell was towlling ? it was answered by this conceipted youth , that it was for his wife , who was lately laid speechlesse . which report , no doubt , would in time loosen the strings of her tongue , and make her husband know that she was recovered : and cause him confesse as much to his torment . albeit , in many questions silence deserves to be approved and preferred : especially in such where the resolution of those questions propounded , may trench highly upon the speakers credit : this , that forward answer of a witty wench little considered ; who had been long knowne to be no niggard of her flesh , to one , and that a familiar one ; who asked her the reason how it came to passe that all her children should bee so like their father , when all the world knew that they had many fathers ? o quoth she , i never take in any stranger , till i find my vessell full fraughted ! impertinence . for the last , though not the least , where distaste is ministred by impertinence of action , or a diversion from what it should intend , we might here bring upon the stage , that trifling girle , who fell a cracking of nuts , while another was taking paines to picke out the kernell of her virginity ▪ with his surly answer to her : is it time to cracke nuts ? minde that thou art doing with a murraine . or that ill-nurtur'd tom-boy ; who like one of domitians daughters , was catching flyes , while her sweet-heart was preferring his suite . thus have wee no lesse plainely than fully discovered those various delights and benefits arising from quicknesse of wit , well seasoned : with those distempers and distastes which usually accompany them , when too freely exposed . for these roving wits , as they ever strive to wound others , so they never come home unbaited . but , as that divine plato sometimes said , the lover is ever blinded with affection towards his beloved ; so , even in these inward graces , many become so affectionately doating on their owne parts and abilities , as no conceipt how present or pregnant soever delivered by another , may passe for current , if they may be censors . so highly are they enamoured of their owne , as they dis-esteeme all others . these presuppose an exuberance of wit , which indeed , many times drawes nearest soaking , when it should be , in regard of the occasion offered , plenteously flowing . but these presuming wits are ever safest when they are stillest : being generally transported , or extased rather , with a confidence of their worth : as there is no person may evade them , wherein they will not take occasion to use the dexterity of their wits , and assume to themselves more freedome than is granted them . it is a rule worth remembring : play with me , but hurt me not ; ieast with me , but shame me not . which that divine mellifluous father well observed , when hee said : jests are no lesse suspicious to me than anger ; seeing by jesting i have many times escandalized another . a great care and circumspection then is to be used in experiments of this nature : lest by venting their jest , and loosing their friend , they incurre eupolis fate : who having many times brought that warlike wanton princely alcibiades upon the stage , dandled on the lap of his timandra ; at last received , for those many bitter scaenes wherein hee had personated to life that noble prince , this closing act from the command of alcibiades : thou hast many times , eupolis , drown'd my fame upon the stage , i will once drowne thee in the sea. — and so sent him the way of all fish . but indeed , there is no argument wherein these prompt and nimble wits are better showne than in these subjects of love : especially , where one object begets an amorous contest : and breedes corrivals in pursuit of one mistresse . which encounter admits no order ; nay , admits no priviledge nor prerogative to nature , so it may procure that matchlesse booty , the purchase of beauty to her lover . this , if i had a purpose to inlarge my selfe any further in this subject , might bee instanced in the story of the gentleman and his sonne , both corrivals to one lady : and of the impresses they writt with diamonds in a window privately , but expressively . where the sonne perceiving his father to bee farre in love with her , whom he so intirely affected : and to whom , if the presence of his father had not interposed , he might have beene before that time espoused , wrote this impresse with his diamond : secreta mea mihi . which posy his father one day finding , by way of answer , wrote this ▪ et stultitia tua tibi . which his sonne chancing to read , clozed the conceipt with this fancy : nec tibi , nec mihi , sed dividatur . which words might have relation either to the party by them equally loved , or to the impresse before ; wherein either for love , or folly , they might be equally shared . but descending from these , i passe to the next subject ; wherein gentle speech must take your eares , as objects of beauty have taken your eyes : both which introduce a living oratory , to worke the powerfuller effects upon your fancy . gentlenesse of speech . gentlenesse of speech is an affable treaty or conference one with another . or , a winning kinde of rhetorick , which of all others , purchaseth most friends with least cost . an excellent grace it gives to hospitality : especially , where a welcome accompanied with a cheerefull countenance is delivered with the mouth : and an entertaining eye becomes ready to usher in that speech . where two meeke men meete together , their conference ( said bernard ) is sweet and profitable : where one man is meeke , it is profitable ; where neither , it proves pernicious . many motives be there to induce fancy , which well tempered , worke upon no blind love , such as a deluded eye doats most upon , but a cleare and well-grounded affection . such were those exteriour goods or embellishments , which begot love in the beholders of those sabine beauties : which so enamoured the romans in the infancy of their foundation , as they begot a succeeding alliance in their posterity . egnatius in catullus is brought out shewing the whitenesse of his teeth . lacides with sleeke looks , and mincing gate . pompey scratching his head with one finger . but as the wind caecias drawes unto it clouds ; so did outward postures beget sinister conceipts : for lacides could not use that sleckenesse without suspicion of lasciviousnesse : nor pompey , that affected scratching with one finger , without opinion of wantonnesse . white teeth imply a strong constitution ; rolling eyes , like lais lamps , heate of affection ; with a pure sanguine , which is ever accompanied with a beautefull complexion . that which euryala , nurse to that subtile greeke , praysed , when she washed the feete of vlysses , was gentle speech , and tender flesh : both referring to two severall sences ; the one to the eare : the other to the toutch . now to expresse the singular effects of the former , whereof wee are here to treat : there is nothing that ingageth more the affection of the hearer than affability of speech . i have knowne a great and eminent person in this kingdome ; who , how undeservedly , i know not , having incurred the distasts of some societies , touching some indirect passages , as they conceived , whereby they stood highly injuried : upon conference with them , and declaring his innocency , not only freed himselfe of their prejudicate opinion : but gained their good esteeme and affection . nor is it almost credible what excellent fruits , this gentle speech graced with a pleasing presence have produc'd both in affaires of peace and warre ; at home and abroad . it is the wise mans observation : soft speech mitigates wrath . we read of few so barbarous ( if commanders ) who could not finde an heart to receive a compassionate teare : nor an eare to a faire submission . though affranius , hearing his effeminate son cry out — alas me wretched ! hate such a weake servile condition in his sonne , as he seconds it with this severe reply : to thy bas● spirit i am suc● a foe , if one part grieve , let th' rest afflict thee too . we shall finde even in strangers more pity than in such fierce fathers . for in our surveys of ancient and moderne histories : we shall finde ever some princely compassionate spirit , though a conquerour , suffer in his conquest . what passionate effects wrought that sad relation of aeneas in the heart of queene dido ? how soone were those words ( those emphaticall words ) setting forth the trojans misery , conveyed to the heart of that affectionate lady ? but indeed in passages of love ; when occasions of distaste chance to bee bred betwixt the parties : upon a faire and free parliance ( if that happinesse may bee admitted them ) how quickly are minds , before seemingly aliened , reconciled ? their former hate begins to resolve it selfe into amorous teares . so strong is the force of gentle speech ; seconded with easie reasons : which worke well enough in the eare of love : who , melting in affection , is as willing to be attoned , as the party to move it . whosoever should but see to life personated that princely sophonisba , whose attractive majesty and unaffected eloquence , interessed her selfe more in hearts , than any princesse of her time ; would conclude hence , that a sweet and debonaire speech works wondrous effects ; as might appeare in those moving speeches of hers , which so tenter'd her hearers hearts , as ●hee herselfe could not suffer more upon reflex had to her owne wrongs , than they did in commiserating her wrongs . it was an excellent commendation which i have sometimes heard given to a noble peere of this kingdome . that none ever came to him , how irresolved soever , but came away from him well satisfied . this was a great felicity : that none , were he never so dis-affected to him upon his entry : but departed so well contented , as he won his opinion , whom hee before highly distasted . true it is , that vulgar eyes and eares are only taken with outward objects . they stand not upon sounding or examining the vessell : so it make a noyse , they rest satisfied . a courteous answer or affable salute affords them sufficient measure of content : and makes them render an approvement of his affability to the world. this is very rare to be seene in the countenance of such who are advanced to high places . these can put on a sterne awfull brow : and make appeare very legibly , how their state is changed . a poor state that begets pride ! an undeserving honour , that moulds in the owner a supercilious aspect ; a difficulty of accesse ; a phantastick circular gate ; and a surly uncivile speech ! weake habilliments of honour ! but farre weaker supports to beare that colosse of honour up , if he should decline . i have observed an excellent temperature in this kinde , in many of our ladies : whose pleasing countenance , & affable salutes freed them of that censure which those disdainefull women worthily incurre , who hold it the best posture of state to dis-value those they consort with : and as those , who are transported with an opinion of their owne worth censure nothing worthy hearing , but what their selecter judgements approve . dainty idols to doate upon ! these had need furnish themselves of witty husbands ; or the honey-month will be soone done with them . whereas those , whom we formerly touched ; resemble lights shining in an other orbe . if their husbands bee pleasant , they rejoyce in his pleasure . if he suffer in any overture which he neither expected , nor his actions deserved ; they beare a part in his lachrymae . husbands to such wifes are made happy in their choice : and have good cause never to wish a change . for they may consort with those they affect , without fearing of being call'd to an evening account . if their dayes expence should chance to bee too immoderate ; they need feare no fingers but their owne , to dive into their pockets , or to make privy search for more than can be found . these need not feare to have their shoulders besprinkled with zantippee's livery : or to have their breakfast chang'd into a morning curtaine lecture : or to receive discipline for their last nights error : or to weare their night-capps after the old fashion , with both their eares through them : or dreame , that their pillows are stuft with horne-shavings . these can play the merry mates with their wifes , and never laugh till their hearts ake : and heare a horne-pipe plaid , and never rubbe their brow antlers . if they come home late ( though sooner were better ) they are entertain'd with a chearefull welcome : they finde no pouts in their dish : nor amongst all their necessary utensils one chafing-dish . out of this precious mine , was , surely , that good burgomasters wife cut out , who ever met her husband at the portell with a gentle word in her mouth ; a sweet smile on her lippe ; a merry looke on her cherry cheeke ; a paire of slippers in one hand : and in the other , a rubber ( not at cuffs ) but a towell to rubbe him after his travaile : whereas that old beldam thestylis would have exchang'd that rubber with an halter , if shee might have had her will , rather than be bound to such a taske . and to such an one , without all doubt was he matched ; who in a pensive plight , all full of discontent , published to the world , from whence he desired a speedy dismission , his hard fortune in this bridall brawle . married ! whereto ? to distaste ; bedded ! where ? all griefe is plaste ; clothed ! how ? with womans shame ; branded ! how ? with losse of name ; how wretchelesse is that man that is disgras't with losse of name , shame , griefe , and all distast ? imprison'd ! how ? to womans will ; ingag'd ! to what ? to what is ill ; restrain'd ! by whom ? by jealous feare ; inthrall'd ! to whom ? suspicions eare ; how haplesse is that wretch that must fullfill , a false , suspitious , jealous womans will ? taxed ! for what ? for modest mirth ; exposed ! how ? a stale on earth ; surprizd ' ! with what ? with discontent ; profess'd ! as how ? times penitent ; how can that forlorne soule take joy on earth , where discontent and penance is his mirth ? threated ! how ? as ne're was no man ; fool'd ! by whom ? a foolish woman ; slav'd ! to what ? to causelesse splean● ; sprite-affrighted ! when ? i dreame ; how should th' infernall prince more furies summon , than lodge in such a spleenefull , spitefull woman ? cheered most ! when ? least at home ; planted ! where ? i' th torrid zone ; chafed ! how ? with oyle of tongue ; hardned ! how ? by suff'ring wrong ; how wretched in his fate who is become contented most , when he is least at home ? vrged most ! when ? she is neare ; vsher'd ! how ? with fruitlesse feare ; shielded ! when ? when i doe flye ; cur'd ! with what ? with hope to dye ; how curelesse doth that cure to sense appeare , whose hope is death , whose life is fruitlesse feare ? this wench had beene a dainty dangling fruit for timon's fig-tree . and very likely it is , that with one of this aery that falconer had encountred , or at least it were to be wished , he had beene so matched : who comming to a wedding with an hauke on his fist , and being asked to what end hee came thither , beeing a marriage-meeting , and no place for pouting , with his hauke ? answered , purposely to know how many marriages would reclaime an hauke . nor did hee doubt , but if such occasions had power to tame a wild batchler , they would in time reclaime his haggard . yet , for all this , his discretion by a wise moderation of his passion , might , no doubt , have rectifide much this whirly-gigs disposition : for a good iack will make a good gill. nor will inveying , reviling or abusing of a vixon , bring her to a good temper : for such usage would quickly make her madder . this was the cause that moved socrates to forbeare his wife zantippe , though a froward woman , because he thought he might better converse with others . thus wise men , who are regulated by reason , and with the rule of discretion , can moderate passion , when they are matched to such necessary evils , can make a vertue of a necessity ; prepare them by such tryalls , with more constancy to suffer all extreames . nor can there be made any question , but such corrasives as are applyed nearest us , and upon the vitall parts , worke the sensiblest effects . and who more neare than our owne bosome-consort : whose cheerefull aspect makes all those planets of her family successive and auspicious : as contrariwise , her malignity begets in all those inferiour lights , the like disposition . in the description of an oeconomick state , aristotle expresseth himselfe most philosophically , when he renders it thus : a private family ( saith he ) may be properly called a little city ; and a city , a great family : where like a city without a wall , a house without a doore , a ship without helme , a pot without a cover , and a horse without a bridle : so is a family , when guided by a passionate violent man , and hee matched to a waspi●h unquiet woman . many excellent aphorismes are contained in hippocrates ; amongst which , this : eight things ( saith he ) make mans flesh moist and fat : the first , to bee merry and live at hearts ease ; the second , to sleepe much ; the third , to lye in a soft bed ; the fourth , to fare well ; the fifth , to be well apparelled and furnished ; the sixth , to ride alwayes on horsebacke ; the seventh , to have our will ; and the eight , to bee employed in playes and pastimes , and in things which yeeld contentment and pleasure . yet worke all these to a remedilesse consumption , when the wife is transform'd into a fury , and makes it her dayes taske , to put all things out of order . howsoever , a great measure of discretion is required in an husband ; first , to know the nature and temper of his wife : secondly , in the carriage or demeanure of himselfe towards her accordingly . you see , how the same sunne works severall effects upon waxe and clay : for it softneth the one , and hardneth the other . let him apply this to his owne condition : by disposing himselfe towards her , to whom hee stands ingaged , nay religiously devoted by an inviolable tye of affection . i have heard of a domestick combat betwixt two , who afterwards became such loving affectionate turtles , as nothing could displease the one , what the other affected . but before this continued peace could bee procured , or these civill-warres quenched : many domestick bickerings and skirmishes were there , who might weare the buckler , and returne quarter-master . the more he laboured to soveraignize ; the quarrell ever became more implacable ; for she ever ended that dayes conflict with this peremptory cloze : trust me , husband , this will not doe it . at last , as later considerations prove ever wisest , hee recollected himselfe : beginning to expostulate the cause with himselfe in this manner . how long shall i intangle my selfe in this intricate maze of endlesse miseries ? to what purpose is it , that i contest with my owne flesh ? raise a pad in the straw : and awake a sleeping lyon ? it may bee her disposition is more generously tempered , than to be thus haled . turne then the scale ; and let her enjoy the freedome of her selfe . this will relish better to any well condition'd nature : than ever to be contending for mastery : and make the whole countrey ring with our folly . upon which resolution , they closed together in such an equall concord and harmony of their minds : as they were never knowne to bee angry both together : the one giving way to the others passion , with such sobriety and discretion ; as they never afterwards needed any neighbourly mediation . this i have the longer insisted on , because i am not ignorant how many surly and rough dispositions doe abuse by their harshnesse the easy and well-tempered natures of their unhappy consorts : which might bee instanced and illustrated with many tragick and dolefull examples , both in our owne and other countreyes : where weake and fearefull natures were so disheartned , as they inclined to strange melancholick fits , and such incurable distempers , as they were never rest of them , till their tedious life left them . others of higher spirits , but of more vindicative natures , impatient of longer suffering , have woven up the tragick scene of their miseries with the ruine of their cruell husbands . indeed , were all women of that servile condition , whereof the ingenious barcley in his mirror of minds , reports those women to bee of ; who cannot be perswaded that their husbands love them , unlesse they beate them : correction then would bee found the only introduction to affection : but these nations are more civile ; and our womanish spirits more virile , to endure such affronts . it is worthy our observation to relate what happned to one iordan , in his marrying in those parts ; being a native german , and one who had accompanied barcley in his travaile . he reports it thus : being in those parts , one iordan , a german , and who had kept me company in my travaile : fell in love with a woman there , & married her : demeaning himselfe to her , as became a loving and respective husband ; but the more she was tendered by him , the more shee seemed to be discontented with him . no dalliance , nor all the tokens of love or affection that he could shew to her , could either winne or waine her from that discontented humour , to which his too much kindnesse had brought her . at last , seeing that the more he laboured to content her , the lesse she seem'd to be pleased ; he takes her aside one day , demanding of her the reason of her distaste ? o sir , saith she ! how should i bee well pleased when you shew no argument of love towards me ? not of love , replyed he ! what more signes of respect can i show you , than these i already doe ? i am sure you want nothing . yes , husband said she , i want correction : and if you did truly love me , you would beate me : as you see other husbands in these parts use their wifes : for i must freely tell you , for all your professions of love and respect toward mee , till you begin to beate me , i shall never bee perswaded that you love me . this could not chuse but beget admiration in him : yet , least hee should lose his wifes good opinion , at last hee began to follow the countrey-fashion : and to give her such correction , as might sufficiently perswade her of his affection . although , in the end , his disciplinary love grew to be too bitter : for he brake her neck before he left her . but no modest eare can endure any such breake-necke-love : wives are not to bee made slaves but companions . and as their constitutions are soft and delicate ; so should their usage bee mildly tempered and affectionate . sweet and gentle is their speech ; albeit , no rule so generall , but admits some exception ; full of rich delight is their fancy . no storme of adversity so violent , but their pleasant society will allay it . no losse so heavy , but by the enjoyment of them , supplyed . those dispersed trojan dames , how soone had they pacified their incensed husbands , with a winning kisse , and a friendly salute ? their anger was soone done , when they saw those pearled teares distilling : those amorous armes spred abroad to imbrace them : those pretty witty prattles they had to entertaine them . these were such harmelesse carelesse charmes ; as they wrought farre stronger on the affection , than any other forcible conclusion . now , as i have formerly observed , seeing there is no society that can possibly subsist without speech : divers qualifications are to bee used , whereby that cement of society may be better seasoned : and in all companies better accepted : which i will divide into these two necessary precepts . the first is , to know what you are to speake . the second is , to know when you are to speake . in the former , is deliberation ; in the later , is moderation necessarily required . he that knoweth how to speake well , knoweth also when hee must hold his peace : which may serve for an excellent rule to the later . thinke an houre before you speake , and a day before you promise : and this may usefully serve for a direction of high importance to the former . these observed , many errors incident to indeliberate speech , may be prevented : which our too free and glib-tongued dames are usually subject to . i have noted a kinde of pleasing dialect used by our city dames to their husbands : and delivered in that loving familiar way , as it infinitely became them : a kinde of fondling speech , ( as i may properly tearme it ) or apish toying , neither unpleasing to their husbands , nor unusefull to themselves : as thus : — trust mee , chick , thou shalt not . — now , pray thee , prick , doe not . iffaith , you 'r a sleake youth . — you playd the wag with mee last night . — well , god forgive thee . — wiltst buy mee this toy , my pigsny ? these pretty prattles make me remember that free and ingenuous confession of that rich millanoise , that the strings of his purse were never so hard tyed , but his nansy had a charme to loose them . which brings us no lesse properly than occasionally to fall upon that dangerous attendant to gentle speech , which we formerly particuliz'd , to be dissimulation : a smooth orator , and such an one , as makes her owne end , the sole object of her endevour . dissimulation . dissimulation is most in semblance , least in substance : seeming most , what it is least : most in profession , least in expression . for , hows'ere they bee , thus doe they seeme to mee , they bee and seeme not , seeme what least they bee . sundry proper emblemes have our antients fitted them withall : some whereof have emblematiz'd them by sodoms apples ; faire to the eye , false at the heart : outwardly , promising juyce ; inwardly , proving dust . others to the crocodyles of nilus ; who never weepe , but they intend to wound . others to the hyene ; who counterfets the voice of man , purposely to prey on man : and requite humane hospitality with savage cruelty . others , to the harpyes , those three monstrous and ravenous birds , a●llo , ocypete , and celano , having maiden visages , but inhumane usages . others to the sirenes , the three daughters of achelous and calliope ; who on a promontorie or prospective rocke of the sea were wont to sit , and by their sweet songs and amiable countenance , to draw passengers unto them , whom they slew . thus laboured our antient emblematists to deblazon them ; that like perillous shelves , others might bee aware of them . but certainly , as the fish sepia is bewrayed by a black colour which she casteth out to cover her ; so these , though tiberius-like , they glory in nothing so much as in cunningly cloaking their purposes with fair pretences : going invisible , and deluding vulgar opinion with a seemi●g good : they must come to bee unmask'd , and then that vizard or disguise which before kept them from discovery , shall publish to the world , that as all humane wisdom is vanity , so no vanity lighter than that opinion which grounded it selfe on dishonest policy . this was wittily glanced at in the apologue : who could not endure that mouth , from which cold and heat proceeded at one time . who mak'st thy tongue a stranger to thine heart , i hate thee worse than hell , whos'ere thou art . now there be severall kindes of this glozing evill : some whereof , are more pleasing than greatly noxious : more delightfull than dangerous . for wee shall meet with some pretty harmelesse dissemblers , who are so far from plotting or projecting mischiefe , as they intend nothing lesse . their ambition is to purchase some trifling toy , or to wind themselves into their husbands good opinion , by pretending most what they affect least : and by relishing least , what they affect most . like that good witty wife , who affected liberty but might seldome enjoy it : and therfore did seemingly dis-affect it ; that she might oftner procure it . of all things , husband , quoth shee , there are no pleasures i so little care for ; as these stage-playes ▪ they are the tediousest showes to mee , that are in the world. and this moved her husband , who was of an harsh crosse nature , to carry her abroad to playes , which shee most affected , though seemingly least desired . another , who had a months minde to see the booths , jew-trumps , hobby-horses , and other trinkets in bartholomew faire , told her husband , that she wondred ( pretending puritanisme ) how people could be so naughtily given and prophane as to feast in such booths and brothels of sin , which her tender conscience even yearnd withall . which her husband , no sooner heard , than to th' faire they must goe : labouring to crosse her in that , which indeed contented her most . but you shall finde another merry wanton , quite of another humour : her ayme is to purchase her pleasure under a vertuous colour . her husband , purposely to raise a rent ; will have a tenant : and many are proposed , but none as yet admitted . a lodger hee must have : and shee prefers one in her thoughts : but of all others , when hee is in quest , she is ever at furthest distance . this puts on her jealous husband , who would bee loth to bee directed by his wife in the choice of his tenant , to admit of him whom his cunning wife seemingly most dislikt , but really most approv'd . now , this dissimulation is most expressed in subjects of passion : as i have heard a tale of a passionate widow ( for reverence sake , to beginne with the antientst degree first ) who could not content her selfe , but shee would needes bee buried quicke in her husbands grave . o , content yourselfe , said one of her antient acquaintance ; you are ordained for another end . but all this nothing at all seemed to asswage her sorrow : for falling into a trance , after such time as shee had continued a space as one senselesse ; comming at last out of it ; the very first words shee uttered were these ; well , i will ever be of that mind , it is better to marry than to burne . that good wife , ( to instance in the next order ) had a ready answere and a dainty colour to palliate the love she bore to a friend in a corner ; who , when she heard her husband take notice of one of her inward acquaintance , and pointing at him in the street , using these words : — there goes a cuckold ! with speech gentle , but not wholly free from guile nor gall , she replyed : trust me , husband , you are such an other . nor was that good wench voyde of all good nature , but very tender ( it seem'd ) of her husbands safety ; who hearing him unadvisedly , as he was passing over thames with other company , ( as one who wish'd not his owne good ) beseech god very heartily , that all cuckolds were throwne into thames ! she kind heart , made answer : " husband can you swimme ? poore girle , shee doubted much his drowning ; and therefore desir'd to be resolv'd , whether hee could prevent it by swimming ? that young wife meant , no doubt , simply ; who , when one of her bridemaids told her the same day she was married , that she verily thought , that never any day would seeme longer to her than that day : well , sister , said she , and if the day seeme long , i hope the night will seeme as short . but you are cosin'd , sister , saith she , to her bridemaid : for i vow to thee , so i may but enjoy him whom i have lov'd and now married ( alwayes provided that he had what a man should have , and i my selfe satisfied , that he stood so furnished ) if i should live and dye a maid , i' th' same mind that i now am , i should never repent of it . alas , poore foole ! many provisoes were there before she could well incline unto it , yet would she seale to it , provided that hee were well furnished . what variety of evasions this fondling had , dissembling with her owne thoughs : and pretending what she least meant , that she might appeare to her bridemaids more indifferent than shee was , for that which she most dream'd of ? a pretty kind of harmelesse shift ! being , what stands most with a maids modesty , and consequently in civility , merits her apology . no lesse simply than freely , did that single woman ( for maid she cannot properly be tearmed ) answer her confessor ; who , after shee had discovered to him a long bead-roule of loose wanton pranks which ●hee confest her selfe culpable of : her confessor began sharpely to reprove her : laying open unto her the haynousnesse of those sinnes : and telling her , that whooredome was such a sinne as highly displeas'd god. i am more sorry , said she , for i am sure it pleas'd me . there is another kind of dissimulation too , which is so farre from incurring any grounded offence , as it deserves high approvement . and this is , when beauty is not only wooed , but seemingly wonne , to produce some good effect ; by his meanes who imagines himselfe master of the prize . of these , to omit instances in sacred writ , we shall finde our stories plentuously stored . the redoubted thomyris could practise this feate , to expedite her sonnes revenge : and restore her countreys fame . this did that chaste penelope , deluding her numerous suiters with hopes of successe : only to spin out time : and with her never-finished webbe to keep them ever in suspence . this did that wise but unbeleeved cassandra ; who , seemingly inclined to apollo's suite ; that hee should injoy her ; if hee would bestow on her the gift of prophecy : which , when she had obtained , she denyed him that which she had seemingly granted . but the preservation of her chastity impaired the credit of her prophecy : being never beleeved , were it never so true that shee related . this pious act did that memorable hypermn●stra , who pretending nothing lesse than what her vertuous aymes directed themselves wholly to ; saved her husband linceus , from that fatall massacre , committed by her sisters , in slaying their husbands . nay , it ha's beene the safety of many flourishing estates to dissemble vertue●● and to comply with the times ; ever expecting some faire opportunity to put in execution , what their addressements for the publique led them to . this wise and commendable kinde of dissimulation , some of our witty wenches many times use ; in putting on a countenance of disdaine , at least , of strangenesse towards those whom inwardly they unfeignedly affect . nor have these sleights produced insuccessive effects to their desires . for by this meanes , have they enjoyed , what their simple inclining affection would never have made them mistresses of . for profer'd fruit is sedome tasted : and if tasted , not halfe so well relishing , as if restrained . those golden apples which the hesperides , those three watchfull daughters of atlas so carefully kept ; were more preciously esteemed , because they were by such vigilant beauty guarded forts which open to their beleaguerall . passages , unlesse the miseries of a long siedge have brought them to that pusillanimity , promise no rich booty : nor to the winner any glorious victory . the way then for beauty to be priz'd , is to be rarely seene : and when seene , so indifferently seeming to be seene , as it desires to retire so soone as it is seene . this is the load-starre to affection , to ●eeme estranged from the least thought of affection : and to fixe least in that object , which h'as most interest in her heart . this that subtile coy-duck had learn'd to an hayre : when , if any time she were invited with her jealouse husband to a publique feast ; shee would alwayes fixe her eye upon the antientst and reverendst in yeares at the table : whereas the eye of her inward affection was elsewhere spheared : assuring her husband , withall , that no sight was more seemely in her eye , nor convey'd more reverend love to her heart , than a grave old-man , who had already spunne the entire webbe of his follies : and could discourse with all sobriety of what he had seene in the world. and this neate kind of dissembling pleased her credulous husband out acry . for he believed , good man , that there was a thorow fayre betwix his wifes mouth and her heart . whereas , meander had never more windings , than she had dainty sleights and devices , to delude his facility : and to shrowde from the world her private affection to youthfull liberty . till in the end , found where she lest suspected : and closely infolded in the embraces of a loose lover , whom she entirely affected : she begun to relinquish shame , and in a publique manner to contest against her husbands disability : and how her modesty had so long restrain'd her : but seeing no hope of remedy , she held change no robbery : and that no censure should thenceforth abridge her liberty . this dissimulation produc'd a dangerous issue ; such as a vertuous brest cannot harbour ; we will therefore divert from this , and returne unto the former : being such a modest bashfull kinde of punishing their desires : as , many times , that too much retiring or restraining of their love-sick thoughts , procures no small distemper to those who love and would not be thought so . as it hapned to that noble italian lady ; who , loth to impart the ground of her love : or to make any other , secretary to her owne brest : fell into such a languishing sicknesse , as , though the expertest physicians of those parts consulted about her ; labouring by all the meanes they could use , and all the receipts they could apply , not onely to discover the source and occasion of her griefe , but allay it : yet all their experiments were in vaine : they could not finde out the cause : till shee at last ( drawing neare her last ) discovered it : for when her vitall parts began to bee so enfeebled , as they surceased to performe their office , and all hope of recovery perish'd , in the presence of her dearest , whom , till that dying period , shee never made least show of , to be her dearest , she tooke leave of all the world with this dispassionate cloze : adue , my deare leontius . which words were the last shee ever spake . but what deadly effect those words brought forth in her leontius ; the story amply relates . for if the words of dying men be precious even to strangers : how impressive the voice of one we love , calling and beckning to us from the death-bed ! o what a passionate conflict , what a soule-dividing combat doe those words raise ! how strongly doth griefe and affection , like sisiph●s loving twins , strive to inclose them ! knowing that in a short space , a very short space , that tongue , the organs whereof yet speake , and move attention by their friendly accents , amorous interbreaths , teare-trickling adieus , was to be eternally tyed up in silence ; nor the sound of their words salute our eares any more . this it was , which brought heart-sicks leontius , to his bed of earth soone after her . for recollecting with himselfe , how his love was the sole cause of her death : like an affectionate mate , who well deserv'd so faithfull a mistresse , after her obsequies finished , he immured himselfe from all society with the world , where he enjoyed himselfe , till his many pensive dis-consolate houres brought him to her whom he loved above himselfe . but these are too heavy for soft ●ares . that love deserves approvement which is till death : but that love requires a seasonable restraint which may occasion death . those two lovers are more for our purpose , who one day falling into a piece of country-love-complement , proceeded thus : o iug , how doe i love thee ! nay , you know best , said iug ; but sure am i , i shall never dye with loving you : no , iug , said he ! but i warrant it , thou wouldst , if thou hadst an handfull of me . a proper handfull , quoth she . i should bee much better for a bit and a buffet with 't . nay , faith , wench , i would never buffet thee , but as my neighbour grisedale did guddy tringles . nay , oswold , quoth she , you are cousin'd , i le warrant you . pray you say , why should you thinke i love you ? did you ever see mee cast a sheeps-eye at you ? or did my nose ever bleed when i was in your company ? and , poore wench , just as she spake this , to shew her true heart , her nose fell a bleeding . how now , iug , said he ? who is in love now ? not i on mine honesty . — howsoever oswold , you may marry me when you list , but i will never say i love you . when a man bleeds at the nose , and through abundance of blood is brought in danger of his life , the physitian lets him blood in his arme to turne the course of the blood another way . let us apply this physicall experiment thus : if love issue out in too violent a streame , it is to be cooled by a temperate expostulation with fancy : by discussing the probability of those grounds of affection which have taken seizure of the heart . or else by fixing our eye upon some more attractive object , divert the course of that madding passion . but against these two it may be objected : for the first ; that is a coole love , indeed , that will admit of any such expostulation : for this would imply discretion ; such should be as farre estranged from love , as youth from affecting the gravity of age . loves axiome is this : none can truly love and be wise . and must affection then bee regulated by deliberation ? must wee examine what reason wee have to love , when love even to this day hath beene ever impatient to converse with reason ? must we discusse what probable inducements wee have to love ; when there are no such arguments suffer'd to bee disputed of in the schoole of love ? must wee fall to betray love , in asking friends and parents what they will give ? or stagger at our choice , or study a change ; when our choice ranks not with us in blood ; or fortunes , or disparity of yeares ; or difference in other tenets , which more concerne us ? this were coole love ! and yet should love be so moderate , if rightly seasoned : for to make choyce by the eye without relation to reason , makes a ●oole of affection : but what receipt against love when it breakes forth into extreames ? absence from the object you love yea ; but love is more vehement , when deprived of her object . it is , where reason gives reines to fancy . for then is the party beloved ever made the object of the imagination . this begets an obstruction in the stomack ▪ a malignant quality in the appetitive part . this estrangeth the eyes from sleeping : because the representment of the person loved keepes the senses ever waking . this distracts the eye , and makes it looke wildly : never minding that whereon it fixeth , because taken up wholly with that it fancieth . and for that ( as one well observes ) love is not to be strangled , but easily repelled , and by distance allayed ; and not only distanced , but by employments wearied . the way to remove an inconsiderate love from taking too deepe rooting in you , is to prevent the way of thinking of the party you love . like that brave spartan lady , who when she heard of a disloyall act done by one whom she held deare ; would not suffer her thoughts to entertaine him ; saying : he shall never lodge in my bosome , that can teach his thoughts to become disloyall . had the carthaginian queene learned this lesson , she had never harboured a servant so injurious to hospitality , as to requite her too much love with such impiety . now , for the latter objection ; how should we , will you say , fixe our eye upon any object more attractive , than his person to whom we have ingaged our heart ? if we were , indeed , like those paphlagonian partridges ( whereof our naturall historians report that they have two hearts ) then might we have one for an apparent friend , and an other for a friend in a corner . but as a heart divided cannot live ; no more can any object really attract the eye , but what the heart doth unfaignedly love . where the treasure , there the heart ; but no treasure like love to enrich the treasury of the heart . the heart guides the eye : and can wee turne our eye from that object which guides the heart ? this were to dissemble with love : and disesteeme that which we most honour : despice that wee most tender : all which would exact revenge one time or other . this were too subtile love to come from a true heart ! and yet , if you desire to prevent erring , you must in this manner mould your affection . love by degrees , was a sages counsell : lest by bestowing all your love in wooing : you leave none when you come to marrying . it is said of the iuniper tree , that of all other trees it makes the hoatest coale , and the coolest shadow : the coale being so hot , that if it be rak't up in ashes of the same , it continueth unextinguished by the space of a whole yeare . be you such sweet iunipers ; woooers are but shadows , saith the poet ; be your shades coole ; but your coales hot . when you are once come to the heigth , heat and true fervour of love : let no steames of forraine fancy darken it : no stormes of adversity weaken it . yet let the introduction to love , after you perceive a likelyhood of proceeding , be so mannaged ; as your too much coynesse occasion no discouragement . for by that meanes may you timely avoide , what your disdaine may otherwise deservingly inflict . but of all others , beware of love-letters ; for they are such injunctions as you cannot appeale from . with such reservancy then become warders of your 〈…〉 uningaged hearts , as your favorite 〈…〉 never shew witnesses against you under your hands . i knew one , who , excepting this error , demeaned her selfe in actions of discretion and modesty , above the reach of scandall or reproofe ; but betraying her love to the secrecy of pen and paper ; and falling afterwards to inconstancy , ingaged her selfe to her forsaken friends privacy . who so tendered her esteeme , that till such time as shee had made an apparent breach and violation of her vow , by relinquishing her former choyce , and bartring love with an indiscreet exchange , never disclosed those sacred-secret ingagemenes shee had made ; but with a constant defence of her honour , labour'd ever to cover her shame . and this is the worst kinde of dissembling in affaires of love . for to dissemble or double with ones faith , is a dangerous equivocation : beeing such , as makes the party which shewed inconstancy , of all others , most miserable in their affection . for it is not the outward rite onely which consummates a sponsall love : for if their hearts be not linked , before their hands bee ever joyned : their house musick is very likely to close in discords . as i have sometimes heard a pretty pleasant story , of two , who after such time as they had beene a 〈◊〉 ●hile married , fell into such debate an● vari●nce , as all such as neighbour'd neare them ▪ were wearied with them : but their next neighbour worst of all , for it was his hard fortune , good man , to ride for them . after they had continued thus for a good space , in these civile broyles , without any amendement : one evening , being in bed together , sayes the husband to his wife : this is a wonderfull thing , that we must after this manner all the yeare long make our house a fencing-schoole : sure , meg , quoth he , we were not rightly married , or else we should have liv'd more peaceably together : for wee have not any two neighbours that so fearefully baste one an other . what thinkest thou , wife , if we be married againe , and see if that will mend the matter ? the wife easily consented to his motion ; and held it fitting , saying , she would doe any thing for a quiet life . with all speed then runs her good man to a sir iohn ; who , as he could read on no booke but his owne : so he was of no such deepe reading as to know whether re-marrying were lawfull or no. a new bridall-feast is provided ; friends invited ; nothing wanting to perfect what they both intended . at last , comming to the church , sir iohn falls to worke ; where he goes on still and without interruption , till he came to who giveth this woman to bee married , &c. and holding her by the hand , looking ever when some one or other would doe the office of a father , to give her : no , sayes the mad bridegroome , none shall give me her ; take yov her , sir iohn , as long as i have had her ; and if she be not worthy taking , why would you give me her ? but to dwell a little longer on this subject , now in agitation ; as pure love can admit no dissembling : so are young women to be cautious where they fixe their love . many shall they encounter with all , who professe affection to all . but their drift closeth ever with such a curtsy , as may hazard their honour . these are our libertine batchlers , who chuse rather to graze in common pastures , than inclosures . yea , many of these will boast of your favours : and i● publique places speake liberally of will doe before their sweet husbands departing ; with — hey ho — what shall i doe deare love , if you dye ? marry another ( sayes the comedian ) before one stitch of his shrouding sheet bee broken ; or those flowers which stuck his corpse , bewithered ; or one wormling entred his coffin . yet will these cunningly disguise their solace , and with teare — blubber'd vizards close up his eies , and infinitely rejoyce in that last office . then must they at his interment seemingly desire to be buried with him ; rave , and looke distractedly , as if fancy had brought them to a frency ; leape into the grave ; and performe all these pageants with such a completegrace ; as not a neighbour attends them , but suffers with them : commending their simple hearts , for leaving with such unwilling hearts their faithfull husbands . but this sorrow is nothing so sincere as the story of the indian women discovers the lovely and lively effects of their mourning . who upon the interment of their husbands , strive ( by way of an amorous encounter ) in relation of their deservings to him , and his expressions of love to them , which of them may have the honour to bee buried with him . the body of the story presents it selfe thus : the women of india , when any of their husbands dyeth , are wont to fall in contention through the vehemency of their affection , which of them ( for they have many wives ) he loved best in his life : shee that winneth , being very joyfull ( and solemnly attended by a great company of her friends and kinsfolke following her ) is cast into the fire with her dead husband . but were these , whereof wee now discourse , put to that election , a short strife would end that contention . they must live by the quicke and not by the dead : and a living dog is better than a dead lion. but the wantonnest of these cannot bee so light , as their gentleman vsher is , for most part loose : whom to the end we may here portray in his owne colours , and to life the better , we have deliver'd in a character ; which without any other discovery will present you him in his feature . yet before wee go on in this lively delineature of so dangerous a piece : our purpose is to propose some reasons why wee have here brought him upon the stage : and with what propriety hee fals upon our discourse ; which may appeare in a more copious and perspicuous manner in this our prepared relation hereafter . there is a conceited treatise composed by an italian ( as what wits more pregnant or present ) intitled a supplication to candlelight : discovering the abuses committed and curtained by the silent and secret shade of night ; where it might bee demanded , as god in esay did sometimes aske the devill our watchman , custos , quid de nocte ? what seest thou ? what discoverest thou ? though lanthorne and candle-light hang out ; though the bel-man traverse the street ; though the constable and his rugged gowne-men after a nod or two , take care for discharge of their place and punishment of vice , to put out a peremptory question to a night-walker , from whence came you ? or , whither go you ? whom do you serve ? or , what businesse have you so late ? yet it seemes they have no commission to examine coacted sinne : these may hurry along by their noses : and shroud a loose gentleman-vsher with as light a curtezan in a running-brothell from those conniving eyes of endymion and his brotherhood . and this light piece must bee conducted to his lord , while hee is to bee admitted to his lady ; to present both their actions on the stage of folly. with what a commanding posture rides this foot-cloath sinne ? how apt to forget his composition ; and how confident in the priviledge of greatnesse ? these , generally , have their purveyors to furnish them with such stuffe as may content their liqu'rish appetite , and feed their intemperate desires with fresh fuell . in every solemne or festivall show , these forragers take their stand : eying what beauties are of most attractive quality : then inquire they of their places of habitation : occasions they take to converse with them : and in short time so to winne in upon them : as they beginne to commend their masters suit to their too easie attention : and with long battry , according to the strength of the fort , so seaze on their affection , as they make entry to their lords admission : clozing their indirect aymes with an unlawfull conclusion . these contractors for blemished honour ; or those obscene palliards , who preferre their trafficke in sinne , before the treasures of sion : were sitte attendants for that wanton damasella , who portrayed the affection of her heart in as light an imprese ; writing these lines with her diamond in a window : the choisest cates ●oon'st ●loy the appetite , one is too st●le a dish to feed delight . her choice , it seemed , affected nothing more than change. she could not conceit how any love could possibly be so pure , as to be confined to one object : or so firme ▪ as to restraine it selfe to one friend . her barge stood ingaged to many owners : whosoever would hazard their fame upon the adventure , might finde her as ready to impaune her honour : this was the condition of that wanton florentine , whose direction it was to some of her closest and secretst reteiners , to invite such , whose personages promised performance , to their ladies house : for whom shee had a private garden-house , where shee would as freely impart her curtesies , as if one houre had made them commanders of her affections . this was farre from that chaste and temperate soveraignty , which that ever honour'd lady bore over her desires : who being one day highly advanced for those exquisite parts which did accomplish her : and that incomparable beauty which made all others inferiour to her : answer'd her husband , upon the recitall of those indowments , in this manner : trust mee , my ephestion , if there be any thing that may merit love in mee , i shall onely value it so , because it pleaseth thee . now , there is nothing that estrangeth affection from the party whereto it stands religiously ingaged ; but either contempt of that object which it ought to love : or selfe-opinion in conceiting it selfe too worthy of that objects love . for the former ; many tragicall instances might be produced : where the parties contempt begot in the owner such discontent : as nothing could heale it , but what did seale it with blood . which distaste , as it is privately grounded , so these dangerous agents , for most part aggravate it : suggesting to them other beauties , or promising personages to to alien their affection from their owne . now , for selfe-opinion ; it is such a working illusion , as it presents myriads of fancyes to the imagination . for if it bee in the woman , it begets in her such a disdaine : as first , shee entertaines her husband with a rare accesse : she prescribes seasons , which , good man , hee must observe , or keepe his distance . but a short time makes a perpetuall progresse betwixt them . beds must be divided : a countenance of strangenesse entertained : the baths must be visited : private friends admitted ; now , gentlemen-ushers provided , such as can be secret , and with resolution performe their arrand . her doctor must tell her , and in the presence of her husband ; that living apart for a season would be infinitely usefull and behoofefull to her weak constitution . and he beleeves all ; puts up all ; prayes for his wife 's needlesse recovery : while shee , kinde ducke , wants nothing but fresh imployment for her libertine fancy . long would it bee , ere shee would give that repulse to an importunate suiter ( if his presence deserved the stile of a lover ) which that vertuous theodora did to an eminent personage : whose inward parts , as they were exquisite , so were his outward highly accomplish'd . who , being long time sollicited , but never vanquished , at last , by her vertuous instructions , she so won in on him , as he beganne to conceive a remorce ; and to turne the course of his affection to a vertuous admiration . this , when that noble lady perceived , to strengthen those good motions in him , which formerly had beene so farre estranged from him ; one day , after such time as they had long discoursed together , but in such manner , as nothing was lesse intended than actions of dishonour : and he , taking a lute in his hand , had plaid lacrymae unto her : she forthwith , returned that lute-lesson with a faire requitall in this pious direction : lacrymae should not only be in the eye , but stamps of more retentive sorrow in the heart : a pilgrims passage is such a passionate progresse , as it cannot bee pursued without sobs : nor continued without sighs . i have found sufficient occasion for that musicke : nor can ● eye that place , which may afford other melody . a continuall sinner , and a rare sigher , promiseth small comfort hereafter . our dayes are but few and evill . not an houre without some crime to accompany it . let the soule never receive her surfet of sorrowing , till shee h'as first found in her selfe a loth to sinning . as your toutch makes this instrument speake teares ; so let teares of devotion trickle upon the strings of your heart . this will make you a noble lover , and more enamour you in the contemplation of your maker , than ever you were taken with the deceiving fancy of any creature . now , if this selfe-opinion domineere in the man ; how quickly dis-affects hee his choice ? no house more estranged from him , than his owne . no bed more dis-relishing , than what should be most pleasing . if hee at any time make his gallery of the street : his eyes are so farre from imitating the swanne in fixing them on his feet , to bring him in a dis-esteeme with himselfe , as they gaze upon every belcone . not a window opens ; nor a painted face lookes out ; nor an enforced smile ; nor leering eye ; but these injoyne a salute from him : an amorous humble cringe to an unknowne face : a formall curtsie , to a borrowed beauty . this object sets his unfortunate genius a worke . he h 'as taken precise notice of her lodging : although her moveable estate will not suffer her to sojourne long in a place . and hee resolves to lye siege to this easy-wonne fort , and to call her to parliance by paper-pellets . to the soveraigne then of his thougts , whose short acquaintance might in modesty impose a silence , he addresseth his letter , like a soone-taken lover : his page must deliver it ; but so weake and imperfect was his masters direction : and so little to life this maddona's description , as many times , foolish boy , he miscarries in his arrand . as it sometimes hapned upon like occasion , when an amorous young gallant , and a profest courter of casements : having taken especiall notice of a young beautifull lady , who , as hee thought , deserved as much love , as any earthly beauty cou●d possibly merit : and collecting by her eye , that there was no aversion in her from fancy ; sought by all meanes to become partaker of his hopes ; which all the better to expedite , hee sends his page with a letter to intimate the constancy of his zeale to her ; and how hee preferred her affection before any contentment whatsoever . this unfortunate boy , whose heedlesse care to his directions , made his master as haplesse in his affections , comes to this gentlewomans lodging , where he delivers his letter , but to another hand than he was directed to by his master . howsoever , the antient matron , who not onely by the benefit of the roome that was darke , but with her cypresse hood vailed , perceiving well shee could by no meanes be discovered , or distinguished ; not onely received his kinde amorous letter , but return'd by the page another : acquainting his master , that , albeit nothing was more precious to her than her honour , and how many spyes were over her in regard of her strict charge , which was given the matron of the house by her father : if he would privately come to such a place such an evening , and returne her some valuable pledge of his professed affection , shee would dispense with what shee tender'd most , to second his desires . how acceptable this letter was to this frolicke gamester , we need make small question : but tedious seem'd the houres till this evening came : which winged his loose thoughts with all speed , to approach the place of meeting . and to the end , hee might with more freedome enjoy the object he sought ; he had furnished himselfe of a rich juell , to ingage his affection unto h●r ; and to confirme what hee had professed in his respect to her , whom hee so highly honoured . the experientst old madam , who had more wayes to the wood than one ; faithfully observes the time : and in such a disguised way , as she might be the grecian helen for ought that hee could see . a sweet perfumed roome ; a rich bed ; and so closely curtained , as old age from youth could not bee discerned . nor needed hee to feare her coynesse ; though shee pretended at first a kinde of apish nicenesse . for the long custome and habit of sinne had so inured her , as nothing lesse than modesty or shamefastnesse could possibly become her . having now received the gentlemans juell , which shee preferred before all his dalliance : she entertaines him with as free and liberall an embrace , as her icy-cold armes could afford . but scarcely had hee entred that brothell-bed , or enjoy'd his seere and meldew'd mistresse ; but a fearefull cry of fire breaking forth with much violence in the very next lodgins , with scaling ladders raised to every window , prevented the unfortunate gamester of his decayed pleasure . the unweldy beldam , not willing to dye before shee were better provided for it : leaving her mufflers behinde her , crawles with the best speed shee can from her shuddring gallant : who seeing , by the light of the flakes of fire , and multitude of toarches without , the bald scalpe of his chop-falne bedfellow : made no lesse haste in flying away from that hag , than she did to escape from the fire . nor could they without , cry faster fire , fire : than he within cryed , a fiend , a fiend . nor had he power to get out of the chamber , so surprized hee was with terrour . till all feare of fire beeing removed , and all occasion of further dispersing it , prevented : the constable of the ward being desirous to know what raised that cry ; entred the roome , where he found this halfe-distracted gentleman , running up and downe the chamber : and this decrepit chrone , shoulder-shut with a fall , lying all along behinde a trap-doore . but when the constable had heard every passage , upon the gentlemans relation , who uttered nothing without much distraction ; to coole her fancy , and temper his frency ; hee made bold to bestow them both in convenient lodgings for such unseasonable tradings . which egregious disgrace so reclaimed him , as loose love for long time after was a stranger to him . the like story might be here related of a young prodigall ; who , after such time as he had betaken himselfe to a choyce : one d●scended of a noble family ; and adorned with excellent ornaments to accomplish that descent : growing weary of the enjoyment of one beauty : & affecting nothing more than change : after many modest curtaine . lectures which his wife had from time to time delivered unto him , to decline him from that loose course which threatned to him and his posterity an approaching misery : fell to that debaucht and exposed riot both in the choice of his company , and prostituting himselfe to all inordinacy : as it begune to lessen the respect and affection of his wife unto him : holding equall distance with him , as he to her . it chanced one time , that this night-walker traversing the streetes : and with other associates exposed to the like loosenesse , entring an house of good-fellowship , where any light commodity might be purchased for money : the protectresse of that brittle society , to discover her office and quality ; demanded of these cavalieros if they would have a withdrawing roome and a mistresse ? by all meanes ( said these gallants ) for what end came wee hither ? and having bestowed them in severall roomes ; every one was readily furnished with his light curtezan . but this prodigall young gallant , on whom the subject of our discourse is here sceaned , had of all others most property in his : for she was his owne wife . what a strange kinde of passion or antipathy this intrview begot , i leave to the strength of your imagination ; who can to life present two such objects , as if you had beene in presence of them . long was it ere the one could utter one word to the other : with glowing blushes sometimes disclosing passion , sometimes shame . affection was farre from giving way to any amorous encounter : and though looks might speake , their tongues had quite forgot all dialect . at last , after a long continued silence , in an abrupt dis-joynted manner , her husband addresseth himselfe thus unto her . ha , minion , have i found you ? have your many curtaine-lectures edified you thus ? have i found your way of trading ? and are these the fruites of your teaching ? well ! goe on . wee are now both so farre entred the high beat-path of folly ; as it were madnesse for us to hope ever to wipe of our dispersed infamy . no sir , quoth shee : to dispaire of recovery , were to conceive a distrust in gods mercy . but beleeve it , sir , howsoever you esteeme mee , i am not what i seeeme to be . these are no places i affect ; nor trading i conceipt . i am what i have beene ever ; carefull of the tender of mine honour . now , the occasion of my comming hither , was the knowledge i received , how this house was your familiar rendevou . a place which you mightily frequented : and where your fame stood dangerously ingaged . your person i described to the mercenary governesse of this hatefull family : that if i might be exposed to any , it should be to such an one as i described : which upon hope of sharing with mee , shee promised . now , sir , reflect upon your selfe , in me : how odious would these foule actions of loosnesse appeare in me ? how contemptible would they make my person appeare to any modest eye ? and are these such inexpiable crimes in the weaker sex : and must they bee esteemed such light errors in you whose strength is greater ? is modesty too effeminate a qualitie for man to retaine ? is the spirit of man to bee imployed in that most , which detracts most from man ? o , recollect your selfe , sir ! and you will see , nothing can more transforme you from your selfe : nor blemish your inward beauty ; nor enslave you to servile fancy ; nor deprive you of future glory , than affecting of these consorts of sinne and shame . the onely conduct that these will afford you , is to the hospitall , where they will leave you . be pleased to put off your selfe a little : and with a single eye to observe their light embraces : proceed these , thinke you , from a resolved love ? will they not for base lucre , shew as much kindenesse to their next suiter ? and can there be any true affection , where the partie makes no distinction ? nay , tell me , would the faithfullest acquaintance you have amongst all these , relieve you , if your fortunes had left you ? or afford you one nights lodging , if want surprized you ? have they not got the art of professing what they least intend : and sacrificing love where they have none to bestow ? returne then to your owne house : and finde that in a lawfull love , which you shall never enjoy in hatefull lust . this advice delivered by so deserving a creature , and in so winning a manner , might have wrought singular effects in any plyable or well-disposed nature : but so strongly steeled was his relentlesse heart unto these , as with a disgracefull and uncivill kicke hee pusht her from him : vowing , withall , to publish her shame to all the world , if she desisted not after that time to sollicit him , or personally to repaire unto him . so strongly had those loose and light consorts seaz'd on his affections : as stolne waters seemed to him the sweetest . a conjugall joy , was a servile yoke , which his misery afterwards felt : being both by friends and fortune left . for having offered the remainder of his decayed estate to that common sewer : hee dyed a miserable unpittied begger . whence we may collect and confidently avouch : that a great office is not so gainefull ( though too many at this day in their rising revenues to their injurious owners highly usefull ) as the principall-ship of a colledge of curtezans : no merchant in riches may compare with these merchants of maidenheads , if their femall inmates were not so flitting . this may appeare in those usefull collections gatherd out of the history of italy : the truth and authority of which testimony , if we may credit ; rome wanteth no jolly dames , specially the street iulia ; which is more than halfe a mile long , faire building on both sides ; in manner inhabited with none other but curtezans ; some worth tenne , some worth twenty thousand crownes , more or lesse , as their reputation is : and many times you shall see a curtezan ride into the country with tenne or twelve horse waiting on her . but to looke back upon our discourse : as there is nothing more dangerous to youth than selfe-opinion ; so is it a cure of greatest difficulty , having taken once seazure of a woman . this that flowrishing state of mantua was in great hazard to have felt : when isabella wife to luchino visconti , lord of millaine , a very faire woman ; feigned to her husband , that shee had made a solemne vow to goe in pilgrimage to venice : and under that colour , obtaining licence , she tooke mantua in her way ; where she lodged in the house of the gonzagi , antient friends unto her husband . and after she had supped , sent secretly for vgolino ; unto whom she declared , that for the fervent love she bare to him , she had taken on her that journey : beseeching him , in lieu of her entire affection , to keepe her company unto venice . this loves-intended-pilgrimage came to the eare of luchino ; who provoked therewith , laid siedge to mantua ; albeit , finding the friends of vgolino innocent of the fault : and that guido his father did his best to correct him , luchino through intercession , raised the siege . fitting for our purpose is that story which our moderne age brought forth , being in effect thus . there was a dainty beautifull young lady , who , selfe-opinionate of her owne worth , after such time as she had been a space married , fell in dis-esteeming of her husband . he , having sought by all meanes to regaine her good opinion , and to ingratiate himselfe in her respect , which his owne parts well enough deserved , howsoever he stood in her bookes neglected : could by no meanes receive a pleasing countenance from her . which distaste wrought so strangely and strongly on his spirit ; that could never stoope to basenesse : nor ingage his noble thoughts to an ingenerous revenge : ( though many visible motives might justly inrage him : and cause him transgresse the bounds of patience ; ) as he resolv'd to betake himselfe to travaile : that so by distance of place hee might in time banish from his thoughts the cause of his discontent . but long had not he there remained , a banish'd man from his countrey ; but desirous to see some other nations , and so by improving his knowledge , learne to forget his griefe : then being imbarked in a merchants ship , bound for such a coast , they were so encounter'd by contrary winds , as it hapned that they arrived at a small port-towne , within his owne native countrey , where his lady at that time resided , by occasion of some fortunes lately to her descended . she , who , kept a liberall table in the absence of her husband , dis-affecting nothing more than privacy : hearing how a ship was there lately arrived , and diverse strangers of seeming quality entered the haven : caused the groome of her chamber to addresse his way to the port : where , if hee found any one of gracefull presence or personage , to invite him withall unsuspected privacy to her house . her command is observed : and to second his ladies desire , hee findes none more likely to tender her content , than her owne husband . but before such time as her servant , sent forth upon this message , would returne his errand ; he seriously eyed that stranger : perusing his complexion and favour , which discontent and his late absence had so estranged from his knowledge , as at first he could not know his master . but at last , becomming assured that it was no other , & desirous to doe him a pleasure , as became a faithfull servant to so respective a master : yet without so much as discovering himselfe , or acquainting him with any plot he had ; he privately at first returns his message from his lady : but withall , desires him , as he tender'd a ladyes honour , to use all secrecy : that his ladyes freedome in her respect and entertainment to him ( if any such curtsy should appeare ) might bee free from all discovery . this the gentleman promised , though wholly ignorant what was intended . meanetime , her honest groom returns an account of what he had done : acquainting his lady , that a gentleman of as proper parts , gracefull presence and hopefull performance , was that evening landed ▪ as ever his eyes beheld . and withall , how he had taken occasion to deliver her message unto him : and with what modesty it was by him accepted : and how to prevent suspicion , his desire was with all privacy to be admitted by some back way unto her chamber , and without lights ( fearing above all things the discovery of his master . ) easy admittance is granted , a private way over a moate , environing the house , is prepared ; nothing neglected , that might promise to this seeming stranger free entertainment . nor is her servant remisse in ought that may facilitate his lawfull affectionate desires . one thing only he conceives himselfe to have omitted , which might conduce highly to the effecting of his plot . hee perceives a diamond-ring upon his masters finger , well knowne to his lady by a private posy : this , he wisheth him , upon his mounting the stayres , and entring into her chamber , at his departure , to bestow upon her . for , said he , our ladies in these parts never receive any strange servants , but they expect some token of their love should be left them , to renue their affection upon next acquaintance : and give them more confidence of their secrecy . this lady longing for the embraces of so accomplished a guest , as her servants relation had described him : with a count'nance as cleare , as the roome was close , had long before this prepared a welcome for him . albeit , upon his entry into her chamber , he found no person there to entertaine him : only a lampe darkely burning ; which shewed him sundry choice and dainty succots , with other quaint junkets : wherein , no doubt , art had showne her selfe such a confectionesse , as nothing was there awancing which might enliven nature , or italian-like , inflame vigour . having taken a taste of such pla●es as best liked him : a faire canopy-bed , with curtaines close drawne , invited him to take a further taste of what better entertainment was prepared for him . and having made himselfe unready , and drawing the curtaine a little aside , he might perceive a creature in the bed , but seemingly covered with cloaths , as one unwilling to have her owne eyes witnesses of her too much freedome . which the rather quickned in him an ardour of affection : so as like a bold stranger , he addressed himselfe to that forward and lawfull encounter . the comick effect whereof , upon discovery of him by the ring , produc'd ( to omit all other circumstances of dalliance ) a constant reconciliation betwixt them . all which was brought to passe principally by her gentleman vsher. but all of them are not of one stampe , as you may perceive by this character . a gentleman usher is his ladies creature ; one who stands much upon his dimension and posture . a tall man he is of his legges , and no lesse it behoves him to be tall of his hands ; being engaged to such desperate encounters for the wall. pretty foole ! he carries his ladies misset most gracefully , which she loves so tenderly , as she is ever putting him in mind of his charge : prey thee puny , doe not squeze my puppy . continuance of imployment makes him in time grow more familiar with his mistresse ; which makes her chastice the sauce-boxe with her glove ; meane time , the man knows her mind . hee bestows so much time in the pointing of his stellettopeake , and poudring his locks , as he leaves little or none for his orisons . he makes his whole pilgrimage on earth a continued peraembulation : and having learn'd to pace from his youth up , he can never shew himselfe commendable but in that garbe . he had an excellent shap't legge , and a sufficient calfe , but every thing is worse for wearing . if to reserve more state , the house be divided , and his great lords roomes from his ladies severed ; hee is sure to be one that must lye on his ladies side . should he fall of in his posture , through debility of nature ; her page must be preferred before her vsher : and the reason is , a cock-sparrow is more active than a bald bussard . he h 'as a notable volubility of tongue ; which he tips with such formall protests , as he will engage him yours , before ever he know you . he knows how to play the secretary ; and is oftimes put to 't . blush he will not , lest it should unrivet a secret in his message . he reserves no time for reading , he bestows so much on walking ; unlesse it be some wanton pasquill , a sociable accompt whereof he makes his pastime . he h 'as at all times ready accesse to his lady , which procures him better successe in his suite to her lord. he must make no love to the maid , lest it beget a jealous suspect in the mistresse . affection cannot brooke corrivals . if his lady grow sickish , and desire to take fresh ayre , the coach must he mount and jogge along with her ; where the curtains must be drawn , lest the light discover her , or the ayre distemper her here they couch as silent as a charnell-house , but that mansion of frailty they never remember . the height of his imployment principally consists in ushering his lady to the church ; where it is admirable , with what punctuall observance he conducts her to her pew , kisseth her booke , as if he had sworne by 't ; and to prevent all rash intruders , he stands at the doore , like a pious-pretending pimpe , as if he were to keepe centinall there for ever . and this he conceits to be one of his most tedious taskes ; because subjects of that nature doe not altogether please his taste . it is rather his element to be versed in the perusall of play-bils , which he presents to his lady with great devotion ; and recommends some especiall one to her view , graced by his owne judicious approbation . his choyce she admits : to the play-house she resorts : enters a prime boxe , and upon cloze of every act , gracefully whispers in her vshers care ; commends their action , and now and then at some amorous-moving passage , playes at cent-foot purposely to discover the pregnancy of her conceit . at night , if her gentleman heare of a court-maske , show , or some other presentment of state ; cupid be their guide , winged is their speed , eager is their spirit , swifter is their pace ; so they may enjoy the object that may please , and cloze their dayes prelude on earth , with an evening enterlude of courtly mirth . but here , this gentleman vsher must shew himselfe rough , that he may get his lady better roome . he must puffe and looke big , and swell like a pageant of state. a soft spirit would barre them both of all entertainment . by this his lady h 'as got a place , which was his master-prize . the presentment done , he must vsher her home ; which perform'd , a curious knot of valiant skinkers must vsher him . the cellar is their centre ; where they must drinke deepe their ladies health to doe them honour ; though a lasting surfet reave them of all health for their labour . here he inhabits till he take a nap in the cellar , or the napry drawer become his gentleman vsher to waft him to his chamber . now for his place , though his revenues be but small , his vailes are great . his ladies purse is his portion , which supplies him so long as he keepes counsell . her count'nance is his greatest purchase , so as , by the losse of her favour , he dyes a beggar . the fortune of a younger brother call'd him to this place ; since which time , he h'as ever walk'd most uprightly in his vocation . but if the master be a tradesman , the foreman of his shoppe supplies this place , whereby he is made for ever . for if this reverend trunke-hose turne up his heeles , whosoever stumble on his grave , his foreman vsher is in faire possibility , to enjoy his grath . one of the greatest of his feares is cornes on his toes : his mistresse cannot endure halting ; nor the condition of his place lumping . vulcans polt-foot befits not an vsher , nor his smug-looke a smooth retainer . his comfort is , as he begun with a small stock , so he cannot fall from any great state . as his risings were light , his height low , his continuance short , so his fall cannot be great . truth is , if he live to be his masters survivor , ( provided that he flowrish in strength and ability of nature ) hee may prosper . but for most part , his master out weares him , as he in his time outwrought his master . the meermaid h 'as left him , but not without consorts to attend him . aches , crampes , and ring-bones are his incessant associats . and now he walkes more upright than ever he did , for he cannot stoope , should a diamond lye in his way : he remembers the follies of his youth , with — o the reines of my back ! he needes no other rack , this will make him discover all . he is much troubled in his sleepe , and awakes with an ache , which he utters in a shreeke : — o my mistresse ! 't is a wondrous thing to see how this spruce youth is metamorphosed ! how his wild-luxurious beard growes unkemb'd , his lard-twilted doublet goes unbutton'd , and his eve-dropping nose flowes like a common sewer , and would bestow it selfe on any one that would wipe it . well ; he cannot possibly stand long ; for his very legges , those proper supporters of his youth , may now truly cry out with aged milo ; they cannot beare a calfe . it might be doubted , that death were better provided for him , than he provided for it , did not poverty bid him embrace it , and a miriad of infirmities summon him to it . there is hope of him , for the flesh had left him , before he left the world. but we have insisted too long on these ; let it be sufficient , that as there be some of those who reteine this name , properly ranked in our character : so be there those , whose better parts merit all approvement : but one swallow makes no summer : the object of pleasure many times makes shipwrack of honour : whereas others , for whom we will ever reserve our deservingst approvedst thoughts , will rather chuse to leave their coat in the hand of a loose mistresse , than lose their honour . that maxim , indeed , is too holding : if we be companions to ostriges , we shall savour of the wildernesse . nor , is there any rush without mire : yet a mirtle will shew it selfe a mirtle amongst nettles . and such we have of these ; whom neither occasion can corrupt ; opportunity deprave ; hope of fortunes delude : nor any indirect way decline from professing themselves just in discharging that place , wherein they stand necessarily interessed . now , in our diversion from these , wee are to descend to subjects of higher and more serious importance : yet such , as reflect ever upon the femall sexe , wherein pleasure and profit , which ever make up the best musick , shall hand in hand accompany you ; to second your expectance with such variety , as our discourse may amply recompence a retyred houre with double interest to posterity . section ii. imitable vertues in women . examples . vertue is of such a rare quality , as she can neither be over-priz'd , nor over-prais'd . nor can this princesse , whose beauty is her owne , without borrowing ; and whose honour is essentiall in her selfe , without deriving , shew more true worth than when she deignes to lodge in that bosome , which may seemingly dignifie her least ; though , indeed , by a modest improvement of what it hath received , it magnifie her most . for to descend to the quality of every * cardinall vertue : we shall find rare instances in each kind ; and such as may deserve imitation of the stronger sexe . and first of the first . prudence . some jeering swetnams , whose strength of pen and ability of braine only consist in inveying against women , will not stick , perhaps , to laugh , when they heare us speake of prudence , and attribute a great portion thereof to a woman ; and will say , truly we have heard of some women cald by the name of prudence , but indued with prudence there is scarce one amongst them , no not one. a weake inve●tive ! it is sufficient , will these poore criticks say , for women to have so much wit as to goe out o'th'raine : and some of them not so wise , neither : but like that simple she-cockney , imagine all the world to be a city , and every way they travell , such a continued pent-house , as they need neither cloake nor hood to shrowd them ; so well h 'as the worlds archi-tect provided for them . but how farre these erre , we shall quickly discover ; by those memorable and surviving monuments of wisdome ; which women not only of former ages , but even in our owne times , have expressed , and to posterity recommended . and first , to take our instances from a farre ; how much did the prudence of tomyris bestead the massagetes ; when by her owne policy and dexterity of wit , she discomfitted the powerfullest and redoubtedst enemy that the world then had ? in what a deplorable estate was her countrey ; when nothing but fire and fury assailed them without : want and famine within ? when their strongest forts were quite demolished ? their fruitfull fields wasted ? and their people , by a fruitlesse resistance of a victorious foe , consumed ? nay , reflect upon the miseries of this desolate and disconsolate queene ! how her sonne by an improvident and remisse mannagement of his affaires , became a prey to the enemy : his army vanquished : himselfe slaughtered : all things disorderly scattred and confounded ! yet , was her spirit still the same . she well considered , if in that disaster her courage should quaile , what could probably follow but an irreparable subversion ? though few or none then were left to afford her remorce : neither was her spirit so weake , nor wisdome so small , but they had power enough to study a revenge . which she effected with such expedite policy ; as she not only freed her distressed countrey of that threatning calamity : but imbrued her hands in the blood of her enemy , to revenge that cruelty which he had not long before inflicted upon her own blood . nor did this wisdome of hers only appeare in the government of her state : but in the composing or moderating of her owne affections . for whereas , her command had so farre inlarg'd it selfe , as many neighbouring prin●ces stood in feare of her : doubting that their more confin'd dominions might be swallowed up by her greatnesse : her noble spirit scorned to take advantage of others weaknesse : or to soveraignize over those who never gave her occasion of offence . in a word , as it was her care to preserve her own ; so it was her princely scorne to invade anothers . this moderation she shewed excellent testimonies of , in her death aswell as life : when she commanded , that this inscription should be ingraven upon her tombe : purposely to make a tryall , as it were , whether the same height of spirit succeeded to princes of following times , which sometimes possessed her royall brest . the inscription was this : who ere thou beest that shalt have the fortune , amongst other rich booties of thy conquest , to dig up this stone ( meaning that monument which cover'd her ) know , that thou shalt finde an infinite masse of treasure , fit to enrich thy princely honour , under it . but what found that victorious monarch under it ? nothing lesse than he expected . no gold ; but such a golden sentence as incomparably surpassed all treasure that could possibly bee buried under it . for when hee had carefully removed the stone , hee found this ingraven under the bottom of it : none but miserable covetous men would violate the obsequies of the dead : or with prophane hand disturbe the quietnesse of those that sleep in the dust . many other excellent vertues was this noble princesse indued withall : which for brevity sake i must omit : passing to others of her sex , who not onely equalled , but farre exceeded the most eminent personages of their time in the prudent carriage and dispose of their affaires . this that stately semiramis shewed in the wise and peaceable government of the assyrian state after the decease of her husband ninus . what excellent lawes were by her enacted ? what principles of state recorded ? how free shee kept her kingdome from division ? how safe her utmost coasts from invasion ? with what policy , shee sought to remove from her selfe and people , all opinion of effeminacy : and produce in others a conceit of their magnanimity : when shee commanded all without distinction , to weare tyars upon their heads : and to put on them womens apparell ; purposely to cover their effeminate parts : and by an amazonian imitation to beget a confidence of resolution in her neighbours ? how carefull she was to insinuate her selfe in the zeale and affection of her subjects ? what a wise course she tooke to effect it ? and in what short time did shee confirme it ? admir'd she was by those to whom only report of her wisdome had made knowne the greatnesse of such a spirit : enriched with such transcendent gifts : as it was not easy to determine whether the height of her spirit for atchieving , or strength of judgement for contriving more exceeded . to summe up all in one ; and all this in an imparalel'd one : had not one staine blemish'd her beauty , she had beene a princesse of incomparable majesty . nor did that glory of amazon , the invincible penthesilea fall short in those accomplishments fit to mannage a state : and to leave presidents both of wisdome and courage for posterity to imitate . how well shee rectified the disorders of a distracted empire : and in every designe exprest her selfe glorious to the improvement of such a state , and the advancement of her honour ! this might be illustrated by one instance : for at such time , as neighbouring princes dis-valued their feminine government : and every one laboured to enlarge their dominions by the subjection of that state : she not onely preserved her owne from the injurious usurpation of forraigne powers : but wonne of those , who were hopefull to make a prey of her . nor was shee onely carefull to establish the foundation of an empire for an age : but to recommend such usefull lawes and constitutions as might settle a prosperous state to their successors . many famous battels did she fight : and those with the renownedst and most victorious princes that then reigned . yet seldome or never was she discomfitted : but if at any time it chanced that shee should suffer , her moderation and discretion so temperately bore the losse , and so diligently laboured a redresse ; as the second day made amends ever for the former repairing her losses both with advantage and honour . all which i referre to those stories , which with most probability and authority discourse of her . what wisdome that excellent sophonisba manifested to the world , in the discreet carriage of her affaires : if it were needfull here to relate , we might apply this subject , in the instancing of her vertues . who so nobly demeaned her selfe in the daringst affronts of fortune : as never more true resolution or constancy of spirit appeared in the most virile and heroicke tempers that ever the world became possessor of . extremes could not amate her : nor distractions of state so divide her from her selfe : as , when her advice was sought , she could show the least perplexity in her well digested thoughts . her owne safety was never so deare to her , as the security of the state publicke . and when any of those antient counsellours or conscript-fathers , who were to sit at the sterne ; seemed troubled : or shewed the least irresolution , she would usually interpose her selfe : and chide their weaknesse in this manner . is it fit , grave fathers , that your advice should bee to seeke , when the state is ready to sinke ? will dejected spirits cure our distempers ? must fathers turne children , and put finger i th' eye , when imminency of perill menaceth the states ruine ? ha's your countrey made choice of you , to embathe her wounds onely in teares , and to labour no redresse to her griefes ? o , let not wisdome onely appeare in your habits , but disposition of your hearts ! a passionate teare is but a weake countermure to repell the engine of a foe . let it bee our taske , who are women , to intercede by prayers and teares : yours , to remove danger with courage and advice . wee are neither so abandoned of solace in hope , as to lye downe and dye : as if our present condition had estrang'd us from all hope of recovery . bee what you seeme , or we must seeme more than wee bee . present danger requires dispatch : let not opportunity lose her selfe by delay . next her , i might here instance the brave berenice , a woman of incomparable beauty ; alacrity of spirit ; strength and maturity of judgement . next her the sabean queene , that wise nicaula : a princesse so highly taken with the fame of salomons wisdome : as she left her owne countrey to bee one of his auditory : leaving him with this attestation of him : i beleeved not the words , untill i came , and mine eyes had seene it : and behold , the halfe was not told mee ; thy wisdome and prosperity exceedeth the fame which i heard . nor could so diligent a pursuer of wisdome , be in her selfe ignorant of so inestimable a blessing . never did state enjoy more freedome ; nor abound with more wealth ; nor partake so continued a peace ; than sheba's state enjoyed . nor could ought lesse bee expected , where such a lover of wisdome reigned . for if plutarch commend plato so highly for comming forth of asia into cilicia , for no other cause , but onely to see his deare friend phocion : what commendations might this noble princesse seeme to deserve , who , though a woman , left her owne nation to heare the wisdome of salomon ? should we , next these , take a more exact survey of the divine prudence of royall esther ; whose discreet behaviour purchased gods people so happy a delivery , even in their imminentst danger ? or of that wise abigall , whose discretion declined davids fury from her churlish nabal ? we would so highly admire such precious mirrors , for their piety , pollicy and discretion , as wee should accompt them wisest and deservingst , who drew nearest them in imitation . neither shall we need to travell so farre for instances : but that those flowers are ever esteemed best of , that are brought from forraigne borders : for princes we have here enjoyed of our owne ; whose names retaine in all places of christendome a memorable testimony for wisdome . witnesse the living fame of our renowned eliza , who made her kingdome an elysium . being of a majesticke presence ; judicious advice ; constant resolve ; terrible to her foe ; affable to her friend ; a gracious preserver of peace ; a couragious advancer of warre for honourable ends . of a rare memory ; a rich fancy ; for dispatch happy : and in present dangers fullest of noble spirit and alacrity . and these shall serve for instances in the first . justice . this divine vertue , which is an abstract of all the rest , that noble thracian lady well expressed ; when , unurged , shee professed : that if shee were conscious to her selfe of any crime deserving death : her owne actions should not need to receive any other sentence than her owne . so impartiall a judge would shee demeane her selfe in her owne particular ; as not the severest court should pronounce upon her an heavier censure . when that just alban lady heard what demadis saying was , that draco's lawes were written with blood , and not with inke : farre be such rubricks , quoth shee , from our calendar : let mercy and truth kisse each other . that royall empresse shewed her selfe a patronesse of iustice : when on a time the emperour her husband had presented to him the names of sundry delinquents ; to receive from him his pleasure how they should be disposed of : which , as one minding more a game at tables , than pronouncing judgement on those offenders , hee commanded without any further deliberation , that they should suffer death . o , quoth that worthy empresse , let not my lord bee so forward in pronouncing judgement upon an untryde delinquent ? the life of a man is to bee valued above a game at dice. just was that dame towards her owne ; when hearing , how her daughter had violated that order whereto shee was vestally devoted , she came before the senate , and beseeched them for iustice : who , when they had understood the quality of the offence , and how the offender was her owne daughter : they made answer ; you need little doubt of justice , in a crime of such a nature : yet might this personall offence have well deserv'd a stranger rather than a mother to be an accuser . o , answer'd shee , but nature must forget her selfe , when unnaturall children forget god. shee was my daughter so long as she preserv'd her honour : my part is now quite lost in her : bee it your iustice to vindicate the wrong which my blood hath received from her . else shall i conclude , that your unjust mercy is to mee a cruelty , which vesta will revenge to redresse her injury . excellent was that resolution of those almaine sisters , who professed in a publicke place of judicature ; that they would rather suffer the utmost extreames of want and misery , than share in the fortune of any other unjustly . the like example might wee her produce of a noble gentlewoman in our owne coast : who by the prodigall and dissolute course of her husband , falling into great poverty : was so far from inclining to any thought of basenesse ; as when her powerfull friends , commiserating her present condition , wished her to enquire of something that might raise her fortunes , and they would use meanes for procuring it : o , quoth shee , i know well how to shape my minde unto my fortune ; but i hope my thoughts shall never know how to scrue themselves into an others possession . what shall it benefit me , said that noble matron , to enjoy what belongs unto another ▪ and betray my fame , which i should preferre before all other ? i cannot live , and be unjust : for life consists not in beeing , breathing , or performing any outward action : but in a pure and undefiled soul , raising her thoughts to an higher motion . when the sabines had suffered that infinite injury , in being deprived of the beauty of their virgins : though they might ( probably ) have taken fit opportunity for revenge : o , said those antient matrons , let us first see how these strangers use our daughters ! if they demeane themselves lovingly unto them , it were unjust for us to take revenge of their husbands for the love they beare to their wives : honest love should be rewarded ; dishonest revenged . in that election of consuls , when the vertuous aurelia understood that her husband sought indirectly for voices ; o , said shee , this argues in you a diffidence of your owne worth : desist then from standing for such an honour , which your personall actions can not merit , nor these mercenary votes and voices obtaine , without detracting from another . iustice , when perverted , may be compared to the celedonie stone , which retaineth her vertue no longer than it is rubbed with gold : but when employed to the preserservation of the state , and dispensation of what is just to every one , being neither induced by amity , incensed by enmity , nor corrupted with hope of commodity : this divine vertue may be compared to the selenite stone ; a precious gemme found in arabia , which is of this nature and property , that when the moone increaseth , it likewise increaseth in beauty : but when the moone decreaseth , it lesseneth of her splendor and glory . it retaines likewise another quality ; and it is this : being tied to any tree , it makes it fruitfull : the application will appeare both proper and usefull . when changes in the state are most frequent ; when command seemes to soveraignize most on these smaller and inferiour lights : then is shee most constant : in her beauty most resplendent . neither can might over-sway her : nor a despicable plaintiffe dis-relish her . she ever shewes most constant ; when times seeme most wavering and fluctuant . nor is any branch so seere ; any member so fruitlesse , in the whole body of the state ; which her application cannot make fruitfull : so soveraigne is shee in her selfe , so commodious unto others . happy , will some say , were those dayes wherein basil the emperour of constantinople lived ; that whensoever he came to his judgement-seat , found neither party to accuse , nor defendant to answer . here needed no conscript fathers to sit upon tryall of causes : no feare of corruption , because that halcyon peace admitted no occasion : what wilt thou give me , was no interrogatory in those dayes . and yet me thinks that noble princesse , in the moulding of justice , and faire carriage of all businesse ; made her state no lesse happy ; who decreed : that if any plaintiffe exhibited a bill against any person , and could not prove the justnesse of his action ; he should pay treble costs to the defendant : and besides his pecuniary mulet , receive such corporall punishment as the quality of the complaint deserved . this made commencements of suites as rare as the former ; by reducing the state to such an exact order ; as neighbouring princes had her in admiration : taking presidents from her of state-government , to second her rules in a serious imitation . thus have you heard how this vertue , which our philosophers have resembled to the evening starre for beauty ; hath beene so carefully observed , and constantly preserved by women : as they addressed their endevours to no object more seriously , than how they might improve her glory . let us now then see what they did in honour of temperance ; a vertue which seasoneth and relisheth the rest with her presence . temperance . extreames are those shelves on which vertue suffers . livia dispatch't her husband , because she loved too little ; lucilia , hers , because she loved too much . but that noble lady observed a faire and equall temper betwixt both these : when she proposed this conjugall rule unto her selfe : as i made a contract with mine heart not to change , where i made my choyce : so i resolve to retaine that command over my affections ; as neither my too much loving him , shall feed in mee jealousy : nor my too much coolenesse beget in him a conceipt of my inconstancy . this vertue fixeth mainely upon three objects ; the irascible , when passion labours to soveraignize over reason . the concupiscible , when outward motives produce in those divine organs of the soule , some discord or distraction . the intelligible , when the light of the understanding becomes darkened , by some light object of vanity interposed . for as the eclypse of the sunne is occasioned by the interposition of the moone ; so is the light of the soule eclypsed ( in resemblance of the moone ) by the interposition of the earth . for as the moone doth never eclypse but when she is at the full : so the mind is never so much obscured , as it is with the superfluity of riches . and againe , as the moone is the furthest off from the sunne which giveth it light , when it is at the full : so a man when he is fullest of riches , is furthest off from that equity and justice , which ought to give him light , in all his proceedings . for the first ; the saying of archytas is much commended ( nor deserves it lesse than to be highly approved ) who being angry with one of his hindes , said : o how would i have beaten thee , had i not beene angry with thee ! the like commendations deserves that well composed temper of that sage chilo ; who observing his brother to be discontented , for being rejected in standing for ephorus , and himselfe elected : wished his brother not to take his repulse impatiently : for i must tell you , said he , that you were altogether unfit for the place : seeing , your high-unbounded spirit cannot bea●e the height or burden of an injury , but i can . nor was that noble ladyes temper to be lesse admired ; who professed in a place where her innocency had borne more than humane patience could well suffer : i have learned , quoth she , how to suffer , but never to suffer my selfe to give way to anger . secondly , for the concupiscible part ; that lady , though an ethnick ; had beene fruitfully schooled in morality , by confining her desires to bounds of such equality ; who with much confidence affirmed : i have made a constant league with mine eyes , never to fixe on that object , with desire , which i may not with lawfulnesse enjoy . armenia , a noble lady , being bidden amongst other eminent personages , to king cyrus wedding , went thither with her husband . at night when they were returned home , her husband asked her , how shee liked the bridegroome ; whether shee thought him to be a faire and beautifull prince or no ? truth , sayes she , i know not : for all the while i was forth , i cast mine eyes upon none other , but upon thy selfe . so well had she limited her affections ; as she would not suffer her eyes to wander : nor to be deluded with the glances of an unlawfull lover . for eyes are those tarpeja's , or privy conspirators , which lay the fortresse of the soule most open to advantage . nor would the heart give way to an unjust love , if a leering eye threw not out first a lure . for this end h 'as that wise creator made it a sense of sorrowing , because it is a sense of sinning . that a conduit of teares , might better rinse that kennell from whence the occasion sprung . nor have these feminine wonders exprest lesse command over their desires in contempt of honour ( an attractive bait to that sexe ) in their dis-esteeme of riches , or pompe in apparrell ; dangerous motives to unsetled soules . where you shall finde one so respect lesse of honour ; as being offer'd her , she findes this answer to her amorous besieger : i have ever preferred the honour , which a pretious fame bestowes on me , before that painted adulterate honour which any wanton favorite of the time can purchase me . here shall you finde an other so indifferent for fortunes ; as her attestation is this : no poverty can amate me , so i enjoy my selfe : they cannot but have sufficient , who are sufficient to themselves : whatsoever is without us , should not transport us too much by enjoying : nor deject us too much in the losing : no true state , but the inward store . what excellent rules were these to mould the mind to every condition , according to that philosophicall maxime : learne in prosperity to be silent , and not transported ; in adversity to be patient , and not dejected ; in neither to be discontented ; in both , discreetly and philosophically affected . here shall you likewise finde an other so humbly minded ; for outward habit so indifferent : as she professeth ; no habit can beseeme beauty , but what suites with decency . this might be instanced in those vertuous votaresses , who were so little taken with any outward weare : as they hated nothing more than such light phantastik attyres , which lay baits for others eyes . modesty they onely affected both in behaviour and dresse : which begot them more honour , though lesse opinion in the eye of lightnesse . that habit , said the roman citizen to his wife , doth well become thee : trust me , quoth she , i did not hold it so , till i heard it from thee . but , whereas this subject of temperance , whereof we now treate , is most expressed in abstaining from luscious fare , pretious liquors , amber-broaths ; with other foments of sensuall delight , wee shall finde what rare and incredible austerity many noble dames used in their practise of that restraint . where some became so abstemious in that kind , as they observed lessius diet : in proportioning themselves such a weight or measure , as might sparingly suffice but never surcharge nature . farre short of this temperature came , indeed , the wife of domenico ●ylvio ; whom our italians report to have beene so delicate a woman , that she would have dew gath'red , and in precious vialls conserved , to imbath her selfe withall , with other rich perfumes and choyce confections : and yet see the end of all these delicacies ! e're she dyed , her flesh did rotte , that no creature could abide her : so much had loose effeminacy corrupted nature . for this one , this exemplary enormious one , i could instance many of her sexe , whose noble mindes were so farre aliened from such delicacy , as they would hardly suffer themselves to be invited to any publicke feast , least they might occasion others censure by their abstinence . others in a retyred privacy , ( too monastick a course for our gentry , whose education hath begot in them more desire of liberty ) have embraced reclusive lifes ; contenting themselves with such homely provision as that remote place or desart could afford them , where they had taken their plantation . the romans , indeed , even at this day ▪ make recluses of their owne houses ; and whether out of jealousy or some other innate quality , will not suffer their wifes to go abroad , either to church or any place else , and some of them scarcely to looke out at a lattice window ; whence that proverbe came up : in roma vale piu la putana , che la moglie romana : in rome the harlot hath a better life , than she that is an honest romans wife . nor was antient rome lesse cautious of preserving the modesty of her women : by preventing the use of that which most indangers temperance ; whence came up that custome , for kinsmen to kisse their kinswomen , to know whether they had drunke wine or no ; and if they had , to be punished by death , or banished into some island . nor was there any respect or restriction , if we may credit the testimony of plutarch ; who saith , that if the matrons had any necessity to drinke wine , either because they were sick or weake , the senate was to give them licence , neither were they permitted within rome to have that liberty ; but out of the city . this restraint those noble temperate ladies little needed , who held it an high derogation to their honour , to consort with any wine-bibber : or such , whose liberty had made them subject to any such ingenerous distemper . excellent to this purpose was her saying : she knowes not the true estimate of her honour , who dare expose it to danger . nor was her resolution lesse usefull , though , perhaps , too generall ; who hearing her waiting-maid to be distemper'd with liquor : waiting woman , quoth she , you may call her ; maid you cannot , being subject to such distemper . in a word , heare what those brave roman ladies held of temperance : we had rather , said they , suffer the extreamest assaults or braves of fortune , than lose the least graine of patience by giving way to passion . a deserving memoriall ! which carefully reteined , may regulate in us those straying affections which usually distract the mind ; enfeeble the spirit ; and make the noblest creature by this ignoble servitude , more savage than any other . thirdly , for the intelligible part ; what quicknesse and pregnancy of conceipt hath appeared in women , may be collected by their ready answers ; and upon more deliberation , their weight of reasons : whereof i shall here in this place speake but little : having occasion to treate more amply of this subject , in that section wherein i am to speake of their witty aphorismes , which long preceding times have recommended to posterity . where you shall finde such a complete structure both for height of wit and depth of understanding ; that as cicero sometimes said of galba's leaden and lumpish body : his wit had an ill lodging . so without offence might it be spoken of those in respect of the weakenesse of their sexe : they had rich stuffe for such weake houses . so preciously were they stored ; so richly beautified ; so completely furnished with all intellectuall graces , as shall appeare in his due place . and so we will descend to the last of our cardinall vertues : even that which may seeme most estranged from their nature ; yet through the strength and vigour of their spirit , enlivened in the highest measure . fortitude . some will merrily say , we like not well that you should commend fortitude in a woman . we have zantippe's enough in the world , who can breake the pate of a philosopher , without ever studying for a plaister . their strength and spirit should consist in tongue : for them to be provided of any other armour , was never so much as intended by nature . it is true ; nor is it our purpose to present them here playing their prizes : but to expresse their resolutions in time of danger , wherein they came ever off with their countreys safety and their owne honour . though my sexe proclaime me weake , said that noble matron , i have a spirit in me can supply that want . yet should the rigidst censor be more charitably perswaded , than to thinke that she would imploy this noble spirit of hers in trying mastery with him to whom she was to acknowledge a superiority . epicharia , that famous libertine of rome , though she complyed well enough with her husband ; expressing that obedience , which became a loyall wife , patient in suffering ; meeke in remitting ; kinde and loving in all offices of affection ; yet made privy to a conspiracy against nero ( that prodigy of princes ) would not disclose the plotters thereof , though tormented with cruell punishments . she chused rather to suffer the exquisitest torments that could be invented by the hand of cruelty , than to discover them who labour'd to suppresse his tyranny . leaena , though a prostitute , was indued with a brave spirit , who conspiring with armodius and aristogiton , her familiar acquaintants , against the tyrant hippeas , stood not agast at the death of her friends ( though torne with extreamest torments ) but holding it basenesse to reveale the complices , bitte in sunder her owne tongue , and spit it out in the tyrants face . but you will say , these were too fierce and furious spirits to be inclosed in effeminate caskes ; we will therefore give you a touch of such , whose moderate and well-tempered dispositions exprest their worth , even in a princely command of their desires in outward things : scorning to lament for losing what they could no longer possesse : yea , so little joy conceiv'd these on earth , as they equally rejoyc'd in forgoing or enjoying whatsoever they possest on earth . it was a faire and imitable resolution of that well-affected gentlewoman : the extremity of fortune i shall little feare , seeing the worst she can doe me , cannot make me base . nay , even in the deprivall of those blessings which more nearely concerne them ; and such as should touch nature even in her bowels : have some of them showne such constancy of spirit , as they were ready to minister advice and comfort to those , who in respect of their sexe and place whereto they were called , might more properly have seem'd to performe that office to them . this might be illustrated by a domestick instance of our owne . a person of high quality and ranke , no lesse than a counsellour of state , hearing the report of the death of his sonne , fell into such a passionate overflow of sorrowing , as he would scarce admit any one for the present to have accesse unto him , or to minister any arguments of comfort to him : this his discreet lady well observing , thought it best to supply that office her selfe , which others had so fruitlesly laboured to put in practise : so as one day , she begun thus to expostulate the grounds of his sorrowing in this manner . good lord , sir , ha's your wisdome so much forgot it selfe , as not to reserve one minute for recollecting your dispersed thoughts ? are all these teares for the losse of a child ? me thinkes , my portion should be as great in that losse , or else i fall off from the proportion of a motherly love . but i conceive , sir , and this no doubt , your wisdome will see into ; that as we first received him , so we have but render'd him backe to him from whom we had him . againe , sir , should you but consider how ill these teares would beseeme you , if the state should looke on you : you would soone take truce with your eyes , and teach them not to darken that light , which should imploy it selfe in direction of the state. who knowes , but that our childs death now in his prime , prevented him from seeing and suffering many miseries in his time ? the sewer his yeares , the fewer his teares . let us then with patience recommend him to him who first gave us him , and now ha's taken him : lest through impatience we offend his majesty ; who if he chastice us , it is but justice : and if he spare us , it is his mercy . but this fortitude , which we here treat of , consists most , in respect of the subject we now handle , in a constancy of reteyning what is privately committed to them ; next , in opposing whatsoever relisheth most with their affections . truth is , though some too satyrically compared a woman to danäus tubbe ; fitting her with no better embleme ; but as that tubbe could hold no water , no more could she reteine long undiscovered any secret or counsell committed to her : yet may some of them , the worse sort i meane , be properly compared to sieves , who let goe the best , but keepe the worst : as the better sort may be resembled to fanns , which let go the worst , and keepe the best . there are many chattering iayes , that have no feathers : who cannot heare of a storme , but they must make the whole forrest knowne to 't . it is said of geese ( birds , whose very appellations designe their simplicity ) that when at change of seasons , they passe from cilicia over the mountaine taurus , which abounds with eagles : fearing their owne secrecy , they carry stones in their bils , for feare their cry should discover them to their enemies . reason , whose portion is our beauty , and whose gift our makers bounty , should teach us that , which nature hath instructed them ; lest by declining from the rule of reason , we become inferiour to them who never had the use of reason . for there is nothing which so highly disparageth a reasonable creature , as by too prodigall a discovery of himselfe , to lay himselfe open to the trust of an other . so as , it may be positively averred ; there is nothing that betrayeth a man so much to ruine as his owne credulity . had that strongest of men seasonably foreseene this , he had never beene betrayed by a dalilah . yet have i heard some , and those cautious enough in other affaires , lay downe this for a conclusion : that they would never entrust them with their bodies , to whom they durst not communicate their counsels . which can hardly be without danger : but being an error of love , and no love of error , deserves a milder censure . an alluring she-gossip is a perilous jngle to siftout a secret : and a rare constant spirit ha's she , who amidst freedome of mirth , reteines a power in her selfe to conceale it . nor ( indeed ) can such merit ought lesse than sharpe reproofe , who with the abuse of a minutes liberty , to ingage a strange eare to their attention , will expose the secrets of so deare and near a consort to censure and detraction . dionysius gave straight commandment , the head of bryas , one of the gentlemen of his privy chamber , should bee cut off , for telling plato , who had demanded of him , what the tyrant did , that he had stripped himselfe by reason of the heat , and was painting in a table : so tender were princes of their actions , even in affaires of indifferency : for had dionysius beene never worse imployed , his raigne had never incurred the title of tyranny . husbands , who are princes in their owne families , are to be strict censors of such , who are apt to discover what they heare : and to inlarge it too , in hope to gaine more atttention from an itching eare . nor , in very deed , doe such men deserve lesse rebuke for their facility , who so freely impart themselves to those , bee they never so neare them , nor seemingly tender over them , who have no ability to conceale what in counsell is committed to them . as we use then to try vessels by their sounds , so were it good for us to try before wee trust . for if shee , whom you have made choice of , have such a retentive faculty , as shee holds not her owne reputation at an higher estimate , than your secrecy : as shee is your bosome-friend , so let her be your secretary . for if that which you impart to her , tend to your comfort ; her communion will augment it . no single instrument be it never so singular , can render the eare so full musicke , as a consort . againe ; is it any occasion of discontent ? her sweet society will allay it ; by cheering it , if shee cannot cure it . many such excellent creatures shall wee finde in the world ; who affect nothing more than to share in their husbands misfortunes . to bee most of all his , when hee is least his owne ; bearing the count'nance of his fortunes in their face . and these bee they , who well deserve to be retained in counsell by their husbands : because they preferre his comfort before their owne , or equally as their owne : and value his secrecy as their owne safety . as for others , who are too open-hearted , to have any thing in counsell to them imparted : let their husbands imitate that discreet grecian of former times , who being told that his breath did smell , answered ; it was by reason of the many secrets , which had a long while laine rotting and putrifying within him . and may they ever rot in them , rather than communicate them to such dead flyes , who will corrupt whole pots of the preciousest ointments . let their bosoms ( those divine recluses of secrets ) bee like the lions denne in the apologue ; towards the mouth whereof the prints and prickings of sundry sorts of beasts might easily bee discerned , but from thence none at all . let them alwayes , even in their curtaine-conference , talke with harpocrates , at the signe of the finger on the mouth : and learne of anacharsis that the tongue hath need of a more strong restraint than nature . and that there is no greater argument of true fortitude than to conceale from others what were fitting to be concealed ; and with a religious piety to reteine , whatsoever is by others in secrecy recommended . let them not be so curious with them of bethshemesh , in the search of other mens secrets ; nor yet too carelesse with hezekiah , in the discovering of their owne . morality gives them a prohibition for the one , and a precept for the other : seeke not to others councels to bee knowne ; but knowne , conceale them as they were thine owne . now , for the other particular , consisting mainly in a strong and resolute opposing whatsoever relisheth most with their affections : there is no point of magnanimity of higher degree or nobler quality than this . milo shewed not halfe so much strength in bearing a bull ; as stilpho did in bearing what most opposed his will. that wife of bath , upon whose tale , at the instancy of some peculiar friends , wee have by way of comment , lately annexed some illustrations , could tell you well enough , what would please a woman best . now , when that will or soveraignty of command receives her countermand from reason : so as the course becomes diverted , by declining from what the party most affected : what a brave ●onquest is this ; and how well doe the professors thereof deserve a vertuous esteeme ? she well expressed this in her selfe , who though naturally jealous , and ( perchance ) had sufficient cause given her to bee so , being in company where shee heard at large of those joviall pranks of her husband , was so farre from inclining to passion , or falling into any humour that might give them occasion of suspecting her jealousie ; answered : content your selves , i doe not hold my selfe so unworthy of his love , as to have the least conceipt that hee will bee kinde with any other . it were no lesse rare to observe some of our women ; who stand most affected to curious apparell ; and to comply with the fashions of the age ; to decline wholly from that humour ; by affecting plainnesse : and with an entire distaste to all garish vanity , to entertaine no other habit than what might best suit with the modesty of their sexe . nor would i have this to proceed from sullennesse : as i have sometimes noted in a phantasticke lady in this kingdome : who in her private chamber or garden would accommodate her selfe like a complete gallant : but if any neighbouring gentlewoman came to visit her , shee would put on her meanest apparell , saying ; such stuffe was good enough for such course guests . no ; such malevolee's are made to grinde and grate the hearts of their husbands : by affecting nothing more than to crosse them most , whom they are bound to oppose least . those , whom wee here propose for patterns to imitate ; have set their rest on this resolution : never to give way to their owne wils : but if they desire liberty ; to curbe those straying desires with a convenient restraint : remembring , how dinah by gadding lost her honour . if luscious fare ; to moderate them by an imposed abstinence : holding cleopatra's banketting an introduction to her wantoning . if entertaining of amorous servants ; to shut their doores from any such admittance ; knowing how that vestall virgin impeached her fame by too freely admitting and conversing with crassus . now , this noble resistance is best exprest , where opportunity is most frequent , and the strength or vigour of nature most predominant . it was an ample addition to penelope's honour , to have an husband so farre distanced from her ; to be encounter'd with such confluence of suiters ; to live in the prime of her youth divided from her mate , and to preserve her fame so unblemished : as those who were most confident of her affection , could never so much as justly boast of any favour received from her , the giving or receiving whereof might trench upon her honour . some women , and those of noblest ranke , have we heere had ; who not only declared to the world their true fortitude and vertuous resolution in the life 's of their husbands ; who in martiall affaires and other publicke services , lived long time divided from them : but even after death , retained such constant memorials of them : that though they wanted their persons , they kept their portratures ever neare them . nor held they this sufficient , unlesse by a perpetuall widdowhood they had preserved their names in them . their roomes bore the habit of mourning ; funerall lamps were ever burning ; no musicall straine to delight the eare ; no object of state to surprize the eye . true sorrow had there her mansion : nor could they affect any other discourse than what to their husbands actions held most relation . each of these with good cornelia could play the mourner , and breath out their passions in this manner : pompey's my husband whereso'ere he bee , none in cornelia h'as a share but hee . but to instance this resistance of will in one for all . that discreet yong gentlewoman deserv'd so well in this point , as we cannot without injury to so meriting a subject , omit her . one , for descent ranked with the best : of excellent naturall parts , and those enriched with such gifs of grace , as very few equall'd her , none surpass'd her . this gentlewoman , having received singular breeding , and all liberty shee could possibly desire : falling one day into a serious consideration of her owne state ; debated the matter with her selfe in this manner . i have thus long lived , and enjoyed what liberty or pleasure i desired . young i am in yeares : yet though my yeares be few , many are mine houres of fruitlesse expence . delicacy i affected , and none ever was more cockered . publique places of meeting i frequented ; and from these have i ever return'd more depraved . how tedious was an houre imployed in devotion ? how short , bestowed in any light recreation ? how many mornings have i sacrific'd to my glasse ? with what winning lookes have i opened my windowes ; while the windowes of mine owne body let in sinne ? with what care were my breasts laid out , to take a wandring eye ? how pleasantly to my light eare sounded any amorous discourse ? what a wardroabe of vanities had i in store to catch a vaine passenger ? how happy were i , if i could but finde one day that might justifie her plea for that dayes employment ? was it not mine highest ambition to bee impaled with multitude of suiters ? was it not my glory to triumph in their repulse : and to supply their decrease with an admittance of fresh servants ? have i not exprest most scorne where i received most love ? have i not solaced my selfe with their sighs : and highly prided my selfe in putting on a countenance of disdaine ? was there any dresse so fantasticke , which did not quickly take mee ? did any habit lesse please mee , than what seem'd most gracefull in the eye of modesty ? what rests then , but that thou redeeme the time ? put off that habit of lighnesse which thou hast so long affected : addresse thy thoughts to winne nobler suiters than thou hast hitherto desired . thou art but yet in thy prime ; deferre not one houre longer from rescuing thine honour . blush at those sensuall delights which have so long tane possession of thee . let it bee thy greatest scorne to blemish thy soules glory , with making an idol of a light portion of earthly beauty . and though thy youth will hardly admit so strange an over-ture : let it be thy taske to prevent occasion , and to subject sense to the command of reason . the more difficulty which attends the taske , the more glorious shall be thy victory . one minute is too long , to adjourne such a purpose : bid adieu then to thy darling pleasure ; and that for ever : so maist thou enjoy those will last for ever . nor was this noble-femal convert slower in performing than shee was in promising . for desiring a small portion from her friends , to support her with a competency of livelyhood : with a constant resolution shee bad farewell to those mis-spending pleasures which she formerly so tenderly loved . embracing a private retired life , where shee bestowed many precious houres in devotion to her owne comfort and others direction . a rare president in this age , for one in the very flower of her age , to change the condition of light love , with the profession of a strict life . thus have wee made appeare unto you what excellent professors , and practisers women have beene in all these imitable vertues , with store of choyce examples in each of them . from these wee are to descend to their moderation of passion , wherein , as in all the rest , wee intend to bee as briefe as may hold with the quality of the subject whereof wee are to intreat . section iii. their moderation of passion . to vindicate their weake sexe from what they are most taxed : and cleare them in the testimony of opinion of that wherein they stand most censured , might seeme to some supercilious eye a taske of maine difficulty : and yet such a province are we to enter , and to accomplish ( if our hopes faile us not ) to their demeriting honour . nor doe we assume this taske , to ingratiate our selfe with that sexe : for our decline from youth hath wained our affections from all such objects : but to bestow upon such as deserved well of opinion , their just character , reward and guerdon . it is our common english proverbe , the worm will turne againe : and weake women , who have no other armor to shield them , no other refuge to shroud them but a few hasty words , or passionate teares , must needs plead their innocence , when injuries shall assaile them , with such supplies as nature ha's afforded them . yet even in this defensive provision , i shall instance some so rarely moderate ; as discretion injoyn'd them silence in the one , and resolution a masculine patience in the other . at that unexemplary disaster at cannae , when the utter ruine and overthrow of the romans rung in every place ( not to mention the well-composed temper and resolution of the men themselves ) with what moderation of p●ssion did those roman dames beare themselves ? farre were they from shedding effeminate teares , or exclaming against destiny , or demeaning themselves in any thing unworthily . no , their spirits were inflam'd to better and higher designes . let not there occurrents amate you , said they to so many as survived that slaughter ; if you want of your owne sexe to supply you ; behold your second-selfes ready to dye with you . perish you cannot without us , you may with us . hearts we have that shall not faile you , so long as you faile not from doing what may become you . on then with resolution , and let apulia know , where you suffer'd this disaster , that rome can want no souldiers so long as she ha's women to defend her honour . yea , should we relate what incomparable moderation of passion , those famous roman matrones expressed in their great trials of patience , we should finde it more easy to admire them than imitate them . though octavia suffer in the highest measure ; she can passe over her indignities with a sweet smile : and sleight her too good grounds of jealousy , with a winning letter , wishing only her husband to be tender of his honour . porcia can suffer in a noble manner for her endangered lord , yet scornes in teares to manifest her love . her study is to second him with advice , to prevent danger , come off with honour , and leave to posterity a memorable testimony of his valour . tanaquil , that noble lady , wife to tarquinius priscus , can in the lowest ebbe and defluence of fortune , encourage her husband to noble attempts : saying , it was not the property of a brave spirit , to lose any part of his courage for an adverse encounter , or put finger i' th' eye for any disaster ▪ but to arme himselfe with resolution so much higher , as the insulting braves of fortune have brought him lower . nay , consider , quoth she , how fortune owes you , so much as she ha's taken from you . by which advice he became so strengthned , and by her perswasions so incouraged as of a private tuscane , he so discreetly and moderately behaved himselfe , that after the death of ancus , he was created king of the romans . that temperate caecilia , how wisely she moderated her passion in those extreamest gusts of fortune , may remaine a singular instance in this kind . danger could not beget in her a shivering feare ; nor her present suffering one trickling teare . she found nothing worth prizing but her honour ; which preserv'd , she could with all indifferency entertaine any encounter : to lose that which i never had , quoth she , i cannot : and to grieve for the losse of what i once had , i will not : seeing , as my predecessors once enjoy'd what i now have , so must my successors have what i now enjoy . hence doe i gather a moderation of passion in eyther . cornelia , whose very name merits a title of succeeding honour , shewed no arguments of unbeseeming passion in the very height of her affliction ; knowing how to value the quality of griefe . though not the least beameling of comfort appeared , she reteined such a noble spirit ; as not a roman lady but admir'd her ; nor any annall writ in her time , but records the memory of her . nothing could trouble her but septimius treason : and this appeared more nobly in her . for nothing can be more odious to any heroick mind than the ignominious act of a traitor . and what worse than to see a servant betray his master ? to see one , whom her lord had relieved ; with many favours graced ; and to immerited honours advanced ; deprive him of life to whom both his life and fortunes stood ingaged ! to this vertuous lady , whose many misfortunes had taught her sufficiently how to moderate passion ; and with a discreet checke to discourage the proffer of any light affection , might those lines be aptly applied , exhorting those young ladies to follow the steps of so noble a grand-mother . for you , young ladies , you 've a patterne too , one , whose religious life will teach you how to manage yours : and this is your grand-mother : it were piacular to name another . nor is there any such necessity to fetch our instances from tiber : excellent women have both former and present times afforded within this hedged garden , whose admirable temper , to their never-dying honour , hath deserved no lesse praise . such , who could smile at misery , and with such a composed grace entertaine the stormes of fortune : as none that saw them , could doe lesse than highly condemne her of inequality of judgement , or want of sight , ( to her a proper attribute ) to bring them downe to the lowest part of her wheele , who deserved for moderation of passion , with other arguments of discretion , to be ranked with the highest in the common-wealth . nor , indeed , can this moderation of passion , whereof we now treat , receive more approvement from any person , than such an one , who sometimes ha's enjoyed the fulnesse of earthly happinesse ; and afterwards fallen into the extremities of want : or such , who though they partake in all freedome and fulnesse of fortune ; seconded by powerfull friends : rewarded with deserving honours : yet finde an eclypse or contraction of light in all these , by some private discontent ; which by strength of assistants is in their power to redresse by revenge , but out of their noblenesse of spirit will not . this i could illustrate by many notable examples : where we shall finde one amiable enough for a consort ; and too accomplish'd for a prostitute , by him dis●valued , where she should be most honoured : disgraced , where she would be most approved . nor can this unhappy man alledge any cause why he should not love her , but because he is tyed to love her ; which tye and title of wife does so vexe him , as she can devise no way to please him : yet is not her diligence any thing remitted ; nor her desire to give content fore-slowed . divided beds cannot distemper her : she hopes in time to win him to her , and waine him from those , who have aliened his minde from her . nothing discontents her more than to be discontented : whatsoever shall happen , she stands prepared . o , but will some say , such a woman may be called rather a picture than a mirror ! an image made up of rye-dow . one who is either so simple , as she knows not the quality of a wrong : or so sheepish , as shee dare not say her soule is her owne . and such are neither fit for wives nor mistresses . for as fooles cannot at any time be troubled with mirth , because nothing that good is , can happen unto them : nor perplexd with griefe , because nothing that ill is , can seeme so unto them ; beeing as incapable of the one , as insensible of the other : no more can those apprehend the weight of an injury , either through weakenesse of spirit , or stupidity . whereto i answer ; that wee receive not here into the list of our discourse any such stoicall apathists , who are insensible of passion : for such were strange stocks to graffe on . yea , the o●conomick well observes , that a family through want of spirit in the governesse , is no lesse disordered than by too much spirit disquieted . in a legendary story is mention made of such a saintly sufferer , which for the rarity of the relation i have here inserted . there was sometimes one , who weary of the world , desired to waine himselfe from all secular cares , and betake himselfe to a religious privacy : so as , within short time hee was received into the covent . now it hapned one day , that this religious man walking alone in the garden , seemed as one much discontented : which the abbot observing , came unto him , demanding the reason of his heavinesse : willing him to impart unto him the occasion of his griefe , as became an inferiour member of the society to d●e unto his superiour . nothing , reverend father , answer'd he , concerning my owne particular : nor doth it repent me to have enter'd into this religious order : for i finde more comfort in one houre within these wals , than ever i could in all those possessions i injoyed in the world. but i must tell you , father , that i have one only sonne , which i left behind me , and very deare was hee unto me ; now i am much perplext in mind about him : for i know not how the world may deale with him . tender are his yeares , which addes to the measure and number of my cares . nor am i so confident of their trust , to whom i recommended him , as to free me from that piou● jealousy which i harbour in my breast touching him . advise me then , deare sir , what course were best to take , that my care may be setled : and his safety provided , on whom with equall hopes and feares the troubled thoughts of a father are many times fixed . is this your cause of heavinesse , said the abbot ? to rid you from these cares , and increase your hope in his succeeding yeares , send him to me , and see what effect will come of it . according to the abbots direction , he causeth his sonne , who , indeed , was a daughter ( which he dissembled for some reasons ) to be sent for . who , after some time of probation , was admitted to the society . now it chanced , that the daughter of an eminent person , not farre distant from that abbey , was got with childe , and for some private respects to her selfe best knowne , desirous to conceale the true father ; layd the childe upon this supposed brother ( who was indeed a sister . ) this saintly creature was so farre from defending her owne innocency , as she tooke unto it , as if she had beene the true father which begot it . the rumor hereof so highly incensed the abbot ; holding it to be a great scandall to his society , to have any one under his charge , conscious of such impiety ; as he straightly commanded that this adulterous person should be expulst the house : and to receive no reliefe , but such as common-beggers were wont to have at the gate . this censure she receives with patience , without least discovery of her innocence : and though diverse of the fraternity interceded the abbot in her behalfe : acquainting him with the piety of her fore-past life , with the patient suffering of whatsoever his reverend authority had injoyned her : yet would not the abbot relent , nor remitte any part of her punishment : nor ever be perswaded by all the meanes that could be made , to receive her againe into the covent . thus continued this simple innocent soule , free from that sinne , yet expos'd to all shame : relinquish'd by her selfe , because undefended : nor justifide by her father , because he had vow'd that her sexe should not by his meanes be discovered . till at last , death impos'd an end to her misery , and publish'd to all the world her innocency . the report whereof so highly perplexed the abbot : as he with the whole covent continued a long time sorrowing : not without admiration of her patience : recommending her memoriall to posterity for a recompence . this example when you read , i imagine , you will smile at ; and say , this wench had a kinde heart that could so meekely suffer for anothers offence : which argued in her , rather a senselesse stupid disposition , than any discreet moderation of passion . — and would you have us turne such young saints , and in the end become old devils ? no ; ( though this unexemplary president might deserve more admiration than politicall approvement ) we propose such whose conceipts are apprehensive enough , to weigh the quality of a wrong ; spirits stout enough to revenge ; and power enough to second that revenge : yet are endued with so noble a temper , as they held it their highest honour , to expostulate the cause mildly ; rather than with fire and faggot to menace a revenge , where they owe an obedience : and ought to overcome extremities ( so they be not above humane sufferings ) with patience . such an one as one of these , had that brave colonell ; who professed , that though he encounter'd with broyles abroad , he never found any brawlles at home : though he bicker'd with stormes by sea , he enjoyed a calme still by land. not like that fierce virago , who being married to a souldier ; ever used to welcome her husband home with a powder ; and being one day , in a more temperate mood , asked by him , why she used such liberty with her tongue , as after that manner to entertaine him still with such hayle-shot ? o , quoth she , i hold it good discretion , to inure you to what you must suffer : seeing your cares are so well acquainted with the noise of the canon abroad , you may well enough endure a little haile-shot at home ; words breake no bones , husband ; would to god , your enemy would use you so . that syracusan generall gave a strong testimony of his wifes temper , when in a publicke meeting , he protested : that he had in all his time found it farre more easy to discomfit a commanding foe , or demolish the strongest fort , than to overcome his wifes patience . albeit , there are many , whose discreet and well-composed temper can suffer all injuries ; imbrace poverty with a pleasant smile : receive any dis-respect from their dearest with incredible patience : yet , when their owne fame shall come to be questioned ; they hold that too precious a prize , too high a stake to bee hazarded . this was that noble roman ladies resolution : let me suffer , quoth she , in the height of fortunes contempt ; let that ambitious one , whom i most maligne ; receive those honours i should enjoy ; imbrace that person whom i love best . should i be enforc'd to begge reliefe from her hand , where i conceive the constantst hate : should i encounter with all the extremities that adversity could lay upon mee : all these were nothing ; so i may preserve that fame untainted , which i have hitherto preserved . fortune can but take from us what is hers : it is our actions only , or others injurious obloquie can deprive us of what may be truly and properly styled ours . no lesse absolute was she in the command of her passions ; who being one day in private discourse with a gentleman of excellent winning parts ; and one whose glib tongue could winne ground upon least advantage : was demanded by him , how she could brooke to heare her husband to be such a generall courter of fresh mistresses : and to boast of their favours in her presence ? o , sir , quoth she , all this is but to court me with more formality when he comes to mee ! i finde no faile in his love , why should i then distaste what he likes ? if he had more serious imployments to bestow himselfe on , i little doubt but he would asmuch sleight the courting of a light mistresse , as he now affects it for want of better imployment . if others bestow their favours on him , and he reserve his best favour for me ; it were my weaknesse to suffer others respects to him , to beget a jealousy in me . i neither reteine that meane conceipt of my selfe , as to conceive the least thought of his loving of any one better than me : nor have i any such opinion of his inconstancy ; as to imagine him desirous to preferre any one in his esteeme before me . thus have you heard their excellent temper in moderation of passion , with what indifferency they could beare the braves of fortune ; with what innocency they could beare the weight of injuries . how their fame was the only touch-stone of their patience : which secured , nothing so extreame , which they have not with resolution encountered , and with constancy subdued . which mildnesse begets in them a neare resemblance with that well-dispose feminine monarchy of bees ; for as the naturall historian observes , that their king has no sting as other bees have , reteyning such an offencelesse quality , as hee cannot sting any , sufficing himselfe with a princely clemency , to supply the place of soveraignty : so these hold it power sufficient to have had the power to revenge : and by their inferiour subjects to repell the insolence of a bold intruder ; holding it a derogation to their honour , to become a personall revenger . certaine it is , that no vertue more ennobles a rationall soule than this moderation of passion : nor deserve they either to manage any publique or private charge ; who cannot restraine these insulting motions , which so miserably captivate the better part : as by giving way to appetite , man though he retaine the name , he loseth the nature & prime priviledge of man. he only , and none but he deserves to be honoured , who is with goodnesse endowed . for foot-cloath honour , it is but an eye-object : it may exact of an humble passenger a low congy or salute : but his horse , for ought that i know , being so richly covered , deserves as much honour as he that rides on it . and no doubt with a little helpe of a cynicks lanthorne , it were very easy in this silken age to finde with aristippus , stones sitting on stones , and barbarous asses riding on barbary horses . but we have other surveys to take in hand : being now to descend from their moderation of passion , to their continency in assaults ; even to those , where they bore most loyall love and affection . section iv. their continency in assaults . opportunity is a dangerous attendant for youthfull love. and yet shall we present to your eyes ; such noble commanders of their desires : as neither opportunity of place , nor importunity of person , though affection had entered farre into their bosome , could make them dispence with honour . long had that roman sophronia beene importun'd by a deserving suiter ; one , whose youth might deserve love : and whose beauteous personage might have seaz'd of store of mistresses without much sollicitancy : one in whose eyes love sparkled : seeming to merit admittance without parliance . yet findes hee his sophronia of another temper , than to preferre her pleasure before her honour : she can addresse him this answer : what straying eyes have you observ'd in us ? what loose passage ha's there fallne from us , or wherein have you seene any argument of lightnesse by us ? that you should be so weakly opinion'd of us ? doe you know our family , and c●n you conceipt us forgetfull of our fame ? trust me , sir , either light thoughts have so mis-guided you , as you have quite forgot who we are : or some base trader , i might say , betrayer of womens honour ha's deluded you , by giving you incouragement to such an indiscreet attempt . returne home then , sir , i could wish you : and recollect those wits you have scattred : which done , it will behove you to begge from me a pardon , whom you have sought with so unjust an affection . it could not chuse but redound highly to scipio's commendations , that being a young man of 24 yeares of age , in the taking of a city in spaine , he should so nobly vanquish his owne affections , by repressing his flames of lust , when a beautifull maid was brought him , as a trophey of his victory : restoring her to a young man called allantius , to whom she was espoused , with a great reward , as an additament to her dower . yet for all this , it may be imagined with an easy glosse , that her honour suffered an assault : and that the maids repulse begot in that victorious commander a singular esteeme of her vertues . it is true , that darius wife and his three daughters , being spared by alexander , improved more his fame , than all those glorious attempts which ever he had atchieved . yet our criticks will not sticke to say , but they were attempted : yet so constant were they in preserving their honour , as neither majesty could command , nor beauty ( as what prince more amiable ? ) allure ; nor their owne present estate admit any unjust freedome to so commanding a suiter . but to prove unto you , that nothing is more incomparably precious than a continent soule ; and that conjugall love held such a firme tye even amongst ethnicks , as they preferred that gage before all tenders of sensuall love or fading honour ; i will relate here unto you one memorable story , to improve that sexes glory , and beget a pious emulation in posterity . cannia , wife to synattus , shall be the surviving subject of this story ; whom one synoris , a man of greater authory than he , loved ; and making no small meanes to obtaine her love , yet all in vaine , supposed the readiest way for the effecting his desires to be the murdering of her husband : which he performed . this act of horror was no sooner executed , and by the roabe of his authority shrowded ( as what guilt so hainous , but may receive her subterfuge from greatnesse ) than he renewed his suite , to which she seemingly assented : but being solemnely come into the temple of diana for celebrating those nuptiall rites , she had a sweet potion ready , which she drunke to synoris : wherewith both were poysoned . in which president , we shall finde rare constancy in an ethnick lady . honour , though it be a baite that is apt to take the most constant minds , could worke no such effect in her . the vow she had made to her first choyce , estranged her affection from all new favorites . she could finde no brest to entertaine him ; nor a love to receive him ; nor an heart to harbour him ; nor an arme to imbrace him ; who had embrued his hands in the blood of her dearest . no nuptiall rites can allure her ; no hope of honor delude her ; she holds fast to her first choyce without change. yet since this loving murderer must needs enjoy her , she will incline to his motion , and with a love-sick potion inshrine their livelesse bodies , without further enjoyment together . no other way could she finde to prevent it : and rather than she will assent to entertaine him for her constant lover , who was her husbands cruell murderer , the scene must be made truly tragicall , in both their disasters . admirable was the resolution of that noble captive ; who , seeing her husband not only discomfitted , but deprived of life ; and her selfe presented to the generall , as a booty worth receiving ; being for beauty so rare , as the age afforded not a fairer nor more goodly personage : so bravely sleighted her restraint , as she expressed her selfe more like a commander than a captive : if the generall at any time sued to her for love ; she would with a seeming gracefull scorne reject him telling him ; that neither her fame nor family would suffer her to play the curtezan : and if he meant to make her his wife ; she had not yet wip't away her funerall teares ; and therefore could not so soone entertaine any nuptiall treaties . she wished him to reteine a better opinion of her sexe , than to imagine womens honour to be as easily wonne as forts or sconces . nor could her present condition so discourage her , as to admit a thought for a kingdome , to impeach her honour . demand nothing of me , would she oft-times say , now when i am your slave , but what you might as well require if i were free . trust me , liberty cannot so much please me ; as losse of honour would afflict me . the one is in your hand to give ; and the other in mine to preserve . fetters are easy burdens to an infranchised minde . though my outward state be poore , i desire to keepe my inward state pure . lower i cannot be in fortunes , nor higher in esteeme with the immortall gods , whom i prize above all fortunes ; so i enjoy my selfe ; by freeing my unstained honour from the injurious hand of an unjust incroac●er . which resolution so well acquitted her ; as after those due solemnities observed for her deceased husband : she was received for a wife by the generall . no lesse constant in her vertuous affection was that noble maid ; who , having set her love upon a young gentleman , whose parts were many , though his fortunes few : her father taking notice of her extraordinary resp●ct towards him : and having divers times admonished her to forbeare his company ; but all in vaine : at last he resolved of a course , by bringing in an other suiter , in fortunes richer , though his breeding m●aner ; to weine his daughters affection from him . many weekes were not past , till the match was concluded ; the marriage-day appointed , and all things prepared to solemnize this enforced bargain . but how farre the young maids mind was aliened from her fathers choice , might well appeare by the answer she return'd her suiter , at such time as he made her acquainted how all things were concluded : is it possible , quoth she , that all things should be finished , and the party whom it most concerns , never acquainted , much lesse consented ? yes , mistresse , quoth he , i can assure you , your father and rest of your friends knew of it long since ; and your father thought so well of it , as he consented to it . ha's he so , answered she ? then it seemes you have his good-will ? yes , forsooth , quoth this country hoyden : why then , said she , pray you goe marry my father , whose good-will you have got : for you should wrong his daughter , to marry her whose good-will you have not . but all this could not decline her hard-hearted father from his rich unworthy choice . married she must be , and to her lasting discontent . which when it could not be prevented ; you shall heare what accident hence insued . the time being now come , when this inforced match was to be solemnized , and she to be given in marriage : even then when her unhappy father was to take her by the hand , and give her to her contemptible choice : instead of her hand , he received from her this answer : sir , expect no hand from me , for i cannot give it : having already sent it to him , who ha's most interest in it . enforce me then no further , deare father ; what joy can this heavy bridall afford that gentleman ; when he makes choice of such a consort , that ha's neither hand nor heart to give him ? and such an one shall he enjoy in me . my hand , behold , i have sent him ; and my heart i have ingag'd him . surcease then to afflict an unhappy maid with a supply of more discomforts . this sorrowfull spectacle ( having shown her right arme without an hand ) broke up that match . for by the persuasion of friends , her father was moved to give her in marriage to her first choice , with whom she lived in that content ; as she thought her hand well bestowed , to rid her of one whom she so much hated : and confirme her his , to whom both heart and hand stood religiously ingaged . those dainty dalmatian virgins shewed no lesse continency in resisting the assaults of their commanding enemies : who , when they saw their people discomfitted , their country depopulated , their principall ●ities demolished , and themselves captives ; were nothing at all amated . insomuch as , being lead away prisoners , one amongst the rest stept out and spake in behalfe of herselfe and the rest in this manner : whither do you dragge us ? what way doe you hale us ? should you deprive us , of what is most esteemed by us ; it were but a poore purchase ; seeing , our wils have vow'd even unto death to make resistance . take us then to your wives , and we will serve you ; whereas , if you make strumpets of us , we will hate you : and when you are most confident , take occasion to be revenged of you . which speech made their foes their friends : causing their profest enemies to become their sponsall consorts ; by turning their inveterate fury , unto an affectionate fancy : which procured their countreys safety , and published to the world their continency . full of masculine valour , and carefull of preserving their honour , did those scythian women beare themselves : when seeing their miserable country made desolate by an unfortunate overthrow : they thought good to keepe touch with their discomfitted and dis-slaughtered husbands . for having promised them , that if they were vanquish'd by their enemies , they would performe the duty of constant wives , and keepe their honours untainted in despite of all assailants . these constant dames no sooner heard of their husbands sorrowfull discomfiture , than resolved according to their promise , to preserve their honour : with one voyce and vote being gathered together , they conclude to have themselves shut up in severall places provided for that purpose , and there burned , and in their owne ashes buried together . there may be found likewise some of this sexe , who having yeelded up the forts of their honours upon faire tearmes , and as they conceived , for their owne advantage ; yet declined afterwards from that familiarity which they formerly imbraced : by forbearing their company , whom they seemingly affected : and this strangenesse proceedeth from some reasons either out of simplicity or pollicy best knowne to themselves . this makes me remember that merry tale ( to interveine mirth with more serious discourse ) which i have heard sometimes told to this effect . in the towne of brada ( a place which ha's ministred sufficient matter of discourse in these later times ) there were souldiers bill●ted for defence thereof against the enemy . these according to the freedom of their profession , continued there for a season in all jollity and pleasure : every one having his dainty doxy or damasella to consort with . thus they lived ; loved , and neighbourly conversed , till the enemy approached : whose incamping spoiled their courting . for being come before the towne , with a firme resolution , as they understood , to winne , or perish : those within the towne , fearing , as it afterwards proved , that it would be a long continued siedge ; were advised to remove from them all such as could not be usefull for service , as old men and women ; who if they stayed with them , would partake of their provision , but afford them no assistance in a time of such imminent danger . these old men and women , being thus disposed and privately conveyed to severall ports adjoyning : this sharpe siedge goes on : which fell out so commodious to the enemy , so disadvantageous to the towne ; as being blockt up from taking in any provision , they were driven into a great strait . notwithstanding , with much prowesse and constancy of spirit . they repelled the force and fury of their be●iedgers repairing by night what was ruined by day : and suffering no opportunity to passe wherein they might either offend the enemy , or defend themselves from his hostility . but seeing no possible hope of reliefe ; and an extreame famine drawing on ; having beene inforced , for want of better provision , to eate horses , doggs , and cats ; which begot diverse pestilent and contagious diseases within the towne : and having now their magazins so emptied , as their very last corne was in the oven . yea , taking notice how they were jeered by the enemy ; when at any time they came neare the battlements : using to put their canes in arch holes , and to counterfeite the noyse of dogs and cats , to delude them : by making them waite for their comming out , that they might take them and feed on them . being , i say , thus inclosed with all extreames , they resolved upon a parliance to yeeld up the towne ; upon such faire and honourable tearmes , as the least dishonour that could be , redounded to them : only , indeed , the towne was wonne from them , which was not lost for want of courage , but provision . and being now to leave the towne with antients and colours display'd ; and bullets in their mouth : one of these brave metald sparks , remembring himselfe how that sometimes before . siedge was laid to the towne : he was acquainted with a bona-roba ; and how she was disposed of in such a port : resolves with himselfe to repaire thither , and renue his former familiarity with her : but comming to the place of her aboad , he found the wind turn'd ; being received by her with an unexpected coynesse ; which he much wondring at , demanded the reason of her nicenesse ? putting her withall in mind of their former acquaintance , which might be an inducement to move her to tender him the like favour : no point , souldado , quoth she ; for me does much feare , you will get me with colt , you have eaten so much horse-flesh . what a strange countenance the souldier made upon this wantons answer , i leave to your conceipt who reades this : no doubt , but he went away with a flea in his eare , to purchase an other mistresse , and one more constant , if he might aspire to that happinesse . but to omit these , should we peruse the stories or records of all times , we should find admirable instances in this weaker sexe for resisting the bold attempts of loose suiters : being so constant in the defence of their honour , as neither price could betray ; nor prayer perswade ; nor power enforce their affections , to give way to the least breach of their continency : crowning ever their noble aymes with a cheerefull victory . but i am to descend now to the next subject : wherein it shall appeare that they have ever made honour their highest object : for in this may you see portrayed to life , not only their zeale to modesty , but their tender care to prevent all occasion of jealousy . no wandring eyes to hunt for a suiter ; no straying feet , like dinah's , to betray their honour . a modest countenance shall you finde without dissembling ; a comely habit , without phantastick affecting ; and a firme loyall love without apish toying : mine shall be the taske ; be yours the patience . we shall tender nothing to your modest eares that may possibly minister distaste ; much , if opinion transport me not , that may afford you benefit : and amply satisfy your longing appetite with a variously stored and well-furnished banquet . section v. their modesty in count'nance , habit , and expression of their affection . countenance . the habit or quality of the mind is best discerned by the carriage or composure of the body . a doe not say , saith that devout father , that you have modest minds , so long as you have immodest eyes . b how can she weep for her sinnes ( saith s. hierom ) when her teares will make furrows in her face ? with what confidence dare she lift up her countenance to heaven , which her maker acknowledges not ? &c. light habits suite not well with grave hearts : nor wandring eyes with setled minds . c these plaisterings and pargettings of faces to attract adulterous eyes , and to beget suiters , sort better with prostitutes and impudent strumpets , who make sale of their honour , than modest women , who preferre their fame before the sad fruition of all earthly pleasure . o , what a madnesse is it to change the very forme and mold of nature , and to esteeme more of a picture than a reasonable creature ! s. hierom writing to marcella saith , d that those women are matter of scandall to christian eyes , who paint their faces with cerusse and such like painting stuffe : labouring to correct their ma●●●r , and with an impudent hand to rectify the errors of their first feature . e such a picture , says s. ambrose , is a vicious imposture . f thou defacest the image of god , when thou deprivest thy count'nance of her native candor , and strivest to beautify it with an artificiall colour . nor can it move lesse than a pious compassion in the heart of any well-affected christian , to see such adoe made in patching and dawbing this outward cottage , which threatens ruine daily : and such neglect showne to the inner house , which communicates to the body , both life and beauty . petrarchs advice was otherwise : g be not affraid ( saith he ) though the out-house of thy body be shaken , so the soule , the guest of the body , fare well . h i would , i poor wretch ( saith tertullian ) might see in that day of christian exaltation , whether with cerusse , and purpurisse , and saffron , and such compasse of tyres about your heads you shall rise againe ? whether such an ornament or habilement shall plead for you at the day of judgement ? seeing then , as festus pompeius saith , that common and base whoores called schaenicolae used dawbing of themselves : i and that no good face will seeke these helps . k and that deservingly she incurres a censure , who seekes to improve nature by any shop-beauty or borrowed colour . l and that such affected rubbish or refuse as face-varnish , or any such exquisite neatnesse can no way suite with christian comelinesse . m and that there is one flower to be loved of women , a good red , which is shamefastnesse . n and that we are expresly forbidden to paint that face which god hath made . let beauty receive her improvement from no other hand than nature ; what mor● , fals of from modesty , and argues a light disposition . but in my opinion , nothing discovers lightnesse so much ; a● to make strange eyes familiar with the knowledge of your breast . no serious judgement can conceipt lesse than lightly of such exposed beauty ; which that epigrammatist glanced at happily , when seeing one of these amorous girles , who had no meaning to lead apes in hell , but would rather impawne her honour than enter any vestall order , attyred in a light wanton habit , and breast displayed , and this in lent time ; when graver attire and a more confined bosome might have better becom'd her ; he wrote these lines : nunc emere haud fas est ( est quadragesima ) carnes ; quin mulier , mammas contegis ergo tuas ? with breasts laid out , why should i shambles tempt ; " it 's held unlawfull to buy flesh in lent. that passage was worthy observance , being sometimes betwixt a bedlamer and one of these phantastick girles . it chanced that a poore distemper'd bedlamer meeting with one of these huffing wenchss in the open street , daintily accoutred , and stoursy ushered : * lucky besse , quoth he , ( seeing her breasts all bare as farre as modesty would well permit , and her armes naked up to her elbow ) art not a cold ? — well , god keepe thee besse and poore tom in our wits . — else must we returne to the place from whence we came , and receive whipping-cheere for our labour . her gentleman-vsher bearing this affront of this madman upon his madam with impatience , gave him the bastinado ; but his indiscret volour brought him to more dishonour : for the bedlamer feeling it smart , so belabour'd him with his horne ; as if he had beene hornemad : and i verily thinke , had beat him blind , had not the beedle of the ward happily come in to his reskue . dainty nipples ( said that excellent moralist to a wanton gallant ) why doe ye so labour to tempt and take deluded eyes ? must not poore wormelins one day tugge you ? must those enazured orbes for ever reteine their beauty ? must nature in such ample measure shew her bounty , and you recompence her love with lying snayres to purchase fancy ? these instances i the rather insist on , because there is nothing that impeacheth civile fame more than these outward phantastick fooleries , where the eye gives way to opinion : and a conceipt is convayed to the heart , by the outward sense : for , as by the countenance , piety is impaired ; so by the eyes is chastity impeached . where this is and hath beene ever held for an undoubted maxim : immodest eyes are messengers of an unguarded heart . the principall meanes then to preserve reputation , is to avoyd all occasion of suspicion . and forasmuch as we may suffer in our fame through trifles , aswell as motives of higher importance ; wee are to be cautious in the least ; lest we be censured in these , though we fend not in the greatest . ☞ lacides prince of argos , one , whose noble parts deserved that title , had he never beene advanced thereto by the suffrage of his people ; was accounted lascivious only for his sleeke lookes , and mincing gate . so pompeie , because out of an affected way , as was conceived , he used to scratch his head with one finger ; albeit very continent and modest . so augustus discovered the dispositions of his daughters , by the places where they frequented ; the company with which they conversed . the countenance which they shewed ; the manner of their carriage when at any time suited . lightnesse he found in the one ; and staydnesse in the other : while the one consorts with a ruffian , the other with a senator . now to follow our former method , and present to your eyes the modesty of sundry women , whose excellent parts as they merited high approvement : so their modest behaviour inlarged those additions of their honour . where you shall find a whole roman family so derivative in their vertues one to another , as every action deserved some peculiar attribute of honour , one of these you shall finde giving these directions to her daughters : wenches , be carefull of your fame : attire your countenances with modesty ; let not your outward appearance beget in a loose lover , least hope of prevailing . lookes are legible lines : men may gather by your countenance , whether or no goodnesse have in you any residence . nor can you so dissemble light thoughts , but they will at one time or other breake forth in glowing blushes , or immodest smiles . i have beene a consuls wife so long ; as by his absence i might have taken opportunity to enjoy an inhibited pleasure by communicating my love to a stranger ; but never was pleasure comparably precious to mine honour . trace you the same path ; so shall the elysian fields receive you , when these shady embleames of vading fancy shall leave you . another , though young , you shall finde of so composed a countenance , and constant modesty ▪ as when her friends had concluded a marriage betwixt her and a noble gentleman ; whom she preferred in her affection before all others : made no other semblance of joy , nor no other expression of liking than this : that she was bound to her friends for their choyce , yet so happy was she in her present condition , as she could hardly entertaine one thought of change . yea , at such time as her nuptials were to be solemnized , and her vowed affection sealed : and nothing wanted but the rite it selfe to joyne their hands together , as their hearts long before had confirmed that tender ; when her unhappy bridegroome was by an imperiall command called away to forraine servive , as if that sad occasion had purposely pitcht it selfe to decline their solace , and perplexe their loves with a tedious expectance ; she put on so cheerefull a count'nance , as none could gather by her outward semblance that she conceived any discontent by his absence . yet so constantly affectionate was she to her divided choice , as no distance of place could aliene her love , remaining of a votaresse ( yet ever reteining an unblemish'd count'nance ) till his returne . more easily to be admired than imitated was the modesty of that incomparable aemilia ; who , being one day invited to a sumptuous feast ; where , to delight the itching eares and wandring eyes of light guests , were presented sundry wanton passages : songs , whose very ayres resounded nothing but lightnesse ; obscene motions and gestures , which relished nothing more than wantonnesse : was asked by a merry gossip , who sat next to her , how it far'd that she laughed not at those revels aswell as the rest ? a modest dame ( replyed she ) should not so much as give an eare , much lesse afford a smile to an immodest sceane . habit . next to this modesty which many of our feminine mirrors shewed in their countenance ; we are to present unto you the decency they observed in their habit. which , as it was first ordained to keepe the body warme two wayes : by keeping in the naturall heat of the body : and by keeping out the accidentall cold of the ayre ; becomes so inverted by abuse , as it suites it selfe to neither of those necessities for which it was first ordained . but the phrency of pride suffers no cold . bedlam-like it can goe in slashes , to comply with times humour , and scarcely feele the distemper of any unseasonable weather . a mistresse eye is an antidote against a fever . here you shall have one to beare more than milo's bull , upon their shoulders . such a weight of jewels , stones , borders and carknets , as it seemes wonderfull to me ( to use the words of a learned father ) that they are not pressed to death with the burden they beare . others like so many pye-coloured butter-flyes , falling from silke-wormes , and changing their nature with their colour , disguise themselves in the lightest stuffs of vanity ; which kind of habit may be , indeed , truly styled the minds anatomy . with these nothing can be received into grace , that appeares grave : nor ought complete , that is not fantasticall . farre otherwise affected was that noble lady ; who , when a peere of this kingdome came to visit her , and seeing all those inner rooms of her house hung with black , demanded of her the reason of her sorrowing ? why , my lord , quoth she , ha's your honour slept all this while , and never heard how i was a desolate widdow ? yes , said he ; but it is long since your husband dyed , so as , by the custome of our nation , you might before this time have left off that habit. o , quoth she , but it seemes but as yesterday to me , since he died ; your honour then must give me leave to weare one livery both in heart and habit. why , replyed this lord , the very pagans had times limited for their sorrowing and funerall solemnizing . but we are christians , said she ; and though i weepe not as those without hope , yet must i needs with a pious sorrow bemoane the losse of so honourable an helpe . but admit one in my case were not to be an incessant mourner : you will confesse , i am sure , she should be a constant remembrancer . and though no profest votaresse , yet would it well beseeme her to make her chamber her cloister . now , my lord , for mine habit , though it please not the eye of a courtier , yet will it suite well with the humour of such suiters as i meane to entertaine . a richer covering i shall not need , and this i hope my meanes will maintaine . she seemed constant to her countrey weare ; who comming over into this island with other out-landish women ; was wished , to accommodate her selfe according to the habit of our nation : o , pardon me , madam , quoth she , i am neither so forgetfull of my owne countrey , as to put of her livery : nor so meanely opinion'd of it , as to change it with any forraine bravery . nor , if i should shape my selfe to the habit of your nation , could i any long time be knowne by it , being so changeable in her fashion . a divine answer return'd that excellent lady to an impertinent objection , when being one day asked , why she attir'd not her selfe to the fashion of the time ? o , sir , quoth she , because the time observes no fashion . but if you wonder at my plainenesse , and why i bestow no more cost on my apparell ; i must tell you , i can see no reason in the world that wee should pride us in that , which , had we not sinned , we had never needed . expression of their affection . next this , let us instance what rare modesty hath beene shown by women , in the expression of their affection . how loath to be seene to love ; and how faithfull to those they did love : how shamefast in their professing ; and how steadfast in their expression . i preferre love before life , said that noble aurelia to one of her maiden-sisters ; yet had i rather loose my life , than discover my love . the like said that sweet sulpitia ; i could finde in mine heart to dye for my love , so my love knew not i dyed for his love . the like said that vertuous valeria : i could wish to dye , so my clarentius knew not for whom i wish'd to dye . that brave burgundian lady expressed the like modesty ; i will passe by him , said she , and never eye him : my heart shall only speake to him ; for my tongue , it shall rather loose it selfe than unloosen it selfe to him . a rare expression of affection shewed that young maid ; who , seeing her lover deprived of all meanes to enjoy her by the aversenesse of his father : and understanding , how he had resolved through discontent to take his fortune beyond the seas , with a religious vow , never to solicit any womans love , for the space of five yeares : she , though till that time , she had ever borne him respect with such discreet secrecy and reservednesse , as no eye could ever discover her affection ; intended under a disguised habit , to accompany him in his journey . cutting therefore her haire , and taking upon her a pages habit ; she came aboord in the same ship wherein he was received ; and so continued during all that sea-voyage , by the helpe of that disguise and discolouring of her haire , to her lover , altogether unknowne . and being now arrived at the port at which they aymed , this disguised page beseeched him , that hee would bee pleased to accept of his service : pretending , that since his arrivall , hee had heard of the death of his dearest friends , and such as his lively-hood relyed on ; so as , he had no meanes to support him , nor in his present distresse to supply him , unlesse some charitably disposed gentleman like himselfe , would be pleased to take compassion of him , and entertaine him . this exil'd lover commiserating his case , tooke her into his service ; little imagining that his page was his mistresse . but no doubt , bore his late-entertained servant more respect for the resemblance he conceived betwixt his page and mistresse . thus lived they together for a long time : during which space , shee never discovered her selfe : holding it to be to no purpose , seeing hee had taken a solemne vow ( as was formerly said ) that hee would sollicit no womans love for such a time : so as , rather than he should violate his vow , ( which by all likelyhood hee would have done , had hee knowne who was his page ) she chused to remaine with him unknowne , expressing all arguments of diligence and carefull observance that any master could possibly expect from his servant . hope , which lightneth every burden ; and makes the most painefull service a delightfull solace , sweetned the houres of her expectance : ever-thinking , how one day those five yeares would bee expired , when she might more freely discover her love , and he enjoy what hee so much desired . but fate , who observes no order betwixt youth and age ; nor reserves one compassionate teare for divided loves , prevented their hopes , and abridged their joyes by her premature death . for being taken with a quartan-fever , she languished even unto death : yet before her end , she desired one thing of her master in recompence of all her faithfull service ; which was , that he would be pleased to close up the eyes of his page , and receive from him one dying kisse : and lastly , to weare for his sake one poore ring , as a lasting memoriall of his loyall love . all which his sorrowfull master truly performed : but perceiving by the posy of the ring that his deceased page was his mistresse : and that he had bestowed that ring on her , at such time as he departed from her ; it is not to be conceived , what continued sorrow he expressed for her . a story of no lesse constant nor passionate affection may be here related of that deeply inamoured girle ; who , though she preferred her honour before the imbraces of any lover : and made but small semblance of any fondnesse or too suspicious kindnesse to him , who had the sole interest in her love . yea , so farre was her affection distanced from the least suspicion : as her very nearest friends could scarcely discover any such matter betwixt them : yet at such time as her unfortunate lover , being found a notorious deliquent in a civill state , was to suffer ; when , all the private meanes by way of friends that she could make , prevailed nothing for his delivery : and shee now made a sad spectator of his tragedy . after such time as the headsman had done his office , shee lept up upon the scaffold : and in a distracted manner , called all such people as were there present , to witnesse : that hee who had suffer'd could no way possibly be a delinquent , and she innocent : for this heart of mine ( said she ) was his ; how could he then do any thing whereof i was not guilty ? nor could this poore distempered maid , by all the advice , councell , or perswasion that could be used to her , be drawne from the scaffold ; ever and anon beckning to the the executioner to performe his office : for otherwise hee was an enemy to the state , and the emperours profest foe . nor could she be without much force haled from the scaffold , till his corpse was removed . the historian gives a noble attestation of that majestick marcella : that none would ever have thought that she had loved her husband , till shee injoyd him ; but none more discreetly deare in the expression of her affection , after she had married him . but as vertue receives her proper station in the meane ; so all extreames decline from that marke . i have heard of some , who were so over-nice or gingerly precise in expressing their affections ; as they would not admit so much favour as a faire or equall parliance , unlesse he observed his distance , to their affectionate servant . these will not grant admittance to their suiters , to preferre their requests in their chambers . no ; they must be distanced by some partition or window ; or else wooe by prospective glasses : or utter their thoughts ( with the silent lady ) through canes or trunks ; as if affection were an infection . but this nicenesse tastes more of folly than modesty . those only deserve approvement , who can so season their affections with discretion ; as neither too much coynesse taxe them of coldnesse , nor too much easinesse brand them of forwardnesse in the ordering of their affection . this closeth fitly with those posies of two cursory wits writ in a window by way of answer one to another : she , she , for me , and none but shee that 's neither forward nor too free . which was answered in this manner , in a paralell way to the former . that wench , i vow , shall be my joy , that 's neither forward nor too coy . but thus much may suffice for instances of this kind : we are now to descend from the expression of their constant but modest love , to such as were corrivals in their affections ; which have in all ages brought forth tragick conclusions . section vi. the violence of some women us'd upon such as were corrivals in their choice : with examples . there is no maxime more holding than this : scepters and suiters hate competitors . agreeing well with that of the greeke poet : imperiall power and nuptiall bed brooke hardly to be rivalled . italy hath for many ages beene a tragick theater of such presentments . where you shall finde here a lady so violently strong in her affection , as her servant must have spyes neare him , if he court but an other mistresse : civile cu●●sies can hardly passe without some rackt construction . this fury , that passionate dame expressed ; when , having entertained a gentleman of excellent parts and worthy descent , to be her servant : and having enjoyed the freedome of their loves , with much familiarity for long time together : at last , by some report which shee had heard , or some other bad office suggested to her , she conceived a deep jealousy of her servant , that he begun to aliene his love from her , by setting it on such an amorous curtezan . time strengthned his conceipt ; for where suspicions of this kinde are not at first resisted , they become daily strengthened , and breake out into such fearefull issues , as they are very hardly without blood to be quenched . this jealouse dame giving free scope to her own thoughts ; contracted with a curious limner to draw the feature of that curtezan , as much to life as he could possibly doe . which done , she caused this picture amongst other pieces of incomparable art to he hung up in her lodging chamber . the next time that her favorite came , having free accesse unto her , entered into her chamber : where she had withdrawne her selfe ( purposely as may be imagined ) into a private closet adjoyning to that roome . meanetime , her unhappy servant taking a full view of all these pieces , amongst which having found out the picture of his curtezan , he bestowed his eye more upon it , than all the rest : which she observing through a cranie , and being not able any longer to containe her selfe , came hastily out of her closet where she had retired ▪ and having saluted her servant with a seeming-gracefull countenance as if all had beene well , she began to aske him in good earnest what piece he most affected , or ( as he conceived ) deserved most love ? madame , answer'd he , they are all excellent pieces , and such as have received all perfection from art : but to settle much affection upon a picture , where such a lady as your selfe is in presence , were to preferre art before nature . come , come ( quoth she ) you can dissemble daintily : — but tell me truely , whether this piece ( pointing at his curtezan ) ha's not nearest seasure in your heart ! and when he answered nothing : but i will procure a divorce betwixt you with this , ( quoth she ; ) and with that , ( having a poniard in her sleeve ) stab'd him . which fact of hers , as it brought to him a premature death ; so it hastened upon her a judiciall doome . a revenge of like nature , though performed in a fairer manner , was sometimes presented by that jealous florentine : who suspecting the constancy of her friend : and vowing revenge if it prov'd so : at last she perceiv'd , that the grounds of her jealousy were not without just cause . one day therefore she invites her corrivall to her house : where pretending , after a free and friendly entertainment , that she had such a curiouse antique piece to shew her , as the world could not paralell : she brought her to a private retyred room remote from the noise of eare , or recourse of any . where being enter'd ; madona , quoth she , shewing the picture of her servant ; doe you know that piece ? yes , madame , replyed she ; and what would you doe for his sake ? for i know well you love him . she , though shee began to excuse her selfe , could not satisfy this jealous lady : who transported with fury , to have any other to share in the object of her fancy ; interrupted her in these words : no more ; it is in vaine . your dalliance be it never so private , cannot shrowd it selfe from the eyes nor eares of florence . but as you partake in the fruition of his love , we will see what you dare to attempt for his love . if you deserve him , you will fight for him . your spirit cannot be weake , if your fancy be strong . though i might many times before this have prevented your usurped love by depriving you of life : and that in so private a manner , as no mortall eye were it never so piercing could discover : neither were my thoughts so base , nor breeding meane , nor family from whence i came , obscure ; as to stoope to such cowardize . i must tell you freely , you could not have bestow'd your love on any , whom i did more fancy , nor any one , if my conceipt delude me not , of love more worthy . but , madona , you cannot be ignorant of that proverbe : " love and command have ever had a care , " that none within their territories share . provide your selfe then , faire creature , for the encounter . here are a case of rapiers ; and the combat shall determine our titles . enjoy him both we cannot without distaste ; nor receive him without distrust . now , this will cure all distempers , and make him all yours , all mine , or neithers . and so it prov'd ; for this fatall femini●e duell , rest them both of their lifes : albeit , the one lived some few houres after , relating the sad occasion of their quarrell : and with what cheerefulnesse of spirit the combat was not only entertained but performed on both parts . no lesse desperate , but fuller of dishonour was the designe of that jealouse amorist : who hearing sundry reports of her servants inconstancy , would not at first be perswaded of any such matter , giving him all free entertainment , after her wonted manner . till at last , giving more easy way to credulity ; she began to examine the circumstances probably inducing to beliefe : and she found ( as shee conceiv'd ) sufficient grounds to confirme her suspicion ; and consequently a withdrawing of his affection . but desiring much to bee more fully satisfied touching his familiarity with that burgonesse , whereof such frequent report was every where dispersed ; she resolved to counterfeate a letter as writ from her servant unto her : and to the end all things might be with lesse suspicion carried , she used the helpe of her secretary , who could so nearely counterfeate his hand , as comparing them together , none could scarcely distinguish them . the purport of her letter was thus : mistresse , your servant hath ever addressed his loyall'st endeavours to serve you . that taske you could never injoyne him , which was not with all cheerfulnesse intertained by him . his friends and fortunes he ha's neglected to observe your commands . madame , d'alveare ( meaning her selfe ) suspects my intimacy with you . this cooles her affection , and contracts my hopes of aspiring higher , for obtaining any place in court. let it not grieve you then , deare lady , if to salve my repute , which is highly questioned : and re-assure me of my friends , who seeme much estranged : i retire for a season to vienna , where a merchant hath tender'd me all faire acceptance . yet , before my departure , i shall desire in some private place free from suspicion to meet you this evening . where we may both enjoy ourselves with more liberty , and secure our loves from the eyes of jealousy . nor only this ; but to be advised by you , what course may suite best with my present fortunes , and recovery of both our credits ; which i must tell you freely , are brought upon stage in such a disgracefull manner , as no subject of discourse within the city stands more ingaged to rumor . be pleased then , in lieu of those many devotions , which i have payd you ; those constant vowes of affection mutually received from you ; those unwilling farewe● taken of us both ; those faithfull remons●●ances returned by us both : to signify unto your servant by this bearer , my trusty agent , where we shall meet by the assisting secrecy of this evening : when and where you shall find a constant resolution winged with desire addressed to your attendance . this letter she made up and sealed it with her servants signet , which she had got out of his pocket : and with all secrecy , lest her plot should be surpriz'd , and come to discovery , she delivers it to a faithfull vassall of hers , to be conveyed according to direction . upon receipt of which letter , it is not easy to imagine how variously her thoughts were divided betwixt hope and feare . feare to forgoe one whom she so unfeignedly lov'd : hope , to perswade him by the reasons she might use , to stay . howsoever , she resolved to returne him an answer , which she addressed after this manner . servant , in the enjoyment of which title i have ever joyed ; upon the unripping of your letter , and perusall of the character , i cannot expresse unto you how infinitely i was perplexed . the paper tels me you must leave me : and my thoughts have ever-since answer'd those unwelcome lines with sighes , and told them you cannot . no ; you cannot ; if love or loyalty may confine you . the precious gage of my dearest honour detaine you . those free imbraces of our securest privacy countermand you . o! but you tell me , many eyes are on us . rumor ha's spred it selfe freely touching our familiarity . nay ; what is more ! your own fortunes become weakned ; your friends estranged ; all off the hookes , by reason of our familiar recourse . nay ; what most afflicts you ; your complete madame d'alveare grows coole in her love to you . and these are the motives that must divide you from me . faire pretences ! and yet knew you the estimate of love , you would as lightly value these , as i have valued mine honour to cloze with your content . neither are you so wanting either in friends , or fortune ; should these who beare the countenance of friends relinquish you : as you may not receive a supply from friends as eminent , farre more constant , and to the full as cautious of their honour , as your dainty madame d alveare . let not these then decline you from continuing affection where you professe : and from contemning their proffers , who merit lesse . i have left noble friends and favorites , to remaine wholly at your devotion . offers of preferrement , if they could have wrought on me , i had plenty : yet were all these weake inducements to the eye of fancy . but i will not upbraid you with the neglect of my hopes : nor the numerous favours of those gracefull suiters , who tender'd me more if i would have inclined , than my owne wishes could have expected . let it suffice you , that none can more constantly love you , than she who ha's abandoned all her hopes to enjoy you . this very evening betwixt seven and eight of the clock , at my garden-house i intend to meet you , where shall bee provided both repast and repose for you . your welcome you know ; my true heart you know : let not my freedome in these beget in you a disesteeme . my bosome is only for you , let me receive like approvement from you . this letter madame d' alveare receives ; which hastens her intended revenge . longer did not the day seeme to that corrivall , for the injoyment of her love ; than it seemed tedious to this inraged lady , to accomplish her revenge . which she performed with an act of horror in this manner . receiving benefit from the silence and secrecy of the evening , a little before the time appointed , she privately repaires to the place ; where she shrowds her selfe closely in a tuft of shady tamriks standing neare to the garden-house : expecting still her corrivals approach . which hapned all too soone . for comming to open the door , this revengefull lady having her backe towards her , pistolld her : using these words to aggravate the quality of her crime : dainty madona , your lover now at last ha's found you to be true pistoll proofe . but dye they must , who hands in blood doe dippe , gods judgements well may sleepe but cannot slippe . and so it fell forth with this cruell lady , who surprized by divine justice , suffered a just legall censure for committing a fact of such horror . but of far larger extent was her revenge ; who being satisfied of the disloyalty of her affectionate servant : under a faire and friendly pretence , invited him and her corrivall to a banket : where in diverse sugar plates she had caused poyson to be inclosed : with which she not only dispatched those two , at which principally her revenge was intended : but her selfe too , to the end that tragedy might be more completely closed . other instances i might here produce from our owne pale : but these may already seeme too many , being personated in natures of so sweet and pliable a quality . neither let these unpleasing examples distaste them , seeing our pen is addrest to returne them recompence in this their modest defence , here prepared for them . section vii . their modest defence . no age but may bring forth presidents of clemency and cruelty in both sexes : there have beene ever tares in the purest wheat ; cockle in the soundest graine ; rankest weedes amongst freshest flowers . these were indeed , savage acts for such supple natures . but if the wisdome of nature ( to speake like a naturall man ) hath provided for the poysonous spider her caule : give me leave , without the least apologizing of error , much lesse defending actions of such horror , to weave a thinne cob-web vaile in a modest defence of such , who , even in these designes though undeservedly have incurred high censure . it is an excellent rule which that sententious seneca sometimes observed , and to our use recommended : i had rather ( saith he ) offend by speaking truth , than please by playing the flatterer ; or palliating an untruth . and the same rule shall it be our care religiously to observe . for where pennes are free and not ingaged to any ; truth must consequently bee the argument of their story . there is small doubt , but some will as highly reprove lucilia for loving too much , as livia for loving too little : both were ( equally ) occasions of their husbands deaths . yet was there as great difference betwixt these two effects , as betwixt love and hate . phedra and dejanira , both of them brought their husbands to untimely ends . yet what the one did , was purposely done , to be rid of him : what the other did , was casually done to rid others love from him . good intentions many times produce heavy events . and now and then , mischievous plots comicall ends . some have had their impostumes cured , by their weapons , by which they were wounded . others have had their wounds impoisoned , where they expected to bee cured . olympia , mother to that great commander , the invincible alexander , could not but thinke it ill in her to preferre so unjust a suite to her sonne , as to request , nay conjure him by so many motherly obligements , to send forth his command that one , and he an innocent one , but much hated by the queene , should be forthwith executed : yet was the effect hereof good . for as her noble sonne disswaded her from pressing any such unjust suite : so it made him more cautious afterwards of entertaining any suite , which his mother preferred , through the injustice of that presidentall one which she presented . mandanes , did ill in disclosing her dreame : for it plotted the ruine of her son : yet the effect proved well : for the exposition of that dreame made that privy councellour of state , harpagus , to provide for the safety of the childe : and by the providence of heaven , to raise a flourishing empire out of a shepheards cottage . againe ; of the contrary side : clitemnestra thought she had done well for the safety of aegistus , when she privately hid him , when those grecian heralds summon'd him ; those fatall warres of troy called for him . yet what safety could there be in the armes of adultery ? a fearefull revenge prevented their hopes ! no sooner was that long tenne yeares siedge finished , unhappy troy ruined ; that light dishonour'd booty , the hatefull remaines of vitiated beauty , wanton helen restored , than aegistus his shamefull retire was fully revenged . the unfortunate agrippina , whose birth was her bane , whose race was her ruine ; thought she did well in fitting and accommodating her sonne , that monster of men , for an empire : yet happy had that empire been , if it had never known such a son . his education prepar'd him to comply with time : to ingratiate himselfe with senators and plebians . to affect popularity : and to cover the craft and cruelty of his nature with a seeming clemency , and gracefull majesty . thus may you see , how good intentions may produce ill effects : and some mischievous plots good ends . some by loving their husbands ( or to use that complementall garbe ) their servants too well , have by their too much love ruined both their servants and themselves . some desiring to please , have made them perish whom they sought to please . like that over-kind duck who perceiving her sweetheart to be tiklish , and thinking it to bee a pleasure , tickled him so long , till he burst his very spleene with laughter . now take a review of all those tragick examples , which in our last section we presented to your sight ! was there any one of those induced to shed blood for any hope of honour ? filthy lucre ? or any other pleasure , save only to become sole soveraignes , or absolute commanders of their own love ? their plots were ; not to bring in an empire ; usurpe immerited honour , or to send their eyes abroad , to hunt for new favour . their desires were confined , their affections closed ; their goale obtained : so they might but enjoy , without sharers , those whom they so infinitely loved . content is worth a crowne : and this crowne they held themselves seaz'd of , so long as they possest their owne . their owne , you will say ! but you relate but of few such unto us . these whom you have brought forth for such examples , had their bosomes open to more than their own corrivals in others affections , as well as their owne . which as they fell into fearefull extreames , so were they enlivened by unlawfull desires . it is true ; yet are we in charity to collect , that if they so highly valued stolne fruits , they would much more prize such as were lawfully enjoy'd . you have heard sufficient store of arguments and presidents touching their continency in assaults ; their constancy to their owne . with what equanimity they have borne all extreames to expresse their loyall hearts . hope of fortunes could not tempt them ; baits of honour could not taint them ; youthfull pleasure could not take them . they continued widdowes in the absence of their husbands . resembling snayles in the carriage of their houses : but roes in dispatch of their businesse . whence it was , as i conceive it , that the romans had a custome , that when any of their maids were married , they were to bring their houshold stuffe with them , being such as was by their friends bestowed on them ; which being brought to their bridegroomes house : they were likewise to follow in their waine or caroach ( according to the quality of their persons ) and at the tressall of the doore , to breake the wheeles of the waine , and to put off their shooes ; implying , that from thenceforth they were to be house-keepers and no gadders . and such constant house-wifes have we here offered to your imitation . plato in his dialogue entitled symposium or a gossip-meeting , by way of fiction , ( which rellish best when they arise from a pure and refined invention ) describeth the difference betwixt two kinds of venus : whereof the first was more antient , brought forth by the heavens , whom vertuous men doe follow : the second much younger , begotten betweene iupiter and dione , whom wicked men doe serve . which fiction , as it is not without delight , so neither is the morall without fruit . ye modest ones , for to you only is our lampe dedicated , are these who are brought forth by the heavens . your thoughts are fixt on that spheare from whence you came . it is not on earth that can depresse you below your selfes , be your fortunes never so dejected : nor on earth that may transport you , because your desires are higher seated . when you love , that love of yours is so purely sifted from all loose love ; as it confirmes you nothing lesse than divine . when you hate , that hate of yours is so farre from all extreames : as you have an eare no lesse ready to heare a submission , than a tender heart to seale their pardon . when you give , you give chearefully ; when you forgive , you forgive freely . you cannot heare any one defamed , but with an averse eare and declining heart , you leave the relater to himselfe : or disswade him from dispersing such reports : or stand in defence of their honour whom you heare traduced , especially , when their absence leaves them unjustified . when any light object labours to suggest an impure thought to your unblemish'd minds : you take a wise course ; you give it a repulse at the first assault : left getting enterance , it plead possession : and disturbe the whole family by her intrusion . thus by making heaven your object ; whatsoever is lesse than heaven , you make your subject . your speech , likewise is so seasoned ; that nothing is uttered by you , but what is true ; knowing , that the ground of every speech should be verity ; nor any thing with vehemency pressed , but what may redound to civile profit ; knowing , that the ayme of every speech should be vtility ; nor continued , but with a pleasing sweetnesse ; knowing , that the grace of every speech is affability . you thinke twice before you speake , and may be demanded twice before you answer . you are not like our forward gossips , whose tongues make themselves thralls . discretion ha's so regulated your speech , as it ever stands at distance with lightnesse and spleene . your words , unlike many of our feminine discourses , reteine more weight than wind ; they are like nayles fastned by the elders of the assembly ; such is their efficacy . they are like apples of gold with pictures of silver ; such is their propriety . all your dialect is regulated by the rule of charity ; you scorne to speake that of another , which you would not have another to speake of you . your discourse differs far from that talkative orator , whose use was to powre forth an ocean of words , but a droppe of reason . or like that impertinent speaker , of whose studied but stupid speech this judgement was given : that the shortnesse of it was the discreetest part of it . no ; there is not an accent breath'd by you , but it dignifies you : because preparation fits it : and an unaffected dresse beautifies it . in a word ; that which is a blemish in others , becomes an incomparable grace to you . for as you never minister occasion of discourse without cause ; so you never close it without maturity of judgement and pregnancy of conceipt . your actions , are so pure from staine , as they represent the purity of your state . your workes desire not to be clothed with vailes of darknesse . you consider how that all-seeing eye is over you , from which , though adam fly to the bush , sara behind the door , no , should the mountaines offer themselves for a shrowd : yet in vaine is such retyre : no place can hide us , from his eye that is ever over us . it was seneca's councell to his friend lucilius , that whensoever he went about to do any thing , he should imagine cato or scipio , or some other worthy romane to be in presence . this rule you observe ; you conceipt with your selves in the sacred silence of your hearts , which are so close from the affections of earth , as they only aspire to the contemplations of heaven ; that the eyes of all good men , no , even of those who are become saints , of men , are upon you . your desire is only to please them , who are only pleased with the object of goodnesse : being pythagoreans to all the world , and peripatetians to christ ; mute to all vanities , and eloquent only to christ. you follow the counsell of a mellifluous father , and of a wise morall : by setting alwayes before your eyes some good person , to the end that you might so live as if he were ever looking on you , ever eying you . there is no young gallant that need encounter you in those tearmes which that cautious cavaliere did in erasmus to his wanton mistresse : are you not ashamed to do that in the sight of god , and eye-witnesse of his holy angels , which you are ashamed to doe in the sight of men ? but now to take a view of these errors , to which your sexe becomes most ingaged : or at least , for which you are many times innocently traduced . this free speaking age will not stick to taxe you of ambition : and wherein must this consist but in your desire of precedency before others of your sexe ; and soveraignity over such as should be your heads ? and these will tell you of an ancient custome , which if you observed as you ought you would not transgresse that law of obedience so much as you do . and this was ; that when at any time a couple were married , the soale of the bridegrooms shooe was to be laid upon the brides head : implying , with what subjection she should serve her husband . but me thinks , this rituall embleme or emblematicall rite was too much underfoot , to be observed by one that should be esteemed an equall-individuall mate . she came from his side , not from his foot. and though she be not to walk checkmate with him , yet when her check shall meet with him , it cannot chuse but both appease him & please him when any thing shall distemper him . there are some likewise that will say , how your ambition clozeth not only here : your darling ayme is honour ; you could love him that suits you , if he could bestow a new stile on you . the title of madame highly takes you . nor is there any vanity that pleaseth more by playing on your fancy , than the naked complement of lovely lady . i have heard indeed , some of your sexe so affected ; but alas , this was but an harmelesse ambition . of which humour , that honour-inamoured damasella seem'd to be , who in that generall-grand call of knights , finding in her husband an unwillingnesse to accept , as she conceived , of that honour ; so farre at last prevailed with him by strong reasons and high relations of the honour and mirror of knighthood , as she perswaded with him to entertaine it . but upon his returne home , having understood , how he had payd for what he got not ; and disburs'd money for that he had not : she entertained the poore pilcherd with a bastinado : telling him withall , that though his dungrell spirit would make her no lady , her fury should make him know what she desired to be . truth is , such an innate evill is the desire of honour , as that person who affects it not , is of a rare temper . and yet that brave girle seemed to be one of these ; who being ladyfide , by an honour conferred on her decrepit husband : presently upon report of it , thus replyed : trust me , a cullis were farre more soveraigne for my spent husband , than any honour . for tell me , quoth she , speaking to the messenger ; will all this he hath gotten , restore in him nature ? will it cure in him his dry cough ? distillation of rhume from his head ? that perpetuall defluxion in his eyes ? will it strengthen his back ? will it make him bend lesse in the hams ? will it get me with boy , which his seere stock could never yet do ? if his late-purchas'd honour may produce these effects , i shall hold it worth acceptance : if otherwise , be it what it will , i shall hardly admire it , much lesse embrace it ; seing , a poste is still the same , be it never so neately painted or pargetted . an other error you are likewise taxed of ( as what sexe or degree so innocent , which the freedome of a calumnious tongue may not traduce ) and it is , your usuall frequent to court-maskes and other publique state-shows : where you use purposely to present your selves , a pretty time before any such shows are to be performed , in hope that some amorous lord , or some other complementall court-sparke will take you into some with-drawing roome , to court your beauty , and so ingratiate himselfe within the easy lists of your fancy . so as , you come not thither so much to see what is there presented ; as to be amorously courted , affectionately suited ; all which is with such yeelding silence and pleasing smiles redarted , as they hold you wonne so soone as you are wooed , tainted as soone as you are attempted , soiled so soone as you are assayled , ent'red so soone as you are assaulted . others likewise report you apt to take affection upon the moving of any personall action . if you come to a play-house , and there chance to see an active roscius breathing life in his action : you presently feele a glowing heate in your veines . you could finde in your heart to bestow the choice of a lover on such an actor . weake-grounded malice , to vent it selfe on such loving frailties ! injurious tetters to femall honours ! because their sweet pliable natures are such , as they can find no harbour for hate ; must they therefore be tax't , because their love breaks forth into too much heate ? these deserve so little answering , as if they had no other advocate , even nature her selfe would plead for them . there be some likewise who say ; that as you are commonly light in the choice of your love : so are you in your love as subject to change . if your affection be for youth ; though it best please you : yet you can seemingly bestow it on age , though nothing more displease you . and these effects those lovely fortunes of his loathed love worke in you . and what is all the employment you take in hand , after such time , as you have given him your hand and heart , ( but with no good heart ) but how to cosin him ? your use is , they will say , to give your old chrone a sleeping powder ; that you may take the keys of his treasure from under his head , the sooner , and so , long before his death , make your selves his administrators . you love him , but only in hope of a day will come : when you may freely make such an one his heire , who may suite better with your affection , and in requitall share freelier in his fortune . these will say too , that you bedew your husbands corpse with stepdames teares . those funerall flowers which bestick and bedeck his hearse , cannot be so soone with'red , as your grief●s are vanished . you bury your sorrow with him : neither is that sorrow your owne , but borrowed . a new-husband is formalled , before your old one be formally buried . now ; what poore traducements bee these ? might heathens have their times limited for mourning , and must yours be everlasting ? some will affirme too , that in comparison of men , your desires are more unbounded ; and this , they say , even our owne moderne chronicles have sufficiently confirmed . but we finde bodin worthily taxed for writing that caesar in his commentaries should say , that the englishmen of his time had but one woman for ten or twelve men ; whereas indeed , caesar never said so , or could say so , for that he never knew or heard of the name of englishmen ; seeing their comming into britaine , was ( as may be clearely computed ) almost 500 yeares after his death . againe ; what might be the reason , will some object , why the serpent first tempted the woman rather than the man ? and this question ( ever to your disadvantage ) is no sooner , say they , proposed , than resolved by chrysostome . women are naturally unwarier , easier , and frailer . so as , in that they are unwarier , they are easilier deceived ; in that they are easier , they are sooner to good or evill perswaded ; and in that they are frailer , they are the sooner vanquished . for this cause therefore would not the devill assault the man , but the woman ; for asmuch as he knew , that a woman was sooner deceived , because unwarier ; quicklier perswaded , because easier ; and sooner vanquished , because frailer . but this objection i have so clearely assoiled in the very first subject of this booke ; as i shall little need to stand in your defence any further touching this particular . only thus much may suffice : there is small question to be made , but the serpents cunning knew well that he might by all probability soonest prevaile upon the weaknesse of a woman : yet albeit , she was first tempted , and tainted so soone as she consented : the man was as soone perswaded by the woman , though she infinitely lesse subtile than the serpent ; as the woman , though the weaker vessell , was by the subtility of the serpent . but we will passe from these , to those obvious reproofes which the present vanities of the age lay upon you . some here , amongst other objections , which groundlesse spleene is ever apt to suggest , and calumny with swift wings to disperse ; will say that ever since that time , that your teeth watred at the apple , they have ever watred at forbidden fruit . a licorish and luscious tooth hath ever since that time seazed on you . and were this all , it were to be borne with . you cannot see a proper piece of flesh , promising performance ; no dapper youth , whose strong sinnewy posture confirmes him an able complete lover , but your eye wooes him , and in so hote a chace pursues him , as though your tongue be silent , your sight is attractively eloquent . but what would these criticks have you doe ? would they have you shut those beauteous windows ; and to open them to no object that may delight you ? is there such a necessity that you cannot looke on him , but you must lust after him ? if there be any rare or prodigious monster to be seene ; we flock unto it , and bestow our money for the sight of it . and is it lawfull for us to fix our eyes with such greedinesse on a monster : and unlawfull for you to delight that pleasing sense with a beauteous object of nature ? yea ; but will these say , we direct not our censure nor judgement only by the eye ; we have other arguments to evince them of lightnesse : for goe to these late-licentiate pattentary sedans : you shall finde them shrowded there for strange arrands . though their couches have windowes to eye spectators ; they would not for a world wish that which the philosopher sometimes wished : to have windowes in their breasts , that the whole world might transparantly looke through them . poore corky fooles ! these can see nothing wagge , but they must p●epe here , and peepe there , and thinke it is actaeons shadow : whereas , it is only the shadow of their owne deluded fancy which inthrals them to this misery . nor doe these only taxe you of a various lightnesse in respect of your change , but of a jealous doubtfulnesse towards your owne choice . if you gossip it , none must question it : whereas , if they , good men , to allay a tedious houre , or drowne the disquiets they suffer at home in a cup of lethe , keep abroad late , they must be called to a strict accompt , and pay a new reckning , after their mispent day , in the evening . nay ; you will tell your innocent husbands , when , god knowes , there is no great cause to suspect them : that you know by your payles , what way the milk goes . whereas , if any rightly knew the integrity of your thoughts , they should find that such jealouse surmizes were the least of your thought . no ; you did never so much as suspect them , nor conceive any such opinion of them : for having such sensible experiments of their weakenesse , you knew well , there was no cause at all in that way to traduce them . it was your desire that late distempers should not abridge their daies , and make you widdows before your times . it was your ayme , that your husbands should preserve their fame : that they should not fall under the hazard of the halbert , or the uncivile salute of a peremptory watch. besides , alas ! it is your fortune , sometimes out of meere simplicity , to misconster the quality of an error . as that good gentlewoman did , who desiring to heare how a young student in cambridge and her kinsman , behaved himselfe in the university : and inquiring of a collegiat of his how he did : i can assure you , mistresse , quoth he , that he holds close to catharine-hall . i vow , said the gentlewoman , there was no vice that i so much feared in him as that , for the boy was given to wenches from his infancy . thus tooke this good simple woman , catharine-hall for some dainty damsell which he constantly haunted , whereas it was a collegiat-hall , which this young student so affectionately loved , and where he so studiously frequented . but let us go on with these ungrounded calumnies ; and discusse the strength and solidity of them to the bottome . some of these timonists , or feminine tetters , taxe you of unbounded pride : these pencyle out your borders , habilements and embroderies ; your toyes , tyres and dressings ; your wimples , wyres , and curlings ; your paintings , poudrings and purflings . these , say they , make your fathers patrimonies to shake , to maintaine your bravery while you are maids : and makes your husbands mannors , to doe you service , passe the alienation office. alas , poore girles ! if you appeare carelesse in your dresse , you are quickly taxed of discontent ; and if neate in your dresse , you are censured of pride . what you doe ( i freely appeale to your selves ) is to please the curious eyes of your husbands : and perchance to prevent the worst : for should they see you sluttish , who knows not , but it might beget instead of loving you , a loathing of you ; and consequently , make them hunt after new mistresses : which would ruine all , by making such a breach , as scarce time could repaire , or the remainder of their declining fortunes redeeme ? it was the opinion of lessius , that in some cases women might use their painting and poudring without sin : first , if it were to the intent to cover any blemish or deformity : secondly , if the husband commanded it , to the end his wife might seeme more comely in the presence of others : which was likewise the expresse opinion of alagora : that to adde more beauty , were it by apparrelling or painting , yea though it were a meere work of art , and colourably deluding , yet were it no mortall sin : confidentely maintaining the use of painting , grounded upon these precedent respects . but i shall not desire that my lampe may give light to that line , which may seeme to give fuell or foment to any light love . the age is apt enough to sacrifice too many precious houres to idolatrize such a shrine . my ayme is only in a faire and just defence of your imitable actions , to wipe of all such injurious aspersions as calumnious pens shall or may lay on you . in which taske , i hold my oyle so much the better bestowed ; for that i am confident that whereinsoever you are defective , you will labour to supply it , by perusing this and collecting hence what may truly make you most amiable and accomplished . in the meane time , it shall be my constant opinion ( nor doe i feare that there shall bee found the least sprinkling of heresy in it ) that these stigmatick spirits , who have steep'd their pens so deep in gall , have sometimes received some occasionall scars from the worst , which ha's made them so causelesly , and without exception to invey against the best . for these ( as i conceive ) have unhappily got a blow on the shins with a french faggot , or fed too freely on a neopolitan rabbet . these are they , and only they , who stick not to say , if you be old , you are lothsome ; if young , you are gamesome : you can scorne them that love you ; love them that scorne you . you can play the snakes , shrowding your selves under the freshest and fragrant'st flowers : but you have a sting to dart upon every state. you can play the syrens by tuning your voyce , to allure the amorous passenger to vice : but sleight you these malicious affronts : you have within you to secure you ; which will so highly improve you , as you remaine perch'd above the compasse or reach of scandal . yet is not all this which hath been hitherto spoken in your defence , so to secure you ( for so should i delude you ) as to disswade you from standing upon your guard . there is in no place security , brave ladies : neither in heaven , nor in paradise : much lesse in the world. for in heaven the first angell fell . whence esay : how art thou fallen from heavē , o lucifer , son of ●he morning ? for he fell under the very power of the deity . adam in paradise , the place of all delicacy . iudas in the world , from the schoole of our saviour , the seed-plot of all sanctity . in one word , are ye maids ? you have your patterne in a dor●as . are ye wifes ? you have your patterne in an esther . are ye widdowes ? you have your patterne in a iudith . these , though dead , their memories live : and by their lifes prescribe you how to live ; that living as they liv'd , and doing as they did , your memories may live when you are dead . and so i descend from their modest defence , well becomming creatures of such divine excellence , to their witty aphorismes , apothegmes and answers ; which i shall illustrate in sundry choice and select instances . section viii . their witty aphorismes , apothegms and answers . too strait and narrow was the confine of his shallow conceipt , who wish'd his wife to have no more wit than to goe out o' th' raine . it seemes , he had a desire to ingrosse it all to himselfe , and to suffer his wife to have small or no share with him . but such a consort were a poore helpe . we shall here finde creatures of an higher pitch : such , who knew how to allay the discomforts of a perplexed husband by their wise and sociable sharing with him in his affliction . others so nobly composed , as they scorned to stoup to the lest thought of basenesse , when crushed with the greatest weight of affliction . others so far from coynesse to those they lov'd , as to their highest hazards , they not only exprest it , but suffer'd for their affections . others such kind loving turtles , as they could not endure to lose the presence of their owne ; or to conceive any defects or infirmities in their owne : and though all beside themselves distasted them : yet were their true affectionate thoughts ever individually knit and cemented to them . others , who could make such excellent use of their decayed beauty ; as they made it their embleme of mortality : begetting no lesse veneration with their riveld age , than they did affection with their enamor'd youth . instances in each of these we shall take occasion to offer unto you , with such witty aphorismes , pretty apothegms , and pithy answers ; as may infinitely delight you . and first , of such as could apply comforts and cordials , seasonably to their disconsolate husbands , when surrounded with objects of approaching misery . ☞ theogena wife to agathocles ( of whom we have made honourable mention elsewhere ) shew'd admirable constancy in her husbands greatest misery : shewing her selfe most his owne , when he was relinquish't and forsaken of his owne : and confirming her true affection with this resolution : that she was not given him to leave him , or to share with him only in prosperity , but in what fortune soever should befall him , to keepe him company . the like constancy of love , and comfort in advice shewed sulpitia to her● , when she plainely told him : what , though fortune leave you , she who loves you best , and whom you should love best cannot leave you ? should you be wholly miserable , she will part stakes wlth you , to make you lesse miserable . secondly , for such , whose brave and well-composed temper would not suffer their masculine spirits to stoupe to any disasters : we shall furnish you with imitable patternes in that kinde : a lovely lydia , who could with medea in the tragedy , expresse her selfe nobly , and make death and danger the least of her feares . who can be forc'd , she knowes not how to dye ; honour knowes how to suffer , so doe i. this that brave-spirited martia shew'd good proofe of , curing all threats with this exquisite receipt : i know well how to pay my debt to nature , but i hope i shall never know , how to ransome life with dishonour . thirdly , you shall finde such , who were so farre from coynesse to those they lov'd , as no danger could decline them from their embraces , to whom they had sacrificed their affections . this that incomparable marcella well discovered ; answering such as advised her to bee more reserved in her love , with that elegant poet , in this manner : non here conveniunt , nec in unâ sede morantur majestas & amor — love coynesse hates , as birds distemper'd weather , " for love and majesty suite ill together . this that constant chariclea expressed to her dearest archas ; when in a tablet she caused this to be ingraven , to confirme her resolution , in despite of all opposition : may i sooner leave to live , than my archas whom i love . in the fourth siege , ( though they deserve an higher place ) shall you see presented such tender-hearted turtles , who held it a punishment worse than death , to be deprived of the presence of their owne : no object could delight them , being reft their sight whose affection only inchain'd them . of this ranke both divine and humane stories render us two examples : the one is that of caja tranquilla , who ever used this apt posy for a bride-bush , to her royall spouse caius tarquinius priscus ; where thou art caius , i am caia . the other , that of ruth unto naomi ; whither thou goest , i will goe : and where thou dwellest , i i will dwell . ☞ this that noble lady armenia , ( whom we have formerly mentioned , and whose memory cannot bee too much revived ) with a princely modesty seconded ; when being invited to king cyrus wedding , went thither with her husband . at night when they were returned home , her husband asked her , ( amongst other curtaine parliance ) how shee liked the bridegroome , whether she thought him to be a faire and beautifull prince or no ? truth , saith she , i know not : for all the while i was forth , i cast mine eyes upon none other , but upon thy selfe . nor could some of these conceive any such defects in their husbands , as were more than manifest to the senses of others . so as , when one of hiero's enemies reproaching him with a stinking breath : he went home and question'd his wife why she told him not thereof ? who answered , shee thought all men had the same savour . which confirmes what plato sometimes affirmed : the lover is ever blinded with affection towards his or her beloved . no lesse gracefull than loyall was the answer of that young bride to her husband ; who being borne of the scottish borders , & married to an englishman , was demanded one day by her husband , whether , if she were to play the souldier , she would fight for her owne nation , or for his ? as i ●all , quoth she , ever an aye acknowledge my husband for my head , so god forefend that i sud crack the allegeance i owe to the head of my husband . ☞ some aphorismes there be , if they may merit that stile , who lose much of their state , by their too weake discovery of an anacreontick spirit , and rendring themselves too light . that wench was of a more amiable face , than admirable conceipt : who having enter'd marriage with a tradesman , and afterwards entertaining too familiar acquaintance with a knight ; by whom , as it was suspected , she had children as well as by her owne husband : stickt not to aske this wise question at a gossips feast : put case , a woman having issue by a knight , with whom she was acquainted , as well as by a man of trade , to whom she was married ; whether those children shee had by the knight , might not take the wall of those she had by a man of trade ? or , being to be made apprentices , whether they might not be freemen before their elder brothers ? a reverend old bencher , the very first night that he went to bed to his lady ; she sent forth a shreeke ; and being asked the cause ; how could i doe lesse ? said she ; if the embraces of an husband be so cold , what coldnesse shall i finde in the armes of death ? that amorous tomboy was a kinder trout ; who , though she had no competent portion , yet had she a competible proportion , an incomparable affection . she , one day , upon a loving enterview , debated the matter with her sweet-heart in this sort : sir , i cannot conceive how you should love me , seeing you spinne out so much time , when you so shortly may really enjoy me . you make much adoe in getting of a portion , whereas with lesse adoe we might beget a christian. had i more , you should enjoy it : having lesse , your joy should be no lesse , in enjoying me with it . that girle approv'd her selfe an expert and experienc'd artist for repairing the decayes of a broken tradesman ; who being rudely encounter'd by one , who shew'd himselfe more haughty , than his state was weighty ; more sensually light than suited with his gravity : sir , you 've lent me your pulse , and i have found your disease . — now , the best receipt for any one who pines away of a consumption in the bowels of his estate , ( of which distemper i finde you labour ) is store of monopolian gold decocted from a pound to a noble ; and to take such a quantity of this in a broath from sixe mooneths to sixe mooneths . a precious cordiall to make rich heires , and rare teares at a funerall . that hote brain'd calacute shew'd himselfe of too italionate a temper ; whose wife being surprized with an extreame fever , which drove her into so a violent a distemper ; as the fury or phrensy rather of her disease , forc'd her to discover many things she did , and ( perchance ) more than she ever did . he , after her recovery , believing what her distraction had intemperately disclosed , willed her to goe along with him to his countrey-house : where , upon his departure from her , he was pleased to use these words unto her : madonna , here i intend to leave you ; for i must tell you , i love your roome more than your company , such is my affection . and i replied she ) preferre rome before your company , such is my devotion . that haplesse malecontent fell upon a desperate conclusion ; who , having relinquish'd his owne bed for the embraces of a a strange woman : and in a melancholly fitte , taking a pinte of white wine and mixing it strongly with mercury ; willed his curtezan ( as ever she lov'd him ) to drinke halfe unto him : she , whether out of a servile feare , ( or which is more rare in one of her condition ) out of a reall love , drunke it to him ; which he with an active hand stirring , to make it more powerfull , pledged and drunke it of to the bottom . she , to expresse a care of his life , as she had formerly tender'd to his love ; having in readinesse some sallet-oyle with other soveraigne receipts to repell poyson , mixed them in another pinte : willing him ( as ever he loved her ) to pledge her annother health ; but his desperate melancholy would not accept it : while she , no lesse desirous to live ; than tender of his love , drunk it , and recover'd by it . but to leave the suburra , and approach the temple of viriplaca ; a place of more peace , and in the eye of goodnesse deserving more praise . ☞ the last , though not lowest , because furthest divided and estranged in their thoughts from earth ; are those , whose decayed beauty , though it h'as divorc'd them from youthfull affection : yet hath the constant opinion of their goodnesse purchas'd to their rivell'd age , a reverend estimation . this appeared in that sometimes faire bellingeria's excellent apothegme : though our beauty bee despicable in the eye of youth : our rivels are venerable in the eye of age . though we lose that which our beauty did gaine , opinion : yet we retain that which our beauty might have lost , reputation . what divine use that excellent eugenia made of her decayed beauty , may be gathered by this expressive aphorisme : sometimes i made my glasse a corrector of my face : now i make my face the corrector of my life . nor is it possible i should forget my grave , beholding so many graves ( meaning furrowes ) in my face . we shall finde aphorisms , apothegm● and answers of another nature , and a rising from a lighter temper ; lesse serious , but no lesse ingenious . this that pretty pert girle expressed in her quicke answer to her mother ; who being reproved by her for looking so boldly on mens faces , saying , that it became maids to be bashfull , and to looke upon the earth , and for men to looke upon maids . no , mother by your favour , quoth she , it rather becomes maids to looke upon men , and for men to looke upon the earth . for as man is to looke upon that whereof he was made , that is , the earth : so is a maid to looke upon that whereof shee was made , and that was man. shee came nothing short of this girles boldnesse , occasioned by her own lightnesse , who after such time as shee had too freely plaid the wanton , left the child which she had brought forth to the care and charge of the parish : and being rebuked for it , saying , shee was unthankfull , so to abuse that place where shee had received so many curtesies : o , quoth she , no such matter ; i have in this rather showne my selfe every way ready to tender a requitall , than any way ungratefull : for in this , i resemble the storke , a bird of a thankefull nature , who ever leaves one of her young ones in the house where shee breeds them to the owner . ☞ that witty wench return'd to a dunse in a cassocke as shrewd an answer ( though she ever reflected more religiously upon her conjugall honour ; ) who telling this maid , that women were at best but necessary evils , and that they were never needfull to any but in time of necessity : whereas the lord stood in need of such as him . truly , quoth she , i highly honour your place , yet did i never read that the lord stood in need of any thing but an asse . that well-meaning wife knew right-well how to shape her husband a reply : who , when her husband told her that it should be progresse time for a season with him , and that they might lye apart , because it was dogge-dayes : well , husband , ( quoth she ) but i hope there are no dogge-nights . no lesse to purpose was that good wifes answer to that chimick doctor : who , telling her what rare experiments his sublimated art had extracted from the philosophers stone . and that kelly ( that austrian captive ) was but to him a puny in that mysterious secrecy : and that , he would not only make her pots , pipkings , kettles , land-irons with all her other utensiles , pure indian gold ; but convert her selfe too , if she pleased , into the very same mettall , and not only colour , but cover her quite over with gold : o no , by no meanes , quoth she , good master alchimist ; i had rather be covered with a little good flesh , than all the gold of the indies . of such present flashes and flourishes of feminine wit , we might here in large our selves with variety of instances ; but these for a taste , may serve at this time for a sufficient repast . hence it may appeare that our endevours have beene imployed , not only to expresse their maturity of judgement , which i● of highest worth ; but likewise their pregnancy of conceipt , an infallible argument of a mother-wit . from these are we to descend in order , to the last but not least improvement of their honour : their eminent labours ; and how they were assistants in the exquisitest workes that have beene formerly composed , eyther for history or poesy . which relation will redound no lesse highly to their glory . section ix . their eminent labours ; and how they were assistants in the exquisitest workes that have been formerly composed , eyther for history or poesy . such men , who have casten their lots in faire fields , by making choice of such consorts , whose vertues confirme them mirrors , and whose lives are lines of examples unto others ; finde hymen smyling , nay shining on their nuptials all the yeare long . whereas such , who cast their lots in barren fields , by joyning hands to sensuall brides , brothell-beds : who are nothing but voyce or ayre ; with a small portion of skin-deepe beauty to practise on deluded sense , till it grow weary . the bodies of such men , i say , begin to undergoe mezentius torment , living in the embraces of the dead till they dye . for as death holds in his power all that is past , governs all that is present , and pretends to governe all that is to come : the very like soveraignty ha's death over these who have enwreath'd and embath'd themselves in such loathed embraces . dead they are to all former comforts , for those are vanished : dead to all present comforts , for these are from them estranged : dead to all future comforts , unlesse their earth be with heaven exchanged . the stomack , ( to use the words of an experienst practist ) resembleth the good man of the house , and being the cause of all concoction and digestion , must be fortified and strengthened , by being kept temperately warme , retentive , and cleane , without oppressing humours ; not empty , or fasting , being nourished by it selfe , more than by the reines ; and lastly in appetite , whereby digestion is sharpned . their stomacks are of a strong concoction , that could digest wenches of such an humerous condition . but i shall spread a table dished up with creatures of another nature , choycer temper , and such , as with modesty and majesty can tender you a boulster lecture . not a smyle but implyes state ; no light smyle that may imply a staine . in these you shall finde ( to use verstegens words ) a restitution of decaied intelligence in antiquities , concerning their owne nation . and lest i should keep your stomacks too sharpe , or tyre your patience with too long preambles , i present here unto you their catalogue . zenobia , ( to begin with a princely patterne ) after the death of her deare spouse odonatus , though a barbarian queene , yet by her reading of both romane and greeke histories , with other memorable relations , suting well with the passage and posture of those times , so mannaged the state of that rich and free city palmyra in syria , as she retained those fierce and intractable people in her obedience : and in a princely privacy , reserving ever some select houres for perusall of philosophicall politicks , oeconomicks , naturall and morall philosophy , discourses of history ; all which held good 0correspondence with her majesty , she a bridged the alexandrian , and all the orientall histories : a taske of no lesse difficulty than utility ; whereby she attained the highest pitch of wisdome and authority . the like inward beauty upon her sexe , bestowed that vertuous cornelia , mother to the victorious gracchus ; who , as she was an exemplar or mirror of goodnesse and chastity ; so by the improvement of her education to her children ( the lineall branches of so hopefull a succession ) she exprest her selfe a noble mother , in seasoning their unriper yeares , in the studies of history , poesy , and philosophy . next her , portia , brutus his wife ; cleobula , daughter to cleobulus , one of the seven sages of greece . the daughter of pythagoras ( to leave rome and descend to samos ) who after his death governed his schoole ; excelling in all humane learning ; and afterwards , to give the world a further testimony of her chastity , as well as ability ; erecting a colledge of virgins , shee became sole governesse or guardinesse of it . what shall i say of theano , daughter to metapontus , a disciple of the same sect ? of which name there were two ; both highly enriched with all knowledge . the one a learned woman of crete , and wife to pythagoras : the other the wise of antenor , who was the priest of pallas . what of phemone , that mysterious sibyll , who first gave life to an heroick verse : and in exquisite composures ( amongst other propheticall raptures ) recounted the memorable actions & occurrents of her time ? what of sulpitia , calanus his wife , farre wiser than her ill-advised husband , who before great alexander , feeling himselfe sicke and distempered , leapt into a great fire and there was burned : for she left behind her most soveraigne precepts touching wedlock , with the relations of that age , in a most proper and elegant style ? and hortensia , daughter to that most famous orator hortensius , who for copiousnesse of speech , gravity or weight of sentence , gave a living lustre to her lines , a succeeding ●ame to her works ? and edesia , borne at alexandria , one of such infinite learning , sweetnesse of disposition , as she was highly admired by those that lived in her time : and amongst other excellences ( to make her more accomplish'd both in forraine and moderne affaires ) singularly read in histories ; then held a study worthy the entertainment of noblest ladies ? and corinnathia , who is reported to have surpassed the poet pindarus in artfull and exact composures : contending with him five severall times , ( as may be probably gathered by the testimonies of the ancient , and such as were happy spectators of those glorious duello's ) for the laurell chaplet or coronet , usually bestowed upon such ingenious followers and favorites of the muses ? and paula , seneca's wife , a matron not only improved by his instructions , but highly inriched by the benefit of her owne proper studies : ever reserving some choice houres for the perusall of such relations , as either in those or preceding times had occurred . so as , we may very well gather , whence the ground of her husbands griefe proceeded ; whence the source of his sorrow was derived , in bewailing the ignorance of his mother , not sufficiently seasoned in the precepts of his father : by reflecting upon the abilities of his paula , whose discourse for history , morall philosophy , and all humanity appeared so genuine and proper , as her very name conferred on her family a succeeding honour . lastly , ( that i may not dwell too long on these feminine features , memorable mirrors , lest their diligence should taxe some of our trimmer ladies of their supine and neglectfull errors ) argentaria pollia , or polla , wife to the heroicke lucan , is said to have assisted him in the apt and majestick composure of his verses : being no lesse rich in fancy , than hee himselfe when most enlivened by a poeticall fury . nor did she restraine her more prosperous studies , only to dimensions ; being no lesse conversant in historicall relations , with other humane sciences , than poeticall raptures . such as these might make good companions to pray with , to play with , to converse or commerce with . these make the cheerefull beames of every day breake forth , as if every day were the solemnization of a new marriage day . these with an averse eare listen to the apocryphall verses of those fondlings , nor can they credit them , when they heare them : primus erit mensis mellitus origine sponsis , proximus extinctas sentit amore faces . first moneth's an honey moneth unto the bride , next moneth all fondling must be laid aside . these have no knowledge of any such proverbiall experiments . for so much estranged were they from fondnesse ( an error too familiar with new-married cooples ) as their discretion could never incline to any such lightnesse . their youth never admitted youthfull parliance : nor stouped to any uncomely dalliance . their affections were not grounded on sense , which made them to bee of longer continuance . for those loves quickly expire and dye , which receive their onely infusion by the eye . if thou wilt believe thy eyes , sayes loves lecturer , thou givest credit to thy betrayers ; thy spirit will suffer a thousand paines and confusions : thou wilt take lookes for azure mountaines , because that distance and proximity deceive the sight : a river may also deceive thee in its course , till a branch or strawe informe thee what way the streame goes . so may the glo-worme delude thee with her burnisht skales , and with a counterfeate shine surprize thy sight . know , i say know ( if at any time , any such adulterate beauty shall seaze on thee ) that this woman , this sin-●eered curtezan ; who seemes for●ally perfect , gulls and abuses thee . yesternight she slept ugly , and this morning is adorned with that beauty that thou so much praisest , so highly prizest , and yet she holds it not but by hire . if thou hadst piece-meale examined her , thou would'st have found nothing but prinn'd cloth , parget powder and plaister ; and to begin her anatomy at the head , the haire she weares came from the periwigge-makers shoppe ; for her owne was blowne away with an ill-wind that came from naples ; and if any remaines , she dares not shew it , lest it should accuse her of the time past . her eyes have no other browes than those which a pencill makes . nor her face no other colour than that of painting : 't is an old idoll newly painted over , and yet it is no little wonder to see a picture have motion : and she is such a one , who hath almost found the secret of that famous negromancer ( that pretended to grow young againe , by shutting himselfe in a glasse-violl ) since that all that which hath made her appeare so faire , as thou speakest , comes from the alembick waters , esseno's , and painting . if she would suffer her face to be washt , thou wouldst know her no more , she would be hideous unto thee ; rivels and ridges would each where encounter thee : and were it not for the confections she eates and the perfumes she weares , her mouth and feet would quickly make thee stop thy nose ; if thou shouldst kisse her , all thy lips would be stuck with oyle and grease ; embrace her , and she is nought but past-boord , canvas , & whale-bone , with which all the body of her gowne ( the better body of the too ) is stuft , to repaire the faults of her proportion ; and when she goes to bed , she leaves upon the table ( at her beds-feet ) halfe of her person in putting of her cloths . upon what then is thy bleered judgement founded , that thou findest her so accomplish't ? thy eyes have they not betrayed thee ? admire thou thy ignorance , and know ( not to trouble my selfe with this womans imperfections ) that most of the rest of the sexe ( meaning such only as have ingaged themselves to shame , and exposed their honour to sale ) are but beasts full of pride , who triumph over the simplicity of men : and that even those who seeme to be worth somthing , bring a thousand sufferings to those that seeke after them ; so that at the end of the account , the expences doe always arise to more than the principall . and to make thee despise the embraces of these kind of creatures , put before thy eyes that secret infirmity , to which nature hath so often subjected them ; and i believe thou wilt entertaine a profitable disdaine , and repent that thou ever lovedst a thing so vile and hatefull . by this , we may collect how miserable that love is which draws breath from a deceiving sense : whose beginning , as the best of it is but fonding , so the issue thereof is many times seconded with distaste and revenge , closing their once pretended , but now vanished love , with an easy forgetfulnesse . for none takes greater pleasure to bee revenged than a woman , when she revenges her selfe on her discarded friend or favorite ; and to play with advantage is the most pleasing and greatest vengeance that can be taken . and that they are apt to forget , who is it having eyes , and sees not ? experience will tell you , that she ha's seene one , that with her right eye wept for her dead husband , and with her left laughed to her living friend . but wee have reserved our lines , and bestowed our oyle on better subjects . for even to descend to our own moderne times , we shall find store of noble ladies , who are enriched with such unequall abilities , such matchlesse indowments both by art and nature , as they have deservingly acquired , and constantly reteined that select style of the wits . their desire is , to have their muses rather buskin'd than busked . sweet and dainty ayres are the attendants of their eares . high and heroick measures those treasures , which they desire to store ; and which give an incomparable grace to the theatre of our state . these are they , who hold houres of such estimate ; as they cannot endure that the least minute should expire in vapour , or spend it selfe upon perfume or powder . yea , with some of their precious darling poems have i sometimes encounter'd , wherein i found couched such a priority of art and conceipt , as they matched if they outstrip't not many of our most ambitious and laurel-assuming labours . others we have , who though they be not altogether so happy for strength of fancy ; yet are they no lesse usefull in an other faculty . and these bee such , as read principles of huswifery to their well-ordered family . these will never spend , where discretion bids them spare ; nor spare , where reputation bids them spend . these know how to command without domineering , how to mannage the charge of an house without mutining . these can welcome their husbands home with an affable smyle : and can put on the same count'nance in the entertainement of his friend , without a thought of ill . these , though their care be great ; yet so modest are they in arrogating ought to themselves , as they ascribe the good carriage and dispatch of all things to their husbands wisdome and providence : holding ever the approvement of his fame , to be the improvement of their owne . if at any time , these be given to read ; they make right use of what they read . they read not to dispute , but to live : not to talke , but to know . humility ever keepes them company , both in gate , speech , looke , and habit. they are circumspect whom they consort with ▪ ever remembring that true maxime : tell me with whom thou conversest , and i will tell thee what thou art . to prevent the worst , they addresse themselves to the best , converse with the best : bestowing all houres of the day upon some proper imployment . for they finde more by reading , than their own practick declining , that all loose and effeminate infirmities proceed only through idlenesse ; for where that is , lust findes easy accesse . so saith petrarch in his triumph of love. where observation may informe every cautious reader , lest through indiscretion he deservingly suffer ; that a man ill-married , may boast that he possesses in the person of his wife , all necessary qualities to be put into the list of martyrs . whereas , these , whom we here discourse of , are so far from making their husbands suffer , as they esteeme it their highest honour , equally to close with them in the harmony of their comforts ; and to allay the surcharge of their griefes with the sweetnesse of their temper . this the poet in the person of cyrnus cheerefully chanted : than a good woman nought can sweeter be , thou cyrnus knows 't , be witnesse then with me . in one word then , brave and noble-disposed ladies , be it your care to be the same we have described you ; so may you amply requite us for this service wee have done you . finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a16650-e16020 motive 1. opposite 1. motive 2. opposite 2. nec me meavincula terrent . carcere clausa suam modulatur avicula sortem . — sic carcere canto . boccase . viduae , defuncto primo conjuge , comitantur oculis funera siccis . viduales lachrymae citò numerandae . m●la●nd . epigram . lib. 1. the wind-fall . motive 3. opposite 3 a cuckold with a witnes . motive 4. the 〈◊〉 conditi●n of the m●sco●ian women . barclay's icon animorum . cap. 8. opposite 4 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . homer . 11. ☞ ☞ * th●se foure cardinall vertues are resembled by s ambrose to those foure rivers which issued from the foure borders of th● garden of paradise . in li●de paradiso . c. 3. prudence . justice . temperance . fortitude 1 sam. 6.19 . 2 king. 20.13 . the like mortification ap●eared in that virgin eugenia , during the ●ontificate of leut● cri●● . rex apum non ●abet aculeum ●um quo potest pungere sicut coeterae apes . plin. solusbonus est ●ono●and●s . arist. 4. ●t● . quint. curt . lib. 3. a aug. de christ. fide. b hieron . ad furiam de vid. serm. tom. 1. c cyprian de discip . & hab . virg. d hieron de exitu leae . e ambros. he●am . lib. 6. cap. 8 f ibid. g petrarch . de remed . utriusque fort . h tertull. de hab . mul. c. 7. i pet. mart. in 2 r●g . 9.30 . k scult . l hieron . m 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 &c. nazian . con . mal. immodice comp●as . n clem. constit. apost l. 1. c. 9. d●m●ar . ●p●g cent. 1. cl●m . alex. 2 paedag. it is an usefull observation : satans infections shoot many times through some great star the influence of damnation into lesser bodies : as may be discovered by these tragicall instances . pind. maluerim veris offendere , quam placere adulando . sen. de clem. cap 1. nolan . 3. bern. de vita solit●ria . sen. ep. 11. epicurus . l●ssius de i●stitia & ●ure , l●b . 4. 〈…〉 . 802. pet. al●go●a in co●pend●o m●nu●l ●a●arr● , c. 2● num. 19. ●ol . 257. esay 14.12 . bern. ovid. the loving and loyall answer of a young-married bride , to her husband , touching the late rumor of our scottish warres . iuvenilem vul tum amisimus , senilem cultu● atsigimus . this clozing section is illustrated with examples of incomparable constancy , judgement , ingenuity , in that excellent history of philocl●s and doricl●a . einacque di otio e di lascivta humana . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . theog . the excellent woman described by her true characters and their opposites dorrington, theophilus, d. 1715. 1692 approx. 475 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 168 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2007-10 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a39031 wing e3838 estc r21842 12407710 ocm 12407710 61440 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a39031) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 61440) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 276:7) the excellent woman described by her true characters and their opposites dorrington, theophilus, d. 1715. [9], xix, [3], 304 p. : port. printed for joseph watts ..., london : 1692. the dedication signed: t.d. attributed to theophilus dorrington. cf. nuc pre-1956. "licensed and entered" errata: p. [3] in third pagination. advertisement: p. 304. reproduction of original in university of chicago library. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng women -early works to 1800. 2006-10 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2006-10 aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images 2006-11 emma (leeson) huber sampled and proofread 2006-11 emma (leeson) huber text and markup reviewed and edited 2007-02 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the excellent woman described by her true characters and their opposites . licensed and entered — london , printed for joseph watts , at the angel in st. paul's church-yard , m dc xc ii. to the excellent and much honoured lady , the lady mary walcot . madam , there is not any thing that can recommend vertue to the world , with so much force and advantage , as the examples of those that eminently practise it . vertue is like beauty in this , that it has peculiar and nameless charms , in the living original , which no art can possibly represent in the draughts or descriptions of it . but 't is the great unhappiness of the world , that these excellent examples are seldom very numerous : and none but those who live within the sphere of their converse , can have the benefit of their influence : and , which is yet a greater disadvantage , perhaps several of these , like your ladiship , do love and chuse retirement . in which case they can be seen but by few . all that we can do then for the rest of the world , towards the making them in love with vertue , and the perswading them to court and seek it , lies in these following things . we must present them with as exact a draught and picture of this beauty as we can , in the clear and distinct explications of vertue . we must add to this , the most fitting and advantageous dress , in giving it the becoming illustrations and deserved praises . and it may further conduce to our purpose , to draw also , and set near the former , the deform'd characters of the opposite vices ; which , like a black-a-more by a fair lady , will set off the beauty to more advantage . thus much , i presume , is tolerably perform'd in the following book , which is greatly ambitious to obtain the honour of your ladiship 's approbation . besides these , there is but one thing remaining , that can be serviceable to our purpose : but 't is that which seems as necessary and conducing as all the rest that we can do . and that is to assure the world , that the excellent draught , or picture we have made , is the description and character of some real person , who rather excels , than falls short of the representation . without this , the skill of the representer may be admired , but the thing represented cannot ; when it is not known , that there is any such thing really in being ; and so the design of the labour would be lost , and the end frustrated . when we propose a person , in whom those excellent characters of vertue may all be found , and that with advantage ; then we make it known , that the precepts and rules prescrib'd , are not notions but practice ; they are not only what ought to be done , but what is done ; they are not invented , but are raised fr●● observation . when we can mention an excellent example , we confute that prejudice which deters the cowardly and mean spirits , from the pursuit of vertue ; who represent it to themselves , as too strict in the rules of it , as a thing in imagination only , and as too difficult , or even impossible to be put in practice : and we do that which will inspire the more generous souls , with a spirit of emulation ; and kindle , in all such , a brave ambition to imitate and equal , if they can , what is so excellent and commendable . it is for this , madam , that i have made so bold , as to set your ladiship 's name to the front of this book . 't is well known of your ladiship , by all that have the honour and the happiness of your acquaintance , that the best characters here are no more the description of an excellent woman , than they are characters of you. and they will all bear with me this testimony to your worth , that wherein soever this description comes short of the subject , it might be perfectly compleated by one that were able to compleat your excellent character . to the instances of particular vertues in the body of the book , i had a desire to add an universal one. this apology , madam , i ought to make for my interrupting your better employment ; for venturing to publish those vertues to the world , which your ladiship does seek to conceal ; and for ascribing those praises , which you are as unwilling as deserving to receive . i hope you will be pleased to pardon that , which a zeal for the honour and advantage of your sex has inspired ; and suffer me to subscribe , madam , your ladiship 's most humble and devoted servant , t. d. the preface . to the female sex , i present you here with a piece of morality , wherein you have the characters of vertues and vices ; drawn , indeed , with design to recommend the one sort , and to expose the other : yet i think it is done with sincerity too , and that there needs no more but to represent these things truly for both those purposes . the book , i am sure , would most effectually recommend its self to you , if you would take the pains to read and consider it well ; and compare what it says , with the common practice of the world. this is the best way to know fully how vseful and important to you those intimations are , which are here presented . but since this cannot be known without such an use of it , and especially those who have most need of these instructions , will be apt to neglect them , i think fit to say some few things to recommend the reading of it . it is design'd and directed to serve the honour and happiness of the female sex , who are perhaps the larger half of mankind ; and who doubtless are , or may be , as important , at least , as the other i cannot chuse but think , that the glory and worth , and happiness of any nation depends as much upon them , as upon the men. and , perhaps , others will be of my mind , if it be consider'd ; that we are born of them ; that we commonly derive from them what we are in our nature , more than from the other parent : so far as this does depend upon the frame of the body , which is not a little , it is form'd in the womb. we are beholden to our mothers vertue and good disposition , and wise ordering of her self for our natural inclinations to any vertue , for the calmness of our temper , for the brightness of our wit , for the regularity of our constitutions , and for the strength of our bodies . and on the contrary , from their exorbitant passions we are disposed to great passions ; and from their ungovern'd appetites , their intemperance and other vices , we often derive the strength of vitious inclinations , a crazy constitution , and a weak body ? but further will their influence upon the world appear , if we consider that invincible , and vniversal law of nature , which inclines the other sex to love and seek their conversation and company . from hence it must needs follow , that their influence upon the men , may be commonly as great as they will. their example will effectually lead us ; we cannot chuse but put on some conformity to those whom we love : their perswasions and instigations will powerfully provoke and excite us ; their approbation and applause is a great encouragement , and their condemnation or dislike , necessarily weakens and dispirits our endeavours . do not these things appear in the experience of all ages ? could adam himself long keep his innocence , when eve had eaten the forbidden fruit , and added to that the perswasion of him to do the same ? was not the mighty saul mov'd to a mortal envy against david , because the women in their songs and applauses , had preferr'd the lucky youth before the practis'd warriour ? did not the idolatrous wives so far prevail with solomon , as to draw that wise prince into the absurd sin of idolatry ? do not histories show us that they have been able to perswade , even , the greatest men to what they would ? that they have by their instigation overturn'd kingdoms , confounded commonwealths , laid cities desolate , and brought to pass the greatest revolutions and confusions ? and that on the other side , they have sometimes been the springs and first movers of the bravest actions ? have they not saved many cities , and contributed greatly many times to the strength and prosperity of commonwealths ? some of these things may be seen in the following book ▪ we may see it common in the world , that the other sex are often but the tools and slaves to their vices ; or the instruments and servants of their vertues : and indeed , that they take delight in being so ; that 't is usually their greatest joy and pleasure , and the most sensible part in the reward of their hazards and labours , to have pleased this sex in what they have done ; to have promoted the honour and interest , or to have gain'd the praise and favour of the woman that is loved . these things are not said to impute to them all the vice and folly of the world ; but to show , from the influence which they can have in it , how necessary and important it is , that they be brought up in learning and vertue , and have their minds well furnish'd and govern'd by these accomplishments . they have contributed no more towards vice , than towards vertue . what harm that sex did to the world in eve , they have made us a sufficient amends for in the blessed virgin. what harm soever they do to the present age , and whatever their share may be in the vices and follies of it , this we may justly blame the men for ; who take upon them to govern all things , and condemn the women to such an education , as can render them but very little useful , and leaves them apt to be only mischievous and hurtful to the world. certainly there cannot possibly be a greater over-sight , than to banish them to those little , trivial and useless employments , which usually take up their precious time of leasure , and a single life . to confine them to the molding up of wax , when they should be forming of their minds , by the laws of vertue and wisdom : to learn the adjusting of their cloaths , rather than of their words and actions . if these employments keep them out of the way of such temptations as would corrupt them ; yet what good do they put into them ? if they keep them from vice , what vertue do they form in their minds ? the truth is , they cannot hinder the growth of vice and folly , from the seeds of them that are in our corrupted nature . these will improve and get strength in them , by the exercise of their own thoughts . ill desires will be stirring , if they are kept from evil actions : and they may be corrupted by their own untaught and ungovern'd discourses with each other . there is no opposition to vice and folly made by this sort of education ; and then it must needs grow if it be not check'd and kill'd : yea it rather serves to cherish and promote it . they are bred in a great concern and care abeut their bodies , and in a neglect of their minds ; they are taught to strive to recommend themselves to the world without any real worth , and meerly by the ornament and disposal of the outside . what measure of chastity are they taught , by making the image of a fair woman , with but one garment on , and caressing a black-a-moor ? their musick joyn'd with such songs , as have for their common subjects either fond love , or obscene intimations , or blasphemous flatteries of their sex ; what does it but cherish vanity and pride , and feed and excite foolish and shameful desires ? and what vertue are they taught , what useful knowledge are they possess'd with , by this education ? what vertue do they learn by the management of the needle ? how little may they understand of fortitude , or possess of it , for all the forming of a broad-shoulder'd image in wax , and the setting it by a pillar ? or what degrees of charity does it put into them , and what rules of exercising it are taught them , by their learning to make up the image of a woman , with three naked children about her ? what do they learn of the nature and vse of fruits and plants , while they learn to imitate them in their shape and colour ? might not the wit that can excel in these curious and vseless trifles , be taught more important things ? why might they not learn physick and chirurgery , as well as cookery ; to save as well as to destroy men pleasantly ? that which is a vice rather than an accomplishment , as commonly practised ; why are they not as soon taught the wholesomeness or unwholesomeness of meats and drinks , as what is pleasant and grateful to the palate ? why have they not lectures of morality read to them in their schools , and the mistresses showing them the importance and vsefulness of the precepts of vertue ? why may not they learn languages as well as we ? whenever they set well about it , they commonly do it better than we can . and if they were taught the art of reasoning , and the art of speaking ; if their minds were well furnished with philosophy and divinity ; if they were plentifully endowed with useful knowledge and refined vertue , we should not think one language , nor hardly one tongue enough for them . their chief time for improveing is spent without improvement , and all they learn in it is not any thing that they can ever be the wiser , or the better , or the happier for . their education is not directed , nor design'd to teach them how odious a thing vice is ; how shameful and contemptible ignorance , and how glorious and lovely a thing it is to be vertuous . we have reformed our nunneries , the schools of our women , from popery and superstition , but not from pride and vanity ; nor have made them , as we should do , the schools of vertue , and religion , and useful knowledge . see here the ground and reason of all the defects and disparagements of that sex. hence are we so often vexed or tainted with their vices and follies : this is the fundamental occasion of all the just complaints that are made against them . and most unjusty are they used , while they are bred to be of no use , and then are despised for being so : and while there is no care taken to possess them with vertue , and religion , and learning , and then they are railed at for ignorance , folly and vice. to this cause must all their emptiness and impertinence be imputed ; hence 't is they are no more useful to the world. to this also , we must impute all their vices , the ill influence they have among men , and all the mischief they do . thus we may see how important it is to the world , and how much for the interest of the other sex , that the women be bred to useful knowlege and vertue . and thus i have follow'd the common custom , in giving the preference to the men , and speaking first of their interest in this matter . i shall now apply my self directly to the women themselves , and endeavour to make it appear to them , how important and vseful it is to themselves , to be learned and vertuous . something is said of learning in the following book , and therefore i shall say the less here ; and the particular vertues are recommended , and therefore i shall only insist upon some general commendations of it . let me intreat you then , to consider the pleasure and the advantage of knowledge . this is , like light , chearing and delightful to the mind ; and ignorance , like darkness , is vncomfortable and sad. knowledge enlarges the soul , ignorance contracts it . the former is the brightness and beauty of the soul , and adds lustre to it , as polishing does to a jewel , the latter sullies , and dims , and makes it ugly . knowledge elevates the mind , ignorance depresses it : knowledge tends to refine it from the dregs of sensuality , ignorance leaves it polluted . knowledge improves its powers , encreases its liberty and freedom , and releases its activity from the shackles that ignorance lays upon it . ignorance is weak and poor , knowledge is rich and strong . enough cannot be said in praise of this inestimable thing . but especially , are moral and divine knowledge most to be valued ; these do especially improve and adorn , and will make you acceptable to god and the world , and easie and happy in your selves . the rules of pious and vertuous living , are the certain rules of happiness . the making of us vertuous and good , is the greatest blessing , and the highest benefit that can possibly be conferr'd upon us . those are most deplorably ignorant of the natures , both of vertue and vice , that imagine there can be a greater good than the one , or a greater evil than the other ; that we can be happy and vicious , or miserable and excellently vertuous . vertue and wisdom tame the appetites , and guide them safely and honourably . they compose and calm the passions , and quiet the mind . vertue sets the soul in order , which is beautiful and pleasant ; it teaches every faculty and power in us its right place and office , makes it know its bounds and do its duty : vice disorders and confounds all . vertue is the health , vice the sickness of the soul ; and as the health of the body improves and maintains its beauty and strength , so does vertue for the soul ; and vice , on the contrary , weakens , deforms , and gives it pain ànd trouble . vertue is serene and calm , vice is stormy and tempestuous : the vertuous woman may live without fear or distrust , in tranquility and repose . she has no cause to blush in company , nor to tremble when she is alone . she can enjoy the present time with quietness and peace ; has neither shame nor remorse for what is past ; and none but fair and joyful hopes for what is to come . the most lasting and most tasteful pleasure attends it : pleasure , that no man can take from her ; such delight as does not torment with impatience , nor make her sick with disgust ; that does not depend as those of the world do on innumerable circumstances , whereof if any one be wanting , they are odious or insipid . vertue and wisdom are the only things that can fit you for all conditions , to adorn them and be happy in them . they direct to the most honourable and comfortable vse both of a good and bad fortune , both of a married and a single state. these ( believe me ) are the most powerful , and the most lasting charms . these will gain you true admirers and sincere servants , while outward beauty and ornament , procure only fiegned ones : and will hold the hearts they win faster than the fading advantages of an outside . inclination may make a man court and seek you , it may be enough to be a woman for this , especially if to that there be added beauty and the invincible charms of a good fortune ; but these cannot beget a true and lasting love . without wisdom , and vertue , and knowledge . the servant is no sooner better acquainted , but it may be folly and vice distaste him , and his addresses are at an end. if interest engage him still , then he proceeds to make up the proposed bargain ; and there is a marriage without love , which is an hell upon earth . beauty without these things , though it be charming at the first sight , yet it can secure none but the lightest and most foolish part of mankind ; and in them it kindles no more than a brutish desire , which turns into distaste very commonly , as soon as it is gratified . their mighty admiration falls into contempt ; and one may see the fine and pretty thing sitting alone , for all him , while the passionate lover is hugging a bottle perhaps and kissing the glass instead of her , and any thing is able to draw or detain him from her company . knowledge and vertue would make you worthy of that love-which nature inclines us to present you , and would make your society always pleasant and always desirable , and that to the best and wisest of men. it is no small advantage to you , that as wisdom and vertue are the most charming things and will give you the greatest power you can have over the other sex ; so they will direct you to judge rightly of men , and to place your favours and affections there where they are best deserv'd , where they will be best requited , where it will be most for your honour and happiness to place them . as these will inable you to know and discern which are the best and wisest of them , so they will dispose you to value such men most , and to prefer them . when guided by these you will not be caught with fine cloaths or a spruce mien ; you will not fall in love with a man for his boasting of and commending himself , nor for his addressing blasphemous complements to you , you will not judge of his worth by the former trick , nor of his love by the latter . you will not think to be happy and be at the mercy of a fool , or expect that he will use you well who has not one vertue to direct or dispose him to do so . nor will you think that an abundance of wealth is sufficient alone to make you happy . and let me add , that your constant preference of the best and wisest men would be one of the most powerful means to reform the age. it would soon make vertue and wisdom more generally sought after among men , when it should appear that these were absolutely necessary to the recommending them to your favour and esteem ; and this also would return to your advantage , since by this influence upon the world it would come to pass , that you could not want a proportionable number of fit and worthy objects of your affections and choice . to your great advantage it would be , to stir up in the men an ambition to be well accomplisht too ; to make them asham'd of ignorance and vice by your example ; and you your selves would be the more happy in brothers , husbands , and children . and the women of our age have perhaps greater advantage than ever their ancestours had for the improvement of their minds ; at least so far as the reading of good books can contribute towards this . when you have a great many of the best books in the world either wrote in your own language or translated into it . translation is a mighty favour to you . it brings the wisdom of the ancients to you unveil'd , and inables you to study and learn it without the previous discouraging fatigue of learning languages . we have lately seen some of the choicest histories and best pieces of useful philosophy that greece or rome could boast of , translated into english . and still this work of translating goes on , and will especially do so if it has the encouragement and favour of your sex : and i would hope to see our own language as learned as any other in the world. and why may we not see the costly useless trifles that fill the closets of our ladies thrown out , and excellent and vseful books set up there in their stead . you have almost nothing else to do but to study all the time that you live single , and are at liberty from affairs of the world. to be sure there is nothing you can do so much to your advantage as to entertain and employ your selves much with good books . i need not recommend to you plutarch or hierocles , or livy or seneca , or the excellent antoninus , lately translated , with the learned and vseful reflections of madam dacier , a philosopher of your own sex , at this time famous for her wit and learning . nor shall i mention any more , since they may be met with at every booksellers : and it is chiefly my present business to recommend the following book . here , then , you have the characters of the vertues and vices very faithfully and truly drawn . whereby you may learn to distinguish the one from the other ; and may avoid that common and mischievous error of mistakeing vertue for vice , and vice for vertue . vice is an vgly name , and that which almost all abhor should be imputed to them ; and vertue is generally in the notion commended and esteemed , and therefore almost all pretend to vertue in general . but when we come to the reproof of particular vices , and to charge them upon those that are guilty ; and so when we come to insist upon particular vertues and to urge the practice of them : then the world boggles and hesitates ; or it may be is angry and opposes . then the beloved vice will not be believed to be a vice , and it shall be accounted ill nature or moroseness or a particular spite that calls it so : and the vertue that we want , and do not care to put in practice , will not be allow'd to be a vertue , but shall be disputed against . the one will be defended under a soft and specious name , and the other rejected under a bad one . thus do many persons often deceive themselves to their disparagement and shame and misery . while they cannot discern aright in this matter , they perhaps shun the most honourable vertues , and embrace the most shameful vices . they will refuse what is good , and betake themselves to what is hurtful . they will be asham'd of vertue , and boast of their vices . further , as persons are apt for themselves to find out this way to evade the arguments for vertue , and the reproofs of vice ; so they will endeavour to influence others after the same manner . they that are vicious naturally desire to have others like themselves , that their better practice may not condemn or disparage them , that others may fall into the same inconveniencies which they have brought themselves to by their wickedness , and so may not be able to deride or despise them , or that they may accomplish upon those who are yet afraid of vice , some base and shameful design . to these purposes they endeavour much the confounding of all things , and especially of the natural and common signs of passions and vices in the soul : these they would fain have not regarded , nor believed to be the marks and symptoms of any such things . highly necessary it is then to be possest with a clear and distinct knowledge of these things . and here you have vertue represented in her true beauty and lustre , and the ugly mask the frightful vizor which spiteful sinners put upon her is taken off . you may see her in all her charms , as far as they can be represented in a description or picture of her : which i confess cannot have the advantages of the life , in a sublime example , but yet may be sufficient to beget in us some love and admiration of the beauty . and here you have also vice represented in its true colours , and all her deformity shown , as far as was consistent with modesty and discretion : and the paint and disguise which the vicious wit of the world puts upon her is also removed . here are motives to vertue , and just disswasives from vice , proposed . the means of practising and improving in the one , and of abstaining from , and mortifying the other . you have the subjects treated on , such as are of common vse and concern , such as relate to every one : the vertues such as all may reach , and the vices such as all are exposed to . you have all the discourse plain and easie : free from the crabbed terms of the schools . you have a philosopher not dictating after the rudeness of an academy , but complementing and insinuating his wholsome counsels in the stile and manner of a courtier . and if thàt will recommend the book , further i must tell you , that the most of it was written by a very eminent person in a neighbour nation , who had the honour to be a counsellour and preacher in ordinary to the king that then reigned there . here you have an excellent anatomy as it were of the soul , a view of the insides of mankind , so that you may see the secret motions , workings , and effects of all sorts of passions and humours . here you may learn the world then without mingleing with it , which is the safest way and the pleasantest of doing this : for thus you will not be in danger of being corrupted or vexed with the wickedness and folly of it while you are learning it , which things in converse you will be constantly exposed to . this book , like a mariners chart , shows the rocks and shelves of vice whereon unwary and untaught souls are wont to make shipwrack of honour , perhaps of health , of fortune and estate . and it shows the safe and the honourable roads of vertue . and is it not a very important and necessary thing to be taught these matters before we launch into the world ? without this we shall be in danger of learning the shelves in this dangerous sea , by running aground there , and the rocks , by splitting upon them . without a previous admonition and instruction about what we are to avoid and what to chuse , we shall learn the world only to imitate it , we shall learn and comply , and endeavour to be as like it as we can ; we shall be led away with the error of the wicked , and follow a multitude to do evil. we are naturally prone to imitate what we see done by others , and more prone to imitate evil than good ; and we shall commonly meet with more ill examples than good ones . by consequence we shall be in greater likelihood of learning and following vice than vertue , if we are not fenced against it by good instruction before we venture into the world. let me add , 't is of very great importance to you to be as early as is possible acquainted with these things ; to learn betimes the knowledge and practice of vertue . for as much as habits of good or ill are continually growing in us ; but especially in our young and tender years . our actions in those years are as it were the seeds or foundations of future habits : which we contract when we are young , and are not able to leave when we are old . but if we cannot rightly discern good from evil , we shall become accustomed to do evil before we know what it is . and if once we are arrived as this , it will be a matter of as much difficulty to cure our selves , as it were for the ethiopian to change his skin , or the leopard his spots . this encreases the difficulty of convincing us of our faults . we shall be loth to own that we have been in an error : this will engage us to justifie our faults rather than acknowledge them , that we may let our selves go on without shame or remorse . and besides , if we are convinced of a fault , after that difficulty is over , there is more remaining , and 't is yet a very large task to conquer and forsake it , when 't is become as it were a second nature . it is easie to correct and form young and tender inclinations to evil. but when several years are gone over them , and they are become confirm'd habits , they are then not easily subdued . we must then know vertue and vice betimes , and know them in their least beginnings and lowest degrees that we may practice the one , and abstain from the other . and 't is necessary that we begin betimes to practice vertue and to resist and avoid vice , that we may be inured and accustomed to do so . then will it be easie to be vertuous all our days , and we must put a violence and constraint upon our selves if we would comply with the solicitations of any vice. whereas without this we shall fall into that unhappy state that it will be easie to us only to be vicious , and we must put a constraint upon our selves when we are to do that which would become us , and would be for our interest or our honour . besides 't is our wisdom and happiness to have as little occasion for repentance as is possible , and therefore to begin a course of vertue betimes . and 't is our honour to have attain'd a great and eminent degree of vertue ; but the sooner we begin to endeavour this , the more likely we are to attain it . vertue in youth settles a good constitution and confirms health in the strong bodies , and supports a tender and weak constitution which vice would quickly destroy . vertue in youth makes the best provision of worldly enjoyments and comfortable thoughts for old age. it defers the infirmities of old age , and makes that commonly the freer from the things that are usually grievous to it . to young persons then , i would particularly recommend the vse of this book for the promoting of vertue among them . to conclude : the women have here an excellent mirrour wherein they may see themselves and all the world , they may discover whatever spots or deformities are upon themselves or others . this is a glass that will certainly show you what does best become and most adorn you . drest by this , you must needs like your selves , and may do so with good reason , and without flattering your selves : and you would also approve your selves to god and the holy angels , and to the best and wisest among mankind . i must only desire you to take notice of this further , that i do not apply the great character i have given of this book to what you now see of it , but to the whole ; that which is here is at most but half worthy of it , for it is but half the intended design . the other half is actually under hand , and i hope will be speedily presented to you ; and then i doubt not but it will appear worthy of your esteem , and of my recommendation ; and highly vseful to promote your honour and happiness , the end for which it is designed . a table of the subjects treated on in this book . chap. 1. of reading ; with some remarks upon that of this book . page 1 chap. 2. of conversation . page 31 chap. 3. of the chearful humour and the melancholy . page 51 chap. 4. of reputation . page 70 chap. 5. of the inclination to vertue , and of devotion . page 82 chap. 6. of chastity and of complaisance . page 91 chap. 7. of courage . page 102 chap. 8. of constancy . page 112 chap. 9. of prudence and discretion . page 123 chap. 10. of the learned women . page 131 chap. 11. of habits or ornaments . page 141 chap. 12. of beauty . page 148 chap. 13. of curiosity and slander . page 156 chap. 14. of the cruel and the compassionate . page 163 chap. 15. of a good grace . page 170 chap. 16. the debauched or lewd woman . page 176 chap. 17. of jealousie . page 183 chap. 18. of friendship and the love of inclination , and that of election . page 196 chap. 19. of the complaisant or pleasing humour . page 216 chap. 20. of birth or nature , and education . page 252 chap. 21. of an equal mind under good and bad fortune . page 279 errata . page 8. line 5. for least read last . p. 18. l. 6. for west r. wast . p. 20. l. 8. for jammuz r. tammuz . p 57. l. 28. for void r. avoid . p. 121. l. 18. for wickednesses r. wickedness . p. 134. l. 15. for really r. rarely . p. 180. l. 20. for impudence r. imprudence . p. 272. l. 2. for are r. are not . of reading ; with some remarks upon that of this book . there is not any thing more true than that reading , conversation , and contemplation , are three of the most useful and most charming emploiments in the world . by reading we enjoy the dead , by conversation the living , and by contemplation our selves . reading enriches the memory , conversation polishes the wit , and contemplation improves the judgment . but among these noble occupations of the soul , if we would determine which is the most important ; it must be confessed that reading furnishes both the other : and without that our contemplation would be of no advantage , and our conversation without pleasure . it is necessary to the ladies of greatest wit , as well as to those of the meanest ; in that it gives to the former much the greater lustre , as it mends the imperfections and defects of the latter . it renders these tolerable and makes them admirable . and to say the truth , reading shews us many things which our own reasoning could never discover ; it adds solidity to our thoughts , and a charming sweetness to our discourse : it finishes and compleats that which nature has but only begun . nor is it strange that we should receive so great advantage from this , since the best inventions in the world have ow'd their original to reading join'd with judicious thinking ; and the one is as the father , the other a mother to the sinest thoughts . and because neither of these separately can produce any thing of perfection , it is easie to comprehend why they who have no love for books can speak nothing but what is trivial , and their conversation is no better than a persecution of their company . that a good wit may set off its self well enough without any thing of study , as they say a good face needs no ornaments , is what i cannot , without dissimulation , allow . but on the contrary it must be said that as the stomachs which have greatest heat , have need of most food to keep the body in good plight and maintain life ; so the brightest wits have most need of reading , to acquire thereby politeness and fulness ; and especially to moderate that vigour which cannot succeed but by chance when it is altogether alone . it is then in this incomparable school they must learn what is excellent , to entertain the company that is good , and to be a remedy against the bad . here the ladies must receive antidotes against the persecutions of those whose discourse is all idle and impertinent . it is reading that renders conversation most grateful , and solitude least tedious . there are others nevertheless of another opinion , and such as think that 't is sufficient , for learning the best things in the world , to enjoy the conversation of good wits , without putting ones self to the trouble of turning over books . but tho i grant that the conversation of worthy persons is very necessary , and may as a living school influence us most powerfully while we see the rule and an excellent example together : yet it seems to me that they who content themselves with the company of those that know much , might become more compleat by reading their works . it is my opinion , that if conversation gives readiness , reading affords abundance ; that the former distributes only what this latter acquires , and is liberal of the riches which reading heaps together . moreover , since men take more pains about what they write , than what they speak , and no man employs so much care in that which is to endure but for a moment , as in that which is to endure for ever : it must be own'd that we may rather expect to find excellent things in the writings of great persons than in their discourse ; for while they let nothing pass in their books that is not finisht , it is not possible but many things imperfect will slip from them in discourse and conversation . besides , there needs no more but an agreeable voice , or with some a great noise , a sweet accent , or a good grace to charm those that hear : but there is nothing to abuse or impose upon them that read . it is much more easie to deceive the ear than the eye . discourses pass on with but a superficial notice taken of them ; and hardly have we the leisure to observe their defects : but writings remain steadily exposed to the censures of those that judge , and the faults of them are never pardon'd . herein there lies , as i think , a very good reason for the reading of good books that the great wits have in them left us their best performances ; and they have employ'd their watchings and studies , more to the writing than speaking well . however , if it be necessary for the proof of this to join experience with reason , what can any desire for the ornament of the mind , that may not be met with in books ? we may find there instructions of every make , we may see vertue under every sort of visage : we may there discover truth in every representation of it we can desire ; we may see her with all her strength among the philosophers ; with all her purity among the historians , and with all her beauty , postures , and sine disguises in the orators and poets . and from this so agreeable variety it is possible for all sorts of humours and conditions to find content and instruction . it is here that truth is not disorder'd by passions ; that she speaks without fear as well as without design ; and dreads not to enter the palaces , nor even the presence of the greatest monarchs . for this reason too is reading extreamly requisite to the ladies ; for since they want mute instructors as well as princes , and as well beauty as royalty does not so easily find teachers as flatters ; it is necessary that for the apprehending their defects they should learn sometimes , from the admonitions of the dead , that which the living dare not say to them . it is in books alone that they can remark the imperfections of their minds , as in their mirrors they discern those of their faces . it is there they will find judges that cannot be corrupted either by their love or hatred . it is there that the most fair , as well as the least so , are equally treated , having to do with arbitrators that use the eyes they have , only to put a difference between vertue and vice. but however , since all books are not excellent , and there are many which truly deserve to be brought to no light but by the fire ; the printing of which should rather have been hindred than the reading them : it must be acknowledged that there is no less difficulty in choosing good books to employ us when we are alone , than to choose good wits for our entertainment in company . so that if any find they must not rely upon themselves in this matter for the making of a good choice , they ought at least to follow the counsel of the most knowing and most vertuous , for fear that in reading they may happen to infect the mind or debauch the conscience . i cannot forbear in this place to reprehend the tyranny of certain wits , who form among themselves a kind of cabal for the censure of all things ; and think the approbation of their cabal must be first obtained before a thing can deserve to be approved by others . as the value of money derives it self from the ordinance of the prince , so must the value of books and the purity of language depend upon the opinion of these imaginary kings . it is not possible to avoid their sharp censure if we do not submit to their judgment ; both the use and the approbation are at their dispose : the credit they give is necessary to success , and there is no glory but what they distribute . and although the most able persons disappoint this small traffick and these ridiculous intreagues , there are nevertheless some weaker spirits that commit themselves to their conduct . and by this mistake it often comes to pass that very good books are not relished at first while these petty impostors decry them , and hinder their excellency from being known . they perswade themselves that when they have found great fault with the writings of others , we shall read none but theirs , and that the ladies will abide by their sentiments as an infallible rule . but as at last innocence will appear in spight of all accusations , and merit will shine in desiance of envy ; so the reputation which is checkt a while by their malice will spread it self the more gloriously ; and experience will make it appear , that we ought not to follow the advice of those who speak not of books according to truth , nor even according to their own inward opinion of them , but only according to some interest and design which they have propos'd to themselves . the ladies ought to determine in this matter , that they must not so much defer to the judgments of others , as altogether to renounce their own , and that there is no colour or appearance of reason for relying entirely upon so bad conductors as these . but i do not intend hereby to put upon them the trouble of reading all books , or that they should affect to read a great number of them : on the contrary i esteem this as unprofitable as troublesome , and that in reading divers books we should do as they who visit several countries , where they pass on without staying ; for after they have seen and traverst a great many , they chuse one at least where they fix their abode . why should we seek in many books what may be found in one alone ? as if the sun had need of the assistance of the stars towards the making of day , or that glorious luminary had not light enough of his own to enlighten the world. it is not a multitude that wise men chuse ; and one single book , if it be very good , may be as serviceable as a library . i find to this purpose an admirable sentence in st. jerom , who writing to furia to perswade her to forsake all other reading and apply her self wholly to the study of the sacred scriptures , says thus , as you would sell many jewels for the purchase of one which should have the beauty and worth of all the other in it self ; so you ought to renounce all sorts of books besides , and confine your self to that one wherein you may find all that is necessary either to please or instruct you . and indeed to read but few books , provided they be such as are useful and agreeable , will not diminish our advantage but resine it ; we shall not be the less rich in improvement , but shall be less perplext and confounded . on the other side , as they who eat incessantly , contract but a mass of ill humours ; so they that read too much are ordinarily incommoded by the confusion of their own thoughts and discourses . and as excess of food weakens the natural heat of the body , so an excess of reading at length dims the light and abates the vigour of the spirit . it is not then , at all necessary to read a multitude of books , but to read only those that are good , and , above all , to avoid the desire of those with which we cannot become acquainted without the danger of becoming vicious . it is necessary that in this place i encounter two grand errors ; and that i attack too much fear on the one hand , and next too much confidence in this matter on the other : for there are some persons who scruple to read the books of the heathens that yet allow themselves to use romances . there are those that make conscience of abstaining from the books of the ancient poets and philosophers , tho they be full of most excellent precepts ; and are afraid even of vertue it self if it comes from the schools of plato or socrates . but not to dissemble ; their scruple proceeds from their ignorance ; and they fear , as the holy spirit speaks , where there is no cause of fear . for if god himself commanded the hebrews to borrow the goods of the egyptians that they might afterwards be consecrated to the service of the tabernacle , why may not we take the good precepts that are in heathen authors , provided we do it with a design to employ them to the glory of god and the instruction of our consciences ? as the israelites when they took along with them the treasures of the egyptians , left their idols ; so when we take the knowledge of the heathens , we do not also for the sake of that take their errors and idolatry . what danger can there be in ravishing this divine wealth from prophane possessors , to make use of it to some better purpose ? and since the church of god has admitted the infidels themselves to baptism , why may we not render their fables also and their histories christian ? especially when we find in them most excellent examples to form our manners by , and good rules for the direction of our lives . if we do meet with some things there that are bad , we must do by their books as the jews did by the captive women whom they married , whose nails they first pared and shaved off their hair. i mean that in reading these ancient authors we should retrench what is superfluous , and whatever contradicts our belief . but i , all this while am in the wrong when i speak thus of the ancients , for we do not derive any thing from the heathens when we take whatever is excellent and good in their books . this is the very wealth which they have stolen from our fathers ; this is that sublime philosophy of egypt which they transported to athens . whatever their poets or their sophisters have of good in them , they drain'd our prophets for it : this is the learning of the caldeans too , tho they have given it another form , and veil'd it under certain riddles , that they might the better conceal their theft . so then we steal not from the heathens what we take from them , but only recover what is our own . and so far is it from a fault to do this , that on the contrary , it is no less meritorious to draw these excellent instructions from their books , than to deliver innocent captives from the hands of infidels . but now as for the reading of romances , we must needs speak of that after a very different manner ; for there is nothing in them that is not extreamly bad and extreamly dangerous , and that mingled with what is agreeable and pleasing ; but in the other there is excellent morality alloy'd with somewhat superfluous . there is indeed some appearance of ill in the writings of the ancients , and there is nothing but an empty appearance of good in the romances which are read , insomuch that if we take away the mask , and pierce the shell of the one and the other , we shall find nothing but vice in these last mentioned , and nothing but vertue in the other . we ought not to abandon the ancients for so little evil as is in them , nor espouse the romances for so little good as is in them : it is sufficient to retrench and pare the one sort , but the other are to be entirely thrown away . it may be this my opinion of them may be displeasing to some , to whom a lie appears more beautiful than truth ; and who can take no delight , but in that which is unprofitable , and think the time cannot be well passed away unless it be lost . why ( say they ) is the reading of romances forbidden , when the use of the poets is allow'd ? and what pretence can there be to believe that fictions are more dangerous in prose than in verse ? what necessity is there , that for trivial considerations we should deprive our selves of the sweetest pleasures of life ? and what greater contentment can a man contrive for himself , than to read in romances so many different successes , where we find our passions still in motion according to the adventures that are presented ? yea , and tho we know very well that the objects which affect us , never had a being in the world and never will , yet we suffer our selves very often to entertain a true compassion for feigned miseries , and dissolve into tears for imaginary shepherds . they add further , we ought not to throw away any books because there is something of ill in them ; as it is not reasonable to resolve never to go to sea because there are shelves and sands there , or because the art of navigation is not infallibly successful , as appears in that there are some that yearly suffer shipwreck either by misfortune or by ignorance . it is not at all just to abandon that which is good , because it is sometimes mingled with bad . prudence teaches to separate the vice from the vertue , rather than to shun both together ; otherwise we must pluck out our eyes that we may not abuse our looks , and never venture to stir lest we should happen to fall . besides , why is it forbidden to romances to present us with lives of them that never were , any more than to painters to draw imaginary persons , or to paint according to their own fancy a piece of grotesque ? why may not the one sort be permitted to divert the mind , by their writings , as well as the other to refresh the eye with their pictures ? why is the pen in this case to be accounted , more culpable than the pencil , and may we not describe in words what we may by pictures ? and to say truth , that we may answer to this apology for romances , i do not at all doubt that if any one of them could be found that were entirely honest , it were not injustice to defend the reading of it . and provided one could find in them any good divertisement without danger of corrupting the mind , there would be no cause to complain of them , any more than of those recreations that innocently pass the time , and refresh us after the fatigue of study or business . but when i think of the very ill things which the most of romances are fill'd with , when i consider how many minds are debauched with these poisonous books , i should account my self very guilty if i did not shew the snares to those who apprehend no danger , and declare open war with these corrupters of innocence . and in truth , to examine this matter throughly , what satisfaction can any seek in romances which may not be found in history ? may we not see there the sucesses , the adventures , and the events that are sufficiently pleasant or sufficiently tragick , as well of love as fortune , to move , or instruct , or divert ? can there be any thing more pleasant than to see the birth , and the ruine of empires and monarchies , and to know in a little time that which was several long ages in passing ? is not this a very commendable way to shorten the time when it seems too long , and even to bring back again that which was past ? when we find there refreshment against weariness and remembrance to prevent oblivion . what can be said to prove that we cannot divert without corrupting our selves , or that the mind cannot be pleased unless we bring the conscience in danger ? but if i grant that sometimes there are good instructions to be found in romances : yet what engagement are we under to conform our course of life to an imaginary representation ; or how shall we bring our selves to imitate examples which we know to be false ? do we miss of excellent patterns in history , or do we need painted and feigned stars to serve us in the stead of those that adorn the sky ? this is a very great errour : and if bees are not able to gather honey from flowers in a picture , as little is it possible to us to receive advantage from a history which we know was invented to please . i may grant too that there is some pleasure in the reading of romances : but is there not often an agreeable relish in the food that is poison'd ? we must abandon that which pleases , to avoid that which would hurt , and renounce a great pleasure to avoid a little danger . otherwise , to propose to our selves the separating what seems to be good in romances from what is truly evil there ; or to take pleasure in the relations without being defiled with the uncleanness which they convey under a disguise , and which throws out a thousand hooks with the pleasant lines to catch the fancy of the reader ; this were to throw ones self into a conflagration that we might rescue something from the flames that is of little worth or importance : it were to propose to our selves the separating of wine from the poison , as we drink , after we had mingled them together . and indeed since we may find divertisement joyn'd with instruction in a history , why should we separate the profitable from the pleasant which we may enjoy together ? to entertain the mind as well as to preserve the body there is no need that we separate the pleasure of the palate from the usefulness of the food ; since reading as well as eating ought to strengthen at the same time that it pleases . it is not only superfluous and needless to read these books , but extreamly dangerous too : and how much pains soever we take to defend our selves from infection , yet we take it . the mischief enters insensibly into our soul with the pleasing words , and under the charms of those adventures that affect us . whatever wit a person has , however innocent he is , yet as our bodies do without our consent partake of the quality of the things we eat ; so our minds espouse , even in spite of us , the spirit of the books we read : our humour is alter'd while we think not of it ; we laugh with them that laugh , we are debauch'd with the libertine , and we rave with the melancholick . to that degree are we influenced as to find our selves altogether changed with our reading of some books : we entertain other passions and steer another course of life . the reason of this is not difficult to be found out : for as teeming mothers cannot look intently upon some pictures without giveing their infants some marks of what they observe , why should we not easily believe that the lascivious stories in romances may have the same effect upon our imagination , and so leave some spots upon the mind ? i grant indeed that we know what we read to be meer fiction ; yet it fails not for all that to give real motions while we read it ; the inclination that we have to evil is so strong that it improves by examples of evil , tho we know them to be false ones . as the jvy mounts and supports its self by the hollow and dry tree as well as by the sound and green one : so our natural corruption and irregular appetites carry us so strongly to what is forbidden , that even a false and feigned history is sufficient to encourage and animate us to the most wicked undertakings . as the birds were invited to peck at the painted grapes of xeuxis , so our passions take fire at the amours that are described in romances . the reading of so many wanton things in those books heats a person by little and little , and insensibly destroys that reluctancy and horrour that should always possess us against all that is evil . we grow so familiar with the image of vice , that we fear not when we meet with the thing it self . and after a man has lost the modesty of his mind , he must be in a great deal of danger to lose also that which his modesty alone could have preserved . as the water infallibly runs west when the banks that restrain'd it are broken down , so our affections escape with all manner of liberty after that this honest fear which should govern them , is remov'd . this licentiousness indeed is not always form'd in a moment , nor do we become vicious all at once by this reading . the contagion of these books gains upon the heart almost by insensible degrees , it works in the mind as seed does in the earth , first it spurts , then it shoots out , and grows every day stronger and stronger , that it may bring forth at last the pernicious fruit of wickedness . but this is not yet all the evil that attends the reading of romances . but after it has render'd us bold enough , and given courage to do ill , in the next place it renders us ingenious and cunning : we derive from thence subtilty with confidence , and do not only learn the evil we should be ignorant of , but also the most delicate and charming ways of committing it . and to speak with reason how can it be imagin'd possible to read some paragraphs in those books without a great deal of danger ? when we often see there , this woman quitting her country and her parents to run after a stranger , whom she fell in love with in a moment : or read how the other found ways to receive letters from her gallants ; or to give them their guilty assignations . these are nothing but lessons of artifice and skill , to teach persons how they may sin with subtilty . and for my part i am not able to apprehend with what appearance of reason any can justify so dangerous a reading . on the contrary , the lacedemonians forbad the hearing of comedies , because they present sometimes murders , sometimes thefts or adulteries ; and because in a well regulated common-wealth nothing ought to be suffer'd that is contrary to the law , not even in fictions or plays . why then are these romances permitted , where we read almost nothing but actions that are dishonest , examples that are lascivious , and passions that are extravagant ? shall we dare to read those things in books which the heathens forbid to be represented on theaters ? shall it be said that christians have less love for vertue than infidels ? and if they were afraid lest the people should be debaucht by such sights , have not we reason to fear that weak minds may be corrupted by so filthy reading ? nevertheless some may accuse me of too much severity , who will be vext to see me ravishing from them their beloved idols , in taking away their romances : who will be griev'd no less for their losing of these bad books than the women of whom the holy scripture speaks that were weeping for the loss of jammuz . a falsehood shall often have more of the vogue than truth : and they will more willingly read those books that corrupt the manners than those that regulate them ; and there are many ladies that learn to tell without book the stories of amedis , while they neglect those of the holy writt . lastly , they take much less pleasure in the best sermon , than in a sorry comedy ; and go oftner to hear a buffoon than a preacher . straton complain'd very justly that he had fewer scholars than menedemus ; because there are many more to be found who seek the school of pleasure than there are that follow that of vertue ; and we love rather those who flatter us and make us laugh , than those that make us sad , and menace us tho for our advantage . and that i may conceal nothing that is to the purpose , it is extreamly unhappy to mankind , that it is enough to raise a curiosity for the reading of any book , to know that it is forbidden , as we observe by daily experience . i think the same evil spirit who deceiv'd the first of women possessing her to her destruction with the pleasures of the tree of knowledge , does still inspire others after the same manner , promising their eyes shall be opened , and they shall see admirable things in what is forbidden them , and making them believe 't is out of envy alone that such reading is forbidden them . this errour corrupts a great number of those who are persuaded by their flatterers , that as weak persons are always in danger even in the midst of things that are good ; so the most able spirits are never in danger , no not among a multitude of things that are bad : and therefore all reading is to be forbidden to the one sort , and all is to be permitted to the other . but for my part i must needs think the contrary , and declare that whatever measure of wit any can have , they are not withstanding always oblig'd to flee from danger . and i doubt there are very few that have the strong constitution of mithridates , to nourish themselves with poison , and live upon that which is mortal to all others . i approve no more of the poets , than romances , when there is any thing of ill in them : in what ever period or page i find any thing of vice , it is my intention to make war with that . and let the world think of this matter what they will , i will eternally condemn these ill books , which serve but as a school to teach persons to sin with address , and which one may very justly call the politicks of the vicious , and of the libertines . i declare my self an enemy to all that which is an enemy to vertue . and , to speak in a few words what i think of the reading of good or bad books ; it is very necessary that they who are not able to make a difference , should follow the counsel of the most intelligent . and they who are the most capable to discern aright , in this matter , should yet not suffer themselves to be carried away with a curiosity to search into what is forbidden , which seems to be a humour even natural to the most . it is without all doubt that reading is both pleasant and useful ; and if care be taken to read such books as are truly good , it will instruct the ignorant , reform the debauched , and divert those that are melancholy . it affords remedies to them that are greatly afflicted , against the greater evil of despair ; and to the happy and prosperous it administers antidotes against insolence . it exhibits examples fit to humble the one sort , and to encourage the other . it makes our discourses the better when we entertain , and our thoughts when we are alone . without that it is impossible both to meditate or to speak well . but this subject is too copious ; and if i should pursue it as i might , instead of putting an end to this discourse of it , i might begin and exhaust another . there is then no doubt to be made but the reading of honest books is a most agreeable employment : but we should always remember , that it is not enough that this be useful to the understanding , unless it be so moreover to the conscience . as vertue is of much more worth than knowledge ; the ladies ought to think , that 't is of more avail to them to be good , than learned . and i fear not to say , that if they have a true modesty they would blush no less at the reading of an ill book , than if they were surprized alone , and shut up with a debauched man. thus much i thought fit to say concerning the reading of other books : but to make now , as i promised , some remarks upon the reading of this of mine , i believe it will be very useful to the ladies after that i have shewn them why i make so much use of fables , why i make a great part of the subjects i treat of to appear with two faces ; why i have not produced such general instructions , as would have serv'd for the men as well as the women ; and why i have not descended to instructions so particular as the vulgar could wish for , that they might be touched the more sensibly . these are the four principal parts of this book of which , it seems to me i ought to give an account , for the rendring it the more profitable to those who will take the pains to read it . as for fables if i bring in some examples of them , i do this but to explain my self with the greater clearness ; i do it not to support my arguments , but to embelish them ; t is not to render truth more strong , but only to make it more agreeable . all the world know that the examples of fables divert us more than those of history , because : they are contri'vd to please . the historians recount successes , poets invent them . so that when i serve my self of these only to recreate and not to convince , i have contented my self often to chuse the most diverting rather than the most probable . besides ; no one ought to think it strange if i have endeavour'd to render the metamorphosis profitable , since it ought to be accommodated to the gust of those that are to be persuaded ; and there are many that love fables , and that read them . if we cannot utterly destroy serpents out of the world , at least we have reason to make remedies of their poison ; and if the reading of fictions be dangerous , we endeavour to draw some profit from it , and to find good in that evil which we cannot hinder . let it be consider'd that the ancients have conceal'd in a manner , all their morality and all their divinity under fables ; and tho they could have serv'd themselves of examples that were true , as well as of false ; yet they sometimes chose the latter , to make their instructions the more sensible . and as i make use of fables sometimes to render my thoughts the more clear , and the more agreeable , it is for the same reason too that i treat of many subjects in the way of problems . it is that the variety may gratifie , and that i may yield delight at the same time that i give instruction . i have constrain'd my self to endeavour that i might please while i teach . i believe that the mind as well as the eye is recreated with variety , and that men take delight to see both what is evil and what is good in all things . and moreover , since the best instructions ought to shew at the same time both what we ought to avoid and what to do ; i have thought , that to succeed in both these things , it would be good to make appear on every subject what it is that is worthy of our love , and what will deserve our hatred . and cannot every one see that there is nothing , but the matters of faith , which we may not view under divers aspects ? if the melancholy humour has something that is good , is it not also true , that there is in it something evil ? if it be wise for deliberation , yet it is not sufficiently strong to enterprize : it is a paralytick that has good eyes , but the hands are feeble , and it cannot move of it self . and may not as much be said of the gay humour ; which on the one side appears fit to entertain , but on the other hand is found too much a pratler to contain secrets , and too light for designs of importance . i might here repeat several passages of my book to demonstrates that if i have made use of problems , it is because all moral actions are full of circumstances , which give occasion to consider the same thing under several visages , and make it now appear good , and anon to appear evil . tho i have always concluded , that vertue ought to be lov'd , i have yet sometimes shewn , that it has two extreams , of which men ought to be aware : lest they run into the danger of being prodigal instead of practising liberality , or of becoming opinionative , while they aim at constancy , or fall into impudence while they seek to be pleasant . this is that , i believe , which deceives the vulgar readers , that while i present the excess and the defect , it seems to them as if i did praise and did condemn the same thing . who are to understand that i am willing to shew what it is that abuses us , and to discover in every subject that which is worthy of our choice and of our aversion . if i attack the crafty and deceitful , and after that condemn the imprudent ; if i blame them that give too much , and then do not approve those that give too little ; 't is without doubt that some gross wits may imagin that i mingle my condemnations and praises ; instead of acknowledging that this is the true way of putting a difference between good and evil , to do it agreeably . that this is not to confound but to separate ; and these are not superfluous problems , but reasonable distinctions . let me speak now to those who say that this book might have been made serviceable to the men as well as to the women ; and that i have not descended to circumstances sufficiently particular for the subjects that i treat of . i own that a great part of my instructions , which are good for the one sex , may be also useful to the other : but what is it that they could wish i had found out in particular for the ladies , when they were to be taught the hatred of vice and the pursuit of vertue ? is there another and a particular morality for them ? is there for them a distinct christianity ? must we for them invent a new religion or a particular philosophy ? do not the preachers speak at the same time concerning vertues and vices both to the one and the other sex ? let these persons consider what 't is they desire ; since we have together the same law , the instructions may be common , provided the examples be particular . and this is that which i have constrain'd my self to do through the whole , as far as the matter would permit , and as seem'd to me decorous ; that i might not engage my self too far in some certain matters , wherein i should have rendred my self more ridiculous than useful . it is time now to satisfie those who say that i disguise my precepts under praises , and that i ought to have descended to circumstances more particular . i wonder how they come to believe that the ladies have need of lessons so course , and a conduct so sensible . they are only the blind that we lead by the hand , it is enough to carry a torch before those that have a good sight . this is to do wrong to their good wit or their good nature . they must have less understanding to know what is good , or less inclination to practise it , to need this treatment . i am assured that they who are of the contrary opinion are some petty regents in a country village , who would exercise a tyranny there where they ought rather to submit themselves . they should consider , i speak not here as a master , but as a counsellor : that i do not make ordinances or laws , but only , as i ought , i content my self to give advice . it is enough to me to praise good things , and to blame the bad , to say that they ought to shun the one and love the other . i should be asham'd to turn legislator as some do , who in like matters talk thus , i will , i mean , it must be , i approve , i condemn . if the manner of their writing be observ'd , one shall see that it has no whit more of force , but has less of respect . their style is not more strong , but more uncivil . after all , i conceive that , there is no better secret can be observ'd in writing , than to render ones self the more agreeable , that one may be the more useful . there is a way to instruct without disobliging ; and , i believe , they will not blame that physitian who had found an art to give good medecines without disgust and bitterness . we may speak of the manner of teaching , after that of healing ; and it must be believed that there is nothing done amiss , if both the one and the other be done agreeably . provided we can succeed on this occasion , i judge it much better to use persuasions than precepts . there is a great deal of difference between the laws of an emperor and those of a philosopher : casar and seneca are not obeyed alike . the commands of the one are supported by power , those of the other by the address . but suppose i had all this power , what pretence can there be for my abusing it , so as to render my self troublesom , and to treat with rudeness a sex to which we cannot speak with too great civility ? and when 't is said that i might give them instructions more particular towards the rendring themselves excellent , without violating the respect that is their due ; i answer , that this had not only been superfluous , but indeed it is altogether impossible . if i would descend to instructions very particular , instead of one book , i should have been constrain'd to compose many volumes . what ? when i have said that an excellent woman ought not to be ignorant of what is becoming to her age and her condition ; must i needs then come to shew the way of playing on the lute , or how she must dance , or dress her head , or make her curtesie ? must i do the office of a musick-master instead of that of a philosopher ? i grant that these petty accomplishments are not to be neglected ; but they are no more than the nails or the hair of an excellent woman : it is in morality alone that these qualities are to be found which are requisite to form such a person as i recommend . i endeavour above all things to regulate the mind and the conscience . these are in my opinion the two parts the most considerable in the person that ought to be esteemed excellent . this is , moreover , that which i have laboured in , and i have not treated of any other conditions of the sex , either because it had been impertinent to my design , or because they are of so easie attainment , as there is no need to lose time in prescribing rules for them . thus i think i have said what i ought to these things for the satisfaction of those that would not take the pains to read prefaces . i cannot be advised to comply with those who say that there are many comparisons in my book , and but few connexions . i shall content my self to send them to the reading of plutarch or seneca , to learn after what manner the greatest persons have treated of morals . and above all , if there are here any thoughts that can please them , tho they have not so much of connexion as they could wish for , i entreat them not to cast them away for want of that ; and to consider that pearls may be very precious , tho they are not strung . of conversation . as there is nothing more important to the ladies , than to know how to chuse good wits to converse with , and good books to read ; so there is nothing more difficult than this : because there are so many things evil which resemble the good , that without a great judgment , or extraordinary good fortune they can rarely make a good election in these cases . it must needs be acknowledged a thing too difficult to pass the time innocently and pleasantly too either in company or retirement . indeed , if we were still in the times of the primitive simplicity , where it were enough to succeed if we were only not dumb , and where , as yet , no other fault in society entred but that of falshood : i own that an ingenuous plainness alone would be sufficient for them , and that prudence would be a thing superfluous . but sinee we are fallen into an age full of artifice , wherein words which were invented to express our thoughts , seem now to be applied only to the concealing them with a good grace , it must be confest that innocence it self has need of a mask or veil as well as their faces , and 't is no less imprudent to lay open ones heart to those that are always upon the guard , than it were to march altogether naked among enemies that are armed , whom we could neither offend , nor defend our selves from them . if it were enough to take and give delight and pleasure in entertaining , and there were no better end of it than to pass away the time ; there were not so much difficulty to perform it commendably , for this alone would be sufficient for that purpose ; not to be born melancholy . but since the principal aim of conversation , with the world , is to make ones self pass for a good wit and a very judicious person : it is for this reason that something else is necessary to them besides a good humour , and they ought at least to have as much of address as of vertue . it is very difficult to render ones self compleat in this matter , and the wisest persons have confest , that there is not yet a school to be found where we may learn to manage well according to occasions , our discourse and our silence . how many perfections are necessary to render one's self agreeable in conversation ? how many qualities are requisite to be able to please many ? since even the most excellent persons have divers inclinations , and good sentiments are also different among themselves , as well as the good and the bad are contrary to each other . if plainness causes contempt in some ; subtilty again will raise suspition in others . if any deride those that are frank , others will mistrust those that are not so . this lady wants a good grace , the other wants to have read more : one sense is persecuted , while the other is contented ; and you shall not dare sometimes to open your eyes and your ears together unless you will venture to be incommoded . when xeuxis would draw a perfect face , he proposed for his pattern five of the best faces in italy , that he might take from each the charms and the features that he judged most powerful . and to draw a character of the lady that should be able to please in all conversation , there would need no fewer of charming qualities and rare conditions : yea , it would not be too much for this purpose to have all that nature can give , and morality can teach . it is in this subject that we have need of all the most beautiful ornaments of the civil life . and none ought to think it strange , if i speak here of those other excellent qualities that i recommend in the rest of this book ; for they all terminate in conversation as in a center ; and it is not easy to touch this point without touching at the same time upon the lines that meet in it . to say then that which , at present , seems to me most necessary , i will content my self to wish the ladies those three advantages which socrates was wont to desire in his disciples ; they were discretion , silence , and modesty . these are so amiable qualities , and so necessary to their conversation , that to judge of their importance we need only represent the absurd vices which are contrary to them ; as tatling , imprudence , and impudence , the first of these defects brings with it usually the two latter . and it frequently comes to pass they who delight to talk much and give themselves leave to do so , they have not enough either of prudence or modesty . it must not be thought however that i have a design to take away the use of speech instead of regulating it . it would not be at all handsome to attempt to compose a conversation of persons that are dumb . but to make a strenuous opposition to a vice that is the most troublesome and dangerous in company , i only beseech those ladies , that cannot find themselves disposed to talk but sparingly , that they would consider : that if there be a time to say , something , and a time to say quite nothing there is never a time to say all . that they who talk much are not only in danger often of saying that which is false , but also of saying some things that are true , but unfit to be said ; and so they would offend either prudence or truth , and many times both of these together : that they who talk so much with others , do in a manner never discourse themselves ; that they see not their thought till it has escaped them : that they apprehend too late in their repentance , that which they ought rather to have apprehended by foresight ; and that regret and shame always follow very soon after that discourse which prudence did not go before . lastly , that the greatest part of their sex need less pains to speak well than to speak but a little : and that discretion is more difficult to them , and more necessary too than eloquence . it seems then to me that the great numa shew'd not less judgment than religion , when he erected an altar to a tenth muse , whom he styl'd tacita : to shew , that when all the sciences together have their habitation in any one person , they are all unprofitable there without silence , and that 't is in vain that any one has learnt the art of speaking , unless he has also the faculty of holding his tongue . and in truth as it is much more easy to be an oratour than to be wise , so morality has much more difficulty to teach the rules of keeping silence , than rhetorick has to infuse those of discoursing . although what we know , were , without this , unuseful , and even without ornament ; yet we may also most justly place silence among the most necessary arts , and may say with that wise king of the romans , that the nine muses have not their lustre entire without the addition of this for a tenth . silence gives , i know not how , a charming grace even to discourse , as the shadows do to the colours in a picture ; and there is nothing more true than that intervals well chosen in a discourse , do like the pauses in musick , set off and shew more evidently , whatever is truly fine and agreeable . when we speak none but the best things , yet even then is not silence intirely superfluous . it relieves those that speak , or those that hear . it serves to prevent both sterility and tediousness , that the speaker may not be too much exhausted nor the hearer tired . there are some however that think every one that puts in a word does them wrong , and takes something from them in conversation . but those that speak so much in conversation themselves , do not deserve to be heard , because they require a civility that they will not pay . as they are uncapable to speak what is fine themselves , so they are to understand it when spoken by others . and it must be beliv'd they would not speak so many ill things if they would give themselves more leisure to hear those that are good . and however there are too many to be sound who affect and are proud of this impertinent tattle , who think it a sign and proof of much wit to speak much , and a disgrace to listen with silence to the discourses of others : yet i fear not to say to them a truth which may be very useful , tho it be not very pleasant . those of this humour are incapable of any trust , they can keep nothing secret of their designs or business . that which is only in the thoughts of the wise , is in the mouth of the imprudent . and no otherwise than as they say of the dead sea , that nothing there will go to the bottom , and whatever is cast upon it , instead of sinking down , floats at the top of the water . it is just after the same manner with some tatling humours , they can keep nothing to themselves ; instead of concealing wisely what is important , they make all appear both in their looks and discourses . see here the unhappiness of those that talk much in an entertainment : let them consider as much as they can their discourse , it is next to impossible but that in saying a great many things some of them will be such as ought not to be said . as it is difficult in removing the hand often , not to lay it sometimes upon the part that is ill ; so 't is as difficult in speaking much , to avoid touching sometimes upon our most secret and important designs . and if unthinkingly we many times lay our hand upon a place that is in pain , we as unthinkingly let our tongue run into the predominant passion of the mind . i know well enough there are those who promise themselves , they will never discover their secrets , tho they do give themselves leave to talk much in company : imagining 'tis enough for the avoiding this to put themselves upon general matters , and to propose the speaking of things indifferent . but there is no manner of safety in this sort of conduct ; for tho they think themselves speaking only of common things , they that have any measure of wit above a very low degree , will easily remark some traces or shadows of their thought . the secret meaning appears through this veil . and as we see the needle touched with a loadstone , tho far distant from the pole , yet turning that way , and pointing towards when it does not touch it ; so our speech has always i know not what of our thought , and will shew it in the most distant harangue , and among the matters that are the most universal . let us set our selves as much as we will to dissemble and feign ; after we have flutter'd a while about the secret of our hearts like a flie about the candle , yet at last we shall there burn our wings . we lose our selves , like them , there where we trifle and play . i am extreamly in love with this comparison , because those women that are so much addicted to talk , do mightily resemble those little creatures , who are made up altogether of wings , who have no solidity of body , who have nothing but colour to derive to their young ones , and discover their weakness even by their lightness . but if the arguments i make use of do seem to be weak , i will give them a most excellent example , which perhaps will have more effect than all the precepts of morality . for let them cast their eyes but a little on her that ought to be the rule as she is the ornament of their sex , they will perceive that the holy scripture does not mention her speaking more than four or five times in her whole life . it may be this will seem to them very difficult ; and i believe it were a miracle in some , if they could only hold their peace with discretion so many times as the blessed virgin is said to have spoke , and if they did abuse their speech but as seldom as she made use of hers . they are alas , too far from arriving at this perfection : instead of an imitation of it , in not speaking but out of charity or modesty as she did , they hardly ever speak but to say something ill of others , or to boast something good of themselves . their discourse is all made up of condemnations or praises that are both unjust : it is nothing else but vanity or evil speaking . there is no doubt then to be made but that many must be at great pains with themselves , to restrain , as they ought , the liberty of their tongue . from whence it is very hard for them to succeed well in entertaining ; and the indiscretion of their discourse does very often expose them to the railery or hatred of the publick . it is also the unhappiness of those who have not prudence enough to examin their own speeches , that they are yet less able to consider well what they hear said by others . their liberty is blind , and utters upon all manner of occasions , and in all companies . yet i do not design to say in this matter , that there are not certain rencounters wherein they may speak with more freedom than in many others . but it ought to be very well observed to whom we discover our sentiments , when there is danger in having them publisht . and it would be to us an occasion for a most bitter repentance , to find that in the mouths of all the world , which ought never to have fled from our own . it seems to me therefore that the remedy for this mischief , that you may not be continually subject to the alarms of other peoples obloquy , nor yet forced to live always under a violent constraint , is this ; to chuse well those whose company you intend mostly to frequent , and not to make acquaintance indifferently with all sorts of persons . and to speak my thoughts concerning the election that ought to be made of the wits or humours capable of your conversation : i find there are two sorts of persons whom you ought absolutely to fly ; they are the vicious and the ignorant . because the conscience is not safe with the former , nor the mind contented with the latter . the entertainment of those who want religion or knowledge , ought to be entirely suspected : and we have reason to judge that it must have some grand design , to excuse two so great defects as impiety and ignorance . this evil choice offends the vertues either moral or christian . for is it not true that in communicating as freely with the meanest spirits as with the most excellent , we oblige neither the one nor the other ; because the latter are offended at this , and the former will deride and abuse it ? this is imprudently to afford matter either to hatred or railery ; you will in this way obtain the approbation of no body , while you think to merit that of every one . and in truth , i never see those women which have a humour so universal , as to gratifie with the same aspect , indifferently , all the world , but it puts me in mind of that ridiculous image of the romans which they called citeria , which was carried about to feasts to pass away the time and make the company laugh . we may see in such persons , as in this pleasant statue , the looks , the smiles , the reverences , the affectations that are altogether ridiculous . but this that has been mention'd , is not the greatest of their infelicities ; their ill choice carries them insensibly into the extreamest dangers . one may see in them , that it was not without great reason said by the philosophers , that prudence is a piece the most necessary for a pattern to humane actions . when they are without conduct , they are also very often without vertue ; they become many times evil , tho they have not a design to be so , and even without thinking of it , when their complaisance is so unhappy as to engage them in the company of those that are debauched . after this , vice slides in by little and little into the soul , so that they perceive not the remedy 'till 't is mortal and uncurable . this is the most important part of the present discourse : for since a diversity of humours cannot long subsist in conversation , you must needs at length either imitate the vicious or hate them ; you must be like them , or be their enemy ; you must ( do what you can ) in communicating with them , either espouse their wickedness , or defend your self against it . but tho one were assured of the victory in this case , yet what need is there to give ones self the trouble of the combat , since there is always much less danger and inconvenience , in the shuning of temptations than in resisting them ? whatever can be said , we cannot dwell amidst wickedness and vice , but we must needs be infected . example has a great deal of power , even upon the strongest minds . alcibiades made profession of vertue , while he kept company with socrates ; but he gave up himself to voluptuousness when he was amongst his lovers . the soul defiles it self insensibly while we converse with the vicious , as the face tanns , without our perceiving it when we travel in the hot weather . it is our unhappiness that we are more apt to receive evil than good , that sickness conveys its self more easily than health ; that the conversation of wicked persons has more power to corrupt the good , than that of the vertuous to correct the debauched . it may be i may seem too severe , if i should propose to them for a rule to their converse , the example of mary the egyptian , who would not hold communication with an hermit that was a most vertuous man , but when they had a river between them . i doubt not but those that are good may be seen much nearer than that , and without danger . but as for those that are vicious and licentious , you should keep as far from them as you can : their hatred will do you less harm than their conversation ; and these are enemies that will do you more mischief by peace with them than by war. and in truth the unhappiness of the first woman ought to make all other the more fearful , for they may see in her fall the common cause of their own . what advantage can they have in talking too privately with the serpent ? in being bold in the company of devils as eve was , instead of being asham'd in the company even of angels , as was the blessed virgin ? and to suffer the conversation of licentious wits which are full of the old serpents fatal poison , and have none but ill designs against their innocence . lastly , the second sort of persons , whose company they ought to shun , are the ignorant and stupid ; because the conversation of such is shameful , unpleasant , and unprofitable ; and that of good wits and understanding persons is honourable , pleasant , and fruitful . indeed we daily experience sufficiently , that the persons which have had no improvement from study and reading , have always something that is rude in them ; and if they produce any thing , 't is as those wild trees that are never grafted nor drest , and which bear no fruit but what is insipid , or harsh and sower . and , to reflect a little upon another error that deserves a publick complaint : is it not a strange thing to see that the sciences , and especially the art of reasoning are not to be found but in colledges ? and that we dare not degrade philosophy so as to make it the subject of conversation ? as if it were impossible or unjust to strip it of perplexity , that it may be made speak with a better grace . as if it were a matter of conscience to turn it into a vulgar language ; or as if we ought to be reasonable but in latin only ; or as if the rarest secrets , or the brightest things in nature might not be exprest in our mother-tongue . this can no one believe without being in an error : we have terms in our own language that are fit to express whatever is of greatest force , or is most subtil in reasoning : and if the most solid knowledge did sometimes serve us for the subject of our discourses , it would be experienced , that there is more pleasure as well as more of profit in entertaining one another with serious subjects , than in talking of the tippet in fashion , of peticoats , of the news of the place , or of amorous intrigues . to speak sincerely , i cannot excuse those women that will make a dozen wise persons hold their tongues , to listen to a paltry violin : who give their ear more readily to a company of scurrilous jests , or malicious slanders , than to the most excellent and important things : who make a great scruple of spoiling a song with the least noise , and make no conscience of giving a thousand interruptions to the best discourse one can entertain them with : and who are ravisht with the company of the most impertinent fops , provided they be but finely drest , and treat them with the titles of queen or empress . they would utterly deride these persons nevertheless for their complements instead of esteeming them , if they could but understand how much it calls in question their own wit , to approve , and take so much liking to those that have none . for as we judge those stomachs weak , that cannot digest any but the lightest food ; so we may very justly question the strength of their wit , who can relish nothing that is solid : their humour appears by their approbation ; and one may know what they can best do , by what they love . this defect is , in truth , a very great one : but since i have a design to touch also upon some others which are no less observable in conversation ; having spoken of those women that despise knowledge and good discourse , let us speak next of them that prophane and abuse it . for as the ladies that are utterly unacquainted with study , and great strangers to reading , are most truly barren ; so they that have been conversant in these , are oftentimes a little confused and troublesome . there is nothing but disorder in their thoughts and conceptions , and constraint and affectation in what they say . it seems as if their wit had not heat enough to digest that which their reading furnishes them with ; and one may see in the inequality and confusion of their discourse , even at the same time that they speak of excellent things , that to have marble and porphiry and the most excellent materials by us , is not enough for the building a beautiful palace , if one be not a skilful architect to dispose them . these persons are mightily subject to repetitions ; for having tackt their idea to particular words and phrases , and fill'd their thoughts with some particular matters and subjects , their spirit is not at liberty to invent other when it is necessary . they are so inslav'd to their memory , that they can make as it were no use of their judgment . it is for this reason that they cannot speak but by common place ; and that they enlarge themselves so much when they are upon a subject wherein they have some advantage , that they are ready to speak all , even to the margins , leaves , quotations and other superfluous circumstances . i could as willingly find my self among the conferences of the ministers of state , when they are disputing the place of congress , the day , the matter ; and the arbiters . to deliver these women from the defect , it were best to send them to the theater of humane life , or some other large and voluminous book in which they might read all that they have a mind to speak of . their repartees and their complements are orations ; when they have begun a discourse , before they can make an end , they must exhaust their chapter ; they cease not to speak till they have no more to say . they much resemble those who recite plays on the theater , who are not able to add to , or diminish in the least from their lesson without putting themselves out and forgetting the rest . it is true , they make themselves admired in some rencounters ; but this is more by chance than that they can be at all assured of it . and to speak the truth , that they may seem able persons , they have need to speak to those that are not so . if by misfortune they are led from what they have some knowledge of , and are made fall upon a subject that is unknown to them , and where reasoning or judgment is more requisite than memory , you shall then at the same time perceive their weakness and their vanity , in that they can neither hold their peace , nor speak with any good grace . the force upon their looks shews that they have not modesty enough to keep silent , nor ability to discourse ; either they are silent with regret , or speak with disorder . these are the principal vices of conversation , which i thought necessary to be observ'd , that the good qualities might appear the better after i had painted out the bad . so that now to make an abridgment of my thoughts in this matter , i judge that there is nothing more important and conducing to our conversing with good success than to know well our own humour that we may duly regulate that ; or to know the humours of others , that we may please them , or defend our selves from them . knowledg , and a sweet temper are the two qualifications most necessary for an entertainment : without the former the conversation will be too trival , without the other too rude and tiresome . those women that speak little , as well as they that speak much , ought to consider that modesty is necessary to silence as well as to discourse ; as it frees the one from contempt and the other from affectation . and whatsoever humour they are of , that they may avoid the danger of being persecuted or debauched , it would be good for them never to seek the conversation but of two sorts of persons : that of the best wits , because such will excuse most easily their defects , and can best apprehend and acknowledge their merits : and that of the most vertuous ; for when the licentious can do no harm to their conscience , yet they will do it to their reputation , and will render them but infamous , if they cannot make them vicious . of the chearful humour and the melancholy . there is nothing more necessary to the ladies for conversation , than to know well their own humour ; that they may reform it if bad , or polish it if it be good . this is the foundation of all that which is of any importance in this matter . but as there are two sorts of humours that may both succeed well , each of them in their several way , i think fit at present to make a comparison of them in this discourse , that they may the better remark that which is good or which is evil , in the one and the other . and to describe in the first place that which is of greatest esteem in society ; it must be own'd , that the gay and chearful humour has here by much the advantage of the melancholy , which truly is not unfit for knowledge , but is a little too heavy for discourse , and too coarse for the genteel carriage or repartee . the merry humours have a much better grace , and more liberty in all they do ; and so they are much better receiv'd in company , as being the more natural in their affections , less constrain'd in their deportment , and the most innocent in their designs . whatever some say in favour of the melancholy ; if their meditations are commendable in some things , 't is certain they have their bad as well as good effects ; and they that call it the mother of wisdom , ought to acknowledg that 't is very often the mother of extravagance . they would persuade that such spirits discover many things , and that they go far in contemplation ; but their voyage is often so long too that they never return again : or if they do return again , this is as the pilgrims , who abandon their own country to run needlessly into strange ones , without any other advantage , than to bring back from thence poverty and weariness . musing is a labyrinth wherein they lose themselves easily , and from which they get out with difficulty . nevertheless they name melancholy the element of good wits , thinking to excuse their weakness by giving it a specious name : but as the lame do not gain any glory when they spend a great deal of time and labour to make but a little way ; so these poring spirits do not deserve any praise , for being long in finding out that which others of stronger parts could better find and with less pains . those that are more subtle have the same advantage over them , as birds that can fly , have over serpents that can only creep , or such as angels have of bodies and material things . upon the whole , i do not at all comcomprehend , why they make a boast of their speaking but little ; for their silence proceeds rather from their barrenness than their discretion ; and if they hold their peace on many occasions , it is not so much to chuse words , as to seek them . these persons would need take but little pains to become good disciples of pythagoras : were it not that while they hold their peace but meerly out of necessity , they are not capable to learn how to speak with address . they want a school quite contrary to that of pythagoras , where they may study that readiness which they want ; they have more need of medicin than precept ; and to cure them it is not only necessary to read lessons , but also to work miracles . as it seems much more easy for the fire to descend than for the earth to mount ; so 't is possible that they who have a ready forward humour , may moderate it by reading and experience : but they that have the gross and heavy souls , let them employ themselves in whatever study they will , have a great deal of difficulty to render them more lively or more subtle . the birds have wings that inable them to fly ; yet they fold them up when they will to refresh themselves : and the most transcendent spirits can do as much as they , either for action or repose . but when the melancholy set themselves to animate their faintness , they put themselves into the danger of icarus , who was too dull and had not enough of address , to fly upon the wings of artifice : their discourse and their behaviour are altogether unhandsome when they force themselves to express and shew in them a heat that they have not in their nature . they resemble those old men , who run , when they think only to go , or mend their pace but by chance ; and then they lose their breath all at once after the least effort , because they do not wisely accommodate their pace to their weakness . whatever some say in commendation of their coldness ; to imagine that this is of excellent use in business , i think a man had need to be possest with the same humour . if they suceed in that , it is more the effect of chance than of knowledge . if the forward spirits are to be accused for taking occasions too soon , and snatching them before they be ripe , the melancholy are in danger of coming always too late and of staying till they are rotten ; and if the former do not attend till they present , the later think not of them many times but when they are past . they are too subject both to fear and to despair . as they are without heat , they are without action ; and their icy humour represents all things impossible , whether they are what they should avoid or what they should undertake . their senses are stupified with a lethargy , and cannot be roused but by cutting or burning them . they seem to want a resurrection rather than an awakening , and are a sort of sick persons that must be made to die , to teach them that they are not dead . if they have judgment to deliberate , they have almost no confidence to resolve , and yet have less of courage to execute . this is a paralytick vertue that needs to be spur'd upon occasions , and remains always languishing with remedies at hand , without being able to make use of them , if it be not stir'd up with great endeavour . it were indeed too great an offence to believe that there is not a great number of very wise and excellent persons of this temper : but also it ought to be allow'd they would be too injurious to wisdom and vertue that should make it always musing and reserv'd ; as if they who have nothing to fear or desire out of themselves , ought not at all to shew a smiling countenance for a testimony of the satisfaction of their conscience . on the contrary , if serpents breed in standing waters , so do ill thoughts enjoy themselves in this muddy humour : and if the spirit of such persons is fit to invent what is wicked , their face is no less fit to cover it . when a rust is gotten among the wheels of a clock , there is no more any rule in the motions , or any certainty in the dial of it . and when a profound melancholy has mingled it self with our thoughts , the spirit is full of inquietude , and the visage of grimaces . what light or what reason can be expected where a multitude of black fumes from melancholy infect the brain ? just as the demons have sometimes mingled themselves with a storm to kill the men , or burn the temples ; so they often serve themselves of this gloomy humour to possess the soul with superstition , despair or hypocrisy . cesar well testified what we ought to judge of these melancholy humours , when he openly declar'd , that he fear'd a great deal more , those that were melancholy , as brutus , than those that were merry , as dolabella . it ought not to be taken ill if i , to describe this melancholy humour , do say some of those things that it produces , that we may the better observe the nature of the cause in that of the effects . there are then some hypocondriacks to whom mirth and innocent freedom are no less displeasing , than day-light to an owl : and as their visage shews always i know not what of fatal in it ; so one cannot chuse but have an aversion for their sad mein . nevertheless , if their coldness is only an effect of the temperament , it deserves either excuse or compassion : but if it proceeds from artifice , it cannot be exempted from suspicion or blame . so that to examin well the difference that is usual between these two humours ; the modesty of the native plainness is all in the heart ; that of the labour'd and endeavour'd persons is all on the forehead and the outside . the one in truth are not good , nor the other bad , but in appearance . i grant the casuists have some reason to say of sports and pastimes as the physitians judge of mushrooms , that the best of them are good for nothing : and yet i am not willing so absolutely to decry those pleasures that are indifferent in themselves , and which the intention alone can as well render good as bad. st. elizabeth of hungary did not refuse sometimes to dance , yet nevertheless her good humour did not hinder her from being canonized . those that lay so great restraint upon the usage of things that are honest , are usually very free in the enjoyment of what is forbidden , when they can avoid the having a witness to their actions . and nevertheless it is the unhappiness of these times , that people live under so much disguise and endeavour , that one hardly can laugh without giving occasion of suspicion to weak minds , or of slander to those that are wicked ; as if a chearful humour were a certain sign either of a light spirit or a small judgment . we ought rather to deride such a censure , than be troubled at it . and those ladies that would preserve their good humour , without putting constraints upon themselves out of regard to this vulgar error , they ought also to forbid themselves as much as may be , either desire or regret , as being two of the greatest tyrants of our repose ; since the one carries us away to the time to come , and the other makes us return to that which is past ; taking away from us the liberty of making the present time happy , while we desire those things that are not yet come , or unprofitably regret those that are past . the abler spirits do easily resist and defie this tyranny . as when a ship is tost in a mighty tempest , tho the mast be broken and the sails torn in pieces , yet the needle is always pointed towards the polar star ; so ought we always to demonstrate a steddiness of mind in the most tragick misfortunes , and to shew a temper equal amidst the greatest inequality of affairs . and as the winds can easily drive the ship besides the port she designs for , but not the needle from pointing to the pole : after the same manner when some obstacles retard our pretensions , they ought not for all that to drive us from our reason , or make shipwrack of our constancy . now i have said what there is of good that may be found in the gay and chearful humour , it is time to examine what evil may be met with in it . and since we have remarked the defects which many attribute to melancholy , let us betake our selves a while to mention its good effects and just praises . this is that which renders the mind subtle for the sciences , indefatigable for affairs , serious in conversation , constant in designs , modest in good fortune , patient under bad , and judicious and reasonable in all things . it is of this just and equal temperament that vertue serves her self to appear with all her ornaments : this nature has been wont to chuse when she would form conquerors or philosophers : and this is that , which grace it self has always employ'd to give to the world the most extraordinary persons . it seems as if the persons of this humour were born wise ; that nature had given them more than study and endeavour can procure to others : and that without falling under the inconveniences of old age , they possess in good time almost all its maturity . 't is true , they reproach it with this , that their meditation is of more worth than their discourse : but they ought to know , that as the judgment of such persons is solid , so they commonly disdain that superfluous ornament , and shew which the slighter wits make so much use of , to procure credit among the vulgar . in this their modesty they resemble the eagle in the apocalypse , that had light within , and had eyes under his wings : whereas the great talkers have them only upon the feathers , as the peacocks on those of their train ; being no otherwise reasonable , but in colour and appearance . i do not at all deny but the gay and chearful humours have something of pleasantness , but they are also subject to very great defects : for as much as the railery and jesting which they often engage in , tho it be agreeable to some , yet it usually does offend more than it pleases . and one shall often see this sort of wits , among themselves , begin in jest , and play , like puppies , and soon end in earnest and quarrel . but especially when religion or any ones reputation is their subject ; 't is the easiest thing in the world for them to fall into impiety and slander . and since we cannot rally the great without imprudence , nor the miserable without cruelty ; and then in doing this , we should always contradict either the rules of policy , or the laws of nature : the graver spirits have a great deal of reason to abstain from that which makes them , who profess it , pass for buffoons or for enemies , and which often gives themselves in the end an occasion to weep , after that they have provided for others something to laugh at . for my part , i think it no disparagement to melancholy , to own that it has no inclination to so ridiculous a quality , which supposes always a lightness of spirit , and very often a great liberty of conscience . it was this giddy-headed temper which was that of the foolish virgins , and of the same are they who have more wit than judgment : who nevertheless seem for the present to have some light , but it is an ignis fatuus , or such as , like a spark , shines but a moment e're it goes out . they let themselves be impos'd upon , for want of being able to foresee far enough into affairs of importance ; whereas the wise are never drowsie when they should prepare themselves for good , or dangerous occasions , for fear they should afterwards be oblig'd to repentance and shame . and to speak of things as they are : since the spirit and the sense have a quarrel which will last as long as life , and the soul is not strong but in the weakness of the body , as in the ruin of an enemy ; there is some ground to say , that when the humour is so brisk and so free , that it is become the more strong ; and on the contrary when it is humbled and melancholy , 't is become a slave to reason ; like a maid-servant that shews discontent in her looks , when she is hardly treated by her mistress . the joy which arises from the conscience has marks that are altogether particular ; 't is the purest that is , and resembles the unspotted brightness of the stars , which always cast forth an equal lustre : but that which comes from the body or the temper , is like the comets , which have there nourishment from below by the exhalations of the earth , which presage none but dire events , and which seem to dance in the air , while they run after the vapours that feed them , but go out as soon as they are destitute of that matter . the passion of the melancholy has nothing parallel to these tragick meteors , either in their formation , or in what maintains them : their amity has no aim besides the goods of the mind : and as the fire of their affection is most pure , so it loses nothing of its ardour , it endures always in an equal state , like that which some philosophers fancied to be under the orb of the moon . i readily acknowledge , as to what regards friendship , that the gay humors are therein more forward and free ; but then the melancholy are more discreet in it , and fitter to be trusted . these adhere constantly to their designs , while the other change every moment their passions , and lend themselves out to every object that presents . a very little matter serves either to overcome or persuade them . inconstancy is almost inseparable from this humour , and if they are not capable of corruption through malice , at least they are liable to it by weakness . but if their plainness merits some favour , i cannot for all that count it reasonable , that we ought to esteem so very much a natural goodness , which is rather an effect of the temper , than the choice . when a person cannot be bad , there is no such great glory in being good : and if the simple do not much mischief , they are not to be thought the less culpable for that , since notwithstanding they may do all that they know . and if it be said , that tho they are not better , yet they are more happy than the others , because their mind is without inquietude as it is without design : in truth , it were the greatest injury that could be done them , to speak of them in this manner : for this were to found their felicity in their defect , and to own that they are no otherwise happy , but because they are stupid or ignorant . if a marble stone feels nothing of pain , we do not say for that reason it is very well : we do not account it in health , but unsensible . it is after this manner that the thoughtless are not unhappy ; for 't is the wanting of a sense of it that hinders them from being so : and this is no very honourable advantage to them , that they are free from care and trouble , as stones are free from sickness , or beasts from remorse of conscience . if the stupid are found sometimes at the same point with the philosophers in the tranquility of their mind , 't is yet with a great deal of difference between them ; in that the latter surmount what the others are ignorant of . the serpents under the earth are not less safe from a tempest , than any persons that are above the clouds : the meaner spirits , like them by creeping , find their safety in their weakness : but it is much more glorious to be above the storm than beneath it , and to have it under our feet than over our heads . since the true felicity cannot be acquir'd without vertue and morality , the happiness of the simple is of another nature than that of the wise : and , in my opinion , they are no otherwise happy in this world , than those in a feigned limbus in the other , where they stay between good and bad , without being touched by either of them . the melancholy do not live in this indifference , they owe not their felicity to the ignorance , but to the goodness of their minds ; and it would be too shameful a happiness to them , and such as they would complain of , if it were necessary to them to be insensible of good , that they might be so of evil. to know how much the melancholy humour excels all other , it ought to be consider'd , that they who are forward and light are no less uncapable to defend themselves from misfortunes , than to tast the true pleasures : their heat precipitates them into extreams : they do nothing but in frolick , as if they were made up only of sulphur and gun-powder ; they need but a mear spark to set on fire both their actions and their thoughts : and of this there is no other remedy but to wait for the end of their impetuosity , which often tires its own self , and of it self the fire goes out . the spirits that are without conduct in their enterprises , are also without courage in their afflictions : they are a bad sort of souldiers that use well neither the sword nor the buckler ; and the same lightness which makes them very rash in their onset , does also render them weary and impatient when they come to suffer or defend themselves . on the contrary , the melancholy have always the spirit equal : they are free from insolence in a good fortune , and from despair under an evil one. they endure what they cannot overcome , they surmount the maladies of the soul by strong reasoning , and those of the body by invincible patience . and if heretofore a man could find himself bold enough to assault the person of a duke of milan in the middle of his guards , in the face of his court , and even in a church , only for the having practised several times upon the picture of this prince ; what boldness ought those wise men to have who are of this temper , what can they find of new in any events that may be able to put them in a wonder ? instead of being surprized , they discover things to come at a distance by their foresight , that they may in good time accustom themselves to them . they render things as easie to them by meditation , as they become to the vulgar by long experience . it ought not to be strange , if the melancholick are very constant ; and one can never see them troubled , even when they are constrain'd to give way to force , since they always reserve a secret place within themselves where the storms of fortune know not how to arrive . it is thither that the soul withdraws her self to maintain an eternal serenity ; there she gains an absolute empire over her opinions : and there she entertains her self alone , even in the midst of company , without suffering any interruption of her repose and silence by the throng or tumults of the world. it is in this solitude and abstractedness of the superior part in us that the spirit fortifies it self , that morality is learnt ; and that some possess before-hand , even without a multitude of years and a long experience , the prudence of old men , and the wisdom of philosophers . lastly , it is in this place that we shall have always the means of having pleasant thoughts , if we preserve in our selves the images of those things that are agreeable : for if the present objects displease us , we may by entring into our selves render our minds easie and content , while our senses are under a persecution . we may entertain our selves with the thoughts of a beauty , at the same time when an ugly face is before our eyes . but who can ever enough commend this noble contemplation of the melancholick ? since 't is by this that the soul seems to quit , when it will , the troublesom commerce of the senses . and we may consider with an attention the less distracted , what we are , when our imagination represents us to our selves ; which it does more clearly and with less danger than the foolish narcissus is said to have seen himself in the fountain . i do not wonder at all that the poets feign'd he destroy'd himself , because he fought himself out of himself : it is in truth impossible we should find our selves but in our selves ; by all that is besides , we meet with nothing but our appearance and shadow . insomuch , that without the use of this noble meditation , to which the melancholy temper is disposed , a man seems to have his reason imperfect and even unuseful . for as the bees must retire themselves to the making of hony , after they have been collecting matter for it among the flowers : so 't is necessary , that after we have viewed a diversity of objects , we should retire within our selves to derive the fruit of our observation , and to make the consequences it will afford . without this , whatever study or experience we have , it will be nothing but a confusion and medly of things ; we may gather good things , but shall be very ill managers of them ; our actions will appear without conduct , our thoughts wit●out order , and our discourse without judgment . the greatest part of the grosser spirits have a sentiment quite contrary to this , and cannot bring themselves to imagine , that there is any other contemplation but that of fools , and such as are distemper'd . and in truth this meditation in them , would cause no less hurt than it does fear of it ; it would be as contrary to them as it is unpleasing : it dazels the spirits of those that are wicked ; the one sort it blinds , and others it severely scourges . it is not to be imagin'd , that they who have nothing but darkness in the mind , and guilt in the conscience , can take any delight to enter into themselves , or to search there for satisfaction or repose . but to despise contemplation , because there are some that may lose themselves in it , is not this as great an error as if one should find fault with the sun because the owls cannot bear his brightness ; without considering that the eagles can stedsastly behold it ; and that we should not tax this glorious star , for that our feeble eyes are dazled by his rayes , and we find darkness even in the source of light it self . i have now said enough concerning these two humours : having thus compar'd them together , there is not a person who may not easily judge what ought to be her usage of both , that she may succeed well in conversation . if the chearful humour seems most agreeable , the melancholy seems most solid ; the one is the most beautiful , the other the most rich . they have both of them something of good , and something of evil ; and indeed , to speak my opinion , i judge that as the mixture of hot and cold is the support of our lives , so all the force of agreeableness and a good grace is derived from the tempering of these two humours , when it is so done , that the one serves for a remedy to the other . and if the romans esteem'd those the best of their tribunes , who testified the most inclination to the senate , and those the wisest among the senators , which most favoured the interests of the people ; in like manner , i think , we may say that the most excellent among the chearful persons , are they who approach nearest to the melancholy ; and among the melancholy , they are the best who have most gayety of mind . for being thus temper'd , the first shall be the more discreet , and the latter less austeer and imposing . of reputation . be it so that reputation is a mighty treasure , and that it serves no less to vertue , than day-light does to a picture to make it appear : nevertheless , if it be well considered after what manner some lose , or some possess it in these days , we might rank it among the goods of fortune , in which the foolish have many times a larger share than the persons of greatest merit . if there were wise and just judges to distribute this , it were enough to be vertuous for the obtaining a reputation and esteem among men : but it does frequently depend upon so very ill arbitrators , that if it were not for this , that we are always oblig'd to avoid , as much as we can , the giving of scandal ; it would really become those that are wise to content themselves with the testimony of a good conscience alone , without any further care for the opinion of the imprudent , which a meer chance may render either good or bad. this is a thing that depends too little upon our selves , to be that which can render us happy : and this were a felicity but very ill secured , which the ignorance or the malice of an enemy can take from us . a renown or great fame is many times an effect which seems to have nothing of a cause , and which rises like those groundless alarms which put sometimes a whole army into a pannick fear and disorder , while they can no ways find out what should be the subject or occasion of it . i must also approve the opinion of those who compare it to the winds , because it rises and falls as lightly as they , and above all , because there is no one knows certainly the original of them . and since it is then so uncertain a thing , why should any man labour , with great unquietness of mind , to know how he stands in the opinion of others , and afflict himself for the error of the vulgar , as if it were but now , that the ignorant had begun to mistake or lie ? i have taken occasion to wonder , with aristotle , that the ancients gave more recompences to strength and force of the body , than to the abilities of the mind , distributing their lawrels to a bulky wrestler , and not to the wise or prudent . it cannot be but that ignorance and poverty must have hinder'd them from putting a price upon vertue . ignorance might do this , because vertue being a thing that is hid in the heart , men are often abused in the judgments which they make of it : and poverty might cause it too , because when they were forced to acknowledge its excellency , they had nothing in the world sufficiently precious to make rewards or garlands worthy of it . now then if human judgments are so full of uncertainty , what advantage or what wrong can vertue receive from their error ? in truth they cannot recompence it , since they cannot know it ; they are not knowing enough for this , nor rich enough o what blindness and what levity is in the world ! may we not see some persuading themselves there is great vertue there , where there is truly nothing but vice ; and some , on the contrary , that give base and unworthy names to excellent things ? like astrologers , that call some of the stars the bull or the scorpion , which have nevertheless nothing either of fury or venom , but only purity and light. i could heartily wish that they who meddle with judging of things without knowing well the nature of them , might be punisht as midas was . this ignorant judge prefer'd the rustick sound of pan's pipe before the ravishing harmony of apollo's lute , giving his vote to that which made the greatest noise . and his fit condemnation was to wear asses ears , having but an asses head and wit before . his judgment was very like to that of a great many , who esteem things only by their colour and mein ; and they are no less worthy of long ears for a mark of their stupidity . and indeed to make more account of the appearance than the truth of a thing , is not this to prefer pan to apollo , a pipe before a lute , and a noise before a harmony ? there is a great deal of brutality in an opinion so barbarous . and nevertheless there are of such as these a great many in the world ; and these are they who give a bad repute to those that merit only a good one . i shall therefore reserve my resentment for those who can give just condemnations or praises ; and i shall not be at all of the mind to suffer my self to be uneasy at that which i ought to deride . there are very few persons that judge with any soundness , of that which they see : the mind of the most does not penetrate far , it stops as the eyes do at the colour and surface . their opinion is of very little importance , and i think ; that , without scandal , 't is enough to avoid their slander , without seeking their approbation . we live in an age of pomp and ostentation , wherein morality is overthrown ; and the vertues of the time consist only in the excess and extravagance . to gain the reputation of a devout person one must run even into superstition and hypocrisy : and the politick spirits do by christianity just as the stoicks did by philosophy ; to abuse the vulgar , they fram'd imaginary vertues to which humane nature could never attain . it is a mighty unhappiness that honesty is not to be found in commerce , nor purity in religion . and that we must in common life as well as at court , demand often more than we can hope for or deserve , that we may gain reputation and credit . but to give my opinion as a philosopher as well as casuist ; it ought not to be concluded that we may neglect a reputation , because it is ill distributed this disorder does not at all dispense with our duty ; and it would as ill become us to render our selves infamous for this reason , as to commit murders or thefts because there are some thieves absolved , and perhaps some that are innocent punisht for that crime . since all women are not very prudent , and there are many that govern themselves more by example than reason , the wiser part ought at least to consider , that reputation is then a publick good , and they ought as much to endeavour the remedying an ill repute , as to extinguish a conflagration , or to purge a common contagion . in truth it is worthy to be laught at , that any should give themselves all manner of liberty , as we may see some do , because vile slander puts sometimes the most vertuous in the rank of the greatest debauchees , to give them an ill repute ; and sometimes the most vicious with the best men , to give them a good one . this is wholly to prefer imposture to truth , and opinion to a good conscience . as if a king should cause torches to be lighted up at noon-day , because the sun shines upon peasants as well as upon him ; or as if he should chuse to be sick and lose his health because , his subjects are well . we ought not to become vicious because of the ill opinion any have of us , but rather endeavour always to live so much the better , that we may force them to have a good one . when one cannot be so happy as to gain this , yet he should incessantly endeavour to practise so much vertue as to deserve it . the testimony of the conscience is more to be esteem'd than all this report of us . when there are neither friends nor enemies present to praise or to blame , those that are fair find always enough to satisfie themselves in their looking-glass , and those that are homely , see there enough to afflict them . the conscience does as much for vice and for vertue , as the glass does for the visage . the insolent are far from troubling themselves for a good reputation , since they rather do all they can to obtain a bad one . to judge rightly of the lives of some women , it seems as if they would imitate the lesbia in martial , who was wont to seek for pomp and clamour , that she might shew her self debauched , and who took more pleasure in the spectatours than in the adulterers . she was for her brutish pleasures as the sophists were for their vertue ; they could not do what was good , nor she what was bad , but upon theaters . nevertheless , since t is not enough to be vertuous , but we must satisfie men that we are so , we ought to take care what appearance and shew we make , and to take away pretence from slanderers , who are wont to make men criminal , when they do not find them so . i grant that socrates had no love for alcibiades but such as was altogether honorable , and that his affection was not contrary to his philosophy : nevertheless when he made him his bed-fellow , he ought at least so to have managed his coming in and going out , as to take from them that should see him going away in the morning , all pretence to ground a slander upon the time and the place of this young-mans visit . though the oracle publisht the wisdom of socrates , yet the imprudene of his conduct in this friendship cannot be justified . prudence and love can hardly consist even in the best wits ; and it is for this perhaps that the poets have feign'd cupid to be always a child ; for let love grow never so old , it never arrives at years of discretion . his childhood endures as long as himself , for fear he should be asham'd of the wanton tricks of his sports and pass-times . i wonder not at all if love makes a man lose his reputation , since it makes him lose his wit ; and since socrates himself with all his wisdom and vertue could not defend himself from the injury of reproach in a simple friendship among the romans , claudia the vestal was innocent ; and yet she was accused of having lost her honour , only because she order'd her self with too much art and curiosity : and they thought it cause enough to condemn her , because she took a little more pains about her habit and discourse than was well suiting with such a votary . it cannot be said but this was a very slight ground for the forming of her process ; but certainly she had never been saved but by a miracle : when she drew a ship along with her girdle , which many engines , and many men had not been able to stir . in truth we are oblig'd to do all that we are able , to take away all matter of slander and to avoid scandal : but the most wise and even the most vertuous often labour in this matter in vain . for let them do or not do , there are no rules or means infallible for the preserving a reputation ; and since it depends upon the opinion of others , it follows fortune more than prudence . it ought not to be believ'd that innocence with a good conduct are sufficient for this , when the son of god himself , who is the source of all goodness and wisdom , saw his reputation slur'd for a time by the impostures of his enemies , who made him pass for a glutton and a wine-bibber . this example alone does abundantly shew that there must be some other thing than address and vertue to maintain a reputation . moreover , there is i know not what infelicity that follows persons of worth , which exposes them to obloquy they know not why ; and this happens more often to the vertuous than to others ; for as much as their refusals create them enemies , and they often put themselves in danger , like susanna , of being accus'd of that crime which they would not commit . there are even some sorts of visages that contract a slander , and this proceeds sometimes from hence , that foolish people imagine a man cannot laugh without being vicious , and that there is no innocence where there is not grief and melancholy . this is the judgment of the ignorant , who believe that vertue ought always to weep , and who know not that it ought to guard it self as much against a dull humour as against cloudy weather , and that of all sorts of wits those are the best , that have some gayety . and it is necessary that persons be very heavy , to believe that we cannot have a good humour without an evil conscience . and besides , if there were no malice , or a man had no enemies in the world , there is almost nothing so assured or evidently true to which men may not give several faces : if we consider our actions well , it will appear that they are all liable to a different interpretation . who can certainly judge ( where there is no christianity , ) of a man that gives his alms in publick , whether this be for a good example , or out of vanity ? may it not be said of a person that is patient , that this is a sign he has little sense , as well as that he has this vertue ? how know we whether a pleasant humour be a testimony of licentiousness or of freedom ? those that are serious , may they not pass for stupid or vain persons as well as for modest ? the interpretation does all ; and tho the things are not indifferent , yet we speak of them more according to our sentiment , than according to their nature . after all this , those that are wise ought to seek their consolation in their own mind ; and after they have done all they can to merit a good reputation , they ought then to disdain a bad one . the disdain of injuries is the death of slander , but the resentment revives it . this is to acknowledge the force of its arms , when we confess it has been able to hurt us . and they who are hurried into an excess of concern when they find themselves injur'd , satisfie the designs of those that sought to offend them ; for this is to render our enemy pleas'd when we give him testimony that he hinders us from being so . tho our reputation may be stolen from us , or retrencht in some measure ▪ yet at last it will return again ; as our hair grows again after 't is cut , provided it have but a root , and our innocence and patience do remain . in every case if they blame us unjustly , we ought to feel more consolation in the truth than trouble for the imposture . the innocent should no more afflict themselves when they are said to be guilty , than if it should be said they were sick when they are in a good state of health . it is from hence we may learn why the vertuous are less revengeful when they are blamed than the vicious . for as those that are not beautiful , would yet be often esteem'd so with their disguises : so the dishonest persons endeavour by their artifices to gain the opinion of being very wise . it is for this that such women are so very troublesome , and that one shall not dare to touch them in the least where they are hurt , but presently they are extreamly disorder'd . all the world knows that lucrece , when she kill'd her self for the violence which she suffer'd from tarquin , said as she was dying , she had two testimonies of her innocence that were unreproachable , the one was , her blood in the sight of men , and her mind before the gods. but i am almost of the opinion of a great author , who accuses her of not having been always so chast as she would fain be reputed . and if she had not been at all criminal , she might without doubt have found more remedy for her trouble in her conscience than in death . they say she resisted more out of humour , or some secret considerations , than out of vertue ; and having passed away the time with other galants of less quality than this tyrant , she fear'd that all her other faults would be discover'd by this ; and this fear they say made her resolve to leave the world by her own guilty hand , rather than to see her helf outlive the loss of her reputation . i declare that it is of more worth to be good in effect , than in appearance ; and that an honest woman ought to esteem vertue beyond reputation : but i believe too , that if one be very sensible of the importance of her fame , she will with the more care avoid the danger of losing it : since they who have a true sense of honour , ought to esteem themselves unhappy when they are put to the trouble of justifying themselves , and that when they are not guilty : they ought always to have before their eyes that which was said by julius caesar , when he divorced his wife pompeia , and that even after she had made her innocency appear : it is not enough , said the emperour , that the wife of caesar be innocent , but she ought also to be free from suspicion . of the inclination to vertue , and of devotion . they who imagine that the piety of women is nothing else but the tenderness of their complexion , and the weakness of their spirit , are not at all of our opinion : and they offer them no less affront in their endeavour to take away this divine quality , than if they had attempted to rob their faces of their eyes . it must be believ'd that they who desire a woman without devotion , do also wish her to be without modesty too . and after they have taken from her all sentiments of piety , they design and intend next to ravish something else . this is an old errour , which begun with the world it self : and the libertins do nothing else in this , with the women of the present age , than what the devil practised upon the first woman , whom he first depriv'd of the fear of god , to the end he might afterwards persuade her to all manner of liberty . but it evidences a great want of judgment for any to seek the reputation of a good wit in the contempt of religion ; and that especially during a reign , and in a court where religion and piety are so much reverenced by the greatest . none can now observe the common rules of policy while they violate the rules of their religion . and 't is a very happy necessity which renders the looser spirits of the court without excuse , when at this day they may see , that if they will not render themselves ridiculous , they must seek their salvation together with their fortune . it is then necessary that the ladies , who would testifie that they have inclinations to vertue , should gratifie more those that make profession of this , than the others ; for fear lest it be believed , if they favour the licentious or the stupid , that there is some resemblance that has contriv'd a secret correspondence between them . they that shew a hatred or coldness towards persons of worth and religion , declare by the aversion they have to good things , that they are not born but for evil. the weak spirits have not credit enough to be able to publish their vertues , nor enough discretion to conceal their defects . and nevertheless we may often see that they who are vain , or designing , do seek among the foolish their admirers and confidents ; as if this were not a choice that is altogether blind , to take so ill judges of their merit , and so bad secretaries of their pastimes . ignorance and simplicity are two confidents that are very unsafe . interest and persuasion easily make them speak of the things they are acquainted with : and imprudence even when it is not sollicited , will often speak of that which ought to be buried in silence . the physician of midas foolishly addrest to the reeds , that he might keep a secret from the long ears of his master . he had a great deal better have made use of an honest and wise man than of this plant : and the stupid , as well as he , prove at their cost that there can be no true fidelity there , where there is no wit nor reason . there are to this purpose more histories than fables , and we need not return to the times that are past to seek examples there , of what we may see every moment , in a sufficient number , to afford matter for many tragedies . and as for piety , if any imagine that it takes away good humour , and renders a woman too melancholy for company ; in truth i do not approve of those who put their devotion upon the rack , to force it to make wry faces ; as if one could not be saved without making one's self terrible . when the grace of god is in a soul , the visage is sensible of the sweetness , and does not at all carry the lines and colours of the damned or of demons . the weather is clouded when 't is disposed to a tempest ; and these dejected looks prognostick something fatal in the thought . they that have no design to commit any thing that is evil , nor remorse in the soul for any that they have committed , have not this sad humour , which we account to be as contrary to devotion as it is to decency . we do not take any thing from repentance for this : the summer has rain as well as the winter , and love may no less be turn'd into tears than fear . joy weeps as well as sadness ; and the remembrance of our sins will give us no more grief than the return of gods favour which attends our repentance , will give of joy and pleasure . as it does sometimes rain , even while the sun shines , so repentance often makes tears fall from a smiling countenance . whatever the libertins say , devotion is not contrary to civility : if the bees gather their hony from the flowers without doing them any wrong when they touch them ; devotion does much more in whatever profession it is found , by embelishing it and rendring it more agreeable . as jewels cast into hony , get there a greater lustre , each of them according to their natural colour : so there is not any condition in the world which does not become more beautiful and more estimable when 't is accompanied with piety . it is for this that divine wisdom has said , the righteous are the excellent of the earth . it renders those that retire , more chearful , and those that live more in the world , less insolent ; it moderates the pleasures of the one sort , and sweetens the austerities of the other . marriage is hereby the more commendable , war the more just , commerce the more faithful , and the court the more honourable . is there not a great deal of ignorance and tyranny to say , that this ought no where to be found but in a cloyster , and that it cannot be mingled with the affairs of the world without making some encroachment upon the carthusians or capuchins ? others there are that have a sentiment quite contrary to this . we are in an age wherein many make no account of this , unless it be excessive in the exteriour and show ; insomuch that many content themselves with the decency of devotion alone , or rather with a humane religion . i can never see this monstrous devotion but it puts me in mind of the famous trojan horse , which was full of enemies within ; and to which nevertheless under the pretext of piety , they did not meerly open a gate , but even broke down a part of their wall , that they might receive with the more solemnity this present dedicated to minerva . nevertheless , let us content our selves to have not approved this appearance of these times , for fear we should fall into some mischief , if we undertake to oppose it . laocoon , who took his lance in his hand to make a search with it into that machin , was punisht for his curiosity , tho it were just . if we should venture to make war with the hypocrites , we should have too many enemies to encounter , and might be more assured of their hatred than of their amendment . it is true , that those women who use so much ceremony , and practise so much subtilty , that they may deceive some eyes with pretences to conscience , do resemble those spiders who employ a great deal of pains to make nets , wherein themselves at last are intangled ; without any other advantage by their labour and art , but that of catching a few flies . the smaller wits admire this artifice ; but the great despise it . and for my part i am not able to conceive how the excellent woman can take dreams for revelations , or suffer her self to be imposed upon by such illusions and ravings . those women that are most excessively caressing when they are married , have often a desire to deceive while they flatter ; insomuch that heretofore those ladies were suspected for the death of their husbands , who made excessive lamentations over their tombs . in a private life as well as in publick pretence is blamable , and this great ostentation is altogether suspicious at least , if it be not vicious . as for what concerns conversation , the best artifice is to have nothing of dissimulation ; for 't is more easy to be good indeed , than to be so in appearance only ; and there is very often less difficulty to regulate the conscience , than the mein . and to say the truth , is it not a blindness that is most extream , to expect from the hands of men a recompence of the service which we render to god , and to seek for another approver of our actions besides him who is truly the sole and final judge of them ? it is to have very wrong notions of piety ; to practise it because some commend it ; or to renounce , because others blame it : these are motives too humane for so divine a thing . the superstitious have more scruple at the commission of a small sin , than of a great one ; and are like the jews , who made more conscience of entring into the judgment-hall , than of condemning jesus christ ; and of omitting to wash their hands , than of persecuting the innocent . it is true , that such women have deriv'd this from the first , who made more ceremony , and testified more fear at touching the forbidden fruit , than at eating it . these questions , these accounts , these scruples without reason , give no trouble at all to the excellent persons ; who follow the example of alexander , while they vertuously cut the troublesome knots , rather than incommode themselves to untie them , as the vulgar do , to whom the true devotion is very often unknown . nevertheless , for fear we fall out of one extream into another , we ought so to behave our selves in blaming superstition , as they that burnt the houses in asia in the time of xerxes . they did not dare to touch those buildings that were adjoining to temples , not only to prevent those sacred places from being burnt , but also for fear they should suffer the least blemish . in like manner we must pardon in this case many things , which we might blame without injustice to them , but yet not without danger of carrying weak spirits thereby even into impiety . when superstition proceeds from simplicity , it seems worthy of pity or of excuse : but when it comes from artifice , it does deserve to be punisht . the ear that covers the grain , or the leaves about the fruit , are not at all made in vain : nature has given them these , either to preserve , or to adorn them . the ceremonies are of the same use in religion : and as devotion is inseparable from love ; it sometimes borrows the transports of that , and makes the servants of god run beyond their bounds , as well as the prophane , who honour their mistresses even to their hair and the letters of their names . it is very reasonable that divine love should testifie more ardour in its effects than the worldly . and 't is for this reason that a great author did very handsomely say , that if the cupid of the poets has two wings , our seraphims have six . of chastity , and of complaisance . it is but reasonable that we join together these two amiable qualities , to reduce them both to a perfect temper ; since there are some women render themselves unsociable that they may keep themselves chast ; and there are others refuse nothing that they may be complaisant . this is in truth to be of too good , or too bad an humour ; and is no other than the changing one vice into another , instead of shunning vice. if the vertue has two extreams that do equally transgress the rules of it , we ought not to make use of one of these to defend our selves from the other : as if a man ought to be covetous , for fear he should be prodigal , or throw himself into the fire to save himself from the water . morality does not at all approve this conduct , that does not teach to chuse sins , but to shun them , that we may rest in vertue alone , which is difficult to be found , because the excess or the defect conceal it from the eyes of the ignorant . those women that think they cannot be strictly honest and yet sufficiently obliging , understand but ill the nature of these vertues : for in truth they are not contrary , they are only divers , and their correspondence is too natural for them not to be able to subsist in the same subject . when they are both of them there in a just degree , they have a much better grace in each others company than either of them would have alone . hence it is that theodosius was the most commended of all the emperors , in that he seem'd to have good qualities contrary to each other to raise his esteem : his sweetness and gentleness took away nothing from his majesty , nor his severity from his gentle condescension . there are some that have a countenance ridiculous rather than smiling , they do so much constrain themselves to be agreeable ; and others are so much under a constraint to put on gravity , that they have the aspect of furious persons or school-mistresses . however it be , to give a true account of these two humours , it must be said , that they are usually suspected either of artifice or stupidity : in that , if there be no design in them , then there is no wit ; and if there be design , the one feign themselves grave that they may deceive , and the other feign themselves easie , only to be deceived : the latter believe the world will ascribe their familiarity to their humour , the former imagine that their cold behaviour will be accounted an effect of their vertue . these disguised persons can never succeed long , especially with those of good wit ; among whom the very best means to appear chast is really to be so . as the greatest hypocrites are the least devout , so the most reserv'd are often the least chast . hecuba might have a handsom mask , and helen an ugly one ; but this deformity and that beauty would impose upon none but those eyes which saw no farther than the outward appearance . it will in the end be discovered what we are in truth . and as innocence falsly accused , does become afterwards more glorious when it appears in spight of its enemies : the vice which is unjustly commended , appears to us the more shameful , as soon as we are disabused . but to speak some of the praises of chastity , it must be that this quality is divine , since even its proper enemies make great account of it ; and the most debauched have less respect for her that yields , than for that resists . we may learn from the poets , that daphne , while she fled from the guilty embraces of apollo , was turn'd into a lawrel , from which ever after he took the garlands that he wore : but on the contrary , when io had consented to the will of jupiter , she was changed into a cow. how different were these two metamorphoses , and how much more glorious marks had the refusal than the consent ! respect accompanies desire , but disdain always succeeds possession in these cases . and it seems those women are no longer amiable after they are become amorous . the god pan being ravisht with the beauties of a nymph , employed violence when intreaties had fail'd him : she ran even to the brink of a river , where she was just ready to throw her self in , that she might save her honour with the loss of her life ; there the god took pity on her and turn'd her into a reed , of which he made a pipe for the honour of her resistance ; and that he might have her every moment between his hands and his lips. those that are gain'd , are not treated after that manner , for as much as they have not that honour now , which made them sought and desired with so much care and pains . those women that promise themselves they will never go so far , and give no favours but such indifferent ones as civility will permit , after they have suffer'd more than they ought , are carried on further than they thought to be . i could wish that the imprudence of many ladies did not often give a truth to the fable of europe . this young princess was innocently walking on the sea-shore , where she view'd her herds as they were grazing by her ; she sees among them a bull that pleased her more than all the rest ; she approaches to stroak and play with him , she mounts upon his back when she sees him so gentle , but she found her ruin at last there where she sought only diversion . he enters by little and little into the water with her , and so far at last that she beheld in vain the brink of the ocean without being able to return to it . she saw her self at that time between two frightful dangers , one of which she must needs fall into : she could not quit him without the loss of her life , nor commit her self to his conduct without the loss of her honour . she was transported to an isle , where she sadly knew to her cost , that this bull was a god thus disguised to surprise her . see herein what will happen to those that will play with beasts , when they are more free or more familiar with stupid persons than with good wits . europe was more bold with a bull than she would have been with jupiter , if he had but declared himself : he made his approaches more easily under the hide of a beast , than under the appearance of a god. the most cunning persons , after his example , will counterfeit themselves silly and ignorant , to arrive with the more ease at what they design : they pass from small favours to great ones , and always advance their design , till they change their entreaties into threatnings , and their soothing into violence . and it is from thenceforth that such acknowledge , too late , that the true simplicity is ill treated when it entertains it self with the false one . the fear of losing their reputation , after they have given some advantages , does corrupt many : but they deserve to be punisht for their easiness , that they may learn , at their cost , that there is no great safety with persons that are disguised , and that those spirits that are least dissembled , are the more vertuous , and the more capable of friendship . those that would disparage the ladies , say that the foolish are more fortunate and happy with them than the most worthy persons : because the violence of the one sort succeeds better than the persuasions of the other ; and because they are less ashamed to let favours be wrested from them , than to bestow them , to the end they may excuse their consent by the force . but these are opinions that deserve rather to be despised than credited , and which no less contradict the sincerity , than the vertue of the ladies ; who ordinarily do not fall into any evil , but by reason that they have not artifice enough against that of their enemies . but that we may blame affectation after we have commended plainness : it is not very easie to employ so many inventions , as some do , that they may appear amiable , without having some design in so doing . they that give love for their pleasure , are often forced to receive it by necessity . those women would work a miracle , in carrying so much fire in their eyes , without having any kindle in the soul ; and how resolv'd soever they may be , their looks have not the priviledge of the sun , who burns all below without inflaming his own sphere . these are ill weapons , these of love , that one can rarely make use of them to hurt others , but first or last she shall hurt her self . i have heretofore a long time mused upon the statue of venus , made by phidias , under the feet of which , he placed a tortoise . i judge that the greatest mystery that can therein be discovered is , that the tortoises go but very little , or if they remove themselves sometimes , they are always arm'd and cover'd , carrying their house along with them . venus despises the solitary and the cautious : those women that seek with so much passion all sorts of conversation , do please her more for the encrease of her empire : and above all things , she has always affected nudity , because it was that which gain'd her the apple . those women that are so much pleased to find themselves often in the midst of their enemies , have something of a desire to be overcome . and in truth , how good soever a company may be , yet distrust is always better than too much boldness : and since she who ought to be the pattern of her sex , was confus'd at the presence of an angel , who appear'd to her in the likeness of a man ; the women also ought always to testifie some bashfulness in the company of men , tho when they are under the form of an angel : unless it were so , that they having no other than his design , the women also would have no need of her fear . it is doubtless ill asserted to say , that timerousness restrains more women than vertue : if their inclination were bad , would they want to be solicited ? experience shews sufficiently , that if they have any apprehension , it is rather of being vicious , than of being blamed . tho the men that have written books and proverbs , have writ all things to their own advantage : yet they have declar'd that chastity does particularly belong to the women ; for as much as they , who have lost this , are taken for monsters . it would not be thought so strange if this quality were not natural to them . there have indeed some men been found that have possest this vertue ; but this has been upon such occasions , as wherein some considerations , or constraint have taken away all the merit of it . alexander testified some reservedness with the women of darius's family : but to shew that this was more out of policy than vertue , what did he not do with the amazons ? scipio , while he was yet a young man , sent back a very fair woman to her husband , after his souldiers had presented her to him : but glory was stronger in him than love ; because he had lost his credit with the spaniards if he had accepted that offer . what praise did xenocrates deserve for not medling with the woman whom they brought to him ? his coldness proceeded from his old age ; he was drunk , he wanted to sleep . and if he had not been either feeble or drowsie , yet it was in publick ; in which case the most debauched had been asham'd as well as a philosopher . there is no need of a long discourse to prove that chastity does not belong to men ; they themselves too freely renounce any part in it , and believe that they should encroach upon the profession of the women , if they should put in practice the precepts which they themselves give to them . is not this a custom altogether worthy of blame , to see the men take all manner of liberty , without being willing to give the least degree ? one would say when one beholds this tyranny , that marriage sure was instituted for nothing else but to put women under the custody of goalers . there is herein a great deal of ingratitude as well as of injustice , to make claim to a fidelity which they will not return , especially when they themselves are no less obliged to preserve it . the women have enough of wit and of conscience , to believe that a revenge would cost them too dear , if they should lose their own vertue to have satisfaction for the vice of their husbands . octavia did not cease to love the lewd mark antony , even while he made love to cleopatra ; and abandon'd a great beauty at rome to possess one that was far a lesser one in egypt . those women that have this constancy , are worthy of admiration ; but those that have it not , find pretexts for their weakness : the example serves them for a reason , and they cannot imagine that crystal can resist those bodies , which are able to break marbles or diamonds . if we may be permitted to give some advice after we have been commending : since the son of god himself had a more tender affection for one of his disciples , than for any of the other . there may be particular inclinations allow'd without any offence to chastity , which does not banish the affections , but only regulate and moderate them . however , we ought to take care that if friendship , in its own nature , be a vertue , it does not become a vice in our practice . that it may not be therein abused , we ought to examin the end and design of it as soon as it commences ; and to assure our selves it is dangerous if we pretend to any thing else but affection . and above all , to preserve the more assuredly this vertue , it is good for them to betake themselves always to some commendable exercise . evil thoughts have no less advantage of an idle spirit , than enemies have over a man when he is asleep : and i am of the same opinion with him who call'd this languishing repose , the burying of a person alive : because that as worms breed in the body when 't is without the soul ; so bad desires and passions from themselves in a soul that is without employ . and if dishonest loves are the trade of those who do not spend their time in something that is commendable ; it ought to be believed , that chastity will be preserv'd by the help of employment , as it is corrupted by leisure . her whom the ancients held for the goddess of love , they also took for the mother of idleness : diana follow'd the chace , and minerva studied ; but venus did nothing . of courage . it seems to the men , that courage is a quality that should be peculiarly affixed to their sex ; without their producing any other title to it than only their own presumption : but he who made so much difficulty to imagine that there was one strong and couragious woman in the world , he made the sex a very honourable amends for so great an injury : and tho he was esteemed the wisest and the ablest of all men , he nevertheless lost this high advantage among the women , and became so shamefully feeble , and was so far conquer'd by them , that they obliged him to sacrifice to idols . histories are full of their generous actions , which they have perform'd to preserve their country , and out of love to their husbands , and for the religion of their ancestors . but to see whether our praises are true or false in this matter , it is necessary to examin what is the opinion of the wise , and what that of the vulgar concerning the true nature of courage . there is nothing then more true than this , that as the strength of the brain appears in walking over the highest places without fearing a fall ; that of good spirits consists in the seeing a danger without being troubled at it . and nevertheless the stupid have no advantage in this matter , while they wait till occasions come without concern , nor have the rash any that seek them : it is only the wise that defend themselves from misfortunes , without being precipitant or insensible . since courage ought always to be join'd with a free deliberation , and that it is not a vertue , either wholly constrain'd or purely natural ; i cannot persuade my self to account those to be generous who have a temper so light that it is raised without good cause , nor those that have a nature so heavy and dull , that one cannot provoke them , tho by ill treatment and injury . here is either an excess , or a defect of resentment , which may better be term'd levity or stupidity , than courage . if judgment should be found in all the discourses of an orator , prudence ought to be met with in all the actions of a wise man : without that let polyphemus be as strong as he will , he shall not fail to lose first his eye , and then his life . and tho vlysses was much weaker than he , yet the bulky giant could not defend himself from him with all the force that he had in his arms. after we have seen wherein the true courage does consist , those that know the temper of women , must allow that they have a great disposition to this vertue : for they are not so cold as to be unsensible , nor so hot as to be rash . we do not see that the most couragious among the men do precipitate themselves upon all sorts of occasions , as if they had as many lives as there are hazards and misfortunes in the world. whatever good face they may put upon it , the most understanding persons have some difficulty to resolve upon a thing that depends upon opinion , and have regret at the committing such a fault , in the loss of life , as can never be repair'd . this would tell us , that this vertue ought to have eyes as well as arms , and prudence as well as vigour . and therefore they who know morality well , will never give the name of courage to anger , nor to despair ; and i am not able to believe , that the men have reason , when they call the women timerous , only because they are not hasty or imprudent . but if any say that i have made an apology for cowardise , they must not take it ill , if i accuse them of recommending brutality . what glory has a man by cutting his own throat ? and what advantage , bating the brutish custom , in making ostentation of a trade , where the barbarous goths and vandals have been the masters , and of which they gave us the cruel rules and examples ? what is there more easie , than for a man to let himself be transported into fury , and to follow the motions of his passion ? those whom the vulgar call courageous , resemble the glasses which we cannot touch almost without breaking them . they do not know that the minds of men as well as their bodies , are always there most sensible where they are most weak . for if this be brave and generous to be provok't , or to complain every moment , then the sick are more so than the sound , the old than the young , and the vulgar than the wise . since fear and boldness are both reasonable , they are not contrary to each other ; the one opens our eyes to discover evils before they arrive ; and the other animates us to repulse them when they are present . but let us leave off reasoning , to come to examples ; and in truth we have admirable ones of this kind . has not titus livius left us a history much to their advantage , which he writ , as himself confesses , with astonishment and love ? after that philip king of macedon had put to death the principal lords of thessaly , many to avoid his cruelty , fled , and betook themselves into other countries . poris and theoxene took their way to athens , to find that security there , which they could not have in their own country . but they sail'd so unluckily , that instead of advancing , the winds drove them back again into that very port whence they had set sail : the guards having discover'd them at the rising of the sun , advertised the prince of it , and laboured to deprive these unhappy creatures of that liberty which they had more in esteem than their lives . in t●is extremity poris employ'd his intreaties to appease the souldiers , and even to invoke the gods to his succour : but theoxene seeing inevitable death was approaching , and not being willing to fall into the hands of this tyrant , she sav'd her children from captivity by an extraordinary resolution . she presented a ponyard to the elder of them , and a cup of poison to the lesser , and thus bespoke them . there is now no further help either for our liberty or our lives ; and since we must expect and propose to our selves that we shall die , let us take courage , my dear children ; it is better for us to chuse a death than to receive one from the hands of those that will insult over us . those that are strong , let them make use of the sword ; those that are more weak , let them drink off this draught . her children obey'd their mother , she threw them half dead into the sea , and then embraced her dear poris to cast him headlong with her self after them ; this she did in the sight of the souldiers , who could not forbear to lament the loss , and to admire the resolution of this lady . must we not own that courage and constancy appear'd on this occasion with a marvelous luster ? can we find among men any thing more great , or even comparable to this ? without dissembling i must declare , that i think we cannot see an action more courageous : the despair of her husband , the tears of her children , the threats of her enemies could not shake her constancy : and in the sight of so many misfortunes , she shew'd an aspect as free from fear as it was from pity ; she had none but generous sentiments , there where many men would have had none but cowardly ones . but if the courage of theoxene did thus appear in the defence of her own liberty ; that of megistone for the sake of her country , was yet more remarkable . after that aristotimus had usurped the sovereignty of elis , he drove away the better part of the citizens , who entreated him that at least he would permit their wives to bear them company in their misfortunes . this tyrant consented , in appearance , to their demands ; but so soon as he perceiv'd and knew that the women disposed themselves to depart , and that they prefer'd the company of their husbands to all the conveniences of their habitations in their city , he put to death a great many of them upon the place , and commanded the rest into prisons . nevertheless , for as much as tyranny does no less harm to those that exercise , it than it does to those that suffer under it , and there cannot be much safety where there are as many enemies as subjects ; aristotimus begun from thenceforth to fear his own fall : news was brought him that the banisht citizens had form'd a body , and were coming back to lay siege to elis. this desperate barbarian not being able to find a more ready remedy for his danger , went with a mighty fury to the prison , to command the women that they ▪ should call to their husbands in order to appease them . megistone disdain'd his commands , and without fearing any effects of his unjust power over them , she made this answer in the name of the rest . you shew very sufficiently that you are as destitute of judgment as you are of courage , when you come to pray to those persons whom you have basely abused , and hope for favour from those to whom you have shew'd none . these places horrible for their darkness , and the threatnings of death that you come with , are not able to render us so cowardly as to betray our country ; for which we will steadily lose our lives after the loss of our liberty . aristotimus his rage was more inflam'd rather than diminisht : he commanded that they should bring the son of megistone , and put him to death before the face of his mother : but when he could not be distinguisht by the messengers , in the company of other children , megistone call'd him by name , with a protestation that she had rather see him die than be captive in the hands of aristotimus . dureing this disorder the tragedy was at an he was besieged from without , they conspired against him within the city , where he was murdered in the market-place . megistone left the prison , and to shew her self as compassionate as she had been generous and brave , she prevented the violating the daughters of aristotimus , remonstrating to the people who mutined against her , that they ought not to render themselves guilty of the crime that they punisht , nor commit cruelty upon the children when they executed justice upon the father . euripides admired the countenance , the discourse , the resolution of iphigenia , when she was to be sacrificed to diana for the hind that agamemnon had kill'd . why weep you thus ( said she to her father ) for her who dies contented , since 't is by the command of the oracle , and for the good of greece ? if the prosperity of your arms is fastned to the loss of my life , i accuse not my destiny ; i regret nothing but this , that i have not more lives than one , that i might purchase for you , by the loss of them , as many lawrels as i desire you . at least your victory shall be as pleasant as your sacrifice is , that must be the price and the omen of it . this young beauty in the midst of the publick tears , died with as much sweetness as constancy , and made no more resistance to the sacrificer than a rose does to him that gathers it . both histories and fables are full of such examples . but , to say that which seems to me of greatest importance concerning the use of this vertue ; it is necessary to be consider'd well on what occasions any serve themselves of it . it is here that the vulgar have great need of a guide , because if they separate prudence from humane actions , then ignorance , despair or rashness will have even the same effects and the same appearances as courage . to speak rightly of this matter , this is an infallible rule , that those women who testify a great resolution in any evil design , they are in a manner always cowardly in any vertuous enterprise . and for this reason the ladies ought to take great care , that they be not more bold for their passions than for vertue . and in truth i can by no means approve of them , who resemble thetia the corinthian , who had so great a fear of flies , that she would never endure any light in her chamber , lest she should thereby see them ; and yet had resolution enough to kill her own husband . was not this to abuse both fear and boldness ? to be afraid of flies , and yet commit a horrid murder with so much confidence ? and to give a touch at the principal vices which are contrary to this vertue . those women that kill themselves , are not courageous , but desperate ; this is to give way , instead of defending our selves : it is to yield our selves to an enemy , without putting him to the trouble to conquer us . there is no great need of resolution to lay hold on death for a rememdy to it self : there is no great strength of spirit to practise upon our selves the office of an hangman . it is better to seek the end of a disease in good medicaments than in poison ; otherwise this is not a resistance , but a flight ; this is not to seek a remedy , but to render our ruin the more infallible . as we count the body weak , when it sinks under a small burden ; so we ought to believe the mind cowardly when it faints under an affliction . it is indeed upon this ground that many accuse the women : but the men have no reason to reproach them for a vice which themselves are often guilty of . as lucretia kill'd her self for the loss of her honour ; cato did the same thing for the loss of liberty . and why should they blame a young lady for that which many have so highly commended in a philosopher ? and to say the truth , though some have set themselves to invent slanders for the disparagement of the women ; it ought to be own'd that they are more firm to their designs than the men. at least , let us learn from the holy scripture , that upon an occasion which required the greatest affection and courage towards the service of god ; one might have seen three mary's under the cross , where there was but one of twelve disciples . of constancy and fidelity . those that have been possest with a belief , that levity is natural to woman ; when they read this discourse which undertakes to prove the contrary , they will perhaps think that we pretend to find stability in the winds , a good foundation upon the waters , or strength in reeds . but setting aside their opinion , since it is not our design or commission , to rectify all those who are in an errour , we will make it appear that as to what concerns inconstancy , that sex are more in danger to be injur'd by it , than to be guilty of it . and that their distrust is very just in an age when the friendships that are promised with a great deal of ceremony , are without truth , or but of a moments duration . constancy is not used but in good things , and obstinacy in those that are evil ; otherwise wickedness would be eternal , and repentance should be forbid for fear of a change . when an alteration is just it is a matter of choice ; when 't is not so it proceeds from levity . as it is not reasonable that they who are sick should remain always in that condition that they might not be inconstant ; so likewise i do not think there is any more fault in forsaking an ill opinion , than in getting rid of a fever : and i believe that to repent may be as necessary to the mind , as medicines are sometimes to the body . what danger is there in preferring a greater merit to a less , or to own that the sun has more of light than the stars ? otherwise the first things that we shall happen to see in the world would put a shackle upon our liberty , even to the taking away from us the right of chusing , or to the making us love that which may be worthy of hatred . those that highly esteem'd nero while he manag'd himself wisely in the first five years of his empire ; were they oblig'd for this to love and honour him also when he was become a tyrant ? after he had cashier'd all his vertue , must they still owe him friendship ? i did love this man for his merit , this face for its beauty , this flower for its colour ; this man is debaucht and become vicious , this unhappy face is grown ugly , this fine flower alas , is wither'd ; why would you have me to be still fond of an object where the lovely qualities are no more to be found ? and can the building stand when the foundation is taken away ? if this be a due preserving of these melancholy laws of constancy , they who love a curious picture would be oblig'd to admire the cloth too , after that the fine draught were defaced . there is no religion in that love which obliges to pay an honour to such relicks , any more than as our affection may be changed into pity with the decay of the object , or unless it were to avoid ingratitude rather than inconstancy . it is for this reason that they who love nothing but the beauty of the body , have a great deal of difficulty to live long in love : it is only the beauty of the mind and the never fading charms of vertue that can lay hold of us for ever . faces , as well as the years , have their seasons : how agreeable and lovely soever a spring may be , we must expect to see the flowers wither'd away , and to endure a winter after the fine days . nevertheless there is no ground to condemn so noble a vertue , and a quality so necessary to the world , as constancy ; without which all the love in it were but treachery and deceit . let it then be taken how it will , whether as men are wont to do , or according to reason , i say the following examples will shew that the men are very injurious when they give the names of vices to the vertues of the women ; when they will needs call them obstinate or fickle tho they have reason to change or not to change . sinorix being deeply in love with camma the wife of synattus , he employed all his arts to win her consent to his passion : but when all his endeavours , together with the luster of his quality , were not of force sufficient to shake the resolution of this woman , he imagin'd that if her husband were but taken out of the world , he should then easily possess what was now refused him : he kill'd him ; and after that cruelty , he so importun'd the parents of this widow , that by their influence she at last consented , in appearance , to the marriage of sinorix . when they were come then to celebrate the marriage , and that they must go to the temple of diana , this chast lady brings out a cup of wine , of which she drinks a good part to sinorix , and gives him the rest ; he received it joyfully , and drank it all , not imagining in the least that it was poisoned . camma seeing her design now accomplisht , she threw her self upon her knees before the image of diana , to whom she gave her thanks and made her excuses after this manner . great goddess , thou knowst with how great a constraint , and with what design i have consented to marry with this murderer . if grief would kill as often as it is extream , i should not have been now in this world ; where nevertheless i have not refused to stay a while , that i might take vengeance on this perfidious man , whom thou seest here , who believes that i am able to love him after he has ravisht from me my dear synattus . think with thy self barbarous man , and acknowledge how much right i have to sacrifice thy life to that thou hast taken from my husband . i do not value at all my own , for i defer'd to put an end to it only that i might give to posterity one more remarkable testimony of my love and of thy cruelty . camma was happy in this that sinorix died before her , tho he drank last of the fatal draught : the gods gave this satisfaction to her fidelity , and she ended her life calling still upon synattus , that he would come and accompany her in her departure from this world. can any of the men give a more noble example of constancy than this ? and was it not a philosophick madness to maintain in publick , that among a thousand men one should hardly find one constant , but amongst all woman-kind not one ? after this it is easy to judge , whether the prince of philosophers had reason to compare woman to the first matter , because that has always a desire to the changing of its forms ; and tho it has gained one that is altogether perfect , yet it still retains a general inclination for all other . he had a design to shew by the parallel , that the women are as unsatisfied and unconstant towards the men , as matter is towards the forms . but this is a comparison too injurious , and such as would agree better a great deal with the philosopher himself , than with any the most unconstant woman that could be found : for he forsook one mistress for another , to whom he made his devout addresses , that he might testifie with the more solemnity that he himself was guilty of a crime of which he had accused the women . in truth they have more reason to complain of the men , than they have to fear their reproaches . how are credulous spirits at this day ill requited for their simplicity ! whatever assurances many men do give , they ought rather to be reckoned deceivers than inconstant ; because at the same time that they promise fidelity , they are forming a design to violate it : there is no alteration in their resolutions , but there is in their words . this vice does not haunt those minds that are above the common rank : one may be assured of them , and their least designs remain firm in all sorts of occasions , and under the greatest storms of fortune . levity comes of weakness , and constancy from a strength of spirit . after that affection has bound together two generous souls , the separation of them must be impossible : for since love is in its nature immortal , when it can cease to be it must be acknowledged that it is not true . st. augustine said , that his friend and he seemed to have between them but one soul both for life and love : that death had not so much separated two , as divided one . and that after the loss of this confident he had a fear of death and a horrour at life : because without him he was but half alive , and nevertheless he saw himself oblig'd to preserve the rest , that his friend might not entirely die . there are but few so constant as this great person was : the friendships of these times are no longer so firm . and if we consider well , those between whom the affections they had for each other are ruin'd upon the slightest occasions , we may believe that the union is very often without strength , when the separation is so often made without regret . after we have spoken of inconstancy , we shall encounter perfidiousness , which is ordinarily inseparably adjoyned to it . and in truth , i am not able to comprehend how it comes to pass that any are perfidious , when the whole world has so great an abhortence of this crime , and it does so infallibly procure enemies : they that make use of it ought to fear it , and they whom it has hurt will seek to be revenged on it . but that which is worthy of astonishment is this , tha the very aspect of such persons testifies that while they set the whole world against them , they are not in a very good agreement with themselves ; thus declaring without words , the horrour which themselves are filled with at their own wickedness . it is not necessary to be very well skill'd in the rules of physiognomy , to observe upon their faces the wickedness and the torment of their minds . it must needs be that these are the greatest criminals in the world , since they themselves form their own process in their own consciences , and that even to the executing it too upon themselves sometimes with their own hands . the forlorn wretches practise a new form of justice upon themselves , where they alone are judges and executioners , accusers and guilty . altho naturally we love our selves , yet such can shew themselves no mercy , and they shew by those their fatal looks , that none can absolve them while their own severe consciences do condemn and torment them . this is the most horrible and the least excusable of all crimes , because those that attempt this , are at the cost of so much trouble to commit it , and they must do so much harm to themselves to do it to others . faithfulness on the contrary is always chearful even among difficulties ; and perfidiousness is always musing and melancholy even in the midst of divertisements . a mind that is faithful does not resent its afflictions ; but that which is treacherous has no tast of its pleasures ; their sentiments are very differently taken up ; for the vice makes the one sort weep even among delights , and the vertue helps the other sort to laugh even among their evils and their sufferings . when a soul is sullied with this vice , it is capable of all the wickedness that can be imagin'd , and especially does avarice follow it very near . and when once a woman is become covetous , she has a great deal of difficulty to be faithful ; there is nothing that she will not do and that she will not sell to be rich . this is the most infallible mark of a clownish spirit and of a soul debauched . the ladies ought never to testifie that they have any inclination to to this , lest they fall under the fate of procris ; who after she had resisted both threatnings and submissions , yet she yielded assoon as she saw the mony told down . but that we may see this vice in all its aspects ; the credulous and the ignorant are no less in danger of falling into this than any other : they are persuaded to many things , which their easiness afterwards makes them suffer contrary to their honour . it seems , to say the truth , that these women are neither faithful nor perfidious ; for they have not the design that should make them perfidious , nor yet strength enough to be faithful . it is this simplicity , as the poet speaks , which is worthy of excuse , provided that one does not take pleasure in being deceiv'd . the politick are liable to do by wickednesses that which the simple do by misfortune . subtilty often times makes snares in which its self is entangled . there are evils where flight is better than resistance , and the good swimmers are the most frequently drowned , because their skill tempts them to cast themselves into the stream , from which they are not able to disengage themselves again . there is no need of proofs to shew that the women are much less and not so frequently perfidious as the men ; we have but too many examples of this , and experience alone does sufficiently discover that they have more need to defend themselves from the perfidiousness of the men , than to correct their own . do we not see among the heathen ladies , that the generous paulina caused her own veins to be cut , when she saw her husband seneca condemned to that punishment by nero ? refusing to live after the death of him that had taught her to love as a philosopher , that is , constantly . they clos'd and stopt her veins against her will ; but she always testifi'd from that time , by the pale colour and discontent of her looks , that this cure was altogether troublesom : and that she remain'd in the world with regret , since she could see no longer here the man , of whom she had learnt to despise both life and death , to testifie the constancy of love. the wife of mithridates , seeing the affairs of her husband growing desperate , she took the garland that was about her head , and twisted it about her neck , to strangle her self therewith ▪ but when it broke with the first attempt , she took the remaining piece in her hand , and fell into the most passionate complaints , for that such things could only serve to be the ornaments of a good fortune , but were not able to afford any relief in a bad one . and to shew a most admirable effect of their constancy , among the women that have embraced the christian religion , in the most noble occasion of courage that could ever be presented ; do we not see a penitent woman perfectly resolv'd to attend her master through all hazards , even at the time when his disciples forsook him , tho they had all made , too , a thousand protestations that they would never abandon him ? of prudence and discretion . the ladies are but humane in their beauty ; but they are , as it were divine if they are prudent : when their beauty procures them love , prudence renders them worthy of admiration and respect . this is the vertue that is most necessary to them , and which gives them the greatest authority : since without this all their other fine qualities are without ornament , or at least without order , like the scattered flowers which the wind carries confusedly about . with this the most vicious preserve a little while their reputation , ( if it be fit to call their cunning by the name of prudence ) and without this , very often , the vertuous lose theirs . for this cause it is very necessary to the ladies to direct them in what they do , and in what they let alone . and as the architects have always a pair of compasses in their hand to measure every inch of their works ; so she that will be wise , ought to have every moment the rules of prudence before her eyes , that she may render all her actions the more reasonable . but if we should go about to speak all the good effects of prudence , we must recount all the good that there is in morality or in politicks : as the poets feign'd , that the fire of prometheus was divided into many parcels for the animating of several creatures ; so we may say when we consider this divine vertue , which regulates all others , and which is necessary even to the least designs , that whatever it is we call either an art or a science , it is nothing else , in truth , but a fragment of prudence . the slanderers accuse the ladies , that they have no address but where they have a passion ; that they have no subtlety but for very small or very evil enterprises : that like the spiders , all their art is impoysoned ; and that they spread their nets but for the catching of flies . but this is an imposture more worthy of a punishment than an answer : it is also a tyranny and a custom that is not less unjust than it is old , to reject them from the publick government , as if their minds were not capable of affairs of importance , as well as those of men. the honour of her sex , who now deserves and possesses the partnership of a throne , is alone a sufficient confutation of this calumny ; whose admirable conduct we have lately seen , worthy , not only of the thanks , but of the imitation of a senate . and the examples following shall further testifie , that the praises we give them are not without foundation ; and that we have reason to assert , that they have often produced remedies for the most desperate and sinking conditions of estates and provinces . when the latins demanded liberty of intermarriages with the romans , with arms in their hands to take vengeance on the refusal ; the senate found themselves mightily at a loss what answer to give them ; for they saw that to refuse would bring upon them a certain war ; and they knew that to consent would bring their estates in danger , for as much as this alliance was but a pretext in the latins for the making themselves masters of rome . tutola , a very young maid , presented her self to give them her advice ; and having observ'd a great irresolution and uncertainty what to do in the discourses of so many old senators , she no sooner proposed her counsel , but it was approv'd by them all . she shew'd them they must agree with these strangers in what they demanded , and cause the servant maids to be drest in the habit of brides : that so the sabines being amused with the pleasure of those guests , might be diverted from the design they had of making a war. this succeeded according to her opinion ; and these slaves when they saw their pretended husbands fallen fast asleep , they stole from them their arms , and gave notice to the roman souldiers by a lighted torch , that they might come and surprize their enemies when they were unable to defend themselves . we cannot sufficiently praise the courage , the conduct , and the affection of tutola , who found means for the safety of the common-wealth , when the wise senators were at uncertainty what course they should take . let what will be said of the imprudence of the women ; if the men would sometimes take their advice , as god has given them for a help in the management of their affairs , perhaps they would succeed the more happily : and it would be acknowledg'd that they are mightily in the wrong , who despise them in a matter where there is need of address , and prudence . when theseus was exposed to the min●taur in a labyrinth , who gave him the means to escape , but ariadne ? without the clue of thread which he receiv'd from this princess , had he ever been disengag'd from its windings ? this labyrinth is a resemblance of occasions or affairs that are difficult ; theseus represents a man entangled ; the thread is prudence , and ariadne that gave him it , represents to us those judicious ladies , that often withdraw their husbands from those extremities , out of which they were not able to help themselves . when jason was to have become a prey to those furious bulls that guarded the golden fleece , was it not medea that enchanted them , and made an easie way for this prince to carry off that which no man before durst attempt ? by these bulls we are to understand those dangers that often hinder the getting possession of excellent things ; by the fleece , is meant the designs of men , and what they pretend to ; by medea the women of wit and spirit , who know to charm these dangers , without making use of any other magick for this purpose , but only that of their prudence and conduct ; to the end they may deliver those that resemble jason , that is to say , such as have more boldness to undertake business , than address and skill to succeed in it . the ladies are not only capable to know what is of importance in business or trafick ; but even to apprehend whatever is most subtile or solid in the highest wisdom . if the oracle of apollo declar'd socrates the wisest among men ; socrates himself afterwards freely confest , that his diotima had taught him that prudence which the gods themselves had thus judg'd incomparable . it is not a little to the advantage of that woman to have instructed a philosopher , whose life was so full of vertue , and whose morality agrees better with christianity than any other . and we cannot see more to this purpose , either in histories or fables , than experience daily shews to them who are willing to judge without passion . but it is not enough to prove that they are capable of this vertue ; it is more important to them to know the means to preserve it . after we have seen how natural it is to them , we must shew also how necessary it is too . after we have shewn the excellency of it , it will be good to examin its use and effects . there is nothing then more true than this ; that prudence and fear are , in a manner , always inseparable : and that as rashness often puts the most able persons into great danger , so distrust sets the weakest in safety . the pallas of the poets , who ought to be an example of wisdom to the women , was always armed , to shew those of her sex that it would be best for them to be every moment upon their guard : and that because they have so many enemies , they have always need to defend themselves . the women have no less cause to tremble , like those that are covetous , even at the shadow of a reed , that is , for a very little matter : since they carry a treasure that is very easie to be lost , and very worthy to be preserv'd . and certainly , how deserving soever they may be , she that is without fear is as a town without a wall , as easie to be taken as it is difficult to be kept . i do not here speak of the fear of those that are distracted , which is a much greater evil than any which that threatens them with : but i speak of that wise fear which proposes misfortunes to us without hurting the temperament of the body , or the repose of the conscience . i do not at all design that prudence should put us always in a fright ; there is a certain path between fear and temerity , which this vertue shews , that we may prevent or avoid the misfortunes that are impending . and in truth there are some that are too credulous or too distrustful ; there needs but a meer phantome to fright them ; they fear as impertinently as they hope : we may see their weakness no less in the credit they give to good , than in that they give to evil : and these both proceed from the same error ; which is , that they know not how to examin well either the one or the other . since prudence shews the point of mediocrity for other vertues , so it ought to shew in this what is the excess or the defect : but , not to dissemble , it seems to me , that distrust is more often join'd with wisdom than credulity ; and that if the former is not more reasonable , yet at least 't is more safe . this vertue appears no less in the chusing of good , than in the fear of evil. and altho we see nothing more common at this day than bad elections , whether of freindships or fortune : prudence is that which repairs this defect , as it is particularly employ'd to deliberate and to chuse . without doubt a great many have need of this vertue , and they ought not to wonder if repentance follows their affections , when knowledge and choice did not precede them . when this is wanting to them , these affections of theirs are meerly brutal , their conversations are dangerous , and their confidences very ill assured . in this , as in every other occasion where a good conduct is required , there is a certain consideration which must examine all the circumstances of a design : and if prudence is the eye of the soul , this discretion or discerning of things is as the apple of that eye ; this is the flower of that plant , the point of that arrow . but to examine one of the principal effects of this vertue : commonly those women that would seem to be wise , are not so at all . the best wits ought to conceal the secret springs of their conduct , lest people should be cautious of confiding in them , and lest they rather defend themselves against , than rely upon them . this is a treasure that we may enjoy and use as long as we hide it ; like the sepulchral lamps of the ancient romans , which would give light a long time if they remained under the earth , but go out of themselves as soon as they come to the air. this great ostentation is usually join'd with levity of mind : and those women that boast of so much sufficiency , very often have little of it . they resemble those apes , who are never more truly and remarkably beasts , than when they are disguised under the habits of men. what reason had the holy scripture to require the joyning of the wisdom of the serpent with the simplicity of the dove ! that the former might be without poison , the latter without folly ; that the one might not deceive , nor the other be deceiv'd . in truth , these are two companions that ought always to be inseparable , since the one of them mightily recommends the other : and because prudence may take the charms of simplicity , to render it self the more amiable , and simplicity may use the conduct of prudence to render it self the more assured . and to speak rightly ; if address without honesty is nothing else but wickedness ; simplicity also without prudence is nothing else but folly. of the learned women . i am not able to refrain from laughing , when i think of the error of francis duke of britain , who testified an extraordinary passion for isabella , the daughter of scotland , when he undestood that she was an utter stranger to study ; persuading himself that a woman had learning enough when she could put a difference between the shirt and the doublet of her husband . the opinion of this prince would be very ridiculous in those countries where people go naked , or as well among those nations who make the shirt and the doublet all of a piece : the esteem which he had of the ignorant and simple , does oblige me to believe he might have made a vow that he would love none but those that were like himself . the emperor theodosius made not so great account of the ignorant ; he married athenais only because she was learned , and of a good wit , without any regard to this , that she was daughter to a father of but mean extraction , who left her no other dowry but the beauty she was born with , and the philosophy of his school . they that will distrust a woman when she knows a little more than ordinary , are certainly such weak people as deserve to fall under what they fear , and who found their suspicions upon the very reasons themselves which ought to give them assurance . moreover , the ladies that have some knowledge and learning , do of all others afford the greatest pleasure in conversation ; and they receive no less in solitude when they entertain themselves alone . their thoughts have wherewithal to content them , while the ignorant are subject to evil thoughts , because they know nothing commendable to employ their minds about : as their conversation is tedious , so their musing can be but extravagant . they that say the women have a great advantage in their ignorance , do they not give too much honour to the untaught simplicity of the village , which is commonly much in danger when it meets with importunity and occasion ? or if this sentiment be good , why may we not say as well , that the blind are great gainers in the loss of their eyes , if it were enough to shut the eyes for the avoiding of a precipice ? in the court , as in the ocean , it is necessary to know the shelves if we would avoid the making shipwreck ; and if the ladies do that which is evil , after they know it to be so , we ought to place the cause of their misfortune in their design , not in their knowledge . and nevertheless i will maintain , as reason does oblige me , that a lady ought to be learned , that she may make a figure in conversation . it may be that this sentiment will at first sight offend that of the ignorant and stupid , who persuade themselves , that they should find their own dear resemblance every where ; that a woman cannot study nor read without becoming vicious , or at least without being suspected . but they that judge so rashly in this case , do despise that which they ought to desire , as if they were oblig'd to hate all the accomplishment which they have not themselves , or as if they ought not to make account of any but very little spirits : whereas they ought to represent to themselves , that those women who have not judgment enough to know vice , they have not enough neither for the choice of vertue ; or to know how , according to the occasions , they should prefer truth to an appearance . also they who understand ever so little of morality , cannot be for this advice , since we are daily taught by experience to acknowledge , that the light of our reason is , as it were , a natural vertue which disposes to do good , almost without any study ; and that we really see a very good wit without a good conscience . the assistance of learning fortifies the good inclinations , and they that persuade themselves the reading of books is only a school to teach them to commit evil with address , might more decently believe that the ladies may find there more to correct than to corrupt them . reading and conversation are absolutely necessary to render the wit and the humour agreeable ; and as the one collects for us matter for discourse , the other by use teaches the method of unfolding it gracefully , that we may join together readiness and abundance ; without this , our conversation is nothing else but an insupportable tyranny ; and it is impossible without putting ones self upon a rack , to stay long with these women , who can entertain us with nothing but the number of their sheep , if they be of the country ; or if they be of the town , then can talk of nothing but the heads and petticoats in fashion . it ought not then to be imagin'd , that in speaking of this accomplisht woman , whose character we are framing , we do intend to describe a mother of a family that knows well how to follow her servants , or takes care to comb her children . tho we do not condemn these things , yet we must declare that skill in musick , history and philosophy , and the like accomplishments , are more agreeable to our design than meer good houswifry . and there can be none so much strangers to common-sense , as not to own that without these good attainments , tho the women may have an excellent wit , yet they will be apt to have their minds fill'd with things very evil and very impertinent . their good nature and their good inclination remain without effect under the want of reading and conversation , when the tyranny of their mothers or of their husbands , or else some other misfortune hinders them from attaining those excellent qualities which they are born capable of . for to say that the sciences are too obscure for the ladies , and that they cannot comprehend the arts , even in their principles , because of the terms that are too hard to be understood : this in truth is a very strange error . it is an opinion altogether extravagant to think that the sciences cannot as well be exprest in english as in greek or latin. these disputers that through ignorance or malice , have obscur'd the arts under terms that are rude , as under ragged cloaths , and who will not unravel the confusion that we may still have recourse to them as to an oracle ; they do them no less wrong in forcing them to appear in an apparel so shameful , than the libertins do to vertue , when they describe it as terrible and inaccessible , that they may deter others from venturing upon it . but the worthy persons know how to take away this mask . it is an imposture that gives no trouble but to the spirits of the vulgar . i easily allow , that as for philosophy and theology , one may find in them some words that seem not to be purely english : i grant that when other arts have their peculiar terms which are not usually softned and explained , to be accommodated to them who do not make profession of those arts , it is not reasonable that two of the noblest sciences in the world should make themselves more familiar than the others . i own too that in strong reasoning there are sometimes words used which are a little mysterious , because they express the truth somewhat better than those that are more polite . but after all , where there is not this necessity , what need have we to affect obscurity in our discourses and writings ? as if clearness would render the sciences less venerable ; or as if the darkness serv'd them for ornament and luster ; as if the force and the dignity of reasoning were necessarily tackt to the rudeness of terms . on the contrary , we no more diminish their price in taking away the veil that conceals them , than it lessens the value of gold to dig it out of the entrails of the earth , to refine it , and make it serviceable to commerce . i judge that they who clearly explain the sciences , do discover to us true treasures , and that they merit some part of the glory of socrates , who brought wisdom down from heaven to earth ; that is , he render'd it easy to be understood by those minds which seem'd to be the most uncapable of it . there is then nothing more true than that when the sciences are well and rightly conceiv'd and understood , they may also be exprest even in any language whatever ; and the ladies are then capable to understand them . on the other side , tho some say that all the hindrance lies on the part of their minds , as not being strong enough for learning : it seems to me that this is a very wrong judgment of their temperament , which according to the physicians , being more delicate than ours , it is also more disposed to the study of arts and sciences . whatever can be said , they are capable of these as well as the men ; and if they quit sometimes what they might pretend to , this is more out of modesty or consideration than out of weakness . do we not see in history that the ancient gauls divided with their women the glory of peace and of war ; that the men reserv'd the arms to themselves , but left to the women the establishment of laws and the preservation of their republicks ? this could not be done out of ignorance ; and it may be judg'd from hence what esteem they had of the women , when the part allotted to the men was the exercises of the body , and they committed to them the matter of conduct , and the exercises of the mind . what science so difficult can be imagin'd wherein they have not excell'd at least as far as the men ? was not aspasia judg'd worthy to teach pericles , who yet was able himself to give instructions to all the world ? cornelia the mother of the gracchi composed letters so excellent , as that her sons afterwards derived from them all their eloquence , which was also great ; and these letters of hers did cicero himself admire . pamphila wrote so many as an hundred and three books of history , which all the learned men of that age highly esteem'd . and as for the sacred sciences , does not st. gregory himself acknowledge that his sister serv'd him for a tutouress , and that she gave him the knowledge of the best learning ? but it is not necessary to search the ages past for examples of this kind ; we have in our own some instances so extraordinary as may be compar'd with any the greatest in antiquity : we have ladies that know how to write upon the most serious and the most difficult subjects . in truth i cannot chuse but believe , that the most obstinate persons would yield the cause , if they would only take the pains to read the homilies that madam the vicountess of auchy has composed upon st. paul. she has not undertaken those places that are more plain , and where she might most easily have succeeded : she has bestow'd her pains upon the epistle to the hebrews , which contains , as every own knows , the most secret and the most lofty mysteries of our religion . nevertheless in a matter so elevated there is nothing can conquer the force of this great spirit ; she marches over thorns as another would do upon roses ; her style has nothing forced or affected , it is sweet and pompous both together ; and the nicest persons would admire in this work , that which one shall rarely find in the same author ; there is clearness joyn'd with vigour , and sharpness with politeness . there is that will instruct the devout , and satisfie the curious : the learned and the delicate will there find things that do deserve to be consider'd with attention ; and they that persuade themselves a woman cannot write well , would confess their errour after the reading of that book . what need is there to enumerate a great many more ? to mention those amongst us that have excell'd in poetry , to that degree , as to force applauses from their competitours in fame . this subject is too large to be follow'd through . and tho the men have been very sparing and cautious in writing the praises of women , yet they have not been able wholly to refrain from bringing testimony to this truth , and many of their books have afforded room for their commendations . and if it may be permitted us for this purpose to appeal to fable for our assistance , we may learn , that if the men have an apollo for the author of the sciences , the women have also a minerva , the goddess of wisdom , who invented the better learning , and who gives them a just right to pretend to the same . if i did not fear to support so known a truth upon fictions , i should content my self to send them that yet doubt in this , to the famous nine muses of the poets , to whom all the ancients ascribed the invention of arts. of habits or ornaments . it is certain , that in whatsoever fashion we can possibly cloath our selves , we shall very hardly please all sorts of persons ; either the old or the young will find in our habit something or other to find fault with : and it is next to impossible that we should avoid falling under either the derision of the one or the censure of the other . there are some melancholy spirits that cannot endure we should do any thing according to the fashion , and who will infallibly find out something unlawful in our dress , if we cannot prove that it has been a thousand years invented and used . this is to disdain altogether the present time , that we may give too much honour to that which is past : without considering that we must bear with that which cannot be hinder'd , and that there may often be less vanity in following the new modes than in adhering to the old ones . it is true , that the foolish invent them ; but the wise may conform too , instead of contradicting them . the habit , as well as the words we use , ought to be conform'd to the time we live in . and as they would take him for a madman who should talk in the court the language used in the time of king william the first ; so we ought not to think better of them who would cloath themselves as he did . those who blame , without a distinction , the alteration of our fashions , would better become themselves in quitting their slavish sentiments . who would forbid the seeking our convenience or decency , for fear we should not be habited like our ancestours ? were it not in truth an indecent confusion to see a boy in the same dress with his grandfather ? i would willingly learn of those , who would not have young people ( at least ) follow the custom , of what date the habit should be which they would allow ? for if antiquity alone will serve them for a rule , we must return back even to our great-great grandfather adam , and cloath our selves with leaves and skins , that we may render our fashion the more venerable by being the more ancient . they who say that reason and custom are like the sun and the moon , have not made their guess altogether amiss ; for we must needs make use of the light of these two stars according to occasion , tho the one be much brighter than the other . excess is blameable throughout ; but especially in novelty : it is folly to disdain it , and vanity to addict our selves too much to it : as i do not approve those women who seek with too much curiosity after the newest fashions ; so neither can i much esteem them who have still a regret at those that custom has a while introduced . this obstinacy comes from the love of themselves ; and they seem to deserve punishment no less than they who would pass away old medals for good mony in trade , contrary to the laws of the prince and the custom of the country . they render their age ridiculous , who run after the new fashions when they themselves are old , and use a great deal of ceremony to make men observe in them the ruins of time and the defects of nature . it is true , that the care and the time that women use in dressing , do make them blameable , when this is extream , or when their intentions are evil : but without this abuse i do not believe that there is more danger in adorning the face , than in the enchacing of precious stones , or the polishing of marble . we lay azure upon a cieling , we guild a sword , we trim our cloaths , we adorn all things , even to the churches themselves ; why should we forbid women their ornaments when they are honest , and when their designs are not evil , when these are permitted to every thing else ? st. jerom writing to gaudentius concerning the habit of the young paula , seems to excuse the innocent curiosity of those women , who adorn themselves according to what becomes their condition . their sex is so curious of ornament ; and does so naturally desire even a sumptuous habit , that one may see many even of the chastest and most vertuous ladies dress themselves with care , without having any other end or design in it , but only their own particular contentment , and out of i know not what complaisance which is altogether innocent . this inclination is so natural to them , that heretofore many ladies have put their ornaments in their coffins , that they might carry with them out of the world , what they have so much lov'd when they were here . those that do not approve these indifferent things , which only the intention can render either good or bad , do think they have great advantage against the women , when they call them the instruments of the devil ; without considering , that altho those evil spirits do make use of their actions or habits to make them temptations to the vicious and foolish , the women themselves are in that case no more guilty of the evils they occasion , when their own designs are honest , than the thunder is guilty when the spirits of the air direct it to fall upon men or upon churches . nevertheless this discourse does not extend it self at all to the justifying of excess , or the defence of vice. let not any think that i would herein excuse painting . modesty is a most powerful charm ; without it beauty has no life nor soul : and if the other vertues are worthy of admiration , yet this only merits love. the ornaments that are deceitful and dishonest , do add nothing to beauty , nor diminish any thing from deformity ; since according to the sentiment of the wise and good pythagoras , an homely woman painted makes heaven laugh and the earth mourn . after all , they have nothing but what may be found in the shops , they glory in a stolen feather : whoever considers them well , sees the daubing , and knows they abuse the eye , like those images , whose outside is guilded and fine , but under that they are only worm-eaten and rotten wood. but is it not a thing yet more shameful ; to see the men some of them more addicted to this superfluity than the women ? hortensius the roman oratour spent one half of the day to consider and adjust himself , instead of learning his oration . and without returning back so far , we are in an age wherein the men make profession of this blamable curiosity more than ever . i am certain that if the insupportable affectation of some gentlemen were well examin'd , they would have the title of aristagoras put upon them , who took so much pains to make himself pretty , that at last they call'd him madam . in good truth , they are herein as much estranged from the design as from the decorum of their sex ; for as much as they are never less agreeable than when they too much force themselves to be so . this great care is odious to all them that observe it , and negligence were to them much better than all their ornaments and affectations , which are things really unworthy of men. i find also that the poet very handsomely observ'd , that theseus was not at all adorn'd when ariadne gave him the first proofs of her love. there is reason to fear that the ladies too manly are not so modest as they should be , and the men that are too spruce are without courage . the young cavaliers of the romans in whom pompey placed all his hope , turn'd tail in the pharsalian field to keep their faces from being hurt : they were less afraid to see themselves conquer'd , than a little disfigur'd with a scar ; and to preserve i know not what imaginary beauty , they abandon'd their honour , their liberty , and their country . and the ladies may indeed justly apprehend that these delicate fops are conscious to themselves they are no otherways capable of pleasing them . nevertheless , to return to that which belongs to our design : caesar having seen his daughter julia augusta too well set out , he star'd on her a good while without speaking a word ; to testifie his discontent with her dress by his silence : the next day seeing her more modestly cloath'd , he said with a smiling countenance , this habit becomes much better the daughter of augustus . the repartee of this princess was not less considerable than the admonition of the emperour ; yesterday ( said she ) i was drest for my husband , and to day i am drest for my father . certainly as the most wise , will not be at all offended , if the ladies are constrain'd to please many , that they retain one ; so it must be acknowledged , that if they did always adorn themselves only to secure their husbands , there would not be that excess that there is ; and we should not hear so many complaints as now go abroad , of those whose luxury brings poverty and jealousy into their families . they often carry three or four manners hanging at their ears , and with this specious pretext spare neither pearls nor diamonds : but in truth it is not without reason that such are suspected by many persons , and it is not these ornaments that entertain the conjugal affection ; and there is ground to believe that the wantonness of their dress is rather contriv'd for their gallants than their husbands . of beauty . they that adore or that despise beauty , do defer too much or too little to the image of god. it is one of the rare presents that heaven has made to this lower world ; but we ought to attribute all the worth of it to the power and bounty of him that has gratified us therewith . in the opinion of plato it is an humane splendour amiable in its own nature , that has power to ravish with pleasure the mind and the eye . and certainly this ought to be a sign of the inclination that we have to good . for as much as heretofore the priests that were deform'd were excluded from the temple , let us not have an ill opinion of beauty which god himself did judge necessary to them that were to approach his altars . the judgments that we make of the beauty of the mind , by that of the body ▪ are not often the worst grounded . the soul , like a queen , makes the richest preparations where she intends to appear with the greatest luster and advantage . and in truth , if vertue be necessary for the establishment of sovereign authority , it seems that beauty is at least as necessary to grace it . if we find sometimes the fine wits in ill contriv'd bodies , these are like relicks ill enshrin'd , to which a great many will not pay so much reverence as they would if they were cover'd with gold and pearls . this lovely quality is worthy of empire , in all places where there are eyes and reason . it has enemies no where but there where it meets with the blind and the stupid . the only glorious countenance of scipio africanus made him conquer several barbarous nations even without drawing his sword ; and heliogabalus himself , from being priest of the sun , became emperor of the whole world as soon as his mother had shew'd him to the souldiers . thus do the whole world , pay their respects to those to whom nature has given this advantage ; and however they sometimes blame beauty , yet at least they pity it too . the vulgar believe that if there is not evil cover'd with beauty , yet at least misfortune attends it ; and there is danger in it , if sin be not found with it . but , to say the truth , when this is an occasion of evil , it is often an innocent that makes the criminals ; and they who complain of it do as unjustly as they who should accuse the sun for dazling their sight when they have been staring too steddily upon that star. that is but hardly kept ( says theophrastus ) which a great many love and desire , and there can be no great assurance or safety in the possession of that which the whole world aspires to . sometimes they will lay so long siege to those cities , and attack them on so many sides , that at length they will make themselves masters . the authority of this great person does no prejudice to beauty , since 't is impossible to say any thing more to its praise , than to own that all desire this as an object the most pleasing to them . and if the fair sometimes suffer themselves to be won upon , this complaint must be directed to their minds rather than their faces . a place is not the less strong , because they have yielded it up who ought to defend it ; the default is in the captain rather than in the citadel . be it as it will , the homely have no advantage in this reproach : for since they are never sollicited , there is no resistance there to give a judgment of their strength . they are at more cost and pains to defend themselves from disdain than pursuits , and patience is the vertue which they have rather most occasion for . there are some will accuse the fair of being scornful : but if this be well consider'd , it would be acknowledg'd that their disdain comes often from the goodness of their conscience rather than from their vanity ; because they know not how to endure those idolatrous addresses , and excessive praises , which enamour'd fools or crafty pretenders make use of to catch them with . as wise kings deride the complements of depending courtiers , as knowing that 't is interest more than affection that inspires them : the ladies also ought to deride the respects of such gallants , for as much as with all their cares and all their labours they seek nothing still but their own pleasure , and the destruction of those that give ear to them : all their labour and endeavour aims at , and is confind to , their own pleasure and the ruin of the imprudent . there is not so much presumption in the most fair as there is of cowardliness in those men who put themselves into the fetters ; the services which they pay , and the proud names they give the conquering mistress , do discover as much their own weakness and extravagance as they do their passions : is there any ground to call that empire tyrannical , where the vassals are so voluntary and so much the enemies of their own liberty ? yet i do not intend for all this to make an apology for those that are really vain but only for those that ingenuous and plain . those women who persuade themselves that the great number of their gallants adds something to their beauty , and who please themselves so much in the submissions and respects that they pay them ; these give a great advantage to their enemies , and shew that they may be conquer'd at an easy rate , since that there is nothing necessary to this but a few respects and flattering commendations . these are things of which the men will be no less prodigal than the women can possibly be desirous of them . but the women ought to believe , that when plain ingenuity makes a bargain with craft and artifice it can never make it to advantage . it often comes to pass , that if the women are fair , those that praise have a design to deceive them ; if they are not fair , they intend to deride them : for this reason they have all of them great occasion both for wit and vertue , in order to defend them selves from danger and contempt . there are that scruple altogether the praising of beauty , because it fades in a little time , it endures but like the sudden flashes of lightning , and that very often it forebodes no less than the approach of storms and tempests . it is a flower , say they , which is gone almost as soon as it is blown , which the winds tear in pieces , the sun withers , and the rain beats down , and which is of so delicate a constitution , that even without the help of enemies , it perishes by its own weakness . but what do they herein say of this , which may not also be said of other things in the world , which also are not able to last always ? if they complain of beauty , it is because this has not the duration of the stars , as it has the value and the brightness of them . and nevertheless it must be acknowledged , that the most fair may find an excellent remedy against vanity and pride , if sometimes at the age of sixteen or of twenty years , they would present to themselves the defects , and inconveniences of old age. whatever fine feathers nature or art now affords , they would be as much asham'd as the peacock is when he views his black feet , if they would foresee a little so great alterations and ruins . i do not make profession here of preaching the four last things that men must come to ; but it seems to me that none ought to afflict themselves for a thing that time will take away from them insensibly , yea which diminishes every moment in spight of all the art that can be used to preserve it . it is true , that cato had so great an esteem of beauty , that he said publickly , that it was no less crime to injure it , than to rifle a temple . but he spake of that which is natural , not of that which is studied and affected . sulpitia , among the romans had so beautiful eyes , that those of her time could not look upon her without being ready to adore her . the neck and breasts of theodora , the athenian , were so agreeable , that socrates himself became in love with her . these are the features or charms that ought not either to be sought by artifice , or possest with vanity ; nature has favour'd some persons with these things with design to please the eye ; and to elevate the mind to the love of him who is the source of all human perfections . the forced and feigned beauties luckily fail in the view of all the world , just after the manner of those false and seeming stars , which after they have a while abused our eyes , do demonstrate by their fall , that we took a vapour for a star. how much art and pains do many fruitlesly employ to cover the defects of nature , as if it were not better worth their while to have recourse to vertue than to disguise ; or as if it would not be much more to their advantage to repair what is wanting in the face by the qualities of the mind ? their design succeeds extreamly ill , and must do so , because their vanity appears with their homeliness , and they are not the more excusable hereby , but more ridiculous . they would think it very strange if they were treated after the fashion as phryne did with those that came into her company : as soon as this courtisan appear'd , she defaced the lustre of all the ladies at the assembly , leaving them no other colour than what shame and jealousie could afford . she invented a play to make them merry , wherein every one commanded by turns in their rank . she commanded water to be brought , and that every one should wash her hands and her face . as soon as they had obeyed her commands , there was discover'd all their paint and disguise , there was not a person could be known , they had quite other faces all full of blemishes , and features that were frightful . this sport would not be at all less troublesom to many of our age , than it was advantageous to that extraordinary beauty . it was also by her that the areopagites themselves lost the reputation of being incorruptible judges , for they did not believe her innocent ; nevertheless after they had seen her , they were not able to judge her guilty . hipperidus pleaded unsuccessfully against her , tho he was a most eloquent man , for as soon as she appear'd , her presence serv'd her for an apology , and she needed but to shew that she might defend her self . it is not only now-adays that the fair carry the cause . after that justice has lifted up her vail to see them , let them plead as little as they will , their cause will succeed well for them . of curiosity and slander . curiosity is not very often at a good agreement with silence ; those that are desirous to learn abundance of news , are not usually resolv'd to conceal it , and slander does infallibly make waste of that which an imprudent curiosity has collected . the mind of these curious women resembles the barrel full of holes which the danaides were condemned to fill , which still let out the water as fast as it was put in : that which enters by the ear , goes out immediately at the mouth , because the indiscretion which lets them hear no less inconsiderately than they speak , does no more refuse the opening to lies , for their going out , than for their coming in . i do not blame at all that divine curiosity of the philosophers , and the great wits , which reveals to us the secrets of nature , and has afforded us the means to govern the passions of the soul. i condemn only that curiosity which carries us after the knowledge of things unprofitable or vicious , and leaves us strangers to the knowledge of our selves . and to say the truth , i have no less shame than compassion , when i see several that amuse themselves with the little stories of the place they live in , and who know nothing but what is impertinent and troublesome to good companies . they seek to adorn their minds as the chineses do to beautifie their cabinets , i mean with some antiquated outlandish trifle or sorry pedlary . i would advise those of this humour , who are for spending all their time about things unuseful , to learn themselves the anatomy of little flies , or the art of numbring the atoms of the air : and that they may treat their bodies as ill as they do their minds , i would have them live upon such things as cray-fish , where they may find more employment than nourishment . this inconsiderateness gives but an ill credit to their wit , and no better to their conscience : we shall judge hereupon , that they do not employ their time only to hear superfluous things , but also to hear evil ones : and above all , the readiness they have to believe a fault in another , is a most certain sign of that which they have to commit as much themselves . there are then some that listen with delight to all manner of slanders ; that cannot endure one should speak to the advantage of any ; and who think that while their company are finding fault with all the world besides them , they make an apology for their faults in shewing them many like themselves : as if the number of criminals could authorise their wickedness . when they hear the vertues of some rewarded with their deserved praises , they sit as sad and uneasie , as the ugly are wont to be when the fair are complemented in their presence . and if we should examin well their thoughts , we should find here yet a much blacker source of evil . they are glad to have companions in the infamy , but they would not have any partake with them in the pleasure ; they have more of jealousie than of shame , and persuade themselves , that those who make use of their pastime do steal something from them . they are of the humour of the emperor tiberius , who sent his officers about the city of rome to discover and condemn the adulterers , that there might be none but himself alone . the vertuous excuse faults rather than publish them ; and on the contrary , the vicious are always unmerciful towards those that are like themselves , to make shew as if that crime were unknown to them . but the effects give the lye to their words , and this artifice succeeds so ill to them , that they disgrace , instead of defending themselves . the honest and good women chase vice out of the world by their charity , and the licentious banish vertue by their slanders . but if i grant that some do not utter slanders themselves ; yet nevertheless when they listen and give credit to these , their two ears are no less guilty than the tongue of the others : and if calumny is a murder of the reputation , these are at least to be accounted accessories . it is easie to know a woman that is chast from her that is not so : the latter will examin all things even to the least circumstances ; their own wickedness serves them for pattern to judge of evil by ; their own experience and design make them put bad interpretations upon innocent things . after procris had been treacherous to her husband , she was always a distrustful spy upon upon his actions ; she could not without difficulty believe him innocent in a thing wherein her self was so guilty ▪ the vicious are always in an alarm , they fear that others should abuse their liberty ; and cannot perswade themselves that a walk or a little conversation can be innocent . they apprehend that others will do as much ill as they themselves have done , or as they were willing to have committed if they had had as much power as wickedness . and nevertheless , in truth , they have no better way in the world to conceal their own sin , than to make shew of astonishment and displeasure when they hear others condemned . for in refusing to give credit to slanders , people would be ready to judge of them that they are far from being guilty of a crime , of which the very name is odious to them . but if they testifie their repugnance but by halves , and their look permits what their tongue forbids ; this will give courage to the vicious , who are very glad to have to do with those that will not use them roughly . but to examine the vice well , it will be convenient to see wherein flattery and slander are alike or different . the one assaults us with poison , the other with a sword. but considering the thing well , it seems to me that there are more to be found who resist slander than flattery : because the love of our selves , which fortifies us against blame , renders us weak when we are assaulted with praise . it was a sentence derived from divine wisdom , which solomon has to this purpose ; as a fi●ing pot for silver , and the furnace for gold , so is a man to his praise . i put these two vices together , because they are in a manner always inseparable , and we may ordinarily find , that those given to slander are as much addicted also to flattery . the one and the other comes from cowardice ; in that this is a want of courage for a man not to dare to speak the truth freely , and not to be able to reprove the things that are faulty to their faces who commit them . but to say truth , if there be weakness of spirit in them who exercise slander , there is no less in those who cannot conquer and deride it . for what necessity is there that we should be sick when the pain and the sense of it depends upon our selves ? there is not a necessity for patience here , it is enough to despise ; we ought not to receive the wounds of slander , when we have it in our power to hinder them from reaching to us . there are some that use great art in venting their slanders , who are not willing to hurt but with gilded weapons ; they disguise their disparagement of another under an appearance of praise . if they speak any thing that is ill , they will pretend it is with regret that they do so : but this is to imitate the archers , who draw the arrow towards them , but 't is that they may the better send it to the mark they aim at . how much error and vanity is there in our judgments and discourses ! since even between the morning and the evening we differ more from our selves than perhaps we do from others ? how can we be assured that she who yesterday was involv'd in pleasures , may not to day be chusing austerities ? but supposing that our judgment were not false , we cease not for all that to sin against charity , though we do not against truth . those that have as yet committed but one fault ought not to be denominated vicious : those that have done many , it may be , will continue in them no longer ; the former have perhaps corrected , the latter have changed themselves . and in truth there can be no great assurance that we can speak any sort of ill concerning any person without being in danger of a lye , since there needs but one moment or one thought to alter her who is called by an ill name , and to make her a penitent or a sinner . after all , it is no small consolation to innocence to think that calumny even at its first birth had the impudence to assault the pure and most holy god ; and that through all ages this has been the base enemy of vertue . this is a forcible reason why we should not be troubled at it . but that you may not be guilty of it , the grand remedy is to avoid idleness , and to believe that there is no time more proper and fit to speak evil in , than that which we do not employ in doing good. of the cruel and the compassionate . whatever the most of men think of the fury of women , yet is pity so natural to them , and their inclination is so strongly carried to mercy , that the furies themselves could not forbear to weep for the misfortune of orpheus when he went down into hell , to beg that his wife euridice might be return'd to him . but if those merciless places , where it is said horrour continually reigns together with implacable cruelty , could not possibly stifle the motions of compassion to this miserable person ; may not this fable alone make us judge , that gentleness and pity is a quality inseparable from the ladies ; if we had nothing else to incline us to this belief , as indeed we have a great number of examples , and most true instances in history that may dispose us to it . does not this fiction show that even the worst of the sex have always , i know not what , tenderness in them that they cannot wholly put off ; and that they never are wholly destitute of compassion for the unfortunate , nor of clemency to the guilty ? nevertheless many accuse them of being extream in their passions : they believe that if a woman defers a while to take vengeance for an injury , she does this only to render it the more violent when she takes it : and especially that she will very rarely pardon any that injure her in her love or her fortune . but although this mistake is more worthy to be pass'd by with disdain than to be particularly answer'd , i will nevertheless say this to it ; that if any will give themselves the trouble to examine their inclination , they shall find it as innocent in this matter as their enemies have represented it guilty , and altogether worthy of excuse at least , if not of praise . the indifferent sort of wits are moved easily , and easily appeased again ; for their violence tires it self , and it comes necessarily to pass , that their passion weakens it self , if it continues a little while , because it is neither natural nor reasonable . but when a passion is just , it always augments its self the longer it endures ; for the thought and meditation preserves it , and gives it force , while a person muses the more deliberately upon the reasons that gave it birth . the resentments of the feeble and the strong spirits resemble fire , which goes out almost as soon as it is kindled in flax or tow ; but maintains it self a long while in iron or any such more solid matter . the ladies are not of that light temperament as to be transported without reason : they are as well hard to be appeased as to be provoked ; they are equally hard to be brought either to war or peace . they would deceive themselves not a little , who should imagine for this that my proofs are as unreasonable as unartificial : i always submit my morals to christianity ; and i own that i should make of them rather a school for vice than for vertue , if i would justifie revenge to oblige the ladies ; which were also to affront both religion and even their humour which is not addicted but to gentleness and civility . i praise only their constancy in designs when they are just , otherwise i should offend instead of obliging them , if i should defend a sin so prejudicial to themselves , and which makes them pass for monsters . they have so little inclination to this , and are so unfit for it , that it is not only unbecoming them to be cruel , but also even to be severe ; and of the two parts there are of justice , they seem to be contrived for the exercise of that which is the least rigorous . and , to say the truth , it is no less shameful to see a woman without pity , than a man would be without courage . and nevertheless that they may not deceive themselves in this part of morality , i must say they ought not to be prodigal of their compassion , nor to throw it away upon all sorts of re-encounters . anaxarete , in ovid , was not at all cruel when she saw the desperate iphis die before her gate without offering to prevent it . her refusal was just , because his demand was not ; and he was a criminal that executed justice upon himself for his own rashness . the honest woman ought to fear less the ruine of a troublesome person , than the loss of her own honour : and it would be a sign of very little judgment , if a woman should be cruel to her self , in order to the being so impertinently pitiful to the insolent or foolish . but out of this occasion where gentleness were a crime ; and beside this honesty which makes severity absolutely necessary , the ladies ought always to represent to themselves , that cruelty comes from weakness of spirit , that they who are destitute of compassion want also knowledge and courage . most certainly , the most generous are the most pitiful . those ladies know 't is more glorious to conquer their passions than their enemies : and that to give a life when 't is in their power to take it away , is , as it were , to raise the dead without the working of a miracle . the proud and the vicious women seem uncapable of this vertue , because , while they find a great many enemies to their ill designs , there is not a wickedness so black and horrid but their passion may inspire them therewith , for the ruin of those who hinder them from enjoying the pleasures they desire , or the fortune they aim at . aphrodisia the wife of the emperour diocletian try'd all sorts of ways to make her self belov'd by her son-in-law erastus : but after she had used a thousand insinuations , in a private chamber too , where she thought the opportunity would help her to a conquest , he still most vertuously refused , and that refusal created in her no less hatred than shame . she went all confused and disordered as she was to the emperour , her husband , to accuse this innocent prince of that crime which she could not perswade him to commit . it is the custom of those that are debauched to change their love into hatred when their desires are not satisfied as soon as they discover them : for they are willing to preserve their own reputation , though by the ruine of those who were witnesses to their wicked intentions , and would not be complices with them . there was some ground for the philosophy of chilo when he publickly maintained , concerning such women , that it is the last and the greatest evil any man can wish his enemies , to fall under the outragious anger of a woman : and it seems indeed to be an incomparable master-piece , and such as hardly any man could ever learn the art of performing to appease a furious woman . but that we may most forcibly assault this vice of cruelty , and make this sex conceive yet a greater horror against it , i suppose this further addition may suffice ; to say , as is most true , that this is as contrary to beauty and a good face , as it is to a good conscience , and wrongs it as much : though tears have something of charm and gracefulness upon the countenance , yet anger has not the same privilege with sadness . though we may often see a melancholy person very beautiful , yet i could never hear any one say that a woman look'd lovely in her fury . i grant that for the resistance of other passions they have need of some philosophy ; but for the cure of this , methinks , they should need only a looking-glass ; they should need only to see that they might be perswaded to correct themselves : and it is perhaps for this reason that they commonly dare not view themselves in this condition , for fear they should be asham'd at the sight . this passion is too violent not to confound and deface the most beautiful features of any countenance , the eyes by little and little change their pleasing charms into terrour ; the vexation of the soul paints it self upon all the behaviour ; and this may come to that degree of horrour as to put a man to his prayers when he approaches them , and to make them as frightful as demoniacks , while their rage puts them into the postures and looks of those miserable creatures . the head of medusa , which gave so much fear to all the world , had only the hair of it turn'd into serpents : these women by right ought to have their eye-brows of the same sort , that they might be entirely frightful . and it must needs be that the devil who inspires them with so much fury , must cast , as it were , a mist before their eyes , and confound their sight when they behold their own faces in a glass , since they are not afraid of themselves ; and instead of being contented that men endure them , they are ambitious of being loved . they require caresses , and in truth do hardly deserve our patience . let hell keep the infernal furies to it self , these are enough to this world to commit or perswade crimes that are more black and horrid than those that have fetcht fire and brimstone from heaven , or have caused the earth to open and swallow up alive the committers of them . of a good grace . the soul is not more necessary to life , than a good grace is to pleasing : it gives lustre to the beautiful , and cures a great deal of the defect in those that are not so . as soon as any are possest of this amiable quality , all that which they undertake is comely and agreeable . there are many sorts of it ; every humour has its charms , as every star its influences ; hearts may be wounded , as well as bodies , with different weapons : the looks , the gate , the discourse , the actions , the voice , and even the silence have their diverse attractives : and so far does this truth go , that some are to be found who never appear more lovely than when they are weeping ; as panthea who had so much grace in her melancholy , that araspes was constrained to fall in love with her tears . in truth it seems as if this agreeable quality were even natural to the women , and that they possess it without any labour or study : nevertheless , though birth does contribute very much to it , and the force of a good grace is much easier felt than it can be exprest ; yet it must be acknowledged , that some rules may be given , in order to the rendring it the more perfect . it must be declared in this place , that the beauty of the body does in some measure depend upon the wit , and that the laws of a good grace are join'd to those of morality . wickedness has necessarily those remorses that thè greatest dissimulation cannot long conceal . rage , cruelty , love , and restlesness appear on the forehead ; the countenance does depend upon the passions in its serenity or trouble , as the dial depends upon the motions of the clock for showing of the hours . insomuch , that for the preserving a good grace , it is necessary that you know how to regulate the motions of the mind as well as those of the body . and to begin with that which is of most importance , there is nothing that ought to be avoided so much as the artifice that is constrain'd . they must not aspire after the excellence that is impossible ; art cannot employ too much endeavour any more than nature , without forming a monster . it often comes to pass through the extream desire they have to please , that they cause a hatred and distaste instead of liking and love . when they employ too much care in their discourse , instead of a natural and plain expressing of their thoughts , they disturb and confound themselves . they resemble those vessels that have a very narrow mouth , out of which nothing can come , though they be full , but with noise and violence . as constraint disgusts in the brightest actions , so a plainness pleases even in the meanest . that woman has charms which no one can resist because they proceed from innocence ; and affectation is never without some imperfections , or without a too great self-love . what an unreasonable thing it is , not to dare to laugh , for fear of making the patches fall off ; or lest they should change their colour at any other time of the day than in the morning when they are dressing ? this is nevertheless the fashion of those who will not endure a glass that does not flatter them , nor like the day , but in a false light ; and tho they pretend to be very devout , yet they will not come to prayers but by candle-light : what a real persecution it would be to these ladies to bring them to mass , and force them to undergo the sprinkling of holy-water , whereby their paint would be diluted , and the ill features of their faces discover'd . but their design appears with their deformity hereby , in that while they endeavour to hide their defects , they render them the more conspicuous . a good grace is so much an enemy and stranger to this slavery and racking , that if we can always do well , i cannot tell whether we can always please ; we must allow of frequent intervals to relieve the spirits . art in this case ought to conform it self to nature , that has not stuck the stars so thick in the sky , nor planted flowers so in the meadows as that there is no space between them . and although the flowers are not comparable to the stars in beauty or value ; yet nevertheless we commonly look upon them with more pleasure and attention , because their duration being of so short continuance , they always leave us with an appetite and a desire to see them again . the spirits may come to distaste as well as the senses , and may have need of repose , and some release for the digesting of their pleasures . yet it is not my intention in saying this , to perswade that they should study faults , but that , provided they be light ones , they may be sometimes so happily committed that they shall become advantageous ; forasmuch as the shamefac'dness which ordinarily attends them , and which appears on the countenance , is an infallible testimony of an innocent soul , and such as is far from the conceiving of great evils when it is so sensible of small ones , and that even when they are but imaginary ones too . if then a good grace observes to do all things as it were naturally and without study , it follows that plainness is much better than constraint . all the world does well enough know that there is difficulty in doing every thing that is rare . address is not used to show that we perform with difficulty ; an untaught villager can easily do as much as that ; but it is to serve for the concealing that difficulty cunningly , without letting the artifice be discover'd . plainness is not less desirable in discourse than in actions ; the words that are most common , are the most excellent , and every word that is obscure is forbidden . that philosopher that always wept when he consider'd mankind , perhaps would have had some inclination to laugh , if he had heard some of those women talk , who have a mind to be thought more learned than they are : they are always using in discourse the most uncommon and unknown words , and such as far better express their extravagant folly than their thoughts . this excessive desire to please which we have condemn'd , is almost continually join'd with a fear that they do not . and from hence it comes to pass , that when these two contrary passions meet together in one mind they must needs cause great inequalities and remarkable alterations ; because , if the desire excites us , the fear again damps us ; when the one animates us to the speaking of a good word , the other interrupts us and obliges to silence . we may judge from hence how much wrong this fear does to a good grace as well as vanity and constraint . it ordinarily comes to pass , that those women who are always in alarm , and every moment fear they shall mistake , do almost nothing else but mistake : an extream apprehension disposes the mind to errour as well as the body to distemper . and to make a right judgment of this troublesome passion , it seems to me that if we enquire well into the cause of it , we shall find the education contributing no less to it than temper and birth . those that are brought up in slavery know not how to do any thing with liberty ; they dare not look up with that honest assurance which should give a good grace to their actions ; their thoughts are always mean , and whatever good inclinations they may have , yet their shame and ignorance hinder them from succeeding in all their enterprises . those women that have seen nothing of the world are liable to be astonish'd at small matters , because the constant distrust which they have of themselves makes them fear and admire every thing . for the most part after their reverences they have no other complements but those that are used at the ends of letters . they would have found out an excellent remedy for this if they would but perswade themselves that they ought not so easily to admire things ; and that if they would give themselves leisure to examine that , which at first sight amazes them , they would often find after the conversation of an hour's length , that what was the subject of their admiration ought to cause their disdain . but this resolution is not acquired without labour : it is very difficult , even to the best wits , to have address without experience , or readiness without practice : actions breed a habit with some difficulty ; but when the habit is form'd , then that produces the actions with ornament and a good grace . nevertheless when i condemn the rustick shame , i have no intention herein to recommend impudence ; since both of them have issues and effects that are unjust ; forasmuch as the one transports us beyond our power and what becomes us , and the other detains us below them both : on the contrary , the modesty that i desire , is placed between these two vicious extreams , that it may keep us at a distance from too good or from too ill an opinion of our selves . the debauched or lewd woman . there are perhaps but few palaces that resemble the isle of chio , where it is said the ladies preserved inviolate the laws of chastity and honour during the space of seven hundred years . i know not whether this was an effect of their skill , or of their vertue ; but be it as it will , this was a chastity of a long duration , and which deserves admiration and praise as much as the corruption of the present age deserves reproofs and punishments . it may be this discourse will not be at all pleasing to those women to whom i desire it should be useful ; but if the vicious are not disposed to receive our remedies for their cure , at least they must expect to undergo our affronts for their shame . i speak boldly to all ; for if they be debauch'd , i desire not to be in any favour with them ; and if they be honest , i do not fear that i shall hereby incurr their hatred . the one sort will applaud my censure , and the other will do me honour in not approving my discourse any more than i do their life . however i shall always lie under this inconvenience , that whatever horrour i can help any to conceive at this crime , it must be more obscure than injurious in such a matter . it is necessary to conceal , through modesty , that which hatred and truth would require to be publish'd . it is herein that this crime has a great advantage , in that , while it is worthy of reproof , the filthiness it self nevertheless serves it for a defence , and one is constrained to spare it more out of shame than pity . it is very true then , that the passion of the debauched does no way deserve the name of love ; it is some other disease which cannot be cured but by a miracle : and one may well say to the reproach of those that are infected with it , what the poet said of myrrha ; that it was not cupid that enkindled such a flame in her , but rather one of the most inraged furies . this is a fire from hell , which has for its smoak a black and dismal blindness , for its gloomy shine a horrid scandal , and for its ashes infamy and shame . and how can their filthy desire be call'd love ; when instead of election there is nothing in it but a brutal universality ? for in loving all , to speak properly , they do not love any ; since this is a fire which mingles with all sorts of matter , even to the burning in the water : i mean it can entertain for its objects such as are worthy of the greatest horrour and detestation . and nevertheless , though they have the conscience full of crimes , these are often they who would pass for saints : as the most deform'd have most need of paint and disguise ; so these debauchees do sometimes seek the most industriously the appearance of vertue . it is for this reason they live with so much constraint ; and that there is nothing equal or natural in their deportment ; that they appear this day insolent according to their humour , and to morrow carry themselves modestly according to their dissimulation and hypocrisie . they who say the vicious resemble the syrens , perhaps do not know all the mystery of this comparison . one of these monsters was named parthenope , that is to say , virgin ; having a smiling countenance to allure mariners withal , and make them split upon those rocks that were covered by the water . the most immodest will sometimes endeavour to appear the most chast , but with all their disguise they are but infamous gulphs where none but the imprudent and the desperate make shipwrack . they make a show of candour and ingenuous freedom , to the end they may the better deceive those who are simple enough to believe they do those things only out of humour or very innocently , which they really do with design to catch some fool or other thereby . they do nevertheless even herein acknowledge the worth of vertue , since they borrow the appearance of that for the putting off their vice. but herein their design succeeds ill , whatever address they have , their artifice renders them suspected : and as we know that is counterfeit gold which bears too bright a colour ; so we may discover their disguised vertue , by it's making too great a show . after all , the true chastity does not seek so much to set off it self as that which is feigned ; the caution and reservedness of an honest woman is very different from that of her who is not so ; the one is plain and natural , the other is constrain'd . but to say the truth , it is not in this , that the debauched seem to me most blameable ; as yet they give some honour to vertue , when they take pains to counterfeit it . it seems that their artifice is an effect of their remorse , and that as the homely , in using paint , do own the defects of their faces ; so the vicious , while they dissemble their crime , have still some horrour at it , not being able to endure that it should appear quite naked . but there are some impudent creatures who boast of their filthiness , and make their sin publickly appear ; who love not the conversation of any but those that are most licentious ; and who entertain themselves always with the most shameful discourses . whatever some say to excuse this liberty , i must needs think that 't is neither genteelness nor good humour that gives such an easiness ; that complaisance does not at all extend hitherto ; and that it is impossible any should live in such loosness , without offence to modesty . shamefac'dness is always severe when 't is entire and true ; it is corrupted when it becomes softned . if the widow of sigismond had been the most chast of all women ; yet had she not put a slur upon her vertue , when she answer'd to them who counsell'd her not to marry again ; that if she were to take an example from any of the birds , she should rather chuse to imitate the sparrows than the turtles ? though she had been never so innocent , this bold discourse would have made her accounted guilty . if there was no wickedness in it ; yet at least there was impudence . but that i may dissemble nothing in this matter ; it must be said that the true modesty will not only restrain a woman from speaking what is dishonest , but even from hearing , and giving her self leave to understand it . after helen had opened the letter which was sent her by paris , she thought her self bound to refuse him nothing . when they have granted some favour they engage themselves afterwards to do more than they intended . they who have indeed no desire to be conquer'd , ought to take away at first all hopes from those that assault them ; for fear lest they should take a gentle refusal for a disguis'd permission . the debauched are not only impudent , but also slanderers ; perswading themselves by a false politick , that they have justified their sin if they can make it be thought universal . what errour , what blindness is here ! if they slander the most vertuous , they also hate those that are like themselves : so that the conformity which produces friendship in all other professions , breeds nothing but hatred among these . is not this to be at variance with all sorts of persons ; when the presence of the vertuous seems to reproach them with their crimes , and the company of those that are like them , does something diminish their divertisement ? lastly they add cruelty to impudence and slander . and that we may not engage in an impossible task in undertaking to reckon up all the ill that is in such persons ; it may suffice to say that we must reckon up all that there is of wickedness and crime in the whole world , to express all that which is among these abject creatures . the salvation of these hardned wretches is almost desperate , their repentance ought to be placed in the rank of miracles ; and whatever purposes they make of conversion , they always relapse into the same hell. it ought not to be a wonder if they have sometimes in this world as much of prosperity as of sin ; and if they are as happy as they are guilty , it is because the righteous god deferrs their punishment , to render it the more extream : he is not willing that they should encroach at all in this life upon the punishments which he prepares for them in the other . i acknowledge , that in this age , as well as in that of phryne , there may be found too many fair debauchees . but if we could well consider a great many of these infamous sinners , and had compar'd the lines of their faces with those in their consciences , we should often enough find in them an equal deformity . they do not think what must needs be the ugly horrour of their filthy old age ; since many of them have given their nurses some fear almost from the cradle . they do not consider that the wrinkles make a reckoning of the years upon their faces , as the figures do of the hours upon a dial. if one had painted the portraicture of these wretches to the life , and any could perswade themselves that the devils do resemble them , i believe the more among mankind would take care not to damn themselves , and that this frightful object would beget in men a greater fear of hell than the severest preachers are able to do . but that i may be as short as obscure in a matter so unpleasing , i shall finish the character of the debauchee after the same manner as appelles did one of his pictures . after this admirable limner had considered , with abundance of pleasure , the features and charms of compaspe a mistress of alexander , he was so in love that he was not able to finish the copy of so lovely an original . i do that out of hatred which he did out of love , and i find so many horrible lines in the pourtraicture of these infamous wretches , that the pencil falls out of my hand ; having too much anger , and too few reproaches , to finish this peice with colours that are black enough . of jealousie . we always lose with great regret what we possess with love and keep with care. it is for this reason that jealousie is not so unjust as many imagine , since it only makes us fear least another should ravish from us that which we think should be ours alone . is there so great an offence in watching for the safety of that which we love , especially in a time when fidelity is so rare that there are not so many who live in no fear of being deceived , as there are that expect to be so . if the goods of fortune and of the body yield to those of the mind , then also is the loss of these the most sensible : and when any rob us of those affections in another which we were possess'd of , and think we merit by our own , they take from us the greatest good. and , to say truth , that we may philosophize rightly , we must say , love is like an empire or kingdom ruled by two persons only , where the dominion cannot be extended further without detroying it ; and where obedience and sovereignty are reciprocal . it is a niggard that can be willing to lose nothing , not so much as a glance of the eye or a little hair of the head. in truth it is no less foolish to believe that there is no longer any love in the mind of one that is jealous , than it would be to think that a man has no life in him when he complains he is sick . on the contrary , as the grief and the sense of sickness are not found in those that are dead , so jealousie can never be met with where there is really a hatred and indifference . and it may well be that this passion may have an appearance of reason for it , since god himself heretofore permitted to the husbands a tryal of the faithfulness of their wives with the water which was call'd the water of jealousie or probation . if the suspicion of this sort had been a thing extravagant and unjust , god had forbidden it directly , instead of appointing so solemn a remedy for the cure of it , and had testified a hatred rather than a compassion for this malady . also they deceive themselves grosly who think they have rendered jealousie altogether criminal , when they have said , that it makes us have too bad an opinion of our own merit , or of the fidelity of the person whom we love . if we examine well this passion , we shall not find that it comes often from a distrust of our selves , and that we do not cease for that to believe our selves amiable or others amorous . it is a fear that does not so much discover our weakness , as it does declare that the merit of what we love may make it sought after . and what do any in this which is not done by all for a treasure or any other valuable thing , which it is not possible for us to love without having some fear of losing it ? as they that believe very firmly may receive something of doubt , so the most assured in love are capable of some suspicion . the strongest trees are moved with the winds , though the roots are fast , when the branches and the leaves are shaken . one would perhaps be very willing to throw off an ill opinion , but the likenesses and conjectures sollicit and shake us till we are forced to conclude rather on the side of fear than assurance . during this irresolution the mind suffers much , and the appearances give a great deal of pain , when we cannot certainly judge whether they be true or false . there are good and bad examples , either to make fear or to cure it : but ordinarily we fix our thoughts more upon those examples that persecute than on those that may comfort us . such an one as that of penelope affords comfort , when one represents to himself that she was twenty five years faithful , during the absence of vlysses so long . but that of messalina torments and awakens suspicion , when one thinks of her infamy and filthiness . our spirit wavers between both sides : and it is an unhappiness that conjectures having alarm'd us , we find or we invent , by much examining , something to change our doubt into a belief . and if it be said that we ought to be at rest , after the experience that we have made of a person who has testified her affection by many effects : it seems to me that these proofs cannot hinder but that we shall have a great deal of trouble , because the fear that sometimes is not in our power , will put the worst interpretation upon the least appearances , even to the busying it self afterwards with false objects when it has not true ones . whatever fidelity we have proved , when love has no more to desire , it begins to fear all . this is the natural course of our passions which always threaten a change when they are extream ; and which fall of themselves , without a true cause to do so , only because they are mutable and humane . hippocrates has given us a maxim to be observed , that our bodies are in danger of a disease when they have too much health and strength : a poet has made an handsomer one concerning the alteration of those minds that have too violent an affection : the will , says he , deserves a wheel of inconstancy for its passions , as well as fortune does for her favours : when we are raised to the top we cannot long stay there , either out of our infelicity or our weakness . those that are arrived at the most eminent degree of love , are like them that stand upon a very high building or hill ; their brain is confused , and though no person thrusts them , they stagger and even fall of themselves through the meer fear of falling . when the sun is arrived at the heighth of noon he begins to go downward ; for that not being able to get above that pitch , he retires and withdraws himself into another hemisphere without being driven by any person to it . our minds seem to have the same motions ; a disgust follows the pleasure by an order no less natural than that which makes the night succeed and take place of the day . we find our selves insensibly weary'd with pleasant things ; and though the soul be immortal in its nature , yet in its actions , which have the body and animal spirits for their instruments , it fails not to testifie a youth or old age with the body . socrates said , that the gods had endeavour'd to mingle together pleasure and pain ; but when they found this could not be done , at least they would needs fasten them by their tails , to the end that one might succeed the other , so to hinder in us both insolence and despair . this comes to pass sometimes when we contribute nothing towards it voluntarily ; and as we pass from joy to sadness , so we often perceive that our love changes it self either into coldness or indifference . the distempers of the mind , as well as those of the body , do very often form themselves without our consent : we lose the rest of the soul as we do our health , all at once ; sometimes without having foreseen this change , and without being able to find either the cause or the remedy of this passion , any more than we can that of a quartan ague . but i have too long spoken against my own sentiment as well as against truth it self , in favour of a passion that ruins our love , our reputation , and the quiet of the mind ; reason begets love , and love jealousie : but both the one and the other of these prove what some , sorts of worms are to the subject in which they are bred , that is , the destruction of it . the one kills the father , the other the mother . let this passion be moderated as it can be , it is always dangerous ; and for this it is necessary to to commit an injustice , in taking away the use of it for the sake of the abuse , because the one is too much fastened to the other . as there is not any serpent so little but it has some poison , so there is no jealousie so well regulated , as not to engender a great deal of mischief . they that compare it to the ivy have made a handsome comparison ; for ordinarily that grows only upon old and ruinous buildings : in like manner this passion chuses out of all the rest of mankind the most absurd and ill-natur'd spirits . we may see the ivy flourishing and green upon a tree that is withered and dry ; and by so much the more old a man grows , by so much does this passion grow more vigorous and young ; so that it becomes more strong in those whom age or want of wit render more feeble or stupid . other plants have their roots only at the foot of them , the ivy has roots every where , and even more than leaves ; jealousie also roots its self more every day , and renders it self more inseparable from the soul than the ivy is from the trees or walls that it grows to . they are none but the indifferent sort of wits that are capable of this contagion the excellent are above and the very small ones below it . these latter are ignorant of the occasions for it and observe them not , the former surmount and despise them . it is in this that stupidity attains the same pitch with wisdom , and the rusticks are as happy as the philosophers . on the other side , they that afflict themselves for a misfortune which has no remedy but patience , make their errour the entertainment of the world , and are lunatick , having the moon whole in their heads , while they think they have the horned half of it on their foreheads . this is not to have a great spirit to incommode ones self without obliging any body , and to damn ones self in this world that we might be sure not to miss of it . if the distrust of the jealous be known , it increases the evil instead of bringing a remedy to it ; if it be not known , it is superfluous to them . and 't is an evil which when it is hid , silence and modesty render it more insupportable . i do not wonder at all if the jealous are very meager , their passion feeds its self only with shadows and phantasms . the good wits knows how to restrain their curiosity , while the indifferent ones give it an entire liberty , to learn that which it ought not to know ; not minding that in the trade of the world the most exact persons have not always the best satisfaction in their affairs . if we had well regulated our opinions , we should have subjected many enemies . melancholy and musing maintain jealousie , divertisement and forgetfulness destroy it : the spirit tires it self as well as the eye when 't is fastened too long to one object . in such cases as this , we must gain our victory as the parthians did theirs , that is by flying ; and must divert the thoughts rather than too obstinately fix them . it is an enemy whose weapons are poisoned , and to approach us is enough for it to conquer us . after that the memory has received it , the reason comes too late to make a resistance : it may be hindred from entring , but it never goes out till it has ruined them that entertain it . cydippus among the romans having taken a great deal of pleasure in seeing a combat of bulls , he mused so much upon it all night , that in the morning he arose with horns upon his forehead . this spectacle had pleased him , it had entertain'd his phancy , and at last his imagination did him this evil office . it is after this fashion that many disorder their own heads , without considering that their restlesness or their curiosity is always hurtful to them . for if they learn that their suspicions were false , they would be obliged to repent of them ; if they find them to be true , they become miserable by having been too curious . they that say the sin of the angels was jealousie or envy , seem , in part , to justifie those that entertain this passion , in that the angels were capable of this , with all their light , which far surpasses the darkness of our minds . but we may also learn by this example , that it was this which made hell , and which daily renders men miserable in the midst of pleasures , even to the making lovers lose their paradise , if so imaginary contentments can yield one . there is not a wickedness so black but this passion renders us capable to commit it , while it gives address to the most clownish , and debauches the vertuous under pretence of having satisfaction for an injury . circe being jealous of scylla , and fearing that glaucus was in love with her , poison'd the waters where she was wont to bathe her self , that she might turn the beauteous nymph into a deform'd monster . murther , poison , and magick are but sports to it , and it has no other bounds in its inventions and its crimes than impossibility . it is a strange thing that those women who spend their time in divertisements themselves , cannot forbear to be jealous of their husbands , and violate the law of nature as well as the law of god , in that they will not endure to receive the same usage that they give . they are very often debauched themselves ; for they practise what they fear others guilty of , and their fear arises from their experience . the jealous minds never own their error but when it is past remedy . all the world knew the suspicions that herod had of mariamne , and the occasion of them was nothing else but that she was beautiful ; having no other ground to believe her guilty , but only that he thought her worthy to be sought after . but what fury and what rage was there in this ! when he had put to death this innocent lady , he would call to her as if she were not dead , and thought to find her in his palace who was convey'd to her tomb : this tyrant might well commit such a crime every month , since he could forget them so soon , and had a memory as short as his judgment . jealousie does carry us away from our selves ; we have some reason then to disown the effects of it when we are recover'd , and when we consider the malice and extravagance of it . we oftentimes , after his example , oblige the persons whom we love to die with grief by our suspicions , and then afterwards we regret this unprofitably ; we give them reputation by our repentance , but cannot restore the life which their melancholy has taken away : we condemn our blindness too late to justifie their innocence . the reports of slanderers render'd procris jealous of her husband cephalus ; she imagined he had a mistress whom he went to meet in the woods , instead of going to hunt there : she hid her self behind a thicket to hear his discourse when he should rest himself in the shade , and to discover the object of his meditations : he heard the noise of her , and believing it was some wild beast he drove an arrow into her heart and kill'd her , crying out cephalus . this word made him understand that he had taken his wife for a beast , and it may be he was not much deceived : it is want of wit to give credit so lightly to small appearances , and to find bad interpretations for good things . an honest liberty is of more value than such a constraint ; liberty extinguishes the fire that restraint kindles . when the occasions to transgress are common , they will be despised : but when they are scarce , they will be eagerly laid hold on out of fear that they will not return with so much advantage . in all cases , how extream soever a jealousie may be , i think the example of vulcan may serve for a remedy to it . when he was jealous of mars and venus he laid nets to catch them in the sight of all the gods ; but what did he get at last by his curiosity and cunning , but only to be declar'd infamous with the more solemnity , and to be cast out of heaven , and break a log with the fall ? nevertheless that none may deceive themselves in this matter , i desire they would take notice of this distinction ; that jealousie respects love , envy the goods of fortune , and t is emulation that follows vertue . the goods of fortune are too gross , those of love are too slight for our minds , there are only those of vertue that can deserve to be the object of it . it is only in the pursuit of this that competitors can endure one another , as well as many may agree to serve themselves of the light of the sun or the influence of the stars . also we may see among the ancients , that the three graces hold each other by the hand and are united in the alliance of vertue , while the goddesses are at strife for the honour of excelling in beauty , and the famous triumvirate fell out about the possession of the universal empire . and if we may add for this purpose any thing of christianity to our morals , that we may find a remedy for the greatest persecutions of jealousie , let us observe the example of the blessed virgin and her husband joseph ; where we may find that the most chast of all women yet gave some jealousie to the most honest and sincere man. there is in this sometimes more of misfortune than of malice ; and therefore those that are liable to be jealous should like him despise the slight appearances of ground for it ; and those that are wrong'd by jealousie should like her suffer patiently the suspicions of it . it would be no small consolation to think , that after all the proofs , and all the witnesses that might constrain us to judge ill : it is better in this extremity to believe a miracle than a sin , and to own the power of god than the weakness of a creature . of friendship , and the love of inclination , and that of election . since there is no pleasure in life without friendship ; and the greatest prosperity is tedious , and the least affliction without this is insupportable ; it is not fit i should forget this divine quality of amity , wherein the ladies have , at all times , greatly recommended themselves . it is not reasonable that i should pass by this lovely vertue , to which they have even erected altars among the most barbarous heathen nations , and which exercises an empire most absolute over the hearts of men , in all places where there is any sense or knowledge of it . there is then no need of long proofs to make it appear , that love and amity are necessary to the world : it is of more importance to show how it is dangerous . it is more profitable to show the use than the worth of it . most certainly if any know not how to distinguish well what is worthy of their love , they must be very unhappy ; for the imprudent and ill-placed affections ordinarily prove a cause of the greatest evils that afflict our lives . the disposal of love is truly a source of misery if not well directed , as well as it is of felicity if it be so . for this reason we ought to examine our love and amity from the very birth of it , since all the passions and all the motions of the soul depend on this . for as heretofore among the romans when they had chosen a dictator , they did at the same time depose all those that had any other office , to the end that a new lord might be attended with new officers ; so also when we change our love all the other passions change their nature ; they all follow this first mover . if we hope or if we fear still , yet it is not for the same end , as it is not for the same object . and in truth , when i think with my self that this passion not only gives motion to all the rest , but also that it constrains us to espouse the qualities of those whom we love ; and above all , that it never ends but as it were with life : i declare that it is in this more than in any other concern , that our choice is of great importance , and that we know not how to employ too much care and prudence to examine well whether that which at first we esteem worthy of our love , does not indeed deserve our hatred and aversion . this choice is not less difficult than necessary . but since they commonly say that love has two eyes , that of inclination , and that of election ; i think that , to speak of this subject with some method , it will be convenient to show with which of these it may see most clearly that which is amiable . and to begin with the love of inclination which many esteem the best . what the poets said of achilles may give us a great light into it : for as we learn from fables , that this great captain had but one place in all his body that was capable of receiving a wound , and that every where besides neither dart nor arrow could injure him : in like manner it seems to me , that the only part in which our soul is most sensible is that of inclination ; and that they who have found out this fatal place , as paris did the heel of achilles , need only to touch that that they may wound and conquer us . without finding this , let any render the best services they can , they will all be unprofitable to them ; or if they succeed sometimes it is with great difficulty and hazzard . one only look with inclination has more effect than without this the devoirs of many years can obtain . it is violent and yet constant ; though it is excited in a moment , yet it fails not to endure a long time . it sometimes finds in one instant its birth and its perfection . it was that which rendered dido in love with aeneas from the very first time that she beheld him ; she begun to love as soon as she begun to know him : without taking any notice that this was a stranger whom a tempest and not love had cast upon the coasts of carthage . it is true that reason and consideration at first , as it was with this queen , will endeavour sometimes to stifle those sentiments that the inclination gives birth to : but these are very uneffectual efforts , and we with difficulty resist the love that pleases : reason it self takes its part , and becomes as complaisant as was the sister of that princess ; even to the devising and trying means to succeed in our desires . inclination has no less of skill and cunning than of courage . it can enchant and deceive even an argits with his hundred eyes . it can give wings to convey us from a labyrinth . there is nothing that it will not endure , that it will not undertake . and if it be said we may see some that can surmount this , and make themselves masters of their inclination , it must in truth be acknowledged that this is very rare ; it must rather be believ'd that such were never seiz'd with this malady , than that they are cured of it . whatever any feign , all that which proceeds from our selves is very agreeable to us ; we yield our selves to be carried easily away with the stream of it ; we can refuse it nothing : and when this eve presents us with even a forbidden apple , yet to comply with her , we forsake all our interests . neither should any wonder at this , since she was taken from our own side , and is even a part of our selves . though she sometimes may seem to us but evil ; yet our reason does not domineer over her but with regret . when we go about to combat this , we resemble those fathers that are constrained to make war with their own children , and who have as much fear even to gain the victory as to lose it . but in truth , what ground is there that we should be willing to hinder the effects of our inclination , when they are so sweet and so natural ? what reason is there why this should be idly barren , and that so pleasant a cause should produce nothing ? can there be a better amity or love than that which comes from thence ? can there be a more faithful or more constant one ? it is as pleasing as it is strong ; it has no less sweetness than duration . we take no more pains to love an object that inclination carries us to , than a stone does to fall towards its center , or the fire to mount upwards towards its sphere . if the elements are neither heavy nor light in their natural places , and there is need of violence to draw them from thence ; so neither can we divert our selves but with pain and trouble from the object that we love out of inclination . it is here that our affection finds its repose , and its most pure delights . there is some reason to say , that the love which proceeds from consideration does resemble the fire that we have here below , which has always a need of nourishment , and which goes out if it be not always affixed to some combustible matter ; but on the other side , the love of inclination is like that above in the sun , its proper element , which endures always equally , and maintains its self . this is the most natural as it is also the most noble . this love is not mercenary at all , it does not nourish it self by any shameful pretentions ; it proposes to it self no other end but only love. i do not wonder at all if the love of consideration endures but a little while , and if it is stronger while it hopes , than when it is in possession ; since it fastens upon us by interest , and has no other bond but that of pleasure or profit . it holds us but by rotten cords , which need but a little misfortune or sickness to break them . and if we are to judge that amity the best which is able to endure the longest , we ought to account that of inclination the most excellent , which as it is the most pure is also the most constant and lasting . there are some nevertheless who think it enough to disparage this to say , that it proceeds from the love of our selves ; but it seems to me that this argument makes much for its commendation , since one would conclude from thence , that 't is almost as impossible to separate us from that we love with inclination , as to separate us from our selves : and at least , that it will continue a long time if it comes from such a source . and if it be said , that we may also judge hereon , that this love is blind as that commonly is which we bear to our selves : in truth i must return , that i am not able to see how this opinion can maintain it self ; i cannot comprehend why so many will have it , that inclination is blind : we believe it has not eyes because we do not see them ; and if sometimes we cannot discover the causes of it , we chuse rather to say it has none , than to own that they are unknown to us . it is true , we cannot so well judge of the resemblance of humours as of that of faces . but nevertheless , if any would give themselves the trouble to search well into the original of our inclination , they would often find it : if they would give themselves leisure to philosophise a little upon the perfections of the object that pleases us , they would infallibly find out wherein it is amiable . it is from this inclination it comes to pass many times , that of many who look upon a beautiful face , there shall not be , it may be , more than one of them that has any lively feeling of its charms : and those that deserve best find oftentimes more admirers than servants : we do not love all that we commend : the will does not always take the part of reason : and we give sometimes our approbation to a thing when we deny our love to it . many may have the same judgment , but it is not so easie that they should have the same inclination : and though i grant that several persons may love the same thing , yet this seldom comes to pass by the same reason . as we have not an appetite for all sorts of meats , not even those that we may judge to be good : so we cannot have inclination for all sorts of persons , not even for those sometimes whom we judge to have a great deal of merit . as there are divers relishes in the sense , so there are different inclinations in the soul. but why should we not follow inclination in love , when we follow it almost in all other things ? in the chusing an office , in the learning of a trade , or in the studying of a science , we have regard to the humour and temperament . why then may we not do this as much in our love which is the most important thing in the world ? and in truth , if we examine our nature and complexion before we addict our selves to learning or any other exercise ? why shall we not also seek for a disposition to love as well as to study ; since there is nothing more true than that as we cannot succeed in the arts in despite of our nature ; so neither can we any better succeed in an amity when it is against our inclination . it must be acknowledg'd , that as the same earth is not proper for all sorts of seeds ; so the same heart is not capable of all sorts of affections . it ought not to be a wonder if we have inclination for one thing and not for another , any more than to see the load-stone draw the iron rather than copper or lead . and if we have a love that is a little contrary to our humour , how do we entertain an eternal sedition within our selves ? we cannot be happy but by halves ; our inclination is upon the rack while our reason is satisfied . it is true that is said of love , that without inclination it cannot long subsist : without this an amity has not an entire satisfaction , nor even confirmation . it is a building without foundation which needs but a touch or blast to throw it down . but to finish this argument with the strongest proof of all . since love ceases to live when it ceases to reign , and that it cannot divide its power without losing it : that we may sufficiently prove the love of inclination to be the most sovereign and the most legitimate , it is enough to show that it is the most single , and that it will never permit that we should love more than one thing . as we can have but one sympathy , we cannot love perfectly more than one object . on the contrary , as we can seek our interest in several persons , when we find it not in one alone ; so this love of consideration may be divided ; it may seek what is profitable in one , and what is agreeable and pleasing in another . after all , if consideration and inclination were to dispute before a wise judge , that he might determine to which of the two love does most lawfully belong , as heretofore the two mothers pleaded before solomon for the living child , inclination would at length have the advantage : he would give love to that , since it can endure no division of it , as the other can , and because it will possess it or lose it entirely . after we have seen the reasons which are given to prove that inclination is the more strong in amity ; it is time to examine those which may be brought to show that election is the more assured and safe in such an important concern . it shall then suffice , at the first , to make it appear how much inclination is dangerous , to shew how blind it is . for as the dawn precedes the rising of the sun ; so knowledge ought to go before love ; and however sympathy does act without choice and light , yet that which it does in a moment , causes oftentimes the repentance of the whole life . election is not so forward nor ready , 't is true , and also it is not so unfortunate . and i think zeuxis return'd a very prudent answer to those that reproach'd him , for that he was long in finishing his pieces : i , says he , a● a long time in drawing a picture , because what i draw is to endure a long time . one may say for a firm affection that which he said for an excellent picture : it is necessary that a long experience should precede a true amity , for fear lest a long regret should follow an election too lightly made . this of sympathy is an agreement very suddenly made ; it often obliges it self without knowing to what conditions ; and commonly signs without having look'd upon the articles . the example of dido alone sufficiently shews the tragick effects of this lightness : the poet had reason to say that her love was blind , and that it consisted of a fire that had more heat than brightness . and in truth i find in this fable , the infelicity as well as the blindness of this love. if dido had an inclination , aeneas had none at all ; as she was imprudent , he was ungrateful . history and experience afford us examples enough of this sort ; and when i make use of fable i do this for ornament to my discourse , not to give it greater strength . but to say truth ; is not this a very weak reason to perswade a woman to love me , to say that i have a great inclination for her ? the same argument i bring to perswade love , may serve her for the refusal of giving it . if i say i follow my inclination in loving such a person , may not she say she follows hers in not loving me ? is not her aversion as well founded as my sympathy ? if i wish that she would renounce her humour to satisfie mine ; has not she right to pretend to the same advantage over me ? in truth , i extreamly love what the poets say of this matter . they feign that cupid has two sorts of arrows ; the one of gold , the other of lead ; the former gives love , the latter hatred : with the one he inflam'd apollo , with the other he chill'd daphne . was not the flight of this shepherdess altogether as just as the pursuit of the god ? if he sought her because of an inclination to her ; she shunn'd him because she had an aversion to him . besides , what assurance have we , that any have an inclination for us ; what marks that are sufficiently certain can any give whereby to know it ? it is true , that we may well perceive our own ; but whereby can we infallibly observe that of others ? this can only , if at all , be done by the means of reason , which ought to examine , whether that which we take at first for true , be not an illusion or fiction . and to speak rationally of this thing , when the inclination surprises , as sometimes it does , our reason , so as to make us too easily fall in love with an object . reason then is found like a servant interested or corrupted that will engage her mistress to her disadvantage : the sen●● herein would often debauch the spirit ; they are servants that are traiterous or ignorant , and bring false reports to their master . i● it not then a great deal better that we love for the amiable qualities that we see , than for an inclination that is hidden from us ? why should we entertain a love for which we know neither cause nor good reason ? this is , in truth , to love by chance ; here is nothing but uncertainty . there can never be an intire satisfaction in our love , while we shall be in pain to know whether the sympathy be equal on both sides . we perceive a wound , without knowing the hand that struck , and are enslav'd by invisible chains . and i assure my self that if we would be curious to examine well that which has arrested us , we should soon acknowledge our errour and imprudence . if we did but light up a lamp as psyche did , perhaps we should find , with her , that this love is but a child , who fears to be seen , lest we should know and despise his weakness . it is a great unhappiness that we have some difficulty to undeceive our selves . though the sentiments which are most natural are not the most reasonable , yet as the earth cherishes best those weeds that it brings forth of it self , more than the plants that the gardener sows in it : so we seem to entertain more carefully the affections that come from our natural corruption , than those that proceed from our reason . nevertheless we ought to consider that as the physician corrects the appetite to make it relish what is wholesome nourishment : so we ought also , if we will be wise , to regulate our minds that we may direct our affections to right objects . we must of necessity treat our selves like sick persons in this case ; there is nothing we ought so much to forbid our selves as that which pleases us most ; our inclination is no less deprav'd than their taste ; it proceeds from a poison'd spring , it comes not from nature sound and well ; but from that which is corrupted . i approve mightily the opinion of them who compare the amity of election to the sun , and the love of inclination to the moon ; for the former is always equal , and the latter is commonly unconstant , full of errour and of spots . the moon of her self has no brightness ; inclination alone has no conduct . it has need to borrow that from reason . and above all , after the same manner as the moon appearing sometimes with the sun , does not make the day for all that , nor contribute any assistance towards the enlightening of the world ; so when by good fortune the love of inclination meets with that of election , it ought not to govern us , or make it self our master ; but on the contrary , it ought to borrow all it's light and direction from the other . but to improve this comparison a little further , i could wish to this purpose , that the ladies would imitate her whom the holy spirit describes in sacred writ , as having the moon under her feet , and being all over inviron'd , and as it were cloathed with the sun. i mean , that they ought not utterly to throw away inclination , but to conquer and moderate it : that there should be in love a little of humour , and a great deal of prudence : that amity has no need of inclination , but in its birth ; but has need of consideration as long as it endures . if it be necessary that the one be the mother of it , it is so too , that the other be the nurse and mistress . and in truth , inclination is like an imprudent mother , who loves her children too well : they must be wrested from her bosom as soon as they are brought forth , for fear that in caressing and embracing she should stifle them . after all , this inclination is nothing else for the most part but a phantasm ; the most learned find it difficult to express the cause or the nature of it . it is so occult and hidden , that many not being able to comprehend the love that it gives birth to , they say , it is they know not what , which forms it self , they know not how ; and which conquers by they know not what sort of charms . there are some that teach , upon the foundations of plato's philosophy , that inclination comes from remembrance , and that our souls , having view'd each other in another world before , it seems that this is not the beginning of a love , but the continuance of 〈◊〉 . that this is not properly the birth of an affection but the awakening of it . insomuch that , according to their opinion , our souls call to mind their former alliance ; no otherwise than as two persons that have mutually lov'd heretofore ; when they see each other again after a long separation , they are surprized at first sight ; while the imagination and memory are at labour to discover and recollect those that touch them . there are some others that attribute an inclination to the stars ; and who will have it , that the same cause which produces flowers in the bosom of the earth , produces also the sympathy that is in our souls . some again ascribe it to the four qualities that they fansie are mingled in us ; namely , heat and cold , dryness and moisture . and others make short work of it , and ascribe it to destiny . but that i may not trouble my self or the reader with the opinions of all those that deceive themselves , and who seek the original of the inclination there where it is not ; it seems to me ( that we may philosophize rightly ) to proceed only from the love of our selves . we love all that which resembles us , even to our pictures ; we cherish our image in all things where we see it . we love all that which comes from us : fathers , for these reasons , love their children ; painters their draughts ; artificers their work. it is from hence , that we may learn the great danger there is where the love of inclination engages us ; for since we very often love our selves on that side where we are most imperfect , and we embrace even our very shadow like narcissus : it follows from thence , that we are in danger to love the imperfections of others if it happens that they resemble our own . if the love of our selves be blind , that of inclination is so likewise ; this is an effect that must carry the resemblance of its cause . but if this love of inclination were not so dangerous , and so full of darkness ; what need is there of this sympathy , or natural conformity ? and why may not love place it there where it was not ? love as well as death equals all things , and makes a likeness where it does not find it . in loving as well as dying , both kings and shepherds find themselves at the same point . herein they are both men equal , in respect of affection and of weakness . love is like a fire which can kindle another any where : it does not only transmit it self into the subject it burns , but also has power to dispose that to receive it : it removes the qualities contrary to its own , to put in others : it drives the enemy from the place it lays siege to , before it does render it self master of it . and to say the truth , as there are hidden forms in the bosom of matter which natural agents are able to excite and produce ; so there are hidden inclinations in our souls , which conversation and familiarity may give birth to . there needs no more but to seek well after them , and if we find them not at first , yet a little time usually produces them . how often do we see some persons that distast us at the first , and who nevertheless , after a little conversation , do highly please us ? and others again who ravish us at the first sight , and afterwards displease us as much ? love may succeed to aversion , as well as aversion to love. experience sufficiently shows this ; and as those trees that are of different kinds being well grafted , do not fail to bring forth fruit ; so the amity that is formed between two persons of different humours may not fail to succeed well . plato had some reason to say , that love is a teacher of musick ; for as much as an affection may breed as well in an inequality of humours as a harmony may be made up of unequal voices . and indeed what sort of conformity can we find between the young and the old , who yet nevertheless do often mutually love and caress each other ? what proportion or likeness is there between the loadstone and the iron ? if the one drew the other out of sympathy and resemblance , would not iron be rather attracted by iron than by the stone , to which it has a great deal less likeness ? but to the end that we may the better see how shameful and unjust this love of inclination is , it is enough to consider that they who love us only out of inclination , do affront us : they do not love us at all for any merit in us , since very often they love before they know us , and become amorous before they can well know whether we are amiable or not . this is an effect of their temper rather than choice , and in my opinion , we have no great obligation to them for the doing that which they cannot hinder . having thus shown what there is of good on of evil in these two sorts of amities , it will be very easie to observe what will be the best life of them ▪ it is not necessary to divide , but only to regulate them : it is true that these are to our minds , like the two fansied poles to the heavens on which they turn ; these are the poles of our thoughts and actions . and as the one pole of the heavens is under our feet while the other is elevated above our heads ; so it seems fit that we have less regard to inclination than to election , and this latter ought to serve us for a star to guide our love and friendship by . they say the great alexander had two favourites whom he obliged after a very different fashion ; he lov'd ephestion tenderly as the companion of his pleasures , and craterus strongly for the government of his estate and affairs : as emperour he esteem'd the one , as alexander he lov'd the other . it is necessary to join these two sorts of love together to make a perfect one , lest love , being without inclination , be constrain'd , or being without election it be too imprudent . if there be no consideration , love is without conduct : if there be no sympathy in it , 't is without much pleasure and sweetness . in truth it seems as if these two loves are in one soul after the same manner that those two twins , of whom the holy scripture speaks , were in the womb of their mother . these are two brothers of which the one is foremost in the order of nature , but nevertheless he must not have the advantage of this . the one is the more violent and impetuous , the other is the more gentle and prudent . and it is the unhappiness of our minds , as it was of their dying father , to encline more to the side of that love which is the more natural , and which proceeds from sympathy . but as the mother of jacob gave him means to supplant his brother , i● ought also to be , that reason should direct as how to regulate inclination , to the 〈◊〉 that election may be the mistress of it . after all , if any should demand of me the rules that are most necessary to be observed in our amity ; as well for the satisfaction of the conscience as of the mind ; in my opinion there is no better than this ; to believe that our affection is unjust whenever it is contrary to that we owe to god. as the ark was between the cherubims , so 't is necessary that god be present between two hearts that mutually love : this ought to be the knot of our loves , that we may render them strong and reasonable . and to say , as that reverend bishop who has writ so divinely on the love of god ; love is the more commendable on earth , by so much as it is the more like that which is between the wise and pure inhabitants of heaven . of the complaisant , or pleasing humour . it is true that there is nothing of more importance than to know the art to please , and to make ones self beloved in all companies : as we have all an inclination , towards society , we ought to enquire after the means to succeed well in it , and to gain the affection and esteem of those we meet , when we are in conversation or in business . it is true , that among all the qualities necessary to this , there is not one that seems more requisite than complaisance or courteousness , since without that , all the other are without gracefulness and are as it were dead . but it is also very certain , that the use of this is very difficult : most easily does this offend either in excess or defect . if it be not attended with a great deal of judgment and discretion , then the ladies that are too complaisant pass for loose or affected : and if they are not enough so , they shall be thought to be disdainful or uncivil : there is not less danger in receiving this , than in giving it . those ladies that render too much complaisance , are liable to be troublesome , those that receive too much are in danger to be seduced . there are those that will mingle flattery with complaisance , to bring them into error ; as wine is mingled with poison to draw down the deadly draught . there is therefore danger lest many should take the poison for food , and lest they drink the flattery while they think themselves receiving only a simple complaisance . commonly the one of these is so strictly join'd to the other , that there is need of a great deal of prudence to be able to separate them . and that we may the better succeed in this , it seems to me convenient to examine , in the first place , what there is of good or of evil i● the complaisant humour , to the end we may learn , with the better method and the greater facility , wherein the use of this is allow'd or forbidden to us . as the complaisance which i must condemn is nothing else but the art to deceive pleasantly , it must be acknowledg'd , that the most pernicious of its effects are that it makes an appearance pass for truth , and a feigned friendship for a true one . those spirits that are most dissembled , constrain themselves to appear genuine and sincere , to the end they may gain the credit of confidents and friends : but it is herein , that their artifice is discovered ; and it comes to be known that they have not that freedom and ingenuity they pretend to , in that they over-act their pretences to i● . though patr●●lus made use of all the armour of achilles , and some of his weapons , yet he would not venture to use his javeline , because this was of such a sort as that achilles alone was well able to manage it . in like manner , though a dissembled person does take all the appearances of one that is vertuous , yet she should not dare to meddle with the pretence to freeness or ●●genuousness of temper : this is a quality that cannot possibly sit well upon her , she cannot counterfeit pla●●ness without betraying that she w●●●● it . as the c●●●leons take all sorts of colours from the things they lie upon excepting only the white ; so ●●●se disguised souls will take all sorts of ●●●pes , will appear under all forms of countenance : but after all their artifice , it will be always observ'd , that it is impossible to serve themselves well of a pretence to freedom and candour . as upon painted faces we may commonly see both the paint and the ugliness too ; so we may see at the same time upon the looks that are too complaisant the plain traces of dissimulation and knavery . the ladies have but too much experience of this ; as their good nature renders them credulous , so it does as often make them miserable . what a deal of difficulty is there in complaisance ! how much mischief does this carry i● it against others ! there is no humour so wicked and ill , with which this evil complaisance will not testifie a sympathy . they ●eep with the unfortunate , they talk ill with the slanderers , they laugh with them that are pleased , and rave with the melancholy . they know how to vilifie vertue , and to palliate vice they have ointments for all sorts of wounds , and paint for all sorts of faces . to the end they may surprize and impose upon weak minds , they will make shew sometimes of reproving severely , but their censure is nothing but 〈◊〉 , their counsels have no 〈◊〉 , as they have nothing of sincerity or truth : to speak of them as they deserve we may say , they resemble much the hercule upon a theatre , who holds in his hand a mighty club , but it is hollow ; it is made but of past-board and painted cloth , and may strike a man without making a wound , and almost without making it self felt . certainly if the holy scripture calls the complaisant preachers by the name of adulterers , we may say the same of seeming and disguised friends , who do not speak so as to be useful to us , but only that they may be agreeable : who do not talk to do ●s a pleasure but to receive one from us . let a man suffer himself to be enchanted as much as he will with the complaisance of another , and rely upon it , and appear to do so , yet he shall commonly find the promises false , and the appearances deceitful : those of this sort who make show of an affection for all the world , have indeed none for any body . as we see nothing upon the sepulchers of the greatest princes , but only names and meer titles of their grandure : so likewise the visages of these persons carry as it were only the empty names of friends . and as there is nothing to be found within those gilded tombs , but only dust or rottenness , so there is nothing but treachery and inconstancy under so complaisant a mien . let us elsewhere seek for truth and not please our selves with the embracing of a phantasm . this sort of wits are always somewhat selfish in their designs , they constantly follow fortune , and turn about with the motion of her wheel . when helio●●balus commanded these fawning flatterers to be tied to a wheel and thrown into the water , he seemed to have a very right opinion of them , and to have condemned them to a very suitable punishment ; in making them to be cast into an element of which they themselves have the pliableness , and in tying them to a wheel of which they have the inconstancy . it would be no wrong to them to compare them to the poor baffled ixion , who believe and rely upon these complementers ; inasmuch as they experience that after all their promises , if they come to the proof of them , they can find no effect in them , they embrace in them but meer shaddows . to embrace a complaisant person , is to embrace a cloud instead of a juno . having thus taken notice of a principal effect of this humour , let us now observe one of the principal marks of it . the complaisant aim at nothing but ostentation , and show : and as when we see the most paint upon a face , we believe most largely of the defects of it , judging the height of the malady by the quantity of the physick : in like manner , the more study and endeavour , and the more constraint we perceive in a person 's actions and demeanour , we may very well conclude we shall find in the same proportion , that their designs are wicked ; and that the greatest wickedness often seeks the fairest mask for it's disguise . a flatterer will make more offers than a friend ; and the false amity often glitters more than the true . the reason of this is not at all difficult to find . it is because art is more prodigal than nature , and fiction ▪ than truth . fiction willingly produces nothing but appearances ; and truth lays hold of nothing but substance . men , as well as trees , commonly bring forth more leaves than fruit , and have a great deal more of show than effect . the art of limning and that of complementing do not much differ from each other ; both the one and the other employ themselves only about colours , and helabour nothing but surfaces . i do not at all think it strange to see the complaisant persons prodigal of complements ; a man will be more liberal of counters than of angels ; and it costs a great deal less to gild the statues which are made of lead or wood , than to make them of solid gold. the most beautiful roses have not the better smell , they that have so much of colour have the less of scent . nature her self divides her gifts , and , as if she were covetous or poor and feeble , she seems to find a difficulty is making the same thing very beautiful and very good . we may say as much as this concerning the truth and the appearance of friendship : it is often found that the one is separated from the other , and known that they who show so much affection upon the forehead , have sometimes none in the soul. to speak the truth , they are like those cushions we lean upon , that are on the out-side some costly stuff , perhaps , but have nothing within them but only chaff or flocks . these are bats that fly not but in the twilight , that love neither the day nor the night ; but a third season composed of both . they are peacocks which carry very lovely feathers , but have the feet of a thief , the head of a serpent , and the yellings of the devils . they are reeds that comply with every wind , and accomodate themselves to every humour , but they grow in the mud , they are weak and hollow ; they break under the hand that leans upon them , and wound it too . complaisance is not only excessive , but also defective too , and in both cases degenerates into flattery . it is excessive in praising , and defective in reproving ; it speaks either too much or too little ; it equally abuses both discourse and silence . it is like a perspective that shows a thing great or little ; and sets it as at a distance , or very near , as one will. it ascribes a great deal to the least vertues ; it takes much away from the greatest crimes ; it laughs and it weeps when it pleases ; and aristotle says , it is no less excessive in pretences to pity than to love. there is no sort of part but it can act : now it shall be defending vice ; afterwards it shall be accusing vertue . one while it gives beautiful names to things that are most ugly , calling rashness courage ; covetousness thrist and good huswifry ; impudence a good humour ; and then turning up the reverse of the medal , it will give the most infamous titles to that which is highly commendable ; calling eloquence babling ▪ modesty foolishness ; and an ingenuous freedom , insolence . it is after this manner that it abuses both reproofs and praises , and makes the laws either severe or favourable as it will. it throws oil into fire , it foments and inflames yet more the most debauched inclinations ; it encourages to the committing of evil , those that as yet boggle a little at it ; it le ts loose the reins to the most wild desires , when a just fear had restrain'd them . it speaks to us as the accursed julia to her son bassianus : you can do whatever you will. this young emperour being become most monstrously in love with his own mother , when at a certain time he saw her with her neck and brests uncover'd , and sigh'd in her hearing , without daring to tell the cause ; the motions of his lascivious love not having yet entirely stifled those of his respect and fear . this complaisant courtisan took away from him all apprehension ; she hardned him in his passion instead of reproving him : she was not asham'd to have her own son her gallant ; and to be mother and mistriss to the same person . what is there so horrid and impious , but complaisance can advise to it ? it can dispence with any thing ; there are no passions so extravagant , but this can breed them in the soul , or maintain them there . when the vile myrrha fell in love with her own father , she found a compliance in her nurse , who afforded her means to succeed in her infamous design , instead of diverting her from it . when dido was passionately in love with a stranger , her sister , too complaisant in the case , added to the flames , instead of striving to quench them . complaisance approves all that which we will , and takes but little care to perswade , tho' without eloquence ; since it advises only to that which pleases . the ills that concupiscence causes only to bud in us , complaisance makes them increase and bring forth fruit. if concupiscence be the mother of wickedness , this is the nurse of it ; it finishes and exalts that which the other left but low and beginning . it finds excuses for every thing : it said to the wretch bassianus , when he was in love with his mother ; that the will of kings ought to be their only rule : and they being above all others , there is no reason they should be depriv'd of the pleasures they desire , by submitting themselves to the forbiddings of another man. this said to myrrha , that the gods themselves had no regard to nearness of blood ; that juno was the sister , and wife of jupiter ; and that the motions of love do not at all oppose those of nature . it told dido , that the dead do not mind at all what the living do ; that there is no fidelity due to him that is not any longer ; and that sichaeus was not jealous in his tomb of that which aeneas might do at carthage . this has in it a readiness to undertake the most horrid enterprises ; this was the sister of dido that corrupted her ; this was the nurse of myrrha , that led her to the fatal precipice ; this was the mother of baessianus , that debauch'd her own son. it encourages those women that hesitate and tremble ; it teaches those that are ignorant ; it hardens those that are scrupulous , and fortifies them that are weak . it is for this reason , that complaisance is so well receiv'd when any have ill designs ; because , instead of contradicting or reproving these , it gives the means to carry them on and accomplish them . it is from hence that the terrible guards about the persons of kings cannot hinder this from entring into palaces : it is for this that it is every where receiv'd with such a gracious countenance , and especially in courts ; where there must be nothing used but supple cringing , and where licentiousness will not be reprov'd . it is lastly for this reason that the amorous and the courtiers strive to keep the fair , and the princes in errour , to the end they may maintain themselves in their favour . let us not dissemble in this matter , and while we are speaking of this base and cowardly complaisance , let us not render our selves guilty of the crime we condemn . the complaisant , round about a man that is in favour , are as shadows about a body in the sun-shine . if one removes ●●mself , they are stirr'd with the same motion ; if one sweats , they wipe their faces ; if one be a cold , their faces are frozen ; if we speak , these are but echo's to repeat our words . they are shadows which have no solidity , and fly from us when we think to lay hold on them ; voices without a soul , which interest , and not truth , drives from the breasts of flatterers . how unprofitable to us is such a complaisance ? have we any assistance from a shadow that follows us ? have we any consolation from an echo that pities us ? but alas , how dangerous is this complaisance ! if you speak blasphemies , this echo will answer them ; run to any manner of wickedness , this shadow will follow you . this echo repeats the speeches of the impious as well as of the just ; and this shadow follows the bodies that are sick as well as those that are sound . unhappy compassion ! that knows very well how to destroy us in a good fortune , but knows not how to comfort us as it ought under a bad one . deceitful complaisance that stays with us but only while our gaudy days last , and flies away like the birds that change their country when the winter approaches . may we not after all this say , that prosperity as well as adversity , has but few true friends ; since as the one wants them that should comfort it , the other is no less in want of those that should admonish . as the miserable have none to show them some grounds of hope ; so they that are happy , are no less destitute of such as should warn them to fear . if compassion be dumb in the presence of the afflicted ; complaisance is so in the presence of the vicious ; the one is careful , not to keep at too great distance from a good fortune ; the other sometimes fears to approach an evil one . see here that complaisance is the poison of the great , the enchantment of the court , the enemy of truth , and mother of all vice. and nevertheless , how much mischief soever it does , we have no small difficulty to defend our selves from it ; it is an agreeable murderer , the wounds of it please us , and when it kills we cannot tell how to complain . i grant there are some that have remedies , as well as vlysses , against this fatal syren , who smiles to make others weep ; and wracks those vessels that she has allur'd to her by her songs ; and who appears beautiful , but is indeed a monster . certainly if there be some that are enemies to complaisance , there are a great many more that suffer themselves to be enchanted with it . if there are some few that resemble theodosius in this , that they are invincible to their commendations ; and that they chuse rather to endure slander than flattery : there are many more like antipater , who are willing to dissemble their imperfections , and will be painted with but half a face if they want an eye . there are more that suffer themselves to be catch'd with the charms of it , than there are , that defend themselves from them . complaisance is an enemy that is resisted only by flying from it ; it has poison'd weapons ; it needs but to touch that it may wound , and to come near , that it may conquer us . it has charms that are of great value , even to the most grave and serious . we cannot repulse them without regret ; we shun it only that it may seek us , and if we refuse it entrance , 't is only in jest and pretence ; and as to a mistress , against whom her lover shuts the door , only that she may thrust it open . as soon as this has gain'd the ear it wins the heart , and to defend our selves from it , we must be either very wise or very insensible . especially the more it pleases , the more it hurts us ; it is by so much the more dangerous , by how much it is agreeable . it was for this reason that artemidorus said to his friends , that there was danger of seeing a flatterer even in his sleep , and that there can be no safety even with his shadow or picture . you may judge from hence of the malice of this enemy , since his very picture is mischievous and deserving our caution . this is not but too true at this time . we live in an age wherein complaisance is more in vogue , and has more of force than ever . we are in a time when they who know not how to flatter are accounted clownish ; and those who will not be flattered are esteem'd dull . at this day they who have not the art of flattery know not how to please . in the present age as well as in that of saint jerom they take flattery for an effect of humility , or good-will ; insomuch that they who abandon this shameful trade , are held for envious persons or proud. but certainly if we examine well those whom flattery corrupts , we shall commonly find that it has no power at all but upon the smallest wits . the pyramids of egypt are said to cast no shadow , notwithstanding that they are very high ; and the good wits will not suffer about them this complaisance or flattery . they are no more dazled with the rays of truth than the eagles are with those of the sun. antisthenes his comparison seems to me most admirable , when he said that the complaisant persons resemble courtisans in that they desire all things in their servants excepting reason and prudence . these are things greatly wanting in those who love to complement , those that have good judgment abhor such cringing ; and the excellent wits had rather be troublesome than dissembled ; and much rather may i say , they had rather be troubled than flattered . those that are wise are neither willing to be deceiv'd , nor desirous to deceive ; they are not willing their judgment should commit an error any more than their will. if we do not see the artifice of the complaisant it is our ignorance , if we do discover this and yet endure it , 't is an intolerable ambition . this compliance is proper only to the looser souls , and freedom is natural to the generous . if the hypocrite is thought the most guilty of all sinners , the flatterer may be deem'd the most pernicious of all enemies ; for as the former would impose upon the eyes of the all-knowing god ; so the latter would also abuse the eyes of them that are wise . and as god abhors a false devotion , so a wise man ought to detest a false amity . but if this complaisance were not dangerous , yet it is infamous , both in those that receive , and in those that practise it . it is a sign of weakness of spirit to let it corrupt us ; and the ladies that have a good judgment cannot be pleased with this fashionable trick , of finding vices and vertues where ever one will. aristippus said , that the only fruit he had received from his philosophy was to speak plainly to all the world , and to tell freely his thoughts of things . the good minds should have no other aim but this , nor any other sense of things but what they declare ; though the vulgar may perhaps endeavour only to conceal what they think . i esteem very much that other philosophy which taught the disciples of it this one thing as conducing enough to a good life alone , which was , that they should always observe the sun , to the end they might thereby learn , that , as that planet scatters even the smallest mists , so a good conscience will dissipate all manner of disguise and constraint . all this artifice is a sign either of wickedness or cowardise , and of a spirit very feeble or very ill disposed . as prudence and courage are inseparable , so policy and weakness are always together . reeds yield more to the winds than oaks do ; and foxes are more crafty than lions , the fearful than the generous , and the little spirits than great ones . the best and wisest minds ordinarily hate tricks and cheating , and if at any time they make use of artifice 't is only as a counter-poison ; it is never to do evil but only to avoid it , 't is not to assault any others , but only to defend themselves . it is one of the most noble effects of magnanimity to love and to hate only openly . besides , those that are wise must be always equal , but the complaisant are under a necessity of changing every moment ; there is nothing certain or steady in their humour , any more than in their looks , because that as well as the other depends upon the humour of the person they would please . they are forced sometimes to condemn in the same hour that which they have before commended , or to extol to the skies the same thing which they had before damned to the bottomless pit. complaisance then has commonly attending upon it these two shameful qualities , cowardise , and inequality or unconstancy . i speak nothing in all this but what the complaisant themselves will own ; and so those that are most expert at this trade will not address themselves to any but the untaught , and meaner wits : they are like those mountebanks that produce their sorry medicines only before the ignorant vulgar . they that have but a small measure of knowledge can lift up the mask and deride the cheat ; they will more regard what these persons are in effect , than what they are in the opinion of others . and if we understand this matter rightly , we shall know it is from hence that they who mightily love themselves do also love those that flatter them ; for it is very seldom that we can find together much knowledge and a great admiration of our selves . they that well know themselves and what they are , will give no heed to the complements , that ascribe to them what they are not . they therefore that idolize their own opinions have an aversion for all those that contradict them : they , like ahab , love none but the fawning prophets , and they care not if one does deceive them , provided he flatter too . certainly there are too many of the ladies like jezebel in her hatred of elijah , i mean that hate those who reprehend their faults ; like the apes that endeavour to break the looking-glasses wherein they see themselves , because these discover their ugliness . nevertheless i wish they could understand , that a good admonition , or a reproof well given , is of much more advantage to them ( as solomon says ) than the most costly pendants at the ears . i confess , that when ever a reproof is given , it should be softened as much as is possible that it may not give the receiver too much pain : but yet it must be said , that if there be some smart in it , the ladies ought to resolve that they will endure it , since it may be useful to them , and serving to their honour ; and a seasonable correction may contribute more to the ornament of the mind than jewels at the ears can do to the adorning of the face . but on the other side , if any do so love and admire themselves as that they cannot bear the truth when it shows them their defects , such a humour shall easily be conquered by complaisance . as they make it a very easie and short work to a besieger who give up the place they ought to defend , so it is not difficult to conquer that person by flattery whose self-love betrays him . complaisance has no difficulty to surprize our minds when it has an intelligencer within us of this follish self-admiring humour . it is like those thieves that have their correspondents in the house they design to rob that shall open the doors for them in the night when people have no thoughts of defending themselves . as when eve was gain'd , adam himself follow'd soon after ; so when the inclination is corrupted by flattery the mind is not long before it yields . this comparison seems not to be much amiss , since the complaisant have the shifting tricks of the serpent as well as his poison , and easily slide themselves quite in there , where the least part of them is admitted ; and in that they accost our humour to debauch our reason , and make the former present the apple to the latter . they therefore that perceive that their good-nature carries them to the love of complaisance , ought to be always upon their guard : they must never be drowsie or careless least the flatterer like the serpent should seduce this eve it is in this case that the ladies are in a great deal of danger , if they do not take good notice , that complaisance will show them such fruits as promise life , but will give them death . certainly they ought to consider well this example , wherein they may see how much mischief this thing did to the first woman , in giving her courage to sin , in permitting her that which god had forbidden her . those of her sex ought to remember that they have enemies that flatter , to destroy them , and accommodate themselves to their humour that they may ensnare their judgment . in my opinion it were an excellent remedy against the mischief of this , for the women to consider seriously what they are when any praise them for that they are not . to judge whether these painters have drawn our picture true , we must confront the copy and original , and observe whether the pourtraicture drawn for us be according to our nature . there is nothing so contrary to complaisance as conscience : this does very often condemn us even while that is commending . but as the slanders of the malicious do not hinder but that we may be very good ; so notwithstanding the applauses of flatterers we may be very blame-worthy . complaisance then is the capital enemy of conscience , it would extinguish this divine light , it would lull this careful sentinel asleep , it would silence this inward monitor which ought to have a constant liberty to speak to us , and who lashes us with remorse if we deserve it , while the complaisant are flattering us with praises . what is there then in society so pernicious as this ? when it hinders us from acknowledging our faults , and would have us continue in them and make our errors the discourse of the world. it is for this reason better that we undergo censure than complaisance ; because it is less dangerous to be accused than praised falsly : the wounds of a friend are of more worth than the kisses which a flatterer gives us . if we must needs commit an error , and take our selves to be what we are not in truth , it is better far to have too bad an opinion of our selves to the end we may be humbled thereby , than to flatter our selves into an opinion of more worth than we have . it is less dangerous to fly from a shadow than to let an enemy come within reach of us : it is better to fear an apparent evil than not to fear a true one ; our fear is herein much less dangerous than our boldness . it is true that slander and flattery do both equally make war against vertue , but as the one assaults it with a sword , the other does this with poison : for which reason they ought to have more fear of flatterers than of the slanderers ; as they would more industriously shun those enemies who hide their designs than those that openly make their war. but let us see what in the end becomes of the complaisant , with all their falshood , with all their disguise and dawbing . as soon as their artifice is discovered , they are held in abhorrence , they remain ever after suspected by all the world ; they are never lov'd any longer than till they are known . and , to say the truth , the content which complaisance affords , and the distast that is ever caused by a freedom , are both equal , but of short continuance . at first the candid and sincere are repulsed , and the complaisant are approv'd , but experience changes the sentiment : and complaisance at the end gains the same aversion which the freedom met at the beginning . as solomon says , he that rebuketh a man , afterwards findeth more favour than he that flattereth with his tongue . the one begins with a short sweetness , to end in a long distaste and bitterness ; and the other begins with a slight disgust , but 't is to continue in a satisfaction the more solid and durable . the one is like a medicine which does not distaste us but to give us health , the other like a poison which is sweetned that it may kill . hence it comes to pass that herein complaisance has effects quite contrary to those of the truth that corrects us : in that all the world esteem and seek this truth before it appears , and when they see it , it makes their eyes smart , and offends . on the contrary , all the world blames the compliance of flatterers , but when it comes near it pleases and bewitches us . we cannot hate the latter nor love the former , but only during their absence from us . now that we have thus seen what there is of evil in complaisance , let us next examine what it has of goodness or usefulness in it . whatever some may say of this , it may be as far distant from flattery , as prudence is from craft , and courage from rashness . and if it should be said that at least it is very difficult not to run out of one into the other , this were to deceive ones self as much as if we should think that a person cannot be liberal unless he be prodigal , or that we cannot possibly separate a mediocrity from an excess . i readily own there is often a compliance that is base ; as when cynethus commended demetrius phalereus for that he kept time in spitting when he was troubled with a cough . i own that the flatterers may abuse this excellent vertue , but what one is there that they do not abuse ? what is there so beautiful or divine , as that the ignorant or the wicked cannot prophane it ? may they not even do ill with truth ? those that boast themselves of a good action they have done are not they guilty of vanity though they tell no lye in the case ? we ought not therefore to condemn complaisance , for that there are many that do not know the right use of it . it is extreamly good in its nature , though commonly it is very bad in mens practice and use of it . and that this may the better appear , is it not true that this great freedom which many praise does very often proceed not from an integrity of manners in the man 's own self , but from conceitedness rather , and from vanity and imprudence . we take pleasure to contradict , sometimes , because the fear of being overcome makes us loth to confess even the truth it self . nevertheless though i should grant that this sharp reprehending humour does not come from a bad principle , yet at least it must be said of it , that 't is a bad effect of a good cause . those that are so rude and uncomplaisant are objects of compassion , though they be learned and vertuous . one may say of them what plato said of xenocrates , that notwithstanding his knowledge and his honesty , he had need to sacrifice to the graces . if this rudeness be unbecoming a philosopher , how shall it be commendable in a lady ? as gentle sweetness is natural to their sex , so complaisance ought to be inseparable from their actions and discourse . 't is true i do not approve of that which appears affected and constrained when it endeavours to please : but also i cannot excuse those women that put on so much gravity as to become morose . sweetness and severity are not contrary , but only different things ; and prudence may put them into so perfect a temperament , that the one may give lustre to the other . also i do not mean , that to render themselves complaisant , they should universally approve all things ; these are two extreams equally blamable ; to take upon one to complement or contradict indifferently in all sorts of rencounters . those spirits that contradict every thing , are sowre or presumptuous ; those that approve of all , are ignorant or cowardly . those women that make profession of contradicting all things , do this either out of inclination , or with artifice : if this be from inclination , it shows the ruggedness of their humour ; if from artifice , they are vainly proud of a little wit. certainly let it proceed from what it will , it cannot always succeed , it is always joyn'd with a vicious temperament , or an imprudent design ; and is in persons ill born , or ill instructed . how troublesome are these women in conversation ! if they did but regard the publick good so much as they do their own private satisfaction , they would vow an eternal solitude and retirement ; and would never show themselves but when people wanted mortification . let us do what we will , or forbear to do , 't is impossible to content them . if the company do not agree to their sentiment , they are vexed ; if they follow their opinion , then they themselves begin to have another quite contrary , on purpose that they may contradict without end . if any others commend a vertue , they will detract and condemn it . if any condemn a vice , it is presently their part in the scene , to excuse or defend it . they value and mind not what their opinion is of any thing , provided it be contrary to that of others . if you praise them , they will accuse you of flattery ; if you do not commend them , they will condemn you for ungrateful ; if one speaks before them , one is a babler ; if one does not speak , he is disdainful . they will find something to blame , both in our discourse , or in silence ; they will condemn both conversation and solitude . to speak rightly of this matter ; we must say that the women of this humour are almost always proud there , where the complaisant are commonly humble : for , to describe a true complaisance rightly , we must say 't is nothing but a patient civility , or a civil charity . as the love which christianity teaches , endures all things ; so the complaisance of morality , after a sort , does as much : although the motives of these are different , in that the one proceeds from a desire to please god , the other from a desire to please men. after all , we should find it no difficult thing to be complaisant , and to bear with the infirmities and imperfections of others , if we would but consider , that we do no more herein than what we often have need of for our selves . but this is the unhappiness of some , that they can neither show mercy to others , nor suffer that any others should do justice to them , or use them as they herein do deserve . those women that have not so much complaisance as to bear with the least faults , have neither the humility to endure that any one should reprove their greatest crimes . they believe others will always abuse reproof as themselves do ; and that it will not be used to instruct , but to injure . they despise the opinion of all the world , and would have all men adore theirs : they are as well impatient as insolent ; and have as much vanity as rudeness . and if at last either their ignorance or the evidence of truth obliges them to consent , or hold their peace , yet their mien and looks contradict still : and after that their mouth has made a peace , their silence still continues the war. what can there be more troublesome in conversation than this humour ? certainly this quarrelsome temper were much better in the schools than in conversation . i do not at all deny but we may some times reason and argue together , the better to find out truth ; and that we may render discourse the more agreeable by the diversity of the subjects that are spoken upon : but yet there should be some fear and caution lest we be disordered or fall out : at least it should be always remembred that dispute in conversation is a war where we ought not to combate with obstinacy , nor to overcome with insolence . provided complaisance be mingled with the debates , there is nothing so agreeable , and there will no more injury be done by a disputation of that sort , than two persons would do by throwing flowers at each other . the same that have the humour of contradicting , have also a perpetual inclination to correct , and reform all matters : but they are as unprofitable as troublesome ; they know not how to testifie a good-will in their reproofs , no more than a good spirit in their disputes . all that which comes from their harsh humour is displeasing ; though they speak that which is true they do it so ungracefully , that instead of making people good , they make them their enemies . as soon as such persons are seen they are distasted ; after that we have an aversion for them , at last an abhorrence : they are generally the objects either of hatred or laughter . complaisance succeeds much better , since as it commends without flattery , so it reproves without injury . this knows the art of curing pleasantly , it takes from the medicine its bitterness without robbing it of its strength : it is a sun that does not diminish his light to make it the more tolerable to sore eyes ; it refrains from dazling with its beams , but not from enlightning . if the load-stone has not only the vertue to attract iron , but also to show the pole , complaisance charms the greatest spirits , as well as the small ones . it enlightens those that have eyes , and attracts those that have none ; they who know and understand it see its force , they that do not , yet feel it . in truth , it has a secret vertue for the conquering of hearts , it is a loadstone that draws even iron , i mean the most clownish and barbarous . it insensibly wins upon us even when it reproves : it does not fall with an impetuous violence like hail , but as gently as snow . though the snow be cold , yet it wraps up the earth as in a mantle of wool ( to which the holy ghost compares it ) to the end it may cherish and keep warm the seed that is in it . in like manner though reproof be in it self somewhat disagreeing , yet it fails not to make good designs and vertuous undertakings bud and sprout in our hearts . complaisance obliges while it reprehends . and if this strikes it is but with a rod of roses ; where it strikes it leaves a flower instead of a wound . without this the best advice seems but a reproach ; without it , correction is injurious , praise is disagreeable , and conversation troublesome . complaisance is not a blind vertue , it has eyes as well as hands , it does not strike blindfold : there are some faults it reproves , and some it bears with : it endures what it cannot hinder and prevent . and in truth , excepting the brotherly correction to which christianity obliges us , what matter is it to us if many erre , or if they have ill opinions , unless it be in matters of conscience or that concern their salvation ? as we do not undertake to heal all that are sick , we are not bound to endeavour the undeceiving of all those that are in error . we should have no less trouble and difficulty in becoming the correctors of all the ill opinions in the world , than if we should go about to heal all the distempers that are in it . we have not this in charge , this care appertains to the providence of god and not to us . besides what need is there that we should speak all our sentiments , or make known every where all that which displeases or contents us ? one that is wise ought well to consider always that which he says , but he is never bound to say all that he thinks . there is no need that for the avoiding of a lye , he should fall into indiscretion . to be free , he does not need to be uncivil ; we do not injure truth every time that we do not speak it . we are always forbidden to say that which is false , but we are not commanded to say always all that is true . there is no law that obliges us to speak all our sentiments , or to discover all our thoughts on the other side , this great liberty of speaking is not only-unjust or troublesome , but also dangerous ; this imprudent plainness provokes the most mild persons , when the true complaisance would soften the most rugged . clytus lost the love of alexander by speaking too freely . scipio won the heart of syphax by having treated him with gentleness : the one by complaisance preserved his life in company of a barbarian ; the other by using an indiscreet freedom lost his by an intimate friend . daily experience affords us examples enough of this sort , so that we need not seek for them in the histories of past ages : we sufficiently find every day , that without complaisance , we become odious , and intolerable to all the world. where there is no complaisance there can be no civility , and without these two lovely qualities , society cannot be but very troublesome . especially let the ladies observe , that as their faces cannot please without beauty , so neither can their conversation without complaisance . but that we may say what yet further concerns them : after we have seen how complaisance ought to be practised , let us now take notice how they should receive it . let us learn the difference there is between a complaisant person and a flatterer , for fear the ladies should take the one for the other . the example of panthea seems to me sufficiently famous to make a good discovery of this . this lady was no less modest than fair ; she despised praises as much she deserv'd them . lucian describing the perfections of her wit and her face , compared her to the minerva of phidias , and the venus of praxiteles . panthea would not accept of the praises that seem'd to her excessive , nor endure that they should compare her to the goddesses . lucian to give an answer to this , and to justifie the comparison he had made , shows , in a very few words , the difference that there is between the praises of an orator and those of a flatterer . we ought not ( says he ) when we would praise a thing , to compare it to that which is below it , for this were to abate the merit of it : nor to that which is its equal , for that were to do no more than if it were compared with its self : but the comparison ought to be made with something that is more excellent , to the end that what we praise may have the more of brightness and lustre . a hunter ( says he ) will not compare a good stout dog to a fox , when he would commend him , because this were too mean a comparison ; nor to a wolf , because this is a thing too like him : but rather to a lion who has more of force and courage . if praises are without foundation they are flatteries : if they are without ornament , they are injurious . those who can join ornament with merit in doing this are just and allowable in what they do . it were flattery to praise one that is crooked for her fine shapes , or one that is bald for the fine hair she has . it may be seen according to this reasoning of lucian , that in praising what is little may be elevated to indifferent , and what is indifferent to excellent . a commendation ought not to lye , but it may amplifie : it ought not to be prodigal , but may be liberal . there is a great difference between a meer history and a panegyrick ; it is not enough for this latter that it do barely describe , but it ought likewise to carry in it some ornament and pomp. the ladies may judge from hence that there is more difference between praising and flattering , than there is between dressing and painting the face . we may plainly see in the example of this orator , how praises ought to be given ; and in the example of that lady we may see how they should be received . lucian shows that he understood well the laws of his rhetorick , and panthea testified , that she was not ignorant of those of decency and modesty . i grant there are very few that like her do make a conscience of receiving the praises that are given them , though they be entirely excessive . i know that the vanity of many is no less sacrilegious than sawcy , when they receive from their idolaters the names of angels and divinities without any scruple : i know too , and grant that there is more occasion to exhort to restraint than to liberty in this matter . nevertheless they ought to consider that they must not violate the laws of decency in observing those of modesty . it is necessary that prudence should show them a certain way between insolence and incivility . if christianity does oblige them to despise all sorts of praises and even those that are most just , nevertheless it is convenient sometimes that complaisance do approve these praises in the countenance , even when humility does despise them in the soul. herein they owe always their conscience to god , and sometimes their mien to the world and custom . but to finish this discourse on that part which is of greatest importance : if they perceive themselves moved with the praises that are given them , they have no more to do but to look into themselves , that so they may find a remedy for this in their own conscience . as we are the less afflicted when we know the ill imputed to us to be false ; so we shall be the less proud for our commendations , when we find that the good ascribed to us is not truly in us . we must therefore defend our selves from flattery as from slander , by the knowledge of our selves . for as conscience may comfort us against false accusations by showing us our innocence : so it may humble us , while we are flattered , by showing us our defects . and if it be not enough for this purpose to consider our own imperfections , let us consider moreover how much treachery and deceit there is in others ! how much falshood there is mingled with the affairs of the world ! they who have the looks of admirers , have sometimes the hearts of murderers ; oftentimes they who praise us in their discourse , disparage us in their thoughts . the ladies , like the eurydice of the poets , are liable to find serpents under the flowers ; as their sex is carried naturally to gentleness , their enemies put poison in what they love , and lay snares where they are sure they will pass . the flatterers would do them less harm , if they would take more heed to the designs of such men than to their discourses : they would the better know those who disguise the truth if they would represent to themselves that there are three conditions necessary to the speaking well ; that there must be resolution , prudence , and friendship . when resolution is wanting , they will palliate and dawb : when prudence and amity are absent , they are injurious . the cowardly spirits dare not speak ; the imprudent know not how to do it ; and enemies will not . lastly , that they may give and receive complaisance the more innocently , she that is wise must consider , that this is in all those cases forbidden , wherein we have more care to please men than god. it ought to be consider'd , that oftentimes the righteous god condemns those actions that men praise ; and that he who entertains flatterers to exalt and puff him up , while god threatens him in this world , shall not have them to defend him when god shall condemn him in the other . of birth or nature , and education . iown that plato had good reason to say that three of the happiest and most necessary principles in the world , are nature , fortune , and art : since nature gives life ; fortune , goods ; and art , knowledge . i own too , that nature and art have sometimes no lustre without the goods of fortune ; and this serves like a theatre or ornament to the other two . but certainly i cannot approve that opinion of the philosopher , when he said , that the greater things are done by nature , and by fortune ; and the lesser by art. nature makes men ; art can make but the pictures of them ; fortune gives sceptres ; and art can give but talk and science . plato seems to me more the humane than the divine in this opinion : the works of art are so pretious , that nature and fortune have need of them in all that which they do , that is most admirable : the one and the other is blind , if art does not open their eyes : without art , no one can well live or reign . how many great fortunes do we see overthrown for want of conduct ? how many do we see , whose good parts lie barren for want of education ? i shall not speak here of what fortune can do ; but only of nature and art , or rather of birth and education , that it may be seen , which of these two ought to have the greater part in the lives and actions of the ladies . it seems in the first place , that a good birth is more requisite to them than any other thing ; since , with this advantage , they do that which is good , as it were naturally , and without difficulty . an happy nature has no more need of rules than a good constitution of medicines : a good birth succeeds better without education , than an ill one can with the best education . as there is not the least star in the sky , but is of far greater worth , and has more of force than the most glorious sun in a picture : so it must be acknowledged that the advantages which nature gives are none of them so little ; but that they deserve more esteem than all that can be acquir'd by art and study . an endeavour'd gracefulness must yield as much to a natural one , as a painted thing to a living one . and if the ladies were all assembled before a judge , as heretofore the three goddesses were before paris , i believe he would give the same judgment that paris did , and that he would declare the more naked , i mean the more native , to be the fairest . tho' a face be not adorn'd , we may see beauty in it , if it be there ; so tho' good natural parts are not cultivated , yet they will make their strength and excellency to be observ'd . suppose pearls be cast into the mud , we may yet see something of their lustre , even in the middle of the filth ; and tho' a person that has good natural parts be brought up in obscurity ; yet her good birth will always dart out some rays , and make some signs of vertue shine in her looks . those women that have this advantage do all things with the better grace , and succeed with more equality in all their enterprises . the vertues to which we have an inclination endure much better than those to which we have none . we entertain more easily that which is in us by birth , than what we have by art and endeavour . nature herein resembles step-mothers , who always take more care of the children which themselves have brought forth , than of those of another woman : she does as the earth , which better cherishes those plants and flowers that its self produces , than those which the husbandman or gardener sows in it . the effects of nature are like those streams that run of themselves , without any labour about them to make them pass along : but the effects of art are like those pipes that belong to fountains which are always wanting something or other to be done to them . that which comes from nature is the more equal and the more assur'd . and if there may be many found , who love rather to follow their nature , than to renounce it for the affectation of somewhat else , tho' it may seem better : i think their opinion is very reasonable ; for in truth , we shall succeed better in cultivating that which is indifferent in our selves , than in imitating that which is excellent in others . if david fought better with his sling , than he could have done with the weapons of saul , and struck his blow surer with the equipage of a shepherd than with that of a warriour : so likewise we may do more with nature on our side , than with all the endeavour in the world ; if the exactest method , and the most pompous style do not suit with our temper . how superfluous and unprofitable is that labour , that would acquire a perfection which is contrary to our humour , when that which is but indifferent is not worth our imitation ; and that which is excellent is above it ? that which is most excellent in all things , is what cannot be acquir'd by art. as for eloquence , who can acquire the vigour of it ? as for disputing , who can acquire the subtilty , and readiness necessary to it ? as for a good grace , who could ever acquire that native and powerful charm , which painters know not how to draw , nor the poets to describe ; and which is felt much better than it can be express'd ? besides , what need is there to light up torches when we have the sun shining upon us ? and what need to receive the light of art , when we have that of nature ? this is not only superfluous , but also shameful and more difficult . and in truth , whatever good rules , or whatever fine examples we follow ; there is sometimes more difficulty to do as another does , than to do more ; it is less hard to surpass than just to equal them ; because it may be , to do more there needs nothing but force or courage ; but to do just so much , there must be measure and proportion . it may be much easier to out-go a man by running , than if we are confin'd to that sort of pace which he uses ; since in the former case we depend upon our selves ; but in the latter we must regulate our going by his . would there not in this be a great deal of constraint and weariness ? would it not then be better to follow our own humour , provided it be not contrary to reason ? were it not best for us to examine our temperament , and be guided by that to chuse the perfection we endeavour ; as men regard the nature of the mold in which they plant their trees or sow their seeds ? certainly , whatever they say of art it is nothing but a labyrinth that confounds us : we ought to take wing and fly up above it rather than vex our selves with searching the way out among so many windings , where vulgar souls are wont to lose themselves . it is true that excellent wits as well as the birds may sometimes walk in paths ; but also they sometimes fly up above all ; they use their wings as well as their feet ; they follow the force of their genius as well as the rules that art prescribes . if we did but well know how to discover the force of our temper , we should have it less difficult to succeed in any thing we had a mind to undertake . when we renounce our own humour to imitate that of another , we resemble them who forsake a good patrimony to go and seek their fortune : we do like mark antony , who might have lov'd a most excellent beauty in rome , and yet he went as far as egypt to seek one far inferiour . certainly to renounce our own humour that we may take up another , is like the leaving an octavia for a cleopatra ; it is to despise what is our own , as that roman prince did , though it be very excellent ; to love a strange thing though that be but indifferent . let the ladies take notice , that they shall much better succeed in all that they do or forbear , if they know how to discover and learn the excellency or worth of their temperament . here is the scource of the greatest disorders . while we are ignorant of what nature can do , we would fain be acquiring what it cannot . a chearful humour would fain affect the gravity of the melancholick , and the melancholick would affect the vigour and fierceness of the cholerick . instead of finding out what there is of good in our humour , we quit it whole , and go out of our selves to follow an example that is inconvenient to us , and that hinders the raising our selves to any higher point of perfection . if we could but observe the seeds of vertue that nature has scattered in us , we might , without doubt , render our selves the more perfect , and the more happy . we should become the more perfect , because we should have less labour to acquire a perfection conform to our humour : and we should be the happier , because our actions would be without constraint , and we should employ none but suitable and agreeable means for the attaining that felicity . but it is an unhappiness ( says cicero ) that we suck in error as it were with our milk. that we may obey custom , truth must give place to vanity , and nature to opinion . we are so confounded in the variety of opinions , and impressions that they give us from the cradle , that we cannot retrieve our selves even when we are at an age sufficient for the making this reflection . we are ignorant of the capacity of our own genius , and take more notice of what others do than of what we our selves are able to do . in this we are like those unnatural mothers that caress and show kindness more to the children of others than their own , and love better an adopted child than one born by themselves . this is from want of considering that if we would go where nature calls us , we should more often come near to perfection and happiness ; and from the want of considering too , that whatever we do which is contrary to our humour , it can have neither freedom , nor a good grace . i deny not for all this but there are bad inclinations : and there is often that which needs reforming in our humour ; but we have herein great evidence of the power of nature , in that 't is so difficult a thing to correct the defects of our temperament , or to overcome the vices we are naturally addicted to . and this is not only true of particular persons , but also of whole nations . there are vices naturaliz'd to countries , so as that they cannot be rooted out but with a great deal of difficulty and labour . let us do what we can we shall never get a perfect victory over natural inclinations . if this man be a lover of learning he reads books to the point of death : if the other be born with the gift of rallery , he jests even to the last moment of his life . to have a desire to conquer entirely ones nature , is as if a man would sain leap away from his shadow , or be separated from himself . we may mortifie our natural passions , but we can never utterly kill them ; we may hinder them from domineering , but we cannot hinder them from rebelling . if they are ruled , yet they will be troublesome ; we may stop and restrain their ●●urse for a little while , but afterwards t●●● will break out like an impetuous torrent , and carry away all that stands in their way . at the beginning nero could be wise for a few years , but at last , the conduct of seneca must give place to his temper , and the person he acted be changed for the person he was . we return to our selves : there will always something of our humour escape us , notwithstanding the efforts of reason or the precepts of philosophy . if our ill-nature does continue tamed for a while ; yet it will do at length like the bear in martial that fell upon his master and devoured him , even after he had been tamed many years . how strange are the effects of nature ! there are some who perhaps show not the vices of their temper but towards the end of their days . pliny had reason to say , that as among the indians there are some countries where the hair of the people is white while they are young , and grows black with age : so we see some persons that are much restrained and well governed while they are young , who in a riper age give themselves to nothing else but sports and liberty and debauchery . there were in them the seeds of evil that did not sprout nor put forth till the autumn of their lives . nature will have always its course , and what education soever may be employ'd to correct it , yet in the end it will make appear what of good or evil it has in it . there is an instance sufficiently famous among the ladies to demonstrate this , that is , in the two daughters of augustus : they were both brought up in the same court , they had the same instructions , and the same examples , and nevertheless livia never cared for any but licentious company ; and julia always loved the conversation of such as were sober and wise . they were seen at the publick shows , the one surrounded with lewd courtiers , the other with philosophers . tho these princesses had the same education , yet they were very different in their course of life ; and while they both follow'd their inclination , the one was vertuous , the other debauched . thus we see what a good or bad nature can do : let us now observe how absolutely necessary it is to have a good education . whatever is said in favour of nature or birth it still seems to me that education is yet more requisite . the former depends upon chance , and the other upon our endeavour . education is necessary to all sorts of persons . it makes those women that have a good temperament become the more perfect , and those who have a bad one , it renders the less insupportable . it gives lustre to the one sort , and repairs in some measure the defects of the other . as lead was more valuable when form'd by the art of that excellent statuary phidias , than an unshapen lump of gold ; so an indifferent nature will succeed better with an excellent education , than an excellent nature with an ill education . we have mentioned in the beginning of this discourse the three principles of plato , but here we must place the three principles of plutarch . we can do nothing with any perfection ( said he ) in vertue or in the sciences without nature , knowledge and use . nature gives the capacity , reason shows the rules , and use gives us exercise for the acquiring a readiness and habit . knowledge without nature is rude , and nature without knowledge is blind ; but both the one and the other is still imperfect without experience . we may see then how necessary education is , since it includes art and experience ; and in that it polishes and compleats what nature had but begun . if nature gives matter , it is education that gives form and beauty . it is for this reason that our ancestors were of opinion , we are indebted but little less to those that teach than to those that have begotten us ; since if the latter have given us life , the other give us knowledge , without which life would be but troublesome and unpleasant . it was for this reason that the lacedaemonians chose one of the wisest and most able persons among their magistrates for the instructing , and bringing up of their children . it was for this reason that e●eocles would needs have old men given in hostage to antipater rather than young persons , fearing least their youth might be corrupted in a foreign country . it was lastly for this reason the pythagoreans were wont to say , that the education of children is the foundation of common-wealths . and in truth they were not in the wrong , when they believed that the happiness of estates and provinces depends much upon the good education of children ; for 't is no easie matter to retain the people in due subjection when they are brought up with principles of rebellion . moreover , nature only gives us a sense of private good and advantage , but education teaches us the sense we ought to have of the publick interests . nature carries us to liberty , but education keeps us within our duty . good education then is altogether necessary to both sexes , whatever good fortune they have in their birth : how good soever the mold is , yet there must be an husbandman and there must be seed to make it bring forth a crop of corn ; so though our nature be excellent in its self , there must be added moreover good instructions and good examples for the making it bring forth good fruits : i may well say further , that as the best mold bears nothing but briers if it be not cultivated , so the best natural parts produce but very ill things if they are left without discipline . nature employs all her force towards ill things , it is necessary then that we retrench our inclinations , as the superfluous branches of trees are pruned away , that so the sap may be all spent upon those which must bear fruit. i confess that we must sometimes have regard to temper , for that as every sort of land will not bear every sort of seed , so every humour is not capable of all sorts of impressions . if nature without art has no certainty ; art without nature has no strength nor sweetness : it must needs be then that in this case the form must have matter to sustain it , and the accident must support it self by some substance . i confess that nature is somewhat necessary to our succeeding well , but it must also be owned that it may be constrain'd ; and that there is no less labour necessary to the excelling in a vertue to which we have an inclination , than for that to which we have none at all . in truth this point of morality is not less agreeable than necessary . that we may not abuse our selves then in this matter , it is convenient to observe that nature does not give us an inclination to vertue so much as to the extreams about it . it mounts to an excess or falls even to defect , if it be not fastened in the point of mediocrity by the means of education and art. nature needs either a bridle or spur , it either freezes or burns , it passes from one extream to another , if education does not show it the middle where vertue dwells . upon the whole , when nature carries us to any excess , as to rashness or prodigality , we are thought to have an inclination to some vertue there , where in truth we do only encline to a vice. it is for this reason that morality has much more difficulty to cure the distempers of the soul , than medicine has to heal those of the body . physick hardly heals those distempers that proceed from want , and morality can hardly conquer those which proceed from abundance . physick more easily retrenches what is superfluous , than it can repair what is wanting ; morality does more easily repair than retrench . so much truth there is in this , that we have sometimes most difficulty to do well even on that side to which our inclination most carries us . it is harder for a prodigal person to become rightly liberal than for one that is covetous . it is more easie to raise a defect up to a mediocrity than to bring an excess down to it . behold the reason of this : it is because the excess allures us with more of pleasure than the defect ; and though the two extreams are equally vicious , nevertheless we carry our selves more freely to that which is excessive than to that which is defective . we rather chuse what is too much than what is too little : we love to be swoln and puffed up with fat , even till we grow unwieldy , rather than to be meagre and lean : it seems to us as if there were more courage and excuse for transgressing by prodigality than by avarice , and by rashness than fearfulness . it is certain then that nature gives us nothing of regular ; it only makes us prodigal , or rash ; it is only art or education that can teach us how we must govern our selves to be rightly liberal or courageous . it is not difficult to judge from hence that they who seem to have the best nature , have need of the best education , to the end they may retrench or regulate that which nature has given them . let us declare the truth : a lady born with the faculty of speaking readily , will , without education , become a meer tatler : a serious humour will become morose ; a prudent wit will grow crafty and deceitful . nature wanders if we do not conduct and guide it ; even the force and vigour of it becomes prejudicial , if we have not art and light for it to make use of . but if i suppose all that which i have been last speaking may be false , and that it is more easie to become exactly vertuous in that to which we incline than in that which we do not incline to , what praise then would be merited hereby ? what great matter is it for a man to be good , when he cannot be bad ? what honour can we pretend to deserve in being vertuous there where we cannot offend but by constraint , and endeavour ? if there be good fortune in this , yet there is no glory due to it . it is no more a matter of praise to have a vertue so natural than to be born with a fair face or a robust body . and , to speak rightly concerning this matter , it must be said , those vertues which are natural to us proceed very often from an ill principle ; the patience that is natural comes from flegm and stupidity ; the boldness that is allied to the temperament , comes from ignorance or want of wit. and especially since there is no liberty nor choice in the matter , there can be neither any glory or merit . but if i grant there is some knowledge and choice attending the practice of those vertues ; yet certainly where there is so much easiness to do what is done , it must be reckon'd to deserve the less praise . it was not so much a matter of wonder to see demades become a good orator as it was for demosthenes to be so : i say demosthenes , because nature had seem'd to deny him both tongue and lungs ; and yet he rendred himself so admirable in eloquence , that his example alone is sufficient to show that there is almost nothing impossible to art , and that there is hardly any defect which we may not correct , as he did his , by labour and study . it is in this that we merit the greatest glory ; when notwithstanding a natural repugnance and aversion that we have to do well in any case , yet we do not fail to acquire a habit of doing it . certainly to raise a vertue in a temper that is contrary to it , is to do as those kings , who , to show their power , cause palaces and places of pleasure to be made in desarts and upon rocks . what a glory was it to heraclides to become a philosopher , when he had so very little inclination to wisdom ? and for socrates to become a good man , who had so little disposition to vertue ? what a glory is it to see a person chast while nature makes the blood boil high in the veins ? how glorious was it to see a philosopher drag a trembling body to the wars , and to see a spirit bold while the sense is weak and fearful ? in truth , i love better the courage of cato than that of ajax . i like the boldness that is founded in reason , rather than that which proceeds from the blood. i do not wonder at all that the blind make nothing of lightning , or that the deaf are not terrified at thunder . in the same proportion that there is a want of the knowledge of an evil , there must be , without doubt , a want of the fear of it . that only amazes me , to see so many great persons who have acquir'd the habits of many vertues , when they had not the least disposition towards them . there is then a much greater glory in conquering the repugnancy that we have to good , than in only letting our selves be carried on with the inclination that we have naturally to it . and upon this account it is , that education is altogether requisite ; since this polishes yet further a good nature , and corrects the faults of a bad one . it is for this reason , that there is not a person so unhappy in his birth , who may not with some hopes aspire after perfection ; since we have the examples of so many great spirits , that have surmounted the wickedness of their temper , and conquer'd the natural aversion that was in them to good. for this reason we ought to have a great esteem of education , since it will serve us as our occasion requires , both for food and physick : it heals distempers , and it maintains health : it improves what is good , and corrects that which is evil. let us proceed to that which is of most importance . that we may succeed well in this matter we must begin betimes to render our selves capable of true goodness , by the means of a religious education ; since whatever the natural repugnance may be , that we have to any evil , there is still enough of vertue to be acquired , and of imperfection to be overcome , to give us a great deal of labour . observe here the advice which seems to me of more than ordinary usefulness . we cannot set our selves too soon to learn the hatred of vice , and the love of vertue . i cannot approve of the opinion of hesiod , who forbids to teach children any thing before they are seven years of age. and i like that of crysippus much better , who maintained , that in the short life of man , there could be no time well afforded to be lost . can we begin too soon to heap up those good things in which we can never become rich enough ? can we study too early any science , in which we can never be sufficiently perfect . men complain of the length of art , and the shortness of life . but if we would acknowledge our errour herein , we should own , that this unhappiness comes not from hence , that our life is too soon at an end ; but from our beginning in vertue or learning too late . we might render it much the longer for the knowledge of good things , if we would begin to live and to study together . they that do not awake till noon , have no right to complain that the day is too short : they might have retarded the evening by making a diligent use of the morning . since we cannot set the period further off , at least let us begin the sooner : let us advance the beginning , since we cannot keep back the end. when is it then that they ought to take care about the education of children ? certainly they cannot begin too early to teach them that which they ought to practice through their whole lives . as lalius among the heathens taught his daughter from the cradle the laws of eloquence , that she might know how to speak well : so s. jerom taught pacatula the laws of christianity from the very breasts , that she might know how to live religiously . what is there we ought rather to know than religion ? and wherein can we more worthily employ the first fruits of our reason , and the first essays of speech , than to acknowledge and adore him who has given us one and the other of these ? josephus says , that the israelites , by the commandment of moses , knew the law before they knew their own names . it is thereabouts that we ought to begin our christian education . it ought not to be said , that at such an age we are capable of so serious a knowledge . certainly childhood is capable of learning the laws of religion , if it be not of putting them in practice : this age is capable of the functions of the memory , if not of those of the judgment . therefore the poets feign , that the most ancient of the muses is mnemosyne , that is to say , the memory ; to shew that this is the first thing whereof we are capable . for , as there can be nothing expected from a field that is never sown ; so there can be nothing hoped for from all our endeavours , if this mother of arts and sciences lies barren . it ought therefore to be rendred fruitful betimes by an holy education , to the end it may produce wholsome effects , when we shall have the use of reason and understanding . children are capable to receive , if they are not to produce . they are capable of impression , if not of action . the knowledge of good , forms it self in the soul , just as the seed shoots in the earth : there is a time when they are hid ; there is another when they flourish , and wherein they bear fruit. ah , how happy are those women , that know heaven before earth ; and learn devotion before vanity ! this divine foundation can never be ruin'd : what is imprinted at first in this clean paper , can never be got out again . the holy scent with which the new vessel is perfum'd , will abide in it a long time . for this reason , 't is highly important that they should have impressions of good made in them , before they be exposed to those of evil. and if quinctilian wish'd , that even the nurse should be eloquent for the making an oratour , and for the better forming of the speech of children ; there would be reason also to desire that she were devout for the better forming of the conscience , and to lay betimes the first foundations of vertue . i do not intend herein , that we should begin all at once to make children learn the highest mysteries of our religion : we must accommodate instruction to their minds , as we need to do food to their stomachs ; and give them first milk before we give them any solid nourishment . i know well enough we cannot reasonably attempt to make the little creature sensible of the grandeur of the eternal . glory , which would desire a sugar-plum more ; or to teach the worth of obedience to her that lifts a little hand to strike her mother . i know well , that the knowledge of christianity has , as tertullian speaks , certain degrees , and even several ages , wherein to grow and raise it self by little and little . but after all , supposing that children cannot comprehend that which is so elevated , must we therefore not teach them any thing but what is superfluous and idle ? why is it , do we think , that they are always in action , and play so many tricks ? is not this as a silent complaint of the time which they are suffered to lose ? is not this a sign that they want better employment ; and that even already they might be busied about something else than in play , and about babies ? i do not herein desire that any should fasten themselves upon my opinion . i have not so great an esteem of my own thoughts , as to be willing to impose them for a rule to all others . but let us observe what s. jerom says concerning the education of the young pacatula ; and which may be of great use to those of her sex. as soon ( says he ) as she shall have passed the age of seven years , let her learn the psalter by heart , and let the holy scripture be all the treasure of her soul : she ought to begin to be instructed ( he adds ) as soon as she begins to blush . as soon as they are capable of shame , they are capable of discipline . from the time that they show the marks of their conscience upon the countenance , it ought to be believed that remorse has taken place of innocence ; since they already know to put a difference between good and evil. see here the opinion of that holy man , which perhaps , may seem too severe to a great many . but let the world think of it what they will ; the corruption of education which we commonly see is an unparallell'd disorder : when we may see young persons allow'd all manner of liberty ; and that they are praised for that which they ought to be corrected for ; and as if there were a fear that they should not learn to sin soon enough ; they are accustomed to see and to do evil , to the end they may have the less fear , when they shall be arrived to a riper age. that none may accuse me of too much severity , i declare , that too great a restraint is often very dangerous ; and the danae , whom the poets tell of , was corrupted in that tower where her parents had shut her up , to keep her safe . this solitude was more dangerous to her , than company might have been . i own , that as waters pent in , rush with the greater violence when they get loose ; so those humours that have been too hardly used , fly out with the greater license , when they can meet with a favourable occasion . lastly , i grant that there ought to be moderation used in this matter : that they ought not to have all things permitted , nor all forbidden them ; that prudence should shew us a certain path between licentiousness and tyranny ; and that we should mannage wisely our promises , and threatnings ; our sweetness and rigour . but however , in my opinion , restraint is more safe for this age than liberty : and if one has not a very good understanding , the chains of fear hold us to our duty much better than the cords of love. gentleness is good for those who have some knowledge and a good wit ; but to those that want these , it is very dangerous . if they have a good nature , liberty may corrupt it : if a vicious one , they want nothing but occasions or opportunities to do ill . it seems to me convenient to treat young persons as they do those that are sick : we must have regard to what is profitable to them , not to what would be most pleasing . there is too great hazard in committing them to their own conduct : distrust in this case is one of the fittest parts of prudence ; which ought not only to regard the evils impending , but also those that are possible , so as to make provision against them . by keeping them at a distance from temptation and opportunity ; at least , we take from them the effects , if we take not the desires : if the venom stays with them of a vicious inclination , it is hinder'd from hurting . and that we may the better make it appear how far the fear of danger ought to extend , let us observe , that s. jerom did forbid to the young pacatula , not only the company at balls and comedies , but also even the assemblies of the church , when there was danger . these , in truth , are holy places ; but there are in them sometimes spectators and occasions that are profane . but if we enquire further into the original of evil , we shall find that the greatest danger of corruption for young children , is very often domestick . and if many daughters have the vices of their mothers ; this is by imitation as well as by resemblance in disposition . a bad example has no less power and influence in the matter of education , than the blood has upon the birth . i blush when i consider the disorder of the age. how is it possible , that this child should not be addicted to gaming , who has , perhaps , hardly ever seen his father without the dice or cards in his hand ? and how can this daughter be chast , who knows her mother daily sighing after her gallants ; who sees her , every moment receiving love-letters ; and never hears her speak but of walks , and assignations that are suspected ? besides this ; how can we reprove them for a vice , who have seen us committing the same ? to speak the truth ; whatever menaces , whatever lectures we give them , still the example shall have more power to carry them to ill , than corrections or forbiddings can have to withhold them from it . as the vine lifts it self upon the first support it can find ; so childhood conforms its self to the first model that it sees : not being yet able to act by reason it moves by example . childhood receives the bad impressions easily , but they cannot be defaced again , but with a great deal of difficulty . and if the apostles seem'd to find it difficult to drive out a devil from one that had been possess'd from his youth ; we ought to believe this a miracle very rare , the conversion of a person debauched from his childhood . whenever the education is bad , vice gets so deep rooting in our souls , that it is in a manner impossible to get rid of it . and let it be judged what hope there is of saving a person , when a vicious habit is added to a vicious nature . to oblige mothers to think the more seriously of this matter , we have many examples , as well sacred as profane , which might be produced ; but i shall content my self , to shew them that of the eurydice in plutarch . this illustrious lady being now well advanced in years , made her self be taught the arts and languages , to the end that she might be able to teach them her self to her children . she did not at all think it sufficient to give them life by bringing them forth , if she did not also render them vertuous by their education . how lovely is this example ! from hence we may learn that the mothers who have no merit nor goodness , ought to acquire it , at least , on purpose for the instruction of their children . and if a heathen had so much care for the teaching of her children to speak well , how much more should the christian ladies have for the instructing of theirs to live well ? of an equal mind under good and bad fortune . it is not a small difficulty to determine whether the women are more capable of moderation in a good fortune , or of patience in a bad one . whether they are more subject to despair under affliction , or to insolence when they are prosperous ; since , to speak the truth , both grief and pleasure sometimes do no less harm to our spirits than frosts or great hearts of the sun do to flowers ; and as a flame goes out by either too little or too much of the matter that feeds them , so the spirit is lost by too little or too much of contentment . if our fickleness be well examin'd , it will be found to proceed from these two sources . fortune assaults us with sword or poison : it destroys us either with the face of a syren , or with that of a fury : and for fear least we should avoid the mischiefs she intends , she will employ even that which is good to the doing of us harm . let us not dissemble our weakness ; we waver both in one and the other fortune . and as the painters observe , the same wrinckles of the face serve both for laughing and crying ; so certainly experience shows that we laugh and weep very often like children for the same cause . i will say somewhat more ; the same persons who rejoice too much in what favours them , are also too sad under evil . the defect as well as excess causes inequality in them ; and as those bodies which are very sensible of heat , are alike sensible of cold , so those spirits that suffer themselves to be too much overtaken with grief , do also suffer themselves to be too much transported with pleasure ; they are commonly the same persons who are subject to insolence and impatience . there are few persons who know how to regulate their resentments , and who can show a strength of spirit on great occasions of joy or grief . there are few that are like socrates in this , who always show'd a countenance and mind equal in all sorts of occurrences . we suffer our selves to be carried away with the stream ; occasions command us ; we are like those birds that are swimming upon the water during a tempest , that are exalted or abased by the wave that carries them . let not any imagine now that to describe an equal mind i will make a stupid one . i desire the lady to be prudent not unsensible . i do not mean that she should quite rid her self of passions , but that she should tame them . this would be no less unjust than impossible . but if this were a thing that could be done , were it not a very inhumane philosophy that should renounce compassion and mercy , or love and hope ? a great person of the present time had reason to say , that to think of taking away the passions entirely , were to propose the turning of a man into a rock , or a god , by putting him either too much above , or too much beneath resentment . the opinion of epictetus in this matter seems to me admirable . we ought not to be without affection ( says he ) as the brutes , nor without reason as fools , but we ought to be so sensible as still to know how to oppose reason to grief ; because when we live after that manner , we show that we can be sick , and can cure our selves ; that we have both a sence and wisdom . or otherwise we should not have an equality of mind , but a stupidity : and it were to show that we have either no resentment , or no reason to govern it . and in truth , i cannot approve of a mind constant after the stoical manner . the wise person they would frame , resembles the caeneus in pindar , who had a skin so hard that it could resist arrows and darts , though he were perfectly naked . their insensible philosopher seems to be composed of adamant ; he is shut up close , but will not acknowledge himself a prisoner ; though he grows old , yet he does not think himself wearing out ; he is ugly , but very agreeable however ; he is a king , but enjoys nothing but his arguments ; he possesses all things , but begs his bread ; his fancy serves him for a horn of plenty , even in poverty it self ; and , to say truth , he is not happy , but only because he is unwise . this stoical spirit will not suffer itself to be touched with joy any more than with sorrow . to be of an equal mind according to the mode of this sect , one must not put ones self to any trouble if a friend be sick , or unfortunate . we ought not any more to rejoice at a good fortune , than to make our selves sad at an evil one : a state of good health should no more render us content , than that of sickness . we must even pass from one to the other of these without any resentment of the change . see here the equal mind of the stoicks ! but is not this a very extravagant morality ? must it not be said , that those who maintain this doctrine might more fitly call themselves poets than philosophers ? and are not their wise men like the mighty knights in romances , that stop rivers , and encounter the stars themselves , and carry away every where prodigious victories ? it is not at all of this sort that i desire a well composed mind to be ; i do not seek for an imaginary force of mind , and such as would destroy humanity instead of regulating it . i desire only a wisdom that is possible and reasonable . i declare , that there are times and occasions wherein one may very justly weep or laugh , and may be joyful or sad . also i judge , that when euphrante had lost an excellent wife , he had reason to complain of his philosophy ; for that it commands us ( as he said ) to love that which is good , and yet forbids us to be grieved when we have lost it . since we ought to express a joy when we have with us an object that pleases us , may we not also testifie some regret when we have it no longer ? that which any possess with love , they cannot lose but with grief . it is no less natural to be sad for the presence of evil , than to be joyful for the presence of good . provided there be no excess in these things , it is but a mad philosophy that would forbid us the having resentments so natural and reasonable . to be joyful in the morning upon good tidings , and sad in the evening for bad news , this is not a vicious inequality , this change is just : and as our taste is diversly affected with that which is bitter or with that which is sweet , our mind also must be moved with that which is good or evil . what danger is there in owning that our soul is capable of joy and sadness , as well as our senses are of pain or pleasure ? in truth it may be said , that reason is not contrary to nature , and it is possible to show our selves wise and sensible both at once . let us make this error yet a little more manifest . there are some that think it a great effect of constancy to make no complaints of any evil that they endure : but certainly there is sometimes no less danger than blindness in so doing : it is a vanity that has cost many ladies very dear , while they have encreased their ill by being desirous to conceal it , and because they would not shed a few tears , they have been seen to die suddenly upon the place . since our lord jesus himself willingly testified his grief by weeping , and surely none can accuse him of having an uneven or unconstant mind ; we may declare that weeping and complaint do not always testifie impatience , but only they show that we are not utterly insensible . let us declare , that if god himself was pleased to show that he was indeed man too by sadness , and tears ; we ought not to be ashamed to confess our selves such likewise by the same signs and appearances . however it be a sign of weakness to do thus , yet is this so universal in this world that there is no more blame due to a man for being liable to grief , than for being subject to die ? we are no more unsensible in this life than we are immortal . after all , what advantage is it to be sullen in our griefs ? were it not better to diminish our displeasure by weeping , than to be hardened into a pillar of salt , instead of letting this bitterness drop out by the eyes , or of breathing it off with a few complaints ? a great poet had reason to say , that the tears as well as waters have a right to a passage , and we ought to moderate only , not forbid the use of them . grief is sometimes like a stream , it swells if it be resisted ; it slides away and is spent in the less time if we give it way . provided we can overcome this enemy , what matter is it whether we do this by flying or fighting him ? but certainly i fear i may be accused for want of judgment , for my insisting upon this matter , in as much as it seems no way necessary to allow women the liberty to complain of their grievances , and the most part of them seem to understand the trade of that but too well . they mightily extol the constancy and strength of mind that was in isabella , queen of spain , because she did not so much as complain under sickness , and the extreamest pains . and nevertheless they find at times enough of their sex who have a vice quite contrary to her vertue ; such who do not only complain with reason , but with artifice too ; and who would seldom be long ill , if complaining were enough to cure them . however that be , we may learn from what has been said , that to have an equal mind it is not necessary that we always abstain both from laughing or weeping . it were a philosophy too stoical , that would not permit any but the same resentment to events , that are favourable or deadly . i judge that according to the occasions that present whether they be good or evil , a wise man may be joyful or griev'd ; yea , i believe that he may complain when he has cause without being guilty of cowardliness in so doing : and that he need not be too much a philosopher as possidonius , who would needs appear well when he was really sick. let us proceed further , and having seen wherein the equality of mind does not consist , let us observe wherein it does ; and having overthrown the opinion of the vulgar , let us examine that of the wise in this matter . i grant then , that as there are many sorts of winds upon the sea that can toss the ships , so there are also many sorts of passions within us to trouble and shake our minds : but it must be own'd that among all these movements there are but two principally which cause the most remarkable changes in us ; i mean , when the presence of good gives us too much joy , or that of evil too much grief . there are some passions that make the blood fly out too much to the extreams of the body , there are others that cause it to retire and throng too much about the heart ; and then that dilates or contracts it self too much . as it may be seen that fair weather envites us to walk , and a storm drives us into the house : in like manner , the occasions of joy make us go too much out of our selves , those of sadness make us retire too much within our selves . the excess of the one and the other hinders the due equality of the mind . it remains then only at present that we show which of these two passions gives us the greater trouble and disorder ; and to see whether there be more danger of being too joyful in a good fortune , or of being too sad in a bad one . certainly there are more die of grief than of joy , and there are more shipwracks in tempests than in calms . prosperity destroys less than adversity . and it is not to be imagin'd that good should do as much evil as evil it self . though all the passions are able to cause some inequality in us , yet there is none more capable to destroy us than grief : this appears sufficiently even in the colour of the face in those that are afflicted , and in the disorder that it brings into the thoughts of the wisest persons . i do not wonder at all that those women who are possest with grief are also pale and dejected , as if they had no life remaining in them : since , to speak the truth , grief is no other than a long death , and death is no more than a short sadness . and indeed grief keeps us too long under punishment . it would seem a very favourable blow that should put an end to our sufferings though together with our lives . we never see any that kill themselves because they are too joyful , but there are many do that fatal office for themselves because they think themselves too much afflicted ; and who take death for a remedy to their grief . how much mischief does this passion do both to body and soul ? it dispirits the blood , it infects the whole constitution , it gives diseases to the body and inequality to the mind : it weakens the instruments first and then the reason : it has sometimes need of physick as well as philosophy to heal it . i own that there are seasons sometimes wherein afflictions quicken us , and open our eyes ; but if we examine them throughly , we shall find that they dull the spirit more frequently than they awaken and excite it . and , that we may not dissemble the truth , how many women may we see who in their adversities become like the niobe of the poets : who lost all sense in her misery and was turn'd into a marble statue ? how many are there that grow stupid , and immovable as she was , who testifie neither wit nor courage , who abandon themselves to their grief , and are to such a degree disabled , that they cannot make one effort either towards the comforting or defending of themselves ? it ought not therefore to be thought strange if sadness does so much destroy the wit , since as this is ordinarily accompanied with dispair , it makes no resistance , it stands with the arms across , it gives up its self a prey to the enemy . one may judge from hence how much more dangerous this is than joy , for that moderation depends more upon us than patience . it is much more difficult ( says aristotle ) to support ones self under grief , than to abstain from pleasure . temperance has its dependance on our liberty , but toleration depends upon the malice of our enemy . if joy perswades , sadness constrains us : while the one solicits , the other carries us along . it is much more in our power to defend our selves from the songs of a syren , than from the impetuous violence of a tempest . it is for this reason that there were some philosophers who were of opinion , that patience was the least voluntary of all the other vertues ; since to bring that into the world , it must be that some commit injuries and others endure them , and there must be tyrants that there may be martyrs . but whatever they think there must be much liberty and freedom of our own wills in our patience , since 't is capable of a reward ; and if there be some pains necessary for the putting on this vertue , this is that which augments the worth of it : for all the world know well enough that 't is more easie to resolve the taking our pleasure , than the enduring of evil. after this , ought it not to be own'd , that sadness has more power to destroy us than joy ; and that we have more of difficulty to preserve our minds , even while we are in adversity , than during our prosperity ? is it not true that we are less in danger under an evil when the remedy depends upon our selves , than when it depends upon others ? and must it not be confess'd , that we are much more excusable when our enemy kills us , than when we kill our selves ? and that we may show yet further that sorrow is much less subject to our will than joy ; it must be said , that we have much less inclination to this than to the other . the tears which we shed when we are coming into the world , testifie that we are rather born to weep than to laugh . we are born in tears , we live in trouble , and die in grief . therefore themistius spoke to the purpose , when he said , that if we naturally weep it ought not to be a wonder , forasmuch as that when prometheus was holding the clay in his hands , of which he was to form man , he would not temper it with any other water than that which came from his tears . the fable herein conceals a truth which experience discovers to us every moment . but if this be true of both the sexes , it is yet more particularly so concerning the women ; to whom sadness seems to be rather more natural than to the men : for as their temper has much less heat , so it is also much more capable of this passion , in proportion as it is more moist ; melancholy lodges there as in its proper element ; and upon every the least cause for weeping , they are able to shed tears in abundance . as the worms breed rather in that matter which is tender , than in that which is more hard ; so sadness forms it self more easily in an effeminate complexion , than in one that is more masculine and strong ; this natural softness or delicacy is the most sensible of grief . in so much that if that sex would defend themselves from sorrow , they have not only fortune to combate in the case , but even nature it self . this is an enemy that they have so much the more reason to fear for that it is interiour and domestick . all this is but little yet towards the discovery of that mischief which sadness may do them . the ladies ought to consider that this passion is not only capable to craze the constitution , to disfigure the countenance , to trouble the reason , but moreover also to debauch the conscience . it is for this reason that the casuists forbid it as well as the philosophers . and that they cannot say adversity shows us heaven , when prosperity would hide it from us . certainly if there are rich men that are impious , there be also poor that are blasphemers : if there are those that are ungrateful for good , there are others impatient under evil : if there are some insolent in their prosperity , there are others desperate in their misery . let not any object to me that god makes himself be acknowledged better by an evil fortune sent to us than by a good one : if any see this sometimes come to pass , they must ascribe it to our error and weakness . for what reason is there to think that god should be more visible to us in a privation , than in that which is true and solid ? and how can this be that he should engrave the image of his divinity in the evil that he has not made , rather than in the good which is his work and creature . besides why cannot we as well bless the hand that bestows favours , as that which smites us ? i grant that after it has pleased god to attempt the making us love him and it has prov'd in vain , he is as it were constrain'd to make us fear him . but must not the cause of this be reckon'd only our own ingratitude and ignorance ? would he ever make use of severity , if we would suffer our selves to be attracted with the charms of his love ? let us declare the truth : we are no less liable to offend god under an excess of evil , than in a great prosperity ; the conscience is no less in danger in affliction than in felicity ; the miserable may conceive designs as dangerous as the happy ; and if some are refin'd like gold in this furnace of affliction , there are many more that are like chaff consum'd in it . lastly , that we may speak with a great king to this case ; we do not see that they who fall into the bottomless pit do praise god any more ; they murmur even in hell , but they adore and worship in paradise . it is not the mouth of the dead , but that of the living that praises and publishes his grandeur and power ; see then the mischief that sorrow does when 't is excessive ; see how it takes away fervour from piety , vigour from action , health from the body , light from the reason , and repose from the conscience . now after that we have seen how much the spirit is in danger under an evil fortune , let us see how much more it is so under a good one . i desire to begin to do this on that side which is most important . a good fortune makes us proud , misery renders us humble . the one makes us go out of our selves , the other makes us retire and dwell at home . this conceals our weakness , the other makes us know it . alexander learnt much better that he was mortal when he saw his own blood flowing from him , than his father philip did from the message of his page , who had it in charge to tell him every morning , that he was but a man. the son understood better our humane misery by his wound , than the father could do it by a complement and message . it is sometimes very hard for one to know her self rightly in a great prosperity . vanity and flattery hinder us from seeing rightly what we are . it is for this reason we have elsewhere said , that a good fortune has no more true friends than an evil one ; because if all the world shuns this for fear of the charge of succour , no one will approach the other , but only to destroy it . prosperity is not only blind , but also insolent ; as it hinders us from seeing our defects , it does not permit us to acknowledge with equity the merits of others . whatever respects are paid to it , still it believes that it merits more than it receives . one would never be much concerned to oblige such persons by any service , since they will hardly believe that we have well discharg'd our selves . without doubt there are many could not forbear to blush if they would represent to themselves , as they ought , how often it comes to pass that the one possesses what the other deserves ; and that fortune is sometimes liberal there , where nature is more sparing of her gifts . what a deal of blindness is there in the world ! how much do we see it in the ugly and stupid , who nevertheless let themselves be perswaded that they are beautiful and very knowing ; and they can never be undeceiv'd , neither by the glass nor any knowledge of themselves ? see here the mischief that prosperity breeds in the mind : but this is not all , it not only obscures the reason , but it also corrupts the conscience , and effeminates the courage . the soldier of antigonus , and he that serv'd lucullus , were bold only while they were hurt ; no sooner were they cured , but they would no more expose themselves so freely to danger . the voluptuous are without courage as well as without steadiness ; venus is as unconstant as the element she came out of : she , to be sure , will not stay long there , where any thing is to be endur'd ; no sooner had diomedes wounded her , but she fled from the defence of the besieged troy. i declare then , that if there are some who destroy themselves when fortune is contrary to them ; there are yet a great many more that debauch themselves when she is favourable . they say fortune has two hands with which she fights us ; but it must be confess'd , that if there falls one thousand by the left hand of affliction , there falls ten for it by the right hand of prosperity . also experience daily shows us , that prosperity needs much less time to conquer us than adversity : this latter laid siege a long time to troy without being able to take it ; but the other in one night made a prey of it . this city preserv'd its self under all the calamities of a ten years siege , and at last lost her self in one night of mirth and debauch . pleasure corrupts all . whatever there is of greatest strength in the world , it grows effeminate in the bosom of this wanton : she weakens the strongest , and blinds the wisest persons . even they sometimes who have for a long while resisted grief , have let themselves be vanquisht in a moment by pleasure . she does not caress but to deceive us ; she does not lift us up but to precipitate us with the greater fall . and to say she does us no harm when she is kind and soothing , is as if one should say , that a flatterer is not an enemy , and that he who kills one with a perfumed poison is no murderer . however it be , there are very few that can defend themselves from it ; and for my part , i esteem much more those that use moderation in their pleasures , than those that practise patience under sufferings : it seems to me that there is more ease in rendring ones self victorious over grief than over pleasure . they who have read in s. jerom the constancy of a young man , who was laid bound upon a bed of roses , and exposed to the unchast allurements of a beautiful curtezan , who endeavour'd to corrupt him : would they not own to me that he endur'd more evil upon this bed of flowers , than if he had been thrown upon a heap of thorns ? and that he had suffer'd less under the hands of an executioner , than he did from the filthy embraces and profane assaults of this lewd woman ? this was new kind of martyrdom ; others suffer'd under torments , he suffer'd under pleasures . he was more impatient at the suffering of pleasure , than others in the enduring of pain . how powerful is this example ! this christian soldier was in part a conquerour , and partly conquer'd . his reason carried away the victory which his sense lost . but that we may well comprehend this matter , we need but to represent to our selves , how difficult it is to defend our selves from an enemy that pleases . in the combating pain or adversity our sense joins with the spirit ; but when we must make war with pleasure , the sense takes part against the reason . the man whole and entire resists pain ; there is but half of him that makes any resistance to pleasure . see how difficult it is to all to maintain an equal mind in all opportunities of pleasure ; and especially is it so to the ladies : for it seems that moderation in what pleases them is much harder to them , than patience under evil ; the delicacy of their constitution seems to render them an easie prize to voluptuousness , and joy seems to put them in more danger than sorrow : they say that sex have moisture to maintain this withal , but not heat enough for the other ; that their heart becomes depriv'd of blood , upon every little joy that makes it dilate its self . and in truth it has been seen that many women have died with the excess of this passion . polycrita returning from the city of the naxians was so overcome with joy after having raised the enemies siege from it , that she suddenly died amidst the publick acclamations . this has sometimes happened to men , but more frequently to women ; because they are more capable of resisting affliction than prosperity , they are more liable to insolence than despair , and their spirit becomes more unequal in joy than sadness . and how can it be said that an excessive joy does not diminish the equality of the mind when it is able even to take away the life ? how can it be said to make no change , when we see it can kill ? here i must reprove the levity of too many : if we consider their inconstancy well , and the unevenness of their humour , we may compare them to the beast called the hyaena , of which it is said , that it is not of a certain sex , but is sometimes male and sometimes female : these persons are like the lake of the troglodites where the water is said to change its taste every moment , being one while sweet and after bitter . there is nothing certain neither in their actions nor in their thoughts . they have their feet always upon the boul of inconstancy as well as fortune , who is of the same sex with them , and are always ready to alter as she is , and to overturn that which they have set up . of all the vertues it seems as if there were none to which they have less inclination than to perseverance . one may see them changing every moment , either their affection or opinion , there is no certainty in their esteem or love. they cannot deny this : and if they would give themselves leisure sometimes to make reflections upon their unsteadiness , they would confess that when the poets invented their chimera , they had a design to draw their picture ; since , to speak the truth , there is as prodigious a variety in their sentiments as in the feigned body of this monster . in truth it is just matter of wonder , that the same mind should be capable in so little time of so different thoughts , even to contrariety sometimes . if many of these women had a painter hired to take every day a draught of them according to their different resolutions ; i assure my self , that there would appear every night under their hands a meer landskip of a wilderness . we may see some of them that will on this day appear mighty chast , and on the next they are lewd ; now they show themselves covetous , and anon liberal . it would be well for them that they could forget this shameful variety , and that they were without memory as well as without steadiness : for the little memory they have , however little it is , will make them ashamed of their judgment . i could wish to them , that which epictetus requires in a wise man ; that is , that they knew the art of regulating their opinions , and of subjecting them to reason . they would herein have conquer'd many of their enemies , and appeased those winds which ordinarily cause all the tempests of their life . but when is it that these women are more subject to this ridiculous inequality , than when they are elevated with a high fortune ; since from that time every one worships their opinions , even the most extravagant of them , and their imperfections are praised , and their very vices term'd vertues ; since also they have then all things , so much at their wish , and are sometimes so weary even of delight , that their own disgust , which arises from their being cloy'd , causes their inconstancy ? having tired themselves with true pastimes , their sickle minds busie them with imaginary ones . it is for this reason that prosperity and levity are very often lodged together . let none deceive themselves in this matter , nor think that to render any steady in their minds i have a mind to make them obstinate : it is not always blameable to change , there are seasons wherein this is not contrary to prudence . it is as great a fault altogether , to adhere to an opinion , when it is an ill one , as to change from that which is good . obstinacy and inconstancy both are equally contrary to election ; because the one is immoveable when it ought to change , and the other changeable when it ought to be fixed . that we may be steady or constant , there is nothing more required than that we persevere in truth and equity . besides , i know very well that the minds of the wisest persons may be moved at the first in some re-encounters : aulus gellius says , that the stoicks themselves do not deny but their wise man is capable of some change ; because , say they , the emotion is not in our power , but the consent to it is . and , to speak in the terms of their sect , the visions do not depend upon us , but only the approbations . i blame then the unsteadiness which proceeds from our selves , and not at all that which is join'd to the weakness of our sence , and is not in our own power . i have a mind to discover yet other causes of the unevenness of the mind . i suppose then , that even knowing persons may have sometimes their mind uneven , and , as it were , irresolute ; because the greatness of their light does , as it were , dazle them , and make their election waver ; and while they look upon the same object under various appearances , they cannot easily determine themselves ; but do find some probability , as it seems to them , even on all sides . nevertheless it must be own'd that this uncertainty is yet more common to the ignorant , for that while they know not the true nature of good or evil , there is more of hazard than assurance in their choice ; and by so much the more as their spirit is weak , they are unconstant . see again a cause of this of another kind : there are some who have truly some wit and knowledge ; but they have nevertheless also , i know not what natural easiness of temper , that renders them susceptible of all sorts of opinions . their spirit has some light , but it has nothing of force ; it knows how to propose , but has need of assistance towards the making a good conclusion . there are but too many of this sort , who see the truth , but are not able to follow it : who set sail towards the right port ; but , every the least tempest casts them upon another coast ; and who suffer themselves to be carried away with a perswasion , as ships are by the winds , and stream of the tides . as they are credulous , they are unsteady . and in truth , may we not see some that have a certain distrust of their own sentiments , though they are not bad ; and that cannot go without a guide , though they are not blind ? paschalius says , that women ordinarily believe very lightly when they are in great prosperity ; and that it is from hence that they appear so uneven . he brings the example of procris , in ovid , to show , that they very easily believe what they fear , or what they desire ; since she her self was so credulous to the reports of slanderers , and yielded so readily to the offers of cephalus her husband , when he was disguised , that she became as lightly jealous as she was amorous . and in truth , those that are in a great fortune let themselves easily be catch'd with flattery , or moved to revenge . and as there is no injury so small , for which they will not insist upon a satisfaction ; so there is no praise or commendation of them so excessive as that they will not receive it . it is their constant misfortune to give credit to flatterers and slanderers . lastly , to find out the more ordinary , and dangerous source of unevenness , we may observe , that we shall find none more capable of this , than those women who have no design , or those that have bad ones . there are some careless wretches , that do not propose to themselves any end at all ; who live in i know not what sort of indifference ; like those archers that let fly their arrows into the air without aiming at any mark ; or as mariners that should let themselves wander upon the ocean , without steering towards any port. it cannot be , but such must be very unconstant . but those that have any ill design , must needs be yet more so , because the frequent remorses that gripe them , cause their minds almost every moment , to change their opinion , as they do their faces to change colour . so that , to have a steddy constant mind , there is nothing more requisite than to keep it innocent . and to this purpose , i have a most admirable rule , which i took from a person very knowing and religious . to preserve ( said he ) an equality of mind in all our designs , and in all our sentiments , without giving our consciences any reason ever to reproach us ; we ought to take care in all our pretensions , that justice do seek , prudence find , strength revenge , and temperance do possess . there ought to be justice in the affection , prudence in the understanding , courage in the effects , and temperance in the use . the practice of this excellent advice would confirm the most unconstant thoughts , and happily determine those that are most true : for , that none may flatter themselves , it must be said , that the true evenness of mind is inseparably join'd to purity of conscience . let us finish this discourse too with that which is of importance , whatever it is that happens to us , that is strange or deadly , what need is there that it should mightily trouble us ? certainly there would be many more that would endure well , and constantly , the evils that befall them , if they could represent to themselves , that 't is god who tries us ; and that patience is a vertue so lovely , that , in the exercise of this , men are apt to think well of ones actions , though they are none of the best . there are many more would defend themselves from sadness , if they would but consider , that this passion is no less unprofitable than dangerous . if , i say , they would consider , that in the greatest extremities , either there is a remedy , or there is none : if there be one , why should we not employ all possible means , without admitting so great a trouble of mind , till we see how they shall succeed : if there be no remedy , we must resolve to suffer , as we must to die ; since as the one is inevitable according to the laws of nature ; so we see the other to be so according to the laws of necessity . after all , how superfluous is sorrow and grief ! it cannot find again , that which is lost ; nor call to life , what is dead ; it cannot hinder , but that evils will come , nor can it cause the good things that are gone away , to return . and nevertheless , as if this fatal passion could not do us harm enough alone , we help it to persecute us : there are some that do not put forth the least endeavour towards the helping of themselves , who seek solitude , for fear they should be diverted from their grief ; and who fly from comforters as if they were murtherers . what a blindness is it to do ones self so much mischief without any appearances of advantage ! if we examine this case well , we shall find that we are not so unhappy in any thing else , for the most part , as we are in our grief and trouble of mind : or that we are not so truly sad , because we are unhappy , as we are unhappy in that we are sorrowful and sad . finis . advertisement . the arts of empire , and mysteries of state dis-cabineted , in political and polemical aphorisms , grounded on authority and experience ; and illustrated with the choicest e●●mples , and historical observations : by the ever renowned knight sir walter raleigh . published by john milton , esq ; printed for joseph wats , at the angel in s. paul's church-yard .