the husband is, the more need there is for ife to carry her felf with fuch gentlenese eetneß towards him, as may be moft like n him; for fo the Apostle advises, 1 Pet. ds, th Likewife je wives, be in fubjection to your esbands, that if any obey not the Word, they ay without the Word be won by the converfatiz B the wives:

in

der to difcreet kinds loving behaviour of the wife 3ds her husband (though a bad man) may be a

means toreclaim him; whereas the ill fruits sts wives unquietness are very notorious. How Are there, that to avoid the noife of a froward have fallen to company keeping, and by that unkennesse, poverty, and a multitude of yiefs. Let all wives therefore be careful not minifter fuch a temptation.

It must be in the Lord; i, e. in all lawful sands: It must not extend to any thing that ainst God. For otherwife, 'tis here, as in afe of other Superiours: God must be obeyed Br than man If the Husband command a thing jgh not unlawful, yet very inconvenient and udent, let the Wife calmly and mildy fhew the inconveniencies thereof, and perfwade to the contrary, but if he cannot win him by intreaties, let her not finally refuse to obey, Waing but the unlawfulneffe of the command, bea fufficient warrant for that.

And further, the must manifeft her obedience wo things.

Eẹ

1. In

Chap. 11, 1. In being willing to be admonished of her hus band in case of any failing (not returning a snap. pish answer again) but readily reforming what is amiffe.

2. In being willing to be advised by him: Not but that he may advise him in fome cafes, and on fame occafions. For what a fervant may de, much more may a wife do (as we find, z King. 5.3. 1 Sam. 16 15, 16.) but this must be done with wifdam and difcretion. The admonition mut be given feasonably, not as Phyfick in a fit. Iɩ must be done with that foftneffe and mildneß, that it may appear, 'tis love, and not anger that makes her to speak.

4. And lastly, She is to be a meet helper to him, both in fpiritual and temporal concern

ments.

I. In th mannaging of domestical affairs, the boufe being her proper fphear, Tic.2.5. The Apoftle faies, Wives should be keepers at home: Not daughters of Dinah, but of Sarah. They must have a vigilant and watchful eye over the affairs of the Family. They must guide the house, as 'tis, Tim 5.14. Every wife woman Solomon faies, Prov.14 1. buildeth her house; but the foolish plackethit down with her hands. Prov.31.27. She looketh well to the waies of her houfhold, and eateth not the bread of Idlenesse.

2. She must bear a part in all the croffes and troubles

troubles that the Providence of God fhall cast upon them.

3. She must be a chearer and comforter of him in health and fickneffe. What shall we think then of those women, who in stead of being a comfort,are a continual difquiet to their husbands? Like Eve, in ftead of being helpers, prove tempters, and hinderers and drawers off from God and Gedlineffe.Certainly, there is no outward condition in this world, fo comfortable, as the married, when things are carried between man and wife, with pietie, wifdom, and love; and none more miserable, where things are otherwife.

Gen.2.18. And the Lord God faid, it is not good" that the man fhould be alone, I will make him an help meet for him.

V.21. And the Lord God caufed a deep fleep to $$ fall upon Adam, and he flept, and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in ftead thereof.

V.22. And the rib, which the Lord God had ta ken from man, made he a woman, & brought her unto the man.

V.23. And Adam faid, this is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh, she shall be called woman, because she was taken out of man. V.24. Therefore shall a man leave his Father and his Mother, and fball cleave unto his wife,

Ee 2

and

and they shall be one flesh. Prov. 5. 18.

youth.

•Rejoyce with the wife of thy

V. 19: Let her be as the loving Hind, and pleafant Boe; let her breafts fatisfic thee at all times, and be thou ravished alwaies with her love. Eph.5.25. Husbands, love your wives, even a Chrift alfo loved the Church, and gave himfelf for it,

V.28. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies, he that loveth his wife, loveth him felf.

V.29. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh, but nourisheth and cherishesh it, even as the Lord the Church.

V.31. For this cause shall a man leave his Father and Mother, and shall be joyned unto his wife, and they two fhall be one flesh.

'V.33. Nevertheleffe let every one of you in par ticular fo love his wife, even as himself, ans the wife fee that fhe reverence her husband. Col.3.19. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.

1 Pet.3.7. Likewife ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto th wife as unto the weaker veffel, and as beir beirs together of the Grace of life, that prayers be not bindred Eph.5.22. Wives, fubmit your felves unto you

you

"

own husbands, as unto the Lord.

V.23. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Chrift is the head of the Church, and he is the Saviour of the body.

V.24. Therefore, as the Church is fubject unto Chrift, folet the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

V.33. Nevertheleß,let every one of you in particalar fo love his wife even as himfelf, & the wife fee that fhe reverence her husband. Col. 3.18. Wives, fubmit your felves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.

1Pet.3.1. Likewife ye wives, be in fubjection to your own husbands, that if any obey not the Word, they also may without the Word be won by the converfation of the wives,

V.2. While they behold your chaft converfation, coupled with fear.

V.3. Whofe adorning, let it not be that outward adorning, of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of Gold, or of putting on of apparel.

V.4. But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the Ornament of a meek and quiet Spirit, which is in the fight of God, of great price.

V.5. For after this manner in the old time, the holy women alfo who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in fubjection unto their own husbands.

V.6. Even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling