graces it might be easy to produce many instances out of Scripture and to fit them with other Histories but I forbeare as intending chieflie to speake to the next point CHAP. V. Soule glory is chiefest What Soule glory or Inward beautie is I have more briefely passed thorough the first point which though it be true and the Truth of it necessarie to be knowne yet may be abused by some weake spirits to Selfe-slatterie It is a glasse into which if some doe looke it may be they may be proud But the other glasse that I am now to hold forth I would invite All to look into and often for I hope it will not be without profit The point as I propounded it in the beginning is II. That the highest improvement is that of the Soul and the greatest glorie of women is Soul-glory It was an inward and spirituall glorie that did commend the daughter of the King of Egypt according to the expression of that holy man whosoever he was in King Solomons Court who at the time of the marriage celebration composed a song which he fitted upon Shoshannim those six-stringed instruments of musick which David the late King had brought into the Quire and raised his heart to the contemplation of the sweet and heavenly Mysterie of the Union betwixt our Lord Iesus Christ and his Church This was his maine designe but his ground-worke was the Praises of that incomparable Payre King Solomon and Pharaohs daughter and he hath set forth those Praises with such High and yet apt Expressions that he hath shewed himselfe who ere he were a master in his facultie And no doubt both the Subjects of his Pen were very praise-worthy as for Solomon we know who he was and the Lady though the daughter of a stranger yet most probably was a Proselyte and not only converted from Gentilisme to the true Profession of Religion then but subdued powerfully and effectually to grace and holinesse which seemes to be the reason of that expression Psal 45.13 The Kings daughter is all glorious within I know there are some that doe thus interprete it That she was not only drest in Gold of Ophir and in rayment of Needle-worke when she shewed her selfe abroad and appeared in the eye of Solomons people but also was richly clothed with wrought gold when she sate within the house to entertain the King But I am most inclined to receive another interpretation That as she had a goodly and beautifull presence so she had a richer and a fairer soul because I suppose Solomons wise choyce would be of an excellent woman A Princesse no doubt of all inward accomplishments of which her Sexe was capable It is not then so much a comely feature or a gracefull deportment as the Qualification of the mind a right frame of Spirit Without this beautie it selfe is uncomely according to that of the same Solomon Prov. 11.22 As a Iewell of gold Nezem the Hebrew word is used both for an eare-ring and Nose-Iewell it is the same word Isa 3.21 The Nose-Iewell in use among the Iewish women was tyed with a string upon the forehead and so hung downe to the Nose As a Iewell of gold saith he in a swines snout so is a faire woman which is without discretion The sense of the Proverbe is plaine As it were a very ridiculous object to behold a dirtie Swine with Diamonds or Pearles dangling at the eares and a Pendant or Nose-Iewell hanging on the brow tumbling it self into the next puddle or rooting in a filthy steaming dunghill even such a sight and altogether as uncomely is a woman of a pleasant shape but otherwise ignorant rude and wanton And as for Ornaments they doe not adde any value to the person nor can they commend one to God for heare what the Apostle saith speaking unto women chaste and holy Your adorning 1 Pet. 3.3 4. let it not be that outward of plaiting the haire and of wearing of gold or of putting on of Apparell 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 sight of God of great price The painted Iezabel was a wretched woman as King Iehu cals her 2 Ki. 9.30 though she were a Kings daughter She was vile in Gods eyes and in mans She thought her selfe fine when she had painted her self and look'd out at the window but was indeed loathsome as wanting this Soul-glory Let us then enquire what Soul-glory or inward beautie is Every son and daughter of Adam are naturally vile and filthy We were all polluted in our bloud Ezek. 16.6 and might justly have been cast out to the loathing of our persons in the day that we were borne Psal 51. King David acknowledges this and therefore cryes out for washing purging cleansing Our parents were infected with Leprosie and we are their uncleane issue Job 14.4 for Who can bring a cleane thing out of an uncleane saith Iob. And his friend Eliphaz notably confirmes it Job 15.14 15 16. What is man saith he that he should be cleane and he which is borne of a woman that he should be righteous Behold the heavens are not cleane in Gods sight How much more abominable and filthy is man which drinketh iniquitie like water Where is then the Remedie or how come any to be cleane The Apostle hath opened this Mysterie writing to the Corinthians where he speakes of those that lye in their sinnes 1 Cor. 6.11 And such saith he were some of you but ye are washed but ye are sanctified but ye are justified in the Name of the Lord Iesus and by the Spirit of our God There is a double cleannesse 1. A washing from the guilt of sinne This is to be Iustifyed in the name of the Lord Iesus who is that fountaine opened for sinne and for uncleanenesse as the Prophet Zacherie speakes Zach. 13.1 where he useth two words to import both actuall and original guiltines the one is hhattaath Sinne the other is Niddah seperation for uncleanenesse alluding to the time of the womans Seperation upon the bringing forth of any child This was the Designe of Christs comming into the world and giving himselfe for the Church that he might cleanse it Ephes 5.26 27. and present it to himselfe a glorious Church not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing but that it should be holy and without blemish And thus being justifyed by Christs taking our guilt upon him 1 Ioh 1.7 by his blood we are cleansed from all sinne standing cleare and acquitted at the Tribunal as if we had never been uncleane by guilt fully and perfectly But 2. There is a washing also from the pollution and filth of sinne being sanctifyed by the Spirit of our God And this is it that I am now principally upon This is the Renewing of the whole man or according to S Pauls expression A learning of
hands will not be shut 3. But that which I alleadged this place for is Humblenesse of mind A grace hardly attained unto Many saith Augustin can more easily give all they have to the poore then themselves become poore in spirit Nay oftentimes pride takes her rising out of workes of charity But the more difficult it is it is the more needfull Needfull even in afflictions that we murmurre not nor fret nor swell against God but especially needfull for such as abound or have any eminencie that God be not forgotten and that others be not despised T' is a rare thing to be above others and not to scorne them Consider 1. What ever we have we have it of God not of our selves 2. That the good we have is little in respect of that we want 3. The more good we have received the more strict will be our account 4. Christ in whom the fulnes of the Godhead dwelt and so was perfectly good was lowlie and humble 5. Lowlinesse is Christs image and pride a principall part of the Divels 6. Pride is the staine of all graces and the defacer of every good worke One that doth ill and is humbled is more acceptable then one that doth good and is proud 7. Gods gracious eye is upon an humble heart but he casts a terrible eye upon such as are proud Besides this in the generall there are only two Texts of Scripture which I would commend to women as particularly concerning them in this point The one is about their acknowledgement of their subordination to man 1 Pet. 3.1 2. Wives saith St Peter be in subjection to your own husbands that if any obey not the Word they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives while they behold your chaste conversation coupled with feare that is with a loving and carefull fear and reverence of your husband Thus holy women in old time were ver 5 6. being in subjection unto their own husbands even as Sarah obeyed Abraham calling him Lord whose daughters ye are as long as ye doe well and are not afraid with any amazement As excellent as the woman-Sexe is yet it is in subjection to man Even Sarah the mother of Beleevers from whom Kings and Nations came called her husband Lord. The wife is also Lady for so did Sarah signifie but she is so to the family not to her husband Their Ornament as the Apostle saith that which best becomes them is to be subject and to preserve and contain themselves quiet indisturbed and unpassionate not hurried with sudden and inordinate affection as an horse not well managed that is apt to start at every thing This I take to be the proper meaning of the Greeke word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Text which our Interpreters have translated Amazement The other place 1 Cor. 14 â—4 35. is that of Paul to the Corinthians Let your women keep silence in the Churches for it is not permitted unto them to speake but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the Law And if they will learne any thing let them aske their husbands at home for it is a shame for women to speake in the Church It seemes there was some disorder in Corinth and that their women took upon them to speake and teach publikely This the Apostle restrains Which he doth upon these three grounds 1. Because of their subjection by an originall law Gen. 3.16 That is the ground which he urgeth in this place But elsewhere in his writings he useth others also 2. Because the woman was created after Adam and for him 1 Tim. 2.13 1 Cor. 11.8 9. 3. Because the woman was first deceived 1 Tim. 2.12 and 14. But the Question will be what women the Apostle speakes of for it was prophecyed of the Gospel-times That God would poure his Spirit upon all flesh and that our sons and daughters should prophecie Joel 2.28 And we reade that Philip had foure daughters which did prophecie which seemes to some to be meant not of an extraordinary Spirit of Revelation and Prediction only as most Interpreters doe put off this place but of the interpretation of the Scripture And the rather because St Paul gives a rule concerning the covering of the womans head when she is praying or prophecying 1 Cor. 11.5 And in another place he speakes of Aged women that they must be Teachers of good things This hath therfore divided the Antient Divines for it is not a new Question Chrysostome thinking that married wives are only forbidden to speake in the Church but Tertullian applyes it unto all women even Virgins and Widowes too because of the universall subjection of their Sexe The comparing of the places satisfies me First that is to be laid as an unmoveable stone in the foundation That it is against Gods Ordinance against Church Order and Modesty for women publikely to preach This ground will hold for the words of the Apostle are expresse and will admit of no evasion Secondly There may be some extraordinary cases that will not admit of a generall rule Thirdly women may and must privately and familiarly exhort others Fourthly where men are not present women may speake I meane though others besides the maids and children of their own family be present There are some prints and footsteps of the allowance of this in the Antient Churches They may also privately admonish men and reprove them But in the exercise of all these Priviledges let them have respect to the Law of Humilitie without which they will never doe any thing becommingly 'T is a grace of such necessitie and beautie that we cannot too much commend it I have twice praised it The Hypocrite Discovered l. 1. cha 18. Help to Christian Fellowship chap. 7. and especially for one use of it that it disposeth and frameth the spirit to the maintaining of Christian Fellowship a duty much neglected and the more through the want of this grace of Conversation I might also commend it from the advantage that might be made of it It is the Vsher of honour Solomon hath said it Prov. 15.33 and again he repeates it Cha. 18.12 That whereas before destruction the heart is haughty Before honour is Humility Nay riches and safety also attend upon it As it is in another of his Proverbs By humility and the feare of the Lord are riches and honour and life CHAP. IX The Excellencie of Wisedome The usefulnesse of it The Maximes of Wisdome III. WIsdome and Discretion This grace of Conversation is so necessarie that without it beauty is without pleasantnesse according to that which I noted before out of Solomon Prov. 11.22 As a Jewel of gold in a swines snout so is a faire woman which is without discretion Yet there are many that have lived to many yeeres and have learned no skill but only to dresse themselves and to talke wantonly None ever are compleat unlesse they be brought up in the Schoole of
Christ which he afterwards particularly declareth to be Ephes 4.20 22 23. The putting off concerning the former conversation the old man which is corrupt according to the deceitfull lusts and a being renewed in the spirit of the mind a putting on of the new man which after God is created in righteousnesse and true holines This is the proper worke of Gods holy and Sanctifying Spirit given unto all to whom the Sonne is given The gifts and graces of this Spirit are many and very various I will not now discourse of all but only of the graces of conversation nor of all of them for it would require a large and diligent Treating And therefore whereas I might commend many Iewells fit for their lustre to deck out an holy Soul I shall only for the present make up one Iewel of foure precious Iemm's fit to be set upon the breast or rather into the heart of a Princesse or greatest Lady or other woman where only the Spirit of God the most skilfull workeman can dispose it The foure Graces of Conversation which I am commending are these 1. Modestie 2. Humilitie 3. Discretion 4. Pietie CHAP. VI. Modestie proper to women Modestie of cariage Of language A censure of lewd bookes I. MOdestie This is one of the most naturall and most usefull Tables of the mind wherin one may presently reade what is printed in the whole volume It is as proper in the opinion of some to the womans Sexe as flying to a bird swimming to a fish beautie to a flower Certainely a good heart lookes out thorough modest eyes and gives an answer to any that askes who is within with modest words and dwels not at the signe of the bush or red lattice or painted post A glorious soule is above dresses and despiseth such as have no higher or other thoughts then what concerne their gorget and their hayre The calme-constant-watchfull-modest-composed-disposition is surely the most excellent temper and the most usefull for this governes the heart and makes one fit and able to entertain those pleasures by which others are lost and undone Such an one may pledge even Circe in her cup and yet not be transformed for such an one will only slip but not drinke deep of pleasures lawfull This preserves in tune and keeps the scale of affections even This teaches a denying and preventing behaviour towards tentations 'T is much better then the Philosophers wooll to stop the car with It is the best guardian both of the eye and eare But let me descend to particulars 1. Let the cariage and behaviour be modest Gen. 24 64. Rebekah put on the vaile when Abrahams servant told her that the man whom they saw comming towards them was his masters son to whom she was intended in mariage Contrarily the woman with the attire of an harlot of whom Solomon speakes Pro. 7.13 met a young man and kissed him and with an impudent face she spake unto him She was A confident as we may say in the known sence of that word for whereas all wise and good men have accounted blushing to be the Table of virtue in women She as the originall Text expresseth it did strengthen her face as if she resolved to forget the blush and to banish away the colour of shame I professe against courtship and I know that I know little of Behaviour yet this I know that the Holy Ghost doth call the modest behaviour neate for so the original word signifies in that place 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Tim. 3.2 implying that such a one who is modest is of a cleane or neate behaviour Princesses and great women have their teachers of behaviour This is not the worke of Preachers only where the Scripture is before us concerning Behaviour wee may commend it and direct it and according to the Scriptures by which all must be Judged wee say That the most modest is the most neate and most-becomming cariage Then what are they that speake with their feet as Solomons phrase is or according to the character that the Prophet Isaiah gives them That walke with stretched sorth necks Isa 3.16 and wanton eyes walking and mincing as they goe making a thinkling with their feet How would that Court-prophet for so he was have described some strange creatures that we sometimes see practising the affected Shrug and acting or the strutting or the dancing or the sliding or the swimming posture with what earnestnesse with what indignation would he have spoken against these wantons But I forbeare enlargement in this matter as having no delight to be long in the company of such light and childish spirits objects at which wise men laugh and good men mourne 2. Let the language be modest That rule of the Apostle concernes both men and women though now I in speciall apply it unto women Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth Eph. 4.29 but that which is good to the use of edifying that it may minister grace unto the hearers and grieve not the holy Spirit of God Unsavorie and prophane speech grieves the holy Ghost and holy men and is altogether unbefitting those that professe Godlinesse for so the same Apostle in the next Chapter As for uncleannesse let it not be once named among you Eph. 5.3 4 as becommeth Saints neither filthinesse nor foolish talking nor jesting which are not convenient Ye shall observe in the reading of the Scripture that the holy Pen-men of it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 deliver themselves in a clean and covered language when they have occasion to speake of things lesse comely And the Lord saith he will take the names of Baalim out of the mouthes of his people Hos 2.17 Oh that the words of uncleannesse and vanitie were taken out of our mouthes Even Aristotle in his Politiques would have all obsceneness of words to be banished by a Law because when people take a libertie to speake ill they learn to doe ill He would therefore have such as are young neither to speake or heare any thing that is foule and if any be found faulty to be punished with stripes or some note of infamie Oh that Christians would consider this passage of an heathen and be ashamed There are many that cannot be pleasant but they must be obscene and their discourse if they have any is at the best frothy but for the most part wanton But they say their tongues are their owne and who is Lord over them or who shall controule them Truly they doe confesse themselves to be the children of Belial and out of their own mouthes doe condemne themselves of madnesse in the judgement of the great Apostle who when Festus charged him to be mad thorough too much learning frees himself by this argument Act. 26. â—5 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I speake the words of truth and sobernesse or the words of a sound mind Surely then by that rule Their minds are not sound whose words are not
be sit to lye upon a blocke to receive the sword of persecution Oh let those Ladies those brave ones consider they professe a crucified Saviour and serve not a God crowned with Roses and Pearles But I insist not much upon this there is one thing only that I cannot thinke of without indignation nor speake of but with passion that is of Love-spots and Painting Oh the earnest and holy zeale of the Antients against this I would rather speake in their words then mine owne Tertullian bitterly he cals painted women Ancillas Diaboli The Devils wayting-women and urgeth that it is neither agreeable to the Creation nor the Resurrection I remember I once made use of and alluded to a Similitude of Cyprians in the presence of some great women of qualitie Suppose one should come into the Kings gallerie and daube some other colours over a picture that the King had hung there being the work of an excellent Artist would not the King be much displeased at it You are Gods owne workmanship doe ye despise his hand that ye presume to alter it and pretend to mend it Hierome directing Laeta how to bring up her daughter tels her of a woman that was graviter percussa the heavie hand of God was upon her because she suffered her daughter to paint and he cals such The Violators of the Temple of Christ and he loades it with much infamie that it is The inflamer of young men The fomentation of lusts The discoverie of an unchast mind Yea the Fathers doe generally speake in that manner When the case was put to Augustine by his friend Possidonius he determines it to be an Adulterous fallacie And Ambrose goeth so farre that he saith it is worse then Adulterie and he gives reasons for it I am loath to speake so fully but yet I professe my self a very enemie unto it and so I doe to spotting upon the same grounds But to leave these Pageants I returne to my modest woman I allow her a lawfull difference of apparell according to the difference of her qualitie and estate Only I would have them to consider that they are to give honour to their Clothes and not their clothes to them Let them despise and renounce the vanities of their Sexe and as the Iewish women gave up their looking-glasses to Gods service Exod. 30. so let them give up their nicenesse and braverie for heaven Elias neglected his Mantle when he went up in the fiery Chariot so where the mind is raised to an heavenly ambition there will not be so many thoughts of outward decking Remember only 1. That sin brought in Clothes 2. That Clothes are a Monument of our shame 3. That the best ornament is that of the inner man Say not then This with Lace will doe well but this or this will doe well with Discretion Modestie and Grace CHAP. VIII Humility a Grace of great Ornament Womans Subjection The question whether women may be Teachers II. HVmility This is the sweetest of Graces The fittest for great Personages Those stars that are highest seeme least The sea is not bigger though many rivers empty themselves into it and it keepes the same taste and temper though an abundance of fresh water be poured into it out of the clouds It becomes those upon whose Birth and beautie both riches and honors are heaped to be still the same neither swollen nor freshed This grace that makes you low in your own eyes sets you high in the sight of God For so saith the Apostle expressely the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit 1 Pet. 3 4. is in the sight of God of great price It is the most attractive the most winning grace Thus Hester gained upō Ahasuerus and Abigail upon David But the greatest women lose themselves by pride Iezabel by her arrogancie made her selfe contemptible her owne servants threw her out of the window and she was eaten of doggs Let great ones consider they were made of the same flesh and shall be resolved into the same dust the Philosopher could not discerne any difference in a charnalhouse betwene the sculls of Kings and beggars but that which is of most weight is that they shall answer before the same Eternal Iudge at the same tribunall Boast not of extraction it is not Birth but new birth that shall be availeable Be not poisoned with flatteries She that is extolled in verses may be loathsome before God Be not proud of cloths it may be all the worth is in the out-side A porter may as well be proud of his load The walls of a chamber that is covered with rich hangings are in the same condition with the back and shoulders of a bravely-decked foole Challenge not the eyes of every beholder as if it were their duty to doe obeysance to your beautie for beautie is but clay well coloured As for riches and honors a sneaking player might as well be proud of the part he beares upon the Stage You will be undrest in the Tyring house of the grave lay all these off Set before your eyes the great examples of Humilitie Ruth the daughter of the King of Moab if we may receive the generall opinion of the Rabbins or if that be not so probable yet one that we may well suppose to have bin of good qualitie in her own country as being wife of Mahlon the elder brother of the family of Prince Naasson yet she accounts her selfe scarce equall to one of the maid servants in the house of Boaz. Ruth 2.13 And Abigail speakes the like language 1 Sam. 25.41 Behold saith she to David let thine hand-maid be a servant to wash the feet of the Servants of my Lord. Elizabeth though the elder woman and the better for outward qualitie yet challenged not respects and visits from Mary but was even confounded with it as too great a weight of honor that Mary vouchsafed to come to see her Luk. 1 42. Whence is this to mee that the Mother of my Lord should come to me And as for Mary her self when the Angel had told her things sufficient to have overwhelmed a weake spirit unable to beare and digest honor She returnes Luk. 1.38 Behold the handmaid of the Lord. Consider with what earnestnesse the Apostle presseth this dutie Ephes 4.1 ◠I the prisoner of the Lord beseech you that ye walke worthy of the Vocation wherewith ye are called with all lowlinesse and meekeness Col. 3.12 with longsuffering forbearing one another in love And in another place put on as the elect of God holy and beloved bowells of mercies kindnesse humblenes of mind meekenesse longsuffering forbearing one another These are the garments that sit best upon Gods chosen people such as are holy and beloved of God 1. The bowells of mercie Dorcas is most famous for the coates which she made for widdowes 2. Kindnesse This is the exercise of that compassion which is in the bowells If the heart be open the
the world There is not in any thing a greater contrarietie to God for it is contrarie not only to his will but to his very nature for he is Truth it selfe and the Scripture saith He cannot lye for then he should deny himselfe Job 8.44 The Divell is said to be the father of it He taught it first to Eve and he still cherisheth it as the surest pillar of his dark kingdome God hates it yea he hates it with a loathing Pro. 12.21 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord. It is a sinne against the good of humane Societie for truth is the foundation of justice and justice of peace Darke people doe all the mischiefe But for remedie 1. Consider your dignitie There is a saying in better authours then those I blamed even now That the simple word of a Prince should be of as great force as the eath of a private man Let Ladies and great women yea all women have it in their thoughts that they were made after the Image of God which is truth It will not become those smooth foreheads to have rough and shaddowy and clouded intentions What saith St Paul Col. 3.9 10. Lye not one to another seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds and have put on the new man which is renewed in knowledge after the Image of him that created him 2. Consider That a deceiver forfeits reputation You shall bind all alwayes to mistrust never to beleeve you 3. Consider That treacherie is in some respect beyond Atheisme It is worse to owne God and yet to mocke him then not to acknowledge him for this is to give a Testimony of the contempt of God and of the fearing of men before him 'T is base to be a Coward to men and stout to God But I have dealt so fully with this sinne in The Hypocrite Discovered that I now forbeare to enlarge any farther upon this point CHAP. XI The beautie of holinesse The Rule of Devotion A serious exhortation to the Reading of the Scripture IV. PIetie and Religiousnesse This is of all others the most Orient and full of brightnesse They say that Jewels steeped in Honey have more lustre so all accomplishments are made more beautifull by Pietie Otherwise though a woman were so made up that as another Pandora she had all morall graces and perfections bestowed upon her yet she would be wretched and unworthy without this If one had a Cabinet made all of pure gold enameled and enchased set about every where with Diamonds and large Pearles on the outside and that the curiosity and exquisitenesse of the workmanship should exceed the richnesse of the matter would not every body think the owner of this Cabinet worse then mad that should sill it with dirt and filth or put it to no other use then to keepe nasty rags or little stickes and strawes Such are those excellent pieces that are of a goodly outward frame of winning behaviour of seeming modestie sweet in conversation wise and learned in discourse but within prosane irreligious and without any savour of Godlinesse Zech. 15.7 1 Chr. 16.19 Isal 50.2 Holinesse is Beautie The true worship of God is call'd so by the Prophet Zacharie and by David yea the Perfection of Beautie The Apostle hath witnessed it of Gospel Ordinances 1 Cor. 3.9 that the Ministration of Righteousnesse exceeds in glory And he tels us in the eighteenth verse that one cannot be conversant in those Ordinances but he shall receive a lustre from them that as Moses being with God and seeing God came away with a shining face So we all with open face beholding as in a glasse the glory of the Lord are changed into the same image from glory to glory even as by the spirit of the Lord. God himself is glorious in holinesse as the Israelites sang it unto his praise when they came forth of Egypt Ex. 15.11 And the Apostle tels us that the Graces which are the Daughters of Gods Spirit are lovely Phil. 4.8 Whatsoever things are lovely saith he if there be any vertue think on these things We many times commend a curious piece in Picture it drawes and entices a distinguishing eye But as Plato said if Vertue could be drawne every one would love it so if it were possible to shadow out the true Lincaments of Holinesse to the eye who would not be ravished with delight I confesse I doe extraordinarily love a Picture when it is done by a good hand But me thinks none can come neare A Mary alone in Meditation A Magdalene weeping A Lydia attending with much earnestnesse to the Word Oh imagine but the Beautie of the Tecla's the Marcella's the Paula's the Eustochium's the Fabiola's the Eudoxia's eminent and famous in their generations for Pietie Some thinke Religious Circumspection makes bad and darke faces Dissembling formalitie will indeed oft-times study a disguised sowrenesse but Godlinesse though it will be the Mistresse of the looks and dresse and make all composed and sober yet it doth nothing to scare one away or to affright any from following the same vertues The Bodies Beautie compared with the Souls is as if one should equall a Torch to the Sunne The body is but as the greene Mosse on the side of a Rocke the Soul is the Diamond that sparkles within it Oh that the principall care were for the setting forth and preserving this Beautie It was a Law that Constantine made that none should erect any Marbles or Columnes or other rarities of Antiquitie in the Suburbs or Countrey villages because he intended that the City of Constantinople should be full of Ornaments and the rich Store-house of those collections What then do they deserve that forget and forsake and rob the inward City the Soul to bestow their Iewels upon their eares their foreheads their brests which are but only the Souls suburbs What strange creatures are they that dresse up the hand-maids and suffer the Mistresse to goe in ragges This is it then that I have reserved to the last place to commend That there may be a speciall endeavour of Holinesse 1 Pet. 3.11 A holy Conversation as Peter cals it Jam. 3.13 A good Conversation as Iames Psa 50.23 A Conversation ordered aright as David expresseth it But in other Scriptures Gen. 5 24.1â—.1 Luke 1.6 it is said to be a walking with God It must be according to Gods will and Councels For otherwise Devotion is subject to many illusions Nothing is more counterfeited or disfigured then Religion As the Lacedemonians dressed up their Gods after the fashion of the City so many make up a Religion after their own humour I have much wondred to heare of the strange and odde apprehensions of Religion in some great personages who had found out a way of joyning God and pleasures together And had made it almost all one to serve God and entertain themselves at a Masque Augustine tels us of Marcellina that she
a perswasion to sit down to reade it I might forbeare to give any further direction because there you will find all that is necessarie neither doe I intend to write an Institution of Christian women I shall therefore only give some briefe Adviso's as they offer themselves it may be without any precise order or method 1. Doe all things in Religion by rule nothing by venture hit or misse 2. Let not your rule be vox populi but verbum Dei not the opinion of the Times but the unerring Truth 3. Do not bend the rule and then measure by it Bring your Actiōs to that not that to your actions 4. If the case be hard advise The truth sometimes lyes deep you will need help to draw it up Particularly 1. Learne to know God Be not at a doubt whether Baal be he You must know the landlord to whom your rent is to be pay'd 2. Frame in your hearts the highest and holyest apprehensions of him 3. Believe him hope in him fe are him love him obey him joy in him count it an honor to be his servant 4. Keepe an account and a watch over the thoughts Say not Thoughts are free Know that they defile one 5. Banish vain disorder'd profane wanton proud malicious thoughts 6. Season and fill the thoughts with holy meditations If they be revēgefull thinke how meeke Christ was If they be censorious thinke thus Ah how bad am I my selfe 7. The Imagination is a great thorough-fare keep out bad at least let them not lodge with you but go on as Vagrants lest otherwise you be under the Statute and a penaltie 8. Get governed and bridled Affections Let them never run out unles you be sure they are right Say Anger is too good for injuries and sorrow too good for any thing but sinne and love too good for lusts or mony and hope too good for earth or any thing below Heaven 9. Converse much with God Let those that are carnall and unacquainted with God entertaine themselves with the Stage or with the Market Be higher then those delights and those gaines 10. Live by faith Let others that know not this name of the Lord shuffle in the world looke to and provide for themselves 11. Beleeve Gods Protection and deliverie if in miserie Fret not Thinke how wise God is and how tender 12. Wait upon God for Grace the strength perfecting and continuance of it 13. Set God before you in all the turnes and accidents of businesse and life Say God sees me 14. Correspond with God in an ordinary and daily walking with him Make Religion your businesse 15. Awake with God The world will not suffer some to sleep they say Oh I must up about such a matter Say thou I have my God to serve 16. Examine Conscience diligently faithfully and frequently Put not out that Candle but rather light up more 17. Seeke Gods face often for pardon and grace 18. Renew Covenant daily 19. Finish every day with humbling the Soule 20. In extraordinarie occasions be affected as the Church is 21. Get Publike spirits Such as are worldly are narrow and sleight and poore They only attend their own businesse how to live and eate how to grow rich how to marry their children Be larger and higher then these 22. Converse holily in the world Be afraid of a light vaine frothy spirit 23. Be holy in relations as a wife daughter servāt friend or Companion 24. Be choyce of Companie and usefull in it 25. Season all liberties and lawfull Recreations with Grace Chuse to play with such with whom ye may also pray 26. Be much in Publike Worship Consider 'T is a blessing to any place to have the conveniencie of Assembling 27. Come awefully before God when you come to his worship Consider That God is in Heaven and thou upon earth 28. Make hast stay not for the other pin Let your cloths sit loose rather then your soul when you come before God in publike 29. Pray with the Congregation joyning in the same spirit 30. Keep up the esteem of prayer which God hath put upon it Account that God gives you the Key of all his Cabinets when he gives you the spirit of prayer 31. Beware of Atheisme of lip-labor of bead-prayer come to God by Christ by a Promise in the sense of wants and in Faith 32. Sing Gods Praises with understanding and spirituall chearfulnesse 33. Heare the Word of God as the Word of God with silence humilitie faith subjection 34. Care especially for that in a Sermon that doth the Soul good Listen not for Conceits or the new notions 35. Take notice of that which concernes your own condition and be not too busie to marke who else is hit 36. Know that the Lords Table hath the best refreshments that Christs Provisions are most wholesome 37. Learne to discerne the Lords body They eate nothing but bread that want Faith 38. Though ye be not worthy yet have a care to behave your selves worthily at Christs Table 39. Keep publike Fasts and publike Thanks-givings with publike spirits 40. Studie Communion with Saints Neglect not to doe or to receive good in Company 41. Lay out Gifts and Graces for the mutuall service of each others Faith 42. Endeavour Mortisication Studie God more and the creature lesse 43. Reade often and with judgement Reade not a Chapter only for noveltie or where the Booke fals open as if ye hapned upon the Bible by chance 44. Refer what ye reade to head 's Some have much house-hold-stuffe but not placed in any order and so no use of it 45. Reade the lesse so that ye understand it rather then much as a meere taske They that limpe in the way goe on more then such as run out of the way 46. Reade with Prayer Pray in Reading as well as before The Spirit of God then will tell you his own meaning 47. Meditate This meat cannot digest unlesse it remain in the Stomack 48. Seeke Christ in his Word Seeke the mind of Christ 49. Reade with Diligence and Constancie It may be the Silver-veine will not be found at first 50. In the whole course be Eaven with an universall respect to all the Commandements But it is time to take off my hand from this Table And it may be it were best to leave this as an unfinished Piece for I confesse I am not able to make such a draught as I would I have done to my owne satisfaction if the colours of Holinesse be most fresh for I entended to make the woman that is Religious more lovely then she that is modest or humble or wise Those are high Praises but this the highest Those daughters have done vertuously but this excelleth them All. In a word That woman is most excellent who is most Holy FINIS