yee knowe not We worshippe that which we knowe For saluation is of the Iewes but the houre commeth and nowe is when the true worshippers shall worship the father in spirite and trueth for the father requireth euen suche to worship him God is a spirite and they that worship him must worship him in spirite and trueth I knowe well quoth the woman that Messias shall come whiche is called Christe when hee is come hee will tell vs all thinges I am euen hee sayde Iesus that speake vnto thee And with that came his disciples who marueiled to see him talking thus with a woman yet none of them durst say vnto him what askest thou or why talkest thou with her The woman then left her water potte and went her way into the Citie and sayde vnto the men of Samaria Come see a man that hath told mee all thinges that euer I did is not hee the Christ Nowe many of the Samaritans of the Citie beleued in Christ for the saying of the woman which testified saying hee hath tolde mee all thinges that euer I did And so went out of the Citie with her vnto Christ and besought him that he woulde tarrye with them And at their request hee abode there in Samaria two daies and many mo Samaritans beleeued in Christ because of his owne woordes and saide vnto the woman Nowe we beleeue in Christ not so much because of thy saying and report or testimonie that thou gauest of him but because wee haue heard him our selues and knowe that this is in deed the Christ the Sauiour of the world Iohn 4. Samaritesse Importunate widowe As Iesus passed through the middes of Samarie to the ende that wee ought alwayes instantly to pray and not waxe faint or colde or to giue place in afflictions and daungers hee put foorth this parable of a importunate widowe vnto his disciples saying There was a iudge in a certayne Citie whiche feared not God nor reuerenced man And there was a widowe also in that same Citie which came vnto him saying Doe me iustice against mine aduersarie who pleadeth against mee And the iudge woulde not for a time but delayed her from day to day yet afterward he saide within himselfe Though I feare not God nor reuerence men yet because this widowe troubleth mee I will doe her right least at the last shee come and make mee wearie with her importunacie Heare nowe what the vnrighteous iudge sayth vnto the widowe And shall not God auenge his elect which cry day and night vnto him Yea though he suffer long for them and seeme flowe in reuenging their wronges I tell you hee will auenge them quickly but when the soone of man commeth shall he finde faith on the earth Luk. 18â—1 c. Samsons wife Samsons wife was daughter of a Philistine dwelling in Timnah a Citie in the tribe of Iuda And when at her marriage feaste day her husbande had propounded this ridell Out of the Eater came meate and out of the strong came sweetenesse and promised her friends then sitting at the table that if they coulde reade and interprete this his ridell within seuen dayes of the feast hee woulde giue them 30. sundry suites of apparell to weare at solempe feastes dayes But if they coulde not declare nor finde it out that then they shoulde giue him 30. suites or changes of rayment as costly Because her friendes coulde not within the first three dayes expounde this ridell on the fourth day they came and threatned her saying Entise thine husbande that hee may declare vs the ridell least wee burne thee and thy fathers house with fire haue yee called vs to your feast to impouerishe vs is it so in deede With that Samsons wife being afraide went vnto her husbande and wepte before him saying Surely husband thou hatest mee and louest me not For thou hast put forth a ridell vnto them which are my countreymen and hast not tolde it mee Beholde quoth Sampson I haue not tolde it my father nor my mother and shall I tell it thee Then his wife from the fourth day vntill the seuenth wept still vnto her husbande while the feast lasted to knowe the ridell And when the seuenth day came he vp and tolde her the meaning of his ridell because shee was so importunate vpon him And when shee had learned it shee went straite wayes and tolde it to her friendes and countreymen So when the seuenth day of the feast came or euer the same was set they came to SaÌ„son and declared vnto him his ridell saying what is sweeter then honie And what is stronger then a Lion O well quoth Samson if yee had not plowed with my heyfer that is vsed the helpe of my wife yee had not founde out my redell And so being very angry with his wife that she had heereby caused him to loose the wager hee was by her folly mooued first to take vengeance on the Philistines and presently went and slue 30. of them in one of the fiue chiefest Cities called Ashkelon and of the spoyle of them gaue change of garmentes to them that had expounded his ridell So when he had thus robbed Peter to pay Paul he forsooke his wife her friends went backe to his father Manoahs house in Zorah And in the meane time his wife was giuen to his companion whom he had vsed as his friend but within a while after Samson came backe againe to Timnah thinking to haue visited his wife lien with her and when he sawe that her father had giuen her to another and would not suffer him to go in to her saying I thought that thou hadst hated her therefore gaue I her to thy companion Is not her yonger sister fayrer then shee take her I pray thee in steade of the other Samson then by his wiues father being thus moued againe the second time to take vengeance on y e Philistines said Now am I more blamelesse then the Philistines therefore will I do them displeasure and bee auenged on them And with that he went and got 300. wilde Foxes turned them tayle to tayle and put a fyre brande in the mids betweene the two tayles and when he had set the firebrandes a fyre hee sent the Foxes into the standing corne of the Philistines and so burnt vp both the rikes of corne and hay that were reaped and gathered and also the standing corne in the fieldes with all the vineyardes and Oliues Which fact so grieued the Philistines when they vnderstoode who did it and wherefore that for feare of daunger that els might come vnto them and not for loue of Iustice like wicked men in like malice and spite they came vp to Timnah to his father in lawes house and there burnt his wife that had forsaken him and her father and all that they had with fire likewise Therfore in reuenge of which vilanie done this vnto his wife Samson yet againe the thirde time went to be auenged on the Philistines and slue them
Gen. 18.19 Ye parents prouoke not your children to anger by austeritieâ— or too much rigour or straight keeping least they be discouraged but bryng them vp not in wantonnesse or idlenes but in the feare instruction and information of the Lord. Ephe. 6.4 Colos. 3.21 Ye parents teach your children to knowe the holy scriptures from their childehood For they are able to make them wise to saluation through faith in Christ Iesus 2. Timo. 3.15 S. Iohn highly commendeth a certaine Lady in his epistle for that shée so vertuously brought vp her children in the trueth of Gods word 2. Iohn 1.1.4 A Matron of maydens ought to be one that can rule her owne house well hauing children vnder obedience with all honestie such as are faithfull which are not slandered of ryot neither are found disobedient 1. Timo. 3.4 Titus 1.6 Chastise thy childe betimes while there is hope let not thy soule spare for his murmuring or cryes Prou. 19.18 For hée that spareth the rod hateth his childe but hee that loueth him chasteneth him by times Prou. 13.24 The rod and correction giueth wisedome and deliuereth the soule from destruction but a childe set at libertie and left to his owne will bringeth his mother to shame Prou. 29.15 Shee that delicately bringeth vp hir childe from his youth shall make him hir master at the length Prou. 29.21 Foolishnes is bounde in the hart of a childe for he is naturally giâ—en vnto folly but the rod of correction shall driue it away from him Prou. 22.15 Withholde not correction from thy childe For if thou beatest him with the rodde hee shall not die thereof Thou shalt smite him with the rodde and shalt deliuer his soule from hell and destruction Prou. 23.13 If thou haue sonnes instructe them bryng them vp in nourture and learnyng and holde their neckes in awe from their youth vp If thou haue daughters kéepe their bodyes and shewe not thy selfe cherefull towardâ—s themâ— Mary thy daughter so shalt thou performe a waightie matter but giue hir to a man of vnderstanding Ecclesi 7.23 c. A man after his death shal be knowen by his children Eccle. 11. 28. And as is the mother so is hir daughter Ezech. 16.44 An euill nourtured sonne is the dishonour of the father and the daughter is least to be esteemed Eccle. 22.3 If children liue honestlyâ— and haue wherew t they shall put away the shame of their parents but if children be brought vp proudly with hautinesse and foolishnes they will defile the nobilitie of their parents and kindred Eccle. 22.3.8 If thy daughter be not shamefast holde hir straightly least shée abuse hir selfe thorowe too much libertie Take heed of her that hath an vnshamefast eye and maruaile not if shee trespasse against thée Eccle. 26.10 The mother that flattereth or cockleth hir children byndeth vp their wounds and hir heart is grieued at euery crie An vntamed Horse will bée stubborne and a wanton childe wil be wilfull If thou bring vp thy childe delicately hee shall make thee afrayde and it thou play with thâ—m they shall bring thee to heauinâ—sse Laugh not vpon them least thou wéepe and be sory also with them and least thou gnashe thy teeth in the ende Giue the childe no liberty in his youth and winke not at his folly Bowe downe his necke while hée is yong and beaâ—e him on the sides while he is a childe least he waxe stubborne and be disobedient vnto thee and so bring sorrowe to thine heaâ—t Chastice thy childe and be diligent therein least his shame gréeue thée Eccle. 30.7 Beware of thine owne children and take héede of them that bée of thine owne housholdeâ— Eccle. 32.22 The daughter maketh the father and mother to watche secretely and the carefulnesse that the parentes haue for her taketh away their sleepe least in her youth shée shoulde paâ—â—e â—he slower of her age when shée hath an husband least â—hee should bee hated In her virginitie least shee should be defiled or gotten with childe in her fathers house And when shée is marryed least shée misbehaue her selfe towardes her husbande or continue vnfruitefull Eccle. 42.9 So there is no ende of the parents care ouer a daughter If thy daughter bée vnshamefaste kéepe her straitely least shée cause thine enemies to laugh thée to scorne and make thée a common talke in the citie and defame thée among the people and bring thée to publike shame Eccle. 42.10 It is the mothers duety as well as the fathers to prouide a godly husbande for her daughter or a vertuous wife for her sonne For so did Hagar for her sonne Ishmael when he was grown to mans state and diuers other godly women in scripture Gen. 21.21 The mother ought to haue great care in the marrying and bestowing of her children to the children of God and such as be of a good religion and therein to yéelde her consent to the ordinaunce of GOD as diuers holie men and women haue done Gen. 24.4,50,57,27,46 26,1,29.21,38,6 Deut. 7.3 Ezra 9.12 Exod. 34.16 What authoritie the father or mother hath ouer their daughter concerning the breache of virginitie and marrying her to a man of vnderstanding Reade tit virg at large â— Cor. 7.36 If thy daughter vnbetrothed be defloured by a man that hath entised hir and thou refuse to giue hir vnto him in marriage to be his wife then thou shalt take of him money according to the dowrie of virgins Exod. 21.16 Deut. 22.28 Howe the parentes are to trie and prooue the honestie and chastitie of their daughter that is married and accused of adulterie and howe the father shall be recompenced if his daughter be found faultlesse by tryall read in the chapter of virginitie or maydes Deut. 22. 19. That parentes haue not authoritie to marrie their chyldren of a couetous intent for their owne gaine whiche in déede is to sell them for seruice to their seruantes as Laban did his two daughters Rahel and Leah to Iacob Gen. 29.19 or as Shesham did his daughter to his seruant Iarha 1. Chron. 2.35 moe of a diuelish purpose to séeke reuenge by hypocrisie as Saule who gaue his daughter Mychal to Dauid to betray him 1. Sam. Nor yet lastly without the consent of the parties themselues it is manifest by the example of the godly especiall of the mother and brother of Rebecha where they sayd wée will call y e maide aske her consent Gen. 24.57 And as Raguel did Sara his daughter Tob. 7.13 Yea so soone as the parentes perceiue that it is the ordinance and worke of God that their childe should bee besâ—owed they ought forthwith to yéelde and giue their consentes to auoyde further inconueniences and to commit the matter to God as the parents of the said Rebecha did Gen. 24.50 And howe dangerous a thing it is for parentes to be negligent and carelesse in bestowing their daughters in marriage it may well appeare by the story of Tamar that was defloured by her father in law Iuda
hir possession and of y e importunate widow of Samaria of Rispa that built a tent ouer the dead carkasses of hir sonnes c. whose stories are both worth the diligent reading and often imitating of all the godly Againe that women are to be greatly lauded and of all imitated for their curtesie hospitalitie liberalitie almes déedes good workes Yee may reade in the liues of Abigail Dorcas Ioanna Iudith Lydea Marie the mother of Iames Marie Magdalen Martha Marie the mother of Iohn Marke Phebe Priscilla Rahab Rebecca the virgin Marie the poore widowes the woman of Bahurim Saphiâ—a Sarepta Shunamitesse Susanna Triphona and Triphosa Taliâ—ha widowe of Ierusalem c. whos 's good workes as they all procéeded of a liuely faith the had in God so are they to be commended imitated continually of all the true faythfull children of God to his glory and the benefite of his Church and congregation Furthermore that women are to be praysed for their fidelitie loue reuerence good counsell obedience towards their husbandes it may appeare in the stories of Adah Abigail Bethsheba Drusilla Hester Michol Phinees wife Rahell Rebecca Sara Zillah Pilates wife the virgin Marie Elizabeth As also for their motherly care naturall loue and vertuous education of their chlidren it is euident in Anna the woman of Canaan Edna Hanna Hagar Iehosheba Loyis Ladie commended of S. Iohn Marie the virgin Naomy Ieroboams wife Rizpa Rebecca Samsons mother the mourning mother as in Esdras mother of the seuen brethren the widowe of Sarepta and of Nahum And for their curtesie and kindenesse towards their alience kinred and acquaintaunce yee may reade in the liues of Bethsheba Elizabeth Ester Iehosheba Marie the virgin Marie MagdaleÌ„ Rahel and sundrie others Besides for their obedience and good behauiour towardes their parentes gouernours and betters yée may sée in the story of Ester Iepthas daughter Ruth Orpah Sara Abra Hagar Moreouer such women as were praysed for their nobilitie royall parentage great riches estimation in the worlde were Elizabeth Naomy Marie the virgine Lady commended by S. Iohn Shunamitesse Sara the wife of AbrahaÌ„ the woman of Abell Iudith Debora and many others Such as were poore and godly were Anna Marie the virgine Naomy Sarepta Shunamitesse Such as were commended for their beautie chastitie modesty virginity were Abigail Abisage Bethsabe Dinah Ester Heua Iephtas daughter Ieminah and all Iobes daughters Iudith Kezia Rerenhapha Marie the virgin Rebecca Rahell Sara Susanna Thamar the daughter of Dauid Uasti c. Ruth Anna. Such as are praysed for their womanly pitie and compassion to shed innocent blood are Puah Shiphrah the two godly midwiues of Egypt Rahab the wife of Bahurim the mother of the quicke child before Salomon Hester the virgin Marie Pharaos daughter y e preserued Moses Ihosheba that saued Ioas hir brother from the blooddy handes of Athalia and Pilates wife who counselled hir husbande in no wise to conseÌ„t to shed the innocent blood of our sauiour Christ c. Such as are woorthily commended for their Industrie sore labour and paynes taking for their liuing and sustenance are Anna Heua Lydea Naomy Ruth Dorcas c. as may appeare in their liues and stories more at large in the 7. Lampe Sucâ—e as are to bee praysed for their patience in aduersitie and humilitie vnder the crosse are Hanna Hagar Iepthas daughter Leah Marie the virgin SusaÌ„na Sara the wife of Tobie and many other Finally such as are for their obedience to God more then man for their constancie in the trueth chose rather to suffer persecution yea violent death martyredome then to offend god are most highly to be extolled and had in admiration and remembraunce to all posteritie are these godly vertuous zealous women Puah Shiphrah Rahab Iepthas daughter Hanna Hagar Leah Marie the Uirgin Sara the wife of Tobit Susanna the woman of the Machabites the mother of the seuen sonnes of the Machabits the lambes wife our vertuous soueraigne Queene Elizabeth c. as to their perpetuall renowne and all faithfull Christians godly example may doth appeare to y e deligeÌ„t reader in the seueral liues of these holy women set forth in the 7. Lampe The disprayse of wicked and foolishe women A Wicked woman is giuen as a rewarde to a wicked man Eccleâ— 26.24 I finde more bitter then death the woman whose heart is as nettes and snares and her hands as bandes he that is good before God shall be deliuered from hir but the sinner shall be taken by hir Eccle. 7.28 A shamelesse woman contemneth shame and is compared to a dogge Eccle. 26â—25 Shée that dispiseth hir husbande shall be blased for hir pryde Ecâ—le 26.27 Shée that maketh hir husbande ashamed or behaueth hir selfe dishonestly is a corruption in his bones Prou. 12.4 A fayre woman without discreete maners is like a ring of gold in a swines snowt Prou. 12.22 A foolishe daughter shall be litle regarded and shee that liueth dishonestly is hir fathers heauinesse Eccle. 22.3 Shée that is bolde and past shame dishonoureth both hir father and hir husband the vngodly shall regarde hir because shee is not inferiour vnto them in wickednesse but both hir father and hir husbande shall dispise hir for hir folly and wickednesse Eccle. 22.4 A dronken woman and such a one as can not bée tamed is a great plague for shee can not couer hir owne shame Eccle. 26.8 The wickednesse of the man is better then the good intreatie of a woman to witte of a woman that is in shame and reproche for it is better to bée with an ill man then with a friendely woman that putteth one to shame and rebuke Eccle. 42. 14. Yée adulterers and women that breake matrimonie knowe yée not that the friendship of the worlde is enmitie with God Iam. 44. There are some simple women laden with sinnes and led with diâ—ers lustes which are euer learning yet are neuer able to come to the knowledge of the trueth 2. Timo. 3.6 Pryde was not created in men neyther wrath in the generation of women Eccle. 10.19 The greatest heauinesse is the heauinesse of the heart and the greatest malice is the malice of a woman Eccle. 25.14 Giue mee any plague saue onely the plague of the heart and any malice saue the malice of a woman for all wickednesse is nothing to the wickednesse of a woman 25.15 Giue mée any assault saue the assault of the heart or any vengeance saue the vengeance of the enemie or woman 16. There is not a more wicked head then the head of a serpent and there is no wrath aboue the wrath of a woman Eccle. 25.17 All wickednesse is but litle to the wickednesse of a woman thâ— portion of the vngodly shall fall vpon hir Eccle. 25.21 I had rather dwell with a Lion and Dragon then to kéepe housâ— with a wicked wife Eccle. 25.18 It is better to dwell in a corner of the house toppe then with a brawling or
insomuch that hee perceiuing the Queene to faynte and fall downe before him and being moued with pittie towardes her carefully leapt out of his throne and tooke her in his armes till shee came to her selfe agayne and then comforted her with most louing woordes and sayde Ester what is the matter I am thy brother bee of good cheere thou shalt not die for our commaundement toucheth the commons and not thee come neere So Ester founde fauour in his sight and the king in signe that her comming was agreeable vnto him and not to the breache of the lawe helde out his golden Scepter that was in his hande and layde it vppon her necke and kissed her and sayde talke with mee Then sayde shee I sawe thee O Lorde as an Angel of God and myne heart was troubled for feare of thy maiestie for wonderfull art thou O Lorde and thy face is full of grace And as she was thus speaking vnto him shee fell downe againe before him for faintnesse Then the king being sore troubled did all that both hee and his seruauntes coulde to comfort her and the king helde out his septer againe vnto her whiche shee touched and layde her hand vpon the toppe thereof then the king sayd agayne vnto her Be of good comfort Ester feare nothing that is done against the Iewes for our decree shal not touche thee but tell me what wilt thou Queene Ester and what is thy request aske what thou wilt it shall be granted thee yea it shall be euen giuen vnto thee though it bee halfe my kingdome Then sayde Ester to the king nothing O king but that it woulde please your maiestie and Haman to come this day vnto the banquet of wine which I haue prepared To the which hee with Haman gladely went according to her desire and whilest he was banqueting with Hester he demaunded of her agayne the same question saying what is thy petition Ester that it may be giuen thee Oh quoth shee if it shal please your highnesse to giue me my petition and to fulfil my request then let my soueraigne Lord and Haman come once agayne to morrow to my banquet of wine and then I will certifie your grace of all that I require and declare what thing I demaund And on the morrowe when the king and Haman were come againe vnto her banquet he said again vnto the Q. now what is thy petition Ester that it may be giuen thee aske and it shal be performed euen to the halfe of my kingdome Then the Q. answered and sayd if I haue founde so much fauour in thy sight O king to haue my petition granted then I most humbly beseech thee graunt mee my life and the liues of all my people the Iewes whiche are not onely solde to be bondslaues yea I would to God it were no worse for then I would haue held my tongue but to be slayn and vtterly destroyed that all in one day which forceth me to speake boldely vnto thee Who is he saide the king and where is the man that dare presume to do such a deed Oh said Ester and if it shall please your maiestie to know the truth our great enemie and aduersary that hath conspired our death gotten out this decree against vs is euen this wicked man Haman here present whom your grace hath exalted so hie to honor estimation vnder you At which words of Hester Hamans conscience barked his heart quaked his body waxed wan pale his fleshe trembled and he was terribly afraid of the king Queens displeasure Yea the kings indignation was then so kindled against Haman at this the Q. complaint that he arose in an anger from the banquet and went into the pallace garden in whose absence Hamā whose conscience stil accused him perceiuing that there was some mischiefe a preparing for him of the king for his bloody cruel conspiracie fel down at the beds feet or couch wherevpon Ester sate and made humble request vnto her for his life And when the king came againe out of the garden found Haman fallen vpon the bed where Ester sat being therby more incensed against him he very angerly said what will he force the Q. also before my face which worde was no sooner proceeded forth of the kings mouth but it gaue his garde and seruantes occasion presently to laye handes vpon Haman and to couer his face as they vsed to doe vnto all that were out of the kings fauour who forthwith also at the kings commaundement went and hanged Haman therefore vpon the same Gallows y t he had prepared for to hāg Mordecay Esters cosin after whose death the very same day did the king giue vnto Ester the Queene all Hamans goodes and landes And Hester to preferre her deare kinsman Mordecay then tooke good occasion also to let the king vnderstande that hee was her neare kinsman wherevpon the king tooke off his ring which hee had taken from Hamā for the Queenes sake gaue it vnto Mordecay And when Ester had thus farre preuayled against Haman for her owne safetie shee gaue her cosin Mordecay al Hamans house as freely as it was giuen her to his preferment And afterward she falling downe prostrate at the kings feete with teares besought him to graunt her one requeste more which was that his grace woulde vtterly abolishe the wicked decrees which hee had made for the destruction of the Iewes her people saying if it please the king if I haue founde fauour in his sight or the thing be acceptable before him and that I please him let letters bee written and sent to all his prouinces to reuoke and countermande the letters of Hamans cruel deuise sent agaynst my people y e Iewes For els what good will it do me to liue if I shall suffer see y ◠euill to come vnto my people which was pretended Or howe can I suffer and see the destruction of my kinred So the king granted her request and she hauing obtayned the letters of countermande sealed with the kinges own signet and ring deliuered them to Mordecay who with all speede by postes conueyed them to all the prouinces in Percia and Medea to the great comfort of the Iewes and daunting of the enemies Yea the king for Esters sake not onely by the same his letters reuoked the former wicked decree but also he therein gaue commaundement leaue to euery Iewe to kill his enemie that purposed to kill them by meanes whereof Hamans ten sonnes also amongest diuers others in Sushan were slayne with the sword before the kings gate which being known vnto the king he sayd vnto Ester because he woulde satisfie her request to the full and gratifie her to the vttermoste if it were possible Thy countreymen and people the Iewes haue by force of my letters nowe slaine and destroyed euen in Sushan my pallace fiue hundred men besid the ten sonnes of Haman what trowest thou haue they then done in the rest of my
be found nor they beyng therein knowen So when Absoloms seruaunces that pursued them came to make search in her house for them to aske her where they were the wife made aunsweare and sayde they be gone ouer the brooke or water of Iordan but they geuing no credite to her wordes made further search for the men and when they saw they coulde not finde them they went their way Who were no sooner gone but the wife went by and by and told Ionathan and his brother thereof Wherevpon they immediatly came foorth of the well and went vnto Dauid And thus God sent these 2. good men succour and reliefe by the meanes of this good wife to Dauids preseruation in his kingdome and his sonne Absoloms vtter destruction as yee may reade at large in the Byble 2. Sam. 17. 18. 19. c. Woman with blooddy issue There was a certaine woman amonge the Iewes whiche was long diseased with a blooddy issue or fluxe of blood euen the space of twelue yeeres and had suffered many medicines and things of many Phisitions insomuch that she spent all her substance that she had vpon Phisitions and it auayled her nothing for she could not be healed of any but became still much woorse and woorse This woman therefore as one vtterly despayring of any humayne helpe when shee hearde that Iesus was come into those partes where she dwelt which was as I take it in Decapolis by y e citie of Gadaris she sayd within her selfe I will surely goe vnto Christ for if I may but touch his cloathes onely I shal be whole So her faith that she had in Christ and not any superstitious opinion that she had to attribute any vertue to his garment mouing and emboldening her she came and crowded in among the great presse and throng of people that were about Iesus and approching as neere Iesus as shee coulde shee assured of the vertue and power of Christ to heale her came behinde him and touched but the hemme of his garment and straight wayes the issue or course of her blood stanched and was dried vp and she felt presently in her bodie that she was healed of the plague with that Iesus immediately knowing in him self that vertue went out of him turned him about and sayd who is it that hath touched my cloathes not I quoth onâ— not I quoth another and when euery man denied that they touched him Peter and his disciples saide vnto him Maister thou seest the multitude thrust and throng thee and tread on thee and doest thou aske vs who hath touched thee yea quoth Iesus some one hath touched me for I perceiue y e vertue is gone out of me and then looked round about to see her that had done it Nowe when the woman sawe that shee was not hid knowing what was done in her she feared came trembling and fel downe before Iesus and told him the whole truth before al the people and for what cause she had touched him and howe she was healed immediatly Then Iesus perceyuing the greate faith of the woman that brought her vnto him sayd mercifully vnto her Daughter be of good comfort thy faith hath made thee whole goe in peace and bee whole of thy plague And the woman was made whole at that same very houre to the glory of God and her comfort c. Math. 9.20 Mark 5.25 c. Luke 8.41 Diseased woman There was another woman which had a spirite of infirmitie whoÌ„ Sathan had striken with a disease 18. yeeres was bowed together as she whose sâ—owes were shronke together when she heard that Iesus was teaching in the Synagogue on y e Sabboth day she went vnto the temple and stoode before him whom when Iesus saw he hauing pitie vpon her called y e crooked creature vnto him and said woman thou art loosed from thy disease so layd his hands vpon her immediatly she was made straight againe glorified God as all ought y t receiue anye benefite of his mercy Howbeit the ruler of y e Synagogue taking occasion hereby to reproue Christ for healing her on the Sabboth day whiche might haue beene done on y e weeke dayes Iesus perceiuing his hipocrisie answered said vnto him thou hypocrite doth not ech of you on y e Sabboth day lose his oxe or his Asse froÌ„ y e stal leade him to water ought not this daughter of Abraham whom Sathan hath bound so these 18. yeeres be losed from this boÌ„d on y e Saboth day with which his words al his aduersaries being coÌ„founded for shame weÌ„t away but al the people reioyced at y e excellent things good deeds y t were done by him to whoÌ„ therfore be al glory praise for euer Luk. 13.11.12 c. C Cananitesse There was a certaine woman of Canaan a Greeke and a Syrophenisian by nation who had a little daughter that was very sicke and possessed with an vncleane spirit when she heard that Iesus was come into the coasts of Tyrus and Sydon where she dwelt she came to Iesus and fell at his feet crying and saying Haue mercy on me O Lord thou sonne of Dauid my daughter is miserably vexed with a Diuell but he answered her not a worde wherfore she cryed the more earnestly vpoÌ„ him w t which her importunity his disciples being offended they besought Iesus to seÌ„d her away because quoth they she neuer stinteth crying stil after vs. I am not sent quoth Iesus but vnto y e lost sheepe of the house of Israel so the woman continued her crying came worshorshipped him saying Lord helpe me and I beseech thee cast out the diuel out of my daughter And then Christ spake vnto her and sayde let the children among the Iewes to whom the promises were first made first be fed for it is not good to take the childrens bread and to cast it vnto whelpes that is to straungers from the house of God for so he spake after the common opinion of the Iewes who tooke straungers for no better then dogges Truth Lord quoth she yet indeed the whelpes eate of the croomes that fall from the children their maâ—sters table Then Iesus perceiuing her faith and humilitie in asking but the poore croomes and not the childrens bread graunted her petition for her faiths sake and not the request of his disciples and sayd vnto her O woman great is thy faith for this saying goe thy way be it to thee as thou desirest the Diuel is gone out of thy â—aughter And her daughter was made whole at that same houre So that when shee was come home to her house she found the Diuel departed and her daughter lying on the bed safe whole to the glory of God her great comfort Mat. 15.22 c. Mar. 7.25 c. Cayphas mayde Cayphas the high priest of y e Iewes had 2. maydens who when y e one saw Peter the Apostle y t followed Christ to see his araignment before her maister
brought to extreeme necessitie and pouertie as he did this poore man and woman before he succoured them to the intent that afterward being helped and restored by him againe they might haue the more ample cause to prayse his mercie When Benhadad king of Aram had besieged Samaria so long vntill the famine was wonderfull great and that an Asses head was soulde for fourescore peeces of siluer to eate for want of victualles and the fourth parte of a kab of Doues dung was soulde for fiue peeces of siluer to burne for lacke of wood Beholde as Iehoram the vngodly king of Israel was going vpon the wals of the Citie to looke vnto his affayres there cryed a certaine woman of the Citie vnto him and said Helpe my Lorde O King whose voyce being heard the king began to waxe angrie and in stead of comfortable wordes he being moued gaue her reprochfull speeches thinking in deede she had called vnto him for that which he had not namely for sustenance and victuals whiche as then was very hard for him to giue because they were all spent sayd vnto her Seeing the Lorde doth not succour thee howe shoulde I helpe thee with corne or wine or any other victual for as thou knowest there is no such thinges left among vs. Then the woman answered my Lorde O king I aske of thee neither victualles nor sustenaunce therefore the king sayd vnto her againe Woman then what ayleth thee and what wouldest thou haue O king quoth shee there is a controuersie betweene mee and another woman one of my neighbours about a bargayne or couenant For wee made this contract or couenant betweene vs that wee woulde eate our children one one day and another another day so I in good faith stoode to my promise and killed my sonne and sodde him and we haue eaten him together but this woman nowe when the day came that we shoulde eate her sonne shee hath craftily conueyed him away and hid him from mee eyther to spare his life for compassion and natural affection or for to satisfie her own hunger and to eate him alone without mee and so shee hath broken her couenant and is departed from her promise whereby I am like to perishe for hunger vnlesse thou O king giue sentence and iudge my But y e king abhorring so vnnaturall wicked a contract or bargaine could in no wise ratifie y e same nor alow therof For what is more horrible theÌ„ to receiue into y e belly again y e childreÌ„ once brought vp to bury their bowels euen in their owne bowels thereby making that their graue which was their nourishment Therefore when the king heard these vnnaturall wordes and cruell contract of the women hee feeling the iudgementes of God fallen vpon him and his people for his wicked life rent his clothes and put on sackcloth in signe of sorrow and lamentation For nowe was the curse of God against the contemners and despisers of his lawe perfourmed which he threatned Leuit. 26. where he sayth Yee shall eate the fleshe of your owne sonnes and the fleshe of your daughters shall ye deuoure Nowe I say was fulfilled that heauie indignation and wrath of God against the idolaters and wicked people foreshewed by God in Deut. 28. where it is sayde that the enemie shal besiege thee in al thy cities vntil thine high stroÌ„g walles fal downe c. And thou shalt eate the fruite of thy body euen the fleshe of thy sonnes and thy daughters which the Lorde thy God hath giuen thee during the siege and streightnesse wherein thine enemie shall inclose thee So that the man that is tender and exceeding dayntie among you shal be grieued at his brother and at his wife that lyeth in his bosome and at the remnant of his children which he hath yet left for feare of giuing vnto any of them of the flesh of his childreÌ„ whom he shal eate because he hath nothing left him in y e siege streightnesse wherew t the enimie shall besiege thee in all thy Cities Yea and the tender and daintie woman among you which neuer woulde venture to set the sole of her foote vpon the grounde for her softnesse and tendernesse shall bee grieued at her husbande that lyeth in her bosome and at her sonne and at her daughter and at her after byrth that shal come out from between her feete and at her children which shee shall beare for when all things lacke shee shall eate them secretly during the siege and streightnesse wherewith thine enemies shall besiege thee in thy cities 2. King 6. Samaritesse In y e same citie of Samaria called SicheÌ„ there was a certayn womaÌ„ ytâ—ame about noone to draw water at Iocobs wel where shee met Iesus sitting all alone vppon the welles mouth to rest him whiles his disciples were gone into the Towne to buy victualles And when shee had drawen her water and filled her pitcher Iesus sayde vnto her woman giue mee drinke Howe is it quoth shee that thou being a Iewe askest drinke of mee which am a woman of Samaria For the Iewes meddle not with the Samaritanes yea they esteeme the Samaritanes as wicked and prophane Then Iesus speaking of him selfe whom his father had sent to conuert this woman among other sayde vnto her if thou knewest the gift of God and who it is that sayth to thee Giue me drinke thou wouldest haue asked of him and hee woulde haue giuen thee water of life which is the loue of God in his sonne powred into our heartes by the holy Ghost vnto euerlasting life Rom. 5.5 1. Iohn 3.5 Sir quoth the woman thou hast nothing to drawe with and the well is deepe from whence then hast thou that water of life Art thou greater then our father Iacob which gaue vs the well and he himselfe dranke thereof and his children and his cattell Yea saide Iesus whosoeuer drinketh of this water shall thirst againe but whosoeuer drinketh of the water that I shall giue him that is of the Gospel of Grace shall neuer be more a thyrst dryed vp or destitute For the water that I shall giue him shall be in him a well of water springing vp into euerlasting life Sir quoth shee giue me of that water that I may not thirst neyther come hither to drawe First go sayd Iesus and call thine husbande and come hither I haue none quoth shee Thou hast well sayde sayd Iesus vnto her I haue no husbande for thou hast had fiue husbandes and hee whom thou nowe hast is not thine husbande that saydest thou truely Then the woman being liuely touched with her faultes where before shee mocked and woulde not heare Christ nowe shee could say Sir I see that thou art a Prophete our fathers worshipped in this mountayn and ye say that in Ierusalem is the place where men ought to worship Woman said Iesus beleeue me the houre commeth when yee shall neyther in this mountayne nor at Ierusalem worship the father yee worship that which