Female pre-eminence, or, The dignity and excellency of that sex above the male an ingenious discourse / written orignally in Latine by Henry Cornelius Agrippa ... ; done into English with additional advantages by H. C. Declamation de nobilitate et praecellentia foeminei sexus. English Agrippa von Nettesheim, Heinrich Cornelius, 1486?-1535. 1670 Approx. 130 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 55 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2006-06 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A26561 Wing A784 ESTC R14394 13337383 ocm 13337383 99114 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A26561) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 99114) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 444:4) Female pre-eminence, or, The dignity and excellency of that sex above the male an ingenious discourse / written orignally in Latine by Henry Cornelius Agrippa ... ; done into English with additional advantages by H. C. Declamation de nobilitate et praecellentia foeminei sexus. English Agrippa von Nettesheim, Heinrich Cornelius, 1486?-1535. Care, Henry, 1646-1688. [22], 83 p. Printed by T. R. and M. D. and are to be sold by Henry Million ..., London : 1670. Reproduction of original in Huntington Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. 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Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Women -- Controversial literature -- Early works to 1800. 2005-06 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2005-08 SPi Global Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2006-01 Judith Siefring Sampled and proofread 2006-01 Judith Siefring Text and markup reviewed and edited 2006-04 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion Female Pre-eminence : OR THE Dignity and Excellency of that Sex , above the Male. An Ingenious Discourse : Written Originally in Latine , by Henry Cornelius Agrippa , Knight , Doctor of Physick , Doctor of both Laws , and Privy-Counsellor to the Emperour Charles the Fifth . Done into English , with Additional Advantages . By H. C. 1 Esdr . 3.12 . Women are strongest . LONDON , Printed by T. R. and M. D. and are to be sold by Henry Million , at the Sign of the Bible in Fleet-street . 1670. TO HER Most Excellent Majesty , KATHERINE , By the Grace of God , QUEEN of Great Britain , France , and Ireland , &c. Madam , THis little Champion , who long hath Brav'd the World in Your Noble Sexes Defence , being Arriv'd in Your Majesties Dominions , and taught to speak the English Dialect , is with all Humility prostrated at Your Royal Feet . The Original Treatise was Grac'd with the propitious Regards of a Great Princess , The Illustrious Margaret of Austria , afterwards Empress ; whence this mean Translation derives an Ambition , not to take shelter under any less than Soveraign Patronage . Yet is not Your Majesties Greatness , so much as Goodness , respected in this Humble Address ; that serious primitive Devotion , exemplary Virtue , and other excellent Endowments , that render You more truely Glorious , than all the magnificent Advantages of Your Most Illustrious Birth and Fortune . To Your Majesty this Discourse is necessitated to Appeal ; for 't is Your bright Name alone , that can , being stampt thereon , ( like Your Royal Consort 's Effigies on Coyn ) make it pass Currant in the opinion of the World ; who no longer will be scandaliz'd at the Title , nor think the Author too Lavish in Womens Praise , when they Reflect on Your Majesty , that Great Example of Female Pre-eminence , and Excellency , that have out-done the most daring Hyperbolies , and not only Justified , but Surpass'd in Life and Merit , whatever can be said in the behalf of Your Most Glorious Sex. That Your Majesty , Encircled with all Happiness , may long remain a President of Piety to this Degenerous Age , and find as many to Imitate as Admire Your Royal Virtues , is the Prayer of Your Majesties Most Humble , Loyal , and Obedient Subject , H. Care. The Translators Preface . IN this giddy Age wherein each extravagant opinion finds a welcome , and Conceits more wilde than any Bedlam-phrensie , have been entertain'd with zeal , and promoted with passion , an innocent Paradox may fairly hope for Pardon at least , if not Applause . Since (1.) Tyranny , (2.) Injustice , (3.) Vgliness , and (4.) Folly it self , have not wanted their respective Advocates amongst the Learned , I see small reason why Asserting the Pre-eminence of the Female Sex , should too severely be censured . But 't is unjust to debar Readers of that tickling delight they take in finding faults , it being oftentimes all the consideration they have for laying out their Money . The Stationers humour and mine agree , Let them but buy the Book , and then ( being their own ) use it as they please . I shall not therefore waste time , either in Courting or Huffing the Reader , ( for both wayes are now commonly used to surprize his good opinion , ) but only endeavour to give an Impartial Account of the Author , and Design of the ensuing Discourse . To say much of the noble Agrippa , were to put an Affront on the Reader , ( if he pretend at all to traffick in the Commonwealth of Learning ) by supposing him a stranger to that Man , who was justly admir'd as the Prodigy of his Age , for all kind of Science . That vast progress he made , Tam Marte quam Mercurio , in Arms no less than Arts ; the Titles and Honours he acquir'd ; the respect paid him by most of the Grandees , and famous Men , his Contemporaries ; and those Monuments of Learning , wherewith he hath oblig'd Posterity ; all speak him a Person above the ordinary level of Mankind ; to be rankt only amongst those few noble Heroes ; Que's meliore Luto finxit praecordia Titan. Whom Titan with a gentle Ray , Hath moulded of a purer Clay . 'T is true , ( like all great Wits ) he took no little pleasure in stemming the impetuous Tide of popular opinion , as if nothing had been impregnable against the puissance of his parts . Hence he made that desperate (5.) Onset , to prove in particular , what Solomon was content to affirm in the lump , That all things are Vanity ; and with an excess of Gallantry undertook singly to duel all Arts and Sciences . Nor was this present Essay any other than a sally of the same Generosity , that delights to engage on disadvantages , and bravely to assist the weaker party . After so many slanderers ( like ungratefull Mules , turning their brutish heels to kick those Paps whence they receiv'd their first Nutriment ) had dipt their keen Pens in Gall , and fill'd their black Mouthes with Calumnies , to sully the Repute of this fair Sex , our Author was too noble , not to think himself concern'd in its Vindication ; Common Justice , no less than point of Honour , obliging all to succour oppressed Innocency . Hereupon the Generous Agrippa enters the Lists , to assert the Honour of the Female Party , against the immerited obloquies of the Male , which he chooses to attempt , not after the low , timerous method of an Apology , the shallow Invectives of the Adversaries being unworthy the refute of his Pen ; but like a politick General , carrying the War into the enemies Countrey , startles them with an expected Invasion , and lets them know this noble Sex ought to be the object of their veneration , not contempt , being in all respects their superiour . How prudently this Design was undertaken , or how well perform'd , I shall not fore-stall the Readers opinion , so far as to determine ; but must confess my self pleas'd with that Diversion I met with in reading the Original ; and thereupon to have attempted the Translation , not without some Additions , and variation , to render it more smooth and gratefull to the present Age , thinking I could scarce better devote my vacant hours , than to the service of that sweet Sex , which every one deserving the Name of Man , cannot but love ; and to whom , whoever hath not forgot he had a Mother , is oblig'd to pay a reverential esteem . Yet is it no part of our Design to flatter Women , but to put some check to the rude , undeserv'd reproaches , cast on them by the Men : To acquaint the fair Sex with its natural Dignity , that they may scorn to act any thing unworthy of themselves : to treat them with variety of real ( not Romantick ) Examples of true Piety , exact Chastity , sincere , unalterable Affection , and other rare , sublime qualities ; whence inspir'd with a generous emulation , they may strive to out-vye these ancient Heroinaes , and transcend the excellent Patterns here recommended ; finding , that it is Virtue alone that can embalm their Memories , and render them still fresh and amiable , even then when Age or Sickness have plow'd their Faces with wrinckled furrows , and swept away the sparkling Glories , of their Eyes . To conclude : If the captious World shall a while ●ay aside its usual severities , and vouchsafe any Acceptance of these our inconsiderable pains , ( now confusedly huddled up in hast , ) we shall use our utmost endeavours in the second Edition to deserve that favour , by some further Additions and Embellishments . H. C. To His Ingenious Friend Mr. H. Care : On his Pains in Translating , and Refining this quaint Discourse of Female Pre-eminence . ' TI● bravely done , dear Friend ! thus to Engage For the Fair Sex , in this detracting Age , When vip'rous Tongues so virulently throwe Venome at those to whom their Lives they owe , And each base Fopp poor Womens Judge doth sit , Who thinks Railing at them proves him a Wit , And therefore Dams 'um , They 'r all Whores , hee 'l cry , Though 's Mother and his Sister both stand by : Nor want there Squires o' th' Quill to wound their Name , And with foul Ink Bespatter their bright Fame . But as when Royal Phaebus shews his Face , Those Sporads vanish which usurpt his place ; So all these black-mouth'd screeching Birds of Night , Are by your Book put to eternal Flight : Your Book ; For what you modestly do call Translation , if with the Original It be compar'd , 't will easily be known , That the far better part on 't is your own . You adde , correct , and so the Whole Refine , That 't is no more Agrippa's now , but thine ; He laid the Plot , but you the Language bring , And giv 't a Dress as glorious as the Spring : Choice Words compos'd in Periods , that surprize The Ear with most harmonious Cadencies . Such charming stile , which France it self admir'd , Was thought t' have vanisht when Love-Day expir'd ; Our English Prose seem'd sunk ever since then , But now there 's hopes you 'l Buoy it up agen : For such fair Blossomes in your Youth , presage No common Fruit from your maturer Age. But what dost aim at ? ( for I must profess , In this Attempt , 't will puzzle one to guess ) Weary of Retail-Love , by this Design , Dost thou intend to Court all Womankind ? T' Ingross their Favour , and ambitiously Affect Loves universal Monarchy ? Or do thy Flames which to some one ●spire , Transport thee , the whole Sex thus to admire ? What e're it be , unto thy pains and wit , All Ladies must confess themselves in Debt ; And to thee , whence such Ornament they find , They 'r most ungratefull if they prove not kind . Their Snow-white Hands thy welcome Book shall hold , And sometimes wrap●t up in some silken Fold , In their sweet Bosomes suffer it to Rest , ( Ah! who 'l not envy it when 't is so Blest ? ) At other times it fairly shall be spread I' th Sun shine of their Eyes , and whilst 't is read , Their Amber-Breath and Rosie-Lips will lend Perfumes unto its Le●ves , shall never spend . Henceforth no Lawyer they 'l retain but thee , Who plead'st their Cause so well without a Fee. Philogynes . To His Worthy Friend Mr. Henry Care : On his Ingenious Treatise , Entituled , Female Pre-eminence , &c. OH ! for some Female-Wit ! only a She Can write to the full Height , your Eulogy . What though Sappho , and brave Phillips be gone , Th' Muses themselves are bound to see it done . Methinks I see our English Ladies throng To view your Name , that vindicate from wrong Their Male-transcending Virtues , which of late Have suffer'd , by a sharp , censorious Fate Of foul aspersions , whilst some Parricide ( To his own Mothers Name ) in a full tide Of misplac't Epethites , has rudely sought To wound cause One an injury on him brought ) Th' whole Sexes Honour , whose innocence may think The Milk from 's Mother suckt too like his Ink ; Had too much in it of the bitter Gall , Or for One Womans Cri●●e he 'd ne're curse all . But let that Person ( with impartial eye ) Peruse your Book , he 'l Alphabetic'ly Write's Recantation , and a Convert die . When I peruse your Book , I know not justly who Deserves Pre-eminence , the Female Sex , or You : For whilst I weigh their worth , I 'm forc't t' admire Your weighty Wit. As by a well tun'd Lyre My Ear being ravish't , dubiously I stand , Whether to praise the Lute , or Artist's Hand . So whilst you their Pre-eminence defend , Your Wit i' th' proof makes me my faith suspend , Whether to give it to the Feminine , When you that writ it are o th' Masculine ; Not knowing which deserves the greatest praise , Or You that Give , or They that Wear the Bayes : Both seem to me to claim priority , Their Virtues , and Your Ingenuity . Then this I 'le do , I will resolve henceforth T' Admire Their Virtues , and Extoll Your Worth. T. Martinne . To the LADIES , On this Ingenious Discourse of Female Pre-eminence . LAdies , at length your vindicated Fames Appear , like bright , but long concealed Flames , Which under some rubbish were plac't , to show That Fire , by Fuel hid , does stronger grow . 'T was fit your brightness should some stains endure , For Virtue 's greatest when 't is most obscure . Princes though cloth'd with rags , are Princes still ▪ Nor yet decreases good beset with ill . The stately Palm does by depression thrive ; Your Virtues dy'd , more nobly to revive . What said I ? they dy'd ? No , they ne're could dye , But only fell , prest down by Calumny ; From whence they do with double force arise , Just like recoyling Rams in Batteri●● . Something to this Brave Authors Care is due , But he the greater Laurel yields to you . Conqu'ring Souldiers , as worthy Men , we own , Yet the Prince that commanded wears the Crown . Thanks come from all , as debts to th' Author's Wil ▪ What 's their desert then , that thus inspired it . Ladies , Defending you , success he never fears ; That Ship no sinking dreads , that C●sar bears . T. P. To the Ladies and Gentlewomen of England , On that Ingenious Treatise , Translated , and Augmented , in Defence of their Sex ; By Mr. Henry Care , Entituled , Female Pre-eminence , &c. LAy by your Needles , Ladies , take the Bayes ; Express your Gratitude , i' th Authors praise . Come , shew the World , your Wit hath found a Flaw , In Great Apolloes Male-made Salique Law. If you peruse the Book , you 'l quickly find , The Authors Care , as well as willing mind , Hath been imploy'd to serve your Sex ; and now With your own Hands you ought to Crown his Brow. I 'le call him Author , or a Name he 'l want To be known by , Translator is too scant . Though He Translator-like new Souls does give To th' Virtues of your Sex , whereby they live ; Yet he 's no Cobler , does not Cap , but Crown Those Virtues , which by dirt were trodden Th' Invention of 't , I know his Modesty Does give to Learn'd Cornelius : ●ut when I down . Peruse Agrippa , he I find does move , Excited by his Wit , not by his Love ; Whilst the Translator , from his gen'rous Soul , ( Making your Virtues his Antartick Pole ) Revives Agrippa's dormant Work , and thence , By 's Love and Care proves your Pre-eminence ; Wherein by 's Wit , and fluent Style , His Worth Extols its self , in setting yours forth . That then the Thanks you owe him , may be seen , Come crown his Head , not with a Willow green , But ) with such lasting Bayes the world may see , You ne're are backward in Gratuity . Or if your Modesty will not permit To praise them , that prize you , Lend me your Wit , I 'le tell the world , ( though now the Author knows ▪ I steal my Rhymes from his transcending Prose ) The Female Virtues do the Males excell , Their Worth , our Weakness , find no parallel . What is 't that's good our Sex can claim , but thence The Female Sex plead their Pre-eminence ? Do we lay claim to Wisdome , Learning , Art ? Therein Learn'd Pallas pleads a greater part . Say we , our Sex are valianter in War ; In this Bellona does deserve a share . If we dare challenge skill in Poetry , The Learned Sisters will our Rivals be . Whoever says , in Beauty we out-vye , To them I 'm sure Dame Venus gives the lye . When all has fail'd , come we to Abstinence , In that Chast Vesta claims Pre-eminence : Their Birth 's more noble far , for they From Man refin'd were form'd , Man was from Clay ; So that there dwelleth in their Heart and Face , More outward Beauty , more internal Grace : Their Beauty's greater , all confess , Whence judge we then their inward Vertues less . Do we imagine Virtue is so blind , To dwell i' th Male , when th' Female's more refin'd ? Wit , Beauty , Virtue , can meet and agree At once in them , whilst , self-enamour'd , we Are too too apt , if th' Female Sex but prize Us , for One Good , that Good to Idolize ; * Narcissus-like , that fair and foolish Boy , We 'l dye , because we can't our selves enjoy . Beasts homage do to both , and most Men do Give honour unto Women , as their due . Man conquers by his Sword , whilst Women can Sooner by words o'recome Sword-conqu'ring Man ; Such Reth'ricks in their Tongue , none dare withstand , Or in the least dispute what they command . Where is that * Hercules that dare resist , To turn a Spinster with his clumsie Fist ? If Woman require 't , he must come twist a Thread , Or with her ●rowns she 'l strike the warriour dead . Imagin●d Cupid hath no other Bow , Than that half Circle on a Females Brow ; His string 's the Hair that cleaves unto this Dart , A glance is from that ●ye that wounds Mans Heart . But stay , I cann't persist , desist I scarcely dare , I fear the one , the other is not fair ; I 've stole so much already , that my crime My Clergyes benefit exceeds . In time I 'le beg the Author's mercy , and then I Will ne're again steal Wit , if ●s Felony . Nor dare I to desist ; for th' Ladies then Too soon will find , from whence I stole my Pen. But though my Wit 's not so legitimate , And pure as his , yet is my Love as great , And natural ; for , from my Mothers Brest I suck't it in her Milk. Now Pen take Rest , When to this better Sex th' ast made this Pray'r , T' accept thy Love , whilst they admire his Care. T. M. Female Pre-eminence , OR THE Excellency of that Sex above the Male. ALmighty God , to whose eff●●●cious ●ord all things owe their original , abounding in his own glorious Essence with infinite goodness and fecundity , did in the beginning 〈◊〉 Man after his own likeness , Male and Female , created he them ; the true distinction of which Sexes , consists meerly in the different site of those parts of the body , wherein Generation necessarily requires a Diversity : for both Male and Female he impartially endued with the same , and altogether indifferent form of Soul , the Woman being possess'd of no less excellent Faculties of Mind , Reason , and Speech , than the Man , and equally with him aspiring to those Regions of Bliss and Glory , where there shall be no exception of Sex. For though at the last Trumpets universal Alarm , when our recollected bodies shall start up amazed , to find themselves releas'd from their Prisons of Darkness , we may perhaps appear in our resp●ctive proper Sexes , yet shall we not then either ne●d or 〈…〉 use of Sex , but are promise● by him who is Truth it self , a Conversation resembling that of blessed Angel● in Heaven . Hence 't is evident , that as to the essence of the Soul between Man and Woman , there can no Pre-eminence at all be challenged on either side , but the 〈◊〉 innate worth and dignity of both , the Image of their Creator being stampt as fairly , and shining as brightly in one , as t'other ; whereas in all other respects the noble and delicate Feminine Race , doth almost to infinity excell that rough-hew● , boisterous kind , the Male. This may at first perhaps seem an odd Assertion , and extravagantly Paradoxical , but will appear a certain Truth , when we have prov'd it ( which is our present undertaking ) not with empty flourishes of words , or gawdy Paint of Rhetorick , nor with those vain Logical Devices , wherewith Sophisters too frequently inveigle unwary understandings , but by the Authority of the most Approved Authors , unquestioned Histories , and evident Reasons , as likewise with Testimonies of holy Writ , and Sanctions of both Civil and Canon Laws . Since Names are signs of things , and that all matter presents it self to us cloathed in words , the Learned have advis'd us in all Discourses , First , To consider diligently the Notations or Appellations of those things whereof we intend to Treat , which if we reduce to practice in our present Subject , we may observe , that Woman was made at first so much more excellent than Man , by how much she had given her a Name more worthy than he ; the word Adam , signifying but Earth , whereas Eve , is interpreted Life ; whence it seems , Woman is no less to be preferr'd before Man , than Life it self before sordid and contemptible Earth . Nor let any weak heads fancy this Argument lame or invalid , because from names it passes judgement on things , since it must be acknowledged , that the All-wise Contriver both of names and things , well knew the things before he imposed names on them ; and therefore ( it being impossible he should be deceived ) did undoubtedly bestow on them such fit and apposite names , as might best express their intrinsick Natures and Dignity . Nor is it only the holy Tongue that intimates this Sexes Pre-eminence , the Latines too seem very express in asserting it , amongst whom Woman is named Mulier , quasi Melior , as much as to say , Better or more worthy than Man. And in our English Language , although Some little Wits at Woman rail and ban , Swearing she 's call'd so , quasi woe to Man ; Yet such vain Derivations are to blame , Since God himself did her Mans help-meet name . Women promote our joyes , partake our woes , But we men work our own , and their o●rethrowes . T is too great a derogation from the known prudence and piety of our Ancestors , to imagine them at once so injurious and impious , as to brand this noble Sex with a Name , diametrically thwarting that Character which Heaven it self had given of its Nature . We may with much more probability , ( the only Compass to sail by in an Ocean of Etymologies ) suppose the word , woman , to be derived , quasi Woe man , she being the Loadstone of Mans Desires , and the sole adequate Object of his Affections , whom he is to woe , court , and settle his Love on ; or else from With Man , abbreviated in the pronunciation , intimating the need Man hath of her presence and company , and his dull heartless condition without her . Society is the Life of Life , and Women the Life of Society , compar'd with whom all other pleasures and diversions are but flat and melancholy ; whereof the Protoplast , even whilest he was in his state of Innocency , and had a Garden of pleasure for his Habitation , was not insensible ; of whom thus a minor Poet , Adam alone in Paradise did grieve , And thought Eden a Desert without Eve , Untill God pittying his Lonesome State , Crown'd all his Wishes with a Lovely Mate . No reason then hath Man to slight or flout her , Who could not live in Paradise without her . However if we shall not be allow'd the priviledge of contriving for the Honour of the Female Sex , such advantageous Etymologies , yet let us at least affirm from the mysterious Learning of the Cabalists ; that the Womans Name in the original Language , hath a much nearer Affinity with the ineffable Te●ragrammaton , or sacred Name of the Divine Essence , than the Mans , which hear● no Resemblance thereto either in Characters , Figure , or Number . But waving ( at present ) this abstruser mode of proof , as a matter read by few , understood by fewer , and requiring a more ample Explication , than our leisure , no less than the Readers patience , can here allow of , we proceed from words to things , and come to investigate and display Female Excellency , not barely from the Name , but in Reality from its intrinsick worth and proper Endowments ; for long Jangling about Nominals , whilest Substances fleet by unregarded , may argue some smattering in Grammar , or Sophistry , but no great stock of solid or usefull Learning . L●● us then ( as we are commanded ) search the Scriptures , and dating our Discourse with the Worlds original , examine what Dignity was alotted to Woman above Man , by order of Creation . We know that all things made by the Almighty Architect , may not unfitly be branched into these two Ranks , some remaining ever incorruptible , others subject to corruption and mutation ; in the Creation of both which , Divine Wisdome proceeded in a Method of Descension and Ascension , beginning with the more noble of the one , and concluding with the most noble of the other . Hence he first Created those purer Essences , immaterial Angels and Souls , ( for so the great St. Augustine contends , that the Soul of our first Parent was created together with the Angels , before the production of his body ) then the incorruptible bodies , as the Heavens , and those vast numbers of glorious Stars , wherewith the same are embroidered ; as also the Elements , incorruptible too , but obnoxious to various mutations , of which last he composed all other things liable to corruptio● , beginning with the meanest , and so proceeding upwards again by several degrees of dignity , to the perfection of the Universe ; so as first Minerals were brought forth , then sprouted up Vegetables , Plants , Herbs and Trees , afterwards Plant-Animals , then Living Creatures in order , creeping , swimming , flying , and four-footed ; and last of all he formed our first Parents , after his own similitude , first the Man , and then the Woman , in whom was compleated the Heavens and the Earth , and all the glory of them , for after her Creation the great Creator rested , as having nothing more honourable to frame ; and so well resented the pleasure of having finisht this glorious work so happily , that he instituted a day of each seven to celebrate its Festival . Woman then being the last of Creatures , the end , complement , and consummation of all the works of God , what Ignorance is there so stupid , or what Impudence can there be so effronted , as to deny her a Prerogative above all other Creatures , without whom the World it self had been imperfect ; it being impossible the same should be compleated , but in some Creature most perfect ; and absurd to dream , that Infinite Wisdome would conclude so noble a Fabrick , with a thing any way trivial or defective : for the whole Universe being Created by God , as an entire and perfect Circle , it was requisite the same should be made up , and finisht in such an exact and absolute particle , as might with a most strict Tye unite and glew together the first of all things with the last . Thus the Woman in relation to time indeed was formed last , but in respect of Dignity , first of all conceived in the divine Idaea , ( as 't is written , Before the Heavens were created I chose her ; ) the End , according to the Catholick Creed of Philosophers , being ever first in Intention , though last in Execution : but Woman was the End , and last work of God , and introduced into the World , not unlike a Queen into her Royal Palace , Paradise her Metropolitan Residence , being fitted and prepared before-hand for her Reception and Entertainment , where the Man seem'd only her Harbinger or Attendant . Deservedly therefore doth every Creature love , and pay respect and homage to her , who is of all Creatures the Queen , perfection and glory ; for which cause the wise Man saith , He glorifies the Generosity of the Woman , having 〈◊〉 with God , the Lord of all hath loved her . But further , in reference to the place of her Creation , how much Woman doth surpass Man in Dignity , sacred Oracles liberally inform us , witnessing her to be Created in Paradise , a place no less noble , than pleasant and delightfull ; but the Man out of Prradise , in a rural Field , with irrational Brutes . And therefore as great Personages , of noble Extraction , though by the malice of Fortune reduc'd to Extremities , retain still some marks of Grandeur , and a Mean different from the Vulgar , so Woman carries yet an Air of Paradise , something that speaks her sublime discent , her Inclinations being generally more pious and devout , and her Countenance Angelical , and ( as accustomed to that sublime place of her first Birth ) she enjoys this peculiar priviledge , that looking downwards , though from never so high a precepice , she is not seiz'd with that dizziness or dimness of sight , which frequently in such accidents happens to Men. As also if a Man and Woman together chance to be exposed to danger by Water , ( deprived of all external aid or assistance ) you may behold her a long time floating o● the Chrystal Superficies , the compassionate Element seeming unwilling to contract the guilt of destroying so much Excellency ; whilest the Man streight ●inks , and ( like other gross bodies ) tends to the bottome , as his proper Center . Now that the dignity of the place of Nativity conduces not a little to the enobling a person , both the Civil Laws , and sacred Canons plainly intimate , and the Custome of all Nations confirms ; and that not only in Men , but in all other Animals , yea inanimate Creatures , esteeming each so much more generous and noble , as they come from a more wo●thy place . Thus Isaac commands his Jacob not to take a Wife of the Land of Canaan , but of the then more renowned Countrey , Mesopotamia of Syria : not unlike which is that in John , where Philip relating , that he had found Jesus of Nazareth , Nathanael ( that true Israelite ) nimbly queries , If any thing good could come thence ? But to proceed ; as in order and place , so also in matter of her Creation , Woman far excells Man. Things receive their value from the matter they are made of , and the excellent skill of their maker : Pots of common Clay must not contend with China-Dishes , nor Pewter Utensils vye dignity with those of Silver . One Line drawn by Appelles his exquisite Pencil , is more to be esteemed , than whole Portraitures perform'd by the slubbering hands of vulgar Artists . Woman was not composed of any inanimate or vile dirt , but of a more refined and purified substance , enlivened and actuated by a Rational Soul , whose operations speak it a Beam , or bright Ray of Divinity . Man was taken out of the Earth , which of its own nature , with the co-operation of Celestial Influxes , is wont to bring forth living Creatures : but Woman , above all Influence of the Heavens , or aptitude of Nature , without any assisting virtue , or co-operating power , was formed miraculously by God himself , out of that Ribb taken from dormant Adam's side , whereby Man became maim'd and imperfect ; and thence ever since , as a Needle that hath suffered the Magnetick Touch , stands alwayes trembling till it looks full on its beloved North ; so He can never rest , till by taking a Woman , and Incorporating her with himself , he retreive that loss , and render himself again intire and perfect . The rare Art exercised in rea●ing this Female-Fabrick , is not obscurely intimated by the Divine Historian , in his Original Language , where God is said to make Man , but to have built Woman ; that implying but common work , this , much curiosity , and contrivance : insomuch that Man seems little more than the production of Nature ; Woman , the more immediate handywork of the God of Nature . And therefore for the most part Woman is more susceptible of , and replenisht with divine splendor and irradiations , than Man , of which her incomparable Neatness , and charming Beauty , may be a pregnant evidence ; for Beauty is nothing but the brightness or radiancy of Divine Light , s●●●ing in created Essences , and casting on us its glorious Reflections from fair bodies , as illustriously as our weak eyes are capable without dazleing to behold it . And this most frequently chooseth to reside in Woman , rather than Man ; whence she becomes beyond all expression amiable and delightfull , her Flesh ●ender and delicate , her Colour bright and clear , her Hair most becoming , her Locks ( Cupids Fetters , and the only Threads wherewith he strings his Bow ) soft , long , and glittering , her Countenance more August and Majestical , her Looks more sprightly , vivid and joc●●● ; a snow-white Neck , and large smooth high Fore-head ; sparkling Eyes , armed with irresistable Glances , and yet tempered with a lovely grace and chearfulness , Arched over with stately Eye-browes , ( half Moons , that boast more Conquests , than the proud Turkish Ensigns ) which being divided with a beseeming , plain , and equal distance , her well proportioned Nose leads to her pretty Mouth , and that displaying with an amorous smile , the rosie Portals of its soft ruddy Lips , discovers a Row of inestimable Pearl , her fine small Teeth , even , and out-vying Ivory for whiteness , yet fewer in number than Mans , as having less occasion to use them , being neither great Eater , nor Biter . Then her modest Cheeks , whose Colours are so purely mixt , that Lillies and Roses seem there to contend for superiority , and her pretty round Chin , beautified with a Love-dimple ; a Voice she hath most sweet and inchanting ; Breasts which seem two sphears of Snow , or swelling Mountainets of Delight ; long Arms , little Hands , interwoven with a curious La●●● y●●th of Azure Veins ; long slender Fingers , nimble Joynts , and all parts of her body plump , juicy , and attractive . Besides , her Gate is so modest , her Motions decent and natural , her Gesture more free and noble , her Air more taking and complacent , and the whole Form , Habit , and Symmetry of her person , grace● with such innumerable Charms , as without injuring truth , we may affirm , That in the whole series of Creatures , there is nothing so much to be admir'd , or miracle so deserving to be seen , since in her alone all that have not their eyes blear'd with prejudice , or envy , may clearly see , the great Creator ( who is the Fountain of all that is good and amiable ) hath epitomized the Beauty of all his other works ; for those perfections which sparkle here and there in them , are collected and constellated in her , whom we may call , a Draught of the whole Creation in Miniature , or a Copy of that vast Volume done in exquisite Short-hand . Hence all Creatures admire , love , and almost adore her ; for so (*) Pliny ( that great Clark of Natures Closet ) relates , That the Lion which spareth no other Creature , trembles at a Woman , and hardly proffereth her that violence which usually he doth to Man ; as if Nature had taught that savage Animal the Respects due to so fair a presence . Nor is it only the Conceit of fond Opinion , but a very credible Truth , That even spiritual Natures , incorporeal Essences , and Daemons , have many times been enamoured on Women with wonderfull passion ; for omitting those Stories Poets tell us , of the Amours of their fabulous Deities , as Apollo and Daphne , Neptune and Salmonea , or rampant Hercules with his three Wenches , Hebe , Jole , and Omphale , &c. The holy Scripture seems to intimate no less ; as in Genesis we find , That the Sons of God seeing the Daughters of Men were fair , took of them for their Wives : to which we might adde , ( if it be not thought too Apochryphal ) the ill spirit Asmodeus , who so jealously Courted the Lady , that he destroy'd all his Rivals , in the History of Tebit . Indeed these sacred Rolls are frequent in recommending this divine Ornament , Beauty , and furnish us with various Examples of its power and excellency . Thereby it was Abigail preserved her churlish Husbands Life and Fortune , from the fury of incensed David ; for thus the Royal Captain accosts her , Return in peace , I have heard thy voice , and honoured thy face , ( or as other Versions render it , Accepted thy person . ) All beauty is either intellectual , vocal , or corporeal ; in each of which this Lady is recorded to have been eminently accomplisht , being both prudent in mind , eloquent of speech , and beautifull in person ; for which excellent perfections ▪ David after Nabal's decease accepted her for one of his Wives . Hesters Beauty was a means to deliver her people out of the jaws of destruction , to which proud Haman had devoted them . And fair Judiths Charms infatuating the besotted General , preserved her Nation from a Ruine which seem'd inevitable . After those various temptations and tedious afflictions of holy Job , Heaven ( as if it could not bestow a better earthly Reward on such a stupendious and inimitable Patience ) blest him with three Daughters so sweet , fair and attractive , that they surpast those Graces Poets fable of , and the whole World ( Bankrupt of such other Excellency ) could not produce their Parallels . Who reading the Legends of the sacred Virgins , can but admire in them that transcendent Beauty , which the Church vouchsafes to celebrate with such solemn Eulogies of Honour ? especially that immaculate Virgin , the blessed Mary , whose Beauty is said to be so exactly temper'd with Chastity and Holiness , that though it captivated all hearts , yet it never tempted any to folly , so much as in thought . Nor is Beauty only esteemed amongst Men , but seems also to be particularly regarded even by God himself , ( as indeed how can he but respect his own Reflection . ) Thus we sometimes read him commanding all the Males ( even Children ) should be slain , but the Women that were fair to be saved alive . And in Deuteronomy , liberty is indulged to the Israelites , to take one of their Captives to Wife , if she were beautifull , which otherwise was unlawfull . But besides this charming Excellency , which not only invites , but commands our admiration ; Woman is endowed with another natural Ornament , not vouchsaft to Men ; her Hair growing to that becoming length , as to veil those more reserved parts , whereof Modesty commands concealment ; and indeed of that blushing Virtue this sweet Sex may justly challenge the far greatest share , it having been o●t experienced , (*) That in desperate Diseases , they have chosen to expose themselves to Deaths Imbraces , rather than to the view and handling of Chyr●●gions for cure . Nor can Death it self rifle them of this modest bashfulness ; for when drowned , ( as Pliny relates , and Experience proves ) they lye in the Water with their Faces downwards , Nature sparing their Modesty ; whereas a Man in such case swims on his back , exposing all his shame and nakedness to publick view . Further , the most worthy part of us , whereby we chiefly differ from Brutes , is the Head , and of that , especially the Face . Now in Men , that noble member the Head , is often by Age or other Infirmity plundered of Hair , its native Ornament , and grows deformed with a despicable Baldness ; from which misfortune Women by an extraordinary priviledge of Nature are exempt . As likewise their Faces remain alwayes smooth and comely ; whereas Mens are frequently so beset with over-grown Beards , and sordid Hair , that 't is difficult to distinguish them from Beasts ; whence by the Law of the Twelve Tables , it was provided , Women should not shave their ●heeks , lest it might occasion the growth of Beards , and destroy their native pudor and comeliness . Now of the cleanness and purity of this Sex , this oft-try'd Experiment cannot but be a proof beyond exception ; for when a Woman hath once washt her self clean , let her wash again in fresh Water , and it shall receive no spot or tincture of foulness ; but a Man never so well washt , as oft as he washes again , will still leave behind some filth and sordities ▪ Nor may we omit , That Nature hath given Women the greatest share in the procreation of Mankind ; for according to the opinion of those great pillars of the Art of Healing , G●len and Avicenna , she contributes most to the matter and nutriment of the Birth , which may be the reason that most Children resemble their Mothers many times in external features , but almost alwayes in Genius and Inclinations ; for where Mothers be simple , the Children generally prove Fools , and where they are wise , these are witty : but on the contrary , the wisest Fathers have most times Idiots to their Sons , and foolish Fathers frequently get wise Children , provided the Mother be but possest of a competent stock of discretion . And hence it should seem , Mothers become more fond and indulgent to Children , as being sensible of having a greater share and interest in them ; in requital whereof for the same cause , we are naturally more affected towards our Mothers than to our Fathers , so as we seem but to respect our Father , and to love only our Mother . And this leads us to make some reflection on that which is our first Commons in this World , our Mothers Milk , a thing of that Catholick virtue , that it not only nourishes Infants , cherishes the sick , and restores consumptive and languishing Nature , but may in case of necessity suffice for the preservation of life to persons of any age ; a notable Instance whereof we read in Valerius , of a poor young Woman , who therewith preserved her aged Mother in prison , that otherwise had inevitably been swallowed up by the devouring jaws of Famine , whereby She sav'd her Life , who gave her Life before , And kindly did in kind her Milk restore ; Which signal Love and Tenderness not only procured the old Womans Release , and a competent maintenance for her and her Daughter , but for a Monument thereof the Goal was converted into the Temple of Piety , a virtue to which Women are almost ever more prone than Men ; so that Aristotle recounts Piety , Mercy and Compassion , as virtues peculiar to this Sex. Nor is it unusual for Physitians to relate , That the heat of young Womens Paps , applyed to the Breasts of persons worn out with age , doth stir up , augment , and serve the vital heat ; of which David not ignorant , when Age had snow'd her silver Hairs on his Head , and robb'd him of his youthfull vigour ▪ procured the fair young Shunamite for his Bed-fellow , that he might receive warmth from her sweet Caresses , and cherishing Imbraces . Furthermore , to omit that Women are more early ready to accomplish that great end of our being , generation , and the propagation of Posterity , than Men ; and that stupendious Miracle of Nature , their Longing , when many times without danger they greedily feed on raw Flesh or Fish , and not seldome on Coals , Dirts , Stones , and other Trash ▪ which without damage they concoct ▪ and convert into healthfull Nutriment : We only at present adde , That according to the Traditions of Philosophers and Physitians , ratified by Experience ▪ Women have obtained this excellent Boon from the indulgence and bounty of Nature , That in all Dise●ses whatever ▪ they of themselves , from their own proper stock , are furnisht with Remedies ▪ and can cure themselves , without praying maid of any forreign Help , or 〈…〉 . But that which transcends all wonder , is , that Woman alone , without Man , should be able to produce humane Nature , which Man alone never could pretend to ; and yet this is commonly affirmed by the Turks and other Mahumetans , to be feazible ; amongst whom many are believed to be conceiv'd without Fathers , whom in their own Tongue they call Nef●fogli . Stories likewise go of Islands , where the Women are conceived to Conceive by the Wind ; but this we dare not admit into our Creed , for thereby we should injuriously rob the blessed Mary of her Honour , whose alone Prerogative it was to Conceive without the knowledge of Man , when she brought forth her natural Son , our Saviour , of her proper substance , being Impregnated by the holy Spirit , and remaining still a pure and Immaculate Virgin , such fruitfulness attending the precedent Benediction , that she needed not Mans help in reference to Conception . But of brute Animals●is ●is more confidently affirmed , some Females conceive without the ●●●pany of the Male ; as Origen against Faustus , delivers on the credit of History , concerning she-Vultures ; and Antiquity of certain Mares , which went to Foal by the fruitfull Gales of Zephyrus ; of which the Poet , Ore omnes versae in Zephyrum stant Rupibus alti● , Excipiuntque leves Aura● , & saepe siue ullis Conjugtis vento gravidae . Standing on tops of Rocks , the wanton Beast Sucks in the gentle Breises of the West ; Whence she grows pregnant ; and such Colts you 'l find As fleet and nimble , as their Sire , the Wind. What shall we say of Speech , that divine Faculty differencing us from Brutes , whereby the Soul puts conceptions into words , and makes her Apprehensions audible , which the profound Tresmigistus prizes at no lower rate than Immortality ; and the Poet Hesiad deservedly stiles our best Treasure . I appeal to each Man 's own Experience , ( and some I know have had cause to observe it ) whether Women are not naturally more eloquent of Speech , than Men and their Tongues more apt and volub● to cloath their thoughts in Language and express their sentiments on any occasion . How sweet and insinuating ar● their Complements ? how close an● home their Objurgations ? how sudden their Answers ? how ingenious their Retorts ? how ready their Excuses ? how neat their Evasions ? how irresistable their Intreaties ? Did not every one of us first learn to speak from no other Tutors than our Mothers or Nurses ? and in this behalf Nature ( like a carefull Governess ) so wisely provides for Humanity , that scarce ever any of that Sex are found dumb . Nor is this sure any mean or vulgar honour , but meriting the greatest regard , to surpass Men in that , wherein Man himself chiefly excells other Creatures . But pretermitting these more vulgar and prophane Instances of Feminine superiority , let us return to sacred Letters , deducing the Rivulets of our Discourse from the very Fountains of Religion ; where we may observe , That Man was first blest for the Womans sake , God vouchsafing no benediction on him till after her Creation , as if before he had been unworthy that celestial favour . Consonant whereunto is that Proverb of Solomon , He that finds a good Woman , finds a good thing , and shall receive a blessing from the Lord. And that in Ecclesiasticus , Blessed is the Husband of a good Woman , the number of his years shall be doubled . Nor indeed can any vye dignity with him whose good fortune 't is to enjoy a good Wife ; for ( as the same Siracides saith ) she is a Grace above all Graces : and therefore the wisest of Kings calls her , The Crown ; and the great Apostle , The Glory of the Man : Now Glory is defined to be the consummation and perfection of a thing acquiescing and delighting in its end , viz. when nothing more can be thereto added to augment its perfection . Therefore Woman being the Complement , Felicity , Blessing , and Glory of Man , 't is but requisite every Man should love and respect her accordingly ; and he that doth not do so , or shall be so barbarous as to hate or dis-esteem her , is not only a stranger to all Virtues and Graces , but a very Rebel against Humanity . Hereto we might , perhaps not improperly , refer those Cabalistical mysteries , how that Abraham was blessed of God in some respect through means of his Wife Sarah ; for by taking the Letter H from her Name , and adding it to his , he came to be called Abraham . As also that Jacobs blessing was acquired by a Woman , his Mother : of which sort there are in Scripture several other passages , not requisite here to be unfolded . This may suffice to let us see , that the blessing was bestow'd for the Womans sake , but the Law given to the Man : to him was forbidden the fruit of that unhappy Tree , which set all Posterities Teeth on edge ; not to the Woman , who was not then so much as Created . For although St. Gregory (*) read the Prohibition , You shall not eat , as though it were spoken to both Man and Woman , yet the Original delivers it in the singular number . And St. A●stin (*) taketh away the Doubt , and telleth us , That by Tradition the Woman received this Commandment from the Man , not by immediate delivery from God ; which if so , we thence conclude , That by reason thereof the Woman might chance more easily to break this Law , than the Man ; since the All-glorious Majesty of God that commanded , should take deeper impression in Man , than the equality of person that related , could in the Woman ; the roaring of a Lion being more trembled at , than the braying of an Ass ; the Commands of a King more powerfull , than the words of ones Companion . At most , when Woman fin'd , she did it , poor Soul , unwittingly , being deluded by the insinuating Serpent : so that it appears the Man sinned against perfect knowledge , and the positive Command of his Maker ; the Woman out of ignorance , seduced by the crafty wiles of the Tempter , with whom for a considerable time she disputed the matter , and lost not the glory of the day without a fair Com●ate , though at last she fell an unhappy Trophy to his stratagems : whereas no sooner was that too-pleasing Apple proffered to the Man , but without scruple he greedily falls on , and , Rebel as he was , would needs tast its fancied sweetness , whose bitter rellish remains to this day , and hath left on us those original stains , which nothing but Divine Blood can fetch out . That Woman was first set upon by the Adversary , may be an Argument of her Excellency ; for we know , that the sharpest points are soonest blunted , and the perfectest white most easily soil'd . Envy strikes at the best ; who stand on high , Are fairest marks for foulest obl●quy . The black Prince of the Air , that subtle degraded Seraphin , well knew Woman to be the most accomplisht of all Creatures ; and seeing ( as St. Bernard observes ) her amazing Beauty to be such , as before his Lapse he had beheld in the Divine Light , and which above the sublimest Hierarchies enjoys Communion with God , did thereupon meerly out of envy , plot how he might dismount her from that Throne of Perfection , and endeavoured by his malitious Darts first of all to wound her innocency , and sully her glory , whose transcendent Lustre above others , his hellish nature could not but most of all repine at . Nor want we further intimation of the fair Sexes Dignity and Pre-eminence , if we reflect , That when the promised seed of Woman , that bruised this cursed Serpents head , I mean our blessed Saviour , left the bosome of his Eternal Father , and the splendo●s of inaccessible Light , to become visible in these lower Regions , and veiling the Majesty of his glorious presence , cloath'd himself with humane flesh , coming into the World in the lowliest manner imaginable , that by his humility he might expiate the pride of our first Parents sin ; we may with all humble Reverence conjecture , That he was therefore pleas●d to assume the Male , as the meanest and inferior Sex ; contriving by his infinite wisdom , that since Mans offence had reduced us all into this forlorn condition , ( for had the Woman only sin'd , we never had had such cause to cry out , Oh Adam ! what hast thou done ? nor the Apostle to say , In Adam we all dyed ) satisfaction for sin should be made in that Sex , from whom that ocean of impiety which hath overwhelm'd the World , had its first source and origine . But although this blessed Immanuel took not on him the Female Sex , yet he so far honoured it , as to assume his Flesh only from the Woman ; and is therefore entituled , Filius hominis , in respect of her , not of Man , ( which our vulgar Translations seem to have forgot . ) This was that stupendious miracle , the contemplating whereof put the admiring Prophet into an Extasie , That a Woman should encompass a Man ; that is , Christ be conceiv'd in a pure Virgins womb , Impregnated without the Contact of two prolifick Sexes ; that Divinity should be embodied in an earthly Tabernacle , and have its glories shut up in a Cloud of Flesh , like Sun-beams in Curtains of Chrystal . Nor did our Lord afterwards when he had dissolv'd the powers of the Grave , and destroy'd deaths Empire by his miraculous Resurrection , vouchsafe his first appearance to Men , but Women , who are not known at any time to have quitted the faith , or turn'd their backs on true Religion ; whereas Men immediately after his Ascension began to Apostatize . Nor can it be proved , that ever any Persecution , Heresie , Schism , or Error in the Church , had Women for its first Authors , but alwayes Men. By that perfidious and cruell Sex was our blessed Jesus the Lord of Life , and King of Glory , betray'd , sold , bought , accused , condemned , crucified , and slain : yea when he was denied by his own great confident , Peter , and abandon'd by all the rest of his Male Disciples , even then the Women left him not , but accompanied him still to the Cross and Sepulchre ; and Pilate's heathen Wife endeavoured more his preservation , than any of the Men which profess'd belief in him . Whereto we may adde , That almost all School-Divines concur in opinion , That the Church at that instant remained wholly and solely in a Woman , viz. The Virgin Mary ; and therefore this Sex is deservedly by them stiled sacred and Religious . But if any object with Aristotle , That the Male is generally much the strongest , and therefore to be more valued ; we desire such to consider , how contemptible a Glory 't is to boast of big bones , or brawny Arms , and what mean Trophies they can hope to raise to themselves by excelling Women , by those advantages wherein they must confess themselves inferior to hundreds of Beasts . If strength alone must give the pre-eminence , let Men give place to their Horses , confess their Oxen their Masters , and pay homage to Elephants . But in truth they have little reason to vaunt of the strength or prudence , the valour or subtilty of their Sex , having been alwayes shamefully baffled by those whom they vainly call the weaker vessels . What Man was ever able to vye strength with Sampson , whose single Arm no better weapon'd than with an Asses Jaw-bone , could at once sacrifice a thousand Lives to his fury ? yet did this prodigious Hero ( like Hercules ) truckle to a Distaff , and was ridiculously captivated by a Woman . Who could boast a more severe chastity than just Lot , whose righteous soul did daily suffer pangs of grief and indignation , seeing the Sodomites Debaucheries ? yet Women easily inticed him to Ebriety and Incest . Who more religious than David ? yet a bathing Beersheba caused him at once to sully the pure Robes of his Sanctity , with the black stains both of Adultery and Murder . Who so wise as Solomon , who seems to have been Natures Privy-Counsellor , and to have had the honour to behold her undrest ? yet was not all his wisdome Amulet sufficient to guard him against Womens Charms , but that he still placed more felicity in their enjoyment , than in all the curious Contemplations and Researches of Philosophy ; and even abandon'd the worship of that God , who had bestowed those stupendious parts on him , to wantonnize in their Imbraces . Who more fervent and resolv'd in the faith , than Peter , the chief of the Apostles ? yet a silly Damsel caused that great Pastor of the Church thrice to deny his Master . But methinks I hear some whispering , That all this makes more against than for Women , and tends rather to their infamy , than praise . To whom we Answer , That the evil of the before-recounted actions redounds chiefly to Men the actors , rather than to the Women , who were only accidentally the occasion of them . And if the Suns Lustre by dazling our weaker eyes , bring on us any inconvenience , shall we accuse his glorious brightness ; or rather ought we not to bewail the imbecillity of our own Opticks , unable to Cope with so much ●plendor ? Besides , admitting Women to be in some of these Cases Criminal , we could ( if we delighted to be paradoxical ) alledge , That even the holy Scripture seems to put a more favourable construction on their lapses and failings , than on Mens . Is not Rachel commended , who with a neat invention deluded her Father , in his search for her Idols ? And Rebecca , who by fraud procured Jacob his Fathers blessing ? Rahab with a lye deceived those that sought for Joshuah's Spies , and 't is accounted to her for Righteousness . Jahel most perfidiously destroy'd Sisera , as he lay innocently sleeping in her Tent , whither with an entire confidence he had committed himself for preservation ; which signal Treachery notwithstanding , 't is said , Blessed amongst Women shall Jahel be , &c. Read the Story of Judith ; observe well her dissembling Insinuations to Holofernes , and those flatteries wherewith she having lull'd him to sleep , cut off his Head , for which she is applauded and extolled to the Lot's Daughters pass uncondemn'd for their Incest ; and yet their Father is not excused , but hath his succession excluded from the Church of God. Lascivious Thamar is defended , and said to be more just than the Patriarch Judah ; and by that fraudulent Incest obtains the honour to be named in our Saviours Genealogy . But 't is time we dis-entangle our self from this odd Digression and return to the prosecution of our Subject . There needs not any more evident Argument of this happy Sexes Pre-eminence , than to reflect , That the most worthy of all Creatures that ever was or will be , was a Woman , viz. the blessed Virgin. Nor is this any other than one of Aristotle's own Arguments , That kind of which the best is more noble than the best of another kind , is it self more noble than that other kind : now of the Female kind the Virgin Mary is the best . In the Male there arose not a greater than John Baptist ; and how much that sacred Virgin , who is exalted above all the Quires of Angels , doth surpass him , there is no Catholick so ignorant but understands . In like sort we may argue , That kind whose worst is worse than the worst of another kind , is it self inferior to that other kind : but we know , that the worst and vilest of all Creatures is Man ; whether we understand it of that wretched Judas , who committed high treason against the King of Kings , and of whom 't is said , It had been good for him not to have been born ; or whether there shall hereafter arise an Antichrist worse than he , in whom shall dwell all the power of Satan . And here by the way give us leave to remark , that the Scriptures mention divers Men banisht to eternal torments ; whereas we no where read of any Woman damn'd . But to proceed ; Nature her self gives a suffrage to our Assertion ; for in all her productions , when any thing is to be framed more excellent than ordinary , she makes it a Female . Thus the Eagle , the noblest of Birds , and Queen of all the winged Troops , is never found a Male. And the wondrous Ph●nix ( to which the World is too poor to yield a Mate ) is related by the Egyptians to be 〈◊〉 of the Female Sex. But on the 〈◊〉 , The King of Serpents , whom they call the Basilisk , the most mortal of all poisons , is alwayes , and cannot but be a Male , as the more proper receptacle of venome and destructive qualities . Whereas the Excellency and Innocency of this other sweet-natur'd Sex , which we here recommend , is hence abundantly manifest , in that all those black crimes and crying enormities which incense Heaven , and infest Earth , derive their pedigree from Men. Adam the first Man , first lockt up the Gates of Paradise , and by presuming to transgress the Law of his Maker , rendred all us his unhappy Posterity obnoxious to sin , and consequently entituled to the wages thereof , death . And his first-born Son unlockt the Gates of Hell ; first of all introducing that infernal Train , Envy , Murder , Paracide and Despair into the World. The first that ventured on Polygamy was Lamech ; the first Drunkard , Noah ; the first setter up both of Tyran●● and Idolatry , Nimrod , that mig●●● Hunter , who thereby at once 〈◊〉 his cruelty both on body and so●● ▪ Men they were that first establisht a commerce with the Regions of darkness , by treating and making compacts with infernal spirits , and inventing prophane Arts. Men they were whose raging lusts first transported them to offer violence to Nature , whereof the ruines of Sodom and Gomorrah ( once famous Cities ) calcin'd by that unnatural heat , remain to this day a dreadfull monument . To read of Men that have abandon'd themselves to all kind of brutish sensualities ; had two or more Wives ; or been Adulterers , or Whoremongers , is not at all rare or unfrequent . How many Wives had Abraham , Jacob , Esau , Joseph , Moses , Sampson , Saul , David , Solomon , R●boam , Ahashuerus , and a numberless number more , who besides their Wives , had Concubines ; and yet not satisfied , could not refrain tampering with their Servants and Handmaids . But we find not one Woman ( except Beersheba ) mentioned , but was content with one Man ; nor any that made a second Choice , if she had Issue by the first : for Women are naturally far more chast and continent than Men ; insomuch that perceiving themselves unfruitfull , they have oft abstained from their Husbands Bed , and brought in others to supply their places , as Sarah , Rachel , Leah ; and others voluntarily offered their Maids to their Husbands Embraces , to raise them up posterity . But what Man pray ever was there , though never so old , cold , impotent , or unfit for Chamber-practice , that had either so much piety or pity , as to substitute any in his place , that might Impregnate his Wives fruitfull womb with a generous off-spring . We read indeed , that Lycurgus and Solon ( persons rankt by Antiquity amongst the wisest of Legislators ) establisht Laws to this effect , That if any Man weakned with age , or otherwise uncapable of sacrificing to Venus , and performing the Rights of the Nuptial Bed , had taken a young Wife , she should not be confin'd wholly to his fumbling Courtship , but might make choice of some sprightly young Friend , to pay her those Arrears of Benevolence , due from her insolvent Husband , whose Issue should be deemed the Husbands to all intents , and not at all illegitimate . But we find not these Ordinances put in practice ; not so much by reason of the Mens obstinacy in obstructing , as the Womens modesty and continency , refusing the liberty thereby indulged . Nor are Examples wanting of divers Illustrious Ladies , surpassing the best of Men , not only in an exact and rigid Chastity , but also for entire Conjugal Affection . Some out of a passionate tenderness , not enduring to survive their Husbands , have violently cast themselves into the Graves or funeral Piles , together with the beloved Corps . Others have thought no Tomb but their own Bodies , worthy to inshrine the Ashes of their dearest Mates . How religiously have they preserved their Loves flames , as pure and undecaying as vestal fires ? What means have they left unattempted ? What hazards have they not embraced , to serve those to whom Hymens sacred Band hath united them ? Witness Cornelia , who so dearly affected her Pompey , that she would not suffer him to go into the Wars , ( though he were the Worlds Terror ) unless her self in person might wait on him . Witness Demotia , who having lost her Leosthenes , could not find her self , and therefore through solitariness made a speedy voyage to death after him . Witness Sulpitia , who being adjudged to stay , and watched that she should stay at Rome , when her Husband Lentulus was banisht thence , did yet ( notwithstanding the Senates Command , her Princely Fathers Charge , the Love of her City and Countrey , the loss of Friends and Family ) alone expose her self unto the danger of the night , beguiled the watchfull eyes of her strict Guard , brake forth of the City , and Lacquied after him along the fields , until she became the joyfull Companion of his wofull banishment , so little she esteem'd all the Worlds felicity in regard of her dear Lentulus ; and for her Lentulus so willingy she incurr'd whatsoever misery . Witness Panthaea , Rhodogune , Laodemia , Martia , Valeria , Portia , Lucretia , Penelope , Alcinoe , and millions more , whose singular fame herein as it hath caused Antiquity to invest them in eternal shrines of honour , so may their rehearsal enforce Posterity to receive them as the fruitfull patterns of imitation , and so far proselyte the bitterest Woman-hater , as to convert his aversion into an admiration of this Sexes Heroick vertues ; especially if in his thoughts to these miracles of Affection , he adde those mirrours of Chastity , who have bravely slighted all both temptations and torments to preserve their Honour , which they not only scorn'd to prostitute for sordid gain , or aiery Titles , for a flattering Complement , or prodigal Treat , but also withstood the Importunities of Grandees , and defi'd the Menaces of Tyrants , valuing their Virgin-purity more than Crowns , or Kingdomes , or Life it self ; as the Calidonian Atlanta , the Volcian Camilla , the Grecian Iphigenia , Cassandra and Crise , and divers Lacedemonian , Spartan , Theban , and other Virgins , whose Names are embalm'd in History , for the wonder and imitation of Posterity . But here perhaps some barking Zoilus may interrupt us , by objecting the fatal Matches of Sampson , Jason , Deiphobus , Agamemnon , &c. and those Tragedies thence ensuing : in most , if not all which , if we narrowly inspect all circumstances , we may easily find the Women to be wrongfully accused ; for scarce ever do ill Wives happen to any but bad Husbands , and such as by their own vitious Examples debauch them , and teach them to be wicked by a President . We are more easily sway'd by patterns , than by precepts : every Example is a most pleasing Invitation , where the eye is guided unto present action , not the ear fed with fained speculation . A lascivious Husband will make a wanton Wife ; a spend-thrift Husband an extravagant Wife ; and a modest , honest , carefull Husband , a modest , honest , carefull Wife . We should therefore take St. Austin's counsel , and such as we would have our Wives appear unto us , the same should we first approve our selves to them . 'T is an impudent and impious fellow ( saith Seneca (*) ) that requires of his Wife an undefiled Bed , yet he himself defiles it . For this reason ( as Diogenes struck the Father , when the Boy swore , because he had taught him no better ) so in some places the Husbands are punisht only for the faults of their Wives ; as in Catalonia , whoever is Cuckolded , payeth a summe of money ; and in Paris ; he rides in disgrace through the City , the Cryer proclaiming these words before him , So do , so have ; from which our English Custome of Ridings is not much different . Nor do these deplorable Consequences alwayes arise from any extream ill habit or disposition of either of the parties , but from their indiscreet Conjuncture ; their Tempers disagreeing cause their Discord , and their Humours being contrary , are unfit for so close an union ; such jarring Notes can produce no harmony , but rather dismal effects : as a fiery Vapour inveloped in the arms of a cold Cloud , breaks forth with amazing Flashes , and terrible Thunderclaps . A mature deliberation is requisite before such an eternal Bond be entred into : The mutual Affection of each party ; the consent of Parents ; the approbation of Friends ; the tryal of Acquaintance ; the special observation of Disposition , Genius , Kindred , Education , and Behaviour , ought seriously to be weigh'd , before one conclude for better , for worse , and tye that Gordian knot , which cannot be loosed till death cuts it . Now then if a Man make his Choice with these due respects , his Marriage cannot but prove a merry Age , and be crown'd with joy and felicity , because he is guided by Prudence , which never faileth her followers . But if not , he may well be stiled a Fool , since he is hurried on with passion , and a giddy fancy , which easily impoison the best designs . He therefore that is truely wise , cannot but choose a vertuous Wife , and by consequence live happily with her ; and if any take one that proves vitious , it argues his own folly , and so by good reason he ought patiently and without repining to endure her , as the effect of his own Inconsiderateness , and not to aggrandize his misfortune , by quarrelling with his own Choice . Besides , as the Lion in the Fable reply'd to the Fellow upbraiding him with a Picture , wherein was drawn a Man killing a Lion ; Were we Lions Painters , you should see one Lion tearing a thousand Men. So had Women but the power of making Laws , and writing Histories , what Tragedies might they not justly have published of Mens unparalleld villany ? Amongst whom are daily found so many Murderers , Theev●s , Ravishers , Forgers , Fi●rers of Cities , and Traytors , who in the time of Joshua and King David , robb'd in such vast multitudes , that they march'd in a posture of War , and made them Captains of their padding Bands , ( a trick they have scarce forgot at this very day ) whence so many Prisons become crowded , and so many Gibbets loaded with their Carkasses . Whereas on the contrary , to Women we owe the invention of all things usefull or beneficial to Mankind , which may either adorn and enlighten our dark minds , or relieve and accommodate the necessities of our frail bodies . Hence both the Muses and the Graces are said to be Shee s ; and the Names of all Arts , Sciences and Vertues , are Feminine , and drawn by Painters in the habit of Women . Nor was there amongst all kinds of Idolaters , ●●y so much celebrated for Learning and Prudence , as those who paid their Adorations at the Altars of Female-Deities ; such being the veneration and esteem of this Sex of old , that those three principal parts ( which Antiquity conceited to be all the World ) were Christned after the Names of Women ; one taking its Denomination from Asia the Nymph ; the other from Europa , the Daughter of Agenor ; and the third from Lybia , the Daughter of Epaphus , which is also called Africa . If we particularly take an impartial Survey of all kinds of Virtues and Excellencies , we shall find that Women may in each without usurpation challenge the principal place . If we look on Chastity , 't was a Woman first vow'd Virginity to God. If the gift of Prophesie be required , Lactantius , Eusebius , and St. Austin , can tell us with what a divine spirit the Sybils were inspired : and holy Writ records Miriam the Sister of Moses , and Jeremiah's Unkles Wife ; and no less than four Sisters , Daughters of Philip , all eminent Prophetesses . If constancy and perseverance in virtue be regarded , you will find Judith , Ruth , and Hester , so gloriously celebrated by the holy Spirit , Indirer of those sacred Volumes , that the Books themselves retain their Names . If a lively , vigorous , and stable faith be expected , we shall see Men generally come short of Women . The poor Widdow of Sarepta believed the Prophet Elias , though the things he told her could not but to carnal reason appear in the shape of impossibilities . Zacharias was reprehended for his Infidelity by the Angel , and struck dumb ; but his Wife Elizabeth prophesies both with her womb and her voice , and loudly celebrates the praises of the blessed Virgin-Mother , saying , Blessed ar● thou who hast believed the things which are said unto thee by the Lord. To omit the Samaritan Woman , with whom Christ entertain'd Discourse at the Well , and being satisfied with the more acceptable dainties of her stedfast faith , refused the Apostles provision . And that irresistable belief of the Woman of Cananaa ; and her who had the Issue of Blood , who seem'd to storm Heaven , and offer a welcome violence to their Saviour , not to be put off with any denial . Was not the faith and confession of Martha equal to that of Peter ? What a noble constancy of faith and resolution do we find in Mary Magdalen , verifying that saying , She to whom much was forgiven , loved much . For when the Priests and Jewes , blinded with rage and ignorance , Crucified that Messias , whom they had so long passionately expected , she stands weeping by the Cross , a floud of tears flowing from her fair eyes , to see those streams of blood and water trickle from his precious side . Afterwards she brings spices and precious oyntments to embalm his body , but missing it in the Tomb , enquires of the supposed Gardiner , and soon acknowledgeth him to be God ; goes with as much speed as 〈◊〉 to the Apostles , and tells them her Lord is risen : They all doubt the miracle , or rather deride her narration , as if 't were only some dream of her melancholly fancy ; but still her confidence continues , and her faith remains unshaken , even when all those Pillars of the Church seem'd weak and tottering . What shall we say of holy Priscilla , who instructed Apollo , a person learned in Law , and ( as Ecclesiastical Histories inform us ) Bishop of Corinth , which great Apostolical Man was so much a stranger to the pride and conceited humour of our giddy Age ▪ that he thought it no shame to learn of a Woman what he might teach in the Church . If we consult primitive Histories ▪ and turn over Martyrologies , we shall find , those Women who have testified their faith in the flames of Martyrdome , and embraced death and torments , rather than renounce true Religion , not to have been out-numbred by the Men ; all which particularly to enumerate we should be infinite : only give us leave not to forget that wonderfull Matron , deserving a place in all good mens memories , who not only with a divine and incredible patience , beheld her seven Sons perishing in her fight by cruel Martyrdome , but also couragiously exhorted them to death ; and putting her entire confidence in God , was afterwards her self destroyed for the Laws of her Countrey . To this good-natur'd Sex , ( as instruments of providence ) whole Nations stand indebted for their faith , and owe their Conversion . Did not Theodilina , the Daughter of the King of Bavaria , convert the Lombards ? Greisil , the Sister of the Emperour Henry the First , the Hungarians ? Clotidis , the Daughter of the King of Burgundy , the Francks ? and a poor she-Apostle of very mean Extraction , the Hiberti ? each of them illuminating with the bright Beams of the Christian Faith , many thousand souls which before lay groping in the hellish darkness of Pagan Superstiti●n and Idolatry . By this method of Beneficence , doing good to the better part of those we converse with , and promoting the eternal Concerns of Mankind , is true Honour only acquir'd . This alone is the Royal Road to that immense Glory , which will still remain fresh and sparkling , when Pyramids shall lye buried in rubbish , and the noise of victories be forgot ; for so Divinity assures us , They that turn many to righteousness , shall shine as the Stars in the Firmament for ever and ever . But lest any scrupulous heads should doubt of Womens abilities , to dispatch all those affairs which are usually transacted by Men , let us joyn Issue , and try the matter by Examples , and we shall find , That never any difficult Office was manag'd , hazardous undertaking attempted , or brave , generous Exploit atchieved by Men , but the same hath been perform'd as famously , and with as much dexterity and success in every respect by Women . That of old they were Priests , is evident ; for Melissa amongst the Gentiles was so eminent in the Priesthood of the Goddess Cybele , that all that succeeded her were called Melissa . And to pass by Hype●a●stria , the Priestess of Minerva ; Mera of Venus ; Iphigenia of Diana , &c. it may be nothing unpleasant to repeat those various Names , wherewith Bacchuse's she-Priests were honoured ; as Thyades , Bacchae , Menades , Eliades , Mimallonides , Aedonides , Eubyades , Bassarides , Triaterides , &c. Amongst Gods own people too , the Jewes , Moses's Sister , used to accompany Aaron into the Sanctuary , and was by all reverenced as a Priest . Nor are there wanting at this day many holy Recluses , whom Antiquity scrupled not to call ( Sacerdotes ) Priests . Famous for Prophesie hath this Sex been amongst all Nations ; witness Cassandra ; all the Sybils ; Moses his Sister , mentioned but now ; Deborah , Hulda , Anna , and others of old ; besides divers more modern , as Bridget , Hildegard , &c. In Magick , or the inexpugnable Discipline of good or ill Spirits , ( which many talk of , most condemn , and few understand , ) Circe and Medaea wrought more wonders than Zoroastes himself , though most believe him the first inventer of these black Arts. For profound knowledge in the abstrusest parts of Philosophy , were eminent , Thaeana , Pythagoras his Wife , and his Daughter Dama , excellent at explaining her Fathers mysterious Sentences ; Aspasia and Diotima , Scholars of Socrates ; Philesia and Axiochia , both Disciples of Plato ; Pl●tinus extolls Gemina and Amphiclea ; Lactantius applauds Themiste ; the Christian Church glories in St. Katherine , a Lady that alone for Learning surpast all the wisest Men of that Age. Nor may our Memory here without an impardonable crime , let slip the mention of Longinus ; the Philosopher's excellent Pupil Queen Zeno●ia , for her vast knowledge in Letters , and clear understanding , called Ephinissa , whose devout Works Nichomachus rendred into Greek . If we proceed to those soul-charming faculties , Oratory and Poesie , behold a whole Troop crowd about us ; as Armesia , sirnamed Androgenia , Hortensia , Lucretia , Valeria , Copiola , Sappho , Cor●●na , Erimua , Telia , or Tesbia , sirnam'd the Epigrammatist ; Semprania in Salust ; and amongst the Lawyers , Calphurnia . 'T is a proud self-flattering Conceit of the Bearded-Tribe , to arrogate all Learning to themselves , or think the noble Female Sex incapable of making as generous flights towards the top of Par●assus , as they . Womens Phantasies are much more quick and searching ; their memories as tenacious and faithfull ; their judgements as solid ; all their faculties as ready ; and their thirst after knowledge and fame no less intentive , than Mens . Why then should they not with the same advantages , make at least an equal progress in Literature ? 'T is true , our male Dictators strive to monopolize Learning , and having by a brutish custome barr'd the Doors of the Muses Temple against Women , do now pretend they are unable and unfit to enter : yet vain are these their envious designs , to depress or cloud the Glories of this Sex : for indeed Women by nature alone do excell the Professors of Arts , even in those particular Arts which they pretend to ; those Sciences and Accomplishments which Men acquire not without a vast expence of time , waste of spirits , and other inconveniencies , being all in Women as it were innate and con-natural . That this may not seem a naked affirmative , or inconsiderate Rant , be pleas'd to consider , That although Grammarians proudly boast themselves Masters of the Art of well-speaking , as if all must be dumb , or at least barbarou● , that have not submitted to the tyranny of their Ferula ; yet we learn far better to speak from our Mothers and Nurses , who are continually engaging us to prattle , and correcting the errors of our lisping Tongues , than from the crabbed Instructions of those supercilious Pedagogues . 'T was Corneliaes Industry that form'd her Sons the Gracchi's Tongues , to such an admired height of Eloquence ; nor had the King of Scythia's Son Siles any other Tutor to teach him the Greek Tongue , but his Mother Istrinea . When Colonies are planted , and several Nations mingled , do not the Children alwayes retain their Mothers Languages ? For which reason , both Plato and Quintilian have been so exact in giving Precepts for the choice of a fit Nurse , that Childrens speech may rightly be ordered , and discreetly moulded from their infancy . Are not the Poets in their trifling fables surpast by hundreds of old Women ? and Logitians in their contentious brawlings out-done by each Billingsgate-Fish-wife ? Your smooth-tongu'd Orators seem almost Almighty in words , and able at pleasure to raise or calm the passions , by the Magick of their Rhetorick ; yet where was there ever any of them so happy , but that a pretty obliging Wench would out-go him in the Art of perswasion ? What subtle Arithmetician is able to mis-reckon a Woman when he goes to pay her a Debt ; or cheat her of a penny by all his rules of practice or falshood ? What Musitian can equal her for singing ; or dare compare the squeeking of his Crowd to the melody of her ravishing voice ? A silly Gammars predictions have often been answered with suitable events ; whilest the Prognostications of great Mathematicians , and famous Star-readers , ( that boast themselves of Heavens Cabinet-Councel ) serve only to prove their Authors either lying fools , or flattering knaves . How frequently is the Art of the most eminent Physitians forc'd to veil to the skill of a Countrey-Matron ? who with an ordinary Receipt chases away those sullen Distempers , which bid defiance to all the slops and hard words levied against them by Master Doctor . Nor need any of these Artists resent this ill , since Socrates , the wisest of Men ( if you 'l credit an Oracle ) thought it no shame in his wisest Age to learn of Aspasia : nor did Apollo the Divine blush to receive instruction from good Priscilla . Having thus briefly vindicated the fair Sexes Reputation in the Schools , we next proceed to the Court and Camp , and find them there not at all deficient in policy of State , or that civil prudence requisite for the conduct of humane affairs : not so ignorant as many imagine , in State-craft ; that refined skill which dis-imbroils the Intrigues of the Court ; which teacheth the Science of War , and the dexterity of treating for peace ; Womens Wi●s having generally been esteemed more quick and ready in sudden exigents , and most fertile and dexterous for the plotting and carrying on any politick design , or subtle contrivance . No Stratagem did Warriour e're devise , Which first he learn●t not from their catching eyes . Of these she-Machiavils and Feminine Hectors , History copiously affords us Examples ; as Opis , reverenced by the Aegyptians as a Deity ; Plotina , the Wife of Trajan ; Amalasmutha , the Queen of the Ostrogothi ; Deborah , to whom in all cases of difference the Israelites repair'd for judgement , and rescu'd themselves from slavery , by a memorable victory under her conduct . Semiramis , who for forty years with much honour and renown governed the Assyrians ; and Candaces , Queen of Ethiopia , no less eminent for prudence , than power and magnificence , of who● some mention is made in the Acts : but wonders are related by that worthy Register of Antiquity , Josephus , for laying the foundations of Empires , and building Cities ; Semiramis , Dido , and the Amazons , for both skil and success in War ; Thomiris , Queen of the Massagetae , who conquer'd Cyrus , that great Monarch of the Persians ; as also Camilla , of the Nation of the Volci ; and Valisca , of Bohemia , both potent Queens . To whom might be added the Indian Pande , and the Women of Phocia , Chios , and Persia ; with many other Illustrious Viragoes , who in the greatest exigencies , and most desperate shocks of Fortune , have preserv'd their gasping Countreys ; of whom the noble Judith and fair Hester deserve to lead the van , as the glory of their own , and shame of the other Sex. Whilst Rome stands , the Name of that grave Matron Vetr●ria , will be famous ; who by checking the inordinate rage of her Son Cori●lanus , preserv'd that Emperial City , the young Captain at his Mothers perswasions desisting from his unnatural hostility against his Mother-Countrey . Nor can the brave Art●emisia want her due applauses , who destroy'd the Rhodian Navy that invaded her , and to return the civility of their intended visit , subdued their Island , erecting an ignominious Statue in the midst of their chief City , to remain there as a perpetual brand of infamy and reproach . The English Nation were most ungratefull , should they ever forget their Obligations to this Sex , to whose couragious resolution alone , they owe their deliverance from the insufferable tyranny of the Danes . Nor is the most Christian King less engaged , whose tottering Crown was once refixt on his Ancestors Head by a Female hand . That strange ridling Prodigy of valour , Joan of Arc , ( celebrated by some as a Saint , and branded by others for a Witch , ) when the English had almost spred their victorious Ensigns over the whole Kingdome of France , and wanted little to compleat its total conquest , taking Arms like an Amazon , arrested their fortune , put a stop to the torrent of their victories , and by degrees restor'd the withering de Luce● to their former lustre ; in honour of which gallant Enterprise , a Statue sacred to her memory stands erected on the Bridge at Orleans . An innumerable Catalogue could we here produce of most excellent Women , out of both ancient and modern Histories of the Graecians , Romans , and other Nations ; Plutarch , Valerius , Boccace , and many others , having written largely of them : but we study brevity , that our Work may not overflow its intended limits ; for we fancy not those over-grown Treatises which are divided into Tomes and Volumes ; so that we shall not here say so much in Womens praise , but that we shall conceal much more that might , and deserves to be said ; being not so extravagantly ambitious , as to undertake to comprehend or display the infinite Excellencies and Virtues of that Sex , in so curt a Discourse . What Mortals Pen , or Angels Tongue , is sufficient to enumerate and proclaim their praises , on whom depends our very being , and the preservation not only of particular Families , and Republicks , but of all humane kind , which without them would soon decay , and the World in one Century droop into a solitary Desart . This Rome's first Founder well understood ; and rather than want Women , chose to incur a sharp hazardous War with the Sabines , for stealing away their Daughters , without whom his intended Empire had quickly mouldred away , and never arriv'd at that proud Grandeur , to give Laws to all the World. Upon which quarrel , when afterwards the Sabines intending a rescue , had taken the Capitol , and a bloody fight was begun in the midst of Romes Market-place , the good-natur'd Women rushing in between both Armies , their Husbands on the one side , their Fathers on the other , procured by their entreaties a cessation from that unnatural conflict , which ended in an indissoluble peace , both Nations being glew'd together in perpetual amity . Whereupon Romulus caused the Womens Names to be inrolled in the Courts ; and by common consent it was Enacted , That none of them should be put to grynde , or do Kitchin-Drudgery , or any such servile employment ; nor should receive any thing as a gift from her Husband , nor he from her ; that they might not dream of any particular propriety , but know , that whatever either of them enjoy'd , was common to both : ●or he that makes a present to his Wife , offers an injury in a Complement , pretending to entitle her to that by his donation , which is hers before in her own right . This gave birth to that Custome , when the Bride was brought home , to use these solemn words ; Ubi tu , Ego ; ( that is ) Where you are Jack , I 'le be Jill ; Where you are Master , I will be Dame. After the expulsion of Kings , when the Forces of the Volsci , who had espoused the Tarquins quarrel , were advanc'd within five miles of Rome , they were beat back by the sole courage of the Women ; for which gallant service a famous Temple was built , dedicated to Female-Fortune ; and many notable marks of dignity and honour conferr'd on them by Decrees of the Senate : as to have the upper hand in walking , the Men standing up , and giving place when they pass by ; as likewise leave to wear Purple with Gold-fringe , Ear-rings , Jewels , Gold Chains , and other ornaments . And by a Law of later Emperou●s , Women were enabled to succeed in Inheritances , and take Administrations ; and suffered to have their Funerals publickly celebrated with Encomiastick O●ations , as well as the most Illustrious Men. And t was provided , That in all Edicts prohibiting the wearing of any Apparel , Women should not be included : an Indulgence they well deserv●d , since they knew so well how to part with their Ornaments on a good occasion . For when Camillus had vow'd a Present to Apollo of Delphos , and the whole City could not yield Gold enough to make up the summe , the Women freely open'd their Cabinets , and brought in their Rings , Bracelets ; &c. so ready were they to support the honour of their Countrey , though with the loss of what their Sex is said most to delight in . In the War which Cyrus waged against his Grandfather Astiages , the Persian Army being put to flight by the prowess of the Medes , was reinforc'd by the seasonable reproof and exprobration of the Women ; for thereupon shame and indignation infusing fresh courage , they fac'd about again , routed their pursuers , and came off , crowned with the Lawrels of victory ; for which good service Cyrus ordain'd , That as oft as the Kings of Persia entred the City , they should bestow on each Woman a Medal , or piece of Gold ; which was frequently performed accordingly ; yea , and doubled to such as were with Child . Thus were Women , by those ancient Princes of Persia , and the valiant Romans , from the very infancy of their Empire , treated with all kind of respect and honour ; and to this day , by how much each Nation is more civiliz'd , and refin'd from Barbarism , so much greater liberty and honour do Women there enjoy . Nor is there a surer Character of a noble birth , or any thing that sooner discovers a generous education , than a respective carriage , and complacent deportment towards Ladies . That the renowned Justinian had a particular veneration for this Sex , is evident ; for that he thought fit to consult his Wife in the modelling of his Laws , and framing those Institutes , whose excellent prudence all succeeding generations have admir'd : and no wonder , since the Law it self affirms , That the Wife shines in an equal sphear of honour with the Husband ; so as how much soever he is preferr'd in dignity , so much she too , is advanc'd . Thus an Emperours Wife is stiled Empress , and a Kings , Queen , and a Prince's , the Princess , and Illustrious , though they are never so meanly descended . So Vlpian , The Prince ( he means the Emperour ) is absolv'd and free from the Coercive power of the Laws , but the Empress his Wife , though of her self she be not freed therefrom , yet her Husband conferrs on her the same priviledges which he hath himself . Hence by the Civil Law 't is permitted to noble Women to judge , arbitrate , purchase , sell , and decide controversies between their Tenants , or Vassals , and sometimes to retain peculiar Servants , and give Name to a Family , so as the Children shall be called by the Mothers Name , not the Fathers , with several other priviledges , in relation to their Dowers , exprest in divers places throughout the whole body of the Law : Which also provides , That a Woman of honest fame shall not be imprisoned for Debt ; and that the Judge who shall commit her , shall in such case be liable to capital punishment : And if she be apprehended on suspition of any crime , she shall be put into a Monastery , or delivered to the custody of persons of her own Sex. Moreover , a Woman in the eye of the Law is of a better condition than a Man , so that in the very same kind and degree of Crime , he is esteemed a greater offender , and worthy of severer punishment than she . Hence a Man found in Adultery is punisht with death , the Woman only shut up in a Monastery . Many other priviledges of Women you may read , collected by Az● , in his ●●mme on the Title , Senatusconsultum Velleianum , and Speculator of Renunciations , and others . No wonder then if those ancient Legislators , Men grave for their wisdome , and prudent for science , Lycurgus , I 〈◊〉 , and Plato , understanding by their diligent Researches into the most profound parts of Philosophy , that Women were not a whit either for excellency of wit , strength of body , or dignity of nature , inferiour to Men , but equally able in all respects whatever ; did thereupon ordain , That Women should exercise together with Men in Wrestling , and other publick games and pastimes ; and as well as Men , make an inspection into all things appertaining to Martial discipline , as shooting , slinging , casting Stones , darting , handling of Arms , both on foot and horseback , pitching of Tents , Leading up , Marshalling , and setting Armies in Array , &c. Let us peruse the Volumes of credible Historians , and they will assure us , That by the custome in Getulia , ●●●tria , and Galletia , the Men devoted wholly to ea●e● made much of themselves at home , whilst the Women tilled the Ground , built , negotiated , rid up and down , went to the Wars , and transacted all those affairs which amongst us are manag'd by Men. That amongst the Cantabrians , the Men brought the Women Portions ; the Brothers were dispos'd of in marriage by the Sisters ; and the Daughters were the Heirs . That amongst the Scythians , Thracians , and other Nations , all Offices were undertaken by Women , as well as Men. And in their Treaties Women were concern'd ; as appears by the League made between Hannibal and the Celtae , in these words : If any of the Celtae complain that he is injured by any of the Carthaginians , let the Magistrates or Commanders of the Carthaginians who shall be in Spain , judge thereof . If any Carthaginian shall receive damage from any of the Celtae , let the Women be Judges of the same . Nor did the ancient Brittains and Picts regard any difference of Sex , for the soveraign Command , but usually went to War under the conduct of Women , as both Tacitus and Beda witness . From what hath been said , appears conspicuously , as if written with Sun-beams on a Wall of Chrystal , That this Sex are not incapable of , nor were in the primitive and more innocent Ages of the World , debarr'd from managing the most arduous or difficult affairs , till the tyranny of Men usurpt the dispose of all business , and unjust Laws , foolish Customes , and an ill mode of education , retrencht their liberties . For now a Woman ( as if she were only the pass-time of Mens idle hours , or a thing made meerly for trifling Courtiers to throw away their non-sensical Complements on ) is from her Cradle kept at home ; and as incapable of any nobler imployment , suffered only to knit , spin , or practise the little curiosities of the Needle . And when she arrives at riper years , is delivered to the tyranny of a jealous-pated Husband , or cloistered up in a Nunnery ; all publick Offices are denied them ; implead , or sue at Law in their own Names , though never so prudent , they must not ; no Jurisdiction they can exercise ; nor make any Contract that is valid without their Husbands license ; and several other hard Impositions they have laid on them . By which unworthy , partial means , they are forc'd to give place to Men , and like wretched Captives overcome in War , submit to their insulting Conquerors , not out of any natural or divine reason , or necessity , but only by the prevalency of Custome , Education , Chance , or some tyrannical occasion : yet might Womens excellent good natures possibly perswade them calmly to undergo this servitude , did not the male-usurpers adde shame and reproach to their tyranny . But as all slavery is miserable in the account of generous minds , so that which comes accompanied with scorn and contempt , stirs every ones indignation , and can be endur'd by none whom Nature does not intend for slaves , as well as Fortune . Although 't is evident , That unto Woman-kind the World oweth half of its life , and Man is indebted the whole of his love , she being the only adequate object of his affections on earth ; yet Custome spreading like some Epidemick Contagion , hath made it common to undervalue this Sex , and bespatter their reputation with all kind of opprobrious Language , and slanderous Epethites . Each idle Poetaster hath a Rhime to reproach them ; and every phantastick Gull a scandalous Sonnet or musty Proverb to impeach their Honour ; particular reasons whereof , many may be gather'd from the divers humours of their Accusers . Some will dispraise that Woman , whom before they ador'd , because her modesty hath repell'd their unchast desires . Some turn their amorous Complements of wooing , into a barbarous stile of railing , because for want of desert they obtain not Love. Many love not Women , because they know not how to love them ; and most of all Men being evil themselves , love but few things that are good , and thence entertain Women with hatred . Some to make ostentation of their parts , and acquire the title of wits , few with any shew of reason , and none on any just cause , have yet filled the World with Pamphlets , things no less idle in themselves , than disgracefull to Women . But Oh unmanly Men , and stain of your Sex ! Is this a point of Manhood , or any ornament of your valour , to busie your selves for disgrace of Women ? Is this the thankfull Tribute you return to the Authors of your Being ? Is this the Recompence you afford them for their sorrow and pains at your Birth , for their care and diligence in your Infancy , for their love and tenderness , their assistance and endearments throughout your Life ? Such and so many obligations should not ( methinks ) be so easily cancelled , nor such courtesies forgotten , much less so injuriously remembred , as to be repaid with causeless detraction , and immerited invectives . But why speak we to these Men of Gratitude , the greatest of virtues , who never were acquainted with any virtue at all ? It can be no great dishonour to be evil spoken of by them , who never learn'd to speak well of any . We shall not therefore so vainly spend our own or the Readers time , as to take notice of all those black scandals by them cast on this fair Sex , they being only fl●xes of gall , or the purgings of idle brains : only one we must briefly examine , which seems more plausible and passes for currant in the vogue of the World ; and that is , their terming Women , Necessary Evils . This is indeed the common Tenure , and the Comical Wits think they have very judiciously spoken , when thus they have defined them ; which yet in truth is no other than an egregious Solecism ; an errour almost blasphemous . That they are necessary , we needs must grant ; since he that made Man , saw it was not good that Man should be without them . That they are Evils , we utterly deny ; since he that made Woman , saw that all he made was good . Is Woman good then in the judgement of God , and in your conceit also necessary ? then change your phrase , and henceforth stile her , A necessary good . Those very Terms , Necessary , and Evil , are inconsistent : All things that are necessary for Man , are good ; food is necessary , it is good ; Apparel necessary , it is good ; the Fire , the Air , the Earth , the Water necessary , they are good ; Women necessary , therefore good . For else if we suppose God hath bound Man in so hard a Condition , that some things are necessary for him , yet evil , we both impair the wisdome of God , and detract from his goodness . To conclude : If Woman be so necessary for Man , and he of himself so weak and impotent , that he could not even in Paradise live without her ; If Abraham the friend of God be commanded , by no less Authority than the voice of Heaven , to hear his Wife Sarah whatsoever she should say to him ; If Nature have so illustriously markt out Women for the most excellent of all Creatures , and crown'd them most prodigally with the choicest of her ornaments ; Since they in no respect come short of the most celebrated Heroes , and that their Names and gallant Actions have swell'd the Records of Fame , and stand Registred there with such obliging Eulogies ; what remains but that without delay we render them those Homages which such extraordinary Merits challenge ? Let us no longer dis-esteem this noble Sex , or abuse its goodness , or usurp on its Prerogative . Let us allow them those Priviledges which God and Nature have invested them with . Let us re-inthrone them in their Seats of Honour and Pre-eminence . Let us regard them with that Reverence that is due ; pay them that Devotion that becomes us ; and treat them with all that respect and veneration which belongs to such Terrestial Angels . Thus have we endeavoured to shew the Pre-eminence of the Female Sex , from the name , order , place , and matter of Creation ; and what Dignity bounteous Heaven hath vouchsaft thereto above the Male. We have also promiscuously , yet plainly , demonstrated the same from Divinity , Nature , Humane Laws , various Authority , Reason and Examples ; yet have we not said so much , but that we have left much more unsaid ; for we took not up our Pen in this Cause out of ambition , or design to purchase Applause by ostentation of Wit , or Reading ; but meerly as conscious of our Duty , and out of loyalty to Truth , that we might not seem sacrilegiously to rob this worthy Sex of its due Praises , by an envious silence . But if some more curious Head shall find ( as easily he may ) any Argument by us omitted , which he shall judge proper to be here inserted , we shall be ready to acknowledge our Obligations to him ; esteeming it a Courtesie , not an Injury , if by his Wit and Learning he render this well-intended Work of ours better ; to which , lest it swell to too great a Volume , we here affix a final Period . FINIS . Books Sold by Henry Million , at the Bible in Fleet-street . 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Take of this Anti-scorbattical Water , two ounces , heat it as hot as possibly you can , and with a linnen Rag dipped therein , foment the place grieved ; repeat the application often , be it never so hot , it will not produce a Blister , but through Gods great blessing works a perfect Cure. It is to be had at Mr. Henry Millions , a Book-seller , at the Bible in Fleet-street . By the Quart , 5 s. or Pint , 2 s. 6 d. in Glass Bottles , sealed up . This Excellent Water Cures the Scurvey in the Mouth , in Old or Young ; fastens the Teeth ; killeth the Worms in the Teeth ; maketh the Teeth white ; thus to be applied : Take a small quantity in a Galley-Pot , and with a linnen Rag dipped therein , gently rub the Teeth Morning and Evening . It is sold at Mr. Henry Millions , a Book-seller , at the Bible in Fleet-street . A Glass Bottle containing a Quart , 3 s. and a Pint , 1 s. 6 d. Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A26561-e770 (1.) Praised by Po●●crates , and Isocrates . (2.) By Glauco . (3.) By ●a●o●mus . (4.) By Era●mus . (5.) His Book of the vanity of all Arts and Sciences . Notes for div A26561-e2610 By a Book , entituled , A Discourse of Women , shewing their Imperfections Alphabetically . His Books so written . Notes for div A26561-e3950 Homo , ab Humo . Co●nelius Agrippa writ it in Latine . * Ovid. Met. lib. 3 lin . 415. * Ovid. Ep. D●iaa●ra to Hercules . Notes for div A26561-e6300 (*) Lib. 8. Nat. Hist . (*) Thi● Di●course in the Original was ●ed●cated by the Author Agrippa , to the Princess Margaret , afterwards Wife to Maximilian the Emperor , who was her self a fatal Instance hereof ; for breaking her Thigh by a fa●l ●rom a Horse as ●he was hunting , she would ●ot permit any Chyru●gi●●● to set it , but chose rather to die thereof , than prostitute her molesty . See Spee●● Chronicl●● ▪ (*) Greg. l. 35. Moral . c. 16. (*) Gen. ad Lit. lib. 8. cap. 17. (*) Ad Lu● Epist . 94.