THE Good Woman's Champion Or, A defence for the weaker Vessel, being fit for Widows, Wives, Maidens, or others, to read or hear.  
Wherein is vindicated the bitter reproaches, a●… scandalous writings of some fantastic men, against poor●… harmless Women, and Maids.  
With a careful Wives good Counsel to a careless bad Husband.  
By I. A.  
Printed at London for Francis Grove, and are to be sold at his Shop near the Saracens Head on Snow Hill.   

To all the good women in England of what degree soever.  

MAdam, or Mistress, Dame, or courteous Maid  
Your virtues here in brief I have displayed;  
If you be pleased these lines to overlook,  
For whose sweet sakes I penned this little Book,  
In spite of envy, who so harsh did write,  
Seeking for to eclipse your glory quite;  
But you, like silver Cynthia do appear  
Unto your Phoebus, usher of the year;  
Or like those golden Stars so bright that shines,  
Which spacious Heaven in its Orb combines;  
To you, fair Souls, this Work I dedicate,  
Because that malice, virtue still doth hate.  
I am no Pimp, nor Champion for a Whore,  
To usher Punks, or in a Tavern rear,  
The wrongs of all good women I would right,  
I am your Champion, and for you i'll fight;  
My Sword and Pen your honours shall maintains,  
Saluting you, I rest, yet still remain   
The admirer of your virtues, I. A.   

The good Woman's Champion, Or, A defence for the weaker Vessel.  
GEntle Reader, or Hearer, I know it is a hard task to please all fancies, and I am as certain there are many snarling critics in this age, that willout of their malicious wisdoms give a harsh censure on this ensuing Subject; which if they do I care the less, because the matter which I writ of is honest, and in defence of harmless and virtuous Women.  
Therefore when I considered the manifold aspersions, bitter taunts, envious revile, slanderous raylings, and malignant writings of some inveterate ill-bred Spirits (which would be accounted men) against poor harmless, silly, and weak women, who are not able with that little péce of flesh, called their Tongue, (which is their chief defence or weapon) to express, or otherwise to vindicate themselves, in writing the injuries and scandals daily divulged abroad in fantastic Pamphlets & Verses, as the Bear-baiting of women, the Parliament of Women, the Woman-hater, the Gossip's meeting, the Crabtree Lecture, Vinegar and Mustard, and I know not what; for all these, and more are spitefully fomented against that noble Sex, of matchless & immaculate creatures, whose deserved worth to illustrate and set forth I cannot, either with speech, or in writing.  
Those men I say, (whose tongues are like a double-edged sword, their pens made of Goose-quills, their ink of Galls, and their brains adled, who hath neither charity wisdom, or modesty) they surely forget that ever they came of a woman, or had a mother, who (under God) first gave them life, nourished them in her body, brought them into the world with pain, and like the Pelican, fed them with her own blood, and bred them with care & industry such men may very fitly be compared to the Viper, that destroyeth the womb that bore them, and we all do know that ingratitude is a Monster, and she which brought forth such an abortive birth into the world was surely delivered before her time.  
A woman was the most beautiful and rare péce of Architecture that ever was erected upon the face of the earth, and framed by the best workman in the world; for when she was first created or borne, she was not a child or infant but a perfect and complete woman; neither was she made of base earth or clay as man was, but of the purest of her Husband's flesh and blood, being a rib taken out of his side, and next of all to his heart, and therefore (in my opinion) it is against nature, nay against the Law of God, to abuse or hurt the same, being their own flesh and blood, as too many do, which is much to be lamented; but herein the old proverb is truly verified, that the weakest still goes to the walls, and a low hedge is soon stepped over.  
Therefore you satirical Antagonists, and others, that so bitterly inveigh against poor women, if you would be pleased but to view the sacred Scriptures, where you may find sufficient proof that they ought to have more due respect allotted them, than some of you will acknowledge, or profess they should enjoy; and although man be the head, and is (or aught to be) endued with more wisdom and strength than a weak woman, yet he ought not to triumph over, or injure so harmless a Soul, without whom man by no means can subsist; for did not God say of Adam in the creation, It is not good for man to be alone; And further, God saith, I will make him an Helper meet for him; therefore shall a man leave his father, and mother and shall cleave unto his wife, and they shall be one flesh. Thus you may perceive how necessary is the swét society and company of a virtuous woman to her Husband, for she is his helper at all assays, being careful of her family, képing him neat and decent both in woollen, linnon, and other necessaries, cleanly in dressing his diet, and a loving Nurse to him both in sickness and health; wherefore a man ought to love his wife above all the world, they being (as the Lord saith) one flesh.  
If you will hear what St. Paul saith of a woman, it is thus; A woman is the glory of man. And Solomon (the wisest of men) saith, A virtuous woman is a crown to her Husband; now if a woman be a glory to her husband, how is that man blest which enjoyeth such a wife, who doth crown his heart with variety of content; she, like the fruitful Vine bringeth forth swét children (which are the blessings of God) being the fruit of their own loins, who preserveth (if the Lord please) their Father's name to the end of the world by their posterity: And the wise man further saith, Who so findeth such a wise, obtaineth favour of the Lord. O ten thousand times happy is that man, that with a wife can obtain such heavenly favour; but Solomon further addeth, that the price of a virtuous woman is far above Rubies, and let her be as the loving Hind, and pleasant Roe, and be thou ravished always with her love.  
It is the common custom now adays among most men to hearken after wives with a great portion, & rich friends, never regarding how she is qualified, or whether she be addicted to virtue or vice, but wealth is the chief mark at which they aim, & sometimes they hit the white they shoot at, yet come hom by wéping cross; but a poor woman, be she never so virtuous, is not regarded with them; but you have heard her price, and how high a rate the wise man doth velue her at; yet for all this (though a good woman be as loving as the Hind, and pleasant as the Roe to her Husband, séking by all means possible she can to please him, either with kind and loving spéches, or pleasant and modest behaviour) there are some froward men (like churlish Naball) that are never contented with whatsoever she doth or says, when a kind and loving husband would think himself blest to enjoy such a treasure, & be ravished with the love of such a wife.  
If you will be pleased to hear what St. Peter doth say for wives, it is thus; Husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers be not hindered.  
These words are to show Husbands, that there should be a kind of loving duty by them allowed to their wives, and that they should live and dwell together in civil and discreet knowledge, and not with wrangling, discord, and envy; for a wise man will give honour to his wife above all women for many respects; first, because she is his wife (and it may be hath horn him children) then as she is a woman, and a Christian; likewise he is to bear with her imbicilities (if she have any) because she indeed is the weaker Vessel; for God hath joined them together as one body, that they should both be heirs to inherit the grace of eternal life; for where man and wife doth live in unity and peace, their prayers no doubt shall be heard.  
St. Paul writing to the Ephesians saith thus; Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the Church, and gave himself for it. And in another place he uttereth these words; Husbands, love your wives, & be not bitter against them. I could hearty desire that some unkind husbands would take notice, and hearken to those words of the blessed Apostle, with what a tye he doth persuade and exhort them to love their wives, which would almost move a stone to hear; and I could with them to mark with reverence, and to take it to their heart of whom he speaketh, and his comparison, which is the Church; for he coniureth them by no less than Christ, the blessed Son of God, our Saviour and Redeemer, who gave his life for us, to redeem our sinful Souls from Hell and damnation; this is a deep, yet a sweet persuasion to love. The Apostle also exhorteth Husbands not to be bitter to their wives but there are too many now adays that will not hearken to his counsel, but I will use the words of Solomon, who sayeth thus; A contentious man is apt to kindle strife, and hatred stirreth up contentions, but love covereth all trespasses.  
This saying of the wise man methinks should quell those foolish men's follies which utter and write such invectives, and fantastico revile, taunts, and jests against women, for these are those wicked spirits the Devil's Agents, which soweth discord, and breedeth contentions, kindling the coals of strife, hatred, and disdain in divers families betwixt man and wife never persuading to peace, love or unity, which should hid and cover all domestic jars or trespasses; and they make as though a woman were but as a mere cipher, and stood for nothing, but let them know thus much, that a woman is worthy of a far better respect, for she is the vessel of eternity, and is (or aught to be) the closet or cabinet of a man's heart, his summum bonum, or his All in all, his chiefest Secretary, or his second self; for (as it is said) they are one flesh, yet some snarling critics there are who will not blush to say, that unto a woman we should reveal no secret, or that they hardly ever hoard or read of a discrét, virtuous, or wise woman. To answer them in brief amongst many, let them but look into the first of Samuel, where they may find it written thus:  
Abigall was a woman of good understanding, but her husband Naball was churlish, and evil in his do. Now, if she had not been a woman of wisdom & understanding, David had slain her husband and every one of his servants, (for his Family was great) which Abigall, for her wisdom, David did marry after her husband's death. Also in the second of Samuel you may read, how a wise woman saved the City from destruction when it was besieged by Joab. Likewise, did not Holefurnes and his servants marvel at the wisdom of Judeth, and she afterwards saved the City (when he had besieged it, by cutting off his head. Also, Boaz said to Ruth, All the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman. And was not Susanna a virtuous woman, that would rather suffer death then yield to the vicious and wicked Elders, Many more proofs may be objected against those envious backbiters, and standerers of that worthy Sex; for a woman was the vessel of the Holy Ghost, which nourished in her womb, and brought forth into the world (the Redeemer of Mankind) our blessed Saviour Christ jesus; Also, did not divers women follow Christ, and ministered unto him, being present at his death? to whom he appeared at his Resurrection: And did not pilate's wife fore-warne her husband to have nothing to do with Christ's death?  
Having thus briefly written of some virtuous, good, and discreet wives & women, I think it not amiss to say a little in defence of virtuous Virgins and Maids; In the 22. of Deut. it is said, That they are to be punished that bring an evil name upon a Virgin; and in 1 Cor. 7. it is thus, If a Virgin marry she hath not sinned; and was not Jepthas' daughter of Israel a virtuous Virgin, who willingly submitted herself for a sacrifice to fulfil her Father's vow? And did not Christ compare the five wise Virgins to the kingdom of heaven? But amongst other Virgins, me thinks I should not bury in oblivion the memory of our famous Countrywoman, Elizabeth, late Queen of England. who for her time was accounted the Phoenix of Christendom, and admired for virtue and wisdom throughout the world; She kept her land in peace, and her foreign enemies in awe; she was truly religious, for which the Lord ever blessed her to her end; and thus much i'll ●y of her (inspite of envious detractors) she died a good woman, and a Virgin Queen.  
Thus have I in brief related some passages and collections out of the sacred Scriptures in defence of good, virtuous, and barmlesse women, but if there be any that will not believe the same, let them hear what St. Paul saith unto them; unbelievers shall not enter into everlasting rest. And now in my opinion it is unchristian, uncharitable, and immodest, for any man so bitterly to inveigh and write against a woman, which naturally he should love, cherish, and honour (for many respects, as is before said) above all the creatures in this world. I must confess that the conditions and humours of some fantastic men are fickle various, & unconstant; they are double tongued, and false hearted, they will protest, and say one thing, and mean another, as too too many good women have found by woeful experience; for when they sue for love, oh, what dissembling tears, feigned sighs, deep protestations, solemn vows, large promises, and flattering speeches will proceed from their dissembling lips? now many a gentle and tenderhearted Woman and Maid hath compassionated and pitied their Crocadilian tears, and beléeved their perjured vows, which oftentimes hath procured their sorrow; for when such false men have obtained their desires they grow careless, and slight a woman, ae not worthy of their soriety; and for their love, they are requited with reproaches, harsh language, scorn, and disdain. But I speak not this in general, for I know there are many provident, honest, and loving men, that giveth all due respect to their wives, and are careful of their reputation and charge; and I hearty wish that the number of such men were greater, for then so many good and honest women should not feel so much grief, sorrow, and misery, as both they and their families do now sustain.  
I could have written more amply both Divine, and Moral, in defence of virtuous women, but I suppose these few examples will give some satisfaction to the courteous and affable Reader, hoping none will dislike, or take exceptions thereat, unless it be those carping critics before spoken of, which hath written so bitterly and scoffingly against the worthy Sex of women; but I could wish them to petition for peace, and to make their recantations, and to confess their follies, for thus I salute them: 
Blush foul envy, and give o'er,  
Split your Pens, and writ no more,  
Silent be, and hold your tongue,  
Sue for pardon, (that did wrong  
Virtue, goodness, modesty)  
which kind hearts will not deny.    

A careful Wives good counsel to a careless bad Husband, in a Dialogue.  Woman. 
GOod counsel ne'er is out of date,  
(Pray Husband hear me speak)  
But if to me you'll give no ear,  
I think my heart will break;  
Such careful thoughts possess my mind,  
and lodgeth in my breast▪  
My head is troubled night and day  
that I can take no rest.  Man. 
If you will needs turn Counsellor,  
then at the Bar go plead,  
I do not like this Lecture well  
that you to me do read;  
But if your heart and head doth ache  
you may lie down to sleep,  
And there I shall not hear you prate,  
nor such a coil to keep.  Woman. 
You know how every one complains,  
the world is grown so bad,  
All trading now is quite decayed,  
no work is to be had;  
And all provision is grown dear,  
bread, butter, cheese, and meat,  
Fish, roots, soap, candles, oatmeal, coals,  
the price of all is great.  Man. 
All do complain the world is bad,  
that helps to make it so;  
And if that I no work can get  
than I to play must go;  
Indeed my Purse it doth complain,  
that victuals they are dear,  
But the Excise doth grieve me most  
that's set on Ale, and Beer.  Woman. 
Alas, provision must be had  
i we a house will keep,  
And for to run upon the score  
it quickly will grow deep;  
Our children, they want hose and shoes,  
and  unto their back,  
Our shirts, smocks, napkins, towels, sheets,  
all wear, and go to wrack.  Man. 
The Chandler I do know hath chalk,  
go tell him I will pay,  
And though that I am in his debt  
I will not run away;  
Tush, let the children barefoot go,  
the weather ●s not cold,  
 thou shalt want i'll pawn the sheets,  
or else they may be sold.  Woman. 
Good Husband take another course,  
for this is not the way,  
Our Creditors will have their due,  
or you in prison lay;  
And those which now you think are friends,  
if you should need, or lack,  
Will all forsake your company,  
and on you turn their back.  Man. 
That man which doth most money owe  
his credit is not small,  
To those I own, when I grow rich  
I mean to pay them all;  
My company good fellows are,  
and each one is my friend,  
Hang money, 'tis but dirt and trash,  
and it was made to spend.  Woman. 
Wast not your coin for fear you want,  
and that you should grow poor,  
Your Host, when your means is spent  
will turn you out of door,  
She loveth none with her should score,  
or any money borrow,  
To such she will this answer make,  
I trust not till to morrow.  Man. 
Tush, tell not me of this, or that,  
thou lovest for to prate,  
I'll have my humour come what will,  
for baseness I do hate;  
Go wash your dishes, or go spin,  
and do not talk to me,  
I'll play, or ramble where I please,  
and ne'er be ruled by thee.  Woman. 
If you this course of life still take,  
I shall not have a dish  
To wash, or any other thing  
that will hold flesh, or fish;  
And I may take my wheel and spin,  
but you i'm sure will reel:  
Which is the cause that I and mine  
such misery doth feel.  Man. 
What, dost thou think I will be tied  
always to be at home,  
And have no recreation,  
but sit still like a mome?  
I am not of that mettle made,  
but must be frank and free,  
And whatsoever thou dost say  
I'll not be ruled by thee.  Woman. 
If you would stay at home and work  
great comfort you should find,  
It would be pleasing unto God,  
and quiet to your mind;  
You might get money in your purse,  
and have sufficient gain,  
The bread is sweet with labour got,  
●…ir charge for to maintain.  Man. 
〈◊〉 t, do you preach, is this your text?  
your audience is but small,  
The breath you spend it is in vain,  
go prate unto the wall;  
When I do please to work, i'll work,  
when I do please i'll play,  
And to the Alehouse I will go  
to drive sad care away.  Woman. 
To drink and swill distempers you,  
diseases it will breed,  
And those which too much useth it  
have no desire to feed;  
It spoils the brain and memory,  
so doth your Indian smoke,  
Which stinks, that all are near the same,  
they ready are to choke.  Man. 
A Fool, or a Physician,  
thou one of them must be,  
I wonder where you learned this Art,  
you have great skill I see:  
Good drink (you fool) it breeds good blood,  
'tis meat, and drink, and cloth,  
Tobacco drieth up the Rheum,  
and Phlegm that is like froth.  Woman. 
Well, I perceive my words are wind,  
my counsel you disdain,  
All the entreaties I can use  
I see they are in vain:  
But if you follow still this course,  
and all consume and spend,  
We all shall samish, starve, and die,  
and so there is an end.  
FINIS.