The virtuous Wife is the glory of her Husband; OR, A good woman in her proper Colours. Who for Beauty, Modesty and Grace, Her comely Carriage, and her virtuous Life, Was nere ashamed yet, for to show her face, And own her name, ( The good and virtuous Wife.) Many Daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Look on her comely Face, her virtuous dress, Tis neat though homely, you must needs confess, Her very gesture shows a mind well fraught, With grace and goodness, hating all that's nought. you see her, Buy her, red her at your leisure, Twill tend as much to profit as to pleasure. THE virtuous WIFE Is the Glory of her Husband; OR, A Good Woman in her Proper Colours. showing at large the Rare Endowments, Excellent qualities, that are as Ornaments and Jewels, which bedeck the breast of the truly virtuous Woman. Also ten Characters, or rare Jewels, hanging in the Crown of the virtuous Wife, who is the Glory of her Husband, the honour of her age, the mirror of her Sex, the best Earthly Portion in the world. Likewise many examples, as well Modern as Divine, Queens, Princes, and Ladies, eminent for virtue and Goodness. Lastly, A few counsels to all young men to be wary in their choice, if ever they would obtain, that portion of portions, and Incomparable Jewel, the Good Wife. Prov. 31.30. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but the woman that fears the Lord, she shall be praised. By L. P. A well-wisher to all Good Women. Printed for T. Passenger, at the three Bibles on the middle of London-Bridge. 1667. The Epistle to the Reader. COurteous Reader, I here present unto thy view, a true description and Character of a virtuous Wife, set forth in her proper colours. Perhaps thou mayst wonder, that I would undertake to writ any thing in the defence of that Sex, which so many have spent their railing discourses against: the more need therefore there is, that something appear in Print for the justifying of those, whom so many condemn. Dare you say( because so many appear to be bad) that none are good? Examples in all ages and in the worst of times, do at large declare, Famous Monuments of virtue, wisdom, and all graces are to be seen of women. Because some are wantons, Dare you say all are unchaste? though there be some counterfeit Gold, so there is some true Gold; and though men happen on a wicked dissolute woman, yet all do not so: some thrive by throwing the Dice: as there is dross, so there are some Jewels: as there is gull, so there is some Honey. Therefore Condemn not all for one, but be advised to be wary in thy cho●ce, and be not afraid to lie in the grass, because a snake lieth there. Men are not afraid to go to Sea, because some men are d●owned at Sea: neither are men afraid to go to bed, because some men die in their beds; so be not afraid to mary, because some men have ill fortune by Marriage. But behold this book, and see the Lively character of the virtuous wife drawn to the life. A virtuous woman is a good mans portion. Endeavour after virtue thyself, and in time thou mayst find to thy happy content the Rare Jewel, called a Good wife, which are the hearty wishes of the Author. L. P. LO here the matchless pattern of wife, In virtue clad set forth unto the life; For good behaviour, modesty and wit, And other graces, which her mind befit: A perfect wife, a virtuous comely Dame, A virtuous Woman is she called by Name: He that enjoys her, hath all worldly good, A blessed portion, clothed in flesh and blood. H'hath got himself a pattern for his life, More ●hen a woman, better then a wife. Beauty affords content but to the eye, Honour Jllustrates what it cometh nigh. These are but compliments, 'tis inward worth, That onely sets a virtuous woman forth. Go virtuous Dame and show thy inward grace, Thy outward carriage, gesture, wit, and face: That he who sees thee, may wish 'twere his fate, To live and die with such a virtuous Mate. The Good Portion for good Men: OR, A virtuous Woman a good mans Portion. Many Daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. OF Men that have been remarkably virtuous, and patterns for piety, and all other graces, Histories as well Modern as Divine, have very largely discoursed of: and infinite of examples of all Ages and Generations do in abundance witness the same. Yet should I recount them all, They can never exceed th● piety and virtue which I have red of in Women, who have been famous for all virtues. I shall therefore in the first place endeavour to lay before you the Character of a virtuous wife, in nine or ten Particulars, and then leave a few counsels and wholesome rules, for the practise of young men to attain the Subject, called, The virtuous wife. 1. The first Character of a good Wife, is this; She is one who hath the fear of God before her eyes, though the Daughters of Zion be haughty, and go with a stiff neck, and all their actions bespeak their Pride, the virtuous Wife will endeavour in all things to keep a conscience voided of offence both toward God and toward Man: though others can sin with a high hand, and commit iniquity with gréediness, she dares not, will not, disobey God, for fear of that wrath and judgement which is denounced against all those who break his Commands, but she walks not as a fool but as wise, Redeeming the time, knowing the days are evil: so in hopes of that recompense of Reward promised to the obedient, she perseveres to the end in every good work, and will not, though to gain a world, let the fear of man over-sway and overbalance that fear of God which is always& upon every account before her eyes. 2. The second Character of a virtuous Wife, is this, she'l endeavour to live in love with, and subiection to her own husband: she's not ready to render railing for railing, and back-biting for back-biting, but follows the example of vertous Sarah, who obeied Abraham, and called him Lord: Though her husband be a daily temptation to her, and a great provocation to stir up wrath in her, yet she is equally balanced, and will love in the midst of envy; she by her virtue will conquer all difficulties, and throw down all temptations which might arise in her spirit to the doing of any evil, or to the committing of any revenge, but is ready to render good for evil, love for hatred, she is far from the spirit of revenge, she is resolved to live in love, as Christ hath loved her, and given himself for her, she resolves to accompany her master every where, even at such a time when his Disciples left him: as the love of God remains sure, so shall her love and subjection remain to the end, in the midst of all opposition; and in this she is the admiration of all, and a rare pattern as well as a good portion for good men. 3. The third Character of a virtuous Wife, is; she is one who is clothed with the garment of humility, 1 Pet. 3.3. whose adorning, let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, or wearing of gold, or putting on apparel, but had rather let it be the hidden man of the heart, even the ornaments of a meek and quiet spirit, which being in the sight of God of great price, she desires to be clothed with it, she desires to be found in a humble frame of spirit before the Lord, knowing the contrite and humble spirit the Lord will not despise: and this is a goodly ornament in a womans breast, and is accompanied with great renown: for while some lofty looks cannot endure the sight of a poor wretch, the woman adorned with humility, will out of the virtuous inclination of her spirit, endeavour to be serviceable in her place and generation, and show her piety even to poverty: she visits the poor, and refreshes the bowels of the needy, and her Christian prudence is set before her eyes, to make every thing seem reasonable that is aged by her: humility is a comely ornament in a womans breast. 4. She is one who hath learned the rare jewel, and incomparable art of Christian contentment: come riches or poverty, liberty or restraint, honour or dishonour, life or death come what will come, she hath learned in every estate to be content: hath God sent her a wicked husband, a man of Belial, a man of a contentious spirit, and froward disposition, she by the help of God is resolved to live in subiection to him, and therefore is ready to give a good example, and grows better, and his sin is a whetstone to her grace, and a medicine for her security: in this she is the glory of her sex, and the mirror of her age, for though others have their dainties,& delights: Content is her best dish; in the want of all earthly comfort and enjoyments, she can sit down with content, and say with the Psalmist, The Lord is my portion, therefore I shall not want: She knows that discontent is a viper in the breast, that spits venom in the face of God, therefore resolves in her self to hinder the over-spreading of this freting leprosy in her soul, and so continually kéeps spirit in an humble frame, not in any thing extoling her own worth or defects. 5. A fifth Character of a virtuous wife, is Patience: hath she crosses either inward or outward, she is resolved to let patience have its perfect work. A hasty froward spirit is contemned by her, she had rather follow the example of Job, then Jobs wife, though her body be afflicted, her mind distempered, and she be continually surrounded with sorrow, yet will she wait upon God patiently all her appointed time, until her change come. And this grace is an enemy to all hasty and rash spirits, with grief of spirit and trouble of heart it is; which when she considers that daring speech of Job's wife to her husband, when she bad him curse God and die, for enduring those afflictions from the Hand of God, she would not for a world tempt the Lords patience so much, by forgetting her own duty and work of patience in her soul. 6. A virtuous wife, is a map of sobriety and modesty. Stubbornness, and obstinacy, are herbs that grow not in her garden, her pride is only to be cleanly, and her thrift not to be prodigal; she scorns the company of tattling Gossips, and is more seen then heard: in her face and gesture, and in all actions, you may red nothing but virtue. Birth, Beauty, Wealth, unless with grace mixed, Are too poor things for generous hearts to fix, Sobriety and modesty, in one, Are Jewels rare which grace the head alone. 7. She is very careful of her domestic charge. Though wantons and careless houswives are gadding abroad and wantonizing among their companions, and cares not which end goes foremost at home, yet the virtuous woman, out of the generousness of her spirit, is resolved to be a pattern to all women, and will be so diligent in her domestic charge, that no one shall have the least cause to cast the least aspersion upon her: she will be very careful to provide things necessary for her family, in this she is resolved to preserve her Reputation unspotted; for what ever private employment she hath of her own, she is careful first about her household charge, to see that every thing be done in due order, showing her self in all things a pattern for good houswives, and is likewise an honour to her Husband. 8. She is of a pleasing and sweet disposition: she hates the humours and ill qualities of those pouting Dames, who think that the best behaviour which is accompanied with pride and Majesty. Now the virtuous will know no difference between the Knight and the beggar, the Lord, and the Peasant, but will be very courteous to all, that he who runs may red virtue in all her actions. 9. A virtuous Wife is accompanied with Chastity and courtesy, which two godly qualities reduce a Woman into a perfect temper: the praises of Chastity are innumerable. Daphne resisting the wooing of Apollo, was turned into a laurel, after which he always wore a laurel in his Hat, to testify his Love. 10. A virtuous Wife wears prudence& discretion in all her actions: beauty makes them but human, but prudence makes them more like divine; if beauty wins them love, prudence makes them worthy of admiration. When Theseus was exposed to the Mercatour in the Labyrinth, who furnished him with means for his delivery, but by the discretion and prudence of the Princess whom he served, else he had never been disentangled from those intricate windings. When Lason was to serve as a prey to the furious Bulls that kept the Fleece, was it not Medea that Enchanted them? and made the passage free unto the Prince, to carry that away which none durst enterprise. In a word, the man that enjoys her, hath a happy portion, and hath great cause to bless God for his infinite goodness, for sending him such a comfort as a good wife, who for her virtue can parallel, whose greatest learning is Religion, dishonesty ne'er comes nearer then her ears: she hath content of her own, and séeks not a Husband but finds him, the good of her Husband is the business of her actions, she doth nothing more then love ●im, she is made up of goodness. And as she's good, she likewise is discreet, All heavenly graces in her breast do meet: A soul, a body, not a soul alone, Goodness, and wit, and beauty all in one. All pride fast bound in chains behind her lies, Foul lust and envy from her presence flies: And on her breast in golden Letters writ, Mans best beloved, and most chiefest delight; He that in's choice doth meet with such a wife, May well rejoice all the days of his life. Histories make mention of women famous for all virtues, amongst which, lets not forget the merit of memory, our late most illustrious queen Elizabeth, of happy memory, who was a Saba for her wisom, a warlike Amazon for her magnanimity, a Cleopatra for her bounty, and a Camelia for her chastity: all men have spoken too little, no man can speak too much: sacred be still her memory to us on earth, as her blessed soul lives ever blessed in Heaven. Here succeeded( though not in absolute Monarchy) yet a Princess of unspotted famed, incomparable Clemency, and immatchable goodness, and most remarkable virtue) queen Anne, whom all degrees honoured, all Nations loved, and no tongue was ever heard to asperse with the least Calumny, and by whom none had ever the least cause of sorrow, unless in the lamentable loss of so Grave and Gracious a Princess. And amongst famous Women, lets not forget the late hopeful Lady, the Lady Elizabeth, who for all Princely virtues was the mirror of her Age, and the glory of our Nations! Of Ladies Renowned for Chastity, and other virtues, whole Volumes are filled with Lucretia being adulterated by Sextus Tarquinus, after she had sent to her Friends to acquaint them with her injuries, because she would not live to be a by-word to Rome, nor preserve a defiled body for so noble a Husband, with a Knife which she had hide under her garment, stabbed her self before them all. Likewise of women eminent for conjugal love unto their Husbands, I have red of one Pandorus, who had a beautiful young Wife, to whom he was ardently affencted: she on a time earnestly desired him to forbear all conflicts with the enemy, to endanger both himself and her to ruin; but he by no means would harken to her entreaties, which caused to beg of him, before he went to end her fears, and transpierce her body with his Sword, which he denied, and went out to the battle: but at the first Onset, the whole Army was overthrown, and himself slain, and his beautiful wife immediately took captive, and carried to the King: whose great beauty much astonied him: insomuch that after a short time he desired her in marriage, which she put off with all possible delays: insomuch that he resolved to attain that by compulsion, which he could not by persuasion: which coming to her ears, she retired in private by her self, and wrote these words and left them upon the Table. ( Let none report, that the Wife of Pandorus harboured so little love as to out-live him.) And then she immediately took a Knife and pierced her self. Thus having given you in brief the true Character of a truly virtuous Wife in her Ornaments most richly decked, and for her graces for ever be admired. I shall now give a few Counsels to the honest young men of this age, to be wary in their choice, to see that they be careful to choose such as are thus qualified: for as there are good and virtuous women, so on the contrary there are too many that are a shane to their S●x, a dishonour to their Parents, and the sole troubles of a Family: therefore young men, when ever you find a woman clothed wi●h all those Ornaments of virtue, bless God for it, and take her as a rare jewel, a Princely Portion, lent you to improve to your good, and his glory. 1. Be careful young men in your choice, because on it dep●nds one great part of your welfare here on earth: without this, all your joys will be mixed with abundance of sorrow. What is a greater cause of comfort and joy here on earth, then a virtuous wife? she is a comfort of Youth, the staff of Age, a jewel, a Cr●wn, an Ornam●nt to her Husband: therefore young men be wary, as ever you would have ioy and comfort in this worth, let it not be enough that beauty adorns her face, but see that virtue adorns her actions: for the Proverb may of● prove true: Under a fair face may be hide a false heart. Thou canst not be too cautious in this thy choice: therefore be as wary as thou canst. 2. The second counsel I would give young men, is this: As I would have you look into her qualities and conditions, so inquire after the Life and Conversation of her Parents. If the Parents be virtuous, they will endeavour as near as possible, to trace up their Children in the way they should go, that when they are old they may not depart from it: this way, though not always sure, yet it is the surest way thou canst go. Mark diligently, and inquire after her behaviour, see that she be virtuous, wise, and kind, such a Wife will make thee a happy man, and thy life shall be a comfort, which otherwise would be a burden to thee, therefore account of her as the onely treasure thou enjoyest upon the earth, and the rarest jewel that ever thou didst or shall enjoy in this world. 3. choose one that is virtuous, because she looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness: A virtuous Wife is a credit to her Husband. see the wisest of men, even Solomon, his commendation of a virtuous woman: in the last Chap. of the Prov. from Verse 10 to the end▪ Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above Rubies. The heart of her Husband can safely trust in her, so that she shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life: She seeketh Wool and Flax, and worketh diligently with her hands: She's like the Merchants Ship, she bringeth Food from far. She ariseth also while it is night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her Maidens: she considereth a Field and buyeth it, with the Fruit of her hands she planteth a Vineyard, she girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms: she conceiveth her merchandise is good, and her candle goeth not out by night: She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff: she stretcheth forth her hands to the poor; yea, she stretcheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the Snow, for all her household are clothed with Scarlet: She maketh her self coverings of Tapestry, her clothing is Silk and Purple. Her Husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the Elders of the Land: she maketh fine linen and selleth it, and delivereth Girdles to the Merchant. Strength and honour are her clothing, and she shall rejoice in time to come: she openeth her mouth with wisdom, and in her Tongue is the Law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness: her Children arise up and call her blessed, her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many Daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and Beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the Fruit o● her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates. Here is Solomons Emblem of a virtuous wife at large described. Be Cautious then in your choice, and lay this as a pattern before your eyes, as ever you would live happily here, and blessed hereafter: Endeavour to find the subject insisted on. The virtuous Wife. So shall your Life A blessed end procure, A blessing come by such a Wife, That ever shall endure. FINIS. COURTEOUS READER, Th●se books following being of a small Price, and worthy thy perusal, are printed for Tho. Passenger, at the three Bibles on the middle of London-bridge. THe christians combat, or his true spiritual Warfare, by C. Love, late Preacher of the Word in the City of London. The wise Merchant or the pearl of price, by T. Calvert, Minister in York. The Book of Graces, with prayers for Morning and Even●ng: These are sold for three pence a piece. The School of Learning, or a Guide for Children, being a book of Prayers for every day in the week, Morning and Evening, and Graces before and after Meat, with a short chatechisme, fitted for the weak capacities of little children. The sinners warning piece, or Heavens Messengers, by T. Robins, B. of D. The scholars winter Garment, or the garment of Righteousness: by T. R. B. of D. Englands golden Legacy, or a brief description of the manifold mercies the Lord hath bestowed upon this sinful Nation. A Wonder of Wonders, or Gods people, the Worlds wonder, by R. Hough. Gods message from Heaven, to sinn●●s on Earth, by T. P B. of L. Christ upon the across, suffering for poor Sinners. Gods call to unconverted sinners, to tu●● from their sins and repent, a very useful and comfortable book. These Eight Books are very useful and profitable for all that shall make use of them, and are sold for two pence a piece. FINIS. licenced according to Order.