A Wedding-Ring Fitted, Text
A VVEDDING-RING: FITTED TO THE FINGER of eueryevery Paire, that hauehave or ſhall meete in the feare of God.
PROVERBS 31.29.
Many-daughters hauehave done vertuouſly, but thou excelleſt them all.
FRom the tenth verſe of this Chapter to the end thereof, (Reuerend, right Worſhipfull and all dearely beloued,) you hauehave, and at leaſure may read, an Artificiall Wedding-ſong; or a diuine Hymn, deſcribing and commending Marriage with vertuous women: pen'd or appointed, as may be probably conceiued, to be ſaid or ſung at Solemne meetings; eſpecially vponupon ſuch occaſions; eueryevery verſe begins with a letter of the Hebrew Alphabet, in order from the beginning to the end: compoſed much after the maner of thoſe Pſhalmes of degrees with Rhethoricall gradations:Pſal 110.121.122.123.124.125, &c. partly they might be more ſweetly vttered; either in parts by many, or altogether by one, to the greater content of the ſpeaker, profit of the hearer, and delight of both; partly the matter therein contained, might be with more caſe remembred, and longer retained.
In it ſelfe, it is a Propheſie, containing much good counſell, therefore called, (if I miſtake not) The Crowne of Solomon:Cant 3.11. good Counſell to a King, reſpectiuely, about the choyce of a wife, is as his Crowne, or the Crowne of his Crowne, for the conſolation of all true hearted ſubiects and preſeruation of the publike-weale.
Goe forth, O ye Daughters of Zion, and behold King Solomon, with the Crowne, wherewith his mother crowned him, in the day of his eſpouſals, and in the day of the gladneſſe of his heart: that Crowne I take to be this Propheſie; wherein, as out of a ſparkling Diamond, you may ſee the reflecting image of true beauty, and read both the worke and worth of a good woman: and fitly may it he called a Crowne: eueryevery wife thus qualified, is a Crowne to her husband, ſaith Solomon elſewhere;Prou. 12 4. her vertues & graces are as ſo many Rubies or glittering Pearles of great price, which doe well become and adorne a Crowne: Goe forth therefore, O ye Daughters of Zion, and behold Solomon with his Crowne, whereon we find this Poſie ingrauen as with a pen of iron, in letters of gold, neuer to be forgotten.
The price of a vertuous woman is farre aboue Rubies.
Take notice firſt of her fidelity:Verſes 11, … the heart of her husband doth ſafely truſt in her; free from thoſe boiſterous ſtormes of iealouſie, and diſtracting cares about houſe-hold affaires, whereby others are toſt day and night, he reſts himſelfe in quiet repoſe, like a ſhippe at Anchor in the calme harbour, knowing his wife will anſwere her truſt, being neuer idle, nor ill imployed.
Secondly, of her induſtry, ſhee ſeeketh wooll,Verſe 13. and flaxe, and worketh willingly; delayes not, till materialls inuite her, but ſends & ſeekes; her thoughts preuent occaſion; her hands and eyes contend with time, ſhe doth thoſe things freely, which others may doe, conſtrained through feare or neceſſity.
Thirdly, of her vigilancy,Verſe 15. ſhe riſes while it is yet night; diligence expels drowſineſſe, and teaches good wiues to remoue darkneſſe by an artificiall Sunne, that the goodneſſe of God in the approaching-light, may be opportunely met (not meritoriouſly matcht) with ſome good worke of theirs: weakeneſſe I know tyes many, but ſloth more, too long in bed; lazie humours are beſt purged by early riſing.
Fourthly, of her charity: ſhe ſtretcheth forth her hands to the poore and needy;Verſe 20. like ſome pleaſant riuer ſhe feeds and clothes the neighbouring valleies, which through the heat of cruelty, or the cold of pouerty, were ready to pine away; hungry bellies and naked armes are the ſubiect of her meditation, it is not enough others know her to be good, except they feele it; helpfull compaſſion is a marke of true deuotion while ſhe feeds or clothes her body with rich dainties, ſhe is obſerued to ſigh and ſay, What abundance doe I enioy, when many a good ſoule wants neceſſaries? her fulneſſe yeelds no ſatisfaction, vnleſſe it ouerſlow by communication.
Fiftly, of her prouidence in gouerning her little Kingdome;Verſe 21.22, 23, 24. like a well-ordered Army, eueryevery one furniſht, hath his place of employment aſſigned; Lawes enacted; houres of examination appointed; & leſt ſhe ſhould erre in iudgement, ſhe lookes well to the wayes of her houſe-hold, her eyes are in eueryevery corner: children learning, ſeruants labouring, all obedient to the becke of her hand and eye, ſuch ſoueraignety ſhines in the face of vertue: ſhe giues maidens a portion; their lauiſh ſingers may not be their owne carners, who care as little in the ſpending, as they did in getting their Maſters eſtate; ſhe clothes her family with ſcarlet, the laſting-weed of deſerued honour; implying what ſhee is, and deſerues to hauehave: makes her ſelfe carpets of tapeſtry; the furniture of her houſe and table is the fruit of her hands, made, not bought; ornaments in a Family are commendable Emblemes of pious induſtry, as more vſefull things; God allowing not onelyonly to ſuſtaine, but to delight Nature: ſhe keepes her husband euer in that decent faſhion of attyre, which becomes his age and calling, ſo that he is ſpecially noted when he ſits in the gates, amongſt the chiefe of the Land: no paines about him is grieuous to her, for whoſe ſake all the reſt are chearefully vndertaken.
Sixthly, of her wiſedome and diſcretion;Verſe 26. in ſpeech ſhe openeth her mouth with wiſdome, her words are few, ſeaſonable and weighty: attire, not curious nor careleſſe, but ſuch as the time allowes in modeſt & graue Matrons: ſtrength and honour are her clothing: & for behauiour; in her tongue is the law of kindneſſe, ſhe prouokes none to euill thoughts by lightnes; neither ſends any from her diſcontented, through ſowre, ſullen, and heauy ſadnes; her carriage is ſo ſweetly tempered with modeſty and humility, that at once ſhe cheares the vertuous and curbs the vicious-minded.
Laſtly, her piety, ſhe feares the Lord,Verſe 30. which is a corner ſtone in this building, the foundation of all; what good ſhe doth, is in obedience vntounto God▪ and will be conſtant in doing, till the Lord leaue commanding:Vide The laſting Iewell. but of this I hauehave ſpoken enough already, vponupon another occaſion, in explaining the two laſt verſes of this Chapter. Who hath or can finde ſuch a vertuous woman? her ſelfe is portion enough, ſhe paſſes her waight in gold: her dwelling is a repreſentation of heauen; O happy man, and therefore happy, becauſe husband to ſuch a wife, who brings ioyfull content to his heart, delight to his eyes, glory to his head, and helpes him keepe a continuall feaſt. Adam might hauehave had a garden, no Paradiſe without Eue; man is imperfect without a wife, vnhappy without a good one; what the heauens hauehave bin thought to be aboue him, and his ſoule within him, that a vertuous wife is indeed about him, like well-tuned Virginals, her life is perfect Muſicke: no harſh ſounds, nor iarring ſtrings on her breſt: if ſhe intreat, it is with humility; if ſhe complaine, it is with teares; if ſhe chide, it is with ſmiles: how can ſhe diſpleaſe, whoſe harmeleſſe thoughts are ſtill intent to pleaſe? he hath put off nature, that finds no content in ſuch a Turtle; not to acknowledge ſuch a helper, argues want of grace: let him ſeeke her that wants one, let him mourne that hath loſt one, let him praiſe her that enioyes one; ſo much is implyed in the Text. Her husband alſo he praiſes her, ſaying, Many daughters hauehave done vertuouſly, but thou excelleſt them all.
The words are a concluſiue branch of the Propheſie; a ſpeech of praiſe deliuered in the perſon of an experienſt husband, and grounded vponupon obſeruation:
Deuiding themſelues into
A Commendation, and
A Compariſon.
Commendation of vertuous daughters, with their number: Many daughters hauehave done vertuouſly.
Compariſon, wherein one ſo qualified is preferred to all, But thou excelleſt them all.
Daughters carry their duty in their name:foreign A radicae. foreign A diſicare. the word in the Originall ſprings from a root, which ſignifies, A building, or to build; and may yeeld vsus a twofold inſtruction.
Firſt, that eueryevery vertuous daughter is a building: and therefore in the creation of woman, it is ſaid, that the Lord built her of the ribbe; as men vſe to doe ſtately houſes, faire, ſtrong,Gen. 2.22. and well-ſeated, for their delight and profit; without which they cannot well be. VVhat Tiſaphernes Lieutenant to the Perſian King ſpake once of Alcybiades, comparing him to a faire houſe of pleaſure,Plul. in vit. Aleybiades. See the Prophets prayer Pſal. 144.12 is truely verified of a vertuous daughter; ſhe is a building both delightfull and fruitfull. Compared for ſtatelineſſe and profit, to a Merchants ſhip, Prov. 31.14. Now in all buildings, we may obſerue coſt, comelineſſe, and vſe; no leſſe in vertuous daughters; comely they are to the eye, many wayes beneficiall, and they want no coſt, will ſpare none, or elſe none ſhould be ſpared for their good: they are the Lords building,Pſa. 122.3. like Ieruſalem, a houſe that is compact together at vnity in it ſelfe: not like the dropping houſe,Pro. 19.13.27.15. mentioned in the Prouerbes, but like our Sauiours houſe built vponupon a rocke;Math. 7, 24 which proues a conſtant defence for the owner, againſt the boiſtrous winds of violent aſſaults, and the ſcorching Sunſhine of alluring temptations, for outward ſtructure of ſeuerall parts in order, for inward furniture, gifts and graces of the mind, admirable: obſerue and ſee, the foundation, turrets, windowes, doores, inner-chambers, all hanged with rich iewels of intellectuall vertues, and diuine graces, and you will ſay, This onelyonly deſerues the name of None ſuch: no building to the ſight ſo pleaſant, none for vſe ſo profitable, as this liuing,Spirabile Coelum. Bodin. li. 1. c. 4. mouing, ſpeaking Tabernacle: I might ſtay you ouer-long in the Entry; ſhould I ſtand to vnuaile the whole Fabricke: you may admire the reſt by what you ſee a farre off, I dare but point to it, and paſſe away: excellency in any workemanſhip, calles for an exact or no deſcription; leſt fruitleſſe haſte ſhould eclipſe the praiſe and glory of the Workeman.
foreignSecondly, eueryevery vertuous daughter is, and muſt be a builder; we hauehave ſeene what ſhe is, idle ſhe may not be, her name implies ſuch action, as tends to perfection: a builder ſhe is, firſt, to her decayed parents, by vpholding the credit of an ancient family, by renewing and continuing their name, and nature with poſterity, & by repairing the breach, age hath made in the ruinous houſes of their bodies, with a timely ſupply of all their wants;Pro. 23.22. a vertuous daughter makes old parents begin to liue young againe, partly by feeling preſent comforts, and partly by feeding vponupon hopes of future happineſſe.
Secondly, ſhe is a builder together with her husband, as copartner, yoke-fellow,Gen. 2.18. and helpe meete for him, in the worke committed to their truſt; if one ſhould build, and the other pull downe, we might expect a Babel, no proſperous building; but Solomon tels vsus,Pro. 14.1. eueryevery wiſe woman builds her houſe, the fooliſh onelyonly plucke it downe with their hands; and that was the reaſon his building in the later end, went ſo backewardly-forward,1. Kin. 1.3, 4, 7, 8. hauing ſo many vicious daughters about him: a good woman raiſes vp the ruines of decayed places, ſtudying how to preſerue her husbands credit and good name, both in regard of God and men; when the contrary, makes the ſtatelieſt turrets ſtoup, through pride,O domus antiqua quam diſpari domino dominaris? ryot and idleneſſe, diſmantling ancient monuments of ſtrength, to bury her husbands honour in the rubbiſh thereof: the dwelling of one is like the pleaſant ſpring, euen in the middeſt of Winter, freſh, gay, and pleaſant: the houſe of the other, like ſtormy VVinter, in the middle of May, torne, ragged, and ill-fauoured:Pro. 24.30, 31. I went by the field of the ſlothfull, and loe, it was all growne ouer with thornes, and nettles, and the ſtone wall thereof was broken downe.
Thirdly, ſhe is a builder in regard of her children, inſtrumentally to giuegive them being,Education of children is the foundation of the Commonweale. and well-being, both for conception, birth, and education, by her induſtrious care, tender infants at firſt, like vntounto the creeping Iuy on the wall, come to be tall and goodly Cedars in Libanon, profitable pieces to vnderprop a declining ſtate; whoſoeuer knowes, hath ſeene or heard of this labour, what it is to beare and bring vp children, will ſay, that ſhe is a painefull builder: her nauſeous pangs before, & ſleepeleſſe nights after the birth, when variety of change cannot alter, nor giuegive content to her teareleſſe cryer; one while ſhe ſits and ſings, to deceiue or flatter the tediouſneſſe of time, with counterfeited mirth; anon ſhe ſighs and weepes, (the burden of her ſong,) and ſings againe,Gen. 3.16. as if variety did eaſe, though not remoue her griefe; all which doe ſufficiently tell vsus, her building in this kind, is multiplyed ſorrow.
Fourthly, ſhe is a builder to her ſelfe, of a good name,Eccleſ. 7.1. which is a rare monument, better then precious oynment, rather to be ſought then great riches,Pro. 22.1. no ſhining titles of fading glory ſo famous, no glittering trophies of ancient Worthies ſo durable, as this building: a vertuous daughter cannot be obſcured, no more then a City built on a hill, Fame borrowing the tongues of ſtrangers to publiſh her deſert: eueryevery action ſpeakes of her, and euen while ſhe ſleepes, the building goes forward.
Fiftly, ſhe is a builder in regard of her neighbours, either by confection of ſalues, diſtillation of waters, or preparation of other neceſſaries for their reliefe, ſupply, and ſuccour in time of need: a vortuous daughter is a true neighbour, eueryevery one neere her is the better for her; Innocency beares ſuch ſway in her, and is ſo powerfully preualent, that ſhe cannot thinke of an iniury with delight, either to doe it to another, or to reuenge it, done to her ſelfe by others; neither will her habituall goodneſſe ſuffer her to be a careleſſe helper; when Satan hath ſowne the ſeeds of ſtrife and diſcord, and ſtird vp men by diuiſion, to weaken themſelues with their owne, hands, ſhe ſleeps not, till thoſe tares be pluckt vp, and peace and louelove replanted in their affections.
Sixtly, ſhe is a builder, in regard of the Church and Common-weale, though ſhe may not publikely be ſeene, in her retiring roomes, ſhe helps forward the building by prayers, teares, aduice, and the labour of her hands: like the wiſe hearted-women vnderunder the Law, who are commended by the Lord himſelfe, as builders,Exod. 35.25. eueryevery one preparing & bringing ſomething towards the finiſhing of the Tabernacle: let not women be diſcouraged, becauſe they are not called to publike offices, vertuous daughters want not imployment,Familia prudenter inſtituta ciuitatis imago, Bodin, l. 1. c. 2. neither are they excluded, (as ſome vnwiſely-ambitious, hauehave repiningly-murmured,) from this honourable ſeruice; by their priuate diligence in pious, exerciſes, the Magiſtrate rules, the Miniſter teaches, the husband-man labours,Right ordering of a Family, is a branch of regal diſcipline. the Phyſician cures, the Lawyer pleades, and the Souldier fights the better: let them not thinke themſelues therefore contemned, or that they can doe nothing, becauſe they doe not eueryevery thing, God hath wiſely diſpoſed of his creatures into ſeuerall rankes, as an expert Captaine doth his Army, allotting eueryevery one ſuch and ſo many talents, as his place required; be content with your portion, the lot is fallen out vntounto you in a good ground.
And ſo you ſee the ſubiect of this commendation, A daughter.
She is a delectable building, onelyonly let her be mindefull, that ſhe weary not her Lord, with ouer much needleſſe reparation; ſhe muſt auoid fantaſtike faſhions, curious gawdineſſe, with all vaine ſuperficiall trimmings; ſuch printed paper-houſes pleaſes children onelyonly, but cannot withſtand a ſtorme, and are iuſtly derided by eueryevery vnderſtanding paſſenger.
She is a conſcionable builder, let her remember, ſhe be not idle, nor ſluggliſh in her labour, but like the ſpinning-Spider, or the gathering-Bee, let her daily bring ſome hony to the hiue: & in this common lation of a daughter, we hauehave three things commended to our obſeruation.
Firſt, the neceſſity and benefit of Hiſtory, to record the vertuous deeds of ſuch daughters: the phraſe here vſed implies ſo much; preſuppoſing a Catalogue of names, laid before the Pen man of this Propheſie, (Many daughters:) Hiſtory vntounto memory, is as a good wife vntounto her husband, a helpe meet for him; in regard of truth, both the mother, and nurce thereof, if the diſpoſer be a man experienſt in the affaires he treates of, iudicious and impartiall: it is a faithfull truſty Councellour of ſtate, by whoſe aduice and direction a Common-weale may be framed, gouerned, reformed and preſerued; an Army ordered, enemies vanquiſht, victory obtained: wee read of Lucius Lucullus appointed Captaine Generall ouer the Romane Forces againſt Mithridates, hauing no experience or knowledge in warre,Praeſat. vit. Plutarch. more then he had gotten by reading Hiſtory, and yet proued a diſcreet & valiant Commander, vanquiſhing at that time, two of the greateſt Eaſterne Princes. It is and may be the directour of meaneſt men in any of their actions; wherein they may ſee without danger, how others hauehave behaued themſelues vponupon ſeuerall occaſions, and what hath followed: ſpeculatiue experience yeelds the cheapeſt wiſedome.
It is a puniſher of vice, preſenting aged folly, greene and freſh to poſterity, not ſuffering ſinne to dye, much leſſe to bee buried in obliuion: the name of the wicked ſhall rot, ſaith Solomon, that is,Prou. 10.7. the euill ſauour of their filthy life, ſhall be conueyed through Hiſtory to generations vnborne: it is a deluſion of Satan, to thinke otherwiſe, ſinne cannot be concealed: venter not on ſinne, vponupon a preſumption of ſecrecie; birds of the ayre ſhall cary the voyce,Eccle. 10.20. and that which hath wings, ſhall tell the matter: many pennes are imployed this way, ſilently to obſerue and note humane paſſages, that ſecret workes of darkeneſſe, contriued in cloſeſt corners, may be publiſht hereafter on the houſe top; men blinded with the gliſtering out-ſides of Satans Ieſuits pleaſure and profit, cannot ſee into priuate Studies, (the vnwilling priſons of rich Records,) nor thinke of that which will diſgrace them in the ages to come.
It is a rewarder of vertue, the proper end of Hiſtory, to reſerue worthy deeds, for imitation; a good worke, though it dye in doing, is a reward to it ſelfe, yet that ſome dull natures might be ſtirred vp the more, and all benefited by ſeeing gracious ſteps before them: this onelyonly is exempted by a firme Dec ee from the ſtroake of death, to liue in Hiſtory, vertues preſeruatiue, againſt the deuouring graue, encouraging many to doe well, that they may heare well; to doe worthily in Ephratah, Math. 4 11. Math. 6.2.that they may be famous in Bethlehem; Trumpets are for glozing votaries, who ſtudy rather to ſeeme, then to be good; let them hunt after applauſe, who know they deſerue not to hauehave it brought home vntounto them: be ſilently conſtant in good courſes, commit your wayes vntounto the Lord,Pſa. 37.5. truſt in him, and he ſhall bring it to paſſe; retired vertue yet neuer loſt her praiſe.
But to returne: the Hiſtory here meant, eſpecially is Gods owne Booke, wherein we find the names of many vertuous daughters; as of Sarah, Deborah, 1. Pet. 3.6. Iudges 5. 1. Sam. 1.25.3.Hannah, Abigail, Eſter, Iudith, Mary, Martha, Lydia, &c. That of our Sauiour is moſt remarkable, enioyning the vſe of Hiſtory, to preſerue the memory of a good woman,Math. 26.13. Verily I ſay vntounto you, whereſoeuer this Goſpell ſhall be preacht thorowout all the world, there alſo ſhall this that ſhe hath done, be ſpoken of, for a memoriall of her: Hence it is that humane Hiſtories in imitation of diuine, hauehave beene ſo carefull to preſent theſe iewels to poſterity, leſt any vertuous daughter ſhould be forgotten: onelyonly this I find, men generally too ſparing in praiſe of good women: ſeeing the Lord hath done it, men may proceed from a certainty of the lawfulneſſe, to a neceſſity, his relatiue actions are for example, and ſo hauehave a binding power, ſaying to vsus as our Sauiour did to the man in the Goſpell,Luke 10.37. Goe and doe likewiſe: it is a cuſtome as commendable as ancient, at funerals, to mention thoſe vertues moſt eminent in the parties deceaſed; whoſoeuer buries vertue in ſilence, or ſlubbers ouer worth in any by a careleſſe ſtile, commits a threefold iniury; one againſt God the Donor, whoſe praiſe and glory is hindered; another againſt the perſons in whom it was, robd thereby of ſome part of their right; and a third againſt all ſuruiuing followers, who ſhould be encouraged by ſuch iuſtice, to wreſtle with vice that ſo at laſt, they might goe home adorned with this Crowne of honour▪ let none enuy the dead; by negligence to enroule good women amongſt this number of many.
Secondly we hauehave here the manner how he commends her, not before he had giuen others their due praiſe: detraction from others, is no ſolid ground, for the commendation of our owne; we may not ſteale from our neighbours, to enrich our ſelues, or thoſe we louelove, with goods or good name, nor diſpraiſe others, to augment our owne praiſe: it was an iniurious practice of the proud Phariſe,Luke 18.14. I am not as other men are, extortioners, vniuſt, adulterers, nor as this Publican: building his owne perfection vponupon the weakeneſſe of his brother; concluding himſelfe (proudly) good, becauſe not ſo ſenſibly bad; ſound, becauſe not ſo apprehenſiuely ſicke as others: it is a cold kind of praiſe, that is drawne from the vices of any, a deceitfull demonſtration, taken from the worſer part: The relation of imperfections, is meat to feed malice onelyonly, ſitter it is to bewaile them in ſecret, then to publſh them with delight for any end; table-talke in any places,Quiſquis amat dictis abſcutum, rodere vitam. Hanc menſam indignam nouerit eſſe ſibi. Aug. is too much faulty this way; it were good Catoes rule might be obſerued; either good of men abſent, or nothing at all: ſo in matters of commendation keepe this method, obſerue and ſee amongſt the multitude if many be religious, vertuous, induſtrious, giuegive them firſt their due, then may you preferre your owne: good order obſerued in doing, beautiſies the action, and commends the workeman.
Thirdly, we hauehave here the matter of his commendation: it is not ſaid, Many daughters hauehave beene beautifull;Prou. 31.30.11, 4, 23.5.14. fauour is deceitfull, and beauty is vanity: nor, Many daughters hauehave beene rich: houſe and riches are the inheritance of Fathers, which profit not in the day of wrath, but make themſelues wings, and fly away as an Egle: neither is it ſaid here, that many daughters hauehave beene, and are borne of high parentage,Qui genus lactat ſuum, aliena laudat Sen. it may be a benefit, no praiſe vntounto women to come of great kinred; a good old ſtocke may nouriſh a fruitleſſe branch, a Noble family yeeld and impious progeny; the commendation runnes not of riches, beauty, or birth, (though theſe be commendable in their place and ranke,) but of vertue.
Many daughters hauehave done vertuouſly.
Teaching vsus this leſſon, That vertue onelyonly wins women true praiſe, and wiues deſerued commendation: we find Sarah commended for obedience, Rebekah, for wiſedome, Rahel, for plyant louelove, ſweetly-winning, and firmely-holding affability towards her husband; Abigail, 1. Sam. 25.3. Ruth. 3.11.for a good vnderſtanding, and Ruth, for vertue in generall: the Spirit of God moues the hard queſtion, not of a rich or beautifull, but, Who can find a vertuous woman? Men may eaſily find faire women wantons, rich women proud, and ſurely, great women idle and impious, more then comly or lawfull; more difficult to find a vertuous woman,Iob 28.15, 16, 17, 19. chaſte, humble, obedient, diſcreet, fearing God; whoſe ſweet compoſure of her ſelfe in all places and company, ſtirs vp in the beholders an admiring affection; let him ſay, and thinke he is rich enough, her prize is farre aboue Rubies, no pinching pouerty could euer lodge with ſuch a Pearle: let him ſay, and thinke,Prou. 18.22, 19, 14. he hath found fauour with God, a prudent wife is from the Lord, who muſt be prayed vntounto before, and daily praiſed after: vertue is amiable, whereſoeuer found, but moſt of all in women; the weakeneſſe of their ſexe, addes a kind of ſtrength and luſter to their graces: vertue from beauty, euen in men is moſt attractiue, but in women, we find it hath a power ſtrangely coactiue, cauſing not onelyonly the good, but the worſt of men to honour it: vertue hath had this priuiledge in all ages; beauty may pleaſe the eye for a time, as an obiect ouer-delightfull to vnregenerate nature, but by the preſence of any of deaths meſſengers, it is put to ſlight, not daring to receiue a thought of death, much leſſe the ſight; riches may ſerue to gild ouer many imperfections in women, and make them ſeeme louely, which neuer were, while paſſion guides reaſon, and the ſenſuall appetite vſurps authority to ſway the will, againſt the voyce of iudgement: the fleſh will be ſatiſfied with either of theſe, the mind fully contented with neither: both are momentary & mutable, inſufficient to make women honorable; that is vertues prerogatiue Royall: honour is a vertue, and will be imployed about nothing but vertue; nor ſtick to any thing but what is immortall, free from change, as vertue is; were there ten thouſand ages, attended with as many diſeaſes, which ſhould come tumbling like Iobs meſſengers, one in the necke of another, yet vertue like ſome impregnable Caſtle, would ſtill flouriſh, out-facing the ſtormes of age, ſickneſſe, death, and the graue: the more vertue ſuffers, the brighter it is,Ʋireſcit vulnere virtus. the longer it liues, the younger it growes, increaſing by the communication, the oftner ſeene and vſed, the leſſe feared to be loſt; theeues cannot ſteale, nor time deface it: who can find a vertuous woman?
Leſt any haſty to anſwere, ſhould be miſtaken, either in eſtimation of themſelues, affection to, or commendation of others, let vsus enquire what it is to doe vertuouſly.
It is no ordinary act of common ciuility, (as many in their conceits are miſtaken,) but an habituall practice of ſomething more then morality: none can doe vertuouſly, without a habit of vertue; one action yeelds no denomination; and whoſoeuer hath the habit of any one in deed and in truth,Augu. Epi. 29. Hieron. Aqui. 1.2. q. 65. art. 1. muſt of neceſſity hauehave the reſt in ſome degree; vertues, (excepting the intellectuall onelyonly, which hauehave no ſuch dependance nor connexion among themſelues,) are linkt as in a chaine together; if you be owners of one, the reſt will follow.
To this practice of vertue, there are three ſorts of vertues requiſite: all hauing, and keeping both their place and time, in a vertuous daughter, the eminency of ſome aboue others, breakes not the harmony: the firſt are intellectuall, and thoſe either ſpeculatiue, as knowledge to diſcerne, wiſedome to direct, and vnderſtanding to chuſe, according to both: or practicall, as prudence which is actiue in electing, and Art, which is operatiue in performing the election, according to the rules of vertue. The ſecond ſort are vertues morall, ſuch are Prouidence, or skill to giuegive good and wholeſome counſell, when occaſion is offered, to order all her affaires by the rule of right reaſon, to their proper ends, for the benefit of humane ſocieties: Iuſtice, by an vpright diuiſion, to giuegive to eueryevery one their owne portion: Temperance, conſiſting in a diſcret limitation of paſſion and affection, about words, dyet, apparell, and pleaſure, that the fleſhy part ouer-ſway not reaſon: Fortitude and well-guided magnanimity, not againſt, but in defence of her husband, his perſon, goods, and good name, boldly to reſiſt all euill motions and temptations, with a conſtant oppoſition of carnall luſts, which fight againſt the ſoule.
The third ſort, are vertues Theologicall, ſuch are thoſe precious graces of Faith to apprehend, Hope, to hold faſt, and LoueLove to glew her to the myſticall body of Chriſt; So that an vnderſtanding, ſober, godly woman, is the vertuous daughter here meant; to be iudicious, induſtrious, religious, in act & exerciſe, is to doe vertuouſly; many daughters hauehave been ſo, many hauehave done ſo, and this is matter of commendation.
Men may eſteeme thus of vertuous daughters in generall; it is not ſufficient in a husband, without ſome ſpeciall application: his owne, if ſhe ſtriue to doe her beſt, and be in any tolerable meaſure ſo qualified, muſt be preferd in his conceit, as moſt vertuous and beſt for him; ſuch direction we hauehave from the compariſon, which is my ſecond part, and comes in the next place to be diſcuſt; Though many daughters hauehave done vertuouſly, yet Thou excelleſt them all.
A Commendation, it is ſomething beyond compariſon; to excell any, yeelds matter of praiſe alwayes; to excell and paſſe all, affords matter of admiration; which ſhewes the power of true affection, to change in reſpect of it ſelfe, the nature of things, and to produce effects aboue reaſon: a hearty Louer can neuer be a ſound Grammarian; Grammarians acknowledge and make vſe of three degrees of compariſon; a true Louer admits no poſitiue, all his compariſons are ſuperlatiue; he thinkes none ſo vertuous, none ſo ſit for him, as his owne portion; and it is better, ſeeing the caſe thus ſtands, that all Grammarians ſhould be angry with vsus, then one God offended by vsus: whoſe will it is, as we ſee here, that one ſhould be preferred to all. Thou excelleſt all: A good woman muſt be ſingular in good.Deliuered not abſolutely, in regard of any one here meant, and pointed out in the Text, (though ſome might coniecturally appropriate it, to Bathſheba, or to the bleſſed Virgin Mary,) neither is it to be vnderſtood, as meant, or ſpoken of any, out of pride, vaine glory, flattery or a boaſting humour, (it is vnlawfull for men ſo to praiſe or preferre their owne,) but reſpectiuely, with diuers limitations and ſo applyable to any: as firſt, in regard of qualification, ſuch a one anſwering the deſcription prefixt,Videa ver. 10. ad finem. is preferd to all that doe not, and are not ſo.
Secondly, in regard of the husbands ſpeciall notice and knowledge, many hauehave done vertuouſly, but thou in my iudgement and apprehenſion excelleſt.
Thirdly, in reſpect of his affection and liking, amongſt many, none appeare to him ſo vertuous.
Fourthly, in reſpect of his contentation with the endowments of his yokefellow, he is beſt pleaſed with her endeauours.
Fiftly, in regard of his reſolution, vponupon the former grounds, forſaking all, to cleaue vntounto her, aboue all others; whoſoeuer meets with a vertuous Daughter, thus qualified, is bound in conſcience to thinke and ſay, To me thou excelleſt all.
foreign Aradicè foreign Scandere. Aſicadere.The word ſignifies to aſcend by climbing: as men in the field of warre doe aſpire after honour, ſo women in the calme ſchoole of vertue, doe ſtriue to goe higher, degree by degree, ſtep after ſtep; yeelding vsus many leſſons worth our obſeruation.
Firſt, that eueryevery vertuous Daughter is humbly high-minded and holily-ambitious after the beſt things; climbing to aſcend, that they may excell in eueryevery good worke: the Apoſtle doth elegantly expreſſe it of himſelfe, which I may here apply vntounto them;Pſal. 3.13.14. they count not themſelues to hauehave apprehended, but this one thing they doe, forgetting thoſe things which are behind, and reaching forth vntounto thoſe things which are before; they preſſe towards the marke, for the price of the high calling of God, in Chriſt Ieſus: it is the property of a diſpoſition baſely ſeruill, alwayes to looke downewards, and to thinke it ſelfe high enough, before there be any beginning to aſcend; whence it comes to paſſe, that many conclude they can doe nothing, becauſe they dare not patiently thinke of the difficulty of doing; iudging ſinfull ſluggiſhneſſe, to be contented humility; when noble ſpirits aſpire daily after high and difficult things inoſſenſiuely.
Secondly, that the way of vertue is the way to honour and preferment, in the louelove of God,Prou. 11.16. and opinion of good men: in Rome there was no comming to the Temple of honour, but by, and thorow the Temple of vertue: though it be narrow, yet it is an infaillible way: whoſoeuer climbes in by the windowes, as into the Church,Iohn 10.1. ſo vntounto honour, is a theefe and a robber; by treading vponupon the pins of an vnlawfull ladder, men and women may aſcend, not excell; either by the miſt of deſerued cenſure, they are couered, and ſo not regarded, or elſe through the ſuddaineſſe of a ſhamefull fall, they hauehave no leiſure to embrace their ſeeming happines; when vertue aduancing any, like the radiant Sunne expels all cloudes, and makes them ſhine in the fulneſſe of ſtrength; obſerue and ſee, whether ſuch as went in any other path, did euer finally proſper? When women riſe by falling, men by fawning and flattery, paying money, in ſtead of practiſing vertue, the higher they goe, the rarther will their infamy fly abroad; onelyonly vertue leades to true honour.
Thirdly, that vertuous daughters hauing once begun, neuer leaue good and godly courſes, till they hauehave perfected their vertues by action: ſhe that lookes backe, is not ſit for the Kingdome of heauen; remember Lots wife: it is a miſerable thing to hauehave beene happy; when that may be verified of them which the Apoſtle ſpeakes of his Galatians, Yee did run well: yee were vertuous, chaſte,Gal. 5.7. ſober, religious: But, &c. Goodneſſe is diſcerned and commended by continuance; either reſolue to goe on, or begin not; climbing is painefull, yet men vſually deſiſt not; till they attaine the top, and end of their deſires; eſpecially if their aime be at ſuch fruits, flowres, & ſhowes, as are in this eminent Garden of vertue; good women are no leſſe valiant, with vnwearied patience, to vndergoe the heat of the day, knowing they ſhall not be depriued of their hope; their labour cannot be vaine in the Lord:1. Cor. 15. vlt. Reu. 2.10. perſeuerance vntounto death, brings a Crowne of life.
Fourthly, that ſuch vertuous women muſt not want encouragement by commendation: giuegive them the fruit of their hands, let their owne works praiſe them in the gates; Many daughters hauehave done vertuouſly, &c. There was a feaſt ordained and kept in Rome, Plut. vit, Rom.called, Matronalia, in honour of thoſe women, which procured a peace betweene the Sabines and the Romanes; with diuers priuiledges annexed vntounto it, as to giuegive them place in all publike aſſemblies, to ſpeake no diſhoneſt words, nor doe any vnſeemely thing before them; it is a ſin to be ſilent in their praiſe, that deſerue it, prouided it be done iuſtly, ſeaſonably, & diſcreetly: I would not wiſh men to dawbe ouer rotten poſts with deceitfull colours, to burden vicious women (their owne wiues,) with vndeſerued praiſes; nothing more fooliſh and ridiculous: I would not hauehave men make their wiues, though good and vertuous, the ordinary ſubiect of their talke, in all places and company; no cuſtome more vnſeemely, if not dangerous; but when conuenient occaſion is offered, to ſpeake the truth of them, for the glory of God, manifeſtation of their comfort, and excitation of others, by ſuch good example.
Fiftly, that vnderſtanding husbands, are beſt pleaſed with the vertuous actions of their owne partners: many hauehave done vertuouſly, but thou to me, in my eye and iudgement excelleſt all; A duty I confeſſe, eaſier to thinke, and ſpeake of, then to performe: an impure, adulterous heart, thinkes directly the contrary, that any mans wiſe his better th…n is owne; Satan caſts many rubs in the way, ſhewing men through a deceitfull glaſſe, and ſaying, See, and obſerue in ſuch a one, handſomneſſe, beauty, wit, diligence, farre excelling thine; enioy her at leaſt in deſire; and preuailing paſſion, yeelding to this temptation, blinds iudgement; ſo that many there are, who hauehave and doe deeme their owne choiſe worſt of all, nothing pleaſes, that paſſes from them, no, not when it is the ſame, which they approue and admire in others: therefore the vnderſtanding muſt be conuinc't, the heart ſeaſoned with grace, the eye emptied of adultery, and the mind freed from the reſtleſſe motion, and perturbation following deſire of change, before any can ſay truly of his owne vertuous ſecond, Thou excelleſt all. Take Solomons counſell;Pro. 5.15, 16, 17, 19. drinke waters out of thine owne Ciſterne, and running waters out of thine owne Well, let thy Fountaine be bleſſed, and reioyce with the wiſe of thy youth; let her be as the louing Hind, and pleaſant Roe; let her breſt ſatisfie thee at all times, and be thou rauiſht alwayes with her louelove; giuegive affection leaue here to extend her ſelfe ſomething beyond truth, either there is no way to erre, or no danger in erring this way.
To wind vp both, the Commendation, and Compariſon on one bottome; I ſhall conclude all with the time, in certaine ſpecialties, by way of application.
The whole may ſerue to informe vsus, firſt, that men ſhould be experienſt, able to diſcerne good from euill, vertuous from vicious women, before they make choyſe of a wife, that men ſo ſoon as they are married, ſhould be able to commend good wines, is expreſt in the Text▪ that they ſhould be as able to condemne the euill and vicious, is neceſſarily implyed; none can commend a good one, but he that knowes a bad; and can diſcerne thorow the vaile of hypocriſie & maske of diſſimulation, leſt one be miſtaken for the other, vertue vnderualewed, and vice approued; ſuch euents are common, where experience is wanting: hence it is, many marry they know not what, and may amend their choice, they know not when: When Ceſar was to paſſe Rubicon againſt Pompey, he left the land with this reſolution, as I remember, That a man could be vndone but once; As it is in the gouernment of a Common weale, or in the ordering of an Army, a Commander can erre but once, (which is a miſerable happineſſe,) ouerthrow and ruine following ſo cloſe, he cannot hauehave leiſure to be twice faulty. So oftentimes it fals out in the choyce of a wife, men hauehave not leaue to change often, one bleſt or croſt, euer ſo, during life: it is a practice dangerous & intolerable in a well-gouerned State, to force an vnion betweene young yeeres; where there is no actuall power to chuſe, nor iudgement to diſcerne; common reaſon tels vsus, we ſhould be long in doing that, which can but once be done, leſt after we vainely wiſh it were to doe againe: beaduiſed, it is a long bargaine; raſh aduentures yeeld little gaine.
Secondly, we are further informed, that vertue is the chiefeſt flowre in A good wiues garden: for this ſhe is commended, preferd for this; riches, beauty, parentage, fauour, and proportion grow in lower rankes, and ſerue to adorne the borders; the heart is vertues place; which ſhowes it ſelfe to be aliue,Math. 7.16. by the preſent fruits of vertuous actions; none hauehave choſen well, who hauehave preferd any thing to this, in their choyce: looke firſt on beauty, and you buy a Picture; looke firſt on riches, and you make a purchaſe; looke firſt on parentage, & you match with a multitude at one time; but looke firſt on vertue, and it is a marriage indeed, two made one by a myſticall vnion, repreſenting that betweene Chriſt and his Church:Epheſ. 5.26, 27, 28. the Law may tye two together, that meet vponupon ſiniſter ends, vertue onelyonly vnites them; therefore this is moſt excellent and praiſe-worthy; all other flowres dye in Winter, this flouriſhes moſt in old age; others droupe vnderunder the ſtormy blaſts of hoary Autumne, while this enioyes a perpetuall Spring.
Thirdly, we are hence informed that wiues ſhould therefore ſtriue to excell one another in vertue chiefly:Plut. vit Lyeur. Licurgus made the Lacedemonians equall in liuings and riches: his reaſon was, that they might ſtriue to excell one another in vertue onelyonly: I ſeeke not ſuch a Law, ſuppoſing equality of deſire this way, may well ſtand with inequality of condition: the excellency of riches and pouerty conſiſting in this ability, through a vertuous diſpoſition, to make a right vſe of either: we ſee many contend for ſuperiority in place, who ſhall ſtand, ſit, and goe before; we may obſerue women ſtriue with their neighbours, who ſhall excell in decking and trimming their bodies, adorning and ſetting forth their houſes, following new faſhions, and out-ſtripping one another in exceſſiue feaſting: euident ſignes of great lightneſſe, to wreſtle about, or deeme themſelues the better, for any of theſe trifles: emulation onelyonly in the race of vertue, is worth commendation; Couet earneſtly after the beſt things,1. Cor. 12. vlt. ſaith the Apoſtle, Who ſhall be moſt rich in grace; moſt zealous and forward in good duties; who ſhall excell moſt in the vertues of humility, temperance, chaſtity, modeſty, prouidence, charity, &c. ſuch couetouſneſſe is commendable, ſuch contention the iſſue of ſinleſſe-ambition: let all care giuegive place to this, all ſtrife be turned into this, how you may excell one another in vertue, ſo ſhall louelove regaine her ancient ſoueraignety amongſt neighbous, in ſpight of enuy.
Fourthly, we may hence learne, that married perſons ſhould conſter the actions one of another in the beſt ſence; to ſay, and thinke, (if it be true in any tolerable manner,) their owne choyce excels all others: and that firſt, in token of their ſubmiſſion to Gods diſpoſition, who ordaines meet matches, allotting to eueryevery body his owne ribbe: ſecondly, to manifeſt their contentation with their portion, when they can ſay heartily, their lot is fallen out vntounto them in a good ground: thirdly, for a teſtimony of the truth of their affection each to other; it is one property of louelove, to couer a multitude of infirmities, and ſometimes to iudge that excellent, which is but weakely good; wiues paſſing by their husbands faults, husbands pardoning their wiues failings, that ſo a good opinion may be ſtill kept warme in the lap of mutuall affection.
Firſt, the husband muſt thus thinke of his wife, and ſeaſonably expreſſe it, for a comfort to her againſt all her paines and trouble in child-birth, and family affaires, as alſo to encourage her continuance.
Though many daughters hauehave beene vertuous, yet none ſo ſit for me, thou excelleſt all.
And to that end it is required ſhe be, firſt, religious, a profeſt ſeruant of Chriſt, going and drawing others with her in the way to heauen; for how can ſuch be ſaid to excell amongſt men, who are ſo farre from this ſpirituall exerciſe, of climbing Iacobs Ladder, that they neuer yet lookt vp towards heauen, with any ſettled purpoſe to goe thither? vnderunder this I comprize piety, charity, & ſobriety, in words, food rayment, pleaſure, &c. ſecondly, that ſhe be oſſicious, a builder together with her husband; readie and willing, both in regard of earth and heauen, body and ſoule; vnderunder this, ſhe is enioyned to be louing, obedient, helpfull in all good things, to the vttermoſt of her power; Let ſuch a husband ſo inricht, remember to be thankefull vntounto God, who hath done more for him then parents, his purſe, or all the world could doe; good ſeruants are a bleſſing, good children a greater, but a good wife beſt of all.
Some may reply here, and demand, How can we ſay, as you teach, without ſinne, when we ſee and feele the contrary? I anſwere, firſt, it may be ſo, many daughters hauehave beene vicious,Dub. pag. 243. impoſt. yours worſt of all; naturally women are wauering, weake, vnwiſe, ſight, credulous, newes, louers, giuen to lies: Many hauehave beene and are irreligious, enemies to profeſſion in the powet thereof; Many are giuen to pride, idleneſſe, wantonneſſe, drunkenneſſe; witneſſe thoſe conceited conditionall Lawes, attributed to Zaleucus the Locrian, reſtraining women, that none ſhould be attended with more then one maid in the ſtreet, except when ſhe was drunke; that none ſhould goe out of the City in the night, except ſhe went to commit adultery, and that none ſhould weare gold or embrodred apparell, except when ſhe purpoſed to manifeſt herſelfe to be a common ſtrumpet.
Many are giuen to lying, ſwearing, curſing, brawling, and fighting, like deuils incarnate, (ſuch ribbes are Satans ſhaftes, taken from the ſides, to be ſhot againſt the heart of man to vexe him, and to be as rottenneſſe in his bones) and yours it may be for want of grace, are worſt of all: of ſuch neuer thinke nor ſay, that they excell in vertue, it is no part of the Doctrine here taught, but the contrary; women muſt doe things praiſe-worthy, that will be praiſed.
Secondly, blame your owne choyce; beauty, or riches was the Starre that ledde you, how could you eſcape ſhippe-wracke? you ſought not for a vertuous mate, no maruell if you found her not: but ſhe was once better: take heede then; ſome vntoward behauiour in you, may occaſion thoſe vnruly paſſions in her: a wife is like a ſhippe, well ſteered, ſhe goes ſmooth, if otherwayes, ſhe be guided by an vn-skilfull hand, ſhe turnes and tumbles would make one ſicke to ſee her: how-euer, know it is a burden laid on you by the Lord, to chaſtiſe your former folly, trye your patience, or to exerciſe your skill.
Thirdly, ſuppoſe many failings in your wiues, yet if there be a will to doe well, (a wiſe man may eaſily diſcerne betweene habituall wickedneſſe, and intermiſſiue frailties,) deale with them as you would God ſhould deale with you,
Accept the will
For the deed:
Suffering, is the way to victory; to yeeld vntounto them in ſome things, is a meanes to make them more obedient in all.
Secondly, the wife muſt hauehave the ſame conceit of her husband, elſe the Ring goes not round. Though many ſonnes hauehave done vertuouſly, thou to me excelleſt them all: and to that end, hee muſt bee, firſt, iudicious, a man of vnderſtanding, able to manage the affaires of his generall, and particular calling;1. Pet. 3.7. vnderunder this I containe wiſedome, knowledge, experience, ſobriety, Chriſtian care, to prouide for his charge, &c. want of diſcretion accidentally begets contempt.2. Tim. 5.8.
Secondly, he muſt be courteous in his behauiour towards her, (a churliſh Nabal can hardly be brought within the compaſſe of this round,) good words, and lookes, giuegive women great content, eſpecially from thoſe they louelove: I would not hauehave men ſo ſoft and ſillie, as to be diſpleaſed with nothing, neither to be ſo hot, and haſty, as to bee angry with eueryevery thing; there is a golden meane: and vnderunder this I place patience, bounty, familiarity, like that of Iſaak with Rebekiah, Gen. 26.8.encouragement in good and defence of her perſon, and name againſt all others: Let ſuch a wife ſo enricht, remember to pay the debt ſhee owes vntounto God, of praiſe and thankes; is not ſuch a husband better vntounto her then ten ſons?1. Sam. 1.8.
But alas, I am ſo matcht as neuer woman was, many husbands hauehave beene vicious, mine worſt of all? I anſwere, Firſt, it may be ſo in your conceit onelyonly, want of affection with deſire of change, may miſlead iudgement: Secondly, ſay it be ſo indeed, hee runnes abroad, frequents Tauernes and Ale-houſes, miſ-pends his time and meanes in gaming, &c. take-heede you bee no cauſe thereof; Many are ſo light-heeled, and nimble-tongued, their husbands hauehave no delight to ſtay within. Thirdly, how-euer it be, prayers and teares will proue your beſt weapons, with a patient expectation of his reformation, knowing it to be the iuſt hand of God, for your youthfull wantonneſſe and neglect of his ſeruice: the beſt counſell I know to giuegive you, is,
Pleaſe him, and
Pray for him.
Laſtly, be you all aduiſed; if married, to examine your condition for a perfect vnion is attended with this opinion; if vnmarried, reſolue to match with none, except you bee thus perſwaded of them: reſiſt Satans ſuggeſtions, all carnall motions, whereby many vntoward marriages are made amongſt vsus, that you may weare out this conceit each of other as your
Wedding-ring.
The benefits following, which may moue you to put it on, are many. Firſt, all harſh conceits are hereby preuented or remoued, what is done or ſpoken, ſhall be well taken; one weyghing ſtill the workes of the other, in the ballance of good-will, either finds none, or freely pardons the want of weight.
Secondly, no ſtrife can be raiſed betweene you, which is not ſoone appeaſed; paſſion and ſuſpition may preuaile ſo farre, as to darken, but ſhall neuer liue ſo long, as to put out the eye of affection: their iarres are attended with words, (louelove offended cannot long be ſilent,) words beget lookes, and lookes are followed with ſmiles, ſo the ſtorme is layd.
Thirdly, good example is giuen, to children, ſeruants, neighbours, and to the Church of God: O, how pleaſant a thing is it, to ſee man and wife to ſpend their dayes in perfect amity? one bearing, the other forbearing, both ſtudying to giuegive content: ſo that other may ſee that happineſſe which they cannot attaine, and be driuen to admiration, though not to imitation.
Fourthly, hearty louelove ſhall be maintained and encreaſed daily, ſo that you will neuer deſire to change, hearts nor hands, with any other; the longer you liue, the more louing you will be, ſuch vertue there is in this Wedding-ring: pray you may find it; endeauour to weare it, reſolue to liue and dye with it, that men may after fixe it as an Epitaph on your tombes, to be ſeene and read of all with iuſt applauſe.
I end with prayer for you both: the Lord guide you with his Spirit, ſeaſon your hearts with his grace, and make you truly vertuous, that as Iſaak and Rebekah, Iacob and Rahel, you may build vp the houſe of your fathers, liue peaceably, and dye comfortably; that ſo this which hath beene ſpoken for you on the day of your meeting, may be verified of you, after the day of your parting.
Many ſons and daughters hauehave done vertuouſly, but you hauehave endeauoured to excell them all.
To God the Father, God the Sonne, and God the holy Ghoſt, be giuen all honour and glory, now and for euer.
Soli Deo gloria.
FINIS.
End of the text · William Crompton, A Wedding-Ring Fitted (1632)