Gods Holy Mind Touching Matters Moral, Tract 2 · Part 51
Now to that relation that is betweene certaine persons in the family; of Superioritie and inferioritie, which is by calling, as betweene the husband and wife; and first concerning the wife.
Quest. Wherein standeth the due respect, and due cariage of the wife towards her husband?
Answ. In yeelding three things vntounto him, namely,
Subiection,
Loyaltie, and
Faithfull LoueLove, Helpe, and Comfort.
Quest. What is that subiection that the wife is to yeeld to her husband?
Answ. This; an humble, ready,Gen. 3.16. Rom. 7.2. and willing yeelding and submitting of her selfe to the gouernment of her husband.Ephes. 5.22, 23 24. Col. 3.18.
Quest. Wherein standeth the wiues humble, ready, and willing submitting of her selfe to her husband?
Answ. In yeelding two things vntounto him?
Quest. What is the first of those?
Answ. Reuerence both inward and outward.
Quest. What is the inward reuerence that the wife is to yeeld to her husband?
Ans. This; shee is to carry in her mind a reuerent opinion and estimation of her husband, she is to thinke reuerently of him,Ephes. 5.23.33. 1 Pet. 3.2. and to carry in her heart a reuerent awe and feare to offend him in any thing, acknowledging him as her Head, though he be neuer so poore or meane in the world.
Quest. What is the outward reuerence that the wife is to yeeld to her husband?
Gen. 18.12. 1 Pet. 3.6. 1 Tim. 2.9, 10, 11, 12.Answ. It is a manifestation of her inward reuerence by outward meeknesse and lowlinesse, expressed in her speech, giuing him reuerent titles and termes: and in her countenance, and in all her behauiour towards him.
Quest. What is the second thing wherein standeth the wiues humble, ready, and willing submitting of her selfe to her husband?
Answ. Obedience, in being obedient to her husband.
Quest. What is the obedience that the wife is to yeeld to her husband?
Answ. This; shee is willingly to yeeld her selfe to be commanded,Gen. 12.5. Gen. 13.1. & 31.4.16, 17. 2. King. 4.22. 1 Pet. 3.6. gouerned, and directed by him in all things honest and lawfull, though they bee neuer so crosse and contrary to her owne minde; according to her abilitie, doing what hee giues in charge to be done, and forbearing to doe that which hee forbids.
Quest. Is a wife that is very wise, and more fit to gouerne then her husband, hee being of meaner parts, and of weaker iudgement, to yeeld her selfe to bee gouerned by her husband?
Answ. If the husband be franticke or mad, and altogether bereft of the vse of reason,Ephes. 5.22. Coloss. 3.18. Titus 2.5. the wife is not bound to subiect her selfe to his gouernment: but if hee hauehave the vse of reason, though it bee but in small measure, shee is not exempt from yeelding obedience to him, though she be neuer so wise: the Apostle speakes generally, Ephes. 5.22. Coloss. 3.18. Tit. 2.5.
Obiection. 1 Sam. 25.19. Abigall went out and told not her Husband, who though he was foolish, yet not altogether void of vnderstanding.
Quest. How is this to be answered?
Answ. The case was such, as that Nabal and all his Familie were in danger to loose their liues, and if she had consulted with Nabal, it is likely he would hauehave hindred her from going, therefore she went and acquainted him not with it, as it appeares vers. 34.1 Sam. 25.34.
Quest. Is a good and gracious wife to yeeld obedience to a wicked husband?
Answ. As he is her Husband she is, for so he beares the Image of God, be hee neuer so vile; but not as he is a wicked man and commands wicked things: for Wiues are to submit themselues to their Husbands in the Lord. Coloss. 3.18.Coloss. 3.18.
Quest. What is that loyaltie and faithfull louelove, that the Wife is to yeeld to her Husband?
Answ. This;Por. 2.17. & 31.12. Rom. 7.2. Tit. 2.4. a constant keeping of the Marriage couenant made with her Husband, and a constant yeelding to him all duties of louelove that concerne her so long as they liue together, with desire to giuegive him all holy contentment.
Quest. Wherein is the loyaltie and faithfull louelove of the Wife to her husband, to be expressed?
Answ: In two things especially.
Quest. What is the first of those?
Answ. This; in her chastity:Pro. 31.11. Tit. 2.5. 1 Tim. 3.11. she is to be chast and faithfull both in her mind and body to her Husband, and to keepe her selfe to him only.
Quest. What is the second thing, wherein the loyaltie and faithfull louelove of the wife to her husband, is to be expressed?
Answ. This; in her secresie: shee is to keepe secret the honest intents, sayings, and doings of her husband, which he would not hauehave discouered; and to hide and couer his faults from all, sauing those who may helpe to better him, and pray to God for his amendment Pro. 11.13. of a faithfull heart. Pro. 12.4. by her busie tongue. Pro. 11.13. both for chastity and secresie.
Quest. What is that helpe and comfort that the wife is to yeeld to her husband?
…en. 2.18. … Cor. 11.9Answ: This; she is to bee helpefull and comfortable to him, both in respect of his body and outward estate, and also in regard of his soule.
Quest. What is the helpe and comfort the wife is to yeeld to her husband in respect of his body?
…en. 27.9. …ro. 31.15.23. …ccles. 4.9.10.Answ. This; she is according to her ability, to vse her best endeauour to preserue his body in health; and if it bee sicke to tender it, and to looke to it with all carefulnesse and diligence.
Quest. What is the helpe and comfort the wife is to yeeld to her husband, in respect of his outward estate?
Answ. This; she is as much as concernes her in her place, to helpe him in the gouernment of the Family, and as the Lord makes her able, to be prouident for his estate, by exercising her selfe in some profitable imployments,1 Tim. 5.15. Pro. 31.13. to 29. by appointing her Maides their worke, and ouerseeing them therein; and by wise ordering of her children and seruants, instructing and admonishing them, as occasion is offered.
Quest. What is the helpe and comfort the wife is to yeeld to her husband, in respect of his soule?
Answ. This; she is to vse her best indeauour, to refresh his heart with comfort in the time of heauinesse and sorrow,Iob. 19.17. 2 King. 4.9.10. 1 Tim. 2.1.2. and to stirre him vp, and to helpe him forward in good duties; and to ioyne with him in the performance of them, and to pray for the good of his body, and the good of his soule.