The Mothers counsell, OR, Liue within Compasse. Being the last Will and Testament to her dearest Daughter, which may serue for a worthy Legacie to all the Women in the World, which desire good report from men in this world, and grace from Christ Jesus in the last day.
Liue within Compasse: In Chastitie.
FIrst my Daughter vnderstand, that Chastity is the beautie of the soule and puritie of life, which refuseth the corrupt p [...] sures of the flesh: [...] onely possessed of those who ke [...] [...] [Page 2] bodies cleane and vndefiled; and it consisteth either in sincere virginitie, or in faithfull Matrimony.
The chaste soule is a rich chamber, onely fit for Christ.
The most bountifull God is a chaste and pure Spirit, and therefore aboue all things thou oughtest to call vpon him with chaste prayers.
If the body be not kept pure and vnspotted from whoredome, the Soule can hardly be feruent in deuout prayer.
Pure chastity is beauty to the Soule, grace to the body, and peace to all worthy desires.
Beautie is like the flowers of the Spring, but chastitie like the starres in heauen.
So must the flesh be nourished, that it may serue thee; so must it be tamed, that it be not proud.
As nothing is more vile than to be ouercommed of the flesh, so nothing is more glorious, than to ouercome the flesh.
Frugalitie is the signe of chastitie.
Chastity is a vertue of the soule, whose companion is fortitude.
[Page 3]Chastity is the Seale of Grace, the staffe of deuotion, the marke of the Iust, the crowne of virginity, the glory of life, and a comfort in Martyrdome.
Idlenesse is the enemy to chastity.
Chastity without charity, is [...] without oyle.
Chastity and modesty are suff [...] to enrich the poore: And [...] age, rather make choyce o [...] [...] manners, than loosenesse o [...] [...] our with great Lands and rich possessions.
If chastity bée once lost, there is nothing left prayse-worthy in a woman.
The first step to chastity, is to know the fault, the next, to auoyd it.
Where necessitie is ioyned vnto chastity, thence Authoritie is giuen to vncleannesse; for neither is she chaste which by feare is compelled, neither is shée honest which with néede is obtained.
Doe not say thou haste a chaste minde, if thine eye be wanton: for a lasciuious looke is a signe of an inconstant heart.
Amongst all the conflicts of a Christian soule, none is more hard than the warres of a chaste minde, for the sight is continuall, and the victorie rare.
[Page 4]Chastity with the raines of Reason bridleth the rage of lust.
A chaste eare cannot abide to heare that which is dishonest.
True felicity though hid from mortall eyes, yet is it the obiect of a chaste spirit.
The first felicitie that a chaste woman shall haue after this life, is the rest of her Soule in Christ: the second shall be the immortalitie and glory of her body.
That chaste woman hath got to the height of felicitie, whom no feare troubleth, no pensiuenesse consumeth, no carnall concupiscence tormenteth, no desire of worldly wealth afflicteth, nor any foolishnesse moueth vnto mirth.
A chaste woman is to be measured not by her beauties, but by her vertues.
A woman is the wonder of Nature if shée wrong not Nature.
A chaste woman is an admirable Angell, till shée be drawne by angells to become a Deuill.
Women that are chaste when they are trusted, proue often wantons when they are causelesse suspected.
A virgins heart is like the Cotton trée, whose fruit is so hard in the Bud, that [Page 5] it soundeth like steele, and being ripe puts forth nothing but wooll.
Out of Compasse in Chastitie, Is Wantonnesse.
WAntonnesse when it turnes to lust, in a womans bosome, is a desire against reason, a furious and vnbridled appetite, which killeth all good motions in her minde, and leaueth no place for vertue.
[Page 7]Shame and infamie waits at the héeles of vnbridled wantons.
Wantonnesse is an enemy to the purse, a foe to the person, a canker to the minde, a corrosiue to the conscience, a weakner of the wit, a befotter of the senses, and lastly, a mortall bane to all the bodie; so that thou shalt finde pleasure is the path-way to perdition, and wantonnesse the load-stone to ruth and ruine.
Wantonnesse maketh a woman couet beyond her power, to act beyond her nature, and to die before her time.
Sensuall and wanton vice hath euer these three companions. First, blindnesse of vnderstanding; secondly, hardnesse of heart; and lastly, want of Grace and perfection.
Wantonnesse is inseparably accompanied with the troubling of order, with impudency, sloth, and dissolutenesse.
Adultery desireth not procreation, but onely pleasure.
Wantonnesse is a strong tower of mischiefe, and hath in it many keepers and many defenders, as Needinesse, Anger, Palenesse, Discord, Loue, and Longing.
[Page 8]Euery good woman makes not for euery man a good wife, no more than one dish of meat can please all stomackes; but euery euill woman makes an absolute ill wife, as a drop of Coloquintida marres the whole pot of pottage.
Wanton dwarfe women, or foolish ones, are the worst to make wiues of; for the first brings forth but a race of P [...]ies, and for the latter, there is nothing so fulsome as a she-foole.
Wantonnesse is attended on by riot, and they two impaire health, consume wealth, and transforme a woman to a beast.
Wantonnesse is a sin of no single rank: No ordinary station, that neuer walkes vnattended with a traine of misdemeanors at the heeles.
Corrupt company is more infections than corrupt aire; therefore let women be aduised in their choise; for that text of thy selfe that could neuer bee expounded, thy companion shall as thy commentarie, lay open to the world: for it is seene by experience, that if those which are neither good nor euill accompany with those that are good, they are transformed [Page 9] into their vertue. If those that are neither good nor euill consort with those that are euill, they are incorporated to their vice. If the good companie with the good, both are made the better; if the euill with the euill, both the worse; for such as the companie is, such is the condition.
There be foure vices a wanton woman is euer most troubled with, sloathfulnesse, carelesnes, vaine curiositie, and nicenesse.
Liue within Compasse: in Temperance.
ABuse not thy body in thy youth by Surfet, Riot, or any other distemper [Page 11] through an ouer-weening abilitie of strength; for youth and Nature passe ouer many Infirmities that are growing till their age.
Liue temperately and vertuously, that thou mayst dye patiently; for who liues most honestly, will dye most willingly: and for thy long dayes and better health on earth, afflict not thy body with too much vnnecessary Physicke, but furnish thy minde in time of plentie to lay vp for it selfe and others in the time of want; for surely her end shall be easie and happie that death finde with a weake body, but a strong Soule.
Grieue not to groane vnder the hand of sicknesse; for as sometimes it purgeth the body from intemperate humors, so doth it oftentimes the Soule from more dangerous securitie, and the rather, since there is no perfect health in this world, but a newtralitie betweene sicknesse and health.
The eyes are the instruments of lust, therefore make a couenant with them, that they betray not thy heart to vanitie.
Suffer with those that suffer, be crucified with those that are crucified: so shalt [Page 12] thou be glorified with those that are glorified.
True grace and Temperance doe not lift vp, but humble a good woman; therefore she is not yet partaker of true grace which doth not walke in humilitie of heart. The streames of Gods grace doe flow downwards, not vpwards.
God creates of nothing, and he repaires of nothing; that therefore thou maist bée partaker of the Regeneration and Reparation, be nothing in thine owne eyes, that is, attribute nothing to thy selfe, arrogate nothing to thy selfe. Women are weake and fraile; but iudge none frailer than thy selfe: to be inferiour to all, hurts none, to be aboue any, offends many.
Temperance is an enemy to lust, and last is an euer-waiting seruant to the pleasures of high bloods.
Temperance calleth a womun backe from all grosse affects and carnall appetites, and lets her neither exceed in foolish reioycing, nor in vngodly sorrowing.
Shee is firmely to be accounted temperate, which from the ground of reason can gouerne and bridle the vice of sensualitie, [Page 13] and all other grosse affections of the minde, and passions.
Temperance is the true Peace-maker in all the tumults betweene reason and passion.
When the vntamed passions of a woman haue their full careere, and are neither ouer-ruled with Temperance nor discretion; then is the soule lost and forsaken, or at least, deformed and miserable; and the more delicately the body is handled, the more stubbornly it wrastleth against the minde; for the heauie burthen of the body is onely the oppresson of the soule.
Shee cannot commend Temperance that imagineth the best felicitie to consist in pleasure.
Out of Compasse in Temperance. Madnesse.
A Mad woman is like a rough stirring Horse, and as he must haue a sharp bit, so must shee haue a sharp restraint.
As a blocke though it be decked with gold, pearles, gems, and precious ornaments, is not to be regarded except it represent the shape of some thing: euen so a woman be she neuer so rich and glorious, yet if shée want obedience, she is of no account or estimation.
Such wiues as would rather haue foolish Husbands whom they might rule, than to be ruled by sober wise men, are like them that would rather lead a blind [Page 16] man in an vnknowne path, than follow one that can both see and knoweth the way directly.
She that forsakes her husband because she dislikes his manners, is like her that forsakes the Honey least the Bee might sting her.
They which sacrificed to Iuno the goddesse of married women, tooke euer the galls from the beasts which they sacrificed; signifying thereby, that all anger, madnes, and displeasure should euer be farre from married couples.
In three points women and fooles hold small difference; they are full of vaine affections, they are curious and peeuish to please, and euer wilfull to disobay.
There is no creature that more desireth honour, and worse keepeth it than a mad woman.
The intemperate woman with her lightnesse, and children with their small knowledge, occupy their minds in things present: but vertuous wise women do thinke on that is past, they ordaine for that which is present, and with great study and care prouide for the time to come.
There are in outragious womens eyes [Page 17] two seuerall sorts of teares, the one of griefe, the other of deceit.
Beautie in womens faces, and outrage in their hearts, are two wormes which fret life, and waste goods.
Mad women for a little goodnes looke for a great recompence, but for much euill no chastisement.
A fierce beast and a dangerous for is an outragious woman to a Commonwealth: for shée hath much power to doe much harme, and is not apt to follow any goodnesse.
A mad woman once defamed beleeues after in no woman vertue, but defameth all to make her owne vice worthie of a companion.
The tongue of a mad woman is a slipperie instrument, nimble to doe mischiefe; for commonly by it friendship is decayed, worldly riches diminished, the life most miserably wasted, and infamy and immortall paine purchased.
Such a mischieuous euill is the sinne of detraction in the heart of a proud and vnruly woman, that there is neither long familiarilie, accustomed fellowship, nor causes of approued friendship, neither yet [Page 18] any estate or degree that can once bridle them, or stay them from doing infinite mischiefe.
She that is giuen to the vice of detraction, is worthily subiect to the common hatred of men, and to be eschewed of all as a most pestilent infection; and at her enterance into any place among good women, euery mouth to be either stopped against her, or otherwise opened to hisse her out of doores, as a thing altogether voyde of delight, and filled vp but with danger onely.
Amongst temperate women, madde women are made bright; but amongst madde women, temperate women are made glorious.
It is a great madnesse in any woman to amuse vpon those things which are farre beyond her vnderstanding.
A faire woman without discretion, is like a faire house and an [...]uill host harbored therein.
Many times of wise maides becommeth foolish wantons, and of foolish wantons, wise maides.
Let euery woman behold her selfe in a Looking-glasse, and if shee appeare [Page 19] beautifull, let her doe such things as become her beautie; but if shée séeme foule, then let her make good with good manners the beautie which her face lacketh.
As the body being alwayes opprest with labour loseth his strength, and so perisheth; so doth the minde of a woman oppressed with passions and pleasures of this world, lose the force, lust, and desire which shee had to the rest of eternall life to come.
Excesse of passions may euer hurt, they can neuer profit.
When sensualitie reigneth, (especially amongst women) there reason taketh no place.
A madde Woman knoweth things done, but a discreet woman considereth things long before they come to passe.
Praise and indiscretion can neuer be coupled together.
Liue within Compasse: in Beautie.
THere is nothing harder for a woman than to know her selfe; for blinded with beautie and selfe-loue, they flatter themselues in all things.
There is in euery woman two powers, which draw and conduct her; a desire of pleasure bred in the beautie of the body, and a good opinion coueting onely good things▪ betweene these two there is continuall strife in women, and when [Page 22] the opinion hath the maistry, it maketh a woman sober, chaste, discreet, & quiet: but when desire getteth ye vpper hand, it makes her lustfull, riotous, couetous, & vnquiet.
Three things a woman ought to hold remarkable, her soule, her body, the substance of this world: The soule first, because it is a thing beautifull, & immortall, made after the shape of God himselfe: The body next because it is faire, and is the case and sepulcher of the soule, and the nearest seruant to the secret spirit: lastly the substance of this world being necessary, and the principall instruments and tools of the body. Let then the eyes of euery womans inward minde first respect the beautie of her soule, then the comelinesse of her body, and lastly, the necessitie of riches.
She that loueth beautie more than vertue, shall either lack that she coueteth, or els lose what she hath got with great paine.
Shée that is in loue with her owne beautie is like one that trauelleth on the Seas; if she escape the dangers (which are scandals) shee is fortunate, but if shée perish, shee is wilfully deceiued.
Trust not beautie, for it neuer payeth what it promiseth.
[Page 23]Beautie in this world is the delight of [...]n houre, and the sorrow of many dayes; [...]ut in the world to come, eternall rest and [...]ong ioy.
Beautie is of two sorts, as of the body, which is a séemly compositiō of all ye members, wherein all the parts with a certain grace agree together; and the other of the winde, which is a conueniency meet for the excellency of man or woman, and that wherin their nature doth differ from other liuing creatures; & as the outward beauty moueth & reioiceth the eies, so this shining in their liues by order & moderation, both in deeds & words, draweth vnto them the hearts of them amongst whom they liue.
Beauty is such a fading good, that it can be scarce possessed, before it be vanished.
The greatest gift that euer heauen bestowed on a woman, is beautie; for it both delighteth the eye, contenteth the minde, & winneth good fauour of all men.
The beauty of the body withereth with age, and is impaired by sicknesse, but the beautie of the soule, which is innocency and humilitie, can neuer be consumed.
A beautifull countenance is a silent commendations.
[Page 24]The fairest creature that euer Go [...] created was the world.
Beautie, honor, and wealth, are thre [...] deepe perswasions to make loue frollick [...] and men miserable.
In all things diuisible there is something more, something lesse, somethin [...] equall more or lesse: what can be more equall than beautie or wit?
The Scorpion if hee touch neuer s [...] lightly, inuenometh the whole body; th [...] least sparke of wild-fire sets the whol [...] house on a flame, the Cockatrice kils me [...] with his sight, the sting of loue and beauti [...] woundeth deadly, the flame of fancy set [...] all the thoughts on fire, and the eyes of [...] louer wounded with beautie, are accounted incurable.
Shée that is an enemy to beautie is a fo [...] to nature, and shée that doats on beauti [...] is a high traytor to nature.
Beauties that should be concealed, too grosly discouered, are faire signes hung out to entice to an vnhospitable Inne.
Beautie without honesty is poyson preserued in a box of gold.
Let not a womans beauty, but her vertue be her dower, for her good deeds will [Page 25] remaine when age hath taken her beautie from her.
Let no woman striue to excell in beautie, but hold the golden meane, which is the true mediocritie and best part of any action, and must be vsed in all things: it containeth the full effects of prudence touching gouernment, and tranquilitie concerning the soule.
Curiositie and extremity banished woman from the first modesty of her nature.
To liue on the mountaines, and haue too much heat, is to be Sunne-burnt; to liue in the valley and haue too little, is barren; to hold the meane is euer most fruitfull.
Out of Compasse in Beautie, Odiousnesse.
TO exceed Nature or thy condition, is a ryotous excesse in lust, apparell, or other ornament, it is also a part of pride, and contrary to decency and comlinesse.
Excesse of brauery brings a woman of wealth quickly to pouertie, and excesse of beautie to hate and odiousnesse.
They that rather delight to decke their bodies than their soules, seeme women rather created for their bodies than their soules.
As the wéed cannot be esteemed precious for the faire flower which it beareth, so ought no woman to be accounted vertuous for the gay garment shée weareth, or the beauty shée borroweth.
Beautie may be ouerthrowne with age, [Page 28] and apparell consumed with moaths: what folly is it then for women to delight in that which an houre can waste, or a very little worme destroy?
Raine can neuer cause the Corne to bring forth any fruit which is sowne vpon hard stones, nor speech cannot perswade a proud woman to become an enemy to braue apparell.
Gorgeous garments are markes of pride, and nests of riotousnesse.
As a man would iudge one to be ill at ease which weareth a plaster vpon his face, or one that hath beene scourged to be punished by the Law; so doth painting betoken in a woman, a diseased soule marked with adultery.
As it is no wisedome in admiring the scabard to despise the blade, so is it meere folly to praise a woman for her brauery, & discommend her for her modesty.
Odious is that beautie which sleepeth not with the face.
If by the ciuill Law the child may haue an action of the case against him which shall deface the portraiture of his father, we may well imagine what action God will haue against those women which by [Page 29] artificiall painting, seeke to correct his workmanship.
Painting hastens wrinkles before old age come.
All kinde of painting, artificiall garnishing, and colouring of haire, was forbidden among the Spartans, despised of wise men, and loathed of good men.
There are three things which cost dearly, and consume quickly; a faire woman that is vnchaste, a rich garment that hath many cuts, and a wealthy stocke in the hands of an ill husband.
The tongue of a bitter woman pierceth deeper than her eyes.
A painted womans sorrowes, howsoeuer extreme, ought not to be redressed: for being trimmed vp with dissimulation, she should not be beleeued.
A painted womans eyes haue two sorts of teares, the one of sorrow, the other of dissimulation.
False beautie in the faces of women, & folly in their heads, are two wormes that fretteth life, and wasteth goods.
Ill women for little goodnesse looke for great praise, but for much euill no chastisement.
[Page 30]A fierce beast and a dangerous enemy to the common-wealth is a wicked woman, for shee is of much power to doe much harme.
An ill womans heart is full of holes, apt to receiue, but not to retaine.
He that can endure a curst wife, needs not feare the Deuill for his companion.
The closet of a bad womans thought is euer open, and the depth of her heart hath a string that stretcheth to her tongues end.
A painted womans face is a liuer smeared with carrion, her beauty baits of dead wormes, her lookes nets, and her words inticing charmes.
An vnconstant faire woman may bée likened to Prasiteles Picture which hee made of Flora, before which if one stood directly, it seemed to weepe; if on the left side, it seemed to laugh; if on the right side, to sleepe.
Liue within Compasse: in Humilitie.
SHee that gathereth vertues without Humilitie, casteth dust against the winde, and loseth her labour.
Happie is that woman whose calling is great, and her spirit humble.
Humilitie is a twinne to Chastitie and Nobilitie, and as necessary in a woman as her virginitie.
Nothing can repaire a decayed Chastitie but true Humilitie.
Since the Countrey which a woman desires to dwell in, is high and heauenly, and the way thither Lowlinesse and Humilitie, why then desiring this Countrey, should they refuse the way?
There are three degrees of Humilitie: the first, of Repentance; the second, a desire of Righteousnesse; and the third, the workes of mercy.
Shée that cannot haue what shée would, [Page 33] must be humbly content with what shee can get.
Sufferance maketh women Angels, but pride maketh them Deuils.
Let not thankes waxe old, when gifts are in thy possession.
She that refuseth to buy good counsell cheape, shall buy repentance deare.
Mocke not at any in misery, but by it auoid the like misfortune.
Giue no vaine and vnnecessary gifts, as is Armour to thy maids, Bookes to thy plow-swaine, or Nets to a Student.
Let thy best apparell be Iustice, and thy vppermost garment Chastitie; so shalt thou be happy, and thy dayes prosper.
Let Vertue be thy life, Humilitie thy loue, Honour thy fame, and Heauen thy felicitie.
Let not thy bounty exceed thy meanes, nor thy free mind thy modesty, kéepe thine eye in equall pace with thine eare, and thy tongue short of thy feet.
Rather liue wal'd vp with an Anchorite, than hous'd with an euill woman.
Be not secure, lest want of care procure thy calamitie; nor too carefull, lest [Page 34] pensiue thoughts oppresse thee with misery.
Behold thy selfe in a Looking-glasse, and if thou appeare beautifull, doe such things as becomes thy beautie; but if thou seeme foule, then performe with good manners the dutie which thy face wanteth.
If thy Parents waxe poore, supply their want with thy wealth; if froward with age, beare patiently with their imperfections.
Liue and hope as if thou wert not to liue a moment.
Neuer wish impossible wishes, for it expresseth but a wanton passion, or a most greedy couetousnesse, both grounded on folly.
To friuolous questions silence is euer the best answer.
Beware what thou grantest in any sort, for inconueniences follow one in the necke of the other.
If thou doubt in any thing, aske counsell of the wise, and be not angry at their reproofe, least (as Martiall the Poet said) it be truth that thou louest, not truth.
[Page 35]Shée that talketh much to little purpose, is like him that sailes with a side-winde, and is borne to a wrong shoare.
As a woman without humilitie is vnpleasant, so humilitie without seueritie draweth neare to prostitution.
She only may properly be called a womā that in her behauiour gouerneth her selfe like a woman, that is to say, conformable to such things as reason willeth, and not as the motions of sensualitie requireth.
Where any demand is a iest, the fittest answer is a scoffe.
Rather labour to be deliuered from contempt, than practise to be reuenged.
The eye can neuer offend if the minde would rule the eye, but where there is deuision, there is euer confusion.
Solitarinesse is the onely slie enemy that separateth both woman and man from doing well.
Liking is not alwayes the childe of beautie, but iealousie is euer the busie harbenger to disdaine.
Shee that will needs stirre affections in others, must first shew the same passion in her selfe.
Shee that blameth another, must [Page 36] first be blamelesse her selfe, especially in the matter she blameth another for.
Forbearance of speech is most dangerous when necessitie requireth to speake.
Out of Compasse in Humilitie, Pride.
PRide perceiuing Humilitie to be honourable, desires oftentimes to bée couered with her garment, for feare least appearing alwayes in her owne likenesse, [Page 38] she should be little regarded.
Immoderate wealth causeth pride, pride bringeth hatred, hatred worketh rebellion, rebellion maketh an alteration and changeth Kingdomes, euen in womens dissentions.
That kind of fantasticke contemplation which tends to solitarinesse, is but a glorious title to proud idlenesse.
The proud conceit of young women, is, that they can speake wisely, when they cannot vnderstand themselues.
When Dogs fall on snarling, Serpents on hissing, and Women on weeping, the first meanes to bite, the second to sting, and the last to deceiue.
As rewards are necessary for well-doers, so chastisements are meet for proud offenders.
Pride is alwayes accompanied with Folly, Audacitie, Rashnesse, Impudency, and Solitarinesse: as if one would say that the proud woman is abandoned of all the world, euer attributing that to her selfe which is not, hauing much more boast than matter of worth.
Pride did first spring in men from too much abundance of wealth, in women [Page 39] from too much trust in beautie, and the flattery of men.
Pride is the mother of Enuie; strangle her, and her daughter dieth.
She that knowes her selfe best, will euer esteeme her selfe least.
It is hard for a faire woman not to be proud.
A proud woman is like Theocritus his fisherman; shée onely feeds the vanitie of her fancy with dreames of gold.
If a mans folly make a woman once his equall, her pride will soone make her selfe his superior.
Women be of so tender condition, that they will complaine for a small cause, and for a lesse will rise vp into infinite pride.
There is no creature that more desires honour, worse kéeps it, and sooner loseth it, than a proud woman.
Proud women in mischiefe are euer wiser than men.
It is naturall to a proud woman, to despise that which is offered her; and death to her to be denied any thing shée demandeth.
Sophocles being asked, why, when he brought in the persons of women, hee [Page 40] made them alwayes good, whereas Euripides made them all bad: Because (quoth he) I present women as they should be, and Euripides presented them such as they are.
A proud womans will is like a Sheffild knife, sometimes so sharpe it will cut a haire, and otherwhiles so blunt it must needs goe to the grindstone.
If women be beautifull, they are to be won with prayses; if coy, with prayers; if proud, with gifts; if wonton, with promises; but if good, with prouidence and vertue.
Those women which esteeme themselues most wise, are euermore the soonest tickled with selfe-loue.
A proud womans mind is euer vncertaine: it hath as many new deuices as a tree hath leaues, for shée is alwayes desirous of change, and seldome loueth him heartily with whom shee hath beene long conuersant.
Trust not a proud woman when shee weepeth, for it is her nature to shed teares when shée wants her will.
A proud woman in her wit is pregnable, in her smile deceiuable, in her frowne reuengeable, [Page 41] and lastly in her death acceptable.