Christian Economy

Then & Now · 19 of 19

18. Of the Mistress of the Family, or Goodwife of the House

CHAP. 18.

Of the Mistresse of the familie, or Goodwife of the house.

18. Of the Mistress of the Family, or Goodwife of the House

THe Goodwife or Mistresse of the house, is a person which yeeldeth helpe and assistance in gouernmēt to the Master of the familie. For he is, as it were, the prince and chiece ruler; she is the associate, not only in office and authoritie, but also in aduise, and counsell vnto him. 1. King. 17. 17. And after these things, the sonne of the woman, which was wife, or76 mistresse of the house, was sicke.

  1. 76. [Bagnalath babbaijth.] Domina domus.

The goodwife or mistress of the house, is a person which yieldeth help and assistance in government to the master of the family. For he is, as it were, the prince and chief ruler; she is the associate, not only in office and authority, but also in advice, and counsel unto him. 1 Kgs 17:‸17. And after these things, the son of the woman, which was wife, or75 mistress of the house, was sick.

  1. 75. [Bagnalath babbaijth.] Domina domus.

Her dutie is two-fold.

Her duty is two-fold.

First to gouerne the house, as much as concerneth her, in her place. 1. Tim. 5. 14. I will therefore that the yonger women marrie, and gouerne the house. And that she doth three waies.

First to govern the house, as much as concerneth her, in her place. 1‸ Tim‸ 5:‸14. I will therefore that the younger women marry, and govern the house. And that she doth three ways.

I. By exercising her selfe in some profitable employments, p. 174 for the good of her charge, Prou. 31. 13. She seeketh wooll, and flax, and laboureth cheerefully with her hands.

II. By appointing her maids their worke, and ouerseeing them therein. Vers. 15. She riseth whiles it is yet night, and giueth the portion to her houshold, and the ordinary to her maids.

III. By ordering her children and seruants in wisdome; partly by instruction, partly by admonition, whē there is need. Vers. 26. Shee openeth her mouth with wisdome, and the law of grace is in her tongue. vers. 28. Her children rise vp, and call her blessed, &c. Tit. 2. 5. That they be discreet, chast, keeping at home, &c. Act. 18. 26. Priscilla in her house, with Aquila, instructed Apollos, in that wherin he was wanting, expounding vnto him the way of God more perfectly. Gregorie Nazianzen in an Oration made for his father, saith, That his mother was not only an helper, but also a teacher or instructer, and guide vnto his father in matters of religion & godlines.

  1. By exercising her self in some profitable employments, for the good of her charge, Prov‸ 31:‸13. She seeketh wool, and flax, and laboureth cheerfully with her hands.
  2. By appointing her maids their work, and overseeing them therein. Verse 15. She riseth whiles it is yet night, and giveth the portion to her household, and the ordinary to her maids.
  3. By ordering her children and servants in wisdom; partly by instruction, partly by admonition, when there is need. Verse 26. She openeth her mouth with wisdom, and the law of grace is in her tongue. v. 28. Her children rise up, and call her blessed, etc‸. Titus 2:‸5. That they be discreet, chaste, keeping at home, etc‸. Acts 18:‸26. Priscilla in her house, with Aquila, instructed Apollos, in that wherein he was wanting, expounding unto him the way of God more perfectly. Gregory Nazianzen in an Oration made for his father, saith, That his mother was not only an helper, but also a teacher or instructor, and guide unto his father in matters of religion & godliness.

The second dutie is, to giue the portion of food vnto her familie, or cause it to be giuen in due season. Prou. 31. 15. She riseth whiles it is yet night, and giueth p. 175 the portiō, or meat to her houshold. Thus did Rebekah in her house. Gen. 27. 9. Get thee now to the flock, & bring me thēce two good kids of the goats, that I may make pleasant meat of thē for thy father, such as he loueth.

The second duty is, to give the portion of food unto her family, or cause it to be given in due season. Prov‸ 31:‸15. She riseth whiles it is yet night, and giveth the portion, or meat to her household. Thus did Rebekah in her house. Gen‸ 27:‸9. Get thee now to the flock, & bring me thence two good kids of the goats, that I may make pleasant meat of them for thy father, such as he loveth.

Quest. Whether may the goodwife, without the consent of the goodman, giue and bestow the goods belonging to the familie?

Quest. Whether may the goodwife, without the consent of the goodman, give and bestow the goods belonging to the family?

Ans. I. There are some things which are proper to her selfe, and not part of her dowry which she brought vnto her husband. And these she may claime as her owne, because either they were reserued vpon the match made betweene them, or else are peculiar vnto her by their mutuall consent, and of them she may lawfully giue, without her husbands knowledge. II. The goods which are common to them both, are of another nature; and these shee may not bestow, without his allowance, either expresse or at least general and implicite, specially when the giuing of them doth or may grow in likelihood, to the hinderance, and preiudice of the state of the familie.

Ans. I. There are some things which are proper to her self, and not part of her dowry which she brought unto her husband. And these she may claim as her own, because either they were reserved upon the match made between them, or else are peculiar unto her by their mutual consent, and of them she may lawfully give, without her husband’s knowledge. II. The goods which are common to them both, are of another nature; and these she may not bestow, without his allowance, either express or at least general and implicit, specially when the giving of them doth or may grow in likelihood, to the hindrance, and prejudice of the state of the family.

FINIS.