Two Wise Men and All the Rest Fools · chunk 33 of 68
Anonymous · published 1619 · first performed or written 1619 [1613-1619] (Annals) satire; dialogue unassigned nearest T5 Christian faith, sin and salvation · 509 words
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of the nearest topic T5: god, christ, david, sin, holy, israel, lord, mercy, sins, faith.
What wife; and I not there? Alas man, why should you trouble yourself with these matters which be so far out of your reach? was it not enough if my spirit did wish you present? or that in conceit you were with me? what if you were asleep at that instant, and so it were revealed to me by the spirit? or if you had been present, and my spirit should inwardly testify unto me that a teaching Saint must be preferred, ought not you to give place? I pray you husband give over to muse on these hidden secrets, for otherwise these thoughts may make you horn-mad. How can you defend that to be lawful to be gotten with child by any but your husband? Indeed wife I cannot but think this reason good that you say, but I would have been glad to be father to my own child if it had pleased you. What do you talk of reason? it is beyond reason. It is matter of predestination, and pre-ordination. Where is now your obedience and patience so often inculked unto you? I perceive it is ready to fly out by your exterior parts, but I will chastise this rebellious flesh, and make it subject to the spirit. Where learned you to beat your husband? It is lawful & possible for me to extract tears from his flinty heart with this rod of discipline, correcting him as the spirit moveth me. But how shall he know that a good spirit moveth you to correct him? That appertains not to him to examine. It is sufficient that his wife hath that inward testimony which enableth and emboldeneth her to do her function, and to minister disciplinary documents. And this he is firmly to hold, or else he loseth his election. Nay wife; rather than I should not be one of the elect I pray you beat me again. You are not to inform me when I shall strike. It is the lively spirit which directeth me: and now it telleth me you need not at this time more to be humbled. Go in peace, and be patient. O God's blessing on thy kind heart. See how favourable a spirit she hath. I cannot choose but weep for this love. Lo now Hortano the virtue of this rod, which bringeth so plentiful tears from this Rocky stomach of his. But for all this I see no ground or proof you have, that a wife shall take upon her to teach and correct her husband. You allege Scripture as far as Rome is from Rockingham, and expound it at your pleasure, and frame it to your own fancy: but if I were your husband I would cudgel you well, and by the word maintain it better. What not yet understandest thou the text? O fool, and slow of belief! If thou were my husband I would ding it into thy brain in another fashion then by proofs. I pray thee tell me, must not men be taught and instructed?
seed 43: unassigned · seed 44: unassigned — topic numbers are assigned independently in each run; equal or different numbers say nothing by themselves
Original spelling (EEBO-TCP, unregularized)
What wife; and I not there? Alas man, why should you trouble your selfe with these matters which be so farre out of your reach? was it not enough if my spirit did wishe you present? or that in conceite you were with me? what if you were asleepe at that instant, and so it were revealed to me by the spirit? or if you had beene present, and my spirit should inwardly testifie vnto me that a teaching Saint must be preferred, ought not you to giue place? I pray you husband giue over to mue on these hidden secrets, for otherwise these thoughts ma make you orne-mad. How can you defend that to be lawfull to be gotten with child by any but your husband? Inded wife I cannot but thinke this reason good that you say, but I would haue beene glad to bee father to my owne child if it had pleas'd you. What doe you talke of reason? it is beyond reason. It is matter of predestination, and preordination. Where is now your obedience and patince so often inculked vn vnto you? I perceiue it is readie to flie out by your exteriour parts, but I will chastise this rebellious flesh, and make it subie to the spirit. Where learn'd you to beate your husband? It is lawfull & possible for me to extract teares from his fnty hart with this rod of discipline, correcting him as the spirit moueth me. But how shall he know that a good spirit moveth you to correct him? That appertaines not to him to examine. It is sufficient that his wife hath that inward testimonie which enabeth and emboldeneth her to doe her function, and to minister disciplinary documents. And this hee is firmely to hold, or els he loseth his election. Nay wife; rather then I should not be one of the elect I pray you beate me againe. You are not to informe me when I shall strike. It is the liuely spirit which directeth me: and now it telleth me you neede not at this time more to bee humbled. Goe in peace, and be patient. O Gods blessing on thy kinde heart. See how favourable a spirit she hath. I cannot chuse but weepe for this loue. Loe now Hortano the vertue of this rod, which bringeth so plentifull teares from this Rock stomacke of his. But for all this I see no ground or proofe you haue, that a wife shall take vpon her to teach and correct her husband. You alleage Scripture as farre as Rome is from Rockingham, and expound it at your pleasure, and frame it to your owne fancie: but if I were your husband I would cudgill you well, and by the word maintaine it better. What not yet vnderstand'st thou the text? O foole, and slow of beliefe! If thou were my husband I would ding it into thy braine in another fashion then by proofes. I pre thee tell mee, must not men be taught and instructed?