[ 1385] Children to set their hands to all honest employments.
THe Patriarks of old were principal Men and Princes in their generations,* 1.1 yet their tender daughters were brought up in doing Houshold businesse; Rebecca went with her pitcher on her shoulders, to give drink to her Fathers Ca∣mels.* 1.2 And the seven daughters of the Priest of Midian, accustomed them∣selves to draw water,* 1.3 and fill the troughs to water their Fathers sheep. And some say (how true, is uncertain) that Christ himself wrought as a Carpenter at his Fathers trade: Such was the harmlesse simplicity of those dayes, and such was the obedience of Children, that even she that was appointed to be the Mother of Patriarchs, Prophets, and Kings re••used not to set her hand to ordi∣nary employments. But how is the case altered in these dayes of ours? Our de∣licate Damsels are ready to urge Rebecca's example for the wearing of Bracelets and Iewels about their necks, but they will not hear of Rebecca's carrying the pitcher upon her shoulders, they would be cloathed like the Lillies of the Field, but they cannot endure to spin, not work at all: So that whereas Solomon's good Huswife laid her hands to the wheel;* 1.4 they for want of taking pains (especially if once married) set all upon wheels, and while they do nothing, they undo them∣selves, and bring all to nothing.