of the wife, in bearing with her infirmities, which he doth perswade them unto by an argument taken, 1. from that society and equality which is betwixt the husband and the wife, in respect of the grace of life, as it is here called. 2. From the great discommodity, which will follow upon the neglect of this duty, for by their domesticall differences and dissentions their domesticall prayers also are hindred, Verse 7.
The Doctrines arising here-hence.
Doct. 1. There is the like duty of subjects, servants, wives, and husbands.
This is gathered from that particle, Likewise ye wives, verse 1. and Likewise ye husbands, verse 7. Not, that there is the same kinde of duty in all these in all respects, but that there is the same kinde of obligation, whereby every one is bound to doe his owne duty. Reason 1. Because it is the same Law-giver and the same law that commands every man his duty. 2. Because the disparity of the condition makes no disparity in the obligation, which is the formality of the duty; but only in those things, to which the obligation binds us, which is the materiality of the duty. Vse. This may serve to admonish us, not to cast off from our selves those things which we either reade or heare to be commanded men of another condition, but alwayes to consider, that quamvis non ad similia, tamen similiter, though we are not tyed to the like duties, yet we are in the like manner tyed to our own duties: when servants are commanded any thing, then masters should think, that they likewise are commanded something; when wives are commanded any thing, then husbands should think that they likewise; and when husbands are commanded any thing, then wives should think, that they likewise. Doct. 2 It is the duty of wives to be subject to their husbands.
This is gathered from verse 1. See Colos. 3.18. Ephes. 5.22, 23, 24.
Reason 1. Because the husband is the head of the wife, Ephes. 5.23: 1 Cor. 11.3.
2. Because there can be no order kept in a family, except all the rest be subject to the father of the family.
