Book Summaries | Home
|
Sunshine for Women Book Summaries | Home |
Female Pre-eminence
Female Pre-eminence:
Or the Dignity and Excellency of that Sex,
above the Male.
An Ingenious Discourse:
Written Originally in Latine,
by Henry Cornelius Agrippa, Knight,
Doctor of Physick, Doctor of both Laws,
and Privy-Counselor to the Emperor Charles the Fifth.
Done into English, with Additional Advantages
By. H. C. [Henry Care]
1 Esdr. 3:12 Women are strongest.
London
Printed by T. R. and M. D. and are to be sold by Henry Million,
at the Sign of the Bible in Fleet-Street. 1670
Licensed September 1, 1670 Roger L'estrange
Notes about this electronic edition:
If this electronic edition of Agrippa's Nobility and Pre-eminence of the Female Sex arouses your interest in Agrippa and his work, I suggest you get a copy of a recent translation of this work that is now in print: Declamation on the Nobility and Preeminence of the Female Sex by Henricus Cornelius Agrippa (1529) translated and edited by Albert Rabil, Jr. and printed by the University of Chicago Press, 1996. The Rabil edition has a nice introduction which talks about Agrippa, his life, his works, his times, his predecessors, his contemporaries, and his successors and includes lots of footnotes in the body of the text which discuss many of his references to ideas which were in vogue when he wrote as well as his references to many of the now obscure women.
To Her Most Excellent Majesty,
Katherine
By the Grace of God,
Queen of Great Britain,
France, and Ireland, etc.
Madam,
His little
Champion, who long has
Braved the World in Your Noble Sexes Defense, being Arrived in Your
Majesty's Dominions, and (3) taught to speak the English Dialect,
is with all Humility prostrated at Your Royal Feet. The Original Treatise was
Graced with the propitious Regards of a Great Princess, The Illustrious Margaret of
Austria, afterwards Empress; whence this mean Translation derives an
Ambition, not to take shelter under any less than Sovereign Patronage. Yet is not Your
Majesty's Greatness, so much as Goodness, respected in this Humble Address; that
serious primitive Devotion, exemplary Virtue, and other excellent Endowments, that
render You more truly Glorious, than all the magnificent Advantages of (3r) Your
Most Illustrious Birth and Fortune. To Your Majesty this Discourse is necessitated
to Appeal; for 'tis Your bright Name alone, that can, being stamped thereon, (like
Your Royal Consort' Effigies on Coin) make it pass Current in the opinion of
the World; who no longer will be scandalized at the Title, nor think the Author too
Lavish in Women's Praise, when they Reflect on Your Majesty, that Great
example of Female Pre-eminence, and Excellency, that have out-done the most daring
Hyperbolies, and not only Justified, but Surpassed in Life and Merit, whatever
can (4) be said in the behalf of Your Most Glorious Sex.
That Your Majesty, Encircled with all Happiness, may long remain a President of Piety to this Degenerous [sic] Age, and find as many to Imitate as Admire Your Royal Virtues, is the Prayer of
Your Majesty's Most Humble, Loyal and Obedient Subject.
H. Care. (4r)
The Translator's Preface
In this giddy Age wherein each extravagant opinion finds a welcome, and Conceits more wild than any Bedlam-frenzy, have been entertained with zeal, and promoted with passion, an innocent Paradox may fairly hope for Pardon at least, if not Applause.
Since (1) Tyranny, (2) Injustice, (3) Ugliness, and (4) Folly itself, have not wanted their respective Advocates among the Learned, I see small reason why Asserting the Pre-eminence of the Female Sex, should too severely be censured. But 'tis unjust to debar Readers of that tickling delight they take in finding faults, it being often-times all the consideration they have for laying out their Money. The Stationers humor and mine agree, Let them but buy the Book, and then (being their own) use it as they please. I shall not therefore waste time, either in Courting or R?ssing the Reader, (for (A)
----------
Margin notes to page (A)
1) Praises by Polycoates, and Socrates.
2) By Glauco.
3) By Faiorinus.
4) By Eraimus.
----------
both ways are now commonly used to surprise his good opinion,) but only endeavor to give an Impartial Account of the Author, and Design of the ensuing Discourse.
To say much of the noble Agrippa, were to put an Affront on the Reader, (if he pretend at all to traffic in the Commonwealth of Learning) by supposing him a stranger to that Man, who was justly admired as the Prodigy of his Age, for all kind of Science. That vast progress he made, Tam Marte quam Mercurio, in Arms no less than Arts; the Titles and Honors he acquired, the respect paid him by most of the Grandees, and famous Men, his Contemporaries; and those Monuments of Learning, wherewith he has obliged Posterity; all speak him a Person above the ordinary level of mankind; to be ranked only among those few noble Heroes;
Que ??eliore Lut? sinxit pracordia Titan,
Whom Titan with a gentle Ray,
Has molded of a purer Clay. (Ar)
'Tis true, (like all great Wits) he took no little pleasure in stemming the impetuous Tide of popular opinion, as if nothing had been impregnable against the puissance of his parts. Hence he made that desperate (5) Onset, to prove in particular, what Solomon was content to affirm in the lump, That all things are Vanity; and with an excess of Gallantry undertook singly to duel all Arts and Sciences.
Nor was this present Essay any other than a sally of the same Generosity, that delights to engage on disadvantages, and bravely to assist the weaker party. After so many slanders (like ungrateful Mules, turning their brutish heels to kick those Paps whence they received their first Nutriment) had dipped their keen Pens in Gall, and filled their black Mouths with Calumnies, to sully the Repute of this fair Sex, our Author was too noble, not to think himself concerned in its Vindication; Common Justice, no less than point of Honor, obliging all to succor oppressed Innocency. Hereupon the Generous Agrippa (A2) enters the Lists, to assert the Honor of the Female Party, against the immerited obloquies of the Male, which he chooses to attempt, not after the low, timorous method of an Apology, the shallow Invectives of the Adversaries being unworthy the refute of his Pen; but like a politic General, carrying the War into the enemy's Country, startles them with an expected Invasion, and lets them know this noble Sex ought to be the object of their veneration, not contempt, being in all respects their superior.
How prudently this Design was undertaken, or how well performed, I shall not foretell the Reader's opinion, so far as to determine; but must confess myself pleased with that Diversion I met with in reading the Original; and thereupon to have attempted the Translation, not without some Additions, and variation, to render it more smooth and grateful to the present Age, thinking I could scarce better devote my vacant hours, than to the service of that sweet Sex, which every one deserving (A2r) the Name of Man, cannot but love; and to whom, whoever has not forgot he had a Mother, is obliged to pay a reverential esteem.
Yet is it no part of our Design to ????ter Women, but to put some check to the rude, undeserved reproaches, cast on them by the Men: To acquaint the fair Sex with its natural Dignity, that they may scorn to act any thing unworthy of themselves: to treat them with variety of real (not Romantic) Examples of true Piety, exact Chastity, sincere, unalterable Affection, and other rare, sublime qualities; whence inspired with a generous emulation, they may strive to out-vie these ancient Heroines, and transcend the excellent Patterns here recommended; finding, that it is Virtue alone that can embalm their Memories, and render them still fresh ?????miable, even then when Age of Sickness has plowed their Faces with wrinkled furrows, and swept away the sparkling Glories of their Eyes.
To conclude: If the captious world shall a while lay aside irsus?al severities, (A3) and vouchsafe any Acceptance of these our inconsiderable pains, (now confusedly huddled up in hast,) we shall use our utmost endeavors in the second Edition to deserve that favor, by some further Additions and Embellishments.
H. C. (A3r)
To His Ingenious Friend
Mr. H. Care:
On his Pains in Translating, and
Refining this quaint Discourse
of Female Pre-eminence.
'Tis bravely done, dear Friend! thus to Engage
For the Fair Sex, in this detracting Age,
When viperous Tongues so virulently throw
Venom at those to whom their Lives they owe,
And each base Fop poor Women's Judge does sit,
Who thinks Railing at them proves him a Wit,
And therefore Dams 'um, They're all Whores, he'd cry,
Though's Mother and his Sister both stand by:
Nor want there Squires o'th Quill to wound their Name.
And with foul Ink Bespatter their bright Fame.
But as when Royal Pheobus shows his Face,
Those Sporads vanish which usurped his place;
So all these black-mouthed screeching Birds of Night,
Are by your Book put to eternal Flight:
Your Book; For what you modestly do call
Translation, if with the Original
It be compared, 'twill easily be known,
That the far better part on't is your own.
You added, correct, and so the Whole Refine,
That 'tis no more Agrippa's now, but thine;
He laid the Plot, but you the Language bring,
And give a Dress as glorious as the Spring (A4)
Choice Words composed in Periods, that surprise
The Ear with most harmonious Cadencies.
Such charming style, which France itself admired,
Was thought to have vanished when Love-Day expired;
Our English Prose seemed sunk ever since then,
But now there's hopes you'll Buoy it up again:
For such fair Blossoms in your Youth, presage
No common Fruit from your maturer Age.
But what does aim at? (for I must profess
In this Attempt, 'twill puzzle one to guess)
Weary of Retail-Love, by this Design,
Does thou intend to Court all Womankind?
T' Ingross their Favor, and ambitiously
Affect Love's universal Monarchy?
Or do thy Flames which to some one Aspire,
Transport thee, the whole Sex thus to admire?
What ever it be, unto thy pains and wit,
All Ladies must confess themselves in Debt;
And to thee, whence such Ornament they find,
They're most ungrateful if they prove not kind.
Their Snow-white Hands thy welcome Book shall hold,
And sometimes wrapped up in some silken Fold,
In their sweet Bosoms suffer it to Rest,
Al?! who'll not envy it when 'tis so Blessed?
At other times it fairly shall be spread
I'th Sunshine of their Eyes, and whilst 'tis read,
Their Am'oer-Breath and Rose-Lips will lend
Perfumes unto its leaves, shall never spend.
Henceforth no Lawyer they'll retain but thee,
Who plead'st their Cause so well without a Fee.
Philogynes
To His Worthy Friend
Mr. Henry Care:
On his Ingenious Treatise, Entitled,
Female Pre-eminence, &c.
O
h! for some Female-Wit! only a SheYour Wit is the proof makes me my faith suspend,
Whether to give it to the Feminine,
When you that writ it are other Masculine;
Not knowing which deserves the greatful praise,
Or You that Give, or They that Wear the Bayes:
Both seem to me to claim priority,
Their Virtues, and Your Ingenuity.
Then this I'll do, I will resolve henceforth
To Admire Their Virtues, and Extoll Your Worth.
T. Martinne.
(1) By a Book, entitled, A Discourse of Women, showing their imperfections Alphabetically.
(2) His Fools so written.
To the LADIES,
On this Ingenious Discourse of
Female Pre-eminence.
L
adies, at length your vindicated FamesPrinces though clothed with rags, are Princes still;
Nor yet decreases good beset with ill.
The stately Palm does by depression thrive;
Your Virtues died, more nobly to revive.
What said I? They died? No, they ne're could die,
But only fell, pressed down by Calumny;
From whence they do with double force arise,
Just like recoiling Rams in Batteries.
Something to this Brave Author's Care is due,
But he the greater Laurel yields to you.
Conquering Soldiers, as worthy Men, we own,
Yet the Prince that commanded wears the Crown.
Thanks come from all, as debts to the Author's Wit;
What's their desire then, that thus inspired it.
Ladies,
Defending you, success he never fears;
That Ship no sinking dreads, that Caesar bears.
T. P.
To the Ladies and Gentlemen of England.
On that Ingenious Treatise, Translated,
and Augmented, in Defense of their Sex;
By Mr. Henry Care, Entitled,
Female Pre-eminence, &c.
Lay by your Needles, Ladies, take the Bayes,
Express your Gratitude, i'th Author's praise.
Come, show the World, your Wit has found a Flaw,
In Great Apollo's Male-made Salique Law.
If your peruse the Book, you'll quickly find,
The Author's Care, as well as willing mind,
Has been employed to serve your Sex; and now
With your own Hands you ought to Crown his Brow,
I'll call him Author, for a Name he'll want
To be known by, Translator is too scant.
Though He Translator-like new Souls does give
To the Virtues of your Sex, whereby they live;
Yet he's no O?bler, does not Cap, but Crown (1)
Those Virtue, which by ???? were trodden down
The Invention oft, I know his Modesty
Does give to Learned Cornelius: But when I
Peruse Agrippa, he'll find does move, (2)
Excited by his Wit, not by his Love;
While the Translator, from his generous Soul,
Making our Virtues his Antarctic Pole
Revives Agrippa's dormant Work, and thence,
By's Love and Care prev?????? Pre-eminence; (next page)
Wherein by 's Wit, and fluent Style, His Worth
Extols itself, in setting yours forth.
That then the Thanks you owe him, may be seen,
Come crown his Head, (not with a Willow green,
But) with such lasting Bayes the world may see,
You ne're are backward in Gratuity.
Or if your Modesty will not permit
To praise them, that you prize you, Lend me your Wit,
I'll tell the world, (though now the author knows,
I steal my Rhymes from his transcending Prose)
The Female Virtues do the Males excel,
Their Worth, our Weakness, find no parallel.
What is't that's good our Sex can claim, but thence
The Female Sex plead their Pre-eminence?
Do we lay claim to Wisdom, Learning, Art?
Therein Learned Pallas pleads a greater part.
Say we, our Sex are valianter in War;
In this Belloxa does deserve a share.
If we dare challenge shill in Poetry,
The Learned Sifters will our Rivals be.
Whoever says, in Beauty we out-vie,
To them I'm sure Dame Venus give the lie.
When all has failed, come we to Abstinence,
In that Chaste Vesta claims Pre-eminence:
Their very Birth's more noble far, for they
From Man refined were formed, Man was from Clay:
So that there dwells in their Heart and Face,
More outward Beauty, more internal Grace:
Their outward Beauty's greater, all confess,
Whence judge we then their inward Virtues less.
Do we imagine Virtue is so blind,
To dwell in the Male, when the Female's more refined? (turn page)
Wit, Beauty, Virtue, can meet and agree
At once them, which self-enamored, we
Are too apt, if the Female Sex but prize
Us, for One Good, that Good to idolize;
* Narcissus-like, that fair and foolish Boy,
We'll aye, because we can't ourselves enjoy.
Beasts homage do to both, and most Men do
Give honor unto Women, as their due.
Man conquers by his Sword, while Women can
Sooner by words overcome Sword-conquering Man;
Such Reth'ricks in their Tongue, none dare withstand,
Or in the least dispute what they command.
Where is that * Hercules that dare resist,
To turn a Spinster with his clumsy Fist?
If Woman required, he must come swift a Thread,
Or with her Frowns she'll strike the warrior dead.
Imagined Cupid has no other Bow,
Than that half Circle on the Female Brow;
His string's the Hair that cleaves unto this Dart,
A glance is from that Eye that wounds Man's Heart.
But stay,
I can't persist, desist I scarcely dare,
I fear the one, the other is not fair;
I've stole so much already, that my crime
My Clergyes benefit exceeds, In time
I'll beg the Author's mercy, and then I
Will never again steal Wit's, if it's Felony.
Nor dare I to desist, for the Ladies then
Too soon will find, from whence I stole my Pen.
But though my Wit's not so legitimate,
And pure as his, yet is my Love as great, (next page)
And natural; for, from my Mother's Breast
I sucked it in her Milk. Now Pen take Rest,
When to this better Sex ??? as? made this Prayer,
To accept thy Love, while she admire his Care.
T. M.
(1) H????, at Hume.
2) Co?nt??? (possibly Count) Agrippa wrote it in Latin.
* Ovid, Mes lib. 3 line 415
* Ovid, Ep. Pianaire to Hercules.
Female Pre-eminence,
OR THE
Excellency of that Sex
above the Male.
Almighty God, to whose efficacious Word all things owe their original, abounding in his own glorious Essence with infinite goodness and fecundity, did in the beginning Create Man after his own likeness, Male and Female, created he them; the true distinction of which Sexes, consists merle in the different site of those parts of the body, wherein Generation necessarily requires a Diversity: for both Male and Female he impartially endued with the same, and altogether indifferent (end of page 1) form of Soul, the Woman being possessed of no less excellent Faculties of Mind, Reason, and Speech, than the Man, and equally with him aspiring to those Regions of Bliss and Glory, where there shall be no exception of Sex. For though at the last Trumpets universal Alarm, when our recollected bodies shall start up amazed, to find themselves released from their Prisons of Darkness, we may perhaps appear in our respective proper Sexes, yet shall we not then either need or make use of Sex, but are promised by him who is Truth itself, a Conversation resembling that of blessed Angels in Heaven. Hence 'tis evident, that as to the essence of the Soul between Man and Woman, there can no Pre-eminence at all be challenged on either side, but the same innate worth and dignity of both the Image of their Creator being stamped as fairly, and shiningly as brightly in one, as the other; whereas in all other respects the noble and delicate Feminine Race, does most to infinity excel that rough?er??, boisterous kind, the Male. (end page 2)
This may at first seem an odd Assertion, and extravagantly Paradoxical, but will appear a certain Truth, when we have proved it (which is our present undertaking) not with empty flourishes of words, or gaudy Paint of Rhetoric, nor with those vain Logical Devices, where-with Sophisters too frequently inveigle unwary understandings, but by the Authority of the most Approved Authors, unquestioned Histories, and evident Reasons, as likewise with Testimonies of holy Writ, and Sanctions of both Civil and Canon Laws. Since Names are signs of things, and that all matter presents itself to us clothed in words, the Learned have advised us in all Discourses, First, To consider diligently the Notations or appellations of those things whereof we intend to Treat, which if we reduce to practice in our present Subject, we may observe, that Woman was made at first so much more excellent than Man, by how much she had given her a Name more worthy than he; the word Adam, signifying but Earth, whereas Eve, is interpreted Life; (end of page 3) whence it seems, Woman is no less to be preferred before Man, than Life itself before sordid and contemptible Earth. Nor let any weak heads fancy this Argument lame or invalid, because from names it passes judgment on things, since it must be acknowledged, that the All-wise Contriver both of names and things, well knew the things before he imposed names on them; and therefore (it being impossible he should be deceived) did undoubtedly bestow on them such fit and apposite names, as might best express their intrinsic Natures and Dignity. Nor is it only the holy Tongue that intimates this Sex's Pre-eminence, the Latins too seem very express in asserting it, among whom Woman is named Mulier, quasi Melior, as much as to say, Better, or more worthy than Man. And in our English Language, although
Some little Wits at Woman rail and ban,
Swearing she's called so, quasi woe Man;
Yet such wain Derivation are to blame,
Since God himself ???? Man's helpmeet name. (end of page 4)
Women promote our joys, partake our woes,
But we men work our own, and their ? rethro?ves.
'Tis too great a derogation from the known prudence and piety of our Ancestors, to imagine them as once so injurious and impious, as to brand this noble Sex with a Name, diametrically thwarting that Character which Heaven itself had given of its Nature. We may with much more probability, (the only Compass to fail by in an Ocean of Etymologies) suppose the word, Woman, to be derived, quasi Woe man, she being the Loadstone of Man's Desires, and the sole adequate Object of his Affections, whom he is to woe, court, and settle his Love on; or else from With Man, abbreviated in the pronunciation, intimating the need Man has of her presence and company, and his dull heartless condition without her. Society is the Life of Life, and Women the Life of Society, compared with whom all other pleasures and diversions are but flat and melancholy; (end of page 5) whereof the Protoplast, even while he was in his state of Innocency, and had a Garden of pleasure for his Habitation, was not insensible; of whom thus a minor Poet,
Adam alone in Paradise did grieve,
And thought Eden a Desert without Eve,
Until God pitying his Lonesome State,
Crowned all his Wishes with a Lovely Mate.
No reason then had man to flight or flout her,
Who could not live in Paradise without her.
However if we shall not be allowed the privilege of contriving for the Honor of the Female Sex, such advantageous Etymologies, yet let us at least affirm from the mysterious Learning of the Cabalists, that the Woman's Name in the original Language, has a much nearer Affinity with the ineffable Tetragrammation, or sacred Name of the Divine Essence, than the Man's which bears no Resemblance there to either in (end of page 6) Characters, Figure, or Number.
But waving (at present) this abstruser mode of proof, as a matter read by few, understood by fewer, and requiring a more ample Explication, than our leisure, no less than the Readers patience, can here allow of, we proceed from words to things, and come to investigate and display Female Excellency, not barely from the Name, but in Reality from its intrinsic worth and proper Endowments; for long Tangling about Nominals, while Substances fleet by unregarded, may argue some smattering in Grammar, or Sophistry, but no great stock of solid or useful Learning.
Let us then (as we are commanded) search the Scriptures, and dating our Discourse with the World's original, examine what Dignity was alotted to Woman above Man, by order of Creation. We know that all things made by the Almighty Architect, may not unfitly be branched into these two Ranks, some remaining ever incorruptible, others subject to corruption and mutation; (end of page 7) in the Creation of both which, Divine Wisdom proceeds in a Method of Dissension and Ascension, beginning with the more noble of the one, and concluding with the most noble of the other. Essences, immaterial Angels and Souls, (for so the great St. Augustine contends, that the Soul of our first Parent was created together with the Angels, before the production of his body) then the incorruptible bodies, as the Heavens, and those vast numbers of glorious Stars, wherewith the same are embroidered, as also the Elements, incorruptible too, but obnoxious to various mutations, of which last he composed all other things liable to corruption, beginning with the meanest, and so proceeding upwards again by several degrees of dignity, to the perfection of the Universe; so as first Minerals were brought forth, then sprouted up Vegetables, Plants, Herbs and Trees, afterwards Plant-Animals; then Living Creatures in order, creeping, swimming, flying, and four-footed, and (end of page 8) last of all he formed our first Parents, after his own similitude, first the Man, and then the Woman, in whom was completed the Heavens and the Earth, and all the glory of them, for after her Creation the great Creator rested, as having nothing more honorable to frame; and so well resented the pleasure of having finished this glorious work so happily, that he instituted a day of each seven to celebrate its Festival. Woman then being the last of Creatures, the end, complement, and consummation of all the works of God, what Ignorance is there so stupid, or what Impudence can there be so affronted, as to deny her a Prerogative above all other Creatures, without whom the World itself had been imperfect, it being impossible the same should be completed, but in some Creature most perfect; and absurd to dream, that Infinite Wisdom would conclude so noble a Fabric, with a thing any way trivial or defective: for the whole Universe being Created by God, as an entire and perfect Circle, it was required the same should be made (end of page 9) up, and finished in such an exact and absolute particle, as might with a most strict Tie unite and glue together the first of all things with the last. Thus the Woman in relation to time indeed was formed last, but in respect of Dignity, first of all conceived in the divine Idea, (as 'tis written, Before the Heavens were created I chose her;) the End, according to the Catholic Creed on Philosophers, being ever first in Intention, though last in execution: but Woman was the End, and last work of God, and introduced into the World, not unlike a Queen into her Royal Palace, Paradise her Metropolitan Residence, being fitted and prepared before-hand for her Reception and Entertainment, where the Man seemed only her Harbinger or Attendant. Deservedly therefore does every Creature love, and pay respect and homage to her, who is of all Creatures the Queen, perfection and glory; for which cause the wise Man says, He glorifies the Generosity of the Woman, having society with God, the Lord of all has loved her. (end of page 10)
But further, in reference to the place of her Creation, how much Woman does surpass Man in Dignity, sacred Oracles liberally inform us, witnessing her to be Created in Paradise, a place no less noble, than pleasant and delightful; but the Man out of Paradise, in a rural Field, with irrational Brutes. And therefore as great Personages, of noble Extraction, though by the malice of Fortune reduced to Extremities, retain still some marks of Grandeur, and a Mean different from the Vulgar, so Woman carries yet an Air of Paradise, something that speaks her sublime dissent, her Inclinations being generally more pious and devout, and her Countenance Angelical, and (as accustomed to that sublime place of her first Birth) she enjoys this peculiar privilege, that looking downwards, though from never so high a precipice, she is not seized with that dizziness or dimness of sight, which frequently in such accidents happens to Men. As also if a Man and woman together chance to be exposed to danger by Water, (deprived (end of page 11) of all external aid or assistance) you may behold her a long time floating on the Crystal Superficies, the compassionate Element seeming unwilling to contract the guilt of destroying so much Excellency; while the Man straight sinks, and (like other gross bodies) tends to the bottom, as his proper Center. Now that the dignity of the place of Nativity conduces not a little to the ennobling a person, both the Civil Laws, and sacred Canons plainly intimate, and the Custom of all Nations confirms; and that not only in Men, but in all other Animals, yea inanimate Creatures, esteeming each so much more generous and noble, as they come from a more worthy place. Thus Isaac commands his Jacob not to take a Wife of the Land of Canaan, but of the then more renowned Country, Mesopotamia of Syria: not unlike which is that in John, where Philip relating, that he had found Jesus of Nazareth, Nathaniel (that true Israelite) nimbly queries, If any thing good could come thence? (end of page 12)
But to proceed; as in order and place, so also in matter of her Creation, Woman far exceeds Man. Things receive their value from the matter they are made of, and the excellent skill of their maker: Pots of common Clay must not contend with China-Dishes, nor Pewter Utensils vie dignity with those of Silver. One Line drawn by Appelles his exquisite Pencil, is more to be esteemed, than whole Portraitures performed by the slubbering hands of vulgar Artists. Woman was not composed of any inanimate or vile dirt, but of a more refined and purified substance, enlivened and actuated by a Rational Soul, whose operations speak it a Beam, or bright Ray of Divinity. Man was taken out of the Earth, which of its own nature, with the co-operation of Celestial Influxes, is wont to bring forth living Creatures: but Woman, above all Influence of the Heavens, or aptitude of Nature, without any assisting virtue, or co-operating power, was formed miraculously by God himself, out of that Rib taken from dormant Adam's side (end of page 13) whereby Man became maimed and imperfect; and thence ever since, as a Needle that has suffered the Magnetic Touch, stands always trembling 'til it looks full on its beloved North; so He can never rest, will by taking a Woman, and Incorporating her with himself, he retrieves that loss, and render himself again entire and perfect. The rare Art exercised in rearing this Female-Fabric, is not obscurely intimated by the Divine Historian, in his Original Language, where God is said to make Man, but to have built Woman; that implying but common work, this, much curiosity, and contrivance: insomuch Man seems little more than the production of Nature; Woman, the more immediate handiwork of the God of Nature. And therefore for the most part Woman is more susceptible of, and replenished with divine splendor and irradiance, than Man, of which her incomparable Neatness, and charming Beauty, may be a pregnant evidence; for Beauty is nothing but the brightness or radiancy of Divine Light, shining in created (end of page 14) Essences, and casting on us its glorious Reflections from fair bodies, as illustriously as our weak eyes are capable without dazzling to behold it. And this most frequently chooses to reside in Woman, rather than Man; whence she becomes beyond all expression amiable and delightful, her Flesh tender and delicate, her Color bright and clear, her Hair most becoming, her Locks (Cupid's Fetters, and the only Threads wherewith he strings his Bow) soft, long, and glittering, her Countenance more August and Majestical, her Looks more sprightly, vivid and jocund; a snow-white Neck, and large smooth high Fore-head; Sparkling Eyes, armed with irresistible Glances, and yet tempered with a lovely grace and cheerfulness, Arched over with stately Eye-brows, (half Moons, that boast more Conquests, than the proud Turkish Ensigns) which being divided with a beseeming, plain, and equal distance, her well proportioned Nose leads to her pretty Mouth, and that displaying with an amorous Smile, the rosy Portals of its (end of page 15) soft ruddy Lips, discovers a Row of inestimable Pearl, her fine small Teeth, even, and out-vieing Ivory for whiteness, yet fewer in number than Mans, as having less occasion to use them, being neither great Eater, nor Biter. Then her modest Cheeks, whose Colors are so purely mixed, that Lilies and Roses seem there to contend for Superiority, and her pretty round Chin, beautified with a Love-dimple; a Voice she has most sweet and enchanting; Breasts which seem two Spheres of Snow, or swelling Mountains of Delight; long Arms, little Hands, interwoven with a curious Labyrinth of Azure Veins; long slender Fingers, nimble Joints, and all parts of her body plump, juicy, and attractive. Besides, her Gate is so modest, her Motions decent and natural, her Gesture more free and noble, her Air more taking and complacent, and the whole Form, Habit, and Symmetry of her person, graced with such innumerable Charms, as without injuring truth, we may affirm, That in the whole Series of Creatures (end of page 16) there is nothing so much to be admired, or miracle so deserving to be seen, since in her alone all that have not their eyes bleared with prejudice or envy, may clearly see, the great Creator (who is the Fountain of all that is good and amiable) has epitomized the Beauty of all his other works; for those perfections which Sparkle here and there in them, are collected and constellated in her, whom we may call, a Draft of the whole Creation in Miniature, or a Copy of that vast Volume done in exquisite Short-hand. Hence all Creatures admire, love, and almost adore her; for so (* Lib. S. Nat. Hist.) Pliny (that great Clerk of Nature Closet) relates, That the Lion which spares no other Creature, trembles at a Woman, and hardly proffers her that violence which usually he does to Man; as if Nature had taught that savage Animal the Respect due to so fair a presence. Nor is it only the Conceit of fond Opinion, but a very credible Truth, That even Spiritual Natures, incorporeal Essences, and Demons, have many times been enamored on (end of page 17) Women with wonderful passion; for omitting those Stories Poets tell us, of the Amours of their fabulous Deities, as Apollo and Daphne, Neptune and Salmonea, or rampant Hercules with his three Wenches, Hebe, Fole, and Omphale, &c. The holy Scripture seems to intimate no less; as in Genesis we find, That the Sons of God seeing the Daughters of Men were fair, took of them for their Wives: to which we might add, (if it be not thought too Apocryphal) the ill spirit Asmodeus, who so jealously Courted the Lady, that he destroyed all his Rivals, in the History of Tebit. Indeed these sacred Roll are frequent in recommending this divine Ornament, Beauty, and furnish us with various Examples of its power and excellency. Thereby it was Abigail preserved her churlish Husband's Life and fortune, from the fury of incensed David; for thus the Royal Curtain accosts her, Return in peace, ??? ?heard thy usi??, and honored thy face, (or as other Versions render it, Accepted thy person.) All beauty is either intellectual, vocal, or (end of page 18) corporeal; in each of which this Lady is recorded to have been eminently accomplished, being both prudent in mind, eloquent of speech, and beautiful in person, for which excellent perfections, David after Nabal's decease accepted her for one of his Wives. Hester's Beauty was a means to deliver her people out of the jaws of destruction, to which proud Haman had devoted them. And fair Judith's Charms infatuating the besotted General, preserved her Nation from a Ruin which seemed inevitable. After those various temptations and tedious affliction of holy Job, Heaven (as if it could now bestow a better earthly Reward on such a stupendous and inimitable Patience) blessed him with three Daughters so sweet, fair and attractive, that they surpassed those Graces Poets fable of, and the whole World (Bankrupt of such other Excellency) could not produce their Parallels. Who reading the Legends of the sacred Virgins, can but admire in them that transcendent Beauty, which the church vouchsafes to celebrate with such solemn (end of page 19) Eulogies of Honor and especially that immodest Virgin, the blessed Mary, whose Beauty is said to be so exactly tempered with Chastity and Holiness, that though it captivated all hearts, yet is never tempted any to folly, so much ?? in thought. Nor is Beauty only esteemed amongst Men, but Seems also to be particularly regarded even by God himself, (as indeed how can he but respect his own Reflections.) Thus we sometimes read him commanding all the Males (even children) should be slain, but the Women that were s?ir to be saved alive. And in Deuteronomy, liberty is indulged to the Israelites, to take one of their Captives to Wife, if she were beautiful, which otherwise was unlawful.
But besides this charming Excellency, which not only invites, but commands our admiration; Woman is en????? with another natural Ornament, ???? vouchsafe to Men; her Hair growing so that becoming length, as to veil those more reserved parts, whereof Modesty commands concealment; (end of page 20) and indeed of that blushing Virtue this sweet Sex may justly challenge the far greatest share, it having been ?t experienced, (* This Discourse in ??? Original was deduced by the author Agrippa, to the Princess Margaret, afterwards Wife to Maximilian, Emperor, ?? ???? ??? ???? ???? ???? for breaking her Thigh by a fall from a Horse as she was hunting, she would not permit Chyrurgians [surgeons] to set it, but chose rather to die thereof, than prostitute her modesty. See Speeds Chronicle.) That in desperate Diseases, they have chosen to expose themselves to Death's Embrace, rather than to the view and handling of Chyrurgions [surgeons] for cure. Nor can Death itself rifle them of this modest bashfulness; for when drowned, (as Pliny related, and Experience proves) they lie in the Water with their Faces downwards, nature sparing their Modesty; whereas a Man in such case swims on his back, exposing all his shame and nakedness to public view. Further, the most worthy part of us, whereby we chiefly differ from Brutes, is the Head, and of that, especially the Face. Now in men, that noble member the head, is often by Age or other Infirmity plundered of Hair, its native Ornament, and grows deformed with a despicable Baldness; from which misfortune Women by an extraordinary privilege of nature are exempt. As likewise their Faces remain always smooth and comely; (end of page 21) whereas Men's are frequently so beset with over-grown Beards, and sordid Hair, that 'tis difficult to distinguish them from Beasts; whence by the Law of the Twelve Tables, it was provided, Women should not shave their Cheeks, least it might occasion the growth of Beards, and destroy their native pudor and comeliness. Now of the cleanness and purity of this Sex, this oft tried Experiment cannot but be a proof beyond exception; for when a Woman has once washed herself clean, let her wash herself again in fresh Water, and it shall receive no spot or tincture of foulness; but a Man never so well washes, as oft as he washes again, will still leave behind some filth and sordities. Nor may we omit, That nature has given Women the greatest share in the procreation of Mankind; for according to the opinion of those great pillars of the Art of Healing, Galen and Avincenna, she contributes most to the matter and nutriment of the Birth, which may be the reason that most Children resemble their Mothers many times in external features, (end of page 22) but almost always in Genius and Inclinations; for where Mothers be simple, the Children generally prove Fools, and where they are wise, these are witty: but on the contrary, the wisest Fathers have most times Idiots to their Sons, and foolish Fathers frequently get wise Children, provided the Mother be but possessed of a competent stock of discretion. And hence it should seem, Mothers become more fond and indulgent to Children, as being sensible of having a greater share and interest in them; in requital whereof for the same cause, we are naturally more affected towards our Mothers than to our Fathers, for as we seem but to respect our Father, and to love only our Mother. And this leads us to make some reflection on that which is our first Commons in this World, our Mother's Milk, a thing of that Catholic virtue, that it not only nourishes Infants, cherishes the sick, and restores consumptive and languishing nature, but may in case of necessity suffice for the preservation of life to perform of any age, a notable (end of page 23) Instance whereof we read in Valerius, of a poor young Woman, who therewith preserved her aged Mother in prison, that otherwise had inevitably been swallowed up by the devouring jaws of Famine, whereby
She saved her Life who gave her Life before,
and kindly did in kind her Milk restore;
Which signal Love and Tenderness not only procured the old Woman's Release, and a competent maintenance for her and her Daughter, but for a Monument thereof the Goal was converted into the Temple of Pliny, a virtue to which Women are almost ever more prone than Men; so that Aristotle recounts Piety, Mercy and Compassion, as virtues peculiar to this Sex. Nor is it unusual for Physicians to relate, That the heat of young Women's Paps, applied to the Breasts of persons worn out with age, does stir up, augment, and preserve the vital heat; of which David not ignorant, when Age had showed her silver Hair on his head, and robbed him of (end of page 24) his youthful vigor, procured the fair young Shunimite for his Bed-fellow, that he might receive warmth from her sweet Caresses, and cherishing Embraces.
Furthermore to omit that women are more early ready (?) to accomplish that great end of ??? being, generation, and the propagation ?? ?ste?ty, than Men; and that stupendous Miracle of Nature, their Longing, when many times without danger they greedily feed on raw Flesh or Filth, and not seldom on Coals, Dirts, Stones, and other Trash, which without damage they concoct, and convert into healthful nutriment: We only at present add, That according to the Traditions of Philosophers and Physicians, satisfied by Experience, Women have obtained this excellent Boon from the indulgence and bounty of Nature, that in all Diseases whatever, they of themselves, from their own proper stock, are furnished with Remedies, and can cure themselves, without paying in aid of any foreign Help, or far-fetched Medicament. (end of page 25)
But that which transcends all wonder, is, that Woman alone without Man, should be able to produce humane Nature, which Man alone never could pretend to; and yet this is commonly affirmed by the Turks and other Mahumetans, to be feasible; among whom many are believed to be conceived without Fathers, whom in their own Tongue they call Nesesogli. Stories likewise go of Islands, where the Women are conceived to Conceive by the Wind; but this we dare not admit into our Creed, for thereby we should injuriously rob the blessed Mary of her Honor, whose alone Prerogative it was to Conceive without the knowledge of Man, when she brought forth her natural Son, our Savior, of her proper substance, being Impregnated by the holy spirit, and remaining still a pure and Immaculate Virgin, such fruitfulness attending the precedent Benediction, that she needed not Man's help in reference to Conception. But of brute Animals it is more confidently affirmed, some Females conceive without the company (end of page 26) of the Male; as Origen against Faustus, delivers on the credit of History, concerning she-Vultures; and antiquity of certain Mares, which went to Foal by the fruitful gales of Zephyrus; of which the Poet,
Ore omnes versae in Zephyrum stant Rupibus altis,
Excipiuntq; leves Auras, & sape sine ullie
Conjugiis vent gravidae.
Standing on tops of Rocks, the wanton Beast
sucks in the gentle Breezes of the West;
Whence she grows pregnant; end such Colts you'd find,
As fleet and nimble, as their Sires, the wind.
What shall we say of Speech, that divine Faculty differencing us from Brutes, whereby the Soul puts conceptions into words, and makes her Apprehensions audible, which the profound Tresmigistus prizes at no lower rate than Immortality; and the Poet Hesoid deservedly styles our best Treasure. I appeal to each Man's own Experience, (and some I know have had cause to observe it) whether Women are not naturally (end of page 27) more eloquent of Speech, than Men, and their Tongues more apt and voluble to clothe their thoughts in Language, and express their sentiments on any occasion. How sweet and insinuating are their Complements? How close and home their Objurgations? How sudden their Answers? How ingenious their Retorts? How ready their Excuses? How neat their Evasions? How irresistible their Entreaties? Did not every one of us first learn to speak from no other Tutors than our Mothers or Nurses? And in this behalf nature (like a careful Governus) so wisely provides for Humanity, that scarce ever any of that Sex are found dumb. Nor is this sure any mean or vulgar honor, but meriting the greatest regard, to surpass Men in that, wherein Man himself chiefly excels other Creatures.
But pretermitting these more vulgar and profane Instances of Feminine superiority, let us return to Sacred Letters, deducing the Rivulets of our Discourse from the very Fountains of Religion; where we may observe, That Man was (end of page 28) first blessed for the Woman's sake, God vouchsafing no benediction on him until after her Creation, as if before he had been unworthy that celestial favor. Consonant whereunto is that Proverb of Solomon, he that finds a good Woman, finds a good thing, and shall receive a blessing from the Lord. And that in Ecclestasticus, Blessed is the Husband of a good Woman, the number of his years shall be doubled. Nor indeed can any vie destiny with him whose good fortune 'tis to enjoy a good Wife; for (as the same Siracides says) She is a Grace above all Graces: and therefore the wisest of Kings calls her, The Crown; and the great Apostle, The Glory of the Man: Now Glory is defined to be the consummation and perfection of a thing acquiescing and delighting in its end, viz. when nothing more can be thereto added to augment its perfection. Therefore Woman being the Complement, Felicity, Blessing, and Glory of Man, 'tis but requisite every Man should love and respect her accordingly; and he that does not do so, or shall be so barbarous (end of page 29) as to hate or dis-esteem her; is not only a stranger to all Virtues and Graces, but a very Rebel against Humanity.
Hereto we might, perhaps not improperly, refer those Cabalistical mysteries, how that Abraham was blessed of God in some respect though means of his Wife Sarah; for by taking the Letter H from her Name, and adding it to his, he came to be called Abraham. As also that Jacob's blessing was acquired by a Woman, his Mother: of which sort there are in Scripture several other passages, not requisite here to be unfolded. This may suffice to let us see, that the blessing was bestowed for the Woman's sake, but the Law given to the Man: to him was forbidden the fruit of that unhappy Tree, which set all Posterity's Teeth on edge; not to the Woman, who was not then so much as Created. For although St. Gregory (* Greg. l. 35 Morals. ?. 16) read the Prohibition, You shall not eat, as though it were spoken to both Man and Woman, yet the Original delivers it in the singular. And St. Austin (* Gen. ad Lit. lib. ?. cop. 17) takes away the Doubt, and tells (end of page 30) us, That by Tradition the Woman received this Commandment from the Man, not by immediate delivery from God; which is so, we thence conclude, That by reason thereof the Woman might chance more easily to break this Law, than the Man; since the All-glorious Majesty of God that commanded, should take deeper impression in Man, than the equality of person that related, could in the Woman; the roaring of a Lion being more trembled at, than the braying of an Ass; the Commands of a King more powerful, than the words of one's Companion. At most, when Woman find, she did it, poor soul, unwittingly, being deluded by the insinuating Serpent: so that it appears the Man sinned against perfect knowledge, and the positive Command of his Maker; the Woman out of ignorance, seduced by the crafty wiles of the Tempter, with whom for a considerable time she disputed the matter, and lost not the glory of the day without a fair Com????, ?????? at last she fell an unhappy Trophy ????; stratagems: whereas no former (end of page 31) was that too pleasing Apple proffered to the Man, but without scruple he greedily falls on, and, Rebel as he was, would needs taste its fancied sweetness, whose bitter relish remains to this day, and has left on us those original stains, which Nothing but Divine Blood can fetch out.
That Woman was first set upon by the Adversary, may be an Argument of her Excellency; for we know, that the sharpest points are soonest blunted, and the perfectest white most easily soiled.
Envy strikes at the best; who stand on high,
are fairest marks for foulest obloquy.
The black Prince of the Air, that subtle degraded Seraphim, well knew Woman to be the most accomplished of all Creatures; and seeing (as St. Bernard observes) her amazing Beauty to be such, as before his Lapse he had beheld in the Divine Light, and which above the sublimest Hierarchies enjoys communion with God, did thereupon merely out of envy, plot how he (end of page 32) might dismount her from that Throne of Perfection, and endeavor by his malicious Darts first of all to wound her innocency, and fully her glory, whose transcendent Luster above others, his hellish nature could not but most of all repine at. Nor want we further intimation of the fair Sexes Dignity and Pre-eminence, if we reflect, That when the promised seed of Woman, that bruised this cursed Serpent's head, I mean our blessed Savior, lest the bosom of his Eternal Father, and the Splendors of inaccessible Light, to become visible in these lower Regions, and veiling the Majesty of his glorious presence, clothed himself with human flesh, coming into the World in the lowliest manner imaginable, that by his humility he might expiate the pride of our first Parents sin; we may with all humble Reverence conjecture, That he was therefore pleased to assume the Male, as the meanest and inferior Sex; contriving by his infinite wisdom, that since Man's offense had reduced us all into this forlorn condition, (for had the (end of page 33) Woman only find, we never had had such cause to cry out, Oh Adam! what have you done? not the apostle to say, In Adam we all died) satisfaction for sin should be made in that Sex, from whom that ocean of impiety which has overwhelmed the World, had its first Source and origin. But although this blessed Immanuel took not on him the Female Sex, yet he so far honored it, as to assume his Flesh only from the Woman; and is therefore entitled, Filius hominis, in respect of her, not of Man, (which our vulgar Translations seen to have forgot.) This was that stupendous miracle, the contemplating whereof put the admiring Prophet into an Ecstasy, That a Woman should encompass a Man; that is, Christ be conceived in a pure Virgin's womb, Impregnated without the Contact of two prolific Sexes; that Divinity should be embodied in an earthly Tabernacle, and have its glories shut (?) up in a Clone (?) of the Flesh, like Sunbeams (?), in Curtains (?) Crystal (?). Nor did our Lord afterwards when he had dissolved the powers (end of page 34) of the Grave, and destroyed death's Empire by his miraculous Resurrection, vouchsafe his first appearance to Men, but Women, who are not known at any time to have quitted the faith, or turned their backs on true Religion; whereas Man immediately after his Ascension began to Apostatize. Nor can it be proved, that ever any Persecution, Heresy, Schism, or Error in the church, had Women for its first Authors, but always Men. By that perfidious and cruel Sex was our blessed Jesus the Lord of Life, and King of Glory, betrayed, sold, bought, accused, condemned, crucified, and slain: yea when he was denied by his own great confident, Peter, and abandoned by all the rest of his Male Disciples, even then the Women left him not, but accompanied him still to the Cross and Sepulcher; and Pilate's heathen Wife endeavored more his preservation, than any of the Men which professed belief in him. Whereto we may add, That almost all School-Divines concur in opinion, That the Church at that instant (end of page 35) remained wholly and solely in a Woman, viz. The Virgin Mary; and therefore this Sex is deservedly by them styled Sacred and Religious.
But if any object with Aristotle, That the Male is generally much the strongest, and therefore to be more valued; we desire such to consider, how contemptible a Glory tis to boast of big bones, or brawny Arms, and what mean Trophies they can hope to raise to themselves by excelling Women, by those advantages wherein they must confess themselves inferior to hundreds of Beasts. If strength alone must give the pre-eminence, let Men give place to their Horses, confess their Oxen their Masters, and pay homage to Elephants. But in truth they have little reason to vaunt of the strength or prudence, the valor or subtly of their Sex, having been always shamefully baffled by those whom they vainly call the weaker vessels. What Man was ever able to vie strength with Sampson, whose single Arm no better weaponed than with an Ass's Jaw bone, could at once sacrifice a (end of page 36) thousand Lives to his fury? Yet did this prodigious Hero (like Hercules) truckle to a Distaff, and was ridiculously captivated by a Woman. Who could boast a more severe chastity than just Lot, whose righteous soul did daily suffer pangs of grief and indignation, seeing the Sodomites' Debaucheries? Yet Women easily enticed him to Ebriety and Incest. Who more religious than David? Yet a bathing Beersheba caused him at once to Sully the pure Robes of his Sanctity, with the black stains both of Adultery and Murder. Who so wise as Solomon, who seems to have been Nature's Privy-Counselor, and to have had the honor to behold her undressed? Yet was not all his wisdom Amulet sufficient to guard him against Women's Charms, but that he still placed more felicity in their enjoyment, than in all the curious Contemplations and Researches of Philosophy; and even abandoned the worship of that God, who had bestowed those Stupendous parts on him, to wantonnize in their Embraces. Who more fervent and resolved in the (end of page 37) faith, than Peter, the chief of the Apostles? Yet a Silly Damsel caused that great Pastor of the church thrice to deny his Master.
But methinks I hear some whispering, That all this makes more against than for Women, and tends rather to their infamy, than praise. To whom we Answer, That the evil of the before recounted actions redounds chiefly to Men the actors, rather than to the Women, who were only accidentally the occasion of them. And if the Sun's Luster by dazzling our weaker eyes, bring on us any inconvenience, shall we accuse his glorious brightness; or rather ought we not to bewail the imbecility of our own Optics, unable to Cope with so much Splendor? Besides, admitting Women to be in some of these Cases Criminal, we could (if we delighted to be paradoxical) allege, That even the holy Scriptures seems to put a more favorable construction on their lapses and failings, than on Men's. Is not Rachel commended, who with a neat invention deluded her Father, in his (end of page 38) search for her Idols? And Rebecca, who by fraud procured Jacob his Father's blessing? Rahab with a lie deceived those that sought for Joshuah's Spies, and 'tis accounted to her for Righteousness. Jahel most perfidiously destroyed Sisera, as he lay innocently sleeping in her Tent, whither with an entire confidence he had committed himself for preservation; which Signal Treachery notwithstanding, 'tis said, Blessed among Women shall Jahel be, &c. Read the Story of Judith; observe well her dissembling Insinuations to Holofernes, and those flatteries wherewith she having lulled him to sleep, cut off his Head, for which she is applauded and extolled to the skies. Lot's daughters pass uncondemned for their Incest; and yet their Father is not excused, but has his Succession excluded from the Church of God. Lascivious Thamar is defended, and said to be more just than the Patriarch Judah; and by that fraudulent Incest obtains the honor to be named in our Savior's Genealogy. But 'tis time we dis-entangle ourselves from (end of page 39) this odd Digression, and return to the prosecution of our Subject.
There needs not any more evident Argument of this happy Sex's Pre-eminence, than to reflect, That the most worthy of all Creatures that ever was or will be, was a Woman, viz. the blessed Virgin. Nor is this any other than one of Aristotle's own Arguments, That kind of which the best is more noble than the best of another kind: now of the Female kind the Virgin Mary is the best. In the Male there arose not a greater than John Baptist; and how much that Sacred Virgin, who is exalted above all the Quires of Angels, does surpass him, there is no Catholic so ignorant but understands. In like sort we may argue, That kind whose worst is worse than the worst of another kind, is itself inferior to that other kind: but we know, that the worst and vilest of all Creatures is Man; whether we understand it of the wretched Judas, who committed high treason against the King of Kings, and of whom 'tis said, It had been good (end of page 40) for him to have been born; or whether there shall hereafter arise an Antichrist worse than he, in whom shall dwell all the power of Satan. And here by the way give us leave to remark, that the Scriptures mention divers Men banished to eternal torments; whereas we no where read of any Woman damned. But to proceed;
Nature herself gives a Suffrage to our Assertion; for in all per productions, when anything is to be framed more excellent than ordinary, she makes it a Female. Thus the Eagle, the noblest of Birds, and Queen of all the winged Troops, is never found a Male. And the wondrous Pheonix (to which the World is too poor to yield a Mate) is related by the Egyptians to be ever of the Female Sex. But on the contrary, The King of Serpents, whom all call the Basilisk, the most mortal of all poisons, is always, and cannot but be a Male, as the more proper receptacle of venom and destructive qualities. Whereas the Excellency and Innocency of this other Sweet-natured Sex, which (end of page 41) we here recommend, is hence abundantly manifest, in that all those black crimes and crying enormities which incense Heaven, and infest Earth, derive their pedigree from Men. Adam the first Man, first locked up the Gates of Paradise, and by presuming to transgress the Law of his Maker, rendered all us his unhappy Posterity obnoxious to Sin, and consequently entitled to the wages thereof, death. And his first-born Son unlocked the Gates of Hell; first of all introducing that infernal Train, Envy, Murder, Parricide and Despair into the World. The first that ventured on Polygamy was Lamech; the first Drunkard, Noah; the first setter up both of Tyranny and Idolatry, Nimrod, that mighty Hunter, who thereby at once exercised his cruelty both on body and soul. Men they were that first established a commerce with the Regions of darkness, by treating and making compacts with infernal Spirits, and inventing profane Arts. Men they were whose raging lusts first transported them to offer violence to Nature, whereof the (end of page 42) ruins of Sodom and Gomorrah (once famous Cities) calcined by that unnatural heat, remain to this day a dreadful monument. To read of men that have abandoned themselves to all kind of brutish Sensualities; had two or more Wives; or been Adulterers, or Whoremongers, is not at all rare or unfrequent. How many Wives had Abraham, Jacob, Esau, Joseph, Moses, Sampson, Saul, David, Solomon, Roboam, Ahashuerus, and a numberless number more, who besides their Wives, had Concubines; and yet not satisfied, could not refrain tampering with their Servants and handmaids. But we find not one Woman (except Beersheba) mentioned, but was content with one Man; nor any that made a Second Choice, if she had Issue by the first: for Women are naturally far more chaste and continent than Men; insomuch that perceiving themselves unfruitful, they have oft abstained from their Husband's Bed, and brought in others to supply their places, as Sarah, Rachel, Leah; and other voluntarily offered their Maids (end of page 43) to their husband's Embraces, to raise them up posterity. But what Man pray ever was there, though never so old, cold, impotent, or unfit for Chamber-practice, that had either so much piety or pity, as to substitute any in his place, that might Impregnate his Wives fruitful womb with a generous off-spring. We read indeed, that Lycurgus and Solon (persons ranked by Antiquity among the wisest of legislators) established laws to this effect, That if any Man weakened with age, or otherwise uncapable of Sacrificing to Venus, and performing the Rights of the Nuptial Bed, had taken a young Wife, she should not be confined wholly to his fumbling Courtship, but might make choice of some sprightly young Friend, to pay her those Arrears of Benevolence, due from her insolvent husband, whose Issue should be deemed the Husband's to all intents, and not at all illegitimate. But we find not these Ordinances put in practice; not so much by reason of the Men's obstinacy in obstructing, as the Women's modesty and continency, refusing (end of page 44) the liberty thereby indulged.
Nor are Examples wanting of divers Illustrious Ladies, surpassing the best of men, not only in an exact and rigid Chastity, but also for entire Conjugal Affection. Some out of a passionate tenderness, not enduring to Survive their Husband's, have violently cast themselves into the Graves or funeral Piles, together with the beloved Corpse. Others have thought no Tomb but their own Bodies, worthy to enshrine the Ashes of their dearest mates. How religiously have they preserved their Love's flames, as pure and undecaying as vestal fires? What means have they left unattempted? What hazards have they not embraced, to serve those to whom Hymen's Sacred Band has united them? Witness Cornelia, who so dearly affected her Pompey, that she would not suffer him to go into the Wars, (though he were the World's Terror) unless herself in person might wait on him. Witness Demotia, who having lost her Leosthenes, could not find herself, and therefore through solitariness made a speedy (end of page 45) voyage to death after him. Witness Sulpitia, who being adjudge to stay, and watched that she should stay at Rome, when her Husband Lentulus was banished thence, did yet (notwithstanding the Senate's Comman, her Princely Father's Charge, the Love of her City and Country, the loss of Friends and Family) alone expose herself unto the danger of the night, beguiled the watchful eyes of her strict Guard, break forth of the City, and acquired after him along the fields, until she became the joyful Companion of his woeful banishment, so little she esteemed all the World's felicity in regard of her dear Lentulus; and for her Lentulus so willingly she incurred whatsoever misery, Witness Panthea, Rhodogune, Laodemia, Martia, Valeria, Portia, Lucretia, Penelope, Alcinoe, and millions more, whose singular fame herein as it has caused Antiquity to invest them in eternal shrines of honor, so may their rehearsal enforce Posterity to receive them as the fruitful patterns of imitation, and so far proselyte the bitterest Woman- (end of page 46) hater, as to convert his aversion into an admiration of this Sex's Heroic virtues; especially if in his thoughts to these miracles of Affection, he added those mirrors of Chastity, who have bravely slighted all both temptations and torments to preserve their Honor, which they not only scorned to prostitute for sordid gain, or Fairy Titles, for a flattering Complement, or prodigal Treat, but also withstood the Importunities of Grandees, and defied the Menaces of Tyrants, valuing their Virgin-purity more than Crowns, or Kingdoms, or Life itself; as the Calidonian Atlanta, the Volcian Camilla, the Grecian Iphigenia, Cassandra, and Crise, and divers Lacedemonians, Spartan, Theban, and other Virgins, whose Names are embalmed in History, for the wonder and laucation (?) of Posterity.
But here perhaps some barking Zoilus may interrupt us, by objecting the atal Matches of Sampson, Jason, Deiphobus, Agamemnon, &c. and those Tragedies thence ensuing: in most, if not all which, if we narrowly inspect all (end of page 47) circumstances, we may easily find the Women to be wrongfully accused; for scarce ever do ill Wives happen to any but bad Husbands, and such as by their own vitious Examples debauch them, and teach them to be wicked by a President. We are more easily swayed by patterns, than by precepts: every example is a most pleasing Invitation, where the eye is guided unto present action, not the ear fed with fained speculation. A lascivious Husband will make a wanton Wive; a spend-thrift Husband, an extravagant Wife; and a modest, honest careful Husband, a modest, honest, careful Wife. We should therefore take St. Austin's counsel, and such as we would have our Wives appear unto us, the same should we first approve ourselves to them. 'Tis an impudent and impious fellow (says Seneca * Ad. ??? Epis. 94) that requires his Wife an undefiled Bed, yet he himself defiles it. For this reason (as Diogenes struck the Father, when the Boy Swore, because he had taught him no better) so in some places the Husband's are punished only for the faults of their (end of page 48) Wives; as in Catalonia, whoever is Cuckolded, pays a sum of money; and in Paris, he rides in disgrace through the City, the Cryer proclaiming these words before him, Sodo, Sohave; from which our English Custom of Ridings is not much different. Nor do these deplorable Consequences always arise from any extreme ill habit or disposition of either of the parties, but from their indiscreet Conjuncture; their Tempers disagreeing cause their Discord, and their Humors being contrary, are unfit for so close an union; such jarring Notes can produce no harmony, but rather dismal effects: as a fiery Vapor enveloped in the arms of a cold Cloud, breaks forth with amazing Flashes and terrible Thunderclaps. A mature deliberation is requisite before such an eternal Bond entered into: The mutual Affection of each party; the consent of Parents; the approbation of Friends; the ?ryal of Acquaintance; the special observation of Disposition, Genius, Kindred, Education, and Behavior, ought seriously to be weighed, before one conclude (end of page 49) for the better, for worse, and tie that Gordian knot, which cannot be loosed til death cuts it: Now then if a Man make his Choice with these due respects, his Marriage cannot but prove a merry Age, and be crowned with joy and felicity, because he is guided by Prudence, which never fails her followers. But if not, he may well be styled a Fool, since he is hurried on with passion, and a giddy fancy, which easily impoisons the best designs. He therefore that is truly wise, cannot but choose a virtuous Wife, and by consequence live happily with her; and if any take one that proves vitious, it argues his own folly, and so by good reason he ought patiently and without repining to endure her, as the effect of his own Inconsiderateness, and not to aggrandize his misfortune, by quarreling with his own Choice.
Besides, as the Lion in the Fable replied to the Fellow upbraiding him with a Picture, wherein was drawn a Man ?????? a Lion; Were we Lions Painter; ??? should see one Lion ???? a thousand (end of page 50) Men. So had Women but the power of making Laws, and writing Histories, what Tragedies might they not justly have published of men's unparalleled villainy? Among whom are daily found so many Murderers, Thieves, Ravishers, Forgers, Fierers of Cities, and Traitors, who in the time of Joshua and King David, robbed in such vast multitudes, that they marched in a posture of War, and made them Captains of their padding Bands, (a trick they have scarce forgot at this very day) whence so many Prisons become crowded, and so many Gibbets loaded with their Carcasses. Whereas on the contrary, to Women we owe the invention of all things useful or beneficial to Mankind, which may either adorn and enlighten our dark minds, or relieve and accommodate the necessities of our frail bodies. Hence both the Muses and the Graces are said to be Shes; and the Names of all Arts, Sciences and Virtues, are Feminine, and drawn by Painters in the habit of Women. Nor was there among all kinds of Idolaters, any so (end of page 51) much celebrated for Learning and Prudence, as those who paid their Adoration at the Altars of Female Deities; such being the veneration and esteem of this Sex of old, that those three principal parts (which Antiquity conceited to be all the World) were Christened after the names of Women; one taking its Denomination from Asia the Nymph; the other from Europa, the Daughter of Agenor; and the third from Lybia, the Daughter of Epaphus, which is also called Africa.
If we particularly take an impartial Survey of all kinds of Virtues and Excellencies, we shall find that Women may in each without usurpation challenge the principal place. If we look on Chastity, 'twas a Woman first vowed Virginity to God. If the gift of Prophesy be required, Lactantius, Eusebius, and St. Austin, can tell us with what a divine spirit the Sybils were inspired: and holy Writ records Miriam the Sister of Moses, and Olda, Jeremiah's Uncle's Wife; and no less than four Sisters, Daughters of Philip, all eminent Prophetesses. (end of page 52) If constancy and perseverance in virtue be regarded, you will find Judith, Ruth, and Hester, so gloriously celebrated by the holy Spirit, Inditer of those sacred Volumes, that the Books themselves retain their Names. If a lively, vigorous, and stable faith be expected, we shall see Men generally come short of Women. The poor Widow of Sarepta believed the Prophet Elias, though the things he told her could not but to carnal reason appear in the shape of impossibilities. Zacharias was reprehended for his Infidelity by the Angel, and struck dumb; but his Wife Elizabeth prophesies both with her womb and her voice, and loudly celebrates the praises of the blessed Virgin-Mother, saying, Blessed art thou who has believed the things which are said unto you by the Lord. To omit the Samaritan Woman, with whom Christ entertained Discourse at the Well, and being satisfied with the more acceptable dainties of her steadfast faith, refused the Apostles provision. And that irresistible belief of the Woman of (end of page 53) Cananea; and her who had the Issue of Blood, who seemed to storm heaven, and offer a welcome violence to their Savior, not to be put off with any denial. Was not the faith and confession of Martha equal to that of Peter? What a noble constancy of faith and resolution do we find in Mary Magdelen, verifying that saying, She to whom much was forgiven, loved much. For when the Priests and Jews, blinded with rage and ignorance, Crucified that Messiah, whom they had so long passionately expected, she stands weeping by the Cross, a flood of tears flowing from her fair eyes, to see those streams of blood and water trickle from his precious side. Afterwards she brings spices and precious ointments to embalm his body, but missing it in the Tomb, inquires of the supposed Gardener, and soon acknowledges him to be God: goes with as much speed as joy to the Apostles, and tells them her Lord is risen: They all doubt the miracle, or rather doubt her narration, as if 'twere only for a dream of her melancholy fancy, but still her (end of page 54) confidence continues, and her faith remains unshaken, even when all those Pillars of the Church seemed weak and tottering. What shall we say of holy Priscilla, who instructed Apollo, a person learned in Law, and (as Ecclesiastical histories inform us) Bishop of Corinth, which great Apostolical Man so much a stranger to the pride and conceited humor of our giddy Age, that he thought it no shame to learn of a Woman what he might teach in the Church.
If we consult primitive Histories, and turn over Martyrologies, we shall find, those Women who have resisted their faith in the flames of Martyrdom, and embraced death and torments, rather than renounce true Religion, not to have been out-numbered by the Men; all which particularly to enumerate we should be infinite: only give us leave not to forget that wonderful Matron, deserving a place in all good men's memories, who not only with a divine and incredible patience, beheld her Seven Sons perishing in her fight by cruel martyrdom, (end of page 55) but also courageously exhorting them to death; and putting her entire confidence in God, was afterwards herself destroyed for the Laws of her country.
To this good natured Sex, (as instruments of providence) whole Nations stand indebted for their faith, and owe their Conversion. Did not Theodilina, the Daughter of the King of Bavaria, convert the Lombards? Greisil, the Sister of the Emperor Henry the First, the Hungarians? Clotidia, the Daughter of the King of Burgundy, the Francks? And a poor She-Apostle of very mean Extraction, the Hibertie each of them illuminating with the bright Beams of the Christian Faith, many thousands of souls which before lay groping in the hellish darkness of Pagan Superstition and Idolatry. By this method of Beneficence, doing good to the better part of those we converse with, and promoting the eternal Concerns of Mankind, is true Honor only acquired. This alone is the Royal Road to that immense Glory, which will still remain (end of page 57) fresh and sparkling, when Pyramids shall lie buried in rubbish, and the noise of victories be forgot; for so Divinity assures us, They that turn many to righteousness, shall shine as the Stars in the firmament for ever and ever.
But least any Scrupulous heads should doubt of Women's abilities, to dispatch all those affairs which are usually transacted by Men let us join Issue, and try the matter by Examples, and we shall find, That never any difficult Office was managed, hazardous undertaking attempted, or brave, generous Exploit achieved by Men, but the same has been performed as famously, and with as much dexterity and success in every respect by Women. That of old they were Priests, is evident; for Melissa among the Gentiles was so eminent in the Priesthood of the Goddess Cybele, that all that succeeded her were called Melissa. And to pass by Hypecaustria, the Priestess of Minerva; Mera of Venus; Iphigeni of Diana, &c. it may be nothing unpleasant to repeat those various Names, wherewith Bacchusa's She- (end of page 57) Priests were honored; as Thyades, Baccha, Menades, Eliades, Mimallonides, Aedonides, Eubyades, Bassarides, Triaterides, &c. Among God's own people too, the Jews, Mary, Moses's Sister, used to accompany Aaron into the Sanctuary, and was by all reverenced as a Priest. Nor are there wanting at this day many holy Recluses, whom Antiquity scrupled not to call (Sacerdotes) Priests.
Famous for Prophesy has this Sex been among all Nations; witness Cassandra; all the Sybills; Moses his Sister, mentioned but now; Deborah, Hulda, Anna, and other of old; besides divers more modern, as Bridget, Hildegard, &c.
In Magic, of the inexpurnable Discipline of good or ill Spirits, (which many talk of, most condemn, and few understand,) Circe and Medea wrought more wonders than Zoroasters himself, though most believe him the first inventor of these black Arts.
For profound knowledge in the abstrusest parts of Philosophy, were eminent, (end of page 58) Thana, Pythagoras his Wife, and his Daughter Dama, excellent at explaining her Father's mysterious Sentences; Aspasia and Diotima, Scholars of Socrates; Philesia and Axiochia, both Disciples of Plato; Plotinus extols Gemina and Amphiclea; Lactantius applauds Themiste; the Christian Church glories in St. Katerine, a Lady that alone for Learning surpassed all the wisest Men of that Age. Nor may our Memory here without an unpardonable crime, let slip the mention of Longinus; the Philosopher's excellent Pupil Queen Zenobia, for her vast knowledge in Letters, and clear understanding, called Ephinissa, whose devout Works Nichomachus rendered into Greek. If we proceed to those soul-charming faculties, Oratory and Poesie, behold a whole Troop crowd about us; as Armesia, surnamed Androgenia, Hortensia, Lucretia, Valeria, Copiola, Sappho, Corinna, Erimna, Telia, or Tesbia, surnamed Epigrammatist; Sempremia in Salust; and among the Lawyers, Calphurnia.
'Tis a proud self-flattering Conceit (end of page 59) of the Bearded-Tribe, to arrogate all Learning to themselves, or think the noble Female Sex incapable of making as generous flights towards the top of a Parnassus, as they. Women's Fantasies are much more quick and searching; their memories as tenacious and faithful; their judgments as solid; all their thirst after knowledge and fame no less attentive, than Men's. Why then should they not with the same advantages, make at least an equal progress in Literature? 'Tis true, our male Dictators strive to monopolize Learning, and having by a brutish custom barred the Doors of the Muses Temple against Women, do now pretend they are unable and unfit to enter: yet vain are these their envious designs, to depress or cloud the Glories of this Sex: for indeed Women by nature alone do excel the Professors of Arts, even in those particular Arts which they pretend to; those Sciences and Accomplishments which Men acquire not without a vast expense of time, waste of spirits, and other inconveniences, (end of page 60) being all in Women as it were innate and con-natural. That this may not seem a naked affirmative, or inconsiderate Rant, be pleased to consider, That although Grammarians proudly boast themselves masters of the Art of well-speaking, as if all must be dumb, or at least barbarous, that have not submitted to the tyranny of their Ferula; yet we learn far better to speak from our Mothers and Nurses, who are continually engaging us to prattle, and correcting the errors of our lisping Tongues, than from the crabbed instructions of those supercilious Pedagogues. Twas Cornelia's Industry that formed her Sons the Grachi's Tongues, to such an admired height of Eloquence; nor had the King of Scythia's Son Siles any other Tutor to teach him the Greek Tongue, but his Mother Istrina. When Colonies are planted and several nations mingled, do not the Children always retain their Mother's Language? For which reason, both Plato and Quintilian have been so exact in giving Precepts for the choice of a fit Nurse, that Children's speech (end of page 61) may rightly be ordered, and discreetly molded from their infancy.
Are not the Poets in their trifling fables surpassed by hundreds of old Women and Logicians in their contentious brawling out done by each Billingsgate Fish-wife?
Your smooth-tongued orators seem almost Almighty in words, and able at pleasure to raise or calm the passions, by the Magic of their Rhetoric; yet where was there ever any of them so happy, but that a pretty obliging Wench would out go him in the Art of persuasion? What subtle Arithmetician is able to misreckon a Woman when he goes to pay her a Debt; or cheat her of a penny by all his rules of practice or falsehood? What Musician can equal her for singing; or dare compare the squeaking of his Crowd to the melody of her ravishing voice?
A silly Grammars predictions have often been answered with suitable events; while the Prognosticians of great Mathematicians, and famous Star-readers, (that boast themselves of Heaven (end of page 62) Cabinet Council) serve only to prove their Authors either lying fools, or flattering knaves. How frequently is the Art of the most eminent Physicians forced to veil to the skill of a Country-Matron? Who with an ordinary Receipt chases away those sullen Distempers, which bid defiance to all the slops and hard words leveled against them by Master Doctor.
Nor need any of these Artists resent this ill, since Socrates, the wisest of men (if you'll credit an Oracle) thought if not shame in his wisest Age to learn of Aspasia: nor did Apollo the Divine blush to receive instruction from good Priscilla.
Having thus briefly vindicated the fair Sexes Reputation in the Schools, we next proceed to the Court and Camp, and find them there not at all deficient in policy of State, or that civil prudence requisite for the conduct of human affairs: not so ignorant as many imagine, in State-craft; that refined skill which dis-imbicils the Intrigues of the Court; which teaches the Science of War, (end of page 63) and the dexterity of treating for peace; Women's Wits having generally been esteemed more quick and ready in sudden exigens, and most fertile and dexterous for the plotting and carrying on any politic design, or subtle contrivance.
No Stratagem did warrior e're devise,
Which first he learned not from their catching eyes.
Of these She-Machiavils and Feminine Hectors, History copiously affords us Examples; as Opis, reverenced by the Egyptians as a deity; Plotina, the Wife of Trajan; Amalasmutha, the Queen of the Ostrogothi; Deborah, to whom in all cases of difference the Israelites repaired for judgment, and rescued themselves from Slavery, by a memorable victory under her conduct. Semiramis, who for forty years with much honor and renown governed the Assyrians; and Candace, Queen of Ethiopia, no less eminent for prudence, than power and magnificence, of whom some (end of page 64) mention is made in the Acts: but wonders are related by that worthy Register of antiquity, Josephus, for laying the foundations of Empires, and building cities; Semiramis, Dido, and the Amazons, for both skill and success in War; Thomiris, Queen of the Massaganae, who conquered Cyrus, that great Monarch of the Persians; as also Camilla, of the Nation of the Volci; and Valisca, of Bohemia, both potent Queens. To whom might be added the Indian Pande, and the women of Phocia, Chios, and Persia; with many other Illustrious Viragoes, who in the greatest exigencies, and most desperate Shocks of Fortune, have preserved their gasping Countries; of whom the noble Judith and fair Hester deserve to lead the van, as the glory of their own, and Shame of the other Sex, Whilst Rome stands, the name of that grave matron Vetruria, will be famous; who by checking the inordinate rage of her son Coriolanus, preserved that Imperial City, the young Captain at his Mother's persuasions desisting from his unnatural hostility against his Mother- (end of page 65) Country. Nor can the brave Arthemisia want her do applauses, who destroyed the Rhodian Navy that invaded her, and to return the civility of their intended viser, subdued their Island, erecting an ignominious Statue in the midst of their chief City, to remain there as a perpetual brand of infamy and reproach.
The English Nation were most ungrateful, should they ever forget their Obligations to this Sex, to whose contagious resolution alone, they owe their deliverance from the insufferable tyranny of the Danes. Nor is the most Christian King less engaged, whose rotting Crown was once affixed on his Ancestor's Head by a Female hand. That strange riddling Prodigy of valor, Joan of Arc, (celebrated by some as a Saint, and branded by others for a Witch,) when the English had almost spread their victorious Ensigns over the whole Kingdom of France, and wanted little to complete its total conquest, taking Aries like an Amazon, sacrificed their fortune, put a stop to the torrent of their (end of page 66) victories and by degrees restored the withering de Laces to their former luster; in honor of which gallant Enterprise, a Statue sacred to her memory stands erected on the Bridge at Orleans.
An innumerable Catalog could we here produce of most excellent Women, out of both ancient and modern Histories of the Grecians, Romans, and other Nations; Plutarch, Valerius, Boccaus, and many others, having written largely of them: but we study brevity, that our Work may not overflow its intended limits; for we fancy not those over-grown Treatises which are divided into Tomes and Volumes; so that we shall not here say so much in Women's praise, but that we shall conceal much more that might, and deserves to be said; being not so extravagantly ambitious, as to undertake to comprehend or display the infinite Excellencies and Virtues of that Sex, in so ?enet a Discourse. What Mortal's Pen, or Angel's tongue, is sufficient to enumerate and proclaim their praises, on whom depends our very being, and the preservation (end of page 67) not only of particular Families and Republics, but of all human kind, which without them would soon decay, and the World in one ??? droop into a solitary Desert.
This Rome's first Founder well understood; and rather than want Women, chose to incur a sharp hazardous War with the Sabines, for stealing away their Daughters, without whom his intended Empire had quickly moldered away, and never arrived at that proud Grandeur, to give Laws to all the World. Upon which quarrel, when afterwards the Sabine ? mending a refuse, had taken the Capitol, and a bloody fight was begun in the midst of Rome's Market-place, the good natured Women rushing in between both Armies, their Husbands on the one side, their Fathers on the other, procured by their entreaties a cessation from that unnatural conflict, which ended in an indissoluble peace, both nations being glued together in perpetual amity. Whereupon Romulus caused the Women's Names to be enrolled in the Courts; and by common (end of page 68) consent it was Enacted, That none of them should be put to the grind, or do Kitchen-Drudgery, or any such servile employment; nor should receive any thing as a gift from her Husband, nor he from her; that they might not dream of any particular propriety, but know, that whatever either of them enjoyed, was common to both: for he that makes a present to his Wife, offers an injury in a Complement, pretending to entitle her to that by his donation, which is hers before in her own right. This gave birth to that Custom, when the Bride was brought home, to use these solemn words; Uli tu, Ego; (that is) Where you are Jack, I'll be Jill; Where you are Master, I will be Dame.
After the expulsion of [the] Kings, when the Forces of the Volsci, who had espoused the Tarquins quarrel, were advanced within five miles of Rome, they were beat back by the sole courage of the Women; for which gallant service a famous Temple was built, dedicated to Female-Fortune; and many notable marks of dignity and honor conferred (end of page 69) on them by Decrees of the Senate: as to have the upper hand in walking, the Men standing up, and giving place when they pass by; as likewise leave to wear Purple with Gold-fringe, Earrings, Jewels, gold Chains, and other ornaments. And by a Law of later Emperors, Women were enabled to succeed in Inheritances, and take Administrations; and suffered to have their Funerals publicly celebrated with Enco???stic Orations, as well as the most Illustrious Men. And twas provided, That in all Edicts prohibiting the wearing off any Apparel, Women should not be included: an Indulgence they well deserved, since they knew so well how to part with their Ornaments on a good occasion. For when Camillus had vowed a Present to Apollo of Delphos, and the whole City could not yield Gold enough to make up the ???me, the Women freely opened their Cabinets, and brought in their Rings, Bracelets, &c so ready were they to support the honor of their Country, though with the loss of what their Sex said most to (end of page 70) delight in. In the War which Cyrus waged against his Grandfather Astiages, the Persian Army being put to flight by the prowess of the Medes, was reinforced by the seasonable reproof and exprobation of the Women; for thereupon shame and indignation infusing fresh courage, they faced about again, routed their pursuers, and came off, crowned with the laurels of victory; for which good service Cyrus ordained, That as oft as the Kings of Persia entered that City, they should bestow on each Woman a Medal, or piece of Gold; which was frequently performed accordingly; yea, and doubled to such as were with Child.
Thus were women, by those ancient Princes of Persia, and the valiant Romans, from the very infancy of their Empire, treated with all kind of respect and honor; and to this day, by how much each nation is more civilized, and refined from Barbarism, so much greater liberty and honor do Women there enjoy. Nor is there a surer Character of a noble birth, or any thing that (end of page 71) sooner discovers a generous education, than a respective carriage, and complacent deportment towards Ladies
That the renowned Justinian had a particular veneration for this Sex, is evident, for that he thought fit to consult his Wife in the modeling of his Laws, and framing those Ins?t?es, whose excellent prudence all succeeding generations have admired and no wonder, since the Law itself affirms, That the Wit shines in an equal sphere of honor with the Husband; so as how much soever he is preserved in dignity, so much she too, is advanced. Thus an Emperor's Wife is styled Empress, and a King's Queen, and a Prince's, the Princess, and Illustrious, though they are never so meanly descended. So Ulpian, The Prince (he means the Emperor) is absolved and free from the Coercive power of the laws, but the Empress his Wife, though of herself she be not faced therefrom, yet her Husband confers on her the same privileges which he has himself. Hence by the Civil Law ??? permitted to noble Women to (end of page 72) judge, arbitrate, purchase, sell, and decide controversies between their Tenants, or Vassals, and sometimes to retain peculiar Servants, and give Name to a Family, so as the children shall be called by the Mothers' name, not the Fathers', with several other privileges, in relation to their Dowers, expressed in divers places throughout the whole body of the Law: Which also provides, That a Woman of honest fame shall not be imprisoned for Debt; and that the Judge who shall commit her, shall in such case be liable to capital punishment: And if she be apprehended on suspicion of any crime, she shall be put into a Monastery, or delivered to the custody of persons of her own Sex. Moreover, a Woman in the eye of the Law is of a better condition than a Man, so that in the very same kind and degree of Crime, he is esteemed a greater offender, and worthy of severer punishment than she. Hence a Man found in Adultery is punished with death, the Woman only shut up in a Monastery. Many other privileges of Women you (end of page 73) may read, collect by Azo, in his summe on the Title, Senatusconsultum Velleianum, and Speculator of Renunciations, and others.
No wonder then if those ancient Legislators, Men grave for their wisdom, and prudent for Science, Lycurgus, I mean, and Plato, understanding by their diligent Researches into the most profound parts of Philosophy, that Women were not a whit either for excellency of wit, strength of body, or dignity of nature, inferior to Men, but equally able in all respects whatever; did thereupon ordain, That Women should exercise together with Men in Wrestling, and other public games and pastimes; and as well as Men, make an inspection into all things appertaining to Martial discipline, as shooting, slinging, casting Stones, darting, handling of Arms, both on foot and horseback, pitching of Tents, Leading up, Marshaling, and setting Armies in Array, &c.
Let us peruse the Volumes of credible Historians, and they will assure us, (end of page 74) That by the custom in Getulia, Bactria, and Galleria, the Men devoted wholly to ease, made much of themselves at home, whilst the Women tilled the Ground, built, negotiated, rid up and down, went to the Wars, and transacted all those affairs which among us are managed by Men. That among the Cantabrians, the Men brought the Women Portions; the Brothers were disposed of in marriage by the Sisters; and the Daughters were the heirs. That among the Scythians, Thracians, and other Nations, all Offices were undertaken by Women, as well as Men. And in their Treaties Women were concerned; as appears by the League made between Hannibal and the Celtae, in these words: If any of the Celtae complain that he is injured by any of the Carthaginians, let the Magistrates or Commanders of the Carthaginians who shall be in Spain, judge thereof. If any Carthaginian shall receive damage from any of the Celtae, let the Women be Judges of the same. Nor did the ancient Britains and Picts regard any difference of Sex, for the sovereign (end of page 75) Command, but usually went to War under the conduct of Women, as both Tacitus and Bede witness.
From what has been said, appears conspicuously, as if written with Sunbeams on a Wall of Crystal, That this Sex are not incapable of, nor were in the primitive and more innocent Ages of the World, debarred from managing the most arduous of difficult affairs, all the tyranny of Men usurped the dispose of all business, and unjust Laws, foolish Customs, and ill mode of education, retrenched their liberties. For not a Woman (as if she were only the pastime of Men's idle hours, or a thing made merely for trifling, Courtiers to throw away their non-sensical Complements on) is from her Cradle kept at home; and as incapable of any nobler employment, suffered only to knit, spin, or practice the little curiosities of the Needle. And when she arrives at riper years, is delivered to the tyranny of a jealous-pated Husband, or cloistered up in a Nunnery; all public Offices are denied them; implead, or say at Law (end of page 76) in their own Names, though never so prudent, they must not; no jurisdiction they can exercise: nor make any Contract that is valid without their Husband's license; and several other hard Impositions they have had on them.
By which unworthy, partial (?) means, they are forced to give place to Men, and like wretched Captives overcome in War, submit to their insulting Conquerors, not out of any natural or divine reason, or necessity, but only by the prevalancy of Custom, Education, Chance, or some tyrannical occasion, yet might Women's excellent good natures possibly persuade them calmly to undergo this Servitude, did not the male-usurpers add shame and reproach to their tyranny. B???? all Slavery is miserable in the account of generous minds, so that which comes accompanied with scorn and contempt, stirs every ones indignation, and can be endured by none whom Nature does not intend for slaves, as well as Fortune. Although 'tis evident, That unto Woman-kind the World owes half of its life and Man is (end of page 77) indebted the whole of his love, she being the only adequate object of his affections on earth; yet Custom spreading like some Epidemic Contagion, has made it common to undervalue this Sex, and bespatter their reputation with all kind of opprobrious Language, and slanderous Epithites. Each idle Poetaster has a Rhyme to reproach them; and every fantastic Gull a scandalous Sonnet or musty Proverb to impeach their Honor; particular reasons whereof, many may be gathered from the divers humors of their Accusers. Some will dispraise that Woman, whom before they adored, because her modesty has repelled their unchaste desires. Some turn their amorous Complements of wooing, into a barbarous style of railing, because for want of desert they obtain not Love. Many love not Women, because they know not how to love them; and most of all Men being evil themselves, love but few things that are good, and thence entertain Women with hatred. Some to make ostentation of their parts, and acquire the (end of page 78) title of wits, few with any show of reason, and none on any just cause, have yet filled the World with Pamphlets, things no less idle in themselves, than disgraceful to Women. But Oh unmanly Men, and stain of your Sex! Is this a point of Manhood, or any ornament of your valor, to busy yourselves for disgrace of Women? Is this the thankful Tribute you return to the authors of your Being? Is this the Recompense you afford them for their sorrow and pains at your Birth, for their care and diligence in your Infancy, for their love and tenderness, their assistance and endearments throughout your Life? Such and so many obligations should not (methinks) be so easily canceled, nor such courtesies forgotten, much less so injuriously remembered, as to be repaid with causeless detraction, and immerited invectives. But why speak we to these Men ?? ??????de, the greatest of virtues, ???? never were acquainted with ??? ??? ? ?? all? It can be no great ? sho??: to be evil spoken by them, ??? never learned to speak well of any. (end of page 79)
We shall not therefore so vainly spend our own or the Reader's time, as to take notice of all those black scandals by them cast on this fair Sex, they being only fluxes of gall, or the purgings of idle brains: only one we must briefly examine, which seems more plausible, and passes for current in the vogue of the World; and that is, their terming Women, Necessary Evils. This is indeed the common Tenure, and the Comical Wits think they have very judiciously spoken, when thus they have designed them; which yet in truth is no other than an egregious Solecism; an error almost blasphemous. That they are necessary, we needs must grant; since he that made Man, saw it was not good that Man should be without them. That they are Evils, we utterly deny; since he that made Woman, saw that all he made was good. Is Woman good then in the judgment of God, and in your conceit also necessary? Then change your phrase, and henceforth style her, A necessary good. Those very Terms, Necessary, and Evil, are inconsistent: (end of page 80) All things that are necessary for Man, are good; scod is necessary, it is good; Apparel necessary, it is good; the Fire, the Air, the Earth, the Water necessary, they are good: Women necessary, therefore good. For else if we suppose God has bound Man in so hard a Condition, that some things are necessary for him, yet evil, we both impair the wisdom of God, and detract from his goodness.
To conclude: If Woman be so necessary for Man, and he of himself so weak and impotent, that he could not even in Paradise live without her; If Abraham the friend of God be commanded, by no less Authority than the voice of heaven, to hear his Wife Sarah whatsoever she should say to him; If Nature have so illustriously marked out Women for the most excellent of all Creatures, and crowned them most prodically with the choicest of her ornaments; Since they in no respect come short of the most celebrated Heroes, and that their Names and gallant Actions have swelled the Records of Fame, and stand Registered there with (end of page 81) such obliging Eulogies; what remains but that without delay we render them those Homages which such extraordinary Merits challenge? Let us no longer dis-esteem this noble Sex, or abuse its goodness, or usurp on its Prerogative. Let us allow them those Privileges which God and nature have invested them with. Let us re-enthrone them in their Seats of Honor and Pre-eminence. Let us regard them with that Reverence that is due; pay them that Devotion that becomes us; and treat them with all that respect and veneration which belongs to such Terrestrial Angels.
Thus have we endeavored to show the Pre-eminence of the Female Sex, from the name, order, place, and matter of Creation; and what Dignity bounteous heaven has vouchsafe thereto above the Male. We have also promiscuously, yet plainly, demonstrated the same from Divinity, Nature, Human Laws, various Authority, Reason, and Examples, yet have we not said so much, but that we have left much more unsaid: for we took not up our Pen in (end of page 82) this Cause out of ambition, or design to purchase Applause by ostentation of Wit, or Reading; but merely as conscious of our Duty, and out of loyalty to Truth, that we might not seem sacrilegiously to rob this worthy Sex of its due Praises, by an envious silence.
But if some more curious head shall find (as easily he may) any Argument by us omitted, which he shall judge proper to be here inserted, we shall be ready to acknowledge our Obligations to him; esteeming it a Courtesy, not an Injury, if by his Wit and Learning he render this well-intended Work of ours better; to which, left it swell to too great a Volume, we here affix a final Period.
FINIS.
Thanks for visiting Sunshine for Women at
http://www.pinn.net/~sunshine/main.html
e-mail 
sunshine@pinn.net
Sunshine for Women encourages you to support our feminist sisters by
purchasing their books, reading them, disseminating the ideas they contain, but most
especially, by making their book available to our sisters, our daughters, and the
community at large by requesting your school library, your public library, and area
bookstores to carry their books. Remember it is not enough to write literature, history,
and theology, we must pass these works on to future generations. Help us to preserve these
works for a new generation by putting them on library bookshelves.
last updated October, 1999
Return to Booknotes Menu