2. Because there is a mutuall relation betwixt these duties, that one doth necessarily require the other.
3. Because the duty of husbands to their wives, and of wives to their husbands is almost the same, but that the wife is to doe her part with subjection, and it is the husbands part to rule.
Vse. This may serve to admonish us, not rigidly to exact the duty of others, and in the meane time to neglect our owne.
Doctrine 11. It belongs unto men to excell in knowledge and understanding.
This is gathered from those words: according to knowledge.
Reason 1. Because by nature they have a kind of perfection above women in those things which belong unto knowledge, whereupon the woman is in this place called the weaker vessell.
2. Because by their duty they should be the heads of their wives, to direct and governe them.
3. Because they have greater meanes to gaine knowledge; for as it is not lawfull for women to speake in the Church; so neither have they any thing to doe in other exercises, whereby mens wits are ripened.
Use. This may serve to reprove those men, that either through drunkennesse, or sloth, or the neglect of divine things, or through too much care of earthly things, doe not only come behind women, but children also in sound knowledge and understanding.
Doctrine 12. It is the husbands part to be meeke unto their wives, and not to put them in feare.