Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands
This is an instance, explaining the above general rule; which
subjection lies in honour and reverence, ( Ephesians
5:33 ) , and in obedience; they should think well of their
husbands, speak becomingly to them, and respectfully of them; the
wife should take care of the family, and family affairs,
according to the husband's will; should imitate him in what is
good, and bear with that which is not so agreeable; she should
not curiously inquire into his business, but leave the management
of it to him; she should help and assist in caring and providing
for the family; and should abide with him in prosperity and
adversity, and do nothing without his will and consent: and this
subjection is only to her husband; not to any other man, nor to
her children, nor to her servants, or any brought into her house;
and this consideration should render the subjection more easy,
voluntary, and cheerful: and which is but reasonable that it
should be; as may be gathered from the time, matter, and end of
the woman's creation, she was made after him, out of him, and for
him; and from her fall, and being first in the transgression; and
from her being the weaker and inferior sex; and from the
profitableness and comeliness of it; and the credit of religion
requires it, that so the word of God be not blasphemed: wherefore
it follows,
as unto the Lord;
that is, either as the Lord has commanded, that so it should be,
showing a regard to his precepts; or as in the sight of the Lord,
and so yielding it sincerely and heartily; or in things
pertaining to the Lord, which are consistent with the law of the
Lord, and the Gospel of Christ; and in like manner as the church
is subject to Christ, her Lord and husband, as follows.