ese, and a thousand such like arguments, doth this Plague-Divel
know how to puff up the vain humours of the weak Women, to the true
pitch of high-mindedness. And on the contrary, is in the mean while
busie with flatteries, to stir up the husband to idle imaginations and
self-conceitedness; demonstrating unto him, that he is the Lord, and
guide of his Wife; created to command her, and she to obey him. That
it is most easie to be perceived, what a noble creature Man is,
whilest that Woman who is so handsom and haughty, is nevertheless but
added unto him as a servant. Therefore if he once admit his Wife into
an equality with him; he will then be subject to see that she will be
striving for the predominancy: and that it is the greatest curse
imaginable in a Country, for Women to Lordize over Men. And for these
reasons they ought to be but like the nul in Figures, and to be kept
as a Controuler by the Harth, the Pot, and the Spinning-wheel. Whilest
they that deliver up to them the keys of the Mony-Chest, are deprived
of all their superiority, and like Men unman'd, have only the name
but cannot obtain the effect.

In such manner doth as yet this Divel-plaguing Spirit domineer, by
clear daylight, in many of the principallest houses and hearts, and
makes oftentimes so great a difference and discord about the key of
the Cash, that the Cash it self seems to get Eagles Wings, and swiftly
flies away. Whilest the husband, perceiving that the Wife seeks to
deceive and take the key from him, is alwaies possessed with
abhominable suspicions; certainly thinking that she is minded to make
some unnecessary thing or other, or to hide some mony from him; which
makes him watch her waters so much the stricter; and is not ashamed to
give out and make what he hath a mind to for his own pleasure.

And the Wife, perceiving that her husband is so sneaking, and forsooth
so circumspect, with subtilety contrives and practises how to make him
pay out mony for all what she hath any waies a mind to; by that means
making her self Mistriss of the Mony-Chest, beyond his knowledge,
though he hath the name, and carries the keys in his Pocket: for if
she have a mind to new Stays for her self or daughter; away she goes
to a Silk-shop, buies Stuf to her mind, and causeth it to be made as
modish as possible may be; and having tried that it fits and pleases
her fancy fully; then it is brought home by one or other of her trusty
acquaintance, who come at a conveni