A View of Patriarchy from 1622 – William Gouge on Headship in Marriage

The biblical view of patriarchal leadership in marriage is supremely defined by the heart and behavior of Christ toward His church. William Gouge, the puritan writer says,

“The goodness which Christ doth for his church, He doth because He is the head thereof. O how happy a thing is it for the Church that it hath such a head! An head that doth not tyrannize over it, nor trample it under foot: an head that doth not pole, nor peel the church: but procureth peace and safety to it. When Naomi sought to make a mach betwixt Boaz and Ruth, that he might be her head, what saith she? Shall I not seek rest for thee that it may be well with thee? (Ruth 3:1). It is therefore the office of an head to be a Saviour, to procure rest and prosperity to the body whose head it is.

Happy were it for kingdoms, Commonwealths, cities, Churches, families, wives and all that have heads, if they were such heads: that, because they are heads, they would endeavour to be saviours”

Of Domestical Duties, William Gouge Edited, updated and revised by Greg Fox 2006 Page 23 #18 ..1