Salomons diuine arts, of 1. Ethickes, 2. Politickes, 3. Oeconomicks that is; the gouernment of 1. Behauiour, 2. Common-vvealth, 3. Familie. Drawne into method, out of his Prouerbs & Ecclesiastes. With an open and plaine paraphrase, vpon the Song of songs. By Ioseph Hall.

§. 4. The good hous-wife (Pro. 31.) set foorth by her

• Actions,
  • In her owne persō;
    • Labours,
    • Bargaines,
    • Liberall prouisi∣on, for
      • Her selfe,
      • The poore,
      • Her family;
        • husband
        • seruants.
  • In the ouersight of her family.
• Speeches,
• Disposition.

3. SHe is moreouer prudent, and discreet. A wise woman buildeth her house; but the foo∣lish destroyeth it with her owne hands: and As a ring of gold in a swines snowt, so is a faire woman which lacketh discre∣tion. 4. Lastly, shee is carefull

and hous-wifelike; so as She will doe her husband good, and not euill, all the dayes of her life: For, as for her actions, in her owne person, whether you looke to her labours; Shee seeketh wooll and flaxe, and laboureth cheerefully with her hands. She riseth while it is yet night: She girdeth her loynes with strength, and streng∣theneth her armes. Shee put∣teth her hands to the wheele; and her hands handle the spin∣dle: or whether, to her bargaines; She considereth a field, and get∣teth it, and with the fruit of her handes she planteth a vine∣yard. Shee is like the shippe of merchants, shee bringeth her food from farre; shee feeleth

that her merchandise is good, her candle is not put out by night: shee maketh sheets & sel∣leth them, and giueth girdles vn∣to the merchants; or whether, to her liberall prouision; For her husband, who is knowen in the gates (by her neate furnishing) when hee sits with the Elders of the land; 2. For her selfe, Shee maketh her selfe carpets: fine linnen & purple is her garment; 3. For her seruants, Shee feareth not the snow for her family, for all her familie is clothed with scarlet; 4. For the poore, Shee stretcheth out her hands to the poore, and putteth foorth her hands to the needy; For her ouersight of her familie, she gi∣ueth

the portion to her house∣hold, and the ordinary (or stint of work) to her maids: she ouer∣seeth the wayes of her house∣hold, and eateth not the bread of idlenesse. For her speeches; she openeth her mouth with wisedome, and the lawe of grace is in her tongue. Lastly, Strength and honour is her clothing, and in the latter day shee shall reioyce. So worthie shee is in all these, that her owne children cannot containe, but rise vp and call her blessed; and her husband shall prayse her, and say, Many daughters haue done vertuously, but thou sur∣mountest them all: Fauour is deceitfull, and beautie is vani∣tie;

but a woman that feareth the Lord, shee shall be praised: Since therefore shee is so well deser∣uing, Giue her of the fruit of her owne hands, and let her owne workes prayse her.

Notes

• Pr. 14.1.
• Pr. 11.22.
• Pr. 31.12.
• Pr. 31.13.
• Pr. 31.15.
• Pr. 31.17.
• Pr. 31.19.
• Pr. 31.16.
• Pr. 31.14.
• Pr. 31.18.
• Pr. 31.24.
• Pr. 31.23.
• Pr. 31.22.
• Pr. 31.21.
• Pr. 31.20·
• Pr. 13.15.
• Pr. 13.27.
• Pr. 31.26.
• Pr. 31.25.
• Pr. 31.28.
• Pr. 31.29.
• Pr. 31.30.
• Pr. 31.31.