A godly and learned exposition vppon the Prouerbes of Solomon: written in French by Maister Michael Cope, minister of the woorde of God, at Geneua: and translated into English, by M.O.

31 Giue her of the fruite of her handes, and let her owne workes praise her in the gates.

Although that of ourselues wee doe nothing that is ought

worth, and that wee wel deserue to bee blamed, euen for the best & most perfect workes which proceede from vs, in the greatest trueth and sinceritie that we are able, (for they are neuer such as they ought to bee: and that which is good in them, commeth not from vs, but from God, who worketh in vs both the wil and the deede, accor∣ding to his good pleasure) yet, if wee wil suffer the holy Ghost to re∣generate and to sanctifie vs, that we may walke in newnesse of life, that we are at defiance with the worlde, and doe not yeelde thertoo, but doe striue to folowe the good wil of our God, hee wil cause vs to be praised, as though we ourselues were authors of the goodnes: and that which hee worketh in vs, he calleth ours. And therfore, af∣ter that the wise man hath rehearsed the good workes of the vertu∣ous woman, he wil haue her to be praised, not only priuately of her husband, and of her houshold, but also publikely. For hauing saide, Giue her of the fruite of her handes: that is to say, acknowledge her paines and labour, and blesse her: for this cause he addeth after∣wardes, or we must cause this confession to be made, when he saith, And let her owne workes praise her in the gates: that is to say, that the vertuous woman ought to bee praised and commended in the great congregations, because of her vertue that shineth in her life, and conuersation. Nowe if the vertuous woman be worthy of publike praise, by a stronger reason ought her children to acknow∣ledge the labour that she hath borne for them, and neuer to forget it: to bee wholy at her commandement, and to helpe her with all their power, according to the commandement of God, Honour thy father and thy mother, &c.