Prospered (Prov. xii. 24, 27; xiii. 4; xxi. 5.) Sometimes worldly diligence leads to spiritual sloth. Let it not be so with you; but whilst you are ‘not slothful in business,’ be also ‘fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.’ Rom. xii. 11. II. She is prudent. Verses 13, 14, 15. Looks well to her goings. Prov. xiv. 15. Looks forward. Prov. xxii. 3; xxvii. 12. Enjoys a special blessing. Prov. xix. 14. III. Overlooks her household. Verses 15, 21, 27. Children, servants, if she has any. Your household, of whomsoever it may consist, should share your blessings and privileges. Gen. xviii. 19. Lev. xvi. 17. Acts, xvi. 15. Important to impress this upon your girls going to service. A _good_ mistress _ought_, and _will_, look after them. No kindness in lax discipline. Look back to your own days of service. Who was the best mistress? 1 Tim. v. 14. VII. THE EXCELLENT WOMAN. Prov. xxxi. IN HER CONVERSATION. I. ‘She openeth her mouth with _wisdom_,’ verse 26. 1. No foolish talking, or jesting. Job, xv. 3. Eph. v. 4. 2. No chattering or gossip, which tends to penury. Prov. xiv. 23. Eccles. x. 11, 14. 3. No deception. Prov. xxiv. 28; xx. 17. II. ‘In her tongue is the law of _kindness_,’ verse 26. 1. No tale-bearing or back-biting. Prov. xxv. 23; xxvi. 22. Ps. xv. 3. How mischievous. Prov. xxiv. 2. 2. No flattering, like wicked woman. Prov. v. 3; vi. 24. Ps. v. 9. III. How important to bridle the tongue. Jam. i. 26. There is often much wisdom in silence. Ps. xxxiv. 13. Prov. xvii. 28; xxix. 11. Let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ. Philip, i. 27. Ps. lxxvii. 12. Prov. xv. 4. 1 Pet. iii. 1. 2 Pet. iii. 11. Col. iii. 16. Make this your prayer. Ps. xix. 14; cxli. 3. Blessing promised. Ps. l. 23. IV. Three good rules. 1. So speak to your husband and children, that should these be your _last_ words, you would not regret them. 2. Never say anything of your neighbours you would dislike them to overhear. 3. In all your conversation, remember that the Lord is nigh, and hears each word. VIII. THE EXCELLENT WOMAN. Prov. xxxi. HER RELIGION. I. The secret of her many excellencies here portrayed. It did not consist in _beauty_. Verse 30. A pretty face often leads to ruin. Prov. xi. 22. Ezek. xxviii. 17. Never make much of a child’s beauty. But it was this, she was a _religious_ woman, actuated in all she did by the _fear of the Lord_. Verse 30. The woman who fears the Lord. 1. Hates evil. Prov. viii. 13. 2. It is her moving principle, ‘all the day long.’ Prov. xxiii. 17. 3. She is happy, though poor. Prov. xv. 16. 4. It is her confidence and refuge in trial. Prov. xiv. 26. 5. It is _well_ with her. Eccles. viii. 12.