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Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
cause_n	good_a	great_a	speak_v	2,685	5	4.1963	3	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A01632	The ornament of women. Or, A description of the true excellency of women Delivered in a sermon at the funerall of M. Elizabeth Machell, on Easter Munday being the 15. of April 1639. By Stephen Geree, minister of Gods Word at Wonnersh, neare Guildford in Surrey.	Geree, Stephen, 1594-1656?	1639 (1639)	STC 11763; ESTC S118756	25,207	138

instructions and example in frequenting the house of God c. were a maine motive no doubt to make her in love with that good Word of GOD which wrought so effectually and in a manner miraculously in her therfore you have much more cause of joy and gladnesse than of griefe and heavinesse If all Parents would but give such example as you have done both at home and in Gods house ô what holy and happy houses and congregations should we have what thronging and crowding would there bee in most Churches which now are almost empty oftentimes But when most Parents provide rather for their Childrens bodies than soules making much of the Carkas neglecting the Conscience no mervaile that there is so little hope in most of their Posteritie Goe on therfore with good successe as you have begun and still doe more and more worthily in Israel GOD hath given you an heart not only to be a Favourer which is easie but a Follower yea and a Furtherer of those that hee hath sent into his Vineyard the same Lord multiply his mercy grace and spirit upon you and yours that you may still prove Noble patternes unto others And now good Madam to returne to your Ladiship I know you bare no small share of sorrow with your beloved Sister in this businesse because you have a long time loved your deceased Kinswoman as if shee had beene your owne daughter witnesse those affectionate words of salutation which you usually inserted into the Letters your Ladyship sent to her Mother which ever had a speciall accent and emphasis when you came to her Insomuch as I dare boldly say you desire nothing more to your dearest daughters than such a dowry of grace and goodnesse as her heavenly Father had bestowed on her For you knew her farre different from the disposition of other Gentlewomen who make their soules slaves to their bodyes and both soule and body drudges to the world and the Devill Because whereas other women trouble themselves with many things like Martha shee set her soule upon that one thing necessary chusing with Mary that better part which could not be taken from her Luk. 10. last ver Shee was never more diligent than when shee was to deale with GOD in his holy Ordinances and in nothing so negligent as in the world and things of the world and yet shee complained on her death bed that she had beene too worldly Alas what cause then have wee to complaine of others who dote so much upon the drosse and dung of the world and make it no better than an Idoll That precious time which other Gentlevvomen vvickedly wast in tricking and trimming the body she specially spent in decking and adorning the soule for vvhatsoever was to bee done the soule should not be forgotten And vvhereas others are taken up with faire buildings and stately houses c. shee mainely minded to beautifie her house not only vvith the Forme of godlinesse vvhich many families have 2 Tim. 3.4 but most of all with the Power of godlinesse vvhich few regard And hence vvas it that she so much desired to have the speciall care of Families commended unto others at her Funerall For she set up her resolution with worthy Ioshuah Let others doe what they would Iosh 24.15 follow the world or serve their lusts and the times She and her house would serve the Lord. Neither was shee afraid to owne Christ as many are who think it more generous to set up sports and pastimes and follow pleasures c. than set up Christ and his ordinances in their houses Moreover her charity did notably second her Piety for not only the loynes of the poore but their bellyes Iob 31.20 Shee was willing to heale their sores and helpe their souls giving them good instructions as well as plasters and backes did blesse her as Job speakes yea their legges and hands their eyes and cares did pronounce her blessed So that we have great cause to give God thanks for her work of faith and labour of love as the Apostle speaks 1 Thes 1.3 There be some that have Piety but want Charity such are but as sounding brasse and tinckling Cymbals 1 Cor. 13.1 And some againe have a kinde of Charity but care not for Pietie they give much Almes but doe not give themselves to God nor give over their sinnes Such Saint Ambrose saith Multi sunt qui faciunt eleemosynā tamen peccare non cessant tisti quasi sua● offerunt Deo seipsos Diabolo Amb. Ser. 12. give their goods to God and themselves to the devill But your worthy Kinswoman was none such for first she gave her selfe to God as the Macedonians did and then to Gods Messengers and to the Saints 2 Cor. 8.1 2 3 4 5. What then though shee dyed a distastfull death by reason of her disease Yet she left a most sweet smell and savour behinde her even the precious oyntment of a good Name so that the day of her death was much better than the day of her birth as Solomon saith in the same place Eccles 7.1 Whereas many others that die of faire discases leave a noysome and unsavoury sent behinde them going out like the snuffe of a Candle This was that which made her so ready to resigne her will to Gods in greatest extremities and towards her latter end so much to long to goe home as her words were for shee made no more of death than a departing home so that we saw her something troubled when those that were about her laboured to preserve her life saying Why will you not let me goe as if they did hinder her happines Thus with my singular respect to you both and those that bee most neare unto you commending you and all yours to the grace of our God Ephes 3.20 who is able to doe exceeding abundantly above all wee can aske or thinke I rest Your Honours much obliged Stephen Geree THE ORNAMENT of Women PRO. 31.29 30. Many daughters have done vertuously but thou excellest them all VER 30. Favour is deceitfull and beauty is vaine but a Woman that feareth the Lord she shall be praised THis last Chapter of the Proverbs containes certaine singular lessons which Lemuel or Solomon learn't of his loving and religious mother Bathsheba as is gathered from the first and second verses Whereby we may justly confute the folly or rather blasphemy of those Papists and Atheists that cannot endure Women should meddle with the Scriptures or Word of God For if the words of a Woman were thought fit to bee made the word of God not only by wise Solomon but also by the Holy Ghost then surely Women may very well meddle with Gods holy word that following this holy and royall example of Solomons Mother they may instruct at least their child in the old good way according to GODS Word Ier. 6.16 The truth is many women doe shame a great many men that are ignorant idle or prophane

THE ORNAMENT of WOMEN OR A description of the true excellency of Women Delivered in a Sermon at the Funerall of M. ELIZABETH MACHELL on Easter Munday being the 15. of April 1639. By Stephen Geree MINISTER of Gods Word at Wonnersh neare Guildford in SURREY PROV 12.4 A vertuous woman is a Crowne to her Husband Proijciamus ornamenta terrena si caelestia optamus Tertul. de Cult Foemin LONDON Printed by T. B. for L. F. and S. G. and are to be sold at the Signe of the Brazen Serpent in Pauls Church-Yard 1639. TO the Right Honourable Gerard LORD Angier Baron of LONGFORD all true Honour and happines both in this life and that which is to come Right Honour IT was a tart and yet true censure of the Popes Clergie Bonifac. Episc In Triburensi concil Quando Sacerdotes habuimus aureos 〈◊〉 vasis ligneis utebātur nuno eum ligneos sacerdotes habemus aureis vasis utuntur That they had golden Chalices but wooden Priests The like may not unfitly bee affirmed of some women who have golden garments and guilded bodies but woodden or leaden soules Ber. Epist 113. For as St. Bernhard said of some Induuntur purpura bysso subinde conscientia pannosa iacet They are clad with Purple and silke but the conscience in the meane while lies torne and tattered Fulgent monilibus sed sordent moribus saith the same Authour they shine and make a brave shew with bracelets and Iewels but are base and sordid in their maners and conditions But it was farre-otherwise with your Honours worthy kinswomā whose adorning was not outward in wearing of gold or putting on of apparell 1 Peter 3.3 4. but the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit which is much set by in the sight of God Therefore I have the rather presumed to prefixe your Noble name to this discourse of mine how meane soever hoping of Your Honours acceptance in regard of the relation that it hath to that most worthy in mine opinion matchlesse Gentlewoman of whose rare vertues and singular graces Your Lordship hath often beene an eye-witnesse and admirer So that I am assured you will thinke it no prejudice to Your High and profound studies to cast your eyes upon such an heavenly body and sublimated soule as she was but rather account it as a meanes to refine Your deepe contemplations and make them ascend above the Stars and al inferiour Orbs even into the third Heaven 2 Cor. 12.2 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 where the Apostle heard unspeakeable words which is not possible for man to utter which all Arts and Sciences are ignorant of save that which is called Ars artium Scientia scientiarum to wit Divinity For this blessed Gentlwoman was the mirrour of her time considering her Age and Parentage and may bee a Patterne to Posterity both for admiration and Imitation Because she so seriously bent her best indeavours to the best things For having once found that Pearle of greatest price Matth. 13. ver 45 46. she was willing with the wise Merchant to part with all for the purchase of it as being the only ornament of men and women surmounting al other pearls and precious stones She was able to discerne of thing that differ and did approve the things that are excellent so that she became wiser than the ancient because shee kept GODS precepts Psalm 119.100 wherby she was ripe for heaven before others of her age and quality begin so much as seriously to set themselves towards that holy place She could not satisfie her selfe as most doe with that which went for Religion in Salvians time Genus quod 〈◊〉 sanctitatis minus esse vitiosu Salv. De Guber lib. 3. pag. 88. when it was counted some kind of Sanctitie to bee lesse sinfull than others Phil. 3.13 14. But forgetting that which was behinde and reaching out to that which was before shee pressed toward the mark for the high calling of GOD in Christ Iesus Therefore I had two speciall motives which induced mee to wenter this little labour into the light in this curious and criticall age First To preserve the happie memory of Your Lordships deare and well-deserving Neece who was worthie to be had in everlasting remembrance Secondly Your zeale hath provoked very many 2 Cor. 9.2 That by her zealous and Heavenly Example J might if it were possible waken and quicken the dead and drouzie hearts of men and women who in the worst things want the bridle but in the best the spurre J know that the best men or women want warmth and heate in this old and cold age of the world therefore I thought so lively and sparkling a spirit as shee had might bee of much force to make many either blush for shame or burne with zeale for the glory of God Thus Noble Lord having had often experience of Your rare humility and courtesie as also of your approved piety and charity I was willing by these lines to let the world know how much J honor you and your choyce learning mixt with singular modesty and ingenuity which is indeed true Nobility But being perswaded that you had rather do things prais-worthy than read your own praises Facere laudanda quā audire laudata maluisses I. rest and humbly take leave with all due respect and service to your Noble selfe and much honoured Lady beseeching the Almighty to drop downe his best blessing upon you both Your Honours to be commanded in Christ Iesus STEPH GEREE TO The truly Noble and Pious SISTERS Mist Elizabeth Machell and the LADY Letice Holcrofte Grace and Peace be multiplied Much Honoured c. I Make bold to joyn you both in this Epistle whom GOD hath lincked with those firm bonds of Nature Affection and especially true Religion which is a threefold Cord not easily broken I know you both would be heartily glad to see her Picture for whose sake I have set Pen to paper at this present But I am consident that no Limner could draw her to the life because she was all glorious within Psal 45.13 and her life hid with Christ in God Col. 3.3 Therefore seeing she must bee represented rather by a Penne than a Pensil I have endeavoured to set before your eyes such a rude draught as my present and urgent occasions would suffer me to make at her Funerall And because those Peeces please the judicious best which are rather true than rich or gaudy I have studyed to set her forth in her owne proper colours not with garish Eloquence and gaudy words but in that language which shee best liked Now that I may speake a word in season to you in severall First for you her deare Mother in the middest of all your mourning let this solace your soule and spirit that you were not onely the Mother of such a daughter but had an hand in making her a daughter of Abraham yea of Almighty God Your good