me betimes an hatred of what was evil and a love of what was good and I then dearly loved those that feared the Lord and spake of what was good but I could not delight in vain Company I was fearful to offend God c. It is good to set out and begin with God betimes I chose God when I was young and then my endeavour was to do what he commanded me and I was grieved when I slipped my greatest sorrow was for sin and nothing troubles me more now than that I ran no swifter then in the ways of God If my work was now to do and my evidences to seek what a sad condition was I in And if I had not spent more time for Heaven when I had time and health and strength it would even sink me now Thus this blessed Saint Remembred her Creatour in the days of her Youth Eccles 12.1 he had her golden age the prime of her Years the chief and choice of her days and who indeed should have these but God who is the best and chiefest of all And there was in her whilst a Child found some good thing towards the Lord God of Israel 1 Kings 14.13 and then even while young and tender she began to seek after the God of her godly Parents 2 Chron. 34.3 whose care it was to train her up betimes in the way she should go and she bare the yoke in her youth and so did not bear the reproach of her youth Lam. 3.27 Jer. 3.19 in neglecting then to do God service and to mind her everlasting concerns when was the chief time for it but had the comfort of her youth And this is Gods due the chief and choice of our days The first of the first fruits were to be offered to God Exod. 23.19 repeated 34 26. and youth is the time which of all times God does chiefly require and most delight in his Soul desires the first ripe fruit Micah 7.1 and early fruits are very acceptable c. God prizes the services of young ones and it exceedingly pleases him to see plants grown up even in their youth Psal 144.12 and he especially bespeaks young ones to give him the heart my Son give me thine heart c. Proverbs 23.26 So my Daughter you young ones c. and this is given as one Reason why that title my Son is so often used in the Book of Proverbs because God does there especially speak to young ones c. and we while young experiencing bounty and kindness from God there 's all the reason he should have duty and service from us Can we while we are young live without him And why therefore should we not then live unto him and as he is the guide of our youth so make him the God of our youth and truly our whole time is so short all our days so few but as an hands breadth Psal 39.5 that God may well have all and a poor pittance too for him who intends an eternity of felicity for us O how many have repented they began no sooner but who ever repented for beginning so soon And is it not safest to begin betimes is not youth the seasonning age And does not the vessel retain longest the savour of what it is first seasoned with When Children grow crooked at first while young they are hardly ever set straight again afterwards Few instances of old ones converted c. Besides old age says one is the time to spend grace Youth to get it old age to reap the fruit of Holiness youth to sow the seed of it and are not young ones in their youth dedicated and consecrated to God by virtue of their Baptism and is it not Sacriledg to impropriate the service of that to sin and Satan that is dedicated to God And do not young ones die as well as old and are there not Skulls in Golgotha of all sizes How many are taken away in the very prime of their days and flower of their age And young ones must appear before God at the great day of judgment as well as elder I saw the dead says John both small and great stand before God Rev. 20.12 they were all there c. And how well was it therefore for this precious Soul she began so soon 2. As concerning her sense of sin and sorrow for her soul-distempers THE distempers of my body trouble me and I am ready to complain because of pain but they do not sad me but the distempers of my soul they much sad me yea even sink me I am very much troubled with this body of sin and death and that I can do and receive no more good When I pray for health and the removing of the distempers of my Body then methinks I pray but slenderly in comparison but when I pray for the removing of the distempers of my Soul then I pray most earnestly so that when I have begun I know not how as it were to make an end yea I am so earnest in desiring God to cure the one that I am ready to forget to beg of him the cure of the other Sorrow for other things makes me sleep the more but when it is for sin I cannot sleep but the night is as the day Going once to a Lecture and hearing a Minister speaking of the signs of a Child of God and he answering a Christians complaint as concerning his sins But how says he dost thou wear them as a Gold chain or ornament or as an Iron chain and as Fetters that manacle thee and as that thou would'st fain be rid of c This though very sad and much troubled before so that she was loath to have gone What should such a one as I do going I shall but fill up room and do no good c. Yet this so comforted her that said she I even laughed for joy and though going late I stood all the while yet after that I was not weary I am much troubled at my unbelief impatiency And she being once in a special manner but tempted to a sin she had such an abhorrency thereof that it eaus'd her as she told me to shed a Thousand tears and it was as if a Sword had been run into her c. And how often did she complain not of her sikness but sius c 3. As concerning Satans temptations and his fierce onsets formerly WHen I was very young I had sometimes neglected prayer and I dream'd one night the Devil was pulling me to Hell and I trembled and quak'd and methoughts I was even at the Pits brink but some Scriptures comforted me and afterward to prevent the same I would get Scriptures by heart when I went to bed Satan hath often formerly much troubled me and I have been afraid of that roaring Lyon that when I went to sleep he would devour me but the Lord methoughts told me though he was mine enemy yet he was in Chains and so I have found him me thought I saw him at
AN ACCOUNT Of Several Observable SPEECHES OF Mrs. Luce Perrot THE Late Wife of Mr. ROBERT PERROT of LONDON Minister Spoken by her chiefly in the time of her sickness and a little before her Death and taken immediately from her own mouth though unknown to her And now Published for the Comfort and Benefit of her near Relations and some other of her Friends Thy lips O my Spouse drop as the honey-comb honey and milk are under thy tongue c. Cant. 4.11 She openeth her mouth with wisdom and in her tongue is the law of kindness Prov. 30.26 And by it he being dead yet speaketh Heb. 11.4 Beata lingua quae velut favus distillat velur ubera lacte distenditur quae mel distillar lac fluit Bernard super Cantica LONDON Printed for R. P. 1679. The PREFACE THESE Sayings here published were the Sayings of a dear and precious Saint now with God not premeditated but extemporary uttered by her chiefly in the times of her sickness and weakness and a little before her death and taken immediately word for word as near as could be as they dropt from her own mouth but being promiscuously spoken they are thus ordered and reduced to several heads for the better fitting of them to be subservient for the benefit and comfort of those who shall peruse them It was so far from being any way designed or desired by her to have them made publick that she did not so much as know of their being taken for had she such was her modesty and humility that it might I suppose have hinder'd the speaking of them What they be they are mainly and chiefly design'd for the comfort and benefit of her near and dear Relations and some other friends which were of her acquaintance but if others shall occasionally reap any comfort or benefit by them let them bless God and thankfully own his Providence therein It is probable that what is here done will not escape the censure of some nor the slight and contempt of others and indeed what almost in these times does not undergo that fate But however the good assurance how acceptable what is here done will be to those for whom it is chiefly intended as also how profitable it may through the blessing of God prove to them hath encouraged to what is done It is not here design'd to give an account of the Life of the deceased but only of some of those speeches which dropt from her lips chiefly in her sickness and near her death But yet this I shall say That by what is here set forth such as peruse the same may take a measure of themselves and see as in a Mirrour what they are there being therein drawn forth to the life the true characters and lineaments of a sound and real Christian indeed And besides these speeches are and may be several other ways very instructive and useful as to let us see what a powerful influence a holy gracious life hath to a comfortable and happy death and truly meer shews and semblances of Piety will no more comfort then than a painted sun give light or a painted fire warmth now As also here we are taught how good it is and how comfortable it will prove afterward to set out for Heaven betimes and to begin to seek after God and chuse him for our portion while young and to be then taken off from the vain delights here below This as Abigail said to David in another case shall be no grief of heart hereafter but such as is said of the virtuous woman Prov. 31.25 shall rejoice in time to come when God shall remember the kindness of their youth It is observ'd Christ lov'd his youngest Disciple best c. Here also you are taught what it is that most troubles and burdens a gracious soul and that the dearest of Gods Saints are sometimes exposed to Satans fiercest onsets and what a choice Cordial in times of trial the loving-kindness of God is better than wine yea better than life yea and what it is that does and will comfort and support at such times and upon the approaches of death and how far many times the Saints are carried above the fears even of that King of terrors c. These and several other ways what is here published through the blessing of God may be useful and instructive in the perusal thereof if such as peruse the same be not wanting to themselves Which that it may be as it was the design so it is the desire and shall be the prayer of the Publisher thereof The CONTENTS of the several Speeches following As concerning 1. Gods beginning with her betimes c. 2. Her sense of Sin c. 3. Satans Temptations c. 4. Her quiet Submission under Gods hand c. 5. Her zeal for the glory of God c. 6. Her thankfulness c. 7. Her weanedness from the World c. 8. Her Humility Charity c. 9. Her firm affiance in God c 10. Her whole reliance on Jesus Christ alone for Salvation c. 11. Her earnest desires of the good of the Souls of her Children c. 12. Her care to prepare for the Sabbath and great love to Gods Ministers c. 13. Some further evidences for Heaven c. 14. What it was which comforted her in all her afflictions c. Viz. 1 Her interest in God 2 The favour of God 3 The word and promises of God 4 Prayer Meditation and former experiences 5 Heaven and the future happiness and glory c. 15. Her earnest desires to be dissolved c. 16. The Ends and Reasons thereof c. 17. Her being above the fears of death c. 18. Some few of her breathings as in reference to her self c. 19. Some of her Speeches to and Prayers for her Husband as in reference to himself and Children formerly 20. Some of her Speeches and Prayers very lately and a little before her Death An Account of several Observable Speeches of Mrs. Luce Perrot the late Wife of Mr. Robert Perrot of London Minister c. Her Speeches 1. As concerning Gods beginning with her betimes which she thankfully acknowledged and much rejoyced in I Would not for ten thousand worlds but have begun to seek God betimes the Lord put me upon it he then took me off from other delights and made me to delight in his Word c. He began with me betimes and carried me on step by step I could then see nothing in the World to delight in I thought then Holy-days as they called them a wearisomness unto me I would sometimes sit and see others play but took no delight therein for which they would laugh at me and tell me I studied Divinity c. But my delight was then this was when she was about thirteen Years of age to search the Scriptures and to get by my self and pray O that pleased me and very much was I troubled when hindered c. God wrought in
inflict and as long as he pleas'd to afflict both injoying much inward peace and comfort and still fetching cordials out of Gods Word to keep them from fainting Both though their afflictions were heavy defired more the sanctifying of them than their removal and more that they might learn the Lessons God would teach by them than to be rid of them Both were unbottom'd off themselves and their own righteousness and cast their Souls wholly and only on Jesus Christ and his righteousness for life and salvation both as willing to take Jesus Christ as their Prophet to teach them as their King to govern them and subdue them to himself as their Priest to satisfie for them and reconcile them Both proved and tried as silver is tried went as it were through fire and water but now are brought out into a wealthy place Both such as had not their Ark to build when the flood came nor their graces comforts nor evidences to seek when they came to dye but had nothing then to do but to dye having made comfortable provision aforehand against an evil day and improved their time health and strength whilst they had it for the good of their souls Both walked in Heavens way and are now arrived at Heavens happiness both endured the Cross and now receive the Crown and their light afflictions which were but for a moment have but wrought for them a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory 4. Prayer and Meditation and former experiences I Have meditated often on this bed and have had much comfort in several evidences for Heaven and so have sweetly fallen asleep and sweetly awaked again When by reason of weakness I could not pray whilst up when I was in bed I spent a great time of the night in meditation and prayer and was sweetly refreshed And when I cannot speak I lye and think and meditate c. I have had clear evidences for Heaven and Gods loving-kindness hath shone clearly upon me though afterward they have been clouded I remember the days of Gods right hand c. I can truly say I have cryed to the Lord my God and he hath heard me in my distress and delivered me and oh that I could more and more honour him c. The Lord hath been very gracious to me though I have had castings down yet have I had liftings up the Lord hath supported me under great temptations of Satan and much sadness of heart by reason of the Churches sufferings c. 5. Heaven and the future happiness and glory If this earthly house of this tabernacle was dissolved I have a building of God an house not made with hands eternal in the heavens c. 2 Cor. 5 1. What a restless condition am I in When I am in bed then I would be up when up then in bed c. There remains a rest for the people of God Heb. 4.9 And he will carry me through the gates of Death and bring me to his everlasting rest The times of refreshing are coming on a pace c. I have a painful night but shall have a joyful morning I shall be in the embraces of my dear Redeemer there will be none of these tossings to and fro hereafter I shall rest quietly in the bed of the grave c. If the Lord will have me end my days in this condition with pains and weakness Heaven will pay for all there the weary are at rest Being under convulsions these says she are great shogs but God will carry me through them I am not afraid of death but shuck at these pains but who would not go through pains to such a place of rest In my fathers presence are fulness of joy c. Asking her how she did she said I shall be well anon meaning in Heaven And one telling her he hoped she might be better by such a time she replied she hoped so too being in Heaven I am now going and I verily believe I shall go to God I can't speak now I am very weak and low What a condition was I now in if I could not see beyond death and beyond the grave c I would be buried in such a place but no matter where God will raise up my dust again I am going to the heavenly Jerusalem to an innumerable company of Angels c. and into the bosom of my blessed Redeemer and what blessed company are these c One of her Daughters being in the Country and not returning at the time expected Tell her says she I shall meet her in a better place c. Thus the fore-sight and the fore-thoughts of the future glory comforted her under all her afflictions here and one minute now in Heaven makes amends for all her pain and misery here 15. As concerning her carnest desires to be dissolved c. IF the Lord sees good I would fain depart and leave this body of death when will God send his Messenger Is this the night I must depart hence O! what joyful news would that be another night Surely this is the night God will call me home Come Lord Jesus come quickly make kast make hast O my God when wilt thou come O when will that sweet day come I hope it is now nigh what a joyful time will that be to have a total victory over sin I am now going to be married and the Wedding-knot will be tied for everlasting When will my God come What a deal of do is here for my soul to get out of this carcass and how much a do have I to get loose But these shall meet again I earnestly desire earnestly desire to be clothed upon with that house which is from Heaven c. When will my Father send his Waggons to fetch me And telling her she was as a Ship at the Downs waiting for a fair Gale of Wind but when says she will that blessed Gale come And speaking to her of her going to Heaven to her Fathers House she replied she feared not yet Lord send me safe thither And when through weakness we could scarce understand what she said she breath'd home home home and seem'd troubled when any said they hoped she might recover again c. 16. As concerning the ends and reasons of her so earnest desires to be dissolved UPon serious consideration I found that the end why I desired to dye it was not to be freed of my pains or troubles but that I might be freed of sin and no more dishonour God and that I might injoy more of him and be no more discontented under his hand which I am sometimes ready to be I would fain go to Heaven and long to be in Heaven Why Because then I should be freed of Satans temptations and sin no more and that I might have more time to serve God and I am troubled I can have no more here but then I should do nothing but serve God c. And oh what a mercy and happiness would it be to