est timere mortem qui ad Christum nolit ire said Cyprian let them fear death who are loath go to God 10. Though she shall not return to us yet we shall go to her 2 Sam. 12.23 8. Let us lay hold on eternall life make sure of salvation 1 Tim. 6.12 We cannot make sure our houses our Estates our Friends our lives but we may make our election and salvation sure which is far more sweet and needfull 2 Pet. 1.10 consider how short our time is here The last week we enjoyed her now her seat here is empty as sometimes Davids was at the feast 1 Sam. 20.18 but she is placed for eternity let our thoughts much run upon eternity It 's said that Mr. Wood after some holy discourse being at dinner fell a musing and cryed out for near half a quarter of an hour together for ever for ever A great †Sir T.M. man of this Nation being in prison for that which he called his Conscience his Lady coming to him did chide him that he would not do as others did and so live at his own gallant house with his wife and children Wife said he if I should do so how long think you I might live I think said she you may live these 20 years well said he it is but 20 years and yet it s not likely that I should live so long yet they would end but I must be after that for ever and ever Mind we eternity if that as once one said be well looked to all is well looked to 9. Let us lay up some Cordialls against our own death which may comfort us in such an hour First Cordiall Consider that though death which is unavoidable will break many near bonds as 1. the union twixt near kinted and acquaintance nay twixt Mother and Children which are one blood 2. yea nearer the union twixt Husband and Wife which are one flesh nay 3. yet nearer union twixt body and soul which are one person yet there are 3 better unions or bonds which death cannot break as 1. the bond of the Covenant twixt God and his people the Covenant is everlasting though we be mortall and dye Ier. 32.40 Many hundreds of years after Abraham Isaac and Iacob were dead yet God saith that he was still their God I am and Math. 22.31 32. namely their God in Covenant and they then alive to him God is as well their God when they are rotting in their graves as when flourishing in their houses God promised Iacob Gen. 46.4 that he would go down with him into Egypt and he would surely bring him up again yet Iacob was dead ere he was brought out of Egpyt but Gods promise still was of force 2. the bond of union twixt the believing soul and Jesus this marriage-knot death cannot break When Christ dyed death seperated twixt his body in Iosephs tomb and his soul in paradise yet the union with the godhead was as firme as ever so here though the naturall union twixt soul and body may be dissolved by death yet not the Mysticall union twixt the soul and Christ 3. the bond twixt the soul and eternall life is not dissolved by death the believer hath not onely right to it by purchase promise c. but hath possession the beginning of eternall life already earnest of heaven here John 3 36. and though temporal life may fail yet this other here begun will never end Some tell us of a temporall Kingdome of Christ that must onely last certain years is yet to begin and must have an end but the Scripture saith that it s begun not after but in the dayes of those Kings Dan. 2.44 and shall last for ever even for ever and ever Dan. 7.18 so shall the beleevers eternall life here begun never end 2d Cordiall that though the grave be our long home yet it is not our lasting home it s our long home Eccles. 12.5 but not our last home A godly man doth as Myconius writ to Luther mori vitaliter non lethaliter dyes to live he dyes as corn dyes to spring again and that more gloriously as a grain of wheate cast into the ground riseth again with more beauty blade and eare 1 Cor. 15. 20 21. 3d. Cordiall Consider that to godly men death is not an eeven bargain but great gain Phil. 1.21 The sting of death is gone but the honey is still to be reaped all ill is gone by death it cures them of all sin sorrow possibility of sinning or suffering from man or devil Christ our Sampson hath slain this Lyon death and brought us honey out of the carcase of it we not onely may but we must needs dye 2 Sam. 14.14 must is for this King We use to say that necessity hath no law but for death there is both necessity and law necessity by reason of our constitution and corruption our bodyes are like tents patcht up of a few bony sticks covered over with skin and flesh our food and cloathing shew our death we feed on dead beasts and often wear their hides and fleece death was born with us into the world rockt with us in the cradle bred in the bone will nor out of the flesh we travell work lodge lye down with it daily we cannot out run it but especially sin hath so fretted all the threads of our garment that it easily falls in peices we do not dye because we are sick but because we have sinned yea though Christ hath not taken away the course of death yet hath he taken away the curse of death and made it to be every way for our advantage We do not think it any losse to part with an ague the stone c. cold water out of our shooes no more losse hath a godly man by dying it s our perfection Luke 13.32 not our destruction a way to rest Rev. 4.13 not ruine it brings us home 2 Cor. 5 to our kingdomg Fourth Cordiall Consider that to a godly man death is a most happy change Iob 14.14 thereby is neither body quite lost nor soul lost we lose not our friends nor any goods that we have need of or use of Prests wife of Exeter for as that Exeter-Martyr said In Heaven money bears no worth is not currant we shall then and not till then be above ordinances 1. We shall need no repentance c. shall have better houses friends c. Here are nothing but changes sorrow and joy health and sicknesse changes in body soul and estate but death ends all changes there shall be no more 5. Cordiall Though here we part and lye down in severall beds at night and at several hours yet we shall comfortably meet again in the morning 1 Thess 4.17 Psal 49.14 My dear and tender (a) Who dyed in December 1634. father and my onely (b) January 1636. son lye interred at Bradfield where I was born in the Westriding of Yorkshire My dear and loving (c) January 1652. mother
of the Christian whilst he improveth her example for thy good and interlineth the passages of her life with many holy and useful instructions The Lives of Gods precious Saints how private so ever their station be are very well worthy of record and publick notice as exhibiting not onely a pattern and lively transcript of Religion and truly now and then 't is good to look upon Christs †2 Cor. 3.3 Living Epistles but also much of provocation and incouragement to holiness Simeon the Metaphrast in the Life of Chrysostome doth so fully speak out my sense in the case that to the Learned I shal put down his very Words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Examples have a secret Charme by which they draw out the heart to imitation and practise when we press strictnesse people think our doctrine is calculated for Angels and blessed Spirits that have devested themselves of the interest and concernments of flesh and blood and so go away with a prejudice but when they read in the lives of Gods Children that had like passions necessities temptations with themselves with what strictnesse and diligence they carryed on their hopes of a Blessed eternity it hath a marveylous convictive influence upon their hearts and a secret excitation pressing them to go and do likewise therefore I say the Lives of the Saints written are very useful and I doubt not but this being so faithfully collected and judiciously improved wil have its use and find acceptance with the godly Thine in the Lord Tho. Manton Covent-Garden May the 3d. 1658. The Author of this Narrative hath divers other peeces in print As 1. The Grand sacrifice or broken heart on Psal 51.16 17. 2. Two clean birds or the cleansing of the Leper on Lev. 14.4 8. 3. Brittaines Remembrancer or the Nationall Covenant on 2 Chron. 15.12 4. The Three Kingdome 's case with their causes and cure c. on Isai 42.24 25. 5. Britannia rediviva or The Soveraign remedy c. on Prov. 14.34 6. ΕΙΚΩΠΒΑΣΙΛΙΚΗ or the Princes Royal on Psal 45.16 THE Saint's Tombstone Or a plain NARRATIVE OF SOME Remarkable passages in the holy life and happy death of Mrs. Dorothy Shaw lately the dearly beloved Wife of Mr. John Shaw Preacher of the Gospel at Kingston upon Hull who sweetly slept in the Lord Decemb 10th And was interred in Trinity Church in Hull Decemb. 12th 1657. Collected by her dearest Friends specially for her sorrowful Husband 's and six Daughters consolation and imitation THe man after Gods own heart holy David tells us Psal 112.6 that the right eous shall be in everlasting rememforance with God with good men as Demetrius 3 Joh.v. 12. and in the Consciences of wicked men and his Son wise Solomon confirms it Prov. 10.7 that The memory of the just is blessed he is full of bles sings while he lives v. 6. and his memory is blessed when he dies v. 7. yea the Hebrew is his memory shall be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for a blessing which a learned (a) Dr. Jermin Expositor interprets thus The very remembring of them shall bring a blessing to such as do remember them God will blesse those that honour the memory of his Servants and besides the memory of them will make them imitated which is a blessing that shall be rewarded with blessedness The Septuagint reads it the memory of the just is with praises The godly are the only rising persons in the world happy in life better at death better at judgment that better resurrection of the just and best of all to all eternity contrarily wicked are the most falling (b) As Pope Pius Quintus said that when he first entred into holy Orders he had some good hope of his salvation but after he was made cardinal much feared it and now being Pope he quite despaired of it men Prov. 10.7 The godly are positively happy and blesled in their poorest and lowest condition for as Peter names a Chain of graces 1 Pet. 1.5 6 7. better then all Chains of Gold or Pearl and Paul a Chain of life and salvation reaching from eternity to eternity Rom. 8.30 So doth our Saviour name a chain of happiness Mat. 5.3 to 12. consisting of 8 links the first is Poverty the last is Persecution yet in both the person is Blessed which Moses that wise States-man well knew and therefore when he came to perfect years of understanding full 40. years old he chose the poorest condition with the Lords people before the highest condition of all wicked men Heb. 11.25 26. nay they are comparatively happy there is more happiness in their estate then all the riches of this world can afford Psal 144.15 which made David so rejoyce in that above all worldly interests Psal 4.7 and Austin say that he would not be a wicked man one half hour for all the world because he might die that hour yea they are superlatively happy Psal 1.1 Blessed is the man the Hebrew is blessedness in the abstract eminently happy yea blessednesses superlatively happy Blessed is the man Heb. that man with an accent that eminent man as 2 Cor. 12.2 a man in Christ Such are happy in life and more happy in death death cannot kill them Rev. 2.23 but cure them it is not death but life that kept them so long from God and glory Death cannot kill a godly man totally not his soul which is with Christ far better Phil. 1.23 is in Paradise death doth by the godly as they Mark 14.51.52 did by the young man caught his Garments but the person escaped so death catcheth the body but the principal part escapes to glory nor can death kill the body finally only brings it to bed as King Asa's Coffin is called 2 Chron. 16.14 so are the Saints graves called Isa 57.12 Death only layes them to sleep till the morning Joh. 11. It was an antient Custom among the Jews as I read for people as they went with a dead Corpse to pluck up grasse by the way intimating that the dead friend should spring again as grasse Death comes to a godly person in the hand of a Mediator as part of the Covenant a Covenant-affliction Psal 89.32 33 34. as part of our joynture with Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 3.21 22 23. The sting and curse of death is taken away by Christ their head who hath sanctified the grave and made death to be to them no other then as Elijahs fiery Charet to fetch a dear Child from a hard Nurse or sharp school to his Father's house Godly men are in the 4 next verses Heb. 2.11 12 13 14. twice called Christs Brethren and twice his Children and therefore to such Christ turns their water into wine the Serpent in Moses hand into a staffe to lean on and makes that rod to blossom and bring forth fruit meat out of the eater water from the Rock so that this red Sea doth not drown them but hasten them from Egypt to the promised Land death
cannot separate them from God Rom. 8.38 but perfect them Luk. 13.32 it brings them to a better house 2 Cor. 5.12 to a Mansion-house Joh. 14.12 for indeed here are no Mansion-houses Heb. 13 14. though some are so called to a better Countrey Heb. 11.15 16. In this low-Countrey we are strangers the world knowes us not 1 John 3.1.2 David was so in his own house and kingdom and therefore must not wonder at strange usage here Psal 39.12 David saith not that he was a stranger to God but a stranger with God that is as some expound it God and he were both strangers here but death will bring them to their own the high Countrey for a godly man to die is but as Bernard calls it repatriâsse †Ubi pater ibi patria to go home again to his own Countrey where or from whence he was born as he is godly viz. new-born death brings him to a better Inheritance of which Peter mentions 5. excellent properties 1 Pet. 1.4 it s kept for him and he for it v. 4.5 death brings them to their resting-place Heb. 4.9 Rev. 14.13 where is their Father Husband Brethren Friends c. to their reaping-place Gal. 6.9 yea to their Crown justly gotten a Crown of righteousness 2 Tim. 4.8 and everlasting a Crown of life Jam. 1.12 Rev. 2.10 and full of honour a Crown of glory 1 Pet. 5.4 These earthly Crowns have two great wants want satisfaction and perpetuity they are both unsatisfying at present and uncertain for the future here all is not only vanity but vexation every Crown of gold ilned with a Crown of thorns which made a great man once say of his Crown O Crown (c) Lam. 4 5. more noble then happy and here we read of many heads that have been weary of Crowns and Crowns weary of Heads In this Nation how hath the Crown walked even since Christs birth from Britains to Saxons Danes Normans Plantagenets Tudors Stuarts c. William the Conqueror was crowned three times every year in three several places namely Glocester Winchester and Westminster yet soon did his Crown fade and he as great Alexander before him when dead could scarce get a grave for some time we read in Scripture of a City for strength called infinite namely No or Alexandria in Egypt Nahum 3.9 and of an (d) Constantius so Rome was called aeterna yet is falling and Roma mira perenis erit c. Emperor in story that would needs be styled his eternity ordinary Titles would not content him yet the first was soon ruined vers 10. and the last but short-lived only 40. years but death brings us to a satisfactory Crown where no want Rev. 7.16 17 21.4 nor any more death but shall be as the Angels Luk. 20.36 and everlasting Hujusmodi comparandae sunt opes quae cum naufragio simul enatent said good Lewes of Bavyer Look well to such Crowns as will last to eternity House and Lands are moveables as well as Goods if not from the Center yet from the owner godly may live poorly but they die rich but however a wicked man lives rich yet he dies poor to him death is properly the King of terrors †As Aristotle called it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Job 18.14 Which made a great man in this Nation when he was assured by his Physitians that he must die to cry out I would said he I might live though but the life of a Toad for better that then Hell And it made Cardinal Wolsey when he died at Leicester to say If I had served my God as I have served my King God would not now have left me but now I am forsaken both of God and man Drexellius tells us of a young man of very bad life who was very fearful of being in the dark who after falling sick and could not sleep cryed out Oh if this darkness be so terrible what is eternal darkness Such are men without hope as Homer saith of Achilles that he wished rather to be a servant to any poor Countrey Clown then to be a King to all the souls departed because he had no hopes of a better life It s a sad case when at once the body stinks the soul burns and the name rots Prov. 10.7 yet to the godly death is no losse they part with nothing but sin and vanity but great gain others may gain while living but these gain by dying it brings them to perfection of grace and glory to see Christ and therefore to be like him 1 Joh. 3.12 not through a Glasse but clearly 1 Cor. 13.12 face to face to enjoy him whom our soul loveth to be ever with the Lord 1 Thes 4.17 Only our duty is while we live to be making our Title sure that which is sure in it self should be made sure to us 2 Pet. 1.10 this ornamental grace is so necessary to our well-being that without it we can neither live nor die comfortably therefore a good man when he was asked why he constantly prayed six times a day and lived so strictly he only answered I must die I must die King Henry the 7th of England pretended a sixfold Title to the Crown by Conquest Military Election of Souldiers in the Fields near Bosworth by Parliament by Birth Donation and Marriage but sure I am a Child of God hath a farre better Title to the Kingdom of Heaven by Christs purchase by new birth by Marriage with Christ the Son and Heir by Gods free promise c. yea here they have eternal life already Joh. 3.36 5.24 Ephes 2.6 in our Head in the promise the earnest seal bud c. They are in Christ now therefore though they may have a crosse yet no curse correction yet no condemnation a Fathers rod yet not an enemies wroth how sweetly may such as these go to the grave which the Jewes call Beth Chajim the House of the living Job 30.23 and not only use Chaucers Motto mors mihi aerumnarum requies or as he whom some call St. Francis who when Physitians assured him that death drew nigh said benĕ veniat soror mea mors welcom Sister Death but as old Alderman Jordan used to say that Death would be the best friend that he had in the world he would willingly go forth to meet it or rather say with holy Paul Oh Death where is thy sting c. triumphing over it 1 Cor. 15.55 For as Austin said of Elect men that by Christs death they are non solum instaurati sed meliorati so by their own death they are brought to a sarre better condition then here they had but quorsum haec All this is but to usher in and give you an example and instance hereof in the boly life and happy death of that pretious servant of the Lord still Gods Servant Josh 1.2 still Christs friend Joh. 11.11 though she sleep Mrs. Dorothy Shaw late the dearly beloved Wife of Mr. John Shaw Preacher of the
opportunity in publique or private meetings for any worldly business usually yea when others thought that she was very unable and weak yet she would attend the meanes of grace and say that she never got any harm by attending on Gods Ordinances or doing him service she kept that ear-mark of Christs sheep which many have lost in these dayes she was careful to hear with attention of body intention of mind retention of memory as in that Text John 10.27 where all the five steps of our salvation are laid down Since we were acquainted I never knew her part from me with that grief as she did last October the 11th being the Lords day whereon the Sacrament of the Lords Supper was administred and her weakness of body would not allow her to be there present sure I am we parted with teares truly I faw no such appearance of trouble or grief in her when death apparently seized on her and the next Sacrament-day Novemb. 15. which was the last time the Lords Supper was administred before she dyed she was a sweet partaker of that sealing Ordinance though forced to rest her sometimes in the way 'twixt her house and the Congregation Psal 122.1 I was glad when they said to me let us go into the House of the Lord. 5. I never heard any motion or proposition made tending to the service of God and advancing piety but she was pressed in spirit and her heart was hot after it and more eager to suffer it then a worldling could be for a great bargain Isa 2.3 6. She was a special help to her Husband for saving his life and liberty in these troublesom times and a chearful sufferer with him Phil. 4.3 to the hazarding both of her-health liberty and life in the time of the Wars and since sometimes she was hurried by the Cavaliers towards prison in Rotherham sometimes fled in great danger by Sea in Lancashire her House and Goods robbed or plundered that she might say as Paul 1 Cor. 11.26 that she was in danger both by Land and Sea by robbers by false Brethren c. 7. She was as free from * She did ubique pietatem attendere nunquam ostentare causas pride and covetousness as I ever knew or in these dayes heard of any whether pride in apparel (f) Plautus calls the body only vestis farium She minded the soul much above the body she followed Tertullians Counsel who advised the gallant women in his time to put on the Silk of piety the Sattin of sanctity and the purple of modesty so said he shall God himself be your suitor or rather the Apostle's advice 1 Pet. 3.3 4. like modest Rebeckah Gen. 24.65 of both whom that of the Poet was not true Fastus inest pulcris sequiturque superbia formam and free from pride in gifts performances which rots and spoils all we have and do Hence Austin Caetera vitia in peccatis superbia in rectè factis maximè est timenda 3 Joh. 2. So also from covetousness only she had a great measure of that godly covetousness after grace 1 Cor. 12 31. She would say Proud persons are called pride it self Jer. 50.31 32. I desire never to hoard up any of these things only I would have to bear my charges through my Inn here below much of Pauls mind Phil. 4.11.12 8. 1 Tim. 6.6 Luther had rather be the Author of the meanest work of the poorest Saint then of all the Victories of Alexander's and Caesar's She did more value and love the poorest godly man or woman yea Servants in whom she judged the life and power of grace to appear and more rejoyced in their Company then in all the greatest persons and honours in the world she might truly say what another godly woman said before her that she never loved the Company of the wicked alive and therefore hoped that God would never send her to them when she died Psal 16.3 and 119.63 Fiscellinus valued Nobility above learning which made Sigismund the Emperor to marvel she valued godliness above them both as the best gain 9. She would oftentimes presse her Husband to act vigorously for God and to go boldly and thorough-stitch in Gods work and let never the care of her or their Children be any impediment to him herein for she could trust God with them fully she knew that God cared for them and reason good for he bought them dear 1 Pet. 5.7 10. When motions were made to her Husband of removing from Hull where he had very much work and very little pay to a place of very great preferment as to outward meanes he desired as usually to know her mind herein her answer was I will go with you any where chearfully as I have hitherto done through Darbishire Devonshire Yorkshire c. but I mainly desire that you would only look herein at this end where you think that God may have most honour by you and let no other by-end whatever move you at all God having never put us to any straits for temporal estate she would not have him stir a foot †Exod. 33.15 without the Lord any way she was troubled to see any follow the Ministry as a Popish writer complains of their Priests tantum ut eos pascat vestiat only as a Trade for back and belly or as men-pleasers 11. In all these 25 years she never once failed in her Husbands absence her self to pray with the Family at the least twice a day a morning and evening sacrifice and usually sing a Psalm and read some portion of Scripture to them and when her Husband was sometimes very late busie at his study she would constantly call the Family together and have some Scripture read and sing a Psalm and so keep the Family imployed till her Husband came down from his study to perform the rest of the Family-duties 12. She was of a most meek and quiet spirit and was upon all occasions stirring up her Children in the Doctrine and practice of godliness and very much rejoyced to see godliness so much appear in them she was much of holy Clavigers mind who said if I can but find the fear of God in my Yoke-fellow and Children and those about me satis habeo satisque mihi uxori mea filiis filiabus prospexi then I have enough in this world 2 John 4. She would often say that if God was so pleased she desired that her Husband might out-live her because she judged him more able to educate their Children in the wayes of Heaven 13. She was a very great helper to Gods poor Saints that were troubled in these late national distractions and was alwayes full of courage professing since that when she was hurried towards prison in Rotherham that she did not fear any thing save only that her Husband should have suffered some want through her absence he being at that time hid in Rotherham where the Enemy sought him narrowly yet he could
Mundi gubernator when Melancthon was sad about the Churches troubles Let God alone to govern the world said he let God chuse our afflictions for us that may do what he will that will do what is best though we do not so well know yet till all the wheels of Providence further move what God meanes and why he doth as perhaps we think lay his hands crosse and therefore with Ioseph we desire to remove them Gen. 48.17 yet we shall know hereafter Gods meaning better Joh. 13.7 and find that God did it wisely Gen. 48.14 and in very faithfulnesse Psal 119.75 and perhaps say periissemus nisi periissemus Tiberius the second a good Emperour by taking up a crosse found a masle of treasure under it so may we in time find benefit by this crosse Psal 119.71 7. Let us look as well at the bright side of the cloud and not only at the dark side thanksgiving is a duty not only limited to mercyes but required in afflictions 1 Thess 5.18 Iob 1.21 we must glorifie God in the very fires Isa 24.15 This would stop the flood-gates of all immoderat sorrow you know your habitation is very near the ebbings and flowings of the Sea and we see the flowing is usefull as well as the ebbing but if it overflow the banks then its dangerous and hurtfull So look we as well at our abundance of undeserved mercies as at this ten times deserved crosse as 1. we had the society of this servant of God many years I had her 25 years to a day God might have called for his own the first hour may not the Lord do with his own what he will Themistocles invited many Philosophers to supper and borrowed all his dishes in the midst of the supper the owner sends for the one halfe of them Can you indure this disgrace said the Philosophers Yes said he very well for he might have sent justly for them all God hath left to you a Father and to me Children still to both of us Friends sweet Christian Friends which the Scripture calls necessaries 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Acts 10.24 nay more hath not taken away Himself from †Fas nobis non est de fortunâ queri salvo Christo promissionibus evangelil Salvo Christo salva sunt omnia us this was Davids comfort at Ziglag when goods wives all were gone Towne burnt Souldiers ready to stone him yet God was not gone 1 Sam. 30.6 he still affords us his Gospell Promises Spirit his Son and not onely a Competency in this world but the tenders and hopes of a kingdome in heaven 2. Look down below us what others want what sorer afflictions they bear what greater troubles they have endured see Martyrs remember Musculus of whom you have read at large a learned holy Minister forced to weave for his living and turned out there forced to dig in the ditch a pad of straw for his bed See those Scripture Martyrs Heb. 11. Remember Davids troubles and sorrows Psal 69. near perishing Psal 119.92 see Iob eminent for piety and as eminent for afflictions nay Jesus Christ himself a man all of sorrows Isa 53.3 God had one son without sin but none without sorrow unum sine †Unum sine corruptione nullum sine corruptione Omnis Christianus est Crucianus Iuther flagitio nulium sixe flagello Read over the book of Lamentations think of our Bretheren in Piedmont and Poland c. at this day nay see the lot of all the Lords people Heb. 12.8 Acts 14.22 3. To quiet our hearts see Gods wise over ruling providence in it that orders all things to the falling of a sparrow Math. 10.29 30. its he appointed it 1 Thess 1.3 he ordered it so that she dyed not as many precious men in the Sea or from home but in our arms 1 Sam. 7.14 15. 4. Afflictions are part of Gods Covenant with us he hath promised them in mercy to us with his Son He that promised that he would not condemn us yet pomised to correct us Psal 89.31 32 33. 5. Gods loving-kindnesse remaines still we have lost a Friend but not a God Jer. 30. 46 28. 6. God hath neither done her nor us any wrong He had best right to her and had fitted her for himself and said That he would have her where he is Iohn 17.24 Exod. 33.32 Isa 49.1 not only God knew her name but in Scripture Phrase God knew her by her name which is much sweeter and he called for her by her name 7. She died not as a fool dieth 2 Sam. 3.33 we had no such cause to mourn as David for a wicked Absolom whose destruction he might justly fear she went but from the lower to the higher house to her Father and our Father John 20.17 And therefore in regard of her it may be said as Christ said if we loved her we would rejoyce because she is gone to the Father John 14.28 It s sweet when God fits †When God calls us from death to life before God calls us from life to death 1 Joh. 3.14 before he calls us away 8. Consider we the Change that she hath made lest us for better Friends she dearly loved the people of God now she is with onely Saints and they freed from corruption and temptation Doctor Taylor blessed God that ever he came to prison because there he had the company of that Angel of God Mr. Bradford Oh what is Heaven then Themistocles about to sell some Land bid the Cryer proclaim that who everwould buy it should have good Neighbours as if they added to the worth of the purchase Oh how sweet is a Heaven full of blessed Saints for Christ to be here with Paul is great security but for Paul to be with Christ is perfect felicity She could not here see Gods face and live Exod. 33.20 22. therefore she was willing with Augustin to dye that she might see it and that more clearly 9. The very body now laid to sleep shall rise again †Hence some think that Sarah is 8. times in one Chapter called Abrahams dead Gen. 23. because of the hope of the resurrection Fiducia Christianorum resurrectio mortuorum Tertull this Paul fully proves 1 Cor. 15. and not only a mortall and a corruptible body but as pointing to himself he saith this mortall shall put on immortality and this corruptible 1 Cor. 15.53 Credo resurrectionem hujus carnis said the Primitive Saints Iob 19.25 26 27. See how Christ confutes the Sadduces Math. 22.29 30. yea and she shall rise again though with the same body yet far more glorious as the same bell new cast as iron fomerly rusty now glossy in the smiths forge is still the same yet more glorious so shall the Saints bodies be like Christs glorious body Phil. 3.21.1 Cor. 15.53 c. No more thirst hunger or sorrow Rev. 7.16 17 21.4 no more death but shall be as the Angels Luke 20.36 Ejus
lyes interred at Pattrington in the Eastriding of of Yorkshire where my eldest daughter and husband Mr. Mathew Woodell then Pastor there didolive And now my dear and pretious (d) December 1657. wife I interred in Hull and where we shall be sown in the Earth the onely wise God knowes but erre long all the Eagles shall flock to the carcase Luke 17.37 Sixt Cordiall Consider though the streame be gone yet the fountain is as full as ever we that live in Hull oft times see the cocks that convey water to private houses cut off yet still men may freely go to the spring so we have a God a Christ a promise still as fresh as full as ever Open our mouths wide suck hony out of this rock God careth for us 1 Pet. 5.7 Nimis avarus cui Deus non sufficit he is too covetous whom a God cannot suffice Luther said Lord do with me what thou wilt since thou hast pardoned my sin 10. Learn we to price Gods Ordinances as this deceased Saint did above her necessary food When Christ was hungry Mark 11.12 and went to a fig-tree and found no fruit to eat v. 13. yet when he came to the City Ierusalem v. 15. he went not that we read of to any victualling house but to the Temple and taught shewing it was his meat and drink to be doing his fathers will In former times want of bread was Englands misery we read in Queen Elizabeths days that such a man was one of the 4. or 5. Preachers in such or such a County in her dayes Mr. Tavernâ—ur Sheriff of Oxfordshire did in Charity not ostentation saith Mr. Fuller give the Schollers a Sermon at St. Maries in Oxford with his Gold chaine and sword And before that in King Henry the 8. and Queen Maries dayes how would some have given whole cart-loads of hay or corn for a few Chapters in the New Testament But alas our fault is surfetting contempt and loathing of the Manna as it s said of us in regard of ears of corn That if there be much scarcity of corn the poor pine if great plenty and cheapnesse the rich repine so it s for soul-food When great store of it many slight it Heretofore was sad perfecution when Ioan Clerke said to be a godly woman was forced by the bloody Papists to set fire to burn her dear Father William Tylsworth who was burnt for the Gospel at Amersham in Buckinghamshire and many suffered much for private meetings wherein they did pray for themselves the Church and State but now we are in more danger of sleighting or of hypocrisie to professe the Gospell and the service of God only for reward which Antigonus so condemned yea for reward and advantage amongst men nay many in these dayes that in times of persecution seemed forward are now Apostatized and gone back Diogenes once in a great assembly went backward at which all the people laughed him to scorn whereupon he told them that They might rather be ashamed who had so long gone backward and declined from good manners and conversation oh how many hath Satan cheated and seduced of late from the ordinances and holy practises 11. Learn from her to be very tender and watchfull against the least sinne how afraid was she of the very appearance of evil how did she mourn for originall sinne which both is in its nature a sinne crosse to Gods pure law 1 John 3.4 defiling our whole natures and the sruit and effect of sin Dr. Prideaux as Adams sin which as a learned man saith was peccatum originans ours peccatum originale the cause of sin the spring of our actual sins How did that poor woman cry to King Solomon of a dead childe found in her bosome so may we though not quite dead yet of that deadnesse in our hearts to what is good as Paul Rom. 7.24 that while we carry a dying body without we are pestered with a body of death within nay alas often we are guilty of much sin in our inside when it appears not yet in our practise Christ said to Iudas Iohn 13.27 What thou doest c. He was then doing viz. betraying murthering of Christ whilest he was at supper There are not onely strong bony sins so 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 notes Amos 5.12 But sins of omission which Bishop Usher so Complained of he was murthering of Christ inwardly what sin we would do but cannot dare not or are prevented that we do in Gods account Josh 24 9. Balak is said to warre against Israel because he gladly would but durst not so speculative adultery Math. 5.28 and heart-murder 1 John 3.15 is loathsome to God Mr. Howel tells it as a strange thing that a Serpent was found in the heart of an English man when he was dead but alas this old Serpent is by sad experience found to have too much power in many of our hearts whilst alive labour to withstand the first beginnings of sin else you will find though you are no great Logicians that if you yeild the Premises you cannot deny the Conclusion Austin saith that his good Mother Monica by sipping and supping when she filled the cup to others came at last to take a cup of nimis sometimes 12. Learn from her to love godlinesse above all empty vanities and fading joyes I do not discommend decency in your garbe our Chronicles tells us that starching is but an invention brought out of Flanders hither by Mrs. Dinghen in the year 1564. not a 100d years since nor the use of lawfull things in a right way but look upon piety and godlinesse as your life 1 Pet. 3.7 And your choicest Ornament 1 Pet. 3.3 4 5. as you know that was the very joy of the heart of your dear Mother Diogenes could say of a fair woman without virtue ôh quà m bona domus sed malus hospes but make you Moses choice Heb. 11.25 and Davids choice Psal 4.6 7. account not gain to be godlinesse but godlinesse to be your gain 1 Tim. 6.5 6. Learn from her not to content your selves with glittering yet dead morall virtues which very Heathens had though Austin and Prosper deny that but look to living saving and distinguishing graces you know how carefull she was this way though she was well furnished with morall virtues Scipio that gallant Roman and Conqueror of Affrica had a Son that had nothing of the worth of the Father but onely his name he was cowardly and dissolute who coming into the Senate-house with a ring on his finger having his Fathers picture livelily engraven the Councell made an Act of State forbidding him to weare that ring who would not imitate his Fathers virtues and Alexander seeing a Cowardly Souldier of his own name bad him be valiant or forsake his name I have not hitherto had any discomfort in you nor any visible grounds of fears yet I beseech you let her that is dead but yet speaketh prevaile with you not to sit