â—â—â—ding of 〈◊〉 Sâ—riâ—tuâ—es 〈◊〉 meâ—itâ—â—ion for private performances what shall I say for reading the Scriptures from the first unto the last she was a constant dayly reader of Gods Word And for that same duty of Meditation oh that too much neglected duty it was her constant course one or twice a day to run over what she had heard on the Lords-Day even on the weeke day and I my self have seen her many a time retire her self to walk in a place commonly called the Garth or in some other place in a speciall manner I am perswaded for this very end to presse upon her soule in secret what she had heard in publique And for that of prayer her constant course was to pray by her self three or foure Iâ— prayer times constantly every day beside her constant joyning in the family duties And here now if you please let me bring in her death because when she was closing with God in that duty then the Lord concerning her present Death was pleased in a speciall manner to draw neer unto her this you must know that it is one thing to die suddently another thing to die presently or quickly Suddennesse is this when a man never thought on the matter before nor prepared for the matter before but presentnesse or speedinesse may come on a person that is fitted and prepared therefore let me say two things concerning this First for her preparation for Her preparation for Death death and her thoughts and speeches of death it was very much and they were very many and frequent nay the very last day that ever shee lived here on earth even at Noone in discoursing with others to this purpose she said unto her husband Husband you are not like to enjoy me long some replyes being made unto her shee returned this answer But no man knows so much by me as I do by my selfe and this was about eight houâ—s before her death thus her thoughts were running upon it and no doubt still she was preparing for it and she hath said unto me and others that shee was verily perswaded she should die this kind of death because it seems both her Father and her sister before her dyed so Yet you must remember the distinction that even now we gave you There is a twofold A twofold suddennesâ— in dying suddennesse one in respect of preparation and another in regard of time the former was not to her the latter was to make this distinction plain to you It may be you are indebted to a man an 100. pounds and there is no day set for the payment of it hee may come when he pleaseth well say you Sir come when you will your money shall be ready for you you lay the 100. pounds by you in a readinesse because you do not know certainly when he will come it may be such a day he comes and hee knocks at your doores and calls for the hundred pounds you may say now his comming is sudden and not suddain in respect of preparation it is not suddain for you have the money by you but in respect of time it is suddain for hee came in a time you looked not for oh how many thousand thousand have warning enough for Time but as for Preparing for Death alas what preparation is made oh let me labour for the former that Death may never finde mee unprepared and for the latter the will of the Lord be done Shall I tell you one of the rarest Saints that ever breathed here on earth dyed quickly Moses by name why saith God to Moses Moses go up into the Mount and dye nothing but this Go up depart and dye thus Moses dyed So Aaron as a man may say he is onely strip't of his cloaths and so he dyes this is the first thing that I would have you consider concerning her death And secondly this I adde seeing that the Lord was pleased that this death should be how seasonable was it that at this time Her death was seasonable she should be taken out of this world unto God how it is with other men I know not this I am sure of that a child of God as generally at all times so especially towards the evening will goe unto God and make even his reckonings with him that so if death should come to him in the night and his Bed should be his Grave yet then his soule might go to Heaven Now though she had been againe and againe with her God that day both in private and in publique yet she is not weary but as Moses goes up into the Mount so she still goes into her Parlour unto her God in Prayer and at that time she closes with her God so that Hee was pleased to seize upon her body and so presently after her soule departs unto the Lord Jesus Here I bring in her death in her Prayer to wit as when the River is going towards the Sea the Sea at the Tyde comes out as it were to salute it and to bring it in so this blessed Saint oh she was running fast towards heaven and she was almost in heaven all that day after the Sermon well now the Lord seeing her make such speed towards him he comes down to meet her and now hee hath taken her unto himself this for ordinary duties both in publique private and secret respecting the second Commandement Now for extraordinary duties this on my owne knowledge also Her duties extradinary I speak that she constantly every weeke did keepe a private Day of Humiliation retiring her self alone and spending some part of the day with her husband and that in examining of her heart humbling of her soule in reading and in meditating and yet such was her wisdome that she cast things so as she might not be interrupted by those occasions which she might meet withall either in the world or in the family This for the second Commandement For the third for her reverencing of Gods Name it is no great To the 3. Commandement matter for me to say I never heard her swear as I never did during all that seven yeers that I lived with her and I am perswaded had I lived 70. yea 100. yeares with her I should never have heard her swear no no more then that she feared an oath and this evidenceth that she had respect unto the thitd Commandement And for the fourth what shall I say for that a whole day might To the 4. Commandement I spend concerning that day she spent it wholly for God I will tell you nothing but the truth shee did rise constantly at 6. of the clock in the morning and being up she first went apart secretly and commended her own case unto God in Prayer and she did reade Gods Word then she came forth and she to prepare her selfe further for the publique duties went to pray with her husband in private or with the Minister that was there present in the
word and deed and this but about some 8. houres before heâ— death And for the Parish they themselves well know that they have lost a Matron and lost a Motber indeed And for the poore this was her constant course every week to lay up something for them to see how the Lord would have it In the morning of that day on which she dyed about the poore neighbour for whom we prayed she was imploy'd in making something ready for him yea sending money to him yea a third time sending and that it might not be done for ostentation shee would sometimes charge the servant that carryed the almes to give the almes so as to conceal the name thus both Parish and Poor all have a losse Now for her two-fold outward state as thus she carried towards all persons so thus also she carried in all estates still she was constant with her God in the time of prosperity so humble so thankful so bountifull and liberall she was In the times of any crosse or losse or adversity oh then the strength of the patience and long-suffering of this godly soule oh what wisdome did she shew what subjection unto Gods will nay what fruitfulnesse also after the affliction was past thus did she go through sufferings She told me not long since that the Lord had answered every prayer that shee had put up as if he should have said to her why child I will both direct thee what to ask and I will also answer thee in what thou askest as the Lord said to Moses concerning the people of Israel Let mee alone so concerning her last deare child I shall never forget her words Ah saith she I could never yet get my heart inlarged in praying for his life because to wit the Lord had a purpose to take him unto himselfe therfore he restrained the spirit of his servant from being so instant with him in praying for his life Thus you have seen some things in relation to God to man to persons to things to states Now for the second thing that we propounded that is concerning her heavenly mindednesse eertainly her conversation was in heaven for all her endeavors did tend thitherwards nay she had a heart set for heaven and she had set her affections on things above long before And for the world oh how often would she speak of that as having her heart taken off from the world and finding that the things of the world did steal away her hearâ— she cuts of the affection by taking away the occasion What saith she you things of this life do you begin to steal away my heart from heaven and heavenly things away with you let not me be troubled with you that therefore which the men of the world do look after so carefully as loving it dearly even their gold and silver shee finding it somewhat to incroach upon her affections her husband must have it shee will not keepe it and in respect of her expressions many and many a time concerning her desires to be absent from the body that she might be present with the Lord oh how Saint-like did she expresse her selfe Now seeing in this manner as you have heard towards God and towards Man in the use of all good means shee was walking stepping on still towards heaven and seeing that she setting heaven and the Lord Jesus before her thus pressed hard forward toward the Mark for the price of her high calling wee may say two things for conclusion First we may say this That though we have lost yet she hath gained to eternity And secondly this also wee may say and so I come unto my Text that though many have done vertuously yet may I not speak of heâ— as Salomon doth therâ— hast not thou excelled them all And so from her unto our text wee passe with what brevity may be THE SERMON PROV 31. 29. Many Daughters have done vertuously but thou excellest them all IN the latter end of this last Chapter there is a commendation of a vertuous and godly woman positively from the tenth verse unto my text and here in my text comparatively The words divide themselves into two parts the former part is this Many Daughters have done vertuously the latter part this But thou excellest them alâ— Seeing then what is said here is for the Praise Commendation and Honor of a vertuous and godly woman we will therefore from the words at this time handle this one truth Doct. That though mâ—ny do â—erâ—uouslâ— yet sone of Gods people do excell in graâ—e and this is their praise and glory We say sometimes of the lives of women as Origen once spake concerning them that if they be good they are very good though therfore wee might bring to the exaâ—ples of men in the Scripture that did excell in grace yet notwithstanding for the confirmation of this truâ—h we will only inâ—â—ance in those of the same Sexe with this godly soul now departed And the firâ—â— shâ—ll be in â—ne of her own name â—lâ—zaâ—etâ— Luâ—e 1 6. there you sâ—all find â—haâ— Zâ—châ—ry and Elizabeâ—h were two rare and excellent persons in grace for there it is said concerning them both that they were riâ—hteous befoâ—e God blamelesse amongâ—â— men there is one excellent woman The second that we shall name is Tâ—biâ—hâ— shee is deâ—cribed in Act. 9. 36 37. shee was a Disciple a Professor of the Gospell and a woman full of good works theâ—e is a second exceâ—lenâ— woman The third that wee shall name for a woman that was excellent in graâ—â— is Mary John 1. 11 20. shee was first at the grave and she was last at the grave shee stayes at the grave weeping and mourning and crying when Peter that rare Apostle was gone here was a woman rare for her affection unto Christ her heart did appeare to bee more tende being a woman then the heart of Peter a person of another Sexe To name yet another Rom. 16. 12. there Paul saluâ—es two godly Matrons that laboured in the Lord but saith he salute our beloved Pâ—â—siâ— that laboured much in the Lord that is more Others they laboured in the Lord and â—his was their commendation but this beloved Peâ—siâ— shee laboured and laboured much in the Lord theâ—efore she is especially commended for it Reas The reasons of this truth are theâ—e The first is taken from the inward working causes and they aâ—e these two Christ his spirituall providence and his peoples speciall diligence First Christs spiritual providence in dispensing the gift for according to his gift so is not the truth of grace only but the measuâ—e of grace also Eph. 4 every one hath grace given him according to the measure of the gift of Christ and as the Apostle speakes unto the Corinthians The spirit of Christ distribute unto every one even as he will This blessed Head though he gives unto all yet notwithstanding he gives unto all differently to some more and to some lesse even as he pleaseth this for the
sweet Daughter and her Husband deare True mourners wait upon your Sable Biere VVith thousands more How soon did you bereave Our Joyes you left your friends yet took no leave So th' Holy Child of Nazareth slunck away Luke 2. From his perplexed Parents every day They seek and sigh and wonder where hee 's gone The third day like his Resurrection Restores him found But they amaz'd begin To check his absence Son where have you bin Our heart akes for you Sharply then their Son VVhat must my Fathers businesse be undone That Fathers children nothtng mis-befalls He still hath businesse for them when he calls And for what businesse were you summon'd hence T' adore the Throne with prostrâ—te Reverence Rev. 5. To hear the Lamb wâ—th his own mouth reveale The mystick Oracles of the â—eaven-fold Seale To lâ—arn at once and in perfâ—ction know 1 Cor. 13. The truth of All men argue of below To read your name writ in the White-stone gemme Re. 2. 17. Psa 8. 5. Rev. 8. 3. And to receive the Royall Diadem To pray at th golden Altar and to sing New songs of tryumph to th' immortall King The hidden Manna and the Fruit to eat Rev. 2. 7. Of life i' th midst of Gods own Eden set Embroidered stoles of Ophir-gold to weare Psa 45. Rev. 7. 9. And in your hands victorious Palms to bear To parlie and to be familiar With Saints and Seraphins and the morning star Re. 2. 28. Here you did bear and sing discourse and pray Much more'â— not done above and in this way You walk'â— to Heaven where glorious now you see Fulnesse of jâ—y in Christs sweet Majesty Many there be who carelesse live and spend Their dayes in ignorance and still depend On longer time for mercy then decay And in some lingring sicknesse melt away Like the foul candle in the socket spent Damping the roome with an unwholesome sent After some blazes doth at last consume And dye and vanish in a noysome fume So these vain Flashes do still judging wrong Themselves dye suddenly though they languish long To dye well yet live ill is a vain strife Sweet Death â—ere followed an unsavoury Life But you after your conversation bright Had shin'd long time amongst us had your light At once put out with an Extinguisher The blasting Apoplâ—xie did interre Your brain in earthen mists which over-cast And through obstructions bind the sences fast Here Art is sencelesse too yet are we sure The resurrection this Disease can cure This you foresaw in your last morning flighâ— Before the evening of your fatallâ— Night For rising from your Bed these words you gave How sweet vvill be our rising from the grave Then from your closet to the Church you hyed Where your own happinesse you heard prophesied The Funerall text was this When a Saint dyes How precious is his death in the Lords eyes Psa 116. Whence you as Christ from Jordan straight returne Or like that mournfull Paire whose heart did burn In Emaus way thus fir'd wiâ—h Heavâ—nly flame You fully were possest with your own * Elizabeth i. e fulnesse of God Name And thus inlivened with your friends at table Your heart so cheerfull was so comfortable So pleasant was your veine that you correct Your self and smiling sâ—id to this effect Well Husband here I have not long to bide Why Love saith he I hope a longer Tide We may Nay you reply that may not be T is little known to you whaâ—s knowâ— to me Then straight the sacred Temple did you call Invited to a second Funerall Where present I observ'd your sparkling eyeâ— Through th'incense of your evening Sacrifice That done to your last Supper you retire Thence to your Agony This was the gire And circuit of your last and well spent day The Modell of your life and Heav'nly Way Then Israel-like you strive to your last breath He tooke his Maime in Prayer and you that death By which you live Such blessed victories Are soonest got by wreastâ—ing on our knees You conquered death and your sweet end begins More happy years then all the world hath sâ—nnâ—s Religious Soul could you devise a way Your last sweet Raptures hither to convey The Pattern of your dying Prayer would be Thrice recompence for my course Elegie Yet my blest memory shall your Acts enshrine And Vertues and to vertue me incline Let them whom fears of sudden Death beset Still wear about them this tryed Amulet Agracious heart and life 's the surest guard He ne're dyed suddenly that dyed prepar'd Câ—ll't not a sudden or untimely Doome VVhich did boâ—h welcome and expected come Happy thrice happy who departeth hence With your sweet Name and spotlesse Conscience Cum mihi supremos Lachesis perneverit annos Non aliter cineres mando jacere meos FINIS
is not the disparagement but rather should be the inâ—ouragement of another and to them we only say Go and doe likewiâ—e Thus having commended her I now commend you and yours to the protection of the Almighty desiâ—ing you to patronize and kindly to accept of the weak indeavours of Jan. 20 1644 Your truly affectionate Friend to serve yoâ— in Christ J. F. A Prosopopeia to Her MAdam you strangely left your widowed Friends Fâ—r so tâ—e ignorant stranger apprehends Who knew you not else 't were no wonder why She should dye once that did so dayly dye You daily mortified your very breâ—th Whiâ—h Dying-life prevents that â—iving Death When to your wonted roome you did repair You truly powred out your Sâ—ule in prayer 'T is strange that in your passing was no noise When the remotest Heavens did heâ—r your voice Iâ— seems that winged prayer your spirit did heare Amongst the Cherubins and they staid it there Lâ—ft us your ashes Blest that servant whom Tâ—e Lord so doing findes when he shâ—â—l come How sweetly did she steal eternitie 'T is credible you thus desired to dye Blest soule what haste th' impatient Angels made To fetch thee hence away they seem'd t' invade Thy crazy Tent thee to immortalize Envying Mortality so rich a prize The prize was great nor the surprizall strange For still you long d after this happy châ—nge Were sicke of love and Swan-like did divine Your death and fainting sung Stay me with Wine And comfort me with Apples farâ—e above The love of Wine or Jonathan was thy Love Or your expiring Câ—nticle might be this My Welbeloved's Mine as I am His. Or this Thou chears me with thy staffe and rod. Or this Make no long tarrying O my God Or with the Heavenly Bride mighâ— dying pray So come Lord Jesu quickly come away Madame wâ—tâ— which of these did you expire When you went up in Chariots of fiâ—e And flaming Raptures whiâ—h Psyram d-wise Sâ—ilâ— tower and wind â—hemâ—elve within the sâ—ies Thus having prai d straightway about you sprung A flight of Cherubâ— in whose armes you sung A tryumph Psalm went up and now are set With your sweet Saviour in Mount Olivet If from that Christ all Mount you can behold This darkesome Vale of tears and duskie mould And see from thence your mourners swolleâ— eyes Wringing of hands â—â—d heâ—r their bitter cryes Pity and wonder too Pity our fears Wâ—nder to see your Câ—ffiâ— float in tears But greater wonder t were to imitate Your gracious ife And our own piteous state Calls for a streâ—ming and un essâ—nt teare Tom the our bed to swimme and not your Bâ—ere Your Sâ—viour bids â—nd you Weepe not for me Weep for your selves and your own misery Sure yâ—u fâ—resâ—w some dismall gloomy day Hâ—stning which made you make suâ—h hast away I deed and did you see the Flying Roule Sent with black execrations ' gainst that soule That enters league with death applaudeth Hell And sets Heaven at dâ—stâ—nce â—nd dâ—â—â—s swâ—ll With word against th' Aâ—mâ—â—hâ—y fâ—r there aâ—e Suâ—h Gianâ—-Atheists who thâ— Sunâ—e outstâ—re Did these â—ffrighâ— you hence make you retire Astrea-liâ—e from us and so desire Wâ—â—h â—â—eed to be dâ—ssâ—lv'd so sâ—one be gone And hide your self in Heav'ns Paviâ—ion It seemes that wâ—â—gâ—d Bâ—oâ— was large and spread Sâ— far that it wâ—uâ—d hâ—ve iâ—â—e â—ped In one just dâ—â—mâ— â—nd commâ—n judgment bâ—th Clean aâ—d uncâ—ean that swears or fears an oath Sure you perceiv'd by some thick pitchy cloud A storm a comming so your self did shroud Vnder the wings of prayer yet none can say You coward-like affrighted run away But staid and waited in your private roome Till you were taken from the ill to come And snatch d with lingring Lot When suâ—h â— name Is ' ent away fear in appâ—oâ—chinâ— flâ—â—e How many anxious mind which now survive Your châ—ste unspotted soulâ— are scorcht alive With fiery Serpents Worms that never dye Which knawing in their â—oâ—scious bosoms lye Whâ—se akâ—ng hearts are pin'd with discontent Fearâ—ng death Doom-day or Pâ—râ—iameâ—t Whilâ—â— you wâ—th th'Heâ—venâ—y Courtiers Feast and passe Yâ—ur time in aneternall Châ—â—stenmâ—sse Lâ—â—d we your Hoâ—y Life that so we may With you keepe evâ—râ—â—sting Holy-Day Mirrour of Vertue still my thinks you live Your hâ—nd I see it open still to give Your lips I see them with an orient smile Enchear the good your tongue rebuke the vile I see you frowning brow untaught to sooâ—h The obstinate â—t his relenting smooth Your awfull miâ—dnesse boâ—h yâ—ur friends did move And enemies with reverence and with love At pride how like an Empresse would you storme But th' humble found you humbler then a Worm Your feet have made two path-wayes from your dore Th' one to the Temple th' other to thâ— Poor But now both wayes â—nd Poor â—nd Temple mourn Th'â—hurch wants Her frequenâ— Guest thought has your urn The rich mâ—ssâ— their deâ—r friends friends bid adieu To riches and such comforts missing you The painfull Prophets want their Patronesse Whom your abounding table oft did blesse And they your table scarce could I dâ—â—ine Wheâ—her your guâ—sts or you were more â—ivine Hâ—w â—â—pâ—uous was your board yet how discreet Tâ—e â—â—reet misses a fâ—mily York a street Old Age wants his companion younger yeers Their Counsellor and Infants drink their tears For lacke of your refreshings Every one Old Young Poor VVâ—althy all their losse bemoan Th'hungry want their Purveyor and the Feast Missing its moderator seems unblest And 's even at Christmas like a Funerall Whiles you Angel-like in the Starry Hall Keep a perpetuall Banket in those roomes Of Cristall where no tear or sorrow comes We feed on both unpleasing to the sence O! had we your victorious patience Stay'd Wisdom Faith and Hope then we might bâ—â—â—e Mountains of trouble with undanted chear You bore twelve children if I do not erre And soon eleven of them you did interre Nay when your Isaac struck with that disease Which plowes up flesh and blood and there sowes Pease And your sweet Granchild by your onely Daughter VVere rent from you this multiplyed slaughter You bore with constancy unmoveable Not the least murmurcheard but all wâ—s well God's only wise and his correction milde My Fathers Will is dearer than my Childe And wâ—â— not all your patience well bestowed 2 Cor. 4. When for your short afflictions eâ—sie load You challenge now a weight of glorious Joyes Great as Eternity and yet ne're cloyes Happy exchange to compasse Heaven for earth Solid and lasting jâ—yes for fainting mirth Kingdoms for Cities Ever for a Breath And th'great Jerusalem for Nâ—zâ—reth Onely your widowed Husband 's left bebind Thinkes on your absenâ—e with a bleeding mind May your unwearied spirit of patienee bâ— Doubled on him to bear his misery For dâ—uble cause of griefe doth him pursue He missetb both bis children deâ—â— and you More then ten children to him Heavie crosse No Merchant ere sustain'd so great a losse Next your