her Family ordering and taking care thereof and them in it and herself imployed about something or other of the same when she was not in her spirituall converses with the Lord or taken off by other occasions She considered well both her husbands estates and freed them from the incumberances for her children whom she much endeavoured to make the children of God in bringing them up in his nurture and admonition and keeping divers days of fasts by her self to seek the Lord for them in which and divers other respects they could not but arise and call her blessed and give we her of the fruit of her hands and let her own work praise her in the gates As her life so her death was full of grace and comfort the Lord strengthened her upon her bed of languishing and made all her bed in her sicknesse when she was walking through the valley of death she feared no evil her God was with her his rod and his staffe they comforted her and ministred to her an enterance abundantly into the everlasting Kingdome of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Though her paines and tortures were great the Physitians applying cupping glasses to her and lancing her yet the Lord did comfortably lift up the light of his countenance upon her and put gladnesse in her heart and made her patience have its perfect work she was full of heaven breaking forth in expressions of Gods goodnesse to her saying God hath been very good to me how good is God and how good it is to wait upon God there hath not the least cloud interposed between God and my soul all this sicknesse I will go to my God triumphing Thus with gladnesse and rejoycing was she carried to enter into the Kings Pallace into the joy of her Lord where there is fullnesse of it and pleasures for evermore O mark we the perfect behold we the upright for the end of such is peace No marvail that even Balaam in the sence hereof did so desire to die the death of the righteous and that his end might be like theirs and well had he done if he had withall desired his life alike For ever magnified be my good God who hath determined the times before appointed and the bounds of our habitations that caused the lines to fall unto me in such a pleasant place so long even six years in the same family with her and that I should be chosen and ordained a Pastor to her and the people there at Hawkherst That ever I was so acquainted with such an eminent practicall experimentall spiritual staid believer abounding so much with the graces and sealings and joyes of the holy Ghost That I should have such a taste of that happinesse and delight that is in the society of reall Saints How did I live as in a lower heaven walking as in Paradise whilst I was there rejoycing in the goodnesse of the Lord all the day long calling the wals salvation and the gates praise what sweet experiences of Christ had I frequently communicated to me from her How greatly did she stâ—engtheâ— my hands in the Lords work in the middest of all the opposition among that people the righteous God recompence it and all the work and labour of love she shewed towards his name unto me into the bosome of heâ— children seven fold as likewise alâ— I found from my much honoured long deceased friend Mr. Scot heâ— husband in his day whose memory is very precious to me O unhappy Engagement that so disengaged us from one another and that people there The Lord is righteous and his wayes also mercy and truth his pathes are judgment a God of truth and without iniquity just and right wonderfull in counsel excellent in working Wisdome and might are his he changeth time and seasons making every thing beautifull in them manifold are his works in wisdome hath he made and done them all the earth is full of his riches whatsoever he pleaseth that doth he in heaven and in the earth and in all deep places We are not to murmure and say what is the cause the former dayes were better then these for we may not wisely inquire concerning this yet unsensible we should not be of such a losse and breach as this is like the sea who can heal it whereunto shall I liken and compare it that such a burning and shining light should go out amongst us such a fixed star a star of the first magnitude should seâ—â— our horizon How hath the Lord covered those parts with a cloud in his anger and cast down the beauty of them to the ground how is the gold become dimme and the most fine gold changed how is the precious daughter of Zion and the glory of those parts departed For these things I weep mine eye mine eye runneth down with water Oh that my head were waters and mine eyes a fountain of teares that I might weep day and night even with the weeping of Jazer yea mourn with a great mourning as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon for good Josiah when he was taken away Oh dolor exprome vires non sum solito contentus sone neâ— indociles lugere simus Scotam â—â—emus Ye Ministers of Christ weep over her that was such a cordiall constant prizer of you O Weal of Kent take up a wailing for her the brightest star in all your firmament is set O Hawkherst make a bitter lamentation for her whose coming among you was like the rain upon the mown grasse as shoures that water the earth O poor of those parts and Houlbourn and elsewhere set upon the ground and keep silence cast dust upon your heads gird your selves with sackcloth hang down your heads to the ground arise cry out in the right in the beginning of the watches pour out your hearts like water before the face of the Lord â—ift up your hands towards him who hath taken her away from you that did not with hold you from your desire nor caused your eyes to fail that did not eat her morsel herself alone and you did not eat thereof that did not see you without covering or perish for want of clothing whom your eares have blessed when heard her and your eyes have given witnesse to her when seen her and your loines have rejoyced when warmed by her and ye widows whose hearts she hath made to sing for joy when she saâ— as Queen among the mourners O Hungarian Scholars call for the mourning women and send for cunning women that they may come and let them make haste and take up a wailing for you that your eyes may run down with teares end your eye lids gush out with water for a great Patronesse of yours is gone Sir I am not yet out of my amazement by this great and suddain blow to perceive the end of the Lord. In respect of her self it is happinesse not suffering her to be longer absent from him here in the body having with her swift
who had the happinesse of more intimate Converse and acquaintance with her She was Vniversally Eminently Perseveringly good She was Universally good with that Elizabeth in the Gospell she walked in all the commanâ—ements and statutes of God blameless inopem me câ—pia fecit Thardly know where to begin less how to make an end of very much that I could say of her I will confine my selfe to these 10. Excellencies First she was a most knowing Christian 1 Knowldg she had attained to an high degree of proficiency in the School of Christ she was as emminently verst in the methods of Grace and the Mistery of godlinesse able to speak as distinctly and pertinently to any piece of an inward practicall Christian as any of her Sex and standing in Religion that ever I had the happiness to be acquainteâ— with When I first set upon Sacrament-Reformation in thiâ— place she was the first in aâ—â— the Congregation that appeared in the countenancing and incouraging of that worâ— at which time she gave the most singular account of the work of grace and confessiâ—â— of her faith that I have hard to the very high satisfaction and admiration of such as were present Wisdome Scientia is an habit of principles in the understanding Sapientia a right improvement of those principles unto practise 2. And her knowledge was not only notional swimming in the Brain wherewith most of the professors of this age please themselves but her knowledge was joyned with wisdome and prudence whereby she brought down all her principles into practise and turned every DOCTRINE into VSE what light there was in her judgement warned down into her heart beamed out most gloriously in her life conversation She was a practical Christian and indeed her knowledge was the fruit of her obedience according to the tenour of that blessed promise of our Saviour Joh. 7.17 If any man will doe Gods will he shall know his Dotrine A strange Methode In nature knowledg precedes action in Grace action precedes knowledge where there is an obeâ—ientiall disposition knowledge flowes in a pace they that doe Gods will that they may know it and Labour to know Gods will that they may doe it are the thriving Christians So it was with this Excellent woman Her knowledg and practise â—ran paralâ—el and did mutually transfuse vigour and vivacitie one into an other 3. Notwithstanding the greatnesse of her knowledge She was of Singular humility Her knowledg did not puff her up Humility 1 Cor 8.1 her head was not so high but her heart lay as low She was as mean in her own eyes as she was honorable in the eyes of standers by She was a Christian of infinite worth but She knew it not Proud professors doe not usually speak more contemptuously of others then she would doe of her selfe she was of Iobs Spirit Though She were prefect she would not know her owne soul she did despise her selfe Iob. 9.21 And this humility of hers was the Nurse to all her other graces Humilitas conâ—srvatrix virtutum Bern. faith is the mother humilitie the nurse 4. She was a woman of a Meek anâ— quiet spirit Meekness which rendered her very beautifull in the eyes of God and man She could not provoke any nor easily be provoked by any She had much of the wisdom which is from above which is first pure then peaceable gentle and easie to be intreated She was most fearfull to give offence but most free to forgive it the reason was evident God had forgiven her thousands of talents and therefore she thought it noâ— much to forgive a few pence 5. She was a Mercifull Christian full of bowells the Love of Christ both active and passive i.e. Christs lovâ— to her Mercy and her love to Christ had melted her all into Compassion Compassioâ— to the Bodies of poor Creatures Compassion to souls Job 29.13 Compassion to the Outward man and compassion to the inward Compassion to the outward man The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon her she caused the widows heart to sing for joy She might say with Iob againe If I have seen any perish for want of cloathing Iob. 31.19 or any poore without covering c. Pensioners in Kenâ— Conghurst Hawkhurst Cranbrook London Giles in the fields Ministers Great was the number of Pensioners to whom she alâ—owed weekly summs in the Country and in the Citie who now lie down in sorrow and mingle their drink with â—heir tears Many precious godly Ministers whose subsistence was scantie and meane did she support and encourage with yearly stipends whose names I could relate were I not restraind poor Scholars She was a liberal contributer to the maintaining of poore Scholars at the University witness that subscription for Kent and divers other to my knowledge Oh what sad lamentations and tears will it occasion in many places when it shall be sadly reported abroad Mrs. SCOT IS DEAD At publique Collections for the Churches abroad 10. l. Piedmond and to Calamitous places and persoâ— at home how open and liberal was her hand Besides upon all the Emergent occasions which were not rare amongst us her charity was never straitned I never desired her contribution to any work of mercy but she gave and gave liberally yea it was enough but to hint a considerable work of piety or charity Yea she would prevent asking and overdoe expectation I have been sometimes forced to use the bridle to her when the spur could not spring some cold mettle professors of far greater abilities the truth is her estate was not so large as her heart upon which account I have sometimes left her out of my addresses in many works of that nature for which when she hath occasionally understood it she hath been offended as if a great disservice had been done her The truth is she had the most generous spirit and the most liberal hand that ever I met with in her rank and quality A fifth part of her estate went in Charity By what I have observed I cannot believe she could give away lesse in a year then the fifth part of her annual Revenue And all this without a trumpet nay her left hand KNEW NOT what her right hand did Mat. 6.3 Quest. Quest It may be some will ask I but what good hath she done at her death To which I Answer Answ Somewhat she hath done though not much of which I can give you this twofold accompt 1. That Joynctures are as mortal as the persons themselves that have them indeed they dye together 2. And above all she did in her life what others doe at their death when they can keep it no longer she made her own eyes her overseers and her hands her Executors And her mercy to souls was not lesse then her mercy to the body Mercy to the inward man That was one issue of her
almost said she had none in her Family but godly servants and the reason is because if she did not finde them such she would labour to make them such at least conformable to the outward duties of religion which if any after due admonition refused she would not retain them longer in her Family She had a spirit of prayer She practised much Devids Platform of Occonâ—â—cal Government in the to Psalm She had an excellent Spirit of Prayer but accompanied with a rare modesty for though when she had 〈◊〉 Chaplain in her house she was able to perform the duty in her own person with much judgement affection Yet in the presence of those for whom she conceived that work more proper she could not be tempted to undertakâ— it with the greatest Solicitation and importunity In a word to close this first branch of Excellency she was a sincere practiser of that Evangelical Rule Whatsoever things are true Phil. 4.8 whatsoever things are honest whatsoever things are just whatsoever things are pure whatsoever things are lovely whatsoever things are of good report if there were any vertue and if there were any praise these were the things she thought of these were the things she pursued with life and vigour And thus I have done with the first Ingredient Her Universality Her eminency in grace The second is her Eminencie as she was universal so she was eminent in goodness But herein I have prevented my self in the universalitie neither could I avoid it I could not speak of her graâ—â— but I must mention also her Eminency in those graces And it is well for if that were yet to doe I might be over burthen some I shall adde only the word that this Noble Christian she was as much above the size of other Professors as they are above the size of other men and women not only really good but most Exemplary And thirdly and lastly 〈◊〉 she was eminently good so she was perseveringly good Her perseverance She was no wavering Christian And the reason is because she built not upon the sand but upon the Raâ—â— not upon the sand of imitation the Rule that most tâ—â—â— up their Religion by but upon the Rock and Foundâ—â—â—on of Scripture evidence 〈◊〉 waâ— a most Noble Bâ—rean She took up nothing upon trust but searched the Scriptures whither those things were so which were delivered unto her in the Ministry of the Gospell Act. 17.11 of an honorable extractions To conclude she began betimes and endured to the end It pleased God to convert her presently after her first marriage about 26 yeares since when as she hath often acknowledged she before was a vaine Creature carried away into the same pride and fashions and neglect of God and of religion as other of her rank were The occasion of her conversion was by a dangerous fall from an horse The occasion of her Conversion for in the dayes of her vanity she delighted much to ride a hunting in her vehement pursuit of which games Jesus Christ met her as once he did Paul and unhorst her so that lying at his feet and having received in her self the sâ—nteâ—â—â— of death both temporal eternal she began to cry out as he did with trembling and astonishment Lord what wilt thou have me to do Act. 9.6 Soon after her conversion while it was but yet twylight with her she unhappily fel in to the hands of some Sectaries who did rather perplex her then pervert her How she fell into the Sectaries but God was graciously pleased to make a speedy rescue of this tender convert by the Counsell and wisdome of a reverend holy Minister of an adjacent Congregation But was seasonably rescued with the care and watchfulnesse of divers other judicious Christians who were jealous over her with an holy jealousy I said unhappily but I must recal that word though no thanks to the seducer Godmade it an happy occasion of much good to her soul for the snare being once broken she escaped like a bird out of it she hated herisies schism with a greater hatred and stood unshaken in the truth of God and fellowship with the Saints to her dying day From that time she girded up her loines rejoyced like a mighty man refresheth with wine to run her race From that time I say God carryed on the work of grace gloriously in her soul Her goodnesse was no morning cloud not early dew that goeth away But as the morning light which shineth more and more unto the perfect day Pro. 4.18 the Heb. is to be translated word for word thus The way of the just is as a light shining and growing and enlightning unto or untill the prepared day The description agreeth singularly with this Saint of God the grace of God in her was a light very conspicuous shining in a Gospel adorning conversation and growing or going still ascending and gathering strength and illuminating Scattering beames of of light and warmth untill the prepared day or perfect day the day that is prepared unto perfection And oh how earely did this shining Christian attaine to her prepared perfection Her Sun did set at none day She was translated into the other Orb of glory when she had finished little more then halfe her course in the firmament of grace and the reason was because shee did much work in a little time she ran a pace and therefore arrived the earlier at her journeys end When she came to dye Her death she had nothing to doe but to dye her work was done she had oyl in her vessel as well as oyl in her lamp her graces were in a readinesse her evidences were clared her interest in Christ was sealed upon her heart by the spirit of promise And She her self stood alwayes as it were at the doore of her Tabernacle waiting for her Lord when he should return from the wedding that when he came and knockt Lu. 12.35 She might open to him immediately And happy it was for her she was so prepared for death gave her but little warning Her death not that it killed her outright at the first stroke but in as much as the nature of her distemper was such as that seazing first upon her spirits it rendred her uncapable of speaking much or having much spoken to her the preventing whereof was the speciall care and charge of her Doctors So that had she had her evidences to seek when she should have had them to use her graces to get when she stood in need of her graces death might have bin indeed a surprise to her of the Saddest consequence imaginable Hence I say from the first of her sicknesse to the last She spake not but very spiritual she spake not much but what she did speake was spirituall and heavenly upon the first seizure of her distemper she called her two daughters to her and renewed Joshuahs charge upon them to serve
breaking of our loines Ezek. 21.6 One choice Jewel among the rest God has of late gathered to his Cabinet namely pious precious Mistresse Scott Concerning whom because you desired my concurrent Testimony as being one so well known to me having been a member of my Congregation for divers years together till she came to be under your charge I have this to say She was a Gentlewoman of a choice spirit of a marvelous sweet temper and disposition of an amiable winning carriage and of a truly pious and Religious conversation She was one that made Religion her businesse her 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not her 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 She made it her constant course vigorously to drive a Trade for heaven and to be pressing towards the mark even the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus She was not like those that Austin speaks of qui utuntur Deo ut fruantur mundo But she made use of the world but as a foot-stool to raise up her soul to the enjoyment of God as her portion for ever She was not weary of Gods service like those hypocrites that said what a wearinesse is it Mal. 1.13 but duty was her delight and sin her greatest burden The world did not make her weary of duty but duty made her weary of the world Her constant frequenting of Ordi ances wherein she was both eminent and exemplary her closest retirements wherein she saw often a glimpse of that glory which she now enjoys in the bosom of Jesus Christ made her long earnestly to be at her fathers house and to breath out her Cupio desolvi Oh that I might be with him whom my soul loveth In brief she made haste to heaven lived much in a little time holding forth the Word of life by a holy and undaunted profession holding fast the Word of Truth by a constant and undaunted Resolution and so finished her course with joy Therefore I conceive that this Text which you sweetly opened at her Funeral was rightly and suitably applied to her Many daughters have done virtuously c. This Testimony I have given not for her sake that is dead but for the sake of those that are living The dead praise not the Lord saith David Psal 115.17 Look as the dead return no praises to the living God so neither do they regard any praises from living men Our commendations cannot help them our discōmendations cannot hurt them as our prayers cannot reach them so neither can our praises profit them But happy surely are they that can tread in the Steps of those blessed Saints that have gone before us whose faith follow saith the Apostle considering the end of their conversation Heb. 13.7 If we do as they did we shall speed as they sped The Lord of his infinite mercy help us to serve our generation faithfully as this eminent godly Gentlewoman did that we may do every days duty with Christian chearfulnesse and bear every days burden with Christian patience and in the midst of all changes straites and stormes hold out with Christian perseverance that in the end of our dayes we may receive the end of our hopes even the salvation of our souls It is and shall be the hearty prayer of Your affectionate loving Friend and Brother in the Lords Work JA. NALTON Mrs. SCOTS own writings which she hath left under her own hand A Little before her death she began to write in a book her experiences of Gods goodness to her and intended to have filled it up but she was taken away before she had done many leaves of it onely she had written before divers things in some papers In the Book she beginneth and proceedeth thus SOme notes to keep speciall things in my remembrance that I may be quickned to answer Gods ends in all his gracious dealings to me to whom all his ways have been mercy and truth and I desire my ways towards him may be constrained obedience from faith and love wrought by his spirit in my heart in all things How God did effectually call me at first to himself I was born a child of wrath and an heir of hell and in my youth was very vile and vain Yet I did duties in a formal way and was very confident God did love me and of my good estate Between sixteen and seventeen I was married and about nineteen year old as I was riding it being hunting time I fell down and put my leg out of joynt which was a great misery to me but in that affliction God did work on me with some convictions and resolutions if I were well again to walk in Gods wayes afterward inquiring his Providence brought Mr. Byfields Book to me the Marrow of Divinity and in reading of it God did convince me of my abundant abominable sins I made a catalogue of them I could remember and was in much trouble for them under the spirit of bondage I think some moneths but I have forgotten how long but God made sinne very bitter to me and broke my heart for my sinne and from my sinne and I know God broke my heart because his love did it many a tear of Love did I shed in the bosom of my God When the spirit of Adoption was come to me then how did I mourn for sinning against the Lord and dishonouring of his dear Name But when I was in the pangs of the Spirit of bondage and new birth I had great troubles of Conscience and grievous pangs and after that dreadfull basphemous thoughts and fain would I have run away from God looked upon his wayes as grievous and had hard thoughts of him but yet the Lord would not let me go but carried me through that I had no power to leave seeking of him and did unhook me and brought me to keep Fasts by my self and to humble my soul before him and shewed me how vile I was in a great measure and made me confesse my sinnes with shame and sorrow Then after this he made me close with Jesus Christ in a promise and gave me full assurance that all my sins were pardoned by the bloud of Jesus Christ fully and I gave up my self in Covenant to him and by his sweet influence and shining of his face and comforts of his spirit and grace he hath made me hate the most sweet and secret sin and my hatred of all sin appears because I desire the death of it and desire to be freed from the enjoyment of the sweetest pleasure of the most secret sin that I may enjoy communion with my God whose love is farre better than life and I desire so to esteem it God hath brought me to Christ and hath made me put on his righteousnesse and hath given me to Christ and given Christ to me and I know it certainly that God did choose me from all eternity because he hath made me to give up my self to Jesus Christ for these ends that Jesus Christ gave himself for me That by believing