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
I she replied better than she I am a poor worthless worm She said of her Silk-Gown it was but the work of a worm to cloath a worm c. As she lived privately she desired to be buried privately When Servants proved bad she would reflect upon her self and say I have not my self been to God so good a Servant as I should and ought to have been c. When others sin I am willing to reflect on my self and look back into mine own heart and there to see the same sin And speaking of Mercies and Blesings she would often say if my sins do not hinder I was willing to do good to the poor and such as stood in need I often thought I might spare this and that and the other that so I might distribute to such c. Indeed her expressions carriages behaviours and converses were still such as savoured of humility and abundantly evidenced the same and that she was not only humble but clothed with humility as the Apostle Peter exhorts 1 Pet. 5.5 she was humility all over it was her wear her garment and her great ornament too Oh! what low thoughts had she of her self and what vilifying and abasing expressions would she have of her self when she shone brightest in the eyes and aspect of others She was dark and obscure as to her self truly poor in spirit preferring others before her self but the more despicable she was in her own eyes the more precious no doubt she was in Gods eyes there being no grace which more recommends us to God than humility as there is no vice more abominable than pride God had richly adorn'd her with the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit which is in the sight of God of so great price 1 Pet 3.4 9. As concerning her firm trust and affâ—ance in God in her affliction SHE having a very sick night when she was in greatest extremity she said Though he kill me yet will I trust in him and this she often said And the Lord hath helped me and will help me my God hath and will strengthen me Though I walk through the shadow of death I will fear no evil c. There is a dark Entry to go through Death but God shall carry me through it And God will send his Angels to conveigh my soul to Heaven And I know my Redeemer liveth and that I shall live with him there where he now intercedes at Gods right hand for poor creatures for me also c. The Lord has does and will comfort me he is an Almighty Alsufficient and Unchangeable God he once said so to me when I was ready to despair c. He is my rock my fortress my high tower c. I am like a Ship sometimes under the waves but it appears again I would cast all my cares and burdens upon the Lord and I would that all that fear him would do so and if not they will bear the shame and reproach thereof My time seems to tarry and when in extremity I am ready to say how â—ong but the time appointed for deliverance and times of refreshing will come c. Waiting on God truly it is that which I earnestly desire to be always doâ—ng and that with delight Oh! that we could look up to him and wait on him and make him our heaven and happiness who is the heaven and happiness of his people The Lord delighteth in those that fear him in those that hope in his mercy Psal 147.11 10. As concerning her whole reliance on Jesus Christ alone for Life and Salvation I Rest and rely wholly and only on Jesus Christ my dear sweet Saviour Advocate and Mediator I see nothing in my self to trust in but I bless God I have good hope through Jesus Christ I have indeavoured in times of health to build on that Rock that when storms came I might be born up My Redeemer hath perfected my peace in Heaven and is now in Heaven making intercession for me I am a poor worm I have nothing but in Christ I have all justification by his merit sanctification by his spirit and he hath purchased for me eternal Life and Salvation Asking her if she did not find much comfort within she answered I do blessed be God in and through Jesus Christ who gave himself a ransom for me About him I will clasp and will not let go Having once been speaking to me of Gods gracious dealings with her and what God had wrought in her and what comfortable evidences she had for Heaven after all I said to her My Dear dost rest in these Rest No no I rest only on Jesus Christ and if I perish I 'le perish in his arms I 'le lye at his feet at his feet But I speak of these as some poor weak evidences but though weak yet true I dare not belye my own soul I could not speak of these to others but only to thee my Dear my Heart my Self and I speak of them not as boasting but I desire thy approbation and I hope God will not cast me off but gather me to himself and come life come death it shall be well with me Being asked what she would have She answered Jesus Christ and him alone And indeed affliction sanctified makes to see emptiness in every thing but in Jesus Christ in the enjoyment of whom is full satisfaction and who is a Christians all and in all and in whom alone he is compleat Col. 3.11 2.10 11. As concerning her earnest desires of the good of the souls of her Children I Would willingly live to bring up my Children and if I could but see Christ form'd in them then I could say Lord now lettest thou thy poor servant depart in peace I travel in birth again as it were of my Children till Christ be formed in them I exceedingly desire the good of their souls and I am almost impatient of delay as I go up and down I say Lord when shall it once be and how shall I see the destruction of their souls and bodies both When shall I have real cause of joy She formerly weeping over one of her little ones was asked why she wept she answered because I would fain live to bring it up in the fear of the Lord c. One of her Daughters formerly being very sick and weak oh how sollicitous was she of her eternal welfare how earnestly did she breathe out her desires for her that the good Lord would have pity and compassion on her and that he would please to fit her for himself and that if he took her out of this miserable sinful world he would take her to himself in whose presence is fulness of joy c. and oh that when ever he takes her out of my poor bosom he would take her into his own The good Lord help me to discharge my duty to all my relations She thus once declar'd her self to one of her daughters I would have you labour to be very good be
me if my work was done to be gone c. I am afraid lest I should desire to dye to be freed of my pains but I would desire to dye out of love to God and that I may injoy him and be rid of sin more than sorrow and then our graces shall be perfect knowledg perfect love perfect c. 17. As concerning her being above the fears of death SOmetimes formerly she has not though seemingly near to death been so willing to dye but would say Will not God make me more willing to dye before I dye Surely he will I have been more willing c. And so he did in this her last sickness whereby we might have foreseen her death to have been near Asking her whither she was not afraid of death she replied no I am not I do not look upon death singly but as it brings me to rest I must go through that dark entry before I can get to my Fathers house I shall go to my first husband c. Methoughts I saw death as a Messenger coming for me and I told him I would go with him I thought I should have died such a day and methoughts I was troubled to think of living When she was in pain she used to say Is not the sound of his Masters feet behind Physick won't do c. And this she speak as being little concerned therewith She said of her sickness these are but Messengers to bid me prepare c. I bless God I can smile on that grim Messenger God will send his Angels to conduct me safe through that dark entry to my Fathers House A Child is afraid to go through a dark place by himself but God says Fear not for I am with thee c. I am not afraid of death but my passage to my fathers House is rough But having gotten so far onward in my way I am loath to go back again If that sweet Messenger come I will bid him wellcome and shall rejoyce and if you love me indeed you will rejoyce too I am no more afraid of Death than to take the choicest Cordial that is for my good for so is death and I look through it and beyond it and long to be with my dear Lord and Saviour My Children are loath to look out my burial-clothes but they are my wedding-clothes and I hope my Bridegroom is not far of c. Telling her of a friend that would come to see her she replied she will come to my burial Why said I saist thou so She answered why should I not comfort my self that I am going home I long to be at home we shall meet again How sweet will that sleep be when I shall wake in Heaven Seeing one of her Daughters weep why says she weep you would you not have me go to my Father He is sending his holy Angels for me Are they not all ministring spirits sent forth to minister for them who shall be beirs of salvation Heb. 1.14 I have one night less I bless God to be here where is sin and sorrow Seeing Cordial-water brought for her she said she hoped she should not live to drink up half that water and being to take a Powder she asked if it was to sweeten her passage then she would take it but not to stay it but what God will I can scarce swallow my spittle a comfortable forerunner I hope of death And her pains falling into her joynts she rejoycingly said there was something further to help her forward to her journeys end Death is indeed a sowre Messenger but my Fathers Messenger to fetch me home She speaking of her death and how she would have things ordered at her Funeral she spake thereof with a great deal of joy and rejoycing but perceiving me to be troubled she looked smilingly upon me and said I can with as much joy yea with more joy speak of my burial-clothes than ever the day before I was married I could of my wedding-clothes I shall be cloth'd with the White Robe of Christs righteousness and have a Diadem upon my head c. 18. Some few of her breathings as in reserence to her self SHould I not make my moan to my God The Lord give me more patience that I may not dishonour him now at last my God teach me teach me as well as correct me strengthen me c. I want nothing but a thankful fruitful heart an heart more humble holy and more to honour God I would have more grace more faith patience meekness humility more of Heaven more holiness more likeness to God and I beg praiers that the Lord would fit me for what his will is concerning me and inable me to bear what he is pleas'd to lay upon me I am weak but he is strong my strength fails but his never fails Good Lord help me to be still carrying on my great work c. And oh that I might lose nothing in this hot furnace but dross But why say I hot It is no other than what my Father sees good and all shall work together for my good if my corruptions hinder not I am so afraid they should but I earnestly desire they may not and I hope the Lord will rather answer my desires than let it be according to my fears Lead me to the rock that it higher than I. The good Lord fiâ— us for what his good pleasure is and for the greatest trials that can come Here we have no continuing City the good Lord help us to be seeking one to come a City that hath foundations c. The Lord fit us for the day of our death that it may be a good day to us The good Lord sanctifie all his fatherly corrections to me and grant I may by all be made the more meet to partake of the inheritance of the Saints in light that we may live to honour our good God all our days that so when our Lord comes we may be found of him in peace The Lord help us to get our hearts into an heavenly frame that our meditations may be more of those things that concern our souls and will sland us in stead to all eternity c. 19. Some of her Speeches to and Prayers for her Husband as in reference to himself and Children formerly MY Dear be not melancholly but still wait upon God rest quietly upon him he that hath fed us cloth'd us and provided for us will still I hope do it My Dear be not sad or troubled but cast thy burdens upon the Lord he will sustain thee The good lord help us to exercise faith and patience O that we could live more a life of faith and holiness and more sweetly and freely depend upon our good God who never fails his poor Children in any time of need O let us cast all our care upon God who hath and will care for us and ours God hath been a long while weaning thee from me we must part but we shall after a little while
meet again Resign thy will up to Gods Will be willing to part with me that is the way still to have me c. I am in a streight this was many years since willing to leave a world of sin and a body of sin and willing to be in Heaven where I may sin no more nor sorrow no more but sorrow no more that 's the least where I may serve God without distraction and always be in his presence and among the spirits of just men made perfect O it is sweet being there and yet I am willing to stay knowing the need my dear Husband and Children will have of me c. Indeed I have been able to do little for them but my earnest prayers have been for them and my tender affections towards them especially for their eternal wellfare and happiness and though I have not done so much as I would have done and desired to do yet this is my comsort I did what I could yea more many times than this poor carcass could well indure and this is my comfort I bless God Before ever I first came to thee I sought God to direct me and desired it might not be if it was not for his glory and both our comforts and that which made me willing to enter into that condition it was because God would have it so otherwise I considered what might have discouraged me from it as hindrances in the service of God losses and crosses care to bring up Children and then grief to part with them c. The first time I went to speak with her I found she was at prayer as to that great concern to that God who makes all meetings and relations happy by the enjoyment of himself The Lord will provide for thee and will not leave thee nor forsake thee in nothing be careful with any distracting care faith leaves Christian nothing to do but to pray and give thanks if I leave thee God will not leave thee but visit thee with his loving-kindness if he take away a crazy broken Cistern he will be a fountain of living waters Fear not but God will tread down thy spiritual enemies and therefore cease not to wrestle and strive and watch and pray O that we could always remember we are born Soldiers the good Lord help us to fight the good fight of faith that we may lay hold on eternal life c. God hath blessed thy ministry to me and what thou didst Preach as concerning the loving-kindness of God as being better than life it was very sweet in the Preaching of it and it is so now in my own experience and it was not in vain that God put thee also upon that subject Psal 73.26 My flesh and my heart faileth but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever For when is a time to make use of God as our portion but in a time of affliction then to trust in his all sufficiency to submit to his will c I love thee dearly I love thy soul and pray for the good of it as much as my own I can say more than my own God is thy God and will be thy God and the God of thy seed I trust my dear Children and Husband with him he will take care of them and provide for them I am going home going home to my Fathers house I must go c. Where are my dear Children will they not follow after me to Heaven Wait on God God is good to them that wait for him c. he is a God at hand c. he will make thy Children blessings to thee labour to bear up thy spirits the Lord help thee so to do and cast thy self and thy affairs upon the Lord. c. The Lord counsel comfort support and direct thee in all thy ways The Lord do thee and thine good and multiply on you his blessings spiritual and temporal and give thee to submit to his will The Lord help thee in thy work and make it prosperous and successful and prepare us for the doing and suffering of his most holy will whatever it be The Lord prepare thee to part with me and me to resign my self up to him as into the hand of a faithful Creator The Lord make our souls prosperous the outward man is but for a little while Lord keep my dear Husband by thy power c. and my dear Children that they may walk uprightly before thee and do thy pleasure and submit to thy will and whatever they do here Heaven will be enough hereafter The Lord recompence all thy labour of love to me c. The good Lord bless you and keep you and cause his face to shine upon you and give you inward joy and peace the light of his countenance which is better than any thing here c. And Lord keep thy Ministers hold them fast in thy hand and tread their enemies down as mire preserve the Gospel O the Gospel for my poor Childrens sake that though I go that may continue still to mine c. O that we may be kept by the mighty power of God through faith unto salvation The good Lord still follow thee with loving-kindness and tender mercies all thy days c. 20. Some of her Speeches and Prayers very lately and a little before her Death MY Dear I have but a few days now to be with thee and when by reason of thy being abroad I cannot see thee nor injoy thy Company so much as I would I comfort my self with this I shall one day injoy thee again and we shall ever be together I must declare this That thou hast been a dear loving faithful Husband to me and I have received much comfort by thy Preaching Praying and what thou hast spoken to me and God hath a blessing in store for thee for many are blessing God for thee c. And I bless God for thee but can't speak much now the Lord hath made thy ministry abundantly comfortable to me abundantly abundantly and I have come home full of joy and I have told thee one shove more would have put me into Heaven c. But since I came to London and could not have the opportunity to hear thee as formerly God hath made others ministry especially Dr. Jacombs very comfortable to me Why art thou so sad thou shouldest rejoyce count it all joy when ye fall into diverse temptations cast thy care upon God and in nothing be troubled he will provide he will not leave thee c. wouldest have me continue still in this misery and pain We came together to part and therefore let us part comfortably we shall meet again where we shall never part I go a little before thou lovest me and wilt thou not let me go to my first Husband I have another Husband and if he send a Messenger for me I must go though I leave never such dear Relations here Do as much work as thou canst for God but do not over
earth to Heaven and is departed out of this world to the father She has left these bottoms of death and this low valley of misery and tears and is now gotten to those regions of joy and triumph to those mountains of myrrhe and hills of frankincense those mountains of spices or sweetnesses which are cloathed with everlasting joys and delights and on whose wealthy brows nothing ever springs but life and glory and where never any clouds or storms do once ever arise interpose or interrupt where like a thirsty Roe or Hart she was still aspiring and panting to be and where now she is got and where we leave her even there where is nothing but rest and light and love and delights and fulness of joys and crowns of life and glory perfect peace and pleasures for evermore incense praises and hallelujahs to him that sits upon the throne and to the Lamb for ever and ever Amen And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me Write blessed are the dead which dye in the Lord from henceforth yea saith the Spirit that they may rest from their labours and their works do follow them Rev. 14.13 Favour is deceitful and beauty is vain but a woman that feareth the Lord she shall be praised Prov. 31.30 Give her of the fruit of her hands and let her own works praise her in the gates Prov. 31.31 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pro Rosis deciduis coronam immarescibilem Death puf'd this light and its earths banish'd flame Flew up to Heaven and as a Sun became Soli Deo gloria in eternum Some Breathings upon the Decease of Mrs. Luce Perrot December 14 1678. O What a change hath this bless'd morning made To thee bless'd soul who now hast past deaths shade Now no more sorrows pains nor doleful cries But all tears quite are wiped from thine eyes How much afflicted in this vale of Tears But how refreshed now above the Sphears Thy way unto thy Fathers House was rough But now thou hast got thither 't is enough Thy stormy passage now thou art arriv'd At Heavens bless'd Haven makes but more reviv'd Thy pains and ails with which thou wast so prest Do now but so much more sweeten thy rest And though some months yea years they did extend One moment now in Heaven doth make amends And now that thou hast gotten to thy Lot Of bliss assign'd thee they are all forgot Thy pains thy conflicts combats here were many But now thou know'st not what belongs to any But of thy sorrows all thou hast release And now thy Soul is fill'd with blissful peace In bottoms here of death thou did'st reside But now the Spicy Mountains thee abide Thus every way thy change is for the best For Grace 't is Glory and for Labour Rest Thy sins now past and all thy sorrows gone And nevermore thou shalt experience one Thy faith and patience now are at an end Which though long exercis'd did still exten Faith now is turn'd into fruition Into possession expectation Thy Cabinet's dissolv'd thy Jewel 's gone To Heaven and there made up a glorious one Thy earthly house is fall'n that down doth lye But thy Soul 's mounted far above the Sky To th' highest Heaven where true felicity And Glory do it cloath eternally Thou long since weaned wast from all things here And now th' hast got where thy delights still were Thy earnest pantings longings for to be With Christ now fully satisfied hath he Sabbaths below how greatly did'st thou love And one eternal now thou keep'st above Thou feard'st not Death that Messenger so grim But saidst I can I bless God smile on him Yea though so grim sweet Messenger didst call And saidst if come thou 'dst welcome him withal And being so far onward in thy way How troubled wast to hear of further stay Is this saidst thou the night I must depart Oh! with what joy would such news fill my heart Lord Jesus come come Lord come speedily Make hast make hast How oft was this thy cry And when wilt come my God oh hasten thee And Charets of Aminidab like be Of Death I am no more afraid at all Than for to take the choicest Cordial Which is to do me good and Death doth so For through it and beyond it look I do And of my Burial-cloaths more joyfully Than of my Wedding-cloaths discourse can I. My Burial-cloaths My Wedding-cloaths they are And now my blessed Bridegroom is not far Farwel vain world for so I judg'd of thee And never other found thee for to be And that which others so much doted on As poor and pitiful I look'd upon My joys delights were higher fix'd above On God on Christ on 's Word and on his Love His Ways his Ordinances where to be One day than Thousands better was to me Oh! how dejected have I thither gone But how refreshed have returned home Bless'd Soul to thee Christ was to live the main And Death it self is now become thy gain Here he upheld thee in integrity Now sets before his face eternally Here with his counsels guided thou would'st be And thee to Glory now receiv'd hath he And though thy body left behind is here T is but to sow and when Christ shall appear Glorious shall rise and joyn'd unto again Thy Soul thou ever with him shalt remain And in thy flesh then for thy self shallt see God and thine eyes behold eternally THE EPITAPH THE Body here of her interr'd doth lye Who was a pattern of true piety Submissive humble meek and patient Grace and sweet nature in her eminent A loving faithful careful Wise also A Mother such her Children dear unto FINIS