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
shall be now said in her commendation for seeing shee honoured the Lord in her life it is my poor desire and it shall be my best indeavour to honour her at her death what I say now first shall be said in her commendation shall at last be repeated againe with application unto you all for your imitation Truly this in generall first I may say that when I look into those examples in the Scripture of rare persons even of godly women as Sarah and Deborah a Mother in Israel and the like may not we say that the name indeed differs but the practise doth not a Sarah is dead a Deborah a Mother in Israel is gone Nay beside these examples when I read those expressions and discriptions of godly wemen in the 1 Tim. 2. in the 2 Titus as also in the 1 Peter 3. me thinks there is a lively discription of this godly Saint But leaving generals we will come to speak of some particulars and we will reduce them briefly into these two heads First to her conversation before God as in the sight of God as also amongst Her conversation towards God and before men here on earth Secondly to her affection and Heavenly mindednesse towards that glorious place and the enjoying of that blessed person there even the Lord Jesus â—or the first of these and by the way that you may not conceive that what shee did even in regard of Morall things was nothing but what a Civil and Morall man might have done this Man-ward the will of God was her rule the Spirit of God was her guide and the glory of God was her end Three such qualifications of an action as never yet were found in the best action of the highest Formalist But now particularly concerning that first work of God upon her even her conversation unto God as I am given to understand It is since the Lord begun to set her face towards Heaven some thirty yeares or thereabouts all which time untill now she kept her face and her heart towards that blessed place Look a little into the Gospell for there are the best and the surest evidences of a blessed estate concerning the great work of Faith in Hâ—â— Faith the blood of the Lord Jesus oh how precious was the Lord Christ unto her soule as her discourses many a time did manifest and as the text speaks 1 Pet 2. It is a cleer evidence that she beleeved on the Lord Jesus because as the Apostle there speakes to such as doe believe he is precious and so he was unto her and you may conceive from that which some persons doe think is not such an evidence she her self would often confesse that she found shaking sometimes concerning her Faith for I do assent unto his judgment that affirm it That he that alwayes believes alike and he that alwayes prayes alike hee never believed nor prayed truly But all her shaking were for her further setling and rooting in the Faith as ye take a tender Plant shake it that so the roote of it may bee more setled in the ground and spread abroad further in the earth And for her repentance in respect of sinne oh her sorrowfull and Her repentance penitent soul for that after her dayes of humiliation in secret she comming out into the family severall times these years have heard her speaking of her sins with eyes as full of tears as may be and when she came unto the Lords table she came with such brokennesse and with such tendernesse of spirit as it was a cleere evidence unto me that as with joy she looked on Christ the Maker and Matter of that blessed Feast so with sorrow she looked on her sinne by which she had pierced so sweet a Saviour What shall I say further I might goe through all those markes and evidences of life and of salvation revealed in the Gospell expressed by our Saviour in 5. Mat. O I might tell you that she was poor in spirit and she was pure in heart and shee was a mourning soule and she was an hungry soul she was a meek soule and she was a mercifull soule of all which our blessed Saviour pronounces this in that place that they are certain and infallible markes of a blessed estate Looke into those evidences that are expressed in the rules and commands of the Gospell as concerning the mortifying of sinne so as not suffering it to raign growing in grace walking not after the flesh but after the spirit self-deniall and humility of spirit Her selfe-deniall â—umilitie especially that in the will not only that reverentiall humility whereby she had high thoughts of her God and low and meane thoughts of her selfe but also that obedientiall humility in stoâ—ping and subjecting her will unto the will of her God this was enough for her that God had said it and therefore shee for ber par would indeavour to do it these are such evidences as are Evangelicall Look now a little into the Law as modifyed by the Gospell in all the commands of the first Table For the first command I have Her obedience to the first Command often thought of her speech oh saith she I am greatly in love with the first command and truly it was a sound evidence of life in her for this is the summe of the first Table Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart c. nay she was heartily glad that the Lord had bin pleased to expresse himself in that manner Oh beloved could any man hear her speake this how she loved the first Command which indeed is the root and substance of all the rest and how glad shee was that God had given out such a Command could any man I say heare this and not thus conclude from it and say Oh the strength of grace in the heart of this Saint Tâ— the 2. Câ—mmand Her â—rdinary duties In heâ—â—ing the Word In receiving the Sacramente And for the second Command that is of Gods worship whether ordinary or extraordinary For the ordinary whether publique private or secret For those in publique as the hearing of Gods Word and joyning in Prayer oh what meltings and oh what breakings have these eyes seen in that seat she used to heare and made use of what she heard Many of us doe use to heare Sermons but there is an end we make but little good use of the Sermons that we heare And for her receiving of the Sacrament oh what care did she take in a speciall manner by her selfe by humbling of her soule to prepare her selfe for the participation of that ordinance and oh what melting affection in a sweet mixture of joy and sorrow for at that time there is both have these eyes seene in her when as these hands have given her the outward elements and oh the joy and gladnesse of her soule after shee returned home having been feasted with the Lord Jesus at his own Table And as In
inward meanes So for the outward means by his spirituall providence he affords unto some more and greater meanes and a longer time to others lesse He also doth blesse the means more unto some then unto others Againe another inward working cause is the speciall diligence of Gods people themselves exciting and stirring up and also exeâ—cising that grace which is given them applying the meanes unto their hearts and bringing all home in private that was done in publique this is the reason why though some do vertuously yet others do excell in grace even their practise of Piety and their Christian diligence And as thus ye have heard the working causes per se by themselves so also per accidens by accident the Lord sometimes makes the sence of sinne a means to break the heart and that sinner that hath bin exceeding â—â—nful that sinner afterwards somtimes becomes a notable Saint this is the first generall ground from the inward working causes The second generall ground is from the finall cause and that is double for his owre gâ—ory and his peoples good for this double reason though others do vertuously yet the Lord will have some to excell in grace First for his own gloâ—y thus in dangerous times Elijah he must stop up the three children they must be willing to step into the Furnance and Dâ—nie into the Denne rather then the Religion and Woâ—ship of God shall â—e demolished and beaten down though therfore he have many Worthies yet the Lord will have some speciall Worthies that not onely shall have grace but also much grace for his honouâ— Thus foâ— his own glory thâ—ugh others do vertuâ—usly yet the Lord will have some to excell in grace So also for the good of his people to draw them on when they are backward to strengthen them when they are weake and to incourage them when they aâ—e faint-hearted Why had Caleb and Joshuâ— an excellent spirit given them why to strengthen and incouâ—age others that were weake and fâ—int-hearted therefore when the people were discouâ—aged Vp say they fâ—â—r not the people of the Land â—â—r thâ—ir strength is deâ—arted fâ—oâ— them uâ—d thâ—y shall be but as bread â—or us This from the working 〈◊〉 and also from the finall cause you see reasons why though others do vertuously yet the Lord will have some to excell in grace But why is this their praise and glory why the reason of that is taken from the definition of true honour that is truly honourable which the wisest and the best do speak in the praise of That is not honourable which every man speaks well of though I am perswaded in respect of this Saint of God who ever he or she was that did speak against her while the tongue was against her the conscience was for her but that is truly honourable which is commended by the wisest and by the best by the wisest Prophets and the wise Apostles For the wise Prophets when they come to commend persons whom do they speak well of why holy persons holy soules the Saints that do expresse the power of grace in their lives And for a wise Apostle tell me where Paul is commending any but a Saint especially nay if an Angell must come from heaven to speak in the praise and commendation of any man here on earth it shall be onely in praise and commendation of a Saint this is plain in the 9. of Daniel there Daniel is humbling of his soule and breaking of his spirit for his own sinnes and the sinnes of the people well now an Angell is dispatced from Heaven with a message to him and he brings him this newes Oh Daniel thou art a man greatly beloved thus an Angell will rejoyce to bring good tydings from Heaven for the praise and commendation of a Saint upon Earth But what do I speak either of Saints or Angels even God himselfe doth account their death to be precious hee hath a high opinion of them he hath high prizing thoughts of them as you have heard Here you see the reasons of this truth why though many doe vertuously yet some of Gods people do excell in grace and this is their glory and honour We have a question before we câ—me to Application it is this Wherein appeares this excellency in grace I answer in short It appeares in the matter that is done or suffered and in the manner of doing it First in the matter that is to be done both in avoiding evill and in doing good For the avoiding of evill and all this you shall see in this godly soul that we have discoursed of She is a woman of an excellent spirit that indeavours so to avoid all sinne her speciall sinne which David cals his owne iniquity and the speciall sinnes of the time here is an admirable spirit indeed and certainly herein did this blessed child of God shine out most chearly in that she laboured to avoid all finne and her own sinne and the sinnes of these dayes and times Again for the doing of good she that indeavours to perform all duties and especially her duties and those duties that the world hates and scornes and speakes ill off certainly such a woman as this is of an admirable spirit yet this also was the spirit of this Saint of God in that she indeavoured to do all duties injoyned and for those that concerned her in her place she shined out admirably in them yea she was constant and diligent in performing those duties which a wicked heart most hates as redeeming of the time walking precisely growing in grace standing for God with zeale of heart and the like this argues an excellencie And as thus in doing the will of God in his command so also for a patient subjecting unto the will of God in his providence Though the Saint of God had much experience in matter of prosperity yet she had had also great experience in matter of adversity yet notwithstanding was not that an admirable speech of her Iâ— is the Lord let doe what seemes him good had any dâ—ne this but the Lord I should never have borne it but seeing the Lord hath done it why should I be impatient under it Nay when her Child her dear and onely Sonne was dead this was that which stayed her spirit that the Lord had done it And as thus for the matter so also for the manner too when this is done sincerely with constancie and continuance truly that was a pretty time of tryal which she had for 30. years together and for the measure thus with zeal when this manner and measure is added to that matter there must needs be an excellencie together with this effect growth in grace and this end the glory of God when for for the matter it is thus universally against all sinne our sinne and the sinnes of the Time unto all duties our duties and the contemned duties of the Time And thus in respect of suffering patiently submitting unto the will of God and when for
family after this she went about seven or eight of the clock unto the publique place of Gods Worship where shee spent all the forenoone untill dinner presently after dinner so soone as the servants had dined she occasioned their calling in then was an account given by them of what they had heard that forenoon and usually this continued untill the time that the Bell ceased ringing then she went to the House of God again and there she spent all that time which was alotted for the publique Worship then she returned backe againâ— and presently after before supper the servants were called in again an account was given concerning the Word that they had heard and oftentimes oh with affection would she speake unto her servants especially now of late Oh! remember this when a seasonable Truth was delivered What did she yet before supper why she retires her selfe in secret shee goes to God in prayer and what then why presently after supper the servants were a third time called in an account was still given of the Word that they had heard what this or that servant could say so as they were able to answer in some method for method helpes both judgment and memory then the whole Family the Church the Word of God and all was commended unto the Lords blessing and we were fitted and prepared for to take our rest Loe here a Saint of God spending the Lords day graciously And this was her constant course had shee done it once or twice onely it had bin lesse but it was her constant course thus I have led you along in speaking something of her concerning her carriage towards God both in the Gospell and in the Law these are main things beleeve it these are speciall things and in all these the authority of God overawed her and the love of God constrained her to do what she did Now we come to speak something of her in relation unto man Her conversâ—tion towards man and there you may see that though she hath gained yet wee have lost I have heard it reported of her by a man that was not apt to flatter he said plainly That of all the persons in the world with whom he did converse he never knew her equall in all things and I confesse ingeniously and sincerely that I have beene acquainted with divers in the Southern in the Western and in the Northerne parts but for all things both towards God and man I never knew her equall But more particularly in respect of the Church and People of Towards thâ— Church and people of God God to begin with the best first oh the Church of God hath a great losse She was but a woman but she was a most valianr Souldier one that could fight with the enemies of the Church of God yea wrastle with God himself by her prayeâ—s and tears these are the weapons of the Church without which let a mans spirit be never so couragious yet if he go not out with God all his courage and strength will but little availe thus the Church of God for a friend hath lost one Look now unto the Ministers of the Church of God and to the members of the Church of God this is the truth For the Ministers Towards Ministers of Gods Word of Christ I have wondred at her carriage towards them and what if I should say also of her bounty towards them Concerning the members of Christ Tâ—wards the Members of Châ—ist the Saints of God yea all the Saints of God yea the poorest Saint of God with whom she was acquainted every one of them was her dearly beloved I do not know a Child of God that was acquainted with her but he will seal unto this truth that she loved the Saints all the Saints and that therfore even because they were Saints This I know that in her eyes a vile person was contemned but as the Psalmist speakes shee made much of them that feared the Lord. Well then Church of God thou hast a losse Ministers and Members of the Lord Jesus ye also have a loâ—se In relation now unto the family to the City to friends to foes to Parish to Poor to all In relation to the family to the head of the family oh she was a dear obedient and faithfull wife oh a Tâ—wâ—rds her family losse unto him what for the outward man yes a losse that way but especially for the inward man oh her presence her counsell her company her prayers for the soule of her husband above thousand thousands yearly A losse thus unto the inward man of her husband she was every way unto him a meet help indeed and this now in the want of her is both known and felt and for her Children she had many taken away from her by death very young and tender but for that which remains oh her care over her oh her prayers for her and with her she it seemes for other times this excepred used to take her daughters along with her to pray with her Oh a losse thus in respect of her husband oh a losse thus in respect of her daughter this is known and felt For her servants in the Family before I knew her 20. yeares it was her constant course to Catechize her servants and now lately more especially she was putting on to that duty oh her love uâ—tâ— the soules of her servants Concerning her kindâ—ed on his side on her side they may come in and say Not only husband and daughter and servants but we also have lost a great losse Concerning the City now and those that shee conversed withall in it truly when I remembred what was once said concerning Aâ—hâ—nâ—sius in his pâ—aise and commendation I could not keep my thoughts from running upon her she was as it is said of him both Magnes Adâ—mas both â— Load-stone and an Adamant as a Load-stone she did draw others sweetly by her carriage and a woman so grave and yet a woman so cheerfull seldome have I seen yet she was as firme for God as an Adamant not yeelding unto any thing whereby Gods glory might be any way impeâ—ched or his wil might be disobeyed For those morall vertues which wee toucht upon before as her Justiâ—e her Temperâ—â—â—e her Câ—urâ—â—e yea and that raised higher her couraâ—e fâ—r Gâ—d her paâ—â—â—n 〈…〉 in her calling her meeâ—enâ—sâ—e her mâ—dâ—st◠〈…〉 in â—ll 〈◊〉 she was admirable Thus bâ—th Family and City the persons therein with whom she conversed in respect â—f both there is a losse Looke to friends now and to foes also to have a friend that is a Saint and to love an enemy both these are marks of grace For the former I have already told you of it and for the latter this I have been told that I having had some occasion to speake something of that subject she could freely speak what a large heart the Lord had given her for her enemies to pray for them and to do them good both in