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
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
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
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
sadly and heavily why this aâ—â—s he is afraid that all is not well at home but if the Lord come in and shew himself powerfully and sweetly unto his soule then as he should give the glory of it unto God so he should take the comfort of it unto himself Thirdly let them walk wisely yet let them also walk resolutely I have wondred at the wisdome and resolution of Daniel he was a man so resolute for God that though he was a man of great imployments being â—et over 120. Princes who had rule over 127. Provinces and though it is likely that his enemies did vvatch him to see it in any sort he had neglected the Kings buâ—â—nesse yet notwithstanding they could find no fault aâ— all in him that way such was his vvisdome And for his resolution nay saith he rather then I will not pray to the God of Heaven the Lyons shall devour me and before I vvill defile my self with that meat I will venture life all But may some say was not this resolution of Daniel an impeachment of his vvisdome no I vvill shevv you three rare men vvho though they vvere resolute for God yet you shall see also that they were very wise 1. The first was this of Daniel so wise a man vvas he that the Proverb runs of him What as vvise as Daniel He had the matter revealed unto him vvhich vvas not revealed unto any other man in the World yet notwithstanding his discretion and wisdome will not keep him in a moderate frame but he is resolute for his God The second example is that of David of whom the 200. men spake that he was as wise as an Angell of God yet notvvithstanding his vvisdome did not hinder his resolution for God therefore when she had that laid in his bosome even Michol his vvife check't him for his zeal What saith he to her is this to be vile I will be more vile yet The third is Moses he must be as God to Aaron there is his vvisdome yet notvvithstanding make this resolution Heb. 11. 24. great things are offered unto him great honors in Egypt great treasures in Egypt and great pleasures in Egypt threescore temptations and it is likely that they might cry secretly unto Moses and say Stay Moses stay a vvhile Moses be not such a foole Moses vvhat vvilt thou joyn vvith the people of God and so lose all thy honour all thy vvealth and all thy pleasures What novv doth this vvise man Moses farevvell all saith Moset farevvell all I will rather suffâ—r afflâ—ction with the people of God then I will enjoy the pleasures of sinne for a season Oh then what a discretion is that which keepes men in such a moderate and luke-vvarm temper that it vvill not suffer them to bee so resolute for God as for his sake to be vvilling to part even with all the things in the World whereas you see here the persons so resolute for God that they vvill venture life and all for him and yet they vvere very vvise And thus also be resolute so as neither being allured by the dearest friend nor affrighted by the bitterest foe not being allured by the dearest friend thus in the Acts of the Apâ—stles you shall find that vvhen they hâ—aâ—d there vvhat Agaâ—us had prophesied namely hovv Paul should be bound at Jerusalem the friends of Pauâ— and it is likely they were godly friends they come unto him weeping and crying Oh Paul go not unto Jerusâ—lem what wilt thou be bound Paul mark novv hovv Paul answers them Why stand ye weeping thus and breaking my heart bound saith he I am willing not onely to be bound buâ— to dye alsâ— at Jerusâ—â—em for the name of the Lord Jesus A courteous word from a dear friend draws much yet notwithstanding Paul there when his friends sought by weeping to draw him off from being so resolute for Christ Oh saith he in so doing you break my heart yea marke also the speech of that rare Marquesse Galeaceus by name when great proffers â—ere made unto him if he would do so and so Let him be aâ—cursed saith he that thinks all the wealth in the world worthy in any sort to be compared with one dayes fellowship with Jesus Christ Thus though we be allured by the dearest friends yet vve must be resolute for God nay though also we be affrighted and scorned by the bitterest foe as David you heard when his vvife scoffed him for dancing before the Ark where she played the part of a bitter foe What â—aith he am I vile for this and I will â—e more vile yâ—t So Luâ—heâ— great offers were made unto him and great thunderings were sent against hiâ— yet he was â—esolute for God still And saith Nehemiâ—h that great Reformer Shall suâ—h a man as I flâ—e he would resolutely stand for God Thus you see what advice may be given unto those that doe excell in grace they should vvalk humbly walk thankfully cheerfully vvalk vvisely yet also resolutely for God The second branch of the Use concerns those that are in the lower form and they are either such as have bin stronger now are weakeâ— having weakned themselves or els they are such as are weak For the former Let such be deeply humbled that speedily in calling to mind the mercies the merits the time and the corrections vvhich have bin afforded unto them which they have bin tried withall let them look on all these things to humble their souls before God And 2. let such also double their diligence novv And for those that are vveak let them pray that what is promised by the Lord Isaiah 40. two last verses it may be accomplished in them there the Lord speaking of his people saith thus They shall mount up with wings as Eagâ—es they shall walk and not faint yea runne and not be weary thus then do thou run to the Lord and say Ah Lord I am caâ—t behind in thy way others do outstrip me others get before me and thou hast said Lord that I shall vvalk yea run yea fly in running the vvays of thy Commandements make good thy word unto thy poor servant Lord Thus flye to the throne of grace when thou art hindred and cast behind in travelling towards heaven Thus for those that have bin strong have weakned themselvs are vveak still And as thus concerning themselves so also concerning others their fellow Saints and brethren let them thus do comfoâ—t the sorrowfull support the feeble and if any man be disjoynted joynt him again as the Apostle speaks Gal. 6. If any man be overtaken in an infirmitie ye that are spirituall restore suâ—h aâ— one in the spirit of meeknesse And as thus for their indeavour so also for their affection let it be with them as it was with David Psal 16. All my deâ—ights saith he are in the Saints upon earth and such as do excell in vertue So let your speciall love and delight be to the excellent
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