the servants had supped and then called them in to family duties together with singing of a Psalm after the same were ended and she discoursed sometime with the Lady her Mother she would go to her chamber where she would walk for some time and so to her closet where then she spent much time so long as at the soonest it would be one of the clock before she went to bed oftentimes would she be up till one of the clock in the morning and manytimes the Belman would cry in the streets two a clock in the morning and she no more then a bed and not a sleep asking her maid if that were the Belman I verily believe there was no shop keeper more diligent in keeping his shop then she her closet O what a trade did she drive for heaven she was one that made Religion her businesse indeed Upon the Lords dayes she would be up somewhat earlier then on other dayes though later up on the Saturday nights and if in London in the summertime she would go to the morning Sermons at seven of the clock if the weather were good and then to the rest She was full of heaven in all her discourses on the Lords dayes she was one as in Isa 58.13 that did turn away her foot from the Sabbath from doing her pleasure on Gods holy day and called the sabbath a delight the holy of the Lord honourable honouring him not doing her own waies not finding her own pleasure nor speaking her own words all her discourse at table dinner and supper and every where those dayes should be heavenly and speaking of what was taught those dayes not a word would come from her unsuitable to the day I verily believe if one had been set to watch her all those days long he should not have trapp'd her in one word unsuitable to the day if any thing had displeased her she would not have been displeased on those dayes On Lords-dayes-nights when she was come from Church and undressing her self her children gave her an account of what they had heard at Church and what such had read as stay'd at home and could not go and those of her children she could not hear then she would call to account while the servants were at supper and afterward the family to duty and repeated amongst them what she had written at Church those dayes This last year she caused her eldest daughter Mrs. Frances Scot to repeat in the family being able also to write After repetition a Psalm they sung and then she her self prayed in which duty as she was heavenly so longer then other nights the Lord did not onely give her the grace and spirit of prayer but also a great gift in prayer And as she was one of great gifts and parts so very humble her parts did no way puff her up or cause her to go out of her sphere in the least one of her Chaplaines did much urge her in the Country where she commonly had one in her house to hear her pray but at no hand would she do it this by the way After duty done in the family she went againe to her chamber and so to her closet would be there somewhat longer then other nights and take her bed-time the monday mornings indeed it would be morning before she went to bed Her usuall Lecture dayes at London every week were Tuesday's at Clements Wednesdays Mr. Jenkins at Black-Friars in the forenoon and if she could have time in the afternoon Mr. Calamy's at Aldermanbury before Mr. Jenkins Lecture was at Black-Friars she was constantly at Aldermanbury Thursdayes at Dunstones in Fleetstreet to hear Mr. Manton or at Mr. Case's Lecture at Martines in the fields and Saturdayes at Gregories in the afternoons besides the morning exercises when they were neer VI. As she did lay out her self and time in the service of God so also the greatest part of her estate laying up little here her layings out were more then her layings up she was heaping up her treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust consume nor thief break through and steal how did she scatter her benevolence every day and so as her left hand knew not what her right hand did Much money did she cast into the poors bason at Fasts and at those fasts once a moneth at the morning exercise the keeping of which she omitted not though many times not well at other private fasts she gave very much there was seldome a week in the winter time but she was called to a private fast for particular persons in some great affliction many weeks she hath bin known to have been twice a week at those extraordinary dutys to the performance of which she would be sure to make all ordinary businesses and visits of friends give place some weeks it hath bin known she hath bin at 3 fasts a week at which fasts she gave the more knowing it would be given to the godly poor and being winter time and the harder with them which scatterings would arise to no small summe in a year if they could be known how much they were Sometimes it hath bin observed and sometimes could not at the least it hath been observed to have bin 2 shillings a time at the more private fasts she would give more In her going to those fasts if she thought the farness of the way would weaken her strength which she kept for the dutys she would send for a Coach at nights if fair she would often come home on foot both for her healths sake and to give the more to the poor saying many might think she went on foot out of covetousnesse but they would be much mistaken and when she came home from those fasts what shift would she make to steal up to her chamber by the door of the room where such as came to visit were that she might not be detained from her closet duty 's But to return to her charity every day how did she scatter her bounty among the poor not to such as made a trade of begging though they used never so moving expressions knowing they were prophane and would take no other course of life from such she would receive many a hard word when they saw her give to others and not to them and her servant hath been fain to defend her sometimes from their affronting her by not giving her way enough to passe Now as she walked London streets she would carefully observe if she could see any poor old people whom she would call to her or command her servant to go and call them to her and would ask them if they were very poor and if they were carefull to serve God and did go to Church and what hopes they had to be saved to which they would answer as they were able and some would say I blesse God Mistresse I am not so poor but the Lord doth provide for me that I am not driven to beg nor extreamly want to whom she
I might give God the glory of his free grace and faithfullnesse and that my sinnes might be pardoned and mortified and that I may be sanctified and made holy by him redeemed from all iniquity and vain conversation and made a peculiar servant of his zealous of good works that I may honour him in bearing forth much fruit and be fully acted by his spirit and grace for the glory of his name in all things that Jesus Christ may see the travail of his soul in me as much as I am capable so long as I have a being that I may admire free grace God hath given me Jesus Christ by faith oftentimes in Sacraments Word and Prayer and Meditation by the conduit pipes of his Ordinances And I live by Jesus Christ because his Spirit liveth in me in some measure convincing guiding and councelling of me And my desire is to honour him as much as I am capable for ever in his life and strength and spirit Thus farre Mrs. Scot had proceeded in the said Book when the Lord took her from recollecting and improving his gracious experiences to her here to the immediate and perfect enjoyments of himself above Other Writings that Mrs. Scot hath left concerning Gods goodnesse to her ABout the middle of April 1645. there was the second rising in Kent and I was grievously perplexed thinking my husband jewels goods and all I had and my life should have then by the risers been taken from me and I was in exceeding fear and dishonoured God by over much weeping and sorrowing before others but that night I heard the Risers were suppressed then I had much joy and resolved through Gods strength that my heart should be weaned from the world which before I lookt for much help from but I found none I saw it was empty then resolved I also to leave resting upon it and to spend my life and strength and meanes of grace to the uttermost advantage of Gods glory and my souls eternall good and never to sin away any opportunity of doing good and service for his glory Thus did I see that this great straight and dark Providence of the Lord wrought abundantly for my good Two days after I did in private by my self keep a day of fast and had some grief for my own sin and others and had some comfort in Gods acceptance though I was much wanting in the performance of the same After my fast day there was a publick day of thanksgiving for that mercy of subduing the Risers my spirit was much sadded that my heart was no more in frame suitable to the said day that I did no more rejoyce in God in it Afterward I had sweet assurance of Gods eternall love and saw much vanity and emptinesse in all earthly things and desired to order my conversation aright Again I kept another private day of fast by my self and though much distempered yet had some hopes of acceptance I kept another day of private fast by my self to seek to God for more grace to honour him and that God would do also the same in my husband that he might honour God In August 1647. a little after my husband died my heart was exceedingly out of frame but a Sabbath day at night the Lord came sweetly to me in perswading me to trust in him from what he had done So I had sweet assurance of his Eternal love through Christ at prayer and the pardon of all my sinnes and gave my self to him to do with me what he would and so the temptation and those thoughts went away and I had sweet peace Afterward we kept a fast in the family to humble our selves for the breach in the death of my husband and then I had great desires to honour God in my place and gave up my self to God and had peace and afterward sweet assurance that I was his This Sacrament at Hawkherst I was not prepared as I ought to have been the day before I lost my frame of grace exceedingly by my unsensibleness of Irelands misery and being merry when I should have sorrowed and on the Lords day morning before I went to the Sacrament I had a grievous temptation as if I might live without ordinances and as if there were no necessity of them O this deaded my heart to the duty yet my faith fought with it and brought me to the Lords supper where I received Christ and gave my self to him and found sweet comfort and strength from Christ in his Ordinance and I do resolve in Christs strength to walk holily and closely with God all my dayes to his honour and to cleave close to Christ in all his Ordinances whilst I can enjoy them Being reproved by one my heart did greatly rise and I found I was not willing to submit to Gods will and wayes in all things but I had a great combate and was resolved to submit to God in all and saw more of my heart and the world then ever and I had sweet influence from God and shinings of his face in prayer The next Lords day after I had received the Sacrament I went to the Sacrament again my Lord having by a providence provided another feast for me knowing my necessities and I did sit under Christs shadow and did receive his body and bloud by faith Another Sacrament at evening I had very sweet fruits and effects of Christ in me Another Sacrament afterward I was much failing and wanting in doing my duty and acting my grace but God gave me Christ in free grace and I desire to live by faith upon him to him and his glory giving my self to the Lord to be his and not mine own and desire to live on Christ as my portion and strength In January 1650. Mrs. Scot began another of the sweet experiences writes she my God hath given me of his faithfull performances of his Word and Promise to me In January 1650. The Lord sweetly told me in the Ministery of his Word out of the fourth Chapter of the Ephesians the eighth Verse how Christ had led captivity captive in me and for me in some measure the same day an occasion there was that caused my corruptions much to arise but my God according to his Word did lead that captivity captive and at night God gave me sweet comings in of himself into my sould and sweet assurance and some experience of the true real work of Grace in me how God made the risings of sinne the ruine of sin in me by Christ The Lord gave me very sweet experience of his power in preserving me when two in my family had the small pox and three the measels according to his word in Psal 91.7 It shall not come nigh thee O never distrust thy God more After this God did shew me in some measure the cursed vileness of my nature and suffered that bitter root of blasphemy to rise up in my heart and God did this to punish me for my vain and sinfull thoughts
she her self would pray with her family once I coming home late unknown to her heard her and she prayed to my very great admiration and satisfaction Twice in the family morning and evening not onely prayers were but something of the word and singing part of a Psalm On the Lords day at noon singing and praying with the family besides morning duries and evening reperitions of the Sermons together with singing of a Psalm and Praying A true sanctifier and spirituall observer of the Lords dayes she was and dared not to speak of any worldly civil though at other times lawful things and oft bewailed the too much liberty many professors take on those days marvailing their consciences were so benummed concerning that Commandment more than others that they could talk of such civil and worldly things then without remorse not considering that Commandement is broken in words thoughts as well as others especially when that place in Isa 58.13 is so expresse against it Not doing thine own wayes nor finding thine own pleasure nor SPEAKING THINE OWNE WORDS viz. upon the Sabbath dayes Besides her privare duties in the family she was very much in secret duties by her self daily her usuall manner was as I have been certainly informed In the mornings as soon as she was up to go into her closet a little while by her self and then went to the performing of spirituall duties together with the family after they were done then she retired into her chamber by her self and read the Bible in order reading and meditating about one hour and then went into her closet afterwards a pretry while Before supper she used to go into her chamber and closet some competent time yea though late when she was necessarily detained abroad before she came home after duties performed in the family at nights when the rest were gone to bed she would walk about half an hour meditating in her chamber and reasoning out any distemper that was upon her spirit to find out the cause thereof and to remove it saying so her heart was brought into frame again and not before Then she went into her closet about three quarters of an hour and this every day She never went abroad but she went first into her closet for some while to prayer and so she did again upon her returnings home On the Lords days at noon after duty done in the family she would retire by herself til they went to the publick worship againe upon the week dayes she would much complaine she was so straitned for time desiring more to speed in secret by her self She was a be lever that had not onely the graces of the Spirit but the sealings and the joyes of the Spirit in her She had much assurance even to the riches of it She knew she was of God and Christ was her Redeemer having loved her and given himself for her and that the Covenant of Grace with all the promises and mercies therein contained and Ordinances were hers And therefore in all places where Providence cast her would she partake of all the Ordinances and not infringe her Christian right and liberty as being tied to one particulat place or people onely living without the Sacrament till she came there againe though ordinarily she looked upon her self as a member of that Church where her usuall dwelling was She was filled with joy and walked in the comforts of the holy Ghost she was of a very chearfull Spirit and grace did carry it on very graciously and spiritually she had much communion with God in all the means of grace the Lord made her joyfull in the duties of prayer the Word was the savour of life unto life unto her and the rejoycing of her heart Exceeding incomes she had at the Table of the Lord there she sat under Christs shadow with great delight and his banner over her was love and his fruit was very sweet unto her taste whilst the King sat at his table with her her spiknard did usually send forth the smell thereof The Lord did grearly blesse that Ordinance of his Supper unto her she said she could ferch from the Lord there any mercy she wanted direction in straights support and comfort in disturbances power against sin and Satan grace to carry her on in the wayes of God c. Much refreshing she had in singing of Psalms she had many and particular returns of prayers from God which she much looked up to him for after she had directed them unto him and took speciall notice of his gracious answers and improved them with thankfulness to his glory She was of very excellent naturall parts full of wisdome and prudence as appeared also in the well managing of her many and weighty affaires and did greatly abound in the knowledge of Divine Mysteries contained in the Scriptures Much weaned from and crucified to the world Whilst her Father Sir Mathew Howland her Unkle Sir John Howland lived she would say foreseeing the same as being their onely heir she was afraid of too much of the world coming to her Never any use or increase would she take for any money 's she lent though to a very considerable summe and time and left under her own hand that her children should take none also for the same after her in case she died before the principall was paid in Her good works and charity not only Hawkherst but Holburn also and other parts can testifie as your self well know and can amply relate Her good works extended not only to her own Nation but also to the Hungarian Scholers who come so far to partake of our practicall Divinity counting her self a Member of the same universal Body with them For divers years often would she have one of them time after time with her whilst in the Countrey and now did take care of one this Winter at one of her sons till next Summer she thought to come again and retake him into her Family Their Land have divers already returned into it that have caused her piety and liberality to sound amongst them there She disdained not to visit any of her poorest neighbours and did love to do it to raise up pity in her towards wards them and thankfulnesse to God for her self who had made the difference Neither did she refuse to do the meanest offices of love for the good of them and theirs Her artire your self knowes how grave and modest it was as also her Daughters without nakednesse or unseemlinesse The gracions Providences of God were exceeding many and very great and remarkable towards her wherein she saw much of her Fathers care and goodnesse which she took special notice of and was abundantly thankful for and endeavoured to improve them answerably to his Glory as appears in her Diary where she hath kept an account of them and also of her waies towards her God as there she often calls him She was like that vertuous woman your Text spake of in her carriages in and toward
her Family ordering and taking care thereof and them in it and herself imployed about something or other of the same when she was not in her spirituall converses with the Lord or taken off by other occasions She considered well both her husbands estates and freed them from the incumberances for her children whom she much endeavoured to make the children of God in bringing them up in his nurture and admonition and keeping divers days of fasts by her self to seek the Lord for them in which and divers other respects they could not but arise and call her blessed and give we her of the fruit of her hands and let her own work praise her in the gates As her life so her death was full of grace and comfort the Lord strengthened her upon her bed of languishing and made all her bed in her sicknesse when she was walking through the valley of death she feared no evil her God was with her his rod and his staffe they comforted her and ministred to her an enterance abundantly into the everlasting Kingdome of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Though her paines and tortures were great the Physitians applying cupping glasses to her and lancing her yet the Lord did comfortably lift up the light of his countenance upon her and put gladnesse in her heart and made her patience have its perfect work she was full of heaven breaking forth in expressions of Gods goodnesse to her saying God hath been very good to me how good is God and how good it is to wait upon God there hath not the least cloud interposed between God and my soul all this sicknesse I will go to my God triumphing Thus with gladnesse and rejoycing was she carried to enter into the Kings Pallace into the joy of her Lord where there is fullnesse of it and pleasures for evermore O mark we the perfect behold we the upright for the end of such is peace No marvail that even Balaam in the sence hereof did so desire to die the death of the righteous and that his end might be like theirs and well had he done if he had withall desired his life alike For ever magnified be my good God who hath determined the times before appointed and the bounds of our habitations that caused the lines to fall unto me in such a pleasant place so long even six years in the same family with her and that I should be chosen and ordained a Pastor to her and the people there at Hawkherst That ever I was so acquainted with such an eminent practicall experimentall spiritual staid believer abounding so much with the graces and sealings and joyes of the holy Ghost That I should have such a taste of that happinesse and delight that is in the society of reall Saints How did I live as in a lower heaven walking as in Paradise whilst I was there rejoycing in the goodnesse of the Lord all the day long calling the wals salvation and the gates praise what sweet experiences of Christ had I frequently communicated to me from her How greatly did she stâ—engtheâ— my hands in the Lords work in the middest of all the opposition among that people the righteous God recompence it and all the work and labour of love she shewed towards his name unto me into the bosome of heâ— children seven fold as likewise alâ— I found from my much honoured long deceased friend Mr. Scot heâ— husband in his day whose memory is very precious to me O unhappy Engagement that so disengaged us from one another and that people there The Lord is righteous and his wayes also mercy and truth his pathes are judgment a God of truth and without iniquity just and right wonderfull in counsel excellent in working Wisdome and might are his he changeth time and seasons making every thing beautifull in them manifold are his works in wisdome hath he made and done them all the earth is full of his riches whatsoever he pleaseth that doth he in heaven and in the earth and in all deep places We are not to murmure and say what is the cause the former dayes were better then these for we may not wisely inquire concerning this yet unsensible we should not be of such a losse and breach as this is like the sea who can heal it whereunto shall I liken and compare it that such a burning and shining light should go out amongst us such a fixed star a star of the first magnitude should seâ—â— our horizon How hath the Lord covered those parts with a cloud in his anger and cast down the beauty of them to the ground how is the gold become dimme and the most fine gold changed how is the precious daughter of Zion and the glory of those parts departed For these things I weep mine eye mine eye runneth down with water Oh that my head were waters and mine eyes a fountain of teares that I might weep day and night even with the weeping of Jazer yea mourn with a great mourning as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon for good Josiah when he was taken away Oh dolor exprome vires non sum solito contentus sone neâ— indociles lugere simus Scotam â—â—emus Ye Ministers of Christ weep over her that was such a cordiall constant prizer of you O Weal of Kent take up a wailing for her the brightest star in all your firmament is set O Hawkherst make a bitter lamentation for her whose coming among you was like the rain upon the mown grasse as shoures that water the earth O poor of those parts and Houlbourn and elsewhere set upon the ground and keep silence cast dust upon your heads gird your selves with sackcloth hang down your heads to the ground arise cry out in the right in the beginning of the watches pour out your hearts like water before the face of the Lord â—ift up your hands towards him who hath taken her away from you that did not with hold you from your desire nor caused your eyes to fail that did not eat her morsel herself alone and you did not eat thereof that did not see you without covering or perish for want of clothing whom your eares have blessed when heard her and your eyes have given witnesse to her when seen her and your loines have rejoyced when warmed by her and ye widows whose hearts she hath made to sing for joy when she saâ— as Queen among the mourners O Hungarian Scholars call for the mourning women and send for cunning women that they may come and let them make haste and take up a wailing for you that your eyes may run down with teares end your eye lids gush out with water for a great Patronesse of yours is gone Sir I am not yet out of my amazement by this great and suddain blow to perceive the end of the Lord. In respect of her self it is happinesse not suffering her to be longer absent from him here in the body having with her swift
motion finished her course so soon But why in respect of us is this Citizen of heaven so soon gone from us when but somewhat more then in the midst of her dayes We may fear a storm coming when the Father calleth his Children so hastily home The Lord fit us for the worst of times and our last hour When Mr. Scot her husband that godly and faithfull Magistrate died and soon after that godly and faithfuull Minister of Christ in the neighbouring place of Landherst also died it was much upon my heart that some evill was a coming and accordingly was I greatly carried out to preach among my people on Isaiah 57.1 The righteous perisheth and no man laieth it to heart and mercifull men are taken away none considering they are taken away from the evill to come And that Lords day it was finished that very week was that great rising in Kent in 1648. though I had not the least hint thereof till they were up which God was pleased notwithstanding in mercy presently to avert But this is not yet participated the Lord goeth by me and I see him not he passeth on also and I perceive him not his way is in the sea and his path in the great waters and his footsteps are not known These wheeles within the wheeles are not yet manifested the great thing upon my spirit is Lord why hast thou taken away thy faithfull and tallent-improving servant whilst nature was so strong and vigorous in her thus before her time Righteous art thou O LORD when I plead with thee yet let me talk with thee of thy judgments We cannot see thy works from the beginning to the end yet must we believe though clouds and darknesse are round about thee yet righteousnesse and judgement are the habitation of thy throne I know O Lord thy judgements are right and thou in faithfullnesse hast afflicted us Thy works are great sought out of all them that have pleasure therein thy secret is with them that fear thee thy way O GOD is in the Sanctuary and there are thy goings to be seen The good Lord sanctifie this great and sore affliction to us and hereby the more quicken us to the improvement of our time and talents to the utermost whilst it is day before our night come when we also shall cease to work So prayeth Sir Yours affectionatly to serve you in Christ NICOLAS THOROWGOOD Minister of the Gospel sometime at Hawkherst now at Monkton in the Isle of Thanet and County of Kent Mr. Elmstones Letter to Mr. Case Sir I Am perswaded that not onely we the friends and acquaintance of this lately deceas'd Gentlewoman Mrs. Scot the Paragon of Piety and Christian wisdome but even strangers that never before heard of her yea those of the generation to come will con you much thanks for that your labour you intend as by a Letter from Mr. Thorowgood I understand to hold up her remembrance among the living though she be dead that the glory of Gods grace which was in her eminently conspicuous may thereby be magnified and she set forth as a lively pattern of piety by Christian Gentlewomen to be imitated It will indeed conduce nothing to the advancement of her happy condition who without sence of what is here done below touching her to her full satisfaction enjoyeth the beatificall vision of her most dear Saviour Jesus Christ But it were pitty that such a mirrour of Gods grace in her and the splendor of it shining from her should lie in obscurity the knowledge whereof might cause many thanksgivings to God for her and happily kindle in some brest a kindly flame of a godly imitation of her wayes Touching the occasion of her conversion what it was I perceive that Mr. Thorowgood hath informed you which I think he could do better than my self as who living a good while in her family might hear her often relate it so that touching that I need to say nothing save only that so it was as he writeth occasioned by a fall from a horse and the putting of her leg out of joynt The danger whereof put her upon the reading of Books that concerned piety and Religion whereby it pleased the Lord to work in her some serious sence and care of Religion But she did no sooner begin to mind matters of Religion but that some two of that way of the rigid separation called Brownisme and disciples of John Turner the name of one of which was Scotchford both living in Cranebrook by the means of a Tenant unto Glassenbury living in the Gate-house took notice of it and together got accesse to her and began to instill into her some of their principles of the separation and it seems had much shaken her so that she began to be scrupulous of holding communion with our then Churches viz. England It fell out that while they were thus working at times upon her and she wavering that in that Festivall time of Christs Nativity which in such houses was kept with some solemnity of good cheer these Sectaries came to Glassenbury and after dinner had gotten an opportunity to conferre with Mrs. Scot then Mrs. Roberts somewhat privately in a Chamber where yet was present Mrs. Crisp her Aunt a godly Gentlewoman now also deceased and John Morgan a retainer to that family a very honest man now also dead The good Gentlewoman the rest were somewhat puzzeled with the somewhat knottydiscourses of these Sectaries Now it was so by Gods Providence that I was also at that time and had been there for some dayes invited by Sir Walter Roberts now deceased to and his Son young Mr. Roberts who for six years together at least had been my Scholar and boarded in my house Wereupon it came into that John Morgans mind to make a motion to Mrs. Roberts to send for me and that I should conferre with those Sectaries she did gladly entertain the motion and they how willingly I know not yeelded to it so I coming to them there we conferred together for some two houres it may be before them about points of Separation especially about receiving the Sacrament amongst such a confused multitude as then was the manner by the iniquity of the times whether it might lawfully be done or could be done with any comfort The issue of our conference was such by the Lords blessing that Mrs. Roberts was satisfied about such objections as they made had her scruples cleared listened no more to their suggestions and they being now out of hope of gaining her left her so that from thence she continued her attendance upon the publick Ministery and held in in the Communion of our Churches as true though then in many things somewhat corrupt and defective And this Sir is the story of that passage if you think meet to make use of it I should be willing that you would not mention me by name but only say that a Minister being at that time there by Providence was called in to conferre
stand idle any time in the least measure though it were but a very little time She would not she said for a great deal spend so much time in dressing as many do knowing how to spend her time if she had more And saying I like this fashion well either in her apparrell or dressing that soonest could be put on and take up least time often charging her maid to get all things ready against she came to be dressed saying she could hardly afford her self time to be dressed yea in the winter evenings would she be long in her closet She was a diligent reader of the Scripture privately by her self every day She kept many dayes of fasts secretly by her self upon many occasions and for her children And those dayes would she set apart for the said fasts upon which there were some great shews or sights to be seen in the City as twice she did upon a Lord Mayors day the occasion of her fasts falling out on those times of the year making choice of those dayes rather then others because of the vanity of the seasons and prophannesse in the City by surfeiting and drunkennesse more then at other times And how full of heaven would she come out of her fasts How heavenly would she pray in the family those nights How fervently how broken hearted in confessions How heavenlized was she in so much that the next day she hath wished she could live without eating or sleeping to spend that time upon the immediate service of God such enjoyments of him did she find therein III. As she was much in holy duties publick and private so she was exceeding carefull to perform every duty in its season that one should not justle out another her private performances should not hinder her publick attendances and her publick service should not infringe her private and very diligent she was in not omitting the least duty God did give her that spirituall art of redeeming and improving time above thousands of Christians Her publick performances though many did not abate her one minute of her private IV. As she was carefull in performing all those duties that concerned her self so also those concerning her family resolving with Joshua that she and hers would serve the Lord. As soon as her children came to any understanding she made them learn the Catechismes first Mr. Wilsons and Mr. Bal's Catechismes and from the year 1653. the Assemblies lesser Catechisme and God did so blesse her endeavours that when her children were very young yet could they soon give her an account of their whole Catechisme without book and as soon as any of them could read she caused them diligently to read and would exercise their memories by calling them to an account of what they could remember of that they had read in the Bible or other good Books and of what they had heard when they had been at Church and it was wonderful to hear what a large account they would give of what they remembred Surely God did much blesse her prayers for them else I know not how possibly they could do so She would make all children pray privately by themselves before they went to bed and in the mornings when they did rise Also she would instruct in repetitions of what they could remember what had bin preach'd telling them oft they must give account to God of their time and what they had read and heard exhorting them to walk in the waies of God when she should not be by seting before them the good to be found in Gods service and the miseries that would fall on them if they walked not in his waies She would not keep any servant that was prophanely wicked saying she would not have such if they would give her their service she would have no servant of an erroneous opinion I have heard her severall times say she would rather have those that were prophane then such because there is little hope of convincing the erroneous but more hope to convince the prophane she was very willing her servants should go to Lectures and to the fasts at the end of the morning exercises which were once a moneth she would afford them time and encourage them to go to them and if she had a servant that could not read she would cause her children to teach such and her self also would do it as she could spare time to encourage them and buy books for them V. I shall give an account of the method of her duties and every dayes work First in the morning as she did rise before she was off her bed she made her children give her an account at her beds side of their Catechismes in course one one morning and another another when they were so large in their accounts as she could hear but one a time when she was off her bed she went to her closet for some time then afterward she had refreshed her self with something she would perform family duties with the family when she had no Chaplaine in reading something of the Word and prayer Then she would use some little exercise she could find best for her health which should not be long and so to her closet again reading the Scripture by herself and spending the rest of the forenoon unlesse some great occasions called her off till about eleven a clock when she came out and while she was making up her own bed which she did every day except the Lords days for her exercise she would cause her children to read the Scriptures one one morning and another another and as they read she would ask them what they understood by such a place instructing them as they read if a place where some judgements were denounced against sin or a sinner she would say see what cause you have not to sin and what you must look for if you do so exhorting them from every such place By that time she had done and was dressed it was well nigh dinner time in the winter time she loved not to come out of her chamber before dinner was at table because the forenoons were so short unlesse some businesse more then ordinary had called her away In summer time sometimes she would walk a little before dinner in Lincolns-Inne-fields and twenty to one if she had not found an object of charity to scatter her benevolence upon before she came in again after dinner after some little space to her closet again where she was sometimes longer and sometimes shorter as her occasions would permit if that afternoon she went to a Lecture or to visit friends she would be sure to go into her closet before she went out of doors and when she came home to her closet again for some time then when she was undressed and in her night garments that was the time of her meditation when she would walk sometimes an hour or untill it drew neer to suppertime and so to her closet againe till supper was ready after supper she would walk again till
THE Excellent Woman A SERMON Preached at the Funeral of Mrs. Elizabeth Scott Relict to Humphry Scott of Conghurst in Kent Esq And daughter unto Sir Mathew Howland Knight late of Giles in the Fields On the 16. of Decemb. 1658. By Tho. Case M. A. sometimes Student of Ch. Ch. Oxon. Now Rector of St. Giles in the Fields Heb. 13.7 8. Whose faith follow confidering the end of their conversation Jesus Christ the same yesterday and to day and for ever London printed for Robert Gibs in Chancery-lane at the sign of the Golden Ball near Serjeants Inn. 1659. To the truly Honourable and much honoured The Lady Frances Howland Relict to the worthy Sir Mathew Howland late of Giles in the Fields Madam I Shall not need to fear the reviving of your sorrowes by this late address I finde them still fresh upon your spirit and I dare not accuse you for it I had almost said you cannot be guilty of an excesse in your mourning over the losse of such a childe A child not only of the severest obedience but of the sweetest and tenderest respect to your spiritual and eternal good that most Mothers ever had the happinesse to bring forth Surely it was her pious care to pay in grace the debt which he owed you by nature and to compensate her natural being received from you with your spirituall Your Ladiship hath often acknowledged to myself and others what a soul-help she was to you ever since God was pleased to call her by his grace and to reveale his sonne in her Surely as seldome have children lost a better mother so seldome did mother lose a better childe And as such a losse can hardly be overwept so I am afraid our times are little guilty of such a sin Our sin is rather that we bury our sorrows together in the same grave with our godly praying soul friends as if we were no losers by their death truly would Christians put on their mourning affections but as long as they wear their mourning garments for their godly dead there were lesse cause of mourning It is true their voice to us is that of our Lord Weep not for me there is no cause as to themselves to sorrow even as others that have no hope Yea but weep for your selves and for your children not for their gaines but for your loss losse of Counsel loss of their quickning edifying Converse their prayers comforts losse of their holy jealousie and watchfulnesse over us their tender compassions to our souls Alas a great part of Christians understand not their loss and the most do not lay it to heart and so though they quit the sence yet they aggravate their misery while they adde sin to their affliction even the sin of insensiblenesse Isa 26.11 Lord when thine hand is lifted up they will not see Jer. 5.3 Thou hast smitten them but they have not grieved I am glad therefore Madam on your behalf to finde that these tears are not yet dried up blessed are those mourners that prevent not the Consolations of the holy Ghost but do patiently wait till God himselfe come to wipe off the teares from their eyes of which this will be a comfortable pledge if by the sadnesse of the countenance the heart be made better Eccl. 7.3 Which that it may be your Ladiships portion as mine own shall be the earnest prayer of Madam Your Ladyships deeply obliged and most faithful servant in the Gospel The Case To the Honourable Sir Howland Roberts of Glassenbury in the County of Kent Baronet Noble Sir IT is no small priviledge to be born of godly parents The blessings of the Covenant run most kindly in the channell of the Covenant there is more to be presumed of such children then others not only as they are under the blessing of their parents prayers Bathsheba called Solomon the sonne of her Vowes and Monica St. Augustine the childe of her prayers and tears but also as they themselves have a greater holdfast upon God by vertue of his holy Covenant Lord I am thy servant Ps 116.16 and the sonne of thy handmaid was Davids plea. What a right you may claime to Gods family by your mother the just character here delivered of her will sufficiently evidence Her example Counsels prayers are a better portion then your Fathers inheritance She travelled the second time with your spiritual birth and was in paine till she could see Christ formed in you and the rest of the fruit of her loynes and that all her children by nature might be the adopted sons and daughters of God by grace that you might be good rather then great serviceable rather then honourable that she might go out of the world with that joy of our Lord My seed shall serve him Ps 22.30 it shall be counted to the Lord for a generation this was the travel of her soul Solomon recounteth the Prophecy Prov. 31.1 which his Mother taught him and surely as by the example of your pious mother so by the gracious counsels and instructions which from the very cradle she was perpetually instilling into your minde she being dead yet speaketh the module whereof is indelibly engraven upon your heart The greatnesse of your losse is not easie to be told and it is not yours onely but the whole Churches she was a Christian indeed in all the capacities which she susteined and filled them all with singular wisdom and fidelity The providence of God in taking her away in the fulnesse of her strength and activity for Jesus Christ is to me very stupendious and compared with the premature death of divers others of the Lords choice ones seemeth to intimate some approaching judgement The righteous perisheth and man layeth it to heart Isa 57.1 and merciful men are taken away none considering that the righteous is taken away from THE EVIL TO COME When the corn is reaped and gathered into the barne the bruit Cattel are turned into the field Such a general sudden and to us untimely death of the godly calleth upon survivours to sit down and consider how they may either prevent or prepare for approaching evils at least how they may fill up the vacant roomes of those worthies that are gone to rest with a greater activity of grace and a more diffusive service As for your selfe Honoured Sir the remaining hopes and honour of your Fathers house go on to doe worthily for God and let the world know that your Mothers Blessing is not yet worne out of your familie and that power of Religion which she fought to stablish there did not expire with her Which as it is the hope so it shall be the prayer of him who is Sir Yours in all Christian Observance Tho. Case To the Reader Reader I Do easily foresee the large commendation which I have given to that truly Honourable person whose memory is continued in these papers may incur censure from strangers or else those who though not altogether
of grace and a want in grace between sincerity and corâ—uption in his pâ—ople between a childe and a bastard And he will not throw the heap of corn into the fire because there is much chaff in it he will not reprobate the gold because there is dross mixt with it Isa 57.17 18. nor disinherit the childe because a weake childe froward Ephraim because a childe God will heal him and lead him and restore comforts to him and to his mourners Vse It may serve 1. To encourage weake Christians say not in thy heart I have no grace because thou findest much corruptioâ— God doth not say so Tâ—â— heavenly Father can discovâ—â— a spark of grace in a sea 〈◊〉 corruption Christians muâ—â— learn to distinguish betweâ—â— the having of corruptionâ— and the allowing of corruâ—tion between a little gracâ— and being contented with 〈◊〉 little grace 2. It may serve to Cautiâ—â— us against despising of oâ— weaker brethren He is nâ—â— of the spirit and dispositioâ— of our heavely Father thâ— can despise one of Chrisâ— little ones a little faith anâ— a little strength some gooâ— thing towards the Lord Goâ— takes notice of and Goâ— owns so should we if 〈◊〉 will be the Children of ouâ— heavenly Father Him that 〈◊〉 weeke in faith receive onely â—ot to doubtfull disputations So is the Rule Ro. 14.1 â—e should own the weakest â—hristians to encourage and â—elp their graces but not 〈◊〉 perplex them with unproâ—able disputes 3. It may serve as an Enâ—ouragement to all to be â—od to labour to get grace â—ho would not serve such a â—od as will own the least â—ood that is in his children â—â—at knows how to pardon â—reat sins and to accept of 〈◊〉 little grace where there is â—â—cerity Bring into God â—hat thou hast thy mite â—hall be accepted if it be all â—hou hast Farre litabo persius A paire of Turtle â—â—ves will be accepted on â—ods Altar as well as costâ—er Sacrifices where the saâ—rificers ability will extend no higher But cursed 〈◊〉 the deceiver which hath in hâ— Flock a Male Mal. 1.14 and sacrificeâ— to the Lord a co rupt thinâ— A man is accepted with Goâ— according to what he hath 2 Cor. 8.12 〈◊〉 according to what he hath noâ— Onely let not this make yâ—â— idle to be content with a littâ—â— grace because God will acceâ—â— a little argueth no grace 〈◊〉 all know thus much I bâ—seech you that though Goâ— will own the weak Christiaâ— yet he delights in the exceâ—lent which brings me upoâ— the third and main Doctriâ—â— which I intend to handle The great honour a d'praiâ—â— of a Christian iâ— to be excelleâ—â— in goodness and grace Doct. 3. Excellent Saints are Goâ— delight Take a few Demonstratâ—ons 1. The word of Command Dem. 1. â—ll the Precepts and Exhortaâ—â—ons of Scripture run upon â—hat strain walk before me Gen. 17.1 â—nd be thou perfect said God â—o Ab aham Abraham must â—ot take up with any thing â—hort of perfection And â—hat you may not think that â—as a special instance which â—ll are not bound to follow â—â—e Evangelical Rule which â—oncerns all Christians â—peaks in the very same Langâ—age Be ye perfect Mat. 5. ult ye with â—â—s addâ—tion of highest emidency as your heavenly Father is perfect 1 Pet. 1.15 As he that hath called you is holy so be ye holy in all manner of conversaâ—ion for it is written be ye hoâ—y for I the Lord your God am holy Observe Christians must make God the pattern oâ— their holiness and the Motive of their holiness Holy as he is holy there 's our pattern holy because he is holy ther 's our motive They must content themselves with no measure or degree of holiness but forgetting the things that are behinde presse still after further degrees of conformitie unto God These be not onely Evangelicall Counsels as the Papists sottishly teach that so upon this foundation they may build their Superstructure of merit and works of supererrogation but they be Evangelical precepts and commands enjoyned upon the great prerogative of divine filiation and indeed flowing from it Matth. 5.45 that you may be the children of your heavenly Father there is no boasting of divine Son-ship without conformity unto the divine nature not that this conformitie is the cause of our Son-ship but the evidence Tunc dicitur saepe aliquid esse quum esse intelligitur Beza in loc that you may be i. e. that you may be known to be the children of your Father which is in Heaven According to this tenor run all the commands of the Gospel perfect holiness in the fear of God 2 Cor. 7.1 proving what that good and acceptable and derfect will of God is Be perfect Ro. 12.1 2 2 Cor. 13.11 Phil. 1.10 11. be of good comfort sincere without offence filled with the fruits of righteousness Whatsoever things are true whatsoever things are honest chap. 4.8 whatsoever things are just whatsoever things are pure lovely of good report if any vertue if any praise think on these things My Brethren the purity of Scripture Rule and the perfection of Scripture Rewards are the two impregnable Arguments and Demonstrations of the Divâ—nitie of the Scripture and the truth of Christian Religion against all other Religions in the world Behold the Rule is an Excellent Rule which God hath chalked out to his Saints to walk by calling for nothing short of perfection in their aimes and utmost contention How perfect is the Law of God! Psal 19.7 2. Dem. 2. Demonstration such God commends and of such onely God boasts in Scripture hast thou not considered my servant Job Job 1.8 said God to Satan there is none like him upon the face of the Earth a perfect and an upright man c. I know Abraham c. Abraham my friend Gen. 18.19 1 Sam. 13.14 2 Cor. 10.18 And David a man after mine own heart Not he that man commendeth but he that God commendeth is approved Thirdly 3. Dem. these Excellent ones God sets forth as Standards and Exemplars for others imitation Be ye followers of me as I am of Christ 1 Cor. 11. â— they be Saint Pauls words but Gods command whose Amanuensis and Secretary the Apostle was and it is the very same which is enjoyned unto all the followers of the Lamb that they should be followers of the Excellent ones Heb. 6.12 who through faith and patience inherit the promises Not onely be ye followers of God as dear Children Eph. 5.1 But Be ye followers of thâ—m that excell in vertue Heb. 13.7 whose faith follow considering the end of their conversation Jesus Christ c. Yet this must be still with the Apostles limitation as they are of Christ we must not follow the Saints further then as they follow Christ Fourthly and lastly For the most excellent Saints is reserved the most excellent glory 4. Dem.
According to the degree of grace here shall be the degree of glory hereafter As one Star differeth from another in glory 1 Cor. 15.41.42 so also is the resurrection of the dead For the further enlargement and clearing of this Doctrine I shall briefly satisfie one Querie and so passe over to the Uses of the Point It is this Quest What is it to be excellent or wherein doth the excellencie of a Saint consist Wherein consists the excellency of a Christian Answ Excellency consists in these three qualifications 1. To be universally good 2. To be eminently good 3. To be perseveringly good 1. Universally heart-good and life-good 1. To be universally good this is excellent indeed when a Christian is good all over good quite through good within and good without When a man or woman is a good First Table Christian and a good Second Table Christian holy towards God righteous meek merciful â—oward man They be excellent ones that are good in both their callings good in their generall callings as Christians good in their particular callings as men good on the Sabbath and good all the weeke long Good as Magistrates good as Ministers good in whatsoever Trade or Profession God hath fixt them in amongst men Good in all their Relations good as Husbands good as Wives good as Parents good as Children good as Masters good as Servants good as Kindred good as Neighbours Time will not permit exempâ—ification of these particulars So likewise they be excellent who are good every where good at home and good abroad good in company and good alone good in good company and good in bad good with Saints and good with sinners conversing with them as a Physitian among the sick not as a companion with them that are well Having no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness but reproving them rather Ep. 5.11 good in the Family and good in the Closet He or she is excellent that is good in every state and in every temper good when rich and good when poore good when sick and good when well good in prison and good at libertie good when sad and good when merry good in holy duties and good in civil Recreations Behold this is to be excellent That is an excellent Christian indeed that walks uniformly every where and in every thing like himself â—omo quaâ—atus good when men see him and good when none but God sees him Many of these qualifications we find in this description and character here of a good woman she is a good Wife a good Mother a good Widow and that is her excellency which we shall have occasion to touch hereafter This was the excellencie of Zechariah and Elizabeth Luke 1.6 they were both righteoas before God walking in all the Commandements and Statutes of the Lord blameless i. e. in all the duties of the Moral and Ceremonial Law 2. In eminency Secondly The excellency of a Christian consists in being eminently good exemplarily good To be followers of the Saints as 1 Thes 1.6 this is good But to be Ensamples to all that believe as verse 7. this is excellent To be good is profitable unto our selves but to be Eminently exemplarily good is profitable to others He or she that is really good shall save himself but whoso is rarely good shall save others also Mat. 5.16 Their light doth so shine before men that they see their good works and glorifie their Father which is in Heaven this is excellent It is a Christians excellency not to set himself any bounds in holinesse not to content himself with any measure or degree of grace but with the Apostle to forget the things that are behinde Phil. 3.13 14. and reaching forth unto those things which are before to press toward the mark That which is the worldly mans shame is the Christians glory never to have enough what SINGVLAR thing do ye doe Mat. 5.47 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was our Saviours Question what doe you more then others It is a Christians glory to be singular the world hates singularity but God commends it 3. In perâ—everance Thirdly A Christians excellency consists in being pâ—rseveringly good Ye did run well Gal. 5.7 is the reproach of a Christian and of his profession perseverance is the glory of both It is the glory of a Christian when their goodness is not as the morning cloud â—os 6.4 and as the early dew that quickly passeth away but as the morning light Pro. 4.18 Rev. 2.19 which groweth clearer and clearer to the perfect day It was the shame of Ephesus that she had lost her first Love Verse 4. but the glory of Thyatyra that her last works were more then the first The Trees of God bring forth more fruit in their old age Ps 92.14 they are fat and flourishing when others wither and dye they retain their verdure and are full of sap this is the excellency of a Christian Vse Use Examinanation And it may serve First By way of Trial in Self-examinaâ—ion are you such Christians 1. Are ye universal in Lord more faith and morâ— love and more holinesse 〈◊〉 more meeknesse of sâ—irit anâ— more zeal Si dixti suffieit persisti Aug. and more Lorâ— of every grace when every 〈◊〉 say you have enough ye havâ— nothing ye are nothing so faâ— from excelent that ye are not reall but a meer Lukewarme Laodicean that saith I am rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing Rev. 3.17 and knowest not that thou art wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked 3. Are yee persevering Chriâ—â—ians Are your sâ—irits stedfast with â—od Are your judgements sablished in the truth Are your hearts stablished in grace doe yee keep close to the good old Principles which you have suckt in from the breasts of the Gospell c. doe ye proceed in the way that is called holy Are ye stedfast and Inâ—oveable alwayes abounâ—ing in the work of the Lord 2 Cor. 15. Alas brethren if this be to be excellent where shall we find an Excellent Man or an excellent woeman as the 10. verse complaines who can find avertuous woman where shall we finde this exccellent daughter Solomon or his Mother in this Chap. did find her Application at lest in the Character And behold I can point you to her in person Amongst others before many in whom this Character here was ever examplified since Solomons time namely in this truly Honorable Christian whose funerals we this day celebrate M rs ELISABETH SCOTT Uupon whose monument where ever it shall stand to her immortall fame and glory may justly be inscribed This Epitaph Many daughter have donâ— vertuously BUT THOU EXCELLEST THEM ALL. Doubtlesse she was an exlelent Christian a Christian of an incomparable spirit and complexion All these 3 ingredients of excellencie were visible in her to the eyes of all the beholders especially such
and was rich in the knowledge of the Mysteries of Christ One that the Lord did much councell and direct in all her waies and kept her in all her straights and redeemed her with great deliverances her extremity often was Gods opportunity One that was raised up and elevated in his service fulfilling all his wils Great Saints have sometimes sore assaults from Satan as she had sometimes buffetings with Paul 2 Cor. 12.7 haply least she might have been exalted above measure through the abundance of incomes Pirats set upon the richest ships and trees are most threshed that be fullest of fruit Christians high in comforts are low in acts of mortification and self-denial How often did she fast and afflict her soul before the Lord and was sensible of her failings Luke 2.37 She departed not from the Temple but served God with fastings and prayers night and day In all she did she went out of her self to the strength of Christ attributing all to him 1 Cor. 15.10 By the grace of God I am what I am and his grace bestowed upon me was not in vain but I laboured more abundantly then they all yet not I but the grace of God which was with me Gal. 2.20 I am crucified with Christ nevertheless I live yet not I but Christ liveth in me and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me 1 Tim. 1.15 Sinners of whom I am chief Trees with high tops have deep roots Such serve God truly that conscienciously serve him secretly Many days of fasts and seeking God weâ—e in secret by her self Mat. 6.6 When thou prayest enter into thy closet and when thou hast shut the door pray to thy father which seeth in secret And vers 16 17. When thou fastest be not as the hypocrites c. But so vers 18. as that thou appear not to men to fast but unto thy father which is in secret It is a happy thing to be related to them that are truly godly How did she pray for her husband and children Nature helps grace and grace acts for nature Rom. 9.2 3. I have great heavinesse and continuall sorrow in my heart and I could wish that my self were accursed from Christ for my brethren my kinsmen according to the flesh Rom. 10.1 Brethren my hearts desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved When we cannot serve God so well as we ought we should serve him as well as we can and not omit duties She was troubled for being so unprepared yet came to Sacraments and found God very graciously 2 Chron. 30.18 c. The good Lord pardon every one that prepareth his heart to seek God the Lord God of his fathers though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the Sanctuary and the Lord hearkened to Hezekiah an healed the people Cant. 6.12 c. I went down into the garden of nuts to see the fruits of the valley and to see whether the vine flourished and the pomegranates budded or ever I was aware my soul made me like the chariots of Aminadab It is good to come to God in Ordinances for particular mercies She made this and that her speciall errands and the Lord vouchsafed them unto her Job 22.28 Thou shalt also decree a thing and it shall be established unto thee Psal 37.4 Delight thy self also in the Lord and he shall give thee the desires of thy heart Mat. 21.22 and all things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer believing ye shall receive 1 Sam. 1.27 For this child I prayed and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him God oft cometh in seasonably to them that wait upon him in Ordinances as frequently to her in hearing with suitable and seâ—sonable words Isa 30.20 21. Thine eyes shall see thy teachers and thine ears shall hear a word behind thee saying this is the way walk ye in it when ye turn to the right hand and when ye turn to the left Prov. 8.34 Blessed is the man that heareth me watching daily at my gates waiting at the posts of my doors Great enjoyments of God in Ordinances should not take us from them or make us live above them but carry us the more to God in and by them Thus it was with her the more she received the more she waited upon God in them Psal 63.2 To see thy power and thy beauty as I have seen thee in the Sanctuary 2 Chron. 30.23 And the whole Assembly took councell to keep other seven days and they kept other seven days with gladnesse Sacraments are not only sealing but exhibiting Ordinances of more grace and comfort to believers she received much encrease from God in and by them Mat. 3.16 And Jesus when he was â—â—pâ—ized went up straightway out of the water and lo the heavens were opened unto him and the Spirit of God descended like a dove and lightâ—â— upon him Acts 8.39 The Euâ—â—â—â— after Baptisme went away rejoycing The bread and wine which are the signes in the Lords Supper are nourishing The incomes from God in Ordinances are very various sometimes one sometimes another sometimes more and sometimes lesse sometimes sooner sometimes later sometimes she haâ— meltings at the Sacraments sometimes resolutions to serve God against sin giving up her self to the Lord sometimes meekning of her spirit sometimes desires to come again sometimes great assurance and comforts sometimeâ— at the time sometimes afterward 1 Cor. 3.5 6. Who then is Pâ—â— â—nd who is Apollo but Ministers by whom ye believed even as the Lord gave to every man I have planted Apollo watered but God gâ—ve the increase Isa 56.7 I will make them joyfull in my house of prayer Act. 10.44 While Peter yet spake these words the holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word 2 Chron. 1.6 Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings vers 7. In that night did God appear unto Solomon When we have performed duties to the Lord we are to expect his answers She would wait for returns when she had been a seeking of him Psal 5.3 I will direct my prayer to thee and will look up Psal 85.8 I will hear what God the Lord will speak The Lord sometimes withdraweth from Ordinances that we should not rest in them but in himself 2 Cor. 1.9 We had the sentence of death in our selves that we should not trust in our selves but 〈◊〉 God which raised the dead This use she made thereof when she had not altogether these incomes A gracious heart is as mindful of mercys received to return praises and answerable walkings to God as to pray for mercies wanted Exod. 17.14 And the Lord said to Moses write this for a memoriall in a book Psal 103.2 Blesse the Lord O my soul and forget not all his benefits Psal 116.12 c. What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards me I will take the cup of
salvation and call upon the name of the Lord I will pay my vowes unto the Lord now in the presence of all the people Thus did she note down in a Book the gracious dealings of God towards her to quicken her to thankfulness and suitable improvements to the glory of God Temptations and buffetings are not to be given way unto but opposed to conquer them Her faith she said fought with them and they were subdued under her Jam. 4.7 Resist the devil and he will flee from you Afflictions and mercies when improved bring forth much fruit in the people of God as her sicknesse and deliverances did in her Heb. 12.11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous but grievous neverthelesse after-word it yeeldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousnesse unto them which are exercised thereby Psal 32.7 Thou art my hiding place thou shalt preserve me from trouble thou shalt compasse me about with songs of deliverance Gods gracious returns of prayer to his people do much engage them in affection to him and encourage them for the future to seek more unto them O blesse the God saith she that heareth prayers and follow God for further mercies And elsewhere I desire this great experience should be food for faith Psal 116.1 2. I love the Lord because he hath heard my voice and my supplications because he hath enclined his ear unto me therefore will I call upon him as long as I live 2 Cor. 1.10 Who delivered us from so great a death and doth deliver In whom we trust that he will yet deliver us True grace is permanent and growing the motion that is naturall is perpetuall My God saith she doth give me sweet experience of the growth of grace in my soul The longer she lived the more she acted Job 17.9 The righteous also shall hold on his way and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger Revelations 2.19 I know thy works and charity and service and faith and thy patience and thy works and the last to be more then the first Mr. Thorowgood's Letter to Mr. Case Reverend Sir I Understand you intend to print your Sermon preached at the funeral of our most honored friend Mrs. Scot that Saint of the Lord that eminent believer of the highest form and therewith some narrative concerning her It is not onely lawfull but sometimes very expedient to shew the Coates and Garments Dorcas made whilst living especially the excellencies of great believers whose memory is blessed and which may so much conduce to the advancing of the glory of Gods free grace and the good of others for which cause no doubt the severall graces and holy actings of Gods people are left on holy record I am willing to cast my mite into the treasury Her conversion she told me was occasioned by a fall from her horse in hunting time whereby one of her legs were put out of joynt which the Lord so sanctified to her as it brought her to the serious receiving of the immortall seed of the Word thereby forming Christ in her in whom the New-birth did most evidently shine ever after O happy fall that did so exalt her before she was very vain delighting in dancing and hunting But then God brought her to hear his rod and to receive instruction and to solace her self in the joys of the spirit and to pursue the ways of holinesse thus God did not take away her comforts but changed them and gave her better in the room He did not dry up the stream but diveried it and turned it into a better channel It was not long after her conversion from nature unto grace but she was likely to be perverced from truth unto error and was much troubled about the way of Separation some of which way lived near her and got accesse to her and so was in danger of loosing on the one side much of what she had gained on the other But the gracious God out of his continuing goodnesse as she told me proviced Mr. Elmestone that old disciple a skilfull Pilot to freer her coune again to rights who can relate more concerning this particular and ever since through grace hath she sailed with a full and steady gale in the ways of truth and holinesse and hath been a fired star in the Church of God no ways moved with the ermurs and fallings of many round about her wandring on the right hand and on the left after once God had caused her eares to hear that word behind her saying This is the way walk in it she shunned their books company and discourses tending that way as taking no pleasure therein and would not tempt God by going to the meetings of such as caused division being sully perswaded of the truth and way she practised thus trees by shaking become more firmely stoted She was converted in the height of Prelacy and was of the true old Puritane and right Nonconformist's Spirit unto her dying day accounting our Churches and Ministery essentially true though wanting in circumstantials she earnestly desired and in her place fervently endeavoured a through reformation without forsaking the Assemblies and leaving the work to others but would set to her helping hand also She went on to perfection but laid not again foundations she held what was good rejecting the ill being of quick and sound understanding to discern between good and bad She would mourn with the house of Cloe for what was beyond her sphere to amend and walked very comfortably with Christ her self in the middest of the golden Candlesticks having her own garments undesiled and others unworthinesse did no way prejudice her She was a very great and constant prizer of the faithfull Ministers of Jesus Christ and rejoyced not in their light for a season she knew them that were over her in the Lord and esteemed them very highly in love for their works-sake and endeavoured peace and unity with the rest She walked in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless never missing any when able to go and much troubled when necessarily detained by illnesse she thought not they could be too often enjoyed when she could not go in her Coach in Winter time by reason of the deepnesse of the way between Congherst and the Church she would walk on foot in all the rainy and tempestuous weather that long and tedious up and down hill way to ride she alwayes dreaded since her fall and when in London often did she go from high Holbourn to Christs-Church to the morning Sermons on the Lords dayes before the reft began and then to them afterwards Constantly did she attend Lectures and Fasts publick and privare In Summer when she was at Congherst usually there in the Countrey she had a weekly Lecture at Howkherst and the Ministers still at her house Very often did she keep in secret whole dayes of fasting and seeking God by her self in prayer and humbling and afflicting her soul before the Lord. When I was forth
labour She had a marvelous stomack and spirituall appetite to the Lords Supper for the which she did solemnly prepare her self plentifully sequestring her self from the affaires of the world that she might clean her heart for the acceptable entertainment of her beloved no question she met with many a precious dole there who had such a desire to be there She came down from that mount as Moses with a shining face a heart most warm and lively speeches savoury and ravishing refresht with the comfortable sense and feeling of Christs love sweeter then wine filled satisfied with marrow and fatnesse Christ did frequently then and there manifest himself to her kisse her therefore her lips dropped honey as I my self have experience of it I blesse God for it Blessed God what a mercy I am deprived of Oh she was altogether and alwaies lovely Her grace added much more worth to her then her birth or any other accomplishment she had much grace there was in her grace it looked like it self in her I never was in her company but I went off with advantage to me or the fault was my own I might have learned humility contempt of the world to be lively and spirituall c. Oh what a pittifull heart had she to the poor especially of the houshold of faith and as she had a tender heart so a bountifull hand as she saw occasion and would oft say God lent it her for that end and it was a great mercy to have a heart to it to lay out for God is to lay up for our selves 't was her holy ambition to serve God in her generation She was very spirituall in her affections to her relations to her dear Lady Mother and Children wonderfully troubled at their deviations and to think that any that come from her should hisse or sting at Gods glory oh that those cares prayers teares fallen into Gods bottle when worldly teares drop besides it might not as to any of them be rendred fruitlesse Sir many of these flowers she had growing in the garden of her heart her vessel was weak her grace sound and strong she had embarked in her those excellencies that would neither sink nor suffer shipwrack She was rich towards God here she had a Christ for grace and now she hath him and heaven with him for glory She was a Sarah for courage an Abigail for wisdome a Mary for choosing the good part a Dorcas for good works an Elizabeth for walking in all the commandments and ordinances of God blamelesse Sir if ever I had confidence in the happy estate of any that ever I was acquainted with it is greatned in reference to her All that I can say is abundantly below her my prayer to God is that God would favour me with the favour that he beared to virtuous Mistresse Scot So shall I be visited I know with his salvation Sir I hope you will pardon my defects when you understand I was necessitated to write this week or not at all in great haste having much other work on my hands the rest is the subscribing my self Sir Sandhurst Feb. 28. 1658. Your younger brother in Christ and unworthy fellow labourer in the Lords vineyard PETER ELISTON Another Letter of Mr. THOROWGOODS to Mr. Case Reverend Sir SInce my last to you I received further information from a friend concerning that useful and precious Gentlewoman Mrs. Elizabeth Scot by way of Narrative of some other remarkable passages which were not mentioned in my Letter which may be worthy imitation and of singular use to Christians in these declining dayes and may tend to the magnifying the glory of Gods free grace shining forth in her conversation in these following Particulars I. She was much in holy religious Worship and service of God in pubâ—ick exceeding careful not to lose any publick opportunity for the good of her soul making all orâ—inary occasions of her own and visits of friends give place and not to hinder her waiting on God in the publick Ministry of his Word If there were a Lecture she used to go unto and persons of quality came to visit her after she had been with them a while and time was to go she would look upon it as no incivility to leave them with the Lady her mother unlesse they would go with her I never knew any ordinary visit or visiters detain her from attending the Word of God preached for almost these nine years which I have lived in her house She was willing to keep fair Correspondency with all her friends â—nd to maintain a moral principle of love where there was no more but exceeding tired with Lady's discourse at their visits though I suppose in her presence it was farre better then otherwise If any businesse unknown fell out when she was going to the Lecture unlesse it would certainly prove prejudicial to her she would make it stand back and wait till afterward and this I have frequently known and she often said she found Satan very busie to hinder her from laying hold of opportunities this I believe the whole family can testifie with my self II. As she was carefull not to omit any publick opportunity so also as carefull of private duties she would be sure not to lose her closet time where she was frequent and long even when others were at their rest I lying in the Chamber over her have often heard her up at one of the clock in the night or rather morning The Church hath a great losse of her prayers many a petition did she put up in her closet and flouds of teaâ—â— did she pour forth insomuch that her eyes have been sore for some days together which otherwise were very well when any calamity hath been upon the Church of God oâ— the Lord dishonoured by any nearly related to her her teares have been so many that I have behold surrowes on her cheeks and so likewise upon fasting dayes she was so conâ—cienscious in keeping her closet-time that all her ordinary business did stay till she had done and when any of her family have gone to her closet door and told her some would speak with her or came to visit her If the businesse were petty or onely visitors let them have been who they would she would stay out her time knowing the Lady her Mother was below to entertain them but if the businesse were of great importance then she would come But to be sure make haste to her closet again O the sweetnesse she found in her closet communions that she would spend so much time there in the forenoons as that scarce she had time to dress her self often saying her dressing time was the worst time of all her time often bidding her maid make haste saying why are you so long I hate to spend so much time in dressing for this is lost time and whilst her maid was dressing her she would be making up Letters or winding up her watch or some imployment or other not induring to
almost said she had none in her Family but godly servants and the reason is because if she did not finde them such she would labour to make them such at least conformable to the outward duties of religion which if any after due admonition refused she would not retain them longer in her Family She had a spirit of prayer She practised much Devids Platform of Occonâ—â—cal Government in the to Psalm She had an excellent Spirit of Prayer but accompanied with a rare modesty for though when she had 〈◊〉 Chaplain in her house she was able to perform the duty in her own person with much judgement affection Yet in the presence of those for whom she conceived that work more proper she could not be tempted to undertakâ— it with the greatest Solicitation and importunity In a word to close this first branch of Excellency she was a sincere practiser of that Evangelical Rule Whatsoever things are true Phil. 4.8 whatsoever things are honest whatsoever things are just whatsoever things are pure whatsoever things are lovely whatsoever things are of good report if there were any vertue and if there were any praise these were the things she thought of these were the things she pursued with life and vigour And thus I have done with the first Ingredient Her Universality Her eminency in grace The second is her Eminencie as she was universal so she was eminent in goodness But herein I have prevented my self in the universalitie neither could I avoid it I could not speak of her graâ—â— but I must mention also her Eminency in those graces And it is well for if that were yet to doe I might be over burthen some I shall adde only the word that this Noble Christian she was as much above the size of other Professors as they are above the size of other men and women not only really good but most Exemplary And thirdly and lastly 〈◊〉 she was eminently good so she was perseveringly good Her perseverance She was no wavering Christian And the reason is because she built not upon the sand but upon the Raâ—â— not upon the sand of imitation the Rule that most tâ—â—â— up their Religion by but upon the Rock and Foundâ—â—â—on of Scripture evidence 〈◊〉 waâ— a most Noble Bâ—rean She took up nothing upon trust but searched the Scriptures whither those things were so which were delivered unto her in the Ministry of the Gospell Act. 17.11 of an honorable extractions To conclude she began betimes and endured to the end It pleased God to convert her presently after her first marriage about 26 yeares since when as she hath often acknowledged she before was a vaine Creature carried away into the same pride and fashions and neglect of God and of religion as other of her rank were The occasion of her conversion was by a dangerous fall from an horse The occasion of her Conversion for in the dayes of her vanity she delighted much to ride a hunting in her vehement pursuit of which games Jesus Christ met her as once he did Paul and unhorst her so that lying at his feet and having received in her self the sâ—nteâ—â—â— of death both temporal eternal she began to cry out as he did with trembling and astonishment Lord what wilt thou have me to do Act. 9.6 Soon after her conversion while it was but yet twylight with her she unhappily fel in to the hands of some Sectaries who did rather perplex her then pervert her How she fell into the Sectaries but God was graciously pleased to make a speedy rescue of this tender convert by the Counsell and wisdome of a reverend holy Minister of an adjacent Congregation But was seasonably rescued with the care and watchfulnesse of divers other judicious Christians who were jealous over her with an holy jealousy I said unhappily but I must recal that word though no thanks to the seducer Godmade it an happy occasion of much good to her soul for the snare being once broken she escaped like a bird out of it she hated herisies schism with a greater hatred and stood unshaken in the truth of God and fellowship with the Saints to her dying day From that time she girded up her loines rejoyced like a mighty man refresheth with wine to run her race From that time I say God carryed on the work of grace gloriously in her soul Her goodnesse was no morning cloud not early dew that goeth away But as the morning light which shineth more and more unto the perfect day Pro. 4.18 the Heb. is to be translated word for word thus The way of the just is as a light shining and growing and enlightning unto or untill the prepared day The description agreeth singularly with this Saint of God the grace of God in her was a light very conspicuous shining in a Gospel adorning conversation and growing or going still ascending and gathering strength and illuminating Scattering beames of of light and warmth untill the prepared day or perfect day the day that is prepared unto perfection And oh how earely did this shining Christian attaine to her prepared perfection Her Sun did set at none day She was translated into the other Orb of glory when she had finished little more then halfe her course in the firmament of grace and the reason was because shee did much work in a little time she ran a pace and therefore arrived the earlier at her journeys end When she came to dye Her death she had nothing to doe but to dye her work was done she had oyl in her vessel as well as oyl in her lamp her graces were in a readinesse her evidences were clared her interest in Christ was sealed upon her heart by the spirit of promise And She her self stood alwayes as it were at the doore of her Tabernacle waiting for her Lord when he should return from the wedding that when he came and knockt Lu. 12.35 She might open to him immediately And happy it was for her she was so prepared for death gave her but little warning Her death not that it killed her outright at the first stroke but in as much as the nature of her distemper was such as that seazing first upon her spirits it rendred her uncapable of speaking much or having much spoken to her the preventing whereof was the speciall care and charge of her Doctors So that had she had her evidences to seek when she should have had them to use her graces to get when she stood in need of her graces death might have bin indeed a surprise to her of the Saddest consequence imaginable Hence I say from the first of her sicknesse to the last She spake not but very spiritual she spake not much but what she did speake was spirituall and heavenly upon the first seizure of her distemper she called her two daughters to her and renewed Joshuahs charge upon them to serve
the Lord and to feare him A Fever in her Spiâ—its to take heed of sinning against God as they desired God should take care of them From the time she kept her bed she would be often speaking with holy admiration how infinitely good God had bin unto her evere since he had bin pleased to reveal his Son in her Gal 1.16 She did often express St Paul his holy indifference to life or death I am willing to die and yet contented to live if I may doe more service for God Phil. 1.22.22 My selfe standing by her once I said to her you would be glad to be gone from us would ye not she turned her head and with a sweet smile replyed I desire not to leave you but I would be glad to be with Iesus Christ If she were askt how she did she would sometimes answer I am the Lords Prisoner sometimes An admirour of free graces and so I desire to be She was very willing to take whatsoever was advised and would often heavenlize earth-refreshings with spirituall contemplation Oh this is very good and pleasant would she say and if this be so good oh how sweet is my good God how pleasant is Jesus Christ Her expressions were but short but very sweet an heavenly ejaculation or two and then silence for a considerable time Her daughters standing by her beds side she bespake them after this manner Oh children how sweet and precious is Christ but oh how bitter a thing is sin and after a little breathing Be sure to get an interest in Christ and try your faith To the Nurses and servants that came to turn her in her bed for the Fever that had accended her spirits and exhausted her strength so fast in a few dayes that she was not able to turn or help her selfe in the least measure she would say I am very weak but my God is very sâ—rong and there is my comfort he will lift me up Her elder daughter out of a childe-like desire of her life would Sometime say Mother I hope the Lord in much mercy will restore you to us againe To which she retuned what God pleaseth if ho have no more work for me to doe then I am exceeding willing to dye and to be with Christ which is best of all but if God doe recover me the Lorâ— give me more grace that I may walk answerably to his mercies Upon the Sabbath morning it being Sacrament day her eldest daughter came to take her leave of her saying Mother I am going to Church and to the Sacrament That is well said she but I cannot go only be sure to go in the sâ—rength of Christ and doe all your duties in his strength knowing that we have none of our own to doe any thing that is good the Lord goe with you with many other gracious words which dropt like hony from her lips The younger daughter staying at home she askt her according to her constant use childe what do you remember of what you have read and when the childe repeated some portion of it she answered It is well but be sure to practise it And then she would break out again Oh how sweet is Jesus Christ but what an ougly thing is sin When the evening came she called to her elder daughter to go and repeate the Sermons she had heard in the Family as she used to doe On the next day coming to visit her I found her very weake yet I presumed on so much liberty as to hint a word or two to this purpose I hope ye have found no want of a Sabbath the last day though God tye us to means he doth not tye himself to means the presence of Jesus Christ I hope hath abundantly compensated the absence of the Ordinances Yea she replyed I I sate under his shadow with great delight and his fruit was sweet unto my taste She was from thence for some houres under a kinde of delirium but it was very calm and gracious for that night the Curtains being drawn and all attendants enjoyned silence by the Physitians she lay praying the greatest part of the night with as much sweetness and savor as in her health And when the Maids and Nurses came about her she worâ—â— speak most sensibly to them Oh labour to make your calling and election sure get an interest in Christ while you are in health and strength After this the distemper working more in her head occasioned her to speake somewhat erratickly though blessed bee God never uncomely Yea and if any good notion were hinted she would close with it very sweetly and chiding her self would say in a very sensible manner My foolish fancy runs upon abundance of other things that I cannot stay my thoughts upon God as I would And so continued speaking much to her self and her God though not very distinctly yet all very spiritually From the time she kept her Chamber which was from Wednesday till Monday she never spake of any wordly affairs and if her servant had come to ask her any question in order to her temporal affairs she would say to him oh do not trouble me with any of these things on the Sabbath day During the greatest part of her sicknesse For that was one of her happy mistakes she thought all the whole time was Sabbath And truly so it was to her The Law of the Sabbath was was engâ—aven upon her heart what others wickedly pretend indeed to the â—â—â—lishing of the Sabbath not to the spirituallizing of then conversations was real in this holy servant of Christ Every day was a Sabbath with her especially upon her death-bed as she drew nearer and nearer to that rest which remaines for the children of God she was wrought into a more sutable frame of heart to that everlasting Sabbath her motion heaven-ward was natural motions are stronger swifter towards the center after which she aspired and into which she expired And in which she now triumpheth with Him whom her soule loved and with the Spirits of just men made perfect and all the Elect Angels of God to all Eternity Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift FINIS Several Letters from divers Ministers concerning the Life and Death of Mistresse ELIZABETH SCOTT with a Narrative under her own hand of remarkable experiences and the gracious dealings of God towards her Mr. Naltons Letter to Mr. Case Dear Brother AMong many sad signes and symptoms of Gods displeasure towards the land I look on this as not the least viz. Gods removing so many of his precious Saints and servants from among us who while they were in the land of the Living helped to keep off the storm of Gods anger and to turn away his indignation from a God-provoking people Oh that our hearts were more deeply affected with it that we might feelingly say with the Prophet Isaiah chap. 16. vers 11. My bowels shall sound like a harp for England Yea we will sigh with the