the Generations to come First You have heard how uprightness shews it self in prizing communion with God and in a faithful improvement of all opportunities for that purpose 1 In respect of prizing of Communion with God it s a rare thing to behold such constant freshness of Spirit and affectionate esteeming of Communion with God I have frequently seen her weep in her speaking of and lamenting after Communion with Christ but it was a rare thing for her to weep because of any outward loss or cross whatsoever Oh shee having kept the strength of her affections for the Lord Christ whom her Soul loved the Communion with God which she had was manifest in pourings out of her heart in his presence Psal 6 2. and it was likewise manifest in her thirstings after opportunities of meeting with God I have observed such a frequent longing for a Sabbath and longing of Soul for a Sermon for a day of Fasting and Prayer and other opportunities and I have heard her frequently say That a joyful Sabbath did comfort her all the week after and a sad Sabbath made a sad week that the Lord had brought her desires into that one desire Psal 27.4 and thus precious to her Soul was one day in the House of the Lord Psal 84. 10. Secondly In respect of faithful improvement of her opportunities of Communion with God Oh with what weakness and trembling difficulty and danger to health and life did she many times come to the publick Ordinances but she would purposely conceal her sickness often times from her near Relations of the Sabbath day least in tenderness to her they should hinder her from going to the publick Ordinances and I have heard her often say that if she could possibly go to the House of God whatever her bodily weakness was yet she did not suffer any harm but many times felt that it was strength not only to her Soul but health to her body Prov. 4.8 You heard in the Second place How Uprightness shews it self in secret communion with God in secret Prayer and Self-examination First In respect of secret Prayer She had been so acquainted with that Ordinance from a childe that upon conference I had with her upon that occasion I could not perceive that she could charge and accuse her self of any neglect not so much as one time in thirty years Oh her Soul knew right well what it was to Pray in secret to her Heavenly Father Mat. 6. and to be in the secret places of the stairs with the Lord whom her Soul loved Cant. 2.14 2. And concerning Self examination besides other daily exercises and communings with her heart I know for many years it was rare that one Sermon passed but she must at some time or other in that week take an opportunity to confer about it and gather out that portion which did belong to her It was very rare that one day in the week passed but she must set a time to read and meditate and apply the Word to her own Soul and were I able to rehearse the many Spiritual Weighty and Narrow Questions and Discourses I have heard from her it would fill up a large Book Thus did she eat the Word Jer. 15.16 and was thus laborious in working out her Salvation with fear and trembling Phil. 2.12 Thus of her Actings towards God 2. You have heard how Uprightness shews it self in actings towards others First In Words Secondly In Works In respect to her Words You know what a Law of Wisdome and Heavenly mindedness of meekness kindness was in her mouth Prov. 31.26 The Lord having gifted her with a measure of Knowledge above what is usual in that Sex So I know if she had an opportunity with a Godly friend and the time had been spent in Discourse about Worldly occasions and if she had not redeemed some time out of it for Heavenly Conference I have heard her speak of it with grief For the mouth of the Righteous speaketh Wisdome and his tongue talketh of Judgements Psal 37.30 as she had opportunities by reason of her usefulness to the afflicted so how the Lord supplied her with a Word in season Oh you who have been afflicted know these things right well 2. Concerning her Works I need not tell you what a Dorcas you have lost Men Women and Children are ready with weeping to acknowledge what works of mercy she hath done for them Act. 9.39 the short time and my afflicted state will not suffer me to enlarge but if I could I do not affect saying any more but that which my Text and the present providence calls me to speak These are Monuments to minde you of much more But before I conclude I must not omit some very observable things concerning her Death First Shee knew nothing by her selfe that was matter of trouble of Conscience in this day but the Lord had quieted her spirit concerning her Spiritual state She was desirous to live for the good of her Family but content to dye if the Lord would have it be so as she said But the observable thing with me is this I know she was usually in time of health full of spiritual exercise and darksome objections about her spiritual state but in time of sickness still the Clouds were scattered full of fears at other times but the Lord was no terrour to her in the evil day but her hope and so it proved at her Death Secondly She had some taste of unspeakable peace and comfort which in the midst of such pains so disturbing and confounding to the outward and inward senses yet made her say she should be at home in a little time being ready to depart to her Fathers house Joh. 14.2 3. and shee who had the Spirit of Adoption could not but under the pains of death call Abba Father for help Rom. 8. Thirdly When she was under the pangs of Death and Nature could not be at â—est yet I speaking to her whether I should Pray once more with her to which she readily answered yea and during all the time of the Prayer lay as fully composed as at any time that either the Lord at that time rebuked the pangs of death and caused the King of terrors to retreat his force or else the Prince of peace would shew us that his peace when he pleaseth shall rule and that in the Enemies Land in the midst of the terrours of Death and that she had to incounter with a Conquered Enemy Iohn 16. uit The last Vse is by way of comfort to those who mourn because the Upright are taken away from them 1. Consider there is no reason to mourn because of their state for their end is peace and they would not change their place again for ten thousand Worlds Rev. 14. Blessed are they who dye in the Lord they rest from their labours and their works follow them I have heard her say that when the Lord in an Ordinance had come nigh to her Soul it was a grief to her to think of going into worldly occasions Oh how is her Soul â—â—â—â—sfied and abundantly fill in the presence of Christ now Rev. 7.17 2. If you would have comfort against your loss lament after the Lord Christ his Spiritual presence this Upright one makes the Upright such and keeps them such to their end are they so precious Oh how precious is Jesus the savour of whose Ointment is such that the Virgins love him and his love is better then Wine therefore the Vpright love him Cant. 1.3 4. Oh pour out thy heart to Christ and say I lament my loss of an upright Servant of thine Oh thou canst make up my loss by thy presence 3. Preserve the memory of the Upright by imitating of them It 's a pleasing thing to love when it can no longer enjoy the presence of the Beloved yet to preserve the memory of the Beloved and is there any way to preserve the memory of the Upright so as by imitating of them Children are the Off-spring of Parents and are their Images and therefore Parents live in their Children especially if the Childe imitates his Parent thence is the Proverb That a Parent will live so long as that Childe lives you Children who have lost a very Godly Mother you Christian Friends and Neighbours who have lost a Godly Friend I need not exhort you to mourn you have more need at this time of some comfort to prevent excess But would you shew love indeed to her Oh preserve her memory and that must be by imitating of her think and speak of Oh weep and pray over these observable things in her Life and Death that you prize Communion with God as she did that you may love Prayer and Self-examination as she did and abound in good works Thus shall her memory be blessed to you Prov. 10.7 and you shall be Blessed at your latter ends FINIS
spirit in a Believer which breathes and reacheth after and is restless for perfection and which is called A heart perfect towards God 2 Chron 1â— 11 and you know the usual distinction which Divines make use of a perfection of parts though not of degrees Every part and power of Soul and Body being Sanctisfied 1 Thess 5.23 and fitted in some degree and measure to every good work 2 Tim. 2.21 Oh mark how the Godly will be doing and trading in every good work to which God calls him according to the Relation towards God or Man in works of Holiness and Righteousness Love and Mercy shewing himself to be a childe of his Heavenly Father and will be imitating his Divine and absolutely perfect Example Mat. 5 ult be you perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect and he is a perfect Childe of God though not grown up to be a perfect man in Christ 2 It 's likewise to be observed that sincerity and uprightness in Gospel sense is called perfection and the God of Grace calls his upright ones perfect ones accept their upright service as pecfect service you know Davids charge to his Son the charge of a Godly and dying Parent to his surviving and succeeding childe My Son serve God with a perfect heart 2 Chron. 28.9 and Hezechiah served God with a perfect heart 2 King 20 3. and in this sense the next words may be expositive to the former mark the perfect Question is Who is perfect the Answer Behold the upright as Hezechiah under a sentence of death turned his face towards the wall and prayed to the Lord and said Remember how O Lord I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart have done that which is good in thy sight and wept sore Isai 38.2 3. How I have walked in Truth that is in uprightness and sincerity doing that which is good in thy sight not wandering after the sight of mâ—â—e eyes not pleasing carnal and sinful affections and therefore that I have walked with a perfect heart that which the God of Grace will accept perfect and calls it perfect and therefore the question yâ—â— remains uâ—answered Quest What are the remarkable things resâ—â—…cting the life of the upright I Answer First In respect of actings towards God Secondly Actings towards man First The observable things in the life of the upright in his actings nextly towards God The first Character is a holding forth the highest esteem of Communion with God in his Ordinances and therefore a faithful improvement of all good opportunities for that purpose For that purpose Oh mark how the upright soul prizeth Communion with God his prizing Communion with God is like the price the thirsty sets upon drink an only good none such at that time the voice of the upright especially in time of privation is exprest experimentally by David Psal 42.1 2 As the Hart panteth after the Water-brooks so panteth my soul after thee O God My soul thirsteth for God for the living God when shall I come and appear before God ver 3. My tears have been my meat day and night while they continually say unto me where is thy God ver 4. when I remember these things I pour out my soul in me Oh! what pantings thirstings weepings and soul-pourings out for the enjoyment of Communion with the Living God which do most feelingly argue the highest esteem of Communion with God in the hearts of his upright attendants Hence these longings for a Sabbath for a Fast day for a Sermon while others long for an end of the Sabbath that they may be again into their worldly occasions and vanities and hence follows that â—aithful improvement of all good oportunities for the sake of Communion with God I say all seasons both set and solemn seasons and occasional seasons taking the oportunity when given and redeeming time as it 's called Eplus 5. and when it cannot be gained without it costs him something yet an upright Soul will and must have seasons for Communion with God what ever they cost him though he makes the World pay for it and sleep pay for it and hazards his health for it and all yet Mark the upright how faithful he is in taking and improving seasons of Communion with God while the Hypocrite the Deceiver is willing to take an excuse and make an excuse and occasion that he may not come into the presence of God but his deceit is manifest The Second Remarkable thing in respect of the life of the Upright in his Communion with God appears in his secret Communion with God in secret Prayer and self examination these are contained in former generals as they are means of Communion with God but yet because these have very spiritual specialties in them we mâ—â—â— especially mark and behold them and how the Upright behaves himself in them First In secret Communion with God in secret Prayer an upright Soul cannot content himself with publick Prayer and humily but he must come in secret into the presence of his Heavenly Father and Pray in secret that he may see him in secret and reward him openly Mat. 6. and if there were no positive command to require this and that Conscience upon this account could not 〈◊〉 him for a neglect of a Command of God yet if the Lord will only grant him liberty to appear in where before him he could not but come und could no more refrain then you can refrain from going to and porning out your heart in secret to an intimate friend in whom you love is your own Soul 〈◊〉 62.8 Pour out your â—entâ— fore him can a Lover refrain from secret meetings with his Beloved the Upright who love the Lord must have their secret meetings with Christ wherein they may pour out that which they cannot before and with others for they haâ—e to dâ— wiâ—h him whom their Souts love Cant. 1.7 Second place in self examinatioâ— the Application of the Dectrine is the life of the Sermon and Self exâ—mâ—â—ation is the life 〈◊〉 Application of the Sermon the upright cannot content themselves without frequent and solemn practice of this duty no more then you can content your self when you are a hungry to have food let you only to look upon or speak of it and not take it into your mouth to chew it therefore mark and behold how he eats Sermons and they are the joy of his heart Jer. 15.16 and how doth he eat them but by examining his estate and actions his Spirit and Life by them and not in a slighty and overly manner but by most serious Communings with the Lord and his own heart upon his Bed Psal 4.4 or in some other secret place and not only once in a long time but this is his work every Lords day yea every day in the Week in some measure he is upright in this matter thus working out his Salvation with fear and trembling Phil. 2.12.13 We can but hint at some observabâ—e things Thus
of the actings of the upright towards God in the second follows his actings towards man First in Words Secondly in Works 1. In Words whose endeavour is so to speak that he may not offend with his Tongue and therefore keeps a Watch before the door of his lips Psal 141.3 But that which the upright strives after in so he measure attain is better then this to administer Grace to the heareâ—â— that his words may be seasoned Ephâ—s 4.29 Col. 46. and may become to others a tree of life bearing precious fruit Prov. 15.4 and the words of the upright proceeding from the uprightness of their hearts are very observable things 2. In Works Mark and behold the upright how in his works he lives without offence Phil. 2.15 blamel of and harmless and not only so but shining as a Light in the World as in works of Holiness God ward so in works of Justice Love and mercy towards others full of mercy and good fruit without Hypocrisie Jam. 3.17 He that sâ—es not observable thing in the works of the Upright is strangely blinced Hitherto of the life of the Upright nextly follows the remarkable things respecting their Death The Text sayes For the end of that man iâ—pâ—ace is the end of the Upright peace how doth this appear do not some who have been upright suffer much trouble of minde in their death and do express none or very little of peace at their latter end I Anâ—wer First leâ—s usual with the Lord to shine in upon their Souls of his upright oneâ— before or at their Death that before their departure out of the World it 's manifest to them to discerning Spectators that while they are yeas in their Enemies Land they are more then Conquerors and that 〈◊〉 death it self Rom. 8.37 Hence the peace that passeth understanding and the unspeakable joy which some upright ones feel in their dying hour which makes them very willing to depart Simeon like they can depart in such peace Luk. 2.29 Secondly When it 's the pleasure of the Lord to withhold such a measure of this peace yet it 's usual that he affords them so much of this peace as shall rule in their hearts and meekly dispose their spirits to divine providence and behold in this is often seen a marvellous thing that if an upright person hath not much of the sense of the sweetness of that unspeakable peace in his dying hour and though he is now aware of the misery of falling short for none can be so sensible of that as those who know experimentally the preciousness of Christ and heavenly things and though also many times the very thought what if deceived what if fall short at last that thought would make the flesh tremble the heart feeling the intollerable weight of a supposed separation from Christ and yet for such without any clear evidence of the love of God to have peace ruling in the heart as in Col. 3.15 and to say I am content now to be at the Lords dispose I commit the cause of my soul to him this is very observable Eli sentenced to death both he and his two Sons and many other things which shall make the cars of every one who heareth it to tingle 1 Sam. 3.11 17 18. and yet Eli enabled to say It 's the Lord let him do what seemeth him good there is a peace which is the inseparable companion of meekness a meek and a quiet spirit is of great price 1 Pet 3.4 Christs Soulness a meek and a quiet spirit is of great price 1 Pet 3.4 Christs Soul-trouble was extream in his dying hour but yet he had the peace and quietness of a meek spirit which did rule in his heart and compose his spirit to submission to his Fathers Will and to commit his Spirit into his Fatherly hand Luk. 23.46 and what if it should be the pleasure of the Lord that some of his Children shall have a fellowship with Christ in his suffering Soul-trouble in their dying hour yet if the Lamb of God doth by his Lamb-like spirit compose the heart to a childe-like committing of the Soul into his fatherly hands here is peace the peace and quietness of a meek spirit but it 's a marve lous thing to have peace ruling in the heart in the midst of many-troublesome thoughts in the minde Thirdly to conclude this if the marks of uprightness appear in their life there is no reason for us to doubt but that the Lord will make the end of such to be peace whatever troubles they suffer before their â—nd if I behold a Christian walking in integrity making it his integrity making it his dally exercise to keep a Conscience void of offence â—owards God and towards man whatever trouble he may suffer in time of sickness and nigh his latter end yet the Lord sayes Mark this upright one and have I seen the mark of uprightness stamped upon his life and walk surely the Lord who sayes His end shall be peace doth say to me that I ought to believe it and ought as certainly to believe it as it I see â—ensibly the Angels taking the Soul and Heavens opening to receive it and heard a now Song tuned in Heaven for the triumph of this Soul over death He that walks in integrity what ever his labour may be in his journey and when nigh to his journies end yet as soon as his labour ends his â—est is eternal rest his peace the peace which passeth understanding begins He shall enter into pâ—aâ—e they shall rest in their bâ—â—â— each one walking in â—is uprightness Isaâ— 572. The Second Particular â—ollows what ouâ— duty is in observing these observable things The Lord calls us to mark and behold Quest What is the marking and beholding Ans It 's an affectionate Attention of the minde It 's as when the eye affects the heart and the heart being affected keeps the eye looking upon the Object you have the like expression in another place used by â—obs friends to lob Job 33 31. Mark wel Oh Ioh anâ— hearken to me hold tâ—y peaâ—e and I vvill speak Oh mark well the lite and latter end of the upright Oh hearken to what the Lord sayes concerning their life and death the same Expression the Lord improves to the Prophet when he would prepare him for the Visions of the Ordinances of his House Ezâ—k 44.5 The Lord said Son of Man mark well and behold with thine Eyes â—â—hâ—ar with thine Ears all that I say to thee concerning the Ordinances of mine House and mark well the entring into it But in my Text the Lord saith Mark the perfect and behold the upright it 's as if the Lord had said us I would have you mark well and behold mine Ordinances so I do requiâ—e you to mark well and behold the life and latter end of those who have loved my Habitation and seen my beauty in my Houâ—e have walked with me in the faithful improvement of all my holy