THE NON-PAREIL OR THE VERTVOVS DAVGHTER SVRMOVNTING ALL HER SISTERS Described In a Funerall Sermon upon tbe Death of that vertuous Lady ELIZABETH HOYLE late wife of the Worshipfull Thomas Hoyle Alderman of the City of Yorke By that godly and Reverend Divine Mr Iohn Birchall late Pastor of the Church of St. Martins in Micklegate The righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance but the memoriall of the wicked shall rot YORK Printed by Tho Broâ—â— welling in Stone-gate over against the Staâ—re â—6â—4 To the Honourable Thomas Hoyle Lord Majoâ— of the City of Yorke and one of the Burgesses of the High Court of Parliament for that City increase of Honour and Vertue HONOVRABLE I Hope whiles I revive your vertuous Ladies memory I need not fear to renew your soâ—row which is not so much worn away with Time as born with Christian Fortitude and allayed with discretion Againe you have happily repaired your losses and in the same kind by a second Rebecca so you are comforted after her death who living was Mother in Israel as Israels Father was after the death of his Mother Adde to this that all private Crosses are to be forgotten yea and present Blessings scarce to be injoyed when wee remember our publique calamities So Pbineas his wife was more affected wiih the taking of the Ark then with the death of either Husband or Father neâ—ther would she forget her sorrow though a Man-child was born into the world Such was not the wilful humour but the gracious temper of that good Hittite who would neither eate nor drink nor go down to his house or wife whiles the Ark and Judah abode in the Tents and his Lord Joab and his servants lay in the open fields counting that unlawfull which was onely unseasonable Pardon I pray you this digression which yet is not altogether impertinent to this ensuing Funerall Subject seeing the whole Kingdome is almost turned into one Funerall The righteous perish and none layeth it to heart where though the departure of the Righteous is much to be lamented yet much more the apathy and seâ—slesnesse of the miserable Surviver But to return and resume our former Subject As she waâ— aâ— eâ—cellent Pattern of many divine graces so especially she excelâ—d in this tenderness compassion which with the rest of her holy vertues I need not pourtray and represent unto your view seeing you fully know them by a long and sweet experience have their Idea still before your eyes this also is done to my hand in this just Panegyrick by a better Orator who was your vigilant Pastor my reverend acquaintance in whom those rich endowments which he describes in your worthy Consort did also shine in an eminent manner so that changing onely the Psrson it may serve for his own Funerall Sermon for as in water face answereth to face so their hear is both washed with water and the same holy Spirit were alike spirituall and holy He being dead yet speaketh in his Sermon and she being dead yet liveth in our affections and memory remaines a lively pattern of heavenly conversation Her excelling vertues he sets forth not in excellency of words but with the Apostle in the demonstration of the Spirit and of Power Neither could his meditations composure be very exact and perfect seeing this his pregnant issue was to be delivered the day after the conception and though he had more time for preparation yet he was not like those who prick their words as birds set their feathers or nice women their curles in a quaint curious order for this savours more of affectation then of affection of ostentation then truth sincerity There are many whos Sermons are halfe a yeer in contriving then vented in one hour forgotten in another like painted Pageants erected against the Kings Coronation which after much pains time spent in decoring are taken down when the day of Solemnity is over and these are they who like those Jews John 5. 44. seek honor one of anâ—ther seek not the honour which cometh from God only especially the chief Rulers among them did love the praise of men more then the praise of God Joh. 12. 43. whereas not he that commendeth himself as such plaunble but unprofitable men would do is approved but whom the Lord commendeth 2 Câ—r 10. ult But the sole aime of our Orator is to glorifie God to do your Consort right and us all good by setting forth in plain yet patheticall language her holy life for our happy imitation and though his time of preparation was very short yet his Seâ—mons very full for he being a present man alwayes furnished had his quiver full of divine meditationss which he câ—uld readily open upon every opportunity and it becomes every one of us to expose the tender parts of our hearts to such wounding yet healing arrows which receive this soveraign quality from the Sun of righteousness which hath healing in his wings Now for this particular Sermon certainly it is much eclipsed from that primitive lustre which it had when it was presented viva voce before you for his tongue was â—he pen of a ready writer but not the pen of any writer could match his ready tongue for he was very quick boâ—h in his tongue and in his mind full of holy affections to sanctifie his learning and full of choice leaâ—ning to beautifie his holinesse Thus much I thought good â—o write in his honour who so much honoured you yours But I feaâ—e me I have weaâ—ied you so now remit yâ—u to the refrefreshmâ—â—â— of his comfortable Sermon which I make bold to commend to your Patrâ—nage you and yours to the Almighties protection and â—ny poor endeavâ—rs to your Lordships acceptation So rest Your Lordships true Honourer J. F. The Commendation PROV 31. 29. Many Daughters have done vertuously but thou excellest them all WHen I looked first into this Text thinking to consult as I did with some yea divers Commentators then I did begin to thinke of saving that labour for truly this blessed Saint of God was the best Commentary of this my Text in her life What an happy thing was it that she should heare her Funerall Sermon as it were before her death the last Sermon that ever she heard was on that â—ubject and it was observed concerning her that she came from the place of Gods Worship with such joy as though she had come from Heaven The text was that which we spake of last Munday on the 116. Psalme 13. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his Saints She both in her life and at her death did expresse the truth of that last text which shee heard discourse of on a Funerall occasion and she also in her life and conversation is an exact Commentary on this my text That which I purpose to speak of concerning her shall be nothing but what I conceive in Gods sight to be truth and what
word and deed and this but about some 8. houres before heâ— death And for the Parish they themselves well know that they have lost a Matron and lost a Motber indeed And for the poore this was her constant course every week to lay up something for them to see how the Lord would have it In the morning of that day on which she dyed about the poore neighbour for whom we prayed she was imploy'd in making something ready for him yea sending money to him yea a third time sending and that it might not be done for ostentation shee would sometimes charge the servant that carryed the almes to give the almes so as to conceal the name thus both Parish and Poor all have a losse Now for her two-fold outward state as thus she carried towards all persons so thus also she carried in all estates still she was constant with her God in the time of prosperity so humble so thankful so bountifull and liberall she was In the times of any crosse or losse or adversity oh then the strength of the patience and long-suffering of this godly soule oh what wisdome did she shew what subjection unto Gods will nay what fruitfulnesse also after the affliction was past thus did she go through sufferings She told me not long since that the Lord had answered every prayer that shee had put up as if he should have said to her why child I will both direct thee what to ask and I will also answer thee in what thou askest as the Lord said to Moses concerning the people of Israel Let mee alone so concerning her last deare child I shall never forget her words Ah saith she I could never yet get my heart inlarged in praying for his life because to wit the Lord had a purpose to take him unto himselfe therfore he restrained the spirit of his servant from being so instant with him in praying for his life Thus you have seen some things in relation to God to man to persons to things to states Now for the second thing that we propounded that is concerning her heavenly mindednesse eertainly her conversation was in heaven for all her endeavors did tend thitherwards nay she had a heart set for heaven and she had set her affections on things above long before And for the world oh how often would she speak of that as having her heart taken off from the world and finding that the things of the world did steal away her hearâ— she cuts of the affection by taking away the occasion What saith she you things of this life do you begin to steal away my heart from heaven and heavenly things away with you let not me be troubled with you that therefore which the men of the world do look after so carefully as loving it dearly even their gold and silver shee finding it somewhat to incroach upon her affections her husband must have it shee will not keepe it and in respect of her expressions many and many a time concerning her desires to be absent from the body that she might be present with the Lord oh how Saint-like did she expresse her selfe Now seeing in this manner as you have heard towards God and towards Man in the use of all good means shee was walking stepping on still towards heaven and seeing that she setting heaven and the Lord Jesus before her thus pressed hard forward toward the Mark for the price of her high calling wee may say two things for conclusion First we may say this That though we have lost yet she hath gained to eternity And secondly this also wee may say and so I come unto my Text that though many have done vertuously yet may I not speak of heâ— as Salomon doth therâ— hast not thou excelled them all And so from her unto our text wee passe with what brevity may be THE SERMON PROV 31. 29. Many Daughters have done vertuously but thou excellest them all IN the latter end of this last Chapter there is a commendation of a vertuous and godly woman positively from the tenth verse unto my text and here in my text comparatively The words divide themselves into two parts the former part is this Many Daughters have done vertuously the latter part this But thou excellest them alâ— Seeing then what is said here is for the Praise Commendation and Honor of a vertuous and godly woman we will therefore from the words at this time handle this one truth Doct. That though mâ—ny do â—erâ—uouslâ— yet sone of Gods people do excell in graâ—e and this is their praise and glory We say sometimes of the lives of women as Origen once spake concerning them that if they be good they are very good though therfore wee might bring to the exaâ—ples of men in the Scripture that did excell in grace yet notwithstanding for the confirmation of this truâ—h we will only inâ—â—ance in those of the same Sexe with this godly soul now departed And the firâ—â— shâ—ll be in â—ne of her own name â—lâ—zaâ—etâ— Luâ—e 1 6. there you sâ—all find â—haâ— Zâ—châ—ry and Elizabeâ—h were two rare and excellent persons in grace for there it is said concerning them both that they were riâ—hteous befoâ—e God blamelesse amongâ—â— men there is one excellent woman The second that we shall name is Tâ—biâ—hâ— shee is deâ—cribed in Act. 9. 36 37. shee was a Disciple a Professor of the Gospell and a woman full of good works theâ—e is a second exceâ—lenâ— woman The third that wee shall name for a woman that was excellent in graâ—â— is Mary John 1. 11 20. shee was first at the grave and she was last at the grave shee stayes at the grave weeping and mourning and crying when Peter that rare Apostle was gone here was a woman rare for her affection unto Christ her heart did appeare to bee more tende being a woman then the heart of Peter a person of another Sexe To name yet another Rom. 16. 12. there Paul saluâ—es two godly Matrons that laboured in the Lord but saith he salute our beloved Pâ—â—siâ— that laboured much in the Lord that is more Others they laboured in the Lord and â—his was their commendation but this beloved Peâ—siâ— shee laboured and laboured much in the Lord theâ—efore she is especially commended for it Reas The reasons of this truth are theâ—e The first is taken from the inward working causes and they aâ—e these two Christ his spirituall providence and his peoples speciall diligence First Christs spiritual providence in dispensing the gift for according to his gift so is not the truth of grace only but the measuâ—e of grace also Eph. 4 every one hath grace given him according to the measure of the gift of Christ and as the Apostle speakes unto the Corinthians The spirit of Christ distribute unto every one even as he will This blessed Head though he gives unto all yet notwithstanding he gives unto all differently to some more and to some lesse even as he pleaseth this for the
sadly and heavily why this aâ—â—s he is afraid that all is not well at home but if the Lord come in and shew himself powerfully and sweetly unto his soule then as he should give the glory of it unto God so he should take the comfort of it unto himself Thirdly let them walk wisely yet let them also walk resolutely I have wondred at the wisdome and resolution of Daniel he was a man so resolute for God that though he was a man of great imployments being â—et over 120. Princes who had rule over 127. Provinces and though it is likely that his enemies did vvatch him to see it in any sort he had neglected the Kings buâ—â—nesse yet notwithstanding they could find no fault aâ— all in him that way such was his vvisdome And for his resolution nay saith he rather then I will not pray to the God of Heaven the Lyons shall devour me and before I vvill defile my self with that meat I will venture life all But may some say was not this resolution of Daniel an impeachment of his vvisdome no I vvill shevv you three rare men vvho though they vvere resolute for God yet you shall see also that they were very wise 1. The first was this of Daniel so wise a man vvas he that the Proverb runs of him What as vvise as Daniel He had the matter revealed unto him vvhich vvas not revealed unto any other man in the World yet notwithstanding his discretion and wisdome will not keep him in a moderate frame but he is resolute for his God The second example is that of David of whom the 200. men spake that he was as wise as an Angell of God yet notvvithstanding his vvisdome did not hinder his resolution for God therefore when she had that laid in his bosome even Michol his vvife check't him for his zeal What saith he to her is this to be vile I will be more vile yet The third is Moses he must be as God to Aaron there is his vvisdome yet notvvithstanding make this resolution Heb. 11. 24. great things are offered unto him great honors in Egypt great treasures in Egypt and great pleasures in Egypt threescore temptations and it is likely that they might cry secretly unto Moses and say Stay Moses stay a vvhile Moses be not such a foole Moses vvhat vvilt thou joyn vvith the people of God and so lose all thy honour all thy vvealth and all thy pleasures What novv doth this vvise man Moses farevvell all saith Moset farevvell all I will rather suffâ—r afflâ—ction with the people of God then I will enjoy the pleasures of sinne for a season Oh then what a discretion is that which keepes men in such a moderate and luke-vvarm temper that it vvill not suffer them to bee so resolute for God as for his sake to be vvilling to part even with all the things in the World whereas you see here the persons so resolute for God that they vvill venture life and all for him and yet they vvere very vvise And thus also be resolute so as neither being allured by the dearest friend nor affrighted by the bitterest foe not being allured by the dearest friend thus in the Acts of the Apâ—stles you shall find that vvhen they hâ—aâ—d there vvhat Agaâ—us had prophesied namely hovv Paul should be bound at Jerusalem the friends of Pauâ— and it is likely they were godly friends they come unto him weeping and crying Oh Paul go not unto Jerusâ—lem what wilt thou be bound Paul mark novv hovv Paul answers them Why stand ye weeping thus and breaking my heart bound saith he I am willing not onely to be bound buâ— to dye alsâ— at Jerusâ—â—em for the name of the Lord Jesus A courteous word from a dear friend draws much yet notwithstanding Paul there when his friends sought by weeping to draw him off from being so resolute for Christ Oh saith he in so doing you break my heart yea marke also the speech of that rare Marquesse Galeaceus by name when great proffers â—ere made unto him if he would do so and so Let him be aâ—cursed saith he that thinks all the wealth in the world worthy in any sort to be compared with one dayes fellowship with Jesus Christ Thus though we be allured by the dearest friends yet vve must be resolute for God nay though also we be affrighted and scorned by the bitterest foe as David you heard when his vvife scoffed him for dancing before the Ark where she played the part of a bitter foe What â—aith he am I vile for this and I will â—e more vile yâ—t So Luâ—heâ— great offers were made unto him and great thunderings were sent against hiâ— yet he was â—esolute for God still And saith Nehemiâ—h that great Reformer Shall suâ—h a man as I flâ—e he would resolutely stand for God Thus you see what advice may be given unto those that doe excell in grace they should vvalk humbly walk thankfully cheerfully vvalk vvisely yet also resolutely for God The second branch of the Use concerns those that are in the lower form and they are either such as have bin stronger now are weakeâ— having weakned themselves or els they are such as are weak For the former Let such be deeply humbled that speedily in calling to mind the mercies the merits the time and the corrections vvhich have bin afforded unto them which they have bin tried withall let them look on all these things to humble their souls before God And 2. let such also double their diligence novv And for those that are vveak let them pray that what is promised by the Lord Isaiah 40. two last verses it may be accomplished in them there the Lord speaking of his people saith thus They shall mount up with wings as Eagâ—es they shall walk and not faint yea runne and not be weary thus then do thou run to the Lord and say Ah Lord I am caâ—t behind in thy way others do outstrip me others get before me and thou hast said Lord that I shall vvalk yea run yea fly in running the vvays of thy Commandements make good thy word unto thy poor servant Lord Thus flye to the throne of grace when thou art hindred and cast behind in travelling towards heaven Thus for those that have bin strong have weakned themselvs are vveak still And as thus concerning themselves so also concerning others their fellow Saints and brethren let them thus do comfoâ—t the sorrowfull support the feeble and if any man be disjoynted joynt him again as the Apostle speaks Gal. 6. If any man be overtaken in an infirmitie ye that are spirituall restore suâ—h aâ— one in the spirit of meeknesse And as thus for their indeavour so also for their affection let it be with them as it was with David Psal 16. All my deâ—ights saith he are in the Saints upon earth and such as do excell in vertue So let your speciall love and delight be to the excellent