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
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.
worldly estate Lectures Contribution towards the maintaining of Lectures in such places where there was some defect in the publique meanes In her own parish in the Country she encouraged a weekly Lecture during the time of her retirement in the Country upon her owne charge Her House was the Rendevouze for the godly Ministery within many miles of her habitation and her Table their Ordinary not only upon Lecture dayes but upon all occasions Thither repaired tempted souls doubting consciences opposed Ministers oppressed Christians she was either their Oracle or their Advocate Divers Exiles of Hungaria Transilvania Polonia Exiles have been nourished and preserved by her bounty Oh how active to bring it soules to Jesus Christ what pains she took to inform the ignorant to reform the places where she lived how studious to promote the power of godliness to gain in opposers to bring out of the snare of the Divel such as were taken captive at his pleasure yet stil within her own line and circle she was very active but no busibody ever serviceable but never excentrick Such a rare skill she had to distinguish between doing good and medling out of her sphere And I am humbly confident as it was her ambition so it is her happiness that she is not gone to Heaven alone Constant conscientious Attendance on publick ordinances Sixthly she was a constant and consciencious attendant on the publick Ordinancâ—s Word Sacrament Prayer c. She forsook not the Assemblies of the Saints as the manner of some is But watched daily at the gâ—tes and waited at the posts of wisdom And that with this addition of commendation Prov. 8.34 in her own place She was not a gadding fancifull Professor who took a pride to be seen in Forreign Assemblies either to gratifie an humour or to get a name she lookt upon it as a duty to own and strengthen the hands of the Ministery under which God had placed her She attended the ordinances in her own place She was afraid she should sin to desert those who for their faithfulness met with opposition enough besides from them that are without She counted it no Popery to say my Minister my Pastor though in the meane time she was not ignorant of her priviledge 1 Cor. 3.22 how that Paul and Apollo and Cephas was hers which priviledge accordingly she made use of in the proper season c. when Congregational vacancy justified her going abroad Hence dayes of publick humiliation weekly Lectures and other occasional Assemblies both publick and private were the constant witnesses of her unwearied devotion yet all this without the least trespass upon her Domestick Affairs as I shall tell you hereafter As thus she was Constâ—nt So likewise was she Consciencious in her publick attendances The time she spent in preparation BEFORE and in reflection and meditation AFTER the solemn Assemblies was incredible especially considering what time she spent with her Family Oh how abundant she was in the work of the Lord how severe in observing her times for duty both Domestique and personal and how provident to prevent or evade distractions Surely she was truly what the Father said of St. Paul Insatiâ—bilis Dei cultrix An insatiable worshipper of God Hence she attained to a high degree and eminency in holiness you see I am faine to twist in the second strein of excellency with the first A Christian she was of a most gracious spirit and a most holy life with how much heavenly mindedness did she winde through a world of unavoidable distractions in the world Surely she did weare her Profession with as few stains and carried as unblemished an holiness with her to Heaven as most Christians whom this generation hath known A woman of a most Spiritual and profitable Society The Law of God was in her heart Psal 37.31 and therefore her mouth spake wisdom and her tongue talked of judgment vers 30. out of the abundance of her heart her mouth spake to edification Matth. 12.34 there is none that ever did converse with her but if they did not goe away better then they came it was their own fault She was alwaies giving or taking With weake Christians she would teach with strong she would learn with all she would be sweet and savory She had Exquisitely got the art of Time-redemption As in the Character here she opened her mouth in wisdome Prov. 31.26 and in her tâ—ngue was the law of kindness Stability in judgement Seventhly Hence also her stability in judgement Unsetled hearing usually begets unsetledness in opinion Erratick hearers though of the better complexion usually are not the most stable Christians they have many times their fâ—ncies and their why bibbles and their crotchets wherewith they doe rather trouble themselves and others then edifie She was none of them through grace she stood like a rock against all blasts of Heresie and Schisme and did not only stand by her principles but as a Daughter of wisdom was in a very good measure able to justifie wisdom and give a reason of the hope which was in her She was a well-bottomed Christian of a sound judgement 1 Cor. 2. ult she had the minde of Christ In the ninth place Ninth she was not a censorious Christian as some Professors are who are alwayes finding fault and many times where they cannnot finde the make offences and seldom have a good word for any but themselves But this worthy Gentlewoman had much of the character of charity in her bearing all things believing all things hoping all things and enduring all things 1 Cor. 13.7 wich were any way capable of a fairer interpretation The truth is she found so much work to doe at home in her own heart that she had little leasure to stir abroad It is a pretty Criticism that the same word in the Greek which signifieth to be idle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or ior arguo signifieth also to censure implying that idle Christians are most censorious She would often say to me that she durst not too critically enquire into or judge others who came to the Sacrament unless she knew them scandalous she had enough to doe to make out her own right to that tremendous Ordinance Ninethly she was of a most sweet and chearfull spirit Chearfulness she did not want her crosses and trials and great ones too yet seldom was there a cloud seen upon her countenance the ground Whereof was the inward serenitie which she possest in her own spirit in the sence of Gods love and her interest in Christ of which she had most precious Scripture evidence which was ballast to her soule in all weathers Surely the joy of the Lord was her strength Nehem. 18.10 Tenthly and lastly She was beyond all parallel good in her Relations Never Mother had a better C ie never children bad a better Mother never Servants had a better Governour never Friends a better Friend
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
breaking of our loines Ezek. 21.6 One choice Jewel among the rest God has of late gathered to his Cabinet namely pious precious Mistresse Scott Concerning whom because you desired my concurrent Testimony as being one so well known to me having been a member of my Congregation for divers years together till she came to be under your charge I have this to say She was a Gentlewoman of a choice spirit of a marvelous sweet temper and disposition of an amiable winning carriage and of a truly pious and Religious conversation She was one that made Religion her businesse her 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not her 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 She made it her constant course vigorously to drive a Trade for heaven and to be pressing towards the mark even the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus She was not like those that Austin speaks of qui utuntur Deo ut fruantur mundo But she made use of the world but as a foot-stool to raise up her soul to the enjoyment of God as her portion for ever She was not weary of Gods service like those hypocrites that said what a wearinesse is it Mal. 1.13 but duty was her delight and sin her greatest burden The world did not make her weary of duty but duty made her weary of the world Her constant frequenting of Ordi ances wherein she was both eminent and exemplary her closest retirements wherein she saw often a glimpse of that glory which she now enjoys in the bosom of Jesus Christ made her long earnestly to be at her fathers house and to breath out her Cupio desolvi Oh that I might be with him whom my soul loveth In brief she made haste to heaven lived much in a little time holding forth the Word of life by a holy and undaunted profession holding fast the Word of Truth by a constant and undaunted Resolution and so finished her course with joy Therefore I conceive that this Text which you sweetly opened at her Funeral was rightly and suitably applied to her Many daughters have done virtuously c. This Testimony I have given not for her sake that is dead but for the sake of those that are living The dead praise not the Lord saith David Psal 115.17 Look as the dead return no praises to the living God so neither do they regard any praises from living men Our commendations cannot help them our discōmendations cannot hurt them as our prayers cannot reach them so neither can our praises profit them But happy surely are they that can tread in the Steps of those blessed Saints that have gone before us whose faith follow saith the Apostle considering the end of their conversation Heb. 13.7 If we do as they did we shall speed as they sped The Lord of his infinite mercy help us to serve our generation faithfully as this eminent godly Gentlewoman did that we may do every days duty with Christian chearfulnesse and bear every days burden with Christian patience and in the midst of all changes straites and stormes hold out with Christian perseverance that in the end of our dayes we may receive the end of our hopes even the salvation of our souls It is and shall be the hearty prayer of Your affectionate loving Friend and Brother in the Lords Work JA. NALTON Mrs. SCOTS own writings which she hath left under her own hand A Little before her death she began to write in a book her experiences of Gods goodness to her and intended to have filled it up but she was taken away before she had done many leaves of it onely she had written before divers things in some papers In the Book she beginneth and proceedeth thus SOme notes to keep speciall things in my remembrance that I may be quickned to answer Gods ends in all his gracious dealings to me to whom all his ways have been mercy and truth and I desire my ways towards him may be constrained obedience from faith and love wrought by his spirit in my heart in all things How God did effectually call me at first to himself I was born a child of wrath and an heir of hell and in my youth was very vile and vain Yet I did duties in a formal way and was very confident God did love me and of my good estate Between sixteen and seventeen I was married and about nineteen year old as I was riding it being hunting time I fell down and put my leg out of joynt which was a great misery to me but in that affliction God did work on me with some convictions and resolutions if I were well again to walk in Gods wayes afterward inquiring his Providence brought Mr. Byfields Book to me the Marrow of Divinity and in reading of it God did convince me of my abundant abominable sins I made a catalogue of them I could remember and was in much trouble for them under the spirit of bondage I think some moneths but I have forgotten how long but God made sinne very bitter to me and broke my heart for my sinne and from my sinne and I know God broke my heart because his love did it many a tear of Love did I shed in the bosom of my God When the spirit of Adoption was come to me then how did I mourn for sinning against the Lord and dishonouring of his dear Name But when I was in the pangs of the Spirit of bondage and new birth I had great troubles of Conscience and grievous pangs and after that dreadfull basphemous thoughts and fain would I have run away from God looked upon his wayes as grievous and had hard thoughts of him but yet the Lord would not let me go but carried me through that I had no power to leave seeking of him and did unhook me and brought me to keep Fasts by my self and to humble my soul before him and shewed me how vile I was in a great measure and made me confesse my sinnes with shame and sorrow Then after this he made me close with Jesus Christ in a promise and gave me full assurance that all my sins were pardoned by the bloud of Jesus Christ fully and I gave up my self in Covenant to him and by his sweet influence and shining of his face and comforts of his spirit and grace he hath made me hate the most sweet and secret sin and my hatred of all sin appears because I desire the death of it and desire to be freed from the enjoyment of the sweetest pleasure of the most secret sin that I may enjoy communion with my God whose love is farre better than life and I desire so to esteem it God hath brought me to Christ and hath made me put on his righteousnesse and hath given me to Christ and given Christ to me and I know it certainly that God did choose me from all eternity because he hath made me to give up my self to Jesus Christ for these ends that Jesus Christ gave himself for me That by believing
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
but Jesus Christ made my faith to fight against it but it was very sad and bitter to me and after I was buffeted God made me see the vilenesse of sinne and sinful thoughts and made me in his strength resolve against all sin and to hate it and to walk colsely with my God and chuse rather to offend all the world then commit the least sinne and to lose all and suffer all miseries rather then commit the least sin For God can make ones own heart and conscience a hell to one and ones bed and all ones comforts bitter as death And I desire to prize mercy and close walkings with God to lie down and rise up with him and to pitty others This precious experience and lesson God taught me by that affliction as by many other and drave sin and vain thoughts from me in some measure making Christ sweet and fulfilling his Word in Rom. 6.14 and Rom. 8.28 My God doth give me sweet experience of the growth of grace in my soul and all from the virtue of Christs blood Before this Sacrament my preparations were not so great as they should have been but my God did drive me from resting on any thing in my self and brought me to him without money and without price and gave me sweet assurance of the truth of the work of grace on my heart I love him because he loved me first and with his loving kindnesse did he draw me This Sabbath when I went to the Sacrament I saw my preparation small and my thoughts not so sweet as they should but my heart desiring the Lord to order my thoughts aright and act my graces in singing part of the 23 Psalm before morning Sermon God sweetly melted me in some measure with some teares of love and after did as it were sweetly take me by the hand set me down at his table and comfortably intimated it was my portion and so I sat under his shadow with great delight and his fruit was sweet unto my taste and God did act my faith to take Christ and pardon sanctification mortification in his bloud and sealed deliverance from temptations by his body broken and bloud shed and all the fruits thereof some effects I had afterward and the Word was sweet and I came home rejoycing and resolving to live and die to and for and with God giving my self for ever to him to live and move all in him and by him to rest upon his word and promise and expect to live by him according to it I desire to have such a day again to receive Christ I was many wayes failing all is free grace God doth all that is good in me for I am a hell by nature but I have found most precious vertue in the blood of Jesus Christ that it hath in some measure meekened my spirit and overcome wicked thoughts in me Next Sacrament I was failing in my preparation and acting of my graces and was troubled I had no more light of Gods countenance and my corrupt nature was apt to rise but God kept it down and afterward taught me these lessons by it 1. That sin was not so bitter to me nor so bitterly bewailed by me as it ought the more bitter sin is the sweeter is Christ 2. That God would have me prize Ordinances to enjoy Christ but not to rest upon them 3. That I should live by faith and not by sence yea though there be no sence 4. That Gods loving countenance is better then life and that God would have me depending and contented with whatsoever he will give O that I could learn and practise these lessons which were precious fruits of the Ordinances This Sacrament I was failing in my meditation examination and excitation and my dead heart much hindred me in the service of the living God but the Lord brought me to his table with some assurance it was my portion and I sat under his shadow and he acted my graces I desire to magnifie free grace and to expect strength from him to do it according to the Covenant sealed in his bloud This Sacrament I had some sweet actings of faith above sence and assurance that God was my father and his power and wisdom would order all things for my good This Sacrament though I did not mourn for my sins that did slay my Saviour nor act sacramentall repentance as I ought yet by faith I received Jesus Christ and came home with some comfort and had some softnesse of heart I had sweet expeâ—ience of my Gods answering my prayer in the very thing I desired This Sacrament though I did not receive so much of Christ as I desired yet I had some sweet effects of his blood in resolving in his strength not to give way to unbelief nor sin and desiring to come again to his Ordinance This day I was at a fast and God came sweetly in and melted my heart and made his promise good that they that wait on him shall renew their strength God sweetly answered my 〈…〉 mercy for one of my children This day I did receive Jesus Christ in the Sacrament and came home rejoycing and assured my sinnes were pardoned and that Christ could as well be pulled out of heaven as I pulled from Christ I renewed my Covenant I gave my self to my God for his service for ever This Sacrament I did receive Jesus Christ and sweet influence from him and I desire to honour him in all things for ever in my soul body estate will affections and all I and all I have are his and to be at his ruling in all things at all times These are fruits of Christs bloud I desire to bear about the world with me the dying of the Lord Jesus and to be crucified to the world by his crosse and to do and suffer for him and endeavour the good of others souls and I found my inward man much strengthened and sin weakned This Sacrament God gave me some resolutions but I had not much comfort This Sacrament I had sweet assurance that my sins should be destroyed I kept a fast day by my self to seek help from God in the great strait I was in for no power but his could help me out and deliver me The Lord did graciously assist me and afterward I kept a fast in private with others about it my heart was out of fraâ—e and very heâ—vy and perplexed but God came in and melted and made the duty very sweet and at night a sweet quiet and believing waiting frame came upon my spirit God answered my prayer sweetly and particularly That text in 1 Cor. 10.13 the Lord made good to me I resolved to keep a fast by my self and humble my soul before the Lord and poure out my complaint before him and seek strength from him God sweetly encouraging me with many Scriptures and melted my heart oft pouring it into his bosome and drew me out of my self into Jesus Christ Again I kept a fast by my self to seek
from vain roving thoughts and to fill my heart daily with heavenly meditations and that I may still breath forth sweet ejaculations God gave me Christ and I desire to believe and wait This Sacrament I received Christ by faith and desire to live on him but my errand was for a broken heart and sence of sinne aright and I had sweet meltings This Sacrament I had some hatred of sinne and God brought me home with resolutions in his strength to honour him and act for him in the places where I were going and improve all I am and have for his use and honour and to be more meek to them without This Sacrament God freely gave me Christ and all his purchase and offices and as I went for more faith and wisdome so I came away believeving I should have them God did assist me This Sacrament God gave me Christ and sent me comfortably home This Sacrament I received Christ according to his promise and desire a Law of thankfulnesse should by the hand of the Spirit and in the bloud of Christ be written in my heart and a law of obedience in my whole life and all my conversation This Sacrament though I was failing every way yet God freely gave me Christ his body broken and his precious bloud the seal of the Covenant of Grace and in the afternoon God told me out of his word he would give me a new heart which was that I went for as one end and I desire to wait and believe These are what as yet are only come to hand which Mrs. Scot had with her at Holbourn where she died probably she may have many more in the Country whence she newly came Out of these may be made many usefull Observations for our own Instruction in our going forth by the footsteps of this member of Christs flock As Though not many wise after the flesh not many mighty not many noble are called 1 Cor. 1.26 yet some are Act. 17.12 Many of them believed also of honuorable women which were Greeks and of men not a few Mar. 15.43 Joseph an honourable Counceller which also waited for the Kingdom of God Though vanity be never so much yet grace can overpower all 1 Cor. 6.11 And such were some of you but ye are washed c. Titus 3.3 And we our selves were sometimes foolish disobedient deceived serving divers lusts and pleasures c. When we are making our pursuit to gratify our carnall senses God can bring us to better enjoyments Rom. 10.20 I was found of them that sought me not I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me The Lord took her at her hunting pleasures to bring her to the comforts of his own spirit Any meanes when sanctified can bring us to the Word and so to God as the hurting of her leg did her and the crowing of the Cock did Peter to remember the word Christ spake and to return to him Mat. 26.74 75. The Lord makes some great in the world great in grace also rich in earthly blessings rich in spiritual likewise that they have all things given them for this life and a better richly to enjoy Job the greatest of all the men of the East Job 1.3 And there was none like him in the earth a perfect and an upright man one that feared God and eschewed evil vers 8. Those workings that come from God carry all to him againe She endeavoured to act all for him that had done so much for her the waters that come out of the sea return thither again Rom. 11.36 Of him and through him and to him are all things to whom be glory for ever Amen She was brought home the usuall way of Gods people by the Spirit of bondage to the Spirit of Adoption Rom. 8.15 Ye have not rcoeived the spirit of bondage again to fear but ye have received the spirit of Adoption whereby we cry Abba Father Gods grace works irresistably she would fain have run away from God he would not let her go but carried her through and suffered her to have no power to leave seeking of him Psal 68 18. Thou hast ascended on high thou hast led captivity captive thou hast received gifts for men yea for the rebellious also that the Lord God may dwell among them Such as are most cast down in conversion are usually most lifted up afterward She had great troubles of conscience then and grievous pangs c. And afterward full assurance all her sins were pardoned by the bloud of Christ and great rejoycings The Father made merry with the Son when he returned Luk. 15.23 24. that was driven to husks and ready to perish vers 16 17. The Jailour that came trembling Acts 16.29 afterwards rejoyced believing in God vers 34. The way to make our Election in God sure is by the work of grace in our selves I know it certainly saith she that God did chuse me from all eternity because he had made me to give up my self to Jesus Christ for those ends that Jesus Christ gave himself for me 1 Thes 1.4 5. knowing brethren beloved your election of God for our Gospel came not unto you in word onely but also in power and in the holy Ghost and in much assurance Rom. 8.29 For whom he did foreknow he also did predestinate to be conformed to the Image of his Son Some believers are very high and eminent in the workings and waies of God 2 Thes 1.3 Your faith groweth exceedingly and the charity of every one of you all towards each other aboundeth 1 Cor. 1.5 In every thing ye are enriched by him in all utterance and in all knowledge vers 7. so that ye come behind in no gift 1 Thes 1.5 Our Gospel came not unto you in word only but also in power and in much assurance 1 Pet. 1.8 Ye rejoyce with joy unspeakable and full of glory Act. 13.52 The disciples were filled with joy and with the holy Ghost Acts 9.31 Walking in the fear of the Lord and the in comfort of the holy Ghost Ps 32.8 I will instruct thee teach thee in the way which thou shalt go I will guid thee with mine eye Isa 43.2 When thou passest through the waters I will be with thee and thorow the rivers they shall not overflow thee when thou walkest through the fire thou shalt not be burnt neither shall the flame kindle upon thee Psal 46.1 God is our refuge and strength a very present help in time of trouble Gen. 22.14 In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen 2 Chron. 17.6 His heart was lift up in the ways of the Lord. Psal 119.32 I will run the way of thy commandments when thou shalt enlarge my heart Psal 119.6 Then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect unto all thy commandments She was a believer of the highest form a star of the first magnitude one that had not onely the graces of the Spirit but the sealings and joyes of the Spirit in abundance
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
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
with the Sectaries and did satisfie Mrs. Roberts I cannot tell whether a passage or two be much worth the mentioning but now I am wtiting I have a mind to adde them First while Mrs. Roberts was as a so journer in Glassenbury summer ended when they could not walk abroad before supper in the evenings when it began to be too dark to see how to work and it was too early to light a candle it was her custome with her Aunt Mrs. Crisp and some other young Gentlewomen in the house Mrs. Crisp her daughters especially to meet together in some one of their chambers and sit talking together about an hour or so till candels were lighted Their talk it may be was sometimes of civil matters and such accidents as had fallen out and come to their hearing but there was also ever for the most part somewhat of Religion in relating what they had read in some good book or other or what they had sometime heard I once upon an occasion about such a time stayed at Glassenbury one whole night and then they called me into their meeting and conference where they requested me to repeat the heads of a Sermon I had preached abroad not long before about setting up Idols in the heart out of Ezekiel the 14. and to pray with them Next when the keeping of the house was put over by his Father to Sir Walter Roberts his Lady who being weak in her intellectuals and unable to manage the businesse of the house Mrs. Roberts then was fain to be governesse of the family and oversee the ways thereof which was pretty great In this time she was in some straight how to perform her morning duty of closet prayer to the Lord she thought that it was meetest that God should be first served and sought unto for his blessing all the day after But it seemeth that the thoughts of houshold businesse did interpose that she performed it not with meet freedom of Spirit wherefore Mr. Whitfield that faithful Minister of the Lord who had some relation to the family by his wife coming there she imparted her doubt to him who gave her his opinion that it was the safest way for her first to go down and settle things in the family for the forenoon businesse and then to retire her self to her solitary devotion which she might attend with all freedome of Spirit from houshold affaires and without fear of interruption Besides if upon her giving the first place to her devotion if matters in the family had at any time done amisse it might have turned to some reproach of her religious profession as making her negligent in that her domesticall employment So sir after much scribling I have done if any thing written will be worth the inserting in your intended Narrative I shall be glad of it that I have lighted on any thing to celebrate the memory of that gracious Gentlewoman whose losse I shall feel with others for want of that encouragement we had from her in piety and her respect of us and so desire to lament it If not it is enough that I have shewed my weak desire to contribute somewhat toward her Funerall Obsequies and so commending you to the safe keeping and love of our good God in Christ I rest Jan. 31. 1658. Yours in the sincerity of Christian respect and good affection JOHN ELMESTONE Mr. Elliston's Letter to Mr. Case Worthily honoured and dearly beloved Friend I Am requested to give in my thoughts and experiences of that pious and precious Saint Mrs. Scot once shining in our eyes but now alas extinct the fragrancy of whose piety was as an oyntment poured forth among us I confesse I have delaied it and had thoughts wholly to have waved it not c. but fearing I might detract from her worth or eclipse it and being also conscious to my self of my unworthiness and unfitness to give testimony especially of so eminent a servant of Christ who alas so oft doubt of mine own interest This femal glory blessed among women whom God had anointed with the oyl of Grace above most of her fellowes was an insatiable worshipper of God in Christ as was said of the Apostle Paul much on the wings of heavenly contemplation and meditation was this divine Eagle She had laid up her treasure there no marvaile then her heart had its tendency thither ah precious bosome wherein was lodged so much of heaven Oh how fearful good soul was she that the lean kine should eat up the fat that Martha's part should play the thief to Mary's Oh how watchful over her heart calling it slippery and deceitfull saying she had but a little while to keep it and the reward would pay for her paines urging her self on that ground to a fidelity and constancy in her watch and ward She carried Mary's Alabaster of precious ointment with her which she was ready to open and pour out plentifully on others suting her savoury discourse according to the conditions of the parties she had converse withall Oh how cautious was she of giving any offence in her attire or any other wayes saying she never put on her best attire but she had thoughts of cloathing her self with the rich robe of Christs righteousnesse and decking her self with the jewels of his graces Oh how exact in all her walkings carefull to make straight steps to her feet looking where she should set her foot before she took it up that she might tread safely she was rich in Grace but poor in Spirit eminent Grace lodged in a low heart Poor worthlesse creature was frequently in her mouth She would condescend to converse familiarly with the poorest member of Christ not having the grace of Christ in respect of persons the ointment of her love fell as well upon the skirts of the garment as on the head she loved Grace for it self looking on it as amiable clad in russet as in velvet in a poor servant as well as in her Mistresse As all her delight was in the Saints so her delight was in all the Saints she had a heart truly mortified to the world shewed in her contemptuous speeches of it and the glory thereof Oh how beautifull were the feet of Godly Ministers to her a rare grace in these dayes How afraid of the corruptions of the times of soul poysoning Doctrines ceasing her self and perswading others to cease from harkening to the instruction that causeth to erre from the words of knowledge She was a great lover of the Word of the Sabboths very carefull as that her self so those under her charge should carefully prepare for them before they came so holily to observe it when it was come A great prizer of all Gods Ordinances and of all opportunities of Grace which she did husband to the great improvement of soul good The observation of humbling days was frequent with her wherein she was very solemn according to the nature of the duty and now she reapes abundantly the fruit of her