then have some other help Yes Give her of the fruit of her hands Let every one give her that praise honour and blessing which she deserves by reason of her vertues Minister and People every one owes their contribution here 's a warrant for any for all to praise her So that I care not much if there chance to be here any of that sower and sullen generation that are against all order and decency both to the living and to the dead And now methinks I am much-what in the case of Elihu En venter meus quasi mustum absque spiraculo Job 32.18 19. As Wine which hath no vent For I am full of matter and the spirit within me constraineth me And I will follow his course I will speak that I may breath Wee 'll begin if you please at her beginning her extraction and original She and it were mutually credits to one another She was none of those Ladies of the late edition those false printed pieces for whom the just God hath now provided a Deleatur Psal 109.13 In the generation following let their name be blotted out She was descended saith our Antiquary and Oracle from the Barons of Malpas Camd. Brit. in Cheshire and that 's as high and far as we can with any certainty trace the footsteps of honour which I would not name if her personal worth had not been answerable her graces were the more resplendent for it as a Jewel set in Gold is more rich and orient than when it is unpolish'd and in its native dirt Nec census in illa Nobilitate sua major Ovid. Met. l. 9. sed vita fidesque Inculpata fuit If we look at her personal excellencies they were many and rare I shall speak of them first and then of her relative merits Her out-side presents it self first to view and that was ever decent and suiting her degree not light and vain the too familiar folly of that sex who by their garb might go for Adventures in some such Ship as that of Solomons 1 K. 10.22 that brought Apes and Peacocks She was none of those Ladies the Father chides Bern. Quae fulgent monilibus sordent moribus whose Jewels were rich and Manners rusty Pet. 3.3 Her adorning was after Saint Peters dresse not that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That outward of plating the hair and of wearing of gold or of putting on of apparel but the hidden man of the heart in that which is not corruptible the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit which is in the sight of God of great price Her countenance was grave and sober and serene too Ovid. She was Pollens Matrona in the Poets phrase a Lady of an authoritative aspect a Correctoress of sin in her very looks insomuch that those whom neither Law nor Conscience could oblige to a regular composure elsewhere studied a deportment and durst not trust their demeanour without a watch and guard in her presence Her carriage affable free curteous and yet so exact she left no place to fasten an accusation upon her even by the most critical Animadvertors upon lives and actions Her wit quick and sharp but such an allay of humility withal that it never made any sallies to the prejudice of her judgement and prudence Her discourse pregnant proper significative unaffected The tongue that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as St. James calls it Jam. 3.8 so unruly in others was by her well commanded Like that good woman in the Proverbs Ch. 31.26 She opened her mouth in wisdom and in her tongue was the Law of kindness She opened it in wisdom she did not open it at randome and continually but duely shut it and discreetly opened it Her speech pass'd Davids Watch Psa 141 3. which stood at the door of her lips and shew'd Saint Pauls seasoning Col 4.6 had abundance of salt salt of wit and salt of grace This captiv'd her Auditors whilst they were with her and seldom sent them from her without wonder Nec vox hominem sonat O Dea certe She was another Abigail for her wisdom another Sybil indeed for she did Rem nominis implere so make good her name that for ought I know she may make good her place too among those celebrated Prophetesses whose fame hath fill'd the world Her knowledge so general so divine that she might seem born to justifie the probability of that strange Convention Anno 694. Sr. H. Spelm. Counc p. 190. under Withred King of Kent and Bertuald Arch-bishop of Britain or Canterbury where Women sate in Council and subscribed transactions Ecclesiastical This all this more than this she was in her self Let us now view her in her References 1. To God before whom she walked and with whom she now is in glory Him she loved feared served which is more for her honour comfort and advantage than all those accomplishments of flesh and blood which might gain her a name on earth but never provide her a place in heaven And to this I shall bring in two sufficient witnesses 1. Her private Devotions which were due and constant thinking no day well spent wherein she did not send to Heaven and exchange prayers for mercies with him whom her soul loved And for her furtherance and advantage in this duty she was wont to cut her self out work by keeping Catalogues of her sins that none might escape her confession when she came to prostrate her soul before the all-seeing Eye I have seen but very lately I wish I had seen them sooner you might have had a better account of them some papers under her own hand wherein she had written what sins she desired might be blotted out what mercies were seasonable to beg for her self her Relations the Church the Kingdome And herein she dealt faithfully would not wink at small faults in her self Book'd her very failings and Item'd the least infirmity which doubtless will make the way easie and happy for passing her last accounts Apocal. 20.12 and clearing her in that day when the Books shall be opened And for these prayers of hers many fared better and may do now she is gone her self her family her friends may I not say the whole Kingdome Have we not cause to think that the contributions of her prayers among many others helped not a little to bring His most Excellent Majesty in upon those just and honourable grounds which we look at not without joy and astonishment this day Exod. 17.11 The hands of Moses lifted up on the Mount gave Amalek the rout when the Arms of all Israel in the valley were of no force 2. Her zeal to the House of Prayer which like that of David Psa 69.9 had eaten her up whilst the zeal of others had almost eaten up those houses She had a large share in that promise Isa 56.7 I will make them joyful in my House of Prayer She did not forsake the assembly as
under the shadow of the Almighty Psal 89.22 The Enemy shall not exact upon him nor the Son of wickedness afflict him Psa 91.4 He shall cover him with his feathers and under his wings shall he trust his truth shall be his shield and buckler When the Saints shall take possession of this City it shall be with ovation and triumph Isa 26.1 In that day shall this song be sung we have a strong City Salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks Salvation must needs make strong walls and that City cannot but be inexpugnable where God undertakes the fortification A City there 's Fortitudo that 's a second 3. A City there 's Plenitudo Cities are places of opulency and fulness Locuples copiis civitas Cic. Neighbouring Towns and Villages pour in their store to encrease and furnish them Such this City and in such an allusion does the Holy Ghost speak Rev. 21.24 v. 26. The Kings of the Earth do bring in their glory and honour into it They shall bring the glory and honour of the Nations into it Look how the lesser Towns and Vicinages do bring in their wealth and provision contribute to the plenty and abundance of the Cities so shall the uncessant confluence of all that is rich and glorious advance the flourishing estate of the new Hierusalem The Author of this Epistle tells us Chro. 11.16 God hath prepared for them a City Guess if you can what plenty there is like to be where God himself makes preparation There you shall find what the Apostle calls 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Eph. 3.8 the unsearchable the impervestigable riches of Christ There we shall see with enlightned understandings what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the Saints Annot. in Eph 1.18 Mat. 6 20. or in the holy places as the Italian Diodati gives it us out of his own language There are those Treasures where neither Moth nor Rust doth corrupt nor Thieves break through and steal Luke 12.33 There are those Bags which wax not old whose summs would pose all telling could we cast accounts with the Starrs Psal 50.2 In the perfection of beauty there God shineth Psal 84.1.2 How amiable are those thy Tabernacles O Lord of Hosts My soul longeth yea even fainteh for the Courts of the Lord my heart and my flesh cryeth out for the living God How have all the servants in our fathers house bread enough and to spare Luke 15.17 and we stay here and perish for hunger A City there 's Plenitudo that 's a third 4. A City there 's Unitas It is a Town incorporate an union of several members in one body Such our City here what was said of the old may much rather be said of the new Hierusalem Psal 122.3 It is builded as a City that is at unity in it self There is 1. Unitas oris an accord of voices All tongues are tuned to praise They do all 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in St. Pauls phrase 1 Col. 1.10 speak the same thing And St. John tells us what it is Blessing honour Rev. 5.13 glory and power be unto him that sitteth upon the Throne and unto the Lamb for ever and ever The whole Chorus of Heaven and Earth joyne in this Song 2. Unitas Cordis an onenesse of heart and affection They shall be perfectly joyned together in the same mind 1 Col. 1.10 and like those believers in the Acts of the Apostles of one heart Ch. 4 3◠and of one soul Here our affections straggle and run out divers waies there they shall all come in concenter and take up in God Here we differ in Diameter contest sharply and like Paul and Barnabas dispute our selves asunder there we shall consent and be all composure and harmony and love Ep. 5. ad Marcel and joy and peace For this is a City where Rex est veritas Lex est charitas modus aeternitas in Saint Augustines language A City there 's Unitas that 's a fourth 5. A City there 's Immunitas Cities are infranchised and priviledged places they have many freedoms above other Towns and so in the Apostle's words Hierusalem which is above Gal. 4 26. is free which is the mother of us all The priviledges of a City among many others are these two The Seat The Safetie 1. The Seat It is a prime priviledge to be the Royal Seat the Chamber of Kings the Residence of Majestie It is much for the honour of Hierusalem Psal 122.5 that there are set Thrones of Judgement the Thrones of the house of David And it is the glory of Heaven Heb. 12.22 to be the Seat of the Eternal Majesty The City of the Living God The Residence Royal of the great King The Lord hath chosen Zion Psal 132.13 14. he hath desired it for his habitation This is my rest for ever here will I dwell for I have desired it This Citie shall have a name above every name and overtop the world with this Title Ezek. 48.35 Jehovah Shammah the Lord is there That 's the first priviledge the Seat 2. The Safety The securitie it affords its Denizons and Inhabitants which in this Citie are great and matchlesse for here is freedom From the Impositions of Sin the Oppositions of Satan the Assaults of Time and Violence 1. The Impositions of Sin For this Citie makes every inhabitant Sin-free It will disinslave him from the arbitrary power of commanding corruption and those lawlesse lusts which were wont to impose upon him are for ever kept out there the City gates are shut upon them Rev. 21.27 and there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth 2. The Oppositions of Satan a priviledge that never Citie yet had We of this Kingdom have cause to count this a priviledge indeed for we can remember how busie Satan was in our Cities at the beginning of the late Commotions what storms be raised among giddie and tempestuous people His manner was to transform into an Angel of light get into a Citie set up some Simon or other whom the bewitched people of that City cried up as the great Power of God Acts 8.9 10. And the plot took so effectually that we groan under the sad successe of it to this day But this Citie of the Text is fortified against Satan as Hierusalem sometime was against Senacherib with a Dicit Dominus 2 Kings 19.32 Rev. 12.7 8 9. Thus saith the Lord He shall not come into this Citie The Dragon fought and his Angels and prevailed not neither was their place found any more in Heaven He was cast out and he comes no more there The caelestial Paradise will admit no Serpent 3. The Assaults of Time and Violence Heb. 11.10 and therefore it is called a City having foundations as if other Cities had no foundations at least they are next to none such as Job
scant it is that to waste any of it in Apology or Preface were to discover a greater want than I am begging pardon for I shall cast my self therefore upon your charity and fall next way upon my Text A Text one part whereof I have discoursed to this now happy Lady's ear and the other I come here to dedicate to her Exequies It is written Hebr. 13.14 But we seek one to come CRazy and sickly times are as a great warning Piece discharged from Heaven to startle the secure world whose soules for the most part lie open to a surprizal like that people in the Prophet Jer. 49.31 having neither Gates nor Barrs and dwelling without care When diseases grassat and grow epidemical they come upon more than an ordinary errand and it will not be enough that we take up that common discourse of being minded of our mortality unlesse we consult our immortality too This verse furnisheth us with an Admonition of both Of our Mortality We have here no continuing City Of our Immortality We seek one to come Or if you please the deceased Lady and I will divide the verse betwixt us She is a legible Sermon upon the former part shewing you we have here no continuing City Let me give you an Audible one upon the latter part perswading you to seek one to come There 's a word in our way would not be pass'd by or leap'd over we must do it the right to speak to it But. But we seek one to come It is a particle of Discretion Gramarians tell us and so it is here in the best sense speaks the greatest Discretion in the world when the transiency of our present conditiō makes us drive on immortal designs and the reflecting upon that pitiful minute share we have in this inch of time influenceth so effectually upon us as to put us upon all possible provisions for eternity And that 's the force and purport of the particle that brings in the Text to make us being discharged our houses of flesh and like to turn out e're long provide our selves of a Mansion an abiding place a seat of some certainty where we may fix dwell and take our rest We have here no continuing City but we seek one to come Come we to the words and observing St. Paul's Rule to preach absque eminentia sermonis 1 Cor. 2.1 without flash or flourish I shall spend my discourse upon these three plain parts 1. A Description of a Christian's Inheritance It is a City 2. His Estate in it it is a Reversion only It is to come 3. His Demeanour towards it till it comes to his hands he seeks it We seek one to come For the title first A City Sometimes it is called An House but of admirable work a rare Structure the true Architecture 2 Cor. 5.1 we have an House 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not made with hands eternal in the Heavens Sometimes it goes under the name of a Countrey Via and Patria distinguist the Worlds This life is our way that other our Countrey Cicero Patria est ubicunque est benè and that 's no where on this side Heaven Heb. 11.13 14. They confessed saith our Apostle that they were strangers and pilgrims on the Earth and declared plainly that they seek a Countrcy Sometimes no less than a Kingdome will serve to expresse it Matth. 25.34 Come ye blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdome prepared for you from the foundation of the world Thus Heaven like the Bread of Heaven will fit every palate gratifie the relish of every soul as Saint Origen conceives of the Manna Here 's House and Kingdome and Countrey and City it is any it is all these Seek it and you 'll find it so We seek one to come But we 'll keep to the Metaphor of the Text A City Heaven is the City of the Saints So it is called often and borrows the name of Hierusalem the Metropolis of Judea Thren 1.1 The City that was great among the Nations and Princesse among the Provinces Psa 48.1 2. The City of God the Mountain of holinesse Beautiful for scituation the joy of the whole Earth Rev. 21.10 He shewed me that great City the holy Hierusalem descending out of Heaven from God Hence they have 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ortus civicum Philip. 3.20 as that word which our rendring gives Conversation doth rightly signifie And they are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Cives conscripti Fellow Citizens with the Saints Eph. 2.19 and of the houshold of God Please to see this City a while and I hope it will raise you higher than Hierusalem did the Kings of the Earth of whom it is said They saw it Psal 48 5. and so they marvelled 1. A City there 's multitudo It is a place of great receit and entertainment It is next to incredible the number that were found in Hierusalem without wedging when the seditious within and the Leaguer of Titus from without had so thin'd them in the day of their desolation Such the City in the Text Joh. 14.2 In my Fathers house are many Mansions sayes our Lord as if Heaven was parcell'd and made all out into dwellings for the everlasting reception of the Saints God sayes to St. Paul of Corinth Act 18.10 I have much people in this City but what myriads of millions hath he here Nations are little enough to expresse them Rev. 21.24 The Nations of them that are saved he calls them that best knows their number When the Angel had sealed the thousands of Israel after this saies St. Rev. 7.9 John I beheld and loe a great multitude which no man could number of all Nations and Kindreds and People and Tongues stood before the Throne and before the Lamb cloathed with white Robes and Palmes in their hands Though Gods Flock be little in comparison of that great Hord and those Droves of the damned yet shall they be numerous when he shall send his Angels with a great sound of a Trumpet and they shall gather his Elect together from the four winds from one end of heaven to the other A City there 's multitudo That 's a first 2. A City there 's Fortitudo Cities are places of strength Gen. 4.17 Willet Hexapl. in Gen. Cain thought the first builder of a City did it for his defence in his fear when he thought every bush a man and every man a slayer Thus we read of Cities of Refuge of walled Cities great and fenced up to Heaven Psal 48.12 Walk about Zion and go round about her tell the Towers thereof Much more may it be said of Zion in the Antitype the City in the Text v. 3. God is known in her Palaces for a Refuge Job 3.17 Here the wicked cease from troubling here the weary are at rest Psa 91.1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide
the revelation of Jesus Christ 3. Patience which can have no trial after this life It is a Grace which lives only in ill times Plin. It is the Bird that hatcheth in thunder When it comes to killing with the Sword Rev. 13.10 Rom. 5 ◠here is the patience of the Saints Tribulation worketh patience and when tribulation worketh not patience is idle is not We cannot be patient in the day when we shall be impassible Be patient Brethren Jam. 5.7 unto the coming of the Lord till then longer you need not you cannot be When he comes he calls from work Rev. 22.12 and brings his reward with him When he comes he will cease both sin and suffering wipe away tears and bring in the times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. Acts 3.19 Patience is in season whilst we can be in suffering we shall be past both together It is good company whilst we are in our way in our Countrey there 's neither room nor reason for it Heb. 12.1 2. Let us run with patience the race that is set before us when that 's done we ha' no further use of it with the author and finisher of our faith we shall sit down on the Throne of God Patience is the contemporary of our pilgrimage we part when we enter upon our eternity And they are the three Graces which this reversion of our estate renders active which is the first particular 2. It makes affection ardent Suspense sets an edge on the soul as fasting begets appetite It makes a thirst after the waters of life an hungring after the hidden Manna a very greediness of glory to Tantalize as it were over immortal joyes to have happiness in view and yet be held off from it this wings desire and sets the soul on longing Let David be a while excluded from earthly Zion guess then what the heavenly Zion will do and how earnestly doth he breath how passionately express his longings after it Psal 42.1 2. As the Hart hunted say some or as one worth all the rest Annot. in Ps the invaluable Doctor Hammond feeding in a dry and parched wilderness finding no water going about and making a mournful noise for it as this 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 It makes Affection ardent That 's a second 3. It renders Possession welcome The forty years traverse in the wildernesse sweetens the peace and plenty of Canaan and when we have staid a while in the Tents of Kedar we admire the more the Curtains of Solomon As it is with an Heir apparent to some fair Estate whereof the greatest part hath been in the hands of Longaevous Parents and some other parcels possibly have strayed out into tough and durable Joyntures he huggs and applauds himself that at length the mouth of his expectation is made up and the desired All is come into his hands with such with more than such with infinite more than such delight do poor pilgrim Saints enter upon the Inheritance in light Col. 1.12 and the respited glory of the other world And this is by some Divines conceived one thing wherein the bliss of men may be called more than that of Angels because Angels shall be where they were and their estate not improved except any will say that Christ was this of advantage to the Angels that he did confirm them when he redeemed us in which I determine nothing but men shall have the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness after a wet seeds time Psa 126.5 They that sow in tears comes a fair Harvest Phil. 3.21 shall reap in joy There shall be a change of their vile bodies that they may be fashioned like unto Christs glorious body 1 Cor. 15.53 Their corruptible shall put on incorruption and mortality shall be swallowed up of life And this is that will make heaven more heaven Heb. 11.9 because they sojourned as in a strange Countrey dwelling in Tabernacles with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob the heirs with them of the same Promise This is that will make the Tabernacles of the Lord of Hosts more amiable because the soul hath been kept at a distance and looked after them with longing This City will be more welcome when it comes because it is to come the last Reason of the deteinure of our estates We seek one to come Give me leave now but to shew you a piece of spiritual good husbandry to tell you how you may improve this Estate in Reversion and I shall pass from this particular Thank God for it Value your selves by it Live sutably to it 1. Be thankful for this estate It is a rich one The reserves of heavenly glory are infinitely more than all the enjoyments of the treasures of the earth Psa 31.19 The goodnesse laid up for one Saint is much more than the goodnesse laid out upon all the world Isa 17 14. God might have given you a portion with the men of the age or world in this life 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as the Seventy two render it in this life of theirs and possibly you had better ha' been without it it will be more easie for you in the day of your accounts A confluence of outward things is not always a kindnesse Wo unto you that are rich Luk. 6 2◠for you have received your consolation What a sad Recordare doth Abraham set upon the rich mans Recepisti in the Gospel Son Luk. 16.25 remember that thou in thy life time receivedst thy good things It is the very Emphasis of evil to have received all our good If in this life only we have hope in Christ 1 Cor. 15.19 we are of all men most miserable But God hath provided some better thing for us saith the Apostle sure something extraordinary it is that 's of Gods providing It is the invaluable advantage of a Believer that he hath his portion to receive when all the treasures of the Earth shall be exhausted that he shall enter upon his estate when all the inhabitants of the world shall turn out and be eternally dispossessed that he shall be on the taking hand when they ha' nothing to look for but those damnable debenturs of wrath and vengeance when all 's past and gone with others and they have not one atome of hopes left then 's his all to come We seek one to come Be thankful for this estate that 's the first improvement 2. Value your selves by this estate Account not what you are but what you shall be If you look as a Believer now Psa 68.13 Sionit aupud D. Hammond Ann. in loc you 'll find him it may be lying among the pots inter scobes as some give it from the Syriack among the broken pieces of Brick used to set the Pots on the
salvation and those triumphant Troops that are now wearing the Laurel of immortality how they were all made perfect through sufferings For tell us you noble Army of Martyrs you invincible Confessors who now are cloathed in white Robes Rev. 7.9 Ch. 14.4 and have Palms in your hands and follow the Lamb whither soever he goeth how got you into possession of your City How came you to enter those Gates of Pearl Ch 21 21. and to tread those Streets paved with pure Gold Did you not strive to enter Did you not seek it seek it in good earnest before you found it Are not you they who through faith subdued Kingdomes Heb. 11.33 34. wrought righteousnesse obtained promises stopped the mouths of Lions quenched the violence of fire escaped the edge of the sword out of weakness were made strong waxed valiant in fight turned to flight the Armies of the aliens Here was Par animis periculum Danger great as the souls of them that encountred it Men and Brethren you see what seeking is what mountains of Opposition you must top and overpasse what an Ocean of troubles you must cut through what an Armado of difficulties you must charge all which lye betwixt you and this City Let me therefore bespeak you in that Apostolical Exhortation 1 Cor. 16.13 Watch ye stand fast in the faith quit you like men be strong As for some of those difficulties which have distracted so many and put them to a losse in the late unhappy daies through mercy you need not fear them the false lights are almost out the Batts and Owls that pester'd us in the dark are gone to their holes and dis-appear now the Sun is up Gen. 45.21 I shall therefore Give you some provision for the way as Joseph did his Brethren only direct you to seek in a couple of particulars and I ha' done Orderly Opportunely them two 1. Seek this City Orderly and that both as to means and end 1. Jer. 6.18 As to the means Thus saith the Lord stand ye in the waies and see and ask for the old paths where is the good way and walk therein and ye shall find rest for your souls Take heed of new and untrodden paths how fair and green soever they look It is the same City and the same way leads to it Mortification Self-denial Faith Repentance Obedience the use of Prayer the Word and Sacrament En qua via ducit in urbem Beware of letting down Boats from the Ship Act. 27.30 31. as Saint Pauls Ship-men would ha' done of gathering Churches out of the Church except ye abide in the Ship ye cannot be saved 2. As to the End That 's primum in intentione the first thing in a wise mans thoughts though last in his atchievings Mat 6.33 Our Saviours Quaerite primùm directs us to this method tells us quaerite will not do without primùm First seek the Kingdom of God Let this City be uppermost in your minds and go along with your leading thoughts Be sure the Dew of Heaven go before the Fatness of the Earth Set it at your right hand now and it will give you that place at the last day To seek any thing before it is to be to seek for every thing and sit down with losse It is an inversion of order to seek it any where but first Seek it Orderly that 's first 2. Seek it Opportunely To every thing there is a season Eccle. 3.1 and a time to every purpose under Heaven and then surely to seeking Heaven above all Hic est vitae finis pervenire ad vitam cujus non est finis This life is our season for making sure of another Every thing is beautiful in his time saies the Princely Preacher v. 11. The beauty of a flower is in it's season of fruit in it's season and a soul seeking Heaven in season is the greatest beauty on this side the Sun Opportunity is that price in the hand Prov. 17.16 if there be but a heart to it that 's all and Fool is his name that hath not Opportunity seems to say to us as our Saviour to the Pharisees Yet a little while am I with you Joh. 7.33 34. and then I go to him that sent me Ye shall seek me Isa 55.6 and shall not find me Seek ye the Lord while he may be found There is a time while God may and when he will not be found The everlasting arms will not alwaies be open for reception The healing wings will not always be expanded and stretched out for gathering The Spirit will not alwaies strive with Flesh Patience will not alwayes bear nor Long-suffering wait for ever Mat. 25.11 12. The foolish Virgins sought to enter but 't was too late an intempestive seeking and so went without Nescio vos was their doom Verily I say unto you I know you not Esau with his after-wit Heb. 12.17 would have inherited the blessing but was rejected for he found no place of repentance though he sought it carefully with tears Luk 16.24 26. The rich man in torments would have had but a drop of water and 't would not could not be for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Gulf is fixed Mercy can have no passe all intercourse is cut off and hopelesse 2 Co. 6.2 Now is the accepted time with an Ecce before it that you may take special notice of it behold now is the day of salvation Now is and but now is not is now and ever shall be The Morning cometh and also the night Our dayes wheel away in their vicissitudes and we purpose to enquire and seek but when begin we Si quaeritis quaerite if you will enquire enquire ye return come The City to come will not be come to without seeking But we seek one to come I passe now from the Text to the occasion of our meeting or rather from one Text to another And a large one it is that I am now to speak on no lesse than the Memorials of that Elect Lady the Lady Sybilla Anderson that miracle of her sex and time A Text not for an hour but an age not for a Sermon but a Volumn Her very name is a Sermon to them that knew her And if any in the Congregation was so unhappy as to be a stranger to her I shall give them a guesse at her scarce so much I dare venture at no more A woman that feareth the Lord Prov. 31.30 she shall be praised saies Solomon or rather if I mistake not saies Queen Bathsheba in her instructions to King Lemuel alias Solomon her Son Do you ask who shall praise her God shall praise her in the Judgement Then shall every man and woman have praise of God 1 Cor. 4.5 Prov. 31.31 Let her own works praise her in the Gates But works are not loud enough to praise her to the deaf world Ibidem Diodat in Loc. may she not