the Sepulchre door Two Maries stand I find no women more So that from Cradle to the Passion From Passion to the Resurrection From Resurrection to the Ascention Observe you may a Mary still was one The Army of such Ladies so Divine This Lady said I 'le follow they all Ar-mine Lady Elect In whom there did combine So many Maries might'st say All Ar mine Thou Mother Sister Spouse wast of the Lord In that in Heart and Life thou kept his word With th' other Mary chose the better Part With Mary Magd'len hadst a most tender Heart On Christ a Mary spent all that she could Though others grudg'd more if she had she would To th' Head above couldst not o' th' Feet below Thou didst not spare much cost for to bestow Thy name a precious Ointment and the Armies Of Saints and Angels are the Lady Armines Now God and Christ ar thine and what 's Divine In Heav'ns-enjoyment Blest soul now all ar thine J. Sheffield 2 Cor. 5.1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved we have a building of God an house not made with hands eternal in the heavens Funeral Sermons derive their Original from Primitive times and are of a pious design to affect the Heart by the ear with a sense of Death and Judgement Eccles 7.1 and so raise the soul above the world above sense and flesh which things I shall attempt from the double Text before me viz. This I have read and that which is the occasion of it The Honourable Lady whose interment we attend In this Text we have three general Parts 1. A Supposition If our earthly house of this Tabernacle were dissolved 1. This supposition contains it A description of the present worldly tenement in which the soul dwells which is a poor mean thing in these words our earthly house of this tabernacle What meanness these words import you shall see presently 2. An intimation of the downfall of this Tenement this clay-house will inevitably e're long tumble down into the dust as we see by these words were dissolved Now this supposal would be very grievous if not followed with that which is able to render it much more eligible and pleasing viz. 2. A Proposition We have a building of God an house not made with hands eternal in the heavens Here also we have two things 1. The description of the souls glorious house in the other world and that is very magnificent viz. a building of God a house not made with hands How transcendent this is you shall see by and by when I come to open the termes of it 2. The duration of this dwelling it 's to be eternal in the heavens 3. You have The certainty of these things laid down in these words we know 'T is not a pleasing juggle nor a cunning devised Fable but a thing that we know to be true From these words I shall only give you two Observations or Conclusions though I could easily give you several others 1. It s certain that the souls of men have their various habitations 2. That the souls of true Saints have a more glorious and magnificent habitation in the other world First Conclusion is It s certain that the souls of men have their various habitations One sort of them is in time to wit the dying bodies of men in the Text called earthly houses in the Book of Job called Houses of clay Job 4.19 whose foundations are in the dust These are the Winter Houses where men undergo all the storms and bitter blasts of the present world These stand on the lower ground in the vale among mire and dirt all you that hear me grant this or else you neither know where you are nor what you are Another sort of them is in eternity i. e. either in Heaven or in Hell That the souls of all men when they leave the body make a remove to one of these two places hath been the strong and harmonious belief of the most men that ever lived in the world and is often and plainly affirmed in the indisputable Oracles of God These Habitations of souls which have left their houses of clay are I say either in Heaven or in Hell If in Hell Oh how woful and lamentable they are If in Heaven Oh how happy and blessed beyond all describing and comparison The sole instance of Dives and Lazarus doth competently illustrate these things Luk. 16.25 The certainty of these things appears from the Apostles saying we know that is we know that these things are true we have a full understanding and satisfaction that there is a great reality in what we say This term of knowing often goes for infallibility and certainty in Scripture dialect So that it appears plainly that the souls of men have their various habitations Well then be sure you loose not your better Habitations for your souls in the happy world by over pampering those they dwell in at present As some loose their bodies for their estates so others loose their Heaven for their bodies Rom. 13. clos Mat. 16.26 and like the brutish Cardinal prefer their part in Paris to that in Paradise Again If the soul have variety of habitations then be sure you lay out the greatest pains and cost on that which is the most worthy and will continue longest Eccles 12.5 and that is the house in the other world You are a going presently to remove to your long home where you must abide for a long season a very long-long time Oh then be sure you be best provided for it Alas what will become of them that must dwell with everlasting sorrows that must remove from a bed of down to one of thorns and vipers stings from a sweet air to stinking smells From sumptuous fare to feed on agonies of Conscience and flames of divine wrath from great attendance to be made eternal slaves to ugly devils Oh what mad and infatuated souls that forget those houses from whence they must never remove and yet fondly humour those that must presently be left behind Now it s most certain when men have said what the please to the contrary â—uk 16.19 24 25. 12.18 19. for their lives confute them to their faces that they prize their bodies above their eternity in heaven this silly clay house above that building of God which is without end in glory Second Conclusion is That the souls of true Saints have a more glorious and magnisicent habitation in the other world This I 'le first Illustrate then Apply 1. For Illustration I 'le endeavour to make this truth shine by that rare light which I 'le let in upon you from the words of my Text and here I 'le gloss upon the several termes keeping close to the Apostles Metaphorical manner of speech that the matter may appear as really it is more lofty and high and so be made more winning and taking to your souls that they may more importunately desire
heavens may be got viz. By becoming true Saints We know the Saints great Charter runs for both worlds 1 Cor. 3.21 22 23. All things are yours whether things present or to come The first Chapter and second Verse will tell you that this was spoken to Saints So will the first verse of the second Epistle tell you that the words of my Text are spoken by or of the same happy sort of men 1 Tim. 4.8 Godliness hath the promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come This glorious Habitation is promised and prepared for Saints by Christ himself John 14.2 3. In my Fathers house are many mansions I go to prepare a place for you and I will come again and receive you unto my self that where I am there ye may be also Well may the serious soul say Is it possible to get a title here Then I 'le do as the wise Merchant did viz. Sell all that ever I have to get this glorious Habitation made up of matchless Gems of endless value and worth an House cut forth of one great Diamond all round beset and walled with Gold and more excelling things is but an obscure Metaphor of what it is The way to get a Title here you see is to become Saints and how to be such the Gospel gives you many great Characters As it tells us That such an one has laid aside the corrupt nature and life and is got into Ephe. 4.22 â—â— Rom 8.1 and goes on in that nature and life which is divine If meer innocent mortal nature because mortal most not cannot dwell in Heaven as is affirmed in sacred Writ then not corrupted nature that which is morally stained and defiled 1 Cor. 15.48 49 50 53. Psal 5.4 5. Revel 21.27 The Saint is best known by his progressive durable manner of living not by his notional Principles or pretences unto Christ Acts 12.13 14.22 2.23 24. He is one that hath a full purpose of heart about these better things he does not fluctuate but is fixed upon them tide life or death He hath a right and a full mind for God Others must know us by our lives but we may best of all know our selves by our minds by observing which way our wills and affections go for men may practise holy things for company or some other such perishing principles but they cannot will and affect upon these So that the man is what his mind is But I must not be particular if you would dwell in this glorious building when turned out of door from the house of clay then you must become glorious persons but read at your leisure Psalm 15. Well Psal 5. or 24. get a title to this magnificent house in the other world you see the way of doing it and you must be gone hence presently and when you are gone there is but two great houses that all men go unto to dwell in for ever The one is an horrible habitation of Devils and damned spirits full of all manner of unalterable wo and misery and to this you are born heirs and have a fast title Oh do all that ever you can to cut off this Entail And to get Title to that most pleasing ravishing Habitation that is above unto which you have no right by nature but may obtain a full right by entring upon and continuing in the gracious state and life Do not then perish when the way of safety and happiness is so plainly set before you 3. If it be thus that there is such a glorious habitation for the souls of Saints to dwell in when in the other world Then let this incourage Saints while they continue in this world against all the ailments and miseries that attend the body What makes the matter though stormes beat against the crazy walls of the souls present house or though it be about to fall into the dust for you if true Saints have a magnificent house in the other world will make amends for all It 's certain the Apostle brings in my Text upon such an account as this if you compare it with the foregoing Chapter ver 1 8 9 11 16 17 18. And then my Text comes in as an high encouragement As against tiresome and fretting industry and labours Heaven is a rest Heb. 4 9. Rev. 14.13 and there is a cessation from labour all men that get thither shall have an happy maintenance without any toil or sweat at all Against sicknesses and pains this stinging tormenting gout stone and the like shall not last always there is a dwelling behind where these shall not approach an house such an one was never heard of besides as keeps out all ailments and is ever full of health and happiness no groan no sigh is heard in this place not one tear appearing in the eye there is nothing can dwell in it but must smile for ever and ever Revel 21.4 God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes that get thither there shall be no more sorrow nor crying neither shall there be any more pain c. Against blemishes and decaies of body because Heaven frees the soul from those ailements its subject to in this afflictive world there will be no blindness nor lameness nor defective nor blemished member or part all things there shall be eternally sound and perfect the first entrance into that place doth render all things juvenile fresh and active The Transfiguration of Christ when his face did shine as the Sun and his raiment was white as the light was some type of what Heaven makes all those that come there Against Scoffs and reproaches and ill usage for serving God there will be no Ishmael to flout at the Son of the promise no Doeg to complain to higher Powers of the innocent servants of God no Saul to persecute them from place to place and to hurry them into Prisons and death if we but once get into heaven then we are quite beyond the reach of what evil men and Devils can do And lastly Against Death it self Oh how dreadful would this be if there was not a most happy life that follows it But death is but the dark passage into a most pleasing happiness or it is the taking down the old crazy shed where the soul dwells at present that the unwillingness may be taken away and it may be removed into that most magnificent house in glory God's put to take down the stakes of the present Tabernacle to make us willing and who would not become willing and encourage themselves to leave the afflicted body and go and see what that most glorious habitation is that is above But 4. And lastly If there be such a most excelling Habitation for the soul then desire to be in it This is what Paul breaths after ver 2 4. following my Text We groan earnestly to be in our house in the heavens saith he Was ever weary or sick child unwilling to put off his clothes
and indeavour after an interest in this more magnificent Habitation in the other world That the souls of true Saints have such an habitation there will be illustrated by considering First What their habitation is in this world Secondly What it is in the future for when we have compared them one with the other you may easily see whether is the more magnificent First We 'l consider what their habitation is in the present world and that the Apostle tells you in the first part of my Text is An earthly house a tabernacle which is to be dissolved 1. As to the material It s an earthly house i. e. A poor sorry Cottage patched up of a little slime and mud an house made up of a bag full of bones and dawbed up with a little rotting consuming flesh a moving clod of earth and a little dung finely washed over An earthly house as coming from and going to the earth Dust thou art Gen. 3.19 Eccles 1◠7 and unto dust thou shalt return is more than once affirmed of the body in the holy Text. Oh what a silly thing is this clay-house a disease or a discontent makes the rarest beauty very deformed as you see in the case of Job when he stunck above ground and his own familiars loathed him fit to sit no where but upon a dunghill nor to have any thing touch him but an old nasty potsheard notwithstanding all his foregoing loveliness Such a woful thing is mans poor body Thus the soul of the greatest man that now lives or of the choicest Saint is confined to a poor sorry little clay-hut no higher usually then two yards if so high and not one of them over A shadow a vapour a vanity and a kind of nothing is enough to describe you what the souls earthly house is It hath often been observed that men as to the body are born and dye in the night which shews what a dark and cloudy peice mans body is Job 17.14 19.26 21.26 24.20 The finest pampered bodies are but only mortal dying carcasses well fed for a few crawling slimy worms to domineer over and live upon in the grave This now can but be a poor house for a precious soul This as to the material 2. As to the nature of this house it 's but a Tabernacle i. e. Like unto a pitiful ragged weather-beaten dirty Tent pitched in the earth upon a few stakes for a little time so is mans body Heb. 11.9 10. This is fit for none to dwell in but Soldiers and Pilgrims such as do not resolve for any long continuance in a place Tents or Tabernacles for they re both one in this place are things that are hugged and hurried up and down and fret and wear away every day with using Oh what a sorry thing then is the souls house in a present world Like a poor moveable shed made up of a few sticks and clouts Thus when the work is finished it does but amount to a decaying Tent not a durable marble nor Ivory Palace 3. And last It is an house that will presently be dissolved so in the Text Like such houses as children and they that have nothing else to do make them of snow of Ice in the winter season which a few days or weeks will melt away and no appearance will be left and I may tell you that to dissolve and melt are of the same signification So Job speaking of his body says That his substance did dissolve or melt away And the Original word in the Text 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies nothing less Chap. 30. in differ Transl if not much more Thus now we see what the souls house is in the present world as to the material of which is made that is poor earth clay or dust As to nature when finished with its best ornaments no stately structure but a poor Tent weather-beaten and dirty As to duration not to continue long but to be dissolved to disappear and be brought to a sort of nothing Surely this is but an humble and mean house for the souls of Saints those great and noble persons to dwell in But we 'l see In the 2. place what it is in the other world and then the glory of this will utterly cloud the other The second part of my Text shews you what this is v. A building of God an house not made with hands eternal in the heavens Here I le speak to four things to shew that this habitation and dwelling place for the souls of Saints is much more glorious and magnificent than the other 1 Pet. ◠9. And here 1. Let 's confider the nature of it i. e. It 's a building not a poor shed and hut like the other but a very stately Palace we at present can only see the remote outwork all bespangled with glorious Luminaries far beyond the most orient gems and therefore that description of St. John the Divine in Rev. 21.10 to the end though it seem very great at the first view yet much of it is but a dark shadowy resemblance of what it really is for this building is glory it self of which we can say nothing but sit down admire and wonder the greatest sort of mortal Orator in the world if he came to speak of this would only speak a finer sort of nonsense for Coelum non patitur Hyperbolen the best description of this place lies in 1 Cor. 2.9 Eye hath not seen nor ear heard neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him The eye hath seen great and stupendious rarities of Art and Nature the ear hath heard exhilerating transporting sounds and the heart of man can conceive of and wish for a world universally more rich then gold and gems and more illustrious than the Summers Sun and yet all these are nothing when laid in the Ballance with this Building that is above If the Idolatrous Temple of Diana at Ephesus was so bright that the door-keeper cryed always to them that entered into it Take heed to your eyes Oh what then is Heaven It 's almost difficult to imagine how even an immortal eye should look within that place and live Ovid in his Metamorphosis having called this place Regalem Domum Atria Nobilium takes it as a bold attempt to tell what it is it is so much transcending our skill to describe without blemishing its glory Hic locus est quem si verbis audacia detur Hand timeam magni dixisse Palatia Coeli 2. We 'l consider the Architect of it that is who was the Builder of it for according to him that worketh so usually is the workmanship both in esteem and real worth And here 1. In the Negative it was not man that made it for its expresly said Is an house not made with hands so that it is a work beyond humane If man had made it it might have been matched in
time by some of the wonders of the world as by the foresaid Diana's Temple Mansolus Tomb or some other Prodigies of Industry and Ostentation which have had many years thousands of men all that time and millions of mony laid out to raise them in but this house is not of mans making But 2. In the Affirmative It 's a Building of God A structure raised by him who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in working him that made Sun and Moon and created Angels and glorious spirits Oh what a sublime and glorious place must this needs be Solomon was a wise man and therefore the Temple he made was a wonderful thing but a greater than Solomon is here and therefore the work must needs be much more great and stupendious Oh how splendid then is this Habitation of Souls Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable and past finding out is this building of God which he has prepared as an habitation for the souls of his Saints 3. Let us consider it as to its durableness for that is the next thing in our words to wit that it is eternal A building of God not made with hands eternal The body is far from being eternal as I have shew'd you and Houses in this world Gutta cavat lapidem c. though they be made of flint yet wear away with time but this house in the superiour world is endless-endless And 't is here as not in all other things the longer the better the length is the happiness Eternity in this dwelling of souls is an infinite endless progress and duration of most glorious happiness but we had best let this alone till we come there for it will be difficult to speak pertinently of it till then Oh who would value that which hath an end unless it be as it leads to that which hath no end all things must needs be as dung and dross that are of a perishing nature What a matchless wonder and durable miracle is eternity that swallows up all our Chronology and Arithmetick It was our misery as to the worldly Paradise that there was a way out of it but none in again but it 's our happiness in glory that there is a way in but none out again 4. And Lastly Let 's consider the Country where this glorious dwelling lies and that is in the Heavens A building of God an house not made with hands eternal in the heavens Some Countries have vast trade others most fruitful soil Some have most healthfull and pleasing air and others most famous Arts But what are all these to Heaven but a company of pleasing appearances represented in a dream Oh 't is Heaven that is all alone and all things else are nothing without it Who would not desire an house where all desirables that can be thought oâ— are freely and fully to be enjoyed Why this house only stands in Heaven Here is no man sick no man poor no man reproached no man hath any ailment at all This is the excelling Country indeed Who would not have a dwelling here Well here all true Saints must be Inhabitants Now Is it not fully apparent That the souls of true Saints have a more glorious and magnificent habitation in the other world seeing I have shew'd you what they both are And does not this which is in heaven infinitely out-shine that which is here on earth Thus I have illustrated the truth of the Doctrine by a little glossing upon the words of the Text. My next thing is 2. To Apply this Doctrine and to bring it into life and use in four Exhortations 1. If it be thus that the souls of true Saints have a more glorious and magnificent Habitation in the other world then Let the souls of true Saints be wained to the present habitations in which they dwell in this lower World Who would be fond of an old thatched crazy Cottage of an House made of such perishing materials that wash away with every storm such an one as if it had not dayly new props to shoar it up would presently drop down into the dirt and when all is done that can be done down it will fall presently It 's much like a suit of cloathes that wear gradually away every day and must in a little time be put off and laid aside or else will piece by piece fall off the mans back that wears them to this the Apostle alludes when he tells of putting off this Tabernacle and that shortly 2 Pet. 1.14 And so doth the Psalmist Psal 102.26 when he saith All of them wax old like a garment and as a vesture they shall be changed And Paul tells you of the world in general 1 Cor. 7.31 That the fashion of it passeth away Oh what a cooling character is that of Saint James concerning this clay-house in which the soul dwells at present when he saith What is it and answers his own question saying It s even a vapour that appeareth for a little time and then vanisheth away Mans body is often compared to a flower that flourisheth in the morning Job 14.1 2. Psal 103.14 15.16 1 Pet. 1.24 and is very brave and illustrious but before night is cut down and withered away unto a very obscure or cloudy appearance Who would not now be weaned to the Souls present lower house And the rather because if we be Saints there is one that is glorious and magnificent behind in an higher and more happy Region 2 Cor. 5.8 Who would not be weaned to the thing they must most certainly and suddenly leave and such a thing too as within a very little while will so rot and stink that those who were once most enamoured upon it will be as importunate as once Abraham was to bury their dead out of their sight Ah poor Bodies Who would humour and pamper such pitiful vile carkasses to the wronging of their interest in that more glorious building of God in Heaven Thus be weaned to the souls present Habitation and that in such a manner as the gracious Paul once was when he kept under the body and brought it into subjection lest 1 Cor. 9 2â— notwithstanding his holy Profession and services he himself should be a cast away How brave was that of Seneca How manlike And how divine Major sum ad majora natus quam ut sim mancipium corporis mei 2. If it be thus that there is such a more glorious and magnificent habitation for souls in the other world and that our souls must within a little while be gone out of these poor clay-huts in which they now dwell Then let us do all we can to get a title to that more glorious and magnificent habitation It is such an House as all men that will may purchase and yet every man that will may have a full title to it Now the Doctrine fairly intimates how this House not made with hands eternal in the
and go to lye in his dearest fathers bosom Oh the unwillingess there is in us all to be gone Why pray we Thy Kingdom come and yet have no mind to be hailed out of this dirty house of bondage Why Alas the reason is because not weary of sin not sensible of the vanity of the creature Oh how defective are our faith love and longings after Heaven How wedded to the world even when going out of it Alas if you would not dye and go to Heaven 2 Cor. 5.6 8. Phil. 1.23 3.20 21. Heb. 11.9 10 13 14 16. 13.13 14. 4.9 11. what would you have more than beasts and Epicures If once truly desirous to be gone then the fear of death is gone Say then to your souls Ah poor and precious souls Awake your selves loose your selves from earth and flesh and make on with all your might towards these eternal mansions What places so sweet so excelling where we shall live in all manner of joys without the least heart-qualmeing fear of ever leaving them Oh what sweet words are these A building of God not made with hands eternal in the heavens able to put the serious soul that hath the title and hope of enjoying what they propose into a rapture and transport of desire and to look out at her windows and say Oh why are his chariot wheels so long a coming When shall the day dawn and shadows flee away Why do these clay-walls interpose between me and that glorious habitation that is above Thus I have done with my first Text and have but one word more to say by way of use to unite the first and second together thus If it be so That the souls of true Saints have a more glorious and magnificent habitation in the other world then this shews us the probable happiness of the more noble part of this Honourable Lady whose poor clay-house lies here before us that now must make worms its companions and moulder away to dust for I would not question her interest in Saint-ship and so consequently the triumphing of her soul in endless happiness This building of God not made with hands eternal in the heavens I come now to my second Text which is to give you some account of this elect Lady whose Interment we attend And what I shall say I 'le put under three Heads of Nature Art and Grace 1. Of Nature Here her Priviledges and accomplishments were considerable If we consider Her 1. As to Original she was an happy Branch of one of the most Noble and Illustrious Families in England whether you look at Descent Degree or Actings As to Descent of a long tract of time in the world among the oldest our present Nobility As to Degree high born I can say and say truly she was Atavis edita Regibus really ally'd to Kings and Princes As to Actings to pass over the great and Heroick performances both in matters Civil and Millitary done by her Progenitors in their native soil See Graston Speed Sâ—r Rich. Baker in Henry the 6th Johannes Talbotus Comes Salopiâ—nsis vir clarissimus fortissimusque cujus virtute populi Anglicani nomen maxime Gallis sor midolosum extiterat Polid. Virg. Ang. Hist l. 23. the Talbots Name continues till this day so great in France for long and numerous Conquests and Triumphs in that Kingdom that they use to hush disturbances into quiet and composure by the mention of it I might here give you a true and large History but I must remember that time will but allow me to give you brief notices of what takes up and merits considerable Volumnes To be the Sons or children of Nobles is honourary even in Scripture Dialect which useth to overlook such things especially when found in the way of righteousness as here we have it 2. As to Feature and Activity of Body she was in the first of these more considerable even to her dying day then most of her date in the world which shewed what she was in the Summer of her age being what I have said in the deepest part of winter days I the rather mention this because of that old and in this place true saying Gratior è pulchro veniens è corpore virtus In the latter of these Activity of Body she was much above ordinary being very lively and stirring to her very close of time being able to walk with quickness and durableness without the help of hand or staff Something of this nature is recorded to honour the memory of Moses after his death Deut. 34.7 close 3. As to Natural Parts She was quick vivacious and comprehensive in judging of things even to the last hours of life Though she might be considerably past fourscore years of Age yet could discourse as rationally the day she died on as others in the flourish of age and life which was not a lightning before her death for forerunning days were the same As Rationality raiseth men above Beasts so the higher any are in it the neerer they are to Angels These Excellencies are admirably beyond those imaginary ones of external honours and riches and so some of the old poor Philosophers did wonderfully transcend the Conquerours and Emperours of their times Thus in a few words for her Priviledges and accomplishments as to Nature 2. We 'l consider them as to Art Her Ladyship was the owner of no mean Acquirements 1. In General she was well skill'd in all or the most things that referr'd to her Sex Degree and Place which referred to numerous things and so required such attainments which she had in an high measure arrived at But 2. I 'le speak to some things particularly but with brevity that I may have leave to say the more to the last General Head Her Ladyships Acquirements did appear in these particulars 1. She was not without skill in some languages more than her own native Tongue as I have often made remarks upon her knowledge in Latine and French 2. She was considerably skill'd in Divinity and History In the first not only knowing practical things but also very intelligent in matters notional and polemical In the second she had a good acquaintance with the Jewish Roman and Evangelical Histories in their older days As to both Divinity and History I can truly say That I have observed many of her Sex talk only with more confidence but less skill in either than her self 3. She was one that well understood how to manage her concerns distant and near to the very last of her time without even so much as small miscarriages I believe few that ever lived to such a number of days was ever in these things more exact than her Ladyship 4. And Lastly She was of a very obligeing deportment to the utmost date of life In this she was a Critick few could go beyond her with humble courtesie in carriage and words she would have obliged any thing she conversed with for as she was the owner of activity of