I she replied better than she I am a poor worthless worm She said of her Silk-Gown it was but the work of a worm to cloath a worm c. As she lived privately she desired to be buried privately When Servants proved bad she would reflect upon her self and say I have not my self been to God so good a Servant as I should and ought to have been c. When others sin I am willing to reflect on my self and look back into mine own heart and there to see the same sin And speaking of Mercies and Blesings she would often say if my sins do not hinder I was willing to do good to the poor and such as stood in need I often thought I might spare this and that and the other that so I might distribute to such c. Indeed her expressions carriages behaviours and converses were still such as savoured of humility and abundantly evidenced the same and that she was not only humble but clothed with humility as the Apostle Peter exhorts 1 Pet. 5.5 she was humility all over it was her wear her garment and her great ornament too Oh! what low thoughts had she of her self and what vilifying and abasing expressions would she have of her self when she shone brightest in the eyes and aspect of others She was dark and obscure as to her self truly poor in spirit preferring others before her self but the more despicable she was in her own eyes the more precious no doubt she was in Gods eyes there being no grace which more recommends us to God than humility as there is no vice more abominable than pride God had richly adorn'd her with the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit which is in the sight of God of so great price 1 Pet 3.4 9. As concerning her firm trust and affâ—ance in God in her affliction SHE having a very sick night when she was in greatest extremity she said Though he kill me yet will I trust in him and this she often said And the Lord hath helped me and will help me my God hath and will strengthen me Though I walk through the shadow of death I will fear no evil c. There is a dark Entry to go through Death but God shall carry me through it And God will send his Angels to conveigh my soul to Heaven And I know my Redeemer liveth and that I shall live with him there where he now intercedes at Gods right hand for poor creatures for me also c. The Lord has does and will comfort me he is an Almighty Alsufficient and Unchangeable God he once said so to me when I was ready to despair c. He is my rock my fortress my high tower c. I am like a Ship sometimes under the waves but it appears again I would cast all my cares and burdens upon the Lord and I would that all that fear him would do so and if not they will bear the shame and reproach thereof My time seems to tarry and when in extremity I am ready to say how â—ong but the time appointed for deliverance and times of refreshing will come c. Waiting on God truly it is that which I earnestly desire to be always doâ—ng and that with delight Oh! that we could look up to him and wait on him and make him our heaven and happiness who is the heaven and happiness of his people The Lord delighteth in those that fear him in those that hope in his mercy Psal 147.11 10. As concerning her whole reliance on Jesus Christ alone for Life and Salvation I Rest and rely wholly and only on Jesus Christ my dear sweet Saviour Advocate and Mediator I see nothing in my self to trust in but I bless God I have good hope through Jesus Christ I have indeavoured in times of health to build on that Rock that when storms came I might be born up My Redeemer hath perfected my peace in Heaven and is now in Heaven making intercession for me I am a poor worm I have nothing but in Christ I have all justification by his merit sanctification by his spirit and he hath purchased for me eternal Life and Salvation Asking her if she did not find much comfort within she answered I do blessed be God in and through Jesus Christ who gave himself a ransom for me About him I will clasp and will not let go Having once been speaking to me of Gods gracious dealings with her and what God had wrought in her and what comfortable evidences she had for Heaven after all I said to her My Dear dost rest in these Rest No no I rest only on Jesus Christ and if I perish I 'le perish in his arms I 'le lye at his feet at his feet But I speak of these as some poor weak evidences but though weak yet true I dare not belye my own soul I could not speak of these to others but only to thee my Dear my Heart my Self and I speak of them not as boasting but I desire thy approbation and I hope God will not cast me off but gather me to himself and come life come death it shall be well with me Being asked what she would have She answered Jesus Christ and him alone And indeed affliction sanctified makes to see emptiness in every thing but in Jesus Christ in the enjoyment of whom is full satisfaction and who is a Christians all and in all and in whom alone he is compleat Col. 3.11 2.10 11. As concerning her earnest desires of the good of the souls of her Children I Would willingly live to bring up my Children and if I could but see Christ form'd in them then I could say Lord now lettest thou thy poor servant depart in peace I travel in birth again as it were of my Children till Christ be formed in them I exceedingly desire the good of their souls and I am almost impatient of delay as I go up and down I say Lord when shall it once be and how shall I see the destruction of their souls and bodies both When shall I have real cause of joy She formerly weeping over one of her little ones was asked why she wept she answered because I would fain live to bring it up in the fear of the Lord c. One of her Daughters formerly being very sick and weak oh how sollicitous was she of her eternal welfare how earnestly did she breathe out her desires for her that the good Lord would have pity and compassion on her and that he would please to fit her for himself and that if he took her out of this miserable sinful world he would take her to himself in whose presence is fulness of joy c. and oh that when ever he takes her out of my poor bosom he would take her into his own The good Lord help me to discharge my duty to all my relations She thus once declar'd her self to one of her daughters I would have you labour to be very good be
do that thou maist hold out the longer The loss and hindrance I have been to my family she meant by reason of her long sickness the Lord will make it up to thee and thy Children do but trust in him c. The Lord will direct thee what to do do not trouble thy self beforehand he will make thy way plain before thee She spake to those about her as followeth Make Religion your business walk with God get a Covenant-interest in Christ do not neglect secret prayer I have found much comfort in it prize the Word by which you may be saved hear it as often as possibly you can and hear it and do it Live comfortably and contentedly together It is good to store up Cordials and make provision against times of affliction To give all diligence to make our calling and election sure and we had need in times of health to provide for sickness and death and all little enough It is one thing to talk of death and another thing to be willing to dye c. I would have you all bless God when I am gone that I shall sin no more sorrow no more c. She said to one of her Grandchildren about four years old poor Child the Lord give thee a Covenant-interest in himself If I live I purpose to do my endeavour to teach thee to know God and love God and Jesus Christ but if I dye Sirs do you take care and let him not play on Sabbath-days let all his play-things behind c. To her Daughters Maid she said be instructing these poor Children learn them good things c. the Lord has a blessing in store for my Children and the little ones One of her Daughters being out of the Town and supposing she should see her no more Tell her says she I hope God will carry on the work he has begun and give her grace to fear him c. I would have her labour to get that good work finished and to eye God in all his dealings and to do his will to ask counsel of God for body and soul for temporal and spiritual affairs and let her trust in God Take heed c. God expects we should follow some employment here and not to fall upon business causes to grow melancholly and discontented there are many snares in living out of a calling An idle life is pleasing to the flesh to take no care nor pains but it will be sad afterward c. my dear Husband my dear Children but I can't speak now c. She prayed earnestly for her Husband Children little ones and for Gods Ministers c. I pray all the blessings of Heaven may be upon thee upon soul and body and that he would make up the want of all Relations by himself The Lord bless thee the Lord bless thee out of Sion and recompence all thy love to me a thousand-fold with his tender compassions The Lord prosper thee in the work of thy Ministry that thou maist win many souls to him The Lord make my Children truly gracious and comforts to thee The Lord give them grace and the shinings of his face and that will be better than the life of a Mother The Lord carry my Daughter Shayter who was then near her time through her great work and bless thee my Son and make my Daughter a blessing to thee and the Lord bless the little one and make it an Heir of Heaven one of Christs Lambs I leave my blessing and prayers for the little ones and you all One of her Grandchildren coming to her she said to him Farwell my Lamb my dear Lamb farwell farwell the Lord make thee a comfort to thy Mother And one of her Daughters being near her she prayed the Lord bless thee out of Sion and give thee an everlasting Covenant-interest in himself c. She prayed for Gods Ministers That he would spare their lives incourage them and bless their labours c. More particularly for Dr. Jacomb That God would bless him and his ministry and recompence all the good he had done her she much desired to see him once again who coming to her and praying with her his praiers and presence were very refreshing to her Towards her end she grew somewhat light-headed but still had excellent expressions and spake sensibly of God and the things of God she often cryed O my God O my God pity me O my God help me for thy mercies and compassious sake Remember me O my God how long yet O my God have mercy on me c. The day of my redemption draws nigh and I am now near home my God help me help faith c. The fear of death is taken away blessed be God and the Lord does comfort me and I am comforted within and am glad I am going home c. She spake a great deal more but we could not now well understand what she said Now the doors began to be shut in the streets as Solomon speaks how good is it to open them to purpose whiles we may and the daughters of musick to be brought low and those that look out of the windows to be darkned because she was near to her long home but blessed be God not an everlasting home December 13. she was under great pains and groan'd much and spake little neither could what she spake be understood but she often fixed her eyes stedfastly towards Heaven for some time together Afterward going to prayer by her and begging of God if he saw it good to release her c. she lift up her eyes and one of her hands toward Heaven and the other hand being in one of her Daughters hands she pluck'd it out and lift up that also both eyes and hands with great earnestness and intenseness unto Heaven where her soul was now near entring I was with her that night till about twelve or one of the Clock and not knowing how to bear it to stay with her any longer I then went with a sad heart away from her not expecting to see her here any more alive but blessed be God I enjoyed her so long so truly pious prudent loving tender careful saithful and dearly affectionate Wife but though I departed from her I left her with him whose Angels were now waiting ready to transport her soul into the bosom of her blessed Redeemer But one of her Daughters remained still with her to the last which was not long after I was gone away her Daughter could not get her spirit willing at first to promise to bless God if he would take her to himself But when God had once brought her to be willing she soon after about two a Clock in the morning December 14 1678 expired and went triumphingly to Heaven an entrance being ministred to her abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of her dear Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ And thus she is now entred into peace and is taken away and secured from the evil to come she is passed from
sure you do not neglect to read and pray by your self morning and evening and labour to mind what you are come into the world for Endeavour to get the Lord for thy God make him the chief of thy joy and delight When thou art to pray or read or hear the Word look upon those services as thy priviledg not as thy task as thy duty and yet as thy dignity that thou maist go to the great God of Heaven and Earth as to a gracious and loving Father in Christ When thou findest thy heart backward to any good duty go to God and beg of him to help thee and quicken thee c. Be cheerful and mind thy duty to God the good Lord bless thee and do thy poor soul good so shall it be well with thee for ever Good Child don't neglect to read and pray c. The Lord bless you and keep you bless your soul with spiritual blessings that you may be still doing something to further your souls good Another of her Daughters she thus bespake Redeem all the time that possible you can to secret prayer and often read the Scriptures which will make you wise to salvation and will afford you pleasure at the last when all things here will fail I shall pray for thee and thy dear Sisters that you may all grow in all the graces of the spirit and may be wrought and made meet for the heavenly glory c. 12. As concerning her care to prepare for the Sabbath and her great love to Gods Ministers Word Preached and Ordinances c. IN preparing for the Sabbath I have then been up when others in the Family where I have been have been in bed Of late by reason of my illness and weakness I have lain sometimes longer on Sabbath-day mornings than ordinary but it hath troubled me and the Reason was because sleeping little in the night I found when I rose earlier I was ready afterwards to be sleepy and more unfit for Gods service But if when I had more time and health and strength I had not been more abundant in the service of God and more earnest after Heaven and the things of Heaven than I can be now my spirit would even sink within me Gods Ministers I love dearly yea so dear are they to me that it does me good to see their faces and I could even fall down and kiss their feet and compel them to come into my house and methinks my house is the better when they have been in it Oh I dearly love them Being when I was in the Country invited on a Lecture-day by an honourable person to Dinner the best feast which I had that day was at the hearing of the Word for I had it made appear to me there that I had made entrance into Heaven and I was so comforted that I could have found in my heart to have fallen down at the Ministers feet and have thanked him It did me good at Dinner to hear him speak c. I have never been better satisfied nor pleas'd than when I have been hearing the Word Preached and meditating on it and conferring with the people of God and praying in secret and hearing counsel and direction for my soul and it has been my prayer as I have been going to hear that God would make out some counsel and instruction or reproof to me and the Lord hath heard me counselled me and comforted me I do so love the word of God it is so sweet to me when I meditate on it and I do so love Gods Ministers and it does so rejoice me to think of Mr. Merrills coming to my House A worthy Minister in the Country deoeased I hope he will come I must say as Lidia to Paul If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord come into my house c. And tell him if I dye I would not have him neglect any more to see such as do so much desire to see him as I do I long to see him c. He is an eminent Minister one who is firm to his principles fears neither mens frowns nor regards their smiles c. He hath been instrumen al of much good and comfort to my soul God was the efficient he the instrument c. I cannot see how the prizing of Gods Word and not to prize Gods Ministers can stand together I am sure I prize both and pray that God would incourage his Ministers Ordinances have been very sweet to me God in and by them hath come to me and met me that I could say with Peter It is good for me to be here And I have thought the time very short I have been hearing the word hath so comforted-me I have gone under trouble but have return'd refreshed Being one day very ill and desiring her to stay at home she answer'd that must be the last place I go to And in a sickness before she said it grieves me I went no longer though she went longer than well she could Oh! how much did she rejoyce and how glad was she to go into the House of the Lord How blessed did she count those who dwelt there Oh! I made account said she to be ready betimes and I shan't get in c. How ready and willing was the spirit when the body was weak I got cold says she by going at such a time to hear but I do not repent for I had a sweet refreshing there blessed be God Thus how lovely amiable and desirable to her were the Tabernacles of the Lord of hosts And how did her soul long yea even saint for his courts I How truly might she say with David Psal 26.8 Lord I have loved the habitation of thy house and the place where thine konour dwelleth and one thing have I desired of the Lord that will I seek after that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life to bekold the beauty of the Lord c. And how truly might she call Sabbaths and Ordinances her delight she had there seen God and his face his power and glory his goings in his sanctuary yea Sabbaths were to her as the Subburbs of Heaven Ordinances are not in Heaven but Heaven she hath many a time met with in Ordinances and she drinks but that Wine new now in Heaven which she began to drink in Ordinances here Matt. 26 29. 13. As concerning some further evidences for Heaven I Have a great deal of comfort in this That I am as willing to take Christ for my Lord as for my Saviour and that I desire and endeavour to my utmost to obey him and have heart-risings against sin both in my self and in others and desire to hate and abhor all appearances of sin I have desired to walk before the Lord in uprightness and have walked with God sincerely though not perfectly and I would not offend God nor dishonour him but have desired to glorify him obâ—y him and to be ruled and
AN ACCOUNT Of Several Observable SPEECHES OF Mrs. Luce Perrot THE Late Wife of Mr. ROBERT PERROT of LONDON Minister Spoken by her chiefly in the time of her sickness and a little before her Death and taken immediately from her own mouth though unknown to her And now Published for the Comfort and Benefit of her near Relations and some other of her Friends Thy lips O my Spouse drop as the honey-comb honey and milk are under thy tongue c. Cant. 4.11 She openeth her mouth with wisdom and in her tongue is the law of kindness Prov. 30.26 And by it he being dead yet speaketh Heb. 11.4 Beata lingua quae velut favus distillat velur ubera lacte distenditur quae mel distillar lac fluit Bernard super Cantica LONDON Printed for R. P. 1679. The PREFACE THESE Sayings here published were the Sayings of a dear and precious Saint now with God not premeditated but extemporary uttered by her chiefly in the times of her sickness and weakness and a little before her death and taken immediately word for word as near as could be as they dropt from her own mouth but being promiscuously spoken they are thus ordered and reduced to several heads for the better fitting of them to be subservient for the benefit and comfort of those who shall peruse them It was so far from being any way designed or desired by her to have them made publick that she did not so much as know of their being taken for had she such was her modesty and humility that it might I suppose have hinder'd the speaking of them What they be they are mainly and chiefly design'd for the comfort and benefit of her near and dear Relations and some other friends which were of her acquaintance but if others shall occasionally reap any comfort or benefit by them let them bless God and thankfully own his Providence therein It is probable that what is here done will not escape the censure of some nor the slight and contempt of others and indeed what almost in these times does not undergo that fate But however the good assurance how acceptable what is here done will be to those for whom it is chiefly intended as also how profitable it may through the blessing of God prove to them hath encouraged to what is done It is not here design'd to give an account of the Life of the deceased but only of some of those speeches which dropt from her lips chiefly in her sickness and near her death But yet this I shall say That by what is here set forth such as peruse the same may take a measure of themselves and see as in a Mirrour what they are there being therein drawn forth to the life the true characters and lineaments of a sound and real Christian indeed And besides these speeches are and may be several other ways very instructive and useful as to let us see what a powerful influence a holy gracious life hath to a comfortable and happy death and truly meer shews and semblances of Piety will no more comfort then than a painted sun give light or a painted fire warmth now As also here we are taught how good it is and how comfortable it will prove afterward to set out for Heaven betimes and to begin to seek after God and chuse him for our portion while young and to be then taken off from the vain delights here below This as Abigail said to David in another case shall be no grief of heart hereafter but such as is said of the virtuous woman Prov. 31.25 shall rejoice in time to come when God shall remember the kindness of their youth It is observ'd Christ lov'd his youngest Disciple best c. Here also you are taught what it is that most troubles and burdens a gracious soul and that the dearest of Gods Saints are sometimes exposed to Satans fiercest onsets and what a choice Cordial in times of trial the loving-kindness of God is better than wine yea better than life yea and what it is that does and will comfort and support at such times and upon the approaches of death and how far many times the Saints are carried above the fears even of that King of terrors c. These and several other ways what is here published through the blessing of God may be useful and instructive in the perusal thereof if such as peruse the same be not wanting to themselves Which that it may be as it was the design so it is the desire and shall be the prayer of the Publisher thereof The CONTENTS of the several Speeches following As concerning 1. Gods beginning with her betimes c. 2. Her sense of Sin c. 3. Satans Temptations c. 4. Her quiet Submission under Gods hand c. 5. Her zeal for the glory of God c. 6. Her thankfulness c. 7. Her weanedness from the World c. 8. Her Humility Charity c. 9. Her firm affiance in God c 10. Her whole reliance on Jesus Christ alone for Salvation c. 11. Her earnest desires of the good of the Souls of her Children c. 12. Her care to prepare for the Sabbath and great love to Gods Ministers c. 13. Some further evidences for Heaven c. 14. What it was which comforted her in all her afflictions c. Viz. 1 Her interest in God 2 The favour of God 3 The word and promises of God 4 Prayer Meditation and former experiences 5 Heaven and the future happiness and glory c. 15. Her earnest desires to be dissolved c. 16. The Ends and Reasons thereof c. 17. Her being above the fears of death c. 18. Some few of her breathings as in reference to her self c. 19. Some of her Speeches to and Prayers for her Husband as in reference to himself and Children formerly 20. Some of her Speeches and Prayers very lately and a little before her Death An Account of several Observable Speeches of Mrs. Luce Perrot the late Wife of Mr. Robert Perrot of London Minister c. Her Speeches 1. As concerning Gods beginning with her betimes which she thankfully acknowledged and much rejoyced in I Would not for ten thousand worlds but have begun to seek God betimes the Lord put me upon it he then took me off from other delights and made me to delight in his Word c. He began with me betimes and carried me on step by step I could then see nothing in the World to delight in I thought then Holy-days as they called them a wearisomness unto me I would sometimes sit and see others play but took no delight therein for which they would laugh at me and tell me I studied Divinity c. But my delight was then this was when she was about thirteen Years of age to search the Scriptures and to get by my self and pray O that pleased me and very much was I troubled when hindered c. God wrought in
earth to Heaven and is departed out of this world to the father She has left these bottoms of death and this low valley of misery and tears and is now gotten to those regions of joy and triumph to those mountains of myrrhe and hills of frankincense those mountains of spices or sweetnesses which are cloathed with everlasting joys and delights and on whose wealthy brows nothing ever springs but life and glory and where never any clouds or storms do once ever arise interpose or interrupt where like a thirsty Roe or Hart she was still aspiring and panting to be and where now she is got and where we leave her even there where is nothing but rest and light and love and delights and fulness of joys and crowns of life and glory perfect peace and pleasures for evermore incense praises and hallelujahs to him that sits upon the throne and to the Lamb for ever and ever Amen And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me Write blessed are the dead which dye in the Lord from henceforth yea saith the Spirit that they may rest from their labours and their works do follow them Rev. 14.13 Favour is deceitful and beauty is vain but a woman that feareth the Lord she shall be praised Prov. 31.30 Give her of the fruit of her hands and let her own works praise her in the gates Prov. 31.31 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pro Rosis deciduis coronam immarescibilem Death puf'd this light and its earths banish'd flame Flew up to Heaven and as a Sun became Soli Deo gloria in eternum Some Breathings upon the Decease of Mrs. Luce Perrot December 14 1678. O What a change hath this bless'd morning made To thee bless'd soul who now hast past deaths shade Now no more sorrows pains nor doleful cries But all tears quite are wiped from thine eyes How much afflicted in this vale of Tears But how refreshed now above the Sphears Thy way unto thy Fathers House was rough But now thou hast got thither 't is enough Thy stormy passage now thou art arriv'd At Heavens bless'd Haven makes but more reviv'd Thy pains and ails with which thou wast so prest Do now but so much more sweeten thy rest And though some months yea years they did extend One moment now in Heaven doth make amends And now that thou hast gotten to thy Lot Of bliss assign'd thee they are all forgot Thy pains thy conflicts combats here were many But now thou know'st not what belongs to any But of thy sorrows all thou hast release And now thy Soul is fill'd with blissful peace In bottoms here of death thou did'st reside But now the Spicy Mountains thee abide Thus every way thy change is for the best For Grace 't is Glory and for Labour Rest Thy sins now past and all thy sorrows gone And nevermore thou shalt experience one Thy faith and patience now are at an end Which though long exercis'd did still exten Faith now is turn'd into fruition Into possession expectation Thy Cabinet's dissolv'd thy Jewel 's gone To Heaven and there made up a glorious one Thy earthly house is fall'n that down doth lye But thy Soul 's mounted far above the Sky To th' highest Heaven where true felicity And Glory do it cloath eternally Thou long since weaned wast from all things here And now th' hast got where thy delights still were Thy earnest pantings longings for to be With Christ now fully satisfied hath he Sabbaths below how greatly did'st thou love And one eternal now thou keep'st above Thou feard'st not Death that Messenger so grim But saidst I can I bless God smile on him Yea though so grim sweet Messenger didst call And saidst if come thou 'dst welcome him withal And being so far onward in thy way How troubled wast to hear of further stay Is this saidst thou the night I must depart Oh! with what joy would such news fill my heart Lord Jesus come come Lord come speedily Make hast make hast How oft was this thy cry And when wilt come my God oh hasten thee And Charets of Aminidab like be Of Death I am no more afraid at all Than for to take the choicest Cordial Which is to do me good and Death doth so For through it and beyond it look I do And of my Burial-cloaths more joyfully Than of my Wedding-cloaths discourse can I. My Burial-cloaths My Wedding-cloaths they are And now my blessed Bridegroom is not far Farwel vain world for so I judg'd of thee And never other found thee for to be And that which others so much doted on As poor and pitiful I look'd upon My joys delights were higher fix'd above On God on Christ on 's Word and on his Love His Ways his Ordinances where to be One day than Thousands better was to me Oh! how dejected have I thither gone But how refreshed have returned home Bless'd Soul to thee Christ was to live the main And Death it self is now become thy gain Here he upheld thee in integrity Now sets before his face eternally Here with his counsels guided thou would'st be And thee to Glory now receiv'd hath he And though thy body left behind is here T is but to sow and when Christ shall appear Glorious shall rise and joyn'd unto again Thy Soul thou ever with him shalt remain And in thy flesh then for thy self shallt see God and thine eyes behold eternally THE EPITAPH THE Body here of her interr'd doth lye Who was a pattern of true piety Submissive humble meek and patient Grace and sweet nature in her eminent A loving faithful careful Wise also A Mother such her Children dear unto FINIS