of the Christian whilst he improveth her example for thy good and interlineth the passages of her life with many holy and useful instructions The Lives of Gods precious Saints how private so ever their station be are very well worthy of record and publick notice as exhibiting not onely a pattern and lively transcript of Religion and truly now and then 't is good to look upon Christs †2 Cor. 3.3 Living Epistles but also much of provocation and incouragement to holiness Simeon the Metaphrast in the Life of Chrysostome doth so fully speak out my sense in the case that to the Learned I shal put down his very Words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Examples have a secret Charme by which they draw out the heart to imitation and practise when we press strictnesse people think our doctrine is calculated for Angels and blessed Spirits that have devested themselves of the interest and concernments of flesh and blood and so go away with a prejudice but when they read in the lives of Gods Children that had like passions necessities temptations with themselves with what strictnesse and diligence they carryed on their hopes of a Blessed eternity it hath a marveylous convictive influence upon their hearts and a secret excitation pressing them to go and do likewise therefore I say the Lives of the Saints written are very useful and I doubt not but this being so faithfully collected and judiciously improved wil have its use and find acceptance with the godly Thine in the Lord Tho. Manton Covent-Garden May the 3d. 1658. The Author of this Narrative hath divers other peeces in print As 1. The Grand sacrifice or broken heart on Psal 51.16 17. 2. Two clean birds or the cleansing of the Leper on Lev. 14.4 8. 3. Brittaines Remembrancer or the Nationall Covenant on 2 Chron. 15.12 4. The Three Kingdome 's case with their causes and cure c. on Isai 42.24 25. 5. Britannia rediviva or The Soveraign remedy c. on Prov. 14.34 6. ΕΙΚΩΠΒΑΣΙΛΙΚΗ or the Princes Royal on Psal 45.16 THE Saint's Tombstone Or a plain NARRATIVE OF SOME Remarkable passages in the holy life and happy death of Mrs. Dorothy Shaw lately the dearly beloved Wife of Mr. John Shaw Preacher of the Gospel at Kingston upon Hull who sweetly slept in the Lord Decemb 10th And was interred in Trinity Church in Hull Decemb. 12th 1657. Collected by her dearest Friends specially for her sorrowful Husband 's and six Daughters consolation and imitation THe man after Gods own heart holy David tells us Psal 112.6 that the right eous shall be in everlasting rememforance with God with good men as Demetrius 3 Joh.v. 12. and in the Consciences of wicked men and his Son wise Solomon confirms it Prov. 10.7 that The memory of the just is blessed he is full of bles sings while he lives v. 6. and his memory is blessed when he dies v. 7. yea the Hebrew is his memory shall be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for a blessing which a learned (a) Dr. Jermin Expositor interprets thus The very remembring of them shall bring a blessing to such as do remember them God will blesse those that honour the memory of his Servants and besides the memory of them will make them imitated which is a blessing that shall be rewarded with blessedness The Septuagint reads it the memory of the just is with praises The godly are the only rising persons in the world happy in life better at death better at judgment that better resurrection of the just and best of all to all eternity contrarily wicked are the most falling (b) As Pope Pius Quintus said that when he first entred into holy Orders he had some good hope of his salvation but after he was made cardinal much feared it and now being Pope he quite despaired of it men Prov. 10.7 The godly are positively happy and blesled in their poorest and lowest condition for as Peter names a Chain of graces 1 Pet. 1.5 6 7. better then all Chains of Gold or Pearl and Paul a Chain of life and salvation reaching from eternity to eternity Rom. 8.30 So doth our Saviour name a chain of happiness Mat. 5.3 to 12. consisting of 8 links the first is Poverty the last is Persecution yet in both the person is Blessed which Moses that wise States-man well knew and therefore when he came to perfect years of understanding full 40. years old he chose the poorest condition with the Lords people before the highest condition of all wicked men Heb. 11.25 26. nay they are comparatively happy there is more happiness in their estate then all the riches of this world can afford Psal 144.15 which made David so rejoyce in that above all worldly interests Psal 4.7 and Austin say that he would not be a wicked man one half hour for all the world because he might die that hour yea they are superlatively happy Psal 1.1 Blessed is the man the Hebrew is blessedness in the abstract eminently happy yea blessednesses superlatively happy Blessed is the man Heb. that man with an accent that eminent man as 2 Cor. 12.2 a man in Christ Such are happy in life and more happy in death death cannot kill them Rev. 2.23 but cure them it is not death but life that kept them so long from God and glory Death cannot kill a godly man totally not his soul which is with Christ far better Phil. 1.23 is in Paradise death doth by the godly as they Mark 14.51.52 did by the young man caught his Garments but the person escaped so death catcheth the body but the principal part escapes to glory nor can death kill the body finally only brings it to bed as King Asa's Coffin is called 2 Chron. 16.14 so are the Saints graves called Isa 57.12 Death only layes them to sleep till the morning Joh. 11. It was an antient Custom among the Jews as I read for people as they went with a dead Corpse to pluck up grasse by the way intimating that the dead friend should spring again as grasse Death comes to a godly person in the hand of a Mediator as part of the Covenant a Covenant-affliction Psal 89.32 33 34. as part of our joynture with Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 3.21 22 23. The sting and curse of death is taken away by Christ their head who hath sanctified the grave and made death to be to them no other then as Elijahs fiery Charet to fetch a dear Child from a hard Nurse or sharp school to his Father's house Godly men are in the 4 next verses Heb. 2.11 12 13 14. twice called Christs Brethren and twice his Children and therefore to such Christ turns their water into wine the Serpent in Moses hand into a staffe to lean on and makes that rod to blossom and bring forth fruit meat out of the eater water from the Rock so that this red Sea doth not drown them but hasten them from Egypt to the promised Land death
cannot separate them from God Rom. 8.38 but perfect them Luk. 13.32 it brings them to a better house 2 Cor. 5.12 to a Mansion-house Joh. 14.12 for indeed here are no Mansion-houses Heb. 13 14. though some are so called to a better Countrey Heb. 11.15 16. In this low-Countrey we are strangers the world knowes us not 1 John 3.1.2 David was so in his own house and kingdom and therefore must not wonder at strange usage here Psal 39.12 David saith not that he was a stranger to God but a stranger with God that is as some expound it God and he were both strangers here but death will bring them to their own the high Countrey for a godly man to die is but as Bernard calls it repatriâsse †Ubi pater ibi patria to go home again to his own Countrey where or from whence he was born as he is godly viz. new-born death brings him to a better Inheritance of which Peter mentions 5. excellent properties 1 Pet. 1.4 it s kept for him and he for it v. 4.5 death brings them to their resting-place Heb. 4.9 Rev. 14.13 where is their Father Husband Brethren Friends c. to their reaping-place Gal. 6.9 yea to their Crown justly gotten a Crown of righteousness 2 Tim. 4.8 and everlasting a Crown of life Jam. 1.12 Rev. 2.10 and full of honour a Crown of glory 1 Pet. 5.4 These earthly Crowns have two great wants want satisfaction and perpetuity they are both unsatisfying at present and uncertain for the future here all is not only vanity but vexation every Crown of gold ilned with a Crown of thorns which made a great man once say of his Crown O Crown (c) Lam. 4 5. more noble then happy and here we read of many heads that have been weary of Crowns and Crowns weary of Heads In this Nation how hath the Crown walked even since Christs birth from Britains to Saxons Danes Normans Plantagenets Tudors Stuarts c. William the Conqueror was crowned three times every year in three several places namely Glocester Winchester and Westminster yet soon did his Crown fade and he as great Alexander before him when dead could scarce get a grave for some time we read in Scripture of a City for strength called infinite namely No or Alexandria in Egypt Nahum 3.9 and of an (d) Constantius so Rome was called aeterna yet is falling and Roma mira perenis erit c. Emperor in story that would needs be styled his eternity ordinary Titles would not content him yet the first was soon ruined vers 10. and the last but short-lived only 40. years but death brings us to a satisfactory Crown where no want Rev. 7.16 17 21.4 nor any more death but shall be as the Angels Luk. 20.36 and everlasting Hujusmodi comparandae sunt opes quae cum naufragio simul enatent said good Lewes of Bavyer Look well to such Crowns as will last to eternity House and Lands are moveables as well as Goods if not from the Center yet from the owner godly may live poorly but they die rich but however a wicked man lives rich yet he dies poor to him death is properly the King of terrors †As Aristotle called it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Job 18.14 Which made a great man in this Nation when he was assured by his Physitians that he must die to cry out I would said he I might live though but the life of a Toad for better that then Hell And it made Cardinal Wolsey when he died at Leicester to say If I had served my God as I have served my King God would not now have left me but now I am forsaken both of God and man Drexellius tells us of a young man of very bad life who was very fearful of being in the dark who after falling sick and could not sleep cryed out Oh if this darkness be so terrible what is eternal darkness Such are men without hope as Homer saith of Achilles that he wished rather to be a servant to any poor Countrey Clown then to be a King to all the souls departed because he had no hopes of a better life It s a sad case when at once the body stinks the soul burns and the name rots Prov. 10.7 yet to the godly death is no losse they part with nothing but sin and vanity but great gain others may gain while living but these gain by dying it brings them to perfection of grace and glory to see Christ and therefore to be like him 1 Joh. 3.12 not through a Glasse but clearly 1 Cor. 13.12 face to face to enjoy him whom our soul loveth to be ever with the Lord 1 Thes 4.17 Only our duty is while we live to be making our Title sure that which is sure in it self should be made sure to us 2 Pet. 1.10 this ornamental grace is so necessary to our well-being that without it we can neither live nor die comfortably therefore a good man when he was asked why he constantly prayed six times a day and lived so strictly he only answered I must die I must die King Henry the 7th of England pretended a sixfold Title to the Crown by Conquest Military Election of Souldiers in the Fields near Bosworth by Parliament by Birth Donation and Marriage but sure I am a Child of God hath a farre better Title to the Kingdom of Heaven by Christs purchase by new birth by Marriage with Christ the Son and Heir by Gods free promise c. yea here they have eternal life already Joh. 3.36 5.24 Ephes 2.6 in our Head in the promise the earnest seal bud c. They are in Christ now therefore though they may have a crosse yet no curse correction yet no condemnation a Fathers rod yet not an enemies wroth how sweetly may such as these go to the grave which the Jewes call Beth Chajim the House of the living Job 30.23 and not only use Chaucers Motto mors mihi aerumnarum requies or as he whom some call St. Francis who when Physitians assured him that death drew nigh said benĕ veniat soror mea mors welcom Sister Death but as old Alderman Jordan used to say that Death would be the best friend that he had in the world he would willingly go forth to meet it or rather say with holy Paul Oh Death where is thy sting c. triumphing over it 1 Cor. 15.55 For as Austin said of Elect men that by Christs death they are non solum instaurati sed meliorati so by their own death they are brought to a sarre better condition then here they had but quorsum haec All this is but to usher in and give you an example and instance hereof in the boly life and happy death of that pretious servant of the Lord still Gods Servant Josh 1.2 still Christs friend Joh. 11.11 though she sleep Mrs. Dorothy Shaw late the dearly beloved Wife of Mr. John Shaw Preacher of the
est timere mortem qui ad Christum nolit ire said Cyprian let them fear death who are loath go to God 10. Though she shall not return to us yet we shall go to her 2 Sam. 12.23 8. Let us lay hold on eternall life make sure of salvation 1 Tim. 6.12 We cannot make sure our houses our Estates our Friends our lives but we may make our election and salvation sure which is far more sweet and needfull 2 Pet. 1.10 consider how short our time is here The last week we enjoyed her now her seat here is empty as sometimes Davids was at the feast 1 Sam. 20.18 but she is placed for eternity let our thoughts much run upon eternity It 's said that Mr. Wood after some holy discourse being at dinner fell a musing and cryed out for near half a quarter of an hour together for ever for ever A great †Sir T.M. man of this Nation being in prison for that which he called his Conscience his Lady coming to him did chide him that he would not do as others did and so live at his own gallant house with his wife and children Wife said he if I should do so how long think you I might live I think said she you may live these 20 years well said he it is but 20 years and yet it s not likely that I should live so long yet they would end but I must be after that for ever and ever Mind we eternity if that as once one said be well looked to all is well looked to 9. Let us lay up some Cordialls against our own death which may comfort us in such an hour First Cordiall Consider that though death which is unavoidable will break many near bonds as 1. the union twixt near kinted and acquaintance nay twixt Mother and Children which are one blood 2. yea nearer the union twixt Husband and Wife which are one flesh nay 3. yet nearer union twixt body and soul which are one person yet there are 3 better unions or bonds which death cannot break as 1. the bond of the Covenant twixt God and his people the Covenant is everlasting though we be mortall and dye Ier. 32.40 Many hundreds of years after Abraham Isaac and Iacob were dead yet God saith that he was still their God I am and Math. 22.31 32. namely their God in Covenant and they then alive to him God is as well their God when they are rotting in their graves as when flourishing in their houses God promised Iacob Gen. 46.4 that he would go down with him into Egypt and he would surely bring him up again yet Iacob was dead ere he was brought out of Egpyt but Gods promise still was of force 2. the bond of union twixt the believing soul and Jesus this marriage-knot death cannot break When Christ dyed death seperated twixt his body in Iosephs tomb and his soul in paradise yet the union with the godhead was as firme as ever so here though the naturall union twixt soul and body may be dissolved by death yet not the Mysticall union twixt the soul and Christ 3. the bond twixt the soul and eternall life is not dissolved by death the believer hath not onely right to it by purchase promise c. but hath possession the beginning of eternall life already earnest of heaven here John 3 36. and though temporal life may fail yet this other here begun will never end Some tell us of a temporall Kingdome of Christ that must onely last certain years is yet to begin and must have an end but the Scripture saith that it s begun not after but in the dayes of those Kings Dan. 2.44 and shall last for ever even for ever and ever Dan. 7.18 so shall the beleevers eternall life here begun never end 2d Cordiall that though the grave be our long home yet it is not our lasting home it s our long home Eccles. 12.5 but not our last home A godly man doth as Myconius writ to Luther mori vitaliter non lethaliter dyes to live he dyes as corn dyes to spring again and that more gloriously as a grain of wheate cast into the ground riseth again with more beauty blade and eare 1 Cor. 15. 20 21. 3d. Cordiall Consider that to godly men death is not an eeven bargain but great gain Phil. 1.21 The sting of death is gone but the honey is still to be reaped all ill is gone by death it cures them of all sin sorrow possibility of sinning or suffering from man or devil Christ our Sampson hath slain this Lyon death and brought us honey out of the carcase of it we not onely may but we must needs dye 2 Sam. 14.14 must is for this King We use to say that necessity hath no law but for death there is both necessity and law necessity by reason of our constitution and corruption our bodyes are like tents patcht up of a few bony sticks covered over with skin and flesh our food and cloathing shew our death we feed on dead beasts and often wear their hides and fleece death was born with us into the world rockt with us in the cradle bred in the bone will nor out of the flesh we travell work lodge lye down with it daily we cannot out run it but especially sin hath so fretted all the threads of our garment that it easily falls in peices we do not dye because we are sick but because we have sinned yea though Christ hath not taken away the course of death yet hath he taken away the curse of death and made it to be every way for our advantage We do not think it any losse to part with an ague the stone c. cold water out of our shooes no more losse hath a godly man by dying it s our perfection Luke 13.32 not our destruction a way to rest Rev. 4.13 not ruine it brings us home 2 Cor. 5 to our kingdomg Fourth Cordiall Consider that to a godly man death is a most happy change Iob 14.14 thereby is neither body quite lost nor soul lost we lose not our friends nor any goods that we have need of or use of Prests wife of Exeter for as that Exeter-Martyr said In Heaven money bears no worth is not currant we shall then and not till then be above ordinances 1. We shall need no repentance c. shall have better houses friends c. Here are nothing but changes sorrow and joy health and sicknesse changes in body soul and estate but death ends all changes there shall be no more 5. Cordiall Though here we part and lye down in severall beds at night and at several hours yet we shall comfortably meet again in the morning 1 Thess 4.17 Psal 49.14 My dear and tender (a) Who dyed in December 1634. father and my onely (b) January 1636. son lye interred at Bradfield where I was born in the Westriding of Yorkshire My dear and loving (c) January 1652. mother
Mistris SHAWE'S Tomb-stone OR The Saints Remains Being a brief Narrative of some few amongst many Remarkable passages in the holy life and happy death of that precious servant of the Lord Mrs. Dorothy Shaw late the dearly beloved wife of Mr. John Shaw Preacher of the Gospell at Kingstone upon Hull who sweetly slept in the Lord Decemb. 10th and was interred at Trinity Church in Hull Decemb. 12. 1657. Collected by her dearest Friend with many usefull instructions especially for his own and his six daughters consolation and imitation Job 1.1 Job was a perfect and upright man and one that feared God and eschewed evil Psal 37.37 Mark the perfect man and behold the upright for the end of that man is peace Psal 116.15 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his Saints 2 Tim. 4.7 8. I have fought a good fight I have finished my course I have kept the faith henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of glory In Christo vixi morior vivoque beata Do sordes morti caetera Christe tibi Nolui aliquid loqui vel scribere quod improbaturum putem Christum Oecolamp London Printed for Nathanael Brooks at the Angel in Cornhill 1658. TO THE Right Honorable and truly Religious Ladyes the Lady Frances Strickland the pious Consort of William Lord Strickland of Boynton and the Lady Anne Strickland the gracious Consort of Walter Lord Strickland One of his Highness the Lord Protector 's Honorable Councell J. S. Wisheth grace and peace Right Honorable THough I my self cannot bring forth any thing worthy your Honour's view yet that which is dearest to me the memory of my dear and precious wife I commend to your Honours and though I have ever judged both of you Eminent in Piety yet something perhaps in this deceased servant of Christ may not be unworthy of your serious thoughts and may further stirr up your pure mindes in the wayes of God yet more to honour that God who hath so much honoured you The Lord hath exceedingly blessed you both with Pious (a) Your marriage is conjugium non conjurgium Comfortable and Eminent Yoke-fellows and yet hath more honoured you by marrying you to Gods own Son the heir of heaven and indeed therein lies your chief and lasting happinesse Probably this short discourse which was very hastily written as it dropt from my pen in much grief and sorrow on the suddain to divert that flood of grief which I found my self unable to withstand at present as well as I would may somewhat further your Honours Comforts against the hours of approaching and inevitable death God hath called both your Honours to great estates and places and you cannot but know that therein lye snares When the Duke of Venice had shewea to Charles the 5th his most stately Palace he after the sight thereof onely answered (b) Haec sunt quae nos faciunt invitos mori These things are they that make us unwilling to dye We use to say there are two manners of Enough and indeed there is Esaw's enough or (c) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 much in the world without God Gen. 33.9 and Jacobs enough (d) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or all first God and then content in these other things with him Gen. 33.11 This latter enough I hope God hath given you Christ and with him all other needfull things Rom. 8.32 Let this Tombstone be to your Honours as King Phillips Monitor to put you in mind of what is certain yet we are too prone to forget Lam. 1.9 viz. death The Egyptians used to have a deaths-head at their greatest feasts thinke we of death in the greatest plenty When Moses and Elias talked with Christ at his glorious transfiguration on the Mount their discourse was about death Luke 9.30 31. Christ once cured the blind mans eyes with clay so may he still more open our eyes with the consideration of our clay and mortality do as Eumolpus (e) Ego sic semper nbique vixi tanquam ultimum diem nunquam rediturum consumerem said he did namely endeavour to live every day as if it should prove his last day God hath of late much exercised both your Honours with weak bodies so that what would be a curse to some would be a blessing to you to wish that which John wished to Gaius 3 John 2. that your bodies may prosper as your souls prosper The gracious God give you these two choise mercyes which are most sweet when they go together Psal 103.3 forgive your sins and heale all your diseases I hope you will not take it ill from me whom you have Constantly so much †I may say of both your Honours with Jerome vobis quod possum debeo quod non possum favoured that I propound to your Honours so mean a person for your imitation be pleased to consider that its the best that I had (f) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 said the poor Grecian to the Emperour and whose example I my self desire to follow in the way to life It is the use at the Election of the Emperour of Germany to shew to him on his Election day severall marble-stones desiring him to chuse of which of those he would have his Tomb-stone made to mind him even then of his Death I have here shewed you the Tomb-stone of one that lived very holily and dyed very happily which may encourage your Honours against the night of sable death Satan is busie to vex whom he cannot destroy and though he cannot bring a childe of God to Hell yet he will bring Hell to a childe of God and oftimes brings his sharpest darts towards his death though Satan cannot make him fall out of the state of grace yet he labours to make him fall in the state of grace its good to have your hearts Comforted against that day Senarclaeus saith of John Diarius that the day before he was slain by his own brother as Abel was by Cain for Religion's sake he spake to him so sweetly and feelingly that he thought that he felt the holy Ghost come powerfully upon him with his words and surely I could say much to this purpose concerning this deceased servant of Christ that she spake even to her death with that affection warmth and life as one that first felt what she spake and then spake what she felt That holy learned man Mr. Brightman who dyed about fifty years since desired much if the only wise so pleased to dye a suddain though to him not suddain death so he did Augustus Caesar was wont when he heard of any that dyed easily and suddainly to wish such a happy (g) Which he called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 death I cannot say that she dyed exceeding suddenly †Though she was at the Congregation twice on the Lords day Decemb 6. and asleep in the Lord on Thursday Decemb 10. but I can say that she dyed exceeding happily
world some to their lusts and sins and some to Christ and there is their true honour in life and death and after death But my sad thoughts detain you too long only let us all learn by her example so to live as that we need not to fear death which will shortly ceaze upon us We read of King Lewis the eleventh of France and some other Grandees in the world that they charged their servants and all about them that when they saw them sick they should not dare ever to name that terrible word death in their hearing But she of whom I now write took Hezekiahs medicine in her life to prevent the terror of death Isai 38.3 and Paul's 2 Tim. 4.7 8. so as she could look either backward (b) Hoc est Vivere bis vitâ posse priore frui or forward with joy Whom you loved living now follow her steps to her death then shall you not need to fear death so as if dying and damning would (c) Non metuo mori sed damnari said a dying man go together but as Sir Fulke Grevill defired to have this Epitaph on his Tomb here lyes a Friend of Sir Philip Sidney so may you have that comfort and honour when you are laid to sleep which this servant of Christ now enjoyes here lyes a Friend of Jesus Christ Iohn 11.11 A Courtier and favorite of King Cyrus being poor and one telling him of it he said he had enough because King Cyrus was his Friend the like Polybius said being in Caesars Court because the Roman Emperour was his Friend but these Friends soon dyed but in life death and ever hapyy they who have God reconciled for their (d) Exod. 33.11 2 Chron. 20.7 Isa 41.8 Joh. 11.11 15.14 15. James 2.23 Friend These hasty Observations following dropping from a sad pen which might justly have had Antoninus his title Notes for my self I have communicated to you and others for your and my own consolation and direction pray pray pray and when you have sweetest Communion with God forget not him who begs an interest in the intercession of Christ ' and supplications of his hidden ones and who is Christs and his Churches and yours or not his own John Shaw Four things there be that in my heart I fixed have The thoughts of Heaven of Hell of Doomsday and my Grave Birk TO The Christian and Candid Reader Reader STay but a few words before thou passe to the ensuing Narrative and then much good may it do thee 1. Know that what followes was not any Sermon or Sermons Preached and therefore wonder not that there are so many Histories and humane quotations otherwise I readily yeild what Lipsius saith to be a truth ut drachmam auri sine imagine Principis sic verba praedicantis sine authoritate Dei contemnent homines In Sermons its Scripture authority only that comes cum privilegio 2. know that the Authour hereof when this was penned had but half a heart left and his head full of thoughts and both head and heart much very much disturbed and gathered up such thoughts as suddenly offered themselves Wonder not then if there be not that exact Method and curiosity which perhaps thou mayest expect 3. There is no worth and excellency in these thoughts more then in many Sermons Preached by the Authour I think it s no vain-glory to say that there is lesse for I am sure those Sermons have been far more desired to have seen the light which yet lye buried as many will confesse into whose hand this will come how much they have importuned him to publish those Sermons vindicating of and directing to a right use of Gods Ordinances as the right call to the Ministery qualification necessity and work of the Ministers of the Gospel the great enemies of all Antichristianism with satisfaction to Cavills and Scruples from those texts 1 Cor. 4.7 2 Cor. 6.1 the necessity and use of a Christian Magistrate under the Gospell with the extent of his power circa sacra about matters of Religion from Isa 1.16 Rom. 13.4 and the case of peoples subjection in these dayes the lawfulnesse benefit and right manner of singing Psalmes from Col. 3.16 in the dayes of the New Testament The warrant for benefit by and right improvement of Child-baptism together with the error and danger of Antipaedobaptism from Col. 2.12 The nature ends and use of the Lords supper and who ought to come and how qualified and if men offer to come by whom and upon what account men ought to be admitted or rejected from severall sorts the morality of the Sabbath in the new Testament and the right manner of observing the Lords day c. And therefore if thou get any good by these ensuing thoughts thou art in part beholding to the Authors passion and affection I only now commend 5 things to thee and beg other 5 for thee and then farewell 1. Take speciall care to love thy self no◠thy lusts thy carcase c. but thy soul is thy self Compare Mark 8.36 lose his own soul with Luke 9.25 lose himself the soul is the man 1 Pet. 3.20 2. Hate thy enemy and be revenged on him not thy neighbour whom thou shouldst love as thy self and who at worst can but kill the body but thy sins which are God's and thy soul's worst enemies and which can kill the soul be revenged on them 2 Cor. 7.11 here kill or be killed Zenacherib after his Army was destroyed by an Angel Isa 37. and he returned home again with a hook in his nose Isa 37.29 he enquired of one about him what he thought the reason might be why God so favoured the Jewes he answered That there was one Abraham their Father that was willing to sacrifice his Son to death at the command of God and that ever since then God favoured that people Well said Zenacherib if that be it I have two Sons and I will sacrifice them both to death if that will procure their God to favour me which when his two Sons heard they as the story goeth slew their Father Isa 37.38 as rather willing to kill then be killed so deal thou with thy sins 3. Strive to get riches and be as covetous after them as thou canst but not these riches which are full of poverty and vanity but true riches Luke 16.11 James 2.5 unsearchable riches Eph. 3.8 Covet the best things 1 Cor. 12.31 get all get Christ who is all in all Col. 3.11 beg the spirit which is all good things compare Math. 7.11 with Luke 11.13 4. Labour alwayes to have thy own will but this onely in Luther's sense by alwayes resigning and submitting thy will to Gods will fiat voluntas mea quia tua Domine let Gods will be thy will and so thou mayest alwayes have thy own will without sin 5. Be sure to take the stronger side not in that sense as those meant whom Epiphanius calls Cainits or Cainists who he reckons among
opportunity in publique or private meetings for any worldly business usually yea when others thought that she was very unable and weak yet she would attend the meanes of grace and say that she never got any harm by attending on Gods Ordinances or doing him service she kept that ear-mark of Christs sheep which many have lost in these dayes she was careful to hear with attention of body intention of mind retention of memory as in that Text John 10.27 where all the five steps of our salvation are laid down Since we were acquainted I never knew her part from me with that grief as she did last October the 11th being the Lords day whereon the Sacrament of the Lords Supper was administred and her weakness of body would not allow her to be there present sure I am we parted with teares truly I faw no such appearance of trouble or grief in her when death apparently seized on her and the next Sacrament-day Novemb. 15. which was the last time the Lords Supper was administred before she dyed she was a sweet partaker of that sealing Ordinance though forced to rest her sometimes in the way 'twixt her house and the Congregation Psal 122.1 I was glad when they said to me let us go into the House of the Lord. 5. I never heard any motion or proposition made tending to the service of God and advancing piety but she was pressed in spirit and her heart was hot after it and more eager to suffer it then a worldling could be for a great bargain Isa 2.3 6. She was a special help to her Husband for saving his life and liberty in these troublesom times and a chearful sufferer with him Phil. 4.3 to the hazarding both of her-health liberty and life in the time of the Wars and since sometimes she was hurried by the Cavaliers towards prison in Rotherham sometimes fled in great danger by Sea in Lancashire her House and Goods robbed or plundered that she might say as Paul 1 Cor. 11.26 that she was in danger both by Land and Sea by robbers by false Brethren c. 7. She was as free from * She did ubique pietatem attendere nunquam ostentare causas pride and covetousness as I ever knew or in these dayes heard of any whether pride in apparel (f) Plautus calls the body only vestis farium She minded the soul much above the body she followed Tertullians Counsel who advised the gallant women in his time to put on the Silk of piety the Sattin of sanctity and the purple of modesty so said he shall God himself be your suitor or rather the Apostle's advice 1 Pet. 3.3 4. like modest Rebeckah Gen. 24.65 of both whom that of the Poet was not true Fastus inest pulcris sequiturque superbia formam and free from pride in gifts performances which rots and spoils all we have and do Hence Austin Caetera vitia in peccatis superbia in rectè factis maximè est timenda 3 Joh. 2. So also from covetousness only she had a great measure of that godly covetousness after grace 1 Cor. 12 31. She would say Proud persons are called pride it self Jer. 50.31 32. I desire never to hoard up any of these things only I would have to bear my charges through my Inn here below much of Pauls mind Phil. 4.11.12 8. 1 Tim. 6.6 Luther had rather be the Author of the meanest work of the poorest Saint then of all the Victories of Alexander's and Caesar's She did more value and love the poorest godly man or woman yea Servants in whom she judged the life and power of grace to appear and more rejoyced in their Company then in all the greatest persons and honours in the world she might truly say what another godly woman said before her that she never loved the Company of the wicked alive and therefore hoped that God would never send her to them when she died Psal 16.3 and 119.63 Fiscellinus valued Nobility above learning which made Sigismund the Emperor to marvel she valued godliness above them both as the best gain 9. She would oftentimes presse her Husband to act vigorously for God and to go boldly and thorough-stitch in Gods work and let never the care of her or their Children be any impediment to him herein for she could trust God with them fully she knew that God cared for them and reason good for he bought them dear 1 Pet. 5.7 10. When motions were made to her Husband of removing from Hull where he had very much work and very little pay to a place of very great preferment as to outward meanes he desired as usually to know her mind herein her answer was I will go with you any where chearfully as I have hitherto done through Darbishire Devonshire Yorkshire c. but I mainly desire that you would only look herein at this end where you think that God may have most honour by you and let no other by-end whatever move you at all God having never put us to any straits for temporal estate she would not have him stir a foot †Exod. 33.15 without the Lord any way she was troubled to see any follow the Ministry as a Popish writer complains of their Priests tantum ut eos pascat vestiat only as a Trade for back and belly or as men-pleasers 11. In all these 25 years she never once failed in her Husbands absence her self to pray with the Family at the least twice a day a morning and evening sacrifice and usually sing a Psalm and read some portion of Scripture to them and when her Husband was sometimes very late busie at his study she would constantly call the Family together and have some Scripture read and sing a Psalm and so keep the Family imployed till her Husband came down from his study to perform the rest of the Family-duties 12. She was of a most meek and quiet spirit and was upon all occasions stirring up her Children in the Doctrine and practice of godliness and very much rejoyced to see godliness so much appear in them she was much of holy Clavigers mind who said if I can but find the fear of God in my Yoke-fellow and Children and those about me satis habeo satisque mihi uxori mea filiis filiabus prospexi then I have enough in this world 2 John 4. She would often say that if God was so pleased she desired that her Husband might out-live her because she judged him more able to educate their Children in the wayes of Heaven 13. She was a very great helper to Gods poor Saints that were troubled in these late national distractions and was alwayes full of courage professing since that when she was hurried towards prison in Rotherham that she did not fear any thing save only that her Husband should have suffered some want through her absence he being at that time hid in Rotherham where the Enemy sought him narrowly yet he could
have touched them they proclaimed him Traytor and all others Traytors that knew of him and brought him not in * John 11.57 within 24. houres plundered him to the full yet God hid †So was David hid 1 Sam. 20.5 26.1 and the Prophets 1 King 18.4 him Jer. 36.26 the story hereof is fully related in the Praeface to a Sermon of his on Isa 42.24 25. called The three Kingdom 's case he lay hid on the hard stones most part of three dayes and three nights from Thursday May the 4th 1643. when the Town was taken till Saturday even May 6. The like courage had she when she fled to Sea in Lancashire yea her Husband heard of some pieces of her charity in the Sermon preached at her Funeral †And more since Acts 9.39 which she had kept secret though she had alwayes from him a general grant and allowance for all such works of charity which he never knew before she would not let her left hand know what her right hand did Swine only do good when they die but sheep while they live many leave their estates to others meerly because they cannot keep them but she did good both heart and hand alive 14. Most tender she was of the poor people in the Charter-house both for their bodies and souls and was daily conferring with and advising of them and seeing them supplyed and did much endeavour to have such preferred therein as were noted for piety and godliness 15. She had a very fresh look but exceeding weak Body so as usually at night when she was lying down in bed she would speak to this purpose Oh how weary am I what a wise and good God have I that did not necessitate me to get my living by hard labour as many Servants do Oh how good is God to provide these beds of rest how many work hard all day yet have none or hard beds at night Oh how are our Brethren in Piedmont or Poland c. now suffering it may be And yet here is the sweet of this mercy that this is not my portion but that there still remains a better rest for the people of God 16. She would much complain of spiritual wants as hardness and badness of heart as the Church complains Isa 63 17. though others †As Hannah 1 Sam. 1.15 complaints that she was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hard in Spirit ah a hard beaâ—â— thought that she had a large measure of grace yet she would say oh but they know not my heart much she complained of her weak memory that she could not remember the particulars in a Sermon though she would bring away the sweetnesse and savorinesse of most Sermons and find her heart love the word and Christ more yet she would cheerfully recollect and check her self sometimes and say Yet this is some comfort to me that I find my memory is bad also in other things that concern this world which gives me hope that its not altogether spirituall wickednesse but naturall weaknesse if ever she was drowsy under the ordinance she would much bewail it And indeed if Nero was so angry with Vespasian because he slept at his Musick how much more may our God justly be angry with such as sleep at the dispensing of the Mysteries of life and of the kingdome she was very far from †She was far from the mind of proud Vega that said coelum gratás non accipiam boasting or presuming on any thing in her self frustrà nititur qui non innititur the voice said to Austin In te stas ideô non stas Learned Ames saith of such men that their case is more desperate by how much they do lesse despair she was far from Castellio's opinion that men are of 3. sorts some unregenerate some regenerating and others regenerated and that these last have no combate betwixt flesh and spirit this was crosse to Pauls experience Rom. 7. Gal. 5. 17. She was not only a willing companion but also a great Comforter of her husband in all the oppositions that ever he hath met with in the course of his Ministery for the Gospel's sake of which he hath had his †Theologus nihil aliud est quam centrum ad quod omnes lineae dolorum tendunt Meis Veritas est causa discordiae mori possum tacere non possum Hieron share from different hands and when ever he had unbosomed his troubles to her she would quickly so cheer up his spirit with the Lord's word former experiences which he would readily recollect and discover such issues and wayes of delivery that usually he went away with Hannah 1 Sam. 1.18 and was no more troubled but found his muddy bitter waters turned into wine she was not like Iob's wife to aggravate his afflictions 18. She was mighty in prayer and would therein expresse much warmth and affection that she had not onely the gift but a large measure of the grace of prayer and much familiarity with the Lord and as a dropping vine she wept much in prayer like Iacob Hosea 14.2 Hos 12.4 As it s said of Charles the Great That he talked more with God then with men so was she frequent and fervent in Prayer which can Vincere invincibilem ligare omnipotentem bind Gods hands Exod. 32.10 as Iacob and Moses did She offered to God not labia vitulorum but vitulos labiorum the Calves of her lips as learned Rivet speakes 19. Shee would often especially of late speak to her husband to this purpose I am afraid that we do too much love one another and take from God that which is his due and that God will not therefore let us live long together here but however we shall meet together again where we can neither sinne nor part for ever 20. She would oftentimes be pressing and calling upon her husband that besides family and secret prayer they two might go to prayer together by themselves And upon this account I well remember what straits they have sometimes run through when at first they tabled in the house of a Friend and to this end she would often be remembring to him the Example of Mr. Bolton who used to pray 6. times a day twice by himself twice with his wife and twice with his Family and the practise of the Lord Harrington and such as she had read of She did not like Jezabel stir him up to evil but to good Isa 2.3 21. She was a knowing Christian for her Sex well acquainted with the doctrin practise of Religion she had both scientiam visûs gustûs head heart-knowledg she knew the History and Mystery of the Scripture in a good measure or to use Calvins phrase she knew not onely Cerebralitèr but Cordialitèr she felt the word she talked of and so was haypy Joh. 17.3 first felt what she spoke then spoke what she felt 22. She did much read the †It s said of the virgin Mary
she looked on that paroxysm twixt Paul and Barnabas as a foul fault in good men †Good men sometimes have groaned as the word is Jam. 5.9 in prayer one against another which is very sad 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and she did much bewaile that prejudice wherewith mens heads and hearts were prepossessed against the truth judging things according to their praeingaged opinions as Masius observes that when Moses and Ioshua came down from the Mount and heard the people singing dancing playing c. before the golden Calf Joshua being of a warlike disposition interprets the noise to be the noise of war but meek Moses interprets it to be the noise of singing and as mens tempers are so they usually judge and hereby oftentimes detain the truth of God as a prisoner Rom. 1.18 through blind prejudice she much desired that as the lines in a circle the nearer they come to the Center the nearer they come one to another so godly men might draw nearer to God and so nearer one to another 28. She was a most tender Mother exceeding full of †She was not like Bishop Bonner who was full of guts but empty of Bowels bowels of compassion to her Chrildren's both souls and body In this her long ague and weaknesse if she imagined any of the children though in other Chambers to be sick she could not be perswaded even at Midnight to keep her bed but would needs see how they did or what they wanted but especially in their souls she †Gal. 4.19 travailed in birth again of them as Austin saith of his Mother toties fillos parturiebat quoties à Deo eos deviare cernebat she laid up many fervent prayers for them and I hope Impossibile est filias tantarum lacrymarum perire 29. In her paines and extremity she was much in blessing God saying Oh! this is not Hell which yet I have deserved nay blessed be God for a Christ there is nothing of Hell in it 30. As she lived so she dyed meekly quietly holily having her understanding perfect to the last breath and in her extremity never did she utter one grumbling word onely would say often hold our faith and patience somewhat like Calvin's word quousque Domine quousque how long O Lord how long And when her husband said to her that ever since he knew her she had dearly loved Jesus †Nihil isto triste recepte Christ and his people and his wayes and that she was now going to Christ and his Saints made-perfect where Christ would sweetly welcome her and had provided a mansion for her she as well as she was able spake these 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 her last words I have said she dearly loved all the people of God and shall shortly go to Christ and therefore why should you so weep and be discontent God sweetly whispered her in the eare as the Hebr. is 2 Sam. 7.27 and she had praemium ante praemium a Heaven of peace before that Heaven of perfect glory 31. She did highly prize the Ministery of the Gospel 1 Thess 5.12 13. the feet of them that brought the glad tydings of the Gospel were beautifull in her eyes and that not only at first when she began to look after heaven but even to the last she did grow in the prizing of the Ministry more and more to her death when her stomack was weak to her bodily food yet was the Stomack of her soul then sharp and eager after spirituall food she was not like those Changling Galathians that could have pulled out their eyes for Paul at first Gal. 4.15 and have pulled out his eyes at last Or as many now a dayes that despise and cast off those in the end whom they professed formerly to have reverenced as their Fathers in Christ Yet did she ever distinguish betwixt persons qualified with gifts and graces fit for an office and being actually officers she thought that a man that had both gifts abilities and graces and eminently every way qualified for the place of Magistracy Collonell c. yet was not therefore a Magistrate or Collonel c. till actually and outwardly called thereto gifts and graces fit one for an office but make no officer nor authorize any man to do the work thereof if a private man sufficiently gifted and qualified to judge and determine causes should step up to the bench at the Assises and take upon him to sit in judicature and passe sentence the passing of a sentence was specifically in its kind a good thing and if he passed a just and right sentence it was materially good but still it was relatively bad in him unlawfull invalid because he had no outward call to that office and thus she judged that gifts and graces make not a Minister nor authorize any to the work of the Ministery whether gifted men Numb 16.3 5. or gifted women 1 Cor. 14.34 1 Tim. 2.12 Two things she much bewayled 1. that many took upon them publiquely to preach that were not competently gifted and qualified for that work onely were puft up in their vain conceits others in the mean while could neither pick sense nor truth in their discourse 2. that others who were inwardly gifted and qualified for the Ministery would take upon them in ecclesi â constitutâ extrà casum necessitatis which Dr. Fulke calls vocatio providentiae to do the work of the Ministery contemning that exernal Call that God hath appointed as a right entrance into that office 1 Tim. 4.14 Tit. 1 5. She did believe that because such did reject Gods Ordinance God did reject them and that they did more hurt then good she knew it was not the letter of the word or mens parts though eminent that could convert or do men any true good except God owned them and did afford his spirit in his own way and ordinance to make them to profit Isay 48.17 the word and spirit must go together Isay 59.21 And therefore men rejecting Gods appointment and ordinance could not profit the people Ier. 23.32 She much bewayled that in the Bishops times there were many Ministers that were not preachers but dumb dogs c. and now that there are many Preachers that are not Ministers And whereas some objected that they needed no outward Call because that was onely requisite to such as preached a new Doctrine she thought that upon that reason of all men those kind of Preachers most needed a clear call for many of them broached most strange and new Doctrines 32. She was not a speculative but practicall Christian more for motion then notion she did not content her self to heare only but oh how busily and carefully did she every Lords day Lecture-day and such other times gleane after the Reapers with good Ruth beate it out at night what she had gleaned and distribute to her Children and Servants Ruth 2.17 18. Lewis the 9th King of France was found instructing his poor Kitching Boy in the way
to Heaven and being asked the reason he answered The meanest hath a soul as precious as my own and bought by the same blood of Christ She was very far from that Florentin's mind that when he lay on his death bed called his Children and said in this one thing I rejoyce quod vos divites relinquam that I shall leave you rich but hers was that she left them gracious she did not content her self to be of any opinion form or society and there rest but she looked to practise walking above talking she was more for Zebulons sincere heart 1 Chron. 12.33 then for Nepthali's goodly words Gen 49.21 She knew that the Saints of old that went to heaven were walkers Gen. 5.24 Gen. 17.1 and that no kind of Lord Lord whether in prayer profession c. would serve her except she did the will of her Father Math. 7.21 nor would evidence her true relation to Jesus Christ Math. 12.50 Iohn 15.14 She highly prized that precious grace of Faith as the great work Iohn 6.29 the great Commandment 1 Ioh. 3.23 the second Covenant's inftrument or condition Mark 16.16 yet she knew that a faith without works would not save her Iames 2.14 nor knowledge without practise help her Iohn 13.17 1 John 2.4 though knowledge be an excellent grace John 17.3 she thought that love of God was only a pretence which was joyned with carefull practise and obedience 1 John 5.3 John 14.15 as she expected not to be saved by so neither without works she desired first to glorifie God as well as after to be glorified by God she judged that that itch and curious search which is in these dayes after strange new notions and speculations which doth in many eat out the life of the old practiall godlinesse was a plot of the old Serpent Gen. 3. and a temptation of the flesh Col. 2.18 33. As she much laboured for truth and growth in the fundamentall graces that her salvation might be certain and she get to Heaven surely so did she labour for that Ornamentall grace of Assurance that her salvation might be certain to her and she get to Heaven comfortably she had in a very comfortable measure attained to assurance both 1. discoursive and 2. intuitive discoursive by searching her heart and life and discoursing with her own conscience she found such qualifications graces and works of the spirit wrought in her such markes and signes of grace and sanctification as the Scripture layes down for infallible evidences of Election before time and salvation after 2 Pet. 1.5 10. and as cannot consist with reprobation or damnation such as the Apostle layes down in all that first Epistle of Iohn as walking in the light 1 Iohn 1.7 obedience 1 Iohn 2.3 purfying her self 1 Iohn 3.3 and other signs all over that Epistle and the Scripture especially she found Hezekiahs mark of Sincerity Isa 38.3 she was one that would not lye Isa 63.8 as it s said of Golden-mouthed Chrysostome that he never did she was much of the same mind with the Emperour Galliu whose Motto was Nemo amicus idem adulator she thought that no flatterer could be true friend to God or Man and the beloved Disciple's mark 1 Iohn 3.14 dearly loving any in whom with Bucer she saw aliquid Christi any thing of Christ and David's mark dear love to the Word Psal 119.47 72 92 97 127 167 c. 1 Pet. 2.2 besides that of St. Iohn 1 Iohn 2.15 she had a very great victory over the world 1 Iohn 5.4 5. yea a great contempt of the world she was almost come to what old Latimer saith in his Sermon of himself that if he had an enemy to whom it was lawfull to wish evil unto he would chiefly wish him great store of riches for then he should never enjoy quiet or as an Emperour said of his great Empire nihil se amplius assecutum quà m ut occupatior interiret c. And in these marks as fruits of the spirit did her conscience much comfort her as Paul's did 2 Cor. 1.12 so 1 Iohn 3.19 21. she discovered Gods active grace and love to her by discerning Gods passive grace in her 2. She laboured much in prayer striving in prayer Rom. 15.20 watching to prayer 1 Pet. 4.7 wrestling with Iacob Hos 12 For that intuitive assurance viz. that God would superadd to these marks and evidences which she found in her the sweet joy and comfortable testimony of his spirit Rom. 8.16 and as in a good measure she found that the marks of grace held out in the word and those in her heart and life did answer as the impression on the wax answers that which is cut in the seal so in a sweet measure did the Lord superadde the joy and testimony of his spirit sometimes she would look downward into a basen of water to see the shining of the Sun and sometimes upward to the Firmament to see the Sun it self We have 3. wayes usually to confirme and make things sure 1. we confirme bargains by earnest 2. writings by seales 3. at tryalls in Law we produce witnesses to confirm The spirit of God is all these to us Our earnest 2 Cor. 1.22 5 5. and seal Eph. 1.13 and witnesse Rom. 8.16 a pure spirit and a purged conscience afford much assurance she was able by her experience to have confuted the Papists who deny that in an ordinary way a man can be assured that he is for the present in the State of grace and learned Bellarmine when he was near 80. years old knew it not yet she could say though Papists ordinarily are not cannot be assured that she felt knew that she was now the childe of God 1 Iohn 3.2 14. And whereas the remonstrants and others say that we may know that for the present we are in the state of grace but yet we cannot be assured of our salvation because ere death we may fall away totally and finally she could answer with St. Iohn in the same verse 1 Iohn 3.2 that we know now that we shall see Christ in glory and be like him there yea if Sons here then no falling away but be with Christ hereafter ibidem She did think that though a just person under the first Covenant might fall from grace as Adam did yet not a justified person in Christ in the second Covenant whereof Christ is Surety Heb. 7.22 She thought that a justified person might fall like Mephibosheth fowly so as to hurt him or as Eutichus Acts 20. so as to weaken him yet not finally not as Eli so as to kill himself because God upholds him Psal 37.24 Dr. Arrowsmith 1 Pet. 1.5 As our most learned and godly late Professor speakes She thought that not onely old professors might be thus assured because that first Epistle of St. Iohn was writ for that very end that we might be assured of eternall life 1 Iohn 5.13 and yet was writ to Children as well as Fathers 1 Iohn
good out of it and the Scripture tells us that sad afflictions 1. before they come are 1. appointed by God they passe the great councell of Heaven God doth and it 's best he should chuse our afflictions therefore they come wisely 1 Thes 1.3 2 deserved by man therefore come justly Ezra 9.13 2. when they come 1. there is a great need of them we would not strike a beast without need much lesse would God strike his childe 1 Pet. 1.6 Without them we should have been worse 1 Cor. 11.32 therefore they come seasonably 2. much good and benefit by them Heb. 12.10 Psal 119.67 71. therefore they come profitably 3. God limits orders guides them therefore they come moderately Ier. 30.11 46 28. so as they may prove great blessings here Iob 5.17 Psal 94.12 and may adde to our glory hereafter therefore they come happily 2 Cor. 4.17 Rom. 8.18 And now my dear and sweet Children seeing the wise God hath taken from me the desire of my eyes Ezek. 24.16 and your Mother from your head to day 2 Kings 2.3 5. seeing God hath cut off the one halfe of my heart and one halfe of that root you grew upon seeing our Master's rod is upon us let us ply our Books the Book of Gods word and of our own hearts and learn some heavenly lessons there lyes not onely a command upon me a Father's duty but also the trust reposed and charge imposed on me by your Mother let me advise you therefore often to look on this picture †She would never be perswaded to have her Picture drawn while she was alive I have now here drawn it when she is dead no wonder if it be but darkly and imperfectly though she had very much of the image of God both on her and in her of your dear Mother that I have here sadly limmed for your use and when you view it say as sometimes Boleslaus King of Poland when he looked on his Fathers Picture oh said he that I may not do any thing unworthy of such a Father dresse your selves by this glasse so far as it 's agreeable to the word stick to the truth as she did both in times of persecution and other alluring temptations I know that God partly by her help hath given you a large measure of knowledge for persons of your age and sex but besides the tree of knowlege look to the tree of life build on the rock by doing the word Math. 7.24 Iohn 13.17 adde to your knowledge virtue and not onely morall virtue but that which some have questioned whether it ever be called by the name of virtue in Scripture the grace of life 1 Pet. 3.7 Your body excells your estate your soul excells your body but grace excells the soul for you are not happy because you have souls but because you have grace that good work Phil. 1.6 that good thing 1 Kings 14.13 such a beast and so foolish am I that I doubt if it had layd in my power I should so badly have requited all her love that I should have raised her again to have lived here on earth but sure it s well for her that I could not onely I have here though darkly drawn her picture for my and your Consolation and Imitation I know you never paint your selves norwear any foolish pictures or garish attire but yet I pray you weare this picture and often remember the holy counsels and practise of such a Mother there was a very sharp Law among the Romans against parents for mal-education of their own Children there lay action at law against any parent and he might be sued that did not bring up his Children carefully because hereby not only the Children but the Common-wealth and the Neighbours were injured there was no action could lye against your Mother nor I hope shall against me for this fault and I am very confident so far as I have either seen by you or heard of you that you will never prove such as it was said of the Emperour Commodus Baffianus Caracolla c. that they were the shame of civill parents I have gathered a nose-gay for me and you to smell at consisting as you see of 33. flowers amongst 1000 d. that grew in the Garden of her life you may remember many more and I shall here adde 20. Lessons for me and you to take out and practise and the rather because this rod which did not come by chance nor did it arise out of the dust Iob 5.6 hath a loud voice Micah 6.9 Exod. 4.8 doth call us aloud thereto I say not that every one of these flowers is a certain signe of grace and mark of salvation but as we say of Christ that many things spoken of him in Scripture may belong to others also but all of them joyntly belong to none but the true Messiah and of Antichrist that some things spoken of him in Scripture may belong to others but all of them joyntly belong to none but the Pope though in these our times many men that have plus fellis qudm humerorum more heat then head more passion then discretion call every one that is not just of their judgment Antichristian so often smite the lamb instead of the Beast so may I say of these eivdences that all of them belong to none but a reall Saint I would not have you overwhelmed with sorrow so as to hurt your selves or hinder duty as it did the Isralites Exod. 6.9 your tears cannot help neither her nor your selves but yet I cannot condemn you nor would I my self be condemned for being sensible of Gods sharp stroke 2 Sam. 1.24 25. 2 King 2.12 and our great losse If our Father had but spit in our face should we not be ashamed Numb 12.14 when the Lord thus smites should we then make mirth Ezek. 21.10 If I see any in the fiery furnace and not so much as the smell of fire upon their garments I shall take it for a Miracle Jesus Christ wept at the grave of Lazarus and it was a clear signe of his love to him John 11.35 36. devout men made great lamentation not for but over Stephen Act. 8.2 who yet was as sure of Heaven as any man alive could be Act. 7.55 56. Abraham came from his own tent to Sarahs to mourn for her being dead Gen. 23.2 and she was the first that we read of in Scripture mourned-for gratia non tollit sed attollit naturam God forbids us not to mourn †Ezek. 24.16 So Joseph mourned for Jacob Gen. 50.1 3 10. See John 11.31 Mark 5.38 The contrary is threatned as a curse Jer. 22.18 Ezekiels not mourning was only as a sign to the Jews that their Colamities should exceed all sorrow Ezek. 24.16 23. so it be not as men without hope though I confesse we had much more need with Peter and David c. to mourn more for our tran gressions then afflictions That deep measure of sorrow was commanded