in the sight of God Her Heaven-born Faith trampled under-foot all conceit or consideration of secular advantage It was no great matter to her to issue from illustrious Progenitors her greatest ambition was to become the Child of God by spiritual birth She esteemed it but a small thing to glitter with the Ensigns of a Noble Family whose great care was to be enrolled among the Saints and Family of God She forgot her self to be Rich or Honourable regarding it only so far that the holiness of her mind might exceed the splendour of her outward man For she esteemed that to be the greatest which is the truest Nobility viz. to be the Child of God and co-heir with Christ Being thus perswaded her constant endeavour was to preserve the honour of her Nobility by keeping it unstained from those Vices which are not only a blemish to it but leave the offenders how Nobly so ever extracted under the ignominy of degeneracy and in the rank of the vilest of men who sell themselves to work wickedness in the sight of the Lord whereby they become willing slaves to the Prince of darkness who worketh effectually in and by them leading them Captive at his Will Whilst they serve their own Lusts and suffer sin to reign in their mortal bodies obeying it in the lusts thereof they even proclaim themselves to be the servants of sin being by it vanquished and brought in bondage She well knew that no man hath any cause to boast of his Nobility when his better part is enslaved it being much more shameful to enslave the mind than the body Her care therefore was to transfer all outward advantages to the inward adorning of the Soul slighting all secular Pomp and splendour that she might with more freedom choose that good part which could not be taken away from her Having so early received into her tender heart the Heavenly dew of Divine Grace natural corruption that common disease of all mankind was thereby even nipt in the bud and received its Deaths-wound before it could get that advantage which it ordinarily obtaineth in miserable mortals How soon did she begin to perform her Baptismal Vow and Covenant renouncing the Devil and all his works the pomps and vanities of this wicked World and all the sinful lusts of the Flesh Those vanities which were the carnal delights and darlings of her equals were her burden and grievance When to please Relations and that she might not seem too scrupulously morose she was some-waies necessitated to be present at the interludes which were at certain times acted in the Family yet as I have heard her sometimes say her heart was otherwise employ'd and she would ever be sure to take the first opportunity to withdraw and retire her self from those vanities to exercise her thoughts in better meditations according to her yet slender capacity Being grown up to years of discretion when her towardliness was more conspicuous in her Religious and Gracious comportment how dear and precious was she to all such of her acquaintance as had devoted themselves to the fear of God She was ever beloved and honoured by them and they of all others were most dear to her Whilst she kept in her Fathers-House and afterwards till the day of her Marriage besides her secret retirements she was a diligent Attendant upon publick Ordinances not omitting to watch at Wisdoms gates and wait at the Posts of her House continually Insomuch as living under the Ministry of that Eminent and faithful Servant of Christ Doctor Holdesworth she would not miss either Lords-Daies nor Holy-Daies Sermons nor Mornings Prayers on Wednesdaies and Frydaies nor such times in the Week as he appointed for Catechise though she was constrained hereby to leave her mornings rest very early and for haste cover with her Scarfe the defects of those Dresses which detained others of her Rank from that which she more prized than all worldly gayeties But these were her more obscure times before she was so fully known to those who are yet living witnesses of her pious regard to heavenly practices From whose credible reports and my own knowledge in the O too short time of our acquaintance which was not full two years take these ensuing few Observations It was the thirtieth year of her Age before she gave way to any motion of Marriage though she had many from very considerable persons but at that time it pleased God who ordereth all the concernments of his dear Children for their assured good to present her with such a motion as could not but be acceptable to her viz. Sir Thomas Wharton Knight of the Bath and only Brother to the Kight Honourable Phillip Lord Wharton of Wharton who being well acquainted with that Family to which his was nearly allied took so much notice of her Vertues and gracious conversation the great attractive of his affections to her that gave him occasion to move her in order to Marriage Which motion most happy to them both she upon serious consideration did embrace yet with this provision such due regard she had to filial duty that her Fathers and her Uncle Sir Thomas Pelham's consent whom she ever honoured as a Father and he ever tenderly loved her as a Child should first be obtained Sir Thomas was at hand and therefore the first address was made to him who readily and chearfully gave his approbation Her Father was then at Oxford with the King and his whole Estate under sequestration nor had she any further expectation from him of any augmentation of that Portion which was long before in her own hands and dispose yet would she not Marry till his assured consent was gained to her full satisfaction which himself did signifie to her by divers Letters which I have seen written from Oxford wherein he declared that he was assured that Sir Thomas would prove both honest and kind and farther assured her that his blessing should accompany them in their Marriage c. And now was the time when that light of Divine Grace long since kindled must become more conspicuous shining more and more unto that perfect day Prov. 4.18 Now that precious seed which had taken such firm root in her heart and had already made a hopeful progress in the blade shall produce the Ear and after that the full Corn in the Ear and yield the great Husband-man an acceptable Harvest Mark 4.28 To mention the particular passages of her well spent Life would rather be to write an History than what is only intended a short Narrative I can therefore here give only a general account of some few passages which yet may sufficiently evidence the sincerity of her Faith working by Love which is the whole of Christianity What is intended may be referred to these two Heads 1. Her Qualification 2. Her Conversation 1. For the former of these She was a careful observer of the Apostles earnest Exhortation adding to her Faith Vertue and to Vertue Knowledge 2 Pet.
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 absque and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 jugum 1 Sam. 25.17 that he could not speak to them Men that could not endure the yoke of any wholsome Law or discipline or the curb of a Reproof or Admonition 2. But as they have power to do what they list so they want not friends to justifie their misdoings nor fordid flatterers to sooth them in their wickedness nor companions to excite and provoke them to evil nor instruments to gratifie their lusts and act their pleasure 3. They are out of the reach of those that cordially desire their reformation Inferiours are disdained Heb. 13.17 and their faithful Pastors who stand charged with the care of their Souls and at whose hands their blood will be required Ezek. 3.18 Amos 5.10 Jer. 18.18.43.2.20.8 10. 2 Chron. 36.16 Jer. 11.21 if they connive at their sins if they discharge their duty are sure to meet with such entertainment as the Prophets of old had viz. hatred contempt contumelie and persecution These are such as neither fearing God nor regarding man dare say to the Prophets Prophesie not unto us right things speak unto us smooth things c. Get you out of the way c. Cause the holy one of Israel to cease from before us Isa 30.10 11. But what speak I of such wicked persons whose transgressions declare them such as have not the fear of God before their eyes Psalm 36.1 when Riches and worldly advantages have such a bad influence upon the best hearts being such incentives to their remaining corruptions Psalm 30.6 Read the like of Hezekiah 2 Chron. 32.23 c. Mat. 6.29.20.21 Even David was too prone to be exalted in his prosperity and upon account of his greatness did greatly offend as is diversly recorded in his story It is a rare thing to find prosperity humble or devout Men grow too careless of Heaven when they have so much treasure laid up on Earth Besides it is the unhappiness of rich men though they be good that either they have none to reprove them or else through passion and height of Spirit in conceit of their distance they cannot or will not bear a reproof If Jesurun wax fat he will kick Deut. 32.15 1 Cor. 1.26 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Well therefore might the Apostle conclude not many Rich or mighty men of power nor Noble or well-born are called Vse 1. Oh what need then have great and rich men to keep their hearts with all diligence that they be not ensnared with the deceitfulness of Riches Prov. 4.23 so as to neglect their better part St. Paul well knew their danger when he required Timothy to charge them That they be not high minded 1 Tim. 6.17 c. nor trust in uncertain Riches c. But to lay up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come laying bold on Eternal Life According to this is our Saviours ferious admonition Luke 16.9 Make to your selves friends of the Mammon of unrighteousness that when you fail they may receive you into everlasting habitations He teacheth how to make the best advantage of the unrighteous Mammon and to convert those occasions of sin to contrary purpose that the good use of our Riches may procure us friends and favour when we shall stand in greatest need Vse 2. Nevertheless though there be but few great and Rich men that mind the things of God and make a right use of their worldly advantages yet blessed be God there are some such And O how are such men bound to praise God and we for them that he hath given them together with their Riches and Honour an holy humble tractable gracious Spirit truly desirous to serve him improving each opportunity as Mary here for the advancement of their everlasting Salvation preferring in their most deliberate choice this one thing necessary before all the pleasures and treasures in the World Whose Riches are helps to fruitfulness in works of mercy Heb. 13.16 who forget not to do good and to communicate knowing that with such Sacrifices God is well pleased Oh how lovely and pleasant a thing is it to see a great and Noble Person serious and devout in the service of God Who with Royal Holy David hath learned to prefer the true and sincere serving of God before all his Riches and Honours Ps 119.14 72. and to set more by the divine favour than all that good Psalm 4 6 7.63.3 Psa 26.4 c. 119.115 Psalm 1.1 2. which worldings so busily enquire after yea than Life it self Therefore with that religious King he will not converse with vain persons but casheers all wicked company that he may attend upon heavenly employments esteeming him only blessed Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly nor stands in the way of sinners nor sits in the seat of the scornful but delights in the Law of God and makes it bis continual meditation Such are blessed men indeed who as they provide well for their own sure peace and comfort so are they publick blessings to all their Relations and to whomsoever else have the happiness of converse with them whilst the light of the holy conversation becomes more conspicuous and so more exemplary by the advantage of that height wherein Providence hath placed them Like benigne Planets their influence cheareth all within their reach How useful are such men both to Church and Common-wealth They study the prosperity of Sion which they prefer before their chief joy Psalm 137.6 Job 31.16 And their care is with Job to gratifie the desire and answer the hope of the needy to feed the hungry and cloath the naked c. These mens practice and priviledges you may see lively described Psal 112. per totum Hitherto we have considered the party thus described It remains to speak of the Thing for which she is commended Where we have 1. Her Act 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 she hath chosen 2. The Object or thing chosen 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that good part I. For the first Choice supposeth two or more things or waies proposed to a mans discretion of which he takes that which pleaseth him best The rational man can prefer nothing in choice Electio est melioris acceptatio but sub ratione boni and would not miss in it if the rectitude of the judgement were not vitiated As some distempered Bodies refuse good meat to feed on Ashes Coals or Gravel which is not properly the fault of the Appetite but occasioned by the prevailing distemper The Israelites guided by their Lust loathed Manna and lusted after the Flesh-pots and the Onions and Garlick of Egypt Yea even gracious souls Num. 11 5.6 through mistake do oft mischoose Thus Lot beholding the pleasantness of the plain of Jordan Gen. 13 9. c. chose Sodom for his Habitation God puts man to his choice he sets him as it were in Bivio as the Antients feigned of
be expected than of every pious Soul Mat. 6.6 2 Sam. 7.18 Dam. 6 1â— whose care is not to be seen or heard in those retirements by any but their heavenly Father yet by providence something was found among her Papers written with her own hand upon a special occasion which may afford some discovery of her godly and devout frame of Spirit even in that heavenly and secret Duty The occasion was this That Reverend and holy man of God Mr. John Hudson now the Right Reverend Bishop of Elphin in Ireland Preaching upon that Text 1 Sam. 1.27 For this Child I prayed c. amongst other savoury passages observed That Mercies and Blessings obtained by Prayer will be sweet and that we should especially record special mercies which practice would both help our memory we being very apt to forget mercies Psal 106.7 and also strengthen our Faith Psal 85.1 2 3 c. vers 8 9. I will hear what God the Lord will speak c. Surely his Salvation is nigh them that fear him Her gracious Soul made such good use of that Sermon that she from that time resolved to keep a Record of such special mercies as it should please the Lord to vouchsafe her more especially such as were given in upon Prayer And in those Papers wherein they were found Recorded she thus bespeaks the Lord in her Prayers O my God I desire now to come before thee humbled in my Soul for my own baseness and filthiness from Head to Foot Every member of my Body being ready and inclined to every sin every faculty of my Soul being polluted and defiled with that foul and ugly sin wherein I was conceived and born And to aggravate this having received and still possessing more mercies and gracious dispensations from thee than I think ever any creature had But it is thy free-grace who canst as well give me a thankful heart as a receiving hand which I beg for his sake upon whose account only I come before thee and have this confidence to approach unto thee And here O Lord through thine assistance I desire to recount as I am able some of those innumerable mercies that I daily receive Then after an enumeration of many general mercies she thus proceeds Good God give me the Grace likewise that all this thy goodness may not be in vain upon my poor Soul I bless thy Name for the gracious presence of thy blessed Spirit at all times when I set my self before thee in earnest to seek thy face and favour in private and in especial at a Fast I kept and Sacrament I received when I was left all alone at Wobourn when I received much comfort c. Then again reckoning up many particular mercies received at the Lords hand upon her Prayers to him for her Husband and Son amongst which she forgets not affectionatly to mention the good means of Grace and Salvation they had lived under and the contented peaceable plentiful chearful condition they had enjoyed ever since they came together But these saith she are but Ones of thousands that I have and do enjoy O give me to live in some measure answerable to this goodness of thine c. After this manner hath she Recorded the many special mercies deliverances blessings which she her Husband Son and Family had received noteing the day and month of the year And the whole contexture is in the same tenour of Prayer and Praises ever desiring of the Lord that he would give her to live the life of Faith and Thanksgiving which was her frequent expression But the particular mercies conferred upon her self and her Relations were not the only Subject of her thankful praises So great was her affection to the Church of God and to her dear native Country that publick blessings were also sound Recorded in her secret Devotions Thus when it pleased God to heal the breaches of this distracted Nation by the happy Restauration of his Royal Majesty she thus expresseth her deep sense of that wonderful change But now O God I am confounded and know not what to say nor which way to begin to bless and praise by great Name for thy infinite preservations of deliverances to and blessed restauration of our dear King and his Family from their sad banished and distracted condition which they have long lain under to their own Inheritance And all this is beyond what we could have asked or thought to be without blood or obligation to strangers or any thing but thy own hand which is for ever to be magnified and adored for this great Work for which I beseech thee to give me and all thine to live the life of Faith and Thanksgiving to lay our selves in the dust and to be low in our own eyes that thou alone maist be exalted for these great and wonderful things that thou hast done in our daies for preserving them in the true Religion in the midst of diverse temptations and keeping them from diverse dangers of Soul and Body for all which let our Souls bless thy great Name This may suffice to give some aim whereby to measure her private Devotions which could not otherwise be discovered but by her own Papers occasioned as is before declared But by this it may appear how serious she was in her Meditation of Gods loving-kindness to her and her Relations in every concernment with which she was so exceedingly affected that she could not forbear to speak of it in her private discourses with her friends In the short time of our acquaintance how frequently have I heard her with tears of joy express her deep apprehensions of Gods gracious Providence in their outward prosperity beyond her hopes admiring his blessings according to his holy promise heaped upon them she knew not how owing his hand and disowning all their own care and endeavour as of no signification in reference to the greatness of even outward mercies received This wrought her Soul to the highest content with that Estate which it pleased God to place her in which had it been much meaner would yet no doubt have been acceptable to her thankful heart which ever took its measure from the consideration of Gods bountiful providence in administring blessings sutable to her condition and not from any ambitious emulation of others grandeur Such as is said was her more private converse with God What was more obvious to the eyes of men was very exemplary whether we consider her deportment in the publick Congregation or in her Family duties In the publick Prayers in the Church as also in the Family her Posture outward gesture and voice was ever most decent humble and reverent with all evidences of a broken contrite serious and servent spirit expressing greatest affection with such diligent and undistracted attention without the least shew of Ostentation that whosoever observed her deportment could not but conclude 1 Sam. 1.12 13. Sancti sine voce clâ—mant ad Deum Inspirante Spiritu sancto apud Deum per
required by God either by way of recompence for their pains who laboured and watched for her soul Heb. 12.13 as she was directed by Gods Word 1 Thes 5.12 13. 1 Cor. 9.11 Gal. 6.6 For she had learned with holy David to prefer the Law of Gods mouth before worldly Riches or by way of compassion where there was real and not pretended necessity She was perswaded that God required her to help when he was pleased to present her with such an object of Charity But then did she judge she had got the fittest object when this necessity was accompanied with sincere Piety Omnibus nos debitores fecit communis humanitas sed fidelibus vinculum arctius spiritualìs cognationis quam Dominus inter nos sacravit Calv. in Gal. 6.10 according to the Apostles prescript Gal. 6.10 As we have opportunity let us do good to all men especially to them who are of the houshold of Faith There she accounted her Charity most due But she was not only careful to make right choice of the Party whom she ought to relieve but also of that way and means whereby she might do them most good and her Charity make for the greatest advantage The Hungry she would Feed and procure Cloaths for the Naked and comfort the Sick with such things as she had That of Job 29.13 might fitly be applied to her The blessing of those that were ready to perish came upon her and she caused the Widdows heart to sing for joy She was the poor Orphans Mother taking some of them into her own Family Ita singulis suam pecuniam dividebat ut singulis necessarium erat Hâ—eron Ep. 27 Job 31.16 others were kept to School others were placed forth as Apprentices with her Money For some poor Families she would purchase Cows that the Children might have Milk or what other waies she could devise whereby to help poor and decayed people Thus she with-held not the poor from their desire nor would she cause the eyes of the Widdow to fail Nor was this her practice for a fit or seldom but constant and continued till her dying day she was not weary of well-doing nor did she fail to the last leaving order even at her End for further distribution of the remainder yet undisposed of No doubt but she now enjoyeth a plentiful Crop of that blessed Seed and her Works follow her Such was her converse with others who were not her Family Relations What her deportment was towards them I shall speak the less because I cannot say enough She that thus walked with God and whose Conversation towards all others was such as is before declared must needs be most benigne and respective to all her Relations To mention her goodness towards each of them particularly would but too much grate upon their grieved spirits and renew their yet fresh sorrows for so great a loss This I may presume to say that no Husband could lose a more loving respective obedient and in each regard a better Wife and Friend No Child a more tender loving careful Mother No Servant a more loving meek provident indulgent Lady that could more desire and endeavour their good And this not only in reference to their body and outward man but with more especial respect to their Souls and spiritual state It was ever her great desire and careful endeavour that all who were near her should serve God with her and that she might ever find them in the fear of God Nor could any thing more grieve her than at any time to see any of them offend or sin against God As to her carriage in all things towards her Husband and his reciprocally toward her I have never observed in any married pair a greater mutual complacency than betwixt them two They lived together as if they had but one Heart and one Will in all things that which was pleasing to either was ever most eligible to the other Yea who ever observed any difference of opinion in them or the least discontent or ever heard any contest between them whose only strife was whether of them should more please and gratifie the other But instead of larger reports of her gracious and loving respects to her nearest Relations these few notes following may suffice to declare her affection to them and care for them which I have transcribed out of her own Papers prepared five years ago she having long laboured under an Hectick distemper and which she delivered with her own hands one to her Husband and the other to her only Son the day before her Death Some part of the Paper to her Husband being dated Feb. 20. 1667. is as followeth My dear Heart Sir Thomas Wharton OVR good and gracious God will be thy great support and comfort in all conditions and will make up all Relations without whom none could have given any contentment We have by his mercies lived more happy daies than almost any but changes must come to us as well as to all others Therefore let us be thankful for all our good we have enjoyed and be willing and ready to give up what is dearest to us when he calls who will do nothing to hurt us being our most loving Father in Christ who has bought us with his precious blood This I believe Lord help my unbelief and give me to live the life of Faith and Thanksgiving and prepare me for his Will whether Life or Death I am very infirm but heart whole c. Then making mention of her only Son Of whom saith she I need not desire your taking care for he is yours as much as mine and I know you love him c. I would fain have him much in your company or under your eye Though I know his Youth and your Gravity will not altogether sute yet I hope you will allow him grains and he yield you all obedience of Love as well as Fear I shall need to say nothing of his Marriage for I think we both agree in desiring he may meet in the first place with Piety Vertue and a good Extraction And if any Wealth or Beauty attend upon these let it come they are not ill Servants though unfit to be uppermost in our desires or esteem If God give his blessing a little will be enough if not enough will be too little to satisfie the covetous desire from which good God deliver him I had rather his Education might instruct him to use that little be will have well than to covet more to spend ill The Paper to her Son followeth verbatim My dear Philip I Pray God bless you and he who has raised you from many illnesses and weaknesses raise your heart and life to some degree answerable to these great mercies and all other which I am not able to reckon up I am at this time I praise God well and have no illness on me but grow Old and infirm often which makes me desire to leave something in charge with you which you may
against our selves his secret counsel which belongeth not to us and neglect his revealed Will wherein he doth assure us by his Oath that he hath no pleasure in the death of the wicked Ezek. 33.11 but rather that he should turn from his way and live And though the possession of this Salvation which is the end of our Faith and holy conversation be beyond the reach of any creatures merit 1 Pet. 1.9 Ephes 1.14 Isa 55.1 2 Cor. 5.20 Ezek 18.31 John 5.40 6.37 yet it is purchased to our hand by the precious blood of our Redeemer And doth not the Lord freely offer it Doth he not wooe us to it and beseech us to accept of it Dot he not expostulate with those that refuse it why they will die and not come to him that they might have Life And gives all assurance that those who come unto him he will in no wise cast out If we despond in the sense and apprehension of our own imbecillity 2 Cor 3.5 as not sufficient of our selves to think any thing as of our selves Let us withall consider that all our sufficiency is of God whose Grace is sufficient for us and who will perfect his strength in weakness 12.9 He will work all our works in us without whom indeed we can do nothing but may do all things by him strengthening us Isa 26.12 Jâ—hn 15.5 Phil. 4.13 Rev. 22.12 Heb. 10.37 2 Cor. 6 2. Isa 45.9 Psalm 145.19 And that thou maist not think him long he hath told thee that he will come quickly and not tarry yea that now is the accepted time now is the day of salvation Now that he hath put it into thy heart to desire it to pant after it to seek it and pray for it For he never said to the seed of Jacob that they should seek his face in vain but will fulfill the desire of them that fear him he will hear their cry and will save them Now that we may manage this choice aright we must proceed by such degrees as reason directs in every considerable act wherein the understanding must perceive the Will begin Prudence direct and Constancy perfect the Action So it is here 1. Take sufficient cognizance of the things commended to thy choice that thou choose not blind fold We never enjoy the true benefit and comfort of our choice till we know the excellency and use of it Nor is it accounted of as Worship when we Worship God ignorantly as the Samaritans Acts 11.23 Psalm 82.5 John 12.35 Deut. 15.21 Mal. 1.8 and Athenians did He that knoweth not walketh on in darkness and knoweth not whither he goeth And God will not accept a blind sacrifice it is an abomination to him 2. The Will also must readily close with this discovery For an unwilling choice is no choice A wicked man may choose to act in some things vertuously for fear of the punishment that attends the contrary practice 2 Cor. 9.7 Col. 3.23 2 Cor 8.12 The Lord loves chearful obedience when we grudge not our Duty nor do it as of necessity but willingly It pleaseth him best when the heart accompanies the work A little with good will is accepted 3. Consult and deliberate seriously by what means thou maist accomplish thy desire and obtain this choice In vain is a choice pretended when the means is not attended We can never hope nor think to obtain this good part but only in that way and in the use of that means which God hath appointed In this case he hath so ordered that the Means should partake of the nature of the End Salvation is begun in Holiness which is the foundation of Happiness and the Earnest and First-fruits and a Fore-tast of Heavens joy Rom. 2 7 10. Glory Honour Immortality and Eternal Life and Peace shall be rendred unto them who seek for it by patient continuance in well doing It is not idling at home or following thy carnal pleasures or looking after thy worldly occasions when thou shouldst be at Church in the solemn Worship of God or in holy exercises in they Family or in thy Closet which will bring thee into acquaintance with the Almighty For the friendship of the world is enmity with God James 4.4 1 John 2.15 And if any man love the world the love of the Father is not in him Therefore Mary having made this choice of the End she likewise chooseth the Means whereby it is obtained 4. Having thus deliberately pitched upon the way let there be a resolute determination to enter upon it Lay obligations upon thy soul to pursue this choice with all serious diligence Thus David having considered that blessedness belongs only to those that are undefiled in the way Psa 119.1 2. who walk in the Law of the Lord and that keep his Testimonies and seek him with their whole heart and that it is Gods command that we should do so Verse 5. he straightway falls to Prayer that his waies might be so directed and in the rest of that devout Psalm he very frequently professeth his resolution to walk in this way with all diligence Yea he binds himself by solemn vow to do it I have sworn saith he and I will perform it that I will keep thy righteous Judgements Verse 106. 5. Yet all this is not sufficient unless we actually engage in the diligent and conscientious use of the Means whereby we may obtain our choice of which we have spoken before Trial 2. 6. Lastly It is necessary that we persevere unto the End that we be not weary of well doing Gal. 6.9 For in due season we shall reap if we faint not The Promise in the Epistles writ by Christs appointment is Vincenti dabitur The reward is given to him that overcometh It is not said Currenti or Pugnanti to him that runneth or to him that striveth though without these no conquest but to him that overcometh As before Trial 4. Thus much concerning Mary's Act She hath chosen II. We are now to speak of the Object or thing chosen viz. that good part which shall not be taken away from her In which words the Object is described by two Prophecies 1. It is good 2. Durable such as shall not be taken away from her 1. It is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That good part The vulgar Latin Translation calls it Optimam partem that best part as it is indeed though the Original express it only in the positive degree which yet doth import the superlative calling it That good part 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by way of excellency We have before shewed how comprehensive this one necessary thing is having respect both to the End and Means whereby the End is attained And in that means we did more especially consider Mary's present employment which was to sit at Jesus Feet and hear his Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hom. Iliad 1. de Nestore Her Eyes and Ears did even hang upon his
1.5 c. The odious aspersion of Solifidianism could not be fastened on her though in the point of Justification she depended only and wholly upon the righteousness of Christ imputed to the Believer and received by Faith in this case not at all looking at her own inherent righteousness Her Faith was a lively and active Faith manifesting its vigour and genuine nature by its proper fruits It provoked those Vertues wherewith she was plentifully furnished Virtus à viribus quasi viri vis Varro de Ling. Lat. lib. 4. to exert their force and strength whence they are so called in the production of every good work as she had opportunity And because she was perswaded it was as necessary to do well as to do good which cannot be without some good competency of knowledge to direct each vertuous action Therefore she gave all diligence to add to her Vertue Knowledge not only speculative whereby she knew what she ought to do but practical in doing what she knew which produced the advantage of a further degree viz. experimental knowledge by which means she reaped the sweetest comfort which ariseth from the conscience of well-doing Her knowledg was savoury and her judgement sound in the things that concern salvation She was never tainted with Novel opinions and fancies but well acquainted with and tenacious of the form of sound words contained in the holy Scriptures and as they are taught in the Church of England whereof she was a true and dutiful Child So well was she grounded in the Principles and main points of Religion that she was out of the reach of the subtilest Papists seduction as she sometimes was not free from their attempts but ever from their Impressions Moreover knowing that whilst we are in this Tabernacle we bear in our bosoms a rebel to the law of our mind the Flesh lusting against the Spirit that she might subdue and mortifie that enemy she gave all diligence to add to her knowledge temperance 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Maenand that promptuary of Vertue most remarkable 1. In her eminent and exemplary Modesty and Chastity She never came within the reach of the most curious suspicion of Immodesty Virgin or Wife being ever careful to abstain from all appearance of evil by any wanton word or gesture 2. In her moderate use of those subsidia which our heavenly Father knows are needful for us and therefore is pleased to allow us for the comfort of our Life 1. In her Apparel She restrained her self from the use of those Fashions which though in themselves they are unseemly to say no worse yet are too frequent and common in use amongst such as were her equals Peccandi fomenta Lupanaâ—â—… insignia ornamenta Meretricum c. Cypr. de hab Virg. Tertul. de hab Mal. de cult Foeminarum Vide etiam Aug. Epist 73. de Doctr. Christ l. 4. c. 21. Ambr. l. 1. de Virg. Hier. Epist 10. 1 Pet. 3.3 4. whereby the practice is become incorrigible and the contrary disdained by the exorbitant She never used to bare her Breasts and Shoulders or Paint or Spot her Face c. or any such Dress as were ever exploded by all sober Christians and vehemently reproved by the Primitive Fathers as enticements and provocations of Lust ornaments of light persons and inventions of the Devil c. But this chast Soul abhorred to be so disfigured Her ornaments were not broidered or platted Hair Gold or Pearls or costly array though she wanted none of those things if she had fancied them but the hidden man of the Heart Her best Dress was that shamefac'dness and Sobriety commanded by St. Paul 1 Tim. 2.9 and the incorruptible 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of a meek and quiet spirit which St. Peter tells us takes such worth in the sight of God This is the Dress which Tertullian commends to Christian Women men * Vestite vos serico probitatis byssino sanctitatis purpurâ pudicitiae Taliter pigmentatae Deum habebitis Amatorem Tert. de cultu foemin in fine Cloath your selves saith he with the Silk of Honesty with the Sattin of Sanctity with the Purple of Modesty in such Paints God will be your Lover In such attire would she appear before God as she knew was best pleasing to him 2. Nor was her Temperance less remarkable in reference to her Diet being nothing studious or desirous of dainty or costly Fare Her ordinary food was good and wholesome but plain and such as is most accommodate for the ends for which God hath ordained it viz. preservation of Health and increase of strength not to please a dainty Palate or gratifie an exorbitant Appetite and excite Lust But the ordering of Family provisions by her appointment was plentiful as to ordinary House-keeping generous and free in her entertainments to the great contentment of her Friends and equals whose Visits were exceeding frequent and grateful Neither was she wanting to add fortitude to her other Vertues resolutely persisting in well-doing being strengthened with power by the Spirit in the inward man Eph. 3.16 to resist the temptation and overcome the difficulties which are ever ready to obstruct all godly endeavours She was indeed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Woman of valour never weary of well-doing nor faint in her mind Prov. 31.10 Lxx. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 v. L. Mulier fortis Gal. 6.7 Heb. 12.3 Job 17.9 Heb. 10.23 Rev. 2.10 but held on in her way growing yet stronger and stronger she held fast her Profession and was faithful unto the End that she might obtain the promised Crown But the Crown of all her Vertues was her Sincerity They were not in shew only but in reality and truth she was what she seemed her Gold needed no Gilt. She was as is said of the Kings Daughter Psal 45.13 glorious within as well as without Her hidden man was richly furnished though not so much exposed to the eye of man as of him who seeth in secret and searcheth the heart and reins Nevertheless though it be most difficult to determine of any mans sincerity which is only know to him that is the discerner of the thoughts and intentions of the heart yet where there are such clear appearances and satisfactory evidences he must be less than a Christian that hath not so much Charity as to conclude that such a one as she must needs be sincere who did so uniformly practise godliness to the last period of her Life never varying or abating in her godly care and watchfulness but alwaies proceeding in a constant tenor of an holy conversation according to that invariable rule Gal. 6.16 Her universal closing with all good and detestation of all sin abstaining from the very appearance of evil hating sin both in her self and others her fervent zeal for Gods glory her cordial Love and vehement affection to and constant use of all his holy Ordinances her ready submission to his Will in all things her fear to