The Ornament of Women, Sermon
THE ORNAMENT of Women.
PRO. 31.29, 30.
Many daughters have done vertuouſly, but thou excelleſt them all.
VER. 30. Favour is deceitfull, and beauty is vaine, but a Woman that feareth the Lord ſhe ſhall be praiſed.
THis laſt Chapter of the Proverbs, containes certaine ſingular leſſons, which Lemuel, or Solomon, learn't of his loving and religious mother Bathſheba, as is gathered from the firſt and ſecond verſes.
Whereby we may juſtly confute the folly or rather blaſphemy of thoſe, Papiſts, and Atheiſts, that cannot endure Women ſhould meddle with the Scriptures or Word of God. For if the words of a Woman were thought fit to bee made the word of God, not only by wiſe Solomon; but alſo by the Holy Ghoſt, then ſurely Women may very well meddle with Gods holy word, that following this holy and royall example of Solomons Mother, they may inſtruct, at leaſt, their child: in the old good way according to GODS Word.Ier. 6.16.
The truth is, many women doe ſhame a great many men, that are ignorant, idle, or prophane, and hence they ſeeke to fright them from the Word of God, that they might be as bad as them, or that themſelves might not ſeeme ſo bad as they be.
In the body of this Chap. we find two maine things conſiderable, the
1. Concerning Man, the
2. Concerning Woman.
The firſt, declares how a Prince or great man may, and ought to bee, a good man, from the beginning of the third unto the 10th verſe.
The ſecond ſhewes the praiſes and properties of a great and good woman eſpecially. Her praiſes are ſet downe firſt and laſt, her properties are in the middeſt. Wherein wee may ſee her behaviour.
Firſt, As ſhe is a Wife, ver. 11.12.
Secondly, The properties of a good woman.As a Mother and Miſtreſſe of a Family, verſe 13.14. &c. to 28. In all which wee may take notice of her ſingular faithfulneſſe and helpefulneſſe, her painefulneſſe and providence, her prudence and watchfulneſſe, and that which ſeaſons all her Pietie and Charity, Rare vertues in a man, much more in a woman, who is the weaker veſſell.1 Pet. 3. Her praiſes
As for her praiſe (to come more punctually to that, becauſe the Text is a part of it) we may conſider. Firſt, Her rareneſſe, hard to be found, intimated in the interrogation. Who can finde a vertuous woman? That is, they are rare birds, and even almoſt blacke Swannes, not every where nor eaſie to bee found. Secondly, Her incomparableneſſe, her price is farre above Rubyes or the moſt precious Stones. Ibid: not only above, but farre above Rubies. So much for her praiſe in the firſt place. In the ſecond you ſhall finde
Firſt, Of whom ſhee is praiſed, namely thoſe that beſt knew her, to wit, her husband and child: Her children ariſe up and call her bleſſed, her husband alſo, and he praiſeth her, ver. 28.
Secondly, The quality of her praiſe, Ver. 29. foreignwhich is ſet downe firſt to be ſuperlative, farre ſurmounting all other in the firſt verſe of the Text. Many daughters have done vertuouſly; but thou excelleſt, or goeſt beyond, and above them all, as the Hebrew hath it.
Secondly, Ver. 30.Comparative in the latter verſe, Favour is deceitfull and beauty is vaine, or vanity it ſelfe: but a woman that feareth the Lord ſhe ſhall be praiſed.
Thirdly, take notice of that for which this good woman is chiefly praiſed, Ibid. v. 30to wit, for her feare of God, that is for her grace, true Religion, and piety towards God.
Laſtly, The place where ſhe ſhould be praiſed, Ver. 31even in the Gate, that is in the moſt publike place of concourſe and meeting, for in the Gates were there publike meetings and aſſemblies, for rewards or puniſhments.
And here it is to bee obſerved, Continet encomiū mulieris alphabetico ordine exaratum. Iun. Ibid.that all this is ſet downe in an extraordinary order, even Alphabetically in the Originall, both according to the order and number of the Hebrew Letters, there being juſt ſo many verſes as letters, to wit, twenty two concerning this great and good woman. Which is ſeldome uſed in the Scripture: and alwayes upon ſpeciall occaſion, to ſignifie the choiceneſſe of the matter in hand, and to perſwade them the rather to read, and learne thoſe ſelect leſſons.
In the Text then wee have the praiſe of a Wife or Woman in print, (as I may ſay) a woman farre more worth than her waight in gold: whence the firſt and maine point, that I will obſerve ſhall be this.
Grace and godlineſſe are the moſt excellent Ornaments of Women. Or thus, Obſer. 1 The feare of God and true Religion make moſt excellent women and wives.
There is as much difference betweene a gracious Woman and one that wants grace and true Religion, Yee were ſometime darkeneſſe but now light in the Lord. Eph. 5.8. Vide. 1 Theſ. 5.5.as betweene the light of the Sunne and the light of the Moone and leſſer Starres. While the Sunne is out of ſight, the Moone makes a faire ſhow, and the leſſer ſtars doe ſhine, alſo till the Sun begin to ſhow himſelfe in the Horizon, then the Moone doth as it were loſe all her light, looking wan and pale, and the leſſe ſtarres vaniſh, and appeare not at all: Rotten wood will ſhine in the night in the darke.So a woman that wants grace may make great ſhow in the night amongſt the leſſer ſtarres, and ſeeme glorious, ſhee may exceed others and ſhine much in wealth, and beauty, and comlines, yea and in morall vertues, as diſcretion and diligence, &c. which make a faire ſhow in the world, 1 Ioh. 5.19.that lies in wickedneſſe, and ſo in darkeneſſe; but when a true religious woman comes in place, that is adorned with the feare of God and the graces of Gods Spirit, then the other is quite obſcured and darkened, in the eyes of thoſe that can diſcerne of things that differ. And that which is here ſpoken of women, you may likewiſe all along apply unto men. For grace and GODS feare make as great a difference among men as amongſt women.
Hence David cals the Saints the excellent of the earth, in whom was all his delight, Pſalm. 16.3. And wiſe Solomon his ſonne ſaith. The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour Prov. 12.26. for he found by experience, (who tried more than any man) that all was vanity, yea vanity of vanities, that is ſuperlatively vaine without the feare of God, The main thing that makes a man.and keeping his Commandements; which, he ſaid, was Col haadam; the whole man, or the whole duty of man, Eccleſ. 12.13.
This will eaſily appeare to a ſpirituall eye, foreign Omnis homo. Arias Mont. Totū Homints Jun. foreign Sep.that grace and the feare of God makes the moſt excellent women and wives, becauſe ſuch as bee truely gracious excell all others in all thoſe things that are moſt commended in a woman.
As firſt to begin with their Birth.
It is greatly eſteemed in man or woman to bee nobly borne, The gracious Woman doth excell in Birth.and honourably deſcended, and many make a great ſhew, and carry themſelves high, becauſe of their great birth, and it breeds eſtimation in others. But now every gracious woman exceeds in her birth, Ioh. 3.3. & 1. and 13.becauſe borne from above, even borne anew of God, and therefore moſt nobly borne, yea moſt royally deſcended: It is a great matter to be mans firſt borne, and therefore the firſt borne was called the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power, See Exod. 4.22. Jſrael is my ſonne even my firſt borne.Gen 49.3. Now all thoſe that feare God aright, and have true grace, are Gods first borne, both men and women, Heb. 12.23. And therefore are the excellency of Gods dignity, and the excellency of his power, who is omnipotent, even El-ſhaddai all-ſufficient, Gen. 17.1.
Next to birth that which commends a woman is Beauty, 2. Beauty.wherewith men are much taken, and even bewitched as it were, ſometimes to the loſſe of their wits and lives alſo, if they cannot obtaine. Now there is no beauty to the beauty of holineſſe, which is the bleſſed Image of God, Epheſ. 4.24. and makes us like our Lord and Saviour, who is altogether lovelie, Cant. 5.16. All other beauty is but blackneſſe to this, which is the true beauty of every gracious woman fearing God, and which ſhe moſt of all prizeth, and ſeekes after.
The next thing that commends a woman is favour, 3. Favour.to be well favoured is amiable in the eyes of men, yet the text here will tell you, that as Beauty is vaine, ſo favour is deceitfull, being compared with the feare of God. For the feare of the Lord makes us well favoured in the ſight of God: this is that therefore which makes men or women excell all others who are fouly deformed, by reaſon of ſinne and wickedneſſe. Theſe are chiefe things that make a woman praiſe-worthy in regard of the body. Wherein you ſee Religion and the feare of God hath gotten the preheminence.
Now for the things that commend the ſoule, The godly woman excels in the inward qualities, as firſt in her judgement and underſtanding.we ſhall ſee the ſame difference. As firſt for Iudgment and underſtanding, A woman wanting grace may have a nimble wit, and quicke apprehenſion in earthly things, ſo that ſhee may bee able to diſcourſe diſcreetly on ſuch matters, but as for the beſt things, ſhe muſt come far ſhort of the gracious woman, as not being able to diſcerne of heavenly things aright, or approve the things that are excellent, as the Apoſtle hath it, Philippians 1.10. Becauſe ſhe hath but a naiurall wit, or morall at the moſt, whereas the women that hath grace hath a ſapernaturall understanding, Mat. 13.11.given her of God, as all his children have. Hee reveales unto all ſuch that which hee hides and conceales from the wiſe and prudent of the world.Mat. 11.25.
A ſecond thing that inwardly commends a woman 2. In Love.is her love. But if ſhe be without grace, her love is little better than luſt, becauſe not ſet upon the right object, not upon God, nor the things of God, but on the baſer things below, therefore is baſe in compariſon of that love of excellent things, wch is exceedingly ſweetned and ſeaſoned by the ſanctified objects.
Herein therefore, the gracious woman goes far beyond ſuch as want grace, becauſe her affections are right ſet, Mat. 6.33.ſeeking firſt the kingdome of God and his righteouſneſſe, preferring the Image of God before all outward beauty, eſteeming it dung in compariſon.
A third inward quality that commends man or woman is their minde and ſpirit, 3. In ſpirit. Saint Paul doth make a great difference betweene the ſpirit of God, and the ſpirit of the world. 1 Cor. 2.12.herein ſhe that hath grace and Gods feare, doth farre exceed all other, as Daniel did all the Preſidents and Princes, becauſe an excellent ſpirit was in him. So in every one truely Religious there is a more excellent ſpirit: even the ſpirit of GOD. For if any one hath not the ſpirit of CHRIST, hee is none of his, Rom. 8. ver. 9.
You ſee then how grace makes men and women excell, becauſe it makes them, though never ſo meane, of a more excellent minde and ſpirit: And the wiſer Heathen could ſay, Mens cujuſ que is eſt quiſ que .Cicere.
The mind or ſpirit of a man is the maine man, and they did not reckon of a man according to his riches or honours, or any outward ornament, but according to his minde or ſpirit. Hee that was baſe minded was counted a baſe man, though nobly borne and greatly advanced otherwayes with wealth, &c. And hee that was brave ſpirited was counted a brave man, though meanly deſcended, Great difference in regard of their actions. 1. In generall. Even as a ſicke man muſt firſt bee made whole yer he can doe the deedes of a whole man, and as the blind muſt firſt have fight given him, yer he can ſee. Mr. Tindals Parable of the wicked Mammon p. 63. Col. 2.and of low eſtate in the world.
Thus much for their perſons, wherein thoſe that have grace every way exceed. Now come we to conſider their actions, and we ſhall find no leſſe difference. For firſt in generall, All the actions of the unregenerate are polluted with ſinne, Matth. 7.18. A good tree cannot bring forth evill fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Till wee be good wee cannot doe good, as the tree muſt be good before it can bring forth good fruit. And 'tis grace and grace only, and the feare of God that makes us good before God, All the pruning, dreſſing, digging, dunging, in the world, will not make a ſwore Crab-tree ſtock bring forth good Apples, unleſſe it be grafted with a graft of a good tree, you cannot gather grapes of thornes nor figges of thiſtles, Matth. 7.16. So all the pruning or dreſsing of man or woman by art and education will not make them bring forth acceptable fruit unto God, unleſſe they bee grafted with grace from above. Thoſe other things may make them civill and ſober, wiſe and well reputed of in the world, but they cannot make them holy, and pleaſing in Gods ſight.
And their beſt and moſt glorious workes of pietie and charity, which in ſome ſort they may, and doe performe, are but gliſtering ſinnes. Splendida peccata, as Saint Auſtine hath long ſince truly termed them. For ſuch offer to God a body without a ſoule, becauſe grace is that which gives ſpirit, and life to all our actions, without which all we doe muſt needs bee, Heb. 6.1. and 9.14.but dead workes, as the Scripture cals them, Heb. 6.1.
Thus much for their actions in generall, 2 In regard of particulars, as 1 Prayer.the ſame may be ſaid of particulars; we ſhall ſee the excellency of the one above the other to be notable. As for example, firſt in prayer. Both thoſe that have grace, and they that want grace and the feare of God, may ſet upon this holy duty; but not with the ſame ſucceſſe. The Prayers of faithfull women, as well as men pierce the clouds, and pull downe Gods bleſsings, upon themſelves and others. As we may ſee in Hannah, 1 Sam. 1.12, 13, and 15. See Geneſis 30. ver. 1. and 20.who by her prayers became of barren fruitfull, and as barrenneſſe was then accounted a great curſe, ſo fruitfulneſſe was eſteemed a great bleſſing.
And before and above the reſt ſhe obtained a Samuel, one that had the print of his mothers prayers ſet upon his Name, for Samuel ſignifies as much as one asked or begged of God. See 1 Sam. 1.20. This Samuel, this ſonne of prayer, proved a worthy ſervant of the Lord, a Iudge in Iſrael, 1 Sam. 3.and a Prophet of the Lord, to whom God revealed Himſelfe betimes. She powred out her ſoule before the Lord, 1 Sam. 1.15. and hee powred downe this great bleſſing upon her, which was the joy and rejoycing of her ſelfe, and her husband, and the ſtaffe and ſtay of all Iſrael, as appeares at large in the firſt booke of Samuel.
And how came Solomon to be ſo famous, and to be preferred before his elder brethren to the kingdome of Iſrael? It is more then probable, that it came to paſſe by his holy mothers prayers, and inſtructions, and therefore ſhee cals him the ſonne of her vowes, Pov. 31.2. vowes and prayers being ſometimes taken for the very ſame.
Thus good women are wonderfull helpefull to their husbands by their prayers, and alſo to their children: And indeed the whole family fares the better for them. But thoſe that want grace, Gods feare, and faith, cannot pray ſo as to prevaile with God. They may ſay their prayers, (as we uſe to ſay) but pray properly they cannot. For how ſhall they call on him in whom they have not beleeved? Rom. 10.14. If we aske not in faith wee cannot receive any thing of GOD, Iam. 1.6, 7. wee may receive ſomething by Gods ordinary providence, that is extended to man and beaſt, but we receive nothing by our prayers, that proceed not from grace. The prayer of faith is that which heales both ſoule and body, Iam. 5.15, 16.
Therefore thoſe men and women that want faith and the feare of God, their praying is meere prating or babbling, as our Saviour ſaith of the prayers of the heathen, Mat. 6.7.foreign.meere Battologie, and bare repetition of words.
Hence when Saul (that became Paul) was newly converted, who had made havocke of the Church before, Chriſt ſignified the ſame to Ananias in theſe words. Behold hee prayeth, Acts 9.11. Saul we read, was a ſtrict Phariſee, Acts 26.5. And the Phariſees uſed to pray ſtanding in the Synagogues, and in the corners of the ſtreets, juſt as the Papists and other hypocrites, to be ſeene of men, Mat. 6.5. And for a pretenſe made long prayers, Matth. 23.14. yet behold, now hee prayeth, ſaith the Lord, hee never prayed till now, till hee was brought home humble to Chriſt, & had his heart changed by grace from heaven, Behold now hee prayeth indeed, now his prayers are to purpoſe.
Likewiſe as her prayers are moſt excellent that hath grace and the feare of God, 2. Al other ſpeeches.ſo are her other ſpeeches. A woman that hath grace ſpeakes ſo, as to minister grace unto the hearers, Epheſ. 4.29. Shee openeth her mouth with wiſdome: and in her tongue is the law of kindneſſe, Prov. 31.26. But it is farre otherwiſe with thoſe that want grace, they ſpeake ſo as to miniſter rather ſin to the hearers. Witneſſe the fond, frivolous, unſavoury, and malicious diſcourſes of moſt women, when they meet together. Not a word of grace comes out of their lippes in a long ſeaſon, they ſavour no ſuch diſcourſe.
Likewiſe, Great difference in the end of their actions. 1 Cor. 10.31.they differ as much in the end of their actions, gracious women ayme at Gods glory in all their actions: which is little regarded of thoſe that want grace, and therefore GOD regards not their actions in any meaſure, as hee doth theirs that ſeeke his honour. For thoſe that honour me I will honour, ſaith the Lord, and they that deſpiſe me ſhall be lightly eſteemed, 1 Sam. 2.30.
Come wee a little further and conſider theſe 2. Differences in regard of ſome ſpeciall relations.ſorts of women in regard of ſome relations, and other adjuncts, and we ſhall finde a vaſt difference that grace makes betweene them.
Firſt, 1 In their heads.a godly and gracious woman is a lively member of Christ, whereas without grace women are no members at all, or elſe unſound, rotten, and corrupt members, yea in … limbes of Satan. And … the members partake of the honour or diſhonour of the head, ſo it is here. The lively members of Chriſt participate of his honours and dignities. For in him they are more than conquerours, Rom. 8.37. And to him that overcommeth ſaith Chriſt, I will give power over Nations, and hee ſhall rule them with a rod of yron, &c. even as I received of my Father, Revel. 2.26, 27. And hee hath made us all Kings, Revel. 1.6. See alſo, The one ſort ſhal ſit upon the bench and the other ſtand at the barre.Revel. 3.21. To him that overcommeth will I grant to ſit with mee in my Throne, &c. This honour have all his Saints, men and women. Know ye not that the Saints ſhall judge the world, 1 Cor. 6.2. whereas all others ſhall be judged by them, and ſentenced with the Devill and his Angels, Matth. 25.41. The Saints ſhall ſit on the Bench, the other ſhall ſtand at the Barre.
Secondly, 2. In their Husband.The excellency of a gracious woman appeares, in her huſband, for every Chriſtian ſoule is eſpouſed unto the ſonne of God, even matched unto Chriſt. Hence the Apoſtle ſaid that hee had eſpouſed the Corinthians unto one husband, Virgins in a ſpirituall not Popiſh ſenſe.that he might preſent them chaſt Virgins unto CHRIST, 2 Cor. 11.2.
And you know that the wife partakes of her husbands honours and excellencies. Viri radijs coruſcant mulieres, as the Lawyers ſpeake. Women ſhine with their husbands beames, as the Moone with the light of the Sunne. If he be a Lord, ſhe is a Lady; if hee bee a King, ſhee is a Queene, &c. Therefore in like manner every woman that hath true grace, whereby ſhee is matched to the moſt excellent huſband muſt needs be moſt excellent; whereas thoſe that want grace, and the feare of God, are matched and lincked by ſinne unto Satan, and ſo ſhall partake of his ſhamefull miſeries, according to the ſentence, Mat. 25.41. Depart into everlaſting fire prepared for the Devill and his angels.
Thirdly, 3 In their portion.Portion is an adjunct that makes a woman much ſet by and ſought after. And even in this the gracious woman hath got farre the better, more than Benjamins meſſe exceeded his brethrens, though the other hath many thouſands. For ſhe hath God for her portion, as David had Pſalm. 16.5. and others, Pſalm. 73.26. Lam. 3.24. And accordingly ſhe hath the moſt excellent joynture, ſhe is joynt heirewith Chriſt Ieſus, Rom. 8.17. So that ſhee hath many Iewels, even thoſe exceeding great and precious promiſes, 2 Pet. 1.4. To ſuch the Apoſtle ſaith, All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollo, or Cephas or the world, or life, or death, or things preſent, or things to come, all are yours (hee ſaith it twice to make us the more ſure) and yee are Chriſts, and Chriſt is Gods, 1 Cor. 3.21, 22, 23.
The ſame difference is here as was among Abrahams Children, Geneſis 25.5, 6.as betweene Iſaac and the ſons of the Concubine. Abraham gave all that he had unto Iſaac (ſaith the text,) but unto the ſonnes of the Concubine he gave gifts, and ſent them away. Even ſo it is in this caſe: the wicked who are but ſonnes and daughters of the Concubine, baſtards indeed and not legitimate Children, have onelyonly portions, to wit, the poore things of this life, more or leſſe, which are meane pittances, with which they are ſent packing; when as they that feare God, being lawfull children, have the whole inheritance, for they are Children of the promiſe as Iſaac was.
Laſtly, 4 Apparell.Apparell is an adjunct that ſets out a woman, and makes her ſeeme excellent. And herein the gracious woman doth far outſtrip her that wants grace, becauſe ſhe hath put off the ragges of corruption which the other ſtill retaines and hugges. And ſhe hath put on the armour of light, and conſequently hath put on the Lord Ieſus Chriſt, Rom. 13.12, 13, 14. which is royall apparell indeed, more rich than all the world. Such women as have this apparell, are like the Kings daughter, Pſalm. 45. who was all glorious within, and her clothing of wrought gold, ver. 13. Every gracious woman is daughter to the great King, her clothing of wrought gold, even of that gold, which was tryed by fire, which our Saviour commanded the Laodiceans to buy of him, Revel. 3.18. which can no where elſe bee had. All the Gold in Ophyr or the Indies is but droſſe to this.
In a word every gracious woman is arrayed like that woman, Revel. 12.1. Who was clothed with the ſunne, Mal 4.2.and the Moone under her feet. So ſhe that feare God is clothed with the Sunne of righteouſneſſe, and tramples all ſublunary and earthly things under her feet, as too baſe and mear to bee advanced in her judgement and affections.
And if Salomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of theſe Lillyes of the field, Cant. 2.2.how ſurpaſſing then is the glory of theſe Lillyes among thornes, that are clothed with him, who was farre greater than Salomon? Mat. 12.
By all this then it is as cleare as the ſunne, that Grace and true Religion are the moſt excellent ornaments of women, and the feare of God makes the moſt excellent wives in every reſpect. Now let us ſee what uſe and application may be made of this.
It may firſt of all ſerve to condemne the corrupt judgement of the bleareeyed world, Ʋſe 1 that is ſo contrary to the judgement of God and good men. The world mainly commends outward beauty, and bravery, portion, proportion and the like, in women; but as for grace, and the feare of God, Religion and true holines, ſo much approved by God, and extolled by the Holy Ghoſt, theſe are ſcarcely named, the world lookes aſquint at them, and cannot endure them, eſpecially in women, yea they be cryed downe and condemned as folly and madneſſe. Ioh. 7.48, 49. and 10.20.What may bee the reaſon of this? but becauſe the world wants eyes to diſcerne the worth and excellencie of the beſt things; for theſe things are ſpiritually diſcerned, 1 Corinth. 2.14. The Kings daughter is all glorious within, the world wants the ſpectacles of faith, to looke within the vaile, and to ſee things aright, and lookes thorow the falſe glaſſe of the Devill, whereby they are deluded: and hence it comes to paſſe, that that which is highly eſteemed of men is abhomination in the ſight of God, Luk. 16.15. and on the contrarie, that which is highly eſteemed of God is abomination in the ſight of men.
Secondly, Ʋſe 2 if grace and Gods feare make moſt excellent wives, then this condemnes the carnall choyce of moſt men, duplicate page duplicate page that rather match for money or beauty, &c. that for grace that is the only beauty, and brings the greateſt portion, yea which brings a true title to all the promiſes and kingdome of heaven it ſelfe, which are rare and rich Iewels.
A man will not bee ſo mad as to buy an horſe meerely for his ſhape and colour, but he will have a ſpeciall eye to his pace and ſtrength and mettle, that hee may bee ſerviceable, and yet in this maine matter of ſeeking Wives many are ſo ſenſeleſſe, as to be carryed away with the painted ſheath, like children, more than the blade, which is eſpecially for uſe.
3. Ʋſe 3 Learne hence what you ought principally to prize in men or women; not earthly, but ſpirituall things, not beauty and bravery, and riches and the like, but true grace and Religion, godlineſſe and the feare of God, which will make both men and women far more precious than Rubyes, or the richeſt ſtones, and which make men and women as much differ from others as Starres doe in glory.
When the wiſer Heathen were demanded the difference betweene Philoſophers and thoſe that were unlearned, they concluded the difference, as much as was betweene a man and a beaſt: and Solomon ſaith, that wiſdome excelleth folly as farre as light excelleth darkneſſe, Eccleſ. 2.13. But Grace makes a farre greater difference, even as much as is betweene heaven and earth, yea as betweene heaven and hell, as plentifully appeares in the former proofes.
Againe, Ʋſe 4 is it ſo, that grace and Gods feare make moſt excellent men and women? then learne we hence to become truly excellent, by labouring moſt earneſtly and zeaouſly for grace and the true feare of God. If we could as clearly ſhew you how to excell in wo ldly wealth, or ſtrength, or beautie, &c. I doubt not, but wee ſhould have followers flocke after us, as faſt as they goe to faires and skilfull Phyſitians. Why ſhould you not much more hearken unto us in that which wil make you farre more excellent, both in ſoule and body, even excellent in the eyes of God, and amiable in the ſight of his deare Son.
Covet earneſtly (ſaith the Apoſtle) the beſt gifts, Vide D. Sclat. in locum.and yet I ſhew you a more excellent way, 1 Cor. 12.31. foreign it is the ſuperlative in the Originall the moſt excellent way They were ambitious and covetous of praiſe in the Church of Corinth, therfore hee ſhewes them the onelyonly way to bee ambitious and covetous without crime or ſinne, namely by coveting moſt earneſtly the beſt gifts, which hee cals the moſt excellent way.
Wherefore let other be more wealthy, ſo you be more worthy; and let others bee more eminent and glorious in the world, and things of the world, ſo you bee moſt excellent and glorious in the beſt things, in ſpirituall and heavenly gifts.
But, may ſome ſay, Object. if we take this courſe to bee more truly religious, and forward in grace, and the feare of God, wee ſhall not bee accounted excellent; but rather peſtilent to the places where wee live, as wee find by experience, wee ſhall be eſteemed the verie troublers of the land, &c.
Anſw. This need not trouble us, ſo long as it hath been the lot of the moſt excellent ſervants of God. For even Elias the reſtorer of religion in Iſrael, was ſo faluted by wicked Ahab, who ſold himſelfe to worke wickedneſſe, Art thou hee that troubleth Iſrael? 1 King. 18.17. when it was Ahab himſelfe and his fathers houſe, that were the troublers of the land, in that they had forſaken the commandements of God, and followed Baalim, as the Prophet replyed, verſ. 18. And S. Paul a ſingular Apoſtle, that excelled all the reſt in zeale, unwearied watchfulneſſe and diligence, was not he alſo accuſed to his face, and that before the Governor Felix, for a peſtilent fellow, foreign. Acts 24.5.indeed a very plague, a mover of ſedition among all the Iewes thorowout the world, and a ring-leader of the ſect of the Nazarens, for even ſo they miſcalled the true Chriſtians in thoſe dayes, Acts 24.5. who ſhall never want one nickname or other to make them odious, though they bee the excellent of the earth, of whom the world is not worthy. Therefore our bleſſed Saviour bids us rejoyce and be exceeding glad, Hab. 11.38.when men revile us and perſecute us, and ſay all manner of evill for his names ſake falſely, becauſe even ſo perſecuted they the Prophets that were before us, and great is our reward in heaven, Matth. 5.11, 12.
The Apoſtles that were the moſt excellent, yet were eſteemed as the filth of the world, and off-ſcouring of all things, 1 Cor. 4.13. The excellency of thoſe that have true grace is out of the reach of humane reaſon, and this makes many deſpiſe that which they cannot diſcerne. And who would not rather bee excellent, and yet eſteemed vile, as Chriſt himſelfe and his Apoſtles were, than being baſe and vile, by reaſon of ſinne, to bee highly eſteemed and extolled in the world?
Wherefore I ſay again, covet earneſtly theſe beſt gifts, to wit, of grace and the true feare of GOD, which is the moſt excellent way, notwithſtanding all the ignominie & reproch, all the deriſion and diſdaine, that the wicked world can caſt upon it. And know this withall, that nothing is excellent, but it is alſo difficult. You muſt not looke to excell, and yet live as you liſt, as the moſt, eſpecially great men and women uſe to doe. The kingdome of heaven (which is the moſt excellent kingdom) ſuffereth violence (ſaith our Saviour) and the violent take it by force, Mat. 11.12. You muſt therefore be violent for grace and Gods kingdome, if you meane to be excellent.
See therefore that with diligence you ſet upon the moſt excellent and difficult duties, as ſelfe-denyall, ſerious examination of your owne hearts and wayes, frequent praying, reading, hearing, and meditating in the good word of God, Acts 20.32.the word of his grace, Conferring and keeping company with ſuch eſpecially as feare the Lord, Pſalm. 119.63. and excell in vertue, Pſalm. 16.3. Ephe. 5.15, 16.Walking circumſpectly, or exactly, redeeming the time becauſe the dayes are evill; perfecting holineſſe in the feare of God, 2 Cor. 7.1. For God hath commanded to keepe his precepts diligently, or very much Pſal. 119.4. And curſed is the deceiver, that in his flocke hath a male, and ſacrificeth unto the LORD a corrupt thing, for I am a great King ſaith the Lord of Hoſts, and my name is dreadfull among the heathen, Mal. 1.14.
Laſtly, Ʋſe 5 let not any think that theſe things will not ſtand with their ſtate, and place or birth and the like. For this in the Text was ſpoken by a worthy Queene written by a famous King, to wit, wiſe Solomon, and that concerning the commendations of a great woman eſpecially, as interpreters obſerve, And owned by the Holy Ghoſt, for part of Gods pure word, given by inſpiration from GOD. Yea let them know, that Grace and true Religion ſincerely followed, is the Crowne of greatneſſe, and the faireſt flower in their garden, or Garland that ſit upon the higheſt thrones. As it was farre greater honour for David to bee ſtiled a man after Gods owne heart for devotion, and zeale, than when the women ſang Saul hath ſlaine his thouſands, and David his tenne thouſand, 1 Sam. 18.7.
And ſo I come in a word to the laſt words of my Text. But a woman that feareth the Lord ſhee ſhall bee praiſed. Hence we may obſerve. Obſer. 2 It is our bounden duty to praiſe thoſe that be praiſe-worthy, eſpecially ſuch as excell in vertue.
The reaſon is ready, Reaſ. 1 that others may be incouraged to labour for the like notable and eminent vertues and graces. As alſo to confirme ſuch as take the ſame courſes, that they may never bee weary of well doing, nor faint in the wayes of grace and godlineſſe, wherein they ſhall be ſure to meete with diſcouragements more than a few in this preſent evill world. It may ſerve alſo to quicken others in the wayes of Gods Commandements, praiſe being a ſpeciall ſpurre to that purpoſe, as we finde by experience. And ſo I come briefely to the application of the point.
Ʋſe 1 If praiſe bee ſuch a due debt to thoſe that doe vertuouſly, and eſpecially to them that excell in grace, and in the feare of God, then let none bee ſo croſſe and oppoſite unto God as to condemne thoſe, whom the Lord commends, let none be ſo baſe minded as to cry out upon ſuch as follow faſteſt after grace and true Religion. For he that juſtifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the juſt, even they both are an abomination to the Lord, Pro. 17 15.
Secondly, Ʋſe 2 Let none be offended to heare the due and deſerved praiſes of thoſe that excell in grace and Gods holy feare. For ſome are more deſirous to have wicked men and women flattered, and ſoothed in their ſinfull, and graceleſſe courſes, than to heare the praiſes of ſuch as bee holy and heavenly minded, becauſe they are like to the former, and moſt unwilling to tread in ſtraight ſteps of the latter. But woe be to them that call evill good, and good evill, Iſa. 5.20. He that thus bleſſeth his friend, riſing early in the morning, it ſhall be counted a curſe to him, Pro. 27.14. To bleſſe and praiſe men or women without deſert, is no bleſſing, but a curſe, and on the contrary, to bleſſe and praiſe where there is juſt ground, will be a means to bring a bleſſing. And thus much ſhall ſuffice for the Text. Now may wee ſeaſonably proceed to the occaſion.
Concerning this moſt worthy Gentlewoman, The occaſion.for whoſe ſake we are here aſſembled; I may ſafely ſay without ſtrayning, as my Text leades me, Many daughters have done vertuouſly, but thou excelleſt them all. I ſpeake it without diſpraiſe to any, take her every way, and ſhe goes beyond all, that ever I knew, in my apprehenſion, and that eſpecially in theſe three reſpects. 1. If you conſider her age, 2. The time of her ſtanding, and 3. Her ranke and parentage.
For her age, For her age.She was but full three and twentie the laſt month, and yet ſo growne in grace, that ſhee might ſeeme rather threeſcore and three, for gravity ſobriety and modeſty, matching the eldeſt matrons. She had but a ſhort time to runne her race, and God gave her an heart to make haſte, for ſhe ranne ſo faſt, that ſhee not only overtooke, but over-ranne all her fellowes.
For her time of ſtanding, it was about 7. yeares, Her time of ſtandingſhe ſerved an Apprentiſhip, and was therein ſo true to her heavenly maker, that he thought her fully fit to be made free, not only in the kingdom of grace but of glory. She was ſo good a ſcholar in CHRISTS Schoole, that ſhe was called to take her higheſt degree, to wit, in heaven, long before the uſuall time, as ſome doe in the Vniverſity propter excellentiam, for their excellencie above their fellowes. For in ſeaven yeares ſhee learned more, than many, (and thoſe true Chriſtians too) in 7. times 7. yeares.
And for her rancke and parentage, Her rancke and parentage.She was deſcended of no meane family, ſhee came of ſome very honourable anceſtours, yet ſo humble, and lowly was ſhe, and denyed her ſelfe ſo much for her Saviours ſake, that ſhe would be familiar with the meaneſt that made conſcience of their wayes, and had the feare of God before their eyes, preferring ſuch as were rich in faith, Jam. 2.5.far before any other, though never ſo gay, and glorious in the world.
Yea in all theſe three reſpects ſhe was one of a thouſand, nay one of ten thouſand, and therfore the fitter to be fully matched with him, that is chiefeſt of ten thouſand, Cant. 5.10. So that I may very well apply all thoſe former excellencies unto her, wherein women truely fearing God farre exceed all other women.
And firſt for Birth, hers was of the beſt, Her birth of the beſt.ſhee was moſt nobly borne moſt royally deſcended, being partaker of the new birth, borne from above, and begotten of God, who of his owne will begat her by the word of truth, Iam. 1.18. which ſhe moſt evidently expreſſed, by that great reſpect and reverence which ſhe ever after bare to that bleſſed inſtrument of her heavenly birth, Gods holy word, making it her delight and counſellour, as the Prophet did, Pſal. 119.24.
Secondly, As ſhee had the beſt birth, Her beautyſo ſhe obtained the moſt excellent beauty, even the beauty of holines, the bleſſed image of God, which made her moſt amiable in the eyes of all thoſe that were well acquainted with her, and could diſcerne the things that be excellent, and even dazled the eyes of others. So beautifull was ſhee in this beſt kinde, that ſhee did much grace and adorn the Goſpell, and beautified her profeſſion, whereas ſome are a blot and blemiſh unto it.
And therefore in the third place ſhe muſt needs be well favoured, Her favourfor her parts were well proportioned. She was a true Elizabeth, walking in all the Commandements and Ordinances of the Lord blameleſſe, like that Elizabeth, Luk. 1.6. And was not like thoſe women that have many good parts, but withall ſome ſuch foule infirmities, that they ſtaine and ſpoyle all that is good in them, ſo that they cauſe the name of God, and his word to be blaſphemed.
Fourthly, For her underſtanding: Her underſtanding.ſhe was able to diſcerne thoſe myſteries which are hid from the wiſe and prudent, for ſhe perceived an excellency in things above, which made her ſo ready to runne the wayes of Gods Commandements, when others ſcarce goe in them. Shee was able by an heavenly inſtinct, to distinguiſh the voyce of Chriſt from the voyce of a ſtranger, Ioh. 10.4, 5.which made her eſteeme all other things dung in compariſon of the excellency of the knowledge of Chriſt Ieſus, Philip. 3.8.
Fifthly, For her Love, Her Love.it was truly excellent and of the beſt ſtamp, for it was ſet upon the right object, upon God and the things of God, in the firſt place, ſo that ſhee could ſay with the Pſalmiſt, whom have I in heaven but thee, and I deſire none in earth beſides thee, Pſal. 73.25. And with the Martyrs. None but Chriſt, St. Peter and Iohn Lambert. Mart.Nothing but Chriſt.
Her charity alſo was towards all, even her utter enemies, for ſhe could doe good againſt evill, but her ſpeciall love was to the Saints, in whom was her delight. She well underſtood and made much uſe of that Article of the Creed, which few conceive, (The Communion of Saints) being very open-hearted and open-handed to ſuch as ſhe thought true members of that bleſſed ſociety. And if ſhe ſeemed ſparing at any time, it was to ſpend the more liberally upon the lively members of Chriſt, in which regard ſhee did match the Macedonians, whoſe grace Saint Paul much commended, becauſe to their power (he bare record) yea and beyond their power, they were willing of themſelves. Herein where moſt Chriſtians come ſhort ſhe exceeded. Their love is leſs than their meanes, hers above her abilities.And ſo was ſhe, as many can beare record, and this becauſe ſhe had firſt given her ſelfe to the Lord, and then to others by the will of God, as they did, 2 Cor. 8.1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
In a word her love to her deare and familiar friends was like the love of Ionathan unto David, wonderfull, paſſing the love of women, 2 Sam. 1.26. She was indeed a true Ionathan being Iah-nathan a ſpeciall gift of God.
Sixthly, Her ſpirit. Ruach jattira, Dan. 6. and 3.for Her ſpirit ſhe might well bee called the Daughter of Daniel, becauſe Ruach Iattira as the Chaldee hath it, an excellent ſpirit was in her: Though the weaker veſſell, yet had ſhe a maſculine, heroicke, and invincible ſpirit, to reſiſt Satan and his inſtruments, whenſoever ſhee was ſet upon to be hindred from Gods ſervice. O how couragiouſly would ſhe break through all impediments, that might any way hinder her from holy duties, even as Samſon ſnapt aſunder the cords and withes! Iudg. 16.
With what an holy indignation did ſhee skorne the wealth and pleaſures of this preſent world, as droſſe and ſcum in compariſon of the true treaſure! And how undaunted in defending the truth and thoſe that ſtood for the ſame! She was not aſhamed of Chriſtian any company, as many cowardly Chriſtians are.
Thus much for thoſe things that were applyed to the perſon of woman in the proofe of the point. Next for her Actions, firſt in generall.Now come wee to her actions, which were like her ſelfe, ſanctified and ſingular. For Religion was her maſter-piece, 1 King. 18.12.as this worthy womans in the text, ſhee was one that feared God from her youth and therefore her actions proceeded from a right roote, and clear ſpring …he was no hipocrite, I dare boldly ſay, for ſhee was not ſo much in ſhew as in ſubſtance, not more in words than in deeds but as God had given he… 2. hands to one tongue, ſo her deeds duplicate page duplicate page doubled her words, and though thus double handed in all her doings, contrary to the courſe of the world yet moſt ſingle hearted.
In particular for her prayers, In particular for her prayers. Hoſ. 12.3, 4.they were not cold, lazie, and lukewarm, but ſuch as pierced the skies, like thoſe of Cornelius, Act. 10.4. O how would ſhee wraſtle with God in prayer! how would ſhe flye to the throne of grace as it were upon the wings of faith! And how often hath ſhe bin obſerved to riſe from prayer, with teares in her eyes, on her cheekes, and dropped down before her! and that without any oſtentation, which ſhe was as free from, as any that ever I obſerved. I ſpeake by experience.
As much may be ſaid for her diligent and dutifull hearing (to adde an inſtance or two more.) And hearing Gods Word.For ſhe delighted not in houſes of play, and pleaſure, as moſt young Gentlewomen doe, but the houſes of praying and preaching were her chiefe joy. Pſalm. 137.5, 6.So that whatſoever paines ſhee was able to take ſhe was willing to undergoe, to come to thoſe places where ſhee might heare God moſt lively ſpeaking unto her, and ſhe againe moſt powerfully like Hannah, powre out her ſoule unto the Lord. Mourning for nothing more in time of her ſickneſſe, than the want of Gods houſe and ordinances, for nothing but Neceſſitie could keepe her from them, which is far otherwiſe, with a great many eſpecially of her ranck, who are but too eaſily intreated to keep from the Church, even when God himſelfe, their own, and the Churches neceſſities call upon them.
And while ſhee was hearing, how marvellous attentive! even as was ſaid of the people, that heard our Saviour, Luk. 19.48. foreign they were attentive to him, or rather hanged upon him as the margent hath it in the laſt tranſlation; So ſhe hanged upon the mouth of his meſſengers, as Chickens hang upon the mouth of the Hen, (as ſome open the phraſe) that are ready to catch whatſoever ſhee ſhall breake for them, or let fall unto them.
Even ſo her comming to the Sacrament was admirable. And receiving the holy Sacrament.How ſolemne and ſerious would ſhee be in preparing for that holy Supper, ſetting apart ſometimes dayes of faſting and humiliation (which were dayes of Iubilee to her ſanctified ſpirit) that ſhee might come the more hungry and thirſty, and ſo bee more fully ſatisfied with the fat and ſweet of this moſt heavenly Table.
Seldome did ſhee receive this bleſſe. Sacrament with dry eyes, as I have bin often an eye witneſſe (though ſhe carryed it covertly, and yet how often did ſhe frequent this holy Feaſt! never miſſing the monthly Communions, if ſhee were able to come to the Church, and that I think for 7. yeares together, after once it had pleaſed the Lord to let the light of his countenance ſhine upon her, wherein ſhe followed a good patterne given her at home.
Theſe are ſtrange things, you will think, but I can aſſure you, not ſo ſtrange as true, for I do not ſpeak, as we muſt do many times by hear-ſay, but I ſpeak, what I have ſeen and knowne.
And now for her words and ſpeeches ſhe had learn'd the language of Canaan, Her words. Jſa. 19.8. Neh. 13.24.and did not mingle it with the ſpeech of Aſhdod, ſhe was not double-tongued but ſpake the words of ſoberneſſe and truth. She loved that pure language, Zeph. 3.9. and hated lying, and ſwearing, yea ſhe abhorred all rotten ſpeech and corrupt communication, as filthy vomit, labouring to have her ſpeeches alwaies with grace, Col. 4.6.ſeaſoned with ſalt as the Apoſtle commandes.
And for the end of her Actions, The end of her actionsShe exceedingly aymed at Gods glory, preferring that before all, ſo that ſhe would often ſay. If ſhe could but glorifie God ſhee cared not. For ſhe had learnt by heart that hard leſſon of Selfe deny all for Gods ſake.
Now in the laſt place to come to thoſe relations, and adjuncts of excellency.
Firſt, She was a moſt lively member of Chriſts myſticall body, Honourable in her Head. foreign. She had conqueſt upon conqueſt, one victory after another.and therefore moſt honourable in Her head. Witneſſe thoſe worthy workes before related. She was in Chriſt her head more than a Conquerour, Rom. 8.37. ſhe did over-overcome, as one well renders the words. For ſhe conquered the corruptions of youth, of her place, of the times and places wherein ſhe lived, and therefore now no doubt is gone to weare the crown of righteouſnes, having fought ſo good a fight of faith, 2 Tim. 4.7, 8.
2. She was no leſſe excellent in her Husband than in her head, In her huſband.which are the ſame, for ſhe was eſpouſed unto Chriſt, her heavenly husband, with whoſe beams of grace ſhe did ſhine brightlie while ſhe was here, and therefore now ſhe gliſters gloriouſly as the Sun, with his moſt orient beames of bliſſe and happineſſe.
3. For her Portion, that was no corruptible thing, In her Portion.as ſilver or gold, but even the Lord of heaven, whoſe mercy endures for ever, in compariſon of whom ſhee eſteemed al earthly treaſure but droſſe and dunge. And therefore now ſhe is gone to take poſſeſſion of that goodly joynture, the kingdom of glory, being joynt-heire with Chriſt Ieſus. Rom. 8.17.For on earth women doe not enjoy their joynture, but the time of life after their Husbands death, but 'tis otherwiſe in heaven, for they go to take a fuller poſſeſſion of their ſpirituall joynture by death, which is the dore of eternall life to them that die in the Lord.
Laſtly, for her Apparell, it was of the choyceſt and beſt, In her Apparell.even the Royal Robes of Chriſts righteouſnes, wch ſhe had put on by faith, Phil. 3 9.renouncing her own righteouſnes, as rotten ragges in compariſon, often complaining of her owne unrighteouſneſſe. And yet wheras other Gentlewomen are much taken up with providing for the body, tricking and trimming that painted ſheath, for it is no better oftentimes, See Dan. 7.15. in the Chaldee. Vestite vos ſerico probitatis. byſſino ſanctitatis purpura pudicitia. Taliter pigmentatae Deum habebitu amatorem, Ter. de cul. foeminarum.ſhee mainely minded the trimming and decking of her ſoule, by her daily devotion, wherein ſhe excelled, hating the fond and flaring, phantaſticall and new fangled faſhions of the world, as fit for none but idle braines, vaine and wanton women, that want eyes to look into their precious ſoule, and ſee how needy and naked, tattered & deformed they are within.
Shee therefore now (no doubt) is arrayed like thoſe in the Revelation, that had long white Robes, and Palmes in their hands, in ſigne of victory, Rev. 7.9. For ſhe came out of great tribulation, and had waſhed her Robe, and made it white in the bloud of the Lamb v. Ver. 16.17.14. So that now ſhee ſhall hunger no more, nor thirſt any more, all teares being wiped from her eyes, See Iſaiah 57.1, 2.though not from ours. For wee have great cauſe to weepe and mourne, not for her, but for our ſelves. The greater her gaine is, the greater is our loſſe, and not ours only, but the whole Church of God.
Thus much for her life. Of Her death.Now concerning her death, I muſt ſay ſomething, becauſe ſhe gave me as it were a charge, intreating me to ſpeake that which I ſhall briefly declare unto you.
The firſt day that ſhe fell ill, I went unexpectedly to ſee her, wherin ſhe acknowledged Gods ſpeciall providence. I found her indeed ſomthing ſad, yea more than ordinary, not for feare of Death, but becauſe that her diſeaſe was likely to be ſuch as would deprive her of her friends, hence thoſe teares. To wit, the ſmall PoxeI told her ſhee was in the hands of a wiſe and tender Father, who knew beſt what was fit for us, and therefore ſhee needed not ſo much to be troubled at that. After we had commended her caſe unto God in Prayer, She deſired to be buryed before the Sermon becauſe of the diſeaſe.ſhe intreated me that after her buryall (for ſhe made full account to die) I would make a Sermon, and therein perſwade the hearers to theſe two things.
The firſt was, Her firſt deſire.that you would hearken to the Word of God better than ſhe had done. To which I preſently replyed (as well as I could for teares being much affected with her words) I would they would heare but ſo well as ſhe did. Yet, beloved, my deſire is as hers was, that you would hearken better then ſhe did, which if I could perſwade you all unto, I ſhould thinke my ſelfe the happieſt man in the world. For herein ſhe did excell, as I ſaid before, howſoever in her humility and zeale to Gods word ſhe thus ſpake.
Therefore let me intreat you to grant this her holy deſire. If it bee poſſble, hearken to Gods holy Word better than ſhee did. But if this be impoſſble, as almoſt it is, yet hearken ſo as ſhee did, and you ſhall undoubtedly be bleſſed. For as ſhe had a very good memory, for good things eſpecially, ſo had ſhe a moſt artentive eare and heart, even like Mary that choſe that good, part which ſhould not bee taken from her, Luk. 10.42. And like thoſe Noble Bereans, Acts 17.11, 12. Who were ſaid to bee foreign more generous than thoſe of Theſſalonica, firſt in that they received the Word with all readineſſe of mind, and ſecondly, in that they ſearched the Scriptures daily, whether thoſe things were ſo, therefore many of them beleeved; alſo of honourable women, and of men not a few.
Yea ſo hungry was ſhe after Gods holy Word, that ſhee feared no famine, but that threatned by the Prophet Amos. Not a famine of bread, but of hearing the Word of the Lord, Amos 8.11. Oh therefore that you could but equall, if not exceed her in this! Then might you find that moſt raviſhing comfort in hearing, The laſt Lords day ſave one as ſhe told us at that time. The ſecond requeſt.which ſhe confeſſed ſhe found a little before ſhe fell ſicke.
The other thing ſhe deſired to be commended unto you was this. That you would have a ſpeciall care to looke to your Families, She meant in regard of religious orders, which are ſo much neglected in moſt places, men living athome more like heathens and Infidels than true Chriſtians. For though ſhe did more than moſt in this kind, yet was it a great griefe unto her, that ſhe could not doe better. Oh that you would let her have her deſire in this alſo! you would find the bleſſing above meaſure, if you did but once ſet up the power of godlineſſe in your families, that you might be ſaid to feare God, with all your houſe as Cornelius did, Acts 10.2. For by this meanes this good Gentlewoman was truly ſaid to be a prop, or pillar in the houſe.
So that her Husband, and Children, (if they were of yeares) might joyne in her praiſes, as they before the Text. Her Children might ariſe and call her bleſſed, Some referre theſe words of the Text to the Huſband.her Husband alſo might praiſe her, ſaying; Many daughters have done vertuouſly, or valiantly; but thou excelleſt, and goeſt above them all, &c.
Indeed her wayes ſo pleaſed Pro. 16.7.the Lord, that her enemies were at peace with her, as Salomon ſaith, And what I ſpeake a cloud of witneſſes will teſtifie. Therefore I need the leſſe feare to bee accuſed either of Falſe hood or Flattery, which I have alwayes abhorred in every place, eſpecially in the Pulpit, and ſo did ſhe, which made her ſomtime ſay, that ſhee would deſire nothing might be ſaid of her at her death, becauſe ſhe had with ſorrow heard, ſome ſainted at their death, who were little better than devils in their life.
Let none therefore take that with the left hand which I have reached out with the right, as Saul did the due and deſerved commendations given to David, For I ſpeak that truth in Chriſt, I lie not, my conſcience alſo bearing me witneſſe, Rom. 9.1.
Nay, if I ſhould reckon all the rarities of this right religious Gentlewoman, that I have beene an eye, and eare-witneſſe of, from her firſt to her laſt, Dies me deſiceret, The day would faile me, my ſpirits would bee ſpent, and I ſhould tire your patience, and it might make moſt of us bluſh and be aſhamed to ſee how farre we come ſhort, and all of us admire and ſtand amazed, and aſtoniſhed at the goodneſſe and grace of GOD ſo plentifully powred upon her.
Therefore to conclude, Happy was (yea, and ſtill is) the Mother of ſuch a Daughter. Happy the Husband in ſuch a Wife, and happy children of ſuch a Mother, who hath laid up many prayers, better than portions for them. And happie were all her acquaintance in ſuch a friend, And yet more happie they and wee in following her heavenly ſteps. But moſt happy ſhe, that led ſo holy and heavenly a life. Becauſe bleſſed are the dead which die in the Lord, even ſo ſaith the ſpirit, that they may reſt from their labors, and their works follow them, Rev. 14 13.
FINIS.
Imprimatur.
Thomas Weekes.
End of the text · Stephen Geree, The Ornament of Women (1639)