A Pattern for Women, Sermon 1
Luk. 2.29, 30.
Lord now letteſt thou thy ſeruant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes hauehave ſeene thy ſaluation.
THeſe are the words of Simeon an old man that feared God, who in all likely-hood by reading the Propheſie of Daniel, Chap. 1.9. & finding out that about this was the time of the Meſſiah, prayed to the Lord, that he might bee ſo happy, as to ſee him before his death, wherunto the Lord condeſcending, promiſeth that he ſhould not die before he had ſeen his Sauiour. And accordingly moouing him by the Spirit to goe to the Temple, when his Sauiour being now a childe of fourty dayes olde, was brought thither with an offering according to the Law, he granted him his hearts deſire, and gaue him a ſight of him, whom for ioy he taketh into his armes, and yeelds himſelfe to dye, in ſinging, Lord now letteſt thou thy ſeruant depart &c.
In theſe words are two things: Simeons ſight, and Simeons ioy: His ſight, Mine eyes hauehave ſeene thy ſaluation: His ioy, Lord now letteſt thou thy ſeruant depart in peace according to to thy Word.
For the firſt: Mine eyes: that is, not onelyonly the eye of my minde, with which I ſaw him long agoe, but alſo the eies of my body. Thy ſaluation that is, thy Sonne, by whom the ſaluation of the Elect is wrought, who for this excellency aboue other ſauiours, is called Saluation.
Doct. Hence we may obſerue that ſome obtain ſo great fauour at the hands of the Lord, as to ſee with their eies, whilſt they liue in this vale of miſerie, the Sonne of God, and their eternal ſaluation wrought by him. This fauour had Simeon and Anna, and many faithfull, both men and women in thoſe daies who not onelyonly with the eies of their minde, but euen with their bodily eies alſo ſaw their ſaluation. And all the faithfull in all ages, both before and ſince the birth of Ieſus, hauehave beene made partakers of this fauour, with their eies to ſee their ſaluation. Of Abraham the the Lord ſaith;Ioh. 8.56. Abraham deſired to ſee my day, and ſaw it, and reioyced: And of the reſt S. Paul to the Hebrewes ſaith,Heb. 11.13 They all diea in faith, and obtained not the promiſes, but ſaw them a farre off. And ſince the death of Ieſus, all the beleeuers hauehave ſeene, and hauehave heerein beene more bleſſed then they which ſeeing with their bodily eies beleeued. According to which the Lord Ieſus himſelfe teacheth, when Thomas would not beleeue till he had ſeen with his bodily eies Ieſus riſen againe, and felt him with his hands, ſaying; O Thomas, thou haſt ſeene, Ioh. 20.29.and beleeued, bleſſed are they that hauehave not ſeene, and yet beleeue. So that it is a greater fauour not to ſee with the eyes of the bodie, and yet to beleeue, then to ſee with theſe eies, and ſo to beleeue. And of this fauour did this our deere ſiſter partake, whilſt ſhe liued in this world, her eies did ſee her ſaluation, ſhee did conſtantly heleeue in Ieſus Chriſt, and only relied vponupon him for the obtaining of euerlaſting life. And whereas ſome things doe trouble the ſight of the eies, and ſome things againe do help and cleere it, ſhee that obtained a more cleere ſight by remouing the hinderances, and vſing the helps moſt carefully. The things that trouble the ſight are ſins, and the thing that helpeth, is the eye-ſalue of the Spirit, that is the annoynting of the Holy Ghoſt. For the Church of Laodicea liuing in ſin is reproued, as miſerable,Reu. 3.17, 18. poore, and blinde, and for remedie is counſelled to buy eye-ſalue of the Spirit. Euen as the bodily eye (ſaith S. Auguſtine) which is made to behold the light, Aug. Mat. Hom. 18.if duſt or any offenſiue thing ruſheth into it, it is ſo troubled, as that it is not only not able to behold the light, but muſt be hidden from it, as not able to indure the light, for that it now becommeth hurtfull to the eye: ſo the eye of the minde, by ſinne is made vnable to behold the Lords Saluation, yea it is rather troubled at it. This excellent Saint of God knowing this, did alwaies moſt carefully ſhunne all ſinne, keeping a moſt diligent watch ouer her waies, and by the daily humble acknowledgement of her infirmities, had her eyes cleered from the duſt of ſinne. And as touching the annoynting, this was plentifully diffuſed vponupon her ſoule, there being in her a moſt fragrant ſmell of all Chriſtian graces.
Firſt, ſhe was annoynted with a heauenly zeale as Mary the ſiſter of Lazarus, Luc. 10.42who thought that one thing neceſſary her delight, was to ſit at the feet of Chriſt, with all diligence to heare him preaching in the miniſtry of his holy word.
Neither the length of the way, the cold and wet of the winter, neither the buſineſſes of the world could hinder her feet from comming to the houſe of God. VponUpon the Lords daies, vponupon Lecture-daies, and vponupon euerie occaſion of preaching, ſhe was ſeene with the forwardeſt about the Lords Seruice. In her priuate familie, praiers morning and euening, reading of the Scriptures, and ſinging of Pſalmes, were neuer wanting in manie yeeres. Beſides, that the Sermons were moſt carefully rehearſed, ſeruants and children duely enſtructed, and manie heauenly ſpeeches by her continually miniſtred, to the breeding of grace in the hearers. By this heauenly exercizing of her ſelfe, then ſhee had her conuerſation in heauen,Phil. 3.20. and ſo could not but ſee her ſaluation there laid vp. Sicut corpus quod aëris puritate perfruitur, &c. Euen as the bodie (faith Chryſoſtome) which liueth in pure and cleare aire,Chryſoſt. Matth. Hom. 2. enioyeth health, and a more cleere ſight, but if in a thicke or ſmoakie aire, it is much annoied hereby: So the ſoule, which is exerciſed in heauenly, ſeeth the things of God more cleerely, wheras the ſmokines of manifold worldly buſineſſes much troubleth the ſight.
Secondly, ſhee was annoynted with wiſdome, as Abigail, who is ſayd to be of excellent vnderſtanding. Shee did not loſe her time in hearing, reading, diſcourſe, and meditation; but profited more then many more ancient, to apply that of Dauid vntounto her:Pſal. 119.100. I am become wiſer then the ancient, becauſe I keepe thy commandements. Such was her vnderſtanding, as that ſhe could readily recite ſit texts of Scripture for any purpoſe, and finde them out, and for harder places, by ſingular labour, ſhe attained good skill herein. She was not like the dul Hebrues,Heb. 5. that were like babes in vnderſtanding, when by reaſon of the time they might hauehave beene Doctors: but her knowledge with the time increaſed, ſo as that like a teacher, ſhe was capable of great myſteries. Old nature was not ſo in her, as that ſhe ſhould bee blinded from perceiuing the things of God, but the new Spirit gaue her an vnderſtanding of all things,1 Cor. 2.14. as it is ſayd; The naturall man perceiueth not the things of God, but the ſpirituall man diſcerueth all things: She had doubtles then a cleere ſight of her ſaluation giuen by God, ſeeing that they which are thus inlightned,1 Cor. 2.12 hauehave receiued the Spirit of God, whereby they know the things giuen them of God.
Thirdly, ſhee was annoynted with true louelove, cauſing in her plenty of good works, as in Dorcas, Acts 9.35.her louelove was exceeding great, both toward God, and towards her neighbour. Of God, her louelove was ſo great, as that ſhee burnt with the fire of earneſt zeale for his glory, ſtoutly, euen beyond the ſtrength of her ſex oppoſing ſinne, and maintaining vertue in thoſe that were about her: As Dauid, Pſal. 101.7in ſetting forth his zeale, ſo it may truely be ſaid of her; A wicked perſon ſhall not ſtand in my ſight. If any were neere in alliance, or great in worldly reſpects, yet if they were not orious for finne, ſhe tooke no delight, but rather a lothing of their company. 2 For the louelove of God, ſhe kept a continuall watch ouer her wayes, leſt ſhe ſhould offend againſt his holy will: no childe is more afrayd of offending the father or maſter, then ſhe of offending God. 3 Becauſe that notwithſtanding all watches, ſinne cannot altogether be kept out, ſhee was not a little troubled for her frailties and falls, being alwaies glad when the Lord took the matter into his owne hands, by chaſtizing her with ſickneſſe: for then, and in health time alſo, ſhee did much complaine of her ſinnes and forgetfulneſſe, for which it was neceſſary to be corrected. Her continuall bewailing, and often mourning, euen with teares, when wicked curſed ſpeakers were in preſence, did plainely ſhew ſuch an heart as Lots, ſo taken vp with the louelove of God, as that hearing and ſeeing any thing againſt God,2 Pet. 2 8. could not but vex the hart inwardly with ſorrow.
Of her neighbour ſhee had alſo a true louelove, not in word, but in deed: She had louelove of almeſ-deeds, which ſhe plentifully performed to the poore, as Iob, Iob 31.16, 17.not eating her moſells alone, but the fatherleſſe did eat part with her, from her youth vp, the poore were nou riſhed vp with her, Verſ. 20.their loines bleſſed her, for that they were kept warme with her fleeces. Whileſt ſhee liued, the hungry could not goe vnfed, the naked vncloathed, the ſicke vnuiſited, plentifully the Lord had dealt vntounto her, plentifully ſhe gaue to the Lord againe in his poore members, appointing continuall releefe to bee giuen to the ſick and needy, in ſuch places of great pouerty, as wherein ſhee liued not. 2 She ſhewed louelove, by admoniſhing the diſorderly, inſtructing the ignorant, and exhorting the backward in religion, by all meanes prouoking to louelove and good workes. O how great was her care, that her whole houſhold and all her neighbours might ſerue the Lord, that it might goe well with them for euer. 3 Her louelove was exceeding great towards Gods Miniſters and all Saints, reioycing alwaies to entertaine ſuch, and to be in their company. 4 Her louelove was ſuch towards all, as that ſhee would not giuegive offence to any, by ſpeaking ill of them, neither did ſhe delight as many do, to heare ill reports againſt others. Wherefore her religion was not vaine,1 Cor. 13. as all is without louelove, but it was a true religion, her purity was in heart and in truth, and bleſſed are the pure in heart,Mat. 5.1. for they ſhall ſee God. Her life was a continuall laying vp of treaſure in heauen, and therefore ſhe could not but ſee heauen to be her dwelling place. She led a right Angelicall life, as Icrom truly ſpeaketh;Ieron: epiſt: 14 part: 3. cap: 1. Sine hac monaſteria ſunt tartara, homines ſunt damones, &c. Without this, famlies are hels, and men are diuels: But with this, families are paradices, and men are Angel.: and if Angels, they ſee their ſaluation.
Fourthly, ſhee was annoynted with humility, as Mary the bleſſed mother of Chriſt, who being ſo highly graced by God,Luc. 2.48. yet acknowledgeth herſe fe his humble handmayden: Although ſhee had ſomething, whereof others are proud, as birth, riches, and eſtimation, yet ſhee was the ſame lowly hand-maid of the Lord. 1 Through humility, ſhe made herſelfe equall to thoſe that bee of low degree, being euen a companion of the poore ones that feare the Lord. 2 She deſpiſed the ornaments of vanity, which other women ſo much delight in, her outward habit did ſhew the inward lowlines and modeſty of her mind. 3 Shee ſtroue againſt the ſharpneſſe of her naturall diſpoſition, and by ſtriuing did attaine a great meaſure of meekneſſe and gentleneſſe, learning of him that ſayd,Matth. 11. Learne of mee that I am meeke and gentle, and ye ſhall finde reſt vntounto your ſoules. 4 Like the poore Publican, ſhee was alwayes humbled in the ſight of her ſinnes, in health and ſickneſſe neuer flattering herſelfe with any thing which ſhee had done, but alwayes bewailing her vnworthineſſe and ſinnes, with which ſhe ſayd, that ſhe alwayes found herſelfe compaſſed about. 5 Becauſe ſhee thought herſelfe worthy of greater puniſhments, ſhe did humbly in all her ſufferings ſubmit herſelfe to whatſoeuer it ſhould pleaſe the Lord to lay vponupon her, verily perſwading herſelfe, that no ſickneſſe or griefe came by chance, but by Gods prouidence: Without murmuring or impatient complaining ſhe buckled her ſhoulders to to the yoke, often affirming, that ſhee reſpected not any ſufferings heere,Iam. 4.6. ſo that ſhee might goe to heauen heereafter. Now to the humble it is promiſed, that the Lord is neere, though he deſpiſeth the proud a farre off.Eſa. 66.2. The Lord that inhabiteth eternity (ſaith the Prophet) is neere, and hath reſpect to the humble that tremble at his word: and if the Lord be neere, hee is ſeene by the humble to bee their ſaluation.Aug: Mat: Ser: 5. This is the ſtep (ſaith Auguſtine) whereby we aſcend vp vntounto God: begin at the ſtep, if thou wilt come vp to him. Whatſoeuer a man doth (ſaith Chryſoſtome) if there bee not humility, Chryſoſt: Matth: Hom: 15.but vaineglory, the ſoule ſuffereth ſhipwracke, though it be euen in the hauen of tranquility: Et quid infoelicius poteſt homini accidere, quam in ipſa tranquilitatis portu naufragium facere: By humility then ſhee ſat ſafely in the hauen, and ſaw the ſhore, ſhe gat vp vntounto the ſtep, and beheld God her faluation.
Fiftly, ſhe was annoynted with due ſubiection to her owne husband, as Sarah, 1 Pet. 3.6.who reuerenced her husband, whoſe example is moſt carneſtly by S. Peter commended to all wiues, promiſing, that thus they become the daughters of Sarah, not being terrified with any feare. Whetfore hauing this vertue alſo added, ſhee was doubtleſſe without feare ſtedfaſt in the faith of her ſaluation.
Vnruly wines, like vntounto Rachel the wife of Iaacob, Gen. 30.1.quarrelling with their husbands,2 Sam. 6. or like Michol the wife of David, mocking their husbands, or like lezabel the wife of Ahab, 1 Kin. 21.imperious ouer their husbands, and helping them forward in ſin, or like Peninnah the wife of Elkana puft vp,1 Sam. 1. becauſe of their fruitfulneſſe, or like the daughters of leruſalem, vainely decking themſelues without end in ſuperfluous implements to the needleſſe coſt of their husbands, theſe and the like hauehave ſuch a miſt or dark clowd of blacke ſinnes before their eyes, as that they cannot ſee this ſaluation: they may hauehave hope indeede, but their hope is preſumption, the end of which is damnation.
Now as this elect ſeruant of God was beautified with theſe graces in her health, ſo they remained in her, without being dimmed in her laſt ſickneſſe.
1. For heauenly zeale, ſhee gaue a ſure inſtance heereof in the beginning of this ſickneſſe, by commanding her ſeruants not to trouble her with any worldly affaires, for now ſhe would wholly be ſetled to heauen. And indeed ſhee lay in her ſicke bed as in heauen, full of heauenly ſpeeches, and of heauenly comfort. Now all her practiſe was praying, confeſſing of ſinnes, ſinging P…almes, and godl… conference.
2. For wiſdome, when ſtrength of body falled her, this was ſtrong yet in he. euon vntounto the end; moſt wiſely ſhee ſpake to eueryevery thing, with much vnderſtanding producing ſundry places of the holy Scriptures. Being much troubled for her ſinnes, and buffetted by the temptations of Satan, ſhe ſayd, that ſhee had yet much aſſurance, becauſe that,Mat. 11.28 Come vntounto mee (ſaith the Lord) all you that are weary and beauy laden, and I will refreſh you: Hee biddeth to come, ſayd ſhee, and come all, yea euen ſuch wretches as I am. Againe,Lue. 10. Mary (ſaid ſhee) that had choſen the better part, was promiſed, that it ſhould neuer be taken from her, and the gifts and calling of God are without repentance: And againe, the Church ſaith, Come; and the Spirit ſaith, Come who ſo will, and drinke of the water of life freely. Another time being dealt withall about willingneſſe to depart out of this world, yea ſaid ſhee, Lot was a worthy man, yet he was faine to bee pulled out of Sodom. Another time, after great trouble of mind, being reſtored againe to comfort by prayer Thou art a God (ſayd ſhee) that heareſt prayer, therefore to thee ſhal all fleſh come, with many like ſayings excellently applied, which I cannot repeat againe.
3. For true louelove, that ſtill abounded in her towards God, her louelove did wonderfully ſhew it ſelfe, by the great care which ſhe had all the time of her painfull ſicknes, that nothing in her paſſions might proceed from her, to ſcandalize that holy profeſſion, which ſhe had entertained, wherby God might bee diſhonoured; and by her great remorſe and ſorrow for any behauior amiſſe in her greateſt extremity. No heart could bee pricked more for ſinne, then her tender heart was, for her ſlips in her greateſt paſſions, ſhee wiſhed rather to bee as Lazarus, then to bee any way a ſcandall, or meanes of the opening of wicked mouths againſt the Goſpell. Oh that we had all in our health and freedom from diſtractions, that tenderneſſe of heart and affection towards Gods glory, ſo ſhould not blaſphemous mouths bee ſet ſo wide open to ſpeake euill of our Chriſtian profeſſion, neither ſhould ſo many ſtumble and be hindered from the right way. She exceeded alſo ſtill in louelove of her neighbours, as her almes were alwayes great, ſo now much more willing, that both money and cloath ſhould bee plentifully giuen to the poore round about. She thewed a right mother like affection to her children, commending to them in patticular the feare of God, and the louelove of the vertuous, and charity to the poore, with many other good exhortations; to her maidens likewiſe, ſhe had memorable ſpeeches of inſtruction and admonition, and the like
4. For Humility, ſhee did with all patience beare her ſickneſſe, no diſcontented ſpeeches, no impatient complainings, no diſtempered groanings were heard to come from her: but when ſhee had greateſt pangs, her mourning was inward, and when ſhee had any little time of reſpit, ſhe was very cheerefull, ſinging and talking comfortably.
A moſt happy woman then was ſhe, Simeons moſt delightfull ſight was her ſight, in health and ſickneſſe to the laſt, with her eies ſhee did ſee her ſaluation.
2. For the ioy: Now letteſt thou thy ſeruant depart in peace] Letteſt depart, or diſmiſſeſt, or letteſt looſe, foreign, euen as a man let looſe out of priſon, or held longer then he would from the place which hee deſireth to goe vntounto, but now ſent away. Inpeace, that is, in ioy and comfort, for ſuch as depart in peace goe away comfortably.
Doct. Note that Simeon obtaining this fauour to ſee the Lords ſaluation, did ioyfully diſpoſe himſelfe to goe out of this world, and eueryevery Simeou, that is, eueryevery faithfull perſon is likewiſe ioyfull and comfortable againſt the terrours of death, whenſoeuer it commeth. The changing of their haires into gray in olde age, the wrinckling of their faces, their deafe eares, dirnme eyes, their lame and aking limbs, ſummoning to death, doe not diſmay them. If their ſtreights be ſuch, as that they ſee nothing but death before their eyes, yet they reioice with Paul, ſaying: I hauehave fought a good fight, I hauehave runne a good race, now remaineth for mee the crowne of righteouſneſſe, &c.
And great reaſon is there, that the faithfull ſhould cheere vp themſelues when death approcheth, becauſe there is nothing in death to hinder, but all things to further their ioy. For death is nothing but a letting looſe of the ſoule to goe to Chriſt, for which cauſe Paul ſpeaking heere of ſaith,Phil. 1.17. deſiring to bee looſed and to be with Chriſt, which is beſt of all. Now who would be grieued to bee let looſe, and not rather reioice to be let looſe from the ſtreight priſon of the body, that the ſoule may enioy the liberty of its proper Countrey, viz. heauen, from whence it came.
2. Death is nothing, but an vncloathing, a putting off of baſe rags, that we may be cloathed with glorious apparrell:2 Cor. 5.3. We ſigh deſiring to be vnclothed, not that wee may bee leſt naked, but that we may bee clothed upon, that death may bee ſwallowed vp of life. Our body wherewith wee are now cloathed is moitall, the cloathing to come is immortall, neuer wearing away, it is heauen which is glorious and euerlaſting.
3. Death is nothing elſe but a ſweet ſleep after long and toyleſome labour. For bleſſed are the dead which die in the Lord, they reſt fro their labours, ſaith the Spirit, and their workes follow them.
After the hard brunt of the lewes malicious onſet, Steuen is ſaid to hauehave falne aſleepe: And who is not glad when the time of reſt commeth after long and painefull labour?
4. Death is nothing elſe but a committing of the ſoule into the hands of holy Angels, to be carried into the company of Patriarkes and Prophets to liue together in continuall feaſting and ioy. For when Lazarus dyed, the Angels carried him into Abrahams boſome:Luc. 16. and the faithfull are ſayd to ſit downe in the kingdome of Heauen with Abraham, Luc. 13.29.Iſaak and Iaacob. And who would bee afrayd or grieued to go into ſuch company, to liue in ſo ioy full a place, whatſoeuer he muſt forſake in this world? ſeeing that heere many bitter morſels are mixed with our ſweet bits, but there is all ſweet and pleaſant meat without any dramme of bitterneſſe.
But it will againſt this bee obiected,Ob. that if this be the caſe of the faithful, then many that liue a good life, and expreſſe greateſt zeale, doe ſhew littie ſigne of their faith towards their end, ſeeing they are wonderfully vncomfortable, and oftentimes loth to depart.
I anſwer, that this may happen euen in the true faithfull ſeruants of God, and yet their faith remain vnſhaken.
Firſt, through the deſire of bringing more glory to God, and of heaping vp a greater treaſure in Heauen: Thus Hezekiah pleaded for life in his great ſicknes becauſe ſaith hee, the liuing, the liuing they ſhall praiſe thee; hee hee did earneſtly deſire, becauſe that hee was yet young and able to liue to gloritie God more in this world. Euen as the laboring man that ſerueth a good maſter, if his wages be offered him before the end of the day, that hee may bee diſmiſſed, hee is loth to receiue them yet, becauſe hee had rather hold out in the ſeruice of ſo bountifull a maſter, and doe him a full dayes worke: ſo the faithfull perſon, though he be aſſured of Heauen when he dieth, yet he had rather continue, whilſt ability ſerueth to doe God more ſeruice in this world, before his diſmiſſe, that doing a full dayes worke, he may partake the more of the Lords bounty.
Secondly, this ſalleth out ſomtime through the violence or the diſeaſe, the greatneſſe of the pain be…umming the ſenſe for a time, ſo a that there is no feeling of comfort, but great heauineſſe. Thus the Lord leſus himſelfe in his extreaine paſſions was in a wonderfull agony, and heauy, till that the Angels came and comforted him: and much more the weake members of Chriſt, when their paſſions are extreame, muſt needs bee heauy and vncomfortable, and loth to come neere death for a ſeaſon. Euen as the Labourer in the extreame heat of the day being pained with toyle and the weather, is without all comfort, although he be ſure of his wages at night: ſo the faithfull ſoule being ſcorched with the heat of extreame pangs, hath no feeling of comfort, although hee bee aſſured of his reward at the laſt.
Thirdly, this falleth out through Satans temptations, who then aſſaulteth moſt buſily, when we are weakeſt, and heerein hee often preuaileth ſo farre, as that the patient can finde no comfort, though he prayeth againe and againe. Thus S. Paul, when he was moſt highly fauored of God, had the buffettings of Satan, by which hee was exceedingly caſt downe,2 Cor. 12. and prayed once, twice, thrice before that hee could receiue any comfort. Euen as the manly Souldier, who hauing fought valiantly, and a breach being made now in the wall, through which hee is entring the city, is notwithſtanding much daunted by the deſperate Aduerſary, which maketh the paſſage very hard and painefull vntounto him, inſomuch as for a time there is nothing but horrour before his eyes, though hee ſeeth the reſiſtance to bee ſo weake, as that hee cannot poſſibly be kept from the ſpoyle: So the Chriſtian ſouldier ſighting manfully all his life time, and the breach being now made in his laſt ſickneſſe, though hee ſeeth the riches of the new leruſalem, from which he cannot be ſtopped, yet by Satan, now growing de perate, hee is ſo reſiſted, as that his brunt is very grieuous, and hee is much diſmayd. It is not ſo euen with wie ked perſons, for they lie vponupon their ſicke beds oftentimes with more comfort, and euen quietly depart out of this world: but this is partly becauſe their pangs are not ſo great, they being ſpared here to bee the more tormented heereafter, and partly becauſe the Deuid hauing them in his ſuare, is no way troubleſome vntounto them, but rather as an Angell of light ſpeaketh all peace and comfort, till they be in the midſt of his lawes: As Eliſhahs ſeruant led the Syrians with hope,2 King. 6. till they were taken in the midſt of their enemies.
Wherefore let no faithfull perſon bee diſcouraged for the brunts which the godly ſuffer in their ſickneſſe, neither let the wicked be incouraged for the eaſie paſſage of ſome of the common ſort: for it remaineth firme: Such as ſee by faith their ſaluation ſhall depart in peace, and none elſe. Had wee not an inſtance of this in our faithfull ſiſter? Shee had brunts of temptations, brunts of pangs, and part of her day yet in the courſe of nature remaining, & young children, amongſt whom ſhe might think profitably to ſpend her time to Gods glory: yet howſoeuer theſe things might trouble her ioy, yet they could not all take it from her. For vponupon the Saturday growing very weake, and being much troubled for a time, ſhe yet profeſſed her ſtedfaſt aſſurance, willing one that was then about to go to a friend of hers (a Gentle woman that had labored, but could not finde aſſurance) to commend her vntounto her, and certifie her what ioy ſhe had, ſaying that ſhe vndoubtedly ſhould rather hauehave the like. Soone after this being through this ioy reuiued in her ſpirit, ſhe aroſe from her bed, and ſang moſt ſweetly ſaying, that it put her in minde of the ſinging in heauen. The next day being the Lords day, when ſhe heard the family ſinging below in the houſe, ſhe ſayd, that ſhe ſhould be ſinging, ere, long in heauen. That night being prayed for ſundry times, when mention was made of reſtitution to health in prayer, ſhee ſeemed not to bee much mooued, but when heauen was mentioned, and being receiued thither, ſhee ſayd aloud, Amen; Soone after midnight, ſhee ſayd, that ſhee had agreat conflict, neither could wee conceiue what ſhee felt, but ſoone after moſt comſortably, He is come (ſaid ſhe) hee is come, the Diuell is ouercome, the world is ouercom, and the ſleſh is ouercome: Into thy hands (ô father) I cemmend my ſpirit: and ſo fell aſleep, her eyes being ſhut, and teeth ſet. But breath being perceiued to be in her, they ſtroue to reuiue her, which was a great trouble vntounto her: Yet through the mercy of God ſhee obtained her olde comfort againe, by many ſignes teſtifying her aſſurance to the end, and departed vponupon the Mun day-night, quietly falling at it were, into a ſleepe. And ſo ſhee is departed in peace, and reſteth in ioy with her beloued Sauior. So then happy is ſhe, but woe is vsus from whom ſhe is departed, we may iuſtly weepe and lament. Her husband may lament, from whom is departed a heauenly, wiſe, humble, louing and obedient wife Her children may lament, from whom is departed a mother by nature, a mother by grace, who, as the Apoſtle, laboured till Chriſt was formed in them. The poore may lament, from whom is departed a faithfull Patroneſſe, full of good workes towards them. Wee Miniſters may lament, from whom is departed a carefull hearer, yea, an helper in our labours. Women may lament, from whom is departed the ornament of women. And al the neighbours round about may lament, both men and women, from whom is departed a great light, a ſtarre ſhining in a darke place, following which, wee may bee ſure to ſee light. Shee is departed, but her memory diueth, and ſhall liue, for the memoriall of the iuſt ſhall be bleſſed.Pro. 10.10. And let her memory liue in vsus, as long as we liue, we treading in the ſame ſteps, and being transformed into the ſame image of heauenlineſſe, wiſdome, louelove, and humility, that when wee ſhall be infeebled, and death ſhall approach, we may alſo ioyfully diſpoſe our ſelues heereunto, and ſay, Lord now letteſt thou thy ſevuint depart in peace, according to thy word, for mine eyes hauehave ſeene thy ſaltiation: Which the Lord grant vntounto vsus for his mercies take in leſus Chriſt: To whom with the Father and the Holy Ghoſt, bee all honour and glory, now and for cuermore, Awen.