The Virtuous Daughter, Sermon
The Vertuous DAVGHTER.
PRO. 31.29.
Many Daughters have done vertuouſly, but thou excelleſt them all.
THis Chapter ſpends it ſelfe for the moſt part in the deſcription & commendation of a vertuous woman. The exordium or beginning of the encomium, is in the tenth verſe; Who can finde a vertuous woman? for her price is farre above rubies. The concluſion of it is in the four laſt verſes, whereof my Text is one.
Wherein the holy Ghoſt giveth her (as we ſee) a moſt ample teſtimony and commendation by way of compariſon, for hee compareth her not with a vitious one (whom it is no great grace to ſurpaſſe) but with the vertuous, nor with one onelyonly, but with many: all which (he witneſſeth) ſhe doth not onelyonly equallize, but farre excell. Many daughters have done vertuouſly, but thou excelleſt them all.
The maine leſſon which the Spirit of God intendeth to teach us in this context, and eſpecially in theſe words, is this, That ſuch as doe vertuouſly, may and ſhould bee praiſed: yea, the more vertuouſly any doe, the more praiſe and commendation is due to them. This good woman deſcribed in this chapter, is (as you ſee) not onelyonly poſitively, but ſuperl…tively praiſed.
For the explication of this point,Explication. nothing needs opening, ſave what is meant by doing vertuouſly.
What it is to doe vertuouſly.Morall Philoſophers define vertue thus. It is (ſay they) an habit of the minde, acquired and confirmed by cuſtome, uſe and practiſe, enabling a man to rule his appetite, and to diſcharge the duties of his calling in a laudable manner.
In fewer words thus; It is an elective habit, inclining the will to well-doing.
Now to wel-doing, they teach(a)foreign. Ariſtot. eth. lib. 2. cap. 4. foure things to be requiſite.
1 That t…e thing or ſubject matter of the action, be in it ſelfe lawfull and good; even ſuch as is approved and warranted by the judgement of wiſe men: for this they make the rule of vertue.(b)foreign. lib. 2. cap. 6.
2 That the agent both know and purpoſe the doing of it: for he that doth a good action ignorantly or raſhly, cannot be ſaid to doe well, ſeeing ſcience and counſell are the foundation of every good worke: for as to him that knoweth to doe good, and doth it not, to him it is ſinne: ſo to him that doth good, and knoweth it not, or purpoſeth it not, it is ſinne alſo.
3 That his end be right: for hee that doth a good worke for ſome by-reſpect, and not out of love to goodneſſe, and for it owne ſake, he may doe ſomething which may be materially good, but it is, at the beſt, far from being well done.
4 That he continue and hold out unto the end in his purpoſe and endeavour of doing well: for perſeverance is the complement and crowne of vertue.
Divinity defines it thus. It is a gift of Gods Spirit, and a part of regeneration, whereby a man is made apt and able to deny all ungodlineſſe and worldly luſts, and to live ſoberly, righteouſly, and godly in this preſent world. And to doe thus, is to doe vertuouſly.
Confirmation 1 For confirmation of this truth, firſt I will give you ſome examples of vertuous women, both out of the old and new Teſtament, who are commended by the holy Ghoſt for doing vertuouſly.
Jael the wife of Heber the Ken…e,Iudg. 5.24.25.26. 1 Sam. 25. is much commended by the Propheteſſe for her courage in killing Siſera.
Abigal, the wife of Nabal the Carmelite, is praiſed for her diſcretion, and is ſaid to be a woman of good underſtanding: and David bleſſeth her and her adviſe, whereby ſhe preſerved her whole family from ruine.
The vertues of Ruth, Ruth 3.11.Naomies daughter in law, were generally taken notice of, and ſhe therefore honoured of all the people.
The holy women in old time are commended for truſting in God, adorning themſelves modeſtly, 1 Pet. 3.5.and for ſubjection to their husbands.
Our Saviour doth largely commend the ſinfull penitent woman in the ſeventh of Saint Lukes Goſpell,Luke 7.44.45 46.47. Chap. 8.3. and in the next chapter, Mary Magdalen, Ioanna and Suſanna, are noted and commended for their liberality toward Chriſt: They miniſtred to him of their owne ſubſtance.
And what ſhall I ſay more? for the time would faile me to tell of Rebekah, Deborah, Hannah, Lydia, Priſcilla, Doreas, Tryphena, and Tryphoſa; and above all, the bleſſed Virgin Mary, our Lords Mother.
The like inſtances may be given of men alſo:Neh. 7.…. as of Hananiah, of whom it is ſaid, That he feared God above many.
And of Joſiah it is recorded, That like unto him, 2 King. 23.25there was no King before him, neither aroſe there after him, any like unto him.
Or Iob, God himſelfe ſpeakes thus to Satan.Job 1.8. Haſt thou conſidered my ſervant Iob, how there is none like him in all the earth?
The ſecond proofe of the point is from Gods Promiſes: Confirmation 2 he hath engaged himſelfe that ſuch as live vertuouſly, ſhall bee praiſed; ſee the verſe before my Text. Her children riſe up, and call her bleſſed, Pro. 31.22.her husband alſo and he ſhall praiſe her: 30.and the verſe after my text, A woman that feareth the Lord, ſhe ſhall be praiſed.
Pro. 11.16.10 7. Pſal. 112.6.So alſo he ſaith elſewhere, A gratious woman retaineth honour: and againe, The memory of the juſt is bleſſed; and the Prophet David likewiſe ſaith, The righteous ſhall be had in everlaſting remembrance.
3 Co…firm.Thirdly, God hath given commandement to commend and praiſe thoſe that live vertuouſly.Pro. 3….31. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praiſe her in the gates, (ſaith the holy Ghoſt in the laſt verſe of this Chapter) that is, praiſe her for her workes publikely.
Rom. 13 7.See a generall command given by Paul, Render to all their dues, tribute to whom tribute, honour to whom honour.
Now that honour is the due reward of vertue.
foreign. & lib. 4. cap. 3. foreign, &c. Thus Deis, laus verò bonis v…ris tributuda eſt. Recte facta l…uda e honeſtum eſt. Phil. 4.8.Firſt, heathen men ſaw and taught. Ariſtotle in the ſecond booke of his Ethickes, teacheth, that praiſe is due to vertue. Hee ſaith alſo elſe where, that though a wiſe man ſhould not deſire praiſe, yet praiſe ought to be given to them that live according to the rules of vertue. Againe, another ſaith, Incenſe is due to the gods, and ſo is praiſe to good men: yea, they eſteemed this a point of honeſty. It is an honeſt thing (ſaith one of them) to commend wel-doing: now honeſty ſtandeth (you know) in giving every man his owne. But to let heathens paſſe.
Secondly, the holy Ghoſt hath tyed praiſe to vertue. The Apoſtle Paul ſaith, If there be any vertue, if there be any praiſe: implying, that where there is vertue, there muſt be alſo praiſe. I will conclude this proofe with that notable place in the 26. of Matthew, where Chriſt gives command,Math. 26.13. that whereſoever the Goſpell ſhould be preached, there ſhould alſo that, that the woman had done to him, be told for a memoriall of her.
Confirmation 4 Fourthly and laſtly, there is good uſe of praiſing thoſe that do vertuouſly, much profit may redound hereby.
Firſt, to the praiſers themſelves. One ſaith,Bonum laudare non laudato ſed laudantibus prodeſt. Aug. To praiſe the good, profiteth not the praiſed, but the praiſers: for who will not be moved to labour for that good in themſelves, which they commend in others?
Secondly, to ſuch as heare them praiſed: for they by this meanes will be ſtirred up.
1 To Thankſgiving to God, for giving ſuch grace unto men. We give thankes (ſaith Saint Paul) to God, Coloſ. 2.3.4.and the Father of our Lord and Saviour Ieſus Chriſt, ſince we heard of your faith in Chriſt Ieſus, and of the love which ye have to all the Saints. And this effect we finde alſo of the liberality of the Corinthians;2 Cor. 9.12.13. For the adminiſtration of the ſervice of theirs not onelyonly ſupplyed the want of the Saints, but was abundant alſo by many thankeſgivings to God: while by the experiment of that miniſtration, others glorified God for their profeſſed ſubjection to the Goſpell of Chriſt, &c. Ad ipſum … dabilium un… verſorum ungorem.Thus praiſe comes to be referred to the Author of all things praiſe-worthy.
2 To imitate what they heare praiſed: your zeale, (ſaith Saint Paul to the Corinthians) hath provoked very many: 2 Cor. 9.…,for as fire when it is …raked into, ſends forth greater heate, and light to them that ſit about it: and as pretious oyntment, if it be ſtirred or poured fourth, doth caſt a ſweeter ſmell to all thoſe that are neere it: even ſo the praiſes of vertuous and godly perſons, being mentioned, will yeeld no ſmall edification to thoſe that heare them.
Before I come to application, I will briefly anſwer this queſtion: namely,
Queſtion. Whether ought we rather to praiſe the living, or the dead for wel-doing?
Anſw. Anſw. We have Chriſts example for both, and therefore both are undoubtedly lawfull, Matth. 8.10. we finde him praiſing the living.Math. 8.10. I have not found (ſaith he, ſpeaking of the Cenmrion) ſo great faith, no not in Jſrael, Joh. 5.35. he giveth an illuſtrious encomium of the dead:Iob. 5.35. for ſpeaking there of John, whom Herod had beheaded, he ſaith, Hee was a burning and a ſhining light
But of the two it is ſafer, and leſſe ſubject to exception and danger, to praiſe the dead, and more profitable for two reaſons,Nec laudantem adulatio movet, nec audatum elatio tentat, in nat. S. Euſeb. Lauda navigantis felicitatem, ſed eum pervenerit ad po…tum, lauda du…is virtutem, ſed cum perductus eſt ad triumphum. id. ibid. (Ambroſe gives them) becauſe then (ſaith he) fla…tery will not move the praiſer, nor vaineglory tempt the praiſed. Therefore Eccleſiaſticus adviſeth us to judge none bleſſed before their death. Wee may beſt commend the Saylers happineſſe, when hee is arrived at the haven: and the Souldiers valour when he hath wonne the field.
This doctrine is pregnant, of profitable uſes. It may ſerve by way of inference to informe our judgements.
Inference. 1 1 That it is not ſufficient to have the theory or knowledge of vertue onelyonly, but practice muſt be added to ſpeculation. It is not vertue to know good and evill, but to doe good, and eſchew evill. Our Saviour ſaith, Jf ye know theſe things, Iob. 13.17 Luke 11.2….happy are ye if ye doe them. Againe he ſaith, Bleſſed are they that heare the word of God and keepe it: implying, that the knowledge of Gods word, and bare underſtanding of the myſteries of ſalvation, maketh no man happy: but who ſo looketh into the perfect law of liberty, James 1.25.and continueth therein, hee being not a forgetfull hearer, but a doer of the worke, this m…n ſhall be bleſſed in his deed. Reade Matth. 7.24. to the end.
Inference. 2 2 That it is not enough to ſpeake well, but wee muſt alſo doe well. The Scribes and Phariſes have this brand of hypocriſie ſet upon them by our Saviour Chriſt.(a)foreign. Epict…tus. They ſay and doe not, Matth. 23.3.(b)foreign, &c. Arl. Eth. lib. 2. cap. 4. Too many in our dayes are like thoſe Scribes and Phariſes; for though their tongues be ſteept in religion, yet their lives are ſtained with foule abhominations, to the great ſcandall of their glorious profeſſion. Let not theſe men thinke that God is any whit at all pleaſed to heare them ſpeake piouſly of him, and his kingdome, and the righteouſneſſe thereof, while they refuſe to admit his kingdome into their hearts, and to expreſſe the power of it in their lives. Nay, he is greatly herewith offended.(c)foreign. Agell. lib. 17. cap. 19. Deut. 5.28 29. Tit 1.16. What haſt thou (ſaith he) to doe, to take my covenant in thy mouth, ſeeing thou hateſt inſtruction, and caſteth my words behinde thee, and liveſt unjuſtly and unchaſtly? The Iſraelites ſpake well to Moſes by Gods owne teſtimony. They have well ſaid in all that they have ſpoken; but he wiſheth, Oh that there were ſuch an heart in them, that they would feare me and keepe my Commandements. They proved afterward ſuch as Paul ſpeakes of, who profeſſed they knew God, but in their workes they denyed h…m, being abhominable, diſobedient, and to every good worke reprobate.
Inference: 3 3 That we muſt not content our ſelves to doe vertuous and religious workes, but wee muſt have a care that we doe them in a vertuous and religious manner.
Firſt therefore they muſt proceed from a good root and fountaine, even a principle of regeneration within. A corrupt tree cannot bring forth good fruit. And to them that are defiled and unbeleeving, is nothing pure, but their beſt workes are defiled in Gods eyes.Math. 7.18. Tit. 1.15.
Secondly, they muſt be done in obedience to Gods command. Reſpect to his will muſt be the ground and motive of our working.
Thirdly, Gods glory muſt be our utmoſt end:1 Cor. 10.31. 1 Pet. 4.11. Whatſoever we doe, we muſt doe all to his glory. Jf any man ſpeake, let him ſpeake as the Oracles of God; if any man miniſter, let him doe it as of the ability which God hath given him, that God in all things may be glorified.
Fourthly, wee muſt be abundant alwayes in good workes, unwearied in wel-doing. And finally, when we have done all that we can, we muſt ſay we are unprofitable ſervants, wee have done but that which duplicate page duplicate page was our duty to doe.
Inference. 4 4 That we ought not to content our ſelves with an ordinary meaſure of grace and vertue, but we muſt ſeeke to excell others, like this woman in my Text, who excelled all other daughters that did vertuouſly. It is the Apoſtles injunction.1 Cor. 14.12. Eph 5 …5. foreign. Mat…h. 5.47. Seeke that ye may excell. And againe, See that ye walke exactly or preciſely, not as the ordinary ſort of Profeſſors walke. Our Saviour ſaith, That if ye ſalute your brethren onelyonly, what doe you more than others? implying, that wee muſt exceed others in weldoing,Math 5.48. ſetting God himſelfe before us as our patterne: Be ye perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Inference. 5 5 That we ought not to praiſe, but rather to reprove and condemne vitious perſons. The Apoſtle ſpeaking of ſome diſorders among the Corinthians, ſaith thus,1 Cor. 11.22. Shall I praiſe you in this? I praiſe you not. As who ſhould ſay, I have no warrant to commend ſuch as walke diſorderly.Pro. 2… 4. Salomon ſaith, That they that forſake the law, praiſe the wicked; branding them with a marke of Apoſtaſie from Gods law, that ſpeake well of evill men.
Pro. 5.20.Againſt theſe the Prophet pronounceth a woe. Woe (ſaith he) to them that call good evill, and evill good. Theſe doe what in them lyeth, to make Gods commination of none effect.Pro 10 7. For he hath threatned, that the name of the wicked ſhall rot and ſtinke. Let not therefore ungodly ones, who have neither the habit nor the exerciſe of any grace or vertue in them, whoſe ſoules ſerve for no other uſe, then the ſoules of ſwine; to keepe their bodies from putrifying (as if they were borne for no other end than to conſume Gods good creatures) expect any praiſe either in life or death,Fruges conſumer… na…i. except it bee from flatterers: for as to them who continue patiently in weldoing, ſhall be glory and honour: ſo to them who obey not the truth, but obey unrighteouſneſſe, ſhall be ſhame and confuſion of face, both here and hereafter. Reade Ierem. 22.17.18.19.
Job expoſtulates thus with his friends,Iob 13.7. Will you ſpeake wickedly for God, and talke deceitfully for him? If wee may not ſpeake falſly to glorifie God, much leſſe may we to glorifie men. Thus ſhould we juſtifie the wicked, and ſo make our ſelves abhomination unto God. Nay, 'tis dangerous for men to affect and receive praiſe and glory, when they deſerve it not. Reade Acts 12.22.23.
Inference. 6 6 That ſuch as unfainedly deſire and endeavour to doe vertuouſly, ſhall not faile to have praiſe both of God and men.
Firſt of God, who hath promiſed, that although the credit of his ſervants may for a ſeaſon be covered with a cloud of reproach (as Ioſephs was) yet hee will bring forth their righteouſneſſe as the light, and their judgement as the noone day. The Apoſtle Paul ſaith,Rom. 2.29. hee that is a Iew inwardly, (that is really religious, who hath the inward power of godlineſſe, as well as the outward forme) ſhall have praiſe of God. And this indeed is the true praiſe.2 Cor. 10.18. For not he that commendeth himſelfe (ſaith Saint Paul) is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.
Secondly, of men. Men will praiſe thee, Pſal. 49.18.(ſaith the Pſalmiſt when thou doſt well to thy ſelfe. Now a man then doth good to himſelfe when he doth vertuouſly.
And not onelyonly the common ſort of men, but alſo Magiſtrates and men in high place will commend and encourage us. The Apoſtle Paul ſaith that Rulers are not a terrour to good workes, but to evill: Rom. 13.….will thou then not be afraid of the power? doe that which is good, and thou ſhalt have praiſe for the ſame.
To come to the occaſion in hand, for I muſt wave all other generall uſes for want of time) by this that hath been ſaid, it may appeare, that I have warrant ſufficient, ſigned with Gods owne hand, to ſpeake in the praiſe and commendation of this young Gentlewoman, whoſe funerall rites wee now celebrate; foraſmuch as ſhe hath deſerved praiſe, having not onelyonly done vertuouſly, but excelled all others of her ſexe and age (take them both together) that I ever heard or knew of: for when ſhee dyed, ſhee was little more then twelve yeares of age.
And beſides, all that hath beene ſpoken for the lawfulneſſe and conveniencie of this practiſe of praiſing the dead, I have for my patterne and precedents herein, not onelyonly many late divines, who have in thoſe funerall Sermons which they preached at the burials of godly perſons, beene exceeding large in their commendations, and were never yet excepted againſt for flattery. But alſo many antient Fathers, who not onelyonly in their conſolatory Letters written to them which loſt their friends, have inſerted large praiſes of them: but alſo in their Sermons at their funerals have done the like. Among others, Ierome is moſt noted, who although he call flatterers ſparkles of the divell, Scin…llo… Diaboli.yet none ever more exceeded in the commendation of any, then he of that vertuous and godly Matron Paula, both in his Sermon which he preached at her buriall in Bethlehem, in a very great aſſembly of ſundry nations, and alſo in his Epiſtle written ad Euſtochium, which hee entituleth, the Epitaph of Paula.
Aquin. 2.2…. qu. 132.True it is (as they teach in Schooles) that to praiſe a man for that which is not praiſe worthy, or more then is meet, or not for a right end, is ſinfull and cannot be juſtified: but with due cautions to commend, cannot be juſtly cenſured.
I will not therefore put on that reſolution which Cicero once did; I will not, ſaid he, be a praiſ…r,Nol… eſſe laudator, ne videar adulator. leſt I ſhould ſeeme a flatterer; for ſo I ſhould not onelyonly wrong the dead, (in robbing her of her due honour, although ſhe being received into the ſociety of Saints in heaven, needeth not our praiſes, more than our prayers,) but I ſhould alſo deale perfidiouſly both with God and you.
Firſt, with God,Mat. 5.15. in hiding a glorious candle under a buſhell which he lighted for others to ſee and worke by; and whoſe command to his Apoſtles I have juſt cauſe in this caſe to apply to my ſelfe.Mat. 10.…7. What I tell you in darkeneſſe, that ſpeake ye in light, and what ye heare in the eare, that preach upon the houſes.
Secondly, with you, in keeping from you that pretious treaſure which may haply enrich you for ever. One compares the words of Saints to pure ſilver; the more you have of them, the wealthier you are.Mat. 7.6. Pro. 25.11. Our Saviour cals them pearles: and Salomon ſayes they are like apples of gold in pictures of ſilver.
Sure I am, all that heard this childe ſpeake oft in her health, but eſpecially the day before, and that they ſhod died, (as the ſun ſhines moſt gloriouſly at his ſorting) did wonder at her gratious words, and might well ſay, never childe ſpake like this childe: ſo that we who heard her utter ſuch divine ſaying…, ſo roundly, and in ſuch an emphaticall manner, were forced to cry c…; Doubtleſſe wee have heard ſtrange things to day. Neither can it …e doubted, but that the promiſe which Chriſt made to his Apoſtles, was in a degree made good unto her, It ſhall be given you what ye ſhall ſpeak…: Ma…. 13.11.for it is not you that ſpeake, but the holy Ghoſt.
You know our Saviours ſaying to the Phariſe…: teaching us thereby to judge of the heart by the mouth, i… …he life give not the tongue the lye▪ Mat. 11.34.35.Out of the aboundance of the heart the … ſpeaketh. A good man out of the good treaſure of his heart, bringeth forth good things. The good things which this deare Hand-maid of the Lord brought out of the treaſure of her heart, argued it to be truely good.
2 Pet. 1.5 6.7.The chaine of Chriſtian graces ſpoken of by Peter, did adorne and beautifie her ſweet ſpirit: neither was any one linke of that golden chaine wanting in her, as might eaſily be evinced by demonſtrative evidences. But my purpoſe is onelyonly to inſtance in three of thoſe graces: whereof when ye have heard undoubted proof, ye may then doe like him, who by the length and bigneſſe of Hercules his foot,Agellius. l. 1. c. 1. gathered the proportion of his whole body.
The graces or vertues I ſhall inſtance in, are knowledge, piety, and patience: they are the Cardinall graces on which all others hang and turne, and theſe were very evidently diſcernable in her, even to ſuch as had but halfe an eye.
And firſt to give ſome evidences of her knowledge, the Apoſtle taxeth certaine women in his time, who were alwayes learning, 2 Tim. 3.7.and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth, whom he therefore calleth ſilly women. She was none of thoſe women, but might truely ſay with David; J have more underſtanding than all my teachers, Pſal. 119.99 100.J underſtand more then the Ancients. And the truth of this appeareth by the confeſſion of her beſt teachers, that they never received ſo much edification by any of her yeares, as by her words: as alſo of the Doctour that was with her, who profeſſed that hee never heard any childe ſpeake with more judgement in all his life.
She did indeed deſire to be inſtructed by mee, her words were theſe. J pray you tell mee what courſe I ſhall take to live this ſhort time that I have to live, as I ought? Deare ſoule, I needed to receive inſtruction of thee. God ſaw my need, and therefore ſent me ſeaſonably unto thee: and I have learned of thee, better then ever I did before, both how to live, and dye happily.
The Apoſtle exhorts us to be children in malice; 1 Cor. 14.20.not ſo in underſtanding. But oh that we were all like this childe in underſtanding! For ſuch was her knowledge, farre beyond her yeares, not confuſed, but diſtinct; not ſwelling, but humbling; not like the light of the Moon, but of the Sunne: a favorie affecting and hearing knowledge: it warmed her owne heart, and ours alſo.
Take one proofe of her knowledge in religion, long before her ſickneſſe. When the Nurſes childe in the houſe was drowned, and the Mother mourned ſore for it, ſhe gave her this grave counſell: Seeing Gods will is done in taking away your childe, take heed of offending God by murmuring: doe we not daily pray that Gods will may be done? and therefore wh… it is done, we ſhould bee content.
Heare alſo ſome paſſages in her ſickneſſe, which prove that ſhe was indeed indued with ſound knowledge and judgement.
Being asked occaſionally whether Chriſt would heale her of her ſickneſſe, ſeeing he never refuſed to heale any; She anſwered, J beleeve that hee can doe it, but J cannot beleeve that he will heale the ſickneſſe of my body, but by death.
Againe, being asked whether ſhe thought God afflicted her in anger, or in love; She anſwered, Truely J cannot tell, but J know he hath cauſe to doe it in anger.
Againe, telling us how Satan had long tempted her to doubt of her ſalvation, She ſaid, her hope was that ſhe did belong to God, becauſe Satan was ſo buſie with her.
The ſecond grace or vertue that evidenced it ſelfe in her, and wherein we ſhould all labour to imitate her, was piety or godlineſſe, 1 Tim. 4.8.which …th the promiſe of this life, and that which is to come. And it conſiſts of three parts, or there are three graces required to make one truely pious: viz. 1 Selfe-denyall. 2 Sanctification. 3 Devotion.
1 Selfe-deniall, the neceſſity whereof appeares by theſe ſpeeches of our Saviour:Luke 9.23. Luke 14.26. If any man will come after me, let him deny himſelfe; and againe, if any man come to me, and hate not his Father and Mother, and Wife and Children, and Brethren and Siſters; yea, and his owne life alſo, he cannot be my diſciple.
That this grace was not onelyonly in truth, but in a great meaſure in her, will appeare if we conſider five ſorts of things wherein ſhe had denyed her ſelfe.
1 All earthly profits and contentments. It was my firſt queſtion to her; are you willing to leave the world? her anſwer was, yea truely, for I ſee nothing in this world that ſhould move me to deſire to live.
2 Bodily eaſe and freedome from paine: for being almoſt tyred with a lingring ſickneſſe, and this queſtion put to her; Whether had you rather continue in this miſery ſtill, or commit a ſinne to be releaſed of it? Shee anſwered cheerefully, J had rather continue thou ſicke as J am, then commit any ſinne to …e well.
3 Her Parents: for being asked whether ſhee were willing to leave her Parents, and goe to Chriſt, She anſwered, I love my Father and my Mother dearely, but J love them lower then Chriſt.
4 Her owne merits and righteouſneſſe: for when I demanded of her what ground of hope ſhe had to goe to heaven, her anſwer was, My hope is in the death and reſurrection of Ieſus Chriſt. But have you nothing on your ſelfe, ſaid I, to take comfort in? No truely, ſaid ſhee, I finde no good at all in my ſelfe, but a great deale of evill.
5 Her life. She never ſmiled but twiſe in her ſickneſſe, (that I took notice of) and both thoſe ſmiles were at the mention of her death. Once when I told her, that death would cure her of al her infirmities: oh I, ſaid ſhe, and ſmiled, and my deſire is to dye, which is farre better than to live. Againe, I asked her, whether had you rather (if you might have your choiſe) recover, and be matched to the greateſt Noble man in the world, or dye and be matched with Chriſt? She ſmiled againe, and ſaid, I had rather dye, for there is no difference betweene them; you meane, no compariſon, ſaid I: yea, ſaid ſhe, There is no compariſon betweene the greateſt Lord, and Ieſus Chriſt; I meaned there is great difference.
The ſecond part or branch of piety, is Sanctification or regeneration, which is nothing elſe, but a ſtamping of the Image of God upon the ſoule,2 Pet. 1.4. and the writing of his law in the heart; a partaking of the divine nature: a ſpirituall principle or divine inſtinct, inclining the ſoule upward unto God.
That ſhe was partaker of this new birth, and had an heart throughly ſanctified, will appeare by two things.
1 She was throughly humbled for her ſinnes: for She complained that ſhe had forſaken God, and broken that covenant which ſhe made with him in Baptiſme, and therefore deſerved no comfort thence.
She feared that though ſhe mourned for ſinne, yet God would not accept it, becauſe ſhe was not grieved enough.
She ſaid, moreover, that ſhe was weary and laden with ſinne, more than with ſickneſſe.
Finally, being exhorted to call to minde for her comfort, the promiſes of the Goſpell, ſhe anſwered with griefe, and iterated it; Truely I have beene much too blame in neglecting to reade the Scriptures.
Theſe and many more ſignes ſhe had of a ſoule ſavingly humbled for her ſinnes.
2 There appeared divers expreſſions of divine and gratious impreſſions in her, which were infallible characters of ſanctification: as namely,
1 Poverty of ſpirit: ſhe complained of her want of grace, ſaying; ſhe had very little grace, or rather none at all in her.
2 Her hungring and thirſting after grace: Oh, I would give, ſaid ſhe, any thing for grace.
3 Her hatred of ſinne, and love of Chriſt, evidenced in ſome former anſwers.
4 Her humility mixt with faith; for hearing me ſay, that her heavenly husband had prepared a place in heaven for her,Pſal. 84 10. whither ſhe was haſting; Oh, ſaid ſhe, Let me have the loweſt place there, and I ſhall thinke my ſelfe happy.
Acts 10 2.The third thing requiſite to make one godly, is Devotion. It is ſaid of Cornelius, that he was a devout man, and ſo it may be ſaid truely of this childe, that ſhe was a devout childe: for ſhee held in her judgement, and profeſſed with her mouth, the true religion of God; which gives all to Gods free grace, and leaves man none occaſion of boaſting in himſelfe. You heard before how freely ſhe renounced all worth in herſelfe, and ſought for all her comfort out of her ſelfe, onelyonly in Ieſus Chriſt.1 Pet. 3.15.
Againe, ſhe made conſcience of the duties of religion: was fearefull of an oath: ſtrict in ſanctifying the Lords day. She was frequent in reading the Scriptures, and deſirous to heare them read, when ſhe could not reade her ſelfe, (becauſe of the ſoreneſſe of her eyes) and yet ſhe thought her ſelfe too blame, becauſe ſhe read no more (as ye heard even now.) She would preſſe nigh, and hearken diligently when any good conference was in hand where ſhe was. She was frequent in prayer, and fervent: and when it was painefull for her to ſpeake, ſhe would aske, may J not pray in ſpirit? and anſwer being made that ſhe might, ſhe did accordingly. She would alſo praiſe God for his mercies to her: and in particular for the ſpirituall comforts which he was pleaſed to afford unto her. And thus ſhee held on till death deprived her of ability.
The third and laſt grace wherein ſhe excelled) I had almoſt ſayd all other daughters) was Patience: and whether this grace had not it perfect worke in her, I leave you to judge, when you have heard th…ſe foure evidences.
1 She was ſenſible of Gods correcting hand,Ioh 1.20. Ier. 5.3. and affected with the ſmart of his rod, as appeared by this ſpeech, J am almoſt even tyred with my ſickneſſe, but my hope is J am going to a better place, as for this world, it is full of miſery.
2 She was ſilent and free from murmuring and …owardneſſe. I heard them about her ſay,Lev. 3.10. Io… ….2.40.4…5 that notwithſtanding the long continuance of her ſickneſſe, and the paine ſhe ſuffered by purging and letting bloud, yet ſhe was never ſeene to open her mouth in diſcontent … to be angry or pettiſh with any that were about her.
3 She did juſtifie God,Pſal. 119.75. Lam. 1.12.18. Eze. 9.… 3. Micha 7.9. and cleare him in his dealing with her: for being asked, Doe you not thinke God deales very hardly and ſeverely with you in afflicting you ſo ſorely? No truely doe I not, ſaid ſhe, but I thinke he deales with me very well, becauſe I have beene ſo wretched a ſinner.
4 She did ſubmit willingly and obediently to Gods will and pleaſure, as appeared by theſe words of hers:Lev…. …6.41. …. J am very willing, ſaid ſhe, either to live or dye; for if J live, I hope J ſhall live a more godly life, and commit leſſe ſinne of I dye, I ſhall be freed from all ſinne and …ſery, whereof this world is very full: And ſo ſhe …oſe … had the better part. And God was pleaſed to give her full aſſurance before her death: for hearing mention of the happineſſe of heaven, ſhe ſpake thus, I know that I ſhall very ſhortly ſee and enjoy it: which ſhe did.
Sic mihi contingat vivere, ſicque mori.
I thought it my duty to mention theſe vertues and graces of this ſweet childe of God, my Text calling upon me ſo to doe.
As for her birth,Verſe 30. and favour, and beauty, and riches, (the holy Ghoſt telling us they are deceitfull and vaine) I thought them not worthy ſo much as of mention.
Let that which hath beene ſaid in her commendation, firſt, cauſe us all (eſpecially thoſe who are of more yeares, and farre longer ſtanding in the Schoole of Chriſtianity) to bluſh and be aſhamed and confounded in our ſelves, that we ſhould be thus outſtript in knowledge, ſelfe-denyall, ſanctification, devotion, and patience by ſuch a babe in Chriſt, ſuch a childe in yeares.
2 Let it ſtirre us up and provoke us to imitation: we reade that our Saviour tooke a childe, and ſet him in the midſt of his Diſciples,Math. 18.2.3. and ſaid unto them: Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye ſhall not enter into the kingdome of heaven.
I have after our Saviours example ſet a childe in the midſt of you, and doe aſſure you, that except ye become like it in thoſe graces & vertues formerly mentioned, ye ſhall in no wiſe be ſaved: yea, this childe ſhall riſe up in judgement againſt you at the laſt day, and ſo ſhall all her gratious ſpeeches, which I have uttered from her mouth.
I will ſhut up all with a few words of exhortation, unto the worthy Parents of this vertuous childe.
Foure things I have (right Worſhipfull) to exhort you unto.
1 To ſearch and try your wayes. This we are to doe in what affliction ſoever we are.Lam. 3.39.40. Wherefore (ſaith the Church) doth the living m…n complaine, a man for the puniſhment of his ſinnes? Let us ſearch and try our wayes, and turne againe to the Lord. Deſire of God,Iob 10.2. as Iob did, to ſhew you wherefore he contended with you.
It may be the ſinne was overloving of your childe; for that is an ordinary fault even in the beſt Parent▪ we ſee it in David, how exceedingly did hee love a naughty ſonne, as appeareth by his exceſſive griefe at his death? And the king was much moved, 2 Sam. 18.33.and went up to the Chamber over the gate and wept: and … he went thus, he ſaid, O my ſonne Abſalom, my ſonne, my ſonne Abſalom, would God I had dyed for thee; O Abſalom, my ſonne, my ſonne. It may be you had a male love to your childe, and offered a female to the Lord.
2 To be thankfull to Almighty God. Saint Paul exhorts us, in all things to give thankes, 1 Theſ. 5.1…. Phil. 4.6. Iob 1.2….and to make our requeſts knowne unto God by prayer and ſupplication with thankeſgiving. Iobs example is moſt worthy of your imitation, who at the loſſe of his Cattell, Servants, and Children, ſaid, The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away, bleſſed be the name of the Lord.
More eſpecially let me exhort you to thankeſgiving to God for theſe three b…ries.
foreign. Rom. 7.4.1 For making you inſtruments of bringing forth ſuch a childe … hath beene deſcribed. I may ſay to you, as Saint Paul in another caſe did to the Romans, Yee have brought forth fruit unto God.
2 For arming you with ſuch courage and patience, in bearing ſo great a loſſe ſo quietly and obediently, and that you are come to ſee her committed to the ground, with as much cheerefulneſſe, as the Husbandman ſees his pretious ſeed caſt into the earth, and covered with cloddes: which he values at as high a rate, as that which he reſerves at home: as knowing that though her body lye a while in the grave, yet it ſhall ſhortly riſe a glorious body, as the Apoſtle teacheth, Phil. 3.21.Phil. 3.21. Who ſhall change our vile body, that it may be faſhioned like his glorious body: and ſhall ſhine forth as the Sunne, Math. 13.43.in the kingdome of her Father.
3 For giving you ſuch cauſe of patience, and ground of comfort.
1 In that he hath removed that thing from you, which might have ſtollen your hearts from him.
2 In that he gave you ſuch aſſured evidences of grace in her, before her death; and her aſſurance of ſalvation.
3 In taking her away ſo ſwee…ly, without the leaſt paine or ſtrugling.
4 In infuſing ſuch comforts into your ſoules, even in the time of her diſſolution, that you m… rejoyced for her gaine, then ſorrowed for your owne loſſe.
3 To draw nearer unto God, and to have more fellowſhip with him in his ordinances: and you ſhall finde the comfort of your childe in God, who will be better to you then ten daugthers: y…, he will recompence your loſſes to you, if not in the ſame,1 … 1.1… yet in ſome other kinde, as he ſhall ſee it beſt… his owne glory, and your comfort.
4 To bury all your ſorrow for her, in the grave with her, and let it riſe no more: Put on Davids reſolution. While the childe was yet alive, I faſted and wept, 2 Sam. 12.22.23.for I ſaid, who can tell whether God will be gratious unto me, that the childe may live? But now he is dead, wherefore ſhould I faſt? can I bring him backe againe? Goe hence with as much comfort, as if you had matched her to the greateſt prince on earth. Doe as the wiſe man counſelleth, Goe thy way, eate thy bread with joy, Eccleſ. 9.…8.and drinke thy wine with a merry heart, for God accepteth thy works. Let thy garments alwaies be white, and let thy head lacke no oyle.
You rejoyced on the day of her birth: why then rejoyce now; for the day of death is the ſoules birth-day. And the Preacher telleth us (ſpeaking onelyonly of ſuch as ſhe was) That the day of their death is better then the day of their birth.Eccleſ. 7.1.
I will conclude all with that adviſe of Nehemiah: Nehem. 8, 10.Goe your way, mourne not, neither be ſorry: for the joy of the Lord is your ſtrength.
FINIS.
Her Epitaph by the Author.
BIrth, breeding, beauty, grace, & carriage ſweet
In thee deare Saint, did all together meet:
The Sunne ne're ſaw a lovelier face than thine,
Nor heaven receiv'd a ſpirit more divine.
Thrice happy Parents ſuch a childe to breed,
Begot againe of Gods immortall ſeed.
Ceaſe ſorrowing then, ſith Saints & Angels ſing
To ſee her match'd with an eternall King.
End of the text · John Bryan, The Virtuous Daughter (1636)