Two Treatises on Death and Judgment, Life
Some imitable Paſſages of the Life of Elizabeth, late Wife of Mr. Joſeph Baker.
THough I ſpoke ſo little as was next to nothing, of our dear deceaſed friend; it was not becauſe I wanted matter, or thought it unmeet: But I uſe it but ſeldom, leſt I raiſe expectations of the like, where I cannot conſcionably perform it. But he that hath promiſed to honour thoſe that ſerve and honour him, (Joh. 12. 26. 1 Sam. 2. 30.) and will come at laſt to be glorified in his Saints, and admired in all them that do believe, (2 Theſ. 1. 10.) I know, will take it as a great and acceptable act of ſervice, to proclaim the honour of his grace, and to give his ſervants their due on earth, whoſe ſouls are glorified with Chriſt in Heaven; though Serpentine enmity will repine and play the envious accuſer.
It is not the hiſtory of the Life of this precious ſervant of the Lord which I intend to give you: for I (was not many years acquainted with her:) but only ſome paſſages, which either upon my certain knowledge, or her own Diurnal of her courſe, or the moſt credible teſtimony of her moſt intimate judicious godly friends, I may boldly publiſh as true, and imitable in this untoward diſtempered generation.
She was born Novem. 1634. in Southwark near London: the only child of Mr. John Godeſchalk, alias Godſcall. Her Father dying in her Child-hood, ſhe was left an Orphane to the Chamber of London. Her Mother after married Mr. Iſaac Barton, with whom ſhe had the benefit of Religious Education. But between ſixteen and ſeventeen years of age, by the ſerious reading of the Book called The Saints Everlaſting Reſt, ſhe was more throughly awakened, and brought to ſet her heart on God, and to ſeek ſalvation with her chiefeſt care: From that time forward ſhe was a more conſtant, diligent ſerious hearer of the ableſt Miniſters in London, riſing early, and going far to hear them on the week dayes, waiting on God for his confirming grace in the uſe of thoſe ordinances, which empty unexperienced hypocrites are eaſily tempted to deſpiſe: The Sermons which ſhe conſtantly wrote, ſhe diligently repeated at home for the benefit of others; and every week read over ſome of thoſe that ſhe had heard long before, that the fruit of them might be retained and renewed: it being not novelty that ſhe minded.
In the year 1654. being near one and twenty years of age, after ſeeking God, and waiting for his reſolving ſatisfying directions, ſhe conſented to be joyned in marriage to Mr. Joſeph Baker, by the approbation of her neareſt friends: God having taken away her Mother the year before. With him ſhe approved herſelf indeed ſuch a Wife as Paul (no Papiſt) deſcribeth as meet for a Biſhop or Paſtor of the Church, 1 Tim. 3. 11. [Even ſo muſt their Wives be grave, not ſlanderers, ſober, faithful in all things. Some inſtances I ſhall give, for the imitation of others.
1. She was very exemplary in ſelf-denial and humility: And having ſaid thus much, what abundance have I comprehended? O what a beauty doth ſelf-denyal and humility put on ſouls! Nay what a treaſure of everlaſting conſequence do theſe two words expreſs? I ſhall give you a few of the diſcoveries.
1. It appeared in her accompanying in London with the holieſt, how mean ſoever, avoiding them that were proud, and vain, and carnal: She deſired moſt to be acquainted with thoſe that ſhe perceived were beſt acquainted with God, neglecting the pomp and vain glory of the world.
2. When ſhe was called to a married ſtate, though her portion and other advantages invited perſons of greater eſtates in the world, She choſe rather to marry a Miniſter of known integrity, that might be a near, and conſtant guide, and ſtay and comfort to her, in the matters which ſhe valued more than riches. And ſhe miſſed not of her expectations, for the few years that ſhe lived with him. Even in this age, when the Serpent is hiſſing in every corner at faithful Miniſters, and they are cnotemned both by Prophane and Heretical Malignants. She preferred a mean life with ſuch a one, for her ſpiritual ſafety and ſolace, before the Grandeur of the world.
3. When ſome inhabitants of the City of Worceſter were earneſt with me to help them to an able Miniſter; Mr. Baker then living in Kent had about an hundred pound per annum: and when at my motion he was readily willing to take a great charge in Worceſter, upon a promiſe from two men to make the maintenance fifty pounds a year by a voluntary Contribution, of the continuance of which he had no ſecurity; his Wife was a promoter, and no diſcourager of his ſelf denyal, and never tempted him to lookafter greater things. And afterward, when I was afraid leſt the ſmalneſs and uncertainty of the means, together with his diſcouragements from ſome of his people, might have occaſioned his remove; and have heard of richer places mentioned to him, as he ſtill anſwered that he had enough, and minded not removing without neceſſity: ſo was ſhe ever of the ſame mind, and ſtill ſeconded and confirmed him in ſuch reſolutions, even to follow Gods work while they had a competency of their own, and to mind no more.
4. Her very ſpeech and behaviour did ſo manifeſt meekneſs, and humility that in a little converſe with her it might eaſily be diſcerned.
5. She thought nothing too mean for her, that belonged to her in her family and relation, no employment food, &c. ſaying often, that [What God had made her duty, was not too low a work for her.] And indeed, when we know once that it is a work that God ſets us upon, it ſignifieth much forgetfulneſs of him and our ſelves, if we think it too baſe, or think our ſelves too good to ſtoop to it.
6. No Neighbour did ſeem too mean or poor for her familiar converſe, if they were but willing.
7. She had a true eſteem, and chearful love for the meaneſt of her Husbands Relations, and much rejoyced in her comfort in his kindred, recording it among her experienced mercies.
2. She was very conſtant and diligent in doing her part of family duties: teaching all the inferiours of her family, and labouring to ſeaſon them with principles of holineſs, and admoniſhing them of their ſin and danger: never failing on the Lords Day at night to hear them read the Scriptures and recite their Catechiſms, when publick duty, and all other family duty was ended: and in her Husbands abſence praying with them. How much the imitation of ſuch examples would conduce to the ſanctifying of families, is eaſie to be apprehended?
3. In ſecret duty ſhe was very conſtant, and lived much in thoſe two great ſoul-advancing works; Meditation and Prayer: in which ſhe would not admit of interruptions. This inward holy diligence was it that maintained ſpiritual life within, which is the ſpring of outward acceptable works. When communion with God, and daily labour upon our own hearts is laid aſide, or negligently and remiſly followed, grace languiſheth firſt within, and then unfruitfulneſs, if not diſorders and ſcandals appear without.
4. Her Love to the Lord Jeſus was evidenced by her great affection to his Ordinances, and Wayes, and Servants: A very hearty Love ſhe manifeſted to thoſe on whom the Image of God did appear, even the pooreſt and meaneſt, as well as the rich or eminent in the world: Nor did a difference in leſſer matters, or any tolerable miſtakes, alienate her affections from them.
5. She was a Chriſtian of much plainneſs, ſimplicity & ſingleneſs of heart: far from a ſubtil erafty diſſembling frame, & alſo from loquacity or oſtentation. And the world was very low in her eyes to which ſhe was long crucified, and on which ſhe looked as a lifeleſs thing: Senſuality and pampering the fleſh, ſhe much loathed: When ſhe was invited to feaſts, ſhe would oft complain, that they occaſioned a difficulty in maintaining a ſence of the preſence of God, whoſe company in all her company, ſhe preferred.
6. She was a very careful eſteemer and redeemer of her time. At home in her family, the works of her general and particular calling took her up: When neceſſary buſineſs, and greater duties gave way, ſhe was ſeldom without a Book in her hand, or ſome edifying diſcourſe in her mouth, if there were opportunity. And abroad ſhe was very weary of barren company that ſpent the time in common chatt, and dry diſcourſes.
7. She uſed good company Practically and profitably, making uſe of what ſhe heard for her own ſpiritual advantage. When I underſtood out of her Diary, that ſhe wrote down ſome of my familiar diſcourſes, with ſerious application to her ſelf, it ſtruck exceeding deep to my heart, how much I have ſinned all my dayes, ſince I undertook the perſon of a Miniſter of Chriſt, by the ſlightneſs and unprofitableneſs of my diſcourſe; and how exceeding careful Miniſters ſhould be of their words, and how deliberately, wiſely and ſeriouſly they ſhould ſpeak about the things of God, and how diligently they ſhould take all fit opportunities to that end, when we know not how ſilent hearers are affected with what we ſay: For ought we know, there may be ſome that will write down what we ſay in their Books, or hearts, or both: And God and conſcience write down all.
8. In her courſe of Reading ſhe was ſtill laying in for uſe and practiſe. Her courſe was, when ſhe read the Scriptures, to gather out paſſages, and ſort and refer them to their ſeveral uſes, as ſome that were fit ſubjects for her Meditations: ſome for encouragement to prayer, and other duties: Promiſes ſuited to various conditions and wants, as her papers ſhew.
And for other Books, ſhe would meddle with none but the ſound and practical, and had no itch after the empty Books, which make oſtentation of Novelty, and which Opinioniſts are now ſo taken with; nor did ſhe like writing or preaching in envy and ſtrife. And of good Books, ſhe choſe to read but few, and thoſe very often over, that all might be well digeſted. Which is a courſe (for private Chriſtians) that tends to avoid luxuriancy, and make them ſincere and ſolid, and eſtabliſhed.
9. She had the great bleſſing of a tender conſcience. She did not ſlightly paſs over ſmall ſins without penitent obſervation. Her Diary records her trouble, when cauſeleſly ſhe had neglected any Ordinance; or was hindered by Rain or ſmall occaſions: or if ſhe had overſlept her ſelf, and loſt a Morning-exerciſe in London, or came too late; or if ſhe were diſtracted in ſecret duty: And if ſhe miſt of a Faſt▪ through miſ-information and diſappointments, and found not her heart duly ſenſible of the loſs, that alſo ſhe recorded. So did ſhe her ſtirrings of anger, and her very angry looks, reſolving to take more heed againſt them. Though all ought not to ſpend ſo much time in writing down their failings; yet all ſhould watch, and renew repentance.
10. She was very ſolicitous for the ſouls of her friends: As for inſtance, her Brothers in Law; over whom ſhe exerciſed a Motherly care, inſtructing them, and watching over them, and telling them of miſcarriages, and counſelling them: Cauſing them to keep a conſtant courſe of reading the holy Scriptures▪ and meditating on it (as far as ſhe could:) Cauſing them to learn many Chapters without Book: and to read other good Books in ſeaſon: Earneſtly praying for them in particular: Much deſiring one or both ſhould be Miniſters: And when her Father-inlaw appointed the eldeſt to go to France, ſhe was much troubled for fear of his miſcarriage among ſtrangers, eſpecially thoſe of the Romiſh Way.
11. She was a ſerious Mourner for the ſins of the time and place ſhe lived in.
12. In ſum, for ſtrict, cloſe, watchfull, holy walking with God, even her Husband profeſſeth that ſhe was a pattern to him. As I hinted before, ſhe kept a daily acount in writing, (which is now to be ſeen from the beginning of the year 1654.) eſpecially of theſe particulars.
1. Of the frame of her heart in every dayes duty; in Meditation, Prayer, Hearing, Reading &c. whether lively, of dull &c.
2. Of thoſe ſins which ſhe had eſpecially to repent of, and watch againſt.
3. Of her Reſolutions and Promiſes, and how ſhe kept them.
4. Of all ſpecial Providences to her ſelf, Husband, Brothers, and others, and the improvement of them. As at the death of her Son, who died with great ſighs and groans, ſhe recorded her ſenſe of the ſpecial neceſſity of holy Armour, and great preparation for that encounter when her turn ſhould come to be ſo removed to the everlaſting habitation.
5. Of her returns of Prayer, what anſwers, and grant of them ſhe found.
6. Of the ſtate of her ſoul upon examination: how ſhe found it, and what was the iſſue of each examination; and in this it ſeems ſhe was very exact and punctual. In which, though many times fears and doubtings did ariſe, yet hath ſhe frequent records of the diſcovery of evidences, and comfortable aſſurance of ſincerity. Somtime when ſhe hath heard Sermons in London, that helped her in her ſearch: and ſomtimes when ſhe had been reading writings that tended that way, ſhe recorded what evidences ſhe found, and in what degree the diſcovery was: If imperfect, reſolving to take it up and follow the ſearch further: And if ſhe had much joy; ſhe received it with jealouſie, and expectation of ſome humbling conſequent. When any grace languiſhed, ſhe preſently turned to ſome apt remedy. As for inſtance, its one of her Notes, Novemb. 1658. [I found thoughts of Eternity ſlight and ſtrange, and ordinary imployments very deſirable: at which I read Mr. Bs. Crucifixion & was awakened to Mortification and Humiliation, &c.]
The laſt time that ſhe had opportunity for this work, was two or three dayes before her delivery in Child-bearing; where ſhe finally recorded the apprehenſions ſhe had both of her bodily and ſpiritual State in theſe words, [Drawing near the time of my delivery, I am fallen into ſuch weakneſs, that my life is in hazzard. I find ſome fears of death, but not very great, hoping (through grace) I die in the Lord.] I only mention theſe hints, to ſhew the Method ſhe uſed in her daily Accounts. To thoſe Chriſtians that have full leiſure, this courſe is good: But I urge it not upon all. Thoſe that have ſo great duties to take up that time, that they cannot ſpare ſo much to record their ordinary paſſages; Such muſt remember what others record, and daily renew repentance for their daily failings, and record only the extraordinary, obſervable, and more remarkable and memorable paſſages of their lives, leſt they loſe time from works of greater moment. But this excellent work of Watchfulneſs muſt be performed by all.
And I think it was a conſiderable expreſſion of her true wiſdom, and care of her immortal ſoul, that when any extraordinary neceſſity required it, and ſhe found ſuch doubts, as of her ſelf ſhe was not able to deal with, ſhe would go to ſome able experienced Miniſter, to open her caſe, and ſeek aſſiſtance (as ſhe did more than once to my dear and ancient friend, Mr. Croſs, who in full age is ſince gone after her to Chriſt) And therefore choſe a Miniſter in Marriage, that he might be a ready aſſiſtant in ſuch caſes of neceſſity, as well as a continual help.
At laſt came that death to ſummon her ſoul away to Chriſt, for which ſhe had ſo ſeriouſly been preparing, and which ſhe oft called a dark entry to her Fathers Palace. After the death of her Children, when ſhe ſeemed to be ſomewhat repaired after her laſt delivery, a violent Convulſion ſuddenly ſurprized her, which in a few dayes brought her to her end. Her underſtanding, by the fits, being at laſt debilitated, ſhe finding it ſomewhat hard to ſpeak ſenſibly, excuſed it, and ſaid, [I ſhall ere long ſpeak another language] Which were the laſt words which ſhe ſpake with a tongue of fleſh; and lying ſpeechleſs eighteen hours after, ſhe departed Auguſt 17. 1659. Bleſſed are the dead that die in the Lord, from henceforth, yea ſaith the ſpirit, that they may reſt from their labours, and their works do follow them.
Our turn is coming: Shortly we ſhall alſo lay by fleſh: this is our day of preparation: There is no preparing time but this. Did men but know the difference between the death of the holy and the unholy, which doth not appear to fleſhly eyes, how ſpeedily would they turn! how ſeriouſly would they meditate! how fervently would they pray! how carefully would they live! how conſtantly, painfully and reſolvedly would they labour! Did they well conſider the difference between dying prepared and unprepared, and of what difficulty and yet everlaſting conſequence it is to die well; O then, what manner of perſons would men be, in all manner of holy converſation and godlineſs? and all their lives would then be a continued preparation for death; as all their life is a haſting towards it.
And now I ſhall only deſire you, for the right underſtanding of all that I have here ſaid, and to prevent the cavils of blinded malice, to obſerve theſe three or four particulars.
1. That though I knew ſo much of her as eaſily maketh me believe the reſt, upon ſo ſure a teſtimony, and ſaw her Diary, yet the moſt of this Hiſtory of her life, is the collection and obſervation of ſuch faithful witneſſes, as had much better opportunity than I to know the ſecrets of her ſoul and life.
2. That it is no wonder if many that knew her, perceived not all this by her, that is here expreſſed: For that knowledg of our outward carriage at a diſtance, will not tell our Neighbours what we do in our Cloſets: where God hath commanded us to ſhut our door upon us, that our Father which ſeeth in ſecret, may reward us openly. And many of the moſt humble and ſincere ſervants of the Lord, are ſo afraid of hypocriſie, and hate oſtentation, that their Juſtification and Glory is only to be expected from the ſearcher of hearts, (and a few of their more intimate acquaintance:) Though this was not the caſe before us; the example deſcribed being more conſpicuous.
3. That I over-paſs the large expeſſions of her charity, which you may hear from the poor and her intimate acquaintance, as I have done; that I may not grate upon the modeſty of her ſurviving friends, who muſt participate in the commendations.
4. That it is the benefit of the living that is my principal end; Scripture it ſelf is written much in Hiſtory, that we may have matter of imitation before our eyes.
5. If any ſay, that here is no mention of her faults; I anſwer, Though I had acquaintance with her, I knew them not, nor ever heard from any other ſo much as might enable me to accuſe her, if I were her enemy. Yet I doubt not but ſhe was imperfect, and had faults, though unknown to me. The example of Holineſs I have briefly propoſed: They that would ſee examples of iniquity, may look abroad in the world, and find enough: I need not be the accuſer of the Saints to furniſh them. And I think if they enquire here of any thing notable, they will he hard put to it to find enough to cover the accuſers ſhame.
6. It is the honour of Chriſt and Grace in his members, more than the honour of his ſervant that I ſeek.
7. And I would not ſpeak that in commendation of the living which I do of the dead who are out of the reach of all temptations, of being lifted up with pride thereby: Unleſs it be ſuch whoſe reputation the intereſt of Chriſt and the Goſpel commandeth me to vindicate.
8. Laſtly, I am ſo far from lifting up one above the reſt of the members of Chriſt, by theſe commendations, and from abaſing others whoſe names I mention not, that I intend the honour of all in One, and think that in the ſubſtance I deſcribe all Saints, in deſcribing one. I am not about a Popiſh work of making a wonder of a Saint, as of a Phoenix, or ſome rare unuſual thing. Saints with them muſt be Canonized, and their names put in the Calender: and yet their blind malice tels the world, that there are no ſuch things as Saints among us. But I rejoyce in the many that I have communion with, and the many that have lately ſtept before me into Heaven, and are ſafe there out of the reach of malice, and of ſin, and all the enemies of their peace; and have left me mourning, and yet rejoycing; fearing, and yet hoping; and with ſome deſires, looking after them here behind: And the faſter Chriſt calls away his choſen ones, whoſe graces were amiable in mine eyes, the more willing he maketh me to follow them, and to leave this world of darkneſs, confuſion, wickedneſs, danger, vanity and vexation, and to meet theſe precious ſouls in Life, where we ſhall rejoyce that we are paſt this howling wilderneſs, and ſhall for ever be with the Lord.
FINIS.
End of the text · Richard Baxter, Two Treatises on Death and Judgment (1672)