A Collection of the Lives of Ten Eminent Divines, Biography 16
The Life, and Death of Mrs. Elizabeth Wilkinson, who dyed Anno Christi 1654.
Mrs. Elizabeth Wilkinson was born of godly Parents,Her parentage, and education. of an ancient, and well reputed Family of the Gentry in Devonshire. Her Father was Mr. Anthony Gifford, her Mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Cottle, and by them she was religiously educated during her minority: After which she lived with an Aunt (an old Disciple) above twenty yeares together, where she had many prizes put into her hands to get wisdome, even many spirituall advantages for her eternall good. But considering that no helps of education, nor any means could prove effectuall without divine influences; it pleased the Lord out of the riches of his mercy, in a signall manner to vouchsafe a blessing to all those helps, for the good of her soul, and to crown all endeavours in order thereunto with good success.
She was observed from her childhood to be very docile, very willing to learn, industrious in reading of,Her timely conversion. and swift to hear the Word of God preached. She was very carefull to remember what she heard, and took much pains in writing Sermons, and collecting speciall Notes out of practicall Divines. She had the ornament of a meek, and quiet spirit; with that she was eminently adorned: She looked not (as too many do) upon gaudy, and vain dresses as any ornament: She neither liked them, nor conformed to them, but went in a grave, decent, and sober attire: She was humble, gentle, tender-hearted, and full of bowels of compassion, remembring such as were in bonds, as if she had been bound with them, Heb. 13. 3. She was of so affable, sweet, and courteous a disposition, that she gained abundance of love, and respect from all those that conversed with her: and by this means she was the greater gainer by all good conferences. It was her usuall custome to move good discourse, and ofttimes she turned the stream of other impertinent talk into something which was solid, and tended unto edification, and that ministred grace to the hearers.
She kept a Diary of Gods dealings with her soul, Her piety.and of other various dispensations that she met withall. She was much busied in prayer, meditation, and self-examination. She would often desire her Husband, and others of her acquaintance to deal plainly, and impartially with her. For (said she) I would not be deceived with a formall profession, nor with a temporary faith. Perhaps through affection you may judge far better of me than I deserve; wherefore I desire you to sift, and search me throughly: for I like such plain dealing best of all, and those are my best friends which deal most plainly with me.
In process of time after a carefull watching over her heart,Her growth in grace. and frequent addresses made unto the Throne of grace, she found returns answerable to her prayers, and desires: God gave her a large measure both of parts, and graces: She was able not only to assert the truths of God, but to convince gainsayers. She abounded in love, faith meekness, humility, and the rest of the graces of the Spirit, insomuch as she became a Christian of the higher Form, a tall Cedar of Libanus, a grown, solid, and excellent Christian.
It pleased God for the triall of her graces,Her afflictions sanctified. to exercise her very much in the School of affliction. Insomuch as ten years before her death, she was (one time reckoned with another) at least half the time sick. But God ordered this sickness of her body to be a medicine for her soul. For the spirit of prayer was much set on work hereby; and her faith, love, and patience did appear, and shine the more eminently. Out of the Furnace she came forth as gold purified seven times: so that the rod, and staff, correction, and instruction went together, and by these fatherly chastisements her soul did thrive more abundantly. When she was able, she neglected not the frequenting of the publick Assemblies: they were her delight: and she was a professed adversary to the withdrawing from the publick Congregations of the Saints. Both them, and the godly, and Reverend Ministers of the Gospel she had in high esteem, and reverenced them all her dayes. And when she was not able to go to the publick Congregations, she used to spend her time in reading, prayer, and meditating at home, and imployed her friends to read to her, and pray with her. Such as were stable, and sincere Christians were her delight: Those she accounted more excellent than their neighbours. She would often say, that She valued no friends like to those who were friends to her soul.
Concerning her deportment,Her Relative duties. and carriage to her Relations (for such as are reall Saints shew it in their severall capacities) never was a Wife more full of sincere love, and respect to an Husband, whom she loved entirely, and was as entirely beloved by him. Her affection to her children was very tender: She was carefull to Catechize, instruct, and to train them up in the fear of God; and upon her Deathbed, amongst many other excellent counsels, and instructions, she added this charge as from a dying Mother, that they should remember that they had a Mother, who would not allow them in any sin. She was carefull also to instruct her servants, and to teach them the fear of the Lord. Indeed she was ready, and willing (as opportunity was offered) to do good unto all: and as need required, gave unto them, both corporall, and spirituall food. She had a large heart, and improved it to do a great deal of good in a little time: Insomuch as the poor, the sick, the afflicted, and the unexperienced to whom she was very mercifull, and usefull whilest she lived, had a very great miss of her when she was dead. In brief, she was one of those Worthies of whom the world was not worthy: And yet to give a further Character of her, I will here set down a Narrative, copied exactly out of her own handwriting, of Gods gracious dealing with her soul, as it follows word for word.
It pleased the Lord out of the riches of his grace,The time, a… manner of … conversion. to remove me from an ignorant place where I was born, and to bring me very young, into a Religious Family: And when I was about twelve years of age, upon the reading in the Practice of Piety, concerning the happy estate of the godly, and the miserable condition of the wicked in their death, and so for ever unto all eternity; it pleased the Lord so much to affect my heart with it, as from that time my heart was wrought over to a desire to walk in the wayes of God. But at that time, I fear, I did not go upon a right principle; for I then did not eye the glory of God in it, but only my own safety, that it might be well with me for ever. But quickly after that I had but begun to set my face towards Sion, Satans malice.I was set upon with many temptations, and perplexities in my thoughts, which were very troublesome to me at all times, but especially when I was alone: the consideration whereof brought such an horrour upon my conscience, insomuch as I did not know what to do. That little I had, whether from education, or from the light of Nature, caused a striving in me continually against those thoughts of Atheisme, which were most terrible unto me. I was sensible that it was a fearfull sin to have any such thoughts to lodge within my brest: but I desired from my soul to be freed from them, and had continuall reasonings within me against them, and yet still for a long time I was troubled, but could not acquaint any with my condition. I did not think that it was so with any other as it was with me.
In this strait,Gods mercy. when I knew not which way to turn me, even there did the Lord extend his compassion towards me in my greatest extremity, in directing me to read Calvins Institutions, and especially that part that treats of the Creation. Whereupon the Lord was pleased to give in such satisfaction to my soul, concerning those things about which I was troubled, as that from that time forwards I was not violently assaulted in that kind.
But no sooner was I freed from that trouble, but new ones sprang up: For the very remembrance of that horrid sin of Atheisme, Satans subtilty.left such a terrour upon my spirit, as made me fear that I had committed that sin against the Holy Ghost: and so my condition seemed to be, not only for the present, but, in my apprehension, then for ever most miserable. All other sins, though never so great, I knew upon true repentance were pardonable: but this sin, that I lay under the fear of, I knew out of the Word of God should never be pardoned: which caused many sad fears upon my spirit known to God alone.
For the removall of these fears,Gods mercy. the Lord in mercy directed me to the reading of Mr. Scudders Works; where are laid down the marks of that sin. Upon perusall whereof the Lord was pleased to satisfie my misgiving heart, by a clear manifestation to my soul, that I had not committed that sin; and so assured me that though my sins were great, yet were they pardonable, which put me more chearfully upon the use of such means as the Lord had directed me unto. And having satisfaction given in concerning this particular, there was a great burden taken off from my spirit. Although I found no grace in my heart, nor discovery of the love of God unto my soul, yet, in that there was but a possibility, there was a ground of comfort administred to my heart; which I formerly feared that I should be shut out from. But still my fears remained, that I was not one of those in particular for whom Christ died: The more I looked into mine own heart, the more I saw, of sin, and Satan, discouraging me from having any hope, that the Lord should accept of such a vile sinfull wretch as I was, who had entertained such sinfull thoughts.
I likewise thought how small the number was of those that should be saved, in comparison of others, and my repentance, I feared, came short of that which was required in the Gospel. As for faith, I could not find the least measure of it in my soul; with many other sad discouraging thoughts. But when I was most perplexed with fears, and doubts, even then did the Lord graciously dart in some beams of his reconciled countenance, as I was reading something in Mr. Scudders Christian daily Walk, &c. which the Lord set home upon my soul,Her comfort, and joy. and brought into my soul so much joy, and comfort at the present, as neither my tongue, nor Pen can express: But this joy remained not long, for I quickly lost the sense of it: yet the remembrance of it was sweet unto me at all times.
But after this, all my former fears returned afresh again upon my heart, only I had a door of hope opened, that when God saw it best for me, he would return, and renew his reconciled countenance unto my soul in the clear light, and apprehension thereof: and this was when I was about sixteen years of age. After which time the Lord did exercise me with various dispensations: For, for two years space, I was by providence cast upon a place, where I heard very little powerfull preaching, small helps for the good of my soul, but what the Lord was pleased to give in by the use of private means. But his power, and abundant mercy was much seen in that time, that, though I had not much comfort,Gods mercy in want of mean…. yet the Lord was pleased to keep up my spirit in a way of depending upon him, and my fears were less at that time, than formerly when I had more helps: So gracious was t… Lord unto me, in keeping me alive in a time of famine.
After this, through Gods goodness, I was sometimes under the preaching of a powerfull Minister, [Mr. Bateman of Ockingam] who was Crowned with the conversion,Gods providence. strengthening, and building up of many souls: unto whose preaching the Lord gave me such a blessing, as I seldome, if ever, went away from hearing him without comfort. Though I came to hear him with many doubts upon my spirit, yet the Lord so ruled, and directed him, as if his Sermons had been only concerning my particular, and he fully acquainted with the whole condition of my soul. Sometimes the Lord directed me to some supporting Promises, upon which I relied: But those Promises which were made to Believers, though I highly prized them, yet I durst not apply them to my self, fearing that I had no interest in them. But that Promise Prov. 28. 13. He that confesseth, Her faith in Promises.and forsaketh his sins, shall find mercy. And that 1 Joh. 1. 9. If we confess our sins, he is faithfull, and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. And the Promise is 1 Joh. 2. 1, 2. If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous, and he is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours onelyonly, but for the sins of the whole world; and the Invitation, Isa. 55. 1. Ho, every one that thirsteth come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money, come ye, buy, and eat, yea come, buy wine and milk without money, and without price, together with the rest of the Chapter; all those places the Lord often made a stay unto my soul: And afterwards the Lord so blessed one means or other unto me, insomuch as I was kept from sinking, and falling into such horrour as many of the people of God sometimes fell into.
But yet my fears and doubts were so many, as that my comfort never lasted long:Her fears and doubts. If the Lord did but hide his face, I was troubled. No longer could I beleeve (then I found new strength given in) that the Lord would ever have mercy upon my soul. The sense of Original sin, and Actual transgressions in their filthiness, and guiltiness, caused my fears yet to remain upon my spirit, my faith then seemed very small, if I had any, which I much questioned: I durst not then say, Lord encrease my faith, but I could cry earnestly, Lord work faith in me. I found much dulness and deadness, manifold distractions in duties, so that God might justly have withdrawn himself from me for ever; yet notwithstanding all my uneven walking with God, he was graciously pleased to manifest his mercy unto my soul.
When I was stricken with such weaknesses, as I apprehended might quickly have ended my life, I fell into a great fear: At the first finding my heart to sink, the Lord was pleased to g…ive me so much respite, as to pour out my soul before him, desiring strength and support from him to keep up my spirit, and to make me willing to submit to his dispensations, and the Lord graciously answered my prayers, in that he removed all my former doubtings,Her prayers answered. and fears all the time of that sickness, which was long, and so dangerous, that neither I, nor others expected my life. The Lord then cleared up my evidences for Heaven, and gave me in so much comfort against the apprehension of death, as I never had in all my life before.
Other like trials of the Lords love I found still, when I was in the greatest extremity, and stood most in need of help from him, insomuch as at such times, I have hoped that I should never again have questioned the love of God to my soul: But I have found it otherwise by sad experience: For when these impressions were worn of, I have been ready to call all in question again concerning my poor soul. It made me oft to think of that which was laid to Solomons charge, that he forgat the Lord that had appeared to him twice. A hard thiug to beleeve.I found it the hardest thing to believe, that ever I went about. But this wavering condition could not satisfie my soul; for the Lord giving me sometimes a glimpse of his love, made me long after fuller enjoyments of it, so that I was carried out with a restless impatience, to beg that the Lord would take away the heart of unbelief from me, which did both dishonour him, and hinder me from that peace which the Lord was willing that his people should enjoy.
My heart then being brought unto that frame, I was more willing than ever I was before, to impart my condition unto some spiritual Friends,She imparts her condition to Christian friends, whom I desired to deal impartially with me, acquainting them with the whole condition of my soul, how far the Lord had carried me on, and at what I stuck, and still as new objections did arise, I laboured to get satisfaction: Being convinced that I had too much prejudiced my self in that I had not sooner made my condition known to some who were able to give me advice.
This way of communicating my condition,And findes comfort. I found the Lord blessed unto my soul, insomuch that my hopes were more confirmed, my fears more removed, my faith more strengthned, and by the hearing of such Sermons and reading such Books as came closest unto the conscience, and were most for trial of ones spiritual condition, I found the greatest benefit by, and received the most comfort from them. Formerly I had many fears that I was not one of them who had an interest in the Election of Grace: But the Lord afterwards put into my heart to enquire whether I had those Graces of his Spirit wrought in me which none but his own elect people could have.
Upon the strictest searching into mine own heart, the Lord was pleased after many years of fear, at last to evidence unto my soul that there was a change wrought in my heart,Her self-examination. will, and affections, notwithstanding the remainders of sin and corruption, which still encompassed me about; being confident that he that had begun this good work, would not leave it unfinished unto the day of Jesus Christ; and the Lord was pleased to set home divers Promises for the strengthning of my faith;Her faith. to wit, those which set down the Everlasting Covenant, 2 Sam. 23. 5. The Everlasting love of God, Jer. 31. 3. Joh. 11. 13. The certainty of the Foundation, 2 Tim. 2. 19. The certainty of the Promises, 2 Cor. 1. 20. They are all in Christ Yea and Amen; and that the children of God have eternal life promised unto them, and that none shall be ever able to pluck them out of Christs hands, Joh. 10. 28. Then for divers years the Lord was pleased to stay me, to lead, and guide me till he had set my feet upon that Rock which is higher than I, from whence I trust, that I shall never be removed. And now my hearts desire is, to ascribe that measure of hope and comfort which the Lord hath given me at any time, onelyonly unto the praise of the glory of his Grace, who hath made me accepted in his Beloved, Her thankfulness.which is so great a mercy as I can never be thankfull enough for, nor walk answerable thereunto. I know, when I look into my heart, there is matter of fear that the Lord will withdraw the influences of his comforts from me: But that which I rest upon is, the free mercy of God in Christ, expecting performance of his Promises made, Rom. 6. 16. Sin shall not have dominion over you, because you are not under the Law, but under Grace: And Ezek. 36. 25. that he will sprinkle clean water upon me, and that he will give me a new heart, and put a new spirit within me, that he will take away my stony heart, and give me an heart of flesh; being perswaded that the Lord will keep me by his own Power through faith unto salvation. And now that I may have all the Graces of the Spirit strengthened, and encreased in me, which I finde that I stand in continual need of: It is the desire of my soul to be a partaker of the Lords Supper, which, through the blood of Christ onelyonly, I have right unto.
This is the particular account of Gods gracious dealing with this godly Gentlewoman: considering there was no administration of the Sacrament in that Parochial Congregation where she lived, and used formerly to receive it, nor any Pastor at all to officiate there, she being desirous to enjoy that great Ordinance, and that after a pure way of administration, sent this aforementioned Narrative to the Reverend Dr. Harris, living then in the University, who admitted her to the participation of the Lords Supper in that publick Assembly where he administred it.
Now let us see also a Letter written by Dr. Harris concerning this godly Gentlewoman, whom he highly honoured, upon the occasion of his communicating the aforesaid Letter of hers to a friend: Do not (saith he) think it lost time to read over this Narrative: It was penned by this gracious woman upon a serious occasion, what time she was to give an account of her self at her admission to the Lords Supper. The discourse is plain, but pregnant of instruction. I alter nothing in the thing, I onelyonly take notice of the persons therein mentioned: As 1. God, 2. Satan, 3. The parties self: All which offer matter worthy thy thoughts.
First in Satan, thou seest his most ordinary way and method in tempting. His first attempt is to blow out all light left in the soul,Satans method, and subtilty. and to quell all thoughts of a Deity if possibly he can, that so no room at all may be left for God: If that cannot be, but the conscience will be sometimes talking; then his next work is to question and argue the case, whether indeed there be such a person as God, such a thing as the soul, such a book as the Bible, such a place as an Heaven or Hell; and if he cannot gain such a conclusion from the soul, then in the third place the Question is, What manner a one this supposed God is? And first, whilst thou art in thy natural state he represents God made all of mercy, and when thou art under mercy, all of vengeance and fury; there was no place for fear, and here none for hope: There sin was an inconsiderable thing, and beneath Gods cognisance; here sin is unpardonable, and beyond Gods mercy: In both estates he labours the destruction of Faith; now in the threats, then in the Promises. In the first estate you must never yeeld to self-despair; no, spit in his face that shall once question thy belief in God, without the least doubting. What? not believe my Maker with all my soul? What? once doubt or suspect him? I defie him, and the foul fiend that shall say so. On the other side, when once converted, what hast thou to do with the Covenant of Grace and Peace? That is bread for Children, not for Dogs, Hypocrites, for such as have sinned against the Holy Ghost, as thou hast done; and at this bay he holds the soul for some space; and eftsoon recruits his forces, and renews his Interrogatories, thus, Thou within the Promise? Thou a believer? Canst thou say, darest thou say that thou hast faith? It may be thou darest not deny it, but what is that to the point? Thou darest not affirm it, though partial enough to thy self: Be advised by me, who loves plain dealing, and let not thy false heart, and these fawning Preachers befool thee unto destruction.
Thus the Devil up, and down, first and last, thus he proceeded with man at the first, and though sometimes he shifts hands, and findes out new wayes, yet here lyes his road for the most part, and this is the first party here named.
Now in the second place,Gods mercy to his own. what doth God? It must be granted that he permitteth these Hellish Scullions to scour his Plate, and to fit the vessels of honour for their Masters use, and they (as glad of the office) bestir themselves, they dawb their vessels, and render them as foul and ugly as they can; but when they have done their work, God takes his Plate out of their hand to their no small grief; and in the mean while God goes along with the temptations, and in them all supports his poor servants now more immediately by his own hand, prompting their Petitions, darting into their souls some glimpses of comfort, minding them of some Promise, to be sure, yeelding them some secret hope, something or other which draws them along still more or less. 2. Now more immediately by men, and other means; sometimes he directs them to some special Book or Treatise which fits their case, and holds soul and life together at present; sometimes he sends an Interpreter one of a thousand, that shall rip up their misery, and shew them their misery, and shew them their remedy, and at last fetches off his Captives, even then when Satan began to crow, and cry victory, that extremity being Gods opportunity, and this is usually, though not ever, Gods way.
Now look upon the third concerned, the party tempted, what doth he? He sticks (often) in the birth, fool as he is, his first work is to keep the Devils counsel, confess and be shamed for ever;Mans folly. the Devil is true to him, and he will be as true, and never peach: he travels with a wofull burden of sin, guilt, horrour; but if thou lovest thy self (saith the Devil) keep thy own counsel, trust not God, nor man. But if the Preacher doth force him to a confession, and he can hold no longer, then he makes forth but fair and softly. First, he makes many offers, goes, and comes, and something he would say, but is loath, he begins afar off, and then stops, begins again, and then stops again, takes another day, and then comes again with a purpose of uttering all; and when he comes to his friend, either all is quiet for the present, and the pang over, or else if he hangs still on the rack, then he drops out somewhat, but reserves the worst, and so is little the better, because he comes not to the bottome quickly; or if he speaks out all, yet there is another rub in the way; how can I tell whether this parties testimony be true or no, his judgement and affection being right? He shews me promises, but knows he or I whether those promises do belong to me? He speaks of a Christ, but what is that to me, if he be none of mine? He talks of believing, seeing is believing: It is a senseless thing to trust to anothers goodness when I have nothing of mine own; to believe mercy wh…n I feel wrath, shall I not believe mine own eyes? And thus after a world of Sermons, Sacraments, Conferences, the poor soul hovers, and findes no rest or satisfaction till God be pleased to work him to these things,
1. To a resolution of imparting himself to some godly friend, and of speaking his whole heart to some one or other.
2. Of resting in Gods bare word, without the assurance of sense.
3. Of accepting of Jesus Christ without any Ifs, and Ands, notwithstanding his own unworthiness.
4. Of waiting upon God, and hearkning when he will speak peace; and when he is brought thus far that he will be beholden to a Commuinon of Saints, and will take Gods word without any farther surety, and owe all to Christ, though he can contribute nothing, and in despight of all suggestions and discouragements will stick to the peace of Christ, and look for all his peace in that way, saying, Though he kill me yet will I trust in him, I will wait, and hearken to him; when (I say) he is thus far proceeded, Satan may now go shake his ears, and receive his answer, Its God that justifies, who shall condemn? Oh! Hell, where is thy power? Oh! Death, Oh! Devil, what is thy Commission? Its not my meaning to prescribe to God any one way of working; but this is the way he often takes with his children, and this we may finde exemplified in this foregoing Narrative touching the conversion and procedure of this Saint, so far as she hath commented upon her own life. Now for her death, I will tell thee wh…t my observations were thereabout.
1. I finde that God began with her quickly, and called her hence before she was aged, and that is mostly his method where an early harvest is intended, a timely seeds-time is promised; they live quickly, and live apace who ripen betimes; so was it with her who was seldome out of action after her entrance, but gained as much time in so little a time as any I knew.
2. I observe that death came not all at once upon her,She dyed daily. she was yearly dying some years before she dyed her last, and thus death was made familiar to her: I have seldome known any of her age that was less amazed at the speech and thoughts of death; so good a thing it is to know experimentally what it is to dye beforehand.
3. Observe how Gods power triumphs in weakest vessels: It is a thing I have often thought on, that godly women for the most part dye more confidently and comfortably than do good men, the Lord trampling upon Satan in them, and in her very eminently.
4. Her patience was remarkable in the midst of sore pains which frequented her in the beeding and bearing of children,He Patience yet then her speech was, I fear not pains, I fear my self, lest through impatiency I should let fall any unfitting word: It is a blessed frame when pain seems light, and sin heavy.
5. I plainly saw in her the power of Grace beyond nature; 1. When life and death were both laid before her, her speech was this, I am at my Fathers disposal, howbeit of my self I rather incline to death, than life. 2. Whereas her affections were very strong both to her loving Husband and children, insomuch as it was conceived, that the last farewell would go very near her when she should part with so precious and dear Friends, she was so much taken up with the thoughts of Christ, that she seemed not to stick at any such relations. Nay thirdly, she seemed wholly to forget her natural self, for being intreated to favour her body and speech in regard of the lowness of her spirits, after some pause she brake forth into these words: Shall I for this poor carkass be wanting to my souls comfo…t, and my Saviours praises? Let me have your prayers still, and God his praises; yea, pray not onelyonly for, but with me. Which being done, she overflowed with comfort, and in that condition I left her, and that stream of comfort led her, not long after, to the Fountain where are Rivers of joy for evermore.
Thus lived she a most profitable life: Thus dyed she a most fruitfull death. God so turned this his servant, that living, dying, and after death she should be fruitfull. Thus will God honour those that honour him. To him be all honour to Eternity. Amen.
Now it may be usefull to make mention of her last sickness, especially eight weeks before her death.
All her discourses were savoury,Her holy speeches. tending to edification. Many good Christians came to visit her, who all (if it were not their own fault) might reap some spiritual benefit from those many excellent speeches which proceeded out of her mouth. And the counsels she gave to her Relations, and other friends, were tempered with gravity, and affection. She accustomed not her self to affectation of high-flown phrases, but held fast the form of sound words. She was an old Disciple, and her grave and sober language accordingly discovered her so to be.
From the very first of her last sickness, her apprehension was that she should dye shortly, Her sickness.and her longing desire was to be dissolved, and to be with Christ. She often repeated those words of Job, There the weary go to rest; and those words in the close of the Revelations, Come Lord Jesus, come quickly; upon the approach of her death (whereof she was very sensible) she asked her Husband, what Promises of assurance were a firm ground for her to bottome upon? He named Joh. 10. 28. And I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. Likewise he added Rom. 8. 33. 34. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect? It is God that justifieth, who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that dyed, yea rather, that is risen again, who is ever at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. He added vers. 38, 39. For I am perswaded that neither Death, nor Life, nor Angels nor Principalities, nor Powers, nor things present, nor …ings to come; nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. These (said she) are sweet promises.
That morning she dyed,Her joy unspeakable. she desired her Husband to read the 17 Chapter of John (which Chapter that eminent holy Scotchman, Mr. Rollock, caused to be read to him when he was dying) after that was read, she was ravished with great joy, and expressed her self accordingly. Her Husband, and two other Friends prayed with her. After the last Prayer was ended, she said, My flesh, and my heart faileth: Her Husband answered her, That God was the strength of her heart, and her portion for ever: He would never fail her. She returned an answer (which were the last words which ever she spoke to him) He will never fail me. About an hour after she resigned up her spirit unto God who gave it;Her Death. and her last words were, I have finished my course. She slept in Jesus December the 8, Anno Christi 1654. To her to live was Christ, and to dye was gain. She lived much desired, and dyed much lamented. Her name is like precious Oyntment powred forth. She lived holily, and dyed comfortably, and now partakes of those joyes which eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither can enter into the heart of man to conceive, even those things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
Divers Epitaphs were made at the Death of this rare Gentlewoman: I shall onelyonly insert two which were made by two Reverend and Learned Doctors.
On the Death of that worthy Gentlewoman, Mrs. ELIZABETH WILKINSON.
E-re while (Dear Consort) I was leas'd to thee,
Wise now to Christ for perpetuity:
L-iving with thee was sweet, with him far best,
I-n earth joy's mixt with pain, in him all rest.
I-wrought, I suffer'd much in a few years,
L-ife now rewards my work, wipes off my tears;
S-ighs are all turn'd to songs, all tears to wine,
K-ings favour crowns my heart, what should grieve thine?
A-re we not both of the same houshold still?
I-at the Banquet, and thou at the Mill,
B-oth fellow-servants: I my Pension now:
N-ext thine, work on, the Feast succeeds the Plow.
E-ach of us yet in hopes, my Dust to win
S-alvation from the Grave, thy soul from sin.
T-hings worth the waiting for; Christ comes to save,
O-mourn no more, but write this on my Grave.
H-ere lies Mother, and Babe, both without sins,
N-ext birth will make her, and her Infant twins.
Her Childe was buried with her.
Thus interwoven were our Names, till death
Left Wilkinson without Elizabeth.
Wee'l joyn again. 'Twas Man and Wi…e before,
'Twill then be fellow-Saints for evermore.
ED. REYNOLDS.
On the truly Vertuous and Religious Mrs. Elizabeth Wilkinson. To her Husband.
Say, shall I speak or hold my peace?
That seems more due; but this more ease,
Where, what to speak, is hard to say;
For should I utter all I may,
'Twere endless: And to praise a Friend
By halves, is but to discommend.
And would I speak, To whom? and what?
To those that knew? or knew her not?
Who knew her need it not: for they
Know more than I am like to say:
Who knew her not, may think that she
Deserv'd but what they hear from me:
And so instead of setting forth
Her praise, I should but wrong her worth.
He that adores with silent view,
Doth not detract from what is due:
But all that while his silence sayes,
He knows not how enough to praise.
So, might I choose, I would adore
Her speaking worth, and say no more.
But since I must (for so you say)
Not hold my peace, I must obey:
Yet 'tis, I say, too hard a task,
To answer fully what you ask:
To know, what first I should commend,
And harder, where to make an end.
Should I begin, where first appear
Her worths, I must begin with Her.
(Higher than so, I need not go,
Tho, whence she came, be worthy too.)
From first, her own deserving merit
Claims more than others do inherit:
Nor is it easie to express,
What age of hers was spent amiss.
Her temper meek; Her carriage such:
Her language good, and not too much:
Her habit comely, more than brave,
Her conversation humbly grave.
What vertues deck't a single life,
Were doubled, when she was a wife.
How good a wife, I need not tell
To him who knew her worth so well;
Nor, what was her Maternal care,
To whom her children were so dear.
Nor was her good confin'd to home,
But challenged a larger room;
To heal the sick, the hungry feed,
And succour those that stood in need;
Good both to soul and body too,
Of those with whom she had to do;
To rich, to poor, to great, and small,
But in her Closet best of all
(Which was her Christian daily walk)
In doing that which others talk:
Forward to good without constraint,
And as she liv'd, she dy'd a Saint.
But this to speak at large would crave
A Volume, not an Epitaph.
And were it done, I might offend
By shaming many left behinde,
(Tho more there may be found, I fear,
That will commend, than follow her.)
Some minde good words, more than good lives,
Some are good women, not good wives;
Some, neither this, nor that; and some
Abroad are better than at home;
Some hope to dye like Saints, although,
'Tis too too plain, they live not so.
'Tis rare in all respects to see
A Wife, a Woman like to thee;
At home, abroad, in life, in death,
Like unto our ELIZABETH.
I. WALLIS D. D.