The Imitation of the Saints, Sermon

The Imitation of the Saints · Sermon

p. 1THE IMITATION Of the SAINTS.

Heb. 6.12.

But followers of them who through faith and patience, inherit the promiſes.

THE Apoſtle having ſet before the believing Hebrews, a dreadful inſtance of the ſin, and danger of Apoſtacy, from verſe the 4th to verſe the 8th (for the awakening of them out of their ſecurity, to a timely prevention of both) that he might not occaſion prejudice and offence in their boſoms, as if he had judged them to be Apoſtates,

He doth two things:

p. 21. He ſweetly inſinuates a better opinion of them, verſe 9.10. But beloved, we are perſwaded b…tter things of you, and the account of which p…ſion, he gives you verſe 10th for God is not unrighteous co forget your …abour of love, &c.

2. Yet. That they may not think themſelves altogether unconcerned in this caution, he admoniſheth them to take heed of ſluggiſhneſs and ſecurity (on the one ſide) which are the uſuall ſnare and precipice to Apoſtacy, That ye be not ſlothfull; And then he incites them to a vigorous diligence in their Chriſtian profeſſion (on the other ſide) the way and means which God hath ſanctified for the attaining of perſeverance and aſſurance, Verſe 11th. We deſire that every one of you do ſhew the ſame diligence to the full aſſurance of hope unto the end. The ſame, i. e. the ſame, mentioned verſe 10th Your work and labour of love: q. d. That which ſome of you have given abundant teſtimony of, I deſire every one of you may give alſo; leſt there ſhould be any that may poſſibly fall ſhort, and prove Apoſtate amongſt you.

Or the ſame, i. e. which you your ſelves (ſpeaking to the ſame individuals) have given, that ye grow not remiſs and negligent p. 3in your love and zeal; for then if you that have been formerly diligent and active, ſhall cool, and grow negligent, not only your former diligence will be a teſtimony againſt you; but the abatement and decay of your love and zeal, may expoſe you to the ſin and danger of Apoſtacy.

Now both theſe he doth, by propounding the Pattern of the Saints and Worthies of God, to their pious Conſideration and Imitation. Some of whom were yet alive, whom he propoſeth as Preſidents to the reſt among them: Yea, he propoſeth themſelves to themſelves; their former zeal, to prevent their future luke-warmneſs.

Others here commended, were ſuch of the Primitive Heroes, who had long before, finiſhed their courſe and obtained the Crown:**Ego de patribus jam in coelis agere hoc loco Apostolum non dubito, Bez. in loc. As Abraham, mentioned in the verſes following my Text; and others, of thoſe famous Lights of the World, implyed in the word them (in the Text) Them who through faith and patience inherit the promiſes. Theſe alſo the Apoſtle doth commend as ſtanding exemplars for the believing Hebrews, and (in them) for all other Chriſtians, profeſſing the Name and faith of Jeſus Chriſt, to follow.

p. 4Now, to be followers of the Saints, i… nothing elſe but vigorouſly and conſtantly to endeavor to Imitate them in their graces, and gracious converſations: to uſe all diligence to be ſuch as they were; and to do as they did, in our times and places.

That you be followers of them, who through faith and patience, &c.

We may look upon the words under a twofold aſpect.

1. Poſitive.

2. Relative.

1. Poſitive, as expreſſing, and preſſing a Duty neceſſary, for all Chriſtians to practice, and that is a diligent imitation of the Saints.

2. Relative, as implying a Soveraign remedy, to prevent the ſin and danger of Apoſtacy.

Take them in their Poſitive aſpect, and ſo they preſent us with this Doctrinal Obſervation. It is the duty of Chriſtians to be followers of the Saints of God, who have been, or are, excellent in their Generations; Or,

The Graces of the Saints, whether alive or dead, they are Patterns ſet forth for our Imitation

Take the words in their Relative aſpect, and ſo they afford us this,

p. 5Obſervation, ſc. That a diligent imitation of the Saints of God in their graces and vertues, is a ſpecial Preſervative and Antidote againſt Apoſtacy.

It is the firſt of theſe I intend to inſiſt upon; the other will be of uſe, in the proſecution of this.

Doct. It is the duty of Christians to be followers of the Saints of God.

The Noun (here,foreign1 Cor. 11.1 foreignHeb. 13.7. Called. foreign.1 Cor 11:1Heb 13:7 as elſewhere) foreign followers, is derived from the ſame verb which is uſed, ch. 13.7. foreign. which ſignifies to work according to pattern; a metaphor borrowed from Stageplayes, where the Actors ſtudy exactly, and to the life, to expreſs the geſtures and diſpoſitions of the perſons whom they repreſent; or elſe from Apes, who do naturally love to imitate the actions and geſtures of men. Thus the Apoſtle calls Chriſtians to an exact and unfeigned imitation of the Saints of God, whether departed and in Heaven, or yet ſurviving in the Land of the living.

This holy Imitation is frequently commanded in Scripture, 1. Cor. 4.16. & 11. 1. Jam. 5.10. Heb. 13.7.

p. 6And for this, others are comended, as 1 Theſ. 1.6. & 2.14. &c.

For the opening of the Doctrine, I ſhall ſhew you,

1. Why? The Saints are to be imitated.

2. Wherein The Saints are to be imitated.

3. How The Saints are to be imitated.

4. We ſhall improve it for our uſe and practice.

1. Queſt. Why? Now the Grounds and Reaſons of the point, are ſuch as theſe following.1 Ground. Gods end in giving ſuch patzerns.

This was a principal end or deſign which God had in beſtowing ſuch choice and gracious qualifications upon the Saints in the world, …ſcil.) that they might ſerve as patterns for the imitation of others, who either live with them, or come after them. Hence they are called lights, Phil. 2.15, 16.

They be like the Pharo's, or fires upon the Sea-coaſts, to ſhew paſſengers their way in the dark night, that they may not ſuffer ſhipwrack. They are looking-glaſſes, by which the Saints ſhould dreſs themſelves. God did not beſtow graces and excellencies upon them, meerly for their own p. 7ſakes, for the adorning of their own ſouls, and to qualifie them for their future Glory; (though that was one gracious …eſign he had upon them, 2 Cor. 5 5. Col. ….12.) but that by their light, they m…m ſhew others the way, holding forth the word of life; and by their heat they might warm others, and by their zeal provok many, 2 Cor. 9.2. your zeal hath provoked many. Therefore ſaith our Lord,Mat. 5.51.Matt 5:51 let your light ſhine, &c. No man lighteth a candle to put it under a bed, or under a buſ…el, but on a candleſtick, that it may give light unto all that are in the houſe. Therefore as the Saints themſelves ſin againſt Gods deſign (in giving them ſuch excellent ſhining graces) when they do withhold their light and influence, by putting them under the bed of pleaſure, or the buſhel of profit. So Standers-by, ſin againſt the gracious ends and purpoſes of Gods love in the graces of his Saints, when they do not fruitfully improve them for their own imitation.

They take the grace of God in vain, in his Saints; and ſlight and neglect the bleſſed helpes which God hath afforded them in their paſſage to heaven; they regard not Gods love and care in ſetting up ſuch p. 8lights in the world: whereas they ſhould admire God in his Saints, as David did in the workmanſhip of the Creation, and cry out in that admiration,Pſal. 8.3, 4.Ps 8:3Ps 8:4 Lord, what is man that thou art ſo mindfull of him! they ſhould Praiſe and glorifie God, which giveth ſuch gifts and graces unto men. And by daily comparing themſelves with theſe Patterns, ſtrive to correct their errors, and to come up to further degrees of holineſs and perfection.

2. To be ſure this was one great Reaſon,2 Ground. Gods deſiceing ſiaung the lives of the Saints to be Recorded. why God took ſuch order by the Penmen of the Holy Ghoſt, to have the lives and Graces of the Saints, ſo exactly Regigiſtred in the Scriptures, and kept upon publick record; That they might be for Patterns and Preſidents to future Generations. So Octavius Auguſtus erected the Statues of the Roman Hero's, triumphali effigie. That illorum veluti ad exemplar, & Ipſe dum viveret, & in ſequentium aetatum principes exigerentur à Civibus. Rom. 15.4.Rom. 15.4.Rom 15:4 Whatſoever things were written aforetime, were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures, might have hope.

p. 9Even the ſins and failings of the Saints are recorded in Scripture upon this very account, 1 Cor. 106, 11. to be foreign Types and enſamples, not indeed for our imitation, but for our caution: They be our Take-heeds, not our Patterns; to the intent we ſhould not luſt after evill things, as they alſo luſted, v. 6.

But now their Gracious and Holy Gonverſations, they are properly Regiſtred for our imitation; to the intent we ſhould tread in their ſteps, (1 Cor. 4.17. For this cauſe have I ſent unto you Timotheus, &c. who ſhall bring you into remembrance of my waies which be in Chriſt) and might be taught by Pattern, as well as by Precept.

Thus Abraham ſtands in Scripture as a pattern for our faith and ſelf-denyal. David for a pattern of our ſincerity, a man after Gods own heart. Encch of our walking with God, &c.

VVhy now, if we mind them not, and care not to imitate them, we ſin againſt the deſign of the Scripture, and bid God (as it were) keep his Copies to himſelf, we need them not; or we deſire not to f…llow them.

p. 103. Reaſon. Patterns make any worke more eaſie.3. Reaſon. To be followers of the Saints is a marvelous help and furtherance in our work. His work is half done that hath a preſident before him; the precept poſſibly may be dark and obſcure; but precept exemplified into a pattern and example, is plain and facile; he that runs may read.

Patterns are the commands of God made legible in the lives of the Saints: Holineſs made exemplary, by which we may ſee how the Saints believed, how the Saints denyed …hemſelves, how they loved God, and how they contemned the world, &c.

If you would know what ſuch graces are, look upon the Saints, and they will ſerve as ſo many Coments, and Interpreters to you. Beſides, Preſidents do put … kind of life into men; the very bruit creatures are animated and quickned by their fellow-creatures, their companions in labours and travel.

4. Reaſon. To prevent miſtake.4. Reaſon, It is a notable means to prevent miſtakes of our own eſtates, and to undeceive us of falſe opinions of our ſelves.

We are very prone to think well of our ſelves, till we bring our ſelves and our p. 11wayes to the pattern and exemplar of the Saints and ſervants of God; then we begin to ſay to our ſelves, Are we like the Saints in Scripture? or the Saints living? Do I live as they lived? Do I deny my ſelf as they did? Doth my zeal for God eat me up? Is my faith and patience like theirs, that have inherited the Promiſes? Have I a Pauls ſpirit? Oh how unlike! what Dwarfs and Pigmies are we in compariſon of them! Surely, either theſe were more then Saints, or we are none: by comparing, we come to ſee a wide and manifeſt difference between them and us.

5 Ground. God is ſucceſſively glorified in the world.5. Reaſon. By imitating the Saints, God is ſucceſſively glorified in the world. Abraham glorified God in his Generation, and they that walk in the ſteps of faithful Abraham, they glorifie him ſucceſſively in their Generations. Though Abraham be gone, and the Saints be not; Imitation makes them live ſtill; Imitation is the multiplication of the Saints: As the Kings Picture is multiplied by taking Copies, ſo that when the King is dead his Effigies will be known in future Generations.

This is the Generation of them that ſeek p. 12thy face, O Jacob. The followers of Jacob, are his Geceration: he begot them by his example and Imitation makes them his Genuine Poſterity: They ſtand up as wreſtlers with God, as he was. And thus B…lievers, the Children of Abraham his ſpiritual ſeed, his lively Pictures and Effigies in the world. Et ſic in caet.

6 Ground. Imitation is the way to prevent ſlothfulneſſe.6. Reaſon. Imitation is the way to cure us of ſluggiſhneſs and torpor which is in out natures; that ye be n…t ſlothful, but followers of them, &c. ſo in the text.

The ſlothfulneſs here diſſwaded, is directly contrary to the forementioned diligence: And mention is therefore made of it to ſhew us that for the more proſperous flouriſhing of any Grace, the contrary ſin is very carefully to be ſhunned.

The Trophie of Miltiades awa…l… ed T… sto…les. Pl…arch.If we would be diligent, we muſt take heed of ſloth; and if we would take heed of the ſluggiſhneſs, to which our corrupt natures are ſo marvellouſly propenſe, we muſt eye the Saints, imitate them, follow them, and be ſlothfull if you can.

Conſider what pains the Saints have taken in their ſeveral Generations. Jacob wreſtled with the Angel till break of day; Chriſt prayed till he ſweat again. All p. 13he Saints in the Old and New-Teſtament, …hey did much, and endured much: take the …reat Apoſtle, it would even tire one of …s to read the Catalogue of his active and …aſſive travells in the Goſpel, 2 Cor. 11.…3. to the end. Oh what have the Saints … one and ſuffered in their ſeveral ages! How may ſuch Preſidents both ſhame …nd quicken us! Oh their labour of love, …heir work of faith, their patience of hope! How ſteadfaſt! How unmoveable! How aboundant in the work of the …ord!

The keeping of ſuch patterns ſtill in …ur eyes will marvellouſly quicken us, to …ſe all diligence in our Chriſtian race… Did they run after the rate that we do? Did they pray after the ſame rate that …ve pray? Did they pleaſe themſelves? O …ny ſluggiſh heart! this pace will never …ring thee to heaven.

7. Reaſon. Imitation will prevent Apoſtacy.7. Reaſon. The cloſe following of the …aints will prevent Apoſtacy: Joaſh did …ell all the dayes of Jehoiad…h.

Chriſtians look about you, ye are in great …anger of falling away from your own …tedfaſtneſs. Your temptations are many …nd great, and the danger is dreadfull.

p. 14Here in the Text, the ſin, the puniſhment, who can expound them to us?

Well, if you will ſtand faſt, eye your Preſ…dents.

See what they did and ſuffered in their hour of temptation, rather then turn back upon the profeſſion of Religion. Remember what the Patriarchs, Prophets, Apoſtles, Martyrs of Chriſt have ſuffered, and ſtand faſt. Remember how they lived! How they died! As the Apoſtle exhorted concerning Chriſt, Heb. 11.3… Conſider them, what they endured, leſt ye faint in your mindes. Their perſeveranc… well ſaid to heart, will be your Preſervative.

8. Reaſon. By this means the loſs of the Saints will be leſs felt.8. Reaſon. Our following the Saints by holy imitation, will wake them be leſs miſſed in the world, when they are taken away.

Elijah was leſs wanted becauſe Eliſh… vvas endued with his ſpirit. Moſes abſence vvas recruited by Joſhuas ſucceſſion.

O do you ſtand in the gap, and fill up the breach of them that are gone, with your gracious influences; and their abſence will be the better born.

p. 15My ſeed ſhall ſerve him, ſaid Chriſt up… the Croſs, or going to it. Pſa. 22.…. q. d. Though I am going out of the …orld, I ſhall leave a ſpiritual Generati… behind me, that will carry on my Fa…ers work in the world. It was Chriſt his …mfort upon the Croſs.

9. Reaſon. By imitation of others we become exemplary.9. Reaſon. By imitating of the Saints, …e out ſelve; ſhall have the honour of be…g exemplary unto others.

See how the one is inſeperably annext …to the other in that famous enc…mium …hich the Apoſtle gives his Theſſal…nians, Theſ. 16 Ye became follo…rs of us, …d of the Lord, verſe 6. there he com…ends their piety; And what follows? Why verſe 7. So that ye became enſamples all that believe in Mac…donia, &c. …ere he celebrateth their H…nour.

It is our grace to imita…e others, it is …r glory to be patterns to others. This is …e Crown, the Apoſtle ſets upon the …ads of his excellent Theſſalorians.

And it ſhall be your Crown alſo, if …ith an holy ambition ye contend to be …llowers of them who excell in vertue; …r thereby you alſo will become ſtanding… …atterns and preſidents for others imitation p. 16The Baptiſt followed the Prophe… and excelled them; of common Soldier… you will become Captains and Leaders … the Lords Army. By intenſive and vig… rous imitation, you will transform you ſelves into ſhining and glorious Lumin… ries, by whoſe light others may ſee the way to Heaven.

10. Reaſ. Imitation is the way to the Kingdom.10. Reaſon, This is the way to th… Kingdom. This way all the Saints and wo… thies of God went, and are now entre… into glory: the foot-ſteps of Companion… is ſuggeſted by Chriſt as an infallible conduct in her way. Cant. 1.8. Go you in the Path, tread in their ſteps and you ſhall enter alſo. This is the encouragement whic… the text holds out.

Be ye followers of them who throug… faith and patience inherit the Promiſe… (q. d.) Abraham, Iſaac, Jacob and othe… of the Primitive Heroes, have by their hol… diligence and inconquerable induſtry in th… wayes of holineſs, attained aſſurance … Heaven while they lived, and poſſeſſion … Heaven when they died: They have finiſhed their courſe, and received their robe… and their Crowns; By faith and patience in well-doing, they inherit the promiſe.

p. 17Preſs hard after them, follow them cloſe, and you ſhall be partakers of the inheritance with the Saints in light: You ſhall alſo in the end of your dayes, receive the end of your hope, even the Salvation of your Souls.

Thus our Lord encourageth his Soldiers, Rev. 3. v. 21. To him that overcometh, will I grant to ſit with me in my Throne, as I overcame, and am ſet down with my Father in his Throne.

Follow me in my Conflict and Conqueſt, and you ſhall ſhare with me in my Reward and Triumph. If we be dead with Christ, we ſhall aſlo live with Chriſt; if we ſuffer with him we ſhall alſo reign with him; 2 Tim. 2.11, 12.

This may ſuffice for the firſt Querie Why? the Reaſons and Grounds of the point.

2. Quest. Wherein the Saints are to be imitated?I come now to the ſecond Querie, Wherein? or in what things we are to imitate the Saints?

To which I Anſwer,

1 Negatively.

2 Affirmatively.Anſw. Negat. wherein Not.

1. Negatively, The Saints are not to be p. 18imitated in every thing. Ex. Gra.

1. Not in their ſins.1. The Saints are not to be imitated in their ſins and infirmities. The beſt of Gods ſervants have had their failings and infirmities, and they are held out in Scripture to our obſervation; As

Abraham's diffidence, Gen. 12.11, 12, 13. ch. 20.2. Job's impatience, Iob. 3.1, 2. Noah's tranſgreſſing by Wine, Gen. 9.21. Lot's inceſt, Gen. 19.33.35. David's Murder and Adultery, 2 Sam. 11.15, 4. Elijahs Paſſion. Jam. 5.17. Peter's denying his Lord, Mat. 27.70, 72, 74.

Theſe and many other failings and falls of the Saints, are Recorded in the Book of God: But they are,

1. For the ſupport and comfort of lapſed Chriſtians, that reflecting upon their own ſurpriſes by temptation, they may not deſpond and deſpair, as if their ſpot were not the ſpot of Gods Children.

2. For the caution and admonition of all ſurviving generations; to the intent that we ſhould not preſume to ſin as they ſinned. 1 Cor. 10.6.

But to be ſure they ſtand not in the holy Regiſter, as Patterns and encouragements to ſin. They are our Take-heeds, not our Warrants; they tell us, here is a Rock, avoid p. 19it; here is a Quick-ſand, come not near it, leſt you ſuffer ſhipwrack. We are not to imitate the beſt in their worſt.

2. Not in what they did by miraculous inſpiration.2. They are not be imitated in what they did by immediate and miraculous aſſiſtance of the Holy Ghoſt.

As we are commanded to be followers of God as dear Children, but not in the creating of the world; not in cauſing the Sun to riſe, and the Rain to fall, &c. that is, we muſt not attempt ſuch an imitation of our heavenly Father, as being above the Sphere of the creature, the Prerogative only of the great God.

Our Lord commandeth us to learn of him, but not in raiſing the dead; Mat. 11.29.Matt 11:29not in multiplying loaves, not in caſting out Devils by a word, &c. theſe being works which Chriſt did not in his Private, but in his Mediatory Capacity.

So alſo the Prophets, Apoſtles and other of the Saints of God, though they be out Standards and Patterns, yet they are not to be followed in thoſe actions which they did by vertue of an extraordinary afflatus or inſpiration of the Holy Ghoſt; thoſe actions being peculiar only to their extraordinary commiſſions and functions, and not common to them as believers.

p. 20…. Not in …hat they …id by …pecial di…penſation.3. Neither are they to be followed in thoſe actions which they did by ſpecial diſpenſation, or by way of probation and tryal. Ex. Gra. VVe are not to rob, ſpoil and take away the ſubſtance and eſtates of wicked men, (meerly quà wicked) becauſe the Iſraelites robbed the Aegyptians; unleſs we had immediate Authority and command for it, from him, who is the abſolute and Supream Lord of the Creature,Pſa. 75.7Ps 75:7 and may diſpoſe of the whole Creation to whomſoever he pleaſe, as they had. We may not offer up our Sons and Daughters in ſacrifice to God, becauſe God tempted Abraham to offer up his Iſaac, for tryal of his obedience and Self-denyal.

Nor yet again may any man or woman take a Wife or Husband of Whoredome, as the Prophet did, Hoſ. 1.2. (whether in viſion only, or in reality we enquire not here) uneſs we had the ſame ſpecial diſpenſation and allowance from the Supream Law-giver.

Thus Negatively, We are not to follow the Saints.

2. Affirmatively, Therefore, we are to imitate the Saints in their graces only, and in their holy Converſations in the world, and in whatever they did in a way of obedience p. 21and conformity to the revealed will of God, the ſtanding rule of the word.

A more diſtinct and particular account whereof, I ſhall give, before I finiſh this diſcourſe.

3.3 Qu. How we muſt imitate the Saints Querie. How muſt we imitate the Saints of God? Anſwer. Here again our Negative Rule meets us, (ſcil.) We are not to follow the Saints Univerſally; not all over. And the reaſon is, becauſe, all that is in the Saints, is not Sanctity. All that is in the Godly, is not Godlineſs. Saints have their infirmities, and in them they are not to be imitated.

The beſt of men, are but men at the beſt. Affirmatively, Therefore our imitation of the Saints it muſt be but,

With limitation.1. A limited Imitation. And that Limitation, one of the beſt of men (that were but men) the great Apoſtle hath given us in his own Perſon:1 Cor. 11.11 Cor 11:1 Be ye followers of me, (How?) as I am of Chriſt. If we find holy Paul, not following Chriſt, he doth not require us to follow him. It was Jehoſophat's honour that he made choice of the firſt wayes of David to walk in. Indeed we have theſe intermediate Copies written for our learning: God therein condeſcending p. 22to our infirmity, leſt our tender eies ſhould be too much dazled in continual beholding the tranſcendent brightneſſe of the Supream light, 1 Joh. 1.5. But God, and Chriſt, and the Spirit are the Supream Original Standard of our Conformity.

The Father. Mat. 5.48Matt 5:48Be you perfect as your Father, which is in heaven is perfect.

Jeſus Chriſt. 1 Pet. 1.151 Pet 1:15As he which hath called you, is holy, ſo be ye holy in all manner of Converſation.

The Holy Ghoſt. Rom. 8.7.14Rom 8:7Rom 8:14They that are after the Spirit, do mind the things of the Spirit. And again, As many as are led by the Spirit are the Sons of God.

Next to theſe, the Saints and Angels in Heaven, are our lights of a ſecond magnitude;Petit.. 3d. Thy will be done on Earth, as it is done in Heaven.

Theſe are our exact and perfect Exemplars, in which there is no defect or imperfection.

But all our Earthly Patterns (be they never ſo excellent) have their errours and deficiencies; which may miſlead us, if we follow them without due limitation. And therefore all theſe inferi…ur Patterns, are to be reduced to the Original Standard and p. 23Exemplar; and wherein they are found either erroneous or defective, we are to correct and perfect them by the Original; we muſt by faith eye the Pattern in the Mount: we may imitate our terreſtrial Copies, but we muſt not terminate in them. The Saints are good Leaders, but not infallible uſeful Copies, but ſuch as have need to be corrected by the Original.

Our imitation of them therefore, muſt be bounded by Scripture-limitation.

2. Uniform. Nemo agit unum niſi ſapiens, caeterimultiformes ſunt, Sen. Ep. Phil. 4.8.Phil 4:82. Our Imitation of the Saints muſt be exact and uniform: though we are not to imitate the Saints in all their actions, yet we are to imitate them in all their Graces, and gracious converſation. Whatſoever things are true, whatſ…ever things are juſt. Whatſoever things are pure, whatſoever things are lovely, whatſoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, if there be any praiſe in the Saints and Servants of God, theſe things we muſt think of; and in theſe things we muſt labour to be like unto them. We muſt take heed of Partiality, in our following the Saints; of preferring one before another, one Saint before another; or one Grace in the Saints before another, unleſs it be ſuch Saints, and ſuch p. 22duplicate page p. 23duplicate page p. 24Graces, as God himſelf hath preferred by putting upon them more abundant honour, ſome ſpecial remark of excellency; we muſt take heed of picking and chuſing, taking what vve pleaſe, and rejecting what we liſt, according to our own private fancies and intereſt: We muſt follow them in every path, and in every ſtep, wherein they have f…llowed the Captain of their ſalvation: Whether in their doing-work, or in their ſuffering-work St. Paul's charge to Timothy will not in this caſe be improper for us; I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, 1 Tim. 5.211 Tim 5:21and the elect Angels, that thou obſerve theſe things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by Pa tiality. To this end,

3. Vigorous.3. Our Imitation of the Saints muſt be a vigorous and induſtrious Imitation. Truly to follow the Saints fully and exactly, is not a buſineſs of an eaſie and ordinary diſpatch, it will require a vigorous and induſtrious intention and contention of our ſpirits, as a work that will take up all the faculties of our ſouls, and parts of our bodies: Our Judgments to diſcern (according to the word) what is to be choſen, and what to be eſchewed in the Patterns we propound to our ſelves: Our Unde…ſtandings, to diſcover p. 25the beauty and amiableneſs of the Graces and Holineſs that is in the Saints. Our Memories, to keep alwaies before our eyes theſe excellent Preſidents, leſt at any time we let them ſlip; we ſhall ſtand in need of ſuch Looking-glaſſes continually, to ſee our faces in; we ſhall want our Guides at every turning, to tell us the way, when we are turning to the right hand, or to the left.

Our Wills and Affection, to love our Guides, to take delight and compl…cency in beholding theſe beautifull pieces; if we ſee no beauty in the Saints, why we ſhould deſire them, we ſhall never be zealous imitators of their Perſons.

Our Conſciences: we ſtand in need of the impartial Teſtimony of an awakened conſcience, to accuſe or excuſe us according to our fidelity or neglect in this duty of ſo great concernment. Moreover it will coſt us much prayer, medita…ion, often reflection upon our ſelves, watchfull obſervation, ſelf-denial, mortification, &c. Yea, much labour and pains even of the outward man much faſting, ſtriving, wreſtling, and watchfulneſs, to carry on this great important duty, of imitating the Saints. Surely a ſlothful, lazy profeſſor, will never p. 26make any earnings in ſo curious and laborious a work as this is.

That's h ghly obſervable in the Text; That ye be not ſlothful, but followers of them who through f…ith and patience, &c. Sloth, and Imitation of the Saint are inconſiſtent.

It is a mattet of great labour and diligence to be a follower of Abraham, Iſaac, and Jacob, and all the reſt of the Heroes …od Worthies of God, in their faith, and patience, and other Graces: A delicate ſhort ſpirited profeſſour will never carry on this ſpiritual and bleſſed trade to any purpoſe; therefore ſayes the Apoſtle (he…e) We deſire that every one of you do ſhew the ſame diligence, &c. All the ſtrength and induſtry you have, will be little enough to lay out in this arduous and excellent deſign.

Aſſure your ſelves, it will afford you no time for ſecurity, and the indulging of the fleſh.

It coſt the Saints much holy contention, to write and leave theſe excellent Copies to the ſucceeding world; and it will coſt you no leſs induſtry to write exactly after them. You muſt not think to make to your ſelves a religion of your own, or p. 27… take up this imitation, and lay it down …gain when you pleaſe. Therefore,

4. Our Imitation muſt be conſtant.4. Our Imitation of the Saints muſt be conſtant and perſevering Imitation; ſo in …he verſe before my text.

We deſire every one of you, uſe the ſame …ligence to the end.

Where ever you ceaſe this Imitation, …ou diſclaim your Patterns; and expoſe …our ſelves to the ſin and danger of Apo…tacy.

5. Our Imitation of the Saints muſt …e a believing-Imitation.5. Believing. As we muſt imitate their Faith, ſo we muſt have faith …o imitate them. Faith to realize the pro…iſe, and faith to believe Gods Faithful…eſs and All-ſufficiency to make good his …romiſe; ſo did Abraham, Rom. 4.20.

Our Imitation of the Saints will meet with much oppoſition, many diſcouragements from our fleſh, contradiction from …he world, and oppoſition from the Devil: We muſt have faith to overcome them all, or elſe we ſhall eaſily give out, and ſit down with ſhame and loſs.

Sixthly and laſtly,6. Patient Our Imitation of the Saints, muſt be a patient Imitation. As we muſt Imitate the Saints in their Patience, p. 28ſo there is great need of Patience to perſevere in this Imitation.

The Saints have in their ſeveral Generations met with much trouble, and perſecution in following Chriſt, and ſo ſhall you in following them.

You have need therefore of Patience, that when ye have done the vvill of God you may receive the Promiſe. Here is the Faith and Patience of the Saints, through which they inherit the Promiſe▪ Patience to ſuff…r, and faith to conquer their ſufferrings: Faith to believe the recompence of Reward, and Patience to wait till it come.

Go ye, and do likewiſe.

Thus much for the Doctrine; I come now to the Uſe.

p. 29Come now to the Uſe of the Point.Uſe 1.

And in the firſt place it may ſerve way of Information, to ſhew us, That

All commendation of departed Saints not to be condemned. For ſurely is not meerly upon their own ac…ount, that their Perſons are celebra…ed with ſuch remarks of honour, and …heir names perpetu ted to poſterity by a …ratefull Commemoration. If it were, …ey are not to be envied their juſt Enco…iums: Since God is pleaſed to ſet the …rown of Glory upon their Graces in Hea…en, we have no cauſe to think it too …reat an honour to ſet the Crown of Praiſe …pon their Graces here on Earth: Prov. ul ult.Yea, …e have the Divine allowance for it. Let their workes praiſe them in the Gates.

But it is upon an higher account that honourable mention,Two grounds upon which commendation of the Saints is warrantable. and Commemoration, is to be made of the Graces, and Excellencies of the Saints.

1. In as much as ſuch Encomiums are rather the Commenda…ion of the p. 30Grace of God in the Saints, then … the Saints themſelves. And by this mean Chriſt is glorified in his Saints, and adm… red of all them which believe. 2 Theſ. 1.102 Thess 1:10And ther… fore not unto the Saints, not to the Saint but to the God of the Saints is all the glory to be aſcribed.

2. Becauſe by this means others are provoked to holineſs.2. Becauſe this Commendation of th… Saints is for the propagation of their pie… and holineſs to them that do ſurvive, … ſhall be born in after-generaions, that the may inherit the benefit of ſuch excelle… Patterns, to provoke them to an holy Im… tation.

And therefore to bury the Saints grac… in the ſame grave of Oblivion with their bodies, is to obſcure the Starrs, and to rob th… world of the light and influence of ſuc… glorious Luminaries, which God hat… ſet up in the firmament of the Church … Yea, to Eclipſe the Sun of Righteouſneſſ Himſelf, by whoſe aſpect they ſhone ſ… bright to the world.

2. Things have made commendation dangerous.There be two wayes indeed, whereb… the uſe of the Commendation of th… Saints departed, hath become perniciou… to the world.

1. Whileſt ſome greedy Preachers (fo… filthy lucre-ſake) have turned even me… p. 31vices into vertues; boldly making Saints where God hath made none. 1. When vice paſſeth for vertue.Whileſt not only every Briſtol-ſtone muſt paſs for a Diamond, and every Glow-worm be magnified to a Star;

But even Drunkards, Adulterers, and …wearers, and the Covetous, (whom the Lord abhorreth) their bodies muſt not be …ut into the grave, before th…ir ſouls have …en ſeated upon Thrones in glory.

How many thouſands, this kind of Pulpit-flattery hath ruined, may (not uncharitably) be preſumed. Since by this means the worſt of men fear not to live in …he groſſeſt ſins whileſt they can purchaſe …he Prieſts Abſolution at ſo cheap a rate when they come to die, and their ſouls …e ſent to Heaven by Letters of commendation from a Mercenary Clergie-man when …hey are dead.

2. While commendation, hath ſtollen into adoration2. Another way whereby Commenda…ion of the dead hath proved ſo fatal to poor deceived ſouls, is,

Whileſt Commending of the Saints hath ſupeſtitiouſly Commenced into ſacrilegious worſhiping of them, and Praying to …hem.

The Apotheoſis in R…me Ethnic▪ and Canonization of Saints in Rome Catholique, p. 32hath ſprung principally from this Fountain;…eque aliande est foreign plera que Coceii, fun. orat. Maceo. v. whileſt in both, the fond oppinion, and overlaviſh Commendation, which the preſent generation gave to their Worthies and Be efactors, have enſnared the Ignorance of ſucceeeding generations, to judge them not unworthy of Divine honou… and ador…tion; while they thought that their tranſlation into thoſe Coeleſtial habitations, could not but improve their benignity and Power, for the help of poor mortals here below, even to Infinitude, who were of ſuch Heroick Influence, whileſt yet amongſt the Sons of men. Hence the Original of worſhiping the dead, and praying to them. Save only, that the Pride, and A…a…ice of the latter Pontificians, hath prevailed with them to Canonize for Saints, ſuch as they knew to be the worſt of men; and to create them little D…ities, who by the juſteſt Character which could be collected out of their Doctrine and lives, are now amongſt Reprobate Spirits, ſuffering the vengeance of Eternal fire.

Surely, thus to commend the dead, is nothing leſs then to blaſpheme God, and to enrich the Devils Territories with Caſtawayes.

p. 33The true end of celebrating the Graces of the Saints is,

1. That God may have the Glory, foreign1 Pet. 2.9.1 Pet 2:9whileſt the Saints ſhew forth the praiſes, or vertues of him who hath called them out of darkneſs into his marvelous light.

2. That the world may have the benefit and advantage of their worthy Patterns and Exemplars; ut ſup.

Thanks be to God for ſuch excellent helps in our way to heaven.

2. Uſe.Uſe Repr. It may ſerve to Reprove divers ſorts of people.

1 Such as account the Saints the worſt of men.1. Such as account the Saints of God the moſt dangerous kind of men in the world; not fit for humane ſociety. Surely there is not ſuch a reviled, perſecuted, defamed generation again under heaven; The very filth and off-ſcouring of all things,1 Cor. 4.12 13.1 Cor 4:12 the dregs, the ſordes, the ſcraping of the ſhoes;foreign the ſuperfluous froth and ſcum, that is good for nothing but to be caſt into the fire: Yea the more holy, the worſe. The Saints are look't upon as the Troublers of Iſrael; the Peſts of the places where they live, the Deformities of humane ſociety.Mal. 3.17. Rev. 3.1. & 1, 16.Mal 3:17Rev 3:1Rev 1:16 Surely, theſe men are not of Gods mind, God accounts them as his Jewels,Phil. 2.15. Mat. 5.14Phil 2:15Matt 5:14 the Starrs in his right hand, the Sons of God, the lights p. 32duplicate page p. 33duplicate page p. 34the world, to give light to a dark world: Patterns and Exemplars, worthy to be held forth to the obſervation and imitation, of the Sons of men; (as here)

In a word men think the Saints not worthy of the world, Act. 22.22 Heb. 11.38 2 Cor. 44.Acts 22:22Heb 11:38when in the mean time, Gods thinks the world not worthy of them.

Oh how hath the God of the world blinded the eyes of them that believe not!

2 Such as imitate the worſt.2. It may ſerve to reprove ſuch as do not care whom they follow, or what Patterns in the world they do imitate; none ſo vile, ſo debaucht, ſo prophane, ſo great a derider and perſecutor of holineſs, but is good enough to make a Copy for them to write after; men do as they ſee the major part of men do, they follow the multitude, as thinking it not good to be ſingular, and ſtricter then their neighbours; though that be a rule upon which God hath ſet a ſpecial brand of infamy. Fellow not a multitude to do evil.Exod. 23.2.Exod 23:2

Eſpecially the great and learned men of the world; men are prone to look upon them as infallible Guides, and do greedily follow their conduct. Have any of the Rulers believed on him? Joh. 7.48.John 7:48Great men have followers of their vices, as well as of their Perſons.

p. 35Alas, we ſhould take our Patterns from Heaven; Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven; and the greateſt of men do not care out of what filthy ditch, Spiritus ſunt inſinceri vagi a coelesti vigori & virtute destituti &c. ad Solamen calamitatis ſuae nil dedeſinum perditi prodere, Min. Fel. 3. Them that imitate the beſt, but in the worſt.or from what dunghill, they take up their examples; even from Hell it ſelf people are not afraid to fetch their Patterns; as proud as the Devil, as malicious as the Devil, as blaſphemous as the damned Reprobates themſelves, as hating of God and goodneſs as the Angels that kept not their firſt eſtate, as greedy and induſtrious to drag others with them into perdition! This is a lamentation and ſhall be for a lamentation.

3. It may reprove ſuch, as (it may be) will imitate the Saints, but not in their Sanctity, but in their ſins: Lot in his Inceſt, Noah in his Drunkenneſſe, and David in his Adultery, and Peter in his denying his Maſter, &c. And when they have done, can quote ſuch instances for their Authority! Oh the wonderful perverſneſs that is in our Apoſtate natures, that men ſhould imitate the Saints only in their deformities! Imitate Saints only, in that wherein they are not Saints! Is there any ſuch thing in nature!

p. 36Are there any amongſt men that deſire to be like others in their natural defects and deformities, be they perſons never ſo great? Do you obſerve any that take delight to imitate men under diſtraction, or mad men? Did it ever eaſe any that lay ſick of the Gout, Stone, Strangurie, Dropſie, Fever, &c. to tell them that many Noble, Rich, learned Perſons have been tormented with the like pains?

Surely,Object. you will ſay, no wonder if not, ſince theſe are the blemiſhes, infelicities and deſtruction of the humane nature.

And are not mens luſts and corruptions ſo too? Anſwer.Even of the Saints themſelves, ſave only by interpoſition of divine grace, Hoſ. 14.4. Pſal. 23.3.Hos 14:4Ps 23:3healing and reſtoring them! Yea, and of ſo much worſe nature and effect, then either intellectual or bodily diſtempers, by how much the ſoul is better then the body, and Hell worſe then Death; Rom. 1.18Rom 1:18God himſelf teſtifying it from Heaven: And the Saints themſelves, after they have recovered their lapſes, having confeſt it before all the world, with greateſt ſelf-abhorrency and abaſement.Pſ. 73.22.Ps 73:22 So fooliſh was I, and ignorant, and like a beaſt before thee, cries David when he came out of the Sanctuary; he is ſo incenſt againſt his ſin that he cannot p. 37find a term vile enough to reproach himſelf withall!

And yet is ſin the only imitable thing men can diſcover in the Saints?Prov. 1.22Prov 1:22 How long ye ſimple ones will ye love ſimplicity, and Scorners delight in ſcorning, and fools hate knowledge.

Lord, who hath believed thy report? or to whom is the Arm of the Lord revealed?

4. Reproof.

4. That will follow the beſt but in the beſt.But there is yet another ſort of people, that juſtly merit the laſh of reproof; and they are ſuch who though they dare not be ſo bad as to imitate the Saints in their ſins, yet love not to be ſo good, as to imitate the Saints in their ſtrictneſs, and holy ſeverity in Religion. They think it enough to follow them in their morality, and civil deportment, to be juſt and true in their dealings, to be charitable to the poor, and to keep their Church (as they call it;) But their holineſs, their zeal, mortification and cloſe walking with God; to be alwayes abounding in the work of the Lord: Here they leave them, as deeming theſe, nothing elſe but the unneceſſary ſtrains of a fruitleſs preciſeneſſe, and that which may expoſe them to the ſcandal and diſguſt of the world.

p. 38Oh the blindneſs and folly of the wiſdom of the fleſh! That wherein the Saints are moſt like God, therein, only the unregenerate world careth leſt to be like unto them!

That which God accounteth his Glory, (for that is his Name, Glorious in holineſs, and (therefore) fearful in praiſes) the reprobate world account their abaſement.

Oh ye Sons of men, how long will ye turn Gods glory into ſhame? how long will ye love vanity and ſeek after leaſing?

Surely, carnal men are Gods Antipodes, they ſtand upon their heads, and ſhake their heeles againſt Heaven! They glory in their ſhame, and are aſhamed of their glory; they vilifie what they ſhould admire, and admire what they ſhould vilifie; they imitate whom, and what they ſhould abhor, and abhor what they ſhould imitate! Ah how have the Sons of men loſt not their conſcience only, but their judgement! How have they diveſted themſelves not of Religion only, but of Reaſon; and put off the Man, as well as the Saint! This is a lamentation, and ſhall be for a lamentation! I come now to a more particular Application of this Doctrine, to our ſelves of this family, together with other Relations and p. 39Friends, more eſpecially concerned in our ſorrows.

Suffer I beſeech you, a word of Exhortation.Vſe Exhor.

My dearly Beloved, God hath made a fore breach upon us; He hath ſmitten us, and made us ſick in ſmiting us. The Crown is fallen from our Head; The Ornament of our Family is taken away: A Wife, a Moth r, a Friend, a Guide, the delight of our eyes is gone, the bleſſing of all her Relations at home and Acquaintance abroad! Wo unto us, for we have ſinned!

And now dear Friends, what ſhall we do! Shall we give up our ſelves to ſorrow? ſhall we lie down and roar as men and woemen that have no hope?

This were to wrong our ſelves. Or ſhall we make it our work to forget Her, to caſt her out of our thoughts? and to bury her memory with her Aſhes?

This were to wrong Her, who has deſerved better at our hands.

Shall we then ſpend our thoughts and enquires where and how we may recruit our ſelves with new Relations? and to make up our Lots with other Comforts? or let out our hearts more greedily to them we have yet remaining?

p. 40This were infinitely to wrong God, and to pervert the deſignes and purpoſes of his grace in this ſevere diſpenſation. Or ſhall we, laſtly, ſatisfie our ſelves with a few cold fruitleſs Commendations of the things which were excellent and praiſe-worthy in Her?

This were but to mock our ſelves, and Her, and God alſo.

Behold, therefore I will yet ſhevv you a more excellent way, and it is that in my Text, Be ye followers of her; ſtudy to imitate ſo excellent a Pattern, as ſhe hath left us, for me thinks I hear her crying to us out of her grave, or rather from Heaven, (where her triumphant ſoul is placed amongſt the ſpirits of juſt men made perfect) as ſometimes Her Lord, and ours, beſpake his Diſciples. Joh. 13.15. I have given you an example that you ſhould do as I have done.

Now therefore, that I may not beat the aire, nor ſpend time unprofitably (only) in Generals; I ſhall propoſe Her to your view, in a twofold Capacity: But with this preface, That here it muſt not be expected from me, that I ſhould either proclaim her extraction, which was generous, or deſcribe the lovelineſs of her perſon, p. 41though I mayſay with modeſty, Her ſoul did benè habitare, 'twas lodged in a beautiful habitation; her body which was an elegant piece of natures artifice, did give (as well as receive) a grace to what ever ſhe did or ſpake.

1. In her Relational Capacity.

2. In her Perſonal Capacity.Her Relational Capacity.

In both which, you will find her worthy of your moſt exact and vigorous imitation. Take her

1. In her Relational Capacity, 1. As a Child.and there look upon her, firſt as a Child, and a moſt du ifull and obedient Child ſhe was, not only where the Relation was natural, but even where it was but Legal and Adoptitious. She never diſobeyed or neglected the Commands of her Parents in the leaſt, vvhile ſhe was under the charge of their education.

She was of a moſt teachable and tractable ſpirit; there was nothing of a perverſe or peeviſh diſpoſition in her; her Will vvas bound up in the Will of her Parents, and Governours, ſhe had no will of her own.

She was a moſt exact obſerver of the fifth Commandment, in honoring her Father and Mother, in Word, Geſture and Actions, there was never heard an unbecoming p. 42coming vvord fall from her lips towards them, nor undecent carriage obſerved, nor any thing that might be interpreted as the leaſt defect of that honour which was due unto them by the Law of God and Nature.

But her whole deportment, was fraught with as much ſweet, reverential, pleaſing ſubjection to th…m, as their hearts could deſire.

You that are Children, or under the juſt obligation of Children, ſee you be followers of Her in this Child-like vertue: Keep this excellent Pattern of filial obedience alwayes before your eyes as a ſingular exemplification of the fifth Commandment, expounded by the Apoſtle,Eph. 6.1.2 3.Eph 6:1Eph 6:2 Children obey your Parents in the Lord, for this is right.

Or if this Inſtance of obedience ſeems too inferiour, take that Inſtance of an higher authority. That of the Son of God Incarnate, of whom it is ſaid, He went down with his Parents,Luk. 2.51.Luke 2:51 and came to Nazareth, and was ſubject to them.

2. As a Wife.2. Take her in the Conjugal Relation, and there you may behold Her a moſt Chaſt, Loyal, Loving, Tender, and (according to her audibly avowed engagement at her Marriage in the publick Aſſembly) An p. 43obedient Wife, as two loving Husbands, have ſucceſſively experienced and teſtified.

She ſtudied to pleaſe and not to be pleaſed; Prov. 5.19Prov 5:19ſweet as the loving Hinde, and as the pleaſant Ree. She never diſſ…nted from them, but as the word did vvarrant her diſſent; and then, (if poſſibly ſuch a then there vvas,) propoſing, rather then oppoſing; perſwading by Scripture-rule, rather then contradicting by ſelf-vvill.

Above all, ſhe vvas tenderly affected to, and covetuouſly deſirous of the Spiritual good of her Conjugal Relations.

A true help ſhe vvas, a Soul-Help unto them,Gen. 2.18.Gen 2:18 anſwering fully to the Law of her Creation; themſelves have ſucceſſively acknowledged, they have had cauſe to bleſs God for her, with the excellent Woman in the Proverbs, ch. 31.12. She did them good, and not evill all her daies.

You that are Wives, be ye followers of ſuch a Pattern; ſhe was ſubject to her own Husband, as the Church is ſubject to Chriſt. As ſhe did imitate the Church ſo do ye imitate her.

Wives be you obedient in all things; to your own Husbands in all things ſave wherein p. 44in your obedience to them, may poſſibly be diſobedience to God; and therein, not oppoſing your wills, ſo much to theirs as Gods. That's not Rebellion againſt Rulers and Superiours, vvherein not the will ſo much of the Inferiour, gives ſin a Negative vote as the Conſcience, and Conſcience rightly informed by the word of God.

Yoke-fellows, Love ye one another ſouls. Love one another to heaven, Let not the fleſh go away with all your time, and ſtrength and affections; nor the elder ſerve the younger. Live together as heirs of the grace of life, that your prayers be not hindred.1 Pet. 3.7.1 Pet 3:7

3. Look upon her as a Miſtris in her Family.3. A Governeſs. She was an excellent Governeſs, her government was o… a Scripture conſtitution. It was made up of ſweetneſs and gravity; ſweetneſs without levity or remiſneſs; gravity without bitterneſs and ſeverity.

There was no ſeverity in her diſcipline, ſave what was in the Pattern ſhe propoſed to them, her own Converſation: Indeed ſhe was ſeverely good; her government was made up of Intreaties, rather then Commands or Repro…f…. She knew not how to be angry, unleſs it were againſt ſin; and even p. 45that ſhe expreſt rather in grief, then in paſſion.

Her great Care was, that her family might know God, and Jeſus Chriſt, Joh. 17.3.John 17:3whom to know his life eternal.

She was of a Joſhuah-like reſolution.Joſ. 24.13Josh 24:13 As for me and my houſe, we will ſerve the Lord.

She thought it not enough to go to heaven alone, but laboured to carry as many as ſhe could with her, eſpecially them of her own Family.

To that end ſhe was very exact and conſtant in Family-duties, Her exactneſs in familyduties.(ſc.) Reading the Scripture, Prayer, Catechiſing, as deeply ſenſible how gainfull God had made that Domeſtick duty to her own ſoul in the Family of her education: I ſay, being conſcious what good ſhe had got by being diligently inſtructed in the principles of Religion, ſhe was conſcientious in the diſcharge of that duty towards thoſe whom God had committed to her truſt, not only in a way of exerciſing their memories in a bare verbal repetition of words, but (according to her faculty, which verily was not ordinary in her ſex) in a way of helping them to underſtand the ſence and meaning; and by impreſſing upon conſcience p. 46what was imprinted in their memeries.

In the abſence of her dear Husband, ſhe conſtantly performed the duty of prayer in her own perſon, ſave only when ſhe could call in the aſſiſtance of her own pious Paſtour, or other faithful Miniſters whom the preſent Providence had caſt into her neighbourhood, all which her Chriſtian obliging converſe had ſo marvellouſly endeared, that ſhe had as many Chaplains, as if ſhe had bin one of the greateſt Ladies in the Land.

A true Goſpel-Sabbatarian ſhe was; and thought it no Judaiſm to keep the Chriſtian Sabbath as an holy Reſt, rather envying her body, that it ſhould have ſix dayes to her ſouls one, then ſacrilegiouſly filching out of that precious one, any parcells of time for the uſes and purpoſes of the fleſh; truth is, ſhe counted every moment of Sabbath-time, too good for any time but Sabbath-work, unleſs it were vvhere divine indulgence had made allowance for vvorks of Mercy and Neceſſity! In reference to both vvhichwhich (notvvithſtanding) ſhe vvell knevv how to ſpiritualize even them alſo into Sabbath-exerciſes.

p. 47Further then theſe two, ſhe durſt not exact any of her ſervants labour: As knovving,

1. That the Sabbath vvas the ſervants priviledge, as vvell as her ovvn. Thou and thy ſervant, &c.

2. That her Servants ſouls were as precious to God, as her own, and coſt Jeſus Chriſt as much blood to redeem.

Therefore ſhe vvas careful that every one in her Family, ſhould not only attend the publick Ordinances; but that they ſhould improve the whole overplus of Sabbath time, in the holy exerciſes of Religion. And as God had given her an excellent faculty in taking Sermons, ſo ſhe made it her vvork conſtantly to repeat both the former and latter Sermon to her Family, vvhichwhich ſhe did vvith ſuch a judicious accurateneſs, that the hearer could hardly miſs in the repetition, vvhat he had heard from the Pulpit, at leaſt not any head or material enlargment of the Sermon.

The other void ſpaces of the day ſhe commended to her Family as Gods and their own time, for divine uſes, calling upon them, to redeem it accordingly.

p. 48You that are Governours of Families, imitate this bleſſed Saint herein alſo. The Sabbath is exceedingly fallen amongſt us, not in our Publike Aſsemblies & ſtreets only, but even vvithin our private vvalls: The ſpirit of Ignatius dyed with him. foreign. Let every one that loves the Lord, ſanctify the Lords-day, Ignat. ep ad Magn. Hovv art thou fallen, Thou Morning-Starr? Thou Queen of days; thou golden ſpot of the week! Thou Map of Heaven! Thou birth-day of immortality! Hovv art thou fallen!

You that love the Lord Jeſus, and his Reſurrection, I charge you by all that right and intereſt you claim in either, help to lift up the head of this glorious day of Jehovah; for the love of God do not put avvay the Pillovv from under the head of this dying day, as you vvould not be found guilty of the blood of Chriſt and of his Reſurrection; Chriſtians, ſtirr up your ſelves for the recovery of the life and honour of this Holy-day.

4. As a Friend and Neighbour: 4. As a Friend.She vvas of a moſt ſweet and obliging converſe. As many loved her as knew her; as ambitious ſhe vvas to do good offices to the pooreſt, as others are to thoſe that can requite them.

p. 49But that vvhichwhich vvas eminent in her converſe, vvas her profitable improvement of it; ſhe was not one of thoſe profeſſors, that with the holy, could ſhew her ſelf holy; and with the prophane, could ſhew her ſelf prophane; that could talk religiouſly in one company, and vainely and frothily with others: She was not one of them that could ſhape themſelves into any form and garb of the preſent Company; but ſhe was gracious and uniform in every Company, which providence caſt her upon, ſpending the time in Chriſtian and profitable Communication; alwayes either doing good or receiving good, (as opportunity ſerved.) But if the Company were ſuch as admitted neither; her ſilence ſhould argue her diſſent, and her withdrawment (as far as might conſiſt with civility) ſhould at once eaſe …hem and her ſelf of a burden.

Chriſtians, Oh that every one would herein become her followers: Oh what a deal of pretious time is waſted in idle alk, and fooliſh jeſtings, which are not convenient! how many precious hours are pent in vain and unprofitable complehents? Yea in carnal mirth, fooliſh talk…g and jeſting; which might be improved p. 50to ſpiritual, ſoul-edifying conferences; as if Chriſtians had forgotten there were ſuch a word in the Bible, Let your ſpeech be alwayes with gr…ce, ſeaſoned with ſalt, Col. 4.6. or that other, Redeem the time, for the dayes are evil, Eph. 5.1, 15, 16. The Lord make you wiſe to ſalvation.

I might eaſily enlarge in theſe her Relative excellencies, but I muſt haſten.

In the ſecond place take a view of her in her Perſonal Capacity. And there we ſhall find theſe ſix Graces, which were eminently in her, to the obſervation of all that know her, ſc.

Holineſs, Meekneſs, Love, Sympathy with the afflicted people of God, Faith, Patience.

1. Her Holineſs. ſhe was a Chriſtian of a moſt unſtained Holineſs, ſhe wore the garment of her Chriſtian profeſſion without any viſible ſpot. The commo… ▪ Holineſs of the world would not ſerve he… turn. Modeſty, Civility, Moral-righteouſneſs, an Inoffenſive Converſation, theſe go far amongh the commonſort of profeſſors, and I wiſh many that would pa… for Saints did not fall ſhort of theſe Though it is a very ſad thing, to fall ſhe… p. 51of them that fall ſhort of Heaven; unſeſs your Righteouſneſs exceed this Ri…hieouſneſs, you cannot enter, &c. Mat. 5.20Matt 5:20Bleſſed be God, the Righteouſneſs of this precious ſervant of Chriſt was of another make, a purity ſhe contended after of a peculiar ſtrain; zealous of good works; an Holineſs that containeth all thoſe excellencies which God ſets any ſtore by; Tit. 2.14. 1 Pet. 2.9.Titus 2:141 Pet 2:9an Holineſs converſant about the whole will of God, proving what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.Rom. 12.2Rom 12:2

She made Religion her buſineſs, Her one onelyonly neceſſary thing: She purſued an Holineſs that comes up to its Pattern, the Pattern in the Mount: As he that called you is Holy,1 Pet. 1.14 15. Mat. 5.6.1 Pet 1:14Matt 5:6 ſo be you Holy in all manner of converſation, and again, Be ye perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect. She was in all things as becometh women profeſſing the Goſpel, adorned with good works.1 Tim. 2.101 Tim 2:10 And to this end with the Holy Apoſtle, She forgot the things that were behind, and preſſed toward the Mark, for the prize of the High-calling of God in Chriſt Jeſus. Let the ſame mind be in you (my beloved) that was in this handmaid of Jeſus Chriſt; and do ye follow her, as ſhe followed the bleſſed Apoſtle.

p. 52A Second grace wherein ſhe did excell, (and indeed excell) was the grace of Meekneſs; Num. 12.3.Num 12:3ſhe was of a Moſes-like ſpirit, meek to a None-ſuch.

She was rarely angry, never in her own Cauſe, and when in Gods, ſhe expreſt it in grief, rather then in paſſion; ſin could provoke her zeal, but not tranſport her into any undecent exceſs. In her own concerns ſhe had that abſolute dominion over her own ſpirit, that as ſhe knew not how to give offence, ſo ſhe could not eaſily take any; or if any at any time were worth taking, it was ſooner forgot then acknowledged; ſhe was of ſo ſerene a temper, that an angry word was hardly ever heard from her lips; or an angry look ever ſeen in her face. 1 Pet. 3.4.1 Pet 3:4Oh how aimable did the ornament of a meek and quiet ſpirit render her in the eyes of God and Man!

She was a rich Cabinet of heavenly Jewels, but ſhe knew it not; She was of as mean eſteem in her own eye…, as ſhe was honourable in the eyes of all beholders.Taliter pigmentatae Deum habebitis Amatorem. Tert. de cul. faem.

You that are of her Sex and Relation, Oh that you would ſtrive to imitate her in this grace alſo; beautified with this Complexion; p. 53God, and Angels, and men cannot chuſe but be in love with you

3. The Grace of Love was tranſcendently in her.

1. Her Love to God, ſhe loved him exceedingly whom ſhe couldnot love exceſſively.

2. Her Love to Jeſus Chriſt, who had loved her ſo paſſionately that he died for love of her, Rev. 1.6.Rev 1:6and waſhed her from her ſins in his own blood. But becauſe he loves Chriſt too little, Minus to amat Domine qui aliquid amat quod nonpropter te amat. Aug. Pſa. 45.2. Cant. 3. Cant. 5.10Ps 45:2Song 3Song 5:10that loveth him for any thing but for himſelf; This precious Chriſtian loved Him not only for what he did, but for what he was; His Perſon as well as his Portion: She loved him for his Lovelineſs, as well as for his Love, ſhe looked upon Chriſt with the Spouſes eyes, fairer then the Children of men, &c. The chiefeſt of ten Thouſand, The only precious one of her Soul.

Her love to Chriſt had marvelouſly conſumed her love to the World: She was in a great degree (with the Holy Apoſtle) Crucified to the world, and the world to her.

God had given a competent portion of the world to her, but ſhe (bleſſed be God) made it not her portion. She gave p. 54but very little of her Love to the vvorld; but poſſeſt the vvorld as if ſhe poſſeſt it not: In this only ſhe vvas (holily) proud, that ſhe thought her love too good for the world. Her love to Chriſt had vvonderfully vvaſted and vveakned Self-love. Self vvas a very ſmall concern to her. None had leſs intereſt in her ſelf, then her ſelf.

3. Her Love to the Publick Aſsemblies, and Publick Ordinances; Her word was that of Holy David, Lord I have loved the habitation of thy Houſe, Pſa. 26.8.Ps 26:8and the place where thine honour dwelleth.

4. Love to the Saints: All her delight was in them that excel in vertue. A vile perſon was contemned in her eyes, Pſal. 16.2.3, 15.4.Ps 16:2Ps 16:3Ps 16:15Ps 16:4but ſhe honoured them that fear the Lord. She choſe not her Company by their greatneſs, but by their goodneſs; a poor Saint was a more welcome gueſt to her, then a proud ſinner; ſhe loved Saints for their Sanctity; the more holy, the more her heart was knit unto them.

5. Her love to the faithful Miniſters of the Goſpel was very eminent, the very feet of them that bring good tidings, that publiſh p…ac…, that bring good tidings of good, that publiſh ſalvation, were very beautiful p. 55in her eyes; their Perſons and Converſe was honourable to her above many.

A fourth eminent, was Sympathy with the afflicted Churches and ſervants of Jeſus Chriſt. In all their afflictions ſhe was afflicted; her bowels were troubled for them: Yea, ſhe was in pain, like a woman in travel; who was weak, and ſhe was not weak? who was afflicted, and ſhe burnt not? ſhe was read in that Chapter of Remembrance (as one calls it) Heb. 13.3. She remembred them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them who ſuffer adverſity, as her ſelf alſo in the made body.

Surely this fellow-feeling with the afflicted people of God, was not more her duty then her Character; ſhe was a Chriſtian up of bowels.

It is verily thought, the Churches ſickneſs, was her death. Queen Mary ſaid (upon her death-bed) that if they opened her, when ſhe was dead, they would find Calais written upon her heart. If this precious Creature had been opened when ſhe was dead, you might have found Sion written upon her heart. So true a Mourner ſhe was in Sion, and for p. 56Sion, that ſhe even mourned her ſelf to death.

Oh imitate her in this grace, all ye that love the Lord Jeſus. Behold ſhe whom your Lord loveth is ſick, ſick not of Love only but of perſecution. There is not that part of the true Church of Chriſt under heaven, upon which the hour of temptation is not in an eminent manner. The ſinners in Sion abound every where; pray ye that the number of the mourners in Sion may abound more and more. And ye that are the Lords Remembrancers, behold you have your Commiſſion, keep not ſilence and give him no reſt till he eſtabliſh, Iſa. 62.6, 7.Isa 62:6Isa 62:7and till he m ke Jeruſalem a praiſe in the Earth: How willing is God to be overcome, that bids his people wreſtle? How deſirous is God to grant, that commands his ſupplicants to take no denyal at his hands, nor ſuffer him as it were to live a quiet day in Heaven, till he gives Reſt to his Church upon Earth! Improve your Commiſſion, O ye Saints of God, cry a loud, ſpare not, beg of Jeſus Chriſt, that King of Saints, hat he would bow the heavens, and come down, or ever his Sp uſe die, that he would take her up in his Arms, wipe off duſt from her face, p. 57tears from her eyes, and blood from her wounds.

Oh forget not Jeruſalem, leſt your Right-hand forget her cunning, plead hard for her, leſt your tongue cleave to the roof of your mouth:Pſ. 137.5, 6.Ps 137:5Ps 137:6 Oh prefer Jeruſalem above your chief joy.

5. She was a woman of great Faith, the life ſhe lived in the fleſh was a life of Faith: In her natural life, in all the publick calamities of the times, and private afflictions upon her own perſon, as ſhe was a woman of much ſorrow; God having exerciſed her with ſharp trials and afflictions in the married eſtate; Frequent Abortions, loſs of Children, and (that which muſt needs follow) a feeble diſtempered body, &c. I ſay in all theſe ſhe lived by faith, and was more then Conquereſs through him that loved her: All her afflictions were but the trials and triumph of her Faith.

Faith it was that which kept her Veſſel ſo ſteddy in the midſt of all the Waves and Billows which fell upon her in her paſſage, that in them all ſhe was obſerved by all the ſtanders by, to be of an even tranquil ſpirit, not tranſported with joy in her better times, nor dejected with p. 58ſorrow in her worſe, but (that which was ſaid to be Queen Elizabeths Motto, was really her temper and felicity, Semper Eadem, ſhe was ſtill the ſame.

In her ſpiritual life, ſhe lived much by Faith; when ſhe could not ſee, ſhe did believe, and when in darkneſs, and had no light, Iſa. 50.10.Isa 50:10ſhe could truſt in the name of the Lord, and ſtay upon her God.

But in this did the excellency of her Faith conſiſt, ſhe durſt not believe without a promiſe, nor the promiſe without the qualification, in ſome good degree. Faith without a promiſe ſhe believed was not Faith, but Fancy; not believing, but preſuming: This ſhe believed, and therefore never durſt believe further then ſhe had a word for it: Hence ſhe made the promiſes her dayly ſtudy.

Hear this all you that take up your ſalvation upon truſt, and ſwim down the ſtream of ſecurity, not working out your ſalvation with fear and trembling; but think it enough to hope well, and to believe you do believe, &c. and what will ye do in the latter end? When your Faith will prove but fancy, and your hope but as the Spiders Webb, wrought out of your own bowels, and blown away with the leaſt p. 59of temptation? Take heed, deceive not your ſelves with ſhadows inſtead of ſubſtances: what good will it do you to go down to the Grave with a lie in your Right-hand; one Grain of Faith well tryed, is more worth then a pound of Faith taken up upon truſt.

The ſixth and laſt Grace which I ſhall hint to you, (though herein I do both her and you wrong) is her Patience. Truly, her life and her death was nothing elſe but a Lecture of humility.

I told you before, that her life (from almoſt the firſt of her married eſtate) was a life of ſuffering: Not truly, by reaſon of the leaſt unſuitableneſs in the Conjugal relation, nor meerly in regard of Abortion, and loſs of Children, both which ſhe bare with a gracious chearfulneſs in ſubmiſſion to her Heavenly Father; but alſo in reſpect of an infirm Conſtitution which ſhe carried about her; inſomuch that when the time of her diſſolution came, it appeared to her learned Phyſitians, that her dying ſickneſs was nothing elſe but a Complication of her diſeaſes now come to the birth, which had for near Twenty years before bin breeding and ripening in her tender body; which p. 60though they did (not ſeldom) make a viſible impreſſion upon nature; yet ſhe did carry with ſo ingenuous a diſſimulation, that her neareſt Relations could hardly diſcover any habitual diſtemper prevailing upon her, but judg'd it only ſome accidental errour in nature, eaſily capable of correction by prudent obſervation.

But at length, thoſe ſparks which for many years lay ſmoaking and kindling within, brake out into a flame, and for near twenty weeks together by degrees, prevailed upon the Walls of her feeble Tabernacle, the anguiſh whereof, though (at times) it was beyond expreſſion full of bitterneſs and torment; yet ſhe ſuſtained it with ſuch an invincible ſweetneſs of patience, as did flatter her friends into a deluſive hope, that her ſickneſs was not mortal, untill the diſſolution of nature convinced them of their too eaſie dulity.

She had a peculiar patience of her own, Luk. 21.19.Luke 21:19and that patience gave her the poſſeſſion of her ſoul; ſo that in her ſharpeſt conflicts with pain and ſickneſs, though (as an holy Miniſter ſaid of himſelf) ſhe might (poſſibly) groan, yet ſhe did not p. 61grumble; an impatient complaint was never heard from her lips; but if asked, how is it? Her anſwer was the Holy Martyrs word, mixt up of Patience and Faith; It is well, and it will be better. It is well, there was her patience, and it will be better there was her Faith: Through both which (as in the Text) She inherits the Promiſe.

Her Wiſdome and JudgmentI might eaſily enlarge the Catalogue of her Vertues; ſhe was of great wiſdom and judgement, not as a Woman only, in managing all her affairs with Diſcretion, but (much more) as a Chriſtian woman. She was not a light Sceptical profeſſour, nor one that took up her Religion upon truſt or imitation: She knew what ſhe believed, and having weighed her principles in the balance of the Sanctuary; Joh. 4.John 4and tried them by the touch-ſtone of the holy Scriptures (which from her youth ſhe had known) ſhe became rooted and grounded in the Faith,2 Tim. 3.152 Tim 3:15 and ſtood unmoveable and unſhaken againſt all the blaſts and ſtorms of ſeduction; Able not only to give an anſwer to every one that might (rationally) ask her a reaſon of the hope that was in her with meekneſs and fear, 1 Pet. 3.15.1 Pet 3:15but as a good proficient in Chriſts School, to make an Apology for p. 62the truths ſhe had learned from the Goſpel of Jeſus Chriſt.

Her Temperance and Sobriety.In Temperance and Sobriety, ſhe exceeded many, not only of the ordinary rate of vvomen, but even of ſuch as (not without cauſe) have the repute of Religion.

In Apparel.In her Habit, ſhe affected nothing of the pride and curioſity of the preſent generation. Accounting it more honour to beautifie her Attire, then to owe any beauty to it. Nor was ſhe in love with any faſhion, but that which the examples of the moſt pious and modeſt of her rank commended to her.

She was of great temperance in her diet, Temperance-ſhe did as much diſguſt whatever might ſavor of delicacy and indulgence to the fleſh, as the delicate do what is mean and ordinary, eating and drinking at ſuch a rate, as one whom not Nature only had dieted, but Grace.

Provident ſhe was without avarice; frugal, Providence.not that ſhe might get the more goods, but that ſhe might do the more good; accounting that het beſt riches, not which ſhe laid up for her ſelf, but that which ſhe laid out for God. Her Charity was very extenſive, Charity.not knowing any other limits, p. 63but want of opportunity; nor any other partiality but the Houſhold of Faith.Gal. 6.10.Gal 6:10

Her Mercy refuſed not the loweſt office, Mercy.to the loweſt object; her enquiry being not what the perſon was, but what vvas the need? She thought it no robbery to impoveriſh her ſelf, that ſhe might make others rich.

Heroick ſpirit.She had a tender, and yet an Heroick Spirit; ſhe feared nothing but ſin, and could bear any thing but Gods diſhonour and the reproach of Religion. A Coward ſhe was, when Chriſt (poſſibly) might ſuffer by her; but couragious, when ſhe was called to ſuffer any thing for Chriſt.

Her whole deportment was made up of Sweetneſs and Gravity, Gravity.which put ſuch a Grace upon her, that ſhe Commenced a Matron in Religion, before her time; as if nature had over reckoned it ſelf one age of her life at leaſt, and took the degree of old age, before ſhe was forty.

Her ſincerity.Laſtly, Her ſincerity commended her to God and Man. She vvas fully as much as ſhe appeared to be; to God without hipocriſie; to Man without fraud; a true Nathaniel, in whoſe ſpirit there was no guile.

p. 64Theſe Vertues, as they were eminent in her, ſo they deſerve a larger ſhare in her juſt Character; but it is time to give you ſome account of her Death; Her Death.of which though much might be ſpoken worthy obſervation, yet take the Epitome of it in a few words. Three things ſhe did upon her Death-Bed.

The firſt thing ſhe did, was to give a clear and full account of the work of Grace wrought in her ſoul, both in the Methods and Progreſs of it.

The foundation whereof ſhe acknowledged was laid in the Catechiſtical principles of her Parental education; the rudiments of Religion, were by their care and her diligence, ſo diſtinctly imprinted in her underſtanding, that they became a good foundation, upon which the ſuperſtructure of more practical and ſpiritual truths of the Goſpel, were more proſperouſly and fruitfully raiſed.

After that by Precept and Pattern ſhe had learned the neceſſity of ſecret duties, inſtruction and experience ſoon taught her the inſignificancy of them, without regard to the manner, as vvell as to the matter.

From thenceforth ſhe began ſeriouſly to ſtudy a Duty-frame of ſpirit, and to p. 65eye the Pattern in the Mount. John 4.24.

After this, notwithſtanding in the progreſs of the Miniſtry under which ſhe lived during the time of her ſingle ſtate) ſhe found her ſelf at a loſs, the Holy Ghoſt convincing her of a preſent abſolute and indiſpenſable need of Jeſus Chriſt in point of Righteouſneſs. She well perceived her own Righteouſneſs too ſhort a garment to cover her nakedneſs from the all-piercing eye of Divine Juſtice. From thenceforth (with the Apoſtle) ſhe accounted all things (even the beſt of her own Righteouſneſs) but loſs and dung that ſhe might win Christ, and be found in him not having her own Righteouſneſs which is of the Law, but that which is through the Faith of Chriſt, the Righteouſneſs which is of God by Faith.

According to the Original Method aſſerted by our Lord, Joh. 16.9, 10, 11.John 16:9John 16:10John 16:11But the Conviction ſtayed not long there, but ſoon was improved by the ſame ſpirit into a Conviction, and diſcovery of the beauty and excellencies that is in Jeſus Chriſt. A Chriſt ſhe muſt have as a fountain of Holineſs, as well as of Happineſs; for a Soveraign as well as for a Saviour, for his Perſon, as well as for p. 66his Portion: A Chriſt for Himſelf, as well as for Her ſelf; ſhe was ſick of Love.

But yet further, Intereſt would not ſerve her turn without evidence; Scripture evidence. This ſhe now made her buſineſs, ſhe was very diligent to bring her Hopes and Evidences to the Scripture, and to compare them and the word together, by the light whereof as ſhe diſcovered any fault or defect in them or cauſe to be jealous of them; She repaired to the judicious faithful Miniſters of the Goſpel, for the help of their judgement; eſpecially that near and tender Relation, whom ſhe truſted (above any) with her ſpiritual concerns, whom ſhe acknowledged God had made of ſingular uſe and advantage to her in the doubts and difficulties of this nature.

But above all, ſhe conſtantly made her addreſs to Him, whoſe Name and Office is, The ſearcher of Hearts, and tryer of the Reins, with holy Davids Petition; Search me O God, and know my Heart; try me, Pſa. 139.23, 24.Ps 139:23Ps 139:24and know my Thoughts: And ſee if there be any way of wickedneſs in me, and lead me in the way everlaſting.

From evidence at length, ſhe put in for aſſurance; in the ſerious and vigorous p. 67purſuit whereof, death met her, as well in the midſt of her work, as of her dayes; unexpectedly indeed, but (bleſſed be God) not unpreparedly, and though her ſickneſs was not fraught with extraordinary joyes and raviſhments: Yet ſhe was ſuſtained with a ſweet peace and ſerenity of Spirit, which God did not permit Satan to interrupt all her ſickneſs long; and this was not the fruit of a blind unſenſible ſecurity, (as in moſt that cry up a Lamb-like death) for ſhe was able to give anſwer to any one that asked her reaſon of the hope that was in her, with meekneſs and judgement.1 Pet. 3.15.1 Pet 3:15

It was the account ſhe her ſelf gave, why neither in her ſickneſs nor health, ſhe had experienc't any great raptures or extraordinary joyes of the Spirit of Adoption, as ſome do; for (ſaid ſhe) neither was I brought in with any extraordinary terrors or tremblings of the ſpirit of bondage: Nevertheleſs it pleaſed the Lord not to leave Himſelf, nor his poor Handmaid without witneſs; not only in giving her a ſweet ſerenity of ſpirit, inſomuch that ſhe ſuffered no Ecclipſe of that Sun of Righteouſneſs; (in all the time of her confinement to her Chamber) who Himſelf (upon the Croſs) ſuffered an Ecclipſe p. 68of the light of his Fathers Countenance, at what time He cried out (to the aſtoniſhment of Heaven and Earth) My God, my God, why hast thou forſaken me? But much more, in vouchſafing her ſome immediate irradiations of his face and favour, on the evening before ſhe died; at what time, a gracious intimate friend, ſitting at a little diſtance from her Bed-ſide, forbearing to ſpeak to her, knowing her to be very much ſpent, and ſuppoſing her to be in a ſlumber; at length ſhe opened her eyes, (as if it had bin out of a ſleep) and ſeeing her friend whom ſhe loved ſitting by, ſhe beſpake her thus: Oh my dear friend! are you there? I have had a full anſwer of all my prayers; God hath not denyed me any of the requeſts of my ſoul, but hath fully ſatisfied my deſires. Hathe he ſo, (ſaid her friend?) Then I hope he hath heard you, in that you feared; (meaning the fear of death, To your God and my God, to your Father & my Father: Theſe Words ſhe often uſedwhich formerly had held her in ſome bondage, Heb. 2.14.) She replyed, He hath, He hath; I know whom I have believed, and I am now going to him, and I ſhall ſee him (ſhortly) with theſe very eyes. You that have prayed to God for me, I deſire you would joyn with me in giving him praiſe p. 69for this gratious anſwer of peace, vouchſafed me, poor me!

She added moreover, ſhe did not deſire prayer for the Continuance of life; but that ſhe might he reſigned up to God in prayer, Eph. 1.6.Eph 1:6and might be accepted in the beloved. And reſigned up ſhe was in a ſolemn manner; firſt, by ſeveral godly Miniſters then preſent; and laſt of all by that hand which by the power of the Holy Ghoſt had Midwived her into Chriſt in her Regeneration; during all which time, her ſpirit accompanied that ſolemn tranſaction, with ſtrong and vigorous affections, to the extream expence of her natural ſpirits; and when all was finiſhed, being asked, whether ſhe had gone along with the Petition which had bin lifted up to God for her? She anſwered, Yes, I bleſs God I have, they were very ſweet and precious: The Lord return your kindneſs and love into your boſom a thouſand fold.

Whereupon leaving her to try what reſt ſhe could take, being very much waſted in her ſpirits; we had not bin long in our Beds ere we were call'd out in haſt to take our laſt leave of her; but her precious ſoul, impatient of longer diſtance p. 70from her Beloved, did upon [her] Lords day in the morning as early as the light might ſerve to denominate it day, take its flight to the mountains of ſpices, there to celebrate an eternal Sabbath in the boſom and embraces of her Heavenly-Bridegroom.

A Second thing ſhe did upon her Dying-Bed, was before the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, his Elect Angels, and thoſe Chriſtians which were about her, to make a full and clear Profeſſion of her Faith. Wherein, though ſhe took the Creed (commonly called Apoſtolical) for her Text: Yet ſhe did not content her ſelf to do it in that ſteril verbal way, of a literal repetion, (as the mode of moſt ignorant people is) but upon evey Article and Clauſe, as ſhe went, enlarged her ſelf in ſo ſpiritual and ſavory a Paraphraſe of her own, as did marvelloufly affect the hearers, in ſo much that they afterward accuſed themſelves of robbery againſt their own ſouls, that they had not taken the paines to make that legible to their eyes, which ſhe had made audible to their eares.

Her third and laſt dying work was, to give Counſels and Inſtructions to her ſurviving Relations that were about her; p. 71which were ſo full, ſerious and ſuitable, that ſhe ſeemed (as indeed ſhe vvas) to be acted above her ſelf, her ſpiritual and Heavenly ſelf, acting the weak Organ of her body, as long as there was any paſſive capacity left in it.

In a word, ſhe hath left as many Mourners behind her, as knew her, whether good or bad. The worſt in the place where ſhe lived, have given her this Teſtimony, That if ſhe be not gone to Heaven, never any went thither; which puts us to find out a new expoſition of our Lords Text, Woe unto you, Luk. 6.20.Luke 6:20when all men ſhall ſpeak well of you, &c. As for you Beloved, remember the Text, and make it your work to be her followers, to imitate her in her Graces and gracious Converſation, vvhoſe Faith follow, Heb. 13.7. It is time to conclude. But though I have given you divers Motives in the Grounds and Reaſons of the Doctrine; yet for your ſpecial provocation and encouragement, who are of her Family and dear Relations, give me leave to add ſome ſpecial Incentives and Conſiderations, to quicken you to a vigorous imitation of ſo excellent a Pattern.

It were a fruitleſs ſorrow to go to the Sepulchre (with Mary) to weep there: Joh. 11.13John 11:13It p. 72is a more profitable work, to enquire how vve may recruit our loſs; how we may expound Sampſons Riddle to get meat out of the Eater, and out of the ſtrong, ſweetneſs; hovv to make a gain of our great affliction; and that is the thing I would gladly preſs upon you in a fevv Motives and Conſiderations.

Firſt, Without a ſerious imitation of her pious example, that which was our mercy and priviledge in the enjoying of her, will turn to our ſin and the aggravation of our loſs. Heb. 11.7. foreign.Heb 11:7It is ſaid of Noah, He cocondemned the World, &c. How? his Preaching and his Pattern, being not followed, ſhould riſe up in judgement againſt that Reproba…e generation,Mat. 12, 21, 22.Matt 12:21Matt 12:22 and condemn them; ſo likewiſe our Lord tells the impenitent Jews that the Men of Niniveh, and the Queen of the South ſhould riſe up in judgement with that generation, and condemn them. (i.e.) The example of thoſe poor Infidels not prevailing with them, to move them to repentance, and timely and ſerious diligence in the great concerments of ſalvation (having Chriſt himſelf, a greater then Jonas or Solomon to be their Preacher) ſhould in the day of judgement riſe up as a witneſs, and an aggravation of their obſtinate impenitency.

p. 73Dear Sirs, We have had the light of this moſt excellent pattern, ſhining within our Walls for diverſe years laſt paſt, (ſome of us more, ſome fewer) give me leave to tell you, even weeping, … it leave no bettering influence upon us. … will give in a judicial teſtimony againſt … in the great day.

She hath bin a witneſs from God to us, if (by a practical improvement of what we have ſeen divine and excellent in her) we receive not her teſtimony, ſhe will be a witneſs for God againſt us, when our Lord ſhall come to call us to an account. And O how terrible will that be! What a dreadful addition to our miſery; when to the loſs of ſuch a bleſſing ſhall be added the Curſe of our non-improvement of it!

Friends, it had been better never to have been Mother to ſuch a Child, never to have been Husband to ſuch a Wife, never to have been adopted to ſuch a Mother, or Servant to ſuch a Miſtris, never to have enjoyed fellowſhip with ſuch a friend; then, (when all is done) to have her come in as a witneſs againſt us, in the great day of Judgement.

Oh to have bin poſſeſt of ſuch a mercy ſo many years, (as it were for no other p. 74end then to render our ſin the greater, and our condemnation the more grievious! that the very remembrance of her ſhould add to our torment, this will be intollerable! Oh that the ſerious conſideration of our danger, might awaken us to a fruitful contention of being like her!

A Second Motive, 2. Motive. It will prevent a double ſin. 1 Envy.This will prevent a double ſin.

The firſt is that whereby we are very apt to envy the praiſes of them which are better then our ſelves.

The Scripture obſerves ſuch a baſeneſs in our degenerate natures,Jam. 4.5.Jas 4:5 the ſpirit that dwelleth in us luſteth to envy. It is uſual in Scripture to call the bent and ſtrong inclination of the ſoul (either to good or evil) (Spirit,) ſo it calls a worldly frame of heart the ſpirit of the world. 1 Cor. 2.12 Hoſ. 4.12. Iſa. 19.14.1 Cor 2:12Hos 4:12Isa 19:14An whoriſh diſpoſition the ſpirit of whoredome, frowardneſs of heart a perverſe ſpirit, &c.

So here, a malignant diſpoſition towards others, a ſpirit luſting to envy; carrying men ſtrongly to fret, and envy at the graces or praiſes of our brethren. We have it as ſoon as we come into the world, and it is an hard matter to kill it wholly, before we die our ſelves; it is almoſt an epidemical diſeaſe: We cannot bear the praiſes of them that out-ſhine us.

p. 75And there is pride, and ſelf-love at the bottom of it, whereby we are ready to think, that thoſe Eulogies and Commendations which are aſcribed to others, are due rather to our ſelves; the Laurel of praiſes would better become our Temples. Hence Saint James, having mentioned envy, ſpeaks in the verſe immediately following, of pride, as the root of that bitter fruit; God reſiſts the proud, &c. Hence the humble mans queſtion is, Who am I? The proud mans queſtion is, Who am I not? Am not I as good as ſuch a one? Wherein am I inferiour to ſuch and ſuch? Hath the Lord indeed ſpoken only by Moſes?Num. 12.2.Num 12:2 hath he not ſpoken alſo by us? Thus Aaron and Mirian envyed Moſes.

Jam. 4.5. Ad ſolamen calamitatis ſuae non deſinit perditus perdere, Men. Fel. Oct.Jas 4:5It is a ſin as the Text that dwelleth in the Saints, but it reigns in the wicked; the Devils proper ſin: He is an envious ſpirit, envying God his glory, and the Saints their felicity and honour; the Devil firſt envyed us the favour of God, and ever ſince we have envyed one another.

Well, it is our diſeaſe: Yea, but an holy imitation of our betters, will help us to mortifie and cure it by an humble and conſcientious reflection upon our ſelves: Thus, I am ready to envy them which excel p. 76in grace, but am I as careful to imitate them; their graces and excellencies will carry them to heaven, but my envy may ſink me to Hell, from whence it came; while I ſhould imitate the Saints in their graces, behold I imitate the Devil, in envying thoſe graces! Ah what will become of ſuch a wretch as I am!

A ſecond ſin,2 Sin. Flattery. which Imitation of thoſe that excel us, will (happily) prevent, is that whereby we are prone to reſt in a ſleight commendation of their perſons. If we give them a few good words; If we can but ſay, Oh ſuch a Miniſter was an excellent Preacher, he had a rare gift in prayer, a man of admirable parts, and of ſingular piety, &c. Such a man was a man of great worth and incomparable abilities! Such a woman was a woman of a meek ſpirit, one that had much communion with God, an holy woman, of large bowels and compaſſions to the afflicted Church and people of God, &c. I ſay, if we can but give them a good Character, though we never contend after an holy imitation of their virtues, we think we have done enough, and there's an end.

But my Beloved know we thus much.

Firſt that Commendation without Imitation, p. 77is but an unprofitable Complement, Jam. 2.16Jas 2:16juſt ſuch another thing as (in the matter of Charity) is as Saint James his, Be ye warmed, be ye filled, and give them neither fire nor food, &c. or like an handful of flowers ſtrewed upon the Graves of the dead, which makes the Corps ſmell never the ſweeter.

Secondly, Yea Commendation without Im…tation, is but our Condemnation; we condemn our ſelves of groſs hypocriſie, while we commend them; for if we believe that precious, which we commend, why do we not imitate them? If we do not, why do we commend them? Thou Hypocrite why doth thy tongue belie thy heart? or thy life contradict thy tongue? Out of thine own mouth thou ſhalt be condemned.

For the curing therefore of this vanity, apply we our ſelves to a ſincere and induſtrious following of their gracious examples. If we did really believe that conformity to them were our duty, and that ſuch choice Patterns (whether of the departed, or of the ſurviving Saints) were a talent for which we muſt be reſponſable to our Lord, (as well as for the Word and Sacraments, and other helps to ſalvation) that our non-improvement of our Patterns p. 78as well as of our Precepts, will render us unprofitable ſervants; it would frighten us out of our torpor and ſluggiſhneſs, and make us tremble to ſatisfie our ſelves with a frigid and fruitleſs commendation of their ſhining excellencies.

A Third Motive, By a faithful imitation of her vertues, 3. Motive. Imitation makes the abſent perſon, preſent.we may ſtill enjoy our loſt Relation. Imitation (like Faith) brings the object and the faculty together. The Limner draws not his Picture without the Perſon or the Effigies before him: Imitation makes abſent perſons to dwell together; by our imitation of our deceaſed Relation, we may preſerve our converſe with her, and ſhe being dead, will yet ſpeak with us; & that in a more excellent manner, then while ſhe was yet in the body: We may have Communion with her pure, ſpiritual, unmixt ſelf; her ſelf abſtracted from what ever was carnal or terene in her; a communion of an higher & more Angelical nature & advantage, then that which the beſt of Saints are capable of in this lower region; what Prelation the Apoſtle aſcribeth to the Communion, which the Apoſtles and other Saints had with Chriſt after his Aſcention, above that which they attained, while he was with them on earth; p. 79namely, that whereas the converſe they had with him in the dayes of his fleſh, was but after the fleſh, in a Civil, Natural, Humane way; ſuch as poor, weak, ignorant, indigent ſervants have with a rich, powerful, wiſe bountiful Lord; (they converſt not with him in his Divine or Mediatory capacity as he came into the world to ſave ſinners; nor improved the converſe they had to heavenly uſes:) But when he vvas exalted to the Right-Hand of the Majeſty on High, they enjoyed Communion with him in a ſpiritual and ſaving manner, befitting the Majeſty of that State, to which he was exalted:1 Joh. 1.3.1 John 1:3 Truly our Fellowſhip is with the Father, and with his Son Jeſus Chriſt; with the Father by the Son, with the Son in the Father; miſterious and beatifical

I ſay, in ſuch a prelation (in an Evangelical proportion) ſtands that converſe and fellowſhip which we may enjoy with our deceaſed friend, now uncloathed and ſtript of what ever was Earthly, or ſavoured of corruption, by minding and imitating what vvas of an heavenly and divine extraction in her. Yea ſuch a Communion we may have with her in our degree, (ſetting aſide what is earthly and carnal in our p. 80ſelves) as her ſelf now enjoyeth, with the Spirits of juſt men made perfect, with Grace,Heb. 12.23.Heb 12:23 and nothing elſe but Grace.

And for this end (uſualy) God doth remove from us the Relations in which we took the greateſt delight and complacency, namely for the correcting of our ſenſuality; and for the awakening of us, to a more ſpiritual and heavenly improvement, either which we have with Saints on Earth, or which we may with Saints departed, in their ſeparate and heavenly ſlate. Upon this very account our Lord tells his Diſciples,Joh. 16.7.John 16:7 It is expedient for you, that I go away; for if I go not away the comforter will not come; but if I go I will ſend him unto you.

The removal of Chriſt his Corporal preſence, made vvay for his preſence in the ſpirit; many times the ſenſual and Earthy part of our deſirable Relations, ſtands between that ſpiritual traffick we might have with them, and that heavenly fruit, vve might reap from them; in which caſe, God ſees it expedient to take them from us.

My Beloved, Is there ſuch gain to be made by the loſs of our gracious friends? Is our ſpiritual life bound up in their premature death? Let us ſtudy to experience

p. 81It was our folly, that we did put God to exerciſe us with ſo ſharp a Diſcipline; and that may keep us from murmuring; have we not procured this unto our ſelves?Jer. 2.17.Jer 2:17

But now not to profit by this Diſcipline, will be our ſin, and the aggravation of our ſorrows. I have obſerved that there is in every affliction and mercy that is before us, a bleſſing and a ſnare; a bleſſing in every affliction, and a ſnare in every mercy; yea both …n both: Now then it is worth our ſerious …houghts, what a tremendous judgement it is, by our blindneſs and folly, to run into the ſnare, and to loſe the bleſſing; pray we for eyes to ſee the ſnare, and for grace to avoid, and to diſcover the bleſſing to improve …t. Lord God (ſaid Abraham) what wilt …hou give me ſeeing I go Childleſs? God had denyed him one Bleſſing, Gen. 22.16.17.Gen 22:16Gen 22:17and he beggs of God to make him amends for it, with ſomething as good or better. Do we likewiſe; ſay we to him, Lord God, thou haſt taken away my Wife, my Child, my Mother, my gracious friend; what will thou give me, for her? Our friends are a Loan, **1 Sam. 2.20. & 1.28. Vis ista non ingrata est Deo ſed vehementer a… cepta. Calv. upon Jacobs wrestling.1 Sam 2:201 Sam 1:28whom when we chearfully reſign up to God, God accounts himſelf our Debter, and he gives us leave to plead the Debt, and not to let him go untill he hath paid it; with ſuch holy incivility God is well pleaſed; let us then come with p. 82boldneſs to the Throne of Grace, and ſay, Lord thou haſt deprived me of my ſweet natural and evangelical ſociety with my dear Relation; Lord compenſate it in a ſpiritual converſe with, and an heavenly imitation of her graces, that I may be like her in faith, in patience, in holineſs, and in every other fruit of the ſpirit, wherewith ſhe was beautified: Let a double portion of her ſpirit reſt upon me, and the debt is paid.

A fourth Motive, 4 Motive, It is an Antidote againſt Sorrow.A ſerious imitation of her Graces, will prove a Soveraign Antidote againſt exceſſive ſorrow for her loſs.

It is a fruitleſs trouble to go to the Sepulchre to weep there with Mary and can only ſerve (if alone) to adde to our affliction; and ſurely while we do aggravate our loſs, we do alſo aggravate our ſin, and do as it were ſummon God to our Tribunal, and there accuſe him of Injuſtice. While we weep with Rachel, and refuſe to be comforted, we do ſullenly throw away the mercies we leave, and ſay as it were, Nay if God will not let me enjoy this mercy, let him take all: Thus we deſpiſe the mercies we enjoy. I will go down into the Grave to my Son mourning, Gen. 37.35.Gen 37:35ſaid old Jacob, when he thought, he had loſt his Joſeph: Sorrow makes him to ſay he knows not what; go down into the grave! and what if he did? Could he have imbraced hi… p. 83Joſeph there? Is there any converſe in the Grave? Or do the dead comfort one another? Exceſs of ſorrow obnubilates reaſon, and maketh us loſe our ſelves after we have loſt …ur darlings. Oh how much better is it, …o take up their graces by an holy imitation; Eliſha got more by taking up Elijahs gar…ent, then he would have done if he had …ood ſtill, crying, My Father, My Father, &c. the Mantle of the Saints graces, will …elp up to divide the waters of affliction, that …e may go through them, and not be drown…d with overmuch ſorrow; partly, by divert…g the ſtream into another Channel, a right …hannel; a due comparing our ſelves with …ch Patterns, will diſcover to us wherein we …e defective; and ſo lead us to mourn after …godly manner, rather for the want of their …races, then for the loſs of their ſociety; to …eep out ſuch complaints, Ah how unlike … I to my dear Wife, Child, Siſter, Friend! …ow do I fall ſhort of her meekneſs and hu…ility; of her ſeriouſneſſe in Religion; of …er cloſe walking with God; of her cha…ity, …ith, patience, &c. Oh wretch that I am! …ow ſhall I come to be like unto her? Why …ow, this is a ſorrow, that will bear its own …arges, and better our hearts! Such teares …ll ſerve to waſh off our ſpots and blemiſhes! …eſſed are they, who (thus) mourn.

p. 84And partly, our continual eying of the… excellencies, will preſent us with freſh evide… ces of their glory in heavenly places. Th… will ſerve (from time to time) as a perfume… Handkercheif to wipe off tears from our eye Well, why ſhould I weep? She is happy, … loſs is her gain; while I am mourning … Earth, ſhe is triumphing in Heaven; while am weeping amongſt ſinners, ſhe is ſingi… Hallelujahs in the Celeſtial Quire of Sai… and Angels; while I lament her abſence, … (having now experienced the Change) wo… not want one hour of the Communion with… innumerable company of Angels, the general … ſembly of the firſt born which are written … heaven; Heb. 12.22 23, 24.Heb 12:22and with God the Judge of all, … with the ſpirits of juſt men made perfect, … with Jeſus the Mediator of the new Covena… I ſay ſhe would not want one houres Com… nion in Heaven which ſhe now poſſeſſeth, … a thouſand of the beſt daies that ever ſhe ſp… with us in the Land of the living.

And laſtly, This continual beholding … example, will dry up the ſtream of our ſorro… while, thereby we ſhall (in Gods way) ſe… to our ſelves a future fellowſhip with her glory. God hath linked Grace, and Gl… together by an unſeparable connexion: that if we carefully mark every ſtep of Saints holy feet, of which they have left p. 85any print, and endeavour to tread exactly in them, It will infallibly bring us to their glory; what God hath joyned together all the Powers of darkneſs, ſhall never be able to put aſunder. Here is work, Chriſtians, in finitely to bear its own charges, and compenſate your labour with unſpeakable reward.

A fifth Motive; 5. Motive. The greateſt honour we can do her. Ea demum est vera religio imitari quem colis Lactant.An exact imitation of her eminent graces, is the greateſt honour we can lawfully put upon her. As it is our tru…ſt worſhipping of God to labour to be like him; ſo to imitate our gracious friends, is the higheſt veneration they are capable of; ſhould we bring Oxen and Garlands, to do ſacrifice unto her, as Jupiters Prieſts would have done to Barnabas and Paul, Act. 14.13. Or ſhould we pray unto her and worſhip her as the Papiſts do to their Saints and Images, we pay her an honour not due, which would be a fruitleſs piece of Idolatry, as to her, Sacrilegious as to God, and pernicious as to our own ſouls. Whereas conſcientiouſly to inſiſt in her ſteps and to ſet her up as a pattern for our religious imitation, 6. Motive. The greateſt expreſſion of our thankfulneſs to God.will be a laudable Teſtimony before men, that ſhe was highly honourable in our eyes; and a ſacrifice wherewith God is well pleaſed: And this hints,

A Sixth Motive; Carefully to follow her pious example, is the beſt thankfulneſs we can render to God for her.

p. 86Two things are to be done if we would be thankful; The firſt is to ſee God in thoſe graces and qualifications wherewith ſhe was beautified. To commend her for her holineſs, meekneſs, love to God and his Saints, fellow-feeling with Gods ſuffering people, her faith, patience, her wiſdom, temperance, prudence, mercy, &c. and no more, were to magnifie Her, but to neglect God; as if ſhe had made her ſelf to differ, or had ſhined by vertue of a ſelf-born light. She was thus and thus, I, but who made her ſo? Here's our thankfulneſs to acknowledge God the fountain whence all theſe ſtreams of perfection did emanare and iſſue forth; So it was with thoſe, they returned glorifying of God, who had given ſuch gifts unto men: This is right to ſee God, and to admire God in the gifts and graces of his ſervants, to look upon all the excellencies of the Saints as ſo many Reflections of the divine nature in them.

To overlook God in the graces of the Saints, is pride and ingratitude; but to deny God, were Atheiſm. And as often as we call to mind the graces of our dear friend or friends, let us contemplate and admire the infinite fulneſs that is in Jeſus Chriſt of whoſe fulneſs they received, and grace for grace, and yet in compariſon of whom, her brightneſs was but darkneſs, and her perfections, p. 87(pardon the word) but ſmall ſparks of that …un of Righteouſneſs, but little drops of that …mmenſe Ocean of divine fulneſs that dwells in Him.

The ſecond expreſſion and teſtimony of our …hankfulneſs after our owning of God, and a…cribing all the glory to God, I ſay the ſecond …hing is, To write after her Copy, to imi…ate thoſe virtues for which we would be …hankful; while we labour to be like her, we do …eally bleſs God in expreſſing the true end and deſign of divine Grace, in leaving ſuch a piece of heaven ſo long in our Cuſtody; improvement of mercies is our beſt thankfulneſs for mercies; while we do indeed make uſe of ſuch living Directories for our better glorifying of God, we do offer him praiſe; and ordering our converſations aright, we ſhall (in the end) ſee the ſalvation of God.

A Seventh Motive, 7. Motive. Hereby we ſhall entail Religion upon our Family.A ſevere and conſtant imitation of her worthy example, will be a bleſſed expedient of entailing Religion upon our family; while each ſurviving Relation, (Oh that it might be out honour) ſhall really endeavour in our perſons to derive down a pr…ctical memorial of her Piety, we ſhall keep Religion alive in the Family, and teach our poſterity how to glorifie God.

Although Saints do not propagate Saints by natural Generation; yet may even the barren p. 88womb. and dry l…ynes, thus propagate Saints, b… ſpir… Imitation of the holy lives of them tha… have gone before us. Thus the Fathers to the Children may make know… Gods truth. Iſa. 3….19.Isa 3:19The Grandmother Lois to the Mother Eunice, and the Mother Eunice to her Son Timothy, 2 Tim. 1.5.2 Tim 1:5propagate the Faith.

Certainly holineſs may be transferred by Pattern, as well as by Precept, from one generation to … nother, and it is not education will do it with… example; the eye is the more creditable Inf… then the ear. Teach we our Children and E… ſo that they may ſee us: If our practice c… dict our …epts, we bid them (as it were) … … lieve …s; and take the next courſe to make th… Atheists. Let us labour by both, to leave an … Seed in our Families, of whom we may comfortably ſay when we come to die, (as our Lord … upon the Croſs) My ſeed ſhall ſerve him, it ſhall b… counted to the Lord for a Generation.Pſ. 22.30.Ps 22:30

Eighthly and Laſtly, By this means (throu… divine Grace) We ſhall provide for Death-… Comfort. As in reference to our dear Relation who is gone before us, Her Graces and graciou… life, teſtifieth comfortably concerning Her, th… ſhe is bleſſed in her death, Heb. 1….23Heb 1:23ſhe dyed in the Faith.

So our ſincere and vigorous imitation of thoſe graces, will bear a Comfortable Death-Bed Teſtimony of our future bleſſedneſs alſo. Conformity to her in Grace, will (by Scripture warrant) conclude a future Conformity to her in Glory; w… being followers of her in Faith and Patience, (as ſhe was a follower of Abraham, and other Believer in their ſeveral generations) we ſhall together with them and her, Vid. Motive. 4.3. Branch.inherit the promiſ…. But this hath bin already hinted, and therefor… we ſhall inſiſt on it no further.

Soli Deo Gloris.

FINIS.

End of the text · Thomas Case, The Imitation of the Saints (1666)