A true believer's choice and pleasure Instanced in the exemplary life of Mrs Mary Coxe, the late wife of Doctor Thomas Coxe. Preached for her funeral by Richard Baxter.
         Baxter, Richard, 1615-1691.
      
       
         
           1680
        
      
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             A true believer's choice and pleasure Instanced in the exemplary life of Mrs Mary Coxe, the late wife of Doctor Thomas Coxe. Preached for her funeral by Richard Baxter.
             Baxter, Richard, 1615-1691.
          
           [6], 65, [1] p.
           
             printed by R.E.,
             London :
             in the year, 1680.
          
           
             Caption title on p. 1 reads: A true believer's choice and pleasure, &c.
             Running title reads: A funeral sermon.
             Includes errata on A3v.
             Reproduction of the original in the Bodleian Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Coxe, Mary, d. 1679 -- Early works to 1800.
           Funeral sermons -- 17th century.
        
      
    
     
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           A
           True
           Believer's
           CHOICE
           AND
           PLEASURE
           .
        
         
           Instanced
           in
           The
           Exemplary
           LIFE
           OF
           Mrs
           MARY
           COXE
           ,
           The
           Late
           Wife
           of
           Doctor
           
             THOMAS
             COXE
          
           .
        
         
           Preached
           for
           her
           Funeral
           By
           
             RICHARD
             BAXTER
          
           .
        
         
           
             Prov.
             10.7
             .
          
           
             The
             memory
             of
             the
             just
             shall
             be
             blessed
             ,
             but
             the
             name
             of
             the
             wicked
             shall
             rot
             .
          
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           by
           R.E.
           in
           the
           Year
           ,
           1680.
           
        
      
       
         
         
         
           To
           my
           Worthy
           and
           much
           Honoured
           FRIEND
           ,
           Dr.
           THOMAS
           COXE
           .
        
         
           
             SIR
             ,
          
        
         
           THough
           your
           great
           Kindness
           and
           Care
           of
           the
           health
           of
           me
           and
           mine
           ,
           much
           oblige
           me
           to
           you
           ,
           and
           your
           Personal
           Worth
           much
           more
           ,
           and
           your
           worthy
           Children
           command
           my
           great
           Respect
           and
           Love
           ;
           yet
           none
           of
           these
           should
           have
           moved
           me
           to
           say
           a
           word
           of
           all
           that
           I
           have
           said
           of
           your
           deceased
           Wife
           ,
           which
           I
           had
           not
           verily
           believed
           to
           be
           true
           :
           And
           it
           was
           Gods
           Grace
           in
           her
           ,
           which
           much
           more
           commanded
           it
           ,
           than
           all
           my
           debt
           to
           you
           and
           yours
           .
        
         
           She
           was
           so
           Exemplary
           ,
           as
           that
           I
           think
           it
           my
           Duty
           for
           the
           good
           of
           others
           ,
           to
           make
           this
           Publication
           of
           her
           Character
           ,
           and
           of
           this
           Sermon
           .
        
         
         
           But
           one
           great
           Defect
           is
           here
           to
           be
           notified
           to
           the
           Reader
           ,
           That
           almost
           all
           her
           secret
           way
           of
           Duty
           ,
           and
           particular
           Converse
           is
           omitted
           ,
           which
           you
           that
           were
           still
           with
           her
           ,
           could
           have
           described
           ;
           For
           I
           thought
           meet
           to
           say
           no
           more
           than
           I
           either
           knew
           my self
           ,
           or
           was
           obvious
           and
           known
           to
           many
           .
        
         
           The
           words
           which
           I
           heard
           but
           yesterday
           from
           the
           mouth
           of
           your
           Brother
           in
           discourse
           ,
           were
           such
           as
           I
           doubt
           can
           be
           said
           of
           few
           ,
           that
           in
           so
           many
           Years
           ,
           
             from
             the
             hour
             of
             her
             Marriage
             ,
             to
             her
             Death
             ,
             she
             was
             never
             known
             to
             do
             one
             disobliging
             action
             ,
             or
             speak
             one
             disobliging
             word
             ,
             of
             or
             to
             any
             one
             of
             her
             Husbands
             Kindred
             or
             Relations
             .
          
        
         
           Had
           it
           seemed
           meet
           to
           you
           ,
           or
           to
           your
           worthy
           and
           ingenious
           Son
           ,
           and
           your
           pious
           Daughter
           (
           the
           true
           image
           of
           her
           Mother
           )
           to
           have
           been
           the
           Describer
           of
           the
           Soul
           and
           Life
           ,
           of
           this
           Exemplary
           Saint
           ,
           how
           much
           more
           fully
           could
           you
           have
           done
           it
           ,
           than
           I
           ,
           that
           was
           so
           much
           less
           acquainted
           with
           her
           .
        
         
         
           She
           is
           gone
           home
           ,
           and
           you
           and
           I
           are
           at
           the
           door
           ;
           The
           Lord
           give
           us
           so
           to
           live
           by
           Faith
           on
           the
           Promise
           and
           Love
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           things
           unseen
           ,
           that
           thence
           we
           may
           daily
           fetch
           our
           ruling
           Motives
           ,
           and
           stablishing
           Consolations
           ,
           and
           not
           from
           a
           transitory
           deceitful
           world
           ▪
           and
           following
           Christ
           and
           his
           Saints
           under
           the
           Cross
           ,
           may
           with
           them
           possess
           the
           incorruptible
           Crown
           ;
           and
           be
           found
           at
           his
           Call
           among
           those
           that
           love
           his
           appearing
           ,
           and
           be
           for
           ever
           with
           the
           Lord.
           
             Amen
             ,
             Amen
          
           .
        
         
           
             
               
                 Novemb.
                 19.
                 1679.
              
               
            
          
        
      
       
         
         
           ERRATA
           .
        
         
           PAge
           8.
           line
           1.
           for
           Angel
           read
           Angels
           .
           p.
           16.
           l.
           12.
           for
           suffient
           r.
           sufficient
           .
           p.
           27.
           l.
           13.
           r.
           
             in
             which
          
           .
           p.
           34.
           l.
           21.
           r.
           
             sent
             for
          
           .
           p.
           38.
           l.
           11.
           for
           
             It
             is
          
           r.
           
             Is
             it
          
           .
           p.
           43.
           l.
           6.
           for
           on
           r.
           of
           .
           l.
           7.
           for
           of
           r.
           on
           .
           p.
           58.
           l.
           4.
           for
           causeth
           r.
           cureth
           .
           p.
           61.
           l.
           12.
           for
           will
           r.
           would
           .
           p.
           62.
           l.
           14.
           for
           received
           r.
           refused
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           A
           True
           Believer's
           CHOICE
           and
           PLEASURE
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           
             
               PSAL.
               119.111
               .
            
             
               Thy
               Testimonies
               have
               I
               taken
               for
               an
               heritage
               for
               ever
               ;
               for
               they
               are
               the
               rejoycing
               of
               my
               heart
               .
            
          
        
         
           A
           Text
           that
           speaketh
           of
           Rejoycing
           ,
           and
           that
           in
           an
           heritage
           ,
           and
           an
           heritage
           for
           ever
           ,
           may
           seem
           unsuitable
           to
           a
           mournful
           Funeral
           :
           But
           it
           was
           chosen
           by
           our
           deceased
           friend
           ,
           and
           not
           without
           justifiable
           reason
           .
           That
           which
           was
           a
           day
           of
           Sorrow
           to
           us
           ,
           was
           a
           day
           of
           Rest
           and
           Joy
           to
           her
           ;
           and
           it
           was
           meet
           that
           she
           should
           foresee
           that
           Joy
           ,
           and
           tasting
           it
           in
           the
           first-fruits
           ,
           should
           commend
           that
           to
           us
           which
           she
           had
           
           found
           so
           sweet
           ,
           and
           would
           bring
           us
           to
           the
           felicity
           which
           she
           hath
           now
           obtained
           .
           If
           the
           damned
           sensualist
           ,
           Luk.
           16.
           would
           have
           had
           one
           sent
           from
           another
           world
           ,
           in
           hope
           to
           save
           his
           unbelieving
           Brethren
           ,
           no
           wonder
           if
           a
           holy
           person
           were
           desirous
           that
           others
           should
           partake
           of
           her
           pleasure
           and
           inheritance
           :
           and
           like
           the
           Lepers
           that
           found
           the
           Siege
           of
           Sama●ia
           raised
           ,
           would
           not
           feast
           and
           rejoyce
           alone
           .
           She
           chose
           this
           ,
           no
           doubt
           ,
           as
           that
           which
           was
           most
           lively
           imprinted
           on
           her
           own
           heart
           ,
           with
           a
           just
           desire
           that
           it
           might
           be
           imprinted
           also
           on
           the
           hearts
           of
           others
           ;
           that
           so
           we
           may
           not
           only
           rejoyce
           with
           her
           that
           now
           rejoyceth
           in
           the
           heavenly
           possession
           ,
           but
           ,
           as
           Paul
           saith
           ,
           Gal.
           6.4
           .
           
             Every
             man
             may
             prove
             his
             own
             works
             ,
             and
             so
             may
             have
             rejoycing
             in
             himself
             alone
             ,
             and
             not
          
           (
           only
           )
           
             in
             another
          
           .
           Let
           us
           therefore
           by
           God's
           assistance
           so
           improve
           these
           words
           ,
           as
           may
           conduce
           to
           this
           desired
           end
           .
        
         
           By
           God's
           [
           Testimonies
           ]
           here
           is
           meant
           that
           supernaturally
           revealed
           Law
           and
           Promise
           ▪
           which
           was
           possessed
           by
           the
           Church
           of
           the
           Jews
           ,
           as
           God's
           peculiar
           people
           ,
           supposing
           the
           Law
           of
           Nature
           ,
           and
           the
           common
           mercies
           
           which
           God
           had
           given
           to
           all
           the
           rest
           of
           faln
           mankind
           :
           Both
           the
           Precepts
           and
           Promises
           are
           here
           included
           ;
           the
           Types
           and
           their
           signification
           of
           the
           thing
           typified
           .
        
         
           [
           
             I
             have
             taken
             them
          
           ]
           signifieth
           ,
           I
           have
           
             believed
             them
          
           ,
           implying
           that
           God
           revealed
           them
           ;
           and
           I
           have
           
             Accepted
             them
          
           ,
           implying
           ,
           that
           
             God
             had
             Offered
             them
          
           ;
           and
           
             I
             have
             chosen
             them
          
           ,
           implying
           the
           preferring
           them
           before
           all
           competitors
           ;
           and
           
             I
             have
             trusted
             them
          
           ,
           as
           signifying
           their
           special
           use
           ,
           for
           the
           
             guiding
             ,
             stablishing
             ,
             quieting
          
           ,
           and
           saving
           of
           the
           soul
           .
        
         
           [
           
             For
             an
             heritage
          
           ]
           signifieth
        
         
           1.
           
           As
           that
           which
           I
           trust
           to
           as
           my
           security
           for
           an
           
             heavenly
             Inheritance
          
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           And
           as
           that
           which
           now
           is
           my
           
             best
             portion
          
           while
           I
           am
           in
           the
           way
           ,
           (
           including
           the
           things
           connoted
           .
           )
        
         
           3.
           
           And
           as
           that
           which
           I
           prefer
           before
           all
           Wealth
           and
           worldly
           Heritage
           .
           Alexander
           and
           Caesar
           had
           larger
           Dominions
           than
           David
           ;
           but
           neither
           of
           them
           was
           King
           of
           God's
           peculiar
           People
           ,
           that
           had
           possession
           of
           his
           Oracles
           ,
           nor
           had
           the
           Promises
           which
           he
           had
           ,
           that
           Christ
           should
           be
           his
           
           Son
           and
           Successor
           on
           his
           Throne
           .
        
         
           The
           word
           [
           
             for
             ever
          
           ]
           relateth
           both
           to
           the
           
             Inheritance
             as
             everlasting
          
           ,
           and
           also
           to
           David's
           choice
           ,
           as
           immutably
           hereupon
           determined
           .
        
         
           They
           are
           said
           to
           be
           the
           
             Rejoycing
             of
             the
             heart
             aptitudinally
          
           in
           themselves
           ,
           which
           caused
           him
           to
           choose
           them
           ,
           and
           actually
           ,
           because
           he
           had
           
             chosen
             ,
             believed
             ,
             loved
          
           ,
           and
           obeyed
           them
           .
        
         
           So
           that
           this
           is
           the
           sum
           of
           the
           sense
           [
           
             worldly
             men
             make
             choice
             of
             a
             worldly
             Inheritance
             ,
             and
             hopes
             ,
             and
             on
             this
             they
             trust
             ;
             and
             in
             this
             they
             seek
             their
             chiefest
             pleasure
             :
             But
             I
             ,
             though
             blessed
             largely
             with
             thy
             bounty
             ,
             have
             suffered
             many
             afflictions
             in
             the
             world
             :
             But
             thy
             Word
             hath
             been
             my
             Guide
             ,
             and
             thy
             Promises
             still
             fulfilled
             to
             me
             ;
             and
             experience
             hath
             confirmed
             my
             Faith
             and
             Resolution
             ,
             to
             lay
             all
             my
             Hope
             upon
             thy
             Word
             or
             Covenant
             ,
             both
             for
             this
             life
             ,
             and
             that
             to
             come
             ,
             and
             from
             it
             I
             seek
             and
             fetch
             my
             comfort
             :
             It
             hath
             been
             my
             joy
             in
             all
             my
             sorrows
             ,
             and
             in
             it
             to
             the
             last
             will
             I
             rejoyce
          
           ]
           This
           is
           the
           sense
           of
           the
           Text
           ,
           from
           which
           we
           are
           all
           taught
           .
        
         
           
           Doct.
           That
           God's
           Covenant
           or
           Testimonies
           are
           the
           true
           Believers
           Heritage
           for
           ever
           ,
           and
           as
           such
           are
           trusted
           and
           chosen
           by
           him
           ;
           and
           therefore
           among
           all
           the
           allurements
           and
           the
           crosses
           of
           this
           world
           ,
           are
           the
           support
           and
           rejoycing
           of
           his
           heart
           .
        
         
           
             In
             the
             handling
             this
             I
             shall
             shew
             you
          
           
             I.
             
               What
               it
               is
               in
               God's
               Testimonies
            
             which
             make
             them
             fit
             to
             be
             our
             Heritage
             ,
             and
             our
             Joy
             ?
          
           
             II.
             How
             they
             are
             called
             an
             
               Heritage
               for
               ever
            
             ?
          
           
             III.
             How
             they
             are
             so
             taken
             by
             Believers
             ?
          
           
             IV.
             How
             far
             they
             are
             their
             Joy
             ?
          
        
         
           I.
           In
           God's
           Covenant
           or
           Testimonies
           there
           is
           1.
           
           The
           Author
           .
           2.
           
           The
           Mediator
           .
           3.
           
           The
           applying
           Agent
           .
           4.
           
           The
           ascertaining
           Revelation
           .
           5.
           
           The
           Donative
           or
           Benefit
           given
           .
           6.
           
           The
           Guiding
           Doctrine
           and
           Law.
           7.
           
           And
           the
           Persons
           or
           Subjects
           connoted
           to
           whom
           all
           this
           is
           suited
           ,
           to
           be
           an
           Heritage
           for
           ever
           ,
           and
           the
           rejoycing
           of
           their
           hearts
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           The
           Author
           is
           God
           ,
           the
           Lord
           of
           us
           
           and
           all
           ;
           in
           whose
           hand
           and
           will
           is
           our
           Soul
           and
           Body
           ,
           our
           Life
           and
           Death
           ,
           our
           Health
           and
           Sickness
           ,
           our
           Joy
           and
           Sorrow
           ,
           whose
           loving-kindness
           is
           life
           ,
           and
           better
           than
           life
           ,
           Psal
           .
           63.3
           .
           who
           ,
           if
           he
           will
           can
           make
           us
           whole
           and
           happy
           ,
           and
           who
           hath
           told
           us
           what
           he
           will
           do
           by
           his
           Covenant
           :
           He
           wanteth
           not
           Love
           ,
           for
           he
           is
           Love
           it self
           ;
           Essential
           ,
           Infinite
           
             Self
             love
          
           ,
           communicating
           to
           his
           creatures
           such
           Love
           as
           his
           Wisdom
           seeth
           meet
           for
           them
           to
           receive
           .
           The
           Love
           that
           gave
           us
           the
           Mediator
           and
           the
           Covenant
           ,
           will
           certainly
           perform
           it
           :
           It
           was
           of
           mercy
           that
           he
           promised
           :
           It
           is
           now
           of
           mercy
           and
           justice
           that
           he
           perform
           it
           .
           He
           wanteth
           not
           Wisdom
           to
           Rule
           the
           world
           by
           Truth
           and
           Goodness
           ,
           and
           needeth
           not
           deceit
           and
           
             falshood
             hereunto
          
           ,
           nor
           to
           flatter
           such
           worms
           as
           we
           into
           obedience
           .
           Nor
           doth
           he
           that
           maintaineth
           Heaven
           and
           Earth
           ,
           want
           power
           to
           make
           good
           all
           his
           Word
           ;
           nor
           is
           there
           any
           adverse
           power
           to
           make
           it
           difficult
           ,
           and
           hazard
           the
           success
           .
           Indeed
           ,
           he
           that
           seriously
           considereth
           the
           Divine
           Perfection
           ,
           will
           think
           it
           were
           more
           strange
           and
           incredible
           ,
           that
           God
           should
           not
           bless
           and
           glorifie
           the
           
           faithful
           ,
           according
           to
           his
           Word
           .
           If
           it
           be
           credible
           that
           the
           Sun
           sends
           forth
           its
           illuminating
           and
           enlivening
           beams
           so
           far
           and
           wide
           ,
           to
           so
           many
           millions
           of
           various
           creatures
           (
           though
           it
           scorch
           the
           unsuitable
           objects
           that
           are
           too
           neer
           ;
           )
           it
           is
           credible
           that
           God
           who
           is
           Infinite
           Goodness
           ,
           should
           bless
           the
           capable
           with
           heavenly
           Glory
           !
           And
           did
           we
           not
           see
           that
           sin
           maketh
           many
           uncapable
           ,
           it
           would
           be
           harder
           to
           reason
           to
           believe
           that
           all
           shall
           not
           be
           blessed
           by
           such
           a
           God
           ,
           than
           that
           all
           the
           faithful
           shall
           be
           blessed
           .
           And
           we
           find
           ,
           that
           though
           both
           be
           hard
           to
           unbelievers
           ,
           they
           are
           of
           the
           two
           more
           hardly
           brought
           to
           believe
           the
           Threatnings
           ,
           than
           the
           Promises
           of
           God.
           What
           wonder
           is
           it
           that
           Infinite
           
             Power
             ,
             Wisdom
          
           and
           Love
           ,
           should
           make
           some
           of
           his
           creatures
           blessed
           by
           communication
           ?
           and
           Man
           in
           special
           when
           he
           hath
           made
           him
           capable
           of
           it
           ?
        
         
           And
           what
           greater
           satisfaction
           and
           security
           can
           a
           fearful
           ,
           troubled
           ,
           dying
           man
           have
           than
           the
           Infallible
           word
           of
           the
           most
           gloririous
           God.
           Sure
           he
           that
           firmly
           believeth
           it
           to
           be
           his
           Word
           ,
           can
           hardly
           choose
           but
           believe
           that
           it
           is
           true
           ,
           and
           meet
           for
           our
           most
           quieting
           trust
           .
        
         
         
           2.
           
           The
           Angel
           and
           Moses
           were
           the
           Mediators
           of
           the
           Jewish
           Law
           :
           But
           the
           Eternal
           Word
           incarnate
           is
           the
           Mediator
           of
           the
           New
           Covenant
           ;
           promised
           only
           before
           (
           to
           
             Abraham
             ,
             David
          
           ,
           &c.
           yea
           to
           Adam
           )
           but
           sent
           when
           made
           man
           in
           the
           fulness
           of
           time
           ,
           Gal.
           4.4
           .
           And
           it
           must
           needs
           be
           a
           sure
           and
           excellent
           Covenant
           which
           is
           made
           and
           confirmed
           by
           such
           a
           Mediator
           ,
           named
           in
           the
           Prophecy
           ,
           Isa
           .
           9.6
           .
           
             Wonderful
             ,
             Counsellor
             ,
             the
             Mighty
             God
             ,
             the
             everlasting
             Father
             ,
             the
             Prince
             of
             Peace
             ,
             of
             the
             increase
             of
             whose
             Government
             and
             Peace
             there
             is
             no
             end
             :
             he
             is
             the
             heir
             of
             all
             things
             by
             whom
             the
             Worlds
             were
             made
             ,
             the
             Brightness
             of
             God's
             Glory
             ;
             the
             express
             Image
             of
             his
             Person
             ;
             and
             upholding
             all
             things
             by
             the
             word
             of
             his
             power
             ;
             made
             better
             than
             Angels
             ;
             having
             by
             Inheritance
             obtained
             a
             more
             excellent
             name
          
           ;
           whom
           all
           the
           Angels
           of
           God
           do
           worship
           ;
           and
           for
           whom
           they
           disdain
           not
           to
           minister
           to
           the
           Faithful
           .
           It
           is
           a
           sure
           and
           comfortable
           Doctrine
           which
           must
           have
           such
           a
           Preacher
           sent
           from
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           a
           certain
           Covenant
           which
           hath
           such
           a
           wonderful
           Mediator
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           But
           it
           is
           not
           like
           the
           powerless
           word
           of
           man
           ,
           but
           the
           
             Holy
             Spirit
          
           of
           the
           Father
           and
           
           the
           Son
           undertaketh
           to
           accompany
           it
           ,
           and
           as
           
             the
             Arm
             of
             God
          
           to
           set
           it
           home
           ,
           and
           make
           it
           effectual
           to
           its
           proper
           ends
           :
           We
           have
           not
           only
           heard
           this
           word
           ,
           but
           felt
           it
           :
           As
           we
           hear
           and
           feel
           the
           powerful
           Winds
           ,
           though
           we
           see
           them
           not
           ,
           and
           perceive
           not
           whence
           they
           come
           ,
           or
           whither
           they
           go
           :
           All
           have
           felt
           this
           who
           are
           born
           of
           the
           
             Spirit
             ,
             Joh.
          
           3.8
           .
           God
           spake
           not
           like
           man
           when
           he
           said
           ,
           
             Let
             there
             be
             light
             ,
             Gen.
          
           1.
           
           And
           he
           teacheth
           not
           like
           man
           ,
           when
           his
           Spirit
           by
           his
           Word
           doth
           quicken
           ,
           illuminate
           and
           regenerate
           Souls
           .
           It
           is
           
             a
             sure
             Covenant
          
           that
           hath
           such
           an
           
             inward
             Mediator
          
           ,
           such
           an
           Agent
           ,
           and
           Advocate
           ,
           and
           Witness
           of
           Christ
           ,
           speaking
           operatively
           from
           God
           to
           man
           ,
           and
           speaking
           prevailingly
           in
           man
           to
           God.
           
        
         
           4.
           
           And
           the
           sure
           manner
           of
           Revelation
           doth
           make
           it
           fit
           to
           be
           our
           Trust
           and
           Joy.
           As
           it
           beareth
           on
           it self
           the
           Image
           or
           Impress
           of
           
             God's
             Power
             ,
             Wisdom
          
           and
           Goodness
           ;
           so
           by
           powerful
           Miracles
           ,
           and
           manifold
           Wisdom
           ,
           and
           unmeasurable
           Goodness
           it
           hath
           been
           delivered
           ,
           sealed
           ,
           defended
           and
           propagated
           :
           And
           by
           a
           
             communicated
             Spirit
          
           of
           
             Life
             ,
             Light
          
           ,
           and
           Love
           in
           all
           sound
           Believers
           ,
           confirmed
           to
           this
           day
           .
        
         
         
           5.
           
           And
           what
           is
           it
           that
           with
           such
           glory
           and
           certainty
           is
           delivered
           to
           us
           from
           Heaven
           ?
           It
           is
           a
           Deed
           of
           Gift
           (
           thus
           sealed
           by
           
             Christ's
             Blood
          
           and
           Spirit
           )
           of
           Grace
           and
           Glory
           ;
           of
           Christ
           to
           be
           our
           Head
           ,
           and
           Lord
           ,
           and
           Husband
           ,
           and
           Life
           ,
           in
           and
           with
           him
           .
           John
           5.10
           ,
           12.
           of
           the
           free
           pardon
           of
           all
           our
           sins
           how
           many
           and
           great
           soever
           ,
           and
           of
           reconciliation
           with
           God
           ,
           and
           of
           justification
           by
           the
           blood
           and
           righteousness
           of
           our
           Redeemer
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           continued
           teaching
           ,
           preserving
           ,
           sanctifying
           ,
           strengthening
           ,
           comforting
           aid
           of
           the
           Holy
           Spirit
           ;
           of
           adoption
           and
           title
           to
           the
           
             Heavenly
             Inheritance
          
           ;
           that
           being
           Sons
           ,
           and
           having
           the
           Spirit
           of
           the
           Son
           ,
           by
           it
           we
           shall
           be
           sealed
           up
           to
           Glory
           ,
           and
           be
           made
           the
           Habitation
           and
           Temples
           of
           God
           :
           In
           a
           word
           ,
           it
           is
           a
           
             promise
             of
             this
             Life
          
           ,
           so
           far
           as
           that
           
             all
             things
             shall
             work
             together
             for
             our
             good
             ,
          
           Rom.
           8.28
           .
           and
           
             of
             the
             life
             which
             is
             to
             come
             ,
          
           where
           we
           shall
           live
           in
           Glory
           with
           Christ
           for
           ever
           .
           This
           is
           the
           sure
           and
           blessed
           Covenant
           of
           God.
           
        
         
           6.
           
           And
           what
           is
           the
           Doctrine
           and
           Laws
           of
           God
           ,
           are
           they
           not
           also
           suited
           to
           our
           Trust
           and
           Joy
           ?
           Is
           it
           not
           a
           delightful
           thing
           to
           read
           
           that
           which
           no
           meer
           man
           could
           tell
           us
           ?
           How
           God
           made
           Man
           and
           all
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           what
           Laws
           he
           gave
           him
           ?
           How
           sin
           came
           into
           the
           world
           ,
           and
           death
           by
           sin
           ?
           How
           God
           hath
           governed
           the
           World
           from
           the
           beginning
           ,
           and
           how
           he
           hath
           redeemed
           us
           ?
           What
           Christ
           is
           ,
           and
           what
           he
           hath
           done
           ,
           and
           what
           he
           will
           do
           ?
           And
           what
           
             man
             is
          
           ,
           and
           what
           he
           
             should
             be
          
           ,
           and
           what
           he
           
             shall
             be
          
           ,
           and
           do
           ,
           and
           have
           for
           ever
           .
        
         
           And
           what
           is
           there
           in
           
             God's
             Laws
          
           ,
           but
           that
           which
           
             is
             our
             safety
          
           ,
           and
           
             should
             be
             our
             joy
          
           ?
           If
           
             good
             Laws
          
           be
           the
           safety
           and
           honour
           of
           Kingdoms
           ,
           are
           not
           
             God's
             Laws
          
           so
           to
           all
           the
           World
           ?
           What
           an
           ugly
           Dungeon
           were
           the
           World
           without
           them
           ?
           and
           what
           a
           worse
           than
           bruitish
           thing
           were
           man
           ?
           O
           how
           happy
           were
           Man
           ,
           were
           Families
           ,
           were
           Cities
           ,
           were
           Kingdoms
           ,
           if
           all
           had
           made
           
             God's
             Laws
          
           their
           Rule
           ,
           and
           all
           
             Mens
             Laws
          
           and
           Lives
           had
           been
           ruled
           by
           them
           ?
           Then
           there
           would
           have
           been
           none
           but
           
             wise
             ,
             just
             ,
             and
             holy
             Rulers
             ,
          
           that
           would
           have
           governed
           for
           God
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           common
           good
           ,
           and
           Princes
           would
           have
           been
           indeed
           the
           
             Fathers
             of
             their
             Countries
          
           ,
           and
           
             Masters
             of
             their
             Families
          
           ,
           abhorring
           all
           contradicting
           selfish
           Interests
           ,
           and
           
           all
           Injustice
           ,
           Tyranny
           ,
           and
           Oppression
           .
           Then
           Subjects
           would
           have
           with
           
             reverence
             ,
             readiness
          
           ,
           and
           fidelity
           ,
           obeyed
           God
           ,
           in
           obeying
           and
           honouring
           their
           Parents
           ,
           Princes
           and
           Masters
           .
           Then
           all
           men
           would
           love
           their
           Neighbours
           as
           themselves
           ,
           and
           do
           as
           they
           would
           be
           done
           by
           ;
           Love
           and
           Justice
           would
           reign
           among
           all
           ,
           and
           
             Injury
             ,
             Partiality
          
           and
           Selfishness
           would
           be
           abhorred
           .
           And
           which
           of
           us
           cannot
           say
           ,
           Had
           I
           been
           ruled
           by
           
             God's
             Laws
          
           ,
           I
           had
           escaped
           all
           the
           guilt
           ,
           the
           shame
           ,
           the
           corrections
           ,
           the
           terrours
           that
           have
           befallen
           me
           ?
           It
           is
           our
           sin
           against
           that
           sacred
           Rule
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           cause
           of
           all
           our
           sorrows
           ;
           else
           what
           Peace
           might
           we
           have
           had
           in
           our
           Consciences
           ,
           in
           our
           Bodies
           ,
           in
           our
           Houses
           ,
           in
           our
           Cities
           and
           Countrey
           ,
           as
           having
           Peace
           with
           God.
           God's
           strictest
           Laws
           ,
           are
           but
           his
           strict
           forbidding
           us
           to
           destroy
           or
           hurt
           our selves
           and
           others
           ,
           as
           you
           forbid
           fire
           and
           water
           ,
           and
           Knives
           and
           Gunpowder
           ,
           surfeiting
           and
           poyson
           to
           your
           Children
           ,
           for
           their
           preservation
           .
        
         
           O
           how
           glad
           would
           every
           true
           Christian
           be
           ,
           if
           God's
           Laws
           were
           fuller
           written
           on
           his
           heart
           ,
           and
           he
           could
           but
           be
           and
           do
           all
           that
           God
           therein
           commandeth
           .
           For
           want
           of
           
           this
           
             perfect
             Conformity
          
           it
           is
           ,
           that
           he
           cryeth
           out
           with
           Paul
           ,
           Rom.
           7.
           
           
             To
             will
             is
             present
             with
             me
             ,
             but
             to
             do
             I
             find
             not
             —
             O
             wretched
             man
             that
             I
             am
             ,
             who
             shall
             deliver
             me
             from
             this
             body
             of
             death
             .
          
        
         
           How
           joyful
           should
           we
           be
           if
           we
           could
           but
           
             trust
             God
             ,
             and
             love
             him
             ,
             and
             obey
             him
             ,
          
           and
           be
           free
           from
           sin
           ,
           as
           much
           as
           the
           Law
           of
           God
           commandeth
           us
           ?
           We
           testifie
           therefore
           
             that
             the
             Law
             is
             holy
             ,
             and
             just
             ,
             and
             good
             ,
          
           while
           we
           repent
           that
           we
           break
           it
           ,
           and
           wish
           that
           we
           could
           better
           keep
           it
           :
           For
           this
           would
           keep
           our
           Souls
           from
           guilt
           and
           shame
           ,
           and
           terrors
           ,
           and
           our
           bodies
           from
           much
           calamity
           and
           pain
           ;
           all
           Gods
           ways
           are
           pleasantness
           ,
           and
           all
           his
           paths
           are
           peace
           .
           Great
           peace
           have
           they
           that
           love
           his
           Law
           ,
           and
           nothing
           shall
           offend
           them
           ;
           let
           Papists
           ▪
           hide
           it
           ,
           and
           accuse
           it
           ,
           and
           let
           the
           ignorant
           and
           malignant
           scorn
           it
           ,
           yet
           will
           Believers
           judge
           it
           fit
           for
           their
           confidence
           and
           delight
           .
        
         
           7.
           
           And
           the
           rather
           ,
           because
           that
           all
           this
           is
           admirably
           suited
           to
           our
           necessity
           .
           We
           are
           undone
           sinners
           !
           and
           had
           perished
           for
           ever
           ,
           without
           a
           Saviour
           ,
           and
           a
           pardoning
           Covenant
           .
           We
           are
           dark
           and
           foolish
           ,
           and
           should
           
           have
           erred
           to
           Damnation
           ,
           without
           this
           sure
           and
           heavenly
           guide
           ?
           We
           are
           beset
           with
           Temptations
           ,
           and
           how
           should
           we
           overcome
           them
           ,
           without
           
             God's
             promise
          
           of
           better
           things
           than
           this
           World
           can
           give
           us
           ?
           We
           are
           under
           manifold
           pains
           and
           sorrows
           ,
           and
           must
           shortly
           dye
           :
           And
           how
           should
           we
           undergo
           all
           this
           in
           peace
           ,
           if
           we
           had
           not
           hopes
           of
           future
           happiness
           ,
           and
           of
           that
           which
           will
           compensate
           all
           our
           losses
           ?
           We
           have
           a
           life
           of
           service
           to
           God
           ,
           which
           must
           be
           faithfully
           and
           chearfully
           done
           ;
           and
           how
           should
           we
           so
           do
           it
           ,
           without
           good
           perswasion
           of
           this
           revvard
           ?
           
             He
             that
             cometh
             to
             God
             ,
             must
             believe
             that
             God
             is
             ,
             and
             that
             he
             is
             the
             rewarder
             of
             them
             that
             diligently
             seek
             him
             .
          
        
         
           O
           then
           what
           a
           joyful
           Word
           should
           that
           be
           to
           us
           ,
           which
           is
           sent
           from
           God
           himself
           thus
           to
           guide
           ,
           to
           secure
           ,
           to
           strengthen
           and
           comfort
           us
           ,
           by
           the
           promise
           of
           all
           that
           we
           need
           ,
           and
           can
           well
           desire
           ,
           sealed
           by
           the
           
             Blood
             ,
             Miracles
          
           ,
           and
           Spirit
           of
           Christ
           ;
           and
           bearing
           the
           impress
           of
           God
           the
           Author
           ;
           and
           that
           to
           such
           miserable
           Sinners
           as
           vve
           are
           .
        
         
         
           II.
           But
           how
           are
           
             God's
             Testimonies
          
           our
           Heritage
           
             for
             ever
          
           ?
           When
           in
           Heaven
           vve
           shall
           have
           no
           need
           of
           Scriptures
           .
        
         
           Ans
           .
           1.
           
           [
           
             For
             ever
          
           ]
           sometime
           signifieth
           ,
           
             to
             the
             end
             of
             my
             life
          
           ]
           as
           David
           saith
           ,
           Psal
           .
           23.
           
           
             I
             shall
             dwell
             in
             the
             House
             of
             the
             Lord
             for
             ever
          
           ;
           and
           so
           oft
           .
           And
           so
           Gods
           Testimonies
           vvere
           taken
           for
           his
           Heritage
           ,
           or
           chiefest
           Portion
           ,
           and
           rejoycing
           constantly
           ,
           and
           to
           his
           lives
           end
           ,
           as
           securing
           him
           of
           an
           everlasting
           Heritage
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           And
           the
           
             Heritage
             promised
          
           by
           them
           ,
           and
           connoted
           ,
           is
           everlasting
           ;
           and
           the
           holiness
           imprinted
           by
           them
           on
           his
           Soul
           ,
           vvill
           be
           perpetuated
           ,
           and
           perfected
           in
           Heaven
           .
        
         
           III.
           
             What
             is
             it
             for
             Believers
             to
             take
             God's
             Testimonies
             for
             their
             Heritage
          
           ?
        
         
           Ans
           .
           It
           is
           supposed
           that
           the
           flattering
           world
           ,
           and
           the
           pleasures
           of
           the
           flesh
           ,
           do
           stand
           here
           in
           competition
           ,
           and
           are
           by
           many
           taken
           for
           
             their
             best
          
           ,
           and
           this
           beeause
           they
           
           either
           
             think
             not
             of
          
           ,
           or
           believe
           not
           the
           better
           things
           of
           a
           life
           to
           come
           ,
           and
           the
           comforts
           of
           a
           holy
           prospect
           and
           preparation
           .
           In
           this
           case
           every
           true
           Believer
           ,
           seriously
           weighing
           all
           ,
           and
           what
           can
           be
           said
           on
           both
           sides
           ,
           what
           the
           world
           and
           flesh
           will
           be
           and
           do
           for
           him
           ,
           and
           what
           God
           and
           grace
           ,
           and
           glory
           will
           be
           and
           do
           ,
           doth
           wisely
           discern
           and
           resolve
           ,
        
         
           1.
           
           That
           the
           world
           is
           vanity
           ,
           and
           sin
           abominable
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           That
           God
           is
           all
           suffient
           ,
           infinitely
           good
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           trusted
           ,
           and
           his
           word
           most
           wise
           ,
           and
           just
           ,
           and
           true
           :
           And
           therefore
           though
           his
           belief
           have
           its
           imperfections
           and
           assaults
           ,
           yet
           he
           so
           far
           believeth
           Gods
           promises
           to
           be
           sure
           ,
           and
           his
           precepts
           to
           be
           good
           and
           necessary
           ,
           as
           that
           he
           resolveth
           here
           to
           place
           his
           hope
           and
           trust
           for
           his
           whole
           felicity
           in
           this
           life
           and
           hereafter
           ,
           and
           to
           give
           up
           himself
           to
           the
           study
           ,
           love
           ,
           and
           obedience
           of
           Gods
           Laws
           ,
           as
           the
           
             guide
             and
             security
             ,
             and
             comfort
          
           of
           his
           Soul
           ,
           renouncing
           all
           the
           flatteries
           of
           the
           flesh
           and
           world
           which
           stand
           against
           it
           ,
           and
           are
           preferred
           by
           sensual
           Unbelievers
           .
        
         
         
           In
           few
           words
           ,
           this
           was
           Davids
           faith
           and
           choice
           ,
           and
           this
           is
           the
           faith
           and
           choice
           of
           all
           true
           Believers
           ,
           by
           which
           we
           may
           discern
           whether
           we
           are
           such
           ;
           though
           all
           have
           not
           the
           
             same
             degree
          
           of
           trust
           and
           fixed
           resolution
           ,
           yet
           all
           have
           this
           much
           in
           sincerity
           .
        
         
           IV.
           Quest
           
             But
             can
             all
             say
             ,
             They
             are
             the
             Rejoycing
             of
             my
             heart
          
           ?
        
         
           Ans
           .
           All
           of
           them
           can
           say
           ,
        
         
           1.
           
           We
           see
           that
           there
           is
           in
           the
           Word
           and
           Covenant
           of
           God
           in
           Christ
           ,
           unspeakably
           more
           
             matter
             fit
             to
             be
             our
             Joy
             ,
          
           than
           in
           all
           the
           pleasures
           ,
           and
           wealth
           ,
           and
           honours
           of
           this
           world
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           And
           therefore
           we
           prefer
           it
           before
           them
           all
           ,
           in
           our
           desire
           and
           our
           
             fixed
             choice
          
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           And
           we
           find
           so
           much
           
             goodness
             and
             sutableness
          
           to
           us
           in
           this
           sacred
           Word
           ,
           as
           that
           we
           
             love
             it
          
           as
           our
           food
           and
           our
           security
           ,
           though
           not
           with
           the
           appetite
           and
           love
           which
           we
           desire
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           And
           though
           we
           have
           not
           that
           joy
           in
           this
           our
           love
           to
           it
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           hopes
           of
           promised
           
           glory
           ,
           which
           a
           
             stronger
             faith
             and
             love
          
           would
           cause
           ,
           yet
           we
           find
           that
           it
           is
           our
           best
           ,
           and
           we
           perceive
           more
           good
           in
           it
           than
           in
           sinful
           pleasures
           ;
           and
           the
           true
           and
           chief
           support
           of
           our
           Souls
           in
           all
           our
           fears
           and
           troubles
           ,
           and
           in
           our
           prospect
           of
           another
           life
           ,
           is
           from
           the
           love
           and
           Word
           of
           God
           through
           Christ
           .
        
         
           And
           though
           our
           pleasure
           in
           it
           be
           not
           sensual
           and
           luscious
           ,
           it
           is
           much
           more
           solid
           and
           satisfying
           to
           our
           Souls
           ,
           than
           we
           find
           in
           any
           other
           thing
           .
        
         
           And
           the
           sweetness
           which
           we
           taste
           in
           it
           ,
           is
           greater
           at
           some
           times
           than
           at
           other
           .
        
         
           And
           the
           comfort
           which
           we
           have
           in
           our
           bodily
           health
           and
           welfare
           ,
           is
           much
           as
           it
           signifieth
           to
           us
           the
           love
           of
           God
           performing
           to
           us
           his
           promises
           ,
           and
           helping
           us
           to
           serve
           him
           with
           joy
           and
           gladness
           ,
           in
           order
           to
           everlasting
           joy
           .
        
         
           This
           is
           the
           ordinary
           case
           of
           true
           believers
           ;
           though
           extraordinarily
           ;
           1.
           
           Some
           tempted
           ,
           troubled
           ,
           melancholy
           Christians
           overwhelmed
           with
           grief
           and
           fears
           ,
           do
           not
           perceive
           this
           much
           in
           themselves
           .
           2.
           
           And
           the
           healthfuller
           stronger
           sort
           of
           Christians
           have
           yet
           a
           more
           
           sweet
           and
           constant
           pleasure
           ,
           in
           the
           Testimonies
           and
           Ways
           of
           God.
           
        
         
           Having
           said
           this
           much
           for
           Explication
           ,
           a
           little
           more
           may
           suffice
           to
           shew
           you
           why
           and
           whence
           it
           is
           that
           Believers
           receive
           the
           Testimonies
           of
           God
           with
           this
           fixed
           Choice
           ,
           and
           Trust
           ,
           and
           Pleasure
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           It
           is
           from
           
             honest
             Self
             Love
          
           and
           Interest
           :
           They
           certainly
           find
           that
           it
           is
           
             their
             best
          
           ;
           that
           it
           is
           true
           and
           good
           ,
           and
           that
           there
           is
           nothing
           else
           to
           be
           found
           in
           this
           World
           ,
           that
           will
           serve
           instead
           of
           it
           ,
           to
           be
           a
           quieting
           security
           ,
           guide
           and
           comfort
           to
           the
           Soul.
           They
           perceive
           what
           
             they
             need
          
           ;
           and
           that
           nothing
           else
           can
           supply
           those
           needs
           :
           This
           must
           be
           their
           Hope
           ,
           or
           they
           must
           despair
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           It
           is
           from
           
             Holy
             Suitableness
          
           and
           Love
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           goodness
           which
           they
           relish
           in
           his
           Word
           .
           As
           God
           giveth
           every
           living
           Creature
           an
           Appetite
           suitable
           to
           his
           Food
           ,
           and
           Benefits
           ,
           so
           doth
           he
           to
           the
           
             New
             Creature
             .
             Holiness
          
           is
           mostly
           the
           Souls
           Appetite
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           spiritual
           good
           .
           The
           word
           which
           promiseth
           and
           guideth
           us
           to
           the
           incorruptible
           Crown
           of
           glory
           ,
           is
           an
           incorruptible
           seed
           ,
           1
           Pet.
           1.3
           ,
           4
           ,
           5
           ,
           6.
           and
           it
           is
           our
           Milk
           or
           Food
           ,
           
           1
           Pet.
           2.2
           .
           and
           by
           it
           we
           are
           made
           Partakers
           of
           the
           
             divine
             nature
          
           ,
           2
           Pet.
           1.4
           .
           and
           it
           is
           the
           
             ingrafted
             or
             innaturalized
             word
             which
             is
             able
             to
             save
             our
             Souls
             ,
          
           Jam.
           1.21
           .
           And
           as
           the
           whole
           stock
           is
           marvellously
           turned
           to
           serve
           a
           little
           graft
           ,
           which
           is
           planted
           into
           it
           ,
           and
           as
           if
           it
           had
           lost
           its
           former
           kind
           ,
           doth
           bring
           forth
           only
           the
           fruit
           of
           the
           graft
           ,
           so
           is
           
             God's
             Word
          
           implanted
           in
           us
           to
           the
           change
           of
           our
           nature
           ,
           and
           our
           fruits
           .
           And
           it
           is
           no
           sound
           Appetite
           which
           hath
           no
           pleasure
           .
           No
           wonder
           if
           a
           strong
           belief
           do
           cause
           us
           
             to
             rejoyce
             with
             joy
             unspeakable
             ,
             and
             full
             of
             glory
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             receive
             the
             end
             of
             our
             faith
             ,
             our
             salvation
             ,
          
           1
           Pet.
           1.6
           ,
           7
           ,
           8.
           
        
         
           All
           
             God's
             Commands
          
           and
           Promises
           have
           by
           the
           divine
           impression
           of
           them
           on
           our
           souls
           ,
           lest
           somewhat
           there
           which
           is
           like
           them
           ,
           and
           connatural
           ;
           even
           a
           
             holy
             light
          
           to
           understand
           their
           truth
           and
           goodness
           ,
           and
           a
           
             holy
             love
          
           to
           them
           ,
           and
           the
           things
           revealed
           ,
           to
           
             desire
             them
          
           ,
           and
           
             take
             pleasure
          
           in
           them
           ,
           and
           a
           
             holy
             liveliness
          
           to
           pursue
           the
           good
           desired
           .
           And
           this
           is
           the
           writing
           of
           the
           Law
           and
           Gospel
           on
           our
           hearts
           :
           And
           in
           this
           sense
           it
           may
           be
           said
           that
           God
           ,
           that
           Christ
           ,
           that
           the
           
             Holy
             Ghost
          
           is
           in
           our
           souls
           ,
           and
           dwelleth
           in
           us
           ,
           even
           as
           an
           efficient
           principle
           ,
           
           and
           a
           beloved
           Object
           ,
           and
           desired
           end
           .
           And
           if
           this
           be
           all
           that
           they
           intend
           ,
           those
           called
           Quakers
           have
           no
           reason
           to
           accuse
           us
           ,
           for
           not
           preaching
           a
           God
           ,
           and
           a
           Christ
           within
           us
           .
           And
           if
           this
           be
           it
           that
           is
           meant
           by
           those
           who
           tell
           the
           World
           ,
           that
           by
           saying
           that
           the
           
             Holy
             Ghost
             is
             in
             us
          
           ,
           we
           are
           more
           arrogant
           than
           the
           Pope
           ,
           that
           claimeth
           a
           visible
           Monarchy
           ;
           we
           glory
           in
           this
           joyful
           priviledge
           ,
           this
           earnest
           ,
           seal
           and
           first-fruits
           of
           heavenly
           glory
           ,
           and
           humbly
           thank
           him
           who
           hath
           vouchsafed
           it
           ,
           and
           assured
           us
           of
           it
           in
           his
           word
           ,
           Rom.
           8.9
           ,
           11.
           2
           
           Cor.
           6.16
           .
           Ephes
           .
           3.17
           .
           1
           John
           4.13
           .
           1
           Cor.
           3.16
           .
           2
           Tim.
           1.14
           .
           1
           John
           3.24
           ,
           &
           4.12
           ,
           15
           ,
           16.
           
           And
           if
           the
           Scorners
           have
           any
           belief
           of
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           let
           them
           read
           and
           tremble
           ,
           Rom.
           8.9
           .
           
             If
             any
             man
             have
             not
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Christ
             ,
             the
             same
             is
             none
             of
             his
             .
          
        
         
           III.
           I
           have
           given
           you
           the
           sense
           and
           the
           reason
           of
           this
           Doctrine
           :
           We
           come
           hither
           to
           learn
           what
           use
           to
           make
           of
           it
           .
           And
           I
           think
           if
           I
           preach
           also
           on
           the
           Copy
           or
           Impress
           of
           this
           Text
           ,
           whose
           Reliques
           we
           have
           laid
           in
           the
           dust
           ,
           and
           tell
           us
           
             what
             use
             she
             made
             of
             such
             Doctrine
             ,
          
           it
           will
           be
           a
           considerable
           help
           to
           our
           own
           Application
           .
        
         
         
           I
           have
           never
           loved
           or
           used
           to
           adorn
           Sepulchers
           ,
           or
           hang
           out
           specious
           Signs
           at
           the
           doors
           of
           Pride
           ,
           Ambition
           ,
           Tyranny
           ,
           or
           worldliness
           ,
           to
           entice
           others
           to
           imitate
           prosperous
           sinners
           in
           their
           sin
           :
           were
           I
           to
           preach
           at
           the
           Funerals
           of
           an
           Alexander
           ,
           or
           a
           Caesar
           ,
           I
           had
           rather
           say
           that
           which
           may
           save
           the
           living
           from
           following
           them
           in
           Pride
           and
           Bloodshed
           ,
           than
           to
           tempt
           men
           to
           the
           like
           sin
           and
           misery
           .
        
         
           To
           praise
           damned
           men
           ,
           because
           they
           had
           the
           pleasures
           of
           sin
           for
           a
           season
           ,
           is
           to
           be
           more
           foolish
           and
           uncharitable
           ,
           than
           the
           tormented
           Gentleman
           ,
           
             Luk
             ▪
          
           16.
           who
           would
           have
           had
           one
           sent
           from
           the
           dead
           to
           warn
           his
           Brethren
           ,
           lest
           they
           should
           follow
           him
           to
           that
           place
           of
           torment
           ,
           by
           preferring
           fleshly
           pleasure
           and
           prosperity
           ,
           before
           the
           life
           and
           hope
           of
           Saints
           .
           Our
           praises
           ease
           not
           tormented
           souls
           .
           It
           is
           a
           mark
           of
           the
           Citizens
           of
           the
           holy
           City
           ,
           
             That
             a
             vile
             person
             is
             contemned
             in
             their
             eyes
          
           ?
           but
           withall
           ,
           
             That
             they
             honour
             those
             that
             fear
             the
             Lord
             :
             for
             God
             doth
             honour
             them
             .
          
        
         
           My
           duty
           therefore
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           my
           love
           to
           holiness
           ,
           and
           holy
           persons
           ,
           and
           to
           you
           
           in
           special
           that
           are
           her
           Children
           ,
           and
           other
           Relations
           ,
           commandeth
           me
           to
           tell
           you
           ,
           (
           though
           some
           of
           you
           know
           it
           better
           than
           I
           )
           That
           our
           deceased
           Friend
           ,
           in
           the
           course
           of
           her
           Pilgrimage
           ,
           did
           speak
           of
           her self
           by
           her
           constant
           practice
           ,
           what
           David
           professed
           in
           this
           Text.
           Though
           I
           speak
           but
           from
           eighteen
           or
           nineteen
           years
           acquaintance
           with
           her
           my self
           ,
           I
           have
           full
           evidence
           of
           it
           for
           the
           former
           part
           of
           her
           life
           .
           And
           my
           acquaintance
           with
           herby
           Neighbourhood
           ,
           and
           mutual
           esteem
           ,
           hath
           been
           such
           as
           hath
           given
           me
           more
           advantage
           to
           know
           her
           than
           most
           have
           had
           :
           though
           I
           remember
           not
           ever
           to
           have
           
             spoken
             with
             one
             person
             that
             hath
             known
             her
             ,
             that
             did
             not
             take
             her
             for
             an
             extraordinary
             and
             eminent
             example
             of
             the
             Piety
             and
             Virtues
          
           which
           I
           shall
           mention
           .
        
         
           If
           the
           Hypocrites
           seek
           the
           praise
           of
           men
           ,
           verily
           they
           have
           their
           reward
           (
           a
           poor
           reward
           )
           but
           she
           seeking
           first
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           honour
           that
           is
           of
           him
           ,
           had
           this
           cast
           in
           as
           overplus
           :
           I
           never
           heard
           that
           any
           person
           of
           any
           perswasion
           did
           speak
           evil
           of
           her
           ,
           or
           question
           her
           eminent
           sincerity
           and
           worth
           .
        
         
         
           Had
           she
           come
           to
           this
           by
           
             sinful
             compliance
          
           ,
           She
           might
           have
           feared
           Christs
           words
           ,
           Luke
           6.26
           .
           
             Wo
             to
             you
             when
             all
             men
             speak
             well
             of
             〈◊〉
             .
          
           But
           as
           God
           hath
           not
           left
           himself
           without
           Witness
           to
           the
           very
           Heathens
           ,
           so
           he
           hath
           not
           left
           innocency
           ,
           wisdom
           ,
           love
           ,
           peace
           and
           piety
           ,
           without
           some
           Witnesses
           in
           the
           Consciences
           of
           the
           ungodly
           ;
           few
           of
           them
           have
           the
           face
           to
           speak
           against
           these
           in
           their
           proper
           names
           :
           And
           if
           he
           could
           not
           dishonour
           them
           by
           our
           mixed
           faults
           ,
           and
           by
           the
           slanderous
           affixed
           names
           of
           Heresie
           ,
           Schism
           ,
           Disobedience
           ,
           Hypocrisie
           ,
           Phanaticism
           ,
           Folly
           ,
           and
           what
           else
           ignorance
           and
           malignity
           can
           devise
           ,
           the
           Devil
           knew
           not
           how
           to
           dishonour
           Holiness
           and
           Vertue
           ,
           nor
           to
           encourage
           the
           blind
           world
           to
           so
           common
           a
           hatred
           and
           opposition
           of
           them
           ,
           as
           they
           shew
           in
           all
           Nations
           of
           the
           Earth
           .
        
         
           When
           She
           chose
           this
           Text
           ,
           it
           was
           from
           such
           a
           sutable
           spirit
           ,
           as
           all
           men
           choose
           the
           food
           ,
           the
           friends
           and
           company
           ,
           the
           business
           and
           discourse
           which
           by
           agreeableness
           they
           most
           delight
           in
           .
           That
           She
           made
           Gods
           Word
           and
           Covenants
           ,
           (
           connoting
           Gods
           Love
           ,
           Christ
           ,
           Grace
           and
           Glory
           ,
           the
           spring
           ,
           
           matter
           and
           end
           )
           her
           best
           ,
           her
           heritage
           ,
           her
           all
           ,
           contemning
           all
           that
           stood
           in
           competition
           ;
           and
           that
           these
           were
           the
           rejoycing
           of
           her
           heart
           ,
           She
           shewed
           to
           us
           that
           knew
           Her
           by
           these
           notable
           effects
           .
        
         
           I.
           By
           her
           constant
           ,
           serious
           ,
           diligent
           use
           of
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           ,
           by
           hearing
           ,
           reading
           ,
           conference
           and
           meditation
           .
           Her
           food
           was
           not
           more
           constantly
           used
           ,
           nor
           I
           believe
           so
           sweet
           to
           her
           .
           Her
           hearing
           in
           the
           publick
           Assemblies
           ,
           nothing
           but
           necessity
           could
           interrupt
           :
           And
           her
           private
           constancy
           her
           relations
           know
           .
           She
           practically
           told
           us
           that
           the
           blessed
           mans
           
             delight
             is
             in
             the
             Law
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             therein
             doth
             he
             meditate
             day
             and
             night
             ,
          
           Psal
           .
           1.2
           .
        
         
           II.
           She
           
             made
             so
             much
          
           ,
           (
           in
           esteem
           ,
           use
           and
           thankfulness
           )
           of
           
             every
             little
          
           of
           the
           help
           She
           could
           get
           in
           these
           spiritual
           things
           ,
           as
           shewed
           that
           they
           were
           her
           heritage
           and
           joy
           .
           When
           some
           come
           home
           with
           accusations
           of
           the
           Sermon
           ,
           as
           
             dry
             ,
             dull
          
           ,
           or
           weak
           ,
           She
           found
           in
           it
           something
           for
           profit
           and
           solace
           :
           I
           am
           sure
           my
           own
           conversation
           and
           duties
           have
           
           been
           truly
           guilty
           of
           the
           foresaid
           faults
           ,
           and
           yet
           how
           gladly
           would
           She
           come
           over
           the
           way
           to
           us
           at
           prayer
           time
           .
           How
           much
           did
           She
           value
           now
           and
           then
           a
           little
           (
           too
           dull
           unprofitable
           )
           conference
           ,
           and
           took
           it
           for
           a
           loss
           that
           She
           could
           have
           no
           more
           .
           How
           glad
           was
           she
           of
           now
           and
           then
           a
           too
           dry
           and
           short
           Letter
           ,
           and
           how
           carefully
           would
           she
           keep
           them
           .
           As
           if
           with
           the
           Woman
           of
           Canaan
           ,
           She
           had
           been
           begging
           for
           the
           crums
           .
           Alas
           our
           duller
           appetites
           seldom
           so
           desire
           after
           ,
           or
           delight
           in
           ,
           much
           larger
           portions
           of
           well-drest
           food
           ,
           but
           fulness
           hath
           loathing
           ,
           and
           we
           call
           it
           
             dry
             manna
          
           ,
           which
           we
           are
           weary
           of
           ;
           or
           every
           little
           fault
           in
           the
           dressing
           turneth
           our
           stomach
           against
           it
           ;
           full
           souls
           loath
           the
           honey-comb
           ,
           but
           to
           the
           hungry
           every
           bitter
           thing
           is
           sweet
           .
        
         
           III.
           She
           loved
           and
           received
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           from
           
             any
             faithful
             .
             Minister
             that
             brought
             it
             :
          
           It
           s
           true
           that
           She
           
             more
             frequented
             and
             desired
          
           some
           than
           others
           :
           But
           her
           Religion
           was
           not
           Faction
           ,
           or
           siding
           with
           this
           Party
           or
           with
           that
           :
           She
           was
           far
           from
           a
           Shismatical
           mind
           or
           practice
           .
           When
           one
           Party
           separates
           
           from
           all
           that
           Preach
           in
           the
           Parish
           Churches
           ,
           and
           another
           from
           all
           that
           Preach
           elsewhere
           ,
           She
           separated
           from
           neither
           .
        
         
           IV.
           Accordingly
           She
           loved
           all
           persons
           that
           feared
           God
           ,
           as
           such
           :
           Not
           confining
           her
           Affections
           or
           Kindness
           to
           those
           of
           this
           or
           that
           controvertible
           Opinion
           :
           But
           that
           candour
           and
           holy
           simplicity
           ,
           and
           serious
           practical
           Religion
           which
           She
           had
           her self
           ,
           was
           it
           that
           She
           loved
           in
           all
           others
           whomsoever
           .
        
         
           V.
           And
           accordingly
           her
           conference
           was
           not
           about
           controversies
           ,
           or
           matters
           of
           contention
           ,
           which
           too
           many
           spend
           their
           hours
           in
           these
           times
           ,
           but
           that
           which
           tendeth
           to
           edification
           ,
           and
           to
           administer
           grace
           to
           the
           hearers
           :
           She
           was
           not
           such
           as
           Paul
           oft
           reproveth
           for
           
             striving
             about
             words
          
           ,
           and
           little
           things
           ,
           that
           tend
           not
           to
           edifie
           but
           subvert
           .
        
         
           VI.
           Much
           less
           was
           She
           tainted
           with
           any
           Heresie
           ,
           or
           dangerous
           Errour
           in
           Religion
           ,
           nor
           ever
           drawn
           from
           the
           truth
           ,
           and
           her
           spiritual
           stedfastness
           ;
           but
           cleaved
           to
           the
           form
           of
           wholsom
           words
           ,
           and
           the
           simplicity
           
           that
           is
           in
           Christ
           ,
           and
           to
           them
           that
           held
           the
           unity
           of
           the
           spirit
           in
           the
           bond
           of
           peace
           ;
           avoiding
           the
           vain
           janglings
           of
           men
           of
           Contention
           ,
           Pride
           and
           Corrupt
           minds
           .
        
         
           VII
           .
           She
           was
           not
           of
           a
           censorious
           backbiting
           temper
           ,
           nor
           used
           ,
           as
           too
           many
           faulty
           Christians
           ,
           to
           make
           it
           her
           discourse
           ,
           to
           find
           fault
           with
           others
           ,
           and
           make
           her self
           the
           judge
           of
           Controversies
           ,
           Cases
           ,
           Actions
           and
           Persons
           which
           she
           understood
           not
           :
           but
           had
           learned
           that
           lesson
           ,
           [
           
             speak
             evil
             of
             no
             man
          
           ,
           ]
           and
           to
           know
           and
           
             be
             called
          
           to
           it
           ,
           before
           she
           judged
           .
        
         
           VIII
           .
           She
           was
           very
           desirous
           of
           the
           good
           of
           all
           ,
           and
           glad
           of
           any
           thing
           which
           tended
           to
           promote
           the
           conversion
           and
           saving
           of
           mens
           souls
           .
        
         
           IX
           .
           She
           was
           charitable
           and
           liberal
           also
           to
           their
           bodies
           ;
           in
           an
           unusual
           degree
           ;
           as
           I
           am
           able
           to
           say
           by
           particular
           experience
           ,
           in
           which
           I
           have
           known
           it
           exercised
           to
           the
           poor
           .
        
         
         
           X.
           Her
           humility
           and
           detestation
           of
           pride
           was
           manifest
           ,
           not
           only
           in
           her
           Garb
           and
           Behaviour
           ,
           but
           in
           her
           low
           thoughts
           of
           her self
           ,
           and
           the
           lowliness
           of
           all
           her
           Conversation
           ,
           and
           great
           dislike
           of
           all
           that
           savoured
           of
           Pride
           .
        
         
           XI
           .
           She
           was
           not
           morose
           ,
           nor
           a
           refuser
           of
           Converse
           or
           useful
           Visits
           ,
           when
           reason
           required
           them
           :
           but
           She
           took
           it
           for
           a
           great
           Affliction
           to
           have
           much
           diversion
           by
           company
           or
           by
           matters
           ,
           from
           her
           constant
           course
           of
           better
           work
           :
           And
           (
           besides
           her
           health
           )
           was
           therefore
           the
           more
           Inclined
           to
           be
           much
           in
           the
           Country
           ,
           that
           her
           mind
           and
           time
           might
           not
           be
           at
           the
           Mercy
           of
           too
           much
           intruding
           diversions
           ,
           and
           unprofitable
           discourse
           .
        
         
           XII
           .
           Much
           more
           was
           She
           a
           verse
           to
           all
           sorts
           of
           sensuality
           :
           such
           pleasing
           of
           the
           flesh
           as
           corrupteth
           the
           mind
           ,
           and
           turneth
           it
           from
           holy
           work
           and
           pleasure
           ;
           and
           such
           vain
           recreations
           as
           waste
           precious
           time
           ,
           and
           profit
           not
           our selves
           or
           others
           :
           Holy
           things
           were
           her
           food
           and
           feast
           ,
           her
           work
           and
           recreation
           .
        
         
         
           XIII
           .
           Her
           prudence
           in
           all
           matters
           was
           very
           exemplary
           ;
           being
           much
           more
           against
           unadvised
           rashness
           ,
           and
           actions
           which
           tend
           to
           ill
           effects
           ,
           than
           most
           of
           us
           of
           the
           stronger
           Sex
           :
           and
           I
           confess
           I
           should
           think
           much
           better
           of
           my self
           if
           I
           could
           equal
           her
           herein
           .
           In
           which
           her
           Acquaintance
           commonly
           admired
           her
           ,
           though
           this
           is
           a
           point
           which
           all
           must
           acknowledge
           much
           imperfection
           in
           .
        
         
           XIV
           .
           And
           her
           gentleness
           ,
           meekness
           and
           calmness
           of
           mind
           and
           carriage
           was
           very
           amiable
           to
           her
           friends
           and
           most
           that
           did
           converse
           with
           her
           :
           She
           was
           a
           great
           Adversary
           to
           passionate
           behaviour
           ,
           which
           surely
           came
           from
           that
           Power
           of
           Grace
           ,
           which
           had
           made
           love
           and
           meekness
           become
           a
           nature
           in
           her
           ,
           seeing
           no
           such
           thing
           could
           be
           else
           expected
           in
           one
           of
           her
           Sex
           and
           Complexion
           ,
           and
           bodily
           weaknesses
           .
        
         
           XV.
           She
           did
           not
           ,
           as
           the
           Hypocrite
           ,
           give
           God
           the
           second
           place
           in
           her
           heart
           and
           life
           ,
           and
           the
           World
           the
           first
           ,
           nor
           put
           off
           Christ
           with
           the
           leavings
           of
           the
           flesh
           ,
           nor
           take
           this
           
           World
           for
           her
           best
           or
           heritage
           ,
           and
           the
           next
           only
           for
           a
           reserve
           when
           she
           must
           needs
           leave
           this
           :
           She
           seemed
           to
           prize
           no
           Heritage
           but
           God
           ,
           nor
           to
           set
           much
           by
           any
           transitory
           vanity
           whatever
           .
        
         
           XVI
           .
           She
           excelled
           in
           the
           earnest
           desire
           of
           her
           Childrens
           good
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           care
           of
           their
           well-doing
           and
           salvation
           .
           How
           oft
           hath
           she
           desired
           me
           to
           pray
           for
           them
           ?
           How
           glad
           was
           she
           if
           I
           would
           at
           any
           time
           but
           converse
           with
           them
           ,
           and
           advise
           them
           :
           they
           know
           better
           themselves
           (
           though
           I
           know
           much
           ,
           )
           how
           much
           she
           prayed
           for
           them
           ?
           How
           oft
           and
           tenderly
           she
           counselled
           them
           ?
           What
           Letters
           of
           serious
           holy
           Counsel
           she
           would
           write
           to
           them
           ?
           And
           how
           like
           she
           was
           to
           Job
           ,
           who
           prayed
           and
           sacrificed
           for
           his
           Children
           ,
           when
           they
           were
           merry
           and
           feasting
           together
           ,
           fearing
           lest
           they
           should
           forget
           God
           and
           sin
           against
           him
           ?
        
         
           XVII
           .
           This
           kind
           of
           life
           which
           I
           have
           described
           
             was
             her
             calling
             and
             trade
          
           ,
           and
           in
           a
           manner
           her
           
             only
             business
             in
             the
             World
          
           :
           It
           was
           not
           now
           and
           then
           in
           a
           good
           mood
           ,
           like
           a
           Feast
           or
           Recreation
           :
           but
           as
           she
           knew
           that
           
           
             one
             thing
             is
             needful
          
           ,
           so
           she
           chose
           that
           
             better
             part
          
           ,
           which
           never
           was
           ,
           nor
           will
           be
           taken
           from
           her
           .
           She
           so
           lived
           as
           if
           she
           had
           but
           
             this
             one
             thing
             to
             mind
             and
             do
             in
             the
             world
             ,
          
           to
           please
           God
           by
           obeying
           him
           ,
           and
           to
           cleave
           to
           Christ
           ,
           and
           to
           do
           good
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           saved
           .
           Nothing
           else
           seemed
           to
           be
           much
           in
           her
           mind
           ,
           thoughts
           ,
           care
           ,
           and
           business
           ;
           her
           life
           seemed
           to
           be
           but
           this
           
             one
             thing
          
           .
           But
           I
           must
           confess
           that
           poor
           and
           tempted
           Persons
           ,
           that
           are
           under
           many
           worldly
           wants
           ,
           crosses
           and
           employments
           ,
           cannot
           be
           expected
           to
           reach
           her
           measure
           in
           this
           :
           Though
           
             one
             thing
          
           be
           their
           
             best
             and
             portion
          
           ,
           they
           may
           be
           tost
           with
           many
           troublesome
           cares
           and
           businesses
           .
           But
           God
           gave
           her
           both
           
             mind
             ,
             opportunity
             and
             help
          
           to
           live
           in
           as
           even
           a
           course
           of
           constant
           holiness
           in
           a
           Family
           ,
           as
           Monks
           can
           pretend
           to
           or
           hope
           for
           in
           their
           Community
           or
           solitude
           .
           Religion
           was
           her
           very
           life
           .
        
         
           XVIII
           .
           In
           this
           life
           she
           had
           also
           a
           
             Constant
             peace
             of
             Conscience
          
           ,
           bewailing
           her
           imperfections
           ,
           but
           not
           living
           in
           melancholy
           ,
           despair
           ,
           hard
           thoughts
           of
           God
           ,
           or
           an
           uncomfortable
           sort
           of
           Religion
           :
           I
           have
           oft
           
           heard
           her
           speak
           of
           her
           lamented
           weakness
           of
           Faith
           ,
           Love
           ,
           and
           heavenly
           desires
           and
           joy
           ,
           but
           never
           ,
           that
           I
           remember
           ,
           one
           doubting
           word
           of
           her
           own
           sincerity
           and
           salvation
           :
           But
           her
           ordinary
           speech
           was
           lamenting
           that
           we
           were
           all
           so
           weak
           in
           our
           belief
           of
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           unseen
           World
           ,
           and
           what
           execellent
           Persons
           we
           should
           be
           if
           herein
           we
           had
           a
           stronger
           Faith
           that
           were
           liker
           unto
           sight
           ;
           and
           how
           much
           it
           should
           be
           the
           business
           of
           all
           believers
           ,
           to
           pray
           and
           labour
           for
           an
           increased
           powerful
           belief
           hereof
           ,
           as
           that
           which
           would
           set
           all
           right
           in
           us
        
         
           XIX
           .
           Her
           patience
           under
           her
           bodily
           infirmities
           also
           was
           exemplary
           .
           Her
           weakness
           made
           her
           so
           lyable
           to
           dangerous
           Coughs
           while
           she
           was
           in
           London
           air
           ,
           that
           by
           this
           she
           was
           constrained
           to
           live
           much
           from
           home
           .
           And
           most
           of
           all
           her
           life
           she
           was
           tormented
           with
           a
           frequent
           head-ach
           ?
           But
           in
           her
           patience
           in
           all
           this
           She
           did
           possess
           her
           Soul
           ;
           and
           patience
           furthered
           experience
           ,
           and
           experience
           hope
           ,
           and
           she
           learnt
           more
           the
           quiet
           fruits
           of
           righteousness
           by
           being
           much
           exercised
           herein
           .
        
         
         
           XX.
           And
           as
           by
           this
           She
           daily
           learned
           to
           dye
           ,
           so
           the
           expectation
           and
           preparation
           for
           death
           ,
           was
           her
           continual
           work
           and
           state
           .
           She
           lived
           and
           heard
           ,
           and
           prayed
           ,
           and
           wrote
           her
           Letters
           to
           her
           Children
           as
           at
           the
           brink
           of
           the
           Grave
           ,
           and
           the
           Door
           of
           Eternity
           .
           Not
           that
           her
           Diseases
           did
           seem
           to
           us
           to
           be
           very
           mortal
           ,
           or
           threaten
           this
           sudden
           change
           .
           But
           she
           knew
           the
           brevity
           of
           mans
           life
           ,
           and
           that
           Death
           is
           ready
           to
           remove
           us
           all
           ,
           and
           what
           a
           moment
           it
           is
           till
           that
           certain
           hour
           .
        
         
           And
           as
           she
           lived
           holily
           ,
           and
           in
           peace
           with
           God
           and
           man
           ,
           so
           she
           dyed
           with
           ease
           and
           
             little
             likelyhood
          
           of
           the
           ordinary
           miseries
           of
           
             Fear
             or
             Pain
          
           :
           A
           little
           soreness
           and
           swelling
           of
           her
           Leg
           ,
           and
           pain
           towards
           the
           Hip
           ,
           turned
           to
           two
           swooning
           fits
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           third
           or
           fourth
           ,
           having
           been
           in
           quiet
           discourse
           with
           her
           Husband
           ,
           she
           as
           quietly
           sunk
           and
           dyed
           away
           ;
           desiring
           that
           I
           should
           be
           sent
           to
           pray
           with
           her
           ;
           she
           was
           dead
           before
           I
           came
           ,
           without
           any
           signs
           of
           nature
           striving
           :
           And
           she
           had
           said
           to
           her
           Daughter
           after
           her
           former
           fits
           ,
           she
           did
           not
           think
           that
           one
           could
           have
           
           dyed
           so
           easily
           as
           she
           had
           almost
           done
           .
           A
           death
           
             thus
             expected
          
           ,
           and
           
             thus
             prepared
             for
          
           is
           not
           to
           be
           called
           sudden
           !
           Thus
           God
           can
           make
           death
           easie
           to
           some
           of
           us
           ,
           that
           are
           apt
           to
           over-fear
           the
           antecedent
           pain
           .
           And
           now
           what
           can
           be
           more
           ,
           (
           almost
           )
           desired
           
             in
             this
             World
          
           ,
           than
           such
           a
           life
           and
           such
           a
           death
           .
           Our
           dear
           Friend
           is
           at
           home
           with
           Christ
           ,
           and
           Gods
           will
           ,
           which
           is
           Goodness
           and
           Love
           it self
           ,
           is
           so
           fulfilled
           ;
           even
           that
           will
           which
           must
           dispose
           of
           all
           things
           ,
           and
           in
           which
           only
           we
           must
           seek
           our
           rest
           .
        
         
           And
           having
           described
           this
           true
           Copy
           of
           the
           Text
           ,
           I
           may
           boldly
           speak
           of
           it
           to
           several
           sorts
           .
        
         
           I.
           I
           may
           again
           ask
           both
           
             Quakers
             and
             Scorners
          
           ,
           Whether
           the
           
             Holy
             Spirit
          
           do
           not
           dwell
           and
           work
           in
           such
           among
           us
           ,
           as
           our
           dear
           Friend
           now
           deceased
           was
           ?
        
         
           II.
           I
           may
           ask
           Vnbelievers
           and
           Sadduces
           ,
           Whether
           these
           operations
           of
           the
           spirit
           of
           God
           on
           Believers
           ,
           be
           not
           a
           sign
           that
           God
           owneth
           the
           Gospel
           by
           which
           he
           thus
           worketh
           ?
           And
           that
           Christ
           liveth
           and
           reigneth
           ,
           who
           can
           thus
           still
           send
           a
           sanctifying
           Spirit
           into
           
           Believers
           Souls
           ?
           And
           whether
           it
           be
           not
           blasphemy
           to
           think
           and
           say
           ,
           either
           that
           these
           excellent
           endowments
           of
           Souls
           are
           not
           of
           God
           ,
           or
           that
           he
           giveth
           them
           all
           in
           vain
           ,
           and
           that
           Believers
           are
           all
           deceived
           by
           God
           ,
           and
           labour
           and
           hope
           all
           their
           days
           for
           that
           which
           hath
           no
           being
           ;
           and
           that
           the
           better
           God
           maketh
           them
           ,
           the
           more
           
             deluded
             ,
             vain
          
           and
           frustrate
           he
           maketh
           them
           ,
           and
           ruleth
           and
           amendeth
           the
           world
           by
           falshood
           .
        
         
           III.
           I
           may
           ask
           the
           Papists
           ,
           with
           what
           Face
           they
           can
           say
           as
           they
           use
           to
           do
           ,
           
             That
             they
             never
             heard
             of
             a
             Protestant
             Saint
             ?
          
           And
           whether
           we
           may
           not
           be
           as
           Religious
           in
           the
           places
           that
           God
           hath
           set
           us
           in
           ,
           as
           if
           we
           turned
           Recluses
           ,
           Monks
           or
           Nuns
           ,
           and
           shut
           up
           our selves
           from
           doing
           any
           good
           in
           the
           world
           .
        
         
           IV.
           I
           may
           ask
           the
           Malignant
           that
           call
           all
           serious
           Godliness
           Hypocrisie
           ,
           whether
           such
           a
           life
           as
           this
           doth
           savour
           of
           dissimulation
           ?
           And
           whether
           such
           Seriousness
           and
           Hypocrisie
           are
           not
           contraries
           ,
           and
           Hypocrisie
           be
           not
           a
           Profession
           without
           that
           Seriousness
           which
           is
           sincerity
           ▪
           And
           whether
           they
           that
           in
           Baptism
           
           solemnly
           vow
           to
           take
           God
           for
           their
           God
           ,
           and
           Christ
           for
           their
           Lord
           and
           Saviour
           ,
           and
           the
           Holy
           Ghost
           for
           Christs
           Advocate
           and
           Witness
           ,
           and
           their
           Sanctifier
           and
           Comforter
           ,
           and
           to
           renounce
           the
           Flesh
           ,
           the
           World
           and
           the
           Devil
           ,
           and
           when
           they
           have
           done
           ,
           perform
           none
           of
           this
           which
           they
           vowed
           ,
           but
           live
           to
           the
           Flesh
           and
           World
           which
           they
           renounced
           ,
           and
           take
           a
           holy
           life
           as
           needless
           ,
           yea
           and
           hate
           it
           ;
           I
           say
           ,
           whether
           these
           be
           not
           the
           impudent
           Hypocrites
           that
           vow
           and
           profess
           that
           holiness
           which
           they
           abhor
           ,
           rather
           than
           they
           that
           with
           all
           their
           deligence
           perform
           the
           holy
           Vow
           which
           they
           have
           made
           .
           And
           if
           Wives
           promise
           Fidelity
           to
           their
           Husbands
           ,
           Servants
           to
           their
           Masters
           ,
           and
           Subjects
           to
           their
           Princes
           ,
           are
           they
           the
           Hypocrites
           that
           are
           serious
           and
           keep
           their
           promise
           ?
           Or
           they
           that
           were
           never
           serious
           in
           it
           ,
           but
           scorn
           the
           keeping
           of
           it
           ?
        
         
           V.
           And
           as
           to
           those
           malignant
           persons
           that
           take
           this
           strict
           and
           serious
           diligence
           for
           mens
           souls
           ,
           to
           be
           but
           scrupulosity
           ,
           or
           the
           Character
           of
           some
           
             over-zealous
             Bigots
          
           or
           Puritans
           who
           are
           most
           inclined
           to
           Schism
           ,
           and
           to
           
           be
           troublesom
           or
           dangerous
           to
           States
           ;
           I
           ask
           them
           ,
        
         
           1.
           
           What
           is
           there
           in
           all
           the
           description
           which
           I
           have
           here
           truly
           given
           you
           ,
           which
           is
           injurious
           or
           dangerous
           to
           Church
           or
           State
           ,
           or
           any
           person
           ?
           Will
           it
           hurt
           any
           one
           that
           God
           and
           men
           are
           seriously
           loved
           ?
           and
           that
           
             God's
             Testimonies
          
           are
           trusted
           and
           delighted
           in
           and
           obeyed
           ?
           and
           that
           
             God's
             Kingdom
          
           and
           Righteousness
           is
           first
           sought
           ?
        
         
           2.
           
           It
           is
           not
           Christ
           ,
           and
           Christianity
           ,
           and
           Scripture
           that
           you
           accuse
           ?
           If
           it
           be
           schismatical
           and
           dangerous
           to
           be
           serious
           in
           performing
           what
           we
           profess
           and
           vow
           ,
           surely
           it
           is
           bad
           in
           Baptism
           to
           vow
           it
           ,
           and
           still
           by
           calling
           our selves
           Christians
           to
           profess
           it
           ?
           To
           accuse
           ,
           hate
           and
           scorn
           the
           serious
           Practice
           of
           your
           own
           profest
           Religion
           ,
           is
           to
           be
           the
           most
           foolish
           self-condemners
           ,
           and
           in
           some
           respects
           worse
           than
           Mahometans
           ,
           Infidels
           ,
           and
           Heathens
           .
        
         
           VI.
           But
           my
           most
           earnest
           desire
           is
           to
           you
           the
           
             loving
             Husband
          
           ,
           and
           
             beloved
             Children
          
           of
           our
           departed
           Friend
           ;
           that
           you
           will
           not
           overlook
           ,
           
             
             
               1.
               
               The
               Correction
               ,
            
             
               2.
               
               The
               Sin
               ,
            
             
               3.
               
               The
               Mercy
               ,
            
             
               4.
               
               Or
               the
               Duty
               which
               God
               now
               calleth
               you
               seriously
               to
               consider
               .
            
          
        
         
           (
           1.
           )
           I
           need
           not
           perswade
           such
           as
           are
           rather
           apt
           to
           over
           much
           sorrow
           ,
           not
           to
           despise
           this
           chastening
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           but
           rather
           not
           to
           faint
           under
           his
           rebuke
           .
           But
           I
           cannot
           disswade
           you
           from
           a
           just
           sense
           of
           your
           loss
           ,
           we
           that
           are
           your
           Neighbours
           feel
           it
           ;
           but
           you
           much
           more
           ,
           to
           whom
           it
           is
           much
           greater
           :
           what
           Saints
           in
           Heaven
           do
           know
           of
           us
           ,
           or
           think
           of
           us
           ,
           or
           do
           for
           us
           ,
           we
           shall
           better
           know
           when
           we
           are
           there
           :
           But
           here
           you
           are
           deprived
           of
           the
           daily
           prayers
           which
           She
           sent
           up
           for
           you
           ;
           of
           the
           continuance
           of
           her
           loving
           care
           of
           your
           souls
           ,
           and
           watchfulness
           over
           you
           ;
           of
           her
           wise
           and
           faithful
           counsels
           to
           you
           ,
           and
           of
           her
           imitable
           example
           ,
           as
           it
           was
           still
           before
           you
           ;
           a
           Husband
           of
           a
           pious
           prudent
           helper
           ,
           and
           Children
           of
           a
           tender
           affectionate
           Mother
           ;
           your
           great
           sorrows
           tell
           me
           you
           feel
           your
           loss
           .
        
         
         
           (
           2.
           )
           And
           all
           correction
           is
           
             for
             sin
          
           ,
           which
           is
           worse
           than
           suffering
           ;
           O
           fall
           down
           before
           God
           ,
           and
           with
           penitent
           tears
           bewail
           your
           sin
           ,
           which
           hath
           caused
           your
           loss
           :
           humbly
           confess
           how
           unworthy
           you
           were
           of
           such
           a
           Mother
           ,
           and
           beg
           of
           God
           to
           forgive
           that
           sin
           .
        
         
           (
           3.
           )
           But
           Mercy
           also
           as
           well
           as
           Sin
           and
           Loss
           must
           be
           acknowledged
           .
           Your
           sorrow
           must
           give
           due
           place
           to
           thankfulness
           and
           comfort
           .
           Your
           Mother
           is
           taken
           from
           you
           ,
           but
           remember
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           What
           a
           mercy
           it
           was
           and
           is
           to
           you
           ,
           that
           you
           are
           so
           related
           to
           such
           Parents
           ,
           seeing
           God
           hath
           promised
           special
           mercy
           to
           the
           Faithful
           and
           their
           Seed
           ;
           and
           if
           any
           of
           you
           miss
           it
           ,
           it
           will
           be
           through
           your
           own
           ingratitude
           and
           contempt
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           What
           a
           mercy
           is
           it
           that
           all
           her
           prayers
           for
           you
           are
           yet
           in
           force
           ,
           and
           more
           of
           the
           answer
           of
           them
           may
           yet
           be
           sent
           you
           ,
           if
           you
           reject
           it
           not
           ?
        
         
           3.
           
           You
           have
           yet
           all
           her
           holy
           counsels
           to
           remember
           ,
           and
           they
           may
           profit
           you
           while
           you
           live
           .
        
         
         
           4.
           
           And
           though
           She
           be
           gone
           ,
           I
           hope
           her
           example
           will
           never
           be
           forgotten
           by
           you
           .
        
         
           5.
           
           And
           what
           a
           mercy
           is
           it
           ,
           that
           under
           all
           her
           infirmities
           ,
           you
           enjoyed
           her
           so
           long
           ?
        
         
           6.
           
           And
           yet
           how
           much
           greater
           cause
           of
           thankfulness
           have
           you
           ,
           that
           she
           so
           lived
           and
           so
           dyed
           ,
           and
           that
           you
           may
           think
           of
           her
           with
           comfort
           ,
           as
           being
           with
           Christ
           ,
           and
           hope
           to
           be
           with
           her
           for
           ever
           .
           Every
           one
           hath
           had
           a
           Mother
           ,
           but
           every
           one
           had
           not
           
             such
             a
             Mother
          
           as
           you
           have
           had
           .
        
         
           (
           4
           )
           And
           I
           have
           intimated
           your
           Duty
           ,
           while
           I
           have
           mentioned
           your
           Loss
           and
           Mercy
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           Think
           over
           often
           what
           Sin
           she
           reproved
           in
           you
           ,
           and
           what
           counsel
           she
           gave
           you
           ,
           and
           now
           revive
           your
           resolution
           to
           obey
           it
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Remember
           what
           she
           was
           wont
           to
           pray
           for
           on
           your
           behalf
           ;
           and
           let
           it
           not
           now
           be
           long
           of
           your
           neglect
           or
           wilfulness
           ,
           that
           you
           are
           without
           it
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           Remember
           her
           humble
           ,
           moderate
           ,
           holy
           example
           ;
           and
           think
           whether
           your
           
           Souls
           have
           not
           as
           much
           need
           of
           the
           greatest
           care
           and
           diligence
           as
           hers
           had
           ?
           And
           why
           should
           not
           you
           be
           as
           studious
           to
           please
           God
           and
           make
           sure
           of
           Heaven
           as
           she
           was
           ?
           Bless
           God
           that
           you
           have
           such
           a
           pattern
           ,
           that
           hath
           so
           long
           dwelt
           with
           you
           for
           your
           imitation
           ,
           next
           your
           imitation
           of
           Christ
           :
           Holy
           simplicity
           is
           despised
           by
           the
           world
           ,
           but
           it
           will
           prove
           the
           only
           wisdom
           at
           the
           last
           .
        
         
           I
           have
           told
           you
           what
           use
           to
           make
           of
           the
           example
           of
           our
           deceased
           Friend
           :
           Let
           me
           now
           tell
           you
           what
           use
           to
           make
           of
           the
           Text
           which
           she
           so
           much
           loved
           ,
           transcribed
           ,
           and
           chose
           .
        
         
           I.
           And
           first
           here
           you
           may
           learn
           ,
           the
           nature
           of
           true
           Faith
           ,
           and
           sound
           Rel●gion
           :
           It
           taketh
           Gods
           testimonies
           and
           promises
           for
           our
           heritage
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           comfort
           of
           our
           hearts
           .
           It
           is
           not
           true
           Faith
           ,
           unless
           we
           so
           trust
           Gods
           promises
           for
           this
           life
           and
           that
           to
           come
           ,
           as
           to
           take
           what
           
             he
             promiseth
          
           for
           
             our
             best
          
           and
           our
           inheritance
           ,
           and
           his
           promise
           for
           our
           best
           security
           and
           title
           ,
           and
           his
           Law
           for
           our
           governing
           Rule
           that
           we
           may
           obtain
           it
           .
        
         
         
           So
           that
           ,
           1.
           
           Here
           you
           see
           how
           we
           differ
           from
           Infidels
           ,
           that
           do
           not
           trust
           their
           everlasting
           hopes
           and
           happiness
           on
           the
           promise
           of
           God.
           
        
         
           2.
           
           And
           how
           we
           differ
           from
           hypocrites
           who
           speak
           best
           on
           Heaven
           ,
           but
           really
           look
           for
           their
           best
           of
           earth
           :
           which
           Christ
           calleth
           [
           
             Trusting
             in
             their
             Riches
          
           ,
           ]
           because
           that
           is
           indeed
           their
           trust
           ,
           from
           which
           they
           have
           their
           greatest
           expectations
           ,
           and
           for
           which
           they
           most
           labour
           and
           will
           leave
           all
           ;
           this
           a
           believer
           doth
           for
           promised
           happiness
           :
           And
           this
           the
           worldly
           hypocrite
           doth
           for
           the
           prosperity
           of
           the
           flesh
           on
           Earth
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           And
           here
           you
           see
           that
           faith
           and
           godliness
           are
           not
           melancholy
           uncomfortable
           things
           ,
           as
           the
           Devil
           and
           the
           flesh
           would
           perswade
           unexperienced
           fools
           and
           unbelievers
           :
           Unless
           it
           be
           sad
           to
           have
           security
           from
           God
           of
           a
           Heavenly
           heritage
           ,
           and
           rejoice
           therein
           .
        
         
           And
           here
           you
           see
           the
           differences
           between
           the
           mirth
           of
           a
           fleshly
           infidel
           and
           of
           a
           believing
           Saint
           :
           One
           is
           like
           a
           drunkard
           that
           is
           merry
           for
           an
           hour
           in
           a
           brutish
           kind
           of
           befooling
           pleasure
           ;
           or
           like
           one
           that
           hath
           a
           pleasant
           dream
           ;
           or
           one
           that
           heareth
           a
           jeast
           
           or
           merry
           tale
           ,
           or
           seeth
           a
           pretty
           Comedy
           or
           shew
           :
           The
           other
           is
           more
           rational
           and
           heart-contenting
           than
           it
           should
           be
           to
           any
           one
           of
           you
           ,
           to
           have
           good
           security
           for
           many
           hundred
           years
           life
           and
           health
           and
           prosperity
           here
           on
           Earth
           ;
           such
           a
           birth-right
           do
           prophane
           fools
           sell
           for
           such
           a
           morsel
           ;
           not
           knowing
           that
           the
           fear
           of
           God
           caused
           by
           true
           Faith
           is
           the
           beginning
           of
           Wisdom
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Hence
           therefore
           we
           may
           learn
           how
           to
           try
           our
           sincerity
           of
           Faith.
           Doth
           it
           make
           us
           take
           Gods
           promise
           and
           the
           thing
           promised
           as
           our
           heritage
           ?
           Though
           we
           are
           not
           without
           Temptations
           to
           doubting
           ,
           nay
           nor
           without
           the
           remnants
           of
           unbelief
           ,
           but
           our
           hearts
           are
           troubled
           when
           we
           look
           beyond
           death
           with
           many
           fears
           ,
           yet
           if
           we
           so
           far
           trust
           Gods
           Word
           ,
           as
           resolvedly
           to
           take
           it
           for
           that
           which
           we
           will
           adhere
           to
           ,
           and
           lay
           our
           chiefest
           hopes
           upon
           ,
           we
           have
           a
           faith
           that
           will
           entitle
           us
           to
           the
           promised
           benefits
           .
        
         
           Obj.
           But
           some
           may
           say
           ,
           I
           cannot
           say
           that
           it
           is
           the
           
             Rejoycing
             of
             my
             heart
          
           .
        
         
           Ans
           .
           1.
           
           Can
           you
           say
           that
           you
           take
           it
           for
           that
           in
           which
           you
           place
           and
           seek
           your
           joy
           ,
           
           though
           you
           cannot
           yet
           attain
           it
           ?
           And
           that
           you
           prefer
           not
           
             any
             other
             pleasure
          
           in
           your
           esteem
           and
           choice
           and
           seeking
           ?
           If
           so
           ,
           you
           shew
           that
           you
           truly
           believe
           and
           trust
           to
           the
           faithfulness
           of
           
             God's
             Word
          
           ,
           though
           yet
           you
           reach
           not
           what
           you
           seek
           .
           Desire
           is
           the
           first-fruit
           of
           Faith
           and
           Love
           ,
           and
           holy
           joy
           is
           the
           flower
           and
           perfection
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Cannot
           you
           say
           that
           it
           is
           
             this
             Word
          
           that
           maketh
           you
           hope
           that
           there
           is
           for
           man
           a
           better
           life
           ,
           and
           that
           you
           shall
           not
           perish
           like
           the
           Beasts
           ?
           And
           that
           your
           fears
           and
           sorrows
           are
           somewhat
           abated
           by
           the
           promises
           of
           God
           ?
        
         
           3.
           
           Cannot
           you
           say
           that
           you
           perceive
           a
           pleasing
           goodness
           in
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           ,
           which
           maketh
           it
           welcome
           and
           acceptable
           to
           you
           ?
        
         
           By
           what
           I
           have
           mentioned
           ,
           you
           may
           find
           ,
        
         
           1.
           
           That
           the
           Word
           hath
           not
           been
           in
           vain
           unto
           you
           ,
           when
           it
           hath
           caused
           such
           effects
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           And
           that
           the
           same
           spirit
           is
           in
           you
           which
           wrote
           the
           Word
           ;
           or
           else
           you
           would
           not
           love
           and
           desire
           it
           ,
           and
           take
           it
           for
           suitable
           food
           and
           pleasure
           ,
           yea
           ,
           your
           heritage
           and
           joy
           .
        
         
         
           3.
           
           And
           you
           may
           hence
           perceive
           that
           you
           are
           not
           without
           the
           love
           of
           God
           himself
           ,
           though
           you
           see
           him
           not
           ,
           and
           have
           not
           such
           sensible
           conceptions
           of
           him
           as
           you
           have
           of
           men
           and
           things
           which
           you
           have
           seen
           :
           For
           if
           you
           love
           truth
           and
           goodness
           and
           holiness
           in
           Gods
           Word
           ,
           because
           it
           is
           such
           ,
           you
           sure
           love
           best
           the
           greatest
           truth
           ,
           goodness
           and
           holiness
           ,
           and
           that
           is
           God.
           
        
         
           4.
           
           And
           hence
           you
           may
           perceive
           that
           though
           our
           nature
           love
           not
           death
           ,
           and
           a
           weak
           faith
           will
           not
           overcome
           all
           fears
           ,
           when
           we
           think
           of
           coming
           into
           an
           unseen
           world
           ,
           yet
           really
           you
           are
           lovers
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           in
           that
           you
           are
           lovers
           of
           that
           which
           constituteth
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           is
           its
           desirableness
           to
           man
           ;
           even
           holiness
           and
           Gods
           Love
           and
           glorious
           presence
           ,
           and
           our
           perpetual
           joy
           herein
           .
           If
           you
           desire
           this
           you
           desire
           Heaven
           ,
           though
           the
           fear
           of
           death
           do
           make
           you
           doubt
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           5.
           
           And
           hence
           you
           may
           find
           that
           you
           are
           not
           Worldly
           Hypocrites
           ?
           else
           it
           is
           not
           Gods
           Promises
           ,
           and
           Law
           ,
           that
           you
           would
           take
           for
           your
           heritage
           and
           joy
           ;
           but
           worldly
           prosperity
           and
           fleshly
           pleasure
           ,
           and
           God
           and
           Heaven
           should
           have
           but
           the
           leavings
           of
           the
           flesh
           ,
           
           for
           fear
           of
           an
           after
           reckoning
           at
           death
           .
        
         
           6.
           
           And
           though
           your
           joy
           be
           small
           ,
           you
           may
           know
           that
           it
           is
           of
           the
           right
           kind
           ,
           when
           it
           is
           chiefly
           sought
           in
           
             God's
             Love
          
           and
           Promises
           ;
           and
           you
           would
           not
           let
           go
           the
           word
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           lose
           your
           part
           in
           it
           for
           all
           the
           vanities
           of
           this
           World.
           
        
         
           III.
           Hence
           also
           you
           may
           learn
           why
           all
           
             true
             Christians
          
           so
           much
           value
           the
           Testimonies
           or
           Word
           of
           God
           ?
           Why
           they
           so
           much
           read
           it
           ,
           think
           of
           it
           ,
           talk
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           hear
           of
           it
           ;
           and
           are
           loath
           that
           Papists
           should
           corrupt
           it
           ,
           or
           conceal
           it
           in
           an
           unknown
           Tongue
           ;
           or
           that
           any
           should
           deny
           them
           the
           necessary
           use
           of
           it
           ,
           or
           silence
           the
           Ministers
           that
           preach
           it
           to
           them
           ?
           who
           would
           willingly
           be
           deprived
           of
           his
           heritage
           ,
           or
           heart
           rejoycing
           ?
        
         
           IV.
           Yea
           ,
           indeed
           hence
           we
           see
           ,
           
             how
             much
             we
             should
             set
             by
             it
             ,
             and
             use
             it
             ,
          
           how
           dear
           it
           should
           be
           to
           us
           ?
           How
           strictly
           we
           should
           obey
           it
           ?
           With
           what
           delight
           we
           should
           read
           it
           and
           meditate
           in
           it
           ?
           How
           diligent
           we
           should
           be
           to
           confirm
           our
           belief
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           how
           we
           should
           fetch
           our
           hope
           and
           comfort
           from
           it
           ,
           in
           life
           and
           at
           our
           death
           ?
        
         
         
           V.
           And
           You
           may
           see
           hence
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           no
           wonder
           that
           the
           Devil
           and
           all
           his
           Servants
           in
           the
           World
           are
           Enemies
           to
           the
           Word
           of
           God.
           because
           they
           are
           Enemies
           to
           our
           heritage
           and
           joy
           :
           And
           there
           are
           few
           better
           signs
           while
           many
           pretend
           to
           be
           for
           Christ
           ,
           to
           know
           who
           are
           really
           for
           him
           ,
           and
           who
           are
           against
           him
           and
           his
           greatest
           Enemies
           ;
           than
           to
           judge
           of
           men
           as
           they
           further
           or
           hinder
           ;
           Love
           or
           Hate
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           as
           to
           its
           proper
           use
           ,
           ,
           as
           the
           heritage
           and
           joy
           of
           
             holy
             souls
          
           .
        
         
           VI.
           But
           the
           chief
           part
           of
           
             my
             application
          
           is
           ,
           to
           commend
           this
           wise
           and
           
             holy
             choice
          
           ,
           and
           solid
           comfort
           to
           you
           all
           ;
           and
           to
           beseech
           you
           presently
           to
           imitate
           David
           ,
           and
           turn
           away
           from
           all
           inconsistent
           pleasures
           .
           If
           you
           live
           in
           sorrow
           or
           deceit
           ,
           and
           die
           in
           desperation
           ,
           it
           is
           not
           for
           want
           of
           an
           offer
           from
           God
           of
           better
           things
           .
           Have
           you
           lived
           hitherto
           as
           thus
           resolved
           ?
           If
           you
           have
           ,
           the
           Lord
           confirm
           you
           ,
           and
           be
           sure
           such
           hopes
           shall
           not
           deceive
           you
           .
           If
           you
           have
           not
           ,
           what
           will
           you
           now
           choose
           and
           do
           ?
           If
           you
           live
           not
           to
           some
           
           end
           ,
           you
           live
           not
           like
           men
           ,
           according
           to
           reason
           .
           If
           you
           have
           chosen
           what
           end
           to
           live
           for
           and
           seek
           ,
           what
           is
           it
           ?
           Consider
           ,
           I
           be-beseech
           you
           ,
           of
           these
           things
           following
           before
           it
           be
           too
           late
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           What
           will
           you
           take
           for
           your
           heritage
           ,
           or
           your
           best
           ,
           if
           not
           the
           future
           promised
           joyes
           ,
           and
           what
           will
           you
           take
           for
           your
           security
           but
           Gods
           Word
           ?
           What
           is
           it
           that
           you
           place
           your
           chiefest
           hopes
           in
           ?
           shall
           health
           and
           wealth
           ,
           and
           pleasure
           to
           the
           flesh
           ,
           and
           honour
           among
           men
           ,
           be
           taken
           for
           your
           heritage
           ?
           Dare
           you
           under
           your
           hands
           make
           a
           Covenant
           for
           these
           to
           quit
           all
           your
           hopes
           of
           the
           life
           to
           come
           ?
           if
           not
           ,
           which
           is
           that
           you
           prefer
           ,
           and
           which
           would
           you
           quit
           ,
           if
           one
           must
           be
           hazarded
           or
           lost
           ?
           which
           hath
           the
           nearest
           and
           highest
           place
           in
           your
           hearts
           ?
           which
           seek
           you
           first
           ,
           and
           make
           all
           other
           things
           give
           place
           to
           ?
           O
           Sirs
           ,
           it
           is
           a
           shame
           to
           our
           stupid
           hearts
           ,
           that
           we
           have
           need
           to
           be
           so
           oft
           told
           by
           Preachers
           ,
           that
           
             we
             must
             dye
          
           ,
           and
           that
           our
           flesh
           must
           shortly
           lie
           neglected
           in
           dust
           and
           darkness
           ,
           till
           the
           resurrection
           ,
           and
           that
           we
           and
           all
           the
           deceitful
           trifles
           of
           this
           World
           are
           ready
           to
           part
           for
           ever
           !
           It
           is
           a
           shame
           that
           we
           
           must
           be
           oft
           told
           that
           which
           every
           Fool
           and
           Child
           at
           the
           use
           of
           reason
           may
           know
           ,
           how
           poor
           and
           how
           short
           an
           heritage
           or
           pleasure
           all
           those
           have
           ,
           who
           have
           no
           better
           than
           this
           World
           can
           give
           them
           .
        
         
           What
           say
           you
           ,
           Will
           you
           die
           in
           Hope
           or
           in
           Despair
           ?
           If
           Unbelief
           make
           you
           hope
           that
           there
           is
           no
           Hell
           ,
           yet
           Hope
           of
           Heaven
           you
           can
           have
           none
           ,
           unless
           you
           trust
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           ?
           The
           light
           of
           Nature
           indeed
           is
           such
           a
           natural
           Word
           or
           Revelation
           ,
           as
           may
           tell
           us
           much
           of
           a
           future
           life
           of
           retribution
           ;
           but
           Gods
           supernatural
           revelation
           is
           so
           much
           clearer
           ,
           that
           we
           cannot
           expect
           that
           he
           will
           see
           by
           a
           lesser
           ,
           who
           wilfully
           rejects
           a
           greater
           light
           :
           sure
           all
           men
           would
           live
           for
           ever
           if
           they
           could
           ,
           and
           all
           would
           be
           for
           ever
           happy
           :
           you
           would
           not
           sure
           die
           like
           Dogs
           ,
           without
           any
           hope
           of
           a
           better
           life
           hereafter
           ,
           if
           you
           could
           have
           good
           security
           for
           such
           hopes
           ?
           And
           what
           better
           security
           is
           there
           to
           be
           found
           ,
           by
           mortal
           men
           ,
           than
           (
           
             the
             Promises
             of
             God
             ,
             confirmed
             by
             Christs
             Blood
             and
             Miracles
             ,
             and
             by
             the
             Seal
             of
             his
             holy
             Spirit
             .
          
           )
        
         
           In
           a
           word
           ,
           without
           all
           doubt
           ,
           
             Either
             Heaven
             must
             be
             your
             Heritage
             ,
             or
             you
             must
             have
             none
             that
             is
             worthy
             of
             a
             serious
             thought
             ,
             and
             enough
             
             to
             keep
             a
             man
             from
             wishing
             that
             he
             had
             never
             been
             born
             ,
             or
             been
             a
             Brute
             ,
             that
             had
             not
             reason
             to
             know
             the
             matter
             of
             his
             griefs
             and
             fears
             .
             And
             either
             Gods
             Word
             seconding
             the
             light
             of
             Nature
             ,
             must
             give
             you
             hopes
             of
             a
             better
             life
             ,
             or
             you
             must
             live
             and
             dye
             in
             meer
             despair
             .
          
           And
           shall
           that
           be
           your
           wilful
           choice
           ?
        
         
           2.
           
           Consider
           how
           unvaluable
           a
           mercy
           it
           is
           ,
           to
           man
           ,
           yea
           ,
           to
           sinful
           miserable
           man
           ,
           that
           God
           should
           vouchsafe
           to
           give
           him
           such
           an
           everlasting
           Heritage
           ,
           and
           such
           security
           for
           it
           ,
           and
           that
           on
           the
           meere
           thankful
           acceptance
           of
           the
           sinner
           .
           And
           how
           worthily
           will
           they
           be
           undone
           ,
           that
           by
           wilful
           refusal
           are
           deprived
           of
           freely
           offered
           Felicity
           ?
        
         
           3.
           
           And
           consider
           ,
           how
           suitable
           an
           Heritage
           and
           Security
           it
           is
           that
           is
           offered
           us
           ,
           and
           how
           fit
           for
           our
           joyful
           acceptance
           and
           esteem
           .
        
         
           The
           thing
           promised
           is
           no
           less
           than
           endless
           glory
           with
           God
           our
           Redeemer
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           blessed
           :
           it
           is
           in
           the
           world
           where
           we
           must
           be
           for
           ever
           !
           It
           is
           the
           perfection
           of
           that
           which
           every
           holy
           Soul
           desireth
           :
           It
           is
           
             our
             
             best
             ,
             our
             all
          
           ;
           it
           must
           be
           that
           or
           nothing
           ;
           that
           or
           Hell.
           
        
         
           The
           Word
           or
           Covenant
           which
           is
           our
           Trust
           ,
        
         
           1.
           
           Is
           Gods
           own
           Word
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           It
           perfecteth
           and
           secondeth
           natural
           revelation
           and
           hope
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           It
           beareth
           on
           it self
           the
           impress
           of
           God
           ,
           even
           his
           power
           ,
           wisdom
           and
           love
           ,
           in
           wonders
           ,
           prophecies
           and
           grace
           ,
           it
           is
           sealed
           by
           the
           blood
           of
           Christ
           ;
           by
           his
           own
           and
           his
           Disciples
           multitude
           of
           miracles
           ;
           and
           by
           the
           gift
           of
           his
           sanctifying
           Spirit
           to
           all
           true
           believers
           to
           the
           end
           :
           It
           is
           confirmed
           to
           our
           Souls
           by
           the
           experience
           of
           the
           Power
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           the
           blessed
           effects
           ,
           and
           this
           in-dwelling
           Spirit
           ,
           the
           witness
           of
           Christ
           ;
           and
           by
           the
           answer
           of
           prayers
           ,
           by
           many
           providences
           ,
           and
           by
           the
           experience
           of
           all
           Believers
           to
           this
           day
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           excellently
           suited
           to
           all
           our
           needs
           ;
           to
           our
           wants
           ,
           our
           dangers
           ,
           our
           fears
           ,
           our
           doubts
           ,
           yea
           ,
           and
           our
           sinful
           unworthiness
           in
           the
           freeness
           of
           Gods
           mercy
           ,
           and
           all
           his
           gifts
           .
        
         
           Indeed
           man
           had
           rather
           live
           by
           sight
           ,
           and
           
           would
           fain
           know
           by
           seeing
           ,
           whither
           Souls
           go
           ,
           and
           what
           they
           are
           ,
           and
           have
           ,
           and
           do
           hereafter
           .
           But
           it
           is
           not
           we
           ,
           but
           God
           that
           is
           the
           Ruler
           ,
           and
           fittest
           to
           choose
           both
           the
           gift
           and
           means
           ,
           the
           end
           and
           way
           :
           If
           we
           thankfully
           trust
           and
           improve
           a
           promise
           ,
           we
           shall
           quickly
           see
           ,
           and
           have
           possession
           .
           Blessed
           be
           God
           for
           the
           light
           of
           his
           Gospel
           ,
           to
           guide
           us
           up
           to
           the
           light
           of
           glory
           .
           O
           that
           we
           had
           hearts
           to
           trust
           it
           ,
           love
           it
           ,
           and
           rejoice
           in
           it
           ,
           as
           we
           have
           just
           cause
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           And
           is
           it
           not
           a
           great
           mercy
           of
           God
           ,
           that
           he
           hath
           herein
           called
           us
           
             to
             a
             life
             of
             happiness
             and
             present
             joy
          
           ?
           If
           he
           had
           bid
           us
           only
           weep
           for
           sin
           to
           the
           last
           breath
           ,
           the
           condition
           had
           been
           easie
           as
           for
           pardon
           and
           hope
           of
           endless
           mercy
           ;
           but
           he
           hath
           given
           us
           a
           word
           ,
           which
           he
           would
           have
           to
           be
           the
           
             rejoycing
             of
             our
             hearts
          
           ;
           and
           do
           we
           not
           love
           joy
           ?
           or
           have
           we
           any
           better
           ?
        
         
           I
           have
           not
           now
           time
           ,
           and
           I
           much
           more
           want
           my self
           such
           a
           mind
           and
           heart
           as
           I
           should
           have
           ,
           to
           tell
           what
           cause
           of
           daily
           joy
           God
           hath
           given
           us
           in
           his
           word
           and
           Covenants
           .
           But
           this
           I
           will
           tell
           you
           ,
           that
           our
           want
           
           of
           joy
           is
           our
           daily
           sin
           and
           shame
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           our
           loss
           and
           suffering
           ;
           and
           among
           all
           the
           discoveries
           of
           the
           sinful
           weakness
           of
           our
           Faith
           ,
           Hope
           and
           Love
           ,
           our
           want
           of
           rejoycing
           in
           the
           word
           of
           promise
           ,
           and
           hope
           of
           glory
           is
           not
           the
           less
           ?
           O
           what
           an
           Enemy
           is
           Death
           in
           this
           respect
           ,
           that
           standing
           between
           it
           ,
           darkneth
           and
           affrighneth
           us
           from
           our
           joys
           :
           But
           Christ
           hath
           conquered
           Death
           ,
           to
           deliver
           those
           that
           through
           fear
           of
           it
           are
           subject
           to
           Bondage
           ,
           Heb.
           2.14
           .
           And
           though
           we
           cry
           ,
           O
           miserable
           men
           ,
           who
           shall
           deliver
           us
           ?
           we
           ye
           thank
           God
           through
           Jesus
           Christ
           our
           Lord.
           
        
         
           And
           I
           must
           second
           the
           Testimony
           of
           our
           deceased
           Friend
           ,
           in
           professing
           for
           your
           encouragement
           ,
           my
           own
           experience
           ,
           I
           have
           taken
           
             God's
             Testimonies
          
           for
           my
           Heritage
           ,
           and
           they
           have
           been
           these
           fifty
           Years
           ,
           or
           near
           ,
           the
           pleasure
           of
           my
           life
           ,
           and
           sweeter
           than
           Honey
           ,
           and
           preciouser
           than
           thousands
           of
           gold
           and
           silver
           .
           As
           we
           tell
           men
           in
           charity
           of
           the
           things
           which
           we
           have
           found
           good
           ,
           the
           Medicines
           that
           have
           healed
           us
           ,
           and
           commend
           the
           persons
           that
           have
           been
           friendly
           to
           us
           ,
           and
           as
           man's
           nature
           is
           inclined
           to
           propagate
           the
           
           knowledge
           ,
           and
           communicate
           the
           good
           which
           we
           partake
           of
           ,
           and
           grace
           increaseth
           this
           inclination
           ;
           so
           I
           take
           it
           to
           be
           my
           duty
           ,
           to
           add
           herein
           my
           own
           experience
           ,
           if
           it
           may
           contribute
           to
           the
           determining
           of
           your
           cho●ce
           :
           and
           reason
           teacheth
           all
           men
           to
           regard
           that
           means
           and
           remedy
           and
           good
           the
           more
           ,
           which
           many
           have
           had
           experience
           of
           ;
           and
           it
           is
           not
           to
           be
           taken
           for
           vain
           ostentation
           ,
           to
           profess
           that
           which
           all
           must
           have
           in
           some
           degree
           that
           will
           be
           saved
           .
        
         
           Though
           the
           natural
           and
           sinful
           fears
           of
           pain
           and
           death
           ,
           too
           long
           deprived
           me
           of
           much
           of
           the
           joy
           which
           I
           should
           have
           had
           in
           the
           thoughts
           of
           the
           unseen
           world
           ,
           and
           too
           much
           doth
           so
           to
           this
           day
           ,
           yet
           I
           must
           say
           that
           the
           
             Word
             of
             God
          
           ,
           and
           the
           persons
           that
           love
           and
           practice
           it
           ,
           and
           the
           holy
           way
           of
           life
           and
           peace
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           means
           and
           things
           that
           here
           savour
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           have
           been
           so
           good
           and
           pleasant
           to
           me
           ,
           as
           enableth
           me
           to
           assure
           you
           ,
           that
           on
           earth
           there
           is
           nothing
           so
           worthy
           of
           your
           desire
           and
           joy
           .
        
         
           And
           to
           encourage
           you
           ,
           I
           will
           tell
           you
           by
           my
           own
           experience
           ,
           what
           benefit
           may
           be
           expected
           from
           this
           kind
           of
           delight
           ,
           agreeable
           
           to
           Davids
           and
           our
           Friends
           experience
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           By
           this
           means
           my
           life
           hath
           been
           almost
           a
           constant
           pleasure
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           This
           pleasure
           hath
           much
           upheld
           me
           under
           almost
           constant
           bodily
           infirmity
           and
           pain
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           It
           hath
           made
           all
           my
           sufferings
           from
           men
           ,
           and
           crosses
           in
           the
           world
           to
           be
           tolerable
           and
           very
           easie
           to
           me
           ;
           had
           not
           Gods
           Word
           been
           my
           delight
           ,
           I
           had
           lived
           uncomfortably
           ,
           in
           constant
           pains
           and
           sorrows
           ,
           and
           had
           perished
           in
           my
           trouble
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           It
           hath
           saved
           me
           from
           the
           snares
           of
           sinful
           pleasures
           :
           mans
           nature
           will
           seek
           for
           some
           delight
           ,
           and
           they
           that
           have
           it
           not
           in
           good-will
           ,
           seek
           it
           in
           things
           hurtful
           and
           forbidden
           ;
           it
           is
           only
           greater
           things
           that
           can
           overcome
           our
           mistaken
           choice
           of
           lesser
           .
           In
           my
           Childhood
           I
           was
           sinfully
           inclined
           to
           the
           pleasure
           of
           Romances
           ,
           and
           of
           Childish
           Sports
           ;
           but
           when
           I
           tasted
           the
           sweetness
           of
           Gods
           Testimonies
           and
           Ways
           ,
           I
           needed
           no
           other
           but
           spit
           out
           those
           luscious
           unwholesome
           Vanities
           .
           And
           though
           common
           knowledge
           ,
           called
           Learning
           ,
           be
           pleasant
           to
           mans
           nature
           ,
           and
           I
           cannot
           say
           that
           I
           have
           not
           overvalued
           it
           ,
           
           yet
           I
           must
           say
           ,
           that
           the
           relish
           of
           these
           greater
           matters
           ,
           hath
           made
           me
           see
           how
           much
           of
           it
           is
           vanity
           ,
           and
           hath
           saved
           me
           from
           the
           pursuit
           of
           that
           part
           of
           it
           which
           doth
           but
           please
           curiosity
           and
           fancy
           ,
           and
           tendeth
           not
           to
           use
           and
           to
           greater
           things
           ;
           and
           sensual
           pleasures
           I
           had
           no
           need
           of
           .
        
         
           5.
           
           It
           hath
           by
           this
           means
           made
           that
           pleasure
           which
           I
           had
           ,
           to
           be
           such
           as
           my
           reason
           did
           approve
           and
           justifie
           ,
           whereas
           if
           I
           had
           sought
           it
           in
           preferment
           ,
           wealth
           ,
           or
           sensuality
           ,
           a
           foreseeing
           Conscience
           would
           have
           afrighted
           me
           out
           of
           all
           my
           pleasure
           ,
           and
           I
           should
           have
           had
           more
           of
           the
           pricks
           than
           of
           the
           Rose
           ;
           of
           the
           sting
           ,
           than
           of
           the
           Honey
           .
           Of
           this
           pleasure
           you
           need
           not
           fear
           too
           much
           ;
           but
           of
           the
           sensual
           pleasure
           ,
           we
           more
           easily
           catch
           a
           mortal
           surfeit
        
         
           6.
           
           This
           sweetness
           of
           Gods
           Word
           ,
           hath
           made
           also
           my
           calling
           and
           
             daily
             labor
          
           sweet
           ;
           so
           that
           it
           had
           my
           heart
           ,
           and
           not
           my
           forced
           hand
           and
           tongue
           .
        
         
           7.
           
           And
           this
           hath
           helpt
           my
           constancy
           herein
           :
           For
           when
           we
           have
           no
           delight
           in
           our
           work
           ,
           we
           grow
           weary
           ;
           and
           weariness
           tendeth
           to
           give
           it
           over
           ,
           or
           to
           do
           it
           heartlesly
           
           and
           slubber
           it
           over
           in
           unacceptable
           hypocrisie
           .
        
         
           8.
           
           And
           this
           hath
           much
           saved
           me
           from
           the
           sinful
           loss
           of
           time
           :
           pleasure
           causeth
           trifling
           and
           delays
           ;
           who
           needeth
           vain
           pastimes
           ,
           that
           delighteth
           in
           Gods
           Word
           and
           Work
           ?
        
         
           9.
           
           And
           this
           hath
           been
           to
           me
           an
           excellent
           help
           for
           the
           increase
           of
           knowledge
           :
           For
           the
           mysteries
           of
           godliness
           have
           still
           more
           to
           be
           learned
           by
           the
           wisest
           man
           ;
           and
           as
           Boys
           at
           School
           ,
           so
           the
           Scholars
           of
           Christ
           ,
           learn
           best
           who
           have
           most
           pleasure
           in
           their
           Books
           .
        
         
           10.
           
           And
           this
           pleasure
           hath
           much
           confirmed
           my
           belief
           of
           the
           truth
           of
           Scripture
           ,
           when
           it
           hath
           born
           its
           own
           witness
           to
           my
           mind
           ,
           and
           I
           have
           tasted
           that
           goodness
           which
           is
           agreeable
           to
           its
           truth
           .
           I
           easily
           believe
           him
           that
           commendeth
           a
           thing
           to
           me
           ,
           when
           I
           taste
           or
           feel
           that
           it
           is
           good
           .
        
         
           11.
           
           And
           this
           pleasure
           hath
           helped
           me
           against
           vain
           thoughts
           and
           talk
           ,
           while
           the
           truths
           of
           God
           were
           sweet
           ,
           and
           so
           continually
           welcome
           ;
           it
           's
           easie
           to
           think
           of
           that
           which
           we
           delight
           in
           ;
           and
           sinful
           delights
           corrupt
           the
           thoughts
           and
           speech
           with
           constant
           sin
           .
        
         
           12.
           
           And
           this
           pleasure
           hath
           somewhat
           fed
           
           my
           daily
           thankfulness
           to
           God
           ,
           in
           the
           constant
           experience
           of
           the
           goodness
           of
           his
           truth
           and
           ways
           .
        
         
           13.
           
           And
           it
           cured
           the
           error
           of
           my
           beginnings
           ,
           when
           I
           strove
           for
           nothing
           so
           much
           as
           to
           weep
           for
           sin
           ,
           and
           perceived
           not
           that
           the
           joy
           of
           the
           Lord
           is
           our
           strength
           ,
           and
           the
           flower
           of
           holiness
           ,
           and
           likest
           to
           the
           heavenly
           state
           ;
           and
           that
           the
           Spirit
           sanctifieth
           ,
           by
           making
           God
           and
           goodness
           pleasant
           to
           us
           .
        
         
           14.
           
           And
           hereby
           it
           made
           me
           find
           ,
           that
           the
           praises
           of
           God
           are
           the
           sweetest
           and
           noblest
           exercises
           of
           Religion
           ;
           when
           before
           I
           placed
           more
           in
           lamenting
           sin
           and
           misery
           .
        
         
           15.
           
           And
           this
           maketh
           many
           things
           needless
           to
           me
           ,
           that
           else
           would
           seem
           needful
           ;
           I
           want
           not
           more
           company
           ;
           I
           want
           no
           recreation
           but
           for
           my
           body
           ;
           if
           I
           have
           not
           what
           I
           would
           have
           ,
           I
           see
           where
           only
           it
           is
           to
           be
           found
           .
        
         
           16.
           
           And
           I
           am
           assured
           that
           the
           constant
           pleasure
           of
           my
           mind
           ,
           hath
           not
           only
           kept
           me
           from
           melancholy
           ,
           but
           from
           greater
           sicknesses
           ,
           and
           tended
           to
           the
           lengthning
           of
           my
           life
           (
           as
           Scaliger
           saith
           ,
           
             Pleasant
             Studies
             do
          
           .
           )
           For
           constant
           pleasure
           must
           needs
           tend
           to
           health
           .
        
         
         
           17.
           
           And
           this
           taste
           hath
           made
           me
           long
           for
           more
           ,
           and
           had
           I
           not
           felt
           that
           it
           is
           good
           to
           draw
           near
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           very
           desirable
           to
           know
           him
           and
           his
           will
           ,
           I
           should
           never
           have
           so
           earnestly
           beg'd
           for
           clearer
           light
           and
           more
           near
           and
           sweet
           communion
           with
           him
           ;
           pleasure
           is
           the
           cause
           of
           strong
           desire
           .
        
         
           18.
           
           It
           hath
           been
           one
           of
           my
           greatest
           helps
           against
           many
           temptations
           ,
           of
           subtile
           enemies
           that
           tempt
           men
           to
           sadducism
           and
           doubt
           of
           the
           life
           to
           come
           .
        
         
           19.
           
           It
           hath
           made
           me
           more
           communicative
           to
           others
           ,
           for
           we
           would
           all
           have
           partakers
           in
           our
           delights
           .
        
         
           20.
           
           And
           it
           hath
           greatly
           furthered
           my
           Repentance
           and
           hatred
           of
           sin
           ,
           when
           I
           have
           tasted
           what
           pleasure
           it
           depriveth
           us
           of
           ;
           and
           the
           abhorrence
           and
           loathing
           of
           my self
           that
           can
           delight
           in
           such
           a
           God
           and
           Saviour
           ,
           and
           word
           no
           more
           :
           when
           I
           taste
           how
           good
           it
           is
           ,
           and
           see
           so
           much
           reason
           to
           rejoice
           in
           it
           ,
           and
           the
           hopes
           of
           Glory
           a
           thousand
           fold-more
           than
           I
           do
           ,
           none
           of
           all
           the
           actual
           sins
           of
           my
           life
           ,
           do
           make
           me
           half
           so
           much
           loath
           my
           naughty
           heart
           ,
           as
           to
           think
           that
           my
           want
           of
           greater
           joy
           in
           so
           great
           and
           near
           a
           good
           ,
           
           doth
           shew
           so
           much
           weakness
           in
           my
           Faith
           ,
           and
           Hope
           ,
           and
           Love
           !
           O
           that
           I
           had
           more
           Faith
           and
           Love
           that
           I
           might
           have
           more
           of
           this
           delight
           !
        
         
           Hearers
           I
           have
           sincerely
           told
           you
           what
           comfort
           you
           may
           have
           if
           you
           will
           not
           refuse
           it
           from
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           from
           the
           experience
           of
           David
           ,
           and
           (
           because
           things
           near
           are
           aptest
           to
           affect
           )
           from
           the
           experience
           of
           our
           deceased
           friend
           ,
           and
           of
           my self
           ,
           and
           indeed
           of
           all
           Gods
           Servants
           in
           their
           degree
           ;
           you
           would
           live
           in
           joy
           ;
           you
           will
           dye
           in
           joy
           ;
           we
           need
           it
           in
           a
           life
           of
           so
           much
           trouble
           ,
           and
           for
           a
           change
           that
           else
           is
           terrible
           ;
           and
           its
           sure
           and
           near
           .
           O
           Sirs
           we
           need
           another
           kind
           of
           comfort
           ,
           than
           sport
           or
           appetite
           ,
           or
           wealth
           ,
           or
           any
           such
           fading
           vanity
           will
           give
           us
           ,
           you
           may
           have
           some
           of
           it
           ,
           if
           you
           will.
           And
           though
           joy
           be
           the
           top
           of
           grace
           which
           we
           arrive
           not
           at
           with
           a
           wish
           ,
           nor
           in
           an
           hour
           ,
           yet
           the
           nature
           of
           the
           new
           creature
           relisheth
           or
           savoureth
           the
           things
           of
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           Rom.
           8.
           5
           ,
           6
           ,
           7.
           
           And
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Adoption
           is
           a
           Spirit
           of
           filial
           Love
           ,
           and
           cryeth
           Abba
           Father
           ,
           and
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           the
           Father
           ,
           the
           Grace
           of
           the
           Son
           ,
           and
           the
           Communion
           of
           the
           Holy
           
           Spirit
           ,
           which
           are
           the
           believers
           part
           ,
           are
           all
           of
           them
           the
           greatest
           comforters
           ;
           and
           Christ
           giveth
           believers
           that
           seek
           and
           trust
           him
           ,
           that
           spring
           of
           living
           waters
           ,
           which
           tendeth
           to
           everlasting
           satisfaction
           ,
           and
           cureth
           indigent
           and
           sinful
           thirst
           .
        
         
           Will
           you
           then
           have
           any
           portion
           ,
           heritage
           and
           joy
           which
           will
           be
           worthy
           of
           a
           man
           ,
           and
           shall
           go
           further
           with
           you
           than
           the
           Grave
           ?
           If
           you
           will
           you
           may
           :
           God
           and
           this
           Congregation
           are
           witnesses
           that
           it
           was
           
             offered
             you
          
           .
           But
           think
           not
           to
           refuse
           it
           ,
           and
           prefer
           the
           
             transitory
             pleasures
          
           of
           Sin
           before
           it
           ,
           and
           at
           last
           have
           it
           ,
           and
           find
           that
           which
           you
           received
           ,
           or
           which
           you
           sought
           not
           first
           ,
           Mat.
           6.33
           .
           nor
           to
           find
           a
           Treasure
           in
           Heaven
           where
           you
           never
           laid
           it
           up
           or
           sought
           it
           .
           The
           hopes
           of
           the
           Wicked
           perish
           ,
           and
           the
           
             Hypocrites
             hopes
          
           are
           as
           the
           giving
           up
           of
           the
           Ghost
           :
           But
           the
           Righteous
           hath
           hope
           in
           his
           death
           ,
           and
           therefore
           may
           dye
           in
           Peace
           and
           
             Joy
             ,
             Job
          
           8.13
           ,
           14.
           and
           11.20
           .
           Prov.
           11.7
           .
           and
           14.32
        
         
           Perhaps
           some
           will
           say
           ,
           that
           such
           a
           discourse
           of
           rejoycing
           is
           unsuitable
           to
           the
           mourning
           of
           a
           Funeral
           .
           I
           think
           not
           of
           such
           a
           Funeral
           ,
           in
           which
           we
           commemorate
           the
           
           
             Holy
             Life
          
           and
           Death
           ,
           and
           believe
           the
           present
           and
           everlasting
           joy
           of
           such
           a
           Friend
           ,
           and
           one
           with
           whom
           we
           have
           long
           joyned
           in
           seeking
           and
           waiting
           for
           that
           Felicity
           ,
           and
           hope
           ere
           long
           and
           for
           ever
           to
           rejoice
           with
           Christ
           and
           her
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           blessed
           .
           And
           
             Funeral
             Sermons
          
           are
           not
           for
           the
           benefit
           (
           though
           for
           the
           due
           honour
           )
           of
           the
           dead
           ,
           but
           of
           the
           living
           ,
           to
           teach
           us
           all
           to
           prepare
           for
           death
           ,
           which
           indeed
           is
           so
           much
           of
           the
           business
           of
           our
           whole
           life
           ,
           that
           all
           the
           rest
           is
           but
           a
           vain
           shew
           ,
           and
           foolish
           trifling
           or
           much
           worse
           .
           And
           wherein
           doth
           our
           preparation
           for
           death
           so
           much
           consi●t
           ,
           as
           fore-seeing
           what
           so
           great
           a
           change
           will
           need
           ,
           and
           what
           a
           Tryal
           it
           will
           put
           our
           Faith
           and
           Hope
           to
           ,
           to
           seek
           and
           get
           such
           security
           for
           our
           everlasting
           state
           ,
           and
           such
           sound
           belief
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           setled
           content
           and
           comfort
           in
           it
           ,
           which
           the
           fears
           of
           
             Death
             ,
             Judgment
          
           ,
           and
           Hell
           ,
           may
           not
           shake
           or
           overcome
           ,
           that
           so
           we
           may
           finish
           our
           course
           with
           joy
           ,
           and
           pass
           through
           the
           Valley
           of
           the
           shadow
           of
           death
           ,
           and
           fear
           no
           evil
           ,
           but
           may
           comfort
           one
           another
           and
           our selves
           with
           this
           ,
           that
           we
           shall
           for
           ever
           be
           with
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           may
           say
           with
           
             Paul
             ,
             I
             
             have
             fought
             a
             good
             fight
             ,
             I
             have
             finished
             my
             course
             ,
             henceforth
             there
             is
             laid
             up
             for
             me
             a
             Crown
             of
             Righteousness
             ,
          
           which
           God
           the
           Righteous
           Judge
           will
           give
           ,
           to
           me
           and
           to
           all
           that
           love
           Christs
           appearance
           ;
           when
           he
           shall
           come
           to
           be
           glorified
           in
           his
           Saints
           ,
           and
           admired
           in
           all
           them
           that
           do
           believe
           ,
           and
           shall
           say
           ,
           
             Well
             done
             good
             and
             Faithful
             Servant
             .
             Enter
             thou
             into
             the
             joy
             of
             thy
             Lord.
             
          
        
         
           Woe
           and
           for
           ever
           woe
           to
           every
           soul
           of
           you
           ,
           that
           shall
           finally
           reject
           or
           neglect
           the
           offer
           of
           such
           an
           Heritage
           and
           Joy
           !
           And
           blessed
           be
           that
           Grace
           which
           hath
           caused
           all
           
             true
             Believers
          
           to
           prefer
           it
           in
           their
           highest
           esteem
           and
           choice
           and
           seeking
           .
           I
           have
           lookt
           about
           to
           see
           if
           there
           were
           any
           better
           and
           surer
           to
           be
           had
           ;
           and
           I
           am
           fully
           satisfied
           it
           must
           be
           this
           or
           none
           .
           I
           offer
           you
           but
           what
           God
           hath
           caused
           me
           ,
           and
           all
           that
           he
           will
           save
           ,
           to
           choose
           ;
           and
           Lord
           grant
           that
           I
           may
           never
           look
           back
           to
           any
           other
           ;
           let
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           my
           Heavenly
           Father
           ,
           the
           grace
           of
           Jesus
           Christ
           my
           Lord
           ,
           and
           the
           joy
           of
           the
           sanctifying
           Spirit
           ,
           sealing
           up
           the
           promise
           of
           God
           as
           my
           security
           ,
           and
           writing
           his
           Law
           and
           Gospel
           
           in
           my
           heart
           ,
           be
           my
           Heritage
           and
           Joy
           ;
           and
           I
           shall
           never
           envy
           the
           most
           prosperous
           sinner
           their
           portion
           in
           this
           life
           ,
           but
           shall
           live
           and
           dye
           in
           the
           thankful
           praise
           of
           the
           God
           of
           my
           salvation
           ,
           who
           is
           
             Essential
             ,
             Infinite
             ,
             Joyful
             Love.
             Amen
             ,
             Amen
             .
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .