THE LIFE and DEATH OF Mrs. Margaret Andrews, The only CHILD of Sir Henry Andrew● BARONET, And the Lady Elizabeth His Wife. OF LATHBURY In the County of BUCKS. Who Died May 4th 1680. In the 14th Year of her Age. Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guilt▪ John 1.47. Give her of the Fruit of her Hands, and let her own Works praise her in the Gates; Prov 31.31. London, Printed for Nath. Ponder at the Peacock in the poultry, near the Church. 1680. TO THE Right Worshipful Sir HENRY ANDREWS BARONET, AND THE Lady ELIZABETH His Wife. Sir, Madam, I Do here present you with this following Relation, the matter of which did first chiefly derive from you, thro the importunity of some, who having been witnesses to several remarkable passages of this Young Lady, your Daughters exemplary Life, desired a further account of it for their private benefit, and afterwards procured your leave to publish it for the good of others. I aclowledge the manner of the Relation is very unworthy of so great a Subject; and( you know) the matter is but little to what might have been written of her: but yet sufficient( I hope) to convince the World( of what was a main end of its publication) that the Religion of our Saviour Jesus Christ is really practicable in far higher degrees than we ordinarily observe it, even in good Christians. Altho one would think, that to take a true delight in the use of Gods Creatures, and yet to value them as nothing to the favour of God and the knowledge of Jesus Christ; to perform Holy Duties with a natural Readiness and most entire Affection; to be conversant with any company or outward concerns( as occasion might require) and yet preserve innocence inviolate, and abate nothing of an ardent desire after God and Glory; is peculiar to such, who( with this Young Lady) began a Reformation of their Hearts before there needed any in their Lives; and therefore are not solicited( as others) with the remembrance of past Follies, to abate their Comforts, retard their Progress, or interrupt their Pursuit of Eternal happiness. She was( you know) a rare Example of all Christian virtues; and therefore I know not whether I ought more to condole your loss in her departure, or congratulate your happiness that you once had her. It is doubtless a great honour to nurse up Children( as you have done this and many others) to the Kingdom of Heaven. And there may be also great satisfaction in the probability of winning others to the same by her Example. You can( with much comfort I hope) remember how this excellent Person walked with God, and from a sense of his favour, expected with an holy impatience, till she should be with him. So that it was no wonder a short sickness should release her Soul from its prison, which did daily( in her best health of body) half expire in most earnest longings after Heaven and Glory. And now she enjoyeth this, the great object of her Desires, the reward of her Faith, Patience, and holy Conversation. And that the God of Mercy would daily fit you both more and more for the same unspeakable Happiness, is the Prayer of Your unworthy Servant in Jesus Christ IN D. Margaretam Andrews, Unicam PROLEM D. Henrici Andrews, Baronetti ET D. ELIZABETHAE Suae Conjugis, EPITAPHIVM. Siste Gradum Viator, QUae sub hoc Marmoreo Pavimento Jacet, Quod Ipsa non solum sibi said & Majoribus suis Moribunda curavit instrui, Paucis accipe. Hic Jacet Virgo Lectissima, Parentum svorum spes unica Uniceque Dilecta, Domus Lathburiensis Deliciae simul & Decus, Lex Pudoris, Officina Temperantiae, Urbanitatis Filia, Mundi Victrix, Diaboli Expugnatrix, Pauperum Gazophylacium, Quae Deum in seipsa possidebat, seipsam in DEO, Quam Margaretam Mortales appellabant, Margaritam Caelites. Quamque adeo magni faciebant, Ut Illam Illi Gemmeae. Coronae aeternum Coruscanti inferere properarent, Capsula, Hic Relicta & Deposita in Diem A DEO Praestitutum; nec mireris Animam tam subito in Coelum Avolasse, nam vicem Alarum sibi supplerunt Preces suae & suspiria Abi, Viator. Cogita & Sape. UPON THE DEATH Of the Excellent LADY Mrs. Margaret Andrews, The only CHILD of Sir Henry Andrews BARONET, AND THE Lady ELIZABETH His Wife. IF Good Birth and Rich Blood could have prevailed With Death, thou hadst escaped Mortality; But whatsoever's born, is born to die. Death Gods just Officer hath never failed. He knows no Titles, Arms or Pageantry; His piercing Eye looks through this Tiffany. He finds an Adam's Heir a pile of Dust, And saith, Thou'rt mine in Law, and gives the Mortal Thrust. If Youth and Beauty could be Countermines, Or Arms of Proof 'gainst Fate, thou wast well armed: But Death is Rough and Hard, and can't be charmed. Oft he'll not stay till Time hath crost the Lines. The Blossoms Fall when the course Stalks do stand, whilst deep Respect thy presence did command. 'Tis gilded Dust said Death, fit for my turn, Which he Calcines, and so puts it into an Urn. If a sweet Humour, brisk, but not ungrave: Not spoiled by forced, unhandsome Imitation, But Natural; whereby thy Conversation Became sweet rhetoric, which much Pleasure gave T' others, and thou thyself enjoy'dst beside. If all this could have done, thou hadst not died. But, come, said Death, thy well-tuned Soul I'll bring To serious Angels, which yet ever sweetly sings. If Charity, which keeps others alive, Could have preserved thy Life, thou hadst not died. If the Poors daily Rent, their Prayers, which cried For thine endeared self, could make thee thrive, And flourish long( whose Souls and Bodies found Thy Love and blessed thee) th' hadst been safe and sound. Death marked, and said, What's here? Thou shalt go hence, Into a better World than this for recompense. If Pure Devotion to thy Lord so Dear, Whom Thou didst serve with a most Earnest Mind, If Pious Duties and a Soul refined, Could have preserved Life, Thou hadst still been here. Alas for us! This made Thee Ripe for Death, Death, minding after what her Soul did Breath, More like a Prince of Life than King of Fears, Said, Now I'm come to Answer All Thy Prayers and Tears. To HER. ANd art Thou gone to thy Great King, With whom Thou Long'st to be? Our Souls on Contemplations Wing Shall mount up after Thee. But We that can no further soar, Must lye before the Palace-Door. It is but little we can see, But little we can hear, But let us Understand from Thee, What Heavens Enjoyments are. Tell us the Glory of your King, Tell us what Tunes the Angels Sing. Tell us what Crowns the Sains do Wear, And what it is They Know; Tell us what Light and Joys are there▪ What Thoughts of us below, Tell us their Ranks, Language, and Power, How they Live Ever, not an Hour. And tell us, how it is with Thee, Who here didst Weep and Groan To put off Thy Mortality, To put the White rob on. Tell us, O Blessed Soul, who here do Wait For Information at the Palace-gate. Her Answer. ADmiring Souls, who with Infirmity And day are sore depressed, should I Declare What in my Fathers Kingdom I enjoy, What Light, what Joys, what Songs, what Crowns there are, I should speak( like one of Another Land) Language, which you could not understand. Here are such Things your Eyes did never see, Your Ears did never Hear; High, Glorious Things, Such Sights, such Sounds, such Shouts, such Raptures be Among us here, before the King of Kings, The Lord, the Lamh, Our Temple and Our Light; Things far exceeding Fancies Highest Flight. When I did creep upon your Earthly Globe, An high Ambition did my Soul inspire, Which no Attire could svit but the White rob: My Zeal Ascended, like a flamme of Fire, Thought I, How bravely live Gods Blessed Heirs In heaven, whose Outward Court is paved with Stars. I was my Tender Parents Care and Joy, Their Only Hope on Earth, their Eyes Desire; Courted with all that Low Felicity Which Earth affords and Earthly Souls admire: But I being Taken with my Saviours Love, played with my Pleasures, kept my Mind above. My Saviour had my Heart, whom( through his Grace) I did prefer to All Earths Empty Show. I sighed, I Wept, I languished for his Face; I did withstand th' accursed infernal Foe. Whom Earth could not O'rcome, Hells Rage did Try, But, through my God, I had the Victory. These Conflicts did Increase my Ardent Zeal ( As Wind does Fire) which made Me Louder Cry, That my Dear Saviour would Himself Reveal; Methoughts I saw Him oft with half an Eye: But when into his Glorious Court I came; What saw I there!— O that you saw the same. The REPLY. blessed Soul, Dear Child, and Heir of God, Since Thou art Raised so, heaven Grant Thy Blessed Steps be Trod By us that Walk Below. That We may Conquer Earth and Hell, By Faiths Prevailing Might; That We at last with Thee may Dwell, And Know and Live by Sight. AN EPITAPH UPON THAT Blessed Servant of Christ, Mrs. Margaret Andrews. HEre Lies interred a Virgin and a Saint, Whose Real Worth no pencil can Depaint. In whom All Graces joined, and did Conspire To make Her, Mortals Wonder, Heavens Desire. Heaven was Her Element, and Christ Her Love, Her Heart and All Her Treasure was above. And hardly would Her Mind to Earth Descend, She nobly scorned whatever had an End. Or if she stooped so low, it was to do Some good to others( Angels they do so) But then a veil of Modesty she wore, She was a Secret Treasure to the Poor. She hated Sin, which made the Devil rage; But God engaged for Her, who did for God Engage. She oft restrained others from an Offence, As if she was Her Neighbours Conscience. Her Body was an House built for Gods Name, Her Soul an Altar with a Sacred flamme, A Sweet and Sacred flamme, which pierced the Skies, And was to God a Welcome Sacrifice. Faith was her Life, and Prayer was Her Breath, The End and Answer of them both was Death. Death sunk Her Body, but Her Soul did raise, And turned Her Faith to Sight, Her Prayer to Praise. Sweet is Her Death, and Flowers grow on Her Grave, How Sweet a Resurrection shall she have! Her Soul doth Rest Above, Her Flesh Below, Her Name Remains on Earth, and shall do so. Her Name still Lives and Breaths a Pleasant Scent, And shall Out-wear this Marble Monument. THE LIFE and DEATH OF Mrs. Margaret Andrews, The only Child OF Sir Henry Andrews Baronet, AND THE Lady Elizabeth His Wif●▪ PRecious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his Saints. Psal. 116.15. And should not their Lives also be precious to us, and accounted worthy of perpetual Memory? It is( no doubt) a pious thrift, when God is pleased to take such Jewels to himself, to retain them still amongst us in Effegy, and enjoy the benefit of their good Examples. And why should we not in imitation of the Divine Bounty, that enlargeth their Souls from a straight Confinement to a glorious Liberty and Felicity in Heaven, enlarge their famed also( which during Life, is usually limited to too narrow a compass) that they may live in the hearts of Gods People to all posterity? Which methinks is but a just Tribute we owe their Memories upon a double account, having enjoyed the advantage of their Prayers and Examples, and being also obliged by a more sacred tie of duty from Holy Scripture, Psal. 112.6. Prov. 31.31. Phil. 2.29. where we have both Precepts to enforce, and the Example of our blessed Saviour to invite us to it; whose will it was that this honour should be done to the Woman that poured the precious Ointment on his Head, as it is expressed in these words, mat. 26.13. Verily I say unto you, wheresoever this Gospel shall be preached in the whole World, there shall also this that this Woman hath done, be told for a Memorial of her. And if one pious Action was to be thus rewarded, how much more should the constant virtue and Piety, the many good Works, and gracious Practices of Gods dearest Children be commemorated, and praise them in the Gate? But yet Justice is not the only motive to this duty; Charity and Compassion to the Souls of Men, doth But methinks I undertake an impossible task! We may without difficulty relate the most remarkable Actions and Sayings of this worthy Person, but what tongue can express, or Pen describe, the inward sense of her heart, those heights of zeal and piety they proceeded from! Howsoever, as in the picture of some extraordinary person, the ignorant may see enough to admire; and the intelligent, by the form and air of the Countenance( which is oft a faithful index of the Mind) guess something at the internal qualities of its Prototype. So in this and other relations of the like nature, the unregenerate, or the weak Christian▪ may find a great deal to admire and imitate, and even the strongest may, perhaps, learn something; at least, perceiving the riches of her Soul by the plenty of good works here recounted, will hence derive encouragement to persevere and increase in the same virtues. God grant it may have those gracious effects upon every one that readeth or heareth the contents of it, which were especially aimed at in the publication, that his Name may be thereby honoured, and their own Souls fitted for the coming of Jesus Christ; to whom be Glory both now and for ever. Amen. Mrs. Margaret Andrews was a person of good quality, the Daughter of Sir Henry Andrews Baronet, most tenderly beloved of her Parents; and being their only Child, had the expectation of a very plentiful Estate: but yet made her self poor( in a Gospel sense) by a Christian indifferency to outward Wealth; that she might be rich in Faith: Fatherless, by a due moderation of love to her Parents, that she might have the nearer relation to God, and communion with him; lowly and humble in her carriage, to invite more frequent occasions of doing good, by giving the poor an easier access to her. This is the sum of her Condition and Life; the later of which I am now particularly to relate. This Young Gentlewoman shewed very early signs of Piety. The good Instructions of her Parents, seconded by Gods Blessing, wrought so soon upon her, that she seemed well inclined, by that time she understood any thing. Then the beginnings of Piety did appear, by that delight she took in Prayer, Reading and Hearing her Duty, Singing Psalms, &c. of Meekness, in receiving reproof easily from her Parents, and taking warning by it; of Justice, in hating, and carefully avoiding of a lye; of Charity, in good inclinations to the poor, and a readiness to supply them: Yea, of Duty in general, from that delight she took in reading the Lives of some gracious Children, and desires that she might be like them; which proceeding from the sincerity of her heart, God was pleased to answer it, and make her one of the greatest Examples( I think) we can meet with for her Age. About the age of Seven or Eight Years she gave more full and evident signs of a regenerate estate, appearing really and constantly solicitous for the good of her Soul. Then that pleasure she took in Holy Scripture expressed itself not only in reading them, but readily getting by heart many choice Psalms and Chapters, which she did without much difficulty; and no wonder, for her love to Gods Word did so enlarge her Memory to retain it, that upon reading a Chapter to her Mother, she hath presently repeated without book, the greatest part of it. In those years of her Childhood, she had also a great respect and esteem for good Ministers; delighted to hear them pray and preach, and would ask questions of them concerning God, and her Duty to him. Her Charity was likewise improved proportionably. It was strange to observe how she would inquire into the Needs of poor People, and endeavour to fetch them one thing after another, as they confessed a want of it. Some years after she was exercised with a sore Affliction, Her trouble of Mind. with great Anguish of Soul and Terrors of Conscience, which cost her many Prayers, Sighs and Tears: for It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God; Heb. 10.31. Prov. 18.14. and a wounded Spirit who can bear? The occasion of her great trouble was this: Her Mother being careful about her Health, required an account of her of all that she eat or drank: But she was for a time persuaded, by others, to take a greater freedom in this than was allowed, and by Excuses to hid the Matter from her Mothers Knowledge. This, after a while, disturbed the peace of her Conscience, and brought much trouble into her Soul, which she for some time concealed. At length her Mother finding her very melancholy, asked what was the occasion of it; she breaking out in a flood of Tears, said, O Mother, The Devil would persuade me I have denied God, but I have not, for I love him with all my heart; for what good would all the World do me( Mother) if I lose my own Soul, if I may not go to Heaven? This she said trembling and very much concerned. Her Mother replied, Child, How can the Devil put these things into your Head? What have you committed to cause this? she answered, Mother, I was persuaded to make Excuses to you, and God hath commanded me to honour my Parents, and you commanded me to tell you what I eat or drank, but I have not done it; and have not I denied God Mother? Her Mother remembered her, that she had been very cheerful two or three days before, when some strangers were there. She replied, yes, and me thought the music delighted me; but then did I think how much more delightful is Heaven! O that I was in Heaven! About this time, her Maid observing signs of trouble in her Countenance, desired to know what she could have in this World to trouble her: She answered, I am a sinner, and have been so many years, but have asked God forgiveness a thousand times; and prayed him not to lay my sins to my charge: for I cannot now help any thing I have done. The Maid replied, That God hath been merciful to the greatest sinners; and that her Life had been so innocent, that she need not doubt to be happy in this World and in the World to come. To which she returned these words: If I had ten thousand times as much as I am like to enjoy, I should never be happy in this World. Which Expression, though it may seem here to have been suggested by inward trouble, yet was the constant sense of her mind afterwards, even in the greatest serenity and cheerfulness of her Spirit; as will appear more hereafter. At last she acquainted her Father with the disquiets of her mind, who, with suitable instructions( by Gods Blessing) gave her a full satisfaction: so that afterwards she served God with great cheerfulness, often talking delightfully of God, Holy Scripture, and the Joys of Heaven, wishing her self there. Before I proceed to other passages of her Life, it may be convenient to stay the Reader hear a little, and desire him seriously to reflect upon her fore-mentioned Troubles. The occasion of them was only an excuse now and then, about a matter of no great Consequence, and at the worst was but an officious lye; which some will not aclowledge to be a sin. But this is indeed their Error; for the sinfulness of a false assertion, is not to be estimated from the intention of the Person( tho this may aggravate it much) but the opposition it beareth to that truth, we are bound inviolably to preserve: For the Scripture forbiddeth us to lye against the Truth, Jam. 3.14. as well as against our Neighbour. Every lye therefore, though in the most extenuating circumstances, is a sin, in itself damnable; and therefore it is no wonder, if a person of a tender Conscience, such as was this gracious young Gentlewoman, endured so much trouble of mind for it. And this hath been observed immediately to follow the commission. For once, presently after the making such an Excuse, she was seen to come trembling into the next room; and after she had reproved the person that encouraged her to do it, fell down upon her Knees and asked God forgiveness. Here we see at once both the goodness and severity of God. He will not spare sin in the best of his People; but yet in mercy he afflicteth them here, that he may spare and save them at the day of Judgement. Having before given an account of some remarkable passages of this Gentlewomans life, in the order of time that they happened, it will be convenient now to inform the Reader how she did ordinarily walk with God from her first Conversion to her last Sickness, excepting only what hath been already said of the beginnings of her Piety, Meekness, Charity, &c. which, by Gods assistance, shall be done in the following particulars of Self-denial, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Sanctifying the Lords Day and Charity. 1. Her Self-denial Her Self-denial. ( if I may so call it, for it seemed even natural to her to comply with the strict Precepts of the Gospel to this purpose) was eminently great. But some of the highest instances of this I must forbear to mention, because attended with such circumstances as may not conveniently be made public. She valued the World and all its Glories, as little as most People do their Souls; who bestow but few( and it may be no serious) thoughts upon them throughout the year, or the whole term of their lives. Her Mind was so conversant with Heaven and the Glories of it, that( as if being already in celestial Mansions) she looked upon these Earthly Vanities at a great distance, much below and unworthy of her esteem, and too little to satisfy in any measure, the enlarged desires of her Soul. And the consideration of their meanness made her long after a better inheritance; and this sometimes would force a sigh from her, Which was once observed by some that presently asked her why she sighed, seeing she wanted nothing in the World? To whom she returned these words, I want nothing in this World, I do not sigh for that, but how much better is Heaven than all this! Then starting up from her seat, and spreading her hands( an action that shewed her earnestness) said, O there are such joys in Heaven as cannot be imagined! Her Mother hath sometimes expressed the hopes she had of seeing her married and bear Children. To whom she replied, That she did not think of marrying; and to others hath said upon the like occasion, I am married to Jesus Christ, and desire no other Husband. This is indeed the glorious privilege of all Believers, which, by St. Paul's Ministry the Corinthians were brought to, as he affirmeth in these words, 2 Cor. ●. 2. I have espoused you to one Husband, that I may present you as a chased Virgin to Christ. She had also a great indifferency to all those gaieties, which young Ladies usually admire. For tho she submitted to wear Cloths suitable to her Age and Quality, yet had too much consideration to be taken with them. For they that are puffed up with these things, are indeed proud of that which should be matter of their humiliation. For the clothing of our Bodies should put us in mind of our shane and nakedness, which sin brought upon us. And as she wore decent Ornaments, with a sober and unprejudiced mind, so she did abhor those indecencies of Patching, Painting, &c. and would oft speak against them. And when her Parents bestowed any Rarities upon her, she received them with very thankful acknowledgements, as Tokens of their Favour and Kindness, which she highly valued, but would afterwards take little notice of the things themselves. And when she had occasion to show her Closet, and the fine things she had there, to gratify the curiosity of her Visitants, would say, And much I care for them. She was once before the age of Twelve years, taken by some friends to see a Play, who afterwards expected that she would please her self by discoursing some passages of it; but forbearing this: was asked How she liked it? She answered in these words, I like it so, that I never desire to see another. Not that she wanted either Wit or Memory to observe or retain what might seem most worthy( for she was extraordinary in both) but because her mind being used to more solid and true delights, could take no pleasure in such mean and insipid Entertainments. Therefore she was as good as her word, and proved too wise to spend any more time upon them. And no wonder, for her Soul was so much taken up with Heaven and heavenly things, that sometimes she would be very hardly persuaded to the most innocent and useful Recreations; and( as if they were rather a burden than a refreshment to her) would shorten them, as much as might be, to return to the more grateful Exercises of Piety and Devotion. O that there was the like Spirit in all the Gentry of this Age! Her reading good Books. 2. As her Self-denial was great, so was also her Diligence and Constancy in reading good Books. She set her self a daily task in the Holy Scripture; and when she hath been prevented in any part of it, either by company or some other occasion, would be much grieved, and lament her loss to a friend in the House with her. She usually red with much observation, and would ask of others what she did not well understand. But after some years, she profited so much, that she was able to instruct most that conversed with her. Reading once in the Psalms, she was affencted with the Troubles of David, and thence took occasion to discourse with her Maid about Christians Troubles in general, and particularly her own. The Servant answered, That she had but little Trouble. She replied, They that have the least have a great deal; and if we do but consider what Joys there are in Heaven, 'tis enough to make us impatient to live. She oft red 2 Tim. chap. 4. and told a near Relation, that she would have the seventh and eighth verses of that Chapter to be the Subject of her Funeral Sermon; which was accordingly performed. The words are these, I have fought a good Fight, I have finished my Course, I have kept the Faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness, which the Lord the Righteous Judge shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. Which words were truly fulfilled in her, as will appear to any who duly considereth the victory of her Faith, and the course of her Life. And as she red much her self, so she delighted also in hearing others; and would appoint her Maid to red some select Chapters, which she choose for her; and was so intent upon this, that being invited to recreate her self, would be unwilling, saying, That the other would do her more good. She took such pleasure in reading and hearing the Word of God, as if( with David) it was dearer to her than thousands of Gold and Silver; Psal. 119.72. Psal. 19.10. sweeter also than Honey and the Honey Comb. Beside the Holy Scripture, and several other choice Books, which were her daily entertainment, it appeareth( by her own marks in the margin) that she red the greatest part of Dr. Sibbs's Sermons, on 2 Cor. ch. 1. and hath very judiciously noted all along matters of greatest consequence, and particularly of nearest concern to her self. To evidence this, and consequently with what notice and intention she red good Books, I shall particularly recite two or three of them. In one place the Dr. speaking of Deliverances, useth these words, There is an open Deliverance visible to the World, and a secret inward invisible Deliverance( that is from trouble of Mind, from Sin and Despair.) To which she subscribed her consent by the first Letter of her Name in the Margin, which I so interpret, because she had experienced both these Deliverances in a wonderful manner, especially the later, both in the cause and effect too: First from the guilt of Sin, and then from those great Troubles, and almost Despair, it caused in her Soul. Again, The Dr. speaking of a Truth included in ver. 7. that, The Church were partakers of Christs Sufferings, and should be partakers of his Consolation. This from her own experience she also confirmed by the same mark in the Margin: and I believe there are few greater instances of this in the World; for her Trouble was not more intense for a time, than her Joy and Comfort from Christ and in him seemed to be all her Life after. And, speaking of the Covenant of Grace, He that believeth and repenteth shall be saved, addeth, Not he that hath a strong Faith, or he that hath a perfect Repentance, &c. To which she hath set the two first Letters of her Name, very large, as a matter that nearly concerned her self. As if by them were signified, I do truly, tho not perfectly, believe and repent, and thence have assurance of my Salvation. I might( if it were needful) show the like pertinency of many other places, which she had noted, to her particular condition. As, That God will be trusted to for outward things. That a Christian hath nothing to do but to serve God, and therefore may do it with all the encouragement that may be. That God in Christ doth pardon all our sins. That he will give his Spirit to them that ask him. That Riches Honours, Friends, &c. will profit nothing in the hour of Death, and such like; the truth of which was fully expressed in her Conversation, and therefore it was not at random, but with an intimate sense and experience of those things that she thus noted them; her own Heart directing, or rather forcing her hand to it. So careful and industrious was this pious Gentlewoman, to instruct her Soul in saving Knowledge, and assure her self that it was so instructed. She was as firmly resolved, also against vain Discourses, as Romances, and other idle Books; and would wonder that others could spend time about them. 3. Her Meditation. To her Reading we have reason to believe she added daily Meditation also, because she delighted to be much alone; and hath been seen walking with Hands and Eyes lifted up to Heaven, and such an Action as declared Transports of Joy and Comfort. And when she walked abroad with others, would discourse much of the Works as well as the Word of God; as if they were her daily Meditation. And amongst other things, it appeareth Death was much in her Mind; for ordinarily when she went to Bed, she would be hinting something to her Maids about it, and say often, How ought we to think of our Death, when this Night may be the last? And sometimes taking leave of them at Night, would say, Well, now I am going to Deaths Kinsman. And no doubt, being fore-armed by a daily consideration of Death; it was the more easy and welcome to her when it came. 4. Her Devotion was extraordinary, Her Devotion. keeping constant to set Prayers three times a day at the least; and rarely an hour passed, but turning her self from her company, she would steal a look towards Heaven, and use secret Ejaculations, which they perceived by the manner of her Action, though they could hear nothing. And very often, even in the midst of Recreations, would sand away her Maids and retire to secret Prayer. In this she took so great delight, that it made her sometimes forget her self, and hazard her Health; when she hath continued in her Closet two hours together, in the sharpest Winter Weather, and would not be prevailed with to come out, tho earnestly entreated. And indeed, if we consider with what Zeal and Fervency she performed this Duty, it is no wonder if she took little notice of the coldness of the season. For this hath sometimes been discovered at Family Prayer, when her Tears have poured out abundantly from that earnestness of her Spirit, wherewith she wrestled with God, and( no doubt) did mightily prevail with him. What then may we imagine was the fervour of her Soul in Secret Prayer, when she could be more free, having no restraint of Modesty upon her? That this was very great, hath appeared also, when sometime surprised in the Duty, by that plenty of Tears she offered with it; and at other times by the redness of her Eyes afterwards. And so constant was she at this Holy Exercise, that nothing could divert her from it. For when she was at London, about a year before her Death, where she was taken up with many Avocations, and had more than ordinary occasions of going abroad, yet always performed this Duty to God before she went out: Nay, when she was invited by an honourable Lady, to go into the Queens Presence, and dressed with the greatest advantage for that purpose, she would not upon this occasion abate any thing of her usual Duty, but immediately retired to her Secret Devotion. The Lady being come, and staying for her, her Mother( not knowing the cause of her delay) went hastily into the Chamber, where she saw her with Hands lifted up to Heaven, and Face bedewed with Tears, uttering these words, Good Lord, for Jesus Christs sake, suffer not Satan to prevail over me. As she grew near her end( tho in as good Health, to appearance, as before) she used set Prayers( as was thought) at least ten times in a day, besides short occasional Petitions. By these she consecrated all places she came into, and made every Room in the House an Oratory. Thus did she at all times and every place( I doubt not to say in the Apostles Language( Lift up Holy Hands to God. 1 Tim. 2.8. It must needs be a true Zeal and Importunity that raised her Soul to an intimate Communion with God, which caused her to delight so much in Secret Devotion. And altho she spent so much time, and took such great pleasure in this Holy Solitariness( nay, even in the deepest troubles of her Mind) she would be very cheerful and affable in company; like him that fasteth after our Saviours Rule, who humbleth himself before God in secret, and yet appeareth before Men with his Head anointed and his Face washed. mat. 6.17, 18. But after her forementioned Troubles, she had ordinarily such a singular cheerfulness of Spirit, as if her Soul had been continually filled with Joy and Comfort. And there was great reason it should be so: for they that mourn and humble themselves most before God in secret, may well be most cheerful at other times. Thus did she maintain a secret traffic with Heaven, which the World was not ware of, sending up thither Prayers, Sighs and Tears, and receiving thence Comfort and Blessing, and Peace unto her Soul: And did also manifest by her ordinary Conversation( what some morose persons will not grant) that she could be strictly Devote and Pious, and also very Courteous and Obliging in her Carriage to others. Yet the sweetness of her Aspect and Behaviour was tempered with such a Gravity, as is very rare( if any where to be found) in a Person of her Age and Quality. O that the Example of this and other pious Souls might convince the sinful World that it would be good for them also to draw near to God. For how harsh and severe soever they think a course of Piety is, yet every good Christian can assure them that, Prov. 3.17. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace: 1 Tim. 4.8. That Godliness hath the promise of the Life that now is, as well as of that which is to come: and in keeping Gods Commands there is great reward. Psal. 19.11. 5. Her Sanctifying the Lords Day. This Young Gentlewoman did manifest great Piety also in a due observation of the Lords day, preparing her self in the morning by private Duties for the public Worship of God, and hearing his Word; which she after performed with much Devotion, Reverence, and Cheerful Attention. And when this was ended, her custom was to repeat in private, what she could remember of the Sermon; and spend the rest of the day in reading to others, or alone, in Prayer, Meditation, &c. And sometimes when she hath been desired, for Healths sake, to walk abroad, would decline it, least it should divert her Mind from Holy Exercises. And at other times did it rather in Obedience to her Parents, than from her own Inclination. It is like some may account this practise too precise, but I refer them for satisfaction, to a short defence of it, amongst some other Remarks, after this History of her Life. 6. Her Charity Her Charity. was also very eminent, which she was ready to express upon every occasion, to the Souls, Bodies, and good Names of others, according to her power and their necessity. 1. She seemed to have a sincere love to their Souls, Her love to Souls. by that tender care she took to advice or instruct the Careless or Ignorant, to reprove the Guilty, to comfort the Disconsolate; and to prevent Sin in all. 1. Instructing others. She would be daily instructing the Servants about their Souls, exhorting them to be constant at Prayers, to mind the reading of the Word, to avoid Lying, to be kind( as much as in them lay) to poor People, &c. And in reference to Prayer, would tell them, that no business should keep them from it; and that they should take care to keep their Hearts from wandring in the Duty; adding these words, This I tell you, because mine is so apt to do so. And when they were to receive the Sacrament, would use what means she could to fit them for it. For instance, when one of them, that could not red well, was to partake of that Ordinance, she desired her Mother to instruct that Servant very well, because she could not red perfectly. Afterwards she said to the Servant, You are to receive the Sacrament to morrow; pray consider of it before you go, and prepare yourself; resolve to forsake sin, or else you had better never go. Pray consider this, I tell it for your good. And then put her from work, that she might have time to prepare her self for the Sacrament. Others she hath exhorted upon the same occasion, to repent of all their sins, resolving to forsake them, especially to set themselves against that they were most inclined to; advising them to set some time apart to prepare themselves seriously for the Sacrament. And when one told her she could not be allowed so much time from her work, she replied in these words, Cannot you sand your Heart to your God? You may think of him whatsoever you are about. In many other respects also, she took occasion to give good Counsel, where she thought it might be useful; and her charity in this, was blessed with good success. For one of the Servants acknowledged she got more good to her Soul from this Gentlewoman in one year, than she had done elsewhere in all her Life before. And there is reason to hope that her good Example and Advice had blessed effects upon others also. And indeed her Charity in giving Advice, was not greater than her Prudence and Humility in receiving it her self; as appeareth by the grateful returns she was about to sand to an Honourable Lady( if Sickness had not prevented it) for such a favour received from her. 2. Her Charity did put her upon reproving sin Reproving Sin. also wherever she found it. And altho Anger was rarely( if ever) observed in her upon any other account, yet she hath been known very sharply to reprove where the occasion hath required it. Which from a Person of such a sweet, gentle, and obliging Temper, did manifest a great Zeal for Gods Honour, and a true sense of that danger the guilty Person was in, without which such a disagreeable passion could not be raised in her. 3. Comforting others. Her Compassion to Persons, in discouragement and trouble of Mind, did sometimes force her( tho a person of singular Modesty) to offer Arguments of Comfort to them. Of this( instead of many) it will be sufficient to give two instances. Understanding that a Person who came once to see her, had partend with some dear Relations, and with them many other Comforts of Life; she represented to her( for encouragement) the Wisdom and Goodness of Providence, that understood what Condition was best for her, and( no doubt) had gracious Purposes in sending those Afflictions. And then proceeded to represent what might possibly be the meaning of them, and which way they might probably turn to her advantage: Therefore there was great reason she should cease to afflict her Mind for them. At another time, hearing that a sick Man in the Neighbourhood was troubled in Mind for Sin, she went speedily to visit him, who crying out that he was a grievous sinner, she replied, A grievous Sinner? so are we all. If we had not been great Sinners, what cause had God to sand his Son into the World to die? Christ hath died for you; do but believe and you shall certainly have pardon. It is the Devil that putteth these Despairing Thoughts into your Head; resist him, and now is the time to pray for Gods help against him. The man expressing a good liking of this, she proceeded thus, Psal. 42.11. Think of that saying, Why art thou cast down O my Soul? and why art thou so disquieted within me? hope thou in God, &c. If you are t●oubled for Sin, what shall become of the rich Men of the World, whom God hath allowed a great deal of time and estate to account for? You was forced to earn your Bread with the sweat of your Brows before you ate it; and therefore God doth not expect so much of you as of them. These and such like Expressions drew from the poor man tears of joy, with this Confession, O this is the happiest day that ever I had in my life! and at length he died in a comfortable and hopeful condition. Psal. 8.2. Thus out of the Mouth of a young Babe, did God ordain strength against the Enemy. Preventing Sin in others. 4. Another evidence of her great love to Souls, was the care she took to prevent sin in those she was conversant with. If any fault was committed in the House, she would desire her Mother not to ask the Servants about it, least for fear of her Anger, any should tell a lye to conceal the matter. And when a Boy in the House was taken in a Fault, she desired her Mother to correct him, who answered, No, I have forgiven him so many Faults that I'll turn him away. She replied, N● Mother, pray let him be corrected, and tell him the sin, and set before him the Terrors of Conscience and the Torments of Hell, and I warrant you it will do him good. O how few are there of this blessed Temper, as sensible of the danger of their Friends Souls, as of their Lives, in some prevailing Disease, or their Estates, when assaulted by the Oppressor! And yet the danger is ordinarily more imminent in that than these, and the loss, if they miscarry, will be infinitely greater. Compassion to the Poor. 2. As this worthy Person bore a tender Affection to the Souls of others, so was she compassionate to their Bodies also, when they wanted her relief. Whensoever any poor People came to the House, she would be sure to intercede for them to her Parents, and also add something of her own, but very secretly, so that it was hard to know it. And when a question was asked any time about this, she shewed a great unwillingness to confess it, and so in her practise transcribed that precept of our Saviour, Mat. 6.3. Let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doth. And when she met with a miserable Object, would come in with Tears of Compassion in her Eyes to desire relief for him. And some time when a person of better quality, whom she suspected to be reduced by Providence to a needy estate hath given her a visit, she would by most obliging Expressions, draw from such an account of their condition, and freely offer her Assistance to their Relief, if they wanted it. Nor was she contented to supply those that came, but like Abraham and Lot, Gen. 18.1, &c. Chap. 19.1, &c. would go forth to seek for fit Objects of Charity. She hath been observed to go, as privately as she could, to some poor Peoples Houses, not far from her Fathers, and come running back, least she should be seen. And( to show how God regardeth the Complaints of the Poor, and also directeth his People in the exercise of their Charity) It is remarkable, that whilst a poor Woman was taking care at the beginning of the Week, how she should maintain her Family that Week, and making her Complaint to God( as she confessed afterwards) this Gentlewoman came behind her, as she was hard at work, and putting a piece of Money into her hand went away. Which so affencted the Heart of this poor Woman, that she thought it came as by an Angel from Heaven. She was so frequent in these Visits, that she had well acquainted her self with the condition of the poor People in that Parish where she lived; and would sometimes come to her Parents and inform them, particularly of their Needs, telling them who wanted Victuals, Cloths, or Wood to burn; and importune them for a Supply till it was granted. And once she told them in these, or the like words, If you will but give what Wood I will carry, they shall not want. She would also particularly reckon to them the Poors Charge, what they were allowed, and how much they could Earn; and put it to her Parents how they could live upon so little: and this so judiciously, that they seldom or never had reason to oppose it. When she could not go abroad her self, she hath several times sent Money by her Maid to the Poor, and charged her never to say any thing of it. She did also exhort her Maid, that when any poor People came she would go to her Master and Lady, and represent their condition, and not snap them up, as some do, because they will not take the pains to go: And so she should have the prayers of the poor. This she bid her observe wherever she should be. And charged her when she came to settle in the World, to be good to the poor, and she would have never the less at the years end: God would repay her double. So full of mercy and good works, was this excellent young Lady, practising the same daily her self, and exhorting others to do the like. And therefore might truly be called a * Anciently Hleafdian or Leafdian, af●●rwards Lafdy from Hlaf or Laf- bread, and Dian serve; so Lady is a Bread-server or distributor of Bread. Verstegan. Lady, in the most proper and original sense, which denoteth Charity. And it would be well if persons of great Rank, who therefore have honourable Appellations, would consider the meaning of them, and that they were first given to denote that Greatness, Generosity, and excellent Disposition of Mind, they should have above others, which if they come short of, the meanest of their Servants, if he be virtuous, deserveth those names of respect more than themselves. 3. Her tenderness of anothers Credit. The Charity of this young Lady did extend also to the good Name of her Neighbour. She would be much offended to hear any thing that might be injurious to anothers Credit; and reprove and silence the least whispers of Detraction. When as it is grown into such a Custom amongst many, to defame their Neighbours, that they usually entertain their Visitants with little other than such hellish Discourses; and are as profuse of anothers Reputation, as some of them of their own Honour. In this wicked practise they much please themselves. Prov. 10.18. But yet the Wisdom of God telleth us that the Slanderer is a Fool. And so Scorners and Fools are put together in his Oracles, and shall both feel the effects of his Vengeance. Prov. 19.29. For, Judgments are prepared for Scorners, and Stripes for the Back of Fools. I have now performed my promise to the Reader, in these six particulars of Self-denial, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Sanctifying the Lords Day and Charity. And in them I have had occasion to discover also many other gracious qualifications. So that there is no need of speaking more particularly upon them; but only to add in short, that her judgement and Discretion was so great, that even the Aged were cautious what they said before her. Her Modesty, one would think, was beyond a parallel. Her Humility and Meekness did represent a great Conformity to the Life of Christ, Mat. 11.29. of whom they must be learned. In a word, All Christian Graces were so eminent in this young Saint, that we need not doubt she was a true Member of that Body( the Church of Christ) which hath the Chain( of Graces) about her Neck. Cant. 4.9. A little before her last Sickness, she did expostulate with her Mother, why she was in so much care about her. Am not I( saith she) in the hands of God? Can't he preserve me? If it be his pleasure, I shall live: If not, your care can't ●●eserve me. And what if he should take me? you will not be long after me. If you live Twenty or Thirty years after me, what's that to Eternity? By this one would think she had some fore-sight of approaching Death, which doth also further appear in that she hath been heard to wish her Mother had another Child; and that her Parents had less Affection for her. And when there was Discourse( a little before her Sickness) about going to the devices, she said to one in the House, If I go to the devices I shall return no more. A while after, when she was within some Moneths of Fourteen Years Old, that Sickness seized her, which was her last, and within a few days resigned her up to her God and Happiness. Being( at the beginning of it) taken with great pain, she often called upon God, and said, He is very merciful to me; for what I feel is nothing to the sufferings of Christ for me. After some ease, she said, God is very gracious in giving us pain, otherwise we should not know how to be thankful for ease. She spent the time of her Sickness very much in prayer; and when she did not speak out, shewed great signs of inward devotion. About two or three hours before her Death, her Mother asked her in these words, My Dear, Are you so ill that you think you shall die? Be not shy to tell me, for it will not be hard for me to part with you to God, if it be his pleasure. To which she replied smiling, I hope God will pardon my sins. Her Mother expecting a further answer, repeated the question again, to which she returned only the same words. Implying that the thoughts of Death did not trouble her, seeing she had well grounded hopes of that mercy, which quiter altereth the nature of Death, pulleth out its sting, and maketh it a great Blessing to Gods Children. Afterwards she asked the Doctor, Do you think I shall die? He answered, Madam, No Body can tell that. She replied, Pray Doctor deal plainly with me, I would not be deluded. He answered, 'Tis doubtful. Then she said, I have been a great sinner, but I hope God will pardon me. My Saviour is in Heaven, and I hope he will put me on the White rob. Rev. 7.9. She confessed the former Mercies of God to her, that she had been troubled for Sin, but the Lord had given her the Comforter, and sealed her, 2 Cor. 1.22. Eph. 1.13. Chap. 4.30. and she had been comforted ever since. Then she asked her Parents whether she had any thing of her own to dispose of? And having received their consent to it, she desired the Chancel of Lathbury should be paved with Marble, which will be a lasting Monument of her Piety. And as she had been always a good friend to the poor, so she remembered them upon her Death-bed with a large Legacy, ordering Forty pounds to be given to the poor of Newport-Pagnel, and Fifteen pounds to those of Lathbury. Then spake in this manner to her Father and Mother, Pray don't be troubled when I am gone. And looking earnestly on her Father, she said, Do you think you shall be long after me Father? Then on her Mother, Do you think you shall be long after me Mother? Her Father and the rest of the Family, kneeling down, and recommending her to God, she seemed devout and cheerful. Prayer being ended, she bowed forward, saying, I thank God, and I thank you Father. Then she asked for the Minister, who coming to her when her Spirits were almost spent, she said, O Sir, I have been a great Sinner, but I hope God will pardon me. After she was observed to pray, and heard to call upon the Name of Jesus, and so departed to him with perfect sense. And now blessed Saint, Rev. 7.17. All Tears are wiped from thine Eyes! All Sorrow and Sighing is fled away! Isa. 35.10. Now thou enjoyest the beloved of thy Soul, Cant. 5.10. the chiefest of Ten thousands! Now thou hast put on the White rob, Rev. 7.9. Chap. 19.9. and art feasted at the Supper of the Lamb! Now thou hast a fullness of that Bread and Water of Life, Joh. 6, 35.51. Chap. 4.14. Rev. 5.11, 13. Chap. 7.11, 12. Chap. 18.20. Chap. 6.9. Chap. 14.3. Chap. 15.3, 4. Chap. 5.13. which thy Soul did so much hunger and thirst after! Now with Angels and Archangels, dost thou laud and magnify the Name of God, and his Son Jesus Christ! Now with the glorious company of the Apostles, the goodly Fellowship of the Prophets, the noble Army of Martyrs, and all the glorious Saints of God, dost thou sing the Holy Song of Sion, the Praises of thy God and Redeemer, and shalt do this to all Eternity! O let me live and die like thee! A And now, Reader, is not thine Heart affencted with, and convinced by this rare Example? And dost not thou desire, when God shall call thee, to be found like her, ripe for Heaven, and fitted for Glory? Consider, it was her pious and holy Life that made way to her blessed Death and glorious Immortality. And who-so desireth his later end may be like hers, must resolve to walk in the same way to it. We may as well expect to gather Grapes of Thorns or Figs of Thistles, as to reap everlasting Life, whilst we sow to the Flesh. If we would be found in Christ at the last, we must walk in him thorough the whole course of our Conversation. I deny not, but it may please God to call some to a true Repentance near their Death; but certainly that person hath not the least degree of Wisdom that doth not live as if he thought otherwise. For considering how much the goodness of God doth aggravate the guilt of Impenitency, especially after very many and earnest Calls; and how much the difficulty of Conversion increaseth by long delays; there is very great probability that who-so wilfully deferreth it, may either find himself more averse to it, even to the last; or else attempting it, at length may be rejected, P●ov. 1.24.28. Heb. 12.17. and find no place of Repentance, tho he seek it carefully with Tears. But suppose his day of Grace be as long as that of his Life, who knoweth but the end of this is at hand? And if he repenteth not now, the next day or hour may translate him to Eternal Misery. Or could a Man be assured of much time here and acceptance with God at last; yet to continue in sin, to the daily dishonour and provocation of the Great God, from whom he expecteth Salvation, would be so impudent and so base ingratitude as no name can express. Therefore I beseech the Reader for Gods sake, and his own, not to cast his Salvation upon so great hazards as to defer his endeavours after it till too morrow. This I might also press from consideration of this Young Ladies Death. Her Departure is a loss to the whole Church: Nay, I might say, to the World itself. For the Prayers of the Righteous do even support the Earth, and bear up the Pillars of it. And their Death many times, Is. 57.1. portendeth Affliction and Misery to the survivors. We shall always retain( I hope) the Example of her Faith, and reap the Fruit of her Prayers( which I cannot but think are before God, Rev. 8.3. with those of other Saints as a perpetual Sacrifice) but we have lost the continuance of these, and the beneficial influences of her Charity. O that God would therefore, when he takes such light and heat from amongst us, put the same Spirit of Zeal and Charity into others; that the Churches loss may be thereby made up, and we may never want some to stand in the Gap for the preventing such Judgments as our sins deserve and cry aloud for. There are several passages in this Young Ladies Life, which it will be seasonable to add some reflections upon, either for the Readers Conviction, or the necessary defence of some particulars which thro prejudice may probably be disgusted by inconsiderate persons. And because the adding of these in their proper places might have been thought too great an interruption to the Series of her History, it was judged more convenient to assign them here a place by themselves. I shall give you them under these four Heads: Of the Troubles of her Mind, her Self-denial, Piety and Charity. 1. It pleased God severely to afflict her for such Sins as others make light of; and indeed are but small in comparison of those which many freely allow themselves in. And may we not justly infer from hence the dreadful condition of wilful and impenitent sinners? Doth God severely punish the Failings of his Children, and will he suffer his Enemies to escape? O what will become of the Atheistical, profane, Idolatrous and Debauched Wretches of this Age, when the God of Power and Justice shall execute Vengeance upon them for their Abominations? How shall the Blasphemer, the Swearer, the Oppressor, the Covetous, the Back-biter, the Drunkard, the Whoremonger, and every ungodly and wicked Man, be able to stand against the flaming Sword of Gods Justice in the day of his Wrath, whenas he doth thus check, reprove and afflict his own People that serve him? Whatsoever the sinner may think, yet as sure as he liveth, he will find himself miserable, whensoever God doth( as he certainly will) visit his Iniquities upon him. For let him use what arts he can to stop and silence the cry of his Conscience, yet it groweth but the fiercer under its present restraint, and shall at last break out with the more dreadful Violence, to Wrack and Torment him to all Eternity. The beginning of such Tortures many have in this World: and it pleaseth God to end them also in some by a true( tho difficult and painful) Repentance. But to others they are an heavier judgement, making them a doleful spectacle to the World, and at last are increased to the torment of Devils and damned Spirits, which they must abide in Hell for ever. How miserable do we think was the condirion of Cain when he came from murdering his Brother with the most visible marks of Horror and Confusion in all the parts of his Body? His Face pale and distorted, his Eyes rolling and unsteady, his joints trembling; and all this proceeding from a Soul filled and agitated with dreadful Apprehensions. And so he wandereth from one place to another, afraid of every thing he seeth; Gen. 4.14, 15. and not thinking himself safe from the Beasts of the Field, till God had set a mark upon him to secure him from danger. And if these were the sad and just effects of one murderous Act; how can that Man expect to be better dealt with by his Conscience, when it is once awake, who it may be hath daily killed many of his Brethren, in a Gospel sense, by Hatred and ill Language, or wounding rheir Credit and Reputation in the World? And how dreadful do we imagine was the state of Judas after his horrible Treachery, when the terrors of Conscience were so strong upon him, as to force him to seek relief in Self-murder, a quick descent to Hell? Mat. 27.5. And shall he think to escape that hath daily betrayed and crucified his Saviour by his wilful Impieties, and made his Wounds to bleed a-fresh? He that despiseth or oppresseth Christ in his poor Members, that scorneth and derideth him in his Ministers, that rejecteth and undervalueth him in the means of Grace whereby he is offered, would for the very same reason have been one of his Betrayers and Murderers, if he had lived amongst them. Therefore let all such be persuaded, how much soever their own fancies flatter them at present, that their condition is truly miserable; and if they suffer not Conscience to deal plainly with them here, and seek for Peace by a through Conversion from Sin unto God; its Wounds and Bruises shall shortly be past cure, and become their Tormentors to Eternal Ages. 2. When I consider the Self-denial of this Young Lady, how little care she took either for the adorning or refreshing her Body, because she would redeem as much time as might be for the duties of Religion: I cannot but with trouble reflect upon the contrary inclinations and practices of such persons who lavish their precious time, as if it was a toy they might throw away at their pleasure. How much of this do they vainly spend in adorning and beautifying their Bodies, whilst their Souls are altogether naked and destitute of that Righteousness whereby they must be saved? Nay, some are so vain in this, that the Workmanship of God, with all decent adorning, will not content them: but they must also Spot and plaster their Faces, &c. to recommend them to I know not what kind of Persons. But methinks these things do much betray an impure and spotted Mind, and give a great suspicion of lightness in those that use them. But here I will not accuse all of gross Wantonness that sometimes wear Spots. But methinks they do but ill consult ther Credit or Favour with others, whilst they deform their Faces with these, rather than they will retain a more virtuous Appearance. And certainly if their Children should be Born with such Spots( as some have been) this would be accounted an error in Nature, or rather an afflictive Providence, which would little please them, tho they think those artificial ones, such Ornaments to themselves. How much of their time is also cast away upon their Lusts and Excesses, or at least, needless Refreshments, whilst their Souls starve for want of that Spiritual Food which must edify them to Eternal Life, if they ever be saved? And is not a great deal more also wasted in needless( if not sinful) Recreations? Such as accursed high game, frothy Plays, idle Visits, &c. Thus do most trifle away their best temporal Mercy, not considering that there is account taken daily in Heaven of these things, and that God who doth it will not be mocked, but will at last lay all these things to their charge; unless they break off such Courses by a present Repentance, and thereby make their Peace and Reconciliation with him. 3. In reference to the Piety of this excellent Person, it may be convenient to take notice of four particulars, her Reading, Prayer, Sanctifying the Lords day, and bestowing a Marble Pavement upon the Chancel. 1. This pious soul did so much delight in reading good Books, that she did truly Disgust vain Discourses, as Romances, Play Books, &c. and wondered that others spent time about them. And indeed it is a dishonour to Christianity that so many of this kind, of late years, have crept into the World; and also Atheistical, profane and Heretical Discourses, that at this time fill the Nation, and like the Frogs of Egypt, are gotten into( almost) every House. It is certainly a Paradox not to be understood, that any Honest Printer or Bookseller should have to do with them. For it were better a thousand times, for themselves as well as others, that such wanted Bread, than be accessary to the Corrupting and Debauching of a Nation. And it is very strange also, that a rational Creature, who affecteth to be accounted Wise, and knoweth( if Pride and Self-love doth not blind them) that there is but a little sound knowledge to be gotten in the short time allotted us here, should waste any of this time, and prejudice his judgement, by reading erroneous or feigned Conceits. It is truth that every wise man endeavoureth after; and the more of this we discover in any Science, we are deservedly esteemed the more skilful in it. Therefore in Divinity nothing should be received, but what will bear the test of that perfect Rule, the Word of God. And to avoid prejudices in History, Romances, Play Books, &c. are to be rejected( or at least very cauciously used) because if there be any truth in them, it is mixed with so many Conceits and Inventions of the Authors own Brain, which( no doubt) will prejudice the best Memory from retaining so clear an account of probabe and useful History, as otherwise it might. And these are often productive of worse effects also: being apt to excite and encourage vile Affections, and so make the Reader worse than he was before. 2. When I reflect upon her Constancy and Zeal in the Duty of Prayer, I cannot but pity the condition of most persons, that notwithstanding the many strict Precepts that lay upon them an indispensible necessity of praying constantly and fervently to God, the gracious Promises of success upon that condition, and the innumerable instances of Gods fulfilling them, both in Scripture and amongst Believers to this day; do either not pray at all, or not make it part of their daily work, or else perform it so coldly, without the Life and Spirit of Prayer, as if they were indifferent whether they speed or no. Miserable Wretches! they can labour hard, and in their necessity, beg earnestly for a piece of Bread, and yet will not do so much for a Christ and a Crown of Glory, for that fullness of Joy, Psal. 16.11. and those rivers of Pleasures that are at Gods right hand for ever more. But let such be assured, that if they keep this distance from God, he will shortly increase the distance, Mat. 25.30. ver. 12. and cast them out into outer darkness. If they refuse to know God here, to serve and worship him; he will not know( that is not own) them hereafter to save their Souls. And as they do in their Hearts and Practices bid God now depart from them, Job 21.14. he shall return this upon their own Heads with a Curse at the day of judgement, saying, Depart from me, ye Cursed, Mat. 25.41. into everlasting Fire, prepared for the Devil and his Angels. 3. Her Sanctifying the Lords Day so strictly, may possibly be censured by some as unnecessary( at least) but I hope it will appear to the judicious Reader, by the following Discourse, that I may, with greater reason, lament the omission of this excellent Duty, even amongst many that would be accounted Christians. And I hope the following reasons will justify me, if I say it is a shane that any should attempt to excuse this preciousness, by disputing the Morality of the Fourth Commandement, and confining it to the Jewish Church. For the first Institution of the Sabbath was to Adam in Paradise, Gen. 2.2, 3. and therefore equally concerned all his Posterity. And the reason of its Institution was as much to the Gentiles as the Jews. This some would evade by affirming Moses delivered these words, God blessed the Seventh day and sanctified it, by anticipation: because we red nothing of the patriarches keeping the Sabbath. But they may as well affirm that the Israelites kept it not for above Five hundred years after their coming into Canaan, because there is no mention of it in Joshua and the following Books, for so long a time. Altho there are indeed several intimations in Scripture of the Sabbaths being observed before the Israelites deliverance from Egypt. For the first time it is mentioned, Moses speaketh of it as a thing known to them before, in these words, To morrow is the rest of the Holy Sabbath unto the Lord: Ex. 16.23. and not as a new Ordinance then first instituted. And when upon the first Sabbath that is mentioned, some went out to gather Manna contrary to Gods Command, ver. 28. The Lord said unto Moses, how long refuse ye to keep my Commandements and my Law? which seemeth to accuse them of many former breaches of the Sabbath. And when the Command for keeping the Sabbath is given and again repeated at Mount Sinai, Almighty God doth press the observation of it from his own resting on the Seventh day, Ex. 20.11. Chap. 31.17. and not any thing that particularly concerned the Israelites more than the rest of the World. Therefore when God seemeth to date this Command from their Deliverance out of Egypt, Deut. 5.15. and ground it upon that: we must understand he did only require a more strict observation of it upon that account. Ex. 31.13 And when he saith it is a sign betwixt himself and them, this is only the appointing it to serve a new purpose: as he did the Rain-bow to be a Token of the Covenant between him and the Earth. Gen. 9.13. Now if any doubteth of the altering this Sabbath from the Seventh, to the First day of the Week: let them consider, the very reason of Gods first Sanctifying the Sabbath, doth direct us to it. For if he Sanctified the Seventh day, because he then restend from his work: Gen. 2.3. it will follow by the same reason, that since by the Fall of Man, a great part of this work was undone again, and God who purposed to restore him, did put himself upon a greater work for that end, and this greater work Christ restend from upon the first day of the Week: this First Day ought from Christs Resurrection to be observed for the Christian Sabbath instead of the other. So the keeping of the Seventh Day from the Creation was nmtable from the very reason of its Institution, tho the Sanctifying one day in Seven is not: for this is of the very substance of the Command. Because if instead thereof we set a-part an Eighth, Ninth, Tenth Day, &c. we shall every year rob God of a great part of that time he first appointed for his Service. Now if it be said the Day being set by God Almighty, ought not to have been altered without a Command from him; I answer, that where the reason was so plain there needed no Command; which may be confirmed to us from the Israelites practise in respect of the Passover. They were commanded to eat it with their Loins girded, Ex. 12.1. their Shoes on their Feet, and their Staff in their Hand, &c. in a traveling posture, suitable to their condition, being Strangers and Travellers towards Canaan. But when they were settled in the Land, they altered their posture, without a Command from God, eating it in that posture they used at their ordinary Meals. Which was no doubt( as they understood it to be) according to the Mind of God, Mat. 26.20. because our Saviour himself did eat it after the same manner. But altho there be no plain Command, yet have we sufficient warrant for this in the New Testament. Our blessed Saviour upon this day, arose from the dead, Joh. 20.14. v. 19, 26. Luk; 24.25. ver. 45. Joh. 20.21. appeared to Mary Magdalen, and to his Disciples several times, gave them Heavenly Instructions, opened their Understanding, ordained them unto the Ministry, inspired them with the Holy Ghost, ver. 22. ver. 23. and gave them power of remitting and retaining sins. And after his Ascension into Heaven, upon this day, Act. 2.1, &c. he sent the Holy Ghost upon the Apostles in a wonderful manner, enabling them that were unlearned men, to speak on a sudden many Languages, to the wonder and amazement of those that heard them. And the same day he blessed St. Peter's preaching with miraculous success; ver. 41. to the converting of Three thousand Souls. Upon this day also he gave the Revelation to St. John, Rev. 1.10. who was then in the Spirit, and saw Christ in the midst of the Seven Candlesticks, ver. 13. ver. 16. with Seven Stars in his right Hand, and out of his Mouth went a sharp two-edged Sword. That is visiting his Churches, upholding and encouraging the Ministers of them in their work, Eph. 6, Heb. 4.12▪ and blessing his Word to the convincing sinners, and subduing them to himself. Upon this day the Disciples met together( as before, so) after Christs Ascension, to do such duties as are most proper to an Holy Sabbath: Act. 20.7. as breaking of Bread and hearing the Word preached. 1 Cor. 16.2. Chap. 5.4. Chap. 11.20. Qumm igitur convenitis, non ut decet diem Domini nostri editis & bibitis. ver. sir. 1 Tim. 1.9. And St. Paul did order the performance of some duties by them also upon this day when they met together. And( according to the Syriack Version) reproved the profaning of it in the Corinthians, by their indecent eating of the Lords Supper. And when he reckoneth in short the Transgressions of the several Commandements, he mentioneth amongst the rest the Violaters of the Fourth by the Name of profane. To this we add the Custom of Christs Church from the Apostles time to this day: and the judgement and practise particularly of the Church of England, that teacheth us after the reading of the Fourth Commandement( as well as the rest) to implore Gods Mercy for past Neglects, and desire his assistance to the keeping it better for the time to come. But if we had not this evidence for the Christian Sabbath, methinks it would be enough to satisfy every good man, that it is lawful for him to keep it( which none with the least pretence could ever deny) because the Spiritual Comfort and Advantage a strict Observation thereof procureth, doth sufficiently recommend it to him. The good man esteemeth it his great privilege that he may set a-part one day in seven for the Service of God: when abstracting himself from worldly Concerns, he may enjoy a more full and uninterrupted Communion with God, and derive to himself a larger part of that reward which doth accompany his Service. This made the Soul of Holy David, Psal, 19.11, Ps. 84.2. long and even f●int for the Courts of the Lord: pronounce them blessed that dwell in his House, ver. 4. ver. 10. and esteem a day in his Courts to be better than a thousand. He knew Honour and Majesty are before God: Ps. 96.6. Strength and Beauty are in his Sanctuary. And therefore this was the one great thing he desired above all, and resolved to seek after, Ps. 27.9. that he might dwell in the House of the Lard all the days of his Life, to behold the Beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his Temple. And I pray, how can it be otherwise with such as love God? Will a covetous man contend that it is lawful for him to refuse Gold, when he may take it; or a voluptuous man, Pleasure; and therefore decline them? No more can I be persuaded that any Wise and Holy Man, will desire Liberty upon the Lords day, besides the Holy Worship of that God, whose Service is perfect Freedom. 4. As to that work of Piety this Young Lady ordered upon her Death-bed, namely, The Paving of the Chancel with Marble, I know some will be apt to accuse it as superfluous, and perhaps put worse names upon it. A sort of People that, it may be, think it no Idolatry to give undue Orna●ents to their Bodies, in●●●ge their Appetites with any Dainties, heap up Riches at almost any rate, beautify and furnish their Dwelling Houses in the best manner they can: but to adorn the House of Gods public Worship, tho with the greatest Decency, is with these no less than Superstition. But how much unlike is this Humour of theirs to the Zeal of Holy David? who would not offer to his God of that which cost him nothing: 2 Sam. 24.25. 1 Chron. 17.1. and thought much to dwell in an House of Cedars, whilst the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord remained under Curtains. 5. The Charity of this young Gentlewoman in every branch of it, might justly give occasion to many ser●●●● Reflections. But because brevity is here designed, I shall mention only two of them: her Reproving Sin, and Compassion to the Poor. 1. It was no doubt an high pitch of Charity that moved her to give Reproofs when occasion required it. For this is certainly the most difficult part of a meek and humble Christians Duty. Not only upon the account of Prudence to take the best season for it, and use the fittest manner in the performance, but of Selfdenial chiefly; being in itself a most unpleasant( and too often a most unthankful) office. But it would be well if the guilty did consider in such cases, that they are much more injurious to the good Man, in grieving his Spirit by their sins, than he is to them by returning just and charitable Reproofs. Nay, if they had any sense, this would seem to merit their kindest Resentments, that a Person should deny himself so much, and venture their displeasure for good of their Souls. Whatsoever other thinks, I am sure this with a right intention, is the highest and most difficult Act of Charity. And therefore they that receive it unkindly are in this worse than the Publicans of old, Mat. 5.46. Luk. 6.32. that they return evil for good. And by thus opposing the good Man in what God commandeth him, Eph. 5.11. 2 Tim. 4.2. and is therefore his indispensible Duty, they do no less than oppose God himself. Luk. 10.16. And if they continue in this opposition, let them expect that fearful doom God threateneth in these words, He that being often reproved, Prov. 29, 1. hardeneth his Neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. 2. Whilst I do truly admire and applaud the singular Charity of this Young Lady to the Poor; how can I but be sadly sensible of the decay of this in the Christian World? It is great pity that most rich Men will not abate something of that Covetousness or Ambition which maketh them look forward, and endeavour to enlarge their Estates or Honours in a way that is dark and slippery, and doth ordinarily prove a snare to them: and rather not look back to the multitudes below them, where they might find exercise enough for Divine virtues; and in some resemblance to their munificent Creator, refresh and encourage the inferior World with the effects of their Bounty. But alas! How few have that Holy Ambition after true Greatness and Honour. If the Poor get any thing now amongst most of them, it is but the leavings of their Pride, Luxury, or Wantonness; something that after all their Lusts and Vanities are served, may be spared for them. The minutes of their Charity are nothing comparable to that large Tribute paid to their Excesses; which plainly telleth the World that they value more the gratifying one Swinish Lust, than relieving many of the poor Members of Christ. But they shall be but ill( tho justly) requited for that service they pay to sense; For they that sow to the Flesh shall of the Flesh reap Corruption; Gal. 6.8. and their want of Charity shall be re-tributed with the Torments of Hell. Mat. 25.41. O that every one would take warning from these Threats of the God of Truth and Justice to enlarge their Hearts and open their Hands to the poor in their necessity! and encourage themselves in it by the many and great promises made, particularly to the charitable: remembering that he who giveth to the poor, Prov. 19.17. Luk. 6.35. Mat. 5.7. maketh God his Debtor, and shall be re-paid with abundant usury. That Christ taketh such Acts of Mercy to his people as done to himself, Mat. 25.40, 46. and will reward them with Eternal Life. That every Mans reward shall be greater or less, 2 Cor. 9.6. according to the measure of his Mercy to others: and that he who so much observed and commended the poor Widows Charity, Mark. 12.43, 44. that threw two mites into the Treasury; hath regard to the smallest Gift bestowed with a charitable mind, where greater cannot be spared: Nay, Mat. 42. tho it be but a Cup of could Water, it shall be rewarded by him. I shall conclude therefore with this Exhortation, from the Mouth of infinite Wisdom, Luk. 16.9. Make to yourselves Friends of the Mammon of Unrighteousness, that when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting Habitations. FINIS.