AN ACCOUNT Of Several Observable SPEECHES OF Mrs. Luce Perrot THE Late Wife of Mr. ROBERT PERROT of LONDON, Minister.  
Spoken by her chief in the time of her sickness, and a little before her Death; and taken immediately from her own mouth, though unknown to her.  
And now Published for the Comfort and Benefit of her near Relations, and some other of her Friends.  Thy lips, O my Spouse, drop as the honeycomb: honey and milk are under thy tongue, etc. Cant. 4.11. She openeth her mouth with wisdom: and in her tongue is the law of kindness, Prov. 30.26. — And by it, he being dead, yet speaketh, Heb. 11.4. Beata lingua quae velut favus distillat, & velur ubera lacte distenditur, quae mell distillar, & lac fluit. Bernard. super Cantica. 
LONDON, Printed for R. P. 1679.   

The PREFACE.  
THESE Say here published, were the Say of a dear and precious Saint now with God, not premeditated, but extemporary, uttered by her chief in the times of her sickness and weakness, and a little before her death; and taken immediately word for word (as near as could be) as they dropped from her own mouth; but being promiscuously spoken, they are thus ordered and reduced to several heads, for the better fitting of them to be subservient for the benefit and comfort of those who shall peruse them.  
It was so far from being any way designed or desired by her, to have them made public, that she did not so much as know of their being taken; for had she, such was her modesty and humility, that it might (I suppose) have hindered the speaking of them. What they be, they are mainly and chief designed for the comfort and benefit of her near and dear Relations, and some other friends which were of her acquaintance; but if others shall occasionally reap any comfort or benefit by them, let them bless God, and thankfully own his Providence therein. It is probable, that what is here done, will not escape the censure of some, nor the slight and contempt of others; and indeed, what almost in these times does not undergo that fate? But however, the good assurance how acceptable what is here done, will be to those for whom it is chief intended; as also how profitable it may, through the blessing of God, prove to them, hath encouraged to what is done. It is not here designed to give an account of the Life of the deceased, but only of some of those speeches which dropped from her lips chief in her sickness, and near her death. But yet this I shall say, That by what is here set forth, such as peruse the same, may take a measure of themselves, and see as in a Mirror, what they are; there being therein drawn forth to the life, the true characters and lineaments of a sound and real Christian indeed. And besides, these speeches are, and may be several other ways, very instructive and useful, as to let us see what a powerful influence a holy gracious life hath to a comfortable and happy death; and truly mere shows and semblances of Piety, will no more comfort then, than a painted sun give light, or a painted fire warmth, now. As also here we are taught how good it is, and how comfortable it will prove afterward, to set out for Heaven betimes; and to begin to seek after God, and choose him for our portion while young, and to be then taken off from the vain delights here below. This (as Abigail said to David in another case) shall be no grief of heart hereafter, but such (as is said of the virtuous woman, Prov. 31.25.) shall rejoice in time to come, when God shall remember the kindness of their youth. It is observed, Christ loved his youngest Disciple best, etc. Here also you are taught what it is that most troubles, and burdens a gracious soul, and that the dearest of God's Saints are sometimes exposed to Satan's fiercest onsets; and what a choice Cordial in times of trial, the lovingkindness of God is, better than wine, yea better than life; yea, and what it is that does and will comfort and support at such times, and upon the approaches of death; and how far many times the Saints are carried above the fears even of that King of terrors, etc. These, and several other ways, what is here published (through the blessing of God) may be useful and instructive in the perusal thereof, if such as peruse the same, be not wanting to themselves: Which that it may be, as it was the design, so it is the desire, and shall be the prayer of the Publisher thereof.   

The CONTENTS of the several Speeches following: As concerning,  

1. God's beginning with her betimes, etc.  
2. Her sense of Sin, etc.  
3. Satan's Temptations, etc.  
4. Her quiet Submission under God's hand, etc.  
5. Her zeal for the glory of God, etc.  
6. Her thankfulness, etc.  
7. Her weanedness from the World, etc.  
8. Her Humility, Charity, etc.  
9 Her firm affiance in God, &c,  
10. Her whole reliance on Jesus Christ alone for Salvation, etc.  
11. Her earnest desires of the good of the Souls of her Children, etc.  
12. Her care to prepare for the Sabbath, and great love to God's Ministers, etc.  
13. Some further evidences for Heaven, etc.  
14. What it was which comforted her in all her afflictions, etc. Viz. 

1 Her interest in God.  
2 The favour of God.  
3 The word and promises of God.  
4 Prayer, Meditation, and former experiences.  
5 Heaven, and the future happiness and glory, etc.    
15. Her earnest desires to be dissolved, etc.  
16. The Ends and Reasons thereof, etc.  
17. Her being above the fears of death, etc.  
18. Some few of her breathe as in reference to herself, etc.  
19 Some of her Speeches to, and Prayers for her Husband, as in reference to himself, and Children, formerly.  
20. Some of her Speeches and Prayers very lately, and a little before her Death.    

An Account of several Observable Speeches of Mrs. Luce Perrot, the late Wife of Mr. Robert Perrot of London, Minister, etc.  
Her Speeches,  

1. As concerning God's beginning with her betimes, which she thankfully acknowledged, and much rejoiced in.  
I Would not for ten thousand worlds, but have begun to seek God betimes; the Lord put me upon it; he than took me off from other delights, and made me to delight in his Word, etc.  
He began with me betimes, and carried me on step by step. I could then see nothing in the World to delight in. I thought then holidays (as they called them) a wearisomeness unto me. I would sometimes sit, and see others play, but took no delight therein, for which they would laugh at me, and tell me I studied Divinity, etc. But my delight was then, (this was when she was about thirteen Years of age), to search the Scriptures, and to get by myself, and pray: O that pleased me; and very much was I troubled when hindered, etc.  
God wrought in me betimes an hatred of what was evil, and a love of what was good; and I then dearly loved those that feared the Lord, and spoke of what was good, but I could not delight in vain Company. I was fearful to offend God, etc.  
It is good to set out and begin with God betimes. I chose God when I was young, and then my endeavour was to do what he commanded me; and I was grieved when I slipped; my greatest sorrow was for sin, and nothing troubles me more now, than that I ran no swifter than in the ways of God.  
If my work was now to do, and my evidences to seek, what a sad condition was I in! And if I had not spent more time for Heaven, when I had time, and health, and strength, it would even sink me now.  
Thus this blessed Saint Remembered her Creator in the days of her Youth, Eccles. 12.1. he had her golden age, the prime of her Years, the chief and choice of her days; and who indeed should have these, but God, who is the best and chiefest of all? And there was in her, whilst a Child, found some good thing towards the Lord God of Israel, 1 Kings 14.13. and then even while young, and tender, she began to seek after the God of her godly Parents, 2 Chron. 34.3. whose care it was to train her up betimes in the way she should go, and she bore the yoke in her youth, and so did not bear the reproach of her youth, Lam. 3.27. Jer. 3.19. in neglecting then to do God service, and to mind her everlasting concerns, when was the chief time for it, but had the comfort of her youth. And this is God's due, the chief and choice of our days. The first of the first fruits, were to be offered to God: Exod. 23.19. repeated 34, 26. and youth is the time, which of all times God does chief require, and most delight in, his Soul desires the first ripe fruit. Micah. 7.1. and early fruits, are very acceptable, etc. God prizes the services of young ones, and it exceedingly pleases him to see plants grown up even in their youth, Psal. 144.12. and he especially bespeaks young ones to give him the heart; my Son give me thine heart, etc. Proverbs 23.26. So my Daughter, you young ones, etc. and this is given as one Reason, why that title my Son, is so often used in the Book of Proverbs, because God does there especially speak to young ones, etc. and we while young, experiencing bounty and kindness from God, there's all the reason he should have duty and service from us. Can we while we are young live without him? And why therefore, should we not then live unto him? and as he is the guide of our youth, so make him the God of our youth; and truly our whole time is so short, all our days so few, but as an hands breadth, Psal. 39.5. that God may well have all, and a poor pittance too for him, who intends an eternity of felicity for us O how many have repent they began no sooner, but who ever repent for beginning so soon? And is it not safest to begin betimes? is not youth the seasonning age? And does not the vessel retain longest the savour of what it is first seasoned with? When Children grow crooked at first, while young, they are hardly ever set strait again afterwards. Few instances of old ones converted, etc. Besides, old age (says one) is the time to spend grace, Youth to get it: old age to reap the fruit of Holiness, youth to sow the seed of it: and are not young ones in their youth dedicated and consecrated to God by virtue of their Baptism? and is it not Sacrilege to impropriate the service of that, to sin and Satan that is dedicated to God? And do not young ones die as well as old? and are there not Skulls in Golgotha of all sizes? How many are taken away in the very prime of their days, and flower of their age? And young ones must appear before God at the great day of judgement as well as elder. I saw the dead (says John) both small and great stand before God, Rev. 20.12. they were all there, etc. And how well was it therefore for this precious Soul, she began so soon!   

2. As concerning her sense of sin, and sorrow for her soul-distempers.  
THE distempers of my body trouble me, and I am ready to complain because of pain, but they do not sad me; but the distempers of my soul, they much sad me, yea even sink me. I am very much troubled with this body of sin and death: and that I can do and receive no more good. When I pray for health, and the removing of the distempers of my Body, then methinks I pray but slenderly in comparison; but when I pray for the removing of the distempers of my Soul, than I pray most earnestly: so that when I have begun, I know not how (as it were) to make an end: yea, I am so earnest in desiring God to cure the one, that I am ready to forget to beg of him the cure of the other.  
Sorrow for other things makes me sleep the more, but when it is for sin, I cannot sleep, but the night is as the day.  
Going once to a Lecture, and hearing a Minister speaking of the signs of a Child of God, and he answering a Christians complaint, as concerning his sins; But how, says he, dost thou wear them? as a Gold chain, or ornament, or as an Iron chain, and as Fetters that manacle thee, and as that thou wouldst fain be rid of, & c? This, though very sad, and much troubled before, so that she was loath to have gone, What should such a one as I do going? I shall but fill up room, and do no good, etc. Yet this so comforted her, that, said she, I even laughed for joy; and though going late, I stood all the while, yet after that I was not weary.  
I am much troubled at my unbelief, impatiency. And she being once in a special manner but tempted to a sin, she had such an abhorrency thereof, that it eaused her, as she told me, to shed a Thousand tears; and it was as if a Sword had been run into her, etc. And how often did she complain, not of her sikness, but sius, & c?   

3. As concerning Satan's temptations, and his fierce onsets formerly.  
WHen I was very young, I had sometimes neglected prayer, and I dreamed one night, the Devil was pulling me to Hell, and I trembled, and quaked, and methoughts I was even at the Pits brink; but some Scriptures comforted me; and afterward to prevent the same, I would get Scriptures by heart, when I went to bed.  
Satan hath often formerly much troubled me, and I have been afraid of that roaring Lion, that when I went to sleep, he would devour me; but the Lord (methoughts) told me, though he was mine enemy, yet he was in Chains, and so I have found him; me thought I saw him at my Bedside, and he snarled at me, etc. but was as a Mastiffchained, etc.  
Being one Night, now long since, in extremity of pain, Satan set on her with all his might, and she had a sore and grievous conflict, [December 24. 1653,] I was called up, and found her in so great a conflict, that the very Bed did shake under her, and she was also withal under sad desertions; for God seemed also to hid his face from her; and oh says she unto me, speaking of Satan, he frighted me, he roared upon me, like a roaring ramping Lion; he made my bones to shake, and my heart to quake and tremble within me; he told me God would not hear me, though I called on him, and cried unto him: and now says she to me, we must part, and God seemeth to hid his face from me, and these are but the beginning of sorrows, I have grievous pains in my breasts, but in a few hours I shall have worse, my sins are so many, etc. Behold, said I to her, The Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world, John 1.29, But I cannot behold him, etc. But blessed be God, though this assault was sudden, and very sore and sharp, especially being at such a time, when under such grievous pains, it was but short; for after I had spoken a while to her, she recovered some sense of God's favour, her pains were eased, and Satan rebuked all at once, And O what a change was there! her extremity was God's opportunity. Psal. 30, 5, For his anger endureth but a moment. In his favour is life. Weep may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. But here it did not endure for a whole night, but joy came before the morning: and her sighing was turned into singing; her mourning into music; and her tears into triumph: and the fiercer was the storm, the sooner was a clam; and the sorer the conflict, the sooner was the conquest. He is (said she) my God, though he seem to hid his face from me, and I shall see him again; and though he kill me, I will trust in him, etc. Dost not thou, said I to her, believe, whom he loves, he loves to the end? I do, said she, believe, Lord help thou my unbelief. I have often beaten Satan back with the Sword of the Spirit, and he hath gone away like a Coward, though he hath brought Scripture too, etc.  
Satan would have persuaded me once, I loved the Word only as it came from thee, not for its own sake; then I heard it from another, but he told me he was a noted man, and one whom I knew; then I heard it from a stranger, and some others, and then I told him he was a Liar, etc.  
But blessed be God, he was pleased in her last sickness, weakness, and great pains, in a great measure wholly to chain up Satan; only towards her latter end, because of her great weakness, she being not able at length to bear it that I should pray by her, he would have persuaded her, that I thought it was because she did not love prayer, etc. but that she quickly was satisfied concerning, and got over.  
She desired me formerly to bless her God with her, that he was pleased in any measure to tread down Satan, her strong, busy, subtle enemy, under her feet, and to give her some more cause of joy; and oh that my sins (said she) may not cause God to let him lose again upon me, etc.   

4. As concerning her patiented and quiet submission under the afflicting hand of God.  
SHE had frequently such humble and submissive expressions, as did abundantly declare and evidence the same: to mention some of them, as that of Eli, 1 Sam. 3.4. It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good. My God in Covenant, and I would be satisfied with his will, and desire earnestly to submit to it; and oh my God, my Father, not my will, but thy will be done; thy will is better than mine, the best will. Being called upon to sleep, she replied, it is better suffering the Will of God, than sleeping. I would do the Will of God, but he will have me suffer it. I will bear the indignation of the Lord, &c, I desire to resign my will to the Will of my heavenly Father; and commend my Spirit into his hand, as into the hand of a faithful Creator.  
The Lord hath given me a quiet submission to his Will, and this bears me up, and makes me walk cheerfully under all; yea it is, as it were, meat, and drink, and all to me, etc.  
I go up and down, and say, this is my Father's Will that it should be so, and I should else (it may be) forget my latter end, etc.  
The Lord hath made my chain heavy, but I would not complain; we may speak to God, but not against God for a thousand worlds.  
My pain is so great sometimes, that I cannot be merry; but I submit, and am content to bear what God shall lay upon me; all of you wait patiently. I am willing to wait.  
Though my pains be so great and so frequent, yet when they are but a little off I am cheerful, I cannot but wonder at myself.  
Being asked how she found her spirit, she answered, I bless God in a sweet, willing, submissive frame to his Will: and O! how sweet and blessed a thing is it, to have a quiet submissive frame of heart to the Will of God. I am sure I have found by experience, that when the Lord hath given me an heart willing to submit to his Will, sickness of body hath been but a light burden. I would fain get patiently to my journey's end: Yet a little while he that shall come, will come, and will not tarry.  
My Life is labour and sorrow, wearisome days and nights are appointed unto me, yet I am willing to submit to Gods Will, and to stay longer, and to bear more, if he will have me: The Lord fit me by all, for himself, God sees I have need of all this. Oh! the bitterness of sin, etc.  
If I have more work to do, he can raise me up again; but if my work be done, I submit to the Will of my God, &c The good Lord help us to cast our burdens upon him, and then as he hath promised, we may hope he will sustain us, Psal. 55.22. O! in a submissive frame of heart is much comfort, etc.   

5. As concerning her great zeal for the Glory of God.  
GOD can raise me up again, if it may be for his Glory; for his Glory: that she repeated again and again, and that (said she) I look at most: the Glory of my good God, that I prefer before my ease and comfort in the World; and am willing to live, if I may honour him more: and I am afraid, lest I should dishonour him by distrusting him.  
If I do not go home now, but must stay still, I desire it may be to the Glory of God, to be a greater blessing to my Relations, and to get clearer evidences for Heaven, etc.  
So tender was she of the honour of God, that when, says she, carnal people come to see me, though I am ill and weak, yet I strive all I can then to bear up, and to be cheerful; for why should they think the God of Israel is not a good God, & c?  
I am willing to live, if I may honour my God more, and do him better service, and receive more good, than I desire he would spare me, etc. but if he please not to prolong my life, I desire to submit to his Will.  
I am afraid lest I should dishonour him by thinking my time long▪ etc.  
Where she lived before, there being an Alehouse at next door where God was much dishonoured, and his Name blasphemed, it was a very great trouble and affliction to her; and when she was removed (though by reason of her great weakness and illness, it was not without much danger and difficulty) she very much rejoiced that now she should not die among swearers and blasphemers.  
O, says she, that we could more and more depend upon our good God, and honour him more in a way of believing, who hath manifested himself a God so ready to help and deliver his poor Servants in the time of their straits. O that I could more and more honour him; and it is the grief of my soul when any distrustful thoughts do arise; and my great fear is, lest I should dishonour God, either by distrust or impatiency. When thou art absent, I want thy company, but yet am contented; may it be for God's Glory, and then it will be for our mutual good, etc.   

6. As concerning her thankfulness, and her being much in blessing and praising God  
ALways when I awake, the first word I say is, Blessed be God: if I be at ease I bless him, and if in pain, I bless him it is no worse; and I find much comfort in blessing of God, and trusting in him. And if God sees it good I should yet live, I would live to praise him, and speak good of his name.  
I bless God he helps me to bear what he lays upon me.  
I bless God my pains are not so great to day as they have been, now my strength is less.  
Dost not thou see God is making my passage ea sie? I bless God.  
Blessed be the Lord for ever, that he will take such pains with such a poor worm, to fit me for Heaven: He is a God at hand, and not a far off, neither hath been as a stranger; he hath given me much patience, and quiet submission to his Will all along, to him be the glory thereof.  
When I am in great extremity, and never a part free, yet blessed be God he lays no more on me, than he inables me to bear. I bless God I find much comfort in my soul, which does much support me.  
Fearing she might too much waste her spirits with speaking, I desired her to forbear; but I cannot (said she) but speak good of my God, whiles I can speak.  
When I am gone, though God should bring further affliction upon thee and thy family, yet be thankful, whatever you do be thankful.  
Being one night under grievous pains, she quietly resigned herself up to God, saying, if he please to give me rest I will thank him; if not, I will submit to him. That night proved a comfortable night to her, etc.  
She would often have that expression, I desire to bless our good God, and to be very thankful to our good God; that word, good God. she often had, and what do I do complaining, when I have enjoyed so much health, etc. But it was not much she ever enjoyed; but a little is much to a truly thankful heart, who looks upon itself as never deserving the good it receives, but more than deserving the evil it suffers: and he also turning that unto good.  
Thus that which is her whole work now in Heaven, was much her work here on Earth, to be blessing, and praising, and giving thanks to God, and that in every thing, even when God was sharply afflicting her. She had her Psalms of praise in the wilderness, her songs in the night. What then has she now in that inheritance of the Saints in light? She glorified God in the fires. Isa. 25.15. That is, in, and under great afflictions. What does she now in that place of refresh? Those Angels and heavenly Heroes about the Throne, whom she is now praising, and singing Hallelujahs with in Heaven, she much conformed to, even here on Earth, here below, and now she is wholly taken up with that blessed delightful work above: where it is Hallelujah, and again Hallelujah, Blessing, honour, glory and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. Amen. Rev. 5.13.   

7. As concerning her weanedness from the World.  
I am leaving this pitiful poor world, this low valley, the Lord hath weaned me from the things here below; I could not say what it was I delighted in here, but my delight was in God, and in his sweet Word, etc.  
When I lived in the Country, the Casement being one day open, I was ●ooking into the Garden, and I thought, thus with myself, Many they much delight in Gardens, and Flowers, etc. but methinks I have no delight in these, nor in any outward thing; though the most I have had in any outward thing, hath been in Gardens, and to walk in the Fields.  
Trouble me no more with these things, I am now leaving all here below, let me only mind now, how to get to that heavenly Zion above, etc.  
I am seeking a City to come, an habitation with God, in whose presence is fullness of joy, and at whose right band are pleasures for evermore, Psal. 16.11.  
Thus her way was above, and she was still looking not at the things which are seen, which are temporal, but at the things which are not seen, which are eternal, 2 Cor. 4.18. By faith she overcame the world, and was carried after higher and better things, even those things hoped for, and not seen, which Faith is the substance and evidence of, Heb. 11.1. These things were poor, mean, low, vile things to her; better being discovered, even spiritual, heavenly and eternal, the things within the vail. She was clothed with the Sun, had true faith in Christ the Sun of righteousness, with which she was adorned; and now the Moon, the World, and all the mutable things thereof are under her feet, and she treads on the world's trash, etc.   

8. As concerning her Humility, Meekness, Lowly-mindedness, Charity, etc.  
I Am a dry stick, a worm, a poor worm, a poor worthless worm, I have nothing; but in Christ I have all. And his yoke she had taken upon her, Matt. 11.29, and learned of him the lesson of meekness and lowly-mindedness. There is, says she, a little Gold, and a great deal of Dross.  
Hearing how ill another was, what am I (she replied) better than she? I am a poor worthless worm.  
She said of her Silk-Gown, it was but the work of a worm to  a worm, etc.  
As she lived privately, she desired to be buried privately.  
When Servants proved bad, she would reflect upon herself, and say, I have not myself been to God so good a Servant as I should and ought to have been, etc.  
When others sin, I am willing to reflect on myself, and look back into mine own heart, and there to see the same sin. And speaking of Mercies and Blesing, she would often say, if my sins do not hinder.  
I was willing to do good to the poor, and such as stood in need.  
I often thought, I might spare this, and that, and the other, that so I might distribute to such, etc.  
Indeed her expressions, carriages, behaviours and converses, were still such as savoured of humility, and abundantly evidenced the same; and that she was not only humble, but clothed with humility, as the Apostle Peter exhorts▪ 1 Pet. 5.5. she was humility all over, it was her wear, her garment, and her great ornament too. Oh! what low thoughts had she of herself, and what vilifying and abasing expressions would she have of herself, when she shone brightest in the eyes and aspect of others? She was dark and obscure as to herself, truly poor in spirit, preferring others before herself; but the more despicable she was in her own eyes, the more precious no doubt she was in God's eyes; there being no grace which more recommends us to God than humility, as there is no vice more abominable than pride. God had richly adorned her with the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of so great price, 1 Pet 3.4.   

9 As concerning her firm trust, and affiance in God, in her affliction.  
SHE having a very sick night, when she was in greatest extremity, she said, Though he kill me, yet will I trust in him: and this she often said. And the Lord hath helped me, and will help me; my God hath and will strengthen me; Though I walk through the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, etc. There is a dark Entry to go through (Death) but God shall carry me through it. And God will send his Angels to convey my soul to Heaven. And I know my Redeemer liveth, and that I shall live with him there, where he now intercedes at God's right hand for poor creatures, for me also, etc.  
The Lord has, does, and will comfort me; he is an Almighty, Alsufficient and Unchangeable God, he once said so to me when I was ready to despair, etc. He is my rock, my fortress, my high tower, etc.  
I am like a Ship, sometimes under the waves, but it appears again.  
I would cast all my cares and burdens upon the Lord, and I would that all that fear him would do so; and if not, they will bear the shame and reproach thereof.  
My time seems to tarry; and when in extremity, I am ready to say, how ●ong! but the time appointed for deliverance, and times of refreshing will come, etc.  
Waiting on God, truly it is that which I earnestly desire, to be always do●ng, and that with delight. Oh! that we could look up to him, and wait on him, and make him our heaven and happiness, who is the heaven and happiness of his people. The Lord delighteth in those that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy, Psal. 147.11,   

10. As concerning her whole reliance on Jesus Christ alone, for Life and Salvation.  
I Rest, and rely wholly, and only on Jesus Christ my dear sweet Saviour, Advocate and Mediator.  
I see nothing in myself to trust in; but I bless God I have good hope through Jesus Christ.  
I have endeavoured in times of health, to build on that Rock, that when storms came I might be born up. My Redeemer hath perfected my peace in Heaven, and is now in Heaven making intercession for me. I am a poor worm, I have nothing, but in Christ I have all; justification by his merit, sanctification by his spirit; and he hath purchased for me eternal Life and Salvation.  
Ask her if she did not find much comfort within, she answered I do, blessed be God, in, and through Jesus Christ who gave himself a ransom for me. About him I will clasp, and will not let go.  
Having once been speaking to me of God's gracious deal with her, and what God had wrought in her, and what comfortable evidences she had for Heaven, after all, I said to her, My Dear, dost rest in these? Rest? No, no, I rest only on Jesus Christ, and if I perish, I'll perish in his arms, I'll lie at his feet, at his feet: But I speak of these, as some poor weak evidences; but though weak, yet true, I dare not belie my own soul: I could not speak of these to others, but only to thee, my Dear, my Heart, myself, and I speak of them, not as boasting, but I desire thy approbation, and I hope God will not cast me off, but gather me to himself, and come life come death, it shall be well with me. Being asked what she would have? She answered Jesus Christ, and him alone. And indeed affliction sanctified, makes to see emptiness in every thing, but in Jesus Christ, in the enjoyment of whom is full satisfaction, and who is a Christians all, and in all, and in whom alone he is complete, Col. 3.11— 2.10.   

11. As concerning her earnest desires of the good of the souls of her Children.  
I Would willingly live to bring up my Children, and if I could but see Christ formed in them, than I could say, Lord now lettest thou thy poor servant departed in peace.  
I travel in birth again, as it were of my Children, till Christ be form in them, I exceedingly desire the good of their souls, and I am almost impatient of delay, as I go up and down, I say, Lord when shall it once be? and how shall I see the destruction of their souls and bodies both. When shall I have real cause of joy?  
She formerly weeping over one of her little ones, was asked why she wept, she answered, because I would fain live to bring it up in the fear of the Lord, etc.  
One of her Daughters formerly being very sick and weak, oh how solicitous was she of her eternal welfare? how earnestly did she breathe out her desires for her, that the good Lord would have pity and compassion on her, and that he would please to fit her for himself, and that if he took her out of this miserable sinful world, he would take her to himself, in whose presence is fullness of joy, etc. and oh that when ever he takes her out of my poor bosom, he would take her into his own.  
The good Lord help me to discharge my duty to all my relations.  
She thus once declared herself to one of her daughters, I would have you labour to be very good; be sure you do not neglect to read and pray by yourself morning and evening; and labour to mind what you are come into the world for. Endeavour to get the Lord for thy God; make him the chief of thy joy and delight. When thou art to pray, or read, or hear the Word, look upon those services as thy privilege, not as thy task; as thy duty, and yet as thy dignity, that thou mayst go to the great God of Heaven and Earth, as to a gracious and loving Father in Christ. When thou findest thy heart backward to any good duty, go to God, and beg of him to help thee, and quicken thee, etc. Be cheerful and mind thy duty to God; the good Lord bless thee, and do thy poor soul good; so shall it be well with thee for ever. Good Child don't neglect to read and pray, etc. The Lord bless you and keep you, bless your soul with spiritual blessings, that you may be still doing something to further your souls good.  
Another of her Daughters she thus bespoke. Redeem all the time that possible you can, to secret prayer; and often read the Scriptures, which will make you wise to salvation, and will afford you pleasure, at the last, when all things here will fail. I shall pray for thee and thy dear Sisters, that you may all grow in all the graces of the spirit, and may be wrought, and made meet for the heavenly glory, etc.   

12. As concerning her care to prepare for the Sabbath, and her great love to God's Ministers, Word Preached, and Ordinances, etc.  
IN preparing for the Sabbath, I have then been up, when others in the Family, where I have been, have been in bed.  
Of late, by reason of my illness and weakness, I have lain sometimes longer on Sabbath-day mornings than ordinary; but it hath troubled me; and the Reason was, because sleeping little in the night; I found when I risen earlier, I was ready afterwards to be sleepy, and more unfit for God's service: But if when I had more time, and health, and strength, I had not been more abundant in the service of God, and more earnest after Heaven and the things of Heaven, than I can be now, my spirit would even sink within me.  
God's Ministers I love dearly, yea, so dear are they to me, that it does me good to see their faces, and I could even fall down and kiss their feet, and compel them to come into my house; and methinks my house is the better, when they have been in it. Oh I dearly love them.  
Being, when I was in the Country, invited on a Lecture-day by an honourable person to Dinner, the best feast which I had that day, was at the hearing of the Word; for I had it made appear to me there, that I had made entrance into Heaven. and I was so comforted, that I could have found in my heart to have fallen down at the Ministers feet and have thanked him. It did me good at Dinner to hear him speak, etc.  
I have never been better satisfied, nor pleased, than when I have been hearing the Word Preached, and meditating on it, and conferring with the people of God, and praying in secret, and hearing counsel and direction for my soul; and it has been my prayer, as I have been going to hear, that God would make out some counsel and instruction, or reproof, to me: and the Lord hath heard me, counselled me, and comforted me.  
I do so love the word of God, it is so sweet to me when I meditate on it, and I do so love God's Ministers, and it does so rejoice me to think of Mr. Merrills coming to my House. (A worthy Minister in the Country deoeased) I hope he will come; I must say as Lydia to Paul, If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, etc. And tell him if I die, I would not have him neglect any more to see such as do so much desire to see him as I do: I long to see him, etc. He is an eminent Minister, one who is firm to his principles, fears neither men's frowns, nor regards their smiles, etc. He hath been instrumen all of much good and comfort to my soul; God was the efficient, he the instrument, etc. I cannot see, how the prising of God's Word, and not to prise God's Ministers, can stand together. I am sure I prise both, and pray that God would encourage his Ministers. Ordinances have been very sweet to me: God in and by them hath come to me, and met me, that I could say with Peter, It is good for me to be here. And I have thought the time very short I have been hearing, the word hath so comforted-me: I have gone under trouble, but have returned refreshed. Being one day very ill, and desiring her to stay at home, she answered, that must be the last place I go to. And in a sickness before, she said it grieves me I went no longer, though she went longer than well she could. Oh! how much did she rejoice? and how glad was she to go into the House of the Lord? How blessed did she count those who dwelled there! Oh! I made account (said she) to be ready betimes, and I shan't get in. etc. How ready and willing was the spirit, when the body was weak! I got cold, says she, by going at such a time to hear, but I do not repent, for I had a sweet refreshing there, blessed be God.  
Thus how lovely, amiable, and desirable to her were the Tabernacles of the Lord of hosts! And how did her soul long, yea, even saint for his courts I How truly might she say with David, Psal. 26.8, Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine konour dwelleth; and one thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to bekold the beauty of the Lord, etc. And how truly might she call Sabbaths and Ordinances her delight! she had there seen God and his face, his power and glory, his go in his sanctuary; yea, Sabbaths were to her as the Suburbs of Heaven. Ordinances are not in Heaven, but Heaven she hath many a time met with in Ordinances: and she drinks but that Wine new now in Heaven, which she began to drink in Ordinances here, Matt. 26 29.   

13. As concerning some further evidences for Heaven.  
I Have a great deal of comfort in this, That I am as willing to take Christ for my Lord, as for my Saviour and that I desire and endeavour; to my utmost to obey him, and have heart-rising against sin, both in myself and in others; and desire to hate and abhor all appearances of sin.  
I have desired to walk before the Lord in uprightness, and have walked with God sincerely, though not perfectly; and I would not offend God, nor dishonour him, but have desired to glorify him, ob●y him, and to be ruled and governed by him, etc.  
In hearing the Word, I have been glad of rebukes, as well as promises.  
I love all the people of God, even those I never saw.  
I am sometimes much troubled for my lukewarmness, that I do no more honour God, etc. but this upholds me, I look upon it with grief; I would more honour God, and do him better service, and I dislike it I do no more.  
I have been ready to think sometimes I do not love God, because I am no more in communion with God; I love thee, and delight in thy Company; but thus I recover myself, That I desire to have more communion with God, and I am still lifting up my heart to him, and I love those that are his; and when nothing else, yet love to the Saints stays me. We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren, etc. 1 John 3.14.  
I shall not change my company though my place; but those I delighted in here, I shall go to when I die.  
Having little opportunity of communion with the Saints, I was once ready to think, if I had more communion with them, it may be I should have less communion with God; but going abroad, God convinced me of the contrary: for I found myself much quickened by that Christian communion I had, and it made me to delight more in communion with God.  
She was very desirous and solicitous of Zions welfare; the Church of God bore much upon her spirit, she much rejoiced she lived to hear of the discovery of the late hellish Plot of the Papists. She said, she had earnestly prayed that God would discover the plots of his enemies, and now he hath heard my prayers; and if (she said) we had but more faith, and could but more trust in God, it would be better. Our sins indeed are great, but God's mercies greater. She had still a firm confidence God would bring down his enemies, etc. Let us pray earnestly, and wait patiently, and Stones deliverer will appear in due time, etc.   

14. As concerning what it was which comforted her in all her afflictions, and in, and under all her pains, sicknesses, and weaknesses.  

1. Her interest in God.  
THis is my comfort, That I have an interest in God, who is All-sufficient, Unchangeable, The God of all comfort, and that comforteth those that are cast down. He hath said to me, I am thine, and thou art mine; and though I fail, he hath made an everlasting Covenant with me, and that fails not. I am a poor changeable creature, but he is unchangeable, My flesh, and my heart fails, but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever, Psal. 73.26. Creature-comforts fail, but God never fails. He is my strength, and my stay, and my all; and the little interest I have in God, is better than a Kingdom of ease; and my God, my God in Christ will comfort me.  
I had so much comfort (my Dear) the other night, that I could have found in my heart to have wakened thee to have told thee, but that thou wast weary; but I can't express it now. Ask her what it was wherein she had so much comfort, she replied, not in any thing here, but in God, and in Jesus Christ, and the things of God, etc.  
Thus that the Lord was her God, this was to her a choice Cordial, and sovereign ground of comfort in all her affliction, as it hath been to others, as to David, Psal. 31.14. But I trusted in thee, O Lord, I said, thou art my God, etc. And Psal. 63.1, O God thou art my God, etc. So Psal. 42.5, etc. And God himself so propounds it, Isa. 41.10. Be not dismayed, for I am thy God, etc. And indeed, what greater or more sovereign ground of comfort, is, or can there be than this, To have the Lord, who is so infinite and all-sufficient a God, to be our God? and what can be wanting where all-sufficiency is? He is the very sum and centre of all our happiness and good; and to have this God our God, what ever he is, or has ours, to be for our comfort and benefit, all his excellencies and perfections, his Wisdom, Power, Goodness, Mercy, etc. Surely no greater, nor more sovereign ground of comfort can there be; for God contains all, and that God my God, surely all that is truly good and comfortable, must needs be wrapped up in this; My God, it is more than my Kingdom, my World, my Heaven and Earth; yea, many Heavens and Earth's, were they extant. This comprehends, at once, all good, and all's concentered here; more cannot be said, and truly less will not serve our turn. In God, as in a Crystal fountain is, and resides for ever, all the refined goodness and sweetness of all the creatures in Heaven and Earth; here's all we want, would have, or reasonably can desire; and therefore this must needs be the very foundation of all true comfort and consolation; and this was that which was in a special manner the comfort and support of this preci●ous soul. She often would say, My God, my God. And except he be our God, the greater good he is, the greater is our misery. Tolle meum, & tolle Deum. Take away my, and take away God, as to comfort. And surely therefore if there be any thing under Heaven truly worthy our labouring after, and laying out our utmost endeavours for, it is this, the getting upon good grounds, sound evidence to our souls, that God is ours.   

2. The Love of God in Christ, his lovingkindness, and the assurance thereof.  
Oh! the meditation and contemplation of the love of God in Christ, it is the sweetest Cordial, and hath, amidst all my pains, been my Cordial day and night. And she told a friend that came to see her, That was it not that she had a comfortable assurance of God's love to her in Christ, she could not tell how to bear up under one of those pains (which indeed were very sharp); but the contemplation of that, made her bear up under all.  
Oh there are heights, and depths, and lengths, and breadths, in the love of God in Christ It passes knowledge, Ephes. 3.18, 19 And eternity will be little enough to praise God; and that which exceedingly comforts me, is the everlastingness of that love, that he will never take away his lovingkindness from me.  
Once, formerly, after long trouble, God gave me a glimpse of his love; and though I was very sick and weak, and could neither stand nor go, yet then methoughts I was not sick, I did not feel it, etc.  
Being asked if she would have some Cordial, she replied. Oh! the favour of God is the best Cordial, Better than Life, Psal. 63, 3. Oh! pray I may be more and more reconciled to God, and have clearer evidences, he is my God.  
Another time, being very faint, and asked what she would have, she replied more of God's favour, and to do his will I have so rejoiced in God's goodness, that I have not felt the ground I have gone upon.  
When my pains are greatest, I have usually most peace, and that upholds me.  
Not long before her death, she told one of her relations, that she was so ravished with the contemplation of the love of God in Christ, that it did even swallow her up, so as that she was not able to bear it, nor contain it; but was forced to remit and let go her present thoughts thereof. And the ground of my comfort is the assurance of the love of God which he hath given me: And what is the assurance of Gods love worth? It is more worth than a thousand worlds, and I will not let it go; it makes me for joy, as it were, to fly up and down.  
Thus God's Love was better to her than Wine, yea than Life; and the Love of God and the assurance thereof, is indeed a Cordial that will revive, when none other can nor will, none to that. This is the very life of our lives the light of our day, the ●un of our firmament, the spring of our year, the joy of our hearts, the solace of our souls, the strength, comfort and support of our spirits, the mercy of mercies, the blessing of blessings; so much better than life, that life itself without it, is no better than death: But this is life even in death; and hence the Prophet David prays for this, for his Cordial and comfort, Psal. 119.76, Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, etc. And this was the cordial and comfort of this blessed Saint now in Heaven, in all her trials and afflictions while here.   

3. The word and promises of God.  
These were to her, as a banqueting, or house of wine, as staying flagons, and comforting apples, as green pastures and still waters, etc. Cant. 2.4, 5. Psal. 23.2.  
As that word, Rev. 3.19, As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. And Heb. 12.10— But he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. And Rom. 8.28, And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, etc.  
One night she repeated over to herself several promises, which she said, God brought to her mind, and were a very sweet cordial to her: Such as Psal. 34.22, The Lord redeemeth the soul of his servants, and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate. Vers. 10. The young lions do lack and suffer hunger; but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing. Isa. 40.11, He shall gather the Lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, etc. Vers. 29, He giveth power to the faint, and to them that have no might he increaseth strength, etc.  
I am much comforted with that promise, Isa. 43.25, and I would even live upon it: I, even I am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins, etc.  
There were two places of Scripture which did more especially much run in her mind of late, and were very comforting to her: one was 1 Cor. 15.55, O death where is thy sting? O grave where is thy victory, & c? Vers. 57, But thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  
The other, Job 19.25, 26, 27, For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth. And though after my skin, worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God; Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another, though my Reins be consumed within me. These words were very refreshing to her, and were the words discoursed of by Dr. Jacomb at her Funeral; though it being propounded to her, she acknowledged her great unworthiness, that any such thing should be done for her; but it might (she said) do good to the living. Those words especially, Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another, she often repeated, and was much comforted by: For myself, for myself. And, blessed be God, now she sees God for herself, even for herself, and is in the actual possession of that blessedness, of which the contemplation was so sweet to her here. She is now seeing God in Heaven, in her soul; and though after her skin, worms destroy her body, yet she also shall in due time (her body being raised) see God in her flesh, for herself, and her eyes shall behold and not another, though her reins be consumed within her. But her soul is now at present enjoying that vision; indeed she beholds man no more here, with the inhabitants of the world, as Hezekiah spoke, Isa. 38 11, neither sees she any more her near and dear relations, but she sees a far better sight, she sees and enjoys God. and shall do so for ever, and so is now in the participation of the comfort wrapped up in that Scripture, and knows experimentally what it is to see God (which she had been so long praying and waiting for) and to see him for herself, for herself, and not another, as she repeated it.  
Ask her once what it was that comforted her? This, said she, that God hath brought home his promises to my soul, and applied them to me; he hath said this promise belongs to thee, Isa. 54.7, 8, For a small moment have I forsaken thee, but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hide my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindress will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer. O how full and sweet is this promise, etc.  
Thus God's Word and Promises were very comforting and refreshing to her, very sweet, yea sweeter than honey, and the honeycomb; they were her songs in the house of her pilgrimage, better to her than thousands of gold and silver; and she rejoiced thereat, as one that findeth great spoil, Psal. 119, 54, 72, 162, 111. And by those things, as Hezekiah said, She lived, and in all these things was the life of her spirit, Isa. 38.16, and she might well say, as once the Prophet David, and as a precious Saint and dear sister of hers long since formerly said, Unless thy Law had been my delights, I should then have perished in my affliction, Psal. 119.2. And the Word of God is the best Cordial in the world. Thus that which supported them both was the Word of God, and indeed in several respects: 
* Mrs. Elizabeth Moor sometimes of Aldermanburic, London, who died now many years since, and at whose funeral Mr. Calamy preached (as she desired) on those words Psal 119.92, Which Scrmon, with several others on the same Text, were long since extant. And to them we annexed her evidences for Heaven.  both these dear Sisters, and their cases were much alike; both examples of great affliction, as also of extraordinary patience; in which they possessed their souls: both brought to such a sweet humble submissive frame, as to be willing to undergo whatever the Lord was pleased to inflict, and as long as he pleased to afflict; both enjoying much inward peace and comfort, and still fetching cordials out of God's Word to keep them from fainting. Both, though their afflictions were heavy, desired more the sanctifying of them, than their removal: and more that they might learn the Lessons God would teach by them, than to be rid of them: Both were unbottomed off themselves and their own righteousness, and cast their Souls wholly and only on Jesus Christ and his righteousness, for life and salvation; both as willing to take Jesus Christ, as their Prophet to teach them, as their King to govern them and subdue them to himself, as their Priest to satisfy for them and reconcile them. Both proved and tried, as silver is tried, went (as it were) through fire and water, but now are brought out into a wealthy place, Both such as had not their Ark to build when the flood came, nor their graces, comforts, nor evidences to seek, when they came to die; but had nothing then to do but to die, having made comfortable provision aforehand against an evil day, and improved their time, health and strength, whilst they had it, for the good of their souls. Both walked in Heaven's way, and are now arrived at Heaven's happiness; both endured the Cross, and now receive the Crown; and their light afflictions which were but for a moment, have but wrought for them a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.   

4. Prayer and Meditation, and former experiences.  
I Have meditated often on this bed, and have had much comfort in several evidences for Heaven; and so have sweetly fallen asleep, and sweetly awaked again.  
When by reason of weakness, I could not pray whilst up, when I was in bed I spent a great time of the night in meditation and prayer, and was sweetly refreshed. And when I cannot speak, I lie and think, and meditate, etc.  
I have had clear evidences for Heaven, and God's lovingkindness hath shone clearly upon me, though afterward they have been clouded: I remember the days of Gods right hand, etc.  
I can truly say I have cried to the Lord my God, and he hath heard me in my distress, and delivered me, and oh that I could more and more honour him, etc.  
The Lord hath been very gracious to me; though I have had castings down yet have I had liftings up; the Lord hath supported me under great temptations of Satan, and much sadness of heart, by reason of the Church's sufferings, etc.   

5. Heaven and the future happiness and glory.  
If this earthly house of this tabernacle was dissolved, I have a building of God an house not made with hands eternal in the heavens, etc. 2 Cor. 5 1.  
What a restless condition am I in? When I am in bed, than I would be up; when up, then in bed, etc. There remains a rest for the people of God Heb. 4.9, And he will carry me through the gates of Death, and bring me to his everlasting rest: The times of refreshing are coming on a pace, etc.  
I have a painful night, but shall have a joyful morning, I shall be in the embraces of my dear Redeemer; there will be none of these toss to and fro hereafter, I shall rest quietly in the bed of the grave, etc.  
If the Lord will have me end my days in this condition, with pains and weakness. Heaven will pay for all, there the weary are at rest.  
Being under convulsions, these says she are great shogs, but God will carry me through them. I am not afraid of death, but shuck at these pains, but who would not go through pains to such a place of rest? In my father's presence are fullness of joy, etc. Ask her how she did, she said, I shall be well anon, meaning in Heaven. And one telling her, he hoped she might be better by such a time, she replied, she hoped so too, being in Heaven.  
I am now going, and I verily believe I shall go to God. I can't speak now, I am very weak and low; What a condition was I now in, if I could not see beyond death, and beyond the grave, & c?  
I would be buried in such a place; but no matter where, God will raise up my dust again.  
I am going to the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of Angels, etc. and into the bosom of my blessed Redeemer; and what blessed company are these, & c?  
One of her Daughters being in the Country, and not returning at the time expected, Tell her (says she) I shall meet her in a better place, etc.  
Thus the foresight, and the fore-thoughts of the future glory, comforted her under all her afflictions here; and one minute now in Heaven, makes amends for all her pain and misery here.    

15. As concerning her earnest desires to be dissolved, etc.  
IF the Lord sees good, I would fain departed, and leave this body of death: when will God send his Messenger? Is this the night I must departed hence? O! what joyful news would that be! another night! Surely this is the night God will call me home. Come Lord Jesus, come quickly, make kast, make haste. O my God, when wilt thou come? O when will that sweet day come? I hope it is now nigh, what a joyful time will that be, to have a total victory over sin.  
I am now going to be married, and the Wedding-knot will be tied for, everlasting. When will my God come? What a deal of do is here for my soul to get out of this carcase? and how much a do have I to get lose? But these shall meet again. I earnestly desire, earnestly desire, to be clothed upon with that house which is from Heaven, etc. When will my Father send his Wagons to fetch me? And telling her she was as a Ship at the Downs, waiting for a fair Gale of Wind; but when says she will that blessed Gale come? And speaking to her of her going to Heaven, to her Father's House, she replied, she feared not yet, Lord send me safe thither. And when through weakness, we could scarce understand what she said, she breathed home, home, home; and seemed troubled, when any said they hoped she might recover again, etc.   

16. As concerning the ends and reasons of her so earnest desires to be dissolved.  
UPon serious consideration, I found, that the end why I desired to die, it was not to be freed of my pains, or troubles, but that I might be freed of sin, and no more dishonour God, and that I might enjoy more of him, and be no more discontented under his hand, which I am sometimes ready to be.  
I would fain go to Heaven, and long to be in Heaven, Why? Because than I should be freed of Satan's temptations, and sin no more; and that I might have more time to serve God; and I am troubled I can have no more here; but then I should do nothing but serve God, etc. And oh! what a mercy and happiness would it be to me, if my work was done, to be gone! etc.  
I am afraid lest I should desire to die to be freed of my pains; but I would desire to die out of love to God, and that I may enjoy him, and be rid of sin more than sorrow; and then our graces shall be perfect, knowledge perfect, love perfect, etc.   

17. As concerning her being above the fears of death.  
SOmetimes formerly she has not (though seemingly near to death) been so willing to die, but would say, Will not God make me more willing to die before I die? Surely he will, I have been more willing, etc. And so he did in this her last sickness, whereby we might have foreseen her death to have been near.  
Ask her whither she was not afraid of death, she replied, no I am not; I do not look upon death singly, but as it brings me to rest: I must go through that dark entry, before I can get to my Father's house. I shall go to my first husband, etc.  
Methoughts I saw death, as a Messenger, coming for me, and I told him, I would go with him. I thought I should have died such a day, and methoughts I was troubled to think of living. When she was in pain, she used to say, Is not the sound of his Master's feet behind? Physic won't do, etc. And this she speak, as being little concerned therewith. She said of her sickness, these are but Messengers to bid me prepare, etc. I bless God, I can smile on that grim Messenger, God will send his Angels to conduct me safe through that dark entry, to my Father's House. A Child is afraid to go through a dark place by himself; but God says, Fear not, for I am with thee, etc. I am not afraid of death; but my passage to my father's House is rough: But having gotten so far onward in my way, I am loath to go back again. If that sweet Messenger come, I will bid him welcome and shall rejoice; and if you love me indeed, you will rejoice too.  
I am no more afraid of Death; than to take the choicest Cordial that is for my good; for so is death, and I look through it, and beyond it, and long to be with my dear Lord and Saviour. My Children are loath to look out my burial-clothes, but they are my wedding-clotheses, and I hope my Bridegroom is not far of, etc.  
Telling her of a friend that would come to see her, she replied, she will come to my burial. Why, said I, sayest thou so? She answered, why should I not comfort myself, that I am going home? I long to be at home, we shall meet again. How sweet will that sleep be, when I shall wake in Heaven? Seeing one of her Daughters weep, why says she weep you? would you not have me go to my Father? He is sending his holy Angels for me. Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be beirs of salvation, Heb. 1.14. I have one night less, I bless God, to be here, where is sin and sorrow.  
Seeing Cordial-water brought for her, she said, she hoped she should not live to drink up half that water: and being to take a Powder, she asked if it was to sweeten her passage, than she would take it, but not to stay it; but what God will. I can scarce swallow my spittle, a comfortable forerunner I hope of death. And her pains falling into her joints, she rejoicingly said, there was something further to help her forward to her journey's end. Death is indeed a sour Messenger, but my Father's Messenger to fetch me home.  
She speaking of her death, and how she would have things ordered at her Funeral, she spoke thereof with a great deal of joy and rejoicing; but perceiving me to be troubled, she looked smilingly upon me, and said, I can with as much joy, yea with more joy speak of my burial-clothes, than ever the day before I was married I could of my wedding-clotheses. I shall be clothed with the White Robe of Christ's righteousness, and have a Diadem upon my head, etc.   

18. Some few of her breathe, as in reserence to herself.  
SHould I not make my moan to my God? The Lord give me more patience, that I may not dishonour him now at last; my God teach me, teach me as well as correct me, strengthen me, etc.  
I want nothing but a thankful fruitful heart, an heart more humble, holy, and more to honour God: I would have more grace, more faith, patience, meekness, humility, more of Heaven, more holiness, more likeness to God; and I beg prayers, that the Lord would fit me for what his will is concerning me, and enable me to bear what he is pleased to lay upon me. I am weak, but he is strong; my strength fails, but his never fails. Good Lord help me to be still carrying on my great work, etc. And oh that I might lose nothing in this hot furnace but dross. But why say I hot? It is no other than what my Father sees good, and all shall work together for my good, if my corruptions hinder not; I am so afraid they should, but I earnestly desire they may not, and I hope the Lord will rather answer my desires, than let it be according to my fears. Led me to the rock that it higher than I The good Lord fi● us for what his good pleasure is, and for the greatest trials that can come. Here we have no continuing City, the good Lord help us to be seeking one to come, a City that hath foundations, etc. The Lord fit us for the day of our death, that it may be a good day to us. The good Lord sanctify all his fatherly corrections to me, and grant I may by all be made the more meet to partake of the inheritance of the Saints in light: that we may live to honour our good God all our days, that so when our Lord comes, we may be found of him in peace.  
The Lord help us to get our hearts into an heavenly frame, that our meditations may be more of those things that concern our souls, and will stand us in stead to all eternity, etc.   

19 Some of her Speeches to, and Prayers for her Husband, as in reference to himself and Children formerly.  
MY Dear, be not melancholy, but still wait upon God, rest quietly upon him, he that hath fed us, clothed us, and provided for us, will still I hope do it. My Dear, be not sad, or troubled, but cast thy burdens upon the Lord, he will sustain thee: The good lord help us to exercise faith and patience. O that we could live more a life of faith and holiness, and more sweetly and freely depend upon our good God, who never fails his poor Children in any time of need: O let us cast all our care upon God, who hath, and will care for us and ours.  
God hath been a long while weaning thee from me, we must part, but we shall after a little while meet again: Resign thy will up to Gods Will, be willing to part with me, that is the way still to have me, etc.  
I am in a straight (this was many years since) willing to leave a world of sin, and a body of sin, and willing to be in Heaven, where I may sin no more, nor sorrow no more; but sorrow no more, that's the least, where I may serve God without distraction, and always be in his presence, and among the spirits of just men made perfect. O it is sweet being there, and yet I am willing to stay, knowing the need my dear Husband and Children will have of me, etc. Indeed I have been able to do little for them, but my earnest prayers have been for them, and my tender affections towards them, especially for their eternal welfare and happiness; and though I have not done so much as I would have done, and desired to do; yet this is my comfort. I did what I could, yea more, many times, than this poor carcase could well endure: and this is my comfort, I bless God.  
Before ever I first came to thee, I sought God to direct me, and desired it might not be, if it was not for his glory and both our comforts; and that which made me willing to enter into that condition, it was, because God would have it so, otherwise I considered, what might have discouraged me from it, as hindrances in the service of God, losses and crosses, care to bring up Children, and then grief to part with them, etc. The first time I went to speak with her, I found she was at prayer, (as to that great concern) to that God who makes all meetings and relations happy by the enjoyment of himself.  
The Lord will provide for thee, and will not leave thee, nor forsake thee: in nothing be careful with any distracting care; faith leaves? Christian nothing to do but to pray and give thanks: if I leave thee, God will not leave thee, but visit thee with his lovingkindness: if he take away a crazy broken Cistern, he will be a fountain of living waters. Fear not but God will tread down thy spiritual enemies, and therefore cease not to wrestle, and strive, and watch, and pray: O that we could always remember we are born Soldiers the good Lord help us to fight the good fight of faith, that we may lay hold on eternal life, etc.  
God hath blessed thy ministry to me; and what thou didst Preach as concerning the lovingkindness of God, as being better than life, it was very sweet in the Preaching of it, and it is so now in my own experience; and it was not in vain that God put thee also upon that subject, Psal. 73.26, My flesh and my heart faileth, but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. For when is a time to make use of God as our portion, but in a time of affliction? then to trust in his all sufficiency, to submit to his will, & c?  
I love thee dearly, I love thy soul, and pray for the good of it, as much as my own; I can say more than my own; God is thy God, and will be thy God, and the God of thy seed; I trust my dear Children and Husband with him, he will take care of them, and provide for them.  
I am going home, going home to my Father's house, I must go. etc. Where are my dear Children, will they not follow after me to Heaven?  
Wait on God, God is good to them that wait for him, etc. he is a God at hand, etc. he will make thy Children blessings to thee, labour to bear up thy spirits, the Lord help thee so to do, and cast thyself and thy affairs upon the Lord. etc. The Lord counsel comfort, support and direct thee in all thy ways. The Lord do thee and thine good, and multiply on you his blessings spiritual and temporal, and give thee to submit to his will. The Lord help thee in thy work, and make it prosperous and successful, and prepare us for the doing and suffering of his most holy will, whatever it be. The Lord prepare thee to part with me, and me to resign myself up to him, as into the hand of a faithful Creator. The Lord make our souls prosperous, the outward man is but for a little while.  
Lord keep my dear Husband by thy power, etc. and my dear Children, that they may walk uprightly before thee, and do thy pleasure, and submit to thy will; and whatever they do here, Heaven will be enough hereafter. The Lord recompense all thy labour of love to me, etc. The good Lord bless you, and keep you, and cause his face to shine upon you, and give you inward joy and peace, the light of his countenance, which is better than any thing here, etc. And Lord keep thy Ministers, hold them fast in thy hand, and tread their enemies down as mire; preserve the Gospel. O the Gospel for my poor children's sake, that though I go, that may continue still to mine, etc. O that we may be kept by the mighty power of God, through faith unto salvation. The good Lord still follow thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies all thy days, etc.   

20. Some of her Speeches and Prayers very lately, and a little before her Death.  
MY Dear, I have but a few days now to be with thee, and when by reason of thy being abroad, I cannot see thee, nor enjoy thy Company so much as I would, I comfort myself with this, I shall one day enjoy thee again, and we shall ever be together.  
I must declare this. That thou hast been a dear, loving, faithful Husband to me, and I have received much comfort by thy Preaching, Praying, and what thou hast spoken to me, and God hath a blessing in store for thee; for many are blessing God for thee, etc. And I bless God for thee, but can't speak much now; the Lord hath made thy ministry abundantly comfortable to me, abundantly, abundantly, and I have come home full of joy, and I have told thee, one shove more would have put me into Heaven, etc. But since I came to London, and could not have the opportunity to hear thee as formerly, God hath made others ministry, especially Dr. Jacombs very comfortable to me.  
Why art thou so sad? thou shouldest rejoice, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations, cast thy care upon God, and in nothing be troubled, he will provide, he will not leave thee, etc. wouldst have me continue still in this misery and pain? We came together to part, and therefore let us part comfortably, we shall meet again, where we shall never part, I go a little before; thou lovest me, and wilt thou not let me go to my first Husband? I have another Husband, and if he send a Messenger for me, I must go, though I leave never such dear Relations here. Do as much work as thou canst for God, but do not over do, that thou mayst hold out the longer.  
The loss and hindrance I have been to my family, (she meant by reason of her long sickness) the Lord will make it up to thee and thy Children, do but trust in him, etc. The Lord will direct thee what to do; do not trouble thyself beforehand, he will make thy way plain before thee.  
She spoke to those about her as followeth.  
Make Religion your business, walk with God, get a Covenant-interest in Christ, do not neglect secret prayer, I have found much comfort in it; prise the Word by which you may be saved, hear it as often as possibly you can, and hear it, and do it. Live comfortably and contentedly together. It is good to store up Cordials, and make provision against times of affliction, To give all diligence to make our calling and election sure; and we had need in times of health to provide for sickness and death, and all little enough. It is one thing to talk of death, and another thing to be willing to die, etc.  
I would have you all bless God, when I am gone, that I shall sin no more, sorrow no more, etc. She said to one of her Grandchilds about four years old, poor Child, the Lord give thee a Covenant-interest in himself. If I live I purpose to do my endeavour to teach thee to know God, and love God and Jesus Christ; but if I die, Sirs, do you take care, and let him not play on Sabbath-days, let all his play-things behind, etc. To her Daughter's Maid, she said, be instructing these poor Children, learn them good things, etc. the Lord has a blessing in store for my Children and the little ones.  
One of her Daughters being out of the Town, and supposing she should see her no more, Tell her (says she) I hope God will carry on the work he has begun, and give her grace to fear him, etc. I would have her labour to get that good work finished, and to eye God in all his deal, and to do his will, to ask counsel of God for body and soul, for temporal and spiritual affairs and let her trust in God: Take heed, etc. God expects we should follow some employment here, and not to fall upon business causes to grow melancholy and discontented; there are many snares in living out of a calling: An idle life is pleasing to the flesh, to take no care, nor pains; but it will be sad afterward, etc. my dear Husband, my dear Children, but I can't speak now, etc.  
She prayed earnestly for her Husband, Children, little ones, and for God's Ministers, etc.  
I pray all the blessings of Heaven may be upon thee, upon soul and body, and that he would make up the want of all Relations by himself. The Lord bless thee, the Lord bless thee out of Zion, and recompense all thy love to me a thousand-fold, with his tender compassions. The Lord prosper thee in the work of thy Ministry, that thou mayst win many souls to him. The Lord make my Children truly gracious, and comforts to thee. The Lord give them grace, and the shinings of his face, and that will be better than the life of a Mother.  
The Lord carry my Daughter Shayter (who was then near her time) through her great work, and bless thee my Son, and make my Daughter a blessing to thee; and the Lord bless the little one, and make it an Heir of Heaven, one of Christ's Lambs. I leave my blessing and prayers for the little ones and you all. One of her Grandchilds coming to her, she said to him, Farewell my Lamb, my dear Lamb, farewell, farewell, the Lord make thee a comfort to thy Mother. And one of her Daughters being near her, she prayed, the Lord bless thee out of Zion, and give thee an everlasting Covenant-interest in himself, etc.  
She prayed for God's Ministers, That he would spare their lives, encourage them, and bless their labours, etc. More particularly for Dr. Jacomb, That God would bless him and his ministry, and recompense all the good he had done her; she much desired to see him once again, who coming to her, and praying with her, his prayers and presence were very refreshing to her.  
Towards her end, she grew somewhat lightheaded, but still had excellent expressions, and spoke sensibly of God, and the things of God; she often cried. O my God, O my God pity me. O my God help me, for thy mercies and compassious sake. Remember me, O my God, how long yet? O my God, have mercy on me, etc.  
The day of my redemption draws nigh, and I am now near home, my God help me, help faith, etc. The fear of death is taken away, blessed be God, and the Lord does comfort me, and I am comforted within, and am glad I am going home, etc. She spoke a great deal more, but we could not now well understand what she said. Now the doors began to be shut in the streets, as Solomon speaks (how good is it to open them to purpose whiles we may) and the daughters of music to be brought low, and those that look out of the windows to be darkened, because she was near to her long home; but blessed be God not an everlasting home. December 13. she was under great pains, and groaned much, and spoke little, neither could what she spoke be understood; but she often fixed her eyes steadfastly towards Heaven, for some time together: Afterward, going to prayer by her, and begging of God (if he saw it good) to release her, etc. she lift up her eyes and one of her hands toward Heaven, and the other hand, being in one of her Daughter's hands, she plucked it out, and lift up that also, both eyes and hands with great earnestness and intenseness unto Heaven, where her soul was now near entering. I was with her that night till about twelve or one of the Clock, and not knowing how to bear it, to stay with her any longer, I then went (with a sad heart) away from her, not expecting to see her here any more alive; but blessed be God. I enjoyed her so long, so truly pious, prudent, loving, tender, careful, saithful, and dearly affectionate Wife; but though I departed from her, I left her with him, whose Angels were now waiting, ready to transport her soul into the bosom of her blessed Redeemer. But one of her Daughters remained still with her to the last, which was not long after I was gone away; her Daughter could not get her spirit willing at first to promise to bless God, if he would take her to himself; But when God had once brought her to be willing, she soon after, about two a Clock in the morning, December 14, 1678, expired, and went triumphingly to Heaven, an entrance being ministered to her abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of her dear Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. And thus she is now entered into peace, and is taken away, and secured from the evil to come; she is passed from earth to Heaven: and is departed out of this world to the father. She has left these bottoms of death, and this low valley of misery and tears, and is now gotten to those regions of joy and triumph, to those mountains of myrrh, and hills of frankincense, those mountains of spices, or sweetnesses, which are clothed with everlasting joys and delights, and on whose wealthy brows, nothing ever springs but life and glory: and where never any clouds or storms do once ever arise, interpose, or interrupt; where, like a thirsty Roe, or Hart, she was still aspiring, and panting to be and where now she is got, and where we leave her, even there where is nothing but rest, and light, and love, and delights, and fullness of joys, and crowns of life, and glory, perfect peace, and pleasures for evermore, incense, praises and hallelujahs, to him that sits upon the throne, and to the Lamb for ever and ever, Amen.  And I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me, Writ, blessed are the dead which die in the Lord, from henceforth; yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours and their works do follow them, Rev. 14.13. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised, Prov. 31.30. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates, Prov. 31.31. 

〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  
Pro, Rosis deciduis, coronam immarescibilem.   

Death pufed this light, and its earth's banished flame  
Flew up to Heaven, and as a Sun became.   
Soli Deo gloria in eternum.    

Some Breathe upon the Decease of Mrs. Luce Perrot, December 14, 1678.  

O What a change hath this blessed morning made  
To thee blessed soul, who now hast past death's shade  
Now no more sorrows, pains, nor doleful cries,  
But all tears quite are wiped from thine eyes.  
How much afflicted in this vale of Tears!  
But how refreshed now above the Spheres!  
Thy way unto thy Father's House was rough:  
But now thou hast got thither, 'tis enough.  
Thy stormy passage, now thou art arrived  
At Heaven's blessed Haven, makes but more revived.  
Thy pains and ails with which thou wast so pressed,  
Do now, but so much more, sweeten thy rest:  
And though some months, yea years they did extend,  
One moment now in Heaven doth make amends.  
And now that thou hast gotten to thy Lot  
Of bliss assigned thee, they are all forgot:  
Thy pains, thy conflicts, combats here were many;  
But now thou knowst not what belongs to any:  
But of thy sorrows all thou hast release,  
And now, thy Soul is filled with blissful peace.  
In bottoms here of death thou didst reside,  
But now the Spicy Mountains thee abide.  
Thus every way, thy change is for the best;  
For Grace 'tis Glory, and for Labour Rest:  
Thy sins now past, and all thy sorrows gone,  
And nevermore thou shalt experience one.  
Thy faith and patience now are at an end,  
Which though long exercised, did still exten  
Faith now is turned into fruition;  
Into possession, expectation,  
Thy Cabinets dissolved, thy Jewel's gone  
To Heaven, and there made up a glorious one.  
Thy earthly house is fallen, that down doth lie,  
But thy Soul's mounted far above the Sky  
To th'highest Heaven, where true felicity  
And Glory do it  eternally.  
Thou long since weaned waist from all things here;  
And now th' hast got where thy delights still were,  
Thy earnest pant, long for to be  
With Christ, now fully satisfied hath he.  
Sabbaths below how greatly didst thou love!  
And one eternal now thou keep'st above.  
Thou feard'st not Death, that Messenger so grim,  
But saidst, I can (I bless God) smile on him:  
Yea, though so grim, sweet Messenger didst call,  
And saidst, if come, thou'dst welcome him withal;  
And being so far onward in thy way,  
How troubled waist to hear of further stay!  
Is this, saidst thou, the night I must departed?  
Oh! with what joy would such news fill my heart!  
Lord Jesus come, come Lord, come speedily,  
Make haste, make haste, How oft was this thy cry?  
And when wilt come, my God? oh hasten thee,  
And Charets of Aminidab like be:  
Of Death I am no more afraid at all,  
Than for to take the choicest Cordial  
Which is to do me good: and Death doth so;  
For through it, and beyond it look I do.  
And of my Burial-cloaths more joyfully  
Than of my Wedding-clotheses, discourse can I.  
My Burial-cloaths! My Wedding-clotheses they are,  
And now my blessed Bridegroom is not far.  
Farewell vain world, for so I judged of thee,  
And never other found thee for to be;  
And that which others so much doted on,  
As poor and pitiful I looked upon.  
My joys, delights, were higher, fixed above  
On God, on Christ, on's Word, and on his Love;  
His Ways, his Ordinances, where, to be  
One day, than Thousands better was to me.  
Oh! how dejected have I thither gone?  
But how refreshed have returned home?  
Blessed Soul to thee, Christ was to live, the main:  
And Death itself is now become thy gain.  
Here he upheld thee in integrity,  
Now sets before his face eternally.  
Here with his counsels guided thou wouldst be,  
And thee to Glory now received hath he:  
And though thy body left behind is here,  
'tis but to sow; and when Christ shall appear,  
Glorious shall rise, and joined unto again  
Thy Soul, thou ever with him shalt remain;  
And in thy flesh, then for thyself shalt see  
God, and thine eyes behold eternally.    

THE EPITAPH.  

THE Body here of her interred doth lie,  
Who was a pattern of true piety;  
Submissive, humble, meek and patiented;  
Grace and sweet nature in her eminent;  
A loving, faithful, careful Wise; also  
A Mother such her Children dear unto.   
FINIS.