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Title: The Praise of a Godly Woman

Author: Hannibal Gamon

Release Date: November 16, 2008 [EBook #27280]

Language: English

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THE PRAISE OF A
GODLY WOMAN.

A Sermon preached at the Solemne Funerall
of the Right Honourable Ladie, the Ladie
Frances Roberts, at Lanhide-rock-Church
in Cornwall the tenth of
Auguſt, 1626.

By

Hanniball Gamon, Miniſter of the word
of God, at S^t. Maugan in the ſame Countie.

1 Cor. 4. 5.

Galath. 3. 28.

S^t. Hierom. Eustoch.

——In ſeruitute Chriſti nequaquam Differentia ſexuum valet, ſed mentium.

Idem ad Principiam.

LONDON,
Printed by I.H. for Iohn Griſmond, and are to be ſold at his ſhop in
Ivie-Lane at the ſigne of the Gunne. 1627.

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TO THE TRVLY
NOBLE Iohn Roberts,
Son and Heire to the Right
Honourable Richard Lord Roberts
of Truro: the Vnualuable Riches of
ſincere Grace here, and of Eternall
Glory hereafter.

Honovrable Sir,

Although it bee true (which a worthy Diuine[1] obſerueth) that formall Hypocrites are heartned and hardned in their lewd courſes & falſe conceits of happineſſe, when they heare more infamous Sinners than themſelues, gloriouſly and flatteringly commended at their Deaths; yet we Image need not feare any ſuch bad effect by the Funerall-commendation of Gods true Saints; becauſe the publike Teſtimonie of their iuſt Praiſes doth not onely make the wicked more inexcuſable, and the Glory of Gods Graces ſhine farre brighter to Poſteritie; but alſo enkindleth in the hearts of the godly a greater fire of Zeale for imitation. Theſe are ſome of the Ends, why it hath euer been and is ſtill an vnreproueable Cuſtome in Gods Church, that the Godly ſhould be Marked[2] and Honoured[3] at their Deaths, as Hezekiah was by all Iudah & Ieruſalem: Valentinean, Satyrus and Theodoſius by Saint Ambroſe[4]: Baſil, Gregory and Gorgonia by Nazianzen[5]: Nepotian, Paula and Marcella by S. Ierom[6]. Had not their Holy Liues and Happie Deaths beene publiſhed by ſuch vnpartiall Pens, wee ſhould haue bin ignorant now of many excellent Courſes of ſanctified Men and Women, of many comfortable workings of the Holy Ghoſt in them, and ſhould haue wanted many inflaming Motiues to follow their religious ſteps. Vpon this conſideration I was bold to commend vnto Gods people the more Image than Ordinary paſſages of your Honourable Mothers Holy Life and Death: wherein I haue as a Chriſtian ſpoken the truth of a Chriſtian, that is, (as Saint Ierom[7] proteſteth in a like caſe) made a true Narration; not a Vain-glorious Panegyrick. Let Poets and Oratours praiſe thoſe women, which Poppæa-like[8], are graced with all other things ſauing a Gracious Heart: Let them commend their Wit, Wealth, Beautie, Nobilitie, and other Gifts of Fortune (as they call them) in ſtead of Vertues[9]. Wee the Miniſters of Chriſt, and Stewards of the Myſteries of God, muſt adorne none with the Honourable Attributes of Heauenly Praiſe; but ſuch as are truly beautified, enriched, and ennobled with the Purity and Power of Gods Feare in their Humble Soules[10]. This praiſe the Lord will Proſper[11], which is vttered in that Wiſdome[12], whereof the Feare of the Lord is the beginning. But for the Saints themſelues: I dare ſay with Saint Auguſtine[13], that they deſire more the Imitation, than the Commendation Image of their vertues: and therefore to tell you the truth (as the ſame Father doth his friend) you ſhould neuer haue heard mee commend this deceaſed Lady, but in hope, that Gods Graces in Her might by this meanes, ſuruiue in your religious Imitation, and not only in you and all them that are of Her bloud; but alſo in all them that haue heard or ſhall reade this Sermon. This is all the gaine I looke and pray for, that Gods[14] word, which I haue faithfully alledged (not without ſome Illuſtrations (I confeſſe) borrowed from the holy Fathers[15], whereof I need not to be aſhamed) may be conſtantly practiſed by vs all. For when all is done and ſaid, aſſure your ſelfe (Deare Sir) it is only the Life of Grace, the Grace of the Feare of the Lord can truly Honour you, or any vpon earth, ſweetly comfort you at your Death, and eternally Glorifie your Soule and Bodie in Heauen. Abandon then I beſeech you in the name of Chriſt[16], all iniquitie, and all workers of iniquitie, yea abominate the ſweeteſt ſin, to which your youthfull affections are moſt endeared, elſe you will neuer be able to encline and enlarge Image them to the purſuit and practiſe of ſo excellent and Glorious a Grace as the Feare of the Lord; becauſe this godly Feare and the impenitent Allowance of any luſt, is as incompatible as Heauen and Hell: ſo that if you ſhould hate to be diuorced from your Boſome-ſin whatſoeuer it be (which God forbid) you could haue no true right and intereſt to the precious promiſes of this and of that other life[17]. Thinke on this continually, and hold it your greateſt Honour, the Nobleſt imployment of your Soule, as it is indeed, to keep your ſelfe (as a King[18] did before you.) from your iniquitie. Quod ſi tu (quod procul abſit) nolueris, ego liber ero. Epiſtola, immo concio me hæc mea, cum lecta fuerit, abſoluet.[19] And ſo I reſt, being mindfull of your Vertues,

Saint Mauganthe
19. Auguſt 1626.

Yours in all Chriſtian Deuotion,
and heartieſt prayer to
God for you,

Hannibal Gamon.

[Pg 1]

THE PRAISE OF A
Godly Woman.

Prov. 31. 30.

—But a woman that feareth the Lord, ſhee ſhall be praiſed.

Praiſe is a Debt (ſaith Gregory Nazianzen[20]) and it muſt be paid, not to men alone, but to women alſo; yet not to euery woman, be ſhee neuer ſo noble, wittie, wealthy or faire[21], vnleſſe ſhe be godly withall: For fauour is deceitfull, and beautie is vaine; but a woman that feareth the Lord, ſhee ſhall be praiſed.

A promiſe this is and affirmatiue, and an affirmatiue promiſe hath two parts in it. The firſt is the Partie to whom it is made, and ſhee is Muliertimens[Pg 2] Dominum. A woman that feareth the Lord, which is alſo the reaſon why ſhe ſhall be praiſed: euen becauſe ſhe is a woman fearing the Lord. The ſecond is the thing promiſed, and that is Laudabitur, ſhe ſhall be praiſed.

In the former, it is not enough that ſhe is a woman, becauſe euery woman is not Timens, one that Feareth, nor ſufficient that ſhe Feareth; becauſe euery woman that feareth is not Timens Dominum, one that feareth the Lord; but ſhe that ſhall be praiſed, is all three. 1. A woman by nature[22], where the weaker her ſex is, the more ſhee ſhall be commended. 2. By Grace[23], a woman that feareth, where the continuall act of this Fearing is required. 3. That feareth the Lord, where the right Obiect of her continuall feare is limited.

And in the latter we are to conſider; Firſt, to what matters, Laudabitur, her praiſe will reach, and in what reſpect to Ipſa Her perſon. Then ſecondly, When ſhe ſhall be praiſed; not for the preſent, perhaps, no more than ſhe hath beene heretofore; yet Laudabitur, the time will come when ſhe ſhall be praiſed, and then too her praiſe ſhall ſo be, that it ſhall be ſtill. Thirdly, of whom ſhee ſhall haue praiſe, for Laudabitur is an action, and must bee done of ſome agent, therefore we muſt finde who ſhal praiſe her, and they will fall out to be her Huſband and her Children (if ſhe haue them[24]) and if they faile in this dutie, then the godly ſhall praiſe her; and if they ceaſe to doe it, then her own[Pg 3] workes ſhall praiſe her, yea rather than faile, God himſelfe ſhall praiſe her, which is beſt of all. So ſure ſhe is to be praiſed, not for the preſent onely, but for euer. And ſo this Text beſides that it is a Promiſe, it is alſo a Motiue to ſtirre vs vp to feare God, that so we also may haue true and eternall praiſe of God. It is both, and both waies wee to haue vſe of it, as of a Promiſe, and as of a Motiue: both theſe waies at once; A woman that feareth the Lord ſhe ſhall be praiſed.

A weake ſex[25] to beginne with, and yet being ſtrengthned by Grace[26], no impediment; but that a woman as wel as a man may feare the Lord, and haue praiſe of him, and ſo become the partie who ſhall, and one Reaſon too, why ſhee ſhall be praiſed.

For a woman muſt be more good than nature, art, policie, preferment can make her, elſe ſhee is not good enough for Gods Spirit to praiſe her. He commends neither men nor women conſidered in their pure Naturalls only, in that eſtate of corruption, they all heare alike to their diſgrace, that they are All vnder ſinne[27], All come[28] ſhort of the glory of God, and are All the children of[29] wrath, becauſe they Are without all feare of God[30]

By nature then both ſexes are alike faultie, alike diſcōmendable in Gods ſight, and ſo they ſhould be in ours. We ſhould not diſpraiſe women more than men, for the ſex ſake only (as ſome doe[31]) becauſe they haue as noble ſoules as men, for[32] ſoules haue no ſexes, (as Saint Ambroſe ſaith) nor praiſe women for the endowments of the fleſh onely (as[Pg 4] otherſome doe[33]) vnleſſe they be adorned alſo with the ſauing Graces of the Spirit, whereof a chiefe one is not noble birth, great wealth, excellent wit, or rare beautie: but the feare of the Lord, his treaſure.[34] This godly feare is that, that makes a Woman in relation[35] to God, praiſe-worthy. And good reaſon it ſhould do ſo, if we regard the weakneſſe of a woman, in whom ſo excellent a Grace as the feare of the Lord, is found, and the Nobleneſſe of fearing the Lord, being ſo found.

Firſt, a womans weakneſſe is naturally[36] greater than the mans, and therefore by how much her fleſh is weaker, and her ſpirit leſſe willing, by ſo much the combate ſhe hath, is more difficult, and the victory ſhe gets, more commendable. I know a man (Bleſenſis by name) that thought two things ſhould excuſe him at the dreadfull day of iudgement, the Frailty of his fleſh, and the Ignorance of his minde; but then he feared leſt God would iudge men by womē, whoſe ſex being more fraile, more ignorant than that of mens, were for all that oftentimes more holy, more deuout than many men.

Secondly, the Feare of the Lord is the trueſt Nobilitie (as Gerſon[37] proues) the nobleſt grace that can ennoble and extoll a man or a woman. Other naturall, ciuill, and meerely morall excellencies, perfections, and endowments a woman may haue, nay (which is neereſt the point) other kindes of Feare ſhe may haue, and yet be baſe, ſeruile, curſed as Iezebel[38], not praiſe-worthy, as namely, if ſhe feare men[39], or what elſe beſides more than[Pg 5] God, or not for God (as Saint Bernard[40] limits) or if ſhee feare God as a Iudge, in reſpect of his puniſhments only[41], & not as a Father for loue of his goodneſſe, and from an hatred of wickedneſſe, or if ſhe haue caſt off the feare of the Lord, which ſhee hath ſeemed to haue, or if ſhee puts off his Feare from time to time, and continues not in it.

Looke we then firſt to the Obiect of the Laudable womans feare, that he whom ſhe feareth be the Lord, in reſpect of his Mercy and Iuſtice both; then to the continuall employment of her Feare, not one that hath feared him, or will feare him; but one that doth feare him for the preſent, and continueth therein, elſe ſhee is not a woman Timens Dominum, Fearing the Lord, and ſo not worthy to be praiſed.

Firſt then (that the Obiect may be right) the[42] Lord is her feare, who ſhal be praiſed. For if He be not, all exquiſiteneſſes beſides are nothing in compariſon; and if He be, all ſufficiencies (remarkable in that ſex) are improued, and all Duties (obſerueable in the feare of the Lord) are practiſed. To ſee this the better, let vs follow Tertullians[43] rule, and oppoſe one againſt another, a veſſell of diſhonour againſt a veſſell of honour, a woman not Fearing, againſt a woman Fearing the Lord.

She that fears not the Lord, ſets light by Gods anger and her Huſbands[44], not caring whether they bee pleaſed or diſpleaſed. Shee neglects to plant the feare of the Lord in her childrens hearts,[Pg 6] chuſing rather to be an example of wickedneſſe vnto them, and to miſplace them in mariage for ſiniſter reſpects. She brings want of things neceſſary to her family by her waſtefulneſſe, brauery, and idleneſſe. She contemnes her naturall and legall kindred, lifts vp her ſelfe aboue her equalls, diſdaines her inferiours, diſhonours her place by an ouer-loftie or an ouer-baſe and contemptible behauiour in the ſame. She alienates the hearts of Gods people from her, by neglecting the offices of courteſies and helpfulneſſe. She declines and vnderualewes the moſt ſearching meanes of Saluation, the Word, Prayer, Conference, Repentance, Meditation, Sacraments; in a word (according to Saint Ambroſes[45] Diſtinction) ſhe feares hell torments, becauſe ſhee hath ſinned, but ſhee feares not Gods diſpleaſure, leſt ſhe ſhould ſinne, and therefore ſhee liues and dies in worldlineſſe, wantonneſſe, pride, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, ſtrife, reuenge, impatiencie, gluttonie, or ſome ſuch darling ſinne: and tell me (Beloued) if ſuch a woman not beautified and adorned with religion and the feare of the Lord, be worthy to bee praiſed of the Lord? I am ſure the ancient Fathers[46] declaime bitterly againſt her filthy heart, falſe haire, adulterate paintings, naked breaſts, new-fangled faſhions of ſuperfluous, monſtrous attire: & the holy Scriptures[47] vilifie her to her face, threatning her (notwithſtanding all her other ornaments[Pg 7] and excellencies of nature, art, policie, preferment,) that without this Feare of the Lord, it ſhall not be well with her, Eccleſ. 8. 13. The Lord will come neare to her to iudgement, he will be a ſwift witneſſe againſt her, Mal. 3. 5. She ſhall leaue her memorie to be curſed[48], and her reproach ſhall not be blotted out, ſhe ſhall be counted vngodly of all[49], more bitter than death[50]. As rottenneſſe in her husbands bones[51], As ſpittle[52], yea As a Dogge[53], and at laſt ſhe ſhall be caſt into hell fire, Saluâ Veniâ, without pardon from God, becauſe (ſaith Tertullian[54]) ſhe hath ſinned Saluo metû, without any feare of God.

But on the other ſide what perſonall ſufficiency, what ſingular duty is there requiſite in a Woman, either in reſpect of God, or of her huſband, children, kindred, ſeruants, place, and of Gods people, which the life of Grace, the Grace of the Feare of the Lord doth not animate, aduance, and accompliſh? This godly Feare ennobleth Nobilitie, beautifieth Beautie, enricheth wealth, teacheth wit, wiſdome. She that hath this Feare, dare not for her heart, but be loath to offend her huſband, and deny her inferiority[55], but be an example of godlineſſe to her children[56], prouide things neceſſary for her ſeruants[57] both in health and in ſickneſſe; loue her naturall and legall[58] kindred, eſteeme her equals aboue her ſelfe[59], countenance and relieue her inferiours[60], maintaine the dignitie of her place by all ſuch vertues as may diſcharge the[61] ſame; winne the affections of Gods people, to her more and more, by the offices[62] of courteſies, ſalutations, gifts, viſitations, inuitations[Pg 8] and of helpfulneſſe; yea ſhe that feares God, dare not for her heart but Honour them that feare God, Pſal. 15. 4. but keepe her ſet taskes[63] of hearing, reading, faſting, praying, meditating, moderating paſſionate diſtempers, and of all other gracious exerciſes, of Selfe-deniall[64]; ſo that there is not any knowne[65] ſinne which ſhe nouriſheth, alloweth, or goeth on in, but quaketh and trembleth at the very firſt thoughts, yea motions and inclinations thereunto, as being in the ſight[66] of an inuiſible God, vnder the perpetuall preſence of his All-ſeeing glorious pure eye, which ſhee will not prouoke to anger by any ſinne, for all the gold that euer the Sunne made, or ſhall make while it ſtands in Heauen[67].

This glorious deſcription of a woman fearing the Lord, is not mine (Bleſſed Brethren) but the Scriptures, wherein I finde; 1. The cauſe of her Feare to be not Selfe-Loue[68], but the Loue of God; not the ſpirit of Bondage[69]; but the Spirit of Adoption: 2. The Obiect of her feare to be not the precepts of men[70], but the Commandements of God[71]: not his Threats only[72], but his Promiſes alſo[73]: not his Anger only againſt ſin[74], but his Mercy alſo in Chriſt[75]: not his Preſence only, as a Reuenging Iudge[76], but his Forbearance alſo as a louing Father[77]. 3. The workings of her Feare to be in the heat of temptations and afflictions,[Pg 9] not Deſpairing[78]; but Beleeuing the forgiueneſſe of her ſinnes, not Limiting God to the present danger; but[79]waiting for his mercy, not Diſtruſting his Prouidence; but hoping for Good[80]: not Murmuring againſt him; but praiſing Him, and praying vnto Him[81], yea (which is the proper Act of her Feare) not Louing any ſin, but hating and eſchewing all ſin[82], not out of a ſlauiſh terrour of puniſhment; but chiefly becauſe it is Sinne, an Infinite euill; and becauſe an Infinite Good God, whom ſhe loueth (ſaith Saint Auguſtine) is offended by it, though ſhe ſhould neuer goe to Hell-fire to be puniſhed for it[83].

Laſtly, in the Scriptures I finde Perſeuerance or Conſtancie[84] to be euer an inſeperable Attendant vpon her Feare! For ſhe is not one that hath not yet taſted of this ſauing Grace, or elſe not continued in the ſame; but ſhe is a woman for the preſent, Timens Dominum, Fearing the Lord. You ſhall neuer finde Her otherwiſe, than (as God would haue her) In the feare of the Lord all the day long, Prou. 23. Fearing and keeping his Commandements alwaies, Deut. 4. Doing her Husband Good and not euill all the daies of her life, verſe the 12. of this Chapter.

It is true indeed, as Feare is oppoſed to Diffidence, Luke 1. So ſhe ſerves God without a Diſtruſtfull Feare all the daies of her life; becauſe of Gods continuall preſence with Her[85], continuall mercy towards Her[86], continuall power[87] ouer[Pg 10] Her, in Strengthening, Helping, and Vpholding Her, Eſai. 41. 10. But yet as Feare is oppoſed to Negligence, ſo ſhe ſtill feares God, leſt ſhe ſhould be ſecure by reaſon of his Power which is inuincible[88]; of his Wiſdome, which is infallible[89]; of his Mercy, which is compaſſionate[90]; and of his Iuſtice, which is inflexible[91].

It is as true alſo (which Gerſon and others haue obſerued[92]) that many times a Deuout Soule is ſo diſquieted with a ſlauiſh Feare of the Aduerſary; that ſhe feares leſt ſhe hath not any true Feare of Gods Maieſtie; but yet (B. B.) ſay the Pelagian what hee can to the contrary, ſuch is the Euerlaſtingneſſe of Gods Loue[93], Mercie[94], and Couenant[95], the Vnconquerableneſſe of his Power[96], the Immortality of his Word[97], the Certaintie of his Promiſes[98], the Efficacie of Chriſts Spirit[99]; Prayer[100], Merits[101], and of Faith in them[102]; yea ſuch is the durable vigour of this ſauing Grace of the Feare of the Lord[103], that being once rooted by God, (as Saint Auguſtine vrgeth) it cannot be remoued; but through it we may perſeueringly adhere vnto God according to his promiſe: I will put my Feare in their hearts, that they ſhall not depart from me, Ier. 32. 40. with Pſal. 80. 17. She then that truely hath this Feare, doth ſo feare the Lord in[Pg 11] Loue, and loue him in feare[104], that as in the midſt of Gods not Conſuming, but Conſummating Anger (for ſo Saint Auguſtine[105] calls Gods Anger towards the Godly) ſhee can ſee the yerning and relenting Bowels of a Compaſſionate Father, ſo in the height of Satans Terrifying iniections, ſhe can ſhunne and abhorre Gods Diſpleaſure[106], more than all other miſeries of Puniſhments, and therefore in what ſtate ſoeuer ſhe be of Conſolation or Deſertion, ſhee is ſtill the ſame Woman, Timens Dominum, Fearing the Lord.

Thus wee haue ſeene who ſhe is, who ſhall be praised, lest we ſhould praiſe Her vnawares, whom we ſhould not praiſe. And now it were good we did thinke a little better on the Reaſon, why ſhe ſhall be praiſed, euen becauſe ſhe is ſuch a woman fearing the Lord.

For if any thing, ſo rare and excellent a Grace as the Feare of the Lord is, ſhould moue vs to affect it, and labour for it, eſpecially being found in so weake a Veſſell as a Woman is[107]. For I could tell you, there are more Michals[108] than Abigails[109], more Iezebels[110] than Sarah's[111], more proud Vaſthy's[112], than humble Eſthers[113], more Fearefull women, than Women Fearing the Lord; and therefore the rarer ſuch Phœnixes are (as S. Ierom calls them[114]) not One to be found by wiſeſt Salomon[115], among a Thouſand, greater is her praiſe that feareth the Lord[116].[Pg 12]

Then I muſt tell you, that euery Feare is not commendable. Not that Feare which is Hypocriticall, for this is Superſtition, when men feare the Feare of Idolaters[117]. Not that feare which is Worldly, for this is wicked ſelfe-Loue, when men feare Men[118], Loſſe of Goods, Fire and faggot, more than God the Onely Soueraigne Commander of the Soule, the Only Dreadfull Threatner of euerlaſting Burnings. Nor that feare which is Seruile[119] or adulterate[120], for this is no Vertue (proues Pariſ.) when men feare the Euill of Puniſhment only; not the Euill of Sinne, as an Adultereſſe feares the Comming home of her Huſband; but feares not the Committing of Adultery. Nor is that feare commendable, which is Diſtruſtfull or Immoderate like Ruben (as Gerſon[121] alludes) growen great, and lying with Bilhah, for this is Infidelitie when men tie Gods Grace to preſent deliuerance out of danger, without a Beleeuing and waiting Spirit for his Mercie, Eſai. 28. 16.

But the Feare for which a Woman ſhall be praiſed, is informed by Wiſdome, inſtructed by Vnderſtanding, directed by Counſell, ſtrengthned by Might, gouerned by Knowledge, adorned with Pietie, as Saint Ambroſe collects out of the eleuenth of Eſay[122]. It is a Faithfull feare truſting in[Pg 13] God[123], and making Him her Feare, Eſai. 8. 13. and her Hope too in the Day of Euill, not without this feruent Prayer vnto Him then: Be not thou a Terrour vnto me, Ier. 17. 17. A chaſt and Cleane Feare[124], Cleanſing from all filthineſſe of the fleſh and Spirit.[125] A Reuerent and Godly Fear[126], Preparing the heart, Humbling the Soule in Gods ſight[127], Trembling at his Word[128], not Diſobeying it, Eſchewing[129] euill, Working righteouſneſſe and Giuing much almes[130]. A Bleſſed Feare it is[131], Bleſſing them that haue it, Bleſſing the Lord that giues it, Praiſing Him and ſaying: That his Mercy endureth for euer[132].

Laſtly, it is an Euerlaſting Feare, euer encreaſing[133], and Enduring for euer[134], though not in reſpect of the Act of Declination or eſchewing of ſinne[135], becauſe in Heauen there is no feare of ſinning[136]; yet in reſpect of the Act of Celebration or Reuerencing God, becauſe there the Saints doe nothing elſe; but ſtill Giue Glory to Him, and Worſhip Him with humble Acknowledgement of their owne Vnworthineſſe, Pſal. 19. 9. with Reuel. 4. 10. 11.

Now (Honourable and Beloued) though I haue ſet nothing at all beſides this Heauenly Manna before your eyes; yet your full Soules muſt not Loath it. For if that only is to be praiſed which is excellent[137], then (by your leaue) I muſt ſtand ſomewhat longer vpon the Excellencie of this Feare, before a Woman can be praiſed that hath it.[Pg 14]

I demand then what doe you count Excellent? Riches, Honour, Life. Why, theſe are neuer well gotten, nor well kept; but by the Feare of the Lord. So ſaith Salomon, By the feare of the Lord are Riches and Honour, and Life[138]. Say what you will, it muſt needs be an Excellent thing wherwith Chriſt Ieſus Himſelfe was Filled, and that was with The Spirit of this Feare, Eſai. 11. 2.[139]. An excellent thing which God Himſelfe so earneſtly deſires to be ſtill in vs, and that is this Feare. O (ſaith He) that there were ſuch an Heart in them, that they would feare me, and keepe my Commandements alwaies[140], which is indeed the whole Dutie of Man[141]; without which (Saint Bernard concludes) Euery man is Nothing. He is not a Man (reaſons a Schoole-man[142]) but the Shadow of a Man; becauſe He imployes not his Soule to that noble End for which he had it, namely, to be ſquared and ruled by the feare of the Lord: without which no man can ſo much as Begin to be wiſe, becauſe this Feare is the Beginning[143] of wiſdome, nor ſo much as Begin to Loue God, becauſe this Feare is the Beginning of the Loue of God[144]. It is the Salt (alludes Bleſenſis) that muſt be in euery Sacrifice[145], in euery Worke we doe, ſo that there is no Seruing God, no Reioycing in Him[146], no heartie Repenting[147], no Chaſt Conuerſing[148], no Perfecting Holineſſe[149], no Working out our Saluation, but with Feare and Trembling[150]; nay there is no Saluation, no Bleſſedneſſe without Continuing in this Feare[151], Prou. 28. 14. Againe, is not that Excellent, that will make vs more Excellent than our Neighbours[152],[Pg 15] that will Exalt vs aboue them, that will keepe our hearts from Hardning[153], our Houſes from Ouerthrowing[154]? but nothing can doe this; but this Feare of the Lord. This feare (ſaith Pariſ.[155]) can cauſe a ſpiritual Earth-quake in a mans Heart, able to ouerthrow all the Deuils ſtrongeſt holds, any[156] Boſome-ſinne, be it neuer ſo pleaſing and profitable, by reaſon of that Contrarietie and Oppoſition[157] that is betweene Lying in any Sweet Sinne, and Liuing in Gods Feare and Fauour, as you may ſee, Leuit. 25. 36.

Laſtly, this is an Excellent Feare, becauſe it is A fountaine of Life[158]: wherefore? To driue away Sinnes[159], Sinnes which haue beene committed by Repentance (ſaith S. Bernard) and Sinnes whereto we are Tempted, by Reſiſtance[160]; and yet this is not all the Excellencie of this Feare: For it is A fountaine of life alſo: To Cauſe vs to finde fauour at our Deaths[161]; and which is more, Such an Excellent Feare as will make vs Not feare, nor be afraid[162]. Whereupon Saint Auguſtine[163] concludes for my purpoſe: Diſcat timere, qui non vult timere: Diſcat ad tempus eſſe Solicitus, qui ſemper vult eſſe ſecurus. Let him learn to feare, that would not feare: Let him be wary and cautelous for a time, that would be happie and ſecure for euer. Tertullian giues the[Pg 16] reaſon[164], because if We feare to Offend, by Fearing we will take heed, leſt we Offend, and by Taking heed, we ſhall be in ſafetie; otherwiſe if wee preſume and be not alwaies watchfull ouer our hearts leſt they offend, we cannot be Saued[165], Ier. 4. 14. Qui ſolicitus eſt, is verè poterit eſſe ſecurus: He that is not ouer-bold on his owne ſtrength[166]; but confident in Christ[167], and liues not ſecurely in the minion-delight of any knowne ſinne; but ſtands in ſuch continuall awe of Gods Preſence, Precepts, Promiſes, Threats, that he dare not ſo much as once make any offer of incurring his Diſpleaſure by the impenitent Allowance of any ſinne in his heart[168], and ſtudies to do euery Good worke as carefully, as if it were the Laſt he should doe in this World, and as exactly, as if his whole Saluation depended vpon it, ſuch a Man (in Ancient Tertullians iudgement[169]) may be truely ſecure of Perſeuering in Grace here; and of being Glorified hereafter[170], 1 Thess. 5. 15, 24. Once more I haue done. Is not that an excellent thing that is for the Good of them that haue it, & of their children after them? Riches, Honour, Beautie, Policie, theſe and the like are not oftentimes ſo, as we ſee by woefull experience in Nabal, Haman, Abſalom, Achitophel; but the feare of the Lord is euer ſo, for the Good of them that haue it, and for their children after them, as the[Pg 17] Prophet ſaith, Ier. 32. 39. and God himſelfe before him, Deut. 5. 29.

There is no want to them that haue this Feare of any Good thing that is Good for them[171]. For firſt, Pſal. 25. 14. The ſecret, that is, the feare of the Lord, is with them that feare Him; and is not that enough, though I ſhould ſay no more with the Pſalmiſt, becauſe Godly Feare is Gods Treaſure, Eſai. 33. 6. and Better little with it (ſaith Salomon) than Great Treaſure[172]? But there is more behind to moue you further to affect this Excellent Grace. For if you will Feare the Lord, He will ſhew you his Couenant[173] of life and peace[174], Teach you the way that you ſhall chuſe[175], Haue a Booke of remembrance written before Him for you[176]: Hee will Ariſe vnto you the Sunne of Righteouſneſſe with healing in his wings[177]: He wil hide you in his preſence from the pride of men[178], Keepe you ſecretly in a Pauilion from the ſtrife of tongues, Deliuer you in Temptation euen againe[179]; yea He will take pleaſure in you[180], Pitie you as a Father doth his children[181], Fulfill your Deſire, Heare your crie and ſaue you[182]. And what is all this, but in a word (the word of my Text) Hee will praiſe you, which is the Thing Promiſed to a woman fearing the Lord.

Ipſa Laudabitur: She ſhall be praiſed.

She ſhall be ſo; but may not that labour be ſpared? For a man would thinke, ſhe hath been praiſed all this while; becauſe Godly Feare, the Grace of God in Her, and the onely cauſe of her Praiſe, hath beene alreadie ſo much commended vnto you? No (Beloued) my Text (you ſee) applies[Pg 18] and appropriates this praiſe to Ipſa, Her own Perſon, by vertue indeed of the Feare of the Lord. For were it not for that, it were better Contemning Her, yea Contending[183] with Her, than Commending Her, becauſe that is a conſtant marke of the Godly to Contemne the vngodly, Pſal. 15. 4. This, of the wicked to Praiſe the wicked, to Bleſſe the Couetous, whom the Lord abhorreth, Pſal. 10. 3. It is not her Friendſhip, no nor Carnis bona (as Saint Ierom[184] calls them) the Good endowments of the fleſh, can priuiledge him from a Curſe, if ſo be, he praiſe her without or aboue[185] her Deſerts, Prou. 27. 14. Onely the feare of the Lord, with the excellent fruits thereof, is Gods Gift[186], for which (ſaith Fulgentius[187]) ſhe ought, and he may ſafely commend her, becauſe then, not ſhee; but Gods Grace in her is Praiſed, Epheſ. 1. 6. Yea then, not ſhe, but God himſelfe is Glorified in Her, Gal. 1. 24.

But what? is not She Praiſed, when Her Huſband, Her Children, Her Kindred, Her Friends, Her Attendants, Her Wit, Her Wealth, Her Beautie, Her Nobilitie, or all theſe and the like of Hers are commended? Yes, all theſe come very neere Her, and mutually receiue luſtre and eminencie from this Godly Feare; but they are not Ipſa, Her ſelfe, that is,[188] principally Her Soule truely Generous, and ennobled with the Feare of the Lord. Vntill ſuch an Humble Soule be found in Her, She is not She, that ſhall be adorned with the Garment of praiſe, Eſai. 61. 3. Therefore Saint Ierom[189][Pg 19] would not commend in Noble Marcella any thing ſaue Her owne Godly ſelfe. Ipſa Laudabitur: She is She that ſhall be Praiſed.

And ſo we ſee how far forth Praiſe is to be extended to Her. Now to ſpeak of the Extent of Her Praiſe: Let the word haue his full latitude. Laudabitur is generall, no kinde is limited. 1. Therefore for the Extent, to be praiſed euery manner of way. 2. For the Time when it ſhall be beſt for her. 3. For the Praiſer, by him who can beſt doe it. Of all theſe briefly.

Firſt, what praiſe ſhe ſhall haue. 1. Euen that (which being true) is euer accompanied with Deareſt Loue to her perſon[190]. 2. Higheſt eſtimation of Gods abundant graces in Her[191]. 3. Frequent Commemoration of them[192]. 4. Moderate Lamentation at her Death[193]. 5. Solemne Funerals according to the Dignitie of her place[194]. 6. And aboue all, with preciſe imitation of her excellent Vertues[195]. All this Honour God allowes Her, that honours Him with His Feare[196]. But becauſe all Praiſe is properly in Words (as the Schoole-man teacheth[197]) and better words ſhee cannot haue to praiſe Her, than God himſelfe ſpeakes[198], therefore ſhe ſhall be Commended in no other, neither in regard of God, nor of her Husband, Children, Kindred, Seruants, and Gods People.

Firſt in reſpect of God, ſhe ſhall be praiſed for[Pg 20] One of his Excellent[199], Hidden Ones[200]: for one of his Iewels, which hee will make vp[201]: for His Daughter[202], His Siſter[203], His Mother[204], His Spouſe[205], His Loue[206], His Doue[207], His Faire[208] one, as Faire as the Moone, as Pure as the Sun[209]: as the Moone by inherent, and as the Sun, by imputed Righteouſneſſe. To her Huſband ſhe ſhall bee commended, as the Louing Hinde and pleaſant Roe[210], the Deſire of his eyes[211]; An Helpe like vnto Himſelfe[212]; His Companion[213]; for A Pillar of reſt[214], ſo that He ſhall haue no need of ſpoile[215]; for a Good Portion[216], a ſpeciall Fauour[217] and Gift of the Lord[218]; a Double Grace[219], Doubling the number of his Daies[220], Fatting his bones[221], and making him knowne in the Gates, when he ſitteth among the Elders of the Land[222]: for a Tower againſt Death vnto him[223]: A greater Bleſſing vnto him than either Houſe or Inheritance[224], Aboue children and the Building of a Citie to continue his Name[225], yea for a Crowne vnto her Huſband[226], not a Gold-ring on his finger; nor a chaine of Gold about his necke, nor a Brouch in his hat; but for a Crowne vpon his head (an Ornament more conſpicuous and eminent than the former, the Principall Enſigne of Princes[227]) gracing him that hath her, as much as a Crown doth Him that weareth it: ſo that there is none aboue her, that feareth the Lord[228], None greater than ſhe, not Great Men, nor Iudges, nor Potentates[229]: Her Grace is aboue Gold[230]. Her Price is farre aboue Rubies[231]. Her Continent minde cannot be valewed[232], and by reaſon of Her, her Huſband[Pg 21] is a Bleſſed Man[233], Not like other men[234].

To Her Children ſhee ſhall be Commended; becauſe by her they haue a place of Refuge[235]; by Her they haue good meanes to bring and continue true Honour vpon them[236], and if They (the Fruit) be a great Bleſſing[237] (as it is to haue Iſſue by ſuch a One) what is the Root that beareth it[238]?

But I muſt haſten: How ſhall ſhe be Praiſed in reſpect of her Parents? euen as Rachel[239] for doing ſeruice to them as to her Maſters (the true propertie of one that feareth the Lord[240].) In reſpect of her kindred by mariage, as Ruth, louing them[241], Dealing kindly with them[242], and Cleauing vnto them[243]. And in reſpect of her kindred by bloud, as Eſther, who did the Commandement of Mordecay when ſhe was a Queene, like as when ſhe was brought vp with Him[244], who was exceedingly grieued at his Griefe[245], and procured the Enlargement and Deliuerance of her kindred with her Feaſts[246], her Teares[247], and the Hazard of her Life[248].

In regard of her Seruants alſo, ſhe ſhall be commended becauſe ſhe Buildeth her Houſe[249]: Shee is like the Merchants ſhip, She fetcheth her food from farre[250], She giueth meat to her Houſhold[251], She cloatheth them all with Scarlet[252], and Shee looketh ſo well to their waies[253], that As the Sunne when it ariſeth in the high Heauen; So is her beautie in the Ordering of her Houſe[254].

Laſtly, becauſe all the Eſſentiall Glory and Faireneſſe, which is to bee found in the whole Church, The Woman cloathed with the Sunne[255], as[Pg 22] that of Iuſtification & Sanctification &c. belongs to euery Member of the Church[256], and cōſequently to euery Woman fearing the Lord, therefore to Gods people ſhe ſhall be commended, as one of the Hands of the Church dropping with ſweet ſmelling Mirrhe[257]: as the Curtaines of Salomon[258]; As a Lilly among thornes[259]; A Garden incloſed: A Spring ſhut vp. A Fountain ſealed[260].

But when ſhall ſhee haue all this Praiſe and of whom? Not by and by, nor of Euery one[261], for Praiſe is not comely in the mouth of euery one, of euery ſcoffing Iſhmael.

But firſt of the Time.

Many when they heare a Promiſe (and a Promiſe I told you at firſt, this is) thinke to haue it by and by; but they marke not, that a Promiſe and the Fruition of it is not all at once. It muſt be waited for[262], eſpecially this Promiſe of Praiſe: Vntill the Lord come (as the Apoſtles limit the Time) and then, at his Appearing, ſhe ſhall haue praiſe of God[263]. Then at his Appearing[264], Her Faith ſhall be found vnto Praiſe and Honour, and Glory. Therefore in the mean while, beſt for her to Feare the Lord, and ſo be praiſe-worthy, than to be praiſed for the preſent.

1. Not only becauſe it is ſafeſt praiſing Her as a Maſter of a ſhip is (ſaith S. Ambroſe[265]) when ſhe[Pg 23] is ſafely arriued in the Hauen, paſt all danger of ſhipwracke: or growing more proud by her praiſe (which many Liuing doe) as Herod for one[266], and that Philoſopher for another, whoſe ſoule being before no bigger than a mans finger, became ſo puft vp and ſwolne with others commending him, that (as Arrianus reports) it grew greater than two Cubits[267].

2. Nor only becauſe actuall praiſe is in the lips of the praiſer, and ſo a wicked woman may be praiſed, and yet not be worthy of it, and a godly woman may be praiſe-worthy, and yet not haue it, whereas praiſe-worthineſſe is euer in the partie to be praiſed, and feweſt (you know) haue this worth; but many haue praiſe without it, therefore praiſe-worthineſſe is the Nobler Grace of the two, and conſequently beſt for a Woman to be worthy of praiſe, though ſhe be not praiſed for the preſent.

3. But one of the chiefeſt Reaſons is this; becauſe indeed all our earthly praiſe is Laudatur, that is, for the preſent; but continueth not. Is, but ſhall not be. Sometimes a godly woman is commended, and ſometimes ſhe is not. As S. Paul praiſed the Corinthians[268], Now I praiſe you Brethren, and by and by he ſaith: Shall I praiſe you in this? I praiſe you not: whereas This praiſe here promiſed ſo Is, that it ſhall be ſtill, and that cannot be in this Tranſitory world; but in Heauen, where Her praiſe that feareth the Lord for euer, endureth for euer: Laudabitur, She ſhall be praiſed.

The beſt Time then for commending Her is yet to come, and that from Him who can beſt doe it;[Pg 24] But I muſt tell you firſt, this Time ſhould neuer come, could the ſcoffing Iſhmaels of our daies be heard railing vpon, ieſting at, belying and ſlandering Her and Him that feareth the Lord. It was euer their Deuilliſh propertie[269] with many diſgracefull cenſures to dimme the glory of the children of Light, ſpitefully to aggrauate their tender frailties, rather than to commend their vnreproueable Graces. So of old they ſcourged the Primitiue Chriſtians with their viperous, virulent tongues[270]; but as Saint Ierome thanks God that He was counted worthy to be hated of the world[271]; ſo ſhould euery good man and woman, not much trouble themſelues for the vniuſt cenſures and diſconceits of witleſſe and worthleſſe prophaneneſſe; but rather (as Paulinus[272] exhorts) haue more regard to their good name, leſt any ſparkle or appearance of euill truly proceed from them, whereby any flame of euill report may be kindled, and ſo to liue, that none may ſpeake euill of them without lying. For maugre the malice of all Senſualiſts, the Time will come, when euery man and woman that feareth God, ſhall haue praiſe of God[273], 1 Cor. 4. which is the beſt praiſe, when all is done[274], 2 Cor. 10. Yea (Beloued) that you may not count the Lord ſlacke concerning his promiſe[275], Saint Iames tells you, This comming of the Lord draweth neere[276]: Behold the Iudge ſtandeth at the doore, He is readie to iudge the Quicke and the Dead (ſaith Saint Peter[277]) readie to commend them, whom the world hath condemned; and to condemne them, whom worldlings haue commended: readie to reueale vnto the[Pg 25] whole world the good workes of the godly, Honorifico pietatis testimonio, with an honourable approbation of their bleſſed godlineſſe; & alſo to reueale vnto the whole world the wicked Deeds of the vngodly, Manifesto impietatis vituperio, with a publike, and open, vncontrouleable Diſcommendation of their curſed wickedneſſe[278]: yea the Iudge is ready to turne Laudabitur into Laudatur, her praiſe worthineſſe that feareth Him for euer, into euerlaſting Praiſe; ſo that ſhould her Huſband and Children faile to praiſe Her, which yet they do not, for they commend Her in the 29. verſe of this Chapter, ſaying: Many daughters haue done vertuouſly; but thou excellest them all[279]: or ſhould the Godly ceaſe to praiſe Her, which they will neuer do either here or in Heauen[280]. Here Her remembrance is ſo ſweet in all their mouthes, that they ſay:[281] Let her Memory be bleſſed: Let her bones flouriſh out of her place; and Let the name of Her that was honoured be continued vpon her Children[282]: or ſhould Her owne workes giue ouer praiſing Her in the Gates, which they are forbidden to doe, verſ. 31. of this Chapter; yet God himſelfe will haue Her workes follow her to Heauen[283], and Accepting of her[284], and Them, by Chriſt Ieſus[285], Hee himſelfe will praiſe Her, that hath made Him Her Feare[286], Her praiſe[287], ſaying: Well done thou good and faithfull ſeruant, thou hast beene faithfull ouer a few things, I will make thee ruler ouer many things, Enter thou into the ioy of thy Lord[288]. Where it is beſt to leaue Her, euen with her Lord, taking more ioy (as a Schoole-man teacheth truly) in praiſing Him, than in contemplating her[Pg 26] owne praiſe, in Glorifying God, than in her owne Glorification[289].

But though we haue brought a Godly Woman where ſhe would be, to Heauenly Praiſe, and Honour, and Glory, and found them by Gods free fauour in Chriſt giuen vnto Her; yet who is ſuch a Woman? We haue not found Her yet; and why not yet? Becauſe among other reaſons, as Saint Ierom was afraid to entreat of the Death of that Venerable Matron Paula[290]; ſo am I to ſpeake of the Deceaſe of this Honourable Lady. Therefore giue me leaue (beloued) to deferre the vncomfortable Paſſions of her Death, vntill I be a little better heartened by relating ſome of the laudable actions of her Life.

For the ſubiect then of my Text, I dare ſay, in regard of the Deſcription thereof, your owne conſciences haue made the Application, and doe witneſſe for Her, that She was A Woman fearing the Lord. A Woman indeed, & ſo the Weaker Veſſell[291], yet neuertheleſſe Honour to be giuen Her in that reſpect; but rather the more (as Saint Peters inference will allow) becauſe though ſhee had This Treaſure of the Feare of the Lord in an Earthen and in a Weaker Veſſell[292], yet Gods ſtrength was made perfect in her Weakneſſe. And it is S. Ieroms rule[293], you ſhould iudge of Vertues, Non Sexa, ſed Animo: Not by the Sex, but by the Minde and conſtant purpoſe of a Regenerate Heart: This makes the Difference of force in the ſeruice of Chriſt, not either Male or Female.

Suruey then (if you pleaſe) as briefly as you wil,[Pg 27] the ſeuerall workings of Her Godly Feare.

Firſt to Her Head, her Subiection and Helpfulneſſe like that of Saint Auguſtines Mother to his Father[294].

To Her Children, her tendereſt Affection and Sollicitouſneſſe to plant the feare of the Lord in their hearts, to fit them with worthy Matches out of Religious Families, to adorne her onely Sonne with the richeſt endowments of Grace and Learning: Witneſſe her Letters to that Learned Profeſſour[295] in our famous Vniuerſitie, worthy to be kept as a Monument of her truly Noble ſpirit and Godly Deſire (like that of Gregory Nazianzen's Siſter) to haue the fruit of her Body become the fruit of the Spirit[296].

To Her Parents, ſhee was another Rachel, another Marcella[297].

To Her Kindred by mariage another Ruth, and to them by bloud another Heſter.

To Her Seruants, ſhee was bountifull in their Health; compaſſionate (as Fabiola[298]) in their Sickneſſe, either of Minde or of Body, prouiding for them (like the Centurion) both ſpirituall and corporall Phyſicke.

To All, Her whole Deportment was ſo Louely, ſo ſweet, what by the law of kindneſſe in her tongue[299], Salutations, Gifts, Almes-Deeds, Viſitations, Inuitations, and by other offices of courteſies and Hoſpitalities, that Her Amiable Behauiour was a powerfull Meanes, an attractiue Load-ſtone to draw vnto Her the hearts and loues of as many as knew Her, yea as but heard of Her.

But vnto Gods children ſhe euer only afforded the deareſt pangs, the higheſt Degree of her kindeſt Affection[300]: Their company ſhe moſt loued, and they Hers. Not ſo much in regard of Her fauour towards them, which was great; but chiefly by reaſon of that ſpiritual Helpe and refreſhment, which they might get by conuerſing with Her in the choiceſt paſſages of Sanctification. For ſhee had the Art to vphold holy conferences about perplexities of conſcience, Relapſes into ſin, and Remedies againſt the ſame: Shee had the skill to beget many ioyfull Meditations of mortifying Grace and euerlaſting Glory: She had the Zeale to nouriſh Heauenly mindedneſſe, boldneſſe in the waies, and cheerefulneſſe in the exerciſes of Religion and Deuotion.

Touching Her ſubmiſſion to the Meanes of Saluation: O what delight ſhee tooke here and in London, to heare conſcionable and ſearching Sermons! It was Her onely Pleaſure in that Citie (as ſhe profeſſed) to frequent them there; yea what Griefe was it vnto Her (as it was vnto Saint Ambroſe) to heare of the Death of any of Gods zealous Miniſters[301]?

And ſhould I be ſilent, yet Her Oratory in her houſe hereby, this Church too (a part whereof her Zeale, together with her Honourable Huſbands Loue to Gods Houſe newly erected) that Cloſſet alſo of Hers in Truro, yea euery place almoſt would ſpeake aloud of her conſtant reading, hearing, meditating on the Word, ſolemne Humiliations, ſolitary conferences with her God, feruent[Pg 29] prayers and eiaculations, which (as the ſweeteſt incenſe) ſhee euer and anon ſent vp to the Throne of Grace for the pardon of her ſinnes, the fauour of God, the ſpirituall Good of her Deareſt Huſband, Children, and Gods Church.

But adde vnto all theſe, another more ſpeciall, eſſentiall, and ſuperiour working of Her Godly Feare, and that was Her continuall Combating againſt all ſinne, euen Her moſt commanding ſin whatſoeuer that was[302]. For there was a time to my knowledge, when after the preaching vnto Her of the power and efficacie of Gods promiſes, and of Chriſts Death and Reſurrection, for the mortifying and maſtering of any boſome and beloued ſinne, you might eaſily ſee in Her, how willingly ſhe yeelded vnto the Sanctifying worke of the Holy Ghoſt for the Ouer-comming of her ſtrongeſt corruptions, how heauily ſhee was diſpleaſed with relapſes into ſmaller offences of daily incurſion againſt the generall and conſtant purpoſe[303] of her heart not to ſinne in anything; how faithfully ſhe reſted vpon thoſe ſweeteſt[304] promiſes of God (which ſhe confeſſed ſhe had not erſt ſo well weighed) for the mortifying of ſpeciall infirmities, and how vnfainedly ſhee reſolued to ſet her Faith on worke, to draw not onely aſſurance of pardon from the Merit of Chriſts Death and Reſurrection; but alſo that Power and efficacie which is in them, to Die to Sinne, and Liue to Righteouſneſſe.[305][Pg 30]

This was the Life of this Elect Lady fearing the Lord, and therefore ſhe hath right and intereſt to all thoſe Honourable Attributes of Praiſe, which you heard euen now God himſelfe giue her in His owne words.

But O my Soule what doſt thou? Why art thou yet afraid to come to her Death? as if while I held my peace and were buſied in Her Praiſes, Her Death could be deferred? Alâs it could not by all the Meanes that were vſed. For No man (ſaith the Preacher) hath power ouer the ſpirit to retaine the ſpirit[306]. Then ſpeake of her Death I muſt, and yet (to make vſe of S. Ierom's words in a like caſe) Quis poſſit ſiccis oculis Paulam narrare morientem[307]? Who can relate the Death of the Lady Frances Roberts without ſhedding ſome Teares of Compaſſion, of Deuotion, yea and of Compunction too[308]? Shee deſerues ſome Teares from vs (Beloued) as well as from the Poore, weeping now and ſhewing the Coats and garments which this Dorcas made for them, while ſhe was with them[309].

But to ſtop the current of them a little longer. Begin we with Gods mercifull preſeruation of Her in London from the noyſome Peſtilence; becauſe ſhe acknowledged it (as was meet) with humble Thankfulneſſe[310]. And then remember, that vpon Her returne home, being ſummoned by Sickneſſe, by and by ſhe ſet her Houſe in order, like Hezekiah; She ſpake to the Hearts of Her Children, Friends, and Seruants, that were then about Her (like Iacob) by putting them in remembrance of Her Departure and their Duties: She hungered and thirſted[Pg 31] after the Body and Bloud of Her Deareſt Sauiour, which ſhee receiued with Due Examination[311] of Her Knowledge; Faith; Loue and Repentance, with reuerent Geſture, heartie Thankfulneſſe, deuout Attention, and very Fruitfully to the greater ſtrengthning and refreſhing of Her Soule then trauelling for the other Life.

And now (Beloued) that ſhe lieth on the bed of Languiſhing, we muſt not be auſtere in reprehending euery Infirmity; but Pitifull in conſidering the tender frailtie of it.

For what though ſhee were (as Sicke folke are commonly[312]) more Paſſionate than others, yea than Her ſelfe in Her health, yet if God iudgeth not according to the ſtrange Effects and Symptoms of Her ſickneſſe, not according to the ſhort moment and violent paſſions of Her Death; but according to the holy Actions of Her Health, the former Affections of Her Heart, and the Generall Courſe of Her Life[313]; then it is our Dutie, not ſeuerely to cenſure her paſſionateneſſe, who by reaſon of the parching Feauer of the Spirit, as well as of the Body, was diſquieted in her Imagination (as the Phyſitian of the body could diſcerne) though not in her Memory. Conſider therefore O Man (as that excellent Phyſitian of the Soule aduiſeth thee[314]) if thou canſt beare with a fraile Body, that thou muſt much more beare with a fraile Minde and Body too. Conſider alſo O Man, that this her Pettiſhneſſe did more wound her to the heart, than any iniury thou couldſt preſſe her with. Neither doe I ſpeake this to nouriſh paſſion[Pg 32] in any, or to proue her Anger to be Sinleſſe[315]; but to be a leſſe Sinne, becauſe her Spirituall and Bodily Diſtemper was ſo great, or rather becauſe her Faith quenched the flame of this fiery paſſion in Chriſts Bloud, reſolued and melted her heart into many penitent Teares afterwards. Oh, ſaid ſhe to me, (preſſing her with Dauids example, Pſal. 131.) In my Health I could digeſt any iniury, and deemed it baſe and vngodly, not to be able to doe ſo; but now (I know not how) me thinkes I am ouer-tender in bearing them. I am impatient indeed, and then I weepe for my impatiencie. For I know (as ſhe her ſelfe vrged) The wrath of Man doth not accompliſh the Righteouſneſſe of God[316].

Thus ſhee was Angrie with her ſelfe for being Angrie with others, and then (according to Saint Ambroſes rule) it ceaſed towards them before the Sunne went down[317]; and was not this Holy Reuenge on her ſelfe a true fruit of Euangelicall Repentance? 2 Cor. 7. 11.

But aye me! me thinkes I now heare her groaning vunder the dolefull pangs of Death, vnder thoſe pangs of which ſhee had foretold ſaying: I ſhall ſuffer much more ere I goe hence. And can any haue the heart to heare her groaning pangs, without renting his owne heart from his darling pleaſure? without lamenting his owne ſinnes, which vnleſſe he forſake betimes, will bring him to euerlaſting Burnings[318]? or without learning to compaſſionate euery weake one, to aſſiſt any one yeelding vp the Ghoſt, becauſe (as Saint Ambroſe giues the reaſon[319]) the holy Peophet Iob deſired[Pg 33] the Bleſſing of one, that lyes a Dying: Benedictio morituri, in me veniat: Let the bleſſing of him that is readie to die, come vpon me!

Let vs then, not yet, leaue this Departing Saint. For in the midſt of this her Agonie, after ſhee had layen groaning many houres without any articulate or diſtinct ſpeech, yet vpon triall made of Her ſenſe and memory by demanding of Her, whether ſhe would haue prayers made for Her, ſhe anſwered plainly: With all my heart, pray, pray. And then as Gregory Nazianzen[320] reports of his Father, that though He was daily, yea hourely, in great paine before his Death, yet He was euer ſtill and quiet from paine, onely while Diuine Seruice was ſaying; ſo this Deuout Lady forgetting (as it were) Her former Groanings, did liſten attentiuely to the prayers that were made for Her, without fetching ſo much as one ſob during that time. And afterwards rehearſing diſtinctly part of the Lords Prayer, you might heare Her, when S. Stephens Viſion and laſt words[321] were read vnto Her, repeat very often theſe laſt words of Her Sauiour[322]: O Heauenly Father into thy hands I commend my ſpirit. Thus on a ſudden I haue told you how ſhe Dyed in the Lord[323], and is with Chriſt[324].

And though we ſaw her afterwards mouing her lips; but heard not her Voice, no more than they that were at Saint Ambroſes Death did heare his Voice; but only ſaw his lips moue[325]; yet we muſt not thinke The Spirit of ſtrength[326], of Prayer and Grace[327], is then onely ſtrong, when we heare a Dying Saint pray, becauſe Chriſts Spirit cries in[Pg 34] Gods Children, Abba, Father[328], with Vnutterable Groanings[329] which we cannot heare, and therefore I doubt not, but this Elect Lady cried loudeſt in Gods eares, when we heard not her words; and why may we not thinke now, our ſinnes hindered vs from hearing them? I am ſure, heretofore ſhe hath ſpoken againe and againe many Heart-piercing ſpeeches to deterre from Sinne, and to allure to Holineſſe of Life. If ſhe be not hearkened to now, henceforth wee ſhall heare Her ſpeake no more. I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Ieſus Chriſt, and the Elect Angells:[330] you (I ſay) I charge whomſoeuer ſhee hath iuſtly reproued for any Sin, that you forſake thoſe Sins; and whomſoeuer ſhe hath zealouſly exhorted to holy Duties, that you performe thoſe holy Duties, for henceforth you ſhall heare Her ſpeake no more.

But why ſhould I detaine thee (Honourable Lady) any longer? Or what doe you (Beloued) expect more? That our ſpeech alſo ſhould Die together with Hers, and (as it were) be Buried together with Her. O my Bleſſed Brethren, ſuffer neither this Godly Lady, nor Gods word to depart ſo diſhonourably from you.

Suffer not Her ſo to depart from you; but let her euer liue in your breaſts by Eſteeming Her very highly in loue for Her workes ſake, by Commemorating Gods Graces in Her; but aboue all by Imitating her Faith and Vertues[331]. Then you ſhall not need to grieue very much for Her Abſence[Pg 35] from you; becauſe ſhe is with Chriſt, which is beſt of all[332]; becauſe ſhe is Taken away, not from you; but from the euill to come, Eſai. 57. 1. From you ſhee is not Taken, but from ſeeing the plagues and miſeries of this wretched world, yea from ſeeing the future Deaths of you, Her Deareſt friends[333], for whom ſhe would haue wept full bitterly; but you haue greater Cauſe, if you will heare S. Ambroſe and S. Ierome comforting themſelues in a like caſe, to Reioyce[334] and to giue God thankes[335], that you Haue had Her, nay that you Haue Her, if ſo be you follow Her good example, and repreſent her to the life by your Godly Life.

To conclude: I beſeech you all (Bleſſed Brethren) Suffer not the Word of God, which you haue heard this day, for want of the Feare of God, which is The firmeſt foundation of Gods word[336], to vaniſh into aire, into nothing, to rebound from your flintie hearts (as a ſhaft ſhot againſt a wall of Adamant[337];) but in Gods Name, Let the Sword of Gods Spirit ſunder euery one of our minion ſinnes from our boſomes: Let Gods pretious promiſe here of praiſing a Woman that feareth the Lord, feare vs from our ſtrongeſt corruptions. Atq vtinam præconia fœminarum, imitarentur viri. And I may well wiſh with Saint Ierome, that Men would emulate and imitate Women in their deſerued attributions[Pg 36] of Praiſe[338]. Laſtly, if you deſire to know, beſides this motiue of obtaining Heauenly praiſe, what other Meanes you ſhould vſe to get, keepe and increaſe ſuch a godly Feare in you, then conſider the examples of Gods dreadfull iudgements[339] on them, that Feare Him not, yea on Chriſt Ieſus Himſelfe purſued for our ſins[340] to the fulneſſe of Bitterneſſe by the iuſtice of God, conſider that firſt. Then remember your owne Deaths to haue them before you[341], remember your ſtrict Accounts to be made[342], remember the reſtleſſe Terrour of Conſcience[343], which followes the impenitent, and then or neuer you will Feare the Lord Greatly, as Obadiah and this Bleſſed Lady did. Be not deceiued (my Brethren) after all this Hearing, it is not a Little Feare will ſerue the turne. For to Feare God but a little (as Fulgentius ſaith) is to contemne Him very much[344]. It muſt bee at leaſt ſo Great a Feare, as muſt feare you from your Greateſt, your Sweeteſt Sinne whatſoeuer that be, elſe if you Die in it[345] without Repentance (which God forbid) your Worme ſhall not die, neither ſhall your fire be quenched, and you ſhall be, not a praiſe, but an Abhorring to all fleſh, the laſt verſe of the Prophet Eſay with Iames 2. 10.[346], and Ezekiel. 18. 10, 11, 13.

Knowing therefore (as Saint Paul concludes[347]) the terrour of the Lord, we perſwade you (Bleſſed Brethren) to feare God Greatly, and to Giue Glory vnto Him[348]; then you ſhall haue praiſe of Him, then hee will glorifie you; and to ſay no more than this (with the Prophet Ieremie[349],) which will make the Fearleſſe Sinner inexcuſable: Who would not feare thee O Lord, thou King of Nations, thou King of Saints? 1. For thou onely art Holy: 2. For all Nations ſhall come vnto thee, and worſhip thee: 3. For thy iudgements are made manifest[350]: 4. For there is none like vnto thee, that pardoneth Iniquitie, and paſſeth by the Tranſgreſſion of the remnant of thy Heritage[351]? Who would not Feare Thee ſuch an Almightie, All-ſeeing, Iuſt, Mercifull Lord God? Put thy feare therefore in our Hearts (as thou haſt promiſed[352]) that wee may neuer depart from thee; but clinging inſeparably by a liuely faith, vnto the bleeding wounds of our Bleſſed Redeemer, may without all ſlauiſh Feare[353] of Death and Iudgement, Louingly[354] appeare before thy Iudgement-ſeat, and without deſperate Crying to the mountains and rocks Fall on vs[355], may ioyfully heare Thee ſay vnto vs: Come ye Bleſſed of my Father, Inherit the Kingdome prepared for you from the foundation of the world[356].

Which God grants vnto vs all, for the All-ſufficient Merits of his Deareſt Sonne, the Sweet Lord Ieſus: To whom with Himſelfe and the Holy Spirit be aſcribed All Praiſe, Honour, Glory, Power, Dominion and Maieſtie, now and euer. Amen. Amen.

FINIS.

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