The vertuous daughter A sermon preached at Saint Maries in Warwicke, at the funerall of the most vertuous and truely religious young gentlewoman, Mistresse Cicely Puckering, daughter and co-heire to the right worshipfull, Sir Thomas Puckering, knight and baronet, the fourteenth day of Aprill, 1636. By Iohn Bryan, parson of Barford.

The Vertuous DAVGHTER . PRO. 31.29 .

Many Daughters have done vertuously , but thou excellest them all .

THis Chapter spends it selfe for the most part in the description & commendation of a vertuous woman . The exordium or beginning of the encomium , is in the tenth verse ; Who can finde a vertuous woman ? for her price is farre above rubies . The conclusion of it is in the four last verses , whereof my Text is one .

Wherein the holy Ghost giveth her ( as we see ) a most ample testimony and commendation by way of comparison , for hee compareth her not with a vitious one ( whom it is no great grace to surpasse ) but with the vertuous , nor with one onely , but with many : all which ( he witnesseth ) she doth not onely equallize , but farre excell . Many daughters have done vertuously , but thou excellest them all .

The maine lesson which the Spirit of God intendeth to teach us in this context , and especially in these words , is this , That such as doe vertuously , may and should bee praised : yea , the more vertuously any doe , the more praise and commendation is due to them . This good woman described in this chapter , is ( as you see ) not onely positively , but superl●tively praised .

For the explication of this point , Explication . nothing needs opening , save what is meant by doing vertuously .

What it is to doe vertuously . Morall Philosophers define vertue thus . It is ( say they ) an habit of the minde , acquired and confirmed by custome , use and practise , enabling a man to rule his appetite , and to discharge the duties of his calling in a laudable manner .

In fewer words thus ; It is an elective habit , inclining the will to well-doing .

Now to wel-doing , they teach (a) (a) 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Aristot . eth. lib. 2. cap. 4. foure things to be requisite .

1 That t●e thing or subject matter of the action , be in it selfe lawfull and good ; even such as is approved and warranted by the judgement of wise men : for this they make the rule of vertue . (b) (b) 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . lib. 2. cap. 6.

2 That the agent both know and purpose the doing of it : for he that doth a good action ignorantly or rashly , cannot be said to doe well , seeing science and counsell are the foundation of every good worke : for as to him that knoweth to doe good , and doth it not , to him it is sinne : so to him that doth good , and knoweth it not , or purposeth it not , it is sinne also .

3 That his end be right : for hee that doth a good worke for some by-respect , and not out of love to goodnesse , and for it owne sake , he may doe something which may be materially good , but it is , at the best , far from being well done .

4 That he continue and hold out unto the end in his purpose and endeavour of doing well : for perseverance is the complement and crowne of vertue .

Divinity defines it thus . It is a gift of Gods Spirit , and a part of regeneration , whereby a man is made apt and able to deny all ungodlinesse and worldly lusts , and to live soberly , righteously , and godly in this present world . And to doe thus , is to doe vertuously .

Confirmation 1 For confirmation of this truth , first I will give you some examples of vertuous women , both out of the old and new Testament , who are commended by the holy Ghost for doing vertuously .

Jael the wife of Heber the Ken●●e , Iudg. 5.24.25.26 . 1 Sam. 25. is much commended by the Prophetesse for her courage in killing Sisera .

Abigal , the wife of Nabal the Carmelite , is praised for her discretion , and is said to be a woman of good understanding : and David blesseth her and her advise , whereby she preserved her whole family from ruine .

The vertues of Ruth , Ruth 3.11 . Naomies daughter in law , were generally taken notice of , and she therefore honoured of all the people .

The holy women in old time are commended for trusting in God , adorning themselves modestly , 1 Pet. 3.5 . and for subjection to their husbands .

Our Saviour doth largely commend the sinfull penitent woman in the seventh of Saint Lukes Gospell , Luke 7.44.45 46.47 . Chap. 8.3 . and in the next chapter , Mary Magdalen , Ioanna and Susanna , are noted and commended for their liberality toward Christ : They ministred to him of their owne substance .

And what shall I say more ? for the time would faile me to tell of Rebekah , Deborah , Hannah , Lydia , Priscilla , Doreas , Tryphena , and Tryphosa ; and above all , the blessed Virgin Mary , our Lords Mother .

The like instances may be given of men also : Neh. 7. ● . as of Hananiah , of whom it is said , That he feared God above many .

And of Josiah it is recorded , That like unto him , 2 King . 23.25 there was no King before him , neither arose there after him , any like unto him .

Or Iob , God himselfe speakes thus to Satan . Job 1.8 . Hast thou considered my servant Iob , how there is none like him in all the earth ?

The second proofe of the point is from Gods Promises : Confirmation 2 he hath engaged himselfe that such as live vertuously , shall bee praised ; see the verse before my Text. Her children rise up , and call her blessed , Pro. 31.22 . her husband also and he shall praise her : 30. and the verse after my text , A woman that feareth the Lord , she shall be praised .

Pro. 11.16.10 7. Psal. 112.6 . So also he saith elsewhere , A gratious woman retaineth honour : and againe , The memory of the just is blessed ; and the Prophet David likewise saith , The righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance .

3 Co●firm . Thirdly , God hath given commandement to commend and praise those that live vertuously . Pro. 3● . 31 . Give her of the fruit of her hands , and let her works praise her in the gates , ( saith the holy Ghost in the last verse of this Chapter ) that is , praise her for her workes publikely .

Rom. 13 7. See a generall command given by Paul , Render to all their dues , tribute to whom tribute , honour to whom honour .

Now that honour is the due reward of vertue .

〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . & lib. 4. cap. 3. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , &c.

Thus Deis , laus verò bonis v●ris tributuda est . Recte facta l●uda e honestum est . Phil. 4.8 .

First , heathen men saw and taught . Aristotle in the second booke of his Ethickes , teacheth , that praise is due to vertue . Hee saith also else where , that though a wise man should not desire praise , yet praise ought to be given to them that live according to the rules of vertue . Againe , another saith , Incense is due to the gods , and so is praise to good men : yea , they esteemed this a point of honesty . It is an honest thing ( saith one of them ) to commend wel-doing : now honesty standeth ( you know ) in giving every man his owne . But to let heathens passe .

Secondly , the holy Ghost hath tyed praise to vertue . The Apostle Paul saith , If there be any vertue , if there be any praise : implying , that where there is vertue , there must be also praise . I will conclude this proofe with that notable place in the 26. of Matthew , where Christ gives command , Math. 26.13 . that wheresoever the Gospell should be preached , there should also that , that the woman had done to him , be told for a memoriall of her .

Confirmation 4 Fourthly and lastly , there is good use of praising those that do vertuously , much profit may redound hereby .

First , to the praisers themselves . One saith , Bonum laudare non laudato sed laudantibus prodest . Aug. To praise the good , profiteth not the praised , but the praisers : for who will not be moved to labour for that good in themselves , which they commend in others ?

Secondly , to such as heare them praised : for they by this meanes will be stirred up .

1 To Thanksgiving to God , for giving such grace unto men . We give thankes ( saith Saint Paul ) to God , Colos. 2.3.4 . and the Father of our Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ , since we heard of your faith in Christ Iesus , and of the love which ye have to all the Saints . And this effect we finde also of the liberality of the Corinthians ; 2 Cor. 9.12.13 . For the administration of the service of theirs not onely supplyed the want of the Saints , but was abundant also by many thankesgivings to God : while by the experiment of that ministration , others glorified God for their professed subjection to the Gospell of Christ , &c. Ad ipsum 〈◊〉 dabilium un● versorum ungorem . Thus praise comes to be referred to the Author of all things praise-worthy .

2 To imitate what they heare praised : your zeale , ( saith Saint Paul to the Corinthians ) hath provoked very many : 2 Cor. 9. ● , for as fire when it is ●raked into , sends forth greater heate , and light to them that sit about it : and as pretious oyntment , if it be stirred or poured fourth , doth cast a sweeter smell to all those that are neere it : even so the praises of vertuous and godly persons , being mentioned , will yeeld no small edification to those that heare them .

Before I come to application , I will briefly answer this question : namely ,

Question . Whether ought we rather to praise the living , or the dead for wel-doing ?

Answ. Answ. We have Christs example for both , and therefore both are undoubtedly lawfull , Matth. 8.10 . we finde him praising the living . Math. 8.10 . I have not found ( saith he , speaking of the Cenmrion ) so great faith , no not in Jsrael , Joh. 5.35 . he giveth an illustrious encomium of the dead : Iob. 5.35 . for speaking there of John , whom Herod had beheaded , he saith , Hee was a burning and a shining light

But of the two it is safer , and lesse subject to exception and danger , to praise the dead , and more profitable for two reasons , Nec laudantem adulatio movet , nec audatum elatio tentat , in nat. S. Euseb. Lauda navigantis felicitatem , sed eum pervenerit ad po●tum , lauda du●is virtutem , sed cum perductus est ad triumphum . id . ibid. ( Ambrose gives them ) because then ( saith he ) fla●tery will not move the praiser , nor vaine-glory tempt the praised . Therefore Ecclesiasticus adviseth us to judge none blessed before their death . Wee may best commend the Saylers happinesse , when hee is arrived at the haven : and the Souldiers valour when he hath wonne the field .

This doctrine is pregnant , of profitable uses . It may serve by way of inference to informe our judgements .

Inference . 1 1 That it is not sufficient to have the theory or knowledge of vertue onely , but practice must be added to speculation . It is not vertue to know good and evill , but to doe good , and eschew evill . Our Saviour saith , Jf ye know these things , Iob. 13.17 Luke 11 . 2● . happy are ye if ye doe them . Againe he saith , Blessed are they that heare the word of God and keepe it : implying , that the knowledge of Gods word , and bare understanding of the mysteries of salvation , maketh no man happy : but who so looketh into the perfect law of liberty , James 1.25 . and continueth therein , hee being not a forgetfull hearer , but a doer of the worke , this m●n shall be blessed in his deed . Reade Matth. 7.24 . to the end .

Inference . 2 2 That it is not enough to speake well , but wee must also doe well . The Scribes and Pharises have this brand of hypocrisie set upon them by our Saviour Christ . (a) (a) 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Epict●tus . They say and doe not , Matth. 23.3 . (b) (b) 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , &c. Arl. Eth. lib. 2. cap. 4. Too many in our dayes are like those Scribes and Pharises ; for though their tongues be steept in religion , yet their lives are stained with foule abhominations , to the great scandall of their glorious profession . Let not these men thinke that God is any whit at all pleased to heare them speake piously of him , and his kingdome , and the righteousnesse thereof , while they refuse to admit his kingdome into their hearts , and to expresse the power of it in their lives . Nay , he is greatly herewith offended . (c) (c) 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Agell . lib. 17. cap. 19. Deut. 5.28 29. T it 1.16 . What hast thou ( saith he ) to doe , to take my covenant in thy mouth , seeing thou hatest instruction , and casteth my words behinde thee , and livest unjustly and unchastly ? The Israelites spake well to Moses by Gods owne testimony . They have well said in all that they have spoken ; but he wisheth , Oh that there were such an heart in them , that they would feare me and keepe my Commandements . They proved afterward such as Paul speakes of , who professed they knew God , but in their workes they denyed h●m , being abhominable , disobedient , and to every good worke reprobate .

Inference : 3 3 That we must not content our selves to doe vertuous and religious workes , but wee must have a care that we doe them in a vertuous and religious manner .

First therefore they must proceed from a good root and fountaine , even a principle of regeneration within . A corrupt tree cannot bring forth good fruit . And to them that are defiled and unbeleeving , is nothing pure , but their best workes are defiled in Gods eyes . Math. 7.18 . Tit. 1.15 .

Secondly , they must be done in obedience to Gods command . Respect to his will must be the ground and motive of our working .

Thirdly , Gods glory must be our utmost end : 1 Cor. 10.31 . 1 Pet. 4.11 . Whatsoever we doe , we must doe all to his glory . Jf any man speake , let him speake as the Oracles of God ; if any man minister , let him doe it as of the ability which God hath given him , that God in all things may be glorified .

Fourthly , wee must be abundant alwayes in good workes , unwearied in wel-doing . And finally , when we have done all that we can , we must say we are unprofitable servants , wee have done but that which was our duty to doe .

Inference . 4 4 That we ought not to content our selves with an ordinary measure of grace and vertue , but we must seeke to excell others , like this woman in my Text , who excelled all other daughters that did vertuously . It is the Apostles injunction . 1 Cor. 14.12 . Eph 5 ●5 . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Mat●h. 5.47 . Seeke that ye may excell . And againe , See that ye walke exactly or precisely , not as the ordinary sort of Professors walke . Our Saviour saith , That if ye salute your brethren onely , what doe you more than others ? implying , that wee must exceed others in weldoing , Math 5.48 . setting God himselfe before us as our patterne : Be ye perfect , even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect .

Inference . 5 5 That we ought not to praise , but rather to reprove and condemne vitious persons . The Apostle speaking of some disorders among the Corinthians , saith thus , 1 Cor. 11.22 . Shall I praise you in this ? I praise you not . As who should say , I have no warrant to commend such as walke disorderly . Pro. 2● 4. Salomon saith , That they that forsake the law , praise the wicked ; branding them with a marke of Apostasie from Gods law , that speake well of evill men .

Pro. 5.20 . Against these the Prophet pronounceth a woe . Woe ( saith he ) to them that call good evill , and evill good . These doe what in them lyeth , to make Gods commination of none effect . Pro 10 7. For he hath threatned , that the name of the wicked shall rot and stinke . Let not therefore ungodly ones , who have neither the habit nor the exercise of any grace or vertue in them , whose soules serve for no other use , then the soules of swine ; to keepe their bodies from putrifying ( as if they were borne for no other end than to consume Gods good creatures ) expect any praise either in life or death , Fruges consumer● na●i . except it bee from flatterers : for as to them who continue patiently in weldoing , shall be glory and honour : so to them who obey not the truth , but obey unrighteousnesse , shall be shame and confusion of face , both here and hereafter . Reade Ierem. 22.17.18.19 .

Job expostulates thus with his friends , Iob 13.7 . Will you speake wickedly for God , and talke deceitfully for him ? If wee may not speake falsly to glorifie God , much lesse may we to glorifie men . Thus should we justifie the wicked , and so make our selves abhomination unto God . Nay , 't is dangerous for men to affect and receive praise and glory , when they deserve it not . Reade Acts 12.22.23 .

Inference . 6 6 That such as unfainedly desire and endeavour to doe vertuously , shall not faile to have praise both of God and men .

First of God , who hath promised , that although the credit of his servants may for a season be covered with a cloud of reproach ( as Iosephs was ) yet hee will bring forth their righteousnesse as the light , and their judgement as the noone day . The Apostle Paul saith , Rom. 2.29 . hee that is a Iew inwardly , ( that is really religious , who hath the inward power of godlinesse , as well as the outward forme ) shall have praise of God . And this indeed is the true praise . 2 Cor. 10.18 . For not he that commendeth himselfe ( saith Saint Paul ) is approved , but whom the Lord commendeth .

Secondly , of men . Men will praise thee , Psal. 49.18 . ( saith the Psalmist when thou dost well to thy selfe . Now a man then doth good to himselfe when he doth vertuously .

And not onely the common sort of men , but also Magistrates and men in high place will commend and encourage us . The Apostle Paul saith that Rulers are not a terrour to good workes , but to evill : Rom. 13. ● . will thou then not be afraid of the power ? doe that which is good , and thou shalt have praise for the same .

To come to the occasion in hand , for I must wave all other generall uses for want of time ) by this that hath been said , it may appeare , that I have warrant sufficient , signed with Gods owne hand , to speake in the praise and commendation of this young Gentlewoman , whose funerall rites wee now celebrate ; forasmuch as she hath deserved praise , having not onely done vertuously , but excelled all others of her sexe and age ( take them both together ) that I ever heard or knew of : for when shee dyed , shee was little more then twelve yeares of age .

And besides , all that hath beene spoken for the lawfulnesse and conveniencie of this practise of praising the dead , I have for my patterne and precedents herein , not onely many late divines , who have in those funerall Sermons which they preached at the burials of godly persons , beene exceeding large in their commendations , and were never yet excepted against for flattery . But also many antient Fathers , who not onely in their consolatory Letters written to them which lost their friends , have inserted large praises of them : but also in their Sermons at their funerals have done the like . Among others , Ierome is most noted , who although he call flatterers sparkles of the divell , Scin●llo● Diaboli . yet none ever more exceeded in the commendation of any , then he of that vertuous and godly Matron Paula , both in his Sermon which he preached at her buriall in Bethlehem , in a very great assembly of sundry nations , and also in his Epistle written ad Eustochium , which hee entituleth , the Epitaph of Paula .

Aquin. 2 . 2● . qu. 132. True it is ( as they teach in Schooles ) that to praise a man for that which is not praise worthy , or more then is meet , or not for a right end , is sinfull and cannot be justified : but with due cautions to commend , cannot be justly censured .

I will not therefore put on that resolution which Cicero once did ; I will not , said he , be a prais●r , Nol● esse laudator , ne videar adulator . lest I should seeme a flatterer ; for so I should not onely wrong the dead , ( in robbing her of her due honour , although she being received into the society of Saints in heaven , needeth not our praises , more than our prayers , ) but I should also deale perfidiously both with God and you .

First , with God , Mat. 5.15 . in hiding a glorious candle under a bushell which he lighted for others to see and worke by ; and whose command to his Apostles I have just cause in this case to apply to my selfe . Mat. 10. ●7 . What I tell you in darkenesse , that speake ye in light , and what ye heare in the eare , that preach upon the houses .

Secondly , with you , in keeping from you that pretious treasure which may haply enrich you for ever . One compares the words of Saints to pure silver ; the more you have of them , the wealthier you are . Mat. 7.6 . Pro. 25.11 . Our Saviour cals them pearles : and Salomon sayes they are like apples of gold in pictures of silver .

Sure I am , all that heard this childe speake oft in her health , but especially the day before , and that they shod died , ( as the sun shines most gloriously at his sorting ) did wonder at her gratious words , and might well say , never childe spake like this childe : so that we who heard her utter such divine saying● , so roundly , and in such an emphaticall manner , were forced to cry c●●● ; Doubtlesse wee have heard strange things to day . Neither can it ●e doubted , but that the promise which Christ made to his Apostles , was in a degree made good unto her , It shall be given you what ye shall speak● : Ma●. 13.11 . for it is not you that speake , but the holy Ghost .

You know our Saviours saying to the Pharise● : teaching us thereby to judge of the heart by the mouth , i●●he life give not the tongue the lye ▪ Mat. 11.34.35 . Out of the aboundance of the heart the 〈…〉 speaketh . A good man out of the good treasure of his heart , bringeth forth good things . The good things which this deare Hand-maid of the Lord brought out of the treasure of her heart , argued it to be truely good .

2 Pet. 1.5 6.7 . The chaine of Christian graces spoken of by Peter , did adorne and beautifie her sweet spirit : neither was any one linke of that golden chaine wanting in her , as might easily be evinced by demonstrative evidences . But my purpose is onely to instance in three of those graces : whereof when ye have heard undoubted proof , ye may then doe like him , who by the length and bignesse of Hercules his foot , Agellius . l. 1. c. 1. gathered the proportion of his whole body .

The graces or vertues I shall instance in , are knowledge , piety , and patience : they are the Cardinall graces on which all others hang and turne , and these were very evidently discernable in her , even to such as had but halfe an eye .

And first to give some evidences of her knowledge , the Apostle taxeth certaine women in his time , who were alwayes learning , 2 Tim. 3.7 . and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth , whom he therefore calleth silly women . She was none of those women , but might truely say with David ; J have more understanding than all my teachers , Psal. 119.99 100. J understand more then the Ancients . And the truth of this appeareth by the confession of her best teachers , that they never received so much edification by any of her yeares , as by her words : as also of the Doctour that was with her , who professed that hee never heard any childe speake with more judgement in all his life .

She did indeed desire to be instructed by mee , her words were these . J pray you tell mee what course I shall take to live this short time that I have to live , as I ought ? Deare soule , I needed to receive instruction of thee . God saw my need , and therefore sent me seasonably unto thee : and I have learned of thee , better then ever I did before , both how to live , and dye happily .

The Apostle exhorts us to be children in malice ; 1 Cor. 14.20 . not so in understanding . But oh that we were all like this childe in understanding ! For such was her knowledge , farre beyond her yeares , not confused , but distinct ; not swelling , but humbling ; not like the light of the Moon , but of the Sunne : a favorie affecting and hearing knowledge : it warmed her owne heart , and ours also .

Take one proofe of her knowledge in religion , long before her sicknesse . When the Nurses childe in the house was drowned , and the Mother mourned sore for it , she gave her this grave counsell : Seeing Gods will is done in taking away your childe , take heed of offending God by murmuring : doe we not daily pray that Gods will may be done ? and therefore wh●● it is done , we should bee content .

Heare also some passages in her sicknesse , which prove that she was indeed indued with sound knowledge and judgement .

Being asked occasionally whether Christ would heale her of her sicknesse , seeing he never refused to heale any ; She answered , J beleeve that hee can doe it , but J cannot beleeve that he will heale the sicknesse of my body , but by death .

Againe , being asked whether she thought God afflicted her in anger , or in love ; She answered , Truely J cannot tell , but J know he hath cause to doe it in anger .

Againe , telling us how Satan had long tempted her to doubt of her salvation , She said , her hope was that she did belong to God , because Satan was so busie with her .

The second grace or vertue that evidenced it selfe in her , and wherein we should all labour to imitate her , was piety or godlinesse , 1 Tim. 4.8 . which ●●th the promise of this life , and that which is to come . And it consists of three parts , or there are three graces required to make one truely pious : viz. 1 Selfe-denyall . 2 Sanctification . 3 Devotion .

1 Selfe-deniall , the necessity whereof appeares by these speeches of our Saviour : Luke 9.23 . Luke 14.26 . If any man will come after me , let him deny himselfe ; and againe , if any man come to me , and hate not his Father and Mother , and Wife and Children , and Brethren and Sisters ; yea , and his owne life also , he cannot be my disciple .

That this grace was not onely in truth , but in a great measure in her , will appeare if we consider five sorts of things wherein she had denyed her selfe .

1 All earthly profits and contentments . It was my first question to her ; are you willing to leave the world ? her answer was , yea truely , for I see nothing in this world that should move me to desire to live .

2 Bodily ease and freedome from paine : for being almost tyred with a lingring sicknesse , and this question put to her ; Whether had you rather continue in this misery still , or commit a sinne to be released of it ? Shee answered cheerefully , J had rather continue thou sicke as J am , then commit any sinne to ●e well .

3 Her Parents : for being asked whether shee were willing to leave her Parents , and goe to Christ , She answered , I love my Father and my Mother dearely , but J love them lower then Christ .

4 Her owne merits and righteousnesse : for when I demanded of her what ground of hope she had to goe to heaven , her answer was , My hope is in the death and resurrection of Iesus Christ . But have you nothing on your selfe , said I , to take comfort in ? No truely , said shee , I finde no good at all in my selfe , but a great deale of evill .

5 Her life . She never smiled but twise in her sicknesse , ( that I took notice of ) and both those smiles were at the mention of her death . Once when I told her , that death would cure her of al her infirmities : oh I , said she , and smiled , and my desire is to dye , which is farre better than to live . Againe , I asked her , whether had you rather ( if you might have your choise ) recover , and be matched to the greatest Noble man in the world , or dye and be matched with Christ ? She smiled againe , and said , I had rather dye , for there is no difference betweene them ; you meane , no comparison , said I : yea , said she , There is no comparison betweene the greatest Lord , and Iesus Christ ; I meaned there is great difference .

The second part or branch of piety , is Sanctification or regeneration , which is nothing else , but a stamping of the Image of God upon the soule , 2 Pet. 1.4 . and the writing of his law in the heart ; a partaking of the divine nature : a spirituall principle or divine instinct , inclining the soule upward unto God .

That she was partaker of this new birth , and had an heart throughly sanctified , will appeare by two things .

1 She was throughly humbled for her sinnes : for She complained that she had forsaken God , and broken that covenant which she made with him in Baptisme , and therefore deserved no comfort thence .

She feared that though she mourned for sinne , yet God would not accept it , because she was not grieved enough .

She said , moreover , that she was weary and laden with sinne , more than with sicknesse .

Finally , being exhorted to call to minde for her comfort , the promises of the Gospell , she answered with griefe , and iterated it ; Truely I have beene much too blame in neglecting to reade the Scriptures .

These and many more signes she had of a soule savingly humbled for her sinnes .

2 There appeared divers expressions of divine and gratious impressions in her , which were infallible characters of sanctification : as namely ,

1 Poverty of spirit : she complained of her want of grace , saying ; she had very little grace , or rather none at all in her .

2 Her hungring and thirsting after grace : Oh , I would give , said she , any thing for grace .

3 Her hatred of sinne , and love of Christ , evidenced in some former answers .

4 Her humility mixt with faith ; for hearing me say , that her heavenly husband had prepared a place in heaven for her , Psal. 84 10. whither she was hasting ; Oh , said she , Let me have the lowest place there , and I shall thinke my selfe happy .

Acts 10 2. The third thing requisite to make one godly , is Devotion . It is said of Cornelius , that he was a devout man , and so it may be said truely of this childe , that she was a devout childe : for shee held in her judgement , and professed with her mouth , the true religion of God ; which gives all to Gods free grace , and leaves man none occasion of boasting in himselfe . You heard before how freely she renounced all worth in herselfe , and sought for all her comfort out of her selfe , onely in Iesus Christ . 1 Pet. 3.15 .

Againe , she made conscience of the duties of religion : was fearefull of an oath : strict in sanctifying the Lords day . She was frequent in reading the Scriptures , and desirous to heare them read , when she could not reade her selfe , ( because of the sorenesse of her eyes ) and yet she thought her selfe too blame , because she read no more ( as ye heard even now . ) She would presse nigh , and hearken diligently when any good conference was in hand where she was . She was frequent in prayer , and fervent : and when it was painefull for her to speake , she would aske , may J not pray in spirit ? and answer being made that she might , she did accordingly . She would also praise God for his mercies to her : and in particular for the spirituall comforts which he was pleased to afford unto her . And thus shee held on till death deprived her of ability .

The third and last grace wherein she excelled ) I had almost sayd all other daughters ) was Patience : and whether this grace had not it perfect worke in her , I leave you to judge , when you have heard th●se foure evidences .

1 She was sensible of Gods correcting hand , Ioh 1.20 . Ier. 5.3 . and affected with the smart of his rod , as appeared by this speech , J am almost even tyred with my sicknesse , but my hope is J am going to a better place , as for this world , it is full of misery .

2 She was silent and free from murmuring and ●●owardnesse . I heard them about her say , Lev. 3.10 . Io● ●● . 2.40.4●5 that notwithstanding the long continuance of her sicknesse , and the paine she suffered by purging and letting bloud , yet she was never seene to open her mouth in discontent 〈◊〉 to be angry or pettish with any that were about her .

3 She did justifie God , Psal. 119.75 . Lam. 1.12.18 . Eze. 9. ● 3. Micha 7.9 . and cleare him in his dealing with her : for being asked , Doe you not thinke God deales very hardly and severely with you in afflicting you so sorely ? No truely doe I not , said she , but I thinke he deales with me very well , because I have beene so wretched a sinner .

4 She did submit willingly and obediently to Gods will and pleasure , as appeared by these words of hers : Lev●● . ●6 . 41 . 〈…〉 . J am very willing , said she , either to live or dye ; for if J live , I hope J shall live a more godly life , and commit lesse sinne of I dye , I shall be freed from all sinne and ●●sery , whereof this world is very full : And so she ●●ose 〈◊〉 had the better part . And God was pleased to give her full assurance before her death : for hearing mention of the happinesse of heaven , she spake thus , I know that I shall very shortly see and enjoy it : which she did .

Sic mihi contingat vivere , sicque mori .

I thought it my duty to mention these vertues and graces of this sweet childe of God , my Text calling upon me so to doe .

As for her birth , Verse 30. and favour , and beauty , and riches , ( the holy Ghost telling us they are deceitfull and vaine ) I thought them not worthy so much as of mention .

Let that which hath beene said in her commendation , first , cause us all ( especially those who are of more yeares , and farre longer standing in the Schoole of Christianity ) to blush and be ashamed and confounded in our selves , that we should be thus outstript in knowledge , selfe-denyall , sanctification , devotion , and patience by such a babe in Christ , such a childe in yeares .

2 Let it stirre us up and provoke us to imitation : we reade that our Saviour tooke a childe , and set him in the midst of his Disciples , Math. 18.2.3 . and said unto them : Except ye be converted , and become as little children , ye shall not enter into the kingdome of heaven .

I have after our Saviours example set a childe in the midst of you , and doe assure you , that except ye become like it in those graces & vertues formerly mentioned , ye shall in no wise be saved : yea , this childe shall rise up in judgement against you at the last day , and so shall all her gratious speeches , which I have uttered from her mouth .

I will shut up all with a few words of exhortation , unto the worthy Parents of this vertuous childe .

Foure things I have ( right Worshipfull ) to exhort you unto .

1 To search and try your wayes . This we are to doe in what affliction soever we are . Lam. 3.39.40 . Wherefore ( saith the Church ) doth the living m●n complaine , a man for the punishment of his sinnes ? Let us search and try our wayes , and turne againe to the Lord . Desire of God , Iob 10.2 . as Iob did , to shew you wherefore he contended with you .

It may be the sinne was overloving of your childe ; for that is an ordinary fault even in the best Parent ▪ we see it in David , how exceedingly did hee love a naughty sonne , as appeareth by his excessive griefe at his death ? And the king was much moved , 2 Sam. 18.33 . and went up to the Chamber over the gate and wept : and 〈◊〉 he went thus , he said , O my sonne Absalom , my sonne , my sonne Absalom , would God I had dyed for thee ; O Absalom , my sonne , my sonne . It may be you had a male love to your childe , and offered a female to the Lord .

2 To be thankfull to Almighty God . Saint Paul exhorts us , in all things to give thankes , 1 Thes. 5 . 1● . Phil. 4.6 . Iob 1 . 2● . and to make our requests knowne unto God by prayer and supplication with thankesgiving . Iobs example is most worthy of your imitation , who at the losse of his Cattell , Servants , and Children , said , The Lord gave , and the Lord hath taken away , blessed be the name of the Lord .

More especially let me exhort you to thankesgiving to God for these three b●●ries .

〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Rom. 7.4 . 1 For making you instruments of bringing forth such a childe 〈◊〉 hath beene described . I may say to you , as Saint Paul in another case did to the Romans , Yee have brought forth fruit unto God .

2 For arming you with such courage and patience , in bearing so great a losse so quietly and obediently , and that you are come to see her committed to the ground , with as much cheerefulnesse , as the Husbandman sees his pretious seed cast into the earth , and covered with cloddes : which he values at as high a rate , as that which he reserves at home : as knowing that though her body lye a while in the grave , yet it shall shortly rise a glorious body , as the Apostle teacheth , Phil. 3.21 . Phil. 3.21 . Who shall change our vile body , that it may be fashioned like his glorious body : and shall shine forth as the Sunne , Math. 13.43 . in the kingdome of her Father .

3 For giving you such cause of patience , and ground of comfort .

1 In that he hath removed that thing from you , which might have stollen your hearts from him .

2 In that he gave you such assured evidences of grace in her , before her death ; and her assurance of salvation .

3 In taking her away so swee●ly , without the least paine or strugling .

4 In infusing such comforts into your soules , even in the time of her dissolution , that you m●●● rejoyced for her gaine , then sorrowed for your owne losse .

3 To draw nearer unto God , and to have more fellowship with him in his ordinances : and you shall finde the comfort of your childe in God , who will be better to you then ten daugthers : y●● , he will recompence your losses to you , if not in the same , 1 〈◊〉 1 . 1● yet in some other kinde , as he shall see it best●● his owne glory , and your comfort .

4 To bury all your sorrow for her , in the grave with her , and let it rise no more : Put on Davids resolution . While the childe was yet alive , I fasted and wept , 2 Sam. 12.22.23 . for I said , who can tell whether God will be gratious unto me , that the childe may live ? But now he is dead , wherefore should I fast ? can I bring him backe againe ? Goe hence with as much comfort , as if you had matched her to the greatest prince on earth . Doe as the wise man counselleth , Goe thy way , eate thy bread with joy , Eccles. 9. ●8 . and drinke thy wine with a merry heart , for God accepteth thy works . Let thy garments alwaies be white , and let thy head lacke no oyle .

You rejoyced on the day of her birth : why then rejoyce now ; for the day of death is the soules birth-day . And the Preacher telleth us ( speaking onely of such as she was ) That the day of their death is better then the day of their birth . Eccles. 7.1 .

I will conclude all with that advise of Nehemiah : Nehem. 8 , 10. Goe your way , mourne not , neither be sorry : for the joy of the Lord is your strength .

FINIS .