Part 2

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his Saints: It is but a passage to a far more desirable state. They who depart hence disappear, but are not lost; They sleep, but are not dead forever. Their Spirits vanish not into soft Air, but are committed into his hands, who is able to keep, and will restore them faithfully to their Bodies at the last day. Blessed then are they, who having seen an end of their sufferings, having laid aside their earthly Houses, in which being burden’d they groan’d, shall then receive the end of their Faith, the Salvation of their Souls. Then they, arriv’d in a safe Haven, in a place of Everlasting Rest, shall with Joy look back on what they have been deliver’d from, and with amazement on what they are admitted to. They shall bless the God and Father of our Lord Jesus, for freeing them from the Tribulations and Persecutions, which they either long endur’d, justly fear’d, or from their Heart pitied in their Brethren: then they shall no more tremble under the Chastisements of a Father, or the Judgments of an offended God: Then all Tears will be wip’d away, and all possibility of Grief will cease. Then they shall no more labour under the burden of Years, or more grievous weight of Sins: They shall not cry out, _Wo is me_, _that my soul hath long dwelt with them that hate peace_. Or, _O wretched man that I am_, _who shall deliver me from the body of this death_? But then they shall see that their light Afflictions which were but for a moment, shall work for them, _a far more exceeding_, _eternal weight of glory_: When the Sun of Righteousness shining on them, shall make them shine as Suns in the Kingdom: When they shall always be with Christ, and not see darkly as in a Glass, but face to face see God as he is, who then will be all in all.

For the accomplishment of this hope, the Righteous wait, looking into the Grave without astonishment, as seeing beyond that Gulf, the place where Mortality shall be swallowed up of Life: And therefore when others tremble hearing of the Worm that shall never die, the Fire that never shall be extinguisht, and the dying that shall never end, the true Disciples of our Lord incourage themselves with the assurance of their going into their Countrey above, and entring into a Building, not made with hands, everlasting in the Heavens: That they shall be admitted into Paradise, where no tempter shall come, no Sin shall endanger their Blessedness; but they shall be with Christ, that they may behold and enjoy the Glory to which God hath exalted him. In this perswasion the Primitive Christians used at the Funerals of Martyrs and Confessors, with great joy to sing Psalms and Hymns of Thanksgiving, thereby shewing that they firmly believed that those Servants of Christ had received the Reward of their Sufferings: They carried also Lights burning before their Corps, as before Conquerors, blessing God for crowning departed Saints with rays of the same Glory wherein their Redeemer shin’d; and hoping that following the same steps, they should partake of the same Happiness.

But it is not only the blessed state of the Souls of the Righteous which makes their latter end to be desirable; but that also of their Bodies: They, tho committed to the Earth, tho laid in the Dust, rest in Hope: They do but wait for the sound of the Trumpet of the Archangel of God; and then they shall be raised never more to see Corruption; when the hour shall come, in which the Grave shall give up its Dead, and the Sea shall very faithfully give up its Dead.

As certain as Christ our first-fruits is risen, as He the First-born from the Dead, (however once despised, crucified, committed to the Sepulchre) in his Humanity is at the Right Hand of the Father, so certain will be the Resurrection of all Mankind: The hour is coming in which all that are in their Graves, shall hear his voice, and shall come forth: _They that have done evil to the Resurrection of Damnation_, _and they that have done well to the Resurrection of Life_. This is the blessed conclusion of their Days, who for the Merits of their Saviour are accepted as Righteous before God: This Death is surely to be desired, and everyone from his heart may pray, _May my latter end be like his_.

But if we would not have this prove a meer fruitless Wish, as it was to _Balaam_; if we would not have our desire, like that of the sluggards, kill us; whoever long for the death of the Righteous, must live his Life. You have heard that his diseases, or griefs, or agonies in departure, are not usually less, or easier, than those of other Men: But his Peace of Mind, his Joy in Conscience, his resignation to God’s Will, and above all, his Faith in the blessed Jesus, (that by it being justified, he shall also be glorified) These make his latter end desirable. Imitate we then their Conversation, whose Death we covet; exercise we our selves to have a Conscience void of Offence towards God, and towards Man; mortifying our Corruptions, and dying to the World before we leave it: And then when our race is finish’d, when we have fought the good fight, doubt we not but the righteous Judge will _give us the crown of life_, _which he hath prepar’d for all that love his appearance_.

In Belief that this Honourable Person liv’d the Life, and died the Death of the Righteous, we pay this respect, and give this Testimony to her Pious Memory: _Mourning as they who have hope_, and assur’d that such as _sleep in the Lord_ shall _be partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in Light_. For such our charitable Hope, we have here very Christian grounds, and would to God, That for all to whom we perform the like last Offices, we had the like comfortable Prospect. Give me leave, for the glory of God’s Grace, and the Edification (as it is design’d) of such as hear, especially of the same Sex, to give some short account why she may justly be proposed for an example, and the conclusion of her days be wish’d for. As the outward advantages which this Noble Lady enjoy’d, were visibly eminent, and in the eye of the World valuable, as Birth, Youth, Beauty and Honourable Relation: So the endowments of her Soul are represented as far more to be esteem’d, and accordingly would have shin’d forth if her modesty had not veil’d them. They who knew her from her infancy, assure us, that she had the early blessing of a Religious Education: That she could not remember the time that she began to serve, to pray to, and to praise God; That betimes there appear’d signs of a sanctified Nature in her younger behaviour: That she _remember’d her Creator in the days of her youth_, and even then _laid a foundation for the life to come_: That a more beautiful mind shewing it self adorn’d with all the Vertues of her Sex, added still Lustre to outward comeliness; and growing in stature she grew in favour with God and her Parents. That, that fair Morning was overcast with no Clouds, no Tears were shed for any unhappy blemishes of heedless Youth. That the more she experienc’d and tasted in her Soul how good the ways of God were, and what peace of Conscience and serenity of Mind, arose from them, the more she delighted in God, and in Religious Duties: That this her practice of True Piety influenc’d all her Words and Conversation: So that as the Vertuous Woman, _She opened her mouth with wisdom_, _and in her tongue was the law of kindness_.

The Rules of her Life, which she had written, and I have read, were confirm’d and approv’d by her constant observance of them: In them how truly a Christian course did she prescribe to her self? How truly to be recommended from this place? Enjoyning her self to be sure to begin the day with the praises of God for his preservation of her in the night; and with earnest Prayers to be kept in his Fear, and under his Protection all that Day: To read the _Psalms_ and portions of Scripture appointed for the Day; by which she might be made wise to Eternal Salvation: To meditate on it, in order to improve in godliness and all respective duties to her Maker, and all others: Then not to suffer the remaining hours to be wasted in vain amusements, or over-curious dressing; but setting to such Work as became her Sex, and was useful in her condition: _So her works_ (as the wise Womans) _praised her_, _and the ways of her houshold they commended her_. And having past the Morning in vertuous Employment; at a set time in the Afternoon she retired to Prayer, and Reading, and Meditating: And in the Evening, surveyed her Actions, and examin’d them, as strictly as any domestick accounts: Then offer’d her Evening Sacrifice of Praise for the Mercies of the day past, and by Prayer recommended her Body, Soul, and Spirit to the same God, for the safety and refreshments of the night, and lay down to sleep, as one who might wake in Eternity.

Moreover, what was practised in secret, and in the closet, broke forth and manifested it self in the publick Service of God. For how remarkable was her very reverend deportment in his House? How full of awe meet for the place of his more special Presence, and the celebration of his most Holy Mysteries and Sacraments? no straying looks, no contrivances for utmost ease, no sign of thoughts wandring far from his Service: But a seriousness sutable to the gravest of years, and a devotion as might have become her, if she had known how soon she was to appear in Spirit before the Living God.

Such exemplariness in all Vertue and Piety, as it appear’d betimes, so it ended not but with her last. What was so laudably begun, was steadily and happily prosecuted; insomuch, That if we reckon her stay on Earth by her proficiency in what was worthy of Praise and of good report we shall scarce believe that her course was finisht at Eighteen: In years so subject to frailty, wilfulness and folly; and in an age so addicted to Pride, excess of Vanity, and indifference for Religion.

But here we may be ready to expostulate, Why was so excellent a Christian so soon, why so suddenly snatcht away? Why only shew’d, and begun to be known here, and then hastily remov’d? Altho it be sufficient in general, to answer, It is the Lord’s doing, and therefore it is as it ought to be: Yet hath God in his Word revealed very satisfactory reasons for such his dealings: He hath let us know that the Righteous are often _taken away_, (not in wrath, but in mercy) _from the evil to come_: That they are recalled from a place of danger; That they are thereby secured from any hazard of their future Blessedness: Above all we are sure that no departed Soul will complain of being too soon removed hence into Heaven. That _Abel_ the first of _Adam’s_ Sons who pleased God, died by a hidden stroke, tho the youngest: and that that Patriarch who walkt with God was translated hence, before he had seen half the days of some of them who lived before the Flood: And that the Son of _Jeroboam_, _Abijah_, died a Child, because in him was found some good toward the Lord God of _Israel_. Therefore the Righteous are never prevented with Death, for they are in rest. For, Honourable Age is not that which standeth in length of time, nor that is measur’d by number of years, but Wisdom is the grey head, and an unspotted Life is old Age. So that in this occasion may we not apply what is said of _Enoch_? She pleased God, and was beloved of him, so that living among sinners she was translated: yea speedily was she taken away, lest that Wickedness should alter her Understanding, or deceit beguile her Soul. Therefore being soon consummated, she fulfilled a long time; and Youth being soon perfected, riseth up in judgment against the many years and old Age of the Unrighteous. Whoever then have lived so well, may be reputed old; since they have lived to a blessed purpose: If many of 70, or 80 years, are to count no more of their time, than what they have spent according to their Duty, they will prove much younger than this Pious Person; many grey heads will be _found Infants of days_. Therefore this deceased Christian having answered the end for which God sent her into the World, having been faithful in the talent of Time, however little, that was intruded with her; she is as truly Blessed, as any devout Woman, who may have waited longest in the Temple of God, _for the redemption of Israel_: For, surely those Persons die not untimely who expire into Happiness, and they have lived to the truest Old Age, who live with God to all Eternity.

Neither will the suddenness her death (by Convulsions which seized her Intellectuals and Vitals at once) cause her latter end not to be wisht for.

Indeed in the Litany of our Church we pray against sudden death; not that the Salvation of all who so die, is therefore questionable; but because such a Death is too often liable to rash and uncharitable censures: and because a leasurable dissolution affords time to perfect Repentance, to pass an uncorrupt Judgment on the pleasures of Sin and the Vanities of the World; and by disingaging the Soul from sensible Objects, dissposeth it for entrance into a Blessed Eternity. However, They who order their Conversation every day as if it were their last, are never surprised; their future condition is not doubtful. Quick riddance out of Life may be requested by such Christians, and be bestowed on them as a benefit.

Since then the sentence was to be underwent, the speedy execution of it was desirable, in behalf of a person provided against it; and it may be reputed a favour that she was hastily taken away. Thereby she was excused from the apprehensions which fore-run Death, and make it more dreadful; she indur’d not the languishings, their irksom Days, and worse Nights, that by slow degrees wast such as are Consumptive: nor did she tremble at the violent assaults, and racking Torments of tedious, often returning Diseases. She was spar’d the grief, which would have pierc’d her Soul, of beholding the tears, the unfeigned sorrow, and distraction, of an afflicted, disconsolate Father, for his beloved, for his only Child, in that very moment wherein he expected the happy increase of his Posterity. And more especially, in parting from her Noble Lord, she was excused Agonies, which only could exceed those which she lately felt, (which were almost mortal) when he for a few months was obliged to leave her.

But hereby how doth God warn all, Young no less than aged Christians, what a necessity there is of a daily watchfulness, and how blessed it is to be constantly serious and devout? What a condition are they in, who by a like stroke are hurried away in the prime of their strength, and the heighth of their sins? What had the danger of her Eternal Salvation been, if at that time, in that extremity, she had been to begin to call upon God, and to learn the practice of her Duty to him, just when she was summon’d to appear before his judgment Seat? How happy was it for her, That the _Lord came at an hour_, _that he was not lookt for_; she was found _as a good and faithful servant_: and therefore might look to _enter into the joy of her Master_. To her then, _to live was Christ_, _and to die gain_.

But the loss is to the survivors; great cause had a Father to desire that such a Child should live to be a comfort to his Age, and pay her last duty to his Memory: He knew her worth, and he blest God for her; and hath as just cause, as ever any Parent had, to lament her Death: and yet he declares that if he might by his wish, he would not for his own advantage, do her the wrong to recal her into Life, causing her to leave that place of happiness into which he firmly believes her Spirit is receiv’d. And as her Noble Lord still increas’d his esteem and Love, the more he observ’d her discreet, Vertuous and Pious Deportment: So in that her surprising danger, he shew’d an unfeign’d concern; nothing was spar’d, no cost, no assistance that might relieve her Pains, or retrieve her Health. And when the last moments, when the appointed Change came, that undaunted, that approved Valour was overcome; he abandon’d himself to Grief, and confest that in this appearance Death was, even to him, exceeding terrible: And, as her concern for his Honour surmounted her Affection, and restrain’d her from desiring his stay at home last Summer, when his duty called him to the War abroad: So, his unquestionable Resolution was not able to hold in his Tears for this Loss, and to suppress any of the violences of Grief, by which in his Death she would have been transported.

Neither may only such as are Relations be concern’d in so mournful an occasion: Humanity may engage us to lament so great worth in the flower of Youth taken away, without any Branch or off-set left: and Christianity may teach us to bewail the removal of a Light that began to shine so brightly in the midst of us, promising to be an ornament and blessing to the place. But, as to her self, (if the Spirits of the Just departed hence, are allowed to know what is done here on earth, and were permitted to speak to their surviving friends) she would intreat them to moderate their Lamentations: shewing their respects to the deceased, by honouring her in the imitation of what is well pleasing to God, and tends to his Glory and their own Salvation. And therefore whoever of the same Sex, value her character, and desire the same in the like occasion, may they let their adorning be, not the outward one _of plaiting the hair_, _and of wearing of gold_, _and putting on of apparel_, _but let it be the hidden man of the heart_, _the ornament of a quiet and meek spirit_. An abstinence from all appearance of Evil, a jealousie over all their behaviour, and the beauty of holiness. These Graces will be always of great price, (tho Favour be deceitful, Comeliness soon blasted, and Portions flown away) They who abound in these, will be dear to their Parents, beloved by their Husbands, respected by all that value Goodness, blest in the Children, lamented in their Deaths, and above all, together with the Saints, heirs of the Grace of Life Eternal.

Wherefore since we know that all things come to an end, and that the time of our departure may be near, it concerns all who have daily intimations of their Mortality, to consider what will stand them in stead after a very transitory Life: And therefore to _work out their salvation with fear __and trembling_, whilst it is called to day; while they have the Light. For there is _no device_, _nor knowledge_, _nor work_, _nor wisdom in the grave_, _whither we all go_. They then will be found wise, who have lived, as if they designed chiefly to save their Souls; _setting their affections on things above_, and not on a world whose _fashion so soon passeth away_: and who, as this Religious Person, _are rich in Faith_, _and full of good works_, which will accompany them beyond the Grave.

If we make this good use of the constant admonitions which are given to us, who are yet in the land of the Living, or rather in the land of the Dying: If we bless him for the examples of such as have been Lights in the midst of perverse generations: If we chiefly bless him, for begetting _us to a lively hope of an inheritance incorruptible reserved in the Heavens_, _through the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead_. Then _shall we live_, Then _shall we also die_, _unto the Lord_; and as sure _as Jesus died_, _and rose again_, _even so them that sleep with Jesus will God bring with him_; _when the Spirits of just men shall be made perfect_, _and when with the General Assembly_, _and Church of the First-born_, in Heaven, they stall ascribe to Father, Son and Holy Ghost, all Honour, and Glory, and Salvation, for ever.

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_FINIS._