WHo Prov. 31. 10. can finde a vertuous woman? said the wise Solomon (who to his own proper share had no fewer than 1 King. 11. 3. a thousand of them to make Eccl. 7. 27, 28 tryal of) being so Prov. 31. 1. taught by his mo­ther, who by her communion with the sex, might have larger acquaintance with, and by reflecting on her self, deeper experience of the weaknesse and vanity of the generality of the female world: but when Prov. 18. 22. that good thing, that fav [...]ur, that Prov. 12. 4. Crown is found and obtained of the Lord, then is her price above rubies, and she to be Prov. 31. 28, 29, 30, 31. blessed and praised by her relations, and the chief of the peo­ple meeting in the gates while alive, lamented over when Act. 9. 36, 39. Gen. 23▪ 2. dead, and kept in memory after Gen. 35. 20, 48, 7. Mat. 26. 12, 13. Luke 1. 48. death: And it is by reason of the scarcity of such vertuous women, that in Scri­pture such special notice is taken of an 1 Pet. 3. 6.. obedient Sarah, a prudent, discreet 1 Sam. 25. Abigal, a 2 Sam. 20. [...]2 wise woman of A­bel, a Esther 4. 10. publick-spirited Hester, a 1 Sam 1, ch. 2. Luke 1. devout Hannah and Elizabeth; Luk. 1, ch. 2. the humble, yet most high woman, the Mother of our Lord, Luke 2. 38. and that excellent Gospel-news publisher Anna; Acts 16. 14. the tender-hearted Lydia, 2 Kings 4. 10 that liberal Shunamite, and those other charitable Luke 8. 2, 3. 21. 2. women in the New Testament: Phebe Rom. 16. 12. Mary, ver. 6. and Dorcas, Acts 9. 36. of the 1 Pet. 3. 5. Gen. 24. 65. modestly adorned holy women of old; of that private instructrix, Act. 18. 23, 26 Rom. 16 3. Pris­cilla the Tent-maker, together with Tryphena and Tryphosa, [Page 2] Rom. 16. 12. Lois and Eunice, 2 Tim. 1. 5. with 3. 15. of that repentant sinner, Luke 7. 37. that importunately bold be­lieving Syrophoenician, Mark 7. 24, 25, &c. and of the Luk. 10. 38. John 11. 5. loving and beloved Martha and Mary. And for the same rea­son did the Ancients and others record and celebrate women of special note in all Ages; as may be seen in the writings of Ludovicus Vi­des de instituti­onae Christiana foeminae. En­glished Anno 1547. Cor­nelius Agrippa▪ de nobilitate & praecellentia foeminei sexus: in English also Theatrum vita humanae▪ Bezer­liuck. vol. 8 lib M. Zwingeri. Theatrum vi­tae humana. The general Histo­ry of women, by Heywod. Mr. Clarks Examples, and second vol. of lives. The womans glory by Mr. Torshel. The English Gentlewoman by Mr. Braithwait. Opera Annae Mariae Aschurman. And who list may see more in Draudii Bibliotheca Tit. mulierum Commendati­ones Historic [...]; & T [...]t. vita Heroinarum. The Ladies vindication by Mr. Gerbier. those who have thought it worth the while to draw them toge­ther under one view: yea, and in this Nation, Mrs. Br [...]rghs life and death subjoyned to the two Funeral Sermons preached at her burial, by Mr. Harrison, and Mr. Leigh. The holy life and Christian death of Mrs. Stubs: Two Funeral Sermons of Mr Gataker; the one at the Funeral of Mrs. Rebecca Crisp; the other at the Funeral of Dr. Featlies wife. Mr. Nicholas Guy, his Narration of the life and death of Dr. Gouges wife. Dr. Doune, D. of Saint Pauls, Sermon of Comme­moration of the Lady Danvers. Mrs. Drake revived, shewing her strange case and cure; printed, 1647. Mr. Josselin at the Funeral of Mrs. Harlakendin. The life and death of Mrs Ratcliffe of Chester, by Mr. Ley one of the Assembly. Mr. Robinsons Sermon at Mrs. Barnidistons Funeral. Mr. Mantons, at Mrs. Blackwels. Dr. Spurstows at the Lady Honor Viners. Mr. Calamies at Mrs. Moors. Mr. Roberts at Mrs. Jacksons of Bristol. Mr. Shawes Narrative of his wifes life and death, recommended to the Reader by the Epistles of Mr. Manton, Mr. Heath-coat, Mr. Pool, and the consolatory verses of Mr Jenkin. Mr. Thomas Goodwins Sermon at the Funeral of the Lady Barrington; Mr Greenhill on Ezekiel vol. first, his Epistle Dedicatory to the late Princesse Elizabeth. And the many E­pistles Dedicatory to Ladies and Gentlewomen: Reve­rend Divines have judged it expedient and useful to propose some women as patterns to others; not as if they were the on­ly eminent, (for many dye, and their excellency goes away with­out any regarding it) but that in such a scarcity all may not be lost; for though holy women in educating their children, and go­verning their family, may yield a sweet favour to those about them; yet the lives (as Mr. In his Epistle before Mrs. Shawes l [...]e. Manton hath well observed) of Gods precious Saints (how private soever their station be) are ve­ry well worthy of record and publick notice, exhibiting not only a pattern and lively Transcript of Religion, (and truly now and then 'tis good to look upon Christs living Epistles) but also of much provocation and encouragement to holinesse.

[Page 3]Therefore it is also judged convenient to represent briefly, plainly and truly, the latter part of the life, and the deserved­ly lamented death of this, though not generally known, yet eminent Gentlewoman, Mrs. MARY BEWLEY; and that not so much out of private affection to her, (an object of purest and choicest love) or to preserve her memory, together with her sons among us, (for to whom of their relations, will they not Prov. 10. 7. Psal. 112 6. always smell fragrantly?) but chiefly to illustrate the glory of God, and to edifie the living; especially her kindred, friends and acquaintance, yea, so many of her sex as shall find leisure to read his short Narrative, in which they may finde some things worthy of imitation, observation and caution, and that both in her life, prosperous and afflicted, and in her sick­nesse and death.

Her life, not to insist on her modest and holy deportment while a 1 Cor. 7. 34. 2 Cor. 11. 2. Gen. 24. 65. Virgin; it sufficeth for a proof hereof, that she was much esteemed by Doctor Stoughton, and by him Rom. 16. 1. recom­mended to her now desolate husband, as a godly and meet con­sort for him: And that in her latter years it was a ground of fear to her, that she could not remember the time and manner of her conversion; though she had the testimony of her consci­ence, that through the whole course of her pilgrimage she had lo­ved and feared God, and had walked in all holy duties before him; a scruple sufficient to trouble a tender soul, but abundantly answered Eccl. 11. 5. & Ps. 139. 15, 16. with John 3. 8. Mark 4. 26, 27. Luk. 15. 13. - 17. with v. 31. from the holy Scriptures in the Writings and Ser­mons of our English Divines: Take therefore a prospect and view of her as a woman; in all her relations, in her holinesse, and in her behaviour under her late affliction; she was then,

A Gentlewoman docile, of quick apprehension, not like those silly women, who are ever learning, and still ignorant; She hath been observed to dispute with her son syllogistically, and to enlarge her discourse with him by the help of the Predi­caments, and to reply upon him in witty extemporary verse; she had a good understanding, and solid judgment, could both give (as sundry have experimented) and take counsel; she was prudent in her behaviour, far from lightnesse or moro­sity, but stately affable; 1 Tim. 5. 13. Prov. 19. 3. 27. 15. Prov. 31 26. Eccles. 3. 7. she was no tatler, no continu­al dropping, but opened her mouth with wisdome, and shut it [Page 4] with discretion, both when and where her judgment prompted her; she delighted not to tyre her hearers with an impertinent flux of words, or to Prov. 11. 13. 20. 19. 25. 9, 10. reveal those secrets which were com­mitted to her, but had a faithful spirit; and needed no seal for her lips to keep her self from shaeme, and others from trouble; and yet to give her her due, as a woman she was too much over­ruled with love and sorrow, care and fear about her near relations.

In all her relations; as,

A Childe. Prov. 4. 3. Her fathers darling while he lived, and her mothers delight since his death, alwayes loving and Prov. 23. 22. Ezek. 22. 7. dutiful to her, both in her behaviour, words and actions; who though she was eldest of all her mothers children, yet was most Luke 2. 51. obedient to her; comforting, cherishing and entertaining her, with her self, in her own home; and when she died, John 19. 27. recom­mended her in a special manner to her husband; so that now the reverend good mother, laments for her daughter as her emi­nently gracious childe, and one that never offended her, but fought God betimes.

A Wife. Known to be surpassing kind and loving to her hus­band, solicitous for Job 19. 17. his health, neglecting her own for to take care of his; 1 Sam. 25. Prov. 31. a wise manager of what part of his estate he committed to her: So that his heart trusted safely in her; for she did him good, and not evil, all the dayes of her life; counselling and assisting him both by pen and tongue; yea, with Abigail, sometimes 1 Sam 25. 36, 37. seasonably and discreetly admo­nishing him; comforting and chearing him up, for the law of kindnesse was in her mouth; keeping in her grief before him, though to her own prejudice, lest he should be grieved; wise­ly compliant with his will, and that in some things wherein many wives will have their will; loyal to him, See examples in Lewis Vives in English, Gen. 20. 16. Prov. 5. 19. delighting most in his company, and never taking pleasure to walk a­broad without him; being to him as the loving Hinde and plea­sant Roe; for all which her husband praised her, all commen­ded her, and some imitate her.

A Mother. Who her own self Other ex­amples see in the Authours already cited. instructed her only son to read even his Accidents, and like another 2 Tim. 1. 5. with 3. 15. Prov. 1. 8, 31, 1, 2, &c. Eunice, to know the Scriptures from a childe; framing and propound­ing such questions to him, as made him give a good account of [Page 5] the chief Histories in the Bible, she was in pain till she saw Christ formed in him; prayed daily for him, followed him with her wholesome counsel and wise reproofs, not conniving at the least imperfection or appearance of evil in him; ambitious to have him eminent and useful in that employment which he in­tended, often perswading him to be diligent, and therefore set­ting before him the deteltablenesse of the life of an idle Gen­tleman. What her true love to him was, and that though it was great, yet not foolish and sinful, may appear by this following letter, written to him foure months before his death. ‘ Dearly beloved Childe, I rejoyce exceedingly to hear of the welfare of thy body, and that thy outward man prospers; but the 2 Cor. 4. 16. Epist. 3. of Joh. ver. 2. flou­rishing of thy inward man, and the prosperity of thy soul, thy thriving in grace, how much this will adde both to the inward joy and outward contentment of her that bare thee, I want both time and words to expresse? And as God in his wise providence hath seen it good to give me but one to build my hopes upon, I hope the Lord Jesus hath both pur­chased and pray'd that this one Joh. 17. 21. may be one with himself, which ever hath been, and I hope shall be the prayer of thy most affectionate and endeared mother.’ As also this pas­sage in a letter of hers to his friend. ‘ Sir, one request more in the behalf of my Childe, to beg your earnest prayers that what you have endeavoured 1 Cor. 3. 7. to plant, God would water with the heavenly dew of his Spirit, that his soul may flourish, and you see of the travel of yours and be satisfied.’ And Isa. 53. 11. for this, her son most ardently loved her, most dutifully obeyed her, and arose up and blessed her: yet herein was she to be bla­med, that she was over-careful about him while he liv'd, and over-sorrowful when he dyed.

A Sister,] who as she had got the first-borns portion of parts, (as her son used to speak) so she did faithfully improve them for the good of her brethren and sisters, being a stay and sup­port to them all, advising them by word and letter, admo­nishing, and mildly reproving when need required; keeping them in the house with her, while unmarried, and together with her husband, (who is and hath engaged himself still to be kinde to all her relations) disposing of them in marriage; set­ting them a copy of obedience to their mother, love to their [Page 6] husbands, and of piety toward God, so that every one of them in particular are sensible of her death, before which also she expressed her love to them, in recommending them to her hus­band.

A Governess of family] Prov. 31. 27. 1 Tim. 5. 14. 1 Cor. 7. 34. that look't well to the wayes of her house, and that chiefly out of conscience, often com­plaining that her houshold encumbrances required so many of her thoughts, and so much of her time; her delight was to a­bide at home, not spending her time on needlesse and com­plemental Titus 2. 5. 1 Tim. 5. 13. visits, or in going about from house to house, being modest and reserved; the most of her converse being with her relations, and some few friends; which made her liable to be censured by some as proud, and loving to keep at distance, from which she was free in a good measure.

A Friend that Pov. 18. 24. 17. 17. 1 Joh. 3. 18. stuck closer than a brother, that lov'd at all times, especially when most need of her help, that loved not in word and in tongue only, but in deed and in truth; a friend courteous, sincere, affable, grateful, intimate, and another Jonathan to a David in her life and death; and 1 Sam. 18. 1. therefore may her friend weep over her as David did for Jona­than, 2 Sam. 1. 25.

Her holinesse did appear

In her Phil. 2. 15. 1 Pet. 3. 4. 1 Tim. 2. 9, 10. Conversation] which was blamelesse and harm­lesse, she being of a meek and quiet spirit, adorning her self as a woman professing godliness, not exceeding her husbands ranck, and professing that if it had not been for her husbands credit, (men now adayes being judged penurious if their Dames go not fine) she would not have put on some of her apparel; and was so far from Jer. 2. 32. Isa. 3. 18, 19, &c. priding her self in her cloaths, that she was often heard to say, What a burden and expence of time is this dressing and undressing? how hard is it to distinguish women professing godlinesse, from the pro­fane, by their outward garb! The fault is acknowledged, but how few reforme it?

In her delight in the Word preached] for she had an high esteem of, and special love to Scriptural preaching, and to those Sermons which by clear, full and pertinent Scripture­light, not only moved her affections, (wherewith most wo­men are satisfied) but solidly setled her judgment, increased [Page 7] her knowledge, and raised her soul. She heard with a Acts 17. 11 16. 14. Luke 8. 15. Jam. 1. 23, 24, 25. Heb. 2. 1. Berean spirit, and Lydias heart; did faithfully retain, and promptly repeat what she thus heard, and conscionably pra­ctise what she thus embraced. Sometime she refrained from writing in the Church, that she might exercise her memory, and be the more affected with what she heard, which after she came home she committed to writing.

In her great reverence and due respect to that great Ordi­nance of the Lords Supper, through godly jealousie 1 Cor. 11. 29. fea­ring to approach it, and solemnly preparing for it; and was hardly perswaded to go to it, the Sabbath day before she sick­ned, for fear lest her sorrow had indisposed, and made her actu­ally for the present unfit to partake of it; and yet said she, Why should I not go and remember the death of the Sonne of God, seeing I so sadly remember the death of my own sonne? and this it may be shall be the last I go to. And such was her esteem of this Ordinance, and such her tendernesse of spi­rit, that it troubled her in her sicknesse that she had been pre­vailed with to receive, though at length by the discourse of a Reverend Divine she was satisfied; and this may be a warning to all rash intruder's on, and undue preparers for that Ordi­nance.

In her care to sanctifie the Lords day, which she Exod. 20. 8. Nehem. 12. 19 Isa. 56. 4, 5, 6. re­membred the night before it came, and accordingly prepared for it; and when it came she sanctified it throughout; for be­sides publick and family duties, she used to retire oftner that day than on any other day; sometimes neglecting to eat that she might gain the more time to be private, either repeating what she heard that day, or questioning with her son about what he had read and heard; choosing rather to keep silence at table, than speak what was not Isa. 58. 13. sutable to the day; and did not curtilate the day by lying too long in the morning, or going too soon to bed at night; Amos 8. 5. or being wearied with it.

In the joy she took in spiritual conference, and the Rom. 1. 11, 12 Col. 3. 16. commu­nion of Saints; delighting to hear of the experiences of others, and Psal. 66. 16. freely communicating her own to those in whom she confided, often Acts 8. 34. asking direction how to read the Scri­pture with most advantage, and how to walk comfortably with God; often speaking of the love of God and Christ with tears [Page 8] in her eyes, and joy in her countenance; bewailing her not walking up to her knowledge, and the wandring of her thoughts in duty; talking with an holy disdain of the vanities of this life, and of the excellency of that to come; evidencing in her Christian conferences, knowledge of divine things in a Scri­tural straine, with holy affections.

In her valuing much Christians Rom. 15. 14. Gal. 6. 1. Gen. 4. 9. watching one over ano­ther, and therefore she could receive Psal. 141. 5. Prov. 27. 6. Prov. 25. 12. 1 Sam. 25. 32, 33. an admonition (e­ven for that in which she was most faulty, her distrustful fears and over-much passion) with meeknesse, thankfulnesse and re­formation, evident to beholders; and professed often that free and faithful admonition, was a most real Rev. 3. 19. token and endearment of love: And she also manifested her love to others in this kinde, yet with much wisdome, as suting her words, and timing the admonition so, that the offender without shame hath known his fault, and admired her masculine prudence; and yet even in this she hath bewailed her sinful bashfulnesse, that when in the company of other Gentlewomen, she hath not had the confidence to interrupt their poor, low discourse, and bring in more profitable and edifying. And indeed wo­men professing godlinesse should spend their time better when they meet, rather discoursing of Jesus Christ, and the Robe of his righteousnesse, than censuring, praising or dispraising such a person, or such a garb; and should study how to remedy their Read the con­ference betwixt Elizabeth and the Virgin Mary. Luke 1. own folly, than fo [...]lishly talk of the folly of others. And as thus she manifested her piety and walking with God in these publick Ordinances, and private duties, so also in secret (where there is lesse temptation to hypocrisie) she kept up communion with God.

In her Closet duties.] She was observed to be Mat. 6. 6. Dan. 6. 10. Mark 1. 35. Acts 10. 9. Zach. 12. 12, 13 1 Cor. 7. 5. frequent (not satisfying her self with Morning and Evening) every day in her Closet, and hath professed that she found great­est satisfaction when most there; and therefore was thought to neglect that sometime, which busie Luk. 10. 41, 42. house-wives keep a stir about; her weeping red eyes have manifested her ardent holy prayers: Ephes. 3. 14. she was careful to know to whom to direct her prayers, that she might not worship an unknown God; and after prayer she look't up for an answer, and with joy Psal. 5. 3. Psal. 34. 3, 4. hath taken special notice of the return of her prayers, looking on [Page 9] that duty not as a task, but as her priviledge, and the way of keeping up intercourse with heaven: and so much and ear­nest was she in this duty, that she hath not hudled up or abbreviated her requests to God, upon the pretence of o­ther businesses: Hence it was no small trouble to her in her sicknesse, (for the Divel can molest us with small matters) that in her health, one day begging hard something from God, one knocking at her Closet door, she (to avoid ostentation, and supposing earnest businesse) broke off her discourse with the God of heaven, to speak with a fellow-creature; (for so she charg'd her self) How may this shame the short superficial prayers of many, who are glad of distractions to satisfie their consciences in dispensing with Closet-duties! And as she thus poured out her soul before God, so she greatly delighted to read search, understand and meditate on the holy Scriptures, in which (for a woman) she was mighty; for she daily read, them, could not endure to read and not understand, and there­fore often Acts 8. 28, 29, &c. propounded the difficult passages she under­stood not, and craved others judgments to assist her; not neglecting her own Ps. 1. & 119. pondering and meditation, which she begun the last half year of her life to commit to writing, and which after much importunity she hath read to her husband and friend, to their great satisfaction; for therein she disco­vered her gifts and graces, knowledge and affection, excellent matter, handsomely composed, and all in Scripture-language, which being in short-hand writing can hardly be read, some of the Characters being of her own invention; but some of the Scriptures which were the subject of her meditation, are these, Psal. 73. 25, 26. Psal. 42. 11. Ephes. 5. 14. Heb. 9. 27. Gal. 2. 20. Psal. 77. 3. James 4. 6.

She hath also left in writing a collection out of the Psalmes. 1. Of the troubles inward and outward of the righ­teous. 2. Their good or bad deportment under them. 3. Their present support by faith and experience. 4. And the issue, and their happy deliverance out of them. She begun also to draw forth all the commendable vertues and noted vices of the women recorded in Scripture, that she might have the one for a pattern, the other for a beacon. Also she intended, and did begin to read over the whole Bible, that [Page 10] thence she might finde some mitigation of her sorrow by collecting all the presidents and promises which were suta­ble to her condition; and sundry other Manuscripts she hath left, which could they be read, might be proposed as a spurre to Gentlewomen, how to improve their much spare time.

In her inward graces] For the Kings daughter is chiefly Psal. 45. 13. Rom. 2, 28, 29 1 John 3. 9. Gal. 5. 22. glorious within. She had not only leafes and blossomes, but had the seed of God abiding in her, and was filled with the fruits of the Spirit. She had a godly fear and solicitude concerning the state of her soul, working out her salvation Acts 16. 30. Phil. 2. 12. with fear and trembling, and giving all diligence to make her calling and election sure. She was blessed with a large mea­sure of spiritual knowledge of God and Christ, and the Covenant of grace, and had good insight in the wayes of her own heart, and the vanity of the world. She had melting affections, sorrowing for sinne, and that she was 2 Cor. 7. 10. not more heavenly and fruitful, fearing to sinne against God, serving him with reverence and godly fear: had an Heb. 12. 28. intense and prevailing love to the Lord Jesus Christ, her heart leaping within her, to think on his love and under­taking, Luke 7. 47. and to speak of his praises; and of this love of God in Christ, (which is wonderful) she hath left a meditation, as by some words may be conjectured, but cannot all be read: And hence her love flowed out to the Saints, (those ex­cellent in the earth, in whom was her delight) without re­spect Psal. 16. 3. 1 Tim. 5. 10. of persons, doing very mean offices to some of them: And of this love of the Saints, she hath left in Italian hand, this meditation following; This Christian and well­grounded love, as it is a fruit of the Spirtt, for love is of Gal. 5. 22. 1 John 4. 17. God; and as it proceeds from him, so is it injoyned by him; this is my Commandment that ye love one another; nay, he John 15. 12. stiles it a new Commandment: It is not so much a Legal, as Evangelical Commandment, backed with a most transcendent John 13. 34. pattern, I have given you an example; and hereby perceive we John 13. 15. 1 John 4. 16. the love of God, that he laid down his life for us; yea, it bears the similitude of God, for God is love; and though its residence be in heaven, yet it hath an habitation in and with 1 John 4 8, 16 the sonnes of men; for he that dwells in love, dwells in God, [Page 11] and God in him; and when Christians walk in this praise­worthy Acts 2. 42, 46. Rom. 12. 9. 1 Pet. 1. 22. Heb. 6. 10. Gal. 5. 13. Heb. 13. 1. 1 Pet. 3. 8. Philem. 9. Heb. 10. 24. 1 Cor. 13. 1 Pet. 4. 8. Phil, 2. 3. Gal. 5. 26. Palace, then do they behold most of God. This love then is sincere, fervent, pure, serviceable, constant; and under the mantle thereof lie, teaching, free admonition, meekness, kindnesse, faith, and with this garment a multitude of sinnes are covered. She had zeal for God, witnesse her not spa­ring her dear sonne, but reproving him for the least arising of the least evil in him; and hath been heard to say, that she would not care for the enjoyment of him, if she had not seen something of God, and a tender conscience in him. She was humble, though naturally of a high spirit; often con­cealed her parts, and preferred others in love, neither pro­voking Gal. 6 3. nor envying others, nor thinking her self to be some­thing when she was nothing; and of this grace of humility, take this her own meditation written at large; Humility is a rare and singular grace, doth admirably adorn a Christi­an; 1 Pet. 3 4. Eccles. 8. 1. with Prov. 11. 2. 1 Pet▪ 5. 5. for if wisdome make the face to shine, then with the low­ly there is wisdome; it is like the gold and enamel about the pre­cious Diamond, sets it off with a magnificent lustre; it hath the promise of addition; an humble soul is an habitation for a holy God; and the Creator delights to dwell with the humble Isa. 57. 15. Job 22. 29. Luke 23. 27. 14. 11. Prov. 29. 23. Prov. 16. 18. 15. 33. 18. 12. Psal. 10. 17. 9. 12. 25. 9. Psal. 138. 6. 147. 6. Psal. 37. 11. Isa. 61. 1. Isa. 29. 19. Psal. 149. 4. 1 Pet. 5. 5. creature, and the Redeemer will save the humble person; for he humbled himself that sinners may be exalted; and if they humble themselves, he hath promised to exalt them; for ho­nour shall uphold the humble in spirit; as pride is an harbin­ger to destruction, so humility is a conduct to honour; great are the in-comes of an humble soul, riches, honour and life; and excellent their priviledges; for the Lord hears the de­sire of the humble, and forgets not their cry; they shall be taught the way of God, and guided by him in judgment; for the Lord hath respect to the lowly, and he lifteth up the meek, and they shall inherit the earth; good tydings shall be preached to them, and they shall increase their joy among men; for the Lord will beautifie them with salvation; therefore who would not be cloathed with that shining garment of humility? Ac­cording to the ability of a wife, she was not wanting in Almes-deeds, 2 Kings 4. 9, 10. prompting and encouraging her husband to lay out some of his Estate on pious uses, (especially since the death of her sonne) and perswading him not so much to [Page 12] look after an heir to keep up his name, as to do something Psal. 49. 11, 12. Job 29. 13. Luke 16. 9. that might cause the blessing of the poor to come upon him. She often professed that if she had more children, she would never be so saving and sparing to lay up for them, but would liberally do good; for God (said she) hath taught us the vanity of disquieting our selves in laying up riches, now not Psal. 39. 6. Eccles. 2. 18, 19 knowing whether he shall be a wise man or a fool that shall enjoy them. Let good women remember that all this is for their imitation. Now to proceed to the last thing in her life.

Her behaviour under her late tryal and affliction] Her sharp tryal and stinging affliction indeed, was the death of her only sonne, eighteen years old, who on the ninth of De­cember last, after eight dayes sicknesse dyed of the small pox; suddenly unlook't for by her, (being put in hopes by those who had more skill in that disease than her self, that there was no apparent danger) and she a spectator of the as­saults of death. What Parent is not filled with sorrow for the losse of one son? even a Prince that prevailed with Hosea 12. 3. God, yet cannot overcome his sorrow, for the absence of one Joseph, though more than ten sons rose up to comfort Gen. 32. 28. with Gen. 37. 34, 35. him; did not Christs bowels yearn toward that weeping mo­ther who had lost her only childe? Luke 7. 12. And doth not the Scripture hold it forth to be the greatest of sorrows, Jer. 6. 26. Amos 8. 10. Zech. 12. 10. if Naomi change her name into Marah, Ruth 1. 20. for such a losse; if that noble and good Shunamites soul be vexed in her, 2 Kings 4. 20, 27. for her lads death; and if Rachel weep for her children, and won't be comforted, because they are not, Matth. 2. 18. if a gallant King David lie in the dust for a new-born childe, 2 Sam. 12. 16. and womanishly lament for his rebellious sonne, 2 Sam. 18. 33. What indulgence, pity and compassion must be shewed to this Gentlewoman, who lost her childe, her only childe, her sonne, her only sonne, at such an age in such a way, the sonne of her vowes, of her prayers, of her cares, the object of her love, her hope and ex­pectation; a loving, obedient, industrious, ingenious, holy son; (as was in the w [...]rds of truth and soberness represented in his Funeral Sermon by the Reverend Mr. Clarke) not any more [Page 13] to converse with him in the Land of the living, or see his face any more; put but your soul in her souls stead, (as she used to say) and then blame her if you can. This losse in­deed struck her to the heart, so that she wanted tears to ex­press her grief; and though her passion rose high, yet had she no such impatient expressions as even good men and wo­men have let go from them; for these following were her sharpest, the day and night after her sons death; O is he gone! shall I see him no more! a pleasant childe, O my sonne, my sonne, of whom I was not worthy, whom I have sinned away with my cares and fears! a bitter potion, a a bitter potion; but its my God, my Father that hath done it! O what have I done that hath procured this? I must be some great sinner, (but here she stop't, when she re­membred Dr. Spurstowe and Mr. Ash, who had lost their only sons) O God, tell me why thou hast thus smitten me? Could no other rod but this do me good? not my will, but thine be done, wise and just God? Would you have thought (said she to standers by) that I had lov'd a creature so much? I have had a deceitful heart, I am sure I did not love him better than Christ; for I have abhorred the least sin in him, and would not commit the least sin to have him alive again. Oh Let us in time improve one anothers socie­ty; for here we have no abi­ding, Joh. 9..4. that I had been worthy to have known this his so sudden de­parture; how should I have conversed with him these months past; what spiritual and heavenly discourses should we have had: and how should I have ripened him for heaven! but now he is gone; and must it be so? O God make me submissive to thy will: O stubborn heart yield, yield, O God bring down this stubborn heart; pray tell me (said she to a friend) if I speak unadvisedly with my lips; my grief is great, Lord keep me from dishonouring him. And as thus she entertained the affliction at the first, so her heavinesse till the seventeenth of January (the night of her sicknesse) was continual, sel­dome did abate, except when she had been at prayer alone, or reading the Scripture, or hearing some comforts administred to her, which in her judgment she closed with, but could not becalme her passions by them. Some Scriptures brought her ease by holding forth her condition, as Psalmes 38. 102. 77. 88. Job 1. 2. and 3. chapt. Job 6. 2, 3. - 7. 3, 4. [Page 14] Job 10. 15. - 19. 21. The consideration of holy men, their sad afflictions, and distemper of spirit under them, did keep her from thinking too badly of her self. Other Scri­ptures quieted her spirit sometimes, as holding forth argu­ments for submission and patience, as Rom. 9. 20. Job 11. 6, 7. - 12. 14. - 13. 15, 16. - 33. 13. - 34. 13, 14, 15, 29, 33. Psal. 46. 10. Dan. 4. 35. Psal. 55. 22. Nahum from ver. 1. to 10. Rom. 11. 34. Isa. 40. 13, 14. Matth. 26. 42. Jer. 44. 28. Lev. 26. 41, 42. Lam. 3. 29. 30. Jer. 18. 1, - 6. Job 23. 13. - 9. 4. - 38. 2. Nehem. 9. 33. Ezek. 18. 25. Exod. 3. 17. Judg. 10. 16. and these ex­amples in Lev. 10. 3. 1 Sam. 3. 17. 2 Sam. 12. 26. Gen. 23. 2, 3. Isa. 39. 7, 8. and other Scriptures diverted her thoughts for the time, as Col. 1. Heb. 12. John 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. chapt. 1 Pet. 1. Rom. 5. 1, - 12. Rom. 8. chap. Mat. 11. 25. to the end. Rev. 1. 4, - 9. the 2. and 3. chapters of the Revelations, and chap. 5. from 9. to the end; and chap. 7. from the 13. to the end; and the 22. 17, 20. 1 Joh. 1. & 2. And the History of Christs passion recorded in the foure Evangelists; ( which also she usually read and meditated on before she went to the Sacrament) and truly, a lively di­scourse of Jesus Christ did more quiet her, than direct storm­ing her passion; for then she could shed tears, and then she could chide her self for so much grieving for a creature, and then forbear to speak of her son: for either God or her son was the subject of her talk and thoughts.

That wherein this holy woman failed, and for which her friends blamed her, ( which may be a warning to Chri­stian mothers) was, she did not speedily and chearfully sub­mit to the will of God, and acquiesce in his declared good pleasure; bur pored too much on her sons death, and the small circumstances thereof, imputing his death one while to this, another while to that omission, and so did create more trouble to her self, by putting her thoughts on the rack; and though in her judgment she condemned these her thoughts, and called them her burden, and wish't to be gone from them; yet could she not withstand them: the subtle and cruel Adversary no doubt play'd his game by his injections and phantasmes, which she suspected and bemoaned; and [Page 15] indeed otherwise such an understanding woman could not have been pestered with such petty trivial thoughts. She lost ap­petite to her food, and sleep departed from her eyes, and by day she neither could nor would use any diversions, and took but too little comfort in the mercies God had left her; was full of thoughts, and had few words, Dr. Reynolds Treatise of the passions, chap. 22. of sorrow. Charron of wis­dome chap. 31. of heavinesse of heart. all which made way for her sicknesse and death, which was a malig­nant feaver, and vapours of the mother, followed with convul­sion fits: The last thing then to be spoken to, is,

Her sicknesse and death;

On the first assault of her sicknesse she apprehended death would follow, and that which she had more than once (too ha­stily) desired, would now in earnest make speed: Therefore her first and greatest care was ( setting now aside all thoughts of her son; for God will whip his own out of their sins) to settle the affairs of her everlasting peace, and to secure all things 'twixt God and her soul: Her nexr work was to review her five weeks carriage under her affliction, upon which she sor­rowed most of all that she had not glorified God more in her suffering, that she, wearied of life, had been so thought­ful about her sons death, and that the consolations which were administred to her, had done her no more good, and that by neglect of her body and lawful diversions, she had made way for this her painful sickness: wherein she saw the vanity of her former anxiety concerning her sons death; for those medicines which (prudently) were omitted to him, were administred to her self; and did only help her to dye the more sensibly, and with the more pain: she exhorted others to learn by her example, to beware of setting their hearts on any crea­ture, and that they would strive to glorifie God while they live, that they would redeem their time, and make their ac­quaintance and peace with God before they lye down on their death-bed. During her sicknesse, she had great bodily pain, (so that she seldome slept) and no small trouble of mind concerning her future estate, being assaulted in her weak­nesse by that slie, roaring and cowardly Divel, whom she o­vercame by the Lamb of God (in which expression she de­lighted) that taketh away the sins of the world; and though John 1. 29. she complained for want of assurance, and the comfort that [Page 16] doth attend it, yet she did receive, look to, embrace and John 1. 12. 3. 14. Heb. 11. 13. Heb. 6. 19, 20. Mat. 22. 37. Acts 11. 23. Luke 1. 75. Psal. 63. 3. Phil. 33. Heb. 2. 17. 1 John 3. 8. anchor her hope on Christ, and durst appeal from Satan un­to God, that she had lov'd him with all her heart, and had endeavoured (through much weaknesse said she) to walk before him in righteousness and holiness, and that she had prized his favour before life, and would not adventure on the least sinne for all imaginable contentment; she satisfied her self in the satisfaction of Christ, and in that he was a merciful and faithful high Priest, that came to destroy the works of the Divel. And if in the height of her bodily distemper, (the vapours fuming up to her head) she spake any thing amisse of her self (which is no See Psal. 22. 38. 77. 88. Job. Isa. 49. 14. Mat. 27. 46. Perkins vol. 1. page 290. 491. 492. vol. 3. pag. 407. Greenham, page 9. 81. Mrs. Bret­terghs life, and her Fune­ral Sermons, in 8. Mr. Boltons in­structions for troubled con­setences. p. 232. 236, &c. Dr. Spurstowe on the Promi­ses, chap. 15. new thing, and its better to go out of the world, troubled, than lulled by Satan; in a holy sollicitude, than in a carnal security) she afterward remem­bred and bemoaned it; and acknowledged that God was a holy and just Soveraign, in letting her finde he had sharper rods for his people than the death of a sonne, and that it is folly to stand it out against God. All Sabbath night she put away sleep, and prepared to launch into that boundlesse Oce­an, eternity; and therefore proposed all her objections, fears and doubts, that she might have resolution; laid open the temptations of the Divel, that she might know how to re­pel them; and freely confessed all her sinnes, (in some of which most live without taking much notice of them) which her tender conscience aggravated to the full; and when she could not remember any moe, she begg'd a friend to help her in this her search, and when he could not, then she turned her speech to God, saying, O thou God search me, and try me, and let me not dye in one unrepented for sin, let me not deceive my self, O gracious God what shall I do? I will anchor my faith on Jesus, who hath been favourable to others, and why not to me? She prayed earnestly for pardon of sinne, and that she might have her soul for a prey: And of this she expressed her hope, hoping that she had all her hell in this life, (meaning that nights agony) and that notwith­standing all her fears, she should go to heaven, comforting her self in the remembrance of a most holy upright old Disciple, Mr. Trench. who had gone to heaven without assurance; (what a joy doth she now finde in being delivered from all her fears, and [Page 17] how greatly doth it set off heaven, to travel to it through the Suburbs of hell!) and now all her doubts and temptations be­ing answered, and she silenc't, she did rest all Monday satisfied in great calmnesse of minde, giving directions concerning her body after death, and other affairs, and was not heard after that nights conflict, to speak doubtfully or fearfully of her eternal salvation. About seven of the clock at night, finding her con­vulsion fit to seize on her, she desired one to pray with her, and after being asked if she heard, and had joyned in spirit? answered yea; And I thank God I have delighted in prayer. One desiring her to speak something of Jesus Christ, she knowingly and affectionately spake of his natures and offi­ces; and afterward taking a draught of cordial jullep, she paused, and shut her eyes, (as she was wont to do) to beg a blessing on it, and being asked her thoughts, answe­red feelingly, giving thanks unto the Father who hath made Col. 1. 12. us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in light. And so the convulsion fit encreasing, and the pangs of death catching hold of her, and she talking a little of her dear sonne and husband, betwixt one and two of the clock became speechlesse, and then one asking her whether her thoughts were not now on God and Christ, she lifted up her eyes and hands, and offered to speak, but could not, and so slept quietly in the Lord, the first of February, 1658/9. and the thirty sixth year of her age; the seventh week after her sons death, and was with honour laid in the same grave with him: Mr. Ley preaching her Funeral Sermon.

And thus this true relation is left to the application of every tender-hearted mother, and wise woman. May it prove serviceable to those ends, for which this precious Gentlewoman only desired life, even to publish the Sovereignty, Wisdome, Equity, Power and Love of her God: Who though when she died, desired that nothing might be spoken at her Funeral, (such was her self-denial) and though now she be incessantly night and day praising, adoring, and admiring God without imperfection; yet if she have any leisure to look off Jesus Christ, and have any knowledge of what is done here below; it will satisfie her greatly that God is glorified by her memory on earth, in stirring up women to [Page 18] imitate what was praise-worthy in her, and in warning them to moderate their love, fear and sorrow, and to pitch their affections on never fading objects. He that testifyeth these things, knoweth that he saith true, and would not willingly (through grace) make a lye, to uphold the reputation, or pre­serve the lives of the best, and most deserving women in the world.