A26870:62
A breviate of the life of Margaret, the daughter of Francis Charlton ... and…
A breviate of the life of Margaret, the daughter of Francis Charlton ... and wife of Richard Baxter ... : there is also published the character of her mother, truly described in her published funeral sermon, reprinted at her daughters request, called, The last work of a believer, his passing-prayer recommending his departing spirit to Christ, to be received by him.
London: printed for B. Simmons, 1681
Chapter 3: The workings of her soul in and after this Sickness.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
§. 1. SHE being of too timorous and tender a nature, and the sharp work of her Repentance being yet upon her spirit; for Death to come and seem to summon her away to Eternity at such a season and unsettled state, must needs greatly increase her fears, when the strongest long experienced Christians find it no easy work to dye in peace, and willing resignation. But she had still a concealing temper, which made it never the easier within.
§. 1. SHE being of too timerous and tender a nature, and the sharp work of her Repentance being yet upon her spirit; for Death to come and seem to summon her away to Eternity at such a season and unsetled state, must needs greatly encrease her fears, when the strongest long experienced Christians find it no easie work to dye in peace, and willing resignation. But she had still a concealing temper, which made it never the easier within.
§. 2. When God had recovered her, her Mother ⟨p. 10⟩invited those that fasted and prayed for her, to keep a Day of Thanksgiving for her Deliverance. I asked her what she would have us give thanks for particularly? And in the morning as we began, she (that was recovered) gave us in this following Paper.
MY life hath been a life of very great mercies, and these have aggravated my sin in overlooking them. Some of those which God hath most affected my heart with, I shall here mention; but alas! with a heart very insensible of the greatness of them. 1. My Mothers restoration first I thank God did for; and next, for many Mercies of mine own. Four times before this, I have been delivered from great danger of death. And now I desire to acknowledge his mercy in delivering me from this death threatening disease, and that in answer to prayers I am here now in competent health to speak of the goodness of the Lord. 2. I desire to acknowledge it a mercy that God afflict me; and though I cannot with the Psalmist say, but now I keep thy statutes; I can say, before I was afflicted I went astray. And how many great sins God hath prevented by this affliction, I cannot tell; but am sure that God hath dealt very graciously with me; and I have had many comforts in my sufferings, which God hath not given to many of his beloved ones. 3. I desire to acknowledge Gods great mercy to me in bringing me to this Town, under so useful means of Grace; and that at such a time when I was even ready to engage in a course of sin and vanity,