A26870:72
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.
The whole world is but a house where Gods children dwell a little while, till he hath fitted them for the heavenly Mansions; and if he send them out of one room into another to do his work, and try their obedience; and if he put some in the darkest corners of his house, to keep them humble, though he separate those that are most beloved of each other, it is but that they may not love so much as to be loth to part and come to him who should have all their love. However it fareth with his children in this house (or howling wilderness) the time will come, and is at hand, when all the children shall be separate from the Rebels, and be called home to dwell with their Father, their Head and Husband; and the elect shall all be gathered into one. Then farewell sorrow, farewell hard heart! farewell tears and sad repentance! And then blessed Saints that have believed and obeyed! Never so unworthy, crowned thou must ⟨p. 21⟩be! This was the project of redeeming-love! When the Lord shall take our carcasses from the grave, and make us shine as the Sun in glory; then, then shall friends meet and never part, and remember their sad and weary nights and days no more! Then may we love freely! What now is wanting to dispel all sorrow from my heart! Nothing but the greater hopes that I shall be one of this number. This, this can do it. No matter if I had no friend near me, and none on earth; if God be not far from me, it's well enough; and whatever here befalls the Church and people of God, it's but as for one day, and presently the storm will be all over. Let me therefore cast all my care on God: Let me wait on him in the way of duty, and trust him: let me run with patience the race that is set before me, looking to Jesus the Author and finisher of my faith, and believingly go to him in all my troubles; and let me so labour here, that I may find rest to my soul in the Rest that remaineth for the people of God. Rest! O sweet word! The weary shall haver est▪ they shall rest in the Lord. April 10. on Thursday night at twelve of the clock; a day and night never to be forgotten by the least of all Gods mercies, yea less than the least▪ Thy unworthy, unthankful, hard-hearted creature, M. Charlton.
The whole world is but a house where Gods children dwell a little while, till he hath fitted them for the heavenly Mansions; and if he send them out of one room into another to do his work, and try their obedience; and if he put some in the darkest corners of his house, to keep them humble, though he separate those that are most beloved of each other, it is but that they may not love so much as to be loth to part and come to him who should have all their love. However it fareth with his children in this house (or howling wilderness) the time will come, and is at hand, when all the children shall be separate from the Rebels, and be called home to dwell with their Father, their Head and Husband; and the elect shall all be gathered into one. Then farwell sorrow, farwell hard heart! farwell tears and sad repentance! And then blessed Saints that have believed and obeyed! Never so unworthy, crowned thou must