A26870:85
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.
§. 11. I will conclude this Chapter with a Country Poem of her honest Kinsman Mr. Eleazer Careswell, of Sheffnall in Shropshire, whom I never knew to Poetrize but now that tender love and passion taught him; it signifieth these, though it want the flowery part. Her danger of death so near to her conversion, was very grievous to him.
§. 11. I will conclude this Chapter with a Countrey Poem of her honest Kinsman Mr. Eleazer Careswell, of Sheffnall in Shropshire, whom I never knew to Poetrize but now that tender love and passion taught him; it signifieth these, though it want the flowry part. Her danger of death so near to her conversion, was very grievous to him.
MARGARET CHARLTON: Anagram, Arm to later change. The prudent soul refined from earth, doth ever Arm to her later change, and fears it never. Those glittering Monarchs who seem to command This Ball, shall be by deaths impartial hand Put out, and doomed to an eternal state, (No mortal sinner can decline this fate). ⟨p. 32⟩Death conquers Sceptre-swaying Kings; but I Shall conquer Death, being now armed to dye. Arm Soul for this one change, and wed thy heart To Christ, and then no death shall ever part Your joined souls; and thou, because that He Hath Life, of Life shalt still possessed be. Death will but this snarled knot of Life untie, To unite Souls in a more blessed tie, When Faith, renewing grace, repenting tears, Hath cleared the soul from filth, and she appears Unspotted, holy, pure, invested in Christs milk-white snowy Robes, quite freed from sin. Wholly delivered from this fleshly thrall, And Hells black Monarch, and adorned with all Gods perfect grace: Triumphantly these sing, Death and Hell conquered are by Christ our King. Faith, Hope, and Love, such Souls now fortify, And armed thus, why should we fear to dye? Tho' Death divorce those long acquainted friends, And lodge earth in the earth; the soul ascends To those high glorious Regions, where she With Christ and blessed souls shall ever be. Soul troubling sin shall then molest no more, Which clogged, which wounded her so long before. Poor souls go fettered here with flesh and sin, Death doth her great deliverance begin. Thy soul renewed by grace, shall quickly see How blest a change that day will bring to thee. Death shall those weeping eyes dry up and close, And pained weary flesh to rest repose. The grave will be a safe and quiet bed, To that frail body when the soul is fled.