The Life and Death of Mr. Badman

Wise. Die! she dyed bravely; full of comfort of the faith of her Interest in Christ, and by him, of the world to come: she had many brave Expressions in her sickness, and gave to those that came to visit her many signs of her salvation; the thoughts of the Grave, but specially of her Rising again, were sweet thoughts to her. She would long for Death, because she knew it would be her Friend. She behaved her self like to some that were making of them ready to go meet their Bridegroom.^* Now, said she, I am going to rest from my sorrows, my sighs, my tears, my mournings and complaints: I have ⟨p. 284⟩heretofore longed to be among the Saints, but might by no means be suffered to go, but now I am going, (and no man can stop me) to the great Meeting,² to the general Assembly, and Church of the first-born which are written in Heaven.³ There I shall have my hearts desire; there I shall worship without Temptation or other impediment; there I shall see the face of my Jesus, whom I have loved, whom I have served, and who now, I know, will save my soul. I have prayed often for my husband, that he might be converted, but there has been no answer of God in that matter; Are my prayers lost? are they forgotten? are they thrown over the bar? No; they are hanged upon the horns of the golden Altar, and I must have the benefit of them my self, that moment that I shall enter into the gates, in at which the righteous Nation that keepeth truth shall enter: I say, I shall have the benefit of them. I can say as holy David; I say, I can say of my husband, as he could of his enemies.⁴ As for me, when they were ⟨p. 285⟩sick my clothing was of sack-cloth, I humbled my soul with fasting, and my prayer returned into my bosom. My prayers are not lost, my tears are yet in Gods bottle; I would have had a Crown, and Glory for my husband, and for those of my children that follow his steps; but so far as I can see yet, I must rest in the hope of having all my self.