A35578:281
The excellent woman a sermon preached at the funeral of Mrs. Elizabeth Scott ...…
The excellent woman a sermon preached at the funeral of Mrs. Elizabeth Scott ... on the 16 of Decemb. 1658 / by Tho. Case ...
A35578:281
The excellent woman a sermon preached at the funeral of Mrs. Elizabeth Scott ... on the 16 of Decemb. 1658 / by Tho. Case ...
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.
Though vanity be never so much ⟨p. 39⟩yet grace can overpower all, 1 Cor. 6.11. And such were some of you, but ye are washed, &c. Titus 3.3. And we our selves were sometimes foolish disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, &c.
When we are making our pursuit to gratify our carnal senses, God can bring us to better enjoyments, Rom. 10.20. I was found of them that sought me not, I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me. The Lord took her at her hunting pleasures to bring her to the comforts of his own spirit.
When we are making our pursuit to gratify our carnall senses, God can bring us to better enjoyments, Rom. 10.20. I was found of them that sought me not, I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me. The Lord took her at her hunting pleasures to bring her to the comforts of his own spirit.
Any means when sanctified, can bring us to the Word, and so to God, as the hurting of her leg did her, and the crowing of the Cock did Peter, to remember the word Christ spake, and to return to him, Mat. 26.74, 75.
Any meanes when sanctified, can bring us to the Word, and so to God, as the hurting of her leg did her, and the crowing of the Cock did Peter, to remember the word Christ spake, and to return to him, Mat. 26.74, 75.
The Lord makes some great in the world great in grace also; ⟨p. 40⟩rich in earthly blessings, rich in spiritual likewise, that they have all things given them for this life and a better richly to enjoy. Job the greatest of all the men of the East, Job 1.3. And there was none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man one that feared God and eschewed evil, vers. 8.
Those workings that come from God, carry all to him again. She endeavoured to act all for him that had done so much for her, the waters that come out of the sea return thither again, Rom. 11.36. Of him, and through him, and to him are all things, to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
Those workings that come from God, carry all to him againe. She endeavoured to act all for him that had done so much for her, the waters that come out of the sea return thither again, Rom. 11.36. Of him, and through him, and to him are all things, to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
She was brought home the usual way of Gods people, by the Spirit of bondage to the Spirit of Adoption, Rom. 8.15. Ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear, but ye have received the spirit ⟨p. 41⟩of Adoption whereby we cry Abba Father.
She was brought home the usuall way of Gods people, by the Spirit of bondage to the Spirit of Adoption, Rom. 8.15. Ye have not rcoeived the spirit of bondage again to fear, but ye have received the spirit ⟨p. 41⟩of Adoption whereby we cry Abba Father.
Gods grace works irresistibly, she would fain have run away from God, he would not let her go, but carried her through, and suffered her to have no power to leave seeking of him, Psal. 68 18. Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive, thou hast received gifts for men, yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God may dwell among them.
Gods grace works irresistably, she would fain have run away from God, he would not let her go, but carried her through, and suffered her to have no power to leave seeking of him, Psal. 68 18. Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive, thou hast received gifts for men, yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God may dwell among them.
Such as are most cast down in conversion are usually most lifted up afterward. She had great troubles of conscience then, and grievous pangs, &c. And afterward full assurance all her sins were pardoned by the blood of Christ, and great rejoicings. The Father made merry with the Son when he returned, Luk. 15.23, 24. that was driven to husks, and ready to perish, vers. 16, 17. The Jailer ⟨p. 42⟩that came trembling, Acts 16.29. afterwards rejoiced, believing in God, vers. 34.
Such as are most cast down in conversion are usually most lifted up afterward. She had great troubles of conscience then, and grievous pangs, &c. And afterward full assurance all her sins were pardoned by the bloud of Christ, and great rejoycings. The Father made merry with the Son when he returned, Luk. 15.23, 24. that was driven to husks, and ready to perish, vers. 16, 17. The Jailour ⟨p. 42⟩that came trembling, Acts 16.29. afterwards rejoyced, believing in God, vers. 34.
The way to make our Election in God sure, is by the work of grace in our selves: I know it certainly, (saith she) that God did choose me from all eternity, because he had made me to give up my self to Jesus Christ, for those ends that Jesus Christ gave himself for me, 1 Thes. 1.4, 5. knowing brethren beloved, your election of God, for our Gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the holy Ghost, and in much assurance. Rom. 8.29. For whom he did foreknow he also did predestinate to be conformed to the Image of his Son.
The way to make our Election in God sure, is by the work of grace in our selves: I know it certainly, (saith she) that God did chuse me from all eternity, because he had made me to give up my self to Jesus Christ, for those ends that Jesus Christ gave himself for me, 1 Thes. 1.4, 5. knowing brethren beloved, your election of God, for our Gospel came not unto you in word onely, but also in power, and in the holy Ghost, and in much assurance. Rom. 8.29. For whom he did foreknow he also did predestinate to be conformed to the Image of his Son.
Some believers are very high and eminent in the workings and ways of God, 2 Thes. 1.3. Your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all towards ⟨p. 43⟩each other aboundeth. 1 Cor. 1.5. In every thing ye are enriched by him in all utterance, and in all knowledge, vers. 7. so that ye come behind in no gift. 1 Thes. 1.5. Our Gospel came not unto you in word only but also in power, and in much assurance. 1 Pet. 1.8. Ye rejoice with joy unspeakable, and full of glory. Act. 13.52. The disciples were filled with joy and with the holy Ghost. Acts 9.31. Walking in the fear of the Lord and the in comfort of the holy Ghost. Ps. 32.8. I will instruct thee & teach thee in the way which thou shalt go, I will guide thee with mine eye. Isa. 43.2. When thou passest through the waters I will be with thee, and through the rivers they shall not overflow thee, when thou walkest through the fire thou shalt not be burnt; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. Psal. 46.1. God is our refuge and strength a very present help in time of trouble. Gen. 22.14. In the mount of the ⟨p. 44⟩Lord it shall be seen. 2 Chron. 17.6. His heart was lift up in the ways of the Lord. Psal. 119.32
Great Saints have sometimes sore assaults from Satan, as she had sometimes buffetings with Paul, ⟨p. 45⟩2 Cor. 12.7. haply least she might have been exalted above measure, through the abundance of incomes. Pirates set upon the richest ships, and trees are most threshed that be fullest of fruit.
Great Saints have sometimes sore assaults from Satan, as she had sometimes buffetings with Paul, ⟨p. 45⟩2 Cor. 12.7. haply least she might have been exalted above measure, through the abundance of incomes. Pirats set upon the richest ships, and trees are most threshed that be fullest of fruit.
Christians high in comforts are low in acts of mortification, and self-denial: How often did she fast and afflict her soul before the Lord, and was sensible of her failings, Luke 2.37. She departed not from the Temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. In all she did, she went out of her self to the strength of Christ, attributing all to him. 1 Cor. 15.10. By the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace bestowed upon me was not in vain, but I laboured more abundantly then they all, yet not I but the grace of God, which was with me. Gal. 2.20. I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless ⟨p. 46⟩I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 1 Tim. 1.15. Sinners of whom I am chief. Trees with high tops have deep roots.
Such serve God truly, that conscientiously serve him secretly. Many days of fasts and seeking God we•e in secret by her self, Mat. 6.6. When thou prayest enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut the door, pray to thy father which seeth in secret. And vers. 16, 17. When thou fastest be not as the hypocrites, &c. But so, vers. 18. as that thou appear not to men to fast, but unto thy father which is in secret.
Such serve God truly, that conscienciously serve him secretly. Many days of fasts and seeking God we•e in secret by her self, Mat. 6.6. When thou prayest enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut the door, pray to thy father which seeth in secret. And vers. 16, 17. When thou fastest be not as the hypocrites, &c. But so, vers. 18. as that thou appear not to men to fast, but unto thy father which is in secret.
It is a happy thing to be related to them that are truly godly. How did she pray for her husband and children? Nature helps grace, and grace acts for nature, Rom. 9.2, ⟨p. 47⟩3. I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart, and I could wish that my self were accursed from Christ, for my brethren my kinsmen according to the flesh. Rom. 10.1. Brethren my hearts desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they may be saved.
It is a happy thing to be related to them that are truly godly. How did she pray for her husband and children? Nature helps grace, and grace acts for nature, Rom. 9.2, ⟨p. 47⟩3. I have great heavinesse and continuall sorrow in my heart, and I could wish that my self were accursed from Christ, for my brethren my kinsmen according to the flesh. Rom. 10.1. Brethren my hearts desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they may be saved.
When we cannot serve God so well as we ought, we should serve him as well as we can, and not omit duties. She was troubled for being so unprepared, yet came to Sacraments and found God very graciously. 2 Chron. 30.18. &c. The good Lord pardon every one that prepareth his heart to seek God, the Lord God of his fathers, though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the Sanctuary, and the Lord hearkened to Hezekiah, an healed the people. Cant. 6.12. &c. I went down into the garden of nuts to see the fruits of the valley, and to see whether the vine flourished, and the pomegranates ⟨p. 48⟩budded, or ever I was aware, my soul made me like the chariots of Aminadab.
It is good to come to God in Ordinances for particular mercies. She made this and that her special errands, and the Lord vouchsafed them unto her, Job 22.28. Thou shalt also decree a thing and it shall be established unto thee. Psal. 37.4. Delight thy self also in the Lord and he shall give thee the desires of thy heart. Mat. 21.22. and all things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer believing, ye shall receive. 1 Sam. 1.27. For this child I prayed and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him.
It is good to come to God in Ordinances for particular mercies. She made this and that her speciall errands, and the Lord vouchsafed them unto her, Job 22.28. Thou shalt also decree a thing and it shall be established unto thee. Psal. 37.4. Delight thy self also in the Lord and he shall give thee the desires of thy heart. Mat. 21.22. and all things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer believing, ye shall receive. 1 Sam. 1.27. For this child I prayed and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him.
Some believers are very high and eminent in the workings and waies of God, 2 Thes. 1.3. Your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all towards ⟨p. 43⟩each other aboundeth. 1 Cor. 1.5. In every thing ye are enriched by him in all utterance, and in all knowledge, vers. 7. so that ye come behind in no gift. 1 Thes. 1.5. Our Gospel came not unto you in word only but also in power, and in much assurance. 1 Pet. 1.8. Ye rejoyce with joy unspeakable, and full of glory. Act. 13.52. The disciples were filled with joy and with the holy Ghost. Acts 9.31. Walking in the fear of the Lord and the in comfort of the holy Ghost. Ps. 32.8. I will instruct thee & teach thee in the way which thou shalt go, I will guid thee with mine eye. Isa. 43.2. When thou passest through the waters I will be with thee, and thorow the rivers they shall not overflow thee, when thou walkest through the fire thou shalt not be burnt; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. Psal. 46.1. God is our refuge and strength a very present help in time of trouble. Gen. 22.14. In the mount of the ⟨p. 44⟩Lord it shall be seen. 2 Chron. 17.6. His heart was lift up in the ways of the Lord. Psal. 119.32. I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart. Psal. 119.6. Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments. She was a believer of the highest form, a star of the first magnitude, one that had not onely the graces of the Spirit, but the sealings and joyes of the Spirit in abundance, and was rich in the knowledge of the Mysteries of Christ. One that the Lord did much councell, and direct in all her waies, and kept her in all her straights, and redeemed her with great deliverances, her extremity often was Gods opportunity. One that was raised up and elevated in his service fulfilling all his wils.