A35578:292
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 ...
A35578:292
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.
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.
God oft cometh in seasonably to them that wait upon him in Ordinances, as frequently to her in hearing, with suitable and se• sonable words, Isa. 30.20, 21. Thine eyes shall see thy teachers, and thine ears shall hear a word behind ⟨p. 49⟩thee, saying, this is the way walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand and when ye turn to the left. Prov. 8.34. Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
Great enjoyments of God in Ordinances, should not take us from them, or make us live above them, but carry us the more to God in and by them. Thus it was with her, the more she received, the more she waited upon God in them. Psal. 63.2. To see thy power and thy beauty as I have seen thee in the Sanctuary. 2 Chron. 30.23. And the whole Assembly took counsel to keep other seven days, and they kept other seven days with gladness.
Great enjoyments of God in Ordinances, should not take us from them, or make us live above them, but carry us the more to God in and by them. Thus it was with her, the more she received, the more she waited upon God in them. Psal. 63.2. To see thy power and thy beauty as I have seen thee in the Sanctuary. 2 Chron. 30.23. And the whole Assembly took councell to keep other seven days, and they kept other seven days with gladnesse.
Sacraments are not only sealing, but exhibiting Ordinances, of more grace and comfort to believers, she received much increase from God in and by them. Mat. ⟨p. 50⟩3.16. And Jesus when he was •• p•ized, went up straightway out of the water: and lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and the Spirit of God descended like a dove, and light•• upon him. Acts 8.39. The Eu•••• after Baptism went away rejoicing. The bread and wine which are the signs in the Lords Supper, are nourishing.
Sacraments are not only sealing, but exhibiting Ordinances, of more grace and comfort to believers, she received much encrease from God in and by them. Mat. ⟨p. 50⟩3.16. And Jesus when he was •• p•ized, went up straightway out of the water: and lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and the Spirit of God descended like a dove, and light•• upon him. Acts 8.39. The Eu•••• after Baptisme went away rejoycing. The bread and wine which are the signes in the Lords Supper, are nourishing.
The incomes from God in Ordinances are very various, sometimes one, sometimes another, sometimes more, and sometimes less, sometimes sooner, sometimes later, sometimes she ha• meltings at the Sacraments, sometimes resolutions to serve God against sin, giving up her self to the Lord; sometimes meekening of her spirit, sometimes desires to come again, sometimes great assurance and comforts, sometime• at the time, sometimes afterward 1 Cor. 3.5, 6. Who then is P•• ⟨p. 51⟩•nd who is Apollo? but Ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man. I have planted, Apollo watered, but God g•ve the increase. Isa. 56.7. I will make them joyful in my house of prayer. Act. 10.44. While Peter yet spake these words, the holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 2 Chron. 1.6. Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings vers. 7. In that night did God appear unto Solomon.
The incomes from God in Ordinances are very various, sometimes one, sometimes another, sometimes more, and sometimes lesse, sometimes sooner, sometimes later, sometimes she ha• meltings at the Sacraments, sometimes resolutions to serve God against sin, giving up her self to the Lord; sometimes meekning of her spirit, sometimes desires to come again, sometimes great assurance and comforts, sometime• at the time, sometimes afterward 1 Cor. 3.5, 6. Who then is P•• ⟨p. 51⟩•nd who is Apollo? but Ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man. I have planted, Apollo watered, but God gve the increase.
When we have performed duties to the Lord, we are to expect his answers. She would wait for returns, when she had been a seeking of him. Psal. 5.3. I will direct my prayer to thee and will look up. Psal. 85.8. I will hear what God the Lord will speak.
The Lord sometimes withdraweth from Ordinances, that we should not rest in them but in himself. 2 Cor. 1.9. We had the ⟨p. 52⟩sentence of death in our selves, that we should not trust in our selves, but […] God which raised the dead. This use she made thereof when she had not altogether these incomes.
The Lord sometimes withdraweth from Ordinances, that we should not rest in them but in himself. 2 Cor. 1.9. We had the ⟨p. 52⟩sentence of death in our selves, that we should not trust in our selves, but 〈…〉 God which raised the dead. This use she made thereof when she had not altogether these incomes.
A gracious heart is as mindful of mercies received to return praises and answerable walkings to God, as to pray for mercies wanted. Exod. 17.14. And the Lord said to Moses, write this for a memorial in a book. Psal. 103.2. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. Psal. 116.12. &c. What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards me, I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord, I will pay my vows unto the Lord now, in the presence of all the people. Thus did she note down in a Book the gracious dealings of God towards her to quicken her to thankfulness and suitable improvements to the glory of God.
A gracious heart is as mindful of mercys received to return praises and answerable walkings to God, as to pray for mercies wanted. Exod. 17.14. And the Lord said to Moses, write this for a memoriall in a book. Psal. 103.2. Blesse the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. Psal. 116.12. &c. What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards me, I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord, I will pay my vowes unto the Lord now, in the presence of all the people. Thus did she note down in a Book the gracious dealings of God towards her to quicken her to thankfulness and suitable improvements to the glory of God.
Temptations and buffetings are not to be given way unto, but opposed, to conquer them; Her faith (she said) fought with them, and they were subdued under her. Jam. 4.7. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
Afflictions and mercies when improved bring forth much fruit in the people of God, as her sickness and deliverances did in her. Heb. 12.11. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous, nevertheless afterword it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness, unto them which are exercised thereby. Psal. 32.7. Thou art my hiding place, thou shalt preserve me from trouble: thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance.
Afflictions and mercies when improved bring forth much fruit in the people of God, as her sicknesse and deliverances did in her. Heb. 12.11. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous, neverthelesse afterword it yeeldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousnesse, unto them which are exercised thereby. Psal. 32.7. Thou art my hiding place, thou shalt preserve me from trouble: thou shalt compasse me about with songs of deliverance.
Gods gracious returns of prayer to his people, do much engage them in affection to him, and encourage them for the future to seek more unto ⟨p. 54⟩them. O bless the God (saith she, that heareth prayers, and follow God for further mercies. And elsewhere, I desire this great experience should be food for faith. Psal. 116.1, 2. I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice, and my supplications, because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live 2 Cor. 1.10. Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: In whom we trust that he will yet deliver us.
Gods gracious returns of prayer to his people, do much engage them in affection to him, and encourage them for the future to seek more unto ⟨p. 54⟩them. O blesse the God (saith she, that heareth prayers, and follow God for further mercies. And elsewhere, I desire this great experience should be food for faith. Psal. 116.1, 2. I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice, and my supplications, because he hath enclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live 2 Cor. 1.10. Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: In whom we trust that he will yet deliver us.
True grace is permanent and growing, the motion that is natural is perpetual. My God (saith she) doth give me sweet experience of the growth of grace in my soul: The longer she lived the more she acted, Job 17.9. The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger. ⟨p. 55⟩Revelations 2.19. I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works, and the last to be more then the first.
True grace is permanent and growing, the motion that is naturall is perpetuall. My God (saith she) doth give me sweet experience of the growth of grace in my soul: The longer she lived the more she acted, Job 17.9. The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger. ⟨p. 55⟩Revelations 2.19. I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works, and the last to be more then the first.