A35578:300
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 ...
A35578:300
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.
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 g•ve the increase. Isa. 56.7. I will make them joyfull 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.
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.
Reverend Sir,
I Understand you intend to print your Sermon preached at the funeral of our most honoured friend Mrs. Scot, that Saint of the Lord, that eminent believer of the highest form, and therewith some narrative concerning her. It is not only lawful, but sometimes very ⟨p. 57⟩expedient to show the Coats and Garments Dorcas made whilst living; especially the excellencies of great believers whose memory is blessed; and which may so much conduce to the advancing of the glory of Gods free grace, and the good of others; for which cause no doubt the several graces and holy actings of Gods people, are left on holy record. I am willing to cast my mite into the treasury. Her conversion (she told me) was occasioned by a fall from her horse in hunting time, whereby one of her legs were put out of joint, which the Lord so sanctified to her, as it brought her to the serious receiving of the immortal seed of the Word thereby forming Christ in her, in whom the New-birth did most evidently shine ever after. O happy fall, that did so exalt her; before she was very vain, delighting ⟨p. 58⟩in dancing and hunting; But then God brought her to hear his rod, and to receive instruction, and to solace her self in the joys of the spirit, and to pursue the ways of holiness; thus God did not take away her comforts, but changed them, and gave her better in the room; He did not dry up the stream, but diverted it and turned it into a better channel. It was not long after her conversion from nature unto grace, but she was likely to be perverted from truth unto error, and was much troubled about the way of Separation, some of which way lived near her, and got access to her, and so was in danger of loosing on the one side, much of what she had gained on the other; But the gracious God, out of his continuing goodness, (as she told me) provided Mr. Elmestone, that old disciple, a skilful Pilot to freer her coune ⟨p. 59⟩again to rights, who can relate more concerning this particular; and ever since through grace, hath she sailed with a full and steady gale in the ways of truth and holiness, and hath been a fired star, in the Church of God, no ways moved with the ermurs, and fallings of many round about her, wandering on the right hand and on the left;
I Understand you intend to print your Sermon preached at the funeral of our most honored friend Mrs. Scot, that Saint of the Lord, that eminent believer of the highest form, and therewith some narrative concerning her. It is not onely lawfull, but sometimes very
after once God had caused her ears to hear that word behind her, saying, This is the way walk in it, she shunned their books, company and discourses tending that way, as taking no pleasure therein, and would not tempt God, by going to the meetings of such as caused division, being sully persuaded of the truth and way she practised; thus trees by shaking become more firmly stoted. She was converted in the height of Prelacy, and was of the true old Puritan and right Nonconformist's ⟨p. 60⟩Spirit unto her dying day, accounting our Churches and Ministry essentially true, though wanting in circumstantials, she earnestly desired, and in her place fervently endeavoured a through reformation, without forsaking the Assemblies, and leaving the work to others, but would set to her helping hand also. She went on to perfection, but laid not again foundations; she held what was good, rejecting the ill, being of quick and sound understanding to discern between good and bad; She would mourn with the house of Chloe, for what was beyond her sphere to amend, and walked very comfortably with Christ her self in the middest of the golden Candlesticks, having her own garments undefiled, and others unworthiness did no way prejudice her. She was a very great and constant prizer of the faithful ⟨p. 61⟩Ministers of Jesus Christ, and rejoiced not in their light for a season, she knew them that were over her in the Lord, and esteemed them very highly in love for their works-sake, and endeavoured peace and unity with the rest. She walked in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless, never missing any when able to go, and much troubled when necessarily detained by illness; she thought not they could be too often enjoyed, when she could not go in her Coach in Winter time, by reason of the deepness of the way between Congherst and the Church, she would walk on foot in all the rainy and tempestuous weather, that long and tedious up and down hill way: (to ride she always dreaded since her fall) and when in London, often did she go from high Holborn to Christs-Church to the morning ⟨p. 62⟩Sermons on the Lords days, before the reft began, and then to them afterwards. Constantly did she attend Lectures and Fasts public and privare. In Summer when she was at Congherst, usually there in the Country, she had a weekly Lecture at Howkherst, and the Ministers still at her house.
Very often did she keep in secret whole days of fasting and seeking God by her self in prayer, and humbling and afflicting her soul before the Lord. When I was forth she her self would pray with her family; once I coming home late, unknown to her, heard her, and she prayed to my very great admiration and satisfaction. Twice in the family morning and evening, not only prayers were, but something of the word, and singing part of a Psalm: On the Lords day at noon, singing and praying with the family, besides morning ⟨p. 63⟩duties, and evening repetitions of the Sermons, together with singing of a Psalm, and Praying. A true sanctifier and spiritual observer of the Lords days she was, and dared not to speak of any worldly civil (though at other times lawful) things, and oft bewailed the too much liberty many professors take on those days, marvelling their consciences were so benumbed concerning that Commandment more than others, that they could talk of such civil and worldly things then without remorse, not considering that Commandment is broken in words & thoughts as well as others, especially when that place in Isa. 58.13. is so express against it, Not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor SPEAKING THINE OWN WORDS, viz. upon the Sabbath days. Besides her privare ⟨p. 64⟩duties in the family, she was very much in secret duties by her self, daily her usual manner was (as I have been certainly informed) In the mornings as soon as she was up to go into her closet a little while by her self, and then went to the performing of spiritual duties together with the family; after they were done, then she retired into her chamber by her self, and read the Bible in order, reading and meditating about one hour, and then went into her closet afterwards a pretty while. Before supper she used to go into her chamber and closet some competent time, yea though late, when she was necessarily detained abroad before she came home; after duties performed in the family at nights, when the rest were gone to bed, she would walk about half an hour meditating in her chamber, and reasoning out any distemper ⟨p. 65⟩that was upon her spirit, to find out the cause thereof, and to remove it; saying, so her heart was brought into frame again, and not before; Then she went into her closet about three quarters of an hour, and this every day.
She never went abroad but she went first into her closet for some while to prayer, and so she did again upon her returnings home. On the Lords days at noon after duty done in the family, she would retire by herself, till they went to the public worship again; upon the week days she would much complain she was so straitened for time, desiring more to speed in secret by her self. She was a be lever that had not only the graces of the Spirit, but the sealings and the joys of the Spirit in her; She had much assurance, even to the riches of it; She knew she was of God, and Christ was her Redeemer ⟨p. 66⟩having loved her and given himself for her, and that the Covenant of Grace, with all the promises and mercies therein contained, and Ordinances were hers; And therefore in all places where Providence cast her, would she partake of all the Ordinances, and not infringe her Christian right and liberty, as being tied to one particular place, or people only, living without the Sacrament till she came there again; though ordinarily she looked upon her self as a member of that Church where her usual dwelling was. She was filled with joy, and walked in the comforts of the holy Ghost, she was of a very cheerful Spirit, and grace did carry it on very graciously and spiritually; she had much communion with God in all the means of grace, the Lord made her joyful in the duties of prayer, the Word ⟨p. 67⟩was the savour of life unto life unto her, and the rejoicing of her heart. Exceeding incomes she had at the Table of the Lord, there she sat under Christs shadow with great delight, and his banner over her was love, and his fruit was very sweet unto her taste; whilst the King sat at his table with her, her spikenard did usually send forth the smell thereof. The Lord did greatly bless that Ordinance of his Supper unto her; she said she could ferch from the Lord there, any mercy she wanted, direction in straights, support and comfort in disturbances, power against sin and Satan, grace to carry her on in the ways of God, &c. Much refreshing she had in singing of Psalms, she had many and particular returns of prayers from God, which she much looked up to him for, after she had directed them unto him, and took special notice ⟨p. 68⟩of his gracious answers, and improved them with thankfulness to his glory. She was of very excellent natural parts, full of wisdom and prudence;
as appeared also in the well managing of her many and weighty affairs, and did greatly abound in the knowledge of Divine Mysteries, contained in the Scriptures; Much weaned from and crucified to the world; Whilst her Father Sir Matthew Howland, & her Uncle Sir John Howland lived, she would say (foreseeing the same, as being their only heir) she was afraid of too much of the world coming to her. Never any use or increase would she take for any money's she lent, though to a very considerable sum and time; and left under her own hand, that her children should take none also for the same after her, in case she died before the principal was paid in. ⟨p. 69⟩Her good works and charity not only Hawkherst, but Holborn also, and other parts can testify, as your self well know, and can amply relate. Her good works extended not only to her own Nation, but also to the Hungarian Scholars, who come so far to partake of our practical Divinity, counting her self a Member of the same universal Body with them. For divers years, often would she have one of them time after time with her, whilst in the Country; and now did take care of one this Winter, at one of her sons, till next Summer she thought to come again, and retake him into her Family: Their Land, have divers already returned into it, that have caused her piety and liberality to sound amongst them there. She disdained not to visit any of her poorest neighbours, and did love to do it, to raise up pity in her towards ⟨p. 70⟩wards them, and thankfulness to God for her self, who had made the difference: Neither did she refuse to do the meanest offices of love for the good of them and theirs. Her attire, your self knows, how grave and modest it was; as also her Daughters, without nakedness, or unseemliness. The gracious Providences of God were exceeding many, and very great and remarkable towards her; wherein she saw much of her Fathers care and goodness, which she took special notice of, and was abundantly thankful for, and endeavoured to improve them answerably to his Glory, as appears in her Diary, where she hath kept an account of them, and also of her ways towards her God, as there she often calls him. She was like that virtuous woman your Text spake of, in her carriages in and toward her Family, ⟨p. 71⟩ordering and taking care thereof, and them in it;
and herself employed about something or other of the same, when she was not in her spiritual converses with the Lord, or taken off by other occasions. She considered well both her husbands estates, and freed them from the encumbrances for her children, whom, she much endeavoured to make the children of God, in bringing them up in his nurture and admonition, and keeping divers days of fasts by her self, to seek the Lord for them, in which and divers other respects, they could not but arise and call her blessed, and give we her of the fruit of her hands and let her own work praise her in the gates. As her life, so her death was full of grace and comfort, the Lord strengthened her upon her bed of languishing; and made all her bed in her sickness; when she was ⟨p. 72⟩walking through the valley, of death she feared no evil, her God was with her, his rod and his staff they comforted her, and ministered to her an entrance abundantly into the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Though her pains and tortures were great (the Physicians applying cupping glasses to her, and lancing her) yet the Lord did comfortably lift up the light of his countenance upon her, and put gladness in her heart, and made her patience have its perfect work, she was full of heaven, breaking forth in expressions of Gods goodness to her, saying, God hath been very good to me, how good is God, and how good it is to wait upon God, there hath not the least cloud interposed between God and my soul all this sickness, I will go to my God triumphing. ⟨p. 73⟩Thus with gladness and rejoicing was she carried to enter into the Kings Palace, into the joy of her Lord, where there is fullness of it, and pleasures for evermore. O mark we the perfect, behold we the upright, for the end of such is peace. No marvel that even Balaam in the sense hereof, did so desire to die the death of the righteous, and that his end might be like theirs; and well had he done if he had withal desired his life alike. For ever magnified be my good God, who hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of our habitations, that caused the lines to fall unto me in such a pleasant place, so long even six years in the same family with her, and that I should be chosen and ordained a Pastor to her and the people there at Hawkherst;
and herself imployed about something or other of the same, when she was not in her spirituall converses with the Lord, or taken off by other occasions. She considered well both her husbands estates, and freed them from the incumberances for her children, whom, she much endeavoured to make the children of God, in bringing them up in his nurture and admonition, and keeping divers days of fasts by her self, to seek the Lord for them, in which and divers other respects, they could not but arise and call her blessed, and give we her of the fruit of her hands and let her own work praise her in the gates. As her life, so her death was full of grace and comfort, the Lord strengthened her upon her bed of languishing; and made all her bed in her sicknesse; when she was
after once God had caused her eares to hear that word behind her, saying, This is the way walk in it, she shunned their books, company and discourses tending that way, as taking no pleasure therein, and would not tempt God, by going to the meetings of such as caused division, being sully perswaded of the truth and way she practised; thus trees by shaking become more firmely stoted. She was converted in the height of Prelacy, and was of the true old Puritane and right Nonconformist's ⟨p. 60⟩Spirit unto her dying day, accounting our Churches and Ministery essentially true, though wanting in circumstantials, she earnestly desired, and in her place fervently endeavoured a through reformation, without forsaking the Assemblies, and leaving the work to others, but would set to her helping hand also. She went on to perfection, but laid not again foundations; she held what was good, rejecting the ill, being of quick and sound understanding to discern between good and bad; She would mourn with the house of Cloe, for what was beyond her sphere to amend, and walked very comfortably with Christ her self in the middest of the golden Candlesticks, having her own garments undesiled, and others unworthinesse did no way prejudice her. She was a very great and constant prizer of the faithfull ⟨p. 61⟩Ministers of Jesus Christ, and rejoyced not in their light for a season, she knew them that were over her in the Lord, and esteemed them very highly in love for their works-sake, and endeavoured peace and unity with the rest. She walked in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless, never missing any when able to go, and much troubled when necessarily detained by illnesse; she thought not they could be too often enjoyed, when she could not go in her Coach in Winter time, by reason of the deepnesse of the way between Congherst and the Church, she would walk on foot in all the rainy and tempestuous weather, that long and tedious up and down hill way: (to ride she alwayes dreaded since her fall) and when in London, often did she go from high Holbourn to Christs-Church to the morning ⟨p. 62⟩Sermons on the Lords dayes, before the reft began, and then to them afterwards. Constantly did she attend Lectures and Fasts publick and privare. In Summer when she was at Congherst, usually there in the Countrey, she had a weekly Lecture at Howkherst, and the Ministers still at her house.
Very often did she keep in secret whole dayes of fasting and seeking God by her self in prayer, and humbling and afflicting her soul before the Lord. When I was forth she her self would pray with her family; once I coming home late, unknown to her, heard her, and she prayed to my very great admiration and satisfaction. Twice in the family morning and evening, not onely prayers were, but something of the word, and singing part of a Psalm: On the Lords day at noon, singing and praying with the family, besides morning ⟨p. 63⟩duries, and evening reperitions of the Sermons, together with singing of a Psalm, and Praying. A true sanctifier and spirituall observer of the Lords dayes she was, and dared not to speak of any worldly civil (though at other times lawful) things, and oft bewailed the too much liberty many professors take on those days, marvailing their consciences were so benummed concerning that Commandment more than others, that they could talk of such civil and worldly things then without remorse, not considering that Commandement is broken in words & thoughts as well as others, especially when that place in Isa. 58.13. is so expresse against it, Not doing thine own wayes, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor SPEAKING THINE OWNE WORDS, viz. upon the Sabbath dayes. Besides her privare ⟨p. 64⟩duties in the family, she was very much in secret duties by her self, daily her usuall manner was (as I have been certainly informed) In the mornings as soon as she was up to go into her closet a little while by her self, and then went to the performing of spirituall duties together with the family; after they were done, then she retired into her chamber by her self, and read the Bible in order, reading and meditating about one hour, and then went into her closet afterwards a pretry while. Before supper she used to go into her chamber and closet some competent time, yea though late, when she was necessarily detained abroad before she came home; after duties performed in the family at nights, when the rest were gone to bed, she would walk about half an hour meditating in her chamber, and reasoning out any distemper ⟨p. 65⟩that was upon her spirit, to find out the cause thereof, and to remove it; saying, so her heart was brought into frame again, and not before; Then she went into her closet about three quarters of an hour, and this every day.
She never went abroad but she went first into her closet for some while to prayer, and so she did again upon her returnings home. On the Lords days at noon after duty done in the family, she would retire by herself, til they went to the publick worship againe; upon the week dayes she would much complaine she was so straitned for time, desiring more to speed in secret by her self. She was a be lever that had not onely the graces of the Spirit, but the sealings and the joyes of the Spirit in her; She had much assurance, even to the riches of it; She knew she was of God, and Christ was her Redeemer ⟨p. 66⟩having loved her and given himself for her, and that the Covenant of Grace, with all the promises and mercies therein contained, and Ordinances were hers; And therefore in all places where Providence cast her, would she partake of all the Ordinances, and not infringe her Christian right and liberty, as being tied to one particulat place, or people onely, living without the Sacrament till she came there againe; though ordinarily she looked upon her self as a member of that Church where her usuall dwelling was. She was filled with joy, and walked in the comforts of the holy Ghost, she was of a very chearfull Spirit, and grace did carry it on very graciously and spiritually; she had much communion with God in all the means of grace, the Lord made her joyfull in the duties of prayer, the Word ⟨p. 67⟩was the savour of life unto life unto her, and the rejoycing of her heart. Exceeding incomes she had at the Table of the Lord, there she sat under Christs shadow with great delight, and his banner over her was love, and his fruit was very sweet unto her taste; whilst the King sat at his table with her, her spiknard did usually send forth the smell thereof. The Lord did grearly blesse that Ordinance of his Supper unto her; she said she could ferch from the Lord there, any mercy she wanted, direction in straights, support and comfort in disturbances, power against sin and Satan, grace to carry her on in the wayes of God, &c. Much refreshing she had in singing of Psalms, she had many and particular returns of prayers from God, which she much looked up to him for, after she had directed them unto him, and took speciall notice ⟨p. 68⟩of his gracious answers, and improved them with thankfulness to his glory. She was of very excellent naturall parts, full of wisdome and prudence;