The Christians labour and reward, or, A sermon, part of which was preached at…

Though she had no opinion of Merit to cherish the root of her Charity, from which much of yours comes, had not hope of expiating some foul Crimes, or conceit of meriting Heaven, been at the bottom of the Charity of many in your Church, it may be believed, the first ⟨p. 142⟩stone had this day been to be laid in some of your Goodly Hospitals and Churches also.

Fifthly, Her Sincerity. This was as her under Garment, which she wore nearest to her, and gave excellency to all her other Graces. Many notable testimonies there were for this in her. First, The uniformity of her Holy Walking; her Religion was not like a drift Snow, which lieth thick in one place, and leaves the ground bare in another; the Hypocrite hath some naked plot in his Conversation, that renders him suspicious; you may persuade him with Herod, to do many things, but never make him with Saint Paul, willing in all things to live honestly. But in this good Ladies Conversation, one part corresponded admirably with another; an happy Symmetry appeared in her whole course, towards God and Man, abroad, and also at home, among her Domestic Relations, those that lived constantly with her, who saw her (as we are wont to say) hot and cold, in ⟨p. 143⟩her night-clothes, as well as when dressed to go abroad. Few, I believe, have had an higher testimony for Piety, from those that have lived near, and long with them, than she hath from all that dwelt under her roof. Secondly, The great freedom she gave her Friends in speaking to her, of what they saw amiss in her; she was wont much to applaud the privilege of having a Faithful Friend, saying, others might see more by us, than we by our selves; she would also say, 'Tis a great mercy to be convinced of any sin. Thirdly, Her Faith, which was wont to be then strongest, when death appeared nearest. Like that great Soldier I have read of, who would tremble every joint, whilst his Armour was putting on in his Tent, but without all fear, when he engaged in the Battle. A little more than a Twelve-month since, she fell into a long swoon, which lasted about half an hour, without any visible hopes of her recovery; but as soon as she came again to her self, she