N01265:66
Memorials of early piety. Occurring in the holy life & joyful death of Mrs.…
Memorials of early piety. Occurring in the holy life & joyful death of Mrs. Jerusha Oliver. : With some account of her Christian experiences, extracted from her reserved papers: and published, for the service of Christianity; but especially to serve the intentions of early religion. : [Four lines of Scripture texts]
printed by T. Green, 1711
Title page typeset from the transcription.
MEMOIRS OF Mrs. Jerusha Oliver, Who Died, 30. d. 10. m. 1710.
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.
These Raptures did not continue many Hours. Her Flights were somewhat abated. The Solid Comfort her Uncle Speaks of, contented her; yet she never had any Dread of Death on her Spirit after this Day. Some Days afterwards her Father asked her, Whether she were still Willing to Die? Her Answer was; Tis Natural to desire Life; but I am willing to be at Gods Disposal, Whether it be for Life, or Death. As she drew near her End, She Signified, both unto her Father, and unto her Brother; That she Hoped she was now going to Heaven. On Dec. 30. in the Night, after she had been for some time Speechless, her Speech unexpectedly Returned so far, that she desired, Her Father might Pray with her, That she might be quickly in the Kingdom of God. He did so; and blessed God for giving ⟨p. 53⟩him such a Daughter, and gave her back unto the Lord. She continued above the Fear of Death; and One of her Last audible words was, I am in Distress to be gone! So she fell Asleep in JESUS.
These Raptures did not continue many Hours. Her Flights were somewhat abated. The Solid Comfort her Uncle Speaks of, contented her; yet she never had any Dread of Death on her Spirit after this Day. Some Days afterwards her Father asked her, Whether she were still Willing to Dy? Her Answer was; Tis Natural to desire Life; but I am willing to be at Gods Disposal, Whether it be for Life, or Death. As she drew near her End, She Signified, both unto her Father, and unto her Brother; That she Hoped she was now going to Heaven. On Dec. 30. in the Night, after she had been for some time Speechless, her Speech unexpectedly Returned so far, that she desired, Her Father might Pray with her, That she might be quickly in the Kingdom of God. He did so; and bless'd God for giving ⟨p. 53⟩him such a Daughter, and gave her back unto the Lord. She continued above the Fear of Death; and One of her Last audible words was, I am in Distress to be gone! So she fell Asleep in JESUS.
It is no Unusual Thing, for Praying Ones, who have been much Afraid of Death, in the time of their Health, to be Strangely carried above it, as their Death approaches. Our Jerusha had an Excellent Grand-mother, (her Fathers Mother,) who was One Remarkable Instance of this Observation. She was a Gentlewoman of rare Piety; and One who spent much Time in Reading, and in Meditation and Supplication, and Communion with God. Nevertheless, She was for many years much afraid of Dying; and particularly fearful, that the Pangs of Death would prove terrible, and very grievous and painful. It pleased God, that the Event proved much otherwise than she feared She dyed Easily; and filled with Divine and Holy Joy. She