6 And lastly, I cannot but take special notice of the happy close of her life, and of the blessed end she made. It is said of Job, James 5. 11. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord, &c. This our Christian Sister did in a great measure, partake both of Jobs pains, and Jobs patience, and made as happy an end, as he did, though in another kind. In the morning of that day in which she dyed, she fell into a slumber, in which she heard (as she thought) one saying to her, This day thou shalt be with me in Paradise. Immediately she awaked full of joy, and though hardly able to speak, yet she uttered it to those who stood by, and was much comforted with it. ⟨p. 231⟩Now though I am far from putting any confidence in dreams, and doubt not that a man may dream he shall go to Heaven, and yet be cast into Hell. Though I do not think that comfortable dreams are sufficient evidences of salvation. (Nay, when they are brought as proofs of erroneous opinions, I account them Diabolical delusions; and when wicked men have them, pleasant presumptions.) Yet notwithstanding when a woman who hath spent many years in the service of God, and is visited by God for above a year, with great and most grievous pains, shall at the close of her life, (when she is upon the very brink of eternity) have such a sweet, refreshing, and heart-cheering impression upon her spirit; when heart fails, and flesh fails: When she can hardly speak to express the greatness of her joy, then to hear a voice (as it were) saying to her, This day thou shalt be with me in Paradise. This (in all probability) was the voice of ⟨p. 232⟩God, and not of man. This was the Lords doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes. I forbear saying any more. She is gone from a Prison to a Palace; from a Purgatory to a Paradise. She is at rest with God, where all tears are wiped away from her eyes: The Lord fit us by his grace to follow her in due time into the Kingdom of glory. Amen.
6 And lastly, I cannot but take special notice of the happy close of her life, and of the blessed end shee made. It is said of Iob, James 5. 11. Yee have heard of the patience of Iob, and have seen the end of the Lord, &c. This our Christian Sister did in a great measure, partake both of Iobs pains, and Iobs patience, and made as happy an end, as hee did, though in another kinde. In the morning of that day in which shee dyed, shee fell into a slumber, in which shee heard (as shee thought) one saying to her, This day thou shalt bee with mee in Paradise. Immediately shee awaked full of joy, and though hardly able to speak, yet shee uttered it to those who stood by, and was much comforted with it. ⟨p. 231⟩Now though I am far from putting any confidence in dreams, and doubt not that a man may dream hee shall go to Heaven, and yet bee cast into Hell. Though I do not think that comfortable dreams are sufficient evidences of salvation. (Nay, when they are brought as proofs of erronious opinions, I account them Diabolical delusions; and when wicked men have them, pleasant presumptions.) Yet notwithstanding when a woman who hath spent many years in the service of God, and is visited by God for above a year, with great and most grievous pains, shall at the close of her life, (when shee is upon the very brink of eternity) have such a sweet, refreshing, and heart-chearing impression upon her spirit; when heart fails, and flesh fails: When shee can hardly speak to express the greatnesse of her joy, then to hear a voice (as it were) saying to her, This day thou shalt bee with mee in Paradise. This (in all probability) was the voice of ⟨p. 232⟩God, and not of man. This was the Lords doing, and it is marveilous in our eyes. I forbear saying any more. Shee is gone from a Prison to a Palace; from a Purgatory to a Paradise. Shee is at rest with God, where all tears are wiped away from her eyes: The Lord fit us by his grace to follow her in due time into the Kingdome of glory. Amen.
