Thrēnoikos the house of mourning furnished with directions for the hour of death ... delivered in LIII sermons preached at the funerals of divers faithfull servants of Christ / by Daniel Featly, Martin Day, John Preston, Ri. Houldsworth, Richard Sibbs, Thomas Taylor, doctors in divinity, Thomas Fuller and other reverend divines.

A word for the occasion in Hand.

Funeral Sermons (faith Saint Austin) are not comforts to the dead, but helps to the living. It is for their sakes that survive, that God hath given us these occasions; and for your sakes that are yet living, that I have chosen this Text; where you have the rule and the example concurring together.

The life of our deceased Sister, was but a commentary upon this Text; She hath been (amongst those that knew her, in her life) a lively pattern, and example, of the performance of every duty, that we have now spoken of. It pleased God to translate her as a choice Plant from a far Countrey) a Nurcery amongst the Churches in other parts) into his Vineyard, into his Garden, into his Orchard: his Church here in England. Since she came hither, and hath been planted here; She became no fruitless, nor dead tree, but according to the blessing promised to that man which meditates in the law of God, * 1.1 day and night: She brought forth fruit, and had a green lease among us. She brought forth abundance of good fruit, and is laid in the earth with the green lease of a good name, and flourisheth now, as a good example to those that live, even being dead.

After, it pleased God when she came to England, to reveal to her, the way of sal∣vation more fully then she knew before, to make her understand more clearly of the power of godliness, and what the practice of Christianity meant, which she before had received only in the Theory, in forms of doctrines, but not so heartily, and serous∣ly looking into them. She grew very covetous of good company, and (the benefit that comes by that) good conference and example.

She made great advantage of her time, in the large sense of doing good. She took her opportunities to do good to her self and her soul, by the obtaining of the know∣ledge of God in Christ; and yet nevertheless, even towards her latter end (not be∣ing perswaded that she had done enough that way) she promised to act Maries part more lively, if God would spare her longer time on earth, and exceed her for∣mer vertues, by her latter endeavours, and to refrain from Martha's trou∣bles.

Those opportunities she embraced in health (by the providence and goodness of God) were managed by her, with such care and respect, that success followed their conclusions with much advantage. She increased in love (that radical grace) as the sap doth increase in the root, extending that love to Christ and to the servants of God: ever delighting in their company; prizing them at a high rate, as the only excellent ones, and some very poor and weak Christians; naming them according to the phrase of our Saviour, worthy persons; and such a one was a worthy man, or a worthy woman, being the tearms wherewith she expressed her honourable esteem of those that seared the Lord.

Besides, in the whole course of her life she exercised the Scriptures, I have seen notes of her own gathering out of the Scripture: wherein it seemed she desired to become a profitable reader, in making use of such particular places as struck against such cor∣ruptions, which she was more especially desirous to take notice of: and such directi∣ons to duties, and incouragements by promise were likewise inserted therein, that (I am perswaded) I cannot do better then to commend this duty to the practice of all the servants of God, that when they come to peruse the Scriptures, they would fur∣nish themselves with pen and inke, and then upon all occasions they may be noting down somewhat for their own advantage: that they may have a manual, or little book of observations, for their guide and direction in the course of their lives.

She was a hearty hater of sin, and of all evil, and the appearance thereof, being care∣ful to do good so far as she was convinced in any thing to her revealed, and willing to receive instructions, and to be informed in those things that were not reveal∣ed. Those that knew her may well witness with me, that she never neglected the smallest occasion conducing to the improvement of her soul in the wayes of good∣ness.

But for the second, the main intent of this Text, and the reason for which I took it,

in this particular duty, I may resolve you, as it is said of the vertuous woman (and may speak truly, * 1.2 in the simplicity of an honest heart) Many daughters have done excellently, but thou surmountest them all. I never knew any woman in my life more active and ready to do the works of charity: according as opportunity and her ability made way for the same. Not only of her own, wherein she took her Husbands con∣sent with her; But where she prov'd unable of her self to supply the necessities of o∣thers: her labours and endeavours to incite, and stir up others, made full satisfaction in the room of her benevolence, and she became an industrious Christian in that kind. That I have observed, herein she was ever large and boundless: sowing her seed in the morning, and her hands ceased not in the evening: she gave a portion to sea∣ven, and also to eight: and as any came in her way that were in extream necessi∣ty, she became a present helper of every of them, according to their several necessi∣ties.

She was very tender hearted, and that which she bestowed to relieve others; was done in compassion of heart towards those that endured misery. But as she saw any of the houshold of Faith, and the servants of God which she took notice of by some infallible sign: she did not only relieve them with her Purse, but receive them into her heart, which was still open and enlarged to give them entertainment. She was not straitned in her bowels toward them, but was large hearted, and large handed, full of Almes, when that might help; and when it could not, she provoked others to exercise the like charity. Besides, she had other wayes to succour them, in speak∣ing for them, and stirring up others to speak for them, when words might availe them and do them good; relieving them with money, and provoking others there∣unto, when such contributions were needful; and therein she would not let slip the least opportunity, but would take the advantage of great and solemn meetings; seasoning those feasts which she frequented with some acts of mercy before they parted, that the company and society she conversed with, might savour of this sweetness of mercy as a precious oyntment, and become good examples unto o∣thers; and improve the gifts and abilites which God had given them to the same pur∣pose.

She was not only mindful of those at home, but her goodness extended to the Saints abroad. And not in respect of Nature only, because they were come into the Coun∣trey where she was born, (I speak now of those that live in distress and exile, of the Palatinate, and Germany,) but in respect of Grace. She was wondrous industrious and laborious, to procure all the means that might be to send over to help them, and even refreshed the bowels of the Saints; that I may truly say, the loynes of the poor, blessed God for her in many places. In what place hath she lived, and hath not left a savour behind her? nay, (almost) in what company hath she conversed, but this particular duty hath been as a precious oyntment to sweeten the conversations of all that were about her; and to work in their minds a vertuous intention and propense∣ness to this duty? Beloved, here you have her in her carriage and example.

What she was in her behaviour towards her Husband, and her Children, I need not speak, there are enough can witness it; she carried her self as became a Wife to him, and a helper of the servants of God with prayers and desires, and often provocations and incitings that way. But for her Children, she seem'd to undergo a second tra∣vaile with them, till Christ were formed in them; being full of earnest desires and petitions for the working of Grace, where it was not begun, and for the per∣secting thereof, where it was newly entred. She rejoyced exceedingly in any expression of good, and more for that of Grace, then any other inclination or res∣pect.

Beloved, this was obvious and common to all, and any man might take special no∣tice thereof daily, and observe it constantly. In her servants, as there appeared the more grace in any; so much the more respect she extended towards them. In the poor, as she perceived the more grace in any; the more reliese they received from her, &c. I say nothing what (in all this) she suffered; those that were acquainted with her disease, know what paines she under-went in respect of her body, and with what patience she submitted to the hand of God in all things; And many know the

wrong she endured from the World, for her desire and care to do good when she ob∣tained opportunity. Some thought her over-bold, some too busie; others thought her proud and vain-glorious, because of her often frequenting of company, and speak∣ing openly, for the provoking of others to the exercise of goodness. The Lord smite their hearts that are guilty of mis-judging; that which we are to suppose in respect of her forward disposition is this. She was naturally of a free spirit, which being sanctifi∣ed with Grace, and sharpned with love and zeal for the glory of God; made her the more resolute and familiar in frequenting good company; not to magnisie her self by their society, but that her continual conversation with them, might give her the better occasion to incite and stir them to goodness. Let those that are guilty of misprision, leave to censure her Vertues, and convert them into an example for them∣selves to walk in, if they do not, the neglect will load their souls with more woe for such contempt, then she hath received joy for her labour.

What concern'd her in her sickness, briefly I have not much to say; in that they which were about her daily, know more then I can relate: She did not only express a satisfaction and assurance of heart, that her reconciliation was made with God in Christ: but besides that, a willingness and desire to be dissolved, (for that reason) that she might be with Christ. A Minister that was with her, asking how she that had a Husband and Children, enjoying an estate and many other comforts, could be willing to forgo so many blessings, and exchange them all for death? She from that inward sence and perswasion of Gods love to her in Christ, concluded; my Husband is dear, and my Children are dear to me, but Christ is dearer. Therefore I am wil∣ling to forgo Husband and Children, and all the contents you can number in this life, that I might live with Christ, to partake of greater felicity then this world can afford me.

And now the Lord Jesus hath received her into his own protection, and satisfied her expectation with the performance of his love.

But wherefore have we spoken all this? what, that we might add any praise unto the dead? no: But to quicken those that are living, and incite them to the like duty. Some may think it impossible there should be such activeness in doing of good; and such unwearedness in performing of the acts of mercy, and where (say they) shall we find such an example? you have it before your eyes; and know that examples will rise in judgment against you, and condemn you, as well as precepts: If you fol∣low them not, while they invite you. The Text saith; Do good to all, especially to the houshold of faith. And here is an example before our eyes, of one who took her time, and opportunity to do good to all, especially to them of the houshold of Faith. Go thou, and do likewise.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Psal: 1.
• * 1.2

  Prov. 3.11.