The faithful souldier's reward, or, A glimpse of the saints happiness discovered in two sermons, occasioned by the death of that truly vertuous and religious gentle woman, Mrs. Katherine Disney : the former preached at Kirkstead, the place of her last abode here upon the earth, on the 18th day of May, 1690, being the Lord's Day, and the latter at Swinderly, near Lincoln, where she was interr'd the Tuesday following / by William Scoffin.

Ʋse III.

For Consolation. The Last Ʋse may be for Consolation to Believers, against Wants, Troubles, and Death it self. And,

1. It administers Comfort to Be∣lievers against all their Wants and Necessities. It may be now you are very poor,* 1.1 but there's durable Riches provided for you; even a full, incorruptible and glorious In∣heritance. Let the Fore-Thoughts of this support and comfort you under all your Straits and Necessi∣ties,* 1.2 for your best Days are yet to come. Consider, It is but a very little while that we shall have need of these outward Enjoyments: And while we do need them,* 1.3 we have good ground to hope for such a measure thereof as is convenient for us.

Whosoever he be that doth seek God's Kingdom and Righteousness above all other Things,* 1.4 and that waits upon God in a diligent use

of those Means that he hath appoin∣ted, shall certainly enjoy so much of these Things as the All-wise God sees requisite for him.* 1.5 And what can we desire more?

How soon (alas!) should we ruine our selves,* 1.6 if God should leave us to be our own Carvers; or should give us whatsoever we desire in the World?* 1.7 But it's well for us that we are under the care of so Wise and Gracious a Father, who will give us nothing but what's really good for us; nor deny us any thing here in the World, but that which he sees would be hurtful to us.

We are often desirous of several Things which are good in them∣selves, and good for some Persons, and which we apprehend may be good for us also; and yet God doth (in Mercy) deny us such Things as knowing them not for our good. And shall we not trust his infinite Wisdom before our own shallow and dark Understandings?* 1.8 Yes surely.

We need not therefore to trou∣ble our selves with distracting Thoughts, and with carking Cares,* 1.9 who have such a wise Father to care for us here,* 1.10 and provides so well for us hereafter.* 1.11 We have not yet received our Portion, but it is laid up, and in safe keeping for us; and within a while we shall come to enjoy it. Fear not lit∣tle Flock (saith Christ) it is your Father's good Pleasure to give you the Kingdom. Luke 12.32.

Sure you that are adopted the Children of God,* 1.12 and have thereby a Right to the Heavenly Inheritance, may well be content with your Con∣dition in this World; you being so much better provided for in the World to come. What if your Earthly Estate be sequestred, or any ways taken from you,* 1.13 so long as you have a better Estate in Hea∣ven that none can deprive you of, even Eternal Mansions of Bliss and Glory?

Let the Foresight (by Faith) of this Glorious Estate wean you from all inordinate Affections to Humane and Earthly Things.* 1.14 What are all the Pleasures, and Riches, and Ho∣nours in the World, in comparison of those that are Spiritual and Heavenly? These will not satisfy but increase our Desires, but those will afford us the fullest Satisfacti∣on. These are Temporal, and but for a Moment; but those are E∣ternal, and shall last us for ever. The greatest Things that are here upon the Earth, will appear to be (what they are indeed) but very small and trivial Things, to those that can look beyond them with an Eye of Faith, and take a view of the Heavenly Blessedness.

What is Earthly Majesty, and all Earthly Glories (if put toge∣ther) to the beholding the Lord Jesus Christ in all his Majesty and Glory?* 1.15 What are costly Garments, and the most rich Attire, to those Robes of Righ∣teousness,

and Garments of Sal∣vation,* 1.16 wherewith the Saints shall be clothed in the great Day of the Marriage of the Lamb? What are the most stately Pa∣laces here on Earth, compared with Heaven the Palace of God,* 1.17 and the Mansions of Blessed Spi∣rits? And what are all the Plea∣sures in the World,* 1.18 to those Ri∣vers of Pleasures which are at God's Right Hand? Or all the Riches and Inheritances in the World,* 1.19 to that Glorious Inhe∣ritance of the Saints in Light?

Whatsoever we want (as to outward Enjoyments) we may com∣fort our selves in the Hopes of Heaven; where all our Wants will be abundantly supplied with Spi∣ritual, Celestial, and much better Enjoyments.

2. It administers Comfort to Believers, against all their Afflicti∣ons and Troubles. It may be now you lie groaning under Bodily Weaknesses, as pining Sickness, or

racking Pains; rouling your self to and fro on your Bed, as a Door rouleth upon its Hinges; getting but very little Rest or Refresh∣ment, through the anguish of your Pains, and the weariness of your Flesh.

But in Heaven there will assured∣ly be perfect Ease, and perfect Health, and Rest, and Refreshment, and that for evermore.

We are very apprehensive of present Pain, and present Grie∣vances, but not of the Ease, Re∣freshment and Glory that shall succeed. But remember, and con∣sider well with your selves, that though the Pains be sharp, the Sickness lingring, and hangeth long upon you, yet present Time is quickly past, but Eternity will have no end.

For which cause we faint not,* 1.20 (saith the Apostle) but though our outward Man perish, yet the inward Man is renewed Day by Day. For our light Afflictions which are but for a Moment, work

for us a far more exceeding and eter∣nal weight of Glory. While we look not at the Things which are seen, but at Things which are not seen: for the things which are seen, are Temporal; but the Things which are not seen, are Eternal.

We pitch too much (alas!) upon a carnal Hope, but do not enough look after the Glory of the everlasting State: and this makes our Afflictions seem heavy and grievous. Whereas, a well∣grounded and lively Hope of the Heavenly Happiness and Glory, would make our greatest Afflicti∣ons to become light, and turn our Pains into Pleasure, yea, and Death it self into Life.

But now let me apply it to those especially that suffer for Righteous∣ness Sake.

Shall any of us shrink at Suffer∣ings for Christ,* 1.21 who shall be in Glory with him for ever? How short is the Suffering? how long

the Reward? How light the Af∣fliction? how weighty the Glory?

If we had but Wisdom to reckon aright, and would weigh these Things in the Ballance of the San∣ctuary, we should quickly see whe∣ther present Sufferings, or the fu∣ture Glory would turn the Scales. Rom. 8.18. For I reckon that the Sufferings of this present Time, are not worthy to be compared with the Glory which shall be revealed in us.

There are few that have met with greater Sufferings than this great Apostle was exercised with,* 1.22 and yet he looks upon them as next to nothing, when compared with the future Glory. I reckon (saith he.) And most surely he had learn∣ed to reckon aright, and this much refresh'd him under all his Trials. So 'tis said of the believing Hebrews also,* 1.23 that they took joyfully the spoil∣ing of their Goods, as knowing in themselves, that they had in Heaven a better and an enduring Substance.

And Moses esteemed Reproaches for Christ,* 1.24 greater Riches than the Treasures in Egypt: for he had re∣spect ('tis said) to the recompence of the Reward. He did not only bear his Sufferings with Patience, but did also esteem very highly of them, as knowing that Heaven would make amends for all.

This is it that chears the Hearts of God's Faithful People, in all their Troubles. I had fainted,* 1.25 (saith David) unless I had believed to see the Goodness of the Lord in the Land of the Living.

Having Hopes of enjoying so great a Good, beyond all Time,* 1.26 to Eternity; we may well endure a far lesser Evil, when so short, even but for a Moment.

If we be reproached for the Name of Christ, we have reason to rejoice,* 1.27 and not to be ashamed: For on our Enemies part God is evil spoken of, but on our part he is glorified. And

if we glorify God here, by our patient continuance in well-doing,* 1.28 he will also glorify us hereafter with Christ, in Eternal Glory. If we suffer, we shall also reign with him; but if we deny him, he will also deny us. 2 Tim. 2.12.

Have any of us lost the love of Men,* 1.29 for our Sincerity and Faith∣fulness? Why what is this to the Love of God,* 1.30 which we shall en∣joy for ever? Are we (by our Enemies) cast into Prison? We shall shortly be in our Father's House,* 1.31 where there are Mansions of Bliss and Glory.

The worst that our Enemies can do us here,* 1.32 is only to kill the Body, and this they cannot do neither without the permission of God; and when God permits them to injure our Bodies,* 1.33 he thereby designs us good to our Souls. So that our Enemies are very unskilful, what∣soever Evil they design unto us; for when they impair the outward Man, they thereby better the in∣ward

Man:* 1.34 And if they root us out of the Earth, they do but send us the sooner to Heaven.

Yea,* 1.35 and the greater our Suffer∣ings are here in the World, the greater will be our Happiness here∣after. 'Twas a Saying of one of the Antient Fathers, when vilified by his Enemies.

He that willingly takes from my good Name, unwillingly adds to my Reward.

Surely then, the Hopes of Heaven should chear our Hearts under all our Trials.

3. It administers Comfort to Be∣lievers, even against Death it self. These Earthly Tabernacles must be dis∣solved,* 1.36 but what then? We have a Building of God, an House not made with Hands, Eternal in the Heavens. We shall but leave a poor totter∣ing Cottage, to live in a Princely Palace; and forsake an unquiet and troublesome World, for a place

of everlasting Repose.* 1.37 Death to Believers is but a sweet Sleep, and the Grave but a Chamber of Rest; where the Body doth quietly repose it self till the general Resurrection: And then it shall certainly awake from its Sleep, and be raised again a most Glorious Body, Phil. 3.21. And while the Body doth thus quietly rest in the Grave, the Soul is in actual Joy and Felicity. It doth not sleep in the Grave with the Body,* 1.38 (as some do foolishly imagine) but is present with the Lord, and in a State of Activity. Death is to the Soul of every Be∣liever an immediate Passage into Glory. Believers may therefore look Death in the Face with a great deal of Joy and Comfort,* 1.39 for its Sting is taken away by Christ, and it is unto them a Translation. Their Life is not taken away, but changed; 'tis changed from a miserable and corruptible Life, to that which is Blessed and Eternal. There's a Glo∣rious State provided for Believers in the World to come, and Death is the ready Passage into it.

Wherefore comfort one another with these Words,* 1.40 (saith the Apostle.) With what Words? Why, that Je∣sus Christ shall come in the Clouds,* 1.41 and take Believers unto himself; and so shall we for ever be with the Lord.

Lastly, The Doctrine affords mat∣ter of Comfort, to the Dear Re∣lations of our Deceased Friend; who hath fought a good Fight, and hath finished her Course, and is now gone to receive the Crown which the Lord hath prepared for her.

She was one that was assaulted with many Temptations, but through the Captain of her Salvation she did conquer and overcome;* 1.42 and is now enjoying (as we have ground to hope) the Reward of a Faithful Souldier of Christ; even an immor∣tal Crown of Life and Glory; yea, the highest Felicity she is capable of receiving, till her Body and Soul be again reunited; and then will her Happiness be full and com∣pleat.

Ever since I knew her, I look'd upon her to be one that desired to make Religion her Business, or the chief concern of her Life.

She had very low and mean Thoughts of her self; and was greatly afraid of being mistaken, and of thinking her Condition to be better than it was. She has oft (in my hearing) lamented and be∣wail'd her Distractions of Mind in Duty; and would tell me she found it a very difficult thing to keep her Heart close unto God. And where is there a Christian indeed, that doth not experience this?

It was her practice every Day to read a considerable Portion of the Holy Scriptures, and to medi∣tate and pray in secret; besides her constant joyning in Family-Du∣ties. She would say that she found those two Soul-enriching Duties of Meditation, and Self-examination, very hard and difficult to perform them aright.

She had a very hearty Love (I be∣lieve) to all God's Faithful People;* 1.43 not only those that were of the same Judgment with her, but also to those that differed from her in some Circumstantials of Religion.

She was far from that factious and narrow Spirit (which too many have discovered in these our Days) that has no hearty Love for any but those that are of their own Perswasion. No, wheresoever she saw any thing of the Image of God,* 1.44 in Rich or Poor, or any Person that differed from her in Judgment, such Persons were always welcome to her; and she ever expressed an high esteem of them.* 1.45 She delighted most in the Society of those who truly feared the Lord.

She would speak her Mind freely, and with very great Zeal, in vin∣dicating God's Faithful Servants, when she heard any of them spoken against, or reflected on by others.

Her Humility was very conspi∣cuous and apparent to all that con∣versed much with her. And you of her Neighbours who knew her well, can give your Attestation to what I say. How free was she al∣ways in her Converse with you? And how familiar would she be with the poorest of you? The Poor was as welcome to her as the Rich; and more especially such as feared the Lord. She would visit the poorest of her Neighbours with delight, when she could have any hopes of doing them good, or of administring any Relief to them.

She went very modestly in her Apparel, (ever since I knew her) chusing rather to go below her Quality, than in the least to ex∣ceed. She could not endure those ridiculous Fashions which are now so much followed by many; those foolish and fantastical Dresses which abundance do please themselves with. And for my part, I verily believe that a great many Persons

amongst us, do please but a very few with their Dress, besides the Devil and themselves. And I wish the Lord may not bring upon these, what he brought upon the haughty Daughters of Zion, Isa. 3.16,—26. Jer. 15.9. chap. 14.1, — 18. and 52.1,—27. Many there are which seem not to approve of these fool∣ish, fantastical Fashions, and yet, forsooth, they must follow the same, lest they make themselves ridiculous. But our honoured Friend, the de∣ceased Gentlewoman, was not of their Mind; for she rather chose to be accounted ridiculous by proud and foolish Sinners, than to make her self so indeed, in the Sight of the All-seeing God. She spent lit∣tle time in dressing her self, and as little she spent in Idleness.

She would constantly be employ∣ed in one honest Business or other, as knowing it sinful (either in Poor or in Rich) to trifle and idle away precious Time.

She had indeed her Infirmities and Weaknesses (which none are free from while here in the World,) but these (I believe) were her great Grief and Burden. Naturally she seem'd to be inclined to Passion, the which I have heard her lament and bewail; and I hope, through Grace, she did very much conquer it.

Some of her Servants have told me, that when she has been most angry, her Back was no sooner turned but all her Passion was gone, and she would then be as mild and well pleased again, as if she had never been angry.

She was a very Tender and Af∣fectionate Wife, and as suitable (I believe) as ever Husband enjoy∣ed. Sure never did two live more comfortably together than these two Persons did. Their greatest Strife seem'd always to be which should exceed in their Love to each other.

She was a very careful and in∣dulgent Mother, and had a very tender love to her Children, yet would never indulge them in any thing that was bad.

Her nearest and dearest Relati∣ons and Friends,* 1.46 have cause to la∣ment and bewail their own Loss; but to rejoyce and take comfort in the hopes of her Gain.

Her Expressions and Carriage in her last Sickness, and the Morning before she was taken ill, were very remarkable and affecting: For im∣mediately before her last Sickness seiz'd her, she renew'd her Resolu∣tions of praising God more; and told her Affectionate (and now Sorrowful) Husband, that they would join together in singing God's Praises. And she also discoursed then with him of Death, and of the great Concerns of their Souls, and this with greater Affection and Freedom than usually she had done. And she further expressed her wil∣lingness

to die, if she had but more hopes of her fitness for it. And all this the same Morning before her Sickness seized her, which was therefore the more remarkable. And after she was taken Ill, and her Pains were very great upon her, she would justify God, and be speaking good of his Name; say∣ing,* 1.47 I will bear the Indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned a∣gainst him. Well, (would she say) God is still Good and Gracious, O! that I could love so Good a God more!

It is very affecting to hear a poor Soul (who is even ready to breath out her last) still breathing forth earnest Desires after God, and after a more ardent Love unto him. She desired to love him more while she was here: and O now she loves, even as she is beloved!

She renew'd her Resolutions of praising God more, and now she's gone to sing everlasting Allelujahs.

Let this therefore comfort her dearest Relations, and every one of us who truly loved her;* 1.48 that though her Death be a Loss unto us, yet it's far more gainful to her. We have ground to hope that her Soul is gone to the Spirits of the Just made perfect; where she shall sin no more, nor sorrow any more;* 1.49 but all Tears shall be wiped from her Eyes: and there shall be no more Death, neither Sickness, nor Pain; for the former Things are passed away.

Now the Use that we should make of what hath been spoken in the Praise and Commendation of our deceased Friend, is to follow and imitate her Example, in whatsoever was excellent and imitable in her.

She was much in reading the Word of God, in Meditation and Secret Prayer, and in that necessary (and too much neglected) Duty of Self-Examination.

Let us endeavour therefore to be much in the practice of these necessary and most profitable Duties, that we may live comfortably, and die happily, as we hope this deceas∣ed Gentlewoman did.

I am by no means for commen∣ding the Dead any further than may be for the good of the Living, and for the Praise and Glory of God. Yea, I look upon it as a very great Sin, to commend the deceased with∣out good ground for it; for in so doing God's People are grieved, and the Wicked more hardened in their Impenitency. And yet this (alas!) is a practice too common.

But I hope I have said nothing of our deceased Friend but what may be attested by many, and that which may be of good use to us all, if we be not wanting to our selves. Whatsoever Failings there∣fore we might see in her, let us labour to shun and avoid the like; and whereinsoever she did excel,

let us labour to imitate her.* 1.50 And let us always endeavour to be Fol∣lowers of those, who through Faith and Patience inherit the Promises.

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling,* 1.51 and to present you faultless before the Presence of his Glory with exceeding Joy, To the only-Wise God our Saviour, be Glory and Ma∣jesty, Dominion and Power, both now and ever. Amen.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Prov. 8.18, 21.1 Pet. 1.4.
• * 1.2

  Luk. 16.25.
• * 1.3

  Psal. 34.9, 10. Psal. 8.11.
• * 1.4

  Mat. 6.31, — 33.
• * 1.5

  Rom. 8.32.
• * 1.6

  Deut. 32.15.
• * 1.7

  Psal. 37.3,—9. Ver. 16. Rom. 8.28.
• * 1.8

  Pro. 3.5, 6.
• * 1.9

  Phil. 4.6.
• * 1.10

  1 Pet. 5.7.
• * 1.11

  Psal. 17.14, 15.1 Pet. 1.3, —5.
• * 1.12

  Joh. 1.12, 13. Rom. 8.17. Gal. 4.4,-7
• * 1.13

  Joh. 14.2.
• * 1.14

  1 Joh. 2.15, 16, 17.
• * 1.15

  Joh. 17.24
• * 1.16

  Isa. 61.10. Rev. 19.7, 8.
• * 1.17

  Joh. 14.2.
• * 1.18

  Psal. 36.8. & 16.11.
• * 1.19

  Col. 1.12.
• * 1.20

  2 Cor. 4.16, 17, 18.
• * 1.21

  Rom. 8.17.
• * 1.22

  2 Cor. 11.23,—33.
• * 1.23

  Heb. 10.32,—36.
• * 1.24

  Heb. 11.25, 26, 27.
• * 1.25

  Psal. 27.13.
• * 1.26

  2 Cor. 4.17.
• * 1.27

  1 Pet. 4.12,—19. Chap. 3.14,—17. & 2.20,—25.
• * 1.28

  Joh. 12.26 Rev. 3.21.
• * 1.29

  Isa. 66.5.
• * 1.30

  Rom. 8.33,—39.
• * 1.31

  Joh. 14.2.
• * 1.32

  Mat. 10.28
• * 1.33

  Rom. 8.28.
• * 1.34

  2 Cor. 4.16
• * 1.35

  Mat. 5.10, 11, 12.
• * 1.36

  2 Cor. 5.1.
• * 1.37

  Isa. 57.2. Rev. 14.13.1 Thess. 4.13, 14, 15.
• * 1.38

  2 Cor. 5.8. Phil. 1.23.
• * 1.39

  1 Cor. 15.55, 56, 57.
• * 1.40

  1 Thess. 4.18.
• * 1.41

  Ver. 16, 17.
• * 1.42

  Jam. 1.12. Rev. 2.10.
• * 1.43

  1 Joh. 3.14
• * 1.44

  Psal. 15.4. Psal. 16.2, 3.
• * 1.45

  Psal. 119.63.
• * 1.46

  1 Thess. 4.13,—18.
• * 1.47

  Mic. 7.9.
• * 1.48

  Phil. 1.21. Heb. 12.23.
• * 1.49

  Rev. 21.4.
• * 1.50

  Phil. 4.8, 9. Heb. 6.12.
• * 1.51

  Jude, ver. 24, & 25.