Chapter II: Part 2

Praise is a Debt (saith _Gregory |
Nazianzen_[a]) and it must be paid, | [Note a: _Orat. 25. fol. 439. Rom.
not to men alone, but to women | 13. 7, 8._]
also; yet not to euery woman, be |
shee neuer so noble, wittie, | [Note: The Diuision.]
wealthy or faire[b], vnlesse she be |
godly withall: For _fauour is | [Note b: _Non possumus reprehendere
deceitfull, and beautie is vaine; | diuini artificis opus; sed quem
but a woman that feareth the Lord, | delectat corporis pulchritudo,
shee shall be praised_. | multo magis illa delectet venustas,
| quae ad imaginem, Dei est intus, non
A promise this is and affirmatiue, | foris comptior. S. Ambr. Instit.
and an affirmatiue promise hath two | Virg. c. 4. Prou. 11. 22. Eccle.
parts in it. The first is the | 11. 2. ... Homo igitur mihi non tam
Partie to whom it is made, and shee | vultu quam affectu admirand^s
is _Muliertimens Dominum_. _A woman | emineat atque excellat: vt in his
that feareth the Lord_, which is | laudatur, in quibus etiam Deus
also the reason why she shall be | prophetico iudicio laudatur de quo
praised: euen because she is _a | scriptum est Psal. 66. 5.
woman fearing the Lord_. The second | Terribilis in consiliis super
is the thing promised, and that is | filios hominum; cuius opera coram
_Laudabitur, she shall be praised_. | Deo luceant, qui bona iugibus
| operibus facta contexat. Id. ib.
| cap. 3._]
In the former, it is not enough |
that she is a woman, because | [Note I.]
euery woman is not _Timens_, one |
that _Feareth_, nor sufficient that | [Note c: _Naturale vocabul[=u] est
she _Feareth_; because euery woman | Foemina. naturalis vocabuli
that feareth is not _Timens | generale, Mulier.--Tert. de Virg.
Dominum_, one _that feareth the | Veland. cap 4._]
Lord_; but _she_ that _shall be |
praised_, is all three. 1. A woman | [Note d: _Aliud est Timere
by nature[c], where the weaker her | simpliciter, aliud Timere
sex is, the more shee shall be | Deum----quippe timere & amare
commended. 2. By Grace[d], _a woman | simpliciter prolata, affectione:
that feareth_, where the continuall | cu^m additamento aute virtutes
act of this Fearing is required. 3. | signific[=a]t. Simplices nempe
_That feareth the Lord_, where the | affectiones insunt naturaliter
right Obiect of her continuall | nobis tanquam ex nobis, Additamenta
feare is limited. | ex Gratia. S. Bern. de Grat. & lib.
| Arb._]
And in the latter we are to |
consider; First, to what matters, | [Note II.]
_Laudabitur_, her praise will |
reach, and in what respect to |
_Ipsa_ Her person. Then secondly, |
When _she shall be praised_; not |
for the present, perhaps, no more |
than she hath beene heretofore; yet |
_Laudabitur_, the time will come |
when _she shall be praised_, and |
then too her praise shall so be, |
that it shall be still. Thirdly, of |
whom shee shall haue praise, for |
_Laudabitur_ is an action, and must |
bee done of some agent, therefore |
we must finde who shal praise her, |
and they will fall out to be her |
Husband and her Children (if she |
haue them[e]) and if they faile in | [Note e: _Mulier enim no natura
this dutie, then the godly shall | nomen est vxoris, sed vxor
praise her; and if they cease to | coditione nomen est mulieris. Tert.
doe it, then her own workes shall | ib. c. 5. Gen. 2. 23. Haec vocabitur
praise her, yea rather than faile, | mulier, quoniam de viro suo sumpta
God himselfe shall praise her, | est: Quia sumpta est (inquit) de
which is best of all. So sure she | viro suo, non quia virum experta
is to be praised, not for the | ... Non enim corruptelae, sed sexus
present onely, but for euer. And so | vocabulum est. Gal. 4. 4. Luke 1.
this Text besides that it is a | 28. S. Ambr. ibid. c. 5._]
_Promise_, it is also a _Motiue_ to |
stirre vs vp to feare God, that so | [Note: A Promise, and Motiue.]
we also may haue true and eternall |
praise of God. It is both, and | [Note: _I. The partie that shall be
both waies wee to haue vse of it, | praised._]
as of a _Promise_, and as of a |
_Motiue_: both these waies at once; |
_A woman that feareth the Lord she |
shall be praised._ |
|
A weake sex[f] to beginne with, and | [Note f: _1 Pet. 3. 7. Ier. 50.
yet being strengthned by Grace[g], | 37. Nah. 3. 13. Gal. 3. 27, 28._]
no impediment; but that a woman as |
wel as a man may feare the Lord, | [Note g: _--Ex parte natura (nisi
and haue praise of him, and so | sit fortitude maioris gratiae)
become the partie who shall, and | facilius incarnatur ad malum sexus
one Reason too, why _shee shall be | formineus. Bonau. L. 2. d. 21. q.
praised_. | 3. p. 18._]
|
For a woman must be more good than |
nature, art, policie, preferment |
can make her, else shee is not good |
enough for Gods Spirit to praise |
her. He commends neither men nor |
women considered in their pure |
Naturalls only, in that estate of |
corruption, they all heare alike to | [Note h: _Rom. 3. 9._]
their disgrace, that they are _All |
vnder sinne[h]_, _All come[i] short | [Note i: _Rom. 3. 23._]
of the glory of God_, and are _All |
the children of[k] wrath_, because | [Note k: _Ephes. 2. 3._]
they _Are without all feare of |
God_[l] | [Note l: _Rom. 3. 18._]
|
By nature then both sexes are alike |
faultie, alike disc[=o]mendable in |
Gods sight, and so they should be |
in ours. We should not dispraise |
women more than men, for the sex |
sake only (as some doe[m]) because | [Note m: _Eurip. Plutarc. de
they haue as noble soules as men, | Tranquilit Mulier quantibuis proba,
for[n] soules haue no sexes, (as | Mulier tamen est._]
Saint _Ambrose_ saith) nor praise |
women for the endowments of the | [Note n: _Anima enim sexum non
flesh onely (as othersome doe[o]) | habet.--De Virg. som. 1. lib: 3.
vnlesse they be adorned also with | fol. 99._]
the sauing Graces of the Spirit, |
whereof a chiefe one is not noble | [Note o: _Cornel. Agrip. de
birth, great wealth, excellent wit, | Nobilit. foeminei sexus. Bocacius
or rare beautie: but _the feare of | de claris mulieribus._]
the Lord_, his treasure.[A] This |
godly feare is that, that makes a | [Note A: _Es. 33. 6._]
Woman in relation[p] to God, |
praise-worthy. And good reason it | [Note p: _Caiet. in. loc._]
should do so, if we regard the |
weaknesse of a woman, in whom so |
excellent a Grace as _the feare of |
the Lord_, is found, and the |
Noblenesse of fearing the Lord, |
being so found. |
|
First, a womans weaknesse is |
naturally[q] greater than the mans, | [Note q: _Naturaliter etiam maior
and therefore by how much her flesh | lucti est inter carnem et
is weaker, and her spirit lesse | spirit[=u] mulieris quam viri:
willing, by so much the combate she | quanto enim caro eius infirmior, &
hath, is more difficult, and the | spiritus minus promptus, tato pugna
victory she gets, more commendable. | dissicilior--& victoria
I know a man (_Blesensis_ by name) | comm[=e]dabilior. Pet. Bles. ser.
that thought two things should | 33. p. 420. Timeo autem ne forte
excuse him at the dreadfull day of | viri a virginibus iudicentur:
iudgement, the Frailty of his | Comparatione tam[=e] non
flesh, and the Ignorance of his | Auctoritate: quia per duo tantum
minde; but then he feared lest God | scilicet: per Fragilitat[=e] carnis
would iudge men by wom[=e], whose | & Ignorantiam mentis putoba, &c.
sex being more fraile, more | ser. 35. p. 428._]
ignorant than that of mens, were |
for all that oftentimes more holy, |
more deuout than many men. |
|
Secondly, the _Feare of the Lord_ |
is the truest Nobilitie (as |
_Gerson_[r] proues) the noblest | [Note r: _Tractat. de Nobilitate,
grace that can ennoble and extoll a | part. 2. p. 52. lit. E. Et Greg.
man or a woman. Other naturall, | Naz. Orat. 13. tom. I. fol. 352._]
ciuill, and meerely morall |
excellencies, perfections, and |
endowments a woman may haue, nay |
(which is neerest the point) other |
kindes of Feare she may haue, and | [Note B: _2 Kings 9. 34. Act. 14.
yet be base, seruile, cursed as | 25. 1 Ioh. 4. 18._]
_Iezebel_[B], not praise-worthy, as |
namely, if she feare men[C], or | [Note C: _Matth. 10. 28. Es. 51.
what else besides more than God, or | 12._]
not for God (as Saint _Bernard_[s] |
limits) or if shee feare God as a | [Note s: _Convertatur ad ipsum
Iudge, in respect of his | etiam Timor tuus, quia peruersus
punishments only[t], & not as a | est timor omnis, quo metuis aliquid
Father for loue of his goodnesse, | praeter eum aut non propter eum. S.
and from an hatred of wickednesse, | Ber. in cap. Ieiun. ser. 2._]
or if she haue cast off the feare |
of the Lord, which shee hath seemed | [Note t: _Quid magn[=u] est,
to haue, or if shee puts off his | poen[=a] timere? Quis enim n[=o]
_Feare_ from time to time, and | timet? quis Latro, quis sceleratus,
continues not in it. | quis nefarius? &c. S. August. de
| Verb. Apost. ser. 15. fol. 332.
Looke we then first to the Obiect | tom. 10._]
of the _Laudable womans feare_, |
that he whom she feareth be the | [Note: I. _The Obiect of her
Lord, in respect of his Mercy and | feare._]
Iustice both; then to the |
continuall employment of her |
_Feare_, not one that hath feared |
him, or will feare him; but one |
that doth feare him for the |
present, and continueth therein, |
else shee is not a woman _Timens |
Dominum_, _Fearing the Lord_, and |
so not worthy to be _praised_. |
|
First then (that the Obiect may be |
right) the [u]_Lord is her feare_, | [Note u: _Deut. 10. 12. 2 King.
who shal be praised. For if He be | 17. 36. Luk. 12. 5. Es. 8. 13.
not, all exquisitenesses besides | Mal. 1. 6._]
are nothing in comparison; and if |
He be, all sufficiencies | [Note x: _Loquacitas in
(remarkable in that sex) are | aedificatione nulla turpis, si
improued, and all Duties | quando turpis. Itaque si de aliquo
(obserueable in the feare of the | bono sermo est, res postulat
Lord) are practised. To see this | contrarium quoque boni recensere.
the better, let vs follow | Quid enim sectandum sit, magis
_Tertullians_[x] rule, and oppose | illummabis, si quod vitand[=u] sit,
one against another, a vessell of | proinde digesseris. Tertul. de
dishonour against a vessell of | Patien. c. 5. tom. 2._]
honour, a woman not Fearing, |
against a woman Fearing the Lord. | [Note: _A wom[=a] fearlesse of
| God._]
She that fears not the Lord, sets |
light by Gods anger and her | [Note y: _Esth. 1. 12, 17, 20, 22.
Husbands[y], not caring whether | Eccl. 26. 26. Es. 36. 9. & 3.
they bee pleased or displeased. | 16. Prou. 30. 33. Eccles. 25.
Shee neglects to plant the feare of | 13. & alibi passim. Vbi vero timor
the Lord in her childrens hearts, | Dei non est, ibi dissolutio vitae
chusing rather to be an example of | est. S. Aug. de Temp. ser. 213.
wickednesse vnto them, and to | tom. 10._]
misplace them in mariage for |
sinister respects. She brings want |
of things necessary to her family |
by her wastefulnesse, brauery, and |
idlenesse. She contemnes her |
naturall and legall kindred, lifts |
vp her selfe aboue her equalls, |
disdaines her inferiours, |
dishonours her place by an |
ouer-loftie or an ouer-base and |
contemptible behauiour in the same. |
She alienates the hearts of Gods |
people from her, by neglecting the |
offices of courtesies and |
helpfulnesse. She declines and |
vnderualewes the most searching |
meanes of Saluation, the Word, |
Prayer, Conference, Repentance, |
Meditation, Sacraments; in a word |
(according to Saint _Ambroses_[z] | [Note z: _Aliud est timere quia
Distinction) she feares hell | peccaueris, aliud timere ne pecces.
torments, because shee hath sinned, | Et ibi est formido de supplicio,
but shee feares not Gods | hic solicitudo de praemio. Epist.
displeasure, lest she should sinne, | 84. tum. 3. Est quem timor Dei
and therefore shee liues and dies | ligat, qui non expauescit ad vultus
in worldlinesse, wantonnesse, | homin[=u], sed ad memoriam
pride, hatred, variance, | gehennalium tormentorum. Et hic
emulations, wrath, strife, reuenge, | quidem peccare non metuit, sed
impatiencie, gluttonie, or some | ardere. S. Bern. de Tripl.
such darling sinne: and tell me | Coberent: Vincul. &c. Es. 33. 14._]
(Beloued) if such a woman not |
beautified and adorned with |
religion and the feare of the Lord, | [Note a: _Tertul. de Habit. Mulieb.
be worthy to bee praised of the | & de Cultu Foem. tom. 2. S. Cyprian
Lord? I am sure the ancient Fathers | de Discipl. & Hab. Virg. to. 2.
[a]declaime bitterly against her | Greg. Naz. aduers. mulier:
filthy heart, false haire, | Ambitiose se ornantes. to. 2. S.
adulterate paintings, naked | Ephraem aduers. improbas mulieres
breasts, new-fangled fashions of | tom. 1._ if his workes. _Riuet. l.
superfluous, monstrous attire: & | 3. c. 21._]
the holy Scriptures[b] vilifie her |
to her face, threatning her | [Note b: _2 King. 9. 20, 30, 34.
(notwithstanding all her other | Es. 3. 16, &c. & 32 9, 10, 11. 1
ornaments and excellencies of | Pet. 3. 3, 4. Matth. 5. 36. & 6.
nature, art, policie, preferment,) | 27. Eccles. 25. 13, 19._]
that without this _Feare of the |
Lord, it shall not be well with |
her, Eccles. 8. 13. The Lord will |
come neare to her to iudgement, he | [Note c: _Eccles. 23. 26. Prou.
will be a swift witnesse against | 10. 7._]
her, Mal. 3. 5. She shall leaue her |
memorie to be cursed[c], and her | [Note d: _Eccles. 26. 25._]
reproach shall not be blotted out, |
she shall be counted vngodly of | [Note e: _Eccles. 7. 26_]
all[d], more bitter than death[e]. |
As rottennesse in her husbands | [Note f: _Prou. 12. 4._]
bones[f], As spittle[g],_ yea _As a |
Dogge[h],_ and at last she shall be | [Note g: _Eccles. 26. 21._]
cast into hell fire, _Salua Venia_, |
without pardon from God, because | [Note h: _Eccles. 26. 25._]
(saith _Tertullian_[i]) she hath |
sinned _Saluo metu_, without any | [Note i: _Sic ergo & ipsi, salua
feare of God. | venia in gehennam detrudentur, dum
| saluo metu peccant. De paenit. c. 5.
But on the other side what | Reuel. 21. 8. & 22. 15._]
personall sufficiency, what |
singular duty is there requisite in |
a Woman, either in respect of God, | [Note: _A wom[=a] fearing the
or of her husband, children, | Lord._]
kindred, seruants, place, and of |
Gods people, which the life of | [Note k: _Gen. 3. 16. Eph. 5.
Grace, the Grace of the Feare of | 23.33. 1 Cor. 7. 34._]
the Lord doth not animate, aduance, | [Note l: _1 Tim. 5. 10. 2 Tim. 1.
and accomplish? This godly Feare | 5. & 3. 15. Tit. 2. 4. Deut. 6.
ennobleth Nobilitie, beautifieth | 7._]
Beautie, enricheth wealth, teacheth |
wit, wisdome. She that hath this | [Note m: _Prou. 31. 15, 21._
_Feare_, dare not for her heart, | _Matth. 8. 6._]
but be loath to offend her husband, |
and deny her inferiority[k], but be | [Note n: _1 Tim. 5. 4. Esth. 2.
an example of godlinesse to her | 7, 10. & 4. 4. Ruth 4. 15.
children[l], prouide things | Exod. 18. 7._]
necessary for her seruants[m] both |
in health and in sicknesse; loue | [Note o: _Phil. 2. 3. Rom. 12.
her naturall and legall[n] kindred, | 10, 16._]
esteeme her equals aboue her |
selfe[o], countenance and relieue | [Note p: _Iam. 2. 1. 1 Tim. 6.
her inferiours[p], maintaine the | 18._]
dignitie of her place by all such |
vertues as may discharge the[q] | [Note q: _Titus 2. 3._]
same; winne the affections of Gods |
people, to her more and more, by | [Note r: _Luk. 1. 45, 56. Prou.
the offices[r] of courtesies, | 1. 20 & 5. 20 Gal. 6. 10 1 Tim
salutations, gifts, visitations, | 5. 10 Iob 6. 14_]
inuitations and of helpfulnesse; |
yea she that feares God, dare not | [Note s: _Gal. 6. 9. Iam. 1.
for her heart but _Honour them that | 19. 1 Tim. 4. 13. 1 Thess 5.
feare God, Psal. 15. 4._ but keepe | 17. Luk. 2. 37. Ephes. 4. 26.
her set taskes[s] of hearing, | Phil. 4. 5. 1 Pet. 3. 4. Luk.
reading, fasting, praying, | 9. 23. & 14. 26._]
meditating, moderating passionate |
distempers, and of all other | [Note t: _Psal. 18. 23. & 77. 10.
gracious exercises, of | Gen. 39. 9. Prou. 16. 6. & 8.
Selfe-deniall[t]; so that there is | 13._]
not any knowne[u] sinne which she |
nourisheth, alloweth, or goeth on | [Note u: _Gen. 17. 1. Psal. 6. 8.
in, but quaketh and trembleth at | & 116. 9. Act. 10. 33. 2 Cor.
the very first thoughts, yea | 6. 17. Iob 34. 21. Prou. 15. 3.
motions and inclinations thereunto, | & 5. 22. 2 Chron. 16. 9 1 King.
as being in the sight[x] of an | 17. 1. Magna est cautela peccati,
inuisible God, vnder the perpetuall | Dei semper presentiam timere. S.
presence of his All-seeing glorious | Aug. de Temp. tom. 212. tom. 10._]
pure eye, which shee will not |
prouoke to anger by any sinne, for | [Note x: _Multum enim refraenat
all the gold that euer the Sunne | homines c[=o]scientia, si credamus
made, or shall make while it stands | nos in c[=o]spectu Dei uiuere, si
in Heauen[y]. | non, tantum quae gerimus uideri
| desuper, sed etiam quae cogitamus,
| aut loquimur, audiri a Deo putamus
| &c. Lact. de Ira Dei. c.8._]
|
| [Note y: _Es. 3. 8. 1 Cor. 3.
| 22. Psalm. 119. 14.72. 127.162._]
|
This glorious description of a | [Note a: _2 Tim. 1. 7 & 3. 2._]
woman fearing the Lord, is not mine |
(Blessed Brethren) but the | [Note b: _Rom. 8. 15._]
Scriptures, wherein I finde; 1. The |
cause of her Feare to be not | [Note c: _Es. 29. 13._]
Selfe-Loue[a], but the Loue of God; |
not the spirit of Bondage[b]; but | [Note d: _Deut. 4. 10. Es. 66.
the Spirit of Adoption: 2. The | 2. Eccl. 12. 13. Prou. 13. 13._
Obiect of her feare to be not the | _Psal. 119. 161._]
precepts of men[c], but the |
Commandements of God[d]: not his | [Note e: _Psal. 119. 120. & 52.
Threats only[e], but his Promises | 6._]
also[f]: not his Anger only against |
sin[g], but his Mercy also in | [Note f: _2 Cor. 7. 1. Heb. 4.
Christ[h]: not his Presence only, | 1. Psal. 130. 4._]
as a Reuenging Iudge[i], but his |
Forbearance also as a louing | [Note g: _Deut. 5. 9_]
Father[k]. 3. The workings of her |
Feare to be in the heat of | [Note h: _Hos. 3. 5. Psal. 33. 18
temptations and afflictions, not | & 130. 4._]
Despairing[l]; but Beleeuing the |
forgiuenesse of her sinnes, not | [Note i: _Ier. 5. 22. Act. 10. 2,
Limiting God to the present danger; | 33._]
but [m]waiting for his mercy, not |
Distrusting his Prouidence; but | [Note k: _Mal. 1. 6. Os. 3. 5.
hoping for Good[n]: not Murmuring | Hebr. 12. 9._]
against him; but praising Him, and |
praying vnto Him[o], yea (which is | [Note: II. _The continuance of her
the proper Act of her Feare) not | Feare._]
Louing any sin, but hating and |
eschewing all sin[p], not out of a | [Note l: _Ier. 17. 17. Eccles. 2.
slauish terrour of punishment; but | 8._]
chiefly because it is Sinne, an |
Infinite euill; and because an | [Note m: _Psal. 33. 18. 20.
Infinite Good God, whom she loueth | Eccles. 2. 7._]
(saith Saint _Augustine_) is |
offended by it, though she should | [Note n: _Psal. 115. 11. & 56. 3.
neuer goe to Hell-fire to be | Eccles. 2. 9._]
punished for it[A]. |
| [Note o: _1 Cor. 10. 10. Psalm.
| 22. 23. Act. 10. 2._]
|
| [Note p: _Exod. 20. 20. Eccles.
| 15. 13. Prou. 8. 13. & 16. 6. 2
| Tim. 1. 7. 1 Ioh. 4. 18. Hos.
| 3. 5. Psal. 97. 10. Ier. 4. 18.
| & 2. 19._]
|
| [Note A:
| _Vero-Christianus--profici[=e]do
Lastly, in the Scriptures I finde | perveniet ad talem anim[=u], vt
Perseuerance or Constancie[q] to be | plus amet Dominum quam timeat
euer an inseperable Attendant vpon | Geh[=e]nam: vt etiamsi dicat illi
her Feare! For she is not one that | Deus, vtere delicise carnalibus
hath not yet tasted of this sauing | sempiternis & quantum potes; pecca,
Grace, or else not continued in the | nec morieris, nec in Geh[=e]nam
same; but she is a woman for the | mitteris, sed mecum tantummodo non
present, _Timens Dominum, Fearing | eris; exhorrescat et omnino non
the Lord_. You shall neuer finde | peccet, non iam vt in illud quod
Her otherwise, than (as God would | timebat non incidat, sed ne illum
haue her) _In the feare of the Lord | quem sic amat, offendat. De
all the day long, Prou. 23. Fearing | Catechiz. Rudib. cap. 27. tom. 4.
and keeping his Commandements | fol. 912._]
alwaies, Deut. 4. Doing her Husband |
Good and not euill all the daies of | [Note q: _Ierem. 32. 39, 40.
her life_, verse the 12. of this | Deut. 4. 10. Prou. 23. 17. & 14.
Chapter. | 2. 1 Tim. 2. 15._]
|
It is true indeed, as Feare is | [Note r: _Matth. 28. 20 Es. 43.
opposed to Diffidence, _Luke 1._ So | 1, 2._]
she serves God without a |
Distrustfull Feare all the daies of | [Note s: _Ier. 14. 9. Lam. 3.
her life; because of Gods | 22, 23._]
continuall presence with Her[r], |
continuall mercy towards Her[s], | [Note t: _2 Cor. 12. 9. Es. 26.
continuall power[t] ouer Her, in | 4. & 45. 24. Psal. 121. & 35.
Strengthening, Helping, and | 24. Rom. 8. 26._]
Vpholding Her, _Esai. 41. 10._ But |
yet as Feare is opposed to | [Note u: _Matth. 10. 28. Deut.
Negligence, so she still feares | 28. 58._]
God, lest she should be secure by |
reason of his Power which is | [Note x: _Esai. 29. 15, 16. Psal.
inuincible[u]; of his Wisdome, | 50. 21._]
which is infallible[x]; of his |
Mercy, which is compassionate[y]; | [Note y: _Esai. 43. 25. & 63. 9. &
and of his Iustice, which is | 49. 13, 15._]
inflexible[z]. |
| [Note z: _Esai. 42. 14._]
|
It is as true also (which _Gerson_ | [Note a: _De diuersis tentat.
and others haue obserued[a]) that | Diaboli, part 3. M^r. Greenham 5._
many times a Deuout Soule is so | part, among his Rules for an
disquieted with a slauish Feare of | Afflicted minde.]
the Aduersary; that she feares lest |
she hath not any true Feare of Gods | [Note b: _Esai. 54. 8, 9, 10. c.
Maiestie; but yet (_B. B._) say the | 49. 15. Ier. 31. 3. 36. c. 33. 20,
_Pelagian_ what hee can to the | 21. Ioh. 13. 1. Rom. 8. 38,
contrary, such is the | 39. Mat. 12. 20. Esai. 42. 3._]
Euerlastingnesse of Gods Loue[b], |
Mercie[c], and Couenant[d], the | [Note c: _Psalm. 103. 17. 2 Sam.
Vnconquerablenesse of his Power[e], | 7. 15._]
the Immortality of his Word[f], the |
Certaintie of his Promises[g], the | [Note d: _Psal. 89. 28, 34. Esai.
Efficacie of Christs Spirit[h]; | 55. 3. c. 59. 21. Ier. 32. 40._]
Prayer[i], Merits[k], and of Faith |
in them[l]; yea such is the durable | [Note e: _Ioh. 10. 29. Iude vers.
vigour of this sauing Grace of _the | 24. 1 Pet. 1. 5. Esai. 26. 4.
Feare of the Lord_[m], that being | Psal. 80. 17. Manus Dei est
once rooted by God, (as Saint | ista, non nostra vt non discedamus
_Augustine_ vrgeth) it cannot be | a Deo, manus inqu[=a] eius est
remoued; but through it we may | ista, qui dixit, Timorem meum dabo
perseueringly adhere vnto God | in cor eor[=u] &c. S. Aug. de Bono
according to his promise: _I will | perseuer. c. 7. to. 7. Ier. 32.
put my Feare in their hearts, that | 27._]
they shall not depart from me, Ier. |
32. 40._ with _Psal. 80. 17._ She | [Note f: _1 Pet. 1. 23. 1 Ioh. 3.
then that truely hath this _Feare_, | 9._]
doth so feare the Lord in Loue, and |
loue him in feare[n], that as in | [Note g: _Ephes. 1. 13. Numb. 13.
the midst of Gods not Consuming, | 19. Ios. 21. 45. 1 Ioh. 5. 10.
but Consummating Anger (for so | Hebr. 7. 27. c. 11. 11. Rom. 4.
Saint _Augustine_[o] calls Gods | 21. 1 Cor. 1. 9._]
Anger towards the Godly) shee can |
see the yerning and relenting | [Note h: _Esai. 59. 21. Ephes. 1.
Bowels of a Compassionate Father, | 13, 14. c. 4. 30. Ioh. 14. 16,
so in the height of Satans | 17. 1 Ioh. 2. 27._]
Terrifying iniections, she can |
shunne and abhorre Gods | [Note i: _Luke 22. 32. Ioh. 17.
Displeasure[p], more than all other | 15, 20. Rom. 8. 34. Hebr. 7.
miseries of Punishments, and | 25._]
therefore in what state soeuer she |
be of Consolation or Desertion, | [Note k: _1 Pet. 1. 2, 3, 4, 5. 1
shee is still the same Woman, | Ioh. 5. 4, 18._]
_Timens Dominum, Fearing the Lord_. |
| [Note l: _1 Pet. 5. 9. Ephes. 6.
| 6. Matth. 16. 18._]
|
| [Note m: _Ierem. 31. 40._
| _Perseuerantiam enim promisit Deus,
| dicens: Timorem meum dabo in cor
| eorum vt a me non recedant. Quod
| quid est aliud quam talis ac tantus
| erit Timor meus, quem dabo in cor
| eorum, vt mihi perseueranter
| adhaereant? Idem de Bono Perseuer.
| c. 2. tom. 7. Rom. 11. 29._]
|
| [Note n: _Absit enim vt timore
| pereat amor, si castus est timor._
| _S. Aug. in Psal. 119. tom. 8._]
|
| [Note o: _Est ira consummationis, &
| est ira c[=o]sumptionis, (nam omnis
| Vindicta Dei, Ira dicitur) sed
| aliquando ad hoc vindicat Deus, vt
| perficiat: aliquando ad hoc
| vindicat, vt damnet. Idem in
| Psal. 58 to. 8. s. 599._]
|
| [Note p: _----Qui glutine Deo
Thus wee haue seene who she is, who | conglutinatur, id est charitate ...
_shall be praised_, lest we should | terribilius & horribilius ipsa
praise Her vnawares, whom we should | Gehenna iudicat, in re leuissima
not praise. And now it were good we | vult[=u] omnipotentis scienter
did thinke a little better on the | offendere. S. Bern. de Tripl.
Reason, why _she shall be praised_, | Coharen. Vincul._]
euen because she is such _a woman |
fearing the Lord_. | [Note: _The Reason._]
|
For if any thing, so rare and | [Note q: _1 Pet, 3. 7. Vir itaq,
excellent a Grace as the _Feare of | nominatus est, quod maior in eo Vis
the Lord_ is, should moue vs to | est quam in foemina, & hinc Virtus
affect it, and labour for it, | nomen accepit. Item Mulier a
especially being found in so weake | mollicie est dicta ... velut
a Vessell as a Woman is[q]. For I | Mollier. Lact. de Ops. Dei. cap.
could tell you, there are more | 12._]
_Michals_[r] than _Abigails_[s], |
more _Iezebels_[t] than | [Note r: _1 Sam. 18. 21. & 25.
_Sarah's_[u], more proud | 41._]
_Vasthy's_[x], than humble |
_Esthers_[y], more Fearefull women, | [Note s: _2 Sam. 6. 16, 20._]
than Women _Fearing the Lord_; and |
therefore the rarer such Phoenixes | [Note t: _1 King. 21. 7. 2 King. 9.
are (as S. _Ierom_ calls them[a]) | 22, 30._]
not _One_ to be found by wisest |
_Salomon_[A], among a _Thousand_, | [Note u: _1 Pet. 3. 6._]
greater is her praise _that feareth |
the Lord_[b]. | [Note x: _Esth. 1. 12._]
|
| [Note y: _Esth. 8. 5._]
|
| [Note a: _Optima foemina rarior est
| Phoenice. Malarum foeminar[=u] tam
| copiosa sunt examina &c. S. Ier.
| epist._]
|
| [Note A: _Eccles. 7. 28. Prou. 3.
| 10._]
|
| [Note b: _Laus tanto maior deferri
| solet, quanto est bonum rarius quod
| exigit Laudem. S. Aug. lib. 1. de
| Ciuit. Dei. cap. 28. tom. 5._]
|
Then I must tell you, that euery | [Note c: _Esai. 8. 12 Col. 2.
Feare is not commendable. Not that | 20._]
Feare which is Hypocriticall, for |
this is Superstition, when men | [Note d: _2 Tim. 3. 2. Mat. 10.
feare the Feare of Idolaters[c]. | 28. Quis animae Dominator, nisi
Not that feare which is Worldly, | Deus solus? Quis iste, nisi ignium
for this is wicked selfe-Loue, when | comminator? ... Illi potius metum
men feare Men[d], Losse of Goods, | consecand[=u] &c. Tertul. aduers._
Fire and faggot, more than God the | _Gnost. c. 9. tom. 3._]
Onely Soueraigne Commander of the |
Soule, the Only Dreadfull Threatner | [Note e: _Timor Seruilis n[=o] est
of euerlasting Burnings. Nor that | Virtus, quialicet mala declinari
feare which is Seruile[e] or | saciat: non tamen hoc sacit bene,
adulterate[f], for this is no | id est saudibiliter; immo iliter et
Vertue (proues _Paris._) when men | brutaliter, videlicet solo metae
feare the _Euill of Punishment_ | ferae, ita enim occupat animum &
only; not the _Euill of Sinne_, as | intentionam timentis, oraculos
an Adulteresse feares the Comming | cordis ad solam poenae euasionem
home of her Husband; but feares | habeat &c. Paris. de Virtutibus,
not the Committing of Adultery. | fol. 81. lit. H._ & _Paludan. l. 3.
Nor is that feare commendable, | d. 34. q. 3._]
which is Distrustfull or Immoderate |
like _Ruben_ (as _Gerson_[g] | [Note f: _--Coniun quae adulterinum
alludes) growen great, and lying | anim[=u] gerit, etiam si timore
with _Bilhah_, for this is | viri non adulterium perpetrat:
Infidelitie when men tie Gods Grace | tamen quod deest aperi, inest
to present deliuerance out of | voluntati, Casta vero aliter timet:
danger, without a Beleeuing and | nam & ipsa times virum; sed caste.
waiting Spirit for his Mercie, | Deniq, timet illa, no vir insestus
_Esai. 28. 16._ | adueniat, ista ne offensus
| abscedat. S. Aug. epist. 120. c.
| 21. to. 2._]
|
| [Note g: _Ruben violat Balamdum
| nimium grandis effectus est, quia
| timor si simius est, dum se
| custodire nititur, format inutiles
| imaginationes, quibus se connoluens
| a salutaribus impeditur. Tract.
| 10. super, Magnificat. part 3._]
|
But the _Feare_ for which a _Woman | [Note h: _Lege Esaiam: vide quantia
shall be praised_, is informed by | subiecerit timorem vt faceret
Wisdome, instructed by | irreprehensibilam & bonum Timorem.
Vnderstanding, directed by | Spiritus inquit Sapientia &c. Talle
Counsell, strengthned by Might, | Timori Domini ista & est
gouerned by Knowledge, adorned with | irrationabilis & insipiens Timor,
Pietie, as Saint _Ambrose_ collects | vnus ex illis: Foris pugnae, intus
out of the eleuenth of _Esay_[h]. | Timores. In Psal. 118. Ser. 5.
It is a Faithfull feare trusting in | tom. 4._]
God[i], and making Him her _Feare_, |
_Esai. 8. 13._ and her Hope too in | [Note i: _Psal. 115. 11. & 147.
the Day of Euill, not without this | 11. Esai. 50. 10._]
feruent Prayer vnto Him then: _Be |
not thou a Terrour vnto me, Ier. | [Note k: _Psal. 19. 9_]
17. 17._ A chast and _Cleane |
Feare[k], Cleansing from all | [Note l: _2 Cor. 7. 1._]
filthinesse of the flesh and |
Spirit_.[l] A Reuerent and Godly | [Note m: _Hebr. 12. 28._]
Fear[m], Preparing the heart, |
Humbling the Soule in Gods | [Note n: _Eccles. 2. 17. & 21. 6._]
sight[n], Trembling at his Word[o], |
not Disobeying it, Eschewing[p] | [Note o: _Esai. 66. 2. Eccle. 2.
euill, Working righteousnesse and | 15._]
Giuing much almes[q]. A Blessed |
Feare it is[r], Blessing them that | [Note p: _Iob 1. 1._]
haue it, Blessing the Lord that |
giues it, Praising Him and saying: | [Note q: _Act. 10. 35, 2, 31.
_That his Mercy endureth for | Eccles. 25. 1._]
euer_[s]. |
| [Note r: _Psal. 112. 1. & 128. 1._]
|
| [Note s: _Psal. 135. 13. & 118. 4 &
| 22. 23._]
|
Lastly, it is an Euerlasting Feare, | [Note t: _1 King. 18. 3. 12. Tob.
euer encreasing[t], and _Enduring | 14. 4._]
for euer_[u], though not in respect |
of the Act of Declination or | [Note u: _Psal. 19. 9. Reuel. 7.
eschewing of sinne[x], because in | 10, 11 & 19. 1, 3, 4, 5, 6._]
Heauen there is no feare of |
sinning[y]; yet in respect of the | [Note x: _Bonau. lib. 3. d. 34. q.
Act of Celebration or Reuerencing | 3. p. 89. Tho. Aquin. II q. 79.
God, because there the Saints doe | a. II_]
nothing else; but still Giue Glory |
to Him, and Worship Him with humble | [Note y: _In coelo, vbi non est
Acknowledgement of their owne | peccatum Gloria est & perpetua laus
Vnworthinesse, _Psal. 19. 9._ with | & indefessae praeconia. S. Ierom. ad
_Reuel. 4. 10. 11._ | Therdoram. Epitaph. Lucinij.
| {Offensa
| { &
Now (Honourable and Beloued) though | Timorem {Poenae. Gloria
I haue set nothing at all besides | {Patriae
this Heauenly Manna before your | propter coram imperfectionem n[=o]
eyes; yet your full Soules must not | paritur. In tuto enim erimus et
Loath it. For if that only is to be | [(a] poenae et ab offensa. Paris.
praised which is excellent[z], then | de Virtutibus, lit. A. F._]
(by your leaue) I must stand |
somewhat longer vpon the | [Note z: _Laudare plus est quam
Excellencie of this _Feare_, before | probare & praedicare. Nam Laudamus
_a Woman_ can be _praised_ that | id quod excellit &c. _Auso. Popma
hath it. | de Differen. Virt. l. 3._]
|
I demand then what doe you count | [Note: The Excellencie of Godly
Excellent? Riches, Honour, Life. | Feare.]
Why, these are neuer well gotten, |
nor well kept; but by _the Feare of | [Note b: _Prou. 22. 4. & 19. 23._
the Lord_. So saith _Salomon_, _By | _Eccles. 1. 11, 12. & 23. 27. & 40.
the feare of the Lord are Riches | 26, 27. & 10. 20, 22._]
and Honour, and Life_[b]. Say what |
you will, it must needs be an | [Note c: _Inter Laudes meas & illa
Excellent thing wherwith Christ | est eximia: quod ipsum Christum
Iesus Himselfe was Filled, and that | Domin[=u] Apothecam, immo fontem
was with _The Spirit of this Feare, | Gratiarum omnium & Virtutum replere
Esai. 11. 2._[c]. An excellent | dictus sum &c. Paris. de Moribus,
thing which God Himselfe so | fol. 99. Lit. P._]
earnestly desires to be still in |
vs, and that is this Feare. _O_ | [Note d: _Deut. 5. 29._]
(saith He) _that there were such an |
Heart in them, that they would | [Note e: _Eccles. 12. 13. Deum
feare me, and keepe my | time--Ergo si hoc est omnis Homo,
Commandements alwaies_[d], which is | absq, hoc Nihil omnis Homo. Serm.
indeed the _whole Dutie of Man_[e]; | 20. in Cant._]
without which (Saint _Bernard_ |
concludes) _Euery man is Nothing_. | [Note f: _Vsus enim humani animi
He is not a Man (reasons a | pendet a Timore conspictus Diuini
Schoole-man[f]) but the Shadow of a | tanquam a primi regula. Caiet. in
Man; because He imployes not his | Eccles. c. 8 13. v._]
Soule to that noble End for which |
he had it, namely, to be squared | [Note g: _Prou. 9. 10. Iob 28.
and ruled _by the feare of the | 28._]
Lord_: without which no man can so |
much as Begin to be wise, because | [Note h: _Eccles. 25. 12._]
this _Feare is the Beginning_[g] |
_of wisdome_, nor so much as _Begin | [Note i: _Leuit. 2. 13. Pet.
to Loue God_, because this _Feare | Bles. ser. 36. p. 430._]
is the Beginning of the Loue of |
God_[h]. It is the _Salt_ (alludes | [Note k: _Psal. 2. 11._]
_Blesensis_) that must be in euery |
_Sacrifice_[i], in euery _Worke we | [Note l: _2 Cor. 7. 11. Eccl. 21.
doe_, so that there is no _Seruing | 6._]
God_, no _Reioycing_ in Him[k], no |
heartie _Repenting_[l], no _Chast | [Note m: _1 Pet. 3. 2._]
Conuersing_[m], no _Perfecting |
Holinesse_[n], no _Working out our | [Note n: _2 Cor. 7. 1._]
Saluation_, but with _Feare and |
Trembling_[o]; nay there is no | [Note o: _Philip. 2. 12._]
_Saluation_, no _Blessednesse_ |
without _Continuing in this | [Note p: _Eccles. 2. 10. 1 Tim.
Feare_[p], _Prou. 28. 14._ Againe, | 2. 15._]
is not that Excellent, that will |
make vs more Excellent than our | [Note q: _Prou. 12. 26. Eccles.
Neighbours[q], that will Exalt vs | 15. 5._]
aboue them, that will keepe our |
hearts from Hardning[r], our Houses | [Note r: _Prou. 28. 14._]
from Ouerthrowing[s]? but nothing |
can doe this; but this _Feare of | [Note s: _Eccles. 27. 3._]
the Lord_. This feare (saith |
_Paris._[t]) can cause a spiritual | [Note t: _Ego sum Tempestas ad
Earth-quake in a mans Heart, able | liberationem & salutem, Terraemotum
to ouerthrow all the Deuils | spiritualem in corde humano
strongest holds, any[u] | faciens, et omnia Diabolica
Bosome-sinne, be it neuer so | aedificia in co subuertens et
pleasing and profitable, by reason | discutiens ab codem. Paris. de
of that Contrarietie and | Moribus fol. 99. lit. F._]
Opposition[x] that is betweene |
Lying in any Sweet Sinne, and | [Note u: _Prou. 8. 13. & 16. 6.
Liuing in Gods Feare and Fauour, as | Psal. 119. 6, 36. 117. 128. v.
you may see, _Leuit. 25. 36._ | Iam. 2. 10. Psal. 86. 11._]
|
| [Note x: _Sed aiunt quid[=a]: Satis
| Deum habere si corde & animo
| suspiciatur, licet actu minus fiat.
| Itaq se saluo metu et fide
| peccare; hoc est Salua castitate,
| matrimonia violare, Salua pietate,
| par[=e]ti venenum temperare._
| Tertul. de _Poenit. c. 5. tom. 2._]
|
Lastly, this is an Excellent Feare, | [Note y: _Prou. 14. 27._]
because it is _A fountaine of |
Life_[y]: wherefore? _To driue away | [Note a: _Eccles. 1. 21._]
Sinnes_[a], Sinnes which haue beene |
committed by Repentance (saith S. | [Note b: _Timor Domini expellit
_Bernard_) and Sinnes whereto we | peccatum, sine quod iam admissum
are Tempted, by Resistance[b]; and | est, sine quod tentat intrare.
yet this is not all the Excellencie | Expellit sane illud quidem
of this Feare: For it is _A | poenitende, hoc Resistendo. Serm.
fountaine of life_ also: _To Cause | de Diuers. Affect._]
vs to finde fauour at our |
Deaths_[c]; and which is more, Such | [Note c: _Eccles. 1. 13._]
an Excellent Feare as will make vs |
_Not feare, nor be afraid_[d]. | [Note d: _Eccles. 34. 14. Exod.
Whereupon Saint _Augustine_[e] | 20. 20. Prou. 1. 33. & 19. 23.
concludes for my purpose: _Discat | Psal. 27. 1, 2, 3. & 34. 4
timere, qui non vult timere: Discat | --Auferendi sunt metus, sed ita,
ad tempus esse Solicitus, qui | vt hic solus relinquatur, qui
semper vult esse securus_. Let him | quoniam legitimus ac verus est,
learn to feare, that would not | solus efficit, ut possint caetera
feare: Let him be wary and | omnia non timeri, Lact. de Vero
cautelous for a time, that would be | Cultu. l. 6. c. 17. Qui enim Deum
happie and secure for euer. | veraciter timet, nihil terrenum &
_Tertullian_ giues the reason[f], | caducum timet, immo ex ipso Timore
because if _We feare to Offend_, by | Dei, ipsis Timoribus
Fearing we will take heed, lest we | supereffertur. Bonau. lib. 3. d.
Offend, and by Taking heed, we | 34. q. 1. p. 62._]
shall be in safetie; otherwise if |
wee presume and be not alwaies | [Note e: _De Temp. Serm. 214. tom.
watchfull ouer our hearts lest they | 10._]
offend, we cannot be _Saued_[g], |
_Ier. 4. 14. Qui solicitus est, | [Note f: _Nam qui praesumit, minus
is vere poterit esse securus_: He | veretur, minus praecauet, plus
that is not ouer-bold on his owne | periclitatur &c. De Cultu Faem.
strength[h]; but confident in | cap. 2. & de Paenit. cap. 6.--Volo
Christ[i], and liues not securely | te timere & non timere, praesumere &
in the minion-delight of any knowne | non praesumere, timere vt paeniteas,
sinne; but stands in such | non timere vt praesumas. Porro
continuall awe of Gods _Presence_, | praesumere ne diffidas, non
_Precepts_, _Promises_, _Threats_, | praesumere ne torpescas. Ber. cp.
that he dare not so much as once | 87. ad Oger._]
make any offer of incurring his |
Displeasure by the impenitent | [Note g: _Prou. 4. 23. Ier. 4.
Allowance of any sinne in his | 14, 18. & 16. 10, 11, 12. Es. 55.
heart[k], and studies to do euery | 7. Mat. 15. 19. Nec sufficit
Good worke as carefully, as if it | non egisse aliquid impium, si
were the Last he should doe in this | m[=e]te cogitatur impietas. S.
World, and as exactly, as if his | Hilar. in Psal. 65. fol. 424._]
whole Saluation depended vpon it, |
such a Man (in Ancient | [Note h: _Prou 28. 26. Rom. 7.
_Tertullians_ iudgement[l]) may be | 18. & 11. 20._]
truely secure of Perseuering in |
Grace here; and of being Glorified | [Note i: _Phil. 4. 13. 2 Tim. 2.
hereafter[m], _1 Thess. 5. 15, 24._ | 1. & 4. 18. Eph. 6. 10. 2
Once more I haue done. Is not that | Chron. 16. 8, 9. et. 20. 12.
an excellent thing that is for the | Deut. 6. 3, 4. Quicquid est
Good of them that haue it, & of | circa te vel in te unde possis
their children after them? Riches, | praesumere, abjice a te, & tota
Honour, Beautie, Policie, these and | praesumptio tua Deus sit, illius
the like are not oftentimes so, as | indigens esto, vt implearis &c._
we see by woefull experience in | _S. Aug. in Psal. 85._]
_Nabal_, _Haman_, _Absalom_, |
_Achitophel_; but _the feare of the | [Note k: _Psal. 66. 18. 1 Pet. 3.
Lord_ is euer so, _for the Good of | 15. Ez. 33. 31. Psal. 24. 4
them that haue it, and for their | Iam. 4. 8. Heb. 10. 22. Redi
children after them_, as the | ad te, intus tibi esto iudex. Ecce
Prophet saith, _Ier. 32. 39._ and | in cubiculo tuo abscondito, in ipsa
God himselfe before him, _Deut. 5. | vena intima cordis tui vbi tu solus
29._ | es, & ille qui videt; illic tibi
| displiceat iniquitas, vt placeas
| Deo.... Parum est in vultu, parum
| est in lingua, in corde noli
| respicere, id est, noli diligere,
| noli acceptare. Idem in Psal. 65.
| to 8._]
|
| [Note l: _De cultu Faem. cap. 2. to.
| 2._]
There is no want to them that haue |
this _Feare_ of any Good thing that | [Note m: _2 Thess. 3. 3. 2 Tim.
is Good for them[n]. For first, | 2. 19. Ioh. 15. 16. Luke 10.
_Psal. 25. 14. The secret_, that | 20. Ioh. 16. 22. & 10. 28, 29.
is, _the feare of the Lord, is with | v. Psal. 35. 5. & 125. 1. Prou.
them that feare Him_; and is not | 10. 30._]
that enough, though I should say no |
more with the Psalmist, because | [Note n: _Psal. 34. 9, 10.
_Godly Feare is Gods Treasure, | Eccles. 40. 26, 27. & 1. 16._]
Esai. 33. 6._ and _Better little |
with it_ (saith _Salomon_) _than | [Note o: _Prou. 15. 16._]
Great Treasure_[o]? But there is |
more behind to moue you further to | [Note p: _Psal. 25. 14._]
affect this Excellent Grace. For if |
you will _Feare the Lord_, He will | [Note q: _Mal. 2. 5._]
shew you his _Couenant_[p] _of life |
and peace_[q], _Teach you the way | [Note r: _Psal. 25. 12._]
that you shall chuse_[r], _Haue a |
Booke of remembrance written before | [Note s: _Mal. 3. 16._]
Him for you_[s]: _Hee will Arise |
vnto you the Sunne of | [Note t: _Mal. 4. 2._]
Righteousnesse with healing in his |
wings_[t]: _He wil hide you in his | [Note u: _Psal. 31. 20, 21._]
presence from the pride of men_[u], |
_Keepe you secretly in a Pauilion | [Note x: _Eccles. 33. 1._]
from the strife of tongues, Deliuer |
you in Temptation euen againe_[x]; | [Note y: _Psal. 147. 11._]
yea _He will take pleasure in |
you_[y], _Pitie you as a Father | [Note a: _Psalm. 103. 13. Mal. 3.
doth his children_[a], _Fulfill | 17._]
your Desire_, _Heare your crie and |
saue you_[b]. And what is all this, | [Note b: _Psal. 145. 19._]
but in a word (the word of my Text) |
_Hee will praise you_, which is the |
Thing Promised to _a woman fearing |
the Lord_. |
|
_Ipsa Laudabitur: She shall be | [Note: II.
praised._ | _The thing promised._
| _In what respect to_ Ipsa.]
She shall be so; but may not that |
labour be spared? For a man would | [Note c: _Prou. 28. 4 & 24. 24. &
thinke, she hath been praised all | 17. 15. Eccl. 10. 23, 29. Tho.
this while; because Godly Feare, | Aquin. 22. q. 115. a. 2. Corp._]
the Grace of God in Her, and the |
onely cause of her Praise, hath | [Note d: _Ego carnis bona quae
beene alreadie so much commended | semper & ipse contempsit, in animae
vnto you? No (Beloued) my Text (you | laudibus n[=o] requiram----ad
see) applies and appropriates this | Heliodor. Epitah. Nepot._]
praise to _Ipsa_, Her own Person, |
by vertue indeed of _the Feare of | [Note e: _Prou. 27. 14. Vox autem
the Lord_. For were it not for | grandis, laus excedens mensur[=a]
that, it were better Contemning | Meritorum his intelligetur--Paris.
Her, yea Contending[c] with Her, | de Moribus. fol. 123. lit. M._]
than Commending Her, because that |
is a constant marke of the Godly to | [Note f: _Es. 26. 12. 1 Cor. 15.
Contemne the vngodly, _Psal. 15. | 10. & 12. 6. Phil. 2. 13. Ier.
4._ This, of the wicked to Praise | 32. 40._]
the wicked, to Blesse the Couetous, |
whom _the Lord abhorreth_, _Psal. | [Note A: _Laudari in bonis operibus
10. 3._ It is not her Friendship, | debes; sed in eo quod operaris,
no nor _Carnis bona_ (as Saint | homin[=u] laudes expectare non
_Ierom_[d] calls them) _the Good | debes--Deus Laudetur in operibus
endowments of the flesh_, can | tuis. De statu Vidu. ad Gallam
priuiledge him from a _Curse_, if | epist. 2. Si qua sane in Sanctis
so be, he praise her without or | digna laude vel admiratione
aboue[e] her Deserts, _Prou. 27. | intueor, clara luce veritatis
14._ Onely _the feare of the Lord_, | discutiens, profecto reperio
with the excellent fruits thereof, | Laudabilem siue Mirabilem alium
is Gods Gift[f], for which (saith | apparere atque alium esse, & Laudo
_Fulgentius_[A]) she ought, and he | Deum in Sanctis eius. S. Bern.
may safely commend her, because | Ser. 13. in Cant._]
then, not shee; but _Gods Grace_ in |
her is _Praised_, _Ephes. 1. 6._ | [Note g: _1 Pet. 3. 4. Enimvero
Yea then, _not she_, but _God | quis non animae dabit summam omnem,
himselfe is Glorified_ in Her, | cuius nomine totius Hominis mentio
_Gal. 1. 24._ | titulata est. Tertul. de Anima.
| cap. 13._]
But what? is not _She Praised_, |
when Her Husband, Her Children, Her | [Note h: ... _Nihil in illa
Kindred, Her Friends, Her | laudabo, nisi quod propr[=u] est._
Attendants, Her Wit, Her Wealth, | _S. Ierom ad Princip._ And so of
Her Beautie, Her Nobilitie, or all | _Paula_ he saith. _Nihil laudabimus
these and the like of Hers are | nisi quod proprium est & de
commended? Yes, all these come very | purissimo sanctae mentis fonte
neere Her, and mutually receiue | profertur. Id. ep. ad Eustoch. Nam
lustre and eminencie from this | cum omnia opera sua laudauerit
Godly Feare; but they are not | Deus, coelum, terram &c. vbi ad
_Ipsa_, Her selfe, that is,[g] | Homin[=e] v[=e]tum est, solus non
principally Her Soule truely | videtur esse laudatus propter quem
Generous, and ennobled with the | omnia generata s[=u]t. Quae igitur
_Feare of the Lord_. Vntill such an | causa est, nisi forte ea, quia alia
Humble Soule be found in Her, She | in specie sunt, Homo in occulto?
is not She, that _shall be adorned | quia aliorum Gratia foris, huius
with the Garment of praise_, _Esai. | intus est. Aliorum in Natiuitate,
61. 3._ Therefore Saint _Ierom_[h] | huius in Corde.--Ideo ergo homo non
would not commend in Noble | ante laudatur, quia non in forensi
_Marcella_ any thing saue Her owne | pelle, sed in interiore Homine ante
Godly selfe. _Ipsa Laudabitur_: She | probandus, sic praedicandus est._
is She that shall be Praised. | _S. Ambros. Instit. Virg. cap. 3.
| tom. 1._]
And so we see how far forth Praise |
is to be extended to Her. Now to |
speak of the Extent of Her Praise: |
Let the word haue his full |
latitude. _Laudabitur_ is generall, | [Note i: _2 Ioh. 1. 1. Hebr. 13.
no kinde is limited. 1. Therefore | 1. Ephes. 5. 25._]
for the Extent, to be praised euery |
manner of way. 2. For the Time when | [Note k: _1 Thess. 5. 13._]
it shall be best for her. 3. For |
the Praiser, by him who can best | [Note l: _Mark. 14. 9. Psal. 112.
doe it. Of all these briefly. | 6._]
|
First, what praise she shall haue. | [Note: I. _What Praise she shall
1. Euen that (which being true) is | haue. The Extent of Laudabitur._]
euer accompanied with Dearest Loue |
to her person[i]. 2. Highest | [Note m: _Gen. 23. 2. Ioh. 11.
estimation of Gods abundant graces | 33, 35. 1 King. 14. 13. 1 Thes.
in Her[k]. 3. Frequent | 4. 13. Eccles. 22. 11, 12 & 38.
Commemoration of them[l]. 4. | 16, 17._]
Moderate Lamentation at her |
Death[m]. 5. Solemne Funerals | [Note n: _Act. 8. 2. 2 Chron. 32.
according to the Dignitie of her | 33._]
place[n]. 6. And aboue all, with |
precise imitation of her excellent | [Note o: _Iam. 5. 10. Hebr. 12.
Vertues[o]. All this Honour God | 1. & 13. 7. 1 Cor. 11. 1._]
allowes Her, that honours Him with |
His Feare[p]. But because all | [Note p: _1 Sam. 2. 30. Deut. 26.
Praise is properly in Words (as the | 19. Ioh. 12. 26. Esai. 8. 13.
Schoole-man teacheth[q]) and better | Timor Hominis, Dei Honor est.
words shee cannot haue to praise | Tert. de Poenit. c. 7_]
Her, than God himselfe speakes[r], |
therefore she shall be Commended in | [Note q: _Tho. Aquin. 22. q. 103.
no other, neither in regard of God, | a. 1. ad 3._]
nor of her Husband, Children, |
Kindred, Seruants, and Gods People. | [Note r: _Psal. 12. 6._]
|
First in respect of God, she shall | [Note s: _Psal. 16. 3._]
be praised for One of his |
Excellent[s], Hidden Ones[t]: for | [Note t: _Psal. 83. 3._]
one of his Iewels, which hee will |
make vp[u]: for His Daughter[x], | [Note u: _Mal. 3. 17._]
His Sister[y], His Mother[z], His |
Spouse[a], His Loue[b], His | [Note x: _2 Cor. 6. 18,_]
Doue[c], His Faire[d] one, as Faire |
as the Moone, as Pure as the | [Note y: _Cant. 4. 9._]
Sun[e]: as the Moone by inherent, |
and as the Sun, by imputed | [Note z: _Matth. 12. 50._]
Righteousnesse. To her Husband she |
shall bee commended, as the Louing | [Note a: _Hos. 2. 19._]
Hinde and pleasant Roe[f], the |
Desire of his eyes[g]; An Helpe | [Note b: _Cant. 2. 10._]
like vnto Himselfe[h]; His |
Companion[i]; for A Pillar of | [Note c: _Cant. 2. 14._]
rest[k], so that He shall haue no |
need of spoile[l]; for a Good | [Note d: _Cant. 2. 13._]
Portion[m], a speciall Fauour[n] |
and Gift of the Lord[o]; a Double | [Note e: _Cant. 6. 10._]
Grace[p], Doubling the number of |
his Daies[q], Fatting his bones[r], | [Note f: _Prou. 5. 19._]
and making him knowne in the Gates, |
when he sitteth among the Elders of | [Note g: _Ezek. 24. 16. Eccles.
the Land[s]: for a Tower against | 36. 22._]
Death vnto him[t]: A greater |
Blessing vnto him than either House | [Note h: _Gen. 2. 18. Eccles. 36.
or Inheritance[u], Aboue children | 24._]
and the Building of a Citie to |
continue his Name[x], yea for a | [Note i: _Mal. 2. 14._]
Crowne vnto her Husband[y], not a |
Gold-ring on his finger; nor a | [Note k: _Eccles. 36. 24._]
chaine of Gold about his necke, nor |
a Brouch in his hat; but for a | [Note l: _Prou. 31. 11._]
Crowne vpon his head (an Ornament |
more conspicuous and eminent than | [Note m: _Eccles. 26. 3, 23._]
the former, the Principall Ensigne |
of Princes[z]) gracing him that | [Note n: _Prou. 18. 22._]
hath her, as much as a Crown doth |
Him that weareth it: so that there | [Note o: _Eccles. 26. 14._]
is none aboue her, that feareth the |
Lord[a], None greater than she, not | [Note p: _Eccles. 26. 15._]
Great Men, nor Iudges, nor |
Potentates[b]: Her Grace is aboue | [Note q: _Eccles. 26. 1._]
Gold[c]. Her Price is farre aboue |
Rubies[d]. Her Continent minde | [Note r: _Eccles. 26. 13._]
cannot be valewed[e], and by reason |
of Her, her Husband is a Blessed | [Note s: _Prou. 31. 23._]
Man[f], Not like other men[g]. |
| [Note t: _Eccles. 26. 22._]
|
| [Note u: _Prou. 19. 14._]
|
| [Note x: _Eccles. 40. 19._]
|
| [Note y: _Prou. 12. 4. Non annulus,
| non torques aureus, non monile, sed
| Corona. Cartw. in Prou._]
|
| [Note z: _Psal. 21. 3. Esth. 2.
| 17_]
|
| [Note a: _Eccles. 25. 10._]
|
| [Note b: _Eccles. 10. 24._]
|
| [Note c: _Eccles. 7. 19._]
|
| [Note d: _Prou. 31. 10._]
|
| [Note e: _Eccles. 26. 14. 15._]
|
| [Note f: _Eccles. 26. 1._]
|
| [Note g: _Eccles. 36. 23. Sine
| Muliere igitur Homo non habet
| Laudem, in Muliere praedicatur, &c.
| S. Ambros. Instit. Virg. cap. 3.
| tom. 1._]
To Her Children shee shall be |
Commended; because by her they haue | [Note h: _Prou. 14. 26. & 11. 22._]
a place of Refuge[h]; by Her they |
haue good meanes to bring and | [Note i: _Deut. 5. 29. Psal. 112.
continue true Honour vpon them[i], | 2._]
and if They (the Fruit) be a great |
Blessing[k] (as it is to haue Issue | [Note k: _Psal. 127. 3._]
by such a One) what is the Root |
that beareth it[l]? | [Note l: _Psal. 128. 3._]
|
But I must hasten: How shall she be | [Note m: _Gen. 29. 9._]
Praised in respect of her Parents? |
euen as _Rachel_[m] for doing | [Note n: _Eccles. 3. 7._]
seruice to them as to her Masters |
(the true propertie of one that | [Note o: _Ruth. 4. 15._]
_feareth the Lord_[n].) In respect |
of her kindred by mariage, as | [Note p: _Ruth. 1. 8._]
_Ruth_, louing them[o], Dealing |
kindly with them[p], and Cleauing | [Note q: _Ruth. 1. 14. & c. 2. 11_]
vnto them[q]. And in respect of her |
kindred by bloud, as _Esther_, who | [Note r: _Esth. 2. 20._]
did the Commandement of _Mordecay_ |
when she was a Queene, like as when | [Note s: _Esth. 4. 4._]
she was brought vp with Him[r], who |
was exceedingly grieued at his | [Note t: _Esth. 4. 16._]
Griefe[s], and procured the |
Enlargement and Deliuerance of her | [Note u: _Esth. 8. 3._]
kindred with her _Feasts_[t], her |
_Teares_[u], and the Hazard of her | [Note x: _Esth. 4. 11, 16._]
_Life_[x]. |
| [Note y: _Prou. 14. 1._]
In regard of her Seruants also, she |
shall be commended because she | [Note z: _Prou. 31. 14._]
Buildeth her House[y]: _Shee is |
like the Merchants ship, She | [Note a: _Prou. 31. 15._]
fetcheth her food from farre_[z], |
_She giueth meat to her | [Note b: _Prou. 31. 21._]
Houshold_[a], _She cloatheth them |
all with Scarlet_[b], _and Shee | [Note c: _Prou. 31. 27._]
looketh so well to their waies_[c], |
that _As the Sunne when it ariseth | [Note d: _Eccles. 26. 16._]
in the high Heauen; So is her |
beautie in the Ordering of her | [Note e: _Reuel. 12. 1._]
House_[d]. |
| [Note f: _Gal. 3. 28._ Ephes. 4.
Lastly, because all the Essentiall | 15.16. Cant. 2. 10.--Cum ipsos
Glory and Fairenesse, which is to | cogitatis amantes, non virum &
bee found in the whole Church, _The | Foeminam, sed verbum &c. Animam
Woman cloathed with the Sunne_[e], | sentiatis, oportet. Et si Christum
as that of Iustification & | & Ecclesiam dixero, idem est, nisi
Sanctification &c. belongs to euery | quod Ecclesiae nomine non vna Anima,
Member of the Church[f], and | sed multarum vnitas, vel potius
c[=o]sequently to euery _Woman | vnanimitas designatur._ S. Bern.
fearing the Lord_, therefore to | serm. 61. in Cant._]
Gods people she shall be commended, |
as one of the Hands of the Church | [Note g: _Cant. 5. 5._]
_dropping with sweet smelling |
Mirrhe_[g]: as the _Curtaines of | [Note h: _Cant. 1. 5._]
Salomon_[h]; _As a Lilly among |
thornes_[i]; _A Garden inclosed_: | [Note i: _Cant. 2. 2._]
_A Spring shut vp_. _A Fountain |
sealed_[k]. | [Note k: _Cant. 4. 12._]
|
But when shall shee haue all this | [Note: II. _When she shall be
Praise and of whom? Not by and by, | Praised._]
nor of Euery one[l], for Praise is |
not comely in the mouth of euery | [Note l: _Luk. 6. 26. Eccles. 15.
one, of euery scoffing _Ishmael_. | 9._]
|
But first of the Time. | [Note m: _Esay 28. 16. 30. 18. 40.
| 31. 64. 4. Heb. 10. 36, 37, 38.
Many when they heare a Promise (and | Hab. 2. 3, 4._]
a Promise I told you at first, this |
is) thinke to haue it by and by; | [Note n: _1 Cor. 4. 5._]
but they marke not, that a Promise |
and the Fruition of it is not all | [Note o: _1 Pet. 1. 7. Et nos
at once. It must be waited for[m], | ergo n[=o] a nobis laudem exigamus,
especially this Promise of Praise: | nec praeripiamus iudicium Dei &
_Vntill the Lord come_ (as the | praeueniamus sententiam iudicis, sed
Apostles limit the Time) _and | suo Tempori, suo Iudici
then_, at his Appearing, _she shall | reservemus. S. Ambros. in Luc. l.
haue praise of God_[n]. _Then at | 8. c. 17. tom. 5. 2 Tim. 2. 5.
his Appearing_[o], _Her Faith shall | Eccles. 11. 27.28._]
be found vnto Praise and Honour, |
and Glory_. Therefore in the mean | [Note p: _Nam si laudari ante
while, best for her to _Feare the | Gubernator non potest quam in
Lord_, and so be praise-worthy, | portum nauem deduxerit: quomodo
than to be praised for the present. | laudabis Homin[=e] prius quam in
| stationem mortis successerit? S.
1. Not only because it is safest | Ambr. de Bono Mort. c. 8. tom. 4.
praising Her as a Master of a ship | Merito ergo differtur, vt sequatur
is (saith S. _Ambrose_[p]) when she | foenerata eius Laudatio, cuius
is safely arriued in the Hauen, | dilatio non dispendium; sed
past all danger of shipwracke: or | incrementum est ... Et ideo
growing more proud by her praise | laudatio eius non in exordio; sed
(which many Liuing doe) as _Herod_ | in fine est. Nemo enim nisi
for one[q], and that Philosopher | legitime certauerit, coronabitur.
for another, whose soule being | Ideoq, sapiens tibi dicit: Ante
before no bigger than a mans | mortem non laudes hominem quemquam.
finger, became so puft vp and | Ratio. Quia in fine hominis
swolne with others commending him, | nudantur opera eius. Id. Instit.
that (as _Arrianus_ reports) it | Virg. c. 3. tom. 1._]
grew greater than two Cubits[r]. |
| [Note q: _Act. 12. 21._]
2. Nor only because actuall praise |
is in the lips of the praiser, and | [Note r: _Arrian. Epict. l. 3. c.
so a wicked woman may be praised, | 2._]
and yet not be worthy of it, and a |
godly woman may be praise-worthy, |
and yet not haue it, whereas |
praise-worthinesse is euer in the |
partie to be praised, and fewest |
(you know) haue this worth; but |
many haue praise without it, |
therefore praise-worthinesse is the |
Nobler Grace of the two, and |
consequently best for a Woman to be |
worthy of praise, though she be not |
praised for the present. |
|
3. But one of the chiefest Reasons |
is this; because indeed all our |
earthly praise is _Laudatur_, that |
is, for the present; but continueth |
not. Is, but shall not be. |
Sometimes a godly woman is |
commended, and sometimes she is |
not. As S. _Paul_ praised the |
_Corinthians_[s], _Now I praise you | [Note s: _1 Cor. 11. 1, 22_]
Brethren_, and by and by he saith: |
_Shall I praise you in this? I |
praise you not_: whereas This |
praise here promised so Is, that it |
_shall be_ still, and that cannot |
be in this Transitory world; but in |
Heauen, where Her praise that |
feareth the Lord for euer, endureth |
for euer: _Laudabitur, She shall be |
praised_. |
|
The best Time then for commending | [Note: III.
Her is yet to come, and that from | _Of whom shee shal be praised._]
Him who can best doe it; But I must |
tell you first, this Time should | [Note t: _2 Kings 9. 11. Act. 24.
neuer come, could the scoffing | 5. & 26. 24. Neh. 6. 13._]
_Ishmaels_ of our daies be heard |
railing vpon, iesting at, belying | [Note u: _Tert. Apolog. c. 7. &c.
and slandering Her and Him _that | Arnob. aduers. Gent. M. Faelix in
feareth the Lord_. It was euer | Octau._]
their Deuillish propertie[t] with |
many disgracefull censures to dimme | [Note x: _Gratias ago Deo meo, quod
the glory of the children of Light, | dignus sum, quem mundus oderit._
spitefully to aggrauate their | _S. Ierom. Asellae._]
tender frailties, rather than to |
commend their vnreproueable Graces. | [Note y: _Ephes. 5. 15. Phil. 4.
So of old they scourged the | 8, 9. 2 Cor. 8. 20. 1 Pet. 2.
Primitiue Christians with their | 12. Heb. 11. 39. Eccl. 41.12.
viperous, virulent tongues[u]; but | --Nec ex nobis scintilla
as Saint _Ierome_ thanks God that | procedat, per quam aduersus nos
He was counted worthy to be hated | sinistrae famae flamma confletur--Nos
of the world[x]; so should euery | id agamus, vt male de nobis nemo
good man and woman, not much | loqui, absque Mendacio possit._
trouble themselues for the vniust | _Paulin. epist. ad Celant._]
censures and disconceits of |
witlesse and worthlesse |
prophanenesse; but rather (as |
_Paulinus_[y] exhorts) haue more |
regard to their good name, lest any |
sparkle or appearance of euill |
truly proceed from them, whereby |
any flame of euill report may be |
kindled, and so to liue, that none |
may speake euill of them without |
lying. For maugre the malice of all |
Sensualists, the Time will come, |
when euery man and woman that |
feareth God, shall haue praise of | [Note z: _1 Cor. 4. 5._]
God[z], 1 Cor. 4. which is the best |
praise, when all is done[a], 2 Cor. | [Note a: _2 Cor. 10. 18. Iob. 12.
10. Yea (Beloued) that you may not | 43._]
count _the Lord slacke_ concerning |
his promise[b], Saint _Iames_ tells | [Note b: _2 Pet. 3. 9._]
you, This _comming of the Lord |
draweth neere_[c]: _Behold the | [Note c: _Iam. 5. 8, 9._]
Iudge standeth at the doore, He is |
readie to iudge the Quicke and the |
Dead_ (saith Saint _Peter_[d]) | [Note d: _1 Pet. 4. 5._]
readie to commend them, whom the |
world hath condemned; and to |
condemne them, whom worldlings haue |
commended: readie to reueale vnto |
the whole world the good workes of |
the godly, _Honorifico pietatis |
testimonio_, with an honourable |
approbation of their blessed |
godlinesse; & also to reueale vnto |
the whole world the wicked Deeds of |
the vngodly, _Manifesto impietatis |
vituperio_, with a publike, and |
open, vncontrouleable |
Discommendation of their cursed |
wickednesse[e]: yea the Iudge is | [Note e: _Mat. 25. 34, 41._]
ready to turne _Laudabitur_ into |
_Laudatur_, her praise worthinesse |
that feareth Him for euer, into |
euerlasting Praise; so that should |
her Husband and Children faile to |
praise Her, which yet they do not, |
for they commend Her in the 29. |
verse of this Chapter, saying: |
_Many daughters haue done |
vertuously; but thou excellest them |
all_[f]: or should the Godly cease | [Note f: _Prou. 31. 28, 29._]
to praise Her, which they will |
neuer do either here or in | [Note g: _Cant. 6. 9._]
Heauen[g]. Here Her remembrance is |
so sweet in all their mouthes, that | [Note h: _Eccles. 39. 10. Eccles.
they say:[h] Let her Memory be | 44. 15. Eccles. 49. 1._]
blessed: _Let her bones flourish |
out of her place_; and _Let the | [Note i: _Eccles. 46. 11, 12._]
name of Her that was honoured be |
continued vpon her Children_[i]: or | [Note k: _Reuel. 4. 13._]
should Her owne workes giue ouer |
praising Her in the Gates, which | [Note l: _Gen. 4. 4. Act. 10.
they are forbidden to doe, vers. | 35. 1 Pet. 2. 5._]
31. of this Chapter; yet God |
himselfe will haue _Her workes | [Note m: _Hebr. 13. 15._]
follow her to Heauen_[k], and |
_Accepting of her_[l], and _Them, | [Note n: _Esai. 8. 13._]
by Christ Iesus_[m], _Hee himselfe |
will praise Her, that hath made Him | [Note o: _Deut. 10. 21._]
Her Feare_[n], _Her praise_[o], |
saying: _Well done thou good and | [Note p: _Matth. 25. 21._]
faithfull seruant, thou hast beene |
faithfull ouer a few things, I will | [Note q: _Perfecta Die laudatio
make thee ruler ouer many things, | magis anim[=a] perficit, quam Dei
Enter thou into the ioy of thy | fruitio, quia magis laetatur in
Lord_[p]. Where it is best to leaue | Gloria & plus gaudebit de Dei
Her, euen with her Lord, taking | gloria & honore, quam de sua
more ioy (as a Schoole-man teacheth | Glorificatione, & plus iocundabitur
truly) in praising Him, than in | in laudando Domin[=u], quam in
contemplating her owne praise, in | consider[=a]do proprium bon[=u].
Glorifying God, than in her owne | Bonau. l. 3. d. 1. q. 1, p. 66._
Glorification[q]. | A selm. Prosolog. c. 15. & 16._]
|
But though we haue brought a Godly |
Woman where she would be, to |
Heauenly Praise, and Honour, and |
Glory, and found them by Gods free |
fauour in Christ giuen vnto Her; |
yet who is such a Woman? We haue |
not found Her yet; and why not yet? |
Because among other reasons, as |
Saint _Ierom_ was afraid to entreat |
of the Death of that Venerable |
Matron _Paula_[r]; so am I to | [Note r: _Quid agimus anima? cur ad
speake of the Decease of this | mortem eius venire formidas?--S.
Honourable Lady. Therefore giue me | Ier. Epitaph. Paulae. Epist. ad
leaue (beloued) to deferre the | Principiam. Gal. 3. 28._]
vncomfortable Passions of her |
Death, vntill I be a little better |
heartened by relating some of the |
laudable actions of her Life. |
|
For the subiect then of my Text, I | [Note: _Application. The Lady
dare say, in regard of the | deceased. Mulier Tim[=e]s
Description thereof, your owne | Dominum._]
consciences haue made the |
Application, and doe witnesse for |
Her, that She was _A Woman fearing |
the Lord_. A Woman indeed, & so the |
_Weaker Vessell_[s], yet | [Note s: _1 Pet. 3. 7._]
neuerthelesse Honour to be giuen |
Her in that respect; but rather the |
more (as Saint _Peters_ inference |
will allow) because though shee had |
_This Treasure of the Feare of the |
Lord in an Earthen and in a Weaker |
Vessell_[t], yet Gods strength was | [Note t: _Esai. 33. 6. 2 Cor. 4.
made perfect in her Weaknesse. And | 7._]
it is S. _Ieroms_ rule[u], you |
should iudge of Vertues, _Non | [Note u: _--Non considerantes
Sexa, sed Animo_: Not by the Sex, | Holdam & Annam ac Debboram, viris
but by the Minde and constant | tac[=e]tibus prophetasse, & in
purpose of a Regenerate Heart: This | seruitute Christi nequaquam
makes the Difference of force in | differentiam Sexuum valere; sed
the seruice of Christ, not either | Mentium. S. Ierom. Eustoch._]
Male or Female. |
|
Suruey then (if you please) as | [Note: _The workings of Godly feare
briefly as you wil, the seuerall | in regard of Her: Husb[=a]d:
workings of Her Godly Feare. | Children._]
|
First to Her Head, her Subiection |
and Helpfulnesse like that of Saint |
_Augustines_ Mother to his | [Note x: _S. Aug. Confess. lib. 9.
Father[x]. | cap. 9._]
|
To Her Children, her tenderest |
Affection and Sollicitousnesse to |
plant _the feare of the Lord_ in |
their hearts, to fit them with |
worthy Matches out of Religious |
Families, to adorne her onely Sonne |
with the richest endowments of |
Grace and Learning: Witnesse her |
Letters to that Learned |
Professour[A] in our famous | [Note A: Doct. _Prideaux_ Rector of
Vniuersitie, worthy to be kept as a | Exceter College in _Oxford._]
Monument of her truly Noble spirit |
and Godly Desire (like that of | [Note y: _Greg. Nazian. in Laudem
_Gregory Nazianzen's_ Sister) to | Gorgon. Orat. 25._]
haue the fruit of her Body become |
the fruit of the Spirit[y]. | [Note a: _S. Ier. ad Princip.
| Nusquam sine Matre &c.--_]
To Her Parents, shee was another |
_Rachel_, another _Marcella_[a]. | [Note: _Parents._]
|
To Her Kindred by mariage another | [Note: _Kindred._]
_Ruth_, and to them by bloud |
another _Hester_. |
|
To Her Seruants, shee was | [Note: _Seruants._]
bountifull in their Health; |
compassionate (as _Fabiola_[b]) in | [Note b: _Id. Epitaph. Fabiola._]
their Sicknesse, either of Minde or |
of Body, prouiding for them (like |
the Centurion) both spirituall and |
corporall Physicke. |
|
To All, Her whole Deportment was so | [Note: _Religious Deportm[=e]t to
Louely, so sweet, what _by the law | all._]
of kindnesse in her tongue_[c], |
Salutations, Gifts, Almes-Deeds, | [Note c: _Prou. 31. 26._]
Visitations, Inuitations, and by |
other offices of courtesies and |
Hospitalities, that Her Amiable |
Behauiour was a powerfull Meanes, |
an attractiue Load-stone to draw |
vnto Her the hearts and loues of as |
many as knew Her, yea as but heard |
of Her. |
|
But vnto Gods children she euer | [Note: _Especially vn-vnto Gods
only afforded the dearest pangs, | people._]
the highest Degree of her kindest |
Affection[d]: Their company she | [Note d: _Psal. 16. 3. Psal. 119.
most loued, and they Hers. Not so | 63, 79. Gal. 6. 10. 1 Pet. 2.
much in regard of Her fauour | 17. Coloss. 1. 4._]
towards them, which was great; but |
chiefly by reason of that spiritual |
Helpe and refreshment, which they |
might get by conuersing with Her in |
the choicest passages of |
Sanctification. For shee had the |
Art to vphold holy conferences |
about perplexities of conscience, |
Relapses into sin, and Remedies |
against the same: Shee had the |
skill to beget many ioyfull |
Meditations of mortifying Grace and |
euerlasting Glory: She had the |
Zeale to nourish Heauenly |
mindednesse, boldnesse in the |
waies, and cheerefulnesse in the |
exercises of Religion and Deuotion. |
|
Touching Her submission to the | [Note: _Constant vse of the Meanes
Meanes of Saluation: O what delight | of Saluation._]
shee tooke here and in _London_, to |
heare conscionable and searching |
Sermons! It was Her onely Pleasure |
in that Citie (as she professed) to |
frequent them there; yea what |
Griefe was it vnto Her (as it was |
vnto Saint _Ambrose_) to heare of |
the Death of any of Gods zealous | [Note e: _Paulin. in Vita D.
Ministers[e]? | Ambros._]
|
And should I be silent, yet Her |
Oratory in her house hereby, this |
Church too (a part whereof her |
Zeale, together with her Honourable |
Husbands Loue to Gods House newly |
erected) that Closset also of Hers |
in _Truro_, yea euery place almost |
would speake aloud of her constant |
reading, hearing, meditating on the |
Word, solemne Humiliations, |
solitary conferences with her God, |
feruent prayers and eiaculations, |
which (as the sweetest incense) |
shee euer and anon sent vp to the |
Throne of Grace for the pardon of |
her sinnes, the fauour of God, the |
spirituall Good of her Dearest |
Husband, Children, and Gods Church. |
|
But adde vnto all these, another | [Note: _Vnfained Resolution to
more speciall, essentiall, and | mortifie her most preuailing
superiour working of Her Godly | Sinne._]
Feare, and that was Her continuall |
Combating against all sinne, euen |
Her most commanding sin whatsoeuer |
that was[f]. For there was a time | [Note f: _Psal. 18. 23. Rom. 7.
to my knowledge, when after the | 21, 22, 23, 24._]
preaching vnto Her of the power and |
efficacie of Gods promises, and of |
Christs Death and Resurrection, for |
the mortifying and mastering of any |
bosome and beloued sinne, you might |
easily see in Her, how willingly | [Note g: _Psal. 119. 6, 8. Act.
she yeelded vnto the Sanctifying | 11. 23._]
worke of the Holy Ghost for the |
Ouer-comming of her strongest | [Note h: _Mic. 7. 18. 1 Ioh. 1.
corruptions, how heauily shee was | 9. Rom. 6. 14. Ez. 36. 25. 2
displeased with relapses into | Cor. 12. 7, 9._]
smaller offences of daily incursion |
against the generall and constant | [Note i: _Rom. 6. 4, 5, &c. Vis,
purpose[g] of her heart not to | inquam, illa Christi mortis nobis
sinne in anything; how faithfully | communicatur, vt per h[=a]c
she rested vpon those sweetest[h] | Christivim moriamur peccato, sicut
promises of God (which she | Christus peccato semel mortitus
confessed she had not erst so well | est, id est, non vt peccatum nobis
weighed) for the mortifying of | non imputitur, (id enim ad
speciall infirmities, and how | Iustisicationem pertinct) sed vt
vnfainedly shee resolued to set her | peccati vis iam non sit in nobis
Faith on worke, to draw not onely | efficax, immo vero contra freti vi
assurance of pardon from the Merit | illa Christi, cui per Spiritum
of Christs Death and Resurrection; | Sanctum coniuncti sumus, peccatum
but also that Power and efficacie | occidamus.--pistiemo quia non satis
which is in them, to _Die to Sinne, | est n[=o] peccare; sed etiam bene
and Liue to Righteousnesse_.[i] | agere oportet, eadem vis illa
| Christi, qua victor peccati et
This was the Life of this Elect | mortis in carne nostra viuere
Lady fearing the Lord, and | coepit Deo--nobiscum communicata
therefore she hath right and | coepit Deo--nobiscum communicata
interest to all those Honourable | facit vt &c. Beza epist. Theolog.
Attributes of Praise, which you | 45. p. 211._]
heard euen now God himselfe giue |
her in His owne words. | [Note k: _Eccles. 8. 8._]
|
But O my Soule what dost thou? Why | [Note l: _S. Ierom. Eustoch.
art thou yet afraid to come to her | Epitaph. Paul._]
Death? as if while I held my peace |
and were busied in Her Praises, Her | [Note m: _Neq, par[=u] distat inter
Death could be deferred? Alas it | has lachrymas Deuotionis & aetatis
could not by all the Meanes that | vtiq, iam virilis, atque eas quas
were vsed. For _No man_ (saith the | primaeus aetas inter infantiae vagit'
Preacher) _hath power ouer the | emisit, lachrymas vtiq, poenitentiae
spirit to retaine the spirit_[k]. | & confessionis. Veruntamen longe
Then speake of her Death I must, | amplius vtrisque procedunt aliae
and yet (to make vse of S. | quaed[=a] lachrymae, quibus in
_Ierom's_ words in a like case) | funditur sapor vini. Illas enim
_Quis possit siccis oculis Paulam | lachrymas vere in vin[=u] mutari
narrare morientem[l]?_ Who can | dixerim, quae Fraternae Compassionis
relate the Death of the Lady | affectu in feruore prode[=u]t
_Frances Roberts_ without shedding | charitatis, pro qua eti[=a] ad
some Teares of Compassion, of | horam tui ipsius immemor esse,
Deuotion, yea and of Compunction | sobria quad[=a] ebrietate videris._
too[m]? Shee deserues some Teares | _S. Bern. in Epiph. Dom. Serm. 3._]
from vs (Beloued) as well as from |
the Poore, weeping now and shewing | [Note: _Bountie to the Poore._]
the Coats and garments which this |
_Dorcas_ made for them, while she | [Note n: _Act. 9. 36._]
was with them[n]. |
|
But to stop the current of them a |
little longer. Begin we with Gods |
mercifull preseruation of Her in |
_London_ from the noysome | [Note: _Thakfulnesse for
Pestilence; because she | Deliuerance from the Plague._]
acknowledged it (as was meet) with |
humble Thankfulnesse[o]. And then | [Note o: _Psal. 91. 7. Psal. 50.
remember, that vpon Her returne | 15. Psal. 33. 1._]
home, being summoned by Sicknesse, |
by and by she set her _House in |
order_, like _Hezekiah_; She spake |
to the Hearts of Her Children, |
Friends, and Seruants, that were |
then about Her (like _Iacob_) by |
putting them in remembrance of Her |
Departure and their Duties: She |
hungered and thirsted after the |
Body and Bloud of Her Dearest | [Note: _Worthy receiving the
Sauiour, which shee receiued with | Sacrament._]
Due Examination[p] of Her |
Knowledge; Faith; Loue and | [Note p: _1 Cor. 1. 28._]
Repentance, with reuerent Gesture, |
heartie Thankfulnesse, deuout |
Attention, and very Fruitfully to |
the greater strengthning and |
refreshing of Her Soule then |
trauelling for the other Life. |
|
And now (Beloued) that she lieth on |
the bed of Languishing, we must not |
be austere in reprehending euery |
Infirmity; but Pitifull in |
considering the tender frailtie of |
it. |
|
For what though shee were (as Sicke | [Note: _Passionatnesse by reason of
folke are commonly[A]) more | Spiritual and Bodily Dist[)e]per._]
Passionate than others, yea than |
Her selfe in Her health, yet if God | [Note A: [Greek: Dusareston hoi
iudgeth not according to the | nosountes aporias hupo] _Eurip.
strange Effects and Symptoms of Her | Orest._]
sicknesse, not according to the |
short moment and violent passions |
of Her Death; but according to the |
holy Actions of Her Health, the |
former Affections of Her Heart, and |
the Generall Course of Her Life[q]; | [Note q: M^r. _Greenham_. 1. Treat.
then it is our Dutie, not seuerely | for Afflict. Consc. fol. III. part
to censure her passionatenesse, who | 2.]
by reason of the parching Feauer of |
the Spirit, as well as of the Body, |
was disquieted in her Imagination |
(as the Physitian of the body could |
discerne) though not in her Memory. |
Consider therefore O Man (as that |
excellent Physitian of the Soule |
aduiseth thee[r]) if thou canst | [Note r: _Id. Of Death, fol. 9.
beare with a fraile Body, that thou | part 2._]
must much more beare with a fraile |
Minde and Body too. Consider also O |
Man, that this her Pettishnesse did |
more wound her to the heart, than |
any iniury thou couldst presse her |
with. Neither doe I speake this to |
nourish passion in any, or to proue |
her Anger to be Sinlesse[s]; but to | [Note s: _Vitemus ergo aut
be a lesse Sinne, because her | temperemus irac[=u]diam: ne sit
Spirituall and Bodily Distemper was | eius aut in Laudibus exceptio, aut
so great, or rather because her | Off. lib. 1. cap. 21._]
Faith quenched the flame of this |
fiery passion in Christs Bloud, |
resolued and melted her heart into |
many penitent Teares afterwards. | [Note: _Repentance for the same._]
Oh, said she to me, (pressing her |
with _Dauids_ example, _Psal. |
131._) In my Health I could digest |
any iniury, and deemed it base and |
vngodly, not to be able to doe so; |
but now (I know not how) me thinkes |
I am ouer-tender in bearing them. I |
am impatient indeed, and then I |
weepe for my impatiencie. For I |
know (as she her selfe vrged) _The |
wrath of Man doth not accomplish | [Note t: _Iam. 1. 20. Psalm. 4.
the Righteousnesse of God_[t]. | 4._]
|
Thus shee was Angrie with her selfe | [Note u: _Ephes. 4. 26. Vel certe
for being Angrie with others, and | sic: Si irascimini, vobis
then (according to Saint _Ambroses_ | irascimini, quia commoti estis, &
rule) it ceased towards them before | non peccabitis. Qui enim sibi
the Sunne went down[u]; and was not | irascitur, quia cito c[=o]motus
this Holy Reuenge on her selfe a | est, desinit irasci alteri. Id.
true fruit of Euangelicall | ibid._]
Repentance? _2 Cor. 7. 11._ |
|
But aye me! me thinkes I now heare | [Note: _Her Agonie._]
her groaning vunder the dolefull |
pangs of Death, vnder those pangs |
of which shee had foretold saying: |
I shall suffer much more ere I goe |
hence. And can any haue the heart |
to heare her groaning pangs, |
without renting his owne heart from |
his darling pleasure? without |
lamenting his owne sinnes, which |
vnlesse he forsake betimes, will |
bring him to euerlasting | [Note x: _Ezek. 18. 13, 30._]
Burnings[x]? or without learning to |
compassionate euery weake one, to | [Note y: _--Si quem viderimus
assist any one yeelding vp the | pauper[=e] moriturum, sumptu
Ghost, because (as Saint _Ambrose_ | iuvemus, & dicat vnusquisq,
giues the reason[y]) the holy | nostrum: Benedictio morituri in me
Peophet _Iob_ desired the Blessing | veniat: Si qu[=e] viderimus
of one, that lyes a Dying: | debilem, non deseramus, si quem in
_Benedictio morituri, in me veniat: | extremis positum, non relinquam^s._
Let the blessing of him that is | _S. Ambros. de Bono Mort. cap. 8.
readie to die, come vpon me!_ | tom. 4._]
|
Let vs then, not yet, leaue this | [Note: _Deuotion at Her Death._]
Departing Saint. For in the midst |
of this her Agonie, after shee had |
layen groaning many houres without |
any articulate or distinct speech, |
yet vpon triall made of Her sense |
and memory by demanding of Her, |
whether she would haue prayers made |
for Her, she answered plainly: With |
all my heart, pray, pray. And then |
as _Gregory Nazianzen_[a] reports | [Note a: _Orat. 28. de Funere
of his Father, that though He was | Patris. Tom. 2._]
daily, yea hourely, in great paine |
before his Death, yet He was euer |
still and quiet from paine, onely |
while Diuine Seruice was saying; so |
this Deuout Lady forgetting (as it |
were) Her former Groanings, did |
listen attentiuely to the prayers |
that were made for Her, without |
fetching so much as one sob during |
that time. And afterwards |
rehearsing distinctly part of the |
Lords Prayer, you might heare Her, |
when S. _Stephens_ Vision and last |
words[b] were read vnto Her, repeat | [Note b: _Act. 7. 53, 56, 59._]
very often these last words of Her |
Sauiour[c]: _O Heauenly Father into | [Note c: _Luke 23. 46._]
thy hands I commend my spirit_. |
Thus on a sudden I haue told you | [Note A: _Reuel. 14. 13._]
how she _Dyed in the Lord_[A], and |
is _with Christ_[B]. | [Note B _Phil. 1. 23._]
|
And though we saw her afterwards |
mouing her lips; but heard not her |
Voice, no more than they that were |
at Saint _Ambroses_ Death did heare | [Note d: _Paulin. in D. Ambros
his Voice; but only saw his lips | Vita._]
moue[d]; yet we must not thinke |
_The Spirit of strength_[e], of | [Note e: _Esai. 11. 2._]
_Prayer_ and _Grace_[f], is then |
onely strong, when we heare a Dying | [Note f: _Zach. 12. 10._]
Saint pray, because Christs Spirit |
cries in Gods Children, _Abba, |
Father_[g], with Vnutterable | [Note g: _Gal. 4. 6._]
Groanings[h] which we cannot heare, |
and therefore I doubt not, but this | [Note h: _Rom. 8. 26._]
Elect Lady cried loudest in Gods |
eares, when we heard not her words; |
and why may we not thinke now, our |
sinnes hindered vs from hearing |
them? I am sure, heretofore she |
hath spoken againe and againe many |
Heart-piercing speeches to deterre |
from Sinne, and to allure to |
Holinesse of Life. If she be not |
hearkened to now, henceforth wee |
shall heare Her speake no more. _I |
charge you therefore before God and |
the Lord Iesus Christ, and the |
Elect Angells_:[A] you (I say) I | [Note A: _1 Tim. 5. 21._]
charge whomsoeuer shee hath iustly |
reproued for any Sin, that you |
forsake those Sins; and whomsoeuer |
she hath zealously exhorted to holy |
Duties, that you performe those |
holy Duties, for henceforth you |
shall heare Her speake no more. |
|
But why should I detaine thee | [Note: _Conclusion. Sed quid ego te
(Honourable Lady) any longer? Or | morer Frater? quid expectem? vt
what doe you (Beloued) expect more? | nostra tecum c[=o]moriatur et quasi
That our speech also should Die | consepeliatur oratio? S. Ambr. de
together with Hers, and (as it | Obitu fratris. Tom. 3._]
were) be Buried together with Her. |
O my Blessed Brethren, suffer |
neither this Godly Lady, nor Gods |
word to depart so dishonourably |
from you. |
|
Suffer not Her so to depart from | [Note: I.
you; but let her euer liue in your | _Imitation of Her Vertues._]
breasts by Esteeming Her very |
highly in loue for Her workes sake, | [Note i: _Ideo laude oris ad
by Commemorating Gods Graces in | Hominem vtimur, vt alios apud quos
Her; but aboue all by Imitating her | laudatur, in bonam opinionem, &
Faith and Vertues[i]. Then you | Reuerentiam, & Imitationem ipsius
shall not need to grieue very much | inducamus. Thom. Aquin. 22. q.
for Her Absence from you; because | 91._]
she is _with Christ, which is best |
of all_[k]; because she is _Taken | [Note k: _Phil. 1. 23.--Et Christum
away_, not from you; but _from the | laedimus cum euocatos quosque ab
euill to come, Esai. 57. 1._ From | illo quasi miserandos non
you shee is not Taken, but from | aequanimiter accipimus. Cupio,
seeing the plagues and miseries of | inquit Apostolus, recipi iam ...
this wretched world, yea from | Ergo votum si alios consequutos
seeing the future Deaths of you, | impatienter dolemus, ipsi consequi
Her Dearest friends[l], for whom | nolumus. Tertul. de Patient. cap.
she would haue wept full bitterly; | 9. Temperet sane Dilecti Gaudi[=u],
but you haue greater Cause, if you | moestitiam desolatorum, &
will heare S. _Ambrose_ and S. | tolerabilius fiat nobis, quod
_Ierome_ comforting themselues in a | Nobiscum non est, quia cum Deo
like case, to Reioyce[m] and to | est. Ber. in Cant. ser. 27._]
giue God thankes[n], that you Haue |
had Her, nay that you Haue Her, if | [Note l: _Non enim nobis ereptus
so be you follow Her good example, | es, sed periculis.--raptus est ne
and represent her to the life by | totius orbis excidia, mundi finem,
your Godly Life. | propinquor[=u] funera, &c. S.
| Ambros. de Obitu Fratru. fol. 17._]
To conclude: I beseech you all |
(Blessed Brethren) Suffer not the | [Note: II.
Word of God, which you haue heard | _Practise of Gods word._]
this day, for want of the Feare of |
God, which is _The firmest | [Note m: _Laetandum est enim magis,
foundation of Gods word_[o], to | quod talem fratrem habuerim, quam
vanish into aire, into nothing, to | dolendum, quod fratrem amiserim.
rebound from your flintie hearts | Illud enim munus, hoc debitum est._
(as a shaft shot against a wall of | _Idem ibid. fol. 13._]
Adamant[p];) but in Gods Name, Let |
the Sword of Gods Spirit sunder | [Note n: _Non maeremus quod talem
euery one of our minion sinnes from | amisimus, sed gratias agimus, quod
our bosomes: Let Gods pretious | habuimus, immo habemus. S. Ierom.
promise here of praising a _Woman | Epitaph. Paulae._]
that feareth the Lord_, feare vs |
from our strongest corruptions. | [Note o: _Basis quaedam Verbi est
_Atq vtinam praeconia foeminarum, | Timor sanctus. Sicut enim
imitarentur viri_. And I may well | simulachrum aliquod in Basi
wish with Saint _Ierome_, that Men | statuitur----ita verbum Dei in
would emulate and imitate Women in | Timore Sancto melius statuitur,
their deserued attributions of | fortius radicatur, hoc est, in
Praise[q]. Lastly, if you desire to | pectore timentis Dominum--S.
know, besides this motiue of | Ambros. in Psal. 118. Serm. 5._]
obtaining Heauenly praise, what |
other Meanes you should vse to get, | [Note: III. _Means to Godly
keepe and increase such a godly | Feare._]
Feare in you, then consider the |
examples of Gods dreadfull | [Note p: _Iam. 1. 22. Zach. 7.
iudgements[r] on them, that Feare | 12._]
Him not, yea on Christ Iesus |
Himselfe pursued for our sins[s] to | [Note q: _S. Ierom. epist. ad
the fulnesse of Bitternesse by the | Furiam._]
iustice of God, consider that |
first. Then remember your owne | [Note r: _1 Cor. 10. 11. Reuel.
Deaths to haue them before you[t], | 14. 7._]
remember your strict Accounts to be |
made[u], remember the restlesse | [Note s: _Esai. 57. 11. & 53. 5.
Terrour of Conscience[x], which | Mat. 27. 46._]
followes the impenitent, and then |
or neuer you will _Feare the Lord | [Note t: _Eccles. 3. 14. Iob 7.
Greatly_, as _Obadiah_ and this | 1. Psal. 39. 4. & 90. 12._]
Blessed Lady did. Be not deceiued |
(my Brethren) after all this | [Note u: _2 Cor. 5. 10. Matth.
Hearing, it is not a Little Feare | 12. 36._]
will serue the turne. For to Feare |
God but a little (as _Fulgentius_ | [Note x: _Rom. 2. 15. Reu. 6.
saith) is to contemne Him very | 16. Psal. 18. 23. Prou. 8.
much[y]. It must bee at least so | 13._]
Great a Feare, as must feare you |
from your Greatest, your Sweetest | [Note: IV. _So Great a Feare as
Sinne whatsoeuer that be, else if | must feare vs from our Bosome
you Die in it[a] without Repentance | Sinne._]
(which God forbid) your _Worme |
shall not die, neither shall your | [Note y: _--Hunc si quis parum
fire be quenched, and you shall | metuit, valde contemmi--B. Fulg. de
be_, not a praise, but _an | Myst. Mediat. ad Trasim. l.2. pag.
Abhorring to all flesh_, the last | 215._]
verse of the Prophet _Esay_ with |
_Iames 2. 10._[b], and _Ezekiel. | [Note a: _Si in solo vno peccato
18. 10, 11, 13._ | decesserit Homo, irreuocabiliter
| mittitur in ignem aeternum--Gerson.
| 2. p. de Mendicit. Spirit. lit. D &
| H. part. 3._]
|
| [Note b: _Ex parte enim Auersionis
| dicit Iacobus qui offendit in vno
| factus est omnium reus, quia
| scilicet vno peccato peccando
| incurrit poenae reatum, ex hoc, quod
| contemnit Deum, ex cuius contemptu
| prouenit omnium peccator[=u]
| reatus. Aquin. 12. q. 73. a.1 ad
| fin. Peccatum enim remitti non
| potest, quam disi Voluntas peccato
| adheret. Idem. p. 3. q. 87. a. 1.
_Knowing therefore_ (as Saint _Paul_| c. & q. 86. a. 2. c. Vnde non
concludes[c]) _the terrour of the | potest esse vere poenitens, qui de
Lord, we perswade you_ (Blessed | vno peccato poenitet, & non de
Brethren) _to feare God_ Greatly, | alio. Si enim displiceret ei illud
and to _Giue Glory vnto Him_[d]; | peccatum, quia est contra Deum
then you _shall haue praise of | super omnia dilectum--Sequeretur,
Him_, then hee _will glorifie_ you; | quod de omnibus peccatis
and to say no more than this (with | poeniteret. Id. q. 86. a. 3.
the Prophet _Ieremie_[e],) which | c._]
will make the Fearlesse Sinner |
inexcusable: _Who would not feare | [Note: V.
thee O Lord, thou King of Nations, | _Reasons to feare the Lord._]
thou King of Saints?_ 1. _For thou |
onely art Holy:_ 2. _For all | [Note c: _2 Cor. 5. 10, 11._]
Nations shall come vnto thee, and |
worship thee_: 3. _For thy | [Note d: _Reuel. 14. 7._]
iudgements are made manifest_[f]: |
4. _For there is none like vnto | [Note e: _Ier. 10. 7._]
thee, that pardoneth Iniquitie, and |
passeth by the Transgression of the | [Sidenote: VI.
remnant of thy Heritage[g]?_ Who | _Prayer for Godly Feare._]
would not Feare Thee such an |
_Almightie, All-seeing, Iust, | [Note f: _Reuel. 15. 4._]
Mercifull Lord God? Put thy feare |
therefore in our Hearts_ (as thou | [Note g: _Mic. 7. 18._]
hast promised[h]) _that wee may |
neuer depart from thee_; but | [Note h: _Ier. 32. 39._]
clinging inseparably by a liuely |
faith, vnto the bleeding wounds of | [Note i: _Si enim amamus Christum,
our Blessed Redeemer, may without | vtiq aduentum eius desiderare
all slauish Feare[i] of Death and | debemus. Peruersum enim est, &
Iudgement, Louingly[k] appeare | nescio vtrum ver[=u], quem diligis,
before thy Iudgement-seat, and | timere ne veniat, orare, Veniat
without desperate _Crying to the | regn[=u] tu[=u], & timere, ne
mountains and rocks Fall on vs_[l], | exaudiaris. Vnde autem timor? ...
may ioyfully heare Thee say vnto | Quisquis ergo futur[=u] iudic[=e]
vs: _Come ye Blessed of my Father, | times, praesent[=e] c[=o]scienti[=a]
Inherit the Kingdome prepared for | tu[=a] corrige. S. Aug. in Psal.
you from the foundation of the | 147. tom 3._]
world_[m]. |
| [Note k: _2 Tim. 4. 8._]
Which God grants vnto vs all, for |
the All-sufficient Merits of his | [Note l: _Reuel. 6. 16._]
Dearest Sonne, the Sweet Lord |
Iesus: To whom with Himselfe and | [Note m: _Matth. 25. 34._]
the Holy Spirit be ascribed _All |
Praise, Honour, Glory, Power, |
Dominion and Maiestie, now and |
euer. Amen. Amen._ |