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'THE 
 
 "Virgins Pattern: 
 
 IN THE 
 
 Exemplary Life, and lamented Death 
 O F Mrs. 
 
 SUSJKNJ PEVIWICH, 
 
 Daughter of Mr. 
 1^0 BE J^T PELVIC H> 
 
 Who departed this Life > every way a 
 
 rarely accomplifhed Virgin, in the flower 
 of her Age, at her Fathers Houie in 
 Hackney, near London, in the Coun- 
 ty oi Middle/ex, July 3 . 1661. 
 
 Publifhed at the earned requeft of divers that 
 knew her vvell,for the ufe and benefit of o:hers. 
 
 By John BatchiUrjL neer Relation, that occ^tional- 
 ly hath had an intimate convene in the Fami- 
 ly with her, more or lefs, the greiteit 
 
 part of her Life. 
 
 __ _ _ 
 
 London Printed by Simon Dover •, and are to be fold | 
 at his Houfe, in Martins , near Ai&erfgzte 7 
 and at Book-fellers (hops, 1 661, 
 
«J? sis s; s ^ s?£« a&e & J^ sr^ z$& &? <%& 
 
 To all the young Ladies and Gentle- 
 women, of the ieveral Schools , in 
 and about the City of London, 
 or elfe where 5 more particu- 
 larly to thofe of Mrs. P<?; - 
 »##& her School at 
 Hackney. 
 
 Sweet Ladies and Gentle-women , 
 [^ ^^#£% //£ r eafon why this en- 
 K^"\ W&\ f uin & delation (wor~ 
 ^m& j flfl^: ^ °/ ^ future ruc- 
 ^SK|^ niory) is chiefly pr^ 
 d^&Jvgk^ Jentedunto you> ts the 
 PlPpF^CN equity and congruity 
 thereof ; together with that particular 
 right, by which yow^of all others, feem 
 to lay claim to it. The Perfon here 
 fpokenof,vpas bredup ititbe fame Fa- 
 mily with you, and among you, a daily 
 otyzCt before you, and a lively cxam- 
 A z pie. 
 
The Epiftle 
 pie to (is many of you as had wifdom 
 to take notice and make ufe of it. The 
 manifold Excellencies that fhined in 
 her, whether natural, acquired, or in- 
 fivfed ,are not unknown to you What ever 
 was ornamental to body or mind, from 
 nature, breeding, or grace it [elf, Jhe 
 had as much of it, yea, more [all cirA 
 cumfiances confidered) than any that I 
 have heard or read of. Indeed fome 
 there were of thofe eight hundred that\ 
 have been educated in her Fathers 
 houfe within the compafs of her time , 
 that did out-do the reji in their rcipe-l 
 flive feafons , funic in one quality , 
 fime in another, according to their dif- 
 ferent capacities , and the pains they\ 
 tool^, or the time thcy'fpent, more or\ 
 lefs, m the School : but not any one than 
 came aecr to her in one half of thofe en- 
 dowwents.and rare abilities (xithouA 
 offence be ufpokefi ) tl at She had attainA 
 cd unto, as ivi 11 appear abundantly itA 
 theenjuing Narration thereof. For if\ 
 ikath true which Mr. Rogers, Mr A 
 
 Ling, 
 
Dedicatory. 
 Bing, Mr. Coleman,Mr. Brian, Mr. 
 Hazard, and the reft of the Matters of 
 the School, have often fat dm refpeU of 
 the feveral qualities fhe learned of 
 them - , that [to ufe their own words) 
 they knew not where fie hath left her 
 fellow in the world: when all her other 
 excellencies are confdered alfo, in con- 
 junUion with them, it muft needs be then 
 much more 'true. That is a rich Jewel 
 rvhich is made up of all manner of pre- 
 cious Jiones ; and that a fweet N oft-gay 
 that hath all forts of fragrant flowers 
 in it> even fuch luftres Wpleafant 
 mixtures were confpicuous in Her,*o 
 every unprejudiced and impartial eye. 
 Indeed it was her hap to be lefs known 
 to,andlefs loved by fome, than others; 
 whether it were out of a fecret envy at 
 for eminent worth, by rvhich fie out- 
 lined them, or from too fevere a cen- 
 fure of that in her, which even in them- 
 felves {becaufe of higher rank in the 
 world) they did eafily allow, I know 
 net. But this I can and do affirm, with 
 A 5 truth 
 
The Epiffle 
 truth concerning her, that when Jhe was 
 told above a year before her death) that 
 certain perfons [not here to be named) 
 who wjhed her well , were jealous of 
 her, left Jhe were puffed up with pride, | 
 and the love of vanity ; the only anfwer I 
 fhe made , was 9 That whatever they 
 thought of her, Jhe honoured them for 
 the grace of Chrift Jhe believed was in 
 them, and that Jhe hoped God would en- 
 able her to ma\e a good ufe of this their 
 fear of 'her, for the better obferving of 
 her own heart , and the keeping it the 
 more humble. 
 
 Among thoje inducements that oc- 
 cajioned the publijhing of this, Jomeof 
 the chief are theje which follow. 
 
 Firfi, to refute the opinion ofjuch as 
 greatly blame the education of publick 
 Schools, as if they were places of all 
 other, mofi dangerous to corrupt the 
 manners of youth : Beholdhere a great 
 mPiancz to the contrary, be fides many 
 others that might be named of the very 
 fame School , there having been al- 
 
 wayes j 
 
Dedicatory. 
 
 way es feme <w virtuous and religious 
 young Gentlewomen brought up there, 
 as in any private Family what fever. 
 Nor is it difficult to go to the ieveral Ci- 
 ties and Counties of this Kingdom,, and 
 find out the Houfes in which many of 
 them are furviving , beautiful Orna- 
 ments of the places where they hve> ei- 
 as ther Virgins , Wives, or Matrons. 
 
 Secondly , to give a proot of the 
 reftlefsneli of a Soul once touched 
 with Divine Lovi ; for let it he where 
 it willy though cuiiioc. :e 1 « ith never fo 
 much bufincfs, and czded oft with ne- 
 ver fe many divemfements , yet early 
 or\dX£yat onetime or another, it will 
 have its opportunities ofcoivwrfe with 
 God, and will not be hindered, but ra- 
 ther lofe both meat and ileep, than 
 fuch opportunities as ihefe. 
 
 Thirdly y to let 2±\menjee that there is 
 fomething in that which we call 
 Grace, which in the mid ft of all the 
 moft enticing vanities, and blandifli- 
 ments of the world \ can and doth ravifh 
 A 4 the 
 
The Epiftle 
 
 the heart more then all thefe ever did or 
 conlddo. Here was a young Gentle- 
 woman in the flower of her 4ge, com- 
 pared about with all manner 0/delights 
 and entertainments >that a earnal mind 
 could defire, and yet what dead things 
 were they to her > and flic to them ! how 
 were they mutually crucified each to 
 ether, when once her nature was renew- 
 ed, and fie felt the fweetnefs of the 
 change! how was an entire Commu- 
 nion with God, even an Heaven upon 
 Earth unto her ! Holinefs (Jet prophane 
 fcofTers and wretched Atheifts fay 
 what they will of it) hath fomething in 
 it more lovely than all the Beauties in 
 the world ', fomething more fweet than 
 all the Muficks in the worldh fomething 
 more delicious than all ^Pleafures 
 in the world. 
 
 Fourthly andlafily, to fit a rare Pat- 
 tern and Example to all that (Joall hap- 
 pen to hear or read of this Relation; 
 and indeed this is none of the leaft it& 
 dtuementS) becaufe it pleafed the Lord 
 
 that 
 
Dedicatory. 
 
 that divers, who are now living, are 
 able and ready to witnefs and acknow- 
 ledge >that her Example while they were 
 in ^Family rrith her did not only con- 
 vince them of their own negledi of the 
 duties which Jhe conftantly prailifed 
 betwixt God and her own foul) and 
 [mote their confciences for it s but did 
 {o far work upon them^as to caufe them 
 to do the like ever f nee. It may there- 
 fore be reafonably hoped, that God may 
 blefs the fame Example unto others, 
 though fhe be deads and were it not for 
 fuch an end#x this, how vain would the 
 publication hereof be ? Can it any way 
 avajle her now fhe is gone }furely no- 
 thing lefs j let none therefore be fo un- 
 charitable as to thinks that ^Author 
 hereof can propound any other end 
 therein, but fuch as is already mention- 
 ed. He hopes he hath better learned 
 Chrifl ; nor yet that what is here related 
 is more out of favour or affe&ion than 
 otherwife. Thofe that pleafe to enquire, 
 will find witneffes enough to ajfert the 
 
 whole 
 
The Epiftle Dedicatory, 
 whole truth of the premifes > and there- 
 fore nolwithfianding the unkind cen- 
 fures of any, out of a defire of ferving 
 Chrift, and the good of precious fouls, 
 he can appeal to God, he hath done this, 
 and accordingly maizes it his earneft 
 Prayer/ar a bleffmg on it: who to flew 
 his refolution to own & make good what- 
 ever is here J aid, fubfcribes his Name, 
 
 John Batchiler. 
 
 TO 
 
TotheREADER, 
 
 Courteous Reader, 
 
 IF it be asked why any part of the 
 above-mentioned Relation is re- 
 peated in Verfe, it is for the fake of 
 fuch as affecl Poetry , rather than 
 Profe s but in cafe thofe that read the 
 Pro/e avoid the Verfes, as containing 
 part of xhzfame matter, let them alfo 
 pleafe to take notice, that divers 
 things are interfper/ed in Verfe , that 
 they find not in the Profe, and that at 
 leaft one balfo{ the Verfes, vi%. from 
 the jo. Sedlion to the end, is all new 
 matter ', and I hope fuch as will not 
 be altogether unprofitable to the inge- 
 nuous honejl-hearted Reader. 
 
 J. B. 
 
 The 
 
f 
 
 The exemplary Life , and lamented 
 Death of Miflris Sufanna Per- 
 wich, Daughter of Robert Per- 
 wich, of Hackney, in the County of 
 Middlefex, Gent, who dyedavzrdy 
 accomplifh'd Virgin, at me of the 
 clocl^ in the afternoon* on Wednes- 
 day, the 3. 0/ July, 166 1. in the 
 2$. year of her Age. 
 
 fH E was bom upon 
 the 23 . day of Sept. 
 in the year of our 
 Lord, 163d. in the 
 Parifh of Alderman- 
 bury, London*, where, 
 having by the care 
 and cofl of her Pa- 
 rents been fent to School to learn to read 
 as foon as capable thereof; this was remarks Her early 
 able in her at that tender age, that (hz pregnancy ^ 
 would needs learn by hearing and obfer- while a child, 
 
 Ving 
 
2 The exemplary Lift, and lamented 
 
 ^//zjrothers rather than by the teaching of 
 her Miftris , taking a delight it feems to 
 get her learning altogether by her own in- 
 duftry ; yea, fo impatient the was of being 
 infirudted by any, that ihe would altoge- 
 ther refufe their help, and yet refled not 
 till lhe had attained to an ability of read- 
 ing Scripture, full as well and as diftinttly f 
 as any of her elder Sitters ; an argument 
 of fuch Pregnancy and Ingenuity , as is not 
 ordinary in young children. 
 
 When fhe was (even years and a half 
 
 old, her Father removing his dwelling to \ 
 
 his School at Hackney , where now he live?; 
 
 j. n She among the reft of his Children, had 
 
 Ji mjt rare ^ ac | vanca g C f a c b ; ce breeding there, 
 
 M"J tc ' a 'hf' zndm Jhort time made no fmall Vrogreis 
 flays 'at fight in ^ efpecially in tne grounds of Muiick ; 
 on the Tre- for at f 0Jirteen years and a half olc } ? S h e 
 to r t ol at yvas abk t0 p/^7„ Cohort, at the ^ fight 
 
 *!" aT*/j u P on thztreble Viol^ and this with io *0#?^ 
 Mhalfold. ^ ^ zn if weetKe j Sy that Shegaveno ' 
 
 ordinary hopes of proving a 7^77 -^r^ Mu- 
 
 iician. Indeed fuch an harmonious foul She 
 
 had, and a genious ib exceeding tradable 
 
 To^ ^ t to all forts of Mufick, that one of her Ma- 
 
 Mtffick^ as it ft ers ^r. j ves hy name) was wont to tay 
 
 Y ~ he could play no new LeiTon before her, but 
 
 She would have it prefently: infomuch 
 
 that net himfelf only, but divers others 
 
 he? 
 
Death of Mrs. Sufanna PerwicfV 3 
 her Inftruefers in that Art , were not a 
 little proud of her. 
 
 Theory? that grounded her in the notes 
 of Mufick, and enabled her to play fo ex- 
 cellently on the treble Viol, was Mr. Tho- 
 mas f7<W,who falling/?^, and continuing 
 fo a long time, it occasioned her Father 
 to make choice of a new Mailer (Mr. Wil- 
 liam Gregory by name) who being eminent- 
 ly skilful at the Lyra Viol, did very much 
 better the making and forming of her 
 hand, and was the firft that gave her thatp 
 rare delicious ftrohe, which afterwards be- „ ' /" 
 
 r r J , 1 • 1 r 1 r t r CelUnt at th? 
 
 came ioftngu/arlj peculiar to her ielf. He j y , 
 
 alio taught her all varieties of rare turn- ' ' 
 
 ings.That which made her fo expert, both 
 
 in her own play, and in judging of others 
 
 when She heard them, was her moft cu- 
 
 rlom ear, feldom equalled by any, the very 
 
 be ft Matters in that Art. Divers Books 
 
 She read of excellent composure, and under- 
 
 iiood them well; nor cared She for any Lef- 
 
 fons but what were very choice ; but her 
 
 chief ddivhz was m divijions upon grounds 
 
 of whicrf She had the faft that England 
 
 co .Id afford. 
 
 Her principal Matter at the Viol, for the 
 hi} fez en years-, wis Mr. Stephen Bing y a. 
 Surviving wi net's of her admirable abili- 
 ties, which m great part (to rns honour 
 
 be 
 
4 The exemplary Life , and lament el 
 be it fpoken) She gained from him^ it be- 
 ing very much his care and ambition^ en- 
 courage her with the befl grounds %nd fuits 
 of LeiTons that could be gotten , tnd 
 thereby bring her to the higheft perfecti- 
 ons attainable at the Viol. 
 
 When She played on this Instrument, 
 
 though flngly, as Sheufedit, it gave the 
 
 delight of a full Confort ; but when in 
 
 Con fort with other Viols, or zfet of Lutes 
 
 only, or Viols and Lutes together, or with 
 
 the Harpficord or Organ, iiill her Inftru- 
 
 mentwas Queen dl all, and as if it had 
 
 been touched by more thm a mortal hand, 
 
 gave fo delicious a found, and fo diftinttly 
 
 too, that any judiciom ear might difcern 
 
 it above the reft; infomuch that it might 
 
 be truly faid, look what the racy flavour is 
 
 to the richefl Wine \f vagrancy to flowers;. 
 
 vamijhto colours; bumijh to gold; fparkj 
 
 ling to diamonds; vndfplendor to the light; 
 
 that was herizvi ihing ftroke to all the o- 
 
 She tilays in- t ^ >er Mufick 5 an ^ Y tl (which was the more 
 
 comparably admirable) She fate (ofteady,znd free from 
 
 andv t fits an y t ^ ie l ea ^- u *kawtfom motion in her bo- 
 
 gs iffhemin- d y> fo modeftlj carelefs, and as it were 
 
 del 't not thought lefs of what She was about, as if 
 
 She had not been concerned at all ; and all 
 
 this She did, though She never fpent the 
 
 tenth ^m of that time in private prattife, 
 
 which 
 
Death of Mrs, Sufanna Perwich. g 
 
 which others are wont to do; for indeed 
 She made better ute of her time, at other 
 forts of higher Mufick, which was much 
 {meter to her, as we (hall hear anon. 
 
 As her accomplishments at the Viol were 
 Superlatively great, fo at the Lute alfo, in 
 which Mr. Aftoberry having done his part 
 towards her, in teaching of her till he dy- 
 ed ; Mr. John Rogers the rare Luteniftof And at th$ 
 our Nation, for the laft three years, came Lute. 
 after him, and added much more to her; 
 profefling that her skill at this lnftrument 
 was fo very exquifite, and her hand fo fweet> 
 that he never taught any like her. When 
 She played on the Viol, She feemed to 
 tranfcend at that lnftrument above all the 
 reft, and when She played on the Lute^ 
 She feemed to tranfcend as much there ; 
 fuch a c ontentlon , and fo pleafant, fcarce 
 was ever known from one and thzfameVir* 
 gins hand before. 
 
 Had leiftire given leave, that She could 
 have fpared time from her othpr Inftru- 
 ments and employments, Mr. Albertus 
 Brian, that famoufly velvet fingered Orga* 
 nift, would gladly have done the fame for 
 her, which he hath done for one of her 
 Sifters yet living, in making her as rare at 
 the Harpfecord, as She was at any of jier 
 other forts of Mufick ; and fo have paired 
 B the 
 
£ 7 he exemplary Life, and lament el 
 
 the two Sifters together ; one fet of the 
 Atf , choifeft Leffons at this Inftrumm y at the 
 
 H T ord reqH rf ^ the fai . d Mn Brian > Sh£ learned 
 
 Harpjecor . ^ ^^ ^ ^ hlmfelfaftams, not only at- 
 tained them in a very fhon time , but 
 played them as well as he himfelf could. 
 
 To this her Inftrumental MuftchjNZ may 
 adde \\zi Vocal, no lefs delicious and ad- 
 mirable, if not more excellent ;as if her 
 Lungs had been made on purpofe, (as no 
 She fings doubt they were) by their natural melodies 
 moftfvectlj. to out-do the artificial; and here Mr. 
 Edward Coleman^ her Mafter, and one of 
 greateft renown, for his rare abilities in 
 fitg&j&i defe rves no lefs thanks and com- 
 mendations for the care and delight he 
 took in perfecting her in this Art alfo, 
 than any of her other Matters. 
 
 She was an Incomparable 'Dancer, as at 
 Country, fo in French dances, wherein 
 ilie was fo excellently curious, in her Po- 
 ftures, footings, and moil graceful coun- 
 Amojtcu- tenance5 that" Mr. Hazard, her laftand 
 noH6Vancsr. c h' ie f i n ft ru a er therein, and one of the 
 rareft Matters of that Art in England, ac- 
 counted her a prime E lower ai the Age in 
 that refpe&, and faid She was as knowing 
 therein, as any Dancing- Mafter whatever. 
 The Eame of all which at laft grew fo 
 ptblick^zni univerfaly that there are/<?n> 
 
 places 
 
Death of Mrs. Sufanna Perwich . f 
 
 places in England, but have heard thereof , 
 yea, and many parts beyond the Seas too. 
 For not onely perfons of high rank and 
 quality, of all forts, came from London , 
 trie Inns of Court, and out of fever al Coun- jj 7^£ H c c t 
 ties, to hear and judge of her abilities, r^ ^ 
 r/p^//;thechiefdl Mufick-Mafters thatV \^ mers 
 are now living : but many foreigners alfo, Z om i jfL gft9 
 as French, Spanifh, Italian, Dutch, as well J m , < n 
 Agents and Embaptdors, as other Travel- r£ n aj a / n d 
 lers into thefe parts,de(ired a tafle of thefe y H f' in fj^ 
 her rare qualities , alwayes going away f j^J 
 with high admiration, faying that they had f ^ s 
 now feen one of the choifeB rarities diEng- 
 land, and profelfing they never heard or 
 knew of the like in any of their own Coun- 
 treys. 
 
 All other parts of excellent breeding (lie 
 likewife had ; whatever curious Works at 
 the needle, or otherwife can be named, she had all 
 which Females are wont to be converfant ot fy er p arts 
 in, whether by ftlver, filkj, ftraxs, glafs, f breeding, 
 wax, gums, or any other of the like kinde, whether in 
 fhe was perfectly skilled in.To fay nothing curious 
 of her ability at the yen, where, being an works or 
 accountant, her skill Was more than ordina- -whatever 
 rj women have;and in Arts of good houfe- e if e ^ 
 ipifry, and Cookery, wherein fhe had a good 
 B 2 {hare 
 
g The e xemflary Life, and lamented 
 
 fhare likewiie; I halten rather to the more 
 noble perfections of her mind , which in- 
 deed were very aimable and lovely. 
 
 For (lie had a delicate and nimble wit, a 
 ^/c^apprehenfion, a clear underftanding, 
 Her natural ^ found judgement, a fine invention, a te- 
 partSo melons memory, which (as we fhall hear 
 
 anon) fhe was not wont to ftuffe with va- 
 nity, but with what was mofl worthy to be 
 learned and kept. And as thefe natural 
 parts and reafonable faculties of her foul, 
 ib her moral virtues alfo were eminent. She 
 
 ^r | was very difcrett- wife, and prudent in her 
 
 tier moral ^ } ■ rr r • r 
 
 actions; not yaffionate, nor retentive of an- 
 ger, never over merry, but modeftly grave 
 and compoied; of a very comely and hand- 
 fom carriage, infomuch thn fir angers were 
 wont to fay, when fhe came into their p rr- 
 [ence^ they had not feen a morefweet com- 
 portment, or a more taking perfon. For 
 difpoiition, fo affable, kind, and court eonsy 
 that fhe foon gained the love of all, where 
 ever fhe came. Her difcourfe was alwayes 
 -pertinent and ufeful, not at all loquacious, 
 her fpeech being rather fententlom, than 
 garrulous. Thefe and many fuch 1'ikt grace- 
 ful ornaments, added unto the comelinefs 
 pihziferfon, rendred her very winningly 
 
 virtues. 
 
Death of Mrs. Sufanna Perwich. ? 
 
 acceptable to all that knew her. But that 
 which moji of all commends her, and juft- 
 ly leaves her a very imitable example to 
 all that iliail hear of her, and for which 
 principally this prefent Relation is penned, 
 is much more coniiderable than what hath 
 been yet faid : Namely, that choice and 
 precious work^ of Grace upon her heart , 
 which God was pleafed to work in her, and 
 by which all her other excellencies were 
 fweetly fanctified ; the ecca/ion whereof was 
 as folio we th. 
 
 About four years fince, being difappoin- 
 ted in thz enjoyment of her defires in a HerConver- 
 Match then propounded to her,by thzfud-j; on An & t h e 
 den death of the party that had gained her OC ca(ion of it. 
 affection, ftie wifely considered with her 
 felf, what the meaning of this io fad a pro- 
 vidence (hould be; and at laft, after many 
 Prayers and tears to God, that he would 
 blefs this unexpected ftroke to her , and 
 fome way make her a gainer by it , her 
 heart began to be much broken and melted Her broken- 
 towards God, not fo much for this tern- nefs of heart. 
 poral lofs (which fhe often faid might 
 have proved zfnare to her) as at tht fight 
 and fenfe of jfo, and her eftate by nature 
 (which (though well educated all her time 
 B 3 be- 
 
jo The exemplary Life, and lamented 
 
 before)yet till now (he had not taken much 
 notice of. 
 
 The good work of God thus happily be- 
 gun, ceafed not, but went forward in her 
 heart daily, to the;o^ of fuch near Rela- 
 tions as knew of it; nor could ihe be quiet, 
 till ihe had uttered all her mini herein to 
 them, earnestly defiring the ariiftance of 
 Counsel and Trayer, that (he might fully 
 underftand her condition, and not be de- 
 ceived therein. Of all things, lhe was ex- 
 ceedingly urgent with God, that he would 
 not fuffer her to be mifiaken herein. Indeed 
 hzi fears thereof at firft were many and 
 great ; the queftions lhe put about ic, not 
 a few, but never came to be fat Is fed there- 
 t in, till God was pleafed to give her a fight 
 Her deep ^ of that poyfenom fountain of original cor- 
 fenfe ofOri- ruption, with which ilie found her felf al- 
 gmalfin. \vzytspeftered y and to hindered in her defi- 
 firedpxogids towards Heaven, that this fin 
 above all others ihe much bewailed. 
 
 And farther became fo deeply fenfible of 
 
 the danger thereof, and the necejfuy of an 
 
 She makes e ffe^:ual remedy againft it, that ihe made 
 
 [ t6 'f° ^ a ft e t0 run unt0 ^ ejCm ^ r ' 1 ^ tor h e *P> anc * 
 C hnjt. t ^ a t not on jy f or t ^ s ^ arc { m f thisyz^, but 
 
 for power againft it, arid that continually. 
 
 Here- 
 
Death of Mrs. Sufanna Pervvich. xi 
 
 Hereupon finding her heart alvvayes 
 burdened with fin, £u\\ of corrupt motions 
 and affections, and yet ftill relieved by ap- 
 plying Chrift, with what he had dom and 
 fuffered, unto her felt', and alfo feeling her 
 defires stirred up by the good Spirit of 
 Grace,more eagerly to long after God, and 
 the knowledge and enjoyment of him ; and 
 farther perceiving , that though the fame 
 good Spirit fometime s would melt her heart, 
 yet at other times was pleafed to leave her 
 without thofe inward warmths , which in 
 the ufe of the heft means i~he laboured af- 
 ter, but by her own ftrength could not at- 
 tain unto : (he from thence concluded that 
 thefe changes which (he thus felt within 
 her , were the effeBs of fome real and true 
 work of God upon her ; for thm the ar- 
 gued, how comes it to pafs, that I feel 
 thefe alterations in my felf, -now and never 
 before? How is it, thztfometimes I am 
 delighted with the inward zn&fweet work- 
 ings of the Spirit of God upon my heart ? 
 and that at other times I am troubled for 
 the want of it ? I lived under the fame Mi- 
 niltry before ; xhzfame publick Ordinan- • 
 ces; in joyed the fame helps in the Family, 
 and from faithful friends that fought my 
 B 4 fouls 
 
IS Tht exemplary Llfe^ find lamented 
 
 fouls belt good, and prayed much for it;yet 
 »«/*r till now could I find any of all this 
 experience , from the different workings both 
 of Sin and G'r^c^ in my own heart. Sure 
 this is of God , faid fhe, and can be from 
 nothing elfe. Thus at laft fhe came to be 
 fomewhat perfwaded and confirmed con- 
 ctmvs\°\hz goodnefs of herfpiritual ftate, 
 as one that was now got over the pangs of 
 the new Birth, though not without many 
 zfaft tear, and broken heart. 
 
 Anfwerable to this firfi work, was the 
 reft that followed to her dying A*/,efpecial- 
 Jfer JtilU ly within the laft two years of her life, and 
 giom course fomewhat more ; for when it pleafed God 
 of Life.' fo to order it by his permljfive providence, 
 that one which fhe moft clearly loved, be- 
 came guilty of a great offence through a 
 fudden temptation that feized on her ; it 
 went neer to her, and was a great occafion 
 of making her fearch into her own heart 
 
 and wayes, more narrowly than ever, and 
 hooks more not only t0 #,yj God that had ^ her 
 
 narrowly '«- f r0 m the //^, butalfo to mourn £ot thofc 
 
 to her own f ra ;i t ; es of her youth , which formerly fhe 
 
 peart. minded not , though no other than what 
 
 ufually befal the very bed that are. 
 
 Thence forward me betakes her felf to 
 
 a more 
 
Death of Mrs. Sufanna Perwich. 13 
 
 a more careful and flritt watchfulttefs ©- 
 ver her own heart; and to clofe and conflant j s 
 duty, not only in the Family, but moft of watc fff H i 
 all in/<tfr#,betwixtGod and her own foul; ' ^ r^r 
 infomuch that when (he was fometinies m ^ l* r 
 miffing) andearneftly called for, but could cio r cto 4 m 
 not be found • at laft it appeared that (he J /m 
 
 had often hid her felf, to be alone with 
 God, in the duties of meditation and fe r- 
 vent Prayer. 
 
 One of thz first Difcoverles hereof, was 
 upon this accafion; being retired into her 
 Clofetj and as (he thought, had fufficient- Herfecret 
 lyfaftenedtht door inwardly, one of hzr Communion 
 moil intimate Conforts, upon an urgent with God 
 occafion, running/?*/?/// in with a violent difcoverei 
 motion) thruft : the door open, little think- againflber 
 ing at that time, that fhe had been there; #//// % 
 where (he kneeling upon her knees, turned 
 about to fee what the matter was, the tears 
 in the mean while, trickling down both her 
 cheeks, but was much troubled at this in- 
 terruption, and difcovery of her Devo- 
 tion. 
 
 Indeed that was one of the matters of 
 her complaint, that (hz wanted convenien- 
 cy for retirement , where (he might fully 
 vent her Soul to God,without difturbance 
 
 or 
 
1^. The exemplary Life, and lamented 
 
 or obfervation ; and therefore becaufe the 
 houfe was alwayes/W/ of company,having 
 well nigh an hundred y znd fometimes more 
 of Gentlewomen with their attendants; and 
 Shefeekj the Servants and Children of the houfe e- 
 thegreateft very where going up and down, in every 
 privacy for Room , fo that fhe could get no place of 
 herDevo- privacy; her manner was, in the day 
 tion* time, to get into the Garden y zt fuch hours, 
 
 when others might not fo freely come in- 
 to it, and there with her Bible , or fome 
 other choiceBodk, fpent an hour or more in 
 Reading,Meditation,and fuch ejaculations y 
 Findes much as ^ e cou ^ fe n( * up to Heaven in walking; 
 fweetnefs in at whi'jh /**/*»/, fhe hath fometimes faid 
 her lonely to fuch as {he was wont to tell her mind 
 walks with t0 > h et heart hath been as much warmed 
 q^ and refreshed in converfe with God, as 
 
 when fhe hath been mofl afetted upon her 
 knees elfewhere. 
 
 • Mornings and Evenings fiie never fail- 
 ed, by her good will, to read fome portion 
 of Scripture (\{ not called away by extra- 
 ordinary bufinefs on a fudden) and to 
 pour out her heart to God in private 
 A dthgent P ra j e r ; for which , becaufe no place in the 
 Reader of the houfe was fo convenient , and fo far from 
 Scriptures. m \f c an d fyfa f others, as one certain re- 
 mote 
 
Death of Mrs. Sufanna Perwich. X^ 
 
 mote room, where none ufually came at 
 thofe hour: , Therefore that place of all others 7-/^ c y te f 
 (lie made choice of, in the iaj^ Winter place of hsr 
 Evenings , ind the Mornings before the retirement 
 Family was up • many a time hath {he ^1- for holy du- 
 fited one comer of that Room, which was ^ 
 moft retired^ with eyes and hands lift up to 
 Heaven, kneeling at a chair with great 
 ajfeclion^which though ihe never knew that 
 any took the leaft notice of (for that would 
 have been a trouble to her) yet a certain 
 neer relation that often looked in at a cran- 
 ny of the door, which fhe had faftened in- 
 wardly, and did not a little 707 to fee her 
 fo employed^ is yet furviving as an eye-wit- 
 nefs of it. Sometimes her red eyes and 
 blubbered face, discovered her, before fhe 
 could get conveniencies to wajh them , 
 notwithfhnding that her hood was pulled 
 over them. Nothing did m®re abajh or 
 trouble her, than when any fufpeSed what 
 fhe had been about ;not out of any fhame of 
 Religion (for that fhe owned upon all oc- Much trou~ 
 cafions very freely , as well among the j/y w [j eK 
 Gentlewomen in the Family, as elfewhere) difcoveredln 
 but out of an honeft affectation of being them. 
 more in this fenfe, than ihe would feem 
 to be. » 
 
 So 
 
1 6 The exemplary Life, and lament ed 
 
 So fvveet and pleafant was her Commu- 
 nion with God in fuch retirements as the'fe, 
 that ilie faid, if ever (he fhould change her 
 condition, it fhould be more for this rea- 
 fon than any other, tkat (lie might have 
 the full and jra ufe of her time, and other 
 helps for her foul. 
 
 It was obferved, that (lie was alwayes 
 
 out of the way ztfive a clock^mi appeared 
 
 not till the Bell rang to Supper, at fix a 
 
 clock* or thereabout, which time {he fpent 
 
 in the aforefaid Duties. 
 
 If at any time (lie had omitted duty,'twas 
 
 Is much one of her greatefi troubles afterward, and 
 
 troubled for when {he fequeftred her felf unto duty, 
 
 fins of omif- whether of Meditation or Prayer, {lie ufu- 
 
 fion. ally read fome part of Ttavid's Pfalms (a 
 
 Book which (hz greatly delighted in) be- 
 
 caufe fne alwayes found matter there,very 
 
 proper^ preparative and helpful to her in 
 
 the faid Duties. 
 
 Among other profitable and fruitful Me- 
 ditations, (lie was not a ftranger to 
 thoughts of Death, even in her beft health; 
 infomuch that when {he heard a pajfmg 
 c Bell or knel for any, her custom was to re- 
 
 tire into a folitude for a good fpace , 
 fometimes an hour or more , there to af- 
 
 fett 
 
Death of Mrs. Sufanna Perwich. $7 
 
 fett her heart with fuch conf derations as 
 were) iit able to theoccaiion. 
 
 She never was better pleafed then when 
 {he met with any in holy Conference (a pra- ^he loves 
 &ife which flic ufed (as often as ihe could ™< c ?*"»"- 
 get opportunity) that communicated * x- ™f a f" n °f 
 periencesoi the fame corruptions and izm-.ft 1 ** ex ' m 
 ptations, that ihe found in her own heart; T ene,ic * s » 
 and withal , xhtfame wayes of help and 
 relief againftthem. 
 
 When ihe found a deadnefs and coldnefs 
 upon her heart, as fome times ihe did, and % t ^ g $}£ 
 could not get it into a good frame towards ne r s c fa 
 God, by any means ihe could ufe, this in- mn £ p 
 ference ihe made from it ; that ihe hereby c n £ €S C0Ht ;~ 
 perceived her dependence muft be wholly up- ma i mc ^ Q c 
 on Free-grace i as for the acceptation of^/fi#* 
 what ihe did, fo foi afpfiance and ability Grace. 
 to do what ihe ought : And feveral times 
 upon this oc capon would let fall expreflions 
 of wonderment^ how any that pretended to w on ders At 
 a real acquaintance with God, and carry t /j r e t ^ at ' 
 corrupt hearts about them, alwayes dogged p / ea( i f or ' H 
 and fet upon by temptations from Satan JL^^ in nor 
 and an evil world, could plead for a power tfire 
 inthcmfelves unto any thing that is good. 
 
 Her care for the spiritual welfare of her 
 Keer Relations,and tome others whom ihe 
 dearly hved y was very great , and thereup- 
 on 
 
i3 
 
 She is care- 
 ful for the 
 fonts of o- 
 thers. 
 
 Her char a- 
 tier of true 
 Grace, 
 
 Aepitckilf- 
 
 cemer of o- 
 thers that 
 made prof ef- 
 Jion of Eel! 
 £ l0n * 
 
 The exemplar y Life, and lament ei 
 on took occafion often to admonifh y exhort y 
 and perforate them, about the things that 
 concerned their eternal flate ; fometimes 
 with tears lamenting their danger, when 
 they walked loofely; and then again rejoy- 
 clng as much, when {lie perceived any 
 ground othope for them. 
 
 One time when (he was asked what {he 
 thought of the condition of one that lhe 
 was trufted with the fpecial care of,and was 
 wont to take iomz pains with,in the mat- 
 ters of her foul ; fhe anfwered, tht greateft 
 thing {lie doubted her for, was, left the 
 neglected private duties, which {he could 
 never perceive {lie fpent any time in; fup- 
 pofing(as there was goodreafon ihe ihould) 
 that the driving of that fecret Trade for 
 Heaven, is one infeparable property ottrue 
 Grace, and that the want thereof, together 
 with the ordinary negleft of Family-duties 
 and publlckJDrdlnances (whatever theoar- 
 ward Profejfion might be) Were arguments 
 of a very ungracious and profane heart, 
 
 A notable fpirit of dlfcernlng {he had, 
 
 for when {he heard any make femblance of 
 
 love to God, and were very confident of 
 
 their own good eft ate, but withal fpake very 
 
 . woodenly (as her expreffion vYas) about 
 
 mat* 
 
Death of Mrs. Sufanna Perwich. \ 9 
 
 matters of Religion, and the experiences 
 thereof, flie much fittyed their cafe, and 
 /*v*7*iearneftly,that God would of en their 
 eyes ; convince them of theirjfo and hyp- 
 crlfie; (hew them the evil and danger of it, 
 and effectually bring them home unto him- 
 felf ; often faying, what fltty it was, that 
 any who are otherwife qualified with ma- 
 ny defirable good things of nature, fliould 
 mlfs of ththlgheft and heft improvement of 
 them for God, and at lad ferljb themfelves 
 for want of Grace. 
 
 When any vain language, or finful ex- 
 preffions (fuch as the abnfive nfe of, O j w ;r ere - 
 Lord / or O God !) came from any of the pro J r c Cll 
 Gentlewomen in the Houfe, or any others; ^ J 
 
 or any evil action was done by them, (lie 
 Would refrove it fo wifely, with fo mllde 
 and meekji fpirit,that they were afhamed of 
 it , and fome times were reformed for the 
 future,at leaft in her fight and hear wo-. 
 
 Two frlnclfal helps' which (lie coveted 
 mod, and made the greateji ufe of, were 
 good Books and good Comfany. 
 
 Of good Books {he had fome /?#*, but 
 thofe that (lie took chlefeft delight in, were T£* dbW 
 Mt.Shefards true Convert md his found Books fhe 
 Believer. Mr. Baxter's Call to the uncon- r*W . 
 verted. Dr. Cjoodwin his trlumfh of Faith , 
 and heart of Chrlfi In Heaven, towaid Tin- 
 ners 
 
20 The exemplary Life, And lamented 
 
 nersupon earth. Dr. Spurftow upon the 
 Promifes. Mr. Wat [on his Chriftian Char- 
 ter. Mi. Brooks his riches of Grace. Mr. 
 Love's works. Mr. Craddocl£s Book of 
 Knowledge and Prattife. Ml. Francis Ro- 
 berts his Key of the Bible. Befides fome Ca- 
 techetical Books, as Mr. Baal, Mr. Eufe- 
 tt p bins Paget his queftions and anfvvers upon 
 
 ST every ""$ of the Books of the 0U * nl NeW T '~ 
 
 ni ht before ft ament ;fonieone of which (he alwayes 
 
 a^ w y tt tt^d every night in her bed, immediately 
 
 (U p^ ° before ileep, and then fed upon them at 
 
 ' e ?' her firft waking, by which means (lie en- 
 
 creafed much in knowledge, and kept her 
 
 heart warm whilft it was thus pre-occHpiel 
 
 from all things elfein the morning. 
 
 Since January laft, Hie and two or three 
 
 more, in three months time, read over the 
 
 Reades over whole New Teftament^nd all along as they 
 
 the whole went, (ftill reading an whole Book at a 
 
 New Tefta* time) dlfcourfed of the Contents of what 
 
 ment in 3 . they had read • when any doubt arofe in 
 
 msnths time, her readings either from Scripture or other 
 
 Books,fhe fought for fatisfaUion by putting 
 
 •cur qwftions- and a 1 waves (hewed a good un- 
 
 r . V demanding, in the very my ft me sol Di- 
 
 J / i vine Truth, and experimental Grace, in 
 
 79 J that no anfvvers ever relljbed with her, but 
 
 rfa ' what mofl agreed, both with the Analogy of 
 
 Faith, and the common fenfe of the Deft 
 
 Chriftians. Het 
 
Death of Mrs. Sufanna Perwich. z 1 
 
 Her noxt great help (zs was before hin- 
 ted) the found to be good Company, which fj er deliaht 
 fhe alwayes dc fired and fought for , a id ; n q00 a r£^ 
 when (he had if, improved it. Fruitful '.',.- van y ani [ 
 courfeilie would either fet on foot , or en- £00( [ jyfe 
 deavour to keep #/>,and drunk it in as plea- courCe.. 
 fantly, as thlrjiy men do that which beftfa- 
 tlsfieth their thirft. Among all other fub- 
 jecfes, none pleafed her better than to talk 
 of Heaven, fometimes faying , Oh how 
 fweet would it be to know what is doing 
 there; and then in a kind of 'rapture would 
 break out with fuch affection and language, 
 as argued a very great inward Joy at the 
 hopes of her coming thither one day. Such 
 zfull content and inward refreshment fhe Her Mufick^ 
 felt in conferences of this Nature, that a burden to 
 fhe would often fay, her Mufichjxzs a her in com- 
 burden to her , in companion; and that parifon. 
 were it not in confcience to her duty of be- 
 ing ufeful by it in lb public^ a Family, fhe 
 would fpend much lefs time in that, and 
 more in this 5 yet fhe confeffed fometimes The Spirl- 
 (through ■ '-Grace) it helped to raife her own tual ufe (he 
 rfcart towards the highefl Mu(ick of all, makes of her 
 and for that reafon pradtifed it more than CMufick^ 
 other wife fhe would have done. 
 
 Upon occafion when fome had been 
 
 greatly taken with the melody fhe made, 
 
 both by her voice and infirument , yet how 
 
 C jkorp 
 
22 The exemplary Life, and lamented 
 
 A warm 
 
 fhort (faith the) doth this come of a warm 
 Prayer , or heavenly Conference} and in- 
 Irayeror deed line found it fo many a time, when 
 heaven y her heart which hath been heavy md fad 
 conference firft huh by ^ Pf and Confe- 
 
 (weetefr or ' J , J , , 2 
 
 J .. J , J rences r;one away greatly cheered and n*- 
 all to her. ^^ ^ never c ^ [d find ^ /; ^ ^^ 
 
 from her Muficl^only. 
 
 No day of the Week unto her fo wel- 
 
 T u j come and defirable as the Lord's Day ; 
 
 a , ' dancing dayes were alwayes weanfom , 
 
 w ^ w 7^butthele^/^toher,and therefore u- 
 
 t0 'tn da eT fually & mMch -*$ hindered not) flie 
 
 r f eAn I°^ are an y other, and fyvnt lefs time in putting 
 
 f f ^ ^ on what fhe wore; her /W on thefe dayes 
 
 W*'- of late years {he never dr eft, and for that 
 
 reafon alwayes went c/o/e covered with 
 
 her hood. She was very diligent and*?f- 
 
 tentive at the publick Ordinance, careful- 
 
 ly writing the Sermon, and examining her 
 
 A diligent no tes when fhe came home, which fhe 
 
 Writer of vvould not fail to mend by fuch help as ilie 
 
 Sermons. cou ld get, either at the repetition in the 
 
 Family, or other wife, and as conftantly 
 
 Lofeth her re-enforced all by Prayer for a bleflTing upon 
 
 meals rather it) when fhe could get opportunity an4- ' 
 
 than oppor- place convenient, either in her own clo- 
 
 tunityfor fet, or elfewhere, and would rather lofe her 
 
 prayer. Supper or come late to it y then mifs of her 
 
 aim herein. Yet 
 
at 
 
 Death of Mrs. Sufanna Perwkh. 2 z 
 
 Yethereitmuftbe remembred that it 
 was not alwayes thus with her upon thefe 
 dayes, nor at other times ; for fhe fome- 
 times complained of her own heart, and 
 how wearijom thefe holy duties were to 
 the/fc/fc - how apt flie was to be taken of , 
 bydivertifements in the Family occafions>/ 5mtich 
 that many times when (he came down in tr f Me . d 
 a morning with a resolution to keep her dtvmi 'f l 
 mind and intent upon God all the day,flie mnts * 
 was frequently difappointed therein, and 
 mil taken off by one bufmefs or other, or 
 by fome temptation unto vanity, that was 
 ready to 'fmpriz.e her. The confideration 
 whereof at other times much troubled her, Is much 
 kept her under a fenfe of own her weaknes, comforted at 
 and caufed her fometimes to break forth the thoughts 
 in thefe or the like words. O \ how freet of Heaven, 
 will Heaven be! where there will be no in- where no in* 
 terrupnons by fin, or wearifomnefs of the terruptions 
 xlcOi ! What a perpetual reft will that be, will be. 
 when we once come to enjoy it 1 
 x By her good will flie would not be ab- By her rood 
 /'* at any time when the Lord's Sapper will never 
 was admimttred, of which having WzykmifTcththe 
 a weeks warning, (lie failed nor with great Lord's Sup. 
 care to examine her own heart, and pu t up per 
 ffror^ cryes toGod for zfitnefs to io great a 
 Duty, and To high zPriviledp- and in- 
 «eed fometimes had more fear than ordi- 
 
 C a 
 
24 The exemplary Life, and lamented 
 
 nary of her unworthlnefs to partake of it,as 
 appeared by her dlfcourfe, which ufually 
 was much upon this fubjett all that Week. 
 So defiroiis was fhe not to be found at that 
 Fealt, without her wedding garment ; it 
 was no fmall trouble to her lometimes to 
 think what general mixtures there are in 
 that fellowjl.ip, in all places throughout the 
 Land; yet being perfwaded that to 
 fuch a fmcere receiver, as could not have 
 it otherwife, God would come in with his 
 prefence and bleiTing ; fhe attended upon it 
 in the place where God by his Providence 
 had cm her lot. 
 
 Sinful alterations in publlckjlwfolp flic 
 
 She much ver y much-feared, an<1 ^ at f ^ e . mi S ht * e 
 
 e . SV H H better under ft and the pure Infiitutions of 
 
 Uonlnthe' Ciiri ^> anci what is contrary thereunto, {he 
 
 ivVlin'nf took ^reat care to /^rw her felf therein^ 
 
 Gi b Y rea<lin § of •/*'* *"** as tlis could §Ct 
 
 the cleared light from. Much enquiry fhe, 
 
 made afcer the Martyrs, as well of antient ^ 
 
 times, as in later dayes, what they fufier J 
 
 *ifor, and upon what occafion, defiring." 
 
 and reviving, if she had lived , to have 
 
 read over the hlflory thereof. 
 
 And becaufe she perceived that the 
 
 Roml(h Religion, and whatever elfe is a km 
 
 to it, is an undoubted piece of Anti~chri~ 
 
 fli*nlfm y that every trac feivant of Chrift 
 
 ought 
 
Death of Mrs. Sufanna Pervvich. *$ 
 
 ought to bear tefilmony againft , in thep 
 parts of the world , and knew not how 
 loon her (elf with others might poflibly be — , 
 called to it - therefore <he betook her feif ffi s 1?"* 
 '- to the getting a good information in thofe ° *., **prst* 
 '■truths that were likely to be moiloppofed, ' e ' % * 
 efpecially about the mrjkip of God. Such ~r*f. s in ~ 
 Books as lately came forth upon theft f"b-f™pf *~ 
 lefts, {lie endeavoured to ^Qt, and diligent- ? t f~ . 
 'lyread. Among other fubjec"ts, that o[ Cin ^ u r' 
 thempof Chrirt upon earth was very^^,?* 4 
 pleafant to her ; tor though her belief vfT' 
 reached not fo far as to conclude ^^Joyesmnch 
 Chriit fhali come to reign perfonally on at t ^ e 
 earth again, yec (lie rejoyced exceedingly, t fo U ghtof 
 that he ihall certainly reign In this world chips 
 by the ejfkfkn of his Spirit, at leaft , in the ^Inodom H « 
 hearts of men , and that then Antichrfl Qn €an ^ % 
 {hall be whoiy ruined, and that glorious 
 fong of triumph fung, The ^ Kingdoms of 
 this world, are become the Kingdoms of the 
 Lord and his Chrlfl. 
 
 And becaufe the Book of the Revela- 
 tions points at thofe times wherein thefe Rtades the 
 defirable changes (hail be, (he thought it rf hole Book, 
 not Improper for her, (though of the female of the Reve- 
 fex) to pry into it with humble reverence lotions at 
 and Prayer , and therefore fate down one one time. 
 day with another friend, to read over that 
 whole Book at one time, which accordingly 
 C 3 they 
 
26 The exemplary Life y and lamented 
 
 they did.; beginning at the ^Chapter, 
 
 and never ceafing till they had read over 
 
 the whole two and twenty. This {he did 
 
 about three months before her Death, and 
 
 the reafon why flie did fo, was, that (he 
 
 might take the better notice of the whole 
 
 Prophecy , and have a full profpett thereof, 
 
 %eades an as it were, all at once ;and that which made 
 
 excellent the reading of it the more f leaf ant and 
 
 Comment up- profitable to her, was the light which ihe 
 
 on the Reve- had gained before, in the knowledge of this 
 
 lotions two or B°°ky by twice or thrice reading over that 
 
 three times judicious Comment upon it, publiihedby 
 
 over. Mr. Francis Roberts before mentioned, in 
 
 his Key of the Bible. 
 A qreat ^he ^ ac ^ a verv companionate heart to- 
 
 fympathiz.er warc ^ s t ^ ie f u ff ertn g fervants of Chrift , 
 with the ftif- wh-ther by imprifonment or otherwife;/>/r- 
 ferina- fer- *>'*^ t ^ ein muc ^; ^P a ^ e °f cen °f them,ibme- 
 v ants of tunes with tears in her eyes ; znd prayed 
 rhrift. ^ or t ^ e:n conftantly with great affe- 
 ction. 
 ViCvts fome Some of her acquaintances , and very 
 ehoife friends ^ eAr ^' 1 ™&S , fuch as the Lady Willow by 
 in the To- ' anc * ^ o:n2 otners > not ncre t0 be named 
 vver and (™^° highly valued her, and de fired her 
 comforts Company(as ofc as might bz)lhz frequent - 
 them with l y Vli " 1 ^ toi feveral years together, while 
 Mufieh and un ^ r thzix reftraint in the Tower of Lon- 
 
 dlfcotirfe. 4**;to whom after a/Wtf & moie fpiritxal 
 
 con- 
 
Death of Mrx. Sufanna Perwich. 27 
 
 convrrfe otherwife, fhe wo\\\d fing and play 
 with all alacrity imaginable , to comfort 
 them in their fadnefs ; accounting it an 
 high honour to her, that fhe was any way 
 able to be a refreshment to thofe that Hie 
 thought were dear to God. To fuch per- 
 fons attd tofuch places as they were in, 
 though the clofeft prifons, fhe went readily 
 and joyfully; but when invited to any Mu- 
 Jick^meetlng in London^ where thz choifefi 
 ears, and moft j£*7//*/ Maflers of Mufick 
 coveted to £*vzr and admire her, though 
 never fo earneftly defired , Hie was ft.il! Would not be 
 backyard to it. One time above the reft, prevailed 
 with very great Importunity fhe sy&sftrong- w ; t h to go ts 
 //fetupon by fome Gentlemen of fpecial Revel's or 
 acquaintance, to be prefent at the Revels danclngBals. 
 or dancing Balls, but being left free to her 
 own choice , whether {he would go 0: not 
 (at which ihe was very glad) The abfolutely 
 & Irrefregably refufed it, as thinking it no 
 way fultable^ either to her Pfr/tw or Tn?- 
 /<f/7*0tf of Religion. 
 
 Nor were the Mufickj aforefaid, which 
 fhe fo freely imparted to her faid friends in 
 Prlfon^ all the comfort they had from her, 
 but her Spiritual and Chrlftlan converfe al- 
 io , was a delight to them, (as is before 
 hinted) as theirs likewife was to her ; in- 
 fomuch that when she returned home from 
 C 4 vi- 
 
28 The exemplary Life, and lament el 
 
 Accounts It Vifitipgthpm.hci difcourfe was foraifed, 
 
 r fs anc ^ ^ er a ff e ^' ims t° quickrted, that she 
 
 ^ nlliory to wou ^ fometimes fay, Oi how brave a, 
 
 Tu^r/for thii-ig is to fuffer for thrift ! who would 
 
 Altar, that cry, how long Lord will it be, 
 ere thou revenge our blood on them that 
 fl-ed it .' Thus triumphing, as it were, with 
 a kind of heroick^ fpirit of Martyrdom be- 
 fore hand ; further adding , that fince a 
 JDeath muft be undergone , what better or 
 a^r* »<?£/* death can there be, than thtu to 
 Yet harsher ^ IZ - Yet at o:her times lhe had zs great 
 own ftrenath f cars u P on her > fa Y in g > th ^ ^ ^ e vv ere 
 if called t'o ca ^ e d to [offering, ihe doubted lhe iliould 
 fofor. not ^^ Wjonly the confederation of goo^ 
 
 Company, a jW *<«(/*, and efpecially of a 
 g*W 6W (ihe faid) would encourage one 
 much. 
 
 Among her other graciom qualifications, 
 
 this was not the leaft, f efpecially of latter 
 
 times) a very tender confcienee, as might be 
 
 inftanced in many particulars, wherein ihe 
 
 rejied not till ihe received fatis faction to 
 
 all doubts, from /#<:/> arguments as were 
 
 cleared by Scripture, and approved of by 
 
 pe Y fons able to judge in the cafe. 
 
 let rather To which alio muft be added, that when 
 
 thanwoull fhe perceived any , efpecially fuch as (he 
 
 offend cthe ' ? had a reverence to, remained unfatisfied in 
 
 any 
 
Death of Mrs. Sufanna Perwich. 2p 
 
 any of her a&ions, fat was alwaycs xtzdyufihes t* 
 upon knowledge of it , from their own deny her 
 mouths, to f 01 bear it, out of a tendernefs felf in that 
 of grieving any of the generation of the f articular, 
 juft, or any way Jcandaliz,ing her PiofeiTi- 
 on , though as" to her own particular, fhe 
 at the fame time did think what (lie was 
 fo defired to forbear warrantable in it 
 felf. 
 
 As for bhckffots or patches, as they are , 
 
 called , fat abhorred them with her very #/?' , 
 /<W,and wasio far difpleafed at the fight Ur °J bUck + 
 thereof, that when any of the gentlewomen If *** 
 made ufe of them, fat feldom or never 
 left, till fhe had prevailed with them, to 
 forbear that fo uncivil a drefs, or elfe defi- 
 ned her Mother to take them off from 
 them. 
 
 As great an enemy fhe was to any un- ^^ * ^ 
 
 comely attire ; nor did fhe affect rich laces, tj ^ n J, t 
 7 . . ' nt \ i „ uncomely an<* 
 
 or any thing^ over cojtly, but what was moft Hfl j ef f t 
 
 neat in a plain garb , much more minding fo e fo s 
 
 the Ornaments of the hidden man, which in 
 
 the fight of God are of great eft price. 
 
 It was a . great abafkment to her, when^, 
 
 fome unwifely uttered high praifes of her *r **^ noten- 
 
 to her face, and thereby put her into a™* w " ear 
 
 blufh ; the fear whereof , made her often " er ?™ n 
 
 modeftly refufe to come into fuch CompanyY rAl l es * 
 
 at other times : Indeed fat knew Uod 
 
 had 
 
30 The exemplary Life, and lament el 
 
 had blejfed her with fome of thofe little 
 
 things^ ftie was wont to call them) which 
 
 , thzjenfual world mz°m fed too much, and 
 
 Fears the ^ £ ^faed t0 [> e ver y thankful for them, 
 
 pride of her but withal wag much ^ aid of being /; y^ 
 
 *#/* heart. ^ vy - ^ p^ ^ anc j tbere f ore ent reatei 
 
 friends in thatrefpecl: to pray for her. 
 
 As the was alwayes ready to afflft her 
 
 . Mother In Law in the Family and School , 
 
 "T.^? ^f fo (he had a particular reverence and very 
 
 help in the deay a ^ ion t0 her ^ ^axhtr ^ whofe 
 
 rami y. cheerfulness and content, was "one of the 
 
 greateft pleafures (lie had in this world; & 
 
 his fadnefs and trouble at any time, as 
 
 - ^ f § reat an occa ^ on oi grief to her;and there- 
 
 j ^t / j £° re ^d what flie could to minifter all 
 
 dutiful and re L« !_ L r 
 
 / f ... manner of comfort to him, by theperfor- 
 tender child P r I , - r , ' y / 
 
 f r- mance of thole dutiful and tender re- 
 
 ^ * fpe&s, which as a c/>//^ llie owed him. 
 
 As for her condition in refped of a fin- 
 She wanted g l * (i f*i ' lt waS not for vvant oiprofers from 
 m p ro c ers f or iz\ T Qn\ that would gladly have obtain- 
 marrlaae ec ^ ^ er > ^ ut t ^ rou g' 1 disfatlsfaBlon in the 
 qualifications of the Perfons, (he being re- 
 Refolves ne-folved (God afliftingher) never to marry 
 *>*r to marry any, were his worldly advangtages never 
 any but fitch ib great, unlefs ihe were well aiTured (as 
 as may help far as charity could judgej of thtgoodnefs 
 her in her of his fpiritual ftate , and his likely-hood 
 way to Hea- of his being a real help to her in the way to 
 yen. Ji e a~ 
 
Death of Mrs. Sufanna Perwich. 31 
 
 Heaven. Had fhe lived to a perfect reco- 
 very from, hcknefs, divers c on fder able of- 
 fers (known to fome friends) would fpee« 
 dily have been made to her y of which ihe 
 might have taken her choice • but now 
 God hath otherwife declared his pleafure in 
 the hlgheft and be ft difpoling and preferring 
 of her,even by making her a Bride in Hea- 
 ven y to him who f "or fome years paft, had 
 gotten her heart from all other Objects ; 
 and to whom ihe flack, with all faithful- 
 nefs, till at laft after zfore fit of ficknefs , 
 ihe dyed in his arms » the occafion where- 
 of I now h alien to. 
 
 In whit f m v/eek^ , at the earned: defire 
 of a very dear friend, ihe went to London, _ j 
 
 where (as Providence ordered it) (he was ^ r £*•»# 
 unhappily {odgcdin damp Linnen , which*? ' 7^ > 
 in the ni^ht time clung f aft about her, and m ™ the /. c ~ 
 had left that in her, which (he her felf faid ^* ^ r - 
 (as foon as the awaked) would prove her 
 Death ; whereupon in the morning it be- 
 ing made known, the be ft means that could 
 be , were ufed to prevent the danger of it, 
 but the Lord was not pleafed to give/#<r- 
 cefs therein ; and fo after three or four 
 dayes ihe returned home, (upon Saturday u . . 
 7*»* the 8th.) to her Father's Houfe at ^j" 
 Hackney , where all her mind from that , n °& e /" 
 time Alill ran upon the thoughts of her own ' r f ^ 0/l , c * 
 
 Vc«bf»> DtKb ' 
 
3 2 The exemplary Life, and lamented* 
 
 Death ; the ftrong apprehenfions whereof 
 put her upon a great improvement of her 
 remaining time/both in Reading, Praying, 
 Trefares f°r m d Difcourfwg , like one that expected 
 #• fbortly to leave the world ; for {he faid flic 
 
 felt that about,her which would carry her 
 Exhorts her away quickly^ was much worfe inward* 
 friends to I) , than perhaps anyone thought; and 
 prepare for 4 therefore exhorted one of her Sifters .whom 
 change. & e dearly loved, and converfed moft with, to 
 
 mind eternity, to think much of her change, 
 and labour to be prepared for it ; acknow- 
 ledging the goodnefs of God to her felf, 
 who had ipared her fo long. Afcer this time 
 fhe grew worfe and worfe, till on Saturday 
 June the 22. (14. dayes after her return 
 She takes home) ihe took her bed, in order to her 
 her bed in a grave ; where being feized upon by a Vio- 
 Violent Tea- lent leaver, her ftrength was fo wafted, and 
 vour. her fpirks jnw, that upon the Teufday af- 
 
 ter at mid-night, (being June the 25 .) (lie 
 Three dayes was hardly able to chatter,and fo fent for 
 after fends her Fat her, Mot her, and Sifters, to fee them 
 /or all friends once more , and take a folemn leave of 
 r r*^ afo- them ; who when they were come and fate 
 lemn leave of all weeping about her, with ^mzr lamenta- 
 them. tion, after a little fpace, as if ftrength had 
 
 been renewed on pnrpofe for that end, fhe 
 began to utter her ajfeBions and de fires to 
 them about many things, wherein ihe ex- 
 
 pref- 
 
Death of Mrs. Sufanna Peiwich. 33 
 
 preffed her fclf, with [o much prudence ,T>ifcourfeth 
 difcretion, and compofednefs of mind, and excellently 
 this for almoft four hours together, with with inter- 
 fome intermimons, that it was marvellous miffionsfor 
 to behold ; among other things the much divers hours, 
 perfwaded'to the prefeivatioiTand ftreng- 
 thening of a love and unity among 
 all Relations. At laft as ftie was fay- 
 ing, that {he had nothing to leave them With her ta- 
 in memorial of her, prelently her Father ther's leave 
 told her, he gave her/w liberty, to difpofe gives all {he 
 of whatever (he had; at which ihe mshadtofeve- 
 very much (leafed, and thankj;g of him, rat friends. 
 distributed to every one according to her 
 own mind ; her fever al Rings to be worn di- 
 ftin&ly, as she dire&ed , by her Father, 
 Mother, and Sifters; two of her Rings she 
 put upon he: fingers, and taking them off 
 again, gave them to be kept for her two Diftributes 
 Brothers beyond Sea, as a token to them her Rings, 
 from her dying hand ; all her Clothes, her Clothes, 
 Watch, and a certain piece of Plate mark- Works, 
 ed with her own Name , she gave to one Books and 
 Sifter; all her Works and lnftruments of lnftruments. 
 Mufick^toht divided betwixt three other 
 Sifters; her M^ alfo she difpofed of; and 
 as a Legacy to all the Gentlewomen of the 
 School ; (he commended her Jj/#f defires Her Legacy 
 and requefts to them, that they woula not to the Gen- 
 fpend their time in reading of vain Books, tlewomenof 
 but inftead thereof, to betake themfelves the SchooU 
 
34 r The exemplary Life, and lamented 
 
 to the heft BooJ^oi all, the Bible, and fuch 
 other choice Books, as might do their fouls 
 moft good; as alio that they would be con- 
 stant in the ufe of private grayer ;that they 
 would be careful to fanttifie the Lord's 
 Day, and not wafte thote precious hours in 
 over-curious dre flings; and that they would 
 behave themfelves reverently at the public^ 
 Ordinances , it having been a great offence 
 to her formerly when any have done the 
 . contrary. 
 
 Then falling into fpeech about her Fw 
 
 Exprefeth wal* in what Room ihe defired her Herfe 
 
 her mind a- might ftand, where Hie fhould be Buried, 
 
 bout her Fu- anc ^ oc her particulars about the manner of 
 
 vera!. lt \ ^ ie defired that all might be done dc~ 
 
 cently , and that Dr. Spurftow , by whofe 
 
 Miniftry (he had been much edified and 
 
 comforted, might Preach at her Interment, 
 
 in all which ihe fubmitted to her Father's 
 
 pleafure. 
 
 But that which was very remarkable in this 
 
 Seems not her large Difcourfe,ihe Hied not one tear, 
 
 afraid of no\ feemed at all {added at her approaching 
 
 Death. Death « and when (he was told that her 
 
 Fathers heart was ready to breaks, who 
 
 fate weeping and groaning by her all the 
 
 while- she faidshewas forryforit, and 
 
 asked why he would dofo ? adding farther % 
 
 that for her part, she was in God's hand, 
 
 andh 
 
Death of tMrs. Su fanna Per wi ch . 3 y 
 
 and willing to yield up to him, hoping that 
 all friends would endeavour to do the like; 
 and fo being now quite fpent with fpeaking 
 (for she defired not to be Interrupted, till 
 her whole mind was uttered) she hyfeill 
 the reft of the Night. 
 
 The next Day 'being Wednefday, June 
 the 2.6. Dr. Spurftow came to vifit her, VVhatfro- 
 who asking her what she found in her felf? mlfe{he re- 
 what she thought concerning her own//?/- lyed upon, 
 ritual State ? as alfo what evidence she had though In 
 of Gods Love ? or Promife to rely upon ? the dark* 
 She anfwered, that she was in the dark^ as 
 to her own evidences, and that they were 
 not fo clear to her as she could wish ; yet 
 that she was not without hope ^ that she 
 had found much fweetnefs in many para- 
 ges of Serif ture; but from that chie fly (Ro* 
 wansxht 8. and 28.) All things {hail work^ 
 together for good, to them that love God. Af- 
 ter Difcourie ended , she defired of the 
 Doctor, that she might once more hear him 
 Fray , and accordingly had her defire 
 therein. 
 
 The fame Day in the afternoon, she 
 was moitftrongly ajfaulted than before; for 
 now to her Feaver, and almoft exhaufted 
 [trength,convulfive motions were added, and 
 rlflngs of the (Mother, by which when she 
 had been greatly afflitled y and beyond all 
 
 hope 
 
1 6 7 he exemplary Life>and lamented 
 
 Her thank? no P e recovered again out of them, she 
 fulnefsfor ^ called to her Sifter fitting by, and asked 
 little eafe y w ^ at day of the Month it was; % who enqui- 
 andpiom re- rin g a ^ ter tne reaibn of that queftion, was 
 folutionif told by her, that if she lived, she would 
 fac lived, celebrate it for ever hereafter, in a thankful 
 remembrance of her being thus revived 
 again, as it were like another Lazarus. 
 The next day lying in a (lumber y as her 
 Sta awakes Sifter thought, she luddenly turnes her 
 out of a kind head to her, and haftily tells her y that she 
 of trance. had a Q all to be gone ; a Call, faith she, by 
 whom ? (]od hath Called me, replyed she, 
 to be gone from hence, and Imufidie • r 
 why, how do you know it ? faid the other, 
 very well faith she, I am fare it will be Co, 
 and therefore do not reckon upon my Life. 
 One coming not long after to viiither, 
 and to fray with her , asked her how (he 
 did ; / am going to Heaven^ faid (lie, as 
 faft as lean. 
 
 Three nights after this, God in a won- 
 ^rf«/mannerfupportingher under conti- 
 nual pains Jo that friends hoped she might 
 wear them out ; well, faith she, for all thi* 
 I fhall dye, and be at reft in Heaven with 
 my dear Lord, before the morning comes ; 
 yet it proved not fo, for she lived almoft 
 four dayes after, fometimes giving new 
 hope of recovery , and then falling back 
 again, All 
 
Death of Mrs. Sufanna Perwich. 37 
 
 All the time otnzxficknefs die was ve- 
 ry patient , earneftly praying that God ^ ra )' es ver J 
 woutd enable her/?*7/fo to be, and that ^mchforpa- 
 die might not murmur while his hand lay tlCnce -> an & & 
 fo ^wx/; on her. Ever and anon die woulj ^fwered. 
 cry out, little doth any know what I feel ; 
 but I hope, faith die, GodmWftrengthen 
 me to the end. She often enquired whe- 
 ther any Wtttfcefyg Cjod for her, which 
 when die was afiured of, bleffed be God, 
 faith (he, he will reward them for it. 
 
 Three things die dedred might earneft- 
 ly be fought for from God on her behalf , 
 patience under her fo grievous ficknefs , 
 clear evidences of God's Love, and zneafie 
 pajfage, if God fhould call her out of this 
 Life; in all which die was gracioufly an- 
 fwered , as every one that attended her 
 from firft to laft, can witncfs. 
 
 One time lire feemed to lye in a kind Some fear • 
 of Agony , and fuddenly breaking &&tfeiz,et(im 
 with thefe words, faid, (hall I fay that God l Kr ^ y u t pre- 
 hath ftr fake n me f no, I will not. All the. fently va- 
 time after tlie feemed well fatlsfied, and nifheth. 
 much at peace in her mind concerning her 
 future date, nor had any fear nt all upon 
 her ; for being told by her Sifter, that die 
 was perfwaded, if God diould be pleafed 
 to take her from hence, die diould be hap- 
 py with him •, die replyed, / doubt it not in 
 D the 
 
^ S The exemplary Life, And lamented 
 
 the leaft, and was never heard to let fall 
 
 one word to the contrary all the while 
 
 after. 
 
 , . Being asked (as fhe often was) how fhe 
 
 Submits to did ? fce anrvverec j 5 in paln all over> tven 
 
 the will 0} m God wUl have /V , the phyfitian j fec 
 
 J° can do me no good, but one word from God 
 
 can help all, if he pleafe. 
 
 At another time fhe looked about her, 
 and faid to the (landers by, God might have 
 made you all Lhj me, and I might have been 
 In your cafe, If It had fee me d (rood to him, but 
 his holy Will be done. 
 
 Upon the Lord's Day before her Death, 
 when ipeech almoil quite failed her 
 Hermedlta- (though not her fenfes nor underftanding^ 
 t ions fixed which fhe had even to the hft) (he foftly 
 onGod. uttered thefe words in the midft of very 
 great pains, which all that day univerfally 
 ieized on her, the Goodnefs of God is the beft 
 goodnefs, the Goodnefs of God is the beft good- 
 nefs ; often repeating of it, as if her heart 
 were holy taken up with that Meditation. 
 When a near friend ftood by her praying 
 ear;:eftly,ioi her in this extre?nity, at eve- 
 Her crreat *7 fentence fhe teitified a very great affe- 
 ferveKcyin ^W) by fuch a lifting up her eyes and 
 time of'pra- hands towards Heaven, as if her whole foul 
 yer though ^d afcended in every petition, 4 which oc- 
 we\kj cafioned fome h savings of t he Mother ;and 
 
 be- 
 
Death of Mrs, Sufanna Perwich. 3?* 
 
 being told, that fince it came by the z,eal 
 of her heart in Prayer, God \vo>\\\& facet en 
 it to her; ftie replyed, / queftion it not. 
 
 On the Munday morning, fhe often mut- 5/^ f orte { s 
 tered out very fofdy,thefe words/w dayes t fa fj 0ur c 
 and an half more, and then I [hall be at reft; fo er own 
 which Hie repeated two or three times; j) eat h m 
 and accordingly from thn very time, fhe 
 did live two dayes and an half , to wit, till ^ r j fy e$ at 
 Wednefday Noon following, and then be- t ^ e r ame 
 gan to draw on apace towards her faft \ iQHr% 
 breath. 
 
 Indeed her pVf now feemed to leave 
 her, or her strength rather, being able no 
 more to ftruggle; and lb lying in a kind of 
 quiet Jleep, at kit panting for breath a 
 ihort fpace, in a j r mall file 'nt groan, gave up 
 her free ions foul into the hands of God , 
 whole Angels carrying it away to Heaven 
 (as we have comfortable ground of hope to 
 believe) left us all in bitter mmrning and 
 waliingosti her dead Body. 
 
 When (lie was laid out in the Chamber _■ 
 where fne dyed, dreffed in her Nighr*™g r ** l i 
 clothes, one would have thought ft*g had t***»tmon 
 been in a kind of fmiling flumber ; and at " er 't9 sn & 
 now the Gentlewomen, with the reft of the ° Ht * 
 Family, and fome neighbours coming to 
 fee her, and give her their//*/? falme, it 
 would have broken ones heart, to have 
 D 2 heard 
 
j The exemplary Life, and lamented 
 
 heard and teen the many crjes , tears,^ and 
 lamentations , that the Room was rilled 
 with. 
 
 So dear a child (he was, and of iuch high 
 defenses hath been already related) that 
 her Fathered A\ friends, thought her 
 worthy of a very decent Burial, and accor- 
 dingly upon Saturday the hxth of Jul)/, {he 
 was attended to the grave with a numerous 
 Company, v,\ manner following. - 
 
 The Herie covered with Velvet, was 
 Her konou- cm l^ ^V fx fervant Maidens of the Fa- 
 ble Burial', nuly, all hW/?/7? ; the (heel was held up 
 by ; £v6f thoie Gentlewomen in the School, 
 tnat had moil acquaintance with her, in 
 mourning Habit , With v£/tt £&ajnr and 
 G/ow ; a rich coltly Garland of gum-work^ 
 adorned with Banners and Scutchions, Was 
 .borne immediately before 'the i/^, by, 
 v,\otroper young Ladies, true intireiy lo- 
 ved her. Her. Father and Mother, with o- 
 ther »wr Relations^ and their Cbiidren^oU 
 lowed next the Heife, in cue order, ail in 
 rnourniniT j the Kindred next to them, cf- 
 ter whom came the whole School of GV#- 
 tlewomen, and th:n ferfons oi chief rani^, 
 from the 'Htfigbb'jur-hood, and from the 
 Gtfj or' London,- zW.'m whir e Cj loves ^ both 
 
 . ■;;, ri ,r omen, Children, and Serpaiits ? hl- . 
 \\\\\ been ririr ierved with Wine. 
 
 When 
 
Death of Mrs. Sufanna Peivvich. 41 
 
 When the Herfe firft entred the Church, 
 the reft of the Schools were all there, in 
 their refpettive places, arYeclionatel y fympa- 
 thizi'wg with the reft of the Mourners. I 
 know not whether Hackney Church hath 
 often had more weeping eyes ; and aking 
 hearts in it , on iuch an occafion, io great- 
 ly and generally was fhe beloved. 
 
 The Herfe' being fet down, with the 
 Garland upon It, the Reverend Dr. Spurftorv 
 applyed himfelf to thz proper work of thz The Text 
 feaion, and preached upon thole words > preached up- 
 i Cor. 3 .2 1.1) eat h is yours. From whence, on a t her : 
 after he had declared at large \\\zfwetnefs Funeral. 
 tha: lyes in this word Death, as it is a part 
 of Chrl/l's Legacy to a Believer, he made 
 fuck ufeful inferences and applications, 
 as were proper for the occafion. 
 
 This done,the rich C°§ n anointed with 
 ■fweet Odors, was put down into the (jrave, 
 in the middle Alley of the faidChurch, tin- The place of 
 xhlfame ftone, where Mrs. Anne Care 'rv, her Burial. 
 one of the great beauties of England in her 
 time, and formerly a Gentlewoman of the 
 School, and intimately acquainted Winner,, 
 was buryed ; being the (econd of thole five 
 (jentlewomen onely, which hive dyed out of 
 her Father's Houfe,among| thole eight hun- 
 dred, that have been educated there, wiihin 
 the compafs of feventeen years. 
 
 D 3 And 
 
42 The exemplary Life, and lamented 
 
 And now what follows after all this ? is 
 The Conch- ^ not a/*/r warning to us,that yet furvive 
 (ton of all, h^t, to bethink our lelves of our 0w?# condi- 
 tion} and whether we be ready for death,if 
 we fhould be fuddenly called, as {he in a 
 manner was ? fhould we not make it our 
 conftant Prayer, and utmofi endeavour , to 
 number out diyzs, and/0 to number them, 
 as to apply our hearts to wifdom , even to 
 f£*t Wifdom only, which will make usjfe 
 to dye ? All the dayes of my appointed time 
 will I wait ( faith Job) till my change come. 
 O let that be our faying too, and our tra- 
 Rife alfo. 
 
 Upon 
 
45 
 
 Upon the aforefaid 
 
 Mrs. 
 
 SUSANNJ <PE®JPICH< 
 
 gS^lJMong the many Female Glories, 
 ^^5 Which may be ieen fometimes in 
 Let candid Readers fhew us where (ftories; 
 She can be found, that may compare 
 With Her this paper now fets forth, 
 Far fhort of her rare parts and worth. 
 Her Per/on comely, Red and White, ^ Defcrl- 
 
 Mix'd curioudy, gave great delight. • j- 
 
 Pure [mvps, with %u:h Vermilions ftream, p er f on < 
 Strawb'ries WW Silver difh of Cream. J 
 
 FrefhMown Cornations, Queen-like reigns, 
 W T hile Violets tincture all her veins. 
 Straight, Proper, Handfom, every Feature, 
 Set in due place, made her a Creature. 
 Muchlovd; let's take a fpecial view, 
 Look where you will, you'l find it true. 
 D 4 Her 
 
3.4 The exemplary &fe, and lamented 
 
 Her dark^ brown Halr y her double mould y 
 More lovely were, thmfyarkj otGold. 
 Her own meer natural curious TrelTes , 
 Out-fhine all adventitious DreiTes. 
 Round Argent Brows I whoever marks, 
 Hex [moot h high Fore-heads Eban-Arkj ; 
 Trainee nt Temples, through her Locks , 
 Peer out like Alablafter Rocks. 
 From her black jetty tarry Eye, 
 Ten thou f and fparkling Lufires flie. 
 Brave gen'rous Spirits fderlal , 
 Move o.uick about each nimble Ball. 
 Under a Velvet Coverlet, 
 Each glittering Star doth rife and fet. 
 Such Eye-lids, fine/} Caskets be, 
 For fuch bright Gems efrulgency. 
 Ouches of Gold, encircling palTes, 
 About this pair of burning-glaffes. 
 Two HemlfphearSy With two fuch Suns y 
 - O're Mlcrocofm'sizldom runs. 
 MldQ'hefetwin-flames, a marble Mount, 
 Mounts rldge-wlfe up,down from herfiont. 
 On each fide of which ridge you'l fpie, 
 Aurora sRofy blufhes lie. (pies, 
 
 Her [anguine Cheek*, like two Qneen-ap- 
 Natures^revif Artist needy couplei. 
 Her two Ambrofal ruddy Lips , 
 In deepeft Scarlet dye fhe dips. 
 Who views her wclL[et pollfh'd Teeth , 
 Will think two ranks of Pearls he ieeth. 
 
 'Twixt 
 
Death of Mrs. Sufanna Perwich. 
 'Twixt thefe matcht milk-white Ivory rows, 
 A fvveet breath'd Aromatick^ flows, 
 All down 'long to her fwan-like Neck, 
 Her fine Complexion hath no fpeck. 
 Her pair of round Crown d rifingH\\\s y 
 Each moment with new faming fills. 
 Her fleek^foft downy checker'd Wrifts, 
 Small Az,nre threads , finely entwifts. 
 Her Lilly Hands, long woodbine Fingers , 
 Hang ever quiverings never lingers, 
 In trembling Urokes, which alwayes ilie, 
 Tunes into fweetefl Harmony. 
 I fcarce ere fee them, but the found , 
 Of Mufick^ feems thence to rebound. 
 No Unions, no choice Jewels are , 
 Found any where, that may compare, 
 With thVery Nails, or foynts, or Bones y 
 That her tenfifter-fingers owns. 
 You'd fcarce know which are richefl things 
 Her knuckle bones, or Di'mond Rings. 
 More curious is each Sattin limb, 
 Than tWfilken trails that cover him. 
 Thus if you take^r every way, 
 How lovely fhe's ! what lliall I fay ? 
 Her Head, her Face , her every part, 
 MoR gracefulwzs, there need no Art, 
 Be us'd at all, her to adorn, 
 With Paints or pearls, ilie being born , 
 Natures ownMafler-fiece-, white Skin , 
 Rofe-lifs,fair Breafis, fweet Smiles, and in 
 
 Her 
 
 4T 
 
46 The exemplar? Llfe y and lament ed 
 
 Her gestures fuch a compound Grace, 
 Mack her to beautifie the place 
 Where e're ihe came,her goodly look, 
 hxfirft fight the beholders took; 
 And won their hearts immediately, 
 With her thenceforth to live and dye. 
 
 II. 
 
 Her natural ^ et c ^ s lS ^ ut ^ e Mt-fide, we 
 jwm. By looking inwardly fhall fee, 
 
 : More Or/>«r .B^w/ ; within her (liin'd 
 
 The choicefi Beauties • (he was lin'd, 
 With ftufFe /wr* c<?/?/y there; fuch Rayes 
 of Radiancy (lie thence difplayes , 
 As if the Panglorett* (l^e, 
 Of her whole Sex was made to be. 
 Her jharp y fub lime, and pleafant Wit, 
 Made her Companion very fit, 
 For the rich pregnant genious , 
 Of thofe were moft ingenious. 
 Fine jefts y qtiicl^anfwcrs readily, 
 Flow'd from her tongue moft. fluently. 
 Ehet'rickjht had, and Eloquence , 
 As if fhe'd been zt great expence 
 In learned Schools : fine fentences 
 Dropt from her, great dependences 
 Were in her words ; the fenfe and matter 
 Was ufefulyfolid y fhe'd not fcatter 
 Vain talk., but what beft profited 
 Her felf and others, that fhe fed 
 
 Their 
 
Death of Mrs* Sufanna Perwich. 4; 
 
 Their eares withal; what ihe had learn'd 
 From well-read Books,and what ihe eain'd 
 By her induftrious Meditations, 
 Or by her careful obfervations 
 From others fpe ech, that ihe laid up, 
 And therewith made hzrguefts to fup , 
 When they came in to viht her, 
 And to them was an Inftrutter. 
 
 III. 
 
 Not rafh, but moft deliberate Her moral 
 
 In all things, and cenfiderate ; Virtues. 
 
 Prudent {he was, difcreet, and wife, 
 
 Humble and meek^, no lofty eyes 
 
 In her were feen : ihe never frown 'd 
 
 With angry looks , fuch as abound 
 
 In rugged tempers-, modefty 
 
 In bajhful bluihes constantly 
 
 Coloured her Face ; nogarifh»efs y 
 
 Or any wanton foolifhnefs 
 
 Stain'd her at all ; ihe much defi'd 
 
 Thefe vices, and them ever fly'd. 
 
 MoR gentle, affable, and kind, 
 
 She was to all, you fcarce could find 
 
 One fo benign-, few of this Age, 
 
 'Mong young folks, or among the Sage 9 
 
 Beyond her went in courtefe, 
 
 More ready was to gratifie 
 
 Favours receiv'd : (he would requite 
 
 Such kindnejfesmxh all her might. 
 
 She 
 
4.8 The exemplary Life 9 and lament el 
 
 She had a noble generous heart , 
 As (lie was able to impart. 
 
 Her charity ^ hcr ? n ^ d X ^ fd Ae i fuffer ^ *# 
 
 fa fta JW ^* m t0 t0 ma ^ e ™ e * r moan - 
 * The meaneft Beggar at the door 
 
 She plttied, and relieved the <7W. 
 
 By her good will, w* o^ ihould want, 
 
 Specially thofe in Covenant : 
 
 For them it was her chief eft care, 
 
 When they were ftc^ hungry, or Mi\ 
 
 Moft to refrejh : ilie would be lure 
 
 Them food and raiment to proa- re, 
 
 Whoever wanted, f^fhould not, 
 
 If fuccour for them could be got. 
 
 V. 
 
 Her fympa- Chnft's faff ering Members {he would vifi'tj 
 thy with the As oft as time ferv'd, {he' J not mifs it. 
 f offering The £\v//V and Imprifonment, 
 fervants of Of fome <W Friends ihe'd much lament. 
 C^r/}?. Was fta/V blood (bed ? (he felt the Hart, 
 
 That wounded them, 'twent to tar he ut, 
 To think what dar^ clofe y dungeons they 
 Wcrcftifled in , both Night and day. 
 Great piety caufed her to ye am 
 For them, and all h^r bowels turn 
 Within; when the got them among , 
 Tear shorn her eyes^ and from her tongue 
 
 Sad 
 
Death of Mrs. Sufanna Perwich. 4^ 
 
 Sad language flow'd : fhe did partake 
 Their forrows, head and heart did ake, 
 At thought of what they fufter'd; fhe 
 Could not forbear to go and fee (Jhent, 
 How't fafd with them, though fhe were 
 And many a precious hour (he fpent, 
 To comfort them what fhe was able , 
 In this their cafe fo lamentable. 
 
 VI. 
 
 fldournd others ? fhe in fympathy 
 
 Would monm alio, when they did lye, Her part- 
 
 In any doleful mifery. nerfhip in 
 
 Their griefs (he alwayes made her own, friends of- 
 
 And ever greatly did bemoan fiitlions. 
 
 Their fad calamities : her heart 
 
 In forrows deep did bear a part . 
 
 Did Parents figh f fhe fighed too ; 
 
 Grieved they ? fhe knew not what to do, 
 
 Till fhe had found out feme reliefs 
 
 To eafe the pain of Parents grief. 
 
 Were any of her neer Relations, 
 
 Afflicted by fad alterations 
 
 In healthy estate, or comforts any, 
 
 Her groans were fuch, her tears fo many, 
 
 As it alone concern d : fo deep 
 
 Were her refcentments, fhe'd fo weep, 
 
 As if her heart would ^m^afunder, 
 
 And the great burden truckle under. 
 
 VII. 
 
5° 
 
 The exemplary Lift, and l/tmented 
 
 VII. 
 
 jr t t ? eace was the darling of her heart, 
 * So that to her no greater fmart 
 
 paw*. Could come, thenwhen a difference rofe 
 
 Among </f*r Friends , llie ? d interpofe, 
 And by her **//* r */** moderation, 
 Mottfirmlj knit each dear Relation, 
 
 excellent 
 breeding. 
 
 Her Incom- 
 parable abi- 
 lities in Mh- 
 
 fichf « li 
 
 forts, both 
 vocal and 
 inftr omen- 
 tal. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 Next her improved breeding high 
 
 You will perceive now by and by. 
 
 No quality or rare perfection, 
 
 But 'twas her own, make what election 
 
 You pleafe otmoft defired skill, 
 
 That females glory in, (lie will 
 
 Excel them all throughout the Town , 
 
 Yea Kingdom too, ana wear the Crown, 
 
 Of a renowned veneration, 
 
 From all the reft of the whole Nation. 
 
 IX. 
 
 Firft for her Mufc\, who can give 
 Sufficient pralfe ? or caufe it live, 
 As it deferves in memory ? 
 And that to allfofterlty ? 
 Ask Rogers, Blng, Coleman, and others, 
 The moft exaclly skilful Brothers : 
 Ask Brian, CMcll, Ives, Gregorles, 
 Hows, Stifklns, ail, in whom there lye?, 
 
 R*M 
 
Death of Mrs. Sufanna Perwich. 5 t ! 
 
 Rare Arts of Mufic^thty can tell, 
 How we II fhe fung : kow rarely well 
 She played on feveral Inftruments, 
 What high admir'd accomplishments, 
 She had attain'd to; Angels hands. 
 On Lute or Viol fcarce commands 
 h(weeter touch; ("he never (hall, 
 Be equaWd by the Nightingale. 
 If Kings and Princes claim the heft. 
 Of Melodies above the reft, 
 'Twas/fo could give them,/fo alone, 
 Whether hom Art, or natures tone. 
 £<? tund a voice Ifojhrlll a found, 
 In Male or Female rarely found 1 
 Each Crotchet, Quaver , Mmnnm, Note, 
 Kept time within her warbling throat. 
 So/f , <ke/>, />/V/> ftrains, in treble Son**, 
 Flow'd/nw/7 from hztfngered tongue. 
 No firings of H^r/>, no Or^« Pipe, 
 Strecht or reach'd higher^; fhe was ripe 
 Ev'n for the heavenly Chorus ; she 
 Of all forts, gave fttch Harmony. 
 Where (he was finging had you come, 
 By chance into the bll(sful Room, 
 You'd thought by the melodious Air, 
 That Outers of Angels had been there. 
 Laws, Sympfin, Polewheel, Jenkins, all 
 'Mong the heft Matters Muiical , 
 Stand ravijh'd while they hear her play, 
 And with high admiration fay, 
 
 What 
 
y2 The exemplary Life, and lamented 
 
 What curious ftrains ! what rare divitlons ! 
 
 Are we not 'mong Celeftial Virions ! 
 
 This is no humane hand / thefe ftrokes, 
 
 The high immortal Spirits provokes 
 
 To 1 1 fie ft to her / jhe pi ayes fo, 
 
 That after her none takes the bow, 
 
 To play again ; it is too much , 
 
 To take the confidence to touch, 
 
 The Infirument which jhe laid down, 
 
 Or go about to win the Crown, 
 
 Which jhe had fet on her own head. 
 
 With Lame Is all enamelled. 
 
 No, no, they mull wholly defpair, 
 
 To give out fuch delicious Air 
 
 Of which jhe millions gave ; each touch 
 
 To mod: judicious ears was fuch, 
 
 So fweet, fo qxick^ fo dainty y rare y 
 
 That nothing could therewith compare. 
 
 No ftrain but was incomparable , 
 
 And by mens Art insuperable. 
 
 The dee f eft grounds where utmoft skill , 
 
 0£zrteh fancy lay, jhe ftill 
 
 Moft finely nick'd ; her nimble Arm, 
 
 Still made a moft delicious Charm. 
 
 Quicks numerous motions /fo would show, 
 
 With her /»>//?, glidings jumping bow. 
 
 Even in a moment jhe would meafure> 
 
 Thoufands of ftrokes, with ea[e ^nd pleafrre y 
 
 Where others hundreds fcarce could reach, 
 
 Though fuch as moft profeft to teach. 
 
Death of Mrs. Sufanna Pervvicb, 5*3 
 
 All this, both by her hand and brain, 
 Without the leaft toll, labour -, fain. 
 
 X. 
 
 No ^nV/^geftures, or bold face, jj er fa^ 
 
 No wrlgllng motions herdifgrace. fomfittlnlat 
 
 While (he's at play, nor 9?, nor head) ^ m u %u 
 
 Hither or thither wandered. 
 
 Nor »o<k, nor heaves in any part 3 
 
 As taken with her own rare Art. 
 
 All vain conceited aff eolation, 
 
 Was unto her abomination. 
 
 With body ihe ne*re fat afcue y 
 
 Or mouth *w*7, as others do. 
 
 Carelefs line feem'd, as. if her mind, 
 
 Were fomewhere elfi, and yet we find 
 
 Performances to admiration, 
 
 And :Our exceeding dekchtion. 
 
 XI. 
 
 As hand and tongue, hsr feet alfo , ^ ^a ^ 
 
 She curioudy had taught to go. rkm ^^ 
 
 Her motions meafure all the ground 
 Exaclly, while /Wr Mujlck^ found : 
 That whofoe're obferv'd her tread, 
 Muft needs be much enamoured, 
 li French or English Dances were 
 An ornament, how finely there / 
 .Did ihe 0#f-<^ all ihe came neer; 
 To th 'wonderment of them that fee her? 
 E XIL 
 
<4 The exemplary Life, and lamented 
 
 XII. 
 
 . - As Lejfons fhe, to Dances too, (neve. 
 
 ACompojer. when <?/^ were ipent, could make more 
 Mafiers themfelves, found at the clofure, 
 A curious skill in her compofure. 
 Then to preferve her memory , 
 Oh let them alwayes practised be / 
 And to keep up their Authors fame, 
 Oh let them alfo bear her Name I 
 
 XIII. 
 
 good at the She writ well, cypher d, caff account , 
 P<?tf. Could tell to what iht fums amount 
 
 Spent in the Houfe, 2nd greater too, 
 It need requir'd, as oft as you 
 Demanded it ; fair letters write, 
 Pregnant^ with lenfe, worthy the fight 
 Of learned Secretaries. She 
 In needles Art attain'd to be 
 
 XIV. 
 Her ra-re Perfectly curl out : every wo rk 
 skill in all In which a cunning skill did lurk , 
 forts of She had it at hzi fingers end, 
 Worhj. And lov'd therein/to time to fpend. 
 
 In blackjworks, white-works, colours all, 
 That can be found on earths round ball, 
 She did excelL Wax, Straws and Gum, 
 Silk*) (Jemsy and Gold> the total Turn 
 
 Of 
 
Death of Mrs. Sufanna Perwich. 5 $ 
 
 Of rich materials (he difpos'd 
 In dainty order, and compos'd 
 Pictures ofimen, birds, hafts, and ftow'rs, 
 When leiiure ferv'd at idle hours. 
 All this fo rarely to the Life, 
 As if there were a kind otftrtfe) 
 'Twixt Art and Nature : Trees oi fruit * 
 With leaves , boughs, branches , Iw/j, ?w, 
 She made to grow in winter time, 
 -£//>£ to the eye, f*/?* to climbs. 
 2W/, bloffojns, foldings i Sunny beams, 
 In checkered ihadowings finely dreams, - 
 Among the thickeft clufters there, 
 Whether of Apple, Cherry Pear. 
 Here hangs a Plumb, ft Strawberry, 
 An Orange there, a (jofehrry, 
 An Hony-fuccle, July flower, 
 Wetted as 't were from a frefh {hover. 
 The **/*, the Violet, the Lilly, 
 The goodly 7«//p, Dafadilly, 
 With many more varieties , 
 Of natures chief eft rarities. 
 
 XV. 
 
 All thefe rich qualities (he had, 
 Mod beaut eoufly and bravely clad 
 With ornaments of fwj kind, 
 Whether for body or for mind. 
 And yet which was the Crown of all, 
 She. Was not touch'd with pride at all. 
 
 E % No 
 
 J/?r great 
 humility in 
 the midft of 
 all her ex* 
 ceUenciet* 
 
<6 The exemplary Life ^anllaatent el 
 
 No vain conceit puff'd up her heart, 
 With thoughts of this her great defert. 
 Although there tyas a glorious found , 
 Went of her worth , all England round. 
 In London, when great meetings were 
 Of c*r;W eares, which here and there 
 Lay fcattefd, and were got together, 
 And one much pleated with another, 
 In their own Mufickj^ yet fheftlll 
 The Lawrel bears, not any will 
 Farther contend when (he hath play 'a, 
 TSutdown their Inflruments all lay'd. 
 Yet notwithstanding this, when ever 
 She was again denYd, (lie never 
 By hei good will would come again, 
 'Twas not \\zxpleafure y but herp<*/», 
 To hear her own admired Name 
 Sounded with golden trump of fame. 
 When commendations fore her face, 
 Her high encomia's did enchafe; 
 When tongues of Strangers could not hold 
 Till they her praife to all had told, 
 Yea to her /<?// too, yet her ear 
 Ne're liftend to't, 'twas her great fear y 
 Left fome blackjzvii her fhould feize, 
 • \ipuffd up by fuch things as thefe. 
 
 XVI. 
 
 Gives Col ^ e JT ln gf ^ e did acknowledge them , 
 r J* dory If Anc * 0jtten ^ » ^ e ^ oul 4 condemn 
 
 *1 Ci 
 
57 
 All her rich 
 
 qualities. 
 
 Deatjo of Mrs. Sufanna Perwich, 
 Herfelfofmuch ingratitude. 
 And not her duty understood, 
 Unlefs (he very thankful were 
 To him that of all gifts that are, 
 The fount ainis, to him alone, 
 She joy'd to give what was his bwh : 
 And with the beft of all irie had 
 Sincerely ferve him, and make glad, 
 Her pious friend j, that earnestly , 
 Prafd for this her humility. 
 
 XVII. 
 Blacky f^ts to her abominable 
 Vfetealwayes held, nor was llie able 
 To bear their fight ^ fhe did complain, 
 Till they were taken 0jff again, 
 Where e're (lie farv them, her felf ever 
 So much detefted them that never 
 "Durfi the wear them, for we 11 ihe knew., 
 If irie had don't fhe muft renew 
 Repentance for't : fhe'd ne're difgrace, 
 God's workmanjhip in her own face, 
 Whofe luftre never fhineth lefs y 
 Than when in fuch an whorlfl? drefs. 
 
 XVIII. 
 
 Nor mrfg^ was her back^ or ^rwjj, ^^^ nakgd* 
 
 What was molt r/?*/k ilie loved belt. ^y> s 
 whisks 7 Handcherchiefs y {hz y da\w2iys wear, 
 Where others fkamelefly went baxe. 
 
 E 3 ' They 
 
 Abominates 
 blackjpots. 
 
5 8 The exemplary Life, and lamented, 
 
 They yet live \Vhom fhe carefully 
 (fonfulted, what molt lawfully 
 In ail pans of her £^r£ {he might 
 Wear mthmt fin, and do what's right. 
 She ne're would in the leaft defire, 
 Uncomelinefs in her attire. 
 - 
 
 : xix: 
 
 Veiiqhts m D* ce ' f2t ltie loVd, and neat to be, 
 
 decent and As bel1 befitted her de S ree - 
 
 awM #f*W, Her *™^ Qtmfsjloods^filver purles 
 Suited her garments flken furies. 
 Fine Bracelets, Ear -rings, Necklaces , 
 Sometimes thofe parts encompafles, 
 That When foe led the Daxces 'mong 
 The many beauteous Ladles young, 
 Which to her Mother's Sco&al were fent, 
 She might give them the more content. 
 Yet this to her no pleafure gave, 
 For foe had rather been more grave, 
 But that the bufinefs of her place 
 Required fuch an handfome grace. 
 
 y* tradition Jhus we a little now have feen 
 from morals What were the virtues of this Queen 
 ufuperxatu- Of Diamonds, in ^tvz/ things, 
 r^Jc But that which lifts her on the wings 
 
 Othljrhefthmc, is yet behind, 
 . - heft endowments of her mlnd^ 
 
 Irt 
 
Death of Mrs. Sufanna Pervvich, J9 
 
 In works of grace and holinefs. 
 Let's fee her now in that brave drefs, 
 
 XXI. 
 
 That which j&y? wrought upon her foul , Her C0Wer - 
 
 And did her%; name enrole r d the 
 
 Among true Converts, was the Death occabon of 
 
 Of a dear friend^ vvhofe mortal breath ^ 
 
 Gone fuddenly, \dtfuch impreflion, 
 
 (According to her own confeiliori) 
 
 That fhe enquiring of her God, 
 
 What was uiq meaning o( this r^-/, 
 
 'Twas plainly told her, reformation 
 
 And not at all her dtfolation .- 
 
 But that her fouls eternal good 
 
 Was only fought ; at which ihe ftaoi 
 
 Pau/ing a while, and then ftie faid, 
 
 Is this the reafon God hath laid 
 
 His rod upon me? Vie recent 
 
 Of every y^, /7* ^w^ relent^ 
 
 Pie fearch my heart, 77* fry my way es , 
 
 Vie hearken wnat my confcience fa yes, 
 
 Concerning mine eternal ftate, 
 
 And what is Uk§ to be my fate ; 
 
 Left I likevyife/«rj?r«.^ be, 
 
 ByfrMen death as well as he. 
 
 XXII. 
 Thu s j£r/? refolding fhe proceeds , jj er f e lf. €X - 
 
 Exmins Thoughts, and rvords, and deeds, a m \ m t' m% 
 E 4 Cow- 
 
69 The exemplary Life, and lamented 
 
 Compares them with God's holy Word, 
 To fee wherein her deareft Lord 
 Offended was, and what the fpring , 
 Such filthy mifom (treams did bring. 
 Wherewith rhe was polluted lb, 
 And did a freili/?/// overflow 
 So fafi upon her ; laft flie fpyes 
 whence 'twas, and then aloud ftie cry€s 
 
 XXIII. 
 O my great Sin Original, 
 Her fight of &f*c*i hence, my iowl corruptions all 
 Original fin, B °H"P,breakJonh, contaminate 
 with the What e're I do, communicate 
 danger of it. Abominations *g/;ftain 
 
 To my beft actions • hence my pain^ 
 Even from the grand iniquity 
 Of Father Adam wickedly 
 Rebelling 'gainft his Maker, when 
 In's loyns lay all the fons of men. 
 Then / among the reft was there, 
 And in that hn had equal fTiare. 
 Oh how I am Indrencht all o're, 
 In that abominable gore / 
 How filth, and/;;, and mlfery, 
 And even a Hellljh ilivery 
 Jnthrah me now / what hideout crimes 
 Grow thlck^upon me ! how betimes 
 Each morning doth my "naughty heart 
 \ Caft forth its filth I how many a dart 
 
 All 
 
Death of Mrs. Sufanna Perwich. 6t 
 
 All the day long do I fend out 
 'Gainft Heaven in my rebellion (tout \ 
 As full of fey [on as the Toad ! 
 Or Serpents which lye on the road, 
 With fpecVled skin, but venom" d head, 
 Indangering all that on them tread / 
 
 XXIV. 
 Satan (till tempts me every day, ^ cmm 
 
 Yea hour and minute* there's no way «./•,*■ 
 
 t r r r plains or 
 
 Left open for me to efcapc temptations 
 
 His fierce affaults, the ugly (hape, ,£ , ^ 
 
 Of fome new guilt or other (till Satan 
 
 Deforme my heart, my mind, and will . 
 
 No fooner are his evil motions, 
 
 Suggefted to me, or his potions 
 
 Of poys'nous lufts in's golden cup. 
 
 To my vile ienies offer'd up, 
 
 But I embrace them, and comply 
 
 With his allurements prefently. 
 
 Bafe my affections .' bafe my heart ! 
 
 Oh how the dread of 'c makes me ftart/ 
 
 To think how dangerous is my cafe> 
 
 And that the only proper place , 
 
 For fitch a (inner is to /ry, 
 
 In He^s hot fire eternally. 
 
 XXV. 
 
 77>/#, thm^ fhemufes, and then prayes y Cryes out to 
 God would not /*<*?* her in thefe wayes q £ f 9r 
 
 Of^ J 
 
6 2 The exemplary Life, and lamented 
 
 flrength a- Oifin and death. Oh; no faid flie ! 
 galnjithem, Let God do what he will with me,. 
 and for a Chaflife, afflict, breaks, bruife, corrett ; 
 thorough So he'l vouchsafe me to direct 
 vporkjf In path of Life, and me tranflate 
 Grace in her Out of this finful cur fed ftate, 
 heart. In which I now by nature lye, 
 
 And crown me with the dignity 
 Of his high favour, mercy, grace, 
 And caitf e my feet to run the race 
 Otms Commandements, then I 
 Nor rare to live, not fear to. dye. 
 When once {wzzi influences of Love, 
 All melt my heart, $$> from above. 
 This, this, is all my -foul requires , 
 O let it bum in thefe pure fires / 
 Thefe Aromaticks ! let them give 
 Their powerful odors, J iliall live 
 Beft'm thefe flames ; O what a change 
 Is here / O tell me, is 't natftrange ! 
 That fhe fhould make fuch bleffed ufe 
 From her friend's Death, thus to pr oduce 
 Life in her felf / therefore it was 
 She 10 fd fo much, as often as 
 She fpake thereof, and plainly found, . 
 God's love to her did more abound, 
 In takjng of that friend away , 
 Then if he had Uv\{ to this day. 
 Such great good fometimes God intends, 
 When he fame (barn affliction fends. 
 
 'Twas 
 
Death of Mrs. Sufanna Perwich. 6$ 
 
 'Twas her own frequent faying too, 
 Thar all things put together do 
 Workjoi the good of thole that fear, 
 And love God, with an \\zzxtfwcere. 
 
 XXVI. 
 
 7hz ground-work&us begun in her 
 
 5 Bout four years fince, fhe did beftir H^ ^-«- 
 
 Her felf to carry on the building, grefs in the 
 
 With precious flones, and <^/?// guilding . . wtf^ */ 
 
 Her time far fpent, i ne now »**£?*.. hafte, Grace. 
 
 And by her good will doth not waite 
 
 One minute more ; fhe will redeem 
 
 The time that's loft, a great *)kww 
 
 She puts on every perfon, thing, 
 
 That helpt reform her wandering. 
 
 Now fhe keeps clofe 10 th' good old way , 
 
 Careful no more to go aftray, 
 
 But wifely walks with circumfpetlion, 
 
 And often makes a fad reflection 
 
 Upon her/om^r courfe of life, 
 
 Contending with an holy ftr if e, 
 
 To go the rafter unto blifs, 
 
 Noiftopt till come where now fhe is. ' 
 
 XXVII. 
 
 W hat pains she. -took fully to know - The parns 
 
 Sweet heavenly Truths! how she would goyfo took^for 
 From JB^to BaokJ to catechife , /0//«</ i^0#« 
 
 Her fdf where the foundation lyes. /aJj*. 
 
 In 
 
gently at 
 Church. 
 
 6± The exemplary Life y and lamented 
 
 In Perki^ Baal, or any other 
 That could teach better than other, 
 
 XXVIII. 
 
 . .... The paper Books , and Sermon notts* 
 " She left behind, plainly denotes, 
 With how much reverend care she did 
 Receive God's Wordy and wifely hid 
 1 1 in her heart; she would repeat 
 C&0/V*paiTages, and made t\\zfeat 
 Of what she heard her heart to be, 
 More than her writing Book^ we fee. 
 When she came home, she did retire. 
 On the Lord's Dayes, and much enquire 
 What she had mifs'd of what was faid, 
 And when her Notes she over read, 
 Soon mended, if they wanting were 
 With a devout Religions care. 
 
 Seeksblcf- 
 Jfxrupon. 
 what (he 
 hears by 
 prayer. 
 
 XXIX. 
 
 This being done it was not all 
 Sh'was wont to do, for she would call 
 For blejfmg on't, with beaded knees % 
 From fowiwhofe eye in fecret fees. 
 Ejaculations from her heart, 
 She'd frequently to Heaven dart. 
 No time toplcafant as the Night, 
 When she might moft be out of fight. 
 No place by her fo much defir'd, 
 As where she might be moft retir*d, 
 
 Far 
 
Death of LMrs. Sufanna Peiwkh. 6$ 
 
 Far from all nolfe and obfervation* 
 To ponr out her fouls warm devotion. 
 When she fometlmes could not be found, 
 She'd hid her felf, where the fweet found 
 Of her dttpfighlngs^ fobs, and cryes y 
 Might fecretly to Heaven rife, 
 Unheard of any but his ears, 
 I Who knew her thoughts, znd faw her tears. 
 
 XXX. 
 
 Vain wanton Bosk* her foul ahhorr% i *^ *** 
 
 As an offence to her *fcar Lord. Boo & *m\ 
 
 The #4/<? was her chief eft Book, A*» * 
 
 In which her practife was to look **» mHch * 
 
 And read y a-nd meditate all day, 
 
 As oft as she could get away 
 
 From other bus'nefs; her great care 
 
 Was to grow rich in knowledge there. 
 
 Hard qmeftlons fometimes she would put, 
 
 And /Ikfd the Anfwers which beft cut 
 
 All knots ; she was h.qulfitlve., 
 
 That she her heart as a large hive. 
 
 Might/// with hony combes of Truth, 
 
 On which she fucked thus in hziYouth. 
 
 Such Keyesshz ufed frequently, 
 
 That opened Wards which eafily 
 
 Would not give way without: her minde, 
 
 With heavenly thoughts she thus rerin'd. 
 
 
 XXXI, 
 
66 
 
 The exemplary Life, mi lament ei 
 
 What good 
 Books fhe 
 read) and 
 what was 
 her evening 
 and morning 
 Work. 
 
 XXXI. 
 
 The Works of Wat [on, Shepherd, Love, 
 Goodwin, and Spurflow, to improve 
 Was her endeavour and delight, 
 As much as might be, day and night. 
 Some one of thefe fhe alwayeskept 
 At her Beds head, and Yore fhe flept, 
 Did read an hour and fometimes more, 
 That laden with a precious ftore, 
 She might take reft, and when her eves 
 Firft open 'd , 'fore fhe 5 gan to rife, 
 She did revolve what fhe had read. 
 The. night before within her Red. 
 While in the morning others flept, 
 She meditated, prafd, and wept. 
 
 XXXII. 
 
 Sins of omijfien many times, 
 Sins ofomif- Touch'd her a* much a* ailed crimes. 
 [ton trouble If fhe were heavy , dead, or dull 
 her. At Holy Duties, it did pull 
 
 Her heart much more with inward grief, 
 Than if by hands of wretched Thief 
 Her choice fl treasures all were loft, 
 Wherein was greatest worth and cosh. 
 
 XXXIII. 
 
 Her delight When Sabbaths came or Sacrament , 
 in the Sab- Her devout foul ihznftrongty went 
 
 T« 
 
Death tf Mrs. Sufanna Perwich. 6j 
 
 To celebrate thofe bleffed feafons, hath, and 
 
 With ardent zeal: no carnal xezfons the duties 
 
 Prevail'd with her, to take her off • of it. 
 Nor aking head, nor painful cough 
 
 XXXIV. 
 
 Could ever cool her hot affection , ^e r ees A 
 
 Yet ft ill complain d of imperfection nee & f 
 
 In all her duties, and then cry'd, C^ ri fi %n *&* 
 
 Oh wo to me 1 had not Chrifi dy'd 
 
 To purifie my hoi; things : 
 
 Thus by her Faith fhe often brings, 
 
 What Chiift had done mdfuffer'd too, 
 
 To her own heart ; and this ihe'd do . 
 
 Continually, on all occafions, 
 
 When Satan came with his invahons. 
 
 XXXV. 
 
 Pure Doilrine , 'ffijhif , Difcipline , ^ * '*™- 
 
 In her fouls eye did brightly (liine. ful about 
 
 To f A*/* her heart was/i endear' d, drift's pure 
 
 That rA«V pollutions she much feai'd. #M%. 
 
 XXXVI. 
 
 Sighing she faid, O how shall I She fears 
 
 Suffer for Chrift / him to deny her own 
 
 How grievous is't 1 and yet how w^i^ ftreng-th if 
 
 Am I to bear / fure 't will fbon break ca n ec i t0 
 
 My feeble fyint in bonds to lye, fufferin*. 
 When I am cail'd to tcftifie' * 
 
 The 
 
70 The exemplary Life, and lamented 
 
 The truths I own : the times may come, 
 When z fierce cruel Martyrdom, 
 May true Believers portion be ; 
 And if it chance to fall on me* 
 What shall I do ? Vtnfull of care, 
 Left I in fuferlngs hfe my share. 
 And yet I tremble at the thought 
 Of thofe fad forrows may be brought 
 Upon me, for the Gofpel's fake, 
 Of which I now profejfion make. 
 However I will learn to trufi 
 Him whofe performances are juft, 
 His many gracious Promises 
 Contain in thtra great follaces y 
 Which ne're yet fall'd, when trufled on, 
 And by true faith rely'd upon. 
 Befides I'm much refreshed by 
 The thoughts of that good Company, 
 Which in their fufferings altogether, 
 Will much encourage one anotner* 
 
 XXXVII. 
 
 She had ma- Many there were fought her good mil , 
 ny prefers for Rich, handfom, beautiful, but iftili 
 marriage. She them refused, she ne're wJuld Wed. 
 Or cared for the marriage Bed, 
 Till fuch a one a Suiter came, 
 That felt the love, adord the Name 
 Of her dear Cod ? till she could fay 5 
 
Death of Mrs. Sufanna Perwich. 
 He was a mm could warmly pray i 
 And firfi in Chrlfts own boiom lay, 
 
 XXXVIII. 
 
 Sofweet she was, courteous and kind , 
 And in all hearts to much entwlnd % 
 That wbofoever knew her would 
 Do to the tttmsft what they could, 
 With Father, Mother, to prevail 
 For her Converge : they would nor fail, 
 "As oft as might be, her to get 
 Abroad with them, mdfcarce would let 
 Her return home in many dayes, 
 Deiiring rather she alwiyes 
 Mighty?^ with them. But oh the fate / 
 That by fuch means she tele of late / 
 For when at a friends houfe she meets, 
 And lodgeth there, behold damp sheets 
 Cling clofe about her in the Bed, 
 At which she waking faid, Vm dead : 
 And fo it proved, alas ! for wo / 
 At thought on't I'm afflicted i'o / 
 That brlnljb tears drop from mine eyes' > 
 My heart with throbs, and Inward cryes, 
 All broken is ! what shall I fay ? 
 She's thus untimely fnatcht away / 
 Shall I the carelefs Maid go blame f 
 And tell her what a horrid shame, 
 It is, that by her negligence, 
 So choice a one is loft from hence ? 
 
 F Alas 
 
 7* 
 
 Her compa- 
 ny was loved , 
 and much 
 deflred by 
 friends. 
 
 Her ficknefs 
 unto death, 
 with the oc- 
 casion of it „ 
 
j Z The exemplary Life, and lament* A 
 
 Alas ! alas ! it is no boot, 
 She wzs permitted thus todo't, 
 God's own o're-rHllng Providence 
 Waspteas'ditfelf^/a to difpenfe. 
 
 XXXIX. 
 
 T h ma rT What l therefore shal1 further do > 
 of herpckc Will out fad griefs yet more renew, 
 nejs.and bow Ifl tdUng wha( . her ^ w y> ms> 
 
 gnevoHi. ^ n ^ tnat tncre i n s he lay ev'n as 
 
 Upon a r*cJ^, in torments great, 
 
 Thzpain whereof made tar tofweat, 
 
 And *« to n»f*p 'bout her beds fide, 
 
 And with out floods raife a /«// tide. 
 
 XL. 
 
 Her patience Gd i ° God ' she oFten cr y' d > 
 f f H i m \c And on his Goodnefs (till rely'd, 
 
 /- "* . To be [upported and preferv'd, 
 
 [tonunto J rr. . r j > 
 
 ri .* A*r Till she with Patience hilly ferv d 
 
 // / *!L »' W 7 *W i ? «P* W her grief 
 all her pains. / ♦ £• 
 
 r 7 »/j was to her a ^rat reher , 
 To think that frill Wr/>/» his hand 
 Shzfafely lodgd, and his command 
 As nmch obey'd in what she felt, 
 As when upon her £j?m she knelt. 
 Nofromird word, fell from her lips , 
 When tortures wrefted hands and hips, 
 Couvulftvc motions, Mother fits, 
 Nerv forrows night and day besets, 
 
 And 
 
Death of Mrs. SufannaPerwich. 73 
 
 And yet (h^sjllent, 'caufe (lie knows, 
 'Twas God alone that fent thefe throws. 
 
 XL I. 
 
 One time a little fear her fei'2'd, ^ r /<w*i *f 
 
 But prefently her heart was eas'd, /wr c0/#<r/, • • 
 
 As careful (landers by did find hut vanlfk- 
 
 By th'frveet expreffions of her rnind. eth again. 
 
 Shall I think God hath mzforfaken 
 Salthjhe} fince Chrlft the W hath taken 
 Of allmjfas ; no, Fie not dread 
 Nor fa, nor Satan, whzn I'm dead, 
 I */0»£f »# , but in 5///} to be, 
 And beatlfick^ Vifio;>s lee, 
 
 XL II. 
 
 When God was pleas'd her to revive 
 
 A little, and make her alive J / er !»***: 
 
 Again, as 'twere, from/ww of death, f nlne \ s wh /f 
 
 Thefe words jlie utter'd at next breath. * UnU €a S ed - 
 
 Pray Sifter tell me, what's the date 
 
 Of this good day? Tie celebrate 
 
 Its menVry , if I logger live, 
 
 And God (lull pleafe more time to give. 
 
 Then thee and Pie both flrlveto be 
 
 Better by far', the world fhall fee, 
 
 Our bufaefs is in qrace to grow, 
 
 And hand in hand to Heaven go. 
 
 F 2 XLIIL 
 
74 The exemplary Llfe y and lamented 
 
 XL I II. 
 
 She calls for J he * aft ^f/ i'th'month i of June, 
 r • j t Finding her ielf much out of tune, 
 
 ^taTe leave of And that her dms *S an t0 dravP *&> 
 them When (he uadoukedly muft dye, 
 
 Her Father, Mother, Sifters all 
 
 At midnight {he thought fit to call, 
 
 Of them to take her jolemn /**«/*, 
 
 And fo go haften to receive 
 
 A better life, when this fhould end, 
 
 As God at this time did intend, 
 
 XLIV. 
 
 Herfpeeches ^ or fe v '* a l hours fitch exhortation 
 to them. ^he gave them all, to admiration. 
 Speeches fo grave, fo wife, fo good. 
 And all fo plainly undeiftood, 
 Sofage,foferlous, fo religious y 
 So full of prudence, fo ingenious, 
 That every word went to the heart 
 Of thofe that heard them, every part 
 Of her dlfcourfe fo profited, 
 That all the while their tears were died 
 So much the faster y and the thought 
 This precious Life could not be bought 
 At any rate, but muft be loft 
 From all friends here, O how it collr 
 Thoufands of groans all that night long ! 
 At every word fell from her tongue. 
 
 XLV. 
 
Death of Mrs. Sufanna Perwicfa. 7; 
 
 XLV. 
 
 When foe had fpoke her mind at large , Her Leva- 
 And to all there had given charge, c ; es i e j t \ 
 
 Of lovejweet unity , znd peace memorial o c 
 
 Afcer ihe foould have her t eleafe fa r ^ 
 
 From /tf«<*, then with her Fathers leave, 
 'Twas her defire each foould receive 
 Some token from her, to be kept 
 By them that round about her wept. 
 Her Rings, her Books, her Infiruments , 
 
 Her W?ri^f, her C loath s, her Ornaments, 
 Of every [ort, foe parted fo , 
 That every one their o#« might know. 
 XLV I. 
 
 But among all her Legacies , Efpecialiy 
 
 Some of the very befi werethefe. thofetothe 
 
 To the young Ladles of the School, Gentlewomen 
 
 The holy Scriptures Crlftal pool oftheSchool. 
 
 She did commend, to w*/fc their eyes, 
 
 When ihzyfirft in the mornings rile. 
 
 Byfweet devotions {he defir'd , 
 
 They'd labour to get their hearts fir'd 
 
 As oft as might be; wanton Book* 
 
 To throw away, and fober looks 
 
 Bring alwayes when they did attend 
 
 The/^MV^ Ordnance, and to fpend 
 
 Their preclons time on the Lord's Day , 
 
 Not in W» drejfings, but to pr^, 
 
 Kofcfc, meditate, and fo improve 
 
 Thofe Wy hours in vt*reft love 
 
 F 3 To 
 
7 6 The exemplary Life, and lamented 
 
 To heavenly things. Thus far she went. 
 And then began'to be quite fpent. 
 
 XLVIL 
 
 Her mind is ^htm friend ask'd her how she found 
 Heaven* Her felf next d.iy ? with a low found 
 ward, ' ^he faid, I go to Heaven, I 
 
 Now haft en thither, thither flye 
 
 As f aft us may be, on the wings 
 
 Oi faith and hope^ntiz Angels lings. 
 
 Yet after this fhe lingred out 
 
 Another jW/ whole week^ about, 
 
 And fome hours more, mtorments great, 
 
 Yet notperceiv'd at all to fret 
 
 Againft Gods hand, but quietly 
 
 %efigndhzt Mi in peace to dye, 
 
 XLVIII. 
 
 On Mmday Morning 'fore the dy'd 5 
 She feretels Tw0 daj;s and half fat often cry'd , 
 the hour of And then flull f()ul be at re £ 
 her Death, In my Lords y^ and be ^ 
 
 which fro Sfofaidfc and it proved fo , 
 
 jed accord- Ag if hgr Loyd ^ pleas > d t0 ^ 
 
 ingly. Thisfecret to her, for at noon 
 
 Next Wednefday , her breath, how foon 
 Was't gone f in a we al^/i lent groan , 
 And we left mourning all alone ! 
 You that late toll'd her p*fftng-bell, 
 May haften now to ring her Knell. 
 
 She's* 
 
Death of Mrs, Sufanna Perwich. 7? 
 
 She's deadahz's <&W!there's no more hope 
 Of her Life here, the onely Scope 
 She aim'd at, now fhe doth enjoy, 
 Whilft fore afflictions us annoy. 
 
 XLIX. 
 
 All {be fought was a better Life , She is whol* 
 
 And to become the Lambs dear Wife. ly taken up 
 His Jewels, Bracelets, righteous %obes , wh 
 Hi* blood, his Spirit, his starry Globes , thoughts of 
 Her eye and heart were eager after ; Chnfl, and 
 
 The hopes of thefe fill'd her with laughter coming to 
 Amidft the mmyfcreekj and tears, htm. 
 
 She met with from the King of fears. 
 Faith, Love, Humility, each grace 
 Shin'd bright in h^r, the lovely face 
 Of her dear Lord whzn firft (lie ipy'd, 
 She car'd not then how foonjhe dy d. 
 That thus adorn d (he might be bold 
 To ftand before him, and behold 
 Thole radiatures that olitter there, 
 Where the eternal blips are. 
 How/W/r her motions were! that thither 
 She might come richly laden, whither 
 Pure f pir its fiye, till fhehad got 
 The place where lay her goodly lot. . 
 How reftlefs was fhe ! therefore flies 
 On wings of Angels 'bove the skies, 
 Before we thought ont, up {he goes, 
 In qloriom Chariots, where no foes 
 8 F 4 Of 
 
■ft The exemplary Life, and lamented 
 
 Of fin or death moleft her more , 
 ' Which wracked her here with pains fo fore. 
 
 L. 
 
 The lamen- While ihe lyes dead upon the floor, 
 tatlon over How friends itand weeping at the door / 
 her dead While ilieis in her Night clothes dreft y 
 body upon How fweet her /miles are 'bove the reft 
 the floor. Tnat yet furvive / , how many knifes 
 
 On her dead face ! there's none that miffes 
 To take their farewel. Oh ! how many 
 Came crowding in .' there was net any 
 But longd to lee her once again, 
 While ihe above ground did remain. 
 VJhu floods of tears there now did meet 
 On her pale cheeky, and winding-fkeet ! 
 All eyes about her full of bubbles, 
 And all their hearts too, full of troubles. 
 They wring their hands, lift up their voice 
 Aloud in cryes y and mournful noiie. 
 
 LI. 
 
 The neigh- And now when thzfe fad tydmgs came 
 J<?*rj &wwwr Abroad i'th'Tw*, and when the fame 
 her loft. g e g an t0 ^ rf ^ t j, c C ' lt y rounc i 5 
 
 And the whole Country. Oh the found / 
 Of deep fetcht fighs that you might hear, 
 In ev'ry place ! how many a tear 
 Fell from the eyes of all that knew, 
 How great, how fire this iofs / more true, 
 
 And 
 
Death of Mrs. Sufanna Perwich. 
 And general griefs were never known, 
 In any age, for fuch an one. 
 She liv'd defir d,lamented dy'd, 
 Who lov'd her now 'twas fully trfd : 
 Both far and neer all England 6* re 
 She'l be bewaiVd by thousands more. 
 
 LI I. 
 No V other e're more dearly lov'd 
 A child; no child yet ever prov'd 
 More gracious, dutiful, and tender 
 To a dear Father, fhe would render 
 What e're to xh'utmoft {lie could give. 
 To make her Father's comforts live : 
 The chief ftaff of his age fhe was, 
 The greateflftay. Alas / alas / 
 VJhztftayes are thefe to lean upon / 
 Broken fo foon ! and {ofoon gone ! 
 
 LI II. 
 
 At her fad parting Funeral, 
 
 What numrom eyes were weeping all/ 
 
 What akjng hearts ! what heavy looks ! 
 
 What oversowing fpreading brooks 
 
 O? f urging follows ! mourning blacks, 
 
 Scarfs, Gloves, Wine's given, nothing lacks 
 
 To celebratcthe Obfequies 
 
 Of her that thus lamented dyes. 
 
 Great pitty 'twas, faid old and young, 
 
 As lhe i'th'room flood them among, 
 
 In 
 
 79 
 
 How dutiful 
 fhe was and 
 tender of her 
 aged Father, 
 
 Her Funeral 
 folemnity* 
 
8 o The exemplary Life, and lamcntel 
 
 In Velmt Herfe, with Garlands crown' d. 
 And her Companions weeping round. 
 Friends, Neighbours, and acquaintance all 
 Came flocking in both great and [mall , 
 To mourn for this rare flower of youth, 
 And follow her to the graves mouth. 
 At her Interments lamentation, 
 So crowded was the Congregation, 
 That He the Word did then dlfpenfe 
 Scarce faw a greater audience, 
 On fuch occahon, in that place : 
 'Tts Hackney Church, where \\tx facet face 
 Now hiddenlyzs, cover'd with duft, 
 While her blefifoul among thejuit 
 Sings and triumphs. Well / lTie is gone, 
 What now remains more to be done I 
 Though her grief s end, our agonies 
 Thus now begin fad Elegies. 
 
 LIV. 
 
 Veep fighs / torn hearts/ wet eyes ! bemoan 
 The Mlftrlsoi owi joyes ; each groan 
 Lament the lofs that Agesyifr 
 N'ere knew fo n tifold, make haft 
 Tq drop your Pearls upon her Heife, 
 And caufe her live in mournful Verfe. 
 Come Parents dear, weep o're your child, 
 On which you have fo often fmird. 
 Come MufickjJM asters, hear the tone 
 She nils forth in her dying groaa. 
 
 Come 
 
Death of Mrs. Sufanna Perwich. 
 Come Ladies lay your Ivory hand 
 On hztfofc skin, a while here ftand, 
 To fee what difference ikknefs makes 
 On fairest beauties, when it takes 
 Colour, znd frefhnefs quite away, 
 As 'twill from all of you one day. 
 Come Brethren, Sifters, Kindred all , 
 And fee how vain it is to call 
 Her back again, fne hears no more y 
 Now lhe's arriv'd at th' other fhore. 
 Come Strangers which fo ravlfh "d were 
 With many a curious dainty Air, 
 That fhe was wont to melodise 
 Into your ears, before your eyes. 
 Come young ones fee what here lyes cropr, 
 A Rofe in'ts bloom, the Tree is lopt, 
 While yet the fruit remain'd upon't, 
 Before' t had time to ripen on't. 
 Come all her old acquaintances, 
 See now in deaths black ballances 
 What your weight is, when life is gone, 
 It may be your own cafe anon. 
 Come Virgins wreath your flowers about 
 Your Garlands, as you carry her cut. 
 Your turns will come ere long to go, 
 The. fame way too, it mult be 10. 
 Take Patterns from her Virtues rare , 
 That you with her in blifs may iliare. 
 
 LV, 
 
8 s The exemplary Life, and lamented 
 
 LV. 
 
 Mean while, Alas ! what fhall we fay, 
 
 From whom fhe*s now thus fled away ? 
 
 The fables of the darkefi night 
 
 Take place while fhe is out of fight , 
 
 The beauteous heaven ne're fhed jttch beams , 
 
 As flowed from her in golden ftreams. 
 
 LufiersofCjrace oiit-fhine the rayes 
 
 Of the bright Sun, ev'n at noon dayes, 
 
 Now theje abfenting difappear , 
 
 What have we left our hearts to cheer ? 
 
 The Garden which fhe vifited , 
 
 No (Jarden is now/fois dead. 
 
 No Walks, no Arbors, beds of flowers 
 
 Smcl facet, no artificial bowers 
 
 Give m content , now jbe is gone, 
 
 And we left in them all alone. 
 
 Within doors there's no Company , 
 
 For want of her Society. 
 
 Her Jingle J "elf was more than many,. 
 
 Too fill her room up there's not any , 
 
 8 Mong our remaining focials left, 
 
 Alas ! alas f we are bereft, 
 
 Of fuch zfall Confort in one, 
 
 That alloai Mujickj no>v are gone. 
 
 Ltste, Viol, Song-book^, altogether, 
 
 Cannot make up fuch another. 
 
 Where once her meafuringfeet did tread, 
 
 AU* I we now our tears do fhed, 
 
 And 
 
Death of Mrs. Sufanna Perwich. 83 
 
 And wet the floor , our trembllnghzms 
 In forr owing motions a 61 their parts. 
 No Dances, Voices, Leffons, more, 
 We muft expect from her ; our fore 
 Is very grievous I who can tell 
 How fuch 7?ro»g paflions to repel ? 
 Which in renewed [urges rife, 
 From our fad hearts and watry eyes. 
 
 LVI. 
 
 Mother 
 
 Indeed if fhe could once again 
 
 appear as formerly, our pain 
 
 Would /00a* ajfwage ; her warbling arm, € **' 
 
 Soft touch jweet Wf^would quickly charm 
 
 Our doleful plaints, her Mufick^flralns 
 
 More cordial were than all the grains 
 
 Qtrlcb Ingredients Doctors give, 
 
 To make their dying Tatlents live. 
 
 If precious, Powders, Pearls, or Gold 
 
 Could fave Life, fhe had Uvd till old. 
 
 No Syrrups, Liquors, Jullps, Gems, 
 
 Can fo far fap dry wither'd ilems, 
 
 As to revive them, one cold breath 
 
 Quite kills them, from the mouth of death. 
 
 But ftay a while, methinks I hear 
 
 Her rare fet melodies fo clear, 
 
 As if her own well tuned head, 
 
 At found thereof™/? from the dead. 
 
 Others when neither heart nor life 
 
 Seem'd to remain in them, the firlfe 
 
84 The exemplary Llfe y and lamented 
 
 Betwixt her hand, and Inftrument^ 
 So fill'd them with a rare content, 
 That out otdeepeftfadnefs they 
 Cheerful and pleafant went away. 
 And may not fuch ejfetls as thefe 
 Give m alio a little eafe ? 
 From th^ fame CMuJickj ? Alas / no / 
 All that now proves but a vain fliow. 
 
 LVII. 
 
 What once we heard, mutt hear no more. 
 Our bufinefs now is to deplore 
 What cannot be recall' d y a.ndflrlve y 
 To do as (he did when alive. 
 Pr^, Read y Dlfcourfe y and Meditate 
 Of what concerns out future ft it z. 
 This was for bw^ , her great efl joy , 
 She counted all the world a toy > y 
 Compar'd with rfo*. Her heavenly King 
 She longd to go to, longd to iing 
 In that had Chorus, tweeter layes, 
 And from her foul tune higher praife , 
 Then lungs or fingers here could make , 
 Even then when ofc her he d did ake. 
 Her Viol -(trains y her Vocal hits' , 
 We ne're would mifs with our good wills, 
 Though fhe was wont oft to complain, 
 She play'd zw&fxng in no j mall pain. 
 willing fhe was at any time , 
 To help fuck heart S) as fain Wduld climb 
 
towards , 
 Heaven, 
 
 Death of Mrs. Sufanna Peivvich. 85 
 
 Into celeftial thoughts, all thefe, 
 In lovetoChrift, foe lov'd to pleafe. 
 Thinking no better ufe could be, 
 Of her fweet Mujickj harmony. 
 
 LVIII. 
 At laft when fhe had run her race ^ rr 
 
 Alottedhere,flie//^' apace 
 To her dear God, with many a groan 
 She cryes to (Sm % and makes her moan, 
 That weary of this world fhe'd fain 
 Return heifpirit to him again. 
 And fo fhe did, to Heaven lhe hy'd, 
 Where now fhe lives Chrifts joyful bride. 
 His ornaments are now upon her , 
 His glorious eyes now fixed on her, 
 Before under hzt pained head, 
 While fhe lay in her dying bed, 
 His arms enclofed her a but nor* 
 He hath fulfill'd his marriage vow , 
 And taking her up to his Throne , 
 Gives thonf and f miles for every groan. 
 With new embraces , fellaces 
 
 He kindly now her companies. 
 
 In ftead of this worlds clam'rous noife, 
 
 Muchfweeter Mufick feeds her joyes. 
 
 Her fongs are now all Hallelujah, 
 
 To her eternal King Jehojah. 
 
 Oh thither let ouijouls defire 
 
 In divine ardours now expire. 
 
 1IX. 
 
8 6 The exemplary Life, and lamented 
 
 LIX. 
 
 But (hall I leave her thus ? Ah no! 
 
 A review of Methinks I cannot let her go. 
 
 her* Methinks I fee her in the JValhj 
 
 About the Garden, where ihe talks 
 With her own foul, unto her Lord 
 Qitinkjweet things which in his word 
 She then and there had newly read „ 
 And therewith her heart fully fed. 
 Methinks I fee her in the room, 
 Where {he was daily wont to come, 
 At meal times ftiil, with fome good Boole^ y 
 Which alwayes ihe 'long with her took. 
 Within her hand, under her arm , 
 That ihe her yre ciopts foul from harm 
 Might faf ely keep, while thus employ 'd, 
 All her life time untill ihe dy'd. 
 Methinks I fee her in the front , 
 'Mong the young Ladies ihe was wont 
 To lead up, on the dancing dayes, 
 When friends zndfirangers came alwayer, 
 Methinks I fee her take the Viol, . 
 That fuch as would have no denial^ 
 She might in great civility, 
 With hzifweet Mufich^ fatisfie. 
 Methinks I fee her, here and there \ 
 Above, ^/Wy^/r/, every where, 
 With pleafant look, with cheerful eye, 
 And kind falutes, ftill paffing by. 
 
 AImI 
 
Death of Mrs. Sufanna Perwich, $7 
 
 Alas! alas! fhall I no more 
 See her, as I was wont before / 
 She's gone \ (he's gone ! what lliall I fay ? 
 We muft <?# follow the fame Way. 
 Who knows how foon .?, we muft all come> 
 As well as foe to the cold tomb. 
 
 LX. 
 
 Shall we then any more delay An €xhm + 
 
 Speedy repentance ? fince each day, , t ; „ t0 repsn , 
 
 Each hour, each minute, may cut off tance an ^ 
 
 Our thread of life ? (ince one fmall cough p re t,^ ra ti e n 
 
 May ^jwV^/y wafte us ? or coniumption for death* 
 
 Soon end us ? Oh / let no prefumption 
 
 Poffefs the healthy ^ lufty y youngs 
 
 Though ne*refo well) though ne're [o ftrong? 
 
 In flower of Age, in heat of youth , 
 
 In vigor, frejh. *fs y yet how doth 
 
 Death feize on ihem with his cold blafte; 
 
 And caufe them/^Z/at's foot as fall 
 
 As leaves from Trees} fears he to blow 
 
 On any mortal wight ? ah no ! 
 
 Whep their nWjfpeat,and hour is come., 
 
 To others they mull yeeld their room. 
 
 What do we talk of weeks y dayes, hours > 
 
 When we can't fay one moments ours ; 
 
 The dlftance 'twixt our life and death y 
 
 Js'tany fl^r* than one fhort breath? 
 
 G LXI, 
 
88 The exemplary L ife> and lamented 
 
 LXI. 
 
 The rlcheft randoms cannot give 
 No poffible ^z great eft Dons the leatt reprieve. 
 exemption No heaps of gold) no Qounfels deep, 
 from death Q zn an ^ one f rorn z ^ rave ]< ee p^ 
 to any, how ^ h oneftrs ^ beauties, riches, wealth, 
 good or great jyifdom or learning can give health, 
 joever. Oifave ones life a moment more, 
 
 Then was appointed long before. 
 As goodnefs, ib nor greatnefs can 
 Prolong the time of our fhort fpan. 
 Duke* yNobles^Ear Is, Kings, Princes, Queens 
 As well as others, <W/?.f black fcreens 
 Shall furelyvitit, the/tf#^fhades 
 They muft pafs through,/**;* dii'mal glades 
 Shall feize on them too, they {hall have 
 Experience of the darkjom grave. 
 Where fmell, nor colour in their duft 
 Shall make a difference, they tf//muft 
 Be equall there ; Scepters and Spades 
 Are ?»«£■/? *w 0W, where ^*r/j invades. 
 Cjyants and lfo£*.r are both alike 
 To him, when his ^» darts do ftrike , 
 He gives to all a conquering charge , 
 And in that war there's no difcharge. 
 Monarchs and Beggars iht fame ftate 
 Have after long, or later date. 
 Nor -fo?^.r,nor Crowns, nor fplendid Thrones 
 Fence <&>/*/ hearts from dying groans. 
 
 No 
 
Death of Mrs. SufannaPerwich. 8p 
 
 No Kingdoms , Armies, Empires can 
 Here prlvlledge the might I eft man. f$flfc 
 Then midft great banquets, farts, and p/r*- 
 Should not mz great eft Prince find leifuie, 
 To meditate on tbis/Wfate, 
 *Which him alfo early or late, 
 Moll certainly will/*?/*,* upon ? 
 He nz'iz grows wife till */>#■ be done. 
 
 LXII. 
 
 This being To, and needs muft be T/>* exhor- 
 
 Without prevention, as We lee, tat Ion to 
 
 Shall kv remain ft III in the deep prepare for 
 
 Of finsfecurlty • and deep ^Wj r*-^ 
 
 Onr f elves to death ? Avail jw not rife forced. 
 With cjulcksft fpeed,and r#£ our eyes ? 
 That we may clearly fee the way, 
 Where we were wont to go aftray, 
 It to avoid ? and chufe the road, 
 That they went in, whofe bleft abode , 
 Is now in Heaven ? if we do not 
 Thus here, even as our bodies rot 
 In {lime 2nd filth, our fouls alio 
 JLaden with fin, to Hi?// muft go. 
 
 LXII I. 
 
 Should we not then be alwayes ready How to be- 
 
 When death us calls ? and with a fteady come fit to 
 ,Hand of true faith take zftrong hold dye, and the 
 
 On Chrlft ? that fo we may be bold fruit oflu 
 
 G 2 Deaths 
 
90 The exemplary Life^and lamented 
 
 ^Deaths face to look, on without fear, 
 When e're he fhall to m appear ? 
 Ghaftly md grim his vifage is, 
 Yet he fhali fend us up to blifs. 
 His killing darts, his cruel flings 
 Ne're hurt xhtgood, no terror brings. 
 Falthy Hollnefsy Sincerity 
 Makes death a precious Legacy 
 To graciom hearts ; it them tranfmits 
 Thither where each believer fits 
 Surrounded with moft glorious grace, 
 Reflected from his Saviours face. 
 And where now/fo'j in high content, 
 Whom we Mow here thtn lament. 
 
 A feriotts 
 exhortation 
 to the (Jen* 
 tlewomen^ 
 that either 
 are or have 
 been of the 
 SchooL 
 
 LXIV. 
 
 Now you young Ladles of the Schoof , 
 Left your affections grow too cool. 
 Sit down, confder well your cafe, 
 Have any of yon firmer place 
 Thznpce ? in this worlds tottering frame 
 Are not you all o'th' very fame 
 Mould as fhe was f may not pur lot 
 Be th* very next to her ? are not 
 Thzfame infirmities in you ? 
 5^w^ weakrrefs , frailties, caufes too 
 Of fin and death > have you exemption 
 More than the reft ? can a redemption 
 Bz gained foi you more than other , , 
 By power, ox favour y 'bove another ? 
 
 Tel! 
 
Death of Mrs. Sufanna Perwich . 5> / 
 
 Tell me, what is the priviledge 
 That you can for your / elves allege ? 
 Are you young ? handfom ? beautiful ? 
 Could notjfoiay as much to th' full 
 As moft of you ? have you rare farts > 
 Or are you skill'd in curious Arts 
 In Works ? or Mujickj ? any thing ? 
 That's excellent ? can you flay > ftng ? 
 [Beyond all humane exf eolation. 
 Even unto great eft admiration } 
 Ail this {he did, and yet we fee, 
 Her undtr ftrokj of death to be. 
 Have you more honours ? riches } wealth ? 
 A greater thare in ftrength or health ? 
 Well .' be it fo ; will this avail 
 To give you refcue ? will death fail 
 Onz moment of his time ? or will 
 He make long (by for you, untill 
 You ready are ; at your requcft ? 
 And (offarejou above the reft ? . 
 What warrant have you fbr't ? will he 
 ftygreateft offers £r/M be f 
 Or will he at youiftern command 
 forbear a while, and make a ftand ? 
 If this would caufe him not to yrY/^ , 
 Or difafj>ear y then fore 'tis like, 
 Nor £»•*#, nor /»**//, rich,foor would dye, 
 But either would command or £#7 
 £if* for themfelves, and ftill re ne» 
 Or words. oxgifts y as &»prj grew 
 
 G 3 from 
 
p2 The exemplary Life, and lamented 
 
 from their difeafes y or eld age, 
 What e're they had, they'd ftill engage 
 'Hgw furns^ for a new term of years, 
 To fave them from the King of fears. 
 . But let's not bz deceived, Alas / 
 Such fine expedient never was 
 Yet pra£lifed y nor never will, 
 But we undoubtedly {hall ftill 
 Find that blacky fate irrevocable. 
 Still like hlmfelf, inexorable. 
 If Fathers fighs, or Cfri'others groans, 
 I fdear Relations doleful moans, 
 If friends bewailing round about 
 Could keep out ikknefs, drive death out- 
 If brinifh tears or lamentations , 
 Or the moft fervent invocations ; 
 If \uzPhyjitians care and -^7/, 
 Or rich eft Coniials in the bill 
 That he prefcrib'd, could hivz prevail* d 
 Her to preferve, we had not fail'd 
 Of our defire, fhe had not dy'd, 
 Nor we fobitterly have cry'd 
 For ouifadjefs • what then remains ? 
 But that with alt your might and pains 
 You haft *n, and your felves apply 
 7 o live fo^ai-nat fear to dye. 
 She you a lively pattern gave , 
 So feriom was (ne, and io grave, 
 Sd humble , /w/y, heavenly , 
 So wwi& in duties conftantly, 
 
 So 
 
Death of Mrs. Sufanna Perwich. p$ 
 
 So little minded (he the pleaf "ares, 
 The hottfe afforded, 01 earths treafures ; 
 So weaned from this world below , 
 So faft (he did to glory go ; 
 And all this daily in par fight, 
 Early i'th' morning, late at night ; 
 That if you do not imitate 
 Thefe her rich qualities, your fate 
 Will be moft lamentable • you 
 Of all the re sir that moft her knew, 
 Take heed 70/* do not carelefly 
 Let flip the opportunity , 
 That yet you have, the precious feafon 
 Of grace that yet remains, what reafon 
 Have you to look for happinefs , 
 Unlefs you prallife Holinefs ? 
 As hte fhe did, while yet alive. 
 Sweet 'Ladies, I befeech you ftrive 
 To be like her, get her renown , 
 That you in Heaven may wear a Crewn y 
 As fhe now doth . Oh givtfweet reft 
 To JefusChnft betwixt your breaft* 
 Let him your bofom-ievoel be, 
 He was to her ; I fain would fee 
 You all enfiam 9 d with the /^ love , 
 That/fo to f&fc* £<?r £or^ above 
 Had alwayes burning in her heart; 
 O labour here to aft her part. 
 Her Legacy do not forget, 
 Which (he among thofe ;>w/j fet 
 
 G 4 She 
 
£4 We exempli yLlfe^and lamMeA 
 
 She valued mofi y and left to you , 
 Her memory fometimes to renew. 
 Pray'dfhe infecret ? do you go 
 Infecret too y and pray you fo. 
 Did/fo much love to read and hedr 
 Cods holy Word ? and many a tear 
 Shed from a broken heart ? did {he 
 Alwayes with God delight to be ? 
 In holy thought s y infweet Communion^ 
 In neer acqu aintance,y?r /#<?/? union f 
 Oh that I could perfwade you all 
 Unto the fame ! ©h that the call 
 Which her example gives you, might 
 So ww^upon you in the fight, 
 Of all that know you, that it may 
 Occafien all your friends to fay, 
 Though her removal be your crofs y 
 Yet 'tis your gain, and not your lofs. 
 
 LXV. 
 
 A particular ^ere <fear<r/? love y moftfeeet content 
 
 j \. L >/ Have loft rfo/r <?£/>#, where the ^/*t 
 advice to a l ^. rn /r n- \ r 
 
 * „ v t-M vtftrona affeUions want the fcope 
 neer Rela- ~, J & J } . , - *T 
 
 They us d to aim at, where the hope _ 
 
 Of fome m*r, c/w/V* delight doth /*//, 
 
 And where w comforts can prevail, 
 
 To £#*«? and compofe the mind, 
 
 The 0;?/^ remedy I find, 
 
 Is prefently to haften from 
 
 The mxd-drfdjfream; and hafte to come 
 
 To 
 
Death of Mrs. Sufanna Perwich, 
 To thtfweet fountain o£i[\ good, 
 Where it will beft be underitood, 
 How deep our forrows are, how great 
 Our unknown troubles^ what's the heat 
 Of our inordinate defires, 
 And thofe hot fcorching burning fires 
 Thit flame within us ? Oh let's there 
 Drench deep, refrefh our fouls, take care 
 To quench our droughts, thence take relief? 
 That may give eafe to all our griefs. 
 A fountain 'tis fo calm y fo cool , 
 So healing too y a filver pool 
 Soclear, fofrefh y fo pleafant tafle 
 It gives to all, that we but rvafle 
 Our precious time while we refufe 
 Its dainty ftr earns ; oh let us chufe 
 This fafe, fure help, above all others 
 That Brethren, Sifters, Fathers, Mothers, 
 Can us afford, in our diftrefs. 
 All put together give much lefs 
 Support or comfort, one fmall drop 
 Fiom this highfpring , down from the top 
 Of that gold Mountain where it runs, 
 Gives more refreshments than whole tuns 
 Of thefe low muddy waters here , 
 Even when they feem to run mofl clear. 
 If we then hafte to wajh, bath, drinks 
 Of this /aw font, we ne're (hall (ink 
 I 'th' Sea of our own paffions wide , 
 But bear up 'gainft the ttrongeft tvde 
 
 Or 
 
 95 
 
The exemplary Life, and lamented 
 Of farrows, while this is the helm 
 Of our hopes , what can overwhelm 
 Or drown us f we (hall never fplit 
 Our Ship with (helves , oifands, oihh 
 Againft hard rockj, no bolftrous blafls, 
 Oi f urging ft or ms ihall hurt our mads. 
 Where doleful plaints Immoderate are, 
 And endlefs, thefe aloud declare 
 We lov'd too much what we lament 
 In fitch excefs, and mull: repent 
 Of this great tin, fhall we not reft 
 In what God doth, as ever bell > 
 Shall we not fuffer him fulfill 
 His own all-wife and f over aigh will ? 
 Are we fo angry 'caufe the flower 
 Is cropt by him, who hath the power 
 To take his own when e're he pleafe f 
 What though we plead fuch things as thefe? 
 Ah / 'twas a h*owet,fofweet,fo fair, 
 So beautiful, fo choice, fo rare , 
 A flower we lov'd to look upon 
 With great delight, that flower alone, 
 Which we rejojc'd in meft of all, 
 Above the reft on the round ball. 
 Well't may be fo ; perhaps weflmelt 
 Too much unto\ , perhaps we felt 
 Our hearts too much enaa<fd. our hand 
 Too much upon't, our eye to ft and 
 Upon this flower, and there to pore 
 On the fine ftreaked colours more, 
 
 Then 
 
Death of Mrs. Sufanna Perwich. p 7 
 
 Then we fhould do ; how many a flower 
 Have we odffoyVd in onz fhon hour, 
 With our warm handy and our hot breathy 
 Have we not wither d It to death ? 
 Apes hug their young and lofe them fo, 
 When wein our great folly go 
 The fame way too, is't any vender. 
 If the wife God doih put afunder 
 Us and our comforts ? let's be wife 
 At lait, oh let us now advife 
 What omi great duty is, fur el y 
 'Tis to bzjtienty not ask why 
 Cod hath done this f when he confnmes 
 Man for his fin, can all his fumes 
 Or frets within give any eafe ? 
 Or caufe the hand of (fod to ceafe 
 From the leaft ftroke ? ah no ! how vain 
 Is't ? and how Jinful to complain ? 
 Shall/err; man thus with his tJMaker 
 Contend fo fiercely ? be partaker 
 Of {o great guilt , and not fubrriit f 
 But ftill remain in's fallen fit. 
 If we continue to do io, 
 May it not bring iomz greater blow 
 Down quick^ upon us f let's Take heed 
 Left God in his great wrath proceed 
 Us more to punirh ; we lhould rather 
 Seek to find him our tender Father, 
 By humble ', patient , child-like fear , 
 Let us #fcrf Wwand revere 
 
 His 
 
^S The exemplary Life^and lamented 
 
 His holy Name. He's a good God 
 If we pleafe him, his very rod 
 All dipt in honey {hall relieve 
 And comfort give, when we moU grieve, 
 " As far our friend that now is gone, 
 Our dkar Relation we bemoan, 
 So much >, fo long, let us rejoyce, 
 Thit though no more we hear her voice 
 'Mongft us poor mortals , yet foe's where 
 Much better friends. Relations are. 
 She fings much fweeter tunesxhzn ever, 
 She phy^mrveariedfiralns that never 
 Shall have an end, her ahing head 
 Now akes no more, her reftlels bed 
 Pains her no more, her cryes and groans 
 Are all tmnd to melodious tones ; 
 Her cares, her grief s, her brinifh tears 
 Are now all lost, and all her fears 
 Are vaaifh'd quite, foe's laid to r*# 
 In her L§rds bofom, there's a neft 
 Oifachftrong comforts foe ne're knew, 
 So f re fh, fofpringing up a new , 
 That if we lov'd her, we muft needs 
 Rejoyce to think what ^ there feeds 
 Upon for ever, whitjweet fmiles 
 She /*W among? and what high piles 
 Of w^/rA and Bore foe rfor* en joyes? 
 While we remain {till in the noife 
 Of a loud, clamerons, roaring world, 
 Where we from toyl to toyl are hwrVd, 
 
Death of Mrs. Sufanna Peiwich. 99 
 
 Tofs*d y vex*d, tormented more and more 
 With turmoils, croffes, troubles lore. 
 All forts oifins, temptations, crimes 
 Still us annoy i'trf beft of times, 
 We e're yet met with : every kind 
 Of wants, difeafes, griefs of mind, 
 SoRicite us, we ne're are quiet. 
 Nor ne're fhall be, till rhzfame diet 
 She now feeds on, be ours alio. 
 Oh .' thither let's make hafte to go 
 In outaffeEiionsflrft, and then 
 At our laft dijfohtion, when 
 $od ihall appoint ; mean while let us 
 Be in deaths oft, for we bell: thus 
 Befriend our felves, by frequent lights 
 Of Death's black face, do caufe the frights 
 Thereof to ceafe; familiar talk 
 With a Death's head in every walk, 
 'Midft all our mirths and banqviettings, 
 If we difcern deaths glimmerings, 
 If in our gardens and our bowers. 
 And our converfe among fweet flvwers, 
 Still we with death acquainted are , 
 And for his darts alwayes prepare, 
 It ne're fhall take us fuddenly, 
 Nor yet find us unfit to dye. 
 
 LXVI. 
 
 Now in the ciofe of all Fie nextj Upon the 
 
 Tell you the [eafonabk Text, wor ^ s 9 efa 
 
 The J 
 
i go The exemplary Life y and, lamented 
 
 Text^i Cor. The Reverend Dottor pleas 'd to take, 
 3. 2.2.Death And did a ufeful Sermon make 
 « yours. At her Interments. Words were thefe, 
 
 Sweet Death Is yours. Death gives you eafe 3 
 That Death which all Believers dye, 
 And by which though their Bodies lye 
 In Jlimy Valleys of the grave, 
 Yet thofe fame filthy jlimes they have 
 Sofweetend by Chrift's rich perfume, 
 (His odours fure will ne^re confume) 
 That there they lye as if in beds 
 Of fragrant Rofes^ he that (beds 
 Salt tears upon them doth but mingle 
 Bitter with fweet; there's no one fingle^ 
 No, nor yet compound fmell that can 
 Match iti Aromatickj of that man, 
 In's very grave , that dyes a Saint , 
 His Sepulcher needs no rich /n*/V. 
 Though what lyes there all putrid be, 
 Though fpoyVd in the fine fymmetry 
 Of every part, yet I dare fay 
 That at the RefurreUion day 
 That dufl {hall bloffom; a net* flower 
 Shall £W and^/flw from tkence;that power 
 That *r»'</ it there, with £*#*r fcent 
 Shall /iwtazY, and make redolent, 
 Moft £*/?/? oiwr j never gave 
 So r/V& a fcent as r^r fhall have. 
 Tfe very duft y is <2#/? of (70/d, 
 Bought with vaftfttms. can ne're be told. 
 
 ChrifTs 
 
Death of Mrs. Sufanna Peiwicb. ic i 
 
 Chrift's own heart bloody that jretious thin* 
 Was all paid for the purchafing 
 This very dufi; this rotten mould 
 Blefl Angels one day fhall behold 
 Quicken d again, immortalized, 
 With Chrift's own body fimiliz'd 
 As vile as 'm y fplendors of Glory 
 Shall brighten it, the higheft (lory 
 Of blifs it fhall be mount e £\o, 
 So high, fo very high, that you 
 Shall fee the twinckjing flarry globes 
 Beneath this duft, the coftly robes 
 It ihall be veiled with out-fr/we 
 The Sun at Noon, all beams combine, 
 When this dry duft unites again, 
 ^ofix upon it, and remain 
 
 In tha.T full lufiers. Purity 
 Moll: incorrupt, agility 
 
 Moft quick and active, then fhall be 
 
 The new raised bodies property. 
 
 If thus this casket as before, 
 
 Shall be embroidered all o're 
 
 With richer things then Cjems or Gold, 
 
 More then empearl'd. We may be bold 
 
 To think the jewel lately pent 
 
 Within it mnch more Orient. 
 
 That Diamonds all glittering Angles 
 
 Moitfparkling are than all the fpangles 
 
 We elfewhere fee. The difference muft 
 
 Be vaflly great betwixt this duft 
 
 And 
 
102 The exemplary Life, and lamented 
 
 And that which quicken & it : the glory 
 As we do find by [acred ftory, 
 Which hath a reference to the tomb 
 And flefhly part, is yet to come. 
 But now trie Nobler part y the mind, 
 If we confider well, we find, 
 Is in poffejfton prefently , 
 When it doth fromfits body Kit. 
 Next moment is it not tranfpos'd 
 From Earth to Heaven ? and repos'i 
 I'th' bofom of fvveet reft and peace ? 
 Math it not gain'd a full releafe ? 
 From_/w f temptations ? miferies ? 
 From all forts of calamities ? 
 Hath it not lefc a »«r/</ behind, 
 In which we nothing elfe can find, 
 But vanities and /<??v vexations , 
 With thoufand thou f and mdeftations > 
 Hath it not ^///J^x now, anditore 
 Of fuch A/^A ;'o;fx *c ne're knew before i 
 Is't not enrob*d y enthrond^ encrownd £ 
 With brighter glories, circled round 
 With lulters moreintenfe by far 
 Than any in thofe orbes that are 
 Now vijible to humane eyes ? 
 Doth not Chrifts ownfweet Vifion rife 
 Into emperial culminations, 
 Of mapproached corufcations f 
 Wh&tis the fpaxgled Canopy 
 Compar'd with xhu bright fulgeacy f 
 
 Seated 
 
Death of Mrs, Sufanna Perwich, 103 
 
 Seated in this high chair of State 
 Doth not the glorious foul now hate 
 Sins fnares below I this mire and clay 
 Which here m 'twas clogd with th'otherday? 
 Doth it not now mihfcom behold 
 This our contemptuous dirty mould $ 
 Is not the very duft it treads 
 Nsw made of Stars ? are not the beds' 
 Where now it takes repofe the fame, 
 Which Chrift hlmfelf long'd till he came 
 Unto, when he his life had Hied ' 
 And for poor finners to death bled ? 
 While thus In goodly dignity 
 It fits aloft , fublime, and high , 
 While Angel-like it is array 'd , 
 And all its golden beams difplay'd 
 Before its Soveraigns beauteous face , 
 Spoufe of his heart , and of his Grace 
 The large replenijh'dfubjecl is y 
 And reigns thus in eternal blifs : 
 While 'tis bedew' d y embalm d y o're-run 
 With ftreams from this neWe fettlng Sun, 
 While allfweet influential Powers 
 And virtues down upon it fhowers, 
 While Union, Vifion, Joy and Reft y 
 Peace, Light, and Cjlory makes it bleft, 
 While his love warms, melts, and inflames 
 The foul, while all the pregnant names 
 By which ail future good is fhown, 
 Unto this bleffed foul are known, 
 
 H While 
 
104 The exemplary Life, and lamented 
 
 While \\ partakes ifptckjy feeds upon 
 All this, as if it f elf alone 
 Jnjofd It all y and this for ever, 
 Mutt keep it alwayes, lofe it never. 
 Tell me I pray what is thy thought 
 Of that fweet death fuch things hath 
 For this rals'd fottl ?whzt Legacy (wrought 
 More rich could well be given by 
 Him, that by death gives/w/; a life, 
 So full of blifsy fo free from ftrife ? 
 
 LXVII. 
 
 The char a- Thefe things condde I'd, now I (liall 
 tier of a Be- Proceed with Truth fweet deith to calf, 
 lievefs A filver bridge that paiTetho're 
 death. All good fouls to the o;her (hore. 
 
 A golden key made to unlock 
 Tht gates of Glory to Chrlft's Flock, 
 To open Wardrcbes, Trefifuries, 
 Where all rich (lores and jewels lyes. 
 A fweet fieep in perfumed bed 
 Where ittft men reft their wearied head. 
 An Offer- :iut gives pofleilion 
 To him that makes fine ere profellion 
 Of till his hopes and expectations 
 With $*// ( ompleat remunerations. 
 AccomTlirer ofhii deiires, 
 And whar by true Faich he requires. 
 Performer of fweet Promifes, 
 iVateafcth of all grievances. 
 
Death of Mrs. Sufanna Perwkh . * 05 
 
 Remwer of his cares and fears, 
 Anfwers all pray'rs, wipes off all tears. 
 That turns the feed into its crop, 
 Rich grace in to i ts gallant trp 
 Of Glory ; tw/"/ to full-blown flowers . 
 Griefs drops into the golden fhowers 
 Of Joy ♦ that crowns trie Conquerour . 
 Who fought for C7/r//?, the laborour 
 In Wine-prefs ofafflitiions great, 
 Rewards his f offerings 7 forrow, fweat 
 Which he with patience underwent, 
 Self-abnegation, and content. 
 A the Ship that through (urging Sea 
 Bears ztrne Chriftlan quite away, 
 From Rockj and quick^faads to his porc,- 
 Which he feeks after, thatyr?wfort 
 Which ww and divels too cannot 
 Or hurt , or ^ffr, with their fhot. 
 The ladder by which up we climb 
 To th' place not mc&far'd urn by time. 
 The Mid-wife of a purer birth ; 
 An In-Jet to the fweeteft mirth ; 
 That to the Bridegroom gives his Bride 7 
 Knits knots no more to be unty'd 
 Betwixt them, puts thz glittering Crown 
 Upon her, and i\\t famptHoas Cjown 
 Of needle-work^ in OphirGold, 
 Thz garment which ne're waxeth old. 
 That with Augtift inauguration, 
 Seats her in high eft inftallation 
 
 H 2 'Mong 
 
ictf The exemplary Life , and lamented 
 
 'Mong thole bright manfions which before 
 Prepared were , and evermore 
 Stand firmly fix'd. That dwelling place f 
 'Mong beams which from a Saviour's face 
 Create whole myriads of bliiTes 
 Perpetually j and never miiTes. 
 If this be ail the alteration 
 That ^r/> makes by a Reparation 
 Qifionl and Wy for a fpace 
 Till £<?f& meet in fo high a place , 
 Shall we not count it our beft friend, 
 That brings us to fo brave an end ? 
 
 ACRtt 
 
re? 
 
 ACROSTIGKS. 
 
 S orrovvs how great! How f aft they come 
 U pon our hearts ! how burdenfom ! 
 S ighs, fobs 'ygrlefsyt ear s y moft bitter moans 
 A re ouifood now/ more deep fecht groans 
 N e're came from any ; we are left 
 
 P aft remedy -^ this fudden theft 
 
 E ver furpr!z,eth where he can 
 
 R ich, poor, finally great, there is no man 
 
 W hate're he be muft look to fcape 
 
 I ts killing stroke ; upon his nape 
 
 C ruel ajfatilts will give their blow 
 
 H is life to end before they go. 
 
 II. 
 
 S ore griefs muft needs afflltl us when 
 U ntimely death the beft of men 
 S natcheth away, when Virgins young 
 A re cropt i'th' bttdy and plac'd among 
 N ight-feptslchers ; when we do fee 
 N vxbloffomd 'Rofes fczttctfd be 
 A t deaths blacky foot : may nor wc fay? 
 
 P Ltty, oh pitty us / we pray 
 
 H v E+c- 
 
io3 A C R O S T I C K S. 
 
 E fpecially fince our fad griefs 
 
 R eturn {of aft, and no reliefs 
 
 W ill eafe our heavy finking hearts, 
 
 I n midft of our moft doleful fmarts. 
 
 C ome Lord,fr#* grace, pace, comfort give 
 
 H ear us, give anjwer, while we live. 
 
 III. 
 
 S he's £/<?/? no doubt, now. flhe is gone 
 
 U n to her i^?r^ ; Him, him alone 
 
 S he moft defir'd, and hud to meet 
 
 A s Mary did, where his bleft feet 
 
 N ewtjdingsbroughtiOfftichfaeet peace 
 
 N one knew before ; fhe'd never ceafe 
 
 A t any time to labour after 
 
 P art offfo/*toyes, that j?// with laughter 
 E ternally j where llie might find 
 R eft, Pleasures, Bllfes for her mind: 
 W here fae might fing above the skies 
 I nfoeeter notes new melodies. 
 C hrift had her heart, his bofom fhe 
 H ath now got her refofe to be. 
 
 SUSAN- 
 
I op 
 
 SUSANNA PERWICH. 
 Anagram I. 
 SIN'S WAN CAEAR UP. 
 
 IS SIN WAN?let's CHAR UP our hearts 
 Tis fir u chjlead by Chrifts own keen darts. 
 Though it leave mortals, pale, WAN></*W, 
 Yet 'twas i tfelf fir ft conquered. 
 Our WAN looks iliall revive again /reign 
 Let's CHEAR UP; vrhenChrift 'gins to 
 Sin lives no more : well't may l*ok WAN 
 W T hen it lyes fprawllng, and ne're can 
 Get up again : its deadly wound 
 Admits no cure. How fweet's the found 
 Of this good news unto our ears / 
 With how great ioy our hearts itC HEARS/ 
 Doth (he CHEAR UP ? is her bafe fin 
 Turn'd to rich Grace ? hefdrojfy tin 
 Into pare gold ? And her WAN looks 
 To beauties ? do joyes pleafant brooks 
 Fill her with a Felicity 
 Ineffable, Eternally ? 
 Let us CAEAR UP too, may not we 
 Hope for thz fame as well as (he ? 
 No doubt we may, if we but live., 
 As (he did us example give. 
 Then we (as /fe) may hope no more 
 To SIN or look WAN as before. 
 
 H 4 S U- 
 
no 
 
 SUSANNA PERWICH. 
 
 Anagram 1 1. 
 PURCHASE S WAN-IN. 
 
 O WANS fing mofi fweetly when they dje y 
 KjSaiMf do the like moft ufually. 
 But what's the IN fuch SWANS as thefe 
 Take harbour in with well ttind layes ? 
 Is't not bright He av'n^hn blifsful port, 
 The chief eJto^W Inns of Court ? 
 Fair lodgings there were fumifhed 
 For our five et Songfter that is dead. 
 Dove-like ("he liv'd, S van-like fat dy'd, 
 And Phenix-lilie to Heavn fly'd, 
 Frora that /^ mooriili £*W here 
 She raVd with many a £r/»i/fc- tear .(fought- 
 This Heavens SVVAN-IN (he therefore 
 Of r.7;^; 5 and for what St might be bought. 
 And when at /*/? ilie underltood 
 No other price but Chrift's heart blood 
 Could P dliCHASE ltfiit then made bold 
 From thence to fetch />#g* /?^pi of gold 
 And paid down for't,whereby ilie made 
 A gainful PURCHASE: there's »* trade 
 Like fif># vvith Chriji to ^/ and fell 
 T h s her experience knew full well . (IN 
 So this cW^puRCHASE W^VSWANrt 
 She ftakes) and «aw fhe tai?#i therein. 
 
Ill 
 
 SUSANNAH PERWICHE, 
 Anagram III. 
 AH/ IC HEAV'NS PURE SUN. 
 
 AH I I Csee now (late dim half -Moon) 
 
 Bright HEAV'NS PURE SUN in 'ts glorious Noon. 
 
 MOon-llke before my fquallld motions 
 Sweird all my banks with brlnljh lotions. 
 Broad ftreams, high tydes flow'd and reflow'd, 
 So that huge Veffeh might have row'd 
 I'th' hrveft waters , my griefs made 
 So deep no foot therein could wade. 
 But now methinks I look more bllth 
 Now I'm got in conjunction with 
 My bllfsful SUN and [our ce of light 
 My day's now come, my dark^om night 
 Is gone and paft ; my cold m*fft drops 
 Are all drfd up : I'm on the tops 
 Qtfficy Hills : Olympian beams 
 Send row ling ou t fu ch flaming ftreams 
 As me ingulf ; I'm circled round 
 With glomeratlons which abound 
 Where (hades were wont: blachjnlrj earth 
 IVe changed for HE AV'N by a new birth. 
 Death kitt'dmt not, but gave zlife 
 Above ll\forrow, (in, mdftrlfe. 
 
 What 
 
ii2 ANAGRAM III. 
 
 What w'fdom is't on earth to Ray, 
 For any chat get HEAV'N may > 
 Who would not turn his drofs to (?<?/</ ? 
 Pebbles to pea^is ^ his dirty mould 
 To all-tralucent glut eying beams > 
 Foul -nuds ; aro P JRE Chriftd ftreams ? 
 His pr/c/^ ?.^ t homes to foftefidownes ? 
 His f/j^ "O y?^rj ? r^j^j- to Croons ? 
 Who .yoi:k; aot change bitter ioxfweet ? 
 V- : ( : /".7 or £0/7 ? with running feet 
 Hafte ^#*d^ v. 1 y to hat ^ray* place, 
 Where he rruy lee in's Saviour's face 
 Ten thoufanc^W/ff, joyes^ beauties^ blijfes y 
 And thence receive millions of kjjfes 
 Sweeter by far, than any NcBar ; 
 Which for our tears is an Slixar 
 That turning them to filver balls, 
 5f*7/j all owi groaning!^ cryes and brawles ? 
 I'm £/*W to earth now I Csee HEAV'N 
 I'le feed no more on fins fowre leav'n. 
 In (lead of rags y I here n^r Robes, 
 And under feet tread fpangling Globes. 
 Here I walk round from Tower to Tower , 
 And pafs along from JW^r to Bower, 
 Here Angels fing, there Cherubins, 
 Arch-Angels here y there Seraphins. 
 I (land and lift en in a gaze , 
 I hear and fee what doth amaze 
 My ravijhd foul. Dominions high 
 //*r* lit enthroned) and f£*r? 4oth flie 
 
ANAGRAM III. u 
 
 A winged Chorus. Melodies 
 To what fhril mounted ffrains they rife / 
 Hallelujah y Hallelujah, 
 How they chant to great Jehovah ! 
 Lutes , Viols ■, Harps, Cytherns, Gettars 
 Compar'd with thefe, oh what harfhjars 
 Do they fend forth / and what fad lowers 
 Sit on the lookj of fair eft flower 'S, 
 Colours, or beauteous faces here 
 Compar'd with the bright objects there / 
 Vilions I fee incomparable , 
 Rare tunes I hear unutterable. 
 Faft am I held by ears and eyes y 
 Yet mine imagination flies 
 Farther and farther ; therefore I 
 Away mthfpeedieft motions hye 
 To view where th'mighty Potentates 
 And all the reft o'th' glorious ft at es 
 Do reign and rule ; where all the Powers 
 And Principalities down {bovvers 
 Their more than golden lufters ; where 
 The feveral Heav'nly places are 
 . I read of in that holy Word, 
 Firft did the knowledge me afford 
 Of thefe rare things : but mofl of all 
 I view the Seat Imperial, {trig rayes 
 
 Where HEAV'NJS PURE SUN with glitter* 
 Sits, and his Ma ; efty diiphyes 
 With mofl corrufcant emanations, 
 Commanding low Heft adorations 
 
 From 
 
ii4 ANAGRAM III. . 
 
 From high eft Towers. Oh what pure lights 
 Doth he transfunl ! what dazling fights 
 Gives he .' 'tis true all Heaven o're" 
 I fee high Thrones, myriads, and more : 
 Yet all thefe are but th : 'glimmerings , he 
 Sheds from his own dread cffulgency. 
 All Crowns Vlbrat from his great Crown ; 
 JVholeThrones from his great Throne drop down: 
 Not jingle beams, but S**r, whole Suns 
 From this PllRt SUN &\\ftreamln£riin* t 
 As fparkj from huge great Diamonds fall 
 While cut in numerous singles all : 
 Or as Gold Oar from mighty Mountains, 
 Rowl in [mallfands through Jilver fountains. 
 The Heav'n of Heavns fhines in his face, 
 He brightens G lor j \ felf : the place 
 Where he's enthrond allflamlnf is, 
 So ever radtantlz>lng 'tis, 
 That were it not refratted to 
 Created eyes, it would undo 
 The boldeft Angels to behold 
 In gllmpfe not a minute old 
 The fplendors oft , in one ftraight line 
 So unapproach" d Is't in its fhlne . 
 Oh glorious object / what Intense 
 And condensed pleasures fetch I thence I 
 Would' t not me prove a veryfot , 
 Itlallravljhed Giould not 
 Bre,\out in wonders ? therefore now 
 Without all blame you'i me allow 
 
 To 
 
ANAGRAM III. 115 
 
 To joy that my half-Moons thus diown'd 
 I'th' Ocean lufters me iurround ; 
 And as one wrapt up in a Trance, 
 Wondering my wonders ft ill t'advance , 
 And lav, Ah / I Csee with vtiown eye, 
 Brighc'HEAV'NS PURE SUN eternal!/. 
 
 EPITAPH. 
 
 HEre Beauties , Odors , Mufickj lye, . 
 To lhew that fuch rare things can dye, 
 Weep PaiYenger, weep>figh y and groan. 
 When was zizfuch another known f 
 From Heav'n ("he came with Melodies^ 
 And back again to Heavn fhe flies. 
 
 Here 
 
li6 
 
 Here follow certain Copies of Verfes, compofed by 
 fome of the friends of the Deceifed. 
 
 In memory of that eminently Vertuous, his much 
 honoured Co^en, Mrs. Sufanna Perwich. 
 
 (grown 
 
 ANd what / is death of late fo meal d mouth d 
 As to Height courfer,znd to feed on none 
 But natures cboicefl dijloes > mull her heart 
 Needs feel the point of his all-conquering dart ? 
 Could neither Beauty, Vertue, him provoke 
 To hold his hand from this fad fatal ftroke ? 
 Could they have don't, then certainly we may 
 Conclude thatj^e badliv'dftil! to this day. 
 ^ 'S no Hyperbole to fay her mind 
 Others inrarefl exlencies out-fhin'd. 
 The Vertues which elfervhere hyfcattered, 
 Within her breafi were all concentered. 
 But why do I thmftammer out her worth ? 
 There needs an Angels tongue to fet it forth. 
 Yet now die's goneslet not her dear friends weep, 
 For {he's not dead, but only fall'n ajleep; 
 Rather rejoyce+hat God them honour 'dfo, 
 Such a rich gift upon them to beftow. 
 
 * ' With 
 
H7 
 
 With whom we leave her, and fhall add but this , 
 In heavenly joyes her foul now follacd is >' 
 Warbling out fxveetefl Anthems bove the skies , 
 Not fuchas are found in the Lythurgies. 
 Well ! what remains, but this one wiJJj, that we 
 Who ftay behind, may be as good asjhe ? 
 
 s.% 
 
 Some ferious thoughts let forth for my deceajed 
 Friend, Mrs. Sufantia Perwich. 
 
 OH help me Mufes, you that feftly fing 
 In folitaries, bring me on your wing, 
 Where grief may melt me, and my tears extend^ 
 To touch, each loyal heart that means to fpend 
 Somz felecl mournings, that our lives may be 
 The perfect Emblems of true Piety . 
 We know our frailties, and we can't exprefs 
 It more to purpofe (mortals) fee this Herie 
 Whereou doth lye, the body of our Friend, 
 J foul too good, too great, t&ofoon to end i 
 And yet herfiar is not ex tintl , for (he 
 Triumphs in glory over mifery . 
 
 What 
 
What mean then thus our thoughts to mourn,oh 
 Do they complain ? will ftill my watery eye (why 
 Diffolved be in tears ? flop, flop, no more 
 Of thy diftilling; peace, 'tis time, give o're. 
 Lift up thy down-caft fenies , fee herjfe 
 In beams of brightnefs, labour thou to get 
 To her preferment, and thou maift be lure 
 Thou wilt exchange thy drofs for what is pure. 
 Call home thy dunghil cogitations, be 
 An imitator of her charity. 
 Abound in goodnefs, and let love invite 
 Thee to her pattern , for her fole delight 
 Was to he, pious, courteous ,/weet to all i 
 Not vainly proud, nor fubjedt to have gall. 
 Free to forgive the greateit wrongs, and Ihe 
 Never took pleafure in much jolity ; 
 But wifely fonder d in her ferious cell 
 "Twas belt becoming wifdora for to dwell 
 Within its proper walls, and there to be 
 Protected from injurions falfity. 
 In fum, her life was fuch as might have been 
 A NauticJ^card, to guide the beji of men. 
 
 I.H. 
 
 Up 
 
119 
 
 Upon that incomparable Lady, Mrs. Suflmna Per- 
 wich, the miracle of her Age, for all Excel- 
 lencies ■, both Spiritual and Temporal. 
 
 (grief, 
 \ TTAat ads my thoughts? Vm haunted To with 
 * * That to my mind nothing can yeeld relief. 
 s What do I ask the reafon ? it is plain, 
 Han't *i^ry face an Elegiac!^ ftrain r 5 
 Gr^^ forrow can't be f mother : d, in each eye • 
 1 Appear the yW complaints of mifery. 
 What are we mortais now at laft bereft 
 Even of that //#/* which the Fall had left ? 
 What is *tatf L^r/y ftruck by death's keen darts, 
 In whom concentred all the heavenly Arts ? 
 T/;#j/id? were mortals, when Afire a flew 
 To Heaven, and bid the curfedcanh adieu. 
 .I'm nought but ft ormes within,they'l not be pent, 
 My heart mult breaJ^, or I mult give them ?*#£■ 
 Ccme then my A/a/i, try itraisd by her fall, 
 Thou canft her wwog/? to my mind recall : 
 Her beauty and rare features He forbear, 
 Left thinking on them J fliould/«*/>tf there. 
 
 i ri« 
 
120 Upon that incomparable Lady, 
 
 He boaft not of her blood, though in her face, 
 Both Lane after and Tor^ had equal place : 
 But fhe was Muficl^s Mafter -piece, a wonder, 
 Oh that 1 Could but run divifion on her. 
 What means this Hidden ftroke ? did ? alias fear 
 (Muficks great Goddefs) to be challenged here 
 In her own Art, and lofe thatglonous name , 
 Which hath fo founded 'in the trump of fame ? 
 Or wa'n't the heavenly Lyrafweet alone, 
 To make zConfort } is floe thither gone ? 
 When bofpitality out of England went, 
 She'c faid to ave yeelded up her breath in I\ent$ 
 So MuftcJ^ in her, whom we now bemoan , 
 I fear will prove to'ave given its lafl groan. 
 It (lie unfeen did ling, I wijbd to be 
 All ear ; if after that I her did {ce, 
 My wifh was chang'd, I fain would be all eye* 
 That fo I might her glorious gifts efoie. 
 Sure nature framed her for this intent, 
 That of ffoir wiflocs men might fall repent. 
 Orpheus his W/ tutidfiul in her did live, 
 It to Py tkagoras we may credit give > 
 He mad e the earedOaks dance to his laves, 
 And duller (tones the walls of Thebes to raife. 
 But what is more, fie ftony fiocl^r could move. 
 
 Rough 
 
Mrs. Sufanna Perwich. 121 
 
 Rough tempers mild after her play would prove, 
 But if you look on skill in Mujkk* Art, 
 What is mo ft rare, flie had a rvell-tund heart : 
 For although others the fpbears harmony 
 Could never hear, becaufe 6th naife and cry 
 Of worldly things', yet fare Che this had heard, 
 Her foul to Heaven was fo often rear'd : 
 She ne're was fo well pleas'd with Mullens airs* 
 As when flie roje to El a in her prayers : 
 "Twzs far morepleafiire to her, and content ■, 
 To ta?2£ £•£/- ta#r£, tha?i tune her Injlrument. 
 Thofe rarities that in her breafi did lye, 
 She cloathed all with rich Divinity. 
 When the three Goddejjes did each contend 
 For x\Vq olden Ball, Paris did recommend 
 It unto Venus ; hntjloe unto Grace, 
 On th'contrary did give the chief eft place > 
 For though thofe earthly Syrens did their part, 
 That each might gain thztgolden Ball, her heart 1 
 Yet fhe did ft op her ears to all their ftrife, 
 And gave it unto Chrift, the Lord of Life. 
 She was our Phemx, but this breaks my heart? 
 Her ajhes can't another Life impart : 
 But is (he dead ? and did not every thing> 
 E ujh into its fir ft Chaos once again ? 
 
 I i For 
 
122 Upon that incomparable Lady , Mrs . Suf. Per. 
 
 For fince the harmony o'th'world (is gone, 
 
 I expert nothing but confufan. 
 
 Thilofbphy now tails, that argument 
 
 It ns'd to prove the Heavens are permanent, 
 
 In her's confuted, for her per feci form, 
 
 Could not difcharge her body from the worm. 
 
 E.B. 
 
 UPON 
 
 Miftris 
 
 S lire there are myfterics hid in this Name, 
 U nder it's comprehended lb great fame. 
 S earch well the Holy Language, Rabbins all, 
 A nd fee what mean the lerters radical, 
 N e're were a Females parts improv'd fo high, 
 N ature m her did meet with induflry : 
 A nd every letter in this Name lure will 
 P rove Hieroglyphic ks of her various s k ill . 
 £ qual to her were none, tor parts, or north, 
 R eiigion yet did chiefly let her forth. (v/ay 
 W eep Reader, weep, this fair one's fhatcht a- 
 
 I n her belt years (he felt her ftrength decay. 
 C an any read this without fighs, and lay, 
 
 II ere lyes a mirror wrapped up in clay ?■ 
 
 Idem. 
 
I2j 
 
 An eLegle on that peerLefs Virgin, SVfanna 
 
 PerWICh, Paragon of aLL 'VcitVc, the 
 
 fLoVrlfhlng gLory of her feXe, 
 
 Who LateLy DeCeafeD, 
 
 DDCCLLLLLLLLXVVVVVVVVVIIIIII. 
 
 (fobs give way, 
 
 "T TT TOuld tears permit , would fighs and 
 
 V V My honeltMufe her mournful debt 
 
 (would pay 
 Unto thy Herfe, dear Saint. Can grief give time, 
 Or knows it meafiire, can't compofe a Rbime ? 
 Strong duty bids it try, thought be confus'd, 
 Grief to trim Drefs, or Order is difus'd. 
 Now from the Fortrefs of my love-Jiot 'd 'heart 
 Officious words would fally, to bear part 
 I'thV/ter, but by an amhujhrnent of tears 
 Surpriz'd : lie try again devoid of (ears. 
 
 Now try we if t be true, or meer furniifes , 
 That from the Pbemx urn another rifes : 
 If this prove true, Wil give our vnef a lanfy 
 Whofe prouder levelling laughs at hound 'or han\. 
 
 1 5 \X7 TP 
 
 13 VI ^1^ 
 
1 1 4 An Elejrie on that pcerkfs 
 
 Were I in Set! a Petrolitan 
 Holding that mannerly devotion ran (lone 
 
 Through t\\ Conduits of the Saints : her Name a- 
 I would *&&r?, at hzvjhrine make my moan. 
 
 If not by Precept , but by Precedent 
 {A breathing Precept) Vertue beft is fent 
 Into the foul y behold a perfeil Guide, 
 In whom all Vertues are exemplifid : 
 Courted by firong Temptations to be proud, 
 Yet in Fames fiver Trumpet founds ^/o^ 
 Her great Humility > which was the ground 
 Whereon her other Vertues florver d were found. 
 This vertue is the ground on which the r^/£ 
 .Run fweet dvuifion in a fair contefi. 
 On this jfnw Zfo^r that feTgfe Fabric!^ ftands , 
 Which kiffes Heaven and the f/o^j- commands, 
 So many excellencies were her /#£, 
 One jn anothers beauty js forgot. 
 As calm (he v." as in words as in de fires. 
 Knew not her iSigftr tempefls nor their /m. 
 Some are but fairer ;£#//// his D^x , 
 In which the winds and bluftring j?077ftf he pens. 
 
 Beauty, Proportion, Colour do define * 
 To which/!//;? graceful motion well adjoyn '■> 
 Whereto may gw& be added, all thefe here 
 
 Con 
 
Virgin, Mrs. Sufanna Perwich, Z3c. 12^ 
 Conipir' d to place her fame above a Veer. 
 
 Though chafie and comely feldom we do fee 
 In high degrees (at leaft) conjoyn'd, yctj&e 
 Was Beauties darling, ModejUes delight. 
 Giving as rare as ravijhing a fight. 
 
 Hackney y the Ladies Univerfity. 
 Of Female Arts the famous Nurfery > 
 Which in their hmd at leaft, may well compare 
 With thofe of th other Sex ; what Arts fo rare 
 Which are not liberally furnifhd here ? 
 Mathematicks they cc u it within their Sphear s 
 Arithmatic\ in muflck couch'dyou'l finds 
 Geometry hath in their dancing Jhiri d, 
 Aftronomys beft read ith Ladies eyes', 
 B^hetoric\fir{i from women did arife s 
 Their LogukJVill, our Reafon doth defies 
 There are Grammarians for Orthography. (Mufi 
 Tongues there abound. Blame not m improper 
 In Elegies ftill Elogies we ufe. 
 
 This Univerfity (hegracd, wherein 
 To the chief Colledve Students fhe did win. 
 She there proceeded higheft Graduate, 
 Mifins of Arts that are prof eft thereat. 
 How great a /o/r tlrxc Univerfity 
 Of her bereft J ujtain'dl how great's the cry 
 
 I 4 Of 
 
i%6 An Elegie on that peer I efs 
 
 Of that famd Coliedge y which fhe did adorn ■ 
 Which knows but one long night without a morn} ■ 
 How dumb's their Mujicl{ and their dancing larne\ 
 Or if botiis good, yet neither is the/ame. 
 Thofe pretty Doves eyes \v\t\\ griefs needle feil'd , 
 They pricl^ their fingers till their norks blood 
 In all the needles Can of ties (yeeld. 
 
 Exactly (lie was read, view, wipe your eyes. 
 In dancing reach 'd perfection of the foot , 
 Yet not with /#//0#r much gave her mind tot. 
 Her Music ^ jars Divificn m this /r//>, 
 Whether flkjfeag or plaid more to the ///Q? , 
 That fubdroided , whether on the Lute 
 Or Viol beft her fingers fweet didfute. 
 Her £fa;^ and £^r fell out which ftiould be beft 
 The Hands none fuch by all (he is confeft. 
 In all her Exercifes Jhown fuch Art 
 Negfetlediy concerned in each part. 
 As if to her they all were natural , 
 Or fhe to them were fupernaturah 
 And ib in truth fhe was, her nobler Fin? 
 Unto a higher Region did tf/^/r*. 
 This by her bearing is well figur'd out, 
 Which rightly doth her reprcfent devout. 
 The Field is Argent > charge 3 a Chevron [able 
 
 Be* 
 
Virgin, Mrs, Sufarma Perwich, 6c. 127 
 Betwixt three Eaglets, which to view are able 
 Her Creft, a Southern Sun, in Noon-tide glory, 
 Thus Eagles prove their young,in Natures ftory. 
 Not//-/%;z Arts, nor graceful 'fieps, nor dreffes, 
 Not modijh ordering heart-enfnaring TreJJes, 
 Not Art with Nature, Infer ument with Voice 
 Can make a Female Glory to rejoyce. 
 Nor Natures paint, but much lefs that of Art, 
 By which yomDames oipleafure make their mart, 
 But a £r?g/tf burniftfdmind, whofe /«/fo vies 
 With the CeUfiial Lamps, dazling all eyes. 
 
 Ith' Heavenly Academy fhe was verft, 
 knowledge there's tafiing, things are not rehear (I 
 But done, not only for a bla\eprcfeft, 
 But Attion there with conftant heat is bleft s 
 In the Celeftial Univerfity 
 She now degrees of G/ary takes more high. 
 
 She once bleft Earth, while acting on thisjfeg* 
 Now gives Heavens Bool^ of Z?/{/f another P#g£, 
 Which gives me greater Amours , and much 
 1 long to read it now, than e're before. (more 
 You 1 fay, my Mufe [oars not fo high a flight 
 As j uftly rates her worth ; confeft, 'tis right 
 One caufe is this, her wings withgriefzre wet, 
 Or elfe her Lute hadftrain'da nobler fet* 
 
 S.B. 
 
J28 
 
 . . 1 , ' ■ ■ . ■ ■ ■ f • 
 
 TotheREADER. 
 
 Courteous Reader. 
 
 SOme pages of this flieet being left void for 
 want of matter ', rather than they Jhould ftand 
 empty , / have filled them up with fhort practi- 
 cal Quxrizs, grounded {for the moft part)uponfuch 
 -pregnant Scriptures as have the anfwer ftill per- 
 Jpicuous in them , the reft may be fupplied with 
 anfrvers from the mind of the Reader , either ne- 
 gatively or affirmatively , according to the na- 
 ture of the Quarries. And becaufe my aim is tofpeah^ 
 fomething that hath a particular reference to all 
 forts ot fins and duties, / have therefore put my 
 Queer ies accordingly > and for the more delight and 
 variety, dtfpofed them into a mifcelaneous order. 
 At fir ft indeed y 1 thought to have filled up this Iheet 
 only, and no more, but my band being m, Ipror 
 teededto a double century andfomewhat more, and 
 have divided them into Decads, for the better help 
 ef memory, and to prevent wearinefs ; fo remain- 
 ing an hearty tveU-rviJher to thy fouls left good \ I 
 fubferibe , 
 
 John Bachiler. 
 
 I. DE~ 
 
( ™9) 
 
 I. DECAD, 
 
 i . T 7T THether the imputed 
 V V Righteoufnefs of Je- 
 fus Chrift by Faith , be not the true 
 formal caufe of a Believers Juflifica- 
 tion ? whether the fatzs faction he hath 
 made to his Father 1 s Jufiice on be- 
 half of the Eledt, be not Jufficient? 
 whether the merits of his Ailive and 
 Pajfive obedience, do not arifefrom 
 the dignity of his Perfon > and whe- 
 ther he that denies this , doth not 
 make the Go/pel void:' Efa. 5-3. 
 throughout, 2 Cor. 5-. 21. Mat.^.ij. 
 Heb. 7. 2^,26, 27. compared with 
 fyrn. 4. 14. Gal. 5. from 17. to 27. 
 & Chap. 4. $-. 
 
 2. Whether he that affirm? total 
 and final falling away from fpecial 
 Grace , be not a down-right Armi-~ 
 nian , and Cozen-German to a ?^z- 
 
 3 . Whether he that hold^ the po- 
 
 wer 
 
wer of nature f other wife called Free- 
 will) may not ftronglybe fufpe&ed 
 to be unknown to himfelf, or at leaft 
 not to take due notice of the work- 
 ings of Jin and Grace in his own 
 heart ? 
 
 4. Whether one may not be a \ea- 
 lorn Preacher againftfin, and for in- 
 herent Grace, in order to J unification 
 thereby, and yet be a Jejuit, or eve- 
 ry whit as bad> whatever his pretence 
 may be to the contrary? and whe- 
 ther fuch may not be accounted up- 
 holders of the dodtrine of merit, and 
 eflablijhers of their own Righteouf- 
 nefs? J{gm. 10. 3. 
 
 5. Whether it bepoffible to co- 
 ver a tinners fpiritual nahednefs with 
 any other garments, but thofe which 
 Chrift wears on his own backj Kev. 
 3.18. 
 
 6. Whether the Righteoufnefs of 
 Chriit applyed by Faith, be not both 
 coat of Mail and cloth of Gold s and 
 fuch too,as nothing can either pierce 
 
 or 
 
ox fully > and whether he that hath 
 this upon him, be not both Jkurely 
 and bravely arrayed from head to 
 foot? Epb. 6. ii. compared with 
 R^. i. 1 3. 
 
 7 . Whether any other robes have 
 fuch rich embroideries , or are hung 
 with fo many, and fo cojlly Jewels, 
 as thofe robes of Chrift, which both 
 himfilf and his People wear ? Ef.61. 
 IO. &Z72*. 1. io 5 u. 
 
 8. Whether Chrift hath any 
 Dowry with his Bride ? and whether 
 her Wedding clothes are not of his pro- 
 viding, 2%^. 16. 1 3, 14. compared 
 withR^i/. 21.2. 
 
 9. Whether it was not an unpa- 
 ralleldlove for Chrift, to account the 
 day of Efpoufals, with one that had 
 neither Beauty? Parentage, nor Por- 
 tion, to be the day of the gladnefs of 
 of his heart ? Cant. 1. 6.E%e.i6* 3> 4, 
 $,6. compared with Cant. 3. 1 1. 
 
 1 o. Whether by the Queens, her 
 being all glorious within (Pfal. 4f. 
 
 }3) 
 
(*3*) 
 
 13.) and by her clothing of wrougW 
 Gold, be not meant, the fplendors of 
 Grace in the heart, and the J&ine of 
 
 them in the Life > 
 
 II. DECAD. 
 
 2 1 . Whether , if Grace be the 
 Flower, fincerity and godly fimpli- 
 city, be not the falling f iragrancy and 
 beauty of that Flower? 
 
 12. Whether the Flames of Di- 
 vine Love are not moft vehement , 
 even flames of God ? and whether 
 thofe flames are not raited and main- 
 tained from the frveeteft Fuels ? Cant. 
 S. 6. compared with Chap. 1. 12. 
 
 1 3 . Whether thefe flames (hall 
 ever go quite out for want of fuel, or 
 can bzextinguijhed, either by men or 
 devils ? Jer. 31.3. compared with 
 'Rom. s. 3f. to 39. 
 
 14. Whether the very beft duties 
 of the befi Saints , have not need of 
 Ghrifts perfumes to feeeten them? 
 
 and 
 
and whether much tncenfe be not 
 therefore added to their Prayers, be- 
 caufe they are in themfelves veryun- 
 favory, and from very noyfom hearts ? 
 Rei/. 8. 3. 
 
 ij. Whether intht golden Vials 
 (mentioned Rev. 5. 8.) though 
 the Prayers are the Saints, the fl^owrj- 
 are not Chrift's > and whether the 
 reafon why they are all called odours, 
 be not, becaule the denomination is 
 alwayes from the better part ? 
 
 1 6. Whether fervent Prayers from 
 holy hearts, make not zsfweet a fmell 
 in Heaven, as their praifes make me- 
 lodies ? Pfal. 141. 2. £wtf. 2. 14. 
 
 17. Whether a foul can truly live 
 without Chrift any more than the 
 Body without wholefbm food, Job* 
 
 6. 27, 3 2 > 33- 
 
 18. Whether the highefi Angels 
 feed on better dainties than the mean* 
 eft Saint ? and whether the Love of 
 God be not a full and a fumptuous 
 Feaft?PjW.36. y,8.& 24.8. compa- 
 red with Efa,2fi 6, i^VVhe- 
 
(134) 
 
 1 9 . Whether the h ardeft heart doth 
 not drini^m the Love, and melt in 
 the Blood of Chrift, as fugar fucks 
 up, and melts in wine > Rom. $. y. 
 
 20. Whether one can begin too 
 foon to love God ? or can love him too 
 
 much ? or can fuffer or lofe, or do too 
 much for him ? and whether he doth 
 not deferve the very beftof all we 
 have ? the bed of our time > the befl 
 of our affe&ions ? the befl of our in- 
 joyments I and accordingly whether 
 he doth not expetl it ? Deut.6. $ . Gen. 
 4. 4. compared with Mai. 1. 8. 
 
 III. DECAD. 
 
 21. Whether true faving Faith 
 may not well be faid tohavean£#- 
 gles eye , lince in a right line it can 
 look on the brightefl Sun, the Sun of 
 Righteoufnefs ? Efa. 45-. 22. compa- 
 red with Mai. 4.2. 
 
 22. Whether a weak Faith, like 
 zpaljy hand, may not lay hold on a 
 pardon or purfe of gold} the woman 
 
 cams 
 
came trembling to Chrift > Lu\e 8 . 4 y* 
 MarJ^ 9. 24. Jo]} 6. 37. 
 
 23. Whether the lowly grace of 
 Humility, like the delicate kented 
 Violet* that even kiffeth the earth,and 
 as 'c were bides it felf under its own 
 leaves, be not asfaeeta$ any of the. 
 Taller graces ? and whether this be 
 not a thriving Grace ? Pfal.2f.c>.Prov< 
 29. 23. Jam.J : . 6. 1 P#. £. r. 
 
 24. Whether they have not the 
 qmchejl and ta/? hearing , who have 
 an ear in their heart that /ijfi0J to,and 
 fezr/ the fmallelt motions of the Spi- 
 rit of Grace ? Efa. 30. 21. 
 
 25. Whether Faith and Love 
 are not a pair of golden wings , with 
 which a gracious heart flies to Hea- 
 ven every day ? Pfhl. 11.1.&143.9. 
 
 26. Whether the loiref fighs from 
 n broken heart , do not make the 
 lo.udejl Prayers : ? and whether a Pray- 
 er upon the knee , will ever reach- 
 Heaven, unids it be a Prayer on the 
 nwnoo? Phi. jr. 17. Efa. 37-4- 
 
 K 2 7 ,Whe- 
 
27. Whether all the day long * 
 wherefoever or howfoever imployed, 
 the fending up of frequent ejacula- 
 tions to Heaven , be not to drive a 
 fecret, but thriving trade for Grace, 
 and the comforts of it ? PfaL i 39. 1 7, 
 1 8. Efa. 26.8,9. 
 
 28. Whether any one truly peni- 
 tent groan, was ever unheard of God? 
 or one penitent tear unfeen or ##^- 
 tledup by him ? and whether God 
 will defer the deliverance of his affli- 
 &ed People one moment longer than is 
 necefTary ? 2 King. 20.^. Pfal. 5 6. 8. 
 1 Pet. 1.6. 
 
 29. Whether he that fuffers or 
 lofeth moft for Chrift, be not thegrea- 
 tefl gainer? Mat. f. 1 1, 12. T^w*. 8. 
 17, 1 S. 2 Cor. 4. 17. 
 
 30. Whether by fome mens lives 
 and actions , it may be fuppofed , 
 that they do really believe there is a 
 God, a day of Judgement, an Hea- 
 ven and an Hell ? 
 
 IV. DE- 
 
IV, DECAD. 
 
 3 1 . Whether the death of many 
 righteous in a few months time, be noc 
 a fad prognoflt cation of much evil to 
 come ? and whether every day of our 
 life, we ought not fenoufly to think 
 of, and carefully prepare for the hour 
 of our death > EJa. 57. 1. Job 14. 14, 
 VjaL 90. 12. 
 
 32. Whether a covert under the 
 wings of the Almighty, be not a fafe 
 and a warm place in itormy times? and 
 whether they may not reckon them- 
 f dyes fecure whom God j^eeps > Vfah 
 01.1,4. 
 
 3 3 . Whether the bofom of God 
 be not the fiveetefl, highejl and bngbtejl 
 place in Heaven ? and whether it be 
 not the place where Abraham lyes ? 
 Lukj i<5. 23. 
 
 54. Whether his cafe be not to be 
 
 Iamented,\vho makes it his bufnefs fo 
 
 to live, as to dye a fool > and whether 
 
 a poor Layirus be not in an happier; 
 
 K2 eon- 
 
condition than he? Luk. 12. 20. <3c 
 Chap. 16. 22. 
 
 3 j\ Whether he that refufeth to 
 anfwer Go^V Calls and Counfels in the 
 time of his Life, can expedl God's an- 
 fwers to his calls and cries at the hour 
 of his death r Prov.i . 24 to 31. 
 
 36. Whether Fornicator s , Adulte- 
 rers, and other fuch like, {hall not do 
 well to coufider , that God's eye is 
 broad open upon them at midnight 3 
 when no candle is in the room, no com- 
 pany there, and the curtains drawn 
 round about them ? and whether he 
 doth not fee their thoughts tco, as well 
 as their adtions ? Pfal. 90. S. & 1 39. 
 1 to 14. Heh. 19.4. 
 
 37. Whether, if every idle word 
 mufl be accounted for, as certainly it 
 fhall, Mat. 12. 3d. it will not be fad 
 with them , whofe mouths belch 
 forth nothing but oaths, cur/ings, blaf 
 phemies , jcurfilities , all manner of 
 filthy communications, and bitter re- 
 vilings agaiaft God, his waves and 
 
 Peo- 
 
( if? ) 
 People? Pfal. 10. y.Rom. j. Y3, 14/ 
 1 P^tf. 2. 25. Judeij. 
 
 3 8. Whether the righteous God 
 be not engaged to a fevere punifh- 
 mentof the wrongs and injuries done 
 to him and hrs ? and whether prefent 
 forbearance will pafs for payment, or 
 doth not make way rather for the 
 heavier blows at laft ? Pfal. 37,12,13. 
 Ecclef.%. 11,12. Prov. 11. 21. 
 
 3 9 , Whether God mil be mocked 3 
 or doth not take notice of the intole- 
 rable infolencies of prophane [coffers 
 at his Holy things ■, efpecially his fer- 
 vants the Prophets, and the meffages 
 which they brings and whether this 
 was not one great caufe of all that 
 wrath that brake out agamft Judah, 
 when they were carried away cap- 
 tives into Babylon} 2 Cbron. 36. 16. 
 Gal. 6. 7. 
 
 40. Whether the terrible Judge- 
 ments of God, in the prelent death 
 of four of the Aclors of the pafs ion of. 
 £bnfl>upOQ the very place where, and 
 'K z while 
 
(140) 
 while they were adting it (mentioned 
 by Phil? p MelanBhon) are not to be 
 taken notice of by fuch as adventure 
 on fuch hold attempts \ 
 
 V. DECAD. 
 
 41 .Whether Idolatry were not one 
 principal fin, that fent the tea Tribes 
 into perpetual captivity >and whether 
 the pra&ife of it among Chriftians 2 
 be not one great hindrance of the 
 convcrfion of the Jews } who having 
 fmarted fo much and fo long together 
 for that fin , do they not now dread to 
 come where it is, or to embrace that 
 Tkeligionthzt is defiled with it}il(ing. 
 17. 7. to 19. 
 
 42. Whether the frorfnipping of 
 the true God, after a falfe manner, be 
 not Idolatry in. the Scripture ac- 
 count , as v/ell as the worfhipping of 
 a falfe God? and whether God cares 
 for any worfhippers, but fuch as wor~ 
 Jhip him in Spirit and Truth ? E^eJ^ 4 3 . 
 Z.John ^ 24. 
 
 43. Who 
 
4 3 . Whether a little pollution, mfxt 
 with the^&r^ Doctrine , Difc inline and 
 Worjhip of God be not like a little 
 fpider in a cup of rich wine , which 
 may poyfon it as well as a bigger? and 
 whether God doth not exped: full as 
 great care and caution about the mat- 
 ter and manner of his Worfhip in the 
 dayes of the Go/pel , as he did in the 
 dayes of Mofes y who was not to vary 
 in theleaft, from the pattern that was 
 Jherved him in the Mount* Exod. 35. 
 40. £^4. 44. 7, 8. 
 
 44. Whether it be not the peculiar 
 Office of the Spirit of God, to teach 
 his People to pray ? and whether any 
 prayers will be accepted, but fuch as 
 he dictates f s\om. S. *5> *<$> 27. P/S/. 
 10. 17. 
 
 4y. Whether feeming grace or ho- 
 linefsj will qualifie a man for happi- 
 nefs , any more than real fins ? and 
 whecher thofe Scribes and Vbarijces, 
 which our Saviour calls Hypocrites ,in 
 their external aits of worfhip, and 
 K 4 pub- 
 
(142 J 
 publick profeffion of Religion, were 
 not in appearance very devout men ? 
 Mat. 23. 14, 2?, to 30. Pfo/. 3.4, 
 J 6. 
 
 46. Whether any leaven fofowers 
 
 the Conference ? any thorn hjbarply 
 
 pricks it ? any dagger fo deeply wounds 
 
 'it, as hypocrifie? 1 Cor.j. S.P/w. 
 
 iS. 14. 
 
 47. Whether 6" wearers .Drunkards , 
 Whore-makers , or any other prophane 
 perfons and lewd livers, be any whit 
 the better men , becaufe they go to 
 Divine Service twice a day, and per- 
 haps can fay all the Prayers without 
 book too ( being fo of ten ufed to 
 them) unlefs they truly repent andre r 
 form? E/a. 29. 1 3. Jer. 7,9, 10, 11. 
 
 48. Whether the Gofpel mould 
 not be preached in feaf.n and out of 
 Jeafon? and whether, where vifion 
 fails, the people are not in danger of 
 perifhmg > 2 Tim. 4. 2. Vrov. 29. 1 8. 
 
 49. Whether the dar{nefe, occa- 
 sioned among a People, by the ab- 
 sence 
 
Cm) 
 
 fence of the Sun of Righteoufnefs , and 
 his {Joining G of pel, be not fax greater* 
 and more terrible than that ofALgypt , 
 it being a deprivation of a more glo- 
 rious Light ? Z^. 1.79. 
 
 yo. Whether they that cannot 
 endure the light of the Gofpel, have 
 not fore eyes ? and they that cannot 
 fee the light of it when it fhines bright- 
 ly, are not ftarJ^ blind ? and whether 
 they that do their utmoft to extin- 
 guifh it, are not willing to have thenv 
 felves and deeds undif covered, andfo 
 go to Hell without flop? Job. 3. 19, 
 20. Eph. 5. 1 3. 2 Cor, 4. 3,4. 
 
 VI. DECAD. 
 
 ft; Whether Chrift his /a^/ dr- 
 Jcentinto Hell, were an Article of the 
 Chriftian Faith, the flrit 400. years 
 after Chrift ? and whether thofe 
 words of our Saviour upon the Crofs, 
 It is finifhed, {Job. 19.20.) do leave 
 any ground to believe that he fuffer- 
 ed any pain, or felt any farther wrath 
 
 . of 
 
( X 44J 
 of God afterwards, as-common Peo- 
 ple are apt to conceive , by thofe 
 words of his, Defi ending into Hell I 
 
 fi. Whether the words of that 
 Article in the Creed, Crucified , dead 
 and buryed, do not fufficiently exprefs 
 Chrift his remaining in the jiate of the 
 dead, without the addition cl any o* 
 ther words ? and if they do, whether 
 then the following words muft not 
 be taken in a diftiriclfenfe f or elie be 
 liable to the danger of a Tautology ? 
 
 j 3. Whether the Lords day doth 
 not conlift of as many hours as any 
 other day ? and whether it ought not 
 to be wholly fit apart, either for per- 
 lbnai duties in Jecret ', or for private 
 duties in the Family > or for publick 
 duties of Piety in the Congregation , 
 and of charity among Neighbonrs, as 
 occalion requires f.Exod, 20. S, 9, 10, 
 11. & Chap. 31. 15, to iZ.Levit. 19. 
 3, 30. Mat. 12. 1, to 9. 
 
 5*4. Whether a great and ftricl 
 charge doth not lye on Parents and 
 
 Go- 
 
Governours of Families, to Catechise 
 Children and Servants, and to inftrucifc 
 them in the admonition and nurture of 
 the Lord ? and whether the want of 
 this be not owe gseat hindrance to th% 
 work of the Gofpel in the publicly 
 ministration of it > Deut. 6.6,7. Prov* 
 22. 6. Epb. 6. 4. 
 
 5 y„ Whether the want of frequent 
 and plain Preaching and preffing the 
 fundamentals of Religion, by the Mi- 
 nifters of the Gofpel, be not one chief 
 occafion of the great ignorance and 
 confufion, that is ordinarily found in 
 the minds of People, about matters 
 of Faith and PraBife , and of their 
 aptnefs to be feduced into errors £ 
 
 5 6. Whether it may be ever hoped 
 for in this world, that all men (hall be 
 jufi of a mind, or of the fame opinions 
 and apprehenfions (in matters difpu- 
 table at lead) any more than all 
 to be of one and the fame complexion 
 and feature in their faces ? 1 Cor. 1.12. 
 & Chap. 3, 3,4,7,*. & Chap. 12.4,5-. 
 
 y 7 .Whe- 
 
(i 4 
 
 57- Whether Parents ought not to 
 bear a great reverence towards their 
 Children, in doing and faying nothing 
 in their fight and bearing, which they 
 are unwilling to have them learn or 
 pra£tife > and whether evrl communi- 
 cation in them as well as others ? doth 
 not corrupt good manners f i Cor. 1 y. 
 33. Eph.q. 29. 
 
 y 8 . W hether o/h?w dropping fa vory 
 ^and good fpeeches among thofe we 
 have ordinary converfe with, inde- 
 fign to win fouls , or to quicken grace 
 in our felves and others , be not a 
 lowing of precious feed, that will be 
 fure to come up at one time or ano- 
 ther in a fruitful Harveft ? and whe- 
 ther Abraham, Jofhua, and David , 
 with other eminent Saints in Scrip- 
 ture, were not wont to be much im- 
 ployed this way ? Gen. 1 8. 19. Jofh. 
 24. 15-. Pfal. 34. 11. Prov. 31. i, to 
 jo.Prov. 1. 1, 3,4. &Chap. 10. 21. 
 
 5 9 . Whether he that willingly and 
 confiantly ' negle&s the duties oijecnt 
 
 me- 
 
{HI) 
 meditation and Prayer betwixt God 
 and his own foul, may pafs in charity 
 for 2, good Clmftian? Mat, 6. ?,6. 
 
 60. Whether a cold, flat, dull [pi- 
 nt of Prayer among Gods People, be 
 not a fad fymptom , both of their 
 unfitness to iuffer afflictions, and un- 
 preparednefi for deliverance out of 
 it} E/a. 43. 22. and whether when 
 God intends mercy, he doth not give 
 an heart to pray earneflly for it ? Jer. 
 29. 10, to 1 j. 
 
 VII. DECAD. 
 
 61. Whether the flood-gates of all 
 manner of fins ftanding open among 
 a People, and no flop put to them, will 
 not let in alfo inundations of judge- 
 ments ? and whether in fuch times 
 there can be any more than two far- 
 ties found , either fuch as willingly 
 partake of the common guilt, or fuch 
 as Jigh and cry for the abominations 
 committed among them? Lam.i. 8, 
 5. Eie{, 9.. 4, 
 
 tfi.Whe- 
 
043) 
 6 2. Whether thofe that live moft 
 lolily, mourn for their own and the 
 Nations fin moft affectionately, and 
 pray for their Prince moft fervently, 
 are not the beft fubjedts ? i Tim. 2, 
 1,2. 
 
 63. Whether pure Religion, and 
 undefiled, doth not confift in the con- 
 fcientious performances of the du- 
 ties of both Tables, viz. of Holinefs 
 towards God, and Kigbteoufnefs towards 
 men > and whether he that moft truly 
 fears God, doth not moft truly honour 
 the King too ? and whether the fecond 
 muft not needs be affirmed, where 
 the fir ft is granted ? 1 Pet. 2. 17. Acl. 
 24. i<5, 
 
 64. Whether there can be any 
 comfort in fuffering, unlefs it be for 
 welldoing? and whether a man hath 
 not need of a very good 'and deer c unfit 
 that lyes in a Prifon for it ? 1 Pet. 
 
 tfy. Whether Prayers and tears 
 
 are not the Saints weapons ? and af- 
 ter 
 
(H5>) 
 ter their death too? and whether by 
 thefe they may not hope to prevail 
 againft their adverfaries in due time, 
 Rfi/. 6. 9, io. Exod. 2. 23, 24, 25-. 
 
 66. Whether injuries , efpecially 
 for Gods lake, are not patiently to be 
 born ^ rather than revenged? and whe- 
 ther Cbrift bim/elf give not a great ex- 
 ample and proof of it f Lu{.6. 2 S,2$>, 
 1 P^. 2. 23. 
 
 67. Whether it was not providen- 
 tial that the name of the firft man 
 that dyed for the Chriftian Religion 
 {Stephen) fhould fignifie a Crown ? and 
 whether that crowned Emperour, 
 Philip the Arabian ( SuccefTour to 
 G or dianus ')who in the time of the 7 th. 
 perfecution was flain,becaufe a Chri- 
 ftian, was not advanced to a much 
 higher dignity than he had before, by 
 his being crowned with Martyrdom ? 
 iTim. 4. 7, 8. Jtf/H. 1. 12. I^ev. 2. 
 10. & 3. 21. 
 
 6 8. Whether a Prifon for Chrift's 
 fake, doth not become a Pallace and 
 
 place 
 
( W) 
 
 -place of glory , and a clofe (linking 
 dungeon, a Parad/fe of fweeteft plea- 
 furesr > and whether Ghrift himfelf 
 be not fellow-Prtfoner there ^-Rw; 2 
 io. ^#. 12. 7. & i6.2y.Ato.2j-. 36. 
 
 69. Whether fires of the Saints 
 Bodies are not made of the ricbeft fu- 
 els? and whether God fmells not 
 fiveet favours from £/;/?/£ flames ? Pbih 
 2. 17. Row. 12. 1. 
 
 "o. Whether the Apes of. holy 
 Martyrs, are not referved in golden 
 Urnes? and whether the moil: lafting 
 perfumes, are not found in the graves 
 of thofe that dye in, and for Cbrifl, e- 
 fpeciallyfince Chrift himfelf and his 
 odours lay in a graver* Job. 19.393 
 40,41. 1 Tbef'.A. 14, 16. 
 
 VIII. DECAD. 
 
 71. Whether the Hiftory of the 
 ten perfections, efpecially the Martyr- 
 doms of the Apoitles, of Epagatbus, 
 Zenon , and other Noble men of 
 Kerne , of Ignatius Bifhop oiAjitioch^ 
 
 of 
 
of Eufiachius, one of Hadrians moft 
 valiant Generals of his Armies * of 
 Poly carpus Bifhop of Smyrna, of Fe- 
 licitas and her feven Sons, of Germa- 
 nicus Sanclus y Maturus , Attalus , 
 Laurentius, Blandina, with very many 
 others, are not molt pleating and pro- 
 fitable to be read m (uffering times ? 
 
 72. Whether vifions of God, and 
 his holy Angels, to fome of the afore- 
 faid Martyrs, and their fellows, did 
 not fill them with ineffable joy es in the 
 midfl: of their greateft fuffenngsr' and 
 whether the intenfnefs and frveetnefs 
 thereof, were not the true reafon (as 
 the Writers of thefe things report ) 
 why from morning to night they 
 could endure fuch ex qui fit e torments y 
 as burning plates, fc aiding lead, boy ling 
 oyles, and many other fuch like, in- 
 Aided on their naked bodies, as if they 
 had never felt them > 1 Pet. 4. 13,14. 
 Heb. 10. 35-. &12.2. 
 
 73. Whether /cw2£> may not be kil- 
 led, but not hurt ? and others not on- 
 
 L ly 
 
ly dye, but be hilled by death I }\ev.2. 
 ii> 23. 
 
 74. Whether all the world be not 
 a place of exile to him, whofe Coun- 
 trey is Heaven > and whether a Be- 
 lievers home can be any where but in 
 his Fathers houfe ? John l^.z.Heb* 11. 
 13, 14, 15, id. 
 
 7$-. Whether Holinefs be not the 
 beauty of youth, and the ^/ory 0/~ 0W 
 ^ ? the y&//£ of this, and of the o- 
 ther worlds Prov. 1. 8, 9. & id. 31. 
 
 7<5. Whether the £## in the firma- 
 ment hath balffo many beams and in- 
 fluential powers, as the Covenant of 
 Grace hath confolationsrand whether 
 the Promifes are not the breajls there- 
 of, and fo full , that the Babes of 
 Chrift can never empty them by luck- 
 ing?//^. 6. 17, 1 8.2?^. 1.4. jsys. 
 66. 11, 12. 
 
 7 7. Whether God be not fuch an 
 ever and over-flowing Fountain of Life 
 and Grace , as fends forth millions 
 of frejh and newflreams continually ? 
 
 and 
 
Cm) 
 
 and whether all other fountains of 
 good arc any other than ib many (in- 
 gle drop of this ? P/aL 36. S, 9. Efo. 
 12. 2, 3. 
 
 7 8. Whether all our flowers grow 
 not in GW / Garden } and whether he 
 be not provoked to crop them, when 
 we look^toomuch upon them, ox fmett 
 too much -to them? //a/? 2. 8,9, 10. 
 
 79. Whether engaging the heart 
 more than is meet, in creature-com- 
 forts, be not like a forfeit from faeet- 
 meats, that often brings death ? LuJ^ 
 8. 14. zTim. 3. 4. 
 
 80. Whether moftmen like fpi- 
 ders, do not fuck poyjon from God's 
 flowers s rather than like Bees, make 
 Aow^y out of them ? and whether in- 
 gratitude, doth not turn his honey in- 
 to gall,and^re/afl7/tf/0// a his grace into 
 wantonnefs f 2 7Y/». 3.2. y&di? 4. 
 
 IX. DECAD. 
 
 8 1 . Whether it be not better to 
 fojfer than to (in ? and whether many 
 
 L 2 do 
 
do not wifti they had done fo, when it 
 is too late? i Pet/4.i6.Mat.2T*},49$. 
 
 82. Whether God will thank any 
 man for being fo over-careful or bufie 
 in providing for the peace of the 
 Church (or his own peace rather) that 
 he is not fo careful as he (hould be for 
 the purity oi it? and v/hether it be a 
 good way to procure its peace, by 
 yeeldingto any thing that pollutes \ti 
 ES& 1 3. 1 7> to 23. 
 
 8 3 . Whether a tender confcience , 
 that fears to offend God in the leaft 
 thing, efpecially in matters of his 
 divine Wotjhip, be not lefs dangerous, 
 than a bold confcience. that adven- 
 tures far, and a large confcience that 
 can fwallo w any thing for preferments 
 fake} and whedier a tender confci- 
 ence be not a better guard upon the 
 purity of Gods holy Ordinances,than 
 a forward compliance with thofe pre- 
 cepts of men y w T hich(ifChrifthimfelf 
 be- worthy of belief) renders the 
 Worfoip of God vain} Efa. 29. 12. 
 
 Mat. 
 
Mat. iy. 7, 8, 9. Mark. 7. 6, 7>$>9* 
 
 84. Whether carnal pollicy , love of 
 (elf and bafe fear, have not betrayed 
 many a brave Caufe? and whether he 
 that fteps back , and lofeth but one 
 foot of his ground, doth not draw his 
 adverfary the f after and more fiercely 
 on him, till he be quite beaten out of 
 the field by him? Gal. 1.16,17. 8c 
 chap. 2. 4, ?. 
 
 Sy. Whether thofe wounds upon 
 theGofpel, be not moft gaping, and 
 thofe gafhes in the profeffion of it, 
 the deepeft, which are made by men, 
 who being reputed truly godly, do 
 moft unworthily renounce, or at leaft 
 not openly, ftrenuoufly and conftant- 
 ly z&vt, thok prof ejfed Principles and 
 practices, which with good reafon, they 
 formerly, more wayes than one de- 
 clared for,and maintained, in the face 
 of the whole world > and whether 
 Francis Spira found not the bitter 
 fruit of fuch a tergiverfation from 
 the Truth, when he fubfcribed to the 
 L 3 "Popes 
 
Popes Legat f Oh how did he cry out 
 of the (hipwrack which he had made 
 of Faith and a good Confidence ! how 
 did he torment his own foul, with 
 that dreadful Scripture (Prov. 14. 
 1 4 J The bachjlider in heart Jhall be fil- 
 led with his ohm wayes \ which fore 
 judgement the Lord avert ffor his 
 mercy fake) and prevent in others. 
 
 86. Whether patience under af- 
 flictions, be not beft maintained to a 
 gratious heart,£y thinking well of God, 
 and a firm belief that all things Jhall 
 ivorJ^ together for good ? and whether 
 the consideration, that God is a crea- 
 ting God, and fo able to create fiuccours 
 and means of help, when all vifible 
 hopes from fecond caufes fail, be not 
 a ground of great confolation to Be- 
 lievers when moftoppreffed? Rom. 8. 
 2$. Heb. 12. 5, (5,7, 10. Efa. yo. 2. & 
 
 59- 1. 
 
 87. Whether God intends any 
 more hurt to his fiervants , when he 
 puts them intothe/re, than the 7^?- 
 
 finer 
 
finer doth to his pretious mettals, when 
 he puts them into the Furnace? and 
 whether it can reafonably be imagi- 
 ned, that he means to confume his gold 
 and filver, and ib impoverijh himielf > 
 Mai. i. 2, 3. J^acbar.!}. 9. 1 Pet. 
 4. 12. 
 
 SS. Whether Gods actions are not 
 alwayes heft, how crofs foever they 
 may feem to us, and done upon the 
 high efl and bejl reafons* and whether 
 there be not good reafm for us to con- 
 clude fo , though fbmetimes we un- 
 derstand them not? pfal.i $6.$.Prov 9 
 3. 19, 20. Job 36. 22, 23. 
 
 8 9 . Whether God only be not the 
 moji abjclute Soveraign, that by a pe- 
 culiar prerogative, makes his own nill 
 theruleofwhatfoeverhe doth, both 
 in Heaven and Earth f and whether 
 anything can poffibly be contingent 
 to him, or happen other wife (even in 
 any the leafl circumfta?ice)zhan he hath 
 before decreed, ordained, and appoin- 
 ted? or than he orders, permits, and 
 L 4 di- 
 
dire&s ? Job 9.12. Efa. 4d.11. AH. 
 2. 23. &4. 28. & 17.2(5. R<wz. 9. 15-, 
 1 8, to 24. 
 
 90. Whether God be not greatly 
 to be obferved and admired, in all that 
 he doth , not only in his works of 
 Creation >hxxx.'m the continued courfe 
 of his renewed Providences? and whe- 
 ther every thing that proceeds from 
 God, {hould not lead us to God? A3;. 
 17. 26, 27. 
 
 X. DECAD. 
 
 9 1 . Whether it be not a duty to 
 follow Providence, and not to lead it t 
 to be led by it, and not to drive it ? or 
 whether we can have peace in doing 
 or fuffering any thing without a good 
 warranter call from God ? Pfal. 7 3 . 
 24. Heb. ?. 4. 
 
 92. Whether Or iginalSin was not 
 the Devils firft Brat, begot upon hu- 
 mane nature, with its own confent? 
 and whether millions of millions 
 more,of all manner of tranfgreffions, 
 
 have 
 
C'tfjr) 
 
 have not ever fince been conceived 
 and fpraug from the fame womb ? 
 Gen. 3 . 4, f, 12. 2 Cor. 1 1 . 2 . Rom. 
 y. 12, 16, 17, i 8, 19. Gen. 6. $. Ec- 
 clef. 8. 1 1. j^w, 1.14. 
 
 93. Whether all manner of mife- 
 ries and deaths, have not come in at 
 this door only/ 5 Rom. y. 12, to 17. 
 Jam. 1. 15. 
 
 94. Whether we are not worfe ene- 
 mies to our felves by far, than the De- 
 vil can poffibly be, fince he can ne- 
 ver hurt us without our own confent ? 
 Prov. 1* to. Pfal. jo. 1 8. 
 
 9 j. Whether the heart cf man be- 
 fore 'twas entred and poffeffed by 
 fin, was not the very Paradije of Pa- 
 radife, an Eden within Eden it f elf \ 
 even Gods own fweet Garden of de- 
 light, where himfelf ', and Son, and 
 Spirit, did all* dwell and converfe to- 
 gether?and whether ever fince ithath 
 not been the very [pawning place of 
 all filthinefs ? a Cage of unclean birds ? 
 an horrible deep anddark^pit> of hit 
 
 fing 
 
( i6o) 
 fing dinging Serpents? and thefefo 
 bedded and twifted together, and fo 
 continually multiplying , that it is ut- 
 terly impoffible they (hould ever be 
 deftroyed any other way , but by 
 plentiful ftreams of Chrift his own 
 wreaking warm blood, poured hot up- 
 on them, from his dying heart. This 
 indeed can ftiffle and kill them, when 
 nothing elfe .can, Gen.i. 27,28. com- 
 pared with Chap. 6- ?. and with Jer. 
 1 7, 9. as alfo with 1 Job. 1.7. 
 
 96. Whether Pelagiamjm , that 
 denies Original Sin, and makes death 
 not to be the punilhment thereof, 
 but the meer neceffary conjequence of 
 nature only, be not a moft dangerous 
 Herefie ? and whether the dodtrine of 
 general Redemption, which grants Ori- 
 ginal Sin, but then takes it off again 
 iromall mankind, by attributing too 
 large an extent to the death of Chrift, 
 be not every whit as dangerous > and 
 whether boththefe Grand Herefies, 
 are not againft moft exprefs Scrip- 
 tures? 
 
(161) 
 tures ? the firft againft, Rom. j. 1 2,& 
 chap. 2. 9,10,1 1,12, 22,23. G#/.3. 23. 
 the fecond againit,£/i. y 3. 1 1 ,1 2. Job. 
 17. 9. Rom. 3. 26. & j. 12. .& 6. 23. 
 compared with, G^«. 2. 17. 
 
 97. Whether the roarings which 
 fome men have in their Confcience's, 
 when their own fins and Gods wrath, 
 are let out againft them, even here in 
 this Life, be not more hideous and 
 lamentable , than thofe that were 
 made by the Bull of Phalaris, or the 
 red-hot chains and grid-irons ,that fome 
 of the holy Martyrs were broiled and 
 fryed to death by ? and yet how fhort 
 doth this come of Hell ? Prov.i 8.14. 
 Mat. 27.4, f.Mat.zz.i}. & 27.41. 
 £>. 33.14. 
 
 9 8 . Whether/ira <*0^ violence, up- 
 on fo tender a place as Confcience, 
 are not/ore temptations ? and whether, 
 while they caufe men to fin againft 
 their own light, they do not often oc- 
 cafion far more grievous torments 
 inwardly, than thofe outward fiery 
 
 tryals 
 
(162) 
 
 tryals of affliction can poffibly be , 
 which they dread ib much, and feek 
 this way to avoids Vrov. 14. 14. 
 
 99. Whether God be not as shi- 
 ftily yea infinitely more skilful, to draw 
 
 good out of evihyea the greateft good 
 out of thegreateft evil, than men are 
 to make foveraign Triacles out of 
 faong poyjons >Kom. S. 28. 
 
 1 00. Whether the blood of Chrift 
 be not the mo& foveraign Balfom? and 
 whether it be poffible for the leajl 
 wound, that ever fin made, to be cu- 
 red without it ? and laftly, whether 
 Chrift be not the befl Phyfitian,z$ well 
 as Chyrugion,fince none that he hath 
 undertaken, ever mifcarried under his 
 hand, or ever can, Heb. 9. 14, 22. 
 Mat, 9. 12. Lu\. 10. 34, 35-. John 
 «. 37. 
 
 XL DECAD. 
 
 1 01. Whether all the Monarchies 
 in the world, and millions more of 
 the fame kind, can bear equal weight 
 
 with 
 
with one dram of faving Grace ? and 
 whether they that make drudges of 
 themfelves to get wealth, but never 
 mind the falvation of their precious 
 fouls, do not fell Heaven and Happi- 
 nefs for a golden nothings and io make 
 fad work for themfelves when they 
 lye a dying? Mat. 16. 26. 
 
 102. Whether a little Religion in 
 great perfbns , doth not go a great 
 way, andjhtnefar ? and whether fuch 
 perfons, in the midft of their many 
 temptations from Honours, Kicbes, 
 and Plea/tores, are not rather to be 
 pittied and prayed for, than envied } 
 1 Cor. 1. 2<5. 
 
 103. Whether Jefus Cbrift be not 
 worthy to be accounted and made 
 ufe of, as the moft illuflrious and re- 
 fulgent Jewel that can be worn, ei- 
 ther in the bofom of Noblejl Ladies, 
 or ori the Diadems of mightiefi Mq- 
 narcbs> 1 Pet. 2. 6, 7. 
 
 104. Whether Glory doth not 
 fpark[e in Grace here, as in a rich Dia- 
 mond 
 
(i<r 4 ; 
 mond full of Angles , and Grace flame 
 in Glory hereafter, as in a bright Joi- 
 ning Sun ? and whether that which is 
 called Grace in the cradle, be not the 
 fame, that is called Glory upon the 
 Throne f 2 Cor. 3.18. 
 
 105-. Whether the poor Groom in 
 the Stable, or the Scullion in the Kit- 
 chin, that hath true Faith in Chnft, 
 and fincere Love to God, fhall not be 
 fure of a place in Heaven, when the 
 great Lord or Lady which he ferves, 
 having none of thefe Graces , fhall 
 never come there } Jam. 2.5. 
 
 106, Whether it be not great pit- 
 * ty, that one fhould get into the Su- 
 burbs of Heaven,but never into Hea- 
 ven it Jelf? and whether it doth not 
 concern the fine-fpun Hypocrite* and 
 the great moraliji, to think of this * 
 Mari{ 12. 3. 
 
 107. Whether every one Ihould 
 not ftrive to be better than others, and 
 to fet the livelieft patterns of holinefs? 
 and whether the lowly Grace of Hu- 
 mility, 
 
mility, which like the delicate fcen- 
 ted Violet , hangs its bead neer the 
 ground, and bides itfelfzs 'twere, un- 
 under its own leaves, be not as Jrveet 
 as any of the taller graces ? Tit. 2.7. 
 & 3. 1. 1 Cor. 14. 12, alfo, Prov. if. 
 33. and 22.4. 1 Pet. y. f. 
 
 108. Whether many Heathen* for 
 their moral vertues, did not out-do 
 many of thofe, that in our dayes, go 
 by the name of Chnftians ? and whe- 
 ther it be not beft , fo to live al- 
 wayes, as one would voijh to have li- 
 ved when he comes to dye I Mat. 
 11. 21. 
 
 109. Whether he takes not the 
 moft defirable journey, and hath not 
 the bejl company for his fellow-tra- 
 vellers, that goes towards Heaven, 
 and gets thither at laft, though fome- 
 times his way be dirty ? Mat. 7. 14. 
 compared with, Prov. 3 . 1 7. 
 
 1 1 o. Whether the Saints do not 
 alwayes walk with the beft guards', for 
 while wicked men are attended with 
 
 none 
 
(166 J 
 none but the Devil and his Imps, are 
 not they ever furrounded with the 
 holy Angels , and with God to boot I 
 P/&/.51.9, io, n, 12. Heb* 1. 14. 
 
 XII. DECAD. 
 
 in. Whether it be not the nifejl 
 way to get preferment in that Court, 
 where all are l\iiigs ? and whether a 
 Believers Crown of Thorns, that is li- 
 ned with Diamonds , be not richer, 
 and more eafie, than thole Crowns of 
 Diamonds that are lined with Thorns ? 
 l{ev. 1. 6. Mat. 1 3.7,22. 
 
 112. Whether any Garden or Gal- 
 lery, be fo pleafant, fweet, and ftate- 
 ly to walk in, as where Chrift and his 
 Spoufe are wont to meet f and whe- 
 ther any nourishment be fo defirable, 
 as that honey and milk which they eat 
 of, and thofe fpiced Wines which 
 theydrinkj Cant. £.1. 6C7.5. &8.2. 
 EJa.2?.6. 
 
 113. Whether the Citizens Mer- 
 chandise, or the Cqnntrey-mans Hus- 
 bandry 
 
bandry , the Gentlemans fyvenues 1 
 and the Poor mans Labours* are not 
 more or lefs profperous, fwect and 
 comfortable, as they have more or 
 \zfeintereftm God^wdiconverfe with 
 him? Deuter:%%i'2.>to 21. 
 
 114. Whether any calling, imploy- 
 mentor bufinefs, can be warrantable* 
 which one cannot in Faith pray for y 
 and expedt a bleffing on > and whe- 
 ther Stage-Players, makers of Popijh 
 PiUures and Images ,m& many others, 
 are not concerned in this Qusery ? 
 fiom.iq. i^.E/a. 44. 9, to 21. 
 
 ny. Whether a fecret curfe doth 
 not the fame in fome mens great E- 
 ftates, that worms do at the roots of 
 faireft flowers f and whether every 
 thing on this fide Heaven, be not ei- 
 ther a Feather or a Thorn, vanity or 
 vexation of fpirit ? Prov. 3.33. Ma/* 
 2. 2. Job 20. 26. Ecclef 1 . 2,14. 
 
 1 1 5. Whether Ac/y ta*r/ have not 
 zjhrill voice > and whether a right 
 Prayer indeed comes not into Gods 
 
( if8 ) 
 ear, as foon as it is out of a Believers 
 heart rP/al. 6. 8. Efa. 6;. 24. 
 
 117. Whether one affectionate 
 warm aUive Cbrifiian > among many 
 cold ones, be not like one live coaly 
 that enkindles many dead ones ? and 
 like a loadstone, in the midft of many 
 needles, which draws and gives mag- 
 netique touches to them all, by vertue 
 whereof, they drawothers. like wife ? 
 1 Cor. 11. 1. Heb. 3. 13. John 1. 43, 
 to 47.^3. 1 S,. 24, to 2 8. 
 
 118. Whether pajfions out of or- 
 der, are not Y\kefire out of the chim- 
 ney ? and whether all care ought not 
 to be ufed to keep, them within their 
 due place and compafs ? Jam, 1 . 1 y , 2 c . 
 & 3. 5, d. £/>/;. 4. 26. 31. 
 
 119. V/hether it be not the duty 
 of Husbands and Wives, not only to 
 pray for and with one another, at 
 times of ordinary au drefs to God, but 
 alio at fbecial feafons in their retire- 
 ments , frequently fet apart for that 
 purpofe bctwixc themfelves i and 
 
 whe- 
 
(Itfp) 
 
 whether this be not an excellent 
 means to procure bleffings upon,and 
 to keep all things in fweet harmony m 
 their Families ? J^acbar, 12.11, 12* 
 13, 14. La^i-i, 6. 
 
 120. Whether the Husband ought 
 not to dwell with his Wife as a man of 
 knowledge ,and to be a good guide and 
 head to her ? and whether the Wife 
 by her vertues, fhould not become a 
 Crown to her Husband ? and whether 
 in this cafe, the Head and the Crown 
 be not tvell met} 1 Pet. 3.7. Prov* 
 12. 4. 
 
 XIII. DECAD. 
 
 121. Whether Ktngs, Princes, and 
 Nobles, have not the greateft opportu- 
 nities of doing good in their Gene- 
 rations > the greateft obligations upon 
 them towards God f and the greateft 
 accounts to make to him ? Efa. 49.23. 
 Pfal. 1 01 . throughout, & P/S/. 34. 1 1. 
 2 Cbron 29, 36, Ejlb. 4. 13. Nebem.i, 
 4. Lu\. 1.3. 
 
 M 2 i2 2,Whe- 
 
12 2. Whether Judges and Law- 
 yers, of all others, have not the moft 
 frequent and lively reprefentations of 
 the day of Judgement before their 
 eyes ? and whether fuch of them as 
 take Babes, give wrong Judgement, 
 undertake badCaufes, and refufe to 
 plead good ones \ (hall not certainly 
 come to their tryal, at that High Tri- 
 bunal} 2 Cbron. 19.6. Levit. 19. if. 
 Prov. 31. y.Efa.i.ij^l.Deut. 25.1. 
 alio, Pfal. 94.21. Eja.$.2$. Heb. 
 10. 30. 
 
 125. Whether thofe are not rxeal^ 
 Nets, or thofe Nets not well managed, 
 which will catch and hold little fijhes 
 only, but not great ones ? and whether 
 thofe Laws are not as weak,or at leaft 
 weakly executed, that catch little of- 
 fenders only, but let great ones efcape f 
 1 Sam. 8. 3. Efa. 29. 21. 
 
 124. Whether the pardoning of 
 many and great crimes, be not fome- 
 times very icafonable and neceflary ? 
 and whether this be not to imitate 
 
 God 
 
r*70 
 
 God himfelf ,in one of his molt R^/ 
 Prerogatives } 2 Sam. 19. 21, 22, 23. 
 /V01/. 10. 12. £.W. 54.7. Jer. yo.20. 
 
 I2y. Whether he that is implaca- 
 ble againft another, that hath caujlef- 
 ly offended him, fo as never to par- 
 don nor forget the wrong done to him, 
 hath any reaibn to hope, for mercy 
 fromGtf^, whom himfelf oftends dai- 
 ly and hourly ? Itym. 1. 31. Lu\. 17. 
 2, 3. Mat. 6. 14, iy. 2 £0/. 2. 7. 
 
 1 26. Whether he that prays God 
 would forgive him, as he forgives 0. 
 thers ( whom he neither doth forgive, 
 nor ever will) doth not thereby give 
 anfwer to himfelf, and conclude ne- 
 ver to be forgiven H or at leait, doth 
 not his tongue contradict his heart ? 
 and that in the fight of him who 
 kriows all hearts ? Mat. 6. 1 2> 1 3,14, 
 15. Acl. iy. l.Luk^ 6. 37. &11.4. 
 
 127. Whether fome men do not 
 
 fin fearfully, byrajhvorvs, andobfti- 
 
 nate refolutions, without and againfi 
 
 all rule or prefident from the Word 
 
 M 3 of 
 
(l 7 2) 
 
 of God ? and whether fuch men fall 
 not into dreadful '/hares thereby ? or 
 can have any other way to deliver 
 themfelves from the [in or danger 
 thereof, but by repenting with all 
 fpeed, and nullifying fuch unwarran- 
 table vows and resolutions } Judg. 1 1 . 
 39. AU. 9. 23, 24. & 23,12, 13,14. 
 
 128. Whether it be not an unpa- 
 ralleldy both crime, folly and cruel- 
 ty, to be irreconcileable to another for 
 the fame faults > (or perhaps lefs ) that 
 ones fell either is or hath been guil- 
 ty of, and yet reckon upon going to 
 Heaven at laft,without my greater(or 
 perhaps not fo great) evidence of re- 
 pentance or reformation , than the 
 Party he is fo irreconcileable to doth 
 give ? Mat. 1 S. 3 2, ; 3, 34, 3 5. 
 
 129. Whether a mans own Con- 
 fcience be not a Law, a Witnefs^ and a 
 Judge to himfelf ? and whether the 
 Righteous God doth not pafs the 
 
 fame Sentence upon a man , that his 
 own confeience doth? Prov* 14- * 4- 
 
 Row, 
 
( #? ; 
 
 Rom. 2. 1 4, i y, i(5". i J^. 3.20,21* 
 
 130. Whether ft be likely that lie, 
 who -at zz?z}' ^W5 /^%^/ it too foori to 
 repent, or thinks it foon enough to re- 
 pent at any time , means ever to re- 
 pent at all ? and whether any man be 
 truly wife, but he that is wile at /aft, 
 and fo wife for eternity } Heb. 3 . 7 , to 
 itf. Ro/??. 2. 5-. f rov. 15?. 2 c. Zfe&r. 
 3 2 . 2 ?. 
 
 XIV.DECAD. 
 
 131. Whether part of a good Mo- 
 thers imployment , fliould not be a 
 conftant endeavour to inftil knowledge 
 and grace into her Childrens hearts ? 
 and the like ot a Miftris to her Mai- 
 dens r Prov. 5 1 . 1 . 2 77w. 1 . j. 
 
 132. Whether a di [obedient Child* 
 that truly repsnts, and endeavours to 
 amend for the future, may not hope 
 for mercy from his Father in Heaven* 
 in cafe he cannot obtain none from 
 his earthly Parents ? and whether he 
 that wants bowels to another in mile- 
 
 M 4 r Y> 
 
ry, may not fear he (hall find as little 
 favour himfelf , when he {lands moft in 
 needoi it? Lu^if. 17, to 22. Prov* 
 12. 10. Jer. 6. 23. Jam. 2. 13. 
 
 1 ; 5 . Whether it be poffible for 
 Children,by all the duty and love they 
 can exprefs, to make full payment of 
 what they owe to Parents ? and whe- 
 ther they ought not to do their utmoft 
 to become comforts to them, and be 
 grieved at the very heart if they have 
 been croffes } Lu^. 1 f , 18, 19. 
 
 134. Whether they are not the belt 
 neighbours, friends and companions, 
 whofe conjlant dtfiourfe is moft bea- 
 venly } znd their examples moft Holy ? 
 lTbefl.i.y. 
 
 135. Whether fhe makes not the 
 befi Wife that hath two Husbands, one 
 in Heaven as well as one on Earth ? 
 and whether fhe can love the latter 
 welly unlefs fhe love the other better ? 
 Cant. 2. 16.&6. 3. & 7. 10. 
 
 136. Whether to match with 
 Chrift be not high preferment ? and 
 
 whe- 
 
Cm) 
 
 whether Gods moft wonderful con- 
 defcenfion , in accepting any poor 
 vile mortal, and making one fit to ~.. 
 become a Spou/e for his Son, be not 
 a good document and inftru£tion to 
 thofe Parents , that fometimes find 
 their Children match below their rank 
 and eftates, provided they meet with 
 internal qualifications of mind, fuita- 
 ble and commendable in the rvantoi 
 other things t Mat. 22. 2. Efa. 5-4. /. 
 
 1 3 7. Whether pride be not a /wel- 
 ling tumour, moft angry, fiery, and 
 fettering, and upon the worfi place of 
 all, the heart ? and whether reviling 
 language doth not argue a bliftered 
 tongue, and flanderous lips cut like a 
 Raqprf Vrov. 16, 5. & 21. 24. & 29. 
 22,23. 
 
 138. Whether any two that lye in 
 a bed together, after perfonal and fe- 
 cret liftings up of their refpe&ive 
 hearts to God, can fpend their time 
 better before they rife, than by quicJ^ 
 ning each other with holy confe- 
 rence; 
 
twO 
 
 rence, and confulting how beft to 
 ferve God all the day after ? Pfat.f. 3 . 
 &6$.6. Mai. 1. \6. 
 
 139. Whether as foon as our eyes 
 are open in the mornings, we fhould 
 not prevent Satan, by giving the firft 
 foffe/sten of our hearts to God/ 2 and 
 whether it be not needful alwayes, to 
 fit a watchful and flrong guard about 
 them, to keep the Devil out } Pfal.6 3 . 
 i.& 88.13. & 139.18. alfo> Prov. 
 
 4.23. 
 
 140. Whether the Prayer of Jo- 
 nah out of the belly of the Whale , 
 got not as quicJ^ to Heaven,and with- 
 out wetting its wings too, as Solomons 
 did from the Holy Templerand whe- 
 ther he that prayes nioft fincerely 
 hath not the fweeteft breath, as well as 
 he that lings moft fpiritually hath 
 xhsjweeteft voice? Jonah 2. 7. Cant.i. 
 14. l{ev.$.%, 
 
 XV. DECAD. 
 
 - 141. Whether G^inhis appoin- 
 ted 
 
(177) 
 
 ted time > will not fully vindicate the 
 honour of his own holy Ordinances, 
 upon the prophaners, defpifers, and 
 contemners of them f and whether 
 he hath not done fo {boner or later, 
 in all foregoing Jges ? Malecb. i . 7. 
 I fa. f. 24. E^fk^ 22. ^ ^J 2. 
 4, j\ 1 Cor. 11. 20. 
 
 142. Whether a £#*>£, but evil 
 Confcience, be not an Ulcer molt 
 dangerous, and of all others, the mofi 
 incurable ? Prov. 18.14. Mat. 2. j. 
 Gen. 4. i;, 14. 
 
 145. Whether he be not thebeft 
 Soldier, that maintains a fpintual war- 
 fare againft Sin, Satan, and his own 
 evil heart? 1 Tim. 1.18,19. Epb. 6. 
 11, 12. 
 
 144. Whether the Devil, that old 
 and Jubtile Serpent , be fo able and 
 cunning to deceive a man, as a mans 
 own hearts to deceive it felf ? and 
 whether Satan, with all his tempta- 
 tions, can hurt us without our own 
 confent i and whether fins are not 
 
 greater 
 
greater or leOer, as more or lefs of 
 our own mil is in them? Gen. 3. 13. 
 compared with, Jerem. 17.9. Jam. 
 1. 14. 
 
 145-. Whether Godlinefs be not 
 an hard trade or myftery, to be dili- 
 gently and carefully learned r* and 
 whether that Apprentice deferves, or 
 can expect to live well hereafter, that 
 trifles away his opportunity , and is 
 notinduftrious to get the myflerzes of 
 his Trade before his time be out ? 
 1 Ttm. 3. 16. 
 
 146. Whether all themoft preci- 
 ous commodities that Merchants, Gold- 
 fmiths and Jewelers deal for, are not 
 firry wares, in comparifbn of thofe 
 that a good Chriftian trades for with 
 Heaven ? Vrov. 3. 13, 14. Mat. 13. 
 
 1 47 . Whether it be not a miferabh 
 thing, for one to have the chief work 
 for his foul to do, when the glafs of 
 bis Life is run out ? and whether it be 
 not in vain for him then to call time 
 
 again f. 
 
(179) 
 again ? Heb. J. 7> 1 3- & 1 2. 17, 
 
 148. Whether that fiubborn Imp?* 
 nitent> which would not be reclaimed 
 in his life-time > by all counfels and 
 entreaties whatsoever , might not 
 thank himfelf for thofe £0ra?r/, which 
 caufed him 'to 'cry out at his laft 
 breath, Oh ! that I had been made a 
 toad under a bloch^ , when I was made 
 a man ? Vrov. 1. 24, to 32. 
 
 149. Whether mutual admoniti- 
 ons, reproofs and exhortations , are 
 not duties that lye on all men in their 
 fit feafons ? and whether, when they 
 are wifely placed, they are not like 
 Apples of gold with Viiiures of fiver ? 
 Heb. 3. 13. & 10. 2y. Ttf.3.10. 
 
 1 jo. Whether the weakeft men* 
 are not fooneft and moft invincibly 
 conquered by their ownfajfions > and 
 whether he be not the greatefijlave of 
 all, that is a flave to his ownlufls ? Ec- 
 clef 7. 9. Prov. 14, 17. Rom, 7. 
 14^3. 
 
 XVI, DE- 
 
XVI. DECAD. 
 
 if i. Whether he be not guilty of 
 an high affront againft God, that will 
 not be prevailed with to imitate him, 
 fo glorious a pattern, in pardoning of- 
 fenders, andfaeiving mercy tofuchas 
 have need of it > hu\. 6. 3 6, 37, 38. 
 compared with, Proxy. 1. 251, 30,51. 
 
 1 j 2. Whether he that moft fympa- 
 thi^eth with the poor fuffering Ser- 
 vants of Jefus Chrift (be they hungry, 
 naked, fic\, or in Prifon) according 
 tahis ability, fhall not be well payed in 
 the other world ? Mat. 2 j. 34, to 41. 
 
 152. Whether he that wants fuch 
 a Sympathising heart as aforefaid, and 
 Is not ready to the utmojl of his po- 
 wer, to give eafe and fuccour to the 
 i^d Suffering Members of Chrift, may 
 in charity be fuppofed to be any true 
 integral part bf thrifts myftical Bo- 
 dy r 1 Cor, 1 2 S 26, 27. Eph. 4* 2y. &c 
 
 1/4. Whether JeSus Chrift doth 
 
 not 
 
(i8i) 
 
 not improve all the intereft that he 
 hath in Heaven, for the good of his 
 Redeemed Ones, the intereft of his 
 God-bead, the intereft of his Son-Jhip, 
 the intereft of his Mediator-Jhip> and 
 whether he doth not deferve, that 
 they alfa fhould improve all the intereft 
 they have in this world, for him f Job. 
 17. 12, to 16. Heb. 6. 20. &7.2$\ 
 Pfal, ri 6. 1245,14. 
 
 1 y 5-. Whether he that hath a gra# 
 Efiate, but not an heart to improve it 
 for God , were not much better be 
 without it > and whether he that hath 
 both thefe, doth not either find or 
 make opportunities , to exprefs his 
 great love to Chrift^te way, andfo 
 not only brings a blejjtn? upon what 
 he enjoyes here , but layes up vaft 
 treafures for himfelf hereafter ? Lu\^ 
 16, 19, to 26. compared with, Lul^xy. 
 S. 6c Mar\\o. 21. and with Lu\* 16. 9. 
 
 lyd. Whether if Darius an £foi- 
 *fa8 Prince, thought the Prefent of an 
 handful of cold water offered him in 
 
 his 
 
hisProgrefs by Sinetas a poor SI 
 herd , (for want of fomething bet- 
 ter) worthy to be received into a cup 
 of gold, and then the cup it felf to be 
 given to him (as Mian reports in his , 
 various HiftoryJ will not the great 
 God much more reward him that 
 gives but a cup of cold water (if he 
 be able to give no better thiag)to one 
 that bears the name of a Difcipie?M^ 
 10.42, 
 
 iy 7. Whether he that dotbgoodmth 
 what he hath, according to his abili- 
 ty, while he lives, be not the beft Exe* 
 cutor to his own Eftate I and whether 
 he that is moll rich in good Works ', be 
 not the richeft man ? 1 Tim. 6, 1 8, 19. 
 R*z\ 14. 13. 
 
 1/8. Whether Covet oufnefs be not 
 Idolatry, and fuch Idolatry, as of all 
 others,hath moft worJhippers>2n& raoft 
 hearty ones } and whether fome neb 
 pinching muc\-rvorms , though they 
 pay all men their dues, yet may not 
 dye much in debt, vi^ to their own 
 
 hackf 
 
backs and bellies} Co! of. J. /. Ecclef 
 
 i)9. Whether unjuft and cruel 
 
 f riper s and gr a/per s, as well as pro- 
 life vpaffers of Eftates, hav r e not fad 
 accounts to make? and whether^ 
 Epitaph may not be written on their 
 grave-ftones , Here lyes the worlds 
 neb fools, who dyed mifer able poor men ? 
 Luk^ 12. 20. Ecclrf 2, 18, to 24. 
 
 1 60. Whether King Cyrus his klJfes 
 to his Favorites, were not of greater 
 value than the golden Cups he gave to 
 ftr angers (as Xenophon reports * ) and 
 whether Gods fpecial love , be not 
 much more deflrabje than his common 
 rmrcies f Exod. 1 9. 5. Cant, 1.2. 
 
 XVII. DECAD. 
 ldi. Whether/;^/ thrift, and in- 
 genuous induflry in mens particular 
 Callings falwayes provided that God 
 hath his due (hare of their hearts, and 
 their time in his Service) are not great 
 gatherers, and fill not the bag apace > 
 N and 
 
(iH) 
 and whether that which men get by 
 lying, cozening, cheating, and flealing , 
 is not wont to be put into a bag that 
 hath many holes in it ? Prov. t o. 4. & 
 12. 24, 27. & 22. 29. alfo, Mtcab 6. 
 10,11,12. Hag.1.6. 
 
 \6z. Whether a good Confcience 
 be not a Nightingale , that fings all 
 the year long in a mans own hofom f 
 the beft and raoft fure friend in evil 
 times f and a continual Feaft, afford- 
 ing the damtiefi difhes in their proper 
 feafonsMS.23. i.& 24.16. Rom. 9. t. 
 2 Cor. i.i2. 1 Tim. l. y, 19. & 3.9. 
 zTim.i. 3. fifci. 12. 18. 1 Pet.i.i6,2i. 
 Prov.i $.15. &14. 14. 
 
 1 d 3 . Whether the lofs of ones ra- 
 rvard peace , for the greatett profits 
 and preferments in the world , can 
 poffibly be recompenfed thereby, or 
 be recovered again with eafe ? Mat. 
 \6. 26. 
 
 164. Whether temporal things, are 
 notfirft dejired&ndi then had,but^n- 
 tual things//-/? had, and then defired? 
 
 and 
 
0^5) 
 and whether true defires of Grace , 
 do not fuppofe and proceed from 
 Graced Neb.iM.Efa.26. 8,9.2 Cor. 
 P 8.12. 
 
 i6y. Whether, the Graces of the 
 Spirit of God, may not fometimes be 
 found inviron'd with ill natures, and 
 thorny difpofitions, as ripe Strawber- 
 ries among nettles, and under briry 
 bufhes ? 1 Cor. 6. 1 o, it. 
 
 1 66 . Whether the bighefijlars make 
 not the quic\e(l motions , and heavy 
 bodies, when neereft their centers i 
 and whether the holyejl hearts do not 
 the like, in their Heavenly motions to- 
 wards God ? P/al. 63. 8. & 143. 6,9. 
 & 119. 60. 
 
 167. Whether the fpeech ufed by 
 a Perjian Queen, when her King gave 
 her a moil coftly Jewel to wear, fay- 
 ing, Tou Sir, are my only Jewel; may 
 not mod properly and truly be utter- 
 ed by the Spoufe of Cbrifl, to him her 
 S over aign Lord and Husband} Prov. 
 
 SAO, tO 16, 
 
 N: itfS.Whe- 
 
cm) 
 
 ' 168. Whether in times of defer ti- 
 on, one may conclude, Gods face will 
 notfhine again, any more than by a 
 dark Night, that the Sun will not re- 
 turn in the Morning f and whether a 
 burning-glafs , that hath nothing in it 
 at mid-night, may not the next day, 
 be full ofcondenfed and flaming beams > 
 Tfal. 30. f. & Pfal. 4. 6. & 80. 3, 1% 
 
 169. Whether a gracious heart, 
 may not interchangeably enjoy affu- 
 rance, and be troubled wkhdoubt- 
 ings ? and whether Faith of adhe- 
 rence , be not a good relief in the want 
 of ajfurance , though one fbould live 
 and dye without it r* Cant. S. j. Job 
 
 170. Whether purity of heart and 
 life, be not a molt necefTary qualifi- 
 cation for Heavenf and whether thofe 
 that want thify or feoff at it, under the 
 names of Puritan, J^ound-head, Pha- 
 natick., or fuch other opprobrious 
 terms > are ever like to come there 
 
 with- 
 
without J{epentance ? Mat. y. $, 20.' 
 &12.I4. alio, 7^?x/. 22. ij\ 
 
 XVIII. DECAD, 
 
 1 71 . Whether M afters and Miftrr/r 
 fes 3 are not anfwerable for the fouls o£ 
 their Servants, as well as their Chil- 
 dren? and whether they ought not 
 to train up them alfo , in the nurture 
 and admonition of the Lord} Gen.1%. 
 
 4.16. Nehcm. 13.19. Eph.6. 9. Col.^.i. 
 
 172. Whether Servants, both 
 males and females, are not then moft 
 diligent, faithful, and cheerful in their 
 places > and do not then give that re- 
 fpebt and reverence which is due unto 
 them they ferve, when they remem- 
 ber, well confider, and practice what 
 God requires of them in his Word, 
 efpeciallyin, Eph, 6. 6. & Colof. 3.22, 
 Tit. 2,9,1 o. where they are comman- 
 ded to obey their M 'afters in all things y 
 not with eye-fir vice, as men-pleafer s ,but 
 tnfinglenefs of heart, fearing God ? 
 
 ' N 3 17 3-WlKN 
 
(i88J 
 
 173. Whether the world hath not 
 as much need of the labour ol the 
 poor, as of the wealth of the rich.^and 
 whether the inclining of all forts of 
 perfbns refpedtively, to a natural affe- 
 ilation to, and delight in, thefeveral 
 Callings and imployments which 
 they voluntarily cbufe, how mean> baje, 
 and fervile foever they are, be not a 
 great argument of the wife and won- 
 derful Providence of God,over-ruling 
 particulars,for the good of the whole? 
 Efa, 28. 24, to 25?. & Gen. 4. 20, 21, 
 22.y/#.i7. 26. 
 
 174. Whether he be not the hefi 
 Scholar that hath mofi learned Chrift £ 
 and the heft read in the Scriptures,that 
 is moft guided by them ? AtJ. 4. 1 3. 
 
 Eph.4. 21. 277/77. 3. 1 y, ltf. 
 
 1 7 y . Whether the pure ft andfeveet- 
 efi knowledge be not derived from 
 Gods own Bool^, the Bible ? and whe- 
 ther there only are not the richeft 
 Mines to dig in ? the fulleft ftores and 
 magazines , of all dejirable good 
 
 things? 
 
(1* 9 ) 
 
 things ? Prov. i. 1, toio. P/S/. 19. 7,* 1 
 ton. Colo/. 3, 15. $ 
 
 176. VVhether the light of Gods 
 countenance cannot make day in the 
 darkeft foul at mid-night ? and one 
 kind word from him, revive the 
 heart in the midft of the pangs of 
 death ? and whether he be in any 
 danger of finking, that is fupported 
 with everlafling arms ? or of fainting, 
 that is ref refhed with the cordials of 
 Divhie Love ? Pfal. 4. 6. & 27. t. & 
 36. 9. Can. 2. ;, 4, y. ZsyS. 2. 14, 5c 
 40.11. Dent. 23. 27. 
 
 177. VVhether the fame omnipo- 
 tent Poner of God, that is an hedge of 
 protection to his People, and a wall of 
 bra/s for their defence, is not an 
 hedge of thorns tofcratch their ene- 
 mies , and a wail of fire to devour 
 them? lob 1.10. ler. 1.18,19. AH. 
 
 178. VVhether any one can pol- 
 fibly be devoured in a den of fierceft 
 Lions, Or drowned in the deepeft wa- 
 
 N 4 ten} 
 
(ipo) 
 ters , or burned in the moft raging 
 flames, while God is there with bim, and 
 undertakes his fafety ? Dan. 6. 2.1.6c 
 Chap. 3. 2 f.Exod,i4.2i,22.E{*. 43.2. 
 
 179. Whether tht/iveetejl nature, 
 that can be found araongft men, can 
 get to Heaven without grace>znd whe- 
 ther the lead degree of Grace will 
 not meliorate. and [wee ten the moft 
 crabbed and unpleafing nature??/;/. 3. 
 6, to 1 1. 
 
 180. Whether married or unmar- 
 ried , young men or old , Viroins, 
 Wives, or Widows, can live happily , 
 or dye comfortably, without a Jure in- 
 ter eft in, union to, and Communion with 
 Jefus Chriit } Job. 14. 19. 1 Job. j\i2. 
 Cant. 1.2, 3. 
 
 XIX. DECAD. 
 1S1. Whether bardnefs of heartland 
 final impemtency, be not of all Judge- 
 ments the mojl dreadful ? and whether 
 the ferious confederation thereof, 
 would not damp the joy of the mojl 
 riotous II nner in the world, and make 
 
 him 
 
f'?0 
 
 him tremble every moment, for fear 
 of his dropping prefently into Hell ? 
 Rom. 2, <>.PfaL 7.11, 12, 13. Job zi 
 12, 13, 23,24,2/. 
 
 1 8 2. Whether that conviBion which 
 ends not in true converfion, doth not 
 ftill leave a man under the power of 
 fin, in the gall of bitternefs, and the 
 _/fote of damnation? and whether con- 
 vinced finners fhould not look well 
 to this rAMiS. 3. J%.}. 19. & 8. 
 22, 22. 
 
 183 .Whether he that never knows 
 any more than one birth ,that is,a meer 
 natural birth only, be not fure to dye 
 three deaths, viz. a natural, fpiritual, 
 and eternal ? and whether he that 
 palTeth through two births, and fo is 
 born again, {hall not be fure to efcape 
 the two later deaths, and find the o- 
 ther alfo upon the matter, no death 
 at all, properly fo called, but zfiveet 
 Jleep rather? J oh, 3. 5. Rev. 20. 6, 
 iTheJf.4. 14, if. 
 
 1 84. Whether the death of Infants* 
 
 be 
 
be not an unanfwerable Argument to 
 prove that they have fin in them, at 
 leait Original Sin, as well as thofeof 
 grown age, for how elfe could they 
 be fubjedt to death, which is the vpa* 
 ges of Jin only ? Rom. 3. 22, 22, & ft 
 
 12.&tf.23. 
 
 185-. Whether a Believer,ftanding 
 on the mount of a Prornife, may not 
 from thence take a pleafant profpeit 
 of Heaven , and particularly oi the 
 glorification of his own humane nature, 
 fitting at Gods right hand, in the per- 
 lbn of his Saviour ? and whether after 
 fuckajlght as this, all things here be- 
 low will not look dim and duskijh, as 
 colours do through Church- win- 
 dows, when the Sun {bines bright up* 
 onthemr* /f8.7.Sf>f6.Heb m n.h\} 9 
 14, iy.2 Cor. f.i> 2, 3,4. 
 
 186. Whether the fame flowers 9 
 that ere while were feen under a warm 
 and a Joining Sun, to difplaythem- 
 felves with great beauty and cheer- 
 fulnefs, may not bang dangling foon 
 
 af* 
 
after with drops of rain, and be vio- 
 lently dajhed with ftormy (bowers , j 
 from a blacky and tempefiuous Heaven ' 
 over themr* and whether fuch a 
 change may not poffibly befal the 
 Graces and Comforts of Gods deareft 
 Children , and yet they remain his 
 Children fillip as the other remain flow- 
 ers} Pjal. 88. throughout, EJa. 63. 
 7, 8, 9. Jer. 31. 1 8, 19, 20. 
 
 187. Whether in times of greateft 
 afflictions, and inward feeming defer- 
 tions, the Graces of holy hearts may 
 notJmellfiveetefl 3 as tlowers do after 
 Jhowers of rain , Spices, when mofi 
 brwfed, Rofe-waters , in the Limbeck^ 
 and Juniper-wood , in the burning 
 flames} PjaL ft, 17. Cant. 2. 14, & j. 
 f, 6. & S.d, 7. 
 
 188. Whether the very excellen- 
 cy of holy gratitude , conlifts not in 
 this, w%. as faft as our mercies grow 
 irefh and new upon us, in what kind 
 foever, to prefent them as fo many 
 new-blown flowers to God, to have the 
 
 M 
 
04; 
 
 firJlfmeU ofthera? Efi. 18.7.P/&/. 
 72.10. &Pfal.y6. 11. 
 
 185?. Whether Chrift, and the Spi- 
 rit of Grace, are not two great Com- 
 forters, as well by the appointment of 
 God the Father,as their own free con- 
 fent, iti which Believers only have a 
 [fecial interejl ? and whether for this 
 reafon, among others, the four Oecu- 
 menical Councils of Nice, Conftantino- • 
 pie, Ephefus and Chalcedon, in cleering 
 and eftablifhing the Dodtrines of 
 Chrift his Divine V erf on , thediftin- 
 6tion of the two natures fubfifting in 
 it, and the Deity and Per finality of 
 the. Spirk, againft Arnus , Macedo- 
 nius, ' NeJIorius', and the reft of the 
 Hereticks of thofe times , did not 
 eminent fervice unto the Gofpel ? Job, 
 14. 16,17, 18, 26. 
 
 190. Whether it be not a rnofk no- 
 torious abfurdity and contradiction to 
 affirm, that the Spirit of Grace,which 
 isfupernatural,md altogether mvmce- 
 able in it felf , can ever be fo far refill- 
 ed 
 
ed or quenched, as to be totally ex* 
 petted out of that heart, where it hath 
 been once received in truth ? and 
 whether the heart of man, being de- 
 ceitful above all things, full of imagi- 
 nations, which are only evil, and that 
 continually 5 &fb dejperately wicked, that 
 none can know tt 3 can be fuppofedto 
 have any the leajl power to fetch in 
 faving Grace of it felf ? and whether 
 he that aflerts thefe two dangerous 
 points, doth not, implicitly at leaft, 
 deny the abfolute freenefs and un~ 
 changeablenefs of Gods love , and 
 make his A6ts of Grace vallid or in- 
 vallid, according to the will of his 
 own Creature ? Gen, 6. f. Jer. 17.9. 
 i Cor. 3. ?. Job. 15-. j\ compared 
 with, Rom. 9.1/. Mai. 3.6. E^e\. 56, 
 
 XX. DECAD. 
 
 191. Whether fan&ified content- 
 ment, will not make every condition 
 fweet ? and the contrary, make any 
 
 thing, 
 
(i 9 6) 
 thing, be it never fo fatisfa&ory and 
 comfortable in it felf, burdenfom and 
 intollerable to the reftlefs mind ? and 
 whether true thankfulnefs or un- 
 thankfulnefs for mercies received , 
 are not proportionable to thefi two > 
 i Tim. 6. 6. Exod. 16. 2, to 22. Pfal. 
 iotf. 24, zj. 
 
 192. Whether one may not be ve- 
 ry poor and very rich at thzfame 
 time f and whether forae men in their 
 rdg/)have not a great intereft in God, 
 while others in their ftateiy Robes> 
 have none at all? Jam. 2. $.Lu\. 16. 
 19, to 24. 
 
 193. Whether poor Servants y and 
 others in loweft condition,fhould not 
 take arguments from their own mean- 
 nefs here in this world, to feek after 
 the Kingdom of Heaven the more di- 
 ligently > that fo they may have as large 
 Revenues there as any others ? and 
 whether our Saviour doth not imitate 
 as much, where he faith, the poor re- 
 ceive the Go/pel > J^ph. 3. 12. Mat, 
 
 11. 
 
OP?) 
 II. f.MarJ^iz. 42. Lu\.4> \%. & 
 6. 20. 
 
 194. Whether Parents that have 
 many Children, and but little or no- 
 thing to leave with them when they 
 dye, have not the more need to feek 
 after Portions of Grace for them, pour 
 forth many Prayers ,and exercife much 
 Faith in the Covenant of Grace, on 
 Grace on their behalf? Gen. 1 7. 7 .Aft. 
 2. 3 9. P/^/. 2 7.29. 1 Sam. 1. 27. com- 
 pared with, Chap. 2. 7. G«&. 48. 
 throughout. 
 
 19;. Whether Faith in Cbrifi, the 
 great Saviour and deliverer of man- 
 kind , be not the befi Midwife to wo- 
 men in travel, and the beft Nurfe for 
 them and their Children afterwards f 
 and whether their chiefeft care fnould 
 not be to make fire of this Midwife 
 and Nurfe, above all others > 1 Tim. 
 2. \$.Pfal. 91. 14, iy, 16. 
 
 196. Whether idlenefs be not the 
 Devils cufhion ? and whether flothful- 
 nefs doth not gather//^, as ftanding 
 
 wa- 
 
waters do mud? E%e\. \6. 49. 1 Tim. 
 
 197. Whether 2. firm perfyajion of 
 Gods omnifcience,oinniprefence,ha- 
 tred of fin, and of his power and re- 
 folution to punifh it, where not re- 
 pented of, would not prevent millions 
 of fins that are; hourly committed 
 throughout the whole world ? Pfal. 
 50. 21, 22. &J 90. 8. 6c 139. 1, 
 £013, 
 
 198. Whether the bare believing 
 that there is a God, that Chrift is the 
 Son of God, the Scriptures the Word 
 of God, and that all men ought to 
 walk according to them, be any other 
 kind of faith, than the Devils them- 
 filves have? Jam.*. 19, Mat.%. 29. 
 
 & Chap. 4. 6. 
 
 199. Whether to bear and forbear 
 amongFriends and neer Relations>be 
 not excellent and moft neceffary du- 
 ties ? and yet how difficultly are they 
 learned ? and how fern are there that 
 pradice them well > %om. 1 j. u Gal. 
 
 6.2. 
 
6. 2. EpheJ. 4. 2. Colof. 3.13, 
 
 200. Whether growing in Grace , 
 be not the only way to thrive? and 
 whether he doth not become richer 
 and richer that trades at this Mart , 
 and without fear too of fofing what 
 he hath already got f 2 Pet, 2 .lZ.Prov. 
 
 XXI. DECAD, 
 
 201, Whether the Office of Am- 
 
 bajfadors, the Arts, cares and pains of 
 
 Shepherds, Fijher-men, Husband-men > 
 
 Carpenters , with divers others fuch 
 
 like,ought not to be known to , and 
 
 imitated by thofe Ministers of tlie 
 
 Gofpel, that have the over fight and 
 
 tru/loi Souls? and whether they are 
 
 not the heft Preachers that move the 
 
 hearts of their Hearers , more than 
 
 tickle theiv heads ? 2 Cor. 5. 20. Cant. 
 
 1. 8. Mȣ.:4. 19. 1 Cor. 2. 9, to 14, 
 
 & Chap. 2. 4. 
 
 202. Whether the plague upon the 
 
 Streams, levers, Ponds, and Pools of 
 
 O ■. wa- 
 
( 200 ) 
 
 water, in the Land o£ jEgypt (Exod. 
 7.) were not as dreadful as any of the 
 other plagues f. and whether impuri- 
 ties in Univerfities and other Schools of 
 Learning, be not as great a plagucas 
 that, and as much to be dreaded and 
 prayed againftr 1 Pfal. 23. 2. E%eJ^ 
 47.1, to 1 3. 
 
 203 . Whether young Scholars>thdX. 
 take upon them the work of the Mi- 
 niftry, ^before they are well lined with 
 Learning, and have thoroughly flu- 
 died the whole Body of Divinity, are 
 not like new rigged Ships, that are put 
 out to Sea, without ballafi or burden ? 
 
 204. Whether fanclified Studies , 
 in a Learned head and Holy heart , 
 do not reduce Ethicks , Metaphy- 
 ficks, and Theology into one Science} 
 
 205-. Whether many a fmeet ker- 
 nel, doth not lye in the Cnticijms of 
 the Original Languages of the Holy 
 Scriptures ? 
 
 205. Whether John Bradferd,thzt 
 bleffed Martyr, was not worthily cal- 
 led 
 
(20l) 
 
 led Holy Bradford , who prayed as 
 much as he ftudied, did both upon 
 his knees, and feldom or never fat at 
 meals without wetting his trencher 
 with his tears, either of godly Jorrorv 
 for fin 3 or from a melting warm kve 
 to God > Pfal, 6. 6. LuJ^j. 37, 3 S. 
 
 207. Whether he that delights in 
 Hunting, be it for love of the Veni- 
 fon 5 or for fporr, can pick out more 
 pertinent Scriptures to meditate up- 
 on, than the Preface of the 22. Pfal. 
 where Chnit is called the Hind of the 
 Morning} and the firft verfeof the 
 42. Pfal. where David faith, that his 
 foul panted after God , as the Hart 
 pants after the water- brooks ? 
 
 208. Whether Gold-fmitbs can 
 deal any where for fuel? pure gold, as 
 is mentioned, 'Rev. 3.18. or the Vint- 
 ner, for fuch rich J Vines, as we read of 
 in, Efi. 2?. 6. & Cant. j. 1. &" 8. 2. 
 and whether it is not their chiefeft 
 wifdom , to drive their whole flocj^ 
 there f 
 
 O 2 205). Whe* 
 
( 202 J 
 
 209. Whether a feeds-man (hall 
 not do well to confider, that he that 
 fows mofl tears for fin , fball have 
 the ricbfft crop? and the Plough- 
 man, thar. his Plough in the field will 
 fpeed much the better •, when he is care- 
 ful in the due feafons of it, to Plough 
 up the fallow gr 01 nd oi his own heart 
 too ? Vfal. 126. y, 6. Jer. 50. 4, f\ 
 Lul{, 6. 21. alio, Jer. 4. 3. Hqf. 10.12, 
 
 210. Whether there be juft reafin 
 for any to drfpair, fince it is not poffi- 
 ble for the fins of any to be/0 great or 
 numerous y as Gods mercies are infi- 
 nite i and thefe moil: freely offered to 
 them that have the greateit need of 
 them? Efa. ST- %* 2, 5% 7> 8,9, ic. 
 2 Sam. 24. 14. 1 Chrcn. 21.13. A/#£. 
 11. 2?, 2<?.yob.6.l7.Heb.4-.i6.Ret\ 
 22.17. 
 
 XXII. DECAD. 
 
 211. Whether the P^ be not 
 Antichnfl in the Judgement of libera 
 himfelf, though a /ij&*;, and many 
 
 others 
 
others of their own moft learned 
 Writers ? 
 
 212. YVhethcr the /laughter of the 
 Witnejfes, be riot the immediate fore- 
 runner of the downfal of Antichrift, 
 though the darkefl difpenfatiou 
 is not the inlet of the hapyiejl 
 times that ever the world yet law ? 
 and whether the duration thereof will 
 not certainly end at three years and 
 an half "from the true Epocha and be- 
 ginning thereof ? T^ev. 1 1 . through- 
 out. 
 
 213. Whether the do&rine of the 
 Spiritual Iseign of Chriit on earth 
 for a thoufand years in a fober f enfe, 
 were not a common received "doctrine 
 by the Fathers of the firitages after 
 Chrift ? and whether he that con- 
 luks, Irxneus, Tertulhan, Lanclantius 
 and others, without prejudice will 
 not find it fo {? J{ev. 20.6. 
 
 214. Whether the Converfis^n of 
 the lews, ought not to be believed 
 and prayed for ? and whether it be 
 
 O 1 * not 
 
(20 4 J 
 
 not propable, that one fpecial means 
 thereof may be by Cbrift his own ap- 
 pearing in the Clouds , io as every eye 
 fhall fee him, as he did to Saul the 
 Jew, when he was going to Damaf- 
 cus ? E^eJ^ 3 6. & 5 7, throughout, & 
 Chap. 39.2:5, to 29. J^acbar.y. & 
 10. throughout. 
 
 215-. Whether the Society of the 
 Jefaits are not the ricbefl^ mob fiibt? I, 
 potent, diffufive and influential on the 
 affairs of the whole world, of any o- 
 thers.^ and whether they fpare for 
 any cjft to procure , or want corre- 
 jpondents to give them the knowledge 
 of vreateft fecrets in Princes Courts ? 
 
 2i6. Whether all the Monarch 
 and States, both fmall and great up- 
 on the whole habitable earth, have 
 io many Ernijfarics and J gents a- 
 broad, as one (Ingle man, thzPope? 
 and whether they take not upon 
 the; .7 all manner of names , Jhapes , 
 habits, trades, and employments, where 
 they comer' 
 
 2i-.Whe- 
 
21 7. Whether the Pope his craft, in 
 fetting on foot and continuing the 
 Holy War inPaleftineior almoft 200. 
 years, was not as great as devout Ber- 
 nards miiiaken zeal was,in promoting 
 of it ? and whether the Popes ever 
 fince, have not been as crafty Foxes 
 for themfelves, among the Princes of 
 Europe f 
 
 21 8 # Whether fuch unparalleled 
 ufurpations , infolencies , unclean- 
 neffes, Sodomies, forceries, witch- 
 crafts , cruelties , blafphemies , and 
 all manner of moft horrible impie- 
 ties, have been ever found among any 
 fort of men fince the Creation of the 
 world, as among the Popes ? 
 
 2 1 <?. Whether Pope Alexander the 
 6th. was not rightly ferved , while 
 himfelf was poy fined with the firfl 
 draught of that Cup, which he and his 
 complices had prepared to poyfon 
 others.' 3 
 
 22 0. Whether Ccefar Borgia his 
 
 Son, the Duke of Florens, among all 
 
 O 4 the 
 
the plots laid by him and his crafty Se- 
 cretary, Matchiavil, committed not a 
 foul error, in not thinking of, and pro- 
 viding for a jurpri^e by death ? and 
 whether himfelf did not fee it, and 
 repent of it, when it was too late, as 
 the Hiftory of his life witneffeth ? 
 
 XXIII. DECAD. 
 
 221. Whether much credit be to 
 be given to the Popifn Editions, of 
 Ambrofe, Chryfojlom, Jerom, Augutime, 
 and all the reft of the Greeks and La* 
 tin Fathers, ( whofe Authorities they 
 urge (o much uoon us J lince their Im 
 
 O J- ' 
 
 dex expurgatorius, hath been in ufe f 
 and whether many of their School- 
 men, which they fo much boaft of, 
 do not abound more with nice and 
 nesdlefs diftinc~tions, than found Di- 
 vinity ? 
 
 222. Whether Popery, fpreading 
 fo greatly as it doth in all parts of the 
 world/it be not a foul fhanie for Pro- 
 teltants to be fo divided, and thereby 
 
 weakned 
 
(10?) 
 
 weakened among themfelvesf and 
 whether it be not matter of fport, e- 
 vento Satanhimfclf, to lee what ir- 
 reconcilable differences and animofities 
 ftill continue among them ? 
 
 223. Whether God will long bear 
 it at the hands of his orvn Children , 
 thus in his fight and prefence to quar- 
 r^/,fall out and fight with each other? 
 and whether, when nothing elfe will 
 quiet and reconcile them, the Rod fhall 
 not? 1 Cor. 3. 3. Sot. 18. 
 
 224. Whether fince Grace is the 
 moft uniting Principle in the very na- 
 ture of it, and//* the mott. dividing 
 Principle, it is notjuii caufe of won- 
 der, that the People of God of all others, 
 {hould be fo much divided, and wick- 
 ed men fo firmly knit among them- 
 felves ? and whether any reafon can 
 poffibly be given for it, but the pre- 
 valency of fin on their part, and Gods 
 juft judgement in permitting it, by 
 way of punifhment on his part? Rom. 
 16. 17) 18.1 fcr. 6, 1, to 9. 
 
 225-. Whe- 
 
(203) 
 
 2 2y. Whether thofe Scholars are 
 not great wajlers and abufers of their 
 time and fiudies, who take much pains 
 to get all manner of Learning, except 
 the knowledge of the Bible and their 
 own hearts } 
 
 zi6. Whether a Believers habita- 
 tion, be not of all others, the moil 
 fiately > and whether it be not feated 
 in the fineft air, and with advantage of 
 the bravefi Pro/peel ? V/al. 90. i . St 
 91.1,9. 1 Joh, 4.16. Heb. n, 16. 
 
 227. Whether it be worth the while 
 to live, unlefs it be to anfwer the ends 
 of our Creation, and to be Jit to dye ? 
 and whether Water-men, Marriners, 
 and all that travel by Sea, have not as 
 much reafon as any, to be provided for 
 death every moment? Jam. 4. 14. 
 Job 9.2 f, 2(5. VfaL 39. 4,5,6. 6c 90. 
 4, toi 5. 7^14.14. 
 
 22 S. Whether the leaves of Trees, 
 that fall {o faft in Autumn , and the 
 fight of a flourifhing Garden, depri- 
 ved of all or moft of its fair Flowers, 
 
 that 
 
(20 9 ) 
 
 that flood there but an hour before, 
 are not lively Emblems of mans mor- 
 tality, and the fuddennefs of his re- 
 move by death} efpecially in times of 
 great ficknefles , and Epidemical dtp 
 eafes} Vfal. 39.10, 11. & 90. y, 6. & 
 103. iy,itf. lob 13. 25. Efa. 64.. 6. 
 
 219. Whether among thoie that 
 attend at Funeral fblemnities, there be 
 one of twenty ufually, that make the 
 fadoccajion ol their appearance there, 
 the fubject of their own thoughts, or 
 the matter of their difcourfe with o- 
 then? and whether this be not an 
 argument of a common, and very great 
 wjenfiblenefs among men, of the flrofys 
 of God upon them, and the hardnefs 
 of their hearts under them i 
 
 230, Whether the bigbeft Jngels 3 $c 
 the low eft worms, are not fellow -crea- 
 tures} & whether there be not an infi- 
 nite diftance, as well between God and 
 the bigbeft creatures, as between him 
 & the lovefttend whether.the conside- 
 ration thereof, fhould not make poor 
 
 mor- 
 
(2IOJ 
 
 mortals, even the greateft that are, to 
 walk humbly towards God? lob 42. 
 5, 6. Efa.6. 2. lob v.?. 14, iy , ltf. 
 XXIV.DECAD. 
 2} 1. Whether a clear and full 
 fight of God, be not the only way for 
 a man to come to the right know- 
 ledge of himfelf ? and whether this, 
 of all things elfe, is not mvft to be de- 
 fired,and ipecdily fought for by him? 
 Jobqz.f, 6,VfaL 139. 1, to 1S. 
 
 232. Whether they that bear the 
 moft eminent tejlimonies for Chrift up- 
 on earth, fhall not bear the biggejl 
 palms in their hands, and ftand neerejl 
 his Throne inHeaven?R^.7.9,to 17. 
 
 233. Whether it be likely, that 
 they will ever be convinced of the evil 
 of thofe actions, which being once 
 done, they are refolved tojuftifie, and 
 infteadof amending, recriminate up- 
 on others i and whether it be not a 
 moft deplorable thing, that bitter ex- 
 afpirations, and mutual accuiations 
 of this nature $ioxM be found among 
 
 the 
 
the differing parties of Gods own Peo- 
 ple, in times wherein all had need to 
 fee k peace with God and among them- 
 [elves ,and do their utmoft, by a meeJ^ 
 bcalingfpirit,to make up all breaches? 
 I Cor. 3.3,4. Gal. y.10, 1016.&6. 
 
 1, 2. iThef. 4, 9, id, 11. £/>£. 4. 
 
 2, 5-. 
 
 234. Whether God doth not touch 
 the heart firft, with his powerful mag- 
 net?cJ^Love, before it ever moves or 
 can move in the leaft towards him?and 
 whether the eye of Chrif:, did notfirft 
 fpye Zacheus in the Sycomore-tree, 
 Nathaniel under the Fig-tree , and 
 Alary in the Garden, before ever they 
 fpyed him ? 1 Job. 4. 1 9. Hof. 11. 4. 
 Lu/^.iy.f. lob. 1.4.$. & 20.13,14, 
 i/,itf. 
 
 235-. Whether thofe comforts that 
 failintheflfyW/?;*^??/, as in thelofs 
 of Husbands, Wives , Parents , Chil- 
 dren, all other neer and dear Rela- 
 tions,Friends and Eftates, with what-, 
 ever elfe is of like nature, can be made 
 
 up 
 
(212) 
 
 up any where, fo well as in and by the 
 Original Fountain of them all, God 
 himfelf? and whether it be not the 
 greatejl wifdom when all is done, to ha- 
 ften thither with all poffible fpeed 
 that may be ? lob 6. iy. & 19. 13, to 
 20. Prov. 23. j.Habakt 3. 17*18,19. 
 Pfal. 36.9,10. 
 
 2 5 6. Whether to make an abfolute, 
 free and full refignation of ones felf,and 
 all that one hath, to the J Fill of God, 
 to be difpofed of as bepleafetb,be not 
 the only way to give him the Glory of 
 his Soveraingnty ? and whether to do 
 or fuffer any thing for him , with a 
 willing and cheerful heart, doth not ar- 
 gue much Grace, and is not to be ac- 
 counted an high Honour f 2 Sam. 1 f. 
 2 j, 26. Pfal 40. 7, S.Mat. 26,59,40. 
 
 237. Whether they that follow 
 Chrift in good earneft, do not deny 
 themfelves, and take up their Crop 
 daily ? and whether they are not in 
 mind alwayes refohed, ready and pre- 
 pared,to part with Houfe,Land, Reve- 
 nues* 
 
nues, Eft ate, Liberty, and Life too, if 
 called lor, rather than foriake Chrift? 
 Mat. 4. 20. &16. 24, 27. Marl^ 10. 
 
 29, 30. 
 
 238. Whether every Promije, Pro- 
 pbejie, and Tbreatning in Gods Word, 
 hath not hitherto been mo ft punihally 
 performed , in the due feafbn of it,in all 
 former ages, even to a tittlehnd whe- 
 ther there be any the leafl reafon to 
 doubt, that what is not yet accom- 
 plished, fhall be when the fit time is 
 corned Gen. 4.8. iy, 16. Exod. 12.41, 
 42. Micab 7. 20. 1 King. 1 3. 1, to 6 9 
 compared with, 2.IQ?ig. 23. 4, to 9. 
 Gal. 4. \.Epb. 1. 10. Mat. /. 1 tf. 
 
 239. Whether thpfethat haveeP 
 caped from dangerous difeafes, long 
 and wafting fickneffes, or death it feif, 
 when they were without all hope or 
 expectation of recovery, are not in all 
 likelihood , referved for fome ijrarf 
 £00rtf or evil ? and whether it be not a 
 ^/ty incumbent on them > to confider 
 much of it, and /#y it to beart?E/a. 3 8. 
 throughout. 240. Whe- 
 
(2i 4 ; 
 
 240. Whether Phyfitians , of all 
 others, have not the bejl opportunities, 
 fometimes to deal erTe&ually with 
 the fouls of their fick, or dying Pa- 
 tients , about the matters of eternity, 
 if they have but the heart and the skill 
 to do it ? and whether God doth not 
 expeU they fhould improve this advan- 
 tage for him, as well as for themfelves 
 and their Patients } 
 
 XXV. DECAD. 
 
 241 . Whether the guilt of very 
 many of the fins, both in City and 
 Country, be it drunkennefs, unclean- 
 nefs , fwearing , Sabbath-breaking , 
 and whatever elfe is of like kind,doth 
 not lye at the Magiftrates door,unleis 
 he put forth the utmoft Power that 
 God hath given him , to punifii and 
 reform them ? and whether God e- 
 ver intended that he fhould wear his 
 fveord in vain ? Itym. 13. 1, to 8. 
 
 242. Whether na^ed breafts and 
 black^fpots, donot argue foul hearts 
 
 and 
 
and whether the Ladies that ufe them* 
 would be willing to appear in fuch a 
 drefs at the day of Judgement ? or may 
 not meet with fore rebukes here alfo, 
 as the daughters of j^?on did, in Efa. 
 3. from v. id, to 25-. 
 
 243. Whether wanton looks, wan- 
 ton guar hs } wanton rvordr, and wanton 
 books , be not the Devils friar es to 
 catch, and the Devils poyfons to vi- 
 tiate and deprave hearts > and whe- 
 ther all manner of unlawful [ports and 
 games, do not injenfbly undo thou- 
 fands here, and then before they are 
 aware of it, trapan them into Hell, out 
 of which there is no recovery > Efa, 
 3.itf, to2j\ Rom.i3.i$.Gal % f.i.9. 
 Epb. 4. 19. 1 Pet. 4.-3,4, Job 21. 
 12,13. 
 
 244. Whether falfe wares , falfe 
 iv eights, falfe light s,falfk mea fires, and 
 falfe ajfeveratwns , are not too fre- 
 quent in Trades-mens (hops} and whe- 
 ther the gain that comes in that way, 
 lyes not under an eating,(t\ion%h hap- 
 
 P ~ ly 
 
(n6) 
 
 !y at the prefent an undifcerned ) 
 curfe> Prov. 11.1. & 12.22. Micab 
 
 6. 10, I I, 12. 
 
 245-. Whether nature will not be 
 content with little , and Grace with 
 /(/f r and whether a Righteous mans 
 little, be not more than a wicked mans 
 much ? 1 77/72. 6. 6. Prou. 1 5. 1 6, 1 7. 
 & 16. S. 
 
 246. Whether Believers have not 
 poffe/fion of Heaven already , fince 
 their i7<W is there ? and whether 
 Chrift be not gone thither before 
 hand, as a Meflenger or Harbinger, 
 to trim up the Lodgings appointed for 
 them, and to fecure them for them, 
 till they come themfelves *? J 0/1.14.2. 
 Heb^6. 20. 
 
 247. Whether the foul be not a 
 glorious 2?/7dfe,- when once Chrift is 
 become its Bridegrooms efpecially 
 fince he marries it not in its own 
 clothes, but fuch as are fitted for ir, 
 out of the Wardrobes of Heaven i 
 Matau io.E/a. 6 1 „i 0. Rgv. 21. 2. 
 
 248. Whe- 
 
(2I 7 ) 
 
 248. Whether fhe be not the raoft 
 amiable Virgin* and will not make the 
 fiveeteft Wife, that hath Chrift lying as 
 an handful of Myrrh continually be- 
 tween her breads f Cant. 1. 13. 8c j\ 
 
 249. Whether early and young 
 Saints, are not as acceptable to God, 
 as rare and choice fruits , fet ripe on a 
 Princes board fome weeks before 
 the ordinary feafons of them f Jer.2.2* 
 Ecclef % 12. 1. 
 
 ^jo. Whether a Believer, brightly 
 Jhinedon by the light of Gods plea fed 
 countenance, and at the fame time gi- 
 ving out the luflers of his inherent gra- 
 ces to ftanders-by, be not a rich Dia- 
 mond that fpark[es in the midfi of Sun- 
 beams ? Pfil.ii. 16. &110. 3. Mat. 
 $. 16.PfaL2.15. 
 
 xxvi. decad; 
 
 2 $ 1 . Whether the People of God 
 
 are not his Jewels} MaL 3.17^3, 
 
 his CroirnMis glorious Crown 3 ai\dj\py- 
 
 ?z al 
 
- (2ig; 
 
 al Diadem > Efa. 62.$. yea, his Cromi- 
 Jewe/s > J^acb. o. i<$, and whether he 
 will fuffer thefe his Jewels to lye long 
 in the dirt, or this his Crown to be 
 alwayes trodden under the feet of bis 
 enemies > 
 
 252. Whether God having freely 
 and mod; ftro?igly tyed himfelf to his 
 People, both by his IVbrd>hls Promife 
 and his Oath (flich a threefold knor,as 
 there is no»e like to it) be notgreatly 
 injured by fuch as disbelieve, or make 
 queftion in the leaft of his performan- 
 ces ? Heb. 3 . 1 2. 6c 6. 1 6, 1 7> 1 8,19. 
 Mat. 13. 58. 
 
 273. Whether holy Meditations 
 do not dwell on the very Hill of 
 Fra?i\incenfe , and on the Mount of 
 Slices} & whether every bufie thought, 
 like the nimble honey-Bee, doth not 
 pafs from blojjom to bloffbm 3 ircm flow- 
 er to flower, that is, from one Promife 
 to another , from one Providence to 
 another, and fo through the variety 
 of all forts of pleafant fubje&s, and 
 
 ga. 
 
( up) 
 
 gather fweetnefs, till it hath filled its 
 whole Hive (the heart) with the pur eft 
 honey ?Pfal. 104.. 34. &P/S/. 94, 19. 
 
 254. Whether frequent and faith- 
 ful examinations of ones inward ftate, 
 and how things ftand between God and 
 the foul, be not a molt necejfary and 
 important duty ? and whether ^>, of 
 all things elfe, ought not to bemoft 
 diligently minded , whatever elfe be 
 negle&ed/ PfaL 4.4. 2 fur. 13./. 
 
 25^. Whether Jpoft at i^ers, Time- 
 fervers, and all fuch as fhamefully de- 
 fert their formerly received found 
 Principles and Zw/y Pratlices , do not 
 confult deftru£tion to themfelves,and 
 run the hazard of thofe fore curfes < 
 mentioned in, Deut. 29. 21 ? 
 
 2j6. Whether he that abounds al- 
 together ia his own fenfe ; accounts 
 whatever himfelf affirms to be as au- 
 thentic^ as fome divine Oracles is angry 
 rvitb, and feverely cenjonous of thole 
 that do not, or cannot forfake their 
 own Principles as allfalfe, and embrace 
 P 3 his 
 
(220J 
 
 his fa all Truth, be not guilty, at leaft, 
 o£ the fujpicion of Pride ? or whether 
 he be not a kind of little Pope, that 
 pretends to infallibility, whilft per- 
 haps under Jlrong delujion ? and whe- 
 ther fuch an one be not rather to be 
 negleUed, than difputed with ? Jam, i . 
 12. Prov. 21. 24. zTheJJ. 2.10,11. 
 
 2 j 7. Whether evil thoughts are 
 not the fpawns of fin, and evil awrrfx 
 and aUions the produces of thofe 
 f pawns ? and whether Cockatrices eggs, 
 while hatched by Cockatrices , will 
 not bring forth their 0»vz ^W ? Mtf. 
 12. 3 9, to 38. & 1 j. 18,19, 20. Efa. 
 
 258. Whether every man ought 
 not to be very careful what objebls he 
 fxeth his eye and his heart upon ? and 
 whetiier God be not Kytg of hearts, 
 and deferves not that every man 
 ftiould give him (not a part only but) 
 his whole heart r and whether he that 
 doth this , doth not take the w?f 
 eft courfe , to make the worfi part 
 
 of 
 
of himfelf to become the bejl ? lob jfc 
 l.Pfel. 62. iq. Pm\ 23. 26, E%e\. 
 36.26. 
 
 2^9. Whether being impofed up- 
 on, in matters of Confcience , where 
 Chrift hath left it free, be not as grie- 
 vous and intoUerable from one fort of 
 men as from another } and whether, 
 if there be any difference, it be not 
 mofi intoUerable from thofe that are,or 
 have been, or at leaft pretend to be 
 Brethren ? 
 
 260. Whether the right fating and 
 granting of true Chriftian liberty, fo 
 as to prevent licentious extravagances 
 on the one hand,and unjufi feverity on 
 the other haud, would not be mojlfa- 
 tisfattory to all peaceably-minded 
 good men.' 2 and whether till this can 
 be done, it be not befl for every one 
 to think it poffible , that he maybe 
 under fome miflakes as well as his dif- 
 fering Brethren, and fo refolve to al- 
 low and receive a mutual freedom in 
 following their refpeUive light , and 
 P 4 ex- 
 
(222) 
 
 exercifing a friendly familiarity, and 
 hearty love towards one another? G*/. 
 j\ t. Epl>. 4- 2, 3. 1 tbeJT.4. 9. Heb.ii. 
 1. 2 Ptf. 1. 7. 
 
 XXVII. DECAD. 
 
 20 1. Whether the moft exatl plat- 
 form of the pur cjl Church, both for Do- 
 dlrine,Wor{hip,andDifcipline,ought 
 not to be the conjlant Rufey Standard* 
 and Pattern to all the re ft r and whe- 
 ther fuch a platform can be given by 
 any , but God himfelf* or is to be 
 looked far, ■ or can be found any where 
 elfe, bnt in the Word of God, and in 
 that only ? Exod. 25.40. Heb. 8. 5. 
 &?. 23, 
 
 2 <52. Whether fome Churches 
 may not,as to ejfentials ,be true Chur- 
 ches, though very corrupt, audfobe 
 far from conformity to their true Pat- 
 tern, ("as a leprous man is a true man* 
 notwithstanding his Leprofie ? ) but 
 whether it be not the duty of every 
 fuch Chuj;ch» to endeavour to their 
 
 ut- 
 
utmoft, the neerefi agreement attain- 
 able to the pattern aforefaid? T^ev.z 2. 
 18,19.?/?//. 3. 17. 
 
 263. Whether in cafe fucb Churches, 
 as are now laft mentioned , do not 
 profefs they ought> or do not vifibly 
 intend and endeavour in good earn- 
 eft, with all their might, to be every 
 way like their Original Pattern* both 
 in Do&rine , Worlhip , and Difci- 
 pline; it be not the duty of every one 
 that would live and dye with a clear 
 and quiet confcience, to come out from 
 among fuch Churches, andjoyn with 
 thofe that come neereft the faidO/7- 
 ginal Pattern i and whether this kind 
 of feparation, even from true Churches 
 thus corrupted, -and willing to conti- 
 nue (o, be not asjuftifiable as fepara- 
 tion from a falfe Church } yea, and 
 whether fuch a feparation as this, be 
 pot To far from being blame-worthy :, 
 that it is abjolutely neceffary, and muft 
 be performed, by all that defire to be- 
 come Gods Veople, and would have 
 
 him 
 
(224) 
 
 him dwell among them? 2 Cor. 6. 14, 
 if, 16, 17,18. 
 
 2 64 . Whether the great ?ioyJe and 
 cry that is abroad in the world againft 
 feparatiotiy would not be mucbfilenced* 
 i( once the above-mentioned Rule 
 and Standard of the firft pure Chur- 
 ches in the Scripture, were every 
 where agreed to, admitted, and obfer- 
 ved? and whether in the mean time, 
 the Papifts do not think they have as 
 much reafon to account Proteftants 
 to be Separatifts, zs fever al parties of 
 Proteftants do account each other ? 
 
 265-. Whether the fight of any 
 perfon or perfons, that are very poor, 
 beggarly, hungry, ragged, naked, woun- 
 ded, maimed, difeafed, deformed^ or any 
 way miferable > fhould not both 
 occa/ion pitty in us towards them > 
 and excite us , as we are able , to 
 comfort and relieve them , but alfo 
 caufe us to lift up thankful hearts , that 
 we are not in their cafe ? 1 Cor, 4. 6, 7. 
 
 266. Whether all that Trade in 
 
(225) 
 
 Victualling, as Coo\s, Vintner s , Drawers 
 of Ale or Beer, and fuch like, do not 
 put the poyfon of a Curfe into their 
 own dijhes and Cups , while they fo 
 greatly contribute to the finful waftc 
 of the good Creatures of God> in fup- 
 plying their gluttonous and drunken 
 Guefts with whatever they call for, 
 till they become no better than brutes 
 in di (gorging themfelves, and calling 
 out their filthy vomits ? Efa. 28- 3, 8, 
 2 6 7. Whether fantlif cation of Sab- 
 baths, a right and holy participation 
 of Sacraments , diligent reading 
 and hearing of the Word (f God, hea- 
 venly Conference, and other the like 
 Duties, are not alwayes priced, atten- 
 ded upon,and pra&iced more or lefs, 
 according co the meafure of Grace re- 
 ceived by anyr* and whether the want 
 of delight in them, or the accounting 
 them a burden rather , be not an ill 
 fign of an evil heart? Efa. y8 r 13. 
 Mai. 1.16. 1 Cor. 11. 23, to $o.Jam. 
 1 . 21 ,to 2 6. alfo, M#/. 1.12,13 .^raox 
 $.?. 2<5 8. Whe- 
 
(22*; 
 
 26$. Whether a Believers, both 
 Life and Trea/ure, doth not lye bid- 
 den and out of fight to the world , 
 even as the roots of fruitful Trees 
 lye under ground, and as gold and fil- 
 ver Mines run in the bowels of the earth 
 undifcerned anduntbought of , by them 
 rhat walk upon it ? Colof. 3. 3, \.Eph. 
 
 3.8,9. 
 
 26y. Whether in long and linger- 
 ing lickneifes, efpecially if accompa- 
 nied wkn much pain and anguijlo, a pa- 
 tient acquiefcency under the hand of 
 God, o. fubmiffive acceptance of the 
 punifhmeiY* of ones iniquity therein, 
 and a cheer fuVfatisfa&ion in the J Fill 
 of God, who is pleafcd thus to ufe 
 his Rod , be not an argument of a 
 gratious frame of "heart , an&otzfanbli- 
 fed improvement of the affli&ion? and 
 whether the contrary frame of fpirit , 
 doth not produce contrary effects > 
 fym^ 5. 3,4. &iy.4, y. ColofiM. 
 2 Thejf.i. 3. 2 Tbejf. 1. 4. Heb. 6. 12, 
 Jam. 1.3, 4.. &;\io, 11. Levit. 26.4.1. 
 
 Job 
 
(22 7 ) 
 
 Job i. 21, 22. & 2. 10. alio, Efa. fj- 
 20. Jonah 4.9. 
 
 270. Whether the education of 
 Touth r be not a weighty bu/inefs , a 
 £r«tf £ra/?, and a work that requires 
 77Z#r# tar* #//d? diligence , rvifd.m and 
 skill to manage it ? whether it be not 
 an eminent fervice (when v/ell done,) 
 to Church and State,yea and to Chnji 
 bimfelf too? and whether all Parents 
 and Guardians of Children 5 Tatar/ in 
 Univerfities , School-Makers and 
 Shool-Mifiriffes , ought not to be 
 earneft with God in Prayer, for his 
 conftant affiftance, and their comior- 
 table fuccefs therein! 3 Prov. 22. 6, 
 Epb.6. 4. 1 Sam. 19. 20. 
 
 Three 
 
(228) 
 
 T/jree concluding Quceries. 
 
 1. 1 7 Y 7Hether Peter , Paul, and Bar- 
 V V r.abas in their times ; Polycar- 
 pHS,Jgiatifts, Tenutlian^Cyprian, Athanajius y 
 in their times ; Ambrofp, Chryjoftome, LAh- 
 guftine, in their times - our Guildas among 
 theantient Britain*; our Englifh Wick?. 
 leife,2Y\dTindal, Oetolampadius, Martin Lu- 
 ther, Philip Melantthon, Iohn Calvin, Beza, 
 and the relt of the moft famous, both Ger- 
 man, and French-Divines , in their re- 
 fpe&ive ages ; yea , and whether Jehn 
 Knox; John Reynolds, Jewel, the Rogerjes , 
 our 1 ate Golden-mouth'd Preflon, Sibbs y 
 Reverend Ufher, and thoufands more , the 
 choiieft and mod fuccefsful Minifters of 
 the Gofpel, did ever blunt their own Holy 
 Zeal, difpirit their twn frequent Preaching , 
 and cooll the hearts of their Hearers, with 
 reading every word from their written pa- 
 yer < , and fo turn their Sermons into Ho- 
 milies ? and whether, though mfome cafes, 
 tofome perfons, tome title ttfe of notes may 
 be allowable, and convenient, yea , perhaps 
 neceffary ; yet the conflant and total ufe of 
 them by others ( as is pra&ifed by too 
 many in ihis ourprefent age,) doth not 
 argue Uzyzefs, ox an over-affe£ted nicenefs 
 
 and 
 
> . . ( 22 ?) 
 
 and curiofity in words and language, rather 
 then fuch a Paffionate defire of faving fouls, 
 as becomes the faithful Ministers of the 
 Gofpelfand laftly, whether it be likely,that 
 thofe who accustom themfelves to this way 
 of readings rather then Preaching Sermons , 
 while they are young, and their memories 
 as well as other parts be quicks and nimble , 
 will leave it when they are eld , or will be 
 ever able to preach in the dark^ , or when 
 their fight grovves dim? 
 
 2. Whether the Apoftle Paul by his com- 
 mand of doing all things decently and in order , 
 i Cor. 14. 40. intended any more than the 
 doing of all thofe things only, which God 
 by him his Ven-man had commanded and po- 
 sitively fet down, and in the [elf -fame or- 
 der and holy Method too , which he alfo 
 had plainly and fully exprefTed ? 1 Cor. 1 1. 
 34. anditf. i 3 2. Qolof 2. y. and whether 
 it can be reafonably imagined > that Prf^/gave 
 authority to Titus, (Chap, i.f.) to/«- 
 vent or adde any the leaft circumftanee fot 
 matter or manner, in or about the Wbr(hip 
 of God in Crete , more then what he had 
 formerly appointed, and himfelf Practiced 
 elfewhere f and laftly, whether the Pro- 
 hibition of the Apoftle, in Coloff.i. from 
 ver.S.to the end, That noneftould be fubjefb 
 to Ordinances ^according to th? Qommande- 
 
 ments 
 
ments and doSlrines ef men in PVilLworJhip , . 
 doth not extend to all following times,and 
 all future Churches of (Thrift. 
 
 3. Whether he that diligently reads and 
 confidersthe tfth and ytrTChaptersof the 
 u4#jofthe Apoftles, will not find, That 
 the onlyoccafion of Stephen the Proto-Mar- 
 tyr, being accused oiBlafphemy and fionei 
 to death ,was his ^W and refolute defence of 
 the fpiritml fVorjhip brou|ht in by (Thrift, j 
 in opposition to thtjemjk Kites and CerenkA 
 mes y which though appointed by God him-3 
 felf at firft,yet now are out of date & uflefs? 
 and whether this very thing was not one 
 of thofe pretended Crimes, that Chrift hirn- 
 felfwas arraigned for in the High "Priests 
 Hall>n appears \x\,Mat ,16 .^7 ,w 69. com- 
 pared m:h,Joh. 4. ip,to^/.and whether av 
 good canfe with a mans own innocency in the 
 fight of God and his own confcience,be not 
 one great fnpport to him under the fever eft 
 cen[ures y and Jharpefl fafferings he can meet • 
 with from thisvPortt ? 
 
 FINIS.