To comfort others and faint ourselves is to bring a di.scredit upon what we propound to them. Remember the glory of God is concerned in your behaviour under this trial, and the honour of your ministry. Let your Christian friends know there is a reality in what you liave held forth for their support in like case. Let them see you make it your care to practise your own doctrine. We are set forth for signs. God's eyes and men's are upon us ; do worthily and becoming your station.
It is true, God comes near when he separates those that are so near and dear one to another, and we ought to lay it to heart ; but that wherein you are like to err is in too much sorrow and dejection of si)irit ; which may be your wisdom to lal)Our to prevent, as being seemly for a Christian and a preacher to show his moderation. We find that Abraham mourned lor Sarah ; and he had great cause so to do, for she was a very good companion to him in all his travels and troubles; she was very pleasing in his eye in regaixl of her beauty; sh.e brought him a child in his old age, the son of the promise ; she is honoured in scri})ture above all other women of her age ; the time how long .she lived is set down, which is not done for any other woman. At her death Abraham mourns, but veiy moderately ; he wept for her, but we find no excess in the measure or in the time of his grief ; and lie is a good jiattern. David weeps for the death of his child while it was alive, for he feared it would die ; and the thing he feared came upon him : but when they thought that upon the death of his child lu's tears would have risen to a flood, it was suddenly a low ebb ; and he gives herein instruction to all mourners, and to you, teaching you to say, 'Wherefore shoifld I now fast and weep any longer? I cannot bring her back again: 1 shall go to her, but she not shall return to me ;' and [ilainly asserts that none should mourn more than they can give a good reason for: ' Why should I now mourn?' You know it is no
EeV, XIV. 1 3.] THAT DIE IN THE LORD. 473
other than we onglit daily to expect and look for here below, — vicissi- tudes, namely, and changes. And you will soon meet her again in heaven, where (as I conceive with Austin) she shall be notissima iihi. And in the meantime, in your enjoying Christ you enjoy her still in him. And all the helps, advantages, sweetnesses, counsels, consola- tions, satisfactions, defences, carings, cordials, contentments, whatever was lovely in her, whatever you loved her for, you still enjoy in him, either by the administration of other mediums, or immediately from himself ; and what comes from God immediately is much sweeter. You have cause rather to be thankful you enjoyed her so long, than sorrowful you can on earth enjoy her no longer. I know not whether her religion, worth, and holiness, will serve more to aggravate your loss, or to aUay your sorrow. It is sad to think you have lost such a loving, humble, godly, and meet companion. But remember, that because she was such an one, you have the more confidence that she is blessed, and is gone from you to better company, even to the company of saints free from all sin and all sorrow, full of holiness and happiness ; of angels too ; of Jesus Christ too, the King of saints, the Lord of angels ; he that so loved us ; he that did so much, suffered so much for us ; he whom the fathei'S before his incarnation so longed to see ; he whom every believing soul so pants and breathes after. Which that it may the more sensibly appear, I shall here take occasion to subjoin her just and true character.
THE CHAEACTEE OF MES JANE BLACKWELL.
She was a gentlewoman born, of the house of the Wintringhams, a family of eminency and note in Yorkshire. Educated and trained uj) from her childhood, till married, under Dr Chaderton, Master of Emmanuel College in Cambridge, that famous godly man, and her near kinsman ; by reason whereof she was, even in her younger years, so grounded in knowledge, seasoned with grace, and accomplished with abiliments and endowments every way, that she was a most rare and incomparable companion for a minister.
Some things there were wherein she was exceeding exemplary. As she was a woman of a marvellously humble spirit ; that all wlio knew her and conversed with her, admired in her ; and it was abundantly evident and apparent in her countenance, speeches, gestures, apparel, and every way.
A simple, single, plain-hearted woman ; ' An Israelite indeed, in whom there was no guile.'
A merciful, pitiful, charitable woman. Open-hearted, open-handed too, to her power, yea, and beyond her power — spared it from her own back and belly to clothe and feed others— gladly embraced occasions when offered, yea, greedily sought out occasions. Her love was not verbal only, such as that James speaks of, ' Go and be clothed, go and be warmed,' &:c., but real. She refreshed the bowels of many. The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon her, and she made