The Praise of a Godly Woman

The Praise of a Godly Woman

Transcriber's notes: Original spelling and puctuation were retained, including u/v and i/j substitution. Footnotes have been placed between paragraphs to make the html version easier to work with. Some of the Latin note text was illegible, many thanks to the Distributed Proofreaders Volunteers who helped look up the references in various internet sources. Therefore iudge nothing before the time, vntill the Lord come, who will bring to light the hidden things of darknee, and will manifet the counells of the hearts, and then hall euery man haue praie of God. Although it bee true (which a worthy Diuine[1] oberueth) that formall Hypocrites are heartned and hardned in their lewd coures & fale conceits of happinee, when they heare more infamous Sinners than themelues, gloriouly and flatteringly commended at their Deaths; yet we Image need not feare any uch bad effect by the Funerall-commendation of Gods true Saints; becaue the publike Tetimonie of their iut Praies doth not onely make the wicked more inexcuable, and the Glory of Gods Graces hine farre brighter to Poteritie; but alo enkindleth in the hearts of the godly a greater fire of Zeale for imitation. Thee are ome of the Ends, why it hath euer been and is till an vnreproueable Cutome in Gods Church, that the Godly hould be Marked[2] and Honoured[3] at their Deaths, as Hezekiah was by all Iudah & Ierualem: Valentinean, Satyrus and Theodoius by Saint Ambroe[4]: Bail, Gregory and Gorgonia by Nazianzen[5]: Nepotian, Paula and Marcella by S. Ierom[6]. Had not their Holy Liues and Happie Deaths beene publihed by uch vnpartiall Pens, wee hould haue bin ignorant now of many excellent Coures of anctified Men and Women, of many comfortable workings of the Holy Ghot in them, and hould haue wanted many inflaming Motiues to follow their religious teps. Vpon this conideration I was bold to commend vnto Gods people the more Image than Ordinary paages of your Honourable Mothers Holy Life and Death: wherein I haue as a Chritian poken the truth of a Chritian, that is, (as Saint Ierom[7] proteteth in a like cae) made a true Narration; not a Vain-glorious Panegyrick. Let Poets and Oratours praie thoe women, which Poppa-like[8], are graced with all other things auing a Gracious Heart: Let them commend their Wit, Wealth, Beautie, Nobilitie, and other Gifts of Fortune (as they call them) in tead of Vertues[9]. Wee the Miniters of Chrit, and Stewards of the Myteries of God, mut adorne none with the Honourable Attributes of Heauenly Praie; but uch as are truly beautified, enriched, and ennobled with the Purity and Power of Gods Feare in their Humble Soules[10]. This praie the Lord will Proper[11], which is vttered in that Widome[12], whereof the Feare of the Lord is the beginning. But for the Saints themelues: I dare ay with Saint Augutine[13], that they deire more the Imitation, than the Commendation Image of their vertues: and therefore to tell you the truth (as the ame Father doth his friend) you hould neuer haue heard mee commend this deceaed Lady, but in hope, that Gods Graces in Her might by this meanes, uruiue in your religious Imitation, and not only in you and all them that are of Her bloud; but alo in all them that haue heard or hall reade this Sermon. This is all the gaine I looke and pray for, that Gods[14] word, which I haue faithfully alledged (not without ome Illutrations (I confee) borrowed from the holy Fathers[15], whereof I need not to be ahamed) may be contantly practied by vs all. For when all is done and aid, aure your elfe (Deare Sir) it is only the Life of Grace, the Grace of the Feare of the Lord can truly Honour you, or any vpon earth, weetly comfort you at your Death, and eternally Glorifie your Soule and Bodie in Heauen. Abandon then I beeech you in the name of Chrit[16], all iniquitie, and all workers of iniquitie, yea abominate the weetet in, to which your youthfull affections are mot endeared, ele you will neuer be able to encline and enlarge Image them to the puruit and practie of o excellent and Glorious a Grace as the Feare of the Lord; becaue this godly Feare and the impenitent Allowance of any lut, is as incompatible as Heauen and Hell: o that if you hould hate to be diuorced from your Boome-in whatoeuer it be (which God forbid) you could haue no true right and interet to the precious promies of this and of that other life[17]. Thinke on this continually, and hold it your greatet Honour, the Noblet imployment of your Soule, as it is indeed, to keep your elfe (as a King[18] did before you.) from your iniquitie. Quod i tu (quod procul abit) nolueris, ego liber ero. Epitola, immo concio me hc mea, cum lecta fuerit, aboluet.[19] And o I ret, being mindfull of your Vertues, ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 27280
Author: Gamon, Hannibal
Release Date: Nov 16, 2008
Format: eBook
Language: English