A funeral sermon for Mrs. Esther Sampson, the late wife of Henry Sampson, Dr. of Physick, who died Nov. 24. M.DCLxxxix / by John Howe ... Published principally for the use of such as languish under painful and chronical diseases.

  • Howe, John, 1630-1705.
Date:
1690
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A funeral sermon for Mrs. Esther Sampson, the late wife of Henry Sampson, Dr. of Physick, who died Nov. 24. M.DCLxxxix / by John Howe ... Published principally for the use of such as languish under painful and chronical diseases. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    k ing. It may be a means of the greateft advantage toyoUj ^re God have done with you, when once^vhe has brought you, by this means to treat 5 when he has got you into a more tractable dlfpofition, there is hope in the cafe. If thus he open your ear to Dijcipline^ and he to you an interpreter, onf of a thoufand, to few you his Righteoufnefs, he may feaL infiruhlion ta you, and fave your Soul from going down to the Pit, having found ^ a ranfom for you. Job 33* ^5* But for thofe that have a real Intered in God, and Union with Chrift, that which ^ occafions mauch Prayer, is likely to be the means of much fpiritual improvement, and advantage to them. 3. It puts feveral fuitable Graces upon exercife, and by be¬ ing exercifed they grow. It tries ih€\v Faith, and improves it. Faith is, in fuch a c^fe as this, neceffarily called forth im, to act, if there be the principle 5 and as it alts, it grows 5 be¬ comes more and more ftrong and lively. Their Patience ^ is exercifed by it,^ and perfected 5 and that has a great influ¬ ence upon their univerfal perfection. Let. patience have ids per- fehh workj, that you may he perfeEh^ Jam. I. 2, 3,4. There wdll be an uijjverfal languor ( as if he fliould have faid ) upon your Spirits, if you be impatient 3 if you cannot fuffer ( as patience is an ability for fuffering) if you can by no means endure, without tempeftuous agitations, or fallen defpondencies of Spi¬ rit. But if Patience have ids perfeEi Work, that will infer an univerfal healthfulnefs, and good habit into your whole Soul. Their Love to God is, in fuch a cafe, eminently tried, and - ‘ improved. Bleffed is the man that endures Temptation ( tenta-^ live afHidion is there meant, as above, verf 2,) For when he is tryed, he jhail receive the Crown of Life, which the Lord hath promifed to them that love him, Jam. I. 12. Which implies their ' love to him is the great thing put upon trial, in that cafe. And, it is a great trial of Love to God 3^ a very improvable opportunity of difeerning it’s fincericy, vyhen, upon a long affli¬ ction, you can appeal to God, and fay, Thou knowefi Hove thee 3 tho' thou finite and kill, I will flill love thee. Kb difeontent- • ful motion, no repining thought fliall ever be allowed a place ill my bread: 3 there may be fighs, but no niiirmiiriags; groans, but no tumults, nothing of difpleafure agaiaft thy Holy Plea- fure.