1757: Sermon after Death of Hepzibah Maynard (2024)

Occasioned by the Death of Mrs. Hephzibah Maynard

There are divers Occasions upon which the Men are so immediately and directly spoke to, that the women are but secondarily and more remotely concerned therein: the Generality of Sermons tho addressed to the leading sex yet includes both. What I purpose, by divine Help, at this Time is more especially for the Instruction and Excitement of Women, yet it will be far from useless, I hope, to men, who will have a great Share of Duty resulting likewise. But if a Minister must deliver the whole Counsel of God and must give Every One proper Meat in due season, how can he Omitt what is of this kind? And what more Suitable Time for it than now, when the Minds of So many People have been exercised upon these Subjects?

It was one of the ways in which the Wisest of M[torn] Men Showed his Wisdom that he paid Such Regard to parental Teaching. Sometimes he tells us he was his Fathers Son, who taught me, says he, and said to me, Let thine Heart retain my Words, etc.: Prov. IV.2 And again he acquaints us that he was tender and openly beloved in the sight of his Mother And He’ll give the Evidence by recording the affectionate Counsels which She gave him. As here in the Beginning of this Chapter before us. Observe 1. the little, tender Name, Lemuel—2. How affectionately She breaks out—what! my son! etc. 3. With She says—etc. etc. Now from

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these things Let us Learn to pay great Regard to what our Parents have said to us: and beware of setting light by it. Let us recollect and remember how wisely and affectionately they Spoke to us; and what wholesome, seasonable Things they said to us: Let us never be ungrateful or disobedient to them. Solomon took so much Notice of what his Mother said to him and he so highly esteemed her that as some think, this is the person painted at in all the latter part of the Church. It is a Penegyrick upon his Mother Bathsheba.

Who can find a Vertuous Woman? This is she—Her Children rise up and call her Blessed, as her Husband David also had praised her—and She is inestimable: her Price is above Rubies. The Character is drawn in 22 v. Each verse beginning according to the Order of the Letter in the Hebrew Alphabet. As is the Manner of the Composition in Some other choice Portions of Scripture. In Discoursing to you from this Text I purpose to offer you something of The Character of the Vertuous Woman: And Her excelling worth. I’m loth to add Thirdly, how rare.

I.

As to the First of these, The Character of the Vertuous Woman.

Concerning WOMAN herself the Original was this. The Great God having created all other Animals in Pairs, Male and female, and having brought ‘em to Adam that he might exercise this part of Dominion over them: to give them Names; In this review which Adam made of all living Creatures he could not observe that there was anyone like himself or created for him. Thus it is thought the Occasion of v. 16 of Gen. 2 is to be found in v. 19 and 20, because of what follows in the last part of v. 20, but for Adam there was not found an Help meet for him. The Method which the Sovereign God took to Supply him was very

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peculiar for we read that the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam; when He took one of this Ribs, and this He made a Woman. Which when Adam awoke and perceived, for God was pleased to bring her to him; he cryd out, this is Bone of my Bones and Flesh of my Flesh, She shall be called by a name that is derived from that of Man, and which shall Shew her near Relation to Man for she was taken out of him. St. Paul marks these Things following. First, that Adam was first formed, and then Eve. 1 Tim. 2.13. Secondly, he takes Notice that the Man was not made of the Woman, in the first formation, but the Woman of the man. 1 Cor. 11.8. Thirdly, that the Man was not made for the Woman but the woman for the Man. V. 9. We hence see the Origin of marriage; as Adam said, and as our Lord afterwards, therefore shall a man leave his Father and his mother etc.: Gen. 2.24, with Mat. 19.5. She was made as his Companion and Assistant and to be the Object of his tender Love and Affection—taken out of him at the first, and joined inseparably to him by Gods holy Ordinance and therefore one with him; as if one Soul were to live in two Bodys.

That you may conceive rightly of this distinguished Creature we are not to carry the Disparagement too far which has happened by the Fall; nor advance her above the Dignity of her proper Place, as if God designed her for Dominion or Adoration. She is the weaker Vessel, and yet was formed of Superior mould: She was first in the Transgression and therefore is sentenced to subjection and her sorrows in Conception and bringing forth Children are multiplied; yet of her is the Son of God born, and it is generally to be observed that there are more Women that belong the Church of God than of men; and probably more (as some think) of that sex will be

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saved that of the other. For besides that their tender Affections dispose them to Devotion and their many Troubles and Dangers serve to wean them from the Word, and awaken them to prepare for Death and Judgment God hath Chosen the weak Things of the world to confound the wise—But something more of this hereafter. I would next say something of the Property here thought to be attributed to this Subject: viz. Vertue. This is taken by no means in a narrow limited Sense, as in 2 Pet. 1.5. Add to your Faith Vertue, Christian Fortitude and Resolution, or a Vigorous Exertment. But it must be interpreted as Phil. 4.8. If there be any Vertue—q.d. any Commendable attainment or practice. It means Moral Goodness in general: comprising all Christian Graces and Conduct therein. As we read in 2 Pet. 1.3—thro the Knowledge of Him that hath called us to Glory and Vertue. q.d. to Glory as the End, and to Vertue as the Way or Qualification for it. But then to be Vertuous does not merely intend Such Moral Goodness as respects Men, Such as Sobriety, Temperance, Meekness, Probity, Veracity and Charity: but it includes Piety towards God and this from a right principle; as appears from that part of the Chapter herein this Chapter which is further descriptive of what has been Said. For in v. 30, she is called a Woman that feareth the Lord. I Shall therefore take it in this more extensive and comprehensive sense, and sounding the Same thing to us as a Pious and holy Woman Under this allow me to descend to the following more con[spicuous?] Lines of the Portraiture, tho I go not out to all the many particulars which might call

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for our Consideration but I must leave to your own Meditations to enlarge upon.

1.

First, She is a truely Religious Woman. For of what Significance is every Thing else if there is not this in the Foundation. Favour is deceitful and Beauty is Vain. The sum of this is, She owns and acknowledges the Divine Being and worships Him according to the Revelations

1.

and Instructions of His Word. First, She has an inward Pious Principle and Frame of Soul. She has Faith in God. She Believes that He is, and that He is the Reward etc. All the Works of Creation evidence to her the great Origin! The wonders of providence Shew the Preserver and Governour of all Things, to be God alone. All that is seen and that is done demonstrates the Wisdom, the Power, and Goodness of God. She reallizes, reveres, adores, admires, loves, delights in, submitts to and Obeys Him her Maker, Sustainer, Benefactor and sovereign, chooses this infinitely Perfect Being for her Portion and Happiness; confides in Him as her Refuge and Defence; and repairs to Him in every straight and Distress.

She has also Faith in Jesus Christ. She is deeply Sensible of her ruined State in Adam; that there can be no Redemption but by the Eternal son of God, that He is both able and willing to save to the utmost; She most thankfully accepts of Him on His own Terms, and desires her soul may be espoused to Christ, renouncing all other Lovers and Dependencys. He is her Prophet, Priest and King; He is her Pattern and her only Hope and her Eternal Joy. It is the Adorable Spirit who has wrought these Principles and Tempers in her; She devoutly owns this almighty Operator, and desires to be alwayes under His most gracious, infallible, all-sufficient and never failing Influence; that He would dwell in her as in His Temple, and guide her to all that is pleasing in His Sight, to all that will advance His Glory, and perfect her Blessedness in His Presence. This inward principle and Disposition manifests itself in a proper manner.

2.

2. Secondly in the Steddy practice of all Religion and Godliness, according to the divine word.

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I will give you some brief hints wherein, more especially. First, She attends Diligently to all the Acts of Religious Worship.

In the Ordinary Course, She waits upon God with the humble Homage of her Soul to Him in Prayer and Praise, in the reading of His word and the Preaching of it, in the administration of the holy Sacraments and Church Communion. She is one who gives herself up in most solemn Manner by a Sacred Covenant nor can Suffer this Article to live in a loose undetermined confused sort; but enters into this Transaction with all Sincerity, and with all possible seriousness of Soul, in the Fear and strength of God. She principally values and Esteems the Public Ordinances and therefore is constantly at the House of God, ex. gr. Hannah and Anna. No Small matter, that is wont to be laid hold of by Others, Shall prevent her presenting herself in the Assembly of Gods people and when here She reverences God’s Sanctuary and labors earnestly that She may See His Goings and enjoy the Blessing. But as much as she loves the Habitation of God’s House, her Devotion is not confined to that; when She can’t enjoy that and She must retire, She follows God still in the Other kinds of worship.

She is a good Friend to Family Religion; and uses all her Influence to have this to be statedly and unbrokenly attended. I mean the Morning and Evening Sacrifice of Every Day, in holy, Solemn Prayer, Singing the Praises of God and reading His Word: to which add the due acknowledgment of God at meals. Pious Women have been so intent on this that rather than it Should be omitted, when there have not been men present to perform, have done it themselves. Nor do I know why this godly Custom Should be dropt. But

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Such an One, who is so desirous to maintain Household Religion will not neglect religious Retirement in the Closet, which not only does our Saviour expressly injoin and require as in St. Mat. 6.6, but Himself set us an Example of; nay and this is moreover an invaluable [Prize?] which the Saints have, of holy access to God and gracious Freedom at the Throne of His Grace. Nay

As the Saints of God have a blessed Freedom and intimacy with God and they have Liberty in all their ways to acknowledge that He may direct their Paths and in every Thing by prayer etc. Nay still Crist would have us Pray always and not faint, so as to Vertuous women, they do give themselves to Prayer—they are much in ejacul*tory prayer. They do walk with God, their Eyes are ever towards the Lord. This is not all,

The vertuous Woman Submitts to the Watch and Government of the Church, and thinks herself much happier that she may be accepted and always treated as one of the Subjects of Christs Kingdom, one of the Members of Christs Mystical Body.

Thus I have suggested something Concerning the ordinary Course, or method of her Religion.

There are also some Extraordinary or Occasional: and as she loves and fears God and delights in His ways, she will not be behindhand in these. I mean, in Fasts, Thanksgivings, Lectures, and other Opportunitys in which the Great God may be sought and honored and the great Interest of the soul promoted. These Acts of Religious worship She attends as with great Diligence and Constancy So with great Delight: It is with trust and sincerity, with Faith, with a fervent Mind, with Zeal but with great Prudence and with deep Humility: in a word with Perseverance.

2.)

Secondly, another Thing which manifests her Piety is her strict and consciencious Regard to the Lords Day. The virtuous woman

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will rejoice in the Institution of this Day of sacred Rest, as a season of the most incomparable Spiritual Benefit, and Enjoyment of Special Communion with the Ever Blessed God. She also lays hold of this happy Opportunity for trading for Heaven, and securing an Eternal Inheritance: But above all, it is rejoicing to her soul that now the Great God may be honoured and served, and His Interest promoted and advanced. This is what her Heart is much set upon: as in

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The Third place we are more particularly to take Notice of by itself. For this She makes the Bus’ness of her Life; to glorify God with all her Power, and Talents. She considers what is the Great End of her Being, and of Christs coming into the world. She is devoted to God and would live to Him that dyd for her on the Cross. In humble Gratitude to Him, would do her utmost to advance His Kingdom, according to her station and Capacity. Accordingly She Endeavours

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Fourthly, that whatever offends Him may be removed; and would always do the Things that please Him. She reverences His Great Name, and mourns where it is profaned or dishonoured. She watches against all Sin, or Temptations to it; and is ready always to Set forward true Obedience to Him and Conformity to His Will: lamenting to see how Men make Void the divine Law, frustrate the Ends of Christs Death, and grieve and resist the Spirit of Peace. But more peculiarly this Care and Concern works Strongly with regard to her own Family, or those She is more especially united (in divine Providence) to. She labours after increase in Knowledge and Acquaintance with God and to grow in Grace that She may be more and more like God and stand Compleat in the whole will of God, longing after the full Enjoyment of Him for ever. This is some Sketch of her Piety towards God. I shall

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2.

Next offer you somewhat of her Conduct towards Man. For it suffices not to Observe the Dutys of the first Table of the Divine Law: Her Vertues Shine with a resplendent Lustre as She attends to the Dutys of the Second Table also.

These respect both Herself and Others.

1.)

First Herself. She Exercises a proper Care of her Body and her external appearance. And as the Care of the Person has been too commonly wont in some of that sex to engross too great a Share of their Concerns in others too little, the Vertuous Woman will enadeavour to correct this Error, on each Hand; But her Thoughts shall be more engaged upon the Soul. Her principal Care therefore is to have her Mind well furnished with useful Knowledge and her Heart under the Government thereof, having well regulated Affections: Her Appetites also are restrained; and She is in all respects under the Guidance of Reason and Religion. Hence She is much employed in subduing the Vices both of Mind and Heart and endeavours to exercise Every Grace of Vertue.

More particularly She Watches against and is indeed alwayes at War with Ignorance, an infidel Spirit, Pride, Hypocrisy, Covetousness, Envy, Anger, Malice, and all Unclean Desires; her Soul rises against every Lust that Pollutes and defiles the Soul.

On the other Hand, She labours after, exercises, cultivates and Shines with the Excellent Graces of Wisdom and Prudence, Sobriety, Modesty, Purity and Chastity; Industry and Diligence, Frugality and in Every

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thing Sincerity, Honesty and uprightness. All her Carriage, her Garb, the Strict Government of her Speech, and her whole appearance will evidence for her. These are the Graces and Vertues which She endeavours to have her Soul furnished with and to exercise with regard to herself.

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Secondly, with respect to Others, She endeavours to understand Mankind, the Relations sustained towards and the Dependances we have upon one another—and to be properly acquainted with the several Stations, Characters and Distinctions which the Sovereign and Wise Providence of God has ordained for all persons; and the Dutys respecting incumbent upon all. For there is a Decent Conduct called for towards all. She herself exercises Righteousness, probity, Truth, Love and Charity, Benevolence, Mercy, Gratitude to all according to their several Conditions in Life.

She considers in a peculiar Manner her own State and Relations that She May discharge the Dutys of each of them and approve herself therein, to God and to Man, whether a Virgin, a Wife, a Mother or a Widow: for there are many Things appropriate to each of them.

But I may not stay at this time to treat of these by themselves.

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The Virtuous Woman

1. 1. With regard to Herself She takes Care to have her Mind well furnished with useful Knowledge, her Heart under the Government of well regulated Affections. She restrains her Appetite, and She is in all respects under the Guidance of Reason and Religion.

Hence her Care is to subdue the Vices both of Mind and Heart and to Exercise every Grace of Vertue. She is always at War with and watches against Ignorance, Pride, Hypocrisy, Envy, Covetousness, Anger Malice and every Lust that Pollutes and defiles the soul. She labours after, exercises, cultivates and Shines with the Excellent Graces of Wisdom and prudence, Sobriety and Temperance, Meekness and Sincerity, Purity and Chastity, Industry and Diligence, Frugality, Modesty and Humility. Evident always in her Garb, Apparell and in the Government of her Speech.

1. 2. With respect to Others She endeavours to understand Mankind, the Relations and Dependencys we have one to and upon another and the Several stations, Characters and Distinctions which the sovereign and wise Providence of God has ordained for all Persons, and the respective Dutys incumbent upon all: and there is a proper Conducted called for towards all. She therefore Exercises Righteousness, Probity, Truth, Love, Benevolence, charity towards Every One, in whatever Condition of Life.

But She considers the Vertues and Dutys of her own particular State and Relations more peculiarly whether a Virgin

• a Wife
• a Mother or
• a Widow.

for there are many Things peculiar to each of these.

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The Excellency of Such an One–

above Rubies–

• Prov. 12.4
• 18.22
• 19.14

The antient Philosophers and Poets ascribed all Sciences to the Muses, all Sweetness and morality to the Graces, and prophetic Inspirations to the Sibylls.

N.B. All the Vertues are (in Latin) of the feminine Gender.

[At the bottom of the page:]

^^Evident always in her Garb, Apparell, and in the Government of her Speech.

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How rare!

Why?

1. A. 1. We are lapsed—and there is none perfect.
2. 2. The Devil has the Cunning Still to accept and assault the Weaker, softer Sex.
3. 3. We don’t deserve so great a Blessing.

And yet there have been now and then very bright Instances—Deborah, of Ruth, all the City knows etc.—Judith—Abigail—the wise Woman of Abel—on divine Record, Lucretia—Cornelia the Mother of the Gracchi in Roman story.

But still they had their Defects and Blemishes. Eve herself—but though Eve was weak in yielding to the seductions of the Serpent, was it not more inexcusable in Adam to yield to the Temptations of his Wife?

• Sarah had hers.
• So had Rachel.
• So had Bathsheba.
• So had the Mother of our Lord.

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Improvement

1. 1. Instruction

How Women Should endeavor to be Qualifyd

See more of what to [shun?] in Isa. 3 and Prov. 7.3

And what to practice in our Chap.

but esp. in v. 30 that we may both glorify and Enjoy

1. 2. Exhortation

labour to excell though you should not arrive at perfection, nor at the high attainments of Some celebrated Women.

1. 3. Men may from hence learn what is incumbent on them also—for many of these Things are of Common Concernment and men as well as women ought to be in Endowed with and exercise themselves in.

Nay if Men are the Superiour Sex they Should not boast of an Empty worthless Dignity but should See that they be superior in Excellencys and Accomplishments.

1. 4. We ought all to praise God for the Gifts, Graces and Endowment which He is pleased to impart to both man and womankind—and the Vertues of women Should never be slighted, but prized and improved and rejoiced in—and
2. 5. We ought to Consider the Duty incumbent when God removes Such as in any respects excellence.

Those more especially who are most nearly concerned in the Bereavement.

In particular to remember the Vertues of the Deceased to imitate them to Supply what was deficient in them. and pray for the abundant outpowering of the Spirit of Grace upon all of us that we may both Glorify and Enjoy God both here and for ever.