Extraordinary deliverance of Elizabeth Shaw/Extraordinary deliverance of Elizabeth Shaw

DELIVERANCE
OF
ELIZABETH SHAW.

The following account of the extraordinary deliverance of Elizabeth Shaw, wife of Joseph Shaw, a Hebrew, residing at Staincross near Barnsley, in Yorkshire, was related by herself to the Rev. John Pawson, the truth of which may be depended upon, for if ever there was an upright woman she certainly was one, as many now living can testify.

One day in the height of summer she was washing and had hung part of her linen out to dry, but a heavy shower of rain coming on, she ran out hastily to fetch in the clothes. Being in a sweat, and without her gown, she got exceedingly wet, occasioning a severe cold, which was followed by a violent rheumatism throughout all her limbs.

She was confined to her bed for a long time in excruciating pain day and night, and was so helpless as to be obliged to have a cord fixed to the bed’s head by taking hold of which she could ease herself a little. A medical gentleman from Wakefield attended her for some time but she got no relief.

Growing weary of her long confinement and worn out with the pain she endured, she said to her husband one day, "Joseph I cannot bear to lie here any longer; do get the couch-chair and set it near the fire and get some pillows and place them upon it, and then try if you can get me up and lay me there; perhaps I may get a little ease that way." Joseph being a kind affectionate husband did as she requested, making everything as comfortable as he could, and when he had done everything in his power to relieve her, he went out about his business, being a farmer.

When her husband was gone, a variety of thoughts flowed in upon her mind, and she reasoned with herself thus: "Here I lie, a poor, helpless, miserable creature; and so I am likely to remain, for there is no help for me in man: all human means are ineffectual.

But if our blessed Lord was now upon earth I would send Joseph to him, and let him know how bad I am, and how soon would he come and heal me? Or he would speak the word and I should be well in an instant! But has he not the same power and the same tender pity and love for his poor distressed creatures, now he is in heaven, that he had while here upon earth? Surely he has, for he is unchangeably the same, yesterday, to-day, and for ever; if hen I could believe surely he would heal me, bad as I am? He has said ‘according to thy faith so be it done un to thee;’ and faith too is his own gift I will therefore pray to him that he may give me power to believe". She then broke out into earnest prayer and found uncommon liberty and access to the throne of grace. At length she thought she could believe that our Lord would heal her, and was enabled to lay hold upon his truth and faithfulness, upon his infinite mercy and boundless love. She then endeavoured to rise from her couch and was enabled so to do. To her astonishment, she could stand upright and found that she was perfectly well. Upon this she thought; “But I will try whether the cure is perfectly wrought or not," and immediately got the brush and began to sweep the house. While thus employed, Joseph returned to enquire how she was: having half opened the door and seeing her sweeping the room he was not a little surprised and stopt short. She happened to look up, and perceiving his surprise, said “Yes, you may well look; here l am, as well as ever I was in my life. I have prayed to our blessed Lord and he has healed me and I am perfectly well!” And so she continued to be. It is easy to suppose that her heart was filled with gratitude to her great deliverer, for this wonderful display of his tender pity, power, and love.

To see and acknowledge the hand of God in the way of his providence is our duty, and will be attended to with unspeakable delight, as we shall frequently behold his wisdom, power and goodness wonderfully displayed: and as this will fill our souls with gratitude so it will constrain us to give unto him the honours due to his holy name.