A Collection of the Lives of Ten Eminent Divines, Biography 15
The Life, and Death of Mrs. Margaret Corbet, who dyed Anno Christi 1656.
IF we enquire into the Relations of this Gentlewoman,Her Parentage either by Affinity or Consanguinity, or both sides, the Families are ancient, of renown, and good reputation. Concerning the Family from whence she was descended, her Father was Sir Nathaniel Brent, late Warden of Merton College, a learned Knight, whose great pains, and dangerous adventures to procure the History of the Councel of Trent (which he translated into English) are to be remembred with an honourable mention, and for his faithful discovery of Jesuitical juglings, his name will be had in honour, when the names of the Popish party will rot.
Her Mother, the Lady Martha Brent, was a Lady of a Gracious spirit, abounding in love, meekness, humility, love to Gods Ordinances, and Gods Children. Her delight (with David) was in the society of Saints. She imitated her worthy Father in the sweetness of disposition, who was Dr. Robert Abbot, that learned and godly Bishop of Sarum, who was Malleus Baptismi, & Armianismi, the Hammer of Popery and Arminianisme: His excellent Works or Monuments of his Honourable memory.
To be born of a godly Family, and to be well descended, is a mercy not to be neglected. Mr. Philpot, a zealous Martyr, being a Kings Son, and an Archdeacon, told his adversaries that he was a Gentleman. Anabap…istical parity, and Levelling designs are worthily to be abhorred, and looked upon as a ready way to confusion, rapine, and violence. So then we see that she was a Gentlewoman every way well descended. Her Ancestors were persons of Honour, and from them she had the benefit of an ingenuous and liberal Education. This is much, but its more, when I say that she came of a godly stock, and of praying Relations; and indeed, this is that which ennobles Nobility it self.
God in mercy began with this Gentlewoman betimes,Her timely Conversion. even about the fourteenth year of her age. Then God gave her a willing minde, and purpose of heart to serve him in the dayes of her youth: Insomuch as she was swift to hear the word of God, she waited diligently at the posts of Wisdomes Gate. She wrote the Sermons which she heard (a practice used by King Edward the sixth, that rare English Josiah) and she left many volumes of Sermons of her own handwriting, taken with great dexterity, and these are as so many choise Monuments of her Industry. She was much conversant in reading of the holy Scriptures (which can make us wise unto salvation) and she joyned with her reading, prayer,Her Piety. and meditation. Her delight was in the word of God: It was (as with Jeremy) the joy and rejoycing of her soul; and with the reading of Scriptures she searched Expositors, and Practical Divines, and attained thereby to such a measure of Divine knowledge, as enabled her to state some Questions of controversie for her better use, and help of her memory, and to discourse very soundly upon the most material points of Religion, and even above her age and sexe, to maintain the truth, as occasion was offered, with strength of Argument against gain-sayers.
She was eminent for the grace of Humility; Her Humility.and when I have said that she was of an humble spirit, what can be said more? This the Apostle would have us to be cloathed withall, 1 Pet. 5. 7. Humility is the ornament of all Graces: Its that Salt that seasons the best parts and graces. So humble was the spirit of this excellent Gentlewoman, that the poorest might have free access unto her, and receive curteous language from her mouth, and liberal almes from her heart and hand, both being opened wide for their relief. The observation of this humble deportment from her child-hood, gained the heart of her dear Husband unto her, long before she was ripe for her Marriage: Her humble spirit evidently appeared by her condescending to them of low estate: the servants in her Family, the poorest, and meanest in the Parish where she lived, will bear witness to the truth of this particular.
She was of a meek and quiet spirit, Her Meekness.which (as the Apostle saith, 1. Pet. 3. 3.) is in the sight of God of great price. All her Relations will attest her meek deportment, and how much she hated brawls and contentions: Her very enemies (if they would speak their consicences) can testifie her readiness to pass by injuries. So far she was from rendring reviling for revilings, that she endeavoured to rec…mpence …vil with good, and prayed for such as despitefully used her, professing that it was the desire of her …ul to do her very enemies all the Christian offices of love which lay in her power.
Special notice ought also to be taken of her Wisdome and Gravity in the ordering of her conversation Her discourses were savoury,Her P…udence and Gravity. administring Grace to the hearers, and tending to edification. Her behaviour was modest, and grave; though she was of a cheerfull spirit, yet it was without levity: She was no tatler, busie-body, no medler in the affairs of others: She was no gadder up and down from house to house, hearing, and telling of news (as too many do to the wounding of the reputations of others.) The vain and frivolous discourse of some who came to visit her, was an heavy burden, and affliction to her spirit. The dicourses of such as tended to the defaming and blasting others reputation, were a great grief and trouble unto her; and when she heard such discourses, she would endeavour to turn the stream another way, and move such discourse as might be profitable for the sou…s good.
Her Love was very eminent towards all those that feared God:Her love to the Saints. she was with David, a Companion to such, a lover of their acquaintance, who were the Saints, the excellent ones, Psal. 16. 3. Insomuch as when she apprehended any thing of God, though in persons inclining to separation, and of a contrary judgement from her, she was so compassionate, as to labour with much sweetness and candour, to convince them of their errours, and to w…n them to the truth; imitating herein the holy practice of learned Musculus, who gained some Anabaptists, and Sectaries by kindness, and benefits, and … them as much by love as by arguments.
Her holy Courage deserves special notice;Her Courage. for though she was humble, meek, and loving, yet she was stout and couragious in declaring her judgement upon just occasions, before those whom she knew to be contrary minded, hating compliance against conscience, and doubting alwayes the soundness and sincerity of those who du…st not own their opinions. She was much of her worthy Fathers temper in that particular, who hath been often heard to say, that a Coward can hardly be an honest man; and much of Esters resolution, desiring rather to suffer her self than sluggishly, and silently to see the truths of God to suffer.
She was a praying Christian:Her frequent prayers. She was much in prayers and tears; much in a sacred acquaintance, and holy communion with God: Her gift in prayer was very great: She was much in her Closet alone, and there much upon her knees: An excellent patern for womens imitation, which by no means should suffer that great duty to be omitted. It was a Character of Paul, when converted, Act. 9. 11. Behold he prayes. Praying Christians are the best Christians, they are prevailing Christians; and as Reverend and holy Mr. Dod was used to say, Never d…spair of that person who can but pray.
She was …ixed and … in Religion, having frequently read the Scriptures,… … many …ound, orthodox, and practical Divines, she became settled, rooted and grounded in the truth. She was one that held fast her profession without wav…ing. She was not … about with every wind of Doctrine Eph. 4. 14. neither was she of their humours, who for politick ends comply with all companies in their opinions. She kept close to the publick Ministry where she lived, there she heard the word faithfully dispensed. She neither was of their opinion, nor practice, who out of I know not what kinde of singularity, separate from the Ministry of a godly Pastor and Husband. Her delight was very great in Gods Ordinances, and she was glad when they said, Let us go to the house of the Lord in company. She had such an high esteem of, and longing desire unto the house of God, that when her strength failed her, she would be carried thither; by reason of lameness, the feet of her body were weak, but the feet of her soul, her affections, were strong, nimble, and vigorous.
Look upon her in her Relations,Her Family government. as a Wife, a Mother, and Mistress, and you shall see she was mindefull of her duty to God in them all: Her great care and endeavour was to set up God in her Family; in order whereunto she bestowed great pains in Catechising of her children, and other near Relations committed unto her charge. Her great design was to bring them all up in the fear and admonition of the Lord, and to inculcate again and again, that main and needfull lesson of Remembring their Creator in the dayes of their youth. Much pains she took in Catechising, and instructing her servants, especially before they were to receive the Sacrament of the Lords Supper. She used to examine them of the Sermons they heard, and she customarily read over those Sermon Notes to them which she had taken …t Church, that so they might be the better prepared to give an account thereof to her Husband. God was pleased to give her several Olive branches round about her Table, well bred, well Catechised, and well governed, and of very great hopes. As Eunice and Lois instructed young Timothy, so she instructed those hopefull little ones in the holy Scriptures, and acquainted them with the knowledge of God in their tender years. Thus according to Solomons counsel, they were trained up in the way wherein they should walk, Prov. 21. 6. and that even from their childhood; insomuch as one of them (though very young) hearing a neighbour using the name of the Lord upon a sleight occasion, reproved him for it, alleadging the Commandement of God against it, Thou shalt not take the Name of God in vain. And another of them reasoning with his fellows about God and the Devil, professed that he had rather be in hell with God, than in heaven with the Devil. And a third, who by reason of her age could not speak distinctly, said in some discourse with her Father, that God Almighty would not bless them who tell Fibbs (meaning Lies) and that she had rather dye than tell a Fibb; so far had their Mothers instructions prevailed with them.
She was eminent for a charitable and bountifull spirit;Her Charity. she was another Dorcas, full of good works, and Alms-d…eds. That high Elogium that Solomon gives a vertuous woman, may properly be applied unto her, Many Daughters have done vertuously, but she excelled them all, Prov. 31. 29. Many there are that come far short of her, but very few that went beyond her in the acts of Charity. God gave her a liberal and plentifull estate, and that was a great mercy; but it was a far greater mercy that he gave her a liberal heart to do good, and to distribute: To cast her bread on the waters, and to honour God with her substance. That protestation which Job makes for his own vindication, may fitly be applied unto her, Job 31. 16, 19. He would not with-hold the poor from their desire, nor cause the eyes of the widow to fail. He would not see any to perish for want of cloathing, nor any poor without covering. The whole Country round about where she dwelt, will bear her witness, that she visited and relieved the sick, and cloathed the naked, fed the hungry, and healed the wounded. Her purse, her hand, her heart, were all open for their relief. She bought many precious Drugs, and cordial waters: She made several precious salves, and gave them all away to such as were in need of them. She spared not her best pains, being never aweary of well doing; insomuch that in the extremity of her greatest sickness (such bowels of compassion yearned in her) she compounded several Medicines with her own hands, and applied them. Thus will her works praise her in the Gate, and being dead, she yet speaketh, Prov. 31. 31. Heb. 11. 4. For her precious name liveth. The Lord will have the name of the Righteous to be in everlasting remembrance, Psal. 112. 6. and the memory of the just is blessed, Prov. 10. 7. And precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his Saints, Psal. 116. 15. Now this rare Gentlewoman reaps the fruit of her serving of God, and the whole harvest, whereof she received onelyonly the first fruits in this present world.
The usual saying is,Her Sickness. All is well that ends well: Come we therefore to speak of her end. Her life was holy, and therefore her death must needs be happy. It pleased the Lord to exercise her with a long and lingring sickness; and amidst the weakness of the outward man, God gave her great strength in her inward man; though her limbs and outward strength failed her, yet God was her strength and portion, and he never failed her. A few dayes before her distemper waxed high (her Husband being from home) she sent for all her Family both young and old, to come in unto her chamber, with whom she prayed near two hours, with such pathetical, heavenly, Scripture-language, as drew admiration and tears from those that were present. She blessed her children, counselled her servants, heartily and affectionately commended her Husband unto God; she wept and prayed, and prayed and wept, and could not easily part with the company, nor yet leave off praying, and weeping.
Upon the encrease of her distemper,Her holy speeches. her spirit was much disturbed, and some impertinent speeches did fall from her, yet in the middest of all her impertinences, Grace, and the Spirit of God, did eminently declare their Power and Sovereignty in her, by many savoury and choice speeches, and sweet breathings of her soul; some of which are these that follow, I was in the Devils claws, but Jesus Christ, the sweet Bridegroom of my soul, the sweet Bridegroom of my soul (these words she often reiterated) the sweet Bridegroom of my soul hath delivered me. At another time, I am safe, for Jesus Christ is at my heart, and I would not part with him for ten thousand worlds. Again, Come Lord Jesus the Captain of my salvation, ride on gloriously conquering, and to conquer for me Satan, Sin, Hell, Death, and all mine enemies. Afterwards again, I was in Hell, but now I am in Heaven; I am in Heaven indeed, indeed I am in Heaven; I am in Heaven eternally; I am in Heaven the habitation of Gods glory unto all eternity. Much of this nature she did speak, even when her understanding was so disturbed, that she scarce did know her near Relations, and those who did attend upon her in her Chamber.
And now all these things are worthy to be transmitted unto posterity, and to be had in perpetual remembrance. She was an eminently godly Gentlewoman,Her Character being but little above Eight and twenty years of age when she dyed, which was in the beginning of March, Anno Christi 1656. But though she was young in years, yet was she old in Grace: She had lived long in a little time:Her Death. She was a mirror of her age, and a renown of her sexe, a pattern worthy of imitation. She was the beloved faithfull wife of as an intirely loving and faithfull Husband. She was a tender affectionate Mother to her own, and no less carefull of those pledges committed to his charge. She was a most dear Sister, an affectionate Mistress, carefull both of the bodies and souls of her servants, that they should neither want corporal, nor spiritual food. Her profession was with Joshua, Chap. 24. 15. Choose you this day whom you will serve; But as for me, I and my house, we will serve the Lord. She was not onelyonly a friend to her friends, but a friend to her enemies, even unto such as despitefully used her All the Country round about could not but look upon her, whilst living as a publick gain, and when dead▪ as a publick loss: She was very usefull whilst she lived, and will be much missed now she is dead. Two things were very eminent in her: Setledness in Religion, and holiness of conversation. By her death the poor have lost a liberal Almoner; the sick … a good Physitian; the wounded have lost a … Chirurgion; the Husband hath lost a faithful Wife; the children a tender Mother, the servants a gracious Mistress: and not any that knew her of all her neighbours and friends, but they will finde a great loss, and miss of her. All that knew her loved her, but onelyonly such whose love is not worth the having. She lived much desired, and dyed much lamented: For her to live was Christ, and to die was gain, Phil. 1. 21. She was honoured in her life, and she was honoured at her death, by a confluence of many persons of quality, of the Gentry, Ministry, and Neighbourhood round about, who by their concourse at her Funeral, shewed plainly in what an high estimation she was amongst them, and that her good Name was like a precious Oyntment powred forth. The hope of Glory was that sovereign Cordial which abundantly revived, and satisfied her spirits whilst she lived, and now her hope is turned into fruition, and her faith into vision. All her sorrows and sighings are turned away, and her imployment is without the least tediousness, without interruption, and intermission to sing Hosannahs, and Allelujahs to him that sitteth upon the Throne, and to the Lamb for ever more.
This Life was drawn up by my Reverend and worthy Friend Dr. Henry Wilkinson, principal of Magdalen Hall, Oxon.