The Lives of Sundry Eminent Persons, Part 2 · Biography 7
THE HONOURABLE Ye: LADY MARY VERE
F. H. Van. Houe. Sculp:
The Life and Death of the Right Honourable, the Lady Mary Vere, who Died, Anno Domini 1671.
THis Noble Lady was born of high and Ancient Families on both sides. For Her Parentage.by her Mothers side she springed from the best Family of the Throgmortons, and by the Fathers side, she was extracted from the Ancient family of the Tracies, at Todington in Glocestershire.
She was the youngest of fiften Children, and was born May the eighteenth, Anno Her Birth.Christi 1581. being the three and twentieth year of Queen Elizabeth of blessed memory. Her Mother died three days after she was born: And her Father when she was but eight years old.
Thus she was soon left an Orphan: But indeed, they only are Orphans, who have not Her Motto.an heavenly Father. So when her Father, and Mother thus forsook her, the Lord took her up. And the experiences which she had all her life-long, of Gods most tender care over her, ministred occasion to her to chuse this for her Motto (which was found written by her in the Front of most of her Books in her Closet) God will provide.
She took much delight in speaking of one of her Ancestors, as one of the greatest Her Marriages.honours, to her Family, [William Tracy of Toddington, Esquire] mentioned by Mr. Fox in his Martyrology [See the Story of it in my English Martyrology. p. 395.] who in the Reign of King Henry the eighth, for the sound profession of his Faith, set down by him in his Last Will and Testament, was, two years after his Decease, condemned to have his body taken up, and burnt, which Sentence was Executed accordingly.
This virtuous Lady was twice married: First, to Mr. William Hobby, her first Husband, when she was nineteen years old, and by him she had two Sons, who were by her relgiously educated, and the happy, and comfortable fruit of this her care she reaped at their pious deaths (they going both of them, young to heaven, having lived long in a short time) the younger died in the fourteeath year of his Age, and the Elder in his three and twentieth, who in his Life was much admired for his parts, and as much beloved for his piety.
Her second Husband was Sir Horace Vere, afterwards Baron of Tilbury, a Person not to be named without some Honorable Character, a Man whose Coat Armour made more Renowned than his Coat of Arms, and whose Personal Atchievements in the field (especially at the battel at New-port) ennobled more, than the high blood derived from his Ancestors. But his unstained piety gave him the highest Character 1. Veres Character.of all. By the other indeed, he purchased a Great Name, like unto the Great Men that are in the Earth [2 Sam. 2. 19.] But by this, he procured a Good Name. And even Tacitus himself, (the Roman Historian) prefers the praise gotten by Goodness, before that which is obtained by Greatness. And therefore speaking of a noble Roman, he saith, that he was, inter claros potius, quam inter bonos censendus: Rather to be numbred amongst the Famous, than among the good men.
This noble Lord was one, that could as well wrestle with God, as fight with men, and may be thought to have gotten his Victories upon his knees in his Closet, before he drew his Sword in the Field. And when he had overcome his Enemies, he could overcome himself also, being one of the humblest souls, in whom so much true worth lodged, that we have heard of.
His good Lady used to say, that she honoured him for his valour, but most, for the grace of God which shined in him. And hence it was, that she did Coruscare radiis Mariti, shine by the Rays of her Husbands excellencies: But yet not only with these; for she had rare, and radiant beams of her own, by which she cast the like honour upon him. So happily was this noble couple suited, as in the high extraction of both their Births, so also in the rest of their accomplishments, that they mutually illustrated each the others honour.
But passing by all her Civil, and Secular Prerogatives, we will now present her in some of her spiritual excellencies. These indeed are those that give an intrinsick value to a person. For he that would take the true height of a man, must not measure him with the advantage ground he stands upon. We may say of this gracious Lady, what Nehemiah said of a noble person in his time: She was a faithful woman, and feared God above Her Piety.many, [Nehemiah 7. 2.] Some there are so prodigiously wicked, and profligate, that they seem to have wedded the Vices of many others: But this good, and virtuous Lady may be said to have collected, and espoused the excellencies of many Christians. For in her might be seen these various Graces, which grow to an eminency, but severally in others, met in her altogether in one knot or Nosegay. To instance in some few of them.
First, The Fear of the Great God was very great in her: Wonderful tender she was of offending 1. Her fear of God.him by any known sin. She hath often been heard to say, and that very solemnly. Oh! I would not sin against my God. She professed that she dreaded Hell most, as a place wherein God was blasphemed. O precious Saint! To dread Hells Sin, more than Hells Fire.
Secondly, Her Zeal to the worship of God, was very eminent. First to the Publick: 2. Her Zeal.This was evidenced many ways.
First. By her great care and Zeal to get able, and faithful Ministers for those Livings whereof she had the disposal, and by her improving her utmost interest to procure the like for the Parish wherein she lived, in its several vacancies. And herein the noble Patron, did most kindly gratifie her by giving her the nomination, thereby deeply obliging, not only her Honour, but the whole Parish also: So that they which lived in that place, enjoyed a Goshen of Gospel Light for a long season together, and are able also to tell, how comfortably she spake to them who preached the good Word of God among them, which countenance, and real encouragement she gave them in carrying on the Lords work, without sparing her Purse to do it.
Secondly. By her constant attendance on the publick worship, so long as the Lord vouchsafed her health to do it: yea, she did not only attend on it her self, but took care that her Family should do the like also: And they that would not serve God with her, were no Servants for her.
Thirdly, She was not less devout, than constant at the publick worship. She durst not Her holy walking.trifle with holy things, nor in holy duties, which gave occasion to one to say of her: That the Lady Vere by her solemn, and reverend deportment in Divine Worship, would make one believe that there is a God indeed. And as for the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, which is so wofully neglected by too many, her desires were eager, and ardent to pertake of it frequently: Saying, that she durst not neglect, no not any one opportunity that was offered for the enjoying of this Sacred Ordinance. And Oh! How serious, and intent was she in her preparation for it? The whole preceding week, was taken up by her for that work; in which week also she would always have a private Fast kept for her Family, or a secret one in her Closet. Hereby she declared, that she meant to storm Heaven, and to take it by violence.
Secondly, For her private Worship of God, let us follow her from the Church to her Private Devotion.own House, and we shall find that she brought her Religion and Devotion home with her, and did not leave them in her Pue behind her, till she returned thither again the next Lords Day, as too many do. For some there are that can Complement Almighty God, before their Neighbours on the Sabbaths, but care not to acquaint themselves with God at home all the week after. But if ever any private dwelling, might be called a Chappel, or little Sanctuary, Hers much more. There you might find her, and her Family twice every day upon their knees, solemnly worshiping the Great God: There you might see them humbly sitting, at his feet, to hear Gods most Holy word read unto them: Concluding constantly their Evening Service with one of Davids Psalms; what strangers soever were there present, there was no putting by, or adjorning the Service of God to a more convenient time.
On the Lords day, you might hear the Sermons Preached in publick, repeated to Sabbaths Sanctified.the Family: The Servants called to give an account before her, of what each of them remembred: And the high praises of God sounded forth by the whole Family joyntly, and together. Also after Supper, you might hear the Servants in their Room, exercising themselves in the like Heavenly duty of singing Psalms: And no sooner did this good Lady hear them begin their Melody, but away she would go to joyn with them in that duty.
If you followed her up the Stairs, there you should be sure to find her, twice every day, shut up for some hours, in her Closet, (which was excellently furnished with pious books of Practical Divinity.) Here she redeemed much precious time, in reading the sacred Scriptures, and other good books, that might give her further light into them, and edifiy her in her most holy Faith. Here she poured out her devout Soul, with such fervour of Spirit in Prayer, as could not be hid (at least sometimes) from those of her attendants, and Maidens, whose occasions, drew them at any time, near unto her Closet door. And yet are we not at an end of this choise, and pious Ladies Devotions. For every night she used her self to pray with her Maidens before she went to Bed. And now, is it any wonder, that she grew so rich in Grace, who drove so great, and constant a Trade in the use of the means of Grace, and that had so many ways to bring her in Spiritual gains?
Thirdly, Her Love to God, (beside what hath been already sayd) did many ways Love to God.make it self evident to be in a high degree in h…r.
First, By her mournful complaint which she frequently made, because she could Love God no better. The reason indeed of which was, because she loved him so much: Therefore she thought she loved him so little, because she knew that she could r…ver love him enough. The truth is, she had such raised apprehensions of Gods glorious Excellency, as caused her to think her highest affections unworthy of him. For none indeed that have such high apprehensions of the Divine greatness, and goodness, can love him little, or think their Love, when highest, to be great.
Secondly, By her vehement desires and longings that she had to be gone hence, that she might be with Christ, which she accounted best of all. She was one of those very few Christians, which stood in need of old Mr. John Dods Use of Exhortation, which he would make to the Saints in his Preaching; That they would be content, and patient, tho they were not taken up to Heaven so soon as they desired. This Good Man (who was one of the most Heavenly Souls that this Age brought forth) having lived to a great Age, and finding that to do this was something difficult in himself, thought that it was ordinary with others to do the like: Whereas (God knows) that most Christians, are of a lower form in Christs School: Prone rather to linger too much here, than to be too hasty of going hence; So that they rather need a Spur than a Bridle, and Ministers have more reason to take hold of them, with the strongest Arguments they can invent, and find out, to draw them from the Love of Life, and the world (As the Angels drew Lot out of Sodom) than to perswade them to be willing to continue here.
But this gracious Lady knew, and enjoyed so much of Heaven, as made her stay here Death desiredbelow, tedious unto her. The earnest option of her Soul was, Come Lord Jesus; Come quickly. For she found to her great grief, that her imperfect State on Earth, made it impossible for her, to serve God here as she would, and heartily desired; and therefore did oft wonderfully complain, that she was unprofitable, and unserviceable; and her deep sense of her unserviceableness (even whilst others admired her fruitfulness, and usefulness) did still encrease her desires to be, where all these infirmities and imperfections would be perfectly cured, and where she knew her abilities should perfectly correspond with the largest of her desires which she had to serve and glorifie God.
Thirdly. By her love to the Saints, who were born of God, and had his lively Image Love to the Saints.stamped upon them. And this in Scripture is made one of the fairest evidences of our Love to God. For every one that loveth the Father that begat, loveth him that is begotten, [1 Joh. 5. 1.] A man may love the Child, and yet not love his Father: But he cannot love him because he is his Child, and because he is like his Father, but he must needs love his Father. Yea, love him first and most, because his love to the Child springs from his love to the Father.
This good, and gracious Lady then, was doubtless a great Lover of God himself, because she had so dear an affection for his Children.
She did not praise the dead Saints, and Persecute the living. She did not pretend love to those that lived far from her; but shewed kindness to those that lived near her. She did not factiously love some of one Party, and reproach those of another. In a word, she did not love the Saints in an equality with others, from a natural tenderness, which disposes some to be kind unto all, good and bad: But her love was a Cordial, spiritual, special, and uniform Love to them; where ever she saw any thing of God, her Love was drawn out towards them, and she had the most Love for those, that discovered most of God in them. She loved them so as to delight in Converse, and Communion with them; yea, and the chiefest of her Charity was extended to them.
As for the faithful Ministers of Christ, whose Office and Function lifts them up above Love to Ministers.private Christians, few ever exceeded her, in loving and honouring of them: yea, she loved first the Ministry, and then the Ministers; professing seriously, the great love, and high esteem she had for them, was for their dear Masters sake, whose Ambassadors they were: So that what was said, concerning her worthy Son-in-Law, in Norfolk [Sir Roger Towsend], that for his love to the Ministry, he obtained the Title of being called Deliciae Cleri, The Ministers delight; May be truly given unto her.
Fourthly. By her works of Charity, which were remarkable upon many accounts.
First, By the largness of her Charity: so great indeed it was, that it may well be Her Charity.admired, how this Tree should not long ago have killed it self with overbearing. The Trees in our Orchards yield us Fruit but once a year: And take so long a time to recover heart before they can bear again: But her Charity was as Fruit dropping all the year long. Many ways it diffused it self. She had mony for the empty Purse, meat for the empty Belly: Medicaments for the Sick: Salves for the Wounded, or that had Sores. Abundance of good she did this way in Town and Country. She was not only liberal, but devised liberal things. If her Servants knew of any that were in great need, and did not acquaint her with it; when afterwards, by other ways she came to hear of it, she would be very angry with them for it. It fell out that an honest poor Neighbour died, before she knew of his sickness; for which being troubled, she asked her Servant that attended her, whether he had wanted in his sickness? Adding, I tell you I had rather part with my Gown from my back than that the poor should want.
Secondly. In the Prime objects of her Charity: She did indeed cast her Seed upon all sorts of Ground, but especially upon Gods enclosure. The Houshold of Faithful had her fullest Handf…ls. To such she never thought that she gave enough.
Thirdly. She was wonderful secret in what she gave. For when she could do it, she did not give her Charity as some throw there mony into a Basin at a Collection, so as that it might Ring again: but it fell like Oil into a Vessel, without any noise.
Fourthly. We may take notice of her self-denying spirit in all this. She (good Lady) was no Merit-monger. She never thought to purchase Land in Heaven, with duplicate page duplicate page duplicate page duplicate page the money which she gave on Earth. She was no Merchant to sell her Charity, but a faithful Steward, acknowledging that what she gave, was not her own, but her Lords Money. She was notwithstanding all her Charity, carried out to a naked Christ, desiring to be sound alone in him, and his righteousness, as earnestly as if she had not done any one good work in all her Life.
Fifthly. By her Sincerity. This indeed was as her under Garment, which she wore Her Sincerity.nearest to her, and which gave an excellency to all her other Graces. And truly, many notable Testimonies there were to demonstrate the singleness and soundness of her heart.
As First, The uniformity of her holy walking: Her Religion was not like the drift snow, which lies thick in one place, and leaves the ground bare in another. The hypocrite hath always some naked plot in his Conversation, that gives others some just cause to suspect him. You may (with Herod) perswade him to do many things: But can never, make him (with S. Paul) willing in all things to live honestly. But this Pious Ladies Conversation, one part did admirably correspond, and agree with another. An happy Symetry appeared in her whole course, both towards God and man, both abroad, and at home; among her Domestick Relations, those that lived constantly with her, who saw her (as we usually say) hot, and cold; In her Night-cloths, as when dressed to go abroad. Surely few have had an higher Testimony for Piety, from those that have lived near, and long with them, than she hath from all that lived under her Roof.
Secondly, The great freedom which she gave to her Friends in speaking to her of what they saw amiss in her. She used much to applaud that priviledge, and advantage of having a faithful Friend; saying, that others might see more by us than we could by our selves: She also used to say, That it was a great mercy to be convinced of any sin.
Thirdly, Her Faith, which used then to be strongest when death seemed to be Her Faith.nearest. Like that great Soldier we read of, who would tremble every joint of him, whilst his Armour was puting on in his Tent, but was dauntless when he came to fight in the Field. And to a Captain in Ireland, who using to wear his Sword, if any, though but a Child handled it, he would fall a trembling, yet in a Battel, he would fight like a Lion. Somewhat more than a twelve month before her death, she fell into a long swound, which continued about half an hour, without any sensible hopes of recovery: But as soon as she came again to her self; she said, I know that my Redeemer liveth, &c. And being conveyed to her Chamber, there again she said: I know whom I have trusted: whereas an Hypocrites hope is compared to the giving up of the Ghost, [Job 11. 20.] And in this particular, is not unlike it. For as in a dying man his breath grows shorter and shorter, till at last its quite puffed out; so commonly the Hypocrites hope lesseneth, as death groweth nearer, and usually expireth before the man himself dies. Impius dum spirat sperat: Justus cum expirat sperat.
Sixthly. Her Humility was rare, and signal. This we may call her upper Garment, with which she strove to cover her other excellencies, though their beauty was rendred Her Humility.the more conspicuous and amiable, by casting this Veil over them. Grace indeed is like a precious ointment, which the closer its held in a mans hand, the more strongly it sends forth its sweet Savour. O! How meanly did she think of her self? She saw not how brightly her own Face did shine, whilst others beheld, and admired it. Her frequent complaint was, that she was useless, and unprofitable, and that she did no good. She did never speak of her perfections; but frequently of her imperfections, wants, weakness, and unworthiness. Yea, she would often say, I abhor my self: Indeed I do. How easie of access, even for the meanest to come into her presence? How affable, courteous, and lowly was her deportment to the poorest? many times when her very Servants had done a business well, which she had set them about, she would thank them for it. The Law of kindness was in her Tongue to whomsoever she spake.
But we are now come to her gracious behaviour in her last sickness, wherein her Her last sickness and patience.pains were very strong, but her patience were stronger. Never was she heard to mutter, or to utter any one repining word: But still she justified God in all his Dispensations towards her, and dealings with her. Yea, more, she was much in admiring, and blessing God for his mercies, in her accutest pains, and greatest Agonies. How doth this blessed Soul now Carol forth the Praises of God in Heaven? who could Sing them so sweetly whilst these sharp Thorns were at her breast? Or that could keep her heart in tune for this high Note, in her greatest bodily pains and dolors?
She was not wholly fee from assaults of Satan. It would indeed have been strange if he had not considered this pretious Servant of Jesus Christ, and offered her some disturbance at this time, whom he had found so great, and old an Enemy to him, and his Kingdom of darkness. But he came only to be beaten back with shame, and to add more Trophies to all her former Victories over him. The last Words which were observed to be spoken by her, before that fatal Lethargy, seized upon Her last words and Death.her poor, weak, and out worn body (which in two days carried her off the Stage of this world unto a better) were: How shall I do to be thankful? How shall I do to praise my God? Thus she ended her life here in the exercise of that duty, which was to be her constant, and endless work in that Life, which she was then entring into. She thus blessedly dyed December 25th. Anno Christi. 1671. In the nintieth year of her age.
In Obitum Nobilissimae, Lectissimaeque Heroinae, Mariae, Illustrissimi, fortissimique Ducis Horatij Vere, Baronis de Tilbury, Viduae: Carmen Epitaphium.
Nobilitas tibi Vera fuit; Prudentia Vera;
Vera tibi Pietas; & tibi Vera Fides.
Vera Dei cultrix fueras, & Vera Mariti:
Quaeque nitent, aderant omnia Vera tibi.
Acciderit tandem quod Mors tibi Vera, dolendum:
Excepto hoc, de te singula Vera juvant.
Simon Ford. S. T. D.
Dr. Sibs Dedicated his Book which he calls The Bruised Reed, to the Right Honourable, Sir Horatio Vere, Knight, Lord Vere of Tilbury, and to his Pious Consort, the Lady Mary Vere, whose Virtuous Life, and Blessed Death, you heard described; And in his Epistle Dedicatory, he thus writes.
They that follow the Wars are generally taken to be men not most Religious,
Rara Fides, Pietasque viris qui castra sequuntur.
The more respect therefore (saith he) do those of that profession deserve that have learned upon what terms to Live and Die; that are sure of a better Life, before they leave this, that have laid up their Lives in Christ: Among whom (Right Honourable) the world hath long taken notice of you, in whom both Religion and Military imployment, meekness of Spirit, with heigth of Courage, Humility with Honor, by a rare and happy Combination have met together. Whereby you have much vindicated your profession from the common imputation, and shewed that piety can enter into Tents, and follow after Camps, and that God hath his Joshua's and Cornelia's in all Ages.
And (Elect Lady) I would not divide you from your Honourable Lord and Husband, both being one, as in other bands, so in that above nature, in hearty love to the best things: Both exemplary in all Religious courses: Both, in your places, having been imployed in great services for the common good: So that, not only this, but forraign States, are bound to bless God for you both. Go on in these ways, and you will find God making good his promise of honouring them that honour him.
An Epitaph upon the Right Honourable, and Religious, the Lady Vere; Wife to the most Noble, and Valiant Lord Horatio Vere, Baron of Tilbury, who Dyed, December the 25th. Anno Christi. 1671. In the nintieth year of her Age.
BEneath this Marble stone doth lye
Wonder of Age, and Piety.
So Old, so Good, 'twas hard to say
Which striving in her won the day,
Or had most power to bow her down,
Her age, or her Devotion.
Her piety made the world confess
Old age no bar to fruitfulness.
Her age again so wonderous great,
Prov'd piety ne're out of date.
Well may she then a wonder go,
When as to prove her to be so
The two grand Topicks do agree,
Both Scripture, and Antiquity.
Thus was she like (none ever more)
That Widdow of above fourscore,
Who serving God both day and night,
At last of Jesus got a sight:
Nay, still like her, in Temples she
Her Saviour waits once more to see.
On her sleeping three days together before she Dyed.
Deaths Brother, sleep, her senses ty'd
Three days, and then she waking dy'd.
Sleep was the Essay of Deaths Cup,
Which first she sipt; then drank all up.
Thus Swimmers first with foot explore
The gelid stream, then venture o're.
Thus Martyr, for a trial, first
Into the fire his Finger thrust,
To ship a pattern of the flame,
Then cloths his body with the same.
Thus Spies in Canaans Land are sent,
To view the Countries ere they went.
Sleep was the Mask, in which she saw
The promis'd Land, Incognita.
Which done, she only wak't to tell
By-standers that she lik't it well.
Then, Reader, if thou wondrest at
Her three days sleep: Remember that
Three days to view the Triple Heaven,
(One day in each Court) makes even.
But, Reader, when thou think'st upon
Her third days Resurrection,
If th' art amaz'd, wonder no more:
Her Saviour did so before.
On her dying just upon the day of Christs Nativity.
Long time she sleeping lay, but could not Dye
Until the day of Christs Nativity.
No wonder then she slept and slumbered;
It was because the Bridegroom tarried.
On her Nobility.
Noble her self; more Noble, 'cause so neer
To the thrice Noble, and Victorious Vere.
That Belgick Lion, whose loud same did roar,
Heard from the German to the British shoar.
His Trophies she was Joyntur'd in (so say
The Lawyers) Wives shine by their Husbands Ray.
See therefore now, how by his side she stands,
Tryumphing 'midst the Graves, those Netherlands.
Rather in Heaven, those only we confess,
Are truly called Th' Ʋnited Provinces.
Charles Derby.
Ʋpon the Death of the Right Honourable Lady Mary Vere.
WHat Marble heart can chuse but drop a tear
At the sad Funeral of the Lady Vere!
Whose Death's a Publick loss. Our Spring is dry
That many an Empty Cistern did supply.
God deck't her Heaven-born Soul with Gems divine
Of various lustre, which did make her shine.
That all that stood about her saw the light;
She made it day, even in the darkest night.
Her bounteous hand, and truly noble heart
Did noble gifts to multitudes impart.
She was a flowing Spring, a Mine of Tresure;
To serve her Lord, and do good was her Pleasure.
Pattern of goodness, and a Pillar too:
A few such losses may the world undo.
She gave her self to Christ, with heart and might,
And was with him in Spirit day and night.
And when his Festival began on Earth,
But kept in Heaven with purer Joy and Mirth,
She longed to be there, which made her sing
Her Nunc Dimittis, and her Soul took wing,
To sing her Carol among those that are
Without Temptation, fault, offence, or Jar.
But when arriv'd, no mortal can declare
What joys in Heaven; And what welcoms are.
For this devoted Saint whilst here on Earth
We mix sin with our Songs; tears with our mirth.
She's gone, but never perish shall her name,
Her works abide to Eternize her Fame.
ANAGRAM. Vere mira.
Mirrour of blessings! For what Tongue can tell,
For Grace and Greatness wher's her Parallel?
Edward Thomas.
On the Death of the Right Honourable, and truly Religious, the Lady Vere.
Anag.
Marie Vere
Ever I arme.
A Tribute who can here pretend
To pay, but he that hath to spend?
Whole Indies of refined Ore,
Ready to bring out of his store;
Which after all will prove to be,
Too mean; yea, Bankrupt Beggary.
See Name, Relation, State of grace
Do march in correspondent pace,
Daring all Enemies to withstand
Her generous Soul, or Countermand
Its resolution ne're to yield,
But still to fight, and win the field.
Ever I arm, and so do wait
My Captains Word, on foes deceit:
Or when he Musters up his strength,
Hoping to vanquish me at length:
Yet then I faint not, but being Arm'd
Thro Grace I stood, and was not harm'd.
Here, here's a She maintain'd the fight,
Remained Conqueress in despite
Of all his forces, till at last,
Praises, and thanks were her repast.
Thus Faith, and Hope, and Patience
Tryumphant rode ith' Chariot hence.
But how sounds this, Ever I arm,
Suiting a Lady once 'ith' Arm
Of such a General, whose story
Embalms our Nations dying Glory;
Embroiders Records with his Name;
Out-bids the narrow mouth of fame.
Gurnal display thy Magazine,
Here thy whole Armour may be seen
Bright and well us'd, well buckled on,
A Curashier, who having won
Many a battel, now receives
The Crown which her great Captain gives.
Maria Vere
Jam re Vera
Anag.
Jam re Vera feror super Astra, beata Triumpho,
Expectans{que} diu spes{que} Fides{que} satur.
Anthony Withers.
An Epitaph.
THe Casket of this Jewel rare,
With deep Laments we here inter
In hallowed ground which yet grows proud,
Of purer Earth to be the shroud.
And thou fair shrine, in whose close womb,
This holy Relick we intomb;
Preserv'd with care, and on it try
What may be done by Chymistry.
That when the Trump saith, Dead arise,
Thou mai'st send forth thy wealthy prize:
Ev'ry particle well Calcin'd,
And ev'ry Dust double refin'd.
Richard Howlett.
Besides what is said before of this Honourable Lady, some of her neer Relations have informed me that every Friday night she caused her Family to be Catechised, and that on Saturday in the Evenings, she had solemn Preparatory Duties for the Sabbath ensuing: And that she was in the ninety first year of her age when she dyed.
The L. Veres Motto was, Vero nil Verius.