Two Treatises, Account
A ſhort Account Of the Holy Life and Death Of the Right Honourable, The Lady Frances Hobart, the Relict of Sir John Hobart, late of Blicklin in the County of Norfolk, BARONET.
SAint John heard a voice from Heaven, Rev. 14. 13.ſaying write; to which when he replied, What ſhall I write? the anſwer was, Bleſſed are the dead which dye in the Lord, from henceforth, yea ſaith the Spirit that they may reſt from their labours, and their works do follow them. A phraſe which implies not any motio… of works, but rather the promotion of the perſon that hath wrought, and remuneration for his or her work. This reward they have partly in Heaven, where Chriſt rewards his Saints though not for the merit of their works, yet according to them, Rev. 22. 12. both for nature and degree, and they partly have it upon the Rev. 22. 12.Earth, whiles the name of the wicked …otts; their memory is bleſſed, and wherever the Goſpel is preached, what they have done is told in remembrance of them. The Widows, while they wept for Dorcas, ſhewed the Coats and Garments Acts 9. 39.ſhe had made. Solomon commands that the Vertuous Woman ſhould have the fruit of her hands, and that her own works ſhould praiſe her in the Gates. This is my preſent task, and the laſt office I have to perform, to that great and noble perſon, whoſe death hath turned us into an houſe of mourning.
I ſhall begin with her cradle, and conſider her in the threefold period of her life, while a Virgin, a Wife, and a Widow: but I ſhall lightly paſs over the two former, knowing nothing but what I gathered from her Ladyſhips various, occaſional diſcourſes during the eighteen laſt years of her life, in which, I had the honour of a daily converſe with her Ladyſhip, as to which I had the advantage of a ſtricter obſervation.
This noble Lady was born in London in the year 1603. being the eldeſt of eight daughters who all lived to marriageable years, with which it pleaſed God to bleſs the Right Honourable, John, (late) Earl of Bridgewater, Vicount Brack…y, and Lord Elſmore, Lord Preſident of Wales. By his noble Lady the Lady Frances daughter to the Right Honourable Ferdinando Earl of Derby.
Of this twice noble ſtock, this Excellent Lady was the Firſt-fruit, a circumſtance poſſibly not inconſiderable, for gaining credit to the following relation of her vertuous life: there being ſomething of that in Horace true,
Fortes creantur fortibus, & bonis
Eſt in Juvencis, eſt in Equis, patrum
Virtus, nec imbellem feroces
Progenerant Aquilae columbam.
Doctrina ſed vim promovet infitam.
Rectique cultus, pectora roborant.
Such as the Parents, ſuch the children be,
The breed of Horſes, and Neat beaſts we ſee.
In Spirit, like their damms and Sires prove,
Fierce Eagles bring not forth a Sable Dove.
—&c.
It holds not indeed as to infuſed habits; Juſtus non gignit juſtum, ſed gignit hominem, (ſaid Auguſtine) but as to Moral habits which have their ſeeds and rudiments in nature, there's much in it. Splendid and noble actions, are much advantaged by this foundation, though education raiſeth the building, and Grace at laſt layeth the Corner-ſtone, perfecting what thus is began in nature, and improved by inſtruction and education.
This Noble Lady had no ſooner paſſed the hands of her Nurſe, and began to uſe her tongue, but ſhe was in her Fathers houſe betruſted to the tuition of a French Gentle-woman (whom I have often heard her mention with a great deal of honour) from her ſhe learned to ſpeak the French tongue, before ſhe could diſtinctly ſpeak Engliſh; a faculty which ſhe retained to her dying day: And having her Organs of ſpeech ſo early formed to it, ſhe ſo naturally accented it, that Natives of that Country would hardly believe her born in England.
The years of her Nonage were ſpent in learning things proper for that Age, and which might accompliſh her for that noble ſtation which ſhe was ere long to take up in the World. Now ſhe learned to handle her Lute, to ſing, dance, &c. things in her maturer Age of which ſhe made little or no uſe, and far leſs reckoning; but they fitted her for the Court, which ſhe was to be acquainted with, before ſhe could be diſmiſſed into the Ceuntry: Now ſhe learned to read, to write, and caſt account nimbly and exactly, and to uſe her Needle, and order the affairs of an houſhold, things which were afterwards to her and her dear husband alſo of extraordinary advantage. Now partly by the diligence of her Governeſs, partly by the Care of one Mr. Moor (her Fathers Chaplain) partly by the ſuperintendent care of my Lord her Father, ſhe was fully inſtructed in the principles of Religion. As to which I have often heard her with honour mention her Governeſs, and her Noble Father. Her father for ſeaſoning her againſt Arminian Principles, and once ſuſpending her from the Sacrament upon his re-examination of her, after that his Chaplain had paſſed an haſty approbation of her. Her Governeſs, for the good ſtories ſhe would tell her, the good counſel ſhe would give her, and her care of her information as to Religion: She would alwayes ſay, that ſhe learned of her to be a Calviniſt in point of Doctrine, and a Presbyterian as to Diſcipline, for it ſeemeth ſhe was both, flying her own Country for her Religion, or at leaſt the Daughter of Parents who upon the maſſacre ſo fled (for truly I do not well remember every particular in her Ladyſhips relations though I often heard them.) I have often heard her diſcourſe with a gratefull remembrance how exactly the hours of her dayes were diſtributed to theſe ſeveral kinds of inſtruction: So as no time was left her, unleſs a little proportion for exerciſe; and what was aſſigned for her more private devotions (as to which her Governeſs was her moſt faithfull monitor) or for the more publick Religious Duties of the Family, her preſence at which was as diligently required by my Lord her father.
The Evangeliſt recordeth concerning our Luk. 2. 15.Saviour, That he went down to Nazareth and dwelt with his Parents, and was ſubject to them. Indeed ſubjection to Parents, is the greateſt vertue can adorn ſo tender an age; the want of this in our Children, is often cauſed by our ſelves, God ordinarily ſecuring the Parental Authority, till themſelves proſtitute it. This Rare Lady was bred up in this ſubjection: I have heard her ſay that till ſhe was married ſhe never more than once ſate down in the preſence of her Lady-mother: never was allowed to ſtay in a room with her when ſhe received the viſits of other Ladyes, &c. theſe and many other things of like ſeverity I remember I have had in diſcourſe from her which now have ſlipt my memory. She did not take a liberty like Denyal to go ſee the Daughters of the Land at her own pleaſure. Her mother was like the cloud unto her, when ſhe moved to Court the Daughter moved alſo, when ſhe ſate at home the daughter moved not at all. I have often heard her mention it to the great honour of her Mother, That ſhe would require her conſtant attendance upon her ſelf; both going to the Court, and returning from it; and ſhe was to her mother as the Centurions ſervant unto him. If they ſaid unto her Go ſhe went, if they ſaid Come, ſhe came, if Do this, ſhe did it. Having attained to riper years ſhe frequently was at the Court of King James, and Queen Ann, and was in great favour with that Queen, and King Charles the firſt, then Prince of Wales. I do not remember any thing I have heard from her much momentous as to this part of her life, unleſs frequent ſad reflexions upon her ſelf, for miſpending part of many Lords dayes, in masks, and other Court paſtimes, according to the faſhion of others in her circumſtances. This ſhe would often mention with bitterneſs, and honourably mention and prefer before her ſelf one of her Noble Siſters, who in her youth had a juſt ſenſe of that errour, and courage enough to reſiſt the temptations to it. It was the only thing in which I ever heard her repent her obedience to, and attendance upon her Mother, whom yet ſhe thought exceeding pious, and paid alwayes a juſt honour to her mention and memory; which reverence ſhe had alſo for her Noble Father. I remember the Paſſion ſhe fell into when ſhe heard of his death (though I communicated it to her with as much advantage as I could to hinder ſudden paſſions) which made me as the Jews cry out, Behold, how ſhe loved him! The ſequel of this diſcourſe will evidence that it is not through want of more momentous matter, that I inſtance in theſe things of more minute conſideration: But I have the rather mentioned them, to let my Readers ſee, how far we are degenerated from the ancient culture of youth, and that orderly Diſcipline, under which thoſe male and female Worthies were educated, who have done famouſly in our Ephrata, and what probably is one great cauſe of that impudent licentiouſneſs which diſhonoureth the preſent generation.
The Generous Soul of this excellent Lady was ordained to higher things than Balls, and Maſques, and Viſits. It now grew time for a Plant bred under ſo rare a cultivation, to be removed into another place, That her God might have the glory, and her generation the fruit of ſuch an education. Her native beauty, and the rare parts ſhe began to diſcover, made many noble perſons deſire her in marriage, but to ſhew how early ſhe was mortified to the vanities of youth, with the approbation of her Parents, ſhe at laſt choſe a Widower for her firſt, and only husband: Sir John Hobart of Blicklin in the County of Norfolk, Baronet; he was the eldeſt Son of Sir Henry Hobart at that time Lord Chief Juſtice, and Chancellour to the Prince. A Perſon indeed (as to title) in the loweſt order of the Nobility, but one whoſe Eſtate bare a full proportion to his quality, and whoſe noble ſpirit, and temper far better ſuited this excellent Lady than a greater title with another temper and ſpirit would have done. She was married to this worthy perſon in the year.
In her Conjugal Relation ſhe was now more perſpicuous, ſhe was now planted upon an hill, where thoſe rare ſeeds which had been ſown in her ingenuous Soul during her Nonage began to ſpring up, and bring forth abundant fruit, in that triple capacity to which this relation (in ſome little ſucceſſion) intituled her, that (I mean) of 1. a Wife to a worthy Husband. 2. A Parent to Children, and 3. a Governeſs to a numerous Family of Servants.
The Philoſopher having rationally evinced the difference of vertues, with relation to their ſubjects, and ſhewn ſome more proper to thoſe that Govern, and others to ſuch as are governed; for the Vertues of a good Wife reckons up, Chaſtity, Prudent ordering of the affairs of the houſhold within doors. Reverence to her Husbands perſon, ſeen in a reſpective behaviour to him, a concealing his weakneſſes, and obedience to his commands. Together with a juſt ſympathy, and patient ſharing with him the viciſſitude of Providences under which he is exerciſed. All which (being in themſelves but morall vertues dictated by the light of Nature) God in holy Writ, by ſeveral Precepts, and recommendations in the allowed examples of his Saints (there canonized) hath made the religious dutyes of the Chriſtian Wife, in obedience to his ſuperiour commands, and under the encouragement of many great, and precious promiſes, for the glorifying of his holy Name who firſt inſtituted this relation (and therefore to him of right it belonged to give lawes to it) who alſo in his Word hath ſuperadded another duty of a good Wife, not underſtood by the Philoſopher, (viz.) a due regard to the ſalvation of the Soul of her Husband, 1 Cor. 7. 16. What knoweſt thou O Wife, whether thou ſhalt ſave thy husband?
For the firſt of theſe, this excellent Lady rated her ſelf by Julius Caeſars reckoning, not judging it enough for her to be thus vertuous, unleſs ſhe alſo lived above the ſuſpicion of the contrary. To let us know that ſhe had not forgot the Law of her Mother, ſhe would often mention a ſaying of hers: That temptations to the Violation of the honour of Ladyes in this particular, originally proceeded from ſome too light and familiar carriage firſt in themſelves; and that wanton was ſuffered to come too near who came to be denyed. Her conſtant behaviour therefore was tempered with that affability, and gravity which in conjunction beſt became a perſon of her Ladyſhips honour. And that ſhe might ſhew the Church of Rome a Proteſtant Lady poſſeſſed of that threefold chaſtity which they make ſo meritorious, as ſhe had managed her ſtate of Virginity (and that upon the moſt publick Theatre in our Engliſh World) ſo as ſhe would often bleſs God who had taught her ſo to behave her ſelf that none ever durſt offer any rudeneſs to her, and her conjugal relation, without the leaſt ſtain upon her honour: So having loſt the man of her boſom, and again reduced to a ſingle condition, ſhe grew to be ſomething ſuperſtitious in this thing, not only reſolving (through Gods aſſiſtance) to go to her Grave having been only the Wife of one Husband; but almoſt looking upon it as a piece of her duty, and often reckoning it a piece of the honour of her fathers houſe, that none of her Noble Siſters (left Widows) had married a ſecond time.
The Philoſopher allots to the vertuous wife, the governance of the houſe within doors, and a wiſer than he had before in the deſcription of his Vertuous Woman told us, That ſhe Prov. 31. 27. 11.looketh well to the affairs of her houſhold, and the heart of her husband truſteth in her: She was not indeed under ſuch circumſtances, as ſhe needed to lay her hands to the ſpindle, or to hold the diſtaff (yet that was often her divertiſement) but it might truly be ſaid of her, that ſhe looked well to the affairs of her houſe, and that the heart of her Husband truſted in her. And that not only as to the affairs of her Houſe within, in reſpect of which ſhe was ſo vigilant as (during the time that I waited on her) it was no eaſie thing for any ſervant to impoſe upon her) but alſo to thoſe which were more extrinſecal, and ordinarily no womens imployment. Perceiving her dear Huſband, ingaged in a great debt, ſhe undertook the management of his whole eſtate, and auditing all his accounts, and that to ſo good a purpoſe, that in a few years, ſhe had ſhortned his debt Six thouſand pounds.
The Apoſtle treating of the duties of the Wife, ſaith, Eph. 5. 31. Let the Wife ſee ſhe reverence her husband, and St. Peter obſerveth that Sarah did ſo, and atteſted it by calling him Lord, which yet had not been much ſignificant if it had not been conjoyned, with a prudent concealing infirmities, and a due Obedience to his juſt commands. This Noble Lady did not only ſo in words, but really teſtifie the honour and reverence ſhe bare unto her head. Her prudent concealing infirmities was obvious to all (though no proper matter for this diſcourſe). Her Obedience to her Husbands commands was ſo abſolute as if ſhe had learnt of Ariſtotle, that the Commands of the husband are Ariſt. Oeconom. lib. 2.a law, by God impoſed on the Wife by matrimonial conjunction. She had indeed learned of a better Tutour, Eph. 4. 22. Wives ſubmit your ſelves to your own husbands as unto the Lord, for the husband is the head of the Wife, even as Chriſt is the head of the Church.
But (above all) moſt remarkable was this incomparable Ladies Chriſtian patient ſympathy with her dear husband, in thoſe bodily afflictions with which it pleaſed God to exerciſe foreign.him, exemplifying that of Demoſthenes, how valuable to an husband on a ſick bed a good Wife is. It pleaſed God to exerciſe him with ſucceſſive afflictions, though in different degrees even from her firſt Eſpouſals to him and to allott him this Noble Lady, as much for a Nurſe as for a Wife. Her care for him, and tenderneſs of him was beyond expreſſion, of which I was an ocular witneſs for the ſeven or eight laſt moneths of his life, when his diſtempers grew heavieſt upon him. In the day time ſhe confined her ſelf to his Chamber, ſeldom leaving him for an hour, unleſs to wait upon publick Ordinances, or to take her daily bread, or perform her ſecret Devotions. In the night ſhe watched with him to ſuch a ſtrange exceſs, as all about her wondred her thin body could bear, ſeldom laying her ſelf down to take any reſt till two or three of the Clock in the morning, and then upon an ordinary Couch in his Chamber, where ſhe might hear every groan, and be at hand to every need. Thus ſhe approved her ſelf a Vertuous Wife according to the rules of Philoſophy, with this difference, that ſhe did all this, from a more noble Principle, in a more excellent Manner, and to a more noble End. But this was not all, ſhe was as much a meet help for him as to the things of Eternity, and the ſalvation of his ſoul, as in the things which concerned this life.
The familiar Compellation which her Noble husband (generally) uſed to her was, My dear Saint, and this (not without a juſt cauſe) from the experience he had had of her as to ſpiritual things. When thou art converted (ſaith our Saviour) ſtrengthen thy Brethren. No ſooner had God wrought a change in the heart of this Noble Lady, but her great ſollicitude was for the husband of her boſom, that ſin might not reſt upon him. When Chriſt had called Philip, Joh. 1. 45. Philip findeth Nathaniel, and ſaith unto him, we have found him of whom Moſes in the Law, and the Prophets did write, Jeſus of Nazareth. This Lady rightly apprehended that this ſpiritual charity ought to begin at home. By her prudent monitions, and paſſionate intreaties her husband was won from what had been the vanities of his youth.
To abhorre the things wherein he had formerly delighted, to inquire after, chooſe, be acquainted with, and to delight in thoſe good wayes of God, with which formerly he had no acquaintance, and againſt which (for want of a due knowledge of them) he had formerly taken up a prejudice. He was naturally inclined to ſome exceſs in paſsion, and in the vanity of his youth had contracted an habit of ſwearing, of the evil of which being convinced, he found it yet difficult wholly to leave it, and as a means in order to it injoyned his Lady, privily to pinch his Arm, when ſhe heard any Oath ſlip from him, to which reproof he would ordinarily with a great deal of kindneſs reply, I thank thee my dear Saint; and by this means was at length able wholly to abſtain from that vice, and to fear an Oath, unweariedly to deſire, and to be preſent at private Faſts, and other Religious duties, ſeverely to reprove others (eſpecially his ſervants) and admoniſh his friends of thoſe errors which had formerly been too much his own pleaſure and delight. In ſhort, by the bleſſing of God upon the publick Miniſtry of the Word, upon which he now diligently attended, and the more private means of this Excellent Lady. This worthy perſon before he died, was brought to ſuch a good hope, through grace, for ſeveral moneths, without perturbations, to look upon death every day making its nearer approaches to him, and at laſt, not without teſtimony of a true hope in God, quietly to commit his Soul into the hands of his bleſſed Redeemer. A perſon who did remarkably ſerve his generation, and doubtleſs he had been an eminent inſtrument, if it had pleaſed God to have granted him a longer life, being one who might erre, through prejudice, or miſapprehenſion, but of that nobleneſs of temper, height of courage and ſpirit, that he never valued coſt, nor wanted an heart to go through with any thing of the goodneſs and juſtice of which he was once convinced, and to whom (excepting Academical, learning, which his younger years were not patient of) nothing was wanting which could conſtitute, adorn, and accompliſh a brave and ga…ant man.
But I am digreſſed, and muſt return; we have hitherto only viewed this noble Lady in her Conjugal capacity, as ſhe ſtood concerned in her husband. We muſt now view her in her Parental relation, (for God had not given her a barren womb, nor dry breaſts, though indeed for the further triall of her faith and patience, he made her ordinarily to bring forth to the grave… …he was the Mother of Nine Children, of which only one (that a daughter) lived to marriageable years, the reſt died all either in their infancy, or before they had arrived to their years of Puberty. The young Lady (who was the only Coal God had left her alive) was afterwards married to an Honourable and worthy perſon, Sir John Hobart Baronet, the heir of her Fathers honour and Family, by whom it pleaſed God after ſome years to give her a Son, after which this young and noble Lady did not long ſurvive, being immaturely taken away by the Smallpox, many years before the death of our Noble Lady; nor did her only Childe long ſurvive its mother, ſo that ſhe lived to ſee her wiſe God ſtripping her of every branch that had ſprang out of her root, to let her know he had a better name for her than that of Sons and Daughters.
Concerning her deportment to her other Children (whiles ſhe enjoyed them) I can ſay nothing, having not had the advantage of knowing her till ſome years had paſt after God had deprived her of them: Only may rationally preſume it not unlike to what ſhe ſhewed to the only ſurviver. For her I could ſay much, if while ſhe had a being with us, by her pious diſpoſition, affable and ingenuous temper, and moſt vertuous converſation, in ſhort, by whatſoever accompliſhments, could perfect and adorn a young and Vertuous Lady, ſhe had not both approved her ſelf to all to whom ſhe was known, and alſo commended her betwixt whoſe knees ſhe was educated to ſuch an foreign of feminine perfection. The inſtruction of her Father (which ſhe heard) and the Law of her Mother, which ſhe did not forſake, proved an Ornament of grace unto her head, and as chains of Gold, and Orient Pearls about her neck. And indeed, as there was nothing wanting in nature to accompliſh that young and excellent Lady; ſo her vertuous Mother had reſolved that nothing ſhould be wanting which either her own care, or the Art of others could help her to. Nor did this Rare Lady, ſhew more of a Mother to her while ſhe lived; than of a Chriſtian Mother, when it pleaſed God to extinguiſh this light of her eyes, and quench this only coal which he had left her; taking her death with that due ſenſe, which became ſo tender, and indulgent a mother; and yet with that patience and fortitude, which became ont only her rational ſoul, who conſidered ſhe had brought forth a mortall Daughter, but alſo a ſubmiſſive Chriſtian; who had learned not to repine againſt Heaven, but in a great meaſure to melt down her own, into the divine will.
If we once more turn, and conſider this Noble perſon in the relation of a Miſtreſſe to a numerous family of Servants, we ſhall finde her there converſant with the ſame honour which diſcovered it ſelf in all her other capacities. Though Ariſtotle was a ſtranger to her, yet ſhe had learned this rule. So to behave her ſelf, towards her Servants, as that her carriage would neither allow them to be proud or malapert; nor yet did diſcourage them into any baſeneſs of ſpirit. After that the choice of her ſervants came intirely to her ſelf, her great care in the firſt place was to procure perſons fearing God, to be nigh unto her. The number of theſe being few in this great licentiouſneſs of Youth, ſhe preferred vertuous and ſober perſons, ſhe might indeed (as to ſuch) be once and again deceived, but none ever abode in her houſe, when ſhe had once diſcovered them to be Drunkards, Ʋnclean perſons, Profane, Swearers or Curſers, Enemies to Religion and Godlineſs, or any other way ſcandalous: and her eye was ſo much about her houſe, her care ſo much for the diſcipline of it, as it was not eaſie for any ſuch perſon to be long concealed, but he was diſcerned either by her Ladyſhips own eye, or by her Steward's.
She alwayes gave noble meſſes of meat to her ſervants, and portions to her maidens; and ſhe alſo took more than ordinary care for the better Concerns of their immortal Souls. In ſhort, there is none ever ſerved her who will not praiſe her in the gates; none who ever waited upon her but will riſe up and call her bleſſed.
3. But my Pen haſteneth to the conſideration of this Honourable perſon in the third, and laſt period of her life; when ſhe was again reduced to a ſingle ſtate: In this ſhe was indeed beſt known unto me, having had the happineſs to wait upon her during this whole time, and for ſome little time before (about ſeven or eight moneths) from whence I ſhall begin my ſtory. It was in September 1646. that I was invited by Sir John Hobart (at that time alive) to take my Chamber in his houſe, (whiles I diſcharged my Miniſterial Office in the City); and to take ſome overſight of his Family as to the things of God. Sir John himſelf having lately been valetudinarious, and the Family without any ſpiritual guide, I found it in ſome diſorder, and the ſeverall perſons in it (my Ladyes Daughter only excepted) being perſons grown in years, I apprehended it no eaſie thing to reduce it to a due Religious Order, and Diſcipline. My deſign was (it being a Family of much leiſure) to bring it up to a Courſe of Prayer (in conformity to Davids Copy, Morning and Evening and at Noontime; Reading ſome portion of Scripture twice each day, and expounding it, as my leiſure would allow me) Catechizing once every week, a ſtricter obſervation of the Lords dayes, and Repetitions of Sermons, both on that, and other dayes, when we had attended upon the publick Ordinances. I did not do this, as thinking it what God requireth of all Families, but in regard, I thought God expected more of us to whom he had given more leiſure from diſtracting occaſions of the World: Partly, in regard my hands at that time were not ſo full of more publick employment, but I could attend this more than ordinary ſervice in the Family; and indeed, becauſe I thought I ſaw the Family ſo much behind hand as to ſpiritual knowledge, as ordinary performances in a ſhort time were not like to reach the end which I aimed at.
As to the generality of the Servants, I feared this might prove like the putting of New Wine into old Bottles, and be judged a yoke they were not able to bear. I therefore firſt communicated my thoughts to my Lady (Sir John Hobarts ſickly ſtate not allowing much liberty of diſcourſe at that time). Her Ladyſhip chearfully approving my thoughts, propounded them to her husband, who with great expreſſions of thankfulneſs, teſtified his approbation to me, and commanded his Servants diligently to attend the duties; and himſelf, when his diſtempers would permit him, was never abſent ordinarily (for ſome time) at our Prayers. At Noon and Night he was with us. The Morning Service was by ſeven of the Clock, rarely after eight, from which her Ladyſhip, unleſs in a bed of ſickneſs) in eighteen years I think was hardly twice abſent, and was ordinarily with the firſt of the Family in the room where they were performed, before her ſicklineſs brought them to her own Chamber.
The buſineſs of Catechizing was more difficult, yet made eaſie by theſe noble Parents, prevailing with their own Daughter, to go before the Family in a noble Example, which ſhe continued untill ſhe had attained a competent knowledge in the moſt neceſſary Principles of Religion. From the time I firſt came into the Family, it pleaſed God to keep Sir John Hobart, in a dying condition (though he had ſome more lucid intervals than other:) within leſs than eight moneths God removed him into a better life. It was his great ſatisfaction all along his ſickneſs to ſee his dear Daughter, making ſuch a proficiency in the knowledge of the things of God, and ſo willing to ſet an example to his Family; and he mentioned it as his dying comfort, that he had ſeen his Family before his death in a courſe of Reformation, which he doubted not but his Lady would bring to perfection.
Now was this Excellent Lady brought to the third and laſt period of her life. Now ſhe ſate ſolitary as a Widow; mourning as a Turtle that had loſt her Mate, and for a while not knowing how to receive comfort becauſe He was not. Having recovered her ſelf from her paſſion, and learned to hold her peace becauſe this was the Lords doing, ſhe made it her firſt requeſt to me, that I would abide with her, and keep on the courſe of Religious dutyes in the Family, which I had began, propoſing to me an high incouragement from an aſſurance that I ſhould find her, propoſing to her ſelf the pattern of the man according to Gods own heart, Pſal. 101. 1, 2, 6, 7. endeavouring to walk in her houſe with a perfect heart. That thoſe who were of a froward ſpirit ſhould depart from her: That her eyes ſhould be upon the faithfull in the land, they ſhould ſerve her. That he who wrought deceit ſhould not dwell in her houſe; he that told lies ſhould not tarry in her ſight. To which reſolution ſhe was afterwards very ſevere. The times began to be troubleſome, through the diſtempers of the Army, and ſome fears began then to ariſe, that Miniſters, who could not comply with the extravagancies of that time ſhould not be ſuffered to enjoy their publick liberty: Her Ladyſhip partly to obviate that Evil, partly to give her ſelf advantage (however times fell) to do good to the Souls of many; at no ſmall charge, converted ſome leſs uſefull lower rooms of her houſe into a Chappel which was conveniently capacious of more than 200 perſons. Here ſhe obliged me at firſt to preach a Lecture every week, and to repeat one or both of my Sermons every Lords Day at night, after the more publick Sermons were finiſhed in the Town, which for 16 years was continued to a very full Auditory, and to the great advantage of many younger perſons, and of thoſe who had not ſuch advantages as they deſired in their own houſes, for hearing again what they had been hearing in the day time. A work of piety the more remarkable for this, her Ladyſhips Chappel lying in the way to that field where the younger perſons were formerly wont to profane the latter part of the Lords day, by idle walks, diſcourſes and Recreations, intercepted many of them, and proved a bait to allure them both (from the example of it) into a further reverence of the Sabbath; and (from the Doctrine they heard there) to bring them to a further acquaintance with God. After this ſhe ingaged me alſo to preach a Morning Sermon there on the Lords dayes (thoſe monthly dayes only excepted when I was to adminiſter the Communion of the Lords Supper more publickly). This courſe her Ladyſhip continued ſo long as I had a liberty to preach, or her Ladyſhip a liberty to hear. But, that I may ſpeak more diſtinctly:
The Chriſtian Philoſopher divideth all vertue into Piety, and Probity; which indeed is our Saviours diviſion of the whole Law into the two Precepts: Thou ſhalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart; and Thou ſhalt love thy Neighbour as thy ſelf. We muſt firſt conſider her Ladyſhips obedience to the firſt, and then to the ſecond.
1. Even from her Childhood ſome ſeeds of ſeverer piety began to diſcover themſelves in her. I have heard her mention the pleaſure ſhe then took in reading Mr. Dod's Expoſition of the Commandements. Then (as I have heard her relate it) her pleaſure was in thoſe Miniſters whoſe Doctrine was moſt lively, and whoſe lives were moſt pure and holy. But her ſelf would conſtantly own the fixed change of her heart to have been wrought by God under the Miniſtry of that eminent Servant of God, Mr. John Carter, late Miniſter of St. Peters Mancraft in Norwich, of whom ſhe was a conſtant Hearer. Her pious Soul having thus been kindled with an holy fire, quickly flamed in a Goſpel converſation, her light ſhining out ſo before others, that they ſaw her good works, and glorified her Father which was in Heaven: And I doubt not but many in the view of them, glorified God in the day of their Viſitation. I know not whether (in the memory of any) the City of Norwich was bleſſed with any perſon of her quality, who in any proportion to her, incouraged the wayes of God with her Purſe, and recommended them by her unparallel'd example. Let us take the due proportion of a Chriſtian ſingle-woman from the great Apoſtle of the Gentiles, and compare her with his Rule. He ſpeaking, 1 Cor. 7. 34. of married and unmarried Chriſtian women, ſaith, The unmarried 1 Cor. 7. 34.woman careth for the things of the Lord, that ſhe may be holy both in body and ſpirit, but ſhe that is married, careth for the things of the world, that ſhe may pleaſe her husband. And the ſame Apoſtle giving us the deſcription of a Widow indeed, deciphereth her thus: 1. Negatively, ſhe is one that liveth not in pleaſures, for (ſaith he) The woman that liveth in pleaſure is 1 Tim. 5. 5.dead while ſhe lives. 2. Poſitively he deſcribes her thus, She truſteth in God, and continues in 9.ſupplications night and day: and directing what Widow he would have dignified in the Church he ſaith, If ſhe hath been the Wife of one husband, (by which I conceive he underſtands Chaſtity) if ſhe be well reported of for good works, if ſhe have brought up children, and lodged ſtrangers, if ſhe have waſhed the Saints feet, if ſhe hath relieved the afflicted, and diligently followed every good work. We ſhall find this excellent Lady Saint Pauls qualified Widow.
1. Negatively: She was none of thoſe who lived in pleaſure while ſhe lived. Very far from ſpending her precious time in ſleep, or banquets, at Balls or profane Playes, or inſignificant Viſits, or that ſpend their Eſtates in ſoft and gay Garments, or indulging their Palats, beſides what time ſhe neceſſarily ſpent in the ſervices of her body, ſhe ſpent all her hours, either in the more publick or private exerciſes of Religion, or in ſuch Viſits where ſhe might either do or receive good; if ſhe made any other, they were her burthen rather than pleaſure, to repay the civilities of others, never being patient of being out-done in Civilities. She ſeldom ſpent half an hour either in a Dinner or Supper, and both ate and drank in ſo ſmall proportions, that (not denying allowances for particular conſtitutions) ſhe was a perfect demonſtration, how little Nature would be content with: ſhe was ſo far from taking pleaſure in coſtly raiment, that for ſome years after the loſs of her dear husband, ſhe could not be perſwaded to wear a ſilk Gown; and profeſſed to do it, that ſhe might have abundantly to relieve poor Chriſtians in want: and when at any time, ſhe ſaw an object of charity requiring a greater proportion than ſuited her preſent ſtock of money, ſhe would yet do it, telling me, it was but wearing a Gown two or three moneths longer: For Muſick, Dancings, Gamings, her ſerious mortified Soul was grown a perfect ſtranger to them.
Untill ſome few years before her death, when infirmities increaſing upon her, ſuffered her not to do as formerly. This was the conſtant courſe of her life. She ſeldom was in her bed after Four of the Clock in the morning, (towards her latter end, her health inforced her to abide in it longer; yet to the laſt, Seven was her utmoſt hour): from the time ſhe roſe till Seven of the Clock, ſhe ſpent her time in the private Devotions and retirements of her Cloſet; then ſhe came out to the more publick duties of the family, which ſhe never miſſed, and ſeldom but was firſt in the room, in Prayer, Reading the Scriptures, Expounding, one or more of theſe Exerciſes (as opportunity ſerved) and ſome diſcourſes afterward ſhe then uſually ſpent more than an hour, the reſt of her time till Noon was ſpent in her Chamber in dreſſing, or in her Cloſet, reading, looking over Accounts, &c. Sometimes for half an hour ſhe walked. Then ſhe came out again to Prayer in her Family, in which, and in Dinner, and following Diſcourſes ſhe uſually ſpent two hours, and ſometimes exerciſed her ſelf for half an hour afterward. Her afternoon was ſpent in reading, or making Viſits chiefly to ſuch Chriſtians, as ſhe had an Intereſt in; or ſometimes in ſpinning or ſowing with her Maids. About Six she again came to her Family-duties: in which, at Supper, and diſcourſes after it, she ordinarily ſpent three hours, and then withdrew to her Cloſet, for many years together there she abode reading and praying till Twelve or One of the Clock: till at laſt with no ordinary difficulty, she was perſwaded by her learned Phyſitian to abate an hour or two of that exceſs, for her health ſake. Thus she lived a moſt mortified life to all the contents of this World, excepting only what aroſe from Communion with God, and his people; uſing as great ſeverity to her ſelf as thoſe who judge ſuch Caſtigations of their body the price of Heaven.
2. The Poſitive part of St. Pauls deſcription, in the firſt place reſpects Religion; ſo he deſcribeth her to be one, 1. Truſting in God. 2. Continuing in ſupplications night and day. 3. Caring for the things of the Lord, that ſhe might be holy in body, and minde, and ſpirit. The firſt is an internal, the ſecond a more external Act of Religion. Truſting in God, as it ſpeaketh our ſecret affiance in, and adherence to the promiſes for this life or that to come, is ſo ſecret an act of the ſoul, that oft-times, the Soul that doth it, cannot diſcern the truth of its own act, much leſs can another diſcern it otherwiſe than from the effects. Some of thoſe effects, which will come neareſt the certain diſcovery of this habit, are, an unfained love to the Word and Ordinances of God; Freedom from diſtracting eares for to morrow; Love to God; Fear of offending him; Hope in his mercy, &c. How much this admirable Lady valued the Word and Ordinances of God, was conſpicuous to all that knew her, moſt to us who had the advantage of more intimate communion with her: Beſides that ſhe was rarely to be found alone without her Bible before her, ſhe had drawn up for her ſelf a method for reading the Scripture (to which ſhe was very ſtrict) ſo as every year ſhe read over the Pſalms Twelve times, the New Teſtament thrice, and the other part of the Old Teſtament once. Beſides this, that ſhe might want no ſatisfaction to any doubt ariſing upon her reading the Scripture, ſhe had furniſhed her ſelf with a large Library of Engliſh Divines, which coſt her not much leſs than 100 l. of which ſhe made a daily uſe: She was (while in health) unweariable in her attendance upon Sermons, ſuch eſpecially where the Truths of God were opened moſt lively, and with leaſt vanity, and in fulleſt evidence of Scripture; ſhe ordinarily heard three or four Lecture Sermons in the week, and three on the Lords day, till her diſtempers ſo prevailed upon her, that ſhe could not attend them without that heavineſs which ſhe was loth to diſcover, and which was her great affliction. This her love to the Word argued that ſhe had choſen the Promiſes in it for her portion, and had caſt her Soul upon them; how elſe were they ſo precious to her?
She was indeed a Lady exerciſed with her doubts and fears, and love-jealouſies; rather evidences for, than againſt this adherence to her dear Lord. I have ſeen her in great agonies and conflicts, and almoſt refuſing to be ſatisfied, but could never find that they argued more, than an earneſt thirſting after further evidences of divine love than it pleaſed God for ſome time to vouchſafe her. She was poſſeſſed indeed of a Noble Eſtate, and ſo had not that temptation as others to diſtruſtfull cares for the things of this life; yet ſo far as ſhe could, ſhe exerciſed this act of faith, never caring for to morrow, nor conſidering what it might bring forth: But freely ſpending her whole revenue in pious and charitable works (that of it I mean which ſhe could ſpare from the frugal expenſes of her houſhold) proſeſſing ſhe deſired no more, than to make her accounts of Receits and Disburſements even at the years end. Her love to God was beyond the love of Women, whether we view it in the more ſecret motions of her ſoul, or in more imperate acts: What ſighs? what heart-breaking ſadneſs, have I been a witneſs to from her, when ſhe lay (at any time) under apprehenſions of any degrees of divine deſertions? or any ſuſpicions of the truth of Grace in her own heart: What tears (in ſuch dark hours) have I ſeen flow from her eyes in her Cloſet more privately? What groans have I heard from her, while we have been praying more publickly? On the other ſide, if at any time, ſhe could have laid hold upon any good Word of God, if ſhe had found any more freedom of ſpirit or heart, or felt what ſhe judged an Efflux of divine love upon her Soul, What a chearfulneſs did we all the day ſee in her countenance? what freedom did we diſcern in her converſe? It was no hard matter for me from the obſervation of her converſe and countenance in the day-time, to judge how it had ſared with her Ladyſhips ſpirit in her addreſſes to God that morning. Her dread of God was exceeding great. I have ſometimes trembled to hear with what earneſtneſs ſhe would adjure me to be faithfull to her in the buſineſs of her Soul, and not to ſuffer ſin to reſt upon her. Her fear indeed was for ſome time too too ſervile, favouring too much of the ſpirit of Bondage, but it was afterward, more conſtantly Filial, in all things diſcovered by a reverential ſenſe of the great and glorious Majeſty of God, and a fear of wilfull ſinning againſt him.
Nor was this Excellent Lady's Religion ſuch as to evince it to the World, ſhe was put to flee to the plea of a good heart as a Sanctuary. Out of the abundance of Grace in her heart her mouth ſpake, her whole outward man moved in a juſt conformity to her external profeſſion: She was exemplarily diligent and devout in all Religious performances.
Prayer was her great delight. To that form are the firſt ſpiritual words which the Childe of God ſpeaketh. The firſt account we have of Saint Paul after his converſion was, Behold he prayeth, and this ſeemeth to have been the firſt ſtudy of this Excellent Lady: In the external performance of which, ſhe found ſome difficulty, to relieve her ſelf in which, ſhe had furniſhed her Cloſet with moſt valuable Engliſh books, which contained Forms of Prayer, upon ſeveral occaſions; in none of which ſhe could find a full ſatisfaction, but ever and anon ſhe was ſtill at a loſs for words fitted to the altering complexion of her ſpirit. To help her ſelf, she procured her Paſtor to draw up ſeveral Forms fitted to the frame of her Soul, at ſeveral times: And in this work when I was come into her Family she often imployed me, but ſtill she remained diſſatisfied, that she gave us ſo frequent troubles, and that after ſome years owning her ſelf to be Gods childe, she should in any exigent be at a loſs for words to take unto her ſelf, and to ſay Abba Father. I humbly adviſed her to a praevious ſtudy of the more general matter, and method of Prayer, and of the Divine Promiſes, which are the ſacred Obligations which Prayer puts in ſuit. As to the former, I drew up for her Ladyſhip a Scheme (which she kept hanging before her in her Cloſet to her dying day, deſcribing to her the plainer and more ordinary method, and the more general matter of Prayer, and commended to her ſome Books which gave the fulleſt account of the Promiſes. After ſome ſmall exerciſe of her ſelf in both of them, ſhe needed her Prayer-books and Forms no longer, but was able (as occaſion miniſtred it ſelf) to pour out her Soul to God according to her neceſſities, without any further Monitor than the Spirit of Supplications in conjunction with the pious workings of her own breaſt. And indeed after this ſhe was no friend to Forms, she judged that they could never be uſed with that warmth of affection, which attends the words of a good Chriſtian, formed in his own heart: That whoſo limited himſelf by them would never from his performance in duty underſtand any thing of the frame of his heart. And that no knowing perſon could have other need of them, than as a Supplement for his own lazineſs, neither ſtudying the Scriptures nor his own Heart. Whatever be determined as to her judgement in the eaſe, her Ladyſhip for 15 or 16 years before her death would not allow her ſelf the uſe of them. She prayed much in her Cloſet, Thrice each day in Communion with us in the Family.
She was as diligent in hearing the Word, ordinarily hearing three Sermons on the Lords Day, and more Lectures in the Week-day, till her increaſing diſtempers (of late years) more indiſpoſed her. Her Sabbath day ſervice, and the hearing of one weekly Lecture which her Ladyſhip at her own charge erected and maintained, ſhe continued while ſhe was able to go down ſtairs, yea and after that in her Bed-chamber to her dying-day.
Once every month, ſhe (in Communion with us) received the Lords Supper, and that not without praevious preparation before ſhe came, and moſt ardent devotion when ſhe was preſent at that ſacred Inſtitution. Of her private Faſtings, and extraordinary times of Prayer, I ſhall ſay nothing, though in them ſhe was not wanting.
Her love to the Miniſters and ſervants of God was beyond compariſon; ſhe had not only (like the Shunamite) prepared a Table, a Bed, and a Candleſtick for the Servants of God who paſſed that way, but (like Lydia) ſhe would adjure them (if they judged her faithfull) to come to her houſe. To this purpoſe ſhe had ſet apart one Chamber in her own houſe, to which ſhe had given the name of The Miniſters Chamber. She highly prized any laborious Godly Miniſter, and that for his works ſake; and ſhe had as little kindneſs for any who attended not their Work, or whoſe lives defamed their Doctrine, and Function, having nothing but the colour, and form of their Coat to make them known: ſhe had indeed a peculiar kindneſs for ſome, but a great love for all, whom by any thing ſhe could diſcern deriving from Chriſt, and dedicating their time and hearts to his ſervice. So far as I could eſtimate it, ſhe every year ſpent the fourth part of her Revenues upon good Miniſters, and poor Chriſtians. Her charitable acts were like that pious act of Araunah, of whom the Scripture ſaith, As a King he gave unto the King. What ſhe did of this nature, ſhe did nobly, and a very large heart and hand God had given her. How often hath ſhe lodged ſtrangers, relieved the afflicted, waſhed their wounds (inſtead of their feet) waſhing of which being not our guiſe? How diligently did ſhe follow every good work? Her Coach was ordinarily ſeen waiting for her, at the doors of poor and mean perſons, whiles others (like Michal) looked out at their wanton Windows, ſaw it, and mockt. It pleaſed her Ladyſhip when ſhe came home to fancy what the wanton Gallants of the Town ſaid, How glorious was the Lady Frances to day, ſpending her time in Viſits to poor Knitters? She had an anſwer ready (with a ſmall alteration) from the man according to Gods own heart, It was before the Lord, with ſuch as he hath choſen to Eternal life, leaving Vain perſons to periſh in the recompence of their iniquity.
While others were meaſuring the ground with their idle feet, ſhe (upon her bended knees) was taking her turns with God, and taking the heighth of the third Heavens: While they were diſcourſing of the Mode, in this or the other habit, ſhe was diſcourſing with poor Chriſtians upon ſick and Deathbeds, about the long white Robe of Chriſts righteouſneſs; the New Name, the white Stone, the Chains about the Saints necks; while they were laughing, and pleaſantly buſied at their Feaſts, Balls, and Playes, ſhe was in her Cloſet, mourning, and offering up to God the ſpiritual ſacrifice of Prayers and Tears, both for her ſelf and them. She was of our Divine Poets mind, that Kneeling never ſpoiled Silk-ſtocking, nor Gown neither, and that Chriſtian Cottages never diſhonoured a more ſtately Coach. I have known ſome very mean Chriſtians (but indeed of great grace, and great experience in the wayes of God) from whom lying on their beds of afflictions, ſhe would hardly be two dayes abſent; nor did ſhe judge any time too long to ſpend with them. She would often ſay to me, that ſhe believed Love conſtrained equally (if not more) in ſpiritual Relations, than in thoſe that were natural; and when in her dark hours, ſhe ſometimes ran the fate of other Chriſtians, wanting ſuch evidences of Grace, as ſhe deſired to have found, ſhe would from this relieve her ſelf, that if St. Johns Argument were infallible, 1 Joh. 3. 14. We know that we have paſſed from death to life, becauſe we love the Brethren, ſhe yet had a ground of hope, for if her heart did not ſtrangely deceive her, ſhe loved them, and that becauſe of their holineſs, &c. nor was ſhe any of thoſe that ſaid ſhe had Faith or Love, and had no Works. None of thoſe whom St. James reflects upon, Who if a Brother or Siſter were naked, and deſtitute of daily food, would ſay to them, James 2. 15, 16.Depart in peace, be you warmed, and be you filled, notwithſtanding gave them not thoſe things which were needfull to the Body. Her love did not evaporate, and ſpend it ſelf in an emptyhanded Viſit, or meer pitying of ſuch as were in affliction, ſhe many wayes refreſhed their bowels, if ſhe found their bodily diſtempers difficult, ſhe would ordinarily ſend her own learned Phyſician to them (who himſelf was a Luke too towards ſuch as feared God) if ſhe found them under ſpiritual trouble, ſhe would direct me to them: She would put her own hands to their wounds, ſend them diſhes from her own Table, when ſhe had been with them at any time like the good Samaritane in the Goſpel, when ſhe came away she would take out money from her purſe, and give to Nurſes, ſaying to them, Take care of this perſon, and whatſoever you ſpend more, when I come again I will repay you. Her ſelf denyal in all acts of piety, and charity to the ſouls and bodies of others, was the juſt admiration of all ſober perſons in the place where God had fixed her, for which she was univerſally honoured, even by thoſe who were of far different complexions from her.
Nor was she at all moroſe in her converſe. Her piety taught her civility, and affability, and a readineſs to do good to all, though her delight (according to that of David) was in thoſe Pſal. 16. 3.whom she apprehended dear unto God; and she was (according to the Apoſtles direction) moſt abundant in doing good to thoſe of the Gal. 6. 10.houſhold of Faith. Though her Expences were great and noble, yet thoſe upon her ſelf were mean and inconſiderable: She cared not to be known by ſo pitifull a badge of Honour as Coſtly Apparel, but was far more ambitious, of purchaſing to her ſelf an honourable report from good works, which yet she did not to be ſeen of men, and was carefull as to the moſt of them, that they should neither be taken notice of in the doing, nor that any record should be left of them, her deſire was to have praiſe not from Men but from God. Landes quia merebatur contempſit, & quia contempſit magis merebatur: So little did she affect applauſe, that drawing her laſt will (at leaſt the Preface to it) with her own hand whiles I had the liberty of my publick Miniſtry, she willing me to preach at her Funerals, added (as I remember theſe very words) And I deſire him to forbear all commendations of me, a vile ſinfull Creature. Thus did this Noble Lady go in and out before us, commending the holy wayes of God, not only to all in the houſe with her, but to all that dwelt round about her. Thus did she shine in her Horizon; she was not a reed ſhaken with the winde, not one carried about with every winde of Doctrine; she was not a perſon known by her cloathing in ſoft and coſtly rayment (yet she had been no ſtranger to Kings houſes) she was a burning and a ſhining light, and for many years the people of God, in the City of Norwich, rejoyced in her light, to ſay nothing of more extraordinary advantages, they injoyed at leaſt three opportunities each week for hearing the Word of God at her Ladiſhips charge. But ſhe, according to the will of God had (with David) ſerved her generation, and her time now was come when ſhe muſt fall aſleep.
It muſt and may be owned (for ſhe judged it no blot upon her honour) that ſhe was a Non-conformiſt as to ſome Modes of Worſhip in preſent uſe; as well as to ſome Doctrines more now in credit than formerly: for the latter, ſhe was beholden to her Noble Father, who (as it was ſaid before) early prejudiced her againſt the Arminian principles, and for the former, ſhe was wont to acknowledge it to thoſe who had the charge of her tender years, who ſowed thoſe ſeeds, which afterwards brought forth this fruit, indeed nothing ſo prejudiced her againſt forms of Prayer, as her own experience of them. For the two or three laſt years of her life therefore, ſhe reſtrained her ſelf to thoſe exerciſes of Religion, which were performed within her own walls, or in ſome other places not ſo publick. As to which ſhe yet injoyed a great liberty, by reaſon of that honour which perſons of all perſwaſions had for her. It was not the will of God ſhe ſhould long ſurvive that liberty, which was ſo precious to her. The Lords day next preceding the time when the Act reſtraining religious meetings took place, was (if I remember right) the laſt time ſhe went down her ſtairs; I remember while I helped her in going up the ſtairs from her Chappell to her Chamber, that night ſhe told me, The Act would do her no prejudice, for ſhe ſhould never go down more. This (as I remember) was about the latter end of June, or beginning of July, 1664. The Dropſie (her fatal diſeaſe) had three or four moneths before ſeized upon her, but death (by it) made ſuch gradual approaches, that till that time ſhe was able (without much diſturbance) to walk up and down. That very night (as I remember) was the firſt time, that ſhe complained of her leggs failing her to that degree, yet was her life lengthened out till the latter end of November following: Indeed her whole life was a time of Afflictions, through the valetudinarious condition of her Noble Husband; the loſs of Children, and her own ſubjection to diſtempers, through ſtubborn ſplenetick obſtructions. Nor was ſhe for ſome years before without ſome proſpect of the death by which ſhe ſhould dye, though it was a kind of death, which ſhe above all others dreaded, and would often ſay concerning it, Father, if it be poſſible let that Cup paſs from me.
The time of her laſt ſickneſs preſented us with no great variety of temper in her as to her ſpiritual condition … kept on her courſe of Religious Duties in her Houſe, and Chamber, as formerly. Her work was done both as to this, and as to another life, her Houſe and her Soul was ſet in order, ſo as ſhe had little to do, but to ſit ſtill, and wait for the ſalvation of God, all the remaining dayes of her appointed time till her great change came. I do not remember that during her long ſickneſs, ſhe more than twice diſcovered to me any conflicts in her Spirit, though I conſtantly attended upon her, and as conſtantly inquired upon the frame of her ſpirit. She had ſown in tears before, and had now nothing to doe but to reap in joy. Her death was a long time both by her ſelf, and us foreſeen in its cauſes, but as to the particular time we were a little ſurprized, when ſhe thought the day of her change (in probability) at ſome diſtance, ſhe loſt her ſenſes and ſpeech, and after two or three dayes quietly fell aſleep in the Evening upon the Lords day, Nov. 27. 1664.
Thus lived, thus dyed this twice noble, Excellent Lady about the 61 year of her Age. Poſſibly the Nobleſt Example of Piety, and trueſt Pattern of Honour, Liberality, Temperance, Humility and Courteſie, which it hath pleaſed God in this laſt Age to ſhew upon the ſtage where he had fixed her.
A Woman indeed not without her infirmities (to aſſert that, were to diſcharge her of her relation to Humane Nature) but as they were of no ſcandalous magnitude, and the products of Natural Temperature, not of Vitious Habits; ſo they were ſo much outſhined by her eminent Graces, and Vertues, as a curious eye would hardly take notice of them. In ſhort, None ever lived more deſired, nor died more univerſally lamented by all ſober perſons in that City, to which ſhe related. She was buried in a Vault belonging to the Family of her Dear and Noble Husband at Blicklin in Norfolk, Decemb. 1. 1664. therein paying her deceaſed Husband a laſt Obedience, who (as I have often heard her pleaſantly ſay) made it his firſt requeſt to her upon her Marriage-day.