CCXI sociable letters written by the thrice noble, illustrious, and excellent princess, the Lady Marchioness of Newcastle.

About this Item

Title
CCXI sociable letters written by the thrice noble, illustrious, and excellent princess, the Lady Marchioness of Newcastle.
Author
Newcastle, Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of, 1624?-1674.
Publication
London :: Printed by William Wilson ...,
M.DC.LXIV [1664]
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Link to this Item
http://name.umdl.umich.edu/A53064.0001.001
Cite this Item
"CCXI sociable letters written by the thrice noble, illustrious, and excellent princess, the Lady Marchioness of Newcastle." In the digital collection Early English Books Online. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A53064.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed June 14, 2024.

Pages

Page 29

XVII.

MADAM,

THe pure Lady, or Lady Puritan, is so god∣ly, as to follow all those Ministers she thinks are call'd and chosen by the Holy Spirit, to preach the Word of God, whereas those Ministers preach more their own words, than God's, for they interpret the Scripture to their own Sense, or rather to their Factious Humours and Designs, and after their Sermons, their fe∣male Flocks gossip Scripture, visiting each other to confer Notes, and make repetitions of the Sermons, as also to explain and expound them; for first the Minister expounds the Scripture, and then the Women-hearers expound the Ser∣mon; so that there are expoundings upon ex∣poundings, and preaching upon preaching, in∣somuch as they make such a medly or hash of the Scripture, as certainly the right and Truth is so hidden and obscur'd, that none can find it; and surely the Holy Spirit, whom they talk so much of, knows not what they mean or preach, being so much and such Non-sense in their Ser∣mons, as God himself cannot turn to Sense; but howsoever, it works on some to a good effect, and causes as much Devotion amongst many, as if they preach'd Learnedly, Eloquently, and inter∣preted Rightly, and to the true sense & meaning; for many sorrowful & penitent tears are shed, but

Page 30

whether they be bottled up in Heaven, I know not: certainly Mary Magdalen could not Weep faster for the time, or fetch deeper Sighs, or stron∣ger Groans for her Sins, than they do, which shews that they have been grievous Sinners; but whether their Sins were of the same kind as hers were, I cannot tell, and I think they would not confess, for Confession they account Popish. But truly, and verily, the Lady Puritan who hath been to visit me this afternoon, hath so tired me with her preaching Discourse, as I think I shall not recover my weary Spirits and deafned Ears, this two dayes, unless a quiet sleep cure me; nay, she hath so fill'd my head with words, as I doubt it will hinder my silent Repose; howsoever I'le try: and so taking my leave as going to bed, I rest,

Madam,

Your faithful Fr. and S.

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