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

LXXVI.

MADAM,

SInce I last writ to you, I have been to hear Mrs. P. N. Preach, for now she is, as I did believe she would be, viz. a Preaching Si∣ster, There were a great many Holy Sisters and Holy Brethren met together, where many took their turns to Preach, for as they are for Liber∣ty of Conscience, so they are for Liberty of Preaching, but there were more Sermons than Learning, and more Words than Reason, Mrs. P. N. began, but her Sermon I do not well remember, and after she had Sighed and VVin∣ded out her Devotion, a Holy Brother stood up and Preached thus, as I shall briefly relate to you.

DEarly beloved Brethren and Sisters, We are gathered together in the Lord with Purity of Spirit to Preach his Word amongst us, We are the Chosen and Elect Children of the Lord who have Glorified Spirits and Sanctified Souls, we have the Spirit of God in us, which Inspires us to Pray and to Preach, as also to Call upon his

Name and to Remember him of his Promise to Vnite and Gather us together into his New Ierusalem, separating us from Reprobates, that we may not be Defiled with their Presence, for you Dear Brethren Know by the Spirit, that they are not the Children of the Lord but Sathans Children, they are the Children of Darkness, we the Children of Light, we are Glorified and San∣ctified by Supernatural Grace, we are a Peculiar People, and the Holy Prophets of the Lord, to Fore-see, Fore-tell and Declare his Will and Pleasure, also we are to Incourage and Comfort the Saints in Afflictions and Times of Tribulation and Consolation, and to Help them to Present their Sanctified Sighs, Tears and Groans unto the Lord; but the Spirit moveth me to Pray and to leave off Preaching, wherefore let us Pray unto the Lord.

So after the Holy Brother had done his Pray∣er, Mr. N. N. who was there, pull'd off his Peruick, and put on a Night-Cap, wherein he appeared so like a Holy Brother as they took him for one of their Sect, and he Preached this following Sermon.

DEarly beloved Brethren, We are here met in a Congregation together, some to Teach, others to Learn; but neither the Teaching nor Learning can be any other way but Natural and according to Human Capacitie, for we cannot be Coelestial whilst we are Terrestrial, neither can

we be Glorified whilst we are Mortal and sub∣ject to Death, nor yet can we arrive to the Purity of Saints or Angels, whilst we are subject to Na∣tural Imperfections both in Body and Mind, but there are some Men that Believe they are, or at least may be so Pure in Spirit by Saving Grace, as to be Sanctified, and to be so much fill'd with the Holy Ghost as to have Spiritual Visions, and ordinarily to have Conversation with God, belie∣ving God to be a Common Companion to their Idle Imaginations. But this Opinion proceeds from an Extraordinary Self-Love, Self-Pride, and Self-Ambition, as to believe they are the only fit Companions for God himself, and that not any of God's Creatures are or were Worthy to be Favou∣red, but They, much less to be made of Gods Pri∣vy Counsel, as they believe they are, as to Know his Will and Pleasure, his Decrees and Destinies, which indeed are not to be Known, for the Creator is too Mighty for a Creature to Comprehend him, Wherefore let us Humbly Pray to What we can∣not Conceive.

But before he had quite Ended his Sermon, the Holy flock began to Bustle, and at last VVent quite out of the Room, so that he might have Pray'd by Himself, had not I and two or three Ladies more that were of my Company, Stayed, and when he had done his short Prayer, He told me and the other Ladyes, that he had Done that which the Great Counsel of State could not Do, for he had by one short Discourse Disper∣sed

a Company of Sectaries without Noise or Disturbance, but at last we dispersed our selves to our own Houses, although Mr. N. N. would have given us a Ball after a Sermon, but I was so tyred with the One, as I was not fit for the O∣ther, for we were from Morning till Evening to hear them Preach; yet as Tyred and Wea∣ry as I am I could not choose but Repeat these two of their shortest Sermons which I heard, and so I subscribe my self,

Madam,

Your faithful Friend and Servant.